Illinois Destinations Association Fall Member Meeting: Mayor's Reception at the Historic Fischer Theater

WEBVTT

00:00:06.067 --> 00:00:06.817
/Hello everybody.

00:00:06.908 --> 00:00:14.137
this is Howard Fox, host of the Outdoor Venture Series podcast, and I am here in Danville, Illinois.

00:00:14.467 --> 00:00:18.748
I am, Attending the conference of the Illinois Destinations Association.

00:00:19.077 --> 00:00:24.748
Now, I got down here early, toured around the city a bit, a little walking, a little exercise, a little food.

00:00:25.498 --> 00:00:36.628
And now I am at the beautiful renovated Fisher Theater in downtown Danville, and I have the pleasure of introducing to you the Mayor of Danville.

00:00:36.908 --> 00:00:38.268
Ricky, Williams.

00:00:39.557 --> 00:00:43.008
Mayor, it's a pleasure to have you on the podcast and hear a few words from you.

00:00:43.008 --> 00:00:43.787
How are you doing today?

00:00:43.908 --> 00:00:44.898
I'm doing great, Howard.

00:00:44.898 --> 00:00:50.118
We're so excited to have you guys here, and I just thank you for this opportunity to tell people about how great Danville is.

00:00:50.478 --> 00:00:51.228
Fantastic.

00:00:51.228 --> 00:00:54.107
Now I have to ask, how long have you been mayor of Vanil?

00:00:54.648 --> 00:00:56.688
It'll be seven years next month.

00:00:56.688 --> 00:01:00.468
So I was acting mayor for six months before winning election outright.

00:01:00.527 --> 00:01:00.917
Okay.

00:01:00.948 --> 00:01:03.258
And then I won reelection in, 2023.

00:01:03.438 --> 00:01:04.067
Fantastic.

00:01:04.067 --> 00:01:05.207
Congratulations on that.

00:01:05.207 --> 00:01:05.218
Thank.

00:01:05.287 --> 00:01:07.897
Now, are you a longtime resident of the Danville

00:01:07.897 --> 00:01:08.197
area?

00:01:08.707 --> 00:01:09.337
Absolutely.

00:01:09.337 --> 00:01:13.087
So my dad is from Westville, a little town five miles south of here.

00:01:13.087 --> 00:01:16.927
So we lived there until the middle of my second grade year, and then we moved to Danville.

00:01:17.237 --> 00:01:22.518
but I still played sports in Westville until high school, so I consider myself both a tiger and a Viking.

00:01:22.757 --> 00:01:23.237
Gotcha.

00:01:23.718 --> 00:01:28.087
Now, where did, where did you go to school In, Advance, four years college Master's.

00:01:28.087 --> 00:01:29.108
Where'd you do, where'd you go?

00:01:29.168 --> 00:01:29.677
Sure.

00:01:29.707 --> 00:01:34.108
So I actually got a Bachelor of Arts, emphasis in political science.

00:01:34.108 --> 00:01:37.737
I kind of did pre-law at Milliken University in Decatur, Illinois.

00:01:37.947 --> 00:01:48.058
And then I was offered and working towards a full scholarship, to pursue a PhD in political science, specifically public policy and urban development down at Emory University in Atlanta.

00:01:48.567 --> 00:01:51.778
And about a year and a half shy of that after I had completed.

00:01:52.117 --> 00:01:57.287
All of my coursework, all of my teaching requirements, and, two outta three comprehensive exams.

00:01:57.287 --> 00:01:59.447
I took a missions trip that changed my life.

00:01:59.477 --> 00:02:01.382
long story short, I am not Dr.

00:02:01.382 --> 00:02:01.878
Williams.

00:02:02.158 --> 00:02:02.817
but, it's got a

00:02:02.817 --> 00:02:03.628
ring to it though.

00:02:03.688 --> 00:02:10.318
It does, but I, I learned a lot of great things along the way, which I'm able to help use to, to use, to help my people here in Danville.

00:02:10.467 --> 00:02:10.918
Excellent.

00:02:11.277 --> 00:02:16.078
Now, when you came back to Danville, how did you happen upon this idea?

00:02:16.457 --> 00:02:22.098
I'm gonna run for mayor, or I'm gonna accept this temporary position as an interim mayor.

00:02:22.098 --> 00:02:30.048
back when I was a senior in high school, we had our first ever countywide youth summit, and then I feel like God kind of put it in my mind that I would be mayor someday.

00:02:30.407 --> 00:02:34.677
Fast forward, a lot of my professional work was, and, and youth and, and family development.

00:02:34.918 --> 00:02:37.108
So I learned a lot about managing people and money.

00:02:37.377 --> 00:02:40.437
Long story short, I was on the council for almost 10 years.

00:02:40.647 --> 00:02:42.897
Our former mayor accepted another position.

00:02:42.897 --> 00:02:47.247
State law says you have to choose one from amongst your own to be the acting mayor.

00:02:47.247 --> 00:02:50.337
So then I became acting mayor, and that kind of rolled me into this.

00:02:50.693 --> 00:02:55.492
This eventually fulfilling what I thought was my destiny for over 20 years.

00:02:55.703 --> 00:02:56.663
That is wonderful.

00:02:56.663 --> 00:03:03.742
There, there's a saying in, in the coaching field, what you think about, you're bringing about, so you have certainly brought about that.

00:03:04.133 --> 00:03:15.923
And I imagine you're also bringing about right now the renovation and the really, the, the exciting transformation of Danville and this theater that we're in right now, the Fisher Theater is, is.

00:03:16.587 --> 00:03:25.437
I grew up in Detroit and we had our own Fisher Theater, and that was the first thing on my mind is I'm wondering, can it be as grand as the one in Detroit?

00:03:25.437 --> 00:03:28.587
And here I am with you in the auditorium.

00:03:28.647 --> 00:03:29.578
This is a.

00:03:30.358 --> 00:03:31.168
Wonderful.

00:03:31.598 --> 00:03:37.057
example of some early American architecture and what did it take to bring this,

00:03:37.057 --> 00:03:38.078
renovation about?

00:03:38.377 --> 00:03:44.518
So Julius Heckler ii, he was also a friend, so interestingly enough, Julius also graduated from Milliken.

00:03:44.518 --> 00:03:45.328
Go Big Blue.

00:03:45.418 --> 00:03:45.657
Okay.

00:03:45.657 --> 00:03:45.777
I

00:03:45.777 --> 00:03:48.418
first met him at a reception there when I was our homecoming king.

00:03:48.418 --> 00:03:48.962
But, anyways.

00:03:49.492 --> 00:03:51.143
Thanks to a very generous donation.

00:03:51.143 --> 00:03:54.383
We're talking millions of dollars from Julius w Heckler.

00:03:54.413 --> 00:03:56.603
He had his first date with his wife here.

00:03:56.633 --> 00:03:56.962
Okay.

00:03:56.992 --> 00:03:59.992
She got ill and passed from cancer some time ago.

00:04:00.203 --> 00:04:06.413
He was here for a show and thought, man, this is in bad shape, and he started thinking about his, his beautiful wife.

00:04:06.712 --> 00:04:08.002
He said, I'm gonna do this one thing.

00:04:09.168 --> 00:04:10.457
That became another thing.

00:04:10.457 --> 00:04:12.198
And then that came a full on restoration.

00:04:12.198 --> 00:04:17.927
So if it weren't for the late Julius WW Second and the Heckler Foundation, we would not be standing in this structure.

00:04:18.437 --> 00:04:22.608
When they got into the work, they found that the trusses were probably six months away from failing.

00:04:22.637 --> 00:04:24.257
It was that close to being gone.

00:04:24.588 --> 00:04:31.077
So thankfully we had a patron saying in Julius Heckler, and then we had, a great carpenter that came along and worked with him, Paul Offit.

00:04:31.377 --> 00:04:37.637
And, so many people donated money as well and time and effort and, The city, Danville almost tore this down over 20 years ago.

00:04:37.637 --> 00:04:39.887
It was saved by one vote on the city council.

00:04:39.947 --> 00:04:40.247
Oh, wow.

00:04:40.278 --> 00:04:45.767
So I thank God that they had some courage, to, to save it, because we would not be standing here right now if that, if they hadn't.

00:04:46.517 --> 00:04:46.877
And

00:04:47.327 --> 00:04:49.617
I, I would imagine this theater is a.

00:04:50.062 --> 00:04:51.833
Can be considered a crown jewel.

00:04:51.833 --> 00:04:55.192
I mean, it's, it's a gathering place for many wonderful occasions.

00:04:55.252 --> 00:04:55.853
Oh my.

00:04:55.853 --> 00:05:03.512
Everything from, big name acts to, acts to, we have an incredible local theater, especially musical theater in our community.

00:05:03.822 --> 00:05:06.312
you also have a lot of community meetings here, so.

00:05:06.423 --> 00:05:09.512
Local foundations, sponsor events and galas here.

00:05:09.512 --> 00:05:14.973
I mean, it really is not only the hub of downtown, but it's once again becoming the hub of the community.

00:05:15.033 --> 00:05:16.713
And we are trying to compliment that.

00:05:16.713 --> 00:05:20.762
in Danville we were one of the only community downstate outside of Chicago, Illinois.

00:05:20.973 --> 00:05:22.442
We won a$3 million.

00:05:22.473 --> 00:05:22.533
we.

00:05:22.778 --> 00:05:25.687
Hometown and, downtown restoration grant.

00:05:25.687 --> 00:05:27.968
So a lot of the sidewalks that you've seen replaced.

00:05:27.968 --> 00:05:32.017
We did a lot of sewage infrastructure down here, roadways and things like that.

00:05:32.228 --> 00:05:37.987
So we are trying to do, I have an amazing team at the city and we are working to do our part to support things like this.

00:05:39.038 --> 00:05:41.798
I often tell people no one is coming to save us.

00:05:42.793 --> 00:05:45.043
It is gonna take and it, and the city can't do everything.

00:05:45.043 --> 00:05:48.913
I love, I love the city and I have an amazing team, but we can't do it all.

00:05:49.213 --> 00:05:53.802
The Fisher is incredible and they have a wonderful, director and amazing board, but they can't do it all.

00:05:54.083 --> 00:05:55.793
our nonprofits can't do it All.

00:05:55.793 --> 00:05:57.202
Our businesses can't do it all.

00:05:57.382 --> 00:06:02.708
But everyone can do something, even if it's just as simple as taking care of your yard, taking care of your home.

00:06:03.173 --> 00:06:06.413
We all have something that we can give that would not only help us, but help everyone.

00:06:06.773 --> 00:06:07.552
That's wonderful.

00:06:07.973 --> 00:06:09.952
I'm curious, is there a.

00:06:11.017 --> 00:06:18.598
Some El Cove, a seat, a piece of this theater that really just kind of tugs at your heartstrings and brings back memories for you.

00:06:19.408 --> 00:06:21.747
So you have to think when I was a kid, this was closed.

00:06:21.747 --> 00:06:23.158
But I'll, I'll tell you a quick story.

00:06:23.158 --> 00:06:25.377
So I'm actually a mixed kid, biracial.

00:06:25.377 --> 00:06:27.028
My dad is black, my mom is white.

00:06:27.567 --> 00:06:36.468
My dad told me a story when he was young of being in eighth grade and, He, his mom always said in, in the, they always said in the balcony when he came here and he thought, that's where my grandma liked to sit.

00:06:36.827 --> 00:06:42.408
Well, one day he came with some of his white friends and he was told that they could not sit on the floor, that they had to sit on the balcony.

00:06:42.408 --> 00:06:44.177
So that was a reation for him.

00:06:44.627 --> 00:06:53.418
Also, my dad told me growing up that I had a, my grandpa used to do cleaning and he, he cleaned theaters downtown, but I never knew that it was this theater that he was talking about.

00:06:53.747 --> 00:06:54.017
So.

00:06:54.528 --> 00:07:03.127
Imagine my great surprise in 2019 and, we're here for the grand reopening and I'm sitting in the balcony and they announce me and I'm being honored in this theater.

00:07:03.728 --> 00:07:06.218
And I look over and my dad has tears running down his eyes.

00:07:06.218 --> 00:07:07.447
And I said, pop, what's wrong?

00:07:07.658 --> 00:07:10.598
And he says, son, you remember that theater that I told you about?

00:07:11.048 --> 00:07:13.208
He was like, where I couldn't sit where I wanted to.

00:07:13.567 --> 00:07:17.228
He was like, now we're sitting here in the balcony with you and they're honoring my son.

00:07:17.257 --> 00:07:19.298
He said, I, I just can't believe it.

00:07:19.867 --> 00:07:21.007
That's so wonderful.

00:07:21.007 --> 00:07:24.817
It's a journey, and I can only imagine how proud your father was.

00:07:25.088 --> 00:07:25.658
Absolutely.

00:07:25.658 --> 00:07:29.257
And I think the thing that I'm the most proud of is that now everyone feels welcome here.

00:07:29.317 --> 00:07:37.478
I mean, at first they could not give, they could not get, especially, African Americans who are more affluent to give to this theater because of how they were treated in the past.

00:07:37.478 --> 00:07:39.398
Right now, it's a place for everyone.

00:07:39.458 --> 00:07:47.588
Everyone comes here, whether you're young or old, black or white, rich or poor, gay or straight Christian, Muslim, Jew, or atheist.

00:07:47.903 --> 00:07:49.762
Everyone is welcome at the Fisher Theater.

00:07:50.153 --> 00:07:50.452
Okay.

00:07:51.083 --> 00:07:51.262
I'm

00:07:51.262 --> 00:08:00.622
curious too, is there an event perhaps sometime in the near future that if we can get this, here I am.

00:08:00.963 --> 00:08:08.158
the story is fantastic, but if we can get this event here and it's just going, it's gonna be like the icing on the cake.

00:08:10.067 --> 00:08:11.718
A particular event that we could recruit.

00:08:11.927 --> 00:08:12.228
Yeah.

00:08:12.668 --> 00:08:13.838
I am really excited.

00:08:13.838 --> 00:08:17.947
They are on the verge of making it a big announcement tomorrow, so I can't steal their thunder.

00:08:17.947 --> 00:08:17.978
Ah.

00:08:18.427 --> 00:08:19.718
But I have a habit of doing

00:08:19.718 --> 00:08:19.958
that.

00:08:19.958 --> 00:08:20.317
I always

00:08:20.317 --> 00:08:22.987
ask a question I can't really tell you just yet, maybe tomorrow.

00:08:23.168 --> 00:08:29.858
So, to make a long story short, one of the challenges that we have is that if the, green rooms and such are below the stage mm-hmm.

00:08:30.098 --> 00:08:33.368
They are currently in bad disarray and not able to be used yet.

00:08:33.368 --> 00:08:34.477
So that hinders us.

00:08:34.498 --> 00:08:38.638
From being able to get bigger name acts and to do some bigger production sometimes.

00:08:38.937 --> 00:08:41.488
Well, let's just say all of that shall be changing soon.

00:08:41.548 --> 00:08:42.837
That is wonderful to hear.

00:08:43.258 --> 00:08:45.028
One la couple more questions.

00:08:45.028 --> 00:08:49.727
I know you're busy and again, thank you for hosting this reception for us, this evening.

00:08:50.687 --> 00:08:55.842
Where do you see this theater say in 10 years from now?

00:08:57.013 --> 00:09:03.493
10 years from now, I see us being the premier place that major acts wanna stop when they're cri, when they're crisscrossing.

00:09:03.493 --> 00:09:08.413
America being on Highway 74, we are just two hours from Chicago.

00:09:08.533 --> 00:09:10.182
An hour and 15 minutes from Indy.

00:09:10.182 --> 00:09:11.472
Three hours from St.

00:09:11.472 --> 00:09:11.863
Louis.

00:09:12.133 --> 00:09:14.442
maybe three and a half hours from Louisville, Kentucky.

00:09:14.442 --> 00:09:20.202
So no matter where anyone is going to play in America, they have to cross by or not too far from Danville.

00:09:20.263 --> 00:09:25.682
And what I want us to be is their stop along the way where we get to see these big, awesome acts.

00:09:26.177 --> 00:09:37.187
That maybe wouldn't necessarily do a show here, but because they love the charm, the acoustics, because they meet such wonderfully warm and nice people here, and because it's such a beautiful setting that they say, you know what, we'll make a stop.

00:09:37.187 --> 00:09:43.518
And that we, we have our hospitality that we're known for, and that, that makes them want to come back and also tell their friends.

00:09:43.697 --> 00:09:44.207
Excellent.

00:09:44.988 --> 00:09:46.217
One, another question.

00:09:46.217 --> 00:09:49.217
I always say one last question, but there never is, you know how that goes.

00:09:49.457 --> 00:09:52.668
It's The, your, your work with, the city of Danville.

00:09:53.057 --> 00:09:54.107
Tourism authority.

00:09:54.107 --> 00:09:57.888
You've got Vermilion County, the, and you've got the chambers.

00:09:57.888 --> 00:10:01.278
And what's it like working with them to help promote this city?

00:10:01.817 --> 00:10:09.827
Well, without right now, we would not be where we are without, our visitors bureau, Rhonda and Tracy, those ladies are incredible.

00:10:09.827 --> 00:10:10.607
They're dynamic.

00:10:10.607 --> 00:10:16.187
They love this community, they love our people, and as a result, they are working hard for us.

00:10:16.217 --> 00:10:20.868
But it's great because, and more than so than since I've been back as a young professional.

00:10:21.082 --> 00:10:23.363
What I am noticing is everyone is working together.

00:10:23.633 --> 00:10:29.993
It used to be folks got terrible to the city, wanted to keep its stuff, and the visitors bureau of didn't wanna give any credit to the city.

00:10:30.143 --> 00:10:35.513
And Vermillion Advantage, the economic development and Chamber of Commerce didn't work well with this, with this group.

00:10:35.903 --> 00:10:42.903
But now we are all working together, if everyone is rowing in opposite directions, it's hard to get the ship, to make any progress.

00:10:42.903 --> 00:10:45.543
But when we're all rowing together, we make a big difference.

00:10:45.543 --> 00:10:54.033
And I think the theater, the visitors bureau, And, for million advantage combined with the city and the county, we're going, we're gonna keep making progress.

00:10:54.092 --> 00:10:55.503
I have no doubt about that.

00:10:56.163 --> 00:11:11.312
Final question, many listeners are gonna be hearing the, the collection of the interviews I do over the next couple days, and it's an opportunity for you to, to speak to all of the listeners, the thousands that listen to this podcast.

00:11:11.312 --> 00:11:16.322
Hopefully the more, what would you like to share with them about why Danville?

00:11:17.342 --> 00:11:18.153
Why Danville?

00:11:18.153 --> 00:11:26.222
Because we have that awesome mixture of culture, environmental, recreational opportunities, and just charm.

00:11:26.628 --> 00:11:28.758
The people here are kind and welcoming.

00:11:29.008 --> 00:11:31.138
there's lots of anything that you could wanna do.

00:11:31.197 --> 00:11:32.427
You can even scuba dive in.

00:11:32.427 --> 00:11:34.587
Danville out at Kickapoo in the old mines.

00:11:34.648 --> 00:11:34.947
Oh boy.

00:11:35.097 --> 00:11:38.008
We have a historic, nationally registered stadium.

00:11:38.278 --> 00:11:39.868
We have this beautiful fisher theater.

00:11:39.868 --> 00:11:51.932
If you are into the arts, if you are into the outdoors, if you are into sports and recreation, if you wanna just have a good meal and be surrounded by friendly, warm, kind, welcoming people, then Danville is the place to be.

00:11:52.177 --> 00:12:03.918
That's wonderful, and I am certainly feeling very welcome, in the short time I've been here and I'm having a, a wonderful time, with, the Tourism Authority and Tracy and Rhonda, and I'm looking forward to more activity.

00:12:03.918 --> 00:12:10.498
And I really, really, from the bottom of my heart, am very appreciative that you've taken the time, to chat with us today, mayor Williams.

00:12:10.498 --> 00:12:15.868
It's been a pleasure and we wish you, Danville, Fisher Theater and whatever your other plans are.

00:12:16.082 --> 00:12:17.013
Much success.

00:12:17.013 --> 00:12:17.793
Thank you so much.

00:12:17.852 --> 00:12:18.212
Thank you.

00:12:18.212 --> 00:12:21.332
This has been amazing and just welcome to you and to everyone.

00:12:21.663 --> 00:12:22.023
Thank you.

00:12:28.527 --> 00:12:33.985
And we are back for another interview here at the beautiful Fisher Theater in Danville, Illinois.

00:12:34.316 --> 00:12:36.056
And I'm here with Ashton Greer.

00:12:36.086 --> 00:12:40.466
She is the executive director of the Vermilion Heritage Foundation.

00:12:41.066 --> 00:12:50.666
I probably would be selling her short, but just saying she has a cool job, but she has a very important job and it's been the overseeing the renovation of the Fisher Theater.

00:12:50.666 --> 00:12:55.676
And Ashton, I would love to hear a little bit about that story, but first, tell us a little bit about yourself.

00:12:56.041 --> 00:12:58.046
Well, I will say it is a really cool job.

00:12:58.076 --> 00:13:01.316
I have three kids and every time they come in here, they're like, mom, your job is so cool.

00:13:01.645 --> 00:13:02.936
And I'm always like, it is so cool.

00:13:02.936 --> 00:13:03.475
I love it.

00:13:03.475 --> 00:13:07.375
Every day that I come in here, it just feels like I'm, I belong here and I'm supposed to be doing this work.

00:13:07.375 --> 00:13:09.056
So, a little bit about me.

00:13:09.086 --> 00:13:10.826
I've been in Danville since I was 18.

00:13:10.826 --> 00:13:11.755
I love it here.

00:13:11.755 --> 00:13:12.775
I call it my hometown.

00:13:12.775 --> 00:13:13.556
And there's a lot of.

00:13:14.125 --> 00:13:18.566
Haters and negative energy around Danville, but I truly believe it's a great place to live.

00:13:18.566 --> 00:13:21.355
I have a great quality of life and I love my community so much.

00:13:21.785 --> 00:13:28.535
I have a master's degree in organizational leadership and I have my own leadership consulting company, and I also do commercial real estate development.

00:13:28.535 --> 00:13:41.676
So this job for me is honestly a really good combination of both leadership and renovations and capital improvements and understanding how to take care of, and work, work through projects on a building like this.

00:13:41.796 --> 00:13:41.826
Okay.

00:13:42.770 --> 00:13:54.250
And I'm curious, with that background and just with real estate, you have, you kind of have your hand in a little bit of everything and you also learn who the right people to talk to if I need, if you need something.

00:13:54.610 --> 00:13:58.211
How did you come to be involved with the renovation of the theater?

00:13:59.230 --> 00:14:03.005
So I came on board at the Fisher Theater in February of 2020.

00:14:03.730 --> 00:14:05.110
So the restoration happened, that was

00:14:05.201 --> 00:14:06.400
not the best time to come.

00:14:06.400 --> 00:14:07.000
No.

00:14:07.000 --> 00:14:07.436
Start a job?

00:14:07.660 --> 00:14:08.201
No.

00:14:08.250 --> 00:14:09.600
but I was in healthcare before.

00:14:09.721 --> 00:14:12.110
Ah, so it was an even, a better scenario I guess for me.

00:14:12.110 --> 00:14:16.980
But, the Fisher Theater was restored in September of 2019 fully.

00:14:16.980 --> 00:14:18.211
The restoration was complete.

00:14:18.211 --> 00:14:20.791
We had our grand opening, and then I started here just a few months later.

00:14:21.211 --> 00:14:22.740
As the operations director.

00:14:23.171 --> 00:14:28.571
during that time, I did all the operations of the theater, worked with volunteers, built the programming, all of those things.

00:14:28.660 --> 00:14:31.750
And then I left the theater and I went to work for the mayor.

00:14:31.750 --> 00:14:35.350
So I was the community relations administrator for three years for the City of Danville.

00:14:35.831 --> 00:14:40.270
And during that time, I was invited to be on the board of Directors for the Fisher, became the board president.

00:14:40.796 --> 00:14:50.426
And then when the Fisher went through the transition that it has gone through this year in leadership, I opted to step into the interim director role to carry it through, and now I'm just here for good.

00:14:50.426 --> 00:14:57.775
I think I've always just kind of been involved from, from the beginning and it feels very, it just, it feels like it's supposed to be.

00:14:57.775 --> 00:14:59.605
I really have a lot of passion and a lot of.

00:15:00.280 --> 00:15:04.120
The, the knowledge from all those years being involved to carry it forward.

00:15:04.120 --> 00:15:05.321
So that's been really, really cool.

00:15:05.561 --> 00:15:05.831
Okay.

00:15:06.191 --> 00:15:15.596
Now one thing I have to say is the fact that your kids think it's pretty cool what Mom does for a living Uhhuh and where she, and they probably look at this, I can go play in the theater and I.

00:15:16.390 --> 00:15:29.280
What has been the, your aha moment in terms of coming into this theater, seeing it through once it's been, restored and, and helping to really make it an anchor for the community and bringing.

00:15:29.980 --> 00:15:39.020
the acts and the festivities, like we're having a, a festive, a festivity this evening here as the Illinois Destinations Association kicks off their conference.

00:15:39.380 --> 00:15:44.301
What's it like to, to kind of have these events and really showcase this theater in Danville?

00:15:44.331 --> 00:15:44.360
Mm,

00:15:45.260 --> 00:15:46.100
that's a great question.

00:15:46.100 --> 00:15:49.041
I have a lot of pride in the Fisher, but it doesn't belong to me.

00:15:49.071 --> 00:15:50.451
It doesn't belong to the board of directors.

00:15:50.451 --> 00:15:51.620
The Fisher was restored.

00:15:52.336 --> 00:15:55.635
And is managed by a nonprofit because it really belongs to the community.

00:15:55.635 --> 00:16:02.355
And so when I came into leadership here, the primary thing that I really wanted to see improve was our.

00:16:03.005 --> 00:16:08.916
Friendliness in our ability to open our doors to our community, because that had been a complaint in the past.

00:16:08.916 --> 00:16:15.846
And I think as far as like an aha moment for me, honestly, there's nothing like this building in Danville.

00:16:15.846 --> 00:16:19.686
There's nothing like this building in in, in other parts of Illinois.

00:16:19.716 --> 00:16:21.245
it's so old, it's historic.

00:16:21.275 --> 00:16:29.586
The architecture is incredible, the sound quality, it just inspires me just being here and it's such, such a privilege to get to be here every day, honestly.

00:16:29.586 --> 00:16:35.975
And, As somebody who restores old properties, the, the commercial properties that I own are also a hundred, a hundred plus years old.

00:16:36.426 --> 00:16:45.936
It just really, there's something beautiful about restoring and preserving history and, and creating that legacy and that longevity for our citizens and for future generations.

00:16:46.235 --> 00:16:46.326
Okay.

00:16:47.375 --> 00:16:50.645
Where do you see the theater say in 10 years from now?

00:16:50.645 --> 00:16:52.416
Or what would you like to see?

00:16:52.926 --> 00:16:57.395
Going on in this theater, the types of acts that are coming here, so, or sooner.

00:16:57.576 --> 00:16:58.086
Yeah.

00:16:58.086 --> 00:17:03.725
So we, when the theater got renovated in 2019, it wasn't a full renovation.

00:17:03.966 --> 00:17:08.496
So we still have several areas of this building that are unfinished, including the top two stories.

00:17:08.796 --> 00:17:11.316
The basement is completely unfinished.

00:17:11.625 --> 00:17:15.615
and there's a few other areas as well, like our gift shop, and there's some other improvements that we need to do.

00:17:15.915 --> 00:17:21.526
But what I see taking place over the next, four to six years and starting now as we, as we move into it.

00:17:21.976 --> 00:17:23.596
I see us finishing this theater.

00:17:23.955 --> 00:17:28.486
our board is really passionate about that and our, our leadership, we have a lot of people that.

00:17:29.685 --> 00:17:36.915
Have experience in grant funding and in restoration and historic preservation that are really involved with our, with our organization.

00:17:36.915 --> 00:17:41.865
So I could see us, finishing under the stage and making green rooms and dressing room space.

00:17:41.865 --> 00:17:45.316
And we actually just got a grant for that, a$280,000 grant.

00:17:45.316 --> 00:17:47.655
So we're gonna be starting that project in 2026.

00:17:48.016 --> 00:17:54.865
I can see us, after that, moving on to the upper two stories and creating office spaces for other arts organizations to have.

00:17:55.381 --> 00:17:58.111
Space under one shared roof so that we are sharing resources.

00:17:58.111 --> 00:18:01.750
We can have, residency here with other arts organizations.

00:18:01.750 --> 00:18:08.201
I could see us really completing the structure and then becoming more of an arts hub for Danville.

00:18:08.530 --> 00:18:10.090
That was fantastic and I love that.

00:18:10.090 --> 00:18:10.990
I love that vision.

00:18:12.201 --> 00:18:13.881
Before we head out, question.

00:18:13.881 --> 00:18:18.320
I'm curious if, is there, what would you want to say to our listeners?

00:18:18.651 --> 00:18:20.871
This is the Outdoor Adventure Series podcast.

00:18:20.871 --> 00:18:27.070
I'm here for the, Illinois Destinations Association, their conference, and we're gonna talk about podcasting.

00:18:27.070 --> 00:18:35.951
So what would you want to say to all of the listeners who are gonna listen to this episode about why Danville and why?

00:18:36.520 --> 00:18:38.320
And why the, Fisher Theater?

00:18:40.840 --> 00:18:41.201
Okay.

00:18:41.201 --> 00:18:47.800
I would say that if you are traveling, passing through Danville, have the opportunity to make a stop here.

00:18:48.101 --> 00:18:49.631
It's just so rich with history.

00:18:49.631 --> 00:18:52.451
It's, it's the home of so many famous stars.

00:18:52.451 --> 00:18:53.141
It has a strong art.

00:18:54.060 --> 00:18:59.070
presence, but I think that, not just the Fisher Theater, but there's a lot of quaint downtown boutiques.

00:18:59.070 --> 00:19:01.810
And, we have Vermilion River Beer Company, a great place to stop.

00:19:01.810 --> 00:19:09.030
We have vineyards and breweries, and we even have an incredible, outdoor community.

00:19:09.030 --> 00:19:12.431
We have mountain biking trails, we have, state parks that are just gorgeous.

00:19:12.431 --> 00:19:17.891
So all in all, you could come here and spend a couple of days and have a great little getaway.

00:19:18.405 --> 00:19:19.096
That's excellent.

00:19:19.096 --> 00:19:26.026
Now, when your family and friends come in from afar, and do you, do you take'em on a tour of the, theater?

00:19:26.355 --> 00:19:27.556
Always, always.

00:19:27.556 --> 00:19:29.086
I give tours to this theater all the time.

00:19:29.086 --> 00:19:29.115
Okay.

00:19:29.455 --> 00:19:38.306
anybody passing through Danville, it seems like, has heard of the Fisher Theater, especially because of the connections to Gene Hackman and Dick Van Dyke and Bobby Short and, and others.

00:19:38.395 --> 00:19:44.635
Many famous people have passed through here or been employed here or performed here, played, played instruments here.

00:19:44.635 --> 00:19:46.076
All of the things it seems like.

00:19:46.540 --> 00:19:47.711
It is a destination.

00:19:47.711 --> 00:19:50.111
People wanna see it, and it's really remarkable in here.

00:19:50.111 --> 00:19:50.980
It's really beautiful.

00:19:51.040 --> 00:19:51.941
That's fantastic.

00:19:51.941 --> 00:19:53.891
And it's so, it's wonderful to hear that.

00:19:53.941 --> 00:19:58.461
to share with you, I grew up in the Detroit suburbs, and we had a Fisher theater there.

00:19:58.911 --> 00:20:08.121
And that, I don't know if it's spelled the same, but I, I know historically that was like a, a crown jewel of the city of Detroit and seeing its renovation and now.

00:20:08.435 --> 00:20:11.306
Coming to my second, Fisher Theater here in Danville.

00:20:11.605 --> 00:20:23.655
I mean, you've done a wonderful job and the team that is doing the work, and it's just absolutely fantastic and we really appreciate you, taking the time to spend with us and chanting about your role and the Fisher Theater.

00:20:24.165 --> 00:20:29.230
If our listeners would like to learn more about, the Fisher Theater and the Foundation, where are the best places to go?

00:20:29.830 --> 00:20:40.240
I would say go to our website, it's fisher theater.com, which is, which is F-I-S-C-H-E-R-T-H-E-A-T-R e.com.

00:20:40.601 --> 00:20:40.961
Excellent.

00:20:40.961 --> 00:20:45.431
Well, we will have that in the show notes and as well as some photos, we will have a shot today.

00:20:45.971 --> 00:20:48.221
Ashton, it's been a pleasure to have you on the podcast.

00:20:48.221 --> 00:20:49.000
Thank you so much.

00:20:49.000 --> 00:20:49.570
Thank you.

00:20:55.667 --> 00:20:56.298
Hello everybody.

00:20:56.298 --> 00:21:04.518
I am back here at the Fisher Theater and I have the pleasure of introducing you to Dana Rowland from Vermilion Advantage.

00:21:04.877 --> 00:21:08.357
She is a director of the organization, which.

00:21:08.897 --> 00:21:13.127
And another way you might say it's the Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development.

00:21:14.127 --> 00:21:18.028
Dana, it's such a pleasure to have you here, for this short interview, and I'm excited to be.

00:21:18.462 --> 00:21:24.682
Here for the next couple days in, in, Danville, and I'd love to hear a little bit more about you and your work with the Chamber.

00:21:24.952 --> 00:21:25.553
Yeah, thank you.

00:21:25.553 --> 00:21:27.143
We're happy to have you here in our community.

00:21:27.143 --> 00:21:28.492
We'd love to show it off.

00:21:28.542 --> 00:21:30.732
I'm the director of the Chamber of Commerce.

00:21:30.732 --> 00:21:38.022
We are a little different at our chamber because we are the Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development, so I oversee the chamber side of things.

00:21:38.423 --> 00:21:40.133
we love our community.

00:21:40.133 --> 00:21:44.393
We oversee all of Vermillion County and we have just under 500 members.

00:21:45.478 --> 00:21:47.577
And how big is Vermilion County?

00:21:47.577 --> 00:21:49.157
I mean, how sp spread out?

00:21:49.157 --> 00:21:50.268
Are you, I mean, is I

00:21:50.268 --> 00:21:53.718
think, I wanna say from end to end, we're about 90 miles.

00:21:53.718 --> 00:21:53.928
Okay.

00:21:54.107 --> 00:21:58.637
And population wise, there's about 79,000 in the county.

00:21:58.788 --> 00:21:59.147
Okay.

00:21:59.567 --> 00:22:05.667
Now, my familiarity with the chambers and the, the Boulder City, Nevada Chamber of Commerce, I mean.

00:22:06.057 --> 00:22:18.228
There's an and economic development, there's an attraction of new businesses, to come to the city, families to move to the city, and also highlighting a lot of the experiences that are available.

00:22:18.377 --> 00:22:28.307
And that's how I actually met, Tracy and I interviewed, a couple folks from the, the, the park and Lara Danzel from the education, which was wonderful.

00:22:28.847 --> 00:22:31.877
And so what are some of the opportunities?

00:22:32.478 --> 00:22:44.698
That you are helping to facilitate here in Danville as far as the, the chamber is concerned to bring businesses, especially, the boutiques, the, the outdoor venture experiences, the restaurants.

00:22:44.728 --> 00:22:44.817
Mm-hmm.

00:22:45.268 --> 00:22:46.018
What's going on?

00:22:46.468 --> 00:22:50.817
We're really trying to highlight the businesses we do have to get people in our communities.

00:22:50.817 --> 00:23:00.903
So on the economic development side, we bring new business to town, but on the chamber side, we support the businesses that are here and we have, our membership is full of small businesses that we love to support.

00:23:01.617 --> 00:23:08.127
We have the most, green acres per capita in the state of Illinois, and one of our members is Kickapoo Adventures.

00:23:08.127 --> 00:23:11.758
So I don't think people realize all the things that we have here.

00:23:11.758 --> 00:23:21.057
And by supporting them and sharing what they're doing through all of our networking events or advocating, Hopefully we'll track people here and they'll wanna stay and work and play and live here.

00:23:21.327 --> 00:23:26.428
We actually just came back from a trip to DC where we went and advocated on behalf of the members here.

00:23:26.432 --> 00:23:26.712
Oh yeah.

00:23:26.758 --> 00:23:31.258
And that was a great experience to share our love for Vermilion County and hope.

00:23:31.617 --> 00:23:35.337
You know that they remember us when it's time to send some money along.

00:23:35.667 --> 00:23:36.178
There you go.

00:23:36.563 --> 00:23:43.663
And, and I know that's hard work now, do you also rely on grant money from the, the state to kind of facilitate some of the activities?

00:23:43.663 --> 00:23:43.827
Yeah, we do

00:23:43.827 --> 00:23:46.857
have a couple grants that, we are working with right now.

00:23:47.157 --> 00:23:49.917
And we do have a new program that we just rolled out.

00:23:49.917 --> 00:23:54.508
It's not new, we've done it for a while, but we actually have a workforce education position right now.

00:23:54.688 --> 00:23:58.438
Jody is the director of that and she's the liaison between industry.

00:23:58.827 --> 00:24:02.127
And the schools, so K through 12 all throughout Vermilion County.

00:24:02.428 --> 00:24:07.107
Just to get those students into the pipeline of the workforce, workforce is such a big problem right now.

00:24:07.167 --> 00:24:10.768
And I think a lot of our students don't know all the opportunities here in our community.

00:24:10.768 --> 00:24:18.228
So she's done a great job with that on getting the word out, hooking those two up together and just, letting them know all the things here.

00:24:18.498 --> 00:24:18.917
Excellent.

00:24:19.188 --> 00:24:23.097
Now from your vantage point, as the the chamber director.

00:24:23.728 --> 00:24:25.198
Here we are in the Fisher Theater.

00:24:25.198 --> 00:24:27.147
It's gone through a, a renovation.

00:24:27.147 --> 00:24:29.907
I, I just heard a little bit about that from Ashton Greer.

00:24:30.417 --> 00:24:40.407
How do you see the, the theater here and what it has to offer as being one of the anchors for future development and opportunity here for the chamber?

00:24:40.722 --> 00:24:44.563
Yeah, the Fisher is such a staple in our community, and it's so beautiful.

00:24:44.563 --> 00:24:48.343
I mean, just looking around, it's, they've done such an amazing job of restoring it.

00:24:48.643 --> 00:24:51.012
We love to have events here and promote it.

00:24:51.272 --> 00:24:58.083
things like this where we can get people from outside of our community into the Fisher to see what an asset it is, I think it just really draws a crowd.

00:24:58.373 --> 00:25:02.903
everything from, we've seen weddings here to the galas.

00:25:03.323 --> 00:25:13.982
And everything in between from movie night to, different businesses sponsoring events here, just knowing that we have such an asset here to share with others is it's a wonderful thing.

00:25:14.228 --> 00:25:14.307
Excellent.

00:25:14.688 --> 00:25:19.667
Now I, I should have asked at the onset, are you originally from the Danville area?

00:25:20.087 --> 00:25:20.627
I am not.

00:25:20.627 --> 00:25:23.627
I'm actually from Streeter, Illinois, which is about two hours north.

00:25:23.657 --> 00:25:24.468
I know where that's at.

00:25:24.738 --> 00:25:25.038
Yeah.

00:25:25.428 --> 00:25:31.178
But my husband and I, actually just bought about eight acres here in Vermilion County to build our retirement home on.

00:25:31.178 --> 00:25:33.692
So we're empty nesters now and our bed, that's gonna be big home.

00:25:34.718 --> 00:25:35.978
Well, not too big.

00:25:36.397 --> 00:25:37.317
I want the kids to visit, but not.

00:25:37.597 --> 00:25:38.167
Stay too long.

00:25:38.258 --> 00:25:38.288
Okay.

00:25:39.528 --> 00:25:46.548
so we, yes, we, my husband is actually the welding instructor at the community college here, so we are very rooted in, in our community.

00:25:46.788 --> 00:25:46.998
Okay.

00:25:47.357 --> 00:25:56.067
Now, what is your, the relationship, and how you work together with the tourism authority, whether it's, Danville or whether it's Vermilion County?

00:25:56.067 --> 00:25:58.397
How are you all, kind of co.

00:25:59.748 --> 00:26:00.587
Partnering together.

00:26:00.587 --> 00:26:01.222
That's the right word.

00:26:01.222 --> 00:26:01.383
Yeah.

00:26:01.387 --> 00:26:01.397
We

00:26:01.397 --> 00:26:03.198
love Tracy and Rover at the Visitors bureau.

00:26:03.198 --> 00:26:04.428
They're doing great things.

00:26:04.647 --> 00:26:05.968
at being the Chamber.

00:26:05.968 --> 00:26:09.897
We get calls all the time or emails saying, what is in your community?

00:26:10.147 --> 00:26:12.758
if we're coming here, we're, what hotel can we stay at?

00:26:12.758 --> 00:26:13.748
Where can we eat?

00:26:14.048 --> 00:26:19.548
And we know that we can call the visitors bureau or, Anyone in the county and have a whole list ready for them.

00:26:19.548 --> 00:26:26.627
So we often refer people to the visitors bureau and they also refer people coming to the community to us to promote our businesses.

00:26:26.778 --> 00:26:27.617
That's fantastic.

00:26:27.617 --> 00:26:27.917
Yeah.

00:26:27.978 --> 00:26:38.298
Now, Dana, if our listeners, Are are, join this episode and they're hearing about Danville and what would you like to share with our listeners and why Danville?

00:26:38.508 --> 00:26:41.178
I think Danville has amazing people.

00:26:41.377 --> 00:26:46.988
I lived in Champaign County for many years and while it is also great, Danville is just home.

00:26:47.048 --> 00:26:48.097
It feels like home.

00:26:48.127 --> 00:26:50.917
You can walk down the sidewalk and be greeted by everyone.

00:26:50.917 --> 00:26:54.843
You see the community members here really want what is best.

00:26:55.153 --> 00:26:56.323
For the community.

00:26:56.772 --> 00:27:02.712
And yes, we have our problems, but the positive just really outweighs everything.

00:27:02.712 --> 00:27:07.843
There's so much to do and so much opportunity here that people, they just don't know what they don't know.

00:27:07.843 --> 00:27:10.482
And I think if they came here, they would be pleasantly surprised.

00:27:10.873 --> 00:27:11.502
Fantastic.

00:27:11.803 --> 00:27:14.982
And something that, that's a common theme from the interviews I have been doing.

00:27:15.163 --> 00:27:15.252
Mm-hmm.

00:27:15.583 --> 00:27:19.442
Now, before we, head out, I know there's the, the bar is open mm-hmm.

00:27:19.442 --> 00:27:22.032
And there's food on the table and, I'm sweating bullets.

00:27:22.032 --> 00:27:22.093
Yeah.

00:27:23.167 --> 00:27:29.528
If our listeners would like to learn more about you, Vermilion Advantage, the economic development.

00:27:29.528 --> 00:27:29.617
Yes.

00:27:29.617 --> 00:27:30.788
Where are the best places to go?

00:27:30.887 --> 00:27:34.548
they can check out our, our website@vermilionadvantage.com.

00:27:34.548 --> 00:27:38.397
Vermilion does have one L so I like to, to specify that.

00:27:38.397 --> 00:27:41.948
And also we have a really big social media, page on.

00:27:42.268 --> 00:27:44.758
So it's just Vermilion advantage on Facebook.

00:27:44.807 --> 00:27:49.518
we're getting ready to do our annual scarecrow contest, so you'll see those throughout the community this week while you're here.

00:27:49.817 --> 00:27:51.468
And yeah, all of our information's there.

00:27:51.948 --> 00:27:52.188
Excellent.

00:27:52.188 --> 00:27:53.988
Now, before I, I actually let you go.

00:27:53.988 --> 00:27:57.347
I noticed there was a Sign O overhead that said the Harry Potter.

00:27:57.557 --> 00:27:58.337
Is that your doing?

00:27:58.337 --> 00:27:58.428
Yes,

00:27:58.698 --> 00:28:00.438
that is actually the city of Danville.

00:28:00.438 --> 00:28:04.817
They do first Fridays, the first Friday of every month, and the November theme is Harry Potter.

00:28:04.817 --> 00:28:11.087
And we have people that come from all our surrounding states to, that is our, I think their biggest one that they do at.

00:28:11.192 --> 00:28:11.542
Great.

00:28:11.853 --> 00:28:12.143
Okay.

00:28:12.163 --> 00:28:13.307
So fantastic.

00:28:13.307 --> 00:28:15.048
Well, Dana, it's been a pleasure to chat with you.

00:28:15.048 --> 00:28:17.178
I hope we get to do some more chatting Yeah.

00:28:17.278 --> 00:28:18.837
over the next couple days and in the future.

00:28:18.837 --> 00:28:19.528
Thank you so much.

00:28:19.528 --> 00:28:19.587
All

00:28:19.587 --> 00:28:19.678
right.

00:28:19.678 --> 00:28:20.067
Thank you.

00:28:26.407 --> 00:28:33.478
And we are back for another, mini, podcast interview here at the beautiful Fisher Theater in Danville, Illinois.

00:28:33.897 --> 00:28:37.958
And I have the pleasure of chatting with, Rihanna Alis.

00:28:38.018 --> 00:28:43.387
She is the, community relations administrator, for the city of Danville.

00:28:43.417 --> 00:28:43.657
And.

00:28:44.063 --> 00:28:46.373
She's got some really fun things she gets to do.

00:28:46.373 --> 00:28:49.593
And so first off, Rhianna, it's a pleasure to have you on the podcast.

00:28:49.952 --> 00:28:50.583
Yeah, thank you.

00:28:50.583 --> 00:28:54.153
I'm really excited to be here and excited to have, all of the IDA here.

00:28:54.423 --> 00:28:54.813
yes.

00:28:54.813 --> 00:28:55.502
It's very nice.

00:28:55.502 --> 00:28:57.393
And I am, I'm excited to be here.

00:28:57.393 --> 00:28:57.403
Yes.

00:28:57.692 --> 00:28:58.923
And present to the IDA.

00:28:58.998 --> 00:29:02.178
So tell us a little bit about your role here in Danville.

00:29:02.387 --> 00:29:03.198
Yeah, absolutely.

00:29:03.198 --> 00:29:05.688
So I am the community relations administrator.

00:29:05.688 --> 00:29:17.478
I do everything from fun events and event series, like our first Fridays event series to more of the less fun stuff of branding and consistent branding to, in general communications.

00:29:17.478 --> 00:29:18.978
We're on news channels.

00:29:18.978 --> 00:29:20.238
We write press releases.

00:29:20.238 --> 00:29:22.367
We do all of the fun communication things.

00:29:22.367 --> 00:29:24.587
We're often called the party planners.

00:29:24.738 --> 00:29:25.248
The party

00:29:25.248 --> 00:29:25.577
planner.

00:29:25.583 --> 00:29:25.782
I love it.

00:29:26.492 --> 00:29:30.242
Now you, you said a couple words that really piqued my interest.

00:29:30.272 --> 00:29:30.333
Yeah.

00:29:30.333 --> 00:29:36.333
First Fridays and a lot of communities have First Fridays and what makes the first Fridays here in Danville unique.

00:29:37.218 --> 00:29:39.948
So what makes ours unique is that they're always changing.

00:29:39.948 --> 00:29:45.077
So every first Friday of the month, we have a different theme, not just music, not just food trucks.

00:29:45.127 --> 00:29:47.228
we have a different theme every single month.

00:29:47.417 --> 00:29:52.397
we decorate the entire downtown for the day for it, and we really just celebrate.

00:29:52.458 --> 00:29:59.538
It's a great time to be able to just sit down and take a breath and be off, whatever devices you're on and just enjoy being with people.

00:29:59.538 --> 00:30:05.728
I always say one of my favorite parts about first Fridays is that, People when you're walking around, people aren't on their phones.

00:30:05.728 --> 00:30:07.857
They're chatting with each other and giving each other hugs.

00:30:07.857 --> 00:30:17.968
People you haven't seen in a long time to, we have a group of guys that sits outside one of our local bars here, and they pop up their chairs and they're all matching and they're all cute sitting together listening to the music.

00:30:17.968 --> 00:30:18.688
So, I mean.

00:30:19.057 --> 00:30:22.928
Everything from that to bounce houses and activities, like an egg drop for the kids.

00:30:22.928 --> 00:30:26.347
It's a little bit of everything, which, what makes it unique.

00:30:26.647 --> 00:30:27.667
That is fantastic.

00:30:27.667 --> 00:30:33.228
I noticed, as I was kind of touring around downtown, I mean, it's just a really quaint little downtown.

00:30:33.228 --> 00:30:33.317
Yes.

00:30:33.317 --> 00:30:35.417
And a very enjoyable, a lot of boutiques.

00:30:35.607 --> 00:30:39.268
there's even a coffee shop nearby, which is the near and dear to my heart.

00:30:39.272 --> 00:30:39.452
Oh,

00:30:39.472 --> 00:30:39.692
yes.

00:30:40.978 --> 00:30:42.133
What is the unique, what is some of your first.

00:30:42.768 --> 00:30:49.577
Favorite first Friday activities that you have been involved with or what, is there anything that kind of stands out for you as being very memorable?

00:30:49.788 --> 00:30:50.178
Yeah.

00:30:50.228 --> 00:30:50.478
we have.

00:30:51.143 --> 00:30:52.492
Two events that I would say.00:30:52.492 --> 00:30:54.982


One is a traditional event that we do.00:30:55.042 --> 00:30:56.212


Danville's, got Talent.00:30:56.432 --> 00:31:02.163


we bring in contestants from all over Vermilion County, let them compete right here actually on the Fisher stage.00:31:02.292 --> 00:31:05.603


we give them prizes and we just celebrate local talent from.00:31:06.087 --> 00:31:10.647


We have people, Dick Van Dyke and Gene Hackman, and we have astronauts from here.00:31:10.647 --> 00:31:12.988


So we have a really cool history with talent.00:31:12.988 --> 00:31:16.617


Anyway, so Daniel's got talent's, a really special moment for us.00:31:16.647 --> 00:31:23.498


being able to put, I mean, even children, young children on the stage and letting them perform for 700 plus people is.00:31:23.577 --> 00:31:24.958


Absolutely amazing.00:31:24.958 --> 00:31:29.907


And we get excited every year because we get so close to Absolutely Filling The Fisher, which is a special moment.00:31:29.962 --> 00:31:30.823


All on its own.00:31:31.163 --> 00:31:31.863


All on its own.00:31:32.008 --> 00:31:32.458


All on00:31:32.458 --> 00:31:32.607


it.00:31:32.667 --> 00:31:32.877


Yep.00:31:32.877 --> 00:31:33.028


Now are you00:31:33.357 --> 00:31:34.498


originally from Danville?00:31:34.587 --> 00:31:36.597


Actually, I'm from, just outside of Danville.00:31:36.597 --> 00:31:37.857


I'm from Oakwood originally.00:31:37.857 --> 00:31:42.837


But being from a small town like that, you don't have places to shop or eat or whatever it may be.00:31:42.867 --> 00:31:45.778


So I grew up in Danville essentially my whole life.00:31:45.837 --> 00:31:46.167


Yeah,00:31:46.167 --> 00:31:47.157


that is fantastic.00:31:47.157 --> 00:31:48.688


Now, when friends come to visit.00:31:49.107 --> 00:31:52.587


What are your go-tos if, okay, first Friday's covered?00:31:52.738 --> 00:31:52.978


Yep,00:31:53.038 --> 00:31:57.298


you gotta come visit me in first Friday, but when other friends and family come to visit.00:31:57.762 --> 00:31:58.992


What's your go-tos for them?00:31:59.232 --> 00:32:04.393


Oh, this is a shout out, but not on purpose and definitely not sponsored Mad Goat Coffee.00:32:04.633 --> 00:32:06.643


That is a die hard for me.00:32:06.643 --> 00:32:14.833


Anytime I have to set up a meeting or bring somebody new into town, mad Goat coffee's right off the interstate here, so we always stop in there and grab a good drink.00:32:14.833 --> 00:32:17.923


They've never failed to impress anybody I've brought there.00:32:18.032 --> 00:32:24.063


and then here, here's another one of the great locations that I'm always bringing people to and being able to show off.00:32:24.843 --> 00:32:25.952


The Fisher's beautiful.00:32:25.952 --> 00:32:28.053


It's super special for Danville, so yeah.00:32:28.053 --> 00:32:30.393


You have connections that'll open the door for you here?00:32:30.393 --> 00:32:36.893


Yeah, the, current director was actually my, boss and I took her role as community relations administrator.00:32:36.893 --> 00:32:40.103


So not only a little connection, but a big connection.00:32:40.103 --> 00:32:41.817


So yeah, ashing was a blessing.00:32:42.143 --> 00:32:42.742


I love that.00:32:42.742 --> 00:32:44.482


And by the way, to Matt, go coffee.00:32:44.482 --> 00:32:46.913


I found them yesterday when I got to Danville.00:32:47.663 --> 00:32:51.032


I bought my, pound of coffee and I took it back to the room.00:32:51.032 --> 00:32:57.272


They ground even grounded it for me, and I have good coffee in the room instead of the, those little devices.00:32:57.573 --> 00:32:57.782


So,00:32:57.932 --> 00:32:59.343


or their pastries.00:32:59.343 --> 00:33:03.032


They were, I literally went in there this morning for my regular morning coffee.00:33:03.032 --> 00:33:03.133


Of course.00:33:03.377 --> 00:33:04.157


I work in government.00:33:04.157 --> 00:33:06.228


I have to have a coffee to get my day started.00:33:06.587 --> 00:33:06.827


Of course.00:33:06.827 --> 00:33:11.988


they were literally rolling their pastry dough, like you can see them doing everything handmade, which is amazing.00:33:11.988 --> 00:33:15.678


You don't always get that, especially in a smaller town or city like we have here.00:33:15.738 --> 00:33:15.827


Mm-hmm.00:33:16.067 --> 00:33:19.728


So it's really cool that we have not only one location of Mad Go, but two locations.00:33:19.728 --> 00:33:21.827


One in South Danville and one in North Danville.00:33:22.008 --> 00:33:22.968


That's fantastic.00:33:23.087 --> 00:33:24.557


One last, two last questions.00:33:24.557 --> 00:33:24.647


Sure.00:33:25.278 --> 00:33:34.577


For our listeners that are gonna be part, listening to this episode, they're all over the world and they come into the United States and they, they, what are we gonna do when we get here?00:33:34.907 --> 00:33:35.657


Why Danville?00:33:36.617 --> 00:33:37.667


Because why else?00:33:37.877 --> 00:33:40.157


Why not try it out and see what you like?00:33:40.157 --> 00:33:44.538


The fun part of traveling and coming to do different places that we're all unique in our own ways.00:33:44.538 --> 00:33:46.782


But your uniqueness depends on you.00:33:46.782 --> 00:33:48.522


So it's not gonna depend on my thing.00:33:48.522 --> 00:33:50.413


What I might love might not be what you love.00:33:50.413 --> 00:33:54.702


So I say just come travel around, experience it, see what you like.00:33:54.702 --> 00:34:00.803


We have not only a great city here, central, but we have a really cool, a lot of small communities around us.00:34:00.803 --> 00:34:03.262


So just come visit, pick us, choose us,00:34:03.772 --> 00:34:04.913


choose choose you guys.00:34:04.913 --> 00:34:05.752


I, I love it.00:34:05.752 --> 00:34:06.083


I love it.00:34:06.393 --> 00:34:12.693


Now if our listeners would like to learn a little bit more about you, the work you're doing for the city of Danville, where's the best place to go?00:34:13.112 --> 00:34:13.802


Two places.00:34:13.802 --> 00:34:24.663


If you're looking into First Fridays in downtown Danville, check out First Fridays danville.com, or if you're looking for City of Danville, things I manage, the entire website is city of danville.org.00:34:24.963 --> 00:34:25.802


Fantastic.00:34:25.802 --> 00:34:30.273


Well, Rihanna, it's been a pleasure to, have you join me for this short, podcast episode.00:34:30.273 --> 00:34:31.777


We really appreciate you taking the time and.00:34:32.458 --> 00:34:36.297


I know you have a lot of friends here and they're waiting for you to get back, but thank you so much.00:34:36.297 --> 00:34:36.898


We appreciate it.00:34:37.047 --> 00:34:37.257


Thank you.00:34:43.237 --> 00:34:47.288


Okay, everybody, we are back here, still at the Fisher Theater.00:34:47.568 --> 00:34:51.168


it's about a quarter to six beautiful fall day in Danville, Illinois.00:34:51.498 --> 00:34:55.432


We have a reception going on, behind, me right now and.00:34:56.293 --> 00:35:01.992


I saw this really handsome guy and and gal, they were just standing around doing absolutely nothing.00:35:01.992 --> 00:35:03.523


It's like, what are you guys doing here?00:35:03.702 --> 00:35:10.063


Well, that's a joke folks, but I have the pleasure of introducing you to Michael and Stephanie Ewing.00:35:10.092 --> 00:35:14.733


Michael and Stephanie have a nice, embroidered, tops on with a logo.00:35:14.733 --> 00:35:15.478


It's called the local.00:35:16.143 --> 00:35:17.583


There's a knife and a fork there.00:35:17.583 --> 00:35:19.592


So I'm guessing you guys are caterers?00:35:19.623 --> 00:35:20.072


Yes sir, we are.00:35:20.972 --> 00:35:24.213


And how did you get started catering here in Danville?00:35:25.112 --> 00:35:28.043


Well, I've lived half my life in Danville and half my life in Covington.00:35:28.402 --> 00:35:30.532


So we just, we come here a lot and, yeah.00:35:30.532 --> 00:35:30.893


Okay.00:35:31.913 --> 00:35:34.523


Born and raised here and decided to give it a try.00:35:34.793 --> 00:35:39.713


Now you had said Michael, you kind of spent a little time away chasing aliens in New Mexico.00:35:39.773 --> 00:35:40.572


Yeah, yeah, yeah.00:35:40.643 --> 00:35:41.003


Okay.00:35:41.003 --> 00:35:43.072


And when did you all decide to come back?00:35:43.503 --> 00:35:44.672


I've been back three years.00:35:44.672 --> 00:35:45.617


Three years, but the restaurant's been middle.00:35:45.873 --> 00:35:47.193


For three years also.00:35:47.253 --> 00:35:49.802


Okay, so the local is also a restaurant?00:35:49.807 --> 00:35:50.077


It was.00:35:50.097 --> 00:35:50.463


It was a00:35:50.463 --> 00:35:55.952


restaurant was, we closed in April to pursue catering and we're actually moving to Danville.00:35:56.222 --> 00:35:56.643


Okay.00:35:56.702 --> 00:36:00.483


Yes, we're building a tiny house that's gonna go at Vermilion River Beer Company.00:36:00.813 --> 00:36:01.172


Tiny.00:36:01.172 --> 00:36:02.432


I love tiny homes.00:36:02.432 --> 00:36:05.282


In fact, that's where I probably will be looking.00:36:05.313 --> 00:36:08.853


'cause like I live in Las Vegas and everything is incredibly expensive.00:36:09.273 --> 00:36:09.603


Yeah, I believe that.00:36:09.632 --> 00:36:11.972


So little tiny homes would be just about right.00:36:12.322 --> 00:36:17.032


so you had the restaurant, how did you decide to follow up with the pursue the catering?00:36:17.393 --> 00:36:18.713


That's a hard, hard gig.00:36:18.833 --> 00:36:20.123


I think the people did for us.00:36:20.422 --> 00:36:20.668


They did.00:36:20.688 --> 00:36:21.117


People did.00:36:21.117 --> 00:36:22.043


That's the perfect answer.00:36:22.043 --> 00:36:22.432


They did.00:36:22.432 --> 00:36:28.103


When I opened the restaurant, I did, it never even occurred to me to do catering, and then people started asking, and then it just took off from there.00:36:28.342 --> 00:36:28.672


Okay.00:36:28.943 --> 00:36:32.873


Now what are you all known for in, in your, culinary, journey?00:36:34.012 --> 00:36:34.672


Chips and dip, or00:36:35.422 --> 00:36:37.733


you make a Housemaid chips and pimento chip.00:36:37.733 --> 00:36:37.793


Yeah.00:36:38.003 --> 00:36:40.253


I kind of wanna say we little do a little bit of everything.00:36:40.492 --> 00:36:41.842


When we're cooking.00:36:41.932 --> 00:36:43.313


We're known for our burgers.00:36:43.702 --> 00:36:47.092


And then with catering, I think we're known for upscale.00:36:47.768 --> 00:36:48.637


Dining more.00:36:48.728 --> 00:36:49.117


Okay.00:36:49.117 --> 00:36:51.248


We do a lot of plated meals, catering meals.00:36:51.248 --> 00:36:51.518


Okay.00:36:51.757 --> 00:36:59.768


Now for the guest here at the reception for the ida's reception and, and we're having it here again, folks at the Beautiful Fisher Theater.00:37:00.128 --> 00:37:02.648


What, what are the, guests enjoying this evening?00:37:02.737 --> 00:37:05.947


We have a spinach and artichoke dip with house-made tortillas.00:37:06.367 --> 00:37:17.847


We have, Turkey cranberry jam and provolone sliders, jumbo shrimp cocktail pesto, goat cheese, and sun-dried tomatoes with house-made crackers, a lemon bars.00:37:18.717 --> 00:37:20.038


A fruit tray and a vegetable tray.00:37:20.427 --> 00:37:20.907


Excellent.00:37:21.148 --> 00:37:24.387


So Michael, I was gonna ask you, who's the boss?00:37:24.387 --> 00:37:26.577


Why we, you and I both know the answer to that.00:37:26.577 --> 00:37:26.768


That's the boss.00:37:26.768 --> 00:37:26.913


Yeah.00:37:27.382 --> 00:37:29.217


What is it that you enjoy about this?00:37:29.217 --> 00:37:32.788


This type of business and kind of helping them put smile on people, people's faces.00:37:33.088 --> 00:37:33.188


It's different.00:37:33.188 --> 00:37:33.478


Different.00:37:33.478 --> 00:37:38.068


We get to cook fun food that people give us ideas to do for'em, and it is just enjoyable.00:37:38.307 --> 00:37:38.518


Yeah.00:37:38.518 --> 00:37:41.547


Now, do you ever go, honey, I've got this idea for a dish.00:37:42.148 --> 00:37:43.708


I've been trying to do that.00:37:43.708 --> 00:37:45.027


It's not working out rabbits.00:37:45.498 --> 00:37:46.367


Hunting rabbits.00:37:46.398 --> 00:37:46.818


Yes, sir.00:37:47.117 --> 00:37:49.157


See, I have friends back in Chicago there.00:37:49.367 --> 00:37:51.197


There's a huge Belgian community there.00:37:51.737 --> 00:37:54.347


Rabbit Stew, Belgian style rabbit st.00:37:54.347 --> 00:37:55.097


See, there you go.00:37:55.103 --> 00:37:55.222


Go.00:37:55.228 --> 00:37:55.668


There you go.00:37:55.818 --> 00:38:01.097


You'll, you, trust me, you will get people coming down from Chicago for this, right?00:38:01.097 --> 00:38:03.077


Authentic Belgian style rabbit stew.00:38:03.407 --> 00:38:04.188


You got that stuff00:38:04.188 --> 00:38:04.458


tomorrow.00:38:04.697 --> 00:38:06.018


I would give Rabbit a try.00:38:06.197 --> 00:38:07.463


I said I would give Rabbit a try.00:38:07.728 --> 00:38:09.108


I won't give sloppy Joes a try.00:38:09.197 --> 00:38:10.262


That's what he00:38:10.262 --> 00:38:11.463


wants me to do next.00:38:11.643 --> 00:38:11.983


And I,00:38:12.222 --> 00:38:13.503


I have, I'll do that.00:38:13.697 --> 00:38:14.358


I love it.00:38:14.418 --> 00:38:15.018


I love it.00:38:15.257 --> 00:38:19.547


Now if our listeners are coming to Danville, they, they, or they want to learn more about.00:38:20.063 --> 00:38:23.902


this wonderful operation you have the local, where's the best place for them to go?00:38:24.273 --> 00:38:26.702


the local Covington one at Gmail.00:38:27.213 --> 00:38:27.632


Okay.00:38:27.632 --> 00:38:28.563


And you have a website?00:38:29.402 --> 00:38:30.242


That's our website.00:38:30.242 --> 00:38:31.382


The local Covington one at.00:38:33.253 --> 00:38:33.583


Okay.00:38:33.588 --> 00:38:34.128


dot.com.00:38:34.228 --> 00:38:34.447


Com.00:38:34.447 --> 00:38:34.467


Dot com.00:38:35.307 --> 00:38:36.103


That's my email.00:38:36.117 --> 00:38:37.123


Address's, not my website.00:38:37.123 --> 00:38:38.742


Stephanie, I may be working this00:38:38.742 --> 00:38:40.813


evening, but my head is still on straight.00:38:40.818 --> 00:38:41.088


Mine00:38:41.088 --> 00:38:41.407


is not.00:38:41.677 --> 00:38:41.967


Okay.00:38:42.188 --> 00:38:42.407


Yes.00:38:42.788 --> 00:38:43.873


You could email me too.00:38:43.963 --> 00:38:44.682


Oh, we can email.00:38:44.682 --> 00:38:45.327


You got everything?00:38:45.327 --> 00:38:45.447


Yes.00:38:45.447 --> 00:38:45.688


There00:38:45.688 --> 00:38:45.737


you go.00:38:45.737 --> 00:38:46.032


Nice.00:38:46.032 --> 00:38:46.963


Nice recovery.00:38:47.322 --> 00:38:47.413


Yes.00:38:47.413 --> 00:38:48.913


See, we're not even gonna cut that out.00:38:49.632 --> 00:38:50.172


Michael.00:38:50.222 --> 00:38:51.632


are you also on social sites as well?00:38:51.632 --> 00:38:52.652


We're all social media.00:38:52.802 --> 00:38:53.043


Okay.00:38:53.043 --> 00:38:53.702


Like Facebook.00:38:53.958 --> 00:38:54.932


Facebook, Instagram.00:38:54.992 --> 00:38:55.532


Excellent.00:38:55.623 --> 00:38:55.983


Excellent.00:38:55.983 --> 00:38:56.552


We have a website.00:38:56.552 --> 00:38:57.182


The local?00:38:57.483 --> 00:38:58.112


The local.00:38:58.117 --> 00:38:58.128


Yeah.00:38:58.893 --> 00:39:00.483


Covington one.com, right?00:39:02.793 --> 00:39:03.572


We got it buddy.00:39:03.603 --> 00:39:04.023


We got it.00:39:04.023 --> 00:39:04.413


We got it.00:39:04.592 --> 00:39:08.967


Listen, I want to thank you both for, ch briefly chatting with me on the podcast.00:39:08.967 --> 00:39:13.137


And it again, it's, I love this the fact everybody's just so friendly out here.00:39:13.257 --> 00:39:13.467


Yes, sir.00:39:13.588 --> 00:39:16.858


You guys are doing a bang up job and keeping, people fed.00:39:16.858 --> 00:39:19.338


And, I'm gonna go look for a, a, a beverage.00:39:19.338 --> 00:39:21.737


Now, it's not gonna be an adult beverage, but it'll be a beverage.00:39:22.103 --> 00:39:23.333


Thank you both for your time.00:39:23.333 --> 00:39:23.722


Appreciate it.00:39:24.172 --> 00:39:24.563


Thank you.00:39:24.563 --> 00:39:24.583


Thank you.00:39:24.677 --> 00:39:25.467


Appreciate it.00:39:31.137 --> 00:39:36.438


I am back here, at the, Fisher Theater here in beautiful Danville, Illinois.00:39:36.438 --> 00:39:37.858


It's, Tuesday night.00:39:37.858 --> 00:39:45.757


There's been a reception that was hosted by, the mayor, of Danville, mayor Ricky, Williams, and we're all having a great time.00:39:45.757 --> 00:39:49.148


And I came across this gentleman very distinguished looking.00:39:49.657 --> 00:39:52.777


And somebody had said, well, he's in the hotel business.00:39:52.777 --> 00:39:54.818


And I said, is his last name Patel?00:39:55.117 --> 00:39:58.088


And then sure enough, he's in the hotel business.00:39:58.088 --> 00:39:58.628


But no.00:39:58.777 --> 00:40:03.027


All joking aside, it's a pleasure to introduce you to PB Patel.00:40:03.027 --> 00:40:06.987


He's a vice president of Sunrise Hospitality.00:40:07.318 --> 00:40:08.518


PB, it's a pleasure to meet you.00:40:08.518 --> 00:40:09.237


How are you doing today?00:40:09.268 --> 00:40:09.628


You too.00:40:09.628 --> 00:40:10.467


I'm doing great.00:40:10.858 --> 00:40:11.757


It's nice evening.00:40:11.938 --> 00:40:12.597


Yes, it is.00:40:12.597 --> 00:40:13.168


Yes it is.00:40:13.197 --> 00:40:13.347


Yeah.00:40:13.527 --> 00:40:14.967


How long have you been in Danville?00:40:15.237 --> 00:40:16.918


I'm on 21 years.00:40:16.978 --> 00:40:17.938


21 years.00:40:17.967 --> 00:40:18.237


Yes.00:40:18.623 --> 00:40:30.873


as far as Sunrise hospitality, how has the hotel, business and the spaces, how has it evolved over the years to really be, help be an anchor for the development that's going on in and around Danville?00:40:32.103 --> 00:40:45.163


Well, We started a new hotel in 2003 to develop Holiday Next Express, and we opened the door on April 1st, 2020, 2004.00:40:46.273 --> 00:40:46.333


Yeah.00:40:46.333 --> 00:40:58.873


And then we have seen the opportunity for the future, and then after three year we started another construction for a e in that was against 74 unit with the Hilton grant.00:40:58.992 --> 00:40:59.202


Mm-hmm.00:40:59.918 --> 00:41:02.697


And, again, we see another opportunity.00:41:02.697 --> 00:41:07.768


So we started Downplay Streets by Marriott and which was open in 2019.00:41:08.188 --> 00:41:08.518


Okay.00:41:08.697 --> 00:41:12.597


So we, we did quite good legwork in Danville.00:41:12.597 --> 00:41:15.663


We have a lot of support from the city of Danville as well as.00:41:16.557 --> 00:41:20.382


Convention, visa Bureau One Advantage and all of that stuff.00:41:20.693 --> 00:41:20.983


Okay.00:41:21.443 --> 00:41:24.507


And how are the hotel spaces being used?00:41:24.507 --> 00:41:27.358


Who's coming in and staying at the hotels?00:41:27.358 --> 00:41:33.807


Are, are, and that question, and I have another one after that regarding the length of stay, but who's coming and staying at the hotels00:41:33.807 --> 00:41:40.958


normally there are a lot of small corporations which are inviting the visitors here and all the weekdays we have.00:41:42.177 --> 00:41:43.858


A road construction crew.00:41:43.947 --> 00:41:52.677


We have a lot of corporate executive who is coming for the man getting it manufacturing facility, use some warehousing corporations.00:41:52.677 --> 00:41:56.487


Are there that, what system support guys are here.00:41:56.487 --> 00:42:00.447


Like some, they are putting SAP or some computer work mm-hmm.00:42:00.838 --> 00:42:02.577


In the warehousing automation.00:42:03.402 --> 00:42:06.333


So we a lot of different type of, people.00:42:06.333 --> 00:42:12.152


We are seeing some of the overflow from of Illinois, like a football game.00:42:12.873 --> 00:42:16.108


University of Illinois Mom's Day, father's Day.00:42:16.168 --> 00:42:16.588


Mm-hmm.00:42:16.927 --> 00:42:18.268


As well as graduation.00:42:18.693 --> 00:42:19.023


Okay.00:42:19.443 --> 00:42:28.072


We are surrounded by three major university like, university of Illinois at Urbana Champion, about 45 mile west.00:42:28.952 --> 00:42:31.052


what university at Lafayette?00:42:31.052 --> 00:42:35.902


About 50 mile Northeast and, Bloomington, Illinois.00:42:36.293 --> 00:42:37.012


Indiana.00:42:37.012 --> 00:42:38.693


That is Indiana University.00:42:39.248 --> 00:42:42.248


It's about 70 miles southeast.00:42:42.367 --> 00:42:53.027


Okay, so that's a reasonable, so we have reasonable, attraction from universities, lot of construction activity, group cell on the weekend like a wedding.00:42:53.027 --> 00:42:55.693


And NGCA to Nomin is a big.00:42:56.643 --> 00:42:56.972


Okay.00:42:57.213 --> 00:42:59.762


Kick up, start for the Danville in March.00:42:59.853 --> 00:43:00.722


Middle of the march.00:43:00.722 --> 00:43:00.963


That's00:43:00.963 --> 00:43:02.943


big here from what I've been learning.00:43:02.943 --> 00:43:03.393


Yes.00:43:03.693 --> 00:43:03.782


Right.00:43:04.023 --> 00:43:06.032


And what other are you seeing?00:43:06.032 --> 00:43:15.543


The, in increasing, beds, bed rentals because of the increasing activities with tourism and the sporting activities coming into the Danville area.00:43:15.773 --> 00:43:16.733


Yes, we do.00:43:16.737 --> 00:43:24.958


And we always welcome any group, any events we make that happen, we try to accommodate them based with our ability.00:43:26.003 --> 00:43:27.233


And we give best service.00:43:27.382 --> 00:43:28.072


That's excellent.00:43:28.342 --> 00:43:31.552


Well, PB it's been a pleasure to, to chat with you a little bit.00:43:31.552 --> 00:43:38.313


I know, I came over to you because I had read the article on CNN and the history about the Patel family coming over from India.00:43:38.313 --> 00:43:42.353


But all joking aside, you have such an important role in the community here.00:43:42.788 --> 00:43:49.077


And, I, and it's just wonderful that you're here and supporting this event for the, Illinois Destinations Association.00:43:49.077 --> 00:43:50.097


So it's a pleasure to meet you.00:43:50.097 --> 00:43:50.608


You too.00:43:50.608 --> 00:43:51.268


And thank you.00:43:51.387 --> 00:43:52.077


You're very welcome.00:43:58.199 --> 00:44:04.199


Alright folks, that's a wrap from here at the Fisher Theater here in Danville, Illinois.00:44:04.539 --> 00:44:15.039


I am here, for the next couple days, Teddy, the Illinois Destinations Association annual, fall meeting, and have the pleasure of presenting to the.00:44:15.563 --> 00:44:16.974


attendees at the meeting.00:44:17.273 --> 00:44:23.963


But first we had a wonderful reception here at the Fisher Theater here in Danville, Illinois.00:44:24.244 --> 00:44:28.384


and I will say this theater is fantastic.00:44:28.384 --> 00:44:29.253


It's gorgeous.00:44:29.434 --> 00:44:36.724


What a renovation that has taken place, and I am only, can imagine, what a, what future.00:44:37.284 --> 00:44:42.844


experiences and pre, performances are gonna take place, here at the theater.00:44:43.083 --> 00:44:47.414


We really appreciate Mayor Ricky Williams, for hosting this reception.00:44:47.414 --> 00:44:52.103


And I personally would like to thank, mayor Williams for taking some time out of, the.00:44:52.639 --> 00:44:56.458


festivities this evening to, join us on a short interview.00:44:56.708 --> 00:45:01.898


I'd also like to thank Ashton Greer, the Executive Director of the Vermilion Foundation.00:45:02.318 --> 00:45:06.099


Dana Rowland, the Director of the Vermilion Advantage.00:45:06.099 --> 00:45:09.918


That's the ver chamber of Commerce here in Vermilion County.00:45:10.168 --> 00:45:14.918


Rihanna, ALIS, who is Communications relations, a, a administrator.00:45:15.309 --> 00:45:25.688


We've also had Michael and Stephanie Ewing, our caterers for this evening's event, as well as PB Patel, VP of Sunrise Hospitality.00:45:26.079 --> 00:45:30.309


Now remember, folks, you can listen to this episode wherever you get your podcasts from.00:45:30.639 --> 00:45:40.639


You can also find it on our Facebook and LinkedIn pages and the video of this podcast, which will also include, some photos that were taken around Danville.00:45:40.929 --> 00:45:45.188


Earlier today will be included as a part of that video as well.00:45:45.458 --> 00:45:49.509


Okay folks, wherever you are, whatever you're doing, go out there and have a fantastic day.00:45:49.889 --> 00:45:59.119


and we look forward to sharing a couple more, podcast, episodes with you from here at the Illinois Destinations Association, fall meeting.00:45:59.119 --> 00:46:02.358


So until then, take care of yourselves and we'll talk to you soon.00:46:02.869 --> 00:46:03.289


Bye now.