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Brian E. Haas, who works on combines, tractors and lawn mowers at Mascoutah Equipment, received a placement proficiency award in the field of agricultural mechanics repair and maintenance at the national FFA Convention.

Kristopher Fudge submitted these photos from Pork with Passion held Oct. 3 in O’Fallon.

Residents and staff at Freeburg Care Center celebrated Mardi Gras at their annual family picnic on September 13th.

Students from West Junior High recently participated in an intiative aimed at promoting service and volunteerism. Several students, along with a member of the West Junior High faculty, joined some of Memorial Hospital’s Auxiliary volunteers working side-by-side planting bulbs and flowers in the courtyard at Memorial Care Center.

Command Chief Master Sgt. Bobby Dandridge, the cubmaster and leaders of Cub Pack 21, along with the Cub Scouts held a Veterans’ Day outdoor memorial service in collaboration with their weekly meeting at the VFW #4183, located just South of Scott Air Force Base.

The staff and residents of Bradford Place joined men and women from Scott Air Force Base and visitors from the community to celebrate Veterans Day together.

St. Teresa Academy’s class of 1944 gathered for a 65th reunion at Fischer’s Restaurant in Belleville.

East St. Louis pre-school teachers Paulette Spencer, Tamiya Spencer, Vanitta Garrett and Mya Dixon recently received Philanthropic Educational Organization grants to help them pursue associate degrees in early childhood education.

Sandra Magnus met with about 50 Girl Scouts and volunteers Oct. 17 at Southwestern Illinois College in Belleville to present them a council flag she had taken with her on her voyage to the International Space Station last November.

Sgt. Jon Brough on behalf of the Blue Knights Chapter XIV presented the Living Independently Now Center (LINC) with a check for $2200.

The award-winning Monroe County YMCA N-Spirit Hip Hop Team was invited to perform Oct. 12 at Walt Disney World.

Vietnam War Veterans were honored at St. Matthew United Methodist Church during its annual Independence Day event called Freedom Celebration.

The Belleville Township High School class of 1949 recently celebrated its 60th reunion at Fischer’s Restaurant.

In commemoration of Veterans’ Day, Margaret Tempel, of the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Granite City Chapter #1067, presented the chapter’s donations to Kevin Riley and Rocky Buchanan of Jefferson Barracks VA Medical Center.

The Fairview Heights and Freeburg Curves members collected Halloween items throughout October to send to U.S. troops serving in Balad, Iraq.