Galas, games and good grub in southwest IL on the calendar. What will you do this week?
Noon Friday, Jan. 20, 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 number of submissions received, events may run only one time in print, will be edited and appear 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.
Events
▪ Cozy Cider Cabin Pop-Up Events — 4:30-9 p.m. Thursdays-Sundays through Feb. 19. Eckert’s Belleville Farm, 951 S. Green Mount Road, Belleville. Transport yourself to a cabin on a mountain-side close to home at Eckert’s Farm. The Cider Shed was transformed to mimic a cozy cabin nestled in the woods. Snuggle up with a loved one by the fireplace, enjoy deer, elk and moose adorning our walls, and bear skin rug nestled on our floor. Wear your favorite flannel and be amazed at the transformation of the space — you’ll forget you’re on a farm. Cost: $5 per person. Reservations encouraged; walk-ins welcome. eckerts.com
▪ Madison County Updated Flood Map Open House — 5:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 19. Wood River Public Library, 326 E. Ferguson Ave., Wood River. Learn about your risk and how your property may be impacted. Hear from flood insurance professionals and state and local officials about what updated flood maps mean for their community. 618-876-6400.
▪ Tri Township Library Book Sale — 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Jan. 21. Tri Township Library, 209 S. Main St., Troy. Book donations accepted during the book sale and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesdays. During inclement weather, call the library at 618-667-2133 after 9 a.m. to see if the sale is canceled. Sponsored by the Friends of the Library.
▪ Madison County Historical Society: History Harvest – Immigration and Migration — 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 21. Collinsville Memorial Library, 408 W. Main St., Collinsville. Current or former residents of Madison County are encouraged to attend this event to collect information for a future exhibit about immigration and migration to Madison County. If area residents know the story of how or why their family moved to Madison County and have documentation, the Society asks that they bring them to this event where items will be scanned to make their family part of the recorded story of Madison County. Participants will be given a USB drive with high-quality digital images of their items. Walk-ins are welcome but reservations are recommended. To make an appointment, go to: https://bit.ly/collinsville-harvest, email margars@siue.edu, or call 618-656-1294.
▪ Mississippi Meanderings 2023 — 1-5 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 21. National Great Rivers Museum, 1 Locks and Dam Way, Alton. River people need to get together, especially during the winter. What better opportunity than at the Mississippi River Water Trail Association’s January event where you and your friends can meet other paddlers and learn from some great river experts. Limited to 90 guests. For program details or tickets: brownpapertickets.com/event/5672573.
▪ Belleville Philharmonic Youth Orchestra Pizza Party — 5:30-7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 23. Belleville Philharmonic Hall, 116 N. Jackson St., Belleville. Come to the rehearsal and pizza party, stay for auditions. Young musicians can jam with the Belleville Philharmonic Youth Orchestra, share pizza and make new friends. To register, 618-670-8702 or byo@bellevillephilharmonic.org.
▪ Christmas Tree Recycling — Through Sunday, Jan. 29. Plant Land, Old Route 50, east of Breese; Allen Branch Boat Ramp, Carlyle; Little Prairie Nature Trail parking lot in the West Spillway at Carlyle Lake. All decorations, including garland and tinsel, must be removed. No artificial trees or wreaths. The trees are used to provide effective and economical fish habitat at Carlyle Lake. 618-594-2484 or carlylelake@usace.army.mil.
Games
▪ Euchre — 6:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 20. Smithton Senior Center, 711 S. Main St., Smithton. Doors open at 6 p.m. Partner night. Snacks welcome. Water, soda and coffee will be available for purchase. Masks not required. 618-791-8769 or 618-698-3785.
▪ Smithton Athletic Association Trivia Night — 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 21. Turner Hall, 115 N. Julia St., Smithton. Silent auction begins at 6 p.m. Cash bar, BYO snacks. Cost: $120 per table of eight. For reservations, call/text 618-550-0855 or email kfreimuth@belleville118.org.
▪ Belleville/Swansea Moose Lodge Sunday Night Bingo — 6:30 p.m. Sundays. Belleville/Swansea Moose Lodge, 2425 N. Illinois St., Swansea. Games start at 6:30 p.m. Early Bird at 6:15 p.m. Cards sold at 5 p.m. Open to the public. Bring a canned good for one free card.
▪ Metro Cribbage Club — 12:30 p.m. Mondays. American Legion Post 365, 1022 Vandalia St., Collinsville. For more information, contact Yvonne Bright, 618-344-1521 or ybrightmail@gmail.com.
▪ Troy Senior Center Bingo — 12:30 p.m. Mondays. Tri-Township Park, Wiesemeyer Building, 410 Wickliffe St., Troy. Includes light snack, cash prizes. No cost to play, no RSVP required. 618-667-2022.
▪ Friends of the Old Millstadt Water Tower Trivia Night & Silent Auction — 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 28. St. James Parish Center, 423 W. Madison, Millstadt. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Includes survivor round, mulligans, heads/tails, 50/50. BYO snacks, beverages. Beverages available for purchase. Cash prizes to top three teams. Cost: $120 per table, 6-8 players. Proceeds will help maintain the restored Old Millstadt Water Tower. For reservations call Betty at 618-520-3623 or Marianne at 618-719-1911 or email millstadttinman@gmail.com.
▪ St. Stephen Catholic Church Men’s Club Trivia Night — 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 28. Voigt Hall, 901 S. Main St., Caseyville. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Cash prizes for winning teams. Prizes to be awarded by “flights.” Includes 50/50 drawings, mulligans. Free soft drinks and snacks. Draft beer available for purchase. May BYO snacks and soft drinks. Cost: $15 per person. Up to eight players per table. For reservations, call or text 618-604-0600 or email stygar7@yahoo.com.
▪ Friends of the Belleville Public Library Trivia Night — 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 18. Althoff High School Heritage Hall, 5401 W. Main St., Belleville. Doors open at 6 p.m. Great trivia questions – read by MC Roger Schlueter – cash prizes, mulligans and more. BYO snacks. Soda available for purchase; no alcohol will be sold. Cost: $12 per person with 6-8 players per table. For reservations: friendsofthebellevillelibrary@gmail.com (confirmation by return email).
Theater/Concerts
▪ The Sheldon: Virginia Luque with Jubilant Sykes — 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 20. The Sheldon, 3648 Washington Blvd., St. Louis. Virginia Luque plays classical and flamenco music in a Spanish romantic style, combining extraordinary technical virtuosity with beautiful tone and musicianship. American baritone Jubilant Sykes brings a new dimension to the traditional career of the classically trained singer by drawing on gospel and jazz influences to deliver performances in differing musical genres. Presented by St. Louis Classical Guitar. thesheldon.org
▪ The Sheldon: Somi — 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 21. The Sheldon, 3648 Washington Blvd., St. Louis. Fresh off her triumphant performance as Miriam Makeba in the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis’ production of Dreaming Zenzile, vocalist, composer and writer Somi Kakoma, the daughter of Rwandan and Ugandan immigrants, discovered her musical identity traversing the cultural bridge between America and Africa. That sense of discovery continues to guide a career in which she has forged a musical signature, channeling the jazz, soul and the music of her roots. She will pay tribute to Makeba in this special concert performance. thesheldon.org
▪ St. Louis Symphony Orchestra presents: Grimaud Plays Brahms — 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 21, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 22. Powell Hall, 718 N. Grand Blvd., St. Louis. Stéphane Denève leads a World Premiere and SLSO commission by Pulitzer Prize-winner Kevin Puts, a St. Louis native whose music is “captivating from the start” (The New York Times). Glanert’s “Open Land” begins the program with a sound that’s recognizably “Brahmsian.” Later, Hélène Grimaud, whose “performances attempt, whenever possible, to shake up conventional pianistic wisdom” (The New Yorker), joins for Brahms’ First Piano Concerto. slso.org
▪ Chamber Music Society of St. Louis: A Visit To Vienna — 7:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 23. 560 Music Center, 560 Trinity Ave., University City, St. Louis. Includes music composed by composers who called this music capital home. 314-941-6309 or chambermusicstl.org.
Clubs & Support Groups
▪ Cahokia Archaeological Society — 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 19. Collinsville Memorial Library, 408 W. Main St., Collinsville. Meeting begins at 5:30 p.m. followed by a program at 6 p.m. The program is presented by Joe Harl from the Archaeological Research Center of St. Louis, titled, “Terminal Late Woodland in East-Central Missouri.” It will discuss changes which took place between the end of the late Woodland Period (900 C.E.) and the beginning of the Mississippian Period (1050 C.E.) in Eastern Missouri. Free and open to the public. facebook.com/CahokiaMoundsWorldHeritageSite
▪ Grief Share Seminar/Group — 2-3:30 p.m. Tuesdays through April 4. Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Fellowship Hall, lower level, 1300 Beltline Road, Collinsville. Weekly seminar and support group for those grieving the death of a loved one. Featuring practical suggestions and reassurance through video interviews with counselors, grief experts and others who experienced the death of a loved one. There will be 13 sessions that can be started any session. Fee: $20 for the workbook. For info or to register: 618-344-3151 or bklee54@yahoo.com.
▪ Belleville ‘Sounds of Harmony’ Barbershop Chorus — 7-9:30 p.m. Tuesdays. Union United Methodist Church, 721 E. Main St., Belleville. Men of all ages who like to sing are encouraged to attend. For info: Bob at 618-566-8674 or email RLCearnal@gmail.com.
▪ 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. Free and open to all. For info or to join the Zoom meeting, contact Craig at 618-567-6095. 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
Food
▪ O’Fallon 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, tilapia, catfish, hamburgers, hot dogs, pork steaks and several side dishes. Dine-in and carryout. Credit cards accepted. Orders can be called in at 618-632-6229. facebook.com/KnightsOfColumbus4239
▪ 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
▪ Aviston Legion Fish Fry — 4:30-7 p.m. Fridays. American Legion Post 1239, 601 S. Clinton, Aviston. Cod (baked or fried), catfish, shrimp, hush puppies, chicken strips, fries, baked potato, slaw, applesauce. Dine-in and carryout. 618-228-7311. avistonlegion.com
▪ Okawville American Legion Fish Fry — 5-8 p.m. Fridays. American Legion Post 233, 205 N. Hanover St., Okawville. Dine in or carryout. Also serving lunch 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday-Friday with a salad bar. Pizza made fresh and served every day. facebook.com/OkawvilleLegion
▪ 43rd annual Wurstmart — 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 22. Christ United Church of Christ, 26 N. 14th St., Belleville. All plates are $12 and include pork sausage, sauerkraut, mashed potatoes, green beans, corn and applesauce. Drive-thru or carryout only.
▪ Albers Legion Chicken Dinner — 4:30-7 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 22. American Legion Post 1026, 600 N. Bertha St., Albers. Menu: chicken, mashed potatoes, gravy, green beans, slaw, bread and butter, coffee tea and dessert. Cost: $13 adults, $6 kids ages 5-12, under 5 free.
Reservations Required
▪ Medicare Q&A with Jon Bergmann — 6-7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 23. Glen Carbon Centennial Library, 198 S. Main St., Glen Carbon. Bring your questions on how to register and what is covered when you sign up for Medicare. Registration required. Register at glencarbonlibrary.org.
▪ ‘Fully Human’ Video Series — 10 a.m. to noon Tuesdays, Jan. 24, 31, Feb. 7, 14. National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows, Visitors Center, 442 S. De Mazenod Drive, Belleville. Explore how our encounter with God profoundly shapes our understanding of what it means to be human. We will examine the multi-faceted Christian perspective on humanity’s place in the evolving universe. Based on the book, “Fully Human: Understanding Christian Anthropology,” by Sr. Sara Fairbanks, OP, Ph.D. Hosted by Fr. Mark Dean, OMI of King’s House Retreat & Renewal Center. We will also study our origin, purpose, goal and future destiny. Information and registration at https://snows.org/ministries/spiritual-programs/ or call the Shrine at 618-394-6281.
▪ Virtual Evening Flow Yoga — 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 25. Online via Zoom. A Slow Flow mixed levels practice that will lead you through a series of yoga poses that focus on strengthening, lengthening, and stretching. Requires registration. Instructed by Anne Hughes. Register at glencarbonlibrary.org.
▪ Virtual Saturday Morning Yoga — 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 28. Online via Zoom. Get fit and healthy when you join us for an energizing session of yoga with instructor Sarah Hartwig. Space is limited. Registration required. Register at glencarbonlibrary.org.
▪ CEO Glow Night — 6-10 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 28. Big Daddy’s 618, 313 E. Main St., Belleville. At Belleville CEO’s first ever glow night, guests will have the opportunity to enjoy a full night of socialization, delicious food – provided by Bennie’s Pizza, CopperFire and Nothing Bundt Cakes – and live music by Lil Sister. Tickets are $35 per person and can be purchased at eventbrite.com.
▪ 10th annual Heart & Soul Gala — 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 4. The Regency, 400 Regency Park, O’Fallon. Caritas Family Solutions celebrates its 75th anniversary at this year’s gala. The gala serves as the nonprofit’s largest fundraising event, supporting its mission of strengthening the social and emotional well-being of individuals and families in order to create healthy relationships, loving homes, and strong communities. Tickets are available online at events.handbid.com/auctions/heart-and-soul-gala-2023.