O’Fallon Around Town - July 6 edition

Jennifer Green
·6 min read

Noon Friday, July 7, 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: O’Fallon Around Town, Belleville News-Democrat, P.O. Box 427, Belleville, IL 62222-0427. Questions, call Jennifer Green at 618-239-2643.

Thursday, July 6

▪ 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. First Thursday of every month. Facilitators will vary. For information: kelly.nami.swi@gmail.com or 618-798-9788.

▪ St. Clair County Genealogical Society — 7 p.m. Online via Zoom. Program: “Deeds and Patents in Genealogical Research” presented by John Barr, a genealogist for Old Northwest Genealogy. The meeting is open to the public, but space is limited. Reservation information is at stclair-ilgs.org/events or facebook.com/STCCGSIL.

Friday, July 7

▪ Tri Township Library Book Sale — 9 a.m. to noon. Tri Township Library, 209 S. Main St., Troy. Book donations accepted 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday and during the book sale. Sponsored by the Friends of the Library. 618-667-2133.

▪ O’Fallon Knights of Columbus & Ladies Auxiliary Fish Fry — 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 4-7 p.m. 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

▪ Shiloh Eagles Fish Fry — 5-7 p.m. Shiloh Eagles 545, 100 Eagle Drive, Shiloh. Cod, walleye, catfish, shrimp and sides. Full menu. Dine-in or carryout available. For carryout, call 618-624-5412. facebook.com/shiloheagles545

Saturday, July 8

▪ O’Fallon Township Rummage Sale — 7 a.m. to noon. Township Building, 801 E. State St., O’Fallon. Men’s, women’s and children’s clothing, plus household items will be available.

▪ Vine Street Market at O’Fallon Station — 8 a.m. to noon. O’Fallon Station, 212 E. 1st St., O’Fallon. Locally grown vegetables, flowers, fruits, eggs, cheese and meats. A selection of bakers and sweet treats along with coffee, craft brew beverages and artisans. Live music, patio seating, food truck on site. Bicycle and pet friendly. 618-624-0139 or ofallonvinestreetmarket.com.

▪ The World’s Largest Catsup Bottle Festival — 11 a.m. Herald Square, 119 E. Clay St., Collinsville. The family fun starts at 11 a.m. and continues all day. Festivities include the Little Princess Tomato and Sir Catsup contest, Brooks Ketchup tasting, hot dogs smothered-in-ketchup eating contest, games, mascot madness dance-off, al-ages hula hoops competition, water balloon toss, live music into the evening. catsupbottlefestival.com

▪ Great Illinois River Raft Race — 3 p.m. Hardin. Two raft races and a kayak race will highlight a full day of river-focused activities starting at 3 p.m. and ending at midnight. The raft races – featuring two separate classes of homemade rafts – begin at 4 p.m. Entry fees are $20 per person before July 8 and $30 the day of the race. Registration is on-going through July 8. Participants can register online at illinoisriverraftrace.com. Day includes a bags competition, a kayak raffle, a basket drop, live music, bounce houses, food, beer garden, vendors and games. Radio station 92.3 will also do a live remote from the Hardin riverfront from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. There will also be a fireworks show taking place at dark. The event is free and open to the public.

Wednesday, July 12

▪ 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.

▪ Music in the Park: Frankie and The Houseshakers — 7 p.m. Shiloh Community Park, 14 Park Drive, Shiloh. Bring a cooler, snacks and a lawn chair. Free parking. Sponsored by Village of Shiloh. 618-632-1022, ext. 119.

Other area events

▪ O’Fallon Township Senior Committee — 5:30 p.m. Thursday, July 20. Township Building, 801 E. State St., O’Fallon. Dinner and entertainment. For Township residents only. Cost: $3. Reservation deadline is Friday, July 14.

The Looking Glass Prairie Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, installed new officers at its June meeting. Pictured left to right: Susan Haas (Regent), Rhonda Leach (Treasurer), Debbie Sinks (Recording Secretary), Carol Gorecki (Registrar), Melissa McArthur (Corresponding Secretary and Librarian), Margaret Truitt (Chaplain), and Peggy Sternberg (Historian). Ellen Hays was appointed Parliamentarian. Vice Regent Kim Dalrymple not shown. Submitted by Lola DeGroff

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Vine Street Market at O’Fallon Station now accepts SNAP and Link Match Double Coupons

Food Works is very pleased to announce that Vine Street Market at O’Fallon Station is now accepting SNAP and Link Match and is part of the Southern Illinois Link Hub, which provides support to farmers markets in Southern Illinois for the Link Match Double Coupon Program. Funding comes from Experimental Station, Link Up Illinois and the Illinois Department of Human Services. The market is in its fifth year and is one of the largest markets around. The market is located at 212 E. 1st St., O’Fallon, and runs 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays March-October.

The Link Hub and Link Match program help low-income families throughout Southern Illinois access equitable, healthy and nutritious foods year-round at Illinois farmers markets and as the program circulates dollars into the local economy though local farm businesses, it also provides stability to local farm businesses and farmers markets.

The SNAP and Link Match Double Coupon program allows customers to use their LINK card to purchase food at the farmers market and provides matching coupons for fresh fruits and vegetables. For every $1 a customer spends with their LINK card, they also receive a $1 Link Match coupon that can be used at any Illinois farmers market that participates in the program. Customers can get up to $25 worth of free fruits and vegetables per swipe, with unlimited swipes.

“This program is great for communities because it helps food insecure folks among us to access healthful, nourishing foods and it also supports the local economy. SNAP recipients double their purchasing power at the farmers market, and when they spend those food dollars with local farmers, bakers and other small food businesses, they are supporting other local families too,” said Jennifer Paulson, executive director of Food Works.

“Over the past few years and throughout the pandemic, we have seen the need for SNAP and Link Match increase significantly”, said Libby Ervin, Assistant Director and the person that will be supporting the markets with the grant.

This year Food Works will be partnering with the Illinois Farmers Market Association and Illinois Farm Bureau to once again support the program at these participating markets: F.R.E.S.H. Market in East St. Louis, LEAF Food Hub, Benton Farmers Market, Humpday Farmers Market, Marion Farmers Market, Elverado Farmers Market, Du Quoin State Fairgrounds Farmers Market, Community Farmers Market in Carbondale.

Each market has its own way of using LINK Up Illinois Link Match Coupons, so look for the information booth at the market to learn more. Some markets use tokens, while others use paper coupons. Coupons are only available while funds last and have an expiration date of Dec. 31, 2023.

For more information about the program, visit fwsoil.org.