Alton Main Street Newsletter February 2024

Director’s Note ~

Join us on Tues, Feb 13th from 5:30-7pm at iMerge Community Center (200 W. 3rd) for our next installment of What’s Up Downtown to learn the latest news about developments in Alton’s historic downtown district, including business updates, news on real estate transactions and details of upcoming events. New this year, we are excited to be working with Riverbender.com to live stream these quarterly events, and we have set the dates for the remainder of the year so that everyone can mark their calendars. We hope to see you there (same time & place) on the following Tuesdays: May 14th, Aug 13th, and Nov 19th.

Big thanks to AJStotler Photography for being so wonderful to work with on my first professional head shots. Amanda calmed my nerves and made the session fun and easy! Schedule your appointment today at her beautiful studio located at 124 Front Street.

~ Sara McGibany, Executive Director

Defy the Midwest cold and enjoy winter along the Mississippi River by attending Ice Jam at the Dam!

Calling all musicians & music lovers!

The Lodge at the Lovejoy is now hosting a Bluegrass open jam on Sun, Feb 4th from 2-5pm and every first Sunday of the month, hosted by Tait Kelly from Pickin Buds! Bring your instrument to play along or just come out to listen at 401 Piasa St. The comfortable couches and fireplace make this the perfect wintertime Sunday Funday.

Have a great time while doing your good deed for the day!

The Lovejoy Wedding & Event Center will host a Quarter Auction fundraiser to benefit programming for adults with special needs on Fri, Feb 9th! Doors open at 5pm, auction starts at 6pm at 401 Piasa St. Paddles are 3 for $10 or 1 for $5—bring your rolls of quarters! A cash bar and food will be available to purchase. For menu details & more, visit: www.TheLodgeInAlton.com

CLICK HERE to RSVP and spread the word on Facebook

Winter is the perfect time to start planning your garden!

Sierra Club Illinois invites you to two seed swaps, from 12pm-2pm:

Sun, Feb. 4th at the YWCA of Alton – CLICK HERE to RSVP
Sat, March 9th at the Milton Schoolhouse – CLICK HERE to RSVP

It’s also not too early to start preparing for your springtime lawn care!

St. Peters Hardware is offering a tune-up package for your push or walk-behind lawnmower! $89.99 includes air filter, spark plugs, oil change, blade sharpening and a clean up. For details, call 618-466-6931

UNFILTERED LENS – An exhibition featuring the Civil Rights Movement and Vietnam War through the eyes of Robert J. Ellison

From Feb 17-March 27, Jacoby Arts Center will showcase this award-winning photography exhibit which mimics a journey through time in 100 photographs captured by the young photographer, who was killed in action at age 23 when a plane he was on was hit by enemy gunfire in Vietnam in 1968.

Ellison was present for Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech, and was so moved that it spurred him to take an active role in documenting several marches throughout the 1960s, capturing the essence and energy of the times. The images he produced were published by Ebony magazine. Ralph “Bo” Jackson, Robert Ellison’s cousin, has long held the dream to bring this exhibition to life in the Riverbend.

In conjunction with the exhibition covering the same time period, the Alton NCG movie theater is offering a limited showing of Rustin. This biopic about Bayard Rustin, an activist who inspired Ellison, covers Rustin’s role in the 1963 March on Washington. An Oscar nomination for Best Actor was recently granted to Colman Domingo who stars in the film. This limited run is from Feb 16-22nd, with showtimes at 1pm and 7pm. CLICK HERE to purchase tickets.

Riverbend Wellness Festival

Join us at Milton Schoolhouse (1320 Milton Rd.) on Sat, March 2nd from 10am-4pm for a FREE wellness event designed to provide ideas on how to incorporate wellness practices into our daily lives.

Here’s what to expect:
– Keynote speakers
– Breakout sessions on: mental health, spiritual health, yoga, meditation, ecstatic dance
– Kid Zones
– Over 30 vendors!
– A raffle for some awesome stuff donated by local businesses, as well as a 50/50

Proceeds will benefit Amare, NFP, which provides evidence-based recovery support services for our community.
Event facilitated by CE Ahlin Counseling & Soul Sanctuary

OSF Saint Anthony’s Health Center

On Wed, Feb 7th from Noon-1pm, Laurinda Harjai, Nurse Practitioner specializing in Cardiology, will present a Lunch & Learn titled You Can’t Beat a Healthy Heart. The event will take place at the OSF Saint Anthony’s Hospital, Perpetual Help Center.

There is no cost to attend and lunch will be provided, but registration is required – CLICK HERE to register

iMerge Community Center

iMerge Community Center is recruiting players to the center’s esports programs. Although several school districts in the Metro-East have active esports teams, Alton hasn’t yet entered a team in this IHSA-sanctioned competitive sport. iMerge’s program includes STEAM curricula, so students learn coding, math and other skills while playing the games they love. iMerge has also added Party Line-Dancing classes taught by the talented Erica Hand Price. Classes run from 6:30–7:30pm Thursday nights.

iMerge is also holding a fund-raiser on March 30th featuring Miles Station, a powerhouse of musical talent in a wide variety of genres.

Contact Brigit Holt at 618-433-8997 for tickets, or to sponsor an esports team.

Radiance Yoga & Wellness

There’s a new yoga studio downtown! Owner Janet Keffer invites you to visit 211 E. Broadway where she is dedicated to providing a serene space for you to relax and recharge. Current offerings include vinyasa flow classes as well as private lessons—open to all levels of practice. Check out their schedule and reserve your spot online at: www.radianceyogallc.com

BJC Alton Memorial Hospital

Will host an American Red Cross blood drive from 11:30am-4:30pm on Tues, Feb 20th in the AMH café meeting rooms.

CLICK HERE to register

Everyone who registers for this blood drive will receive a $20 Amazon gift card via email!

Any questions? Contact Dave Whaley at 618-433-7947 or david.whaley@bjc.org

Theodora Farms

We’re hiring! We’re looking for two field assistants to join us for the 2024 growing season. Expect to work hard, laugh with coworkers and grow food for your community. Job description and application can be found on our website at www.TheodoraFarms.com/employment.

YWCA of Southwestern Illinois

is proud to honor the inspirational Josephine Marley Beckwith, a 2002 Women of Distinction and local civil rights leader, through a scholarship initiative. Two $1,000 renewable scholarships will be awarded to high school senior women within the YWCA’s service area who demonstrate leadership and a sustained commitment to improving their community. Submit applications by Fri, March 15th. To obtain an application, please contact your high school guidance counselor, visit www.ywcaswil.org or contact 618-465-7774 / info@ywcaswil.com.

Senior Services Plus

We have a lot of great programming coming up, including:

2/9 – Speed Connections
Find romance or make friends at SSP’s Speed Connections event, February 9th at 2pm in SSP’s School House Grill. Tickets are $10. This event is for 55+ and older. For more info, visit www.seniorservicesplus.org/speed-connections

2/15 & 2/22 – Silent Book Club
Join us for an hour of quality reading time in our School House Grill from 10-11am. This new event is geared toward battling social isolation in the older adult community. No assigned reading. Socializing is encouraged but not required.

2/27 – Bingo Lunch and Learn
Siteman Cancer Center, Alton Memorial Hospital, and Senior Services Plus are hosting a Bingo Lunch and Learn in SSP’s School House Grill, February 27th from 12-3pm to promote preventative cancer screenings.

For more info or to RSVP, call 618-465-3298 ext. 123.

Alton Little Theater

Kevin Frakes and Lee Cox are promising to chase the Winter Blues away with TWO special productions in February – with Treats and Sweets, and delightful productions to be enjoyed by everyone!

Join us for “Country Love” on Sat, 2/10 at 7:30pm & Sun, 2/11 at 2pm—your $25 ticket includes refreshments and a musical program that discusses the journey of loving Country Music. Attendees will have the chance to vote for their favorite singer/duo, and the winner will be awarded $500! Guests are encouraged to wear some country duds or just their favorite hearts and come have some Pre-Valentine fun at the ALT showplace.

A production of The Fourposter will be performed 2/16-25. This charming show takes place between 1898-1925 and features vintage costumes, gaslights, and props.

For more info: 618-462-3205 or www.altonlittletheater.org.

The Alton River Dragons 2024 Season Kicks Off On June 1st!

Alton’s Prospect League baseball team is offering organizations, kids sports teams, clubs, etc. who are looking to raise money the opportunity to sell River Dragons tickets as a fundraiser! You can purchase tickets for half price, sell them at face value, and keep the proceeds to benefit your organization. Groups are asked to commit to a minimum of 50 tickets per game, and there’s no limit on how many you can sell—for details please contact alton@prospectleague.com. Find a game schedule, buy tickets & merch and much more at www.AltonBaseball.com