Scott Childers welcomes Mark Lukas from PAWS Chicago on The Ray Stevens Show to discuss approaches for finding the right homes for shelter animals, the PAWS Chicago 5K event scheduled for September 7th, and how you can contribute by organizing a fundraiser to help pets secure forever homes.

Scott Childers welcomes Mark Lukas from PAWS Chicago on The Ray Stevens Show to discuss approaches for finding the right homes for shelter animals, the PAWS Chicago 5K event scheduled for September 7th, and how you can contribute by organizing a fundraiser to help pets secure forever homes.

When our regular hosts are away, the fill-in hosts will play. Enjoy the content of the pinch hitters from Garry Meier to Ray Stevens to Rob Johnson and more.

When our regular hosts are away, the fill-in hosts will play. Enjoy the content of the pinch hitters from Garry Meier to Ray Stevens to Rob Johnson and more.

PINCH HITTERS

'You can become a hero just by volunteering.' - PAWS Chicago's Mark Lukas on the Ray Stevens Show

IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR FAMILY FUN: Check out the Easter Train Ride & Hunt at the Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum! Hop aboard the Easter Train and enjoy a fun-filled excursion aboard one of the Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum's most popular train rides! Passengers will board the train at the depot in North Judson and take a quick trip out across the Kankakee River bridge at English Lake before returning to town. Passengers will disembark from the train at Grasselli Tower. The younger passengers (ages 2 to 12) will participate in our Easter Egg Hunt. For tix and more info: https://www.hoosiervalley.org/ 


IF YOU WANT TO GET INKED: Check out the Chicago Tattoo Arts Convention Rosemont! Villain Arts has grown from a single tattoo convention in Philadelphia into the largest tattoo festival organizer in the world. Today, they host more than 30 shows across the United States each year, creating spaces where world-class artists, collectors, and fans come together to celebrate the art of tattooing. For tix and more info: https://villainarts.com/


IF YOU WANT TO GET WILD: Check out Brookfield Zoo's The Glow Wild Lantern Festival . The zoo transforms the night into a glowing celebration of art, culture, and conservation. Wander illuminated pathways surrounded by handcrafted lanterns inspired by wildlife, global traditions and mythical worlds. This breathtaking outdoor experience is perfect for families, couples and anyone who loves immersive nighttime events. For  tix and more info: https://www.brookfieldzoo.org/

IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR FAMILY FUN: Check out the Easter Train Ride &amp; Hunt at the Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum! Hop aboard the Easter Train and enjoy a fun-filled excursion aboard one of the Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum's most popular train rides! Passengers will board the train at the depot in North Judson and take a quick trip out across the Kankakee River bridge at English Lake before returning to town. Passengers will disembark from the train at Grasselli Tower. The younger passengers (ages 2 to 12) will participate in our Easter Egg Hunt. For tix and more info:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hoosiervalley.org/">https://www.hoosiervalley.org/</a>&nbsp;
 IF YOU WANT TO GET INKED: Check out the Chicago Tattoo Arts Convention Rosemont! Villain Arts has grown from a single tattoo convention in Philadelphia into the largest tattoo festival organizer in the world. Today, they host more than 30 shows across the United States each year, creating spaces where world-class artists, collectors, and fans come together to celebrate the art of tattooing. For tix and more info:&nbsp;<a href="https://villainarts.com/">https://villainarts.com/</a>
 IF YOU WANT TO GET WILD: Check out Brookfield Zoo's The Glow Wild Lantern Festival . The zoo transforms the night into a glowing celebration of art, culture, and conservation. Wander illuminated pathways surrounded by handcrafted lanterns inspired by wildlife, global traditions and mythical worlds. This breathtaking outdoor experience is perfect for families, couples and anyone who loves immersive nighttime events. For&nbsp; tix and more info:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.brookfieldzoo.org/" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="2">https://www.brookfieldzoo.org/</a>

SOCIAL STEPH - 03/19/2026 - Spring is here and Chicago is blooming! Here's what's happening this weekend:

☘️ IF YOU WANT TO GET SCARED: Check out the "St. Patrick's" Haunted House Event at Disturbia Haunted House in Downers Grove. The devilishly deceiving leprechauns have been unleashed and YOU will be challenged to collect the prized coins, avoid the nasty little creatures hiding behind every corner, and escape with your pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. For tix and more info: https://hauntedhousedisturbia.com/


☘️IF YOU WANT TO GET UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL WITH THE CHICAGO RIVER: Join First Lady for their annual St. Patrick's Day Clover Cruise and witness the dyeing of the Chicago River in spectacular fashion! Don your best green attire and get ready to shake your shamrocks for a whale of a good time as you eat, drink and be merry from the comfort of our luxurious vessels. For tix and more info: https://firstlady.com/cruises/


☘️IF YOU WANT TO PARTY LIKE A SOUTHSIDER: Check out the Southside Irish Parade on SUN, MARCH 15th! This southside tradition started in 1979 and rolls rain or shine! For more info: https://southsideirishparade.org/

☘️&nbsp;IF YOU WANT TO GET SCARED: Check out the&nbsp;"St. Patrick's" Haunted House Event at Disturbia Haunted House in Downers Grove. The devilishly deceiving leprechauns have been unleashed and YOU will be challenged to collect the prized coins, avoid the nasty little creatures hiding behind every corner, and escape with your pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. For tix and more info:&nbsp;<a href="https://hauntedhousedisturbia.com/">https://hauntedhousedisturbia.com/</a>
 ☘️IF YOU WANT TO GET UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL WITH THE CHICAGO RIVER:&nbsp;Join First Lady for their annual St. Patrick's Day Clover Cruise and witness the dyeing of the Chicago River in spectacular fashion! Don your best green attire and get ready to shake your shamrocks for a whale of a good time as you eat, drink and be merry from the comfort of our luxurious vessels. For tix and more info:&nbsp;<a href="https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Ffirstlady.com%2Fcruises%2F&amp;data=05%7C02%7CMichael.Garay%40cumulus.com%7Cc06b44c3c8c040c820ff08de8106c8bc%7Ce5d6709fbecf4b058cee37f5a62617c4%7C0%7C0%7C639090063319960754%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=51uU07NaCV9n7cYfkA8v4FIxDsfEfd7ko5UmPPO8zhw%3D&amp;reserved=0" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="1">https://firstlady.com/cruises/</a>
 ☘️IF YOU WANT TO PARTY LIKE A SOUTHSIDER: Check out the Southside Irish Parade on SUN, MARCH 15th! This southside tradition started in 1979 and rolls rain or shine! For more info:&nbsp;<a href="https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fsouthsideirishparade.org%2F&amp;data=05%7C02%7CMichael.Garay%40cumulus.com%7Cc06b44c3c8c040c820ff08de8106c8bc%7Ce5d6709fbecf4b058cee37f5a62617c4%7C0%7C0%7C639090063319984002%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=ctwQHOE9gV12QQHEosCs%2B8K%2F6nsqv2EWKCl5%2FPlsrc4%3D&amp;reserved=0" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="2">https://southsideirishparade.org/</a>

SOCIAL STEPH - 03/13/2026 - ☘️You're in luck. It's St. Patrick's Weekend in Chicago and there are tons of ways to celebrate☘️:

IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR SWEET FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY: Check out the Maple Sugar Time Festival at Indiana Dunes National Park this Saturday and Sunday! Enjoy a sweet taste of spring during the 49th annual Maple Sugar Time festival. Take a self-guided tour of the sugaring operation at historic Chellberg Farm which will be bustling with maple sugaring activities. For more info: https://www.nps.gov/


IF YOU'RE FEELING HANGRY: Check out the Haymarket Sausagefest on Saturday, March 7th at Hakymarket Pub and Brewery! Guests can sample a variety of encased meats and craft brews. Guest sausage makers and brewers will be paired up to compete for people’s choice awards—as voted on by you. For more information: https://www.haymarketbeer.com/sausagefest


IF YOU'RE FEELING SPORTY: Celebrate International Women’s Day on Sun March 8th on the courts at SPF Pickleball Lincoln Park and Irving Park locations with special programming designed to bring women together through movement, community, and fun. From beginner-friendly clinics like Her First Dink! to social open play, moms meet-ups, and the signature Smash the Ceiling Invitational tournament, this lineup welcomes players of all skill levels.For more info: https://www.playspf.com/ 

IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR SWEET FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY: Check out the Maple Sugar Time Festival at Indiana Dunes National Park this Saturday and Sunday! Enjoy a sweet taste of spring during the 49th annual Maple Sugar Time festival. Take a self-guided tour of the sugaring operation at historic Chellberg Farm which will be bustling with maple sugaring activities. For more info: <a href="https://www.nps.gov/">https://www.nps.gov/</a>
 IF YOU'RE FEELING HANGRY: Check out the Haymarket Sausagefest on Saturday, March 7th at Hakymarket Pub and Brewery! Guests can sample a variety of encased meats and craft brews. Guest sausage makers and brewers will be paired up to compete for people&rsquo;s choice awards&mdash;as voted on by you. For more information:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.haymarketbeer.com/sausagefest">https://www.haymarketbeer.com/sausagefest</a>
 IF YOU'RE FEELING SPORTY: Celebrate International Women&rsquo;s Day on Sun March 8th&nbsp;on the courts at SPF Pickleball Lincoln Park and Irving Park locations with special programming designed to bring women together through movement, community, and fun. From beginner-friendly clinics like Her First Dink! to social open play, moms meet-ups, and the signature Smash the Ceiling Invitational tournament, this lineup welcomes players of all skill levels.For more info:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.playspf.com/" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="2">https://www.playspf.com/</a>&nbsp;

'You can become a hero just by volunteering.' - PAWS Chicago's Mark Lukas on the Ray Stevens Show

PINCH HITTERS

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