O’Fallon Around Town — Oct. 28 edition

Noon Thursday, Oct. 28, 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. 28

▪ O’Fallon Woman’s Club — 6 p.m. St. Michael’s Episcopal Church, 111 O’Fallon Troy Road, O’Fallon. Program will be Charcuterie History and How to Build a Board. Presenter is Chrissy Johnson, Boarding House Bistro. Members are encouraged to bring a guest for Membership evening. ofallonwomansclub@gmail.com, ofallonwomansclub.org and Facebook: O’Fallon Woman’s Club Inc.

▪ 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, 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.

Friday, Oct. 29

▪ 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.

Friday, Oct. 29, through Saturday, Oct. 30

▪ Fliter Plays Schumann — 10:30 a.m. Friday, Oct. 29, and 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 30. Powell Hall, 718 N. Grand Blvd., St. Louis. Guest conductor Nikolaj Szeps-Znaider and the SLSO explore the many meanings of home. Karim Al-Zand’s “Luctus Profugis” honors the courage of refugees fleeing Syria. “Má vlast” is Bedřich Smetana’s search for the voice of his native Bohemia. Pianist Ingrid Fliter finds comfort in the beating heart of Robert Schumann’s Piano Concerto. For tickets and information, visit slso.org.

Saturday, Oct. 30

▪ Caffeine and Chrome — 9 a.m. Gateway Classic Cars, 1237 Central Park Drive, O’Fallon. Enjoy this free community car cruise at the showroom. Includes coffee and snacks, new posters, giveaways. All makes and models are welcome. Plenty of parking. facebook.com/events/221236816261587

Tuesday, Nov. 2

▪ The Hett Film Art Series: ‘Kinky Boots’ (2005) — 6 p.m. Russel E. and Fern M. Hettenhausen Center for the Arts, 400 N. Alton St., Lebanon. Based on a true story, the film tells of a struggling British shoe factory’s young, strait-laced owner, who forms an unlikely partnership with a drag queen to save the business. Rated PG-13. 1 hour, 48 minutes. Screen Talk host: Dr. Jessica Campbell, associate professor of English. Free admission. 618-537-6863 or thehett.com.

Wednesday, Nov. 3

▪ 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

▪ O’Fallon Senior Citizens Club — 6 p.m. O’Fallon Senior Center, 801 E. State St., O’Fallon. Business: Tickets for Dec. 5 Christmas party on sale. Members only. Subs are on the menu. 618-401-7588.

▪ 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.

Wednesday, Nov. 17

▪ Rules of the Road Review Course — 1:30 p.m. O’Fallon Township Building, 801 E. State St., O’Fallon. The course is designed to give drivers — especially senior citizens and persons with disabilities — the knowledge and confidence needed to renew or obtain a driver’s license. The review course combines an explanation of the driving exam with a practice written exam. This course is free. Call the township at 618-632-3517 for more information.

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.

▪ 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

▪ Prepared Childbirth Class — 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 6. HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, 1 St. Elizabeth’s Blvd., O’Fallon. These classes teach relaxation techniques, controlled breathing, physical and emotional changes that occur during labor and birth. Pain control options are discussed. Both mother and support person learn how to take an active part in the birth process. Cost: $20. To register, email childbirtheduc@hshs.org. hshs.org/StElizabeths

▪ 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.

▪ Prepared Childbirth Class — 5:30-8:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Nov. 9 & 16. HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, 1 St. Elizabeth’s Blvd., O’Fallon. This two-part class teaches relaxation techniques, controlled breathing, physical and emotional changes that occur during labor and birth. Pain control options are discussed. Both mother and support person learn how to take an active part in the birth process. Cost: $20. To register, email childbirtheduc@hshs.org. hshs.org/StElizabeths

▪ Polar Express Train Ride — Wednesday, Nov. 17, through Thursday, 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-eight 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?”

Halloween safety tips

This Halloween, HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital Highland is recommending parents take precautions due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Although trick-or-treating is mostly an outdoor activity, there is still opportunity for close contact with neighbors,” said Dr. Vinay Bhooma, St. Joseph’s chief medical officer. “So, it is important to remember that we are in the middle of a pandemic and we need to continue to wear a facemask, wash our hands and maintain social distance.”

The Illinois Department of Health recommends trick-or-treating be done outdoors and in small groups. Parents around the world have had to make adjustments for their children as the pandemic continues, but there are some fun alternatives to consider this Halloween.

A few trick-or-treating alternatives include:

• Create a scavenger hunt around the backyard using flashlights to find hidden candy and other goodies.
• Decorate an area in the house, turn on scary music, wear costumes and record a Halloween family greeting to share on social media or via text to friends and family.
• Have a movie night watching some of mom or dad’s favorite Halloween classics.
• Plan a special Halloween-themed meal with people who live in the house.
• Host a virtual Halloween party to show off costumes and play virtual games.

Contact-less trick-or-treating is possible by creating individual treat bags and leaving them on a table on the front walkways, sidewalks or any outdoor space that allows for at least 6 feet of social distance from the door.

Costume and traffic safety are also important. According to the National Safety Council, Halloween brings about more risks for children than any other day of the year.

The organization recommends the following:

• Use flashlights, glow sticks, and reflective tape on costumes to be visible in the dark.
• Stay on sidewalks, cross at designated intersections, and stay in well-lit areas.
• Alcohol-based hand sanitizer should be carried and used frequently.
• Candy collected during trick-or-treating should not be consumed until after hand washing. As always, a parent/guardian should check all candy to make sure it is wrapped and discard any unwrapped candy.
• Wear a cloth mask instead of plastic, latex or silicone. A costume mask, such as those worn for Halloween, is not a substitute for a face covering.

The best way to keep safe this holiday season is by getting vaccinated against COVID-19 and the flu. For more tips on how to celebrate the holidays safely, visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/holidays/celebrations.html or the IDPH website.

This story was originally published October 21, 2021 at 10:00 AM.