Galesburg's Morning News

Andrew Driscoll, Orpheum Theatre — grant milestone, new season, summer comedy series

The Galesburg Orpheum Theatre just hit a major financial milestone — and the momentum doesn't stop there. A new season goes on sale Tuesday, a summer comedy lineup kicks off in less than two weeks, and a long-term renovation study is now in motion. Orpheum Executive Director Andrew Driscoll joined Galesburg's Morning News on Wednesday, July 2, to share all of it. Topics covered in this interview include: The $200,000 DCEO Tourism Grant and how the match was achieved The role of David and Marie Volkers in pushing the campaign over the finish line Phase 1: LED lighting upgrade targeted for September Phase 2: Concept design study with DLR Group — the firm behind the Coronado renovation in Rockford Why fundraising continues through July 31 Four-show packages available now — why to buy before July 7 Individual tickets on sale July 7 at 10 a.m. for 2026 shows Season highlights — Don Jovi, Robert Townsend, Rumors, Midtown Men, and more Summer Comedy Series — Bad Momz of Comedy, Mark Nizer 4D, Dueling Pianos, Tom Briscoe The Gift of Performance, Power of Community program   Individual tickets for the 2026-27 season go on sale Tuesday, July 7, at 10 a.m. The Summer Comedy Series opens July 11. For tickets and information, visit GalesburgOrpheum.org or call (309) 342-2299. Read our full story: Orpheum Theatre meets $100,000 match, kicks off new season and summer comedy series 🎧 Subscribe to Galesburg's Morning News: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Seminary Street First Fridays returns July 3

Nikki Malley, owner of Malley Farms, joined Galesburg's Morning News on Tuesday, June 30, to preview Friday's First Fridays on Historic Seminary Street. First Fridays returns Friday, July 3, from 5 to 8 p.m. on Seminary Street in downtown Galesburg, giving the community a head start on the Fourth of July weekend. The headline act is the return of Frank F. Sydney's Western Bandit Volunteers, a beloved local bluegrass and folk group making their comeback after roughly two years away. "This is kind of their redebut for the Galesburg community," Malley said. The Galesburg Community Arts Center will handle hands-on children's activities for all ages. Restaurants along Seminary Street will offer sample-sized portions of their menu favorites, along with drink specials, while shops stay open until 8 p.m. for evening shopping. OSF St. Mary Medical Center is July's event sponsor, with Euclid Beverage providing beverage sponsorship. Malley also previewed the rest of the First Fridays season — Soul Situation, a Peoria-based soul, R&B, and funk band, on Aug. 7, and the return of the Pippi and Daniel Music and the Experience to close the season on Sept. 4. First Fridays is free and family-friendly. Bring a lawn chair. 🎧 Subscribe to Galesburg's Morning News: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Justin Thomas, J&M Displays — Big Bang BOOM preview

Justin Thomas of J&M Displays joined Galesburg's Morning News on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, to preview Saturday's Big Bang BOOM — the area's largest Fourth of July fireworks display, returning to Lake Storey Park in Galesburg. This year's show marks America's 250th birthday. Topics covered in this interview include: How America's 250th birthday shaped this year's show Why blue is the hardest color to produce in fireworks What makes Lake Storey Park an ideal site for a fireworks display The setup process — six to eight crew members working all day How the show is synchronized to a live soundtrack A fan-favorite effect returning to the show this year How heat and humidity affect a fireworks display J&M Displays' massive holiday workload — up to 600 shows nationwide Tips for getting the most out of Saturday's show   Big Bang BOOM is Saturday, July 4, at Lake Storey Park in Galesburg. Free admission. The synchronized soundtrack broadcasts on Z 106.1 FM and 92.7 FM The Laser. Read our full story: Big Bang BOOM 2026 — full preview 🎧 Subscribe to Galesburg's Morning News: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Blake Benedict & Adam Sampson — Rumble at Reserve and the YMCA expansion

Pro wrestling is coming to Galesburg on the Fourth of July — and the Knox County YMCA is about to open something the community has never had before. Blake Benedict, co-owner of Reserve Artisan Ales, and Adam Sampson, executive director of the Knox County YMCA, joined Galesburg's Morning News on Monday, June 29, 2026, to talk about both. Topics covered in this interview include: How pro wrestling and Reserve Artisan Ales ended up together The Rumble at Reserve format — traditional matches plus a Royal Rumble finale The wrestler lineup — AEW, NWA, regional champions from Kentucky and Tennessee, and a Milwaukee group Live entrance music by The Ex-Bombers Speed-round trivia and photos with wrestlers after the show The Piledriver Pilsner special release How the YMCA and MSI partnership came together The new indoor playground and teen center — and why Sampson calls it a regional draw The YMCA's food program — 3,000 meals a month to Knox County kids Target ribbon cutting date: July 21   Rumble at Reserve is Saturday, July 4. Doors open at 4 p.m., wrestling at 5 p.m. Free admission. All donations benefit the Knox County YMCA. Read our full story: Rumble at Reserve brings pro wrestling to Galesburg on July 4 🎧 Subscribe to Galesburg's Morning News: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Mary McGunnigal, Galesburg — stumbling onto the Mayflower

Mary McGunnigal has lived in Galesburg since 1979. A few years ago, she started helping her daughter navigate an Ancestry.com subscription — and ended up tracing her family line all the way back to 1620 and the Mayflower. McGunnigal joined Galesburg's Morning News on Friday, June 26, 2026, to share the story of her discovery and offer tips for anyone who wants to try genealogy research themselves. Topics covered in this interview include: How a daughter's DNA test started a genealogy rabbit hole Using family paperwork from the 1980s to verify an online family tree The moment a photo of Plymouth Rock appeared on the screen How census records turned names on paper into real people Who the Puritans were and why they sailed for America What the Mayflower connection means personally The surprising family connections to Gail Borden and Lizzie Borden Tips for beginners — free resources and where to start   Key genealogy resources mentioned: Ancestry.com FamilySearch.org (free) FindaGrave.com (free)   Read the full story: A Galesburg woman's genealogy rabbit hole led to the Mayflower — and Lizzie Borden 🎧 Subscribe to Galesburg's Morning News: Apple Podcasts Spotify