Hospital Sisters of St. Francis

SPRINGFIELD — On July 2, 1844, a Franciscan priest, Father Christopher Bernsmeyer, witnessed the religious commitment of women in Our Lady of Grace Chapel in Telgte, a village outside the city of Muenster, Westphalia, Germany. This marked the foundation of the Hospital Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis, a religious community dedicated to the…

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THE RELIC HUNTER

On this episode of Muddy River Gems brought to you by Dot Foods, we’ll go arrowhead collecting with the master. Going down dirt roads, walking through creeks, we introduce you to a man with an eye for the ancient.

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A VERY MUDDY CHRISTMAS WITH SOME GEMS

Ashley, Bobby and Brittany get ready for Christmas with our favorite pilot, videographer and fake band lead singer Randy Phillips. Randy talks about working with Mark McDonald to bring you Muddy River Gems by Dot Foods, which begins its third season on Muddy River TV+ on Jan. 1.

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HOLIDAY GIFT SHOW

Mark McDonald and Randy Phillips take you on a tour of a long-standing Tristate holiday tradition, the Women’s Service League Holiday Gift Show. Now in its 56th year, this institution has become a tradition for families throughout our region. Dot Foods brings you Muddy River Gems.  

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Sarah Quinn Deien

Randy Phillips joins Bobby and Brittany to talk about the good old days at KHQA when Randy, Bobby, Brittany’s mom and Sarah Deien all worked there. Randy also gets you ready for the next Muddy River Gems, which will debut Feb. 5.

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Springfield’s Pillsbury Mills plant

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Mark McDonald and Randy Phillips take you inside the Pillsbury Mills plant, where a group looks to bring new life to a long-abandoned structure in the heart of the state capital. In 2019, a community working group started meeting to discuss the public safety and environmental issues posed by the site. They…

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Windsong Acres

MUDDY RIVER GEMS: Windsong Acres

Mark McDonald and Randy Phillips head to Camp Point to show off the beautiful Windsong Acres. Owners Jeff and Shelly Rasche have renovated one of Illinois’ most beautiful and unique show barns, the 1912 Show Barn and kick up your heels at a genuine barn dance. Dot Foods sponsors Muddy River Gems.

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Camp Ellis

On the next Muddy River Gems

Mark McDonald and Randy Phillips take you to Ipava and what was once Camp Ellis, a POW camp during World War II. Dot Foods brings you Muddy River Gems.

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Jim’s Journey

MUDDY RIVER GEMS: Jim's Journey

Mark McDonald and Randy Phillips take you to Hannibal and talk to Faye Dant about Jim’s Journey, which is The Huck Finn Freedom Center honoring Daniel Quarles, the prototype for Jim in Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and the man who lived and died in Hannibal. Dot Foods brings you Muddy River Gems.

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The Old Marion County Jail

MUDDY RIVER GEMS: The Old Marion County Jail

PALMYRA, Mo. — It wasn’t that long ago when you were arrested across the river, you went to the old Marion County Jail that was used during The Civil War. Although replaced by a newer facility on U.S. 61, the old jail still stands and you can feel the history when you walk into its…

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Gardner House Museum

MUDDY RIVER GEMS: Gardner House Museum

Mark McDonald and Randy Phillips take you to the Gardner House Museum, which is on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. It is a two-story, “L” plan, Federal style painted brick dwelling, with Greek Revival style detailing. It is six bays wide and has a side-gable roof. It also once housed a tavern located on a north–south stage…

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Perry Carousel

MUDDY RIVER GEMS: Perry Carousel

Mark McDonald takes you to Perry, Missouri, where the community came together to restore a piece of history that brings back old memories and allows people to make new ones. Muddy River Gems is produced by Randy Phillips.

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Muddy River Gems

Bob Gough talks to Mark McDonald and Randy Phillips about a new long-form program coming to Muddy River News. McDonald and Phillips, who produced the award-winning program Illinois Stories for PBS stations WQEC/WSEC, will bring you Muddy River Gems. 

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