Monroe County Independent

On a brief break from serving in the U.S. Air Force, A.J. Krump will be home this weekend visiting family and friends back home in Waterloo. He is currently serving in the Middle East and is looking forward to some much-needed rest and relaxation. He is the son of Joe Krump and Sherry Schwab, both of Waterloo.

Michael D. "Car" Toon Sr., 63 of Columbia, died Feb. 11, 2010 at St. Anthony's Hospital. He was born Oct. 12, 1946, in Mayfield, Ky. He married Rebecca (Keller) Toon in 1976 in East St. Louis. In addition to his wife, Mr. Toon is survived by his sons Mike (Megan) Toon Jr., and James (Tammy) Toon of Columbia; mother and step-father, Ann and Bob Johnson of Columbia; grandchildren Kaylin and Adrianna Toon; four step-grandchildren; a sister, Connie (David) Sauerwein of Columbia; a brother James “Gary” (Jan) Toon of Columbia; brother-in-law, Mitch (Diane) Keller of Belleville; and sister-in-law, Carol (Greg) Catrambone of Harrah, Okla.; along with nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his father, James M. Toon. Mr. Toon served with the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. He was a member of Operating Engineers Local 520 and was a retired automobile salesman. He was a past-president of Ducks Unlimited. He loved spending time with his grandchildren, hunting and fishing. His family would like to thank Dr. Sri Kolli for her dedicated and compassionate care. Visitation is Sunday, Feb. 14, 2010, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Lawlor Funeral Home. Funeral service is Monday, Feb. 15, at 10:00 a.m. at the funeral home. Mr. Toon will be buried at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois

Aurelia R. Alberter-Eversmeyer (nee Mueth), 84, of Millstadt, died Feb. 10, 2010 in Belleville. She was born June 25, 1925, the daughter of the late Joseph and Anna (nee Becker) Mueth. Mrs. Alberter-Eversmeyer is survived by her daughter, Nancy Marlen; sons Allen (Jane ) Alberter and Gary Alberter; daughter-in-law, Marilyn Alberter; grandchildren Michael Marlen, Lori (Matt) Haag, Mandy (Mike) Capell, Blake Alberter, Brett Alberter, Jen Wyatt and Eric, Ryan, A.J. and Alex Alberter; great grandchildren Andrew and Molly Haag, Claire and Cole Marlen, Lilly Grace, Lainey Mae Capell and Colton Alberter; sister, Luella (George) Toenjes Jr.; brothers Sylvestor “Tuffy” Mueth and Erwin “Tooti” Mueth; sister-in-law, Almira Mueth; step-children Glenda Lowell, Cindy (Butch) Bertlesman, Brianne (Chad) Ricks and Aaron (Lindsey) Eversmeyer; and step-great-grandchildren Yale Eversmeyer, Seith Wagner, Peyton Bertlesman and Gryfin Eversmeyer; along with nieces, nephews, friends and other relatives. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Richard Alberter, whom she married May 21, 1946. He died in 1972. Five years later she married Carson “Corky” Eversmeyer, who passed away seven months later. She is also preceded in death by a son, Dennis “Bing” Alberter; son-in-law, Dennis “Doc” Marlen; granddaughter, Jodi Ann Alberter; great-granddaughter, Sadie Ann Haag; brothers Arthur, Henery, Herbert, Cletus, Emil and Raymond; a sister in infancy, Marcella. Aurelia and her husband, Richard, started Millstadt’s West End Tavern in 1954. After Richard’s death, she ran the tavern and the famous West End fish stand with help from her family. She retired in 1990, leaving her son Bing and his wife Marilyn to take over. Aurelia was a vice-president of the Illinois Retail Liquor Association and active in the Tavern Owners Association. She was a lifelong member of St. James Catholic Church, where she was a member of the Sodality, and volunteered for church and school functions. She was also an active member American Legion Post 502 Ladies Auxiliary, VFW Post 7980, where she received the 25-year appreciation award from the post in 1994. She also received the Outstanding Community Award from the VFW at the State Convention in Chicago in 1998. Aurelia was a charter member of Urusline Sisters of Belleville and Smithton Turner Auxiliary, was in the 50 and Over Club and was the first lady inducted into the Mon-Clair Hall of Fame. In addition, she received the Volunteer Service Award from the American Red Cross after serving for 38 years as blood bank chairman. Visitation is Friday, Feb. 12, from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Strauss-Leesman Funeral Home in Millstadt. Funeral Mass is Sat. Feb 13, at 10 a.m. at St. James Catholic Church in Millstadt with Father Volk officiating. Burial will be in St. James Catholic Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the family to be used according to Aurelia’s wishes.

Pharmacist Treated To Early Valentine’s Day Treat

Paul Khoury, owner of Ron’s Pharmacy in downtown Columbia, was pleasantly surprised Friday morning when he received a singing telegram wishing him a Happy Valentine’s Day. The occasion was arranged by his employees as a special gift to their beloved boss.
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Paul Khoury, center, is presented a rose by the ladies who gave him a singing telegram in honor of the upcoming Valentine’s Day.

Friday Sports Update:

The Waterloo girls’ varsity basketball team ended their regular season Thursday evening with a 71-25 loss to Triad. Next up is the Mascoutah Regional starting Monday, Feb. 15 with a 7:30 p.m. game against Cahokia. The Waterloo boys’ team is currently 8-17, and will play at home this evening against Highland.

The Columbia girls’ season ended with a 35-29 loss Wednesday in the Central Regional to the host team. The Lady Eagles had a successful year, earning 17 wins. With only three seniors on this year’s team, next season is likely a reloading rather than a rebuilding year. The Columbia boys’ squad is 18-8, and plays a home game tonight versus Carlyle.

The Gibault Hawks boys’ team has a current record of 8-17, and travels Friday evening to Mascoutah. The girls’ team ended the season with a 10-14 record.

While the Valmeyer girls’ team struggled to at 4-21 record, the future should show improvement since this year’s team had no seniors. The boys’ team (1-21) travels to Dupo this evening to take on the Tigers, the only team they beat this year. With only two seniors on the boys’ team, next year the team should have some more games in the win column.

The Columbia High School Club Hockey team advanced to the East Division Championship with a 5-0 victory earlier this week over Timberland to win the best of three series. Columbia will now play Collinsville on Sunday at 6:15 p.m. in a best of three series at the U.S. Ice Facility in Fairview Heights. Game two is set for Tuesday, at 8:15 p.m., and game three, if necessary, is Thursday at 8:15 p.m.
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Waterloo center Rachel Lhamon, left, goes up for a jump shot during girls’ varsity basketball Thursday in a 71-25 loss to Triad. - photo by Gateway Photography / www.gatewayphoto.net

Tattoo Parlor To Be Discussed Monday By Planning Committee: The Waterloo Planning Committee will take up the issue Monday of Eric Catalano’s wish to open a body art parlor on North Main Street. The issue was first brought up before the city council during a meeting earlier this month. It was tabled and sent to the planning committee for further discussion and review. The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. and is open to the public. The committee is chaired by Alderman Jim Nagel. Other committee members are aldermen Vicki Koerber, Steve Notheisen, Charlie Metzger and Clyde Heller.

All-you-can-eat pancakes, sausage and donuts will be served in Maeystown on Feb. 16 for the annual St. John UCC Fastnacht. The church’s pre-Lenten banquet is held on Fat Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday, kicking off the numerous activities held annually in the historic village. The feast is served family-style at the church hall from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. German music will be provided by the New Hanover Deutschmeisters from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tickets are $7 for adults and $3 for children 6-12. Children under 6 eat free.

Fastnacht, among the German people, is the festive celebration on the eve of Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the Holy Season of Lent. In Maeystown and surrounding areas, Fastnacht was observed by the German immigrants and their descendants for many years. In the rural areas there were house parties with dancing and feasting. In towns, the children went grebbeling - wearing masks and carrying a bag. Each child went from house to house asking for doughnuts. The dances in homes began to dwindle in the late 1930s and ended entirely during World War II, but the custom of grebbeling continued into the 1960s. In 1979, St. John UCC revived the Fastnacht celebration with a sausage and pancake supper. This year marks the 32nd anniversary of the event.

Western Egyptian is offering seniors free help with filling out their income tax forms. The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program is being staffed by Ken Gibbs and Richard Toenjes from Monroe County and Sheldon Gitelman and Sylvia Shockley from Randolph County. To make an appointment, call the Columbia Senior Center at 281-7414 or the Waterloo Senior Center at 939-8880.

Morrison-Talbott Library has started several online book clubs. The clubs provide a portion of a book sent to your email to read each day Monday through Friday. The reading time is about five minutes per day, covering the first two to three chapters. The following week, new books will be offered for you to read. The style of the clubs include nonfiction, fiction, mystery, teen, romance, business, good news, thriller, science fiction, pre-publication, audio and classics. Additional information and the sign-up form is located at the website: www.waterloolibrary.org.

Corps Of Engineers To Discuss Their Findings On Levee System: The board of directors of the Southwestern Illinois Flood Prevention District Council will meet Wednesday, Feb. 17, at 7:30 a.m. at the offices of the Metro-East Park and Recreation District at 104 United Drive in Collinsville. The principal item of business will be a presentation by Col. Thomas O’Hara, Commander of the St. Louis District of the Corps of Engineers, on the agency’s findings and cost estimates to correct design deficiencies on the area’s levee systems.

The annual Waterloo High School Agriculture Career Night is Thursday, Feb. 25, from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The event, sponsored by the Waterloo FFA Alumni and the Monroe County Farm Bureau, is geared for eighth grade students and area high school students interested in learning about college studies and careers in the agricultural field. Parents are also invited to attend.

“The possibilities are endless with over 300 career areas in agriculture. One out of six jobs in the United States is related to agriculture,” said Brenda Seboldt, office manager of the Monroe County Farm Bureau. Seboldt added that career areas include agriculture production specialists, communication, education, engineers, financial specialists, managers, marketing, merchandising, sales representatives and scientists. Agriculture curriculum areas include agronomy, communications, economics, education, engineering, horticulture and mechanics.

Attendees will have an opportunity to visit with representatives from John Wood College, Lake Land College, Rend Lake College, Southern Illinois University, SWIC, University of Illinois, University of Missouri and Western Illinois University. Jared Nobbe of Wm. Nobbe and Company and John Howell, junior crop specialist with Gateway FS, will serve as the keynote speakers for the event. Seniors will have an opportunity to hear from a panel of college graduates about adjusting to college life, internships, and job interviews. Students can also ask questions.

“You do not have to come from a farm to pursue a career in agriculture,” Seboldt said. “There are agriculture related jobs available for everyone.”

Sub sandwiches and soda will be served. Attendance prizes will be awarded to conclude the program. To RSVP, contact the Waterloo High School Agriculture Department at 939-3455 by Feb. 23.

Local rock band Cardboard Room is gearing up for several area performances. They will be at Sal’s in Wartburg Inn on Friday, Feb. 12 from 9 p.m. to 1 p.m. They will make a return appearance to the Voodoo Lounge at Harrah’s Casino on Feb. 19 to play original music, They will be on stage from 9 p.m. to 9:45 p.m. Free tickets are available at their Myspace website: www.myspace.com/cardboardroom.com. The boys will also be appearing Feb. 26 at Pops Saloon in Sauget from 12:30 a.m. to 5:30 a.m.

The Monroe Actors Stage Company is gearing up for their next performance. They will bring the musical Pippin to stage on Feb. 12, 13, 14 and 19, 20 and 21. Richard Hunsaker will direct the production. The cast includes David Naber as Pippin, the eldest son of Charlemagne, the king of the Roman Empire; MASC veteran Mark Tullis as The Leading Player; and Tim Paeltz as Charlemagne. Rounding out the cast are Christine Miller, Tammy Duensing, Nate Chilton, Luci Coats and Seth Dillard.

Extension Office Seeks Input On Its Future: State budget constraints have prompted the University of Illinois Extension to explore ways to cut costs and still provide its programming. Extension leaders are seeking public input on their options. Monroe County Extension Director Pamela Jacobs is encouraging the public to participate in one or more of a series of upcoming local meetings at the County Annex at 901 Illinois Ave. in Waterloo - Wednesday, Feb. 24, from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., and Thursday, March 11, from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. During the meetings, citizens will have the opportunity to learn more about the rationale of the reorganization and ask questions to the interim extension director, Bob Hoeft. This process is studying the concept of multi-county units to reduce costs, including facility rental and staff.

“To be fiscally responsible, the U of I Extension is planning for funding cuts, but we want to make these cuts in such a way as to maintain extension’s strong tradition of high-impact educational programming, which has had a dramatic effect on the citizens of Illinois over the years,” said Hoeft.

It’s projected that Extension funding will decline between $2 and $5 million in the 2009-2010 budget year. While a cost-savings plan is not yet finalized, Hoeft says he’s operating on several guiding principles.

“First, we want to maintain a system that produces and delivers effective, high-impact educational programming in response to local needs,” he said. “We also want to support youth programming and 4-H at the same high level because it has a major impact on Illinois children.”

After the public meetings, Hoeft expects to finalize reorganization plans in mid-April and start implementing soon afterward.

Jacobs added that the county extension program is a vital part of the community. “The extension connects Illinois citizens with the University of Illinois and has a 90-year history of providing educational programs to improve the quality of life in the state,” she said. “The 4-H Youth Development program is the national premiere youth program. In addition University of Illinois Extension facilitates the Master Gardener program and many other educational services to the local people.”