Jersey County June 2022

Summertime sees arrival of local farmers markets

By Frank Prager Big Z Media

Summertime always heralds the arrival of the local area farmers markets and their inviting array of fresh food and handcrafted products. The quality of locally grown plants, produce and food items along with the intriguing variety of handcrafted products makes shopping a farmers market a different adventure every time.

Alton Main Street

Farmers’ and Artisans’

Market, now in its 30th year, kicked off on May 7 and is one of the biggest in the area. The market in Alton is held every Saturday morning from 8 am - noon in the parking lot at the corner of Landmarks Boulevard and Henry Street in Alton. Information for anyone interested in becoming a vendor can be found on the events page at downtownalton.com.

Bethalto Farmers Market starts its fourth year on June 5. The market is held every Sunday from 9 am - 1 pm

through the second week of October at Bethalto Central Park located at 213 North Prairie Street.

Roxana Farmers Market is a mainstay in the area and is held at the Roxana Dads Club at 417 Roxana Avenue every Monday from 4 - 8 pm from the first Monday of July through the end of September. Anyone interested in participating as a vendor can contact Overton directly at 618254-1166, extension 1 or by emailing her at mayor@ southroxana.org.

Now in its 15th year, Wood River Farmers Market is held every Thursday from 4 pm until dusk from July through September. Sponsored by the Wood River Parks and Recreation Department, the market is held in the parking lot behind the shops on Ferguson Avenue between 1st and 2nd Streets.

Also celebrating its 15th year is the Jerseyville Farmers Market. Held Tuesday evenings from 4 - 7 pm, it starts on June 21 and runs until September 27. It

is located in the parking lot of Outrageous Outdoors, located at 902 South State Street.

Whitney McIver is the special events coordinator for the city. She explains a unique feature of the market is that local businesses stay open late the last Tuesday of the month. “People can go to the market and then go shopping or have dinner or a drink afterwards,” she says.

Information about the Jerseyville Farmers Market is available on Facebook.

Vendors can register online by going to jcba-il.us/market. “We have a big variety of items,” says McIver. “If people haven’t been here, they should definitely come check it out.”

New to the area this year is East Alton Farmers Market. It was started by Woody Peterson of Peterson’s Family Farms in East Alton and is held in the parking lot of Eastgate Shopping Center every Tuesday from 3 - 7 pm. It started April 19 and will run through October 25. 3

SECRET DINER

Great food and constant evolution

By Bill Roseberry Big Z Media

It’s inevitable that by the time this review releases about this complex in northwestern Madison County it has probably grown again.

This place has become an institution in this community with its monster layout, great food and entertainment and constant evolution. Enjoy a chill night on the patio when weather allows, go inside the giant new addition for drinks, food and some live music, or head to the classic neighborhood bar portion that stood prior to expansion. There’s something for everyone.

You’ll find a large paved parking lot on one side of the restaurant. If that’s full, travel to the other side, past the small banquet hall they also own, and grab a spot in that smaller parking area.

On my recent visit with a group of buddies we set up shop in the huge, newer addition. There are long wooden tables situated around the outside walls with stools to pony up to them. A large horseshoe bar stands out in the middle of the room with chairs all around it. A plethora of televisions fill the room, mainly featuring sporting events for your entertainment. There are also some smaller tables in the front portion of the dining

room.

My friends and I grabbed one of the high wooden tables along the outside wall and got a gander at a menu. This is where you’ll start to fall in love.

One person in our group kicked our experience off with a sampler platter from the appetizer menu. This features mozzarella sticks, mini tacos, toasted ravioli and fried mushrooms and there is plenty to share. I have to focus on the mozzarella sticks. First of all they are misnamed, they should be renamed mozzarella logs because they are gargantuan. They are some of the biggest I’ve ever seen and they are popping with flavor. They are ooey-gooey delicious and mouthwatering.

The toasted ravioli and mushrooms were standouts, too. The mushrooms had a homemade vibe to them and the ravioli was bursting with flavor.

Trying not to stuff myself too much on apps, I saved room for a creation from the awesome build-your-ownburger portion of the menu.

I actually traded in the hamburger for a grilled chicken breast, which I then dressed with tomato, caramelized onions, bacon, guacamole and cheddar cheese. It arrived on an

artisan bun which was doughy and delicious and a great vehicle for the super tender and juicy chicken. The guacamole and caramelized onions added a great flavor punch also.

It was accompanied by a side of steak fries, which were great, featuring a hearty taste as well. They were super tender and not too salty either. There are so many more choices on the menu, too. Choose between salads, chicken wings, fish options, a ton of sandwiches, steaks, pasta and pizzas. Check out stuff like their signature shrimp salad with a habanero ranch dressing, wings with sauces like stingin’ honey garlic or Korean pepper, fish tacos, a giant pork tenderloin sandwich, or an 8-ounce sirloin, or the 12-ounce ribeye. Pizza selections like the bacon cheeseburger or the Philly cheesesteak surely won’t disappoint either.

Of course there are a slew of adult beverages

Overall:

Cleanliness:

Service:

Food:

Price:

Any idea of the name of this restaurant?

Check the puzzle solutions to see if you are right.

to enjoy, too. Anything from signature cocktails to spirits or draft and bottled beer. I’m intrigued by the snickerdoodle cocktail featuring Rumchata, butterscotch liquor, amaretto, a housemade cinnamon sugar and caramel sauce rim and a cinnamon stick.

I washed all my yummy food down with a classic Blue Moon with an orange slice on my visit. 3

Unscramble

Each numbered row contains two clues and two 6-letter answers. The two answers differ from each other by only one letter, which has already been inserted. For example, if you exchange the A from MA STER for an I, you get MISTER. Do not change the order of the letters.

Even Exchange by Donna Pettman

Word Scrambler

the letters within each rectangle to form four ordinary words. Then rearrange the boxed letters to form the mystery word, which will complete the gag!

Food truck park opens in downtown Alton

Flock Food Truck Park officially opened for business on May 12. Flock is a family-friendly venue downtown Alton built to bring friends and family together for delicious, unique food, outdoor fun, and lasting memories.

Flock is the brainchild of Jayne Simmons, president of AltonWorks and Alton resident. Simmons has dreamed of opening a food truck park for quite some time – a place where friends and families can go to pick up a quick, delicious meal and just spend time together.

“This is a great day for the people of Alton and for the future of Alton,” said Simmons. “So many of us believe the City of Alton is perfectly positioned for growth and opportunity for people looking for a friendly, diverse, and interesting place to live, work and play. I hope people see the opening of Flock as another great step forward to helping this community to realize its potential.”

Located at 210 Ridge between Broadway and Landmarks Blvd. and adjacent to the Jacoby Arts Center, Flock will serve people from around Alton and the region with a variety of culinary choices sure to please people of all ages.

Flock will periodically host food trucks for lunch and dinner with a growing rotation throughout the summer. Specialty cocktails and a rotating draft beer menu will be featured at Flock, to ensure there is

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always something new.

People can also stop off at their favorite local eatery or bring food from home and enjoy the Flock bar and outdoor dining, as well.

Flock is owned and operated by Laura and Matt Windisch who also own the wildly successful Stacked Burger Bar in St. Louis. They moved to Alton in 2018 from St. Louis in large part because of the city’s revitalization currently underway.

Earlier in her career, Laura worked at a tapas restaurant and loved the idea of making a meal by sharing small plates together. Overhearing the conversations about the food and drinks around the table brought her so much joy. She believes the same experience can be had at Flock. Grab a cocktail or beer, maybe an item or two from each truck, share and talk about your favorites!

Matt has a background in music and believes the world is a better place with lots of musical sounds. He and Laura love the idea of featuring local bands to make for a fun night out.

Throughout the year, Flock will host holiday themed events, maker’s markets, comedy nights and lots of entertainment to keep people coming back for more.

Food truck operators interested in participating at the food truck park can contact the Windisches at hello@flockalton.com. For a daily schedule and food truck line up go to facebook. com/flock.alton. 3

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TRIVIA TEST

By Fifi Rodriguez

1. GEOGRAPHY: Which country in Africa is the largest in land area?

2. MUSIC: What was the original name of the punk rock band Green Day?

3. U.S. PRESIDENTS: Which president formally declared the executive mansion to be the White House?

4. ART: In which major city would you find the Tate Modern museum?

5. MYTHOLOGY: What is the name of the Greek

CryptoQuip

goddess of revenge?

6. U.S. STATES: Which state is the only one that doesn’t have a mandatory seat belt law?

7. MOVIES: What is the Dude’s favorite drink in “The Big Lebowski”?

8. FOOD & DRINK: What is albumen?

9. MEDICAL: What is a more common name for a transient ischemic attack?

10. ANIMAL KINGDOM: What is an ibex? (answers in puzzle solutions)

What’s a porcupine’s favorite kind of sandwich?

Quilled cheese

I built a model of Mount Everest and my son asked if it was to scale.

“No,” I said. “It’s to look at.”

A guy tried to sell me a coffin. I told him that’s the last thing I need.

I’m deathly afraid of

See puzzle solutions

Go Figure

elevators.

So, I’m taking steps to avoid them.

I have a friend who worships certain shades of blue. He’s a cyantologist. Today I crossed a road, changed a lightbulb, and walked into a bar. My life is a joke.

I’m going to write a book about the things I should’ve done in my life. I’ll call it my oughtabiography.

Dad Jokes.

This is a simple substitution cipher in which each letter used stands for another. If you think that X equals O, it will equal O throughout the puzzle. Solution is accomplished by trial and error.

Arrive at the figures given at the bottom and right columns of the diagram by following the arithmetic signs in the order they are given (that is, from left to right and top to bottom). Use only the numbers below the diagram to complete its blank squares and use each of the nine numbers only once.

Find the listed words in the diagram. They run forward, backward, up, down and diagonally. Unlisted hint: A nuclear ___

1:16 Lawn Care to host grand opening

1:16 Lawn Care has announced that they will host a grand opening event on Saturday, June 18, at 117 North State Street. Starting with humble beginnings as a husband-and-wife duo in 2015, 1:16 Lawn Care has grown rapidly and is now inviting the community to join them in a family-friendly celebration to benefit multiple charities at their newly renovated administrative location.

Of the upcoming event, Marketing Manager, Sydney Koehler explained, “We are dedicated to the community that we serve. Our Grand Opening is an opportunity for us to interact with our clients and the people of Jerseyville, while giving away prizes that will support organizations near and dear to our hearts.”

Event attendees can enter to win three grand prizes at one dollar per entry, payable by cash or Venmo at the event, and are not required to be present to win. The first prize is a pair of Cardinals baseball tickets, with proceeds to benefit St. Louis Children’s Hospital and its mission to provide the highest levels of patient and family-centered care, perform critical medical research, and continue pediatric health outreach strategies. The second prize is a set of custom cornhole boards to benefit the Illinois Sheriffs Association, whose highest priority is to protect lives, property, and to make communities safer places to live, work, and raise children. The third and final prize is a high quality fire pit to benefit 5A’s Animal Shelter, a nokill shelter dedicated to the care & rehabilitation of all animals in need of a home.

After entering to win prizes, event

attendees can enjoy delicious treats from a local ice cream truck, have their children’s faces painted, and more. “Our Grand Opening is on Father’s Day weekend,”

continued Koehler, “and there will be something for everyone. We invite the community to come have fun and celebrate as a family. ”

When asked about the company’s

plans after the Grand Opening, Koehler explained: “We will continue seeking out ways to engage with our community and serve in meaningful ways. Our company is committed to unlimited growth, which will pave the way for greater involvement in charity organizations, local events, and more.”

1:16 Lawn Care is a lawn care and landscaping company located in Jerseyville, Illinois, with a second location soon launching in southwest Florida. With quality and professionalism at the forefront, the company strives to give homeowners and businesses the chance to “create a backdrop for your memories” with awe–inspiring landscapes. 1:16 Lawn Care is an involved member of the Better Business Bureau, Jersey County Business Association, and RiverBend Growth Association.

Grand opening at new location for Purple Daisy Gifts

Join the JCBA to celebrate Purple Daisy Gifts grand opening at their new location. The celebration will be taking place on Friday, May 27, at 10am at 109 N. State Street in Jerseyville.

Purple Daisy Gifts is next door to State Street Antiques in the building previously occupied by the JCH Resale Shop.

Purple Daisy originally opened in January of this year and has quickly become

Open Late & Street Fair

The Jersey County Business Association (JCBA) is excited to once again be offering their Open Late & Street Fair events. The Open Late & Street Fair is scheduled for every 4th Tuesday of the month, April - October, from 5-8 pm. Participating downtown businesses will be open until at least 8 pm and many offer shopping and dining promotions during this time. The Street Fair portion of the event includes artisans, craft vendors and pop-up shops and is currently located under the water tower on the corner of Washington & Arch St. Our next event is scheduled for May 24 and will include a scavenger hunt for JCBA gift certificates.

a popular boutique shopping location in downtown Jerseyville. As their popularity with shoppers has grown so has their list of interested vendors resulting in the need for more space. Owner Catrina Groves said they now have about 35 vendors and an availability to add a few more. You will recognize some of their original vendors including Theresa Laubscher with Artisans Enigma, Wild Roots

and Coco along with new additions like 1880 Loft just to name a few. The boutique offers an assortment of clothing, jewelry, gift items and even some furniture.

To celebrate their grand opening, they will be giving out swag bags to the first 25 customers of the day on both Friday May 27 and Saturday May 28 in addition to numerous vendor discounts offered both days. The boutique will be open

on Friday and Saturday from 10am-6pm to give visitors a chance to stop by throughout the day and see all of the exciting changes they’ve made to their new space. Additionally, on Saturday from 1-3 pm local author Ron Habeck will be doing a book signing of his historical fiction titled, Walks the Sky.

facebook.com/ shoppurpledaisy

and vendors that might not be ready for a physical retail location yet, an opportunity to sell their products and grow their business. “We’ve seen several of these pop-up shops and vendors go on to open retail locations or become regular vendors at some of our local boutiques. This is our goal with these events. We want to encourage and show our support to possible new businesses and bring more people to the downtown area to discover all the many wonderful things we have to offer.”

A full list of participating businesses along with updated locations and special events for each month can be found on the JCBA Facebook event page or by calling the JCBA at 618-639-5222.

JCBA Director Becky Wayne said the Open Late events were

originally created to give people that work later hours or have a commute an opportunity to visit local businesses they might not normally have a chance to visit during normal hours. The Street Fair portion of the event was added as a way to give local pop-up shops

proud to have our roots in

Where your produce is grown and harvested daily from just right outside. This gives you the opportunity to experience where (and who) your food comes from. Locally grown produce is picked at its peak ripeness, when it is most dense with nutrients.

We utilize regenerative practices ensuring your food is sustainably grown & harvested.

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You have the resources to keep your heart healthy – right here in the Riverbend.

Family, faith keys to GRP | Wegman’s success

By Mike Adams Big Z Media

It was a beautiful day. Tom DeClue was out on his regular morning jog when a thought dropped into his mind. It was what you might call a “still small voice” telling him, “You need to buy

Wegman Electric.” It was an impression he couldn’t get past, though Wegman was not for sale at the time.

Tom finally made the call.

One year to the day later, the deal was closed and GRP | Wegman became a reality. This was a historical

12 50

expansion, as there were no other mechanical contractors in the region that also would offer electrical contracting, but those kinds of bold business moves, inspired by faith, were the family legacy of GRP.

GRP began with Tom

DeClue’s grandfather, an eighth-grade educated farm boy who started the business as an HVAC company and eventually grew to about six employees.

DeClue’s father, who had attended school in Rolla where he earned a degree

in mechanical engineering grew the company to its current physical size, expanding the business into new areas and growing its revenue to $10 million to $15 million per year.

It was during COVID that DeClue and the management team, while working from home, took time to do a deep dive and evaluate four years of financial data. That exploration led to some difficult discoveries. About five of the nine divisions were often dipping into the negative and losing money. These departments were filled with friends and were areas the company had been involved with for many years. It meant for the company to continue to thrive they needed to make some hard decisions, and the team decided it was time to close down those five areas of business.

DeClue’s faith, lots of prayer, and trust guided him and the team through those difficult days. With the help of PPP funds and restructuring of the company, they landed on their feet.

When you look at growth areas today, and GRP | Wegman’s focus on providing great service to their clients, it was

clearly the right decision. Employees understood that the decisions made helped to right the ship and move the company forward in the long run. Now the GRP | Wegman is exploding with new work, and bringing on more employees, particularly in the area of industrialsized HVAC systems. The future is looking bright.

According to DeClue, going through difficult circumstances and holding onto your faith gives you a clearer perspective. You can focus on what’s most important. And for GRP | Wegman, maintaining the culture of family and faith has been key. According to DeClue, when the company culture is right, difficulties are easier to manage, productivity and safety are elevated and people enjoy coming to work each day. 3

Watch Tom DeClue on Big Z Media’s “BUSINESS OVER A BREW” advnews.link/ declue

Sierra Club Illinois Three Rivers Project celebrates success of Earth Month events

The Three Rivers Project of Sierra Club Illinois is celebrating the success of a myriad of activities commemorating Earth Month! Over the past month, the Three Rivers Project partnered with several local businesses, environmental and conservation organizations, and the local Sierra Club group—the Piasa Palisades Group— to encourage action and participation in initiatives that focus on the urgent need for environmental justice, conservation, and climate solutions. These events and initiatives are made possible through the dedication of local volunteers, whose hard work as citizen scientists and environmental advocates aid in the protection and preservation of the beautiful Piasa Palisades region.

“As a grassroots organization, volunteers are not only integral to the day-to-day work we do, but also help guide our vision for a cleaner, greener Illinois,” says Three Rivers Project co-Coordinator Christine Favilla. “The efforts of local volunteers over the past month are proof of volunteers’ capacity to change their local communities for the better. We’re so grateful to the leadership of the Piasa Palisades Group, our partnerships with local business and other environmental and conservation organizations, and to the countless

volunteers who show up time and time again to protect our environment.”

Throughout April and May, the Three Rivers Project participated in three litter clean-ups to preserve and protect the Mississippi River, four native tree and plant plantings, and several community events to educate residents about environmental issues.

Over the course of the two river clean-ups, volunteers collected over 1,500 pounds of trash and recyclable material. The April 27 cleanup event with volunteers from the Three Rivers Project and Living Lands & Waters yielded a mind boggling accumulation of trash, including: 189 square feet of foam, two pounds of scrap metal, 52 pounds of plastic, three five-gallon buckets, two basketballs, four tires, a TV, a fridge, and other miscellaneous items.

In addition to local cleanup efforts, the Three Rivers Project of Illinois is partnering with the National Great Rivers Research and

Education Center (NGRREC) and the city of Alton to plant native plants and trees throughout downtown Alton. Over the course of two planting sessions, volunteers planted 54 native trees in Piasa Park, the Riverfront Park, the Wadlow Restoration Site, and at the Hampton Gardens. This project, which is made possible thanks to a Recover, Replant, Restore! Grant from Trees Forever, will help provide tree canopy cover to green spaces throughout Alton.

“Volunteers do so much to protect and preserve our unique ecosystem in the Metro East region, and we look forward to continuing to work alongside them in service of our shared planet and to celebrating their accomplishments,” says Favilla.

To get involved with Sierra Club Illinois, visit sierraclub. org/illinois/piasa-palisades or contact Christine Favilla at christine.favilla@ sierraclub.org. 3

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STRANGE BUT TRUE

By Lucie Winborne

• During World War II, French actress/dancer

Leslie Caron’s wealthy family suffered such severe financial reversals

that she was once forced to make shoes out of her grandmother’s opera gloves.

• Until 1937, it was illegal for men to be topless in the U.S., even on beaches.

FLASHBACK

• Is there a “junk drawer” in your house? If so, you’re in good company, as a whopping 80% of Americans have at least one, but the average household actually boasts three. The most common items found in these catchalls are super glue (57%), writing utensils (also 57%) and duct tape (51%). What’s in yours?

• Gary Kremen, the founder of Match.com, one of the world’s largest and most popular online dating websites, lost his girlfriend to a guy she met on Match.com.

New never installed white 5’ PATIO DOOR screen & built in blinds $650 Jerseyville 847-302-0129

By Mick Harper

1. Name the artist who released “You’re the First, the Last, My Everything.”

2. Which group released “Riders on the Storm”?

3. How did Beatle Paul McCartney come up with the lyric “Ob-la-di, ob-lada”?

4. Who released “I Hear a Symphony”?

5. Name the song that contains this lyric: “And then it happened, It took me by surprise, I knew that you felt it too, By the look in your eyes.”

(answers in puzzle solutions)

PRODUCTION WORKER

ACCEPTING APPLICATIONs FOR HOUSING

The Housing Authority of Greene County will be accepting applications for 1, 2 & 3 Bedroom Apartments

Applications may be obtained at the o ce of the Housing Authority of Greene County, 325 N. Carr St., White Hall, IL, or you may call 217374-2128 between the hours of 8am and 4pm, Monday-Friday.

Shelly K. Mason • Executive Director

GREENE COUNTY HOMES L.P.

325 NORTH CARR ST., PO BOX 33 WHITE HALL, IL 62092

Now accepting applications for brand new 1, 2, 3, and 4 bedroom homes in Roodhouse & Greenfield, IL. Homes include: Large landscaped lots, with front & backyards. Paved driveways, Two (2) car attached garage, Patios in rear of home. Washer/dryer provided, Fully equipped kitchens (stove, refrigerator & dishwasher), Central air & Garbage removal furnished.

Rent is based on income. In addition, you may be eligible for rental

assistance.

Applications may be obtained at the o ce of the Housing Authority of Greene County, 325 N. Carr St., White Hall, IL, or you may call 217-374-2128 between the hours of 8am and 4pm, Monday-Friday.

Shelly K. Mason • Executive Director

HAWKLAND ESTATES

Now accepting applications for 2 and 3 bedroom homes in Carrollton, IL, close to hospital, grocery store and restaurant. Mini-playground area, nice neighborhood. Rent varies based on income.

Homes include: Large landscaped lots, Paved driveways, One (1) car attached garage, Patios in back. Washer/dryer hook-ups, Fully equipped kitchens (stove, refrigerator & dishwasher), Central air & Garbage removal furnished.

Applications may be obtained at the o ce of the Housing Authority of Greene County, 325 N. Carr St., White Hall, IL, or you may call 217-374-2128 between the hours of 8am and 4pm, Monday-Friday.

Shelly K. Mason • Executive Director

Walnut Estates

Now accepting applications for 2 and 3 bedroom homes in Carrollton & White Hall, IL. Mini-playground area, nice neighborhoods. Rent varies based on income. In addition, you may be eligible for rental assistance.

Homes include: Large landscaped lots, Paved driveways, Two (2) car attached garage, Patios in back. Washer/dryer provided, Fully equipped kitchens (stove, refrigerator & dishwasher), Central air & Garbage removal furnished.

Applications may be obtained at the o ce of the Housing Authority of Greene County, 325 N. Carr St., White Hall, IL, or you may call 217-374-2128 between the hours of 8am and 4pm, Monday-Friday.

Shelly K. Mason • Executive Director

25726 Walnut Creek Dr., Dow (Eagle Crossings Subdivision)

Have you been wanting to build your dream home? Come see us with your plans/ideas/wish lists. You will also want to be sure to check out our latest Photovoltaic solar system! It can enable you to have net zero energy by producing your own power. Wooded 1 acre lots available in this subdivision or we can build on your land.

Let’s get started making your dreams come true!

Host: Ralph Paslay 618-531-3377

Dr, Bethalto

Flashback

1. Barry White, in 1974. The songwriters had penned it as “You’re My First, You’re My Last, My In-Between.” White changed the title and lyrics and released it as disco.

2. The Doors, in 1971. It was the last song that singer Jim Morrison released before his death at age 27.

3. His Nigerian drummer friend answered a question with the phrase, “Ob-la-di, ob-la-da, life goes on, brah.” The Beatles released the song in 1968.

4. The Supremes, in 1965.

5. “This Magic Moment,” by the Drifters in 1960, followed by Jay and the Americans in 1968. Lead singer Jay was “Jay Black,” who had been born David Blatt but agreed to legally change his name after the originator of the group, John “Jay” Traynor, left. In 2006, John “Jay” Reincke appeared, the third Jay.