Community Calendar
Thursday, October 11
? TOPS IL 2490 will meet from 9:30-10:30 a.m. at First Baptist Church in Ramsey. Weigh-in is from 9-9:30 a.m. For more information, contact Dovie Heaton-Bergin at 283-1729.
? An American Red Cross blood drive will be held from 2-7 p.m. in the cafeteria at Brownstown Elementary School.
? WPMB-WKRV Radio and the Vandalia Chamber of Commerce will host a candidate's forum at the Vandalia Statehouse. The forum for candidates for Fayette County circuit clerk and state's attorney begins at 6 p.m., and the one for candidates for the 51st District seat in the Illinois Senate begins at 7 p.m.
? TOPS IL 1872, Ramsey, will meet at the Christian Church in Ramsey. Weigh-in is at 6:20 p.m., and the meeting is at 7 p.m.
Friday, October 12
? The Haunted Trails at Deken Park in St. Elmo open for the Halloween season this weekend. The trails will be open from 7-10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, Oct. 12-13, 19-20 and 26-27. The cost is $3 for children and $5 for adults. Groups of 10-20 people receives $1 off on each ticket, and groups of more than 20 receive a $2 discount per ticket. For more information, contact Dan Tish, 267-8214.
? Vandalia Elementary School is participating in the American Red Cross's Pint-Size Hero Program by hosting a blood drive from 3:30-7:30 p.m. in the VES cafeteria.
Saturday, October 13
? The St. Peter village-wide garage sales will be held from 8 a.m.-noon. There are 19 locations.
? A purse and bake sale to benefit the Brownstown Branch Library will be held from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Brownstown Fire Station.
? Vandalia's Little Community Garden Harvest Festival will be held from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at the garden, located on West Edwards treet between Randolph House and the Old State Burial Ground. Items to be available include fall decorations, crafts, MbBling jewelry and crafts, homemade soaps, artwork by Lynn Reznick and Lorraine White, Nori Pruitt's homemade pies, fresh and dried herbs, vegetables, pickled beets, jams and jellies, pumpkins and gourds, fresh flowers and bittersweet. Refreshments, including beef brisket sandwiches, chips and pickles, and hot dogs and chips, will be available; and free cider, cookies and jalapeno peppers will be available.
? The Golden Years Club in Brownstown will hold its annual ham and beans dinner from 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m. at the club building, First and Division streets. The menu will include ham and beans, cornbread, cole slaw, dessert and drinks. Payment is through donations, and carry-outs will be available. The dinner will feature live entertainment.
Monday, October 15
? The Vandalia Women of the Moose will meet at 6:30 p.m. at the Vandalia Moose Lodge.
? The VFW Old Capitol Post 3862 Auxiliary will meet at 7 p.m. at the VFW Home on West St. Louis Avenue in Vandalia.
? The Vandalia City Council will meet at 7:30 p.m. at city hall.
Tuesday, October 16
? A staff member from the office of U.S. Congressman John Shimkus (R-Ill.) will be at the Seminary Township Building, located in Pittsburg at the intersection of county roads 900 North and 200 E, from 1-2:30 p.m. Appointments are not required.
? TOPS IL 2020 will meet in the Fayette County Hospital conference room. Weigh-in is from 5-5:30 p.m., with the meeting to follow.
? Rainbow Reflections, a grief support group, will meet from 6-7 p.m. in Wesley Hall at First United Methodist Church in Vandalia. Those planning to attend are asked to call 292-5366.
? The Vandalia Board of Education will meet at 7 p.m. at the district's administration center.
Thursday, October 18
? TOPS IL 2490 will meet from 9:30-10:30 a.m. at First Baptist Church in Ramsey. Weigh-in is from 9-9:30 a.m. For more information, contact Dovie Heaton-Bergin at 283-1729.
? An American Red Cross blood drive will be held from 2-7 p.m. in the cafeteria at Brownstown Elementary School.
? TOPS IL 1872, Ramsey, will meet at the Christian Church in Ramsey. Weigh-in is at 6:20 p.m., and the meeting is at 7 p.m.