Yolanda Hoversten | Broker | Illinois Real Estate

July 4th Celebration in Saint. Clair County, Illinois

We look forward to July 4th every year because there are many places we can go to watch the fireworks displays. Sometimes we brave the traffic and drive towards St. Louis to see the fabulous fireworks across the Mississippi River high above the St. Louis Arch. Most of the time we stay local, but more and more cities have cut back on displays, because of the high cost. Fortunately there are still a few places close by that we can go to watch fireworks displays:

Tonight in Horner Park, Lebanon, IL at dusk,

Freeburg Recreation Park, Freeburg, IL at dusk,

St. Louis Riverfront, Missouri at 9:15 P. M.,

On July 4th in American Legion Park, Columbia, IL at dusk,

Glik Park in Highland, IL at dusk,

Village Park in Millstadt, IL at dusk,

Tri Township Park in Troy, IL at dusk.

Scheve Park in Mascoutah, IL at 9:15 P. M.,

St. Louis Riverfront, St. Louis, Missouri at 9:15 P. M..

Enjoy the celebration of Independence Day, and be safe out there!

Secret Gardens Tour in Lebanon, Illinois 2011

Historic and quaint Lebanon, Illinois was populated in 1814, incorporated as a town in 1857, and reorganized as a city in 1874. Lebanon retains its small town community feel through the efforts of its residents who are proud of this Victorian city. It is home to McKendree University founded in 1828, the oldest Methodist college in Illinois.

On Saturday, June 18 from 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM the Garden Club of Lebanon will sponsor a Tour of Eight Secret Gardens in Lebanon's beautiful European style gardens, espaliered fruit trees, landscapes, shade gardens, and visitors will learn about various vegetable gardening techniques.

The tour also includes visiting the Mermaid House Inn built around 1830. It was here that Charles Dickens and company stayed in April 1842. It was speculated that his novella, A Christmas Carol was inspired by his visit and stroll in Lebanon. This stage production is played every year in Lebanon's community theater, the Looking Glass Playhouse on St. Louis Street.

After the tour visitors may take advantage of the several eateries, antiques and curio shops on beautiful St. Louis Street, known as "The Brick Street."

Tickets available for sale at the Lebanon Visitors Center, $7 in advance, or $8 on the day of the tour.

The Secret Gardens Tour starts at the Visitors Center, 221 W St. Louis Street, Lebanon, IL. For more information, call 618-537-8420.

Lebanon, Illinois is only minutes from Scott Air Force Base, has easy access to I-64, and less than 30 minutes drive from metropolitan St. Louis, Missouri.

A Pleasant Day in O'Fallon, Illinois

It's hard to believe that here we are, almost mid-June, and the weather is perfectly pleasant today. We've had searing heat in the high 90s and high humidity for the last two weeks. The kind of temperature that saps your energy when you're outside and makes you feel like you're in a sauna. It's typical here in O'Fallon, Illinois but one can't get used to it. When you're showing homes in high heat and humidity, it makes you want to go through the home fast without going outside to check the backyard.

(Tip for new Realtors®: when your listed home is being shown, turn down the air conditioning a few hours prior. In the spring and fall, open windows to air out the stale smell.)

But today is wondrous. Perfect 76°, low humidity, a little cloudy, nice cool breeze coming through our open windows. Yes, it's that nice--open windows in the middle of June in O'Fallon! How cool is that? I don't have any open house today, no showings, my hubby is taking a nap, and here I am blogging with my home office window open to let the cool breeze in. I can hear the birds singing, neighbors' children having fun, I couldn't ask for a more pleasant day! :)

If you would like to live in an area where you get the four seasons, perfectly beautiful green spring, colorful and beautiful fall, mild snowy winters, and hot and pleasant summers full of events and activities for all... come to Southwestern Illinois, and let me help you find a home!

Wine, Dine & Jazz in Belleville, Illinois

Summer is truly here in Southwestern Illinois when festivals, parades, and outdoor wining, dining, and jazzing are weekly events. All you need to do is show up, bring your own lawn chairs, and enjoy food and music, and wine, too.

This public event is on June 10, Friday from 5:00 - 10:00 PM, and on June 11, Saturday from 4:00 - 10:00 PM right on Downtown Belleville Public Square, also known as The Fountain, the roundabout at the intersection of Main Street and US Highway 159.

A special treat is the 60 minute performance of the United States Air Force Band of Mid-America's Starlifter Jazz Combo on Saturday from 4:00 - 5:00 PM.

Come join the Fourth Annual Wine, Dine, and Jazz in Belleville, Illinois!
For complete schedule of events, visit www.winedinejazz.com

For a festival of listings and real estate information in Saint Clair County, Illinois visit YolandaHoversten.com.

Wild & 'Whacky' Guessing Game in Belleville, Illinois

Since it's Wednesday, I thought I'd challenge the groups to be on the wild & 'whacky' side and play a guessing game.

The metal sculpture below is one of the three sculptures installed on the western corner of what we call, The Square or The Fountain, on Main Street in Belleville, Illinois. (Actually the square is a roundabout, like the one around L'Arc de Triomphe in L'Paris.)

This sculpture was donated to the City of Belleville by a private citizen. The artist already titled the sculpture, but since it's Wild Wednesday, guess the one word title to this sculpture--to see if you can capture the artist's vision of this piece. Only one word...if you guess it correctly... you're a winner!

Don't guess if you're looking for homes in Belleville, Illinois just call Yolanda, 618-407-9195 or visit, YolandaRealtor.com. You'll be a winner!