 |
|
|
|
|
independent@htc.net |
 |
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
E-Newsletter - March 21, 2008
Fish Sales Brisk At Start Of
Good Friday Dining Tradition The deep fryers will be working double-time today all around the county. A good turnout is expected at all the Good Friday fish fries, including the Columbia Volunteer Fire Department, above. “We’ll be selling fish plates until it all runs out,” said CVFD President Rich Dreher. Normally, their fish fry continues until about 4 p.m.
Pearl Stechmesser, left, and Marcia Kreher make deviled eggs for today’s Waterloo VFW Good Friday fish fry. “It’s all-you-can-eat today,” said Butch Sparwasser. Meals are served from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. The menu includes cod, walleye, tilapia, catfish fillets and shrimp. Other area fish fries today include the Waterloo Sportsman’s Club, Knights of Columbus at ICS in Columbia, and Valmeyer Jaycees at the Valmeyer Village Hall. Diocese of Belleville Bishop Edward Braxton said he will not resign his post in a letter he wrote in response to a call for his resignation by 45 diocese priests. In the letter, which appears on the St. Louis Post-Dispatch website, Braxton said he will remain bishop until he is removed by the pope, who is the only person with the authority to appoint or remove a bishop from his post. Braxton’s lengthy letter was delivered to all parishes and will be distributed to parishioners at Masses this weekend or next weekend, at the discretion of the priests, according to the report. The Diocese of Belleville Chancery is closed today in recognition of Good Friday, and diocese priests will not comment on the issue out of respect for Holy Week.
Heavy rains earlier this week caused several area waterways to overflow their banks, including Fountain Creek as it rushed passed the Waterloo waterworks.
“This is the highest I have ever seen the water there,” said Steve Muench. Rising water has caused the Kaskaskia to go above its banks at several locations in Randolph County. The river is covering the parking lot at Water Street Bar & Grill in Evansville. Rock band Aftershock has canceled their Saturday evening performance at the bar.
Dale Hoepfinger of rural Columbia reports the rain storm earlier this week caused his creek to go above its banks. “I was out sandbagging in the rain,” Hoepfinger said during Wednesday’s Columbia Chamber of Commerce luncheon at Tiny’s. His cousin, Mick Hoepfinger, said Dale grew up as a farmer and can handle the hard labor.
Nineteen Southern Illinois Counties Declared Disaster Areas Gov. Rod Blagojevich has declared 19 southern Illinois counties, including Randolph and Perry, disaster areas because of flooding conditions. “A lot of rivers are over their flood stage and numerous county roads are under water,” said State Rep. Dan Reitz. “They had 10 inches or more of rain way down south.” U.S Congressman Jerry Costello said he will survey the flooding today with the U.S. Corps of Engineers; he will conduct a press conference today at 3 p.m. at the Grand Tower Community Center. “I will ask the White House to expedite a Federal declaration,” said Costello. Monroe County received about 6 inches of rain, but flood damage was minimal. “We had a few roads under water, especially in the eastern part of the county,” said Gene Henckler, director of the local office of the Emergency Management Agency. Henckler advises those with ponds to inspect their dams and spillways to ensure they are in good condition.
Easter Egg Hunt Saturday At Waterloo VFW The Waterloo VFW’s annual Easter Egg Hunt is Saturday, March 22. Registration begins at 11 a.m., with the starting gun sounding at 11:30 a.m. Erin Fuller was one of those working Thursday to put together the eggs.
Congratulations to the Red Bud Elementary School
volleyball team. They placed third in the Class L State Tournament. The Royals
defeated Carbondale on Saturday in Herrin. Last Hecker Bar To Close: In a couple weeks, there will no longer be a place to sit down at a barstool and have a cold beer in Hecker. Flo’s Bar will close its doors for the last time on March 31. Matt Liefer and Dave Mooney will provide musical entertainment for one last night this Saturday night, March 22.
Burglar Targets Yard Fixtures Two Valmeyer residents are reporting the theft overnight of several antique clay beer crocks. The items were taken from the front porches of homes in new town Valmeyer. “They took ours sometime last night,” said Steve Bergheger. The crocks are worth several hundred dollars and the owners are hoping for their safe return, said Valmeyer City Hall employee Laurie Brown. “The Valmeyer police officers have begun an investigation,” Brown said. To provide information about the possible whereabouts of the crocks, call the Valmeyer Village Hall at 935-2131 or the Monroe County Sheriff’s office at 939-8651. Bergheger advises all county residents with crocks in their yards to consider moving them indoors for the time being. Upcoming Events At the Columbia Public Library Elizabeth Walter returns to the library March 25 to discuss her book “Barefoot In The Rubble.” In it, she recounts the story of her early childhood, which she spent in a Yugoslavian concentration camp after World War II. The program begins at 7 p.m. Glazy Day Pottery: Saturday, April 12, 10 a.m.: Trivets and plates are available. Cost is $15. Children 8 and under must be accompanied by a parent. Registration is required. Kindermusik Demonstration Class: Saturday, April 26, 9:30 a.m. to 10:10 a.m., and 10:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. Free demonstration class for newborns to 7 years of age. Classes taught by Lori Burkhardt, a licensed Kindermusik educator since 1995. To register, email or call Lori at KMwithLori@earthlink.net or 314.849.3532.
Calendar of Events
Friday: Good Friday
Saturday Rock band Breach of Peace at Bobeck's Sunday: Easter
The March 21 edition of The Independent
has been printed and
should is available at local newsstands. Those living in Monroe County should
have their copies today waiting in their mailboxes. For a list of places to pick
up a copy of The Independent, go
to
http://www.mocountyillinois
The Independent’s website has been updated. To view the site, go to www.mocountyillinois.com.
Recent Obituaries Beulah G. Valentine nee Valleroy, 88, of Valmeyer, died March 20, 2008, in Waterloo. She was born Jan. 17, 1820, in Modoc, the daughter of the late Joseph and Mary Louise Valleroy nee Wills. She was married to the late Welton L. Valentine. Mrs. Valentine is survived by her children Michael (Pamela) Valentine of Creve Coeur, Mo., Jeanne Mueller, and Anthony (Luzviminda) Valentine of Valmeyer; grandchildren Jeffrey (Dana) Mueller, Nicole Mueller and Heidi Valentine; nieces Viola Peters, Judy Hitzmann, Karen Buettner and Margaret Pierce. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and granddaughter Amy Valentine Buckner. Mrs. Valentine was a member of St. Mary’s Church in Valmeyer and the Altar Sodality. She was also a member of American Legion Auxiliary Post 901 in Valmeyer. Visitation is Monday, March 24, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., and Tuesday, from 8 a.m. to 8:45 a.m., at Quernheim Funeral Home. A funeral service will be Tuesday at 8:45 a.m. at the funeral home, Pastor Matt Friz officiating. She will be buried at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis. Memorials may be made to the Humane Society of Monroe County.
|
 |
|
 |
|||||
 |
 |
|
Next
Paper:
