Racial Harmony’s The Gathering, fish fries and more on this week’s southwestern IL calendar
Noon Friday, Feb. 24, 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. Submitted event info will be edited and run 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.
Highlighted Event
▪ Racial Harmony: The Gathering — 3-4:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 26. First United Presbyterian Church, 1303 Royal Heights Road, Belleville. Racial Harmony will present its annual Racial Harmony Youth Awards to recognize the achievements of local youth and the commitment and support of community leaders and educators. These awards are presented to outstanding students who have demonstrated the qualities of peacemaking, goodwill, harmonious interaction and respect in their schools and in the community.
Events
▪ Aviston American Legion Rummage Sale — 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 23, and Friday, Feb. 24; and 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Feb. 25. Aviston American Legion, 601 S. Clinton St., Aviston. Includes bake sales on Thursday and Friday. Brown bag sale Saturday. Quilt raffle, attendance prizes. 618-228-7311.
▪ Free Clothing & Miscellaneous Items — 9-11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 24. 1050 N. State, Freeburg. Free men’s, women’s and children’s clothing, toys, books, shoes and miscellaneous items. 618-539-5070. Sponsored by the Freeburg Food and Clothing Bank.
▪ ‘Cram the Car’ Food Drive — 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, Feb. 24. HSHS Home Care Illinois car, HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Hospital campus, St. Elizabeth’s Boulevard, O’Fallon. Donations of non-perishable food items and monetary contributions accepted. When donating, please check the expiration date of items and avoid donating expired goods. For more information about the food drive, contact Valerie Engelbart, volunteer/bereavement supervisor for HSHS Home Care Illinois, at 217-685-0702 or email Valerie.Engelbart@hshs.org.
▪ 7th annual Metro-East Sled Showcase/Showdown Fundraiser — 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 24. Poettker Arena, McKendree MetroPlex, 205 Rec Plex Drive, O’Fallon. This fundraiser helps raise money for Disabled Athlete Sports Association (DASA). It’s a fun event and we would like to invite everyone in the St.Louis metro hockey community to come out and support this event. Donations can be made online at dasasports.org/make-a-difference/donate.
▪ Caffeine and Chrome — 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Feb. 25. Gateway Classic Cars, 1237 Central Park Drive #1, O’Fallon. Cruise in with your collectible car or daily driver and bring your appetite. Indulge in pastries and coffee* (while supplies last). All makes and models are welcome, with plenty of parking space. This is a family and pet friendly event. Free and open to the public. facebook.com/events/1467388670415073
▪ World Wide Technology Raceway Job Fair — 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Feb. 25. World Wide Technology Raceway, infield media center, 700 Raceway Blvd., Madison. Many positions in all departments are available. Positions also are available at the Gateway Kartplex. Prospective candidates should bring a resume and identification. Please bring a completed application or your own pen to complete an application in person. To access an online application, visit wwtraceway.com/job-application.
▪ St. Louis Metro Polka Club Dance w/ The Rendition Band — 2-5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 26. Caseyville VFW Hall, 415 Long St., Caseyville. Enjoy some polka dancing with music by the Rendition Band. Open to the public. Admission: $10 per person.
▪ Saint Louis Zoo Job Fair — 4-7 p.m. Wednesday, March 1. The Living World, Saint Louis Zoo, One Government Drive, St. Louis. The Saint Louis Zoo will host job fairs in The Living World at the Zoo’s North Entrance for those interested in part-time work at the Zoo. In addition to summer employees, the Zoo is seeking applicants who have immediate availability mid-spring. Energetic, responsible and service-oriented individuals are needed for part-time positions, including catering and food service personnel, attraction operators, education interpreters, security beats, retail, parking lot attendants and more. stlzoo.org/employment
Games
▪ Euchre — 6:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 24. Smithton Senior Center, 711 S. Main St., Smithton. Doors open at 6 p.m. Snacks welcome. Water, soda and coffee will be available for purchase. Masks not required. 618-791-8769 or 618-698-3785.
▪ Nine-Pin No Tap Bowling Tournament — 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 25. Hi-Top Bowl, 212 Walnut St., Highland. Adults invited to participate in this bowling fundraiser. Event includes silent auction, 50/50 drawing, strike pot, door prizes, a raffle drawing for a cooler of adult beverages and a full cash bar. Tickets are $30 and include three games, shoes, all-you-can-eat food. Sixteen lanes with five bowlers per lane. Teams of five recommended, singles welcome. Proceeds will be split between the local 9U Illinois Gators and the 12U Mallards baseball teams for their upcoming seasons. To register or for more info, call Alicia 618-792-0004.
▪ Damiansville PTO Trivia Night — 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 25. Damiansville Elementary School, 101 E. Main St., Damiansville. Doors open at 6 p.m. Grab some friends and get ready for this holiday-themed event. The best decorated table will have a chance to win a cash prize. BYO snacks and drinks. Silent auction and 50/50 drawing. Cost: $100 per table, 8-10 players. To reserve a table: pto@dville62.com or text 618-314-3352.
▪ Child Advocacy Center Trivia Night — 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 25. Madison County Fireman’s Hall, 9510 Collinsville Road, Collinsville. Doors open at 6 p.m. Silent auction, cash prizes, liquor raffle, 50/50, drinks and popcorn provided, outside snacks welcome. No outside beverages. For more info or to register, visit madco-cac-org and click the Events tab.
▪ Jukebox Bingo - BASSC Autism Program — 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 25. KC Hall, 5420 Old Collinsville Road, O’Fallon. Cost: $25 per person.
▪ St. Teresa Quilt Bingo — 1 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 26. St. Teresa Parish, 1108 Lebanon Ave., Belleville. Twelve quilt games plus cash games, 50/50 and color ball games. Baby quilts, lap quilts, table runners for sale. Must be 18 or older to play. Sponsored by St. Teresa’s Perpetual Help Society.
▪ 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.
Theater/Concerts
▪ A Masterworks Weekend with Christine Brewer — 10 a.m. Friday, Feb. 24; 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 25; and 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 26. Hettenhausen Center for the Arts, 400 N. Alton St., Lebanon. For tickets and info about each event date: thehett.com or singmasterworks.org.
▪ Lift Every Voice: A Black History Month Celebration — 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 24. Powell Hall, 718 N. Grand Blvd., St. Louis. Join the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra and IN UNISON Chorus to experience the power of music of African and African American traditions and their influence on St. Louis and the world. This annual concert of reflective and uplifting music is one to celebrate with friends and family. slso.org
▪ The Philharmonic Society of Belleville presents ‘Nordic Legends’ — 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 25. Union United Methodist Church, 721 E. Main St., Belleville. Featuring the music of Sibelius, Grieg and Borodin with the Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorale. Guest piano soloist Isaac Fogel, music director Robert Hart Baker. bellevillephilharmonic.org
▪ St. Louis Symphony Orchestra: Music of the Rolling Stones — 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 25. Powell Hall, 718 N. Grand Blvd., St. Louis. The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra and Brent Havens perform Windborne’s The Music Of The Rolling Stones: Mick Jagger and Keith Richards 1969 to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of The Rolling Stones’s iconic albums Beggar’s Banquet and Let It Bleed. The SLSO will pay tribute to The World’s Greatest Rock n’ Roll Band with vocalist Mick Adams and a full rock band. slso.org
▪ Family Concert: Music Without Boundaries — 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 26. Powell Hall, 718 N. Grand Blvd., St. Louis. Doors open at 2 p.m. for pre-concert activities. Participate in a musical scavenger hunt featuring the St. Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra and get your picture taken on the green screen conducting the SLSO. Join us on a cultural adventure that will get you dancing in your seats! In this 45-minute immersive concert, designed specifically for children ages 5-10, you will become musical explorers as you encounter music from West Africa to China, the Balkans, Latin America, and the U.S. slso.org
▪ Poetry at the Point — 7:30-8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 28. Focal Point, 2720 Sutton Ave., St. Louis. Poetry at the Point on Feb. 28 will feature Kenytha Harvey, Maggie Bell & Samuel. Brought to you by Saint Louis Poetry Center, Poetry at the Point invites local and regional poets to Focal Point in Maplewood for an in-person and live-stream event. Poets will read from their work, followed by a discussion with the series curator Kenneth Pruitt. Reading begins at 7:30 p.m. at Focal Point, and will also be streamed live to Saint Louis Poetry Center’s website and Facebook page. Books may be for sale from the featured poets. This event is free.
Clubs & Support Groups
▪ Highland Garden Club — 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 23. Latzer Library Auditorium, lower level, 1001 Ninth St., Highland. Derek Schrof of Ball Seed Company will present “All About Seeds! “ His information about new plant products and helpful tips about planting and growing flowers and vegetables are welcome. The Auditorium can be accessed from any entrance. From parking lot, walk down the ramp to the Children’s Library Entrance, then to the Auditorium. Visitors are always welcome.
▪ 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
▪ Gateway East Artists Guild — 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, March 1. SWIC PSOP Building, 201 N. Church St., Belleville. GEAG welcomes St. Louis-based artist Sandy Haynes. Haynes is a versatile painter working in portraiture, still life, landscape, abstraction and plein air. She received her Masters of Art in Teaching from Webster University and taught high school art education for 25 years. She recently completed the 30-day Strada Easel challenge, posting a completed painting each day in January. At the March 1 meeting GEAG members will get a chance to hear about this prolific artist and her work in her own words. geag.net
▪ St. Clair County Genealogical Society — 7 p.m. Thursday, March 2. Online via Zoom. Program: “Gems & Junk: A Beginner’s Guide to Online Research,” presented by Board-certified genealogist, professional researcher, writer and genealogical educator Alice Hoyt Veen. Explore the very best and worst of online genealogy research sources and resources available to the family historian. The meeting is open to the public, but space is limited. Reservation information is at stclair-ilgs.org/events or facebook.com/STCCGSIL.
▪ Granite City Senior Social Club Spring Dance — Sunday, March 26. Granite City Township Hall, 2060 Delmar Ave., Granite City. Featuring: Frankie and the Houseshakers. Refreshments included. Advance tickets available now through March 19. Cost: $8 per person, $15 per couple or $10 per person at the door. For tickets and info: Diana, 618-444-6771; Marty, 618-797-6749; Granite City Township Office, 618-877-0513.
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 and several side dishes. Dine-in and carryout. Credit cards accepted. Orders can be called in at 618-632-6229. facebook.com/KnightsOfColumbus4239
▪ Waterloo VFW Post #6504 Fish Fry — 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Fridays. Waterloo VFW Post #6504, 406 Veterans Drive, Waterloo. Traditional Menu of cod, walleye, catfish, shrimp, chicken, chicken strips, hamburgers, fries, slaw, hush puppies, onion rings, fried green beans and fried mushrooms. Cash bar available. Dine-in or carryout. Credit/debit cards accepted. Orders can be called in at 618-939-7999.
▪ Swansea Fish Stand – 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Fridays. 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
▪ KC Club and Event Center Fish Fry — 3-7 p.m. Fridays. 5420 Old Collinsville Road, O’Fallon. Catfish plates, cod plates, barbecue chicken, fries, cole slaw, hush puppies, baked beans, potato salad. Dine in or carryout and drink specials. facebook.com/KCClubEastStLouis
▪ St. Mary’s Fish Fry — 4-6:30 p.m. Fridays during Lent. St. Mary’s Church, 1706 W. Main St., Belleville. Freshly prepared fish and choice of sides. Drive-thru only. Cash, credit/debit or check accepted. Enter the campus via 17th Street, order when you arrive and your take-home feast will be hot-and-ready when you drive around to the food preparation area.
▪ Highland Knights of Columbus Fish Fry — 4-7 p.m. Fridays during Lent. Highland Knights of Columbus, 12454 IL Route 143, Highland. Fried and baked fish, fried shrimp, chicken strip dinners, two sides from fries, cole slaw, macaroni salad, applesauce, plus hush puppies, bread, iced tea, coffee. Cash bar. facebook.com/HighlandKnightsofColumbusCouncil1580
▪ Maryville MPH Church Knights of Columbus Fish Fry — 4-7 p.m. Fridays during Lent. MPH Parish Center, 200 N. Lange, Maryville. Costs: $12 for two pieces of cod fish, choice of fries or onion rings, cole slaw (homemade), bread, two hush puppies (homemade) and a drink; $8 for one piece of cod fish, fries or onion rings, cole slaw, bread, two hush puppies and a drink. mph.dio.org
▪ St. Joseph Church Fish Fry — 4-7 p.m. Fridays Feb. 24 through March 31. St. Joseph’s Parish Center, 6 N. Alton St., Freeburg. Fried cod loins (plate, sandwich or pound), baked cod, shrimp, green beans, fries, homemade slaw, stewed tomatoes, mac and cheese. Orders taken in person or by calling 618-539-4720. Sponsored by the Support Committee.
▪ St. Henry Lenten Fish Fry — 4-7:30 p.m. Fridays Feb. 24 through April 7. Msgr. Voss Parish, 5303 W. Main St., Belleville. Fried cod, baked salmon, fried shrimp, cole slaw, French fries, onion rings, mac n’ cheese, hush puppies, spaghetti, soup, dessert. Cash or credit cards accepted. Dine in and carryout. No call-in orders. 618-233-2423.
▪ St. Teresa Men’s Club Fish Fry — 4-7:30 p.m. Fridays, Feb. 24, March 3, 10, 24 & 31. St. Teresa School, 1108 Lebanon Ave., Belleville. Fish, shrimp, spaghetti, sides. Sandwich or dinner plate. Dine in or carryout. facebook.com/stteresamensclubfishfry
▪ 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
▪ Friday Fish Fry — 4-8 p.m. Fridays. Millstadt Sportsmen’s Club, 4915 Schmidt Lane, Belleville. Cod, shrimp, walleye, salmon patties. Carryouts available. 618-476-1891.
▪ St. Joseph Lenten Fish Fry — 5-7 p.m. Fridays Feb. 24 through March 31. 901 N. Alton St., Lebanon. Fried cod, catfish, shrimp, French fries, cole slaw, potato salad, applesauce and desserts. Dine in or carry out.
▪ 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
▪ Quail Club Fish Fry — 5-8 p.m. Fridays through April 7. Quail Club, 8303 Concordia Church Road, Belleville. Cod cut-ups, walleye, shrimp, burgers. Sides and desserts available. Carryout available. No phone orders. quailclub.com/fish-fry
▪ Smithton Turner Hall Fish Fry — 5-8 p.m. Fridays during Lent. Turner Hall, 115 N. Julia, Smithton. Baked and fried cod loins in both plates and by the pound, grilled cheese, cheeseburgers, hot dogs, fries, baked potato, cole slaw, stewed tomatoes, mac and cheese and hush puppies. Plus desserts provided by the Smithton Turner Ladies. Dine in with plenty of seating or call in a carryout. 618-277-9690.
▪ St. Augustine of Canterbury All-You-Can-Eat Breakfast — 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 26. St. Augustine of Canterbury Parish Hall, 1900 W. Belle. Belleville. Pancakes, scrambled eggs, sausage, fruit cocktail, coffee, orange juice and milk. Cost: $10 adults, $5 ages 4-12, under 4 free. No family pays more than $30 (includes immediate family, high school and younger). Carryout available.
▪ St. Teresa Sausage Dinner — 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 26. St. Teresa Parish, 1108 Lebanon Ave., Belleville. Pork sausage, sauerkraut, whipped potatoes and gravy, green beans, corn, applesauce, dessert and drink. Followed by quilt bingo at 1 p.m. Sponsored by St. Teresa’s Perpetual Help Society.
▪ SS Peter & Paul Wurstmarkt Dinner/Pork Sausage Meal — 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 26. SS Peter & Paul Parish, 204 W. Mill St., Waterloo. Dinners $12 each and include pork sausage, mashed potatoes and gravy, sauerkraut, green beans and bread. Drive-thru/Carryout only. No quilt bingo this year.
Reservations Required
▪ AARP Tax Aide — 9-11:30 a.m. Friday, Feb. 24 (by appointment). Glen Carbon Centennial Library, 198 S. Main St., Glen Carbon. AARP Foundation Tax-Aide program provides free tax preparation assistance to anyone. IRS-certified volunteers make filing taxes easy for you. Call 618-288-1212 to schedule an appointment during library hours. glencarbonlibrary.org
▪ Ehtar Belleville F.C. Soccer Club Tryouts — 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 26. The former Belleville West High School and Belleville-Lindenwood Campus, 2300 W. Main St., Belleville. Ehtar Belleville F.C. Soccer Club will hold open tryouts. No cost to try out. Registration is required to participate. ehtarfc.com/tryouts or facebook.com/ehtarfc.
▪ Diverstory: Reading for Equity — 3:30-4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 28. Post Commons, 300 Alby St., Alton. Diverstory: Reading for Equity is a program designed to empower families so they feel better prepared to talk about race and racism with children. Hosted by YWCA and Post Commons, Diverstory is a free story time for children ages 2-10 years, where children and their grownups come together to listen to children’s stories about diversity and engage in conversations and activities about diversity, belonging, and race. Every family will receive copies of the books that are read to take home and continue intentional conversations about race. Register: https://bit.ly/3XGHUnE. 618-465-7774.
▪ Virtual Saturday Morning Yoga — 9:30 a.m. Saturday, March 4. 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.
▪ Beginning Strings — 4-5:15 p.m. Tuesdays starting Feb. 28. Belleville Philharmonic Hall, 116 N. Jackson St., Belleville. Registration is open for the Beginning Strings program. Students who have some bowed stringed instrument experience or would like to learn are welcome to join. There are two levels offered: A beginning level that meets on Tuesdays from 5:00-5:45 p.m. There is also a Level 2 group for those with some experience but may not be ready for the challenge of the Youth Orchestra. It meets on Tuesdays from 5:45-6:30 p.m. For information: byo@bellevillephilharmonic.org or bellevillephilharmonic.org/beginning-strings.html.
▪ SeaArk Catfish Tournament — Friday, March 3, through Sunday, March 5. Riverfront Park - Liberty Bank Amphitheater, Landmarks Boulevard between Piasa and St. Henry streets, Alton. The event features 75-plus boats during the two-day tourney. Final weigh-in takes place at 4 p.m. Saturday, March 4. Spectator admission is free. For more info or to register: twistedcatoutdoors.com.
▪ 2nd annual Shawnee Polar Plunge — 3 p.m. Saturday, March 4. Pounds Hollow Recreation Area, Gallatin County. Onsite check-in starts at 1:30 p.m. Say goodbye to winter and hello to spring in a big and special way while supporting the Friends of the Shawnee National Forest and the Equality Fire Department. Participants are encouraged to gather pledges from family and friends. After collecting, pledges participants donate the pledged money to Friends of the Shawnee Forest. shawneefriends.org/shawnee-polar-plunge
▪ Lucky Leprechaun 5K — 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, March 11. Downtown Belleville. Race starts and ends at Union United Methodist Church, 721 E. Main St. Belleville. Run through the streets of Belleville then head to the parade route to enjoy with family and friends before heading to the St. Patrick’s Day Block Party. For info or to register: https://bit.ly/416lHCo.
▪ Scripture Study Series: ‘The Day Jesus Died: The Passion of Narratives’ — 10 a.m. to noon Saturdays, March 11, 18, 25 and April 1. Shrine Visitors Center, 442 S. De Mazenod Drive, Belleville. The passion and crucifixion of Jesus are at the heart of the Christian faith. We remember and reflect on them every year during Holy Week. But what’s less widely known are the differences in the Passion narratives in each of the four Gospels. Each Passion narrative has its own depiction of Jesus, and its own theological emphasis. In this four-part series we will take a close look at each of the Passion narratives as we journey through Lent in anticipation of Easter Sunday. Presented by Mark Etling, Ph.D. Cost: $10 per session or $40 for the series. Registration required. 618-394-6281 or snows.org/ministries/spiritual-programs.
▪ Sister Thea Bowman Catholic School 20th annual Dinner Gala, Auction & Mega Raffle — 6 p.m. Saturday, March 18. Regency Conference Center, 400 Regency Park, O’Fallon. Doors open at 5 p.m. Featuring Distinguished Alumni Honoree Malynnda Johnson. RSVP by March 8. For info or to register: stbcs.schoolauction.net/auction2023.
Worth the Drive
▪ River-to-River Trail Society Free Guided Hike: Wonders of Grindstaff Hollow (Gallatin County) — 10 a.m. Saturday, March 4. Grindstaff Hollow, Eagle Creek Township. Led by Todd Carr, 618-499-9629. These hikes are of at least moderate difficulty, and are intended for people in good health who have done some hiking. Boots or sturdy shoes and a walking stick are recommended for all hikes. Hikers should bring their own water and a snack. No dogs, please. Free and open to the public. No reservations required. rivertorivertrail.net
This story was originally published February 22, 2023 at 11:00 AM.