Highland Around Town - Aug. 23 edition

Noon Friday, Aug. 25, 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. 23

▪ 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. 24

▪ 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. Fourth Thursday of every month. Facilitators: Pat Rudloff and Beverly Churchill. For information: kelly.nami.swi@gmail.com or 618-798-9788.

Friday, Aug. 25

▪ 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. 26

▪ Belleville Black Knights Drum & Bugle Corps 70th Anniversary Reunion — 2 p.m. to midnight. 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.

▪ Overdose Awareness Day Event — 6:30-9 p.m. Northside Park, N. 10th St., Breese. The Take Action Coalition of Clinton County and Clinton County Overdose Awareness are partnering to host an event with music, speakers, information booths, and light refreshments. If you lost a loved one to overdose, bring a photo of them for our memorial table. There will be some picnic tables to sit at but you might want to bring lawn chairs, too. Free and open to the public. facebook.com/TakeActionCoalitionOfClintonCounty

▪ Madison County Historical Society Trivia Night — 7 p.m. 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.

Saturday, Aug. 26 & Sunday, Aug. 27

▪ Festival of Nations — 10 a.m to 9 p.m. both days. Tower Grove Park, St. Louis. A celebration of music, flavors, art and culture from around the world. When people from different cultures gather to share music, food, art, and traditions, we get to know each other on a deeper and more personal level. We create a spirit of unity where every culture is seen as unique and special, and no culture is truly foreign. Together, we’ll highlight the vibrancy of multiculturalism, celebrate our unique identities, and create community impact, cultivating a more prosperous region for all. festofnations.com

Tuesday, Aug. 29

▪ 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

▪ Heartland Community Chorus Auditions — 6-8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 1, and 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Sept. 2. St. Paul Parish building, second floor, 1411 Main St., Highland. Please be prepared to sing a song of your choosing – an art song, Broadway tune, or a hymn. Please bring a copy of your music for the pianist. If you forget to bring a piece, there will be copies of a few songs there (“Amazing Grace”, “America”). You will also be asked to sing some five-note scales. The audition will take 5-10 minutes. The chorus rehearses on Monday nights at St. Paul Church, and the first rehearsal is Monday, Sept. 11. For more information: heartlandcommunitychorus.org, or contact Luanne Murphy, director, at 618-791-8408.

▪ 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.

▪ 17th annual Buddy Walk — 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 16. Northside Park, N. 10th St., Breese. The annual Community Link fundraiser celebrates the extraordinary powers of individuals with Down syndrome and other developmental disabilities, as well as their family members, friends and supporters. All will fill the streets of Breese again early this fall for the 1-mile fun walk. This year’s theme is “Superheroes.” Register by Aug. 25 to be guaranteed a T-shirt. For info and registration: commlink.org.

▪ 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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HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital Highland receives donation of grand piano from Ludwig’s

HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital Highland now has a grand piano in their main hospital lobby, thanks to a generous donation from retired president and CEO John Ludwig and his wife Cindy.

Ludwig, who served as HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital Highland president and CEO for over six years and retired this year, is relocating with his wife to Florida from the Highland area and wanted to gift the piano to the hospital. As the Ludwig’s expressed, they were happy to share a piece of themselves with the hospital for people to remember them by as the hospital has held a place in their hearts. On Aug. 8, the hospital accepted the gift and held a brief ceremony thanking the Ludwig’s and blessing them on their retirement journey.

HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital Highland President and CEO Chris Klay expressed his thanks to John Ludwig for his service to the hospital. He shared. “I am very thankful to John and Cindy for their generous donation as it will be a continuous reminder of John and his dedication to St. Joseph’s Hospital and the Highland community. We look forward to colleagues, patients and visitors enjoying this beautiful piano.” The hospital is currently getting the piano tuned and making final arrangements for its usage.

For more information about HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital Highland, visit stjosephshighland.org.

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HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital Highland named a top hospital for physician and nurse communications

HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital Highland is proud to announce that the hospital was recently highlighted by Becker’s Hospital Review publication for being among the best in the country in two areas of communications with its patients.

Based on the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) survey data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), St. Joseph’s Hospital made the list of top hospitals nationwide for physician communication as well as top hospitals for nurse communication.

Teresa Cornelius, DNP, RN, CENP, chief operating officer and chief nursing officer at HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital, shared, “These survey results demonstrate the increasing efforts of our physicians and nursing staff to always be communicating with our patients with care and concern. For example, we have a rounding process for all patients that includes team members from all disciplines – physicians, nurses and case management – to ensure that all patients fully understand their treatment course and discharge plan. This all-inclusive rounding process allows patients to receive communication from all members of their care team at the same time to ask questions and ultimately make the most informed decisions about their care,” she said.

HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital’s President and CEO Chris Klay added, “I am extremely proud of our medical staff and colleagues for this recognition. This acknowledgement is a direct reflection of the care and compassion our colleagues put into ensuring our patients feel heard, respected, and fully informed in all aspects of their care. We are committed to make every one of our patients feel this way.”

For more information about HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital Highland, visit stjosephshighland.org.

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Supporting those who are grieving

Aug. 30 is National Grief Awareness Day

When a friend or family member is grieving, it can be difficult to know what to say or do. Many people are afraid of saying or doing the wrong thing, but helping in small ways can be a source of comfort.

HSHS Director of Post-Acute Care Amy Frederking, RN, BSN, explained, “What most people need after a loss is comfort and caring from family and friends; it doesn’t take much. Truly listening, acknowledging their feelings, running errands or simply being present for them are some ways you can support a grieving friend or family member.”

According to National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO), it is important to remember that there is no right way to grieve. Please be careful not to impose your ideas, beliefs and expectations on someone else, no matter how much you think it might help. Understand that the way a person might respond to a loss will reflect the cultural and family traditions that are unique to them.

HSHS Hospice offers the following suggestions from the NHPCO on ways you can support a friend or family member who is grieving:

• Acknowledge that life won’t “feel the same” and the person may not be able to “get back to normal.” When they are ready, help your friend or family member to renew interest in past activities and hobbies, or to discover new areas of interest. Offer specific suggestions such as, “Let’s go to the museum on Saturday to see the new exhibit,” but be completely accepting if your offer is declined.

• Be specific in your willingness to help. Offer to help with chores such as childcare or meals. For example, suggest, “I’ll bring dinner on Thursday; how many people will be there?”

• Identify committed friends who might be willing to help with specific tasks on a regular basis. Performing tasks such as picking up the kids from school, grocery shopping or refilling prescriptions can be a tremendous help.

• Check on your friend or relative as time passes and months go by. Your friend or family member will need your support and presence in the weeks and months to come after others have retreated. Periodic check-ins can be helpful throughout the first two years after the death. Stay in touch by writing a note, calling, stopping by to visit, or perhaps bringing flowers or a special treat they like.

• Be especially sensitive to holidays and special days. For someone grieving a death, certain days may be more difficult and can magnify the sense of loss, such as anniversaries and birthdays. Some people may want to be with family and friends, while others may wish to avoid traditions and try something different. Extend an invitation to someone who might otherwise spend time alone during a holiday or special day and recognize that they may or may not accept your offer.

For more tips from the NCHPO on helping someone through grief and loss, visit caringinfo.org/planning/grief-and-loss. For more information on HSHS Hospice services, visit hshshospice.org.

Local Grief Support

For those looking for local support, GriefShare has grief and loss support groups both in-person and online. To learn more or search for a group in your area, visit griefshare.org.

For more information about HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital Highland, visit stjosephshighland.org.