May 27, 2026 Local Stories in and Around St. Joseph, Illinois

5 questions with Brian Brooks

1. What is your favorite childhood holiday memory?
My favorite childhood holiday memories started each year at Thanksgiving. My mom had six other brothers and sisters, so she had a big family. We usually hosted Thanksgiving dinner and our whole family would come over. It instilled in me at an early age the importance of family, and kind of kicked off the holiday season for our family. 

And as a basketball junkie, I loved playing in Thanksgiving tournaments in high school. We played in a Thanksgiving basketball tournament at Lincoln and a Christmas tournament at Pekin while in high school. It created a love of holiday basketball tournaments for me of which I still enjoy going to today.

2. What is your favorite part of the holidays now?

Spending time with my wife and kids. Especially now having two of our kids be adults and living elsewhere. Great for Jen and I to have all 3 kids back home at same time. My favorite time of the year. (minus the weather!!)

3. What is your favorite Christmas song?

I don’t know that I have one. I enjoy listening to Christmas music in general during the holiday season. Especially the older/more traditional songs. I feel it helps remind us what truly matters in our very busy lives.

4. What is your favorite Christmas movie?

Christmas Vacation. We watch it as a family every year as a tradition.

5. What is your favorite holiday snack?

I don’t really have a favorite holiday snack. I probably need to stay away from all of them at this point!

Banner
Related Posts

Heritage Junior High Honor Roll

November 9, 2020

November 9, 2020

Thanks to Appl Sanitary for sponsoring our honor rolls! Heritage Junior High has released the list of honor roll students...

Get to know Mitch Schluter

April 1, 2025

April 1, 2025

Mitch is running for the SJO School Board. What motivated you to run for school board? I WANTED TO GET...

Get to know our Little Prince and Princess Candidates :Conor Schott

August 10, 2024

August 10, 2024

What is your favorite part of summer?Doing fun things and going to the trampoline park with Mimi. What do you...

How does a TIF work?

February 11, 2025

February 11, 2025

How does TIF work?A geographic area is designated as a TIF district. 


 Property owners in the district pay the same...

Senior spotlight Eric Poe

February 7, 2020

February 7, 2020

Every week we ask a St. Joseph-Ogden senior five questions. This week we talked to Eric Poe. Thank you to...

Getting to know SJO Senior Marching Band Member Collin Livesay

October 21, 2022

October 21, 2022

My favorite thing about marching band is being given the opportunity to create new friendships with people who I share...

5 questions with Republican Caucus candidate Andrea Schultheis Childers

December 2, 2024

December 2, 2024

1. What made you want to run? We’ve lived in St. Joe for the past almost 19 years and it’s...

Live at St. Joseph Village Board July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

We are discussing the community festival and fee structures tonight. There are no public comments. Asking for some details on...

Live at St. Joseph Village Board, July 11, 2023

July 11, 2023

July 11, 2023

Jim Wagner is not here. Jeff Van Buskirk’s seat isn’t filled yet. They approved the minutes, bills, treasuer’s report. An...

Live at St. Joseph Village Board, April 8, 2025

April 8, 2025

April 8, 2025

Tonight the board is discussing the fiscal year 2025-26 budget. They are also considering an update to the code of...

Live at St. Joseph Village Board, Sept. 10, 2024

September 10, 2024

September 10, 2024

They are discussing personnel policy updates. They are formalizing the on call public works format. SOLAR!!!! For the 400th time....

Treasurer looks to return property to citizens

February 5, 2026

February 5, 2026

Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs’ staff will be at the Saint Joseph Township-Swearingen Memorial Library on Tuesday, April 7, 2026...

Live at St. Joseph Village Board, Oct. 12, 2021

October 12, 2021

October 12, 2021

Thanks to MX electric for sponsoring our live blogs. Talking Splash PAD. I was late because I was shooting Oakwood...

Kicking it off: SJO football starts another season with lofty expectations

August 29, 2025

August 29, 2025

The playoff streak is at six seasons. Nowhere near close to the record-setting 26 straight seasons with a postseason appearance...

Comments
Leave a Reply