Regional Media Podcast Network

Head to Bishop Hill, Illinois, for the annual Julmarknad, or Christmas Market, starting November 29. This festive event features Swedish traditions, crafts, and music. Attractions include Swedish folk characters, traditional decorations, and holiday music. Don't miss the unique craft activities and the artisanal gifts available for purchase. Todd DeDecker joined Wake Up Tri-Counties to talk about the 2024 Julmarknad in Bishop Hill over the next two weekends, followed by Lucia Nights.

For more information about Julmarknad activities, please view www.visitbishophill.com or call 309-927-3899. Julmarknad events are financed by the Bishop Hill Arts Council, Community State Bank, Illinois Arts Council, Bill and Susan Sherrard Foundation, Barbro Osher Pro Suecia Foundation, and SWEA-Chicago. Regional Media is our major media sponsor.

In this edition of The Boiler Shop, Seth Parlier recaps the Kewanee High School Football season with Russ Hughes and Jeremy Peart and looks toward the winter sports season. 

In its 15th year, the Bushels for Hunger Grain Drive continues to make significant impacts in fighting hunger. Farmers across Mercer, Henry, and Rock Island are donating portions of their harvests—corn, grain, and soybeans—to aid the River Bend Food Bank. Over the years, their generosity has translated into more than 1.6 million meals, with contributions amounting to approximately $324,000. The drive will conclude at the end of January 2025, and a press conference is slated to announce this year's total contributions. In addition to grain donations, monetary contributions are also welcomed to further bolster the food bank's resources. These efforts showcase the community's enduring commitment to supporting those in need.

The Annual Farm Bureau meeting is on December 7, 2024, in Chicago and will feature a young leader from Henry County, Sadie Asher, who was named the Excellence in Agriculture Award. There will be a holiday wreath decorating class on December 19th, from 6 to 77:30 PM, at the Farm Bureau Office in Cambridge. Call the Henry County Farm Bureau at 309-937-2411 to get signed up. Watch for updates on their Facebook page.

RaeAnn Tucker from the Henry and Stark County Health Departments joined Seth Parlier on Wake Up Tri-Counties to talk about food safety on Thanksgiving, Lung Cancer Awareness, and vaping, which has been added to the Smoke-Free Illinois Act. The Henry and Stark County Health Department will be closed for the Thanksgiving holiday. Both the health department offices and the First Choice Healthcare Clinics located in Kewanee, Colona, and Toulon will not be operational on November 28th and 29th. While the offices are closed, limited home services will still be available to provide essential in-home care. Residents in need of assistance during this period can still contact their nearest clinic for support.