If it happens in Monroe County, it's news to us!

Weekend Wrap-Up - December 23, 2007

A Christmas Message From Waterloo Mayor Tom Smith

Catie Brinkmann, right, receives a candy cane from Waterloo Alderman Vicki Koerber and Santa Claus. Koerber and St. Nick were riding atop the Waterloo German Band musical float sponsored by the Waterloo Chamber of Commerce. – photo by Judy Brinkmann

Tis the season…  Ready or not.

Amidst all of the hustle and bustle that Christmas brings, I hope we can all find a moment to celebrate to celebrate the true meaning of the season. Christmas gives us hope that all the love and gifts that come to us in this life are the signs and symbols of an even greater love and gift that came on a holy night.

As we celebrate with family and friends this holiday I hope each and every one of you takes the time to reflect and be thankful for the blessings God has granted to our city and to each one of us. May the spirit of the season help renew our commitment to working together to build a better tomorrow.

My family joins me in wishing you a very Merry Christmas and happy New Year.

God bless, Waterloo Mayor Tom Smith

Valmeyer Students End Semester With Christmas Pageant

Valmeyer Elementary School fifth graders presented their annual Christmas play on Dec. 21. Students packed the gymnasium to watch the performance of “North Pole Star.” The play was a send-up of the “American Idol” television show. At the end of the show, Santa and Mrs. Claus voted everyone a winner. – photo by Carol Floarke

Sad News On Christmas Eve: The Columbia Police Department is investigating a possible suicide which occurred at an apartment on West Legion Street. A body was discovered Monday morning. Monroe County Coroner Julie Gummersheimer and the Illinois State Police Crime Lab arrived at the scene later this morning to assist.

Santa Claus dropped by an early Christmas gift to the Columbia home of Chris and Denise Sueme. When Denise went out to retrieve the morning paper today, there was a large box sitting on their front porch. The box contained a 32-inch HDTV flat-screen television.

A card attached to the box read, “This Christmas gift is for everything that you do for so many people and organizations throughout the year. Your help and generosity shines forth as true examples of friendship and caring for everyone you help. Now sit down and relax while watching some T.V. and taking a well deserved break. Merry Christmas to each and every one of you and God Bless you in 2008.”

The card was not signed. The Suemes are very appreciative of the gift and want to thank Santa Claus and his elves for their generosity.

Cris “Alfie” Landgraf celebrated his 40th birthday Sunday night. Friends took him to Gruchala’s and Tiny’s to mark the occasion.

Recent Obituaries
Shelly Ann Warden, 32, of Dupo, died Dec. 20, at Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis. She was a supervisor for HBE Corp., and was a member of Roof Top Community Church in Affton, Mo. She was preceded in death by her niece, Jamie Cornelius. Survivors include her parents, Keith (Mary) Warden Sr. and Carol Warden; sisters Sherry (Jim) Cornelius and Tammy Warden; brother, Keith (Erica) Warden Jr.; and step-sister Robin (Greg) Billmeyer. Funeral arrangements were handled by Dashner Funeral Home in Dupo. Memorials may be made to the Foundation Fighting Blindness or the Lymphoma Society.

If it happens in Monroe County, it's news to us!

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