Highland Around Town - May 10 edition

Jennifer Green
·8 min read

Noon Friday, May 12, 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, May 10

▪ 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.

▪ Empty the Shelters Adoption Event — Through Monday, May 15 at multiple area shelters. BISSELL Pet Foundation is helping homeless pets go from shelter kennels to the couches of loving homes by sponsoring reduced adoption fees of $50 or less during its Spring National “Empty the Shelters” adoption event. From May 1-15, BISSELL Pet Foundation is teaming up with Dogtopia to host our largest “Empty the Shelters” event yet, with more than 350 participating shelters in 45 states, including Partners For Pets in Troy and Metro East Humane Society in Edwardsville. To see the full list of participating locations, visit bissellpetfoundation.org.

Wednesday, May 10 thru Friday, June 2

▪ Chamber Project Saint Louis: American Women in the Arts Festival — Various times and locations in St. Louis. In collaboration with the Saint Louis Art Museum and St. Louis County Library, the American Women in the Arts Festival offers a unique array of events celebrating the creativity of American women. Chamber Project St. Louis brings their 15th season to a close with a festival celebrating several of the main pillars of their work; collaboration, innovative events and lifting up women in the arts. In collaboration with the Saint Louis Art Museum and St. Louis County Library, the American Women in the Arts Festival offers a unique array of events celebrating the creativity of American women. From an interactive rehearsal, to a curator-led tours of the Saint Louis Art Museum and finally a narrated concert, this Festival offers many ways to enrich your spring with interesting stories, stunning art and beautiful music. For the festival schedule: chamberprojectstl.org.

Thursday, May 11

▪ Twilight Thursdays Concert Series: The Stax Records Catalog — 6-8 p.m. Missouri History Museum, 5700 Lindell Blvd., St. Louis. In 1957 Jim Stewart created Stax Records in Memphis, Tennessee, a label that went on to produce top-selling artists from Otis Redding and Johnnie Taylor to the Staple Singers and Isaac Hayes. Enjoy the integrated sounds of Stax with lead vocals by Gene Jackson and Marty Abdullah. Bring family, friends, food and blankets/lawn chairs, and revel in the music as the sun sets. The area’s best food trucks will be on hand. Concert-goers are invited to park on the lot at the Loop Trolley facility located at 5875 Delmar Ave. mohistory.org/twilight-thursdays

Friday, May 12

▪ World Migratory Bird Day at the Saint Louis Zoo — 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saint Louis Zoo, 1 Government Drive, St. Louis. Activities, educational engagements and themed-treats will be available throughout the Zoo, as guests learn about the importance of helping migratory birds. Free and open to the public. stlzoo.org

▪ 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.

Friday, May 12 & Saturday, May 13

▪ St. Louis Symphony Orchestra: Marvel Studios’ ‘Black Panther’ — 7 p.m. Friday, May 12, and 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday, May 13. Powell Hall, 718 N. Grand Blvd., St. Louis. In 2018, Marvel Studios’ “Black Panther” quickly became a global sensation and cultural phenomenon, showing a new dimension of what superhero films could be. Now you can relive the excitement of T’Challa becoming king and battling Killmonger all while the SLSO performs Ludwig Göransson’s Oscar-winning score live to picture. slso.org

Saturday, May 13

▪ Damiansville & Albers Village-wide Spring Garage Sales — 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Some sales will be open Thursday-Friday, May 11-12.) Exit 34 off of Interstate 64. Something for everyone.

Sunday, May 14

▪ Mother’s Day Breakfast — 8-11:30 a.m. American Legion Post 1026, 600 N. Bertha St., Albers. Serving pork sausage, ham, eggs, fried potatoes, pancakes, biscuits and gravy. Cost: $12 adults, $6 kids 5/12, under 5 free. 618-248-5505.

Tuesday, May 16

▪ 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

▪ Leaps of Love Just for Fun Friday: Dueling Pianos — 7-11 p.m. Friday, May 19. Lindendale Park Ballroom, 2005 Park Hill Drive, Highland. Live entertainment, cash bar, BYO snacks. Tickets: $20 in advance, $25 at the door. Proceeds benefit the 2024 Ms. LOL Pageant. leapsoflove.networkforgood.com

HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital Highland colleagues and Mission committee held a basket raffle in March to support Leaps of Love. The raffle raised over $2,400 for the local organization which embraces families affected by childhood brain tumors, late-effects of childhood cancer, and predisposition syndrome by providing hope, strength, and encouragement. Shown at the check presentation are (left to right): Jed Driemeyer, director of human resources; Patrick Small, manager of emergency services; Trisha Ernst, director of environmental services; Mark Ennen, director of finance; Megan Espenschied, director of surgical services and medical imaging; Michelle Herzberg, director of inpatient services; Sheri Ernst, executive assistant; Teresa Cornelius, interim president and CEO; Abe Barth, pharmacist; Judy Neir, Leaps of Love representative; Rebecca Niemerg, spiritual care team lead; and Hillary Newman, manager of supply chain.

▪ Heartland Community Chorus Pops Concert — 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 20. Trinity Hall, St. Paul Church, 1411 Main St., Highland. Enjoy pops numbers, jazz standards and Broadway. There will also be some great solos, and the Chorus will be joined by a rhythm section of guitar, bass, piano and drums. Two numbers will be highlighted by trumpets, trombone and sax. Tickets can be purchased from Chorus members, at the door or online at heartlandcommunitychorus.org. Cost: $15 per person;16 and under are free.

▪ Party on the Patio — 6-9 p.m. Saturday, June 3. Schlafly Highland Square, 907 Main St., Highland. This event raises funds to support health care initiatives at St. Joseph’s Hospital Highland. The casual garden party style event will feature a full menu of appetizers, drinks and live music by the band, Phoenix. Tickets are $150 for attendees and are available now at stjosephshighland.org/foundation.

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Help HSHS Home Care Illinois Collect Items for HACSM Food Pantry

HSHS Home Care Illinois is holding their annual “Cram the Car” drive in May for the Highland Area Christian Services Ministry (HACSM) food pantry to help those struggling with food insecurity.

Community members are invited to “cram” a Home Care car by donating non-perishable food items, hygiene products and monetary donations for the HACSM food pantry. On Tuesday, May 30, a HSHS Home Care Illinois branded car will be parked on the HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital Highland campus in the circle drive near the main entrance from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. accepting donations.

Some items that the food pantry could specifically use are:

  • Pancake mix

  • Breakfast cereal

  • Oatmeal

  • Rice side dishes

  • Canned pasta (beef ravioli/spaghetti and meatballs)

  • Canned cream soups

  • Ketchup

  • Mustard

  • Toothpaste

  • Toilet paper

  • Deodorant

When donating, please check the expiration date of items and avoid donating expired goods.

For more information about the canned food drive, contact Valerie Engelbart, volunteer/bereavement services supervisor for HSHS Home Care Illinois, at 217-685-0702 or email Valerie.Engelbart@hshs.org. To find out more about services offered by HSHS Home Care Illinois, visit www.hshshomecare.org.

HACF Accepting Grant Applications

The Highland Area Community Foundation is currently seeking applicants for its 2023 grant awards. Grants are given for not-for-profit purposes to organizations or groups that provide community services within the Highland Community Unit School District, St. Jacob and Marine townships, or in the Village of St. Rose and St. Rose Township.

Since its beginning in 1996, the Foundation’s Grant Program has come a long way. In its first year, three grants were awarded totaling $1,500; and in 2022, 57 grants were awarded totaling $78,986. In the last 27 years, a total of $1,314,203 has been awarded in grants to not-for-profit organizations or groups to benefit the Highland area community.

The Foundation seeks to make grant awards in response to current and emerging needs or gaps of needed services and to strengthen volunteer participation and citizen involvement in community concerns.

“We encourage various not-for-profit organizations with projects that better our community or quality of life to apply,” according to Ryan Goodwin, President of the Foundation.

“That’s what these funds are for.”

Grant applications may be obtained from the Highland Area Community Foundation at 1216 Main St., Highland, by calling 618-654-4727, emailing info@hacf.org, or from the Foundation’s website, www.hacf.org. Specific criteria are listed on the grant application form. Deadline for submission is June 30.

Grant awards will be announced at the Foundation’s 28th annual Grants Banquet on Oct. 10, which will be sponsored by Busey Bank again this year.

The Highland Area Community Foundation is funded through the generous contributions of many who want to make a difference in the lives of others. Donations may be made to any of the Foundation’s various funds, or you may become a Sustaining Member at any time throughout the year. By becoming a Sustaining Member of the Foundation, your contribution goes directly to grants. A complete listing of these funds is available on the Foundation’s website, www.hacf.org or by calling 618/654-4727.

For more information about the HACF grant program, call 618-654-4727, email info@hacf.org or visit the Foundation’s website at www.hacf.org.