E-Newsletter - September 5, 2008

Fireworks To Continue During Red Bud Football Games: The Red Bud City Council voted Thursday night to allow fireworks to be shot off, per the current ordinance, at John Horrell’s home during high school football games. Members of the Red Bud Football Parents Committee also agreed to pursue fireworks safety training. (Information provided by the North County News.)

The Millstadt Fire Department was called to put out a small fire in the roof of a home today in the 600 block of West Madison. The initial report is the fire may have started in a bird’s nest in the awning of the home. There was only minor structural damage.

Debbie Godier of Prairie du Rocher continues to recover at St. Louis University Hospital with injuries sustained in an automobile accident last week, reports the North County News. According to the Randolph County Sheriff’s Department, on Sunday, Aug. 31, at 5:20 p.m., Godier, 43, was driving a 2000 Ford truck eastbound on Route 155 between Prairie du Rocher and Ruma. She lost control of the vehicle and ran off the road on the right side. As she attempted to correct the truck, Godier crossed over the road and ran into the ditch on the left side of the road, striking a power line guide wire. Godier was transported by Arch helicopter to St. Louis University Hospital.

Her daughter, Andrea, was transported by Arch to Cardinal Glennon Hospital with a broken leg. Her son, Gregory, was taken by ambulance to Red Bud Regional Hospital with minor injuries. Passenger Michael Hubbard was not injured.

Debbie Godier’s husband, the late Tim Godier, died one year ago in a hunting accident.
 

Dave Mehrmann of Columbia reports his rain gauge showed four inches from yesterday’s rain shower.  

Dillenbergers Win Grand Prize At Harres’

Joel Harres congratulates Susie Dillenberger on winning the grand prize drawing at Harres Appliance and Furniture.

Susie and Jim Dillenberger of rural Valmeyer were the grand prize winners in Harres Appliance and Furniture’s Anniversary Sale Drawing. They won a $5,000 room makeover. Also winning prizes were Michael Straub of Columbia, Serta bedding; Ellery and Adele Hawkins of Valmeyer, a La-Z Boy recliner; Willis and Francis Meyer of Waterloo, a whirlpool front load washer; Mark and Terri Rohr of Columbia, wine buffet and hutch.

More than 150 bicyclists will be rolling through Monroe County this weekend. Participants in the Illinois Great River Ride 2008 will arrive in Columbia on Sunday, Sept. 7. They will dine at The Falls with musical entertainment provided by the Waterloo German Band. Some of the bikers will camp out at Bolm-Schukraft Park or stay overnight at Hampton Inn. Monday morning they will head south along Bluff Road and spend the night at Fort de Chartres. Local police departments are asking motorists to be on alert for bicyclists.

Monroe County senior citizens are invited to take part in the annual Waterloo Police Department Senior Citizens Police Academy. The eight-week course begins Wednesday, Oct. 8 and continues through Nov. 26. Classes are 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. The training course is open to all residents of Monroe County over age 50 and is free of charge. Registration begins this week. Those interested may contact Officer Spencer at 939-3377.The academy covers a different topic each week and allows participants to network with the instructors and other presenters. The schedule this year is different from the previous year.

Class topics include frauds and scams, the Illinois Attorney General’s office, United States Marshal office, Emergency Management Agency, CERT, FBI, crime scene investigations, the Drug Enforcement Agency, fire safety, airport security, anti-terrorism, physical fitness for seniors and K-9 demonstration.
 

The Monroe County Chapter of Ducks Unlimited will gather to celebrate their 30th anniversary Saturday, Sept. 13 at Turner Hall in Columbia. The local chapter of the wetland habitat conservation organization held its first banquet at the Columbia American Legion Hall and many of the charter members are still active. Ducks Unlimited got its start in 1937, during the Dust Bowl when North America’s drought-plagued waterfowl populations had plunged to unprecedented lows.

The grass-roots, volunteer-based organization includes members who are conservationists and lovers of the outdoors who live in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

The local chapter has raised nearly $1 million with its annual dinner-auction and other fund-raising activities since its inception. DU chapters annually host more than 4,500 fund-raising activities.

“After 40 years as a Ducks Unlimited member, committeeman and chairman, I am no longer amazed by the dedication of its members and supports,” said Larry Sukup, one of the original local organizers of the Monroe County chapter. “The singleness of purpose to waterfowl and wetland restoration and preservation without question makes Ducks Unlimited the number one conservation organization in North America. Congratulations to the Monroe County chapter of Ducks Unlimited for their dedication to this singleness of purpose for over 30 years,” said Sukup.

The dinner and auction event will get underway at 5 p.m. when doors open. Dinner will be served at 6 p.m. with the auction beginning at 7 p.m.

The event is open to the public. For additional information on the dinner and auction contact Kyle Dudley at 618-340-2039, Neil Giffhorn at 618-540-3848 or Steve Waller at 618-530-7323.

Area post offices are offering suggestions for people to save on fuel by utilizing some of their services. For example, people can save a trip to the post office by purchasing stamps by mail. Stamps by mail envelopes are available from carriers or at the post office. You can also order stamps online at www.usps.com.

“Whether you need a book or a coil of stamps, all you have to do is fill out the order form, insert payment, and place the envelope in your mailbox. The stamps you order will be delivered to your mailbox usually within two business days,” said Columbia Postmaster Dawn Boma.

Another convenient service offered by the post office is carrier pickup. This door-to-door service lets you ship domestic packages by Express or Priority Mail, or packages destined for international addresses, from your home or business. Just call 1-800-ASK-USPS or go online at www.usps.com. (Editor’s Note: The Columbia Post Office customer counter was closed Saturday, Aug.30 for the Labor Day Weekend. There was regular mail delivery. A sign on the post office door advised a steady stream of patrons to visit post offices in South St. Louis County.)

Brad Buettner is celebrating his victory this morning in the hot dog eating contest during the Columbia High School pep rally.

The third annual Columbia Heroes, Homerooms and Hoops charity basketball game is Thursday, Sept. 11, at Columbia High School. Tip-off is at 7 p.m. Columbia teachers will square off against members of the Columbia Police Department, Columbia Volunteer Fire Department and Columbia Ambulance Service.

“This our way to remember the lives lost on 9/11,” said Columbia Deputy Police Chief Jerry Paul.

Barbecue plates are served from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., in the CHS cafeteria.  Proceeds benefit the Columba Community Scholarship Fund. The scholarship is given annually to CHS seniors interested in police, fire and education careers.

Michelle Roever will be celebrating a birthday Saturday night with family and friends. They plan to gather at Bobeck’s and dance to Aftershock.

Reports from the Fountain news bureau…. While driving along one of his field roads in the bottoms, Mike Stumpf came upon a naked, oiled down man holding a towel. When he turned around to investigate, there was no sign of the man and a car was not seen in the area. Stumpf plans on carrying a camera in his truck from now on to try and get a good picture for the paper. He is also crossing his fingers making sure the individual is not one of his relatives sunbathing au-natural.

The Waterloo Knights of Columbia Council 1334 will celebrate their 100th anniversary Saturday evening, Sept. 6. The members will attend the 5 p.m. Mass at SS. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, followed by a catered meal and social hour at the SPPS cafeteria.

Calendar of Events

Friday

Fish fry and bingo at Waterloo VFW

Relay For Life at Monroe County Fairgrounds 

Saturday

Rock band Aftershock at Bobeck’s

Friday Night Football Games (kick-off at 7 p.m.)

Waterloo at Columbia

Breese Central at Dupo

Wesclin at Red Bud

Recent Obituaries

Angel Millikan nee Kohlenberger, 47, of Eureka, Mo., formerly of Columbia, died Sept. 3, 2008. She was born Oct. 10, 1960 in Belleville, the daughter of Ernest (Lore) Kohlenberger of Festus, Mo., and the late Mary Ann (Mardirosian) Smith. She is survived by daughters Natalie and Christine Evans of Eureka, Mo., and siblings Mike (Angie) Kohlenberger of Crossville, Tenn., Marty (Sherry) Kohlenberger of Valmeyer, Kelly (Joe) Dobronski of Columbia, Linda Smith of St. Louis, Mo., David (Debbie) Kohlenberger of Festus, Mo., and Ernie Kohlenberger of Austin, Tex.; along with other relatives and friends. She was a dispatcher with Roadway Trucking Co., in Fenton, Mo. Visitation is Friday, Sept. 5, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Lawlor Funeral Home in Columbia. Funeral is Saturday, Sept. 6, at 12 p.m., at Lawlor’s, with Rev. Ron Beaver officiating. She will be cremated. Memorials may be made to the family of Angel Millikan.

Blaine Cosbey, 82, of Columbia, formerly of Belleville, died Sept. 2, 2008, at his residence. He was born May 19, 1926, in Belleville, the son of the late Frank and Helen (nee Lyons) Cosbey. He was preceded in death by fathers-in-law, Charles Graf and Arthur Sauer. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Joan Marie (nee Graf) Cosbey; mother-in-law, Margaret Sauer of Columbia; special friends, Maurice and Gloria Vale and Tom Vale, all of Freeburg; and his faithful pet, Gretchen. Mr. Cosbey graduated in 1944 from Belleville Township High School and attended the University of Missouri – Columbia. He served in the U.S. Navy in World War II. He was the retired vice-president and general manager of Modern Foundry and Manufacturing Company in Mascoutah. He was a Master Councilor of the Order of DeMolay and received their Chevalier’s Award. He was also a member of Belleville Masonic Lodge 24; the Scottish Rite Bodies of Southern Illinois and the Ainad Shriners. He served as a board member and treasurer of both Belle-Clair Fairgrounds and the St. Clair County Fair Association. He was a past member of the First Presbyterian Church of Belleville, where he served as both a deacon and a trustee. Private services were held at George Renner and Sons Funeral Home in Belleville. He was buried at Valhalla Gardens of Memory Mausoleum in Belleville.

Wilma Vickers nee Lunsford, 84, of Dupo, died Sept. 3, 2008, at her residence. She was born Aug. 19, 1924 in Washington County, Mo., the daughter of the late William and Louis Lunsford. She was a homemaker. Mrs. Vickers was preceded in death by her sons, Robert Vickers and William “Bill” Vickers Jr.; and great-granddaughter Lindsey Otten. She is survived by her husband of 59 years, William Vickers Sr., of Dupo; daughter, Nancy (Raymond) Posey of Dupo; grandchildren Heather (Neal) Gipson of Post Falls, Idaho, Holly (Craig) Mueller of Imperial, Mo., Joshua Vickers of Kansas City, Mo., Benjamin Vickers of Kansas City, Mo., and Kendra Vickers; great-grandchildren David Otten of Waterloo, Grace, Hannah and Katie Gipson of Post Falls, Idaho, Emily and Jacob Mueller of Imperial, Mo., and Brianna Vickers of Kansas City, Mo. Visitation and funeral were at Dashner-Leesman Funeral Home in Dupo, the Rev. Matt Friz officiating. She was buried at Valhalla Gardens of Memory in Bellville.