Hello Chamber Friends,

We hope everyone is having a happy new year so far! There are many events to choose from in February. Our next chamber meeting will be on February 26, 2026, at 8:30 am.

• Don't forget the Queen of Hearts every Thursday evening at the 50 'n 4 Event Space from 5:30 to 7:00 pm.

See below for our upcoming January and February events:

Feb 7 - Chocolate Rendezvous - on Brick Street - 10 am - 4 pm

Feb 7 - LCUSD #9 Rock n Roll Bingo - Swansea Moose Lodge - Doors open 5:30 pm - Bingo starts 6:30 pm

Feb 9 & 23 - Leu Civic Center Bunco Lunch Club at Emerald Mound Grange - 10 am - Noon

Feb 19 - Leu Civic Center Family Board Games & Bites at Emerald Mound Grange - 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm

Feb 20 - Mar 27 St Joseph Church Friday Lenten Fish Fry - 4:30 pm - 6:30 pm every Friday 
Feb 21 - Emerald Mound Grange Great Big Breakfast 8 - 10 am

Do you have an upcoming event for your business or organization? Send event flyers and marquee requests to Rebeca Gabel at lebanonchambermarquee@gmail.com. Would you like to have your business or non-profit featured in the next Chamber Spotlight? Contact Lori Henrichs at lorihenrichs@msn.com to feature your business and be included in the next newsletter!

(SCROLL DOWN FOR UPCOMING EVENTS & FLYERS)

Welcome to Lebanon, Leu Civic Center!

The Chamber of Commerce and the City of Lebanon would like to extend a warm welcome to the Leu Civic Center. Many people are familiar with the Leu Civic Center and the programs and activities it provides for adults and children in Mascoutah. For those who don’t know, the Leu Civic Center is a nonprofit organization affiliated with the United Way. They offer programs for children that include sports, after-school activities (both fun and educational), martial arts, and more. They also work with homeschooling groups and provide some adult activities (for example, Zumba class). 

In October 2025, the City of Lebanon contacted Jenna Smith, Executive Director of the Leu Civic Center. They were wondering if the Leu would consider providing some activities for the people of Lebanon. As you know, our city does not have either a community center or a senior center to provide activities. The Leu has partnered with other organizations to provide programs or activities, but only with Mascoutah organizations. Jenna Smith and Chris Bandre (Leu Board President) met with Major Witty, Stephanie McPeak, and Jessica Lamar. The Leu agreed to seek a place in Lebanon where they could offer some activities. 

The City suggested they start out by contacting Emerald Mound Grange, which has a nice building that would be great for family activities. The Grange building has a large, open upstairs space and a dining room in the basement that they rent out occasionally to individuals and groups. 

If you read Facebook, you will see posts about February activities being held at the Grange in February. There will be a Bunco game activity for adults on 2 Mondays and a Family Game Night. The dates and times are on the flyers in this newsletter. The Leu Civic Center will host the activities at Emerald Mound Grange (10603 Emerald Mound Grange Rd). There is a fee (on the flyers) that goes back to the Leu Civic Center to help pay for supplies. The Grange will provide a light meal for each activity and will gratefully accept donations for the food.

These February activities are just the beginning of what the Leu Civic Center would like to do in Lebanon. Jenna Smith attended the January Chamber meeting and spoke about the activities and programs they would like to offer in Lebanon. If any other organizations would like to partner with the Leu to provide a program or activity, she is open to discussion. They are ready to partner with Lebanon in providing activities for our residents.

To learn more about the Leu Civic Center, visit their website at https://leuciviccenter.net/ or their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/LeuCCMascoutah

Article by Lori Henrichs

This month’s Chamber Business Spotlight is on one of our Star Members, First Federal Savings Bank of Mascoutah – Lebanon Branch! First Federal Savings Bank has been in business since 1913 with the Lebanon Branch opening in 1981. Products and services offered by the bank include: Free Checking, Interest Checking, Money Market Accounts, Statement Savings, A+ Accounts, Business Accounts, Christmas and Vacation Club Accounts, Self Escrow Real Estate Tax Accounts, Personal, Auto, Residential and Commercial Loans.

The Lebanon Branch Manager is Tiffany Suydam, who also happens to be the Lebanon Chamber of Commerce President. Tiffany supervises two tellers – Rebecca Wanserski and Linda Cook.

I asked Tiffany what she enjoys most about doing business in Lebanon and she replied that she enjoys being able to serve and support our community. When asked if she had a favorite customer story or compliment she has received, she replied, “We often hear from our customers that they love our small community bank because they feel welcome and appreciate that we know them personally.“

I asked Tiffany what she was most proud of working for First Federal Savings Bank and she said, “We are proud of our community involvement, whether it is support of local events, monetary donations or hiring from the local community.” First Federal Savings Bank donates to multiple fundraisers. They have sponsored the Lakers Car Cruise, Lebanon Firemen’s Picnic, and LHS Alumni Soccer Game. First Federal and the Lebanon Athletic Boosters purchased the basketball shot clock that was a requirement for schools. First Federal Savings Bank also participates in the Firemen’s Picnic Parade and the LHS Homecoming Parade.

According to Tiffany, in February, they will be updating the inside of the Lebanon Branch to give it more of a clean and fresh feel. They will be open during the construction but there may be times when they have to close the lobby but keep the drive thru open. 

When asked how the community can best support their bank right now, Tiffany said that members of the community can best help by opening an account here at the Lebanon Branch. 

Article by Lori Henrichs

Business hours:

Mon – Thurs: 8 am – 4:30 pm

Fri: 8 am – 5 pm

Sat: 8 am - Noon

Contact Information: Tiffany Suydam

Phone: (618) 537-6779 (Lebanon Branch)

Email: tsuydam2firstfederalmascoutah.com

Website: http://www.firstfederalmascoutah.com

Facebook: First Federal Savings Bank of Mascoutah

Instagram: https://instagram.com/First_Federal_Savings

This month’s Non-Profit Chamber Spotlight is on the Lebanon Woman’s Club. The club was established in 1961. The mission of the Lebanon Woman’s Club is to promote activity in civic improvements and service to the community and nation and contribute to the social and cultural interests of members. All money earned by the club is donated back to the community.

Current board members for the Lebanon Woman’s Club are: Megan Steuart, President; Mallory Duckworth, Vice President; Grace Shearon, Secretary; Michele Davis, Treasurer.

The club meets the 4^th Thursday of the month from September through May at 6:30 pm in the Visitor Center basement. The only criteria for membership is that one cares about Lebanon and helping the community. 

I asked Megan if she would like to mention anything interesting the Lebanon Woman’s Club is doing. She said, “We have a new photo booth that we used at Victorian Holiday and Witches’ Night Out. We look forward to using it more at future events. We also have 2 city wide yard sales coming up on June 6 and September 12, 2026.”

Article by Lori Henrichs

Contact Information: Megan Steuart, President

Meeting place: Lebanon Visitor's Center, 221 W. St. Louis St., Lebanon IL 62254

Meeting dates & time: 4th Thursday of month at 6:30 pm from September - May

Email: lebanonwc@gmail.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/lebanonwomansclub

Facebook: https://facebook.com/lebanonwomansclub

Grab your friends and head to Lebanon's annual Chocolate Rendezvous on Saturday, February 7, 2026, from 10 am - 4 pm. Participating Lebanon Brick Street merchants will be offering complimentary chocolate treats, and there will be drawings for many lovely gift baskets!

Raffle entry is free. Just grab a "passport" at any participating merchant and have it stamped by every merchant listed on the passport. Leave your completed passport at the last shop you visit to enter the drawing. The drawing will be held around 4:15 pm.

Leu Civic Center has some really exciting news!! 

We are going to start hosting events at Emerald Mound Grange #1813!! Here is our first one!!  Use the link below to sign up.

Looking for a Volunteer Opportunity in Lebanon?

The Lebanon Visitors' Center is open to the public and provides a warm welcome and clean public restrooms for visitors to Lebanon and the brick street businesses.

Do you have spare time once a week to volunteer? It is a peaceful and quiet place to read, do homework, and greet occasional visitors to Lebanon. We need volunteers who can fill 2-hour shifts once a week to welcome visitors, answer the phone, and direct them to our businesses and attractions in Lebanon. Currently, the Visitors Center is open only on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, as well as for special events.

For more information about volunteering at the Visitors' Center, call Marie Fero at 618-830-3781 or Email mfero60@gmail.com.

618-537-8420