Hello Chamber Friends,

October is here, and Lebanon is coming alive! There are many activities going on, some of them sporty, some crafty and some simply Spooktacular!

• Don't forget the Queen of Hearts every Thursday evening at the 50 'n 4 Event Space.

• This month's Car Cruise will take place on the second Saturday and is sponsored by Lebanon Auto Parts.

See below for dates on our upcoming October events:

Oct 2 - LHS Homecoming Parade - 1:30 pm

Oct 2 - Homecoming games: LHS Soccer 4:30 pm, Volleyball 6 pm

Oct 2 - Lebanon Athletic Boosters Chili Dinner 4 - 6 pm

Oct 4 - Lebanon Fall Festival 9 am - 4 pm

Oct 11 - Cruisin' with the Lakers Car Cruise 5 pm - 8 pm hosted by Lebanon Auto Parts

Oct 18 - Witches' Night Out 5 - 9 pm

Oct 19 - St Paul UCC Wurstmarkt - 11 am - 3 pm

Oct 22 - Cedar Ridge Fall Festival and Trunk or Treat 5 - 7 pm

Oct 24 & 25 - Looking Glass Playhouse Haunted Happenings

Oct 25 - McKendree 5K and vendor fair from 9 am - 1 pm

Oct 25 - Alzheimer's Association Fundraiser next to Ace Hardware 10 am - 1 pm

Oct 26 - Emerald Mound Grange Chili/Soup & Sandwich Dinner 4 - 7 pm

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)

On September 16, 2025, Representative Kevin Schmidt presented an official State of Illinois accomplishment certificate to Catherine Donelle Gress for her vision and creation of two high-quality designer apparel boutiques in the City of Lebanon - Minerva Boutique and The Rack. Donelle gave Rep Schmidt a tour of her shops and gave him a little lesson on ladies’ fashion. Although not thoroughly familiar with the subject, Rep. Schmidt thoroughly enjoyed the tour. Donelle explained how her clothing is custom made and unlike what you would find at a department store. The colors and patterns on the clothing are very artistic, and Donelle herself is an artist. Donelle explained how her customers are given much more individual attention than what they would receive at a big department store. Female customers are referred to as “goddesses” and know when they shop there, they will receive help putting together a beautiful outfit. 

Donelle also showed Rep. Schmidt a book that she wrote and had published. It is called “The Gourd Book”. The book was inspired by the grief Donelle felt when she lost her father. It is a book about a fictional place where exotic creatures tell her story of sorrow, inspiration, faith, and finally peace. During Rep. Kevin Schmidt’s visit, Donelle gave a copy of her book to him and he donated it to the Lebanon Public Library.

Congratulations Donelle on your achievements!

Article by Lori Henrichs

Business hours: Tuesday - Saturday, 10 am - 5 pm, Sunday 12- 4 pm

Contact Information:

Address: 208 W. St. Louis St., Lebanon IL 62254

Phone number: 618-808-0281

Email: minervajewels@yahoo.com

Facebook: Minerva Facebook Page

This month's Chamber Non-Profit Spotlight shines on the Lebanon Rotary Club! The Lebanon Rotary Club was founded in 1926 and is preparing to celebrate its centennial anniversary next year! It is very active in the Lebanon Community. Rotary is a community service organization that benefits Lebanon, Southern Illinois, and International Partners.

The Lebanon Rotary Club is a part of the Rotary International which is made up of approximately 45,000 Rotary Clubs globally. These clubs work together to promote peace; fight disease; provide clean water, sanitation and hygiene; improve maternal and child health; support education; grow local economies; and protect the environment. Lebanon Rotary Club officers are: President Carl Berry, President-Elect Kelly Wilhelm, Treasurer Rick Dowdell, Executive Secretary Lynn Lenker, and Club Secretary Lanis Lenker.

Lebanon Rotary has provided several hardware and software grants for Lebanon Elementary School. They have also purchased a refrigerator and electrical upgrades for the Lebanon Food Pantry, and their members are donating canned goods to the Pantry. In addition, they supplied equipment and supplies to outfit a Disaster Aid trailer for Southern Illinois. Other contributions Lebanon Rotary members are currently making include: donating clothing and supplies to homeless and post-incarceration individuals and helping run fundraisers for PolioPlus, a world-wide Polio Eradication initiative. Lebanon Rotary has been contributing to the Polio Eradication Initiative since 1979.

The Lebanon Rotary is open to civic-minded individuals who are willing to help with fundraising and projects. Meetings are held at The Lantern BLE at 222 W. St. Louis Street in Lebanon on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays at 6:00 pm.

If anyone has any further questions concerning the Lebanon Rotary Club, you can contact the following individuals:

Lanis Lenker: lannyrotary@charter.net, 618-214-2860

Carl Berry: carlthomasberry@gmail.com, 618-581-3596.

Article by Lori Henrichs

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.

We need volunteers who are willing to fill 2-hour shifts to welcome visitors, answer the phone, and direct visitors to our businesses and attractions in Lebanon.

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

618-537-8420