O’Fallon Around Town — Dec. 1 edition
▪ Noon Friday, Dec. 2, 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.
Nightly through Saturday, Dec. 31
▪ 53rd annual Way of Lights Christmas Display — 5-9 p.m. nightly. National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows, 442 S. De Mazenod Drive, Belleville. Wintertime sparkles at the Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows as the Annual Way of Lights Christmas display illuminates the grounds. Since 1970, the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate have invited one and all to make the Way of Lights a part of their family tradition. This breathtaking display focuses on the birth of Christ, the one true light of the world. Free admission to the outdoor light display. Features include camel, donkey and pony rides, petting zoo, kettle corn, food booth, carriage rides, community music performances, LEGO display and more. 618-397-6700 or snows.org.
▪ Lebanon’s Winter Wonderland — 5-9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and 5-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday. Horner Park, 11113 Widicus Road, Lebanon. Enjoy a mixture of colorful lights with beautiful cut-outs depicting scenes and whimsical adventures. lebanonswinterwonderland.org
Through Saturday, Jan. 7
▪ 10th annual Garden Glow at the Missouri Botanical Garden — Hours vary by date. Missouri Botanical Garden, 4344 Shaw Blvd., St. Louis. Immerse yourself in a wonderland of more than 1.5 million lights, including spectacular new shows and favorite holiday tradition. New this year: A spectacular new show fills the pools in front of the Climatron with more than 100,000 lights. Advanced tickets are strongly encouraged to guarantee the date/time of your choosing. Tickets range from $3 to $22. Family Nights, which include $3 children’s tickets, are Wednesday nights through Dec. 14. Garden Glow is closed December 24 and 25. For more information, visit mobot.org/glow.
Nightly through Tuesday, Dec. 27
▪ Christmas Wonderland Light Display — 6-9 p.m. Monday-Friday and 5-9 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. Rock Spring Park, 2100 College Ave., Alton. More than 4 million lights will twinkle against the beautiful backdrop of Rock Spring Park, lighting the way toward another illuminating holiday season. The popular Enchanted Forest will also be open this year for visitors. Holiday trees are decorated by community organizations, schools and scout groups. Visitors to the park vote on their favorite and the organization’s tree with the most votes receives a cash prize. Santa will once again be back at the Santa House. Family members are encouraged to take their own photos with Santa at no charge. Admission to Christmas Wonderland is a suggested donation of $7 for cars and small vans or $1 per person for vehicles holding more than 10 people. 800-258-6645 or riversandroutes.com.
Through Friday, Dec. 30
▪ U.S. Bank Wild Lights at the Saint Louis Zoo — 5-8:30 p.m. on select nights only. Saint Louis Zoo, 1 Government Drive, St. Louis. ‘Tis the season for holiday lights and sweaters! The dazzling holiday event features brand-new light displays and themed areas. Warm up with winter-themed treats, and say hello to the animals at Penguin & Puffin Coast and the Insectarium. For tickets and info: stlzoo.org/wildlights.
Thursday, Dec. 1
▪ St. Clair County Genealogical Society — 7 p.m. Online via Zoom. Installation of officers. Program: “Iconography in the Cemetery” presented by Daniel Fuller, Event and Volunteer Coordinator, Bellefontaine Cemetery and Arboretum. This program will explore Bellefontaine Cemetery for examples of imagery, but the education will be helpful at all cemeteries. The meeting is open to the public, but space is limited. Reservation information is at stclair-ilgs.org/events or facebook.com/STCCGSIL.
Friday, Dec. 2
▪ Book Sale — 9 a.m. to noon. Tri Township Library, 209 S. Main St., Troy. Book donations accepted during book sale and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesdays. Sponsored by the Friends of the Library. 618-667-2133.
▪ 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
▪ 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
▪ The Sheldon Folk Series: Steep Canyon Rangers — 8 p.m. The Sheldon, 3648 Washington Blvd., St. Louis. Steep Canyon Rangers effortlessly walk the line between festival favorite and sophisticated string orchestra. The Grammy Award-winning bluegrass group, often called upon by comedian and banjo-player Steve Martin as his backing band, are equally comfortable translating their songs for accompaniment by a full symphony. thesheldon.org
Saturday, Dec. 3
▪ Gateway Classic Cars Holiday Party — 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Gateway Classic Cars, 1237 Central Park Drive, O’Fallon. Join Gateway Classic Cars for our 2022 Holiday Party. Help support our toy drive partners and bring an unwrapped toy along to share. Lunch and entertainment provided. facebook.com/events/886402142521761
Tuesday, Dec. 6
▪ Red Cross Blood Drive — 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Memorial Hospital Shiloh, Mobile Unit, 1404 Cross St., Shiloh. You must be 16 years of age or older to donate; feeling healthy and well the day of the Blood Drive; and a photo ID is required. Lunch is provided to all donors. Appointments are recommended but not required. To make an appointment for the upcoming blood drive visit redcrossblood.org and enter sponsor code MemorialBelleville or call 1-800-REDCROS (733-2767).
Wednesday, Dec. 7
▪ 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.
Other area happenings
▪ Breakfast with Santa — 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Dec. 10. Klucker Hall, 14 Park Drive, Shiloh. Includes a continental breakfast of donuts, pastries, coffee, juice and milk. Take a picture with Santa with your phone. Free make-and-take crafts with Santa’s helpers. Santa arrives at 9 a.m. Cost: $5 adults (16 and older), kids - non-perishable food item. RSVP by 3 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 2. 618-632-1022, ext. 119. Proceeds benefit Shiloh Schools and Weekend Wildcats. Sponsored by Village of Shiloh and Shiloh PTO.
▪ O’Fallon Township Senior Committee Dinner & Entertainment — 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 15. Township Building, 801 E. State St., O’Fallon. For O’Fallon Township residents only. Cost: $3 per person. Reservation deadline: Friday, Dec. 9.
▪ Nominating Petitions Available for the April 4, 2023, Consolidated Election — Nominating petitions are available at the Shiloh Municipal Building during regular business hours 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday-Friday for those persons interested in running for the office of Trustee at Large – three three to be elected for a four-year term in the Tuesday, April 4, 2023, Consolidated Election. Filing begins at 7 a.m. Monday, Dec. 12, and ends at 5 p.m. Monday, Dec. 19, at the Shiloh Municipal Building, 1 Park Drive, Shiloh, IL 62269.
375th AMW nominee selected to participate in JCOC 93
Nominated by the 375th Air Mobility Wing, Dr. Kelly Remijan, a professional development and curriculum specialist for the Illinois Math and Science Academy, was one of nearly 40 business, academic, and community leaders from across the U.S. selected to participate in the 93rd Joint Civilian Orientation Conference from Oct. 23-29.
Established in 1948, JCOC is a Department of Defense program designed to educate civilian leaders about the U.S. armed forces. Selected participants visit several military bases throughout the week-long conference to get a behind-the-scenes view of military operations and to meet service members. The 93rd JCOC began at the Pentagon with an overview of the Department of Defense and remarks by Secretary of Defense, Lloyd J. Austin III.
Participants were then flown to Peterson Space Force Base and Schriever Space Force Base where they met with the 2nd Space Operations Squadron and the 527th Space Aggressor Squadron to learn about their missions. The immersive program then took them to Fort Carson to run through an obstacle course at the Mabry Mile, engage in a medical evacuation demonstration, and fly on a CH-47 Chinook. The third day brought them to Creech Air Force Base and Nellis Air Force Base to learn about the MQ-9 Reaper and the Joint Terminal Attack Controller career field.
“It was a life changing experience,” said Remijan. “I not only learned a lot about the military, but I also got to meet members from every branch of service. It was fascinating to hear their stories. I was very impressed by their professionalism, especially at the young age many of them are.”
As a math and science educator, Remijan was particularly interested in seeing the wide diversity of applications of science, technology, math and engineering in the military.
“It was eye opening to learn how integral the design of an aircraft is. Aircraft design along with other equipment and technology in the military is all math and science. I am excited to share what I’ve learned with educators so they can pass along examples of how math and science are used in the real-world to their students,” she said.
Remijan plans to highlight curricular connections with educators across the state of Illinois and beyond as she has submitted a proposal to present “STEM & Our Military: Connections & Context to Teach Math Concepts” at a national math conference in Washington D.C. next year.
Remijan, who has no prior military service, also got a sense of the bonding that happens among servicemembers.
“Listening to these military men and women and seeing them do their jobs, you get to feel the connection they have with each other,” she said.
This story was originally published November 28, 2022 at 8:41 AM.