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Hello Chamber Friends,
April is upon us. We have some exciting events going on around Lebanon in April. Please come out, have a great time, and support our Chamber members! Our next chamber meeting will be on April 23, 2026, at 8:30 am.
See below for our upcoming April events: Click here for Chamber Calendar & Event Flyers
Apr 3 - Lebanon Emerald Mound Fire Dept Good Friday Fish Fry -
4 pm - 7:30 pm at the Lebanon Firehouse
Apr 11 - Sip N Shop - 10 am - 4 pm on Brick Street
Apr 13 - Bunco by LCC at Emerald Mound Grange - 10 am - noon
Apr 15 - Pack the House - Lebanon High School - 5:30 pm - 7 pm
Apr 16 - Cedar Ridge Therapy Gym Open House - 4 - 7 pm (ribbon cutting at 3:45 pm)
Apr 18 - Emerald Mound Grange Big Breakfast - 8 - 10 am
Apr 25 - Lebanon Matthew Ministries Clothing Drive - 8 am - 12:30 pm at Old City Hall parking lot
Apr 27 - Cards/games by LCC at Emerald Mound Grange 10 am - noon
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!
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History
This month’s first Chamber Nonprofit Spotlight is on McKendree University. McKendree University, located in Lebanon Illinois, was established in 1828 by pioneer Methodists. McKendree is the oldest college in Illinois, and the oldest in the nation with continuous ties to the United Methodist Church.
First called "Lebanon Seminary," the school opened in two rented sheds for 72 students. In 1830, Bishop William McKendree, the first American-born bishop of the Methodist church, permitted the Board of Trustees to change the institution's name to McKendree College. In July 2007, McKendree College officially became McKendree University.
Mission Statement
The mission of McKendree University is to provide a high-quality educational experience to outstanding students. They guide their students in the pursuit of academic excellence by encouraging broader vision, enriched purpose, engagement with community, commitment to responsible citizenship, openness to new ideas and dedication to lifelong learning. In keeping with their history and traditions, McKendree provides their students with a rigorous, broadly based liberal arts curriculum joined with specialization in a specific discipline.
School Sports
The McKendree Bearcats are the intercollegiate athletic teams representing McKendree University. The athletics program is known for a wide variety of sports, offering 17 men’s, 17 women’s and 3 co-ed teams. The mascot is Bogey the Bearcat. In the early days of McKendree’s athletic teams, the mascot was an actual bear cub named Susie. Each year a student would be voted as the honorary “Keeper of the Bear,” a duty held in high esteem. The mascot, “Susie,” would often wander around campus with a long chain attached to her collar, pop in and out of classroom buildings, and even accompany the coach and the football, basketball and track teams on road trips. Today Bogey the Bearcat is a bear-like mask and McKendree clothing worn by a person.
McKendree athletic teams have volunteered with some of Lebanon’s downtown events. For instance, at the 2025 Fall Festival, the men’s soccer team assisted vendors in setting up and tearing down their booths. This isn’t the first time that athletic teams have assisted during Fall Festival. The vendors and the Fall Festival Committee love having the athletes’ help.
The Hett
In addition to education and sports, McKendree University has a 488 seat auditorium called the Russell E and Fern M Hettenhausen Center for the Arts, known as “The Hett”. Here you will find musical performances, plays and distinguished speakers. Besides purchasing tickets, individuals and businesses can support The Hett by volunteering, making donations, sponsoring performances, and advertising. More information can be found at https://mckendree.edu/the_hett.
McKendree Student Senior Project
This year, McKendree has partnered with the Chamber to assist us with communications and volunteerism. Sara Frank, Associate Professor of Communications at McKendree has been teaching a Senior Seminar Communications Class this Spring semester. Her students have already been helping the Chamber by making suggestions for taking a good newsletter and making it great! In addition, they have created a new Instagram account for the Chamber. This will be connected to our Chamber Facebook page. The students are providing feedback and suggestions for increasing social media posts and gaining more followers.
McKendree students are also in the process of contacting Chamber members by email to remind them to pay 2026 dues. They have worked hard on making the emails professional so as to properly represent the Chamber of Commerce.
Another area where McKendree hopes to help is to provide volunteers for manning the Visitor Center and for assisting volunteers and vendors at our annual Brick Street events. This is still in the works and we look forward to working with them on these endeavors.
Article by Lori Henrichs
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This month’s second Chamber Nonprofit Spotlight shines on the Lebanon
CUSD #9! The school has been around since 1872! Lebanon CUSD #9 is led by Superintendent Dr. Matt Noyes, along with building-level administrators and a dedicated Board of Education. The leadership team works collaboratively with staff and the community to ensure high-quality educational experiences and continuous improvement across the district. We’re especially grateful to Amy Venhaus, District Curriculum & Testing Coordinator and Media Specialist, for sharing insights in this month’s feature. Her contributions help highlight the district’s ongoing efforts to support student success and innovation in education.
What role do teachers, staff, or coaches play in student success?
Teachers, staff, and coaches are central to student success in Lebanon CUSD #9. With a strong culture of collaboration, staff members work together across grade levels to support each child academically and socially. Coaches and sponsors extend this impact beyond the classroom by mentoring students, building character, and fostering a sense of belonging. The district embraces the philosophy that every adult plays a crucial role in every student’s success.
How do you support student involvement outside the classroom?
The district provides extensive opportunities for student involvement through athletics, clubs, intramurals, and extracurricular programs beginning at the elementary level and continuing through high school. Students can participate in a variety of athletics, drama, band, and service organizations such as the National Honor Society and the Student Council. These opportunities are designed to build leadership, teamwork, and school pride while ensuring every student has a place to belong.
How do you prepare students for life outside of education?
Lebanon CUSD #9 focuses on preparing students to be responsible, capable citizens by emphasizing real-world application of knowledge, critical thinking, and career readiness. The district prioritizes teaching students how to learn, collaborate, and apply skills in meaningful ways, ensuring they are prepared for both postsecondary education and the workforce. Small class sizes and strong relationships allow staff to support each student’s individual path toward success.
What are some activities or events (past or present) that you would like to mention?
Lebanon CUSD #9 offers a wide range of student-centered events that bring the community together, including athletic recognition nights, youth camps, and family engagement activities. Recent highlights include Family Reading Night, Rock N Roll Bingo, sports banquets, and student-led events like blood drives and spirit weeks, and Career and Technical Education (CTE) competitions. The district also hosts performances, intramural programs, and community-focused events like the Veterans Day Breakfast, numerous PTO sponsored activities, and drama productions.
How can community or chamber members support your school?
Community members can support Lebanon CUSD #9 by attending school events, partnering with programs, volunteering, and contributing to student initiatives. Business partnerships, sponsorships, and participation in events such as fundraisers or recognition nights help strengthen connections between the school and the community. Continued collaboration ensures students have access to meaningful, real-world experiences and resources.
Is there anything else you would like to share?
Lebanon CUSD #9 takes pride in being a close-knit, community-centered district where relationships drive student success. The district is committed to continuous improvement, innovation, and providing opportunities that prepare students not only academically, but socially and emotionally for the future. We appreciate the generous support and encouragement we receive from families and community partners.
Article by Lori Henrichs
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Contact Information:
Dr. Matt Noyes, District Superintendent
Mrs. Kimberly Emrick, LJHS/LHS Principal
Mrs. Jennifer Seely, LES Principal
Address: 200 W Schuetz St., Lebanon IL 62254
Phone:
LES Office 618-537-4553
LJHS/ LHS Office 618-537-4423
District Office 618-537-4611
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lebanoncusd9
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This month's Chamber Business Spotlight is on Cedar Ridge Health and Rehab Center! Cedar Ridge provides skilled therapy, both inpatient and outpatient, long-term care, wound care, physiatry (treating people for pain, disability, and physical problems), and in-house cardiology and pulmonology services. Cedar Ridge is VA Contracted and has state-of-the-art therapy equipment. Our interviewee for this article is Tara Hasenstab, Director of Business Development at Cedar Ridge.
What sets your business apart from others in your industry?
It is a VA-contracted 3-star facility that uses LiteGait equipment in the Therapy Gym. LiteGait is a company of rehabilitation professionals that offers products, education, and solutions for pediatric and adult populations with motor control disabilities.
Would you like to acknowledge any staff members or employees?
Our administrator is Kenya O’Neal, winner of the 2025 Women of Distinction Award. Tesha Waters, RN /DON, received the Excellence in Care Award in December 2025. We have staff members with many years of continued care and service. James King, CNA /Restorative Aide, has 30+ years of service. Latoya Stewart, Sara Kauffman, Linda Jackson, and Stacy Runyon all have 15+ years of service with our community.
Do you currently have any job openings?
We have openings for certified nursing assistants (CNAs) on all shifts, as well as an opening for an ADON (assistant director of nursing). Interested individuals can apply at indeed.com or stop by Cedar Ridge in person to pick up an application.
How does your business support the local community?
We host a variety of events at Cedar Ridge for seniors and families within the community. We also sponsor Bingo at PSOP (Programs and Services for Older Persons) in Belleville and at the New Baden Civic Center, and sponsor various events in several communities.
Does your business offer any education or information-sharing for the community?
We provide information at health fairs we attend and host events in different communities.
What do you enjoy most about doing business in Lebanon?
Supporting small town businesses locally.
Are there any upcoming events, promotions, expansions, or milestones you’d like to share?
Open House is April 16th from 4-7 pm for our New Therapy Gym with Ribbon Cutting at 3:45 pm; and Impact Blood Drive on Friday, June 19 from 12 pm to 3 pm at Cedar Ridge.
How can the community best support your business right now?
Follow us on Facebook, leave a review on Google, and attend events hosted at our community.
Article by Lori Henrichs
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Contact Information: Tara Hasenstab
Address: 1 Perryman St., Lebanon IL 62254
Email: dbd@cedarridgerehab.com
Website: https://www.cedarridgerehab.com/
Facebook: Cedar Ridge Health and Rehab Center
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cedarridgerehab/
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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.
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