E-Newsletter - August 14, 2009

Mon-Clair Semifinal Playoff Games Set For Saturday

Fairview Heights catcher Brad Dunnigan has the ball waiting as Columbia's Drew Haven approaches for a play at the plate. Haven was out and Fairview Heights advanced with a 4-2 victory.              - photo by Bob Haentzler / www.gatewayphoto.net  

The Waterloo Millers and Valmeyer Lakers are the two local baseball teams who have qualified for the semifinal playoffs of the Mon-Clair League. The semifinals and best of three Championship Series will take place this weekend at Borsch Memorial Park in Old Town Valmeyer.
 
The scores of the quarterfinal games held earlier this week were: At Whitey Herzog Field in Belleville, Valmeyer defeated host team Belleville 6 to 5, while top seeded St. Louis Spikes narrowly defeated Millstadt 9 to 8. At the SPPS Field in Waterloo, it was Fairview Heights 4 and Columbia 2, while host team Waterloo shut out Edwardsville 9-0.
 
In Valmeyer’ win, Matt Stuckmeyer and Aaron Floarke each hit two-run doubles, while Scott Sittel blasted a solo home run. Lakers ace Dan Bennett went six innings to pick up the victory on the mound.
 
The semifinal schedule for Saturday is:
10:30 a.m.: Valmeyer vs. St. Louis Spikes
12:30 p.m.: Waterloo vs. Fairview Heights  
 
Winners of those games will compete in the best of three Championship Series. Game one will begin at 2:45 p.m. Games two and three (if necessary) will begin Sunday, Aug. 16, at 1 p.m., in Valmeyer.

Waterloo pitcher Brandon Musso pitched the entire quarterfinal game, blanking Edwardsville. The Millers won 9-0 to advance to semifinal games on Saturday.           - photo by Bob Haentzler / www.gatewayphoto.net  

Shaquille “Shaq” O’Neal, right, threw out the ceremonial first pitch Tuesday at the start of the Cardinals game. Cards slugger Albert Pujols caught the pitch. Despite a late inning home run by Pujols, the Cards fell to the Cincinnati Red 5-4. Shaq was in town to film an episode of “Shaq Vs.” on Thursday evening at T.R. Hughes Stadium in O’Fallon, Mo.

Shaquille “Shaq” O’Neal, right, tosses the first pitch Tuesday night to Albert Pujols. “Make sure you put down your nachos and wipe all the cheese from your hands before taking pictures at Cards games with an expensive camera or your uncle will get really mad,” reports Independent cub reporter Gage Wienhoff.

Valmeyer’s Peace In The Valley To Debut Next Week
Actors and actresses are hard at work polishing up their parts for Valmeyer’s production of “Peace In The Valley.” The musical is based on the events in Valmeyer's history leading up to its official incorporation as a village in December of 1909 and is based on the centennial book written by Dennis “Cotton” Knobloch. Curtain goes up at Borsch Memorial Park at 8 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 20, Friday, Aug. 21 and Saturday, Aug. 22. Recently retired Valmeyer School Music Director Marcia Braswell teamed up with Knobloch to pen the script. The production includes numerous musical numbers featuring songs from the turn of the century. Tickets are still available and can be purchased for $5 each by calling 935-2326.

During a rehearsal of “Peace In The Valley” earlier this week, “Miss Kippenberger,” played by Shaundra Huebner, right, leads the students of a home-room school house in the song, “School Days.”

The annual Columbia Daze festival is scheduled for Aug. 14 and 15, at the Turner Hall Park. Food stands and carnival rides open at 4 p.m. on Friday. Rock band Out of Focus will play from 8 p.m. to midnight. There are numerous events slated for Saturday. The annual Columbia Optimist 5k and 10k Run / Walk will begin at 8 a.m. Registration forms are available at the city’s website: www.columbiaillinois.com. Historical Trolley Tours of Main Street Columbia will also be provided throughout the day.
 
The parade along Main Street begins Saturday at 5 p.m. This year’s theme is Celebration 2009, which continues the city’s salute of its 150th anniversary. 1959 Centennial Committee members Herb Schueler and Gig Giffhorn will be the grand marshals. Bands marching include the Bud Light Brigade and the high school bands from Columbia and Gibault. The parade will travel south on Main Street from Temple to Cedar Streets. To participate, contact Paul Khoury at 281-7133. Rock band Aftershock will provide musical entertainment Saturday from 8 p.m. to midnight.
 
Once again, a wide selection of food will be served at Columbia Daze, noted Event Chairman Kenny “Spooner” Schmidt. “The Columbia Volunteer Fire Department will be frying fish, the Pork Producers will grill butterfly chops and pork burgers, plus there will be plenty of other food booths offering bratwurst, hot dogs, pizza, chicken on a stick, funnel cakes and, of course, lots of cold beer and soft drinks,” Schmidt added.
 

Tours To Highlight Main Street Columbia
The historic sites of Columbia’s Main Street will be highlighted Saturday during a trolley tour of the city. The Columbia Heritage and Preservation Commission will once again lead the scenic and educational visit down memory lane. Actors from the local theater company, MASC, will play the parts of some of the town’s historical figures. Tickets are $10 and tours leave City Hall at 9 a.m., 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. Reservations can be made by calling Joyce Schmidt at 281-5340. Tours will end at the historic Fiege Home located next to city hall. The home will be open Saturday for tours from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.      
Advanced ride tickets are available at Ron’s Pharmacy in downtown Columbia. For more information, call Turner Hall at 281-5393.

 

The Columbia Woman’s Club spruces up the flowers in front of the Fiege Home in downtown Columbia in time for Saturday’s open house.
 

FBI Looking Into Connection Involving Hecker Bank Robber
The arrest of a man who robbed a bank in Bland, Mo. has peaked the attention of the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department. “There are some similarities between the manner the Missouri bank was robbed and the incident last week in Hecker,” said Capt. Dennis Schreder of the Monroe County Sheriff’ Department.
 
In both robberies, a thin, middle-aged man entered the bank and set down a box. He then told the tellers there was a bomb inside and it would be detonated if the police were called. The man then demanded money from the tellers before fleeing the scene. The person was able to elude authorities following the Hecker incident on Aug. 3, but Mario Wright, 49, of Fairmont City was arrested Aug. 8 in connection with the theft in Bland early that day. He is currently being held at the jail in Franklin County, Mo.
 
Schreder said the case is being handled by the FBI and they are determining if the robberies are in any way related.


The Monroe County Relay For Life is scheduled for Sept. 11 and 12 at the Monroe County Fairgrounds in Waterloo. The highlight of the evening will be the cancer survivors’ first lap around the course. The public is invited to attend the festivities. “There will be food, games, entertainment and lots of fun,” said Carol Bournstein, one of the organizers. “Bring the family and come join us and help us celebrate.” For more information, contact Bournstein at 939-8374 or by e-mail, gutterbeads@yahoo.com.
   
Monroe County’s second annual Unified And Ready Disaster Preparedness Day is Sept. 12, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Monroe County Courthouse. The event promotes public awareness of the steps the county has taken to be prepared in the event of a catastrophe. In addition to the informational booths, children will have the opportunity to get an up close look at fire trucks and ambulances. Adults will also be able to sign up for upcoming courses to be part of the Community Emergency Response Team. For more information, contact Kim Strellis by email at atmococitizencorp@yahoo.com.

The fifth annual Hills and Hollows Half-Marathon and 5K Run / Walk is scheduled for Sept. 26. The starting gun fires at 8 a.m., at the Fire House. Participants make their way along the course, which rabbles through the scenic back roads surrounding Valmeyer. This event is dedicated to the memory of Melvin J. Fisher, a lifelong Valmeyer resident who died of cancer in 2004. Fisher was a member of the Valmeyer Volunteer Fire Department for 30 years and was involved in several other civic organizations in the community. His twin brother, Marvin, coordinates the annual run in his honor. “In the past four years, we’ve been able to raise more than $19,000 for Backstoppers and the Valmeyer Active Firemen’s Association,” said Marvin Fisher. Those wishing to participant are directed to the website: www.hillsandhollows.org. Marvin Fisher can also be contacted directly by calling 402-598-9178.

A memorial service is planned for Aug. 22 to honor the late David “Big Bitts” Buettner of Waterloo who died earlier this month following a heart attack. The gathering has been planned at Main Street Saloon, 220 N. Main St. in Waterloo, on Saturday, Aug. 22 beginning at 1 p.m.

Memorial For Man Who Died In Bike Wreck
The family of Jimmy Mullins has planned a memorial in his honor Saturday, Aug. 15, at Hope Christian Church, located along Route 3 between Waterloo and Columbia. The ceremony will begin at 12 noon. Mullins is the 27-year-old man who died from injuries sustained earlier this week when he was biking in downtown Waterloo and struck a moving car along South Market Street.

The third annual 5K Tiki Trot, part of the St. Augustine of Hecker Kirchenfest, is set for Saturday, Aug. 15. The nighttime run winds its way through the Village of Hecker. Runners are guided along the way by glowing tiki torches. “We already have 240 runners pre-registered and we are hoping more will continue to sign up,” said Hootselle. To sign up, call Tom at 618-340-2801.
 
Waterloo And Columbia Optimist Clubs Each Planning 5K Runs
The Waterloo Optimist’s annual 5K Homecoming Day Run / Walk is slated for Saturday, Aug. 29. Sign up is at 7 a.m. at Rogers Elementary School. The firing gun sounds at 8 a.m. To sign up, contact race director Brad Karn at 939-3970 or by email: BradKarn@hotmail.com. Mark Vogt (the banker) is heading up the Columbia Optimist Club’s fifth annual Columbia Daze Walk/Run. The event is Aug. 15 with registration starting at 7 a.m. and the race at 8 a.m. For information e-mail Mark at mark_vogt- @fnbstl.com.

Upcoming Summer Picnics
Columbia Daze: Aug. 14 & 15
St. Augustine’s of Hecker Kirchenfest: Aug. 15
Waterloo Homecoming: Aug. 28 & 29
Millstadt Homecoming: Sept. 5 & 6
ICS of Columbia Picnic: Sept. 7
 
Calendar Of Events
Friday
    Fish fry and bingo at Waterloo VFW
    Columbia Daze: Rock band Out Of Focus at 8 p.m.

Saturday
    Columbia Daze: Parade at 5 p.m., Rock band Aftershock at 8 p.m.
    St. Augustine’s of Hecker Kirchenfest

Sunday
    Waterloo High School Dedication at 2 p.m.