E-Newsletter - August 29, 2008

Steady Stream Of Visitors Viewing Moving Vietnam Wall In Hecker

“Turnout has been awesome so far,” said Hecker Mayor Tom Hootselle when describing the amount of people visiting the Moving Vietnam Wall at the Hecker Community Center. Following an opening ceremony on Thursday evening, a constant stream of visitors has stopped by to view the replica of the National Vietnam War Memorial in Washington, D.C.

“It was really moving to see all the school children today,” said Hootselle. “It’s one thing for a student to learn something in a book, but it really makes a difference when they can see and touch history in person.”

The wall is displayed around the clock until Tuesday morning, Sept. 2. Admission is free. A dedication ceremony will take place Sunday, at 6 p.m., and a closing ceremony is scheduled for Monday at 6 p.m.

There was a large turnout Thursday evening during the opening ceremony to mark the arrival of the Moving Vietnam Wall in Hecker.

The Smithton American Legion Honor Guard reflects on those who died during the Vietnam War.

Navy Corpsman Crystal (Goeddel) Wettekin has been serving in Fallujah, Iraq since this past January. Her mother, Debbie Hasty, is making sure she keeps up with the goings-on back home. Wettekin is hoping for a two-week vacation later this fall at Camp Pendleton in California later, but will then head back overseas. “It has been as high as 115 degrees this summer,” Wettekin said.

Gibault Girls Tennis Has Even Record: After losing their home opener last Wednesday to Marquette High School, the Gibault High School girls’ tennis team rebounded Thursday to defeat Metro East Lutheran High School 6-3 in match play. Singles wins were notched by Maria Lesko, Danielle Spezia, Sam Naumann and Paige Buchheit. The doubles teams of Maria Lesko and Hanna Lundy, as well as Melissa Grimm and Nicki Birkner, sealed the match victory with wins. The Hawks travel to Highland High School next Tuesday for a match against Civic Memorial.

The American Red Cross will have a blood drive Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2 p.m. to 7 p.m., at St Paul UCC in Waterloo. It is sponsored by HTC and the First National Bank of Waterloo. For information, call Marilynn Schaefer, 939-8360, or Luanne Ragland, 939-1860.

Upcoming Red Cross Blood Drives

Sept. 21, 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Columbia

Oct. 7, 12 noon – 6 p.m., Valmeyer High School

Oct. 11, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Waterloo Chamber of Commerce

Oct. 21, 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Turner Hall in Columbia

Oct. 30, 8:30 a.m. – 2 p.m., Dupo High School

The public is invited to go out to eat Friday, Sept. 5, at the Monroe County Relay for Life at the fairgrounds. Food booths open at 5 p.m. Items include chili, rib-eye steaks, pork, cheeseburgers, pasta, chicken soup, fruit, ice cream, chocolate covered bananas, desserts, snacks and soft drinks. The Children’s Fun Land is open from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., and includes face painting, finger nail painting, a bounce house, clowns, a magician and various games and prizes.

The Relay’s opening ceremony is at 7 p.m. The Bud Light Brigade will lead the cancer survivors on their survivor lap around the fairgrounds. The luminary ceremony is at 9 p.m.

The evening’s entertainment includes sumo wrestling at 10 p.m., and a musical performance by Steve “Elvis” Davis at 11:30 p.m. The event concludes on Saturday morning at 6 a.m., with a victory lap.

“We Relay because we have hope the money we raise will increase awareness about the prevention and early detection of cancer,” said Sheryl Metzger, chairman of the event. “We hope the money will help fund research to find a cure for a disease that has affected all of us.”

The Waterloo VFW will be closed this weekend in honor of Labor Day.

Friday Night Football (Kick-off time is 7 p.m.)

Columbia at Sparta

Southwestern at Waterloo

Pinckneyville at Red Bud

Dupo at Litchfield

Calendar of Events

Friday

Waterloo VFW Closed

Saturday

Millstadt Homecoming: Parade at 5 p.m., Aftershock at 8 p.m.

Sunday

Dedication Ceremony at Hecker Moving Wall: 6 p.m.

Millstadt Homecoming: Parade at 4 p.m., Saloonatics at 8 p.m.

Monday

ICS of Columbia Labor Day Picnic

Closing Ceremony at Hecker Moving Wall at 6 p.m.

Recent Obituaries

Gina "Nikki” Embrich nee Herman, 45, of Waterloo, died Aug. 28, 2008, in Waterloo. She was born Oct. 6, 1962 in Belleville. She is survived by her husband, Keith Embrich; children Corey and Austen Embrich; step-daughter, Rachel (Kyle Jacob) Embrich; mother, Carol Wold; father-in-law, Leo Embrich; sister-in-law, Loretta (Bruce) Embrich-Migneron; brother-in-law, Terry Embrich; and uncle, Gene Heusohn; along with nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by grandparents Fred and Marcella (nee Pieper) Heusohn; and mother-in-law, Colleen (nee Kabureck) Embrich. Mrs. Embrich was employed at Enterprise Bank and Trust in St. Louis, Mo., and volunteered for the American Cancer Society. Visitation is Saturday, Aug. 30, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Quernheim Funeral Home. Funeral is Sunday, Aug. 31, at 11 a.m., at the funeral home, Pastor Matt Henson officiating. Mrs. Embrich will be buried at St. John UCC Cemetery in Valmeyer. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society.

August "Gus" Koch, 81, of Columbia, died, Aug. 28, 2008. He was born April 11, 1927 in Burksville, the son of the late Charles and Minnie (Sickmeyer) Koch. He married Arlou (Weilbacher) Koch in 1949 in Columbia. She died on May 21, 2008. He is survived by sons Larry (Caty) Koch of Wilton, Conn., Marty (Janet) Koch of Arnold, Mo., and Kevin (Cindy) Koch of Columbia; and five grandchildren; along with other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by brothers Charles and Alvin Koch; and sisters Irene Lang and Bernice Beattie. Gus had been a Distributor of Shaklee Products, and was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Columbia. A memorial mass will be Saturday, Sept. 6, 10 a.m., at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Columbia, Fr. Steve Gira officiating. Mr. Koch gifted his body for scientific study. Memorials may be made to the Immaculate Conception School Education Fund.