Monday, Sep. 14, 2009

Belleville student to get limo ride to school, visit from Cardinals' player

We have a winner of the U.S. Cellular "Take Ryan Ludwick to School" sweepstakes: Miles Wilhelm, a first grader at St. Theresa Catholic School in Belleville. Cardinal outfielder Ryan Ludwick will be going to Wilhelm's school on Tuesday. The youngster will travel to school in a limousine accompanied by Cardinals mascot, Fredbird and receive a replica Cardinal jersey. The boy was selected from one of almost 2,000 entries from the bi-state area. Ludwick will hand out backpacks filled with a Cardinal T-shirt and an autographed baseball and will then participate in a game of kickball. Congratulations, Miles! ...

Halloween retail stores are opening for the season.

Tribout's opened its Halloween Annex at 58 Commerce Lane in Fairview Heights on Saturday. Spirit Halloween is open at 6104 N. Illinois St. in Fairview Heights. Halloween Express has set up shop at 6005 N. Illinois in Fairview Heights at the former Linens N Things store. You can find Johnnie Brock's Dungeon at 455 Salem Place in Fairview Heights. Also, Tribout's owner Danny Tribout plans to open his haunted house, called Screamatorium, at 1703 N. Belt West in Belleville soon during the weekends leading up to Halloween. ...

A new Edwardsville business is cleaning floors in homes and offices throughout metro-east. Grimestoppers launched its services last month and advertises its four-step cleaning process can remove dirt, grease, bacteria and grime from any hard floor surface and grout lines. They also can color any stained grout lines. To find out more, call (888) 864-4434 or e-mail the business at info@thegrimestoppers.net. You can also see more for yourself online at www.thegrimestoppers.net. ...

A Troy jewelry store is hosting a scavenger hunt. At stake is a 14-karat bridal ring set worth $5,000. In commemorating its 25th year in business, The Jewel Box at 199 E. Highway 40 will host this contest on Nov. 7. Participants will need to enter as teams of two to chase clues that will lead them to local businesses and landmarks. Couples who return to the jewelry store in time after having visited all landmarks and businesses will be entered in a drawing to win the prize. Rules and entry forms are available at the store's front counter. Call the store at 667-3973 to learn more. ...

Also celebrating a milestone is the Bank of O'Fallon. The family-owned bank has been in operation for the past 50 years and celebrated Saturday with food and live entertainment for guests. The Thoman family owns the bank at 901 S. Lincoln Ave. You can call the bank at 632-3595. ...

Belleville photographer Michelle Hudgins has moved her studio from her home to a new spot on West Main Street. You can now find Greenwall Studio Photography at 1901 W. Main St. Since 2004, Hudgins has performed freelance photography and has taken pictures for families, weddings, and is a photographer for Belleville West's yearbook. You can call her at 558-6120. ...

Frames By 3 has moved. Owner Janey Hamilton recently relocated her custom framing business from 122 N. Kansas St. in Edwardsville to 113 Court Plaza, also in Edwardsville. You can call the new store at 692-4488 or Hamilton's store in Highland by dialing 654-2030. ...

And finally, seasonal flu vaccinations will soon be available at local Kmart stores. The retailer is launching its annual walk-in flu clinics for consumers at its in-store pharmacies. You can buy seasonal flu vaccinations for $25 while supplies last. Vaccinations will be available 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Kmart Pharmacy at 1101 Belt Line Road in Collinsville and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 24 at the Kmart Pharmacy at 6525 N. Illinois St. in Fairview Heights. ...