E-Newsletter - October 10, 2008

The Columbia Police Department is continuing their investigation into the overnight burglaries to five vehicles parked throughout the city. The burglars broke out windows to gain entry. Items stolen included purses and wallets.

“These are crimes of opportunity,” said Columbia Police Chief Joe Edwards. “If a criminal sees something they might benefit from inside a vehicle, they will do what they need to do to take it.”

Edwards advised citizens not to leave valuables in plain view inside their cars. The Illinois state Police Crime Scene is assisting Columbia police officers in their investigation. Officers canvassed the neighborhoods today hoping to obtain leads in these cases. Edwards asked that if anyone noticed anything suspicious last night that could be related to these crimes to call the Columbia Police Department at 281-5151.

High Schools Compete And Raise Funds For Cancer Research

Waterloo High School volleyball player Alex Rohlfing, right, prepares for a kill during Thursday night’s contest at Gibault. Blocking for the Hawks are Anne Tepen, left, and Kaitlyn McCarthy. The Bulldogs defeated the cross-town Hawks by scores of 25-21 and 25-19. Both teams wore pink shirts as part of the Serve For The Cure event. Proceeds will be donated to the Susan G. Koman Foundation.        – photo by Bob Haentzler

The Columbia Volunteer Fire Department was dispatched Friday morning to assist in the clean up of a two-vehicle accident at the intersection of Old State Route 3 and Quarry Road. A semi-tractor trailer and a car collided, but there were no injuries. Firefighters washed down anti-freeze spilling from the car.
 

Halloween Fun For Kids In Downtown Columbia: The city of Columbia and Columbia Chamber of Commerce are once again sponsoring Halloween Hi-Jinks. This year’s event is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 24. That morning, participating Columbia businesses will hand out treats to children in costume. A costume contest will begin promptly at 12:30 p.m., at the Immaculate Conception Grade School playground. Participants are then invited to take part in a parade along Main Street and ending at Metter Park. For more information call 618-281-7144 ext. 106.

Waterloo Fall Fest Is Saturday: The Waterloo Merchants Group will hold their seventh annual Fall Fest on Oct. 11, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Monroe County Courthouse square. The schedule of activities includes a craft show and health fair all day, pet adoptions from the Humane Society of Monroe County from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and horse-drawn carriage rides from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. There will be a wine garden, petting zoo and moonwalk, and food booths. Raven Moon will perform from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Maeystown will celebrate its 28th Oktoberfest on Sunday, Oct. 12. The historic village will play host to booths of arts, crafts, antiques and food from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the grounds of the restored 1859 Rock Mill and Museum. More than 50 arts, crafts, antique booths and food stands will be featured. The arts and crafts will include woodcarving, jewelry, rugs, soaps, quilts, pine needle baskets, pottery and a country store. Food will include turtle soup, ham and beans, and popcorn cooked in old-fashioned kettles. Bratwurst, potato pancakes, German potato salad, fried chicken, pork kabobs, applebutter, caramel apples, funnel cakes, baked goods and ice cream will also be available.

The village specialty shops, bed and breakfast, restaurant and museum will be open throughout the day. A flyover plane ride of Monroe County and Maeystown will be awarded to the first place winner of the Maeystown Preservation Society raffle. Festival visitors are asked to leave pets at home. Proceeds from the Oktoberfest will be used by the Preservation Society to develop the museum and visitors center in the mill.

Lions Club Raising Money For Good Cause

The Waterloo Lions Club is collecting donations this weekend for their annual Candy Days. Proceeds will be given to programs helping those with vision and hearing impairments. “Make sure to stop by and visit with the Lions during the Waterloo Fall Fest on Saturday,” said Lions member Kim Strellis, left.

The Gibault High School drama department will present the play "A Curious Savage" on Oct. 17, 18 and 19 at the school’s auditorium.

Valmeyer High School will present “Seussical,” a musical based on the Dr. Seuss series of children’s books. Performances are scheduled for Nov. 7, 8 and 9.

Band and chorus students from Valmeyer, Columbia and Waterloo joined forces Thursday night for the annual Monroe County Music Festival. This year’s event was held at Waterloo Junior High School.
 

Fish returns to the VFW today: The repairs have been made and the kitchen is open again at the Waterloo VFW.

“We had one heck of a crowd today at lunch and are expecting a big one this evening,” said VFW District Commander Butch Sparwasser.

Friday Night Football

Waterloo at Civic Memorial

Columbia at Breese Central

Dupo at Carlyle

Calendar of Events

Friday

Fish and Bingo at Waterloo VFW

Waterloo Sportsman’s Club Haunted Trail

Columbia Movies At Metter: “Back To The Future.”

Saturday

Waterloo Fall Fest – 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Columbia Firemen’s BBQ: 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the firehouse

CHS Homecoming Parade: 2 p.m.

Waterloo VFW Chili Fest: 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Rock band Aftershock at VFW: 8:30 p.m. – midnight

Rock band Fountain Creek at Bobeck’s

            Waterloo Sportsman’s Club Haunted Trail

Sunday

Maeystown Oktoberfest

Recent Obituaries

Kenneth Elmer Stanger, 83, of Dupo, died Oct. 6, 2008, at St. Anthony’s Hospital in St. Louis, Mo. He was born Sept. 29, 1925, in St. Louis., Mo., the son of the late Harry and Elma Stanger. Mr. Stanger is survived by his wife, Julia Stanger nee Schneider; daughter, Ellen Stanger of Dupo; son, Dennis Stanger of Dupo; sister-in-law, Alice Stanger of Dupo; granddaughters Sarah Misak of Dupo and Stephanie Stanger of Waterloo; great-granddaughter, Emily Misak; nieces Lucinda Aldridge and Carol Schneider; nephews Jim (Pam) Schneider of Lon (Connie) Stanger; great-niece, Libby Schneider; and great-nephews Mathew Schneider, Luke Schneider, Brad Schneider, Ben Stanger and Chad Aldridge. He was preceded in death by a brother, Allen Stanger; and grandson, Allen Stanger. Mr. Stranger was a Navy veteran of World War II and later served in the United States Army. He retired as a professor from Parks College – St. Louis University after 40 years of employment, where he served as the chairman of the aeronautical engineering department. He was a member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church in East Carondelet, a life-member of the Millstadt VFW Post 7980 and the Phi Alpha Chi Alumni Association at Parks College – St. Louis University. Visitation was at Dashner-Leesman Funeral Home in Dupo. Funeral was at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in East Carondelet, Pastor Ryan Fouts officiating. He was buried at the church’s cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Holy Cross Lutheran Cemetery Fund or the Dupo DuKare Food Pantry.

Donald F. Range, 61, of Belleville, died Oct. 8, 2008, at Memorial Hospital in Belleville. He was born June 20, 1947, in East St. Louis. He was preceded in death by his father, Cletus Range. Mr. Range is survived by his mother, Wanda Frailey; sons Matthew and Shawn Range; brothers C.J. (Denise) Range, Clifton (Sue) Frailey; and sisters Darlene Range, Rena (Richard) Rapp and Lori Woodside; along with 12 nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends. Mr. Range was a four-year veteran of the United States Navy. He worked in the customer service department of ICON Office Solutions in St. Louis, Mo. Visitation is Sunday, Oct. 12, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Strauss-Leesman Funeral Home in Millstadt. According to his wishes, Mr. Range will be cremated. He will be buried at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery at a later date. Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association.

Emma Altes nee Sparwasser, 97, of Waterloo, died Oct. 10, 2008, in St. Louis, Mo. She was born July 12, 1911 in Waterloo. Funeral arrangements are pending at Quernheim Funeral Home.