Today's News - November 25, 2009

Pilgrims and Native Americans gathered at Immaculate Conception Church this morning to celebrate Thanksgiving. During his sermon, Father Carl Scherrer reminded the students to always be thankful for the gifts received and how we are often so busy we forget to give thanks, just like the nine lepers cured by Jesus. Father Carl also said he believes the seven most important words in the English language are "I love you", I'm sorry", and "Thank you."  Teachers Marilyn Lynn and Mandy Borgmeyer led the first grade class in ministering, cantoring and a thank you song written by Karen Lundy and MaryBeth Babcock. A collection was also taken up for Immaculate Conception’s sister parish - St. Raymond's in Guatemala.

Father Carl Scherrer, back row, center, gathers with ICS students and teachers following the morning mass at Immaculate Conception Church in Columbia.

ICS students Tyler Stern, Katie Grawitch Anna Adams cantor during Wednesday morning’s church service.

The Waterloo Lions annual Share The Feast Thanksgiving Dinner is Thursday, Nov. 26, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at the SPPS Grade School cafeteria in Waterloo. Dine in, carry out or delivery is available. For reservations or to have your meal delivered, call Ron or Ruth Ann Mueller at 939-6867.

New WHS Basketball Court Christened With Loss To Rival Gibault

The Gibault Hawks boys’ basketball team held on to defeat a hard-working Waterloo Bulldog squad 38-35 in their first-ever match-up at the new WHS gym. The game was close throughout, going down to the wire. The Hawks led most of the game, but with 1:09 left in the final quarter, Waterloo’s Brad Dillenberger made a lay up to tie the game. After Gibault inbounded the ball, Dillenberger stole the ball giving his team a chance for a game-winning basket. But to the fan’s dismay, the Bulldogs turned the ball back over to the Hawks. They quickly capitalized with a layup and a foul shot to pull away 38-35 as time expired. Kyle Prader led Gibault with 16 points and Jake Degener tallied 13 for Waterloo. The Bulldogs play this evening at home against Highland while Gibault travels to Mater Dei.

Gibault forward Kyle Prader pops in a three-pointer during the Hawks victory last night at the new WHS gym.        - photo by Bob Haentzler-game photos on sale at www.gatewayphoto.net

Brad Dillenberger goes up for a lay-up to tie the game at 35 with time running out in the fourth quarter.      - photo by Bob Haentzler-game photos on sale at www.gatewayphoto.net

Tony Mantia and Julie Lansing were crowned king and queen of the Gibault High School Homecoming. The dance was held last Saturday at the school gymnasium.  Other members of the court included freshmen, Kaitlyn Meyer and Daniel Kuester; sophomores, Jana Steibel and Neil Abegg; juniors, Shelby Herrmann and Jeremy Kovarik; and seniors, Haley Riebeling, Griffin Wielgus, Katie James and Eric Meyer.

King Tony Mantia and Queen Julie Lansing share their first dance after being crowned at the Gibault High School Homecoming.

Waterloo High School golfing standout Wils Hawn signed a letter of intent this morning to accept a scholarship to attend Illinois State University.

Wils Hawn, center, signs a letter of intent to play golf at Illinois State. Looking on are, left to right, first row, boys’ varsity golf coach Nancy Neal and mother Martha Hawn; and second row, WHS Athletic Director Rick Keefe and father Bill Hawn.

Lincoln College volleyball player Melanie Herbeck, who graduated from Columbia High School in 2008, has been named to the MWAC All-Conference Honorable Mention team. Lincoln finished the season with a record of 27-12. They won two tournaments this season and advanced to the second round of the Region XXIV post-season tournament where they fell to nationally ranked Parkland College. Herbeck led the team in set assists (714), aces (30) and was third in service points (200).

“Melanie did an outstanding job of leading our offensive attack,” said Coach Mark Tippett. “She made good decisions and kept the opposition off balance. She developed a very tough serve which led to many aces and free ball opportunities for us as the year went on.”

The Waterloo Fire Department was called out early Wednesday morning to put out a car on fire in a driveway in the Delmar Meadows subdivision, located off of KK Road between Waterloo and Red Bud. When the firemen arrived, the car was completely engulfed in flames, but they were able to extinguish it before there was any danger of damaging the home.

SS. Peter and Paul Grade School students celebrated Thanksgiving on Tuesday with several activities. The first grade Pilgrims feasted with the second grade Native Americans. They also made placemats, played games and dined on foods made with ingredients used at the very first Thanksgiving. The third graders made pilgrim and Indian clothespin dolls.  The Kindergarteners then exchanged Thanksgiving cards with their third grade buddies.

SPPS first and second grade students get ready for their Thanksgiving feast.

Rock band Johnny Rock-It will be performing tonight, Wednesday, Nov. 25, from 8 p.m. to 12 midnight at the Hecker Community Center. Tickets are $10.

Thanksgiving Eve Community Worship Service: The public is invited to attend Bethany United Methodist Church of Columbia’s 40^th annual Thanksgiving Eve community worship service. The service will take place at the church, located at 1608 Hilltop Road, on Wednesday, Nov. 25, beginning at 7 p.m. Clergy from Bethany UMC, Christ Community Lutheran, Immaculate Conception Catholic Church and St. Paul UCC will participate. Rev. Kris Avise-Rouse of St. Paul UCC will provide the sermon. The offering gathered at this service supports our voucher program which provides gas and groceries for Columbia residents struggling with economic adversity. At the original service Nov. 27, 1969, clergy from First Baptist, Assembly of God, Immaculate Conception, Bethany UMC and St. Paul UCC gathered at St. Paul UCC. Father Wirth delivered the sermon.

Recent Obituary

Eugene Courtney, 89, of Columbia, died on Nov. 22, 2009. He was born June 8, 1920, in Beulah Ky., the son of the late Eden and Mogale (Anderson) Courtney. Besides his parents, Mr. Courtney was preceded in death by his first wife, F. Estelle Courtney; daughter, LaDonna Courtney; son, Terry Courtney Sr.; two sons in infancy, Randall and Ronald Courtney; and a brother, Howard Courtney. He is survived by his second wife, Betty (Tilton) Skipper Courtney, whom he married in 1995 in St. Louis, Mo.; a daughter, Rhonda (Wayne Scott) Courtney; daughter-in-law, Patricia Courtney; son-in-law, Charles Harrison; seven grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild; along with other relatives and friends. Mr. Courtney served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He was a member of First Baptist Church in Columbia and had retired from the U.S. Postal Service. Visitation is Tuesday, Nov. 24, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Lawlor Funeral Home. Funeral is Wednesday, Nov. 25, at 11 a.m., at First Baptist Church in Columbia with Pastor Jonathan Peters officiating. Mr. Courtney will be buried at Beulah Baptist Cemetery following cremation. Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church Building Fund or the American Cancer Society.