Weekend Wrap-Up - May 24, 2010

The Valmeyer High School Class of 2010 graduated 27 students Friday evening in an assembly at the gymnasium. Principal Dawn Ivers congratulated the class on earning more than $199,000 in scholarships. In her speech, Salutatorian Sarah Goforth encouraged her fellow graduates to be a first rate version of yourself and not a second-rate version of someone else. Goforth plans to attend Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Okla. Valedictorian Amy Burns said she will always treasure the fond memories while a student at Valmeyer High School, especially of the FFA classes taught by Howard “Sir” Heavner. “Sir has been a role model to many current and former students at Valmeyer High School,” said Burns. “He has put a smile on students’ faces so many times.” Burns has accepted a scholarship to attend Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.

The evening was bittersweet for Ivers and Superintendent Brian Charron. Ivers has accepted a position as principal of newly-named Gardner Elementary School in Waterloo (the old WJHS) for fourth and fifth grade students. After 11 years in the Valmeyer School District, Charron is also heading to Waterloo where he will be the new high school principal. “I would like to thank this community for making the past 11 years the most meaningful in my life,” said Charron.

VHS Class of 2010 Salutatorian Sarah Goforth, left, and Valedictorian Amy Burns.

Valmeyer’s Class of 2010 turn toward their parents, siblings and friends after they turn their tassels during their graduation ceremony.   

Columbia High School Celebrates Graduation Of Class Of 2010

- photo by Debbie Roediger - www.roedigerphotos.com

Mallory Stumpf, right, was named the CHS Valedictorian while Mackenzie Burkemper was honored as the Salutatorian of the Columbia High School Class of 2010.    - photo by Debbie Roediger - www.roedigerphotos.com

Three Named Valedictorian Of Gibault’s Graduating Class Of 2010

Chris Kuester and Brittany Davis of Freeburg and Cole Blechle of Waterloo were named the valedictorians of the Gibault High School Class of 2010. The salutatorians are Rachel Kreher and Lana Rottler. The commencement ceremony took place Sunday evening in the Father Ed Hustedde Gym for the 61 graduates. Kuester and classmate Julia Means, the senior class president, received the Spirit Of Father Gibault award. Longtime Gibault teacher and soccer coach Jim Corsi was presented an honorary degree. He has decided to retire after 20 years of service to the school.

Gibault Dean of Students David Gregson, right, congratulates the Class of 2010 valedictorians, left to right, Brittany Davis, Cole Blechle and Chris Kuester.
 

Gibault graduates exit the stage upon earning their diplomas.

Splish-Splash At SPPS Field Day: SS. Peter and Paul Grade School students had a great time May 17 during their annual Field Day. The event, sponsored by the student council, included flag football, soccer, baseball, water relays, Frisbee golf and tug of war, all held at the S.P.P.S. Fields behind the Peterstown House.

Mrs. Lyons’ class piles up in the mud pit during the tug of war competition.

Sports Wrap-Up: In baseball action today, Columbia (21-14) plays Freeburg (12-23) in the championship game of the Class 2A Red Bud Regional. First pitch is at 4:30 p.m., with the winner advancing to the Alton-Marquette Sectional. Waterloo (16-11) finishes up their regular season this evening with a home game against Alton. On Wednesday, the Bulldogs with be begin play in the Class 3A Centralia Regional, taking on conference rival Mascoutah (23-12).

In softball, Gibault (25-5) defeated Columbia on Saturday 3-1 to win the Columbia Regional. Next up for the Hawks is the Carterville Sectional on Wednesday where they will play Johnson City. Waterloo (11-14) will host a softball regional beginning Wednesday. First up for the Lady Bulldogs is Althoff (11-17). Game time is 4:30 p.m.

On the soccer field, the Columbia girls’ team (14-4-3) has advanced to the championship game of the Quincy Notre Dame Section. They will take on the host team, Quincy Notre Dames (21-2).

Gibault Defeats Columbia For Regional Title

Gibault (25-5) defeated Columbia (26-7) by a score of 3-1 on Saturday in the championship game of the Columbia 2A Regional. Gibault ace pitcher Emily Morris picked up another complete-game victory. The win sends Gibault to the Carterville Sectional where they will play Johnson City at 4:30 p.m. in the first round.

The Gibault softball team celebrating their regional victory over Columbia are, left to right, first row, Kelly Kapp, Macy Wierschem, Kaitlin McCarthy, Emily Morris, Lana Rottler and Lexie Purcell; and second row, Coach John Oglesby, Morgan Weber, Kristin Kreher, Annie Crouch, Kelsey Barbeau, Ashley Wiegand, Megan Wodocheck, Megan Wagner, Erin Crouch and Coach Dave Gregson.     .    - photo by Debbie Roediger - www.roedigerphotos.com

Gibault third baseman Annie Crouch tags out Columbia runner Alexis Royer in Saturday’s Regional Championship.        - photo by Debbie Roediger - www.roedigerphotos.com

The Mon-Clair summer baseball league kicked off Sunday with double-headers with teams from the Monroe and St. Clair County Divisions battling it out. The Waterloo Millers won both ends of their double-header over the Columbia Saints.  In game one, Mark Mueller picked up the 8-1 victory with Brandon Musso coming in relief to finish off the game. Millers ace Corey Blackwell earned a 4-1 victory in the nightcap with Andy Galle closing out the Saints in the final two innings.  

Valmeyer split their double-header against the home team Belleville Rockies. Behind the strong arm of Dakota Schutt, the Lakers short-gamed the Rockies in game one by a score of 14-4. Belleville bounced back in game two and won the contest 3-1.

The Millstadt VFW also split their double header over the Fairview Heights Redbirds. They won the first game 3-2 with Spencer Litteken picking up the victory. Game two was a pitcher’s duel with the Redbird coming away with a 2-1 win. Millstadt pitcher Alex Kollack scattered nine hits while striking out five over seven innings, but  allowed both runs for the loss. Fairview Heights pitcher Rob Blumberg went the distance for the victory, giving up only one run on five hits, not giving up a walk while striking out eight.

Dave Miller of the Waterloo Millers gets the glad hand from third base coach Brian Unger, left, after leading off the first game against Columbia with a home run. The Millers would hit two more dingers in the opening game of the season.                          - photo by Gateway photography, www.gatewayphoto.net

WHS Sends Four To State Track Meet: Waterloo High School track athletes Brendan Duncan, Josh Rodenberg, Alyssa Edwards and Aubree Schreder qualified for the IHSA Class 2A State Track Meet to be held this coming weekend at Eastern Illinois University at Charleston. In the sectional tournament, Duncan finished in second place in the discus with a length of 140' 6". Rodenberg competed in the 1600-meter and ran it in 4:38.0 to also take home the second place medal. Alyssa Edwards qualified for state in the 800-meter while Schreder will compete in the 3200-meter.

Columbia High School will send three members of its boys’ track team to the IHSA Class 1A State Track Meet beginning Thursday at Eastern Illinois University. Qualifying from last Friday’s Nashville Sectional are Brad Morr (800-meter), Drew Spargo (3200-meter) and Alex Starek (shot put).

Andrea Jones and Andrew Glessner celebrated their bachelorette / bachelor parties Saturday evening. Andrea enjoyed a bus trip to several area establishments, while Andrew gathered with family and friends at his family’s clubhouse in Wartburg. They are planning a June 5 wedding.

Poppy Days Coming Up: The Columbia American Legion and Waterloo VFW, along with their Ladies Auxiliaries, will be participating in Poppy Days. It will be observed in Columbia on Friday, May 28. In Waterloo, their VFW and Auxiliary will be out and out at intersections on Saturday, June 5. Donations are accepted, but not required.

“In addition, the Waterloo VFW will have a yard sale on June 5 from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. to benefit area veterans’ programs,” said Waterloo VFW Post Commander Stefanie Kirksey.

When you see a Legion members handing out the little red poppies, it is to remind Americans that millions have sacrificed their lives and health to keep our nation free. The poppy grew wild on the battlefields of Flanders and became a fixture in the minds of the American doughboys fighting in the European field during World War I. It has since become a symbol of the sacrifice which they endured. American soldiers brought home that image and were joined by the Auxiliary members to plant the flower, which has bloomed every spring for the past 70 years.

Mike and Kari Berg of Collinsville are parents of baby girl Lillian Marie. Lillian was born Saturday at 8:48 p.m. at St. John's Mercy Medical Center in St. Louis. She weighed 7 pounds, 5 ounces. Lillian was welcomed home by big sister Emma, 4. Grandparents are Carol and Floyd Floarke of Valmeyer, Dave and Sandy Berg of Maeystown and Rudy and Judy Bouse of Collinsville.

Several events are scheduled for the upcoming Memorial Day holiday, including ceremonies on Monday, May 31, in Columbia, Waterloo, Valmeyer, Renault and Hecker.

Renault’s ceremony begins at 10 a.m. at the Studt Cemetery on Kaskaskia Road across the road from Holy Cross Lutheran Church on the north end of Renault.

In Hecker, the Memorial Day ceremony takes place at 9:30 a.m. at the St. Augustine Catholic Church Cemetery off of Route 156 on the west end of the village. If it raining, the ceremony will be moved to the Hecker Community Center. The event will kick off and conclude with flyovers by eight vintage aircraft. Others highlights include a patriotic reading by a John Wayne impersonator, a dove release and guest speakers Louann Mattern of the Daughters of the American Revolution and Illinois Supreme Court Judge Lloyd Karmeier. A Vietnam Veterans motorcycle club will also be in attendance and local veterans, both living and deceased, of all U.S. wars will be recognized. Musical performances will be provided by Steve “Elvis” Davis and Tracy and Jason Herring. The colors will be presented by Boy Scout Troop 323 of Waterloo and the Smithton Knights of Columbus.

The Valmeyer American Legion will host a Memorial Day program beginning at 10 a.m. at the Post Hall. The guest speaker will be ROTC Cadet Spencer Alexander who is attending the University of Missouri. All in attendance are invited inside the hall following the ceremony for refreshments and snacks served by the Ladies Auxiliary.

The Waterloo VFW and American Legion Posts join together for their Memorial Day program. It will begin at 11 a.m. at the Monroe County Courthouse lawn. If it is raining, the event will move into the Waterloo VFW Hall. The guest speaker will be Major Charles Scott Geringer, budget analyst for the Air Mobility Command at Scott Air Force Base. Musical selections will be provided by the Waterloo Municipal Band.

Columbia American Legion Post 581 will pay tribute to one of the community’s World War II casualties during its annual Memorial Day program, Monday, May 31. The Legion will recognize Lt. Cmdr. August Frederick Weinel during its 11 a.m. program. Weinel was killed in action with the rest of his crew when the USS Cisco he was commanding sunk off the coast of Japan. The submarine was declared missing Nov. 16, 1943. Lt. Cmdr. Weinel was subsequently declared killed in action along with the rest of the crew in 1946. A Columbia native, Weinel graduated first in his class at the United States Naval Academy in 1936. He attended Columbia Grade School, Dupo High School and spent two years at Westminster College in Fulton, Mo. before heading to Annapolis. Among numerous other honors, he was named a Rhodes Scholar. He was born Oct. 6, 1914 the son of the late Fredric and Elizabeth (Daoust) Weinel. His father was the owner and operator of the August F. Weinel Lumber Co. Prior to his death, Weinel had been awarded the Silver Star and the Purple Heart. He was survived by his wife Elizabeth and three children, William, Thomas and Eleanor. Edna Dell Weinel, a first cousin, will present a tribute during the program. His daughter Eleanor is also expected to attend. The program is free and open to the public.

The second annual Carstar Soaps It Up! Car Wash will be Saturday, June 12 at Charlie’s Columbia Carstar at 431 N. Main in Columbia. The event benefits the Make-A-Wish Foundation and Columbia Boy Scout Troop 357. Scouts will wash cars from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tickets are available for $10 each through the Boy Scout Troop or at either of the two Charlie’s Carstar locations in Columbia and Cahokia. “It was great to see all the support from everyone last year and fun to be part of a record-setting event,” said Charlie Eilers, owner of Charlie’s Carstar. “We hope to sell more tickets and wash more cars this year so we can help grant a wish through Make-A-Wish and support our local Boy Scouts.”

Recent Obituary

Wilma Pearl Pirtle, nee Vance, 89, died May 24, 2010 in Columbia. She was born July 11, 1920 in Flat River, Mo., the daughter of Roy Herbert and Allie (nee McNail) Vance. Mrs. Pirtle is survived by her sons Gary (Victoria) Pirtle of Glen Ellyn and Herb Pirtle of Maplewood, Mo.; siblings Florence Schrum of Ocklawaha, Fla., Ruth (Boxie) Schrum of Iron Mountain Lake, Mo. and Leroy (Janie) Vance of Hot Springs Village, Ark.; and grandchildren Cheryl (Tom) O’Connor of Richmond Heights, Mo., Steven Pirtle of St. Louis, Mo. Alan (Cathy) Pirtle of Columbia, Christina (Clark) Plumb of Fenton, Mo., Roger (Layla) Pirtle of DuQuoin and Brian (Jana) Pirtle of Oklahoma City, Okla.; along with great-grandchildren; a great-great granddaughter; cousins; and brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law. She was preceded in death by her husband, Glenn Pirtle; brothers Lloyd “Joe” Vance and Lowell “Jack” Vance; and daughters-in-law Sandra Pirtle, Rita Pirtle and Anna Pirtle. Wilma was elected the first mayor in the history of Iron Mountain Lake, Mo. She also owned various businesses with her husband. Visitation is at Shipman Funeral Home in Bismarck, Mo. on Thursday, May 27, from 10 a.m. to 12 noon. A graveside service will immediately follow at the Masonic Cemetery in Bismarck, Mo.