Highland Around Town, Dec. 4 edition

Noon Wednesday, Dec. 4, is the deadline to appear in next week’s “Around Town” listing. We must receive your event in writing with a contact phone number for questions. Due to the 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: Highland News Leader Around Town, Belleville News-Democrat, P.O. Box 427, Belleville, IL 62222-0427. Questions, call Jennifer Green at 618-239-2643.

Wednesday, Dec. 4:

▪ 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

▪ Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center Blood Drive — 2-6 p.m. St. Joseph’s Hospital, Ungacta Conference Room, 12866 Troxler Ave., Highland. bloodcenterimpact.org

Friday, Dec. 6:

▪ St. Joseph’s Highland Giving Tree Breakfast — 7:30-9:30 a.m. St. Joseph’s Hospital Highland, 12866 Troxler Ave., Highland. Free breakfast buffet open to colleagues and community members. There will be a Giving Tree full of tags with items needed to fill local food pantries for the holidays. Participation in the Giving Tree is optional and not required to enjoy breakfast. Purchased items can be dropped off at the hospital by Thursday, Dec. 12.

▪ St. Joseph’s Breese Giving Tree Breakfast — 7:30-9:30 a.m. St. Joseph’s Hospital Breese, 9515 Holy Cross Lane, Breese. Free breakfast buffet open to colleagues and community members. There will be a Giving Tree full of tags with items needed to fill local food pantries for the holidays. Participation in the Giving Tree is optional and not required to enjoy breakfast. Purchased items can be dropped off at the hospital by Thursday, Dec. 12.

▪ Book Sale — 9 a.m. to noon. Tri-Township Library, 209 S. Main St., Troy. Books, magazines, puzzles, games, DVD and CD donations are accepted during regular library hours or on the day of the sale. Sponsored by the Friends of the Library. 618-667-2133.

▪ Driver Services Mobile Unit — 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Weinheimer Community Center, Senior Room, 1100 Main St., Highland. Renew drivers licenses, take driving tests, purchase stickers, etc. By appointment. cyberdriveillinois.com

▪ Friday at the Movies — 11 a.m. Glen Carbon Centennial Library, 198 S. Main, Glen Carbon. A classic Christmas-themed comedy film (1947) starring Don DeFore and Ann Harding. Refreshments. 618-288-1212 or glencarbonlibrary.org

▪ Stitchin’ in the Stacks — 2-4 p.m. Glen Carbon Centennial Library, 198 S. Main, Glen Carbon. If you like to knit, crochet or embroider, gather and socialize with others who share your interest and pick up a few tips and tricks as you work your own creations. Bring your supplies. Self-directed program; no instructor. 618-288-1212 or glencarbonlibrary.org

▪ Highland Fish Fry — 4-7:30 p.m. VFW Post 5694, 1900 VFW Road, Highland. Eat in or carry out. 618-654-6367.

Saturday, Dec. 7:

▪ HSHS Holy Family Giving Tree Breakfast — 7:30-9:30 a.m. HSHS Holy Family Hospital, 200 Healthcare Drive, Greenville. Free breakfast buffet open to colleagues and community members. There will be a Giving Tree full of tags with items needed to fill local food pantries for the holidays. Participation in the Giving Tree is optional and not required to enjoy breakfast. Purchased items can be dropped off at the hospital by Thursday, Dec. 12.

▪ Metro East Model Railroad Club Holiday Open House — 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. 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. 618-476-9228, 618-531-1589 or trainweb.org/memrc

▪ Holiday Open House — 1-3 p.m. Glen Carbon Centennial Library, 198 S. Main, Glen Carbon. Bring your camera to this annual event and take a photo with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Will provide Annie’s Frozen Custard, sugar cookies to decorate and holiday crafts. Registration is required. 618-288-1212 or glencarbonlibrary.org

▪ Highland IFBW Twilight Holiday Homes Tour — 4-8 p.m. The following decorated homes will be on the tour: Eric and Nancy Zobrist, 905 13th St.; Jeff and Brenda Hebrank, 18 Willow Creek Drive; Todd and Ami Strong, 5 Warbler Drive; Scott and Amanda Stehlik, 101 Mayflower Court; Joe and Nancy Heimann, 2575 Becker Road; and the Highland Music School, 409 Pine St. All are in Highland. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door. Tickets may be purchased in advance at The Chocolate Affair, 1011 Broadway, or from any Highland IFBW member.

Sunday, Dec. 8:

▪ KC Men’s Basketball Team Christmas Camp — 1:30-5 p.m. 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.

Monday, Dec. 9:

▪ Recycled Crafting Night — 6:30-7:30 p.m. Glen Carbon Centennial Library, 198 S. Main, Glen Carbon. Participants will upcycle old books to make a lovely ornament. 618-288-1212 or glencarbonlibrary.org

Tuesday, Dec. 10:

▪ Affordable Care Act Enrollment Event — By appointment only. HSHS Holy Family Hospital, 200 Healthcare Drive, Greenville. Help for individuals and families who want to sign up for health care through the Affordable Care Act. Open to anyone served by the hospitals of HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital Breese, HSHS Holy Family Hospital in Greenville and HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital Highland. Appointments offered in one-hour increments. Bring Social Security numbers, first and last names for all persons enrolling, proof of Illinois residency, employer and annual household income information. Call 217-972-7366 to schedule an appointment.

▪ Groovin’ in the Stacks — 10 a.m. Glen Carbon Centennial Library, 198 S. Main, Glen Carbon. Kids can have fun and get moving with a mindful, musical adventure. 618-288-1212 or glencarbonlibrary.org

▪ Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center Blood Drive — 2-6 p.m. Father McGivney Catholic High School, 7190 Bouse Road, Glen Carbon. bloodcenterimpact.org

▪ Book Club: ‘A Caribbean Mystery’ by Agatha Christie — 6:30-7:30 p.m. Glen Carbon Centennial Library, 198 S. Main, Glen Carbon. Drop in and discover good books, good discussion, and great people the second Tuesday of every month. Copies of the book can be picked up at the Circulation Desk. The 2020 book club list is now online. 618-288-1212 or glencarbonlibrary.org

▪ Holiday Instrumental Concert — 7:30 p.m. Jane Knight Auditorium, 27210 College Road, Centralia. Featuring the Kaskaskia College Concert and Jazz Bands under the direction of Professor Cliff Jourdan. Free and open to the public.

Wednesday, Dec. 11:

▪ The Red Porch Ribbon Cutting — 9 a.m. The Red Porch, 301 E. Hanover St., New Baden. RSVP to cindyt@commlink.org

Thursday, Dec. 12:

▪ Wonders of Watercolor — 5-6:30 p.m. Glen Carbon Centennial Library, 198 S. Main, Glen Carbon. Artist Greta Pastorello will show you basic technical instructions before trying them on your own art piece. A simple subject (like a leaf, a bird, a flower image, etc.) will guide your creativity and inspire you to create your own little artwork. Limited to 12 participants, ages 14 and up. Registration required. 618-288-1212 or glencarbonlibrary.org

Saturday, Dec. 14:

▪ Heartland Community Chorus Christmas Concert — 7:30 p.m. St. Dominic Catholic Church, 493 N. 2nd St., Breese. Featuring traditional and contemporary Christmas music, accompanied by brass choir. Admission is $15. Children 16 and under are free. Tickets available at FCB Bank, Highland, St. Paul Catholic Church, Highland, from chorus members and at the door.

Sunday, Dec. 15:

▪ Heartland Community Chorus Christmas Concert — 3 p.m. St. Paul Catholic Church, 1412 Ninth St., Highland. Featuring traditional and contemporary Christmas music, accompanied by brass choir. Admission is $15. Children 16 and under are free. Tickets available at FCB Bank, Highland, St. Paul Catholic Church, Highland, from chorus members and at the door.

This story was originally published November 29, 2019 at 11:00 AM.