Riverbend October 2022

The story of A Precious Organization

By Mark Ellebracht Big Z Media

A Precious Organization was founded in 2013 when Tammy Smith decided to put together a walk to raise awareness of a battle she was going through with her family, specifically her daughter Precious, who has Sickle Cell Disease and has been dealing with the effects of the illness since birth.

Tammy and Precious were recent guests on Let’s Talk to share their story.

Tammy, what prompted you to start the walk and the organization?

It was about 10 years ago; I was dealing with the loss of a loved one and Precious called me and said she needed to go to the hospital. It was something that we always had to do, but just never know when it might happen, so she called me at night, and I just started asking why couldn’t someone help me or do something about this. That’s when God hit me with these thoughts later that night, it woke me up and I

just started writing down ideas of what I could do, and I couldn’t go back to sleep. I needed to create awareness and help other people going through this illness. I didn’t go back to sleep. I had this idea of a holding a walk and helping others because you didn’t hear anything about Sickle Cell, no one was talking about it anywhere. I thought I was the only one dealing with it.

Have you ever planned anything like this?

I called my alderwoman at the time, Alice Martin, and I told her all the things I wanted to do, and I said I just wanted to do something small, and she said, “What you’re planning is big.” She was right, I was so worried

no one would come and almost 500 people showed up that first year. It’s been a blessing!

Do you do anything besides the walk?

We’ve held a few different events over the years, and we are currently sponsoring two blood drives each year because Sickle Cell patients like my daughter need blood transfusions several times a year. This disease impacts African Americans more than any other group, so we wanted to sponsor the drives to encourage and educate people on why it’s important to give. The next drive is coming up December 16 from 2-6pm at the YWCA in Alton. 3 apreciousorganization.org

OBITUARIES ANNOUNCEMENTS

CARDWELL 50TH ANNIVERSARY

Jerry and Debbie (Copley) Cardwell will be celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary with a trip to Dubai and Abu Dhabi to visit their daughter Jamie, and sonin-law Mohamed for three weeks at Christmas. They were married at St. Paul United Methodist Church in Brighton on Sept. 8, 1972 by the Rev. Keim and Gene Cardwell, Jerry’s brother.

Jerry served in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War. He retired from Bethalto Park N Shop

in 2008 after 45 years in the grocery business. Debbie retired from Godfrey Park N Shop in 2008 after 41 years in the grocery business.

Jerry and Debbie are the parents of two daughters and son-in-laws, Dr. Jamie Cardwell & Mohamed Fouad of Abu Dhabi, UAE, and Kristin & Josh Luparell of Creve Coeur, MO. They are also the proud grandparents of Ella and Isaac Luparell.

A small dinner celebration with family and friends at Castelli’s Restaurant was held on Saturday, Sept. 10.

Roberta Fahey

61 | Edwardsville

September 13, 2022

arrangements by Weber & Rodney Funeral Home

Roberta Jean Fahey, age 61, of Edwardsville, Illinois, passed away on Tuesday, September 13, 2022, at Anderson Hospital in Maryville, Illinois. She was born May 13, 1961, in Alton, the daughter of Peggy (Godwin) Ezell of Alton, and the late Robert Ezell.

Besides her mother Roberta is survived by her partner and husband of 41 years, Jerry Fahey, whom she married on November 7, 1992. She is also survived by her daughter, Lena Fahey of Collinsville; son Thomas Fahey of Edwardsville; two sisters, Kathy Pitzer & husband John of Edwardsville, Denee Wuellner & husband Steve of Godfrey; and many nieces & nephews.

Roberta worked at Anderson

Marks Mortuary

Hospital as a Respiratory & Sleep Therapist for 38 years, she also worked with the Edwardsville Parks and Recreation Dept. to remove unsafe & outdated playground equipment for newer and safer equipment, and she ran an annual circus themed “Air Fair” to educate asthmatic children & their families for many years. She was a devoted mother, and avid movie fan and was fond of Tullamore Dew Irish Whiskey and Armagnac Brandy. She will be cremated according to her wishes and a celebration of life will be held at a later date. Weber & Rodney Funeral Home in Edwardsville is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be expressed online at weberfuneralhome.com.

Program awarding $10,000 to artists to enhance local businesses

Alton Main Street and Jacoby Arts Center are excited to present a new Downtown Alton Mural Grant Program. This program is designed to assist property and business

owners in the funding and implementation of murals and artwork.

In order to be eligible, the building must be located within the Alton Main Street

district boundary. Interested property owners and tenants with owners’ permission may submit an application along with a photo of the intended location to be painted. Full details as

Funeral Directors

Since 1901

Celebrating

633 E. Lorena Avenue, Wood River 618-254-5544

well as a form for artists to express interest in painting a mural can be found at downtownalton.com/events/ public-art-projects. 3

VILLAGE OF BETHALTO WATER SYSTEM FLUSHING

The Village of Bethalto will begin flushing its entire water system starting Monday, October 3, 2022 and continuing until completed. Customers can expect occasional stained water and periods of low pressure throughout this process. During periods of discoloration, you may want to refrain from laundering clothes. Any questions, please contact Water Plant Operator Jim Williams at (618) 570-5098. We appreciate your patience and cooperation as we complete this necessary task.

PHONE

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

Find your next companion at 5As

By Frank Prager Big Z Media

Stray, unowned and unwanted dogs and cats are a challenge to any community on a number of levels. Wandering animals can be a nuisance, and even a danger, to individuals as well as other animals. They can attract predators such as coyotes to urban and suburban areas by serving as a source of food. More important, the cruelty to animals living in unprotected and uncaredfor environments rests on the social conscience of any society involved. There is nothing that tugs at the heartstrings more than a starving animal or one left exposed to the extremes of weather.

5As animal shelter in Alton has a broad choice

of animals for adoption for people in the Riverbend area seeking to provide a home for a dog or cat. The shelter has been providing shelter and care for homeless and abandoned animals since it was founded in 1956. The name 5As stands for Alton Area Animal Aid Association. The facility houses dogs and cats and provides treatment and care to sick or injured animals through its rapport with local veterinarians. They stress the abhorrence of any type of cruelty to animals and encourage spaying and neutering of dogs and cats. Ric Jun is Executive Director of 5As. He has served in that role for the past twelve years. He explains the 501-C3 nonprofit organization is a no-kill facility. “We keep

them here until the end of their lives if we can’t find them a home,” he says. He notes the success of 5As and points out the organization provides homes to between 400 and 500 dogs and cats every year.

Jun notes there is strict acceptance criteria for 5As to take in an animal and that the need must be genuine and critical. “Some are strays who have nowhere else to go,” he says. He notes other cases involve families who are relocating and cannot keep an animal, changes in family situations such as divorces and also instances of the pet owner’s death.

All animals are kept in cages with room for exercise and which are cleaned daily. The facilities provide a healthy, humane, comfortable

environment for each animal and are inspected regularly by the Department of Agriculture. While 5As welcomes public volunteers for help in walking and taking care of the animals, Jun explains they also have a paid staff working seven days a week. “Poop comes daily. Volunteers don’t,” he says.

Jun says the advent of the COVID pandemic actually increased the requests for dogs and cats. He says he believes it stemmed from the isolation many experienced in staying home. The organization’s website provides a search page which allows people to see pictures of the pets currently housed there and get basic information about each animal such as age, size, breed and name. The site

also provides information on the cost of adopting the animals. All adopted animals are spayed or neutered and come with all required shots. They also come with an identification chip embedded in their skin for location purposes if lost.

Jun notes that 5As receives no government funding and is supported solely through

donations and through the revenue raised by the 5As thrift shop located at 2600 State Street in Alton. “The thrift shop is excellent,” says Jun. “It carries a wide range of items which are constantly updated.”

5As animal shelter welcomes monetary donations as well as donations of cat and dog

SALOME’S STARS

ARIES (March 21 to April

19) change that you’d hoped for is down the line. But, you still need to be patient until more explanations are forthcoming. Continue to keep your enthusiasm in check.

TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) Your social life expands as new friends come into your life. But, while you’re having fun, your practical side can also see some positive business potential within your new circle.

GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) Your workplace situation continues to improve. Look for advantages you might have missed while all the changes were going on around you. A trusted colleague can help.

CANCER (June 21 to July 22) Resist the urge to hunker down in your bunker until things ease up. Instead, get rid of that woe-is-me attitude by getting up and getting out to meet old friends or make new ones.

LEO (July 23 to August 22) Now that you’re back enjoying the spotlight again, you should feel re-energized and ready to take on the challenge of bringing those big, bold plans of yours to

LIBRA (September 23 to October 22) Resist making impulsive decisions. Stay on that steady course, as you continue to work out workplace problems. Be patient. All will soon be back in balance.

SCORPIO (October 23 to November 21) You might feel confident about taking a promising offer, but stay alert for what you’re not being told about it. Don’t fret. Time is on your side.

SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21) People dear to you might be planning a way to show appreciation for all you’ve done for them. Accept the honor graciously. Remember, you deserve it.

CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19)

Congratulations! Your selfconfidence is on the rise. This could be a good time to tackle those bothersome situations you’ve avoided both at home and at work.

AQUARIUS (January 20 to February 18) You feel obligated to return a favor. (Of course, you do.) But, heed advice from those close to you and do nothing until you know for sure what’s being asked of you.

food. “We go through about 300 pounds of food every week,” says Jun. Monetary donations can be made directly on the 5As web page from one’s PayPal account. Donors can also mail checks to the organization or drop them off at their facility.

Jun explains there are 5As collection boxes around town and that another way for people to help is to leave a bequest to the organization in their will. People can donate their automobiles

as well by calling 5As or sending an email to richardjun1946@gmail.com.

5As animal shelter is located at 4530 N. Alby in Godfrey. It is open seven days a week from 11am until 4pm and can be reached by phone at 618-466-3702. Additional information and pictures of pets can be found on their website or on Facebook by searching for 5As. 3 fiveas.org

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SAVINGS

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SECRET DINER

Mexican cuisine mecca

By Bill Roseberry Big Z Media

This restaurant is a hidden gem in southwestern Madison County that definitely deserves some love.

I adore the authenticity of this Mexican cuisine mecca and I don’t know if the word is out about its awesomeness. The unassuming building sits directly along the side of the road and features a very small parking lot in front. There is also some room for parking on the sides of the building. The name of the establishment is displayed on the place, but there are no standalone signs near the road to identify it.

A few red round picnic tables are situated outside near the front entrance for patio dining on nice days. To get inside walk under a small awning to the entrance. Once inside there is an open dining area to the left, but a small bar area to the right with stools positioned in front of it. There is a single restroom available past the small bar space down a short hallway. The dining room is filled with a hodgepodge of different types of tables accompanied with wooden and metal chairs. It features a concrete floor with orange, green and red walls.

While the interior decorating might not be anything to write home about, once you get your hands on a menu you’ll see a true work of art.

On a side note because of the size of the restaurant and the quality of the food, it can get quite busy, so be prepared for a possible wait. It’s worth it.

Of course the first thing you get is a basket of tortilla chips and a bowl of salsa. It is phenomenal, but be warned, the salsa does feature a substantial kick to it.

Figuring out what to order can be a chore because there are so many great choices.

I recently visited with a coworker during lunch hours and we were stoked about it. After much deliberation, I settled on a breaded steak torta, while my friend went with the carne asada street tacos.

If you’re not familiar with what a torta is, it’s a Mexican sandwich served on a baguette-style bun commonly called a bolillo. To put it simply, it’s quite a bit of bread. I’ve had tortas that are underwhelming due to the bread being a little dry. That is not the case here.

The white airy bun was so fresh and doughy here. It was also made in house. Inside that delicious bread were a slew of fresh goodies. It started with that very lightly breaded steak, which was super tender, then was finished off with huge hunks of avocado, lettuce, jalapenos, cheese and mayonnaise.

The mayo had a very unique taste to it, which was hard to put a finger on, but it

was very good. The white cheese used was melty goodness that added another layer of flavor. I believe it was chihuahua cheese. There was a slight kick from the jalapenos, too. The biggest thing I took away was how fresh everything tasted. It was just super delicious and filling.

My friend was very happy with her street tacos, too. The small corn tortillas were heaping with steak, cilantro and finely-chopped onions with a lime on the side. The corn tortillas are made in house, too.

She also added another unique offering from this joint — Horchata. It’s a rice water chock full of cinnamon flavor. It tastes like non alcoholic rum chata if you’re familiar with that cinnamonflavored spirit. It’s a cloudy, milky white color served over ice; just extremely different from anything I’d ever experienced.

I’ve been here several times and have yet to be disappointed. There are other authentic options available also. The sopes are delicious. A sope is basically a thick, fried corn tortilla blanketed with savory

Overall:

Cleanliness:

Service:

Food:

Price:

toppings. Here those include a beef and potato option, a steak option and pork. All are great and filling. Other things that fill up the menu include gorditas, quesadillas, burritos, soups, flautas, enchiladas and fajitas.

Of course earlier I said there was a bar, so you can partake in some adult beverages if that’s your fancy. They offer options like wine, domestic and imported beers as well as margaritas. For some non-alcoholic choices they also feature a line of Jarritos, which are Mexican sodas. 3

NMLS #411326

Kids’ Maze

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

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!

TRIVIA TEST

By Fifi Rodriguez

1. ANIMAL KINGDOM: What is a baby hedgehog called?

2. MOVIES: Which 1960s movie features a character named Holly Golightly?

3. HISTORY: In which country did the Easter Rising of 1916 take place?

4. GEOGRAPHY: Which U.S. state is bordered by the states of Washington, Oregon, Montana, Utah, Wyoming and Nevada?

5. LITERATURE: What do the initials in J.D. Salinger’s name stand for?

DIFFICULTY HH

FLASHBACK

By Mick Harper

1. Which group wrote and released “Reminiscing”?

2. Name the group that released an album titled “Walking Through Fire.”

3. Which group released “Neon Rainbow”?

4. Name the band that wrote and released “I Can See for Miles.”

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.

5. Name the song that contains these lyrics: “You may think I’m foolish for the foolish things I do, You may wonder how come I love you when you get on my nerves like you do.”

(answers in puzzle solutions)

DIFFICULTY HH

Place a number in the empty boxes in such a way that each row across, each column down and each small 9-box square contains all of the numbers from one to nine.

Puzzles sponsored by Mid America Audiology

6. GEOMETRY: How many sides does a heptagon have?

7. TELEVISION: Richard Dawson was the original host of which TV game show?

8. GENERAL KNOWLEDGE: Which gymnast was the first to score a perfect 10 in Olympic competition?

9. U.S. STATES: Which state’s official animal is a red fox?

10. MEDICAL: What is the common name of a condition called tussis? (answers in puzzle solutions)

Donna Pettman

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.

Find the listed words in the diagram. They run forward, backward, up, down and diagonally. Unlisted hint: Capital City

What’s The Difference?

Sudoku

Word Search CITIES IN VENEZUELA

Even Exchange by

Kids’ Maze

Last month I wrote about living in a small town, knowing people when you walk in the door of a restaurant or business, and the comfort that can bring when “everybody knows your name.” I heard back from a few of you who agreed that Johnson’s Corner was one of “their places” too and they quite frequently see someone they know in the dining room. Another reader said they see many familiar faces at Gentelin’s and appreciate the staff who they have connected with over the years.

Let’s add festivals, picnics, and high school sports into that mix. Since the last edition of this paper, we’ve had the Bethalto Homecoming (World’s Fair), Alton Expo, Applefest at St. Ambrose Church, Mississippi Earthtones Festival, Marquette Homecoming Weekend, and St. Francis Holy Ghost Harvest Fest in Jerseyville, just to name a few. None are official “reunions,” but those events attract people from all over the area and it becomes a reunion because it usually means you’ll run into someone you haven’t seen in

By Mark Ellebracht

a few weeks or a few years. You might share a meal, a beer, a funnel cake, and swap stories. You remember when you rode the tilt-awhirl and got a little green when you stepped off. You remember the members of a band that played “back in the day” or the DJ that would never play your request. Now, your kids are on the rides, chasing their friends and collecting “prizes” after asking you for the 8th time for more money. They’re also the ones lip syncing to those “oldies” from the 90s and the early 2000s.

funnel cake. At least that’s what I always say. There’s something about the aroma, it’s tempting, it sounds like a good idea, it looks tasty. Then, a few hours afterward, you’re regretting life. Why didn’t anyone stop you? Is it normal to sweat in bed while lying still? Funnel cake hangovers are real, and I thought I learned my lesson...until funnel cake fries came along. They’re so innocent looking, smaller and easier to handle, right? Powdered sugar is always better than ketchup.

And what is it about fair food? Fried, grilled, or chilled, eating from a paper or Styrofoam container, maybe eating off a stick, sometimes while you walk, sometimes while you talk, is also a fair tradition. How about the kids with the blue or pink or green lips and tongues from a wide assortment of candy? My favorite has always been the

Anyway, where was I? There are more gatherings coming up this fall where you will run into somebody you know like Oktoberfests and Halloween parades, then not far behind will be tree lightings, Christmas walks and other holiday gatherings. Don’t take these reunions for granted and spend a little time catching up. A text is fine, but a face-to-face conversation is so much better! Do you have a local story idea, a business anniversary to celebrate or see someone doing something “extra” for the community, let me know. Drop me a message at markellebracht@bigz. media. 3

Stella B., Alton, 3 Devlin M., Alton, 6 Cheyenne P., Alton, 9

Addison E., Edwardsville, 4 Isabel B., Alton, 6 Marty L., Bethalto, 10

Luna B., Cottage Hills, 3 Eloise B., Glen Carbon, 6 Ariel B., Godfrey, 9

Community engagement is the key to growing our region

By Mike Adams

Big Z Media

Kyle Anderson is a driving force in our region. As a native of Wood River and graduate of East Alton-Wood River High School, and Southern Illinois University, he greatly understands our area and wants to continue to see the Southwest Illinois region thrive.

proud of his work overseeing public relations for the “Stan Span,” the Stan Musial Veterans Memorial Bridge.

Around 2010, Kyle took on the position of the local government affairs director for the realty industry, advocating for property reform and business incentives in our area. Ultimately that led him to become the chief executive officer for the Greater Gateway Association of Realtors. In February of this year, he accepted his current position as executive director of the Leadership Council.

in automotive, welding, electrical, and construction industries through our local high schools and colleges.

One key to future growth in the next 5-10 years is building synergy between the local educational institutions and employers. This means getting in front of young people as early as 5th, 6th, and 7th grade.

Introducing children to all the career paths available,

with an eye to what will be growing opportunities for employment in the next five to ten years. This includes working with their hands in the trade industry as well as college and career paths.

One area of employment

Kyle sees as thriving is those employers who are looking for “second career” people. Those who have gone into a field after college and are dissatisfied in their chosen

profession. Many in their late 20s are shifting to other arenas to find work, where they find great satisfaction working with their hands in various trades.

Kyle sees a lot of potential in initiatives like John Simmons’ AltonWorks, Cory Jobe’s work at the Great Rivers and Routes Tourism Bureau, and the regional emphasis of groups like Alton Main Street.

Our region’s future may be changing, but it’s changing for the better because there are still opportunities for great progress.

Kyle encourages everyone to be involved and knowledgeable about what is happening in their community. Then be a voice and advocate, providing ideas and input to help Southwestern Illinois to thrive in the future. 3

Kyle’s diverse career path has prepared him for his current position. After college, he went to work as a legislative aide in the Illinois General Assembly, from there he moved on to become the Assistant to the Regional Director of IDOT, Ultimately becoming the state-wide director of communications overseeing public outreach. Kyle worked on many projects during that time, of which he is most

Once upon a time, we were a community where you could go directly from high school to a lifetime career at a local factory. The moving and closing of several of those industries have created a bit of an identity crisis in our region. Certainly, times have changed, but Kyle believes Southwestern Illinois still has a lot of potential.

There is great potential in the area’s workforce, due to the variety of skilled workers available and the opportunities in businesses like aerospace, with the growth of the St. Louis Regional Airport, and the great training available

Watch Kyle Anderson on Big Z Media’s “BUSINESS OVER A BREW” advnews.link/ anderson

UNRIVALED CUTTING COMFORT & UTILITY

Alton Area Landmarks Association offers free video tour

By Terry Sharp Alton Area Landmarks Association

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The Alton Area Landmarks Association is pleased to announce our 50th Fall Historic House Tour. The first AALA house tour was in 1971 and we have missed only one year since. In 2019 our 47th House Tour was the last traditional tour that featured walking through the historic buildings. Once covid struck, the AALA switched to drive-by tours. In 2020 the drive-by tour was of Sears and other brands of kit homes in Alton. The 2021 tour was called “Then and Now” and consisted of old photos of historic buildings that you could drive by and still see today. This year we wanted to highlight the interior of an important Alton home but offer a safe environment for our visitors and the homeowner. Our solution was a video tour. And our goal was to present the most important home in Alton, Lyman Trumbull House. The Lyman Trumbull House has had the status of “National Historic Landmark” from the National Register of Historic Places since 1975. Lyman Trumbull, a former U.S. Senator from Illinois, lived in the house from 1849 to 1863. Senator Trumbull was co-author of the Thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution. The 13th Amendment abolished slavery in the United States.

The Lyman Trumbull House is not a museum, but the home of Erica and Jason Swagler. Having this important house on the tour would not have been possible without Erica and Jason’s permission. The video was created by Megan Fairless of Megyme Productions. The tour video will be available to view from October 1 on the AALA website. Like the AALA’s drive-by tours of 2020 and 2021, the Lyman Trumbull video is free. However, please consider making a donation to the AALA. It is very easy to make a donation through our website or by mailing a check to the AALA at Box 232, Alton, IL 62002. 3 altonlandmarks.org

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Welcoming new patients

HEALTH CARE AT YOUR CONVENIENCE

At OSF HealthCare, our primary care providers partner with you to develop a plan that fits your goals and lifestyle. And with convenient options and extended hours, it has never been easier to take control of your health.

Alton

•Tuesdays and Thursdays, 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.

• Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays, 7 a.m. – 5 p.m.

OSF Medical Group – Primary Care

#2 Saint Anthony’s Way, Alton Schedule at: (618) 462-2222 or osfmychart.org

Providers

• D eena Brown, FNP

•Lisa M. Fritcher, PA

•Shawn M. Fry, MD

•Michael S. Klein, MD

•Yusuf A. Mohyuddin, MD

•Manju Ramchandani, MD

•Colin M. Solomon, APRN

•Roxanne Strohbeck, APRN

Bethalto

•Monday through Thursday, 7 a.m. – 5 p.m.

•Fridays, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

OSF Medical Group – Primary Care

404 West Bethalto Drive, Bethalto

Schedule at: (618) 377-6410 or osfmychart.org

Providers

•Courtney M. McFarlin, PA

•Rajnikant K. Patel, MD

Godfrey

• Monday through Wednesday and Fridays, 7:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

•Thursdays, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

OSF Medical Group – Primary Care

6702 Godfrey Road, Godfrey

Schedule at: (618) 467-1520 or osfmychart.org

Providers

•Colin Butterfield, MD

L ucas Edwards, PA

•Bethany E. Huelskoetter, APRN

•Kelly A. Martin, APRN

S herry Simmons, MD

New route announced for Bethalto Halloween Parade

By Doug Jenkins & Mark Ellebracht Big Z Media

The annual Bethalto Halloween Parade will take place the evening of October 25 with a new route. The Bethalto Rotary Club organizes the parade, and Rotary member Alan Winslow says they will use a route like the Memorial Day Parade but will travel in the opposite direction. He says the parade route has been moved to eliminate a lot of the cross streets and the challenges that presents. The staging will take place on the parking lot of Rose Lawn Memory Gardens starting at 6pm and the parade will start at 6:30pm, heading eastbound on Plegge Boulevard and then end in the Village Hall, immediately followed by the

Trunk or Treat in Central Park.

Winslow says, “There could be between thirty and forty businesses, churches and community groups take part in the Trunk or Treat so kids can just finish the parade and keep walking into the park to collect their

HOLIDAY SHOPPING

FallBounty at the Farm!

goodies.”

If you want to participate in the parade, call 618-9776519 to reserve your spot. The parade traditionally features a combination of floats and people on foot, as well as the Civic Memorial High School marching band. 3

Where fresh, organic vegetables, herbs, and flowers are grown and harvested daily from just right outside. This gives you the opportunity to experience where (and who) your food comes from. Locally grown produce is picked at its peak ripeness, when it is most dense with nutrients. We love supporting other local businesses and are excited to o er a selection of their products such as pasture-raised eggs, honey, jams, seasonal fruits, and more!

Happy fall, y’all! The pumpkin spice season is upon us and there are so many exciting things going on around the Village of Bethalto.

Our weekly Farmers Markets have been filled with a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, meats, baked goods, crafts and other delights every week, all summer long—but the markets are winding down for the season, so you better hurry and get your fix before time runs out!

The season ends this year on October 9, and shortly thereafter, volunteers will start transforming Central Park and the Arboretum into the wonderland known as Bethalto Christmas Village. The Village will open for the season the weekend after Thanksgiving—and some exciting new features may be included! Be sure to follow the Bethalto Spirit, Bethalto Farmers Market, and Bethalto Christmas Village pages on Facebook for more details and updates on all the exciting things this group has in store. We’ve got Bethalto Spirit, and we hope you do too!

Speaking of spirits (spooky ones, that is!)—plans have been finalized for the 2022 Bethalto Rotary Club Halloween Parade and Trunk or Treat. Join the Rotarians on Tuesday, October 25 for the parade— which has a new and improved route this year. Line up will begin at 6pm at Rose Lawn Memorial Gardens cemetery, with the parade starting at 6:30pm at the north end of the cemetery, traveling east down Plegge Boulevard toward Central Park, and emptying into Central Park for a FREE Trunk or Treat event. Decorated “trunks” will be set up at the park to hand out goodies for trunkor-treaters. It’s sure to be a ghoulishly good time!

The Central Park pickleball courts are open and we have seen a steady stream of pickleball enthusiasts putting them

to good use. We are still on hold for fencing installation, but we’ve recently installed bleachers for spectators and the lights will soon be adjusted to allow for playing after dark. Don’t forget, Bethalto has several other parks ready for your enjoyment—Bryant (Culp Lane) Park has a playground, walking path, pavilions, grills, and a catch-and-release 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!

Work is almost complete on the new Friedel/ Albers Lane Bridge, and it is expected to be open to traffic any day now. We know this has been a long few months for residents in that area, and we appreciate everyone’s patience as we made these necessary improvements. The bridge looks great, and we thank our engineers and contractors for a job well done.

If you’ve visited Central Park during the last few weeks, you’ve likely noticed the new sign welcoming you to the Park. With a frame constructed of logs from a recentlydiscovered log cabin, the sign welcomes you to the park and honors Henry Zimmerman and the poem written about his hometown of Bethalto. Be sure to check out this new addition when you’re in the area!

The Bethalto Kiwanis Club is hosting their 23rd annual Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast on Monday, September 26, from 7-8:30am at the Bethalto Senior Citizens Center.

Tickets are $15 each and can be purchased at Bethalto Liberty Bank or from any Kiwanis Club

member. Pastor Brandon Metcalf is this year’s guest speaker.

As a reminder, all Village Board meetings are open to the public; regular meetings are the second Monday of the month beginning at 7pm 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.

By Gary Bost Bethalto Mayor

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

FROM THE PRESIDENT ’S DESK

RiverBend

GROWTH ASSOCIA TION

Ser v ing Business, Encouraging Growth in Southwestern Illinois

SMALL BUSINESS OF THE MONTH

WellCreek Pharmacy

WellCreek Pharmacy has been recognized as the RiverBend Growth Association Small Business of the Month for September 2022.

Located in Bethalto, the pharmacy was opened by Owner Bruce Brueggemann over six years ago. Brueggemann noted, “I retired from Alton Kmart after 36 ½ years, but I enjoyed what I did and was not ready to stop working. So, I opened an independent community pharmacy to offer an alternative to big box stores – a pharmacy that is competitively priced and where patients become and remain friends.”

Brueggemann eventually moved WellCreek Pharmacy to its current site in the Bethalto Liberty Bank retail complex from its original location at 341 W. Bethalto Dr. The move expanded its space for customer service and merchandise, and new fixtures were also installed to further enhance the pharmacy’s service offerings and customer experience. WellCreek Pharmacy currently has six employees, and Brueggemann shared that he and his team all keep up with continuing education requirements. “I have added one new employee,” he said. “That new employee is attending SIUE pharmacy school now.”

Community service is an important part of

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

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

WellCreek Pharmacy

618-377-5356

333 W. Bethalto Dr., Suite B Bethalto wellcreekpharmacy.com

Brueggemann’s ongoing vision for WellCreek. “I sponsor and ride on a bicycle team for cystic fibrosis called ‘Riding for Baby Jess.’ I also sponsor individual places for the boys’ and girls’ teams at Civic Memorial,” he noted. Brueggemann said further, “I am a medical corps volunteer with the Madison County Health Department, helping to administer COVID-19 vaccines early in the pandemic before I was able to secure vaccines through the pharmacy. After April 2021, I continued vaccinating at Villa Rose, Skyline Towers, and Hillcrest Apartments. I also host vaccination clinics in the store and make house calls too.”

Just like other businesses, the pharmacy too faced some serious challenges during the pandemic.

“We closed the inside of the pharmacy and had drive-through service only during the early stage of the COVID-19 pandemic,” he said. “Coverage was a challenge, as was staying healthy with limited staff and staying open.”

Offering accurate, friendly, fast, and quality pharmacy services where they know their patients is what Brueggemann says sets Bethalto’s WellCreek Pharmacy apart from competitors in the market. “Filling the gap between corporate and mail-order pharmacies, as well as

meeting new people and taking care of their pharmacy needs – those are some of the greatest opportunities we have here at WellCreek,” Brueggemann added.

Pharmacy services available through Bethalto’s WellCreek Pharmacy in addition to traditional prescription and retail options include after-hours emergency number availability, in-store or at-home vaccinations, medication planning and review, free prescription delivery, weekly medication blister packs or planners and Ortho Molecular Products, and customer access to a comprehensive pharmacy. WellCreek Pharmacy store hours are from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.

To learn more, visit online at wellcreekpharmacy. com or call (618) 377-5356.

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, Amy Roady, Kristen Ryrie, Leslie Schobernd, Martha Schultz, and Amy Smith.

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

MARK YOUR CALENDARS

From left, Bruce Brueggemann, Patricia Wills, Brayden Shirley, Dawn Cooley, Timothy Wilson, Susan Tolleson; not pictured is Heather Neve.

Rotary donation

the be

4.8 Star Google Reviews

“Barrett Heating and Cooling is a highly professional, local business. We’ve had them out for yearly maintenance. We recently had some leaking from the basement humidifier and Greg came out same day to fix the issue, which happened to be Christmas Eve. ... This new mother of twins is appreciative of Greg and Steve’s dedication to making the customer experience absolutely phenomenal.”

“Amazing customer service! I placed a work order request on their website and requested help with our air conditioner. Roger called in advance of arrival and as always was friendly and professional. Roger diagnosed my components systematically and explained what he was doing. He had the replacement components on his truck. One hour later and our emergency is over.”

oysters,

Riverbend East Rotary Club Foundation board members present a $2,700 check to William BeDell arc school principal Jessica Walton (3rd from right). The donation represents the proceeds from the club sponsored Color Run in June and will be used to upgrade the schools sensory room. Board members pictured are Mark Speciale, Lindsey Herron, Robin Karpan, Mark Vaughn and Brad Pulaski.

ADVANTAGE ATHLETES

AdVantage Athletes sponsored by Simmons Hanly Conroy

Shells vs. Oilers in Volleyball match

Alton football fans celebrate a touchdown

Senior running back Keith Gilchrese leads the Redbirds onto the field

Terrel Graves dives into the end zone for the Shells [photo courtesy of Dan Cruz]

EAWR’s Ryan Morton-Burch running against the Eagles [photo courtesy of Dan Cruz]

Roxana and Marquette shake hands after a September volleyball match

SENIOR LIVING

Vintage Voices celebrates 21st year with stories of Alton’s past

By Doug Jenkins and Mark Ellebracht

Big Z Media

Vintage Voices, a walking tour where actors in period clothing portray real Altonians from our past, returns this year for its 21st rendition. On the afternoons of October 1 and 2, and again on October 8 and 9, locals can take a tour from the “ghosts” of Alton at the Alton Cemetery located at 5th and Vine Streets and learn about what life was like for the characters many decades ago. Tours run

noon-2:30pm each day.

Vintage Voices Committee Chairman Jody Basola says this year they will be celebrating many anniversaries. “The City of Alton was pretty busy back in 1897, getting things going that are still going today.

The Alton Women’s Home was founded in that year, the Lovejoy Monument was dedicated that same year and Beverly Farm was also founded that year too.”

Tickets for the Vintage

Voices walking tour are $15 for adults and $10 for children. There will also be a non-walking performance on Sunday October 9 at 5 pm at Jacoby Arts Center. Tickets for both events can be purchased online at vintagevoices2022. eventbrite.com.

This year the tours will have nine stops with actors portraying:

• Marcellus H. Filley, a private night watchman who was murdered on Halloween

• Lyne Shackelford Metcalfe, an Alton mayor and a founding board member of the Alton Unitarian Church, and his wife Sarah Baker Metcalfe, the daughter of prominent Alton attorney David Jewell Baker

• Colonel John Kuhn who joined the Alton Jaeger Guard and served as one of the Company’s lieutenants

• Rev. Austin Otey, a preacher at Union Baptist Church which marks its 185th anniversary this year

• Sara Jane Woodson Newton Cohron, a very successful teacher in St. Louis and East St. Louis and the founder of the St. Louis Colored Orphans’ Home, now the Annie Malone Children’s Home

• Henry Mayo who accompanied General J.C. Fremont on the historical “Pathfinding” trip to the Pacific coast

• Alton Woman’s Home resident Alice Georgia and board member Olga Polster will share the story of its founding 125 years ago

• E.P. Wade, the President of the Lovejoy Monument Association, shares the story of the 1897 dedication of the Lovejoy Monument

• Dr. William H.C. Smith and his wife Elizabeth Ellen Blake Smith who founded Beverly Farm 125 years ago 3

SHIP office at AMH open for Medicare questions

The Senior Health Insurance Program (SHIP), sponsored by Medicare and the Illinois Department on Aging, has a new office at Alton Memorial Hospital.

The office is Room G-367 on the ground floor of the hospital’s Hatch Wing. Clients who have registered

for an in-person meeting should park on the back side of the hospital near the aqua awning that reads “Hatch Building.” Once entering the building, the Oasis/Ship counseling office is the first office on the left (the sign on the door reads “OASIS/ BJC Plus”). Visitors are

required to wear masks, and those are available inside the Hatch Wing entrance.

The SHIP office provides free, confidential and unbiased counseling for all Medicare beneficiaries. Counseling is available for all Medicare-related questions, including Medicare Supplement Plans, Medicare Advantage Plans, and Medicare Drug Plans. SHIP serves people who are nearing Medicare eligibility and those wanting to review their coverage during the annual Medicare Open Enrollment period, which runs from Oct. 15 through Dec. 7 each year.

Appointments are required and can be made by calling the BJC Central Scheduling Department at 800-3920936. Ask for Medicare insurance counseling at Alton Memorial Hospital. The direct office phone is 618-463-7182. 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

New name, new amenities, same great community!

5201

women building business

Karen Wilson State Farm Insurance Agent

Life insurance! Who needs it?

It’s a time to step back and take notice of their accomplishments. The more than 11 million women-owned businesses in the U.S. hold tremendous value, generating $1.7 trillion in revenue and employing 9 million people, according to the National Women’s Business Council.

A significant number of area women hold positions of power and prestige. Many own their own businesses or are key players in their respective companies. We are highlighting some of the best, brightest and the most prominent women who work, employ and lead our community.

Candy Rister

Candy Rister and her husband Duane are very proud of their business Rister’s Automotive and Transmissions opened in 1991. They are a family owned business that provides automotive and transmission maintenance and repair services including tires, a/c, driveability problems, brakes, shocks, and struts, and cooling system problems, differentials electrical systems, exhaust and oil changes. Candy is ASE certified.

The Risters have called Alton home for their entire lives. They have three children and Candy loves her time away from the business and spends most of her time with granddaughter and pooches Moose and Mia. Duane and Candy are pleased to announce that sons Derek and Trevor have joined their business. Car problems?-----Call Rister’s today!

1322 Milton Road, Alton 618-465-5591 ristersauto.com

Sherry Gilleland Managing Broker/Owner of Dream Home Realty Center, Inc.

Sherry Gilleland began her real estate career in 2006. Sherry started as an agent then in 2009 obtained her managing broker’s license. In 2010, Sherry fulfilled her dream of opening her own real estate company. She is a dedicated real estate professional who has won several customer service and high performance awards in her efforts to see her clients’ dreams come true. Sherry assists both buyers and sellers. She handles the sale of many types of properties such as single family homes, multi-family units, commercial properties, lots and acreage. For more information contact Sherry. She would love the opportunity to work for you, give her a call today. Sherry is always looking for new brokers to join her team. If you or anyone you know is looking to make a change or begin a career in Real Estate, contact Sherry and see what great opportunities Dream Home Realty Centre, Inc can provide for you.

One of her personal beliefs is giving back to the community with the creation of Dream Home Charities a 501C3 Non-Profit organization. All monies raised goes to help the less fortunate and stays in our community. Dream Home Realty Centre also donates $50 of every closing to Dream Home Charities. For more information on Dream Home Charities go to dreamhomecharities.com. Give her a call today!

DreamHome DreamHome Realty Centre, Inc.

DreamHome DreamHome Home Realty Centre, Inc.

543 E. Ferguson • Wood River 618-497-4663 • 618-779-0990

dreamhomerealtycentre.com

Lisa Heims-Stout Operating Owner of Auto Butler

Auto Butler was established in 1989. Lisa Heims-Stout became owner with her husband Gary Stout on January 1, 2009. Lisa, the operating owner, is a CPA, and Gary has worked in the car washing business for 40 plus years.

Women, many times think they don’t need much life insurance. Life insurance is usually thought of as something for the spouse who is the breadwinner. If that person dies, then the life insurance benefit would help provide for the family. The mortgage may still get paid; the kids may still go to college.

Life coverage is no less important for the spouse who stays at home, works part time, or is a secondary breadwinner. The death benefit, payable if the insured stay-at-home spouse dies, could help pay for childcare, housekeeping, meals, and other services your family can’t do without.

Life insurance is also important for the kids. Getting them covered at a young age may help ensure they have the coverage in the future. They can convert the coverage as adults, even if they later develop health problems that would otherwise make them uninsurable. With family life insurance whatever the future brings, your loved ones’ financial security may be protected.

225 Tolle Lane • Godfrey 618-466-5774

KarenWilsonIns.com

Darci K. Ward DK Dance Productions

With a passionate love for learning and community service, Darci Ward traded her corporate keys to build a vibrant and diverse dance studio in not one, but three local communities (Alton, Jerseyville, and Florissant) over the last 17 years.

Ward, the Founder and CEO of DK Dance Productions, Ward Enterprises, Inc., the Dancer’s Kloset, and Spotlight by DK Dance Productions, is driven to be an innovator in all aspects of business, but mainly dance education. Her focus has always been a student’s technical and personal development, fostering skills to last a lifetime.

Darci sits as an Executive Member and a Certified Coach for More Than Just Great Dancing and as a Mentor and Board Member for the Jersey County CEO Program, a high school program sponsored and funded by local investors to encourage future business leaders. Darci resides in Jerseyville, and her favorite part of the day is spending time with Mark and their son Zac.

3100 Homer Adams Pkwy • Alton • 618-433-9774

12350 Old Halls Ferry Rd. • Florissant, Mo. 301 N. State St. • Jerseyville • dkdancepro.com

Vicky Delaney River Bend Yoga

Vicky Delaney opened River Bend Yoga in 2014 with the intention of bringing quality, affordable and life changing services to the Riverbend community. River Bend Yoga offers a multitude of classes, 7 days a week to suit every practitioner from beginners to the most advanced students.

In 2020 Vicky opened a Yoga Alliance accredited, Yoga Teacher Training (YTT) School, to offer others the opportunity to become Yoga Teachers. Students of the YTT program leave as fully certified teachers, ready to serve their communities. Vicky has recently quadrupled her yoga space; the new location boasts 4 yoga rooms plus a small boutique area.

Vicky is a dedicate and passionate yoga teacher, business owner, and community leader. Vicky is married, a mother of two and “Mee-Maw” to everyone. She stays busy working a full-time job in Missouri as well as running her two businesses. Schedule a class at riverbendyoga.punchpass.com.

100 West 3rd Street • Alton 618-581-5691

riverbendyoga.net

Cathy Gross Bluff City Grill

The owners believe in keeping the facilities updated, neat and clean.

DreamHome Home Realty Centre, Inc.

Since taking over the business in 2009, Gary & Lisa have made many improvements to the facility. We also have our Butler Club Membership. Wash daily for a monthly price. Become a member. It’s a great deal!

Auto Butler’s management and staff of 40 are committed to providing quality washes to each customer.

Our washes and interior cleaning options help CLEAN, SHINE & PROTECT our customers’ vehicles.

1706 Homer Adams Parkway

Alton • 618-462-7411

altonautobutler.com

The restaurant business is exciting, fast paced and unpredictable and is the passion of Cathy Gross. As owner and operator of a classic, family-oriented restaurant, the business has been teaming with guests, events and great food for almost nine years. Cathy started the business at the age of 25 on 9th Street, moving to Broadway in 2016 with the purchase of the former Eagles’ location.

Bluff City Grill has many options - restaurant, bar, lounge, banquet facility and formal dining. The menu features a large selection of great food in large portions at affordable prices, graciously served in a pleasant and positive atmosphere. They have a huge banquet hall on the upper level for catered receptions, weddings, meetings and special events with seating for more than 500. An elevator is available for easy access. Reservations are also accepted in the first floor dining room for up to 100 guests.

Cathy would like to thank her guests and the community for helping her achieve her dream and looks forward to the years to come.

424 E. Broadway • Alton 618-433-8288

restaurant, bar & banquet

bluffcitygrillalton.com

It’s October, and this month marks the time to recognize the accomplishments of women entrepreneurs with National Women’s Small Business Month.

Dr. Kristina E. Bemis Tupman, DC Bemis Tupman Chirpractic

Dr. Kristina and her husband, Dr. Stephen Tupman, proudly own Bemis Tupman Chiropractic on Humbert Road in Alton. As the ninth chiropractor and first female doctor in her family, she is honored to be continuing the Bemis name in chiropractic that began in 1915. Dr. Kristina focuses on caring for families, with an emphasis on pediatric and pre- and post-natal care. She is certified in the Webster Technique through the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (ICPA), which is specific to balancing the pelvis of expecting mothers. Dr. Kristina is a member of the ICPA, the Illinois Prairie State Chiropractic Association (IPSCA) and the Association of the History of Chiropractic. Locally, she is a member of the Riverbend Growth Association (RBGA), North Alton Godfrey Business Council, has worked with Alton Little Theater, and is a past member of the Zonta Club of Alton Wood River. In addition to helping people live their best lives possible through chiropractic care, she enjoys music, dancing, cooking, gardening, traveling and most of all, being a mom to her two amazing daughters, Paris and Ayla.

4105 Humbert Road Alton • 618-463-1600

bemischiropractic.com

Ashley Wasser

First Mid Bank & Trust

Ashley Wasser is the Market Manager for First Mid Bank & Trust in Alton and Wood River. Ashley is responsible for overseeing the daily operations of deposit services, new account operations, and promoting First Mid’s business lines of banking, insurance and wealth management. In her 14 years with the bank, she has held various positions within the deposit team, including Teller, Lead Teller/ Universal Banker, Assistant Branch Manager, and Branch Manager. She is an active member of the Riverbend Growth Association and serves on their Promotions Committee.

111 E 4th St Suite 111 • Alton • 618-619-1112

1046 Madison Ave • Wood River • 618-254-8445 firstmid.com

Patty Wooff

First Mid Bank & Trust

Patty Wooff serves as VP, Retail Mortgage Loan Off icer Manager for First Mid Bank & Trust, overseeing the mortgage lending team in Alton, Wood River, and Edwardsville, as well as lenders in Missouri and Texas. Patty grew up in the Alton area and has been in the mortgage industry since 1988, holding various roles from Nationwide Mortgage Servicer to her current role as a Loan Off icer Manager. Through her experience, she has developed a thorough understanding of the loan process from beginning to end. Patty specializes in home loan lending for purchase transactions, construction lending, refinancing and home equity lines of credit. Her lending scope includes a wide range of programs, including community down payment assistance.

NMLS # 524249 Equal Housing Lender

Alton • Wood River • Edwardsville 618-781-9966

pwooff@firstmid.com

Martha Schultz

First Mid Bank & Trust

Martha Schultz is Regional Deposit Manager for First Mid Bank & Trust, overseeing First Mid locations in Alton, Edwardsville, Highland, Fairview Heights, and Wood River. Her primary responsibilities include sales and business development, branch eff iciency, customer service, and overall regional deposit growth. Raised in Godfrey, Martha has deep ties to the Riverbend area and is involved in many community organizations. She is the Treasurer of the Boys & Girls Club of Bethalto, is a Chamber Ambassador and on the Board of the RiverBend Growth Association, and is an active member of the Alton Women’s Home Association and the Wood River Woman’s Club. Because of her work in the communities she serves, she was recognized as the 2017 YWCA Woman of Distinction.

111 E 4th Street

1046 E Madison Ave

Landmark Realty Godfrey

Let our ladies help you find your way home!

Michelle K. Cramer, Au.D. Professional Hearing Associates

Dr. Cramer specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of balance, hearing loss, and amplification for children and adults. She is an expert in the most advanced hearing technology available today. She also supports hearing preservation and conservation by providing custom hearing protection and education. She was raised in a small town in Northern Missouri. She has three children and is active in her local community church, civic women’s clubs, and local schools. She has a Doctorate of Audiology from A.T. Still University, Arizona School of Health Sciences, a Master Degree in Audiology from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, and a Bachelor Degree in Communication Disorders from Truman State University.

Dr. Cramer is now accepting new patients at our Godfrey location.

1344 D’Adrian Professional Park Godfrey • 618-466-4444

professionalhearingassociates.com

Kim Hopper

Professional Hearing Associates

Kim Hopper has been an instrumental part of a quickly growing practice. She and her husband, Dr. Joe Hopper started Professional Hearing Associates in April of 2018. Kim has extensive experience in the operational and organizational aspects one needs in a professional off ice and practice setting. She is very excited about the future of Professional Hearing Associates. The practice has grown into 3 off ice locations and has 5 team members. “I enjoy the interaction with patients on a daily basis. They will find out that we treat them as family here in our practice. We love what we do at Professional Hearing Associates.”

In Kim’s spare time she enjoys cooking, listening to jazz, going for walks, and spending time with the kids. She has a degree in Education from Lindenwood University.

• Alton • 618-619-1200

• Wood River • 618-254-8445 firstmid.com

1344 D’Adrian Professional Park Godfrey • 618-466-4444

professionalhearingassociates.com

Deehan Coff man

Riverbend Kitchen and More (RKM)

Riverbend Kitchen and More (RKM) was established in 2013. Deehan Coff man has been with the company since opening their doors. Beginning as an Administrative Assistant, then serving as the Off ice Manager until March of 2017 when she was promoted to General Manager where she oversees the day to day operations of the company.

RKM provides cabinets, countertops, backsplashes, flooring, doors, and much more. While kitchen and bath designs are our focus, we can offer remodeling possibilities to any room in your house. With limitless options and price points, our showroom is the perfect place to get inspired and get a hands-on feel of the materials.

Deehan lives in Grafton with her husband Jeremy and their three sons. She enjoys watching their boys play sports, camping and spending time with family and friends.

RIVERBEND KITCHEN and MORE

Lee Cox, Executive Director of Alton Little Theater has not only spent more than 50 years loving to “play” at the ALT Showplace, but she also particularly embraces costuming, set dressing & decor, lighting design and special effects and, most important, mentoring a new generation of performers!

ALT celebrates its 89th season this year and Lee plans on celebrating the 100th anniversary in 2033!

Festival hosts announce recipients of Confluence Conservation Leadership Awards

At the 16th annual Mississippi Earthtones Festival on September 17, Sierra Club Illinois’ Three Rivers Project and Alton Main Street awarded three local activists with the 2022 Confluence Conservation Leadership Award. Since 2007, the festival organizers have recognized community members who have made significant contributions to environmental conservation in the Riverbend region.

This year’s Confluence Conservation Leadership awardees include: Dr. Connie Frey Spurlock, Rachel Lappin, and Emily Ehley

Frey Spurlock is a sociologist committed to

215 Herbert Street • Alton 618-462-8955 riverbendkm.com

Lee Cox Alton Little Theater

618-462-3205

altonlittletheater.org

Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois’ United We Lead Gala a tremendous success

Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois held their annual United We Lead Gala on September 10. The event was a tremendous success, raising nearly $120,000 for the organization.

The United We Lead Gala, themed The Girl Scout Difference this year, brings together a wide range of people who share a common goal – to empower today’s girls to become tomorrow’s leaders. Guests were entertained by musician Erin Bode, enjoyed a delicious meal, listened to first-hand experiences from current Girl Scouts, participated in

various auctions, and heard from recent U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame inductee Dr. Sandra Magnus. Magnus is a former Girl Scout and a very decorated astronaut who hails from Belleville. She spoke of her pre-college plan to eventually work for NASA and how her path to that goal evolved, discovering previously unknown opportunities along the way. A highlight of the evening was presenting the inaugural Distinguished Community Leader Award to Ralph and Donna Korte of Highland. The Kortes have been a part

of Girl Scouting in Southern Illinois for over 50 years. They’ve been involved in hosting fundraising events, programs, membership, training, troop facilitation, and more. Donna alone has had 17 different titles within our council ranging from board member to day camp director. Ralph stepped up to the plate numerous times to organize past golf tournaments to benefit the council. Ralph and Donna are beyond deserving of this award that recognizes individuals who significantly contribute to the vision and growth of Girl Scouting in Southern Illinois. 3

dismantling hierarchies of oppression and building flourishing relationships in their place. Frey Spurlock is founding director of the SIUE Successful Communities Collaborative (SSCC), a cross-disciplinary program based on the EPIC-N model—an award-winning university-community partnership program that works to advance the needs of communities while training the next generation workforce and leadership.

Lappin is an Alton native and executive director of Jacoby Arts Center.

Rachel shares Jacoby’s mission: to enrich lives in our community through

art. Her current work with Alton Main Street as Design Committee Chair and with MEF is an extension of her mission at Jacoby. She has been involved with the Mississippi Earthtones Festival since its inception 16 years ago.

Ehley holds a BA in Environmental Education from Warren Wilson College and is a certified arborist. She has nearly a decade of experience as an environmental educator and is now the Southern Illinois Field Coordinator for Trees Forever. Through her efforts with Trees Forever, Emily is responsible for partnering in tree planting efforts throughout the Metro East. 3

As a breast cancer survivor, I personally understand the importance of keeping my body and mind healthy. Prevention starts with healthy habits: eating clean foods, regular exercise (cardio & weight lifting), whole food supplements, limiting alcohol, not smoking, discussing with a doctor pros and cons of birth control methods containing hormones, and keeping stress to a minimum. Perform self-exams and consult your doctor if you notice any changes, and keep up with recommended mammograms/exams/ultrasounds.

- Jennifer Hendrickson, owner

ALTON LITTLE THEATER 2450 N. Henry Street • Alton

Bethalto park sign memorializes poem by Henry W. Zimmermann

By Frank Prager Big Z Media

The dedication of a sign commemorating one of Bethalto’s most noteworthy historical figures as well as those from Bethalto who fought in World War I preceded the opening of the town’s annual homecoming this year.

A ceremony honoring Henry W. Zimmermann and a sign containing a

poem from his book was conducted on September 2 in Bethalto Park.

Numerous descendants of Zimmermann attended the event, including his granddaughter Joy Lamar and his greatgranddaughters Mary Ann Connoyer Klunk and Wendy Schroeder Zimmermann immigrated to the United States from Germany at the age of

seven in 1875. He and his wife, Lida, had eight children. Zimmermann was a school teacher in nearby communities from 1889 until 1899 and taught school in Bethalto from 1899 until 1903. The Zimmermann’s opened a general store at the corner of Third (now Central) and Oak streets on August 1, 1903. Their store also served as the local Post Office for several years and Zimmerman served as Bethalto’s Postmaster from July 15, 1914 until his death. Zimmermann was a keen observer of the community and an enthusiastic proponent of the town. He wrote and published a book named, “His Story Of Bethalto”. The book provides vivid descriptions of Bethalto at the time he lived there and contains the individual war stories of each of the 65 men from

THINGS YOU CAN USE

Bethalto, including his son, who served in World War I. Klunk says the insight of her great-grandfather to capture these stories and the consensus of the general state of mind in the folks of this time and place is a local treasure.

In the book, Zimmermann notes how little detail was remembered in his time of the veterans from the local area who fought in the Civil War. He says he recognized this great loss of historical value and stepped up to keep it from happening again with World War I veterans.

Zimmerman also included a poem in the book entitled,

“My Old Home Town”, which pays homage to the town, the residents and the way of life they treasured.

“Henry must have thought that special people, those who go above and beyond, must come from a special and very beautiful peaceful place, the town of Bethalto,” says Klunk.

Lora McMillian is marketing director for the Bethalto Chamber of Commerce. She says the sign came about as a consequence of efforts the chamber made in 2020 to promote local businesses through the creation of a video. She says the video was posted on the chamber’s Facebook page and received

over 20,000 views. Following the success of the video, the chamber sold T-shirts, with the proceeds from the sales going toward memorializing the poem in Zimmermann’s book.

The sign contains the poem in its entirety and is located in the northwest section of Bethalto Park. In 2020, a log cabin from the 1800’s was found during the repair of a home in Bethalto. Logs from the cabin are being stored for future repairs to the current log cabin on display next to the Bethalto History Museum but the village donated three of the logs from the discovered cabin to be used in the construction of the sign. McMillian says the companies Sign Magic and Dugan Tool & Die helped to create the sign.

“Henry W. Zimmermann was a true patriot to our country and to Bethalto,” says McMillian. “It is important to pay respect to the people who had the insight to see what Bethalto could be.” McMillian says Zimmermann’s book is available for purchase through Amazon and is also available online for free at the University of Illinois’ website. 3

Henry W. Zimmermann’s granddaughter, Joy Lamar, along with great-granddaughters Mary Ann Connoyer Klunk and Wendy Schroeder stand next to the sign in Bethalto Park memorializing his poem.

The turtle

LIFE HESTON ON

By Pat Heston

My friend Steve—who lived one block East then one block North, but spittin’ distance if you cut through the woods—had a turtle.

That fact in itself was not unusual. During the 1950s, every kid in Greenville had at least one turtle, often more. What made Steve’s turtle unique was its name.

Steve dubbed it “Garibaldi.”

Steve, who was two years ahead of me in school, had spent a year or two in the Middle East where his dad, a college professor, was teaching at the time. When the family was back in the states—specifically Greenville—and Steve had

settled back in school, he invited me over to his house, where the two of us journeyed down into the basement to meet Garibaldi.

Being two years ahead of me in school and, of course, being a bona fide world traveler, Steve knew big words like Garibaldi. I thought it was an hilarious name and a superb moniker for a turtle. In fact, I laughed out loud when I first heard it. That’s when my significantly more educated and life-experienced neighbor explained to me, “His full name is Giuseppe Garibaldi.” I tried hard but successfully not to laugh. He then explained, “Garibaldi was an early 19th century

Italian general—one of the greatest generals in modern times.”

It marked the first time I had met a truly dignified turtle. My own turtle “Sam” seemed suddenly insignificant and looked pretty commonplace. So did my younger brother’s turtle “Festus”—name after the character on the television show “Gunsmoke.” By the way, mine was named after the bartender of the Long Branch Saloon. We watched

a lot of Westerns growing up.

“I’ve taught Garibaldi to blow bubbles,” Steve said matter-of-factly. He then grabbed the close-by plastic bubble bottle, removed the blower part, put in front of the turtle, and Garibaldi blew a bubble. I kid you not. The turtle with the famous name actually blew a bubble. And more than once. Every time Steve gave him the chance, Garibaldi blew a bubble.

INSURANCE

How long do your estate planning documents last?

The short answer is, “no.” However, please keep in mind:

The more complete answer is that even though a Durable Power of Attorney or Health Care proxies will not expire, it is nevertheless the best practice to update your old documents.

Todd Sivia

This is because sometimes, third parties are hesitant to accept Health Care proxies and Durable Powers of Attorney that are very old, for fear that they might have been revoked or that they no longer express the person’s wishes. If you have very old documents and a thirdparty refuses to accept them, your designated agent may find themselves in a courtroom battle trying to legally enforce your documents. Be sure to meet with your estate planning attorney to keep these documents reasonably updated. For additional resources, contact us using the information below!

When should I buy Life Insurance?

This is a very good question. Many people realize the need for life insurance but for many it is too late. Here are the three most common incorrect assumptions I see:

1) I’ll always be able to buy life insurance. This is not necessarily true. Health conditions could arise that may render a person uninsurable or make a policy costprohibitive.

I couldn’t believe it. I know you don’t believe it. But I swear on Sam and Festus that the amazing turtle named after a general genius actually blew bubbles ... repeatedly. I can see you still don’t believe me, but it’s true. Every other turtle in a three-county radius suddenly became ordinary. One day Steve lost Garibaldi. He had him out in the yard, and the turtle disappeared. It was a Saturday afternoon in 1962. My brother and I were walking down Elm Street

toward Steve’s house when we found Garibaldi—atop a two-foot fence post. His underbelly was balanced there while all four of his legs wiggled in mid-air. Some kid—we suppose— found him and played a trick on Steve by stranding him on a fence post. He looked at us forlornly. His fame as a bubble blower hanging in the balance. We took him home. Steve later said that Garibaldi never blew a bubble again. 3

Tom Lane

2) My family and I are covered by the life insurance I have through work. To best meet the future financial needs of your family it is suggested to have coverage for 7-10 times your annual income. Very few work insurance policies meet this need.

3) Life insurance is only for those who are raising a family. Life insurance may be needed at ALL stages of life. Whether married, single, male, female, with children or without, you may still have financial obligations that need to be met.

There is an old saying that states “the best kind of life insurance policy is the one that is in force on the day it is needed.” The best plan is to meet with your agent and evaluate your situation. Waiting too long could be financially devastating to those you love and care about.

Can a bankruptcy stop a garnishment?

YES.

You go to work every day, you work hard for your paycheck and it still doesn’t go as far as you need it to.

Gas prices are rising, groceries prices are rising, the cost of living for everyone is more expensive than it used to be. In this economy, every penny counts.

Shari Murphy

Then your employer notifies you that they have received a wage garnishment order and will begin garnishing your already-stretched-too-thin paycheck.

Can bankruptcy stop the garnishment?

Bankruptcy is a legal proceeding designed to give you a fresh financial start by allowing you a “discharge” of most unsecured debts, including credit card debt, medical bills, and past due utility bills. Once bankruptcy is filed, all collection efforts by creditors, including garnishments, must stop.

Your paycheck will be restored and, without the burden of other, now-discharged debts, will go even farther than it did before the garnishment.

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

The successful candidate must have experience in plumbing, electrical, and carpentry. A commitment to exceptional customer service is critical. The Maintenance Technician will perform general maintenance and repairs and apply specialized skills in areas such as HVAC, plumbing and electrical as well as assist the Maintenance Supervisor. For details, please contact 618-462-0363

PUZZLE SOLUTIONS

The History Channel

• On Oct. 6, 1866, the Reno gang carries out the first robbery of a moving train, making off with $13,000 from a train in Indiana. This new method of sticking up moving trains in remote locations that were low on law enforcement, instead of trains sitting in depots, soon became popular in the American West.

• On Oct. 4, 1927, sculpting begins on the granite images of presidents Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln and Roosevelt at Mount Rushmore. Jefferson’s image was originally fashioned to the right of Washington. Within two years, the face was badly cracked, and workers blasted the sculpture off the mountain. Sculpting began again with Jefferson on the left side of Washington.

• On Oct. 5, 1947, President Harry Truman makes the first televised presidential address, asking Americans to cut back on food to help starving Europeans. He requested that the public voluntarily forgo meat on Tuesdays, eggs and poultry on Thursdays and to save a slice of bread each day.

• On Oct. 8, 1956, New York Yankees right-hander Don Larsen pitches the first no-hitter in the history of the World Series. It was a perfect game that no one matched until Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Roy Halladay in 2010.

• On Oct. 9, 1967, socialist revolutionary and guerrilla leader Che Guevara, age 39, is captured and executed by the Bolivian army. In 1997, Guevara’s remains were found and sent back to Cuba, where they were reburied in a ceremony attended by President Fidel Castro and thousands of Cubans.

OSF HealthCare welcomes new primary care provider

OSF HealthCare Saint Anthony’s Health Center is pleased to add a new primary care provider to its staff to better serve the community of Alton and surrounding areas.

The addition of Deena Brown, APRN, will ensure increased access for patients in need of primary care at OSF Medical Group, 2 Saint Anthony’s Way, Ste. 205.

Brown joins the care team

of Dr. Shawn Fry at OSF Medical Group and offers a number of services but is particularly passionate about women’s health.

She received a Bachelor of Science from McKendree University and Master of Science degree from Chamberlain College of Nursing. She is a boardcertified family nurse practitioner.

Patient appointments for primary care with Brown

Brown

can be made by calling 618-462-2222. 3

VILLAGE OF BETHALTO FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING APRIL

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

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

Very peculiar body parts at the sides of folks’ heads that are shaped like chunks of baked bread: ear loaves.

Even Exchange

1. Repeat, Reheat 2. Beach, Bench

3. Faster, Falter 4. Tarry, Terry

5. Parton, Pardon

Trivia Test

1. Hoglet.

2. “Breakfast at Tiffany’s.”

3. Ireland.

4. Idaho.

5. Jerome David.

6. Seven.

7. “Family Feud.”

8. Nadia Comaneci.

9. Mississippi.

10. Cough.

Flashback

Prayer, Player

1. The Little River Band, in 1978. Recording the song was difficult until the perfect keyboard player came into town just as the band was about to give up. One more shot and there it was, a hit.

2. April Wine, in 1985. The group was under contract for one more album, but by the time they produced this one, the group had already broken up. They managed to pull it off with the use of session musicians and two original members of the band.

3. The Box Tops, in 1967, three months after “The Letter” was released.

4. The Who, in 1967.

5. “Pink Cadillac,” by Bruce Springsteen in 1984. The song stayed on Billboard for 14 weeks and was later covered by numerous others, including Natalie Cole and Jerry Lee Lewis.

Secret Diner

3 De Mayo Authentic Mexican Restaurant 3710 IL-111, Pontoon Beach

• On Oct. 7, 1983, Sean Connery stars in “Never Say Never Again” as the British secret service agent James Bond, a role he last played in 1971. The film’s title referenced the fact that the Scottish-born actor had previously remarked that he would never play Agent 007 again.

• On Oct. 3, 1995, Heisman Trophy winner O.J. Simpson is acquitted of the double murder of his estranged wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend, Ronald Goldman, despite a DNA match, a wound on Simpson’s hand, the recent purchase of a Stiletto knife and matching shoeprints at the scene.

• On Oct. 16, 1793, Marie Antoinette, the last queen of France, is taken to the guillotine and beheaded nine months after her husband, the former King Louis XVI of France. Marie Antoinette and Louis, unpopular and accused of high treason due to France’s financial woes, had been caught trying to flee to Austria.

• On Oct. 15, 1965, in one of several identical events across the country, Catholic priest David Miller burns his draft card in New York. For violating the recent law banning the burnings, Miller was arrested and sentenced to two years in jail. 3

PAYROLL: Under 25,000.00: Ahasay, Gary; Allhouse, Eric; Badgett, David; Bartels, Daniel; Bennett, Ryan; Birdsong, Kelly; Botterbush, Zachary; Brady, Anthony; Brockman, Madelyn; Brown, Kurits; Brown, Timothy; Bruns, Jeff rey; Buhs, Brian; Buhs, Harper; Canham, Amelia; Crafton, Kyle; Cutright, Jeff rey; Dugger, Jonathan; Factor, Dennis; Fowler, Gregory; Friedel, Lee; Frerkeb, Brandon; Gibbons, Kenneth D; Gorton, Daniel; Grant, Jeremiah; Griggs, Cynthia; Hardy, Allyson; Heflin, Brett; Helfin, Ian; Helfin, Kyleigh; Henson, Tim; Higgins, William; Huhsman, Jaiden; Jones, William; Keister, Terri; Lair, Jeremy; Lamb, Jarrett; Lane, Grant; Lowrance, Timothy; Mikoff, Michael; Mormino, Derek; Mulrean, Michael; Mull, Jeff rey; Ocepek, Alexander; Osborn, Derek; Overlan, Cody; Perkhiser, Maria; Perry, Bradley; Ragan, Jamie; Randall, Devin L.; Sontag, Hannah; Standefer, Tori; Stassi, Ericka; Thornton, Gage; Tweedy, Timothy; Vaughn, Nicholas; Williams, Molly; Winslow, Alan; PAYROLL: 25,000.01 to 50,000.00 Englert, Daniel; Gowin, Michelle; Harris, Michael; Skinner, Michelle; Snyder, Aaron; Wilson, Sandra; PAYROLL: 50,000.01 to 75,000.00: Bost, Gary; Cato, Zachary; Colonna, Jacob; David, Benjamin; Hall, Karen; Hamby, Paul; Henry, Bradley; Lowrance, Sue; McLaughlin, Kelly; Nolte, Jeremy; Oldendorph, Kyle, Reddick, Randalph; Shampine, Tyler; Treadway, Kenneth; Vogel, Lisa; PAYROLL: 75,000.01 – 100,000: Clark, Darrin; Cope, Jeff rey; Dixon, Michael; Duff y, Brandon; Dugger, Ryan; Gifford, Brian; Hale, Scott; Hamlett, Jason; Heflin, Brett; Hoff mann, Nathaniel; Lamb, Jason; Lind, Frank; McMichael, Cole; Neilson, Tony; Ricci, Joseph R; Rivera Ayala, Hector; Shank, Jeff rey; Sontag, Tom; Wofford, Jack III; PAYROLL Over 100.000.01 Cheatham, Rodney A; Govero, Kasey; Williams, James: TOTAL 3,513,094.

GENERAL FUND: Ace Hardware Bethalto 16,566; Advanced Turf Solutions 5,492; Ameren Illinois 93,331; American Express 20,391; B&F Construction Codes Services 3,523; Balsters & Hinrichs 25,761; Banner Fire Equipment 198,580; Bassett Law Off ice 17,568; Bethalto Police Pension Fund 505,851; Bertels Sales & Service 3,975; Bound Tree Medical 2,900; BS&A Software 39,205; Butler Cleaning Company 5,335; Capri Polls & Aquatics 2,963: Cellebrite USA Inc 4,300; Charter Communications 8,582; Christ Bros. Products, LLC 195,496; Cintas Corp 7,785; City of Wood River 202,890; Compass Minerals 36,689; CR Systems Inc. 3,472; Datatronics Inc 16,975; Doug Cason Automotive 3,338; Dutch Hollow Supplies 3,428; Erb Equipment Co 27,893; Fire Safety Inc 3,278; First Mid Bank & Trust 40,200; Fuhrmann Engineering 13,800; GRP Wegman 4,498; Guardian Life Insurance 17,607; Hamilton Fabrication & Steel 2,536; Harris 10,222; Hughes, Cameron & Company 61,820; Illinois EPA 25,679; JTC Petroleum 28,692; Kienstra 7,807; Leon Uniforms Company 12,823; Lexipol LLC 8,245; M & M Service Company Loc 127 2,945; Mahoney Asphalt LLC 3,503; Max Fire Training Inc 2.828; Mckay Auto Parts 10,136; MetLife 4,517; Metro Equipment & Supply 10,751; Newton Sales and Service 9,720; Patterson Brake & Front End Service 7,319; Paul Stoner 12,790; Peerless Network Inc 2,856; Pioneer Athletics 3,528; Ray O’Herron Co Inc 5,401; Restoration House 3,386; Richardson Athletics 4,908; Riverbend Outdoor Services 8,000; Riverbender.com 2,860; Rush Truck Center 3,346; Sentinel Emergency Solutions 8,917; Siteone Landscape Supply 7,322; St Louis Composting Inc 3,690; STL Communications 3,465; TASC 16,942;

Inc. 6,613; Utilira 10,405; Warning Lites of Southern IL 8,342; Village of Bethalto Admin Fee 332,412; Disbursements Under 2,500 - 54,956; TOTAL 2,763,521.

SEWER DEPARTMENT FUND: Ameren Illinois 32,599; Beelman Logistics, LLC 6,374; Bethalto Postmaster 13,415; City of Alton 555,314; Congent 8,850; Cummins Sales & Service 4,592; EJ Equipment Inc 34,111; GRP Wegman 22,959; IMRF 39,859; IRS 24,551; Juneau Associates Inc. 4,221; Kienstra Precast Inc. 5,800; M & M Service Company LOC 127 30,737; Peerless Network, Inc 12,258; Roberts Ford 3,866; Rooterman 7,714; Utilitra 3,849; Vandevanter Engineering 9,917; Visu-Sewer of Missouri LLC 177,480; Village of Bethalto Admin Fee 250,800; Disbursements Under 2,500 - 28,524; TOTAL 1,277,789.

FICA FUND: Internal Revenue Service 192,901; TOTAL 192, 901.

IMRF FUND: IMRF 181,338; TOTAL 181,338.

POLICE PENSION: Dennis Orsey 6,700; Bank of Edwardsville 22,004; Unrealized Losses 829,911; Pension Payments Under 25,000 – Jeff rey Cope, Cathy Favre;

Pension Payments 25,000 to 50,000 – Michael S Freiner, Henry P Maxeiner, Gregory M Schumacher, Michelle Skinner, Jeff rey A Smith, Deborah J Stambaugh, Scott Swift;

Pension Payments 50,000 – 75,000- Timothy Cline, Elsie Hays, Todd Lindsay, Brenda Sammis, Craig Welch, Walter Winslow: Pension Payments over 75,000 – Gregory

Smock: Disbursements Under 2,500 – 5,005 TOTAL 1,607,748.

ESDA FUND: Global Technical Systems, Inc 6,907; Disbursements Under 2,500.00786: TOTAL 7,693.

BUSINESS DISTRICT: Dugger Swimming Pools, Inc 25,000; Soham Corporation 12,997; Bethalto

Record $203,000 raised for AMH ambulance at Duck Pluckers

The deluge of rain that arrived during the 13th annual Duck Pluckers, Deer Skinners & Fish Hookers Ball on Sept. 10 was nothing compared to the flood of generosity by the community. The Alton Memorial Hospital Services Foundation easily set a record with $203,000 raised – at least 50 percent more than any other year.

“On behalf of the entire EMS staff, we would like to say thank you to our sponsors, donors, and everyone who contributed to the Duck Pluckers, Deer Skinners, and Fish Hookers Ball,” said AMH EMS manager Jason Bowman. “This event would not have been a success without your continued support.”

A humid Saturday evening at NILO Farms in Brighton turned into thunder, lightning, wind and rain around 8pm, but auctioneer Mark Harman kept the live auction going without a stop, and the donations continued at a record pace.

More than 350 people attended the event, which included the ever-popular Homer Clark Quail Flush Championship, which pays tribute to Homer Clark Sr. and Homer Clark Jr. of Alton,

who are in the Trapshooting Hall of Fame. There was also axe throwing courtesy of Riverbend Axe Throwing and Eric Schrumpf State Farm Insurance, plus raffles, a “Best Dressed” competition, the conclusion of the Duck Pluckers online auction, a silent auction and the live auction. The online auction, held this year for the second time, raised close to $8,300.

An outstanding steak dinner was again served up by the Morrison’s Food and Nutrition staff from AMH, followed by the music of the Glendale Riders.

“It’s hard to find the right word or words to describe the way our community came out to this year’s event,” said AMH President Dave Braasch. “Amazing, phenomenal, heart-warming, thankful are just a few words. When you live and/ or work in a community like this that gives it all for others, you have to be grateful and proud.”

“We saw an increase in the number of local businesses who sponsored this year’s event, which put us on a record pace, and we never looked back,” said Kristen Ryrie, manager of Alton Memorial Health Services Foundation. 3

Wood

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