How to Help Others This Holiday Season
Holiday Event Calendar Pumpkin Bread with Chocolate Chips Recipe
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Local Events
NOTE: Events are subject to change, cancel or be rescheduled due to Covid 19 restrictions.
TOYS FOR TOTS Collection & Win A Turkey! Now through November 30. Office open M-F 9:00am-5:00pm, MML Insurance, 2166 Pontoon Rd, Granite City, IL. MML Insurance is partnering with GCHS Class of 1970 for TOYS FOR TOTS in November. Bring a new, unwrapped toy or money donation into the agency, and you will be entered in our WIN A TURKEY drawing held here on November 30, 2021. Please help us make a happy Christmas for the kids! Annual Wreath/Basket Online Auction by Delta Epsilon Educators, Starts Nov. 5th, 7am. Ends Nov. 6th, Noon. Our Wreath/Basket Online Auction has something for every occasion including Fall, Halloween, Christmas, and more. All proceeds go to Collinsville Schools and community programs including Tote Me Home, CHS Scholarships, Books for Kindergarteners, 4th & 6th grade Honor Books, Summer Reach Program, and Homework Help & Hoops. Payment by cash, check, or Venmo. Further information contact Jan Mattea by email at jmattea2@gmail.com. Visit our Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/Delta-Epsilon-Educators-Chapter-101-Collinsville-IL-100916418483644 O'Fallon Band Boosters 40th Annual Art and Craft Fair, Nov. 6th-7th, 9am-5pm, O’Fallon Township High School, 600 S. Smiley St, O'Fallon. You will be sure to find unique holiday gifts from over 200 vendors, filling over 300 booths at our fair. Stop by our Bistro or Bake Sale while you are shopping to support the band and guard's big trip to the Tournament of Roses Parade in January 2022! All proceeds support the amazing OTHS Band and Color Guard Programs. Veterans Day Parade – Collinsville, Nov. 11th, 10-11am, Woodland Park, Collinsville. Begins at 10:15 AM, Line up at 9:30 AM. Line up at Woodland Park heading South on Rt. 159 (Vandalia) to the American Legion Post 365.
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Local Events Veterans Day Parade, Nov. 11th, 2pm, VFW Post 805, 221 W. First St, O’Fallon. This is one of the area’s largest Veterans Day parade. If you are interested in participating in the parade, please email us: vetdayparade805@gmail.com Annual Tiger Band Art & Craft Fair, Nov. 13th-14th, 6161 Center Grove Rd, Edwardsville. The Tiger Band Art & Craft Fair is an annual arts and craft fair with handcrafted items from over 200 vendors sponsored by the Edwardsville Band Boosters. All proceeds from this show benefit the Edwardsville High School band program. Concessions will serve breakfast and lunch. Shoppers can also pick up sweet treats at the bake sale. There will be an ATM on site. Strollers are not permitted. The hours of operation are Saturday from 9 am to 4 pm and Sunday from 10 am to 4 pm. 16th Annual Maryville Turkey Trot 5K Race and 1 Mile Accuracy Walk/Run, Nov. 13th, 9am, Drost Park, Maryville. We will be running through the streets and trails of beautiful Maryville Illinois to help support the Collinsville cross country team. Register at raceroster.com/events/2021/51465/maryville-turkey-trot-2021. TriadStrong 5k and Kids Fun Run, Nov. 13th, 9am at Silver Creek Elementary, Troy, IL. Part of the proceeds will go to Logan Kowalski to help in his fight against Leukemia. Register at triadstrong5k.itsyourrace.com. Christmas Sip n' Shop, Nov. 14th, 12-4pm, McKendree Metro Rec Plex. We will have several local vendors ranging from gifts to décor to food and more!!! Admission is FREE, but we ask that you bring canned goods or non-perishable food items to the local food bank. We will have a cash bar available along with door prizes to be won!
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Local Events Holiday Baskets For Donations, Nov. 15th- Dec. 10th. The Madison County Child Advocacy Center is accepting donations to support children and families that have utilized the center in 2021. See ad on page 9 for list of acceptable items or sponsor a basket to be purchased for $100 at www.madco-cac.org. For more info, contact Claire Cooper at cccooper@co.madison.il.us or (618)296-5398. Boot Skootin Boogie Barn Dance, Nov. 19th, 7-10pm, Willoughby Farm, Collinsville. Come out and enjoy a bonfire, have a few brews, and boogie to your favorite country tunes. There will be a 30-minute instructional dance before the dance begins. We will have Taqueria Los Reyes food truck and Sloan's will be providing a cash bar. To pre-register call 977-0941 or go-online to www.willoughbyfarm.org. $8.00 if pre-registered or $10.00 cash at the door. A Cozy Car Christmas, Nov. 19th, 6pm at Edwardsville Highschool. Sponsored by Edwardsville CEO. Holiday season approaches along with an opportunity for you and your loved ones to enjoy some Christmas classics from the warm comfort of your car! A double feature showing Home Alone, and National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation will be played during the event. Alongside the films we will also have food vendors, contests, and other goodies! For more info and tickets go to https://bit.ly/31ndC1C. 28th Annual Victorian Holiday, Nov. 19-20th, Downtown Lebanon. Lebanon Victorian Holiday is an annual event to usher in the holiday season with the Lamplighter, caroling, horse & carriage rides, live entertainment, food, desserts, and photos with Father Christmas in the charming town of Lebanon, IL. Brickstreet restaurants and merchants open for dining and shopping. Follow their Facebook page for more updates. www.metroeastmessenger.com
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Local Events Tree Lighting at Lincoln-Douglas Square, Nov. 19th, 6-7pm. Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive at 6pm. The free festivities include caroling, cookies and hot cocoa continue until 6:45 when Mayor David Goins flips the lights on the beautiful tree. The public is encouraged to bring non-perishable food donations to the event to benefit the food pantry at the Salvation Army. Free trolley will be provided. Following the Tree Lighting, play games, make crafts, visit with Santa, and warm up with refreshments indoors until 10:00 p.m. Fall Craft Fair, Nov. 20th, 8am-2pm, Tri-Township Activity Center, 284 Riggin Rd, Troy, IL. Entrance fee: $1 or nonperishable food donation. 12 & under: free to enter. Vendors: tritownshippark.org/craftfair to apply. Call 618-667-6887 or email jessica@tritownshippark.org for more info.
Community Thanksgiving Dinner, Nov. 20th, 11am-2pm, 2184 Vadalabene Dr, Maryville. Making a Difference is holding a Community Thanksgiving Dinner for in person, To-Go, & deliveries to those who are disabled or without transportation. There’s no reason to be alone this Thanksgiving. Reserve your spot at bit.ly/3BK4oJs. Kellsie’s Trees of Hope, Nov. 20th, 6-10pm, Gateway Convention Center, One Gateway Dr, Collinsville. Kellsie’s Trees of home is an annual holiday cocktail party featuring tree and wreath auctions to benefit Kellsie’s Hope Foundation. For tickets, go to https://kellsieshopefoundation.com/. The 12th Annual Edwardsville Turkey Trot 5k and Kids Fun Run, Nov. 25th . Sign up now at https://runsignup.com/Race/IL/Edwardsville/TurkeyTrot2020.
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Local Events Gobble Hobble Fun Run, Nov. 25th, 7am, Korte Rec. Center, Highland, IL. Join your family and friends on Thanksgiving Day for a quick 2-mile fun run as a prequel to your turkey feast consumption! Run check-in begins at 6:30am, in the rear KRC parking lot. Sign up at runsignup.com/Race/IL/Highland/GobbleHobble2020. Belleville Thanksgiving 5k Run, Nov. 25th, 8am start time. 11th Anniversary Belleville 5K and Turkey Trot In Person Race will take place on Nov. 25, 2021, in Downtown Belleville Illinois at the Square. Register at https://bit.ly/3qcvCGe. Highland Lighted Christmas Parade, Nov. 26th, 6:30-9pm. Celebrate the beginning of the Christmas season by attending the Highland Chamber of Commerce's Lighted Christmas Parade and staying to watch Santa Clause "light the square" in Historic Downtown Highland. The Parade will step off at 7 pm from the Primary/Elementary parking lot on Lindenthal and travel west to Washington, then North on Washington to finish at the square. The Santa Band will be playing on the square, Madgrigal singers will be caroling, there will be carriage ride and holiday refreshments for all to enjoy! Art and Craft Fall Fair, Nov 26th-28th at Belle Clair Fairgrounds & Expo Center, 200 S. Belt East, Belleville. Over 400 exhibitors. $4.00 admission on Friday, and $3.00 admission on Saturday and Sunday.
Belleville Christkindlmarkt, beginning Nov. 26th. The 2021 Christkindlmarkt will be open 4 weekends, beginning on Fri., Nov. 26 and ending on Thurs., Dec. 23, 2021. It will be closed on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays except for the week of Christmas. Shop the German Christmas market, visit Santa, enjoy free horse drawn trolley rides and take a picture in the life-sized snow globe. For more info, go to: www.bellevillechristkindlmarkt.com. Christmas in Caseyville Lighted Parade and Tree Lighting, Nov. 27th, 5pm. Free event for the whole community. Interested in being in the parade? Stacy Milligan 618-409-4856 or Pam McDaniel 618-409-7727. www.metroeastmessenger.com
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Local Events 2021 Millstadt Lighted Parade, Nov. 26th, 7pm, W. Washington Ave, Millstadt. This will start at Frontier Park and end at the VFW. This year is parade only, there will be no festivities at the VFW after. Art and Craft Fall Fair, Nov 26th -28th, At Belle Clair Fairgrounds & Expo Center, 200 South Belt East, Belleville. Kay Weber Presents 40th Annual Belleville Art and Craft Fall Fair! Over 400 exhibitors. $4.00 admission on Friday, and $3.00 admission on Saturday and Sunday. Belleville Santa Parade, Nov. 26th 10am-12pm, 510 W. Main St, Belleville. Join the community of Belleville for this annual parade when Santa comes to town. Sponsored by the Optimist Club of Belleville, this tradition began in 1952 and is the largest parade in Southern Illinois, featuring floats, marching bands, dance groups, and the arrival of Mr. & Mrs. Claus. Maryville Winter Market 2021, Nov. 27th, 5-8pm, 300 N. Donk Ave, Maryville. Join our host Elvis for an awesome evening of local vendors, food, beverages and booze, entertainment and celebrate the holiday “Vegas” style! Shop, eat, drink and be merry and raise some money for Maryville organizations! Cookie Crumb Trail in Highland, Nov. 27th, 10am-4pm, on the Highland Square. Trail maps can be picked up at Kloss Furniture between 10 a.m. and noon. Each Cookie Trail Sponsor will have a cookie for participants to sample and a recipe card to take home. The Cookie Trail Sponsor will then check off their business name on the map and once ALL are checked, turn in your map by 4 p.m. to the Gazebo at the Downtown Square and be entered in a drawing in which 2 lucky winners will each receive a $50 Chamber Gift Certificate that can be used at many local businesses! This event is free, and the first 100 participants will receive a canvas tote bag. www.metroeastmessenger.com
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Local Events Free Pictures with Santa Claus at Woodcrest Small Engine, Nov. 27th, 10am-12pm, 705 Broadway, Highland. We will have live animals to pet, hot chocolate and cookies for everyone. Also, one LUCKY attendee will win a $500 Burromax Electric Minibike. Photos With Santa And His Reindeer, Nov. 27th, 1-3pm at Finley Flooring, 908 Broadway, Highland. Free photos with Santa and His Reindeer. Hot Cocoa, Apple Cider, Cookies, Gingerbread House Workshop, Ornament Decorating, Raffles, Free Room of Flooring up to $1000.00, Free Mattress Set Up To $1000.00. Wood River Police Department 5k, Nov. 27th, 9am. Happening in downtown Woodriver. Register at bit.ly/3GOUOZu. Can't make it on Nov. 27th but still want to support and get the swag? Register as a virtual runner, you get the shirt and do the run any time, anywhere. Movie Nights With Santa at Skyview Drive-In, Belleville. Attendees will get to see Santa before the movie begins. There will also be a limited number of spots each night to purchase a professional photo with Santa (reserve at the time of your movie ticket purchase.) Move Lineup- Nov. 27th: Frosty the Snowman and How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Dec. 4th: Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town. Dec. 11th: Elf: Buddy’s Musical Christmas. For more info and tickets, go to bit.ly/3k6qYWB. O’Fallon Illuminated Holiday Parade, Nov. 27th, 6pm. A downtown O'Fallon holiday tradition! This Lighted Parade is a joy for all ages and one of O'Fallon's most treasured community traditions. New for this year will be a fun post-parade community gathering near Santa's Hut, where refreshments and prize will happen along with your chance to meet with Santa in person!
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Local Events Mascoutah Lighted Christmas Parade, Dec. 3rd, 5:30-8:30pm, Main Street, Mascoutah. Make sure to celebrate Christmas in Mascoutah with their Lighted Christmas Parade! Watch all the businesses, groups, and organizations parade through the town! Gingerbread 5K Run/Walk, Dec. 4th, 8am, 510 W. Main St, Belleville. Sponsored by the Belleville Parks & Recreation. For more info and registration, go to https://www.belleville.net/553/Current-Activities. Dashin’ Thru The Lights 5k Fun Run/Walk, Dec. 4th, 6pm, 2 Park Dr, Roxana, IL. Family friendly event. Wear your favorite holiday attire. Prizes and giveaways as well as cookies and hot chocolate after the event. Sign up at https://roxanapark.org/dashin-thru-the-lights/. Candy Cane Parade in Granite City, Dec. 4th, 2:30pm. The parade will begin from the Granite City High School parking lot, travel down State St, to 27th St, to Madison Ave, Niedringhaus Ave, and will end at City Hall. Don't miss the other holiday events taking place in Downtown Granite City as well: The Elf Walk, Art workshop, ugly sweater contest, music and more. Edwardsville Winter Market, Dec. 4th, 9am-12pm, 118 Hillsboro Ave, Edwardsville. Edwardsville Winter Market features items from our neighborhood and surrounding communities: Artisans, Baked Goods, Crafters, Locally Grown Items, Unique, Boutique Gifts and Products. All day, downtown businesses also host open houses as well as a sidewalk sales. Olde Alton Art & Craft Fair, Dec. 4th & 5Th @ Alton High School, 4200 Humbert Rd, Alton. Breakfast and lunch will be served. All proceeds benefit the Alton Band and Orchestra programs at Alton Community School District. For more information, call (618) 474-6996. For more info, go to http://abob.net/craft-fair/. www.metroeastmessenger.com
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Local Events Collinsville Light-Up Parade, Dec. 4th, 5:30pm. Enjoy the annual Light- Up Parade in Collinsville! The parade will begin at 5:30 PM on Main St. Activities will be available at the Collins house following the parade! Highland Holiday Tractor Parade, Dec. 5th, 4:15-7:15pm. Parade promptly begins at 5pm, route to begin at Old Pylesville Rd. traveling to Street Rd. to Highland Rd. ending at Falling Branch Brewery. Visit from Santa, vendor tables and food trucks on site at Falling Branch Brewery. Please bring hat and glove donations for Mason-Dixon Community Services. Festival of Trees, Dec. 8th, 6-8pm, Gateway Convention Center. The entire event space will transform into a holiday winter wonderland with beautifully decorated live trees, gorgeous wreaths, and unique home décor! Benefiting KAHOKstrong, whose sole purpose is helping people in the Collinsville Unit 10 School District during times of tragedy and need. For tickets, go to https://www.eventbrite.com/e/festival-of-trees-tickets-163419260407. Missy’s Frosty 5k & Merry Mile, Dec. 11th, 213 N. Prairie St, Bethalto. Holiday themed 5k and Merry Mile running event. All proceeds for this event will go to the Melissa Cafazza Memorial Scholarship Fund at Civic Memorial High School. The events will begin at 5pm near the City park and runners and walkers will enjoy the Holiday themed lights and decorations in and around the park. Register at bit.ly/3GP6Cuz. Vine Street Winter Market, Dec. 11th 3:30-7:30pm, Vine Street Market at O’Fallon Station. Winter Market is back and bigger with 50+ vendors, live music, two food trucks and carriage rides! In addition to the market, Mrs. Claus will be reading stories inside Avenue Realty, Polar Express will be read at the caboose downtown and the local OTHS Madrigals will be performing throughout downtown.
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Local Events A Very Merry Winter Wonderland Extravaganza with Special Guests Santa, Mrs. Claus, Olaf, & Kristoff, Dec. 18th, 11am4pm at the Leclaire Room, 600 Troy Rd, Edwardsville. The celebration will include appearances from Santa, Mrs. Claus, Olaf, & Kristoff. Included in the ticket, each child will receive a professional digital photo with Santa & Mrs. Claus by professional photographer, Holly Glatt Photography, snacks, and a stocking to fill at each activity station. During the event, toy donations will be accepted for Edwardsville Neighbors. For tickets, go to bit.ly/3wekWrQ. Winter Market, Dec. 18th-19th, 11am-4pm at Gateway Convention Center. Winter Market is a holiday shopping experience for you and your family! Offering fashions and foods, glitter and gifts, music, and a little bit of magic! Admission and parking are free! Interested in participating as a vendor? Booths and small business tables are available. Contact Jeff Foster at jfoster@gatewaycenter.com or 618-345-8998. Collinsville Community SnowFest '22, Jan. 15th, 8-11:30am, 1498 Vandalia St, Collinsville, IL. 8:00-8:30am-Community Breakfast. Starting @ 8:30- Cardboard Sled Race. Put together a one-of-a-kind sled with a team of friends, family, or coworkers. We will limit the number of entries per division so that everyone will get at least two runs. Entry is $10.00 per sled with all proceeds going to Collinsville Parks. Awards ceremony from 11-11:30a.m. Don't worry! We are providing the hill and all the snow! For rules and registration, go to bit.ly/3nUsuML. There will also be three virtual reality stations, a timed jigsaw puzzle competition, dog dash, snowball fling and paper snowflake contest. Looking For A Venue To Host A Private Event? EXO Lounge & Nail Bar is available for private events. They offer a fully licensed bar and seating for 100. For more info, go to https://visitexo.com/ or email events@visitexo.com. www.metroeastmessenger.com
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Looking for a way to help others in the Metro East this holiday season? Here are a few great organizations that need food, toy or monetary donations. Madison County Child Advocacy Center 101 E. Edwardsville Rd, Wood River. They are accepting donations to support children and families that have utilized the center in 2021. See ad on page 9 for list of acceptable items or sponsor a basket to be purchased for $100 at www.madcocac.org. For more info, contact Claire Cooper at cccooper@co.madison.il.us or (618)296-5398. Scouting For Food Boy scouts will be distributing bags on Nov. 13th and picking up bags of food on Nov. 20th. You can also go to Pete’s Market in Troy to pick up a bag and find specially tagged items that local food banks need. They are also a drop off site for filled food bags. They are located at 523 Troy Plaza, Troy. For more info about Scouting for Food, go to stlbsa.org/scouting-for-food. Glen-Ed Pantry 125 5th Ave, Edwardsville. They serve residents of Edwardsville School District #7, which includes the communities of Edwardsville, Glen Carbon, Hamel, Worden, Midway, Moro, Dorsey, and Prairietown with food and supplies. For more info, go to Glenedpantry.org or call (618)656-7506. Community Care Center 1818 Cleveland Blvd, Granite City. They provide food assistance to families in need in Granite City, Madison, Mitchell, Pontoon Beach or Venice thru food pantry, senior food delivery, soup kitchen, emergency clothing and Christmas Warmth (toy and food baskets). For more info, go to gccommunitycarecenter.org or call (618) 876-8770. Soup-N-Share Outreach Program 1 Caine Drive, Madison, IL. They are a food pantry and free clothing store, serving families in Madison, Venice, Brooklyn, Granite City, and Pontoon Beach IL. The "No Child Wet Behind” Diaper Bank serves families in Madison County & other areas in the Metro East. For more info, go to soupnshare.org or call (618)709-7500. They are in urgent need for diapers right now. Collinsville Food Pantry 201 East Church St, Collinsville. They provide essential food, SOS soup kitchen (hot meals to go), supplies, utility assistance, street outreach care packages for the homeless, weekend feeding program for over 200 young students (Tote Me Home program), Thanksgiving dinner baskets, Christmas dinner baskets along with toys for 200 local families. For Community Hope Center 1201 Hope Center Lane, Cottage Hills. They help those in need with food, clothing, household items, one on one ministry time, educational classes at no cost to them. For more info, go to https://communityhopecenteril.org/ or call (618)259-0959. They are currently accepting new, unwrapped toys until the new year.
Community Interfaith Food Pantry 1218 W. Main St, Belleville. The Community Interfaith Food Pantry works to eliminate hunger in the Belleville and Swansea, Illinois, area, by providing emergency groceries. For more info, go to feedbelleville.org or call (618) 355-9199. www.metroeastmessenger.com
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Pumpkin Bread with Chocolate Chips Fall is about cooler weather, football, sweaters and warm, delicious food. It’s about gathering around the table with loved ones to enjoy a snack or meal and making memories that will last a lifetime. As the weather changes, there are few better places to be than the kitchen, whipping up something amazing for all who are gathered. It’s light and moist with a crisp exterior. The signature pumpkin taste blends with the sweet chocolate to create a unique taste perfect for fall. Find more seasonal dessert recipes at Culinary.net.
Pumpkin Bread with Chocolate Chips Prep time: 10 minutes Cook time: 45-50 minutes Servings: 12 Nonstick cooking spray 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour ½ teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon baking powder ½ teaspoon baking soda 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice 1 cup canned pumpkin 1/3 cup brown sugar 1/3 cup granulated sugar ½ cup vegetable oil 3 eggs, at room temperature ½ tablespoon vanilla extract 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips 1 cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips Preheat oven to 350 F. Spray 8-by-4-inch loaf pan with nonstick cooking spray and line with parchment paper. Set aside. In large bowl, whisk flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda and pumpkin spice. Set aside. In medium bowl, combine canned pumpkin, brown sugar, granulated sugar, oil, eggs and vanilla extract. Stir together. Stir wet ingredients into dry ingredients; mix until combined. Fold in chocolate chips. Pour batter into loaf pan. Bake 45-50 minutes until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool at least 10 minutes in pan before removing to wire rack to finish cooling.
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