The Forgottonia Project » Podcast

"Vulnerable populations were already feeling the pressure” in an economy that saw a shrinking of middle-wage jobs... the middle class has begun to disappear, and fewer workers are able to meet their needs & the needs of their families with wages earned from 40 hours of work each week." -Illinois Future of Work Task Force, …

Continue reading "Forgottonia at Work: Future Trends and Community Impact"

"Since 2005, the U.S. has lost more than ¼ of its newspapers and is on track to lose ⅓ by 2025." ON THIS EPISODE On this episode we are pleased to share some interview sound bites from students in our current events class at Cuba H.S. Their work is featured on our inaugural monthly newsletter …

Continue reading "Forgottonia Gazette: Rural Youth Reporting, Issue #1 (Podcast Edition)"

"More & more people are “ravenous for admiration” and have “little or no commitment to others... people have “illusions about their importance & fail to recognize their own shortcomings?” Christopher Lasch, The Culture of Narcissism, 1978 ON THIS EPISODE We dive deep into research about self-absorption and its impact on community, inspired by Dr. John …

Continue reading "The Spread of Self-Absorption in Our Time: How Narcissism is Disrupting Our Sense of Community"

"Work ethic is instilled in us and sticks with us throughout our lives. This county also comes together when something happens. We’ve suffered through a lot of loss as a county but we always persevere." Patrick O'Brian, Fulton County Clerk and Recorder ON THIS EPISODE Should our local government have political parties? When and where …

Continue reading "Behind the Ballot: Navigating Our Complex Local Government with Fulton County Clerk and Recorder Patrick O’Brian"

"I thought about leaving and then life happened and I stayed and I'm glad I did. I raised my kids here. I still teach here and I wouldn't want it any other way." Nicole Thum Mrs. Nicole Thum shows Cooper and Sam a picture of her elementary class at the Smithfield Red Brick School ON …

Continue reading "Oral History of Forgottonia: The Red Brick School in Smithfield, IL – Part 3, Cooper & Sam Interview Nicole Thum"

"We need to become informed activists. This Forgottonia movement lasted only a short time. That won't work. It will take years to implement change and we must be willing to expend that." Bill Edley ON THIS EPISODE As part of our Oral History in Forgottonia series, Cuba High School students Cadie & Courtney Churchill continue …

Continue reading "Oral History of Forgottonia: Western Illinois Then, Now, and Beyond – Cadie and Courtney Churchill’s Interview with Former Congressman Bill Edley (Part 2)"

"The concept of Forgottonia was that this region was neglected by urban centers, but that wasn't really the problem. The problem was we don't engage at the community level like we should. Bill Edley ON THIS EPISODE As part of our Oral History in Forgottonia series, Cuba High School students Cadie & Courtney Churchill continue …

Continue reading "Oral History of Forgottonia: Western Illinois Then, Now, and Beyond – Cadie and Courtney Churchill’s Interview with Former Congressman Bill Edley (Part 1)"

"Mining played a really big part in our town. At one time our population was 2,500, but now it's down to 1,200. This population is the biggest legacy of mining. Most people we know who live in our community have ancestors who worked in the mine." Dick Mowery, local mining enthusiast and former CHS educator …

Continue reading "Oral History of Forgottonia: Was Cuba the Strip-Mining Capital of the World? Braxton Humphrey’s Interview with local mining enthusiast and Retired Teacher Dick Mowery"

“When small towns lose, we lose a piece of ourselves.” Marcus Boyer ON THIS EPISODE As part of our Oral History in Forgottonia series, Cuba High School juniors Cooper Leonard and Sam Thum explore the history and impact of the old Red Brick School in Smithfield, Illinois. Like many small towns, the school in Smithfield …

Continue reading "Oral History of Forgottonia: The Red Brick School in Smithfield, IL – Part 2, Cooper & Sam Interview Marcus Boyer"

"I couldn't wait to leave, but then I couldn't wait to come home." Lori Noe ON THIS EPISODE As part of our Oral History in Forgottonia series, Cuba High School juniors Cooper Leonard and Sam Thum explore the history and impact of the old Red Brick School in Smithfield, Illinois. Like many small towns, the …

Continue reading "Oral History of Forgottonia: The Red Brick School in Smithfield, IL – Part 1, Cooper & Sam Interview Lori Noe"