Today's News - January 1, 2010

Columbia Concludes 150-Year Celebration With New Year’s Eve Fireworks

From 11:30 p.m. to the stroke of midnight last night, the skies of Columbia were filled with fireworks in honor of the conclusion of the town’s 2009 celebration of the 150^th year of its founding. The fireworks were shot from the back yard of Celebration 2009 Co-Chairman Les Schneider, next to the Immaculate Conception Church Cemetery. He was assisted by fellow Co-Chairman John Conrad, along with members of the Columbia Volunteer Fire Department. The year-long celebration was initiated with a fireworks display and bell-ringing that began at the stroke of midnight Jan. 1, 2009. The Celebration 2009 Committee agreed to conclude the year in similar fashion.

Maeystown Polar Bears Make Annual New Year’s Day Jump

With the air temperature hovering around 20 degrees at noon today, the Maeystown Polar Bear Club made their annual New Year’s Day plunge. This year they decided to jump into Brian and Carla Coats’ swimming pool. Just after noon, the polar bears leaped into the water, breaking through a layer of ice hovering on the surface. After a brief swim, everyone safely made it out of the water and headed to the Maeystown Coffee Shop to warm up.

Maeystown Polar Bears making their New Year’s Day plunge are, left to right, Chris Voelker, Brad Juelfs, Brian Coats, Aaron Voelker, Nick Prange, Jeremy Steibel, Rene Voelker and Jason Reynolds.

Monroe Countians Ring In New Year: Revelers ventured out to several area venues to celebrate New Year’s Eve. Hot spots included Sal’s in Wartburg, the Hecker Community Center, Gianfranco’s Cucina, Tiny’s, Gruchala’s, Frederico’s and The Falls.

The Father Jack band rocks the house at the newly-opened Rylee’s Rhythm Room at Sal’s Wartburg Inn.

Those celebrating New Year’s Day birthday’s including Danny Callis and Jan Eden.

Tom Koch proposed Christmas Eve to his girlfriend Nicole Berry. Wedding plans are now in the works.

January 4 will be a busy day at the Morrison Talbott Library in Waterloo. Events include a Tween Book Club Party, snowy time bed stories and Japan Travel Night. A Tween Book Club for children in grades sixth through eight is being formed at the Morrison-Talbott Library in Waterloo. A planning party will be held Jan. 14, from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. to kick off the club. Pizza and wings will be served by members of the Whiteside Chapter of the Daughter of the American Revolution, who are organizing the club, will serve pizza and wings. Those wishing to attend are asked to register by sending an email with your name to: waterlooteenbooks@gmail.com.The Whiteside Station Chapter will host their bedtime story hour. The winter season will be the theme. Attendees are asked to come in their pajamas and bring along snacks. Japan will be the theme of the travel night when Michaela Finnerty of Waterloo presents “Japan, Land of the Rising Sun” beginning at 7 p.m. She will describe her recent trip with the People to People Student Ambassador Program. In other library news, construction work continues in the basement of Morrison-Talbott Library. The library asks people to hold their donations for the book sale until after the New Year.