The Metro East Messenger 11.19.21 Issue

5 Reasons To Shop Small This Holiday Season Holiday Event Calendar

Baked Brie With Honey & Walnuts Recipe

Buy One Entrée, Get One Half Off Must Present Coupon Expires 12/19/21

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Local Events

NOTE: Events are subject to change, cancel or be rescheduled due to Covid 19 restrictions.

TOYS FOR TOTS Collection & Win A Gift Card! Now through November 30. Office open M-F 9:00am-5:00pm, MML Insurance, 2166 Pontoon Rd, Granite City, IL. MML Insurance is partnering with GCHS Class of 1970 for TOYS FOR TOTS in November. Bring a new, unwrapped toy or money donation into the agency, and you will be entered in our gift card drawing held here on November 30, 2021.

Live Music Every Weekend at The Cabin at Judy Creek, 3730 S. State Rte. 157, Glen Carbon. 11/19- Lanny & Julie, 11/20Mollie Rittenhouse & Andy Vieluf, 11/21- Scott Marlin, 11/24 (Thanksgiving Eve)- The Double Wide Duo, 11/26- Matt Powell, 11/27- Mike Sonderegger, 11/28- Jarrod Lutz, 12/3- Midlife Duo, 12/4- Fedorable, 12/5- Lanny & Julie.

WonderLight’s Christmas at Worldwide Technology Raceway, 700 Raceway Blvd, Madison. WonderLight’s Christmas is a drive through Christmas light show fully synchronized to music played through your car stereo! Open nightly now thru January 9, 2022 - rain, shine, or snow. Tickets must be purchased in advance at www.wonderlightschristmas.com/tickets.

28th Annual Victorian Holiday, Nov. 19th-20th, Downtown Lebanon. Lebanon Victorian Holiday is an annual event to usher in the holiday season with the lamplighter, caroling, horse & carriage rides, live entertainment, food, desserts, and photos with Father Christmas in the charming town of Lebanon, IL. Brickstreet restaurants and merchants open for dining and shopping. Follow their Facebook page for more updates.

Christmas Craft Fair, Nov. 20th, 8am-2pm, Tri-Township Activity Center, 284 Riggin Rd, Troy, IL. Entrance fee: $1 or nonperishable food donation. 12 & under: free to enter. Over 80 vendors this year!

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Local Events The 12th Annual Edwardsville Turkey Trot 5k and Kids Fun Run, Nov. 25th, hosted by Edwardsville Neighbors.

Thanksgiving morning on the campus of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, join us for what has become a family tradition for many. Sign up now at https://runsignup.com/Race/IL/Edwardsville/TurkeyTrot2020.

Gobble Hobble Fun Run, Nov. 25th, 7am, Korte Rec. Center, Highland, IL. Join your family and friends on Thanksgiving Day for a quick 2-mile fun run as a prequel to your turkey feast consumption! Run check-in begins at 6:30am, in the rear KRC parking lot. Sign up at runsignup.com/Race/IL/Highland/GobbleHobble2020.

Belleville Thanksgiving 5k Run, Nov. 25th, 8am start time. 11th Anniversary Belleville 5K and Turkey Trot In Person Race will take place on Nov. 25, 2021, in Downtown Belleville Illinois at the Square. Register at https://bit.ly/3qcvCGe. Highland Lighted Christmas Parade, Nov. 26th, 6:30-9pm. Celebrate the beginning of the Christmas season by attending the Highland Chamber of Commerce's Lighted Christmas Parade and staying to watch Santa Clause "light the square" in Historic Downtown Highland. The Parade will step off at 7 pm from the Primary/Elementary parking lot on Lindenthal and travel west to Washington, then North on Washington to finish at the square. The Santa Band will be playing on the square, Madgrigal singers will be caroling, there will be carriage ride and holiday refreshments for all to enjoy!

Art and Craft Fall Fair, Nov 26th-28th at Belle Clair Fairgrounds & Expo Center, 200 S. Belt East, Belleville. Kay Weber Presents 40th Annual Belleville Art and Craft Fall Fair! Over 400 exhibitors. $4.00 admission on Friday, and $3.00 admission on Saturday and Sunday.

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Local Events Belleville Christkindlmarkt, The 2021 Christkindlmarkt will be open 4 weekends, beginning on Fri., Nov. 26 and ending on Thurs., Dec. 23, 2021. It will be closed on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays except for the week of Christmas. Shop the German Christmas market, visit Santa, enjoy free horse drawn trolley rides and take a picture in the life-sized snow globe. For more info, go to: www.bellevillechristkindlmarkt.com.

Christmas in Caseyville Lighted Parade and Tree Lighting, Nov. 27th, 5pm. Free event for the whole community. Interested in being in the parade? Stacy Milligan 618-409-4856 or Pam McDaniel 618-409-7727.

2021 Millstadt Lighted Parade, Nov. 26th, 7pm, W. Washington Ave, Millstadt. This will start at Frontier Park and end at the VFW. This year is parade only, there will be no festivities at the VFW after.

Art and Craft Fall Fair, Nov 26th -28th, At Belle Clair Fairgrounds & Expo Center, 200 South Belt East, Belleville. Kay Weber Presents 40th Annual Belleville Art and Craft Fall Fair. Over 400 exhibitors! $4.00 admission on Friday, and $3.00 admission on Saturday and Sunday.

Belleville Santa Parade, Nov. 26th 10am-12pm, 510 W. Main St, Belleville. Join the community of Belleville for this annual parade when Santa comes to town. Sponsored by the Optimist Club of Belleville, this tradition began in 1952 and is the largest parade in Southern Illinois, featuring floats, marching bands, dance groups, and the arrival of Mr. & Mrs. Claus.

Maryville Winter Market 2021, Nov. 27th, 5-8pm, 300 N. Donk Ave, Maryville. Join our host Elvis for an awesome evening of local vendors, food, beverages and booze, entertainment and celebrate the holiday “Vegas” style! Shop, eat, drink and be merry and raise some money for Maryville organizations! www.metroeastmessenger.com

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Local Events Bethalto Christmas Village, Nov. 27 & 28, Dec. 4, 5, 11, 12, 18 & 19, 5-8pm, Bethalto Park, E. Central St, Bethalto. See the beautiful lights throughout the park as you make your way to the Arboretum. Purchase the makings for a s’more and keep warm by the fire. Visit the live nativity and children can ride through the park on the barrel train.

Cookie Crumb Trail in Highland, Nov. 27th, 10am-4pm, on the Highland Square. Trail maps can be picked up at Kloss Furniture between 10 a.m. and noon. Each Cookie Trail Sponsor will have a cookie for participants to sample and a recipe card to take home. The Cookie Trail Sponsor will then check off their business name on the map and once ALL are checked, turn in your map by 4 p.m. to the Downtown Square and be entered in a drawing. 2 lucky winners will receive a $50 Chamber Gift Certificate that can be used at many local businesses! FREE event, first 100 participants will receive a canvas tote bag.

Free Pictures with Santa Claus at Woodcrest Small Engine, Nov. 27th, 10am-12pm, 705 Broadway, Highland. We will have live animals to pet, hot chocolate and cookies for everyone. Also, one LUCKY attendee will win a $500 Burromax Electric Mini Bike.

Photos With Santa And His Reindeer, Nov. 27th, 1-3pm at Finley Flooring, 908 Broadway, Highland. Free photos with Santa and His Reindeer. Hot Cocoa, Apple Cider, Cookies, Gingerbread House Workshop, Ornament Decorating, Raffles, Free Room of Flooring up to $1000.00, Free Mattress Set Up To $1000.00.

Wood River Police Department 5k, Nov. 27th, 9am, downtown Woodriver. Can't make it on November 27th? Register as a virtual runner, you get the shirt and do the run any time, anywhere. Register at bit.ly/3GOUOZu.

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Local Events Goat Yoga @Willoughby Farms, Nov. 27th, 10-11:30am, Willoughby Heritage Farms, 631 Willoughby Lane, Collinsville.

Take the hour yoga class and stay to get all the pictures you want after. ABSOLUTELY no yoga experience needed. Come expecting to have an amazing time! Bring your mat or a beach towel or rent one for $5. Sign up at eventbrite.com/e/204251891907.

Movie Nights With Santa at Skyview Drive-In, Belleville. Sponsored by the Greater Belleville Chamber of Commerce.

Attendees will get to see Santa as he drives through the lot to hand out candy to children before the movie begins. There will also be a limited number of spots each night to purchase a professional photo with Santa. Photos do need to be reserved at the time of your movie ticket purchase. Move Lineup- Nov. 27th: Frosty the Snowman and How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Dec. 4th: Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town. Dec. 11th: Elf: Buddy’s Musical Christmas. For more info and tickets, go to bit.ly/3k6qYWB. O’Fallon Illuminated Holiday Parade, Nov. 27th, 6pm. A downtown O'Fallon holiday tradition! Line the streets of O'Fallon and help us march in the Holiday Season! This Lighted Parade is a joy for all ages and one of O'Fallon's most treasured community traditions. New for this year will be a fun post-parade community gathering near Santa's Hut, where refreshments and prize will be given along with your chance to meet with Santa in person!

Santa at the Station, Nov. 27th -Dec. 22nd. The City of Edwardsville and the Parks & Recreation Department are excited that Santa will be getting a bigger and better place to greet is favorite believers. He will be located at the Nickel Plate Station in conjunction with the Edwardsville Children’s Museum in front of the Lewis and Clark N.O. Nelson Campus off Troy Road. Wednesdays 5:30-8pm. Saturdays 1-4pm. www.metroeastmessenger.com

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Local Events Photos with Santa at The Sanctuary on Main, Dec. 2nd 4-7pm, The Sanctuary on Main, 114 South Main St, Troy. Stop in to get a free digital photo with Santa and Mrs. Claus with a donation for the Glen Ed Pantry and Ministries Unlimited. There will be drinks, kids' crafts, and photos with Santa and more! Donation: Glen Ed Pantry and Ministries Unlimited need paper products, paper towels, toilet paper, tissues, canned pastas, Mac'n cheese, fruit, personal care items like toothbrushes, toothpaste, etc.

Mascoutah Lighted Christmas Parade, Dec. 3rd, 5:30-8:30pm, Main Street. Make sure to celebrate Christmas in Mascoutah with their Lighted Christmas Parade! Watch all the businesses, groups, and organizations parade through the town!

Gingerbread 5K Run/Walk, Dec. 4th, 8am, 510 W. Main St, Belleville. Sponsored by the Belleville Parks & Recreation. For more info and registration, go to https://www.belleville.net/553/Current-Activities.

Dashin’ Thru The Lights 5k Fun Run/Walk, Dec. 4th, 6pm, 2 Park Dr, Roxana, IL. Family friendly event. Wear your favorite holiday attire. Prizes and giveaways as well as cookies and hot chocolate after the event. Sign up at https://roxanapark.org/dashin-thru-the-lights/.

Candy Cane Parade in Granite City, Dec. 4th, 2:30pm. The Granite City Area Community foundation is hosting its first Candy Cane Parade and Winter Wonderland Festival. The parade will begin from the Granite City High School parking lot, travel down State St, to 27th St, to Madison Ave, Niedringhaus Ave, and will end at City Hall. Don't miss the other holiday events taking place in Downtown Granite City as well: The Elf Walk, Art workshop, ugly sweater contest, music and more. www.metroeastmessenger.com

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Local Events Edwardsville Winter Market, Dec. 4th, 9am-12pm, 118 Hillsboro Ave, Edwardsville. Edwardsville Winter Market features items from our neighborhood and surrounding communities: Artisans, Baked Goods, Crafters, Locally Grown Items, Unique, Boutique Gifts and Products. All day, downtown businesses also host open houses as well as a sidewalk sales.

Collinsville Light-Up Parade, Dec. 4th, 5:30pm. Enjoy the annual Light- Up Parade in Collinsville! The parade will begin at 5:30 PM on Main St. Activities will be available at the Collins house following the parade!

Dinosaur Adventure St. Louis, Dec. 4 & 5th, Gateway Convention Center. Experience the thrill of the prehistoric age featuring life-sized dinosaurs and massive family fun! As part of the Dinosaur Adventure, children of all ages will enjoy a variety of activities: fossil crafting, Jurassic jeeps, themed obstacle courses, riding their favorite dinosaur, and more! For tickets, go to www.dinosauradventure.com/stlouis.

Olde Alton Art & Craft Fair, Dec. 4th & 5Th @ Alton High School, 4200 Humbert Rd, Alton. Find all your Christmas goodies at the annual Olde Alton Arts & Crafts Fair featuring a variety of crafters from Illinois, Missouri, Indiana and Kentucky.

Breakfast and lunch will be served. All proceeds benefit the Alton Band and Orchestra programs at Alton Community School District. For more information, call (618) 474-6996. For more info, go to http://abob.net/craft-fair/.

Granite City Senior Social “Christmas Bingo Party”, Dec. 5th at St. John UCC, 2901 Nameoki Rd, Granite City. Doors open at 12:30pm and games start at 1:30pm. Bingo, trivia, sing-along, 50/50 and refreshments. Bingo $1 admission. Four cards for $1. Seniors 50 plus and disabled are welcome to participate. Please RSVP (618) 444-6771.

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Local Events The North Pole Christmas Shoppe, Dec. 5th, 1pm at Wildey Theatre, 252 N. Main St, Edwardsville. Kiddos get to come in and shop without their parents so that they can pick out something as a surprise. Just bring them to the door, take one of our special envelopes and mark how much they can spend and who to buy for. Then one of our elves will help them around the store and “wrap” the presents. No need to register ahead of time. Event sponsored by Edwardsville Parks and Recreation.

Highland Holiday Tractor Parade, Dec. 5th, 4:15-7:15pm. Parade promptly begins at 5pm, route begins at Old Pylesville Rd. traveling to Street Rd. to Highland Rd. ending at Falling Branch Brewery. Decorated tractors will park at Falling Branch Brewery. Great Holiday photo opportunities. Hat and Glove donations for Mason-Dixon Community Services. Vendor tables, wreaths and poinsettias for sale and a visit from Santa. Food trucks on site at Falling Branch Brewery.

Arctic Express, Dec. 5th, 12-4pm, Edwardsville Children’s Museum, 722 Holyoake Rd, Edwardsville. Sign up for a professional photo with Santa, take a ride on a trackless train, sip cocoa or coffee and look at the Arctic Sculptures created by children in our community, watch a professional chainsaw artist carve a tree in the Discovery Garden, make reindeer food, and explore our brand-new exhibit in the Nickel Plate Train Station - “Into the Arctic!” For more info and tickets, go to edwardsvillechildrensmuseum.org.

Festival of Trees, Dec. 8th, 6-8pm, Gateway Convention Center. Join us at the 28th Anniversary of the Festival of Trees. The entire event space will transform into a holiday winter wonderland with beautifully decorated live trees, gorgeous wreaths, and unique home décor! Benefiting KAHOKstrong, whose sole purpose is helping people in the Collinsville Unit 10 School District during times of tragedy and need. For tickets, go to https://www.eventbrite.com/e/festival-of-trees-tickets163419260407. www.metroeastmessenger.com

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Local Events A Forever Vintage Christmas Market, Dec. 10-12 at the Belle-Clair Fairgrounds, 200 S Belt E, Belleville. Vendors from all around the country vending repurposed, industrial, vintage, architectural salvage, antiques, primitives, handmade, furniture, boutique & more! Live music-hand crafted cocktails-amazing eats. Tickets can be purchased at the door.

Missy’s Frosty 5k & Merry Mile, Dec. 11th, 213 N. Prairie St, Bethalto. Holiday themed 5k and Merry Mile running event.

All proceeds for this event will go to the Melissa Cafazza Memorial Scholarship Fund at Civic Memorial High School. The events will begin at 5pm near the City park and runners and walkers will enjoy the Holiday themed lights and decorations in and around the park. Register at bit.ly/3GP6Cuz. 2021 Ugly CHRISTmas Sweater 5K, Dec. 11th, 8am, 600 Water St, Edwardsville. Join us for a fun-filled day that will be sure to get you in the Christmas spirit! There is live music, hot cocoa & cookies, medals, and much more! Race benefits the Glen-Ed Food Pantry. To register, go to bit.ly/3CtvrsN. Santa Paws is Coming to Town, Dec. 11th, 5-9pm, Roxana Park. This event will benefit Animal Warriors - Roxana; a nonprofit that helps animals (and their families) in need. Drive through the merry light displays, walk through the lights with Elsa, warm up inside the magical gingerbread house where Santa and Mrs. Claus are waiting to greet you! Enjoy our hot cocoa and coffee bar, indulge in chili and walking tacos, take your chances at 50/50 drawing, bid on silent auction baskets guaranteed to make excellent gifts! Register the kids to win some awesome prizes!! Donations welcome; all benefiting Animal Warriors – Roxana.

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Local Events Vine Street Winter Market, Dec. 11th 3:30-7:30pm, Vine Street Market at O’Fallon Station. Winter Market is back and bigger with 50+ vendors, live music from Isaac Biver and Edwin Linson, two food trucks and carriage rides! Expect a mix of farmers market vendors with meats, cheeses, coffee, bread and prepared foods as well as a much larger selection of artisans. Carriage rides will leave from the O'Fallon Station beginning at 4:30pm. In addition to the market, Mrs. Claus will be reading stories inside Avenue Realty, Polar Express will be read at the caboose downtown and the local OTHS Madrigals will be performing throughout downtown.

“Movie in the Park”, Dec. 11th, 4pm-6pm at CARSTAR Maryville, 1 Mueller Dr, Maryville. Showing: Rise of the Guardians.

Christmas Workshop, Dec. 11th & 12th, Gordon Moore Park, Muentermann Bldg. Sponsored by the Alton Parks & Recreation Department. Fun games, crafts, cookie decorating, hot cocoa, gingerbread playhouses, indoor snowman, lots of selfie spots. Register at bit.ly/3Hvpkbc.

A Very Merry Winter Wonderland Extravaganza with Special Guests Santa, Mrs. Claus, Olaf, & Kristoff, Dec. 18th, 11am4pm at the Leclaire Room, 600 Troy Rd, Edwardsville, IL. The celebration will include appearances from Santa, Mrs. Claus, Olaf, & Kristoff. Included in the ticket, each child will receive a professional digital photo with Santa & Mrs. Claus by professional photographer, Holly Glatt Photography, snacks including pretzel bar and cookies & milk, and a stocking to fill at each activity station. Toy donations will be accepted for Edwardsville Neighbors. For tickets, go to bit.ly/3wekWrQ. Looking For A Venue To Host A Private Event? EXO Lounge & Nail Bar is available for private events. They offer a fully licensed bar and seating for 100. For more info, go to https://visitexo.com/ or email events manager at events@visitexo.com. www.metroeastmessenger.com

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5 Reasons To Shop Small This Holiday Season 1. It Enriches Our Community. Shopping small ensures that your dollars stay in the local economy, rather than being siphoned off to corporate entities. One-hundred dollars spent at a local business equals sixty-eight dollars in revenue for the local community, while chain stores only produce forty-three dollars. Also, small businesses are much more likely to sponsor community events, kids' sports teams and fundraisers than big businesses.

2. No Shipping Headaches. Shopping at small local businesses means you walk out with your gifts and can avoid the shipping hassle. If you are concerned about gifts being shipped and arriving on time, shop small!

3. You Can Find Unique Gifts. The big chain businesses carry all the same, mass-produced items. But if you go to a small locally owned business, you can find something special and unique for the holiday season. Don’t forget, local restaurant gift certificates make great unique gifts, too!

4. Better Customer Service. Business owners rely on great customer service to build a loyal customer base, so it is comforting to know you will be shopping, dining or visiting a business that is genuinely happy to assist you.

5. It’s Easier. Who wants to go to a large, overly crowded business with long lines when you can go to a smaller local business and have an enjoyable shopping experience? Also, many small businesses have adapted to online shopping. If you prefer to shop from your couch, check out their websites, pay online and pick up your gifts “curbside.” It doesn’t get any easier than that!

Local Events Winter Market, Dec. 18th-19th, 11am-4pm at Gateway Convention Center. Winter Market is a holiday shopping experience for you and your family! Offering fashions, foods, gifts, music, and a little bit of magic! Admission and parking are free!

Interested in participating as a vendor? Booths and small business tables are available. Contact Jeff Foster at jfoster@gatewaycenter.com or 618-345-8998.

Collinsville Community SnowFest '22, Jan. 15th, 8-11:30am, 1498 Vandalia St, Collinsville, IL. 8:00-8:30am-Community Breakfast. Starting @ 8:30- Cardboard Sled Race. Put together a one-of-a-kind sled with a team of friends, family, or coworkers. Entry is $10.00 per sled with all proceeds going to Collinsville Parks. We will limit the number of entries per division so that everyone will get at least two runs. Awards ceremony from 11-11:30a.m. immediately after the last sled runs. Don't worry! We are providing the hill and all the snow! For rules and registration, go to bit.ly/3nUsuML. There will also be three virtual reality stations, a timed jigsaw puzzle competition, dog dash, snowball fling and paper snowflake contest.

28th Annual Let's Go Fishing Show, Jan. 7th- 9th at the Gateway Convention Center, 1 Gateway Dr, Collinsville. Visitors to the show not only find a "fishing tackle super-store" but attend seminars and see exhibits of interest. Show attendees will find a wide variety of fishing tackle, rods and reels, aluminum and fiberglass fishing boats, and more. Tickets: $7 per day, $3.50 for ages 6-15 per day.

Gateway Wedding Show, Jan. 20th, 5-9pm at the Gateway Convention Center. For the couple that just got engaged, or the event planner starting off his/her career, the show will feature everything you need. For those who are just looking for fresh ideas and inspiration, there will be plenty of new ideas on display. 100+ vendors, samplings, live fashion show, give aways and more. Free event, register at https://gws-jan2022.eventbrite.com. www.metroeastmessenger.com

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Baked Brie with Honey and Walnuts This Baked Brie with Walnuts and Honey is ooey gooey cheese wrapped in puff pastry and baked until golden brown, then topped with honeyed walnuts. Super indulgent, easy and the perfect holiday party appetizer.

Recipe by Dana Devolk at This Silly Girl’s Kitchen.

Baked Brie with Honey and Walnuts Ingredients: ½ cup honey ½ cup chopped walnuts 1 puff pastry thawed 8 ounces brie 1 large egg beaten

Instructions: Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a sheet tray with parchment paper, set aside.

In a medium-sized bowl, mix together the honey and walnuts.

Place the puff pastry on the parchmentlined sheet tray. Place the brie in the center of the puff pastry. Add ⅓ of the honey/walnut mixture on top. Fold the corners of the puff pastry over itself to enclose the brie. Pinch the seams together to make sure it is sealed. Brush the beaten egg all over generously.

Bake for 30-35 minutes, tenting with foil halfway through so it doesn’t get too brown.

Let sit for 10 minutes.

Drizzle the remaining honey/walnut mixture on top or serve it on the side so your guests can serve themselves.

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