Community Calendar (July 3 Edition)
Organizations
JOUR DE FETE
The Jour de Fete Committee will meet at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 9 at Cafe Genevieve in preparation for the August event.
Educational
VARIOUS FREE CLASSES
Options for Women, a pregnancy resource center, is offering a variety of free classes for a variety of ages this summer, including some new classes. Classes will begin right after the Independence holiday, starting the week of July 8. Classes range from five to seven weeks, and they meet once a week for one hour. Classes include: Boundaries, the function and purpose of healthy limits, begins 10 a.m. Monday, July 8; Love Lessons, for ages 12 to 18, real life compared to popular culture, begins noon on Monday, July 8; 1-2-3 Magic, disciplining children ages 2 to 12, begins 4 p.m. on Monday, July 8; Overcoming Emotions That Destroy, anger management, begins 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 9; and Money Management, begins 11 a.m. on Thursday, July 11. Registration encouraged by Wednesday, July 3. For more information, contact Options for Women, 615 Kiefer St., or call 573-883-1088.
FREE EXERCISE CLASS
The University of Missouri Extension is presenting “Stay Strong,” an eight-week program meeting twice a week with 16 exercise classes. The classes will include warm-up exercises, strengthening exercises (with or without hand and ankle weights), cool-down exercises, and information on improving strength, balance and flexibility. Classes will be from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. beginning July 30 and continuing August 1, 6, 8, 13, 15, 20, 22, 27, 29, and September 3, 5, 10, 12, 17, 19. They will take place at the Ste. Genevieve County Health Department, 115 Basler Drive. For information or to register, call 573-883-3548.
Bible School
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN
First Presbyterian Church in Ste. Genevieve will host Vacation Bible School in July. The week of activities kicks off 5:30 to 8 p.m. Sunday, July 21, with a bounce house and other activities, hot dogs and chips. Sessions are 5:30 to 8 p.m. Monday, July 22, to Wednesday, July 24. A light meal will be served each evening at 5:30 p.m., and the program will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Open to ages 3 through those who have finished the fifth grade. Free and open to all. For more information, call Joan Huck at 573-450-5146.
Shopping Event
MOONLIGHT MADNESS
Stores in downtown Ste. Genevieve will celebrate Christmas in July during its Moonlight Madness event from 6 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, July 10. Specials, giveaways, and prizes all night long. Customers can wear Christmas attire for extra discounts at certain stores.
Fundraisers
DOWNTOWN STE. GEN.
Audubon’s Grill and Bar on Tuesday, July 9, will be hosting a community dinner to benefit Downtown Ste. Genevieve. Ten percent of proceeds from food and drink sales between 4 and 8 p.m. will be donated to help make events like Moonlight Madness possible.
Special Events
FOURTH OF JULY
The Ste. Genevieve Chamber of Commerce will host a Patriotic Fourth of July celebration at noon on Thursday, July 4, in the DuBourg Centre located at Merchant and Third streets. The event will include posting of colors by the VFW honor guard, the Pledge of Allegiance, and the singing of the National Anthem. This will be followed by a reading of excerpts from the Declaration of Independence by Rodney Scherer, followed by a firing salute to honor this historic document and what it meant for our country. Following a welcome from Ste. Genevieve Mayor Paul Hassler, State Representative Dale Wright will offer the keynote address. Musician Stormy Bennett will give a tribute to the armed forces. Those killed in the service to our country will be honored. The event will conclude with the singing of additional patriotic songs, and the retirement of colors by the VFW Honor Guard. This is a free family friendly event and is handicap accessible. The celebration continues in the evening with the Muny Band concert and fireworks at Pere Marquette Park.
FOURTH OF JULY (KASKY)
The annual Liberty Bell of the West Patriotic Celebration, which usually takes place at the Kaskaskia Bell State Memorial, will instead take place this year at Fort Kaskaskia State Historic Site’s recently rebuilt Main Shelter House because of flooding on the Mississippi River. The relocated patriotic celebration will begin at 1 p.m. July 4 at the Fort Kaskaskia shelter, which overlooks the Mississippi River. During the celebration, the Chester Municipal Band will entertain with patriotic selections, with local VFW, American Legion, and Scout troop participants presenting the colors and a salute. Dr. Michael Fogerson, pastor of First Baptist Church, will offer an Invocation and Benediction. The French Marines of Fort de Chartres will fire a salute to freedom, with all attendees invited to participate as honorary bell ringers. The featured speaker for the celebration will be David MacDonald discussing “The Decline of Kaskaskia, the Rise of Chester.” MacDonald completed his doctorate in history at the University of Minnesota in 1972, specializing in ancient history. He taught at Illinois State University from 1971 until his retirement in 2005. He has published three books and more than 50 academic articles on ancient history. A light lunch will be offered by the Kaskaskia Church Committee at approximately 11:30 a.m. For access to Fort Kaskaskia, turn west off Illinois Route 3 seven miles north of Chester onto Shawneetown Trail, follow the signs to 4372 Park Road and continue to the overlook shelter.
COUNTY FAIR
The Ste. Genevieve County Fair will be Thursday, July 11, through Sunday, July 14, at the fairgrounds. Outlaw kart and lawnmowers will race on Thursday, July 11 at 7 p.m.; and Kick N Kountry will provide music in the show barn. The annual parade is set for 4:30 p.m. Friday, traveling from Route M/Progress Parkway to the fairgrounds. A truck pull is set for Friday night. The demolition derby is Saturday night at 6 p.m.
4-H FAIR CHICKEN FRY
The annual 4-H chicken dinner associated with the county fair will take place 4 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday, July 11, at the VFW Hall. Fried chicken, liver dumplings, mashed potatoes, green beans, slaw, bread, drink and dessert will be served. Call 573-883-2207 after 2:30 p.m. for carry out and delivery. Advance tickets available from 4-H members or at the University of Missouri Extension office on Progress Parkway.
BASKET-MAKING CLASS
Instructor Delecia Huitt will share her knowledge and skills to create a colonial summer market basket in a hands-on class from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, July 20, at the Creole House, a part of the Felix Valle House State Historic Site. The class cost is $40, and includes lunch and basket-making materials. Class size limited to 15 people. Deadline to register is June 30. Call 573-883-7102 for more information.
CAR CRUISE NIGHTS
The Ste. Gen. Gearheadz car club is organizing cruise nights in historic downtown Ste. Genevieve from the third Saturday in May through the third Saturday in October. Cruises will be from 5 to 9 p.m., and all cars, trucks and bikes are welcome. Event includes 50/50 drawing, entertainment and music. For more information, contact Brian at 573-883-6411. The next event is scheduled for Saturday, July 20.
FOURTH FRIDAY ART WALK
The Fourth Friday Art Walk will take place from 6 to 9 p.m. on Friday, July 26, with galleries and art spaces throughout downtown Ste. Genevieve open to the public.
TIGER DAY
Crown Ridge Tiger Sanctuary, 19620 Crown Ridge Road, will host activities for International Tiger Day from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, July 27. In addition to featuring the tigers, music and food will be offered in the sanctuary’s biggest fundraiser of the year. All of the proceeds go back to the sanctuary to care for the animals. On International Tiger Day, those who attend can meet a tiger keeper, watch the cats receive special enrichment and visit one of the many vendors on site. Kids can play carnival/conservation games, have their faces painted and much more. Lunch will be available for purchase from local food trucks (vegetarian option available).Purchase tickets online ahead of time for $6, or admission is $10 at the door. Parking will be at an offsite location to be determined with free shuttle service. Handicap parking is available in sanctuary parking lot. For information, e-mail info@crown-ridge.com or call 573-883-9909.
JOUR DE FETE
The annual Jour de Fete festival in Ste. Genevieve will be Saturday, August 10, and Sunday, August 11. Saturday’s activities include a 5-kilometer run and fun at 8 a.m. at Pere Marquette Park and opening ceremonies at 10 a.m. at the Welcome Center. Saturday’s musical entertainment at the Moses Austin House will be Josh Driskill (10 a.m. to 1 p.m.) and Wayne Givens (2 to 6 p.m.). Sunday’s activities include the car show [see below] and a fried chicken dinner at the Knights of Columbus Hall. Vernon Flieg will provide music from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday at the Moses Austin House. The craft show in downtown Ste. Genevieve will be 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday.
JOUR DE FETE CAR SHOW
The fourth annual Jour de Fete Car Show will take place on Sunday, August 11, at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 600 Market Street in Ste. Genevieve. Registration is 8 a.m. to noon; judging is at 12:30 and the awards are at 2 p.m. Entry fee is $20 for judged categories and $10 to display. For information call Brian at 573-883-6411.
CHILDREN’S ACTIVITIES
Children’s Day at Felix Valle State Historic Site will be Saturday, August 24, with events from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Children can live and play as children in French Colonial Ste. Genevieve did. Activities will take place across the site throughout the day, including traditional French storytelling, games and hands-on activities like quill and ink writing. Call 573-883-7102 for more information.
BALLOON GLOW
Chaumette Vineyards & Winery will host its annual balloon glow from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, September 12, and Friday, September 13. Festivities will take place from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. both nights, about an hour before and after sunset, weather permitting. There is no cost, children and pets are welcome. Balloons inflate and “glow” pre- and post-sunset. Food and refreshments will be available. Balloons will remain tethered to the ground, and guests can take photographs and have their photograph taken in front of balloons. Dinner reservations can be made by calling 573-747-1000. A food tent outside will serve hamburgers, hotdogs, muffuletta sandwiches, jambalaya, cookies and chips. Chilled beverages — soda, water and limited wine and beer — also will be served outside. Bring your blankets and lawn chairs. The food tent will close at 8 p.m. For questions, call 573-747-1000.
Library Events
JULY SCHEDULE
The Ste. Genevieve County Library, located in the Ste. Genevieve County Community Center, has added two new events this month, including a Saturday StoryTime and a celebration of Harry Potter’s Birthday on July 31.
Events include:
July 2 — StoryTime, 10 a.m. (theme: Independence Day).
July 4 — Closed in observance of Independence Day.
July 5 — Video Game Night
July 9 — StoryTime, 10 a.m. (theme: ice cream).
July 11 — Adult Color Therapy
July 16 — StoryTime, 10 a.m. (theme: cars).
July 16 — Book Club (Book of the Month: The Dreamers by Karen Thompson Walker).
July 18 — Movie and Craft Night: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, 5:30 p.m.
July 19 — Video Game Night
July 20 — Smash Brothers Tournament, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. (program sponsored by Iggy’s Pop Shop).
July 23 — StoryTime Summer Reading Party, 10 a.m. (theme: aliens).
July 26 — Pokémon Night
July 27 — Saturday StoryTime, 10 a.m. (theme: Pete the Cat).
July 29 — Lego Club, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
July 30 — StoryTime, 10 a.m. (theme: friendship).
July 31 — Harry Potter’s birthday party, 6 to 8 p.m. (Dress in your Hogwarts best. No need to bring a gift. Participate in Potter-themed crafts and games and grab a piece of cake).
Support Groups
PARKINSON’S PALS
Parkinson’s Pals meets at 10 a.m. on the second Wednesday of each month in the Education Conference Room at Ste. Genevieve County Memorial Hospital, 800 Ste. Genevieve Drive. Parkinson’s Pals is a support group for those with the condition, family members and friends, and anyone who would like more information about Parkinson’s Disease. For details, contact Teddy Ross at 618-210-7371 or Maria Rottler at 573-883-0621 or mariarottler.healthyliving@gmail.com.
Parish Picnics
LAWRENCETON
St. Lawrence Parish in Lawrenceton will host its annual parish picnic on Sunday, July 21 on the church grounds. Dinners with fried chicken, kettle beef, liver dumplings and more will be served beginning at 11 a.m. Bingo begins at 12:30 p.m. and includes lots of hand quilted quilts among other prizes. The picnic also includes a country store, live music, refreshments, the one-room schoolhouse, several raffles and antique tractors.
WEINGARTEN
Our Lady Help of Christians Church in Weingarten will host its annual parish picnic on Sunday, July 28. Chicken and kettle beef dinners will be served beginning at 11 a.m. Activities include a horseshoe tournament, bingo, children’s games, silent auction, antique farm machinery and demonstrations, and the Miller Switch Band from 3 to 7 p.m.
ST. AGNES
St. Agnes in Bloomsdale will host its annual parish picnic on Saturday, August 24, at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 175 Jersey Lane. Fried chicken and ham dinner will be served from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. A car cruise and tractor show are scheduled to begin at noon. Events also include a 5-kilometer run, kids games, bingo at 7:30 p.m., a washer tournament at 2:30 p.m., and a horse shoe tournament at 6 p.m.
KASKASKIA
Immaculate Conception Church in Kaskaskia, Illinois, will have its parish picnic on Sunday, September 1. The truck and tractor pull begins at 11 a.m. Bingo starts at 1 p.m. Skills games, food and a country store also are part of the event.
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