Veterans Day events take the spotlight in this week’s southwestern IL events calendar
Noon Friday, Nov. 10, 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.
Veterans Day Events
▪ 2023 Veterans Day Ceremony — 6:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 10. Gibault High School Gymnasium, 501 Columbia Ave., Waterloo. Open to the public.
▪ Veterans Day Celebration: Holiday Bazaar & Jamboree — 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 11. Soulard Market Park, South 8th Street, St. Louis. Neighbors Impacting Communities invites the community to join them in Soulard Market Park for an unforgettable Veterans Day Celebration at Soulard Market Park. The “Holiday Bazaar & Jamboree: promises a day filled with entertainment, food, crafts, vendors, and a whole lot of patriotic spirit including line dancing, contests and more. Free and open to the public. nicstlmo.org
▪ Veterans Day Program — 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 11. Russell E. Dunham Memorial Post 1308, 4445 N. Alby St., Alton.
▪ Collinsville Veterans Day Parade — 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 11. Collinsville. The parade kicks off from Woodland Park, travels down Concord onto Vandalia and ends at the American Legion. A ceremony and luncheon will be held at the American Legion following the parade.
▪ Annual Veterans Day Service — 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 11. American Legion Prairie Du Pont Post 485, 200 S. 5th St., Dupo. American Legion Prairie Du Pont Post 485 and Auxiliary Unit 485 in Dupo and Chief Pontiac VFW Post 1699, Cahokia invite the community to the annual service. Any questions can be addressed to Post 485 at 618-286-3535 or post485@aol.com.
▪ City of Belleville 25th annual Veterans Day Ceremony — 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 11. Southeast quadrant of the Public Square, Downtown Belleville. Master of Ceremonies: John Pertzborn, Morning Anchor at FOX 2. Guest Speaker: Major General Gavin A. Lawrence, Commanding General of the Military Surface Deployment & Distribution Command at Scott Air Force Base.
▪ Leaving of the Wreath — 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 11. Veterans Memorial at Lakeview Park, Lakeview Drive, Waterloo. Open to the public.
▪ O’Fallon Veterans Monument Veterans Day Event — 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 11. First Baptist Church, 1111 E. Highway 50, O’Fallon. The guest speaker will be Colonel Kevin Jacobs, Commander, 126 th Mission Support Group, Illinois Air National Guard, Scott AFB. There will be participation from Miss O’Fallon Beatrice McCoy; the OTHS AFJ ROTC; and VFW Post 805, in addition to others. The names of the newly-inscribed veterans will be introduced at this time. Pre-service music will begin at 10:45 a.m. Veterans are encouraged to wear their medals and decorations that day.
▪ O’Fallon Veterans Day Parade — 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 11. O’Fallon. The parade will line up on South Hilgard Street along the Community Park beginning at 12:30. No Parking areas along the parade route (Hilgard, south side of 3rd Street, 100-200 blocks of South Lincoln, and the 100-200 blocks of West 1st Street) will need to be clear of parked cars from 1-3 p.m. The parade will begin at 2 p.m. at South Hilgard and East 4th streets and end in front of the VFW (200 block of West 1st Street) at approximately 3 p.m. Roads and parking will re-open at that time.
▪ Edwardsville Veterans Day Parade — 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 11. Downtown Edwardsville. The route starts at Eden Church and finishes at Lincoln Middle School. The parade begins on Main Street, proceeds south, turns right onto Vandalia Street at Walgreens, continues west on St. Louis Street at Busey Bank and turns left onto West Street, ending at the middle school.
▪ Wood River Veterans Day Service — 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 11. East Alton Wood River High School, 777 N. Wood River Ave., Wood River. Twenty veterans will be presented with a Quilt of Valor in appreciation for their service. Free and open to the public.
Events
▪ Community e-Waste Event — 9 a.m. to noon Friday-Saturday, Nov. 10-11. Lewis and Clark Community College, Tolle Lane parking lot, 5800 Godfrey Road, Godfrey. Most items will be accepted for free, providing community members with a secure, Earth-friendly option for discarding used electronics. For more information and lists of accepted and unacceptable items, visit cjdecycling.com.
▪ Greater St. Louis Area Council Scouting 38th annual Scouting for Food Good Turn — Saturday, Nov. 11. This year, more than 27,000 Scouts will go door to door and distribute the iconic blue grocery bags for households to fill with non-perishable food items. Then, on Saturday, Nov. 18, Scouts will return to collect the filled grocery bags. After picking up the donations, Scouts will deliver the food to a central collection site – a firehouse or a food pantry – for distribution across more than 400 member agencies. stlbsa.org/scouting-for-food
▪ Metals & Electronics Recycle Drive — 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Nov. 11. Public Parking Lot, 227 W. Main St., Collinsville. Accepting office equipment, vehicles, electronics, batteries, appliances, machinery. Fees for TV/Monitor, CRT. No paper, glass, plastic, wood, cardboard or tires. 618-344-7232.
▪ Metro Transit Hiring Event — 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 11. Brentwood MetroBus Facility, 3000 S. Brentwood Blvd., St. Louis. On-site interviews will be conducted for Mechanics, Metro Call-A-Ride Van Operators, MetroBus Operators and MetroLink Operators, which are all eligible for a special $5,000 signing bonus. Qualified applicants may receive instant job offers on Saturday following their on-site interviews. Metro Transit extended 89 instant job offers to qualified applicants at last month’s hiring event, which included offers for more than 30 new Metro Call-A-Ride Operators and 50 new MetroBus Operators. Candidates are encouraged to learn more about these positions and apply online in advance of the hiring event by visiting WorkAtMetroSTL.com.
▪ Central Illinois Numismatic Association’s 33rd annual Fall Coin Show — 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 12. Northfield Center I, 3210 Northfield Drive, Springfield. Featuring 70 dealer tables, U.S. and foreign coins, ancient and modern coins, gold and silver bullion, state quarters, paper money. Early bird admission 7-9 a.m. for $20; general admission $1, members and children under 16 get in free. 217-899-9996.
▪ 69th annual Turkey Raffle and Dance — 2-6 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 12. American Legion Post 683, 7236 IL-15, St. Libory. Doors open at 12:30 p.m. Music by Rendition. Attendance prizes at 3, 4 and 5 p.m. Admission: $5 per person.
▪ Metro East Interfaith Partnership 21st Celebration — 3-6 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 12. Church of Latter Day Saints, 255 Fairwood Hills Road, O’Fallon. Board members present a short explanation about their faiths. Speaker-lead workshop: Conflict Resolution. Light meal served. Various faith traditions feature information tables and engaging conversations. Free and open to the public. RSVP to 618-531-4465 - call or text.
▪ Gift Shop Christmas Open House — 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, Nov. 13 through Friday, Nov. 17. HSHS St. Joseph Hospital Highland, 12866 Troxler Ave., Highland. During the open house, the Gift Shop is offering 20% off storewide (excluding cards, books, grab bags, candy or health care items). The Gift Shop, adjacent to the hospital lobby, offers a variety of Christmas and home décor, Melissa and Doug toys, jewelry, handbags, and women’s apparel. hshs.org/st-josephs-highland
▪ A Plethora of Pens — 6:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 13. Glen Carbon Centennial Library, 198 S. Main St., Glen Carbon. This is an open group, walk-ins are welcome, all writing levels, and all genres. Different topics every month. This is not a critique group, although there are occasional group crits, mostly to improve the ability to critique others. No registration required. glencarbonlibrary.org
▪ 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.
Worth the Drive
▪ New Switzerland Model Railroad Club — 4-8:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 10 and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 11. St. James Lutheran Church, 727 W. Gallatin St., Vandalia. The club will run the O Scale layout during Vandalia’s Olde Tyme Christmas celebration weekend. Children and adults will find something of interest in the twenty-six feet by thirty-eight-foot layout. Three main lines and multiple scenes will spark the imagination of all who visit. Admission is free so start your holiday season with a visit to the layout and explore the vendors in Vandalia celebrating Christmas.
Games
▪ St. Agatha Basket Bingo — 1 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 12. St. Agatha Parish Center, South Market Street, New Athens. Doors open at noon. Enjoy 25 games to win 25 baskets (each valued at $50). Bring a can of food to receive one free bingo card per person. Serving chicken salad sandwiches, barbecue sandwiches, desserts, coffee and tea. Ages 18+.
▪ 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.
▪ Missouri Chamber Music Trivia Night — 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 10. The Heights, 8001 Dale Ave., St. Louis. Doors open at 6 p.m. The Missouri Chamber Music Festival is celebrating Season 14 with a fun and festive trivia night fundraiser. “Game Changers” will feature categories inspired by some of our favorite board games and, of course, some music related questions, wonderful silent auction items, a wine pull, mulligans, and 50/50 raffle too. Bring your own drinks and food. Proceeds from the event will go towards supporting MOCM’s mission of great music performed greatly. Cost: $25 per person, $200 for a table of eight. For tickets: mochambermusic.org.
▪ Troy Senior Center Pokeno — 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 15. Wiesemeyer Building, 410 Wickliffe, Troy. Sponsored by Hospice of Southern Illinois.
Theater/Concerts
▪ The Tesseract Theatre Company presents ‘The Mad Ones’ — 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Nov. 10-11, and 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 5. Marcelle Theatre, 3310 Samuel Shepard Drive, St. Louis. Samantha Brown balances on the edge of her future, car keys in hand. Caught between a yearning for the unknown and feeling bound by expectation, she telescopes back to a time before her world had fallen apart. As she sits in the driver’s seat, she faces a choice: will she follow in her mother’s footsteps, or take the dare of her impetuous best friend and chart a new path? For tickets and info: tesseracttheatre.com
▪ St. Louis Symphony Orchestra: Korngold and Dvořák — 10:30 a.m. Friday, Nov. 17, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 19. Touhill Performing Arts Center, 1 Touhill Circle, St. Louis. Young American violinist Randall Goosby is the talk of the classical music world. His sensitive soul and stage charm are irresistible. He makes his SLSO debut with Korngold’s Violin Concerto, a work that sings with the beauty of the master film composer’s scores. Christian Reif, another rising star, makes his SLSO debut conducting two pieces with turbulently rousing folk music at their core: Dvořák’s Seventh Symphony, and Kaprálová’s “Rustic Suite.” slso.org
▪ St. Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra: Season Opener — 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18. Touhill Performing Arts Center, 1 Touhill Circle, St. Louis. The St. Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra kicks off its 54th season at the Touhill Performing Arts Center at UMSL with a powerful program led by special guest conductor Jason Seber. The performance begins with Giuseppe Verdi’s dramatic overture from his opera “La forza del destino” followed by Valerie Coleman’s “Seven O’Clock Shout,” an anthem of gratitude to frontline workers of the COVID-19 pandemic. Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s timeless Symphony No. 5 in E minor provides the emotional climax to the program. 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
▪ Marine Historical Society — 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 13. Marine Township Citizens Center, 101 W. Silver St., Marine. Meeting open to the public; all are welcome.
▪ 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.
▪ Japan America Society annual Dinner & Meeting — 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 15. Kirkwood Performing Center, 210 E. Monroe Ave., Kirkwood, Missouri. Everyone is welcome to attend and meet old friends and make some new ones while sharing your appreciation of Japan and the Japan America Society. Learn about the amazing things we’ve done this year to build a relationship between Japan and the people of St. Louis, including travel scholarships; several sake events; and community partnerships with Laumeier Sculpture Park, University City Library, STL Art Fair, and more. Space is limited. For info and reservations: jasstl.org.
▪ 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
▪ 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
▪ Fairview Elks BBQ — 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 11. 9480 Old Lincoln Trail, Fairview Heights. Ribs, pork steaks and sides, plates and sandwiches.
▪ Queen of Peace Fish Fry — 4:30-7:30 Saturday, Nov. 11. 5915 N. Belt West, Belleville. Enjoy cod, fish (baked) tacos, peel-and-eat shrimp, salad, homemade sides – French fries, QP slaw, mac & cheese, potato salad. Dine in/carry out. facebook.com/QPRaiders
▪ Drive-Thru Chicken Dinner — 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 12. Beaver Prairie Church Hall, 13322 Church Road, Carlyle. Cost: $14 for ½ chicken and all the trimmings. Sponsored by Wheatfield Township Fire Department. 618-973-8067.
▪ 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.
Reservation/Registration Required
▪ Beginner Knitting Group with Greta — 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturdays, Nov. 18 & 25. Glen Carbon Centennial Library, 198 S. Main St., Glen Carbon. Experience how easy it can be learning to knit through our structured, interactive, social knitting group. Perfect for true beginners or those looking for an easy refresh project. Different intermediate skills will be introduced on a project by project basis. Registration required. glencarbonlibrary.org
▪ Medicare Q&A with Jon Burgmann — 6 p.m. Monday, Nov. 20. Glen Carbon Centennial Library, 198 S. Main St., Glen Carbon. If you are looking to sign up for Medicare and have questions on how to register or what is covered, this will be a great time to ask. Bring your questions and learn what to expect when you join Medicare. Facilitated by: Jon or Jay Burgmann of Burgmann Insurance Group in O’Fallon. Registration required. glencarbonlibrary.org
▪ Art Exploration with Greta — 2-3:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 19. Glen Carbon Centennial Library, 198 S. Main St., Glen Carbon. Each month different mediums will be explored and may include acrylics, watercolors, pastels, mixed media and more. Registration required. For more info or to register: glencarbonlibrary.org.
