Inside : Random Acts Of Kindness Day
Upcoming Local Events
Recipes for a Valentine’s Day Meal For Two
Upcoming Local Events
NOTE: Events are subject to change, cancel or be rescheduled due to Covid.
Live Music Every Weekend at The Cabin at Judy Creek, 3730 S. State Rte. 157, Glen Carbon. Fri. 2/4: Midlife Band, Sat. 2/5: Aaron Wilkerson, Sun. 2/6: Ryan Hoelting, Fri. 2/18: The Bearded Bandits, Sun. 2/20: Graham Pagano, Fri. 2/25: The Double Wide Due, Sat. 2/26: Black Arrow Bards. Follow their Facebook page for more updates! Rock N Roll Bingo, Feb. 5th, 6pm at The Command Post at the American Legion, 104 N. Main St, Troy. Rock and Roll Bingo is 13 rounds of bingo, but with music clips! Don't worry if you're not a walking jukebox...you can use Shazam (or your tablemates) to help identify songs. Doors open at 6 pm. Bingo starts at 7 pm. All proceeds go toward supplying AEDs to our local first responders. For tickets, go to bit.ly/31sVdAS.
Granite City Senior Social Club Bingo, Feb. 6th at the Granite City Township Hall, 2060 Delmar. Doors open at 12:30pm and Bingo starts at 1:30pm. $1 for admission and $1 for 4 cards. Masks recommended! Must be 50 or older or disabled to play. Questions call 618-444-6771. Downtown Belleville's Galentine's Day, Feb. 10th, 5pm, 202 W. Main St, Belleville. Bring your Gal Pals Downtown Belleville and walk, shop, eat and drink with the Women Owned Businesses. Each location listed will have specials. See their Facebook event page for more info. Line Dancing, Monday’s, 7-9pm at the Collinsville VFW, 1234 Vandalia St. Come out on Monday nights for a fun night of line dancing! Join the “Dancing Boots Line Dance Group” Facebook Group page for more info, and well as how-to videos and step sheets to learn dances. Got questions? Call or text Marie Welker at 618-363-6026.
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Upcoming Local Events Daddy Daughter Dance, Feb. 11th, 6:30-9pm, Regency Conference Center, 400 Regency Park, O’Fallon. Bring your special sweetheart out for a night of dinner and dancing. Flowers, formal picture, dinner, and a DJ are included in the fee. Price is $60.00 per couple (dad and one daughter). Each additional daughter is $20.00. Register with O’Fallon Parks and Rec at bit.ly/3q0gYBL. Galentine's Day Sip & Shop, Feb. 12th, 11am-4pm at The Ink House, 117 N. 2nd St, Edwardsville. Join us for a girl’s day out of pampering. This can be mommy & me or a day for you and your girlfriends. Perfect opportunity to get ready for your Valentine’s Day Date night! We are offering 25+ vendors, music, cash bar, mini–Valentine’s Day photo shoot, airbrush makeup w/lashes, eyebrow waxing/tints, and more. Presented by Opal & Lace Children’s Boutique. Full Moon Hike, Dates: Feb. 16th, Mar. 18th, Apr. 16th, May 15th at The Nature Institute, 2212 S. Levis Lane, Godfrey. Join us on a night hike through the woods. You can expect the hike to be about 2 miles and will include stops along the way. Our moonlight hikes are Free for members and $5 per non-member adult, children 15 and under are free and advanced registration is required at thenatureinstitute.org/moonlighthike/.
Daddy/Daughter Date Night @Mosaic, Feb. 18th, 6:30-8:30pm, Mosaic Church, 1317 Pestalozzi St, Highland. Bring your favorite princess out for an evening of dinner and dancing while meeting Princesses Rapunzel and Aurora! Cost is just $20/child (Dads are free!) Register at bit.ly/3GF61vb. Wildey $3 Movie Tuesdays, every Tuesday, 7pm at Wildey Theatre, 252 N. Main St, Edwardsville. Tickets only available the day of the show at 3pm. Lobby opens at 6pm. For titles, go to wildeytheatre.com. www.metroeastmessenger.com
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Upcoming Local Events “Daddy Daughter” Dance, Feb. 18th, 19th, 20th, 6-8:30pm, Wildey Theatre Event Room, 252 N. Main St, Edwardsville. Fathers and daughters (Boys & Girls, Moms & Dads, Steps & Grands, or Other Special Guest) are invited to put on their dancing shoes and step out together for a fun Valentine's event at this year's "Daddy Daughter Dance" at the Wildey Theatre. A special time full of sweet memories awaits participants along with dancing, dinner, photo booth, and crafts. *You must register each person by adding them to your account. The cost is $18 per person regardless of age. Sponsored by the Edwardsville Parks and Recreation. Register at bit.ly/3qOOcmH. Ice Jam at the Dam, Feb. 19th, 10am-4pm, National Great Rivers Museum, 2 Lock and Dam Way, East Alton. The Rivers Project first annual Ice Jam at the Dam is an outdoor, winter-themed festival to promote outdoor recreation and celebrate all things icy along the river. Live music from Chris Cahill & Co., open tours of the locks and dam, live animal programs by Treehouse Wildlife Center, 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. Rock The Legion, Feb. 19th, 7pm at The Command Post at the American Legion 104 N. Main St, Troy. “618 Youth All Stars Concert.” Doors open at 7pm. Star Killers 7:30pm, Yikes 8:45pm, Merge V 10:00pm, Electrik Baby Powder 11:15pm. This is an All-Ages Concert. $5 Cover Donation taken at the door is split amongst the bands so the more people the show up the more the bands get paid (tips are also welcome). Kitchen open until 11pm.
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Upcoming Local Events Outdoor Goshen Winter Market, Feb. 19th, Mar. 19th, Apr. 16th, 100 St. Louis St, Edwardsville. Join us, and some of your favorite vendors, the third Saturday of each month, 10am till noon, in the expansion parking lot downtown. Movie Matinee Series for Adults, Feb. 24th, Mar 31st, 12-2pm, Edwardsville Public Library. Bring a brown bag lunch, and we'll provide drinks and popcorn. Call us for the movie title; we are unable to publish them due to our licensing agreement. (618)692-7556. Fire & Ice 5/10K, Feb. 26th at 9am, 6161 Center Grove Rd, Edwardsville. The Junior Service Club of Edwardsville Glen Carbon is excited to bring to you a local 5/10K and Fun Run to support “The Teen Center," a part of the RP Lumber Center. Our event will take off from Edwardsville High School following the MCT trails. To register, go to bit.ly/3Kz2fGf. Farm Animal Petting Zoo, Feb. 26th, 9am-Noon at Hamel Co-op Grain Company, 121 N Old US Rte. 66, Hamel. To celebrate National FFA Week, we are working with Highland and Staunton FFA chapters to host a Farm Animal Petting Zoo from 9 am -12 noon. There will be pigs, sheep, goats. cows, as well as refreshments, farm animal trivia and prizes, and attendance prizes. Adult Zumba with Aimee on Zoom, every Thursday, 6-7pm with Glen Carbon Library. Must register at https://glencarbonlibrary.org/calendar-2/#/events/KvDqRz7V0r/instances/kfdg6vBxc5/. www.metroeastmessenger.com
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Upcoming Local Events Mardi Gras in Granite City, Feb. 26th at 1pm. Mardi Gras begins with a parade at 1pm, starting at Madison Ave and ending at Civic Park. Block party from 2-5pm at Civic Park includes a Cajun cook off, local vendors, live music, and kid's activities. Local bar crawl from 5-10pm. Buses will be circulating on a designated route to participating bars. Riders will need to purchase a wristband for $10. For more info, follow The City of Granite City - Mardi Gras Facebook page. Designer Handbag Bingo, Feb. 27th, doors open at 1pm, Tribout’s Bingo Hall, 517 S. Illinois St, Belleville. $35 per person includes: 10 rounds of bingo, prizes, and entertainment. Hosted by Violence Prevention Center of Southwestern Illinois.
Discovery Sunday Series, Hosted by the Maryville Parks & Recreation. Every Sunday Jan 30th thru Feb. 27th, 1-3pm. In person and on Zoom. For more info about topics, go to bit.ly/3nENasO or email parksandrec@maryville-il.us. The Empty Bowl, Mar. 1st, 11am-2pm, Gateway Convention Center, Collinsville. The Empty Bowl is a 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. If you are unable to attend the event, please consider a donation through this site: secure.givelively.org/donate/collinsville-food-pantry/the-empty-bowl. Daddy-Daughter Dance, Mar. 12th, 6-9pm, Tri-Township Park Activity Center. For girls ages 3-16 and their dads (this includes grandpas, uncles, or any other significant male role model.) $25 per couple, $6 for each additional daughter. Included dinner, photo booth and dancing. Register at bit.ly/3GIIGc7.
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NOTE: Events are subject to change, cancel or be rescheduled due to Covid.
Upcoming Local Events GYSSD Annual Trivia Night, Mar. 12th, 6pm, Madison County Fireman’s Hall, 9510 Collinsville Rd, Collinsville. Join us for a night of fund at our annual Trivia Night. Doors will open at 6:00 p.m. and Trivia will begin at 7:00 p.m. Start putting together your team now you won't want to miss this! If you have any questions, contact Amanda at amanda@gyssd.org. Learn more about GYSSD at gotyoursixsupportdogs.org. 2022 Lucky Leprechaun 5K, Mar. 12th, 9am, 721 E. Main Street, Belleville. Registration must be received by 2/21/2022 to guarantee a T-shirt. Don't forget to stick around after the race for the Hibernian's St. Patrick's Day Parade at 11 a.m. and the Belleville Main Street/Oktoberfest Committee Block Party! Register at runsignup.com/Race/IL/Belleville/5KLuckyLeprechaun. Micro Market, Mar. 12th & 26th, April 9th & 30th, 9am-12pm at Vine Street Market, O’Fallon. We are kicking the season off with Micro Markets, an abbreviated version of the regular season farmer's market. Micro Markets will be held indoors unless Mother Nature decides to play nice on this day, allowing us to expand outdoors. A great way to get back into eating fresh and local from farmers and producers you know! Virtual Saturday Morning Yoga, Saturdays at 9:30am with Glen Carbon Library. Get fit and healthy when you join us for an energizing session of yoga. Must register. www.metroeastmessenger.com
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Upcoming Local Events Spring Vintage Market Belle-Clair Fairgrounds, Mar. 25-27th, 3pm, Belle Clair Fairgrounds & Expo Center, 200 S. Belt East, Belleville. A weekend of shopping for vintage finds, industrial, garden, repurposed, boutique, jewelry, gourmet foods & more! Live Music. Children 12 and under are free. 1st Pick Friday is $10 and Sat, Sun $5. Tickets Can Be Purchased at the Door. Chamber's Got Talent 2022, April 1st, 5-10pm, Gateway Convention Center. The Troy/Maryville/St. Jacob/Marine Chamber of Commerce will be hosting our annual dinner auction & fundraiser on April 1st, at the Gateway Convention Center in Collinsville. This year’s event will feature Special guest Bryan White - who will perform his hit songs from the 90’s, - a community awards night - which will honor individuals and businesses from the surrounding communities for their hard work and dedication, - silent and live auctions and a delicious meal from Cygan-Delaney Catering. For more info and tickets, go to troymaryvillecoc.com/chambers-got-talent. MEHS Music Trivia, April 9th, 6pm at Edwardsville Moose Lodge, 7371 Marine Rd, Edwardsville. Join MEHS for a night of music trivia with Trivia Riot! Rounds will cover multiple genres and decades of music, so there's something for everyone! Cash bar. Outside food and nonalcoholic beverages are welcome. $20 per person or $150 for a table of 8. Register at mehs.org/events/music-trivia. Homebound Delivery Service, first Thursday of the month with Caseyville Public Library. Free service for residents who are ill or disabled. Must register at https://www.caseyvillelibrary.org/services.
Library Book Sale, 1st Friday of the month and 3rd Saturday of the month, 9am-12pm, Tri-Township Library, Troy. For more info go to troylibrary.org
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Upcoming Local Events Virtual Evening Flow Yoga with Anne (Zoom), Wednesday’s, 5:30-6:15pm with Glen Carbon Library. This Slow Flow practice will lead you through a series of yoga poses that focus on strengthening, lengthening, and stretching. Side effects may include a sense of well-being and feelings of peace and calmness! Must register. 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 stjohnscc.org/memory-cafe, call (618) 298-8077 or email gshaw@stjohnscc.org. Family Care Giver Support Group, Hosted by St. John Community Care. Intended for family caregivers caring for loved ones with any type of disability, this group is held the 2nd Wednesday of every month at 6pm via Zoom. There is no charge to attend. For more info, go to https://stjohnscc.org/family-support-group/ or email srhodes@stjohnscc.org. Yoga for Adults, every Friday, 9-10am, Tri-Township Library, Troy. Outside in the greenspace, weather permitting. Homebound Delivery, second Wednesday of the month. Homebound Delivery is a free service offered to O'Fallon Public Library cardholders who are unable to make it to the library due to mobility, health, or disability barriers. Whether you are at home, in assisted living, or in a nursing facility, we can deliver to you. Visit ofpl.info/homebound for details.
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Did You Know February 17th Is Random Acts Of Kindness Day? While kindness is important every day of the year, Random Acts of Kindness Day is a great time to check in with ourselves and make sure we’re doing our part to make the world a kinder, more compassionate place. Here are a few ideas to celebrate this special “holiday.” Pay for the drive thru order behind you.
Compliment someone.
Leave a kind server the biggest tip you can afford. Check on an elderly neighbor. Smile at a stranger.
Email a teacher and show your appreciation.
Write a review for a local business. Hug a loved one.
Shop at a new small local business. Offer to babysit for a friend for free. Donate to an animal shelter, such as Partners for Pets. Let the person in line behind you go ahead of you. www.metroeastmessenger.com
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An Easy Valentine’s Day Meal For Two Italian Sausage Spinach and Tomato Rigatoni Prep time: 10 minutes Cook time: 20 minutes Water 1/2 box rigatoni pasta 1 tablespoon olive oil 1/2 cup onions, chopped 4 cloves garlic, minced 1/2 cup mushrooms, sliced 16 ounces sweet Italian sausage 1 jar Bertolli d’Italia Marinara Sauce 2 cups fresh baby spinach salt, to taste pepper, to taste Parmesan cheese, for garnish Bring large stockpot of water to boil. Boil rigatoni pasta until al dente. Drain and set aside. In sauté pan over medium heat, add olive oil. Add onions, garlic and mushrooms. Sauté until vegetables start to brown. Add Italian sausage and cook until done, breaking into small pieces. Add sauce and bring to low boil. Add baby spinach. Cook until spinach is mostly wilted. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Add drained pasta to pan with sausage and sauce. Toss and divide between plates. Garnish with Parmesan cheese.
Red Velvet Mug Cake Servings: 1-2 6 2 1 1/4 1/8 1/3 2 2 30 3 1
tablespoons flour tablespoons sugar teaspoon cocoa powder teaspoon baking powder teaspoon salt cup milk tablespoons butter, melted teaspoons vanilla extract drops red food coloring tablespoons powdered sugar tablespoon cream cheese, softened
In 12-ounce mug, whisk flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder and salt. Add milk, butter, vanilla and food coloring; mix until blended. In small bowl, mix powdered sugar and cream cheese until smooth. Drop cream cheese mixture into cake batter. Press into batter until covered. Microwave up to 3 minutes until cake is done. Share with a loved one! Find more recipes Culinary.net. www.metroeastmessenger.com
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