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Join Jessica Lotz and Jonathan Simmons Friday mornings for a snapshot of what’s happening in the O’Fallon and Shiloh (Illinois) area right now. We’ll give highlights of new developments and projects, details of upcoming events and report on good news happening in our community! Listen to The 618 Now to be in-the-know. This podcast is a production of the O’Fallon-Shiloh Chamber of Commerce.
Episodes
Thursday May 27, 2021
Thursday May 27, 2021
In this episode, we discuss:
- Hopkins Hero WOD (Crossfit workout) in honor of Trooper Nick Hopkins, IL State Trooper killed in the line of duty. Sat, June 26. Proceeds benefit Foundation 6141.
- Chalk It Up to Art brought to you by Bank of O'Fallon on June 26. Stay tuned for details about this sidewalk/parking lot chalk art event coming to Downtown!
- BazaArt art festival with live music, art and local food/drinks! June 26. Details to come.
- City pool and splashed open on Sat, May 29th @ 11am! Pool passes for residents start at $80 for the season. Splashpad is free.
- Congrats to the class of 2021! OTHS graduation is Sat, May 29th. Seniors will graduate in 3 different groups. Best wishes in all you do, grads!
- Memorial Day activities include a ceremony at the O'Fallon Cemetery on N Oak Street at 9:30am and a community gathering at the O'Fallon Veterans' Monument at 11:30 with Maj. Gen. Kenneth Bibb as the keynote speaker.
- Summer kick off for kids at O'Fallon United Methodist Church, Wed, June 2, 6-8pm with food trucks, a bubble bus, games and music!
- Fishing Derby, South Pond at the O'Fallon Sports Park (near Venita Dr) Friday, June 4 @ 5:45pm, fishing poles and bait provided. Free event (please register, though).
- Fishing Derby, O'Fallon Sportsmen's Club hosted by the O'Fallon Township Youth Committee. Sat, June 5, registration at 8:30, fishing is 9-11am
- Job Fair, Tues, June 8, 9am-11am at the VFW in O'Fallon
Follow us on Instagram @The618Now. Submit business updates, show ideas and events you'd like us to consider promoting to events@ofallonchamber.com.
Thursday May 27, 2021
Thursday May 27, 2021
In this bonus episode, we review different summer camps and activities for kids of all ages. Time stamps are listed in front of each activity so you can jump right to the ones that most interest you!
(1:18) Camp Cavins, ages 5-12 years through O'Fallon Parks and Rec (must have completed Kindergarten)
- Camp 8:45am-4pm, before care (7am) and after care (through 6pm) available for additional fee
- Campers usually stay within the community park, city pool and the Katy Cavins center (unless there's an advertised field trip that week)
- Each week has a fun and engaging theme with activities
- Daily swimming
- Morning and Afternoon snacks provided
- Must bring lunch M-Th or you can order $3 Dairy Queen meals
Camp Choo Choo, ages 3-5 through O'Fallon Parks and Rec
- Camp 8:45am-4pm, before care (7am) and after care (through 6pm) available for additional fee
- Half day option available, 8:45am-noon
- Campers usually stay within the community park, city pool and the Katy Cavins center (unless there's an advertised field trip that week)
- Each week has a fun and engaging theme with activities
- Daily swimming
- Morning and Afternoon snacks provided
- Must bring lunch M-Th or you can order $3 Dairy Queen meals
- Pizza Party on Fridays (included)
(2:22) McKendree Metro RecPlex PLEX Kids Camp (available to RecPlex members only)
- Camp 9am-4pm, before care (7am) and after care (through 6pm) available for additional fee
- Campers usually stay inside the building
- Parent communication app
- Each week has a fun and engaging theme with activities
- Swimming and ice skating every week
(3:09) McKendree Metro RecPlex PLEX Kids PREMIUM camps (RecPlex Members only)
- Specially designed camps specific to the staff’s expertise for a limited number of campers. Each week every day will be spent participating in the selected camp’s focus area for at least 3 hours of the camp day lead by highly skilled professionals in each area- swimming, ice skating, Robotics, Minecraft with Metro East Bricks
- Camp 9am-4pm, before care (7am) and after care (through 6pm) available for additional fee
- Campers usually stay inside the building
- Parent communication app
(3:54) Mini-Camps through O'Fallon Parks and Rec
- Full and half day camps available
- Activity focused camps provide children the chance to learn about different sports and activities in an organized, safe and supervised setting
- Most activities occur offsite (not at the park or Katy Cavins) at a local venue unless otherwise noted
- Full day campers must bring lunch M-Thu
- Full day campers enjoy a pizza party on Fridays (included)
- Campers must bring their own snacks and drinks
(4:30) High School sports camps offered through OTHS (high school)
(4:50) McKendree University kids sports camps
- Girls Volleyball 4-8th grades, 1-day, June 15th 9am-4pm
- Boys Volleyball 4-8th grade, 1-day, June 16th 9am-4pm
- Girls Basketball, various grades/ages, 1 day and 3 day camps
- Boys Basketball, 4-9th grades, skills and competitive edge camps, multiple days available
(5:16) Restoration Ranch PE class (Vetta Sports building) 3 age groups, Tuesdays 10am-noon, 6/1-8/3/21
Restoration Ranch Archery class, (Shiloh) Mondays, 10am-noon, 6/7-8/9/21
(5:37) Positive Influence Summer Camp, (O'Fallon/Shiloh office) kids entering 6, 7, or 8th grades by Counselors Associates
- Children learn life skills like communication, coping, and social skills while building confidence
- Must call 618.972.1568 to register
- Space is very limited, class will fill up quickly
(5:59) Southern Illinois University- Edwardsville Junior Cougars Summer Camps- Theater, Educational, Art, Science, Music, Technology (in person and virtual options). View the flyer here. Register here.
(6:35) $5 Retro movies at Marcus 15 Theaters in O'Fallon!
Kid’s Series Weekly Movie Lineup:
June 4th: MONSTERS VS. ALIENS
June 11th: POKÉMON DETECTIVE PIKACHU
June 18th: THE BOSS BABY
June 25th: MEGAMIND
July 2nd: TROLLS
(6:46) Gateway Grizzlies baseball is Affordable Family Fun! View their Facebook Events page for games and promotions. $10 hot dog, chips and drinks!
(7:23) Summer Nights Family Fun @ Ofallon United Methodist Church!
- 6-8pm
- Free!
- Catered dinner begins at 6pm, followed by activities
- Families with kids ages preschool-8th grade are welcome, and nursery care is available for little ones
- Luau Party & Jimmy Johns/Kona Ice, Pottery & Chick-fil-A, Cookie Decorating & CoffeeHouse Catering, Courage & Grace painting & Gia's Pizza, Family Self-Defense & Bread Co., Tye Dyed Iguana & Chick-fil-A, Water Party & Hotdogs/Hamburgers, Balloon Animals/Puppies & Pizza, Police/Fire/EMS & McAlister's
(7:58) Courage & Grace Junior Makers Tribe monthly craft boxes
- Each box will contain several themed kits for them to complete in the comfort of their home, along with all the supplies needed
- Kits will be shipped about the 20th of each month
- Perfect for rainy days!
(8:45) Geocaching!
- Geocaching is an outdoor recreational activity in which participants use their smart phones and GPS coordinates to hide and seek containers, called "geocaches" or "caches," at specific locations marked by coordinates all over the world.
- O'Fallon/Shiloh has hundreds of geocaches!
- Download the Geocaching app (free) and get hunting!! Here's a quick YouTube video (3 minutes) all about geocaching and how to get started!
Thursday May 20, 2021
Thursday May 20, 2021
In this episode, we discuss:
- Zoomy, a safe and convenient local child transportation service for kids ages 8-17. Watch founder and CEO present to educators on how Zoomy works!
- Pediatric psychiatry nurse practitioner, Jaime Becker, MSN, CPNP, PMHS is now accepting new patients ages 2-22 for conditions like ADHD, anxiety and depression.
- Positive Influence Leadership Camp is a unique summer camp for kids going into 6, 7 or 8th grades. It teaches necessary life skills like communication, coping and social skills. Spots will GO QUICKLY!
- Vine Street Market is Sat, 8am-noon. Ellen from Fezziwig's will have a live cooking demonstration using only food available from market vendors. The menu sounds delicious!
- Hazardous Waste Collection event is Sat, May 22 from 8am-3pm at the Monroe County Fairgrounds.
- Badges & Bagels is a meet and greet with Shiloh Police officers and a chance to hear from the IL Attorney General's office about consumer fraud. Wed, May 26, 10-11 am at Klucker Hall.
- Wed, May 26 is Music in the Park in Shiloh, 7-8:30pm. George Portz and His Blue Grass Friends.
- Tues, June 8, 9-11am job fair at the O'Fallon VFW. 100's of jobs, some employers will hire on the spot.
- Save the Date! Sat, June 26 will have SO MUCH happening in downtown O'Fallon. Live music, funky art festival and art events, food trucks and local fare. More details to come!
Follow us on Instagram @The618Now. Submit business updates, show ideas and events you'd like us to consider promoting to events@ofallonchamber.com.
Thursday May 13, 2021
Thursday May 13, 2021
Here's what's happening right now:
- It's National EMS Week! Shoutout to O'Fallon-Shiloh EMTs and Paramedics. Their virtual open house will provide more insight into their work as first responders.
- Public Works is celebrating their week of recognition too. We talk about how streets are funded within the City. Hey Public Works: We appreciate you!!
- Venita Drive will be reconstructed this summer/fall.
- O'Fallon maintains a current construction page on their website.
- We talk about Jenn Mueller and her impact on the community. A yard sale May 21-22, 7am-2pm raises funds to support local youth through scholarships. Visit the Jenn Mueller Foundation page for more about Jenn.
- O'Fallon Electronics Recycling Event is Sat, June 5, 9am-noon at Carriel Junior High.
- Designer Bag Bingo benefiting Hospice of Southern IL is SOOOO FUN! Thurs, June 10, doors open at 6pm, tailgate bingo starts at 7:30pm.
Follow us on Instagram @The618Now!
Email us with ideas, business updates and events! events@ofallonchamber.com.
Thursday May 06, 2021
Thursday May 06, 2021
In this episode, we discuss:
- Vine Street Market, Downtown O'Fallon's Farmer's Market, opens THIS Sat! May 8 from 8am-noon!!
- Birch Culinary Market is opening up in downtown O'Fallon this summer- offering full service prepared meals to go, plus a sandwich counter and baked goods!
- Happy Mother's Day!
- O'Fallon Fire and Rescue is hosting a blood drive, May 21, 1-5pm through the American Red Cross.
- Dine at Denny's every Tues evening in May (6-10pm) and 20% of proceeds are donated to the O'Fallon Fire Explorers program.
- O'Fallon Fire and Rescue are hosting their annual charity golf tournament on June 4 at Tamarack Golf Course.
Thursday Apr 29, 2021
Thursday Apr 29, 2021
In this episode, we cover:
- OTHS seniors celebrate "what's next" for them with a virtual signing day. Follow their Instagram account, @oths_seniors2021, to recognize and commemorate this event with them!
- Feed My Lambs delivers sack lunches EVERY WEEK DAY during the summer to neighborhood kids who may be in need of a meal. Interested in providing financial support? Email Linda Kahley @ lkahley@gmail.com or send donations to St. Michael's Episcopal Church 111 O'Fallon-Troy Rd, O'Fallon, IL 62269.
- A Carnival Food Corner is coming to Gateway Classic Cars! 2-4 food trucks with various carnival food will be parked Mon-Friday 4-9pm, and Sat/Sunday 12-9pm (weather permitting) from April 30 - May 9th
- The World's Largest Classic Car Museum is headquartered in O'Fallon! We highlight some of the cool features of having Gateway Classic Cars in town.
- Give STL Day is May 6th! Last year's one-day online event raised $4.5M for STL/Metro East non-profits!! You can support these metro-east non-profits with a donation on May 6th...
Follow us on Instagram @The618Now!
Thursday Apr 22, 2021
Thursday Apr 22, 2021
In this episode, we discuss:
- Happy Earth Day and special thanks to the O'Fallon Garden Club and the Sunrise Rotary Club for providing thousands of pounds of produce to the O'Fallon Food Pantry
- Local blood drives that are helping save lives
- Aberdeen Village- 244 townhome apartments just off Scott Troy Road (behind MotoMart)
- CC Food Mart/Shell station opening soon! Ribbon cutting mentioned in the episode is *tentative* and not open to the public.
- We're planning a bonus episode with info about summer camps/events for kids. Email us @ events@ofallonchamber.com if you know of something fun/unique happening!!
- DEA Drug Take Back event- April 24, 10am-2pm at O'Fallon Police Department
- National Teacher Appreciation Day is May 4th!
- OTHS Endowment Fund Golf Tournament is Sat, May 15th- 4:30 shotgun start
- Three Sister's Pink Party in support Breast Cancer Research is Sat, May 15th from 10am-5pm at Three Sister's Crafts in downtown O'Fallon
Follow us on Instagram at The 618 Now!
Friday Apr 16, 2021
Friday Apr 16, 2021
In this episode, we discuss:
- Parks Dept Open House is Wed, April 21 from 4:00-6:30pm
- Share your thoughts on parks and green space as the City plans the next 8-10 years
- Places are HIRING! Lots of "help wanted" opportunities in retail, food service and parks. $11-15/hour starting. Check out the Chamber's and the City's job boards.
- Keystone Place at Richland Creek Senior Living Community (it has a pub and movie theater!)
- Crosswalk going in downtown at State St and Vine St
- Congrats to the downtown facade improvement grant recipients (3 new businesses announced)
- See prior grant recipients, including photos of the upgrades, here- the updates look fantastic!
- April 17 Electronics and Metal recycling event in Shiloh, 9am-1pm
- April 21st Chamber's 75th Anniversary Cupcake and Cash drive-by! 7:30-9:30am
- April 23 Chamber's Meet and Mingle limited in-person networking event, 8am, must register in advance
- April 23, 24 & 25 OTHS Spring Musical livestream of The Addams Family Quarantine: A Dramatic Concert Version, $25 must live stream (no replay)
- Order the Uncle Fester's Pizza special from FlamentCo's The Place Friday or Saturday!
Follow us on Instagram @the618Now.
Thursday Apr 08, 2021
Thursday Apr 08, 2021
In this episode, we discuss:
- HSHS Drive-Thru Care in a former car wash (406 Hartman Lane, O'Fallon) opening April 26
- The Shops at Richland Creek (17 acre development behind Jimmy John's and Busey Bank) which includes Tidal Wave car wash, Taco Bell, Burger King, Wing Stop, Five Guys, Popeyes, Chicken Salad Chicks, and Smoothie King. Click here for project details.
- Happy National Telecommunicators week next week to our local 911 dispatchers! Did you know they dispatch for numerous communities and answer over 100,000 calls per year?!
- Micro Market (farmer's market) is this Sat, April 10th- activities for the kids and to celebrate Earth day!
- VFW in downtown O'Fallon is hosting a comedy night on April 16th. $10/ticket, space is limited.
- 1818 Chophouse has a Family Dinner Date night on April 18th. Balloon animals and kids' menu options... plus a family style steak dinner featuring their delicious tenderloin medallions. Reservations required. Kids Menu click here.
- PSA: Administrative Professionals' Day is April 21! Take care of those who help your office run smoothly :)
Find us on Instagram at @the618now where we share pics and links to what's happening around town!
If you have ideas to share with us to consider including in an upcoming episode, email us at events@ofallonchamber.com.
Thursday Apr 01, 2021
Thursday Apr 01, 2021
In this week's episode, we talk about:
- How thankful we are for YOU!
- Drive-thru Easter Egg Hunt on April 3 from 1-3pm
- O'Fallon Public Library services like free tutoring for K-8th grade in core subjects, gadgets to rent (like a telescope or fishing pole!) reserve a study room, wireless printing, and get your passport.
- O'Fallon Police's Youth Academy for 8th and 9th graders (June 14-18)
- The difference between a Village and a City (spoiler: villages don't become cities once they reach a certain size!)
If you have ideas to share with us to consider including in an upcoming episode, email us at events@ofallonchamber.com.