Highland Around Town - Aug. 16 edition
Noon Friday, Aug. 18, 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. Submissions will be edited and appear in the week before the event date.
Email: lifestyle@bnd.com. Mail to: Highland Around Town, Belleville News-Democrat, P.O. Box 427, Belleville, IL 62222-0427. Questions, call Jennifer Green at 618-239-2643.
Wednesday, Aug. 16
▪ Book Signing: Ed Wheatley — 3-5 p.m. Field House Museum, 634 S. Broadway, St. Louis. Local sports historian, author, and documentarian Ed Wheatley joins the Field House Museum to sign copies of his books on St. Louis sports history. Free admission. Books available for purchase. fieldhousemuseum.org
▪ National Alliance on Mental Illness: NAMI Connection Recovery Support Group — 6:30-8 p.m. Online via Zoom. Free peer-to-peer support group for adults with a mental health condition working towards recovery. Every Wednesday. Open the Zoom app and enter 3914844542. For information: kelly.nami.swi@gmail.com or 618-798-9788.
Thursday, Aug. 17
▪ National Alliance on Mental Illness: Family Support Group — 7-8:30 p.m. Online via Zoom. The Family Support Meetings are for family members, significant others, and/or friends of persons with a mental health condition. Third Thursday of every month. Facilitators: Diane Borawski and Pat Rudloff. For information: kelly.nami.swi@gmail.com or 618-798-9788.
Friday, Aug. 18
▪ Aviston Legion Fish Fry — 4:30-7 p.m. American Legion Post 1239, 601 S. Clinton, Aviston. Cod (baked or fried), catfish, shrimp, hush puppies, chicken strips, fries, baked potato, slaw, applesauce. Dine-in and carryout. 618-228-7311 or avistonlegion.com.
Saturday, Aug. 19
▪ Tri Township Library Book Sale — 9 a.m. to noon. Tri Township Library, 209 S. Main St., Troy. 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.
▪ Pitch for Cancer Research Corn Hole Tournament Fundraiser — 1-5 p.m. Trenton City Park, Trenton. Proceeds from the event benefit cancer research, through Pedal the Cause. Prizes will be awarded to the top four team finishers (possibly more), including $200 for first place, courtesy of Jim’s Formal Wear. Gift certificates from various local businesses are guaranteed to second, third and fourth place teams. Food, beer, and drinks available for purchase. One-hundred percent of donations fund innovative cancer research at Siteman Cancer Center & Siteman Kids at St. Louis Children’s Hospital. For more info: Mark Skaer, 618-623-2769, skaer.mark@gmail.com or https://fundly.com/pitch-for-cancer-research-corn-hole-tournament-fundraiser.
Sunday, Aug. 20
▪ Germantown Spassfest Breakfast in the Park — 8-11 a.m. Schoendienst Park, Germantown. Enjoy sausage, eggs, potatoes, pancakes and biscuits & gravy. Drive-thru and carryout available. Live music by Kelly Perez, raffle with three winners, and Germantown Kickoff to Soccer Tournament. facebook.com/GermantownSpassfest
▪ Golden Anniversaries Film Discussion: ‘Badlands’ — 1 p.m. Hi-Pointe Main Theatre, 1005 McCausland Ave., St. Louis. An impressionable teenage girl from a dead-end town and her older greaser boyfriend embark on a killing spree in the South Dakota badlands. Intro and discussion by T.J. Keeley, Ph.D. student in contemporary American literature at Saint Louis University and teacher of English and film at college prep schools in the St. Louis area. cinemastlouis.org/golden-anniversaries
▪ The Rendition Band — 2-5 p.m. Highland KC Hall, 12454 IL-143, Highland. An afternoon of great music for your dancing and listening pleasure. Admission $10 per person.Food and drinks available for purchase. Air-conditioned building with a large dance floor.
Tuesday, Aug. 22
▪ Highland Farmers’ Market — 4-8 p.m. Highland Square, 914 Main St., Highland. Local farmers, cottage food makers, and crafters will be present to sell a variety of produce, meats, desserts and more. Each Tuesday morning a map will be posted on the Highland Parks and Recreation Facebook page showing what vendors will be present.
▪ Parents of Addicted Loved Ones — 7-8:30 p.m. Online via Zoom. The PAL group provides education, support and hope to family members and loved ones of someone who has an addiction of substance use disorder. Free and open to all. For info or to join the Zoom meeting, contact Craig at 618-567-6095. palgroup.org
Other area happenings
▪ Belleville Black Knights Drum & Bugle Corps 70th Anniversary Reunion — 2 p.m. to midnight, Saturday, Aug. 26. Catholic War Veterans Post 370, 3535 State Route 159, Belleville. Performances by Ainad Shrine Drum & Bugle Corps, The Ancient & Honorable Drummers of the Black Knights, Alumni Color Guard Ensemble. Guest speaker: Belleville Black Knights Alumnus Major General Jeffrey Pennington, USAF. Open to the public. Admission $5 per person. For info, visit the Black Knights Facebook page or bellevilleblackkni.wixsite.com/blackknights or email bellevilleblackknights@gmail.com.
▪ Madison County Historical Society Trivia Night — 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 26. St. Gregory Armenian Community Center, 3501 Century Drive, Granite City. Doors open at 6 p.m. Cash prizes, games, silent auction and attendance prizes, mulligans. Cost: $25 per person, tables of eight max. For reservations: 618-451-2611 or hyaghchig@charter.net. Walk-ins welcome.
▪ Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois 5th annual United We Lead Gala — 5 p.m. (doors open) Saturday, Sept. 9. Gateway Convention Center, 1 Gateway Drive, Collinsville. Let’s celebrate Girl Scouts together! Join us for drinks, dinner and entertainment. Bid in our live and silent auctions, or enjoy many other ways to share your support. Share an evening filled with fun and inspiration with people who care so much about our mission. Tickets must be purchased online at gsofsi.org or by contacting the Fund Development team at 800-345-6858.
▪ 28th annual Camp Ondessonk Golf Benefit — 8 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 30. Roland Barkau Memorial Golf Course, 1501 N. Waterworks Road, Okawville. Funds raised during this annual event help sustain and enhance camp programs, fund scholarships allowing children of all income levels to experience camp, and fund new initiatives to fulfill our mission to provide exceptional outdoor and spiritual adventures empowering kids of all ages. Cost: $115 per player or $460 per foursome. Hosted by Korte & Luitjohan Contractors, Inc. of Highland. For info or to register, 618-695-2489 or ondessonk.com.
▪ Prairie Heart Foundation Heart Walk and Health Education — 8-10:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 7. HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital Highland, 12866 Troxler Ave., Highland. Get powered up as you and your loved ones walk your way to a healthy heart. This low-impact, high-fun event for all ages will include a variety of activities to fuel your heart healthy journey. The event is rain or shine, with prize drawings throughout the morning. Representatives from local HSHS hospitals will be onsite in Highland providing health information and education. Please, no pets. Register at prairieheart.org/powered-by-prairie-heart-walk by Sept. 29. 217-814-5177.
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Poettker announces promotions in preconstruction, estimating & project management
Poettker Construction Company, one of the nation’s top-performing construction firms, recently promoted six team members to the Preconstruction, Estimating, and Project Management Teams.
In Poettker’s Preconstruction and Estimating department, promotions include Gary Richter to MEPFP Director, Justin Luitjohan to Preconstruction Manager, Justin Dulle to Lead Estimator, and Mike Smith to Senior Estimator.
Richter joined Poettker in 2021 as Assistant Director of Estimating. He has over 35 years’ experience in operations, electrical engineering, and refrigeration, with management experience in financial, operational and maintenance projects. Richter received his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from the University of Illinois. In his new role, Richter will work across multiple departments to strengthen relationships and coordination with Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing, and Fire Protection trade contractors.
Luitjohan has over nine years of experience in the Infrastructure, Commercial, Industrial, Distribution, Federal, and Education markets. He joined Poettker in 2016 as a Project Engineer and most recently served in the role of Estimator. Luitjohan received his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville.
Dulle has over 12 years of experience in the Commercial, Industrial, Distribution Center & Warehouse markets. He joined Poettker in 2015 as a Project Engineer and most recently served in the role of Estimator. In addition to leading estimates on complex projects, Dulle will be providing mentorship, oversight, guidance, and training for the estimating team.
Smith has over 18 years of experience in the Retail, Industrial, Distribution Center & Warehouse markets. Since joining Poettker in 2008, Smith has served in roles as a Project Engineer and Estimator. In his new role, Smith will lead estimates for more complex projects.
Both Dulle and Smith received their bachelor’s degree in construction management from Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville.
For Poettker’s Project Management team, Peter Ratermann was promoted to Senior Project Manager and Nick Stockard was promoted to Senior Project Engineer.
Ratermann has over 11 years of experience in the Commercial, Industrial, Distribution, and Education markets. He joined Poettker in 2016 as a Project Engineer and most recently served in the role of Project Manager. Ratermann received his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville.
Stockard joined Poettker in 2022 as a Project Engineer with seven years of experience in electrical systems design and commercial construction. Prior to joining Poettker, Stockard served in the United States Navy providing construction support of operating forces. Stockard is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in applied management from Ranken Technical College.
“It has been a remarkable year for growth at Poettker and that is a testament to our team’s commitment to proactive safety, quality, preconstruction, and project management initiatives, whether it be in the field or at the office,” said Ryan Poettker, president of Poettker Construction. “Congratulations to these talented and diverse individuals on their much-deserved promotions.”
