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Did you know that nearly 70% of people feel pressured to host elaborate gatherings, often leading to stress and budget strain? Yet, the most memorable events often stem from simplicity and creativity rather than extravagance. With a little ingenuity and resourcefulness, you can throw a spring gathering that leaves your guests delighted without breaking the bank. Here’s how to make your next event both enjoyable and economical. Embrace the Power of Potluck One of the easiest ways to save money and encourage guest participation is by hosting a potluck. This approach not only alleviates the financial burden of catering but also celebrates diversity through food. To make it more organized, you can create a theme—such as international cuisine or comfort food—and send out a list of suggested dishes. This way, everyone can contribute something they enjoy making, and you’ll end up with a delightful array of flavors. Tip: Set up a shared document or messaging group

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March 5 is a date that has witnessed significant events throughout history, spanning various categories such as politics, science, culture, and social movements. One of the most significant events that occurred on March 5 was the infamous Boston Massacre in 1770. This pivotal moment in American history marked a turning point in the relationship between the British Crown and American colonists. Tensions had been building due to taxation without representation and other grievances, and on that fateful day, a confrontation between British soldiers and a group of colonists escalated into violence. Five colonists were killed, and the event galvanized anti-British sentiment, ultimately contributing to the American Revolution. The Boston Massacre became a rallying cry for those advocating for independence, symbolizing the struggle for liberty and justice. Fast forward to 1963, when British scientist Sir Francis Crick made a groundbreaking announcement about the structure of DNA. On March

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GODFREY – Godfrey Finance Committee members on Tuesday approved purchasing materials to build a dog park in the village. Materials will be purchased from Fence and Deck Depot of St. Charles, Mo. for $9,758.50. Parks and Recreation Director Chris Logan said the full amount has been donated to the village. The new total is $1,727.40 lower than the amount approved by the Finance Committee earlier this year . The committee at that time allocated $11,485.90 to set a maximum amount for the purchase while it sought lower bids for the materials. Logan previously indicated there would likely be a membership fee to encourage park users to maintain the area, but said the decision would ultimately fall to the Village Board. As previously reported on Riverbender.com , the dog park will be located just south of the Glazebrook Park softball fields. It will include two sections - one for small dogs and one for large dogs. The two sections will be separated by a sidewalk which

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SPRINGFIELD — Hospital Sisters Health System (HSHS), a leading Catholic health ministry with operations in Illinois and Wisconsin, announced today that Kelley Kostich, Ph.D., RN, NE-BC, has been named System Vice President, Chief Nursing Executive. She will join HSHS on March 31. HSHS has a location in O'Fallon, IL. In this role, Kostich will oversee system nursing practice, nursing standardization, clinical education and St. John’s College of Nursing in Springfield. Kostich is an exceptional nursing executive with depth of experience on the clinical and executive sides. She joins HSHS from Detroit Medical Center (DMC) Children’s Hospital of Michigan (CHM) in Detroit, Michigan, the flagship children’s hospital for Tenet Healthcare, where she serves as the Chief Nursing Officer. Her previous experience includes serving in St. Louis, Missouri, as Administrative Director of Nursing Operations (Neonatal Services) for SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s

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ALTON - Community leaders will gather in Alton for a rally against gun violence. At 12 p.m. on Thursday, March 6, 2025, community members are invited to the 1200 block of Central Avenue in Alton to talk about gun violence in the community and listen to speeches by young people and elected officials. “We just want to let the community know that their safety is of utmost importance and let those who are actually involved in these shootings know that it’s not going to be tolerated within our community,” said Alderwoman Rosetta Brown. “Thursday is going to be a great coming together.” Brown, Alderwoman for the Fourth Ward, has collaborated with Abe Lee Barham to organize the rally. Barham pointed to a recent shooting near a bus stop as evidence that gun violence is a major issue in Alton. He noted that while there were no injuries, there were still consequences. “Fortunately, no one got shot or killed, which is a blessing,” he said.

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OKAWVILLE - If there ever was a sixth man in a basketball gymnasium it was the Carrollton Hawks sea of green that occupied every seat on one side of the Okawville Gym in the IHSA Class 1A Super Sectional matchup against Albion Edwards County. Carrollton High School’s basketball team is set to compete in the state finals starting Thursday, March 6, 2025, with a 62-44 win over Albion Edwards County at CEFCU Arena in Bloomington-Normal, following a strong that has galvanized support from the local community. The Hawks secured a spot in the finals after the decisive victory on Monday night, March 3, 2025, drawing hundreds of fans who packed the gym in the school colors of Kelly Green and White. Hawks' Head Coach Brian Madson praised the Hawks turnout, describing the atmosphere as “phenomenal.” He noted the enthusiasm of the student section, which has been consistently impressive throughout the season. “We’ve had pep assemblies the last couple of games,

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OTTERVILLE – A Wood River man accused of fleeing from a Jersey County traffic stop at high speeds in a stolen car faces multiple felonies after other unlawful items were found in his possession. Justin G. Rodewald, 37, of Wood River, was charged on Feb. 24, 2025 with unlawful possession of a stolen vehicle (a Class 2 felony), unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon (a Super Class 3 felony), unlawful possession of methamphetamine (a Class 3 felony) and aggravated fleeing/attempting to eluded a peace officer (a Class 4 felony). Rodewald allegedly failed to stop in Otterville after an officer signaled for him to stop his vehicle. He reportedly drove more than 100 miles per hour over the legal speed limit in an attempt to elude the officer. The vehicle Rodewald was driving had been stolen, according to court documents. He was also found in possession of “a fixed blade knife with a blade longer than three inches,” as well as less than five grams of methamphetamine.

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ALTON - Flock Food Truck Park and Bar is launching a cosmic culinary competition to find the next "Shuttle Chef" for its iconic Space Shuttle Café, a converted WWII-era McDonnell-Douglas DC-3 aircraft that serves as a stationary food truck in Alton's vibrant food scene. This extraordinary opportunity invites passionate food entrepreneurs to take command of the world's only street-legal DC-3 airplane, transformed into a fully equipped commercial kitchen and painted in NASA Space Shuttle theming. The selected chef will operate the Space Shuttle Café from April 18th to November 2nd, 2025, with the chance to showcase their unique culinary vision. "The Space Shuttle Café represents a truly one-of-a-kind culinary platform," said Laura Windisch, General Manager at Flock. "We're not just offering kitchen space—we're providing a launchpad for culinary innovation that comes with its own built-in audience and fascinating history." The Opportunity Includes: Full

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O'FALLON — Stephanie Watkins, a custodian at Carriel Junior High, has been honored with the Illinois State Board of Education Award of Special Recognition, as announced by the O'Fallon Community Consolidated School District #90. The award, part of the 225 Those Who Excel program, recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to education in Illinois. O'Fallon Community School District officials expressed their pride in Watkins's achievement, highlighting her dedication to the school community. "Congratulations, Stephanie! We are glad you call D90 home," the district said in a statement. The recognition underscores the vital role that support staff play in creating a positive educational environment for students. The custodians at each school play such an important role day-in and day-out in keeping the school clean and sanitary for students.

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BETHALTO – A woman from Cottage Hills faces criminal charges after stealing from an elderly resident of the assisted living facility where she worked. Kristine L. Muir, 51, of Cottage Hills, was charged with one count of financial exploitation of an elderly person, a Class 4 felony. She was also charged with a Class A misdemeanor count of theft. On Nov. 22, 2024, Muir allegedly stole four Amazon gift cards with a total value of $100 from an 86-year-old victim by means of deception. Court documents state Muir was “in a position of trust or confidence” with the victim, as she was an employee at the assisted living facility where the victim lived. The Bethalto Police Department presented the case against Muir, who was granted pretrial release from custody. All individuals charged are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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GLEN CARBON - McGivney Catholic High School is set to host a Taylor Swift Tribute Concert and Party from 7 to 9 p.m. on Saturday, March 15, 2025, in the school gymnasium. The event aims to bring together fans of all ages for an evening of music, fashion, and activities inspired by the pop star. Attendees are encouraged to dress in their favorite Taylor Swift outfits and participate in a pre-show Swiftie Fashion Show. The evening will also feature activities such as bracelet-making, face gems, Taylor Trivia, and an Eras Photo Booth, providing a variety of entertainment for guests. The cost to attend is $25 per person, while accompanying adults can join at no charge. Organizers note that children must be accompanied by an adult. For more information and to buy tickets, interested parties can visit the provided link: https://tinyurl.com/y97zxzkm

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Co-Chair of the Senate Hunger Caucus and member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, and U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) today introduced the bipartisan Reduce Food Loss and Waste Act, legislation that would prevent and reduce food waste across the country. Each year, the U.S. produces and imports 237 million tons of food annually, but 31 percent of this food is never sold or eaten, while millions of Americans experience food insecurity. Specifically, the Reduce Food Loss and Waste Act would establish a “Food Loss and Waste Reduction Certification,” and direct the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to create: Criteria, which businesses and organizations would have to meet to receive the certification; A verification process, to confirm that businesses and organizations have achieved the criteria; and A label, which certified businesses and organizations would be authorized to use on

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MAPLEWOOD, MO. — Renowned Scottish fiddler Alasdair Fraser and cellist Natalie Haas will lead a workshop for students and teachers on Thursday, March 6, 2025, at the St. Louis String Collective space in Maplewood, followed by a concert on March 7, 2025, at the Blue Strawberry in the Central West End in St. Louis. The event presents a unique opportunity for Edwardsville High School orchestra students, teachers, and other area students/teachers, who will participate in the workshop organized by their orchestra director, Victoria Voumard, along with colleagues Alyssa Avery and Ranya Iqbal from the St. Louis String Collective. “This is a world-class duo and my students will have this rare opportunity to participate in a workshop with them,” Voumard said. Fraser and Haas have been collaborating for over 20 years, earning acclaim for their performances that blend traditional Scottish music with innovative string techniques. Fraser, often referred to as “the Michael

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WASHINGTON – In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) Co-Chair of the Senate Ukraine Caucus, slammed President Trump and Vice President Vance’s tense and embarrassing meeting in the Oval Office on Friday with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy. Durbin began his remarks by reflecting on Casimir Pulaski Day—a local holiday observed in Illinois on the first Monday of March in memory of Casimir Pulaski, a Revolutionary War cavalry officer born in Poland. This morning in Chicago, Durbin attended an event honoring Pulaski Day with the President of Poland, Andrzej Duda. He also attended a large rally in support of Ukraine yesterday. During his speech, Durbin also highlighted the critical relationship between Poland and the United States and how strengthening the NATO alliance is more important now than ever in light of Russian President Putin and Trump’s actions. “As I said today, it was a Pulaski moment. The United States and

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EDWARDSVILLE - Amanda Couch is rallying community support for David and Marge, an Edwardsville couple who suffered a devastating house fire on the evening of Feb. 20, 2025. The fire resulted in the complete loss of their home and vehicles, leaving the couple to navigate the aftermath of the tragedy. David and Marge were able to escape the flames, sustaining some injuries but overall remaining safe. Unfortunately, they were unable to save their pets during the incident. The couple had initially declined offers for financial assistance, but after discussions with family, they have agreed to accept help as they work through insurance claims and address immediate needs, including clothing, food, medical expenses, and eventually a replacement vehicle. Couch emphasized the importance of community support in times of crisis. "Thank you for helping them see they have an entire community here to support them and love them through this tragedy," she said. A GoFundMe campaign has been established

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ALTON - The Hayner Public Library District has several programs lined up for community members to enjoy. “We just keep offering more programs, and people keep signing up and participating in them,” said Executive Director Mary Cordes. “In addition to all the books that we check out and the movies that we check out and the items that we stream and download and all that, there’s also that component of programming and being a community center and service group that we have found people really want and we’re happy to adapt and give to people. We’re always trying something new.” From 6–7 p.m. on Wednesday, March 5, 2025, hopeful readers can stop by the Alton Square Mall library for “Library Speed Dating: Find the Book of Your Dreams.” This event, rescheduled from February, encourages people to check out different genres of books and find new authors to enjoy. Cordes noted that it’s also a great social opportunity

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ALTON - The Three Rivers Project of Sierra Club Illinois will host its final Seed Swap of the spring season at the Hayner Library to provide community members with a sociable space to swap and share quality seeds, cuttings, and bulbs. Join fellow farmers and gardeners in celebration of the start of the spring gardening season at this community event, which is free and open to all. The second of Sierra Club’s two winter seed swaps will be held at the downtown location of the Hayner Public Library District in Alton on Saturday, March 8 from 12:00 to 2:00pm. To register for the Seed Swap at the Hayner Library, visit https://sc.org/seedswap-library . If you are sharing self-collected seeds, please label the homegrown seeds with the common or species name, year, and your name. If you are sharing commercial seed packets, there is no need to label the packets. Due to an anonymous donation, the Sierra Club will offer gardeners their choice of four different seed starter kits,

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today spoke on the Senate floor against the so-called Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act— a Republican bill that would revoke federal funding from schools with athletic programs that allow trans girls to participate on sports teams for women or girls. The bill—which lacks a clear enforcement mechanism—could subject women and girls to physical inspection by an adult if someone from an opposing team accused them of being transgender. It infringes on the privacy of girls and women and is a dangerous use of the powers of government to target student athletes of all ages. Durbin said, “Put yourself in the shoes of these families for just a moment. magine being the parent of a trans kid and telling your child they are not allowed to play on the same sports team as their friends at school because a politician said they couldn’t.”

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EAST ST. LOUIS — Students from the East St. Louis School District 189 showcased their musical talents during the district's Black History Program, held recently at a local venue. The event featured a live performance by the orchestra students, who played "Favorite Song" under the guidance of their instructor, Rosalind Rogers. The performance was part of the district's efforts to celebrate Black History Month, providing students an opportunity to engage with cultural themes through music. The program is aimed to highlight the importance of Black history and its impact on the community. "These talented strings students did an amazing job," the East St. Louis School District said in a statement. "The performance was well-received, with attendees expressing appreciation for the students' hard work and dedication." The event underscores the district's commitment to fostering artistic expression and cultural awareness among its students.

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GODFREY - This year, a special celebration between friends turned into a fundraiser for the Village of Godfrey Parks and Recreation Department. Susie Eckert and her friends have hosted an Oscars party for the past 20 years, complete with a red carpet, ballgowns and over 60 attendees. As the party grew, they moved it to Tony’s Ranch House in Godfrey and turned it into a fundraiser for local nonprofits. This year’s celebration was the final Oscars party, and they raised nearly $2,000 for the Godfrey Parks and Recreation Department. “It’s a blast,” said Mary Mathews, owner of Tony’s Ranch House. “It is a goal to have fun, and everybody gets to come out and have a good night out. But it’s also about helping the community as much as possible. going towards Godfrey Parks and Rec this year, which is just excellent. I’m very proud of the parks.” During the party, attendees walk the red carpet and vote on awards for Best Dressed,

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