The Metro East Messenger 1.13.22 Issue

Upcoming Local Events

O’Fallon Township Rummage Sale, Jan. 14th, 7am-12pm, O’Fallon Township Building. Lots of clothing (men, women, kids), coats, shoes, household, toys, crafts, small electronics, collectibles, jewelry and miscellaneous items are $3/bag with nicer items at front table priced separately. We also have a rack of name brand clothing for $2/piece, nice coats, if available, are $5 each, $1 box and make offer items! Donations can be dropped off in garage behind Township. Proceeds go to the O’Fallon Food Pantry.

Totally Rad Vintage Fest , Jan. 14th, 10am-5pm, Gateway Convention Center, Collinsville. Step back to a time before Wi-Fi at Totally Rad Vintage Fest, a traveling vintage festival dedicated to the 80’s, 90’s & Y2K. Feel the nostalgia as you shop from over 40 vintage vendors, challenge a friend at the vintage arcade, show off your fit at the throwback photo ops or jam to the tunes being spun by the vinyl DJ. Vendors primarily focus on vintage clothing, but you’ll also find toys, video games, home goods, memorabilia and more! For more info and tickets, go to bit.ly/3X0PvxI.

Drive Thru Sausage Breakfast 2023, Jan. 15th, 7:30-11:30am, St. Jacob Fire Department. St Jacob Ladies Fire Departments annual sausage breakfast. Drive Thru or carryout only! We would love to see everyone at this event! All proceeds benefit the Ladies Auxiliary.

Live Music Every Weekend at The Cabin at Judy Creek, 3730 S. State Rte. 157, Glen Carbon. Upcoming music: 1/13Double Tap, 1/14-Mid Life Duo, 1/15-Ryan Hoelting Acoustics, 1/20-The Double Wide Duo, 1/21- Strangers, 1/22Blake Fultz, 1/27- Mike Sonderegger. Follow their Facebook page for more updates.

Upcoming Local Events

Craft Supply Swap, Jan. 20-21st, Edwardsville Library. Are your hoards of crafting supplies outgrowing your cave?

Come and destash at our Craft Supply Swap! Friday, January 20th, 9am-3pm - Drop off your donations of crafting supplies & you'll get an Early Admission Ticket. Saturday, January 21st, 9am-1pm - Come back to the library to redeem your Early Admission Ticket. General admission for the public follows from 1pm-3pm.

Flea Market, Jan. 21st & 22nd, Belle Clair Fairgrounds & Expo Center, Belleville. Southern Illinois’ Premier Indoor/Outdoor Market – Over 600 tables and 300-400 vendors selling antiques, collectibles, and merchandise– old and new. Admission: FREE. Open 9am-4:00pm on Saturday and 9am-3:00pm on Sunday.

Storytime at the Cabin, Jan. 21st, 10-11am, Yanda Log Cabin, Glen Carbon. Cozy up at Yanda Log Cabin while listening to stories, singing songs, and making a simple craft. Storytime is planned for Pre-K to Kindergarten-age kiddos, but kids of all ages are welcome! This program was made possible through a partnership with the Heritage Museum. Future dates: Feb. 18th & Mar. 11th

Family Discovery Day: Winter Survival Challenge, Jan. 21st, 10am-12pm, The Nature Institute, Godfrey. Can your family survive the harsh winter? Build a fort, light a fire, and search for tracks in the snow and mud. Bring out the entire family for a morning in nature! Family Discovery Days take place every other month on a Saturday from 10 – 12. Activities are appropriate for ages 4 and up unless otherwise specified. Parents/guardians are required to attend with children. $7/person for non-members, $5/person members. Pre-registration is required, thenatureinstitute.org/familydiscoveryday/.

Upcoming Local Events

Goshen Winter Market, Jan. 21st, 10am-12pm, 100 St. Louis St, Edwardsville. Join us on the third Saturday of the month through the winter so you can stock up on some of your favorite goods from our Goshen Market vendors. Find seasonal winter produce from local growers, eggs, meats, baked goods, crafts, art, and more! Upcoming dates include Feb. 18th, Mar. 18th, and Apr. 15th .

Gateway Wedding Show, Jan. 26th, 5-9pm, Gateway Convention Center, Collinsville. The Gateway Wedding Show takes the stress out of planning your next event! In just a few hours, you can meet more vendors than you could visit in a month. We bring you a face-to-face sampling of virtually everything you'll need to plan your perfect event!

Kids Night Out, Jan. 27th, 4-7pm, The Nature Institute, Godfrey. Need an evening off? Join us for a Kids Night Out! This 3 hour drop off program includes dinner and an evening of fun. Spaces are limited. See below for a description of our upcoming Kids Night Out. $30/child, dinner is included. Register at:thenatureinstitute.org/kidsnightout. Future dates include Feb. 10th, Mar. 24th, Apr. 21 and May 19th

2023 Onesie Bar Crawl, Jan. 28th, 2pm, E. Main St, Belleville. The Onesie Bar Crawl is BACK! Get those onesies ready! This year the donations will be going towards the Belleville Schools in need. A $5 donation is all that we ask to participate in the bar crawl this year. That $5 will get you a ticket for multiple chances for different attendance prizes!

There will be other raffles as well. 8:00 we’ll do the unique onesie contest at Bennie’s pizza as well as the barrel of booze raffle. Tickets for the barrel of booze can be purchased at Bennie’s up until the drawing time. To send the $5 go to bit.ly/3Xjk1mm.

Upcoming Local Events

Restoring Twenties Gala, Jan. 28th, 6:30-10pm, The Ink House, Edwardsville. We invite you to join us for a 1920’sthemed evening of fun and entertainment as we kick off Restore Décor’s tenth anniversary year! All proceeds from the event will be used to defray operating expenses so we can focus on donating our net sale proceeds to organizations and families in need in our community throughout the year. Don your best 1920’s-themed attire (optional) and join us for a night of giving back. For more info and tickets, go to bit.ly/3GXO2CV.

Puppy Love- Valentine’s Trivia, Jan. 31st, 7pm, Collinsville VFW. Come test out your knowledge of all things love! Rounds will include General Knowledge, Puppy Love, Rom-Coms, Audio, Picture, And MORE! We will be collecting donations for SAGA Humane Society. Please bring an item or 2 from their wish list! No minimum for a team, with a max of 8 players. For more info, go to bit.ly/3huEk0K.

Daddy Daughter Dance, Feb. 3rd, 6-8:30pm, Rox Arena, Roxana. Enjoy a night of dancing, dinner, prizes, crafts & more. Music provided by DJ Kirstan Gray. Make memories that will last a lifetime! Cost $30 per couple, $15 for additional child. Register at signupville.com/eastalton.

Valen’tails Gala: Stayin’ Alive Disco Ball, Feb. 4th, 5:30-11pm, Leclaire Room, Edwardsville. We are celebrating our 20th anniversary in a BIG way! Get your ticket to our “Stayin Alive: A Disco Ball” and step into your own private Studio 54 where you will enjoy complimentary cocktails, beer & wine, gourmet Bella Milano dining, dancing, live & silent auctions. Plus, your attendance means an abandoned pet will receive the care they desperately need. For tickets, go to bit.ly/3ivr3p6.

Upcoming Local Events

8th Annual Father Daughter Dance, Feb. 4th, 6-9pm, Knights of Columbus, Edwardsville. Your ticket includes dinner, DJ and lots of dancing! Tickets for two (father and daughter) are just $30 and just an extra $5 for each additional daughter. Order your tickets early, as prices increase an additional $15 per ticket on January 23rd. For tickets, go to bit.ly/3W5fJxC

Lover's & Friends Craft Fair, Feb. 5th, 9am-4pm, Collinsville American Legion. This craft fair will host 50 various vendors from food, body butters, dessert, lingerie, crafts , clothes, Color Street, SCENTSY, raffle Prizes and much more... For more information, email Jalexanderevents@gmail.com.

Galentine's Day Sip & Shop, Feb 5th, 2-6pm, Schwarz Barn, Highland. Come join all the fun! Enjoy a drink while shopping small businesses from the surrounding area with your gal pals! We will have music, food trucks, and 50 vendors to shop! There will be vendors where you can splurge and treat yourself or grab a gift for the hubby!

2nd Annual Girls Night: Wine, Dine & Design! Feb. 8th, 6-9pm, Taste of Country, Granite City. We are so excited to announce another year of our girl's night Valentine Event! $50 ticket includes variety of appetizers, tea & coffee, dessert sampler, DIY craft and lighted photo booth. We will have specialty cocktails as well as our make your own flower bar for additional purchase! Tickets must be pre-purchased to save your spot, limited tickets available! Tickets can be purchased by calling 618-920-7082.

Upcoming Local Events

Sweetheart Dance, Feb. 10th, 6:30-9pm, The Regency, O’Fallon. Formerly the Daddy/Daughter Dance, the Sweetheart Dance is a great opportunity get those dad's or father figures dressed up for night of fun and dancing with their little sweethearts. Participants must pre-register. $60 per pair, each additional daughter is $20. Fee includes a professional photo, food, flowers, and the opportunity to dance the night away! Register at bit.ly/3CHNG0A.

Father Daughter Dance 2023, Feb. 11th, 3-5pm, Rec Plex, New Douglas. DJ Angie will provide the music, while you provide the Dance Moves. Dress for the Occasion! Bring your Daughter, Niece, Granddaughter or neighbors' daughter. Pictures will be taken and sent through text or email. Tickets in advance are $10.00 per couple, and $5,00 for each additional young lady. Tickets at the Door are $15.00 per couple, $7.00 for additional young lady. Root Beer Floats and Snacks will be provided. Call Linda 618-402-1726 for more info. For tickets, go to bit.ly/3GVGAYU.

Daddy Daughter Date Night @ Mosaic! Feb. 17th, Mosaic Church, Highland. One of the most-anticipated nights of the year is back! Bring your favorite princess out for an evening of dinner and dancing while meeting Princesses Mirabel and Isabela! Cost is just $20/child (Dads are free!) For tickets, go to bit.ly/3Xjmf5c.

Daddy Daughter Dance, Feb. 17, 18th or 19th, 6-8:30pm, Wildey Theatre, Edwardsville. Boys and girls, moms and dads, steps and grands or other special guests in your life are invited to put on their dancing shoes and step out together at this year's Daddy Daughter Dance at the Wildey Theatre! Event includes dancing, dinner, photo booth and crafts. Guests can choose from Friday, February 17, Saturday, February 18, or Sunday, February 19. School is off on the 20th for Presidents Day, so you don't have to worry about be out too late if you choose Sunday! $20 per person.

Upcoming Local Events

Ice Jam at the Dam, Feb. 18th, 10am-4pm, National Great Rivers Museum, East Alton. The Rivers Project's second annual Ice Jam at the Dam is an outdoor, winter-themed festival to promote outdoor recreation and celebrate all things icy along the river. The event will, of course, feature live-music from Chris Cahill & Co., tours of the locks and dam, warm food and beverage vendors, Park Ranger campfire programs, education booths, and more! Most activities will be primarily outdoors along the dam promenade to fully embrace the spirit of winter, but there will be plenty of campfires and heaters to keep you warm and cozy. Shed your hat and mittens when you head into the museum to CHILL out in our theatre with popcorn and a winter movie, get ARcTic at the craft table, or stroll through our glacial gallery for the Winter on the River photography contest!

Granite City Mardi Gras, Feb. 18th, parade begins at 1pm. Are you ready to Mardi down Madison Avenue? Starting at 29th and State Street, the parade will head down State Street turning at 27th Street and then continue downtown from Madison Avenue. The parade will continue down Niedringhaus Avenue ending at Civic Park. After the parade, the celebration continues with a block party in downtown Granite City at Civic Park and the surrounding streets. Enjoy live music, food and local vendors. Block party: 2-5pm. Local bar crawl: 5-10pm. For more info, email For more information, email gcmardigras@gmail.com.

Daddy Daughter Dance, Feb. 18th, 6-8:30pm, North Elementary School, Godfrey. Open to girls ages 3-12 along with their fathers or other adult male relatives or family friends. $20 per adult male, $20 per daughter, $15 per additional daughter. Includes DJ, dancing, appetizers, photo booth fun, arts and crafts. To register, go to bit.ly/3IDxpO5.

Upcoming Local Events

The Empty Bowl, Feb. 22nd, 11am-2pm, Gateway Convention Center, Collinsville. The Empty Bowl is an annual fundraiser hosted by the Collinsville Women's Club and directly benefits the Collinsville Food Pantry. The funds raised during this event allows the Food Pantry to purchase food items for our families in need.

Micro Market, Mar. 4th, 9am-12pm, Vine Street Market at O’Fallon Station. Micro Markets are a mini version of the summer weekly season, similar to a soft opening. They are held indoors until the weather is nice enough to move outside and are a shorter time from, 9-noon. Follow their Facebook page for updates on vendor lineup. Upcoming Micro Market dates: Mar. 18th, Apr. 1st, Apr. 15th, Apr. 29th .

Downtown Alton St. Pat’s Pub Crawl, Mar. 11th, 11am-7pm. Downtown Alton is gearing up to celebrate St. Patrick's Day! There will be a FREE shuttle available providing transportation to participating bars and restaurants throughout the day. Stop in and sample all the food and drink specials from the participating locations! Each bar or restaurant will have set pricing for their St. Pat's special. For more info and full list of bars and restaurants, go to stpatsalton.com.

Saint Patrick's Day Block Party, Mar. 11th, 11am-7pm, Main St, Belleville. Get your green on and celebrate all things Irish and the coming of spring with your friends in Downtown Belleville! We will have Live Music, DJs, Food Trucks, Food Vendors, and a family friendly area all open following the Ancient Order of the Hibernians Parade! For more info and updates, go to facebook.com/BellevilleSaintPats.

Upcoming Local Events

Daddy Daughter Dance, Mar. 11th, 6-9pm, Tri-Township Park District, Troy. Ticket includes dinner, dancing and photo booth. $30 per couple, $10 for each additional child. Register at bit.ly/3X4pgqh

2023 Mother & Son Dance, Mar. 18th, 6-9pm, New Baden Civic Center. This dance isn’t just for Mommies and Sons. We are accepting of all Family situations (grandmas, aunts, sisters, cousins, friends, etc.) Cost is $25 per pair, and $5 per extra person. You DO NOT have to be from New Baden to attend! All are welcome. For more info and registration, go to bit.ly/3W9heem.

2023 Father/Daughter Dance, Mar. 25th, 6-9pm, New Baden Civic Center. This dance isn’t just for Daddy’s and Daughters. We are accepting of all Family situations (grandpas, uncles, brothers, cousins, friends, etc.). Cost is $25 per pair, and $5 per extra person. You DO NOT have to be from New Baden to attend! All are welcome. For more info and registration, go to bit.ly/3QCancq

GYSSD Annual Trivia Night, March 31st, 7pm, Collinsville VFW. Tables of eight are available! Select from our general tables and our VIP tables, which include preferential seating and a waiter! We are also accepting round sponsors, event sponsors, silent auction items, and cooler of booze items! Contact sam@gyssd.org for more information. Cash bar & bring your own snacks! (must be 18yrs or older) For more info and tickets, go to bit.ly/3vQVERh.

Upcoming Local Events

Yappy Hour, April 15th, 12pm, Rock Springs Park, O’Fallon. There will be food and drinks from Hi-Pointe as well as different foster agencies so you could possibly be going home with a new best friend! You can register in person at the Katy Cavins Center or on-site the day of the event. Ages 12+. $10/person with dog on fixed leash. $5/person. The Illinois Elvis Festival, April 27-30th, Gateway Convention Center, Collinsville. Calling all ELVIS fans! Join us this April as we come to the great state of Illinois. 3 days of headliner shows paying tribute to the greatest entertainer that has ever lived. Featuring Bill Cherry, Dean Z, Cote Deonath and more of your favorite Elvis Tribute artists! For more info and tickets, go to illinoiselvisfestival.com/illinoistickets.

Collinsville’s 2023 City Wide Garage Sale, April 28 & 29th. Interested in having a Garage Sale at your house? City residents can register by calling the City of Collinsville's Parks & Recreation department at 618-346-7529 by April 21st to be listed in a Garage Sale Guide that will be posted on the City's website and Facebook Page. If you call to register after April 21st, you will be directed to City Hall to apply for a regular Yard Sale permit and will not be included in the City-Wide Garage Sale Guide. Hours for each day are 7am-3pm, rain or shine.

Memory Café Groups, St. John’s Community Care is hosting an online monthly Memory Café for individuals who are living with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), early-stage Alzheimer’s or other dementia, and their care partners. They meet several times per month via Zoom, no charge. For more info, go to https://stjohnscc.org/memory-cafe/ , call (618) 344-5008 or email gshaw@stjohnscc.org.

Easy “Meatless Monday” Meal

Opting for meatless meals can benefit your health, wallet and the environment! Do you have a New Year’s resolutions to try “Meatless Monday’s?” Here’s an easy, filling recipe to try. To find more meatless meal inspiration, visit SuccessRice.com.

Mushroom Spinach “Lasagna”

Prep time: 10 minutes

Cook time: 30 minutes

Servings: 6

2 bags Success Tri-Color Quinoa

1 tablespoon olive oil

2 garlic cloves, chopped

1/2 cup onion, chopped

1 cup mushrooms, sliced

4 cups baby spinach leaves

3 cups tomato sauce

2 cups ricotta cheese

1 egg, lightly beaten

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided

1 tablespoon Italian seasoning

1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided

Prepare quinoa according to package directions. Preheat oven to 375 F.

In large skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Add garlic and onions; sauté 1 minute. Add mushrooms and cook 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add spinach and stir until wilted, about 2 minutes. Stir in tomato sauce and keep warm.

In medium bowl, combine ricotta, egg, 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese and Italian seasoning.

Place 1 cup sauce in bottom of 2-quart baking dish. Spread half of quinoa evenly over sauce. Top with half of ricotta mixture. Top with 1 cup sauce. Sprinkle with 1 cup mozzarella. Repeat layers, finishing with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.

Bake uncovered 30 minutes. Serve warm.

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