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EAST ALTON - These are some area Halloween decoration submissions. The photos above and the photo immediately below are decorations at Darrell and Gwen King's home. Darrell and Gwen King of South Roxana always have a Halloween display that draws attention. This year is no different at the 925 Biltmore location in South Roxana. Gwen said she and her husband have lived in their house for 40 years and both “love Halloween and handing out candy to all the kids who walk and visit in the neighborhood.” “Our grandkids now from ages 15 and 23 all come and dress up and help with passing out candy,” Gwen said. “ “The Zombie girl shining on the swing might be the most popular with the Zombie woman in the rocking chair.” Gwen laughed and said one time one of her family members once thought the zombie woman in the chair was her in disguise. Gwen even takes candy to the children to the road if they are too scared to visit their Halloween display.

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WOOD RIVER - The Wood River Halloween Parade was rated a success by organizers. The Wood River Fire Department made this comment about the parade: "We are grateful and appreciate everyone that participated or attended and made the 2022 Wood River Halloween Parade a success!" The annual Wood River Halloween Parade kicked off at Sixth Street Park Saturday morning promptly at 10:30 a.m., then traveled south all the way to Ferguson Avenue, turned west and went in front of the library and through Downtown Wood River, and then turned north onto Wood River Avenue, and ended at the Round House. Float winners were as follows: Dazzler Dance Company East Alton Skating Academy/Ice Arena 1st Mid America Credit Union

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WOOD RIVER - The inaugural Wood River Chili Cookoff was what organizers called "a huge success" on Saturday in Wood River with an estimated 500-plus people in attendance. Kristen Burns, marketing and promotions consultant for Wood River, said 21 contestants participated in the first Wood River Chili Cookoff. "We had music, drinks, chili, kids activities," Burns said. "We are always wanting to show people what a great community we are in Wood River for families. This gives people the opportunity to come see some of the restaurants we have here and have good family fun." The Chili Cookoff winners were: Restaurant Grand Champion - The Pump House Bar & Grill Organization/Business - Three Stooges BBQ People's Choice - Bootleggin BBQ Mayor's Choice - C and B Boiled Bagels City Managers Choice - Buenos Aires Cafe. Burns closed by saying: "Thank you to everyone who came out, our chili participants, volunteers, and residents! We hope you enjoyed yourselves,

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Lovejoy Week Events 2022 The Elijah P. Lovejoy Memorial will sponsor four events in November to help perpetuate the memory of Elijah P. Lovejoy. Please join us and celebrate Lovejoy, a man whose life was taken on November 9, 1837 by a mob while he was defending our rights for freedom of the press and freedom from slavery. Lovejoy Week Music Festival The Lovejoy Week Music Festival is scheduled for Thursday, November 3rd in the Alton High School Gymnasium at 4200 Humbert Rd. in Godfrey, IL. The doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the program begins at 7:00 p.m. Featured in the program are the East Elementary School Chorus directed by Thora Buis, the Alton Middle School Honor Choir directed by Melissa Sharpe, the Alton High School Symphonic Orchestra directed Laura Plummer, the Alton High School Chamber Singers directed by Leah Galbraith and the Lewis & Clark Community College Jazz Band directed by Tim Jarden. Lovejoy Day Lovejoy Day is scheduled for Wednesday, November 9 th at the

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ALTON - Grappling for Gifts, a jiu-jitsu-based public charity, and Strategic BJJ, a local martial arts studio, collaborated on a fundraising seminar earlier this fall which helped raise funds for gifts and supplies to be donated to the Children’s Hospital of Illinois. Ryan Prouty, director and founder of Grappling for Gifts, said while the organization has grown over time, its goal remains the same. “It started off as a way for me to use the martial art of Brazilian Jiu-Jistu as a way to raise money to buy Christmas presents for the kids in the Children’s Hosptial of Illinois,” he said. “It started off pretty simple and then just kind of bloomed into something a little bit bigger, where now I’m doing charity seminars, doing charity events, and it’s just gotten a lot bigger the past seven seasons.” Prouty said he met Strategic BJJ Owner and Head Instructor Keith Steinacher through Brazilian Jiu-Jistu circles, as it’s “a

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EAST ST. LOUIS – The Illinois State Police (ISP) Public Safety Enforcement Group (PSEG), an investigative unit utilizing a community-based approach to violent crime reduction, is celebrating its second anniversary. In October 2020, ISP and the East St. Louis Police Department began working all reported violent crime cases together to boost resources, ensure professionalism and integrity in investigations, and reduce crime. PSEG also partnered with community organizations to address the trauma caused by violent crime in the city. The District 189 Wraparound Wellness Center provides trauma services to the children of East St. Louis who have witnessed or been victimized by violent crime. The Community LifeLine Family Resource Center is another partner that provides trauma services to victims of violent crime and their families. “In order to prevent violence, we have to get at the root causes of crime—and that’s exactly what this community-based partnership

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BUZZ MAGAZINE - Five businesses were recognized at the second annual Illinois Local Conference and Awards on September 12. This year’s Illinois Local Awards were sponsored by the local independent insurance company, Troxell. Multiple businesses were nominated for awards in four categories and the finalists/winners were: Illinois Local Ambassador: True Colors Floral One Knotty Maker Main Street Florist (winner) Blessings on State Street Bed & Breakfast Illinois Local Best Use of Social Media: One Knotty Maker (winner) Sangamon Reclaimed 1221 Photography Brooke Elizabeth Photography Illinois Local Community Hero: Smart Owl Coffee Springfield Art Association Fed Kitchen (winner) Buzz Bomb Brewing Illinois Local Business of the Year: Incredibly Delicious (winner) The Storyteller Studios (winner) Meraki Salon and Spa Collected Boutique Chief Experience Officer at Troxell, Alysse Aiello Hewell, said it was an honor to sponsor the annual Illinoi

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BUZZ MAGAZINE - A few years ago I became friends with a young, hip farmer named Mindy. As someone who had just learned to operate a leaf blower, Mindy’s life fascinated me. Instead of being behind a computer, she spent her days collecting eggs and crossing the creek to check on her forest-foraging pigs. But every time I started to express even a hint of envy for Mindy’s life, she was quick to remind me, “Everyone thinks being a farmer seems cool, but they have no idea how hard it is.” Well last week I decided to put her statement to the test when I found a local farm that welcomes volunteers. Nearly smack-dab in the middle of Godfrey, Illinois is where you’ll find the 10-acre slice of heaven that is Theodora Farms. Because I’m no masochist, I chose to volunteer on a perfect 80 degree, partly cloudy day. The farm was just breathtaking. Morning dew still glistened on the top of the grass as the farm manager, Jeff, led me out to meet the rest of the

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BUZZ MAGAZINE - Shibui Studio Art Gallery, located at 119 S. Macoupin St., Gillespie, IL opened as the first commercial art gallery in Macoupin County, IL on October 1, 2022. The grand opening featured the art of Genece Hamby, gallery owner, and her sister, Patricia Frederick. Shibui Studio Art Gallery has plans to frequently rotate exhibits showcasing local and regional artists within 60 miles of Gillespie, IL, with no permanent collections. Shibui Studio will take pride in consistent high-quality exhibitions with a diverse variety of artists and mediums. The gallery’s first juried show, “Fall in Love”, is scheduled to take place October 15, 2022, through November 15. 2022. The opening reception is scheduled for Saturday, October 15, 2022, from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm. The exhibition of paintings, illustrations/drawings, and photography will present a theme celebrating all things we love about the autumn season. Each artist in the show expresses a visual interpretation

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ST. LOUIS - Schnuck Markets, Inc. today announced that, in total, Schnucks customers donated $126,825 to support United Way of Greater St. Louis as part of the company’s Sept. 21 - Oct. 4 Round Up at the Register campaign at Schnucks store locations in the St. Louis metropolitan area. One hundred percent of round-ups will benefit United Way of Greater St. Louis and will contribute to the organization’s mission to mobilize the caring power of communities to help people live their best possible lives. In 2022, the affiliate is celebrating 100 years of impact - helping one in three people and creating a stronger, healthier and more equitable region for all. “Through our Round Up campaigns, our generous customers have reinforced time and again our community’s willingness to help those most in need,” said Schnucks Chairman and CEO Todd Schnuck. “We are grateful for Schnucks’ long-standing partnership with United Way. They have stood side b

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ST. LOUIS - Today, Charter announced a new era of customer connectivity with the launch of Spectrum One for new and existing subscribers across all its markets. Spectrum One brings together Spectrum Internet®, Advanced WiFi and Unlimited Spectrum Mobile to deliver seamless, reliable and secure online connectivity in and outside of the home, with the fastest internet speeds in the U.S., at an exceptional value. “With Spectrum One, we have created the nation’s first fully converged connectivity experience to power today’s wireless world,” said Adam Ray, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer for Charter. “Just as the cable industry expanded and improved television, replaced dial-up with broadband and saved consumers money with wireline voice, now we are bringing our successful Mobile services together with Internet and Advanced WiFi to make customers’ connected devices work better, faster, securely and less expensively than before.”

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SPRINGFIELD, IL. – In 1843, Abraham Lincoln poured out his political frustrations in a letter to a friend. Support in Sangamon County was slipping away, he complained. Critics were falsely painting him as a rich aristocrat opposed to religion, and a brush with dueling was being used against him. Still, Lincoln offered his friend strategies for how they might win despite the odds. That revealing letter has not been seen by the public for generations, but the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum has acquired it and will feature it in a new display opening Nov. 1. The exhibit explores a key period when Lincoln was trying to make the leap from state office to the national level, a time when he also got married, bought a house and had children. Lincoln wrote the letter to Martin Morris, a friend from his days living in New Salem. It has remained in his family’s hands ever since. The public’s only access has been to a copy that Morris made (including many spelling

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Name: Larry Wickham Hometown: Granite City Years of Service: 1961-1966 KIA: No Branch: United States Marine Corp Rank: Sgt. Message: Thank-you for your service. Submitted By: Sharon

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Name: Ashlee Nichoalds Hometown: Cambria, Illinois Years of Service: 3 KIA: No Branch: Army Wars: Afghanistan Message: My daughter Ashlee is my military hero. She had the guts and nerve to do what I wanted to do but wasn’t brave enough and that was join the military. It’s given her confidence, self-esteem, an excellent work ethic and a sense of accomplishment that I could never teach her. I’m so very proud of her! Submitted By: Donna Cross

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ALTON - Candy L. Spraggs submitted decorations at their home at 4912 Second Street in Alton. The Halloween spirit is high throughout the region for the Alton Halloween Parade which is at 7 p.m. Monday along Broadway. "This is our second year at this house that we bought last year and we decided to decorate for Halloween," Spraggs said.

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EAST ALTON — United Way’s annual Community Christmas drive is looking for businesses, organizations, schools, churches and stores to host donation boxes and collect items for those in need during the upcoming holidays. A business can serve as a donation drop-off location by requesting one or more boxes to place within their location, accessible for customers, visitors or employees. Those interested in receiving a box should call 618-258-9800. The boxes are provided courtesy of Phillips 66 Wood River Refinery and are of no cost. Boxes will be delivered to locations in mid-November and picked up from businesses in early December. This year, Community Christmas will support dozens of local nonprofits in the Southwest Illinois area. This summer, Freer Auto Body held its annual Christmas in July event that raised a over $52,000 for Community Christmas to purchase needed items for local families. About United Way of Greater St. Louis United Way of Greater St. Louis

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O'FALLON - Senior wide receiver Daion Gaston had a big game in Edwardsville's 43-36 win in the first round of the IHSA Class 8A football playoffs on Oct. 29 at OTHS Panther Stadium, catching three touchdown passes from quarterback Jake Curry and taking a kickoff back 85 yards for another touchdown to help the Tigers advance to the second round. It was a very happy Tiger sideline when the time ran out, and like his teammates and coaches, Gaston was ecstatic after the game. "I'm feeling great right now," Gaston said during a postgame interview. "I'm just happy we get to move on to round two in the playoffs." Gaston is an iCAN Clinic Male Athlete of the Month for the Tigers. Gaston also talked about his kickoff return for the touchdown, which gave the Tigers the lead back at 21-14 with 8:51 remaining in the second quarter. "I'm feeling good," Gaston said. "I just saw that hole and I cut it back and I was gone. I know that last game (against CBC), it was like three times I could have

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COLLINSVILLE – Cooler temperatures have arrived and most of us have turned on our natural gas furnaces for the first time this fall. As an important safety reminder, Ameren Illinois is encouraging residential and business customers to have their furnaces inspected by a professional HVAC technician to check for potential natural gas leaks. Natural gas in its pure form is odorless and colorless. Ameren Illinois adds an odorant to create the distinctive rotten egg smell that makes it easier to identify and detect gas while better protecting public safety. “A customer should never smell natural gas in or around their home or business. If they do, they need to leave the premises immediately and call Ameren Illinois at 1-800-755-5000,” said Leonard Singh, President of Ameren Illinois. “Our crews will respond immediately no matter what time of day, seven days a week, and there is absolutely no charge to the customer.” Natural gas leak response is a high

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EDWARDSVILLE - The Annual Edwardsville-Glen Carbon Chamber of Commerce Halloween Parade begins at 6:30 p.m. Monday. The line-up begins at 4 p.m. in the Woodland Elementary School and Lincoln Middle School parking lots. All parade entries should be in place no later than 5 p.m., the Edwardsville Chamber of Commerce said. The parade begins promptly at 6:30 p.m. Monday. Every year, the parade has tremendous participation with floats, bands, community and school organizations, politicians, businesses, and athletes taking part, along with government officials and more. The Chamber says the safest place to unload are the parking lots of Woodland Elementary and Lincoln Middle School. “Follow the specific instructions of police officers at the end of the parade route,” the Chamber said. “Do not pull over on Main Street and unload.”

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ALTON - The 105th Alton Halloween Parade should once again be a showcase for the region, Steve Schwartz, East End Improvement Association's publicity coordinator for the parade, said. The parade will begin at 7 p.m. Monday on Broadway and Washington and will conclude at Piasa and Fifth Streets. East End Improvement Association is the long-time Alton Halloween Parade sponsor. The parade will be live-streamed once again on Riverbender.com . The Riverbender.com Daily Show's C.J. Nasello will be the prime host of the parade for the live stream. Stella Cowan, an Alton High School freshman, won the poster contest to be featured in the Alton Halloween Parade. It is shown below. Schwartz said there will be "tremendous participation" in the annual Alton event. "We have received a lot of good responses," he said. "The Halloween Parade is the biggest event every year in Alton and it is typically wall-to-wall people along the route. There aren't many gaps." The Grandpa Gang will be this

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