Don Rogers CRS, GRI, Broker/Sales Associate

Train rides and sleigh-hayrides must be reserved at least two weeks in advance.

• Train rides are available on December 1,8,15 and 22.  The cost is $7 per person for ages 12 and up, and $5 for ages 3 - 11.  Ages 2 and under are free but reservations must be made for all passengers.  The train leaves the "station" every 30 minutes from 5:15pm - 8:45pm (last ride).  No other vehicles will be allowed in the park on Monday nights.
• Sleigh-Hayrides for groups of up to 25 people (including children on laps only) are available on Dec. 2, 3, 4, 10 and 11.  Cost is $100 per group.

To make reservations call 636-379-5502 or send an e-mail to mseymour@ofallon.mo.us.  Directions to parking and shuttle service will be provided.

The Celebration of lights is sponsored by the City of O'Fallon with support from local business and non-profit organizations.  The Celebration of Lights display will open on Friday Nov. 28^th (the day after Thanksgiving) and run nightly through Tuesday Dec. 30^th, except Dec. 24^th & 25^th when it will be closed.  For more information call O'Fallon's event hotline at 636-379-5614 or visit www.ofallon.mo.us. 

We are moving into the time of year that more cooking is being done inside the home and less outside.  We are fortunate here that we have milder winters than a lot of places across the U.S. so we can still cook on our gas and charcoal grills.  Please leave your charcoal grills outside, do not bring them in the house.

The National Fire Protection Association offers the following tips for preventing home fires:

• Watch your cooking.  Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling or broiling food.  If you must leave, even for a short time, turn off the stove.
• Give space heaters space.  Keep fixed and portable space heaters at least three feet from anything that can burn.  Turn off heaters when you leave the room or go to sleep.
• Smoke outside.  Ask smokers to smoke outside.  Have sturdy, deep ashtrays for smokers.
• Keep matches and lighters out of reach.  Keep matches and lighters up high out of the reach of children, preferably in a cabinet with a child lock.
• Inspect electrical cords.  Replace cords that are cracked, damaged, have broken plugs or have loose connections.
• Be careful when using candles.  Keep candles at least one foot from anything that can burn.  Blow out candles when you leave the room or go to sleep.
• Have a home fire escape plan.  Make a home fire escape plan and practice it at least twice a year.
• Install smoke alarms.  Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, inside bedrooms and outside sleeping areas.  Interconnect smoke alarms throughout the home.  When one sounds they all sound.
• Test smoke alarms.  Test smoke alarms at least once a month and replace batteries once a year or when the alarm "chirps" to tell you the battery is low.  Replace any smoke alarm that is more than 10 years old.
• Install sprinklers.  If you are building or remodeling your home, install residential fir sprinklers.  Sprinklers can contain and may even extinguish a fire in less time than it would take the fire department to arrive.

I am glad to say that the O'Fallon Fire Protection District has not had a death due to fire in 17 years.  Let's not spoil this record and be safe this Fall and Winter season.

We have all been witnessing some interesting, to say the least, events over the past couple of weeks on the national scene.  Things that need our attention and have caused many of us to question what is  going on in our nations' Capitol!  I would just like to remind you that even though you may think that your voice has been taken away from you, you STILL HAVE A VOICE and it is in the power of your vote.

We have a right and more than that we have the privilege to cast that vote on November 4, 2008.  There is only one catch and that is you have to be registered to vote no later than this Wednesday October 8, 2008.  If you are not registered to vote then YOU have silenced the voice you have been given.  Why would you do that?

Well you don't understand, I have never voted before.  That is ok they have people at the polls to show you what to do and how to cast your vote.  The one thing they will not do is cast your vote for you. 

There have been men and women that have fought and died over the years to protect this right and privilege that we have.  Let's not let what they have done for us be diluted any more by not taking just a little bit of time out of our day and go vote.

Please make sure that you are registered to vote by Wednesday October 8, 2008 and then go vote on November 4, 2008 and let your voice be heard.

If you don't vote you don't have a right to complain!