Author: Forgottonia Project

Posted on

Panel Discussion on Poverty in Rural America – Why Should We Be Concerned About Rural Poverty? Summary Report Part 2 of 5

The following is a summary of a panel discussion about poverty in Fulton County that took place March 23, 2017.  The forum took place at the Canton Church of the Brethren and was moderated by Pastor Kevin Kessler. Panelists included Missy Kolowski of the Health and Wellness Clinic of Fulton County,  Rolf Siversten Superintendent CUSD #66, Paster Monroe Bailey of the First Baptist Church, Brooke Denniston Executive Director of the YWCA, Paula Grigsby Executive Director of the YMCA, Rhonda Morgan from the Salvation Army and Teri Williams director of Spoon River Pregnancy Center.

Posted on

Panel Discussion on Poverty in Rural America – What are the Major Factors Contributing to Rural Poverty? Summary Report Part 1 of 5

The following is a summary of a panel discussion about poverty in Fulton County that took place March 23, 2017.  The forum took place at the Canton Church of the Brethren and was moderated by Pastor Kevin Kessler. Panelists included Missy Kolowski of the Health and Wellness Clinic of Fulton County,  Rolf Siversten Superintendent CUSD #66, Paster Monroe Bailey of the First …

Continue reading "Panel Discussion on Poverty in Rural America – What are the Major Factors Contributing to Rural Poverty? Summary Report Part 1 of 5"

Posted on

S1 – Blog 02: Burma Shave Ads and Materialism: What are the Consequences of Conspicuous Consumption?

Burma-Shave was a brand of shaving cream famous for its humorous advertisements during the 1920s (check out the link here to see some examples for yourself).  They had a reputation sort of like Geico does today; a company known for doing unconventional commercial advertisements with their own quirky sense of style.  Yet perhaps another reason for their success lies not in the content of their ads, but new trends in American life in the 1920s that emphasized more materialistic values of status and wealth.  Or as sociologist and economist Thorstein Veblen called conspicuous consumption; spending money on luxurious goods to flaunt the wealth and status of the buyer.  

Posted on

S1, E6 – Education Puts Food on the Table: What Can We Do About Job Loss in Rural America? Part 2 of our Conversation with Dr. Trenton Ellis

We previously spoke with Forgottonia native Dr. Trenton Ellis about job loss throughout  rural America. In this interview Dr. Ellis mentioned factors like technology, globalization, and the lack of economic diversity as contributing to job loss. Since our talk with Dr. Ellis was so rich in material and we didn't want to depress you by …

Continue reading "S1, E6 – Education Puts Food on the Table: What Can We Do About Job Loss in Rural America? Part 2 of our Conversation with Dr. Trenton Ellis"

Posted on

History of all 16 Counties: #12 Morgan County

MORGAN COUNTY Population: 32,140 (2023 estimate) Morgan County's population has seen a decline in recent years, with a 12.28% decrease since 2000. Key Facts Named For: Revolutionary War hero Daniel Morgan. Historical Importance: Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas frequently practiced law here. Education Legacy: Home to Illinois College (founded 1829) and the now-closed MacMurray College, …

Continue reading "History of all 16 Counties: #12 Morgan County"

Posted on

History of all 16 Counties: #11 Mercer County

MERCER COUNTY POPULATION: 15,699 (2023 estimate) Mercer County has experienced a slight decline in population over the past decades, reflecting broader trends in rural Illinois counties. Key Cities and Villages Aledo (Population: 3,618) County Seat: Known as the hub of Mercer County, Aledo flourished with the arrival of the railroad in the 1850s. Cultural Significance: …

Continue reading "History of all 16 Counties: #11 Mercer County"

Posted on

S1 – Blog 01: The Big Five: What are the Biggest Problems Facing Rural America Today?

A recent podcast on NPR Ted Radio Hour asked the question ¨What are the 5 biggest problems in the world?¨ (you can listen to the podcast here or search ¨Ted Radio Hour¨ on iTunes or wherever you listen to podcasts). Let's take a closer look and then ask the question ¨What are the 5 biggest problems …

Continue reading "S1 – Blog 01: The Big Five: What are the Biggest Problems Facing Rural America Today?"

Posted on

S1, E5 – Value Pollution: Why Should We Ban Advertisements in School?

The following is a portion of the transcript from our interview with Tim Kasser about value pollution. On this edition we return to our conversation with Dr. Tim Kasser, a psychology professor at Knox College who is no stranger to rural living. We were extremely fortunate to speak with Dr. Kasser, he is the well-known …

Continue reading "S1, E5 – Value Pollution: Why Should We Ban Advertisements in School?"

Posted on

History of all 16 counties: #10 McDonough County

McDONOUGH COUNTY Overview McDonough County, located in Western Illinois, is rich in history, culture, and community landmarks. With a current population of approximately 29,682 (as of the 2020 Census), the county boasts a unique heritage rooted in its connections to the War of 1812 and a tradition of community pride. McDonough County is a perfect …

Continue reading "History of all 16 counties: #10 McDonough County"

Posted on

History of all 16 Counties: #9 Knox County

KNOX COUNTY Population: 50,710 (2020 Census) Knox County, established in 1825, is named after Henry Knox, the first U.S. Secretary of War. The county is rich in history and culture with several historic sites, notable figures, and scenic attractions. Key Cities and Villages Galesburg (Population: 30,460) Historical Significance: Founded by George Washington Gale, Galesburg is …

Continue reading "History of all 16 Counties: #9 Knox County"