O’Fallon Around Town — Nov. 25 edition

By Jennifer Green

Updated December 1, 2021 3:36 PM

Noon Thursday, Nov. 25, 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. 25

▪ Eighth annual Thanksgiving Luncheon — 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Faith Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall, 520 E. Highway 50, O’Fallon. This year the event is curbside to go. Open to all residents of Shiloh, O’Fallon, Scott AFB and surrounding areas. All donated food and cash donations not used that day will be given to the O’Fallon and Shiloh food pantries. 618-235-1588 or ofallonthanksgiving@gmail.com.

Friday, Nov. 26

▪ Red Cross Blood Drive — 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Enjoy Church, 251 Regency Park, O’Fallon. Appointments are recommended but not required. To make an appointment for the upcoming blood drive visit redcrossblood.org or call 800-733-2767.

▪ Wild Lights at the Saint Louis Zoo — 5-8:30 p.m. Saint Louis Zoo, 1 Government Drive, St. Louis. The dazzling holiday event features brand-new light displays and themed areas. In addition to brilliant light displays, warm up with winter-themed treats, and say hello to the animals at Penguin & Puffin Coast and the Insectarium. For additional dates, information and tickets: stlzoo.org/wildlights.

The 9U Bombers Newgent baseball team received a $1,500 check from the O’Fallon Moose Lodge 2608, which donates proceeds from their monthly barbecues to local non-profit groups. Their coach, Chuck Newgent, said the team appreciates the generous donation. They won an impressive 43 games this season and are currently preparing for the 2022 spring season and look forward to growing as a team. He said the boys are dedicated to hard work and integrity on and off the field. Provided

Saturday, Nov. 27, & Sunday, Nov. 28

▪ St. Louis Symphony Orchestra: Poems, Tales and Memories — 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 27, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 28. Powell Hall, 718 N. Grand Blvd., St. Louis. Emotions are laid bare. In Jake Heggie’s “The Work at Hand,” mezzo-soprano Sasha Cooke and SLSO cellist Elizabeth Chung face the impossibility of saying goodbye. In Edward Elgar’s “Sea Pictures,” Cooke’s luminous voice uncovers love, faith, dreams, and fears. And Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov’s “Scheherazade” lends rich colors to a princess who tells stories to stay alive. For tickets and information, visit slso.org.

Sunday, Nov. 28

▪ The Bach Society of St. Louis Chorus presents ‘Thanksgiving and Hope’ — 3 p.m. St. Clare of Assisi Catholic Church, 1411 Cross St., O’Fallon. Doors open at 2:30 p.m. First responders, health care workers, teachers, essential workers, military personnel and all others who served and protected area communities during the pandemic will be celebrated in a free community concert of “Thanksgiving and Hope.” Free admission. General admission seating. Wheelchair accessible. For tickets and information: bachsociety.org.

Monday, Nov. 29, & Tuesday, Nov. 30

▪ ‘Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia: The Latest Advances in Treatment, Care and Research’ — Noon and 5:30 p.m. both days. Keystone Place at Richland Creek, 1050 Fountain Lakes Drive, O’Fallon. Topics include: Forgetfulness: what’s normal and what’s not; What you can do now to reduce your risk of Alzheimer’s; What to do when you suspect a memory problem; Treatments currently available to slow Alzheimer’s, including what to know about a new FDA approved drug; Update on the latest Alzheimer’s research; Resources available for dementia caregivers. Seating is limited and reservations are required. The public may register by calling 618-576-6178 or visiting Info.KeystoneSenior.com/RC-NovEvent.

Wednesday, Dec. 1

▪ 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 monthly meeting — 6:30 p.m. O’Fallon Township Building, 801 E. State St. The club will address monthly business, celebrate birthdays, and feature cash bingo. Any questions, call Secretary Mary Konieczny at 618-401-7588.

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.

▪ Prepared Childbirth Class — 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4. 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

▪ Breastfeeding Class: Fundamentals and Practical Problem Solving — 1-4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 5. 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. hshs.org/StElizabeths

▪ Breastfeeding Class: Fundamentals and Practical Problem Solving — 5:30-8:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 9. 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. hshs.org/StElizabeths

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 18, 2021 at 10:00 AM.