O'Fallon Progress

O’Fallon Around Town — March 2 edition

By Jennifer Green

Noon Friday, March 3, 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, March 2

▪ St. Clair County Genealogical Society — 7 p.m. Online via Zoom. Program: “Gems & Junk: A Beginner’s Guide to Online Research,” presented by Board-certified genealogist, professional researcher, writer and genealogical educator Alice Hoyt Veen. Explore the very best and worst of online genealogy research sources and resources available to the family historian. The meeting is open to the public, but space is limited. Reservation information is at stclair-ilgs.org/events or facebook.com/STCCGSIL.

Friday, March 3

▪ Tri Township Library Book Sale — 9 a.m. to noon. Tri Township Library, 209 S. Main St., Troy. Doors open at 9 a.m. Book donations accepted during the 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 and several side dishes. Dine-in and carryout. Credit cards accepted. Orders can be called in at 618-632-6229. facebook.com/KnightsOfColumbus4239

▪ KC Club and Event Center Fish Fry — 3-7 p.m. 5420 Old Collinsville Road, O’Fallon. Catfish plates, cod plates, barbecue chicken, fries, cole slaw, hush puppies, baked beans, potato salad. Dine in or carryout and drink specials. facebook.com/KCClubEastStLouis

▪ 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, March 4

▪ Anita Jackson — 7 p.m. Hettenhausen Center for the Arts, 400 N. Alton St., Lebanon. Soulful and swinging, one of St. Louis’ premier ladies of song, Anita Jackson, makes her debut on the Hett stage. Jackson has appeared as a background vocalist with Bette Milder, Patti Austin and Mariah Carey. She has been featured with several jazz, R&B, blues and gospel groups around St. Louis, leaving a lasting impact with her powerful voice and commanding stage presence. thehett.com

Monday, March 6

▪ Republican Women of St. Clair County — 6 p.m. Bella Milano, 455 Regency Park, O’Fallon. Dinner at 6 p.m. with the meeting at 7 p.m. 618-550-5751.

Tuesday, March 7

▪ St. Clair County Garden Club — 11:30 a.m. McGraw’s (formerly Crehan’s) Irish Pub, 5500 North Belt West, Belleville. Annual Meeting and Installation of 2023-24 Officers. The Floral Design theme is Finian’s Rainbow, with every Irish symbol you can incorporate into it. Sue Beach will present a study on buckhorn plantain, this month’s evil weed. Dues are due for 2023-24: $17.

Wednesday, March 8

▪ 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) — 11 a.m. Ginger Buffet and Grill, 53 Ludwig Drive, Fairview Heights. Speaker on Taxes at noon followed by meeting. All active and retired federal and postal employees are welcome to 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, March 9

▪ Candidate Forum — 6:30 p.m. Thursday, March 9. Shiloh Community Center, 7 Park Drive, Shiloh. City Council Chambers, 255 S. Lincoln, O’Fallon. A Forum Moderator will introduce all candidates, ask questions, manage time, and maintain proper decorum. The public is invited to attend the Forum; seating will be limited. O’Fallon Broadcast details coming soon. A letter has been sent to all candidates inviting them to the upcoming forum. A second forum will be held 6:30 p.m. Thursday, March 16. City Council Chambers, 255 S. Lincoln, O’Fallon. Please feel free to contact the Chamber of Commerce office at 618-632-3377 with any questions.

Other area happenings

▪ O’Fallon Township Senior Dinner & Entertainment — 5:30 p.m. Thursday, March 16. O’Fallon Township Building, 801 E. State St., O’Fallon. For O’Fallon Township residents only. Cost: $3. Reservation deadline: Friday, March 10. 618-632-3517.

▪ Colorectal Cancer Awareness Drive-thru Event — 8-10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 18. Cancer Care Center of O’Fallon, 321 Regency Park, O’Fallon. Free at-home colon cancer test kits will be given away (while supplies last) to anyone age 45 or older or a person with a first-degree relative who had a colon cancer diagnosis. For more information regarding this event, contact Christy Koenigstein, patient navigator, at 618-607-5545.

Fresh off an overwhelming victory in the 1972 presidential election, Richard Nixon rang in 1973 with major progress on one of his most substantial campaign themes: ending American involvement in Vietnam. Beginning with his first win in 1968, Nixon pursued what he called “an honorable end to the war in Vietnam.” Finally, after years of delays and negotiations, a ceasefire was signed that was to end hostilities: the Paris Peace Accords. In a speech announcing the agreement on Jan. 23, 1973, President Nixon put a new spin on his goal: “peace with honor.” Of the several issues decided as a result of the Paris Peace Accords, one in particular would tie Scott Air Force Base into the annals of history: The return of prisoners-of-war, which was executed through Operation Homecoming. This historic airlift mission would bring home 591 American POWs: 325 Airmen, 77 Soldiers, 138 Sailors, 26 Marines, and 25 civilian. Pictured is Air Force Lt. Col. Leo Thorsness, who received the Medal of Honor for actions taken as part of the famed “Wild Weasels,” 11 days prior to the fateful mission when he was shot down and imprisoned for six years.
Fresh off an overwhelming victory in the 1972 presidential election, Richard Nixon rang in 1973 with major progress on one of his most substantial campaign themes: ending American involvement in Vietnam. Beginning with his first win in 1968, Nixon pursued what he called “an honorable end to the war in Vietnam.” Finally, after years of delays and negotiations, a ceasefire was signed that was to end hostilities: the Paris Peace Accords. In a speech announcing the agreement on Jan. 23, 1973, President Nixon put a new spin on his goal: “peace with honor.” Of the several issues decided as a result of the Paris Peace Accords, one in particular would tie Scott Air Force Base into the annals of history: The return of prisoners-of-war, which was executed through Operation Homecoming. This historic airlift mission would bring home 591 American POWs: 325 Airmen, 77 Soldiers, 138 Sailors, 26 Marines, and 25 civilian. Pictured is Air Force Lt. Col. Leo Thorsness, who received the Medal of Honor for actions taken as part of the famed “Wild Weasels,” 11 days prior to the fateful mission when he was shot down and imprisoned for six years. DoD photo by 1973 Scott AFB Historian

This story was originally published February 27, 2023 at 11:36 AM.

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