SATURDAY, JAN. 20
American Legion to host comedy show fundraiser: American Legion Post 137, located at 109 N. Penn St. in O’Fallon, will host a “United We Laugh” comedy show and silent auction at 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 20 to raise funds for the “Gifts for Yanks” program. Tickets are $10 in advance and can be purchased at the Legion, or $15 the day of the show. Gifts for Yanks provides a present to those veterans in nursing homes over the holidays. The Legion raises money all year long to ensure it can provide for all veterans at the holidays.
MONDAY, JAN. 22
O’Fallon Library Book Club meeting: The club meets upstairs at the O’Fallon Public Library from 7 to 8 p.m. on the fourth Monday of each month, except December. The club discusses the current selection and picks the next read. Any genre is possible, as long as there’s sufficient copies available for checkout. The helpful librarians order copies for pickup at the next meeting. No purchase is necessary. You’ll read something you might not have tried, do a book a month, and engage in some friendly banter. There’s nothing intimidating nor stuffy. For more information, a list of past selections, and FAQs, go online at ofpl.info/events/bookclub or phone 618-632-3783.
Event to focus on racial divide, Catholic Church: Bishop Edward Braxton of the Diocese of Belleville will present a talk on “The Racial Divide and the Catholic Church in the United States.” The event will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 22 at St. Clare of Assisi Catholic Church, 1411 Cross St. in O’Fallon. Braxton is a nationally recognized speaker on this topic, having lectured nationally and become a leading voice in the Catholic Church on improving race relations.The public is invited to attend. For more information, call 632-3562.
WEDNESDAY, JAN. 24
Blood drive: A Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center blood drive, sponsored by the Wellness Club, will be held from noon to 5 p.m. in the south gym at O’Fallon Township High School, 600 S. Smiley St. Walk-ins are welcome. You must bring an ID to donate. Anyone 16 years old and younger must have an MVRBC permission slip to donate. For more information, go to donatefeelgreat.org.
THURSDAY, JAN. 25
“Bowl Off” at Cambridge House: On Thursday, Jan 25 at 6:30 p.m., Fulton Junior High School students will take on residents of Cambridge House in a friendly game of Wii bowling at Cambridge House of O’Fallon, 844 Cambridge Blvd. Come watch the a “Bowl Off” of students vs. residents. For more information, call 618-624-9900.
Metro-East Pachyderm meeting: The Metro-East Pachyderms will meet at 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 25 in the Tuscan Room at Bella Milano, 455 Regency Park in O’Fallon. You do not need to be a Pachyderm member to attend this event. Go to the website metroeastpachy.com to view a calendar of club events.
Event to focus on marriage, annulment in Catholic Church: People seeking to learn more about marriage and annulment are invited to attend a special presentation on “Marriage and Annulment in the Catholic Church — Realities and Myths” at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 25 at St. Clare of Assisi Catholic Church, 1411 Cross St. in O’Fallon. Father Jim Deiters will discuss the Catholic Church’s definition of marriage and the difference between a divorce and an annulment. This session is good for people of all ages, especially those who hope to get married some day. It also covers what is involved in the annulment process in the Catholic Church and how an annulment can bring great healing. The public is invited to attend. For more information, call 632-3562.
FRIDAY, JAN. 26
Life Long Music trivia night: An “Around the World” trivia night to benefit the Life Long Music in O’Fallon schools will be held at 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 26. at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 402 East U.S. 50 in O’Fallon. Cost is $20 per person. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. There will be cash prizes, a silent auction, and cash bar. There will also be a prize for best theme-decorated table, as well as attendance prizes and a 50-50 raffle. For more information, call Maureen Kristof at 618-806-1399 or go online at lifelongmusicofallon.org.
SUNDAY, JAN. 28
St. Clare Catholic School open house/kindergarten registration: St. Clare Catholic School and its Good Shepherd Preschool and Pre-Kindergarten program invite people interested in learning more about the school to an open house from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 28 at St. Clare School. Kindergarten registration for 2018-19 also will be held at that time. St. Clare School is located at 214 W. Third St. by the old St. Clare Church in downtown O’Fallon and instructs students in grades K-8 at that location. St. Clare School offers the Good Shepherd program for children ages 3-5 in the Good Shepherd Center at St. Nicholas Parish. Younger children and their mothers enjoy a playgroup through Good Shepherd. The open house will be especially helpful for parents considering enrolling their children in pre-school, pre-K or kindergarten for the upcoming year. Visit empowerillinois.org/students to see whether you are eligible for a scholarship through the state’s new Invest in Kids Act.
TUESDAY, JAN. 30
RSVP deadline for Heart & Soul Gala to support Caritas Family Solutions: Caritas Family Solutions hosts its fifth annual “Heart & Soul” Gala on Saturday, Feb. 10 at the Four Points Sheraton, 319 Fountains Parkway in Fairview Heights. The event begins at 6 p.m. with cocktails and silent auction bidding, followed by a three-course dinner complete with wine service. Tickets are $99 per person. Cocktail attire is requested. The evening will also feature a jazz guitarist and a live auction. Reservations are required by Jan. 30 and can be secured online at caritasfamilysolutions.org/gala or by calling 618-213-8714. Proceeds from the gala support efforts to strengthen well-being in the community through professional social services that empower individuals and families across Southern Illinois to reach their full potential.
SATURDAY, FEB. 3
Garden Club Glow Bingo: The O’Fallon Garden Club is hosting a “Glow Bingo” on Saturday, Feb. 3 at Katy Cavins Community Center, 308 E. 5th St. in O’Fallon. Cost is $20 per person in advance, or $25 at door, and includes a pack of six bingo cards per round, as well as a glow dabber and hat. Advance tickets can be purchased at the O’Fallon Parks & Recreation Department by calling 618-624-028 or go online at ofallonparksandrec.com/product/glow-bingo. More than $1,000 in prizes will be awarded. There will also be a 50-50 drawing, huge silent auction and big raffle items, including wheelbarrow of booze. There will be a cash bar with beer, wine and soda. There will also be Chick-fil-A sandwiches and snacks for sale, or you can bring your own snacks. You must be 18 to attend. If you wish to donate. Proceeds benefit the O’Fallon Garden Club Education Pavilion. The club is also looking for sponsors for each round of bingo. The sponsorship would need to be a $100 monetary donation (cash or check), and they will be announced as the round sponsor and have their name printed on the round sheets given to each participant. To become a sponsor, contact Harriet S. Baker at 618-580-5530 or Crystal Jones at mscrystaljones2@gmail.com.
SUNDAY, FEB. 4
St. Clare School pancake breakfast: St. Clare School, 214 W. Third St. in O’Fallon, will wrap up Catholic Schools Week with a pancake breakfast from 9 a.m. to noon Sunday, Feb. 4, in the school cafeteria and gym. Everyone is invited to attend the breakfast, which is hosted by St. Clare Parents and Friends. Tickets will be available at the door. For more information, contact St. Clare School at 618-632-6327 or Good Shepherd Preschool at 618-726-6532.
TUESDAY, FEB. 6
O’Fallon Garden Club meeting: The O’Fallon Garden Club will meet Tuesday, Feb. 6 at Rock Springs Park, 1428 E. 3rd St. in O'Fallon. Social hour starts at 6 p.m., and the meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. The program will be by Steve Grider, owner of The Tiny Acre, a CSA and market garden. This event is free and is open to the public. All ages are welcome. You can dig deeper at ofallongardenclub.com or find the O'Fallon Garden Club on Facebook.
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