The Edge of the Weekend - June 27, 2019

June 27, 2019 Volume 17, Issue 226

Wellness specialist Rita Prenzler talks ‘balance concept,’ page 4 Metro East House Hunters: Gen Z, millennials’ homebuying habits could show differences, page 9 People At The Party: Business After 5 Goldenberg Heller & Antognoli, page 29

Complete fireworks display listing, page 30

2 • Thursday, June 27, 2019 • On the Edge of the Weekend 00 pm ighland City Hall ouncil Chambers

memory care

ter to win an iPad!

Sanmemory Gabriel care assisted living

Contact Us

DEMENTIA & Alzheimer's & ALZHEIMER’S Learn about how we can Care assist your Dementia RESIDENTIAL CARE

Now Adding SanGabr Assisted Living

loved one with Dementia or • Custom-designed building to give Alzheimer's.

residents freedom in a safe environment

Call today!

(618) 288-1863

• Bright surroundings to ease anxiety and promote well-being

• Memory care programs to workout and strengthen the brain

Affordable, boutique 241 MagnoliaCDr., Glen Carbon, Ilfor 62034 • SanGabrie ont a c t : s ang abr iliving e assisted the selective senior who prefers a more intimate experience

C ont ac t: s an

C ont a c t : s ang abr i e

• Affordable • Boutique • Independence • Safe & Secured , I L 6 2 2 4 9

Call Now! 618-651-6311 Located at Meridian Rd. & Hwy 157 • SanGabrielMemoryCare.com

On the Edge of the Weekend • Thursday, June 27, 2019 • 3

June 27, 2019 4

Specialist explains ‘omega-3’ effect

9-19

Metro East House Hunters

20

What to discover ... arts

21

What to hear ... music

22

Food for Thought ... with Vicki Bennington

23

‘Rocketman’ shows Elton’s longevity

27

Takin’ It To The Street

29

People At The Party

30

What to do ... events

30

Where to find fireworks shows

Who to contact THE EDGE PUBLISHER • Denise VonderHaar..............dvonderhaar@edwpub.net THE EDGE ADVERTISING DIRECTOR • Carole Fredeking ............carole.fredeking@hearst.com THE EDGE MARKETING STRATEGISTS • John Wunderlich ..............john.wunderlich@hearst.com • Mary Cook ........................mary.cook@hearst.com THE EDGE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF • Jill Moon ..................................... jill.moon@hearst.com THE EDGE EVENTS COORDINATOR • Kendra McAndrews ..... kendra.mcandrews@hearst.com THE EDGE CONTRIBUTORS • Vicki Bennington............... vbennington@sbcglobal.net • Keith Brake ............................keithbrake76@gmail.com • Robert Grubaugh .............. rgrubaugh19@hotmail.com

ON THE COVER: Wellness specialist Rita Prenzler, of Edwardsville, Illinois. (For The Edge)

On The Edge Of The Weekend is a product of Hearst Illinois Media Group.

4 • Thursday, June 27, 2019 • On the Edge of the Weekend

Finding the balance

Wellness specialist explains ‘omega-3 effect’

By Jill Moon jill.moon@hearst.com EDWARDSVILLE — Wellness specialist Rita Prenzler has always included fitness in her life, but during the last year she discovered the “balance concept.”

“I grew up on an organic farm and I can tell when produce is locally grown. I love the Goshen Market and Biver Farms,” Prenzler noted. “But, it’s important to know what I’m missing. Balance is the key word.”

Prenzler, of Edwardsville, Illinois, studied physical education in college, in order to become a P.E. teacher, and she also is certified to coach cross-country skiing, as well as holds a minor in physical therapy, so she knew the importance of omega-3 oil. What she discovered is the importance of having a balance of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which she found through omega-3 “balance-oil.” Americans tend to have an abundance of cellular omega-6 and little of omega-3.

According to Arthritis.org, excess con-

sumption of omega-6 fatty acids can trigger the body to produce pro-inflammatory chemicals. These fatty acids are found in cooking oils, including corn, safflower, sunflower, grapeseed, soy, peanut and vegetable; mayonnaise; and, many salad dressings. Omega-6 and omega-3 are both essential (meaning the body does not naturally produce it) fatty acids that the body needs for normal growth and development, but the body needs a healthy balance of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids, states Arthritis.org.

Typically, a variety of seafood, including algae, contains omega-3, which are good sources, but most people do not eat seafood everyday, due to preference, allergies or other personal reasons. Vegan pursuers of omega-3 can find a source through various omega-3 balance-oil supplements.

A specific inspiration for Prenzler’s research came when her 16-year-old niece, from Latvia, became an exchange student See BALANCE, Page 5 Great summer reads for overall health and wellness!

On the Edge of the Weekend • Thursday, June 27, 2019 • 5

BALANCE Continued from Page 4 at Metro-East Lutheran High School, in Edwardsville, and stayed with Prenzler and

Courtney Wright Financial Advisor

her family last school year. The teen arrived with a bottle of omega-3 fish oil capsules in her suitcase.

“I didn’t expect a young girl to have fish oil and she showed an interest in wellness,” Prenzler recalled. “I thought if a 16 year old is conscious of staying healthy, while visiting

abroad, I wanted to see more of what omega3 was and if we needed the same in my family.”

Also, tired of feeling sluggish during the winter months, Prenzler began her research in earnest and found a concise explanation in

“The Omega-3 Effect,” by Drs. William and James Sears. Dr. William Sears, who is from Alton, Illinois, is a pediatrician and also wrote “The Family Nutrition Book.”

Proudly Serving Our Clients In Edwardsville Trust. Integrity. Mutual Respect.

Benjamin F. Edwards & Co. is a national wealth management firm committed to client-first service and providing the investment advice you deserve.

We encourage you to stop by or give us a call.

One Country Club View | Suite 201 | Edwardsvsille, IL 62025 P 618-659-6741 | TF 855-880-8901

benjaminfedwards.com

2015-0655 Exp. 12/31/2021 Member SIPC

Matt Boyer EHS Baseball

See BALANCE, Page 7

6 • Thursday, June 27, 2019 • On the Edge of the Weekend

GUIDE toWorship LOCAL HOUSES of WORSHIP with Us! and DIRECTORY Guide to LoCHURCH al Houses of Worship & Church Dir

MOUNT JOY MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH OF EDWARDSVILLE

327 Olive Street • Edw, IL 407 Edwardsville Rd. (Rt. 162) 656-0845 Troy, IL 62294 667-6241 Steve Jackson, Pastor

Andy Adams, Pastor Sunday School:Worship: 9:30 a.m.

Sunday Morning Worship: 10:45&a.m.

8 a.m., 9 a.m., 10:15 a.m.

10:45 a.m.

Wed. Early Morning Prayer: 5:00 a.m.

Wednesday Evening Youth Wed. Bible Study: 7:00 p.m.Services New Life Student Ministry www.mtjoymbc.org www.troyumc.org

ST. PAUL UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

1

3277 Bluff Rd. Edwardsville, IL District Drive, 656-1500

Edwardsville

Rev. Diane C. Grohmann (Liberty Middle School)

Rev. Aaron Myers, Pastor

Sunday Bible Studies, Family,Worship Youth & College Ministries 10:00 a.m.

9:30 a.m. Worship / 11:15 a.m.

Sunday School Our Facility618-307-6590 is Handicap Accessible Phone: www.providencepres.net www.stpauledw.org Presbyterian Church in America

NEW BETHEL UNITED METHODIST

131 N. Main St., Glen Carbon, IL 288-5700

Dr. Penelope H. Barber

310 SouthWorship Main,- Edwardsville Sunday Morning 8:15 & 10:45a.m.

656-7498 Sunday School - 9:30 a.m.

Traditional Worship: 9:00 a.m.

Mid-Week - Every Wednesday eveninga.m.

Contemporary Worship: 10:30 Youth BibleSchool: Study - 6-7:30 Sunday 10:30p.m. a.m.

Adult Classes Youth: 5:30&p.m.

Prayer Shawl Ministry p.m.

Dr. James Brooks,- 6:30-7:30 Lead Minister Rev. Jeff Wrigley, Assoc Minister Fully Accessible Facilities www.fccedwardsville.org www.newbethelumc.org

ST. BONIFACE ST. PAUL UNITED CHURCH CATHOLIC CHURCH OF CHRIST 656-6450 110 N. Buchanan Edwardsville 3277Jeffrey Bluff Rd. Very Reverend Goeckner Edwardsville, IL Sacrament of Reconciliation: Wed., &656-1500 Thurs. - 6 pm

Saturday - 3:30-4:00 pm Rev. Diane C. Grohmann Saturday Vigil Mass - 4:15 pm Sunday Mass 8:15 am, 10:15 am, 5:15 pm Spanish Mass - 12:15 pm Daily Mass Schedule - Mon., 5:45 pm Tues., Thurs., Fri. - 8:00 am Our Facility is Handicap Wed., & Thurs.

- 6:45Accessible pm

Sunday Worship 10:00 a.m. www.stpauledw.org All Are Welcome

www.st-boniface.com

NEW BETHEL UNITED METHODIST

131 N. Main St., Glen Carbon, IL 288-5700

Dr. Penelope H. Barber

Sunday Morning Worship - 8:15 & 10:45a.m.

310 South Main, Sunday SchoolEdwardsville - 9:30 a.m.

656-7498 Mid-Week - Every Wednesday Traditional Worship: 9:00evening a.m. Youth BibleWorship: Study - 6-7:30 p.m.a.m.

Contemporary 10:30 Adult10:30 Classes a.m. & Youth: Sunday School: Prayer Shawl5:30 Ministry p.m.- 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Dr. James Brooks, Lead Minister Macy Sullens, Fully Accessible Facilities Youthwww.newbethelumc.org and Childrens’ Minister

www.fccedwardsville.org

ST. BONIFACE St.CATHOLIC Mary’s Parish CHURCH

1101802 N. Buchanan Edwardsville 656-6450 Madison Avenue, Very Reverend Jeffrey Goeckner Edwardsville, IL 62025

Sacrament Reconciliation: (618) of 656-4857 Wed., & Thurs. - 6 pm Weekend Masses: pm Saturday - 3:30-4:00 Saturdays 5:00 pm Saturday Vigil Mass - 4:15 pm SundaysSunday 8:00 amMass & 10:30 - am 8:15 am, 10:15 am, pmpm Confessions Saturday 3:305:15 to 4:30 Spanish Mass - 12:15 pm Daily Mass: Daily Mass Schedule - Mon., 5:45 pm Tues., 6:30Thurs., pm, Wed-Fri., 8:00 am am Tues., Fri. - 8:00 www.stmaryedw.org Wed., & Thurs. - 6:45 pm email: office@stmaryedw.org

All Are Welcome

St. Mary’s School (618) 656-1230 www.st-boniface.com

MOUNT JOY MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH OF EDWARDSVILLE

407 (Rt. 162) 327Edwardsville Olive StreetRd. • Edw, IL Troy, IL 62294 656-0845 667-6241 AndyJackson, Adams, Pastor Steve Pastor Sunday Worship: 9:30&a.m.

8 a.m.,Sunday 9 a.m.,School: 10:15 a.m.

10:45 a.m.

Morning Evening Worship: Youth 10:45 a.m.

Wednesday Services Wed. New EarlyLife Morning Prayer: 5:00 a.m.

Student Ministry Wed. Bible Study: 7:00 p.m. www.troyumc.org

www.mtjoymbc.org

EDEN CHURCH 903 903 N. N. Second Second Street Street Edwardville, Edwardville, IL IL 62025 62025 656-4330 656-4330

John John Roberts, Roberts, Senior Senior Pastor Pastor

Sunday Sunday Worship: Worship: Traditional Traditional Service Service 8:00 8:00 AM AM Sunday Sunday School School 9:15 9:15 AM AM Contemporary Contemporary Service Service -10:30 AM 10:30 AM EDEN EDEN CHURCH CHURCH

www.edenchurch-edw.org www.edenchurch-edw.org

St. Mary’s Parish

Let’s Worship.

Call Rachel @ 618-208-6441

1802 Madison Avenue, Edwardsville, IL 62025 (618) 656-4857 Weekend Masses:

Saturdays 5:00 pm Sundays 8:00 am & 10:30 am Confessions Saturday 3:30 to 4:30 pm

Daily Mass:

Tues., 6:30 pm, Wed-Fri., 8:00 am

www.stmaryedw.org email: office@stmaryedw.org St. Mary’s School (618) 656-1230

“O SON OF SPIRIT! The best beloved of all things in My sight is Justice; turn not away therefrom if thou 1 District Drive, desirestEdwardsville Me, and neglect it not that I may confide in thee.Middle Verily justice is My gift to (Liberty School) thee andAaron the signMyers, of My loving kindness.”

Rev. Pastor Bible Studies, Family, Youth & College ~ Baha’u’llah Ministries 9:30 a.m. a.m. Sunday School TheWorship Bahá’is/of11:15 Edwardsville warmly

Phone: 618-307-6590 welcome and invite you to investigate the www.providencepres.net teachings of the Bahá’i Faith.

Presbyterian Church in America For more information call (618) 656-4142 or email: Bahai.Edwardsville@sbcglobal.net P.O. Box 545 Edwardsville, IL 62025 www.bahai.us

Call Regina at 618-208-6433 to add your church listing

BALANCE Continued from Page 5 “My favorite medicine is omega-3 fish oil.

And the good health omega-3s give you, I call the ‘omega-3 effect,’” Dr. William Sears wrote in “The Omega-3 Effect,” originally published in 2012.

Omega-3s are the safest, most healing and health-producing “medicines” that Sears prescribes. He uses the term “medicine” to mean any chemical, food, herb or spice that helps the human body heal and be healthier.

Omega-3s are flexible fats, as opposed to fats that are stiff and sticky.

“Sticky stuff cause disease,” Sears states in his book. “You put stiff and sticky fats in your mouth, you get stiff and sticky stuff in your tissues (illness). You put smooth and flexible fats (omega-3s) in your mouth, you get smooth and soft tissues (wellness).”

The omega-3 effect occurs with regular ingestion of omega-3s and, according to

On the Edge of the Weekend • Thursday, June 27, 2019 • 7

Sears, the benefits include happier moods; improved vision; relief from gingivitis; softer, smoother skin; healthier pregnancy; improved learning and behavior; relief from colitis and weight gain; alleviation of asthma; delay of diabetes; arthritis relief; improved brain function for all ages; delay of agerelated hearing loss; steadying of pacemaker; reduction of high blood pressure; heart rate regulation; prevention of coronary thrombosis; lessening of atherosclerosis; and, longer life expectancy.

The important part for overall health of the human body is to achieve a cellular balance in omega-3 and omega-6, Prenzler explained to The Edge.

By achieving a cellular balance, individuals seem to also benefit from the omega-3 effect.

“Our cells are designed to have equal amounts of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids,” Prenzler said. “If we have healthy cells, we have a healthy body.”

The World Health Organization recommends a cellular ratio of three omega-6 to one omega-3. On average, individuals in the Unit-

ed States have a cellular ratio of 25 omega-6 to one omega-3.

“So we need omega-3 to counterbalance and it only comes from limited sources,” Prenzler noted.

Foods highest in omega-3 include mackerel, wild-caught salmon, herring, sardines, caviar, anchovies and oysters.

“I wanted to see my family’s health picture, so we did a simple finger-prick test to find out our cellular ratio,” Prenzler explained.

“We were on average 20 to one and started to use a balance-oil. Four months later, I took a second test and the result was 2.9 to one — balanced. I wanted to test my health before my health tested me. I’ve noticed more energy, motivation to exercise more and I just feel better.”

Prenzler’s son, Edward, was a high school athlete and her younger son, Roland, will be a student athlete at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville this fall.

Her daughter, Ruth, also is an athlete and recently competed in a national gymnastics championship through the Edwardsville

YMCA. Always a priority, her children’s health as they pursued athletics especially concerned her. During primary school years, the boys played Little League and the family, including their dad, Kurt Prenzler, hiked and explored the outdoors.

“It’s important to see my kids healthy and being active, but as they’re growing they take more wear and tear in sports. Once they’re serious, you don’t have to remind them to go to practice, so we found this balance concept that fit my expectations,” Prenzler said.

“Before when I found something good and healthy, articles told me what not to do — I want to know what I need to do.”

Prenzler also recommends “Let Your Food Be Your Pharmaco-Nutrition: The New Road To Health, Healing and Happiness,” by Dr. Paul Clayton, for further reading. To learn more from wellness specialist Rita Prenzler, call her at 314-680-0315.

Reach Jill Moon at 618-208-6448 and Twitter @jill_moon.

On the Edge of the Weekend • Thursday, June 27, 2019 • 8

Michel Euler | AP

A dancer performs at the Thom Browne mens Spring-Summer 2020 fashion collection presented in Paris.

Secret gardens and co-ed styles hit men’s collections

By Thomas Adamson Associated Press A frothing cherub fountain constructed of striped fabric drew the eyes and camera lenses of guests at Thom Browne's fantastical Paris Fashion Week show. Here are highlights from Browne and other designers for springsummer 2020 menswear, including the many houses showing co-ed collections.

THOM'S SENSATIONAL SHOW The incredible fabric fountain led the gaze of guests inside the Ecole des Beaux-Arts on to a line of frozen human mannequins decked in dramatic A-line doll costumes.

Standing on alabaster plinths, they sported bowling balls for shoes.

A male ballet dancer suddenly appeared wearing a tutu, tailored suit and tie and ballet shoes instead of the balls. His sublime performance enthralled guests, as the human mannequins were slowly undressed, to begin the show.

The fashion house described it as the designer's "secret garden."

Such sensational and transgressive spectacles are why Thom Browne so quickly garnered a reputation since moving from New

York to Paris in 2017 as one of the most exciting tickets of the fashion week calendar.

BROWNE'S CLOTHES Against the backdrop of the fitted, tailored suit that is the house's staple garment this season, Thom Browne took historic fashion items and humorously subverted them.

The codpiece, a covering flap or pouch attached to the crotch of men's pants, was fashioned atop tailored shorts in pale seersucker and a tennis skirt-tutu hybrid.

The oversized "pannier" skirts Marie Antoinette made famous with help from rigid undergarments was the idea behind a giant pair of culottes and a coat which spread out horizontally like the dramatic silhouette of the 18th century French queen.

It's a style that at Thom Browne also spawned ribbed American football helmets, which were sported by models wearing ballet shoes in this highly inventive spring collection.

The message behind the 38 looks was clear: Rules pertaining to culture, gender and history are only there to be broken.

CO-ED EXPLAINED

Model Gigi Hadid headlined the Berluti men's show earlier this week, decked out in womenswear.

Moments like these, in which female models are seen during the so-called men's calendar showcasing womenswear styles, are now common at Paris Fashion Week.

Givenchy, Saint Laurent and Kenzo are among the brands that have gone co-ed while showing their latest designs for men.

The Paris fashion industry proudly considers itself to be gender fluid, a forward-looking approach critics have feted.

But the reasoning behind gender-bending at Paris Fashion Week might not be simply a matter of style. New data suggests a financial analysis is at play.

"Simply put, our metrics show that men's collections that feature women get a whole lot more media attention, and that means money for the houses," Jessica Michault, a fashion journalist and senior vice president of industry relations at data analytics company Launchmetrics, said.

"Fashion shows these days are mainly intended as advertising for the brand, and going co-ed pays. Houses do it so stay relevant," Michault added.

SACAI'S CONTRADICTIONS What do untied bow ties, combat jackets, zebra prints, sandals, denim shirts and tulle have in common?

Sacai threw the normally unrelated facets of fashions into the creative mix for an eclectic co-ed show at Paris Fashion Week.

One of Japan's most lucrative fashion houses, Sacai has built a reputation for the avant-garde and quirky.

In the collection, it took the staples of black tie dress — such as the white shirt, bow tie and pocket outline — as a starting point and then had fun with both men's and women's designs.

The palette was muted, mainly black, white and khaki, but the contrasts in the 57-look show were delivered through the intentionally contradictory styles of dress.

A silken bomber jacket paired with shorts followed a grungy shirt worn with office pants and comfortable zebra sandals.

There were some great individual pieces, like a double-layered white shirt with a collar resembling a hoodie.

But this season, did the house's designs lack a little visual punch?

Metro East House Hunters

Gen Z, millennials’ homebuying habits could show differences Choice Area Listings Coming Soon @ www.facebook.com/metroeasthousehunters/

10 • Thursday, June 27, 2019 • Metro East House Hunters

We offer Interior Design Services including space planning and color consultations.

We offer Interior Design Creating Designs Services including space With Youand In color Mind planning consultations.

Kitchens, Baths, & Design More We offer Interior Services including space planning and color consultations.

(618) (618)462-8955 462-8955 Creating Designs 215 215You Herbert, Herbert, With In Designs Mind Creating Alton, Alton,ILIL62002 62002

You In&Mind Kitchens,With Baths, More

www.riverbendkm.com

Kitchens, Baths, & More

(618) (618)(618) 462-8955 462-8955 462-8955 215 Herbert, 215 215Alton, Herbert, Herbert, www.riverbendkm.com IL 62002 Alton, Alton,ILIL62002 62002

www.riverbendkm.com

Metro East House Hunters • Thursday, June 27, 2019 • 11

Generation Z, millennials share traits but Gen Z likes security

Homebuying habits could show differences

By Jill Moon jill.moon@hearst.com From Generation Z to millennials, home ownership is fewer than previous generations, but when individuals from either cohort do take on such responsibility, members of these generations seem to have solid reasons and thorough forethought about their investment.

Anyone born from 1981 through 1996 is considered a millennial; and, anyone born from 1995 through 2010 is part of Generation Z. Only 32 percent of millennials owned a home in 2015, according to a 2018 Millennial Homeownership Report from the Urban Institute, as reported by U.S. News & World Report in a Jan. 4, 2019, article. Millennials’ reasons for putting off buying a home include student loan debt, maintaining mobility and more career/job changes than older generations. Whereas Gen Z has a lot in common with millennials, this cohort seems to be driven by a desire for a sense of security, having been children during the Great Recession, according to research reported by Forbes, in a Sept. 21, 2017, article.

With the oldest Gen Z individuals being only 24 years old, the groups’ relative youth would account for low home ownership, yet a Jerseyville, Illinois, man seems to provide support for the theory that this group is driven by a sense of security. Conversely, an Alton, Illinois, couple seem to have bucked the millennial trend of shunning home ownership.

Blake Cruse, 21, originally from Brighton, Illinois, thought ahead to retirement and thought of homeownership as not only an investment for personal equity, but also for future additional income by eventually renting out the property he now owns on Lincoln Avenue in Jersey County’s Jerseyville. In the fall of 2016, after graduating from Southwestern High School in Piasa, Illinois, in the spring, Cruse took a five-week course in order to work at Boeing, in St. Louis, where he began working that November. Then, he bought a starter home within two years, in June of last year.

“I was making OK money and wanted to move out and buy something,” Cruse told Metro East House Hunters. “I thought I’d rent it out at some point and get a couple more properties to rent or flip. Eventually, I want to move to Missouri to be closer to work. My friends are out buying toys and stuff, but I’m thinking retirement and additional income.”

John and Sarah Cordes, both 36, of Alton, bought their house in 2009 knowing they were

Blake Cruse, 21, originally from Brighton, Illinois, sits on his wicker love seat on the back porch of his house on Lincoln Avenue in Jerseyville, Illinois, where he closed on the house last year in June. Cruse’s real estate agent and Realtor Lesley Gleason, owner of New Leaf Realty LLC, showed him homes in the village of East Alton; village of Brighton; Delhi; and, the city of Jerseyville, where he made his final choice between two different properties.

The Cordeses’ den, which they fondly call the “presidential room” because many household See HOMEBUYING, Page 15 decisions take place in this room.

Cruse’s living room at his house in Jerseyville.

Cruse bought appliances for his kitchen in Jerseyville after he closed on the house.

12 • Thursday, June 27, 2019 • Metro East House Hunters

Now is the Perfect Time to Buy a Home.

T     H L.

636-728-3333  800-767-8880 www.firstcommunity.com *Must qualify for membership. $1 share deposit required. Missouri and Illinois residents only. Loan subject to credit approval. Rates, terms and conditions subject to change without notice. Escrow account required. Federally insured by NCUA. Equal Housing Lender. First Community Credit Union NMLS ID # 684198.

Metro East House Hunters • Thursday, June 27, 2019 • 13

14 • Thursday, June 27, 2019 • Metro East House Hunters

6001 Godfrey Road Godfrey, IL 62035

618-466-1100 www.encorebathil.com Building Confidence Since 1991!

Metro East House Hunters • Thursday, June 27, 2019 • 15

An ornamental tree grows among the landscaping at Cruse’s house on Lincoln Avenue in Jerseyville.

Cruse liked the landscaping around his first house, which he closed on last year in June.

HOMEBUYING

US home sales climb amid lower mortgage rates

Continued from Page 11

looking for a home for the long haul, with plans to start a family soon after they married in July of 2009. Now, raising four children — Joshua, 8, James, 7, Clare, 4, and Mary, 1 — they are thankful for their foresight to purchase a larger house versus a starter home.

“We’re the total opposite of average millennials,” John Cordes told Metro East House Hunters. “I’ve been at my job for 14 years and we were both fortunate to have no student loan debt from college.”

The couple, both graduates of Marquette Catholic High School in Alton, knew they wanted to continue to live in the city or nearby in the village of Godfrey, both in Madison County. They looked at approximately 50 houses in that general vicinity, and, because John works at Mercedes-Benz of St. Louis, they especially liked the two-story Henry Street house that they bought within a few miles of Alton’s Clark Bridge, which John liked because of convenient highway access.

“We looked at some smaller homes, but we knew we wanted to have a family, so we had to decide if we’d want to move again in a couple years or just go for it,” Sarah explained.

“That was the time of the recession, too, so we could get more house for our money,” John noted.

Both Cruse and the Cordeses wanted a house that was move-in ready, though John

A flag stands on Cruse’s back porch in Jerseyville.

ON THE COVER: Blake Cruse, 21, originally from Brighton, Illinois, thought ahead to retirement and thought of homeownership as not only an investment for personal equity, but also for future additional income by eventually renting out the property. Cruse stands on the porch of his house on Lincoln Avenue in Jerseyville, Illinois, where he closed on the house last year in June.

(Jill Moon|The Edge)

By Josh Boak Associated Press

U.S. home sales jumped 2.5% in May, as lower mortgage rates appeared to help buyers overcome affordability challenges.

The National Association of Realtors said recently that existing homes sold at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.34 million last month, up from 5.21 million in April.

The recent gains likely came from reduced borrowing costs that made it easier to finance a home. Rates for the 30-year mortgage were averaging 3.84% last week, down sharply from 4.57% a year ago, according to the mortgage buying company Freddie Mac. “The market no longer faces the climbing mortgage rates or poor stock market performance that helped set the stage for last year’s declines — and existing home sales are bouncing back slowly,” said Zillow’s Matthew Speakman, an economist at the company.

Still, the real estate market has yet to shake off last year’s slump. Home sales fell 1.1% from a year ago.

The faster pace of sales also boosted prices.

The median sales price was $277,700, a 4.8% increase from last year.

More homes have come onto the market in the past year, but it’s been insufficient to inject a meaningful amount of inventory that would give would-be buyers more choices.

Sales listings have increased 2.7% from a See HOMEBUYING, Page 17 year ago to 1.92 million homes.

The Cordes family from left to right, top row, Sarah Cordes, 36, holding Clare, 4, and John Cordes, 36, holding Mary, 1; left to right, bottom row, Joshua, 8, and James, 7.

16 • Thursday, June 27, 2019 • Metro East House Hunters

Single Family Villas 2 & 3 Bedrooms / 2 Bath • Beautiful Setting Pick your floor plan & lot today

HOMEBUYING Continued from Page 15 did eventually remodel the family’s kitchen.

“Years ago the house across the street went up for sale, but needed work, and I’m pretty handy, so we considered for a minute about buying that house, but then I thought, ‘I don’t want anything to do with that!’” John recalled.

Cruse definitely wanted a garage, but was open as to what Illinois county in which he would live. His real estate agent and Realtor Lesley Gleason, owner of New Leaf Realty LLC, showed him homes in the village of East Alton in Madison County; village of Brighton, located mostly in Macoupin County and partially in Jersey County; Delhi, an unincorporated community in Jersey County; and, the city of Jerseyville, where he made his final choice between two different properties.

“She showed me quite a few houses and I was still clueless about the process, but she walked me through it,” Cruse said about Gleason, who has been in the real estate services business for many successful years in the markets of Glen Carbon, Edwardsville, Wood River, Roxana, Bethalto, Brighton, East Alton, Rosewood Heights, Alton, Godfrey, Jerseyville and Granite City.

“One of the bigger things I was looking at was quality — which one had more recent updates, which one I’d eventually put less work into,” Cruse explained about his house hunting priorities. “Of the two houses I decided between, the other one had less square footage and no garage although the property taxes were cheaper. But, the amount I’d had to put into that one, it was easier to get this one.

Besides a weird floor plan, the other one is near the business district and there’s open lots across the street and auto and propane shops behind it. If someone would build something on the lots, it would have been harder to resell.”

Cruse contacted Gleason through Zillow. com (Zillow Group Inc.), which is an online real estate database company, founded in 2006, that in April of 2009 formed a partnership to lend its real estate search engine to the websites of more than 180 U.S. newspapers, thereby extending its reach into local markets.

Both Cruse and the Cordeses also wanted to live in safe, friendly neighborhoods and both had their parents help them look at houses before they bought one, though Cruse’s parents, Tony and Keri Cruse, didn’t want him to move out, but not because of the neighborhoods. Blake said his twin brother, Kaleb, and older brother, Lucas Rainey, 24, had just left home for the military, so his parents were in no hurry for their only son living at home to move, even though their daughter, Chelsea Cruse, 12, lives at home.

Sarah Cordes’ parents, Jim and Mary

Metro East House Hunters • Thursday, June 27, 2019 • 17

Why millennials might buy a house this year versus past years • Lower down payment options • More affordable housing • Alternative credit scores Interest rates are rising, but housing prices are expected to stabilize, offering additional affordable options to first-time homebuyers. Many properties can be purchased with only 3 percent down and mortgage lenders are experimenting with new ways to check creditworthiness and streamline the application process, according to a U.S. News & World Report article published Jan. 4, 2019.

The UltraFICO Score launched as a pilot program earlier this year.

The pilot was designed to validate the score and assess willingness of consumers to share financial data for a potentially higher score.

The credit score comes about by securely linking UltraFICO Score with checking, savings or money market accounts, as an alternative way to determine an individual’s credit score. The UltraFICO Score can enhance individuals’ FICO Score based on indicators of sound financial behavior. By opting in, users can broaden access to more lending options and better terms.

Visit fico.com for details and more information.

Mager, and John Cordes’ parents, Dave and Liz, made the couple’s house search a family affair, and later the Cordes’ neighbors became like family.

“We will live here for years and years to come, hopefully,” Sarah said. “We love our neighborhood and our neighbors are our best friends now. The kids just walk right down the street for school and church at St. Mary’s; we love the Muny Band concerts at Haskell Park on Sunday nights; the boom of Downtown Alton is so nice; and, being near Duke’s Bakery isn’t bad, either.”

The Cordes family home on Henry Street in Alton.

A fire pit on Cruse’s porch in Jerseyville.

Cruse stands by his garage, which was a must to be included with his first house.

Blake Cruse, 21, stands with his girlfriend Nelly Porter’s dog, Barracuda.

18 • Thursday, June 27, 2019 • Metro East House Hunters

500 Belle Street Alton, IL 62002

Cooling Service

Call Us Today:

(618) 465-3731

ad

rv i

Since 1896

” ce

“T r

"Tradition n of Seof Service" Since 1896 o i t i

BARRETT Cooling Service

High Efficie

Heating & Cooling Installations & Service Repair on any make or model Air Cleaner

H E AT I N G A n d www.barrettheating.c Remember to call Barrett for your maintenance Clean & Check, Remember to get your fall maintenance Clean &1896 Check.

COO ItioN G NC. "Tradition ofI Service" Since Heating &LCooling & Service Rep f S,eInstallations no rv i any make

” ce

“T r

on Call for your appointment today!465-3731 CallBelle for today 500 St.1896 • Alton or model Since i ad

Scan For Special Offers

BARRETT

High Efficie Air Cleaner

• Wi-Fi Thermostats - Control thermostat from yourphone smart ph • Wi-Fi Thermostats - Control thermostat from your smart • Generators • Whole House Dehumidifiers • Air Purifiers • Generators • Whole House Dehumidifiers • Air Purifier • Geothermal HeatHeat Pumps • Whole HouseHouse Humidifier • Geothermal Pumps • Whole Humidifier

H E AT I N G A n d www.barrettheating.c www.barrettheating.com COOLING, INC.

500 Belle St. • Alton

465-3731 465-3731

Scan For Special Offers

Metro East House Hunters • Thursday, June 27, 2019 • 19

Outdoor decor that’s ‘out there’ and edgy

By Kim Cook Associated Press The outdoor furnishings market has been dominated for years by wicker-look resin furniture and beachy prints. Spindly folding lawn chairs have given way to deep, comfy seating, and fabric choices have grown from sweaty, rough plastics to weatherproof linen, soft cotton, even velvet. The living room has most certainly moved outdoors.

But for those whose design sensibility skews toward the avant garde, there haven't been a lot of options. Until now. More and more designers and makers are producing cool, imaginative pieces for backyard and balcony. If you're into artsy décor, there's no reason why your outdoor space can't reflect that as well.

British artist David Harber has developed a global following for his innovative outdoor sculptures, which play with light and landscape. In his Oxfordshire studio, Harber and his team create sculptures, water features and sundials out of metal. Sunlight filters through a piece called Mantle, made of bronze petals fused together and gilded on the inside; the light transforms the middle into molten gold.

One of his most popular pieces, Torus, is a circular expanse of super-polished steel that reflects the landscape or water in front of it.

It's there in front of you, yet appears transparent.

Armillary spheres were the first thing Harber learned to make, and he says the marriage of art and science drew him to the form.

"I've made (them) for tiny cottage gardens, and for hotels; they have a universal appeal," he says.

Available in brass, steel and bronze, the spheres can be custom engraved. Some people have commissioned phrases with personal meaning; others have had their spheres etched with family names, house names, latitude and longitude, or distances to significant destinations.

In his Brooklyn, New York, studio Opiary, sculptor Robert Remer takes a more freeform approach to his artful outdoor pieces. His sculptures, planters and seating, made of steel armatures and resin-fortified cement, look otherworldly.

The Archaic planter collection of abstract, organic shapes resembles pieces of a dinosaur skeleton or water-eroded rock. Little niches throughout the pieces can be planted with moss, alpines and succulents. The Drillium chair and chaise were inspired by aircraft construction and bones. Curvy, sensuous lines with circular cutouts and little crevices for plants contrast with the hefty presence of the concrete material. You could see these pieces on an interplanetary patio.

Clive Nichols/David Harber | AP British designer David Harber's Torus sculpture is crafted of highly polished steel, and can be made in different sizes.

The Museum of Modern Art's store is carrying Moroso's M'Afrique collection of colorful outdoor furniture, handmade in Senegal with woven materials and painted steel.

M'Afrique showcases the region's innovative weaving craft; Moroso teamed with designers like Tord Boontje to create the collection.

Among the pieces: the Banjooli table, with bright yellow polyethylene cords woven to evoke overlapping feathers and inspired by the courtship dance of the ostrich. The Shadowy armchair has a Seussian exaggerated profile with high back, curvy canopy, and eye-popping colorways like black and white or orange and yellow.

Thomas Heatherwick's Spun chair, made

by Magi for Herman Miller , looks like a giant child's spin top. Placed upright, it's sculpture.

Tipped on its side, it's a playful, comfortable seat. Spun comes in black, white or red.

Loll Designs' Rapson chair at Perigold is a futuristic plastic version of a traditional wing chair; it comes in a bunch of colors including leaf green, apple red and sunset orange.

Finally, for fans of a certain HBO series, Amedeo Designs' Throne chair, available at Houzz.com , might be just the thing. Intri-

MoMA Design Store | AP The M'Afrique Shadowy Armchair. If you want something a little more avant garde, designers are coming up with some cool, imaginative pieces for the artsy backyard and balcony. cately carved and substantially sized, the piece is actually made of lightweight resin — the perfect place from which to have a commanding view of whatever the backyard games might be.

Clive Nichols/David Harber | AP British designer David Harber's armillary spheres. Harber began his storied career creating armillary spheres and he still loves creating them.

20 • Thursday, June 27, 2019 • On the Edge of the Weekend

What to discover … arts Thursday, June 27 • • • • • • • • • •

“1776 - The Musical,” The Muny, St. Louis MO, 8:15 p.m., runs through July 3 Maryville Farmers Market, Firemans Park, Maryville IL, 4 to 8 p.m.

Brighton Farmer’s Market, Schneider Park, Brighton IL, 4 to 7 p.m.

Bissinger’s Wine Pairing Event, Bissinger’s Handcrafted Chocolatier, St. Louis MO, 6:30 p.m.

Junior Chefs Cooking Class, Roxana Public Library District, Roxana IL, 10 a.m.

Crafts & Cocktails: Crepe Paper Flowers with Mi Prima Belle, Bonboni Mercantile Co., St. Louis MO, 7 p.m.

Intro to Floral Embroidery, Wellspent Brewing Co., St. Louis MO, 6:30 p.m.

Purses & Pumps for Pooches & Pals, Humane Society of Missouri, St. Louis MO, 6 p.m.

Paint Your Pet, Wellspent Brewing Co., St. Louis MO, 6 p.m.

Mrs. Lucy’s Academy for Young Ladies summer camp, 1820 Col. Benjamin Stephenson House, Edwardsville IL, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Friday, June 28 •

•

• • • • • • •

Mrs. Lucy’s Academy for Young Ladies summer camp, 1820 Col. Benjamin Stephenson House, Edwardsville IL, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

SIUE Summer Theater presents “As You Like It,” Metcalf Theater at SIUE, Edwardsville IL, 7:30 p.m., runs through June 30 Pasture Snuggles with Baby Goats, Green Finned Hippy Farms Inc., Pocahontas IL, 6 p.m.

Omnimax Dinner Series: “Volcanoes: Fires of Creation,” Saint Louis Science Center, St. Louis MO, 6 p.m.

Mineral Springs Hotel Ghost Hunt, Mineral Springs Hotel, Alton IL, 8:30 p.m.

Grand Center Theatre Crawl, Grand Center, St. Louis MO, 7 to 10 p.m.

Showboat Theater Cruise: “A Comedy Wedding,” Riverboats at the Gateway Arch, St. Louis MO, 8 p.m.

Reel Late at the Tivoli: “Hereditary,” Landmark’s Tivoli Theatre, St. Louis MO, 11:59 p.m.

Afterwords Book Club, Afterwords Books, Edwardsville IL, 7 p.m.

Saturday, June 29 •

Grand Center Theatre Crawl, Grand

• •

Lunar Landing Missions, St. Louis County Library Oak Bend Branch, St. Louis MO, 7 p.m.

Summer Yoga Chill, RunWell, Edwardsville IL, 6:30 p.m.

Books for Babies, Edwardsville Public Library, Edwardsville IL, 10 a.m.

Tuesday, July 2 •

• • • • Yale Joel | Life via Getty Images Actors Howard Da Silva, William Daniels and Ken Howard in a scene form the Broadway musical “1776.”

• • • • •

• • • • • •

Center, St. Louis MO, 2 to 5 p.m. & 7 to 10 p.m.

Reel Late at the Tivoli: Hereditary, Landmark’s Tivoli Theatre, St. Louis MO, 11:59 p.m.

Children’s Art Class – Ceramics, Edwardsville City Park, Edwardsville IL, 9 a.m.

Magic Show and Workshop, Collinsville Memorial Library Center, Collinsville IL, 11 a.m.

Alton History & Hauntings Walking Tour, First Unitarian Church of Alton, Alton IL, 7 p.m.

Young Friends Old Houses and Family Trees, Missouri Historical Society Library & Research Center, St. Louis MO, 2 to 4 p.m.

Shibori Dyeing: Arashi Resist Workshop, Perennial, St. Louis MO, 2 p.m.

Batik Wax Resist Workshop, Perennial, St. Louis MO, 10 a.m.

Horse Camp, Grand Paradise Ranch, Caseyville IL, 8:30 a.m.

Make Your Own Book Pillow, City Sewing Room, St. Louis MO, 1 p.m.

YOGA HIKES STL, Castlewood State Park, Ballwin MO, 8:30 a.m.

Performance Skills Summer Workshops, Intersect Arts Center, St. Louis MO, 9 a.m.

• • • • • • • •

Monday, July 1 • • • •

Sunday, June 30

•

•

•

Yoga + Wine & Howl with the Wolves, Endangered Wolf Center, Eureka MO, 4 p.m.

Goat Yoga, Green Finned Hippy Farms, Pocahontas IL, 10 a.m.

Public Workshop, Courage & Grace, Edwardsville IL, 5 p.m.

Yoga in Forest Park, Art Hill, St. Louis MO, 6:30 p.m.

YOGA HIKES STL, Hawn State Park, Ste. Genevieve County MO, 9 a.m.

Ghost Hunt, Mineral Springs Hotel, Alton IL, 8:30 p.m.

Rainbow Brewquet Flower Workshop, 2nd Shift Brewing, St. Louis MO, 2 p.m.

The Grand Scheme of Things, Strauss Park, St. Louis MO, 2 to 4 p.m.

Patriotic Paint - Doormats, Firework Trio and Signs, Railshake, Highland IL, 4:30 p.m.

•

Painted Rocks: Create, Hide, Find & Inspire, Roxana Public Library District, Roxana IL, 5 p.m.

Vintage Bike Night, Schlafly Bottleworks, Maplewood MO, 6 p.m.

“Deconstructing The Beatles: Abbey Road,” Landmark’s Tivoli Theatre, St. Louis MO, 7 p.m.

Mindful Marionettes Music Monday, Missouri History Museum, St. Louis MO, 10:30 a.m.

Sunset SUP Yoga, Boathouse Paddle Co., St. Louis MO, 7 p.m.

STL Riverfront Adventure, Big Muddy Adventures, St. Louis MO, 10 a.m.

A Flag on the Moon - NASA’s Apollo

• • • •

1st Tuesday Celebration of Local Food: Tomatoes, Sweet Corn & Summer Squash, GreenLeaf Market, St. Louis MO, 4 to 7 p.m.

“The Jungle Book Live,” Collinsville Memorial Library Center, Collinsville IL, 6:30 p.m. $2 Tuesday Movie, The Wildey Theatre, Edwardsville IL, 7 p.m.

Free Sunrise Yoga, Kiener Plaza, St. Louis MO, 7 a.m.

Horse Hooky Racing & Beach Party, Fairmount Park Race Track, Collinsville IL, 12 to 4 p.m.

St. Louis’ Funniest Person Contest Preliminary Round, Helium Comedy Club, St. Louis MO, 8 p.m.

Andean Intrigue: Peruvian Terrorism, Glen Carbon Library, Glen Carbon IL, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Rooftop Yoga, Angad Arts Hotel, St. Louis MO, 5:30 p.m.

Book Club, Bethalto Public Library, Bethalto IL, 7 p.m.

Wednesday, July 3 • • • • • • • • • • •

Alton Fireworks Spectacular, Alton Amphitheater, Alton IL, 5 to 10 p.m.

JB Blast, Veterans Memorial Amphitheater at Jefferson Barracks Park, St. Louis MO, 7 to 10 p.m.

YogArt, Jacoby Arts Center, Alton IL, 5:30 p.m.

Wheel’n Wednesday, Tri-City Speedway, Granite City IL, 5:30 p.m.

Arch View Lunch Cruise, Riverboats at the Gateway Arch, St. Louis MO, 11:30 p.m.

Free Summer Series: The Lorax, The Lory Theater, Highland IL, 9 a.m.

Crafts & Cocktails: Medallion Jewelry with Sarah Walters, World Chess Hall of Fame, St. Louis MO, 6:30 p.m.

Sunset SUP Yoga, Boathouse Paddle Co., St. Louis MO, 7 p.m.

Family Night, Cardinals Nation, St. Louis MO, 5 p.m.

Downtown History and Architecture Extravaganza, City Garden, St. Louis MO, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Wednesday Night MTB Ride with Bike Surgeon Outpost, SIUE Mountain Bike Trails, 6 p.m.

On the Edge of the Weekend • Thursday, June 27, 2019 • 21

What to hear … music •

The Dark Room, St. Louis, 9:30 p.m.

Saturday, June 29 •

• • •

• • • • • • • Scott Dudelson/Getty Images Banjo player Bela Fleck of The Flecktones performs onstage during the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass music festival at Golden Gate Park in San Francisco.

Thursday, June 27

Friday, June 28

•

•

• • • • • • • • • •

Megan Thee Stallion, The Pageant, St. Louis MO, 9 p.m.

Justus & the Experience, Night Market on Broadway, Alton IL, 7 p.m.

Blues Cruise, Riverboats at the Gateway Arch, St. Louis MO, 8:30 p.m.

Béla Fleck & The Flecktones, St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, St. Louis MO, 7:30 p.m.

Thursday Night Revue with Blstet, The Dark Room, St. Louis MO, 9:30 p.m.

Zepparella the Led Zeppelin Powerhouse, Off Broadway Music Venue, St. Louis MO, 9 p.m.

Jennifer Thompson and Harvest Drive, Porter’s Steakhouse, Collinsville IL, 6:30 p.m.

Southern Avenue, Old Rock House, St. Louis MO, 7 p.m.

Son of Laughter, Das Haus, St. Louis MO, 7:30 p.m.

The Slackers, Blueberry Hill Duck Room, University City MO, 8 p.m.

The Driftaways, Broadway Oyster Bar, St. Louis MO, 9 p.m.

• • • • • • • • • • •

Jungle Boogie Concert Series, Saint Louis Zoo, St. Louis MO, 5 to 8 p.m.

Brad Paisley Tour, Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre, Maryland Heights MO, 7:30 p.m.

Amped Up, Eddie’s Bar & Grill, Granite City IL, 9:30 p.m.

Keke Wyatt, The Ready Room, St. Louis MO, 8 p.m.

ABBA The Concert - “A Tribute To ABBA,” River City Casino & Hotel, St. Louis MO, 8 p.m.

Hideous Gentlemen, Chez Marilyn, Alton IL, 8 p.m.

River Bend, Edwardsville City Park, Edwardsville IL, 8 p.m.

Throw The Horns, Pop’s Concert Venue, Sauget IL, 6:30 p.m.

Jeremiah Johnson with Tony Campanella, Atomic Cowboy Pavilion, St. Louis MO, 6 p.m.

Denise Thimes Sings Carmen McRae, Jazz St. Louis, St. Louis MO, 7:30 p.m.

Three Dog Night, Chesterfield Amphitheater, Chesterfield MO, 6 p.m.

Thursday Night Revue with Blstet,

•

Hotel California–The Original Eagles Tribute, The Wildey Theatre, Edwardsville IL, 8 p.m.

The Zonkeys, Evangeline’s Bistro & Music House, St. Louis MO, 7 p.m.

Midwest Rushfest featuring Thunderhead: The Rush Experience, The Pageant, St. Louis MO, 8 p.m.

Outlaw Music Festival: Willie Nelson, Phil Lesh & Friends, Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre, Maryland Heights MO, 2:30 p.m.

L.A. Guns, Delmar Hall, St. Louis MO, 8 p.m.

The Bishops, The Lovejoy, Alton IL, 7 p.m.

Harvest Drive, Big Daddy’s, Edwardsville IL, 6:30 p.m.

All St. Louis Revue, Off Broadway Music Venue, St. Louis MO, 7 p.m.

Name It Now, Pop’s Concert Venue, Sauget IL, 6:30 p.m.

Cuco, Old Rock House, St. Louis MO, 7 p.m.

Billy Hurst, The Pump House Bar & Grill, Wood River IL, 5 p.m.

Amped Up, Doc Holiday’s Saloon & Steakhouse, Cottage Hills IL, 9 p.m.

•

Monday, July 1 • • • • •

• • •

• •

•

•

• • • • • • • • • • •

Dizzy Atmosphere, Evangeline’s Bistro, St. Louis MO, 7 p.m.

Bustié, Giant Monsters on the Horizon, and BBLWN, The Monocle, St. Louis MO, 8 p.m.

Ty Openshaw, Gaslight, St. Louis MO, 2 p.m.

Wednesday, July 3

•

•

The Foxies, Blueberry Hill Duck Room, University City MO, 8 p.m.

Ahna Schoenhoff, Sasha’s on Shaw, St. Louis MO, 8 p.m.

Adam Maness, Thurman’s in Shaw, St. Louis MO, 11 a.m.

Open Mic Monday, Rootbound, Clayton MO, 5 p.m.

Chorus Auditions, Bach Society of St. Louis, St. Louis MO, 6 p.m.

Tuesday, July 2

Sunday, June 30 Chicago, The Fabulous Fox, St. Louis MO, 8 p.m.

Blood, Sweat & Tears, River City Casino & Hotel, St. Louis MO, 7:30 p.m.

X Ambassadors, The Pageant, St. Louis MO, 8 p.m.

Edwardsville Community Symphony, Edwardsville City Park, Edwardsville IL, 7 p.m.

The Silver Creek Bluegrass Band, Recess Brewing, Edwardsville IL, 1 to 4 p.m.

Falling Fences Riverboat Cruise, Becky Thatcher Riverboat, St. Louis MO, 2 p.m.

Shawn Mendes: The Tour, Enterprise Center, St. Louis MO, 7:30 p.m.

Atomic Blues Festival, Broadway Oyster Bar, St. Louis MO, 1 to 6 p.m.

Marty, Big Daddy’s, Edwardsville IL, 3 p.m.

Soulful Sunday with Carolyn Mason, National Blues Museum, St. Louis MO, 4 p.m.

Khamsin, Bottle & Barrel, Alton IL, 7 p.m.

DudeBro Duo, Fast Eddie’s Bon Air, Alton IL, 2 to 6 p.m.

HOOKiE, Chez Marilyn, Alton IL, 8:30

p.m.

Dan Grover, Aerie’s Resort & Winery, Grafton IL, 2 p.m.

• • • • • • • • • • •

Bobby Rolens Acoustic, Lake House at Buffalo Park, Maryville IL, 8 p.m.

Enuff Z’Nuff, Lascelles, Granite City IL, 7 p.m.

Fireworks Gala, St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Alton IL, 7 to 10 p.m.

Voodoo CCR, Broadway Oyster Bar, St. Louis MO, 9:30 p.m.

Lady Luck Party Band, Bluff City Grill Independence Day Rooftop Party, Alton IL, 7 to 11 p.m.

Red, White, & Brew, The Old Bakery Beer Co., Alton IL, 6 to 10 p.m.

August Burns Red: 10 Years of Constellations Tour, Pop’s Concert Venue, Sauget IL, 6 p.m.

Aah-dubon Evening, The Audubon Center at Riverlands, West Alton MO, 6 to 10 p.m.

Robert Randolph & The Family Band, Atomic Cowboy Pavilion, St. Louis MO, 6 p.m.

Jake’s Leg, Kiener Plaza, St. Louis MO, 7:30 p.m.

Dark Star Orchestra, Chesterfield Amphitheater, Chesterfield MO, 5:30 p.m.

Erika Wennerstrom, Off Broadway Music Venue, St. Louis MO, 8 p.m.

John Waite, Mac’s Downtown, Alton IL, 11 a.m. to Midnight.

Mardra and Reggie Thomas, Whitaker Music Festival, St. Louis MO, 7 p.m.

Superjam, St. Charles Riverfest, St. Charles MO, 7 p.m.

22 • Thursday, June 27, 2019 • On the Edge of the Weekend

Food for Thought … with Vicki Bennington

Creamy Custard at Culver’s

This little piggy went to Allison’s for NEW Summer Shoes!

This litt copied le piggy becaus the first, e has th Allison’s comfor e BEST Th t is T for sum shoes pi his ers mer! f pig little ggualirt oll gy E qy tt o FA wedur HeaaXdCI wa let STYo to t TE fosr ! u Ctoh mD

Your Headquarters For Comfort Shoes!

org e saF new ht o es! nd Shfo le s.

This little piggy got to Allison’s EARLY and was SMILING ALL THE WAY HOME!

Mon.-Fri. 9:30 AM-5:30 PM, Sat. 9:00 AM-4:00 PM, Sunday - Closed

618-288-9297

4225 S St. Rt. 159, Suite 1, Glen Carbon, IL 62034

If you aren’t familiar with Culver’s, it tends to be known for its frozen custard – and ButterBurgers, which are a bit of a different twist on a familiar All-American sandwich.

One reason I wanted to stop by was that I recently read that the Edwardsville Culver’s owner Kelly Cobb partnered with the superintendent of the Gateway Conference of the Free Methodist Church of Southern Illinois and Missouri, Ben Tolly, and the New Life Free Methodist Church in Jerseyville to feed 50 National Guard troops, first responders and volunteers who helped with the flood efforts along the Illinois River. I thought that was very comendable, along with all the other restaurant owners around the Riverbend who have assisted with the flood relief by feeding the workers – a very important link in the chain of efforts it took for everyone to get through the trying time for our community.

I hope the workers get a chance to try the custard – if not that day, then sometime soon, because it certainly made me a Culver’s fan – See FOOD, Page 26

Vicki Bennington|For The Edge

Culver’s “Turtle Dove” frozen custard.

Make the most of your free time and get into a class today!

SSP Wellness Center • Classes include Zumba, Kettlebell, T’ai Chi, Spinning, POUND!, Cardio Kickboxing, Yoga and many more!

• Memberships start as low as $150.00 a year or $12.50 a month.

2603 North Rogers Ave. here in Alton hosts over 10 health & fitness classes every weekday and limited Saturday classes!

For more information, call 618-465-3298 ext. 120

On the Edge of the Weekend • Thursday, June 27, 2019 • 23

Photo by Joel C Ryan/Invision/AP|For The Edge In this May 16 photo, singer Elton John poses for photographers at the photo call for the film “Rocketman” at the 72nd international film festival, Cannes, southern France.

Movie review

‘Rocketman’ shows why Elton has lasted long, long time

By Robert D. Grubaugh Contributing columnist Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. (MGM) cornered the market on a grand scale with its spectacle movie musicals in the 1950s and there’s really no disputing that. I mean, does it even get better than “Singin’ in the Rain” or “Seven Brides,” for singularly enough to classify the genre as something all together different? It’s a blend of biopic and musical genres that lead to a breakout of toetapping, heart-tugging films.

“A Star is Born,” great as it is, would not qualify. “Bohemian Rhapsody” is right on track and most recently “Rocketman,” a remarkable picture about the early life and career of Elton John (Taron Egerton), would be a great example. It’s a movie that is great fun at times, but like life itself features a lot of darkness and torment for its lead. But Sir Elton has been a major star for more than fifty years. Surely we’ve heard about all the skeletons in his (surely enormous) closets by now.

It’s wholly different to see them laid bare on a movie screen.

“Rocketman” is a diligent biographical film. It’s framed in flashback as Elton, clothed in a bizarre sequined Devil’s costume with wings and horns, tells his tale of woe - cocaine, booze, bulimia, rage - to an anonymous support group in a basement somewhere. The leader of the group functions somewhat as an interviewer, pulling more background from him as the story progresses out of an unhappy childhood with neglectful parents (Bryce Dallas Howard, Steven Mackintosh) to his early days learning piano by ear and, later, studying on scholarship at the Royal Academy of Music in London. Because of sheer talent and a desire to break away from the lovelessness he feels at home, Elton forges ahead and begins playing with local boys and anyone else that’ll let music guide the way. In 1967, it marked the beginning of what we now experience as the megastar when Elton was first partnered by happen-

stance with lyricist Bernie Taupin (Jamie Bell), a relationship that has served them both well and is still going strong more than 50 years later.

Taupin’s lyrics grace nearly every hit Elton has had over the decades. One would not be where they are without the other and this movie carefully constructs their friendship and working relationship to show one of two men that care for each other like brothers, stalwart brothers like we all wish we had or were. It is quite touching and my favorite part of the show. Taupin helps him reach stardom. He calls out his addictions and helps get Elton clean. He even tries to point out an early problem in Elton’s closeted homosexual relationship with John Reid (Richard Madden), the same villainous producer played by Aiden Gillen in “Bohemian Rhapsody.”

This one is the type of musical where the music perks up organically and the characters randomly break out in song. Most of the singing is done in character as Elton, but other

characters get in on the goods. My favorite performances were the use of “Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting” and the raucous cut to “I’m Still Standing” over the closing credits. The movie cuts out before Elton became a vocal philanthropist for ending the AIDS crisis and sadly doesn’t go into any of his friendship with Princess Diana (other than a brief tinkle of the ivories to “Candle in the Wind” out of context). This is a fascinating drama with great musical creativity.

It’s also more than a little sad at times. What excites me now are the coming releases of “Yesterday,” about a world where only one man remembers the Beatles, and “Blinded by the Light,” about a British Pakistani boy learning how to live his best life thanks to the music of Bruce Springsteen – 2019: Year of the Musical!

“Rocketman” runs 121 minutes and is rated R for language, drug use, and sexual content. I give this film two and a half stars out of four.

24 • Thursday, June 27, 2019 • On the Edge of the Weekend

An aerial view of an abandoned mill village near Asheville, NC., that was used in the first "Hunger Games" movie/ The villages is now an historic site.

Clayton Joe Young

District 12 of 'Hunger Games' now historic place

By Martha Waggoner Associated Press

What would the folks in the Capitol think?

District 12 is now on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Henry River Mill Village, which served

as the home of the three main characters from the original "The Hunger Games," was named a historic place last month. It's a designation that the new owners sought for the 72-acre property because they "wanted to be the ones who got this property the recognition it deserves," said Calvin Reyes, who bought the village in 2017 with his mother and stepfather.

When "The Hunger Games" was filmed in North Carolina in 2011, the mill village served as the home of Katniss, Peeta and Gale. But when Reyes talks about the proper recognition, he's not referring merely to the filming of a box office smash.

"People come for 'The Hunger Games,' but they stay for the history," Reyes said in a phone interview Thursday.

That history began about 1905 when the Henry River Manufacturing Co. established the mill in Hildebran in western North Carolina, about 70 miles (112 km) east of Asheville.

The mill, which closed in 1970, burned down in 1977. It now includes a two-story company store and about 20 wood-frame textile workers' homes.

The historic places nomination form says "the abandoned site took on the appearance of a ghost town" in the two decades after the mill burned, with 14 houses lost to decay and the boarding house demolished.

Despite the decay, the mill village "is a distinguished collection of unaltered mill housing in a planned rural village associated with North Carolina's important textile industry in the early twentieth century," the form says.

Reyes and his family were looking for property where they could build homes for

their extended family when they found the mill village. The front door of the brick building that once was the company store and served as Mellark Bakery in the movie was screwed shut with a piece of plywood, and the inside looked like an episode of "Hoarders," Reyes said.

Still, the three of them were charmed. They toured the property one afternoon and had it under contract the next day, paying $360,000 — a bargain considering the previous owner once was asking $1.4 million. That owner, Wade Shepherd, died in 2015, two years before the village sold.

"We knew from the beginning that we wanted to save these houses," Reyes said.

"We're not preservationists or developers.

But it spoke to us, and it was something we wanted to do."

Shepherd, had complained about visitors and vandals even before "The Hunger Games" opened. Now the property is protected by cameras, lights and tours that take place five days a week. In addition, a "Hunger Games" tour group brings visitors on weekends. Since some people believe the property is haunted, paranormal tours also are available.

The National Park Service manages the historic places register, which doesn't limit what an owner can do with their property. However, the designation may make property owners eligible for preservation funds and federal historic tax credits.

Author Suzanne Collins announced earlier this week that she's releasing a prequel to her trilogy about a post-apocalyptic world. It's set for release next year.

On the Edge of the Weekend • Thursday, June 27, 2019 • 25

'Cinderella' film feted at Library of Congress

By Oscar Wells Gabriel Associated Press No one arrived in a horse-drawn carriage.

But there was valet parking for the guests invited to a "mini-ball" at the Library of Congress in honor of the Disney film "Cinderella."

The event featured a costumed Cinderella character, who descended the library steps to the cheers of a crowd of children and adults, including some members of Congress and their families.

Before Cinderella made her grand entrance, hundreds watched a screening of the Disney classic animated movie, released 70 years ago.

The Library of Congress recently added the film to the National Film Registry.

Attending a brief ceremony to mark the honor were Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden and Mary Walsh, director of the Disney Animation Research Library.

Walsh says though "Cinderella" is 70 years old, it has a message that still resonates today, calling it "a story of perseverance and resiliency." She notes of the movie's heroine, "her life was not easy and she found it within herself to continue to have the strength and determination to hold on to her dreams, no matter what was going on and she did it with kindness and respect."

Walsh notes that despite the harsh treatment Cinderella endured, she chose not to retaliate. And she says that "sends a strong message" about enduring under duress, one that is "as important today as it was 70 years ago."

After the ceremony, Cinderella posed for pictures with a long line of children and adults. For guests seeking to create their own fairy tale images, there were a series of photo backdrops.

Oscar Wells Gabriel II | AP Costumed Cinderella and Majordomo appear before guests at an event marking the inclusion of Disney's "Cinderella" into the National Film Registry on its 70th anniversary June 20 at the Library of Congress in Washington.

Harjo first Native American named poet laureate NEW YORK (AP) — Joy Harjo, the first Native American to be named U.S. poet laureate, has been ready for a long time.

"I've been an unofficial poetry ambassador — on the road for poetry for years," the 68-year-old Harjo wrote in a recent email to The Associated Press. "I've often been the only poet or Native poet-person that many have seen/met/heard. I've introduced many poetry audiences to Native poetry and audiences not expecting poetry to be poetry."

Her appointment was announced Wednesday by Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden, who said in a statement that Harjo helped tell an "American story" of traditions both lost and maintained, of "reckoning and myth-making." Harjo's term is for one year and she succeeds Tracy K. Smith, who served

two terms. The position is officially called "Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry," with a $35,000 stipend. Harjo will have few specific responsibilities, but other laureates have launched initiatives, most recently Smith's tour of rural communities around the country.

"I don't have a defined project right now, but I want to bring the contribution of poetry of the tribal nations to the forefront and include it in the discussion of poetry," says Harjo, an enrolled member of the Muscogee Creek Nation and a native of Tulsa, Oklahoma.

She is known for such collections as "The Woman Who Fell From the Sky" and "In Mad Love and War" and for a forceful, intimate style that draws upon the natural and spiritual world.

DK’s MARKET Just 10 Minutes from Edwardsville Sale Prices good 6/25 thru 7/1

Whole Boneless Center Pork Loin Boneless Arm Roast Family Pack Ground Chuck Boneless Center Pork Chops Boneless Butterfly Pork Chops New York Strip Steak 5lb bag Breaded Chicken Breast Deli Specials Eckrich Garlic or Regular Bologna Eckrich Pineapple Ham Kentucky Gold Ham and Cheese Loaf Butterball Chicken or Turkey Breast

JUNE FREEZER

Special

1.99lb 2.29lb 3.49lb 60lbs. of Fresh Meat Packaged 2.69lb Just the Way You Like It! 2.69lb 10 Lbs. Pork Shoulder Butt 8.99lb 4.99 10 Lbs. Ground Chuck 3.99lb 4.49lb 4.99lb 4.99lb

10 Lbs. Pork Steaks 10 Lbs. Bratwurst 10 Lbs. Pork Chops 10 Lbs. Chuck Roast

225 West State St., Hamel, IL

(Intersection of Hwy. 140 & Hwy. 157)

618-633-2828 • www.dksmarket.com

$

15999 Freezer prices good through May

Now Hiring Apply in store

26 • Thursday, June 27, 2019 • On the Edge of the Weekend

FOOD

Continued from Page 22 real quick. It became the dish I couldn’t resist when I saw that the flavor of the day was “Turtle Dove.”

Made with creamy vanilla fresh-frozen custard swirled with ribbons of old-fashioned salted caramel (yummy), marshmallow creme (yay), toasted pecan pieces (my favorite nut) and chopped Hershey’s milk chocolate bars (couldn’t turn those away), it was definitely too tempting to say no. As I gobbled up my half (I split it with my husband), I had to check the menu again to make sure it said frozen custard, because it tasted like creamy vanilla ice cream to me. Needless to say, it was delicious.

The restaurant has a different specialty flavor every day. One day it might be “Georgia Peach,” another might offer “Rocky Road,” “Butter Brickle,” Bonfire S’mores,” or maybe, “Blackberry Cobbler.” I think it would be easy to become accustomed to going every day to try all the varieties, but I will try not to do that. I will be stopping by periodically though.

As I was munching away, I read a little more about it, and evidentally, Culver’s frozen custard contains less air, so it’s creamier See FOOD, Page 28

Vicki Bennington|For The Edge

Frozen custard for two.

Family Friendly Pricing!

Added Shows for ENTERTAINMENT!

Based on the Book by: L. Frank Baum Directed by: Lee Cox & Kevin Frakes

July 25th-August 4th, 2019 Evenings 7:30pm Matinées 2:00pm

Box Office:

618.462.3205 Monday-Friday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m

l a c i s Mu

On the Edge of the Weekend • Thursday, June 27, 2019 • 27

What’s your favorite TV show?

Jill Moon|The Edge Jeremy Colton, of Granite City, owner of Big Frog Custom T-Shirts & More, in Edwardsville, where it now offers American Jill Moon|The Edge made shirts made of U.S. cotton and Coty Ziegler, of Florissant, Missouri, at manufactured and printed in the United States.

Kyoto Sushi Steak House, in Edwardsville “‘Lucifer,’ it’s humorous but yet there’s thought behind it.” “‘The Haunting of Hill House.’”

Internal medicine physician Dr. Alisha White, of Edwardsville, owner and practitioner at Lara DeGroot, of Highland, assistant vice Transformative Healthcare LLC, in Glen president, treasury management sales officer Carbon. with Town and Country Bank.

“I’m back on ‘Dance Moms.’ It’s on in the “‘SEAL Team.’ Even though it’s not real, I love morning when my girls are getting ready for the secret ops aspect of it.” summer camp.”

28 • Thursday, June 27, 2019 • On the Edge of the Weekend

FOOD Continued from Page 26 and more decadent than ordinary ice cream - and this is interesting – because it’s served at a little warmer temperature than ice cream, you actually experience the flavor longer.

Hmmm … who knew?

In addition to the flavor of the day, vanilla and chocolate flavors of custard are always available, and you can create

your own sundae or concrete mixer from a large variety of toppings and “mix-ins,” or try a cone, shake or float. You can even buy a pint of custard to take home for later.

Just because I started with dessert doesn’t mean everyone has to. The ButterBurgers are definitely a thing, and if you start with one of them, and choose from all the side dishes or other sandwiches, you may have to take the custard to go.

ButterBurgers are ButterBurgers not because they’ve been cooked, marinated, dunked, fried or drizzled with butter, but because Culver’s lightly butters the crown of the bun.

But they are also made in a special way. As the story goes,

At Jersey Community Hospital, we use the latest technology to bring physicians and specialists from other locations to the bedside, so they can diagnose and treat patients face-to-face.

Virtual Care offers wide-ranging benefits to our patients: • Reduced travel to specialists • Quicker appointments with specialists • Improved patient outcomes

• Lower out-of-pocket cost for patients • Access to more specialties

Convenient access to advanced care in more than 10 specialties including: • Endocrinology • Neurology

• Pediatrics • Rheumatology

Virtual Care is available now.

To schedule an appointment call (618) 498-8307.

400 Maple Summit Rd. • Jerseyville, IL • jch.org

co-founder Craig Culver made the first ButterBurger from a special blend of three cuts of beef that has never been frozen, then pressed and seared it in a way that locks in the beef’s moisture for full flavor, giving it a steak-like taste and a crispy texture.

There are acutally 650 Culver’s restaurants in 24 states, so you know they’re doing something right.

In this column, Vicki BenningHearty soups, ton shares her love of food and healthy salads, all that involves, from special home-style meals, like beef pot roast dishes at local and regional dinner or sandwich, restaurants to new trends and pork tenderloin sandwich, chopped fads, and things to try at home. steak or a grilled Contact her at vbennington@ reuben melt come with choice of sides, sbcglobal.net with comments, like green beans, ideas or suggestions. a dinner roll or mashed potatoes and gravy. Seafood sandwiches and dinners, chicken sandwiches, chicken tenders, you name it, the menu is extensive, and the atmosphere is casual.

Country stars love to play tourist at home

By Kristin Hall Associated Press

Tourism comes alive in the Music City during summer, but the thousands who flock here aren't the only sightseers in town.

Many Nashville-based stars enjoy playing tourist, too.

"I've been to the Country Music Hall of Fame a few times and ... you always learn something new," Russell Dickerson told The Associated Press. "You can't take in all that information at one time going, but like seeing some of Elvis's old Cadillacs, like are you kidding me? It's crazy."

He doesn't mind the attention from fans.

"Everybody is super nice and we just take a little picture, say 'What's up?' and it's all good," said Dickerson.

Hunter Hayes said he constantly goes to concerts in Nashville when he's not on the road.

Morgan Evans and his wife, Kelsea Ballerini, have been rediscovering the city by foot lately and enjoying the sights downtown.

Sometimes, though, it's just good to be home.

Tyler Rich said he doesn't get out much when he's in Nashville but likes to do touristy things in other cities when he's on the road.

"I have a weird thing where I like to go to zoos," Rich said.

"I love zoos. I like to go and just hang out."

On the Edge of the Weekend • Thursday, June 27, 2019 • 29

People At The Party

The Edwardsville/Glen Carbon Chamber of Commerce Business After 5 took place June 20 at Goldenberg Heller & Antognoli Attorneys at Law, at 2227 S. Illinois Route 157, in Edwardsville.

Jill Moon|The Edge Left to right, John W. McCracken, of Edwardsville, partner, Chad Brigham, of St. Louis, partner, and Mark Goldenberg, of Edwardsville, founding partner, with Goldenberg Heller & Antognoli Attorneys at Law, in Edwardsville.

Jill Moon|The Edge Lara DeGroot, left, of Highland, assistant vice president, treasury management sales officer with Town and Country Bank, in Edwardsville and Fairview Heights, and Charmian Stewart, of Edwardsville, sales manager for TownePlace Suites, Comfort Inn and Holiday Inn Express, all in Edwardsville, and Holiday Inn Express, in Troy, Illinois, with General Hotels Corp.

The Party continues on Page 32

Your Local Favorite For PEST PREVENTION

Jill Moon|The Edge Jared S. Peno, left, of Glen Carbon, owner of Alliance Technologies, and Steve Smith, of Edwardsville, senior vice president commercial lending with Town and Country Bank, in Edwardsville.

Jill Moon|The Edge Paul M. Abert, left, of Edwardsville, EVP community bank president, and Mark Cousley, of Edwardsville, vice president and commercial banking officer, both with Town and Country Bank.

Calling all pet lovers.

LifeGuard Spill-proof Backing™ protects your flooring investment by keeping spills contained from soaking through to the pad and subfloor.

Calling all pet lovers.

LifeGuard Spill-proof Backing™ protects your flooring investment by keeping spills contained from soaking through to the pad and subfloor.

Financi Availab

Fast. Sim Smart

Fina E ES! T FRE AAva M I

See store for d

EST Fast.

S

See stor

CAR

RD BAC UA G ®

430 SOUTH PRAIRIE BETHALTO, IL 62010

U

RD BAC UA G ®

Financing Available Fast. Simple.

Smart.

See store for details.

HOURS: Mon-Wed-Fri 9am-7:30pm; Tue & Thurs 9am-5:30pm; Sat 9am-4pm

656-7788

C

KE

U

$100 OFF

OFFERED ON EXCLUSIVE SHAW FLOORS STYLES. FOR LIFEGUARD TODAY! MarkASK Vallow Seth Renken

1009 PLUMMER DRIVE • EDWARDSVILLE VALLOWFLOOR.COM

E

™

with all ordered carpet

LifeGuard Spill-proof Backing™ protects your flooring investment by keeping spills contained from soaking through to the pad and subfloor.

80865378

E

™

LIFE

Voted Best Pest In The Calling allControl pet lovers.

Riverbend Two Years Running!

Show Your Pest Who’s Boss!

L D BY B

FREE CARPET INSTALLATIONC

7 201

(618) 377-9839 www.imelpestcontrol.net

KE

BA

General Spray Inside & Out

C

LIFE

(New Customer)

OFFERED ON EXCLUSIVE SHAW FLOORS STYLES. ASK FOR LIFEGUARD TODAY!

NG KI

10 OFF

BA

$

E FRE A M I EST

NG KI

Of Service Over 50 Years

L D BY B

any carpet purchase of $1000 or more Must present coupon at time of order for discount Good for new purchase contract only Can’t be combined with other discounts.

Must purchase before June 30th, 2019

30 • Thursday, June 27, 2019 • On the Edge of the Weekend

Don’t allow a steal.

PROTECT YOUR IDENTITY!

Stop by First Mid to ask about Premier Checking and

REGISTER TO WIN $

500

SIX WINNERS WILL BE DRAWN 8/9/19.

See official rules online at www.firstmid.com.

Cover your bases with the many benefits of

Premier Checking

including ID Protect, an identity theft and fraud assistance program.

Save

Get

$2500

$8000

each year with

Cash Back Rewards

each year with

Premier Checks Each year, receive one free box of Premier checks or 50% off one box of designer checks.

Submit receipts for everyday purchases, and earn $20 each quarter.

Save

$14400 each year on

out-of-network

ATMs

Have up to $12.00 of foreign ATM fees waived each month, just for asking.

Friday, June 28 • • • • • • • • • •

• • •

•

each year and

Get Valuable Protection with IDProtect®

COMPARE THIS SERVICE TO NATIONALLY KNOWN PROGRAMS. Sign up for identity theft and fraud assistance at no extra cost, valued at $30 per month.

EDWARDSVILLE

• • • •

6814 Goshen Rd • 618-656-6122 300 St. Louis St • 618-656-6200 2143 S. State Rt 157 • 618-692-9900

• •

firstmid.com

Premier Checking requires $100 minimum opening deposit; No minimum balance; $7.95 monthly maintenance fee - fee waived with $5,000 daily minimum balance maintained in the account or $50,000 maintained in total deposit balances with First Mid. IDProtect® services require a no-fee registration or activation. IDProtect® is a personal identity theft protection service available to account owner(s) and their family. Family includes: spouse, persons qualifying as domestic partner, and children under 25 years of age and parent(s) who are residents of the same household. Service is not available to a “signer” on the account who is not an account owner. Service is not available to businesses and their employees, clubs and/or churches and their members, schools and their employees/students.

Dancing Through the Decades Senior Prom, Hilltop Auction & Banquet Center, Alton IL, 3:30 p.m.

Free Fishing Lessons, Leclaire Lake, Edwardsville IL, 9 a.m.

Friday Nights At The Farm, Grant’s Farm, St. Louis MO, 5 to 10 p.m.

2019 Annual Firemans Picnic, VFW Post 1117, Caseyville IL, 6:30 to 10 p.m.

POWRi Lucas WAR Sprints, Tri-City Speedway, Granite City IL, 5 p.m.

Speed Dating - Runner Edition (to benefit St. Jude), RunWell, Edwardsville IL, 6 p.m.

Skyline Dinner Cruise, Riverboats at the Gateway Arch, St. Louis MO, 7:30 p.m.

Triad Foundation Golf Scramble, Oak Brook Golf Club, Edwardsville IL, 7 a.m.

STL Riverfront Adventure, Big Muddy Adventures, St. Louis MO, 10 a.m.

Fireflies After Dark, Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House, Chesterfield MO, 7 p.m.

Saturday, June 29

•

Save $36000

Also located in: Alton, Highland, Swansea, Wood River and Clayton MO

What to do … events

•

Land of Goshen Market, Downtown Edwardsville IL, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Fireworks, American Legion, Edwardsville IL, Dusk 2019 Annual Firemans Picnic, VFW Post 1117, Caseyville IL, 12 p.m. to 12 a.m.

Burgers ‘n Brews, The Market Green, Downtown Edwardsville IL, 6 p.m.

Fishing Derby, Leclaire Lake, Edwardsville IL, 10 a.m.

The Great Inflatable Race, Forest Park, St. Louis MO, 9 a.m.

BBQ, Bikes, & Blues, Liberty Bank Alton Amphitheater, Alton IL, 1 to 7 p.m.

Fireworks Spectacular, Carlyle Lake, Carlyle IL, 12 to 9 p.m.

Goat Yoga, Green Finned Hippy Farm, Pocahontas IL, 10 a.m.

Madison County TRIAD Pet Fair, Madison County Health Department, Wood River IL, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Party in the Park & Craft Beer Night, Fairmount Park Race Track, Collinsville IL, 7 p.m.

Arch View Lunch Cruise, Riverboats at the Gateway Arch, St. Louis MO, 11:30 a.m.

Sunday, June 30 •

All-Wheels Drive-In Car Show, Down-

Fireworks displays Saturday, June 29 • • • •

American Legion, Edwardsville IL, Dusk.

Carlyle Lake Dam West, Carlyle IL, Dusk.

Caseyville Park, Caseyville IL, Dusk.

Springfield Motor Boat Club, Springfield IL, Dusk.

Tuesday, July 2 •

GCS Credit Union Ballpark, Sauget IL, Immediately following game.

Wednesday, July 3 Alton Fireworks Spectacular, Alton IL, Dusk.

Jefferson Barracks Park, St. Louis MO, Dusk.

Six Flags St. Louis, Eureka MO, 5 minutes after park closes.

GCS Credit Union Ballpark, Sauget IL, Immediately following game.

Ozzie Smith Sports Complex, O’Fallon MO, 10:15 p.m. | July 2-4 Macoupin County Fairground, Carlinville IL, 9:15 p.m.

See FIREWORKS, Page 31

• • • • •

town Alton IL, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Fireworks Show, St. Louis Regional Airport, East Alton IL, 9 p.m.

International SUNday Festival, Alton Amphitheater, Alton IL, 12 to 5 p.m.

Girl Scout Overnight, Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis MO, 7 p.m.

Open House and Kitten Shower, Pound Pets Inc., Granite City IL, 12 to 4 p.m.

MX Race, Splinter Creek Dirt Riders, Alton IL, 9 a.m.

On the Edge of the Weekend • Thursday, June 27, 2019 • 31

FIREWORKS Continued from Page 30

Thursday, July 4 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Fair Saint Louis, St. Louis MO, 9:35 p.m.

Chesterfield Mall, Chesterfield MO, Dusk.

Six Flags St. Louis, Eureka MO, 5 minutes after park closes.

GCS Credit Union Ballpark, Sauget IL, Immediately following game.

Tri Township Park, Troy IL, Dusk.

Coolidge Middle School, Granite City IL, Dusk.

Glazebrook Park, Godfrey IL, 9:15 p.m.

Glik Park, Highland IL, Dusk.

Ozzie Smith Sports Complex, O’Fallon MO, 9:30 p.m.

Lake MauvaiseTerre, Jacksonville IL, 9:30 p.m.

Frontier Park, St. Charles MO, 9:20 p.m.

Lake Lou Yaeger, Litchfield, 9:30 p.m.

Memorial Park, Webster Groves MO, 9:30 p.m.

Kirkwood Park, Kirkwood MO, Dusk.

Scheve Park, Macoutah IL, Dusk.

Florissant Valley Park, Florissant MO, 9:15 p.m.

• • • • • •

Lions Park, Eureka MO, Dusk.

Progress Park, Wentzville MO, 9 p.m.

American Legion, Jerseyville IL, Dusk.

Township Park, Alhambra IL, Dusk.

American Legion Park, Columbia IL, Dusk.

Community Park, Dupo IL, Dusk.

Friday, July 5 • • •

Fair Saint Louis, St. Louis MO, 9:35 p.m.

Six Flags St. Louis, Eureka MO, 5 minutes after park closes.

Lake Springfield Marina, Springfield IL, Dusk.

Saturday, July 6 • • • • • •

Fair Saint Louis, St. Louis MO, 9:35 p.m.

Six Flags St. Louis, Eureka MO, 5 minutes after park closes.

New Lake Road, Bunker Hill IL, Dusk.

River Front, Grafton IL, Dusk.

Downtown Square, Greenville IL, Dusk.

Vandalia Lake, Vandalia IL, Dusk.

Visit Our Show Room:

8610 Hanover Industrial Dr Columbia, IL 62236

Saturday, July 13 •

Sublette Park, St. Louis MO, 8 p.m.

Gold-standard treatment for

Opioid Addiction

Effective treatment for opioid addiction means providing care for the whole person.

Gold-standard treatment for for Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) at Gold-standard treatment Chestnut Health Systems combines anticraving medications with proven substance Effective treatment for opioid addiction means providing use strategies.

Its goal is Treatment care counseling for the whole person.

Medication Assisted Effective treatment opioid addiction (MAT) at Chestnut Health for Systems combines anti-craving sustained remission – including the ability to medications with proven substance usewhole counseling means providing care for the person. live a self-directed life. strategies.

Its goal is sustained remission – including Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) at

Roosevelt

Opioid Addiction Addiction Opioid

the ability to live a self-directed life.

Chestnut Health Systems combines anti-hope.

Chestnut Health Systems offers help Chestnut Health Systems offers help andand hope. craving medications with proven substance use counseling goal is Granitestrategies.

City andItsBelleville sustained remission – including ability to To learn more, call (618) the 877-4420 live a self-directed life.

or visit chestnut.org

FREE ESTIMATES! 618.939.9696

trostplastics.com

32 • Thursday, June 27, 2019 • On the Edge of the Weekend

People At The Party

Jill Moon|The Edge

Jill Moon|The Edge

Sherrie M. Hare, of Edwardsville, executive director for Soup-n-Share Outreach Program, which serves Madison, Granite City, Venice, Brooklyn and anyone who is hungry and needs fed.

Chad Brigham, left, of St. Louis, a partner with Goldenberg Heller & Antognoli Attorneys at Law, and Jeff Stassi, of Wood River, owner of Central Illinois Care Services.

Affordable Assisted Lifestyle Community For The Older Adult

Ed/Glen Chamber of Commerce Membership Director Katie Haas helps distribute prizes.

For The Older Adult

into Cambridge House for a tour and Gift Basket on Saturdays in June.

“Where Friends Share Life & Families Share Peace of Mind!”

“Where Friends Share Life & Families “Where Friends Share Life & Families Peace Mind!”

Open House on SaturdayShare 10am toofnoon Open House Every Sat & Sun6960 in April State 10am Open to Noon House Every162 Sat & Sun in April 10am to Noon Route 6960 State Route 162 6960 State Route 162 Maryville, IL 62060 Maryville, IL 62062 Maryville, IL 62062 ForFor additional information, Call 618-288-2211 additional information, For additional information, Share Peace of Mind!”

Call 618-288-2211 618-288-2211 Managed by Gardant ManagmentCall Solutions

Managed by Gardant Management Solutions

Jill Moon|The Edge Katie Haas, Ed/Glen Chamber of Commerce membership director, left, and Sherrie Hare, of Edwardsville, executive director for Soup-nShare Outreach Program, in Madison, Illinois.

Jill Moon|The Edge Charmian Stewart, of Edwardsville, a sales manager with General Hotels Corp., wins tickets to an upcoming theater production.

Jill Moon|The Edge Cale Henke, left, of Edwardsville, vice president of TheBank of Edwardsville, and Duston Bahorich, of Shiloh, Illinois, with Associated Bank, Glen Carbon.

Jill Moon|The Edge

Affordable Assisted Lifestyle Community ForAffordable The Older AssistedAdult Lifestyle Community

POP

Jill Moon|The Edge Left to right, Jenny Fourcault, of Granite City, office administrator, Samantha Smith, of Maryville, legal assistant, and Tina Jones, of Granite City, legal assistant, all with Goldenberg Heller & Antognoli Attorneys at Law, in Edwardsville.

Managed by Gardant Management Solutions

Visit www.cambridgehouse-maryville-slf.com Visit www.cambridgehouse-maryville-slf.com Visit www.cambridgehouse-maryville-slf.com

EDGE

CLASS 01

062719 On the Edge of the Weekend • Thursday, June 27, 2019 • 33

WEEKEND PROJECTS Automotive

$$$$$$$ The

Cash

For Junk Cars

Classifieds...

just a click away!

www.classifiedsthatwork.com

Edwardsville, 5929 Wooded Estates Lane, Fri 4p-7p & Sat 8a-1p, MOVING SALE, Furniture, Couch, (2) Chairs, (2) TV's, & More

MARKETPLACE Appliances

Furniture & Accessories

Reconditioned Appliances Clean Refrigerators $99 & Up Stoves $99 & Up Washers/Dryers $99 & Up Hwy. 111 & Pontoon Rd. (618)931-9850

Black metal twin loft bed with desk, chair and twin futon, (frame & cushion) Asking $400 618-972-2582

EMPLOYMENT

Apartments / Townhouses 3BR townhouses Like New! 147-A Skyline View Dr Collinsville $890/month 618-855-1265 skyviewtownhouses.com

JOURNEYMAN ELECTRICIANS * High School Diploma * Electrical Exp in Power Plant/ Industrial setting preferred * $42.38 or $45.96 & Benefits * Retirement Savings Plan View job details & apply online www.ameren.com/careers

Refer to JOB ID 18696

1BR on 157, 8 mins from SIU. fp, w/d hkup.

Free w/s/t. $550/mo + dep No Pets 314-368-3880 2BD townhome w/garage - $875/mo w/o garage - $800/mo W/D hook-up No pets!

618-779-9985 2BR for Rent in Troy Available Now!!! $700/month Call 314-574-3858

Pick up 7 days a week Must Have Title

618-606-7091

$$$$$$$

JUNK CAR BOUGHT! HIGHEST PRICES PAID!

•••••••••••••••• Call Today!

(618)931-3051

Building & Remodeling

DIMENSION BUILDINGS Best Buildings • Best Price

$3650 for 30x50 building dimensionbldgs.com

Concrete & Masonry

Madison Co. Masonry & Concrete • BASEMENT WALLS & FOUNDATIONS REPAIR or REPLACE • STOP WATER DAMAGE • DRIVEWAYS • PATIOS & SIDEWALKS • TUCK POINTING • CHIMNEYS • PLASTERING (FULLY LICENSED (FULLY LICENSED INSURED &&INSURED) FREE ESTIMATES

Serving All Of Madison County

618-670-9243

(618)997-9568

Handyman

Cleaning & Maintenance

BOB’S HANDYMAN SERVICE

Busy Bees Cleaning

Remodeling & Repair Drywall Finished Carpentry Painting Ceramic Tile Build & Repair Decks Exterior House And Deck Washing Landscaping Blinds & Draperies Light Fixture & Ceiling Fans No Job Too Small

Clean • Honest Dependable • Insured Excellent References Call for FREE Estimates Call Kim or Amy 618-946-9072

Insured

Call Bob Rose 978-8697

Handyman

All Home Repairs Interior & Exterior

*Painting/Staining *Plumbing, Electrical, *Flooring, Fences, Decks *Pressure Washing - Houses, Decks, Etc. *Inside House Cleaning >> Licensed & Insured <<

Call or Text Pat

618-600-2239 Quality Work at a Reasonable Price Veteran Discounts Free Local Estimates

HANDY MAN JOE

I do everything inside & outside your home.

No job too small!

Call (618)792-3199 (Godfrey, Ill.)

Serenity Handyman & Home Repair •Plumbing •Electrical •Painting •Decks •All Phases of Home Maintenance & Rental Updates

Free Estimates

All Work Guaranteed 25+ Years Of Experience

618-979-2606 Hauling & Trucking

BUDDE TRUCKING

Hauling & Trucking

HAUL ALMOST ANYTHING/ EVERYTHING Remove Unwanted Debris From Basement Garage, Attic; Wherever!

VeRy ReAsonABle Retired Deputy Sheriff

692-0182

Home Improvement

HOME IMPROVEMENTS Great rates, friendly attitudes, free est. Specializing in decks, siding, additions, baths, kitchens, flooring, tile work. No job too big or small.

(618)466-8578

CLIFF’S AFFORDABLE HOME REMODELING 39 Years Experience

Framing, Drywall/Tape/Paint Flooring

Rock, Sand, or Dirt ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Call (618)372-3210

Kitchen Cabinets/Countertops

Let Me Haul Your Old Appliances and Metal Products Away 618-465-1977

Fire & Flood Restoration

Siding/Soffit/Facia/Gutters Doors/Windows Powerwashing -Decks/Stairs

ALL JOBS WELCOME

618

335 3330

EDGE

34 • Thursday, June 27, 2019 • On the Edge of the Weekend

CLASS 02

062719

WEEKEND PROJECTS Landscaping

Landscaping

Landscaping

C.S. LAWN CARE & SERVICES *****************

Accepting New Lawns

*****************

Lawn Care Specialist • Gutter Cleaning • Lawn Maintenance • Power Washing • Leaf Removal • Hauling of Any Kind • Tree Trimming • Bush Trimming • Brush Removal • Insured Reasonable Rates FREE ESTIMATES

618-250-5025

Residential & Commercial Landscapes •Spring Clean-Up •Landscape Installation •Landscape Lighting •Commercial Mowing

Insured

For All Your Commercial & Residential Landscaping Needs

Call 656-7725

GatewayLawn.com

Landscaping

Miscellaneous

PRESTIGE LANDSCAPING & POWER WASHING

Marine Coin & Jewelry Company NEW HOURS at the Marine Coin & Jewelry Company starting June 21st - CLOSED on Sunday, Monday & Tuesday - OPEN on Wednesday thru Friday from 10 am to 5 pm, and Saturday 10 am to 1 pm.

Owner: Scott Pritchard

(618)520-4120

•Fall Leaf Removal •Retaining Walls •Landscape Removal/ Installation •Powerwashing (House, Fence & Decks) •Staining (Fences & Decks) •Bush Trimming •Seeding/Sodding •Driveway Rocking •Paver Patios / Sidewalks

Owner On Every Job •Uniformed Employees •Fully Insured •Free Estimates

A NEW MADISON COUNTY ORDINANCE

will require us to document and photograph each item we purchase from customers along with the personal information on your driver’s license or I.D. We regret having to burden you with this inconvenience. Bill & Lisa,

618-887-2008

Landscaping

Retaining Walls Paver Patios, Sidewalks Landscape Removal/Installation Power Washing Houses, Fences, Decks, Concrete • Painting/Staining Houses, Fences, Decks • Driveway Rocking

• • • • •

Mulching Dirt Work Bush Trimming Gutter Cleaning Lawn Mowing, Trimming, Aerating, Fertilizing • Fence Installation • Building of Decks and Sheds

Fully Insured!

Free Estimates!

Give us a call, WE DO IT ALL!

618-600-5222

JIM'S PAINTING & POWER WASHING Interior & Exterior 25 Years Experience

• Concrete Cleaning •$100 Off 3 or More Rooms •$100 Off Deck & Fence Staining •Huge Discounts on Exterior Painting •$50 off Power Washing •$300 Off Pole Barns We Paint, Stain, & Power Wash Houses, Mobile Homes, Fences, Decks, Garage, Pole Barns, Everything!

We'll make it look new again!

Specializing in: • • • •

Painting & Wallpaper

•Senior Discounts •Free Estimates •Fully Insured & Licensed

618-606-4693

Landscaping

EDGE

CLASS 03

On the Edge of the Weekend • Thursday, June 27, 2019 • 35 062719

WEEKEND PROJECTS Remodeling & Repairs

Roofing & Siding

BRAVE

PAINTING Qu a Wo lity rk

• Wallpaper • Specialty Painting • Inside or Outside Work • Power Washing • Deck Refinishing

Voted Best of the Best 2014, 2015, 2016 & 2017

444-0293 PAINTING

Interior/Exterior Roofing & Siding

Stain/Paint Powerwashing

Written bids

DAN GRAY 656-8806 910-7874

ROB'S ROOFING All types of Roofing/Repairs.

For quick reliable service.

Free Estimates (618)259-0457 or (618)540-9604

DON FORBES HOME IMPROVEMENT

All exterior remodeling. Free estimates. No Money Down!

Lifetime Warranty, Licensed, Bonded, & Insured.

(618)910-2514 (618)377-6344

Roofing • Siding Soffit • Fascia FREE ESTIMATES

Licensed, Insured & Bonded

(618)520-9473 Roofing & Siding

Free Estimates Licensed • Bonded Liability & Workers Comp Insurance

618-208-0525 618-208-0545

WE HAVE THE ANSWERS!

DO IT CORRECT WITH MIDWEST BASEMENT TECH!

MIDWESTBASEMENTTECH.COM

Check out our Classifieds!

So many bargains!

Tree Service

Mu

y

Plumbing

BASEMENT OR CRAWLSPACE PROBLEMS?

NOLAN'S CONTRACTING

Core

• No job too small • Insured • Local • Will beat ALL competitors

Foundation Repair

Licensed, Insured & Bonded.

Call

DECKS/FENCES

Roofing & Siding

rphy ’s

RIVERBEND

OUTDOOR SERVICES

• Tree Trimming • Tree Removal • Bucket Truck • Stump Removal • Fully Insured • Free Estimates • Driveway Rock • Skid Loader Service

BEST PRIECEED! GUARANT

CALL/TEXT/E-MAIL Riverbendoutdoor.com

407 - TREE

PROVIDING QUALITY WATERPROOFING AND FOUNDATION REPAIR IN THE RIVERBEND AREA FOR MORE THAN 40 YEARS

Call now for your FREE Estimate!

Alton/Godfrey 618-466-1240 Edwardsville 618-655-1441 Brighton 618-372-7077

80628541

Painting & Wallpaper

EDGE

36 • Thursday, June 27, 2019 • On the Edge of the Weekend

CLASS 04

WEEKEND PROJECTS RYAN CONSTRUCTION & ROOFING • Roofing • Gutters • Room Additions •Basement Remodel •Siding •Sun Porches Locally Established 1985 Storm Damage/ Insurance Claims Welcomed.

FREE ESTIMATES

(618)792-1300 Licensed, Insured & Bonded

Tree Service

DEX’S

TREE SERVICE •Fully Insured •83’ Backyard Crawler-Fits through 3’ gate •Tree Trimming •Tree Removal •Stump Removal •Storm Clean-up •Bush Trimming •Crane Service

618-977-5037

Lenhardt Tree & Lawn Service

(618)254-7507

Fully Insured

Tree Trimming & Removal Stump Grinding Please Call 618-623-2791 618-660-8974

Free Estimates

▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼

www.allantreeservice.com

VAUGHN TREE SERVICE

www.dexstreeservice.com

Tree Service

• Fully Insured •Free Fire Wood & Wood Chips •Free Estimates •Master Card, Visa, & Discover Accepted • A+ Rated With Better Business Bureau

Tree Service

• Licensed! Free Estimates!

• Senior Discounts!

• 20 Years Experience!

• Workman’s Comp & Liability Insurance!

• Bucket Truck!

• Stump Removal!

618-463-0455

SPRING SPRING SPECIALS SPECIALS

HAVE YOU CHECKED OUR CLASSIFIEDS?

Roofing & Siding

Get the required dose of information you need to keep you informed by reading our newspaper weekly.

062719

Apartments / Townhouses

EMPLOYMENT

3Br, 2Ba Duplex, garage In Esic Area $1000/mon 618-541-5831 or 618-655-0334

Land (Acreage) 1 acre secluded Montclaire lot for sale 618-304-6525

Boats & Marinas 1994 18ft R82 Ranger Boat, 150 hp Mercury motor, Ranger Trail trailer, trowling motor, fish finder, two elevated fishing seats, 2 live wells and lots of storage.

Red metallic finish.

Asking $7000 618-972-2582

Buy & Sell In the Classifieds EMPLOYMENT

e h t d n i f o t d Nee ? e t a d i d n a c t c perfe eaper. h c , s t l u s e r r e t t e b u o ty

I can ge

Call or email Julie Jones Recruitment Specialist 618.208.6445 or Julie.Jones@Hearst.com

EDGE

CLASS 05

062719 On the Edge of the Weekend • Thursday, June 27, 2019 • 37

EMPLOYMENT

JUNE 26 FROM 3 P.M. - 6 P.M. • JUNE 27 FROM 10 A.M. - 1 P.M. Come join us for our Job Fair at Argosy Casino Alton, 410 Piasa St., Alton, IL we are hiring for an variety of positions, both full and part time and all shifts

ArgosyAlton.com • 410 Piasa St Alton, IL

Come Join us for our job fair at 410 Piasa St Alton, IL on June 26 from 3 p.m.

- 6 p.m. and June 27 from 10 a.m. - 1p.m.

We are hiring for a variety of positions, both full and part-time and all shifts! Walk-ins welcome, on-the-spot interviews will be conducted, and job offers will be made!

Apply Online Today at www.pngaming.com/ CAREERS. There will be a $500 Sign-On Bonus for all applicants that attend the Job Fair and are successfully hired! #WorkHappy

38 • Thursday, June 27, 2019 • On the Edge of the Weekend

‘Wild Rose’ heralds arrival of rising star Buckley

By Jake Coyle Associated Press The Irish actress Jessie Buckley grew up in County Kerry and lives in London but she's lately been traveling so much that she gives her present address as Heathrow Airport and New York's JFK. But regardless of her physical location, her mental state is much the same.

"I live in a lot of disbelief at the moment," says Buckley, chuckling.

The 29-year-old, Killarney-born, bright red-haired actress has quickly found herself among the prominent rising stars in film and television thanks to a string of performances that have culminated in a breakthrough. In "Wild Rose," Buckley stars as a fiery, workingclass Glasgow single mother, just out of prison, who dreams of becoming a country music star. The character, Rose-Lynn, and Buckley, have the pipes to back it up.

"Honestly, I can't believe it," Buckley said in an interview on her most recent transAtlantic trip, to tape an appearance on "The Colbert Report." "I never in a million years thought I would make a movie. That didn't belong to a girl in Kerry. That was something else."

"Wild Rose," which opens in select theaters Friday, is a star-making film about wanting to be a star that both dovetails and diverts from Buckley's own story. Rose-Lynn is coarse and hardscrabble but when she sings — the soundtrack is littered with renditions of Emmylou Harris, Bonnie Raitt and John Prine — it's transcendent. After overhearing her singing while vacuuming, her employer (Sophie Okonedo) wants to help her get to Nashville. But "Wild Rose" has its own twists on the "A Star Is Born" myth; it's about balancing a dream with the responsibilities of life and family.

In her quest for fame, Rose-Lynn derides trying out for a talent show ("That's for folk who have a curry on a Saturday night," she says), yet one played a major role in Buckley's life. In 2008, at age 18, Buckley walked into an audition for the BBC's "I'd Do Anything," right after she had been rejected by a drama school. The winner would get a role in a West End production of "Oliver!" Buckley didn't win, but her performances captivated the judges. Andrew Lloyd Webber said she possessed "the sacred flame of star quality."

"I look back on the girl who did that," Buckley recalls. "I was so ignorant and innocent and just completely raw in that experience. I was just so excited and hungry to be part of a world that I thought would take at least, like, 30 years of hard auditions and people telling you 'You're not good enough' or 'You're hair's too curly' or 'You look like Hagrid's love child.'"

Neon Jessie Buckley in a scene from the film, "Wild Rose." Buckley stars as a fiery, working-class Glasgow single mother, just out of prison, who dreams of becoming a country music star.

After the show, the theater producer Cameron Mackintosh invited Buckley to a Shakespeare workshop at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. "From the moment I met Jessie Buckley I thought she was special and then, when she sang, I knew she was a star," Mackintosh said by email. "Her powerful vocal quality and extraordinary expressive way with a lyric was absolutely thrilling."

"I would still do anything to get her back in a musical," he added.

During Buckley's classical training at RADA, words came to the fore; music receded.

"I kind of lost my nerve with singing quite a lot while I was there," says Buckley, whose mother is a harpist and singer. "I didn't really know what singing was to me until this film came my way."

Several of Buckley's first big roles came on the stage: "The Tempest" at the Globe; Kenneth Branaugh's "The Winter's Tale"; opposite Jude Law in "Henry V"; "A Little Night Music" in the West End. She co-starred in the 2016 BBC series "War and Peace," which Tom Harper directed. When Harper

later came across Nicole Taylor's script for "Wild Rose," he sent it straight to Buckley.

The actress immediately responded to it, envisioning Rose-Lynn's battle as a kind of prison break film for Rose-Lynn. "It was like this tornado inside of her and the only place she knew where to put it was in song," said Buckley.

Taylor was channeling some of herself in the film. The screenwriter had been a country music fan in Glasgow (which boasts its own, boozier Grand Ole Opry) since she, at 13, was bowled over by a CMA performance by Mary Chapin Carpenter. Yet finding someone who could sing country and do a believable Scottish accent could have proved impossible.

But when Taylor first met Buckley, she says she was "radiating something."

"The first line I ever wrote about this character is that 'She's thrilling alive, more alive than you.' When I sat down in this cafe, I was like, 'Wow, that's her.' She just has this electricity humming through her," Taylor said by phone from London.

For someone legitimately shape-shifting, Buckley is remarkably herself in person. She speaks liltingly and eloquently out of the

side of her mouth and is rarely more than a minute away from a hearty guffaw, often at her own expense. The star quality Webber recognized a decade ago is abundantly evident, but such stars rarely come so downto-earth and natural.

"What you see is what you get," said Taylor. "As unbelievably talented as she is, there's nothing intimidating about her because she's so real and such a laugh."

Filmmakers have noticed. Buckley, who last year starred in the acclaimed psychological thriller "Beast," co-stars opposite Renee Zellweger in the upcoming Judy Garland drama "Judy"; she's part of Stephen Gaghan's "The Voyage of Doctor Doolittle," with Robert Downey Jr.; in the spy thriller "Ironark," she co-stars with Benedict Cumberbatch; and she recently finished shooting Charlie Kaufman's "I'm Thinking About Ending Things."

"Someone's going to find me out one of these days and send me on my merry way," Buckley says.

Buckley is also in HBO's "Chernobyl," playing Lyudmilla Ignatenko, the wife of a firefighter exposed to radiation.

On the Edge of the Weekend • Thursday, June 27, 2019 • 39 St. Louis;Brroke;Ernst Heating;E36720;9.875x10.25-4c (19Su)

TUNE-UPS CAN OFTEN

PREVENT BREAKDOWNS

RECEIVE UP TO

$1,700 IN REBATES*

OR

FINANCE A NEW LENNOX® SYSTEM FOR AS LOW AS

$116 A MONTH!**

with the purchase of qualifying equipment!

www.ErnstHeating.com 618-887-6521 Hamel, IL Energy & Comfort Consultants

Offer expires 8/9/2019. *Rebate requires purchase of qualifying items and submission of a completed rebate form (with proof of purchase) to www.lennoxconsumerrebates.com no later than August 30, 2019. Rebate is paid in the form of a Lennox Visa® prepaid debit card. Card is subject to terms and conditions found or referenced on card and expires 12 months after issuance. Conditions apply. See lennox.com/terms-and-conditions for complete terms and conditions. **Offer available July 1, 2019 to August 9, 2019. Offer based on a retail price of $10,000. Requires purchase of qualifying system. Financing available to well-qualified buyers on approved credit. No down payment required. 6.99% APR for 120 months, with equal monthly payments of $116 a month. Normal late charges apply. Cannot be combined with any other promotional offer. Minimum loan amount $3,000. Maximum loan amount $40,000. You may prepay your account at any time without penalty. Financing is subject to credit requirements and satisfactory completion of finance documents. Any finance terms advertised are estimates only.

See Truth in Lending disclosures available from lender for more information. © 2019 Lennox Industries Inc. Lennox Dealers are independently owned and operated businesses.

40 • Thursday, June 27, 2019 • On the Edge of the Weekend

We’ve moved

Come see our new clinics at

3511 College Ave in Alton 123 Rottingham Ct., Suite C in Edwardsville

•

Our hearing healthcare experts are dedicated to providing the best patient care for our community. We work closely with each patient’s physician to ensure comprehensive treatment. We will send hearing evaluation results to any physician designated by our patient.

•

Your results belong to you. We will provide a copy of your diagnostic results to you, upon request.

•

Live Local, Care Local. There is no need to go out of town for hearing healthcare. We have four convenient locations and every member of our team is committed to providing the best care possible for every person that walks through our door.

•

We provide comprehensive audiological evaluations, tinnitus evaluations, and individualized treatment plans.

•

We utilize real ear verification measurements to ensure your hearing aids are performing like they should.

•

No gimmicks, no pressure, and no hidden fees.

We want to thank our patients for voting for us to win the Best of the Best in the Riverbend Area. We truly appreciate the opportunity to serve our community.

Chelsea Steer Au.D.

Steven Steer Au.D.

Timothy Fick AAS-HIS, BC-HIS

Don’t Miss Another Moment!

(618) 208-1124

ALTON

NEW LOCATION

3511 College Ave. Alton, IL 62002

GRANITE CITY

2120 Madison Ave., Suite 108 Granite City, IL 62002

MidAmericaAudiologyGroup.com

EDWARDSVILLE

NEW LOCATION

123 Rottingham Ct., Suite C Edwardsville, IL 62025