Shawn Hickey, Galesburg football coach — 80 players, an earlier start, and the Week 4 search

Shawn Hickey, Galesburg football coach — 80 players, an earlier start, and the Week 4 search

Two summers ago, Shawn Hickey walked into his first day as Galesburg's football coach and counted 38 kids. This June, 80 showed up — and unlike last year's summer mirage of 120 that shrank to 60 by kickoff, the coach says these numbers are real. Now he has to get them all through a brand-new state eligibility rule, with the earliest season start in Illinois history bearing down. His pitch to Galesburg is simple: Friday nights at CBI Bank Stadium are "the best ticket in town." Shawn Hickey joined Galesburg's Morning News on Wednesday, July 15. Listen to the full interview above. They talked about: Why last summer's roster numbers fooled him, and this year's won't The new 12-day rule that could bench players for the opener The Week 4 hole in the schedule, and the road trip nobody wants to repeat Speed school, junior high pipelines, and coaching as "surrogate fathers" Camps for the young kids and a discount card deadline this Friday   Related story: From 38 players to 80: Galesburg football's roster doubles as earliest season ever nears 🎧 Subscribe to Galesburg's Morning News on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Kraig Boynton and Phil Dickinson, Taste of Galesburg — 40 years and a record 28 restaurants

Phil Dickinson was there for the first Taste of Galesburg — eight or 10 restaurants sweating it out behind the high school — and he fought hard against the move to Thursday nights that made the event what it is. "The first year I got slapped in the face hard with the reality of I didn't know what I was doing," he admits. "I was wrong." Forty years later, he and lead organizer Kraig Boynton preview the biggest Taste ever, and Boynton reveals this one will be his last in charge. Kraig Boynton and Phil Dickinson joined Galesburg's Morning News on Tuesday, July 14. Listen to the full interview above. They talked about: The record 28 restaurants and why participation doubled this year A bratwurst made of bison and elk, and the other dishes pushing the envelope The footprint stretching from Seminary almost to Prairie for the first time Why the days of judges tasting all 144 items are over Boynton stepping away, and who might take the reins Veteran tips, starting with the simplest: don't eat lunch Menus: Visit Taste of Galesburg on Facebook   Related story: 'Watching thousands of your neighbors catch up': Taste of Galesburg turns 40 Thursday 🎧 Subscribe to Galesburg's Morning News on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Mark Nizer, world champion juggler — bringing 4D to the Orpheum

Bob Hope took him on USO tours. Ray Charles once held his hands mid-juggle just to feel the rhythm. Fifty years into a career that has already cost him his eyebrows, world champion juggler Mark Nizer brings his high-tech show 4D to the Historic Orpheum Theatre July 25 — and he says the audience "might need counseling afterwards." Mark Nizer joined Galesburg's Morning News on Monday, July 13, 2026, ahead of his show 4D, coming to the Historic Orpheum Theatre July 25. Listen to the full interview above. They talked about: What actually makes a show "4D" — and why the audience needs those glasses The mentors who shaped his career, from Bob Hope to Ray Charles to Buzz Aldrin How a malfunctioning lighter cost him his eyebrows, on stage, mid-show Why the show works for grandparents and grandkids sitting side by side Ticket details for the July 25 show at the Orpheum   Mark Nizer's 4D plays the Historic Orpheum Theatre in downtown Galesburg Saturday, July 25 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $20, or four for $60 with the Me+3 deal, at GalesburgOrpheum.org or by calling (309) 342-2299, Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 🎧 Subscribe to Galesburg's Morning News: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

Allie Bryan, Connor Atwell, Lorie Larsen & Kenny Knox preview Prairie Players' Cinderella

The stage floor is cement, so don't expect a trap door — but Prairie Players Civic Theatre found other ways to make the magic happen. Allie Bryan, Connor Atwell, Lorie Larsen, and director Kenny Knox joined Galesburg's Morning News ahead of the July 17 opening of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella. They talked about: Why this version of Cinderella is closer to the original fairy tale than the Disney film The intimate "box theater" setting, and how it puts the audience right in the middle of the action How the cast pulls off costume transformations on stage without a traditional trap door Allie's return to musical theater after several years away, and the challenge of learning the waltz Prairie Players' upcoming "A Night of One Acts" this September   Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella runs July 17, 18, 24, and 25 at 7:30 p.m., with matinees July 19 and 26 at 2 p.m., at Prairie Players Civic Theatre, 160 S. Seminary St., Galesburg. Tickets are available at prairieplayers.com. 🎧 Subscribe to Galesburg's Morning News: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

Fran Moore and Tim Holmes — Altona's historic stage returns after 92 years

A stage that's been dark since 1934 is putting on a show again. Fran Moore of the Altona Historical Society and Tim Holmes of the Galesburg Performing Arts Academy joined Galesburg's Morning News on Thursday, July 9, to talk about the restored Ransom Memorial Library Hall and the free Oklahoma! Youth Edition performance marking its reopening. They talked about: The restoration of Ransom Memorial Library Hall, and why the project grew from a simple museum into a full community center The unexpected challenge that means the hall's new elevator won't be working for Saturday's reopening How more than $500,000 in restoration costs came entirely from community support Why Oklahoma! Youth Edition was chosen for the reopening performance What else is happening around Altona Day, including a parade, softball, and fireworks   Related story: After 92 years, Altona's historic stage hosts a show again 🎧 Subscribe to Galesburg's Morning News: Apple Podcasts | Spotify