All Things Local

Episode 26: Jessi Haish LaRue, Joseph Glidden Homestead and Historical Center Feb 01, 2023

This month’s episode is an interview with Jessi Haish LaRue, the new executive director of the Glidden Homestead in DeKalb. If her maiden name sounds familiar, it is. Her 4th great-uncle was Jacob Haish. If you’re from the DeKalb area, you’ve probably seen his name around town and he is often referred to as one of DeKalb’s founding fathers along with Joseph Glidden, Isaac Ellwood, and Clinton Rosette.

In addition to their mutual barbed wire business interests, this group was responsible for bringing a teacher’s college to DeKalb, what became Northern Illinois University.

Glidden, Haish, and Ellwood also came up with barbed-wire patents, which made DeKalb the barbed-wire capital of the world. Barbed wire references are everywhere from the local high school Barbs, Barbed Wire Harley-Davidson, Barb City Manor, Barb City Roasters, and Barb City Bagels.

In this interview with Jessi, we learn more about her own discovery and connection to her family’s history and her new role as executive director of the Joseph Glidden Homestead and Historical Center on West Lincoln Highway. She gets to share her love of local history with residents and visitors bringing the many stories of the Haishes and Gliddens together.

You can catch up with Jessi by visiting the Glidden Homestead and checking out her blog “A Twist in History”.

Enjoy the conversation!

Episode 25: Brandon Pugh, Egyptian Theatre Jan 05, 2023

Welcome listeners of All Things Local to our third season of the podcast and the first episode of 2023. I have some wonderful episodes planned for this year including this one. Brandon Pugh is a former student of mine and since he graduated, he has built his career in volunteer administration at the Egyptian Theatre in DeKalb. As is so common with our guests, this isn’t a career track he had anticipated but came to find through internships.

While you might be familiar with this amazing landmark, Brandon will share just how important volunteers are to this organization. If you’re thinking about your new year’s resolutions and opportunities to give back to your community, consider volunteering at the Egyptian or a number of organizations that could really use your time and talent. Learn a new skill, meet new people, and make communities better in the process. There are so many benefits to volunteering! Happy 2023 everyone and enjoy our conversation!

Episode 24: Nicole Sdao, Altruize Dec 06, 2022

Welcome listeners of All Things Local. I needed to take a little break from the podcast this fall due to a heavy teaching load and some staffing challenges, which I’m not alone in. Now that the fall semester is winding down it’s time to get back to the podcast and hopefully regular episodes every month in 2023. Thanks for hanging in there with me and I can’t wait to get back to these community conversations. Episode 24 is an interview with Nicole Sdao, the founder and CEO of Altruize, a free app that helps nonprofits, schools, companies, and individuals track volunteer hours. You’ll hear about why she started her company six years ago and what is driving her innovation in this space. Enjoy the conversation!

Episode 23: Edith Craig, previous director of the St. Charles Public Library Jun 13, 2022

For over 125 years, the St. Charles Public Library has served the community. In 1906, Andrew Carnegie, a library philanthropist, granted the library $12,500 to build a new free public library in St. Charles which had to be matched by $15,000 in local donations. That library still stands as part of a much larger library complex which we will hear about from Edith Craig, the previous director of the St. Charles Public Library.

Episode 22: Research on Townships in Illinois May 02, 2022

Did you know there are nearly 9,000 units of local government in Illinois? This includes about 3,000 general-purpose governments and 6,000 special-purpose governments. General-purpose governments include counties, townships, and municipalities, and in Illinois, townships make up about 50% of these government units. Townships were one of the first forms of government created in the state going back to the Illinois Constitution of 1848. Townships provide general assistance to the public, provide real estate assessment assistance and maintain township-owned roads and bridges. Townships may also provide a number of youth and senior services and can also provide zoning, police and fire protection, and other services. They are governed by township boards that consist of a supervisor and members elected at large. Townships may also have separately elected highway commissioners, assessors, and clerks. To pay for these services, townships also levy property taxes and issue bonds. This episode is to catch up with some of our faculty doing researching township government; Dr. Kurt Thurmaier, Dr. Chris Goodman, and Dr. Jaehee Jong, faculty in the Department of Public Administration at NIU. Enjoy our conversation!

Episode 21: Sister Kathleen Ryan, Dominican Literacy Center Apr 04, 2022

This month, I am speaking with Sister Kathleen Ryan, the Executive Director of the Dominican Literacy Center in Aurora. Their programs help women find a voice in this country. The organization began in 1993, in her words, on a shoestring budget and a broken card table. Today, they serve hundreds of individuals each year. We also talk about Sister Kathleen’s personal journey and commitment to serving new immigrants in our community, and how her educator background took a turn into literacy education for immigrants. She also shares the importance of volunteers for their mission. Enjoy our conversation.

Episode 20: Queer-Oriented Rural Resource Network (QORRN), Frankie DiCiacco, Mar 12, 2022

This month, I speak to Frankie DiCiacco, the founder and executive director of The Queer-Oriented Rural Resource Network that is dedicated to helping LGBTQ+ individuals in rural communities access the resources and services they need. In this episode, we talk about Frankie’s own experiences in rural Illinois and how he hopes to change not only access to needed services for LGBTQ+ individuals but also how we create a welcoming community. He also shares how he had the idea for this new nonprofit and some lessons learned in this journey so far. Enjoy our conversation.

Episode 19: Gretchen Sprinkle, Kishwaukee United Way Feb 04, 2022

Welcome to episode 19, an interview with Gretchen Sprinkle, executive director of the Kishwaukee United Way. In 1887, the model was created in Denver, Colorado to fundraise for local needs and then distribute those funds to local organizations. First called a charity organization society, then in 1913, the first Community Chest was created in Cleveland, Ohio which was widely used for United Way organizations until the 1950s. Today, there are over 1,300 local United Ways in communities across the United States. Locally, the Kishwaukee United Way is engaged in several programs that you will hear about including 211, Smart Money Initiative, and much more. They also fund 21 partner agencies in the county and organize an annual Day of Caring. Enjoy the episode!

Episode 18 Shelly Perkins, DeKalb County Housing Authority Jan 03, 2022

The Housing Authority of DeKalb County has been providing affordable housing options since 1946. As a unit of local government with county-wide jurisdiction, but funded by rents and federal grants, not local taxes. They are governed by a five-member, all-volunteer board. They offer four federal programs including tenant-based assistance through the housing voucher program, unit-based assistance through the low-income public housing program, shelter plus care program for the chronically homeless and multi-family programs. They operate eleven buildings, with a total of 389 units. If you are someone you know needs housing assistance, you can find more information at www.dekohousing.com.

Episode 17: Tara Russo, Elder Care Services Jan 17, 2021

On this episode, number 17 of the All Things Local podcast, I speak with Tara Russo, Executive Director of Elder Care Services in DeKalb. She shares her personal background and commitment to seniors in our community.

Her college education began in nursing but she quickly found that her heart was in social work, and specifically working with seniors.

She talks about the wrap-around services her organization offers to help seniors in all facets of their life, to live their best possible lives at home.

Despite the challenge of the pandemic, she has worked to form creative partnerships to serve our seniors, and even to assist other nonprofits to continue their work too.

I hope you enjoy our conversation.

Episode 16: Cortney Strohacker, DeKalb County Convention & Visitor Bureau Dec 02, 2020

On this episode, number 16 of the All Things Local podcast, I speak with Courtney Strohacher, Executive Director of the DeKalb county convention and visitor bureau. She has been in this role about a year and she shares with us her path, her engagement with all sectors in DeKalb County, and her work with DeKalb County Unites. She shares with us how the CVB markets DeKalb County to local residents but also across the state and across the country. While we might not be able to travel very far right now, Courtney is working hard to focus on what we can do to still enjoy our local attractions and sites. I hope you enjoy our conversation.

Episode 15: Gather Oct 03, 2020

On this episode I speak with Tia Anderson of Heartland Bank and Debra Boughton of NIU, who are leaders in Gather, a program of the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce. Now in its third year, Gather is a women’s leadership organization that helps strengthen the overall business and non-profit community in the DeKalb area. We talk about why the program was founded and how they are working to support all women. We discuss how women can get involved even during this pandemic. I am a proud member of Gather, along with nearly 100 other women, and I encourage everyone to think about how you can get involved. Go to DeKalb.org for more information. I hope you enjoy our conversation.

Episode 14: Fiona Cummings, Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois Aug 03, 2020

On this episode I speak with Fiona Cummings, the CEO of Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois. We chat about how Girl Scouts started, how it has evolved over time. We discuss their decision to be much more flexible so they can best serve their members, such as now only leasing space and putting those spaces in high traffic areas like shopping centers. They are also using technology in some very creative ways to keep the staff virtually connected to each and to continue to provide programs but virtually. She talks about the loss of revenue in many different areas and the impact on their programs and mission because of it. But without a doubt, she, her staff and her board know they can get through these challenges and continue to build strong and confident girls. Fiona taught me about the FAILURE, and fail just means first attempt in learning. And we can all learn a lot from her when it comes to lifelong learning. I hope you enjoy this episode.

Episode 13: Lynette Spencer, Adventure Works Jul 10, 2020

Welcome to episode number 13 of the All Things Local Podcast. On this episode, I speak with Lynette Spencer, Founder and Executive Director of Adventure Works. We are four months into the pandemic now and Lynette and I chat about how her organization quickly adjusted and how they are continuing their mission of bringing mental health services to our community in some very unique ways. We discuss her collaboration with government agencies and other nonprofits, particularly in the University Village neighborhood in DeKalb. She shares how she found her passion of social work, and why she decided to take the leap and start a new nonprofit so that anyone who would benefit from adventure therapy would not be hindered by their ability to pay. I hope you enjoy our conversation.

Episode 12: Keri Asevedo, Rockford Area Habitat for Humanity Jun 11, 2020

Welcome to episode number 12 of the All Things Local Podcast. On this episode, I speak with Keri Asevedo, Executive Director of the Rockford Area Habitat for Humanity. She shares how Habitat had to quickly adapt to COVID 19 when all building stopped and their Restore Closed to the public. She shares her career path from working in the criminal justice system to running a $3 million nonprofit with 22 employees and 1,400 volunteers. She admits she is not afraid to ask anyone for anything if its for a cause she believes in, like Habitat. Housing is one of those basic human rights, Keri argues, that is often tied up with politics of who gets to live where. Somehow we ended up discussing Kim Kardashian and Kanye West but also more timely topics like racism and classism and how all of that is related to housing. You’ll have to listen to hear the full story. I hope you enjoy our lively and informative conversation.

Episode 11: Michelle Donahoe, DeKalb County History Center May 03, 2020

Welcome to episode number 11 of the All Things Local Podcast. On this episode, I speak with Michelle Donahoe, Executive Director of the DeKalb County History Center. She shares her journey as a public history student, as a volunteer, and now leading an organization that reaches across the county, preserving and sharing our county’s history. During this pandemic, the History Center reminds us all that history happens every day and encourages residents to share their stories, to document what’s going on in the world around them for future generations. I want to remind everyone that Give DeKalb County is May 7 and encourage you to make any size donation to any of the over 100 participating nonprofits. This is a critical time for nonprofits as programs and fundraising events have been cancelled, while many of them are seeing increased demand for their services. Share what you can and support Give DeKalb County on May 7. On behalf of these organizations and the people they serve, thank you. Enjoy this podcast episode and stay well.

Episode 10: Jo-Anne Stately on Native American Philanthropy Apr 06, 2020

Jo-Anne Stately is the Director of Impact Strategy for the Minneapolis Foundation in Minnesota. She kicked off the Center for Nonprofit and NGO Studies' 2020 Research Colloquium series on February 12 speaking about Native American philanthropy. This recording was made with a live audience so I apologize in advance for the audio quality.

Episode 9: Part 2 with Police Chiefs of NIU and DeKalb Mar 23, 2020

I hope you enjoy this second part of my interview with the police chiefs of DeKalb and NIU. In this part of our interview, both chiefs talk about their department’s collaboration with nonprofits, about very specific events that turned them towards making a career in law enforcement, and then we get into a discussion of mental health issues facing first responders. I am editing this episode as we are all dealing with the disruption to our daily lives and the serious health consequences of the coronavirus. This episode is dedicated to all of those public servants, health care workers, and business employees that are risking their own lives and their family’s lives in order to help the rest of us stay healthy and safe. Take care everyone and enjoy the episode!

Episode 8: The Police Chiefs of NIU and DeKalb: Part 1 Jan 04, 2020

On this episode, I speak with Chief Tom Phillips of the NIU Police Department and Interim Chief of Police for the City of DeKalb, John Petragallo. We discuss their relationship with each other, to their communities, how they arrived at their positions and why did they go into police work in the first place. We are reminded how the city and the university are intricately linked, tied together, interdependent. Because of our lengthy and candid conversation, this podcast will actually be split up in two parts. Enjoy this first part.

Episode 7: Lynnea Erickson Laskowski, Safe Passage Nov 08, 2019

Welcome to episode number 7 of the All Things Local Podcast. On this episode, I speak with Lynnea Erickson-Laskowski from Safe Passage, DeKalb County’s domestic violence and sexual assault crisis center. Lynnea shares her journey from student to advocate. She reminds us that sexual assault and domestic violence does not discriminate by income, ethnicity, race, gender identity, or sexual orientation. Safe Passage works with so many entities to support their clients and could use our community’s help so think about volunteering, donating funds or items they are in need of, like gas gift cards especially as we come into the holiday season. Enjoy the episode!

Episode 6: Amanda Christenson, DeKalb County Regional Office of Education Sep 04, 2019

Welcome to Episode number 6 of the All Things Local Podcast, and my second in my new role as acting director of the Center for Nonprofit and NGO Studies. In this episode, I interview Amanda Christenson the Superintendent of the DeKalb County Regional Office of Education. Although she has an extensive teaching background, you might be surprised at what she really wanted to be when she grew up. Hint, it wasn’t a teacher. She does her work with a social justice lens. The regional office of education does so much behind the scenes for DeKalb County children and I hope you learn as much as I did. We hear about the extent of collaboration with nonprofits and governments to carry out the vision and mission of the ROE. Enjoy the episode!

Episode #5: Alex Nerad, The Historic Egyptian Theatre Jul 02, 2019

Welcome to Episode number 5 of the All Things Local Podcast, and my first in my new role as acting director of the Center for Nonprofit and NGO Studies. In this episode, we learn all about the Egyptian Theatre from its executive director Alex Nerad. The Egyptian supports the quality of life of this region which attracts residents, businesses, and visitors. You might be surprised to know that the Egyptian Theatre has a $2 million direct economic impact every year, thanks to the 40,000 visitors to the theatre and it will turn 90 years old in December. Alex reminds us that the theatre is a community centre, welcoming all generations, from all walks of life. It’s where community conversations happen. Hear about exciting plans ahead with a $4.5 million renovation. Enjoy the episode!

Episode #4: Dan Templin, DeKalb County Community Foundation Jun 06, 2019

On this episode, I interview Dan Templin from the DeKalb County Community Foundation, which celebrated its 25th anniversary last year. Growing up in Peoria, we’ll hear how Dan spent his time at Northern volunteering with local nonprofits and then graduating with a degree in psychology. Eventually administration found him very early in his career, first at the Dekalb County Youth Service Bureau when he became an executive director at just 26, and then he jumped at the chance to get involved in the nonprofit sector more broadly by moving to the DeKalb County Community Foundation. He truly loves working in what he calls the field of generosity.

Episode 3: Dan Kenney, DeKalb County Community Gardens May 03, 2019

In this episode, number 3 of the All Things Local podcast, I speak with Dan Kenney, Founder and Executive Director of the DeKalb County Community Gardens https://www.dekalbgardens.org. We hear about his childhood experiences growing up in a farming family, his passion for social justice sparked by Robert Kennedy and Martin Luther King in the 1960s, and how he sees access to food as a social justice issue. We learn how government, nonprofits and individuals have come together to address issues in the Annie Glidden North Neighborhood in DeKalb through community engagement. Dan challenges all of us to see people for people, not others, not them and us. He truly believes in service to others. I know you’ll enjoy this episode!

Episode 2: Deanna Cada, DeKalb County Mental Health Board Apr 02, 2019

Welcome to episode number 2 of the All Things Local Podcast. On this episode, I speak with Deanna Cada from the DeKalb County Mental Health Board. We learn about what the mental health board actually does in our community to improve access to mental health services and the overall quality of life for all residents. Hear about the new Mental Health Court, mental health first aid, and how the mental health board responds during a disaster such as the tornado in Fairdale. Deanna offers tips to those studying or working in local government. She shares memorable stories that affected her own commitment to public service and she even shares lessons from her first job at Dunkin Donuts, reminding us how important relationships are as well as the importance of looking at any situation from multiple perspectives.

Episode 1: Paul LaLonde, Voluntary Action Center (VAC) Feb 28, 2019

On this first episode, I am joined by Paul LaLonde, Vice President of Operations and Human Resources for the Voluntary Action Center. Paul graduated with an MPA from Northern Illinois University in 2009. He discussed his career path in public service, as well as his organization’s role in providing public transportation across five counties in Northern Illinois. Paul notes that transit "is a perfect example of governance in action" as VAC works with all levels of government.

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