Currents 2017

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Project Coordinator

Monica Bristow Research Coordinator

Debbie Hagen Editor

Fred Pollard Designer

Missy Long Writers

Nathan Grimm

Fred Pollard

Bill Roseberry

David Colburn

James Moss

Theo Tate

Christian DeVerger

Nicole Dicks, Cork Tree Creative Photographers

Andrew Dobson

Sasha Bassett

Ser ving Business, Encouraging Growth in Southwestern Illinois

GROWTH ASSOCIA TION

Bristow Growth Association President

It is with great pleasure that the RiverBend Growth Association presents its 2017 Community Profile magazine – Currents – as our opportunity to highlight the people and places that make the Riverbend special. We hope you’ll enjoy this publication and display and share it proudly in your business or home. We proudly feature businesses in this magazine that are members of the RBGA and are celebrating milestone anniversaries. We hope you’ll take the opportunity to patronize and visit these longstanding community businesses.

As the Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development organization for the communities of the Riverbend, we take great pride in the area’s outstanding educational system, quality workforce, recreational and tourism attractions and most importantly, our sense of community.

We continue to promote development opportunities in the Riverbend to the rest of the world through our website, GrowthAssociation.com, and through economic development

events and activities. We continue to build on our partnerships in the community that strengthen our workforce and educational system and help small, mid-sized and large businesses compete in the local and global marketplace. We work closely with state, regional, county and local officials to develop new employment opportunities and keep our communities business-friendly.

We are fortunate to have so many businesses with long histories that support the community. The Growth Association constantly strives to develop programs and events that will help our member businesses – large and small – and our community in general.

Thank you for your interest in the Riverbend, a community with so much to offer that we are proud to share it with visitors and future residents!

Sincerely,

Ser v ing Business, Encouraging Growth in Southwestern Illinois

Monica

VIEW A PDF ONLINE AT advantagenews.com & growthassociation.com

GROWTH ASSOCIA

A rich heritage

LOCALS TEAM UP TO WRITE BOOK ON EAST ALTON’S HISTORY

By James Moss

Since its establishment in 1893, the village of East Alton has developed a fascinating history.

That became clear for Jason Bricker and Richard Chartrand when a display showcasing old pictures of East Alton came to the village’s City Hall. After seeing the photos, Bricker and Chartrand decided to write a book capturing the history of East Alton.

“We did a display case over at city hall that kind of sparked everybody’s interest,” Bricker said.

Originally, Bricker and Chartrand were going to co-author the book, but Chartrand, director of East Alton’s library, stepped down from helping with the book earlier in 2016. In April, Judy Richie, who retired from the Alton School District, picked up where Chartrand left off, helping Bricker as the book’s primary co-writer.

“It’s been really interesting,” Richie said. “I didn’t realize East Alton had such a rich heritage.”

Though the display case at City Hall provided the impetus for the work, Bricker said he was also motivated by the lack of literature on his hometown.

Bricker and Richie’s book will tell the history of East Alton through pictures. Bricker, who works for the St. Charles, Mo., school district, has been researching for this project for almost two years, a process made easier by a co-author.

“I think we each have our own strengths,” Richie said. “Jason is good at finding pictures and digging up information. Mine has been scanning pictures and getting captions under them and following up with information. It’s been quite a job.”

Their book, targeted at citizens of East Alton and history buffs, will not result in any money for the writers, either — Bricker and Richie have pledged to donate all royalties to the forthcoming East Alton History Museum, which both of them are helping to set up.

“Anything we make, the city is going to get to improve the museum,” Richie said.

Bricker and Richie have a December deadline to meet to get the book to their publisher, Arcadia Publishing. Once it is

submitted, the book should hit shelves within the next year. It will be sold at businesses and sites like East Alton City Hall and the East Alton History Museum, once operational.

With their deadline looming, Bricker and Richie said they are still looking for help from residents and others with knowledge of the village’s history.

“We’re just looking for pictures,” Bricker said. “If anybody has anything out there, please let us know.”

People who wish to contribute pictures to the project can call Bricker at (618) 4475007 or Richie at (618) 604-5807. n

Jason Bricker and Judy Richie Firefighters and city officials stand in front of the old firehouse behind City Hall

Alton’s link to Lincoln

PRESIDENT VISITED AUDITOR’S ABODE ON STATE STREET

By Nathan Grimm

Many people know about Abraham Lincoln’s famed debate with Stephen A. Douglas in Downtown Alton, but fewer know the 16th president frequented a State Street home when he was in town.

The house at 517 State St. in Alton has stood since 1830, built by former state auditor, Levi Davis. Davis, Illinois’ third auditor, was also a friend of Lincoln, and Lincoln would visit the house to have dinner or simply visit with his friend when he was in Alton.

Nearly two centuries later, the house appears today much like it did in Lincoln’s time. Owners Fred Dirck and Greg Leavey have worked to restore the house to its original state, with the fluted woodwork, staircase, walls, plaster and floors among the architectural features that remain from the structure’s original construction.

Davis’ son, a surgeon at Alton’s Confederate penitentiary on William Street, owned the house in the mid-1800s, and Dirck and Leavey are just the house’s fourth owners. They bought the house 35 years ago.

As a centuries-old house would, the four-story structure has a number of features that show its age. A niche in the wall at the top of the staircase was carved out, as legend has it, so individuals could more easily navigate the stairs while carrying a coffin down from a second- or thirdstory bedroom where a person might have died.

The house also has a large walk-in brick hearth, and the entire house was built with two rows of bricks — an outer layer to absorb the heat and

an inner layer to keep the house cool. The house also has two bedrooms, a living room, dining room and an attic that used to be a ballroom.

The house was featured in Traditional Home magazine in 1989, and it has been a part of the historical tours and ghost tours — Leavey said they found old bones in the basement of the house when they moved in, likely relics from the prison surgeon’s time — over the years. It remains one of the oldest houses in the city. n

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Advancing knowledge

SIUE’S CLIMB TO HIGHER EDUCATION

SIUE offers a vibrant campus life, outstanding faculty and easy access to the professional and cultural opportunities of metropolitan St. Louis.

Built on the foundation of a broad-based liberal education, and enhanced by hands-on research and real-world experiences, the academic preparation SIUE students receive equips them to thrive in the global marketplace and make our communities better places to live. SIUE is home to a diverse student body of more than 14,000, including students from 44 states and 51 nations.

The University awards degrees in undergraduate and graduate programs encompassing the arts and sciences; nursing; education, health and human behavior; business and engineering. The Schools of Dental Medicine and Pharmacy award first-professional doctoral degrees in dental medicine (DMD) and pharmacy (PharmD).

SIUE offers students the benefits and resources of a large university and the personal attention of a small, private college. SIUE is ranked nationally for the excellence of its programs.

U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges of 2016 lists

are based on the academic preparedness of students, graduation rates, faculty characteristics and the reputation of SIUE in higher education.

U.S. News also lists SIUE among the 2015 “Up and Coming” among Midwest regional universities for making innovative changes in the areas of academics, faculty, student life and campus/facilities. A total of 20 regional universities made the list; SIUE is one of only five public institutions to be recognized.

For the second consecutive year, SIUE is in Washington Monthly’s Top 40 for master’s universities in the nation. SIUE maintained its position as first among all master’s institutions in Illinois on the national magazine’s list. This is the sixth consecutive year SIUE has been listed. Washington Monthly evaluates an institution’s “contribution to the public good” in three broad categories: social mobility, research and service.

SIUE is set in one of the “50 Safest College Towns in America,” according to the 2015 SafeWise Report. Edwardsville ranked number 25 on the list of 50 towns. n

siue.edu

Cope Plastics

From basement to breakthrough

PLASTICS COMPANY LOOKS BACK ON 70 YEARS OF EXPANSION

By James Moss

We all have to start somewhere, and for Dwight and Mozelle Cope, founders of Cope Plastics, that place was a basement in St. Louis in 1946.

The Copes began the company as a mail-order catalogue business that relied heavily on the hobby and industrial arts industries. The business soon began to grow, however, and the Copes began distributing plastic materials. Later, they began fabricating, too, as clients increasingly requested specific parts.

“It’s evolved from simple cutting and drilling to very, very technical, advanced parts for heavy construction equipment, to aerospace, to medical, to point of purchase displays,” said Jane Saale, granddaughter of Dwight and Mozelle and the corporation’s CEO and president. “We

pretty much touch every market.”

Along the way, Cope Plastics has expanded its reach, moving its corporate headquarters from St. Louis to Godfrey and finally to 4441 Industrial Drive in Alton in 1972. The corporation has also added 16 locations that serve as sales warehouses throughout the Midwest, stretching from Huntsville, Ala., to Fargo, N.D. The first sales branch opened in Rock Island, Ill., in 1960.

CINDY

Director of Marketing and

“It’s just amazing to see all the different types of industries we cover,” Saale said. “There’s no lack of opportunities in our market. Plastics is everywhere.”

Similarly, Cope Plastics has expanded its range of services. When the company began, it had a 90 percent distribution rate and 10 percent fabrication rate. Now, it boasts a more balanced 55 percent to 45 percent ratio, according to its website.

As the business expanded, the industries served by Cope Plastics increased along with it. Some of the largest industries it serves are aerospace, agriculture, building/ construction, heavy equipment and medical fields.

Cindy Smalley, granddaughter of the founders and director of marketing and communications, said Cope Plastics has become one of the best fabricators in the business.

(From top left) Daughters Roxanne Wittman, Jane Saale, Donna Rintoul, Cindy Smalley and parents Don and Sharilyn Beem are the owners of Cope Plastics.

“We’re very conscious of the environment. We recycle millions of pounds of plastics yearly, and it’s growing.”

SMALLEY

Communications

“We have more capabilities to fabricate than anyone else like us,” she said. “We may not be the largest plastics company, but we’re the largest with the largest fabrication facility.”

Across its branches and services, Saale said she wants Cope Plastics to be known for a few things.

“We do things right,” she said. “Our biggest assets are our people. We believe we have very dedicated, loyal people who care about Cope.”

Smalley said the company also takes pride in its recycling program, which has been operating for more than 20 years.

“We’re very conscious of the environment,” she said. “We recycle millions of pounds of plastics yearly, and it’s growing.”

Additionally, the recycling program has won awards from the International Association of Plastics Distribution each of the

last four years for its efforts.

“It’s an honor,” Saale said.

“It keeps us moving in that direction and it gives us momentum because we can say ‘we did that much last year; let’s try and beat it.’” n copeplastics.com

Warm winds blow through the crowd as the sun goes down and the stage lights come up. The audience cheers as the unmistakable sound of a huge hit echoes across the lot, letting the downtown area know something big is going on at the amphitheater tonight.

Meanwhile, a small group of guests, many excited, some a little nervous, file into a shadow-filled structure, anxious to hear tales of yesteryear and possibly catch a glimpse of something otherworldly from the corner of their eye. The tour guide regales his rapt audience with Riverbend history, mixed with a little bit of unexplained phenomena said to have occurred along the way.

In several downtown areas scattered throughout the region, folks gather who may be looking for something a little less adventurous and a little more intimate, and restaurants and bars are abuzz with small talk, new friends and

ALL THE WORLD’S A STAGE

local tunes. Grafton remains an off-thebeaten-path destination for dinner and sightseeing, while the downtown area of Alton continues to grow and thrive with new eateries and attractions.

The Liberty Bank Alton Amphitheater brought an exciting 2016 to the Riverbend, with national country acts Travis Tritt and Rodney Atkins joining the wildly popular Sauce Alton Food Truck Festival, possibly one of the most talked about Alton events in recent memory. Just a few minutes away, tourists and area residents alike can enjoy bluegrass, rockabilly and folk music, commune with the region’s wildlife, enjoy ice carvings and chainsaw art and more, all literally within the shadow of the majestic Lewis and Clark Confluence Tower. Designed by KAI of St. Louis and opened in 2010, the tower itself offers 50-, 100- and 150-foot views of the confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri rivers.

As is the case every year, several history and ghost tours, both walking and trolley, offer guests to the area a few chances to learn about what goes bump in the night throughout this historic area filled with old homes and older legends. Overlooking Alton, standing almost as a beacon, the McPike Mansion is often a destination for these ghost tours, and its widespread notoriety among supernatural enthusiasts has helped place Alton on the country’s manifestation map.

For something a bit more quiet, the Alton Museum of History and Art, 2809 College Ave., was organized in 1971 and is dedicated to preserving articles of Alton’s history reaching back to the 1600s that may otherwise have been lost to the ravages of time. Supported by donations and membership dues, it offers a chance to experience the local stories of the Civil War, the famous Lincoln-Douglas Debates, the dramatic Underground Railroad and more.

The Wood River History Museum, 40 W. Ferguson Ave., is also dedicated to preserving local history, including mementos of Standard Oil and the remnants of Benbow City, marking an important chapter in the formation of today’s Wood River community.

For more than a decade, the Jacoby Arts Center has been the hub for arts and culture in the area, rebounding remarkably from an uncertain future just over a year ago. It is rare to find a weekend where the headquarters at 627 E. Broadway is dark and quiet, as there are generally a plethora of photography and sculpture exhibits, live concerts, art classes for adults and a variety of activities for children going on at any given time.

Not enough for you? Well then the other area attractions should keep you busy for awhile, including Raging Rivers WaterPark in Grafton (along with the beautiful drive along the Great River Road to get there), the Lewis and Clark State Historic Site along Illinois 3 in Hartford, shopping the new hot spots in the area including Ross Dress for Less and Hibbett Sports in Alton Square Mall, and attending some of the many annual events including Bethalto’s

extravagant homecoming celebration, the Alton Regional Convention and Visitors Bureau’s new multi-day Kid’Cation events in late summer, the Mississippi Earthtones Festival and much more.

So whether you are looking for a lively

concert, a getaway with the kids, a romantic dinner for two, a trip through history or just a picnic and a game of Frisbee in a beautiful park, the Riverbend continues to be the stage where we are not only players, but also the orchestrators and caretakers of one of the most magnificent and entertaining locales in the Midwest. n

Exploring education at Lewis and Clark Community College

Lewis and Clark Community College is a two-year higher education institution with multiple campuses, a river research center, a world class humanities center, Community Education Centers and training centers dedicated to empowering people throughout its seven-county district, which serves more than 220,000 people.

In addition to offering associate degrees and certificates in more than 40 career programs, L&C boasts numerous seamless college transfer options, a

popular College for Kids program, a nationally accredited dual credit program for high school students, GED completion and Workforce and Safety Training. More than a dozen colleges and universities also offer bachelor and master degree programs on Lewis and Clark’s Godfrey campus.

A national and state award-winning standout among Illinois community colleges, L&C was founded in 1970 and currently serves approximately 15,000 students annually. The college employs more than 640 employees and adds $338.5 million in regional income annually, which represents 4.6 percent of the regional economy.

The Godfrey campus is also unique; known for its beautiful, historic location on the grounds of the former Monticello College, the second oldest all-female college in the nation. The campus features the Monticello Sculpture

Gardens, a botanical garden comprising 14 eye-catching sculptures and multiple fountains, which is open to the public for self-guided and group tours. The Monticello Sculpture Gardens, supported by the L&C Foundation, has hosted a curated summer garden show each year since 2012.

The historic N.O. Nelson campus in Edwardsville is home to more than 1,500 students and numerous community events, and features the state of the art St. Louis Confluence Fab Lab, where members can bring their ideas to life.

Lewis and Clark is dedicated to public engagement, from reducing the college’s carbon footprint and encouraging sustainable practices and education, to delivering affordable health care to underserved populations through a Mobile Health Unit and an interprofessional, federally funded Family Health Clinic — still the only nurse-managed clinic operated by a community college.

More than 150,000 visitors come to L&C annually for public and private events, including the National MS Society Gateway Area Chapter’s Bike MS event, which brings 3,000 people to the Riverbend each September. n

lc.edu/discover

Lumber

Lumbering along

FAMILY BUSINESS THRIVES AMID COMPETITORS

By Christian DeVerger

In a competitive big box era, locally owned businesses are often what help keep a community alive and thriving.

2016 marked the 75th anniversary of Fischer Lumber, 210 N. Shamrock St. in East Alton. Navigating through changing times and trends, the business has provided the Riverbend a family-owned lumber and construction option for three quarters of a century. From humble beginnings to expanding horizons, through three generations, the lumberyard has become a thriving local business.

The business’ story began in 1941 when C.C. and G.A. Fischer purchased Hale Lumber. The East Alton lumberyard started small — only eight employees. In the following years the business grew, and in 1955 C.C. Fischer purchased all of the stock in the company; it remains with his family to this day.

By 1972, expansion was necessary, and the business moved to its current location on Shamrock. With the construction of a 10,000-square-foot showroom attached to a warehouse of equal size, Fischer

Lumber continued to grow and in 1995, the company stepped into the manufacturing world, opening a truss manufacturing plant that has grown to 15 full-time employees.

C.C.’s son, Chris, became president of the company in 1958, until his retirement in December 1995.

Now helmed by brothers David, James and Edward Fischer, the lumberyard has expanded to include Fischer Window and Door, a second location in Brentwood, Mo. Operating as a full-line lumberyard, the company works with numerous aspects of the industry. David serves as president, with James as secretary and Edward as treasurer.

“We’ve always done more than just lumber,” Ed Fischer said. “We design kitchens, we can design baths, we can do lumber take-offs, and we do estimating if you bring in blueprints. Lumber is just part of the name; we consider ourselves a fullservice, contractor-oriented lumberyard. Everything from cabinets to windows, mill work to roof trusses.”

The company provides jobs for 44 full-

time employees. As a testament to the company’s longstanding success, many employees have been with the Fischers for more than 30 years.

“It’s a caring place,” said Janet Spencer, who’s been with the company for 40 years. “We care about each other, and the Fischer family is a great family to work for. I think our customers think that, too.

“I listen to the people here talk to the customers and they genuinely care about them. We all care about the business, and we are family.”

After 75 years of hard work, the Fischer family has proven a deep understanding of both family and community are integral in their longstanding success.

“That experience helps set us apart,” Ed Fischer said. “We live in the community, we work hard in the community, and we don’t take that for granted. We know that it works hand in hand.”

For information, call (618) 259-7434. n

fischerlumber.com

(From left) Bobby Fischer, David Fischer, Bud Fischer, Ed Fischer and Jim Fischer

Alton Community Unit School District #11

The Alton School District serves the communities of Alton, Godfrey and Foster Township. Touted for a tradition of academic and extracurricular excellence, the Alton School District offers an outstanding K-12 curriculum that focuses on the success of every student. Extensive fine arts, athletic and extracurricular activities also provide students with opportunities to build leadership and teamwork skills. For additional information on the Alton School District, please call 618-474-2600.

Riverbend CEO

CREATING ENTREPRENEURIAL OPPORTUNITIES

By Monica Bristow

The RiverBend Growth Association (RBGA) is proud to be a driving force in the community’s support of the Riverbend CEO program. This exciting program is well underway this year for Alton and Marquette Catholic high schools. Plans are underway for next year to include Civic Memorial, East Alton Wood River and Roxana high schools.

Our first class consists of nearly 20 seniors who will not only think about starting a business, they will actually do it with mentoring from local business leaders and owners. CEO students meet 90 minutes each morning at a local area business where they hear from speakers or tour

local businesses, large and small. Each student is paired with a business mentor to help and guide them through their own business plan and execution of that plan.

In addition to the RBGA, sponsors are 1st Mid America Credit Union, Adams Development Company, Ameren, American Family Insurance – Gerard Fisher, Carrollton Bank, CNB Bank & Trust, Contegra Construction Company, Express Employment Professionals, Freer Auto Body, Jack Helmkamp, Illinois American Water, Landmark Realty Godfrey – Matt Horn, Lash Family Farm, Lewis and Clark Community College, Liberty Bank, Tom & Robin Long, Macias Insurance Agency, Max Fire Training, OSF Saint Anthony’s Health Center, Phillips 66 Wood River Refinery,

Our family has been serving this community with all phases of funeral service since 1935. Be assured our standards of dignity and service with quality, competitively priced merchandise continues.

River Bend Development Foundation, Roberts Law, Jane & Steve Saale, Sheppard, Morgan & Schwaab, Simmons Hanly Conroy, State Farm – Karen Wilson, The Nicol Foundation, TheBANK of Edwardsville, Wegman Electric Company and Werts Welding & Tank Service.

Additional investors are welcome and encouraged to support this outstanding long-term investment in the future of the Riverbend. People interested in meeting these students and speaking to them about their businesses should contact Facilitator Katie McBee at riverbendceo@ gmail.com. n

Facebook: Riverbend CEO riverbendceo.com

Staff additions keep AMH at health care’s forefront

Since 1937, Alton Memorial Hospital (AMH) has cared for countless people in Alton and the surrounding communities.

Today, AMH is a full-service, acutecare hospital, accredited by the Joint Commission with approximately 900 employees and 206 beds serving patients in a five-county area.

Alton Memorial offers patients a variety of inpatient and outpatient services, including surgery services, medical imaging, interventional and diagnostic heart services, cancer care, digestive health services, physical therapy, rehabilitation, 24-hour emergency care, and ambulance services including a fulltime transport team on site from St. Louis Children’s Hospital with a mobile intensive care unit (MICU) and helicopter. A new ambulance is added to the fleet each year thanks to money raised through the Alton Memorial Health Service Foundation’s popular “Duck Pluckers Ball.”

The hospital continues to add excellent new physicians to the staff, including Dr. Gregory Vlacich as the medical director for Radiation Oncology. Dr. Thomas Brummett is on staff at the new Alton Memorial Hospital Pain Management Center, located in Suite 103 of Medical Office Building A. Dr. Wael Girgis is an endocrinologist, and Dr. John Felder is a new plastic surgeon.

The Women’s Health and Childbirth Center announced that it is officially “Baby Friendly,” making AMH the first hospital in the St. Louis area to achieve that designation. The Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative is a global program sponsored by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). The initiative encourages and recognizes hospitals that offer an optimal level of care for breastfeeding mothers and their babies. Based on the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding, this

Alton Memorial Hospital

The Women’s Health and Childbirth Center announced that it is officially “Baby Friendly,” making AMH the first hospital in the St. Louis area to achieve that designation.

prestigious international award recognizes birth facilities that offer breastfeeding mothers the information, confidence and skills needed to successfully initiate and continue breastfeeding their babies.

AMH has added a Joint Wellness Center, allowing candidates for full hip and knee replacements a place to be guided through the entire process. The APPLE program was also instituted as a way to limit the number of hospital readmissions for certain conditions.

Alton Memorial is now the only hospital in the area that uses digital tomosynthesis, which creates a three-dimensional picture of the breast using X-rays. 3D mammography is a revolutionary new screening and diagnostic breast imaging

tool to improve the early detection of breast cancer. Images are displayed as a series of thin slices, providing doctors with a clearer view through overlapping breast tissue.

Since the 1990s, Alton Memorial has been a member of BJC HealthCare, one of the nation’s largest health care organizations with annual net revenues of $3.2 billion and more than 26,000 employees in the greater St. Louis, southern Illinois and mid-Missouri regions. BJC HealthCare serves patients and their families in urban, suburban and rural communities through its 13 hospitals and multiple community health locations. n

altonmemorialhospital.org

Principia College

The best of past and present

Principia College is a private, coeducational college located in Elsah. As the only college in the world where all students and faculty are Christian Scientists, Principia provides a liberal arts education to approximately 500 students from about 30 countries around the world. The 2,600-acre campus, designed by renowned architect Bernard Maybeck, was named a National Historic Landmark in 1993.

The College offers 25 undergraduate majors and numerous minors. It also provides extraordinary opportunities to study abroad. Approximately 60 percent of all Principia College students study in another country or participate in a field program somewhere in the United States. Recent study abroad trips have gone to Spain, Trinidad, France, Austria, the Czech Republic, Greece, Italy, England, Tibet, Peru, India and Nepal.

The College offers both students and the wider community opportunities to hear noted speakers and performers throughout the year. In 2016, Henry M. Paulson Jr., former Secretary of the Treasury, came to campus. Principia College is also well-known for its solar car program. With a race team that includes members from a wide range of majors, Principia frequently places ahead of teams from renowned engineering schools. The College’s mediation team competes successfully as well, often earning awards. For two years running (2014 and 2015), the team took first place in Team Advocacy at the International Intercollegiate Mediation Tournament. And in the 2013 inaugural Dubai Invitational Mediation Tournament, the team also won first place in Team Advocacy.

Principia College fields 18 varsity sports teams for men and women and competes in the NCAA Division III. In 2017, Principia will host the NCAA D III Cross Country Championships. n

principia.edu

It takes a village

GODFREY CELEBRATES SILVER ANNIVERSARY

By David Colburn

How far we’ve come.

It might be hard to believe that, less than three decades ago, Godfrey was still an unincorporated community. This year is the community’s silver jubilee, marking 25 years since its incorporation as a village in 1991.

Mayor Mike McCormick says, with enthusiasm, that September’s birthday celebration’s centerpiece was the Great Godfrey Maze, which over the years has grown to become one of the area’s prime public attractions.

McCormick is serving as the third mayor in Godfrey’s history, following the terms of Lars Hoffman and Michael Campion. He recalled the debate over Godfrey’s incorporation from days which predate his political activity.

Pam Whisler, village clerk since 1991 who also served as township clerk, said four elections were held over five decades to incorporate, until the measure was finally passed in 1991.

“It was important that Godfrey was able to keep its own identity in contrast to Alton’s identity,” she said. “It is one of more open space, a bedroom community, the ability to control one’s destiny, a lot of farmland and green space. When I think of Godfrey, I

think of a wealthy religious community.”

McCormick said his ambitions for Godfrey include a “good continued economic growth” and to maintain the village’s unique reputation of rural quaintness and urban sensibility, being the second-largest of the municipalities in the state when measured in square miles.

The village traces its history back to 1817, when the Rev. Jacob Lurton and wife, Sarah Tuley, of Louisville, Ky., served as the first recorded settlers. Following a conflict of values with neighboring Yankees, the Lurtons left the area, followed by New Englanders Nathan and Latty Scarritt shortly thereafter. Former New England sea captain and successful freight-forwarding firm partner Benjamin Godfrey (of Godfrey, Gilman and Co.) arrived in the area with $50,000 in 1832 and soon found immense — albeit shortlived — business success in the region.

Despite a stretch of great economic downturn and a major blow to the Alton area’s national reputation following the murder of Elijah Lovejoy, Godfrey — heavily inspired by his eight daughters — opened the Monticello Female Seminary

on the campus of modern-day Lewis and Clark Community College in 1838. Godfrey began construction on the Alton and Sangamon Railroad in 1850, which was renamed the Chicago and Mississippi Railroad upon its completion in 1852. Entrenched once again in a series of personal setbacks, Godfrey’s efforts brought renewed hope and prosperity to the region on a number of industrial fronts.

Benjamin Godfrey died of a stroke on Aug. 13, 1862, and the community once referred to as Monticello was gradually referred to as Godfrey in his honor. n

godfreyil.org

facebook.com/godfreyil

Sanders Waste Systems

From humble beginnings

COMPANY HAS REMAINED FAMILY-OWNED SINCE 1936

By Bill Roseberry

In a time when waste management has become a corporate game, Robert Sanders Waste Systems has survived and thrived.

The Godfrey waste management company is celebrating 80 years of business, remaining family-owned since 1936.

“We take pride in our customers and in everything that we do,” Glen Sanders said. “We always try and keep our trucks clean and give the best service we can offer. We’ve worked doing this all our lives. It started with our dad, and we inherited it from him.”

Glen and his brother Bob run the company, carrying on what their father, Robert “Bob” Sanders, started. The secret definitely is customer service. The Sanders clan has always taken pride in that and they’ve evolved to offer a plethora of services since those humble beginnings.

“We started out with a 1948 Ford with a 6-by-6 bed on it,” Glen said. “It didn’t even have a heater in it. When we started we charged $1.25 a month for twice a week

pickup and we walked all the way behind your house, at least 20-30 yards back, to dump a burning barrel.

“We just kept going on and on and on. Now we’re one of the largest privately owned companies in the state of Illinois.”

Besides just picking up trash, Sanders Waste Systems offers front-load dumpsters, rear-load dumpsters, automated trash trucks, roll-offs from 1040 yards, rear-load dumpsters 2-8 yards and industrial.

“When we started we only had a couple of trucks and now we have 78,” Glen said. “We take pride in good service and taking care of our customers.

“We’re into everything except hazardous waste.”

They work in a very large area to boot, offering services for Scott, Morgan, Calhoun, Greene, Jersey, Madison, St. Clair, Macoupin, Montgomery, Bond, Clinton, Washington and Monroe counties in Illinois and the Missouri counties of St. Charles and St. Louis.

Glen admitted as the business has evolved, going more environmentally friendly, Sanders Waste Systems has continued to evolve itself, and it has been an investment. But he’s not complaining.

“It’s a rough business,” Glen said. “Before you used to send one truck out and a couple guys, you threw the stuff in, made a load or two, dumped it and went home. Now you have to send a truck out for the trash, a truck out for the compost, a truck out for the recycling, a truck out for large items. Each one of those is a different workman’s comp, a different fuel, a different insurance, a different driver and all more pay.

“With the recycling and compost and these new automated trucks costing you a quarter of million dollars plus, a lot of people can’t afford that anymore. They decided to take the buyout and go on, while we decided not to, because when the big companies come in the people have to pay what they say and that’s why we stay in business. We’re like a stop sign in the middle of their road.”

It’s always family first with Sanders Waste Systems, too. They are into their third generation of family employees and that continues to be important to the company’s survival.

“We’re a family-owned business, so it’s cousins, brothers, second cousins,” Glen said. “Somebody’s dad might have worked here and (their kid) rode the truck and now they know the route and now they have their own route.”

It’s also about putting a positive light on the company, something the corporate waste management systems don’t worry about doing, according to Glen.

“The new thing we started is a roll-off truck for breast cancer,” he said. “We sell the Dumpster out of that, then we take what it costs to dump it out of the price we charge and we give the rest to The Cure (Breast Cancer

Foundation). We have boxes of 10, 20, 30 yards with the breast cancer emblem on them and they say ‘help us stop cancer.’

“We had a sister that passed away from breast cancer. The old truck that we had, we put about $40-50,000 into it to refurbish it and we put it in parades and park it at different businesses so people can see it. We have pink automated trash cans. We sell those and give the profits to The Cure.

“We’re drawing attention to our name and the big companies aren’t doing that.”

Glen may have found the secret to another 80 years of operations for Sanders Waste Systems with a simple statement.

“Our customers are our paycheck,” he said. n sanderswaste.com

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Another

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From family kitchen to national recognition

COMPANY CONTINUES TO EXPAND SERVICES

By James Moss

Answer Midwest began serving clients in 1946 — from a kitchen table.

When a local physician found he could not keep up with after-hours calls, he approached Margaret Weber with an “office” position to help patients reach help in times of emergency. Weber installed an extra phone line and placed the phone on her kitchen table. She would take the pertinent information from each caller, contact the physician and make the connection, and that’s how Weber founded Answer Midwest.

Seventy years later, the business has grown into a nationally recognized company that has substantially increased its range of services.

“We help our clients serve their clients,”

Answer Midwest Vice President Jen Schulz said. “We can’t be in your office. We’ll never know your office like you do, but we can be there to make sure your callers don’t have to talk to a machine; everybody hates that.”

Answer Midwest’s services include order taking, appointment management, troubleshooting, dispatching and reception phone service, among others. Schulz said the most common service provided is relaying a caller’s crucial information to the client.

Schulz’s parents, Gary and Lee Ann Tedrick, bought the company in 1991. At the time, it had seven employees and more than 150 customers. Today, it boasts 29 employees and approximately 1,000 customers. Schulz said it takes 70,000 to 80,000 calls a month for its clients. The company initially focused on the Riverbend and exclusively served the medical field, but has since expanded nationally and broadened the industries it assists.

Jen Schulz, vice president of

“We are all over the board,” she said. “We literally answer everything from brain surgeon to septic tank company and everything in between. Probably our fastest-growing field is the service industry — heating, cooling and plumbing.”

Since Schulz became a partner in the company in 2001, it has also earned national recognition, winning the Association of Teleservices International Award of Excellence for 15 consecutive years, a feat only a handful of firms can claim. Judges base the award on response time, courteousness of representatives, accuracy of calls, knowledge of accounts and overall impression of calls.

“It’s confirmation for us that our work is exemplary,” Schulz said. “It means a lot.”

Answer Midwest also recently became a member of Nexstar Network, a company that partners with hundreds of independent home service contractors.

With that increase in business, Schulz said the firm is looking to add to its workforce.

“We’re always looking for great people that have a heart to help people,” she said. “That’s the biggest thing. We can train you on the logistics, but you have to have a heart to help people.” n

Photo by James Moss

Answer Midwest

Educational empowerment at Missouri Baptist University

Missouri Baptist University (MBU) on the campus of Lewis & Clark Community College (LCCC) teaches, empowers and inspires students for service and lifelong learning.

MBU’s Regional Learning Center offers both select undergraduate and graduate degree programs on the beautiful and historic LCCC Godfrey campus. The MBU office, in stately Haskell Hall, enables meeting the needs of the students where they are. MBU is an active part of the LCCC community and activities.

Bachelor degree programs are available in Accounting, Business Management, Criminal Justice, Health Science, Human Services and Sports Management. Earn your associate degree with LCCC and bridge over to MBU to earn your bachelor degree with maximum transfer credit. Attending MBU is financially smart, as our students pay the lower LCCC tuition rate for up to three years of their bachelor’s

program. The fourth year, students are granted a 59 percent tuition reduction from our main campus tuition schedule.

Graduate programs include the Master of Business Administration and the Master of Arts in Counseling. The MBA is a 36 semester hour program designed for continuing students and business professionals active in all disciplines. The MA in Counseling has two tracks — one leading to school counseling and the other to counselor licensure. Both programs prepare students to begin Psychological Examiner Certification.

Both undergraduate and graduate courses begin every eight weeks. Classes meet one night per week on the LCCC campus.

“Our location offers the special opportunity of a solid classroom education without traveling long distances each week, relocating or leaving your area employer. Pursuing your degree regionally with Missouri Baptist University is convenient,

accessible and tailor-made to our Illinois lifestyle,” notes Dr. Loftin C. Woodiel, Director of MBU’s Regional Learning Center @ LCCC.

Missouri Baptist University is a liberal arts institution and has as its purpose the offering of programs of study leading to professional certificates, undergraduate degrees and graduate degrees in an environment where academic excellence is emphasized. The University is committed to enriching its students’ lives and preparing students to serve in a global and culturally diverse society.

You’ve started the race; now “finish strong.” n mobap.edu/lccc

Quality health care tradition continues

OSF Saint Anthony’s has been rooted in the Riverbend community for 91 years. Established by the Sisters of St. Francis of the Martyr St. George and now sponsored by the Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis, Saint Anthony’s was founded in 1925 by five pioneering Sisters, who traveled from their General Motherhouse in Thuine, Germany, to expand their mission to America.

Today, the 203-bed health system operates with two main campuses — OSF Saint Anthony’s Health Center and OSF Saint Clare’s Hospital. And with a family of related services, Riverbend residents count on the compassion and quality care that are unique to OSF Saint Anthony’s, without traveling miles to St. Louis for care and treatment. Individuals are treated with the greatest care and love in a community that celebrates the Gift of Life.

On the OSF Saint Anthony’s campus near College Avenue and U.S. 67, emergency services, state-of-the-art surgical suites, gastrointestinal center, medical/ surgical units, cardiology services, pain management, a birthing center and advanced diagnostic and imaging technology, highlighted by the accredited Breast Imaging Center of Excellence, are featured.

Year after year, the Health Center has received national recognition as a leader in the region for patient safety and quality.

In addition, The Joint Commission, in conjunction with The American Heart Association/American Stroke Association, has recognized OSF Saint Anthony’s with Advanced Certification for Primary Stroke Centers, meeting critical elements of performance to achieve long-term success in improving outcomes for stroke patients.

The Emergency Department utilizes teleneurology for individuals presenting

with stroke symptoms and includes immediate access to board certified, fellowship trained neurologists via telemedicine — day and night. In emergencies, every second counts — OSF Saint Anthony’s Emergency Department exceeds national benchmarks for arrivalto-treatment times.

As part of the OSF HealthCare Ministry, OSF OnCall was recently introduced to the Riverbend, bringing virtual treatment options to residents — no matter when they need it. With OSF OnCall, a health care professional is available by smartphone, tablet or computer 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

And with a commitment to bring health care technological advances to this region, OSF Saint Anthony’s has moved to a new electronic medical record system that features OSF MyChart, helping patients manage their health care online quickly and easily. Patients can schedule appointments, request prescription refills, review their health history and more.

OSF Saint Clare’s Hospital, a division of the Health Center located near the Clark Bridge, has the area’s only inpatient acute rehabilitation unit, plus an extended care unit, outpatient therapies which includes the area's only certified lymphedema therapists, adult day services, sleep center, psychological and counseling services, wound care, home care and hospice services.

The OSF Saint Clare’s campus is also home to the Cancer Center of Excellence — the only local cancer facility in the area to receive the Outstanding Achievement

Award from the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer. The Cancer Care team has one mission in mind: To give patients the very best individualized care.

In order to further serve the community, the OSF Saint Anthony’s Physician Group has a team of 30 health care providers specializing in 15 areas, including Family Medicine, Endocrinology, Internal Medicine, Medical Oncology and Hematology, Surgery, Pain Management, Pulmonary, Urology, Women’s Health, Gastroenterology, ENT and more.

OSF Home Care offers home health and hospice services, administered by a trained multi-disciplinary team of clinicians, to patients who are homebound as well.

With a medical staff of 250-plus physicians, specialists and advanced practice providers, OSF Saint Anthony’s Health Center provides local access to health care for area residents. Many physician offices are conveniently located on both campuses, with same day visits available for primary care.

The health system also offers simplified living for senior citizens at Saint Clare’s Villa, the area’s first hospital-based supportive living facility. Located on the upper levels of OSF Saint Clare’s Hospital, Saint Clare’s Villa has three meals a day, personal assistance and lots of activities and entertainment for seniors, age 65 and older. Studio and one-bedroom apartments are available. n

Hayner Library

A focus on local history

By Theo Tate

It was Jennie D. Hayner’s dream to have an exhaustive and easily accessible library in the Alton area.

Hayner was the major director of the Alton Library Association, which originated in 1852 and was supported through private funding.

When Hayner died in the winter of 1888, her husband, John, decided to build the library as a memorial to his wife.

On May 21, 1891, the Jennie D. Hayner Memorial Library was open for business at 401 State St. Theodore Link, a St. Louis architect, designed the building at a cost of $33,000.

In the years since, Hayner Library has grown dramatically. In 1952, the city council voted unanimously to operate the Hayner Library as a public library, and 20 years later, voters approved a referendum

that established the Hayner Public Library District. Today, the district includes the downtown location at 326 Belle St., the Alton Square Library in Alton Square Mall and the Genealogy and Local History Library at 401 State St., opened in 2011 and celebrating its own five-year anniversary.

In 1906, grandson John Haskell provided funding to build an annex to the library building at 401 State. The new annex, which is now the downtown library, opened the next year at 326 Belle. In 1970, the adult collection was moved into the Belle Street building and the children’s collection remained in the State Street building, known as the Hayner Children’s Library.

The genealogy and local history building has a collection that includes books on railroads and streetcars, Mississippi River steamboats, notable Alton area residents and local architecture.

“We focus on local history, so we’re the repository for a lot of history that has happened in Alton, Godfrey, Fosterburg and Foster Township,” Genealogy and Local History Manager Lacy McDonald said. “Over the years, we have gathered that information in published book form and local organizations have given us their minutes, their scrapbooks, brochures or programs from the events that they had.”

Throughout the year, Hayner Library has been posting 125 mementos, called Hayner Genealogy Gems, on its Facebook page and website, beginning with a photo of Jennie Hayner.

The Hayner Public Library District is part of the Illinois Heartland Library System, which provides delivery and automation to 525 libraries across Southern and parts of Central Illinois. n haynerlibrary.org

The Genealogy and Local History Library at 401 State

Despite financial challenges, school districts make progress

By Nathan Grimm

State-level funding shortages have made an impact on schools throughout Illinois, and the Riverbend is no exception. Despite that, schools continue to grow and thrive.

Alton Community School District 11 is the largest of the area’s school districts and boasts a high school built in 2006. The city also has a parochial high school, Marquette Catholic High School, that is home to more than 400 students.

Students who live in Roxana and South Roxana attend Roxana Community School District 1, which has undertaken a number of projects at its high school and elementary schools in recent years. That includes equipping the high school and junior high with air conditioning.

East Alton-Wood River School District serves the communities of Wood River, East Alton and Hartford. To the northwest, Jersey Community School District 100 educates all of Jersey County, including

the village of Elsah and the city of Grafton.

Bethalto School District 8 is one of the area’s smaller districts, but it was one that saw a number of changes over the past few months. New Bethalto Superintendent Jill Griffin, who was previously assistant superintendent for the district, replaced former superintendent Charles Stegall.

Other familiar faces in new places include Justin Newell, who assumed the position of curriculum director for the district after recently serving as Civic Memorial High School’s principal, among other roles, and new Civic Memorial Principal Aaron Kilpatrick, who was previously the dean of students at the school.

Alton also saw changes in administration from one school year to the next. Mike Bellm took over as Alton High School principal, while Cindy Inman assumed the position at Alton Middle School. Superintendent Kenneth Spells’ departure also paved the way for Mark Cappel, who recently retired as the district’s director of

human resources, to return in an interim superintendent capacity.

“It’s been kind of refreshing, I think, with the change that we’ve done,” Cappel said of the new administration at the middle school and high school levels. “They’re coming in; they’re hitting it hard. They’ve got a good vision for both their buildings on where they want it to go, and they’ve been very, very visible. I’m hearing that from staff that they continue to see them everywhere. I know they have really brought their administrative teams on board. It’s definitely a team effort.”

Growth came in different forms for other schools. East Alton-Wood River Superintendent John Pearson said a number of improvements were recently made to Memorial Stadium and the Orv Yocum Track. Among those were newly renovated public restrooms, tuck-pointing, new safety railings, new windows and exterior painting on the stadium’s grandstand area, and a new surface and re-striping of the

East Alton-Wood River High School

track. Best of all, the upgrades were completed with state-provided Maintenance Grant funds and Life Safety funds, without tapping into operating funds, Pearson said.

At Roxana, the biggest news was the late July groundbreaking on the new junior high school gym, but a new concession stand and renovations to the high school’s tennis courts were also new in 2016. Byrne & Jones Construction was contracted to replace the existing tennis courts at the school, including new fencing, netting, hitting board and additional sidewalks and gates.

Roxana Superintendent Debra Kreutztrager said the $350,000 project was anticipated to be completed in the fall of 2017.

Marquette Principal Mike Slaughter said growth at the Catholic school has come over a number of years, with attendance “holding very steady in the 400s.”

“We’re very proud about that because that’s a (roughly) 80 percent increase over eight years ago,” Slaughter said. “So, our numbers are very good.”

Slaughter said new additions to curriculum, including AP physics, also marked the new school year.

Jersey Community High School also has a new curriculum, among other upgrades. Many of the changes will come with district facilities, including painting and new LED lights at Jersey Community High School gyms, slip pads on the football stadium bleachers and new goal posts for the football field. n

RIVERBEND AREA EDUCATION

Schooling the Riverbend

By Nathan Grimm

Children are the future, as they say, and the Riverbend community has a number of tremendous elementary and middle schools shaping that future every day.

One of the biggest changes this school year wasn’t a change at all. After being forced to relocate due to structural issues with the building, Ss. Peter and Paul Catholic School reopened this fall to great excitement. Principal Harry Cavanaugh said the transition back to the school was very smooth.

“It was seamless,” Cavanaugh said. “Everybody just seemed to work together. Every year, regardless of whether you had the catastrophe we had or not, you always think things aren’t going to be ready when school starts, but they always are. People put their nose to the grindstone when they have to, and get the job done. So, we’re running at full steam.”

Steam — or rather, STEAM, the acronym for the study of science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics — was a focus of Our Lady Queen of Peace School in Bethalto. OLQP Principal Eve Remiszewski said the school’s program that teaches kids to solve problems in everyday life was wellreceived by the school’s pre-kindergarten through eighth-grade students. The implementation of one-to-one technology at the school — all students grades four through eight have their own personal Chromebooks, Remiszewski said — has helped greatly as well.

Construction was a theme at a few area schools, including a number of schools in the Jersey Community School District. Among the improvements under way were a new chain-link fence at sports complex and remodeled restrooms at West Elementary; a new pre-kindergarten playground area at Grafton Elementary; completion of West pre-kindergarten playground renovation; and new water fountains and sidewalks at Illini School.

Perhaps the most notable construction project was started at Roxana’s junior high. Workers broke ground in late July on a new $4.2 million gymnasium at

the school, which Superintendent Debra Kreutztrager said is anticipated to be ready for the 2017-18 school year.

This year was also the first year for the district’s newly constructed Early Childhood Center at South Primary School. The new elementary school configuration includes pre-kindergarten through second grade at South Primary School and third grade through fifth grade at Central Intermediate School.

A new school configuration also was implemented in the Alton School District, with the elementary schools switching to attendance centers for the 2016-17 school year. Interim Superintendent Mark Cappel said the move to the new system went very well.

“The kids really seem to be happy with the

buildings that they’re in. Parents seem to be happy with it,” Cappel said. “I couldn’t say anything more about our staff in all the buildings. They’ve been working extra hours making sure kids are getting on the right bus, making sure they’re all getting home safely, making sure that their rooms were ready to go.”

At Godfrey’s St. Ambrose Catholic School, an emphasis was put on safety. In the days before school started, all St. Ambrose staff — teachers, support staff and administrative staff — took part in a sixhour CPR training through the Red Cross. Staff was certified in CPR, automated external defibrillator use and first aid.

St. Ambrose Catholic School

Principal Jean Heil said student and teacher safety is a “top priority” at the school.

Reshuffling in the Bethalto School District led to some new faces and some familiar faces in new places for the new school year. Kim Wilks, who was the principal at Trimpe Middle School, moved to the same position at Meadowbrook Intermediate. In her place, Kelly McClain, previously of the Wentzville, Mo., middle school, was brought in.

Still other districts focused on fellowship ahead of the school year. St. Mary’s Middle School in Alton held a back-to-school celebration that included Friday morning Mass, a concert by popular Christian artist Karl Zimmerman and “Poppers” ice cream treat from Shivers.

To show their excitement for the upcoming school year, as well as their excitement to be part of the Riverbend region, teachers, administrators and

support staff in the Wood River-Hartford School District went out into the community to reintroduce themselves.

“As part of our professional development on our first two institute days, we took some time to get everybody, the whole staff — custodians, teachers, cafeteria workers, everybody — and we got on our buses and went out into the community and gave out small tokens with stickers on them, things like pencils, notebooks, crayons, just telling everybody that we were very excited about the start of school,” Wood RiverHartford Superintendent Patrick Anderson said. “Our teachers walked most of Hartford and a lot of Wood River just reaching out. It gave us an opportunity to see the houses that our students live in, it gave them an opportunity to show their gratitude to our community.”

It’s a community that continues to grow and produce tomorrow’s leaders. n

IT’STAP WATER

Tap water is an exceptional value. We work hard to make it available and keep it a ordable.

Kallal & Schaaf

Funeral home continues growth

By Nathan Grimm

A robust history, an expanding client base and a wide knowledge of the funeral industry are just a few of the things Elias, Kallal & Schaaf Funeral Home has going for it.

The Alton funeral home, one of seven area funeral homes under the direction of owners Craig Schaaf and Tim Kallal, is celebrating its 150th anniversary this year while also looking to the future with hope and excitement.

Schaaf, 45, and Kallal, 42, both boast more than 20 years of experience in the industry. Though not as old as the funeral homes that bear their names — it was Streeper Funeral Home when the body of Robert Wadlow, the Alton Giant, was displayed there in 1940, eventually becoming Smith Funeral Home before its current iteration — Kallal said one thing that has defined the business through the years is hospitality.

“I would say our biggest goal is that we try to treat all of the folks that come in to see us as our own family,” Kallal said. “Craig

and I don’t have a lot of rules except to treat everyone right, like you would like to be treated. We try to be fair with people. We are here to help the community. We’re involved in the community, and all the communities in the Riverbend.

“We just try to treat our families right. That’s how we were raised, and that’s how we want to make sure that our families are treated.”

It’s a model that has helped the business enjoy success, to that point that it recently nearly doubled in size. In March, Schaaf and Kallal purchased the Hardin, Brussels and Pearl locations of the Hanks-Gress Funeral Home, increasing its funeral home count to seven throughout the region. Schaaf’s family is originally from Kampsville and Kallal’s from Batchtown, making the addition a natural fit.

“We’ve got a lot of ties to the Calhoun area,” Kallal said.

Elias, Kallal & Schaaf also features funeral homes in Bethalto and Godfrey, and also Staten-Fine Funeral Home in Alton, which it purchased in 2006. Along with the funeral homes, Kallal and Schaaf

own two cemeteries, Valhalla Memorial Park in Godfrey and Bethalto’s Rose Lawn Memory Gardens, a crematory and Homeward Bound Pet Crematory, which opened less than two years ago. Nearly 50 people, part-time and full-time, are employed by the company.

The experience of the staff extends beyond Schaaf and Kallal, too. Brian Fine, who has decades of experience in the industry and who bought Staten Funeral Home, now Staten-Fine, in 2002, has come back to help with funeral services and arrangements. Funeral directors Marty Arnold, Alex Anderson and Meghan Anderson add to that wealth of experience, Kallal said, another thing that has helped the funeral home grow and thrive throughout time.

“Each day, we grow a little bit as far as our knowledge, and we share that with our employees,” Kallal said. “We’re hoping to help the next generation to give them knowledge to continue the funeral business.” n

SENIOR CITIZEN APARTMENT COMPLEX

• All 1 bedroom

• Maintenance free

• Weekly social activities

• Conveniently located near the Beltline shopping and senior center

• 62 years of age or older or disabled

• Rent = income based/Section 8

HILLCREST

APARTMENTS

1710 Muny Vista Drive, Alton 618-465-0996

Hillcrest Apartments is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Managed By: Professional Property Mgt. LLC

Virginia often visited friends here before The United Methodist Village, so she already easy living in our community can be.

Virginia often visited friends here before she moved to The United Methodist Village, so she already knew how easy living in our community can be.

Virginia often visited friends here before The United Methodist Village, so she already easy living in our community can be.

Virginia often visited friends here before she moved to The United Methodist Village, so she already knew how easy living in our community can be.

“The house was getting to be too much. Now I can focus more on taking care of myself. I also love the convenience of having the dining room right downstairs from my apartment.”

Virginia often visited friends here before she moved to The United Methodist Village, so she already knew how easy living in our community can be.

Virginia often visited friends here before she moved to The United Methodist Village, so she already knew how easy living in our community can be.

“The

“The house was getting to be too much. on taking care of myself. I also love

“The house was getting to be too much. Now I can focus more on taking care of myself. I also love the convenience of having the dining room right downstairs from my apartment.”

“The house was getting to be too much. Now I can focus more on taking care of myself. I also love the convenience of having the dining room right downstairs from my apartment.”

“The house was getting to be too much. on taking care of myself. I also love the the dining room right downstairs from As a resident of our community, you a more leisurely lifestyle—and you a trend among your friends!

the dining room right downstairs from As a resident of our community,

As a resident of our community, you too can have a more leisurely lifestyle—and you just might start a trend among your friends!

As a resident of our community, you too can have a more leisurely lifestyle—and you just might start a trend among your friends!

As a resident of our community, you too can have a more leisurely lifestyle—and you just might start a trend among your friends!

Come visit and stay for lunch. Call 618.466.8662.

“The house was getting to be too much. Now I can focus more on taking care of myself. I also love the convenience of having the dining room right downstairs from my apartment.” As a resident of our community, you too can have a more leisurely lifestyle—and you just might start a trend among your friends!

As a resident of our community, you too can have a more leisurely lifestyle—and you just might start a trend among your friends!

Come visit and stay for lunch. Call 618.466.8662.

Come visit and stay for lunch. Call 618.466.8662.

Come visit and stay for lunch. Call 618.466.8662.

Come visit and stay for lunch. Call 5201 Asbury Godfrey, IL www.UnitedMethodistVillage.com

Come visit and stay for lunch. Call 618.466.8662.

5201 Asbury Avenue Godfrey, IL 62035

5201 Asbury Avenue Godfrey, IL 62035

www.UnitedMethodistVillage.com

www.UnitedMethodistVillage.com

Call

5201 Asbury Avenue Godfrey, IL 62035 www.UnitedMethodistVillage.com

5201 Asbury Avenue Godfrey, IL 62035 UnitedMethodistVillage.com

Independent Living and Assisted Living

Independent Living and Assisted Living

Alton

A rich past, a bright future

The city of Alton is the most populous community within the Riverbend, with a population near 28,000 and continued growth and development.

Because of its rich history and opportunity for growth, Alton is a thriving community. The city is known for its great historical events, putting it on the map since its inception in 1837.

Because of its great location and amenities, Alton was chosen as the future stop and start location for the St. Louis region for high-speed rail from Chicago, which is expected to see completion in the first half of 2017.

The Robert Wadlow Town Centre will house this new transportation hub, the Alton Regional Multi-Modal Transportation Center, with the goal of being a modern, regional, multi-modal transportation facility serving the residents of the St. Louis Metropolitan area north of Interstate 270. There will also be

opportunities for development within the 30 surrounding acres at the site.

Other businesses that call Alton “home” include the Argosy Casino and the Liberty Bank Alton Amphitheater on the Mississippi banks, attracting visitors from all around the globe. Visitors also relish the downtown and Upper Alton’s antique shops as well as the wonderful restaurants that offer a variety of food and beverage options. Added to the already popular and diverse selection of eateries is a new 33,000-square-foot microbrewery, restaurant and banquet area on Highway 67.

Three hospitals continue to serve the community — Alton Memorial Hospital, OSF Saint Anthony’s Health Center and its affiliate OSF Saint Clare’s Hospital.

Proving to be a great place to raise a family, Alton offers both public and private school options and a wealth of viable housing choices. Continual infrastructure improvements are planned for Alton in the coming years, promising continued

improvements to area parks and public works.

If you are looking for recreational activities, check out the recreation programs at Hopkins Field at Gordon Moore Park. Adult softball leagues, recreational baseball and softball teams, including the Bluff City Bombers or the Alton Pioneers, are fun for all ages. More than $90,000 of the Madison County Park Enhancement Program Grant money has been allocated to the updates and improvements of Hopkins Field.

Whether you live in Alton or are simply visiting the community, one of its proudest attributes is its history. Monuments mark the site of the final debate between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas in 1858; celebrate the life of Elijah Lovejoy, martyr of the freedom of the press who published a paper in Alton and was killed for his views; and show the statue of Robert Wadlow, the world’s tallest man who lived in Alton and is buried there. n

A comfortable community to call home

Bethalto has been a chartered village since 1869 and today has nearly 10,000 residents calling it home.

This prosperous community in Madison County boasts so much, including the St. Louis Regional Airport. Bethalto is conveniently located at the intersection of State Routes 140 and 111 with Illinois Route 255 on the west side of the Village. If you are commuting to St. Louis or the northern end of the Riverbend, Bethalto is truly an ideal spot to call home.

Raising a family in Bethalto offers a safe environment, with a police department providing residents one of the safest and lowest crime communities in the area. Bethalto’s fire department offers advanced life support services, along with the best insurance grade available for a volunteer department, while its public works agency recently opened a state-of-the-art water plant. The Bethalto School District offers kindergarten through high school grade classes, with two parochial schools for preschool through eighth-grade students.

Bethalto is also known for its sports enthusiasts. Its sports complex consists of three soccer

fields, a football field and nine baseball/ softball fields that provide a home to the Civic Memorial High School baseball and softball teams and the Bethalto American Legion Baseball Team. The village also has four baseball fields and facilities at Southside Park that host Bethalto’s youth recreational baseball and football programs.

We pride ourselves as having a little something for “kids of all ages.” Amenities that make Bethalto so special include a fine public library, a Boys and Girls Club, public swimming pool, tennis and basketball courts and numerous parks and playgrounds. If you like to stay active all year long, Bethalto is the perfect community. If history is your thing, Bethalto even has a historical museum complete with an original log cabin circa 1860 on site.

The annual Labor Day Weekend Homecoming in Central Park is an event that many throughout the Riverbend area attend each year. Established to celebrate the return of servicemen from World War I, the carnival-like event is filled with rides, food, drink and musical entertainment and is more than 90 years old. Another popular

event is Family Fun Day held every September at Bryant Park in Bethalto. This is a family-oriented afternoon consisting of bounce houses, children’s activities, music, food and loads of fun. And the best part? Everything is free!

Several exciting new developments are under way in this charming community. A mix of new residential developments, including single-family homes and condominiums, are being developed with more growth anticipated in the future. A large commercial development is planned at the Illinois Route 140 and Illinois Route 255 interchange. Housing is conveniently available for all income levels, ranging from apartment living to upscale single-family homes. Bethalto also has several options for senior living ranging from private condominiums to seniorcommunity living.

Come and experience Bethalto — a charming community that offers something for everyone. n

bethalto.com

East Alton

Continuing as a pioneer for progress

The Village of East Alton is centrally located in the Riverbend and is a short distance from many key educational facilities and businesses, including Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, Lewis and Clark Community College and St. Louis Regional Airport.

Located along the Mississippi River, East Alton provides great access to Illinois Route 255 and Interstate 270 for both commerce and travel. Established in 1893, East Alton is home to more than 6,000 residents, covering approximately 5.7 square miles with a unique blend of residential, commercial and industrial properties.

East Alton comprises single-family homes, multifamily apartments and two multistory, high-rise apartments. Housing has been a priority for the past decade, with 90 new single-family homes recently built, with 46 of those in Emerald Ridge and another 44 scattered throughout East Alton. Adding to its appeal, East Alton has its own library, fire and police

protection and is served within close proximity by Alton’s two hospitals.

The Village of East Alton is home to several hundred businesses, including Olin Corporation and Global Brass and Copper, both of which are located on the banks of the Mississippi River adjacent to Locks and Dam 26 along Illinois Route 3. Located within an hour of Lambert St. Louis International Airport, East Alton is a prime location for busy business and recreational travelers.

Recreation and community activities have always been a priority for East Alton. Its beautiful parks and the Keasler Recreation Complex host multiple soccer and baseball programs for youths of all ages. The Parks and Recreation Department also places a high priority on adult and senior citizens services, offering several programs that cater to the community’s diverse interests. The popular Halloween Dinner Dance and Easter Luncheons are just a couple of the events offered annually. For hockey and skating enthusiasts, the East Alton Ice

Arena is the only ice rink in the region. The Ice Arena hosts grade school and high school leagues, while also serving college games and adult leagues. The ice rink also offers figure skating and open sessions for the public to enjoy.

Serving the citizens of the Village has always been a top priority for East Alton. The men and women of the East Alton Fire Department, Police Department, Public Works, Parks and Recreation, Village Hall, East Alton School District and Library District take great pride in serving the needs of their community.

From the beautiful parks to the blossoming economic development, East Alton has a lot to offer. Experience East Alton and see why many families and businesses continue to call it “home.”

eastaltonvillage.org

A lovely place to experience year round

If you are ever traveling along the Great River Road between Alton and Grafton, a stop in Elsah is definitely a must.

This beautiful Village has an entrance in the valley at the base of Mount Radiance, a tall limestone bluff along the Mississippi shoreline in the Riverbend. Elsah’s town limits include the valley and the bluffs to the east of the entrance. Elsah can be visited from the north off Illinois Route 3 or from Beltrees Road.

Many residents enjoy the quality of life in Elsah, with peaceful neighborhoods and a true sense of community. Commuting is easy, offering residents easy access to employment in Alton, Jerseyville and St. Louis. Children in the area attend schools in the Jersey Community School District. The Village of Elsah also offers conveniently located hospitals, shopping and entertainment in the nearby towns of Alton, Jerseyville and Grafton.

It’s easy to see why Elsah is such a relaxing place to visit. Elsah’s Fountain Square Park is a lovely place to have a picnic, and the Village’s Historic District has so much to offer. The Elsah Museum is open 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday from April through October, to get a glimpse into Elsah’s rich history. The Village of Elsah also offers Farley’s Music Hall, owned and operated by the Historic Elsah Foundation. If you are looking for a venue, Farley’s is ideal. Whether it’s to enjoy a community dance or wedding reception, Farley’s Music Hall can accommodate you. Rental information is available at historicelsah.org. Another venue is the Elsah Civic Center, which offers meeting space and even a kitchen. The adjoining 1857 Elsah School Building is also available as rental space by contacting the Village clerk at elsah.clerk@ gmail.com.

Offering two historic districts, the Village of Elsah is composed of 19th century

buildings located in the valley. Renowned Principia College Historic District is a National Historic Landmark recognizing the work of architect Bernard R. Maybeck. Since 1935, Principia College has been an architectural gem in Elsah. This liberal arts, fouryear college for Christian Scientists has been part of Village life for years, offering residents access to many events and activities. Because of local zoning and a dedicated commitment to the community for historic preservation, the appearance of the buildings and overall character of the Village have remained unchanged.

When visiting, guests can stay at one of two bed and breakfasts: The Green Tree Inn or The Maple Leaf Cottage Inn. Each bed and breakfast offers its own unique style, while both feature home cooking, free use of bicycles, beautiful gardens and excellent guest hospitality. The Green Tree Inn is the proud recipient of Trip Advisor’s Certificate of Excellence for the last three years. They also offer an on-site gift and antique shop. Maple Leaf Cottage Inn has been providing clean, comfortable and affordable lodging since 1949. In 2016, the Maple Leaf Cottage Inn was voted “No. 1 People’s Choice for Best Overnight Stay in Southwestern Illinois” by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, and they were selected as one of the top “25 Best Romantic Getaways” in Illinois by VacationIdea of Dream Vacation Magazine.

Be sure to check out the websites for the two bed and breakfasts: greentreeinnelsah. com and mapleleafcottageinn.com.

A visit to the Elsah General Store (elsahgeneralstore.com) is truly like taking a step back in time. This beautiful little store captures the feeling of a simpler time while offering an array of groceries, nostalgic toys, old-time candies, vintage bottled sodas, ice cream, jams, jellies, collectibles and the “goodies table.”

Visit the Village of Elsah and see why people not only call this place “home” but want to visit year-round, no matter the reason or the season. n

A residential mecca and nature lover’s dream

The village of Godfrey is one of Illinois’ newest municipalities and also one of the Riverbend’s largest.

Located just northwest of Alton, the village of Godfrey is more than 36 square miles, making it the eighth largest municipality in terms of geographic area in the entire state of Illinois. This primarily residential community has a population of almost 18,000 and is devoted to agricultural uses and maintaining a natural state of beauty enjoyed by many.

The village of Godfrey continues to prosper, with the completion of ongoing highway projects, including Illinois Route 255. Soon, the village will see commercial development growth in addition to residential growth due to the highway development projects. Residents currently enjoy the benefits this community has to offer like top-notch hospitals, schools and places of worship just minutes away.

The motto “you can see your future from here” is more than just the Godfrey brand. It is the foundation that the community is always providing the residents and businesses the highest quality of life and opportunities for success. An example of how Godfrey is leading the region is the recent economic development initiatives under way to attract new businesses while also supporting the businesses that have already made Godfrey home.

The same applies to individuals and families, too. Those searching for a place to call home will be astonished when they

discover the beautiful neighborhoods, amenities and low taxes of the community. Those who already have made their home in Godfrey will not be surprised to learn the village is undertaking activities such as long-range bike and pedestrian planning, even more road improvements, and further expansion in parks facilities and recreational opportunities to continue to enhance this already great community.

Each fall season, thousands of people flock to Godfrey for the Great Godfrey Maze, now in its 17th season.

It’s obvious what makes the community of Godfrey such a wonderful place to call home. Families and businesses thrive in this hospitable municipality, enjoying all that Godfrey has to offer. Conveniently located close to all of the region’s attractions, Godfrey offers homespun fun in a setting that continues to flourish. n

Where opportunity and beauty collide

Have you visited Grafton lately?

Tourists near and far come to visit Grafton’s charming historic riverfront to enjoy the lovely wineries, great food, unique shops and nature at its best. Grafton is a picturesque small community that is nestled between the Illinois and Mississippi rivers with beautiful limestone bluffs running the length of the National Scenic Byway along Route 100. Grafton has been named “one of the ten greatest drives in the nation”… and it’s easy to see why.

Grafton offers a variety of riverfront activities for all ages to enjoy. Activities like fishing, boating, water sports, birdwatching, photography, hiking, Raging Rivers WaterPark and a five-anchor marina (the highest award given to a marina) are all within reach. For adventure-seekers, there’s even ziplining, offering stunning views for miles. If you’re visiting Grafton and find it too much fun to leave, check out one of the charming overnight places to stay. They’ll make you feel like a friend of the family. It’s true: for a small community, it’s unbelievable how

many choices are available when “fun” is on the agenda.

A new indoor ice skating rink opened in Grafton at the Loading Dock with rave reviews. With the new rink, families and groups have yet another unforgettable experience to share in a city that invites you to explore one adventure after another all year long. Recently, the Grafton Oyster Bar, an extension of the Broadway Oyster Bar in St. Louis, opened at the Grafton Marina.

Grafton’s Main Street, which includes a self-guided walking tour, is listed on the National Historic Register with many examples of 19th century architecture. The business community continues to grow and expand, as does the residential community. Grafton was awarded two “Governor Home Town Awards” for the community’s quality of life. As a safe, friendly city located on the National Scenic Byway, Grafton offers a variety of

residential opportunities from upscale condominiums and villas to beautiful residential homes located in a park-like setting out of the flood plain.

Those who call Grafton home say it feels like they are on vacation because they live in such an attractive setting. Nature lovers especially embrace the fall season, with magnificent fall foliage that attracts thousands of people annually. The quality and variety of real estate has attracted residents from all over. No matter where you travel, there is no experience like returning home to a serene, beautiful and safe community.

The future of Grafton looks bright! Visit and learn more about why Grafton is truly an exciting community and a great place to live. Visit for a weekend … stay for a lifetime. n

Challenge Unlimited, Inc, proudly headquartered in Alton, IL and once known as Specialized Services, is a national nonprofit organization established in 1959 committed to the inclusion of individuals with disabilities into mainstream society. Our mission is simple and impactful: Partnering with businesses, we create INDEPENDENCE THROUGH OPPORTUNITY, which allows people with disabilities to live, work, and participate in the community.

If you seek contracted facility services (such as janitorial and grounds keeping); seek inclusion in the workplace with talented individuals with disabilities seeking employment; or seek residential housing for people with disability, please call 1-618-465-0044 and visit us on our website at www.cuinc.org.

If you haven’t visited the 180-foot Lewis and Clark Confluence Tower perched at the confluence of the two great rivers yet, don’t miss out. On the grounds of the 60-acre Lewis and Clark Commerce Center, the tower boasts amazing views and historical significance. Whether you reside nearby or within Hartford, anyone experiencing the Riverbend should take advantage of this amazing complex. Events are overflowing at the Confluence Tower throughout the year. Some of the events include a magical “Frozen” journey that transports guests through Elsa’s ice castle, a Super Moon viewing party with a local astronomer, classic car cruises and an annual Halloween party. A new amphitheater allows Hartford to host events offering local live music on Sunday afternoons during the fall season. These amazing events draw more than 75,000 visitors from all over the world.

Hartford’s downtown district is being redeveloped with the hope of serving residents and visitors better than ever before. Bike riders along the Confluence Bikeway will appreciate the improvements and on the east side of the community, 375 acres are obtainable for industrial development. Enterprise zones and TIF district incentives make this area in the village of Hartford a top priority. Benefits of the site offer a truck route, rail access, electric and gas lines. Recently, companies have invested almost $40 million in Hartford to support the oil industry.

Prime real estate in Hartford also exists at Jefferson Gardens, located on the grounds of the Lewis and Clark Confluence Tower. The garden showcases plants discovered during the Lewis

and Clark expedition as well as an abundance of outdoor activities. As the seasons change, beautiful blooming trees set the stage for a variety of outdoor activities. During the fall, the many colors of the falling leaves and evening sunsets over the water keep visitors coming back for more. As the winter air begins to chill even more, eagle watching is in its prime in January and February in Hartford. Spectators come from great distances to revel in their grace and beauty.

Recreation is a big part of Hartford’s thriving community. With a 17-acre park that offers walking and jogging paths, as well as several neighborhood parks and a Veteran’s Memorial Park located on Route 3, it’s easy to enjoy the outdoor spaces and breathe the fresh air. The Woodrow Wilson Community Center is ideal for residents looking for a gym. The center also offers a gymnasium that can be rented for functions and special events. Children of all ages love other amenities Hartford has to offer, which include “Movie in the Park,” a popular splash park to cool off on hot summer days, and a Frisbee golf course. The village of Hartford even has a dog-walking park for our fourfooted friends!

The village of Hartford is served by two school districts: Wood River-Hartford School District 15, with two elementary schools and a junior high school, and East Alton-Wood River Community School District 14, with one high school in Wood River.

Residents and businesses alike enjoy police and fire protection, offering a safe haven for everyone. The police and fire protection districts often aid in the sponsorship of communitywide events like family-friendly

fish fries, car shows, festivals, and cultural events. Hartford is truly a place that everyone can enjoy.

Deeply rooted in the Riverbend community and its family-

centered approach to fun, the Village of Hartford will win over your heart time and time again. n

Roxana

A friendly small town that many call ‘home’

Whether you are looking to relocate your business or your family, Roxana is a hometown that offers many benefits for residents and businesses alike.

Roxana is a village in the Riverbend that continues to grow, home to key businesses including the Phillips 66 Refinery and the Roxana Landfill Authority. Employment opportunities are flourishing in Roxana, offering services to the area and many surrounding communities. Roxana conveniently links the Riverbend area to the heart of the St. Louis Metropolitan area.

Citizens of Roxana enjoy a variety of public and utility services that include full-time police and fire protection departments as well as water and waste water treatment that serves neighboring communities in the entire Riverbend area. Two major infrastructure projects and other improvements are enhancing the Village, including a new Public Works Center that’s in full operation, offering more space for the Street

Department to operate and more room to grow.

Other major improvements are happening along Route 111 on the lighting and sidewalk areas. Early in the design phase of this project, new street lights, sidewalks and additional sidewalk lighting are in the initial stages. This will enable the village to relocate a large water main from under Route 111. A storm water collection system on the west side of the community is also in progress, among other future improvements planned for Roxana.

Centrally located Raifort Commerce Park has commercial and industrial zoned property that suits many industries. Beautifully nestled on hundreds of acres, Raifort Commerce Park is located on the east and west side of Illinois Route 255, providing easy access to the north and southbound lanes of the Route 255 transportation system. Lots are available offering full utility services, making Raifort Commerce Park another reason

“Building a world of transPORTunity”

to appreciate the prosperous Roxana business community.

The Roxana Community School District offers an updated campus environment with quality education for its students. The village is proud of the beautiful renovations made to the school’s main campus, making it not only visually appealing but academically top-notch. Additionally, Roxana offers a full-service community library to the residents of the Riverbend with many additional amenities. There’s so much to offer residents and visitors of Roxana alike, including a beautiful Roxana Park District Complex that supports a wide spectrum of yearround sports and recreational activities for the community. If you’re looking for a friendly place to live, work and raise a family, the Village of Roxana is a great place to be. n

roxana-il.org

South Roxana

Why this Riverbend community makes a difference

With a great location, South Roxana is located in the southern end of the Riverbend and is home to about 2,000 residents.

Not only a nice place to raise a family, this business-friendly community is served by a full-time police department and the South Roxana Fire Department.

Investing in the future, the village of South

Roxana recently completed a water line renovation near its grade school, as well as providing new sidewalks with the Safe Routes to School Program for children to use when walking to and from school safely.

The South Roxana elementary school, which is located within the Roxana School District, is conveniently located within the

village. There are also two parks including the popular 10-acre South Roxana Dad’s Club that offers weekly bingo as well as the annual homecoming for the community to enjoy.

The Phillips 66 Refinery nestled nearby just recently upgraded its facility by $1.8 billion. Two TIF Districts have also been set up to spur economic development along Illinois Route 111 and Madison Avenue. The village of South Roxana also offers more than 160 acres for business development opportunities with some of the property located next to Illinois Route 255 and across the street from the refinery. n

A place of worry-free living, where every day feels comfortable and care is delivered with integrity, dignity and compassion.

Wood River

A place to grow and prosper

Wood River offers residents and businesses in the Riverbend area an ideal place to live and work.

Only 15 minutes away from the City of St. Louis, Wood River blends together a small town “feel” with an urban attitude, home to more than 10,000 residents. With excellent transportation links to St. Louis and beyond, Wood River offers convenience that can’t be beat. If you are looking to relocate, more than 20 new houses have been built in Wood River during the past year, mostly in Rock Hill Trails and Heritage Trails. Both subdivisions offer easy access

to Illinois Route 255 and Illinois Routes 143 and 111. The former Lincoln School site will soon become the site for nine new houses in the area bounded by Wood River Avenue, Beach and Carstens.

Wood River offers attractive outdoor space to play, with eight parks covering 273 acres. Dramatic upgrades have been made to Belk Park, enhancing its reputation as a destination for all ages. The newest attraction is a one-mile walking path encircling Wright Lake. Thanks to a large

donation from Phillips 66 and several grants, the path includes a scenic bridge with accessible fishing dock. Two service clubs, Lions and Rotary, have upgraded their picnic shelters. The children’s

playground equipment has been updated with restroom improvements happening as well at the park.

Renowned Belk Park Golf Course, visited by more than 50,000 golfers each year, maintains its reputation as a premier course. Golfers appreciate the recent drainage improvements to the course, along with the impressive upgrades to the clubhouse. Thanks to the efforts of Dwight Werts and Lewis and Clark Community College, a silhouette statue of a golfer now graces the clubhouse entrance. Additionally, the Aquatic Center at Central Park recently had one of its best seasons ever. The facility features an Olympic-size swimming pool, wading pool and twin-flume water slides, making it an ideal place to cool off when the weather is hot.

Planning continues for the

$7.6 million police facility, thanks to the donation of cash and land by BP. About 20 new businesses have opened in Wood River in the past year including Madison’s Tea Room and Banquet Center, Big John’s Cuban Café, Marco’s Pizza, Ruby’s, Goldie’s Chick-NMex Express and several other restaurants and retail establishments. Renovations continue at Pump House, a popular restaurant and bar. Substantial renovations at Dairy Queen, relocation of Marathon Pipeline offices and expansion of Vibration Fatigue Lab have been completed. Meineke Car Care Center will open soon.

Come and visit us to see first hand why Wood River is loved by many and continues to flourish. n

woodriver.org

EVERYONE GETS IT.

OSF Saint Anthony’s Health Center, a part of OSF HealthCare.