Always Andersonville: The Podcast

This week, Laura and Joelle are joined by Karin Moen Abercrombie and Emily England of the Swedish American Museum to get an update on how the Museum has been handling virtual programming and events and in-person visits due to COVID-19. Karin, who has joined us on the podcast before, is the Executive Director of this beloved institution and community hub in the heart of Andersonville, and Emily as the Museum curator manages the permanent collection as well as exhibits at 5211 N Clark.

This week, Laura, Heather and Joelle are joined by Ann Kienzle, owner of *play toys, books & gifts which opened in the former Toys Et Cetera space this past March. With locations in Logan Square and Lincoln Park, the Andersonville location marks the third neighborhood for *play. With more than 20 years of experience in the toy industry, Ann took her love for community and a reverence for childhood and created well-designed space that inspires awe in children and adults. You can visit this community-minded shop at 5311 N Clark.

View episode show notes here. 

This week, Laura and Joelle are joined by Chef Kelley Davison of Bettie Lou’s in Andersonville. Focusing on American cuisine with an urban twist, Chef Kelley’s menu pulls inspiration from European, Asian and Island dishes. A fan favorite, the Soul Rolls, have made their appearance at several Andersonville events now, including last year’s Farmers Market Dinner and Taste of Andersonville. Chef Kelley has an unrelenting positive outlook on life and drive to spread love within the community, which is evident in her warm and welcoming approach at Bettie Lou’s location at 5633 N Ashland.

This week, Heather and Joelle are joined by Lisa Beacom, General Manager of School of Rock Andersonville, which opens soon in the neighborhood. All of their music programs for kids, teens, and adults are designed to help students gain amazing musical proficiency, and to get students performing in a band. Students can take virtual, one-on-one music instruction from the comfort of their homes with a  Remote Program containing weekly one-on-one instruction conducted by expert School of Rock instructors in a safe virtual lesson room.

This week, Laura & Heather are joined by Baird & Warner Real Estate Broker, Dan Nelson. Dan loves houses and has spent the last twenty years running a real estate company with his wife. Dan uses negotiating skills, market analysis, and his vast understanding of buying and selling property to help people find homes they will love.

This week, Laura and Joelle are joined by Mindy Friedler, co-owner of FIYA. FIYA, which reflects the owner’s love of wood fire, bread and baking, opened quietly in June at 5419 N Clark and is a melting pot of Israeli cuisine, with influences from the Middle East, Europe, and the Mediterranean.

After an extended hiatus, we return today with our departing Andersonville Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Sara Dinges whose last day with the organization is today, Wednesday July 29. Sara started with Andersonville in 2008 working as the Managing Director of the Andersonville Development Corporation (now ASCA), a position she held until 2011 and then returned to Andersonville at the helm as Executive Director of the Chamber and ASCA in May 2017. Listen in as she share some of her fondest Andersonville memories. 

We hope you have enjoyed our week of Gabbin’ with Stew episodes, and today we bring you a quick roundup of what to expect for Andersonville at Home, our first ever virtual Midsommarfest and fundraiser tonight!

RSVP to Andersonville at Home on Facebook.

This week in honor of Andersonville at Home: A Midsommarfest Experience & Fundraiser on Friday, June 12, we turn over our podcasting duties to Stew Jamesson of Stewpendous Productions. Founded in Chicago, Stewpendous Productions is fundamentally centered around providing joy, laughs, and fun for everyone through personalized experiences. Stew is currently booking Zoom Trivia parties for your friends and family and you can catch him on Instagram live on Wednesdays at 8PM.

We hope you enjoy this third installment of Gabbin’ with Stew as he interviews Ted Fournier of Orange Shoe Personal Fitness Andersonville over Zoom in this special Andersonville at Home edition of the podcast. Stay tuned for episodes 105.3 on Thursday and 105.4 on Friday!

This week in honor of Andersonville at Home: A Midsommarfest Experience & Fundraiser on Friday, June 12, we turn over our podcasting duties to Stew Jamesson of Stewpendous Productions. Founded in Chicago, Stewpendous Productions is fundamentally centered around providing joy, laughs, and fun for everyone through personalized experiences. Stew is currently booking Zoom Trivia parties for your friends and family and you can catch him on Instagram live on Wednesdays at 8PM.

We hope you enjoy this second installment of Gabbin’ with Stew as he interviews Martin Cournane of Lady Gregory's and Octavio over Zoom in this special Andersonville at Home edition of the podcast. Stay tuned for episodes 105.3 on Thursday and 105.4 on Friday!