Highland Around Town — June 24 edition

Noon Wednesday, June 24, 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, June 24:

▪ 8th annual Cream of the Crop Photo Contest — Through Wednesday, June 24. CreamoftheCropContest.com. Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs today encouraged young photographers to get out, explore, and snap a few photos (while social distancing) to submit for the contest. The contest encourages young photographers to share their version of agriculture in Illinois. Electronic submissions (up to two photos per student) accepted from Illinois students ages 8-18. CreamoftheCropContest.com

▪ 16th annual Illinois Emerging Writers Competition — Through Tuesday, June 30. Entry forms online at cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/library/center_for_the_book/emerging-writers.html. The competition is named in honor of the late Pulitzer Prize-winning Illinois Poet Laureate Gwendolyn Brooks, and is co-sponsored by the Illinois Center for the Book. The competition to recognize new literary talent in the state is open to Illinois residents age 18 and over. Entries must be postmarked by June 30. Cash prizes for first, second and third places. Winning poems will be submitted for possible publication. cyberdriveillinois.com

▪ Gateway Region YMCA and St. Louis Area Foodbank Donations — 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday. Multiple locations. The Gateway Region YMCA is partnering with the St. Louis Area Foodbank for COVID-19 emergency food donations. Emergency relief boxes will help communities rebuild in their time of need. A majority of YMCA locations have donation barrels in front of their buildings. For a full list of locations and suggested donation items, please visit gwrymca.org/foodbank.

Thursday, June 25:

▪ Maryville Drive-Thru Farmers Market — 5-6 p.m. Maryville Village Hall, 2520 N. Center St., Maryville. Pre-orders and pre-pay only. Customers place orders through Facebook before noon on Thursday and pay online. When arriving for pick-up, give your name, remain in your vehicle, then drive up to each farm. Your order will be placed in your trunk/vehicle. facebook.com/MaryvilleILFarmersMarket or maryvilleilfarmersmarket.org

Thursday, June 25; Friday, June 26; Tuesday, June 30; and Wednesday, July 1:

▪ STL History Live — 6:30 p.m. Thursday, June 25; 2 p.m. Friday, June 26; 11 a.m. Tuesday, June 30; and noon Wednesday, July 1. Online via Zoom. The Missouri Historical Society is offering a series of free online programs featuring fascinating stories about St. Louis. These programs will include a 20- to 30-minute presentation followed by a brief Q&A. For a schedule and Zoom links: facebook.com/events/868115830365301

Friday, June 26:

▪ Highland Fish Fry — 4-7 p.m. VFW Post 5694, 1900 VFW Road, Highland. Fish, chicken, shrimp, sides. Carry-out only. No call-in orders. facebook.com/vfwpost5694

Saturday, June 27:

▪ Alton Farmers & Artisans Market — 8 a.m. to noon. Parking lot at the corner of Landmarks Boulevard and Henry Street, Alton. Fresh produce, plants, meat, cheese, eggs, honey, baked goods and other edible products will be available. Social distancing measures will be in place. Pre-ordering is encouraged. Electronic payment preferred. Cash accepted; bring small bills. Vendors advised not to give change. facebook.com/AltonFarmersMarket

▪ Land of Goshen Community Market — 8 a.m. to noon. Downtown Edwardsville, St. Louis St., Edwardsville. Open rain or shine. Social distancing measures will be in place. The Market will only include sales of food and hygiene items to limit the number of vendors and allow for at least 10 feet of space between all stalls. The Market asks customers to send only one shopper per family/household. Customers are asked to wear masks. facebook.com/goshenmarket

▪ Troy/Maryville/St. Jacob/Marine Chamber of Commerce E-Cycle/Shredding Event — 9 a.m. to noon. Troy United Methodist Church, 407 Edwardsville Road, Troy. Social distancing will be practiced. Everyone is asked to remain in their vehicle for the process. Open the trunk, and volunteers will gather the items. For a full list of what is accepted, visit troymaryvillecoc.com or call the Chamber at 618-667-8769.

Monday, June 29, & Tuesday, June 30:

▪ YWCA Pop-Up Thrift Shop — 2-6 p.m. Monday, June 29, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, June 30. YWCA of Alton, E. 4th St. parking lot, Alton. Gently used clothing, shoes, purses, toys and small household items will be available free of charge. If you have questions or wish to assist with this event, please contact YWCA of Alton at 618-465-7774 or info@altonywca.com.

Monday, June 29

▪ Blood Drive — 2-6 p.m. Bloodmobile, 2670 Plaza Drive, Highland. For more information, call 800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767) or visit RedCrossBlood.org and enter: StFHighland to schedule an appointment.

Tuesday, June 30:

▪ Parents of Addicted Loved Ones — 7-8:30 p.m. Tuesdays. Via either conference call or 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, call/text 618-567-6095 or email craigloddeke@yahoo.com. palgroup.org

▪ Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center Blood Drive — 1-4 p.m. First Mid Bank & Trust, 6814 Goshen Road, Edwardsville. Appointments are required. 866-448-3253 or bloodcenterimpact.org.

Wednesday, July 1:

▪ Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center Blood Drive — 2-6 p.m. Deien Chevrolet, 555 N. Madison, Trenton. Appointments are required. 866-448-3253 or bloodcenterimpact.org.

▪ Land of Goshen Online Market — 5-7 p.m. (for pick-up). 222 Artisan Bakery, 222 Main St., Edwardsville. Online orders accepted Friday, June 26 through Monday, June 29. Order at goshenmarket.org/shop. Call 618-659-1122 for curbside pick-up. goshenmarket.org/shop

This story was originally published June 19, 2020 at 12:53 PM.