Smiles Day is a tradition in Rushville dating back to 1919. It began as a celebration to honor those who served in World War I. Today, more than 100 years later, Smiles Day is partly a fall festival, partly a high school homecoming celebration, and partly a tribute to military veterans.

Music used in this episode includes: “Making Me Smile” by Max Brodie. Courtesy of Audio Network. “When Johnny Comes Marching Home.” Unknown artist. Courtesy of Sound Ideas. “Last Dance” by Tim Garland. Courtesy of Audio Network. “Wy Smile” by Sam Wedgwood. Courtesy of Audio Network. “Watcher on the Rhine” by Tim Garland. Courtesy of Audio Network. “Keep Smiling” by Philip Guyler; John Stax. Courtesy of Audio Network. ”Martial Chorale” by Ceiri Torjussen. Courtesy of Audio Network.

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Camp Ellis was a World War II military training camp that rose quickly from the farm fields and prairies of Fulton County, and disappeared almost as quickly after the war. The camp housed tens of thousands of American soldiers. It also held German prisoners of war – right here in west central Illinois! Featuring first-hand accounts from one of the American prison guards and people who lived during that time.

Music used in this episode includes: “An Opportunity” by Evan Jenkins; Gareth Johnson. Courtesy of Audio Network. “Drum Roll March,” artist unknown. Courtesy of Sound Ideas. “Arrival at the Homestead” by Joe Kraemer. Courtesy of Audio Network. “Critical Pulse” by Philip Guyler. Courtesy of Audio Network. “Candlelight Vigil” by Paul Mottram. Courtesy of Audio Network. “Here Comes the Bride” by Alexander L’Estrange; Ben Perry. Courtesy of Audio Network. “On the Level 3” by Terry Devine-King. Courtesy of Audio Network. “Bugle, American Taps.” Artist unknown. Courtesy of Sound Ideas.

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This episode takes us back to the decades before the American Civil War for stories of the Underground Railroad in western Illinois. Music used in this episode includes: “Wade In The Water” and “We Shall Overcome” performed by Chris Vallillo. Used with permission of the artist. “Nobody Gonna Save My Soul” by Broke Finger and Wayne Murray. Courtesy of Audio Network. “Ceremonial” by Broke Finger and Wayne Murray. Courtesy of Audio Network. “Freightcar Blues” by Jeremy Sherman. Courtesy of Audio Network. “Wade In The Water” by David Tobin and Jeff Meegan. Courtesy of Audio Network. “Heaven Has A Plan” by Blair Booth. Courtesy of Audio Network. “Gospel Build” by Bob Bradley, Lincoln Grounds, and Steve Dymond. Courtesy of Audio Network. 

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This is the first in our series of occasional episodes called “Our Voices.” These are stories about people who have perspectives we think you will want to hear. This episode features:

·        The owners of popular food truck

·        A commentary on the similarities between Forgottonia and a Caribbean island

·        A radiology technologist with a connection to an infamous moment in Major League Baseball history.

Music used in this episode includes:

“Afro Soley” written by Blair Booth. Courtesy of Audio Network https://us.audionetwork.com/

“Mi Amor Mi Vida” written by Jeremy Sherman. Courtesy of Audio Network https://us.audionetwork.com/

“Amor A Casa” written by Adam Drake; Terry Devine-King. Courtesy of Audio Network https://us.audionetwork.com/

“Mexican Moonlight” written by Elfed Hayes. Courtesy of Audio Network https://us.audionetwork.com/

“Adios Amore” written by Dave James. Courtesy of Audio Network https://us.audionetwork.com/

“Plena Puerto Rico” written by Uziel Colon. Courtesy of Audio Network https://us.audionetwork.com/

“Desert Drift” written by Adam Drake; Neil Williams. Courtesy of Audio Network https://us.audionetwork.com/

“Crying for Help” written by Frank Mizen; Daniel Mizen; Miles Brear Gilderdale. Courtesy of Audio Network https://us.audionetwork.com/

“Mystery at Midnight” written by Philip Guyler. Courtesy of Audio Network https://us.audionetwork.com/

“Jazzy Jazz” written by Andy Cooper. Courtesy of Audio Network https://us.audionetwork.com/

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Rushville -- a rural community of a bit less than 3,000 residents – has seen millions and millions of dollars spent in recent years on a variety of projects to improve the quality of life in the town. On this episode of Welcome to Forgottonia, we ask: Where is all this money coming from?

Music used in this episode includes:

“Getting the Hang of It” written by Chris Norton; Frank Mizen. Courtesy of Audio Network 

“Aphrodite 5” written by Barrie Gledden. Courtesy of Audio Network

“Don't Be Vacant” written by Terry Devine-King. Courtesy of Audio Network

“Fat Fairy 2” written by Patrick Hawes. Courtesy of Audio Network

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Ten gunshot victims arrived at Macomb’s hospital at essentially the same time during the early morning hours of March 25, 2023. On this episode of Welcome to Forgottonia, we take you into the ER that morning through the voices of the people who were there.

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Join the Tri States Public Radio news team as they explore the rural 16-county region in western Illinois that was dubbed Forgottonia more than half a century ago.

Welcome to Forgottonia will take you through its history, its culture, its landscape, its challenges, and its future through the voices of the people who call it home.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.