E-Newsletter - December 7, 2009

Maeystown rang in the holiday season Sunday with its annual Old Fashioned German Christmas. Good food, music and a visit from Sankt Nicklaus, the German Santa Claus, highlighted the always-festive affair.

Four-month-old Kaylee Muertz visits with Sankt Nicklaus during Maeystown's Old Fashioned German Christmas. She is the daughter of Chris and Christy Muertz of rural Maeystown.     – photo by Bob Haentzler

Santa Arrives In Columbia During Night Time Parade

The streets of downtown Columbia were lined Saturday evening for the first-ever Lighted Christmas Parade. Although the temperature was just above freezing, attendees bundled up and were kept warm by hot chocolate and tasty treats. The floats lit up Main Street in the traditional holiday colors and music was provided by the Columbia and Gibault High School bands as well as the Columbia Sangerbund German singers. Several people along the parade route commented they hope this becomes an annual event.

Dan Reifschneider dresses as Santa Claus aboard the Vida Verde Salon during the Columbia Christmas Lighted Parade.

Columbia High School students sing Christmas carols in front of the Concept Realty and Final Touch store fronts along Main Street.

Audio Visual Concepts’ motorized recliners made their triumphant return to the parade scene.

Loren Koenigstein, Sarah Rose and Kaitlyn Koenigstein bundle up while watching the Columbia Lighted Christmas Parade. Rose is the granddaughter of Joyce Rose, a member of the Columbia 150^th Anniversary Committee, and the Koenigsteins are the daughters of County Clerk Kevin Koenigstein.

Pet Sitters International’s Hungry Bowl Campaign is collecting donations of pet food and supplies to be donated to area animal shelters, including the Humane Society of Monroe County. Drop boxes will be located through Dec. 12 at The Market Place in Columbia and Rural King in Waterloo. The event is being organized by Kritter Kare, a new, locally owned pet sitting business servicing the St. Louis and Metro East. For more information, please contact Jennifer Kreps of Waterloo at 314-223-6981.

The Waterloo High School Lady Bulldogs basketball team was defeated last Thursday 67-27 by Civic Memorial. Next up for Waterloo is a home game against another conference foe, Mascoutah.

Waterloo guard Cassie Kaiping drives to the hoop while being guarded by Civic Memorials’ Cassie Endicott (32) and Taylor Lish (33).

Waterloo High School sophomore Lexi Clinebell has been named the winner of the engineering category of the National FFA Agri-science Fair Division 1. She received a plaque and a check for $350. WHS Agriculture teachers Tim and Mindy McDermott guided Lexi through completion at the district, state and national level.

The SS. Peter and Paul boys’ A and B basketball teams are both off to strong starts to their seasons. The eighth grade A team is 9-2, while the seventh grade B team is 7-2 so far. Two big games are coming up for the Falcons as they play Immaculate Conception of Columbia on Dec. 11 at 4:15 p.m., at Gibault High School, and against Waterloo Junior High on Dec. 17, tip-off is at 6 p.m. The schedule continues with the SPPS Holiday Tournament beginning Dec. 28 and conference tourney beginning Jan. 9. Nick Row is staring this year for the Falcons, including a 28-point performance in the team’s 54-48 victory over New Athens. The Falcons are coached by Vern Tepen and Ron Hurst. 

The 2009 SPPS A-team is, left to right, first row, Noah Feldmeier, Jonathan Albers, Tommy Francescon, Jared Laurent and Chase Dugan; and second row, Tanner Heiken, Josh Brinkmann, Nick McBride, Nick Row, Wes Degener, Kyle Mechler and Ty Grant (not pictured).

Rhonda Hanegan and Pat Baker were the lucky winners of 22-inch televisions during the Columbia Christmas Cruise. Scott Harres of Harres Appliance and Furniture delivered the televisions to the winners.

The final concert of a year-long series of performances sponsored by the Valmeyer Centennial Committee will be Christmas concert Dec. 13. Music kicks at 3 p.m., at St John United Church of Christ. Featured choral groups will include the St Mary Catholic Church choir under the direction of Jane McCarthy, the adult choir of St John UCC under the direction of Gayle McCarthy, the VHS mixed ensemble under the direction of Melissa Tyrcha and the Valmeyer Centennial Community Chorus under the direction of Marcia Braswell. Pre-concert organ music will be provided by Pat Roever. The finale of the song will be “Peace In the Valley,” which was the featured song in this summer’s village centennial musical. A reception will follow in the fellowship hall. The concert is free and open to the public. The Christmas Concert caps off a year of activities celebrating the 100^th anniversary of the incorporation of the Village of Valmeyer on Dec. 9^, 1909. 

Valmeyer’s Salt Lick Committee has scheduled work days on Saturday, Dec. 12 and Saturday, Dec. 19. Work crews will meet at the kiosk near the trail entrance on the former Quarry property at the bottom of the hill. For more information, call the Valmeyer Village Hall at 935-2131.

Melissa Harres and Ryan Maupin of Brooklyn recently became engaged during a vacation to Europe. Melissa’s parent’s, Joel and Linda Harres of Columbia, said the couple is planning an Aug. 14, 2010 wedding at the Sheldon Concert Hall in St. Louis.

Gibault High School senior Emily Morris has signed a letter of intent to play softball at the University of Evansville. Besides pitching for the Purple Aces, Morris will major in nursing.

Emily Morris, center, accepted a scholarship to the University of Evansville. Looking on are, left to right, first row, her parents Sue and Tony Morris; and second row, select team coach Brett Swip, Gibault Principal Russ Hart and Gibault Softball Coach David Gregson.     – photo by Bob Haentzler

Gibault High School musicians and singers are gearing up for their annual Christmas Concert scheduled for Sunday, Dec. 13, at 7 p.m. Refreshments will follow.

The Waterloo German Band float has a busy Christmas season on tap. They kicked off the holiday time Saturday by playing German music atop their Bavarian-themed float in the Columbia Lighted Christmas Parade. The float is now gearing up for several performances through its hometown of Waterloo. The band, in conjunction with the Waterloo Chamber of Commerce, will be riding along neighborhood streets providing holiday cheer from Dec. 17 through Christmas Eve. Several local celebrities will be making guest-appearances as Santa Claus on the float, including Mayor Tom Smith and Alderman Clyde Heller. For a complete listing of the neighborhoods to be visited, click on the community calendar of the chamber’s website: www.enjoywaterloo.com.

The Waterloo German Band float made its way down Main Street on Saturday during Columbia’s Lighted Christmas Parade.       – photo by Jamie Gardner

Columbia Library Showcases Community’s Holiday Decorations

St. Nickolaus visits on Sunday with Allie Rodemich on Sunday at the Historic Fiege House in downtown Columbia. The site was one of the many buildings taking part in the annual Columbia Public Library Holiday Home Tour.

Recent Obituaries

Vera (Mize) Rodenhofer, 86, of St. Louis, Mo., died Dec. 4, 2009, at Bethesda Southgate Nursing Center. She was born Oct. 1923, in East St. Louis, the daughter of the late Floyd and Bernice (Henson) Mize. She was married to the late Arthur Rodenhofer, who died in 2001. Mrs. Rodenhofer is survived by her children, Dennis (Sondra) Rodenhofer of Swansea, Carole (Hal) Faerber, Linda (Gary) Juengst, Janine Bearden, Darryl (Dana) Rodenhofer, and Sheryl Rodenhofer, all of St. Louis, Mo.; daughter-in-law, Linda Rodenhofer of St. Louis, Mo.; sister-in-law, Virginia Mize, of Columbia, 26 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and four great great-grandchildren. She is was preceded in death by a daughter, Janice Ann Rodenhofer; a son, Don Rodenhofer, brothers Virgil Mize and Ron Mize; and a sister, Betty Lou Doehler. Visitation is Monday, Dec. 7, from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m., at Lawlor Funeral Home. Funeral is Tuesday, Dec. 8, at 12 noon at the funeral home with Pastor Douglas Cripe officiating. Mrs. Rodenhofer will be buried at Valhalla Gardens Of Memory in Belleville. Memorials may be made to Bethesda Southgate Nursing Center or St. Anthony's Hospice in St. Louis, Mo.

Thomas Patrick Brennan Jr., 48, of Waterloo, died Nov. 30, 2009, in St. Louis, Mo. He was born May 23, 1961 in East St. Louis, the son of Thomas and Rose Marie Brennan of O’Fallon. He married Catherine (nee Shields) Brennan in 1989. In addition to his wife and parents, Mr. Brennan is survived by his children Alicia Brennan of Prairie du Rocher, Thomas P Brennan III of Hardeeville, SC, Tara (Mike) Menard of Jacksonville, Fla., Kayla (Josh) Boyer of Columbia and Jayna Brennan of Waterloo; brothers Mike (Julia) Brennan of Collinsville and John (Doris) Brennan of Smithton; Kathleen (Julia) Brennan of Curringhan, Ky.; grandchildren Chelsea and Madison Blissenbach of Prairie du Rocher, and Baunee Brennan and Thomas Brennan IV, both of Hardeeville, SC.;  and Brice, Tyler, Devin and Dustin Menard of Jacksonville, Fla.; and mother –in-law, Charlotte Shields of Waterloo; along with nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a son, Jay Brennan; and father-in-law, Cletus Shields. Mr. Brennan graduated from O’Fallon High School, loved his pet Venus, the outdoors, yard work and was a member of the American Pool League Association. Visitation was at DeFabio Funeral Home in Waterloo. Mr. Brennan was buried at the SS. Peter and Paul Catholic Cemetery in Waterloo. Memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association, the University of Wisconsin Clinics and Barnes Jewish Hospital.

Rowan W. L. Potts, 70, of Columbia, died Dec. 3, 2009. He was born Aug. 3, 1939, in St. Louis, Mo., the son of the late Harry and Eleanor (Dorsey) Potts. Mr. Potts is survived by a son, Stephen Potts of Waterloo; and grandchildren Garrett, Samantha and Bailie Potts. He was preceded in death by his wife, Charlotte (McGuire) Potts; a son, Kenneth Potts; and brothers Jerry Potts and Harry Potts. Mr. Potts served with the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. He was retired from the U.S. Postal Service and had also been a self-employed truck driver. Private family services were held. Mr. Potts will be buried at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis, Mo. Memorials may be made to the Disabled American Veterans.

Gary Joseph Wessel, 55, of St. Louis, Mo., died Nov. 29, 2009 in Monroe County. He was born Nov. 17, 1954 in St. Louis, Mo., the son of the later Joseph and Ida Mae (nee Walling) Wessel. Mr. Wessel is survived by his sisters Mary Wessel of St. Louis, Mo., Juanita (David) Signaigo of Waterloo and Beverly (Tony) Rose of Elizabethtown, Ky.; along with nieces and nephews. Private services were held.

James E. Woodcock, 68, of Red Bud, died Dec. 5, 2009. He was born Sept. 15, 1941 in Belleville, the son of the late Elmer and Lillian (nee Johnson) Woodcock. Mr. Woodcock is survived by his wife, Wanda Woodcock; daughters Cynthia (Michael) Williams and Jami Hayes; grandchildren Alexandra Balsarotti, Nicholas Balsarotti, Connor Williams, Cole Williams, Jeremiah Hayes and Autumn Hayes; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Bill and Judy Tipton, Kelly (Tim) Richards and Nicole (Scott) Tallent; and special friends Skip and Denise. Mr. Woodcock was a veteran of the U.S. Marines. According to his wishes, private family services will be held at a later date. Funeral arrangements were handled by Quernheim Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to Tip Hospice.

Today's News - December 7, 2009

Two Charged In Connection With Ace Home Center Burglary

Warrants were issued today for the arrests of two individuals relating to last week’s break-in at Ace Home Center in downtown Columbia. Frankie Hook, 29, of Cahokia, and Justin Cruse, 25, of Mascoutah, have been charged. The two are accused of using a brick to break into the front door of business, stealing the cash register and several smaller items and fleeing in a stolen vehicle in their get-away.

According to the police report, just after 10 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 2, a Columbia police officer driving along Main Street spotted the men exiting the building. As the officer pulled into the parking lot, a vehicle sped away from the scene and led the CPD officer on a high speed chase through downtown Columbia. The vehicle, including the driver and at least two additional passengers, were able to allude the officer. The vehicle was soon spotted abandoned along Ritter Road. The two suspects and the two passengers then apparently made their way to South Main Street where they stole a 1994 GMC Jimmy, left unlocked in front of its owner’s residence.

Hook has been charged with a Class 2 felony county of burglary. He received his warrant today in his jail cell at the St. Clair County Jail – he had been arrested Friday morning by the Cahokia Police in an incident involving the stolen Jimmy from the Columbia incident. Cruse has been charged with Class 2 felony burglary and Class 3 theft over $300. Cruse remains at large and being searched for by area police departments. Bond has been set for $100,000 each of the two. A case against the other two individuals in the get-away vehicle is still being investigated, reports Columbia Police Chief Joe Edwards.

“I would like to take this opportunity to remind everyone how important it is to lock the doors of your cars and houses each night,” said Edwards. “We have had a recent rash of burglaries from motor vehicles and residential burglaries.” He also reminded citizens to contact the police department if they notice anything that seems strange or out of the ordinary. “The holiday season seems to bring more types of crimes like these,” he added.

Columbia police officers Josh Bayer and Jason Donjon, center, discuss the burglary with Ace Home Center employees as they arrive at work the morning following the break-in.

Two people were injured Tuesday, Dec. 1, in a two-vehicle accident on Route 3 near Crook Drive between Waterloo and Red Bud. Just after 5 p.m., a 1993 Pontiac Sunbird driven by Kelly Hamilton of Granite City was traveling northbound. The car collided with 1990 Ford F150 driven by Matthew Lively of Sparta. Hamilton, 47, was transported by Arch Helicopter to St. Louis University with serious injuries. Lively was taken to Red Bud Regional Hospital by the Monroe County Ambulance Service. Lively stated that Hamilton’s vehicle came into his lane causing the collision.