E-Newsletter - October 16, 2009

Accident South Of Waterloo: There were no injuries reported in a two car accident Tuesday at 5:20 p.m. at the intersection of Route 3 and Kaskaskia Road south of Waterloo. According to the police report, Bradley Sellers of Dupo was driving a 1995 Towne Car on Kaskaskia Road when he attempted to turn onto the northbound lane of Route 3. Sellers, 22, then cut into the path of a 2004 Volvo driven by Dorothy Mae Dickerson, 55, of Waterloo. Dickerson was not injured. Sellers and passenger Jenna Marie Rehmer, 25, of Waterloo, refused medical treatment. Sellers was ticketed for operating an uninsured vehicle and failure to yield.

A truck and an SUV collided Friday morning at the intersection of Route 3 and Illinois Avenue. There were no injuries.

Junior Bulldogs Win State Baseball Championship

The Waterloo Junior High School baseball team won the Class L State Tournament Oct. 12 with a 2-0 victory over Harrisburg. The Junior Bulldogs finished the season with a record of 24-3. The team was welcomed back home that evening with a parade through downtown led by the Waterloo Fire Department. This is the WJHS’ best record since 1986, when Lonnie Fulte coached the team to a perfect 22-0 record and a state title. The team also won state in 1988 and 1992.

The state champ WJHS team is, left to right, first row, Daniel Gardner, Sam Fannon, Austin Nunnery, Austin Campbell, Alex Schultheis, Joey Mercer and Thomas Heavner; second row, Zach Schaab, Taylor Vernier, Matt Whelan, Steven Schad, Sean O’Guin and Creek Thorpe; and third row, Reed Hoffmann, Brock Johnson, Nathan Goodsell, Tyler Hebel, Devin Rice, Jeremy Rettig and Coach Mark Vogel. Nick Devan is not pictured.                   - photo by Laura Whelan

The Waterloo Junior High girls’ softball team finished with a record of 19-7 and 10-3 in the conference. They lost in the first round of the state tournament in extra innings to Highland 6-5.

SPPS Second In State: The SS. Peter and Paul Grade School softball team finished in second place Oct. 13 in the championship game of the state tournament. They lost their game 8-4 to the defending state champs from Galatia.

The 2009 Falcons softball team is,  left to right, first row, Jessica McCann, Katherine Pate, Abby Cecena, Maddie Hutchcraft, Brice Bement and Kylie Albrecht; and second row, Megan Kraus, Assistant Coach Darlene Kohler, Ellie Wessel, Bri Voelker, Courtney Schutt, Kady Cecena, Lauren Prader, Courtney Olson, Head Coach Chuck Hutchcraft and Missy Kimlinger.

SPPS Wins Third In State Baseball Tourney: The SPPS baseball team defeated Carrier Mills 8-0 to win third place at the state tournament.

Celebrating their third-place victory are Falcons, left to right, first row, Tommy Francescon, Jonathan Alber, Logan Cowell, Alec Skaer, Nick McBride, Chandler Purcell, Ryan Aycock, Jared Laurent, Noah Feldmeier and Ryan Sanders; and second row, Coach Jim Helfrich, Josh Brinkmann, Chase Dugan, Nick Row, Wes Degener, Ty Grant, Kyle Mechler, Logan Henry, Tanner Heiken and Andrew Reinholz.

Blue Jays Freshman-1 Team Having A Successful Season

The Columbia Blue Jays freshman-1 team improved their record to 4-1 this season with an exciting win last Saturday, Oct. 10, over the Columbia freshman-3. The final score was 18-14. The freshman-1 team is now tied for first place in their division with Blue Jays freshman-2. In last Saturday’s win, Sam Horner returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown and his brother, Nick, scored two second quarter touchdowns on runs of 52 and 51 yards. The Horner brother accounted for all 18 of the Blue Jay’s points. Also having a great offensive game were running backs Carter Nelson and Ronnie Hunsaker. 

On defense, the Blue Jays were led in tackles by Sam Horner, 11; Eli Wager, 7; Carter Nelson, Shane Bolle, Nick Horner and Ronnie Hunsaker, 5 each; Bryce Hildebrand, 4; Trevor McClellan, Kyle Jackson, Max Hutchinson, Nolan Schmidt, 3 each; and Jacob Snider, Jarrod Hoffman, Jacob Hoffman, Caleb Probst, Kyle Conner, Joshua Seidlitz and Marley Harrleson; 2.

The team is gearing up for a big match this Saturday against the Blue Jays freshman-2. Both teams come into the game with a record of 4-1. Kick-off is at 11 a.m.

The Columbia Blue Jays freshman-1 team is, left to right, first row, Kyle Jackson, Jacob Snider, Carter Nelson, Kyle Conner, Trevor McCellan, Nick Horner, Bryce Hildebrand, Max Hutchinson and Marley Harrelson; second row, Jarrod Hoffman, Shane Bolle, Sam Horner, Eli Wagner, Noland Schmidt, Jacob Hoffman, Ronnie Hunsaker, Josh Sedlitz and Kaleb Probst; and third row, Mark Jackson, Rich Nelson, Chuck Wagner, Ron Hunsaker, Rodney Bolle and Mark McCellan.

Valmeyer Goes Pink To Raise Funds For Cancer Research

During last night’s Valmeyer High School volleyball game, a fashion statement was made in an effort to raise funds and awareness of breast cancer. The  IHSA Volley For A Cure raises funds for the American Cancer Society. Both the Pirates and visiting Dupo Tigers, along with the fans in the stands, wore pink shirts. Proceeds were generated through pink shirt sales, raffles and attendance prize drawings.

The Pirates won the match in two sets improving their record to 14-5. Dupo falls to 3-11. Valmeyer is looking forward to a big Kaskaskia Conference game next Tuesday against Steeleville, who is one game ahead of Valmeyer for the top spot in the conference standings. The Pirates are hoping to get even with the Warriors who won the previous match-up earlier this month.

The Valmeyer Pirates volleyball team gathering after their victory over Dupo is, left to right, first row, Brittany Killy, Laura Berry, Andi Inman, Abbie Roedle, Bree Whittington, Tiffani Baum, Brigitte Allen and Megan Mosbacher; and second row, Coach Jen Kohnz, Shelby Jarret, Karlie Knobloch, Caitlin Nappier, Kristen Baum, Chelsea Nabers, Corine Inman, Michele Bivins, Paige Whipple, Courtney Eschmann and Coach Karla Bivins.

Valmeyer’s Corine Inman, left, slams the ball just over the net for a point against Dupo.

Bulldogs Top Triad In Volleyball

The Waterloo girls volleyball team battled a tough Triad team on Thursday and took home a victory. The match was still up in the air after the first two games, but Waterloo turned it on late in the third set to win the match 25-16 13-25 25-23. "The loss to Mascoutah earlier this week did hurt, but we ended up benefiting from it,” said Waterloo Head Coach Breezy Murphy. "It re-energized us and we had a very good practice on Wednesday. It made us realize that you cannot take winning for granted.” Waterloo's current record is 20-3-2.

Waterloo’s Rachelle Wiegand, right, and Triad’s Paige Burroughs reach high over the net during Thursday night’s varsity volleyball game at the WHS gym.         - photo by Bob Haentzler / www.gatewayphoto.net

Gibault Defeats Columbia In Volleyball

Gibault’s volleyball ruined senior night for the Columbia Eagles as they won the match in three sets. The victory improved Gibault’s record to 13-15, while Columbia falls to 13-9.

Columbia’s Megan Galle, left, tips the ball over the outstretched hands of Gibault’s Maddie Kuerz.                                 – photo by Debbie Roediger

Eagles Advance In Soccer Playoffs

The Columbia Eagles earned a 2-0 victory Tuesday night in a first-round game of the Class 1A Columbia Soccer Regional at Oerter Park. Columbia advances to play Anna Jonesboro Oct. 16, at 7 p.m., at Oerter Park. The team finished the regular season with 10-7 record, but went undefeated in the Cahokia Conference at 6-0. Valmeyer lost their regional game Tuesday 4-0 to Anna Jonesboro. Gibault received a first-round bye and will play their first game of the Class1A Columbia Regional on Oct. 16. Kick-off is at 5 p.m.

Columbia’s Connor Brennan, left, dribbles around a Freeburg defender in the Eagles 2-0 victory Tuesday night         - photo by Debbie Roediger

High School football action Friday includes Triad (6-1) traveling to Waterloo (4-3). Columbia travels to Red Bud. Both teams are 5-2 and will be working hard to post victories to secure a spot in the upcoming playoffs.
 

Waterloo Kickers Brings Home Win On Senior Night

Waterloo High School honored the senior letterman prior to the start of Thursday night’s game against Triad. Bulldog took home a 1-0 victory to improve their record to 11-8-1. The class 2A Mascoutah Regional begins next week, with Waterloo playing Althoff on Wednesday, Oct. 21.

Waterloo High School senior soccer players gathered on the field with their parents prior to Thursday’s game are, left to right, Kevin Bonney, Adam Borgschulte, Grant Feldt, Ryan Miller and Anthony Polka.      - photo by Bob Haentzler / www.gatewayphoto.net

Columbia Runners Win Cahokia Conference

The Columbia High School varsity cross boys’ cross-country team won the Cahokia Conference championship this week in Lebanon. The Eagles defeated its conference rivals to take the championship for the first time since 1970. Columbia, with 38 points, finished ahead of second place Marissa with 60 points. The Columbia team was led by sophomore Drew Spargo who won the individual conference championship running the 3.1 mile course in 16:47. Junior John Pirtle was the second Columbia runner finishing fifth overall with 17:51, followed by sophomore Josh Riddle (18:05, ninth overall), junior Trevor Wood (18:12 and 11^th  place), and junior Ben Schmid (18:20 and 12^th place). Also running for Columbia were senior Zack Simmons and junior Phil Crouse. Spargo, Pirtle and Riddle were named to the 2009 boys All-Conference team.

The Columbia girls’ varsity team finished second in the conference championship to Freeburg. Senior Taylor Byrd led the Columbia girls team with a run of 21:35, good for seventh place overall, followed by junior Torey Byrd, 21:40; senior Carly Evans, 21:58; junior Brittany Huebner, 23:05; freshman Jenna Vogt, 24:12; and junior Nicole Fetcho in 20^th place. CHS girls named to the All-Conference team were Taylor Byrd, Torey Byrd and Carly Evans.

The Columbia girls’ and boys’ teams compete next in the IHSA regional cross country race Oct. 24 in Carlinville.

The Columbia High School boys’ cross-country team celebrates their Cahokia Conference Championship.             – photo by Alan Pirtle

Three Monroe Countains will be inducted into the Mon-Clair Baseball League Hall of Fame. Kenny Meyer of Columbia along with Clay Moehrs and John Koerber of Waterloo will be the guests of honor at the league’s annual banquet Nov. 7 at the Millstadt VFW. Meyer was an outfielder who played for the Merrimac ball club in the 1960s prior to playing stints with the Valmeyer Lakers in the 1960s and 1970s. He spent some time in the minor leagues in the Pittsburg Pirates organization. Moehrs was an All-Star infielder with the perennial-winning Waterloo Buds in the 1980s through the mid-2000s. Moehrs is a teacher and coach in the Waterloo School District. Koerber is being honored for his family’s many years of dedication to the league. As a co-owner of Koerber Distributing with his sister, the late Donna Schneider, they continued the tradition of their father, Ray “Slim” Koerber, of sponsoring the Waterloo Buds and Valmeyer Lakers. Slim had been already inducted several years ago.

Harry Wolf Inducted Into State’s Senior Hall Of Fame

Waterloo German Band’s Harry Wolf was inducted Oct. 14 into the 2009 Senior Illinoisans Hall of Fame  by the Illinois Department on Aging. Governor Pat Quinn welcomed Wolf and the other recipients to the Governor’s Mansion in Springfield.

Wolf, 80, was a founding member of the Waterloo German Band in the 1940s. With the band’s continued popularity through the years, Wolf has been an active promoter for his home town of Waterloo. With tuba in hand, Wolf and the other members of the band have played throughout the world with appearances before many dignitaries, including Presidents Johnson, Nixon and Reagan. He has been awarded the German government’s highest honor to an American, the Deutschland Medal.

Wolf was nominated for the Illinois Senior Hall of Fame by the city of Waterloo. Wolf, his son Russel and the rest of the members of the Waterloo German Band continue to play in Waterloo, Monroe County and throughout the Midwest.

Wolf will be heading back to the state capitol Oct. 29 to accept a Governor’s Hometown Award for the Waterloo Christmas Float.

Harry Wolf, fifth from left, is joined in Springfield by, left to right, Waterloo Mayor Tom Smith, Russell Wolf, Alderman Vicki Koerber, Waterloo Chamber Director Debbie Ruggeri, Irene Wolf, Wilbert Kohlmeier, Josephine Wittenauer, Tammy Kujawa and Barbara Johnson.

There have been several recent reports of a mountain lion being sighted in and around Maeystown. Jay Whitlock has set up a camera to try and capture an image of the large feline which was spotted earlier this month in his back yard. (Ed-itor’s Note: While taking pictures of the Maeystown Oktoberfest, Ed-itor Wienhoff was also on the look-out for cougars.)

Heather Jany of Hecker won the October Think Monroe County First Super Consumer drawing. She won a $100 scrapbook kit from Making Memories in Columbia.

SPPS Celebrates Columbus Day With Fun Activity

SS. Peter and Paul Grade School students took part in an engineering project earlier this week in honor of Columbus Day. SPPS second and third graders were challenged to make boats using only simple materials: four craft sticks, three feet of tape, one Styrofoam tray, a paper cup, a drinking straw, one piece of cardstock and one rubber band. The boat and passenger Christopher Columbus (a cotton) ball were launched down a ramp and into a tub of water representing the new world.

SPPS students Kayla Huels, Nathan Albrecht and Frank Novack show off their Columbus Day boat before launching in toward the new world.

Columbia To Celebrate Halloween: Halloween Hijinks and Scare Square are returning to downtown Columbia. All events this year will take place on Saturday, Oct. 31. Halloween Hijinks begins at 10 a.m., with participating businesses handing out treats. Children can start heading to the Immaculate Conception School playground at 12 noon to get ready for the costume contest. Judging takes place at 12:30 p.m. (sharp). The participants will then march down Main Street for the Halloween Parade, walking north on Main Street and ending at A.C. Metter Park.

More Halloween fun will take place that evening at the fountain in front of City Hall. Scare Square takes place from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. “Children and adults can swing by for treats in a festive, Halloween environment,” said Jackie Hausmann, event coordinator for the City of Columbia. 

Next to a warm bonfire, Ken Buss and his crew from the Columbia EMS, local civic organizations and businesses will hand out treats, hot dogs and hot chocolate. Students from the Columbia High School Art Club will offer face painting. In addition, everyone is encouraged to check out the entries of the second annual Pumpkin Glow contest. Those wishing to participate in the contest can submit their creative pumpkins to City Hall on Friday, Oct. 30, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., or on Halloween between 5 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. This is no charge to participate.

In case of inclement weather, the Scare Square and Pumpkin Glow will be moved inside to the Monroe County YMCA. For more information, contact Hausmann at 281-7144, ext. 106, or by email at jackie@columbiaillinois.com. This annual event is sponsored by the City of Columbia and the Chamber of Commerce.

Halloween Gathering At Waterloo Fire House: Children and their parents are once again invited to swing by the Waterloo Fire House on Halloween night between 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Treats, hot dogs and refreshments will be served by the firefighters, ambulance personnel, police officers and other city officials. Large tables will be available for parents to sort through the candy their children have collected to check for its safety.

Blues Band Coming Friday To Waterloo VFW: Catfish and the Big Boss Blues Band is gearing up to perform at the Waterloo VFW on Friday, Oct. 16, from 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.

Disaster Recovery Workshop Coming To Annex: An upcoming program at the County Annex is designed to teach business owners how to quickly get things back in working order following a tornado, a fire or major electrical outage. The Ready Business Program will take place Nov. 9 beginning at 8:30 p.m., at the Monroe County Annex at the intersection of Illinois Ave. and Route 3 in Waterloo. The program will discuss practical steps to help plan for a company’s future and provide for a better chance of survival. Registration fee is $20 per person. For more information, contact the University of Illinois Extension at 939-3434 or send an email to: monroe.extension.uiuc.edu.

The Waterloo VFW Post 6504 and Ladies Auxiliary’s essay contest is underway. Prizes will be awarded to an area sixth, seven and eighth grade student and one to a high schooler. The sixth through eighth graders have a chance to win a $10,000 scholarship and a trip to Washington, D.C. The high school winner can win a $30,000 scholarship and a trip to Washington, D.C. Entries must be submitted by Nov. 1. Specific information about the contest has already been provided to all the local schools. For additional information, contact Post Commander Stephanie Kirksey at 939-6404 or Laurie Sparwasser at 939-8104.

Local Organization Enjoy Great Turnout At Soulard Oktoberfest

There was a big turnout Oct. 9-11 for the annual Soulard Oktoberfest in St. Louis. Many Monroe Countians made the trek over the river to attend the event. The Columbia Kiwanis and Millstadt Sister Cities said their food booths were each very busy all weekend. “The crowd was great all weekend, thanks in part to the Cardinals, Blues and Rams having home games downtown,” said Kiwanis member Jeff Riley. “We sold hundreds of turkey legs, bratwurst and ears of corn.” The Millstadt Sister Cities sold several thousand potato pancakes. Once again, Otto Faulbaum declined to reveal the secret ingredients they used to make the tasty treat.

The Columbia Kiwanis grill team visiting with 2009 Miss Soulard Oktoberfest Kaileigh Meyer is, left to right, Ken Fulton, Dewan Prashad, Bill Emling, Jeff Riley, Ray Clyde and Jeff Huch.

Upcoming Walk Through Columbia To Celebrate City’s German Heritage

Highlighting the historical significance of many of the buildings in downtown Columbia, the first-ever Volksmarche will take place Sunday, Oct. 25. “Everyone is encouraged to take a stroll down Main Street anytime between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.,” said Columbia Celebration 2009 member Gene Haller. “A Volksmarche is a traditional German people’s walk.”

Free walking tours will begin at A.C. Metter Park, located next to the Columbia Public Library and Turner Hall. Flyers will be available to provide a map of the buildings featured that day. One six block tour heads north on Main Street and a nine-block path will head south. “Gather your friends and family; bring your walking shoes and join the fun,” Haller added.

The First Baptist Church in Valmeyer is gearing up for their 45th anniversary. Church members will gather Nov. 8 to celebrate the occasion from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Pastor Ronald Chase, the very first pastor at the church, will be the special guest. Refreshments will be served.

Author Neal Proud Deer of Godfrey will sign copies of his novels Nov. 7, from 10 a.m. to 12 noon at the Morrison-Talbott Library in Waterloo.  Deer’s works include fiction works Red My Mind and Red Day Dawning and the non-fiction work Lights, Camera, Arch!, highlighting St. Louis’ connection to the movie industry. Additional information about Neal and his titles is available at the library’s website: www.waterloolibrary.org.

Morrison-Talbott Library’s annual book sale is next week. It kicks off Thursday, Oct. 22 with preview night from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Admission is $2 this day. The sale continues Friday, Oct. 23, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and concludes Saturday, Oct. 24, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. “On Saturday, we will feature a buck a bag special,” said Librarian Elaine Steingrubey.

The Waterloo VFW is expected to be a busy place this Sunday, Oct. 18. Their annual Turkey Day serves turkey dinners with all the fixings from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. inside their hall. “We’ll start accepting to-go orders at 10:30 a.m.,” said VFW member Butch Sparwasser. “And don’t forget to get your raffle tickets.” The VFW will be raffling off 56 frozen turkeys and 12 hams as prizes. Following the dinner, music by Herb Everly’s band will be provided upstairs until 5 p.m. for those with a meal purchase. “It is one of our great events of the year,” Sparwasser said. “We serve a good, home-made meal. So, let us do the cooking for you on Sunday.”

A Halloween story-time will be at the Columbia Public Library on Friday, Oct. 23. Spine Tingling Tales will take place from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. for folks 15 and older (no young children please). There will be attendance prizes and light refreshments served.

Bow Season Continues – Firearm Season Next Month: Some Monroe County marksmen have already harvested deer using the a bow and arrow. Bow season this year runs through Nov. 19. The first fire-arm season is Nov. 20-22.

D.J. Dillenberger, left, and Stephen Gregson had a successful weekend bow hunting. They each brought home 210-pound bucks. Dillenberger’s was a 12-pointer while Gregson counted 9 points.

Tech Workshop Oct. 28 at YMCA: Business owners can learn how to incorporate internet social media into their marketing strategy in a workshop sponsored by the Monroe County Economic Development Council. It will take place at 6:30 p.m. at the Monroe County YMCA. The guest speaker is Lori Feldman, the “Database Diva.” Attendees are encouraged to bring their laptop computers to the session. Participation is limited to two individuals per business with a physical location within Monroe County. Light refreshments will be served. RSVP by Oct. 23 to Nora Feuquay, U of I Extension-Monroe County Community and Economic Development Educator at 618-939-8681, ext. 309 or by email at nfeuquay@illinois.edu.

St. Paul UCC of Columbia’s musical director, Merry Keller, is gearing up for two big cabaret-style shows later this month at the Sheldon Concert Hall in St. Louis. The shows, titled “Love In Four Seasons,” run Oct. 27 and 28. In addition to be an ordained UCC clergy, Keller has been working a one-woman show for the past year and a half which combines a broad range of music genres. In the upcoming shows at the Sheldon, Keller will be accompanied by Neal Richardson on piano and Ethan Edwards on cello. Proceeds will be donated to Every Child’s Hope, a residential treatment center for children from abusive families.  

Recent Obituary

Frederick Lange, 75, of Millstadt died Oct. 10, 2009 at St. Paul’s Home in Belleville. He was born May 11, 1934 in Clayton, Mo., the son of the late Howard and Loretta Rose (nee Schmitz) Lange. Mr. Lange is survived by his wife, Bettie (nee Gregory) Lange, whom he married in 1959; a son, Gregory Louis (Cindy Weed) Lange; a daughter, Elizabeth Ann Crank; grandchildren Joshua Louis Crank, Hannah Elizabeth Crank and Emma Rose Crank; and sisters Delores Diekmper and Mary Elizabeth Jenkens; along with nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends. Mr. Lange served in the Missouri Air National Guard. He was a retired industrial designer and vice president of production at Ad-Craft in St. Louis, Mo. Visitation was at Strauss-Leesman Funeral Home in Millstadt. A memorial service followed with Monsignor Marvin Volk officiating. Memorials may be made to Heartland Hospice.