
Vanessa Ferguson
Community Voices - Production CoordinatorVanessa is the Community Voices Production Coordinator. Reach Vanessa at vfergu3@uis.edu.
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Joe-Michael Jackson and Ginny Racette are the co-directors of Spencer Theatre Company’s “The Mousetrap,” the world’s longest running play. They shared the history of the play and its author Agatha Christie. They also shared their thoughts on why the murder mystery genre is once again thrilling audiences. The show runs Feb. 17-19 and 24-26 at the Hoogland Center for the Arts.
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Susan Dees Hargrove is a biologist and gardener. She studies Illinois endangered wildlife and spoke to Community Voices about how to help monarch butterflies, which is a species whose population has been significantly reduced.
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The Illinois Symphony Orchestra and MIOpera are collaborating on their upcoming concert “Scintillating Shakespeare,” which will feature performances by opera singers Madison King and Carl Rosenthal. ISO Assistant Conductor Jacobsen Woollen, and John and Tracy Koch, the General Director and Artistic Director from MIOpera, spoke to Community Voices about the upcoming concert.
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Doug Hahn is a well-known theatre director and musician in Springfield. He spoke to Community Voices about his musical interests and how he spends his time as a holiday tree decorator, bridge player, and farmer.
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Pamela Salela is the coordinator of the Central Illinois Nonprofit Resource Center. She spoke to Community Voices about the database available for non profits to use that allows them to search numerous grant opportunities. She also shared how she helps strengthen nonprofits by providing workshops to develop a variety of skills, including grant writing and fundraising skills. Originally aired October 17. 2022.
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Emily Faucon is the co-owner of Mom + Pop’s in Petersburg, Ill. She spoke to Community Voices about how she and her husband Cory met, their love of made-from-scratch food, and what they are serving in their new restaurant.
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Dr. Nicole Sommer is the Director of the SIU Cosmetics Center. She spoke to Community Voices about the mentorship she received from her father. She also explained the differences between reconstructive and cosmetic surgery.
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Aryann Gibson, Jeffrey Gibson and Daniel Castle are the owners of TO’s Kitchen in Virginia, Ill. They spoke to Community Voices about how they got their start running the restaurant, the support they have received from the community and how they are giving back.
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Cinda Klickna is the Dana-Thomas House Foundation board president. She spoke to Community Voices about the Feb. 11, Valentine Dinner fundraiser for the Dana Thomas House. Kilckna also shared history about Susan Lawrence Dana and Dana’s marriage to her younger second husband.
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Returning guest Dan Frachey sat down with Vanessa Ferguson on Community Voices to talk about his business Legacy Weavers Video and how he helps keep family memories alive for generations to come, the importance of passing down perspectives from the past, and the impact even a simple video can have.