Way of Lights, other holiday events filling up calendar in southwestern Illinois

Noon Thursday, Nov. 18, 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. For the week’s full list of events, visit bnd.com.

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.

Events

▪ Book Sale — 9 a.m. to noon Friday, Nov. 19. Tri Township Library, 209 S. Main St., Troy. Book donations accepted during the sale and on Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sponsored by the Friends of the Library. 618-667-2133.

▪ Children’s Home & Aid and ICCS present Coat, Hoodie and School Supply Drive Thru — 3-5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 19. Community College Center (outside of Children’s Home & Aid), 601 James R. Thompson Blvd., East St. Louis. Attention East St. Louis students and families – prepare for the winter and the rest of the school year. There is no pre-sign up for this event. A sign in sheet for all recipients will be distributed. No income information will be needed.

▪ 52nd annual Way of Lights — 5-9 p.m. nightly Friday, Nov. 19, through Friday, Dec. 31 (closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas and New Year’s Day — outdoor light display will remain open). National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows, 442 De Mazenod Drive, Belleville. Over 1 million white lights are featured along a 1.5-mile route depicting the Journey to Bethlehem. For additional activities and information: snows.org/wayoflights.

▪ Morning Star Free Community Thanksgiving 2 Go Meal Box Giveaway — 9 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 20. Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church, 616 Garfield Hubbard Blvd., East St. Louis. Due to the pandemic, Morning Star will once again provide what it calls a “Thanksgiving 2 Go” meal box to approximately 500 families from the East St. Louis, St. Clair County and surrounding St. Louis Metropolitan area. Each box will contain a turkey and all the trimmings a family needs to prepare a Thanksgiving meal. 618-397-9099.

▪ Scrap Metal & Electronics Drive — 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Nov. 20. St. Clair Township Building, 107 Service St., Swansea. Scrap metal and electronics recycle drive presented by St. Clair County. Free event, no appointment required. Fees applied to Tube/Box (CRT) TV/Monitors based on size: $20-$40. powerrecycling.com

▪ Girls Day Out Vendor Fair — 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 20. National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows, 442 S. DeMazenod Drive, Belleville. The market features more than 40 vendors, artisans, crafters and businesses from the St. Louis/Metro East area. Free admission. 618-397-6700 or snows.org/girls-day-out.

▪ Metro East Model Railroad Club Open House — 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 20. Metro East Model Railroad Club, 180 Summit St., Glen Carbon. Visitors are welcome to view the club’s trains running on their 18x27-foot HO scale model railroad. Free admission. Additional dates: Saturday, Dec. 4 and Saturday, Dec. 18. 618-476-9228, 618-531-1589 or trainweb.org/memrc/openhouse.html.

▪ Winterfest — Saturday, Nov. 20 through Sunday, Jan. 2. Kiener Plaza, 500 Chestnut St., St. Louis. Hours: 4-8 p.m. Fridays, noon to 8 p.m. Saturdays-Sundays, 2-8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 25. Extended hours are noon to 8 p.m. daily starting Monday, Dec. 27. Includes ice skating for all ages, holiday lights and music, cozy igloos, two winter markets, a New Year’s Eve celebration and fireworks show, and much more. For more information and updates, visit ArchPark.org/Winterfest.

▪ Senior Swing Timers Thanksgiving Dance — 7:30-10:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 20. American Legion Post 137, 109 N. Penn St., O’Fallon. Dr. Dee is the DJ. Wear Autumn colors for a chance to win a $20 prize. Open to the public. Admission: $12 at the door. 618-277-4540.

▪ Community Thanksgiving Service — 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 23. Central Christian Church, 1420 Illini Drive, O’Fallon. Special Speaker will be Rev. Jeffrey Roth from Skyline Church in O’Fallon. The public is cordially invited to attend this annual community service. A fellowship time with pie and coffee will follow. For more information, call Pastor Donald Andreasen, Pastor’s Network Chairman, at 618-632-5584.

▪ Eighth annual Thanksgiving Luncheon — 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 25. Faith Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall, 520 E. Highway 50, O’Fallon. This year the event is curbside to go. Open to all residents of Shiloh, O’Fallon, Scott AFB and surrounding areas. All donated food and cash donations not used that day will be given to the O’Fallon and Shiloh food pantries. 618-235-1588 or ofallonthanksgiving@gmail.com.

Games

▪ Metro Cribbage Club — 6 p.m. Thursdays. American Legion Post 365, 1022 Vandalia St., Collinsville. For more information, contact Yvonne Bright, 618-344-1521 or ybrightmail@gmail.com.

▪ Euchre — 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 19. Smithton Senior Center, 711 S. Main St., Smithton. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Partner night. Only store bought, individually wrapped items can be brought for snacks. Water and soda available for purchase. Questions call 618-791-8769 or 618-698-3785.

Theater/Concerts

▪ The Hett Film Art Series: ‘My Octopus Teacher’ (2020) — 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 18. Russel E. and Fern M. Hettenhausen Center for the Arts, 400 N. Alton St., Lebanon. A filmmaker forges an unusual friendship with an octopus living in a South African kelp forest, learning as the animal shares the mysteries of her world. Rated G. 1 hour, 30 minutes. Screen Talk host: Dr. Brenda Boudreau, professor of English. Admission is free. 618-537-6863 or thehett.com.

▪ St. Louis Symphony Orchestra: Schubert’s Great Symphony — 10:30 a.m. Friday, Nov. 19, and 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 20. Powell Hall, 718 N. Grand Blvd., St. Louis. Conductor David Danzmayr makes his SLSO debut with music that lives in the ambiguity of human emotions. Franz Schubert’s Symphony No. 9 wavers between light and shadow, between joy and pain. The SLSO gives the U.S. premiere of Anna Clyne’s “PIVOT,” music looking inward, toward a glowing core. Violinist Simone Porter finds vulnerability and spontaneity in the warmth of Max Bruch’s “Scottish Fantasy.” For tickets and information, visit slso.org.

▪ Alexis Cole: ‘The search for the next great jazz singer is over ...’ — 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 19. Blue Strawberry Showroom & Lounge, 364 N. Boyle Ave., St. Louis. Tickets start at $20. Vaccination or negative COVID test within 72 hours required for entry. bluestrawberrystl.com

▪ The Philharmonic Society of Belleville and the Belleville School of Ballet present ‘The Nutcracker’ — 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 20, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 21. Love Church (formerly Scottish Rite), 1549 Frank Scott Parkway West, Belleville. Tickets are $25 each. bellevillephilharmonic.org

▪ Denise Thimes: In Concert — 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 20. Blue Strawberry Showroom & Lounge, 364 N. Boyle Ave., St. Louis. Tickets start at $25. Vaccination or negative COVID test within 72 hours required for entry. bluestrawberrystl.com

▪ Java Jived: Cooler Temps and Hot Jazz — 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 21. Blue Strawberry Showroom & Lounge, 364 N. Boyle Ave., St. Louis. Tickets start at $15. Vaccination or negative COVID test within 72 hours required for entry. bluestrawberrystl.com

Clubs & Support Groups

▪ Highland Garden Club — 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 18. Korte Rec Center, 1 Nagel Drive, Highland. Final meeting for 2021. Master Gardener Nancy Hediger will present “Bulbs: Basics, Myths and Truths.” Guests always welcome.

▪ National Alliance on Mental Illness Southwestern Illinois (NAMI SWI) — 7-8:30 p.m. Thursdays. Online via Zoom. Virtual support meetings for family members and other caregivers of individuals with mental illness. Meetings are peer-led and rely on the knowledge and experiences of the group to help one another. Registration is required in order to receive the link to these meetings. For more information or to register, contact Pat Rudloff at silverlining6@charter.net.

▪ Stitchin’ in the Stacks — 2-4 p.m. Fridays. Glen Carbon Centennial Library, 198 S. Main St., Glen Carbon. Do you like to knit? Crochet? Embroider? Whatever your passion, gather and socialize with others who share your interest, and perhaps pick-up a few tips and tricks as you work on your own creations. Please bring your crafting supplies. This is a self-directed program; there is no instructor. Snacks allowed. glencarbonlibrary.org

▪ GriefShare Seminar/Support Group — 6-7:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Dec. 7. 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. Featuring practical suggestions and reassurance through video interviews with counselors, grief experts and others. There are 14 total sessions; join any time. Cost: $15 for the workbook. For information or to register: 618-344-3151 or lcookparishnurse@charter.net.

▪ Parents of Addicted Loved Ones — 7-8:30 p.m. Tuesdays. Online via Zoom. The PAL group provides education, support and hope to family members and loved ones of someone who has an addiction of substance use disorder. If you would like to join the teleconference, please call/text 618-567-6095 or email craigloddeke@yahoo.com. palgroup.org

▪ O’Fallon Sunrise Rotary Meeting — 6:45 a.m. Wednesdays. O’Fallon Township Building, 801 E. State St., O’Fallon. 618-210-8156 or ofallonsunriserotary.org

▪ Granite City Senior Social Club Christmas Bingo Party — 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 5. St. John UCC, 2901 Nameoki Road, Granite City. Doors open at 12:30 p.m. Admission is $1. Get four cards for $1. Includes trivia, sing-along, 50/50 and refreshments. Seniors ages 50 and over, disabled are welcome to participate. RSVP 618-444-6771.

Food

▪ O’Fallon K of C Fish Fry — 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 4-7 p.m. Fridays. Knights of Columbus Hall, 402 E. U.S. 50, O’Fallon. Traditional menu of cod available along with hamburgers, hot dogs, pork steaks and additional side dishes. Dine-in and carryout. Credit cards accepted. Orders can be called in at 618-632-6229.

▪ Mascoutah Fish Fry — 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5-8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 19. Mascoutah VFW Post 7682, 620 Donaphan St., Mascoutah. Call 618-566-2288 to order.

▪ 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. Open for carryout, call-in and dine-in orders. 618-222-7171. facebook.com/swanseafishstand

▪ Collinsville American Legion Fish Fry — 3-7:45 p.m. Fridays. Collinsville American Legion, 1022 Vandalia St., Collinsville. Curbside delivery and dine-in. Cash or check only. Place a curbside order by calling 618-345-2508. facebook.com/legionpst365

▪ Highland Fish Fry — 4-7 p.m. Fridays. VFW Post 5694, 1900 VFW Road, Highland. Fish, chicken, shrimp, sides. Carryout and limited indoor dining. Masks required for customers going through the serving line. No call-in orders. facebook.com/vfwpost5694

▪ Millstadt Fish Fry — 4-8 p.m. Fridays. Millstadt VFW Post, 200 Veterans Drive, Millstadt. Eat in or carryout. Call ahead for carryout. 618-476-1180.

▪ Aviston Legion Fish Fry — 4:30-7 p.m. Fridays. American Legion Post 1239, 601 S. Clinton, Aviston. Cod (baked or fried), catfish, shrimp, chicken strips, fries, baked potato, slaw, applesauce. Dine-in and carryout. 618-228-7311. avistonlegion.com

▪ Glen Carbon American Legion Post 435 Fish Fry — 4:30-8 p.m. Fridays. American Legion Post 435, 190 S. Main St., Glen Carbon. Limited menu of dinners and sandwiches, catfish, cod, Alaskan white fish and chicken strips, slaw and fries. Dinners: $11, sandwiches: $8, sides: $2.50 each. Curbside/Carryout service. 618-288-7119.

▪ Shiloh Eagles Fish Fry — 5-7 p.m. Fridays. Shiloh Eagles 545, 100 Eagle Drive, Shiloh. Cod, walleye, catfish, shrimp and sides. Full menu. Dine-in or carryout available. For carryout, call 618-624-5412.

▪ O’Fallon Moose Lodge 2608 BBQ — 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 20. American Legion Post 137, 109 N. Penn, O’Fallon. Menu includes brats, pulled pork sandwiches, pork steak sandwiches, jumbo turkey legs, plages, sides of coleslaw, potato salad and baked beans. Dine in or carryout. Proceeds will be donated to the O’Fallon High School Hockey Team. 618-632-8879.

Reservations Required

▪ Virtual Saturday Morning Yoga — 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 20. Online via Zoom. Get fit and healthy when you join us for an energizing session of yoga with instructor Sarah Hartwig. Register at glencarbonlibrary.org.

▪ Winter Jewels: An Enchanted Celebration — 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays-Sundays from Tuesday, Nov. 23, to Friday, Dec. 31 (closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day). Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House, 15050 Faust Park, Chesterfield, Missouri. Enjoy the Tropical Conservatory filled with elaborate fairy gardens, home to the guardians of our jewel-toned butterflies. Discover nature’s gems in the Chrysalis Jewel Mine, make new friends in the Gnome Forest, and meet enchanted animals throughout this colorful land. Advanced registration required: missouribotanicalgarden.org

▪ St. Clair County Office on Aging Exercise Classes — 10:30-11:45 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. 201 N. Church St., Belleville. Tracie Renschen, who has a Masters in Kinesiology, (the study of mechanics of body movement) leads this exercise class to focus on strengthening the various muscles of the body, helping with balance and arthritis. Cost: $3 per class. Call 618-234-4410, Mary (ext. 7034) or Susan (ext. 7044) if you will be attending the class.

This story was originally published November 17, 2021 at 9:00 AM.