Best Gary Gillis Host Podcasts (2025)

1
Park Cast #59 Rebroadcast with Guest Gary Gillis 19:45

Play Pause

4d ago19:45

19:45

Pekin Park District Commissioner Gary Gillis discusses his podcast "What's the Story Pekin?" with IAPD's Director of Communication and Digital Content Wayne Utterback.By Gary Gillis - Host

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Ice Houses in Pekin 18:55

14d ago18:55

18:55

Jared Olar is Gary's guest as he shares the story of the days before refrigeration when Pekin was home to a number of Ice Houses.By Gary Gillis - Host

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PCHS 2.0 20:05

24d ago20:05

20:05

This week Gary talks with Dr. Danielle Owens, Superintendent of PCHS Dist 303 talks about all of the physical and academic changes to the school.By Gary Gillis - Host

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What is "Home Rule" in the City of Pekin? 31:00

30d ago31:00

31:00

This week Gary sits down with Mayor Mary Burress and City Manager John Dossey to talk about business development on the east side of the city, as well as "Home Rule" for the City of Pekin and what advantages it provides the city and its residents.By Gary Gillis - Host

1
Faith Baptist Christian School Celebrates 50 Years of Service 22:24

1M ago22:24

22:24

Gary visits with Supt. Chip Herbert and School Board member and alumni Cindy Gress.By Gary Gillis - Host

1
Who is Steven Skinner? 17:59

2M ago17:59

17:59

Gary visits with Rich Kriegsman, a leader in the creation of Pekin Park District's Performing Arts Venue sharing how it was named.By Gary Gillis - Host

1
The Marigold Medallion Hunt Story 22:29

2M ago22:29

22:29

Gary shares some of the facts and history of this popular Marigold Festival Event.By Gary Gillis - Host

1
Ridgeside K9 22:08

2M ago22:08

22:08

Gary visits with the owners of one of Pekin's newer stores dedicated to dog training, boarding and grooming. Dog lovers won't want to miss this episode!By Gary Gillis - Host

1
The Dirksen Center Celebrates 50 Years 25:16

2M ago25:16

25:16

Tiffany White talks about the Dirksen Centers 50th Birthday; its early years; its impact and its future.By Gary Gillis - Host

1
The Luttiken Project 24:52

2M ago24:52

24:52

This week, a visit about the City's largest undertaking in decades with Mayor Mary Burress, City Manager John Dossey, and Director of Economic Development Josh Wray.By Gary Gillis - Host

1
Street Survival 22:49

3M ago22:49

22:49

Gary visits with Bruce Huber who is part of a service that has been training new drivers in defensive driving for many years. It's a great group with a proven track record of creating better, safer, and road conditions-aware young drivers.By Gary Gillis - Host

1
The 2025 Pekin Marigold Festival 18:48

3M ago18:48

18:48

This week, a visit with Val Springborn, Chairperson of this year's festival; and Maureen Naughtin, this year's Grand Marshal.By Gary Gillis - Host

1
A Look Back as Miss Marigold 22:06

3M ago22:06

22:06

Gary visits with Sophia Vansaghi about her past year as Pekin Marigold Festival's 2024 Miss Marigold.By Gary Gillis - Host

1
Another School Year is Coming 18:10

3M ago18:10

18:10

A visit with District 108's Superintendent Leonard Ealey.By Gary Gillis - Host

1
Parkside Fitness at 50 19:34

4M ago19:34

19:34

Keith Knox, Manager of Parkside Fitness talks about the start and history of this storied fitness facility.By Gary Gillis - Host

1
The Carol Shields Story 18:05

4M ago18:05

18:05

Gary visits with Harland Shields, the husband of the late community leader and icon Carol Shields.By Gary Gillis - Host

1
RAGBRAI Bicycle Touring 16:24

4M ago16:24

16:24

Pekin Resident Heather Fitzanko talks about RAGBRAI, the oldest, largest and longest bicycle touring event in America, and how she is preparing for it.By Gary Gillis - Host

1
USS Tazewell 17:06

5M ago17:06

17:06

Gary visits with John Ackerman about the USS Tazewell, how Tazewell County got its name, and next year's "USA 250" Celebration.By Gary Gillis - Host

1
The Underground Railroad - Juneteenth Celebration 22:14

5M ago22:14

22:14

John Ackerman talks about the underground Railroad in Tazewell County and this year's Juneteenth Celebration.By Gary Gillis - Host

1
The new Owners of the Pekin Country Club.... 14:15

5M ago14:15

14:15

This week Gary talks with Co-owner Shaun Schlosser of the Pekin Country Club. They talk about the transition as well as plans for the Country Club.By Gary Gillis - Host

1
Tori Menke - Executive Director of TAPS 16:10

5M ago16:10

16:10

This week Gary talks to the newest Executive Director of Taps, Tori Menke. They discuss exciting changes and an upcoming project at their facility.By Gary Gillis - Host

1
The Dale Sandrock Sports Complex 16:52

6M ago16:52

16:52

This week, Gary talks with Dale and Lela Sandrock about their vison and execution of the new Outdoor Sports Complex that was built and donated to the Village of North Pekin.By Gary Gillis - Host

1
A Visit with Pekin Police Chief Seth Ranney 31:02

6M ago31:02

31:02

Gary visits with Chief Ranney about the May 14th events and the local homeless situation.By Gary Gillis - Host

1
Running Marathons across the Globe 16:40

6M ago16:40

16:40

Gary visits with local fitness guru Kelly Fults who shares the story of her quest for the "Six Star Medal" signifying her competing the world's six original major marathons.By Gary Gillis - Host

1
Pekin's Speech Team 17:31

7M ago17:31

17:31

Pekin's Speech Team Phenom Alina Vang. Gary sits down with the PCHS Senior as she tells the story of her recent accomplishments in competitive extemporaneous public speaking.By Gary Gillis - Host

1
Our 100th Podcast! 25:38

7M ago25:38

25:38

What's the Story celebrates its 100th Episode. Gary sits down with Mark Luft who conceived of our Podcast and Mike Eeten who is on the other side of the mic as all of them take a look back.By Gary Gillis - Host

1
Pekin High School - Special Needs 17:28

7M ago17:28

17:28

This week Gary talks with Kristen Walraven and Kyle Cain about all the Pekin High School does for students with special needs.By Gary Gillis - Host

1
Gypsy Rising Yoga Studio 17:01

7M ago17:01

17:01

Gary visits with Amanda Waltmyer, owner of the new Gypsy Rising Yoga Studio in Pekin.By Gary Gillis - Host

1
The Mary Haynes Story 15:53

7M ago15:53

15:53

This week Gary talks with Mary Haynes about her journey from the Country Nook, to Maddie Mae's and now Mauries.By Gary Gillis - Host

1
The Center for Prevention of Abuse - Carol Merna 23:47

8M ago23:47

23:47

This week Gary welcomes Carol Merna, CEO of the Center for Prevention of Abuse. Carol talks about the many programs and services they have to offer, and a new building that will be constructed in Pekin.By Gary Gillis - Host

1
A City Update with Mayor Mary Burress 22:06

8M ago22:06

22:06

This week Gary talks with the Mayor about several new exciting projects in the city including some new businesses coming to the City.By Gary Gillis - Host

1
The Veterans Drive Project 13:20

8M ago13:20

13:20

This week Gary talks with retired City Engineer and City Manager, Denny Kief. Denny talks about the history of the project, how it started, and the plans for the future.By Gary Gillis - Host

1
Bears Bites - A Spotlight on a Business new to Pekin 16:18

9M ago16:18

16:18

The owner of Bears Bites, Samm Hutchinson, talks about her business that has recently moved into 282 Derby St. Samm's company makes and sells Dog Food, Dog & Cat treats, and other items for your four-legged family member.By Gary Gillis - Host

1
Positive on Pekin - A perspective from Mary Ann Ladendorf 21:22

9M ago21:22

21:22

Today, Gary has guest Mary Ann Ladendorf behind the mic to talk about all that the City of Pekin has to offer her clients as they move into the city.By Gary Gillis - Host

1
#AttendanceMatters - PCHS tackles the attendance issue post Covid 20:32

9M ago20:32

20:32

This week, Gary talks with Shayla Ewing and Ashley Neal from Pekin Community High School about a clever program to encourage kids to have more regular attendance.By Gary Gillis - Host

1
Wrap up of the Bicentennial Celebration 26:29

10M ago26:29

26:29

This week Gary and Terri Gambetti talk about the successful Pekin Bicentennial Celebration and all of the events that were planned monthly.By Gary Gillis - Host

1
"How did it go on Election Day in Tazewell County?" 19:37

10M ago19:37

19:37

This week Gary talks with Tazewell County Clerk John Ackerman about how things went locally in the past historic election. The upcoming local election on April 1st was also discussed.By Gary Gillis - Host

1
"Attacking the Myth" 22:42

10M ago22:42

22:42

Gary talks with John Ackerman who gives some perspective on Pekin's supposedly past racist reputation.By Gary Gillis - Host

1
"I.T. Workforce Accelerator" What is it? 19:48

11M ago19:48

19:48

This week Gary interviews Carolyn Cracraft-Coordinator for this free, grant supported I.T. training program.By Gary Gillis - Host

1
A Time WWII POW's Visited Pekin 16:10

11M ago16:10

16:10

This week Gary and Jared Olar talk about a visit to Pekin Schools by WWII POW's.By Gary Gillis - Host

1
Bicentennial Stories about Pekin Business and Industry 24:33

12M ago24:33

24:33

This week Gary and Jared Olar talk about the history of Pekin's Business and Industry.By Gary Gillis - Host

1
The Next Phase of Pekin's Streetscape 16:55

1y ago16:55

16:55

Gary talks with Pekin City Engineer, Josie Esker about the next phase of the Court Street Project.By Gary Gillis - Host

1
A Nostalgic Look Back at the Pekin Mall 20:12

1y ago20:12

20:12

This week Gary discusses with Gary Cassidy about a place he grew up at, the Pekin Mall.By Gary Gillis - Host

1
WMBD Radio Greg Batton 23:52

1y ago23:52

23:52

Greg Batton is a familiar voice in the Peoria area and has been co-hosting The Greg and Dan Show on WMBD Radio since 2005 with partner Dan Diorio. This week, Gary sits down and talks with Gary about his upbringing in Pekin.By Gary Gillis - Host

1
An Interview with Pekin Native Larry Kenney 26:37

1y ago26:37

26:37

This week Gary talks with Larry Kenney who is a graduate of Pekin Hight School and has been in radio broadcasting in several markets including Peoria, and a famous voice in many Cartoons, and other shows. Don't miss this fascinating podcast.By Gary Gillis - Host

1
In the Beginning- the Pekin Park District Story 17:05

1y ago17:05

17:05

This week Gary shares the store of how the Pekin Park District was born.By Gary Gillis - Host

1
A Look Back in Time - Ray Bianchi & Joyce Johnson 26:42

1y ago26:42

26:42

Gary talks with Ray and Joyce about what Pekin looked like when they were younger. Ray & Joyce talk about the popular places in town they would visit that are no longer there.By Gary Gillis - Host