hours in September as Monday and Friday 11am to 1pm; Wednesdays 3:30 to 5:30 pm – with Telephone calls and messages returned within 24 hours!
and Program Advertisers and Business & Corporate Sponsors earn Full Color Ads and FREE SEASON TICKETS as well.
Volunteers who usher and help with Mailings, earn FREE Tickets at ALT
AUDITIONS are open to EVERYONE , and are posted on the Website Pull-down and ALT commits to no pre-
casting (ever)!Yes, Dreams and made at ALT and there is enough “ Theater Magic” for everyone. Executive Director Lee Cox is active in other Community organizations and has a “ Theater Thursdays” podcast at The Riverbender.com and also does monthly
Commercials and Interviews with WBGZ – as part of the mission at ALT to Support LOCAL Businesses and Media outlets. And Lee loves to Talk to the “wonderful people of the Riverbend” – so Come by or Call her through the ALT office – 618-462-3205.
Live E asy and Wor r y Free!
Senior L iving in G odfre y, IL
For over 20 years, Asbur y Village has been a staple of the community by providing the highest standards of living and care for the residents who call it HOME. Here,you’ ll find a countr yside neighborhood that bustles with activities and opportunities. We offer a fresh focus on good health and wellness, and exciting, new ser vices, amenities and programs. We invite you to come be a part of it all, to discover what’s next We welcome you to reach out to our team to schedule a in person tour to see for yourself what sets Asbur y Village apart from all others. We look for ward to meeting with you and your families!
SCHEDULE A TOUR! (618) 466-8662
Fall in Love with Fall
Every fall, people in the Metro East and St. Louis area make the trek up the Great River Road to Grafton and Pere Marquette State Park to bask in nature’s magnificent palette of red, orange, purple, yellow, brown, bronze and magenta leaves on the great variety of trees of Southern Illinois.
CBS reported that 45% percent of people named autumn as their favorite season, nearly double the next closest season of summer at 24%.
Our fall color season lasts for several weeks, normally starting in the third or fourth week of
By: Mary Cox for Hearst Media
September. We are blessed with a great mixture of trees like the sugar maple, oaks, cottonwoods, wild black cherries, dogwoods, and hickory trees that give us the gorgeous rainbow of colors we enjoy every autumn.
Because of changes in the length of daylight and changes in temperature in the fall, the leaves stop their food-making process. The chlorophyll breaks down, the green color disappears, and the yellow, red and orange colors become visible and give the leaves part of their fall splendor.
Driving north of Grafton, the Calhoun Ferry is on the left. Taking a free ferry ride across the Illinois river is fun. Drivers and their passengers are allowed to get out of their cars to get a closer look of the activity on the river. The skill the
ferry Captains used in crossing the river is fascinating. Pere Marquette State Park is just a few more miles north. There is hiking, horseback riding and all sorts of activities for all members of the family.
When driving back toward Grafton, not only is there the full spectrum of fall foliage on the Great River Road but there are many wonderful restaurants where visitors can enjoy a fresh hot fish sandwich, wineries that specialize in grapes grown on the Grafton hillsides and gift stores that have a variety of gifts to remind people of time spent in Grafton. Or, sit and enjoy an adult beverage while watching the boats, barges and sailboats cruise up and down the long banks of the Grafton riverfront where the Mississippi and Illinois rivers blend into
one colossal river as it continues its journey south to New Orleans.
As the day winds down, enjoy a slow ride down the Great River Road toward home as the twinkling lights on the drifting barges are reflected on the river.
This is a trip visitors make every year but to avoid the crowds, go on week days. Just remember that many of the stores are closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
FFall harvest fruits and vegetables
ood is a big part of fall, and farms play a significant role in seasonal celebrations. Each fall, families plan apple picking excursions with their eyes on baking homemade apple pies. And while Halloween is made even more fun when carving jack-o’-lanterns, savvy celebrants know that carving sessions are not complete without some roasted pumpkin seeds.
The fall harvest is a great time to indulge in some freshly picked healthy foods. While the picking
season may vary depending on where you live, and specifically the climate in your region, the following are some fruits and vegetables that might be ripe for the picking this fall.
· Apples: Apple-picking season typically begins in late summer and extends into fall. Many farms offer a variety of apples, which may be harvested at different times. Eckert’s
in Grafton offers Evercrisp Apples late in the season, Fuji Apples ripen in October, Suncrisp also are available in October, while Red Delicious ripen in September along with Golden Delicious.
· Peaches: People who can’t wait to whip up a peach cobbler may need to do so before fall even begins. Peaches can be picked in August in our
area and the picking season generally ends around mid-September. You will want to get your Calhoun Peaches early.
· Pumpkins: Thanks in part to Halloween decor and the popularity of pumpkin pie as a Thanksgiving dessert, pumpkins are synonymous with the fall harvest. And pumpkin picking season aligns perfectly with each of these holidays, Eckerts Orchard in Grafton offers pumpkin picking from Sept. 28th to October 31st. Fall is a great time of year to pick fresh fruits and vegetables at a local farm.
National Memorial of Military Ascent
By: Mary Cox for Hearst Media
Every fall, people in the Metro East and St. Louis area make the trek up the Great River Road to Grafton and Pere Marquette State Park to bask in nature’s magnificent palette of red, orange,
purple, yellow, brown, bronze and magenta leaves on the great variety of trees of Southern Illinois.
CBS reported that 45% percent of people named autumn as their favorite season, nearly double the next closest season of summer at 24%.
Our fall color season lasts for several weeks, normally starting in the third or fourth week of September. We are blessed with a great mixture of trees like the
sugar maple, oaks, cottonwoods, wild black cherries, dogwoods, and hickory trees that give us the gorgeous rainbow of colors we enjoy every autumn.
Because of changes in the length of daylight and changes in temperature in the fall, the leaves stop their food-making process. The chlorophyll breaks down, the green color disappears, and the yellow, red and orange colors become visible and give the leaves part of their fall splendor.
Driving north of Grafton, the Calhoun Ferry is on the left. Taking a free ferry ride across the Illinois river is fun. Drivers and their passengers are allowed to get out of their cars to get a closer look of the activity on the river. The skill the ferry Captains used in crossing the river is fascinating. Pere Marquette State Park is just a few more miles
north. There is hiking, horseback riding and all sorts of activities for all members of the family.
When driving back toward Grafton, not only is there the full spectrum of fall foliage on the Great River Road but there are many wonderful restaurants where visitors can enjoy a fresh hot fish sandwich, wineries that specialize in grapes grown on the Grafton hillsides and gift stores that have a variety of gifts to remind people of time spent in Grafton. Or, sit and enjoy an adult beverage while watching the boats, barges and sailboats cruise up and down the long banks of the Grafton riverfront where the Mississippi and Illinois rivers blend into one colossal river as it continues its journey south to New Orleans.
As the day winds down, enjoy a slow ride down the Great River Road toward home as the twinkling lights on the drifting barges are reflected on the river.
This is a trip visitors make every year but to avoid the crowds, go on week days. Just remember that many of the stores are closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Helen Cox’s Soda Cracker Pie by Sally Manush
3 egg whites
1 cup of sugar
1/2 teaspoon of baking powder
16 square soda crackers crushed 1/2 cup of pecan chips
1 tsp of vanilla.
Beat egg whites stiff. Slowly add sugar slowly to the egg white mixture and continue beating. Fold in the baking powder. add pecans and vanilla. Place in the bottom of a 9 inch pan. Bake at 300 degrees for 30 minutes. Let cool.
Use 3 cups of sliced ripe peaches. I have used frozen peaches and they will work too add sugar to taste.
Whip 1/2 a pint of real whipping cream. Fold the whipped cream into the sliced peaches and set in the baking pan. Place it in the refrigerator overnight. Serve the following day.
Old Fashion Peach Cobblerby
Ann Priesmeyer
2/3 stick of butter
1 cup of flour
1/2 cup sugarforbatterand 3/4 cup forPeaches
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 cup of milk
5 to 6 fresh peaches according to theirsize
Cut butterin small patties and line the bottom of the pie pan. Mix togetherflour, 1/2 cup ofsugar, salt, baking powderand milk. Pouroverthe butter. Then add peaches overthe batter and sprinkle the remaining 3/4 cup sugaroverthe top.
Bake in 350 degree oven for40 minutes.
A Great Place to Relax
Pere Marquette offers beautiful walking trails
IT’S WINE TIME!
By: Mary Cox for Hearst Media
Grafton is a great place to get an excellent glass of wine! Mike and Lori Nikonovich own both the Grafton Winery & Brewhaus at 300 West Main St. and the Grafton Winery and Vineyards at 21028 Eckert Orchard Rd. Aerie’s Winery located at 600 Timber Ridge Drive has been owned by Jeff and Sandy Lorton since 1998 and has fantastic views of the confluence. Mike and Lori bought the Grafton Winery 16 years ago. Mike said, “I was a steel worker before we started our first winery. We would go to wineries to relax and enjoy time with our friends. We visited wineries all over the United States. Originally, we had a small winery, Vintage Cells, in Edwardsville and then bought the winery here in Grafton. We purchased
Grafton Winery and Vineyards where we grow our own grapes. We work well with Eckert’s and they take care of our vineyards. We start harvesting in late August and continue through the fall. At the harvest in October, we set up a little tub to stomp on the grapes; a little like the ‘I love Lucy’ episode were Lucy stomps grapes.”
The businesses have grown over the years. Currently, they retail wines in both Brewhaus and Vineyards, and they have a large wholesale business. “We sell more wholesale than retail. We do a lot with the Viking and American cruise lines that run boats up and down the Mississippi river. Our wines are going to be featured at Pere Marquette State Park. We produce approximately 35,000 gallons per year or 15,000 cases. 95% of our
wines are sweet wines. Last year we were ranked #1 in the region for wine sales and production. We didn’t set out to be the biggest, we want to be the best and I think we are,” said Mike.
The key for any successful business is the staff. “Lori and I are so lucky; we have a really good staff. Abi Katich is our manager of the Grafton Winery and Brewhaus.
“This was my first job. I worked here for three years then went away to college for two years, when I came back, I only wanted to work here.” Abi told me. “I love it here especially when we’re busy and we are busy every
weekend. I love to talk to people. Everybody has a story to tell. I get to do so much. We have a new drink menu coming out for fall. My staff and I got to experiment, create and name the new drinks. We also have a new food menu that I got to help plan. We bought all new kitchen equipment and a new staff. We have different specials every weekend.”
“We brew our beer here at the Brewhaus and make our wine at the Vineyard. But we also have restaurants at both locations, banquet facilities at both locations, and a gift shop at the Brewhaus.” Mike said. “And we have great views of the river.”
Sam, the manager at the Grafton Winery and Vineyards, is in charge of the social media. He also books events at the Vineyards. It is a much more relaxed venue and perfect for special events or weddings.
For $10.00 you can taste 6 different wines served to you in plastic glasses in a tray. You can choose from dry whites, dry reds, semisweet wines, sweet wines, dessert wines or seasonal wines. Be sure if you order the tastings that you have a designated driver. That is a lot of wine and well worth the money.
The third winery to enjoy
a glass of wine is Aerie’s Winery, perched atop Aerie’s Hill overlooking the City of Grafton and great rivers. The winery offers a wide variety of housemade and international wines which pair well with the menu at The Terrace at Aerie’s Resort. Order while seated or at the Winery bar and choose from an extensive wine list. To get to the winery you must ride the Sky Tour for $20.00. All roads to the winery are gated.
Grafton is a perfect place to buy a glass or a bottle of wine. I found myself coming home with two bottles of wine. Cheers!
How it Pays to Spend Time in Nature
Few things can be as distracting as a beautiful day. When the weather outside is welcoming, it can be hard to focus on indoor activities, including work and tasks around the house. Though it’s not advisable to ignore responsibilities at work and at home when the weather outside beckons, it can be beneficial to spend ample time in nature when circumstances allow.
People tend to flock to the great outdoors in the fall, and the picturesque trails, bike path along the Mississippi River and scenic drive on River Road are a great way to enjoy the crisp fall air. Whether they know it or not, people who love to spend time in nature are doing their mental and physical health a lot of good by embracing the great outdoors.
Mental health benefits
The National Alliance of Mental Illness notes that a growing body of research supports the idea that time in nature is good for mental health.
A 2015 study from researchers at Stanford University found that people who walked in a natural area for 90 minutes exhibited decreased activity in a region of the brain associated with depression compared to those who walked in high-traffic urban settings.
The United Kingdom-based Mental Health Foundation also touts the
mental health benefits of the great outdoors. According to the MHF, research shows that people who are connected with nature are more likely to report their lives are worthwhile than those with no such connectedness. In addition, the MHF notes time in nature has been shown to generate positive emotions, including calmness and joy, and promote greater creativity.
When seeking to capitalize on the mental health benefits of time in nature, people should know that where they spend time outdoors matters. As the Stanford study indicated, time outside in high-traffic urban settings may not produce as profound an effect as time spent in natural settings, like forests, that tend to be more serene. People who live in cities or other densely populated areas can still benefit from time outdoors, but they might experience even greater health gains if they make consistent efforts to spend time in more natural settings. Pere Marquette State Park in Grafton offers spectacular views of the Illinois River from several points atop the bluffs, a great place to
enjoy a nature hike.
Physical health benefits
The physical health benefits of time in nature are equally notable. Perhaps the most obvious physical benefit is related to physical activity. People tend to embrace physical activity when spending time in nature.
Hiking, jogging, walking, nature-based recreational activities like kayaking, and playing sports like basketball or pickleball all involve physical activity, which can help people avoid the consequences of a sedentary lifestyle, such as an increased risk for chronic diseases.
More specifically, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation notes the physical health
benefits of spending time outside include:
· A stronger immune system
· Lower blood pressure
· Increased energy levels
· Improved sleep
Each of those benefits contributes to greater overall health, making time outdoors among the more beneficial behaviors a person can embrace.
There’s no shortage of benefits to spending time in nature. That’s something to keep in mind the next time welcoming weather beckons you to get some fresh air.
Home Town - GRAFTON - Grafton is Growing More than Almost Anywhere in Illinois
The latest data from the U.S. Census Bureau shows between July 2020 and July 2023 that Grafton had the secondhighest growth rate of any town or city in Illinois during that period.
Grafton’s population between those years increased by 19.9%.
Grafton’s population went from 638 on July 1, 2020, to 765 residents on July 1, 2023.
It is one of eight municipalities in Illinois with at least 10% growth in that period.
Wonder Lake, a commuter village in the Chicago metropolitan area, is the fastest-growing municipality by population at 23.3%, as it grew from 3,971 residents to 4,889.
A key to Grafton’s growth has been the Grafton Hills neighborhood.
“When we sold those lots, it started the boom,” Morrow said. “Every year since I became mayor, there’s been new homes built in the Grafton Hills subdivision.
With that, there hasn’t been a home in Grafton that stays on the market.”
Federal Emergency Management Agency money started much of Grafton Hills as a relocation plan for the homeowners who were washed out in the 1993 flood. Yet, some folks say they were “priced out.” Still, the subdivision slowly grew.
A plan under former
mayor Tom Thompson about “buying a lot, get a house” came under Thompson’s administration more than 10 years ago but languished. When Morrow came into office, the lots were sold almost immediately with the help of Dream Homes Realty’s Stan Gula.
If the person who purchased the lot from the city for $5,000 cannot
build a new home within three years, the city buys back the lot for $4,000 per the contract, and it is resold almost immediately, Morrow explained. He also credited the small-town friendliness and hospitality in Grafton.
“We are a small town with a big heart,” he said. “And, the National Monument of Military Ascent is drawing businesses into town.”
Several new businesses have opened in the past six months to a year.
Other factors that have drawn people to make their home in Grafton, the mayor said, include an Illinois Department of Transportation-funded study that concludes this July that is looking for ways to increase the Grafton ferry operations to a sevenday-a-week ferry schedule for commuters. He also credited upgrades to city parks with new playground equipment, including installing pickleball courts.
A “for sale” sign stands in the lawn of a lot June 3, 2024, in Grafton Hills. A plan under former mayor Tom Thompson about “buying a lot, get a house” came under Thompson’s administration more than 10 years ago, but languished. When current Mayor Mike Morrow came into office in April 2021, the lots were sold almost immediately with the help of Dream Homes Realty’s Stan Gula. Jill Moon
Making the Switch to Early-Morning Workouts
One of the common complaints among people who want to be more active is that they can’t seem to fit exercise in when work, school or family responsibilities get top billing. According to the Better Health Channel, lack of time is a common perceived barrier to physical activity, with men age 30 to 50 saying they are typically too busy with work and family commitments to exercise regularly. And when leisure time is limited, they’d much rather choose recreational activities over heading to the gym.
There are many ways to make exercise fit into a busy schedule, and one of them is to switch when you exercise. Opting for early-morning workouts can free up time later in the day. Plus, there are some benefits to getting a fitness fix in while the sun is rising. Get started with these tips.
• Skip afternoon caffeine and evening alcohol. Getting up early to exercise will likely require an adjustment period. One way to make it easier to rise and shine a few hours earlier is to limit behaviors that can make it hard to get out of bed. Coffee and other caffeinated products can make it challenging to fall asleep at night if consumed too late in the day. Alcoholic beverages, while they may cause you to fall asleep faster, adversely affect sleep quality. When sleep is compromised, you may be more inclined to hit the snooze button.
• Gradually move your wake-up time. Progressing slowly by waking up about 15 minutes earlier each week can help you achieve your goal without it being a big shock to the system. As you build up to the new wake-up time, fit in short workouts in this newly acquired free time.
• Consider a home gym setup. If the thought of venturing out to a gym or another facility in the wee hours of the morning his unappealing, think about
outfitting a space in your home with workout equipment. Doing so may facilitate an early fitness routine.
• Prepare workout gear the night before. The lifestyle experts at Real Simple suggest laying out workout gear and other items needed for the day the night before. This way you can get up and out quickly without forgetting things.
• Enlist a buddy to exercise as well. Having someone to whom you are accountable can help keep early workouts on the docket. A workout pal can motivate you to get exercise in, and you can do the same for your partner. If someone is counting on you, you’ll be less likely to skip a workout.
There are benefits to early workouts. Healthline says that early morning workouts are best when the heat rises during the day and you’ll be doing outdoor activities. A 2018 study published in the International Journal of Obesity found that those who exercise first thing in the morning often choose healthier foods and eat less the rest of the day. Many who exercise early report greater overall energy and focus throughout the day as well.
WALKING THROUGH PERE MARQUETTE
The first of the French-Canadian explorers, in 1673, was a group led by Louis Joliet, a cartographer, and Pere (Father) Jacques Marquette, a French Jesuit missionary. Marquette and Joliet, accompanied by French voyageurs, paddled down the Mississippi River in search of a passage to the Pacific Ocean. They landed at an area north of Grafton, Illinois. There is a stone memorial where they supposedly first came to shore on the Illinois River. The area was populated by the Illini Indians.
The land was cleared and became farm land. Pictures of what the land looked like before it became a State Park are in the Pere Marquette Lodge.
In 1931, local civic groups sought to preserve this land as a state park. They raised
money and were successful in persuading the state to match their funds in order to purchase the land. The state park was to be called Piasa Bluffs. By popular demand, it was soon renamed Pere Marquette State Park to honor the French missionary.
Pere Marquette Lodge and the three camps: Ouatoga, Potawatomi, and Piasa were built by the Civilian Conservation Corps from 1933-1939. In addition to the Lodge, camps and park construction, the CCC did all of the metal work, such as the chandeliers, door handles and window locks.
The park contains approximately 23.1 miles of marked trails throughout the park’s 8,050 acres.
1. Pere Marquette Outer Loop is 6.3 miles
2. McAdams Peak Trail is
1.9 miles
3. Hickory South, North and Great Cliff Loop is 3.9 miles
4. Pere Marquette Inner Loop is 3.4 miles
5. Fern Hollow Trail is 2.9 miles
6. Hickory Trail is .8 miles
7. Dogwood Trail is .7 miles
8. Pere Marquette Trail is 3.2 miles
Eva Cedra and her German Shepard, Argo, have walked all of the trails at Marquette State Park in all seasons. “We love to walk all the trails and do so frequently. The trails loop around and connect to each other so you can make your hike as long or as short as you want to. The trails are wellmarked so you won’t get
lost. The longer trails are more challenging because they are quite steep,” related Cedra.
At the Visitors Center, they have a map that designated the difficulty of each trail. The trails are made of dirt so wearing the appropriate footwear is important. Also, you need to layer your clothing in case you get caught in a change of weather.
“There aren’t any places along the trail where you can get water or go to the restroom. I always take water for Argo and myself,” explained Cedra. “Also, it is important that hikers stay on the trail during the summer months because rattlesnakes and copperhead snakes abound. But, in the winter months I find that the longer trails are not crowded and offer peace and quiet.
FALL RUNS FOR YOUR SOLE
Sept. 28th Anthony Gamma Memorial Run and Mile Walk Saint Peters, MO
Sept. 28th Oktoberfest 5K O’Fallon, IL
Sept. 29th Saint Charles Oktoberfest 5k/10k Saint Charles, MO
Oct. 5th John Wilt Foundation Honor Run 5k O’Fallon, IL
Oct. 5th Peter’s Place Foundation 5k Fairview Heights, IL
Oct. 5th SIUE Cougars Unleashed Homecoming Run Edwardsville, IL
Oct. 5th UMSL Alumni 5k Run/Walk
Oct. 6th MO’ Cowbell Marathon
Saint Louis, MO
Saint Charles, MO
Oct. 11th St. Mary’s Oktoberfest 5k Alton, IL
Oct. 12th Run by Faith 5k Run/Walk
Saint Charles, MO
Oct. 13th Families Run for Ovarian Cancer ROC STAR 5k Saint Louis, MO
Oct. 19th Cowbell Classic Elsah, IL
Oct. 19th Run for Webster Webster Groves, MO
Oct. 19th Stampede for Stroke
Oct. 26th Hot Cider Hustle
Saint Louis, MO
Saint Louis, MO
Oct. 26th Howling Habitat 5k O’ Fallon, IL
Oct. 26th Ranken Jordan’s 5k for Play Maryland Heights, IL
Oct. 27th Spooky Sprint
Nov. 2nd Run S’more for Hope
Nov. 3rd Brian J Smith CHAMP 5k
Saint Charles, MO
Saint Peters, MO
Saint Louis, MO
Nov. 3rd City of the Sun 5K Trail Run Collinsville, IL
Nov. 3rd Jingle Bell Run
Nov. 9th Veteran’s Day 5k
Saint Louis, MO
Saint Louis, MO
Nov. 10th Saint Louis Half Marathon and 5k Saint Louis, MO
Nov. 16th Girls on the Run 5k
Saint Louis, MO
Nov. 16th Veterans Appreciation Run Saint Louis, MO
Nov. 21st Edwardsville Turkey Trot 5k Edwardsville, IL
Nov. 23rd Trot Thru the Woods 5k Warson Woods, MO
Nov. 23rd Winterfest 5k Saint Louis, MO
Nov. 28th Olivette Turkey Trot Olivette, MO
Nov. 28th St. Louis Turkey Trot 8k , 5k Run/Walk Saint Louis, MO
Nov. 30th Girl Scout Cookie Run Saint Louis, MO
Nov. 30th Great River Road Run Alton, IL
Dec. 7th Santa’s North Pole Dash Saint Charles, MO
Dec. 7th Santas on the Loose 5k Webster Groves, MO
Dec. 8th Hot Chocolate 15k/5k Saint Louis, MO
Dec. 15th Candy Cane Course Saint Peters, MO
Less Obvious Sources of Caffeine
Csubstance in the world. Caffeine speeds up the central nervous system and can make users feel more alert. The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health in Canada says more than 80 percent of adults regularly consume caffeine, which is often used to provide an energy boost or increase alertness.
It’s widely recognized that caffeine is found in coffee, teas, colas, and chocolate in varying amounts. Still, some may be surprised to learn caffeine can be found in other places as well. While some caffeine daily is generally safe, excessive caffeine consumption can cause insomnia, headaches and high blood pressure, says the Mayo Clinic. Quitting caffeine cold turkey also can lead to withdrawal symptoms, particularly for those who consume it regularly in high amounts.
Learning about less obvious sources of caffeine can help people avoid overconsumption.
• Energy drinks: National Institutes of Health says the primary ingredient in energy drinks is caffeine. Approximately two-thirds of energy drink consumers now fall between the ages of 13 and 35. Energy drinks usually contain large amounts of sugar and anywhere from 80
determine caffeine content.
caffeine as well. Kombucha caffeine levels range from 5
caffeine. The Mayo Clinic
acid, and maltodextrin can relievers, particularly those caffeine. Caffeine is put into
drinks, such as lemon-lime or orange varieties, also can
