WSIU Radio's The Listening Project is a regular reoccurring series that chronicles the stories, experiences, and history of the people who call this region home. The Listening Project is a community engagement initiative focused on preserving the stories of the quad-state region in the form of oral histories.
This installment of The Listening Project features select excerpts from first-person interviews with Benton, IL residents who came together in May 2016 to celebrate Benton Library's centennial celebration. Listen to the interviews from nearly a dozen Benton residents who celebrated this community milestone by sharing stories about their heritage, coal mining, life lessons learned through sports, WWII stories, regional histories and more!
The Listening Project is sponsored by
Southern Illinois Healthcare:
-
Harold Bardo grew up in Sparta, Illinois. He later moved to Carbondale working at SIU in several different roles. In March, StoryCorps came to Carbondale…
-
Rachel Keener first began using opioids as a teenager. As an adult she was being treated with subutex when she became pregnant.In March of 2019 StoryCorps…
-
WSIU's "The Listening Project" chronicles the history of our region by connecting people with place through their stories.In this segment, WSIU sits down…
-
This week on WSIU's Listening Project we hear the story of Judy Courter. Growing up in the late 50's and 60's she recalls the building of Interstate 57 in…
-
This week on the Listening Project, our story gives us a glimpse of what it was like growing up in southern Illinois during the 1960's as viewed through…
-
This week on the Listening Project longtime Benton resident Rose Savko talks about growing up with the old Benton Public Library and how important the…
-
Today's story comes from Susan Stickel and Mary Eubanks. Susan is the Director of the Benton Public Library and Mary is a former employee and longtime…
-
Today we continue to explore the history of southern Illinois with the story of 90-year old Jane Campbell-Brown. Her family has been in the furniture…
-
Today we continue to explore the history of southern Illinois through the Listening Project. Ours story is that of Gene Alexander - a beloved elementary…
-
From 1960 until 1985 Rich Herrin and the Benton Rangers forged high school basketball history with more than 500 wins, four undefeated seasons and 21…