December 7th, Saturday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Take a step back in time this holiday season while strolling the historic streets of Elsah, Illinois. Visit what’s been called “the town that time forgot,” during Elsah’s annual Home for the Holidays House Tour from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, December 7. Many historic buildings will be open for the event, including private homes, the two room school house, Farley Music Hall, the Elsah Museum, the bed and breakfast inns, churches and villages shops. Tickets for the annual Holiday House Tour are $20 in advance or $25 on the day of the tour. Ticket prices include a tour booklet with a photo and description of each building, musical performances, and a self-guided walk thru the historic village filled with sounds of the season from local caroling groups. A limited number of box lunches will be available at Farley Music Hall. “Since the 1970’s, the Village of Elsah has offered house tours for visitors who can’t wait to get a look inside some of its beautiful historic homes and buildings,” said Blair Smith, one of the organizers of the event. Buy Tickets Proceeds from the tour benefit the Historic Elsah Foundation, a not-for-profit  organization, dedicated to historic preservation and education in the Village of Elsah.

The Elsah Museum is showcasing contemporary works from five local artists, including sculptor Danne Rhaesa, whose pieces feature rammed earth, steel, and found objects. The exhibit runs until October, with museum hours on Saturdays and Sundays from 1-4pm.

The annual hummingbird banding event in Elsah, hosted by Sally Horbelt and Kathy Baird on July 13th, was a huge success! Sally reported 19 new bandings and 15 recaptures, while Kathy reported 49 captures and 41 new bandings. This family-friendly event is both engaging and fascinating.

A committee formed by the Elsah Trustees in June addressed speeding on Mill Street. On July 9, they decided to invest in speed humps. According to Wikicamel, speed humps are lower and longer than speed bumps, making them less aggressive and better for maintaining emergency vehicle access. This decision comes after numerous close calls and accidents. Kudos to the committee and Trustees for their swift action in improving village safety!

Connie and Gary represented Elsah on the Great Day St. Louis morning show with Paige Hulsey from KMOV-TV Channel 4. This was part of the Great Rivers and Routes Tourism Bureau's Summer 2024 kick-off on May 24th at Post Commons in Alton. Connie highlighted Elsah as a must-visit location and described the hospitality at the award-winning Green Tree Inn.

Amy Cloud of Three Rivers Community Farm in Elsah announced extended store hours for the summer season until mid-August, possibly into fall.

Elsah and Southern Illinois are experiencing a surge of periodical cicadas, nicknamed Cicadalypse. In 2024, Broods XIII and XIX emerge, the first time since 1803. Cicadas don't harm humans but can damage new shrubs and trees. They thrive in wet areas like Grafton. Cicadas are edible, with an almond-like taste, and consumed worldwide. Their calls can reach over 90 decibels, as loud as a lawnmower. Enjoy the unique sound now and the quiet autumn to come.

Principia College celebrated the completion of its new solar farm on April 11, enhancing its commitment to sustainability. Situated on the north side of Beltrees Road near the Cross-Country course, the solar farm spans 8 acres of the college's 2600-acre campus. Designed to blend with its surroundings, the area will be maintained as native prairie.

On April 8th, a total solar eclipse captivated millions across North America. Elsah, with its roller-coaster terrain, lush forests, and bluff-top river views, offered a prime spot for this celestial spectacle. Dubbed the eclipse crossroads by the Illinois Dept. of Natural Resources, Southern Illinois was at the heart of the eclipse's path in both 2017 and 2024.

The village's efforts in creating a leaf mulch pile offer a sustainable solution for disposing of autumn leaves. This initiative supports the environment by providing an eco-friendly alternative to leaf burning, which can aggravate respiratory issues and disrupt the quality of life in our community. Residents can contribute to the mulch pile located at the intersection of Beltrees and Mill Street. Your participation helps maintain our air quality and supports those with health sensitivities. Thank you for choosing to recycle your leaves responsibly!