The Metro East Messenger 2 18.22 Issue

Local Business Spotlight Page 12

Chicken Sheet Pan Quesadilla Recipe Page 15

Upcoming Local Events Inside

Upcoming Local Events

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

Live Music Every Weekend at The Cabin at Judy Creek, 3730 S. State Rte. 157, Glen Carbon. Fri. 2/18: The Bearded Bandits, Sat. 2/19: RHB Acoustic, Sun. 2/20: Graham Pagano, Fri. 2/25: The Double Wide Due, Sat. 2/26: Black Arrow Bards, Sun. 2/27: 2 Pedros. Follow their Facebook page for more updates!

Ice Jam at the Dam, Feb. 19th, 10am-4pm, National Great Rivers Museum, 2 Lock and Dam Way, East Alton. The Rivers Project first annual Ice Jam at the Dam is an outdoor, winter-themed festival to promote outdoor recreation and celebrate all things icy along the river. The event will, of course, feature live-music from Chris Cahill & Co., open tours of the locks and dam, live animal programs by Treehouse Wildlife Center, warm food and beverage vendors, Park Ranger campfire programs, education booths, and more! Most activities will be primarily outdoors along the dam promenade to fully embrace the spirit of winter, but there will be plenty of campfires and heaters to keep you warm and cozy. Shed your hat and mittens when you head into the museum to CHILL out in our theatre with popcorn and a winter movie, get ARcTic at the craft table, or stroll through our glacial gallery for the Winter on the River photography contest.

Rock The Legion, Feb. 19th, 7pm at The Command Post at the American Legion 104 N. Main St, Troy. “618 Youth All Stars Concert.” Doors open at 7pm. Star Killers 7:30pm, Yikes 8:45pm, Merge V 10:00pm, Electrik Baby Powder 11:15pm. This is an All Ages Concert. $5 Cover Donation taken at the door is split amongst the bands so the more people the show up the more the bands get paid (tips are also welcome). Kitchen open until 11pm.

Outdoor Goshen Winter Market, Feb. 19th, Mar. 19th, Apr. 16th, 100 St. Louis St, Edwardsville. Join us, and some of your favorite vendors, the third Saturday of each month, 10am till noon, in the expansion parking lot downtown.

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Upcoming Local Events Movie Matinee Series for Adults, Feb. 24th & Mar. 31st, Edwardsville Public Library. Bring a brown bag lunch, and we'll provide drinks and popcorn. Call us for the movie title; we are unable to publish them due to our licensing agreement.

Granite City APA Indoor Yard Sale, Feb. 25th & 26th, Amvets Post 204, 1711 Kennedy Dr, Madison. We will have our GCAPA goods for sale - t-shirts, blankets, and bake sale, as well as a wide range of items for sale - it is a must see for any person looking for something new and exciting. ALL OF THE PROCEEDS FROM THIS YARD SALE WILL DIRECTLY BENEFIT THE GCAPA RESIDENTS. We will also have a few of our adoptable pets to meet and greet the public.

Fire & Ice 5/10K, Feb. 26th at 9am, 6161 Center Grove Rd, Edwardsville. The Junior Service Club of Edwardsville Glen Carbon is excited to bring to you a local 5/10K and Fun Run to support “The Teen Center," a part of the RP Lumber Center.

Our event will take off from Edwardsville High School following the MCT trails. To register, go to bit.ly/3Kz2fGf. Farm Animal Petting Zoo, Feb. 26th, 9am-Noon at Hamel Co-op Grain Company, 121 N Old US Rte. 66, Hamel. To celebrate National FFA Week, we are working with Highland and Staunton FFA chapters to host a Farm Animal Petting Zoo from 9 am -12 noon. There will be pigs, sheep, goats. cows, as well as refreshments, farm animal trivia and prizes, and attendance prizes.

Virtual Saturday Morning Yoga, Saturdays at 9:30am with Glen Carbon Library. Get fit and healthy when you join us for an energizing session of yoga. Must register. www.metroeastmessenger.com

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Upcoming Local Events Mardi Gras in Granite City, Feb. 26th at 1pm. Mardi Gras begins with a parade at 1pm, starting at Madison Ave and ending at Civic Park. Block party from 2-5pm at Civic Park includes a Cajun cook off, local vendors, live music, and kids' activities.

The celebration rolls on with a local bar crawl from 5-10pm. Buses will be circulating on a designated route to participating bars. Riders will need to purchase a wristband for $10. For more info, email GCMardiGras@gmail.com and follow The City of Granite City - Mardi Gras Facebook page.

2022 Downtown Belleville Mardi Gras, Feb. 26th, 3pm-Midnight, Downtown Belleville. Stay local for Mardi Gras this year and hang out in downtown Belleville at all your favorite spots! There will be lots to see and do; visit all the Bars, Restaurants, Venues, and stores, watch for the street performers bringing that New Orleans vibe to downtown Belleville from 3-6pm.

Designer Handbag Bingo, Feb. 27th, doors open at 1pm, Tribout’s Bingo Hall, 517 S. Illinois St, Belleville. $35 per person includes: 10 rounds of bingo, prizes, and entertainment. Hosted by Violence Prevention Center of Southwestern Illinois.

The Empty Bowl, Mar. 1st, 11am-2pm, Gateway Convention Center, Collinsville. The Empty Bowl is a fundraiser hosted by the Collinsville Women's Club and directly benefits the Collinsville Food Pantry. The funds raised during this event allows the Food Pantry to purchase food items for our families in need. If you are unable to attend the event, please consider a donating at secure.givelively.org/donate/collinsville-food-pantry/the-empty-bowl.

Yoga at the Wildey Theatre, Every third Tuesday of the month, 7pm, 252 N. Main, Edwardsville. Enjoy and experience yoga at the Wildey Theatre with Donna Bartley and the City of Edwardsville Parks and Recreation. Arrive 15 minutes early to get set up and bring your yoga mat and water bottle. Free. Masks required.

Mardi Gras Word Search MASK GOLD CROWDS BEADS FLEUR DE LIS KING CAKE PARTIES CHICKORY COFFEE

PURPLE LENT PARADES NEW ORLEANS GREEN FAT TUESDAY FLOATS MARDI GRAS

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Upcoming Local Events Granite City Senior Social Club Bingo, March 6, April 3rd & May 1st, Granite City Township Hall, 2060 Delmar. Doors open at 12:30pm and Bingo starts at 1:30pm. $1 for admission and $1 for 4 cards. Must be 50 or older or disabled to play.

Questions call 618-444-6771.

Daddy-Daughter Dance, Mar. 12th, 6-9pm, Tri-Township Park Activity Center. For girls ages 3-16 and their dads (this includes grandpas, uncles, or any other significant male role model.) $25 per couple, $6 for each additional daughter.

Included dinner, photo booth and dancing. Register at bit.ly/3GIIGc7.

2022 Lucky Leprechaun 5K, Mar. 12th, 9am, 721 E. Main Street, Belleville. Registration must be received by 2/21/2022 to guarantee a T-shirt. Don't forget to stick around after the race for the Hibernian's St. Patrick's Day and Block Party! Register at runsignup.com/Race/IL/Belleville/5KLuckyLeprechaun.

2022 Belleville Ancient Order of Hibernians St. Patrick's Day Parade, March 12th, 11am-1pm, Downtown Belleville. Get your green on and celebrate all things Irish and with your friends in Downtown Belleville! Parade line-up at North 3rd Street from West A Street to West C Street. Live Music, DJs, Food Trucks, Food Vendors, and a family friendly area.

GYSSD Annual Trivia Night, Mar. 12th, 6pm, Madison County Fireman’s Hall, 9510 Collinsville Rd, Collinsville. Join us for a night of fund at our annual Trivia Night. Doors will open at 6:00 p.m. and Trivia will begin at 7:00 p.m. Start putting together your team now you won't want to miss this! If you have any questions, contact Amanda at amanda@gyssd.org.

Learn more about GYSSD at gotyoursixsupportdogs.org. www.metroeastmessenger.com

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Upcoming Local Events Micro Market, Mar. 12th & 26th, April 9th & 30th, 9am-12pm at Vine Street Market, O’Fallon. We are kicking the season off with Micro Markets, an abbreviated version of the regular season farmer's market. Micro Markets will be held indoors unless weather allows us to expand outdoors. Expect your favorite food vendors with artisans dabbled throughout. A great way to get back into eating fresh and local from farmers and producers you know!

St. Patrick's Day Grub Crawl, March 17th, 5-8pm, Downtown O’Fallon. Eat, drink and be Irish at O'Fallon's first St. Patrick's Day Grub Crawl! Come out in your greenest green and make your way around downtown to the participating pubs! They'll each be offering a different Irish dish around $5 and a lucky drink special! Look for the BIG Leprechaun and take a chance at his pot o'gold!

Spring Vintage Market Belle-Clair Fairgrounds, Mar. 25-27th, 3pm, Belle Clair Fairgrounds & Expo Center, 200 S. Belt East, Belleville. A Weekend of Shopping for Vintage Finds, Industrial, Garden, Repurposed, Boutique, Jewelry, Gourmet Foods & More! Live Music. An event for the entire Family. Children 12 and Under are Free. 1st Pick Friday is $10 and Sat, Sun $5.

Tickets Can Be Purchased at the Door.

2nd Annual Greater Metro East Home & Garden Show, Mar. 25-27th, McKendree Metro Rec Plex, 205 Rec Plex, Dr, O’Fallon. Tickets: $10. We will be featuring a multitude of vendors from landscaping services, custom deck builders, siding repair, indoor flooring, window replacement, and many more!

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Upcoming Local Events Chamber's Got Talent 2022, April 1st, 5-10pm, Gateway Convention Center. The Troy/Maryville/St. Jacob/Marine Chamber of Commerce will be hosting our annual dinner auction & fundraiser on April 1st, 2022, at the Gateway Convention Center in Collinsville. This year’s event will feature Special guest Bryan White - who will perform his hit songs from the 90’s, - a community awards night - which will honor individuals and businesses from the surrounding communities for their hard work and dedication, - silent and live auctions and a delicious meal from Cygan-Delaney Catering. For more info and tickets, go to troymaryvillecoc.com/chambers-got-talent.

Spring Fling, April 3rd, 11am-3pm at Equus Rescue, 8743 Le Pare School Rd, Millstadt. Bring the family (and your Easter baskets!) for a day of fun at the farm! Your cash donation includes an Easter egg hunt with the kids, treats and refreshments, and professional photos with the Easter Bunny and our Easter Horse. For more info, go to equusrescue.org.

Easter Egg-Stravaganza! April 9th, 10am, Bellevue Park, Belleville. Come out to Bellevue Park and join the fun! The eggs collected will be turned in for prizes. Take your picture with the Easter Bunny who will be hopping around the event. The Hunt will include snacks and refreshments. The appropriate ages for this event are children up to 8 years old. The Hunt will be separated by age groups. One grand prize basket, per age group, will be awarded to the lucky winner of the magic egg!

Register by April 1st at www.belleville.net/currentactivities.

MEHS Music Trivia, April 9th, 6pm at Edwardsville Moose Lodge, 7371 Marine Rd, Edwardsville. Join MEHS for a night of music trivia with Trivia Riot! Rounds will cover multiple genres and decades of music, so there's something for everyone!

Cash bar. Outside food and nonalcoholic beverages are welcome. $20 per person or $150 for a table of 8. Limited spaces are available, so reserve yours ASAP so you don't miss out on the fun! mehs.org/events/music-trivia.

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

Upcoming Local Events A Night in Paris • A Valen’tails Gala Benefit for Partners 4 Pets, April 9th, 5-11pm, Leclaire Room@ Lewis & Clark N.O. Nelson Campus. Please join us for an evening of fine Bella Milano dining, open cocktail bar, live music, dancing, and silent & live auctions. For tickets, go to partnersforpetsil.org/events.

Tour De Belleville, April 30th. Join us "Down on the Farm" for games, food, & fun! This year’s bike ride will begin and end at Eckert’s Country Store & Farms. For more info and registration, go to tourdebelleville.com.

Mother’s Day Tea Party, April 30th, 10:30am-Noon, The Rec Complex, Fairview Heights. Bring your moms, daughters, grandmas and aunties for our Mother’s Day Tea Party. Enjoy family photos, make a special Mother’s day craft, and enjoy some light refreshments at your table. Register by April 15th at recfh.com.

Pop-Up Clothes Swap, May 1st, 12-4pm, Mineral Springs Mall, 3014 E. Broadway, Alton. Bring in gently used clothing, shoes & accessories and trade up for as many new pieces for your wardrobe as you can carry out. It’s just $5 to attend if you bring clothes to swap, or $10 to attend empty-handed. (Clothing Swap drop off day is April 30th, 4-6pm.)

St Jacob UCC Strawberry Fest, May 15th, 11am-4pm, St. Jacob Township Park. Strawberry desserts, grilled brats, hotdogs, and pork burgers. Homemade German potato salad and baked beans. Get your lunch/food at church 207 W Main St. Then eat at the park with live entertainment, crafts, and rides/jump houses. Lots of good food and family fun. www.metroeastmessenger.com

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Smoked Pork Chops

$3.99 per lb 804 S. Main St. Troy, IL (618) 667-6268

302 E. Main St, Collinsville, IL (618) 855-8855

Must present coupon.

Expires 3/6/22

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2400 N. Center St, Maryville, IL (618) 410-0882

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www.bennysbnb.com

*Must mention ad when booking

(618) 344-4096

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2330 South Center St. Maryville, IL

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In this week’s Local Business Spotlight, we are showcasing a business that is coming up on their 20-year anniversary, Lee’s Jewelry. Located at 919 Main Street, on the square in Highland, IL, Lee’s Jewelry has been a staple of the community since 2002.

Lee Rinderer, owner (pic left), has been a resident of Highland his whole life and takes pride in being a small business owner on the Highland Square. In fact, the store is the exact location Lee’s parents had their men’s clothing store in the 70’s - Hug’s Men and Boys. Lee worked there as a kid and his parents instilled in him the importance of treating his customers right. Because of this, Lee’s has grown tremendously over the past 20 years.

Lee is very proud of his hometown and tries to “give back” when he can. “We are especially appreciative of those customers who make a special trip to Highland to do business with us.” Lee said.

Part of their growth and success is due to their wonderful staff which includes an in-house jeweler, Jack Ziegler, who has 50

years of experience in the business. They also offer on-site jewelry repair and buy and sell gold. Lee says, “We have added many new lines of jewelry and most people are very surprised at the selection and quantity of jewelry we offer. We have lots to choose from, but if we don’t have something, we can probably order it.”

We asked Lee, “What does Lee’s Jewelry do better than other jewelry stores and how do you go above and beyond when it comes to customer service?” Lee said, “We have a very low overhead which allows us to save our customers money. We also go the extra mile to make ALL our customers happy, no matter their budget, so that they will go out and tell their friends about us. We want happy customers, and we want them to spread the word, that is the best advertisement! This is how we have grown so much over the past 20 years.”

Be sure to follow Lee’s Jewelry’s Facebook page for upcoming flyers and sales. Lee said, “We offer significant discounts on all our jewelry. There is always a sale at Lee’s. It is never what it is marked - we will always give you a deal, just ask.”

Along with newly remodeled store, you’ll also find Vintage Vibe on Main, a farm table full of beautiful vintage and handmade décor and gifts (pic right). Bottom line, If you haven’t been to Lee’s lately, you should stop in and see what’s new!

Lee’s Jewelry 919 Main St, Highland, IL | “On The Square” (618) 651-0610 | LeesLoansandJewelry.com www.metroeastmessenger.com

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Chicken Sheet Pan Quesadilla Ingredients 5 tablespoons unsalted butter divided 1 small onion thinly sliced 1 green bell pepper thinly sliced 3 cloves garlic minced 1 tablespoon chili powder 1 teaspoon ground cumin 1 teaspoon garlic powder 1 teaspoon onion powder 1 teaspoon kosher salt ½ teaspoon black pepper 4 cups shredded chicken 15 ounce can black beans drained and rinsed 10 ounce can Rotel drained 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro 8 10- inch burrito sized tortillas 5 cups shredded Colby Jack cheese

Love a good quesadilla? We do, too! But making them for a crowd can be tedious. This easy recipe from Dana DeVolk, from This Silly Girl’s Kitchen, will change the way you make quesadillas forever.

Instructions •

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Preheat the oven to 425°F. Place a large skillet over medium heat, once hot melt 2 tablespoons of the butter. Add the onion and bell pepper, stirring occasionally, cook until softened 5-8 minutes. Add the garlic, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper, stir to combine and cook for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant.

Add the chicken, black beans, and Rotel, mix until combined.

Add the fresh cilantro and stir until combined. Take off the heat.

Melt the remaining 3 tablespoons of butter in a small bowl in the microwave, set aside.

Using a 12x17 sheet tray or one of a similar size, lay 4 of the tortillas at each of the corners with about half of the tortilla overlapping the sides. Place two more tortillas at the top and bottom of the sheet tray, with half of the tortilla overlapping the sides. Place one more tortilla directly in the center of the sheet tray. There should be no exposed sheet tray at this point.

Add half of the cheese. Next add the chicken mixture. Then add the remaining cheese on top.

Place the last tortilla directly in the middle of the fillings on top. Fold all the sides of the overlapping tortillas over the filling.

Brush the melted butter all over the outside of the tortilla.

Place another sheet tray on top.

Bake for 20 minutes. Take the tray on top off and bake for an additional 5 minutes or until golden brown.

Let cool slightly, cut and serve with your favorite toppings. www.metroeastmessenger.com

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Buy One Entrée, Get One Half Off Must Present Coupon Expires 3/6/22