The Perfect Gift... We`ve Got it Covered!
Transcription
The Perfect Gift... We`ve Got it Covered!
2 I December 2014 I www.facebook.com/thebuzzmonthly The Prairie Land Buzz WaTch for our JaNuarY Issue avaILaBLe JaN 6-8 whERE CAN I FIND ThE BuZZ MAgAZINE? Our Mission: to promote pride in our region, its heritage and its people by sharing their positive and uplifting stories and to provide businesses a cost effective means of advertising to a broad area. PUBlisHEr studio T • 573-368-6639 1110 N. Jefferson, Litchfield, IL 62056 www.studioT-Online.com ManaGinG EDiTOr/OWnEr Tara L. Cale PrinTEr Breese Journal & Publishing Company Breese, IL • 618-526-7211 COnTriBUTinG WriTErs Abby Dillon, Barbara Adams, Barbara stuffington, Boomer savage, glen savage, Cheryl Eichar-Jett, Cindy Ladage, Jesse gernigin, Nicole Plegge, Roger kratochvil, WEB MasTEr getwebbed.net, inc. 618-406-8376 [email protected] DisTriBUTiOn walters Distribution 618-580-5542 Copyright (c) 2014 by Studio T. Reproduction in whole or part without permission strictly prohibited. TO COnTaCT THE BUZZ Phone: 573-368-6639 Email: [email protected] website: www.thebuzzmonthly.com Advertising sales Tara L. Cale • 573-368-6639 [email protected] John Michael Marty • 217-710-1258 [email protected] www.facebook.com/thebuzzmonthly The Prairie Land Buzz ALTON: Alton Exchange Mall • Alton Sports Tap • Alton Visitor’s Center • Big Lots • Corky’s Emporium • Farm & Home • Halpin Music • K-Mart • Ken’s Coins • My Just Desserts • National Tire & Battery • River Bender Commmunity Center • Something Simple, Something Grand Antiques & More • Town and Club Bar & Grill • Woody’s Restaurant Z Mattress Company AuBuRN: Rusty Star Antique Mall BENLD: Benld Library • TJ’s ZX Convenience Stop Randy’s Market • Toni’s Restaurant BEThALTO: Dairy Queen • Eagles Nest Restaurant • El Mezcal Mexican Restaurant • Homestead Flea Market • Imo’s Pizza • New China • Roma’s Pizza • Round 2 Relics • Strykrz Sports Grill The Mail Box Store BRIghTON: Spring Garden Restaurant Reflections Antiques BuNkER hILL: Function Junction Antiques & More • Jumpin’ Jimmys CARLINvILLE: The Body Depot • Carlinville Hospital • Carlinville Library Catholic Charities Thrift Shop • Cherry Tree Treasures and Gifts • It Is What It Is Antiques & Collectibles • Karla’s Jewelry • Lighthouse Antique Mall • Lisa’s Antiques & Collectables • Magnolias Restaurant • Magnuson Grand Hotel and Conference Center • Main Street Bridal • Michelle’s Pharmacy • Refuge Coffee House • Remarkables Resale Shoppe • Sievers Equipment COFFEEN: Greenwoods Grocery • Hair Designs COLLINsvILLE: Antiques & Accents by Vadna • Collinsville Area Recreation District 10 Collinsville Public Library • Gateway RC • New China Restaurant • Rural King • Shop-n-Save • Smoke Pit BBQ Sizzor Shak Salon • Spirito’s Italian Store • Swing City Music Zapata’s Mexican Restaurant COTTAgE hILLs: Frank’s Restaurant • Red Apple Restaurant DIvERNON: Country Place Antiques & New 2 U Boutique DONNELLsON: JR’s Mini Mart • The Loose Caboose Antiques • Petroski Windows, Doors & Floorcovering • Wayside Antiques & Collectibles DORsEY: Aljets Automotive EDwARDsvILLE: All Natural Pet Center • Bill’s Montclaire Florals & Gifts Edwardsville City Hall • Edwardsville Public Library Edwardsvile Frozen Foods • Jerry’s Tire Sales • Laurie’s Place Madison County Archival Library • Reality Salon and Spa Sgt Peppers Cafe • Treasure Shack • US Bank • Wang Gang Asian Eats FARMERsvILLE: The Silver Dollar Restaurant gILLEsPIE: Chiefs II Grill • DeeDee’s Floral and Designs Dollar General • Firehouse Salon • Furniture Rescue • Gillespie Public Library • Kevin Polo Law Office • Michelle’s Pharmacy Miner’s Restaurant • New Belongings Aquatic & Hobbie Center • Randy’s Market • Sullivan’s Drug Store Wimanoma’s Pride Antiques & Collectibles gIRARD: Doc’s Soda Fountain • Kruse Automotive • Shell gLEN CARBON: Glen Carbon Library • Goodwill Retail Shop • Karma Clothing and Accessories • My Treasure House Our Health Club Spa gODFREY: Chocolate Air • El Mezcal Mexican Restaurant • Round Table Restaurant • Shang Hai House gRANITE CITY: Apple Tree Restaurant • Central Laundry • Gateway Medical Center Pharmacy • Great Wall Chinese Buffet • Goodwill • K-Mart • Mama Mia’s Restaurant Re.Viv.Al • Salvation Army Thrift Store • Tanglez Salon Jerry’s Cafeteria gREENvILLE: Corner Cafe • Greenville Chamber of Commerce/ Tourism Center • Greenville Resale Store • Pepin’s Country Store • Ragged Threads Resale • State & Ryder Furniture & Home Decor • Sweetest Things Bakery & Cafe • Third Street Market hAMEL: Poor Boys Portable Buildings and Amish Farmers Market • The Other Place on the Hill • Weezy’s Bar & Grill hIghLAND: Broadway Bar & Grill • Farmer’s Restaurant • The Chocolate Affair • The Giving Tree • Highland Nutrition Center • Little Flower Religious Store • Marx Brothers Lounge & Restaurant Michael’s Restaurant • Peacock Bakery • Unique Designs & Decor hILLsBORO: Books & Moore • Gianni’s Italian Restaurant • Hillsboro Rental • Hillsboro Hospital • The Dressing Room Consignment & Resale Shop • Red Rooster Taylorville Community Credit Union hOLIDAY shOREs: Behmes Market • Gilliganz Bar & Grill IRvINg: Grandma’s Kitchen JERsEYvILLE: Beyond the Backyard Gate Home Collectibles and Antique Mall • Jerseyville Library • Linn’s Shoes • Lula Bells Gift Shop • Outrageous Outdoors Ruby & Ellie’s Dollarama • State Street Antiques and Collectibles • State Street Bar & Grill LITChFIELD: A&D Electrical Supply • Briar Rose Resale Shop • Capri IGA Casey’s on Union Ave • Denny’s Restaurant • Diamond Trailer Sales • El Rancherito Mexican Restaurant • Fast Stop Travel Center • The George Press • GLIK’S • Hair 51 Salon & Tanning • Jubelt’s Bakery • Kamper Kompanion • Nelson Audiology • Ooh La La Decor & More • Petro Mart • Route 66 Crafts and Collectibles • Sportsman’s Choice Sporting Goods • St Francis Hospital Gift Shop • TCCU-Taylorville Community Credit Union • Time Out & Relaxation • Tots 2 Teens Upscale Resale • UJs Convenience Store LIvINgsTON: Country Inn Cafe • Gasperoni’s Italian Restaurant, Deli and Grocery • Pink Elephant Antiques MARYvILLE: Grumpy Bob’s Emporium • Red Apple Restaurant • Vintage 159 MEADOwBROOk: Homestead Craft & Flea Market • Round 2 Relics MILLERsBuRg: Millersburg General Store MITChELL: Hen House Restaurant MT OLIvE: Crossroads Restaurant • From My House to Yours • Nepute’s Market • Sunset Restaurant NOkOMIs: Demi’s Diner • Nokomis City Hall OLD RIPLEY: Sheila’s Resale ‘N Antiques PANAMA: Nu-Way Deli POCAhONTAs: Powhatan Restaurant Nuby’s Steakhouse • Village Square Antiques PONTOON BEACh: Uncle Linny’s Restaurant sChRAM CITY: Rita’s Shed Used Furniture shIPMAN: Cheney’s Market sORENTO: Sorento Convenience Mart • Sorento Municipal Center sTAuNTON: ALJETS Automotive • Animal Doctors - Steinmeyer Veterinary Clinic • Bamboo Garden • Cavataio’s Restaurant • Firnhaber Florist • Fritz Drug Store • First National Bank • Glenwood Assisted Living • Heritage Health Assisted Living • Itch’n to be Stitch’n • Jake’s Coffee • Mini Mall Quilt Shop • R & B’s Restaurant • Russell Furniture Schweppes River Fish Lounge • Staunton Hospital • Staunton Medical Clinic • Staunton Public Library • Super 8 Motel Vintage Station sT. JACOB: Hometel Communications TROY: Alfonzo’s Pizzeria • Schuettes SuperValu • Troy Family Restaurant • Wild Hair Family Hair Care vIRDEN: Circle K Convenience Mart • Hendrick’s Furniture • Jamie’s The Diamond Mine • Silvernicks Unique Treasures • Sly Fox Bookstore • This-n-That • Wildflower Patch wILLIAMsON: Shale Lake Winery wITT: The Crimson Briar wOOD RIvER: Cleary’s Shoes and Boots • Kumar’s Cafe • Mama Mias Restaurant • Riverbend Resale • Hing Wah wORDEN: Worden City Hall • Worden Public Library Issues of The Prairie Land Buzz Magazine are also online and archived for ONE YEAR at www.thebuzzmonthly.com www.thebuzzmonthly.com I December 2014 I 3 From the Editor... ThE BuZZ MAgAZINE Is 5 YEARs OLD! Maybe you got that message when you saw the front cover this month. Statistics show that if a business can make it through the first 5 years, they have a good chance of continuing for many more. And that is our intent, to keep bringing you The Buzz Magazine for many more years to come, and when it’s time to retire, sell it to someone that will continue to run it as we have. We’ve come a long way in five years, and we’ve changed many things. But the core of what we do and why we do it has always remained the same, and we believe that is the reason the magazine has grown so quickly in such a short time. The Buzz Magazine was the brain child of my partner Tony Simmons. He didn’t imagine it entirely himself, but rather re-invented an idea started by a friend of mine in Missouri who had a similar magazine years ago. The economy was bad. Small businesses were struggling, including my own marketing/advertising business, and we watched some of our favorite locally owned businesses closing on a consistent basis. Tony said, “What can we do to utilize the knowledge and skills you have to not only make it profitable for us, but to help these small businesses that are struggling.” The Buzz Magazine was born, and our first issue, funded by money from our own pockets, was published and distributed in December of 2009. The first issue was just 16 pages and the ads we sold barely covered the printing expenses. But it gave us a product to show to prospective advertisers and each month the magazine grew bigger, and better. There were many businesses that took a chance on us with that first issue, and some of them are still advertising with us today. Those are our charter advertisers. Let me give a shout out to the ones that believed in us from the beginning and have stood by us for these past five years: Animal Doctor Veterinary Clinic - Drs John & Alysn Steinmeyer - Staunton Lighthouse Antiques - Carlinville Fritz Drug Store - Staunton Magnolias Restaurant - Carlinville El Rancherito Restaurant - Litchfield Gerls Automotive - Litchfield Silvernicks Unique Treasures - Virden Books N Moore - Hillsboro Halpin Music - Alton Chocolate Affair - Highland Mini Mall Quilt Shop - Staunton Gasperonis Italian - Livingston And there are many, many more that once they started with us, they have never stopped. But if I listed them, it would take this entire page. If you want to know who they are, pretty much you just have to look at the ads within the pages of this issue. Our advertisers are loyal, but it’s not just loyalty that keeps them in the pages of The Buzz. They get results with us. And we owe that to you, the reader. You, the reader, that picks up 4 I December 2014 I a copy every month without fail. You, the reader that patronizes our advertisers and tell them why you are there. We thank you, and our advertisers thank you. Some INTEREsTINg FACTs about the last five years.... Since inception of The Buzz we have changed printers only once. Originally Journal Publications in Hillsboro handled our printing and we appreciate how well they served us for the first year or so. But with such rapid growth the magazine was getting almost too large for them to handle and someone who could print on a larger scale, at a comparable cost, with a superior product was ultimately found. We switched to Breese Publishing and have remained with them since. You may have noticed the change immediately when we switched to Breese. With Breese we can print clear to the edge of pages which made a huge difference on the appeal of the cover. Breese also offers “heat set” printing. Now when you read The Buzz the ink no longer smears off onto your hands, and face and clothes. The Buzz is bigger and better, without a doubt, but we could not have gotten here without the services provided by John Galer and his crew at Journal Publications - we will never forget that. Originally every story in the magazine was written by myself. I sold every ad. I designed every ad. And I delivered every issue myself as well. Although we still don’t have a “staff” of writers, we do have several contributing writers now. Some only submit something occasionally but we do have poplar monthly columns such as Golden Advice, written by Jesse Gernigin, and Along Route 66 submitted each month by author Cheryl Eichar Jett. Freelancer Nicole Plegge will cover anything she is assigned and often comes up with intriguing stories on her own as well. And although the number of writers may have changed, our commitment to providing quality stories, written about people of the area, has never changed. We don’t cover the news, you won’t find any game scores or police reports and there is no big, sensationalized stories. We write about the people you know, the people you live by, the ones in your own community, as well as provide useful and sometimes surprising information that you can really use. Another thing that has not changed is that we limit the number of ads that run in The Buzz Magazine. It’s a rather bold position to take but we know the reason you read The Buzz is for the stories. Of course, we can’t bring those stories to you without the advertisers, but we will never have more ads than stories. If we sell more than 50% of the space in advertisements, we simply add more pages. Something else that is refreshing and unusual is that our advertising prices have not changed since we began. Even though the price of everything, including printing the www.facebook.com/thebuzzmonthly magazine, the gas needed to deliver it, etc., has increased, we have never raised our ad prices. Now, don’t misunderstand and think we won’t, because at some point we probably will have to. It could be next month, it could be next year... inevitably it will happen. But we pride ourselves on providing an avenue for small businesses to advertise to a broad area at a reasonable price, and we will keep that price as reasonable as we can, for as long as we can. As mentioned, for quite some time, I delivered the magazine each month myself. At first we only covered Montgomery and Macoupin County. It was only a few months after we started printing that we added Madison County. A year later we were in Bond County. Now we have added Jerseyville as well. We were thrilled about our accelerated growth but it was hard for me to keep up. So you can imagine when David Walters, Walters Distributing based in Godfrey called and made me a deal I couldn’t refuse to deliver to the majority of all of our Madison County locations how elated I was. David took a huge load off of my shoulders and continues to do a fabulous job for us each month. While we are on the subject of David, I’d like to extend my gratitude to David Hopper also. I was introduced to David Hopper by his wife, who worked for an agency that advertised with us. First she and David expressed their love of the magazine and volunteered to do some delivery for me, which they said would help them explore the area. They didn’t want payment, but I always sent them a check anyway - gas is too expensive to drive around for free! Soon David’s wife let me know that he was interested in writing and asked if he could submit some stories. David’s stories were great, and he wanted to do it for free, just for the experience. I let him send a few stories without receiving compensation, but soon I insisted that I pay him what the other writers were getting. Not long after he started writing for us, he also began as a commissioned sales person, on a small scale. I can’t even remember how long ago that was, but what I do know is that David has now moved from Carlinville to Springfield and feels that he does not have the time to service his advertisers well enough. So this month, the story on Jamies-The Diamond Mine is the last story you will see from David Hopper. If he was calling on your for advertising, I am your ad sales rep once again. We will miss David, but wish him the best. Now some uPCOMINg ChANgEs... The Buzz Magazine has always been free to you, the reader. You can thank the advertisers for that. Their support keeps this magazine coming to you free each month. And it will always remain free, IF you pick it up at one of our many distribution points. or read it online. But... we have had so many requests to mail issues out that we have finally decided make subscriptions available to those who want it. We are not trying to make any money on the subscriptions, but just cover our cost to put it in an envelope and mail it. A yearly subscription will be $60/month, until postage prices increase. You can buy a subscription for yourself, or for a friend or family member. The subscription will start with the issue following receipt of payment. $60 reflects a 3% cash discount. If you choose to pay by credit or debit card (online via our website) the price will be $61.80. If you are interested in a subscription, look for the order form elsewhere in the magazine or just email the info and send your check. A subscription to The Buzz Magazine would make a great Christmas present! ThIs IssuE is a hodge-podge of so many things. We tried to keep everything holiday themed if we could help it. And in celebration of our five years, we went back to our first feature story and did that story again. Our cover story in our first issue, December 2009, was on Benld Adopta-Pet. Even that story has a holiday theme There’s No Place Like Home for the Holidays. You will find that story on pages 1415, as well as a photo of the cover of our very first magazine. You can see how far we’ve come in cover design if nothing else! Last but not least, let me remind you that we love to hear from our readers. The best way to reach us is via email at [email protected]. You can use the contact page on our website also www.thebuzzmonthly.com. We are also on Facebook at facebook.com/thebuzzmonthly. Like us to keep updated on local events, when the next issue comes out, any delivery delays, etc. ThE NExT 5 YEARs... What does the next five years hold for The Buzz Magazine? Will we expand to other counties? Will we change the size or format of the magazine? Who knows. What we do know however is that we will continue our mission of promoting pride in our region, its heritage and its people by sharing positive and uplifting stories and to provide businesses a cost effective means of advertising to a broad area. So basically everything you love about us will stay the same. Any changes will only make us better Sorry this is so long! Thank you for reading The Buzz. We hope your Christmas is happy, healthy and white (YES, I want snow for Christmas), and that your new year is the best ever! ~ Tara & Tony The Prairie Land Buzz The Prairie Land Buzz www.thebuzzmonthly.com I December 2014 I 5 There’s no Place like Home for the Holidays Even for Animals! Written by Tara L. Cale Herbie was adopted as a kitten from Adopt-a-Pet in 2012 but returned to the shelter when his family had a new baby. Fortunately for Herbie, Kay O’Neal from Worden (who adopted a kitten from Adopt-a-Pet 27 years ago that lived for 16 years) decided she had room for another feline friend. You’ve seen the ads on television that feature photos of abused, injured and neglected animals looking at the camera. They are caged and shivering, probably more from fright than from cold. A sad song plays softly in the background while a well-known celebrity pleads with you to send money to help the suffering animals. The dilemma is not exaggerated for marketing purposes. It is very real. Although there is no national organization monitoring the 13,600 community animal shelters to provide accurate numbers, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) estimates that over 7.6 million companion animals enter shelters each year nationwide. Approximately 1/3 of those are fortunately reunited with their owners. Of the remainder, approximately half are adopted. The other half are euthanized. The emotions meant to be elicited during such commercials were very real emotions for Lorraine Jackson of Benld over 30 years ago. She decided to do more than send a $20/month donation and leave the work to someone else. Instead, she and her husband began taking in lost, stray and abandoned animals until permanent homes could be found for them. But there were so many! They couldn’t possibly keep and care for all of them, but they also could not bear the thought of them being euthanized. So in 1983 the couple took their life savings and founded Benld Adopt-a-Pet (BAAP). The original building, built on their own property, now includes a grooming room, feed room, 8 indoor/outdoor roofed and heated runs and multiple outdoor pens and exercise areas. There is also a cat room with separate exercise areas, an insolation room and a combination office/warehouse. Animals arriving at the shelter receive vaccinations, are wormed and receive a thorough examination. Dogs are checked for heartworms and cats are screened for feline 6 I December 2014 I leukemia and FIV. All animals are also spayed and neutered, which make the most recent additional of the new surgery room, even a greater blessing. “The surgery room is state-of-the art. We raised $50,000 to build it,” Jackson beamed as she took me on the tour. “Local veterinarians perform 20-30 surgeries every 2 weeks here so it was very needed. Now after surgery the animals can recover in a quiet, controlled atmosphere before going back to the general population with the other animals, where it is often noisy.” In additional to routine care and examinations by licensed veterinarians, animals at the shelter are fed top quality food, watered, groomed and exercised. “The dogs are turned out into large exercise areas three times daily to run and play and socialize with other dogs at the shelter,” Jackson explained. “We know which ones get along together or enjoy the company of the others.” Unlike many independent shelters, the animals at Adopt-a-Pet are also socialized and trained as time permits, to increase their chance for adoption. All pets have a health guarantee. And although there may be a rare case when an animal arrives at the shelter with injuries so severe, or a disease so progressed that euthanization is the most humane treatment... no animal is ever euthanized due to not being claimed or adopted. Any pets not adopted become permanent residents of the shelter. “Unless it’s an owner surrender, we do not adopt animals out for at least 7 days after arriving, in case they have someone out there that is looking for them,” Jackson said. “That’s why it is very important to get your pet microchipped as early as possible. The first thing we do is scan for a chip and try to find out if the animal has a home and was accidentally lost and separated from their family.” www.facebook.com/thebuzzmonthly “But our ultimate goal is to get each anmal adopted out as quickly as possible,” she continued. “We also understand that adoptions don’t always work out the way we wish they would, for whatever reason, and in that case, we ask that the animal be returned to us.” In addition to private adoptions at the shelter, Jackson and her staff take large groups of animals every weekend to various mobile adoption sites including Petco in Springfield, PetsMart in O’Fallon and Glen Carbon, and Rural King and Tractor Supply in Litchfield. “For some reason we have had more large dogs than usual coming in lately - Great Danes, Greyhounds, a Mastiff, Standard Poodles - which have all be adopted,” Jackson said, “But we still have a lot of large dogs available for adoption right now.” “We can find homes for more pets in one day through mobile adoptions than we can in a full week at the shelter,” she continued. “Sometimes 20 or more a day are adopted through the mobile process. The rescue and shelter efforts of Adopta-Pet are noble enough, but it doesn’t end there. Jackson and the animals travel to schools to familiarize children with the atti- tude of being kind to animals. Nursing home visits with some of the pets encourage interaction with senior citizens. One of the local nursing homes have adopted both a cat and a dog from the shelter, with great success. Adopt-a-Pet is registered and inspected by the State of Illinois, and recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as a 502(c) (3) charity, which means contributions are tax deductible. The facility gets no state funding and relies entirely on donations, memberships and fundraisers to keep it open. Just paying the bills takes thousands of dollars each week. “Our vet bill is staggering plus we have a light bill, heating and cooling costs, we have food and medicine to buy, and we have a paid staff of 10 that we also carry insurance for ,” Jackson explained. “And the economy and colder months always brings in more animals. Some people have to make a decision on whether to feed their pet or put food on their own table.” If you are interested in adopting, an adoption form must be filled out, there are some guidelines you must follow, and you will be required to meet with your selected pet in person. Jackson herself holds many of the personal interviews with prospective pet The Prairie Land Buzz In referencing the new surgery room at Adopt-a-Pet, founder Lorraine Jackson said, “We can’t get any bigger, but we are getting better!” Top: Lorraine Jackson with two puppies that are currently available at Adopt-a-Pet, featured on the cover this month, our 5th Anniversary issue. Right: the cover of the very first Buzz Magazine - December 2009 which featured Lorraine with puppies available then. owners to determine if they will be suitable to adopt a pet. “Sometimes it’s not a question of if the person is suitable to own a pet, but rather if they are suitable for the pet they are considering,” she elaborated. “We take the time to talk to the person and evaluate their wants and needs along with their lifestyle. For example, an active single person may be a great owner for a large dog that requires exercise on a daily basis, but the same dog would not work so well in a home where both adults The Prairie Land Buzz work and there are small children.” If you’re not in the market for a new pet, there are many ways you can help. You can donate dog or cat food, blankets and old newspapers. You can volunteer to help walk dogs or socialize the animals so they have a better chance of being adopted. BAAP also has a “Helpful Heart” program that allows you to sponsor one of the permanent residents of the shelter - usually an older animal, one with medical issues or behavioral problems that prevent them Dakota is a 4 year old Golden Retriever/Pyrennes mix that was turned in by her owners because they were moving. She also could not see due to etropion eyelids (the lower lid turns inward) that needed treated immediately, but she is healing and ready for a new home. Dakota loves to be outside, but not alone and adores people. from being adopted. You can consider them YOUR pet, but they are still cared for at the shelter. You will receive photos, updates and condition reports, and can even visit the animal if you so desire. If that is not a viable option, there are different levels of membership available and of course, cash donations are always welcome. The biggest fundraiser of the year for Adopt-a-Pet is now in progress ... The Tree of Hope. This Christmas tree is set up right in front of the main building and each bulb is lit in honor or memory of pets, either living or deceased, or even in memory of a person that loved pets. “People thought we were crazy the first year we did it,” Jackson laughed, “but it has turned into our biggest fundraiser each year. People send in donations ranging from $1.00 to $1,000.00 to have a bulb lit.” Another fundraiser that is full of fun is the annual Christmas photos with Santa. For $9.95 you can get your pet’s photo taken with Santa - you can even include yourself or a child in the photo. The event will be held at Petco in Springfield on Saturday, December 6th. Every penny of the $9.95 goes to Benld Adopt-a-Pet. Although Jackson doesn’t require awards or recognition to let her know she is doing a good thing, her hard work and dedication has not gone unnoticed. She is proud of her “Call to Service” award from former President Bush for her outstanding efforts and length of service. Recently she received a similar award from President Obama. Last year she received a “Lifetime Achievement Award” from the Rams which was presented to her at one of their games for her dedication in rescuing and finding homes for thousands of abused and neglected animals. “The awards are appreciated and we display them proudly in the shelter,” she responded modestly, “But I don’t do it all myself. We have a wonderful staff and volunteers that keep us operating efficiently.” “Just like us, all animals want and need a home - not just for the holidays though. The happy endings of finding forever homes for the over 30,000 animals we have processed since the shelter began is reward enough for me.” Benld Adopt-a-Pet is located at 807 Stewart Road in Benld. They are open from 1-5 daily, except for holidays. For more information about call 217-835-2538 or email [email protected]. Visit them online at www.benldadoptapet.org for a list of items needed for the shelter and find them on Facebook. www.thebuzzmonthly.com I December 2014 I 7 8 I December 2014 I www.facebook.com/thebuzzmonthly The Prairie Land Buzz Harry Baumgartner. Green Gables Tourist Camp. Harry and Floy's daughter Ramona Baumgartner and her husband Norman Wahl in front of the tourist camp. All photos courtesy of Mandy (Baumgartner) Pedigo. Harry Baumgartner's business card. Along Route 66 Harry Baumgartner, Prohibition and the Green Gables Tourist Camp Written by Cheryl Eichar Jett Harry Baumgartner opened the Green Gables Tourist Camp north of Edwardsville in 1931 with the intent of making it one of the most popular lodgings between St. Louis and Chicago. Unfortunately, just eight years later, Harry's dream went up in flames. Harry Bruce Jones was born in Springfield, Illinois, on June 24, 1888. Harry went to live with his maternal grandmother Baumgartner at a young age and eventually took the name as his own. He must have had a pleasant childhood as descendants recalled that his nickname was “Happy” from childhood on. Harry's mother and her two sisters ran a boarding house in Springfield, and no doubt Harry received an early introduction to the hospitality business. Harry enlisted in the U.S. Army at Jefferson Barracks, Missouri, on July 5, 1913. He signed up for four years, but while stationed in Georgia, he met a pretty young woman named Floy Clyde Conger. They soon planned to be married, and Harry was discharged from the army on July 12, 1914, The Prairie Land Buzz with a character rating of “excellent.” They settled in Madison County and Harry found work as a miner. With the advent of Prohibition in 19191920, Harry found a new career – special investigator and prohibitions enforcement officer. He worked for Hargraves Detective Agency of Chicago as well as hiring himself out to numerous counties in Illinois. Often working under an assumed name and carrying a concealed weapon, Harry earned a living “ridding your community of undesirable persons and places.” In Rockford, Illinois, he located over thirty whiskey stills for the state's attorney. In Worden, he “helped put in the City Treasury about two thousand dollars and put the town on its feet.” In Crawford County, he rounded up 15 bootleggers and the county was “able to win all but one case.” In the year 1927, Harry claimed that communities received more than $20,000 in fines from cases he handled. As Prohibition began to wind down, Harry looked for another line of work. In Floy Conger Baumgartner 1931, Harry and Floy opened the Green Gables Tourist Camp, five miles northeast of Edwardsville, Illinois. After the Prohibition Era ended in 1933, Harry was able to advertise, “Sandwiches, beer, choice liquors, and high balls.” Hamel Oil Company supplied Conoco gasoline and Germ brand processed motor oil. Display advertising throughout the 1930s identified Harry Baumgartner, Edwardsville; George Baumgartner, Worden; Cassens Filling Station, Hamel; East End Garage, Alhambra; and Bluff Garage, Glen Carbon, as affiliates of Hamel Oil Company. During the 1930s, Green Gables was the scene of plenty of action along Route 66. Family members remember the story of “a bunch of men coming late in the evening” carrying numerous violin cases. This stretch of road was also the scene of heavy traffic and numerous accidents, some with fatalities. One of the worst occurred during a blinding snowstorm. The Mick brothers' automobile was involved in a collision with an automobile transport truck at Quercus Grove Road, just west of Green Gables. Elmer Mick was killed and Emil Mick was severely injured. On a Friday morning in October 1939, Harry built a fire in the yard for Floy to do the laundry. The wood was wet and the fire merely smoldered. Harry grabbed a nearby can containing several gallons of coal oil and threw it on the fire. It flashed up, spreading to the oil can. The oil can exploded, sending out shrapnel and burning Harry over most of his body. Floy used sheets from the laundry to smother the flames. Dr. J. A. Hirsch and the Straube ambulance arrived on the scene. Harry was taken to St. Francis Hospital in Litchfield, where he died two days later, on October 8. Everyone seemed to know Harry, as six pages in the funeral guest book were filled with the names of those who had sent flowers. He was buried at Valley View Cemetery in Edwardsville. Ironically, Harry died on the opening day of National Fire Prevention Week. The local newspaper carried an article about it, saying, “The tragic death of Harry Baumgartner... should make a deep impression upon residents of Madison County...This terrible tragedy, bringing sadness to Madison County homes, serves again to show that while fire, properly used, is a boon to mankind, it can also be his worst enemy.” Harry's wife Floy eventually sold the Green Gables complex and moved into Edwardsville. An April 1942 advertisement in the local newspaper announced that Green Gables was open under new management, with 24-hour service, “Phillips gasoline at St. Louis prices,” and newly redecorated cabins. In 1946, Jack Rittenhouse included the lodging in his A Guide Book to Highway 66. Proprietors of the Green Gables over the next couple decades included Edward Sharpe (who fell from a painting scaffold and broke an arm and both ankles just after reopening Green Gables), Bill and Marge O'Brien, and Al and Marie Albrecht. An article in the March 26, 1964, Edwardsville Intelligencer carried a list of ten local motels who were tardy in paying their $25 license fee. Two motels were noted to be closed up, including Green Gables. Floy never remarried and lived out her life in Edwardsville and died in 1972. By 2010, Harry and Floy's four children had also all passed away. And by then, all the little cabins of the former Green Gables were, except in memory, gone as well. www.thebuzzmonthly.com I December 2014 I 9 Buzzin’ Around the Kitchen Cornbread stuffing Written by Barbara Stuffington Snowflakes are one of nature’s most fragile things, but just look what they can do when they stick together! - Vista M. Kelly We had a bumper crop of corn this year in the Midwest so let’s roll with that idea and do a holiday cornbread stuffing as part of our December celebration menu. Corn bread stuffing is found more often South of the Midwest but I’m all about branching out and trying new things. This one has gorgeous colors and textures, which are hard to distinguish in a black and white photo, but that is how it fell this time and there is nothing we can do. But this colorful and delicious recipe is sure to grab attention this holiday season. And away we go… Ingredients 2 lbs day old corn bread 2 cups pecans 7 leeks - about 1 lb (white and pale green parts only) 3 celery stalks 3/4 stick (6 tablespoons) unsalted butter 1/2 pound Italian sausage (about 3 links) 2 cups cranberries 1/4 cup sugar 1/2 cup packed parsley leaves 2 cups chicken broth While your oven is preheating to 325° F cut corn bread into 1/2-inch cubes and in 2 large shallow baking pans bake just until the bread is dry, around 20 minutes. Then 10 I December 2014 I transfer corn bread from 1 pan to a large bowl and in pan toast pecans in oven until insides are golden, around 10-15 minutes. Next halve leeks lengthwise and then cut crosswise into 1/2-inch pieces. In a bowl of cold water wash leeks well (sometimes there is dirt between the layers of leeks) and lift from water into a sieve to drain. Chop celery and place in a sauté pan with the drained leeks and cook in butter with salt and pepper to taste over moderately low heat, stirring, until leeks are tender, about 20 minutes. Remove sausage from casing, break into small pieces and add sausage to leek mixture and cook over moderate heat, stirring occasionally until sausage and veggies have some brown color. In a small heavy saucepan cook cranberries with sugar over moderately high heat, stirring, 5 minutes, or until some begin to burst. Then somewhere in there chop your fresh parsley and set aside. Last, put everything into the bowl of corn bread: stock, leeks, sausage and celery, parsley and pecans and mix gently, maybe more of a folding than a mixing and let the bread soak up the stock. Then place in a prepared baking dish and bake at 3500 F until the stuffing temperature is 1650 F and has a little color on top. This is a slight twist on the stuffing I grew up with but it’s nice to step outta the box once and take a new look at a classic dish. Have fun cooking this holiday season! www.facebook.com/thebuzzmonthly The Prairie Land Buzz The Prairie Land Buzz www.thebuzzmonthly.com I December 2014 I 11 12 I December 2014 I www.facebook.com/thebuzzmonthly The Prairie Land Buzz Plopper Homestead Has stories to Tell in litchfield Written by Tom Emery Sitting along Route 66 in Litchfield is a homestead with plenty of history to tell - and not all of it is legal. The former Plopper Laboratories property, two blocks north of the intersection of Route 66 and Illinois Route 16, was the center of a sweeping scandal in the early 1950s involving pharmaceutical products with questionable ingredients. The federal court case that ensued generated front-page headlines across central Illinois and beyond. The family patriarch, Herbert Plopper, was born in Litchfield in 1900 and by the 1920s, was operating a family business at the site. Many of the buildings still stand on the property, which was the home of a hatchery in the 1940s. But poultry was not the only thing that the Ploppers were hatching. “The family started producing various types of medicines,” said Ron Blom, a Litchfield entrepreneur who currently owns the property. “One type was the EZX Pill, a sort of cure-all that was sold in taverns and other local businesses.” Display ads in local papers of the era trumpet the pills as “the new wonder Display ads in local papers of the era trumpet the pills as “the new wonder medication” designed to help anything from sinus problems to arthritis. The EZX pill ad is easy to spot on the right hand side on this page of the Alton Telegraph from 1955. The Prairie Land Buzz medication” designed to help anything from sinus problems to arthritis. Customers could buy six capsules for the sum of two dollars. “Apparently, they sold these pills in bulk,” remarked Blom. “I’ve found a number of 50-gallon drums marked EZX, and I’ve even found some of the actual pills.” While the Ploppers pushed EZX into the mainstream, another of their products was much more shadowy. The “Plopper Pill” was a mysterious concoction that was to fix any ailment and could only be bought on site. “Herbert wouldn’t sell the Plopper Pill outside the property,” said Blom. “Customers had to come to the laboratory, and buy them, two at a time. But the people who took them absolutely swore by them. The Plopper Pills were supposed to have cured all sorts of serious diseases, and those who took them said they were good for days afterward.” Family illness may have spurred Plopper to design the infamous medication. His son had fallen desperately ill by the early 1950s, and the Plopper Pill apparently was a steady revenue source to pay for his medical care. What went into the Plopper Pill has become a local legend in Litchfield. “The Ploppers were very secretive about it,” said Blom, who has extensively researched the Plopper family and resulting scandal. “They wouldn’t even tell most of their employees what the ingredients were.” Blom has learned that psychoactive mushrooms were used, and has found rem- This vintage medicine bottle for Plopper’s EZX pills is for sale on eBay. This small metal building with remnants of multiple power lines and transformers is said to be where Herbert Plopper spent a lot of time working, though his employees never really knew what he was doing in the building. nants of artificial mushroom beds on his property. He has also been told that various forms of cocaine were used. “They are said to have bought a lot of their ingredients in Mexico,” commented Blom. “Their suppliers would fly the products into Litchfield, land at the airport, and stay in local motels while they did business with the Ploppers.” Adding to the mystery is a small metal building that still stands adjacent to Blom’s property that required an inordinate amount of electrical power. “You can still see how much power was going into that building,” he said, pointing to the multiple lines, transformers, and other signs of electrical hookup on the structure. “It’s a tremendous amount. Employees said that Herbert did a lot of his work in there, but they really never knew exactly what he was doing.” The bubble finally burst on the Ploppers in March 1952, when Herbert was charged with violations of state medical practices. A pair of undercover investigators showed up at the laboratory on Feb. 12, 1952, one claiming to have stomach cancer and the other arthritis. Plopper told them the capsules “would cure anything.” A subsequent analysis revealed the pills contained “the dust of a substance similar to chick feed supplement.” Some have also said the EZX pills were nothing more than a placebo, though the Plopper family continued selling those well into the 1950s. A lengthy court case ensued, and though Herbert Plopper survived with his freedom, his psyche apparently did not. “It ruined him,” said Blom. “He was virtually bankrupted, and he had lost his son by then. He was kind of a broken man after that.” Herbert Plopper died on July 27, 1957. A daughter continued operating businesses from the property, including an archery shop. Blom’s wife practiced dentistry in one of the renovated buildings in recent years, while he has run a frame shop and art gallery from other buildings. A veterinary clinic has also used a portion of the site for many years. Blom is currently developing a massage therapy and wellness spa on the site, while he also hopes to include a small cultural arts center. He is seeking investors to help him advance the property into a tourist attraction for the area. “I want to focus on Litchfield history, and local artists,” he remarked. “I want them to have a place to display their work, and for the public to come enjoy it. There are a lot of stories to tell about the region, and a lot of talented people in the area who deserve to be noticed.” In addition to the Plopper legend, there are many other historical connections to the property. In addition to its prime location on Route 66, the site is also adjacent to some of the rare remaining trackage from the Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago, and St. Louis Railroad, the legendary “Big Four” whose predecessor rail company, the Terre Haute and Alton, helped found the city of Litchfield in 1853. “I’ve talked to a lot of railroad enthusiasts, and that trackage really excites them,” said Blom. “I’ve been told that there is great historical significance to that remaining track.” Decades later, however, the site is still best known for the Plopper connection. “People here still talk about it,” said Blom. “Every little bit, I have someone come up to me and ask about it. It’s a fascinating story, there’s no doubt about it.” Tom Emery is a freelance writer and historical researcher from Carlinville, Ill. He may be reached at 217-710-8392 or [email protected]. www.thebuzzmonthly.com I December 2014 I 13 14 I December 2014 I www.facebook.com/the- The Prairie Land Buzz The Prairie Land Buzz www.thebuzzmonthly.com I December 2014 I 15 i’ll Be Home For Christmas Hitz Memorial...Your Choice, Your Life, Your Home Top: The Shelter House at Hitz is a pavilion where many activities for the residents are held. It contains the only remains of the original Hitz Home - the roof and pillars. Bottom: The original Hitz Home Written by Tara L. Cale A place to call home is important at any time, but the holiday season just seems to maximize this emotion. Unfortunately, there are many people, especially the elderly in nursing homes, that do not feel they have a true “home.” Hitz Memorial Home in Alhambra is doing everything they can to change that for their residents. Hitz Home is a not-for-profit ministry of the United Church of Christ and has been providing healthcare services to the elderly since 1952. Recently I was invited to Hitz Memorial Home for a tour and to be a testament to the differences their philosophies make in the lives of those that reside there. In the Beginning Hitz history began with the Hitz State Bank that was organized in Alhambra in 1907. The President of the bank, Adolf Hitz, took personal pride and responsibility in being a custodian for his neighbors' resources. Mr. Hitz retired in 1947 and the bank closed. Two years later he died. His wife, Louise M. Hitz survived. Louise harbored the same community pride that her late husband did, so when the Southern Illinois Synod voted to establish regional homes for the aged, she continued the family tradition of community concern by giving the family home to the Synod for 16 I December 2014 I the purpose of providing a place for aging citizens. Renovations began, and in August of 1952 Hitz Memorial Home opened. Mrs. Hitz herself was one of the first 25 residents. Undoubtedly she appreciated being able to see first-hand the benefit her family had provided for other people. Culture Change - A Pioneer home Traditional nursing homes, although doing the best they can with their resources, all too often have a lifeless environment, are short-staffed, and have an institutional feel. But a movement called "culture change" has been pushing through the industry. Culture change is more than just updating the cosmetic appearance of a building. In a Pioneer Home, such as Hitz, it is a leadership philosophy change that affects every part of the facility. The core principle of pioneer homes is very simple: the residents are not cases, or numbers... they are real human beings and need to be treated as such. This leads to a very different way of life from the regimen of traditional nursing homes in which there was a fixed time to wake up, go to bed, eat, shower and so on. Does anyone really want to live that way? Hitz Home is a member of the Pioneer Coalition that is helping to spread "culture change" not just at their own facility, but throughout the entire industry. The understanding and communication between care www.facebook.com/thebuzzmonthly givers and residents at Hitz Home has brought about a significant change in the quality of life experienced by their residents. They truly believe that their most important purpose is to help each resident live the remainder of his/her life to the fullest extent possible. Examples of culture change at Hitz Home include the fact that residents can sleep in if they so desire. Food is available 24/7; if they are hungry, they are allowed to eat. And at meal time, they don’t have to eat the “meal of the day.” They order from real menus. When I visited Hitz Home it was lunch time. Since there is no exact set time for lunch, there was room for me at the table I chose to sit at in the dining room. The residents that wanted lunch early gathered in the seats around me, greeted me warmly, and not realizing I was not there for lunch, they gave me advice on ordering - what was the best, what I should ask for. It was heartwarming to be welcomed so enthusiastically by the residents. I’ve had in-laws and other family members in nursing facilities before. My parents both in the industry. So I am familiar with what is standard. That said, it was very impressive to me that these residents were treated with so much courtesy and respect like esteemed patrons at an upscale restaurant. The staff approached them just as a waiter/waitress would, tablet in hand, pen poised to take their order. Changes and sub- stitutions were not a problem. The respect and caring demonstrated by the Hitz staff seriously almost had me in tears. Residents at Hitz not only have a choice of when and what to eat, but also how and when they bathe. They can enjoy a traditional shower, a relaxing whirlpool spa bath, or just choose to have a sponge bath. A newly renovated library, complete with an internet enabled work station, allows residents to stay in touch with loved ones via social media, or just surf the net. Entertainment amenities like board games, cards and puzzles are available for residents in the library, activity room or sunroom. Residents are encouraged to be involved with the activity department to plan scheduled and spontaneous activities on a daily basis that will cater to the residents preferences. The Shelter House at Hitz is a covered patio area outside amidst flower and butterfly gardens. The pavilion, complete with a barbecue, allows residents to spend time outdoors reading, visiting with family members or just spending time in the peaceful outdoor setting. A quaint gazebo for quiet reflection or smaller family gatherings also graces the outdoor garden areas. The Shelter House contains the only remains of the original Hitz Home - the roof and pillars. The Shelter House is the location for many activities at Hitz, including their annual Apple Butter Days, where residents, The Prairie Land Buzz Above left: Residents make make apple butter in large copper kettles just like in the good ‘ole days during Hitz Home’s annual Apple Butter Days. Above right: Staff members “dance’ with residents during ‘Shake Your Tail Feather’. staff and visitors participate in making oldfashioned apple butter in the way it was long ago... in large copper pots, stirred by hand... the first weekend in October every year. It was a beautiful fall day while I was at Hitz, and the outdoor area was filled with residents relaxing outside in the gardens, visiting with Sue Mosby, who has been Activity Director at Hitz for 40 years. Mosby makes sure there is always something going on at Hitz for residents that want to participate. The activity taking place during my visit was “Shake Your Tail Feather.” Even residents with limited mobility were drawn into shaking their tail feathers, while staff “danced” with them to the tunes of popular music from their era, including Elvis Presley. On Wednesday, December 17th, Hitz Home will be showcasing an ART SHOW & BAKE SALE as well as a SILENT AUCTION, starting at 6 p.m. Please contact Xandra at 618-488-2355 if you would like to make a donation for the silent auction or bake sale. There is no charge to attend and the public is welcome. Another exclusive offering at Hitz Home is a private room complete with kitchen area for families to use with their loved ones for gatherings. For residents who are unable to bring their beloved pets with them but still want to connect with animals, Hitz has an indoor aviary and a resident house cat. Hitz is very adamant about their residents having a voice in their care, so residents have the ability to serve on committees in conjunction with staff members in order to voice their needs, wants and desires to ensure that their voice is heard. Committees currently include: food committee, welcoming committee and death and dying committee. Rehabilitation: Stroke victims, postoperative patients and fracture cases can ben- The Prairie Land Buzz efit from the highly skilled team of rehabilitation therapists at Hitz Home. Their team works together to develop a care plan with the goal of maximizing each resident's potential to a speedy recovery and return them home as soon as possible. Hitz Home offers physical, speech and occupational rehabilitation services 7 days a week. Therapy services are offered to residents by a team of licensed, caring professionals who are skilled in adapting treatments to fit the resident's needs. Rehab Care offers Vital Stim, E-stim and ultrasound as part of their therapy regimen. skilled Nursing: High quality care and a team approach are important to the skilled nursing program at Hitz. Individual care plans with agreed upon goals, are formulated by the multidisciplinary staff, resident and family. Their professional staff is dedicated to the individual care of residents, carried out in a manner of warmth, respect, and dignity. Ongoing training is provided to all staff to ensure and enhance the quality of care given to all residents. Hitz Home is resident centered, and not task centered. Skilled nursing care is provided to the resident as ordered by the physician in the areas of wound care, IV therapy, enteral feeding and other skilled nursing interventions. Hitz welcomes residents who are in need of short term stays, respite or hospice care. Rooms are cheery with large windows and are decorated with residents' personal belongings which makes the room feel more like home. Private suites: Citizens in their twilight years often find that maintaining their current home is just too difficult. In January of 2013 Hitz Home opened Independent Senior Living Apartments. The suites are very spacious with 384 sq. ft. and include a private bathroom and kitchenette (refrigerator, no stove) and cable television. Residents in the suites can even bring their pet to live with them. They are also surrounded by peers which can help maintain close relationships during the aging process. Apartments are designed for seniors and offer convenience, safety, comfort, privacy and affordability. Hitz Home does not provide medical care in the apartments but will provide resources to assist with medical needs. Laundry and meal services are available and the residents are welcome to join in the activities in the nursing home. Independent apartments give residents a sense of ownership and a place to call HOME...at Christmastime, and any time. In reading back through this story, I realize it is a bit sterile, but let me assure that Hitz Memorial Home is anything but that. Take a tour and see for yourself. Admire the walls with inspirational sayings stenciled into the colorful paint. Bask in the warmth you will feel when you see nurses, aides and other staff members greeting each resident with hugs and kisses as they make their way from one area to the next. It’s not hard to see why residents easily and affectionately call Hitz home. As with any such facility, volunteers and funding is always in short supply. Hitz Home has an established auxiliary that helps organize and execute activities, as well as raise money for them, but they are always in need of more donations and volunteers. If you would like to be part of this “culture change” movement, contact Hitz Memorial Home, 201 Belle Street, Alhambra, 618-4882355 or email [email protected]. More information can be found at www.hitzmemorial.com or find them on Facebook! www.thebuzzmonthly.com I December 2014 I 17 If you love do-it-yourself projects or repurposing, check out Picker’s Paradise inside Silvernicks. It’s loaded with furniture that needs a little TLC, plus parts, pieces and miscellaneous items that are often hard to find. reinventing resale Silvernick’s Unique Treasures in Virden has found their niche Written by Tara L. Cale Small, locally owned retail stores seemed to be a dying breed five years ago when we started The Buzz Magazine. They still dotted the landscape, but were not very prominent. It appears to me now however that trend is changing, and more are popping up every day. Many of them are in the “resale” market in one way, shape or form. And conveniently, they do not compete with each other, because each is varied and unique in their own way. Silvernicks Unique Treasures in downtown Virden was one of the original resale stores in the area. They started in the early 90s and despite enough obstacles and set backs to make many want to throw in the towel, they are still going strong. The history of silvernicks Silvernicks is owned by Tammy and Sterling Nichols and the company name is actually a play on family names. The name Silvernicks was created by taking Sterling’s first name (Silver) and combining it with a shortened version of their last name, Nichols (Nick)... Silvernicks. Even before the business known as Silvernicks came to be, Tammy Nichols was already dabbling in the resale market. The journey began for her in the early 90s with her home based business in Girard, Little Shop of Bargains, a resale shop featuring clothing and gift items. A few years later the family moved to Thayer and she opened a new shop - Silvernicks Gifts and Wicks. The store in Thayer did not stay open (they moved to Virden), but the entrepreneur bug had bitten the couple and the idea was formed for Silvernicks Resale Shop. Before opening the doors of such a retail 18 I December 2014 I establishment, the couple did their due diligence by prospecting. They went to garage sales and let the owners know that if they had items left over after the sale that they just wanted to get rid of, they would happily take it off their hands. They could even pick it up and haul it away. “People spend so much time and effort setting up a yard sale and it is a lot of work,” commented Sterling. “Then when it’s over, you have all this stuff left over and what are you going to do? Pack it up, take it back inside and store it until the next yard sale? You could take it to Goodwill or the Salvation Army, but that takes a lot of work and sometimes involves a bit of a drive. We gave people another option.” The Nichols began taking what had been deemed unsellable or unwanted by others, repairing it, repurposing it, and reselling it. The concept was well received. Silvernicks does not pay for what they receive. from yard sales. Retrieval and removal of the items is a service, and payment for that service is the goods received. Items are taken back to the store and that is where the real works begins. “Before anything is available for purchase by a consumer, we make sure it is cleaned and repaired. We are very picky about what goes on our shelves,” said Tammy. “We don’t put out anything chipped, stained or broken. Everything has to pass inspection before being available for resale.” The original Silvernicks Resale Shop was located next to the Wildflower Patch on the square in downtown Virden. There wasn’t a lot of inventory, so they were only open part time. But over the next two years, their customer base grew, as did their inventory and in 2007 Silvernicks moved to a larger www.facebook.com/thebuzzmonthly Since reopening in October in their new location, Silvernicks has added over 20 vendors to widen their variety of products offered, including hand-made soaps shown above. location, still on the Virden square, and remained open full time. Growth continued and it wasn’t long before they were moving yet again to increase the size of their business. This time it seemed that Silvernicks had found a permanent home. Sterling and Tammy put a lot of work into the new building on the corner and customized it to fit the needs of their unique retail establishment. They even considered purchasing the building. But that was before the fire.... On Oct 1, 2013 an electrical fire consumed the back of the building that housed their business. The building suffered extensive damage and the majority of their merchandise was heavily damaged as well. Tammy and Sterling Nichols thought their dreams had literally gone up in smoke. Then something gave them hope. “Sterling had made a custom bar that involved a lot of time and materials. It was in the back room where the fire started and was most intense. We thought it would be a total loss for sure,” Tammy told me. “When we were finally able to get in that back room we realized that everything around the bar was destroyed - burned beyond repair or melted. But the bar, this huge piece of furniture constructed of highly combustible wood was completely unharmed except for a layer of smoke and soot. We took that as a sign from a higher power that things would be fine and that we shouldn’t give up.” So with the insurance company and cleaning crews working on the building around them, Sterling and Tammy Nichols began the process of sorting out what could be saved of their inventory. It was six long, grueling weeks without any income before the store could reopen. And just when they thought they could take a breath, the business took another blow when the Nichols’ were informed by their landlord that he was selling the building. “We really wanted to buy the building. We had put a lot of sweat and tears into it, it was a great location and we were happy there,” Sterling explained. “But lending institutions do not consider small businesses like ours as reliable sources of income. We couldn’t get a loan to buy the building. Our Sterling & Tammy Nichols hearts were broken.” Once again, Silvernicks was in search of a new home. And almost one year exactly to the day since the fire, Silvernicks moved into their newest, and largest home so far, just one block east of their last location. “We’re not on the actual square anymore, but we are just a hop, skip and jump away,” Tammy said as she smiled. what’s Inside The newest move for Silvernicks Unique Treasures has allowed them to expand in more ways than they had imagined. During the weeks of tearing walls down, putting others up, remodeling and renovating, Silvernicks was approached by many like-minded individuals that inquired about having booth space in their new store. Before, all the merchandise was the property of Silvernicks. If it didn’t sell, they didn’t make any money. But what if they added booths, and charged for that space? That would provide a steady flow of income that would at least pay the basic bills. They didn’t have to think too hard about the decision. Construction immediately took a turn to allow for outside vendors. The philosophy that Silvernicks established in the beginning remains the same today - reuse, recycle, repurpose and resell. Sources for inventory still include but have expanded beyond the neighborhood yard sale The Prairie Land Buzz Even the front end of an old tractor is included in the welcome into Silvernicks. Some of the items available in vendor booths include handmade furniture and home decor. and because of this, inventory changes daily. “You never know what we will have. Once we brought in a lot of 200 lamps all at one time,” Sterling said. “Some didn’t work at all, some had broken parts. I mixed and matched pieces and made all the repairs until we had a nice selection of lamps that looked good and were in good working order, priced cheap. They didn’t last long.” Recently Silvernicks took on a lot of pet supplies from a story that was closing. Most of the items are related to fish and reptiles, such as glass bowls and aquariums. When the word gets out that this merchandise is available, that inventory will sell quickly. Silvernicks also took in a lot of brand new exterior doors, some with retail values of up to $1200, and not a single one was priced over $100 at their store. It’s easy to imagine why few of the doors remain. And now, in addition to the huge inventory of resale items that literally scream BARGAIN to consumers, there are also over 20 other vendors selling their wares from within the walls of Silvernicks. Items you can find in the vendor booths vary from one end of the spectrum to the other and include Watkins Products, hand-made soaps and lotions, antiques and primitives, repurposed furniture, old toys and tools, hand-crafted scarves, jewelry and toys, home decor created by local artisans, and so much more. Tammy is also an Avon dealer and although she does not offer home delivery, Avon fans love the service she provides. Other items you may find at Silvernicks include home decor, dishes, fabric, craft items, old dolls, silk florals, office supplies, collectibles, old signs, and items too numerous to mention. The store is literally a plethora of unique treasures just waiting to be discovered. find there were parts and pieces I needed that were hard to find. Then, amazingly, in a new lot of merchandise that would come in, there were all these odds and ends that I knew would be perfect for my projects and the projects of other repurposers,” explained Sterling. Picker’s Paradise is a special section at Silvernicks that is a hodge-podge of parts, pieces, hardware, accessories and items that most people would normally throw away without a second thought. But to those that restore and repurpose, they are a gold mine. Picker’s Paradise is loaded with furniture that needs a little TLC, plus parts, pieces and miscellaneous items that are often hard to find. You can find old cabinet hardware, table and chair legs, unusual screws and nails, bolts, hinges, door knobs and more. They even have a huge box of glass eyes. “We get a lot of visitors and plenty of phone calls from people looking for old unusual pieces for their projects that we quite often have,” added Tammy. If you haven’t been to Silvernicks before, or it is been awhile, the first Saturday in December would be an excellent time to make the trip. Virden is holding their annually Country Christmas on the square, and several downtown businesses will be hosting open houses or offering specials that day (stop by This-N-That, Freckles Resale, Wildflower Patch, Hendrick’s Furniture, The Garden Gate, Jamie’s - The Diamond Mine and Sly Fox Book Store), including Silvernicks. Silvernicks will hold their Holiday Open House on Saturday, December 6th from 9 a.m to 4 p.m. There will be refreshments and door prizes and vendors will be in their booths visiting with customers, answering questions and taking special orders. The success of independent small businesses depends partly on finding a niche and Silvernicks has certainly found theirs. When you visit Silvernicks, plan for plenty of time to look around the store. It’s packed with old, unusual, unique and rarely found items. And if you see something you want, don’t hesitate to buy it, thinking you can come back and get it another time - chances are, it Picker’s Paradise Probably the most popular aspect of Silvernicks - now referred to as Silvernicks Unique Treasures instead of Silvernicks Resale Shop - is their Picker’s Paradise, the brain child of Sterling. “While repairing things I would often The Prairie Land Buzz Unique treasures are abundant at Silvernicks. Finds include everyting from antique tricycles and repurposed and painted furniture to hand-made primitive home accents. will be gone. The uniqueness of the business draws customers from as far away as Jacksonville, Belleville, Fairview Heights and even out of state. “Word of mouth is great for any business, but our consistent advertising efforts have really made a difference on people knowing about us,” Tammy said. If you’ve never been to the Virden area, you will want to make Silvernicks your first stop anyway, as they are the official Welcome Center for Virden. They have a guest book, pamphlets on local attractions and pointes of interest, and can direct people if they are looking for something in particular. They also have some souvenirs for sale. erest. Silvernicks Unique Treasures is located at 231 E. Jackson in Virden, just one block east of the downtown square. They are open Tuesday through Friday from 9 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. and on Saturday from 9-2. For more information call 217-891-6514 or find them on Facebook. www.thebuzzmonthly.com I December 2014 I 19 Polar Express is Coming to Hillsboro The Hillsboro 2000 & Beyond committee is asking local children to put on their PJ’s and hop aboard the Hillsboro Polar Express on Friday December 5 and Saturday December 6. Downtown Hillsboro will be transformed into a train themed winter wonderland similar to the popular children’s movie with a variety of family activities planned for both days. The event will kickoff Friday with a holiday punchcard promotion. Participants are asked to visit all of the participating merchants to get their cards “punched.” Once the cards are filled they will be returned to the Journal-News for a chance to win a pair of tickets to ride the real Polar Express train in St. Louis. A first ever lighted parade will take place on Friday night beginning at 6 p.m., followed by caroling by local children, hot chocolate, visits with Santa, free train rides, a holiday bazzar and more! Saturday will begin with a breakfast with Santa at the Hillsboro Moose Lodge down- 20 I December 2014 I stairs where children will receive special gifts from Santa, children’s activities provided by the Hillsboro Area Hospital Junior Board and a chili cookoff inside The Zone. To end the celebration their will be two free showings of The Polar Express movie at 11 a.m. and again at 1 p.m. at the Orpheum www.facebook.com/thebuzzmonthly Theater. The committee is also hosting an iPad raffle. Tickets are only $1 each or $5 for six and can be purchased through Decembe 6th at the Journal-News, City Hall and online at www.hillsborochamber.net. Any proceeds raised will be used for Hillsboro beautification projects and to help offset the cost of free community events. Those interested in participating in the first ever lighted parade can download an entry form online at www.hillsborochamber.net. Merchants wanting to participate in the punchcard promotion can contact the Chamber office at 532-3711. Anyone wishing to make a monetary donation to the committee to help offset the cost of the celebration can send their payment to the 2000 & Beyond committee at 447 S. Main Street, Hillsboro, IL 62049. The Prairie Land Buzz The Book Buzz The Perfect Gift... We’ve Got it Covered! Written by Barbara Adams The Season is upon us. The joy, and stress, of the holidays. Finding the perfect tree. And the decorations. And the cards. The shopping. The hustle and bustle. And the unattainable goal of finding that perfect gift. Wait! We've got that one covered. Just stop at your local bookstore. It's the one place you will find something for everyone! For the Action/Mystery Lover in the House - Two of the most popular action/mystery authors of the day have new releases just in time for gift-giving. Put Harry Bosch under the tree in The Burning Room by Michael Connelly. The iconic, aging LAPD detective is back, solving murders with his young protege, Lucia Soto. Victim Orlando Merced has just died, ten years after being shot, and thus a new murder has an old trail. Bosch digs into what leads he has and along the way imparts his knowledge of detective work to the young Soto. Always an entertaining character, Connelly delivers another Bosch classic. And David Baldacci gives us another John Puller action adventure with The Escape. Puller, the military crimes investigator of Zero Day and The Forgotten, has his hands full in solving an escape from The Prairie Land Buzz the maximum security military prison at Leavenworth. With a dead body left behind in his cell, the escapee is now the nation's most wanted criminal - and is Puller's own brother. But soon John Puller learns that he isn't the only one hunting him. He is, however, the only one who wants to capture him alive. Baldacci is a superb storyteller and this one is a very entertaining read. For the Sports Fan - On the heels of his well-orchestrated retirement this year, Derek Jeter's photojournal biography, Jeter Unfiltered, by Derek Jeter and Christopher Anderson, may be the perfect gift for the sports fan in your life. Any fan of the game will enjoy the memories and the behind-the-scene photos chronicling the career of this great player. Or, if loyalty to Cardinal Nation is a must, try The Cardinals of Cooperstown by Greg Marecek and Myron Holtzman. A visually stunning history of the contribution Cardinal teams have made to The Hall, this book will be treasured by your favorite Cardinal fan. For the Family Comedian - Part memoir, and part advice column, laced with photos, poetry and more, Amy Poehler's new book, Yes Please, is ultimately a very inspiring read. The quirky little blonde we loved on Saturday Night Live and who entertains in Parks and Recreation, dishes on co-stars, tells of her childhood and her start in comedy, recounts her foray with drugs, and emotes about her two wonderful children. If you haven't realized yet that very funny people are really very smart, this very smart read will make you a believer. For the Animal Lover - Everyone loves a good dog story and Maria Goodavage, author of Soldier Dogs (2012), has followed up with Top Dog: The Story of Marine Hero Lucca. Lucca, a highly specialized Search Dog, along with her handlers, Chris Willingham and Juan Rodriguez, successfully completed a 400 mission career. Finding explosives thus saving many lives, and surviving firefights, this books tells her story and the story of her incredible bond with her handlers. Like most true animal stories, this one will have you laughing, and crying, but most of all appreciating the amazing dedication and service of military dogs and the men who handle them. For the Chief Cook and Bottle Washer Sure, you can find a recipe for everything imaginable online, but nothing is more satisfying than a good cookbook. And my, how cookbooks have changed since the original Joy of Cooking graced every kitchen in America. The appeal of cookbooks now is the spectacular photography. You know that when you make it, it isn't going to look like the picture in the book, but it's fun to dream. The Tucci Table: Cooking With Family and Friends by Stanley Tucci (yes, that Stanley Tucci) and Felicity Blunt (his British wife), is just one such visually stunning new cookbook. Primarily celebrating Tucci's Italian heritage, infused with his wife's British upbringing and then served up on an allAmerican platter, this book features recipes that you can really make and that you actually want to try. A gorgeous celebration of food and family and friends, this makes a perfect gift. For the Teen Gamer - If you don't know what Minecraft is but you have a teen or a gamer in the house, the perfect gift for him, or her, is the four volume boxed set of the Minecraft handbooks. This collection includes The Essential Handbook, Redstone Handbook, Combat Handbook and the Construction Handbook. The handbooks contain valuable information for any Minecraft player and are presented in a hard slipcase. Don't pretend to understand any of it - just ask if they're playing Minecraft and then put this under the tree. You may not see your teen for the rest of Christmas vacation, but hey, that may not be such a bad thing! For the Youngest Believers - No Christmas could be complete without a new addition to the libray of the Littlest Readers. To encourage reading and teach the true meaning of the season, bring home God Gave Us Christmas (Lisa Tawn Bergren) or Humphrey's First Christmas (Carol Heyer). For the even smaller ones, the delightful J is for Jesus: The Sweetest Story Ever Told (Crystal Bowman) explains in a hands-on board book how the candy cane symbolizes the birth of Christ. Also, this year marks the 50th anniversary of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (by Thea Feldman) and a commemorative edition of this Christmas classic will delight young and old alike. You'll be asked to read these over and over again this holiday season. Get organized, settle in for the demands of the season and then enjoy your time with family and friends. Think books for great gifts and while you're at the bookstore, pick out a gift for yourself - you deserve it! Barbara Adams is an attorney and the owner of Books & Moore in Hillsboro, the only independent bookseller of new books in Montgomery County. www.thebuzzmonthly.com I December 2014 I 21 COLOR 22 I December 2014 I www.facebook.com/thebuzzmonthly The Prairie Land Buzz Make Your Holiday sparkle Virden Jewelry Store Offers Unique Custom Designed Pieces Written by David Hopper Some of the most popular jewelry designs at Jamies-The Diamond Mine are their unique pendants and rings. Jamie’s - The Diamond Mine is a locally owned jewelry store in Virden, Illinois. Owners Kelly and Cliff Hughes have dedicated their lives to ensuring their customers have the best shopping experience possible. Their motto is ‘ ‘If you don’t know your jewelry, know your jeweler’. Prior to the Hughes family taking ownership of the business, Jamie’s had existed at its current location as a jewelry store since 1970. At one time, three Jamie’s jewelry stores existed - in Virden, Girard, and Pana. Owners of the stores consolidated to the Virden location in the 1980’s. In 1993, Cliff and Kelly purchased the store and added ‘The Diamond Mine’ to the name. “Jamie’s was a very well respected and successful jewelry store,” Cliff said, “We did not want to change the name completely, so we added to it, creating Jamie's - The Diamond Mine.” Kelly and Cliff each have extensive experience in the jewelry field. Kelly was introduced to the jewelry industry through a high school cooperative education course and Cliff got involved after high school. They met in 1979 at Gem City College in Quincy. The two jewelry experts married in 1980 and spent their first 13 years together working in Chicago before purchasing the original Jamie’s business and moving to Virden. The couple share the responsibility of the The Prairie Land Buzz business. Cliff is in charge of operations and sales and Kelly is the goldsmith and designer. “Kelly creates, builds, assembles, repairs and restores most of the jewelry right on the premises. It is crucial to our success to have her in the store,” Cliff explained. Jamie’s - The Diamond Mine strives to provide exemplary jewelry services to each customer and they specialize in providing custom services to meet their specific requests. They offer comprehensive jewelry shopping services, including loose diamonds, engagement rings, wedding bands, diamond pendants & earrings, custom design, on site jewelry repair and restoration, watch repair and restoration, and bead and pearl re-stringing. Jamie’s - The Diamond Mine also offers layaway options, appraisals, insurance replacement, and complimentary gift wrapping with every purchase. “Our most popular items are our unique design rings, pendants, and bracelets,” Cliff said. “We love this profession and what we do for our customers on a daily basis,” he added. “They come to us for everything from new and exciting one-of-a kind creations for engagements, anniversaries and other special occasions to advice on heirloom pieces that have been in their families for years. Customers often bring in several ‘old’ pieces including broken chains, rings with stones missing, or dated pieces. We can custom d esign something new and current while using the old metal and stones. Sometimes customers are overwhelmed with the new piece. It is very rewarding to take granddads or grandmas old jewelry that was in a box or in a drawer and create a new current piece that can be worn again.” Jamie’s - The Diamond Mine also carries products through several industry leading vendors, including Allison-Kaufman Company, Breuning, Danish Design, Debbie Brooks (New York), Simply Engaging, Under the Crown, and HL. “We have had a business relationship with most vendors for over 20 years,” commented Cliff, “In this business, ‘your word’ is the key to longevity and your integrity is crucial to the staying power of that relationship.” In addition to longstanding collaborations, Kelly and Cliff are constantly considering new vendors for the jewelry store. “We go to jewelry shows every year. We try to find unique, well made merchandise that is manufactured in the USA,” Cliff explained. “But due to manufacturing costs, many items are now made overseas so it is getting harder to find products made in the USA. Each year we go to the Smart Jewelry Show at Navy Pier in Chicago and spend two days. Shows are really exhausting, but the hard work is worth it.” Jamie’s – The Diamond Mine has been recently recognized through the 15 Under Fifteen Small Business Awards as one of the best small businesses within and surrounding Springfield. The 15 Under Fifteen Small Business Awards is a recognition program through United Community Bank and the Springfield Business Journal. Each year, the top 15 small businesses, who meet eligibility requirements, are chosen from many nominations. To be eligible for recognition, the business must employ fewer than 15 employees and have been in business for more than two years. The award was established ‘to recognize, celebrate, and reward excellence in small business, community leadership, and the entrepreneurial spirit vital to Springfield's business community’. “We have worked hard to create a business that is a reflection of us, both artistically and creatively. Our strong nucleus of customers, young and old who support us, come from surrounding towns and up to a 200 mile radius,” Cliff said, “So to be recognized with this award is a great honor.” Jamie’s - The Diamond Mine has earned praise for the excellence in customer service even before their recognition as a 15 Under Fifteen Small Business Award recipient however. “In 2012, we were recognized by INSTORE Magazine, a respected industry magazine, as one of Americas’ ’COOL STORES’, Cliff added. INSTORE conducts an annual contest through which they honor jewelry stores throughout the nation, with respect to all facets of their organization. This includes advertising, merchandising, store appearance, location, etc. Jamies-The Diamond Mine received Honorable Mention. Although jewelry is purchased year ‘round, Cliff explained that there are some predetermined times when they are busier. “Valentine’s Day, birthdays and anniversaries are all times when customers will be purchasing jewelry but Christmas time is the busiest. Many of our customers start their Christmas gift planning in October. They provide us with their ideas for custom jewelry early since they know that it can take 4-6 weeks to assemble their one-of-a-kind pieces.” Even if you didn’t get a custom order in early to Jamie’s they can still help make your holiday sparkle, with an extensive inventory of jewelry for the last minute shopper. “We have 14 showcases full of wonderful pieces that need a good home,” Cliff smiled. Rings, watches and necklaces are mere objects until they are hand selected, customized and given to their intended recipients. At that time they become cherished keepsakes. Kelly and Cliff can help you find that special gift for the loved one in your life this holiday season. Jamie’s - The Diamond Mine is making it easier to get that perfect gift for your loved one this holiday season. They will be holding their annual Christmas Open House on December 5th and 6th and offering store wide sales of 20% off through Christmas. Some select items are up to 50% off of retail price. Jamie’s – The Diamond Mine is located on the north side of the square in downtown Virden. They can also be found online at www.jamiestdm.com. Through their website, customers can get to know their jewelers passion for their craft and their intent to serve the needs of their customers in their own words. Customers can browse pictures of custom jewelry to better plan for their own jewelry needs, check for upcoming events, review recent news, and provide their own testimony regarding their experiences. Customers can also keep up with Jamie’s – The Diamond Mine through its Facebook page or can call the store at 217-965-4542. www.thebuzzmonthly.com I December 2014 I 23 Golden Advice The Top Ten Gifts for Coin Collectors Written by Jesse Gernigin Happy holidays readers! I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving and shared some special time with friends and family. I am writing this column during one of the largest drops in gold’s value. As of writing, gold has dropped below $1250.00 an ounce (down from a little under $1800.00 an ounce more than a year ago). Later in the article I will talk about the costs you’ll pay when investing in gold. If gold is still low when you read this, consider investing and take advantage of its historic low. In the last article I mentioned that I would talk about the top ten gifts for the holiday season so I’ll start with that. A big seller right now is Kennedy and Lincoln assassination coincidence frames. These are coin frames with one Kennedy half dollar and one Lincoln penny set into a backing that explains the many weird coincidences between the two men, their offices 24 I December 2014 I and assassinations. These are very popular this year as it is the fifty year anniversary of Kennedy’s death. Three affordable pieces customers love this time of year are painted silver eagles. These are one ounce silver coins, minted in America, and colorized. Lucite coin cases are popular this time of year. They are cheap ways to display mediocre coins and make them look amazing. Collectors will also be buying Dansco books to help people display their collections. If you are interested in resale to make some holiday cash without investing a large amount I suggest trying to sell the blue Dansco books or Lucite block holders. They have a low wholesale cost and are easy to move. Four mid-cost pieces that sell well are coin lots for costlier coins. Four different coin lots that sell during the holidays are www.facebook.com/thebuzzmonthly Indian Head Pennies (1900 dates sell best), Liberty Nickels, Washington State Quarters and rolls of Buffalo Nickels. Collectors love piecing through coin lots to find key dates or switch out pieces to their collections. Buying coin lots are popular but a lot of collectors will only be comfortable buying from coin shops. If you want to try to resell coin lots, make sure you have customers. The last two pieces that sell well are 1/10 ounce American Gold Eagles or Silver Premier coin sets. Both pieces are expensive and make great gifts for that special coin collector in your life. With that said, my advice is to avoid investing in these last two products for resale as they have large up-front costs, require a specific market to sell to and have a very small profit margin. Back to gold...it’s at a historic low right now. If you have been looking for a low hurdle to get into the market, now is the time. Understand that just because the market is low doesn’t mean it can’t go lower. Gold is a volatile market and can produce large gains as well as large losses. Right now the premium for getting into the market is small. Let me explain what a premium is. Good gold and coin shops buy gold or silver at a slight loss to the market (ie-if silver is at $20 an ounce they might pay $19 dollars an ounce) and then resell at a percentage above the fee, usually twenty to thirty percent. You can get gold or silver at a smaller premium if you build a relationship with a coin and gold shop. If the shop knows they can call you to lock you in to a price and that you can pay cash, the premium you pay can drop up to 20%. This deal will only be offered to customers shops knows well and have come to trust. If you are interested in this, understand that this chance won’t be offered right away. The best entry into the gold market with the easiest to manage premium is 1/10 oz gold coins. They have a manageable premium and a low precious metal value. You can buy gold as low as a ½ gram of .999 purity, but these bars (along with 1 gram bars) are very popular right now and carry higher premiums with little resale return on your premium. If you are considering investing in gold, another plus to consider is that gold usually bumps up after the holidays. Gold tends to rise in value to back the post holiday slump in consumer purchasing. Hiring also drops for a short period post holiday season and there have been occasions where hiring slumps have boosted the precious metals market (although not always). So keep your eyes open and be sure to have a happy holiday! The Prairie Land Buzz Downtown Gillespie Celebrates the season with annual Holiday sparkle The Coal Country Chamber of Commerce maintains tradition with their “Holiday Sparkle,” and activities are planned for Friday, December 5, and Saturday, December 6. Holiday Sparkle Open House will run from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Friday, December 5, and from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Saturday. All during this time, downtown eateries will have special discounts and participating businesses will have special offers. too. During the Holiday Sparkle Open House hours, downtown businesses will be conducting sales and in-store promotions on both days. Downtown Gillespie businesses are going to showcase Holiday Sparkle with colorful displays of Christmas themes and enticing specials of the season while the Coal Country Chamber of Commerce Choo Choo chugs up and down the streets. Holiday shoppers and visitors can ride the Choo Choo FREE and stop in the retail shops to enjoy the warmth and the bargains. The chamber’s Sixteenth Annual Snack with Santa at the Illinois Valley Center at 217 E. Walnut (next to the Gillespie Police station) will be held from 8:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, December 6. Santa will arrive at 8:30 at the Illinois Valley Center for Snack with Santa. He will stay until 11:30 to visit with each of the children attending and hear their special requests for Christmas. During the Snack with Santa, a digital picture of the child with Santa will be taken in front of a Christmas background. Clients and staff of the Illinois Valley Center will do their usual beautiful decorating of the background. Each child will receive a snack of Prairie Farms milk or juice and a treat from Casey’s General Store served by the VFW Ladies Auxiliary 4547 of Gillespie. There is a donation of $5 for Snack with Santa which includes the digital photo, the The Prairie Land Buzz snack, a ticket to ride the Choo Choo, a goodie bag, and a letter mailed to him or her from Santa. Across the street from Snack with Santa is the Illinois Valley Barn in the Garden Gift Shop where delightful crafts which are handmade by clients of Illinois Valley are displayed and offered at special prices for this event. The shop will be open for business on December 6 from 9 a.m. until noon. An Exotic Petting Zoo will be stationed in the parking lot of UCB Bank. Besides the Alaskan Reindeer, full grown hump-backed camels, zebu, and water buffalo can be petted and fed by the children from 9 a.m. until noon on Saturday. Coal Country Chamber businesses who have sponsored this Snack with Santa and the Petting Zoo are 1st BancFinancial, Greg Craine, Agent; Amore’ Restaurant; Country Financial/Tina Olroyd, Agent; Dairy Queen of Gillespie; Dee-Dee’s Designs; Drew Ford; Farmers Insurance, Adam Tallman, Agent; FNB/Benld Banking Center; Louann Brown, Friends of the Gillespie Library; Furniture Rescue; Gina Gucciardo, CPA; Hampton Inn; Hebenstreit Apartments; Hick’s Maytag Appliance Center; Michelle’s Pharmacy of Gillespie; New Belongings Aquatic and Hobby Center; Reid’s Service; Stan’s Barber Shop; State Farm/Jessica Ely, Agent; Sullivan Drug, Inc., UCB/Gillespie Banking Center. Businesses offering special holiday savings include, but are not limited to, DeeDees Florals and Designs, Michelle’s Pharmacy, Phyllbena’s, New Belongings Aquatic Center, Furniture Rescue, Castles Treasurs Resale Shop and Chiefs II Grill. Prairie Farms is donating the beverage for Snack with Santa and VFW Auxiliary ladies as well as Illinois Valley and Chamber volunteers make the opportunities for chil- Snack with Santa in Gillespie includes a digital photo with St. Nick, a ticket to ride the Coal Country Chamber of Commerce Choo Choo, a goodie bag and a letter mailed to the child from Santa. dren possible. Holiday Sparkle, Snack with Santa, the CCCC Choo Choo, and the Exotic Petting Zoo will provide an opportunity for consumers to “Shop Local, Buy Local”, and for celebration in enjoying the holiday season in downtown Gillespie. More information on Snack with Santa, the Choo Choo and other activities of the Coal Country Chamber of Commerce can be found on the web site: www.coalcountrychamber.com and the Coal Country Facebook page. Please leave a message at 217-710-5218 if you wish to contact the Chamber or email at [email protected]. www.thebuzzmonthly.com I December 2014 I 25 26 I December 2014 I www.facebook.com/thebuzzmonthly The Prairie Land Buzz The Prairie Land Gardener Groom Your Poinsettia to Bloom again Written by Abby Dillon Throughout the holiday season, many homes are brightened by the cheery poinsettia, Euphorbia pulcherrima. This tropical plant is native to Mexico, where it can grow to be 10-15’ tall. A lovely Christmas tradition, more than 70 million plants are sold nationwide each year. Poinsettias range in color among many shades of red, pink, burgundy, orange and white. The richly colored part of the plant is not a flower, but a modified leaf, called a bract. Its color persists through the winter and with moderate care, this houseplant can be groomed to bloom again. When selecting a poinsettia, be sure to choose a healthy plant with dark green leaves. Yellow leaves and those that drop off the plant entirely can be an indication of poor handling or lack of sufficient water and/or fertilizer. These plants are grown in a greenhouse, with temperatures kept between 60 and 70 degrees F, therefore they should be carefully wrapped to limit exposure to the frigid outside temperatures. The Prairie Land Buzz Once you’ve reached home, place the plant in the sunniest location your home can provide. If that happens to be in a windowsill, it is best that the plant doesn’t touch the pane. Water the plant when the soil feels dry to the touch and the plant seems light when lifted. Provide enough water that excess drips from the drainage holes at the bottom of the pot. I like to place my houseplants in the bathtub or sink so that the water can drain out and any soil can easily be wiped up. Insufficient watering will result in leaves that wilt and drop, whereas too much water will result in leaves that yellow and drop. If your poinsettia is placed near a vent, you can expect it will dry out quickly. Fertilizing monthly will help keep the plant healthy throughout the season. The plant can be moved outside when the night temperatures remain above 50 degrees F. In our area, that usually occurs mid-May, after Mother’s Day. At this time, prune each shoot down 4-6”. Transplant it into a larger pot, using a good quality potting soil. Water it in thoroughly and continue to fertilize every two weeks. A somewhat shaded spot will do fine at this point. In July, remove about an inch off each stem. This is called a “pinch”. You are removing the growing tip of the branch, encouraging growth along the stem. Again in late August, pinch each stem. Failure to pinch will result in a tall, leggy plant. You want your poinsettia to be a thick, bush, full of bracts. By mid-September, the night temperatures will begin to fall below the comfort level for a tropical poinsettia. Bring your plant in to maintain that 65 degree F comfort zone. Continue fertilization every two weeks. At the beginning of October, a critical step must be taken in order to get a poinsettia to the flowering stage in time for the Christmas season. A poinsettia requires ten weeks of short days in order to flower. This means that the plant needs to be in complete darkness from the hours of 5pm to 8am. To achieve this you can place some sort of opaque box over the plant, but it must be thick and heavy enough that no light can get in. Another way to provide darkness is to move the plant to a closet or basement where no light is provided. Opening doors or leaving on overhead light will delay the blooming of the poinsettia. The short-day regimen can be discontinued in early December, when color begins to appear on the bracts. At this point, stop fertilizing and enjoy the glory of another sea- son of Christmas cheer! Although poinsettias have a reputation for being poisonous, studies have proven that there is no toxicity to the plant at all. If a good deal of the plant is consumed by a human or a pet, a stomach ache is a possibility, but such is the case with all houseplants. There is a milky sap that oozes out from a broken branch, found in all plants in the euphorbia family, like milkweed and ‘Diamond Frost’. Some sensitive skin types can experience an itchy dermatitis from the sap. Carefully handle the plant, avoid rubbing your eyes, and wash your hands thoroughly afterward. Abby Dillon is the owner of La Bella Fiori Greenhouse and Garden Center in Staunton. 217-313-1001 • www.labellafiori.com. La Bella Fiori is closed for the season but will re-open in May. www.thebuzzmonthly.com I December 2014 I 27 Heifer international and Barb’s Journey Written by Cindy Ladage Barb Oakes is an Area Volunteer Coordinator for Heifer International and has been part of this group since 2002. Traveling to Poland, the Republic of Czech, the Philippine Islands, Honduras and Armenia as well as all over the US, Oakes has been a part of several study tours which Heifer International has completed over the years. These study tours offered her a chance to see how the projects worked first hand. It has been a rewarding experience that has changed Oakes life and the lives of those she has worked with. In 2001 Barb received a catalog for Heifer International. After reading she found that the core to Heifer’s International is what they refer to as “Passing on the Gift”. Families are provided with livestock that will serve as a way for them to make a living. They then share the training they receive, and pass on the first female offspring of their livestock whether it be a cow, water buffalo, chicken, etc. to another family. The website explains, “This extends the impact of the original gift, allowing a once impoverished family to become donors and full participants in improving their communities.” 28 I December 2014 I In 2002, Barb retired from her job as a social worker for the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. In 2006 she moved from Springfield to Girard. Barb said, “I had served people all my life and knew that people don’t want hand outs, they need a hand up. I could see how this could work.” When she saw the purpose of every Heifer project is to help families achieve self-reliance, Barb was hooked. She contacted the regional office in Goshen, Indiana and soon was serving in an educational role talking to churches, schools etc. about Heifer International. The Heifer projects provide the recipients with the tools they need to sustain themselves. Barb recalls one Polish woman that received honey bees as her project and she provided homemade bread and honey for the school lunches until she could pass on a new hive. “We help a lot of orphanages, pass alongs can also be to provide them with milk,” Barb said. Heifer International has its roots in North- www.facebook.com/thebuzzmonthly ern Indiana. “The founder, Dan West lived near Goshen, Indiana. He was an educator and a member of the Church of the Brethren who were conscientious objectors.” West served as a relief worker in Spain during their Civil War. “Dan was originally sent in 1937 to Spain and returned in 1939. The Brethren would go to take care of refugees and they insisted on helping those on both sides of the War,” Barb explained. The program he worked with offered hungry men, women and children powdered milk. “This bothered Dan, seeing parents so down-hearted because they couldn’t take care of their family. They always ran out of powdered milk before they were done and they told him that they were going to start weighing babies and those that were too small they couldn’t serve anymore. This bothered him; he had children of his own. He said, ‘What these children need is a cow not a cup.’ “ When West arrived back home he presented the idea of taking real cows to those in need to his neighbors and church and this led to the formation of the Heifers for Relief Committee in 1939. The charity became incorporated in 1944. Heifers International sent their first shipment of 17 heifers to Puerto Rico. On their website http://www.heifer.org they state, “That “teach a man to fish” philosophy is what drove West to found Heifer Project International.” Shipments were sent to Europe and Greece and other places after the war. Peggy Reif Miller gathered information about the men and ships that delivered the livestock to war torn countries after the close of World War II. She states, “… the Brethren Service Committee had a dilemma: the Heifer Project had over 1,000 heifers ready to ship, but no ships. The United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation (UNRRA), created by 44 nations in November 1943 to provide postwar relief, also had a dilemma. They had ships, but no cattle tenders for the 200,000 head of livestock they planned to ship to devastated countries. UNRRA knew about the Brethren shipment to Puerto Rico and the interest of the Brethren in sending heifers to Europe, and a partnership was born. The Brethren Service Committee would recruit the livestock attendants for UNRRA’s shipments, and UNRRA would ship the Brethren heifers free of charge.” The men that worked with the livestock were dubbed Seagoing Cowboys and between June 24, 1945 and mid-1947, over 7,000 men and boys from all across the United States and Canada volunteered to serve. The stories of these men served as fodder for a book. Log onto http://www.seagoingcowboys.com/index.ht ml for more information. Since the 1980’s animals are picked from the countries where the program is underway rather than shipped from the US. “We have been in the countries long enough that they can get the animals there,” Barb said, “I was in Poland in 2005 and we bought animals from a famrer that we helped years ago. We can trace animals back to the first shipment.” In Perryville, Arkansas the Heifer Ranch The Prairie Land Buzz Tthe Heifer Ranch in Perryville, Arkansa is where the animals were kept before sending out a shipment. The ranch is an educational place where groups can come and learn about world hunger and sustainability. is where the animals were kept before sending out a shipment. Today the ranch is an educational place where groups can come and learn about world hunger and sustainability. “This project really shows what one person can do,” Barb said. Heifer International has been in 124 countries over the history of the organization, and today they are currently are active in 30. Since 2011 volunteers study tours are on hold. Now they rely on staff and project partners native to the country where the project is being implemented to kick start the programs. But while she was able, Barb Oakes enjoyed the opportunity to assist in international projects. She passed along how life is so different from place to place. “I visited one area in the Philippines where the tribal people until the The Prairie Land Buzz 1990’s still fought battles with spears and wooden shields. They were like street gangs in West Side story.” Working with both sides of groups has paid off. “There is a lot of peace projects for widows and young children designed to bring together people from both sides,” Barb explained. “There are so many places where women can’t own anything or even go out,” Barb said, adding that the program has changed , that in some areas where men have to leave the rural areas to find work leaving the woman behind to fend for the family. The projects allow her ownership and an income to feed her children while the man is away. Barb has immersed herself in the program and has had fun over the last 12 years trying to purchase every animal in the catalog. Instead of a Christmas Barb Oakes has an Ark. When she buys an animal for Heifers International she adds that animal to her ark and puts it out at Christmas time. She has chosen this rather than purchasing Christmas presents. Instead of a Christmas tree she has an Ark. When she buys an animal for Heifers she adds that animal to her ark and puts it out at Christmas time. She has chosen this rather than purchasing Christmas presents. Barb Oakes provides presentations and works with projects all over the US. She has received several awards. In 2005 she was the Volunteer of the Year for Heifer’s Midwest Region of the US. In 2007, Blackburn College in Carlinville recognized her with the Alumni Humanitarian of the Year Award for her work with Heifer International and several other social service ventures here in central Illinois. Barb Oakes is available to speak to groups, present information tables for educational events and church conventions, and to assist groups with fund raising projects for Heifer International. Barb can be contacted at [email protected] or 217.341.8448 to request more information, or to request a speaker for an event. www.thebuzzmonthly.com I December 2014 I 29 30 I December 2014 I www.facebook.com/thebuzzmonthly The Prairie Land Buzz The Prairie Land Buzz www.thebuzzmonthly.com I December 2014 I 31 sweet angel Benefit Community Holding Fundraiser for Family that Lost 4 in Train Collision Written by Tara L. Cale Unless you are an absolute recluse, and you can’t be if you are reading The Buzz, then you know about the mother and three children that were killed by a train in Vandalia on their way to a Halloween parade. Maybe that is all that you know, that it happened. And maybe that is enough to know. But I’m going to tell you more, so maybe you can understand the depth of this tragedy just a bit more, and be inspired to help the family that remains. Cystal (Anna) Bone of Greenville, and four of her children, were on their way to the Vandalia Halloween parade on Thursday, October 30th. In researching various news stories there are some slight variations in the reports, and some speculation as to why this tragedy happened. Some say Crystal drove around safety gates and into the path of the freight train that hit them. As a mother, I can’t comprehend that a mother would knowingly jeopardize her childrens’ lives in that manner. So I tend to agree with the ones that say it was just a senseless accident. The railroad crossing intersection is very unique. It could be confusing to someone from a different town that is not familiar with it. The crossing has two tracks and a city street also parallels the tracks. It was dark and raining that night, with lots of traffic because of the Halloween parade that was about to start. Fayette Coroner Bruce Bowen and Illi- 32 I December 2014 I nois State Police Master Sgt. Shad Payne said it appeared that Anna, going south, drove past flashing signals and a crossing gate and was struck about 6:48 p.m. by an eastbound CSX train, which pushed the vehicle off the tracks. It was raining at the time and traffic in the area was congested, Bowen said, “But the way it is set up, she still should have been able to see the train. I think she possibly was just trying to beat the train to get to the parade on time.” However, Desiree Fischer, of Vandalia, who said she witnessed the crash, insisted that the van did not pass the gates but instead was trapped at the crossing before the train arrived. “She had been sitting for a few minutes off the tracks,” Fischer said. “The cars moved ahead of her. She pulled up to go over the tracks, and the car in front of her stopped. That’s when the lights started flashing and then boom, the train hit them.” But Vandalia Police Chief Jeff Ray, who reviewed a recording from a camera on the locomotive, said the vehicle “appeared to be moving across the tracks at a normal rate of speed when it was struck.” He acknowledged that the black-and-white images were grainy, but said, “It looked to me like the driver was completely unaware that a train was bearing down. She definitely wasn’t stuck in traffic.” Regardless of why it happened, the fact www.facebook.com/thebuzzmonthly Back row from left to right: Drake, Dalton and Alyssa. Front row: Dylan and Abbie. Only the two boys in the center survive. remains that when the train finally was able to stop about 1/2 mile north of the crossing where the collision occurred, that 18-yearold Alyssa and 10-year-old Abbie were found dead inside the van. Their brother, 13-year old Drake was found on the tracks and at first believed to be a pedestrian killed by flying debris. It was later determined he was thrown from the vehicle. He too was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver, and mother of the children, 35-year old Crystal, was airlifted to a St. Louis hospital and died from her injuries the next day. A fourth sibling in the SUV, 9-year old Dylan was airlifted to a St. Louis hospital also. Dylan survived and returned home to his father, Scott Wisnasky, and another brother, Dalton, who were not in the vehicle at the time of the accident. A funeral was held for the other four members of the family on Friday, November 7th and the two boys and their father now struggle to cope with a depth of sorrow and pain that most of us cannot even fathom. In addition to the emotional turmoil that their lives have been thrown into, there is also a financial toll. A cost for one funeral is overwhelming in itself - imagine paying for four at one time. The communities of Greenville, Vandalia and Highland have rallied support for the family. Students that attended school with the children that were killed have organized fundraisers to help pay for headstones. And now the community is rallying once again and asking for your help. A benefit named “Sweet Angel” will be held on Saturday, December 20th at the Greenville VFW (2043 S. 4th Street). The evening begins at 6 p.m. and lasts until midnight. The event features a live auction, silent auction, 50/50 raffle, door prizes, food by Wes Pourchot and DJ Joel Lewis. Tickets are $15/person or $25/couple. There is no admission charge for anyone under 18 years old. All money raised will go to provide the two surviving boys the merriest Christmas possible while they mourn the loss of their mother and siblings, and establish an education fund for them as well. Everyone understands that this event is really close to Christmas. You are already busy, stressed out and have little extra money, if any. But perhaps you can take this time to reflect not on what you don’t have, but what you do. Imagine if you can what has been stripped from the lives of these young boys, and perhaps you can find it in your heart to participate in this fundraiser in some form, whether it be donating to the auction, attending and bidding on the items, or making a monetary donation, no matter how small. If everyone does just a little, it will add up to something big for Dalton and Dylan. Imagine this....we print 6,000 copies of The Buzz Magazine each month. We already know that the magazine is passed on to family and friends so the readership is higher than that. People also read it online. But for the sake of argument, let’s assume that there are 6,000 readers. If each of those readers gave just one $1.00... that’s $6,000 for the family. Now... let’s assume that each reader donated $5. That would be $30,000 raised. That is why I said if everyone does just a little, it will add up to something big for Dalton and Dylan. Consider that a challenge. To make a donation or for more information, contact Jackie Green at 618-339-8132, Steffany Bone at 618-708-0168 or Ragged Graphics in Greenville at 618-7915172. The Prairie Land Buzz Follow My Fitness some recipes Just Don’t Cut it Written by Tara L. Cale Each month it amazes me that this column is so popular... since I started it over a year ago and have not made much progress. Then again, it does NOT amaze me, because it illustrates what the majority of people go through in their struggle to get and stay healthy. So quickly, let me tell you that I did NOT meet my goals posted from last month. I did not lose another 10 lbs and I did not get back in the gym on a REGULAR basis. I do plan on starting back at the gym Monday morning, December 1st though. There are many personal reasons for this, besides the fact that I am at an unhealthy weight at this point and I just am going to DO IT! Now... let’s get to recipes... that is one of the most popular features of this column. Readers are consistently telling me that they try the recipes I publish, and most of them love those recipes... like we do. So this past month we tried quite a few new low carb recipes that we were hoping to share with you. Unfortunately, with the exception of one new recipe that a reader shared with us, the new recipes we tried here left MUCH to be desired. The first one we tried was Chocolate Mousse Caramel Pecan Cheesecake. I almost opted not to try this one because the number of steps were many, as were the ingredients, but it looked and sounded so yummy. I mean think about it... the crust is pecans ground in a food processor mixed with melted butter, with a bit of sweeterner added. The filling contains cream cheese, sour cream and cocoa. A homemade caramel sauce which is basically heavey cream, butter and sweetener gets drizzled over the top. Decadent right? Not so much. Tony took one bite and said no thanks. I tried to eat it because frankly I hated to throw away all those ingredients, but I just couldn’t get past the chemical-like after taste, which I am assuming was from the artificial sweetener. So it got tossed. The next recipe we tried was Turkey Crusted Crockpot Breakfast Casserole. Okay... turkey... it’s healthy. We have used ground turkey in recipes before with great success. And a breakfast you cook in the crock pot overnight ... what’s not to love about that? The photo of the dish looked amazing too. I woke up the next morning to the smell of it and it smelled delicious. Bubbly melted cheese was brown on top of a mixture of egges, onion, red peppers and cottage cheese in the ground turkey shell. Low Carb Breakfast Casserole 1 lb ground sausage, browned and drained 4 oz softened cream cheese 1/4 small onion, diced 1/4 small green pepper, diced 6 well beaten eggs 1/2 cup shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese Our finished product looked just as amazing as the professional photo that accompanied the recipe, but... the only thing amazing about it WAS how it looked. It really just was not edible. The flavor and texture both were very offensive. I felt guilty tossing it out, but I don’t think the dogs would have even eaten it. I tried making pepperoni chips and homemade low carb cheez-it style crackers. Now both of these turned out okay but you do NOT want to overcook the pepperoni. But you DO want to cook the cheese longer than you think... and use less salt than they call for. As I said, they were both acceptable, we ate it all eventually but it was not the “oh my gosh” this is so good feeling that I was hoping to find in a low carb snack. And I’m not sure it was worth all the effort either. Heat oven to 3500 F. Spray 8-9” square inch pan with non-stock coating. Press sausage into bottom of pan. Cut cream cheese into pieces and distribute evenly over sausage. Sprinkle with onions and peppers. Pour eggs over mixture. Sprinkle shredded cheese on top. Bake 20 minutes or until eggs are set. Cool 5 minutes before serving. If I decide to try those recipes again and they turn out better... I will share. Fortunately, the next recipe we tried, submitted by reader Marilan Weber, was just as delicious as she promised it would be. So for this month, I bring you Low Carb Breakfast Casserole. And tomorrow morning, I start back at the gym, I will be there at 6 am, 5 days a week. I will keep my weight loss goal of just 10 lbs between now and the next issue, but I’m hoping for more. I’m going to work really hard on it. Join me here next month, and in the meantime, try this recipe. Low carbing isn’t just for people that want to lose weight you know, it’s an excellent, healthy way for everyone to eat! Sorry the photo is not in color, I just couldn’t make it fit on a color page.... Mail this form to: The Buzz Magazine • 1110 N. Jefferson st • Litchfield, IL 62056 The Prairie Land Buzz www.thebuzzmonthly.com I December 2014 I 33 34 I December 2014 I www.facebook.com/thebuzzmonthly The Prairie Land Buzz Get The Buzz Delivered right to Your Mailbox! see page 33 for subscription Information The Prairie Land Buzz www.thebuzzmonthly.com I December 2014 I 35 Part iV - The Final installment of: My recollection of White City History For the last 75 years and before Written by Roger Kratochvil Many Sundays White City would have trouble getting 9 guys to play baseball because there was only so many to choose from. One of those Sundays was in 1953 when we played the league leader, Millersburg. We only had 9 players and our catcher was sick. Every couple of innings he would stop the game to go to the fence and get rid of his breakfast. Needless to say, we got beat badly. Because the team was so competitive, we came back in September and beat them for the division championship and than Gillespie for the 3M Championship. Our star pitcher, Ted Tomso got injured and was replaced by aged Al ”Birdie” Brabec and his finger and a half curve ball. He pitched brilliantly and we won the championship over Gillespie. I remember we all got jackets with White City on it. I was only 15, but what a thrill! When I talk to different people and ask them to name excellent players that they knew, they mention the following names. Whenever you list names you risk leaving some out but I will risk it. Nick Vuckovich told me that George Schultz was one of the best hitters he has ever seen. This list will come from people who have seen many of these players that I have not. This incomplete list of great ballplayers from White City are: Malateks (Jay, Doc, and Bill), Kaganichs (Itch, Nick, Boob, Kurt, Paul), Tuns (Joe, Henry and Jerry), Zupsichs (Tom, Joe, Bones, and Mike), Bellovich (George, Belly, and Tony), Lipinski (Paul), Lantermo (Pete), King (Art), Radonavich (John), Busonic (Steve), Kratochvil (Louis, Frank, Jerry, Joe, Don, Roger), Spurney (Joe), Mihelcic (Bill), Wimberlys ( Joe), Gruendahl (Omar and Norman), Zippays (Mike and Alan) and Plain(Corky). I cannot talk about White City sports without discussing woman’s softball. The Woman’s Miner Auxiliary softball team competed on the field just east of the hardball field. A number of years the team was managed by Tony Lipinski. Woman such as: Dorothy and Helen Brachman, Caroline Zippay, Ann Ratzman, Anna Popovich, Gertrude Lichtenthaler, Lorraine Viehweg, Norma Gruendahl, Lillian Sleboda, Martha Kunz, and Katie Kaganich are names mentioned to me as playing for White City. Later there were other teams that played on a diamond just north of the grade school and diagonally across from Popovich Grocery. A number of other woman like Ann Yanez and Ann Zupsich Morris, played in Litchfield when they could get there. One of the most important buildings in the village was the school. White City actually had three schools during its history, but not at the same time. One of the schools was located in the northwest section of town near 36 I December 2014 I the Beehive. Another one was located also on the north side, just south of route 138 in that open area. That building was basically in the very middle of that block facing the east and it served later as the village hall. The building that served as our school from about 1926 to 1957 was located where the village hall is today. The sidewalk from the west went right up to the front door of the school. The school, after it closed, served as the village hall. It burned down later and arson was suspected. I am told that classes ranged from a number of 16 down to about 3. My class, for instance, consisted of four students. Bob Tun, Agnes Kilduff, Bob Kilduff, and myself. Students in town often walked home for lunch. I can remember when I was in about 3rd grade walking home with Larry ”Shots” Scheller. We always had to stop on the sidewalk by Paula Schneider’s house to play with the ants on the sidewalk by putting broken glass over their hills and watching them through the glass. In the spring, we would stop at Tony Suchy’s house for the delicious sugar pears. I don’t guess he ever had to pick up any off the ground because I think we got them before they fell. By the way, Mr. Suchy was the school janitor for many years. There were many teachers at the school and most of them were just an extension of our parents. Remember, many of the students were from hard nose parents and were hardnosed themselves. Some of the teachers would be taxied to the school by Walt’s Taxi or Mike Koval’s taxi. The teachers were excellent teachers and great disciplinarians. One of the earliest teachers at the 1926 building was Alma Lueker. Other teachers were: Sarah Poos, Jim Pechar, Florence Heidinger, Laraine Keiser, Hannah Meyer, Vi Hagerman, Anna Popovich, Mrs. Hoesler, and Mrs. Ackebauer. When I got to school, there were four www.facebook.com/thebuzzmonthly classes to the room. In the southeastern room, classes first to fourth grade conducted studies with one class per row. The room to the west and in the middle of the building was classes 5th through 8th. There were several other rooms that served as a gym and a music room. There was a huge bell on the roof to be rung to get the pupils to school. Later when school lunches were delivered to the school, one room was set up for that and one was the music room. The music room was fun even for a guy like me who loves all styles of music, but has the musical talent of a rock. All of us had to sing a solo and boy, was that a challenge. I had to sing the Two Fat Polka. I still know the words as they were burned into my memory by practice and fear of standing up in front of the class. Once a month, a man came to visit us and brought movies to show us. We always looked forward to that as it was a real treat. All sports consisted of playing at recess and we always played the game that was in season. When we were in 8th grade, someone decided that we should play a couple of games with other towns. We played two against Mt. Olive grade school and 21 against Sawyerville grade school. Our starting 9 consisted of every possible boy we could muster or coerce into playing. We had a lefthanded catcher and a centerfielder who played with shorts on, sunglasses, and a cigarette hanging out of his mouth. Remember, these games were played on a Saturday without school supervision. We won most of our games and our transportation usually consisted of Mr. Heinemeier’s pickup truck. It honestly was a lot of fun. The end of the school year was always a big treat for us as we would have our allschool picnic. We would sell garden seeds from the Hygrade Seed Company to pay for the picnic. The box of seeds, as I recall, was in a green box and the whole box cost $1.00. I think I was lucky to sell one box to my mom. There were games, soda, and lots of ice cream at these picnics. There was always a big softball game during the picnic. I remember those games vividly as I remember running into one of those trees while chasing a fly ball. That did not stop me though from enjoying the picnic with all of our friends and neighbors. For the 8th graders, it was our last time in grade school. 8th grade graduation was a joyous affair and the ceremony was held at the Club Tavern hall. A lot of flowers, reading awards handed out for the number of books read, diplomas presented, and then, we were off to high school. The school building was also used as a meeting place at times for the citizens. In the early part of the century, the government would set up an office in the school to present to the villagers their citizenship papers. One interesting story I have heard was that when the families would show up for these meetings, the men with their pipes and spit cups for the chewers, would show up with their disgusting habits. There was a story about one old timer who smoked a pipe and burned what was available. Today he would burn tobacco, and tomorrow he might burn grape leaves. Chewing tobacco was a necessary evil of many miners. If they had a chew in their mouth, they could not inhale coal dust by way of their mouth. Gagging from the tobacco juice going down the wrong pipe was a sound you did not want to hear. Many smoked cigars and some smoked the crooked cigars called Stogies. From stories I heard, high school could be a scary experience. I remember during the summer I went to my cousin Janice’s house to talk to her and her best friend, Rena Slapak about what to expect from the seniors. Remember, initiation or right of passage, was a practice at that time, and I don’t think they made me feel better with their stories. Up until the 1948-49 school year, all The Prairie Land Buzz White City kids had to walk to high school in Mt. Olive. That was the year that bus transportation was started. I have heard that the girls walking to school were usually on time and the boys were generally late. Once in a while, Mike Koval’s taxi, after taking one of the grade school teachers to work or someone to work in the mine, would pick up the kids and take them to school on his return trip to Mt. Olive. Any of us who played sports at the high school learned to walk that 2 miles every night. Once in a while, Jasper Wenzel, a lawyer, would pick us up when we hitchhiked, but most of the time we walked. Bob Tun’s dad, Henry, would also pick us up when his mine shift worked made him available. But, most of all, we were young and we walked. My dad worked the afternoon mine shift, so you know how many times he picked us up from school. When I started this love story about the people of White City, I mentioned that the strength of the town was its personalities and character. There were definitely a few characters that we grew up with and a lot of lovable personalities. I will always remember Wyoming Jack O’Brien. His real name was Jack Bryant and he was the foreman of the Paradise Ranch in Wyoming. He made regular trips home wearing his ten gallon hat, carrying his six shooter, and actually looked like Buffalo Bill. He was a great story teller. One time he brought with him an Indian from Wyoming, and when someone asked who he was, he said Chief Holy-chek. Wyoming Jack was a national celebrity appearing often on the old Jack Paar television program. He also was the celebrity chef at the annual Carlinville Chamber of Commerce barbecue every year. People told me that he would invite local guys to visit him in Wyoming and that those who accepted his invitation found out that he was a great host. One of the interesting stories about him involved the sign over Chapman Cemetery. The sign read, Chapman Cemetery donated by Wyoming Jack. Most people thought he donated the land for the beautiful cemetery, but in truth, he only donated the sign. By the way, that cemetery is the site many early area settlers including the two Chapman brothers. “Shorty” Zumwalt lived in a small cave west of the north end of White City. He actually had a hole dug into a side of a hill with a small building in front, and he lived there with his dog. Everyone knew him and The Prairie Land Buzz liked him. He walked to the store carrying a knapsack for his groceries. One of my favorite personalities that I got to know in town was Eugene Holachek. Eugene was nearly blind but he would get around just find. Actually my brother and I helped dig the overflow of his pond. At one time he was a watchman at the mine. I remember him as a good storyteller and nice to talk to. There were many bartenders for the number of taverns in town. One of the best known was “Handlebar Hank.” His real name was George Boreta and he wore a big handlebar mustache and worked the Club Tavern. His many friends put that name on him. As you probably realized, many of White City’s citizens had nicknames. A few years ago, Ann Zupsich Morris put together a small book recalling the many nicknames of citizens. I always got a kick out of father and sons having nicknames along the same line. For instance, you had father “Shootum” Tioni and son “Bang Bang” Tioni. One of my favorite taverns to go to when I got old enough was Puda’s Tavern, which replaced Doughbellies. It always was a fun place to go where everyone was a friend when you entered the place and there are numerous funny stories that came out of there. Several brothers had nicknames like “Black Bacon” and “Pick in the Butt (translated).” I can only imagine how he got that name. My dad was ‘porkchop” and my brother was “satch”, but I got out of town without a nickname. I remember Poison, Shoestring, Duke, Shoemaker, Owls, Fish, Yaddie, Bones, Boob, Plachke, Subs, Tamper, Juice, Jedda, Yakamo, Sleeping Jesus, Batto, and probably a hundred more. Many woman had nicknames too, but I will not dwell on that. I am limited by space so that is how far I can go on that topic. When the baseball team played, they always had a collector to support the team. John “Ki” Bellovich was the first collector that I can remember and he had a great disposition for getting people to give money. Well known Mt. Olive resident, Ed Becker Sr., was a big fan of the baseball team and when he had a funeral conflict, he used to make a special trip to White City to make sure that he gave money to the team. That was before my time but I remember Judge Koval always being a big financial supporter of the team in my time. Bill Altfeld, was one of my favorite people. He lived like a hermit in a little shack on the creek in front of Kings Lake road. He was like an Uncle Remus to us. He would sit down with us smoking his curved down pipe and told us wonderful stories. He walked everywhere and unfortunately, on one of his walking trips, he was hit by a car and died. We missed him. This story would not be complete without mentioning the lakes and ponds around White City. Would you believe I cannot swim? Sportmans Lake was built by the Mississsippi Ramblers for fishing and it is located in the area where Lavern Rosenthal lives. They actually issued fishing licenses for the privilege to fish there. Kings Reservoir was the favorite swimming area for all of White City. The rezzie, as we called it, provided all the water to run the mine power plant. A lot of guys learned to swim there by being thrown into the lake by older guys. It was also a favorite fishing spot for both fishing and “hogging.” Those were the favorite ponds and lakes where we had a lot of fun. Finally, the railroad was a very big part of the town. The mine and the railroads worked together to make a profit. I am very fascinated by trains, and often the teacher in school would have to scold me for watching the trains when I should have been paying attention to her. Seems like I remember a swat for that one time. I use to marvel at the stories told to me by cousin “Buddy” when he was an engineer on the railroad. I always thought that would be an exciting career. He and Lou Hannig started on the railroad while they were in high school on a part time basis. During the early part of the mine existence, the mine would once in a while bring in a boxcar of fruit for the citizens. Bananas was the most popular fruit, especially when it was free. I also remember picking up the discarded flares sitting along side the tracks. When you got a long flare that could still be used, it was perfect for the 4th of July fireworks. Once in a while the slack pile would catch fire and smolder. The smell was putrid as it could not be put out. It would burn itself out eventually, but with the wind usually blowing from the west, I am sure the Mt. Olive area remembers that smell very well. Omar Gruendahl has to go down as one of the bravest citizens. He once climbed the 240 foot smokestack at the mine and then proceeded to walk the rim of the opening. We don’t know why he did it but the witnesses told me it was quite a site. Parts of the ladder that he had to climb on were rusty and worn, but he succeeded in this feat. Finally, the end of this labor is coming to an end. I hope most of you enjoyed my effort in telling the story of White City. I appreciate the many calls and kind words. When you name names, you risk getting criticized for naming names and sometimes for not naming somebody. I know one thing for sure, and that is, that this was a labor of love. Most every name I mentioned, I tried to mention them in a positive way and with love and respect for all villagers. I remember talking a couple of years ago to Joey James, a well known band leader who often played in White City. He told me how much fun it was, and for some reason, he remembered the name, Anton Srp, my neighbor. He wanted to know if he was still alive and I told him that if he was, he would be over 100 years old. I will end this with a tremendous respect for the people whose path I crossed, and I thank those who volunteered information to me. Ever since 1965, when I served as the committee chairman of the history of Mt. Olive for the centennial, I have been sort of the historian of the community. This effort was very time consuming, but it was fun. It was very rewarding. Most of us have moved on in our lives, but I have always believed that, “how can you tell where you are going, if you do not remember where you came from.” Roger Kratochvil was born and raised in White City. He has a Masters Degree in Secondary Education, History and Educational Administration. A social studies teacher, high school football coach, basketball and baseball coach for the Mt. Olive High School. for 34 years, Roger is now a speaker specializing in sports, labor history, education and local history. He has authored numerous newspaper columns, like White City History, For the Love of Trains, Pride of a Coal Miner, Remembering the Class of 1956 and others. Roger also served as a St. Louis Cardinal Scout for over 20 years. You can contact Roger via email at [email protected]. www.thebuzzmonthly.com I December 2014 I 37 38 I December 2014 I www.facebook.com/thebuzzmonthly The Prairie Land Buzz The Prairie Land Buzz www.thebuzzmonthly.com I December 2014 I 39 The cLassIfIeDs heLP WaNTeD aND BusINesses oPPorTuNITIes APPLICATIONs/REsuMEs now being accepted for all positions (cook, hostess/server, dishwasher) to accomodate upcoming expansion. Bring your resume by in person or mail to Gasperoni’s Italian Restaurant, Grocery and Deli, 416 Livingston Ave, Livingston, IL. NEEDED IMMEDIATELY - local contractor looking for EXPERIENCED workers to start immediately. Call or text 217-556-8471. hoMes/aPTs for saLe/reNT ExCELLENT LOCATION - this business been operating profitabley as a resale shop with summer icee drink stand for 18 years but the location would make it perfect for ANY business. Sits on high traffic count Route 127 right on main route through Greenville. Sale includes business, fixtures, building and land. For more information contact Lester at Bond County Realtors, 618-6644232 or visit www.bondcountyrealtors.com. PROFITABLE BusINEss FOR sALE Lighthouse Antique Mall which has been operating profitably for the past 7 years is now for sale. 55 booths, currently all rented. High visibility to Interstate 55 with easy access. For information call 217-324-6111. DO YOu hAvE ThE DREAM? Historic Restaurant, built circa 1875, in Highland, IL for sale. Turn-key business with friendly ghosts included in price is less than 5 miles from I-70. Serious buyers only can call for more information: 618-277-4400. Ask for Michael Pierceall, BARBERMurphy Group. PROPERTY FOR sALE - industrial or residential site with city utilities. Various plots to choose from. Two hay crops a year. Virden, IL. Call 217-965-3551. (ufn) ROOM FOR RENT - with private bath. $250/month, includes utilities. Near SIUE in Edwardsville. Female preferred. Call 618-671-0150 for more information. (ufn) hOusE FOR sALE IN whITE CITY 3 BR with 1 remodeled bath, very nice kitchen cabinets, unfinished basement. Roof 2 years old, newer siding and windows, central air, nice cedar front porch, 2 car garage on 1 acre m/l lot. Asking $49, 500, call 618-830-8099. (UFN) NICE hOusE FOR A NICE PRICE - Well built 2/3 BR, 2 BA brick ranch. Hardwood floors, remodeled bathroom, 1958 sq ft. 112 Midway Ave, Cottage Hills, IL. Good value for $86,900. Call for appointment. 618-604-9723. (ufn) 2 BR APARTMENT for rent with washer/dryer hookups. Includes water/heat/trash. Security deposit and 1 year lease required. $600/month. Staunton, 618-444-7222. (UFN) auToMoTIve wANTED TO BuY: antique pie safe, jelly cupboard, flat and stepback cupboards, dental cabinet and unique antiques. Even if in poor condition. 618-377-0432 (UFN) 2011 harley Factory Trike, 16,xxx miles, call 618-610-4798. (UFN) wANTED TO BuY... old postcards, photographs, stereoviews, posters, WWII and before military items, old toys and trains, glass lantern slides, advertising items, documents, letterheads and billheads, most any vintage paper items and ephemera, collections and accumulations okay. If it is unusual and old I am interested in looking at it! Please call Mike Finley, 314-524-9400 or 314341-2389, or email: [email protected]. 1968 Ford galaxy xLT with new upholstery and top, 139,xxx miles. Call 618-407-2869 (UFN). 2001 Dodge Ram 6cyl 116,000 miles new brakes, ball joints, bedliner, remote stereo radio. $2500.00. Call 217-324-5943 leave message. Chevy 409 Engine, complete rebuilt, all new, Muncie 4-speed, $6,000. Call 618-567-6060. 1985 Chevy silverado 4wD, new built 350 engine with less than 3,000 miles on it! Also features power windows/locks, AM/FM stereo, tilt/cruise and includes camper shell! Ideal for farm, daily driving or mudding! Asking $5,000, call 314-346-0516 or 314-524-9400. 1999 Corvette, Automatic- Magnetic Red, 61,000 Miles, $17,500, 314-604-2768. Antique walnut Dresser , with lamp shelves and glove drawers. Antique China Cabinet, tall, 4 doors and 2 small drawers, Both in excellent condition. Reasonably priced. Call 217-324-4811 for information. (UFN). 2003 handicap Dodge grand Caravan, 56,xxx miles, $18,500 or best offer. 217-259-6948. wANTINg TO BuY WWII, WWI, Korea, and Vietnam military relics. Cash paid by collector for uniforms, helmets, medals, swords, leather flight jackets, scrapbooks, etc. 217 851-3177. (UFN) 1992 Chevy sports van, 111,xxx miles, $3500 OBO, 217-259-6948. (UFN). 2005 Dodge Magnum sxT, black with gray leather, styled wheels, original tires, 34,000 miles. This is a beautiful automobile. Hurry, it will sell fast. $13,500 cash. 618-406-1806. furNITure Large Lift and Recline Chair purchased atShort Furniture in Litchfield. In very good condition. Asking $800 OBO. Call 217-851-5487 for details. Rotating Carousel Coffee Table with glass top, Call 618-377-0452 (12/14). wANTINg TO BuY old comic books, magazines and books. Call 314-351-1302. (UFN) wANTINg TO BuY old records, blues, rock, jazz. Call 314-821-7466. (UFN) wANTINg TO BuY OLD Boats, OLD boat motors, 1900’s to 1960’s, wood or aluminum runabouts, any unusual boats, motors, outboard racing. Cash paid. Call Mark 314-602-5368. (UFN) wANTED license plate 1911 Illinois, or ... what do you have? 618-931-7527. wANTINg TO BuY Sheet music and records 33 lps, 45 rpm, 78 rpm, must be in very good shape. Call Jim at 618-304-7188 or 618-654-3049. (ufn) Amish Made Dresser with mirror. Cedar Lined. shelves. Call 618-377-0452 (12/14). wANTINg TO BuY OLD postcards, Civil War photos and vintage paper items. Always paying cash. Call Jerry for details at 618-410-6879, (ufn) FOR sALE: Small blue/green swivel rocker, Modern burgundy club chair. Call 217-324-4811 for information. (UFN). wANTINg TO BuY Sheet music and records 33 lps, 45 rpm, 78 rpm, must be in very good shape. Call Jim at 618-304-7188 or 618-654-3049. (ufn) king wood headboard with mirror, 2 years old, excellent condition. Benld 217-710-3387. Antique ‘ExCELLO’ Brand Mower 1956 reel mower with 2 HP Briggs motor. Pull start/self propelled, as is, $275. Call 217-324-3869. AMIsh MADE walnut wall-mount drop lid desk 24” x 31” x 7” in Sorento. $200 OBO. 217272-4481. Leave message if no answer. I Antique Child’s Roll Top Desk with matching swivel chair. Excellent condition. Call 217-3244160 for information. (UFN) East Lake style Antique, upholstered sofa - nice. Dark wood. $625. East Lake round marble top table $325. Call 217-324-3869. (UFN) 1 BR APARTMENT for rent. Water/heat/trash included for $450/month. Security deposit and 1 year lease required. Staunton, 618-444-7222. December 2014 wE BuY EsTATEs , full or partial houses, sheds, barns, etc. Call Village Square Antiques for more information, 618-669-2825, www.antiquesvillagesquare.com. 2005 honda 750 shadow, approx. 8000 miles. With windshield, light cluster bars, rider seat and back rest, leather saddle bags, whole bike cover. In good condition. Only $3400. Please call 217710-7957 after 7PM. Dining Room Table with 6 chairs, 1 leaf and china hutch. $450 OBO. 618-791-8109 or 618791-2025. I aNTIQues/coLLecTIBLes 50 MILEs PER gALLON! 1985 VW Golf Diesel, 5 speed. in fair condition. All recoreds, owned sinced 1992. NADA guides pricing $2200. Serious inquiries only please 217-324-3869. hOusE FOR sALE - Updated and move-in ready! All new 2 1/2 ton central air, new BR carpet, new windows, new kitchen cabinets, countertops, sink, vinyl floor. New weatherhead (elec service). Newly finished basement family room, 2nd BR and storage room. Water heater, furnace & roof not 5 years old. One car garage with workroom, bench & cabinets. Granite City. $56,450 OBO. 618-656-8571 or 618-250-9632. 40 OAk TREsTLE TABLE with 4 straight and 2 captain chairs, plus 2 leaves to expand to 83”. All sturdy and solid. Asking $700. 618-656-9388. www.facebook.com/thebuzzmonthly MIsc for saLe TIME shARE FOR sALE - 3 BR in Kissimmee, Florida just 5 minutes from Disneyworld. Call 618-610-4798 (UFN). FOR sALE: Downsizing and selling Antique 1920’s Jenny Lind twin bed, can fold up like a day bed, complete with springs, mattress and chenille bed spread $225. Large green corner TV cabinet $75, large old cabinet, $200, antique Northern Pacific railroad preco car heater $75, recently remodeled bathroom and have medicine cabinet, sink and vaity in good condition, $30, two like new high quality used 1 year 100% synthetic Olefn polypropyline decolan pile ancient garden style rugs, made in Belgium: one is 5’ 3” x 7’ 7” retail $350, asking $150, 2nd one 9’ 2” x 12’, retail $1350, asking $450 - both are red and ivory. Call 618-377-9797 or email [email protected]. (UFN) 1967 Massey Ferguson 36” Riding Mower to restore - no motor. Deck and transmission okay, $175. Call 217-324-3869. Raleigh sprite Men’s Bicycle, English made, 10 speed, very good condition. New tubes and tires. $195, 217-324-3869. NEw 32’ Aluminum Peligro ladder. Used once. $275. Call 217-965-3551 (UFN) Lawn Boy Mower, 2 cycle, self-propelled, aluminum deck. Parting out $75, 217-324-3869. Tractors for sale: Farmall 1945 B Tractor, new pain, motor overhaul, good tires $1900 OBO. Farmall 1948 H Tractor, runs good, good tires. $1500 OBO. Call 217-532-3444 or 618-977-1792. Hillsboro area. 42" Front Blade for John Deere LX Series Lawn Tractor. All brackets, Very good condition. $200.00 217-324-3994. NATuRAL BEEF FOR sALE, sides, split quarters, and 91% lean hamburger patties. No antibiotics or added hormones, pasture/hay fed. Order at www.backyardbeef.com or 618-973-7699. Direct Tv Plus Digital satellite Receiver (Model HDVP2), including remote control, complete with Satellite Dish Antenna, stand and cables. Great for RV application. Includes access card and owners manual. $150 OBO. Call 618692-6082. Jerry James 22 ft. utility trailer with all steel floor and electric brakes. Excellent tires. Each axle rated for 7000 lbs. Loading ramps included. Asking $2100 OBO. Call 618-692-6082. selmer Alto saxophone, made in USA, with pearl keys and Bundy case. $500. Leave message if no answer. 618-659-2061. (UFN) Thane h2O steam Cleaner, for floors or carpets. Very reasonable. Also 3 large red linen tablecloths, Red Hat hats, memorabilia, door wreath and t-shirts (size M) - like new. 618-635-2477. sears & Roebuck Rug Loom - 2 harness loom. $500 OBO. Located in Bunker Hill. Call 217556-9428. (UFN) Custom Teddy Bears hand made from your old fur coats, other articles of clothing, neckties, baby clothes, quilts, blankets, etc. Perfect for remembering family members, or as gifts. Bears are 5way jointed, glass eyes, hand sewn noses, stuffed with polyester filling. Sizes and prices vary according to your choices. Samples and pictures on hand. 25 years experience in bear making. Located in Alton 618-462-8326. NEw RED ADuLT TRICYCLE (3-wheel) built special by Workman Cycles of New York, all steel construction, heavy duty, wide tires. Has large The Prairie Land Buzz basket, chrome fenders, mirror, special large seat and safety flag. Selling because I am unable to ride. Paid $1200, including assembly and shipping, must have $900 firm. Call 217-532-6298. If no answer, leave message. (UFN) LIkE NEw large, white porcelain bathroom pedestal & basin, very nice, $100 cash. 618-4655240. (UFN) JAZZY-sELECT POwER ChAIR, new batteries, new controller, 217-324-3592 (UFN). MOvIE POsTERs, cardboard stand-ups and more for sale. Cleaning out video store! Item and price list available by emailing: costalotless@ hotmail.com. Cemetery Plots, Roselawn Cemetery, Bethalto. Complete pkg: 2 lots, opening/closing, vaults, marker. Asking $10,000. Call 618-830-8187. MANY NEw hARLEY DAvIDsON items, still in box. $150 for everything. Call for details. 217-324-3869. 1951 Farmall Cub Tractor has cultivators, snow plow, 42” belly mower, disc, one bottom plow, cycle bar mower, wheel weights and tire chains. $5000 for all. Call 618-362-6468. stud service: Long haired German Shepherd, registered, level-headed and proven. Mt. Olive 636-399-1300. gETTINg MARRIED? Consider our historic country chapel for your wedding or even just your reception. This quaint church sits on 1.87 acres close to Lake Carlyle and is available for rental year ‘round. Call 618-654-4711 for more information/reservations. german Translation service by experience speaker/translator. Genealogical documents, church records, letters, diaries, journals, etc. Reasonable rates. Email: [email protected]. (UFN) WaNTeD To BuY Diabetic Test strips wanted Unexpired, any type, any brand. Will pay up to $10/box. Call Ron @217-556-3398. Please leave call back number. (ufn). LOOkINg FOR A vERY sPECIFIC DOg Small, young, long-legged black and white with stand-up ears. Can’t be more than 14” high at the shoulder when full grown. Will take male or female but cannot be spayed or neutered. Will provide loving farm home with fenced yard but dog would be inside house at night. Will pay reasonable amount. Call Jack at 217-324-6635 (after dark) or leave message at 314-680-3886. Classifieds for individuals are FREE. Businesses may advertise in the classifieds for 50¢ per word, 10 word minimum, and must be paid in advance unless account is already established. One exception is Help Wanted ads - these are free to businesses. Display ads that run in the classifieds are placed at the same rate as display ads placed anywhere within the magazine. Email to:[email protected]. ARTIsTs wANTED to sell their art, especially looking for stained glass, oils and acrylics. Also looking for antiques and upscale resale items. Visit Unique Designs & Decor, 207 Suppinger #200, Highland (behind McDonalds) or call 6186 9 9 1 8 0 2 . IN NEED OF CAsh? Expert private collector paying cash for antiques, musical instruments, GOLD & SILVER jewelry, costume jewelry, old coins, pocketwatches. Paying top $$$ in CASH. Just paid one person over $2,000 for old unwanted broken jewelry. Will travel to you! Call Anthony at 740-808-4878. vENDORs BOOTh sPACE available at Wayside Antique Mall, Highway 127 between Hillsboro and Greenville. Call 217-537-3900 for more information. wANTED TO BuY: antique pie safe, jelly cupboard, flat and stepback cupboards, dental cabinet and unique antiques. Even if in poor condition. 618-377-0432 (UFN) wANTED good used semi box trailer 45’-50’ or shorter at reasonable price for storage. Call 217324-3869. MIsc aDs MENDINg & MINOR ALTERATIONs done by Marilan in Staunton. Call 618-635-2102 (UFN) Discover how to get FREE Pampered Chef Products call Pam Schaefer, Independent Consultant for The Pampered Chef, at 217-556-9390 or email [email protected]. (UFN) The Prairie Land Buzz www.thebuzzmonthly.com I December 2014 I 41 all We Want for Christmas is a Fur-Ever Home JOhNNY is an 11 year old Yorkie that has has been passed over because of his age. He is a very sweet little guy with a lot of love to give to some lucky person. He would really like to spend the rest of his years in someone’s lap or snuggled up next to you on the couch on those cold winter nights ahead. Won’t you open your heart and home and welcome him in? Visit Johnny and our many other adoptable animals at Benld Adopt-A-Pet, 807 Stewart, Benld, Open from 1-5 pm daily for adoptions, www.benldadoptapet.org. INDIgO is guessed to be a cattle dog mix about 2 years old. She had been adopted but was brought back after 1 month because does NOT do well with cats. Indigo would love to have a family for Christmas. She is a very active girl and could benefit from some basic training. She is crate trained and loves to play. If you are interested in Indigo please fill out an online application www.partnersforpetsil.org. Her adoption fee is is $145.00. We hold adoptions at the O'Fallon IL Petsmart every Saturday and the Glen Carbon Petsmart the first Saturday of the month and every Sunday from 11:00-3:30 at both locations. Find us - Partners for Pets - on Facebook or visit www.partnersforpetsil.org. kALIA gORDON was recently returned to us because of his family no longer having time for him. Heis a 3 year old Great Dane mix and this boy is HUGE! Since this picture wastaken, Gordon has put on a few extra pounds and his tail has been docked. He is very sweet, house trained and walks well on a leash. Help our gorgeous eyed giant find his true forever family! Metro East Humane Society • 618-656-4405 8495 State Rt143 • Edwardsville OPEN: Mon-Sat • 11:30-5 & Sun • 11:30-3 is a super sweet girl and is only around 9 months old, currently living in a foster home. She loves to go for walks and is just a total joy. Right now she is only about 25 pounds and will most likely remain a smaller dog. If you are interested in Kalia, fill out an application at: www.mcpawscare.org/adopt. Visit: mcpawscare.org. to view other adoptable animals. Like us on Facebook and keep up with our success stories and current and upcoming events. PlEasE sPaY & nEUTEr YOUr PETs 42 I December 2014 I www.facebook.com/thebuzzmonthly The Prairie Land Buzz The Prairie Land Buzz www.thebuzzmonthly.com I December 2014 I 43 calendar of events Monday, December 1 Story Time every Monday and Tuesday at 10 am, Wednesdays at 6:30 pm. Glen Carbon Library, 198 S. Main, www.glencarbonlibrary.org. Itch'n to be Stitch'n Quilt Club Meetings on the first Monday of each month at 10 am and 6:30 pm. Held at the Staunton VFW Hall on Henry Street. Meetings will be tips and techniques, quilting info, show and tell, projects to make and project door prizes, and a free block of the month. Refreshments and fellowship following the meeting! For more information contact Tamara at [email protected] or 618-635-2429. Jazzercise Classes every Monday and Wednesday, 5:30 pm and every Saturday, 8:30 am. Main Street Community Center, 1003 N. Main, Edwardsville. See instructor for fees. Call 618-656-0300 for more information or email [email protected]. Bingo every Monday - doors open at 5:30, bingo starts at 7 pm. Food and drink available. VFW Post 3912, 215 W. Ryder, Litchfield. Tales for Tails every Monday night from 6-7 pm. Students in grades K-5 can practice reading to a furry friend. At the Niedringhaus School, corner of 29th and State. For more information call 618-452-6238 or visit www.smrld.org. Emotions Anonymous meets every Monday night at 8 pm at the Immanuel Lutheran Church, 504 North 7th St, New Douglas. Free and open to anyone in need of emotional support for any reason. Contact Larry Madorin, [email protected] or 217-272 -4560. Mon, Dec 1-sunday, Dec 28 Christmas Wonderland drive-thru Christmas light display, 6-9 pm nightly, Rock Spring Park, 2100 College Avenue, Alton. More than 2.5 million lights adorn trees and displays throughout the park. Carriage rides will be available Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays on a first-come, first served available basis (weather permitting). The cost is $30 for the first person; $5 each additional person, regardless of age. Reservations can be made for other evenings with advanced reservations (based on availability) by phoning Black Tie Carriage Company and Kris Mooney at 217-242-1104. General admission for Christmas Wonderland is $7 for cars and small vans, or $1 per person for vehicles holding more than 10 people. For more information, call 800-258-6645 or 618-465-6676, www.visitalton.com. Mon, Dec 1-wed, Dec 31 Holiday Package Scavenger Hunt at Jerseyville Library, 105 N. Liberty St. A wrapped package will be hidden in the library on Monday, Dec 1st and moved every Monday through Dec 22nd. Teens (grades 6-12) turning in completed forms will be place in a drawing to be held Christmas Eve at 9 pm. For more information call the library at 618-498-9514 or email laurie@jerseyville library.org. Tuesday, December 2 Stretch And Move Exercise Class, 8-9 am every Tue, Thur and Fri at Main Street Community Center, 1003 N. Main Edwardsville. – Tue, Thu & Fri, 8:00-9:00, $1 suggested Center donation. For questions on the classes, contact the Community Center: 618656-0300 or email [email protected]. Quilting, 9-11 am, every Tuesday at Jarvis Township Senior Citizens Center, 410 Wickliffe St., Troy. Quilting for all, beginners through seasoned, www.troymaryvillecoc.com. 44 I December 2014 I Story Time every Monday and Tuesday at 10 am, Wednesdays at 6:30 pm. Glen Carbon Library, 198 S. Main, www.glencarbonlibrary.org. Meals of Love served every Tuesday at Grave Baptist Church, 2600 Edward Street, Granite City. Sit down for a free, hot meal and cold drink at 4:30 pm. For more information call 618-8776672. Sew and Show Stitchers meet the first Tuesday of every month at 6 pm at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 103 N. Main, Hillsboro. Craft Beer Night, the first Tuesday of every month, 6 pm, at Milo’s Cigars and More, Hwy 159 Maryville, 618-288-1343, www.milostr.com. Emotions Anonymous meets every Tuesday at 6 pm at the Louis Latzer Library, 1001 9th Street, Highland (Contact Jackie at 618-654-9351 or email: 16bjschu@email) and at 6 pm at the Locust Street Resource Center in Carlinville (Contact Larry Madorin, [email protected] or 217272 -4560). Free and open to anyone in need of emotional support for any reason. Grief Support Group, 6:30 pm, No fee and no registration needed. Topics include how to better understand the grieving process, developing coping skills, improving communication and stress management. For anyone that has experienced a loss of any kind. Meets on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of every month at the First Baptist Church of Litchfield, Harrison Street entrance. For more information, call Joyce Weatherford, RN/Case Manager at St . Francis Hospital, head of the support group, at 217-324-8544. Amvets Monthly Meeting, 7 pm, the first 1st Tuesday of every month at. Amvets Auxiliary 204, 1711 Kennedy Dr. Madison, IL. Interested in becoming a member? Please contact Carolyn at 618444-5069 or by email at [email protected] or Dixie at 972-9892 or [email protected], www.granitecity.illinois.gov. Quilt Club meets the (1st Tuesday of the month at 7 pm and) the 1st Wednesday of the month at 10 am). $1 cost to attend this educational show-andtell group event. Main Street Mini Mall Quilt Shop, 124 East Main, Staunton, 618-635-5509, email: [email protected]. wednesday, December 3 Quilt Club meets the (1st Tuesday of the month at 7 pm and) the 1st Wednesday of the month at 10 am). $1 cost to attend this educational show-andtell group event. Main Street Mini Mall Quilt Shop, 124 East Main, Staunton, 618-635-5509, email: [email protected]. Dance Fitness Exercise Class, every Wednesday, 1-2 pm. $5/session (First visit FREE) Main Street Community Center, 1003 N. Main, Edwardsville. 618-656-0300, or by email at [email protected]. Jazzercise Classes every Monday and Wednesday, 5:30 pm and every Saturday, 8:30 am. Main Street Community Center, 1003 N. Main, Edwardsville. See instructor for fees. Call 618-656-0300 for more information or email [email protected]. Story Time every Wednesday at 6:3o pm plus every Monday and Tuesday at 10 am. Glen Carbon Library, 198 S. Main, www.glencarbonlibrary.org. Lions Club Bingo, 7 pm, every Wednesday at Trimor Bingo Hall 3701 Nameoki Rd, 618-8777771. We play 27 games including 3-$500 bingo games, 2-$500 raffle games, and 4-$1000 raffle www.facebook.com/thebuzzmonthly games. Our mission is to assist folks in Pontoon Beach, Mitchell, Granite City, Madison and Venice who have sight & hearing problems, www. granitecity.illinois.gov. Starzz Karaoke every Wednesday night, 8-midnight, Chapps Bar, 119 W. Edwards, Litchfield. Thursday, December 4 Stretch And Move Exercise Class, 8-9 am every Tue, Thur and Fri at Main Street Community Center, 1003 N. Main Edwardsville. – Tue, Thu & Fri, 8:00-9:00, $1 suggested Center donation. For questions on the classes, contact the Community Center: 618656-0300 or email [email protected]. Bible Study each Thursday 9am @ the home of Teresa Abert. Ladies in the area are welcome to come for bible study, prayer time and fellowship. Teresa Abert, 208 N.Duncan Street, Marine. Email [email protected] or call 618-5312746 for more information, facebook.com/teresakayabert. Write Your Own Story class, 10 am (for 1 hour) every Thursday through November 15. You can start any time and attend as many classes as you like ($1/class) but the more you attend, the more content you will have for your book. At the end of the classes the books will be compiled for duplication and binding. The books will make special holiday gifts. Please bring a spiral-bound notebook and a pen/pencil - or a laptop computer. Duplication and binding will be voluntary. Main Street Community Center, 1003 N. Main St, Edwardsville. Email: [email protected] or call 618-656-0300 for more info. www.mainstcc.org. Craft Beer Night, the 1st Thursday of each month, 6 pm, Milo’s Cigars & More, 2921 N. Center St (Route 159), Maryville, 618-288-1343, www.milostr.com. Police Bingo, every Thursday night, starts at 7 pm. No games under $110. Paper cards & mates, full snack bar, bing supplies, no smoking, plenty of parking. Proceeds benefit the programs supported by the Granite City Police Dept including youth athletics. Knights of Columbus Hall, 25 Old Alton Road, Granite City. www.granitecity.illinois.gov. Open Play at Riverbend Community Center, 200 W. 3rd St, Alton, every Thurs & Fri Night from 6-10 pm. Open to members and non-members. Just $5 a person or $15 a family. Members get in Free on Thursdays! Come for dinner at Prinvicalli's Cafe located on the second floor of the community center and then watch a movie or play games all night! All ages welcome. For more information contact John at 618-465-9850, email [email protected] or visit www.riverbender.com/communitycenter. Junior Friends Of The Glen Carbon Library, 6:30 pm. the first Thursday of the month. Visit the Youth Services Department to sign up. Glen Carbon Library, 198 S. Main, Glen Carbon, www.glencarbonlibrary.org FREE SQUARE DANCE LESSON, 7-9 pm with Hoedowners Square Dance Club. Wood River Roundhouse, 633 N. Wood River Ave, Wood River (Roundhouse entrance and parking lot are located on Whitelaw Ave near Aquatic Center). Held every Thursday, starting 2nd week classes will be just $5/person. Contact Bo or Agnes Smith for more info, 618-288-9838, email: [email protected]. www.hoedowners.com. Emotions Anonymous 12 Steps for Christians meets every Thursday at 7 pm at the St. Paul Lutheran Church on the frontage road 2 miles north of Hamel. Free and open to anyone in need of emotional support for any reason. Contact Larry Madorin,[email protected] or 217-272-4560. Lions Club Bingo, 7 pm. Trimor Bingo Hall, 3701 Nameoki Rd, Granite City. We play 27 games including 3-$500 bingo games, 2-$500 raffle games, and 4-$1000 raffle games. Our mission is to assist folks in Pontoon Beach, Mitchell, Granite City, Madison and Venice who have sight & hearing problems. www.granitecity.illinois.gov. LIVE COMEDY SHOW featuring Pete George, 8 pm at State Street Bar & Grill, 118 S. State Street, Jerseyville. Tickets $8/person in advance, $10/person at the door, www.statestreetjerseyville.com. Thurs, Dec 4-sun, Dec 7 Alton Little Theater presents Always...Patsy Cline. Call 618-462-6562 for more information or visit www.altonlittlethater.org. Friday, December 5 Tri-Township Public Library Book Sale, 9-1, TriTownship Public Library, 208 S. Main St, Troy, www.troymaryvillecoc.com. FREE LUNCH FRIDAY at Immanuel United Methodist Church, 800 N Main, Edwardsville (across from Madison County Museum), 11 am 1 pm. Everyone is welcome to enjoy a homemade meal made by the women of the church, regardless of race, age or denomination, For more information, 618-656-4648, www.immanuelonmain.org. Christmas Tasting Bee, 1 pm at Hitz Memorial Home, 201 Belle St, Alhambra. Join us for an afternoon of fellowship while tasting Christmas goodies and enjoying a wonderful program. Includes bake sale. $6 donation. For more information call 618-488-2355 or email [email protected], www.hitzmemorial.com. Bingo every Tuesday and Friday, 1-3 pm, Main Street Community Center, 1003 N. Main St. Edwardsville, www.edglenfamilies.org. Fish Fry every Friday - 5-7 pm, 9 oz catfish filet, fries, slaw, and dessert/$7.00, fish sandwich/ $4.00. Carryouts available for 25¢ extra. VFW Post 3912, 215 W. Ryder, Litchfield. Fish Fry, 4-8 pm, Choice of Fried Cod, Catfish, Jack Salmon and Baked Salmon or Tilapia, Cod cut ups, Shrimp and Chicken Strips. Dinners include 2 sides: choice of cole slaw, potato salad, french fries, macaroni and cheese, baked beans, hushpuppies, mushrooms and onion rings. Eat in or carryout. 618-667-8387. Troy VFW, Troy, www.troymaryvillecoc.com. Friday Night Fish Fry, 5-8 pm, every Friday at V.F.W. Post 1300, 3401 Century Dr, Granite City. Kitchen open to the public- Eat in, call in and carry out. Cod, fried shrimp, jack salmon & chicken strips. Plate includes 2 sides for $7.50, Sandwiches are $5. Catfish fillets plates include 2 sides for $8, Sandwiches are $5.50, www.granitecity.illinois.gov. 10th annual Snowflake Festival, 6 - 8 pm at Glazebrook Park, 1401 Stamper Lane, Godfrey. Get your picture taken with Santa and Mrs. Claus, meet Anna, Elsa and Olaf, and pet a reindeer at the park, www.godfreyil.org. (continued on page 47) The Prairie Land Buzz The Prairie Land Buzz www.thebuzzmonthly.com I December 2014 I 45 46 I December 2014 I www.facebook.com/thebuzzmonthly The Prairie Land Buzz Home, American Girl doll clothes, hand painted ornaments, vintage Christmas vintage items and so much more PLUS spinning wheel demonstration all day. Nepute’s will be selling their delicious Italian Beef and homemade soup. For more information call Nepute’s at 217-999-3354. Kid's Night Out, 6-8 pm. Parents, take the night off while your child spends a fun-filled evening with the student-athletes of SIUE. The night’s activities include games, movies, crafts, kickball, volleyball, and basketball! Snacks will be provided. $15 per child. $5 for each additional child in the same family. RSVP to Kelly Traynor at 618650-5257 or [email protected]. Location: SIUE Vadalabene Center, 1 Hairpin Dr, Edwardsville, www.edglenchamber.com. Holiday Bazaar featuring unique shopping, 9 am3 pm, Free Methodist Churh, 1367 E. State Route 140, Greenville, www.greenvilleusa.org. Eagles Bingo, 7 pm, every Friday and Saturday at Tri-mor Bingo Center, 3701 Nameoki Rd, Granite City. Great Prizes and great fun! www.granitecity.illinois.gov. Holiday Open House, 9-4 at Silvernicks Unique Treasures, 231 E. Jackson, Virden. Vendors, refreshments, door prizes. For more information call 217-891-6514 or find them on Facebook. Open Play at Riverbend Community Center, 200 W. 3rd St, Alton, every Thurs & Fri Night from 6-10 pm. Open to members and non-members. Just $5 a person or $15 a family. Members get in Free on Thursdays! Come for dinner at Prinvicalli's Cafe located on the second floor of the community center and then watch a movie or play games all night! All ages welcome. For more information contact John at 618-465-9850, email [email protected] or visit www.riverbender.com/communitycenter. Children’s Ornament Exchange, 10-noon, at Jerseyville Library, 105 N. Liberty St. Bring a wrapped ornament and play a game. Make 2 more ornaments to take home. For more information call the library at 618-498-9514 or email [email protected]. Fri, Dec 5-sat, Dec 6 Holiday Open House at Phyllbenas, 320 S. Macoupin St, Gillespie. Stop in for special in-store sales and see what we are all about. For more information call 217-851-1822. Holiday Sparkle in Gillespie. Friday, 4-7 pm, Saturday, 8:30-11:30, Snack with Santa at Illinois Valley Rehab Building, 212 E. Walnut, next to police station, 8:30-12:30, Petting Zoo at UCB Parking Lot, 9-1, Holiday Sparkle downtown, www.coalcountrychamber.com. Fri, Dec 5-sun, Dec 7 Holiday Open House at Lighthouse Antique Mall, 19130 W. Frontage Road, Raymond (Carlinville Exit 60 off Interstate 55). Refreshments and specials throughout the mall each day. Call 217-3246111 for more information. “If Only I Could Dream” The Macoupin County Historical Society’s 3rd Annual Christmas Show and Open House. Fri, 1-9, Sat, 9-8, Sun, 11-3. Mansion tours $3/adults, $1/children. No admission charge for the Christmas store featuring handmade Christmas decor and gifts. Delicous food available on site including beef stew, cranberry salad, hot wasail and homeade pies. The Anderson Mansion, 920 Brechenridge St, Carlinville. Holiday and Toy Sale at Gateway Conference Center, 1 Gateway Drive, Collinsville. Saturday, noon-8 pm, Sunday, 10-3. For more information visit www.sorkladysale.com. The Nutcracker, performed by Turning Pointe Academy of Dance, Fri, 7:30 pm, Sat, 2 pm and 7:30 pm, Sun, 2 pm, The Wildey Theatre, 252 N. Main, Edwardsville, www.wildeytheatre, com. saturday, December 6 Jingle Bell Jog, 8:30-11 am, starting at STate and Ryder in Litchfield. $30/person registration fee includes hooded sweatshirt. For more information visit www.litchfieldchamber.com. Breakast with Santa, 9-11, The Fountains of Troy, 39 Dorothy Dr Troy. FREE EVENT and EVERY child will receive a gift! Meal includes pancakes, sausage, eggs, and juice, www.troymaryvillecoc.com. Christmas Extravaganza, 9-2 at Nepute’s Market, 107 E. Main, Mt. Olive. Numerous vendors including Pampered Chef, Miche, Celebrating The Prairie Land Buzz Women United in Christ Christmas Benefit Luncheon, 10 am-1 pm. at Julia's Banquet Center, 101 Eastgate Plaza, East Alton. Ladies only event. Bring a friend to enjoy great music, food, prizes, surprises, fun, Christmas shopping, and more. $20/person includes lunch, dessert, and beverage. Purchase by calling 618-803-9078 or by mailing a check to Women's Ministry Center, PO BOX 1136, Alton, IL 62002. For more information: Linda Chetta 618-8039078, [email protected] or visit www.womensministrycenter.org. Snack with Santa, 10-2, Zion Lutheran School, 220 West Henry Street, Staunton, Face painting, photos with santa, snacks and the giant slide will be the main attractions. Professional Photographer Mike Dinnius will be taking photos on Santa’s Lap free of charge. The excitement then continues with an old fashioned trolley ride hosted by Don the Chimney Sweep informing the riders a little bit about the history of Staunton and the stops downtown for additional kids’ activities. The trolley will be running from 10:00 - 2:00. Free of charge. Anyone wishing to donate a canned good item or an unwrapped toy for the Staunton Food Pantry can do so at the door. For more information on Snack with Santa contact Dave Cisler at 618-781-1745 or Cisler & Associates Real Estate at 618-635-2244, www.stautonil.com. Lunch with Mrs. Santa Claus, 10-1, Jarvis Township Senior Citizens at the Wiesemeyer Center, 410 Wickliffe St. (Tri-Township Park-Wiesemeyer Center). Decorate your own gingerbread man and gingerbread house, listen to Christmas stories, make reindeer food, make crafts, watch Christmas movies, win prices, get your face painted, your picture takend and much more! Call 618-667-2022 for reservations. $10 for 1 adult and 1 child. Each additional child $2, www.troymaryvillecoc.com. Saturday Story Time, every Saturday at 10:30 am. Interactive program of stories, crafts, songs and fun for all ages. No registration required. Maryville Community Library, 8 Schiber Court, Maryville, www.maryville.lib.il.us. Holiday Open House, 11-4 at Vintage Station, 225 Phillips, Staunton. For more information call 618779-2956 or find them on Facebook. Holiday House Tour, 2-8 pm, Collinsville. Experience some of Collinsville's finest festively decorated homes.Tour begins at the Blum House located at 414 W. Main Street. Self-guided tour. Tickets are $10 and are available at Ashmann's Pharmacy, Antiques and Accents by Vadna, the Collinsville Chamber of Commerce, the Flower Basket and the Counter Top Shop. Proceeds benefit the Collinsville High School Student Council, CHS Pep Club and Friends of the D. D. Collins House, www.discovercollinsville.com. Troy VFW Steak Fry, 5-8 pm, every second Saturday of the month. Menu includes a 12 oz. New York Strip or Ribeye Steak ($12), 8 pc. Butterfly Shrimp ($8), 6 pc. Chicken Strips ($7). Entree includes hand-cut fries, baked potato or onion rings and salad with ranch or italian dressing. VFW Hall , 123 W. Market St, Troy, www.troymaryvillecoc.com. Granite City APA Animal Shlter Annual Holiday Trivia Night, 7 pm at Granite City Elks Lodge, 4801 Maryville Road, Granite City. Prize money awarded for winners, www.granitecitygossip.com. MOONLIGHT HIKE, 6 pm, Watershed Nature Center, 1591 Tower Ave, Edwardsville. Advance registration requested, Free for members, $5 fee for non-members, watershednaturecenter.com. MOONLIGHT HIKE, 7 pm, Talahi Lodge at the Olin Nature Preserve - The Nature Institute, 2213 South Levis Lane. Take a leisurely moonlit hike through the Mississippi Sanctuary, a 37-acre area of grand vistas and spectacular scenery, including waterfalls and wildlife. Terrain is light to moderate and the hike is about an hour long. Free For more information call 618-466-9930 or visit www.thenatureintsitute.org. LIVE MUSIC: Lowder & Manning, 6 pm, The Winery at Shale Lake, 1499 Washington Ave, Williamson, www.shalewine.com. Southern Gospel Christmas Concert, featuring the Sky Line Boys from Purcellville, VA, Bethalto Church of God, 800 E. Bethalto Drive, starting at 7 pm. Everyone is welcome! A free will offering will be taken. The cafe will be open from 5-6:30 pm to raie money for the Senior Adults. For more information visit www.southerngospel4u.org. sat, Dec 6-sun, Dec 7 Take a Bow Showcase presents “A Taste of Christmas” a Yuletide Madrigal Feast at Gateway Center, 1 Gateway Drive, Collinsville. Choose from 2 performances, Saturday or Sunday. Doors open at 6, dinner/show starts at 7 pm. For more information visit www.takeabowshowcase.com. sunday, December 7 Breakfast with Santa, 8-1:30, Highland Masonic Lodge #583, 721 9th Street. All you can eat buffet: eggs, sausage, pancakes, biscuits, gravy, juice, coffee and milk. Also, free photo with Santa...Come join the fun, www.highlandillinois.com. JSC Holiday House Tour, noon-4:30 pm. Six gracious homeowners from Edwardsville and Glen Carbon will open their homes for the self-guided tours. This year’s tour also includes an exciting wreath raffle and a food and gift collection for the Glen Ed Pantry. Advanced tickets and raffle tickets can be purchased at Miss Bailey's Poppy Patch, YMCA, Metro Eye Care, Gingham Buffalo, White Birch, Holiday Cleaners, Ooh La La Spa and Bin 51. For more information contact Kelly Viehl at 636-538-0262.Advance Tickets $20, www.edglenjuniorservice.org/holiday-house tour.html. Sewing Circle, 1-3 p.m. Free (meets each month on the second and fourth Sunday.) Bring any period sewing or needlecraft project to share and/or work on in a relaxed setting. Period sewing instruction and help are available to those wanting to advance their skills in the production of period garments. Both ladies and gentlemen are welcome to participate. The sewing circle will meet second and fourth Sundays (schedule may change due to holidays or special events). This is an informal gathering to share skills, ideas, and new information. The Colonel Benjamin Stephenson House, 409 S. Buchanan, Edwardsville, www.stephensonhouse.org. Christmas at Willoughby, 631 Willoughby Lane, Collinsville, 1 pm-midnight. Visitors will sip hot cider or hot chocolate and nibble on holiday sweet treats while visiting with Santa Claus in the farm house. Remember to bring your camera to snap a photo of Santa with your little one. Gather in the Bank Barn for a holiday sing-a-long while guests make ornaments to take home, www.troymaryvillecoc.com. Handel’s Messiah - live performance at 4 pm, Whilock Center, 318 E. College Ave, Greenville, www.greenvilleusa.org. Old Country and Bluegrass Music Jam, every Sunday, 5-9 pm. All artists welcome, all audiences welcome. Millersburg General Store, 613 Route 143, Millersburg (E. Pierron). 618-669-2155. Louis Latzer Memorial Public Library Holiday Dinner, 5:30 pm. Net proceeds will be used to provide ongoing maintenance and improvements to the library building and grounds. RSVP to 618-654-5066, www.highlandillinois.com. Monday, December 8 Story Time every Monday and Tuesday at 10 am, Wednesdays at 6:30 pm. Glen Carbon Library, 198 S. Main, www.glencarbonlibrary.org. Jazzercise Classes every Monday and Wednesday, 5:30 pm and every Saturday, 8:30 am. Main Street Community Center, 1003 N. Main, Edwardsville. See instructor for fees. Call 618-656-0300 for more information or email [email protected]. Bingo every Monday - doors open at 5:30, bingo starts at 7 pm. Food and drink available. VFW Post 3912, 215 W. Ryder, Litchfield. Tales for Tails every Monday night from 6-7 pm. Students in grades K-5 can practice reading to a furry friend. At the Niedringhaus School, corner of 29th and State. For more information call 618-452-6238 or visit www.smrld.org. S.T.A.R.S. With Dogs, 6-7 pm. Read your favorite stories to CHAMP therapy dogs the second Monday of every month. This event pairs dogs with both emerging readers and readers who love to read to dogs. Registration is required and available online. Glen Carbon Library, 198 S. Main, www.glencarbonlibrary.org. Adult Cookie Exchange, 6:30 pm, at Jerseyville Library, 105 N. Liberty St. Bring 3 dozen of your est cookies or candy along with a copy of the recipe. Sample each and vote for your favorite. Winner receives prize and games will be played. For more information call the library at 618-4989514 or email [email protected]. Emotions Anonymous meets every Monday night at 8 pm at the Immanuel Lutheran Church, 504 North 7th St, New Douglas. Free and open to anyone in need of emotional support for any reason. Contact Larry Madorin, [email protected] or 217-272-4560. Sierra Club Speaker Series -Panama: A Trip to a Diversity Hotspot by Jon Clark, who is a Piasa Palisades Group Executive Committee member and currently works in the Department of www.thebuzzmonthly.com (continued on page 48) I December 2014 I 47 Biological Sciences at Lewis and Clark Community College as well as at Southern Ilinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) where he is a graduate student/teaching assistant. Jon will discuss the natural history of Panama, its current ecological importance, and will share the photographic journey of his experiences this past summer. Further detail on his exploration is available in the current issue of the Piasa Palisades Newsletter at http://www.sierraclubppg.org/media/pdf/december_newsletter_2014_final.pdf. The speaker series is free and open to all. This month’s presentation will be at 7:30 PM in the community room of the First Unitarian Church 110 E. 3rd Strreet (3rd and Alby) in Alton. All are welcome to join the speaker for dinner at 5:45 at Mac’s Time Out, 315 Belle Street in Alton. For any questions please contact the Sierra Club office at 618-4626802. Tuesday, December 9 Quilting, 9-11 am, every Tuesday at Jarvis Township Senior Citizens Center, 410 Wickliffe St., Troy. Quilting for all, beginners through seasoned, www.troymaryvillecoc.com. Story Time every Monday and Tuesday at 10 am, Wednesdays at 6:30 pm. Glen Carbon Library, 198 S. Main, www.glencarbonlibrary.org. Collinsville Women’s Connection, noon-2 pm. $13 ticket includes meal, beverages, program and gratuity. Reservations required. Call Barbara at 618-344-7967 or Mavis at 618-346-1331. All women are invited to attend. Collinsville Women’s Connection, www.stonecroft.org. Adult Movie Time, 1 pm, at Jerseyville Library, 105 N. Liberty St. Watch the classic White Christmas and enjoy refreshments. For more information call the library at 618-498-9514 or email [email protected]. Bingo, every Tuesday and Friday, 1-3 pm. The third Tuesday each month is color bingo. Main Street Community Center, 1033 N. Main St, Edwardsville, 618-656-0300 www.mainstcc.org. Alzheimer’s Support Group, 1:30-3:00 pm, St. John’s Community Care located at 222 Goethe Street in Collinsville. Join others dealing with dementia and memory loss. Sessions are held the 2nd Tuesday of each month. Complimentary care for loved ones available with reservation. Call 618-344-5008, www.edglenfamilies.org. Meals of Love served every Tuesday at Grave Baptist Church, 2600 Edward Street, Granite City. Sit down for a free, hot meal and cold drink at 4:30 pm. Call 618-877-6672. Emotions Anonymous meets every Tuesday at 6 pm at the Louis Latzer Library, 1001 9th Street, Highland (Contact Jackie at 618-654-9351 or email: 16bjschu@email) and at 6 pm at the Locust Street Resource Center in Carlinville (Contact Larry Madorin, [email protected] or 217272 -4560). Free and open to anyone in need of emotional support for any reason. . Book Club For Adults, held 2nd Tuesday of every month, 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm: Night Road by Kristin Hannah. Join the book club on the second Tuesday of each month. New members are always welcome, and it is not necessary to attend every meeting. Books are provided at the Help Desk, so stop in for the next selection! Glen Carbon Library, 198 S. Main St, Glen Carbon, www.glencarbonlibrary.org. wednesday, December 10 Knee-High Naturalist @ The Nature Institute, 2213 S. Levis Lane, Godfrey. Morning session, 48 I December 2014 I 10-11 am, Afternoon Seesion, 1-2 pm. A nature program just for the little ones, 3-5 years old. The group meets the second Wednesday of every month (Sept-Nov & Jan-April) at Talahi Lodge. Young naturalists go on an interpretive hike (as weather permits), enjoy a craft and snack, and get to take home a book at the end of the day. Parents must register by phone no later than the Friday before the Wednesday sessions. The cost is $5 per child, which can be paid when you arrive. Walkins cannot be accommodated. Older siblings are welcome to attend, but may not be able to participate in all activities. To register, or for questions, please call 618- 466-9930 or email info@ The NatureInstitute.org, www.thenatureinstitute.org. Dance Fitness Exercise Class, every Wednesday, 1-2 pm. $5/session (First visit FREE) Main Street Community Center, 1003 N. Main St, Edwardsville. 618-656-0300, or by email at [email protected]. Jazzercise Classes every Monday and Wednesday, 5:30 pm and every Saturday, 8:30 am. Main Street Community Center, 1003 N. Main, Edwardsville. See instructor for fees. Call 618-656-0300 for more information or email [email protected]. Family Caregiver Support Group, 5:30 -7:00 pm, St. John’s Community Care located at 222 Goethe Street in Collinsville. This support group is intended for family caregivers caring for loved ones with any type of disability. Light complimentary dinner. Session held the 2nd Wednesday of every month. Complimentary care for loved ones is available with a reservation. Call 618-344-5008, www.edglenfamilies.org. Story Time every Wednesday at 6:3o pm plus every Monday and Tuesday at 10 am. Glen Carbon Library, 198 S. Main, www.glencarbonlibrary.org. Lions Club Bingo, 7 pm, every Wednesday at Trimor Bingo Hall 3701 Nameoki Rd, 618-8777771. We play 27 games including 3-$500 bingo games, 2-$500 raffle games, and 4-$1000 raffle games. Our mission is to assist folks in Pontoon Beach, Mitchell, Granite City, Madison and Venice who have sight & hearing problems, www. granitecity.illinois.gov. Starzz Karaoke every Wednesday night, 8-midnight, Chapps Bar, 119 W. Edwards, Litchfield. Thursday, December 11 Stretch And Move Exercise Class, 8-9 am every Tue, Thur and Fri at Main Street Community Center, 1003 N. Main Edwardsville. – Tue, Thu & Fri, 8:00-9:00, $1 suggested Center donation. For questions on the classes, contact the Community Center: 618-656-0300 or email [email protected]. Bible Study each Thursday 9am @ the home of Teresa Abert. Ladies in the area are welcome to come for bible study, prayer time and fellowship. Teresa Abert, 208 N.Duncan Street, Marine. Email [email protected] or call 618-5312746 for more information, facebook.com/ teresakayabert. Write Your Own Story class, 10 am (for 1 hour) every Thursday through November 15. You can start any time and attend as many classes as you like ($1/class) but the more you attend, the more content you will have for your book. At the end of the classes the books will be compiled for duplication and binding. The books will make special holiday gifts. Please bring a spiral-bound notebook and a pen/pencil - or a laptop computer. Duplication and binding will be voluntary. Main Street Community Center, 1003 N. Main St, Edwardsville. Email: [email protected] or call 618-656-0300 for more info. www.mainstcc.org. www.facebook.com/thebuzzmonthly Open Play at Riverbend Community Center, 200 W. 3rd St, Alton, every Thurs & Fri Night from 610 pm. Open to members and non-members. Just $5 a person or $15 a family. Members get in Free on Thursdays! Come for dinner at Prinvicalli's Cafe located on the second floor of the community center and then watch a movie or play games all night! All ages welcome. For more information contact John at 618-465-9850, email [email protected] or visit riverbender.com/ communitycenter. Open Play at Riverbend Community Center, 200 W. 3rd St, Alton, every Thurs & Fri Night from 6-10 pm. Open to members and non-members. Just $5 a person or $15 a family. Members get in Free on Thursdays! Come for dinner at Prinvicalli's Cafe located on the second floor of the community center and then watch a movie or play games all night! All ages welcome. For more information contact John at 618-465-9850, email [email protected] or visit www.riverbender.com/communitycenter. Police Bingo, every Thursday night, starts at 7 pm. No games under $110. Paper cards & mates, full snack bar, bing supplies, no smoking, plenty of parking. Proceeds benefit the programs supported by the Granite City Police Dept including youth athletics. Knights of Columbus Hall, 425 Old Alton Road, Granite City. www.granitecity.illinois.gov. Winter Concert Series featuring Lucky Old Sons with food by Cunetto’s Corner Cucina, 6 pm, The Wildey Theatre, 252 N. Main, Edwardsville, www.wildeytheatre.com. FREE SQUARE DANCE LESSON, 7-9 pm with Hoedowners Square Dance Club. Wood River Roundhouse, 633 N. Wood River Ave, Wood River (Roundhouse entrance and parking lot are located on Whitelaw Ave near Aquatic Center). Held every Thursday, starting 2nd week classes will be just $5/person. Contact Bo or Agnes Smith for more info, 618-288-9838, email: [email protected]. www.hoedowners.com. Emotions Anonymous 12 Steps for Christians meets every Thursday at 7 pm at the St. Paul Lutheran Church on the frontage road 2 miles north of Hamel. Free and open to anyone in need of emotional support for any reason. Contact Larry Madorin,[email protected] or 217272-4560. Lions Club Bingo, 7 pm. Trimor Bingo Hall, 3701 Nameoki Rd, Granite City. We play 27 games including 3-$500 bingo games, 2-$500 raffle games, and 4-$1000 raffle games. Our mission is to assist folks in Pontoon Beach, Mitchell, Granite City, Madison and Venice who have sight & hearing problems. www.granitecity.illinois.gov. Friday, December 12 FREE LUNCH FRIDAY at Immanuel United Methodist Church, 800 N Main, Edwardsville (across from Madison County Museum), 11 am 1 pm. Everyone is welcome to enjoy a homemade meal made by the women of the church, regardless of race, age or denomination, For more information, 618-656-4648, www.immanuelonmain.org. Bingo every Tuesday and Friday, 1-3 pm, Main Street Community Center, 1003 N. Main St. Edwardsville, www.edglenfamilies.org. Fish Fry every Friday - 5-7 pm, 9 oz catfish filet, fries, slaw, and dessert/$7.00, fish sandwich/ $4.00. Carryouts available for 25¢ extra. VFW Post 3912, 215 W. Ryder, Litchfield. Fish Fry, 4-8 pm, Choice of Fried Cod, Catfish, Jack Salmon and Baked Salmon or Tilapia, Cod cut ups, Shrimp and Chicken Strips. Dinners include 2 sides: choice of cole slaw, potato salad, french fries, macaroni and cheese, baked beans, hushpuppies, mushrooms and onion rings. Eat in or carryout. 618-667-8387. Troy VFW, Troy, www.troymaryvillecoc.com. Friday Night Fish Fry, 5-8 pm, every Friday at V.F.W. Post 1300, 3401 Century Dr, Granite City. Kitchen open to the public- Eat in, call in and carry out. Cod, fried shrimp, jack salmon & chicken strips. Plate includes 2 sides for $7.50, Sandwiches are $5. Catfish fillets plates include 2 sides for $8, Sandwiches are $5.50, www.granitecity.illinois.gov. Eagles Bingo, 7 pm, every Friday, at Tri-mor Bingo Center, 3701 Nameoki Rd, Granite City. Great Prizes and great fun! www.granitecity.illinois.gov. Fri, December 12-sat, December 13 5th Annual Gifts with Purpose Fair Trade Holiday Shop, Fri, 4-9, Sat 10-4. Unique gifts from several countries including jewelry, scarves, purses, dolls, baskets and more. Every purchase makes a difference! Roots-n-Streams, 1350 Irongate Trail, Greenville. Cal 847-691-8005 or email [email protected], www.roots-n-streams.com. Fri, Dec 12-sun, Dec 14 Journey to Bethlehem, 6-9 pm, First Baptist Maryville, 7110 State Route 162 Maryville, Free. Walk the road and experience the story of Jesus' birth at Journey to Bethlehem (JTB), a free, family-friendly, outdoor reenactment of the Christmas story with live animals, cozy fires to warm the way, and complimentary refreshments. Tours start at 6 p.m. on Friday, December 12 and 5 p.m. on Saturday & Sunday, December 13 & 14. Each tour will last approximately one hour. No reservations needed. First-come, first-served. Guests need to be able to travel outdoors over uneven ground without the assistance of wheelchairs, walkers, or strollers for 1/2 mile. This event is subject to cancellation due to inclement weather. Please check http://fbmaryville.org/jtb for cancellation notices and weather updates. For more info, contact the church office (618.667.8221) or visit http://fbmaryville.org. The Christmas Carol, 7:30 - 9:30 PM, Troy United Methodist Church, 407 Edwardsville Road, Troy. Friday, 7:30 pm and Sunday, 6:00 pm. Both evenings will be followed by a reception with light finger foods. Tickets $10 (children under 12 - $2). For more information contact Deb Inman ([email protected]) or call 618-667-6241. Tickets may be purchased in the church office, www.troymaryvillecoc.com. Dickens' A Christmas Carol, 7:30- 9:00 PM Troy UMC, 407 Edwardsville Road, Troy, A new play based on Charles Dickens' classic adapted by Gary Peterson. Tickets are $10 for adults and $2 for children under 12. Light refreshments will be served after the performance, www.troymaryvillecoc.com. saturday, December 13 Breakfast with Santa, 8-11 am, KC Hall, 1713 Stamper Lane, Godfrey. Admission is by advanced registration only. Registrations must be received by December 5th. Admission includes a buffet breakfast catered by the KC Men’s Group, a picture with Santa and entertainment including live music, balloon animals, a magician, and a special visit from Anna and Elsa. Santa will arrive at 8:45 am. Breakfast will be served until 10:00 am. Admission cost is: Free for children 5 & under, $6 for children ages 6 - 12, and $12 for ages 13 & older, www.godfreyil.org. (continued on page 50) The Prairie Land Buzz The Prairie Land Buzz www.thebuzzmonthly.com I December 2014 I 49 Habitat Restoration Day, 8-noon Watershed Nature Center, 1591 Tower Ave, Edwardsville. Focus is removing invasive species, replanting when possible & trail maintenance. Long pants, sturdy shoes required, and long sleeves recommended. Bring gloves & loppers if you have them. Anyone under 16 must be accompanied by an adult and all minors under 18 must have a waiver signed by a parent/guardian. Call 618-692-7578 with any questions, www.watershednaturecenter.com. CUSTOMER APPRECIATON OPEN HOUSE at Corky’s Emporium, 4754 Humbert Road, Alton. Refreshments, door prizes, in-store specials. Find us on Facebook! Breakfast with Santa, 9-noon, 26 Collinsport Drive, Collinsville. Open to all Ages. Hot Breakfast Buffet, Photo With Santa, $11 for non-resident child, $10 for resident child , $9 for adults. Register online at collinsvillerec.com, call 618346-7529 or visit the CARD office at 10 Gateway Drive, Collinsville, www.troymaryvillecoc.com. Saturday Story Time, every Saturday at 10:30 am. Interactive program of stories, crafts, songs and fun for all ages. No registration required. Maryville Community Library, 8 Schiber Court, Maryville, www.maryville.lib.il.us. Mrs Claus’ Kitchen, 10-noon, at Jerseyville Library, 105 N. Liberty St. Children will make and decorate a variety of holiday goodies. For more information call the library at 618-498-9514 or email [email protected]. Christmas Gifts & More, 11am-2pm, First Methodist Church, 109 E. 2nd North Street Mt Olive next to the old water tower. Home made cookies & candies. gifts and crafts small inexpensive gifts for youngsters to purchase for the adults in their life; stocking stuffers, etc. Lego Club, 1-3 pm the 2nd Saturday of every month at the Glen Carbon Library, 198 S. Main, www.glencarbonlibrary.org. RiverBender.com Community Center Kids Night Out, the 2nd Saturday of every month, 200 W. 3rd Street, Alton, 6-9 pm. The program will give parents the opportunity to take the night off with their 2nd-5th graders and concentrate for those hours on themselves. With all the amenities of the facility the children are sure to have a great time. Admission is $10.00 per child, if registered in advance, or $15.00 at the door. Larger families (3 or more children) may call in advance for special rates. Price includes dinner, movie, and various age appropriate activities. Additional concessions will be available for purchase. For additional information call 618-465-9850 ext. 212, email [email protected] or visit www.riverbender.com/ communitycenter and follow the “events” tab. 50 I December 2014 I Eagles Bingo, 7 pm, every Friday and Saturday at Tri-mor Bingo Center, 3701 Nameoki Rd, Granite City. Great Prizes and great fun! www.granitecity.illinois.gov. LIVE MUSIC: Bud Summers, 6 pm, The Winery at Shale Lake, 1499 Washington Ave, Williamson, www.shalewine.com. sat, Dec 13-sun, Dec 14 ARRIVAL AT CAMP RIVER DUBOIS, 10-4 both days, Lewis & Clark State Historic Site, 1 Lewis and Clark Trail. Witness the arrival of the Lewis and Clark Expedition as reenactors arrive at the mouth of the River Dubois to establish their 1803-04 Winter Encampment. Join the members of the Corps in a military demonstration of 1803 U.S. Army Expedition. Visitors can experience camp life in early Frontier Illinois, and watch demonstrations of period crafts and skills. Free, 618-251-5811, www.greatriverroad.com. sunday, December 14 Christmas Concert, 10:30-noon, The Pentecostals of Troy, 8965 Rt. 162, Troy. A variety of Christmas songs performed by the music ministry of the church. The public is welcome to attend and there is no admission charge. For more information, please visit our online church at www.pentecostalsoftroy.org, call 618-667-6054, or email us at [email protected]. Santa's Village, 12:30 - 3:00 PM. Come visit Santa at the Tri-Township Park in Troy, www.troymaryvillecoc.com. Christmas Cookie Sale, 12:30 pm, The Pentecostals, 8965 Rt 162, Troy. A variety of homemade sweet goods will be available to purchase. Phone orders will not be accepted, please no early sales as well. For more information, please visit our online church at www.pentecostalsoftroy.org, call 667-6054, or email us at [email protected]. Marshall the Miracle Dog, 1 pm & 4 pm. Filmed in and around Edwardsville, Marshall the Miracle Dog is a film about a brave dog that endures horrendous conditions at the hands of an animal hoarder and is rescued by an equally brave twelve-year-old boy named Finn, The Wildey Theatre, 252 N. Main, Edwardsville, www.wildeytheatre, com. Old Country and Bluegrass Music Jam, every Sunday, 5-9 pm. All artists welcome, all audiences welcome. Millersburg General Store, 613 Route 143, Millersburg (E. Pierron). 618-669-2155. sun, Dec 14-sun Dec 21 Santa's Village, 5-7:30 pm, Tri-Township Park, Troy, www.troymaryvillecoc.com. (continued on page 53) www.facebook.com/thebuzzmonthly The Prairie Land Buzz The Prairie Land Buzz www.thebuzzmonthly.com I December 2014 I 51 52 I December 2014 I www.facebook.com/thebuzzmonthly The Prairie Land Buzz Monday, December 15 Story Time every Monday and Tuesday at 10 am, Wednesdays at 6:30 pm. Glen Carbon Library, 198 S. Main, www.glencarbonlibrary.org. Bingo every Monday - doors open at 5:30, bingo starts at 7 pm. Food and drink available. VFW Post 3912, 215 W. Ryder, Litchfield. Tales for Tails every Monday night from 6-7 pm. Students in grades K-5 can practice reading to a furry friend. At the Niedringhaus School, corner of 29th and State. For more information call 618-452-6238 or visit www.smrld.org. Emotions Anonymous meets every Monday night at 8 pm at the Immanuel Lutheran Church, 504 North 7th St, New Douglas. Free and open to anyone in need of emotional support for any reason. Contact Larry Madorin, madorin@ frontiernet.net or 217-272-4560. Tuesday, December 16 Quilting, 9-11 am, every Tuesday at Jarvis Township Senior Citizens Center, 410 Wickliffe St., Troy. Quilting for all, beginners through seasoned, www.troymaryvillecoc.com. Wilderness Walk every 3rd Tuesday of the month at 9:30, Watershed Nature Center, 1591 Tower Ave, Edwardsville. Bring your curiosity, questions, and keen eye for observation as we enjoy the wetland, prairie and forest habitats. All ages welcome, advance registration requested, 618692-7578, www.watershednaturecenter.com. Adult Movie time, 1 pm, at Jerseyville Library, 105 N. Liberty St. Watch the new releas Christmas Candle, featuring music by Susan Boyle. Refreshments served. For more information call the library at 618-498-9514 or email laurie@ jerseyvillelibrary.org. Story Time every Monday and Tuesday at 10 am, Wednesdays at 6:30 pm. Glen Carbon Library, 198 S. Main, www.glencarbonlibrary.org. Bingo, 1-3 pm, every Tuesday and Friday, Main Street Community Center, 1033 N. Main, Edwardsville. www.mainstreetcc.org. Meals of Love served every Tuesday at Grave Baptist Church, 2600 Edward Street, Granite City. Sit down for a free, hot meal and cold drink at 4:30 pm. For more information call 618-8776672. Grief Support Group, 6:30 pm, No fee and no registration needed. Topics include how to better understand the grieving process, developing coping skills, improving communication and stress management. For anyone that has experienced a loss of any kind. Meets on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of every month at the First Baptist Church of Litchfield, Harrison Street entrance. For more information, call Joyce Weatherford, RN/Case Manager at St . Francis Hospital, head of the support group, at 217-324-8544. The Marine Unit H.C.E. will meet @ the Marine Senior Citizen's Center @ 6:30pm. Please bring a white elephant gift , 1 gift for a prize, and 1 can of cans of food for the food pantry . A charge of $10.00 will be for the dinner , which is provided by The Parkview Cafe of either turkey or roast pork. Please do let us know which one of the choices for either turkey or roast pork. Dues of $12 are due for 2015 by the 1st of January. For more information contact Teresa Abert @ 618531-2746 or Lou Strickland@ 618-789-6571 , or Wilma Tabor @ 618-887-4461. The Prairie Land Buzz Emotions Anonymous meets every Tuesday at 6 pm at the Louis Latzer Library, 1001 9th Street, Highland (Contact Jackie at 618-654-9351 or email: 16bjschu@email) and at 6 pm at the Locust Street Resource Center in Carlinville (Contact Larry Madorin, [email protected] or 217272 -4560). Free and open to anyone in need of emotional support for any reason. wednesday, December 17 Dance Fitness Exercise Class, every Wednesday, 1-2 pm. $5/session (First visit FREE) Main Street Community Center, 1003 N. Main, Edwardsville. 618-656-0300, or by email at [email protected]. Jazzercise Classes every Monday and Wednesday, 5:30 pm and every Saturday, 8:30 am. Main Street Community Center, 1003 N. Main, Edwardsville. See instructor for fees. Call 618-656-0300 for more information or email [email protected]. Making Ornaments at the Library, 6-8 pm, Collinsville Library, 408 W. Main St. Fir adults and teens. Learn how to turn plain, clear ornaments into personalized decorations. All supplies are provided, but you are welcome to bring your own decorative trinkets and doodads. This is a free program, although advance registration is required. Please call the library at 618-344-1112 or visit the main desk to sign up, www.discovercollinsville. Story Time every Wednesday at 6:30 pm plus every Monday and Tuesday at 10 am. Glen Carbon Library, 198 S. Main, www.glencarbonlibrary.org. Lions Club Bingo, 7 pm, every Wednesday at Trimor Bingo Hall 3701 Nameoki Rd, 618-8777771. We play 27 games including 3-$500 bingo games, 2-$500 raffle games, and 4-$1000 raffle games. Our mission is to assist folks in Pontoon Beach, Mitchell, Granite City, Madison and Venice who have sight & hearing problems, www. granitecity.illinois.gov. Christmas Concert, 7-9 pm, Troy United Methodist Church, 407 Edwardsville Road in Troy. A beautiful evening of music at the Christmas Concert involving the Chancel Choir, the Praise Ringers, the TUMC Orchestra and the TUMC Youth and Children's Choirs. A free-will offering will be taken. For more information call 618.667.6241, www.troymaryvillecoc.com. Starzz Karaoke every Wednesday night, 8-midnight, Chapps Bar, 119 W. Edwards, Litchfield. Thursday, December 18 Stretch And Move Exercise Class, 8-9 am every Tue, Thur and Fri at Main Street Community Center, 1003 N. Main Edwardsville. – Tue, Thu & Fri, 8:00-9:00, $1 suggested Center donation. For questions on the classes, contact the Community Center: 618656-0300 or email [email protected]. Bible Study each Thursday 9am @ the home of Teresa Abert. Ladies in the area are welcome to come for bible study, prayer time and fellowship. Teresa Abert, 208 N.Duncan Street, Marine. Email [email protected] or call 618-5312746 for more information, facebook.com/ teresakayabert. Write Your Own Story class, 10 am (for 1 hour) every Thursday through November 15. You can start any time and attend as many classes as you like ($1/class) but the more you attend, the more content you will have for your book. At the end of the classes the books will be compiled for duplication and binding. The books will make special holiday gifts. Please bring a spiral-bound notebook and a pen/pencil - or a laptop computer. Duplication and binding will be voluntary. Main Street Community Center, 1003 N. Main St, Edwardsville. Email: [email protected] or call 618-656-0300 for more info. www.mainstcc.org. Open Play at Riverbend Community Center, 200 W. 3rd St, Alton, every Thurs & Fri Night from 6-10 pm. Open to members and non-members. Just $5 a person or $15 a family. Members get in Free on Thursdays! Come for dinner at Prinvicalli's Cafe located on the second floor of the community center and then watch a movie or play games all night! All ages welcome. For more information contact John at 618-465-9850, email [email protected] or visit www.riverbender.com/communitycenter. Cahokia Archaeological Society Meeting, 7 pm. Holiday potluck dinner and gift exchange. Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site, 30 Ramey St, Collinsville, www.cahokiamounds.org. Police Bingo, every Thursday night, starts at 7 pm. No games under $110. Paper cards & mates, full snack bar, bing supplies, no smoking, plenty of parking. Proceeds benefit the programs supported by the Granite City Police Dept including youth athletics. Knights of Columbus Hall, 425 Old Alton Road, Granite City. www.granitecity.illinois.gov. FREE SQUARE DANCE LESSON, 7-9 pm with Hoedowners Square Dance Club. Wood River Roundhouse, 633 N. Wood River Ave, Wood River (Roundhouse entrance and parking lot are located on Whitelaw Ave near Aquatic Center). Held every Thursday, starting 2nd week classes will be just $5/person. Contact Bo or Agnes Smith for more info, 618-288-9838, email: [email protected]. www.hoedowners.com. Emotions Anonymous 12 Steps for Christians meets every Thursday at 7 pm at the St. Paul Lutheran Church on the frontage road 2 miles north of Hamel. Free and open to anyone in need of emotional support for any reason. Contact Larry Madorin, [email protected] or 217272-4560. Lions Club Bingo, 7 pm. Trimor Bingo Hall, 3701 Nameoki Rd, Granite City. We play 27 games including 3-$500 bingo games, 2-$500 raffle games, and 4-$1000 raffle games. Our mission is to assist folks in Pontoon Beach, Mitchell, Granite City, Madison and Venice who have sight & hearing problems, www.granitecity.illinois.gov. ASTRONOMY ASSOCIATION MEETING, 7 pm, Talahi Lodge at the Olin Nature Preserve The Nature Institute, 2213 South Levis Lane, Godfrey, every third Thursday of the month. Participants will navigate the preserve with naturalist Eddie Agha to observe and record constellations. No telescopes are needed. Guests will also receive short, instructional lessons about activities and workshops associated with the program, and find out how to join the TNI Astronomy Association. Free, but reservations are required. Reservations and information: 618-467-2521 or email [email protected]. Friday, December 19 FREE LUNCH FRIDAY at Immanuel United Methodist Church, 800 N Main, Edwardsville (across from Madison County Museum), 11 am 1 pm. Everyone is welcome to enjoy a homemade meal made by the women of the church, regardless of race, age or denomination, For more information, 618-656-4648, www.immanuelonmain.org. Bingo every Tuesday and Friday, 1-3 pm, Main Street Community Center, 1003 N. Main St. Edwardsville, www.edglenfamilies.org. Fish Fry every Friday - 5-7 pm, 9 oz catfish filet, fries, slaw, and dessert/$7.00, fish sandwich/ $4.00. Carryouts available for 25¢ extra. VFW Post 3912, 215 W. Ryder, Litchfield. Fish Fry, 4-8 pm, Choice of Fried Cod, Catfish, Jack Salmon and Baked Salmon or Tilapia, Cod cut ups, Shrimp and Chicken Strips. Dinners include 2 sides: choice of cole slaw, potato salad, french fries, macaroni and cheese, baked beans, hushpuppies, mushrooms and onion rings. Eat in or carryout. 618-667-8387. Troy VFW, Troy, www.troymaryvillecoc.com. Friday Night Fish Fry, 5-8 pm, every Friday at V.F.W. Post 1300, 3401 Century Dr, Granite City. Kitchen open to the public- Eat in, call in and carry out. Cod, fried shrimp, jack salmon & chicken strips. Plate includes 2 sides for $7.50, Sandwiches are $5. Catfish fillets plates include 2 sides for $8, Sandwiches are $5.50, www.granitecity.illinois.gov. Eagles Bingo, 7 pm, every Friday and Saturday at Tri-mor Bingo Center, 3701 Nameoki Rd, Granite City. Great Prizes and great fun! www.granitecity.illinois.gov. FoW & Hudson Jewelers present White Christmas, 7 pm. The Wildey Theatre, 252 N. Main, Edwardsville, www.wildeytheatre.com. saturday, December 20 Nia Dance for Kids, 10 am the third Saturday of every month, Glen Carbon Library, 198 S. Main, www.glencarbonlibrary.org. Movie Day for Kids, 10-noon, at Jerseyville Library, 105 N. Liberty St. Watch Rise of the Guardians while you enjoy popcorn and other snacks. For more information call the library at 618-498-9514 or email laurie@jerseyville library.org. Saturday Story Time, every Saturday at 10:30 am. Interactive program of stories, crafts, songs and fun for all ages. No registration required. Maryville Community Library, 8 Schiber Court, Maryville, www.maryville.lib.il.us. Open Play at Riverbend Community Center, 200 W. 3rd St, Alton, every Thurs & Fri Night from 6-10 pm. Open to members and non-members. Just $5 a person or $15 a family. Members get in Free on Thursdays! Come for dinner at Prinvicalli's Cafe located on the second floor of the community center and then watch a movie or play games all night! All ages welcome. For more information contact John at 618-465-9850, email [email protected] or visit www.riverbender.com/communitycenter. Eagles Bingo, 7 pm, every Friday and Saturday at Tri-mor Bingo Center, 3701 Nameoki Rd, Granite City. Great Prizes and great fun! www.granitecity.illinois.gov. Starzz Karaoke the third Saturday of every month, 8-midnight, at The Magnuson Grand Hotel and Conference Center, Insterstate 55 to Exit 60, www..magnusongrandhotel.com. LIVE MUSIC: Butch Moore, 6 pm, The Winery at Shale Lake, 1499 Washington Ave, Williamson, www.shalewine.com. Wet Willie in concert, 8 pm, The Wildey Theatre, 252 N. Main Street, Edwardsville, www.wildeytheatre.com. (continued on page 54) www.thebuzzmonthly.com I December 2014 I 53 sunday, December 21 Winter Solstice Sunrise Observance Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site, 30 Ramey St, Collinsville. Meet at the reconstructed Woodhenge. Arrive by 7 am to hear an explanation of the disvoery, form and function of this ancietn post circle monument used as a calendar by the Mississippians. No ceremoneis will be conducted. Free, www.cahokiamounds.org. Sewing Circle, 1-3 p.m. Free (meets each month on the second and fourth Sunday.) Bring any period sewing or needlecraft project to share and/or work on in a relaxed setting. Period sewing instruction and help are available to those wanting to advance their skills in the production of period garments. Both ladies and gentlemen are welcome to participate. The sewing circle will meet second and fourth Sundays (schedule may change due to holidays or special events). This is an informal gathering to share skills, ideas, and new information. The Colonel Benjamin Stephenson House, 409 S. Buchanan, Edwardsville, www.stephensonhouse.org. Old Country and Bluegrass Music Jam, every Sunday, 5-9 pm. All artists welcome, all audiences welcome. Millersburg General Store, 613 Route 143, Millersburg (E. Pierron). 618669-2155. Monday, December 22 National Association of Retired Fedearl Employees (NARFE) Alton Chapter 575 meets at the Alton Senior Services Plus Center at 2603 Rodgers Ave. Lunch in the School Room Grill at 11 am, and business meeting in the conference room at noon. Call 618-377-1242 for more information. Jazzercise Classes every Monday and Wednesday, 5:30 pm and every Saturday, 8:30 am. Main Street Community Center, 1003 N. Main, Edwardsville. See instructor for fees. Call 618-656-0300 for more information or email [email protected]. Story Time every Monday and Tuesday at 10 am, Wednesdays at 6:30 pm. Glen Carbon Library, 198 S. Main, www.glencarbonlibrary.org. Bingo every Monday - doors open at 5:30, bingo starts at 7 pm. Food and drink available. VFW Post 3912, 215 W. Ryder, Litchfield. Tales for Tails every Monday night from 6-7 pm. Students in grades K-5 can practice reading to a furry friend. At the Niedringhaus School, corner of 29th and State. For more information call 618-452-6238 or visit www.smrld.org. Emotions Anonymous meets every Monday night at 8 pm at the Immanuel Lutheran Church, 504 North 7th St, New Douglas. Free and open to anyone in need of emotional support for any reason. Contact Larry Madorin, [email protected] or 217-272-4560. Tuesday, December 23 Quilting, 9-11 am, every Tuesday at Jarvis Township Senior Citizens Center, 410 Wickliffe St., Troy. Quilting for all, beginners through seasoned, www.troymaryvillecoc.com. Story Time every Monday and Tuesday at 10 am, Wednesdays at 6:30 pm. Glen Carbon Library, 198 S. Main, www.glencarbonlibrary.org. Bingo, every Tuesday and Friday, 1-3 pm. The third Tuesday each month is color bingo. Main Street Community Center, 1033 N. Main St, Edwardsville, 618-656-0300, www.mainstcc.org. Meals of Love served every Tuesday at Grave Baptist Church, 2600 Edward Street, Granite City. Sit down for a free, hot meal and cold drink at 4:30 pm. For more information call 618-8776672. Emotions Anonymous meets every Tuesday at 6 pm at the Louis Latzer Library, 1001 9th Street, Highland (Contact Jackie at 618-654-9351 or email: 16bjschu@email) and at 6 pm at the Locust Street Resource Center in Carlinville (Contact Larry Madorin, [email protected] or 217272 -4560). Free and open to anyone in need of emotional support for any reason. wednesday, December 24 Christmas Eve Candlelight Services, 2 pm, 4 pm, 6 pm and 11 pm at Troy United Methodist Church, 407 Edwardsville Road, Troy. Experience beautiful music, a meaningful Christmas message, and a candelight singing of Silent Night. A brief Christmas Eve Communion Service will be offered at 5:15 pm in the Sanctuary. For more information call 618.667.6241 or visit www.troyumc.org/christmas. Thursday, December 25 Christams Candle Light Service, 7 pm, The Pentecostals of Troy, 8965 Rt. 162, Troy Additionally, New Years Eve service will be held on December 31 at 7 PM. For more information, please visit our online church at www.pentecostalsoftroy.org, call 667-6054, or email us at [email protected]. Eagles Bingo, 7 pm, every Friday and Saturday at Tri-mor Bingo Center, 3701 Nameoki Rd, Granite City. Great Prizes and great fun! www.granitecity.illinois.gov. saturday, December 27 Saturday Story Time, every Saturday at 10:30 am. Interactive program of stories, crafts, songs and fun for all ages. No registration required. Maryville Community Library, 8 Schiber Court, Maryville, www.maryville.lib.il.us. American Girl Club, 1-3 pm, the 4th Saturday of every month at the Glen Carbon Library, 198 S. Main, www.glencarblonlibrary.org. Eagles Bingo, 7 pm, every Friday and Saturday at Tri-mor Bingo Center, 3701 Nameoki Rd, Granite City. Great Prizes and great fun! www.granitecity.illinois.gov. SH-BOOM (The Last Dance), 7 pm - the final area concert by this popular band, The Wildey Theatre, 252 N. Main, Edwardsville, www.wildeytheatre.com. sunday, December 28 Old Country and Bluegrass Music Jam, every Sunday, 5-9 pm. All artists welcome, all audiences welcome. Millersburg General Store, 613 Route 143, Millersburg (E. Pierron). 618-669-2155. Monday, December 29 Jazzercise Classes every Monday and Wednesday, 5:30 pm and every Saturday, 8:30 am. Main Street Community Center, 1003 N. Main, Edwardsville. See instructor for fees. Call 618-656-0300 for more information or email [email protected]. Friday, December 26 FREE LUNCH FRIDAY at Immanuel United Methodist Church, 800 N Main, Edwardsville (across from Madison County Museum), 11 am 1 pm. Everyone is welcome to enjoy a homemade meal made by the women of the church, regardless of race, age or denomination, For more information, 618-656-4648, www.immanuelonmain.org. Story Time every Monday and Tuesday at 10 am, Wednesdays at 6:30 pm. Glen Carbon Library, 198 S. Main, www.glencarbonlibrary.org. Bingo every Tuesday and Friday, 1-3 pm, Main Street Community Center, 1003 N. Main St. Edwardsville, www.edglenfamilies.org. Bingo every Monday - doors open at 5:30, bingo starts at 7 pm. Food and drink available. VFW Post 3912, 215 W. Ryder, Litchfield. Fish Fry every Friday - 5-7 pm, 9 oz catfish filet, fries, slaw, and dessert/$7.00, fish sandwich/ $4.00. Carryouts available for 25¢ extra. VFW Post 3912, 215 W. Ryder, Litchfield. Tales for Tails every Monday night from 6-7 pm. Students in grades K-5 can practice reading to a furry friend. At the Niedringhaus School, corner of 29th and State. For more information call 618-452-6238 or visit www.smrld.org. Fish Fry, 4-8 pm, Choice of Fried Cod, Catfish, Jack Salmon and Baked Salmon or Tilapia, Cod cut ups, Shrimp and Chicken Strips. Dinners include 2 sides: choice of cole slaw, potato salad, french fries, macaroni and cheese, baked beans, hushpuppies, mushrooms and onion rings. Eat in or carryout. 618-667-8387. Troy VFW, Troy, www.troymaryvillecoc.com. Friday Night Fish Fry, 5-8 pm, every Friday at V.F.W. Post 1300, 3401 Century Dr, Granite City. Kitchen open to the public- Eat in, call in and carry out. Cod, fried shrimp, jack salmon & chicken strips. Plate includes 2 sides for $7.50, Sandwiches are $5. Catfish fillets plates include 2 sides for $8, Sandwiches are $5.50, www.granitecity.illinois.gov. Open Play at Riverbend Community Center, 200 W. 3rd St, Alton, every Thurs & Fri Night from 610 pm. Open to members and non-members. Just $5 a person or $15 a family. Members get in Free on Thursdays! Come for dinner at Prinvicalli's Cafe located on the second floor of the community center and then watch a movie or play games all night! All ages welcome. For more information contact John at 618-465-9850, email [email protected] or visit www.riverbender.com/communitycenter. Emotions Anonymous meets every Monday night at 8 pm at the Immanuel Lutheran Church, 504 North 7th St, New Douglas. Free and open to anyone in need of emotional support for any reason. Contact Larry Madorin, [email protected] or 217-272-4560. Tuesday, December 30 Quilting, 9-11 am, every Tuesday at Jarvis Township Senior Citizens Center, 410 Wickliffe St., Troy. Quilting for all, beginners through seasoned, www.troymaryvillecoc.com. Story Time every Monday and Tuesday at 10 am, Wednesdays at 6:30 pm. Glen Carbon Library, 198 S. Main, www.glencarbonlibrary.org. Bingo, every Tuesday and Friday, 1-3 pm. The third Tuesday each month is color bingo. Main Street Community Center, 1033 N. Main St, Edwardsville , 618-656-0300, www.mainstcc.org. Meals of Love served every Tuesday at Grace Baptist Church, 2600 Edward Street, Granite City. Sit down for a free, hot meal and cold drink at 4:30 pm. For more information call 618-8776672. Emotions Anonymous meets every Tuesday at 6 pm at the Louis Latzer Library, 1001 9th Street, Highland (Contact Jackie at 618-654-9351 or email: 16bjschu@email) and at 6 pm at the Locust Street Resource Center in Carlinville (Contact Larry Madorin, [email protected] or 217272 -4560). Free and open to anyone in need of emotional support for any reason. wednesday, December 31 Dance Fitness Exercise Class, every Wednesday, 1-2 pm. $5/session (First visit FREE) Main Street Community Center, 1003 N. Main, Edwardsville. 618-656-0300, or by email at [email protected]. Jazzercise Classes every Monday and Wednesday, 5:30 pm and every Saturday, 8:30 am. Main Street Community Center, 1003 N. Main, Edwardsville. See instructor for fees. Call 618-656-0300 for more information or email [email protected]. Story Time every Wednesday at 6:3o pm plus every Monday and Tuesday at 10 am. Glen Carbon Library, 198 S. Main, www.glencarbonlibrary.org. Lions Club Bingo, 7 pm, every Wednesday at Trimor Bingo Hall 3701 Nameoki Rd, 618-8777771. We play 27 games including 3-$500 bingo games, 2-$500 raffle games, and 4-$1000 raffle games. Our mission is to assist folks in Pontoon Beach, Mitchell, Granite City, Madison and Venice who have sight & hearing problems, www. granitecity.illinois.gov. Bicentennial Blast Off, 7 pm to midnight at American Heritage Farm Museum in Greenville. Family friendly kick-off for Greenville’s bicentennial year, www.greenvilleusa.org. Starzz Karaoke every Wednesday night, 8-midnight, Chapps Bar, 119 W. Edwards, Litchfield. NEW YEAR’S EVE PACKAGE at State Street Bar & Grill, 118 S. State Street, Jerseyville. $69.99/couple includes dinner for 2, comedy show tickets featuring 2 comedians, bottle of champagne, party favors and DJ until 1 am. Space is limited and reservations are required. Call 618639-3663, www.statestreetjerseyville.com. New Year’s Eve Bash at the Magnuson Grand Hotel, Exit 60 off Interstate 55, Carlinville. $250/couple includes dinner buffet for 2, music by popular local band 10-55 for your dancing and listening pleasure, hors-doeuvres, open bar, champagne toast at midnight, room for two and breakfast for two the next morning. Reservations required, call 2217-324-2100, www.magnusongrandhotel.com. Friends of the Wildey Rockin’ New Year’s Eve Bash featuring the Robert Perry Band with the Original Mojos. Food, champagned toast, auction, cash bar. $40/person. The Wildey Theatre, 252 N. Main, Edwardsville, www.wildeytheatre.com. Southern Gospel New Year’s Eve Concert at Bethalto Church of God, 800 E. Bethalto Drive, 7 pm-midnite. Features The Wanda Mountain Boys, The Hoskins Family, Earl & Theresa Yougn and Bethalto Church of God’s very own Bary Bourland. The cafe will be open from 5-6:30 pm to raise money for the Senior Adults. Everyone is welcome. A free-will offering will be taken. For more information visit www.southern gospel4U.org. see You Next Year! 54 I December 2014 I www.facebook.com/thebuzzmonthly The Prairie Land Buzz The Prairie Land Buzz www.thebuzzmonthly.com I December 2014 I 55
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