Learn more about the upcoming Human Library on April 30th at the Danville Public Library. Hosted by The United Way of the Danville Area, along with The Danville Library Foundation and Vermilion Advantage. It's happening April 30th from 1 to 3 at the Danville Library. 

I got to spend time today with Donnie Baker....well his creator Ron Sexton. What a wild ride, everything from finding out the truth about that boat Donnie is always selling to the creation of the Donnie Baker character and some wild information about the JFK conspiracy. You won't believe what I uncover!!  Ron Sexton, is not only the guy behind Donnie Baker he's also a super interesting, smart and sweet guy.  We cover it all in this addition of Tonya, First. 

I had the opportunity to visit with Chris Hightower about his comedy journey and his upcoming shows and projects! Don't miss the fun with Chris and his friends---really funny folks right here in our town each month doing shows and making us laugh. 

Here's an insider look at women in industry! An exclusive interview with Carol Wade from Watchfire Signs.

Everyone's looking forward to the November 7th premiere of Yellowstone season 4, and I was lucky enough to snag 20 minutes with the star - Kevin Costner.   He's currently touring with Modern West and will be in Danville, Illinois Ocober 27th, 2021, at the Palmer Arena.  

  Hi there! It’s me Tonya and I’m back (finally).  I had to take a break for a hot minute to deal with a curve ball in life. I’m back and I have things on my mind! So, here I am ready to share them with you. I find that transition from July to August is a hard one as we get closer to the end I’m realizing why….July … It’s kind of blah and kind of hot, you see that summer is half over and you see the end in sight.  Ok, ok and you’ve probably already taken that summer trip.  If you’re ready to hit the road again, I have some ideas for you and some places to check out. I’ve put together a little list of my favorite places and a website for you to go on and discover your own new memories.   Ready? Here we go….. A great place to start planning a day trip is JustARoamAway.com .  It’s a site created for YOU—by US!    With many places to go and all just a 3-hour tour (that’s a Gilligan’s Island Reference for those of us older folks) and just visiting the site is like a mini vacation that I take in my mind.  There is just something about the planning of a trip that you control, and an airline doesn’t that is fab.  At JustARoamAway.com,  YOU are in charge of your fun, I love it!  You’ll find inspiring things to do in as far over into Indiana as Lafayette, and in Illinois it covers Springfield, Decatur, Bloomington and right here in Danville.  Did you know they have really great zoo’s in both Lafayette Indiana (about an hour away) and in Decatur (about 2 hours’ drive)? I did not, but I found out on the Justaroamaway.com web site. Ziplines, rope courses, water parks…. yep, they have those as well. Museums and terrific outdoor nature excursions.  It’s cool to see what you can do and just remember there is no limit. You can do it all or just go tubing….or go to a lazy river at an area water park.  So, check out Justaroamaway.com and let me know what you think.   Taking a day trip? Love water? Feeling like going to the beach? Got a boat? Lake Shelby is fantastic. We travel the 1 ½ drive almost every weekend to go boating.  When we head out on the boat, we bring a fun lunch.  You can do it up---make a fun cheese tray, bring fruit and guess what…? You can even do chips and salsa. It doesn’t have to be fancy, just fun and easy. Now, you might be saying that sounds fun, but I don’t have a boat.   No boat---no problem. At Lake Shelbyville they rent pontoons, houseboats, jet skis and more down at the marina’s so you are set.  Grab the kids and your spouse and go. It feels like a vacation each time we go down there and the trip flies by.  The water is clean, clear and the nature is plenty. Plus, it’s a BIG lake so that’s cool.  We like to go to the Findley Marina---the owners Shawn and Mel are amazing and it’s been the best experience.  I recommend renting from them and stopping in for lunch at the Findley Marina’s resident food truck. Thumbs up!   Looking for wildlife adventure? Well, you can drive down just past Marshall Illinois and there is a small town called West Union---tell Siri to take you  to the Walnut Prairie Wildside. This is a wildlife sanctuary that gives guided tours of its AMAZING array of wild animals.  You’ll see everything from giant tigers to monkey’s and prairie dogs.  They have the largest snake I’ve ever seen as well as the tiniest monkey I’ve ever seen! At the Walnut Prairie Wildside, they have several cool bird habitats, and you get to be up close and really get to see these animals. Occasionally you can pet the animals---baby ones anyway, the big guys I wouldn’t want to pet.  Guided tours are $10 but you must make an appointment. Check out their Facebook page for information and to contact them.  The guided tour takes about 2 hours to complete, and you’ll want to tell everyone you meet about this treasure that is just a few miles drive.         Looking for some singing and dancing? The Beef House Dinner Theatre is a great place to see a dinner show! The food is great (that’s a given) and the performers and fantastic! It’s only a short drive and they have summer, fall, holiday, and spring shows so you will be able to find a show to fit into your schedule.  Here’s a word of advice, make reservations early if you see a show you want to attend as they tend to be sell-outs.  The holiday show is phenomenal, and you will leave feeling that holiday sprit for sure!  Couple that with a huge hot and fresh homemade Beef House roll that you cover in apple butter and it’s a win for you! Check out their website for more information it’s----Beefhouserolls.com---you’ll find the schedules and be able to get tickets there.   Danville is also home to some fun sports experiences; the Danville Dan’s Baseball team plays almost all summer and Danville Stadium is a fantastic place to watch a game. Every Tuesday is 2-buck Tuesday and that’s mean’s you can do a $2 buck beer, $2 buck hot dog, $2 bucks to get into the game. It’s a fun place to take a night and relive those day’s before we all had computers in our pocket all the time.  An evening at Danville Stadium with Danville Dan’s baseball is a slower paced night for you to kick back and enjoy. Maybe leave your phone in the car…   The Fischer Theater is another Danville treasure that’s so close, but you’ll feel like you are far away.  Go back in time at the Fischer Theater….enjoy a show on the same stage as so many historical icons. And if you are lucky, they’ll be showing one of your old favorite movies on the big screen.  This summer, for instance, I know the original Top Gun is playing and they are going to be showing Field of Dreams and I noticed the original Jaws on the marquee this summer as well. How fun to grab the gang and go see these movies as they were meant to be seen….on a big screen with fresh popcorn while seated in the balcony.  Plus, while you’re there look around. This theater has been revived to it’s amazing original glory and it’s worth a trip to take it all in and feel like you have time traveled into the Great Gatsby day’s I promise it’s so cool.  This theater truly leaves me in awe.   Be sure to make stops in our beautiful area parks and nature preserves.  Lake Vermilion, Kennekuk County Park and the Forest Glenn Preserve. Plus, we have Kickapoo with all kinds of water activities and trails. There is a lovely café out there by the water sports hub and some good fishing.  Go have a picnic, dinner on the lawn or listen to some live music at Kickapoo Landing. It’s free to enter the park and explore so go be one with nature and call me with the details of how relaxed you feel! So, these are just a few of my favorite road trips and local non-trip, trips.   It seems to me that it doesn’t matter so much where you are as where your mind is.  The places that I’m bringing to your attention are great for adventure as well as a break for your brain to relax, recharge and feel like you’ve gone someplace cool.  Again, without airplanes and hotel rooms----you can leave home and travel and then come home to your own bed for not a ton of cash.  In my book that’s a win for everyone.  Road Trips can give some of the best memories for the kids and for adults! There are so many places you can go and you’ll find them on the website Justaroamaway.com.  Let me know how much fun you had and remember……It’s TIME to start making memories again.  Are you ready? I am!  

Bruce Springsteen is an icon and beloved by millions, but even if you don't know the music of The Boss you can still get benefits actively listening to your favorite sounds. Check out how The Boss can help you with some life hacks!

I'm going to give you tips on a day in the happiest place on Earth---Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom! As a Disney veteran I can help keep you cool, calm and collected---Listen and enjoy your MK day!