Highland Around Town — Jan. 4 edition

Noon Thursday, Jan. 5, 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, Jan. 4

▪ Christmas Tree Recycling — Through Sunday, Jan. 29. Plant Land, Old Route 50, east of Breese; Allen Branch Boat Ramp, Carlyle; Little Prairie Nature Trail parking lot in the West Spillway at Carlyle Lake. All decorations, including garland and tinsel, must be removed. No artificial trees or wreaths. The trees are used to provide effective and economical fish habitat at Carlyle Lake. 618-594-2484 or carlylelake@usace.army.mil.

Thursday, Jan. 5

▪ Diabetes Support Group — 4 p.m. Frisse Conference Room, HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital Highland, 12866 Troxler Ave., Highland. Open to those with diabetes and their family members and/or caregivers. The group meets on the first Thursday of each month. Participants will be required to wear non-cloth, medical-grade masks, as masks are still required in health care facilities per Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines. Registration is required. 618-526-5743 or lisa.ketchem@hshs.org to register or for more information.

▪ St. Clair County Genealogical Society — 7 p.m. Online via Zoom. Program: “Lewis and Clark in the Illinois Country,” presented by Brad Winn, Superintendent, Lewis and Clark State Historic Site and others, as well as adjunct instructor of U.S. History and Humanities at Lewis and Clark Community College. Except for North Dakota, Lewis and Clark spent more time on the National Historic Trail in what would become the State of Illinois. It included recruitment and eventual formation of the Corps of Discovery, gathering of supplies and knowledge during their first Winter encampment at Camp River Dubois. The meeting is open to the public, but space is limited. Reservation information is at stclair-ilgs.org/events or facebook.com/STCCGSIL.

Friday, Jan. 6

▪ Tri Township Library Book Sale — 9 a.m. to noon. Tri Township Library, 209 S. Main St., Troy. Book donations accepted during the book sale and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesdays. Sponsored by the Friends of the Library. 618-667-2133.

▪ 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, Jan. 7

▪ 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.

Tuesday, Jan. 10

▪ 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, Jan. 11

▪ National Active and Retired Federal Employees (NARFE) Alvin G. Bohley Chapter 1019 — 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Eckert’s Belleville, 951 S. Green Mount Road, Belleville. Speaker (TBD) at noon followed by meeting. All active and retired federal employees are welcome. Speakers/meetings held the second Wednesday of each month except for May and December socials. NARFE remains the go-to resource for the federal community. For information, contact James at jbflat2021@gmail.com or call 618-795-5174.

Other area happenings

▪ 40th annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Luncheon — 11 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 18. Morris University Center’s Meridian Ballroom, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, Edwardsville. In collaboration with campus and community partners, The Inclusive Excellence, Education and Development Hub (The Hub) will host the luncheon in honor of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The luncheon will include a keynote speaker, a musical performance and the presentation of the SIUE Student Scholarship Award, Local Youth Awards, and Humanitarian Award. Event proceeds will support the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship Endowment. Registration closes Monday, Jan. 9. To purchase tickets, visit mlk-luncheon.eventbrite.com.

▪ 2023 Gateway Green Conference — 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday, March 8. Gateway Convention Center, 1 Gateway Drive, Collinsville. The educational program will feature three tracks: building sustainable landscapes, conservation stewardship, and tree care. Join us for new ideas and research-based information. Registration is now open and costs $80 per person. There is a discounted rate for active Master Gardeners and Master Naturalists. To register or for more info: https://bit.ly/3YRkD4h.