Yes, it’s time for the Santa Parade. Here’s what else is going on this week

Noon Thursday, Nov. 28, is the deadline to appear in next week’s What’s Happening. We must receive your event in writing with a contact phone number for questions. Due to the large number of submissions, events may run only one time in print, will be edited and appear in the week before the event date.

Email: lifestyle@bnd.com. Mail to: Lifestyle, Belleville News-Democrat, P.O. Box 427, Belleville, IL 62222-0427. Questions, call Jennifer Green at 618-239-2643.

Holiday Festivities

▪ Santa Parade — 10 a.m. Friday, Nov. 29. Downtown Belleville. The parade route begins on North Third Street. Find the map of this year’s route at belleville.net/holidays.

▪ 6th annual Belleville Christkindlmarkt — Friday, Nov. 29, through Monday, Dec. 23. Hours: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Dec. 16 and 23, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesdays-Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sundays. Closed Monday, Dec. 2 and 9. Authentic German Style open-air market featuring European vendors, German food/beverages, evening entertainment on Fridays and Saturdays. Free concert 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 30. Free admission. bellevillechristkindlmarkt.com

▪ Santa on the Square — Friday, Nov. 29, through Tuesday, Dec. 24. Public Square, downtown Belleville. Free admission. Photos optional. Sponsored by the Optimist Club of Belleville. For a full schedule: bellevillesantahouse.com

▪ Horse-Drawn Trolley Rides — Friday, Nov. 29, through Sunday, Dec. 22. 5-9 p.m. Fridays; noon to 6 p.m. Saturdays; and noon to 5 p.m. Sundays. First block of East Main Street., Belleville. Take a free ride through downtown Belleville aboard a 26-passenger horse-drawn trolley. View Belleville’s historic Public Square and the shopping and dining district from a unique point of view. No reservations. 618-233-6769.

▪ U.S. Bank Wild Lights at the Saint Louis Zoo — 5:30-8:30 p.m. select nights Friday, Nov. 29, through Monday, Dec. 30. Saint Louis Zoo, Government Drive, St. Louis. A wild, arctic wonderland with over 1 million twinkling holiday lights and festive family fun. Sensory Night, for individuals on the autism spectrum and others who may benefit from a sensory-friendly experience, is Monday, Dec. 9. For tickets and information: stlzoo.org/wildlights

▪ Christmas Candlelight Tours — 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 29, and Saturday, Nov. 30. 1820 Col. Benjamin Stephenson House, 409 S. Buchanan St., Edwardsville. Experience an 1820s Christmas during this candlelight event. Historically garbed docents discuss the rich history of the house as guests take a self-guided tour through the festively adorned rooms. Enjoy a cup of hot wassail, a sweet treat, a story or two, and a warm fire as Stephenson House ushers in the holiday season. Admission: $10 adults, $5 children ages 6-13, free for kids 5 and under. Tickets available online at stephensonhouse.org

▪ Lighting of the Fountain — 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 29. Public Square, downtown Belleville. Enjoy the lighting of the Public Square Fountain as residents and visitors enjoy holiday caroling. 618-233-6769.

▪ Christmas Wonderland — Friday, Nov. 29, through Sunday, Dec. 29: 6-9 p.m. Monday-Friday and 5-9 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. Rock Springs Park, 2100 College Ave., Alton. See more than 2.5 million lights adorning trees and lighting displays throughout the park. General admission is a suggested donation of $7 for cars and small vans, or $1 per person for vehicles holding more than 10 people. 618-465-6676.

▪ Millstadt Christmas Lighted Parade — 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 29. Parade start: Frontier Park (behind Subway), W. Washington St., Millstadt. Tree Lighting ceremony at 6:45 p.m. Parade begins at 7 p.m. and ends at the VFW. Family-friendly activities will take place until 10 p.m. facebook.com/events/2866983326664308

▪ Downtown Country Christmas Festival — 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 30. Courthouse Square, downtown Jerseyville. Food and drink from local bars and restaurants, activities for the kids, exhibitioners and vendors. Shop local at some of the downtown businesses. Visit Elf School, North Pole Post Office, the Holiday Hayride, or Mrs. Claus Bake Shoppe. Don’t miss out on the Rudolph’s Red Nose Parade, the lighted parade through the festival grounds. facebook.com/events/488910695029939

▪ Live Reindeer on the Public Square — 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 30; 1-4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7; 5-8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 13; and 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 22. Visit with Santa’s reindeer during the Belleville Christkindlmarkt. Bring your camera for a unique photo. Free. bellevillechristkindlmarkt.com

▪ Bethalto Christmas Village — 5-8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 30. Bethalto Central Park, 213 N. Prairie St., Bethalto. Celebrate Christmas with a stroll through Central Park with decorated, lighted Christmas-themed cottages, live music, great food, a visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus, holiday vendors and crafters, a live nativity scene, children’s craft area, petting zoo, barrel car rides and more. Free and open to the public. 618-377-8051.

▪ Maeystown Old Fashioned German Christmas — 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 1. Historic Maeystown. A traditional German Christmas with music, carriage rides, shopping, food, tours and so much more. maeystown.com or facebook.com/events/2513313085556823

▪ St. Clair County Candlelight House Tour — 1-6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8. Tour starts at Belleville Philharmonic Hall, 116 N. Jackson St., Belleville. This year’s houses span decades and design styles. There are three homes in the Olde Belleville National Register Historic District, one in Belleville’s historic Edison Place neighborhood, one in Swansea, and two on Belleville’s West End. Tickets are $20/person in advance and $25 on the day of the tour. Advanced tickets are available by calling the St. Clair County Historical Society at 618-234-0600 or online at cht2019.eventbrite.com. facebook.com/stcchs

Events

▪ Marine Toys for Tots — Now through Thursday, Dec. 19. Madison County is collaborating with local veteran service organizations and the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves to collect items for those in need this holiday season. Individuals are invited to donate new, unwrapped items at the Madison County Administration Building, 157 N. Main St., Edwardsville, and the Wood River Facility, 101 E. Edwardsville Road, Wood River. Items needed for veterans include socks, underwear, T-shirts, gloves, caps, slippers, throws and basic hygiene. 618-296-4554 or toysfortots.org

▪ Jingle Hike Challenge — Thursday, Nov. 28, through Wednesday, Jan. 1. Multiple locations in the metro-east. Jingle bells are tied to trees in 12 parks throughout the metro-east. Participants have six weeks to visit the parks, find each tree, take a selfie with the bell, and post the photo to Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram using #jinglehike. Participants can also email photos to treks@heartlandsconservancy.org. For each photo submission, participants will be entered to win prizes. More information and a printable map can also be found online at heartlandsconservancy.org/jinglecontest.php

▪ Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center Blood Drive — 1-5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 29. FCB Bank, 800 Beltline Road, Collinsville. bloodcenterimpact.org

▪ Art and Craft Fall Fair — 3-8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 29, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 30, and Sunday, Dec. 1. Belle-Clair Fairgrounds, 200 S. Belt E., Belleville. Kay Weber presents the 39th annual Belleville Art and Craft Fall Fair. More than 400 exhibitors. One-of-a-kind items for babies, children, men and women. Handmade Christmas items, furniture, books, artwork and much more. Admission: $4 on Friday, $3 on Saturday and Sunday. bcfairgrounds.net

▪ Cookie Walk and Craft Fair — 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Nov. 30. St. Mary’s School, 1706 W. Main St., Belleville. Event will be held in the school’s basement.

▪ Annual Fall Native American Holiday Market — Noon to 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 29, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 30 and Sunday, Dec. 1. Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site, 30 Ramey St., Collinsville. Purchase holiday gifts made by Native American artists and craftspeople. Unique and handmade items will include jewelry, paintings, herbals, weaving, baskets, pottery, metal work, sculptures and more. Free and open to the public. cahokiamounds.org

▪ Great Train Expo — 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 30, and Sunday, Dec. 1. Gateway Convention Center, One Gateway Drive, Collinsville. More than 300 tables of trains and accessories for sale. More than 50 exhibitors from across the country, enormous operating exhibits and fun activities for kids, including a riding train. Onsite admission is cash only. Admission is $11 for Saturday and Sunday, $10 for Sunday, kids under 11 years of age are free. gatewaycenter.com

▪ Abstract Art by Black Artists: A Collector’s Journey — 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 30. Saint Louis Art Museum, One Fine Arts Drive, Forest Park, St. Louis. Art collector Ronald Ollie will discuss his influences and the individuals who have inspired him. Featuring works in the collection of 81 works of art by black artists that Ollie and his wife Monique McRipley Ollie gave to the museum in 2017, as well as the artists, dealers and others who were pivotal to his development as a collector. Tickets are $5, free for members. Advance tickets recommended. 314-534-1111 or slam.org

▪ Kristen Tomlan: ‘Hello, Cookie Dough: 110 Doughlicious Confections to Eat, Bake, and Share’ — 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 30. Pi Pizzeria – Central West End, 400 N. Euclid, St. Louis. “Hello, Cookie Dough” is filled with recipes for cookie dough lovers at every age and skill level. All 40 flavors, spanning the classic to the wildly creative, are ready to eat off the spatula OR can be baked into perfect, chewy cookies. left-bank.com

▪ Belleville Fire Department Line of Duty Death Memorial — 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 1. Firehouse 4, 1125 S. Illinois St., Belleville. Honoring three firemen who died while on duty in the early 20th century: Fire Chief Fred Phillips (1855-1905), Hoseman Ransom Lewis (1878-1911) and Fire Chief Frank Dinges (1876-1926). 618-410-0121.

▪ Emanuele Fontanini — 3-6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 1. National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows, 442 S. DeMazenod Drive, Belleville. Emanuele Fontanini, a fourth-generation of family members now leading the celebrated House of Fontanini in Bagni di Lucca, Italy, will appear at the Shrine Gift Shop. The gift shop will offer the limited 2019 Personal Appearance Tour figurine, Eder, sheep shearer from the Fontanini Heirloom Nativity. Also available is the 2019 limited edition figurine, Sofi, the shepherdess. Collectors can have their pieces autographed. 618-394-6230 or snows.org/gs

▪ St. Vincent de Paul Drop-In Center Open House — 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, Dec. 2. St. Vincent de Paul Night Drop-In Center for the Homeless, 3718 State St., East St. Louis. Open house for this new facility. Opening of Center for the homeless at 7 p.m. svdpsouthil.org

▪ Free Sunrise Yoga at the Gateway Arch — 7 a.m. Tuesdays. Gateway Arch Visitor Center, 11 N. Fourth St., St. Louis, located just inside the west entrance of the Arch facility. YogaBuzz instructors lead participants through a 45-minute class to relaxing music. All experience levels are welcome. Yoga is free and open to the public. No RSVP required.

▪ American Red Cross Blood Drive — 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 3. Memorial Hospital East Community Room, second floor, 1404 Cross St., Shiloh. Must be 16 years or older, feeling healthy and well the day of the drive. Photo ID required. Appointments recommended. 800-733-2767 or redcrossblood.org

▪ ‘Binding Our State Together’ — 6-7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 3. Glen Carbon Centennial Library, 198 S. Main, Glen Carbon. A bicentennial presentation featuring the role transportation and communication has had in shaping Illinois’ history and character. Free and open to all. 618-288-1212 or glencarbonlibrary.org

▪ Allen Eskens: ‘Nothing More Dangerous’ — 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 4. Left Bank Books, 399 N. Euclid Ave., St. Louis. Left Bank Books presents an event with best-selling author Allen Eskens, who will sign and discuss his new novel set in 1976 Missouri, “Nothing More Dangerous.” This event is free and open to the public, but proof of purchase of “Nothing More Dangerous” from Left Bank Books will be required to enter the signing line. left-bank.com

▪ Queen of Hearts Fundraiser — 7 p.m. Wednesdays until the Queen of Hearts is drawn. Silver Creek Saloon, 2520 Mascoutah Ave., Belleville. Includes a 70/30 progressive raffle. Drawing time 7:30 p.m. Benefits Belleville East Lancer Bands.

Games

▪ Sunday Night Trivia — 7 p.m. Sundays. Global Brew Tap House, 455 Regency Park-B, O’Fallon. You and up to five friends can come test your knowledge with new questions every week. facebook.com/GlobalBrewOFallonIL

▪ Althoff Catholic Fathers & Friends’ Bingo — 7-10 p.m. Mondays. CK & L of I Country Club, 2800 N. Illinois St., Swansea.

▪ Bridge — 11:45 a.m. Tuesdays. Senior Center, 10025 Bunkum Road, Fairview Heights. Sponsored by Caseyville Township. 618-310-1289.

▪ Euchre Tournament — 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 3. St. Augustine’s Gym, 1900 W. Belle St., Belleville. Doors open 6 p.m. Eight rounds, 12 hands per round. Random partners every round. Cash payouts. Beer, soda and water for sale. Must be 18 or older. Cost: $10 per player. 618-972-7574.

▪ Cribbage Club — 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays. 1 Columbus Plaza, KC Club, Collinsville. Nine games played against nine different opponents. Yvonne Bright 618-344-1521 or John Bilski 618-398-1029.

▪ Euchre Tournament — 7 p.m. Wednesdays. Agriculture Building, Scheve Park, Sixth Street and Park Drive, Mascoutah. 618-401-8858.

▪ Holiday Festive Sweater Trivia Night — 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6. Bel-Air Bowl, 200 S. Belt W., Belleville. Doors open at 6 p.m. Silent auction, 50/50 raffle, “Sleigh of Spirits” raffle, $5 mystery gifts and tons of fun. Cost: $80 per table, no more than eight per table. Proceeds benefit the Signal Hill School PTO. For reservations or information, email kselliers@signalhill181.org by Monday, Dec. 2. facebook.com/events/477331286183733

▪ MindsEye Trivia Night — 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7. Althoff Catholic HIgh School, 5401 W. Main St., Belleville. Doors open at 6 p.m. Ten rounds of trivia, silent auction, raffles and fun games. Prize for the most festive table decorations. Costumes and ugly holiday sweaters encouraged. Cost: $150 for a table of eight. Individual tickets for $20 at the door. To reserve a table or for more information: abanks@mindseyeradio.org or 618-394-6442. Proceeds to support MindsEye’s mission: Translating Vision into Audio.

Theater/Concerts

▪ Vienna Boys Choir Holiday Concert — 2:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 29. Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis, 4431 Lindell Blvd., St. Louis. Kick-off the holidays with the delightful sounds of the Vienna Boys Choir as they bring their holiday program to St. Louis. For tickets: cathedralconcerts.org

▪ Christkindlmarkt Concert — 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 30. Northwest quadrant of the Public Square, downtown Belleville. 5:15 p.m. – Whiskey Raccoons. 6:30 p.m. – James Carothers. Free and open to the public. VIP tickets are also available. bellevillechristkindlmarkt.com

▪ Live Music by Roisin Dubh — 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 30. Casino Queen’s SEVENS, 200 S. Front St., East St. Louis. Free musical fun with the ever-popular Roisin Dubh bringing their talents. The Irish music duo is known for performing traditional Celtic and Scottish folk music in its own distinctive style, featuring the Great Highland Pipes, Ceilidh bagpipes, guitar, whistle, harmonica, vocals and keyboard. Guests must be 21 years or older to attend. casinoqueen.com

▪ ComedySportz Match — 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 30. CSz St. Louis, 524 S. Main St., St. Charles, Missouri. Outrageously funny improv played like a sport. A perfect combo of funny and sports creating an explosion of laughter and competition on stage. Tickets available at the door on online at cszstlouis.com/tickets. facebook.com/events/691802161291457

▪ Metropolitan Orchestra of St. Louis — 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 1. First Presbyterian Church of Kirkwood, 100 E. Adams Ave., Kirkwood, Missouri. Conductors: Andrew Peters and Wendy Lea. Program includes Kodaly’s “Summer Evening,” Shostakovich’s Chamber Symphony in C minor and Mozart’s Symphony No. 38 in D major. Tickets ranges from $20 general admission to $5 students. moslmusic.org

▪ SWIC Holiday Concert featuring Chamber Singers, Concert Band and Jazz Band — 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 3. Southwestern Illinois College, Varsity Gym, 2500 Carlyle Ave., Belleville. Free and open to the public. swic.edu/swicarts

▪ Free Holiday Concert: Starlifter Protocol Combo of the United States Air Force Band of Mid-America at Scott Air Force Base — Noon to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 4. Old Courthouse, 11 N. Fourth St., St. Louis. Local bands perform holiday tunes in the Old Courthouse Rotunda. 877-982-1410.

▪ SWIC Student Honors Recital — 3 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 4. The Schmidt, 2500 Carlyle Ave., Belleville. Free and open to the public. swic.edu/swicarts

▪ ‘Claimed’ 2019 Premiere — 6-9 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 4. St. Louis County Library - Prairie Commons Branch, 915 Utz Lane, Hazelwood, Missouri. A work of historical fiction about English colonists who find unspeakable beauty and bloody horror in American in 1587. Free admission. Tickets available at eventbrite.com

▪ Kaskaskia College Holiday Choir Concert — 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 5. Kaskaskia College Jane Knight Auditorium, 27210 College Road, Centralia. Concert in conjunction with the 2019 High School Honor Choir. Includes 10 participating high schools and 180 singers for the choir. Concert to feature traditional and contemporary holiday songs. The concert is free and open to the public.

▪ ‘Fully Committed’ — 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 5. New Jewish Theatre, 2 Millstone Campus Drive, St. Louis. This devastatingly funny play follows a day in the life of Samuel Peliczowski, an out-of-work actor who mans the red-hot reservation line at Manhattan’s number one restaurant. Sam battles coercion, threats, bribes, histrionics – a cast of desperate callers will stop at nothing to land a prime reservation or the right table. For additional showtimes and ticket information: jccstl.com/arts-ideas

▪ Dailey & Vincent — 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6. The Sheldon, 3648 Washington Blvd., St. Louis. Grand Ole Opry members and five-time Grammy-winners Dailey & Vincent spread Christmas cheer with a joy-filled show of holiday favorites from “Rocking Around the Christmas Tree,” “Jingle Bells” and “Let it Snow,” to classic carols including “O Little Town of Bethlehem,” “Carol of the Bells” and “Go Tell it on the Mountain.” Tickets start at $30. TheSheldon.org

▪ ‘Pride and Prejudice’ — 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6. The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, 130 Edgar Road, Webster Groves, Missouri. Opening night performance of “Pride and Prejudice” kicking off the Jane Austen Festival running Friday, Dec. 6, through Sunday, Dec. 8, throughout Webster University’s campus. Tickets for the performance start at $28. For the festival schedule and other information: repstl.org

▪ ‘A Stageplay Holiday’ — 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7. Dunham Hall Theater, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, Edwardsville. This production performed by StagePlay Learning opens the 30th season of A Season for the Child, the family-oriented live theater sponsored by the SIUE Friends of Theater and Dance. The play will provide a festive afternoon of holiday storytelling, designed for young audiences and appropriate for all family members. Admission is $7 for adults and $5 for children. Tickets will be sold in the lobby outside Dunham Hall Theater one hour before curtain time. 618-650-2294.

Club News

▪ National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Southwestern Illinois — 7-8:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 2. Call for Help, 9400 Lebanon Road, East St. Louis, first building on the right. Support group for family members and other caregivers of individuals with mental illness. 618-789-1198 or namiswi.org

▪ Polish American Ladies annual Christmas Luncheon — 11 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 3. Regency Conference Center, 400 Regency Park, O’Fallon. Christmas luncheon hosted by the December committee. Please bring unwrapped children’s Christmas gifts (optional).

▪ St. Clair County Garden Club — 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 3. Crehan’s Irish Pub, 5500 N. Belt W., Belleville. Celebrating Past Presidents’ Day with a Christmas party, cookies, and Christmas stories by local Story-Teller Mary Lu Bretsch. Members return their decorated mini Christmas trees for group enjoyment and then delivery to nursing homes. Sue Beach will have a study on dragonflies. Four members will deliver flowers to homebound friends, neighbors or ailing members. Visitors are always welcome. Contact Dianna McCoy to make, change or cancel luncheon reservations: 618-791-2246.

▪ St. Luke Luncheon — Noon Tuesday, Dec. 3. St. Luke’s Parish, 226 N. Church St., Belleville. Play cards or a board game of your choice and bingo. Enjoy a delicious lunch. Menu: turkey, dressing, apple salad, cake, coffee, hot tea, iced tea and water. Cost: $8 (includes lunch or lunch carry-out). Cards and bingo with prizes. Bring canned goods for the Food Pantry. In case of bad weather, only Channel 2 will announce the cancellation at St. Luke’s Catholic Church on the day of the luncheon.

▪ GriefShare Seminar/Support Group — 6-7:30 p.m. Tuesdays. Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Conference Room, Lower Level, 1300 Beltline Road, Collinsville. A helpful, encouraging seminar for people grieving the death of a loved one. Features practical suggestions and reassurance through video interviews with counselors, grief experts and others who have experienced the death of a loved one.

▪ Special Holiday Cookbook Club — 6:30-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 3. Glen Carbon Centennial Library, 198 S. Main, Glen Carbon. Every month come and enjoy exploring food with a theme. Take home the cookbook of the month and bring a dish to share. We are having a special Cookbook Club to celebrate the holidays. Bring any dish that makes your holidays special. 618-288-1212 or glencarbonlibrary.org

▪ International Women’s Organization — 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 3. Community Room, Eden Village, 200 S. Station Road, Glen Carbon. Program: Festivals and Holiday Customs Around the World: A Panel Discussion of Customs and Traditions. Annual IWO silent auction - bring items to donate for the auction. Refreshments — each person is asked to bring a holiday snack to share. 618-406-0259, 618-830-5804, 618-791-3341.

▪ O’Fallon Sunrise Rotary Meeting — 6:45 a.m. Wednesdays. O’Fallon Township Building, 801 E. State St., O’Fallon. ofallonsunriserotary.org

▪ Cook the Book: ‘Taste of Home Best Loved Cookies’ — 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 5. New Athens District Library, 201 N. Van Buren St., New Athens. Browse this month’s cookbook, pick the recipe that speaks to you, then bring it to the library to share. Enjoy what other cooks have made while discussing the challenges and joys or the food’s preparation. Registration required. To register, please visit the library in person. newathenslibrary.org

▪ Belleville Chapter of PFLAG — 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 5. St. Paul United Church of Christ, 115 W. B St., Belleville. A support, education and advocacy group for the LGBTQ community, their families and allies. Annual Christmas potluck. If you plan to attend, please call or email the chapter. Meetings are free and open to the public. 618-977-5078, bellevilleilpflag@hotmail.com or pflagbelleville.org

▪ St. Clair County Genealogical Society — 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 5. St. Luke’s Parish Hall, 226 N. Church St., Belleville. Holiday party celebration. Members are asked to bring a treat and a story about their family research to share. stclair-ilgs.org or facebook.com/SCCGS

Food

▪ New Shining Light Community Outreach Ministry 23rd annual Thanksgiving Day Dinner — 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 28. New Shining Light Community Outreach Ministry, 740 Broadway St., Venice. Worship service, 9-10:15 a.m.; dinner, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Free caps and gloves giveaway. Everyone is welcome. No ID to show, no questions asked. 618-530-2347 or 618-541-2534.

▪ Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church Thanksgiving Day Dinner — 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 28. Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church, 616 Garfield Hubbard Blvd., East St. Louis. A free community Thanksgiving dinner to ensure no one is alone or without on Thanksgiving Day. Free transportation to the event is available by calling 618-397-9099.

▪ Swansea Fish Stand – 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. 216 Service St., Swansea. Cod, walleye, catfish, shrimp and more. Saturday: fried chicken. 618-222-7171.

▪ Collinsville Fish Fry — 3-8 p.m. Fridays, Collinsville American Legion, 1022 Vandalia St., Collinsville. North Atlantic cod, whole catfish, sides, desserts. 618-345-2508.

▪ Caseyville Fish Fry — 4-7 p.m. Fridays, Caseyville VFW Post 1117, 415 N. Long, Caseyville. Fish plates, desserts, sandwiches, burgers and more. Bingo at 7 p.m.

▪ Collinsville Fish Fry — 4-7:30 p.m. Fridays. Knights of Columbus Hall, 1 Columbus Plaza, Collinsville. Eat in or carry out. Fried/baked cod, catfish, sides. 618-345-1492.

▪ O’Fallon Fish Fry — 4-8 p.m. Fridays. Knights of Columbus Hall, 402 E. U.S. 50, O’Fallon. Cod and tilapia, hamburgers, hot dogs, pork steaks, pizza and additional side dishes. Eat in or carry out. Now accepting credit cards. 618-632-6229.

▪ Shiloh Fish Fry — 5-8 p.m. Fridays. 100 Eagle Drive, Shiloh. Cod, walleye, catfish, shrimp, chicken wings. Eat in or carry out. Auxiliary bake sale for charity. 618-624-5412.

Reservations Required

▪ Plethora of Pens — 6:30-7:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 2. Glen Carbon Centennial Library, 198 S. Main, Glen Carbon. This writing group encourages each other’s creativity and gives support to one another’s work. Facilitated by Susan Carsell. Requires registration. 618-288-1212 or glencarbonlibrary.org

▪ Understanding Birth Class — 6:30-9 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 5, and Thursday, Dec. 12. Memorial Hospital East, second floor community conference room, 1404 Cross St., Shiloh. Two-day class for parents-to-be in the journey through pregnancy and birth. Cost: $30 per couple. Register online at mymemorialnetwork.com/events

▪ Gingerbread 5K Run/Walk — 8:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 7. Belleville Parks & Recreation Department, 510 W. Main St., Belleville. For information or to register, visit gingerbreadrun.com

▪ Understanding Birth Class — 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7. Memorial Hospital East, second floor community conference room, 1404 Cross St., Shiloh. A class for parents-to-be in the journey through pregnancy and birth. Cost: $30 per couple. Register online at mymemorialnetwork.com/events

▪ KC Men’s Basketball Team Christmas Camp — 1:30-5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8. Kaskaskia College, 27210 College Road, Centralia. The KC Men’s Basketball Team will host a Christmas camp for grade school players, in part to give parents the opportunity to Christmas shop. Open to boys and girls. Teams can attend for $85 and individual players for $20. For families with multiple players, the cost is $20 for the first player and $10 for each additional player. 618-545-3362 or 618-545-3182.

▪ 26th annual Festival of Trees Gala — 6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 11. Gateway Convention Center, One Gateway Drive, Collinsville. Enjoy an evening filled with music, cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and desserts at this adults-only, semi-formal fundraising event. Tickets start at $35. For tickets and information, visit gatewayfestivaloftrees.eventbrite.com

▪ Mentoring with Purpose: Holiday Outreach — Tuesday, Dec. 17. Shiloh A.M.E. Church Fellowship Annex, 815 S. 19th St., East St. Louis. In partnership with Burlington and Delivering Goods to provide free winter coats to needy families during the holiday season. By application only. Applications must be received by Friday, Dec. 6. Program notifications sent out by Monday, Dec. 9. Resources are limited. For applications or more information contact 618-434-9527, charlies.white@yahoo.com or greenleejanet@att.net.

Worth the Drive

▪ Green Gift Bazaar — All day Saturday, Nov. 30. Post Commons, 300 Alby St., Alton. This free, unique and earth-friendly event will feature all kinds of hand-crafted items, environmentally-friendly gift ideas, and a variety of work by local artists. Shoppers provided with sale info from other downtown retailers. Other features include interactive crafts for kids and a holiday light recycle drive. 618-463-1016.

▪ Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center Blood Drive — 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 30. Ted’s Motorcycle World, 4103 Humbert Road, Alton. bloodcenterimpact.org

▪ River-to-River Trail Society Hike: Burden Falls Wilderness (Pope County) — 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 30. Meeting place: Parking lot at Burden Falls, on Burden Falls Road, about four miles west of Delwood, Illinois. Leader: Kelly Pearson, U.S. Forest Service. All hikes are free and open to the public. Hikes vary in level of difficulty and are intended for people in good health who have done some hiking in the past. Bring own water and a snack. Hiking sticks and boots or sturdy shoes strongly recommended. No dogs, please. 630-470-7692 or rivertorivertrail.net

▪ Butch’s Polka Kings — 7-11 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 30. Hecker Community Center, 230 E. Washington St., Hecker. Public dance.

▪ Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center Blood Drive — 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday, Dec. 2. Granite City Works-US Steel Bank Building, 1951 State St., Granite City. bloodcenterimpact.org

This story was originally published November 27, 2019 at 9:52 AM.