Select stories from Marketplace Magazine 2018 Holiday Edition.

Tess Perica Is A Licensed Realtor And Attorney

Whose Passion Is To Help People Using Both Professions

Born and raised in Edwardsville, Tess Perica

graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Kentucky and earned her Juris Doctor from the Southern Illinois University School of Law, where she again ranked near the top of her class. She served as Justice in Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity and earned Dean’s List honors multiple times.

Upon graduation, she joined her dad, Bob Perica, at The Perica Law Firm bringing a fresh perspective to the firm while continuing the zealous representation of a growing client base. With experience including the Madison County State’s Attorney’s office, the Illinois Governor’s office, and the United States Studies Center in Sydney, Australia, Tess Perica strengthens The Perica Law Firm with a broad view of legal and practical issues.

“At our firm you will not pay a fee unless we win your case,” she said. “In addition, we like to pride ourselves on being very accessible to our clients.”

In addition to practicing law, Perica realized a life-long dream to become a licensed real estate agent joining forces with her Mom, Melissa Perica, as the Perica Properties Team at Gori Realtors.

“I have always had a passion to work in real estate and the law firm gives me that flexibility I need,” she said. “Working with people is the common denominator between my two professions,” and working with her parents makes it doubly enjoyable.

When selling a property - Perica Properties handles both residential and commercial listings - the mother-daughter duo has found that the seller is often overwhelmed at the idea of having to “get things in order” to be able to show it.

“But we can come in and show them quickly how to declutter and ‘stage’ their home, and get it on the market right away," she said. "We can organize everything for them.”

The team’s knowledge of the area and enthusiasm for helping their clients realize their dreams, plus Perica’s technology and social media skills, truly sets them apart and is a winning combination for success.

Knowing that community involvement is a worthwhile endeavor for any one, Perica is involved in: The Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis (BAMSL); Illinois Trial Lawyers Association (ITLA); Madison County Bar Association; American Association for Justice (AAJ); Alton-Wood River Bar Association; Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA); Young Friends of St. Louis Children’s Hospital; Humane Society of Missouri, Women’s Leadership Council; Greater Gateway Association of Realtors (GGAR); and the St. Louis Zoo Young Professionals.

To find more information about The Perica Law Firm that represents clients in Illinois and Missouri, please call (618) 251-4400 and visit www.PericaLawFirm. com. And for the Perica Properties Team at Gori Realtors: call (618) 973-5676 and visit www.PericaProperties.com.

Tess Perica

5th Annual Christkindlmarkt Set To Open With Free Concert By Dogs of Society - Elton John Tribute Band

T

he Belleville Christkindlmarkt Committee, under the Belleville Cultural Enrichment Organization, is excited to announce the fifth annual Christkindlmarkt: An authentic German Christmas Market set around the southeast and northeast corners of scenic Public Square daily from Nov. 23 through Dec. 23.

After the huge success of the first four Christkindlmarkts, Belleville's own "Christmas Carole," Director Carole Piontkowsky, said, “It's hard to believe we are in our fifth year. Each year grows with new and returning visitors," she said. "The Christkindlmarkt has become a fixture in Belleville and around the St. Louis area. This year we wanted to provide more free events so those visiting family and friends will be enticed to come downtown and see all that Belleville has to offer."

A new family event near Santa's house on the weekends is the showing of family-friendly movies courtesy of the Lincoln Theatre and Belleville Parks and Recreation. Check these activities and other entertainment schedules on the web site.

In a nod to Belleville’s rich German heritage, the Christkindlmarkt features European vendors, German food such as cookies and cakes, and beverages like the traditional Gluhwein, which is a warm spiced wine served in a souvenir mug.

Attendees this year will find the same number of vendors, yet, there will be many new vendors coming and going every week. Thus, visitors are encouraged to shop often to make sure they see everything. In addition, be sure to check www.bellevillechristkindlmarkt.com for food tastings/ demos/pairings throughout the month.

Set on Belleville’s scenic Public Square, the market will be open daily from Nov. 23 - Dec. 23.

Opening Day Festivities Will Include:

10 a.m. Santa Parade 5:45 p.m. Official kickoff/Christkind Proclamation/Tree Lighting/Sing-along and parade float winners announced 6:30 p.m. Free Concert by Dogs of Society - Elton John Tribute Band

Vip tickets are available in limited quantities

Live Reindeer: Nov. 24, Dec. 1, Dec. 7, Dec. 16 and Dec. 21 Free horse drawn trolley rides every Friday - Sunday.

Don’t forget Gustav, the Elf On Main - a small plush character - who will be hidden in 45 merchants’ shops along Main Street and Christmas Market Vendors during the holidays. Shoppers can visit these participating shops, locate Gustav and have their "passports" stamped (only 25 stamps are needed). Passports will be available on the back of the Events Page found in the Holiday Gift Guide of the Belleville News Democrat or they can be picked up at Christkindlmarkt Haus 1, or at Christmas market vendors, or at the participating stores. All completed passports must be submitted to Local Lucy's at 310 East Main St. by Dec. 22 where kids will receive a free gift just for participating (while supplies last) and one passport will be drawn on Dec. 23 to win $100 in Main Street dollars.

The Market will be open Sun. from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Mon.-Thurs. from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and Fri. and Sat. from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Opening Day begins at 9 a.m. For more information and entertainment schedules, visit www.bellevillechristkindlmarkt.com and the Facebook page.

Marketplace Magazine | Holiday Issue 2018 | marketplacemagazineonline.com | 9

Don Rodgers Ltd.

All The Right Styles For This Year's Holiday Parties

Decked out with all the best styles and colors of the season for women and men, Don Rodgers Ltd. is ready for the holidays. “The holidays are a fun time of the year around here. We are absolutely loaded with new items,” owner Roger Wigginton said. "And I’m getting new merchandise every day – the UPS man doesn’t ever pass us by.”

Studying the trends daily, he and his long-time buyer, Linda Watson, both agree "this is one of the best-looking fall/winter collection we have seen in years. Everything is cute, stylish and saleable."

Popular this year are capes, long sweaters and tunics paired with leggings or skinny pants - "Women don't tuck things in any more," Wigginton said, "which makes our Euro pullon pants the perfect match - you don't want a zipper and button in the way. I have these pants in seven different colors plus denim. This style is designed to fit a lady meaning they sit at your waist not below!"

Some time ago, he and Watson could see that fashion designers were no longer showing as many dresses as in the past. Seeing an opportunity, they wisely created a niche in dressy separates perfect for special occasions such as weddings, cruises and nights on the town.

“We offer matching solid slacks, skirts and shells in six different colors, and then we combine a fabulous blouse or jacket to make an amazing outfit,” Wigginton said. Then all you need is a different colorful blouse or jacket and voila… a new outfit! And by the way, a large percentage of their merchandise is made in America or Canada, and come in easy-care, wrinkle-free fabrics most of which can be washed.

Known as the “jacket capital of the Midwest,” shoppers can choose from tons of different styles to wear with a dressy pant or skirt, or even jeans. Don’t wait too long when the new season’s items are placed on the shelves – they will likely be gone by the end of the week.

The men’s department is equally as impressive with such sophisticated brands as Forsyth of Canada, Hardwick Clothes, the Normal Brand, Fusion and Grand River jeans. Here customers can find suits, sport coats, dress shirts, golf shirts, sweaters, trousers, casual pants and jeans. And there are two seamstresses for alterations available.

“Really, we are the last fashion boutique in the area that offers women’s and men’s merchandise,” Wigginton said. “Nobody has my look at my price! The things we carry here will never be found in a shopping mall. Consequently, our customers love that uniqueness and the very competitive prices. I keep my overhead down and pass that savings on to you.”

For 43 years now, visitors have traveled from far and wide to shop at Don Rodgers Ltd. “Time has really flown and I am very grateful to my customers who come from as far away as the Illinois communities of Edwardsville, Lebanon, O'Fallon and Alton; or from St. Charles and St. Peters, South and West Counties, and even Cape Girardeau in Missouri, just to name a few,” Wigginton said.

Please visit Don Rodgers Ltd. at 6727 W. Main Street in Belleville, (618) 398- 2421. "Like" the store on Facebook and visit www.donrodgersltd.net.

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