Weekend Wrap-Up - August 24, 2009

High School Football Season Kicks Off This Friday: The 2009 high school football season begins Friday, Aug. 28, with games starting at 7 p.m. The local match-ups are Sparta at Columbia, Freeburg at Waterloo, Olney at Dupo and Red Bud at Pinckneyville.

Senior quarterback Tim Kassebaum warms up before the annual Waterloo High School Orange and Black pre-season football scrimmage. Kassebaum is hoping to use his experience to help the Bulldogs make a return trip to the playoffs.                   - photo by Bob Haentzler / Orange & Black game photos online at www.gatewayphoto.net

Local Bike Ride Benefits Lupus Foundation

Several hundred bicyclists gathered at Bolm-Schuhkraft Park in Columbia on Saturday morning before embarking on a 50 or 100-mile course through parts of Monroe and St. Clair Counties. Proceeds from the ride were donated to the Lupus Foundation of America. “I think we brought in about $11,400,” said Bruce Soehnlin of Columbia, one of the event’s organizers. Soehnlin lost his wife several years ago to the disease. He has dedicated much of his retirement days to volunteering at programs raising funds to help find a cure. “This race was held on the day (Aug. 22) that I lost my wife, but also of the birth of one of my grandchildren,” Soehnlin added.

Bruce Soehnlin, left, encourages bikers as they start Saturday’s bike ride to benefit the Lupus Foundation.

“Knobloch – Braswell” Week Declared In Valmeyer

Valmeyer Mayor Howard Heavner has declared Aug. 23 through Aug. 29 as Knobloch – Braswell Week. This comes on the heels of the wonderful community response received from this past weekend’s production of the musical “Peace In The Valley. “Once again, Marcia Braswell and Dennis Knobloch have shown their dedication to this community and brought us such a wonderful memory we will cherish for generations to come,” said Valmeyer Mayor Howard Heavner, who also played the character of the town’s namesake, Joe Meyer. More than 600 people attended this weekend production of “Peace In The Valley,” a musical chronically the early years of Valmeyer, from the early Indian settlements to the official incorporation of the village in 1909.

“We may have conceived the idea for this project, but there were a whole lot of people who came together to put get this musical off the ground,” said Knobloch. “Once again, the folks of Valmeyer pulled together to tackle a difficult project to make something wonderful.” Braswell said she was, once again, amazed by the musical talent shown by those who participated in such a project. “We are so blessed in this community to have such a wide range of talented individuals,” she said.
 

Valmeyer Mayor Howard Heavner, center, congratulates Dennis Knobloch and Marcia Braswell following Saturday night’s production of “Peace In the Valley.”

Actress Susie Mueller, as early Valmeyer resident Lida Lee, right, figures the town should be named after Meyer family living in this valley near the Mississippi river. “We should call it Valmeyer,” she said. Looking on are, left to right, Brenda Johnson and Howard “Sir” Heavner” (Margaret and Joseph Meyer) and Ryan Hefflinger (Dr. Lee).

Watching a home run current Lakers slugger Matt Stuckmeyer hit to beat the Waterloo Millers are cast members Joe Andres, Clara Riechmann, Donna Mueller, Andrew Whipple and Ethan May.

In a bar room scene in Thursday night’s performance of “Peace In the Valley,” actor Ed-itor Wienhoff, left, tells Dennis Knobloch… “(hiccup) We’re like the Lakers… We could use another pitcher.”           - photo by Laurie Barchet

The colossal Valmeyer Fourth Of July fireworks were incorporated into this weekend’s musical.

Two vehicles collided Sunday afternoon at the intersection of Route 3 and Moore Street in Waterloo. There were no injuries.

Crash On Metter Street: A car ended up on its side Sunday evening on North Metter Street in Columbia, a couple block north of the library. According to the initial report, a car lost control in the 300 block of Metter Street and ended up leaning against a row of bushes in the front yard of the Biermann home. Columbia firefighters assisted ambulance personnel in helping the driver, a middle-aged male from Columbia, out of his vehicle. He was taken by ambulance to an area hospital. The name of cause of the accident have not yet been released.

Student And Dog To Be Temporarily Allowed To Attend School: Circuit Judge Dennis Doyle ordered the Columbia School District to temporarily allow Carter Kalbfleisch to attend pre-kindergarten classes accompanied by his service dog Corbin. On Friday, Doyle granted the Chris and Melissa Kalbfleisch’s a preliminary injunction to allow their five-year-old autistic son and Corbin to attend classes until a court hearing could be held to rule on the case. Earlier this summer, the CUSD had informed the family the dog would not be allowed to enter the school. Doyle set a hearing for Monday for both sides to meet to figure out a means to accommodate the service dog.

Monroe County’s second annual Unified And Ready Disaster Preparedness Day is Sept. 12, from 7 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. A highlight will be a training smokehouse provided by the Columbia Volunteer Fire Department. 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 Monroe County Electric Cooperative received a $7 million Electric Guaranteed loan from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Office of Rural Development. The funds will be used to build 44 miles of new distribution lines and make system improvements. "These resources will enable the cooperative to serve more customers and improve quality of life,” said U.S. Rep. Jerry Costello. "This type of project is another way we are addressing the infrastructure needs of our region and the nation.”

The Waterloo VFW will be closed on the following Fridays - Aug. 28 (Waterloo Homecoming) and Sept. 4 (Labor Day Weekend).

Melissa Harres had made the cast of “Fame” in China. She is set to perform for three months beginning this December in the ensemble. She will also be the understudy for the part of Iris. “We are very happy for her, but she will miss celebrating Christmas back home in Columbia,” said mom Linda Harres. Her father Joel, is still contemplating whether to make the trek to China.

Recent Obituaries

Gary “Mo” Malott, 58, of Red Bud, died Aug. 20, at Red Bud Regional Hospital. He was born Feb. 25, 1951 in Red Bud. He married Brenda Ehlers in 1972 in Red Bud. In addition to his wife, Mr. Malott is survived by his mother, Virginia (nee Greenfield) Malott of Evansville; grandmother, Annie Malott of Russellville, Ark.; children Jason (Liz) Malott of St. Louis, Mo., and Angela (Kevin) Cartee of Red Bud; grandchildren Noah and Logan Malott and Konnor Cartee; a brother, Dennis Malott of Red Bud; sister, Laurie (Steve) Mattingly of Prairie du Rocher; brothers-in-law Larry (Pam) Ehlers of Red Bud and Byron (Janine) Ehlers of Carlyle; and a sister-in-law, Sandra Ehlers of Red Bud; along with nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles. He was preceded in death by his father, Harley Malott; in-laws Homer and Alta Ehlers; and grandfather, Prentice Malott. Mr. Malott worked for IDOT for 33 years. He retired as a foreman in 2006. He was a member of St. John Lutheran Church in Red Bud, served on the Red Bud Fire Department for 23 years, and was active with the Muskets Athletic Club for 33 years. Visitation is Monday, Aug. 24, from 9 a. to 11 a.m., at Welge-Pechacek Funeral Home in Red Bud. Funeral is Monday, at 11 a.m., at St. John Lutheran Church in Red Bud with Rev. Mark Nebel officiating. Mr. Malott will be buried at the church’s cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Muskets Athletic Club or the Red Bud Fire Department.

Robert "Bob" Schad, 59, of Burksville, died Aug. 21, 2009 at his residence. He was born June 19, 1950, in East St. Louis, the song of the late Milton and Margaret (nee Schmidt) Schad. Mr. Schad is survived by his wife, Sylvia (nee Wallis) Schad; children Shelia (Seth) Smith, Gary Shelton, Jamie (Chris) Sostman and Bobbie (Chris) Laux; grandchildren John Brackenbush, Jordan Shelton, Austin Laux and Andrew Sostman; siblings Karen (Wayne) Melching and Ronald (Norma) Raeber; and father-in-law, Clayborn Wallis; along with nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Joanie Schad. Mr. Schad retired as a maintenance man at Canterbury Manor Nursing Center and was a member of Hope Christian Church. He loved NASCAR, fishing and camping. Visitation is Monday, Aug. 24, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., at Quernheim Funeral Home. A funeral service will follow at Quernheim’s with Pastor Darrell Jones officiating. Memorials may be made to Heartland Hospice or the Belleville Humane Society.