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Every year, on January 31st, chocolate lovers across the United States indulge in the rich, velvety goodness of hot chocolate to celebrate National Hot Chocolate Day. This day is not just an opportunity to sip a warm beverage but also a chance to explore creative variations and recipes that elevate this classic drink beyond the traditional cup of cocoa. In this article, we will delve into the history of hot chocolate, explore its many forms, and provide you with some fun and delicious recipes to try at home as the weather turns colder and National Hot Chocolate Day approaches. A Brief History of Hot Chocolate Hot chocolate has a rich history that dates back to ancient Mesoamerican cultures, where cacao beans were used to create a frothy beverage that was often spiced with chili and flavored with vanilla. The drink was considered sacred, consumed primarily by the elite and used in ceremonial practices. When the Spanish conquistadors brought cacao back to Europe in the 16th century,

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December 6th has witnessed its fair share of significant events that have shaped the course of history across various domains. One of the most profound global events occurred in 1989 when the École Polytechnique massacre took place in Montreal, Canada. On that fateful day, Marc Lépine entered the engineering school and targeted female students, resulting in the tragic deaths of 14 women and injuries to many others. This horrific incident shocked the nation and sparked a nationwide conversation about gender-based violence and misogyny. In the aftermath, December 6th has been commemorated as the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women in Canada, serving as a solemn reminder of the need for ongoing advocacy and action towards gender equality and the safety of women. Moving to a different realm, December 6th, 1917, marked a significant maritime disaster known as the Halifax Explosion. A French cargo ship, SS Mont-Blanc, laden with high-explosives,

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GODFREY - Freer Auto Body hosted their annual Cookies and Cocoa event to raise money for Community Christmas. Now in its 16th year, Cookies and Cocoa collects toys and monetary donations to be distributed to 12 different agencies, which then give the items to families in need during the holiday season. From 4–6 p.m. on Dec. 5, 2024, community members could stop by Freer Auto Body at 4512 N. Alby St. in Godfrey to drop off donations and enjoy cookies, hot cocoa and a visit with Santa. “So many people support this,” said Margaret Freer, owner of Freer Auto Body and organizer of Community Christmas. “We have such a giving community.” The event on Thursday at Freer Auto Body raised more than $2,300 for Community Christmas. Margaret Freer said that anyone who still wants to contribute to visit the Freer Office and if contributed through a check, make sure it is written out to Community Christmas. She said any donations would immediately go toward the

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GLEN CARBON – Coach Cory Clouser and the Father McGivney Catholic High School boys basketball team have made a strong impression early in the 2024-2025 season, boasting a record of four wins against just one loss. The team recently achieved a milestone by winning the Mulberry Grove Thanksgiving Tournament, marking the first time in school history that they have claimed this title, with a close victory over Maryville Christian, 49-43. The McGivney boys are the Byron, Carlson, Petri & Kalb Male Athletes of the Month. Clouser described the start of the season as “amazing,” highlighting the collaborative effort that led to the tournament win. “It was a team effort to capture the Mulberry Grove Tournament and to start so strong. We are getting contributions from everyone. I am very proud of our efforts,” he said. Key players in this successful run include senior David Carroll and junior Chase Jansen, both serving as captains and helping to guide the team

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ELSAH - The public was invited to Principia College to watch the excavation of a mastodon. On Dec. 5, 2024, dozens of community members gathered at Principia College campus in Elsah to watch as Dr. Andrew Martin and his archeology students worked on excavating the skull of a 27,500-year-old mastodon. The students have so far uncovered the mastodon’s skull and a tusk. “It’s 27,500 years old, it’s been lying in this acidic soil for that time, and it’s the first time it’s moved,” Martin explained. “We’re going to be working on getting the skull of the mastodon up. Now, that skull, there’s only about half of it, but it’s the half that’s kind of important with four teeth in it still intact. It’s a pretty dangerous job, because at this point you have to wrench it out of the ground.” Martin, Chair of the Sociology/Anthropology Department at Principia, has been working on excavating the mastodon skeleton

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ROXANA — Troy Rahn, a junior at Roxana High School, will return to the Illinois All-State Honors Chorus for the second consecutive year. Rahn, who will perform as Bass 1, is among the highest-scoring vocalists in the state. The choir is scheduled to rehearse over three days before presenting a concert at the Peoria Civic Center on Feb. 1, 2025. In the fall of 2024, more than 10,000 students from elementary, junior high, and high schools across Illinois participated in a virtual audition process for the Illinois Music Education Association (ILMEA) District Festivals. Of those who auditioned, over 7,000 were selected to showcase their talents in various musical ensembles, including bands, orchestras, choruses, and jazz groups. Among the participants, 1,500 students in grades 9-12 were chosen for the prestigious ILMEA All-State Student Programs, which will take place in Peoria, from Jan. 29, 2025, to Feb. 1, 2025. This program not only features performing ensembles but also includes

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GRANITE CITY - A Christmas concert under the direction of Carolyn Jenkins is set for 7 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024, at the First United Presbyterian Church 2160 Delmar in Granite City. The concert - titled “Joy To The World” will feature the Master’s Voice Choir. No tickets are required. A free will offering will be taken.

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GODFREY - T he former home of the Godfrey Fire Protection District has been sold by the village following approval from the Village Board on Tuesday. This past spring, the Godfrey Fire Protection District moved into an all-new facility at 3023 Godfrey Road. Their former Fire Station 2 at 1712 West Delmar Ave. was then deemed “surplus property” by the village, which later published a notice of sale. The village has since received an offer to purchase the property, according to a resolution passed at this week’s meeting. The identity of the purchaser and their future plans for the property were not publicly disclosed. The property was listed for sale with Antoine Williams at Tarrant & Harman Real Estate and Auction Co. An online listing for the property shows a price of $400,000 for the 5,600 square-foot building, which was constructed in 1976. With no further discussion or debate, village trustees unanimously approved the resolution, accepting

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CHICAGO – Today, the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) cut portions of Illinois American Water’s rate increase request for water and sewer services. The ICC's decision reduces Illinois American Water’s rate request by approximately 30 percent for an overall increase of $110 million. The decision also approves a 9.84 percent return on equity (ROE) for the company, a reduction from the utility’s requested 10.75 percent ROE. Starting July 1, 2025, Illinois American Water will expand its existing low-income discount program to provide a 10 to 80 percent monthly total bill credit for customers whose incomes are up to 300 percent of the federal poverty level. Eligible customers should sign up directly through Illinois American Water. Customers struggling to pay their water bills are encouraged to see if they are eligible for Illinois American’s existing low-income discount program and customer assistance programs . “Illinoisans should have access

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CHICAGO – Governor JB Pritzker, the Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center (IMEC) and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) today announced that the State has been awarded $2 million in federal grant funding for the Smart Manufacturing Lighthouse Program (SMLP). This funding will be provided by the U.S. Department of Energy, through the Office of Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains’ (MESC) State Manufacturing Leadership Program. “Manufacturing is at the heart of our state’s economic strength, and this new federal funding will help us take it to the next level,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “By equipping small and medium-sized manufacturers with smart manufacturing technologies, we’re accelerating innovation and driving progress toward a clean energy economy – while ensuring no community is left behind. I am deeply thankful to our federal partners for recognizing the importance of this work and supporting

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today introduced the Protecting Employees and Retirees in Business Bankruptcies Act. The bipartisan legislation would correct abuses of the bankruptcy process that deprive employees and retirees of their hard-earned wages, benefits, and retirement savings. As businesses’ bankruptcy filings have increased, jobs, pensions, and long-promised benefits are at risk. Yet, laws have not adapted to give employees and retirees a fair shake in the bankruptcy process. The Protecting Employees and Retirees in Business Bankruptcies Act would modify Chapter 11 bankruptcy procedures by expanding available claims for employees and retirees and granting them improved priority, while placing restrictions on excessive compensation for executives. “Employees should not have to panic that they will lose

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GRANITE CITY - The Granite City Police Department said early Thursday that it responded to a report of an armed man barricaded inside a residence. At approximately 5:06 a.m. on Thursday, December 5, 2024, the Granite City Police Department received a call regarding the situation in the 2200 block of East 24th Street. The police department said officers quickly arrived at the scene and made contact with the male subject. The police department also explained the situation concluded without incident, and the individual was taken into custody. "A criminal investigation is currently ongoing, and authorities have stated that no further information will be released at this time," the police said.

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WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator and co-founder of the first-ever Senate Environmental Justice Caucus Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today met with members of the League of Conservation Voters (LCV) and the Illinois Environmental Council (IEC) to discuss a number of issues, including her work to help create good-paying union jobs, get the lead out of our children’s water, promote clean energy and bring environmental justice to communities that have been ignored for too long. “In order to help preserve our environment for generations to come, we need to make significant investments in climate-resilient infrastructure and the well-paying climate-friendly jobs those investments create,” said Duckworth. “Doing so gives us a chance to not only rebuild and repair communities and support the American workforce, it also creates an opportunity to confront the environmental injustices that low-income communities and communities of color too often bear the burden of. I appreciated today’s

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EDWARDSVILLE - The Annual Edwardsville High School Winter Concert brought together the talents of the band, orchestra, and choir on Wednesday night, Dec. 4, 2024, showcasing a festive array of musical performances. Under the direction of Victoria Voumard for the orchestra, Emily Ottwein for the choir, and Ryan Lipscomb and Dean Anderson for the band, the evening featured a diverse selection of holiday-themed pieces. The concert commenced with the orchestra performing "Holly Jolly Christmas," setting a cheerful tone for the event. Following the orchestra's opening, the band took the stage with "Thematic Variations on Dona Nobis Pacem," while the choir introduced their set with "Oba Ti De (Here Comes the King)." The orchestra continued with "Ani Ma'amin (I Believe)," featuring percussionists Luke Slater and Zinnia Allen, before the choir presented "Glow." The band then performed "Sleigh Ride," leading into the orchestra's rendition of "Brandenburg," which included Allen on drums.

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ST. LOUIS - In a collaborative effort to promote community health and wellness, The City of St. Louis, the Department of Health (DOH), Affinia Healthcare, and the St. Louis Integrated Health Network will be hosting a free vaccine clinic before the upcoming Mayor’s Cabinet in the Community town hall meeting on Dec. 7, 2024. The vaccine clinic will be 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., and the town hall will begin at 10:30 a.m. The event will take place in the gym at the O’Fallon Park YMCA, 4343 W. Florissant Ave. “The vaccine clinic at our last Cabinet in Community meeting was a success, and we’re happy to get to do it again this Saturday,” said Mayor Tishaura O. Jones. “It is still essential for everyone to get updated on their vaccines, and I’m happy we yet again get to provide this service to city residents.” The vaccine clinic is supported by ARPA funds awarded to the City of St. Louis Department of Health (DOH). The DOH provided a grant to the

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COLLINSVILLE – The Illinois Department of Transportation today announced that work to replace two Interstate 270 bridges over the Mississippi River in Madison County, a cornerstone project in Gov. JB Pritzker’s Rebuild Illinois capital program, has reached the midway point with the completion of the south span. The joint project with the Missouri Department of Transportation is on track to wrap up in 2026. “Rebuild Illinois has increased safety, efficiency, and opportunities for Illinoisans all over the state – and the work on the I-270 bridges will extend those benefits to even more communities,” said Gov. Pritzker . “Reaching the halfway point of this vital project is a significant milestone, made possible by the collaboration and dedication of our teams on both sides of the river. Together, we’re revitalizing infrastructure that will improve travel and mobility for residents and travelers for years to come.” The first of the

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ALTON — Rochelle Bewley is organizing a fundraiser to support the family of Darwyn E. “Dar” Bryant, who died unexpectedly on Dec. 3, 2024, at the age of 64. The campaign aims to assist with funeral expenses that the family is struggling to cover. Bryant served as the director of the Dream Center of Alton, where he was known for his commitment to helping those in need. He was also an active member of The River Church, contributing as a producer in the media department. In addition to his community service, Bryant authored a book titled “360 Degrees: Full Circle” and had a passion for buying and selling antiques and collectibles. Dar and his wife, Valerie, married on Aug. 31, 1999. She survives, along with his children, Alisha (Ron) McKee of Godfrey, Rochelle "Nikki" (Jeff) Bewley of Shepherdstown, WV, Christopher Travis Bryant of Gilbert, Ariz., and Kendal Catuccio of New Baden; and four grandchildren, Alexis, Alayna, Addyson, and Isla, as well as twins

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JERSEYVILLE/BELLEVILLE - A local Santa recently received a note from a little girl who came to visit him. The note read, “Dear Santa, can I have my dad back?” Santa gave her a hug and promised to pray for her. He wrote her name down in a little red book and prayed for her every night for a week, and then he prays every day for all of the names in that book — the kids who have asked for things Santa can’t deliver. There’s the girl who asked Santa to help her dad get out of prison. There’s a boy who asked for bug spray because his house had a lot of bugs. Though Santa can’t fix everything, he did work with Got Faith? Ministry in Jerseyville to send an exterminator to that boy’s house. Steve Pegram, the founder of Got Faith?, explained that he is Santa’s cousin. He helped RiverBender.com get in touch with Santa ahead of the busy Christmas holidays, and Santa has a message for all the kids and families out there this year

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ALTON - On Giving Tuesday, the Alton Police Department engaged in a community initiative aimed at providing new shoes to local children in need. Officers partnered with the organization All God's Children Shall Have Shoes to shop for the footwear, demonstrating their commitment to supporting families in the Alton area. The collaboration highlights the spirit of generosity that characterizes Giving Tuesday, a day dedicated to charitable giving following the consumerism of Black Friday and Cyber Monday. The Alton Police Department expressed pride in their involvement with the initiative, emphasizing the importance of giving back to the community. "We appreciate the support," said organizers from All God's Children Shall Have Shoes, acknowledging the police department's contributions to the shoe program.

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BELLEVILLE - The St. Clair County Sheriff's Office celebrated the graduation of Session #130, welcoming a new officer to its ranks. Officer Cameron Bush completed the corrections training program and is set to contribute to the department. The ceremony recognized the hard work and dedication of the graduates, with a special acknowledgment of Officer Bush’s achievements. “We extend our welcome to Officer Cameron Bush to our team and express our gratitude to his family for their support in allowing him to complete the corrections training program,” the St. Clair County Sheriff's Office stated. Officer Bush's successful completion of the program is seen as a valuable addition to the department, which continues to emphasize the importance of training and community support in law enforcement. The academy remains committed to preparing officers for the challenges they may face in their roles.

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