Send Ben a message, he'd love to hear from you.

In this episode of Morton MUSE & News, we sit down with Todd Staley, the heart and hands behind Staley Lawncare and Landscaping. Todd isn’t just a business owner—he’s the CEO, operator, foreman, and sometimes even the janitor of his thriving local company. But beyond the mowing stripes and landscaping projects, Todd is a man deeply rooted in Morton, dedicated to family, community, and the people he works alongside.

We talk about his journey from mowing lawns as a teenager to leading a multi-truck operation, the lessons he learned from his parents, and how he carries those values into his business today. Todd shares candid stories about the challenges of running a small-town company—weather, employees, and all—and why he sees his role as more than making a yard look good. For Todd, it’s also about mentoring, giving second chances, and making Morton a better place, one lawn (and one person) at a time.

If you love hearing about hometown businesses, grit, and the good people who help a community thrive, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

“Hey friends! If you’ve enjoyed hearing stories from right here in Morton—our businesses, our schools, our neighbors—you can help keep this podcast going.

Every little bit counts—whether it’s a one-time tip or a small monthly gift. It helps cover the cost of hosting, equipment, and producing each episode.

Visit a link below to pitch in and be part of keeping Morton Muse & News growing strong. Thanks for supporting local voices!”

Direct support links:

Paypal

Venmo

CashApp

Social Media links:

Morton Muse & News Facebook
Morton MUSE & News Instagram
Muse Morton (the studio and gallery)

Send Ben a message, he'd love to hear from you.

In this episode of Morton MUSE & News, we sit down with Todd Staley, the heart and hands behind Staley Lawncare and Landscaping. Todd isn’t just a business owner—he’s the CEO, operator, foreman, and sometimes even the janitor of his thriving local company. But beyond the mowing stripes and landscaping projects, Todd is a man deeply rooted in Morton, dedicated to family, community, and the people he works alongside.

We talk about his journey from mowing lawns as a teenager to leading a multi-truck operation, the lessons he learned from his parents, and how he carries those values into his business today. Todd shares candid stories about the challenges of running a small-town company—weather, employees, and all—and why he sees his role as more than making a yard look good. For Todd, it’s also about mentoring, giving second chances, and making Morton a better place, one lawn (and one person) at a time.

If you love hearing about hometown businesses, grit, and the good people who help a community thrive, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

“Hey friends! If you’ve enjoyed hearing stories from right here in Morton—our businesses, our schools, our neighbors—you can help keep this podcast going.

Every little bit counts—whether it’s a one-time tip or a small monthly gift. It helps cover the cost of hosting, equipment, and producing each episode.

Visit a link below to pitch in and be part of keeping Morton Muse & News growing strong. Thanks for supporting local voices!”

Direct support links:

Paypal

Venmo

CashApp

Social Media links:

Morton Muse & News Facebook
Morton MUSE & News Instagram
Muse Morton (the studio and gallery)

Send Ben a message, he'd love to hear from you.

In Part 2 of our conversation with Jordan Spicklemire, we shift from personal experience to community action. Jordan walks us through the Wait Until 8th pledge — a national movement with a powerful local twist — and how she’s helping Morton families join forces to delay smartphones until after 8th grade.

We talk about how the pledge works, what makes it doable, and how a small-town community can offer the kind of support parents need to hold the line.

This episode explores:

• What the Wait Until 8th pledge actually is — and how it gets activated
• Why the “10-family model” makes peer pressure easier to manage
• Alternatives to smartphones (Gizmo, Bark, dumb phones, and more)
• How parents can talk to kids about screen time — and take back family time
• Jordan’s vision for building school support and PTO partnerships
• And why it’s never too late to reverse course, even if your kid already has a phone

💬 “We’re not anti-phone — we’re just pro-childhood.”

If you’re tired of feeling like the only parent saying “not yet,” this episode will remind you that you’re not alone — and that change can start right here in Morton.

📲 Learn more or take the pledge at: waituntil8th.org
📘 Join the Morton-based conversation on Facebook: Wait Until 8th – Morton, IL

#MortonMuseAndNews #WaitUntil8th #ReclaimChildhood #SmartphonesAndKids #MortonIL #SmallTownStrong #ParentingInTheDigitalAge #AnxiousGeneration

FB Wait Until 8th - Morton

Wait Until 8th Website

Video reference - "Our Story"

Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt

Millennial Mom Thoughts

“Hey friends! If you’ve enjoyed hearing stories from right here in Morton—our businesses, our schools, our neighbors—you can help keep this podcast going.

Every little bit counts—whether it’s a one-time tip or a small monthly gift. It helps cover the cost of hosting, equipment, and producing each episode.

Visit a link below to pitch in and be part of keeping Morton Muse & News growing strong. Thanks for supporting local voices!”

Direct support links:

Paypal

Venmo

CashApp

Social Media links:

Morton Muse & News Facebook
Morton MUSE & News Instagram
Muse Morton (the studio and gallery)

Send Ben a message, he'd love to hear from you.

In Part 1 of this two-part conversation, Morton Muse & News welcomes Jordan Spicklemire — a Morton mom, former high school counselor, and passionate advocate for childhood in the digital age.

Jordan shares her journey from Carmel, Indiana to Morton, Illinois, how her time in schools shaped her view of kids’ mental health, and why Jonathan Haidt’s The Anxious Generation compelled her to take action. Through personal stories, honest reflections, and a few good laughs, Jordan opens up about the shift she’s seen — from play-based childhood to screen-based survival — and what it means for our kids today.

This episode covers:

• Jordan’s experience as a counselor during the smartphone boom
• How becoming a mom changed her perspective on screen time
• The small moments that sparked big concerns about tech and childhood
• The early seeds of what would become Morton’s Wait Until 8th movement
• A very real conversation about boredom, imagination, and why quiet kids sometimes mean trouble 😉

📍Next episode in Part 2: Jordan walks us through the Wait Until 8th pledge, how it works, and how Morton families can join forces to protect childhood — together.

🎧 Subscribe to Morton Muse & News so you don’t miss it.

#MortonMuseAndNews #ReclaimChildhood #WaitUntil8th #MortonIL #SmartphonesAndKids #SmallTownParenting #AnxiousGeneration

FB Wait Until 8th - Morton

Wait Until 8th Website

Video reference - "Our Story"

Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt

Millennial Mom Thoughts

“Hey friends! If you’ve enjoyed hearing stories from right here in Morton—our businesses, our schools, our neighbors—you can help keep this podcast going.

Every little bit counts—whether it’s a one-time tip or a small monthly gift. It helps cover the cost of hosting, equipment, and producing each episode.

Visit a link below to pitch in and be part of keeping Morton Muse & News growing strong. Thanks for supporting local voices!”

Direct support links:

Paypal

Venmo

CashApp

Social Media links:

Morton Muse & News Facebook
Morton MUSE & News Instagram
Muse Morton (the studio and gallery)

Send Ben a message, he'd love to hear from you.

In this episode of Morton MUSE & News, we sit down with David Getz—Morton High School Orchestra Director, Central Illinois Youth Symphony conductor, and composer of Ruth: The Musical. From his humble beginnings composing as a teen to writing and producing an original 27-song concert-style musical, David shares how this labor of love was born, why he chose the ancient story of Ruth, and how community, loss, fatherhood, and faith have shaped the music.

Joined by his longtime mentor Pete Martin, David opens up about perfectionism, vulnerability in the creative process, and what it means to pour your heart into something for the people around you. It’s a deeply personal and inspiring look into what it takes to bring a musical to life in small-town Illinois.

“Hey friends! If you’ve enjoyed hearing stories from right here in Morton—our businesses, our schools, our neighbors—you can help keep this podcast going.

Every little bit counts—whether it’s a one-time tip or a small monthly gift. It helps cover the cost of hosting, equipment, and producing each episode.

Visit a link below to pitch in and be part of keeping Morton Muse & News growing strong. Thanks for supporting local voices!”

Direct support links:

Paypal

Venmo

CashApp

Social Media links:

Morton Muse & News Facebook
Morton MUSE & News Instagram
Muse Morton (the studio and gallery)

Send Ben a message, he'd love to hear from you.

In this episode of Morton MUSE & News, we sit down with David Getz—Morton High School Orchestra Director, Central Illinois Youth Symphony conductor, and composer of Ruth: The Musical. From his humble beginnings composing as a teen to writing and producing an original 27-song concert-style musical, David shares how this labor of love was born, why he chose the ancient story of Ruth, and how community, loss, fatherhood, and faith have shaped the music.

Joined by his longtime mentor Pete Martin, David opens up about perfectionism, vulnerability in the creative process, and what it means to pour your heart into something for the people around you. It’s a deeply personal and inspiring look into what it takes to bring a musical to life in small-town Illinois.

“Hey friends! If you’ve enjoyed hearing stories from right here in Morton—our businesses, our schools, our neighbors—you can help keep this podcast going.

Every little bit counts—whether it’s a one-time tip or a small monthly gift. It helps cover the cost of hosting, equipment, and producing each episode.

Visit a link below to pitch in and be part of keeping Morton Muse & News growing strong. Thanks for supporting local voices!”

Direct support links:

Paypal

Venmo

CashApp

Social Media links:

Morton Muse & News Facebook
Morton MUSE & News Instagram
Muse Morton (the studio and gallery)

Send Ben a message, he'd love to hear from you.

Morton has long been known for its top-tier schools, but have you ever wondered why we stay ahead of the curve—especially when it comes to technology, AI, and student well-being?

Join us on this episode of Morton Muse & News as we sit down with Don Sturm, Morton CUSD 709’s Technology Integration Specialist and a driving force behind how Morton schools adapt, innovate, and protect our kids in a rapidly changing digital world. 📱💡

👨‍🏫 What you'll hear:
 ✅ How Morton uses AI in classrooms (yes, it's happening!)
 ✅ Why Don thinks phones don’t belong in schools
✅ A powerful reflection on tech, kids, and the rise of anxiety
✅ What sets Morton educators apart—and what’s coming next
✅ A few laughs, a story about pumpkins, and… bourbon glasses?

🎙️ Whether you're a parent, educator, or just a proud Mortonite, this episode will make you even prouder of the intentional, thoughtful, and student-centered work being done in our schools.

Let’s celebrate what makes our schools—and our people—so exceptional. 💙🎓
 #MortonPride #MortonMuseAndNews #EducationMatters #AIinClassrooms #ProtectingOurKids

Check out Don's other podcasts at:

CareU >  

Through the Educational Looking Glass >

That's the IDEA >

“Hey friends! If you’ve enjoyed hearing stories from right here in Morton—our businesses, our schools, our neighbors—you can help keep this podcast going.

Every little bit counts—whether it’s a one-time tip or a small monthly gift. It helps cover the cost of hosting, equipment, and producing each episode.

Visit a link below to pitch in and be part of keeping Morton Muse & News growing strong. Thanks for supporting local voices!”

Direct support links:

Paypal

Venmo

CashApp

Social Media links:

Morton Muse & News Facebook
Morton MUSE & News Instagram
Muse Morton (the studio and gallery)

Send Ben a message, he'd love to hear from you.

What makes a small town more than just a place to live? It’s the people who pour their hearts into it. In this episode of Morton Muse & News, we sit down with John Cirilli—a lifelong Morton advocate, local banker, and dedicated community volunteer. From his journey back to Morton after college to meeting his wife during Pumpkin Festival weekend, John shares his deep-rooted love for this town and why he’s stepping up to serve as a Village Trustee.

Join us as we talk about small-town values, local business growth, and the little things that make Morton feel like home. Whether you’ve lived here forever or are just passing through, this episode is a reminder of why community matters. Don’t miss it!

“Hey friends! If you’ve enjoyed hearing stories from right here in Morton—our businesses, our schools, our neighbors—you can help keep this podcast going.

Every little bit counts—whether it’s a one-time tip or a small monthly gift. It helps cover the cost of hosting, equipment, and producing each episode.

Visit a link below to pitch in and be part of keeping Morton Muse & News growing strong. Thanks for supporting local voices!”

Direct support links:

Paypal

Venmo

CashApp

Social Media links:

Morton Muse & News Facebook
Morton MUSE & News Instagram
Muse Morton (the studio and gallery)

Send Ben a message, he'd love to hear from you.

Ever thought about volunteering but didn’t know where to start? Or maybe you’re curious about the impact volunteers have on Morton? In this episode of Morton MUSE & News, I sit down with the incredible JoLynn Weiler—lifelong Morton resident, community champion, and self-proclaimed volunteer expert (seriously, is there anything she doesn’t volunteer for?).

JoLynn shares why volunteering is the secret ingredient to Morton’s strong community spirit, how anyone (yes, even the busiest among us) can get involved, and the personal rewards that come with giving back. We cover everything from the Pumpkin Festival to St. Jude Runs, CASA advocacy, and even some behind-the-scenes stories that will have you ready to jump in and help.

If you’ve ever wanted to make a difference but weren’t sure how, this episode is your sign to take that first step! Tune in now, and let’s celebrate the people who make Morton the “Best Town Ever.”

🎧 Listen now and get inspired to get involved! #MortonMuse #MortonNews #Volunteering #CommunityMatters

“Hey friends! If you’ve enjoyed hearing stories from right here in Morton—our businesses, our schools, our neighbors—you can help keep this podcast going.

Every little bit counts—whether it’s a one-time tip or a small monthly gift. It helps cover the cost of hosting, equipment, and producing each episode.

Visit a link below to pitch in and be part of keeping Morton Muse & News growing strong. Thanks for supporting local voices!”

Direct support links:

Paypal

Venmo

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Social Media links:

Morton Muse & News Facebook
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Muse Morton (the studio and gallery)

Send Ben a message, he'd love to hear from you.

Since 1952, Johnson’s Floral has been a cornerstone of Morton, providing beautiful floral arrangements for life’s most meaningful moments. In this episode, we sit down with Paul Grethey, third-generation owner, to talk about the history, challenges, and triumphs of running a family-owned business in a small town.

Paul shares how his father bought the shop in 1967 after delivering flowers on his bicycle as a kid, how technology and tradition intersect in the floral industry, and why Valentine’s Day is their Super Bowl—with over 400 deliveries in just a few days! We also dive into what makes Morton a truly special place and the role that small businesses like Johnson’s Floral play in keeping our community strong.

Whether you’re a longtime Johnson’s Floral customer, a small business supporter, or just love a great local story, this episode is a must-listen!

🎧 Listen now
📣 Follow us for more local stories

#MortonMuseAndNews #JohnsonsFloral #SupportLocal #SmallBusiness #MortonIL #ValentinesDay #CommunityMatters

“Hey friends! If you’ve enjoyed hearing stories from right here in Morton—our businesses, our schools, our neighbors—you can help keep this podcast going.

Every little bit counts—whether it’s a one-time tip or a small monthly gift. It helps cover the cost of hosting, equipment, and producing each episode.

Visit a link below to pitch in and be part of keeping Morton Muse & News growing strong. Thanks for supporting local voices!”

Direct support links:

Paypal

Venmo

CashApp

Social Media links:

Morton Muse & News Facebook
Morton MUSE & News Instagram
Muse Morton (the studio and gallery)