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Episodes
Join Jessica Lotz and Jonathan Simmons Friday mornings for a snapshot of what’s happening in the O’Fallon and Shiloh (Illinois) area right now. We’ll give highlights of new developments and projects, details of upcoming events and report on good news happening in our community! Listen to The 618 Now to be in-the-know. This podcast is a production of the O’Fallon-Shiloh Chamber of Commerce.
Episodes
Thursday May 12, 2022
Thursday May 12, 2022
In this episode, we discuss:
- 10,000 episode download milestone! And what our community looked like 10,000 downloads ago (spoiler alert: gas was much cheaper then!)
- how the podcast got started
- Happy EMS week to our medical first responders!
- Sat, May 14 is the first Vine Street Market of the season!
- 8am yoga with Moonbird Yoga
- 9am-noon Vine Street Market with live music, food trucks, 60+ vendors, POP Club for kids and The Vine interactive tent
- Sat, May 14 is Founders' Day in the Downtown District
- Sat, May 14 6pm is an Evening with The History Guy
Have an idea for a show segment? Submit it here!
Follow us on Instagram @The618Now.
Thursday May 05, 2022
Thursday May 05, 2022
In this episode, we discuss:
- the house on the corner that's impacting lives and the incredible people who make it all happen
- Hi Pointe restaurant is open now! Their collaborations with local businesses is impressive!!
- Friends of the Library book sale raised nearly $10,000 in 5 days!
- O'Fallon Fire and Rescue is accepting financial donations to help ship donated firefighting equipment to Ukraine. Donations can be mailed to OFR, 1215 Taylor Rd, O'Fallon, IL 62269 or dropped off at Fire Station HQ (same address)
- Sunday, May 8th is Mother's Day and the Regency Conf center has limited space left for their 10am and 1:30pm brunches. Reservations are required.
- Sat, May 14th @ 6pm is an Evening with The History Guy (OFallon resident and YouTube sensation, Lance Geiger).
- Sat, May 14th is Founders' Day in the Downtown District
Have an idea for a show segment? Submit it here!
Follow us on Instagram @The618Now. Submit business updates, show ideas and events you'd like us to consider promoting to events@ofallonchamber.com.
Thursday Apr 28, 2022
Thursday Apr 28, 2022
In this episode, we discuss:
- Feed My Lambs, which ensures the kids receive a sack lunch every weekday during the summer months when school isn't in session. Contact Linda Kahley to volunteer or to donate.
- Journey of Hope, O'Fallon's newest maternity home and how they assist with basic needs but also help better equip women for life after they leave the home.
- Sat, April 30 9am-noon is the Micro Market at O'Fallon Station
- Sat, April 30 11am-4pm is the Spring Market at the McKendree Metro Rec Plex
- Sat, April 30th 6-9pm is the O'That Jazz event in support of the OTHS Band
- Wed, May 4 @ 6:30pm is the May the 4th Star Wars event at Courage&Grace
- Sat, June 4th is Chalk It Up to Art Chalk Contest in the Downtown District. Artists interested in creating can sign up here.
Follow us on Instagram @The618Now. Submit business updates, show ideas and events you'd like us to consider promoting to events@ofallonchamber.com.
Thursday Apr 21, 2022
Thursday Apr 21, 2022
In this episode, Nick spins a wheel to decide which topics we cover!
- IL passed several new laws that are intended to offer tax benefits for residents
- O'Fallon's Founders' Day activities on May 14 include horse and trolley rides, a live auction of unique O'Fallon experiences and a pie eating contest.
- Juice Heal Thrive is O'Fallon's newest brick and mortar offering organic, cold-pressed juices. Try the Unicorn latte, you don't be disappointed!
- April 28 - May 2 Friends of the Library have their big book sale
- April 29 5:45-7 Parks and Rec hosts their Fishing Derby at the Sports Family
- April 30th 9am-noon Micro Market at O'Fallon Station
- April 30th 6-9pm O'That Jazz dinner and auction for OTHS bands
Follow us on Instagram @The618Now. Submit business updates, show ideas and events you'd like us to consider promoting to events@ofallonchamber.com.
Thursday Apr 14, 2022
Thursday Apr 14, 2022
In this episode, we discuss:
- The Downtown District is seeing some moves, including a potential bike trail along the CSX railroad tracks from the Sports Park into downtown *fingers crossed*
- O'Fallon Fire and Rescue is collecting fire gear and shipping it to Ukraine. They're accepting financial donations to help cover the cost of shipping the gear; money can be dropped off at the Fire Station HQ (1215 Taylor Road).
- Happy National Telecommunicators' Week to our dispatch friends at MetroEast Communication (MECOMM)!!
- Sat, April 16th at 9am is the Gateway Grizzlies' Easter Egg Hunt (it's free!)
- Sun, April 17 11am-1pm is a free Easter meal sponsored by the O'Fallon Moose Lodge
- Thur, April 21 is Yoga at Rock Springs park with Moonbird Yoga, $10 fee to drop in
- Sat, April 23 is the OTHS Annual Yard Sale from 8am-2pm at the Smiley Campus, donations can be dropped off on Friday from 4:30-8pm
Follow us on Instagram @The618Now. Submit business updates, show ideas and events you'd like us to consider promoting to events@ofallonchamber.com.
Thursday Apr 07, 2022
Thursday Apr 07, 2022
In this episode, we discuss:
- April Fools! We cleared up some confusion after last week's episode ;)
- Summer programs for kids, the O'Fallon Public Library has a great resource for parents/guardians/caregivers to consider
- the library also offers many ways to help your vacation planning! (WiFi hot spots, device rentals (Nooks, Rokus) and subscriptions for audio books and music for when you travel.
- the timing of an upcoming Highway 50 closure
- Sat, April 9th Micro Market at O'Fallon Station, 9am-noon
- Sat, April 9th Downtown District's Bunny Hop shopping event 9am-2pm
- Sat, April 9th Scrub-a-thon at Furchild to support Carriel Junior High Student Council 10am-4pm
- Catered Easter meals available from The Regency Conference Center, deadline to order is Friday, April 15th at noon
- Easter menu from Birch Market in the Downtown District, deadline to order is April 12
- Sat, April 16th Moose Lodge #2608's Annual Kids Easter party and egg hunt
- May 6th Military Spouse Appreciation Day- the Chamber is collecting goodies to give to military spouses during a drive-thru gratitude event. Contact Debbie @ director@ofallonchamber.com if you have items to donate (chapstick, hand sanitizer, etc). Donations accepted until April 15th.
Follow us on Instagram @The618Now. Submit business updates, show ideas and events you'd like us to consider promoting to events@ofallonchamber.com.
Friday Apr 01, 2022
Friday Apr 01, 2022
In this episode, we discuss:
- A pretty big announcement about the future of the podcast...
- How the O'Fallon Loyal Order of Moose (Moose Lodge) is a paid membership group that spends their time fundraising for other groups! They've recently financially supported high school and local youth sports teams, the O'Fallon Fire Explorers and local schools.
- The Moose Lodge offers FREE holiday meals (donations collected are given away). Their Easter Dinner is Sunday, April 17th at the American Legion.
- June's in Shiloh is NOW OPEN!! (Breakfast + Patio spot)
- OTHS Musical, Anastasia, is this weekend! Buy tickets here.
- Sat, April 9th 9am-2pm is the Bunny Hop in the Downtown District
- Sat, April 9th is Blossom Play Cafe's (Stuffed) Bunny Adoption and Egg Hunt for children < 5 years old.
- Sat, April 9th @ noon is the Moose Lodge Putt-Putt Pub Crawl in downtown
- Did we pull off an April's Fools joke or not?!
Follow us on Instagram @The618Now. Submit business updates, show ideas and events you'd like us to consider promoting to events@ofallonchamber.com.
Thursday Mar 24, 2022
Thursday Mar 24, 2022
In this episode, we discuss:
- O'Fallon's newest $93M development
- Real estate data over the last year
- Sat, March 26 from 9-noon is the Vine Street Micro Market @ O'Fallon Station
- Sat, March 26 from 9am-1pm is an Electronics Recycling Drive at Carriel Junior High
We also interviewed several OTHS students participating in the upcoming musical, Anastasia! They're so talented (we got to hear them rehearsing before the interview)! It's the first live-audience performance in the last 2 years and they're SO excited about it!
Thurs March 31 @ 7pm | Fri April 1 @ 7pm | Sat April 2 @ 7pm | Sunday April 3 @ 3pm
Tickets are available online or at the box office. Tickets online are $10 for students and $12 for adults. Otherwise they are $15 at the door days of shows. Online ticket sales close one hour before showtime.
Follow us on Instagram @The618Now. Submit business updates, show ideas and events you'd like us to consider promoting to events@ofallonchamber.com.
Thursday Mar 17, 2022
Thursday Mar 17, 2022
We share the story of how, during a pandemic, determined people with creative solutions took on a rare zoning challenge which led to award-winning inventors relocating their business into O'Fallon.
Before/Afters of the 120 Building (Andy's rehabbed building) which is now to a toy lab):
Thursday Mar 10, 2022
Thursday Mar 10, 2022
In this episode, we discuss:
- why property owners in St. Clair County received postcards this week and what it means for their wallet!
- Sat, March 12, 9am-noon is the first Vine Street Micro Market of the season!
- Thurs, March 17 5-8pm is the Downtown District St. Patty's Day Grub Crawl!
- Sunday, March 20th is Nitro Salsa's Sunday Dinner pick up! Homemade lasagna, salad with Nitro Buttermilk Ranch dressing and Honey Wheat Brown Bread feeds up to 6 people. Deadline to order is March 17.
Follow us on Instagram @The618Now. Submit business updates, show ideas and events you'd like us to consider promoting to events@ofallonchamber.com.