Highland Around Town - Dec. 20 edition

Noon Friday, Dec. 22, 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.

Send event info via email to lifestyle@bnd.com. Questions, call Jennifer Green at 618-239-2643.

Wednesday, Dec. 20

▪ Highland Health Care Center Holiday Lights Display — Dusk to 9 p.m. thru Tuesday, Jan. 2. Highland Health Care Center, 1450 26th St., Highland. The display is open for the community to drive through and experience thousands of festive lights and holiday decorations in collaboration with the EvUCC Church.

▪ Way of Lights — 5-9 p.m. thru Sunday, Dec. 31. National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows, 442 DeMazenod Drive, Belleville. This breathtaking display focuses on the birth of Christ. Free admission, donations accepted. snows.org/wayoflights

▪ Missouri Botanical Garden 11th annual Garden Glow — Hours vary nightly through Saturday, Jan. 6 (except Dec. 24-25.) Missouri Botanical Garden, 4344 Shaw Blvd., St. Louis. Celebrate the holiday season at the most spectacular holiday lights experience in the St. Louis area. Featuring nearly two million dazzling lights, Garden Glow transforms the iconic setting of the Missouri Botanical Garden into an enchanted wonderland rich with mesmerizing displays and unforgettable moments. Advance tickets encouraged. For hours and info: mobot.org

▪ U.S. Bank Wild Lights at the Saint Louis Zoo — 5-8:30 p.m. on select dates from through Saturday, Dec. 30. Saint Louis Zoo, One Government Drive, St. Louis. Escape to a wild wonderland with brand new twinkling light displays and festive family fun. For dates, tickets and other info, visit stlzoo.org/wildlights.

▪ 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.

Friday, Dec. 22

▪ 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.

Tuesday, Dec. 26

▪ 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

Wednesday, Dec. 27

▪ Kwanzaa: Festival of the First Fruits — 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Missouri Botanical Garden, 4344 Shaw Blvd., St. Louis. Visitors can listen to storytelling, try out crafts, shop for locally crafted products, and participate in activities focused on wellbeing in a Kwanzaa event at the Missouri Botanical Garden. Kwanzaa is a Swahili term that means “first fruits,” and this contemporary African-American holiday centers around the feast table of the harvest. A reimagined event includes educational activities focused on the meaning behind each of the seven principles of Kwanzaa. mobot.org

Other area happenings

▪ ‘Back to the Future’ In Concert — 7 p.m. Thursday-Friday, Dec. 28-29. Stifel Theatre, 1400 Market St., St. Louis. Fans old and new will experience the thrill of “Back to the Future” like never before—on a big hi-def screen with your St. Louis Symphony Orchestra performing Alan Silvestri’s dazzling musical score live with the movie. slso.org

▪ Metro East Model Railroad Club Holiday Open House — 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 30. 180 Summit St., Glen Carbon. Visitors are welcome to view trains running on the Club’s 18 x 27 foot HO scale model railroad. Free admission. Snacks provided. For more information, please call Bob at 618-476-9228, or Bill at 618-531-1589, or check the web site at trainweb.org/memrc.

▪ St. Louis Symphony Orchestra New Year’s Eve Celebration — 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 31. Stifel Theatre, 1400 Market St., St. Louis. Celebrate 2023 in style at the SLSO’s annual bash – the New Year’s Eve concert. Revel in musical selections with Norman Huynh, a favorite of St. Louis audiences known for his humor and high spirits. What are we playing? It’s a surprise you’ll have to hear for yourself. slso.org

▪ Green Door Art Gallery: Hooked on Fibers — 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays-Sundays, Jan. 10 thru March 24. Green Door Art Gallery, 21 N. Gore St., Webster Groves, Missouri. Opening reception 5-8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 19. “Hooked on Fibers: The Art of the Stitch” features rug hooking textile art by Sheri Ahner, and mixed media fiber art by Chris Burton, Liz Davidson and Ana Sumner. The artwork will be available for sale. 314-202-4071 or greendoorartgallery.com.

▪ Prairie Heart Foundation Heart Walk & Education Event — 5-7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 16. Korte Recreation Center, 1 Nagel Drive, 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 includes a variety of activities to fuel your heart-healthy journey, along with prize drawings throughout the morning. Representatives from local HSHS hospitals will be at the event providing health information and education. Register for the walk by Feb. 9 at prairieheart.org/heart-walk.

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HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital Highland honored with Community Project Award for work helping those with substance use disorder

HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital Highland’s emergency department was recently honored with a 2023 “Community Project” Award from the Illinois Critical Access Hospital Network (ICAHN) for their work to decrease overdoses and stigma while increasing resources for those struggling with substance use disorder.

The Community Award recognizes ICAHN member hospitals that have implemented a program that strengthened the health and well-being of their communities and have built a partnership with community organizations such as schools, elderly services, children’s groups, prevention groups, or faith-based organizations.

Substance use disorder (SUD) is a problem that has far-reaching consequences in the community. Teresa Cornelius, chief operating officer and chief nursing officer, shared, “Part of our HSHS Mission is to reveal and embody Christ’s healing love for all people and that includes all those struggling with substance use disorders. Alongside our community partners, we strive to increase access to help for people of rural eastern Madison County and western Bond County. We are honored to receive this award for our combined efforts.”

St. Joseph’s Hospital’s partners include:

• Chestnut Health Systems, through the Rural Communities Opioid Response Program (RCORP) Grant, for Narcan access and National Drug Take Back Day participation.

• The Partnership for a Drug-Free Community and Metro East and Bond County Recovery Councils for assistance with access to local treatment and recovery support options.

• The Gateway Foundation who can provide a warm hand off for those who come to the hospital for help with SUDs.

“We recognize that the path to recovery only begins here and does not end when our patients are discharged,” said Patrick Small, emergency department manager, “Over the previous year, we have worked to increase our presence at community events to actively engage people and talk about SUDs as well as the resources available to assist in recovery. This included handing out naloxone (Narcan®) and educating people on its use, providing information on local support programs for family members of those affected by SUDs, and providing copies of contact information for recovery resources that are both available and close to home,” he explained.

While working to reduce the stigma related to SUDs, St. Joseph’s Hospital also affirms their message that “wanting or needing help is enough.” For those that come to the hospital’s emergency department expressing their need for help, colleagues will actively work to get them the help they need. The hospital also provides free access to Narcan through its emergency department, as well as having a safe drug disposal bin available at the hospital’s main entrance 24 hours per day.

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