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As the cold weather sets in and the holiday season approaches, there’s no better way to gather friends, family, or colleagues than hosting a winter-themed potluck. This cozy and communal dining experience not only warms the heart but also offers a delightful array of seasonal dishes. Whether it's a festive gathering or a casual get-together, organizing a potluck can be both enjoyable and straightforward. Here’s how to create a memorable winter potluck that everyone will cherish. Setting the Date and Venue Choosing the right date and venue is crucial for a successful potluck. Consider the following: Pick a Date : Aim for a weekend afternoon or evening, making it easier for guests to attend. The weeks leading up to holidays can be busy, so plan accordingly. Select a Venue : Depending on the size of your guest list, you can host the potluck at home, in a community center, or even at a local park (if weather permits). Ensure that the location is accessible and comfortable

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Welcome to another enlightening edition of 'This Day in History'! Today, December 5th, is a day rich in fascinating events that have shaped our world in various ways. One of the most impactful global events to remember on December 5th is the death of Nelson Mandela in 2013. Mandela, a prominent anti-apartheid revolutionary and the first Black president of South Africa, passed away at the age of 95. His fight against racial oppression and his dedication to equality made him a symbol of peace and reconciliation around the globe. Mandela's leadership in the African National Congress and his 27 years of imprisonment for his beliefs became a rallying point for those fighting against apartheid. His legacy endures not only in South Africa but worldwide, inspiring countless movements for justice and human rights. Moving back in time, on December 5th, 1933, the 21st Amendment to the United States Constitution was ratified, effectively repealing Prohibition. This day marked the end of

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ALTON—An attic fire at a residential home in the 4100 block of Aberdeen Ave prompted a swift response from local emergency services Thursday morning. Police and firefighters worked together to ensure the safety of the occupants. Officers from the Alton Police Department arrived on the scene to find smoke billowing from the eaves of the house. Acting quickly, the officers evacuated the homeowners and their pets from the property. The Alton Fire Department arrived shortly after and was able to bring the fire under control without incident. No injuries were reported as a result of the fire. The cause of the fire remains undetermined at this time, and authorities are continuing their investigation.

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EDWARDSVILLE — A group of talented music students from Edwardsville High School (EHS) has been selected to perform at the Illinois Music Educators Conference in January 2025. The announcement was made by Orchestra Director Victoria Voumard, who expressed pride in the students' achievements. The selected students represent various sections of the band, orchestra, and choir. The full list of students selected includes: David Maloney - Bb Clarinet August Meiser - Double Bass Daniel Tossey - Bb Clarinet Mark Hill - Bass I Savannah Kohlmiller - Alto II Lucy Schapman - Soprano I Alan Chen - Violin Karis Chen - Violin Adam Cundiff - Cello Lyla Hahn - Cello Gwen Harkey - Violin Ian Kim - Viola Luci Klingensmith - Oboe Addie Lingafelter - Violin Lily Reynolds - Cello Miko Shimizu - Viola Maya Taylor - Viola Ben Waymire - Double Bass Amelia Zhang - Viola The Illinois Music Educators Conference, a significant event in the state's music calendar, will take place

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GODFREY — The annual Cookies and Cocoa event is set to take place from 4 to 6 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024, at Freer Auto Body, located at 4512 N. Alby St. in Godfrey. This year marks the 16th anniversary of the event, which began in memory of David, the late uncle of organizers Lily and Taylor Freer. Cookies and Cocoa has become a traditional holiday event that many in the area look forward to in support of the annual Community Christmas campaign. Margaret Freer, owner of Freer Auto Body, emphasized the importance of community support for the event. "Bring a gift, cash donation, whatever they want," she said. "Toys, coats, gift cards, bath and body items, basketballs, footballs, baby dolls, and personal hygiene items are what we need the most. For those in our community who don’t have much, anything is appreciated here at Christmas time." Freer noted that her company shops year-round in preparation for the Community Christmas campaign, and Cookies and Cocoa serves a

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EDWARDSVILLE – Several fire departments responded to a structure fire at Yummy Donut Palace, located at 443 South Buchanan, on Wednesday, December 4, 2024. Edwardsville Fire Department was the first to arrive to confront the fire. Firefighters arrived on the scene to find smoke coming from a vent of the building, prompting the request for a commercial box alarm. Glen Carbon and Wood River Fire Departments assisted with their ladder trucks, while the Edwardsville Fire Department deployed its own ladder truck to access the roof. Firefighters worked swiftly to bring the fire under control. As of now, the extent of the damage to the business remains unclear. Fortunately, no injuries have been reported in connection with the incident.

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GODFREY – A motorcycle crash on southbound Illinois Route 255 at Humbert Road Wednesday afternoon prompted a response from multiple emergency services, including the Godfrey Fire Department, Alton Memorial Ambulance, Illinois State Police, and Madison County Sheriff’s Department. Firefighters arriving at the scene found the motorcyclist off the roadway, suffering from serious injuries. Due to the critical nature of the situation, a Survival Flight Medical Helicopter was dispatched to assist. As the helicopter landed on the highway, southbound 255 was temporarily closed to ensure the safety of all personnel involved. The victim was subsequently transported to a hospital in the St. Louis area for further medical treatment. No additional details regarding the condition of the motorcyclist or the circumstances surrounding the crash have been released at this time.

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EDWARDSVILLE - Edwardsville City Council members recently reversed a Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) decision not to allow solar panels on the roof of the Madison County Archival Library building. The Madison County Historical Society owns and operates the historic John Weir House and museum located at 715 N. Main St., as well as the Madison County Archival Library next door at 801 N. Main St. Built in 1836, the Weir House lacks the insulation and energy efficiency of modern homes, leading to high energy costs. To help bring these costs down, the Historical Society pursued a solar panel installation project at the Archival Library building, which was rejected by the HPC. In his appeal to City Council members, Historical Society President Fred Faust emphasized the significant impact these savings would have on the organization, a non-government entity funded entirely by members and donations. “In order to preserve our precious donations for better projects, we

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PIASA - Hannah Mary, a Southwestern High School volleyball and basketball standout, who will also play varsity softball in the spring, follows a long line of girls committed to the overall Piasa Birds athletic program. Hannah volunteered her time with some other high school girls to assist with the Southwestern Middle School softball team in the late summer and early fall before her volleyball season started. Hannah's head girls middle school and high school softball coach Amanda Edwards said it was great to have her aboard. Hannah is such a hard worker that even last spring she cleaned out the press box, and dugouts, and ran the scoreboard for the high school team. She is prepped and ready for the 2025 girls softball season with all her hard work and commitment to the team. Hannah is an Altonized Community Federal Credit Union Female Athlete of the Month for the Piasa Birds. "Hannah is a great kid," Coach Edwards said. "She helped a lot with the middle school team until the schedules

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EDWARDSVILLE - Edwardsville senior hockey forward Dean Schlarmann is among the Tigers' leading scorers as the Mississippi Valley Club Hockey Association season begins December, and the Tigers back among the league's elite teams. Through games of Nov. 25, Schlarmann has scored 12 goals and had five assists for 17 points as Edwardsville is 5-1-0 for 10 points, two currently two points behind O'Fallon and three points behind Freeburg/Waterloo in the league's Class 2A division. It's steady as she goes for Schlarmann and the Tigers as they defend their Class 2A championship, won on Edwardsville's return to the MVCHA last season. Dean is a Spencer Homes Male Athlete of the Month for Edwardsville. Edwardsville is also playing for the second year in a row against teams from the St. Louis-based Mid-States Club Hockey Association in a series of games to benefit the NHL's Hockey Fights Cancer charity arm, and on Nov. 15, the Tigers played to a 3-3 tie against Parkway West in a game the Longhorns

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ALTON - Community members are invited to The River Church Christmas Experience. The annual event will include crafts, activities, photo booths, a hot cocoa bar and more, with a musical show at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 13, 5 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 14, and 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024. Attendees are encouraged to arrive early to enjoy the full experience before the show begins. “Christmas is about the birth of our Lord and peace and hope, and I think that that is just integrated in every part of the Christmas Experience,” explained Kendra, one of the organizers. “Between the songs and the message and the kids’ message, everything just comes out. We’re passionate about it.” Located at 3401 Fosterburg Road in Alton, The River Church offers this free event to bring together the Riverbend community for the holidays. Kendra, Sarah and Corey, who all helped organize the Christmas Experience, promise “just a great time”

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This weekend brings a delightful array of events across the region, showcasing everything from festive holiday markets and family-friendly celebrations to enchanting concerts and community gatherings, ensuring there's something for everyone to enjoy. For a complete listing of all the exciting happenings, be sure to visit https://www.riverbender.com/events/ . If you want to make sure even more of the region is aware of your event email cj@riverbender.com and explore our range of Event Promotion Services! Join Godfrey, Illinois in celebrating the holiday season at Snowflake Festival from 6 – 8:30 pm at Robert E. Glazebrook Community Park! Get your picture taken with Santa in the gazebo. There will be s’mores roasting on an open fire, carriage rides, hot cocoa and cookies, and more. This is a free event, but in honor of the giving season, we will be collecting toys for the United States Marine Corps of Alton Toys for Tots campaign. Don't miss the 2024 ABOB Olde Alton

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), U.S. Senator Edward J. Markey (D-MA), and Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA-43) today called on the Department of Education to discharge student loan debt for hundreds of thousands of students who were defrauded by predatory schools. During the first Trump Administration, defrauded borrowers’ applications for debt relief were left to languish for years, and if reviewed, were often denied. In their letter today, the lawmakers called for the Department to use its authority to immediately discharge debt. Since 2022, the Department has announced group discharges for more than?1.2 million individuals?who attended schools that engaged in documented fraud and misconduct, including ITT Technical Institute and Corinthian Colleges. Yet, hundreds of thousands of borrowers are still awaiting their discharges. Many additional borrowers are eligible for borrower defense group discharge because they attended schools

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CHICAGO – Now that colder temperatures have arrived, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is reminding Illinoisans to prepare for the coming respiratory virus season by getting the recommended shots for flu and COVID-19 and RSV. While the IDPH Seasonal Respiratory Illness Dashboard shows the overall illness level in Illinois remains Low, public health officials expect viral activity to increase as the holiday season and time for indoor gatherings kicks into gear. IDPH officials are also warning of a significant increase in whooping cough (pertussis) cases this year. The largest monthly total in 20 years was recorded in October when 408 cases were reported, more than double the number in October 2023. According to preliminary data, the state has recorded more than 1,900 confirmed and probable cases of pertussis in Illinois in the year to date, the highest number since 2012. This tracks a national trend and follows a sharp drop in cases during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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SPRINGFIELD —Illinois Environmental Protection Agency Acting Director James Jennings today announced that the Agency's Office of Energy has awarded $285,400 in the third funding round of the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Program. The Illinois EECBG Program supports municipalities and counties with the development or revision of existing strategic energy or climate action plans, as well as supplemental energy efficiency audits and publicly owned building upgrades. The recipients of third round EECBG Program funding are: Crawford County - $108,000 City of Rochelle (Ogle County) - $150,000 Village of Riverside (Cook County) - $27,400 In total, Illinois EPA has awarded $1,837,082 to fourteen (14) municipalities and counties across Illinois through the program. A fourth-round and likely final funding opportunity is forthcoming to invest Illinois’ remaining EECBG funding in energy efficiency projects identified within municipal and county energy

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ST. LOUIS - A 23-year-old Belleville woman - Dionna Samuel - has been identified as the victim of a fatal shooting at a McDonald's Restaurant in East St. Louis. Samuel was pronounced dead at Saint Louis University Hospital in St. Louis after the shooting report in the 500 block of North 24th Street at 7:36 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 2, 2024, at the McDonald's. The McDonald's Restaurant has not reopened since the fatal shooting. Illinois State Police Department continues an investigation into the fatal East St. Louis shooting and no additional details are available at this time.

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WASHINGTON – In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today paid tribute to five Senators who will be retiring at the end of the 118th Congress—U.S. Senators Ben Cardin (D-MD), Tom Carper (D-DE), Joe Manchin (I-WV), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), and Laphonza Butler (D-CA). “The Biden-Harris Administration will go down in history as arguably the most productive and consequential administration in the last 75 years. They couldn’t have done it without a good partnership in Congress. Today, I want to thank five Senators who played key roles in the historic achievements of this Congress and many others. They include Chairs of four committees and one subcommittee and they will all be leaving when they finish up their work this month,” Durbin said. “I have more words of thanks for other departing colleagues and will deliver those soon. Collectively, these five Senators have given nearly 135 years of service to the United State

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CHICAGO – The Illinois Lottery is encouraging responsible gifting this holiday season and reminding players that lottery tickets are for grown-ups – not kids. The Illinois Lottery is once again joining forces with the Illinois Council on Problem Gambling (ICPG) to reintroduce its Gift Responsibly campaign, an effort to remind the public that lottery games are intended exclusively for adults over the age of 18. The joint initiative is meant to reinforce the Illinois Lottery’s ongoing commitment to fostering safe and responsible play while raising awareness about the importance of mindful gifting and gaming this holiday season. “While lottery tickets may seem like an easy gift idea, they are not suitable for children and can unintentionally expose them to risky gambling behaviors from an early age. The Illinois Lottery encourages players to consider this impact, and the recipient, before adding lottery tickets to holiday stockings,” said Illinois Lottery

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ST. LOUIS, MO. — As holiday celebrations continue into December, the American Red Cross encourages donors to keep the blood supply top of mind by giving blood or platelets this month. Type O negative blood donors and those giving platelets are especially urged to give now to help ensure patients can continue to receive the care they need in the coming weeks. Record-breaking November travel is expected to carry into the new year, which could cause some potential donors to put off blood donation until after the holiday season. In addition to millions of Americans traveling to spend holidays with loved ones, extended vacations are also surging in popularity at a time when fewer people may be available to give lifesaving blood products. Bring joy to someone facing a medical emergency; give something that means something with a blood or platelet donation. Schedule an appointment this December by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED

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GLEN CARBON - The Cardinal Glennon Guild Junior Board at Father McGivney Catholic High School led a successful coat drive this November. The students collected 427 coats for children and 44 coats for adults. Principal Joseph Lombardi explains, “This program beautifully highlights the alignment of the Glennon Guild Junior Board's activities with Father McGivney Catholic High School's core values. It emphasizes how these students are not only embracing but actively living out the pillar of Charity by using their leadership skills to make a meaningful impact. Their efforts serve as a testament to the school's mission of fostering a culture of life through practical service.” The Board consists of students who want to make a difference in the lives of patients at Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital and the community. Through their leadership and volunteerism, they will continue to put on fundraising events like the Coat Drive throughout the school year in an effort to

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