Wednesday, Feb. 04, 2009

Around Town - O'Fallon Events and News

Pumpkin Patch
Downtown O'Fallon is once again doing the Pumpkin Patch. Costumed children can have their photos taken by the caboose. Market Basket will be doing a Halloween backdrop for the photos. The photos are free and children can Trick or Treat more than 25 stores downtown from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 31.

St. Michael’s Faire
St. Michael's Episcopal Church's first Craft Boutique and Second-Hand Treasures Faire featuring 10 shopping areas will be held from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 31 at the church located at 111 O’Fallon Troy Road in O’Fallon. The areas include "Beauty in a Box," Fine Items (jewelry, china, crystal, handbags), Kitchen/Glassware, Crocheted/Knitted Items, "The Man Cave" (electronics, furniture, tools, toys), Youth Room, The Bookworm (adult and children books), Pet Items, Bake Sale and Breakfast/Coffee Bar, and an Afghan Raffle. For more information, call Nick or Sonja Wartonick at 628-0858 or visit the Web site www.StMichaelsOfallon.org.

Halloween Safe Stop
The Village of Shiloh and Shiloh Station No. 3 Fire House is sponsoring a Halloween Safe Stop from 6 -9 p.m. Oct. 31 under the pavilion at Shiloh Community Park. The event will feature hot dogs, popcorn, chili and candy. If rain occurs, the festivities will be moved to Klucker Hall’s basement.

Musical Moments
Stephanie Mabry, Alexandra Billhartz, and Alexander Sutterfield are performing a public concert to benefit the O’Fallon Police Department’s special Victims Fund. The concert begins at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, November 1 at Blessed Savior Lutheran Church, located at 1205 North Lincoln in O’Fallon. A free will donation will be gathered. Refreshments will be served following the concert.

Masonic dinner
The O’Fallon Masonic Lodge is hosting a public BBQ Pork Steak Dinner from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 1 at 122 East State Street in O’Fallon. Everyone is welcome to enjoy the dinner of a large pork steak, baked beans, cole slaw, bread and pudding. Price is $7 per adult and $5 per child. For more information, call 632-3177.

Free car wash
John’s Premium Car Wash and Quick Lube in O’Fallon is hosting its annual canned food drive for the entire month of November. The program “Help John’s Feed Those in Need in Our Community” is offering discounts and free car washes in exchange for donations. Donations of one can spurs a $1 off coupon, two cans spurs a $3 coupon and any cash donation of $20 or more donors receive a coupon for a free best wash to be used at any time. For more information, call 624-9366 or visit the Web site www.johnspremiumcarwash.com.

Flu shots
St. Elizabeth’s Hospital is offering flu vaccinations for the public on Monday, Nov. 2 at Shiloh Senior Center, 6 Park Drive in Shiloh, from 12 to 1:30 p.m. Individuals must be over 18 years old to receive the flu shot. The cost is $25 (cash or check). Medicare covers flu shots with no deductible. Medicare Part B participants must bring their Medicare card and Medicare supplement insurance card. Those who belong to HMOs must pay cash and file a claim with their plan. For more information on these flu clinics, call 234-2120, ext. 1156 or 1270.

Assessor to speak to Pachyderms
Gordon Bush, St. Clair County Tax Assessor, will speak at the November 6 meeting of the Metro East Pachyderm Club. The club meets at noon on Fridays at O'Charley's Restaurant at 1313 Central Park Drive in O'Fallon. The public is invited and for more information, call 622-0405 or visit the Web site www.metroeastpachy.org.

Benefit event
Friends of beloved Opera House Restaurant employee Cindy Luehder are rallying together to host a benefit dinner Nov. 7 in her honor at the O’Fallon American Legion Hall, located at 109 N. Penn St. Doors open at 5 p.m., and admission is $10 per person, which includes dinner. Tickets will be sold at the door.

Band Booster Fair
The 29th annual OTHS Band Booster Craft Fair will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 7 and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 8 at the O’Fallon Township High School located at 600 Smiley St. in O’Fallon. Breakfast and lunch will be served both days and attendance prizes will be give hourly. Admission is $3 per adult and $1 for children ages 3-10. For more information, call Karen Sheesley at 618-670-6632

Veterans Day program
The City of O'Fallon invites the public to a Veteran's Day observance at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 8 at the Veterans' Monument, 737 East Wesley Drive, O'Fallon. The guest speaker will be Brigadier General Michael Stough, AMC. There will be participation from OTHS AFJ ROTC, VFW Post 805, Miss O'Fallon Nicole Lambert, members of the St. Nicholas Parish Choir, among others. The names of 34 newly-inscribed veterans will be introduced at this time. In case of inclement weather, the service will be held at the Public Safety Center at the O'Fallon Police Station on Seven Hills Road.

Library news
A free seminar will be presented at 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 17 at the O’Fallon Library by Sylvan Learning Center as part of their community outreach. Knowing Your Student’s Learning Style: Learn about various learning styles and how to utilize this information to help your child be a more effective student. Snacks and giveaways will be available. For more information, call the O’Fallon Library at 632-3783.

Driving course
A Mature Driving Course will be offered from 6 to 10 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 5 and Friday, Nov. 6 at the Township Building, 801 E. State Street, O’Fallon. The material will cost $12 for AARP members or $14 for general public and covers effects of aging and medication on driving, basic driving rules, local traffic hazards, adverse road conditions, and energy saving and accident prevention measures. The class has been approved by the Secretary of State in compliance with a law passed for an insurance discount. To preregister, call 632-3517.

Band Booster Fair
The 29th annual OTHS Band Booster Craft Fair will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, November 7 and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, November 8 at the O’Fallon Township High School located at 600 Smiley Street in O’Fallon. Breakfast and lunch will be served both days and attendance prizes will be give hourly. Admission is $3 per adult and $1 for children ages 3-10. For more information, call Karen Sheesley at 618-670-6632.

SpiritFest
The O’Fallon High School Panther Dome will be the site of the third annual SpiritFest Cheerleading and Dance Showcase sponsored by the Bank of O’Fallon and the OTHS Cheerleaders. SpiritFest will be held on Saturday, November 14. Doors open at 9 a.m. and the performances will start at 10:30. Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for students and senior citizens. The showcase will begin with a stunt competition followed by the cheer and dance performances. If you have a team or stunt group interested in performing at SpiritFest, please call 580-8263 for more information.

Hope for Heroes
Hope for Heroes is proud to announce expanded support of America’s deployed troops and Wounded Warriors located in and from the Midwest area this holiday season. Hope for Heroes is currently seeking tax deductible donations to support our military and their families, including those Wounded Warriors who transit through Scott AFB. Items needed are board games, playing cards, bath soap, both large and small personal hygiene items, powdered drink mixes, personal snacks, beef jerky, hard candy, gum, music CDs, movie DVDs, current paperback and hard bound books, hand held games, and small Christmas decorations. Items needed for Wounded Warriors are backpacks, socks, men’s underwear, (larger sizes) and new toys for family members of those who have been wounded.

We would also like to encourage cards and letters from area residents. The following organizations/businesses are recognized drop off sites: Auffenberg Dealer Group in the Metro East, Jack Schmidt Chevrolet O’Fallon, and VFW Post 805.

Hope for Heroes is encouraging businesses throughout the St. Louis area to collect supplies from employees and patrons to be mailed to deployed troops in Iraq and Afghanistan including America’s Wounded Warriors.

All items donated should be new or serviceable. Financial donations are encouraged to offset mail costs. For more information or large donations, call Chip Shaffer, (Wounded Warrior Parent) Hope for Heroes program coordinator at 618-567-5315 or e-mail grumman3@icss.net.

Corral of Courage
Texas Roadhouse restaurant in Shiloh is looking to honor all members of the military, both past and present, through its Corral of Courage. As a tribute to those who protect our freedoms, the restaurant is asking the public to donate memorabilia from all branches of the military and from local service men and women. The restaurant, which is located at — 1412 Central Park Circle in O’Fallon, is accepting sizes up to 5 x 7 inch photos framed in an inexpensive wooden frame, military patches, coins, flags and other military items from the public. The restaurant will unveil the Corral of Courage on Veteran’s Day, Nov. 11. To donate, contact Rachael Thomas by calling 628-8811.

Xi Chi News
The Xi Chi Chapter 5456 of ESA International met Oct. 7 and in the true spirit of Halloween's fast approach, the monthly educational was given in regards to the supposedly haunted mansion, The Mrytles Plantation in St. Francisville, Louisiana.

XI CHI is now selling personalized cookbooks to the public with all proceeds going to St. Jude's Childrens' Research Hospital. XI CHI's monthly meeting will be held on Nov. 4 at the home of Jamie Smith in Freeburg. For more information, please call 618-593-3488, or email at bootscutie@hotmail.com or access https://www.esa.xichi.org.

Bipolar Support
A support group is being formed for individuals who have been diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder and their families and friends. Participants will find support from others who are struggling with Bipolar and where they can learn about symptom management.
The group will meet from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month, at Blessed Savior Lutheran Church, 1205 N. Lincoln, O’Fallon. Call 632-0126 to register or inquire.

Scout items sought
The O’Fallon Historical Society is looking to expand its Girl Scout collection. The society is looking for any Girl Scout items from troops in the O’Fallon area dating before 1970. For more information, contact the society at 624-8409 or by e-mail at ohs@ofallonhistory.net.

Visit History
The O’Fallon History Museum is open free from 1 to 4 p.m. on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. For more information, call 632-5834.

Veterans’ biographies
The Veterans’ Monument Association is still accepting biographies and photographs of any veteran inscribed on the pillars, for inclusion on the kiosk at the monument site. Send biographies of military careesr, not to exceed 500 words, and photographs to: O’Fallon Veterans’ Monument Association, P.O. Box 403, O’Fallon, Ill. 62269. If you wish to have your picture returned, enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Any questions, call Jo Smith at 618-628-0451.

Animal Rescue
Spencer Animal Shelter at 1405 Highway 50 in O’Fallon needs donations. In addition to monetary donations, the want list includes dry puppy and kitten food; canned food for puppies and kittens; unscented clay cat litter; puppy and kitten collars; cat beds and cubbies; towels, bleach, dish or laundry detergent; newborn puppy and kitten dry milk replacement; puppy play yards (toddler play yards or baby gates), pet medications. (Leftover packaged medications accepted.)

Weight circles from Purina dry dog food bags and used or no longer needed pet items, in clean and usable condition, are also accepted.

Donations may be dropped off from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. For large item donations, call 632-7387.

O’Fallon TOPS
TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) will meet every Monday night from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, 504 E. Hwy. 50, O’Fallon. Weigh in at 6 to 6:30 p.m. TOPS is an international non-profit weight loss organization, providing information, motivation, and fellowship in attaining and maintaining weight loss goals as prescribed by a physician, with group support. For more information, contact Kathy at 624-8031.

VFW Fish Fry
O’Fallon VFW Post 805, 221 W. First Street, and its Ladies Auxiliary sponsor a fish fry from 4 to 9 p.m. every Friday. Dine in or call 624-2651 for carry out.

K of C Fish Fry
The O'Fallon Knights of Columbus and Ladies Auxiliary continue to sponsor a weekly fish fry every Friday from 4 to 8 p.m. at the K of C Hall, 402 E. Hwy 50, across from the city park. In addition to the traditional menu, oven baked salmon, barbecued pork steaks, and additional side dishes will be available. Dine in or carry out available. Orders can be called in at 632-6229.

Theology on Tap
The Theology on Tap group sponsored by the New Creation Presbyterian community in O’Fallon, meets at the Dandy Inn, 1030 Lincoln Hwy, at 7 p.m. on the last Sunday of each month. The gatherings wrestle with tough issues of faith and life in a “happy hour” setting.

Toastmasters Meet
The O’Fallon Toastmasters Club 994 meets each Thursday at 7 p.m. at the Community Financial Center, 800 S. Lincoln Ave. Each meeting gives members an opportunity to practice conducting meetings, giving impromptu speeches, presenting prepared speeches and offering constructive evaluation. Visitors are welcome.

For more information, contact the club by email at ofallon-officers@freetoasthost.com or by calling Louis Smith at 632-8089, losmith@prodigy.net.