O’Fallon Around Town — Dec. 30 edition

Noon Thursday, Dec. 30, 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, Dec. 30

▪ Winterfest in Kiener Plaza — Noon to 8 p.m. through Sunday, Jan. 2. Kiener Plaza, 500 Chestnut St., St. Louis. Enjoy ice skating, holiday lights and music, festive beverages and food, cozy igloos and sweet s’mores. Then, ring in the New Year with the entire family at Winterfest New Year’s Eve Neon Nights Celebration on Friday, December 31 from 4 – 8 p.m. Neon Nights will feature DJ MaKossa, face painters, a balloon artist, a skating “Wild Lights” juggler, fire dancers, photo ops, giveaways and fireworks at 8 p.m. archpark.org/events/winterfest-2021

Friday, Dec. 31

▪ New Year’s Eve Celebration — 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Powell Hall, 718 N. Grand Blvd., St. Louis. Music Director Stéphane Denève and your SLSO ring in 2022 at the New Year’s Eve Celebration with a matinee concert. Enjoy musical favorites like George Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue” and “An American in Paris,” dazzling pianist Michelle Cann, and many more delightful surprises—like the world premiere of Missouri composer Stefan Freund’s “Voyageur Fantasy” with Roger Kaza, SLSO Principal Horn. Bring family and friends together for this musical celebration, and start 2022 with meaningful musical memories. slso.org

Saturday, Jan. 1

▪ Annie Sauerburger: Brick by Brick — 7:30 p.m. Blue Strawberry, 364 N. Boyle Ave., St. Louis. Tickets start at $15. bluestrawberrystl.com

Sunday, Jan. 2

▪ Disney and Pixar ‘Up’ in Concert — 2 p.m. Powell Hall, 718 N. Grand Blvd., St. Louis. Retired balloon salesman Carl prepares to fly away with thousands of balloons to a world of his childhood dreams, and is joined by an eager 8-year-old Russell. The duo finds themselves on a journey filled with danger, excitement, and friendship. Enjoy the film live with the SLSO performing the score of the Disney Pixar favorite. Let this experience float you away. slso.org

Friday, Jan. 7, & Saturday, Jan. 8

▪ Stéphane Conducts Brahms — 10:30 a.m. Friday, Jan. 7, and 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 8. Powell Hall, 718 N. Grand Blvd., St. Louis. Powell Hall glows with richness and warmth. With Shai Wosner at the piano, Ludwig van Beethoven’s First Piano Concerto dreams and dances, leaving us smiling. Detlev Glanert’s “Brahms-Fantasie” spins memories of Johannes Brahms into a comforting musical coat. Stéphane brings Brahms’ First Symphony to radiant, resounding life. slso.org

Other area happenings

▪ O’Fallon Garden Club 2021-2022 Scholarship — Now through Tuesday, March 1. Online at ofallongardenclub.org. The O’Fallon Garden Club is now accepting applications for the 2021-2022 scholarship. Applications must be residents of O’Fallon or Shiloh, or are currently attending or have graduated from O’Fallon Township High School. The application deadline is March 1. For more information or to apply, visit ofallongardenclub.org.

O’Fallon native secures new banking position

Brian Gibson of O’Fallon has been named the new SVP corporate community development officer at First Mid Bank & Trust in Mattoon. Gibson previously held the role of SVP community bank president.

Gibson will be responsible for maturing and monitoring progress towards First Mid’s community development initiatives. He will not only represent the company in community and economic development activities but will also serve as a resource for bankers and staff on community development service, lending, and investment programs.

“We are confident that with Brian’s tenure in banking, community contacts, and executive presence, he will be able to make an immediate impact for the Bank and the communities that weserve,” says Joe Dively, chairman and CEO of First Mid.

Gibson has nearly 30 years experience in the banking industry and currently holds the senior leadership position for First Mid Bank & Trust in the Fairview Heights market, with direct responsibility for all commercial banking activities. In 2020, he was named one of the 100 Top St. Louisans by Small Business Monthly.

Gibson attended Belleville Township East and graduated from Southern Illinois University Carbondale, where he was a four-year member of the Salukis baseball program. Gibson is active in the community, having been on the boards of Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Southwestern Illinois and The Boy Scouts of America St. Louis.

He continues to mentor and coach youth throughout the metro-east community.

Thanksgiving feast in O’Fallon rousing success

The Eighth Annual Thanksgiving Feast in O’Fallon was the most successful to date as they served 379 meals to first responders, senior citizens, families with no local support, and small families not wanting to create a large meal for one of two.

But what stands out most in the committee’s minds is the generous outpouring of support they received from the community. Donations of cash, food and, especially turkeys, overwhelmed them.

According to our Chairperson, Linda Benedick, “The support has never been this generous. It was just humbling. I also have to say that the committee’s families were taxed to do it all, cook and serve, and they rose to the occasion. We enjoyed the incredible support from the Faith Lutheran church and their members who have again been so generous and supportive of the committee’s efforts.

“Finally, the joy was in the people that showed up, older residents who didn’t want to cook for one or two, families that had loved ones deployed, small families that didn’t want to do a lot of cooking for a small amount of people. They were all smiles and very appreciative and many of them were donors, as well!

“Our mission since the beginning is to bring people together on what can be a lonely day for so many. Unfortunately, due to COVID restrictions, we had to do a drive-thru again, but we hope to bring them in next year to enjoy the fellowship of our friends and volunteers.”

The Thanksgiving Day Luncheon is supported annually by the city of O’Fallon, O’Fallon Township and the village of Shiloh. It is open to all residents of Shiloh, O’Fallon, Scott Air Force Base and surrounding areas.

As always, all donated food and cash donations not utilized that day was given to the O’Fallon and Shiloh food pantries.

For more information, please e-mail ofallonthanksgiving@gmail.com or call 618-235 1588.