Queen Candidates Preparing For County Fair Pageant

The 2006 Monroe County Fair Queen Natalie Kohlmeier, center, gathers with 2007 Fair Queen candidates, left to right, first row, Kristen Timken, Ashlie Henry and Erin Shevlin; and second row, Emily Hopkins, Amanda Hoeffken, Emelie Schwarze and Andrea Jones. This year’s county fair kicks off Sunday, July 22, with the Fair Queen and Little Miss pageants. – photo by Caleb Heal Photography of Waterloo

Clayco Updates Residents On Dupo’s Discovery Business Park

Larry Chapman, principal with Clayco Realty Group, discusses the timetable of the Discovery Business Park and new I-255 interchange at Imbs Station Road Thursday night during a pubic forum at the Dupo Village Hall.

A representative from Clayco Realty Group provided an update Thursday evening at the Dupo Village Hall to Dupo and East Carondelet residents regarding their planned 1,200-acre industrial, warehouse and retail development, Discovery Business Park. The development, set to roll out in three phases, will encompass land from I-255 to the Mississippi River, from the south end of Dupo to East Carondelet. The Village of Dupo agreed to work with Clayco and local developer Rich Sauget on the large-scale project.

Larry Chapman, a principal with Clayco, said their first priority is to construct an interchange at I-255 at Imbs Station Road, which may be completed by late 2009 or early 2010. The overpass at Davis Street Ferry Road would remain and possibly be widened. The construction of the development would then proceed. Chapman said his company will be meeting with residents of the Wheatley and Bixby areas who have property where Clayco has current plans for development. He said they have no intention to use eminent domain to force anyone to sell their property. Chapman added that the only areas where there may be property acquisition issues would be at the interchange and the public utilities around the development.

“If we buy property, it will be at a fair price,” said Chapman. “We will work with the village to make sure people are treated right,” said Chapman. “We will not slam over existing property.”

Dupo Mayor Ron Dell said notices of upcoming public meetings will be posted on the front door of the Village Hall and soon will be listed on Dupo’s new website and Clayco’s website.

Valmeyer Mid-Summer Classic Baseball Tournament Schedule
Saturday, June 30
Game 1 - 9 a.m.: Waterloo Buds vs. Belleville Merchants
Game 2 – 11:30 a.m.: St. Louis Union Printers vs. St. Louis Spikes
Game 3 – 2 p.m.: Millstadt VFW vs. Fairview Heights Redbirds
Game 4 – 4:30 p.m.: Marissa Young Guns vs. Valmeyer Lakers

Sunday, July 1
Game 5 – 9 a.m.: Losers games 3 & 4
Game 6 – 11:30 a.m.: Losers games 1 & 2
Game 7 – 2 p.m.: Winners games 1 & 2
Game 8 – 4:30 p.m.: Winners game 3 & 4

Wednesday, July 4
Consolation Championship – 10 a.m.: Winners games 5 & 6
Third Place – 12:30 p.m.: Losers games 7 & 8
Championship – 3:30 p.m.: Winners games 7 & 8

Upcoming Home Games For Waterloo American Legion Baseball
July 3, 7:30 p.m., St. Louis Bruins
July 5, 7:30 p.m., Alton
July 7, 2 p.m. Belleville
July 9, 7:30 p.m., Granite City
July 10, 8 p.m., Aviston
July 12, 7:30 p.m., Dupo
July 16, 7:30 p.m., Troy
July 18, 7:30 p.m., Nashville

Humane Society of Monroe County's Pet of the Week

Jill is a pretty, two-year-old Tabby cat with a mix of white, grey and brown colors, along with bright eyes. She is a talker. To visit Jill, stop by the Waterloo Feed Store. The society’s next adoption event is Saturday, June 30, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Waterloo Feed Store.

Calendar Of Events
Friday
Fish fry and bingo at Waterloo VFW
Fountain Creek Band at Valmeyer Mid-Summer Celebration

Saturday
Valmeyer Mid-Summer Classic: Baseball 9 a.m.
Rock band Aftershock at Valmeyer Mid-Summer Celebration

Sunday
Valmeyer Mid-Summer Parade: 5 p.m.
Cassie Diehl Benefit BBQ / Washer Tournament at Budnick: 12 noon

Tuesday
Rock band Aftershock at Valmeyer Mid-Summer Celebration

Wednesday, July 4th
Waterloo Optimist Tractor, Truck & Lawnmower Pull at Monroe County Fairgrounds
Valmeyer Mid-Summer Classic: Championship game at 3:30 p.m.

Final plans and details for the annual July 4 Celebration in Columbia have been set: The event will begin Wednesday, July 4, at 11 a.m., and culminate with a dusk fireworks display at the American Legion Memorial Park at 375 E. Locust St. in Columbia. The celebration was first held in 1976 to commemorate the nation’s bicentennial. This year’s celebration will continue the tradition. The Columbia Volunteer Fire Department’s fish stand and the Legion’s beer stand will open at 11 a.m. The Legion will have bingo in their hall beginning at noon, rain or shine. There will be a washers tournament beginning at 1:30 p.m. and a Kloepper tournament beginning at 4 p.m. The Rich Cullen Band will provide outdoor music from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

In addition to the firemen’s fish, food concessions will include the Turners’ bratwurst, Knights of Columbus’ chicken breast, hamburger and ice cream stands, Columbia Woman’s Club’s lemonade and nachos, and Job’s Daughters’ funnel cakes, soda and bottled water. The July 4 Committee relies solely on contributions from the community to fund the event. The annual budget is approximately $12,000. Local organizations man concession booths but all proceeds remain with that group. Donations to fund the celebration, including the fireworks, are received from local individuals, organizations and businesses. New donors from all segments of the community are encouraged to join the cause. Donations of any amount may be sent to: Columbia July 4 Committee, C/O Grace Volkert, 501 W. Legion, Ave., Columbia, IL 62236.

The Valmeyer Mid-Summer Celebration Begins Friday Night: The schedule has been finalized for the 2007 Valmeyer Mid-Summer Celebration, which will be held June 29 through July 4 at Borsch Park in Old Valmeyer. The celebration kicks off Friday, June 29, with rock music by Fountain Creek from 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. The first baseball game of the Mid-Summer Classic will be Saturday, June 30, at 9 a.m. Other Saturday events include a lawnmower pull, volleyball tournament and evening music by Aftershock. This year’s parade is scheduled for Sunday at 5 p.m. Activities on Sunday include baseball games and a washers tournament. The celebration resumes Tuesday night with rock music by Aftershock from 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. The championship game of the baseball tournament will be Wednesday, July 4, at 3 p.m. The evening will conclude with a fireworks display at dusk.

Recent Obituaries
Katherine Lucille Melton Raker-Kahler, 86, of Dupo, died June 27, at Memorial Hospital. She was a graduate of Dupo High School and played trombone in the band. She was a professional seamstress and later worked as a clerk at John Hancock Insurance in Springfield. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Dave Raker; second husband, F.E. Kahler; and sister, Evelyn Melton. Survivors include son, Rodney Raker; daughters Davie Sue Raker and Phyllis (Ron Kahler-Clayton. Visitation is Friday, June 29, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Dashner Funeral Home in Dupo. Funeral is Saturday, June 30, 10 a.m., at First Congregational Church in Dupo.

Richard Ritzel, 69, of Waterloo, died June 28. Survivors include children Allan Ritzel, Jeff (Nancy) Ritzel and Jason Ritzel; and brother, Wayne (Gerry) Ritzel. He was preceded in death by his wife, Doris Ritzel; and sister, Darlene Hauptfleisch. Visitation is Friday, June 29, 3 p.m. – 8 p.m., at Quernheim Funeral Home. Funeral is Saturday, June 30, 10 a.m., at St. Paul UCC of Waterloo.

George Voll, 65, of Fults, died June 28. He was an instructor at ITT Tech for 35 years, and a member of the National Rifle Association North American Hunting Club and Goldwing Riders. Survivors include wife, Sandra Voll nee Watkins; son, Stephen Scott (Pam) Voll; sisters Carol Voll and Ginny Howard; and brother, John Voll. Visitation is Sunday, July 1, 2 p.m. – 5 p.m., at Quernheim Funeral Home. Funeral is Monday, July 2, 2 p.m., at Quernheims.

Barbara Van de Riet nee Orschell, 62, of Waterloo, died June 27. Survivors include husband, James Van de Riet; daughters Rhonda (Curtis Wiley) DeSpain, Vickie Minden, Sandra (Michael) Steingrubey, Judith (David) Rabbermann and Cindy (Jeffrey) Winkeler; and sisters, Vivian Tollefson and Rita Wagner. She was preceded in death by sister Mary Greenwood. Visitation is Sunday, July 1, 2 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Quernheim Funeral Home. Funeral is Monday, July 2, 10 a.m., at St. Patrick Church in Tipton.