O’Fallon Around Town — Sept. 22 edition
Noon Friday, Sept. 23, 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, Sept. 22
▪ O’Fallon Women’s Club — 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 22. St. Michael’s Episcopal Church, 111 O’Fallon Troy Road, O’Fallon. Breakfast meeting. Speaker Teri Rankin will talk about “Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.” Yearbooks will be ready for pickup. Note the change for the first meeting of the Club year. ofallonwomansclub.org or facebook.com/OFallonWomansClubInc
▪ St. Clair County Garden Club Fall Plant Sale — 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Swansea Farmers Market, front of Rural King, North Illinois Street, Swansea. The sale features many perennials such as named iris and daylilies, phlox, hostas, oriental lilies and various bulbs as well as house plants, succulents, air plants and cactus. Lovely colored glass bouquet vases, hanging baskets and large planter pots are just $1. Members will be available to answer gardening questions and provide hints for winter care.
Friday, Sept. 23
▪ 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. facebook.com/shiloheagles545
▪ O’Fallon Fish Fry — 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 4-7 p.m. Knights of Columbus Hall, 402 E. U.S. 50, O’Fallon. Traditional menu of cod, tilapia, catfish, hamburgers, hot dogs, pork steaks and several side dishes. Dine-in and carryout. Credit cards accepted. Orders can be called in at 618-632-6229. facebook.com/KnightsOfColumbus4239
Friday, Sept. 23 thru Sunday, Sept. 25
▪ St. Louis Symphony Orchestra presents ‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2’ — 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 23, and Saturday, Sept. 24; and 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 25. Powell Hall, 718 N. Grand Blvd., St. Louis. The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra presents the final installment of the Harry Potter series in concert. Justin Freer conducts as the orchestra plays Alexandre Desplat’s score to “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2” in concert while the film plays on the big screen. For tickets and info: 314-534-1700 or slso.org.
Saturday, Sept. 24
▪ Vine Street Market at O’Fallon Station — 8 a.m. to noon. O’Fallon Station, 212 E. First St., O’Fallon. Locally grown vegetables, flowers, fruits, eggs, cheese and meats. A selection of bakers and sweet treats along with coffee, craft brew beverages and artisans. Live music, patio seating, food truck on site. Bicycle and pet friendly. 618-624-0139 or ofallonstation.com/vine-street-market.
▪ Caffeine and Chrome — 9 a.m. to noon. Gateway Classic Cars, 1237 Central Park Drive, O’Fallon. Cruise in with your collectible car or daily driver and bring your appetite. Indulge in pastries and coffee while supplies last. All makes and models are welcome, with plenty of parking space. This family and pet friendly event is free and open to the public. facebook.com/events/2744441022531626
▪ St. Clare Parish’s 22nd annual Oktoberfest — 4-10 p.m. St. Clare School campus, Third and Cherry streets, O’Fallon. Includes pork roast dinner from 4-7 p.m., festival foods, live music, games, raffles, kids activities and more. 618-632-3562 or stclarechurch.org/oktoberfest.
▪ ABBA Mania — 7:30 p.m. Hettenhausen Center for the Arts, 400 N. Alton St., Lebanon. ABBA Mania is a rock musical that will take audiences back in time to the disco era, featuring ABBA’s hits and all their signature costume changes, choreography and big studio sound. For lifelong fans or for those who haven’t had the opportunity to see ABBA live, this show is the perfect excuse to discover or relive the memories of the band that took over the disco world. For tickets and info: 618-537-6863 or thehett.com.
Wednesday, Sept. 28
▪ 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.
▪ Navy Band Great Lakes Woodwind Quintet Fair Winds — 7 p.m. Hettenhausen Center for the Arts, 400 N. Alton St., Lebanon. A versatile woodwind ensemble with a repertoire consisting of classical, military marches and patriotic compositions. Comprised of professional musicians, Navy Band Great Lakes regularly performs for military engagements, public concerts, recitals and educational clinics for audiences throughout the Midwest. Admission is free for the public; however, tickets are still required. For tickets and info: 618-537-6863 or thehett.com.
Thursday, Sept. 29
▪ Red Cross Blood Drive — Noon to 5 p.m. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints O’Fallon & Shiloh, 255 Fairwood Hills Road, O’Fallon. For an appointment: 800-733-2767 or redcrossblood.org.
▪ O’Fallon Township Senior Committee Dinner & Entertainment — 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 29. 801 E. State St., O’Fallon. Cost: $3. For O’Fallon Township residents only. Reservation deadline: Friday, Sept. 23.
Other area happenings
▪ Southern Illinois Builders Association Scholarship Application — Deadline: Friday, Nov. 4. The Southern Illinois Builders Association is accepting applications for scholarships with the following requirements:
Candidates must be pursuing a degree in the field of construction management/construction related engineering/architecture;
Have a cumulative grade point average of 3.0/4.0;
Submit a personal recommendation from person unrelated to the applicant;
Planning to enroll as a full-time student and maintain full-time student status (12 hours minimum) — part-time students working full-time in the construction industry will be awarded partial awards (written verification from full-time employer required);
Show evidence applicant is related to an individual employed full-time by an SIBA member firm for at least four years (written evidence required);
A typewritten report of at least 500 words on career goals and events experienced that made them decide to pursue a career in the construction industry. Essay quality will be judged.
To obtain a complete list of requirements for the SIBA scholarships, please contact Donna at the SIBA office 618-624-9055 or by email to ceo@siba-agc.org.
98-year-old former POW joins Scott for POW/MIA Day recognition
The Air Force Sergeant’s Association and members of Team Scott partnered for the 13th annual POW/MIA Day wreath laying ceremony and vigil run Thursday, Sept. 15, and Friday, Sept. 16.
National POW/MIA Recognition Day is a day of reflection that honors the costs of war paid by thousands of American service members and their loved ones; where Americans reflect and remember service members captured during times of war and those still missing in action.
This year’s honoree, Wilbert “Vince” Rolves, was held as a Prisoner of War for 18 months in Germany during World War II and is a recipient of a Silver Star, Bronze Star, and two Purple Hearts.
During the closing ceremony of this year’s POW/MIA vigil, Rolves participated in a fireside chat with Chief Master Sgt. Thomas Blount, the 375th Air Mobility Wing command chief.
“I was 198 pounds when I got there and about 109 pounds when we were freed,” Rolves said. “You could never know what it was like. It wasn’t the best diet, but it kept us alive.”
By way of introduction, Blount described his personal experience with Rolves from earlier that morning.
“You’re almost 100 years old, and you drove me to this event today,” Blount said. The crowd laughed when Blount added, “I offered to drive, but somehow I ended up in the back seat!”
Approximately 50 Airmen were in attendance, listening to Rolves recount his POW experience and describe the day he was released along with 8-10 other Soldiers.
“The Russian army came through and shot the locks off the gates and let us loose, saying you are free to go,” he said. “So, we were about 50 miles away from the river and they told us how to get there on foot. We made it.”
Near the conclusion of the fireside chat, Rolves opened it up, and an Airman asked if he ever felt like he would not live another day in captivity.
“There was plenty of times I didn’t think I’d make it back to the good old USA,” Rolves said. “But thank God, I made it.”
This story was originally published September 19, 2022 at 4:01 PM.