E-Newsletter - January 31, 2009

The Eagles Soar Over Hawks

Brad Buettner of Columbia, left, goes up strong against Gibault’s Michael Hoffman for two points. The Columbia Eagles won a hard fought battle Friday night 50-48 over their Monroe County rival.             - photo by Bob Haentzler. Additional game photos available at www.gatewayphoto.net.

Children Head Back To School After Two-Day Snow Break

Charlie and Damon Gregson of Waterloo hop on their bus on their way to school Thursday morning. They enjoyed being off of school because of snow on Tuesday and Wednesday, but were happy to head back to school to see their friends. They are the children of Jamie and Sarah Gregson.

During their days off of classes at Waterloo High School, Zachery Wienhoff, left, and Mike Glen kept busy shoveling snow off of driveways in Waterloo. They also spent a fun afternoon sledding down the hills at Lakeview Park (the old water works) in Waterloo.

John Novack was spotted earlier this week clearing the snow away from the parking spots of his family and friends along Main Street in Waterloo.                            – photo by Ellen Gates

Area Corn Growers Gather At Annex

Members of the Mon-Clair Corn Growers Association met Jan. 28 at the Monroe County Annex for their 16^th annual meeting. During the gathering outgoing president Jim Seboldt of Fults turned over the gavel to Alois Hoffmann of East Carondelet to head the organization in 2009. Topics of conversation during the evening included the fluctuating price of a bushel, the future of ethanol and the crops that sustained wind damage in 2008.

Mon-Clair Corn Growers President Jim Seboldt welcomes attendees to their annual meeting.

Youth Injured In Sledding Accident: A fourth grade female receive a head injury Thursday evening while sledding along GG Road in rural Waterloo. The injury was sustained when she slid into a wood fence post. An Arch helicopter transported the youth to a St. Louis hospital. Her name and condition have not been released. Her classmates at Rogers Elementary School in Waterloo are hoping she recovers soon and returns to school.

Waterloo Closes The Gap To Defeat Gibault

Gibault senior basketball player Nicki Birkner splits the Waterloo defense of Janet Marler (15), and Sarah Polansky (40) during Thursday night’s girls’ varsity basketball game. Waterloo held on to defeat Gibault 39-31 in a game that was a close battle most of the way.            - photo by Bob Haentzler - Additional game photos available at www.gatewayphoto.net

Costello Supports Economic Stimulus Package: U.S. Rep. Jerry Costello (D-IL) voted yesterday in favor of H.R. 1, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, an $825 billion dollar plan to create jobs and stimulate the economy. Costello said the bill would mean about $1.8 billion in infrastructure spending in Illinois as well as more than $2.7 billion to the state to meet pressing needs. The bill also includes $275 billion in tax cuts, many targeted to the middle class and small businesses. Costello estimates this bill will save or create 203,600 jobs in Illinois by the end of 2010 and reduce the state’s unemployment rate by 1.9%.

“This is not a perfect bill, but we need to act and it will help our economy,” said Costello. “I have said repeatedly that infrastructure spending is the best way to create jobs and make our transportation system more efficient, and Illinois will see a substantial direct benefit from this funding.”

Costello added that he will continue to work with his fellow representatives to improve the bill as the legislative process continues.

Hill Celebrates 29^th: Sarah Hill was treated by her family Thursday night to a surprise 29th birthday party. While she was bartending at Main Street Saloon in Waterloo, her family walked in with balloons and dinner to her amazement.

Schneider’s Survives Pre-Winter Storm Rush: Mark Lengacher said his employees at Schneider’s Quality Meats in Waterloo survived the run on bread, milk and eggs on Monday prior to the big winter storm. With the temperature rising and the snow melting, folks are getting out of their homes and back to the stores again to stock up.
 

Columbia High School students are gearing up the first-ever Eagle-Fest musical revue. The event is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 7, and runs from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Columbia American Legion Hall. Performers will include rock bands Morland Drive and Rock City Overpass, along with the CHS choir. Tickets are $8 for adults and $6 for children. Proceeds benefit the Columbia Athletic Department.
 

Zoar UCC of New Hanover is celebrating its 165th anniversary during the rest of 2009. The public is invited to help kick off the occasion with a church service Feb. 22 at 10 a.m. Refreshments will follow. Future events will occur throughout the year. The church is located at 9103 D Road.
 

The Columbia Library will be closed from Feb. 11 through Feb. 16 for painting and installation of new carpeting.

Farm Bureau Scholarship Applications Available: The Monroe County Farm Bureau Foundation is looking for candidates for their college scholarships. Applications are available at local high schools or by contacting the Monroe County Farm Bureau at 939-6197 or by email, mcfarm@htc.net. The amount and number of scholarships awarded depends upon the number of applications received.

Eligibility requirements include the Class of 2009 graduate be a child of a member of the Monroe County Farm Bureau, be accepted or plan to enroll in a post-secondary school in an agriculture curriculum and be a resident of Monroe County for a minimum of three years.

The judges will especially look to candidates who excel at scholastic achievement, participation in agriculture activities and those who demonstrate leadership in school and community activities. The winners will be announced in May.

Recent Obituary

Harry A. Stelmach, 91, of Columbia, died Jan. 28, 2009, at St. Anthony's Medical Center in St. Louis, Mo. He was born Jan. 6, 1918, in St. Louis, Mo., the son of the late Anthony and Agatha (Rozaitis) Stelmach. He was the husband of the late Doris (Frank) Stelmach. She died on Nov. 20, 1980. He was also preceded in death by brothers, Joe, Frank and Bill Stelmach; and sisters Sally Stelmach, Josephine Jimas, Ann Kostecki and Elsie Leighton. Mr. Stelmach is survived by a daughter, Mary Beth (Harold) Janson of Columbia; and a dear friend, Vicki Mayfield of St. Louis, Mo.; along with nieces and nephews, great-nieces; great-nephews, great-great nieces; great-great-nephews; other relatives and friends. Mr. Stelmach served in the U.S. Army in World War II. He was a retired Carpenters Foreman at St. Louis Ship and was a past member of the Columbia Senior Citizens. There were no public services. Lawlor Funeral Home handled the arrangements. Memorials may be made to the Humane Society of Monroe County.