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Thanksgiving is a cherished holiday in many households, celebrated with family gatherings, gratitude, and of course, a feast that often steals the show. While the turkey is typically the centerpiece of the meal, the side dishes play a crucial role in elevating the dining experience. This article explores some of the best Thanksgiving side dishes, offering ideas, recipes, and tips to help you create a memorable holiday spread. Classic Favorites 1. Mashed Potatoes Mashed potatoes are a Thanksgiving staple, loved for their creamy texture and comforting flavor. To make the perfect mashed potatoes, use starchy potatoes like Russets or Yukon Golds. Boil them until tender, then mash with butter, cream, salt, and pepper. For an extra twist, consider adding roasted garlic or sour cream for added richness. 2. Green Bean Casserole This dish combines green beans, creamy mushroom soup, and crispy fried onions, making it a nostalgic favorite for many. To prepare, blanch fresh green beans and

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November 12 has been a significant date in history, marked by groundbreaking events that have shaped various aspects of our world, from politics and science to culture and sports. In the realm of politics, November 12, 1970, saw the introduction of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the United States. Established in response to the growing environmental movement and concerns about pollution, the EPA was created to protect human health and the environment by enforcing regulations and conducting research. The establishment of the EPA marked a turning point in U.S. environmental policy and has played a crucial role in addressing various environmental issues over the decades, including air and water quality, chemical safety, and climate change. On the cultural front, November 12, 1996, marked the day when the world was introduced to the virtual pet phenomenon with the launch of Tamagotchi in the United States. Originally created in Japan, these digital pets required care

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EDWARDSVILLE - Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s School of Engineering (SOE) held a room dedication and unveiling in honor of The Goley Companies. The family-owned company donated a $110,000 endowed gift to mark the company's 50th anniversary. SOE students are often employed by the company during their first or second year of academic instruction in the construction management program. With the endowment, select students are now Goley Company scholarship recipients. “I am elated with the strong support the Goley Companies have given to the school’s mission,” said Cem Karacal, PhD, and Dean of SOE. "Their engagement with our students through classroom visits, internships, and their mentorship early in their education is exactly what is needed to recruit and retain well-prepared students and graduates for the construction profession. We are happy to have a partner like Goley that shares a common vision to make an impact in our region.” Present

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ALTON — Aaron Kyles Jr. and a group of fellow musical artists are organizing a Winter Bash Day from 3 to 6 p.m. on Nov. 23, 2024, at James Killion Park, located at 2400 Washington Ave. The event aims to deliver a meaningful message to the Alton community through music, a free Thanksgiving dinner, and a clothing giveaway for children. Kyles Jr. emphasized the importance of the event, stating, "It will transcend mere positivity and seeks to touch the hearts of individuals." He believes that while politics and legislation play a role, true change comes from within. "Only God can transform the heart of a man and this is the catalyst for change in our city," he said. The Winter Bash is designed not only to entertain but also to uplift the community. Kyles Jr. described the Thanksgiving event as necessary to illuminate the challenges residents in the region face. The entertainment lineup includes performances from P Lott, Shooz Da Victory, Poetry 7, Manna, Coleboy Sedro, Jamel Robertson,

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BELLEVILLE — Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), who served in the Reserve Forces for 23 years and is a member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), today celebrated Veterans Day. Duckworth honored Veterans and their families today during the City of Belleville’s 26th Annual Veterans Day Ceremony alongside Belleville Mayor Patty Gregory and John Lawson, Superintendent for the Veterans Assistance Commission at St. Clair County. “Veterans Day is a day of celebration, it’s a moment for all of us to take some time to recognize and honor the service of everyone willing to put on the uniform and sacrifice to keep our great nation safe,” Duckworth said. “Despite the risks, despite the danger, thousands of the bravest people that you and I could ever meet still volunteer to serve in our country’s uniform every year. And when these heroes come home, they deserve more than just an ovation on Veterans Day itself.

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EDWARDSVILLE - The rich, vast and multifaceted aspects of Black scholarship should be taught, investigated and celebrated inside and outside of the classroom, according to Timothy E. Lewis, PhD, the new Director of Black Studies at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. “I want to take Black Studies out of the classroom, making it the premier unit on campus for implicit Black education, including documentary screenings, symposiums, historical celebrations and more,” said Lewis, interim chair of the Department of Social Work, and associate professor in the Department of Political Science. “I plan to not only rely on internal funding, but I am and will continue to pursue external funding and grants to fund the program’s efforts.” Lewis stepped in as director of Black Studies in October, following behind a long line of sage SIUE Black faculty members, the most recent being Kathryn Bentley, Professor Emeritus in the Department of Theater and Dance,

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The FDA has announced a recall of Kirkland Signature Sweet Cream Butter products due to an undeclared milk allergen. This butter, produced by Continental Dairy Facilities Southwest LLC, was distributed through Costco stores and may lack a clear “Contains Milk” warning on its packaging, potentially posing a risk for people with dairy allergies. What’s Behind the Costco Butter Recall? The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced a recall of approximately 79,200 pounds of Kirkland Signature Sweet Cream Butter products due to an undeclared milk allergen, raising concerns for individuals with dairy allergies. The butter, produced by Continental Dairy Facilities Southwest LLC, was distributed through Costco stores and may lack the necessary “Contains Milk” warning on its packaging. The recall, classified as Class II by the FDA on November 7, indicates that while serious health consequences are unlikely, there is still a risk of temporary or

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MADISON COUNTY / ST. CLAIR COUNTY – In recognition of Veterans Day, Chestnut Health Systems™ is proud to highlight the essential work of its Support Services for Veterans Families (SSVF) program, which provides critical support to veterans and their families in Madison and St. Clair counties. Recent statistics from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) show that more than 35,000 veterans experienced homelessness in 2022, marking a 7.4% increase from the previous year. Chestnut’s SSVF program works to combat this growing crisis by providing veterans with housing placement, rental assistance, case management, access to healthcare, financial planning, transportation assistance, employment services, and more. “When I came into the program, I wasn’t sure if I even wanted to keep on living,” said one veteran. “Now I have hope and I’m excited for the future.” Through a VA grant, Chestnut assists veterans who are either homeless

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ALTON - On a recent episode of “You’re Beautiful” with Brian Trust, Tammy Iskarous shared how her faith journey inspired her to start Riverbend Family Ministries. Based in Wood River, Riverbend Family Ministries provides resources for nonprofits to work together and help families affected by violence, homelessness, substance use and more. Iskarous explained that she developed the idea for RFM after realizing that people could do more to help others if they collaborated. “I knew people who were doing some super great things. But they were doing it at home. They were doing it in the basement on the ping pong table. And they just couldn’t expand because they didn’t have the resources to do that,” she remembered. “I thought, ‘What if we put all of those together under one roof, share the overhead, share the space, share the things that make it almost impossible for people to do the good work?’” To provide holistic

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EDWARDSVILLE - Local teachers recently gathered in Edwardsville for a conference about teaching driver's education, complete with a demonstration from Ameren. Over 30 driver's ed instructors attended the Region Nine Driver Education Workshop on Nov. 1, 2024, at the R.P. Lumber Center in Edwardsville. Jennifer Brown, Illinois High School Driver Ed Association president, noted the importance of driver's ed and the value of collaboration between instructors. “This is 100% everything,” Brown said. “A lot of what we do, we share and feed off of one another. We’re not only in the classroom, but we’re behind the wheel too, right? And there’s huge challenges when it comes to that…These are invaluable tools for us to be able to talk and collaborate and get information.” Brown added that driver's ed is “one of the most important pieces of education” students receive at the high school level. At the conference, teachers learned

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JERSEY COUNTY - On Election Day, local voters made it clear where they stand on separating from Cook County (and its county seat, Chicago). Jersey County was just one Riverbend county to support separation, with 76% voting in favor - so what happens next? Long story short: nothing yet. But as Jersey County Board Chairman Gary Krueger points out, the referendum’s purpose wasn’t to make the separation official, but to gauge public opinion. “I knew it had no legal clout,” Krueger said. “For me, it was a chance to get the mood of Jersey County voters about this as the subject has been brought up before.” The referendum appeared on voters’ ballots as an advisory question, rather than a legally-binding question, which was worded as follows: "Shall the County Board of Jersey County correspond with the boards of other counties of Illinois outside of Cook County about the possibility of separating from Cook County to form a new state, and t

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EDWARDSVILLE - EXO Lounge is an “oasis” in Edwardsville, with a med spa, nail bar and restaurant for customers to enjoy. Owner Gina Gamblin explained that EXO offers a variety of services, from Botox to facials to pedicures. You can also enjoy top-of-the-line food and drinks in the lounge, which is headed by Michelin-star chef Gianni Colucci. Gamblin noted that the experience is like a “mini vacation.” “You can make EXO the day of your life,” she said. “Anything can happen here, from drinks to dinner to the most amazing services to being your best inner and outer self. You walk in the door and it’s an immediate oasis. From the kitchen to the bar to the med spa, I think we’ve got the best of the best…Truly, an oasis, a utopia of which one could only dream about.” While EXO is officially open at 2 157 Center in Edwardsville, they will celebrate with a grand opening event on Nov. 16, 2024. Starting at 4 p.m.,

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ALTON - A man from Wood River faces five counts of burglary after a series of vehicle break-ins. Brady N. Sand, 26, of Wood River, was charged with five Class 3 felony counts of burglary on Nov. 1, 2024. Descriptions of the charges state that on Sept. 16, 2024, Sand entered five different vehicles without authority and with the intent to commit theft. The five vehicles included a 2011 Chevrolet Impala, a 2008 GMC Envoy, a 2016 Volkswagen Jetta, a 2015 Nissan Altima, and a 2002 Toyota Tundra. Aside from the Nissan Altima bearing a Missouri registration number, all other vehicles in this case had Illinois registration numbers. The Alton Police Department presented the case against Sand, who was granted pretrial release from custody. The issuance of charges is based solely upon probable cause and is not an indication of guilt. All subjects charged with criminal offenses are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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ALTON — Alton VFW Post 1308 held its annual Veterans Day program on Monday, Nov. 11, 2024, honoring those who have served in the military and reflecting on their sacrifices. The ceremony featured a moving proclamation from the City of Alton Mayor David Goins, a keynote address, and the distribution of wreaths to commemorate the occasion. Dave Stout, a long-time leader within the VFW, expressed his appreciation for the ceremony and its significance for veterans. “I love the ceremony every year and what it means for veterans,” Stout said. He shared a brief history of the VFW. Ryan Higginbotham was the event's keynote speaker. Higginbotham was a gunner in Iraq in 2004 and also served in Afghanistan. He was a member of the 82nd Airborne Division. Higginbotham's program included a keynote address focused on veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts. Stout noted the importance of honoring those who have served, stating, “I consider it an honor to serve

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EAST ST. LOUIS - Coming from a family tradition of military service, outfitted in a soldier’s work ethic of tenacity and grit, and armed with a personal duty to support veterans, William “Bill” Schnarr is providing assistance for vets through Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Veterans Upward Bound (VUB) . “I want to be in the trenches, helping veterans with their lives,” said Schnarr, VUB outreach coordinator and U.S. Army veteran. “It’s been my mission to make sure society doesn’t forget about veterans. The VUB program at the East St. Louis campus is an excellent one, and I am proud to be a part of it. The Department of Education did a good job in funding this program.” Schnarr, who took his life and military experiences, along with his academic and professional background and melded them into a strategic weapon, started working at SIUE in February. Though the veteran’s life is on a good course now, he

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BETHALTO - On Friday, November 8, Trimpe Middle School hosted a moving Veterans Day assembly, bringing students, staff and around thirty veterans together to honor those who have served. The event began with a solemn presentation of colors by a local Color Guard, prompting the entire assembly to rise in respect. Following this, the Trimpe Middle School 7th and 8th grade band, directed by Mr. Alex Hornsey, performed “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Eighth grader and Student Council Treasurer Arianna Walton led the “Pledge of Allegiance,” and Student Council President Jackson Mooshegian expressed gratitude to the veterans present. Mr. Peter Midgley, Student Council sponsor and art teacher, shared a few words, followed by former TMS principal Kirk Johnson. Josh Crisp, father of TMS student Tinley Crisp and husband to Bethany Crisp, a paraprofessional at the school, also spoke, adding a personal touch to the event. The school choir led by choir director Ms. Lynda

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ALTON - Local veterans stopped by Riverbend Head Start and Family Services to talk with the kids, read books, and answer questions about the military. On Veterans Day on Nov. 11, 2024, Riverbend Head Start’s Essic Robinson Center hosted an open house and welcomed veterans into their classrooms. The children paraded around the center and gave the veterans coloring sheets and cards thanking them for their service. “It was nice. It’s always good to see the kids,” said veteran Rick Imel. “It made me feel good.” Imel and Bryan McLellan, both veterans of the U.S. Navy, shared stories of their service with the kids. They fielded questions about working on aircraft carriers and submarines. They also read “Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?” by Bill Martin Jr., and talked about the story with the kids. McLellan noted that while the students might not have totally understood the importance of Veterans Day, it was “still nic

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GRANITE CITY - Granite City High School welcomed 1996 graduate and 2024 Wall of Fame honoree James V. Rooney recently, where he addressed social studies classes during the second and third hours of the school day. Rooney, a detective with the New York Police Department, is in his 18th year with the force and currently serves as a Task Force Officer in collaboration with federal partners. During his visit, Rooney emphasized the importance of commitment and perseverance, urging students to "Show Up Every Day" and underscoring that their high school experiences do not define their future paths. He engaged with students in a question-and-answer session during the final 10 minutes of each class, allowing them to gain insight into his career and experiences. Rooney also distributed NYPD patches to the students, providing a tangible connection to his work and the broader themes of service and dedication. He also handed out NYPD patches after every session.

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ALTON - Local veterans turned out for the “Breakfast for a Hero” event on Veterans Day. On Nov. 11, 2024, veterans and their families were invited to Best Western Premier for a free breakfast, open mic and performance by the Gibson Girls. Over 240 people were in attendance this year. “The room is full, so we’re grateful for that,” said Jim Claywell with Embark Wealth Partners, the company that organizes the event. Claywell noted that the breakfast honors veterans and their family members while providing a fun kickoff to the Veterans Day events around town. As they finished their meal, veterans were invited to share stories with the room. A few veterans took the time to honor fellow servicemembers who had passed, while others shared information about local programs and resources for vets. The Gibson Girls concluded the morning with a performance, and Claywell said they were “just tremendous.” The event was sponsored by many local

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JERSEYVILLE - Jerseyville residents gathered to show support for their local veterans during a short and sunny Veteran’s Day parade on Monday, Nov. 11, 2024. The parade began at 10 a.m. near Wells-Norris Tire on West Prairie Street. A crowd of spectators, who secured their spots well in advance, lined both sides of State Street. The Jerseyville American Legion 492 Color Guard performed the traditional firing and taps. Colors were presented by VFW 4528 and the Jerseyville Marine Corps League Robert Windle Detachment 1031. The parade also featured a performance by the Jersey Community High School Marching Band and Color Guard, and appearances from the Jerseyville Boy Scouts of America Troop 8059 and Cub Scouts Pack 8059. While the 2024 Veterans Day Parade lasted less than 10 minutes, the annual event remains a longstanding Jerseyville tradition.

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