48.5K
Downloads
227
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 Dec 12, 2024
Thursday Dec 12, 2024
In this week's episode, we share how residents, small business owners and developers have invested more than $99 million new dollars into OFallon thru Nov 2024. After we recorded the episode, new data was released indicating that the new value is $99million, a $25million increase over what we reported in the episode!! This is the value of approved building permits so far and is 34% higher than the same timeframe last year. There are big projects and small, and each make a difference in our community.
You can track new developments using this interactive map.
On the calendar:
- Friday, Dec 13th 7pm US Air Force's Band of Mid-America holiday concert @ The Hett on McKendree University. Free tickets can be found here.
- Sat, Dec 14 @ 1pm and 7pm US Air Force's Band of Mid-America holiday concert
- Dec 14 @ 9am Breakfast with Santa in Shiloh
- Dec 14 4-8pm Home for the Holidays Winter Market in the downtown district
- Fri, Dec 20th @ noon deadline to order a catered holiday meal from The Regency
Thursday Dec 05, 2024
Thursday Dec 05, 2024
In this week's episode, we talk about the tremendous economic impact of the 2024 season at the Family Sports Park, including the likely record-breaking weekend in June. We also talk about where the tax revenue generated from visitors goes.
On the calendar,
- Friday, Dec 6 - Sunday Dec 8th OTHS Madrigal dinner. Buy tickets here.
- Sat, Dec 7th 8am OPD's Breakfast with Santa at Carriel Junior High
- Sat, Dec 14 9am-noon Shiloh's Breakfast with Santa
- Sat, Dec 14 4-8pm Home for the Holidays Winter Market @ OFallon Station
- Sat, Dec 20th @ noon deadline to order your catered holiday meal from the Regency
Thursday Nov 28, 2024
Thursday Nov 28, 2024
We're taking this week off- hoping everyone enjoyed their Thanksgiving in whatever way they celebrated. Don't forget the lighted Holiday parade is Sat, 11/30 @ 6pm in Downtown OFallon!
Thursday Nov 21, 2024
Thursday Nov 21, 2024
There are SO MANY FUN things happening!! In this episode, we highlight events happening in OFallon and Shiloh this holiday season!
- Sat, 11/23 9am-noon Thanksgiving Market @ OFallon Station
- Sat, 11/23 Scouting for Food collection day
- Sat, 11/30 Small Business Saturday!
- Sat, 11/30 @ 6pm Lighted Holiday Parade
- Friday- Sunday Dec 6-8th OTHS Madrigal Dinner
- Sat, 12/14 4-8pm Home for the Holidays Winter Market @ OFallon Station
Thursday Nov 14, 2024
Thursday Nov 14, 2024
In this episode, we talk about O'Fallon Neighbors.... a new, hyper-local nonprofit started by resident and entrepreneur, Mike Clark. With the goal of providing personalized financial help to someone going through extraordinary circumstances, O'Fallon Neighbors has already significantly impacted their first Neighbor, O'Fallon resident, Emily George.
You can support OFallon Neighbors in several ways.
On the calendar:
- Friday, 11/15 @ 9pm Howl at the Moon 5k
- Sat, 11/16 12-4pm Kloss Furniture's Cops'n'Kids fundraiser
- Sun, 11/17 Studio Strong's 3 mile hike - learn more about the hiking program here. Register for the 11/17 hike here.
- Sat, 11/23 9am-noon Thanksgiving market @ OFallon Station
- Monday, 11/25 @ noon- deadline to order your catered Thanksgiving meal from The Regency
- Friday - Sunday, Dec 6-8th OTHS Madrigal Dinner
Friday Nov 08, 2024
Friday Nov 08, 2024
In this episode we talk about some St. Louis area Chambers of Commerce who are closing their doors permanently - and how and why our Chamber is thriving.
Our impact goes beyond hosting networking events- we have a great relationship with Scott AFB and work hard to help our service members whether they're moving to our area or transitioning into the civilian work force.
On the calendar:
- Friday- Sunday Nov 8-10th the OTHS fall theater production of Clue On Stage
- Monday, Nov 11th @ 11am Veterans' Day ceremony @ First Baptist Church
- Monday, Nov 11th @ 2pm Veterans' Day parade
- Friday, Nov 15th @ 9pm Howl at the Moon 5k at Family Sports Park
- Sat, Nov 16th 12-4pm Kloss Furniture Cops'n'kids
- Sunday, Nov 17th Studio Strong's Hiking program kicks off with their first hike
- Sat, Nov 23rd Scouting for Food donation day
Friday Nov 01, 2024
Friday Nov 01, 2024
In today's episode, we talk about the current Lead In class! We recently graduated 22 young leaders after they spent the last 9 months learning about all of the things that build our community! They understand our potential and challenges and they're ready to serve!
They're such a fantastic group! Applications for the class of 2025 are open and being accepted!
On the calendar:
- Sat, Nov 2-3 OTHS Band Boosters Craft Fair Sat 9-5, Sunday 10-4
- Thurs, Nov 7-Sunday Nov 10th OTHS Fall Theatre production of Clue On Stage. Purchase tickets here.
- Monday, Nov 11th Veterans' Day Ceremony 11am First Baptist Church
- Monday, Nov 11th @ 2pm Veterans Day Parade
- Friday, Nov 15th @ 9pm Howl at the Moon 5k
- Sat, Nov 23 @ 9am Thanksgiving Vine Street Market @ OFallon Station
- Monday, Nov 25th deadline to order your catered Thanksgiving Meal from The Regency
Friday Oct 25, 2024
Friday Oct 25, 2024
In this week's episode, we talk about the Annual Thanksgiving Community Meal offered, free of charge, for anyone who needs or wants a homecooked meal on Thanksgiving day.
Over 400 people usually attend!
You can volunteer to help or donate to provide supplies.
To go orders are available too!
On the calendar:
- Sat, Oct 26th 12-3pm Rotary's Annual Children's Halloween Parade and trick-or-treating in the Downtown District
- Sat, Oct 26th 1:30-3:30pm Revela's Drive-thru Candy Grab
- Sat, Oct 26th 1-4pm Serra Honda's Truck or Treat
- Thurs, Nov 7 11am-1pm Chamber's Meet the Municipalities Annual Lunch
Have an idea for a podcast topic? Submit it here! Follow us on Instagram @The618Now.
Friday Oct 18, 2024
Friday Oct 18, 2024
In this episode we talk about the CEO program that is coming to OTHS in the fall of 2025. Creating Entrepreneurial Opportunities is a unique program that aims at keeping young talent in our community.
On the calendar:
- Sat, Oct 19th 8am-noon FINAL Vine Street Market @ OFallon Station
- Pumpking decorating contest!
- Sat, Oct 19 9am-3pm Shiloh Treasures in the Park craft fair
- Sat, Oct 19 1-4pm Revela's Fall Festival
- Sat, Oct 19th 4-8pm Parks and Rec's Fall Festival at Rock Springs Rotary Park
- Nov 13-23 Karla Smith's Wonderland of Lights pop up parties at August the Mansion
- Sat, Nov 1st St. Elisabeth's Gala
Thursday Oct 10, 2024
Thursday Oct 10, 2024
In this week's episode, we talk about a few things that we WISH existed within our communities.
Promised links: District 90's calendar
On the calendar:
- Friday, Oct 11 6-8pm YMCA's Fall Festival & Trunk or Treating
- Friday, Oct 11 5pm Family Movie Night in the Park featuring Puss in Boots: The Last Wish
- Sat, Oct 12 8am-noon Vine Street Market at O'Fallon Station- It's also Military and first responders appreciation day at the Market.
- Sat, Oct 12 7am-noon OFallon Township Rummage Sale
- Sat, Oct 12 8:30-11:30am 1st Street Lounge's Breakfast Burrito Saturday honoring and benefiting the family of Dr. Jeff Shafer.
- Sat, Oct 12 10am Battle of the Badges flag football game between O'Fallon Police Dept and Fairview Heights Police Dept
- Wed, Oct 16th 5:45pm OTHS Homecoming Parade, kicks off from the Smiley Campus
- Friday, Oct 18th 5:15pm Family Fishing Derby @ Family Sports Park South Pond