Prairie Fire has been telling compelling stories about central Illinois for the past 16 years. Explore upcoming and recent programs starting on this page, or browse by month or story subject category. Let the new 2008 season of Prairie Fire inspire you to try something new, go someplace you’ve never been or get to know your neighbors.
Radio-Controlled Airplanes, Urbana Farmers' Market, World War II Navigator Iris Lundin
Episode number: 701
Get Flash to see this video.
In the 2008 season premiere, host Alison Davis Wood finds out that many of the world's radio-controlled model aircraft and boats are made in Champaign-Urbana. The program spends a Saturday morning at the Urbana Farmers' Market and features a World War II story about Champaign's Iris Nig Lundin, who left her teaching job to become one of four female navigation instructors.
RealVideo archive of this episode
More details on this episode...
Yoga, Catsup Watertower, Japanese-American Spends WWII in Internment Camp
Episode number: 708
Get Flash to see this video.
Prairie Fire looks at why so many people in central Illinois are getting health benefits from yoga. Then the show goes to Collinsville where a group of people came together to save the world's largest catsup bottle. Then producer Denise La Grassa profiles Yuki Llewellyn of Champaign, whose childhood photograph came to symbolize the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II.
RealVideo archive of this episode
Segment details, archives, and Producer's Blog:
40 north/88 west, Vintage Baseball, John O'Connor
Episode number: 707
Get Flash to see this video.
Find out how the arts organization 40 north/88 west nurtures local artists. Come along to a vintage baseball game played by the Rock Springs Ground Squirrels. And learn about the World War II experiences of Champaign's John O'Connor, who flew missions on the B-24 and also put his skills as trumpeter to use.
RealVideo archive of this episode
Segment details, archives, and Producer's Blog:
- 40 north/88 west Nurtures the Arts
- Vintage Baseball with the Rock Springs Ground Squirrels
- Trumpet Player John O'Connor Recalls World War II
UI Students in China, Preserving Kenyan Wildlife, Wartime Decatur
Episode number: 706
Get Flash to see this video.
Prairie Fire follows a group of University of Illinois journalism students as they head to China. Then the show travels to Kenya with U of I professor Nancy Benson and others who learned that the preservation of Kenyan wildlife comes at a high cost to people. And producer Denise La Grassa looks at World War II in Decatur, Ill.
RealVideo archive of this episode
Segment details, archives, and Producer's Blog:
Recycled Rhythms, Habitat for Humanity ReStore, World War II Friendships
Episode number: 705
Get Flash to see this video.
Host Alison Davis Wood talks to a Champaign percussionist and music teacher who encourages audiences to make music from things that are usually thrown away.Then Prairie Fire features a store that keeps gently used furniture out of the landfill. And producer Denise La Grassa talks to George Kitterman, who found friendship during combat in World War II.
RealVideo archive of this episode
Segment details, archives, and Producer's Blog:
World War II Special
Episode number: 704
Get Flash to see this video.
In a special featuring central Illinois stories about World War II, producer Denise La Grassa interviews USS Indianapolis survivors, looks at the life of a Japanese-American in an internment camp, and talks to the survivor of a kamikaze attack on the USS Missouri. She also looks at the experiences of a remarkable woman who served on the front lines in Europe for the American Red Cross, talks to a man who fought in the Battle of the Bulge and profiles one of the first female navigation instructors.
RealVideo archive of this episode
