Highland Around Town — May 11 edition
Noon Wednesday, May 11, 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, May 11
▪ Spring Flower Bulbs Fundraiser — Now through Sunday, May 15. Help raise funds for Illinois Center for Autism while beautifying your garden. Dahlias, lilies, perennials, vegetables and much more can be purchased online at icaspring.fpfundraising.com through May 15. Your purchases will help provide education and services with hands-on job and social skills training and advocacy.
Thursday, May 12
▪ National Alliance on Mental Illness Southwestern Illinois (NAMI SWI) — 7-8:30 p.m. 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.
Thursday, May 12, through Sunday, May 15
▪ Live at Powell Hall: ‘Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi’ — 7 p.m. Thursday, May 12; Friday, May 13; and Saturday, May 14; and 2 p.m. Sunday, May 15. Powell Hall, 718 N. Grand Blvd., St. Louis. In the spectacular climactic sixth episode of the Star Wars saga, the fate of the galaxy hangs in the balance. The Rebels race to the moon of the planet Endor where they launch a desperate attack upon the entire Imperial Fleet. Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader face off one last time as the SLSO performs John Williams’ Oscar-winning score live to the film. Arrive early to take photos with members of the 501st Legion prior to the concert and during intermission. slso.org
Friday, May 13
▪ Aviston Legion Fish Fry — 4:30-7 p.m. 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 or avistonlegion.com.
Sunday, May 15
▪ Weinheimer Community Center Historic Mural Dedication — 2-4 p.m. Weinheimer Community Center, 1100 Main St., Highland. Includes music from the Highland Music School accompanying a dancer from I Move Dance Studio, words of welcome from Mayor Kevin Hemann. A full explanation of the grant process and the meaning of the mural will follow. Hear comments from the artist, Robert Fishbone of On the Wall Productions from St. Louis. Then, stay for a close look at the mural and refreshments. highlandartscouncil.org
Tuesday, May 17
▪ HSHS Hospice Illinois Butterfly Release Ceremony — 5:30 p.m. Healing Garden, HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital Highland, 12866 Troxler Ave., Highland. Family and friends are invited to celebrate and remember the life of a loved one who has passed. The ceremony will include a butterfly release and the reading of the names of those being honored. RSVP to 217-685-0702 or valerie.engelbart@hshs.org.
▪ Parents of Addicted Loved Ones — 7-8:30 p.m. 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
Other area happenings
▪ Madison County Historical Society Cemetery Restoration Workshops — 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, May 20 and Saturday, May 21. St. John’s Lutheran Church, 7201 W. Main St., Maryville. Professional instructors. Last day to register, Friday, May 13. Cost: $75 registration fee, includes lunch. Call 217-525-2781 to register.
▪ Heartland Community Chorus Pops Concert: ‘Just an Old-Fashioned Love Song’ — 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 21. Highland Elementary School, 1600 Lindenthal Ave., Highland. There’s something for everyone in this popular concert — Jazz standards, Pop classics, Broadway tunes. Tickets are $15 (age 16 and under are free) and are available at the door, from Chorus members and heartlandcommunitychorus.org.
Korte & Luitjohan earns safety award
Korte & Luitjohan Contractors, Inc. of Highland has received a Merit Award for jobsite safety in 2021 from the Southern Illinois Builders Association (SIBA). K & L received the recognition for having no recordable accidents on jobsites resulting in lost time.
Korte & Luitjohan logged 81,963 manhours last year. The award was recently accepted by John Whitworth, K & L Vice President, during a SIBA board meeting.
William Blechinger, CHST, K & L’s safety director, commended the field team for their commitment to safety.
“It begins with our job superintendents who work hard to make sure everyone on the site follows good safety practices.”
This includes regular “Toolbox Talks” at the jobsite, covering safety topics from equipment safety to recognizing the signs of heat stroke. Blechinger also makes unannounced safety audit visits.
“This safety award is a team accomplishment and every employee here can be proud of it,” explained K & L President Gregg Korte. “We don’t achieve such a prize without sincere effort on everyone’s part. And I see it every day.
“We all do our best to look out for each other’s well-being. Because, while it is a great thing to work with people you like, doing work you like, it is even more important that we all go home healthy and whole, because we have families to support and personal lives to enjoy.”
This story was originally published May 3, 2022 at 12:00 AM.