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2026 Women of Distinction: Tomieka Carter Relies on God and Friends as She Supports Community

2 weeks 3 days ago
ALTON - Tomieka Carter trusts God to help her help others. Carter, one of the YWCA’s eleven 2026 Women of Distinction, will be honored at the Y’s annual gala for her commitment to the community. She explained that she regularly hosts meals and giveaways for kids and families across Alton, and her goal is to help the community however she can. “It means everything to me, and I wouldn't be able to do it without God. You have to put God first in any and everything you do,”

The History of Valentine's Day Traditions

2 weeks 3 days ago
A holiday famous for hearts and romance may have started with a lottery where young men drew women’s names from a box. That story isn’t the whole truth, but it points to something real: Valentine’s Day traditions have never been fixed. They’ve shifted from ancient festivals to church legends to handwritten notes, and then to candy aisles and social media posts. The result is a day that feels timeless, even though many of its “classic” customs are surprisingly