Highland Around Town — March 1 edition
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: Highland News Leader Around Town, Belleville News-Democrat, P.O. Box 427, Belleville, IL 62222-0427. Questions, call Jennifer Green at 618-239-2643.
Wednesday, March 1
▪ First Mid Bank & Trust Easter Baskets — Through Friday, March 24. First Mid Bank & Trust, 12616 Illinois 143, Highland. First Mid Bank & Trust is collecting filled Easter baskets for less fortunate children in the area. Pick up an empty basket at the First Mid branch, fill the basket with goodies for children ages 10 and under and return it by Friday, April 1. Baskets will be distributed by Highland Area Christian Service Ministries to less fortunate children in the area. 618-654-1111, option 1.
▪ Saint Louis Zoo Job Fair — 4-7 p.m. The Living World, Saint Louis Zoo, One Government Drive, St. Louis. The Saint Louis Zoo will host job fairs in The Living World at the Zoo’s North Entrance for those interested in part-time work at the Zoo. In addition to summer employees, the Zoo is seeking applicants who have immediate availability mid-spring. Energetic, responsible and service-oriented individuals are needed for part-time positions, including catering and food service personnel, attraction operators, education interpreters, security beats, retail, parking lot attendants and more. stlzoo.org/employment
Thursday, March 2
▪ Diabetes Support Group — 4 p.m. Frisse Conference Room, HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital Highland, 12866 Troxler Ave., Highland. Open to those with diabetes and their family members and/or caregivers. The group meets on the first Thursday of each month. Participants will be required to wear non-cloth, medical-grade masks, as masks are still required in health care facilities per Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines. Registration is required. 618-526-5743 or lisa.ketchem@hshs.org to register or for more information.
▪ 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.
▪ Highland Fish Fry — 4-7 p.m. VFW Post 5694, 1900 VFW Road, Highland. Dine-in and carryout. No call-in orders. facebook.com/vfwpost5694
▪ Highland Knights of Columbus Fish Fry — 4-7 p.m. Highland Knights of Columbus, 12454 Illinois Route 143, Highland. Fried and baked fish, fried shrimp, chicken strip dinners, two sides from fries, cole slaw, macaroni salad, applesauce, plus hush puppies, bread, iced tea, coffee. Cash bar. facebook.com/HighlandKnightsofColumbusCouncil1580
▪ 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, March 4
▪ Highland Home Museum Open House — 1:30-4:30 p.m. Highland Home Museum and Art, 1600 Walnut St., Highland. Roland Harris will be present for the open house as long as he is able. These open houses take place the first Saturday of every month. For more information, contact 618-654-2395.
▪ 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
Sunday, March 5
▪ Albers Legion Breakfast — 8-11 a.m. American Legion Post 1026, 600 N. Bertha St., Albers. Cost: $12 adults, $5 kids 5-12, under 5 eat free. Dine in or carryout. 618-248-5505.
Tuesday, March 7
▪ 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, March 8
▪ 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.
Other area happenings
▪ Boating Safety Class — 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, March 25. Lake Lou Yaeger’s Milnot Beach House, 4932 Beach House Trail, Litchfield. This course will cover general boating terms, laws and regulations, safety and safety equipment, navigation rules, locks and dams, anchoring and more. While it is intended as an introductory class, those of all skill levels are welcome, however students must be at least 10 years of age to participate. Participants do not need to own a boat to take the class. Pre-registration required by March 20. Fee: $25, includes textbook, Boating Safety Certificate, Boating Safety Wallet Card and end-of-course examination provided by the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary. A $5 fee for each additional person, after a book has been purchased, includes the certificate, wallet card and examination. Participants are asked to bring a sack lunch. To register, please contact Lake Superintendent Terry Hancock at lake@cityoflitchfieldil.com or call 217-324-5832.
▪ HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital Highland Health Fair — 6-10:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 4. HSHS Medical Group Family Medicine office at 7342 IL-162, Troy. Includes comprehensive blood screenings, prostatic-specific antigen screenings, hemoglobin A1C and Vitamin D screening. Please wear short-sleeved shirts to make the process easier. Those wanting to attend must register for an appointment online at stjosephshighland.org/troyhealthfair before Wednesday, March 29. There are limited spots available and on-site registration will not be accepted. If you are unable to register online, you can call 618-651-2739 for assistance.
Wisper Internet supporting Furry Friends
Wisper Internet recently donated the proceeds from an employee trivia night to Partners for Pets, a no kill animal shelter based in St. Jacob.
Last year, the facility rescued 1,675 dogs and cats both locally and from neighboring states. The animals are assisted by 250 volunteers who are currently caring for 250 animals both in foster care and more than 100 at the shelter itself.
In addition to rescuing animals, Partners for Pets also hosts weekly spay, neutering and vaccination clinics. Since its inception in 2003, Partners for Pets has rescued roughly 23,000 animals. Both Wisper and Partners for Pets are celebrating their 20th anniversaries in 2023.
