Holiday season arrives as Thanksgiving, Christmas events hit the metro-east calendar
Noon Friday, Nov. 17, is the deadline to appear in next week’s What’s Happening. We must receive your event in writing with a contact phone number for questions.
Due to the number of submissions received, events may run only one time in print. Submitted event info will be edited and run the week before the event date.
Send event info via email to lifestyle@bnd.com. Questions, call Jennifer Green at 618-239-2643.
Events
▪ Industrial Careers Open House — 3-6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 16. LeClaire Room, Lewis and Clark Community College N.O. Nelson Campus, 600 Troy Road, Edwardsville. This career fair/networking event is open to both potential students and L&C alumni who would like to learn more about the careers available to them with training from L&C’s Process Operations Technology and Industrial Electricity programs. In addition to tours and networking opportunities, attendees can get enrollment and financial aid information, as well as learn about scholarship opportunities. The event will even feature demonstrations in N.O. Nelson’s professional-grade facilities. Light refreshments available. Registration recommended: https://bit.ly/3SwN4Uj. 618-468-5859.
▪ Lebanon’s Victorian Holiday 2023 — 4-8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 17, and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18. West St. Louis Street, Lebanon. Join Lebanon on the brick street for carriage rides, lamplighter ceremony, cookies with sugar plum fairies, holiday parade, live reindeer, photos with Father Christmas, live musical performances and more. facebook.com/LebanonVictorianHoliday
▪ Belleville Farmers Market — 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, Nov. 18. LongStory Coffee, 732 S. Illinois St., Belleville. Vendors include Lehr’s Vegetable Farm, Lizzie Bob’s Bakery, Boxcar Greens and Baker’s Bark.
▪ Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church Sixth annual Thanksgiving 2 Go — 9 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 18. Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church, 616 Garfield Hubbard Blvd., East St. Louis. Morning Star will provide turkeys and meal boxes (while supplies last) to residents of the East St. Louis, St. Clair County and surrounding areas. Each box will include a turkey and all the trimmings a family needs to prepare a Thanksgiving meal. For information or to support this event, call 618-397-9099.
▪ Metals & Electronics Recycle Drive — 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Nov. 18. St. Clair Township Building, 107 Service St., Swansea. Accepting office equipment, vehicles, electronics, batteries, appliances, machinery. Fees for TV/Monitor, CRT. No paper, glass, plastic, wood, cardboard or tires. 618-344-7232 or powerrecycling.com.
▪ Tri-Township Library Book Sale — 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Nov. 18. Tri-Township Library, 209 S. Main St., Troy. Book donations accepted during the book sale and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesdays. Sponsored by the Friends of the Library. 618-667-2133.
▪ Metro East Model Railroad Club Holiday Open House — 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18. 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. Additional dates: Dec. 2, 16 & 30. 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.
▪ History Museum of Monroe County: ‘Backyard Birds-of-Prey’ — 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18. History Museum of Monroe County, Allscheid-Metzger Gallery, 724 Elaine Drive, Waterloo. HOOs in the Woods? Stacia Novy will talk on the raptors living in our own residential neighborhoods. Hawks, eagles, falcons and owls encountered during a day or night in town will be covered. Ever wonder about the hawk that suddenly appears at your bird feeder? What about those strange calls heard in the middle of the night? And what kind of hawk sits on telephone wires? Attend this program to learn the answers and identities of these highly urbanized, feathered friends. monroecountyhistorymuseum.org
▪ Missouri Botanical Garden 11th annual Garden Glow — Hours vary nightly Saturday, Nov. 18, through Saturday, Jan. 6 (closed Nov. 23 & 27, 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
▪ Olde Wicks Factory Holiday Sip & Shop — 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 19. The Olde Wicks Factory, 1100 5th St., Highland. Nearly 100 vendors, live music, food, and drinks all in one location.
▪ O’Fallon Community Thanksgiving Service — 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 21. First United Methodist Church, 504 E. Highway 50, O’Fallon. Special Speaker: Pastor Nicole Cotton from First Church of the Nazarene in Belleville. The public is cordially invited to attend this annual community service. A Love Offering for the O’Fallon Food Pantry will be taken. A fellowship time with pie and coffee will follow. For more information, please call Pastor Donald Andreasen who serves as the Pastor’s Network Chairman at 618-632-5584.
▪ U.S. Bank Wild Lights at the Saint Louis Zoo — 5-8:30 p.m. on select dates from Friday, Nov. 24 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.
Worth the Drive
▪ River-to-River Trail Society Fall Hike: Jackson Hole/Double Branch Hole (Pope County) — 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 25. Meet at the old Shawnee Mart Eddyville. This will be a hike of moderate difficulty, 6 miles in length, 5 hours hiking time. This will be a loop hike. The event is intended for people in good health who have done some hiking. Hiking sticks and sturdy shoes are recommended. Hikers should bring their own water and a snack. No dogs, please. Free and open to the public. This hike’s leader can be reached at 618-759-1924. rivertorivertrail.net
Games
▪ Holiday Game Night — 6:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 17. St. Teresa School Gym, 1108 Lebanon Ave., Belleville. Doors open at 6 p.m. A variety of vendors will be on site to assist with Christmas shopping. Santa Sack and Christmas booth games, raffles, bakery booth, silent auction, and more! Bring your favorite card or board games. Admission is $12 per person and includes a chicken salad meal. Must be 18 or older to attend. Hosted by the Ladies of Perpetual Help. To reserve a table or for more information: ladiesofperpetualhelp@gmail.com.
▪ Belleville/Swansea Moose Lodge Sunday Night Bingo — 6:30 p.m. Sundays. Belleville/Swansea Moose Lodge, 2425 N. Illinois St., Swansea. Games start at 6:30 p.m. Early Bird at 6:15 p.m. Cards sold at 5 p.m. Open to the public. Bring a canned good for one free card.
▪ Metro Cribbage Club — 12:30 p.m. Mondays. American Legion Post 365, 1022 Vandalia St., Collinsville. For more information, contact Yvonne Bright, 618-344-1521 or ybrightmail@gmail.com.
▪ Troy Senior Center Bingo — 12:30 p.m. Mondays. Wiesemeyer Building, 410 Wickliffe, Troy. Includes light snack, cash prizes. No cost to play, no RSVP required. 618-667-2022.
Theater/Concerts
▪ The Philharmonic Society of Belleville and the Belleville School of Ballet present The Nutcracker Ballet — 2 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Nov. 18-19, and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18. Love Church, 1549 Frank Scott Parkway West, Belleville. Enjoy Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s timeless holiday classic, fully staged with stunning costumes, elaborate sets and full live orchestra. Tickets can be purchased online or at the door. bellevillephilharmonic.org
▪ St. Louis Symphony Orchestra: The Eight Seasons of Vivaldi and Piazzolla — 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 26. The Sheldon, 3648 Washington Ave., St. Louis. Make the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra part of your Thanksgiving plans as the melodies of the changing seasons come to life. The timeless charm of The Four Seasons transports listeners to the northern Italian countryside, brilliantly contrasting with the passionate soundscape of Argentina in The Four Seasons of Buenos Aires. From Vivaldi’s iconic Spring to Piazzolla’s intense Winter, the SLSO’s own gifted violinists, David Halen and Erin Schreiber, weave a seasonal musical tapestry. slso.org
▪ United States Air Force Band of Mid-America: Spirit of the Season — 7 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Dec. 8-9, 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9 at Hettenhausen Center for the Arts, 400 N. Alton St., Lebanon. 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 15 and 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16 at Mascoutah High School, 1313 W. Main St., Mascoutah. This year’s holiday series will feature a special guest reading of “The Christmas Truce” by USAF veteran Kathy Lawton Brown, host of Classic 107.3 FM. “The Christmas Truce” tells the story of a series of unofficial ceasefires that took place along with the Western Front of the First World War during Christmas of 1914. Additionally, Santa and Mrs. Claus will lead a performance of the Muppets’ song “Christmas is Coming,” and will be available to meet with young guests after the performance. Admission to these holiday performances is free and open to the public, but tickets are required. Reserve your tickets today at afbandtix.com. This is a family-friendly, all-ages event.
Clubs & Support Groups
▪ National Alliance on Mental Illness: Family Support Group — 7-8:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 16. 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.
▪ Grief Share Seminar/Group — 6-7:30 p.m. Tuesdays thru Dec. 5. Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Fellowship Hall, lower level, 1300 Beltline Road, Collinsville. Grief Share is for people grieving the death of a loved one. The seminar features practical suggestions and reassurance through video interviews with counselors, grief experts and others who have experienced the death of a loved one. Can start at any session. Cost: $20 for the workbook. 618-344-3151 or bklee54@yahoo.com.
▪ Belleville ‘Sounds of Harmony’ Barbershop Chorus — 7-9:30 p.m. Tuesdays. Union United Methodist Church, 721 E. Main St., Belleville. Men of all ages who like to sing are encouraged to attend. For info: Bob at 618-566-8574 or email RLCearnal@gmail.com.
▪ Parents of Addicted Loved Ones — 7-8:30 p.m. Tuesdays. 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
▪ Bible Study Fellowship — 9:30-11 a.m. or 6-7:30 p.m. Wednesdays. St. Matthew Church, 1200 Moreland Drive, Belleville. The morning group includes classes for newborn through pre-K. Examine the biblical truth for your life along with other women as they study the Gospel of John. For more info, call Jane, 618-520-8357 or Candy, 618-363-3285 or visit bsfinternational.org.
▪ National Alliance on Mental Illness: NAMI Connection Recovery Support Group — 6:30-8 p.m. Wednesdays. 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.
▪ Granite City Senior Social Club Christmas Party — 11:30 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 10. Granite City Township Hall, 2060 Delmar Ave., Granite City. Includes a catered meal at 12:30 p.m., “It’s Magic!” starring Terry Richison at 1:30 p.m., and Tom Wilkerson’s Christmas Sing-along, attendance prizes, Christmas quilt raffle. Tickets on sale through Dec. 3. Cost: $13 for members, $15 for non-members. No tickets will be sold at the door. 618-444-6771, 618-797-6749 or 618-877-0513.
Food
▪ Waterloo VFW Post #6504 Fish Fry — 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Fridays. Waterloo VFW Post #6504, 406 Veterans Drive, Waterloo. Traditional Menu of cod, walleye, catfish, shrimp, chicken, chicken strips, hamburgers, fries, slaw, hush puppies, onion rings, fried green beans and fried mushrooms. Cash bar available. Dine-in or carryout. Credit/debit cards accepted. Orders can be called in at 618-939-7999.
▪ O’Fallon Knights of Columbus & Ladies Auxiliary Fish Fry — 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 4-7 p.m. Fridays. Knights of Columbus Hall, 402 E. U.S. 50, O’Fallon. Traditional menu of cod, tilapia, catfish, hamburgers, hot dogs, pork steaks and several side dishes. Dine-in and carryout. Credit cards accepted. Orders can be called in at 618-632-6229. facebook.com/KnightsOfColumbus4239
▪ Swansea Fish Stand — 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Fridays. KC Club & Event Center, 5420 Old Collinsville Road, O’Fallon. Cod, walleye, catfish, shrimp and more. Open for carryout, call-in and dine-in orders. 618-222-7171. facebook.com/KCClubEastStLouis
▪ Aviston Legion Fish Fry — 4:30-7 p.m. Fridays. 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. avistonlegion.com
▪ Okawville American Legion Fish Fry — 5-8 p.m. Fridays. American Legion Post 233, 205 N. Hanover St., Okawville. Dine in or carryout. Also serving lunch 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday-Friday with a salad bar. Pizza made fresh and served every day. facebook.com/OkawvilleLegion
▪ 10th annual Thanksgiving Feast — 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 23. Faith Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall, 520 E. Highway 50, O’Fallon. The mission is to offer a delicious, heart-warming Thanksgiving luncheon to those who can’t cook, don’t want to cook, or just want to enjoy it without the mess. Open to all residents of Shiloh, O’Fallon, Scott AFB and surrounding areas. All donated food and cash donations not utilized that day will be given to the O’Fallon and Shiloh food pantries. 618-632-8401 or ofallonthanksgiving@gmail.com.
