E-Newsletter - May 21, 2010

Zahnow Elementary School finished off their school year May 14 with their annual Spring Picnic. Activities were held in the gym and cafeteria because of the rainy weather outside. A highlight of the day was Principal Mary Gardner and teacher Karla Bivins getting slime poured on their heads in honor of the students exceeding their goals for raising money for the American Heart Association’s Jump Rope For Heart program. Students Donnie Fieck and Rachel Patterson were the top fundraisers with each raising more than $1,000.

Karley Kinzinger, left, pours green slime on Zahnow Principal Mary Garden during the school’s annual Spring Picnic.               – photo by Tina Kinzinger

Gas War In Waterloo: The talk all around Monroe County are the gas prices being very low in Waterloo compared to neighboring areas, including across the river in South County. Often, gas prices are higher in Illinois because the state motor fuel tax is more than 10 cents higher than Missouri’s. Friday morning, prices at all the Waterloo gas stations were $2.49, compared to slightly higher prices in Columbia, Red Bud and Valmeyer. Gas was in the $2.60 per gallon range in South County. There is a lot of speculation as to the reason behind the reduced price in Waterloo, but no definitive reason has been given. Two of the locally owned stations said that this price is actually lower than what they are purchasing gas from their wholesalers. The owners stated they try to make their prices competitive with the other ones in town, but nobody’s making any profit on gas at this point.

Many motorist are very happy with the lower prices at the pump. “We can all shop Waterloo for our gas without having to cross over to the river to save some money,” said Lisa Meegan of Waterloo. “Do you think we will start seeing cars from Missouri over in Waterloo filling up? Now that would be a switch.”
 

The Monroe County History Museum welcomed members of the Waterloo Chamber of Commerce to their facility Thursday afternoon for an open house. Visitors were enthralled by the new exhibit of antique toys and games on display. The museum is located next to the Bellefontaine House on the south end of Waterloo. Admission is free and is open Saturday and Sundays during the daytime.

Monroe County Fair Queen Amanda Stumpf, right, visits with Chip Bieber and Norma Reheis during the Waterloo Chamber of Commerce open house at the Monroe County History Museum.

Millstadt Maifest This Weekend: Millstadt kicks off their summer picnic season this weekend with the annual Millstadt Maifest. It runs Friday, May 21, from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. and Saturday, May 22, from 3 p.m. to midnight. The event features food by Roy-El Catering, rides and games for young and old. Music will be provided by Rusty Nail on Friday and the Steve Ewing Band on Saturday evening. Proceeds from the Maifest benefit the purchase of new playground equipment for the Millstadt parks.

The Waterloo School District honored its teachers and staff today during its 11^th annual Recognition Luncheon held at the Waterloo High School Cafeteria. Among those receiving special recognition were those retiring, including Barb Boeges (39 years), Rick Keefe (38), Jo Ellen Burton (34), Judy Marquis (34), Bill Theobald (32) and Alice Kuehn (29). Honored for 30 years of service were Pamela Gorka, Teresa Nollau, Kathleen Naumann and Nina Ware.

Among those retiring from the Waterloo School District are, left to right, Alice Kuehn, Bill Theobald, Jo Ellen Burton, Judy Marquis and Rick Keefe.

Porta Westfalica Fest Planned For
June 15 In Downtown Waterloo

The 30th annual Waterloo Porta Westfalica Festival is scheduled for Tuesday, June 15 in downtown Waterloo. The event celebrates Waterloo partnership with its sister city in Porta Westfalica, German. Food, beverage and game stands open at 4 p.m. and the parade begins at 6 p.m.

The parade theme is “You can always tell a German!” featuring all floats having a German theme.

“Get creative!  The more lederhosen we see the better,” said Debbie Ruggeri of the Waterloo Chamber of Commerce. “We hope to see a lot of lederhosen, hats with feathers, and flags, streams, flyers and balloons featuring traditional German colors.”

A new rule is this year is that floats cannot simply be trucks with a business nameplate on the side. The Grand Marshal Float will lead the parade and carry many of the Grand Marshals from the past Porta Westfalica parades, including John Huetsch. He was the mayor of Waterloo in 1980 who signed the proclamation with the German officials establishing the partnership. The parade route starts at Gibault Catholic High School at 6 p.m. and head up Columbia Avenue before turning right on Main Street at Peterstown House. After passing the courthouse grounds, the parade will turn right on Third Street and end at the SPPS Grade School.

Also new this year is a special viewing area for a birds-eye view of the parade. Reserve tables seat eight people for $50 and include souvenir glasses. Armbands for rides will be available at all local banks prior to the festival.

As always, there will be plenty of food and beverages served at the festival. Menu items include German potato pancakes, bratwursts, pork steaks and ribeyes sandwiches. “And don’t forget to visit the Bier Garten and Wine Platz for plenty of authentic German spirits,” said Ruggeri.

Music will be provided by the Waterloo German Band, Waterloo Municipal Band, New Hanover Deutchmeisters and Bud Light Brigade. Kids’ ride armbands are now available at all local banks for $17 or $20 on the day of the Fest. An entire street of inflatable blow-up rides will be lined along Mill Street next to the courthouse.

For parade reservations, email Jared Nobbe at jnobbe@wmnobbe.com; vendors - Yvonne Dehner, yvonnewaterloo@aol.com; reserved tables - Debbie Ruggeri, chamber@htc.net; one-hour work-shifts - Sharon Hirstein, shirstein@fnbwaterloo.com or Lisa Meegan at lisameegan@remax.net.  

The Waterloo Porta Westfalica Festival is hosted by three local Sister Cities of Porta-loo, the Chamber of Commerce and the Lions club. 

Sports Wrap-Up: Regional sports action will not be hard to find this weekend. On tap today, the Waterloo soccer team (16-5-1) plays Althoff (21-0) for in the championship game of the Mascoutah Regional. Kick-off is at 4 p.m. The Columbia Lady Eagles soccer team (13-4-3) has advanced to the Quincy Notre Dame Sectional. Columbia will play Freeburg (13-7) today at 4:30 p.m. at McKendree University in Lebanon.  

In softball, local powerhouses Columbia (26-6) and Gibault (24-5) will square off for the Columbia 2A Regional title on Saturday, at 2p.m. On the baseball diamond, Columbia (12-14) will play Freeburg (11-23) for the Red Bud Regional Title on Monday at 4 p.m. Valmeyer (11-13) will play Saturday at 11 a.m. for the 1A Dupo Regional. The Pirates will square off against the winner of the Dupo (9-21) versus Lebanon (14-14)  game to be held Friday at 4 p.m.

Gibault’s ace pitcher Emily Morris hurls a victory in a game earlier this season. She went 19-4 with a 1.75 ERA on the season.

Columbia’s Jordan Amos slugs a single against last week’s playoff victory over Red Bud. Amos battled .495 in the regular season with six home runs.

Columbia To Play Freeburg For Regional Baseball Title

Columbia defeated Gibault 13-4 on Wednesday evening in the first round of the Red Bud Regional Tournament. The Eagles will play Freeburg on Monday for the Class 2A Red Bud Regional Championship Title. The game was initially scheduled for Saturday, but was postponed because of the wet field conditions from the storms which rolled through earlier this week.

Columbia's Bryce Bastien drives the baseball over the right field fence in the fifth inning for a three-run homer to help the Eagles defeat Gibault 13-4.          - photo by Gateway Photography-game photos online at www.gatewayphoto.net

Columbia High School To Compete In Nashville Track Sectional

The Columbia High School boys’ track team will compete today in the National Sectional Tournament. This is the second year in a row the team has won the Cahokia Conference Regional.

Columbia’s Tanner Hall  competes in the triple jump in the Columbia Regional. The CHS boys’ team won first place to advance to Friday’s Nashville Sectional.

There was a big turn-out for the Waterloo Community Blood Drive May 17 at St. Paul United Church of Christ. There were 79 units collected. Those receiving gallon pins were Michele Brigance, 1; Susan Cole, 7; Marie Dietz, 7; Janet Evans, 8; Charles Moll, 1; Norbert L Mudd, 6; and Judith Mueth, 2.

Lee Mentel of Red Bud, formerly of Waterloo, shot a hole-in-one on May 3 at Triple Lakes Golf Course in rural Columbia. He used a seven iron to ace the 125-yard, par 3, eighth hole. The feat was witnessed by his friend and longtime playing partner, Jim O’Brien. Mentel is an avid golfer and ended up with a round of 75 that day to match his age.

The Columbia Public Library’s Pre-School had its last day of the school this past week. The children celebrated their graduation with a tea party with every child receiving a certificate and a book.

Attending the Columbia Public School graduation are, left to right, first row, Samantha Hermann, Natalie Lechner, Hayden Theiss, HayesVan Breusegen and Ella Van Breusegen; and second row, Teacher Jean Eckert, Ty Griffin, Caleb Hayes, Jack Feichtinger, Teagan Nodorft, John Whitman, Gerhardt Theiss, and Library Director Erica Pyle. Not pictured is student Ellen Kaempfe.       – photo by Joan Mueller

Monroe County Court Report

The following cases were adjudicated the week of May 17 in Monroe County Circuit Court in Waterloo, Judge Brian Babka presiding:
Clair A. McGinnis, 45,  of Waterloo pleaded guilty to domestic battery. McGinnis was credited with 10 days served in the Monroe County Jail,  ordered to pay total fine and court cost of $140 and to have no contact with Molly McGinnis and given a one-year conditional discharge. The violation occurred April 27 at 7052 Fountain Creek Rd.; the Monroe County Sheriff's Department handled the incident.

Lawrence A. Washington, 45, of St. Charles, Mo. pleaded guilty to operating an uninsured motor vehicle. Washington was ordered o pay total fine and court cost of $212 and placed on one year court supervision. The violation occurred June 7 on North Market Street; Waterloo Police handled the incident.

Jared L. Seats, 20, of Belleville pleaded guilty to driving under a suspended license. Seats was ordered to pay total fine and court cost of $250. The violation occurred April 21 on Vandebrook Drive east of Fieldstone; Waterloo Police handled the incident. A charge of expired vehicle registration were dismissed.

Joseph Kopf, 29, of Edwardsville pleaded guilty to operating an uninsured motor vehicle. Kopf was ordered to pay total fine and court cost of $212 and placed on one year court supervision. The violation occurred Sept. 17 on Interstate 255; Columbia Police handled the incident. A charge of no valid license was dismissed.

Richard A. Engelke, 41, of Belleville pleaded guilty to driving under a revoked license. Engelke was ordered to pay $175 court cost and to perform 240 hours of community service and given a one-year conditional release. The violation occurred Oct. 3 on Admiral Parkway at Parkview; Columbia Police handled the incident.

Ricky J. Berkbuegler, 47, of Chester pleaded guilty to no valid license. Berkbuegler was ordered to pay total fine and court cost of $193 and placed on one year court supervision. The violation occurred April 16 on Admiral Parkway north of Veterans Parkway; Columbia Police handled the incident. A charge of operating an uninsured motor vehicle was dismissed.

Elizabeth G. Clements, 19, of Columbia pleaded guilty to driving under a suspended license and disorderly conduct. Clements was ordered to pay total fine and court cost of $400 and placed on one year court supervision. The violation occurred Feb. 1 in the 300 block of North Main Street; Columbia Police handled the incident. A charge of unlawful use of a weapon was dismissed.

Tesla K.D. Starkey, 20, of Columbia pleaded guilty to operating an uninsured motor vehicle. Starkey was ordered to pay total fine and court cost of $212 and placed on one year court supervision. The violation occurred May 11 on North Moore Street at Illinois Avenue; Waterloo Police handled the incident.

CHS Honors Top Chorus Students During Spring Concert

Columbia High School Chorus Director Patti French, right, presents end-of-year awards to, left to right, first row, Connor Brennan, Kate Montgomery and Sam Slater; second row, Jordan Chamberlain, Megan Schmid and Dawn Schmid row; third row, Brian Loethen, Taylor Dossett and Jocee Lackey-Hoffman row; and fourth row, Blake Meyer, Rachel Faries, Becca Thompson and Lynsey Wehrenberg.

Cooper Top Musician At CHS: In other Columbia High School music news, Lydia Cooper was awarded the John Phillips Sousa Award as being the top musician in the concert band.

Melissa Fausz of Waterloo is the May winner of the Think Monroe County First’s Super Consumer drawing. Fausz has won a $100 gift certificate to Clark's Country Oaks in Waterloo. Her entry was drawn at Chuck Pittman’s State Farm office in Waterloo. June’s winner will receive a $150 gift certificate for an in-home interior design consultation from Final Touch in downtown Columbia. For more information on the program, visit the website: www.thinkmonroecountyfirst.com.
 

May’s Super Consumer winner Melissa Fausz receives her prize from Monroe County Commissioner Mike Fausz, center, and State Farm Agent Chuck Pittman.

The Waterloo Municipal Band is getting ready for its 79th season of providing free concerts during the summer. Concerts are held Tuesday evenings from June through August beginning at 8 p.m. at the Monroe County Courthouse Bandstand. The first concert is scheduled for Tuesday, June 1 with the theme “The British Isles.” Song selections will be Colonel Bogey March, Coat of Arms, The King Across the Water, Mad Major March, Overture For A Coronation, Northumberland March, Camelot Highlights, Lennon and McCartney Portrait, An Irish Interlude, 449 Downtown and their usual concert finale, The Stars and Stripes Forever.

Columbia High School student athlete Seth McClanahan signed a letter of intent Thursday to attend Greenville College and play on the school’s soccer team. During his senior year at CHS, McClanahan scored seven goals with four assists as a midfielder. The Eagles won the Cahokia conference with a 6-0 record and 12-9-2 overall.

Seth McClannahan, center, signs his letter of intent Thursday to play soccer at Greenville College. Looking on are, left to right, first row, his parents Lori and Jeff McClanahan; and second row, Columbia soccer coach Kyle Riebeling and CHS Athletic Director Joe Iorio.                                  – photo by Bob Haentzler

Kuhn Is Mayor For The Day: Ellie Kuhn recently spent time at Waterloo City Hall and was given the honor of being the Mayor For The Day. Mayor Tom Smith gave her a tour of city hall and other city buildings.

Ellie Kuhn sits in Mayor Tom Smith’s chair during her term as Waterloo’s Mayor For The Day.  

Newly formed country band Riverside is scheduled to perform at Valmeyer’s Corner Pub on May 22 from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Bass player Dennis Schreder invites everyone to stop by and check them out. Other members of the band are Mike Jarvis, Kurt Jarvis, Tim Fisher and Tim Richards.

Recent Obituaries

Walter J. Kelley Jr., 88, of Waterloo, died May 20, 2010 in Red Bud. He was born Nov. 27, 1921 in Tipton, the son of the late Walter J. Sr. and Mary Eva (nee Walsh) Kelley. Mr. Kelley is survived by his children, Carol (David) Biffar and Cletus (Sharon) Kelley; grandchildren, Kevin (Becky) Biffar, Kelly (Mike) Murphy; great-grandchildren Jakop and Josef Biffar and Ashley and Patrick Murphy; step-great-granddaughter Allison Murphy; sisters Josephine (Jim) Devine and Helen Meisenbach; and brothers James W. Kelley and Edward “Bob” (Rita) Kelley; along with sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his wife, Eileen (nee Whelan); a son, Gene Kelley; grandson, Eric Kelley; and brothers David M. and William R. Kelley. Mr. Kelley was a member of St. Patrick’s Church and the Red Bud VFW. Visitation is Saturday, May 22, from 8 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. at Quernheim Funeral Home. Funeral is Saturday, May 23, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Patrick’s Church in Tipton with Father Don Blaes officiating. Mr. Kelley will be buried at the church’s cemetery. Memorials may be made to the church’s cemetery fund.