E-Newsletter  - February 27, 2009

Valmeyer FFA Pulls Their Way To Victory At Ag Olympics

The FFA team won the tug-of-war and several other events to take first place honors on Tuesday during the Ag Olympics at Valmeyer High School. The event was part of the school’s recognition of National FFA Week. The week concluded Friday at 2 p.m. with the annual tractor parade.

Valmeyer Mayor and VHS Ag Advisor Howard Heavner put all of his strength into throwing a straw bale during the school’s Ag Olympics. Heavner’s throw was good enough for first place in the event. The FFA team won the over-all competition.

Columbia Attorney Bob Hayes is back home recovering from injuries sustained last Saturday at his home in rural Millstadt. The initial report is that his ex-girlfriend, Darlene Grosse, 56, formerly of Waterloo, stabbed Hayes in the chest with a large knife. When officers arrived at the home following a 9-1-1 call, they found both Grosse and Hayes inside the home. Hayes is hoping to make a full recovery and get back to his office soon. According to the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department, Grosse has been charged with a felony count of aggravated domestic battery. She is being held at the St. Clair County Jail with bail set at $75,000.  

The Columbia High School hockey team is playing for the league championship this weekend. They beat Triad twice in the playoffs to advance to the championship game. CHS alumni and former hockey star Z.T. Evans said he will be rooting hard for an Eagles victory.

Erin Kreher and Corey Gool were crowned the queen and king of the Gibault High School Homecoming Dance.

Local Author To Sign Copies Of His First Novel

Local author William “Bill” Kurfman of Waterloo will sign copies of first novel, “Lost In Antiquity,” on Saturday, March 14, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Morrison-Talbott Library in Waterloo. The book is a science fiction story about a young man who takes a magical journey into a parallel realm where myths and legends become real. Sixteen-year-old Calvin is the main character in “Lost In Antiquity,” the same age Kurfman was when he first started thinking about writing this book.

“Each character in the story has some of myself instilled in it,” said Kurfman, who is currently working on a second novel.

Upcoming Events At Morrison-Talbott Library

- Viewing of the documentary “Decoding Lincoln’s Legacy” is scheduled for March 4. The History Channel program will be shown at 1 p.m. ad 7 p.m. Don Modglin will read “The Gettysburg Address” to begin the evening’s viewing.

- Judi Tomlinson will host a Travel Night on March 18, at 7 p.m. Her theme is Around the Horn, about taking a cruise around the tip of South America.

- Bestseller’s Book Club is Tuesday, March 24, and will feature “The Other Queen” by Philippa Gregory. The group meets at 7 p.m.

Fastnacht Is A Big Meal Before Lent

David Ruggeri of Waterloo gets his plate filled up with pancakes last Tuesday during the Fastnacht at St. John UCC of Maeystown. Attendees enjoyed the Fat Tuesday menu of all-you-can-eat pancakes, sausage and doughnuts.

Post-Dispatch columnist Bill McClellan plugged the fish plates at J.V.’s Downtown Bar and Restaurant during Thursday night’s televised airing of “Donnybrook” on PBS Channel 9. During Lent, the folks on the TV show give their recommendation for meatless dining options. “We had several people at lunch today mention they heard McClellan mention J.V.’s last night,” said Jeff “J.V.” Vogt, co-owner of the establishment.

The drama departments at Columbia High School and Columbia Middle School are receiving rave reviews for their performances of the Don Zolidis’ play, “The Greek Mythology Olympiaganza.” Upcoming shows are Friday, Feb. 27 through Saturday, Feb. 28 at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, March 1 at 2 p.m. in the CMS Cafetorium. Tickets are $4 for students and $6 for adults, with a $15 cap per immediate family.

U.S. Rep. Jerry Costello (D-IL) issued the following statement in response to President Obama’s address to a joint session of Congress earlier this week: “The President tonight made clear that we have a lot of hard work to do. We are in the midst of our country’s worst economic crisis since the Great Depression, and just as it took a while to get to this point, it will take time to restore our economy. Towards this end, we have passed an economic recovery plan that will create jobs and invest in our infrastructure, schools and communities. Importantly, the President emphasized that as we move forward, we have an opportunity to restore the sense of responsibility and accountability to business, markets and government. We have an opportunity to rethink and reform our health care system and create a balanced national energy policy to better serve the American people. And most significantly, that as a nation, we have faced crisis before, weathered it, and emerged stronger than ever.”

Dr. Lori Trost and her son, Daniel, were seen on television on Feb. 15. They were in New York City and were spotted in the outdoor audience at a taping of NBC’s Today Show while the Harlem Globetrotters were being interviewed. To watch a clip of the show, clip on http://www.truveo.com/TODAY-anchor-joins-Harlem-Globetrotters/id/148844016.

Harvey Ries of Hanover Road reports his gauge showed .39-inch of rain overnight. He figured because it was a thunderstorm, some might have gotten more and some less around the county.

Boy Scouts from Troop 320 are getting ready for their spaghetti dinner on Saturday, Feb. 28. They will be serving from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., at the ICS Cafeteria. The menu includes spaghetti, salads, bread, homemade pies, deserts and drinks.

Recent Obituaries

Irene Gummersheimer, 94, of Columbia, died Feb. 27, 2009, at Canterbury Manor Nursing Center in Waterloo. She was born Aug. 20, 1914, in Linn, Mo., the daughter of the late Edward and Anna (Busch) Ahrens. She was married to the late John L. Gummersheimer. Mrs. Gummersheimer is survived by a son, son, James (Diane Daugherty) Gummersheimer of Columbia; granddaughter, Marla (Robert) Walters of Columbia; great-grandchildren Jacob Eric Hill, Hannah Marie Walters and Sophia Irene Walters; a sister, Pearl Stock of St. Charles, Mo.; and sisters-in-law Theresa Collier of Columbia and Anna Joyce of Texas; along with nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. In addition to her husband, she was also preceded in death by a grandson, Eric Gummersheimer, and a brother, Arthur Joyce. Mrs. Gummersheimer was a member of St. Paul UCC in Columbia, a former member of the Order of the Eastern Star and the Columbia Gymnastic Association Auxiliary. Visitation is Sunday, March 1, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Lawlor Funeral Home. Funeral is Monday, March 2, at 11 a.m., at St. Paul UCC of Columbia, with Pastor Bob Goddard officiating. Mrs. Gummersheimer will be buried at Evangelical St. Paul Cemetery in Columbia. Memorials may be made to her church.

Charlotte Sturm, 85, of Columbia, died Feb. 25, 2009, at Atrium Health Care and Rehabilitation Center in Cahokia. She was born March 2, 1923, in Fairfield, Neb., the daughter of the late Charles and Pearl (Fosbury) White. Mrs. Sturm is survived by her brothers, Henry and Paul White; a niece, Joyce Benitez; and dear friend, Anna Bunton. She was preceded in death by her son, Stanley Ray Taylor. She was retired from Famous-Barr in St. Louis, Mo. Private family services were held with Lawlor Funeral Home handling the arrangements. Mrs. Sturm was buried at Fairfield Cemetery in Fairfield, Neb.

Jack E. Branson, 67, of Waterloo, died Feb. 25, 2009, in Red Bud. He was born Sept. 21, 1941, in Waterloo, the son of the late Blufford and Ione (nee Fischer) Branson. Mr. Branson is survived by his wife, Elsie (nee Dickneite) Branson; children Timothy (Mary) Branson and Julie (Troy) Potts; grandchildren Tara (Billy) Johnson, Amanda Branson, Max Hiller and Amber Branson; a great-grandson, Cody Johnson; sisters Joyce (Floyd) Zipfel, Karen Harbison and Nadine (Joseph) Feldker; a brother-in-law, Donald O’Connor; and a sister-in-law, Linda Branson; along with nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by sisters Phyllis Boehne and Joan O'Connor; brothers Donald and Keith Branson; and brothers-in-law Charles Harbison and Robert Boehne. Mr. Branson was a veteran of the U.S. Army, owned Branson Heating and Cooling in Waterloo and was a member of Sheet Metal Union Local 268. Visitation is Friday, Feb. 27, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Quernheim Funeral Home. Funeral is Saturday, Feb. 28, 11 a.m., at the funeral home, with Pastor Patrick Poole officiating. Mr. Branson will be buried at Immaculate Conception Cemetery in Madonnaville.

Frederick O. Renner, 75, of Cahokia, died Feb. 19, 2009, surrounded by his friends and family. He was born Aug. 26, 1933 in St. Louis, Mo. Mr. Renner is survived by his wife of 56 years, Shirley (nee Kuebler) Renner; his children, Frederick C. (Susan) Renner of Cahokia, David (Elizabeth) Renner of St. Louis, Mo., Joan Renner of Cottage Hills and Judee (Tom) Sliment of Waterloo; a sister, Ruth (Wesley) White of Fremont, Calif.; sisters-in-law Judith (Tom) Zimmermann, Norma (Lloyd) Taaffe and Karen (Doug) Owen; grandchildren April, Steve, Rob, Chelsea, Rachel, Sarah, Andrew, Jon, Dylan, Alex, Nathan, Colleen and Quinn; and great-grandchildren Bailey, Grayson, Ethan, Mabry, Hudson and Nola; along with nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, Frederick J., and Edna (nee Brockett) Renner; in-laws Charles and Clara (nee Buschulte); and twin sons, James and Thomas Renner. Mr. Renner served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War. He retired from Springmeier Shipping Company in 1984. In his retirement, he and Shirley enjoyed spending time at the Sonnenberg YMCA in Belleville. Visitation is Saturday, March 7, at 9 a.m., at Holy Family Catholic Church in Cahokia. A memorial mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Memorials may be made to Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center.

Lee Pour, 73, of Red Bud, died Feb. 27, 2009, at his residence. He was born July 14, 1935, in Hecker, the son of the late Walter and Rose (nee Eichenseer) Pour. He married Darlene Rehmer in 1960 at SS. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Waterloo. In addition to his wife, Mr. Pour is survived by his sons, Jeffrey Pour of O’Fallon and Michael (Judy) Pour of Red Bud; grandchildren Matthew, Alicia, Travis and Brittney; brothers Robert (Gloria) Pour of Belleville and Joe (Marcella) Pour of Waterloo; sisters Adele (Eugene) Maurer of New Athens and Ethel (Owen) Masterson of Belleville; a brother-in-law, Clement (Carol) Schaefer of Red Bud; and sisters-in-law Audrey Pour of Belleville and Mary (Ronald) Braun of Red Bud; along with nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by brothers Albert Pour, twin brother Louis Pour and Paul Pour; sisters Rita Schaefer and Albert (Clyde) Heidger. Visitation is Sunday, March 1, 4 p.m., to 8 p.m., at Welge-Pechacek Funeral Home in Red Bud. Funeral is Monday, March 2, 11 a.m., at the funeral home with Father Donald Eichenseer officiating. Mr. Pour will be buried at Trinity Lutheran Cemetery in Prairie. Memorials may be made to St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, St. John the Baptist Catholic School or the Trinity Lutheran Church Building Fund.