Today's News - October 28, 2008

Uninjured after being stuck on a zip line 100 feet in the air for more than an hour yesterday, Raymond Brandt, left, exits the ambulance and walks over to talk to his friend, Mike Erzinger. A video clip of the rescue is posted on The Independent’s You Tube site: http://www.youtube.com/user/MoCoIndependent.

Gibault To Play For Sectional Championship

Gibault High School’s soccer teams takes on Teutopolis this evening in the Class 1A sectional championship game. Kick off is at 7 p.m., at Metro East Lutheran High School in Edwardsville. The winner advances to the state championships later this week up north in Naperville. Gibault has won the state title three years in a row.

The first round of the high school volleyball regional tournament begins Oct. 30. Class 3A Waterloo High School will play Mt. Vernon in Carbondale at 5:30 p.m. In the Class 2A Columbia Regional, at 7:30 p.m., top seeded Columbia High School will play the winner of the Roxana versus Metro East Lutheran game. Red Bud and Gibault were selected to play in the Class 2A Nashville Regional. At 5:30 p.m., Nashville will face Red Bud. Gibault will then play Carlyle at 6:30 p.m. Valmeyer will compete in the Class 1A New Athens Regional. The Pirates will battle Evansville Lutheran at 5:30 p.m.

Football Playoffs Begin Saturday: Waterloo and Columbia each qualified for home games on Saturday, Nov. 1, in the first round of the high school football playoffs. Kick off for both games is at 1 p.m. Undefeated CHS (9-0) will take on New Berlin (5-4) in Class 3A action. Class 4A WHS will host Mascoutah. Both teams have 6-3 records. WHS won their prior match-up this season.

Midwest Fury Wins Belleville Soccer Tournament

The Midwest Fury U9 girls’ soccer team captured the championship of the Belleville Football Club Tournament on Oct. 26. The team is, left to right, first row, Bailey Bosler, Dani Maurer, Sydney Luedeman, Sydney Bockhorn, and Kaylee Hamann; and second row, Coach Gary Bockhorn, Sierra Berg, Emma Novack, Hailey Heavner, Fae Harrell, Megan Molinari, Hallie Kaiping, Krista Dudley and Coach Ed Luedeman.

The Columbia Blue Jays junior pee wee team is undefeated so far this year with a record of 8-0. Their final regular season game is Saturday in Collinsville. The team has already qualified for the league’s playoffs.

Kealy-Mayton Wins Dancing With The Stars Contest

Giving a lot of credit to her family and friends back home in Monroe County, Kelly Kealy-Mayton’s outfit designs were the top vote-getters for the “Dancing With the Stars” contest. Kealy-Mayton received a call Monday from an employee of ABC to tell her the good news. 

“He said I won by more than 3,000 votes,” Kealy-Mayton said. “I told him I’m very lucky to have such great friends.”

On Tuesday, Nov. 4, Kelly and her husband, Jim, will fly from their home in Allen, Tex., to Los Angeles, Calif. They will then head to the ABC studios to watch the live taping of the "Dancing with the Stars" show featuring the outfits she designed.

“Two professionals from the show will wear my designs in their jive to Great Balls of Fire,” Kealy-Mayton said, who is also happy to get a four-day vacation. “We haven't had a trip away from our children since they were born,” she added.

A 1988 graduate of Waterloo High School, Kelly Kealy-Mayton, 38, was one of five costume design finalists in Macy's Design-A-Dance contest for the TV show Dancing With the Stars. The show requested clothing designs from viewers for the jive dance part of the show, so Kealy-Mayton decided to give it a try and submitted a sketch of her design.

Karen Melching remains hospitalized at Barnes – Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, Mo., recovering from injuries sustained in last week’s accident at the intersection of Route 3 and North Moore Street in Waterloo. She was initially transported by ambulance to St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, but when her condition did not improve, she was airlifted to Barnes-Jewish. Melching’s kidneys shut down causing her to be on dialysis. In addition, she is breathing on a ventilator and received 20 stitches on one of her legs. Her husband, Wayne, was also involved in the accident, but he was released from the hospital with minor injuries. After getting his farm work done in the morning, Wayne goes to the hospital every afternoon and stays with his wife overnight. He thanks everyone for their prayers.

The Waterloo High School choral department will present their fall concert Tuesday evening. Their program “The Music of America” begins at 8 p.m.

Columbia City Hall Is Gathering Spot On Halloween Evening

Halloween night, from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Columbia City Hall will be a site of creepy décor and glowing pumpkins. Based on last year’s success, the Columbia Scare Square and Pumpkin Glow will return.

“Ghosts, goblins and kids of all ages dressed in costume are invited to stop by for some tricks or treats in a safe and festive Halloween environment,” said Jackie Hausmann, event coordinator for the City of Columbia. 

Members of the Columbia Ambulance Service, Columbia Volunteer Fire Department and Police Department, along with individuals from civic organizations and businesses will hand out treats to those in attendance.

“We’ll have hot chocolate for anyone needing to warm up by the bon fire,” Hausmann added.

As an added treat, students from the Columbia High School art department will provide face painting.

The second annual Pumpkin Glow contest will also take place. There is no charge for entering. Prizes will be awarded in three age categories. Those interested in participating can contact Hausmann at 281-7144 ext. 106, or by email at jackie@columbiaillinois.com.

St. Paul UCC of Waterloo’s third annual Trunk or Treat is Halloween night from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Treats will included: chili bellies, hot chocolate, cider, cookies and doughnut holes.

Christ Community Church of Columbia’s Trunk or Treat is Thursday, Oct. 30.

Trick-or-treaters are once-again welcomed to drop by the Waterloo Fire Station on South Main Street on Halloween night from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Firefighters, ambulance personnel, police officers and city officials will be on hand helping parents check for the safety of the candy. In addition, hot dogs and other treats will be served.

Firefighters in Hecker will hand out treats at the fire house on Halloween eve.

Mike’s Convenience Store will be the main gathering spot in Valmeyer on Halloween night from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Activities include a scavenger hunt and costume contest. There will also be free chili, hot dogs and refreshments.

Upcoming Events at the Morrison-Talbott Library In Waterloo

Nov. 5, 7 p.m.: Holiday Craft with Michelle

Nov. 11: Closed for Veterans Day

Nov. 20, 5 p.m. – 8 p.m.: Family Read Night

Nov. 27 - 28: Closed for Thanksgiving

St. Paul UCC of Waterloo will provide Thanksgiving Day dinner for every Waterloo family which can not afford to celebrate the holiday this year.

“We are inviting the whole community to join in this effort to make sure everyone is able to share in our national day of Thanksgiving,” said Pastor Mary Beth Hartenstein.

Those wishing to help can donate their time, money or food. For additional information, send an email to: kim@stpaulonline.org.