May 2011 Signal

Vol. 4, No. 5: May 2011

Signal

An Online Newsletter from WSIU Public Radio

This Month on Morning Conversations

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ay 3 • McLeod Summer Playhouse. Preview of the 2011 season.

May 23 • SIU President Glenn Poshard Morning Conversations, hosted by WSIU morning news anchor and reporter Jennifer Fuller, airs at 8:30am on Tuesdays and other weekdays, as scheduled, and repeats at 5:30pm.

May 10 • SIUC Chancellor Rita Cheng May 17 • Rotary Club of Carbondale Breakfast. The club will be collecting old bikes and giving them to Bike Works of St. Louis, who will then refurbish the bikes and give them back to the community for free. The restoration work is done by inmates at local prisons. Fifty bikes will be distributed in Carbondale on May 21 in conjunction with the Beautiful Southern Bike Ride.

Jennifer Fuller.

Photo: Monica Tichenor.

All Morning Conversations episodes are available on air and on our live stream www.wsiu.org/live. You can also find them on our podcast page at http://www3.wsiu.org/radio/ morningconversation.

We also invite you to follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

WSIU at the 2011 Cape Girardeau Storytelling Festival Where the River Turns a Thousand Tales!

Storyteller David Ross of Cape Girardeau, Missouri.

Photo: Katie Tullis.

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pril showers took a break over the weekend of April 8-10, leaving behind a beautiful day for the 4th Annual Cape Girardeau Storytelling Festival! Once again, WSIU hosted a “Share a Story” recording booth so festival-goers could share personal stories.

Over 15 participants from around the Midwest shared songs, humor, and interesting stories – from a hilarious tale about

two kids trying to sell grandma’s apple pies to a rags-to-riches story about a Polish man who came to the U.S. to earn money to save his father’s farm.

This year’s storytellers included: Jim Goddard, Nathan Kisat, and Ann Sanderman of Anna, Ill.; Joe Murray of Camdenton, Mo.; Don Greenwood, Jordan Huff, and David Ross of Cape Girardeau, Mo.; Alex Paull of Carbondale, Ill.; Albert Pabst of Hannibal, Mo.; Patricia Cobb and Adam Walker of Jackson, Mo.; Bryan Ross of Kirkwood, Mo.; Weller Ross of Knoxville, Tenn. James Highland of Orland Park, Ill.; and Della Deeb of Rochester, Ind.

WSIU student employees Ryan Kinsella, Danielle Farley, and Katie Tullis assisted in photographing, recording, and producing CDs for each storyteller to take home. WSIU’s booth saw the largest number of participants this year, proving that no matter what your age or background, everyone has a great story to share!

This year’s storytellers will be featured at wsiu.org at a later date and on WSIU Radio in the weeks leading up to next year’s festival. To hear stories from previous years, visit wsiu.org/radio/storyteller. Visit capestorytelling.com to learn more about the annual festival.

WSIU Co-Sponsors the Southern Illinois Saluki Pow Wow

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SIU was proud to help present a unique cultural and educational event, held on April 2, 2011 at the Carbondale Civic Center. During the span of 12 hours, an estimated 1,000-1,500 Colorful intertribal dance. Photo: Susie Phillips. people gathered to experience the beauty and fun of Native American songs and dances, from the traditional to the contemporary. Dancers representing both North American and Central American tribes gave exhibition dances throughout the day and joined with the public during fun intertribal and social dances for all ages.

American Student Organization and Native American Studies Minor at SIUC, numerous University departments and offices who lent their support, and co-host Carbondale Main Street together with dozens of regional business and organizational supporters.

WSIU would like to thank everyone who supported and attended this extraordinary day.

Audiences ranged in age from newborn babies to high school and college students and even respected elders in their 90s!

In addition to dancing, drumming, and singing, attendees enjoyed traditional arts and crafts from a variety of vendors, as well as cultural presentations from the Trails of Awareness Project of Vienna, Illinois.

The event was made possible through a diverse UniversityCommunity collaboration, including co-hosts the Native

Dancers came from several tribes.

Photo: Susie Phillips.

SIRIS Volunteer Profile: Kimberly Mahoney

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eet SIRIS advisory board member and volunteer reader Kimberly Mahoney. Mahoney and her husband moved to Southern Illinois from Massachusetts almost four years ago.

“When we moved here, my husband’s colleagues introduced us to the different services and opportunities in the area,” Mahoney says.

Soon after Mahoney and her family relocated to Southern Illinois, she began exploring ways to get involved in the community. Someone suggested SIRIS and after speaking to director Vickie Devenport, Mahoney decided SIRIS would be a good fit for her.

“I think Vickie does a really good job at getting the word out about SIRIS, but I think it’s still undiscovered. Its one of those great resources that makes a big difference in the lives of people that use

it,” Mahoney says. “It fills a gap for local and community information that isn’t as readily accessible as national news.”

Mahoney’s only concern is that SIRIS readers usually don’t get direct contact with the people they serve. Volunteers do get some feedback and hear stories, but only if they contact SIRIS users by phone.

Still, “The general concept is a great one for the people that use it,” says Mahoney.

Although SIRIS is her primary volunteer responsibility, Mahoney also devotes some of her time to the Carbondale track team where she is an official.

“Volunteering goes such a long way in helping others, and it helps you become part of the fabric of your community,” says Mahoney. “I would urge people to find something that interests them and assume a small piece of ownership and responsibility for the place in which they

SIRIS volunteer Kimberly Mahoney.

Photo: Jenna Richardson.

live by volunteering. It takes such a small fraction of time and effort to make a big difference in other people’s lives. It’s really rewarding.”

Some of Mahoney’s favorite programs on WSIU Radio are Fresh Air and Wait, Wait, Don’t Tell Me! To learn more about volunteering for SIRIS, call (618) 453-2808 or click on the SIRIS tab at wsiu.org.

Sponsor Profile: Changing Seasons Landscape Center Company

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hanging Seasons Landscape Center Company of Marion underwrites a variety of WSIU Radio programming, including news, weekend entertainment, and Sunday public affairs and educational programming, from Zorba Paster to Rick Steves and others.

Owners Beth and Trent Mohlenbrock opened Changing Seasons Landscape Center in 1991 as a full-service garden center offering a broad selection of plants, trees, shrubs, water gardening supplies, hardscape materials such as brick and stone, garden pest solutions, and tools and gifts for the home and gardener. Changing Seasons also provides complete landscape design and installation services specializing in plantings, installation of patios and paths, water gardens, fire pits, outdoor kitchens, lighting, and more.

Trent notes that “People seem surprised to learn that we also design and build a variety of retaining walls that address individual site characteristics and needs.” Beth adds, “…

And that we carry a wide range of natural and organic pesticides, fertilizers, and other gardening aids. One example is our new

line of MYKE natural mycorrhizal growth supplements that can extend the planting warranty for up to five years.”

In reflecting on their decision to begin underwriting WSIU Radio programming, Beth muses that “People who listen to WSIU like to have truly in-depth information, and that matches our customer base. People come to Changing Seasons not only to purchase items and plan their landscapes but because they like to actually learn more about gardening.”

Trent agrees, saying “It’s a good fit for us.

WSIU listeners tend to be connected to their environment; they enjoy their homes and gardens.” Beth adds that the Mohlenbrock family also believes in supporting Southern Illinois University programs and services, which include the WSIU stations.

Beth and Trent remark that “It is important for the community to support public broadcasting because of the total quality of all the programming it brings to us. It’s unique – there’s just nothing else like it on the airwaves. It would be terrible not to have public radio in southern Illinois…a resource of this caliber benefits everyone.”

Owners Trent and Beth Mohlenbrock Photo: Renee Dillard

Both Trent and Beth Mohlenbrock are long time, devoted listeners of public radio.

“We rely on the daily news programs, both Morning Edition and All Things Considered.

We especially love Fresh Air with Terry Gross, Car Talk on Saturdays, and A Prairie Home Companion, but it’s all good!”

More information can be found at the garden center, which is open daily at 3915 Ernestine Drive in Marion, Illinois, (618) 997-6897 or online at www. changingseasonslandscape.com.

Sponsor Profile: Sandberg, Phoenix, and Von Gontard P.C.

Attorneys Kathleen L. Pine and A. Courtney Cox, Carbondale Office. Photo courtesy of SPVG P.C.

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andberg Phoenix & von Gontard (SPVG) has helped to sponsor WSIU Radio news programming since 2007. Founded in 1979 by nine attorneys, the firm has grown to include 75 attorneys across three fully-staffed southern Illinois offices in Carbondale, Edwardsville, and O’Fallon in addition to the headquartered office in St. Louis. The firm provides complete corporate legal services to publicly and privately owned businesses.

Sandberg Phoenix partners Kathleen L. Pine and A. Courtney Cox are among the legal team working primarily out of the Carbondale office in Westowne Centre.

When asked what aspect of their services might be unusual or unexpected Kathy replies,

“The unique aspect of our structure is that each local office is an integrated part of the overall team, so each office easily taps into expertise at other locations to meet the exact needs of the client. Every local office has a really deep bench to bring to the game.” Courtney adds, “That gives us the accessibility of a local firm with the depth of a large organization. Each office becomes a broad regional law firm because of the seamless connections to legal and support staff at other locations.”

Kathy and Courtney note that “We decided to become WSIU Radio underwriters because WSIU’s listeners are interested in what’s going on in the world and locally. Our clientele as business people and health care professionals also are interested in the world and in staying up to date….Too, we are strong supporters of the University, with many SIU alumni on our staff.”

The firm believes that the response to their partnership with WSIU Radio has been positive. Kathy reports that, “We do get feedback; people will say they remember hearing about us on the radio. In addition to that overall awareness of the firm, people express appreciation for our support of WSIU.” Courtney and Kathy both are WSIU Radio

listeners, and feel strongly about the importance of community support for public radio. Courtney reflects that “WSIU brings programs that you just can’t get anywhere else on the dial. I get most of my news from WSIU, with our schedules we wouldn’t be able to stay abreast of current affairs without it. It’s also my source for classical and other interesting music, and I think it raises the level of culture for the entire region.”

Kathy adds, “WSIU also has a culture of professional, responsible journalism and programming. That resonates with me personally…in our practice of law we also emphasize professionalism, and operate under a sense of ethics and codes of conduct to serve the public. When you support WSIU, you are benefitting not only your favorite programs, but also a unique resource for the region and the University.”

More information about Sandberg Phoenix and von Gontard P.C., including staff members, practice areas and specialties, and detailed contact information, is available online at www.spvg.com or at the local office nearest you: Carbondale (618-351-7200), Edwardsville (618-659-9861), O’Fallon (618-397-2721), or St. Louis (314-231-3332).

Celtic Connections host Bryan Kelso Crow.

Photo: Rachel Snow King.

Airs Saturday @ 7pm • Sunday @ 6pm May 7 • New Releases

The top of the month means it’s time to hear what’s new in the Celtic music genre.

May 14 • The Outside Track

The lively five member young Celtic band The Outside Track visits our studio for interviews and live ensemble playing. The band features two Scottish women, two Canadian women, and a German-born but Irish-raised male guitar player.

“Listener support is so important.”

- Sue Ridgeway, Herrin, IL

May 21 • Songs from the Sam Henry

Northern Irish folk song collector Sam Henry was born in Coleraine in 1878 and died in 1952. He collected songs throughout his life, published many in the Belfast newspapers, and eventually published the words in a massive collection called “Songs of the People.” We feature some of Henry’s songs in this program.

May 28 • 30 Years Back: The Best of 1981

Each year we look at the state of the art in Celtic music as of 30 years ago, and this year’s survey takes us back to 1981, when everything was still on vinyl!

Thank You, Underwriters!

Please join us in thanking the underwriters

who recently began, renewed, or expanded their partnerships to make public radio possible:

Blacklock Financial Strategies Group of Wells Fargo Advisors LLC, Carbondale Timothy Loughran, D.D.S, Herrin Zahoor Makhdoom, M.D. of S.I.G.I. Specialists, Carbondale Jackson County Health Department SIU School of Law Center for Health Law and Policy SIU School of Music SI Music Fest Southern Illinois Medical Services of Southern Illinois Healthcare Cedarhurst Center for the Arts, Mt. Vernon New Harmony Business Association Education and Activities Fund, Indiana Southern Illinois Art Gallery of the Illinois State Museum, Whittington Wright Do-It Center, Murphysboro and Sparta For a complete list of WSIU sponsors and information about sponsoring WSIU programming, visit us online at www.wsiu.org or call (618) 453-4286.

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’ve been a fan of WSIU for many years. I work for the Arthur Agency in Carbondale, and our company supports public radio through underwriting. On top of that, we encourage our clients to support public radio, as well. We are impressed by the way public radio serves our community and the entire region.

I feel that listener support is so important to WSIU Radio. Without public radio we would not have access to the news that we enjoy daily and also the very entertaining programs. There are just so many programs that we wouldn’t be able to enjoy if WSIU wasn’t on the dial.

I’m Sue Ridgeway from Herrin, Illinois and WSIU Public Radio is Powered by Me!

What do you love about WSIU? Tell us and we’ll share it on the air, online, or in print!

Online • www.wsiu.org/you Email • you@wsiu.org

W S I U i s P o w e r e d b y Yo u ® WSIU Public Radio Communications Building 1003 - MC 6602 Southern Illinois University Carbondale 1100 Lincoln Drive Carbondale IL 62901 • 618/453-6101 • wsiu.org • wsiuradio@wsiu.org