Jersey County January 2024 by Big Z Media

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Advantage to go all digital in 2024 By Nick Darr Big Z Media “Change is risky, but staying the same is even riskier.” That’s a quote from Carey Nieuwhof that hit home as we announce a significant change to the future of Big Z Media and this publication. This will be the last physically printed and mailed edition of the AdVantage newspaper. It’s a decision we’ve made after much thought, analysis, and debate. For the record, this isn’t the end of AdVantage. We will continue to provide much of the content that we have produced since 1986, only the delivery method is changing. We’re going all digital in 2024 and not only will we not reduce staff, we plan on adding new team members. You’ll still be able to find great local news and sports stories, local columnists, information about local businesses, and much more at advantagenews.com.

physical publication to over 50,000 households has always been an inefficient way to distribute content, but in the last 5-10 years it’s become even more inefficient for two major reasons: The size of the audience consuming information via a physical print publication has been, is, and will continue to decline in the coming years. Combine that with the unfortunate reality

of continual increases in printing and postage costs and the print and mail distribution model graduates from inefficient to inviable.

We understand that this will be an unpopular decision for many of you, our loyal readers, but we hope that the increase in content we’ll now be able to provide will far outweigh the benefit of being able to read the physical version of the paper. On the plus side, the content you love will now be available daily instead of just once per month.

This is not a decision based on financial hardship, but one based on a vision of the future that we feel provides the best way to serve our audience and our advertisers. As mentioned, we’ll continue to provide the great content we always have online at advantagnews. com, on the radio on 1570 AM, 107.1 FM, on our music station, My Mix 94.3 FM and on our AdVantage News social media pages.

Why are we doing this? Printing and mailing a

We’ll also be announcing several new initiatives

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in the months to follow that will greatly serve our audience and the area’s small business community. Our small businesses are the key to the success of any community growth initiatives that may be proposed and executed in the coming years, and finding the best way to connect our audience with those businesses is our company’s primary mission.

When Big Z Media purchased AdVantage in April of 2021, it was important to us that we honor and continue the great work of previous owners: Sharon McRoy and Jim Seibold, Jayne and John Simmons, and Sharon’s son, Eric McRoy. They created an incredibly important resource for our community, and we believe the decision to move to a 100% digital model allows us to continue their great work for decades to come. Thank you for being a loyal reader of AdVantage. We hope you’ll continue to enjoy what we produce for you on a daily basis, just in a different way. 3

All God’s Children gives footwear to Granite City kids All God’s Children administrator Sue Wooden said the event really touches the hearts of all who take part. She said they do it so kids can have something new for themselves. The charity dates back to the late 1960s when some Illinois Bell utility workers noticed kids walking home from school with holes in their shoes. That’s when they began collecting money to buy them new ones.

By Brad Choat Big Z Media More than 130 students from the Granite City School District spent Dec. 8 at Alton Square mall, getting free pairs of shoes and socks. The charity “All God’s Children Shall Have Shoes” handles this yearly event for school children in-need throughout the region. Volunteers helped the students get the correct sizes and pick out their new shoes and socks at Famous Footwear. The Cookie Factory provided each child a treat.

donating or becoming a volunteer for All God’s Children, email Sue Wooden at sue.kidsshoes@gmail. com. 3

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2410 State Street Alton 618-462-8405

BEST OF THE BEST of

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A dozen artists will perform their favorite country love songs of all time as a special Valentine’s treat from ALT, and ALT’s volunteers will be whipping up some libations and treats that just say “Love Ya’ll!”

Saturday, February 10th, 2024 7:30pm

Sunday, February 11th, 2024 2:00pm

Tickets $25 Call 618-462-3205 or visit www.altonlittletheater.org for tickets 2 | JANUARY 2024

JERSEY COUNTY ADVANTAGE

AltonWorks proposes new vision for Riverfront Americans love their national parks. According to the National Park Service, about 312 million people visited national parks in 2022, a 5% increase from 2021. National parks bring in billions of dollars of economic activity to regions across the country for small and large cities alike. During the Alton Riverfront Commission Meeting, representatives from AltonWorks unveiled a longterm vision to create the Great Rivers National Park to help transform Alton and highlight the region’s crown jewel: The Mississippi River. This proposal is aligned with the founding principles of AltonWorks which include livability, environmental stewardship, social justice, and inclusivity in rebuilding communities for optimum social impact. “Alton has many incredible assets,” said John Simmons, CEO of AltonWorks. “The combination of the riverfront, the Clark Bridge, Marina and the historic downtown area makes the perfect setting for a national park and could attract tens of millions of dollars each year to the city, state and regional economies. To help Alton reach its potential, we want to attract and retain people of all ages to live, work and play here. Together, we have the ability to transform the riverfront into a national treasure and family-friendly outdoor recreation destination.”

appointed by the mayor with advice and consent of the city council.

6. Build a floodproof bike park for all ages 7. Upgrade amenities at Russell Commons Park

AltonWorks plan recommendations include:

8. Make the amphitheater great for artists and guests

1. Improve cruise ship mooring area and amenities 2. Make updates to the marina 3. Add concrete boardwalk along the riverfront 4. Connect the riverfront and downtown with a bike trail

The Alton Riverfront Commission helps guide planning for Alton’s Mississippi River frontage. Commission members are

5. Activate the great lumber site for family fun

The Mississippi, Missouri, and Illinois Rivers are tremendous natural, cultural, and national assets. A national park would optimize the Great Rivers Confluence Region as a national treasure and destination, building on the large federal property and presence in the area. Currently the Great Rivers

Confluence Region is managed by 20 federal, state and local jurisdictions. Bringing these lands together under the National Park Service would provide consistent trails and amenities and leverage park marketing, maintenance and funding for a 135,000acre, 144-mile designated recreation park. Alton is home to two Federal Wildlife Refuges, a large federal footprint of actively managed Army Corps of Engineers’ land, and the largest State Park in Illinois at Pere Marquette near the confluence of the

Mississippi and Illinois Rivers. In addition, the National Great Rivers Museum, The Meeting of the Great Rivers National Scenic Byway, the National Lewis and Clark Trail, and the Mississippi River National Water Trail are located here. Because of this Federal presence and the outsize impact of the Mississippi River on American culture,

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Examples of similar national parks include New River Gorge National Park in West Virginia and the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area in Minnesota. 3

NOTICE TO READERS: AdVantage does not have physical offices in Jerseyville. We can be reached by mail, phone, email or fax at the contact information below.

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history, and economic development, AltonWorks believes the idea of a national park is worth exploring.

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JANUARY 2024 | 3

Even Exchange

by Donna Pettman

SECRET DINER

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 MASTER for an I, you get MISTER. Do not change the order of the letters.

By Bill Roseberry

Taste the authenticity In northwestern Madison County you’ll find this joint specializing in authentic Mexican food, with a focus on street tacos and they’re doing it up right.

> edwardjones.com | Member SIPC

FLASHBACK

DIFFICULTY H

Go Figure

Arrive at the figures given at the bottom and right columns of the diagram by following 1. Who sang the theme song the arithmetic signs in the for the TV series “Secret order they are given (that Agent Man” in the 1960s? is, from left to right and top to bottom). Use only the 2. What was the Hully Gully? numbers below the diagram 3. Who released “Blue Suede to complete its blank squares Shoes” before Elvis Presley and use each| ofMember the nine SIPC > edwardjones.com did? numbers only once. By Mick Harper

> edwardjones.com |

4. Name Patti LaBelle’s first No. 1 single.

5. Name the song that contains this lyric: “Late at night I’m still listening, Don’t waste my time chasing sleep.”

It’s easy to find, sitting right along a main street through this community. You’ll see the sidewalk leading to the entrance and a small sign in front, displaying the place’s name. The paved parking lot is right next to the building and wraps around behind it as well. The restaurant actually shares the parking lot with another eating establishment on the adjacent side. Spaces Member SIPC are marked to notify you which spots are for which restaurant.

CryptoQuip 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.

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Overall: I’d heard were available here and I wasn’t disappointed. With a focus on tacos I decided to go that route on my visit. Quickly I settled on three varieties of their street tacos. I chose chicken and chorizo, the lengua taco and finally, the steak, bacon and sausage taco. If you’re not familiar with what lengua is, it is braised beef tongue.

Walk around to the sidewalk in front and enter this establishment through a small vestibule and a host or hostess will greet you and I’ll start with that tongue lead you to your seat. There taco. It was so super tender, is a counter to the right when with the tongue being you immediately enter and > edwardjones.com | Member SIPC in pure muscle. It melted the kitchen is located behind it. The large dining room is to my mouth with an almost stew meat taste. There was the left. a hearty flavor, but it was Big wooden tables fill the really driven more by the middle of the spacious dining radish and chopped onion area, with high-backed, included in the ingredients. padded wooden booths along It also featured cilantro the outside wall. and lime juice and for an upcharge, I added grilled On the back wall is a brick cheese to my tacos. They fireplace with a huge liquor encrust the cheese on the display above it, mostly small corn tortilla, which featuring tequila. The walls adds some sweetness and are painted red, yellow and a slight crunch to the whole blue and there is Mexican experience. themed artwork hanging on those wells, including some Next I went with the chicken large sombreros. A hefty and chorizo taco. The swordfish is mounted on one chicken drove the flavor wall and the ceilings are low over the chorizo, which was and dark colored. surprising to me since the chorizo normally adds a All of the decorations and little spike in spice. It was colors make for a warm, heaping with meat and relaxing ambiance. everything was tender and I was stoked to get a gander delicious. That crusted at the menu due to some cheese, the radish and lime of the traditional options juice all added rewarding

Retiring soon? Let's talk. > edwardjones.com | Member SIPC

Retiring soon? Let's talk. Retiring soon? Let's talk. oon? Let's talk. Steve Medford

Financial Advisor

Steve Medford 114 N State St Financial Advisor IL 62052 114 N Jerseyville, State St 618-498-8523 Jerseyville, IL 62052

ord

visor

62052

Cleanliness: Service: Food: Price: Any idea of the name of this restaurant? Check the puzzle solutions to see if you are right. flavor punches, too. My final taco was the steak, bacon and sausage. It offered an absolute meat overload, as it was just falling out of the small corn tortilla. The bacon steered the taste, while also adding a crisp crunch to team with that delectable crusted cheese. The steak and sausage were plentiful and succulent, but really just part of the background Of course there were chips and salsa provided with the meal and the server kept them coming when needed. There were plenty of other options on the menu, too. You can order off of the regular taco menu to get crunchy tacos. There are also burritos, quesadillas, burgers, steaks, salads and specialty entrees available. 3

The Spats

by Jeff Pickering

Steve Medford

Financial Advisor 114 N State St Jerseyville, IL 62052 618-498-8523

618-498-8523

Retiring soon? Let's talk.

MKT-5894L-A-A1 AECSPAD

MKT-5894L-A-A1 AECSPAD MKT-5894L-A-A1 AECSPAD

Alton Little Theater presents... By Jan de Hartog | Directed by Kevin Frakes

THE

Steve Medford

Financial Advisor

FOUR POSTER

Produced with Permission from Concord Theatricals

114 N State St Jerseyville, IL 62052 618-498-8523

MKT-5894L-A-A1 AECSPAD

JERSEY COUNTY ADVANTAGE

Crossword

I just can’t stop listening to 1970s rock bands. I may be developing OC/DC. In 1665 Sir Isaac Newton discovered gravity. Everything went downhill from there.

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Find the listed words in the diagram. They run forward, backward, up, down and diagonally. Unlisted hint: An afternoon nap

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7 SMART SOLUTIONS THAT Smart homeHOME solutions that enhance ENHANCE AND SECURITY ENHANCE CONVENIENCE SECURITY convenience and security Mirror

like a pro with models that allow you to import recipes for automatic temperature control.

Hectic mornings may never completely be a thing of the past, but you can smooth out the start to your day with a smart mirror that displays important information like weather, news updates and your schedule. Many interactive displays allow you to check notifications and play music for a sleek, stylish addition to the bathroom that helps you stay on track and on time.

Dishwasher

Similar to smart appliances like refrigerators and ovens, smart dishwashers bring added convenience to your day along with improved function and efficiency. Connection to Wi-Fi and remote accessibility via smartphone app allow you to start wash cycles and check cycle status while away, receive notifications when detergent is low and more.

Refrigerator

Smart refrigerators are often inherently newer models, meaning they’re typically more energy efficient to save money on electric bills. With built-in features like cameras and sensors that aid in keeping track of grocery lists, they can help reduce food waste by reminding you to consume perishables before they spoil. Some models even include an interactive display that lets you watch recipe videos so you can test your skills with a virtual assistant.

FAMILY FEATURES

evices that allow you to stay connected to your home from virtually anywhere are all the rage. If you’re looking to seamlessly integrate innovative solutions into your home for added convenience, security and peace of mind, you’ll need smart tech with the right features. The experts at Masonite, a global industry leader in interior and exterior doors and door systems, share these seven smart home solutions.

Wi-Fi connectivity is the key feature of smart ovens, improving the cooking experience with increased control. By using an app on your smartphone, you can remotely preheat the oven and set timers. You can even cook

Leave behind that nagging feeling that you forgot to shut the garage door when you’re a block away from home. Smart garage door openers that connect to an app on your phone mean you can always check on the status of your door to ensure it’s closed when it should be. It provides the added benefit of keeping track of who’s coming or going while allowing you to remotely open the door for friends, family, neighbors and others who may need access when you’re away.

Take your front door to the next level with a highperformance model incorporated with top tech like the Masonite M-Pwr Smart Door, the first residential front door to fully connect to your home’s electrical system and wireless internet network. Homeowners can create SINCE

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If laundry feels like a chore, you can make it less of a hassle with smart washers and dryers that connect to your home Wi-Fi network. These smart appliances allow you to remotely start and stop washing and drying cycles from your smartphone and can send notifications when cycles are finished. Built-in diagnostics send alerts to your phone when there’s a malfunction or it’s time for required maintenance. Plus, they can help you maximize energy efficiency by automatically starting a cycle during off-peak hours.

Oven

Garage Door

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Visit Masonite.com/MPWR-SmartDoors to find more innovative solutions.

a customized welcome-home experience with the door’s motion-activated LED welcome lights and a smart lock that recognizes your arrival and automatically unlocks. Whether at home or away, homeowners can use the door’s smartphone app to program the lighting, confirm if the door is open or closed with a door state sensor or monitor the entryway with a built-in video doorbell. Plus, the integrated connection to the home’s power means there’s no need to charge or replace device batteries, providing peace of mind that you’re always connected and protected. Available at The Home Depot, homeowners can select from a range of designs, colors and glass styles all made with the Masonite Performance Door System. The system is designed to protect your home from the elements and provide superior weather resistance, energy efficiency and comfort with premium fiberglass construction, a rot-resistant frame and a 4-Point Performance Seal so there’s no need to sacrifice style for enhanced performance.

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JERSEY COUNTY ADVANTAGE

Home Exterior Trends for 2024 Home exterior trends for 2024 A

FAMILY FEATURES

home’s exterior is often the first thing guests or potential buyers see, meaning its curb appeal can have a significant impact on making a good first impression. Whether refreshing or renovating your home, staying current with exterior trends can help make a statement, increase your home’s value and enhance the comfort of your living space. If you’re looking to refresh or improve your home’s fun ction and style in the new year, consider these 2024 home exterior trends from the experts at Westlake Royal Building Products, a leader in innovation, design and production of exterior and interior building products including siding, trim, mouldings, roofing, stone, windows, outdoor living and more.

A Connection with Nature

Connecting people more closely with nature and natural elements, biophilic design can lead to increased wellbeing and productivity. Growing wellness and environmental concerns are driving demand for outdoor living space improvements and integration of nature in design, including elements like green roofs, living walls and large windows. You can create dramatic outdoor spaces by contrasting light and dark colors. For example, matte black can be paired with materials like brick, stone, shingles and wood for an eye catching twist. Bold, earthy tones such as navy blue, forest green, dark brown and red can also be combined with nature inspired materials for organic texture and warmth. Other trending colors for 2024 include vivid teal and aqua blue, which can induce a sense of serenity.

High-Performance Siding

As climate change continues to intensify and lead to severe weather, there is a growing need for highperformance, weatherresistant building products. Homeowners continue to favor resilient materials that require less maintenance or replacement such as recycled vinyl, engineered wood and fiber cement, which maintain beauty and function. Designed with innovation and performance in mind, Celect Cellular Composite Siding, a premium PVC siding from Westlake Royal Building Products, replicates the beauty and aesthetics of wood while remaining low maintenance and durable for a lifetime. Featuring a patented interlocking seam design, it keeps moisture out and almost completely eliminates seams. Plus, its Kynar Aquatec coating provides superior protection against ultraviolet rays, reduces energy demands and resists dirt, seasonal staining and insects.

Mixed Materials and Textures

Functional Outdoor Living Spaces

Transitional Takes on Tradition

Focused on creating seamless connections between interior and exterior spaces, this evolution in outdoor design includes integration of outdoor kitchens and living areas. Elements such as fire pits, pizza ovens, outdoor entertainment and games can be incorporated to personalize the space and provide a unique entertaining hub. Using cohesive materials and textures that can withstand the elements and flow from indoors to outdoors, such as stone veneer, can help elevate the space and further tie it to the home’s interior.

BEST WISHES FOR A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR

A versatile design approach allows a home to transcend trends, ensuring its relevance and appeal over an extended period of time. In 2024, look for a rise in classic design trends featuring elements such as vertical siding, crisp white trim and other modernized traditional styles as well as a shift away from minimalism that incorporates more nostalgic, personal touches to home exteriors, ushering in more of a transitional style. Find more ideas to update your home’s exterior at WestlakeRoyalBuildingProducts.com.

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Blending various textures, finishes and materials on a home’s facade can create a unique, visually dynamic look. Using a combination of materials like brick and vinyl siding or stone and wood can add depth and visual interest. An option like Versetta Stone delivers the authentic look and feel of stone in a panelized format that is easy to install with screws or nails and requires no metal lath or scratch coat. The stone siding features a tongueandgroove system for perfect spacing, has a builtin rainscreen and can be installed almost anywhere without additional footings for support.

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JERSEY COUNTY ADVANTAGE

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JANUARY 2024 | 7

Simplify holiday hosting from start to finish

FAMILY FEATURES

osting a major holiday event is no small effort. It requires close attention to detail from planning, cooking and cleaning to entertaining guests on the big day. Fortunately, just like any good recipe, approaching your hosting duties one step at a time can allow you to create a magnificent final product. This Thanksgiving, the experts at Finish are helping hosts everywhere get organized, from the initial planning all the way through clean up, with the Ultimate Thanksgiving Timer. Created in partnership with Gaby Dalkin of “What’s Gaby Cooking,” it’s a personalized hosting timeline designed to help hosts stay on track up to and throughout the big day. “I’ve been hosting holiday gatherings for years and know from firsthand experience that even capable hosts struggle to time everything just right,” Dalkin said. “From planning your menu and designing your tablescape to accommodating dietary restrictions and even serving dessert, the Ultimate Thanksgiving Timer will support hosts every step of the way this year.”

Plan Your Guest List and Menu

Maximize Prep Time

Deciding how many guests you’ll be serving and what you plan to serve are two essential details that will guide the rest of your planning. When creating your guest list, be realistic about how many are likely to attend and plan your menu for a few extra people so you don’t run out of food. Your menu may also be influenced by how many guests you plan to host; a whole turkey is practical for a large group, but a turkey breast may be adequate for a more intimate gathering. Remember to send your invites at least three weeks ahead of the event so guests have plenty of time to respond and you can prepare your menu.

While it’s likely the majority of your work will come on the big day, you can work ahead to reduce some of the load. For example, you can wash and chop vegetables for stuffing and other side dishes and store them overnight to minimize prep time in the morning. You can also use the quiet of the night before to tackle tasks like setting the table and organizing your seating chart, restocking towels and replenishing other essentials in the guest bathroom.

Start Grocery Shopping Early The rush at the grocery store can be one of the most stressful parts of getting ready to host. Give yourself enough lead time by picking up pantry staples and beverages 1-2 weeks out so your kitchen is stocked for the big day. For perishables, get to the grocery store early in the day 1-2 days before hosting to beat the rush and avoid any last-minute grocery runs the morning of your gathering.

Enlist Help with Cooking The day of your event is the perfect time to pull extra hands into the kitchen. A simple but tasty recipe like this Ultimate Cheesy Herb Sourdough Stuffing from Dalkin is a sure crowd-pleaser to add to your table this year. Once you establish your cooking space and find your rhythm, you may even find sharing the preparations with a loved one is a great way to bond and create special memories.

Make Cleanup a Cinch A few simple tricks can help you maintain a relatively clean workspace and keep up with all the dishes you need to prepare a lavish meal. First, be sure to clean up as you go. It may be tempting to throw all of your dirty utensils and empty mixing bowls in a pile in the sink to deal with later, but taking a few minutes to scrape dishes and load the dishwasher as you go can help prevent a messy mountain from forming. That also means you’ll be more likely to find a clean measuring cup or spoon when you move on to prepare the next dish. Hosts have enough to worry about, so let your dishwasher do the hard work and pull in reinforcements to help clean up while you relax after a long day. Use a detergent that works in the toughest conditions, from burnt-on stains to old dishwashers and hard water, like Finish Ultimate. It’s the only dish detergent tab with CycleSync technology that releases the right ingredient at the right time to work with your dishwasher. You can skip the rinse, even on tough stains like cranberry sauce and gravy, and save up to 20 gallons of water. Hosts are invited to put Finish Ultimate to the test and take the Ultimate Thanksgiving Challenge; if it can’t tackle your burnt-on stains, the meal is on Finish via a rebate of up to $30. For more hosting tips and tricks, visit UltimateThanksgivingExperience.com.

8 | JANUARY 2024

Ultimate Cheesy Herb Sourdough Stuffing Recipe courtesy of “What’s Gaby Cooking” on behalf of Finish

1 loaf sourdough bread with crust, cut into 1-inch cubes (roughly 8 cups) 10 tablespoons butter 2 shallots, finely sliced 2 celery stalks, finely chopped 2 bunches green onions, thinly sliced 3/4 cup chopped fresh Italian parsley 2 tablespoons chopped fresh oregano 2 tablespoons chopped fresh sage 2 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme 3 large garlic cloves, minced 2 teaspoons coarse kosher salt 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 3 large eggs 2 cups chicken broth, divided 6 ounces coarsely grated Parmesan cheese Preheat oven to 375 F. On large, rimmed baking sheet, spread ripped or cubed bread. Bake until bread is dry, about 15 minutes. Cool. Leave oven on. In heavy skillet over medium heat, melt butter. Add shallots and celery; saute 5-6 minutes. Add green onions, parsley, oregano, sage, thyme, garlic, salt and pepper; saute until celery is tender, 6-8 minutes. Generously grease large skillet or ceramic baking dish. Place bread cubes in large bowl. Add warm vegetable mixture; toss to combine. In medium bowl, whisk eggs and 3/4 cup broth. Add egg mixture to stuffing and toss to coat. Mix in Parmesan. Add 1/2-3/4 cup broth to stuffing if dry. Transfer to skillet or ceramic baking dish. Cover with buttered foil. Bake 30 minutes. Remove foil; bake until golden, about 30 minutes. Serve in baking vessel or transfer to serving platter.

JERSEY COUNTY ADVANTAGE

4 Savvy Stepstoward Towardgrocery Grocerystore Store savings Savings Savvy steps

FAMILY FEATURES

hether you live alone or have multiple mouths to feed each day, grocery bills can add up. It’s an inevitable expense for everyone, but there are tried-andtrue ways to limit your spending and put money back in your pocket. It all starts by considering the number of meals you need to make each week and creating a flexible menu. Ask family members to help brainstorm recipe ideas for the week then take inventory of ingredients you already have on hand. When it’s time to head to the store, consider these financially savvy tips to avoid overspending.

Stick to Your List It may sound obvious, but avoiding impulse purchases is one of the easiest ways to save at the store. Creating a menu and buying only what you need keeps the bill lower when you head to the checkout counter. As an added bonus, this helps limit food waste at home by avoiding buying more than what your family can actually eat.

Sign Up for Loyalty Programs Many grocery stores and chains offer the opportunity to join free loyalty programs. Oftentimes, these programs include savings provided only to members without having to sift through coupons. Alternately, some provide cash back rewards or additional savings once you accrue a certain level of points, while others include partnerships with other retailers, like gas stations, that provide savings at the pump based on your grocery spending.

Baked Apples with Coconut and Crumble Topping Servings: 8

6 Envy Apples 3/4 cup dark chocolate 1/2 cup chopped roasted hazelnuts 1 cup instant or rolled oats 1/2 cup dried coconut 2 tablespoons flour 1/3 cup butter 2 tablespoons brown sugar maple syrup or honey, for serving Core apples then score skin around apple a few times. Cut small slice from top and bottom to make apple more stable and give room for crumble topping.

Shop for Seasonal Produce While it’s easy to get caught up buying specific items for specific recipes, remember to keep seasonality in mind. Oftentimes, in-season produce is more readily available and, therefore, cheaper. Take fall for example, when Envy Apples – a cross between Braeburn and Royal Gala apples – can help your favorite autumnal recipes pop and allow you take full advantage of the best nature has to offer. Enjoy seasonal classics like apple pies, crumbles and tarts, and consider adding this Baked Apples with Coconut and Crumble Topping recipe to your dessert rotation. Saving additional money this year can be as simple as scanning your Walmart receipt using the Fetch app, where you can accrue points with every purchase of Envy Apples. It’s as easy as snapping your receipt, earning points to shop available offers then redeeming those points for rewards like gift cards.

Stretch Your Meals at Home While it may not show a direct impact on your receipt, taking recipes further at home can limit how often you head to the store. For example, leftovers from one evening’s rotisserie chicken dinner can be repurposed for the following day’s lunches. Or you can turn steak night scraps into a memorable weekend steak-and-egg brunch. When you cook a large meal for guests, don’t let all the extra food go to waste; freeze portions separately then enjoy them later as a family dinner. Find more fall recipe inspiration that helps you stretch your grocery budget at EnvyApple.com.

Finely chop chocolate and combine with hazelnuts. Arrange apple slices in lined baking dish. Fill center of each apple generously with chocolate and hazelnut mixture (reserve about 2 tablespoons for topping). Preheat oven to 350 F. Combine oats, coconut, flour, butter and brown sugar; mix well. Top each apple generously with crumble mixture, creating small mound on top of each apple; sprinkle with reserved chocolate and hazelnut mixture. Bake apples 20-25 minutes, or until crumble is golden and apples start to soften. Serve with drizzle of maple syrup or honey. Scan for More Tips and Tricks

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Each year, some of the most influential women have been honored at the YWCA’s Women of Distinction (WOD) celebration. Honorees are women who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and achievement in their professional, civic and personal lives. The WOD Academy has grown into a dynamic and diverse group of over 300 women representing a wide range of accomplishments and contributions. YWCA is requesting the public’s help in soliciting nominations for 2024 Women of Distinction. The community is urged to nominate exceptional women who create real change in our communities.

Nomination packets are available now at YWCA, online at ywcaswil.org, via email at info@ywcaswil.org, or by calling 618-465-7774. Nomination deadline for the 2024 Women of Distinction program is Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024 no later than 5pm or postmarked by 5pm January 9, 2024. A volunteer panel of judges will select the honorees from nominations. Nominees must live, work or volunteer in the YWCA service area of Madison County. Nominees must demonstrate the following qualities: exhibits leadership in her area of expertise, serves as a positive role model for young women in the community, serves as a mentor to other women and girls in her community involvement, demonstrates a commitment to the YWCA mission of eliminating racism and empowering women. 3

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 office 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

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 office 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

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Applications may be obtained at the office 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

ACCEPTING APPLICATIONs FOR HOUSING The Housing Authority of Greene County will be accepting applications for 1, 2 & 3 Bedroom Apartments • Rent based on 30% adjusted monthly income • All utilities furnished • Lawn mowing & garbage removal furnished • Stove & refrigerator furnished • Laundry facility on-site • 24-hour emergency maintenance service Applications may be obtained at the office 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

JERSEY COUNTY ADVANTAGE

Bud and Gail Schultz

SERVICE DIRECTORY

By Mark Ellebracht Big Z Media

Lic #058-168998

Bud and Gail Schultz have been making music together for nearly 68 years and recently stopped by the Big Z Media studios to talk about the New Horizons Band and past musical adventures. Bud, you’ve been playing music in the Alton area for a long time, how did you finally get to join the New Horizons Band? Bud: I was told that I was finally old enough and they let me in. It used to be you had to be at least 50 years old to join, but they’ve now allowed some younger players to join up.

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other groups and then you started up the You Can’t Beat Experience Jazz Band? Yes, I’ve been in many other dance bands and orchestras

Gail: I will say it is one of the most fulfilling groups, musically, that I have known and really enjoy it. Bud: We’ll have our Christmas concert and we just did our USO shows back in November. We’ll have a spring concert too then we also do a few other extra performances throughout the year.

over the years, including the Alton Symphony Orchestra, and I still play some around the area. In fact, we do play from time to time at Cedarhurst, not just around

the holidays. 3 Hear the full interview with Bud and Gail at AdvantageNews.com under the Podcast tab.

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Bud: She did sing in our last show and will sing with a few musicians when we do our Christmas concert out at Cedarhurst where we live.

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Yes, we moved to town in 1963, which of course was a significant year with the death of President Kennedy. But during our time there we got to mark a few other important dates like the sesquicentennial of Illinois, the 50th anniversary of the Alton High band department, and then the bicentennial of the United States and the Marching 100 got to lead the Illinois section in Philadelphia on the 4th of July. And I guess that helped get you connected with

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JERSEY COUNTY ADVANTAGE

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What’s the Difference? 1. Tassel is shorter. 2. Cuffs are missing. 3. Baseball bat is missing. 4. Arm is moved. 5. Sign is different. 6. Antenna is missing.

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CryptoQuip When you always get the uncontrollable urge to climb mountains, I’d say you’re drawn to scale.

Even Exchange 1. Paper, Paler 2. Locket, Locker 3. Witch, Watch 4. Ranger, Ringer 5. Willa, Wilma

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Trivia Test 1. Route 66. 2. Sweden. 3. A magic hat. 4. Mashed potatoes and cabbage. 5. Hawaii. 6. The Barden Bellas. 7. Ruth Handler. 8. 16. 9. “Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator.” 10. Franklin Pierce.

Flashback 1. Johnny Rivers. The show was the American version of the British “Danger Man” series. 2. A dance that started in Florida in 1959. It was a line dance with the steps being called out. The dance has been seen several times, including in “The Blues Brothers” film and a “Roseanne” episode. 3. Carl Perkins, who both wrote and released the song in 1956. His version went to No. 1 on the charts. Presley’s did not even hit the Top 10. 4. “If Only You Knew,” in 1983, on the R&B charts. It only hit No. 46 on the Hot 100 chart. 5. “Pilot of the Airwaves,” by Charlie Dore in 1979. This was the final song played in 1990 by Radio Caroline, an unlicensed, illegal radio station that broadcast from the open seas. It was named for Caroline Kennedy, daughter of President John F. Kennedy.

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12 | JANUARY 2024

How does it work?

VISIT ALTONDAILYBARGAINS.COM Each business listed on the site has agreed to offer customers a reduced price gift certificate to discover their business. Each Deal comes with Fine Print, which you should read carefully prior to making a purchase. Once you make the purchase, you have a limited time from purchase date to use the Deal Voucher for its Promotional Value.

But I don’t have a computer.

LISTEN LIVE TO THE ALTON DAILY BARGAINS RADIO SHOW Tune in to our live radio shopping show and call in during the broadcast. Listen at 10am Saturdays on 107.1FM and 1570AM, or stream from your mobile device with the WBGZ Radio app.

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GOTOGODFREY.COM JERSEY COUNTY ADVANTAGE