Riverbend July 2022

We’re here for the kids

AREA BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS PROVIDE UNIQUE OPPORTUNITIES FOR SCHOOL-AGE KIDS

Alton.

By Frank Prager Big Z Media

The mission of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America is to inspire and enable all young people to realize their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens. The organization provides after-school, teen, sports and summer programs for youth, providing a safe place for them to learn and grow.

Local Boys & Girls Clubs are located in both Bethalto and

The Bethalto Boys & Girls Club is now in its 54th year. Kathy Wilson has been executive director since 2002. She has a social education degree and has worked extensively in nonprofits throughout her career. She notes her parents helped start the Bethalto Boys & Girls Club in 1968.

The Alton Boys & Girls club is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year.

Executive Director Al Womack, Jr. has headed up the organization since its inception in 1997. He says his degree in business administration helped prepare him for running the organization and he has always been interested in helping area children. Both clubs provide summer programs as well as afterschool curriculums during the school year. Wilson explains all activities at Boys & Girls Clubs are directed

toward keeping the kids interested while giving them skills they can use later in life. “We want the kids to learn but we don’t want them to feel like they’re in school,” she says.

Programs fall into four general categories: Academic success and career development, good character and citizenship, healthy lifestyles, and then programs in art, sports, fitness and recreation. Activities are generally structured separately for younger children and for teens.

The clubs provide a wide range of STEM programs and activities. The science, technology, engineering and mathematics activities help prepare kids for future vocations in those fields. Healthy lifestyles programs include many classes based on curriculums developed by the national Boys & Girls Club organization. Art programs include drama, sewing, crafts, digital and clay art. The programs are tailored to the specific

interests of the children.

The Boys & Girls Clubs also offer fitness challenges, physical games and even cooking and gardening. Sports include a variety of intramural activities. Past programs have included tennis and basketball clinics. Volleyball and field hockey are also offered. Kids have had ping pong tournaments and learned how to monitor sports playoff brackets.

Swimming, rock climbing and indoor recreational games are just a few of the many activities in which the children can participate.

A number of annual area activities are sponsored

and organized by the Boys & Girls Club organizations. Community Easter egg hunts, Halloween trunkor-treat, holiday shopping sprees and Christmas parties are just a few. The children also participate in programs which help the community such as trash cleanups and visiting the elderly in nursing homes. Both directors emphasize the importance the clubs place on citizenship and responsibility for their local communities.

All staff working with the children and at events are fully trained, background checked and screened. Both clubs are bus stops for their respective school districts so parents do not have to figure out how to get their children from home to the club during the school year.

The Bethalto Boys & Girls Club is located at 324 E. Central Street in Bethalto. Complete information about the club, including fees, curriculums, events and activities can be found online at bgcstl.org/bethalto.

Wilson also encourages anyone interested in learning more about the club and its programs to call them at 618-377-6030.

The Alton Boys & Girls Club is located at 2512 Amelia Street in Alton. Extensive information about the club activities and events can be found online at bgcalton. org. The club can also be contacted by phone at 618462-6249.

Both clubs also have Facebook pages with information and pictures.

The clubs always welcome anyone interested in donating, volunteering, sponsoring or partnering with the organizations. Information on how to help can be found on the web or by calling the clubs directly.

THINGS YOU CAN USE

Area Boys & Girls Clubs are a unique resource which give children exposure to exciting learning experiences, allow them to develop friendships and prepare them for the future, both physically and academically. “We focus on the positive and provide opportunities for children to have a bright future,” says Womack, Jr. “We’re here for the kids.” 3

Children at the Bethalto Boys & Girls Club participate in a talent contest.

Children at the Alton Boys & Girls Club enjoy ice cream with the Alton police.

Piasa Motor Fuels continues to grow a strong business in volatile times

By Mike Adams Big Z Media

It’s no secret that the motor fuel industry has taken some strong hits in the past several years and the pain of that pressure can definitely be seen at the pump. Although many of the drivers of this volatile market are out of the hands of local business owners, Piasa Motor Fuels has continued a legacy of serving the local community and surrounding area with integrity, excellence, and dedication.

In 1932, E.W. Schrimpf and Charles Marsh were employed by the OwensIllinois Glass Company. When the Great Depression hit, the two began looking for different opportunities. That’s when the two determined that they would branch out on their own and found Piasa Motor Fuels.

What started as a very small operation in Alton has continued to grow over the years under the leadership of the Schrimpf family. E.W. passed the business to his son, Robert, who understood the need to plan for the long-term success of the company. He developed a succession plan and early on passed the company to his three children Bill, Anna, and Mark. Bill’s son Matt, the current President of Piasa Motor Fuels, joined the company in 1995 after graduating from the University of Illinois with a BS degree in marketing. He joined Piasa and assumed responsibilities of dispatching delivery trucks, rebuilding the transport business, and managing the road oil division.

Two years later in 1997, Bill’s brother Mark expressed a desire to pursue

other opportunities and was bought out by Bill and Bill’s daughter Ann Davis. Matt Schrimpf and his sister Ann bought out their Aunt Anna in 2000, and their dad Bill in 2010.

According to Matt, it is essential that you have people in line that have a true interest in the business and who are willing to have the hard discussions in preparation to pass it off to the next generation. That willingness to hand over the reins and continue the growth with fresh ideas and creativity has been essential to the long-term success of Piasa Motor Fuels.

Piasa Motor Fuels business involves selling diesel fuel and gasoline to end-users. The other key branch of the business is in hauling fuel to the local vendors

such as Moto Mart, Huck’s convenience stores, and Circle Ks in the St. Louis market and beyond. The main driver for the business is the wholesaling of

petroleum and renewable fuels through various pipeline terminals.

According to Matt, the industry is an extremely interesting process in which more volume means more opportunity.

Barrels of crude oil go from the ground to the refinery, where it is refined into various gasoline and diesel products, which are then shipped via pipelines to a terminal and off-loaded into tank trucks, delivered to gasoline stations, and pumped into your car.

There are a few key business moves that have brought the company to the success it has today. In

1976, Matt’s Grandfather Robert and a business partner purchased the Hartford Terminal Facility from Artco. The deal promised enough gallons of

flow through per month to pay the mortgage. At that point, Piasa Motor Fuels was already in the transportation, convenience store and lubrication business. Adding the terminal was an aggressive move but paid off in the long run.

The biggest turning point in the business came in 2004. While Matt was talking to one of their clients, Huck’s, he learned of a terminal in their home base of Norris City, Ill. Piasa made an offer and although the offer was acceptable the owning company did not want to see it separately from two other terminals that they had in the package. One was located in North Little Rock, Ark., and the other in Seymour, Ind. It was a big bite for a localized company but the decision was made to purchase all three terminals, greatly expanding

Watch Matt Schrimpf on Big Z Media’s “BUSINESS OVER A BREW” advnews.link/ schrimpf

Boyz II Men to perform at amphitheater

A few weeks ago, I heard a piece of music trivia that stated the album “1999” by Prince turns 40 years old this year. The title track of the album was a solid hit for Prince and can still be heard on the radio today. I remember hearing it at the time, and in the years after, and thinking the year 1999 was so far away and getting to 1999 meant I’d be soooo old! Well, it’s 2022 and I’ll be 51 in a few weeks. Not that 51 is old. It’s not…now. In 1999, maybe, but not now.

A song has a way to impact us in many ways. Transporting us, reminding us, inspiring us, occasionally calling us to action. From U2 singing about Sunday Bloody Sunday, to Tone Loc singing about his favorite drink, a Funky Cold Medina, songs are serious and silly; happy and sad; and today more than ever there’s no shortage of music. Online and on the air. (Check out MyMix 94.3FM)

The past couple of years, many of us spent way too much time online. But, in doing that, I was exposed to more new music. Now, it may seem unusual for an almost 51-year-old to go exploring for new music, but all it takes is a song and I’ll go digging deeper.

I discovered a few you may want to explore: Goose, HAIM, and Pip Blom just to name a few.

In early grade school I was

TOWN OF THE

By Mark Ellebracht

influenced by my parents’ music collection. The Rolling Stones, The Who, The Beach Boys, The Moody Blues, Neil Diamond, and that one hit wonder Sniffin’ the Tears. Remember the song, Driver’s Seat? Later in grade school it was the pop hits of the day by Michael Jackson, Duran Duran, the Police, and listening to KHTR or KSHE and trying to record songs off the radio. High school meant more pop and rock until college rock became a thing and I was introduced by classmates to U2, R.E.M., The Replacements, The Smithereens, They Might be Giants, and Midnight Oil. MTV’s 120 Minutes new music show provided even more new music that wasn’t in the mainstream. I was in college when Nirvana, Pearl Jam and Smashing Pumpkins became household names and 105.7 The Point started playing “alternative” music. An even cooler part of the Alton area was the local music scene, and listening to The Bishops, Autumn Clock and Judge Nothing and seeing people I knew who were in a band. Music even influenced my good buddy Tom and I to start Plaid DJ Music Service… we may have played at your grade school or high school dance in the 1990s and later your wedding!

My musical tastes today are

all over the place. Country is probably the least sampled in my collection, but I do like bluegrass. I’m not so much a fan of a lot of new pop music, but old school rap is fun to listen to. However, I’m still having trouble hearing my favorites from high school on “classic rock” stations, but I guess as long as it’s considered “classic” that’s OK!

Music can play an important role in our lives, and we can hear a song that transports us back to a high school dance, hanging out at Mr. T’s skating rink, or driving along the Great River Road. Maybe you have a song that reminds you of your first date, the first dance at your wedding or a song that was playing when you learned tragic news and you won’t be able to listen to it again in the same way. Don’t get rid of those old tapes, CDs, or records just yet. It’s OK to revisit those memories and the music that helped shape them. Sample some songs for your kids or grandkids and see what they think then listen to one of their favorites. You never know, Dua Lipa or Post Malone may be right up your alley! 3

Mark Ellebracht is the News Director of Big Z Media, co-host of the Big Z Morning Show with Brent Burklund and hosts Let’s Talk heard Monday-Friday 10-Noon on WBGZ Radio, 107.1FM/1570AM.

Enjoy the smooth sounds of Grammy award-winning Boyz II Men as they take the stage at Liberty Bank Alton Amphitheater on Sunday, August 21, 2022 at 7pm.

Tickets go on sale on Friday, May 27, 2022 at 10am at metrotix.com and through MetroTix outlets.

VIP tickets will sell for $120 per person, reserved tickets are $69.50 per person, and

general admission tickets are $42.50 per person.

A VIP ticket includes entry to the concert, assigned seating in the VIP area, reserved parking, and access to the VIP tent on the side of the stage with private concessions. A reserved ticket provides entry to the concert and assigned seating at the amphitheater while general admission tickets

include entry to the venue and seating in the lawn area. Boyz II Men redefined popular R&B and continues to create timeless hits that appeal to fans across all generations. They have some of the most celebrated classics of the past two decades, including “End of the Road,” “I’ll Make Love to You,” “One Sweet Day,” and “Motownphilly.” 3

Food is the star at this hidden gem

By Bill Roseberry Big Z Media

I took a trip to a hidden gem on the western edge of Madison County for my latest meal.

This place is only open for breakfast and lunch Wednesday-Sunday so it might be tricky for some to get there, but trust me, it’s worth the trip.

It is popular, so be aware there could be a wait. The restaurant is hidden in the back corner of a strip of businesses. Though it’s a little hidden, there is plenty of parking in the enormous paved lot in front of it and the sign is very visible once in the lot.

Enter through a small vestibule into the open dining room. Once inside you’ll get that homey diner feel. There’s blue carpet with two-tone blue and tan walls decorated with food art, tan square tables are situated throughout the dining room with tan-padded metal chairs and there are tan booths along the walls. A small stage area housing a couple of tables in the front corner of this place stands out. A blue railing helps accentuate the stage, too.

In the very front of the restaurant is a diner counter with a window peeking into the kitchen. A few chairs sit there to add more character to the whole experience.

The food is the star though

and once you get your mitts on a menu, you won’t be disappointed. I went with a group on my recent visit for breakfast and there were plenty of great eats going around.

I ordered the southwest skillet with sunny side up eggs, which was accompanied with four slices of wheat toast. I also went with milk for my drink and got a cinnamon roll to put an exclamation point on my experience.

Starting with the awesome skillet, it featured onions, tomatoes, jalapenos, black olives, sausage, cheddar and jack cheese, salsa, sour cream, breakfast potatoes and the two sunny side up eggs. I tacked on a little hot sauce for good measure and dug in.

The array of flavor bursts surprised my pallet with every bite. Once I popped the yolk on the eggs it melded with the sour cream to make it oh-so-creamy. There was a pretty heavy kick from the jalapenos and the addition of the hot sauce, but it wasn’t overwhelming. Practically every bite offered a strong presence from the salsa and ground sausage also. It was super filling to boot.

The skillet almost made me unable to enjoy the cinnamon roll, but I powered through. This sucker was huge and so doughy and sweet. It was bigger

than I expected and swimming in a cocoon of rich vanilla icing. It was a great compliment to the hearty ingredients of the skillet.

Some of the other orders from our crew included two sunny side up eggs with sausage, hash browns and wheat toast and the dixie. The dixie offered country gravy, buttermilk biscuits, sausage patties and breakfast potatoes and eggs the way you want them. My friend ordered his over easy. We were all super satisfied with our selections and of course extremely full. Like I said, it’s well worth the visit. There are plenty of other great options, like the slinger on the breakfast menu. It includes two eggs, a beef burger and breakfast potatoes over Texas toast with chili, cheese and diced sweet onions to top it off. Choose from a slew of skillets, omelets and wraps too, or get some pecan waffles or blueberry, chocolate chip or banana nut pancakes.

The lunch menu comes

Overall:

Cleanliness:

Service:

Food:

Price:

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

at you with classic sandwiches, melts, chicken choices, burgers galore, salads and soups. A buffalo chicken salad and a black bean chipotle burger intrigue me as healthier options, while the bacon three-cheese melt and the chili cheese burger look like monsters. Try the BLT with eight slices of double smoked bacon, too. This place is just great to take the family or a small gathering of friends for an affordable, satisfying meal. ✓

You know what really grinds my gears?

Not knowing how to drive a stick shift.

A crow walks into a bar and orders a drink. Barman says I hope your friends aren’t coming.

Last time they were here there was a murder.

How do you make a waterbed more

bouncy?

Fill it with spring water. Why did the teddy bear say no to dessert? Because he was stuffed!

My wife told me that after this next load she’s never doing laundry again. She just threw in the towel. My boss told me that he was going to fire the person with the worst posture. I have a hunch ... it might be me.

Dad Jokes.

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

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.

Wishing Well

NMLS #411326

TRIVIA TEST

By Fifi Rodriguez

1. TELEVISION: Which TV show is set at UCSunnydale?

2. FOOD & DRINK: What is an affogato?

3. MOVIES: Which famous movie features a character named Almira Gulch?

4. HISTORY: Which U.S. state was the first to legalize marijuana for medicinal use?

5. ENTERTAINERS: What rapper/songwriter’s real name is Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr.?

6. SCIENCE: What part of the brain controls hunger?

7. GEOGRAPHY: The Gulf of Cadiz lies off the coasts of which two countries?

8. LITERATURE: Who are the best friends of Nancy Drew in the mystery series?

9. LANGUAGE: The archaic

term “grippe” was used to describe what common ailment?

10. ASTRONOMY: What kind of star is the sun in our solar system? (answers in puzzle solutions)

Here is a numerical puzzle designed to spell out your fortune. Count the letters in your first name. If the number of letters is 6 or more, subtract 4. 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.

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

Even Exchange by Donna Pettman

Go Figure

by Mike Ostresh

Word Scrambler

‘Giving To Others’ comes full circle

PATIENT RECEIVES KIDNEY FROM PREVIOUS EMPLOYER

By Frank Prager Big Z Media

Alphonso and Natascha

Harried have traveled a path the past few years few can imagine as Alphonso has struggled to surmount numerous health issues.

In the face of sometimes seemingly insurmountable challenges, they have maintained hope and optimism and recently reached a major milestone when Alphonso successfully received a kidney transplant.

Alphonso currently works at Alton Middle School and previously worked at Youth In Need in St. Louis, counseling homeless youth for 17 years there. Natascha is a social service manager for the Salvation Army in Alton. The couple has been married for 20 years and have three children. They lived in Alton for 17 years before moving to Florissant, Mo., in 2020.

Alphonso has long struggled with high blood pressure and diabetes and knew his issues could eventually lead to kidney problems. Black Americans are four times as likely to experience kidney failure as white Americans.

While making up more than 35 percent of people with kidney failure in the United States, they comprise just 13 percent of the population.

Alphonso knew his chances were even higher because of his family history. Both his grandfather and his uncle passed away from kidney failure while on dialysis.

He noticed symptoms developing several years ago when he started experiencing swelling and began going to the bathroom less frequently. Currently 47 years old, he says he tended to ignore the symptoms when they first started.

“I kind of ignored it for a while,” he says. “I thought that I was too young and it

wouldn’t happen to me.”

His diabetes doctor recognized Alphonso’s growing kidney problem as his creatinine level kept progressively increasing. Creatinine is a waste product made by muscles as part of regular, everyday activity. Normally, the kidneys filter it from the blood and send it out of the body in the urine. If there is a problem with your kidneys, creatinine can build up in the blood and less will be released in urine.

In April of 2020 Alphonso’s lethargy and lack of mobility had increased to a point where he was finally hospitalized, diagnosed with stage 4 kidney failure and required to go on dialysis. At the same time, he, Natascha and one of their daughters became severely ill with COVID. “It was right when we were trying to move to Florissant,” he says. The Harrieds explain the combination of Alphonso’s illness, the COVID and trying to relocate made for an almost impossible

situation and credit friends with helping them get through it.

Once dialysis was begun, it in itself was a formidable challenge. “Three nights a week for four and a half hours each night,” explains Alphonso. “I would work during the day and then have dialysis at night.” He says the routine was exhausting and notes many people requiring it go on disability but he wanted to keep working.

Once Alphonso was on dialysis and the family made the determination to get him on the transplant list, they discovered there were further challenges ahead. “There are racial disparities in how African-Americans are scored to get on the list,” says Natascha. Economic and financial factors along with social and family support are factored in and she notes that systemic factors in American culture often put blacks at a disadvantage in the scoring. Alphonso was finally approved for the transplant list in late 2020. The challenge then became one of finding a donor and again several obstacles presented themselves. Over 100,000 people are waiting for a kidney transplant in the U.S. and every year. Of that number, 5,000 die waiting. Another 5,000 are taken off the list because they are too sick.

Pat Holterman-Hommes is CEO of Youth In Need where Alphonso had previously worked. In June of 2021, she reached out to the Harrieds to see if she might be able to donate. After undergoing tests, she was told by doctors that her filtration level was not high enough to allow her to do so. She told Natascha and Alphonso she would not be able to do it.

However, unknown to the Harrieds, HoltermanHommes researched what she could do to improve her filtration level and three months later contacted Natascha to let her know she had qualified. Natascha told Alphonso to come to her work location because she wanted to surprise him with his Christmas present.

When he arrived, employees

of the Salvation Army were holding letters which spelled the word K-I-D-N-E-Y and Natascha told Alphonso that a donor had been found. He says his sense of elation at the news was indescribable.

Still there were more obstacles ahead. The surgery was originally scheduled for January of 2022 but Alphonso developed an infection on one of his toes. “The anti-rejection medicines required after the transplant prohibited the surgery from being performed in the presence of any type of infection,” he explains. He could try to treat the infection or have the toe amputated. He elected to move forward by having the toe amputated.

The kidney transplant was finally successfully completed at Barnes Hospital in St. Louis on April 26. Alphonso is grateful for his progress and is looking forward to getting back to many of the things from which he has been sidelined for so long. He pursues music and photography and he and Natascha are both also active in their church and ministry. Throughout the entire journey of successes and setbacks, the two remained hopeful and say their faith played a large role in sustaining them throughout it.

The Harrieds say they have always had a life philosophy of simply giving back to others. “All those years I was helping people at Youth In Need, I wasn’t thinking it could lead to the gift of a donor kidney,” says Alphonso. “But I strongly believe that if you help people, it eventually comes full circle.”

The couple want people to know the facts about kidney donations and transplants. “Race or sex and even your body size are not factors in becoming a match,” Natascha explains. She says there is a misconception that people cannot donate while they are alive but points out people typically have two kidneys and that only one is needed, making a large number of people candidates for donation if they are the right blood type.

“If you can donate, donate,” she says. “If one out of every 10,000 healthy people became a donor, it would wipe out the waiting list.” 3

Kidney transplant recipient Alphonso Harried with his kidney donor, Pat Holterman-Hommes.

If one out of every 10,000 healthy people became a donor, it would wipe out the waiting list.

Natascha Harried “

Parish members, public invited to help preserve historic Old Cathedral

Editor’s note: During a recent Let’s Talk interview on The Big Z, SSPP Pastor Father Jeff Holtman and Ryan Hanlon of Route 3 Films discussed a planned film to help capture the history of the Old Cathedral on State Street in Alton and a subsequent fundraising campaign that launched on June 29. We asked Father Jeff to share a little history about the parish. Hanlon also shared a few photos for this article of some of the damage that needs repair inside the church.

Submitted by Rev. Jeff Holtman, OFS - pastor, Ss. Peter and Paul Church, Alton

After meeting in homes in Upper Alton since 1838 and constructing a temporary church, the Catholics of Alton and Fr. Michael Carroll, pastor, built a new stone church in 1843 on the north side of Third Street between Alby and Easton Streets named St. Matthew.

The building was destroyed by fire 10 years later. For the next three years, masses were offered in a large hall over a livery stable. On April 7, 1854, property at 717 State Street was purchased from Peter and Harriet Wise for the grand price of $600. The current church building, constructed with local native limestone, was begun in 1855 and completed two years later. One can see the date carved in stone at the pinnacle of the wall above the main entrance and rose window. The architecture of Ss. Peter and Paul is a beautiful specimen of pure Gothic. The interior of the church, with its graceful arches, clustered columns, and capitals and hood-molded windows and spacious choir loft attracts many lovers of art. The church is 125 feet long and 60 feet wide and includes two sacristies with attics.

A most significant part of the church’s history occurred while the church was under construction. On January 9, 1857, the Episcopal See was transferred to Alton from Quincy. The diocese comprised the southern half of the state while the Diocese of Chicago comprised the northern half of the state. Rt. Rev. Henry Damien Juncker became Alton’s first bishop. Rt. Rev. Peter Baltes became the second bishop of Alton in 1870 at the death of Bishop Juncker. Bishop Baltes, died in 1886, and both are buried in a crypt below the church. The third and last Bishop of Alton was Rt. Rev. James Ryan, who died in 1923 and is buried in St. Patrick Cemetery.

On July 21, 1949, a terrific lightning bolt struck the belfry, shattering the Hook and Hastings pipe organ. A valiant effort by the Alton Fire Department saved the church from complete destruction. A fire resulted in over $75,000 in damage. Unfortunately, 2 of the 3 original bells were lost in the fire. The smallest bell in honor of St. Brigida, cast in 1871, was saved only by recasting. Two larger bells were obtained and now complete the ringing trio. They now sound the Angelus and the announcements for daily Mass, funerals, and weddings. It was at this time the installation of new space-age steeples appeared to top off the towers! On September 25, 1950, mass was offered in thanksgiving for the reconstruction of the church.

At the present time we have begun a capital campaign to restore the structure of the church with much needed repairs in stonework and tuckpointing. The project will cost $800,000. Preserving the Past for the Future Campaign will help us to continue to be a viable and integral place on Christian Hill as we proclaim the gospel of Christ in our Catholic tradition. 3

MONEY SAVING TIPS

• Set your thermostat as high as comfortably possible in the summer. The less difference between the indoor and outdoor temperatures, the lower your overall cooling bill will be.

• Don’t set your thermostat at a colder temperature setting than normal when you turn on your air conditioner. It will not cool your home any faster and could result in excessive cooling and therefore unnecessary expense.

• Set the fan speed on high except in very humid weather. When it’s

• Wi-Fi Thermostats

• Control thermostat from your smart phone

humid set the fan speed on low. You’ll get better cooling.

• Consider ceiling fans to spread the cooled air more effectively through your home without greatly increasing your power use.

• Don’t place lamps or TV sets near your air conditioning thermostat.

• Plant trees or shrubs to shade airconditioning units but not to block the airflow. A unit operating in the shade uses as much as 10% less electricity than the same one operating in the sun.

• Air-Duct Cleaning

• Geothermal Heat Pumps

• Whole House Dehumidifiers

Community Hope Center expands services, seeks new home

By Mark Ellebracht Big Z Media

Paul Militzer has been leading the Community Hope Center in Cottage Hills for eight years and recently visited the Big Z for a chat with me during Let’s Talk. You can hear the full interview at advantagenews. com under the “Listen” tab. What did you do before you came to the Community Hope Center (CHC)?

My wife and I moved here from Chicago in 1991 and for 16 years I was pastor of Cherry Street Baptist Church. I stepped away for a while and this job opening presented itself and I was encouraged to apply. I felt like God called me to this role and it has been a good fit for me. I knew a lot of other area pastors and I had some gifts to share to lead the center and partner with the pastors and churches and so far, it’s been a wonderful experience. How did the CHC get started?

Crystal and Leameal Davis began the ministry in 1988 out of their garage to help people in need, providing food and clothing and praying with people. It later moved into an old fire station and over the years continued to grow until 1997 when the Bethalto School District gifted the old Forest Homes grade school to the center. Lyn Cloninger was the first executive director in 2008 and helped get things organized and

expand our services.

How many people does the CHC serve?

In May we served … 466 households and 1,300 individuals. We are a large food pantry, in fact so large that we allow people to come every other week while some pantries may only be able to serve clients once a month. What changes have been made to CHC services over the years?

We like to say we are more than a food pantry, although the main thing we do is food.

I think the biggest change that’s been made in the history of the CHC, aside from the move to our current building, is going to a model that many other groups like ours follow which is called Client Choice. When I came on board in 2014, we were handing out boxes of food to people who would come to us for help, and that’s not the most dignified way to distribute food to people. When COVID hit, we were getting ready to make the change to Client Choice and that pause allowed us to adopt it more quickly, do a little remodeling while we were shut down and then reopen allowing people to make appointments and shop in what we call “the store.” The clients get to choose what they want to eat which is what everyone likes to do. We’ve found there’s less waste when people can choose what they want. We also still offer household

items and clothing if people need that, but that’s been the biggest change.

You said the CHC would like to find a new home? Do you know where and when that might happen?

Our current building is old, and when it rains, we are usually patching the flat roof, so we’d like to find a new home and feel God is calling us to go in that direction. Where and when is not up to us, but I imagine it will be in the Alton, Cottage Hills, or Wood River area. It would also help more people if we could be on the bus (MCT) line, because right now we’re not. While people are still able to find us (on Culp Lane), it’s not the easiest place to get to. I think a building or property with 25,000 square feet and the ability to set it up like we need, including our store and a loading dock or place to easily unload food would be great and then space to meet with clients would be wonderful.

Finally, what can people do if they need assistance?

We offer services by appointment only: Monday, Wednesday, Friday between 9 am - 1 pm, Tuesday between 9 am - 12 pm; Thursdays from 4 pm - 6 pm (No services on any 5th Thursday of a month)

Beginning July 14, we’ll expand our Thursday hours until 7 pm. Call 618-2518021 to schedule your appointment. 3

•

AMH School of Nursing reunion July 16

After taking a hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Alton Memorial Hospital School of Nursing alumni are busy planning a muchanticipated return of their reunion.

The reunion will be held Saturday, July 16, at Alton’s Best Western Premier Hotel, with registration starting at 11 am.

The AMH School of Nursing opened March 1, 1938.

A graduate nursing staff provided instruction across a range of subjects. Students were rated and needed to meet the maximum requirements of the Illinois State Department of Education and Registration. Tuition at the time for three years (RN degree) totaled $150. A total of 626 nurses, including nine men, graduated from the school in its 35-year history. The school’s last graduating class was in 1973.

“This event is so important to our classmates,” said Carol Noble, a 1964 graduate who then worked more than 40 years at AMH and now serves on the reunion committee. “Some of us have stayed connected over the years, and via the Internet lately, but that pales in comparison to seeing your classmates in person, especially after the recent pandemic that kept us all from enjoying each other’s company in person. We are excited to see one another!”

Debbie Turpin, RN, chief nurse executive at Alton Memorial, will speak on hospital updates. The event will end with a performance of Broadway show tunes by the Great Rivers Choral Society.

Invitations were mailed to those who graduated from the nursing school.

“If someone is a graduate and didn’t receive an invite, they should reach out to Shannon Fraley in the Development Office at Alton Memorial,” Noble said. For more information on the event, call the Foundation Development Office at Alton Memorial Health Services Foundation at 618-433-6047. 3

FLASHBACK

By Mick Harper

1. Which artist was the first to release “Turn on Your Love Light”?

2. Who wrote and released “Come Softly to Me”?

3. Why did John Mellencamp briefly change his last name to Cougar?

4. Which group started as Chubby and the Turnpikes?

5. Name the song that contains this lyric: “I’ll never let you see the way my broken heart is hurting me, I’ve got my pride and I know how to hide, all the sorrow and pain.”

(answers in puzzle solutions)

7. Portugal and Spain

8. Bess and George

9. Influenza

10. Yellow dwarf

Flashback

1. Bobby “Blue” Bland, in 1961. His version was followed by covers from Van Morrison and the Grateful Dead.

2. The Fleetwoods, in 1959. Legend says the song was recorded at home, with no musical accompaniment except the jingling of car keys. Instruments were added later in the studio. (Listen: You can hear the car keys.)

3. “Cougar” was pushed on him by a promoter who said the German sounding “Mellencamp” would be a hard sell.

4. Tavares.

5. “Crying in the Rain,” by the Everly Brothers, in 1962. Astonishingly enough, the song only made it to No. 6 on the U.S. charts. Numerous others released covers over the years, including Peter and Gordon, Art Garfunkel and Slade. The only place it ever topped the chart was Norway.

SENIOR LIVING

Madison County Tax bills are in the mail

Madison County Treasurer

Chris Slusser said property owners should be receiving tax bills soon, with the first installment coming due July 7. The Treasurer’s Office will continue rolling out paperless delivery of tax bills, or e-notice, this year. Included on the front page of this year’s tax bill will be a website, enoticesonline.com, and an authorization code

that will allow taxpayers to begin receiving their tax bills electronically the next year. Those who escrow taxes are strongly encouraged to sign-up for paperless billing to save printing and paper costs.

“The first due date is July 7,” Slusser said. Subsequent due dates fall on Sept. 7, Oct. 7 and Dec. 7. “Once again, everyone in our office has

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worked very hard to guarantee tax bills were mailed out in a timely fashion.”

County tax bills are designed to show taxpayers the exact breakdown of their overall bill. Slusser said he would like to remind taxpayers they can “pay online, rather than in line.” He said taxpayers will still have the option of making an immediate payment using an electronic check or credit card at madcotreasurer.org, or they can set up the four installment payments using either method.

Taxpayers who signed up for the automatic deductions will be sent an email prior to the due date reminding them about the withdrawal from their bank account and what to do if they need to make changes. Changes may include banking or credit card information or to stop online payments altogether. For questions or more information visit madcotreasurer.org or contact the Treasurer’s Office at 618-692-6260. 3

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!

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

One of the best features of our hearing aids just might be what you won’t hear.

Exclusive technology helps stop ringing (tinnitus) in the ears caused by inner ear hearing loss.

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OSF HealthCare Saint Anthony’s Health Center and SSM Health are working together to offer you more options for your health.

To serve you better, we are providing access to a comprehensive network of specialty and subspecialty physicians through the formation of a new affiliation with SSM Health, a Catholic health care system based in St. Louis.

Giving you the resources to keep you healthy – right here in the Riverbend.

RiverBend GROWTH ASSOCIA TION

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

FROM THE PRESIDENT ’S DESK

SMALL BUSINESS OF THE MONTH Little Knights Inc.

Little Knights Inc. has been selected as the June 2022 RiverBend Growth Association Small Business of the Month award recipient. Located at 1100 Airport Road in Godfrey, at the Godfrey United Methodist Church and just behind Walmart, the statelicensed child care facility is led by Shannon Knight. She serves as its president and director.

Operating at its current location for nine years now, since May 2013, Knight had first opened the child care service in her home in 2010.

A much-needed expansion due to the increasing need in the community moved the facility to where it is today.

Little Knights serves children from 6 weeks to 12 years old, and with a current staff of 12. They have five classrooms and are licensed for up to 50 children. “Most of the Little Knights staff have been with us for over five years, and most of the children we care for here start as infants and stay until school age,” said Knight.

At Little Knights, the mission is to provide a stimulating environment for children with consideration for the needs of working parents. The facility staff takes immense pride in the

focused attention they can give each child individually while continuing to provide safe, quality, and reliable child care services to families.

“Little Knights offers the opportunity for children to develop physically, socially, and cognitively, according to their individual learning styles. Our center considers each child unique, and adjusts to their temperament and rate of development,” their website notes.

The average waitlist time for admission at Little Knights is about 15 months. “This is

because our class sizes are small and we have a very low turnover rate,” Knight explained. “Most of our children stay in the program from Infant to Preschool. And when a family adds another child to their home, those children get added to the top of the wait list so that we can keep the family together at the same day care center.”

Each classroom has at least one lead teacher who has completed a degree in Early Childhood, and all staff must maintain up-to-date training in CPR and First Aid. “Every employee completes at least

15 hours of learning each year. We also have monthly learning activities from a local nurse. And for staff looking to obtain or add to their degree, we offer scholarship opportunities where they can get their schooling covered up to 100 percent,” Knight said.  And as the center’s president and director, Knight has a master’s degree in Early Childhood and is also car seat certified. “All of this is to make sure we can help each family with all their child’s needs, no matter if they are an infant, toddler, preschooler, or school age,”

ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS

Little Knights Inc.

618-208-0426

1100 Airport Road, Godfrey knightsdaycare.com

of its community. Little Knights sponsors soccer, T-ball, and baseball teams through the Godfrey Parks and Recreation Department. Their preschool program partners with SIUE gardeners to help plan and learn about flowers at nearby Homer Adams Park. And their school-age children enjoy activities with the residents at Cedarhurst of Godfrey and San Gabriel Memory Care, including special holiday activities.

To learn more about Little Knights Inc., visit online at knightsdaycare.com or call 618-208-0426. They are open Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Appointments are required for visits and tours.

Knight noted.

“Finding staff that really enjoy working with children has been harder than originally thought,” she added. “We want to make sure all the staff here are enthusiastic and caring. So, we are always looking for more enthusiastic and caring teachers and assistants.”

Little Knights actively partners with area high schools and colleges to provide opportunities for those considering Early Childhood as a career path.  The center also enjoys being an active member

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.

Do you know a small business worthy of this honor? Nominate them here: growthassociation.com/ recognition-awards

Welcome to our newest members:

BOCO Contracting

Joshua Coggins, President bococontracting.com Brighton, IL | 618-974-9040

Logo It Carley Hamberg, Manager wecanlogoit.com 2603 State St., Alton | 618-462-1899

MARK YOUR CALENDARS

July 13 Member Mingle, 4-6 pm, Andy’s Automotive

July 19 LET’S TALK radio show with WBGZ, 10 am

August 10 Member Mingle, 12-1:30 pm, Beverly Farm

August 16 LET’S TALK radio show, 10 am

Sept. 14 Member Mingle, 8-9:30 am, OSF Saint Anthony’s Oct. 14 LeadHERship Seminar, 1-4 pm, Enjoy Church

Two long-time members celebrated their 10-year anniversaries recently. Olive Oil Marketplace, located at 108 W. Third Street in Alton,

The Green Tree Inn, located at

celebrated with fellow

From left, Megan Ricketts, Raven Eckert, Shannon Knight, Crystal Younger, and Jessica McKaig

Last relay standing to support ACS

the dedicated teams and numerous local businesses and the East Alton Wood River school district for keeping the spirit of the event alive. The event raised $14,700 but fundraising for this year continues through the end of August with a

local goal of $80,000. So far, the group has raised a little more than $61,300 so if you’d like to donate go to Relay for Life Riverbend on Facebook and follow the link. 3

By Mark Ellebracht Big Z Meida

The Relay for Life Riverbend returned to an in-person event on June 11 at East Alton Wood River High School. It’s a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society, but due to the pandemic had been a drivethru event near Roxana Park the last two years. The heat and humidity began to build as the event got going for the 2022 edition but that didn’t stop about 20 teams from taking part.

While the event is open to the public, many who attended this year were part of the participating teams, their friends and family. Some have been participating for years as this was the 22nd year for the Riverbend version of

the relay. In the past, the event has been held at Civic Memorial High School, Public School Stadium in Alton, Glazebrook Park in Godfrey, the Liberty Bank Alton Amphitheater, Roxana Park and at East Alton Wood River High School. The Riverbend Relay is one of the last traditional relay-style events in the region as many others have shut down due to lack of volunteers and participating teams.

Originally, the Relay for Life

was an overnight event, but has been scaled back in recent years following feedback from teams made up of busy kids and adults. The Relay for Life Riverbend still had a survivor’s dinner a few days before the event, local business sponsors, music, team games, and people walking the track to represent the fight of cancer patients. The theme “There’s No Place Like Hope,” brought out many decorations with a Wizard of Oz theme. Organizers credit

[photos by Mark Ellebracht, Emily Kribs]

Bethalto news you can use

It’s shaping up to be a great summer in Bethalto! Bethalto Spirit is hosting summer Concerts in the Park every Thursday this summer. Bring your lawn chair and enjoy a variety of musicians in our beautiful, shaded Central Park. Concerts start at 7 pm and are free, with concessions available for $1 each. What a great way to spend a summer evening!

Also, come out to the park on Sunday mornings for our weekly Farmers Markets — a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, meats, baked goods, crafts and other delights await you each week! The market runs from 9 am – 1 pm each Sunday through the beginning of October. Follow Bethalto Spirit and Bethalto Farmers Market pages on Facebook for more details and weekly updates. We appreciate all that this group does to help make Bethalto a great place to live, work, and play!

Looking for a place to take the kiddos to cool off this summer? Our Splash Landing splash park is open daily from 10 am - 5 pm and admission is FREE! Concessions are available as well. The park can also be reserved for parties through

equipment installation — like there have been some delays. But we anticipate the courts to be ready for use very soon!

Watch our Facebook page for updates. Bethalto has several other parks ready for your enjoyment — Bryant (Culp Lane) Park has a playground, walking path, pavilions, grills, and a catch-andrelease fishing pond. Central Park is also home to tennis courts, our Splash Pad, our gazebo, walking path, picnic pavilion and bandstand. Playground equipment outside our Splash Landing has been upgraded this year and the park is full of new fun surprises. The Arboretum has a walking path shaded with a variety of trees, shrubbery, and benches. Come on out and enjoy the great spaces Bethalto has to offer!

Road construction along Prairie Street is nearing completion, with just some dirt work, striping, and a final inspection to be completed.

We are pleased with how this

project progressed as it was completed well before we expected. The Friedel/Albers Lane Bridge is progressing nicely as well, and we anticipate the concrete roadway to be poured within the next couple of weeks. We appreciate everyone’s patience as we make these necessary improvements— and we thank our contractors for a job well done.

As you’ve been around town you’ve likely noticed several beautification projects. The planters around the downtown area are filled

with colorful blooms, we have banners honoring our veterans and local businesses on our vintage light posts throughout the Arboretum, Central Park, and downtown, and we are in the process of painting, re-landscaping, and sprucing up Village Hall and our village bandstand. Thanks to a generous donor, handicapped-accessible doors are now functional at the north and south entrances to Village Hall. Construction is nearly complete on our new water office, which will be housed inside Village Hall across from our Administrative offices. Watch for future correspondence on when the move to the new location will take place.

Finally, although summer has just begun, we’re looking forward to Labor Day and our annual Bethalto

Homecoming!

This year’s event will run September 2-5 in Central Park. Our Bethalto Volunteer Fire Department sponsors and organizes this event annually, and vendor applications are now available. You can stop by Village administrative offices to pick up an application, or can have an application emailed to you by contacting Jeff Bruns at jeffrey.bruns@outlook.com.

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 Svcs, Inc

ADVANTAGE ATHLETES

AdVantage Athletes sponsored by Simmons Hanly Conroy

Bryce Zupan and Blake Stenger warm up for the Alton River Dragons New Alton High Boys Basketball Head Coach Dylan Dudley

College Signing Day at Roxana High School

EA-WR softball player Madi Fry signs with Blackburn College

CM soccer player Parker Scottberg and Marquette senior Jillian Nelson were awarded the Big Z-Chris Erwin State Farm Agent Scholar Athlete of the Year Award

Energy Matters

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

LOCAL EXPERTS

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:

INSURANCE

How much homeowner’s insurance do I need?

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!

This question comes up quite often. You want to insure your home for its full value. As far as homeowners insurance is concerned, the value you want to insure it for is the amount it would take to rebuild it. You can check with your insurance agent, a builder, or a contractor to get an idea. Keep in mind though, anytime your remodel or add living space, that value will increase so you’ll need to adjust your coverage.

Tom Lane

For your belongings, take a room-by-room inventory. Keep this list somewhere in a fire-safe place. Many people use a video camera or digital camera and store them on a disc.

Having regular reviews with your insurance agent is the best way to make sure you are adequately covered so nothing unexpected pops up.

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SALOME’S STARS

ARIES (March 21 to April 19) Be prepared to face some challenges stirred up by an envious colleague. Your best defense is the Arian’s innate honesty. Stick with the truth, and you’ll come out ahead.

TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) Your sensitivity to the needs of others is admirable. But be careful to avoid those who would take unfair advantage of your good nature, especially where money is involved.

GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) Having an optimistic attitude is fine, as far as it goes. But don’t be lulled into a false sense of confidence. There still are problems to deal with before you can totally relax.

CANCER (June 21 to July 22) You might feel somewhat “crabby,” as you fuss over plans that don’t seem to work out. Maybe you’re trying too hard. Ease up and let things happen without forcing them.

LEO (July 23 to August 22) Heed that keen Leonine instinct. It’s trying to tell you to delay making a decision until you’re sure there are no hidden problems that could cause trouble later on.

VIRGO (August 23 to September 22) This is a good time to reach out to those who might be nursing hurt feelings over recent events.

Best advice: Ignore any pettiness that could delay

618-822-1194

the healing process.

LIBRA (September 23 to October 22) Your understanding helps a colleague get through a difficult period. Although you didn’t do it for a reward, be assured that your actions will be repaid down the line.

SCORPIO (October 23 to November 21) You score some high marks in the workplace, which will count in your favor when you face the possibility of changing direction on your current career path.

SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21) Your goal lies straight ahead. Stay focused on it and avoid distractions that could throw off your aim and cause potentially detrimental delays.

CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19) Keep that burst of exuberance in check and resist pushing through your new project before it’s ready. In your personal life, a family member again needs help.

AQUARIUS (January 20 to February 18) Paying attention to your work is important this week. But so are your relationships with those special people in your life. Make time for them as well.

PISCES (February 19 to March 20) Good news.

Someone is about to repay a long-standing debt. But be warned. That same someone could try to charm you into lending it back unless you say no and mean it. 3

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

94 Northport Drive, Alton 618-208-6002 betterhearingclinic.com

PERSONAL LAW

How should I store important files?

There are a multitude of ways to effectively store important documents. It’s a good idea to use a fireproof safe or password-protected electronic file for documents such as bank and investment statements, tax documents, estateplanning documents, pay stubs, and pension information.

Todd Sivia

You may also want to invest in a safe deposit box for papers that can’t be easily replaced. These include original birth and death certificates, Social Security cards, marriage and divorce decrees, passports, and life insurance documents. As an extra layer of security, you can scan your documents onto your computer (make sure they are clear copies). You should also back them up to a cloud service like Google Drive or Dropbox. To protect your data, make sure the storage provider uses encryption technology. You can also store copies of your files in folders on a password-protected external hard drive. Visit our website to learn more!

116 W. Bethalto Blvd, Bethalto 618-377-8912 tomlaneagency.net

Can a bankruptcy stop a foreclosure?

YES.

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.

Shari Murphy

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.

TODD SIVIA, Attorney at Law

1 Terminal Drive, East Alton 618-258-4800

217 S. Main St., Edwardsville 618-659-4499 sivialaw.com

Attorney at Law • FREE CONSULTATION

P.O. Box 136, Wood River 618-797-8888

St. Peters Hardware opening new store in Breese

St. Peters True Value Rental is planning to expand by adding a third location in Breese, Ill., opening early this fall in September. The new location will add a third component to their business, Farm & Ranch. The 16,000 square foot building located off Old US Hwy 50 on N 4th Street is currently being remodeled to include a full-service hardware, farm and ranch, along with equipment and party rental departments.

This store will sell traditional hardware products such as fasteners, electrical supplies, tools, plumbing, and will feature several “store-in-astore” concepts – work gear and clothing, farm supplies, inspiration realized paint center, the tool shop, smoke and grill center, bird and pet shop, and outdoor power equipment. Shoppers will find many top-notch brands, that they know and trust. Dealer agreements have already been made with Echo Outdoor Power Equipment,

Milwaukee Electric Power Tools, DeWalt, Black & Decker, Freud, Diablo, Behrens, Gallagher, Dickies Clothing, Berne Workwear, Tingley, Weber, Traeger Grills, Hillman Fasteners, and National Hardware to name a few.

Family-owned and operated company since 1946, St. Peters True Value Rental currently operates a hardware and rental store in Alton, and a rental and Stihl dealership in Edwardsville.

Current owners of the business are brothers Dale and Doug St. Peters, along with Dale’s son, Daniel St. Peters. Owner Dan St. Peters said, “Making the move to Breese felt right. We have always been a local, small-town hardware store whose focus is providing the best service to our customers. We want to bring our family to Breese.” They hope to open the store in mid-September. 3

Dr.

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RV STORAGE FOR RENT

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IN-HOME CARE OF ALL KINDS

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FREE REMOVAL of anything metal, appliances, mowers, autos, etc.

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PRICE BEATERS BOBCAT WORK Backhoe, highlift, concrete tearouts, hauling rock, dirt, and more. Insured.

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OSF HealthCare and SSM Health initiative brings enhanced pediatric services

Patients of OSF HealthCare Saint Anthony’s Health Center in the greater Riverbend community will soon have access to a comprehensive network of pediatric providers through a recently-announced strategic affiliation with SSM Health, a Catholic health care system based in the St. Louis area. This collaboration will better serve patients in the community by bringing exceptional medical and surgical specialties closer to home. The affiliation combines a commitment to exceptional care and an expanded, comprehensive network of expert specialty and subspecialty physicians for patients in the area.

The latest collaboration will see Ameera Nauman, MD, a pediatrician at OSF Saint Anthony’s, move into the SSM Health network while continuing to see patients at the OSF Medical Group office in Godfrey. The Godfrey office offers primary care for adults as well as pediatric care. Dr. Nauman will have access to SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital, a worldclass facility in St. Louis, for emergency and specialty care, such as advanced pediatric diagnostic testing, surgical services and sports care.

“I’m excited to be part of this collaboration that will allow my patients greater access to timely and exceptional care

from pediatric specialists who are at the top of their field,” said Dr. Nauman. “Parents can know all of their child’s medical needs are in the hands of wellequipped, premier health professionals.”

Jeremy Fotheringham, region president of SSM Health St. Louis and Academics, said, “This collaboration will allow us to better meet the needs of this community while providing value and convenience to our patients. By working together, we further our Mission and Vision to ensure all people have access to the high-quality, personalized care they need.” 3

St. Jude Novena

sacred heart of Jesus be adored, glorified, loved and preserved throughout the world now and forever.

Sacred heart of Jesus, pray for us.

St. Jude, worker of miracles, pray for us.

St. Jude, help of the hopeless, pray for us. Say prayer nine times a day.

By the eighth day, prayer will be answered. Say it for nine days.

It has never been known to fail.

Publication must be promised.

Thank You, St. Jude.

B.J.M. 6/21/22

May the sacred heart of Jesus be adored, glorified, loved and preserved throughout the world now and forever.

Sacred heart of Jesus, pray for us.

St. Jude, worker of miracles, pray for us.

St. Jude, help of the hopeless, pray for us. Say prayer nine times a day.

By the eighth day, prayer will be answered. Say it for nine days. It has never been known to fail.

Publication must be promised.

Thank You, St. Jude. TEX 6/3/22

58 Airport Plaza Bethalto 618-377-2112

Realty BETHALTO

2516 State St, Alton $1,250/mo Nick Schranck 978-1619 High traffic location with visible frontage and signage. Nice office space features large main area, bathroom and storage room.

YOUR OWN PARADISE

1150 N. Moreland Rd., Moro $445,000 Steve Aud 618-789-2325

Situated on over 6 acres is this unique property that has it all. Floor plan for separate in-law quarters or great teenage set-up. Some features include 3 bedrooms, 5 baths, enclosed porch, covered patio, pantry, office, inground salt-water pool with a “HESHE” cave with full stainless outdoor kitchen. Plus a pole barn and your own lake. So much to see.

2806 Godfrey Rd, Godfrey $295,000 Matt Horn 560-8201  Premier retail or office location. Great price on this high visibility corner. Full brick construction.

1834 Edwardsville Rd, Madison $48,500 Valeria Martin 314-496-1088

Great investment property. This 2BR/1BA bungalow offers over 1,300 sq ft of living space, which includes a bonus room, and hardwood floors.

1320 Washington, Alton $229,900 Matt Horn 560-8201

Outstanding Alton home. This 2 story, 3BR full brick home will be sure to impress. One of a kind woodwork throughout.

FEATURED LISTING

5501 Ladue, Godfrey $114,900 Jenny Wisniewski 791-8224 Spacious 3BR brick ranch in desirable neighborhood, offers over 1,600sq ft of living space. Basement, fenced yard, attached garage.

112 W 4th, Hartford $80,000 Cheri Horn 791-5933 2BR home has a bonus room, kitchen, dining, family room, main floor laundry. Some hardwood floors, full basement, garage.

526 Grace, Godfrey $120,000 Pat Kulish 623-9209

1.5 story, 4BR/2BA brick home, also includes an apartment over the large detached garage.

5310 Godfrey Rd, Godfrey $59,900

Commercial investment property on Broadway. Currently a hair salon/dance studio. Includes 3BR residence, storage building, and additional vacant parcel.