December 2021

Is Clark Griswold your hero? Do you prefer a more traditional display of the holiday spirit? Does your neighbor’s house shine so bright that you wish you had black out curtains? If so, you should enter your display or nominate your favorite display in the 2021 Belleville Community Club Holiday Decorations Contest!
You could win one of three $50.00 prizes in the following categories (one prize per category): Traditional, “Griswold”, or Group/Neighborhood! Here’s how to enter:

Beautify Downtown Belleville, along with numerous local businesses and sponsors present: Merry and Bright Belleville! A community lights display at Belleville Community Park.
The lights will turn on at dusk on December 12th. You will be able to drive through the lights from the 12th through the 17th at your leisure.
On December 18th, join us for an interactive community event at the park.
At 4:30 p.m., Santa will ride in on a fire truck! Then, enjoy hot cocoa, coffee, candy canes and treats while you walk through the lights display with your family.

Laurie A. Grossen, age 68 of Belleville, passed away on Wednesday, December 1, 2021, at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge, IL. She was born on April 19, 1953, at St. Clare Hospital in Monroe, the daughter of Edward and Hilda (Schlittler) Marty.

The search continues for Melissa Trumpy, who has been missing since late October. Melissa’s family and friends organized a search Saturday, December 4, 2021, in Shannon IL, as well as a vigil at a local church in Shannon. Unfortunately, there were no reports of finding Melissa.
Ben Affrunti, the father of Melissa Trumpy’s two youngest kids, talked about how heartbreaking it is for the kids. He has said that all his kids want is their Mom home for Christmas.