Riverbend May 2022

If you find yourself in need of a dentist, call our o ce today. We’ll make room for you quickly. You won’t have to wait weeks to see Dr. Smith.

OBITUARIES

Dr. Arvin Crose

87 | Collinsville

March 9, 2022

arrangements by Gent Funeral Home

Dr. Arvin J. Crose, 87, passed away at 2:15 a.m. on Wednesday, March 9, 2022 at his residence.

He was born May 16, 1934 in Salem, Oregon the son of the late Alvin and Lillie Arvilla (Blake) Crose. He was a U.S. Army Veteran and retired as a Dentist in Godfrey in 1999.

Arvin was preceded in death by his first wife, Mary Dell Crose on January 15, 1988.

Surviving are his daughters, Mary Denise (Blake) Cozart of Laughlin, NV, Anne (Scott) Gonzalez of Warrenton, MO and Lynne (Scott) Wheeler of Jeffersonville, IN, his wife Betty Crose of Collinsville, IL and five stepchildren. His Grandchildren, Anna, Grace, Rachel and Sarah Gonzalez, Garrett and Wyatt Wheeler and Reuben Dickinson.

Besides his first wife he was also preceded in death by a daughter, Julie Dickinson and two sons in laws, Lloyd Stone and Charles Denner.

Visitation will be from 3 pm until time of service at 4 pm on Saturday, May 7, 2022 at The Greater Alton SeventhDay Adventist Church, 4870 Humbert Road, Alton. Graveside services were held on March 14, 2022 at Valhalla Memorial Park in Godfrey.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to The Greater Alton Seventh-Day Adventist Church or to the Beit Tefilah

Messianic Congregation in St. Louis, MO. Gent Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Additional information and online guest book may be found at gentfuneralhome.com

Frederick Neal Sr.

61 | Granite City

April 14, 2022 arrangements by Irwin Chapel

Frederick William Neal Sr., 61 of Granite City, Illinois passed away on Thursday, April 14, 2022.

Fred was born on January 9, 1961 in East St. Louis, IL; the son of the late John Louis and Agatha (Wilson) Neal Sr. Fred was an inspector for Precoat Metals in Granite City. Fred proudly served his country in the United States Navy, serving on the USS Blueback. In his free time Fred enjoyed his days of playing horse shoes, shooting pool or a good game of bowling. He was an avid fan of the St. Louis Cardinals and the St. Louis Blues and was known by his family as an expert Jeopardy player. Most of all Fred loved his family and will be remembered for all the special times they shared together.

Fred is survived by and will be missed by his wife; Janice (Baehr) Neal, whom he married on August 17, 2013; children, Krystle and Josh Huelsmann of Highland, IL, Frederick W. and Jose Neal Jr. of Aliso Viejo, CA,

Museum gallery opens at Madison County Archival Library

Richard C. and Sierra Neal of Las Vegas, NV, Amanda and Aaron Nelson of Superior, MN, Megan and Glenn Cooke of Pontoon Beach, IL, Steven D. and Sarah Pope of St. Ann, MO; grandchildren, Jordan, Ava, Charlotte, Thomas, Zoey, Jacob, Raiden, Steven Jr.; brothers, Dennis and Denise Neal, Stephen Neal, Tom and Betty Neal; sisters, Maureen and Pete Downs, Lynn and Frank Rand and many other close family members and friends.

In addition to his parents, Fred was preceded in death by his brothers; Bruce Neal, John L. Neal Jr., and John M. Neal.

Visitation was held on April 21 at Irwin Chapel. Funeral services followed on April 22 at the funeral home.

Family and friends met at Irwin Chapel, 3960 Maryville Road in Granite City on April 25 for a processional to Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis for graveside services with full military rites.

Marks Mortuary

Funeral Directors

Since 1901

Celebrating 120 Years

618-254-5544

The Madison County Historical Society (MCHS) has added a gallery to the Archival Library so selected items from the Museum Collections can be available for public viewing while renovations continue at the Weir House. The first set of exhibits include:

Spirit of Sport: Winter Edition, featuring vintage sleds and skates, local photographs, and a history of winter sports.

The Measure of a Man, a retrospective on the life of Robert Wadlow, including a growth chart and

Midwest Members Credit Union Ranks #35 in S&P Global Market Intelligence’s Top 100 Midwest Members Credit Union has been ranked No. 35 among the top-performing 100 credit unions in the country and 1 of only 7 recognized in the state of Illinois, according to the 2021 S&P Global Market Intelligence Ranking, which assesses the performance of community banks and nearly 5,000 credit unions across the nation.

“It is an honor to receive this ranking from S&P Global Market Intelligence,” said Lou Bicanic, President and CEO of Midwest Members Credit Union. “As an organization, we take great pride in delivering the products our members need with service they expect and deserve. Having achieved yet another unprecedented year of growth further solidi ed Midwest Members Credit Union as a leader within the nancial services industry across the country. We are extremely proud of achieving this level of success and are grateful to our employees who have shown remarkable resilience, and to our members who have stood by our side and supported us for over 85 years.”

101 Wesley

Jeffrey A. Lauritzen, ChFC®, RICP® Financial Representative Godfrey jeff.lauritzen@countryfinancial.com (618)466-2128

0221-508HC_21316-1/19/2022

photographs from his life History is a Window to the Past, a changing screen featuring approximately 60 views of Madison County from the 19th century to the Mississippi River Festiva Madison County’s First Farmers, the story of Native Americans farmer and the foods they cultivated

The Two Treaties of Edwardsville, 1818 and 1819s.

Hours for the new exhibit are Wed-Fri, 9-4 and Sunday 1-4. The Madison County Archival Library is located at 801 N. Main Street in Edwardsville. There is no charge for admission. 3

your

time to review your coverage and make sure you’ve got the protection you need.

LET’S TALK TODAY.

“Our family loving and caring for your family in the time of need has always been our motto.”

On a pinky swear, six local women pledge to help by entertaining others

By Mark Ellebracht Big Z Media

It’s called the Pinky Swear Project. You can probably imagine a scene from a movie where best friends hook their pinkies together then raise them up and then pull them apart in a sacred oath. A group of area women did just that three years ago and have dedicated themselves to a mission.

They want to help support organizations that promote the arts, and programs supporting women and children. Big Z Media spoke to one of the women, Diana Enloe who hosted the gathering at her home where the six took the oath and set out to make the world a little better. (Diana also appears Friday mornings at 8:45 am on The Big Z Morning Show, 107.1.FM/1570AM, to talk about the arts and entertainment)

How did this group come together?

We were at a cast party for a production we were all involved in and were all fans of the Nora Ephron piece “Love, Loss and What I Wore.” We talked about life and working together and decided over a pinky swear in my kitchen that we would commit to a staged reading of the play, and our mission would be to support programs that helped women and children and programs that promoted the arts.

What is it about Love, Loss and What I Wore that inspired the group?

Several of us were already familiar with the Broadway version of the show where five women are seated with stands for their scripts, and it was a revolving cast of wellknown women who would do the show for a few weeks and then five new women would read. Nora is probably best known for the movies

“When Harry Met Sally” and “Sleepless in Seattle” and a book called “Sorry about my Neck,” so it has wide appeal and is portable.

What is the show about?

It’s a series of five monologues and short stories where the five actors take on the persona of whoever is telling the story. It revolves around the experiences of women at various stages of life and what was worn at the time...things like my first Girl Scout uniform, my first bra, why do women wear black, what my mother wore, things like that. Sometimes funny, sometimes poignant, sometimes tears are shed, but all connected to what we wear at important moments in our lives.

Who makes up the group?

I am directing the show and the women on stage are friends who I have worked with before or those who I’ve wanted to work with: Carol Hudson, Christy Luster, Debbie Maneke, Dianna Pallas, and Donna Wilson.

How many shows will you do?

We have already done six and our seventh is coming up at the Wildey. After that, since we have pretty much saturated the market in the Riverbend and Metro East, we are considering taking the show to Jersey County and down to the Columbia/Waterloo area in the future.

Who have you supported so far?

We have done shows to benefit the Alfresco Theater in Granite City, the Echo Academy at LCCC, the Alton Community Service League, the Friends of Theater and Dance, and the Miner’s Theater in Collinsville. Last month we raised money for the I Support the Girls International Agency with our show at SIUE, and this month we will help the Good Samaritan House.

What’s the long-range plan for the group?

I think by this time next year, we’ll be ready for something different. We’ll do this next series of shows, but we’re looking at other productions with a similar style that will complement the cast but also entertain the audience.

Tickets to “Love, Loss, and What I Wore” on Sunday May 22 at 2 pm are $20 and are available at the Wildey Theatre in Edwardsville and at wildeytheatre.com. 3

Ahhh spring. Ahh-choo! Allergies, sleet, frost, heat, flurries, storms...we’ve got it all in the Riverbend! In case you missed the news, here are a few items of note from the last month.

Kudos to all those who helped with the recent litter cleanup in Alton. The local beautification group Pride Incorporated teamed up with Alton Main Street and a number of other groups to pick up the trash the fine people of the Riverbend toss out of their car and truck windows or dump in a ditch or ravine near you. I’ve never understood it and never will. Just throw it away at home. NOT littering is easy. Just don’t throw trash out of your car. I’d be in favor of gigantic fines and then litter clean up duty for those who are caught. Thanks for listening. Moving on, it’s almost farmers’ market season for most of the Riverbend but East Alton kicked off a new market on April 19 and it will be held every Tuesday from 3-7pm at EastGate Plaza. It’s yet another reason to check out the updates and new businesses in the shopping center along Route 3. Look for more markets this season in Bethalto and Wood River and the area’s largest in downtown Alton (Landmarks at Henry Street) opening May 7!

Speaking of downtown Alton, a portion of downtown is now officially part of the National Register of Historic Places. The 3-year project was spearheaded by

TOWN OF THE

By Mark Ellebracht

AltonWorks and several other local groups and volunteers to achieve the status. Alton Main Street, Alton Area Landmarks, the Historical Commission, and Hayner Library worked with the AltonWorks team and dozens of community volunteers from January of 2019 through early this year, gathering documents, taking photos, verifying property addresses, and researching to ensure everything that was submitted was clear and accurate. Prior to the inclusion of the downtown area, Alton had three historic districts that were mostly residential areas of the community including Middletown, Christian Hill, and Upper Alton.

The expanded area of the Middletown District includes 134 new properties covering 11 blocks in the downtown area stretching from State Street to Ridge Street along Third Street, Broadway, and Front Street/Landmarks Boulevard.

Can you help the Alton Boys and Girls Club? The Boys & Girls Club of Alton has been serving the youth of the city for decades, and much of that is because of the generosity of the community. Due to COVID-19 they have not been able to do much fundraising, so the need for donations is great. Executive Director Al Womack told Big Z Media donations were slow in the first quarter of the year, but the help has started to come in again. Donations of meals and snacks would also be

appreciated for this spring and also for the summer.

You can reach out by calling 618-462-6249.

When was the last time you visited a “tourist” site in the Riverbend? Or in St. Louis, St. Charles, or somewhere within a twohour drive? We sometimes get caught up planning a trip to the beach or the mountains and can forget about the places we drive past to get there. I’m a sucker for corny tourist stuff, but have never been to Casey, Illinois, home of the world’s largest golf tee, rocking chair, and mailbox. I have been to Amish country in east central Illinois near Arthur and once attended a Cheese Festival. I’ve never been to the statue of Superman in Metropolis but have milked a cow at the state fair. I’ve walked across the old Chain of Rocks Bridge but would still like to visit the Garden of the Gods in southern Illinois. I finally went to the Victorian Christmas Walk in Bethalto last year but haven’t been to the March 17 St. Patrick’s Day parade in St. Louis. Next time you have time, go see the Piasa Bird, take your picture next to the Wadlow Statue or visit Lincoln Douglas Square. Start making lists and checking things off.

Gas prices will likely remain high all summer, so maybe stick close to home this year and see and do some things you’ve never done before. Make some memories! Thanks for reading! 3

Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois hosting a variety of day and resident camps

Summer camp is a Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois tradition, and it’s calling YOU! Girl Scout Camp gives girls the opportunity to try new adventures, build skills, make new friends, and enjoy the great outdoors. Not a Girl Scout? No problem!

Girls can join Girl Scouts now through an extended membership so they can enjoy camping this summer and transition right into the troop experience in the fall. It’s the perfect time to join!

“We can’t wait for summer to get here so we can experience the great outdoors at Girl

Scout Camp,” said Mary Buchanan, Senior Director of Program Engagement. “Girl Scouts is all about empowering girls to try new things and explore what interests them. At Girl Scout Camp, girls have the opportunity to do this while building memories that will last a lifetime,” Buchanan added.

Resident Camp sessions are available in DuBois, Edwardsville, Ozark, and Makanda. Spots are filling quickly, so be sure to lock in your reservation now!

Day Camps are being held in June and July in various

places throughout the council. Visit gsofsi.org/ summercamp to sign up for your favorites! Financial assistance is available for those who qualify.

Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois serves nearly 5,000 girls and engages over 2,000 adult volunteers in 40 counties in Southern Illinois. Call 800-345-6858 or email customercare@gsofsi.org.

Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois is a not-for-profit organization supported by United Ways, businesses, and individual donors throughout the region. 3

Girl Scouts recognizes all-star cookie entrepreneurs

Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois has wrapped up the annual Girl Scout Cookie Program for 2022. Girl Scouts were out in full force, hosting cookie booths and making door-to-door sales all throughout Southern Illinois. Their hard work paid off, as girls in Southern Illinois sold 718,485 packages of Girl Scout Cookies this year. Let’s give a shout out to the following girls for being AllStar Cookie Entrepreneurs for their respective areas:

Kaitlyn Gillson from the

Alton/Godfrey/Wood River/ Roxana Service Unit sold

1,856 packages

Alexis Brown from the Alton/Godfrey/Wood River/ Roxana Service Unit sold

1,033 packages

Katelynn Norman from the Bethalto Service Unit sold

1,360 packages

“We are so impressed with the efforts of our girls during the Girl Scout Cookie Program. I’d like to extend a huge thanks to them, as well as their families and our

wonderful volunteers, for all the hard work they put into this successful program,” said Katie Grayling, Senior Manager of Product Programs. “The Girl Scout Cookie Program helps girls build valuable skills – goal setting, decision making, money management, people skills, and business ethics – that will benefit them throughout their lives. The girls have the drive within them; the cookie program just helps them unleash their potential,” Grayling added. 3

Unscramble 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!

by Mike Ostresh

What did the pirate say on his 80th birthday?

Aye matey!

Out of all the inventions over the last 100 years, the dry erase board is probably the most remarkable.

My friend said “When I think of the 1980s, the first thing that comes to mind is a boombox.”

I replied, “Well, that’s just a stereo type.”

What do you call a hippie’s wife?

Mississippi.

What do you call poultry staring at a lettuce? Chicken sees a salad.

What do you do if your boyfriend hates fruit jokes? You let the man-go.

What’s the difference between swine flu and bird flu?

For one you need oinkment. For the other you need a tweetment.

Dad Jokes.

Go Figure

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.

CryptoQuip

DIFFICULTY

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.

Economic development specialist joins tourism bureau team

Jerseyville native and former head of the Jersey County Business Association, Beth Bear, will join the Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau as an Economic Development Specialist May 1.

Bear will focus on tourism product development. The Economic Development Specialist position is new to the Bureau and reflects the transformational thinking needed to create the next great tourism destination, Cory Jobe, President/CEO of the Bureau noted.

“We are always looking ahead to ways we can grow the region,” Jobe said. “Beth has a strong background in economic development and we are thrilled she is bringing those skills to our bureau.”

As head of the JCBA, Bear advocated for businesses, created & delivered programs to drive consumer traffic, and assisted businesses and local governments in writing for grants and loans. In addition to her experience at the JCBA, Bear brings a wealth of experience working with communities at every level. She has over 20 years of experience helping both individuals and organizations advocate their

positions within the wider community.

“I have always had great respect for the Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau,” Bear noted. “I am excited to bring my perspective to the Great Rivers & Routes region, which is a world class destination. Every traveler has their stories of the extraordinary - memories of places and experiences which will be with them forever. I feel so incredibly

fortunate to have had some of those incredibly special moments in this very place that I call home.”

Bear has worked as a Youth Affairs Coordinator with the Office of the Illinois Lt. Governor; a Legislative Analyst with the Illinois House of Representatives; and as a policy manager with several organizations in London, United Kingdom prior to leading the JCBA. 3

Beth Bear

From childhood entrepreneur to successful businessman

By Mike Adams Big Z Media

It was 1993. The Mississippi River had reached a record flood stage, the Alton water pumping station flooded and shut down, and drinking water distribution lines were forming around the area. It was a long hot summer.

If you drove past Campbell’s Pharmacy during that period you may have seen a young boy selling snow cones there at the corner of East Broadway and Market. That young man was Brian Campbell and that summer launched an entrepreneurial spirit that has served him well throughout his life.

Campbell is a lifelong resident of the Riverbend.

Born and raised in Godfrey and currently lives in Alton with his family. He graduated from Marquette High School in Alton, attended two years at SIU Carbondale, and continued his education at SIE Edwardsville, earning a

degree in economics.

Brian’s business career started by working as a teller at Liberty Bank. Over the next four years, he worked his way up the ladder to the loan department where he learned much about finance. During this time he also began flipping houses for additional income. The money he accumulated during his time flipping houses he saved enough money to give him the equity to buy into Nautilus Fitness Center in Alton, partnering with then owner, Vern Vanhoy Vanhoy became one of his mentors in business and eventually partnered with Campbell and local banker Tom Long to open a small chain of Little Caesars Pizza locations. That business ultimately grew to 6 locations.

Vanhoy also was the owner of Colman’s Country Campers and offered Campbell a position to work alongside him in the local

RV business. Brian found his niche in business at Colman’s.

The business continued to grow and eventually, he partnered with friend Matt Diamond to purchase the company in early 2019. The first few months of ownership were a great experience and then the unexpected happened.

In March 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic threw small businesses all over the nation to into a crippling season. This would truly be a test of Brian and Matt’s ability as business owners to weather the storm in a very difficult financial season. For the next few months, business plummeted.

But surprisingly, the tide turned. As more people began to work remotely and children went to online learning, many families realized that this gave them the opportunity to

spend quality time together camping. Sales began to rise, and despite the challenges of inventory and supply challenges in the industry, Colman’s ended the year strong with a 70 percent increase over the previous year.

In 2020, the business

partners made a decision to begin looking at nearby properties to expand the business by increasing camper storage space. While looking at a property along Route 3 in Hartford, Diamond, whose family ran campgrounds in the past, suggested they look into purchasing the property to establish a campground. While it may seem like an unlikely location to many, their business plan would be to target transient workers from Phillips 66 Refinery who come to the area for extended periods of time from all around the country. After a meeting with Melissa Erker, director of government and community relations for the Wood River refinery, the wheels were in motion and 5 Diamond Campground was established. The campground features 49 campsites, with hook-ups,

wi-fi, and year-round access. Campbell has found a great deal of joy and satisfaction as an entrepreneur, and his advice to those seeking to get into a business is to surround themselves with good mentors. Find an experienced business person who is willing to share their expertise, develop solid relationships with a local banker, and a good accountant who will be able to advise you on things to take advantage of and pitfalls to avoid. But most importantly, find something you truly enjoy!

As the saying goes, “If you love what you do you will never work a day in your life.” While that may be true for Campbell, work, dedication and a strong commitment to the community have been keys to enjoying many years of success and anticipation of many more to come. 3 colmanscampers.com

5diamondcamping.com

Watch Brian Campbell on Big Z Media’s “BUSINESS OVER A BREW” advnews.link/ campbell

L&C hosts 15th Trebuchet competition

The annual Trebuchet competition returned to the George C. Terry River Bend Arena at Lewis and Clark Community College on April 8 for its 15th year.

“We were very excited to hold the annual Trebuchet contest once again, after a two-year COVID-19 hiatus,” Mathematics Professor Kevin Bodden said. “It was great to see kids enjoying a STEM experience and learning more about what L&C has to offer through our programs.”

Out of a field of 10 teams, Team AVC from Bunker Hill High School won the contest, with Team Rassputin from Edwardsville High School placing first in the reporting competition.

Bunker Hill teacher and Trebuchet team advisor Jeremiah Goltz, who brought two teams to the competition, said he and his students look forward to the contest every year.

“When our students were able to get a consistent shot forward, they began to get really excited,” he said. “We went into the contest just hoping to compete and make it a fun day, but one win after another, they started to sense that they could win the contest.”

Rounding out the placement field was Team Y=MX+Babes, from Edwardsville High School, finishing in second place in both the trebuchet and reporting competitions.

Team Ball of Duty from East Alton-Wood River High School finished third in trebuchet.

The iPad giveaway was a highlight of the event.

Amiya Harbin and Rayla Smith, students from East Alton-Wood River High School, each won a new iPad.

Students got to witness the work of L&C’s Robotics Engineering Club with Garrett IV, their remotecontrolled robot. And staff

from WLCA 89.9-FM, L&C’s student-run radio station, kept the crowd entertained. For more information on the Trebuchet contest, contact

Bodden at 618-468-4849 or kbodden@lc.edu.

To learn more about L&C’s Robotics Engineering Club, contact Physics Professor

Christopher Reese at 618-468-4836 or ccreese@ lc.edu. 3

Team AVC, from Bunker Hill High School, placed first in the 15th trebuchet competition. From left are Isaac Steward, Grant Burch, Daniel Manar and Drake Scroggins.

Team Rass-putin, from Edwardsville High School, placed first in the reporting competition. From left are Madison Deck, Cole Simpson, Izzy O’Day, Cooper Rutledge and Frankie Bradley. Out on a Limb by Gary Kopervas

The Spats by Jeff Pickering

Laura Bastin is AMH Employee of the Month

Congratulations to Laura Bastin (center) of Speech Therapy, who is Alton Memorial Hospital’s April Employee of the Month. Laura received the award April 8 from Sue Walker, manager of the AMH Human Motion Institute; and Dave Braasch, AMH President. The nomination for Laura says “She always goes above and beyond for her patients. Laura is also a great resource from a PT perspective. I have asked her multiple times to speak to patients that I was evaluating for PT who expressed concerns with speech or swallowing related issues. She always has a smile on her face and has an infectious laugh, making everyone smile around her. Even when she is extremely busy, she keeps a positive attitude and ensures that her patients receive the best treatments. It is an honor to work alongside Laura.”

Perfect cozy burger experience

By Bill Roseberry Big Z Media

I visited a staple restaurant in this community in western Madison County for my latest food adventure.

This place began existence in the 1950s, earned its current epithet in the 70s and enjoyed a renovation in the 80s. Through all that, it’s had the love and support of its community and I know I’ve never had a bad experience here.

Highlighted with the oldschool touch of carhop services, you’ll notice the awning across the front of the building to drive under when you first arrive. The name of the restaurant is prominently displayed on a sign next to the street.

If you’d rather eat inside, park in the lot that wraps around the establishment and enter through either a door in front, or on the right of the building. Once you enter there is a diner counter all across the front of the interior. There are a few stools to sit there if desired. A fountain soda machine is behind the busy counter where your server will take care of you. The door leading to the kitchen is also behind the counter.

To the left is a larger dining area with black tables

situated throughout featuring black chairs. It also features a wood laminate floor and there are windows all around to keep it bright and bustling inside. Gander at the walls to see some nostalgic pictures hanging up. There is also a cool burger challenge here and a ton of photos of the participants adorn the far wall, featuring their fat, happy and triumphant faces. Burgers are the crowning cuisine here and of course that was the star of my meal. I stopped by for a solo lunch, ordered at the counter and took a seat at one of the small tables. My full order included a bacon cheeseburger, fried cauliflower with cheese and a large root beer. When it is picked up at the counter through your order number it is displayed in a red plastic tray, their simple and classic delivery method for years. We’ll start with the root beer, it is homemade here and never disappoints. It has such a sweet and fresh taste to it. It’s a perfect companion for the tasty burgers and sensational sides.

The cauliflower is a favorite of mine, housed in its golden brown cocoon. It has such a fantastic flavor and the cauliflower itself is tantalizingly tender. Saddled with a cup of cheddar cheese

on my recent visit, I usually go with ranch, but wanted to change it up and it was well worth it. The creaminess of the cheese added to the experience and popped with sweetness.

Finally focusing on the burger, it normally comes with lettuce, tomato and mayonnaise, but I held the lettuce and mayo on my visit. It doesn’t need much help, because the remarkable charbroil taste is plenty to drive it. Hopped up with the hearty, salty bacon and a slice of American cheese, the slice of tomato and a little ketchup to boot, it made for the perfect cozy burger experience. They are always perfectly cooked whenever I visit.

The rest of the menu includes a slew of burger options, highlighted by a chili burger and a pizza burger and other sandwich choices like a pork tenderloin, barbecue pork, a cod filet, or even hot dog

Overall:

Cleanliness:

Service:

Food:

Price:

Any idea of the name of this restaurant? Check the puzzle solutions to see if you are right.

options. Sides like barbecue nachos, fried mushrooms, onion rings, cheese sticks and mini tacos are great, too. You can’t ignore the famous potato planks either, with all kinds of add ons to gussy them up.

Other specialties like tamales, shrimp and chili are available and for dessert treat yourself to some delicious ice cream. 3

NMLS #411326

Sponsored by Liberty Bank

Just Like Cats & Dogs by Dave T. Phipps

Kids’ Maze

New statement fact sheet for people with limited earnings

By Betsy Buchheit Social Security District Manager| in Alton

If you have a personal my Social Security account, you can view your Social Security Statement online to learn about your future benefits and recent earnings history. Included with the Statement are fact sheets that provide useful information based on your age group and earnings situation. Last month, we released a new fact sheet specifically for people with limited earnings.

The new fact sheet covers how you and your family members may qualify for benefits, including:

Supplemental Security

Income.

Social Security retirement benefits.

Children’s benefits.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

Help with health care costs – including Medicare, Medicare Savings Programs, Extra Help with Medicare prescription drug costs, and Medicaid.

We’re committed to helping you learn about all your benefit options. Our Benefits Eligibility Screening Tool at ssabest.benefits.gov is a convenient way to find potential benefits that best fit your situation.

Celebrating a decade of my social security

Can you believe it’s been

10 years since we launched my Social Security? Since then, 67 million people have signed up and benefited firsthand from the many secure and convenient selfservice options. And we’ve added and upgraded features that make your life easier when doing business with us online. It’s part of how we help you secure today and tomorrow.

If you still don’t have a personal my Social Security account, you’re missing out. A secure account provides personalized tools for everyone, whether you receive benefits or not. If you don’t currently receive benefits, you can: Estimate your future benefits and compare different dates

or ages to begin receiving benefits.

Get instant status of your Social Security application.

Review your work history.

Request a replacement Social Security card (in most states).

If you receive benefits, you can use your personal my Social Security account to:

Get your instant benefit verification or proof of income letter for Social Security, Medicare, and Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

Check your information and benefit amount.

Start or change your direct deposit.

Change your address and

telephone number.

Request a replacement Medicare card.

Get an instant Social Security 1099 form (SSA1099) or SSA-1042S.

Report your wages if you work and receive disability benefits and SSI.

Visit ssa.gov/myaccount today and join the millions to take advantage of your own personal my Social Security account. Please also encourage your friends and family to sign up for their personal my Social Security account today.

Do you qualify for social security Spouse’s benefits?

Social Security benefits are

a crucial part of millions of Americans’ retirement income. If you don’t have enough Social Security credits to qualify for benefits on your own record, you may be able to receive benefits on your spouse’s record.

To qualify for spouse’s benefits, you must be one of the following:

62 years of age or older.

Any age and have in your care a child younger than age 16, or who has a disability and is entitled to receive benefits on your spouse’s record.

Your full spouse’s benefit could be up to one-half the amount your spouse is entitled to receive at their full retirement age. If you

choose to receive your spouse’s benefits before you reach full retirement age, you will get a permanently reduced benefit.

If you wait until you reach full retirement age to receive benefits, you’ll receive your full spouse’s benefit amount, which is up to one-half the amount your spouse can receive. You’ll also get your full spouse’s benefit if you are under full retirement age, but care for a child and one of the following applies:

The child is younger than age 16.

The child has a disability and is entitled to receive benefits on your spouse’s record.

If you’re eligible to receive retirement benefits on your own record, we will pay that amount first. If your benefits as a spouse are higher than your own retirement benefits, you will get a combination of

benefits that equal the higher spouse benefit.

For example, Sandy qualifies for a retirement benefit of $1,000 and a spouse’s benefit of $1,250. At her full retirement age, she will receive her own $1,000 retirement benefit. We will

add $250 from her spouse’s benefit, for a total of $1,250. Want to apply for either your or your spouse’s benefits?

Are you at least 61 years and nine months old? If you answered yes to both, visit ssa.gov/benefits/retirement to get started today. 3

AFFORDABLE SENIOR HOUSING

Put the “golden” in your golden years.

• One and two bedroom units

• Smoke-free • Wheelchair accessible

• Recreation & tness • Cable ready

• Assigned parking

SCHEDULE A TOUR TODAY!

Marian Heights APARTMENTS

20 Marian Heights Dr, Alton 618-474-9879

marian-heights.com

The United Methodist Village is now Asbury Village! Here, you’ll find a countryside neighborhood that bustles with activities and opportunities. 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!

The United Methodist Village is now Asbury Village! Here, you’ll find a countryside neighborhood that bustles with activities and opportunities. 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!

Gerard Fischer, Agent

New name, new amenities, same great community!

New name, new amenities, same great community!

The United Methodist Village is now Asbury Village! Here, you’ll find a countryside neighborhood that bustles with activities and opportunities. 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!

5201 Asbury Avenue Godfrey, IL 62035

New name, new amenities, same great community!

5201 Asbury Avenue Godfrey, IL 62035

5201 Asbury Avenue Godfrey, IL 62035

Gerard Fischer And Associates, LLC

3014A Godfrey Rd,

Ideas for investing in the world around you

Family Features

In a world fraught with social, political and environmental strife, a mindset that involves a more community-driven approach can make a meaningful difference. Each person’s contributions to improve the earth can send a ripple effect that ultimately transforms communities and the people who live within them.

Consider these examples of actions you can take, some bigger than others, that benefit the larger community.

Create shared common spaces

Nearly every community can benefit from the addition of resources that benefit multiple families. Examples include community gardens, playgrounds, parks and sites for regular farmers’ markets, to name a few. Acquiring the space is often the greatest challenge, but if you’re inspired to lead such an effort, forming a committee of like-minded peers can be an effective step toward raising the funds to create a project that benefits the community at large.

Donate to charitable causes

Supporting the efforts of existing organizations that help fill gaps in your community is another way you can make a difference. Offering your time as a volunteer is one option. You might provide extra hands for relatively simple jobs

like sorting food or clothing donations, or if you have a particular skill, talent or training, donating your time and expertise could help offset administrative expenses and help the organization operate more efficiently.

Financial contributions are also a meaningful way to support a worthwhile cause in your community. Writing a check may not feel as personal as getting handson to help, but without the support of financial donors, philanthropic organizations simply couldn’t provide the community resources they do.

Snack smarter

When you’re thinking in terms of how to improve your community, your eating choices may not be on your radar. However, what you eat has a major impact on the community in multiple ways. That’s why you hear a great deal of talk about sustainability directed at food production, which affects the environment in numerous ways along the food supply chain, from air pollution to waste to energy consumption. By choosing ingredients and foods that minimize the impact on the environment, you can show food manufacturers that consumers want products sourced and produced responsibly.

One example is Airly Oat Cloud crackers; each box explains how many grams of carbon dioxide you are

helping remove from the air by supporting an innovative farming technique, which makes agriculture a solution, not a contributor, to climate change. Sustainable can be tasty, too. Made with real, wholesome and 100% delicious ingredients, all four flavor varieties (Cheddar, Sea Salt, Chocolate and Salted Caramel) make for satisfying, convenient anytime snacks.

Support local businesses

Particularly over the past couple of years, local businesses have fought hard to stay open, modifying their services, adapting to the times and generally trying to keep themselves and their local employees afloat. Rewarding those efforts by shopping in their stores and hiring their services keeps your money within the local community

while keeping your friends and neighbors employed. Those benefits aside, there are practical advantages to doing your shopping locally, such as lower emissions and energy consumption for transportation to and from the store or business.

Clean up public spaces

Beautification projects not only make your community a more inviting place to be,

they can actually be good for the earth. Removing litter allows natural vegetation and wildlife to thrive, reduces health risks and promotes safety by sending a clear message that the community cares about its space.

Learn more about ways to take personal action to promote a better world at AirlyFoods.com. 3

How to be a savvier shopper

Family Features

Whether you’re shopping online or in-store, you can ensure you’re getting the most for your money with a little extra planning.

These savvy shopping tips can help you score the most savings and added benefits while you’re at it.

Time your purchase

Before any big purchase, spend time researching the product and retailers to find potential upcoming sales or promotions. Also be conscious of the calendar and holidays or gift-giving events that might prompt special offers on an item you’re looking to buy.

Another smart strategy: shopping end-of-season sales when items are marked down to make way for new inventory.

Use digital shopping tools

You may be leery of signing up for promotional emails but remember - it’s only junk mail if it isn’t useful. Putting your name on mailing lists of your favorite retailers and brands is a good way to get early or exclusive access to special offers and coupons.

Downloadable browser extensions and plug-ins are other cost-saving tools that are increasingly popular.

When you’re shopping with one or more of these

tools installed, your browser automatically checks for coupons or price comparisons that allow you to get the best available deal.

Shop refurbished

Whether it be for savings or sustainability (or both) refurbished products are a top choice among savvy shoppers. An option like eBay Refurbished delivers quality, like-new products at deep discounts from premium brands that are thoroughly vetted to meet high performance standards. You can shop across multiple condition grades and a wide range of price points within categories like tablets, smartwatches, laptops, desktops and smartphones - giving you more choice and the reassurance of buying a product that fits your specific needs and budget. Score big savings on trusted refurbished products at eBay.com/eBayRefurbished.

Save on shipping

When you’re researching an online purchase and comparing prices, be sure to factor shipping into your total cost. Many retailers offer free shipping once you spend a certain amount,

SHOPPING REFURBISHED IS EASY ON THE POCKETBOOK AND THE PLANET

Proudly serving the Riverbend area for 35 years

• Comprehensive hearing evaluations

extend free shipping to preferred shoppers or offer periodic shipping promotions, so it’s worth exploring the options. Also beware that buying items on sale can drop you below free shipping minimums, so ultimately you pay more than you would have by paying full price. In some cases, you can also save money by having an item shipped to the local brick-and-mortar store and picking it up there. Take advantage of benefits

Understanding the terms of your purchase can help protect you if there’s a problem and may even allow you to take advantage of special rewards. Before finalizing a transaction, check into the warranty options. Even refurbished products can come with warranties for a specified time. For example, all eBay Refurbished products are backed by one- or twoyear warranties. For new items, some retailers offer the option to extend your warranty beyond what the

With inflation and scarcity issues remaining top of mind for consumers, shopping refurbished provides another option to buy in-demand products. In addition to value and availability, sustainability is another motivator for purchasing like-new. Shopping for refurbished goods, including those from eBay Refurbished, extends the life of the product and reduces harmful waste. For example, the United States Environmental Protections Agency estimates:

• Purchasing a refurbished desktop computer displaces the energy used to charge more than 30,000 smartphones.

• Purchasing a refurbished TV displaces around 360 miles driven in a car.

• Purchasing a refurbished gaming console displaces around 180 miles driven in a car.

manufacturer provides. In addition, some retailers offer money back incentives on certain purchases or allow you to accumulate rewards for discounts on future purchases. 3

• Guaranteed proper tting of latest hearing aid technology

• Completely risk-free trial period

• No gimmicks, no pressure, no hidden fees

• Work with all major insurance companies

SALOME’S STARS

ARIES (March 21 to April 19) Temper your typical Aries urge to charge into a situation and demand answers. Instead, let the Lamb’s gentler self emerge to deal with a problem that requires delicacy.

TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) You are aware of what’s going on, so continue to stand by your earlier decision, no matter how persuasive the counterarguments might be. Money pressures soon will ease.

GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) By all means, have fun and enjoy your newly expanded social life. But don’t forget that some people are depending on you to keep promises that are very important to

LIBRA (September 23 to October 22) Your gift for creating order out of chaos will help you deal with a sudden rush of responsibilities that would threaten someone less able to balance his or her priorities.

SCORPIO (October 23 to November 21)

Congratulations. Your energy levels are coming right back up to normal -- just in time to help you tackle some worthwhile challenges and make some important choices.

SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21) The sage Sagittarian should demand a full explanation of inconsistencies that might be cropping up in what had seemed to be a straightforward deal.

(December 22 to January 19)

A conflict between obligations to family and to the job can create stressful problems. Best advice: Balance your dual priorities so that one doesn’t outweigh the

(January 20 to February 18)

Don’t guess, speculate or gossip about that “mystery” situation at the workplace. Bide your time. An explanation will be forthcoming very soon.

(February 19 to March 20) Boredom might be creeping in and causing you to lose interest in a repeat project. Deal with it by flipping over your usual routine and finding a new way to do an old task.

Shop

MIDAMERICAAUDIOLOGYGROUP.COM

At Phillips 66, protecting and supporting our people, our environment and our communities guides everything we do, and it always will.

Wood River Refinery ROXANA, IL

By Gary Bost Bethalto Mayor

There’s a lot of excitement on the streets of Bethalto — if you consider road improvements exciting, that is. The reconstruction of Prairie Street from Corbin to Alma is moving forward nicely, and we’re hoping to have that project completed in a timely manner this Fall. This construction has caused traffic delays and detours, so please be mindful of the crews at work and watch for detour signs as you travel through town. Work is also moving forward on the reconstruction of the Albers Lane/Friedel Bridge. This entire bridge will be replaced in the coming months, making for a safer route to north of town—the bridge is now closed until the completion of that project. Road improvements take planning, time, and money, and we appreciate our businesses and residents’ patience as we make progress throughout town— as we like to say, “The road to success is always under construction.” We’d like to give a big thank you to our Public Works Director, Public Works crews, and contractors for all you do.

Did you miss Spring Clean Up week, or realize that you missed a thing or two? If you need to schedule a largeitem pickup throughout the year, you can call Republic Services at 618-656-6883 to schedule a pick up at no charge. Yard waste service started on April 1 as well — residents can call Republic to sign up for this service at the number shown above. Just a

reminder, electronics and “anything with a cord” are not accepted, but there are electronics recycling events held throughout the year at various Madison County locations. For more information on electronics or hazardous waste recycling, call 618-296-6647.

Bethalto Spirit is getting ready for a year of fun events. Follow their Facebook page for information on free Music in the Park on Thursdays starting in May, their weekly farmers market starting Sunday mornings in June, and special Arbor Day events in our Village Arboretum. April 28 from 10 am - 1 pm there will be special Arbor Day events in the Arboretum. Did you know that our Arboretum is now considered a Level 2 Arboretum? We’re one of only 72 internationally!

We are very proud of our Spirit Group and volunteers who spend countless hours beautifying the park and helping to make it one of the premier walking paths in the area. We appreciate all that this group does to help make Bethalto a great place to live!

Spring has sprung, so summer is just around the corner! Our Splash Landing splash park opens for the summer on May 28 and will be open daily from 10 am - 5 pm through August 7. The park will be open weekends only from August 7-28, with the last day of the season being August 28. There is no fee for admission. The park can also be reserved for parties through our online reservation system. For

more information, visit our website Bethalto.com.

With summer comes the end of the school year, and we’d like to take this opportunity to congratulate our CMHS Class of 2022. We’re proud of all of you, and always remember — no matter where your travels take you, Bethalto is always home!

As a reminder, all Village Board meetings are open to the public; regular meetings are the second Monday of the month beginning at 7 pm and are held in our Council Chambers inside Village Hall. We encourage residents to attend and to stay informed of all the happenings in town.

Village of Bethalto page sponsored by Allstate - John Standefer and Tom Lane Ins and Fin

RiverBend GROWTH ASSOCIA TION

john KELLER Ser v ing Business, Encouraging Growth in Southwestern Illinois

More information about the RiverBend Growth Association and all these events can be found at growthassociation.com

FROM THE PRESIDENT ’S DESK

SMALL BUSINESS OF THE MONTH The Woodlands Golf Club

The Woodlands Golf Club has been chosen as the April 2022 RiverBend Growth Association Small Business of the Month award recipient.

The golf club is owned by Joseph Boston. It has been in operation for 26 years, opening in 1994. The Woodlands features an 18-hole golf course, pro shop, and bar with lessons available and league opportunities.

With 25 employees, The Woodlands is now under new management with a re-energized focus on satisfaction. “We couldn’t be more excited to make positive changes at the course,” noted Dan Morelli, director of operations. “We are engrained in the local community and look forward to improving the MetroEast experience. We invite everyone out to see the changes we have made.”

Morelli said these changes became possible because of the senior management’s willingness to listen. Management has also made satisfaction a top priority throughout all operations.

This includes tournaments, outings, banquets, and special events.

“The golf industry as a whole can be a challenge at

times. With a focus on the customer experience and our willingness to try new things, we are in a position to succeed for many more years to come,” Morelli

added.

The upgraded clubhouse and its banquet facility are ready to host any type of event. It is an ideal venue

Reservations are requested for all of our events so that we have adequate accommodations for our members. Call us at 618-467-2280.

The Woodlands Golf Club

618-462-1456

2839 Harris Lane, Alton thewoodlandsgolfclub.com

@WoodlandsGolf

known as The Views at The Woodlands, features a newly constructed outdoor wedding venue along with an outdoor patio overlooking the 18th green. Significant upgrades include the clubhouse as well.

Amenities at The Woodlands 19th Hole bar offer still more unique options for event hosting. Located in the lower level of the clubhouse, it overlooks the golf course’s 18th green. The Woodlands 19th Hole seats 80 people comfortably, with more seating available on the outside patio deck.

for wedding ceremonies and receptions, baby showers, family reunions, corporate events, and more. The banquet facility,

The Woodlands Golf Club is the place for many charitable events throughout each year as well. Charities supported by The Woodlands include the Oasis Women’s Center, Police Benevolent and Protective Association, Blake C. Snyder Memorial, Captain Jake Ringering Memorial, American Legion Post 199 and Gifts to the Yanks Who Gave program, Alton High School’s National Honor Society, St. Paul Lutheran Church, as well as St. Mary’s and St. Ambrose Catholic Churches.

The RBGA’s Small Business of the Month Committee recognizes a different member business each month for its outstanding efforts and leadership in the community. Committee members include Brenda Eardley, Adrianna Lock, Kristen Ryrie, Leslie Schobernd, Martha Schultz, Amy Smith, and Kathy Weaver. To learn more about membership in the RiverBend Growth Association and the Small Business of the Month recognition, visit the RBGA website or call their Godfrey office. Do you know a small business worthy of this honor? Nominate them here: growthassociation.com/recognition-awards

MARK YOUR CALENDARS

May 11 Member Mingle at Alton River Dragons

May 25 NEW EVENT – Chamber Choice Awards

June 17 Riverbend Golf Classic

Welcome to our newest members:

Great Rivers Choral Society Inc. grcssing.org | 618-292-4742

Megyme Productions meganfairless.com | 618-795-1887

Reiniger Jewelers 1633 Washington Avenue, Alton 618-465-1410 | reinigerjewelers.com

Sparks Junk Removal and Hauling 618-781-1407 | sparksjunkremoval.net

Tony’s Ranch House Restaurant & Lounge 3330 Godfrey Road, Godfrey 618-466-9734

Wishing Well

TRIVIA TEST

By Fifi Rodriguez

1. U.S. PRESIDENTS: How many presidents have been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize?

2. MOVIES: Which Disney character’s catchphrase is “To infinity and beyond!”?

3. GEOGRAPHY: How many permanently inhabited territories does the United States have?

4. MYTHOLOGY: What is the name of the Greek goddess of chance?

5. U.S. STATES: How many states call themselves commonwealths?

6. HISTORY: How many people worldwide were killed by the Black Death pandemic in the 1400s?

7. SCIENCE: What layer of air is closest to Earth in the atmosphere?

8. TELEVISION: Which animated TV comedy includes the fictional school Springfield Elementary?

by Donna Pettman

If the number is less than 6, add 3. The result is your key number. Start at the upper left corner and check one of your key numbers, left to right. Then read the message the letters under the checked figures give you.

THINGS

9. ADVERTISING: A sales clerk named Lily promotes which company in advertisements?

10. LITERATURE: George Smiley is a character in which 1974 novel? (answers in puzzle solutions)

(photo not available)

ADVANTAGE ATHLETES

The East Alton Wood River Oilers prepare for the Roxana Relays Alton High’s Emily Baker competing against Marquette’s Lily Covert

Jerseyville sophomore Alex Hubbell competing at the Roxana Relays Civic Memorial senior pitcher Peyton Keller

Calista Stahlhut fires a pitch for the Roxana Shells Marquette students cheer on the girls soccer team at Public School Stadium

AdVantage Athletes sponsored by Simmons Hanly Conroy

Family. Friends. Community.

The History Channel

• On May 7, 1824, Ludwig van Beethoven’s ninth and final symphony debuts at Vienna’s Theater am Karntnertor. Having lost his hearing years earlier, the celebrated composer nonetheless appeared to conduct the first performance of his Ninth Symphony, while the real conductor stood in the wings. Beethoven was several bars off the actual music by the time the piece concluded.

• On May 5, 1904, Cy Young pitches the first perfect game in modern Major League Baseball history as the Boston Americans defeat

MOMENTS IN TIME

its theatrical release.

the Philadelphia Athletics, 3-0. Young’s perfect game was part of his then-record 45-inning scoreless streak.

• On May 4, 1916, Germany responds to a demand by U.S. President Woodrow Wilson by agreeing to limit its submarine warfare. However, on Feb. 1, 1917, Germany announced the resumption of unrestricted submarine warfare, and the United States formally entered World War I.

• On May 8, 1933, the first police radio system, connecting headquarters to patrol cars and patrol cars to one another, is installed in Eastchester Township, New York. The system consisted

of one transmitter of 20 watts for the headquarters and two transmitters of 4.5 volts each for the two patrol cars.

• On May 3, 1952, a skimodified U.S. Air Force C-47 becomes the first aircraft to land on the North Pole. Aboard the flight was Dr. Albert P. Crary, an American scientist who in 1961 traveled to the South Pole by motorized vehicle, becoming the first person in history to have stood on both poles.

• On May 2, 1972, Steven Spielberg begins filming “Jaws.” The production, which used three mechanical sharks, enthralled audiences and grossed $458 million in

• On May 13, 1607, some 100 English colonists arrive along the east bank of the James River in Virginia to found Jamestown, the first permanent English settlement in North America. Dispatched from England by the London Company, they had sailed across the Atlantic aboard the Susan Constant, Godspeed and Discovery.

• On May 14, 1796, Edward Jenner, an English country doctor, administers the world’s first vaccination as a preventive treatment for smallpox. Scientists following Jenner’s model developed new vaccines to

fight diseases such as polio, whooping cough, measles and tetanus.

• On May 12, 1932, the body of aviation hero Charles Lindbergh’s baby is found, more than two months after he was kidnapped from his family’s Hopewell, New Jersey, mansion. Kidnapping was made a federal crime in the aftermath of this highprofile crime.

• On May 15, 1942, gasoline rationing begins in 17 eastern states to aid the American war effort during World War II. By the end of the year, President Franklin Roosevelt had made gas rationing mandatory in all 48 states.

• On May 9, 1960, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approves the world’s first commercially produced birth-control pill, Enovid-10, made by the G.D. Searle Company of Chicago. Clinical tests of the pill had begun in 1954.

• On May 10, 1980, Treasury Secretary G. William Miller announces the approval of nearly $1.5 billion in federal loan guarantees for the nearly bankrupt Chrysler Corporation, at the time the largest rescue package ever by the U.S. government to an American corporation. The loan terms required Chrysler to raise another $2 billion on its own. 3

CAR CARE

Illinois 62035 VILLAGE OF GODFREY 6810 GODFREY ROAD Godfrey, IL 62035

The Village of Godfrey is requesting to add the following to the B-5 Zoning District, 5320 Godfrey Road, 5324 Godfrey Road, and 5330 Godfrey Road. 5320 Godfrey Road - Parcel 1: Lot 3 in Northmoor Subdivision, a subdivision of part of the Northwest Quarter of the Southwest Quarter of Section 26, Township 6 North, Range 10 West of the Third Principal Meridian, as shown on the plat thereof recorded In Plat Book 14 Page 1, (except that part conveyed to the State of Illinois by Warranty Deed recorded November 22, 2000 in Book 4405 Page 393, described as follows: That part of Lot 3 in “Northmoor Subdivision” a part of the Northwest Quarter of the Southwest Quarter of Section 26, Township 6 North, Range 10 West of the Third Principal Meridian, reference being had to the plat thereof recorded in Plat Book 14 Page 1 in the Off ice of the Recorder, Madison County, Illinois, described as follows: Beginning at the Northeast corner of said Lot 3, said corner being on the Westerly right of way line of FAP Route 10 (U.S. Route 67); thence on an assumed bearing of South 07 degrees 03 minutes 33 seconds West, 50.84 feet along the East line of said Lot 3; thence Southerly 49.52 feet along the East line of said Lot 3 on a curve to the right, having a radius of 2,522.00 feet, the chord of said curve bears South 07 degrees 37 minutes 18 seconds West, 49.52 feet to the Southeast corner of said Lot 3; thence North 83 degrees 58 minutes 16 seconds West, 12.01 feet along the South line of said Lot 3; thence Northerly 49.74 feet along a curve to the left, having a radius of 2,510.00 feet, said curve being 12.00 feet normally distant Westerly of and concentric with the East line of. said Lot 3, a chord of said curve bears North 07 degrees 37 minutes 36 seconds East, 49.74 feet; thence North 07 degrees 03 minutes 33 seconds East, 50.63 feet along a line being 12.00 feet normally distant Westerly of and parallel with the East line of said Lot 3 to the North line of said Lot 3; thence South 83 degrees 56 minutes 48 seconds East, 12.00 feet along the North line to the Point of Beginning, parcel 8827110 herein described contains 1,204 square feet [0.0276 acre]), in Madison County, Illinois, 5324 Godfrey Road - Parcel 2: Lot 2 in Northmoor Subdivision, a subdivision being a part of the Northwest Quarter of the Southwest Quarter of Section 26, Township 6 North, Range 10 West of the Third Principal Meridian, Madison County, Illinois, as shown on Plat thereof, recorded in Plat Book 14 at Page 1, (except that part conveyed to Robert L. Higgins by Warranty Deed recorded August 19, 1960 in Book 2021 Page 533, described as follows: Beginning at the Northeast corner of Lot 2 in Northmoor Subdivision, being a part of the Northwest Quarter of the Southwest Quarter of Section 26, Township 6 North, Range 10 West of the Third Principal Meridian, Madison County, Illinois, as shown on the plat thereof recorded in the Recorder’s Off ice of Madison County, Illinois in Plat Book 14 at Page 1; thence Westerly upon the North line of Lot 2 of said Subdivision a distance of 330.1 feet to a point being the point of beginning of the tract herein conveyed; thence South 100 feet parallel with the West line of Lot 2 to a point in the South line of said Lot 2; thence West in and upon the South line of Lot 2 330 feet to the West line of said Lot 2; thence at right angles North 100 feet to a point; thence East along and upon the North line of Lot 2 and parallel with the North line of Northmoor Place 330 feet to the point of beginning; and also except that part conveyed to the State of Illinois by Warranty Deed recorded November 16, 2000 in Book 4404 Page 803, described as follows: That part of Lot 2 “Northmoor Subdivision” being a part of the Northwest Quarter of the Southwest Quarter of Section 26, Township 6 North, Range 10 West of the Third Principal Meridian, reference being had to the plat thereof recorded in Plat Book 14 Page 1 in the Off ice of the Recorder, Madison County, Illinois, described as follows: Beginning at the Northeast corner of said Lot 2, said corner being on the Westerly right of way line of FAP Route 10 (U.S. Route 67); thence on an assumed bearing of South 07 degrees 03 minutes 33 seconds West, 100.00 feet along the East line of said Lot 2 to the Southeast corner of said Lot 2; thence North 83 degrees 56 minutes 48 seconds West, 12.00 feet along the South line of said Lot 2; thence North 07 degrees 03 minutes 33 seconds East, 100.00 feet along a line 12.00 normally distance Westerly and parallel with the East line of said Lot 2 to the North line of said Lot 2; thence South 83 degrees 56 minutes 50 seconds East, 12.00 feet along the North line of said Lot 2, to the Point of Beginning, parcel 8827111 herein described contains 1,200 square feet [0.0275 acre]), in Madison County, Illinois.

Permanent Parcel No. 24-2-01-26-03-302-020 (Parcel 1) 24-2-01-26-03-302-021 (Parcel 2)

5330 Godfrey Road - Lot One (1) in NORTHMOOR SUBDIVISION of part of the Northwest Quarter (NW 1/4) of the Southwest Quarter (SW 1/4) of Section Twenty

Six (26), Township Six (6) North, Range Ten (10) West of the Third Principal Meridian as shown on the Plat thereof recorded in the Recorder’s Off ice of Madison County, Illinois, in Plat Book 14 Page 1.

EXCEPTING THEREFROM the North Five (5) feet of the East Three Hundred and Thirty (330) feet of Lot 1 and the West Three Hundred and Thirty (330) feet of Lot 1 in Northmoor Subdivision, conveyed by Edward A. Burns and Adele A. Burns, husband and wife, to Robert L. Higgins, by Warranty Deed dated May 2, 1960 and recorded in the Recorder’s Off ice of Madison County, Illinois in Book 2021 Page 535.

ALSO EXCEPTING THEREFROM that part as shown in Case No. 01-ED-2 Parcel 8827112 described as follows: That part of Lot 1 In “NORTHMOOR SUBDIVISION” being a part of the Northwest Quarter of the Southwest Quarter of Section 26, Township 6 North, Range 10 West of the Third Principal Meridian, reference being had to the plat thereof recorded in Plat Book 14 Page 1 in the Off ice of the Recorder, Madison County, Illinois, described as follows: Commencing at the Northeast corner of said Lot 1, also being the Northeast corner of a tract conveyed to Edward A. Burns and Adele A. Burns by deed recorded in Book 2021 Page 535 in said Record’s Off ice, said corner being on the existing Westerly right of way line of FAP Route 10 (U.S. Route 67); thence on an assumed bearing of South 07 degrees 03 minutes 33 seconds West, 5.00 feet along the East line of said Burns Tract to the point of beginning. From said point of beginning;’ thence continuing South 07 degrees 03 minutes 33 seconds West, 155.00 feet along the East line of Said Lot 1 to the Southeast corner of said Lot 1; thence North 83 degrees 56 minutes 50 seconds West, 12.00 feet along the South line of said Lot 1; thence North 07 degrees 03 minutes 33 seconds East, 1,45.00 feet along a line 12.00 feet normally distant Westerly of and parallel with the East line of said Lot 1; thence North 38 degrees 26 minutes 37 seconds West, 14.02 feet to the South line of said Burns tract; thence South 83 degrees 56 minutes 46 seconds East, 22.00 feet along the South line of said Burns tract to the point of beginning. Parcel 8827112 herein described contains 1,910 sq. ft. (0.0438 acre).P.P.N 24-2-01-26-03-302-022 THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION MAY APPROVE THE APPLICATION WITH OR WITHOUT MODIFICATIONS OR CONDITIONS OR IT MAY DISAPPROVE THE APPLICATION. THIS COULD SIGNIFICANTLY AMEND, MODIFY, REVISE OR ALTER THE APPLICATION AS ORIGINALLY FILED BY THE APPLICANT AND COULD SIGNIFICANTLY CHANGE THE IMPACT OR THE PROPOSAL AS CONTAINED IN THE APPLICATION OR SURROUNDING PROPERTY OWNERS. SHOULD YOU DESIRE TO BE HEARD REGARDING THE APPLICATION AS FILED OR AS TO ANY AMENDMENTS, MODIFICATIONS, REVISIONS, OR ALTERATIONS YOU SHOULD ATTEND THE PUBLIC HEARING. ALL DOCUMENTS MAY BE VIEWED AT GODFREY’S BUILDING AND ZONING DEPARTMENT, LOCATED AT 6810 GODFREY ROAD, BETWEEN THE HOURS OF 7:30 A.M. AND 4:30 P.M. MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY. CONTACT THE OFFICE AT (618) 466-1206.

Tires to Transmissions We

Trust

Tips to attract hummingbirds to your yard

Family Features

Throughout the warmer months, many backyards play host to a variety of birds, including hummingbirds. When you see flowers and trees begin to bud and bloom and other migrating birds, like warblers, that’s nature’s way of letting you know it’s time to ready your yard for hummingbirds.

It’s enchanting watching hummingbirds - named for the humming sound of their fast-flapping wings - as their tiny size and speed make them natural wonders. Hummingbirds can fly 25-30 miles per hour, flapping their wings an estimated 70 times per second. They fly in every direction, even backwards, which only hummers can do, and float majestically in midair.

The birds get their brilliant color from the iridescence in the arrangement of their feathers, not color pigment. Plus, they have the fastest metabolism of any animal on Earth, burning 1-2 times their body weight in food daily. Hummingbirds draw nectar from its source into their mouths, lapping it up almost 12 times per second.

To increase your chances of observing these petite powerhouses at home, consider these tips from the experts at Cole’s Wild Bird Products:

Be conscious of beneficial insects. Hummingbirds rely on insects, which provide essential protein, to complement the nectar they crave.

Leave spiderwebs alone: Hummingbirds use spiderwebs as construction material to hold their nests together and pluck insects caught in the webbing. Offer a water mister: Hummingbirds adore bathing; a mister gives them the fine spray they prefer. Once soaked, they’re off to find a preening perch. Provide tiny perches. Leave small, sturdy, bare branches for hummingbirds, to perch on for rest, preening and hunting. Perches provide vantage points to see danger and launching pads to swiftly pounce on insects. Once hummingbirds find a favorite perch, they’ll use it

repeatedly.

Hang hummingbird feeders first. Feeders are one of the most effective ways to consistently entice and encourage hummingbirds to come visit. However, not all feeders are created equal. For example, Cole’s Hummer High Rise Feeder is scientifically designed with elevated perches to make hummingbirds feel safe and comfortable, which encourages their consistent return.

Hummingbirds are territorial and not likely to share feeders, so hang multiple feeders far enough apart to attract more birds. To ensure a steady stream of birds, hang feeders in the shade to avoid fermentation of sugarbased liquids, check feeders bi-weekly to keep food fresh and clean feeders as needed.

Plant flowers. Trumpet

honeysuckle, bee balm and sage plants are particularly attractive to hummingbirds and provide rich nectar.

Hummingbirds consume 1 1/2 times their body weight daily, eating every 10-15 minutes and visiting 1,0002,000 flowers per day. Choose the right nectar. Not all nectar is alike, and hummingbirds can taste the difference. Almost all commercial nectars contain one sugar source - sucrose - because it’s cheaper to make. However, real flower nectar contains three sugar sources - sucrose, fructose and glucose - in varying amounts depending on the flower.

Researched and designed to attract the greatest variety of hummingbirds, Cole’s Nature’s Garden is a high energy, nutrient-rich nectar that combines all three types of organically sourced sugars North American hummingbirds love, with a spring water base. It closely mimics the sugar ratios they favor and provides a healthier, nutritious, allnatural alternative to table sugar.

Don’t forget, hummingbirds have memories like elephants; once they discover your hummerfriendly habitat, they’ll come back every year if there’s a reliable food source. Learn more at coleswildbird.com. 3

AUDIOLOGY

I have tinnitus. How can hearing aids help?

Tinnitus — that annoying ringing, buzzing, or humming in the ears, which no one else may hear — can go hand in hand with hearing loss. It’s more common than people realize, affecting over 50 million in the U.S. alone, but some hearing aids can help.

Signia hearing devices, for example, not only help people hear better but offer three strategies to tackle tinnitus:

LOCAL EXPERTS

Can a bankruptcy stop a foreclosure?

YES.

Dr. T.K. Parthasarathy President & former SIUE Professor of Audiology

• Static noise tinnitus therapy, which distracts from bothersome tinnitus sounds, using more soothing, customizable sounds

• Ocean wave tinnitus therapy signals, which simulate sounds of the sea and beach-side relaxation for lessstressful listening

• Notch therapy, a built-in mechanism that moves tinnitus sounds to the background without introducing other sounds

Both tinnitus and hearing loss can be successfully managed, helping you live an empowered life. Get started today by calling Better Hearing Clinic at 618-208-6002 for a free consultation!

Source: American Tinnitus Association. Understanding the Facts. ata.org/understanding-facts.

94 Northport Drive, Alton 618-208-6002

betterhearingclinic.com

What does a will do for me?

A will instructs how you want your assets (money, property, etc.) to be distributed after you die. If you die without a will, your probate assets will be divided according to state law.

Here are some tips for preparing a will:

Shari Murphy

You’ve already been struggling with bills for months. All of your income goes right back out the door as soon as you’re paid, with little or nothing left over. Then an emergency comes up and you are unable to make your house payment. The mortgage company says they will work with you, but then they return your check the following month. You feel like you get the run-around every time you call them, and then you get a letter saying that they are going to start foreclosure proceedings.

Can a bankruptcy stop the foreclosure?

A chapter 13 bankruptcy stops a foreclosure and allows you to get caught up on your payments through a federally court ordered repayment plan. Your mortgage company will be paid the regular monthly payment and a small portion of the arrearage amount each month.

A chapter 13 bankruptcy can also allow you to discharge many unsecured debts in the process, making it even easier to pay your mortgage and keep your house – your most valuable asset.

• Have an attorney draft your will. By drafting it on your own, you risk being non-compliant with state law which makes your will invalid.

• Name an executor, who will handle such tasks as collecting assets, paying all debts and taxes and distributing your estate, according to your wishes.

• List personal property such as artwork, collectibles, jewelry and other personal property that you want to go to specific individuals.

• Do not include funeral preferences in your will since it may not be read until several weeks after your death.

• Review your will every few years and have your attorney make changes as appropriate.

A little advance preparation will help ensure that your final wishes are handled the way YOU planned them to be.

Attorney at Law • FREE

FLASHBACK

By Mick Harper

1. How many No. 1 chart toppers have Stray Cats had?

2. Which group released

“How ‘Bout Us”?

3. What city was “Leroy Brown” from?

4. Who had his first hit with “Splish Splash”?

5. Name the song that contains this lyric: “Look at us baby, up all night, Tearing our love apart, Aren’t we the same two people, Who lived through years in the dark?”

(answers in puzzle solutions)

TO YOUR GOOD HEALTH

By Keith Roach, M.D.

There’s No Magic Bullet

to Put Belly Fat in Check

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a 70-year-old woman, mostly healthy (apart from well-controlled high blood pressure). Looking at me, people assume I am skinny, but I have a well-concealed HUGE belly along with my thin arms and legs. I look like an olive stuck with toothpicks. My diet is healthy for the most part: I eat snack foods, deep-fried fast foods or sweets only

rarely. I have read about how to eliminate belly fat, but there is so much contradictory info, each claiming to be the best. What are truly effective ways to help eliminate belly fat?

-- M.H.

ANSWER: First, I would want to be sure what you have really is belly fat. While there are men (and a few women) who have that body shape due to fat, I have seen far too many cases of liver disease (where the abdominal cavity is filled with fluid due to high pressure in the liver) and ovarian cancer (where the abdomen is filled with fluid due to tumor). I would want to be sure you had been evaluated for these (and

other) concerns, especially if this is a change in your normal body shape. If it is abdominal fat, there is no magic diet. What works for someone else (even your twin sister, if you had one) might not work for you. For this reason, one single type of diet does not fit all. It may take patience and trying several different options before finding what works for you.

General advice includes avoiding the foods you noted you eat sparingly. Eat lots of vegetables and whole grains with fiber; modest amounts of fruits; several servings of nuts and fish weekly; and no more than modest amounts of meats.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I have a lot of moisture in my eyes. I have to keep wiping them. My previous doctor gave me a prescription eyedrop that helped. After I moved, my new doctor didn’t give me the same thing. I got “dry eye” drops, which didn’t help at all. Do you have a solution? -- W.L.

ANSWER: It is not intuitive that watery eyes can be a symptom of dry eyes, but it is indeed often the case. Eye lubrication may come from several parts of the eye, including the conjunctiva (a tissue that lines the insides of the eyelids), which secretes a mucus that lasts a long time and keeps the eyes comfortably moist. When the mucus production

is inadequate in quantity or quality, the eyes get dry. When they become dry and irritated, one of the body’s responses is to increase tear production from the lacrimal gland, which is what you are wiping away. The fluid from the lacrimal gland is not as long-lasting nor comfortable. There are many different kinds of treatments for dry eyes. Artificial teardrops (these can be used every few hours) are a great place to start and perfectly adequate for most. Since those have failed, it’s time to try something new. I’d recommend going back to the eye doctor with the name of the prescription medicine you had from your previous doctor. 3

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5.

Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and Virginia)

6. Estimates range from 25 million to 200 million

7. Troposphere

8. “The Simpsons”

9. AT&T

10. “Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy”

Flashback

1. Just one: “Runaway Boys,” in 1980 ... in Finland. The song, from their debut album, also did well in Belgium and the U.K., but not the U.S.

2. The R&B group Champaign, in 1981, off their debut album. The song charted around the world and reached No. 1 in the U.S. on the Adult Contemporary chart.

3. “The baddest man in the whole downtown” was from the south side of Chicago. Songwriter Jim Croce wrote the song about a soldier he met in the Army who went AWOL but was arrested when he came back to pick up his paycheck.

4. Bobby Darin, in 1958.

5. “I Can’t Tell You Why,” by the Eagles in 1980. The rock ballad went to the Top 10 on multiple charts and was the first Eagles’ song to feature bass guitarist Timothy B. Schmit on lead vocals.

Focus on the debt first, then save and invest

DEAR DAVE: My husband and I have paid off all our credit card debt, and we are following your Baby Steps plan. We still owe about $40,000 on two cars, and our combined income is around $150,000. Since we have a good income, we were thinking about finishing our emergency fund and contributing to our IRAs while we finish off the car payments. Under the circumstances, is this okay? -- Paola

DEAR PAOLA: I understand the temptation you guys are facing. But there’s a power in behavior modification on a short-term basis that supersedes the power of mathematics. Stick to the plan, and pay off the cars first.

When you’re still on Baby Step 2, you need to stop all saving and investing, and attack your debts with a vengeance. You’ve got a lot of money wrapped up in cars, and even with all the great work you two have done I know it’s probably still a little hard to see light at the end of the tunnel. Debts that large can be intimidating. But I’m afraid you’ll lose focus and intensity when it comes to getting out of debt if you worry about your emergency fund and setting aside for retirement too soon. I’ve seen that happen to lots of people, and when it does it can end up taking several years to get rid of all that debt.

You guys have made great progress, and you’re making good money. If you stay gazelle-intense about getting out of debt, those car payments can be history in about a year and a half.

Don’t waste your time or money if you’re not serious

DEAR DAVE: I’ve been wanting to start my own small business for years. The only problem has been my current job. I make good money, but I also put in a lot of hours. About a month ago, I came up with an idea I think would be really successful. How do you feel about me handling the books of this new business, and generally overseeing things, but hiring a manager to handle the day-to-day operation? -- Temple

DEAR TEMPLE: I don’t like this idea very much. In fact, I hate it. If your idea is to crunch a few numbers, and stop by once in a while just to make an appearance, then I’d advise against the whole idea.

Listen, you and your wife are already way ahead of a lot of parents. Teaching him financial responsibility and the importance of education are great things. It sounds like your son is a bright, motivated young man, too.

The big problem with your plan is that you are only a small part of the equation, when it’s supposed to be your business.

In one survey by Forbes. com, several successful entrepreneurs were asked how many hours per week they worked. Not one said less than 50, and the majority put in closer to 70 or 80 hours a week. While the latter may not be feasible if you’re already working a full-time job, the idea is the same. You have to love what you’re doing, and you must be willing to put in the time and effort to make it work.

When it comes to being a successful entrepreneur, you are the ideas. You are the passion, the vision, the energy and the desire to get things done and grow the business. If you don’t have the drive to be all those things, you’re better off not doing it at all. You’d have a better chance of making something work if you bought an existing business with a manager already in place.

I wouldn’t go that far

DEAR DAVE: Our son is in high school, and he has a part-time job. He makes good grades, and we have always tried to teach him how to save and handle money according to your advice. He has even managed to set aside a few thousand dollars for college. My wife and I were talking the other night, and I brought up the idea of charging him a small amount for rent, maybe just $20 or $25 a month, to help him be even better prepared for the real world. What do you think about this?

-- Keith

DEAR KEITH: I appreciate the fact that you’re looking for teachable moments. But making a high school kid pay rent? No, that’s a little over the top.

I talk to adults all the time who are decades older, but still don’t grasp the concepts of maturity and responsibility like this kid does already. With the kind of start you’re giving him, I think he’s going to grow up to be a very successful adult. Keep up the good work, and let that young man know how proud you both are of him!

The idea’s the same DEAR DAVE: I own a small business. How much should I have in a business emergency fund when my annual sales are around $100,000? Currently, I have two months of expenses set aside. -- Theresa

DEAR THERESA: Generally, I like the idea of small businesses having about

six months of expenses on hand. That kind of cushion usually eliminates the need for borrowing money. It also provides peace of mind. And if you’ve been an entrepreneur very long, you know that’s an invaluable thing.

Having a personal emergency fund set aside is a little different than having one in place for your business.

When it comes to personal finance, I recommend having three to six months of expenses set aside. The basic idea is the same, though. A fully-funded emergency fund gives you an option—besides debt—when unexpected things happen! 3

Dave Ramsey is a seventime #1 national best-selling author, personal finance expert, and host of The Ramsey Show, which airs 1-3pm weekdays on WBGZ 107.1FM / 1570AM Since 1992, Dave has helped people regain control of their money, build wealth and enhance their lives.

@DaveRamsey

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