Highland Around Town — Dec. 7 edition

Noon Friday, Dec. 9, 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.

Friday, Dec. 9

▪ 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.

Saturday, Dec. 10 & Sunday, Dec. 11

▪ Heartland Community Chorus presents ‘Celebrate Christmas Joy!’ — 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10 and 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 11. St. Paul Catholic Church, 1411 Main St., Highland. The concert will feature new and old Christmas music with a brass ensemble, percussion, and woodwinds. It’s a perfect way to start your Christmas festivities. Tickets are $15 each; ages 16 and under are free. heartlandcommunitychorus.org

Monday, Dec. 12

▪ McKendree Presents: It’s Okay to Be Different — 6:30 p.m. Hettenhausen Center for the Arts, 400 N. Alton St., Lebanon. Three contemporary stories by New York Times bestselling author and illustrator Todd Parr adapted and staged by Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia. For very young audiences, the hour-long production features three books from his collection. For tickets and info: thehett.com.

Tuesday, Dec. 13

▪ 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

Wednesday, Dec. 14

▪ Christmas Presence, featuring Terry Barber — 7 p.m. Hettenhausen Center for the Arts, 400 N. Alton St., Lebanon. A classically-trained countertenor with an extremely broad range and versatile voice, Terry Barber breathes new life into beloved Christmas songs and world-favorites. For tickets and info: thehett.com.

Other area happenings

▪ Christmas Wonderland Light Display — 6-9 p.m. Monday-Friday and 5-9 p.m. Saturday-Sunday through Tuesday, Dec. 27. Rock Spring Park, 2100 College Ave., Alton. More than 4 million lights will twinkle against the beautiful backdrop of Rock Spring Park, lighting the way toward another illuminating holiday season. The popular Enchanted Forest will also be open this year for visitors. Holiday trees are decorated by community organizations, schools and scout groups. Visitors to the park vote on their favorite and the organization’s tree with the most votes receives a cash prize. Santa will once again be back at the Santa House. Family members are encouraged to take their own photos with Santa at no charge. Admission to Christmas Wonderland is a suggested donation of $7 for cars and small vans or $1 per person for vehicles holding more than 10 people. 800-258-6645 or riversandroutes.com.

▪ U.S. Bank Wild Lights at the Saint Louis Zoo — 5-8:30 p.m. on select nights only through Friday, Dec. 30. Saint Louis Zoo, 1 Government Drive, St. Louis. ‘Tis the season for holiday lights and sweaters! The dazzling holiday event features brand-new light displays and themed areas. Warm up with winter-themed treats, and say hello to the animals at Penguin & Puffin Coast and the Insectarium. For tickets and info: stlzoo.org/wildlights.

▪ 53rd annual Way of Lights Christmas Display — 5-9 p.m. nightly through Saturday, Dec. 31. National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows, 442 S. De Mazenod Drive, Belleville. Wintertime sparkles at the Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows as the Annual Way of Lights Christmas display illuminates the grounds. Since 1970, the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate have invited one and all to make the Way of Lights a part of their family tradition. This breathtaking display focuses on the birth of Christ, the one true light of the world. Come inside to experience the Twelve Days of Christmas Tree Room, Wreath Auction, Shrine Gift Shop, community music performances and LEGO Brick Display. Free admission to the outdoor light display. Paid features include camel, donkey and pony rides, petting zoo, kettle corn, food booth, carriage rides, and more. 618-397-6700 or snows.org.

▪ Lebanon’s Winter Wonderland — 5-9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and 5-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday through Saturday, Dec. 31. Horner Park, 11113 Widicus Road, Lebanon. Enjoy a mixture of colorful lights with beautiful cut-outs depicting scenes and whimsical adventures. lebanonswinterwonderland.org

▪ 10th annual Garden Glow at the Missouri Botanical Garden — Hours vary by date. Through Saturday, Jan. 7. Missouri Botanical Garden, 4344 Shaw Blvd., St. Louis. Immerse yourself in a wonderland of more than 1.5 million lights, including spectacular new shows and favorite holiday tradition. New this year: A spectacular new show fills the pools in front of the Climatron with more than 100,000 lights. Advanced tickets are strongly encouraged to guarantee the date/time of your choosing. Tickets range from $3 to $22. Family Nights, which include $3 children’s tickets, are Wednesday nights through Dec. 14. Garden Glow is closed December 24 and 25. For more information, visit mobot.org/glow.

▪ Highland Home Museum Open House — 1:30-4:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 7. Highland Home Museum and Art, 1600 Walnut St., Highland. Roland Harris will be present for the open house as long as he is able. These open houses take place the first Saturday of every month. For more information, contact 618-654-2395.

Walk-ins welcome at local medical facilities

Highland, Breese and Greenville HSHS Medical Group Family & Internal Medicine - Highland began welcoming walk-ins Monday, Dec. 5.

Located at 12860 Troxler Ave., Suite 320 in Highland, walk-ins will be welcome from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Patients do not have to be established with an HSHS primary care provider to walk in for care. Patients of all ages can walk in for acute conditions such as sore throat, flu or respiratory symptoms.

For more information about walk-in care, accepted insurance plans and self-pay options at HSHS Medical Group Family & Internal Medicine in Highland, call 618-654-6665.

HSHS also offers walk-in care in Greenville and Breese.

HSHS Holy Family Health Center

• 201 Healthcare Drive MOBC, Greenville
• Walk-ins welcome: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday; 8 a.m. to noon Saturday

Clinton County Rural Health

• 9401 Holy Cross Lane, Breese. Located on the HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital Breese Campus
• Walk-ins welcome: 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday; Saturday, 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday

Virtual visit available 24/7 through AnytimeCare.com

• Online urgent care visit: $49
• This service provides people with the ability to speak to doctors and health care providers on their terms — from home, work or anywhere they need care. Through Anytime Care, providers can answer questions, make a diagnosis and even prescribe medications — if necessary. Patients typically will be contacted within 30 minutes and often in less than 15 minutes.

This story was originally published December 3, 2022 at 10:00 AM.