O’Fallon Around Town — Nov. 11 edition

Noon Thursday, Nov. 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: 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, Nov. 11

▪ Veterans’ Day Program — 11 a.m. First Baptist Church, 1111 E. U.S. 50, O’Fallon. The program will include guest speaker Major General Vincent Barker, USA, Chief of Staff, USTRANSCOM, and the introduction of the new inscriptions to the monument. The public is invited. Masks required. ofallonveteransmonument.org

▪ O’Fallon annual Veterans’ Day Parade — 2 p.m. O’Fallon Community Park, 401 E. Fifth St., O’Fallon. The parade starts on South Hilgard, turns west (left) on Third Street, north (right) on Lincoln Avenue, west (left) on First Street and ends at VFW Post 805. Rain or shine. facebook.com/ofallonveteransmonument

▪ 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, Nov. 12

▪ 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.

Saturday, Nov. 13

▪ Rummage Sale — 7 a.m. to noon. O’Fallon Township Building, 801 E. State St., O’Fallon. Men’s, women’s and children’s clothing, plus household items will be available. Masks required regardless of vaccination status.

Saturday, Nov. 13, & Sunday, Nov. 14

▪ St. Louis Symphony Orchestra: Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony — 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 13, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 14. Powell Hall, 718 N. Grand Blvd., St. Louis. Peeling back layers, fresh stories emerge. Edvard Grieg’s Piano Concerto is illuminated by the searching imagination of star pianist Víkingur Ólafsson. Stéphane Denève and the SLSO play Ludwig van Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony as the composer intended, intensifying the music’s resolve. And Carlos Simon’s “Fate Now Conquers” borrows Beethoven’s music, exploring hope amid struggle. For tickets and information, visit slso.org.

Wednesday, Nov. 17

▪ 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

▪ Injury Free Running Clinic —5:30-7 p.m. McKendree Metro Rec Plex, HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Outpatient Therapy Clinic, 209 Rec Plex Drive, O’Fallon. This program supports current runners and those wishing to start on how to run safely and improve performance. Limited spaces available. Free. Additional date: Wednesday, Dec. 15. For information or to register: 618-624-3668 or https://www.hshs.org/StElizabeths/Events/Community/Injury-Free-Running-Clinic-(1)

▪ O’Fallon Senior Citizens Club — 6:30 p.m. O’Fallon Senior Center, 801 E. State St., O’Fallon. Business, birthdays cash bingo. This is the last opportunity to buy tickets for the Christmas party on Dec. 5. 618-401-7588.

Thursday, Nov. 18

▪ Breastfeeding Class: Fundamentals and Practical Problem Solving — 5:30-8:30 p.m. HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, One St. Elizabeth’s Blvd., O’Fallon. The Breastfeeding class provides information on preparation for feeding, feeding techniques and common concerns. Additional topics include information on which type of breast pump will best meet your needs, discussion on returning to work and other everyday issues.The class is open to expectant and new mothers. Support persons are welcome. Class is taught by an RN certified lactation counselor. Cost: $10. To register, email childbirtheduc@hshs.org.

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.

▪ 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-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?”

The deadline is Wednesday, Dec. 1. One essay at each grade level will be selected as the chapter winner. Chapter winners will receive a medal and certificate and advance to compete with winners from other district chapters. For more contest details, please contact Nicole at nicoleddrayer@gmail.com.

This story was originally published November 8, 2021 at 2:39 PM.