Riverbend February 2023

Helping individuals achieve the American dream

By Mike Adams Big Z Media

Business

Over A Brew is a production of Big Z Media, featuring conversation between General Manager Nick Darr and Business leaders from around the Riverbend.

Nick recently spoke with Nathan Kerpan of Benchmark Mortgage. Nathan has spent 22 years plus now in the financial services industry and credits his success to various mentors that gave him opportunities along the way and encouraged him to move forward. That led him into the mortgage business. But Nathan doesn’t see this as just a career, but it’s an opportunity to help others.

Nathan grew up in a home where his stepfather was an experienced, indemand bricklayer. Because of work, the family moved a lot, living in 15 different locations by the time he was 10 years old. That experience helped Nathan understand the importance of a home for a family. After graduating from East Alton-Wood River High School, Nathan pursued a career in financial services and wanted to use that knowledge to serve others in the community.

Nathan took the early investment planning and

coaching training that he had and used it to help families that were struggling to make ends meet. Many of the families he encountered would love to find a way to invest in their own future but just didn’t have the resources to do so.

need and want someone that is going to care, is going to come alongside them, is going to see their goals and their dreams and say, well, here’s how you craft that. Here’s the delivery system to get you to your goals and dreams.”

Benchmark is a nationwide company that operates with a certain set of values and they do a good job of ensuring that those on their team have the heart of a coach. Coaching others is important to the Kerpan Group and they utilize a team approach to how they serve. Developing partnerships with realtors and others in the industry, developing a fluid approach to business, and maintaining good communication has been key to their success.

Kerpan said “I’ve always looked at the mortgage as a tool. And I think that’s something that’s very unique about Benchmark, that’s very unique about the Kerpan Group. We leverage a mortgage as a financial tool. Many people, whether they realize it or not, need someone who is willing to come alongside them, guide them through the finances, provide them with the pros and cons, and provide them with the extra knowledge they just don’t have. They

Their motto as a team is, “Being champions for the American dream”. That impacts the way they do business and the way they see their clients. A mortgage isn’t just a business transaction and those coming to the Kerpan group aren’t seen as just another customer.

You can contact Nathan and Benchmark Mortgage by texting or calling 314-5519587, email coachkerpan@ benchmark.us or visit them online at champthedream. com. 3

Watch Nathan Kerpan on Big Z Media’s “BUSINESS OVER A BREW” advnews.link/ kerpan

Dallas Martz from the Alton River Dragons

where they were one win away from the league title. What do you make of all that success last year?

the season, right?

Yeah, he joined us after July

history.

By Mark Ellebracht Big Z Media

With spring training just a few weeks away for major league baseball, college and high school ball won’t be far behind. In June, the Prospect League returns to the Riverbend for season three of the Alton River Dragons. General Manager Dallas Martz recently visited with me on Let’s Talk on 107.FM The Big Z and talked about plans for 2023. The Alton River Dragons are coming off an amazing and maybe a surprising season to some in 2022, winning the Western Conference and making it to the league championship

It was really an amazing season, but I think I said on your show at the start of the 2022 season that on paper, we looked pretty good. I think we look good in 2023 too, but last year the guys got off to a good start and we earned a home playoff game, and they just kept playing well. We had a couple of players in Eddie King Jr., and Blake Burris help lead the team during the season and then had that exciting walk off grand slam by Erik Broekemeier to win 8-7 over Quincy in the conference final.

And Broekemeier wasn’t even on the team to start

1. In fact, I happened to stay home from a team road trip to run the concession stand for a legion game that night and someone told me I needed to watch

What has the community support meant to this team?

It has really been the key to our success. From the businesses that have been with us since day 1 to those that have come along since then. It really has been amazing, but not surprising now that I’ve gotten to know some of these folks, and their support means so much to this team. And the fans are great too. The crowds got bigger as the season went along and I think they had a lot of fun.

What’s planned for this year?

this kid Broekemeier play and he was on the visiting team. I did and after the game asked him if he’d like to come play for us and he said “yes”, and the rest is

We have fireworks coming back again on the weekends and a couple of bobblehead nights, and a few other promotions we’ll announce as we get closer to the

Blood drive success in Alton

By Mark Ellebracht Big Z Media

Students, staff, and the public supported a blood drive on January 10 sponsored by Big Z Media, Marquette Catholic High School, and the American Red Cross. The drive was held at Marquette and several students donated for the first time. The drive also exceeded its goal of 45 units with 51 units collected and all donors got a free Red Cross t-shirt.

American Red Cross spokesperson Kira McGrotty says if you couldn’t make it Tuesday, there are several more coming up in the Alton area in the next few weeks and all those drives are listed at

redcrossblood.org and you can search by your zip code.

“This was a really great turnout for a drive coming out of the holiday season. I know we had a few first-

time donors too which is great. Hopefully they will sign up again in the spring,” McGrotty said. “We have several more coming up this winter around the Alton area that will give our donors a

chance to get out and do something important for cancer patients or accident victims who need blood each and every day.” 3

season. It was great to see so many kids and families out there and that’s what it’s all about and hopefully they’ll be back.

The Alton River Dragons

play at Lloyd Hopkins Field at Gordon Moore Park. Check out updated information on the season, tickets, and promotions at altonbaseball.com. 3

“IS IT TIME FOR A NEW SYSTEM?”

Racing season is just around the corner

By Doug Jenkins Big Z Media

It’s late January and I’m getting ready for the next phase of the winter racing season. Sounds odd, don’t you think? It wasn’t all that long ago most of us just had to wait until spring to see racing, with a few special events. Now, there’s something scheduled most weekends all year-round. Granted, you may not be able to be there in person, but thanks to streaming services you can see nearly anything you want, any time you want. Remember the old saying “absence makes the heart grow fonder?” I think the sport may be flirting with over-saturation, but that’s a conversation for another day. The second weekend of January was one of the annual Chili Bowl for midget race cars in Tulsa, Oklahoma and Late Model stock cars in Vado, New Mexico. There was local representation at both events, if you count regular participation at Tri-City Speedway in Pontoon Beach as qualification for making one a local racer. Out of

more than 300 entrants at the Chili Bowl, Kyle Steffens of St. Charles, Mo was able to make it to the Saturday qualifying races, which is no small feat. The stock cars in New Mexico showcased the talents of the likes of Bobby Pierce and Brandon Sheppard, both from Central Illinois. Pierce was one of the winners over the five-day show, while Sheppard is working the bugs out of a brand-new car with a brandnew team for 2023.

Next up will be trips to Florida for the short-track Speedweeks. While mostly an event for the Late Model stock cars, a handful of regional Modified stock car teams traditionally make the trip to compete on the dirt at Volusia Speedway in Barberville, just south of Daytona Beach. Competing again this year in the World of Outlaws Late Model Division will be Gordy Gundaker of St. Charles, Mo, back for his sophomore season with the tour. While no official schedules have been released as of this writing, the local season will begin in late-March to

early-April. There’s a new operator at the Brownstown, Illinois track. Alton’s Josh Carroll has taken over as promoter of the quarter-mile, renamed the Brownstown Bullring. The plan is to run stock cars on many Friday nights. Interesting in that the aforementioned Tri-City Speedway has been a Friday night track for nearly 20 years. It will be compelling to see how these two coexist. Saturday nights are the property of Highland Speedway on the Madison County Fairgrounds. The season traditionally begins in late-March. A stock-car stronghold since it first began racing in 1962, there are two sprint-car and one midget show on this year’s schedule. Attendance for the lone sprint car race last year rivaled that of the DirtCar Summer Nationals, which will return to the track again this year.

By the time you read this, there may well be schedules out for all of the tracks mentioned. Until then, thanks for reading, and I hope to see you at the races! 3

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“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.”

How can we humans possibly say there is nothing on TV when there is literally a show about just about any interest at our fingertips. With a little effort you can find something to watch. For example…you like golf? Check out The Golf Channel. How about food? Perfect, try The Food Network. Weather? You get the point. During the pandemic, I stumbled down a rabbit hole and found a YouTube page dedicated to watches and watch collecting? Did you know singer John Mayer collects watches? You do now.

However, here’s my dilemma. I am afraid to commit to a new TV show. I realize there are a number that I might like that people have recommended to me. I’ve never watched all the episodes of Breaking Bad. I’ve never watched all of Ozark. I still haven’t finished Homeland. The most recent series I watched all the way through was Andor, which was great by the way, and it aired on Disney Plus last fall. (Yes, it was from the Star Wars family of TV, so I’m a sucker for that stuff. But it was like watching a crime drama and not a science fiction show. So very different that any other Star Wars series). Yellowstone? It’s on my list.

TOWN OF THE

By Mark Ellebracht

Anyway, I know me too well. I know that once I get into a series, I will not want to stop. As in, keep it rolling long past the time I either should have done something else or should go to bed. It will eventually ask me, “are you still watching?” I’ve tried watching Breaking Bad. I liked the first few episodes but stopped because I had other things I needed to do. Sleep being one of them, home projects, work, picking up my kids, etc. I get too involved. It’s a little fear, I guess. Fear of enjoying it to the point that it’s all I want to do until the series is finished. That’s how it was with the first season of The Crown. Watched it in under a week. Or several years ago, I got the first season of Game of Thrones on DVD from the library.

Again, consumed my free time and watched it all in less than a week.

So, here I sit. Writing without any other noise in the house. I guess I could put on an episode of The West Wing and have it on in the background. I watched all that series during the “lockdown” and now I’m back again. But with shows like The West Wing, Seinfeld, Cheers or The Office, I can pause it and come back. Return to it like an old friend. No guilt. Pick up right where we left off. I guess I’ve fallen into my own version of ME TV. What’s a show I’m missing? Let me know at scoop@bigz. media. 3

Mark Ellebracht is News Director of Big Z Media.

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What did the sushi say to the bee?

Wasabi!

Someone glued my deck of cards together. And I just don’t know how to deal with it. Not all construction work is equally enjoyable. For example, enlarging a drilled hole is boring, but fastening pieces of metal

together is riveting. I called my pet termite Clint. Clint Eatswood.

How do you survive a fall from the Eiffel Tower? You quickly pull your Paris chute.

Times New Roman and Comic Sans walk into a bar. Bartender says, “We don’t serve your type here.”

My uncle named his dogs Rolex And Timex. They are his watch dogs.

Dad Jokes.

WELLS 75TH ANNIVERSARY

David I. and Mary L. Wells of Godfrey celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary at an intimate gathering with their family in honor of the occasion.

David and Mary met at age 15 and were married in Meadowbrook by Justice of the Peace George Miles on November 1, 1947, soon after turning 18. They are the parents of four children: David B. Wells (Iris) of Godfrey, Terry Wells (Julie) of Alton, Deborah Cunningham of Alton and Kevin Wells (Penny) of Bethalto.

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.

TRIVIA TEST

By Fifi Rodriguez

1. GEOGRAPHY: What is the second-longest river in North America?

2. MOVIES: Which 1973 movie advertised itself as a place “where nothing can possibly go wrong”?

3. GAMES: Which party game claims that it can “tie you up in knots”?

4. U.S. PRESIDENTS: Which president was the first to appoint an African American as a member of his Cabinet?

They have 10 grandchildren

Americanisms

5. HISTORY: When was the Warsaw Pact between the Soviet Union and seven Eastern Bloc countries signed?

6. TELEVISION: Which TV game show often uses the phrase “Survey says ...”?

7. ANIMAL KINGDOM: What is a female peacock called?

8. FOOD & DRINK: How many meals do Hobbits eat in a day, according to the movies?

9. ADVERTISING: Which product used a manicurist named Madge in its advertisements?

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

Kids’ Maze

(Lori, Jacob, Taylor, Tanner, Dathan, Travis, Callie, Rachel, Lucas and Stephanie. Great Grandchildren: Kirsten, Devon, Chandler, J.R., Josie, Hannah, Jayciah, Leah, Anthony, Rachel, Angelo, Elizabeth and Michael), 13 great-grandchildren and four great-greatgrandchildren (Violet, Isabella and Madilyn). One granddaughter, Rachel Wells, and son-in-law, Dennis Cunningham, are deceased.

David is retired from Laclede Steel of Alton. Mary sold Shaklee products out of their home.

Even Exchange

by 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.

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Go Figure

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

CryptoQuip

DIFFICULTY H H H

Word Scrambler

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!

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.

FLASHBACK

By Mick Harper

1. Who was the lead singer for The Crickets?

2. “I’d Like to Teach the World to Sing (In Perfect

Sudoku

DIFFICULTY H H H

Harmony)” ended up as advertising for which product?

3. Name the group that released “Our Day Will

Word Search WORDS ASSOCIATED WITH HAIR COLOR

Come.”

4. Which artist released the “One Man Dog” and “Walking Man” albums?

5. Name the song that

What’s The Difference? Find

contains these lyrics: “Why can’t you see what you’re doing to me, When you don’t believe a word I say?” (answers in puzzle solutions)

details between panels.

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.

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Find the listed words in the diagram. They run forward, backward, up, down and diagonally. Unlisted hint: Reddish-brown hair

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Heart scare brings CPR back to the forefront

After professional football player Damar Hamlin suffered cardiac arrest during a game, experts are talking about the importance of knowing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

CPR is a life-saving skill. And for Jordan Meeks, a pediatric wellness specialist at OSF HealthCare, it’s a critical skill for young people to learn.

“Most cardiac arrests happen in people 40 years and older, a lot of teachers,

parents, grandparents, coaches and those that young people are spending a lot of time with,” Meeks says. “And young people are getting to a point where their body is maturing, so they’re able to do those compressions with enough strength to be helpful.”

Meeks visits schools across Illinois teaching students’ hands-only CPR. Recently, she was in Fisher, a small, rural town where it might take first responders a

little longer to get to an emergency - all the more reason to equip junior high and high school students with CPR skills.

CPR basics

Meeks says CPR is used when someone is unconscious and in cardiac arrest (in other words, having a serious heart problem).

The first thing to do is call 9-1-1. If you’re by yourself, put the phone on speaker

while you help the ailing person. Get over the person, interlink your fingers and press hard in the middle of the chest over and over.

“It’s compressing the chest in half at a rate of about 100 beats per minute. Think of the song Stayin’ Alive by the Bee Gees,” Meeks explains. “The compressions help restore blood flow to the body and brain, which is really important to help preserve that person’s life.”

CPR may also be done

alongside an automated external defibrillator (AED), a small device that’s common in schools and workplaces these days.

Meeks explains that two

pads are applied to the patient’s skin - one near the heart and the other on the person’s side - with wires leading to the AED box.

“It gives you step-by-step instructions. It’s going to tell you when you need to stay clear of the patient. It will analyze the heart’s rhythm to see if it’s regular, irregular or not beating at all,” Meeks says. “Then it will provide instructions on whether to deliver a shock. You press a button to deliver a shock. Then it will tell you to start CPR.”

The AED will then continue the cycle of shocks and CPR until first responders arrive. Teaching hands-only CPR does not require certification, Meeks says. Someone can easily learn the tools and pass them on to others.

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Adding the skillset of mouth-to-mouth resuscitation - when you exhale into a patient’s mouth to help revive them - is a little more involved. Meeks recommends calling your local first responders (police, fire and ambulance), your local hospital or the American Red Cross to learn about those CPR training opportunities. 3

Grand opening held for new Foxes Boxes bakery location

By Frank Prager Big Z Media

Few things are as inspirational as genuine entrepreneurial success.

The story of Foxes Boxes bakery is the unlikely tale of two people from separate continents finding not only each other but also a mutual passion for farming and baking which has led to a very popular and successful business in the local Riverbend area.

Tanya Fox grew up in London, England. After completing her college education there, she traveled to the United States where she worked for Disney in Florida. She met Brian Holmes who was stationed there during one of his two tours with the United States Air Force. Brian is a native of Wood River, having graduated from Roxana high school. The two married and moved to this area in May of 2007.

They started farming on the quarter-acre lot on which they lived, producing organic vegetables. “We started selling at farmers markets and did pretty well,” says Fox. They sold boxes of organic vegetables and shipped fresh peppers all over the United States.

Six years ago, the couple moved to an 11-acre farm north of Fosterburg and began growing flowers in addition to the vegetables. “We started growing flowers and I discovered I had a talent for putting them together,” explains Fox.

The couple created baked goods on the side, providing breads and pastries for Post Commons in Alton. Two years ago, the two had the opportunity to purchase First Stop Bake Shop in East Alton and started their own brick-and-mortar business. They sold bakery items as well as flowers from the business. “We didn’t have in-house dining but COVID was going on and people were more interested in carry-out anyway,” she says. “It worked out well.”

Continuing to grow and innovate as a business, Foxes Boxes is taking the next step and moving to a Bethalto location where

they will add in-house dining, providing breakfast and lunch as well as their popular flowers. “The business has been doing well,” says Fox. “We’re playing it by ear and trying to make sure we keep everyone happy.”

Foxes Boxes offers several regular breakfast and lunch items in addition to daily specials. Cupcakes, cookies and a wide selection of baked goods are always available. The regular breakfast menu items also include kolaches with one of four different stuffings: bacon, egg and cheese; potato, egg and cheese; sausage gravy; and jalapeno popper. Other breakfast items include bagels, pitas and breakfast pizzas. Breakfast is served until 10:30am.

Fox explains that lunch options consist of a choice of four base items to which customers can add any one of a choice of four different toppings. The base can be salad, house-made rolls, housebaked pita or baked potato. Options for toppings include Philly cheesesteaks with either chicken or beef, chicken Caesar, gyros or Italian beef. She says customer favorites are the biscuits and gravy, green garlic bread made in-house, kolaches and chocolate lasagna. The chocolate lasagna is a freezer box cake with layers of chocolate crumbs, chocolate pudding and whipped cream. Fox attributes the popularity of the business to the flavor and quality of the food.

Foxes Boxes

515a North Bellwood, Bethalto

618-251-8081

Wed-Sat 7:30am - 2pm Sun 8am - noon

“Everything is fresh-made in house and from scratch,” she says.

She describes the new location as a bakery with eat-in facilities. Customers can also call ahead to order for take-out. In addition, curbside service will be available. When in season, fresh flowers will be available at the bakery. “Mason jars with flowers are available for ten dollars,” Fox

explains. “If customers bring the jars back, we will fill them back up with flowers for five dollars.”

Birthday and celebration cakes are available for order. In addition, Fox says the bakery will accommodate special orders when requested such as for glutenfree items.

Fox points out the business is both veteran and female owned. She also notes they employ union workers. Information about specials and menu items can be found on Facebook by searching for “Foxes Boxes.” 3

Foxes Boxes is owned and operated by Tanya Fox and her husband, Brian Holmes.

A grand opening ribbon cutting was held for Foxes Boxes’ new location on January 14. [photos by Frank Prager]

The new Foxes Boxes location is at 515a North Bellwood in Bethalto (former Imo’s Pizza location).

By Sam Stemm

The grand dame of Alton radio

Her father was a grocer. Her mother’s family was replete with grocers. Her brothers became grocers. She married a grocer. And, despite managing her husband’s grocery during World War II, Helen Hamer Walters took a very different career path which led her to become the grande dame of Alton radio.

Helen was born in Alton in 1909 to Isaac C. and Lydia Belle (Rain) Hamer. Her high school and college degrees set her apart. It was uncommon for young women of that era to be afforded such educational opportunities.

It was the influence of her mother that laid the foundation for Helen’s future endeavors. Lydia Hamer enrolled her young daughter in elocution lessons.

Helen thrived and became comfortable in the public spotlight. As an adolescent she became known as Little Miss Helen Hamer. As a teen, she won her share of oratorical contests. Lydia’s encouragement led to Helen’s enrollment at Shurtleff College, where she made her mark in theater and athletics.

Helen Hamer married Charles R. Walters, started a family, and, as was the norm for the time, settled in as a stay-at-home wife and mother. When her husband was drafted into the Army at age 35, Helen and their two children moved in with her parents and she helped manage her husband’s grocery store on North Rodgers Avenue.

After the war, Helen resumed her role as wife and mother. But as the children grew older, she looked for opportunities outside the home. She directed children’s plays, taught school, and sold life insurance.

How she ended up in radio is unclear. But sometime in the late 50s, Helen began selling advertising for WOKZ. And undoubtedly because of her elocution training and oratorical success all those years earlier, she was given the opportunity to host a radio talk show. Thus began a twoand-a-half decade run that made the name Helen Hamer Walters iconic in the Alton area.

Through the 60s, 70s and half of the 80s, The Helen Hamer Walters Show aired on WOKZ 1570 AM from 9:15 until 10am weekdays. Over that quarter century her guests marveled at her ease and grace behind the microphone. And her listeners loved her.

Helen’s independent spirit and her family’s entrepreneurial background came into play when she became part of the ownership group of WOKZ. She was a principal in Morrell Broadcasting which bought the station in 1964.

Helen was truly a pioneer. Very few women in that era had on-air roles or media ownership stakes, nor even sales jobs. But Helen stepped into these roles with ease and determination, avoiding or perhaps simply ignoring whatever glass ceilings existed. She was her own person, independent, curious, and open-minded. Helen’s creative mind led to other pursuits as well. She directed a community production at Hathaway Hall entitled “Poodles and Politics.” And she authored and published a children’s book, “Bobo.” “Bobo was an elephant who wished to be elegant”, the book began.

Not only was Helen the

Very few women in that era had onair roles or media ownership stakes, nor even sales jobs. But Helen stepped into these roles with ease and determination, avoiding or perhaps simply ignoring whatever glass ceilings existed.

author and publisher, but she was co-illustrator along with her daughter, Isabel. Helen and her partners sold WOKZ to the Dreith family in 1984, at which time she retired. Her health declined shortly thereafter and she died in 1990. But her legacy lives on all these years later. Most of the local grocery stores are gone, but her beloved radio station thrives. We pay no greater tribute to a pioneer than to build on the foundation she layed. Helen Hamer Walters was and remains the grande dame of Alton radio.

Post-script: I am related to Helen, and next month I’ll share some personal anecdotes about this remarkable woman. 3

Sam Stemm is the President of Big Z Media.

JFK in East Alton during the 1959 presidential campaign. [photo by Ralph Gravemann, courtesy of Kevin Gravemann]

By Ty Bechel

It’s Girl Scout Cookie time!

Girl Scouts throughout Southern Illinois are excited to once again bring some of America’s favorite treats to consumers. Booths are starting to pop up throughout the region; you can find one near you by visiting gsofsi. org/findcookies. While picking up some cookies for yourself, you can also purchase a box or two to donate to your local Hometown Heroes – our Gift of Caring program that supports the everyday heroes right in our own communities.

Every Girl Scout Cookie purchase fuels local Girl Scouts’ adventures

throughout the year: exploring what interests them, discovering their passions, and taking action on issues they care about. Whether they’re using their STEM skills to solve a problem, working with city council to help their community, having a courageous

outdoor experience, or starting an innovative nonprofit, Girl Scouts build a better future for themselves and the world. And through the Girl Scout Cookie Program, girls get a taste of being entrepreneurs and learn important life skills. 3

Self love

What comes to mind when you think about practicing self-love, self-care, and mindfulness?

For most people, it’s not a happy place. If you’re like me, you can feel the resistance in your body and mind when those three words come up. They are vital to us as humans, but we only sometimes make time for them.

I’ve struggled with this myself — I have a few children and a busy career as an entrepreneur, motivational speaker, podcast and radio host, and nonprofit Executive Director. There’s not enough time in the day! As much as I want to practice these things, I can’t fit them into my schedule.

But then I realized something; if I want to be present with my family and enjoy life more fully, I need to start making time for it. And that means practicing self-love, self-care, and mindfulness every day of my life. My staff at Amare, the nonprofit I oversee, constantly reminds me to take care of myself, and if that doesn’t push me into being mindful of my situation, I don’t know what will.

Mindfulness is the art of being fully present at the moment. It’s about paying attention to how your body feels, what you’re thinking, and what you’re doing. It can help in many ways, like embracing life with more gratitude, letting go of negative emotions, reducing stress, and managing our overall health. Mindfulness is like turning off auto-pilot

mode.

Self-care is the practice of taking care of yourself to be more effective and productive.

It’s not a selfish act, instead, it’s essential. With it, you can meet your full potential and achieve your goals.

There are many ways to practice self-care. You can ensure you get enough sleep, eat well, exercise, and meditate. You can make time for fun and enjoyable activities like going out with friends, tinkering in the garage, hiking, or simply watching a movie uninterrupted. You can practice mindfulness and gratitude each day. The point is that you should take time out for yourself in whatever way works best for you, whether once a week or every day.

The benefits of self-care can be monumental in our daily lives and over mental and physical health. It can improve relationships, improve focus on work or school, and allow reflection on our daily lives. Societal pressures seem to be the norm in today’s hustle and bustle model, but you do have a choice to improve your mental faculties by taking charge of your life and regaining the power of choice and happiness.

Restoring our soul takes action and the ability to see what’s working and not working in our lives. Taking our power back to ensure we are healthy and well only makes sense and is the ultimate act of self-love.

To assist and help others, we must ensure we are in optimal health or at least working on it. 3

Mental health challenges for men

Growing up, you hear the expressions, “rub some dirt on it” or “suck it up” when trying to express emotions through pain, sadness, or fear. For some, these expressions have been passed down from previous generations as a way to encourage men to be strong and resilient. From an early age, men are often forced to repress and express emotions very differently than women, and this can lead to emotional challenges.

Men feel the same emotions as women but have traditionally expressed only the emotions more accepted by society. Men often experience their feelings more restrictedly, which might make it challenging to unlearn and create more emotional awareness as they grow older. “Men are not often exposed to mental health or discussing emotions. So having conversations where there was no exposure before might be fearful or unfamiliar territory,” says Dr. Shane Kuhlman, Chief Psychology Officer at Centerstone’s Research Institute. While it might feel uncomfortable for men to be mindful of their emotions, there are also significant benefits to expressing them. “Giving men the space to

share feelings and care for their mental health allows for deeper connections in other areas of their life,” says Kuhlman. Mental health and emotional expression might positively impact men through better relationships with loved ones, lessen symptoms of mental distress, and increased performance at work or home.

Awareness surrounding men’s mental health is improving, but there is still a stigma in the conversation. Emotions are not tied to any gender, so it may be harmful to assume weakness in men who are more emotionally aware or expressive than others. Men are often met with many barriers when seeking mental health treatment, which only continues to echo the expressions taught at that early age. For example, some men have difficulty finding male therapists, and it is often reported that men of color especially experience challenges locating therapists who are men of color. Recognizing these challenges, there are still some ways you can help reduce the stigma for mental health treatment and encourage emotional expression: Acknowledgment. Notice the changes in loved ones and acknowledge them. Men may not know how

or when they are affecting themselves or others. Try to identify problems and offer a solution through mental health care. Reassure men that vulnerability may be challenging but that you will be there for them.

Communication. “Men are less likely to report symptoms of depression, but it doesn’t mean they are not experiencing it,” says Kuhlman. Allow men to have an open line of communication to express their feelings and thoughts. Check in every day and see how they feel. Try to be validating of men’s feelings and experiences through this process.

Treatment. Sometimes it isn’t easy for men to speak with loved ones. One of the best tools to help men gain greater recognition of their emotional depth or find new language to match to their emotions is seeking mental health treatment. Not every treatment method or therapist will be a good fit, so encourage men to keep trying until they are comfortable.

Remember, emotions are part of life, and feeling and expressing them is not a weakness but a strength. If you or someone you know is struggling with their mental health, Centerstone can help. Call 1-877HOPE123 (1-877-467-3123) for more information about our counseling services. 3

Kuhlman

Brunch paradise can’t be beat

By Bill Roseberry Big Z Media

This awesome brunch spot in central Madison County is worth a visit. You can eat healthy here, or you can get down and dirty, whatever you choose, I doubt you’ll be disappointed.

It’s hard to miss, the restaurant sits right by a main road through town inside a business complex.

The standalone building is front and center inside the group of businesses, too.

The parking lot wraps around the brick building, with plenty of spots for patrons. You enter at the front of the building through a small vestibule and arrive at the host/hostess station.

The dining room is split into two sides. On the right side you’ll notice a long bar along the wall. There are both high and low tables situated on the right side, all including uncomfortable metal chairs. They are gray tables with orange and gray chairs. On a side note, the chairs will be my only complaint.

The walls are painted orange and it features tan laminate flooring. A bench partition separates the two dining rooms and offers high backed booths with high tables and high metal chairs on the adjacent side.

A wall with green indoor/ outdoor carpeting is near the partition, separating the hallway to the bathroom and the entrance to the kitchen. There are more booths and tables on the left dining area. Booths align the outside walls with a few more tables throughout the middle of the area.

TVs hang throughout the restaurant, one even playing 80s music videos on my visit. It’s a really gimmicky atmosphere and menu, but the star here is the food and it stands out.

Get your mitts on a menu and you’ll see all the creative and humorous names to the dishes. Read the descriptions and you’ll be stoked.

I recently visited with a couple of friends and sat in the right dining area. After quickly perusing the options I decided on the St. Louis slinger, served with their signature “Nothing Gets Cheddar Than This” biscuits and a vanilla almond cream iced coffee. Other orders at our table included the Swimming Upstream frittata with no avocado, a half basket of the cheddar biscuits and the pineapple upside down pancake.

My slinger was phenomenal. It featured a four-egg omelet stuffed with smoked sausage and country-style potatoes and was topped with chorizo chili, shredded cheddar cheese and pickled onions.

The guiding taste in the slinger was the chili. All of that chorizo had such a hearty and robust flavor. Another addition was the pickled onion, which stood out with a quirky twist for the palate. It was super filling, too.

I have to give a big shout out to the cheddar biscuits. These house-made treasures are filled with cheddar cheese, bacon, cracked black pepper and garlic. The addition of the honey butter

to lather on puts them over the top. They are definitely a destination dish.

As for the other meals from my cohorts, the pineapple upside down pancake gets a standing ovation. This oversized, fluffy masterpiece was stuffed with caramelized pineapple, brown sugar and cherries then topped with powdered sugar. I pilfered a few bites and was in culinary heaven. The pineapple and cherries were popping with flavor and the sizable chunks were plentiful. It was just oh so sweet. Again, this is a destination dish.

While I didn’t try any of the Swimming Upstream, I have to applaud its healthiness and creativeness. It consisted of an eggwhite frittata filled with chicken sausage, onions, mushrooms, tomato and spinach. It was topped with herbs and smoked salmon. Normally it includes avocado, but my friend subtracted that. I would not have, I love avocado, but to each their own.

There are so many other great options here from the breakfast menu, as well as the mid-day munch menu.

The Brunchy BLT is a must try for me with bacon, a fried egg, avocado, tomato, lettuce and dijonnaise on

Overall:

Cleanliness:

Service:

Food:

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

multi-grain bread. This joint has an extensive alcohol menu too, with a bunch of bloody mary options, mimosas, coffee cocktails, bourbons, beers and more.

I wasn’t in the mood for adult libations on my visit, so I went with their coffee line and the vanilla almond cream iced coffee I ordered was tremendous. It was so sweet and flavorful and added a nice exclamation point to my awesome experience.

And I lied, I have one other complaint, this place isn’t open enough. Only available for breakfast and brunch, the hours are 7am - 2:15pm seven days a week. 3

ARIES (March 21 to April 19) Shutting people out to avoid distractions, even under a deadline, can cause hurt feelings. Instead, return calls and emails, and explain why you need a zone of privacy for now.

TAURUS (April 20 to May

20) Although your keen Bull’s eyes usually can discern what’s fact from what’s faux, that upcoming decision will need really solid data before you can risk a commitment.

GEMINI (May 21 to June 20)

As your confidence grows, you should be able to work toward your goals with more enthusiasm. Open your mind to suggestions. Some of them might even work for you.

CANCER (June 21 to July 22) Reconnecting with someone from your past stirs up that old sense of adventure. But before you do anything else, be sure to get answers to any lingering questions.

LEO (July 23 to August 22)

Some people might resent the way you plan to resolve a difficult situation. But your commitment to making tough but fair decisions soon wins you their respect and support.

VIRGO (August 23 to September 22) Mixed signals could be causing that vexing workplace problem. Before you choose to leave the project, ask for a meeting so that you can get things out in the open.

LIBRA (September 23 to October 22) Your good intentions could backfire if you’re not careful with other people’s feelings. Try using persuasion, not pressure, to get others to see your side of the situation.

SCORPIO (October 23 to November 21) Your dedication to finishing the task at hand is laudable. But be careful not to overdo the midnight oil bit. Take time for relaxation with someone very special.

SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21)

Although your intuition will help you make some tough choices in the first half of the month, you’ll need more facts to back up your actions later on.

CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19) All that hard work and research in the workplace finally pays off as you hoped it would. Ignore comments from jealous types who are out to get the Goat riled up.

AQUARIUS (January 20 to February 18) An unfair decision creates unnecessary problems. But avoid anger and move carefully as you work this out. Expect to get support from an unlikely source.

PISCES (February 19 to March 20) A fuzzy financial vista persists until the end of the month, when things begin to clear up. You’ll also gain a better perspective on how to handle pesky personal problems.

NMLS #411326

YWCA of Alton announces 32nd annual Women of Distinction celebration

YWCA Southwestern Illinois

Women of Distinction

Event Chair Donna Dixon

pleased to announce that the nomination period for the Women of Distinction program is now open. In addition, the 32nd Annual Women of Distinction Celebration will be held on Thursday evening, May 4, 2023, at Julia’s Banquet Center, East Gate Plaza, East Alton.

Each year, some of the region’s brightest, boldest, bravest and most influential women have been honored at the YWCA‘s Women of Distinction (WOD) celebration. Honorees are women who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and achievement

in their professional, civic and personal lives. The WOD Academy has grown into a dynamic and diverse group of over 300 women representing a wide range accomplishments and contributions.

YWCA is requesting the public’s help in soliciting nominations for Women of Distinction. The community is urged to nominate exceptional women who create real change in our communities.

Nomination packets are available now at YWCA, online at altonywca.com, via email: info@ywcaswil.org, or by calling 618-465-7774. Nomination deadline for the 2023 Women of Distinction program is Friday, February 24, no later than 5pm or

postmarked by February 24.

A volunteer panel of judges will select the honorees from nominations. Nominees must live, work or volunteer in Madison or Jersey County. Honorees will be selected who make significant contributions in giving back to the community through time, talent, mentoring and resources, demonstrate a commitment to YWCA mission of eliminating racism and empowering women, work for positive social change that helps improve communities, including advocating for policies and practices, changing attitudes and taking action, and create programs that positively impact families, including, but not limited to, the areas of health, safety, economic stability or development. 3

AMH Auxiliary seeking wheelchair sponsorships

The AMH White Cross Auxiliary is continuing in its mission to replace all of the hospital’s old wheelchairs with newer Staxi wheelchairs in its “Wheels of Love” campaign.

The Auxiliary has added four new chairs recently in addition to the 10 that

were purchased early last fall. The new chairs were sponsored by or in honor of three former employees and a White Cross Auxiliary member/hospital volunteer. The chairs are much easier to use than a standard wheelchair.

If anyone is interested in sponsoring a chair, please contact Meg Dorris at 618-530-7006 or Irene McLaughlin at 618-530-8589. A company name, in memory of, or in honor of can be displayed on the name plate on the back of the chair that you sponsor. 3

LIFE HESTON ON

By Pat Heston

The ring I was a seventh grader. That was problematic enough. My birthday was fast approaching. I wanted one particular gift—a ring: gold band holding a black marble square with a gold letter “P” perfectly centered. I had to have that thing. In retrospect, it is strange. I’ve never been a jewelry person. To this day, the only piece of jewelry I wear is my wedding ring. But for some reason, as I approached the 13th year of my life, getting that ring was as essential to me as oxygen.

It was in a case at the Ben Franklin store on the town square, which tells you something about its actual value. But you had to see the thing to understand. It was breathtaking— temptation, lust and covetousness all rolled into a single piece of costume jewelry, and all for only $6.95. Nowhere else in town could you break so many of the Ten Commandments at such a reasonable price. I knew there was an unwritten rule to never buy something you want right before your birthday. Somebody might be getting

it for you. But I couldn’t wait. What if a non-relative snatched the one-of-kind item from the case before grandma or dad or mom could buy it for me? I was desperate. I had to have the ring.

So I did what any enterprising 12-year-old would do. I went home, entered the living room, removed all the cushions from the couches, and looked for loose change. That usually translated into a dollar’s worth of coins. Instead, my total take was fifteen cents. Well, technically, fourteen. That brought my grand total of money saved to $5.94—a dollar and penny shy of my dream. I found a penny on my sister’s dresser, which left me only a dollar short.

In desperation, I went to my younger brother and asked to borrow a dollar. He refused. My own flesh-and-blood brother refused to fork over a single dollar, even though I was practically on my knees begging.

I went to the store anyway, hoping to strike a deal with the owner, promising to pay the remaining dollarplus-tax from the take of

my birthday cash. Bartering was not unheard of in 1950s Greenville.

But when I walked to the case, the ring was gone. The clerk said someone had bought it twenty minutes before. I was devastated.

So I pouted my way through my birthday—supper, cake, ice cream, and onto the presents—knowing that no gift received could rival the Hope Diamond of Five-AndTen stores. The gifts did nothing to lift me out of my self-imposed depression.

Until … I opened the last gift and found the coveted ring.

My little brother, aware that my parents were buying me the ring, refused to lend me the money and ruin the birthday surprise. I placed the ring on my finger and pocketed gifts of cash.

I must admit, though, that after everyone had left, I rifled through the cushions on the couch. 3

Pat Heston is co-host of Let’s Talk on Tuesday and Thursday on WBGZ 107.1FM/1570AM. He’s also the author of the book “Journey Into Newness: The Soul-Making Power of a Wilderness,” and a retired pastor.

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!

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!

Most people go to the dentist, the eye doctor, and their primary physician. But many neglect their hearing, and hearing health is just as important! The team at Professional Hearing Associates encourages you to become more aware of your hearing health.

New name, new amenities, same great community!

New name, new amenities, same great community! 5201

New name, new amenities, same great community!

L&C offers high schools fire science academy dual credit

Lewis and Clark Community College has teamed up with area high schools and fire departments to form the Fire Science Academy (FSA).

The purpose of the FSA is to help incoming high school seniors take the initial steps needed to become a volunteer, on-call or full-time firefighter.

L&C Fire Science Program Coordinator

Ed Burnley says the idea came from Wood River Fire Chief Wade Stahlhut and East Alton-Wood River High School Superintendent Rob Miller

“The motivation was a recent decline in recruitment and fire department applications across the area,” Burnley said. “The hope is area fire departments will see an increase in the number of people interested in becoming a firefighter.”

According to Burnley, the FSA will serve as a first step to an Associate in Applied Science in Fire Science for those considering a career in a fire service-related field.

“These students will complete the cognitive and psychomotor components of an entry-level volunteer, paid on-call or full-time firefighter,” he said. “Emphasis will be placed on the state certification courses of Basic Operations Firefighter, Hazardous Materials Operations and Emergency Medical Responder.”

Other components of the curriculum include Fire Service Vehicle Operator, American Heart Association (AHA) CPR and National Incident Management System (NIMS) 100 and 700.

Students in the program will receive traditional classroom instruction, which will be reinforced with hands-on practical applications.

“As students progress through graduated skill evolutions, drills are added with increasing complexity to challenge and evaluate firefighter capabilities,” Burnley said. “These drills simulate real life emergency scene situations.”

The FSA is a dual-credit partnership with the high schools. Upon successful completion, the student will earn high school credit, along with 15.5 college credits.

Currently, the program is offered at

Service League sponsors community raffle

The Alton Community Service League is offering a fantastic raffle to help support fundraising that goes directly back into the community. For $10 each or 3 for $20 you have a chance to win the following:

1st prize: $300 Aeries

gift certificate

2nd prize: 2 nights

Aeries lodging (Su-Th)

3rd prize: 2 Aeries

zipline tickets (Su-Tu)

The drawing will be held on March 13, 2023. Tickets can be purchased from any ACSL member or by calling Jean Conrady at

466-0438.

Aeries resort, located in Grafton, offers a restaurant, lodging, the Grafton Zipline, the Grafton Sky Tour, and Aerie’s Alpine Coaster, The Resort sits on a bluff overlooking the confluence of the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers above downtown Grafton, providing a stunning view that captivates any visitor. 3

East Alton-Wood River High School, Roxana High School, Alton High School and Civic Memorial High School in Bethalto, with Edwardsville High School set to begin in Fall 2023. For more information about the Fire Science Academy, contact Burnley at 618-468-4914 or eburnley@lc.edu.

To learn more about L&C’s High School Partnership and Dual Credit opportunities, contact Director Yvette McLemore at 618-468-5050 or ymclemor@lc.edu. 3

A cancer diagnosis changes everything.

Turn

life –our Mission

Madison County held Adoption Day

On December 30, 2022, the Madison County Circuit Court held an Adoption Day. 38 children were adopted into 31 families. There are many children in foster care who wait three or more years before being adopted. Three years is a very long time in a child’s life. Another sad statistic is that one in five children will “age out” of foster care without ever being adopted.

“Providing permanent, stable, loving homes for children by creating new families is one of the most important services the Courts can provide” Circuit Judge Amy Maher says about the

program. Judge Maher is the Presiding Judge of Madison County’s Juvenile Division. “Adoption Day is a day to celebrate with the children who have found their forever home, and to raise awareness for the children in foster care throughout our county who are waiting to find permanent, loving families. This is our fifth year celebrating this special occasion and we are excited to see the event grow bigger each year.”

In addition to Judge Maher, Circuit Judge Amy Sholar and Associate Judges Andrew Carruthers Angela Donohoo, Ron

Foster, Martin Mengarelli, Ron Motil, and Maureen Schuette presided over the adoptions.

Tom Cinque, from the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, performed magic for the children, there was also t-shirt painting, face painting, balloon artists, and refreshments available. All those interested in learning how to become foster parents are encouraged to contact The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoptions davethomasfoundation.org or The Restore Network therestorenetwork.org. 3

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.

SMALL BUSINESS OF THE MONTH Riverbend Kitchen and More

To kick off a new year of celebrating local small businesses, Riverbend Kitchen and More, LLC was honored as the January 2023 RiverBend Growth Association Small Business of the Month award recipient.

Owned by Terri Hart, Riverbend Kitchen and More has been in business for over nine years now, with six employees at its location in Alton. RKM specializes in kitchen and bath remodels, but can also provide bars, built-ins, and more.

“We consider ourselves a boutique that will work with customers from concept to completion,” noted General Manager Deehan Coffman. “We provide full installations or can work with your contractor. We want to see your dream come to life in your home.”

RKM recently added a new designer to its staff and is looking to add still more team members very soon. “Our showroom is constantly changing to keep up with current trends as well,” Coffman added. “We are also expanding to the Soulard area in Spring 2024, where we will open another showroom location.”

With three in-house designers, RKM also has three outside sales associates located in Mascoutah, Ill., Fenton, Mo., and DeSoto, Mo. The company continually offers training on new products to its entire team as well as with its design program. Their designers are encouraged to seek out

additional training with the RKM’s vendors as often as possible.

“Our biggest opportunity comes from helping people make their homes exactly what they want. We love to bring dreams to life. We love to see our customers enjoying their new remodels,” Coffman said.

RKM prides itself on being different from the big box stores, Coffman added. “We take the time to visit with each customer, get to know their wants and needs,

RBGA MEMBER MINGLE EVENTS 2023

and then bring that to life. We also pride ourselves on getting to know our customers on a personal level, not just as a customer only.”

Like everyone else in the industry, however, RKM has struggled with an increase in lead times along with the rising costs of materials.

“A kitchen or bath remodel is not an inexpensive purchase. And when our material costs increase, unfortunately, that cost gets passed on to our customers. Most people have been understanding of that,

though,” she said.

RKM stays current and active, both in the industry and in the Riverbend community. They sponsor golf tournaments and school sports throughout the year as much as possible. They are also active members of the RiverBend Growth Association and BNI. “We are here in the community and ready to serve. RKM is ready to meet all your kitchen and bath remodeling needs, and our

Foxes Boxes celebrates grand opening at new location

Foxes Boxes Bakes and Blooms held a grand opening and ribbon cutting on Saturday, January 14, 2023, at their new location at 515 N. Bellwood in Bethalto, IL. The new site triples the space of its former East Alton location.

The RiverBend Growth Association team coordinated the ribbon cutting for the owner, Tanya Fox. Her team includes her husband, Brian Holmes, Mallory, Paul, Diana, Maranda, Alena, Nathan, and Denis. Foxes Boxes boasts itself as the

area’s only union bakery.

In attendance were RBGA members, Ambassadors, Bethalto Mayor Gary Bost, building owner Dwight Fowler, and community members. Bunkhouse Joe, Greene County Salsa, and Sunshine Acres Honey were vendors on Saturday. Tanya Fox says, “I was amazed by the turn out Saturday. We definitely felt so much love from everyone. We were super proud of our staff and couldn’t do any of this without them and our customers.”

Several breakfast and lunch

Riverbend Kitchen and More 215 Herbert Street, Alton 618-462-8955 riverbendkm.com

designers are constantly keeping up with the latest trends in home remodeling so that they can best serve our customers and bring their visions to life. We are proud of our showroom as well, and we love to show it off,” Coffman further noted.

The RiverBend Growth Association is the Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development organization for the 11 communities known as the Riverbend. For more information about the Growth Association, visit www. growthassociation.com or call (618) 467-2280.

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, Sam Quigley, Amy Roady, Kristen Ryrie, Martha Schultz, and Amy Smith.

To learn more about membership in the RiverBend Growth Association and the Small Business of the Month recognition, visit the RBGA website or call their Godfrey office.

options are available in addition to the variety of baked goods and French macarons. Included are cakes, pies, flavored quick breads, cheesecakes, muffins, cupcakes, sheet cakes, cobblers, cream puffs, eclairs, Oreo cake balls, and scones. Flower

arrangements grown on their local organic farm are available seasonally.

With a larger location comes new hours: Wed-Sat 7:302:00; Sunday 8:00-12:00; Mon-Tue closed. Foxes Boxes can be reached at 618251-8081.

RBGA page sponsored by 1st MidAmerica Credit Union

RKM team members are Deehan Coffman, Kate Springman, Caroline Warren, Vicki Hake

AdVantage Athletes sponsored by Simmons Hanly Conroy

The Oilers take on Breese Central at Memorial Gymnasium Roxana’s Paxton Osmoe won the fastest pin award at the Quincy Invite

The undefeated Alton Lady Redbirds take the court for a game against Edwardsville

The Marquette Lady Explorers battle Maryville Christian

The Civic Memorial Eagle bowling team

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.

LOCAL EXPERTS

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

What are the three Cs of property management?

Communication

PMP technology provides your residents the ability to speak with our management team at tenants’ convenience.

INSURANCE

How much homeowner’s insurance do I need?

This question comes up quite often.

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.

BANKRUPTCY SHARI L. MURPHY

Attorney at Law • FREE CONSULTATION P.O. Box 136, Wood River 618-797-8888

Connection

Jason Brunaugh

We are tasked with knowing the residents and ensuring they are enjoying the lifestyle your property offers.

Camaraderie

It’s vital for our team to make getting to know our residents, the city and surrounding neighborhood a priority.

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.

27161 IL-3, Godfrey 618-463-8811 pmpriverbend.com

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

Breach, Breath

Trivia Test

1. The Mississippi.

2. “Westworld.”

3. Twister.

4. Lyndon Johnson.

5. 1955.

6. “Family Feud.”

7. A peahen.

8. Seven.

9. Palmolive dishwashing liquid.

10. Blood poisoning.

Flashback

1. Buddy Holly. Holly was releasing music under both his own name and anonymously with the group, working for two different record producers.

2. Coca-Cola, in 1971. The original was a jingle called “True Love and Apple Pie,” by a pair of British songwriters. In TV commercials, groups of people stood on a hill in Italy lip-synching the altered lyrics with and without references to the soft drink.

3. Ruby & the Romantics, in 1963. In 2007 the group was inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame.

4. James Taylor, in 1972 and 1974.

5. “Suspicious Minds,” by Elvis Presley in 1969. The song was originally written and released by Mark James, but it never got any attention until Presley released a cover the following year.

Secret Diner

Twisted Biscuit Brunch Co.

1071 S. State Rt. 157, Edwardsville

1st

•

•

Medora FS Inc. has a full time opening for an o ce manager/ bookkeeper. Duties include: preparing monthly financial statements, maintaining accounts receivable and accounts payable ledgers, billing customers via computer, preparing payroll. Knowledge of accounting procedures is preferred. Insurance and 401 k benefits are available. Hours are usually 7 to 4, Monday through Friday, except for extended hours during the busy farming season. Interested applicants may pick up application at Medora FS Inc. 367 FS Road, Medora, IL or call 618-729-4411

1707 Muny Vista, Alton $169,900 Pat Kulish 623-9209

Great 3 bedroom, 2 bath home located in a convenient location, close to shopping, restaurants, etc

FEATURED LISTING

5001 Wolferton, Godfrey $204,900 Jon Jones 550-2371 4BR/3BA home offers over 2,400 sq ft of living space in two levels. Large deck, yard, and more.

FEATURED LISTING

3049 Godfrey Rd Godfrey 618-466-1513

godfreylandmark.com

ft of living space, wood floors, attached garage, fenced yard, basement.

FEATURED LISTING

903 Southwind Ct, Collinsville $235,500 Valeria Martin 314-496-1088

Welcome home! This well maintained sprawling 3BR/3BA home offers so much personality.

COMMERCIAL

2121 College, Alton $75,000 Sharron Lovato 410-8782 Spacious 3BR/2BA home is ready for rehab. Large rooms, full basement, wood floors and beautiful woodwork. Close to schools.

FEATURED LISTING

526 Grace, Godfrey $105,000 Pat Kulish 623-9209

This all brick home for a family or an investor. 4 bedrooms, main floor laundry, 1 BR apartment above the garage.

MULTI-FAMILY

501 E Spruce, Jerseyville $144,900 Mindy Woelfel 946-0434

Building is ideal for storage units, possible daycare/school, service business of any kind and so much more.

FEATURED LISTING

400 E 14th, Alton $130,000 Valeria Martin 314-496-1088

Spacious 3BR situated on quiet street, includes covered porch, main floor laundry, partial basement, and more.

FEATURED LISTING

39 Holly Hill, Alton $104,900 Amy Hillery 520-9850

Adorable 3BR home with lots of updates! Some hardwood floors, updated.

301 E Lorena, Wood River $125,000 Pat Kulish 623-9209

Investment opportunity. This 4-plex has three 1-bedroom units and one 2-bedroom unit. Two units recently renovated.

FEATURED LISTING

7373 Bethalto Rd, Bethalto $239,900 Cheri Horn 791-5933

Spacious 4BR home on 1.5 acres! Very large Kitchen dining combo, main floor laundry, all seasons room, garage, carport, and barn.

RESIDENTIAL LOTS

302 E 12th, Alton $248,500 Matt Horn 560-8201

Charming 4BR/2BA Middletown Alton home!

FEATURED LISTING 5549 Seminary, Alton $719,000 Julia Kennedy 660-8204

6BR/6BA brick home on 2.5 acres +/- includes over 7,000sq ft of living space. MUST SEE PROPERTY! Gourmet kitchen, main floor master suite, and upper level VIP suite. Lower level 2nd kitchen and more.

Legacy Estates, Jerseyville $11,900+ Mindy Woelfel 946-0434

Do you want to build in an area close to the City Park and Wock Lake and offers concrete streets and sidewalks? Country feel on the edge of the city limits.