618-463-0612
advantagenews.com
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Thank you for viewing the 2019-2020 Currents magazine!
Debbie Hagen
EDITOR
Fred Pollard
DESIGNER
Missy Long WRITERS
Nathan Grimm
Fred Pollard
Frank Prager
Suzanne Slaughter
Danette Watt
PHOTOGRAPHERS
Andrew Dobson
Je Helmkamp
Fred Pollard
Frank Prager
Bill Roseberry
This publication serves as the RiverBend Growth Association’s opportunity to highlight the people and places in our communities that comprise the Riverbend region of Southwestern Illinois. We hope you share this with others in the o ce where you picked it up, or, share with your houseguests on your co ee table at home. We have featured member businesses with compelling stories to tell and milestones that have been met, such as Gent Funeral Home’s 85th anniversary and the Alton Symphony Orchestra’s 75th year of entertaining us.
This year, we have added a page on an event that had a major impact on the region — the Flood of 2019.
It is of significance not only because of the 127 days that the Mississippi River was above flood stage, but more importantly for the resilience, determination and attitude adopted by everyone to get back to “business as usual” as quickly as possible. It was refreshing to see that a rising river not only floods property, but rather, raised everyone a ected by the Flood of 2019 to new heights. From the sta
A look at RBGA
of the RiverBend Growth Association moving a major community event out of a flood-ravaged area in just a five-day time frame so an estimated 1,000 people could attend the event, to the merchants of Grafton cleaning up the streets and businesses two di erent times in order to be ready for the summer tourist crowd, to the Alton Public Works’ tireless e orts in protecting Downtown Alton, we showed what can be accomplished when we all pull together!
We continue to promote development opportunities to site selectors that continually search the Midwest on behalf of their clients, while striving to develop and maintain programs and events that give value to our membership and communities. Thank you again for your interest in Currents magazine, which showcases our RiverBend communities. We are proud to share this publication with our visitors, residents and future residents alike!
Sincerely,
This year, Alton Memorial Hospital joined the Siteman Cancer Network to improve the health of Riverbend residents and neighboring communities through cancer research, treatment and prevention. Membership in the Siteman network strengthens and further expands AMH’s connection as a member of BJC HealthCare to the nationally renowned cancer center based at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.
In connection with that, AMH is now o ering a full range of urological services to the community with the addition of two urologists from Washington University Physicians of Illinois Inc. The practice is located in Medical O ce Building A, Suite 205, with Dr. Arjun Sivaraman and Dr. Gerald Andriole.
Since 1937, Alton Memorial Hospital (AMH) has cared for countless people in Alton and the surrounding communities.
Today, AMH is a full-service, acute-care hospital, accredited by the Joint Commission with approximately 900 employees, more than 250 physicians and 123 sta ed beds serving patients in a five-county area.
AMH o ers 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. The Women’s Health and Childbirth Center delivered more than 700 babies in 2018, serving as the only delivery center in the Riverbend area.
To underscore the hospital’s trust from the public, AMH won two prestigious honors
Dr. Timothy Eberlein, director of Siteman Cancer Center, speaks during the May 1 announcement that Alton Memorial Hospital has joined the Siteman Cancer Network. Behind Dr. Eberlein are AMH President Dave Braasch; Steve Thompson, chairman of the AMH board of directors and emcee of the event; Craig Green, an Alton firefighter who was treated at AMH and Siteman and appears in a video promoting the a liation; and Dr. Gregory Vlacich, medical director of AMH Radiation Oncology and a Siteman physician.
at the 2018 PRC (Professional Research Consultants) National Excellence in Healthcare Conference. The Human Motion Institute won its 11th consecutive PRC 5-Star Award for its Outpatient Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapy services. A four-star
award went to the Emergency Department.
Since 1993, AMH has been a member of BJC HealthCare, one of the nation’s largest health care organizations.
altonmemorialhospital.org
Other physicians who have joined the medical sta include Dr. David Harmon (hospice/ palliative care), Dr. Matthew Musielak (surgeon) and Dr. Bindu Patel (OB/GYN).
AMH and BJC Medical Group have expanded their presence in Madison County with a new medical o ce building in Bethalto. The building replaces the Family Physicians of Bethalto o ce on the south side of Route 140. At nearly 9,000 square feet, the new structure accommodates five providers. In addition, there is a Christian Hospital Reference Lab facility on site as well as space for BJC Medical Group specialists to rotate through, providing o ce visits for patients who live closer to that location. The new space enables extended evening and weekend hours for walk-ins similar to Alton Memorial Convenient Care (AMCC) in Godfrey.
Anthony’s Health Center, along with a number of key community partners and agencies, just released results of its Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA), indicating that 17 percent of residents in our region have challenges with access to healthcare.
OSF HealthCare continues to make significant progress on a promise to expand care to where residents live, work, and play. It’s also providing health education where it’s needed, including schools where vaping educational sessions are planned.
Cancer remains the number two cause of death in the region and the opening of the Moeller Cancer Center o ers opportunities for additional screening, early diagnosis, the latest treatment technology and clinical trials from world-class oncology experts right here in the Riverbend.
OSF Saint Anthony’s is adding new specialists such as colorectal care, enhanced surgical care and podiatry. In addition to opening a new PromptCare/Primary Care o ce in Godfrey, OSF is o ering extended hours for primary care in Alton to increase access.
Convenience is important, but high-quality care is at the forefront of our Mission. Access to experts in stroke care can be life-saving. OSF Saint Anthony’s was recently recognized nationally for providing gold-standard excellence for stroke care.
The latest CHNA also revealed a nearly 9 percent increase in the number of residents over the age of 65.
“We know baby boomers are
more savvy, assertive, and health-conscious in their care, so we’re focused on better meeting their needs.” — OSF Saint Anthony’s President and CEO, Ajay
Pathak
A new kind of partnership, aimed at providing more convenient and easy access to care, is helping residents of Asbury Village in Godfrey, where OSF HealthCare o ers an on-site primary care clinic as well as daily physical, occupational and speech therapy.
Alton Square Mall will be the site of a new 12,000-squarefoot comprehensive rehabilitation center. The location o ers convenience plus additional amenities, including a walking track and integrated pediatric gym.
“We are on target with e orts to improve access and create care teams that provide a coordinated, holistic approach to the health care
experience,” according to Sister M. Anselma, COO for OSF Saint Anthony’s Health Center. A care team manager creates individualized plans for patients to overcome barriers to their well-being.
OSF HealthCare is also leveraging technology to o er more convenient online scheduling for primary and urgent care, plus OSF OnCall is the modern-day virtual equivalent of a house call for non-emergent immediate care 24/7 from a tablet or phone.
People who are having trouble managing mild stress, anxiety or depression have free access to OSF Silver Cloud, a smart phone app and evidence-based website that has live support for immediate care referrals.
The future is exciting. OSF Innovation has already brought telehealth for ICU and medication monitoring, and next year will bring a more robust virtual care program that supports the healthcare needs of our community.
osfsaintanthonys.org
Alton CUSD 11
altonschools.org • 618-474-2600
Bethalto CUSD 8
bethalto.org • 618-377-7200
East Alton SD 13 easd13.org • 618-433-2051
East Alton-Wood River CHSD 14 eawr.org • 618-254-3151
Jersey CUSD 100 jersey100.org • 618-498-5561
Roxana CUSD 1 roxanaschools.org • 618-254-7544
Wood River-Hartford SD 15 wrh15.org • 618-254-0607
State of Illinois
*Eligible to receive special education services. **Eligible for transitional bilingual programs. ***Asterisks in the tables indicate either non-reported data or suppressed data due to privacy concerns. Student counts reported are counts out of groups 10 or greater.
Marquette Catholic High School, Alton marquettecatholic.org • 618-463-0580
Mississippi Valley Christian School, Alton mvcs-il.org • 618-462-1071
St. Mary’s Catholic School, Alton stmarysalton.com/school
618-465-8523 elementary
618-465-9719 middle
Illinois College, Jacksonville ic.edu • 217-245-3000
Kaskaskia College, Centralia kaskaskia.edu • 618-545-3000
Lewis & Clark Community College, Godfrey, Edwardsville lc.edu • 800-YES-LCCC
McKendree University, Lebanon
mckendree.edu • 800-BEARCAT
Missouri Baptist University at Lewis & Clark, Godfrey mobap.edu/lccc • 618-468-2621
Principia College, Elsah principiacollege.edu • 618-374-2131
Our Lady Queen of Peace School, Bethalto olqpbethalto.org • 618-377-6401
Zion Lutheran School, Bethalto zlsbethalto.org • 618-377-5507
Evangelical Schools, Godfrey evangelical-school.org • 618-466-1599
Children’s Tribe, A Montessori Academy, Godfrey childrenstribe.org • 618-466-0399
Southern Illinois University
Edwardsville
siue.edu • 800-447-SIUE
Southern Illinois University
School of Dental Medicine, Alton siue.edu/dental • 618-474-7170
Southwestern Illinois College, Belleville, Granite City, Red Bud swic.edu • 618-235-2700
Fontbonne University, St. Louis fontbonne.edu • 800-205-5862
Harris-Stowe State University, St. Louis hssu.edu • 314-340-3366
Lindenwood University, St. Charles lindenwood.edu • 636-949-2000
Montessori Children’s House, Godfrey mchgodfrey.org • 618-467-2333
St. Ambrose Catholic School, Godfrey stambrosegodfrey.org • 618-466-4216
Bethel Christian Academy, South Roxana bethelfwbsroxana.org/BCA • 618-254-0188
Maryville University, St. Louis
maryville.edu • 314-529-9300
Missouri Baptist University, St. Louis
mobap.edu • 314-434-1115
Ranken Technical College, St. Louis
ranken.edu • 866-4-RANKEN
Saint Louis University, St. Louis
slu.edu • 800-758-3678
University of Missouri – St. Louis, St. Louis
umsl.edu • 314-516-5000
Washington University, St. Louis
wustl.edu • 314-935-5000
Webster University, Webster Groves
webster.edu • 800-981-9801
source: illinoisreportcard.com
Located on the blu s of the Great River Road, Principia College is the only provider of higher education worldwide that has both a faculty and student body composed of those with a Christian Scientist perspective.
From a desire to provide a spiritually grounded education for her two sons, Mary Kimball Morgan founded the college as a school in St. Louis in 1898. In 1934, Principia's new four-year liberal arts college, established in Elsah, graduated its first class.
Continuing the legacy of strong female leadership, Dr. Jolanda Westerhof became the first woman to serve as president of Principia College
since the school's founder when she accepted her position in March of 2018.
"I am honored to lead the college from which I graduated, and am grateful to be working with students, sta , faculty, and administration as we explore Principia's vision and purpose for educating the next generation of world citizens - with our common foundation of Christian Science."
Dr. Westerhof previously served as associate vice president for the Academic Leadership and Change Division of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities in Washington, D.C.
The Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine in Alton will observe the 45th anniversary of its first graduating class in 2020. The dental school is one of only three in Illinois and has been known for the caliber of its curriculum and the quality of its graduates since its inception.
The school’s director of development, Stephen Schaus, explains what sets the school apart.
“When students graduate, they are prepared to be practicing dentists,” he says. “First-time pass rates for the national board exams and the clinical board exams required to become a dentist are greater than 90 percent.”
He says since its first graduating class in 1975, nearly 2,000 students have received their dental degrees at the school. This was the first year the school graduated students from an international program.
“We consistently get around 500 applications every year and out of that, accept about 50 students,” Schaus says.
He notes acceptance for its international program is even more exacting, with the school only taking 6 to 8 students out of 600 applications. All applicants are required to take the Dental Admissions Test (DAT) administered by the American Dental Association.
The school occupies 26 acres on the site of the former Shurtle College. Its campus comprises a main clinic and a multidisciplinary laboratory building, as well as administration buildings, a science building, a biomedical library and information technology o ces.
constructed in 2006. A major renovation of the pre-clinical laboratory was completed in 2014. The facility contains 60 simulation units.
“The renovation placed us leaps and bounds ahead of previous technology,” Schaus says.
Louis Center allows students to provide dental care to an economically disadvantaged area.
Specialty and post-graduate programs provided through the university allow students to study in the areas of periodontics, endodontics, pediatric dentistry and orthodontics.
The dental school sponsors a number of special events each year. Started in 2003, the annual Give Kids A Smile Day provides free dental care for children who do not receive regular dental treatment and who do not have regular access to dental care. The program has grown to provide treatment to an average of 240 children a year over the past 9 years.
In 2018, the school hosted its inaugural Veteran’s Dental Care Day. Third- and fourthyear dental students, under the supervision of dental school faculty who are all licensed dentists, provided exams, x-rays, cleanings, fillings and extractions to veterans at no cost.
Schaus says the school is excited about future developments. It will soon build a state-of-the-art patient clinic to provide additional patient care opportunities within the Department of Graduate Education.
The main clinic was built in 1984 and was renovated in 2005. It is the site of most student practical experience and provides patient dental care at 72 patient care stations. Schaus notes the university has approximately 8,000 patients and handles about 35,000 patient visits every year.
The advanced practice wing of the main clinic was
He points out the instructors at the school are also practicing dentists, which allows the curriculum and technology to stay abreast of current developments in the field.
The communitybased East St. Louis Dental Clinic at the SIUE East St.
Lewis and Clark Community College in Godfrey has cause for celebration, as 2020 marks the 50th anniversary of the educational institution.
“We plan on celebrating our 50th anniversary throughout the year,” said the college’s president, Dr. Dale Chapman “We will be acknowledging our five decades of success during recurring campus events, a public celebration in 2020, and the launch of a capital and endowment campaign through our foundation.”
Located on the grounds of the former Monticello College for women, Lewis and Clark Community College was founded in 1970, with a co-ed student body that numbered 450. This is in stark contrast to the thousands of students the college now serves each year, in a district that spans seven counties.
“Today we graduate more than 1,000 students annually,” said Chapman, which he attributes to adding to Lewis and Clark’s economic impact on the area. That impact has proven to be quite impressive, at close to $370 million total added income supported in the area annually and making up 4.7 percent of the gross regional product.
Complex, helped the college triple its nursing program, and double the size of its math and science departments, which once used to fit in Fobes Hall,” Chapman said.
Lewis and Clark o ers a wide array of career and transfer programs, a nationally accredited program for high school students that o ers dual credit courses, adult education, including GED completion, a workforce training program, and College for Kids.
“The expansion of the Godfrey campus, with the addition of the McPike Math and Science
In 1999, Lewis and Clark Community College purchased what is now the N.O. Nelson Campus, along Illinois 159 in Edwardsville. When LCCC procured the property, the four buildings needed extensive repairs and were on Illinois’ Ten Most Endangered Historic Sites list. After extensive renovations, the N.O. Nelson campus houses classrooms and labs for various classes, such as select science courses, CNET, and adult education classes.
Over the years, Lewis and Clark Community College has received ample assistance from area business, which has been integral to their continued success.
“Major gifts from the Olin Corporation ($1 million), the Alton Memorial Health Services Foundation Templin Fund ($2.5 million), and Mr. Ed Weber ($3.15 million) have allowed Lewis and Clark to expand program o erings for students in math, science, nursing, and welding technology,” Chapman said.
“It was recently announced by the state of Illinois that the college will receive $37.5
million in funding to completely renovate the historically significant Main Complex, which was originally designed in the late 1880s by iconic architect Theodore Link, who also designed Union Station in downtown St. Louis. These major gifts and capital grants have allowed Lewis and Clark to transform the region and enhance o erings for the more than 217,000 residents we serve, in parts of 7 counties.”
Along with all of its past success and accomplishments, the future looks bright for Lewis and Clark Community College. Undoubtedly, the school’s past and future success depends on community support.
“Looking ahead to our next 50 years, we anticipate many changes in higher education,” Chapman said. “Preparing for opportunities and challenges requires that Lewis and Clark remain strong, but flexible. Lewis and Clark has managed to grow as well as weather storms, without putting students, sta , or quality at risk.
IMPACT Center for Independent Living (CIL) has grown in the 35 years since it was founded, but through it all the center has maintained the values at its core — providing services for people with disabilities, by people with disabilities.
“What’s really a key is we are operated by and driven by people with disabilities,”
YEARS
IMPACT
CIL Executive Director Cathy Contarino said. “That’s what makes us unique.”
Contarino should know. She’s been with the organization since 1987, just two years after Dick Goodwin founded IMPACT in Alton in 1985, serving as executive director since 2004.
One thing that hasn’t changed over that time is the services rendered to the disabled community. Peer counseling, independent living skills training and information referral are just a few of the ways IMPACT helps disabled residents of its service area, which includes Madison, Macoupin, Jersey, Bond, Calhoun, and Greene counties.
To promote consumer control,
IMPACT CIL’s governing Board of Directors includes at least 51 percent disabled individuals. That allows the agency and its employees — IMPACT employs roughly 15 sta members, a number of whom also have a disability — to better connect with and help consumers.
“When you live life with disabilities, you can share that with people,” Contarino, who uses a wheelchair, said. “What I call a ‘street knowledge,’ so to speak. You live it every day, and people feel they are not alone.”
Being a center with an
emphasis on independent living, IMPACT also added transition services to its o erings in the late 1990s. That includes helping people with things like furniture, groceries and support personnel as they transition from nursing homes to the community.
IMPACT is funded primarily with state and federal dollars administered through the Illinois Department of Human Services’ Division of Rehabilitation Services. In 1986, the center also became a United Way agency, receiving funding through the United Way of Southwestern Illinois. IMPACT also depends upon community support through donations and fundraising activities.
The
moved from its home in Alton Plaza to its current location. IMPACT owns the building and has endured fire, flood and plenty more as a member of the Alton community.
Contarino said changing with the times and trying to keep up with the advances of technology — many of which greatly benefit the disabled population — is a challenge.
“We will continue to add relevant programs and be advocates in our community because there is still so much work to be done,” she said.
year 1986 is also when the center
• 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
1710 Muny Vista Drive, Alton 618-465-0996
Managed By: Bay West Residential LLC
Serving the Riverbend for more than 60 years.
When Ralph A. Gent started Gent Funeral Home in 1935, times were very di erent. The business’ longevity and the fact ownership has been retained by the same family over that time is testimony to the quality of the service it provides and the legacy it has built in the surrounding community.
Gent passed the business to his two sons-inlaw, Les Bowles and Bob Scoggins. Scoggins has passed away but Bowles, now 86 years old, still comes in to the funeral home every day. His son, Ralph Bowles, currently runs the business. Ralph’s son, Ben Bowles, is working in the business and is the fourth generation of the family involved.
Family has always been a mainstay of the business. Les’ wife, Joanne Bowles,
is a licensed mortician and always worked closely with Les in the business operations. Ralph’s sisters, Laura Bossé and Louise Jacoby, both work in o ce operations for the funeral home.
When asked why Gent Funeral Home has survived over the years when so many other businesses of its kind have closed, sold or merged with others, Ralph Bowles points out it is because of their focus on customer service and taking care of families.
“People come in who knew my parents and grandparents,” he says. “Word of mouth is priceless.”
The business of providing funerals is, in many ways, almost unrecognizable from what it was 85 years ago. Bowles explains that families used to be born and grow
Bob Scoggins
Ralph A. Gent
up in the local area, seldom leaving.
“They worked here and died here,” he says.
He explains that now, families are often spread out across the country, with members coming in only briefly to attend services.
Bowles says a lot has also changed over the years regarding the specific services o ered.
“People today want a much greater spectrum of options,” he explains. “Cremation is much more popular today than in the past.”
There are many items funeral homes provide today beyond traditional caskets, urns and burial vaults. Bowles says he strictly avoids any type of high-pressure sales tactics but says he does respect the fact people today want choices. Memory candles, key chains and jewelry are available that can contain images or the thumbprint of the deceased. Hollow jewelry containing some of the loved one’s ashes is also available.
To make a point about just how much times have changed, Bowles points to a picture of an old sedan ambulance from the mid-1900s as a reminder that until 1977, funeral homes provided ambulance service for the local area.
“People have forgotten there did not used to be specially trained ambulance services,” he says. “Funeral homes ran ambulances that had bandages, splints, oxygen and CPR equipment, and went out whenever they were needed.”
The death of a loved one obviously presents stress and challenges for the entire family. Bowles notes a key part of funerary services is taking care of details so the family does not. The funeral home coordinates with newspapers to have the obituary printed. They work with cemeteries to have the grave prepared. They also help to schedule those conducting the services and coordinate with memorial groups such as the VFW or active military groups to ensure everyone stays on
schedule for the graveside service.
Gent Funeral Home also provides cremation services for pets. The business has a special vehicle and crematory for pets and will come to the customer’s home to pick the pet up if necessary.
Bowles has been a licensed mortician for 31 years and his attention to the business is
characteristic of the legacy surrounding Gent Funeral Home.
“It’s a 24-7 business,” he says. He has worked at the business since he was a teenager, starting by mowing the lawn and picking up trash. Even though he now runs the business, he stays very much involved with details. He notes he personally dug a grave for an urn just recently. “Whatever it takes,” he says. “That’s really our motto here.”
Many would imagine running a funeral home to be a stressful, trying business, but Bowles sees it from a di erent perspective. “My dad told me when I was young that this job is 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. He said you have to feel it is a calling, just like the ministry, and if you don’t feel that way, you need to leave the profession.”
Bowles feels what the business gives to the community is what truly gives him satisfaction in the job.
“At the very end, when the family is satisfied with the way things were done, when they leave the cemetery and are still grieving, but I see that because of what we’ve done there is a sense of hope, that’s a good feeling.”
In 75 years of operation, everything has changed — and at the same time, nothing has changed — for the Southern Illinois Builders Association.
Since its inception in 1945, SIBA, a chapter of the Associated General Contractors of America, o ers many of the same services it always has. The challenge, CEO Donna Richter said, is adapting to the times to emphasize the services that the association’s roughly 500 members need at that moment.
The O’Fallon, Ill.-based trade association for commercial contractors is one of about 90 chapters across the United States and covers southern Illinois from south of Springfield and from the borders of Missouri, Indiana and Kentucky. Richter, who has been CEO since Jan. 1, 2015, and has been with SIBA for 38 years in total, said SIBA is comprised mainly of general contractors, subcontractors and suppliers, noting that they track approximately 2,000 projects a year.
Richter said that while most of the services the association o ers — including both a physical and online plan room for members to view plans and specs on projects, and safety services like first aid training and
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) courses — have remained throughout the years, the organization is not immune to external stressors. One recently, she said, was the state’s inability to pass a budget, which left many state roads and buildings neglected, and left many SIBA members with not a lot of work on which to bid.
“With the state of Illinois approving a budget, especially a capital/transportation bill, it’s really going to help our members, because we haven’t had funding for several years,” she said. “So now they’re allocating money that can be used to help
maintain some of these state buildings, help the universities and community colleges to build or renovate projects that they had to put on hold because they didn’t know for sure if there was going to be funding coming from the state.”
Another issue on the forefront is the lack of workers entering the field, what Richter said “could be a very big crisis.”
“The majority of our members — not all of them, but the majority of them — are union, and so they employ union employees, and a lot of those union employees are retiring and we don’t have a lot of the younger generation being pushed toward a career in construction,” she said.
To combat that, SIBA has been hosting construction career expos for more than 20 years. At those, middle school- and high school-aged
children are invited to explore 10 to 14 di erent crafts at booths featuring hands-on demonstrations and more information.
Looking forward, Richter said the biggest challenge on the horizon is the impact technology will have on builders.
“Technology is something that changes so rapidly, especially in the construction industry,” she said. “Things change all the time, and if you’re not willing to adapt to that and learn these changes, you’re going to see yourself on the back burner.”
As it always has, expect SIBA to roll with the changes and charge ahead toward another 75 years.
Illinois American Water is dedicated to providing high-quality, reliable water and wastewater services to the communities of the Riverbend. We are proud to have provided service to our neighbors and local businesses for more than 140 years. We remain committed to keeping the water flowing now and in the future.
The Riverbend’s longtime provider of party supplies and more, Baxter Distributing Company, is celebrating its 75th anniversary in 2020.
Known also simply as Baxter’s, Cli ord (Kip) and Lorraine Baxter started the company in 1945 after the local refinery laid o Kip at the end of World War II.
The business, originally in the basement of the Baxters’ home, started out selling primarily to local gas stations and grocery stores, providing sundries such as aspirin, toothpaste, and hand cream.
As the Baxters’ business grew, they relocated in 1952 to 1725 E. Broadway in Alton, the first of three eventual locations. Here, they were able to expand their product line to sell home appliances and bigger toys, such as trucks and dolls, than they sold at their original home location.
They were only at that location for one year before expansion required another move, this
time to 554 E. Broadway, where they remained until 1976. Here, the Baxters were able to expand their product line even more.
In 2018, Janet and Roland Hansen retired, leaving the business to their current owners, Bob and Jan Baxter, and their daughter and sonin-law, Ann and Brandon Fergurson.
“We sold small toys, had wedding rental, snow cones, a cotton candy maker, plastic flowers, plates, cups, napkins, crepe paper, and New Year’s hats,” said Bob Baxter, son of Kip and Lorraine Baxter and current owner of Baxter’s Distributing Company. Bob owns and operates the company, along with his wife, Jan, and daughter and son-in-law, Ann and Brandon Fergurson. “Kip and his brother and brother-inlaw would go out and sell New Year’s (products) to almost every bar and tavern in the county.”
In 1976, Baxter’s Distributing Company moved to its current location, where they continue to provide products and rentals for the Riverbend.
“We sell silk flowers and rent wedding candelabras, tables, and chairs,” Bob Baxter said.
“Popcorn production has increased, along with the sale of concession stand items. We also rent carnival games and a wide variety of props. The party decorations are quite big now, too. Everything from Mardi Gras, St. Patrick’s, Halloween, and your general birthday ideas.
“Some of the most loyal customers are the area schools, churches, and the factories.”
After Kip Baxter passed away in 1977, his and Lorraine’s children, Janet and Bob, along with their spouses took over the helm of daily operations of the business. Lorraine retired in 1990, after which Baxter’s was owned and operated by her children and their spouses, Bob and Jan Baxter and Janet and Roland Hansen
In 2012, Bob and Jan Baxter’s children, Michael Baxter and Ann Baxter-Fergurson, along with husband, Brandon Fergurson, started a website for the store. Brandon Fergurson took over the website in 2014, and it has proven to be a success.
Those at Baxter’s Distributing Company are aware they would not have had the success they have enjoyed over the last 75 years if it were not for their loyal customers.
“Something we hope to do to show our appreciation is to possibly do a customer appreciation day,” Bob Baxter said. “We appreciate all the past customers for their support, and to the future customers, we are here for your party needs.”
baxterspartystore.com
912 E. Broadway • Alton (618) 465-9347
The United Methodist Village is now Asbury Village! Here, you’ll find a vibrant lifestyle in our sprawling, countryside neighborhood. Along with our new name comes a fresh focus on good health and wellness, and exciting, new services, amenities and programs. We invite you to come be a part of it all, to discover what’s next for you.
The United Methodist Village is now Asbury Village! Here, you’ll find a vibrant lifestyle in our sprawling, countryside neighborhood. Along with our new name comes a fresh focus on good health and wellness, and exciting, new services, amenities and programs. We invite you to come be a part of it all, to discover what’s next for you.
Call us at (618) 466-8662 today to learn more!
Call us at (618) 466-8662 today to learn more!
The United Methodist Village is now Asbury Village! Here, you’ll find a vibrant lifestyle in our sprawling, countryside neighborhood. Along with our new name comes a fresh focus on good health and wellness, and exciting, new services, amenities and programs.
at 618-466-8662 today! New name, new amenities, same great community!
Call
5201 Asbury Avenue Godfrey, IL 62035
5201 Asbury Avenue Godfrey, IL 62035
Members of the Alton Symphony Orchestra have been making music together for 75 years. And with strong leadership, talented musicians and financial benefactors, it can continue another 75, at least.
“Ninety percent of the 50 orchestra members are volunteer,” said Steve McCann, president of ASO’s board of directors. “We played music in school and just wanted to keep playing. Alton Symphony Orchestra gives us that opportunity.”
Alton Symphony Orchestra began in 1945 when a group of musicians came together to play for fellowship and the love of making music. Dr. Frank Boals served as the board’s president for 41 years; Dr. Bethuel Gross served as the orchestra’s conductor and music director from 1945-1948.
Little is known about the orchestra’s early years but around 1969, the Alton Youth
Symphony was founded to further the musical opportunities for area youth. For the past decade, some students have been chosen to play two selections in a sideby-side concert with ASO.
McCann, who plays percussion in the orchestra, also performed with the AYS and remembers it as a positive experience, one echoed by today’s parents.
“I’ve had parents tell me that playing with the orchestra was their child’s highlight as a member of the youth symphony,” he said.
In 1984, ASO started the Marie Stillwell Young Artists’ Competition. Besides receiving a monetary award to further their musical education, winners get the chance to perform in concert with the Alton Symphony Orchestra.
“The talent we get is absolutely incredible,” McCann
said. “As many as 20 or 25 students audition, and we listen nonstop until 5 or 6 p.m.”
In 2012, the symphony was in financial straits. According to a St. Louis Post-Dispatch article that year, its expenses were twice its projected income that season. ASO’s bylaws prohibit running deficits, and the orchestra was in danger of having to close its doors.
“A cry went out to the
community and people stepped up,” McCann said. Today, with support from sponsors, grants and an annual trivia night fundraiser, ASO is financially in a healthier place.
“Jerre Honke, the board’s previous president, played
Conductor Shane Williams, Concertmaster Vincent Piazza and Alton Symphony Orchestra Board President Steve McCann [photos by Tom Honke]
an enormous part in that,” McCann said.
Honke said ASO is grateful for the donations and sponsorships from its patrons, including large contributions from John Simmons
“These have enabled us to program larger works that have attracted more audience members as well as orchestra members,” she said.
Because ASO is on firmer ground financially, McCann said the organization is able to give back to the community that has supported it. In 2018, ASO created the St. Nicholas Scholarship, which awards $250 to two qualified students in need of financial assistance for private music lessons.
McCann also wants to work with local parochial schools. A new instrumental program is starting at St. Mary’s grade school and he envisions a coordinated program where students can continue their musical instruction if they move on to Marquette Catholic High School.
“Marquette had their annual play last spring and performed ‘Sister Act.’ They don’t have an instrumental program there, so
they have to hire musicians,” McCann said.
ASO’s audience has been growing and McCann gives conductor Shane Williams, who begins his sixth season July 1, “major kudos.”
“Since Shane’s been conductor, our audience has quadrupled in size. His personality, enthusiasm and love of music and the music he’s able to bring out of us” is reflected in ticket sales. The orchestra performs at the 1,000-seat Hatheway Cultural Center in Godfrey. Two years ago, the balcony had to be opened for the first time.
“We don’t play watered-down pieces. We’re playing the same level of music as the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra performs,” McCann said.
“I’d like to say we’re on the same caliber as St. Louis, but I can’t. What I can say, though, is that many of our concertgoers have said, ‘I don’t need to go to St. Louis because we have a top-quality symphony here.’” altonsymphonyorchestra.org
“I remember going to the movies and walking over to Pantera’s,” East Alton native Todd Kennedy says. “To just sit and watch 30 years of neglect happen ... if we wouldn’t have bought it when we did, in two or three years it would probably have needed to be knocked down.”
With Kennedy's purchase of Eastgate Plaza in the fall of 2018, not only did his family stop the destruction of the strip mall, they have truly breathed new life into a struggling prospect. Right away, Kennedy was on a mission to recruit new businesses, estimating the potential for hundreds of new jobs. As a result, the parking lot is now hopping on any given day with customers visiting new restaurants Mr. Pancho's Mexican Grill and J.J. Thermo's, topping o a meal with ice cream at the Blue Ice Creamery, and then working o some calories at Club Fitness and learning more about healthy living at One Nation Nutrition. For entertainment, Jackpot 777 and Riverbend Axe Throwing have joined mainstays AMC Theater, East Alton Ice Arena, Elite Hockey and Dollar General.
Kennedy, who also manages Julia's Banquet Center, says he is in talks with more potential tenants and looks forward to seeing his endeavor continue to grow.
J.J. Thermo's Bar and Grill proprietors Jessica Gerber and John Dehner pose on the patio of their restaurant, opened in July of 2019.
Customers enjoy Mexican cuisine at Mr. Pancho's, opened in June of 2019.
Blue Ice Creamery, opened in February of 2019, o ers cool choices and sweet treats for the young as well as the young at heart.
The members of the Board of Directors of the three groups: Riverbend Economic Development, the Greater Alton Chamber of Commerce and the Twin Rivers Chamber of Commerce unanimously approved consolidating to form the Greater Alton/Twin Rivers Growth Association and began operating January 1, 1985. The founding board members were J. Darrell Burton, John G. Helmkamp, C. J. Jacoby III, William R. Kemp, Terry J. Kohler, Jerry W. Thomas, Paul E. Utterback, Ronald J. Winkler and Eugene V. Wrischnik. James Pennekamp became the first president of the organization. The organization’s name was changed from the RiverBend Growth Association to the Growth Association of Southwestern Illinois and then to the RiverBend Growth Association in 2004.
The RiverBend Growth Association serves as both the Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development organization for the communities that make up the RiverBend. It works to promote the region throughout the Midwest and the United States as a prime area for development, highlighting its quality workforce including many young professionals, proximity to a major metropolitan area and an abundant amount of a ordable land and available building space.
Why do you feel a local chamber of commerce/board of trade is so vital to a community?
We promote our local businesses and economy and help to improve their growth. We are here to open new doors and help our Riverbend business community gain exposure.
Is there a particular memory that stands out for you during your years of involvement with the association?
During the course of the year that I have been part of the RBGA, the one thing that stands out to me is the inclusiveness. It is
a good feeling to know that you are part of something great!
What do you like to do in your spare time?
I love to spend time with my family. We enjoy going for a Saturday drive up the Great River Road. I am a proud Mckendree University Mom; you will see me in my purple and white, supporting my favorite Bearcat on the baseball field. I also am an avid reader.
How did you become involved with the RiverBend Growth Association?
While I was attending Lewis and Clark Community College in 1994, I was asked to intern, and it turned into a full-time position.
Is there a particular memory that stands out for you during your years of involvement with the association?
Being able to see the extension of Illinois 255 through the Riverbend area come to fruition. I attended all of the openings.
What are two things that make the Riverbend unique?
The small town feel and the people. What do you like to do in your spare time?
Watch sports on television, along with anything that my nieces and nephews play. I also like attending live theater, going to yard sales, and spending time with family and friends.
What are two things that make the Riverbend unique?
One is our geographical location with di erent economic engines. The Riverbend is a major national and global transportation center that has highways, airways, railways, and waterways...all helping to drive growth. Secondly, our level of support from the community at large, as well.
Do you have any long-term goals for the association?
One I would like to see is the destigmatization of skilled trade jobs. A
lot of our youth have been told over and over again to go to college, and while in some cases that's great, in others we need to make sure they know it is great to be career-ready after high school, too.
What was the last thing you did that forced you out of your comfort zone?
Before the association, I had not had any experience managing a fundraiser. With the Young Adults Committee, I had to go outside of my comfort zone to make sure the fundraiser was a success.
Why do you feel a local chamber of commerce/board of trade is so vital to a community?
We help promote our viability as a great place to do business to the region, state, and nationally. We host numerous networking opportunities around the area through the year for our membership to engage in and reap the benfits of their membership.
Is there a particular memory that stands out for you during your years of involvement with the association?
There are many memories, but the most recent is one of the best. When our annual Duck Race needed to be relocated from Raging Rivers Water Park due to the flooding, the sta worked many hours to change the venue and format in only one week, pulling it o in spectacular fashion!
Although it is a team, everyone at the association represents a distinct finger for the hand as a whole. How would you describe your role?
Team "RBGA" has a hands-on approach to all of our community needs by serving on various boards in the area and involvement with various community organizations that help make the Riverbend a better place to live, work and enjoy, so I would have to say I'd describe mine best as the thumb, as in, "Thumbs up...great job, team!"
How did you become involved with the RiverBend Growth Association?
I began volunteering as an ambassador in 2014. I then started volunteering with the Young Adults Committee as a mentor, all while working at CNB Bank & Trust.
What trends do you see the local business community heading towards in the next few years?
I see our communities becoming more innovative than ever. I see us all continuing to work together and growing our region. I see more partnerships in the near future with all of the good things happening.
Talk a little about the local business owners. How do you think they managed during the flooding challenges this year?
As we cannot control Mother Nature, we can control how we come together and do what it takes to be done to make the most out of any situation - and our community did just that this year during the flooding. We have a great region full of supportive communities. Our local business owners understand the importance of having one another's backs. We can thrive separately, or we can thrive more successfully by working together. "Where there is unity, there is always victory." - Publius Syrus.
1985 - 1989
1989 - 1990
1990 - 1994
1994 - 1996
1996 - 2002
2002 - 2003
2003 - 2017
2017 - present
Jim Pennekamp
Riley “Benny” Harris
Bill Crews
Jim Bowman Don Miller Larry Trent
Monica Bristow
John Keller
David Kildu Germania Savings & Loan
Jack Helmkamp Illinois State Bank
Fred Wuellner J.J. Wuellner & Son Construction Co.
Terry Kohler Illinois Power
Bill Crews Owens Illinois Glass Co./United Way
J. Darrell Burton Sche el & Company, P.C.
Chet Ward Landmark Bank
Verla Moyer Moyer Contracting
Mark Kratschmer Central Electric Contracting Inc.
Mark Kratschmer Central Electric Contracting Inc.
Paul Hoover Hoover Chiropractic Clinic
Dale Chapman Lewis and Clark Community College
Dean Sweet Holland, Sweet & Barr
Jesse Hopkins Mercantile Bank
Bill Kessler Saint Anthony’s Health Center
Dwight Werts Werts Welding & Tank Service
Monica Bristow Olin Corporation
J. Thomas Long First Community Bank of Godfrey
Ted Prehn T.L. Prehn Properties
Pam Heepke Raifort Properties
Paul Lowery Regions Bank
Jim Shrader The Telegraph
Melissa Erker ConocoPhillips Wood River Refinery
Kent Sche el Lewis and Clark Community College
David Miller St. Louis Regional Airport
Denise Wol First Clover Leaf Bank
Larry Franklin CNB Bank & Trust, N.A.
Martha Warford Beverly Farm
Jake Bodi Ameren
John Keller Carrollton Bank
Karen Cooper Illinois American Water
Karen Wilson State Farm
Augie Wuellner Alton Securities and Assets
John Roberts Roberts Motors
Rob Schwartz TheBANK of Edwardsville
Brad Goacher Alton Memorial Hospital
• Annual Dinner
Highlighting the RBGA & its members
• Duck Race
The largest networking event of the summer
• Golf Classic
Fundraiser for our Economic Development e orts
• Women’s Seminar
Build an inclusive business environment and highlight the women leaders of the Riverbend
• State of the RiverBend Luncheon
Highlighting the Economic Engines / drivers of the Riverbend
• Total Networking Luncheons & Breakfast Connections
Attendance at these monthly networking events has more than doubled since 2014
• Business After Hours
An informal fun way to network and build relationships with Riverbend businesses & organizations
• Ambassador Committee
The eyes, ears, and mouth of the organization that helps volunteer at events and tells about the importance of the RBGA
• Small Business of the Month Committee
Selects the monthly winners
• Economic Development & Workforce Training Committee
Increasing our ED e orts & currently working to destigmatize career & technical
education for high school students
• Emerging Leaders & Diversity Committee
Finding a way to bring emerging & established leaders together to help emerging leaders develop their skills & established leaders learn more about the workforce today
• Young Adults Committee
Student representatives consist of area high school districts who volunteer at five di erent non-profits throughout the year & a fundraiser
• IL 255 Study
• Phillips 66 economic impact study
• Extension of enterprise zone boundaries
• Database of available sites & building profiles across the Riverbend
• Meetings with developers about the region
• Be the voice of Riverbend businesses in Springfield & D.C.
• Work with municipalities on TIF programs
The RBGA team ahead of its annual Duck Race at Raging Rivers WaterPark.
The RBGA team traveled to Springfield for Chamber Day at the Capitol in March 2019.
By working with local municipalities and state government o cials, the RiverBend Growth Association brought many employers and hundreds of jobs to the Riverbend region. The organization, made up of small and large businesses, school districts, manufacturers and labor organizations gave us the right mix to be a powerful voice for our region. During my tenure at the RBGA, we saw many changes in the region, in technology and the workforce; but the constant was being a respected organization across the state and country. The RBGA has a rich history and a bright future.
PRESIDENT
This summer, record flooding once again hit the region, threatening to derail tourism dollars and the progress of small business. But as in years past, the Riverbend community rallied and proved to be a force stronger than Mother Nature. Business owners not directly a ected by the floodwaters stepped up to help comrades whose downtown Alton buildings and livelihood were at risk, and scores of volunteers
turned out to fill sandbags in Grafton and Alton and help with the flood wall to keep the Mighty Mississippi at bay.
Today, Alton and Grafton's downtown districts are once again thriving and filled with both locals and visitors walking the dry streets, thanks to the e orts of a kinship unified by community pride.
Representatives from 1st MidAmerica Credit Union, Black’s Sporting Goods, Imperial Manufacturing Group, Riverbender.com, Schwartzkopf Printing Company, and RiverBend Growth Association came together to present the Alton Fire Department a check of $3,000 to help with future flooding issues. The money raised from sales of a commemorative flood t-shirt was used to purchase a 64,000-Lumens Reese Hitch Tower Light.
West
Voted
For
Alton businesses include the area’s major employers such as Argosy Casino, American Water, Alton Memorial Hospital and OSF HealthCare Saint Anthony’s Health Center, both continuing to improve their respective campuses. The local school district is also a major employer serving the residents of ALTON, Godfrey and Foster Township. Along with these major employers, Alton has a plethora of small businesses working for the betterment and future of the city.
The stop and start location for the St. Louis to Chicago highspeed rail. The $25 million Alton Regional Multi-Modal Transportation Center solidifies Alton as a transportation hub in the area and serves the residents of the St. Louis Metropolitan area north of Interstate 270. Development of the 35 acres surrounding the facility will bring new business opportunities and revenue growth to the City of Alton in the near future.
Gordon Moore Park – home to a one-of-a-kind playground that is universally accessible and inclusive for children of all abilities to play on, adult softball leagues, recreational baseball and softball teams,
Population (2019 estimate)
25,772 Median Age
$41,282
36.10 Households
10,980 Average Household Size
Median Household Income
2.30
$89,995
Owner-Occupied Median Housing Value
all part of a $2.2 million renovation project
Liberty Bank Alton Amphitheater o ers everything from community theater
productions to food festivals to concerts by national acts.
16 City Parks comprise more than 1,400 acres of ball fields, soccer fields, tennis courts, and playgrounds
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 stature of Robert Wadlow, the world’s tallest man.
The Alton Fire Department
now o ers ambulance operations. This critical service allows fire department paramedics to provide uninterrupted patient care from bedside to emergency room.
Alton was selected as the Season Three winner of Deluxe Corporation’s Small Business Revolution. Six businesses and the City were rewarded with a share of $500,000 for business upgrades, marketing and other services.
cityofaltonil.com
he Village of BETHALTO is located not only at the intersection of State Routes 140 and 111 but also has Illinois Route 255 on its west side.
Chartered as a Village in 1869, today it has nearly 10,000 residents and is celebrating its 150th anniversary.
This growing community is home to the St. Louis Regional Airport, a general aviation reliever airport averaging 80,000 operations a year. The airport's complete Fixed Based Operator (FBO), West Star Aviation, has 540 employees and recently constructed a new $5 million hangar.
• Newly renovated public library, a Boys and Girls Club, a new modern splash park, tennis and basketball courts, numerous parks and playgrounds, historical museum with an original log cabin circa 1860 on site, and an Arboretum with a new trail and lighting system
• The trail through the Arboretum is the first phase of a Village-wide trail system that will eventually connect to the Madison County Trail System.
• Annual Labor Day Weekend
Homecoming in Central Park created over 90 years ago to celebrate the return of Military Service Members from World War I
• Family Fun Day in September at Bryant Park is a familycentric afternoon consisting of bounce houses, children’s activities, music, food
• The holiday season is highly celebrated with the Bethalto Spirit’s Victorian Christmas Walk and Concert, The Kiwanis Club’s breakfast with
Santa, and Christmas Village in Central Park that provides breathtaking displays, live entertainment, a petting zoo, and the kiddies Christmas Train
SPORTS ENTHUSIASTS
• Sports complex consists of three soccer fields, a football field and nine baseball and softball fields that provide a home to the Civic Memorial High School baseball and softball teams and Bethalto’s American Legion Baseball Team. New amenities include four parking lots and a concession/restroom building
• Southside Park houses four baseball fields and hosts Bethalto’s youth recreational baseball and football programs
HOUSING
A mix of new residential
9,572 Median Age
Population (2019 estimate)
2.39
41.34 Households 3,982 Average Household Size
developments including single-family homes and condominiums are available. Options for senior living include two newly constructed
Median Household Income $65,654
Owner-Occupied Median Housing Value $147,548
facilities adding to the two existing communities and private condominiums.
bethalto.com
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 & 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 over 6,000 residents, covering approximately 5.7 square miles with a unique blend of residential, commercial, and industrial properties.
East Alton is comprised of single-family homes, several multi-family apartments and two high-rise apartments. 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 Building & Zoning, East Alton School District, and Library District take great pride in serving the needs of their community. Adding to its appeal, East Alton is served within close proximity by Alton’s two hospitals.
The Village of East Alton is also home to a wide variety of businesses including two of the largest employers in
the region: Olin Corporation and Wieland Rolled Products North America. These corporations are located on the banks of the Mississippi River adjacent to Lock and Dam 26 along IL Rt. 3. Fischer Lumber Company is a family owned business that has been providing building materials to the community for over 75 years. East Alton is located 10 minutes from St Louis Regional Airport and within an hour of Lambert- St. Louis International Airport; East Alton is a prime location for busy business and recreational travelers.
Located in the newly redeveloped Eastgate Plaza, 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 o ers figure skating and open sessions for the public to enjoy. Eastgate Plaza is also the home of the AMC 6-plex movie theatre, the new 30,000 square foot Club Fitness that is open 24 hours, and Riverbend Axe Throwing. In addition to these recreational and entertainment facilities Eastgate Plaza features Mr. Pancho’s Mexican Restaurant and Grill, JJ Thermos Bar and Grill, and the Blue Ice Creamery.
In the center of town, Wilshire Village Shopping Center has several ready to occupy spaces available for rent. The center has a Dollar General and a Subway Restaurant as its anchor tenants.
East Alton is a wonderful place to call “home”. We are a community that is very welcoming; stop in and visit us sometime!
eastaltonvillage.org
ocated on the Great River Road between Alton and Grafton, the Village of ELSAH o ers scenic views paired with a vibrant history. The Village is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Residents enjoy its friendly, peaceful neighborhoods and strong sense of community and easily commute for both work and play to Alton, Jerseyville and St. Louis. Children attend quality schools in the Jersey Community School District.
The 19th century buildings located in the valley are truly a sight to see. 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. In fact, Elsah is often referred to as “the town that time forgot.”
Elsah was recently named the No. 1 Scenic Spot in Illinois in a statewide vote sponsored by the Illinois Bicentennial Commission and the StateJournal Register. The honor is evident in the limestone buildings, vibrant
colors and narrow streets nestled between towering blu s on the Mississippi River.
The Mott Commercial Building, one of Elsah’s many historic buildings, was purchased by the Village of Elsah. It has been completely renovated and is now available for a restaurateur or other business looking for a new home.
Elsah is the perfect location to shop, stay, explore and plan your next event.
SHOP The Village is home to Elsah General Store. A visit to the Elsah General Store is like taking a step back in time. Built in the 1870s, this beautiful little shop was home to a thriving dry goods business in the Village’s early days and now captures the feeling of a simpler time while o ering groceries, old-fashioned candies, vintage bottled sodas and more.
Other shopping opportunities include: Jeremiah’s resale shop; The Look Factory, a unique clothing boutique; Merchant on Mill, a home décor shop; The Sisters of Elsah, an art studio; Peace Works-A Market with a Mission and Green Tree Inn on-site antique shop.
STAY at one of our two cozy Bed and Breakfasts: The Green Tree Inn (greentreeinnelsah.
Population (2019 estimate)
666 Median Age
$67,012
30.66 Households
209 Average Household Size
Median Household Income
2.37
$177,960
Owner-Occupied Median Housing Value
com) or the Maple Leaf Cottage Inn (mapleleafcottageinn.com). Check out their websites for details about each inn and to book a stay. You can also stay at one of the AirBnBs located in Elsah.
EXPLORE Be sure to take time to visit our Village Museum, take a scenic drive through Principia College to enjoy the breathtaking views
or take a relaxing stroll through the Village.
EVENTS Elsah is a perfect location to host your wedding, family reunion, showers, or other special event. Plan your wedding at the Green Tree Inn gazebo or the Historic Methodist Church. Farley’s Music Hall is available for rental for wedding receptions, showers or other events.
escapetoelsah.com
See your future in a community presenting the conveniences of a major metropolitan area, while enjoying the small town charm for any stage of life. With GODFREY’s connection to Interstate 255, a quick drive has you in downtown St. Louis within 25 minutes. Make the speedy commute to work, a Cardinals baseball game, big-city entertainment venues and shopping; then, return home to a quiet neighborhood and the serenity of Godfrey’s natural vistas, bike and walking trails, excellent park system, educational opportunities and quality of life.
Have the assurance that you live in a community that provides
many alternatives for your child’s educational development. Take advantage of the Alton school system’s modern facilities, both at the primary and secondary levels. Take an active role in your child’s development with a school system that welcomes parental involvement through its many clubs and organizations. If a private school experience is preferred for your child, Godfrey a ords several faithbased institutions ranging from Catholic, Evangelical to Lutheran alternatives.
Benefit from vast opportunities for personal development o ered by educational systems that are second to none. Whether you want
to earn a two- or four-year
degree, a post-graduate degree, or earn a professional certificate in a skill of your choice, you are minutes away from two world class institutions of Lewis and Clark Community College and Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. In addition to the formal programming o ered by these institutions, both provide a broad array of continuing education and cultural programming designed to broaden one’s horizons.
Godfrey o ers a vast array of recreational opportunities. Experience the Village’s modern and excellently maintained parks. Adorned with trails, lighted fields, lakes for fishing, pavilions for family get togethers, extensive multifunction playground equipment, disc golf course and family-based activity programming, Godfrey’s four parks are at your doorstep and beckon you to refresh your
body and soul. For the golf enthusiast, three professionalgrade 18-hole courses are minutes away. If it is boating, fishing or hunting, Godfrey boasts of nearly five miles of shoreline along the “Mighty Mississippi.”
Feel secure raising your family in a safe environment where the incidence of crime is one of the lowest in Illinois. Reside in neighborhoods where you know your neighbors and they know you. And, as you move about the community, you can have confidence in the safety of you and your family. Whether young or “not-soyoung,” you will appreciate the many amenities that Godfrey o ers, a wonderful place to live, work and play.
“You can see your future from here.”
godfreyil.org
18,123 Median Age
Population (2019 estimate)
46.48 Households
7,388 Average Household Size
Median Household Income $65,371
2.39
Owner-Occupied Median Housing Value $154,011
• Available options range from upscale condominiums and villas to beautiful historic homes with many options including a remarkable view of the riverfront.
F
eaturing history reaching back for generations and plenty of 19th century architecture, GRAFTON lies between the Illinois and Mississippi rivers, with majestic limestone blu s running the length of the National Scenic Byway along Route 100.
AWARDS
• The drive through Grafton has been named one of the ten greatest drives in the nation.
• Two Governor Home Town Awards for quality of life.
HOUSING
• City-owned lots are o ered as part of an incentive program
Median
Visitors can fish, boat, bird watch, shoot photography, visit a waterpark, drink and dine, or zip line. Grafton even o ers an ice skating rink when the weather cools o . Lighthouse Park is a beautiful, kid-friendly attraction to the riverfront, o ering an 18-foot long turtle sculpture and the largest flagpole on the Mississippi River and Great American Loop.
Median Housing Value
to attract young professional couples who want to start families here and enroll their children in a state of the art grade school.
The SkyTour including open air and enclosed handicap accessible lifts transports passengers from Grove Memorial Park on a 10-12-minute ride to the beautiful Aerie’s Resort. A citywide trolley is Grafton's first form of public transportation.
2020 CURRENTS 39
The 180-foot Lewis and Clark Confluence Tower, perched at the confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri rivers, is worth a visit. The tower with surrounding acreage and the Lewis and Clark Commerce Center boasts amazing views and historical significance. An amphitheater allows HARTFORD to host events o ering local live music on Sunday afternoons during the fall season.
Approximately 375 acres are obtainable for industrial development. Enterprise zones and TIF district incentives make this area in the Village a top priority. Benefits of the site o er a truck route, rail access, electric and gas lines.
Prime real estate in Hartford exists at Je erson Gardens, located on the grounds of the Lewis & Clark Confluence Tower. The garden showcases plants discovered during the Lewis and Clark expedition as well as many outdoor activities. As the seasons change, visitors can enjoy beautiful blooming
trees that set the stage for 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, eagle watching is in its
February in Hartford. Spectators come from great distances to revel in their grace and beauty.
A 17-acre park o ers walking and jogging paths in addition to several neighborhood parks and a Veteran’s Memorial Park. The Woodrow Wilson Community Center o ers a gym for residents and a gymnasium that can be rented for functions and special events. Kids of all ages can enjoy the Frisbee golf course and the dogwalking park.
children: 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, o ering a safe haven for everyone. The police and fire protection district often aid in the sponsorship of communitywide events like family-friendly fish fries, car shows, festivals, and cultural events.
hartfordillinois.net
1,398 Median Age
Population (2019 estimate)
2.42
42.38 Households 578 Average Household Size
Median Household Income $50,976 Owner-Occupied Median Housing Value $74,795
Roxana is home to key businesses including the Phillips 66 Refinery, celebrating 100 years of operations, and the Roxana Landfill Authority. These big businesses help make ROXANA a great place to find employment opportunities and settle down.
Residents of Roxana enjoy many benefits, including fulltime police and fire protection departments as well as water and waste water treatments that serve neighboring communities. Roxana has completed a water main extension project on Thomas Street and Route 111 with the help of funding from the Madison County Community Development department. The new water main directly connects the west side of the community with the elevated water tower, and increases water pressure and water availability to the fire department should an emergency develop. A portion of this project has also provided water service to the location of the new Village Hall.
The new Village Hall and community center will be located on the Burbank Park property at Route 111 and Thomas Street. This new facility will provide more space for the public safety departments and modernize the administrative services departments. The design of this new center has been completed, and preparations are being made to authorize the project for bid. Construction will begin late this fall.
Raifort Commerce Park o ers hundreds of acres of commercial and industrial zoned property that suits a variety of industries. Business lots are available o ering full
Population (2019 estimate)
1,539 Median Age
$48,436
Median Household Income
2.44
39.02 Households 632 Average Household Size
utility services, making Raifort Commerce Park just one more reason to appreciate the prosperous Roxana business community.
The Roxana Community School District o ers a campus environment with quality education for its students. Past renovations to the school’s main campus make it not only visually appealing but also academically strong. New roads around the high
$89,497
Owner-Occupied Median Housing Value
school have enhanced the surrounding neighborhood. Roxana o ers a full-service community library to the residents of the Riverbend with many additional amenities and events throughout the year. A beautiful Roxana Park District Complex supports a wide spectrum of year-round sports and recreational activities for the community.
roxana-il.org
Barb Overton, South Roxana’s first female mayor, says this family-friendly village has a lot to o er.
With full-time police department and fire departments, SOUTH ROXANA is a safe place to raise a family and the Roxana School District has a new pre-kindergarten wing at the South Roxana Primary School. -Conoco Phillips has donated over $10,000 for new police vests and police car improvements.
As a welcoming business community with two TIF Districts along Route 111 and Madison Avenue, the Village o ers 160 acres for business development, with some additional opportunities along Illinois Route 255 across from the Phillips 66 Wood River Refinery.
With a $15,000 Madison County Park and Recreation Grant the Village is creating the Jurjevich Park named for former business owners and community leaders Charlie and Eva Jurjevich. Phase I of the Jurjevich Park Project consisted of installing swing sets.
A $60,000 grant from Madison County Community Development Park Grant has allowed for solar powered
lighting, tables, charging stations and benches.
A $100,000 Madison County Community Development
Block Grant improved drainage.
A $28,420 grant from Ameren has allowed for more cost e cient lighting for village hall.
Through Illinois Infrastructure Investment Act grants (more than $500,000) with help from Illinois Senator Rachelle Crowe and Representative Monica Bristow, these projects are underway:
• Installation of village wide electronic water meters
• Extension of water lines from Illinois Rt.111 west along New Poag Road to and along Oldenburg Road
The 60-year old Dad’s Club is a 10-acre non-profit privately owned park that has bingo every Saturday night. Their mission is to further the Village providing yearly scholarships and help disadvantaged residents. The Dad’s Club has recently opened Dad’s Pub in the park and is open daily.
The Village welcomes new business.
This ideal place to live and work o ers residents and businesses the many amenities of a larger, urban oasis, but with a small town vibe. If you are looking to relocate, home sales are booming. Sought-after existing homes in WOOD RIVER appeal to those wanting a solid, well-built home with classic “touches” that are a renovator’s dream. New home construction also continues to increase in the area, proving that more and more people are appreciating the many qualities and conveniences Wood River has to o er.
O ering eight parks covering 273 acres, it’s easy to stay active all year long. Belk Park continues to remain a popular destination for all ages. One of the newest attractions, the one-mile walking path with footbridge encircling Wright Lake, with accessible fishing dock, continues to impress outdoor enthusiasts and pet owners alike.
The Veterans War Memorial in Central Park won the Governor’s Hometown
Award. If you haven’t yet visited the site, it’s a wonderful tribute to those that have served.
Belk Park Golf Course is visited by more than 50,000 people each year. With recently upgraded drainage improvements, clubhouse updates and new exterior fencing, Belk Park Golf Course is a perfect spot for your golf tournament, business meeting, or other event.
The new $7.6 million police facility, a gift from BP, opened in May 2019. More than 200 members of the public
toured the new station. Businesses continue to renovate, including a new playground and improvements at Emerick Sports Park which totaled $172,000, of which 93 percent were funded with grants and donations. Aldi added 1,600 square feet to their business, McDonald’s made extensive interior upgrades, StorCo opened with the Wood River Springfest as their opening celebration, Rustic Roots has added a lovely banquet room, and Big Daddy’s BBQ sells out every weekend of their smoked meats. woodriver.org
Will I be able to work? How will I get to treatments? Will I lose my hair? Will I see my children grow up? Where do I find hope?
Because no two cancers are alike, our team at OSF HealthCare Saint Anthony’s Health Center will personalize a treatment plan to meet your needs. That is why we designed the new OSF Moeller Cancer Center as an all-in-one facility, so you can focus on what is important to you – getting back to your life.
We’re by your side from diagnosis through treatment. Because for all of us – it’s personal.
To learn more, visit osfhealthcare.org/cancercare.
