On this episode, Erik and Stephen sit down with... no one. We actually decided that on this episode we would take the opportunity to kick off the holiday season by discussing all the fun activities for families to do in and around the Belleville Area and reflect on what these events have meant to us over the years and how important it is for everyone to get out and enjoy them since so many things did not occur last year due to the pandemic  In this episode we discuss:

- Belleville Santa Claus Parade

- The Christkindlmarkt 

- The importance of Small Business Saturday

- The Chambers Movie Nights with Santa

- The Holiday Pops performed be the Belleville Philharmonic Society (the 2nd oldest, continuously ran Philharmonic in the country behind Boston)

- The lights and The Shrine and WWT Raceway in Madison

Link to the Flier of these events can be found here:

https://www.belleville.net/DocumentCenter/View/8460/2021-Belleville-Holiday-Events-Calendar

In this episode we catch up with BTHS 201 Superintendent Dr. Brian Mentzer and discuss:

In this Episode we sit down with the President of Eckert's, Chris Eckert where we discuss:

- the History and Background of the Family Farm and how it got to where it is today

- How Chris got started in the family business

- How they do such a good job drawing in people from MO and other bordering areas

- Some of the exciting things they have planned for the future (including a new beer garden at the Belleville location)

In this episode we chat with Lisa Phillipson of Hospice of Southern Illinois.

In this episode we catch up Brandon McGraw, one of the owners of Belleville's Original NOLA inspired restaurant, The Quarter and discuss: 

- Why they decided to invest in Downtown Belleville 

- Why they decided to open their second restaurant during covid 

- The HERO Beer Tab at their other restaurant in Fairview Heights, Signature Tap House 

- How they, and all downtown Belleville restaurants, work together to help each other 

- What the return of events such as the Belleville Oktoberfest and Chili Cook Off mean for restaurants downtown 

- A special competition they are having between their two restaurants for the Belleville Chili Cook Off

With the return of events coming to Downtown Belleville. we sit down with the Cari Frick from Oktoberfest and Wendy Pfeil from the Belleville Chili Cook-off to discuss a few things including:

- How excited they and the city are to have these events back this year.

- How much work and time they (along with others) have had to put into this years events compared to past years.

- The effects last year had on the events being cancelled. 

- How the events have adapted due to covid and all the precautions they are taking

- Much more

In this episode we sit down with Chris Blair, Executive Vice President of World Wide Technology Raceway to discuss a slew of things including:

In this episode we sit down with Belleville Mayor Patty Gregory and discuss a slew of things including: