Lenten Fish Fry Season Under Way

Lynn Ahrens, Judy Wallace and Betty Lerch put together fish plates on Ash Wednesday at St. John UCC in Valmeyer

With Lent now officially underway, today marks the start of the Friday Lenten fish fry season. Fish fry stands can be found at Waterloo Sportsman’s Club and the Waterloo VFW. Restaurants serving fish specials tonight include The Lantern, Tiny’s, Joe Boccardi’s and Gruchala’s in Columbia; JV’s, Annbriar and Bobeck’s in Waterloo; Acorns in Wartburg; Kaskaskia Roadhouse & Grill in Burksville; and Corner Pub in Valmeyer.

 

Local Leaders React To Kirkwood Shooting

In response to the shooting at last night’s Kirkwood City Council meeting that left six people dead, including two police officers, three public officials and the shooter, a disgruntled Kirkwood citizen, local leaders are taking a critical look at the presence of security at local public meetings in the cities and villages of Monroe County.

Columbia Mayor Kevin Hutchinson said he spoke this morning with Police Chief Joe Edwards. The two said they will work to make sure those attending meetings at city hall remain safe. The aldermen and the police department will also work together to look into additional security measures taken during upcoming meetings, Hutchinson said.

Waterloo Mayor Tom Smith spoke with Waterloo Police Chief Jim Trantham and discussed the possibility of increasing security at Waterloo City Hall, according to Smith.

“I’m also planning a meeting of the safety committee to discuss additional ways to increase the level of safety during meetings,” Smith said.

Valmeyer Village Mayor Howard Heavner said a police officer is present during all village board meetings, and that practice will continue.

Hecker Mayor Tom Hootselle acknowledged the tragic situation in Kirkwood but said he doesn’t see the need to alter their approach to meetings.

“We are a very safe town,” he said. “There are no substantial problems with crime or with any individuals. At our meetings it will be the same as usual.”
 

Monroe County Coordinator Resigns Her Position

Ashley Cahoon has announced she is resigning from her position as county coordinator, two months after accepting the job. Her last day will be Friday, Feb. 15. She has accepted a position as a grant writer for Southern Illinois University at Carbondale.

"A position was offered to me that I simply could not pass by at this moment in my life," said Cahoon, who added the reasons she accepted the position are both professional and personal. "My new position will allow my fiancé and myself the opportunity to establish residence both close to our employers and family."

Monroe County Commission President Dale Haudrich said the board is beginning the interview process to search for a replacement.

MASC To Present “Ghost Of A Chance”

The cast of “Ghost Of A Chance” rehearses for their upcoming performances.  – photo by Judy Brinkmann

by Judy Brinkmann

The Monroe Actors Stage Company is set to perform its latest production this weekend and the next. “Ghost of a Chance,” written by Flip Kobler and Cindy Marcus, is directed by Mindy Kreher. MASC veteran Warren Frank will serve as assistant director. This is Kreher's second directorship for MASC. She previously directed their production of “Sabrina.”

If plays received parental ratings, Kreher suggested “Ghost Of A Chance” would receive a PG-13 for the language content and sexual orientation of one of the female characters.

Doylene Daniels plays the part of Verna, mother of the prospective husband, Floyd, played by Vince Wieck. MASC veteran Daniels appeared in “Harvey,” MASC’s first production at the Capitol Theater in Waterloo. She also served as the assistant director for their much-acclaimed production of “The Flood.” During a recent rehearsal, Daniels admitted this play, though mysterious, won’t scare the audience. Additional cast members include Jessica Hurst, Kristy Weber, Darrell Duensing and Tim Venhaus.

Performances are Feb. 8, 9 and 10 and Feb. 15, 16 and 17 at the Capitol Theater in downtown Waterloo. The curtain rises at 7:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and 2:30 p.m. for Sunday matinees. Tickets can be purchased in advance through the MASC website: www.masctheatre.org, at the Courthouse Cafe in Waterloo and Bon Vivant in Columbia. Tickets are also available on the day of the show at the box office.

After several months of chemotherapy, Dora Wild, wife of Ron Wild of Waterloo, will undergo a liver resection next week at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis. Doctors will remove a cancerous tumor on her liver, taking out about two-thirds of the organ in the process. The Wild family is asking for prayers for a successful surgery and recovery. There is a website set up for updates on her progress that allows well-wishers to leave her messages: www.caringbridge.org/visit/dora.

Humane Society of Monroe County's Pet of the Week

Phineus is a black kitten born in November who was rescued along with his two sisters. He is a very sweat and loving kitten. The shelter will be open this Saturday from 11a.m. to 3 p.m. Their website is: www.hsofmcil.org.

Calendar of Events

Friday
Lenten Fish Fries

 

Saturday
Columbia Khoury League signup at Columbia High School

Sweet Event at A World Of Difference in Waterloo

Rock band Moe Cash at Corner Pub in Valmeyer

Chicken N’ Beer dance at Heckerdome with Freefall

Rock band Pole Position at Bobeck’s in Waterloo

Recent Obituaries

Loretta Toenjes, 89, of Columbia, died Feb. 8, 2008, at Canterbury Manor Care Center in Waterloo. She was born October 5, 1918 in Freeburg, the daughter of the late Henry Eitzenhefer and the late Mary Heid-Nehring. She married the late Emil Toenjes in 1940. He died in 1961. Survivors include a son, Jerome Toenjes of Columbia; grandchildren Joseph (Anissa) Toenjes of Kirkwood, Mo., and Colin (Crystal) Toenjes of Norman, Okla.; great-grandchild, Maxwell Toenjes; and sisters-in-law Mathilda Eitzenhefer and Elsie Eitzenhefer. She was also preceded in death by a daughter-in-law, Pat Toenjes; brothers Clyde and Clifford Eitzenhefer; and sister Irene (Cyril) Eichenseer. She was a member of the Altar Sodality of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church and the Monroe County Farm Bureau. She had previously worked as a Pastry Chef at Pope's Cafeteria in St. Louis, Mo. Visitation is Monday, Feb. 11, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Lawlor Funeral Home. Funeral is Tuesday, Feb. 12, 10 a.m., at Immaculate Conception Church in Columbia, Fr. Carl Scherrer officiating. She will be buried at the church’s cemetery. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois.