O’Fallon Around Town — March 23 edition; news from Scott Air Force Base

Jennifer Green
·6 min read

Noon Friday, March 24 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: O’Fallon Progress Around Town, Belleville News-Democrat, P.O. Box 427, Belleville, IL 62222-0427. Questions, call Jennifer Green at 618-239-2643.

Thursday, March 23

▪ Exhibit Opening: ‘Here I Have Lived: Home in Illinois’ — 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily through Jan. 21, 2024. Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, 212 N. Sixth St., Springfield. The major new exhibit will explore the elusive idea of “home” and the many different ways Illinoisans have made this state their home over the centuries. presidentlincoln.illinois.gov

▪ National Alliance on Mental Illness: Family Support Group — 7-8:30 p.m. Online via Zoom. These support meetings are for family members, significant others and/or friends of persons with a mental health condition. Facilitators: Pat Rudloff and Beverly Churchill. Held the fourth Thursday of the month. For information: kelly.nami.swi@gmail.com or 618-798-9788.

▪ Shoe Collection Drive Fundraiser — Through Saturday, May 6. Papa Wally’s Produce, 138 Seibert Road, Shiloh. Fundraising for 4 Paws for Ability Autism Assistance Dog for 22-month-old Tucker. How to help: Donate new or gently worn shoes (mens, womens, or kids—no cleats, please) at Papa Wally’s Produce. Pick up can be arranged for group donations. The goal is to collect 100 bags of shoes to raise funds to help cover fees for a service dog for Tucker. For more info: facebook.com/4paws4tucker.

Friday, March 24

▪ O’Fallon K of C Fish Fry — 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 4-8 p.m. Knights of Columbus Hall, 402 E. U.S. 50, O’Fallon. Traditional menu of cod and several side dishes. Dine-in and carryout. Credit cards accepted. Orders can be called in at 618-632-6229. facebook.com/KnightsOfColumbus4239

▪ KC Club and Event Center Fish Fry — 3-7 p.m. 5420 Old Collinsville Road, O’Fallon. Catfish plates, cod plates, barbecue chicken, fries, cole slaw, hush puppies, baked beans, potato salad. Dine in or carryout and drink specials. facebook.com/KCClubEastStLouis

▪ 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

Friday, March 24 & Saturday, March 25

▪ Pop-Up Shop — 5-8 p.m. Friday, March 24, and 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, March 25. St. Nicholas Activity Center, 625 St. Nicholas Drive, O’Fallon. Great prices on new/tagged and like-new clothing, purses, vintage items, jewelry and home decor. Friday admission for 18 and older: $3 or a pair of new/gently worn men’s jeans. Free admission on Saturday. Proceeds benefit St. Vincent de Paul Help Center/Cosgrove’s Kitchen/OverNight Center in East St. Louis.

Saturday, March 25

▪ Caffeine and Chrome — 9 a.m. to noon. Gateway Classic Cars, 1237 Central Park Drive #1, O’Fallon. Cruise in with your collectible car or daily driver and bring your appetite. Indulge in pastries and coffee* (while supplies last). All makes and models are welcome, with plenty of parking space. This is a family and pet friendly event. Free and open to the public. facebook.com/events/1467388670415073

Sunday, March 26

▪ Central Illinois Numismatic Association 33rd annual Spring Coin Show — 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Northfield Center I, 3210 Northfield Drive, Springfield. U.S. and foreign coins, ancient and modern coins, gold and silver bullion, American eagles, paper money. Admission: $1. Members of the Central Illinois Numismatic Association and children under 16 get in free. Open to the public. 217-528-7634.

▪ Evangel University Sinfonia — 10 a.m. O’Fallon Assembly of God, 1400 N. Green Mount Road, O’Fallon. The repertoire of the Sinfonia includes classical, sacred and contemporary Christian arrangements for orchestra, as well as various arrangements for voices with orchestral accompaniment.

Wednesday, March 29

▪ 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.

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Keyona Fisher, 375th Force Support Squadron uses her 30-year background as an art teacher to continue to spark creativity in others on Scott Air Force Base. Fisher has always been passionate about teaching and enjoys sharing her gift with others.
Keyona Fisher, 375th Force Support Squadron uses her 30-year background as an art teacher to continue to spark creativity in others on Scott Air Force Base. Fisher has always been passionate about teaching and enjoys sharing her gift with others.

Humans of Scott: 30 year art teacher reframes creativity at Scott

By Airman 1st Class De’Quan Simmons

375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs Office

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE

Keyona Fisher, a creative at heart, passes on her knowledge of art to others and leaves an impact in their lives in a way they won’t forget.

For over 30 years, she was a high school art teacher. She now works as a picture framer at the Scott Arts and Crafts Center and has been a part of Team Scott for just over a year.

Fisher has always been passionate about teaching and enjoys sharing her gift with others. Her favorite part of teaching was knowing she impacted her students’ lives.

“I used to keep a folder in my desk, a manila folder,” said Fisher. “It was full of little notes and things that students had written and given to me as little thank-you notes. Occasionally, I’d pull that folder up and look at them. That’s when you know you’re doing the right thing.”

Fisher encourages everyone to participate in art, with everyone having their unique brand of creativity to share.

“It’s kind of like, if you’re a runner, or if you do sports, and you hit that point where everything else goes away,” said Fisher. “You can do it. If you’re in a wheelchair, you can do it. If you’re 60 years old, you can do it. You can get that Zen feeling, and it’s a gift that I like being able to share with people.”

A model of the U.S. Army Air Corps Explorer II balloon sits on display at the 375th Air Mobility Wing headquarters building. Explorer II was part of a partnership between the U.S. Army Air Corps and the National Geographic Society and its mission was to collect data on the composition of the atmosphere.
A model of the U.S. Army Air Corps Explorer II balloon sits on display at the 375th Air Mobility Wing headquarters building. Explorer II was part of a partnership between the U.S. Army Air Corps and the National Geographic Society and its mission was to collect data on the composition of the atmosphere.

375th Air Mobility Wing adds Explorer II model aircraft to collection

By Airman 1st Class De’Quan Simmons

375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs Office

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE

Team Scott added another model aircraft to its historic collection March 6 at the 375th Air Mobility Wing Headquarters.

Marc Hornkohl of the American Model Builders delivered a model of the U.S. Army Air Corps Explorer II balloon to the headquarters, adding to the collection of the 375th Air Mobility Wing’s Heritage Program.

Explorer II was part of a partnership between the U.S. Army Air Corps and the National Geographic Society, and its mission was to collect data on the composition of the atmosphere. The crew set the world record for altitude and were the first to photograph Earth’s curvature.

The two-man crew, U.S. Army Air Corps Captains Albert W. Stevens and Orvil A. Anderson, both of Scott Field, received national coverage, Distinguished Flying Cross Medals, the Air Corps’ Mackay Trophy for the most meritorious flight of the year, and the National Geographic Society’s Hubbard Medal for distinction in exploration, discovery, and research.

U.S. Navy Veteran Shelby Hamilton and U.S. Air Force Veteran Charles Butula are awarded for their prior service March 10 at the Belle-Scott Enlisted dinner in St. Clair County. The dinner was attended by airman from the 375th Air Mobility wing and the Belleville community. Community members along with Belleville Mayor, Patty Gregory and Chairman Mark Kern met with Scott personnel to enjoy a meal and build relationships. A few of many specially guests in attendance were Hamilton and Botula who were honored for their heroism in the service. These events bring Airmen and local civilians closer as they learn about and carry on the bond we have with this community.