During a recent eLearning day, Community Development Director Joe LePage brought two of his kiddos to work, so he could help oversee their progress. During the course of the day, Joe's daughter Landry wanted to try out the podcast equipment set up in the office. What began as a light-hearted "interview," revealed a Corona Virus perspective through the lens of a Lebanon elementary school student. 

Hope you enjoy...

Here's a unique perspective of life, thanks to the Corona Virus. Four members make up the Ferrell family. Their respective challenges are several:

- Dave Ferrell: Husband/Father, Lebanon High School history teacher who is dealing with extended eLearning lesson plans 

- Phyllis Ferrell: Wife/Mother, Eli Lilly Global Head of External Engagement, Alzheimer's & Neurodegeneration, who is juggling working at home, while working for a global pharmaceutical manufacturer.  

- Luke Ferrell: Lebanon High School Senior who is missing out on many of the things he has looked forward to in his senior year.

- Jack Ferrell: Lebanon Middle School 7th grader, in the mix of seeing what his family is going through, while tackling his own challenges.

With so much uncertainty throughout the city, the state, the country, and globally, Mayor Matt Gentry took a moment to give an update from a city perspective on the Corona Virus.

This episode was recorded just after Mayor Gentry cancelled the Board of Works and City Council meetings for Monday, March 23rd, and Governor Holcomb announced that schools would not be meeting in person until at least May 1st. 

While city offices remain closed to the outside public, city services remain accessible. Individual department phone numbers are available on the city's website: www.Lebanon.IN.gov

Taxi service that's available 24/7, 365...it's a claim that Reliable Taxi makes, and as you will hear in Episode 28 - Jeff Aldridge and his team take that very seriously.

Aldridge has driven big rigs and yellow cabs for more than 30 years. In November of 2019 he was excited to bring his passion for helping people get from Point A to Point B to Boone County. Business began busy, and it hasn't slowed down since.

In Episode 28 Jeff talks about how he's already grown his business, his current collaboration with area entities like Witham Hospital and Skjodt-Barret Foods, and where he sees the need for public transit going in the Boone County increasing in the future.

This year will mark the 71st season for Lebanon Little League. The organization has evolved over the years, but one thing that hasn't has been the league's mission of "Character. Courage. Loyalty." Episode 27 of the #LovinLebanon Podcast takes a look back at earlier seasons as well as future ones, with the help of former Little Leaguer and current board president Matt Reynolds.

Matt chats about the benefits of youth sports, and the admiration the league has for its sponsors, and more than 100 volunteers needed for each season. 

Interested in registering your son or daughter? Visit: http://www.lebanonll.org/

Center Stage Community Theatre, located in Lebanon, is celebrating 26 years of existence in our area. The theatre just wrapped up casting for Woody Allen's "Don't Drink the Water" production. Upcoming shows for the performance run from March 13th through March 29th. 

Theatre board members David Wines and Mary Zurfas walk us through the casting and audition process, letting us behind the curtain, and into the steps of what it takes to put on a season's worth of plays. Find out how plays are chosen, and how many people it takes to bring a play to life.

A point driven home in this episode is the draw Center Stage commands, with a significant number of people, driving significant distances to see the show.

Have you ever wanted to audition? Mary and David share why the time - is now!

Visit the website below to learn more about Center Stage Community Theatre:

https://centerstagecommunitytheatre.com/

There are many reasons to visit Lebanon, Indiana...and Donaldson's Finer Chocolates is certainly one of them. With it being so close to Valentine's Day, we found it fitting that Bob and Kathy Donaldson join us for Episode 25 of the #LovinLebanon Podcast. 

The Donaldson's share their recipe for sweet success that has spanned more than five decades. We also put Bob and Kathy on the spot to learn their favorite treats.

The episode wouldn't be complete without sharing respect and admiration for George Donaldson. George, along with his wife Peg started the shop in 1966. Sadly, George passed away in late January of 2019. George was a prominent figure in Lebanon, and Bob and Kathy recount a few of the many things that made Mr. Donaldson so special.

We hope you enjoy Episode 25 of the #LovinLebanon Podcast. 

Episode 24 of the #LovinLebanon Podcast is a testament to what determination and a little luck can bring. Despite being undersized when it comes to stereotypical quarterback specifications, Isaac Harker has managed to standout wherever he has played. After a superb career on the field at Lebanon, Isaac  walked on at Indiana State University after not receiving offers to play on the collegiate level. Harker not only made the team, he earned the job of starting QB!

His time at ISU eventually led to being on the radar of NFL teams. Harker now plays for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League(CFL). It's been an amazing journey for Isaac, and it's just getting started!

Episode 24 topics include: the journey from LHS to north of the border, fun mascot names, CFL rules, and Super Bowl 54, and more!

Please enjoy this episode, and feel free to send your podcast topics to: [email protected]

If you find history fascinating, then this is the podcast for you! For Episode 23 of the #LovinLebanon Podcast, we pick the brain of Eric Spall. Eric is the Historian for Boone County, the History Librarian at the Lebanon Public Library, and he's on the board at the Boone County Historical Society. This episode covers fun historical nuggets throughout Boone County, with a deeper look into the Lebanon archives.

This episode touches on some things you may've already known about the Boone County Courthouse, along with the telling of some new information. Eric also highlights some other historic tidbits that are a bit "off the beaten path" in our city. 

We hope you enjoy Episode 23 of the #LovinLebanon Podcast and remember, if you have an idea for an episode, send an email to [email protected] 

The City of Lebanon boasts the second largest corporate business park in the state of Indiana. The companies that have chosen Lebanon make up more than 40% of the city's tax base. Needless to say, the city and its residents are thankful for those businesses, and for the Boone County Economic Development Corporation for working diligently to attract them to Lebanon.

For Episode 22 of the #LovinLebanon Podcast, we chat with Molly Whitehead, the Executive Director of the Boone EDC. In her more than five years at the helm, she has seen Lebanon thrive. As someone that grew up in Boone County, she takes great pride being able to help meet the needs of each community in the county. Molly talks about how the EconDev industry has evolved over the years, and what she feels the future holds for the entire county. 

Get an inside look at the competitive process that is economic development, including what it takes to attract companies to a Boone County city or town. 

As always, if you have an idea for a podcast episode, send an email to [email protected]