O’Fallon Around Town — Dec. 15 edition & Scott Air Force Base news

By Jennifer Green

December 12, 2022 12:08 PM

O’Fallon police officers Ben Sosa and Parrish Brito received Lifesaving Awards from the city at a recent council meeting for their efforts on a June 25 medical call. Police Chief Kirk Brueggeman said they arrived on the scene of a subject experiencing a life-threatening medical emergency. Prior to EMS arrival, Sosa, with assistance of Brito, began performing CPR on the patient, who was not conscious and not breathing. They continued CPR until EMS arrived and took over care of the patient. After about six minutes of CPR, the patient began breathing and sat up. The patient suffered from a medical condition. The EMS supervisor said the patient likely would have died without the quick work of Sosa and Brito. Provided

Noon Friday, Dec. 16, 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. 15

▪ O’Fallon Woman’s Club — Noon. St. Michael’s Episcopal Church, O’Fallon Troy Road, O’Fallon. Lunch served at noon. Program: $10 gift exchange. ofallonwomansclub@gmail.com, ofallonwomans.org or facebook.com/OFallonWomansClubInc.

▪ Belleville Main Street Diva’s Night Out — 5-7 p.m. Register at Abe’s Gourmet Popcorn, 101 E. Main St., Belleville. A $10 passport includes merchant raffles and prizes drawn at 8 p.m. at Margarita’s Mexican Restaurant. Join your friends dressed at favorite Christmas characters. Proceeds go to the Friends of the Belleville Public Library. bellevillemainstreet.net

Friday, Dec. 16

▪ 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

Saturday, Dec. 17

▪ Book Sale — 9 a.m. to noon. Tri Township Library, 209 S. Main St., Troy. Book donations accepted during the book sale and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesdays. Sponsored by the Friends of the Library. 618-667-2133.

Wednesday, Dec. 21

▪ 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.

Holiday happenings

▪ Christmas Wonderland Light Display — 6-9 p.m. Monday-Friday and 5-9 p.m. Saturday-Sunday through Tuesday, Dec. 27. 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.

▪ U.S. Bank Wild Lights at the Saint Louis Zoo — 5-8:30 p.m. on select nights only through Friday, Dec. 30. 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.

▪ 53rd annual Way of Lights Christmas Display — 5-9 p.m. nightly through Saturday, Dec. 31. 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. Come inside to experience the Twelve Days of Christmas Tree Room, Wreath Auction, Shrine Gift Shop, community music performances and LEGO Brick Display. Free admission to the outdoor light display. Paid features include camel, donkey and pony rides, petting zoo, kettle corn, food booth, carriage rides, 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 through Saturday, Dec. 31. Horner Park, 11113 Widicus Road, Lebanon. Enjoy a mixture of colorful lights with beautiful cut-outs depicting scenes and whimsical adventures. lebanonswinterwonderland.org

▪ Gateway Arch Park Foundation Seventh annual Winterfest — 4-8 p.m. Fridays and noon to 8 p.m. Saturdays-Sundays through Sunday, Jan. 1. Kiener Plaza, 500 Chestnut St., St. Louis. Family-friendly activities include ice skating, s’mores stations, igloos underneath 100,000 twinkling lights and more. archpark.org/winterfest

▪ 10th annual Garden Glow at the Missouri Botanical Garden — Hours vary by date. Through Saturday, Jan. 7. 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. Garden Glow is closed December 24 and 25. For more information, visit mobot.org/glow.

News from Scott Air Force Base

By Airman 1st Class Shelby Rapert

375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs

The Senior Leader Commissioning Program allows leaders from within the Air Force to nominate enlisted Airmen to become officers. And for Senior Airman Collin West, 375th Comptroller Squadron financial technician, this was his dream come true.

West was nominated by Gen. Mike Minihan, Air Mobility Command commander, for the SLECP-A program, and was one of the few Airmen selected for the commissioning process.

“I saw a number of exceptional packages during this competitive process,” said Minihan. “Senior Airman West embodies the kind of leader our evolving Air Force needs, and I have full confidence he will continue to do great things as a commissioned officer.”

SLECP provides a two-track opportunity; SLECP-A for enlisted members to pursue their degree while on active duty status and SLECP-O, for Airmen who have already acquired their degree to directly commission through Officer Training School. West was selected for SLECP-A.

“Words cannot begin to describe how excited and deeply humbled I am to be one of General Minihan’s selections,” said West. “While I cannot speak to Gen. Minihan’s reasoning, I do know that he values high standards and persistence and wanted to select Airmen who remain dedicated towards the goal of serving in the Officer Corps.”

In August of 2023, West will transfer to Washington University in St. Louis to begin work on his Bachelor’s Degree in Economics. He will continue on active duty status and is expected to maintain the physical standards and follow the rules and regulations of the Air Force.

Following his graduation, West will attend Officer Training School to become an Intel Officer. West currently works in Comptroller Services and says he is ecstatic at the thought of his dreams becoming a reality.