O’Fallon Around Town — Jan. 5 edition & Scott Air Force Base news

By Jennifer Green

Updated December 29, 2022 4:04 PM

Noon Thursday, Jan. 5, 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, Jan. 5

▪ St. Clair County Genealogical Society — 7 p.m. Online via Zoom. Program: “Lewis and Clark in the Illinois Country,” presented by Brad Winn, Superintendent, Lewis and Clark State Historic Site and others, as well as adjunct instructor of U.S. History and Humanities at Lewis and Clark Community College. Except for North Dakota, Lewis and Clark spent more time on the National Historic Trail in what would become the State of Illinois. It included recruitment and eventual formation of the Corps of Discovery, gathering of supplies and knowledge during their first Winter encampment at Camp River Dubois. The meeting is open to the public, but space is limited. Reservation information is at stclair-ilgs.org/events or facebook.com/STCCGSIL.

The O’Fallon Township High School AFROTC cadets helped with the ceremony and placing wreaths at the O’Fallon Rotary Club’s annual Wreaths Across America event. For the sixth year, the event was a “total success,” said chair John “Woody” Almind, a retired Air Force colonel who coordinates the project for the club. He works throughout the year on the program, as the club raises funds and recruits volunteers to help with the mission. Across the nation, similar programs took place this year Saturday, Dec. 17. It’s a national event to honor those who have served the country and is held the third Saturday in December. Provided

Friday, Jan. 6

▪ Tri Township Library 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.

▪ 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 National Safe Sleep Hospital Certification Program recently recognized the Women and Infants Center at HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in O’Fallon as a “Gold Safe Sleep Hospital” for their commitment to best practices and education on infant safe sleep. Representing the Women and Infant Center care team are front row, from left, Kimberly Struckhoff, RN; Kaitlyn Norman, RN; and Bernadette Kottkamp, secretary; back row, from left, Natasha Bean, RN, Dawn Charlton, surgical tech, and Amanda Schaefer, MSN, RN, Women and Infants Center manager. Abby Kate Photography

Monday, Jan. 9

▪ Information Night on Becoming Catholic — 6:30 p.m. St. Clare of Assisi Catholic Church, 1411 Cross St., O’Fallon. People seeking to learn more about the process of becoming Catholic are invited to attend. Matt Flynn, director of adult faith formation and mission, will explain what the process entails. There will be time for questions. To attend, there is no commitment to becoming Catholic. For more information, call 618-632-3562.

Tuesday, Jan. 10

▪ St. Clair Woman’s Club — Noon. Bellecourt Place, 120 N. Jackson St., Belleville. Programs and Services for Older Persons (PSOP) of Belleville will showcase their programs for seniors.

Wednesday, Jan. 11

▪ 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.

▪ National Active and Retired Federal Employees (NARFE) Alvin G. Bohley Chapter 1019 — 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Eckert’s Belleville, 951 S. Green Mount Road, Belleville. Speaker (TBD) at noon followed by meeting. All active and retired federal employees are welcome. Speakers/meetings held the second Wednesday of each month except for May and December socials. NARFE remains the go-to resource for the federal community. For information, contact James at jbflat2021@gmail.com or call 618-795-5174.

Thursday, Jan. 12

▪ Breastfeeding Class — 5:30-8:30 p.m. HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, 1 St. Elizabeth Blvd., O’Fallon. This 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. This class is open to expectant and new mothers. Support persons are welcome. The class is taught by an RN certified lactation counselor. Recommended time to attend is after 28 weeks. Space is limited. Cost: $10. Deadline to register is one week prior to class date. For additional dates and info or to register: steliz.org.

Other area happenings

▪ Marriage, Divorce and Annulment: Realities and Myths — 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 17. St. Clare of Assisi Catholic Church, 1411 Cross St., O’Fallon. Matthew Flynn, director of adult faith formation and mission, will discuss the Catholic Church’s definition of marriage and the difference between a divorce and an annulment. This session is good for people of all ages, especially those who hope to get married someday. It also covers what is involved in the annulment process in the Catholic Church and how an annulment can bring great healing. The public is invited to attend. If you are unable to attend or would like additional information, call 618-632-3562.

▪ 40th annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Luncheon — 11 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 18. Morris University Center’s Meridian Ballroom, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, Edwardsville. In collaboration with campus and community partners, The Inclusive Excellence, Education and Development Hub (The Hub) will host the luncheon in honor of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The luncheon will include a keynote speaker, a musical performance and the presentation of the SIUE Student Scholarship Award, Local Youth Awards, and Humanitarian Award. Event proceeds will support the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship Endowment. Registration closes Monday, Jan. 9. To purchase tickets, visit mlk-luncheon.eventbrite.com.

▪ O’Fallon Township Dinner & Entertainment — 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 19. O’Fallon Township Building, 801 E. State St., O’Fallon. For O’Fallon Township residents only. Cost: $3. Reservation deadline: Friday, Jan. 13.

Injury Free Running Clinic — 5:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 23. With our trained specialists, we can adjust and improve performance for all levels of runners – from beginners to experts – safely with a comprehensive examination and one-on-one support. Led by HSHS St. Elizabeth’s physical therapist Kristen Junker, PT, DPT, and Anne Lueken, DPT, the program’s goal is to support and educate runners on injury prevention and performance enhancements through a personalized plan. Sessions are limited to 18 participants per clinic. Registration is free. hshs.org/StElizabeths/Events or 618-624-3668.

▪ ImpactLife Blood Drive — 3-7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 31. St. Clare of Assisi Catholic Church, Fellowship Hall, 1411 Cross St., O’Fallon. The need for blood is urgent during winter months, when the holidays and winter weather reduce blood donations. To donate, please contact ImpactLife at 800-747-5401 or visit bloodcenter.org/group and use code 10841 to schedule online. St. Clare School may earn a textbook grant if enough blood donations are collected. Donors will receive a gift card or a donation to Feeding America.

▪ 2023 Gateway Green Conference — 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday, March 8. Gateway Convention Center, 1 Gateway Drive, Collinsville. The educational program will feature three tracks: building sustainable landscapes, conservation stewardship, and tree care. Join us for new ideas and research-based information. Registration is now open and costs $80 per person. There is a discounted rate for active Master Gardeners and Master Naturalists. To register or for more info: https://bit.ly/3YRkD4h.

Scott Air Force Base news: 7 continents, 3 days

By Airman 1st Class Violette Hosack

375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs Office

The Guinness World Record for the fastest time to travel to all seven continents is three days 14 hours and 46 minutes, or that’s how long it took in 2020 when this was accomplished last.

U.S. Air Force Capt. Jonathan Buckingham, 618th Air Operations Center chief of short range allocations, is attempting to break this record.

Buckingham has always loved to travel. His love of travel allows him to learn and experience other cultures and meet new people. He often travels with his sister and their very close travel friend.

He has been to all seven continents, all 50 states, six out of seven world wonders and one ancient world wonder.

To begin, he will be in Antarctica on an overnight excursion. He then will go to Chile, New York City, Rome, Cairo, Dubai and Perth. Buckingham will be landing in Perth, Australia, after traveling for three days 14 hours and 20 minutes.

If all goes according to plan, then he will be beating the world record by 26 minutes.

“If I fail, that’s life and I’ll just have to try it again in the future,” said Buckingham “That’s what makes it fun. The continual pursuit of happiness.”

While watching The Bachelor, Buckingham’s sister saw contestants who had completed the record themselves. She suggested that he should try it.

“That was back in 2020. Due to COVID, I had to wait until now to make the attempt,” said Buckingham. “I like trying new things and I want to have experiences that are ‘non-standard.’”

Buckingham said planning this trip is like planning any other trip, except in a more time constrained sequence of events.

“I had to search for flights to major international airports on every continent with flight routes that allowed me enough time to leave the airport on each stop and kept me on time,” said Buckingham. “When I ran into one roadblock because of timing, I had to pivot and find a new airport to fly in and out of.”

Buckingham has been to all but one of the continents that he’s traveling to so it’s not about seeing new places for him on this trip, it’s about beating this record. This will also set himself up to beat other records in the future.

U.S. Air Force Capt. Jonathan Buckingham, 618th Air Operations Center Chief of Short Range Allocations with his sister in front of the Colosseum in Rome, Italy. Provided

This story was originally published December 29, 2022 at 3:34 PM.