The Metro East Messenger 11.4.22 Issue

Inside: Full List of Christmas Parades

Upcoming Local Events Chicken With Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Sauce Recipe

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Upcoming Local Events Live Music Every Weekend at The Cabin at Judy Creek, 3730 S. State Rte. 157, Glen Carbon. Upcoming music: 11/4Strangers, 11/5-Aaron Wilkerson Acoustic, 11/6-Ryan Hoelting, 11/11-Mike Sonderegger, 11/12-Lanny & Julie, 11/13Acoustic DNA, 11/20-The Bearded Bandits, 11/27-2 Pedros. Follow their Facebook page for more updates.

Toys For Tots Donation Drive- Now through November, MML Insurance is partnering with GCHS Class of 1970 for Toys for Tots. Bring a new, unwrapped toy or money donation into the agency, and you will be entered in our drawing for a $25 Gas Card. We’re at 2166 Pontoon Rd, Granite City and are open 9am-5pm Monday-Friday. Questions? Call us at (618) 8761705. Please help us make a happy Christmas for the kids!

The Most Magical Night in Edwardsville, Nov. 4th, 5-10:30pm, Edwardsville High School. This outdoor, double-feature movie night event will take place in the EHS parking lot featuring TWO magical classics: Frozen and Frozen II. Meet your favorite movie characters, have a blast with interactive activities, grab a delicious bite at our food trucks, be treated to complimentary popcorn, and more! CEO is proud to partner with Brittain's Princess Parties to bring each Frozen fan a unique, meet & greet experience. A heated tent will be set up at the event from 5:00 - 7:00pm where any guest can meet The Ice Sisters! For more info and tickets, go to bit.ly/3MMTkSV. Bonfires and Brews, Nov. 5th, 7pm, Willoughby Heritage Farm, Collinsville. Join us at Willoughby Farm for a night of beer tasting, s'mores, bonfires, and music. Participants must be at least 21 years of age to participate and will need to provide proper identification at the event. Each registrant will receive 2 drink tickets and a gift bag. Complimentary S'mores will be available. Additional drinks, water, and soda will be available to purchase. Order tickets at bit.ly/3MAxlP3.

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Upcoming Local Events 41st Annual Art & Craft Fair, Nov. 5-6th, O’Fallon Township High School. Tickets sold at door: $4 Adult, $2 Children aged 210, and Weekend Pass - $5. No Strollers allowed - Medical Assist Devices always welcomed. For more info, go to othsband.com/events_craftfair.

Deck the Walls Craft and Vendor Fair, Nov. 5th-6th, Civic Memorial High School, Bethalto. Come shop at this craft and vendor Fair and start your holiday shopping. We will have over 90 vendors. Sat., Nov 5th from 9-4. Sun., Nov 6th from 114. Concessions will be available. For more info, go to their Facebook page: facebook.com/deckthewallscraftfair.

Veterans Day Parade, Nov. 11th, 10am, Main Street, Collinsville. Sign your group or business up to march, walk, or drive in our parade. For more info, call (618)345-2508 or visit the American Legion Post 365 Facebook page.

Veteran’s Day Ceremony, Nov. 11th, 11am-12pm, Downtown Belleville. Annual ceremony to honor all Veterans from all wars. If inclement weather - event will be held at City Hall, Council Chambers, 101 South Illinois St, Belleville.

Veterans Day Parade, Nov. 11th at 2pm, SGT Charles A Fricke VFW Post 805, O’Fallon. Join us to celebrate all veterans. We start walking from the O’Fallon Park at 2pm, end at VFW Post 805. If you are interested in walking or riding, please email us at vetdayparade805@gmail.com.

17th Annual Maryville Turkey Trot, Nov. 12th, 9am, Drost Park, Maryville. This is a 5k and 1 mile accuracy walk/run. We will be running through the streets and trails of beautiful Maryville Illinois to help support the Collinsville cross country team. For more info and registration, go to bit.ly/3z1nGLU.

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Upcoming Local Events Maryville E-Cycling Event, Nov. 12th, 9am-12pm, First Baptist Church Maryville. E-cycle: CJD Ecycling. For more info and list of accepted and not accepted items, go to troymaryvillecoc.com/e-cycle.

Edwardsville Craft Fair 2022, Nov. 12-13th, Edwardsville High School. The Tiger Band Art & Craft Fair is an annual arts and craft fair with handcrafted items from over 200 vendors and is sponsored by the Edwardsville Band Boosters. All proceeds from this show benefit the Edwardsville High School band program. $5 general admission, $4 seniors and military, children 12 and under are free. No stroller allowed.

Kellsie’s Trees of Hope, Nov. 17th, 6-10pm, Gateway Convention Center, Collinsville. A holiday cocktail party and silent auction to benefit Kellsie’s Hope Foundation. Get your tickets before they sell out: bit.ly/3CYMuX7.

Tree Lighting at Lincoln-Douglas Square, Nov. 18th, 6-7pm, Lincoln Douglas Square, Alton. The 28th Annual Community Tree Lighting at Lincoln-Douglas Square will begin with the arrival of Santa Claus at 6:00. The free festivities including caroling, cookies and hot cocoa will continue until 6:45 when Mayor David Goins flips the lights on the beautiful tree, which is provided by the Alton-Godfrey Rotary Club. Families are encouraged to bring their cameras to take free photos with Santa and costumed holiday characters. Carols will fill the air throughout the evening, and there will be a blessing of the tree. The Salvation Army will be kicking off their red kettle Tree of Lights campaign at the event. The public is encouraged to bring a non-perishable food donation. Between the hours of 5:30-7:30, free trolley transportation will be provided between Lincoln-Douglas Square and the corner of 3rd & Belle Street. There will also be free horse and carriage rides departing from the corner of 3rd & Belle Streets from 7:00-9:00! www.metroeastmessenger.com

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Upcoming Local Events Dueling Pianos, Nov. 18th, 7pm, Tri-Township Activity Center, Troy. Gather your friends and come join us for a night of fun! Doors open at 6pm. Entertainment starts at 7pm. Bring your own food and drinks (adult beverages are allowed). All proceeds benefit the THS & TMS Athletic Programs.

29th Annual Lebanon Victorian Holiday, Nov. 19th, 10am-8pm, Downtown Lebanon. Join us on the brick street to kick off the holiday season. Caroling, shopping, live performances, photos with Santa, carriage rides, parade, lamplighter ceremony, and food trucks. For updates, follow facebook.com/LebanonVictorianHoliday.

Miracle on N. 2nd Street, Nov. 20th, 10am-2pm, The Ink House, Edwardsville. “Miracle on N 2nd Street ,“ an event geared towards shopping small and smart for the holiday season. A one stop shopping experience that will offer the community a wide variety of unique gifts and services for everyone on your shopping list! Sponsored by Boheme Boutique. Follow their Facebook page for updates!

Holiday Sip & Shop, Nov. 20th, 10am-3pm, The Olde Wicks Factory, Highland. Don't wait until the last minute to get your Christmas shopping started. Come spend the day at The Olde Wicks Factory. We will have 100+ vendors and crafters set up to shop. There will be 3 cash bars open to grab a drink to sip on while you shop. Food trucks will be onsite for lunch as well.

13th Annual Edwardsville Turkey Trot 5k, Nov. 24th, 8:30am, SIUE Campus. The Edwardsville Turkey Trot has become a family tradition for many locals and families traveling to the area for the holiday. Regularly exceeding 1,200 participants, reaching 1,600 in 2019, the Turkey Trot is one of the largest - if not the largest 5k in the region. Sign up at runsignup.com/Race/IL/Edwardsville/EdwardsvilleTurkeyTrot. www.metroeastmessenger.com

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Upcoming Local Events Belleville Thanksgiving Day 5k, Nov. 24th, 6am, Belleville Square. Join us at the square in Downtown Belleville and earn that turkey dinner! The course has been slightly changed this year to avoid running out on 17th street. We will turn off Main Street at 13th Street, run through the neighborhood, then turn back onto Main Street at 14th Street to head back to the finish.

41st Annual Art & Fall Craft Show at the Belle-Clair Fairgrounds and Expo Center, Nov. 25th-27th, Belle-Clair Fairgrounds and Expo Center. This event will feature over 400 exhibitors of jewelry, wearable art, florals, fall and Christmas decor, antiques, pottery, furniture, and MORE! Fri. 25th 3-8pm, Sat. 26th 10am-4pm, Sun. 27th 1-4pm. See website for more info, bcfairgrounds.net/event/fall-craft-show-2.

2022 Belleville Christkindlmarkt, Open Day Nov. 25th, 9am, Belleville’s Public Square. In 2014, at the culmination of Belleville's yearlong celebration of its Bicentennial celebration, an authentic German Christmas Market was held in the Public Square. Modeled after the markets in Germany, and in particular the Nuremberg, Germany, Christkindlmarkt, shoppers were treated to vendors from across the world, authentic German food and drink, and entertainment. Each year since then, the Belleville Christkindlmarkt is held on the Public Square and is officially opened by Belleville's own Christkind. Come and enjoy a little taste of Germany in Belleville, IL. Market continues through Dec. 23rd. Admission is FREE! For more info and schedule of events, go to bellevillechristkindlmarkt.com.

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Nothing will get you in the “Christmas Spirit” faster than a Christmas Parade! So, gather your friends and family together and make plans to attend one of the many parades happening this year in the Metro East!

Belleville Santa Parade, Nov. 25th, 11am-12pm, 510 W. Main St, Belleville. This annual Santa parade begins in downtown Belleville and is hosted by the Optimist Club of Belleville.

Highland Chamber of Commerce Christmas Parade, Nov. 25th, 6:30pm, Highland Square. The parade will begin at the Highland Elementary School traveling west on Lindenthal, turning north on Washington St. and then ending at the Downtown Square for the lighting ceremony.

2022 Christmas Lighted Parade, Nov. 25th, 7pm, Millstadt. The parade starts at Frontier Park (behind Subway) with the lighting of the Village Christmas Tree at 7pm, proceeds down West Washington and ends at the VFW. Tentative Rain Date – Saturday, November 26th.

Bethalto Spirit Christmas Parade, Nov. 26th, 4pm, Bethalto. Parade begins at Erwin Plegge Blvd. from Roselawn Memory Gardens to Central Park towards Bethalto Spirit Christmas Village. Upon arrival, Santa Claus will head to the Gazebo and throw the switch to kick off this year’s multi-weekend event.

2022 Illuminated Holiday Parade, Nov. 26th, 6pm, O’Fallon. Parade steps off at Parkview and 7th, proceeds up S. Lincoln and turns right onto State St. Santa will arrive at Bike Surgeon after the parade. He will be available for pictures and will have an ornament gift for each of the kids.

Swansea Fire Department Lighted Christmas Parade, Dec. 2nd, 7-9pm, Swansea. Parade will begin at Wolf Branch Middle School and travel up Old Caseyville to Baron Drive to Heatherwood, to Green Haven, to Big Bend, to Twin Lake and end at the fire house. There will be pictures with Santa, Bounce houses and refreshments.

Annual Collinsville Light Up Parade. Dec. 3rd, 5:30-8pm, Uptown Collinsville. Event will include an evening Holiday light-up parade through the Uptown area of Collinsville and end with festivities at the historical Collins House. The Event will include a tree lighting ceremony, a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus, and various family friendly activities.

Annual Candy Cane Parade 2022, Dec. 3rd, 2:30pm, Granite City. Parade will kick off at Granite City High School Parking Lot to State Street to Madison Avenue to Niedringhaus Avenue to Civic Park.

Lighted Christmas Parade, Dec. 3rd , 7pm, Glen Carbon. Santa has traded in his sleigh and reindeer for a fire truck! Santa travels down S. Main St. and then hosts a party at Fire Station #1. There will be refreshments, arts and crafts, bounce house and more!

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Upcoming Local Events Cookie Crumb Trail, Nov. 26th, 10am-3pm, Highland Square. Pick up your Cookie Crumb Trail map at Kloss Furniture between 10 a.m. and noon and get started shopping! Each Cookie Trail Sponsor business 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 3 p.m. to the Gazebo at the Downtown Square and be entered in a drawing in which 2 lucky winners will each receive a $50 Chamber Gift Certificate that can be used at many local businesses! This event is FREE, and the first 100 participants receive a canvas tote (one tote per family).

Christmas Candlelight Tours, Nov. 26th, 5-8pm, 1820 Col. Benjamin Stephenson House, Edwardsville. Step back in time at the 1820 Col. Benjamin Stephenson House as they usher in the holiday season during the annual Christmas Candlelight Tours, on November 26 from 5-8 pm. The historic home will be aglow in candlelight and bedecked in early 19th-century decorations as visitors are immersed in a truly interactive historical experience. Tickets must be purchased online (www.stephensonhouse.org) in advance for a specific time. The first tour starts at 5p.m. with the last tour at 8p.m. Cost per person is $10.

12th Annual Borderline Christmas Show | TOYS FOR TOTS, Nov. 26th, 6-11pm, Wood River VFW Hall. Doors open at 5pm, with free food from G'villon Family BBQ and LIVE MUSIC will start at 6pm. Entertainment Line Up: Billy Hurst, Number 4 Combo, Tommy Karlas and Borderline. Tickets are $10 and are available at the door... OR, bring a toy for Toys for Tots and get in FREE!!! This event includes Free food (until gone), multiple live bands, 50/50, raffles, and more. This is a 21+ ONLY event. 100% of the money and toys raised at this event will stay LOCAL to help kids in need in our area.

NOVEMBER CORNUCOPIA AUTUMN MAYFLOWER ELECTION DAY FALL PILGRIMS PUMPKIN

THANKSGIVING VETERANS DAY VOTING WINDY NATIVE AMERICAN TURKEY LEAVES

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Upcoming Local Events 2022 Gingerbread Run, Dec. 3rd, Belleville. Kids Dash (100 yd): 8am, Gingerbread 5k run/walk: 8:30am. Sign up by Nov. 9th to be guaranteed a shirt size. Sign up at bit.ly/3SuAi5P. Winter Market- Downtown Edwardsville, Dec. 3rd, 9am-1pm, Downtown Edwardsville. Winter market will feature artisans, baked goods, crafters, locally grown items, and unique boutique gifts and products from our neighborhood and the surrounding communities. For more info, go to cityofedwardsville.com/618/Downtown-in-December.

TriadStrong Winter RUNderland 5k, Dec. 3rd, Fun Run-8:30am, 5k- 9am, Silver Creek Elementary School, Troy.

Professional chip timing by Final Lap Racing. 5k entry fee is $25 ($35 after 11/25), Fun Run is $15. Register at bit.ly/3SEapkb.

Annual "Christmas at Collins House" and "Light Up Parade" Event, Dec. 3rd, 5:30-8pm, Uptown Collinsville. Event will include an evening Holiday light-up parade through the Uptown area of Collinsville and end with festivities at the historical Collins House. The Event will include a tree lighting ceremony, a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus, and various family friendly activities.

Holiday Open House, Dec. 3rd, 1pm, Glen Carbon Library. Join us for a holiday celebration at the Library! Get a caricature done of your family, visit with therapy dogs, make some crafts, decorate cookies, and of course, meet Santa himself!

Register your family for a timeslot to meet Santa and spend the rest of your time enjoying the festivities! Registration required at glencarbonlibrary.org.

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Upcoming Local Events CEO Winter Festival, Dec. 3rd, 2-6pm, Silver Creek Elementary. To start off the holiday season on December 3rd, the Collinsville Triad Maryville CEO Winter Festival and Dodgeball Tournament will take place. There will be numerous seasonal activities including cookie decorating, pictures with Santa, and lots of games! We will also have Chick-Fil-A and pizza for sale, along with a concession stand. This event will offer an opportunity for our community to connect with our CEO program and it will provide a fun experience for all age groups!

ABOB Olde Alton Arts & Craft Fair, Dec. 3rd & 4th, Alton High School. Save the date for a fun weekend of holiday shopping at the 33rd annual ABOB Olde Alton Arts & Craft Fair. Sat. Dec. 3rd, 9am-4pm, $3.00 admission. Sun., Dec. 4th, 10am-3pm, $2.00 admission. Kids 12 and under are free. Strollers are not recommended. For more info go to abob.net or contact abobcraftfair@gmail.com or (618)474-6996.

29th Annual Festival of Trees, Dec. 7th, 6-10pm, Gateway Convention Center, Collinsville. The 40,000 square foot event space transforms into a holiday winter wonderland with beautifully decorated live & artificial trees, gorgeous wreaths, and unique home décor. These extraordinary masterpieces are sold by silent auction. Guests enjoy cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, silent auction for trees and decorations, and live entertainment by Erin Bode. Delicious catering by Catering by Bella Milano. For more info and tickets, go to festivaloftrees.info.

Elf Christmas Party, Dec. 7th, 6:30pm, Maryville Community Center. Santa’s Elves are coming to host a Christmas party!

Join us to decorate cookies, dance to Christmas carols, and stuff your own reindeer plushie. One of Santa’s Elves will even visit to tell us a story! Sign up begins Nov. 7th. $5 per child due at registration. www.metroeastmessenger.com

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Upcoming Local Events A Forever Vintage Christmas Market 2022, Dec. 9th-11th, Belle-Clair Fairgrounds. Vendors from all around the country vending repurposed, industrial, vintage, architectural salvage, antiques, primitives, handmade, furniture, boutique & more! Live music, hand crafted cocktails and amazing eats. Tickets can be purchased at the door. Friday-$10 (good all weekend), Sat. and Sun- $5. Children 12 and under are free.

Vine Street Market at O’Fallon Station Winter Market, Dec. 10th, 3:30-7:30pm, 212 E. 1st St, O’Fallon. Winter Market is back with 50+ artisan and food vendors, live music, 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 reservations can be made at bit.ly/3ylkoTg.

Granite City Senior Social Club Christmas Party, Dec. 11th, Granite City Township Hall. Tickets on sale now through Dec. 4th. $13 for members, $15 for nonmembers. Doors open at 11:30am. Catered meal at 12:30pm. Enjoy Memories of Elvis with Steve Davis, 1:30pm. Dancing with the Vince K Band, 2:45-4:15pm. There will also be attendance prizes, raffles and a 50/50 drawing. For more info, call (618)877-4373.

Christmas Craft Fair, Dec. 17th, 9am-3pm, Collinsville High School. This craft fair we will have vendors, food, vintage items, pictures with Santa, raffle prizes, face painting and a lot more. For more info, email Jkelly@cusd.kahoks.org.

Winter Market 2022, Dec. 17th & 18th, 10am-4pm, Gateway Convention Center, Collinsville. Winter Market is a holiday shopping experience for you and your family! Offering fashions and foods, glitter and gifts, music, and a little bit of magic!

Admission and parking are free.

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Chicken with Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Sauce When evenings are busy with homework and activities, there might be little time left for complicated dinners. This easy Chicken with Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Sauce recipe gets its robust flavor from sauce made with sun-dried tomatoes and enhanced with luscious half-and-half. Turn your hectic weeknights into cause for celebration with more quick and easy recipe ideas at MilkMeansMore.org.

Chicken with Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Sauce Recipe courtesy of Marcia Stanley, MS, RDN, Culinary Dietitian Total time: 20 minutes Servings: 4 3/4 cup half-and-half 1/2 teaspoon all-purpose flour 1 ¼ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast cutlets (about 3/4 inch thick) ¼ teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon pepper 1 tablespoon oil from sun-dried tomato jar ½ cup oil-packed, slivered sun-dried tomatoes, drained 1/3 cup finely chopped onion 1/3 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan-Reggiano cheese In bowl, whisk half-and-half and flour. Set aside. Pat chicken pieces dry with paper towels. If necessary, cut into four serving-size pieces. Sprinkle both sides of chicken with salt and pepper.

In large nonstick skillet over medium heat, heat sun-dried tomato oil. Cook chicken pieces 3-4 minutes, or until browned. Turn chicken. Cook 3-4 minutes, or until thermometer inserted in thickest portion of chicken reads 165 F. Transfer to serving platter. Loosely cover with foil to keep warm.

Add sun-dried tomatoes and onions to drippings in skillet. Cook 1-2 minutes, or until onion is tender. Stir in broth.

Cook, stirring constantly, until most liquid evaporates. Stir in cream mixture and any accumulated juices from cooked chicken. Cook and stir until simmering and slightly thickened. Remove from heat. Stir in Parmesan-Reggiano cheese. To serve, spoon sauce over chicken.

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