O’Fallon Around Town — Oct. 21 edition

Noon Thursday, Oct. 21, 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: O’Fallon Progress Around Town, Belleville News-Democrat, P.O. Box 427, Belleville, IL 62222-0427. Questions, call Jennifer Green at 618-239-2643.

Thursday, Oct. 21

▪ Wine and Cheese with Rodney Conner — 2:30 p.m. Cambridge House of O’Fallon, 844 Cambridge Blvd., O’Fallon. Listen to the sounds of jazz with Cambridge House of O’Fallon and Rodney Conner. A raffle drawing will be done during the event. Must be present to win. Goodie bags of wine and cheese will be handed out to attendees to take home. Free to attend. gardant.com/cambridgehouseofallon

▪ BBQ, Blues & Brews Fundraiser — 4-8 p.m. Keystone Place at Richland Creek, 1050 Fountain Lakes Drive, O’Fallon. Menu includes pork steak, baked beans, potato salad and cookie, all for $8. Cash bar with beer, wine and soft drinks available. Live music, car cruise, raffles and more. Proceeds benefit O’Fallon Police, Fire Rescue and EMS Explorer Programs. Guests encouraged to bring lawn chairs to this outdoor event.

▪ Gateway Greening: Growing Garlic and Winter Gardening — 6-7 p.m. Online via Zoom. Garlic, shallots, the crazy looking walking onion, and winter wheat are a few crops that are true winter crops that aren’t planted until mid-October. We will also discuss season extension techniques to extend your growing season. Come learn how to successfully grow these crops and how you can literally save your own seed so you can grow them year after year. Registration is required. Participants will receive Zoom information via email. Free and open to the public. facebook.com/events/731128524370293

▪ 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.

Friday, Oct. 22

▪ O’Fallon Fish Fry — 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 4-7 p.m. Fridays. Knights of Columbus Hall, 402 E. U.S. 50, O’Fallon. Traditional menu of cod available along with hamburgers, hot dogs, pork steaks and additional side dishes. Dine-in and carryout. Credit cards accepted. Orders can be called in at 618-632-6229.

▪ Shiloh Eagles Fish Fry — 5-7 p.m. Shiloh Eagles 545, 100 Eagle Drive, Shiloh. Cod, walleye, catfish, shrimp and sides. Full menu. Dine-in or carryout available. For carryout, call 618-624-5412.

▪ Live at Powell Hall: Revolution: The Music of The Beatles: A Symphonic Experience — 7:30 p.m. Powell Hall, 718 N. Grand Blvd., St. Louis. Prepare for a multimedia experience with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra as they pay tribute to one of the most influential bands of all time. Enjoy new renditions of The Beatles’ top hits including “Here Comes the Sun” and “Hey Jude,” rare photos and more. For tickets and information, visit slso.org.

Saturday, Oct. 23

▪ 15th annual Fall Festival for Everyone — 10 a.m. Cambridge House of O’Fallon, 844 Cambridge Blvd., O’Fallon. The free event includes live music, food trucks, fun and games, arts and crafts, raffle prizes and market vendors. This is an outdoor event with live music from George Portz and Friends of Bluegrass.

Saturday, Oct. 23, through Sunday, Oct. 24

▪ Treehouse Wildlife Center Owl Fest — Noon to 5 p.m. both days. Treehouse Wildlife Center, 23956 Green Acres Road, Dow. This free, family-friendly event is a combination of a fall festival and open house. The hospital, flight enclosure and rehab buildings will be open to the public. Includes a behind-the-scenes look at the facilities, educational speakers, local environmental organizations, crafts, food, live music, raffle, vendors, kid friendly activities and teddy bear clinic. Accessible parking and shuttle service available. treehousewildlifecenter.com/owl-fest

Monday, Oct. 25

▪ Unchartered Waters: Navigating Grief in the Time of COVID — 10:30-11:30 a.m. Heartlinks Grief Center, 201 N. Church St., Belleville. An in-person workshop on coping with grief due to COVID or during the pandemic to provide support and education to anyone grieving the loss of a loved one. Attendees will learn how grief has changed in the face of this pandemic and some coping strategies to help with their grief. Registered attendees will receive a small gift card for lunch as a thank you for attending. Registration required by Oct. 24. 618-234-4410, ext. 7044.

Wednesday, Oct. 27

▪ O’Fallon Sunrise Rotary Meeting — 6:45 a.m. O’Fallon Township Building, 801 E. State St., O’Fallon. 618-210-8156 or ofallonsunriserotary.org

Thursday, Oct. 28, through Monday, Nov. 1

▪ O’Fallon Public Library Book Sale — 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 28; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 29; 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 30; 1-5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 31; and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, Nov. 1. O’Fallon Public Library, 120 Civic Plaza, O’Fallon. Includes sorted fiction, non-fiction, DVDs, CDs, audio books, puzzles, games, special marked items, and more. Separate children’s room. Free admission, no reservations. Masks required to enter building. Accepting cash, check or debit/credit card. 618-632-3783 or ofpl.info.

Other area happenings

▪ The Rotary van is back in service. All restrictions have been lifted and trips to Walmart, Target and St. Clair Square mall will resume. Call the Township office at 618-632-3517 for reservations.

▪ Better Breastfeeding Class — 6:30-9:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 3. Memorial Hospital Shiloh, 1404 Cross St., Shiloh. This class, taught by certified lactation consultants, reviews breastfeeding techniques and is ideal for new mothers or as a refresher course. If you are considering breastfeeding or have chosen to breastfeed your baby, this class will provide information, encouragement and support for a successful breastfeeding experience. Both parents are encouraged to attend. Cost: $10 per couple. To register: 618-767-3627 or mymemorialnetwork.com/events.

▪ Food for Vets Food Drive — 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Nov. 6. Urban League St. Clair County Division, 10220 Lincoln Trail, Fairview Heights. Food supplies will be available for the first 155 registered veteran families in need. Drive-thru pick up. To register, call 314-680-2905 or visit TheKaufmanFund.org

▪ City of the Sun 5K Trail Run — 9 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 7. Cahokia Mounds, 30 Ramey St., Collinsville. Join this rain-or-shine event to help raise funds to preserve Cahokia Mounds. Please be aware that this is a trail run and that the ground may be wet and uneven. Entry fee: $30. For more information: cahokiamounds.org.

▪ Polar Express Train Ride — Nov. 17-Dec. 30. St. Louis Union Station, 201 S. 18th St., St. Louis. Tickets are now on sale for the Polar Express Train Ride holiday attraction at St. Louis’ Union Station. Tickets start at $35. Prices will vary by day and time. stlthepolarexpressride.com

Local organization sponsors student essay contest

The Looking Glass Prairie Chapter, National Society, Daughters of the American Revolution, is sponsoring an American history essay contest. Students in grades fifth-eighth attending a public, private, or parochial school, and those who are home schooled in O’Fallon, Lebanon, Collinsville, and Shiloh all qualify. This contest is conducted without regard to race, religion, gender or national origin.

Students should base their essay on the following: “November 11, 2021, marks the 100th anniversary of the dedication of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Imagine that you had a brother who lost his life on the battlefields of France during World War I. You and your family attended the November 11, 1921, dedication of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Washington, D.C. Describe what this meant to you and your family. Why is it important to remember those who gave their lives to serve our nation?”

This story was originally published October 13, 2021 at 2:05 PM.