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Marketing Strategist

Tammy Dunsford

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Kristine Ressler

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Nick Waterman

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SPRINGFIELD – March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is urging Illinoisans to learn more about the illness and the need for regular screenings.

“Colorectal cancer screening saves lives,” said IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra. “Colorectal cancer is the second leading cancer death in the United States, behind only lung cancer. We know, for many, that it can be scary or inconvenient to get screened, but most types of colorectal cancers are preventable or treatable when detected early. Several screening tests can be used, including some you can do at home. If you are 45 and over, please talk to your healthcare provider on the right test for you. Let’s come together this Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month to raise awareness, share stories, and save lives.”

IDPH urges timely screenings as best defense against this preventable illness.

Colorectal cancer has a five-year survival rate of around 90% when detected early, but that survival rate falls to just 10% when the cancer is not detected in a timely fashion and spreads to other parts of the body. Regular screenings can spot early warning signs and also allow for cancer to be spotted in its earliest stages, when treatment has the best chance of success.

In 2023, 6,200 new cases of colorectal cancer were diagnosed in Illinois, and more than 2,100 people lost their lives to the illness in the state last year. Incidences of colorectal cancer are higher among Black, non-Hispanic males and females.

There are various tests that can detect signs of colorectal cancer. They include:

• Colonoscopy, which can detect cancer but can also detect suspicious-looking polyps before they develop into cancer

• Sigmoidoscopy, which is similar to a colonoscopy, but less invasive as it only looks at the lower part of the colon (a colonoscopy looks at the entire large intestine)

• Fecal occult blood test and fecal immunochemical test, which detect the presence of blood in the stool

• A stool DNA test (often known by the brand name Cologuard). This is not a preventive tool, but it can detect the presence of blood

and abnormal DNA which can be a sign of cancer

Determining which test would be most effective, and how often it should be conducted, involves multiple factors including the patient’s age, overall health, family history, and risk factors. Patients should consult with their health care provider to determine which screening method would be most beneficial. Regular screenings are generally recommended for persons between the ages of 45 to 75, but those under 45 who may be at high risk should also consult their medical provider about testing.

As part of the awareness effort, Governor JB Pritzker has signed a proclamation declaring March as Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month in Illinois. To learn more about colorectal cancer and how to prevent it, go to Colorectal Cancer (illinois.gov).

WHERE TO FIND LOCALLY SUSTAINED FOOD?

First, what is locally sustained food? And why is it better?

Locally grown food is just what it sounds like--food which is grown near where you live. Buying food from within your community can help preserve habitat for wildlife, save energy, and grow your local economy. Buying local is healthier because it is only transported short distances and isn’t exposed to harsh chemicals or waxes used to preserve food for long distance travel.

• Local Meat Processors are a great place to ensure you are eating the freshest and healthiest meats. The

local area has several great butcher shops and meat processors to try.

• Goshen Butcher Shop, Edwardsville

• Bagley Farms Meat Market, Edwardsville

• Korte Meat Processing, Highland

• Schubert’s Smokehouse and Meat Packing Co., Millstadt

• Hansen Meat, Alton and Jerseyville

• Godfrey Meat Market, Godfrey

• Sever’s Market, East Alton

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• 1818 Butcher + MarketEdwardsville

• Kelly’s Butcher Shop & Deli – Troy

• Schneider’s Quality Meats -Waterloo

* Miller’s Meat Market – Red Bud

* B & D Meat Market – Freeburg

• Local Produce can be found at farmer’s markets in a variety of towns in the area during the summer months. As well as commercial farms in the area.

• Theodora Farms – Godfrey

• Scharf Farm – Millstadt

• Keller Farms – Collinsville

What to know about CBD oil

What is CBD?

Cannabidiol, also known as CBD, is an active ingredient found in the cannabis plant, which is also known as hemp. How much tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is the psychoactive component, will determine how it affects people.

Companies extract CBD from the cannabis plant and dilute it with a carrier oil, such as hemp seed oil or coconut oil, according to Healthline. It may be used in oil form, as a pill, in cream, or edibles like gummies.

CBD USES

Researchers continue to explore the uses of CBD to treat a variety of conditions. CBD produces effects in the body by interacting with cannabinoid receptors, which are part of the endocannabinoid system. CB1 receptors are present throughout the body, but most notably in the brain. They affect mood, thinking, appetite, pain, and movement. CB2 receptors are more common in the immune system, affecting pain and inflammation, indicates Medical News Today. Therefore, CBD has been recommended for use in

Signs advertising CBD oil have cropped up in various businesses — from pharmacies to mall kiosks — over the last several years. CBD oil manufacturers make various claims on product packaging, but consumers may not know if such claims are trustworthy or best taken with a grain of salt. A better understanding of CBD oil can help consumers curious about this enigmatic product.

treating pain, inflammation from arthritis, migraines, sleep disorders, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, seizure disorders, anxiety, depression, and other conditions. Other studies have suggested CBD usage could provide relief from withdrawal symptoms when quitting smoking or getting off opioids.

While there are some indications CBD will improve these conditions, currently the U.S. Food and Drug Administration only approves the prescription use of Epidolex, a purified CBD oil, for treating epilepsy.

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SIDE EFFECTS OF CBD USE

While CBD generally is considered safe to use, Harvard Medical School notes that it may cause nausea, fatigue and irritability. CBD also may increase blood thinning in the body, as well as compete with other medicines in the body much in the same way grapefruit has similar effects with certain medications. Regular use of CBD in high doses could cause abnormalities in liver-related blood tests.

The legalization of both CBD and marijuana use across the United States and Canada continues to gain momentum, but use of CBD is not necessarily

legal in all areas. Also, it is important to determine if CBD will show up in drug test results for those who work for employers with zero tolerance for marijuana use. According to the drug information website Drugs.com, theoretically, CBD should not show up on a drug test. However, because most CBD products are classified as a supplement, CBD is not regulated for safety and purity. This means that contamination of the CBD with THC can and does

occur, particularly if CBD is derived from marijuana and not hemp. This may show up on a drug test, depending on the cutoff level of the test and other factors. The popularity of CBD continues to grow.

Individuals considering the use of CBD to treat a health issue are urged to speak with a medical professional prior to using it.

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GEAR UP NOW FOR GARDENING SEASON

It’s never too early to prepare for the garden season ahead. Having the right tool for the job saves time, reduces the frustration of trying to make the wrong tool work, and allows you to garden longer with less muscle fatigue.

By: Melinda Myers, Contributor

Take an inventory of all your tools. Be sure to check the shed, garage, or tool caddy. Make a list of those that need to be replaced or need an frequent digging tasks. Perhaps it is time to invest in a long-handled shovel with a narrow head that allows you to dig in small spaces. Corona’s DigMaster Nursery Shovel has a hardened steel blade and

and early spring are also the time to do a bit of trimming and pruning on indoor plants. Pruners and snips with specially shaped blades make trimming individual leaves and stems easier, ensuring you make the cut where planned.

A scoop comes in handy when placing potting mix or fertilizer in containers. The more you use it, the more uses you will discover.

mechanism that makes it easy to empty loads of mulch and soil where it is needed.

And don’t forget about the young gardeners in your life. Having their own set of properly sized hand tools, long-handled tools, and of course, a wheelbarrow will make working with you in the garden even more special. Kids, like adults, benefit from

One need not look long or far to be reminded of the importance of saving for retirement.

3 TIPS TO CATCH UP ON RETIREMENT SAVINGS

Iday without encountering roadside billboards, television and streaming service advertisements, and/or promotional emails touting the retirement planning services offered by an assortment of investment firms. If those adds seem ubiquitous, it’s for good reason, as saving for retirement is among the most important steps individuals can take as they look to ensure their long-term financial security.

Despite the widely accepted significance of retirement planning, studies indicate that many people are behind on saving and aware that they’re behind. According to a recent survey from the online financial resource Bankrate, 55 percent of respondents indicated they are behind on their retirement saving. In addition, a Gallup poll released in May 2023 indicated that just 43 percent of nonretirees think they will have enough money to live comfortably in retirement. The good news for individuals who are behind or concerned about their financial wellness in retirement is that three strategies can help them catch up on their savings.

1. Take advantage of catchup rules if you qualify. Laws governing retirement accounts in the United States allow

contribute more to their retirement accounts than they’re eligible to contribute prior to turning 50. Bankrate notes that current laws allow individuals over 50 to contribute an extra $1,000 per year to a traditional or Roth IRA and an extra $7,500 annually to a 401(k), 403(b) or 457(b) account. In Canada, individuals can contribute the maximum to a Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP). According to the National Bank of Canada, individuals can contribute up to 18 percent of their annual income to an RRSP, and those contributions are deducted from taxable income. That means individuals are potentially saving more for down the road and paying less in taxes today.

2. Itemize your tax deductions. The online financial resource Investopedia notes that taking the standard deduction is not for everyone. Individuals with significant amounts of mortgage interest, businessrelated expenses that are not reimbursed by an employer, and/or charitable donations may lower their tax obligation by itemizing their deductions. That reduction in tax obligation allows individuals to redirect those funds to their retirement accounts.

3. Cut back on discretionary spending. Perhaps the

necessarily the easiest, way to catch up on retirement savings is to redirect funds typically spent on discretionary expenses like dining out or travel into retirement accounts. One way to feel better about this approach is to remind yourself that the

out and travel now means more money will be available to spend on such luxuries in retirement.

Three simple strategies make it easier to catch up on retirement savings.

Having the option to purchase locally grown food has many benefits. Michigan State University Extension suggests the following benefits of buying locally grown food.

· Locally grown food is full of flavor. When grown locally, the crops are picked at their peak of ripeness versus being harvested early in order to be shipped and distributed to your local retail store. Many times produce at local markets has been picked within 24 hours of your purchase.

· Eating local food is eating seasonally. Even though we wish strawberries were grown year round in Michigan, the best time to eat them is when they can be purchased directly from a local grower. They are full of flavor and taste better than the ones available in the winter that have traveled thousands of miles and picked before they were ripe.

· Local food has more nutrients. Local food has a

EATING FOODS

Soon farmers markets and roadside stands will be open and offering early spring crops such as rhubarb and asparagus. Also, growers who have greenhouses or hoop houses can offer greens early in the growing season. After what seemed like a long, cold winter season the chance to have locally grown food available to add to meals is irresistible.

shorter time between harvest and your table, and it is less likely that the nutrient value has decreased. Food imported from far-away states and countries is often older, has traveled and sits in distribution centers before it gets to your store.

· Local food supports the local economy. The money that is spent with local farmers and growers all stays close to home and is reinvested with businesses and services in your community.

· Local food benefits the environment. By purchasing locally grown foods you help maintain farmland and green and/or open space in your community.

· Local foods promote a safer food supply. The more steps there are between you and your food’s source the more chances there are for contamination. Food grown in distant locations has the potential for food safety issues at harvesting, washing, shipping and distribution.

· Local growers can tell you how the food was grown. You can ask what practices they use to raise and harvest the crops. When you know where your food comes from and who grew it, you know a lot more about that food.

As the growing season starts and gets into full swing, you should think about how you can add more locally grown foods to your menus. By doing so you are supporting the many benefits of locally grown food. MSU Extension has educators working across Michigan who provide community food systems educational programming and assistance. For more information, you can contact an educator by conducting a search with MSU Extension’s Find an Expert search tool and using the keywords, “community food systems.” This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit https:// extension.msu.edu.

GARDENING OFFERS MORE THAN A DAY IN THE SUN

Millions of people embrace opportunities to get back in their gardens each spring, and they might be reaping more rewards from that activity than they realize.

According to the American Institute of Stress, gardening sparks a level of creativity among enthusiasts, and that can help to alleviate stress by lowering levels of the hormone cortisol. In addition, authors of a 2022 study published in the journal Urban Forestry & Urban Greening concluded that gardening during the COVID-19 pandemic helped people cope with coronavirus-related stress through outdoor activity.

Warning signs of developing mental health issues

Various mental illnesses are more common among women than men, including depression and anxiety.

The Mayo Clinic says it’s common to have mental health concerns from time to time, but when one of those concerns becomes frequent or affects one’s ability to function, it becomes an illness.

According to Clearview Treatment Programs, women often live with mental illness for months, even years before seeking treatment. Individuals may not realize the severity of their conditions, or they may mistake mental illness for stress or feeling overwhelmed. Even though the stigma surrounding mental health issues has decreased considerably in recent years, women still face societal barriers, says McLean Mass General Brigham Hospital. Women may not be inclined to discuss their issues and, in turn, fail to receive prompt care.

Signs of mental illness vary, depending on the disorder and additional variables. A condition may affect a person’s emotions, behaviors and thoughts. Some signs of a burgeoning mental illness include:

• Significant changes in sleep habits, which may include sleeping more or not at all.

• Changes in eating behaviors, which may include binge eating or going without food.

• Women tend to internalize mental illness, and symptoms can include ruminating, withdrawal from activities and generally retreating from life.

• Physical conditions that cannot be explained, such as headaches, stomach aches, chronic pain, and even high blood pressure.

• Emotional lability, which means rapid mood swings from happiness to anger and sadness.

• Confused thinking or a reduced ability to concentrate.

• Excessive fears or worries.

• Detachment from reality, resulting in delusions.

• Trouble relating to situations and people.

• Changes to sex drive.

• Excessive anger or hostility.

• Suicidal thoughts or attempts. Mental illness can affect anyone. According to research, women may have a higher propensity to develop certain mental health conditions and thus need to be aware of the symptoms of those disorders. Anyone in crisis should call 911 or their local emergency number immediately. In the United States and Canada, women can call or text 988 to reach suicide and crisis support.

APRIL: MINORITY HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH

A host of variables affect each individual’s risk for developing a certain disease or condition. The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases notes those variables include family history, but also socioeconomic status and educational background.

The NIAID notes that disparities is a term used in reference to gaps in the quality of health and health care that mirror differences in socioeconomic status, racial and ethnic background, and education level. The National Institutes of Health has even designated certain groups as health disparity populations, and those groups include American Indians/Alaska Natives, Asian Americans, Blacks/African Americans, Hispanics/Latinos, and Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders. Members of these groups may be more likely than others to be socioeconomically disadvantaged, which can affect their access to quality health care. That can then increase their risk for various health conditions and diseases.

Though an individual at greater risk for a given health condition or disease will not automatically get it, the NIAID notes that the following are some diseases

that disproportionately affect minorities.

• Asthma: The NIAID notes that Puerto Ricans had twice the asthma rate of the overall Hispanic population as recently as 2018. In addition, African American women are 20 percent more likely to have asthma than non-Hispanic whites.

• Coronaviruses: The COVID-19 pandemic may be over, but millions of people are still diagnosed with COVID each year. The NIAID notes that American Indian/Alaska Native, Non-Hispanic people are 1.5 times more at risk of contracting COVID than white, non-Hispanic individuals.

• HIV/AIDS: According to the NIAID, in 2019 the overall HIV infection rate among Blacks accounted for roughly 42 percent of all HIV diagnoses in the United States. That’s in spite of the fact that Blacks comprise just 13 percent of the U.S. population.

• Kidney failure: The NIAID

notes that African Americans develop kidney failure at a rate greater than four times the rate of white Americans.

• Tuberculosis: The rate of tuberculosis cases in the United States is notably higher among various minority groups than it is among whites. In fact, the NIAID reports that, in 2015, 87 percent of all TB cases occurred in racial and ethnic

minorities, particularly in Hispanics, Asians and African Americans.

A high risk factor for a certain health condition or disease does not mean a person will ultimately be diagnosed with that ailment. However, it’s in everyone’s best interest to determine their risk factor for certain health conditions and discuss ways to lower their risk with their physicians.

EXPLORING ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE’S ROLE IN GARDENING ADVICE

By: Chris Enroth,University of Illinois Extension Gift Article

Let’s say you have a gardening question. Before the internet, perhaps you reached out to your Illinois Extension office for an answer. With the internet, you could search for your question but had to wade through lots of different sources.

generative AI tools (ChatGPT, Google Bard, Microsoft CoPilot, etc.), “Can you recommend ecofriendly lawn care practices?”

From this question, I received a list of sustainable lawn care practices. Let’s examine the section of these responses regarding fertilizer.

You may be wondering, “What does artificial intelligence have to do with

Again, your local Extension office is there to help narrow down to reputable information in an ocean of data.

Today, we can type our question into a generative AI interface and an answer is given to us: Without doing an exhaustive online search, checking references, or reading multiple sources to confirm the information is indeed sound.

I wanted to test some generative AI platforms to see if they returned accurate information to common gardening questions. I would say in nearly every instance, the results were mixed. For example, I asked multiple

All of the generative AI tools replied to use organic fertilizers for eco-friendly lawns as these are better for the soil and plants. A few AI tools said to select fertilizers with nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium as our plants need these nutrients. Only one recommended a soil test.

Now if you’ve ever listened to an Extension professional talk about fertilizer, we probably use the words “soil test” at least 10 times. Soil testing is a huge asset when determining what to add to our soils. Putting amendments in our soil without a test is like playing darts in the dark.

When it comes to nutrients and our lawns, nitrogen is likely

the only nutrient we need to consider when calculating how much to buy and apply. Notably, phosphorous is a potent pollutant and quite detrimental to our water quality. Therefore, an eco-friendly lawn would omit fertilizers containing phosphorous, unless a soil test revealed a deficiency, which is unlikely for Illinois soils when it comes to both phosphorus and potassium.

None of the AI tools caught these details.

Organic fertilizer can provide additional resources to our soil that synthetic products do not. Yet, when it comes to nitrogen (the nutrient we focus on when it comes to lawns), our plants cannot tell whether the source is organic or synthetic. Therefore, organic fertilizer is not “better for plants.” I will give AI half credit in this case as we can see improvements in soil health.

What are my thoughts when it comes to using generative AI for gardening questions? Right off the bat, whatever answer

is supplied you still need to reference the sources. Some AI responses were more of a product advertisement than an unbiased response. Generative AI scrapes the internet for information and it doesn’t seem to distinguish between science-based information and commercial advertisements.

I also felt there was a big thing missing: The human.

Despite the ease of achieving an answer to our questions using AI, a human is still necessary with this new technology to parse out useful information from the unnecessary.

Or perhaps a better way to describe it is that the human still needs to translate how the information applies to your unique situation.

That’s why Illinois Extension is still here to help our community members make informed decisions as our technology evolves.

UPCOMING 5K RACES

April 6th WashU PT Run for Research 5k Run/Walk St. Louis, MO

April 6th Jog for Jobs St. Charles, MO

April 6th Go! St. Louis Read, Right & Run Marathon St. Louis, MO

April 6th Firehouse 5k for Autism High Ridge, MO

April 6th Eckert’s Belleville Farm Wine Run 5k Belleville, IL

April 13th Cardinals 5k St. Louis, MO

April 13th Race For Love 5k Lebanon, IL

April 14th Mi Casa es SLU Casa: Walk, Run, Roll St. Louis, MO

April 20th Watershed Run Wild! 5k & Fun Run Edwardsville, IL

April 20th Laura’s Run4Kids 5k & Family Fun Run Tower Grove Park, St. Louis, MO

April 20 – 10th Annual SSM Health Physical Therapy 5k Run for the Mission Maryland Heights, MO

April 21 th Classic 107.38 Beat Beethoven 5k Maryland Heights, MO

April 27th Kids & Cops Doughnut Run 5k/1mile Fun Run Granite City, IL

April 27th Greater St. Louis Marathon St. Louis, MO

May 4th Jim Schoemehl Run for ALS St. Louis, MO

May 4th Be a LIFEsaber 5k St. Louis, MO

May 4th Law Day Run Belleville, IL

May 4th Hydrants, Hoses and Heroes 5k Highland, IL

May 4 – 10th Annual Micro Run St. Louis, MO

May 5th Fiesta de Mayo 5k St. Louis, MO

May 9th 2024 Biz Dash 5k presented by World Wide Technology St. Louis, MO

May 14th Achilles Hope and Possibility 5k and 1 mile St. Louis, MO

May 17th Ferguson Twilight Run Ferguson, MO

May 25th Run/Walk in Remembrance 5k Worden, IL

May 27th University City Memorial Day Run University City, MO

June 1st John Mohr Memorial 5k and Turtle Trot St. Louis, MO

June 8th International Horseradish Festival 5k Collinsville, IL

June 9th Glendale Firehouse Run St. Louis, MO

June 15th Race for Reconciliation 5k St. Louis, MO

June 15th Love to Run St. Charles 5k 10k Half Marathon St. Charles, MO

June 15th Glen Carbon Covered Bridge 5k Glen Carbon, IL

June 15 – 23rd Annual June Jamboree 5k Run/Walk New Baden, IL

June 23rd St. Louis HFTC 5k St. Louis, MO

STAYING SAFE DURING A TORNADO

Save your phone calls for emergencies and use text messaging or social media to communicate with family and friends.

• Pay attention to EAS, NOAA Weather Radio, and local authorities for updated information.

• Stay clear of fallen power lines or broken utility lines.

• Contact your healthcare provider if you are sick and need

medical attention Wait for further care instructions and continue to shelter in place.

• Wear appropriate gear during clean-up such as thick-soled shoes, long pants, and work gloves, use appropriate face coverings or masks if cleaning mold or other debris.

Immediately go to a safe location that you have identified.

• Pay attention to EAS, NOAA Weather Radio, or local alerting systems for current emergency information and instructions.

• Protect yourself by

covering your head or neck with your arms and putting materials such as furniture and blankets around or on top of you.

• Do not try to outrun a tornado in a vehicle if you are in a car. If you are in a car or outdoors and cannot get to a building, cover your head and neck with your arms and cover your body with a coat or blanket, if possible.

A TORNADO CAN:

• Happen anytime and anywhere.

• Bring intense winds, over 200 miles per hour.

• Look like funnels.

If you are under a tornado or severe weather warning:

• Go to NOAA Weather Radio and your local news or official social media accounts for updated

Tornadoes are violently rotating columns of air that extend from a thunderstorm to the ground.

Tornadoes can destroy buildings, flip cars, and create deadly flying debris.

emergency information. Follow the instructions of state, local and tribal officials.

• Go to a safe shelter immediately,

such as a safe room, basement, storm cellar or a small interior room on the lowest level of a sturdy building.

• Stay away from windows, doors, and outside walls.

• Do not go under an overpass or bridge. You’re safer in a low, flat location.

• Watch out for flying debris that can cause injury or death.

• Use your arms to protect your head and neck.

• If you can’t stay at home, make plans to go to a public shelter.

PREPARING FOR A TORNADO

• Know your area’s tornado risk. In the U.S., the Midwest and the Southeast have a greater risk for tornadoes.

• Know the signs of a tornado, including a rotating, funnel-shaped cloud, an approaching cloud of debris, or a loud roar like a freight train.

• Sign up for your community’s warning system. The Emergency Alert System (EAS) and NOAA Weather Radio also provide emergency alerts. If your community has sirens, then become familiar with the warning tone.

• Pay attention to weather reports. Meteorologists

can predict when conditions might be right for a tornado.

• Identify and practice going to a safe shelter such as a safe room built using FEMA criteria or a storm shelter built to ICC 500 standards. The next best protection is a small, interior, windowless room or basement on the

lowest level of a sturdy building.

• Plan for your pet. They are an important member of your family, so they need to be included in your

• Prepare for longterm stay at home or sheltering in place by gathering emergency supplies, cleaning supplies, nonperishable foods, water,

EVENTS THAT CAN FOSTER A STRONG SENSE OF COMMUNITY

Events that bring residents of a community together in one place have been on the back burner in recent years.

The return of spring and summer mark a great time for local leaders to add more events to their community calendars t he following are some fun event ideas that can help communities reconnect in the months to come

· CrafTs fesTival: the digital advertising agency nmpi noted in a report titled “impact of covid -19 on arts & crafts retail” that the rise in pandemic-related self-isolation led to an increased demand for arts-andcrafts as the world emerges from the pandemic, community leaders can provide residents an opportunity to showcase their newfound talents by hosting a crafts festival invite established professionals to showcase and sell their wares and encourage local hobbyists to do the same this is a great way to promote local businesses and connect residents with neighbors who love to spend time working on arts and crafts

· ConCerT series: summer concert series are fun and potentially lucrative for local businesses a 2016 analysis of a popular local concert series in northern new york state determined that a summer concert series sponsored by the disabled persons action organization allowed more than $1.6 million to flow through local economies that’s welcome news for local businesses that have been hit hard by the pandemic, and it ’ s also welcome news for leaders who want to rebuild a sense of community in their towns and cities families and local residents can enjoy live music and take pride knowing that each ice cream cone, hot dog or cold beverage they buy at a concert is helping local businesses rebound from a tough stretch

· farmers market: another way to promote local businesses and public health is to host weekly farmers markets buying locally grown foods greatly reduces food miles, a term that refers to the distance food travels before it reaches grocery stores reduced food miles means less fuel consumption and reduced air pollution, both of which benefit the environment and human health but farmers markets do more than that, as they provide access to healthy foods to individuals who might otherwise be unable to find fresh fruits and vegetables and farmers markets support local farmers and growers, reassuring consumers that their hard earned money is going back into their own communities local events like crafts festivals, concert series and farmers markets are a fun and effective way to foster a strong sense of community in towns and cities

Don’T Miss THese GreaT sPrinG/sUMMer evenTs

HaPPeninG near YoU…

• aPril 6TH main street kid’s day downtown belleville

• aPril 8TH solar eclipse 2024 viewing at cahokia mounds

• aPril 8TH solar eclipse viewing party at eckert’s country store in belleville

• aPril 13TH southern illinois sheep & craft festival monroe county fairgrounds, waterloo

• aPril 14TH motorcycle swap meet at belle- clair fairgrounds, belleville

• April 14th Alton Main Street Pop-Up Clothes Swap

• April 14th Baby Goat Yoga at Pere Marquette Lodge

• April 20th The Great Mushroom Hunt at Raging Rivers Water Park

• April 20th Belleville Flea Market Belle-Clair Fairgrounds, Belleville

• April 20th Homebrew & Music Walk Downtown Belleville

• April 21st Pere Marquette Mushroom Festival 2024

• April 27th The Riverside Flea Market at the Loading Dock in Grafton

• April 27th St. Louis Antique Show at Belle-Clair Fairgrounds, Belleville

• April 28th Bird & Animal Breeders Swap & Sale Monroe County Fairgrounds, Waterloo

• May 4th Free Fishing Derby at Bellevue Park, Belleville

• May 5th Mother’s Day Market at Route 66 Creamery in Hamel

• May 11th 2nd Annual Spring Vendor Market at the Pink Elephant Antique Mall in Livingston

• May 11th Alton Farmer’s & Artisans’ Market

• May 11th Strawberry Festival Eckert’s Belleville

• May 11th Lewis & Clark Departure Celebration 2024 at Lewis and Clark Historic Site

• May 12th Litchfield Pickers Market

• May 16th Car Cruise-Ins at Twistee Treat Diner in Livingston

• May 17th NCBA Division 2 World Series at Lloyd Hopkins Field in Alton

• May 17th Art on the Square Downtown Belleville

• May 18th Spring Native American Market at VFW – Post

5691 Collinsville

• May 18th Sip, Sample, Stroll in Grafton

• May 18th Downtown Alton Pup Crawl

EVENTS THAT CAN FOSTER A STRONG SENSE OF COMMUNITY

• May 18th Belleville Flea Market at Belle-Clair Fairgrounds, Belleville

• May 18th FirebirdFest Courhouse Square in Waterloo

• May 23rd NCBA Division 1 World Series at Lloyd Hopkins Field in Alton

• May 23rd Grafton Music in the Park

• May 26th Collinsville Memorial Day Fireworks Festival

• May 27th Memorial Day Parade Downtown Belleville

• June 1st Alton River Dragons Home Game

• June 1st Enjoy Illinois 300 World Wide Technology Nascar Cup Series, Madison

• June 6th Alton Night Market

• June 7th International Horseradish Festival in Collinsville

• June 8th Edwardsville Route 66 Festival

• June 9th Arts in the park Metter Park in Columbia

• June 14th Glen Carbon Homecoming

• June 16th Father’s Day Beer Garden at Pere Marquette

• June 21st F1 Powerboat Racing Championship Alton Riverfront

• June 28th The Illinois Elvis Festival at Gateway in Collinsville

AGE-BASED FINANCIAL GOALS TO PROMOTE LONG-TERM SECURITY

The importance of saving for retirement is emphasized from the moment young adults enter the professional arena.

Whether it’s parents urging their grown children to save or financial firms advertising their retirement planning services or employers sponsoring retirement investment vehicles, professionals need not look far to be reminded of the significance of saving for the day when they call it a career.

Despite the ubiquity of the message emphasizing the importance of saving for retirement, millions of people are behind in their retirement savings. A 2023 survey by the Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan found that 44 percent of the 2,000 Canadian employees surveyed have not set aside any money for retirement in the past year, while 32 percent acknowledged they had not set aside any money for retirement. The situation is similar in the United States, where a 2023 CNBC Your Money survey found that 56 percent of Americans feel they are not on track to retire comfortably. Such figures can serve as a lesson for all professionals, but especially young adults who recently entered or are about to enter the professional arena. Each individual is different, and those who aspire to retire early will need to save more at a younger age than those who plan to retire at age 70 or

later. In an effort to help individuals ensure they save enough to enjoy their golden years, the financial experts at Fidelity® have designed an age-based system that can serve as a guideline for professionals who want to stay on track as they save for retirement. These figures are based on retiring at age 67 and are intended to ensure such individuals can maintain their preretirement lifestyles. Individuals who want to retire before or after that age are urged to work with a financial advisor to meet their goals.

• Age 30: Fidelity® recommends individuals have at least 1x their salary saved by age 30.

• Age 35: This approach calls for individuals to have 2x their salary saved by age 35.

• Age 40: If retiring at 67 is the goal, having 3x your salary saved by age 40 can help make that a reality.

• Age 45: 4x your salary should be saved by age 45 to retire comfortably at age 67.

• Age 50: Fidelity® recommends individuals have 6x their salary saved by age 50.

• Age 55: 7x your salary is the suggested savings benchmark to reach by age 55.

• Age 60: Individuals who aspire to retire at 67 are urged to save 8x their salary by the time they reach age 60.

• Age 67: When the day comes to retire at 67, Fidelity recommends individuals have 10x their salary saved.

These figures are just a bench-

mark and are not intended to take the place of professional financial advice. Though these goals can serve as motivation to save, individuals should know that savings goals can exceed these recommendations as well.

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