E-Newsletter - June 4, 2010

Waterloo Classroom Moves Are Underway: With the re-opening of the old Waterloo High School next school year as the new home to the junior high school, teachers, students and administrators were busy this week moving their classroom materials to their new homes. Zahnow will now house pre-k through first grades, Rogers Elementary - second and third grades, Gardner Elementary (the old WJHS) -- fourth and fifth grades, and Waterloo Junior High will continue to be for sixth, seventh and eighth grade students.

Teachers and students load boxes onto a trailer while making the move to their new home at Rogers Elementary.   .         – photo by Bob Haentzler

Tindall And Barbeau Are Named Red Bud Valedictorians

Named the top academic students for the 2010 Class of Red Bud High School are, left to right, Salutatorian Jerald Dehne and Valedictorians Lora Tindall and Brianna Barbeau. The graduation ceremony took place last weekend at the school’s football field.          – photo by North County News

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.”

Downtown Prairie du Rocher will be hopping this weekend, June 4 throughout 6 while the Fort de Chartres Rendezvous is underway. Bands are scheduled all weekend at Lisa’s Restaurant. The village parade is scheduled for Saturday, June 5, at 6 p.m.

Waterloo author Quinta will be at the Morrison-Talbott Library on June 10, at 7 p.m. signing copies of her newly-published book, The Mississippi: A Visual Biography. The book explains through words and pictures how the river was formed by glacial action, what man has done to change it and plans to restore it. Scott is an author and photographer who has exhibited her work nationally and has received two fellowships from the National Endowment For The Arts. Scott has previously written three other books and has collaborated on many others as a photographer. Her titles include: The Eads Bridge, a photographic essay of the bridge as exposed from the train deck; and Route 66: The Highway and Its People, which includes interviews of those who planned and built the nation’s first interstate highway. Quinto lives in Waterloo with her husband, Barrie Scott, an architect.

Morrison-Talbott Library’s Page Turners book club is off to a very good beginning, reports Library Director Elaine Steingrubey. The group will next meet at 7 p.m., on June 16 to discuss Greg Mortenson’s latest novel, Three Cups of Tea.  The club’s upcoming books include The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith, Shattered by Karen Robards and Caught by Harlan Coben.

The Waterloo Optimist Club’s annual car show is this Sunday, June 6, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the courthouse square in downtown Waterloo. Registration is from 8 a.m. to noon with awards being presented at 4 p.m. Cost is $15 for $5 for display only. There will be 50/50 drawings along with food and beverage stands. All proceeds g benefit local youth programs.

A Columbia Community Blood Drive will take place Tuesday, June 8, from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m., at Turner Hall. Homemade cookies and refreshments will be served. To make an appointment, call 618-281-6941. Walk-ins are also welcome. The Red Cross currently has a shortage of the type O blood group, the universal blood type.

Columbia Boy Scout Troop did their civic duty for the community on Tuesday by taking down the Avenue of Flags on Tuesday along Main Street in Columbia. The scouts had put them up last week in preparation for the Memorial Day Holiday weekend.

Boy Scouts helping to take down the U.S. flags along Main Street on Tuesday are, left to right, Brian Belaska, Jay Hollman and Willie Wessel.        – photo by John Idoux

The City of Columbia’s annual recycling day is Saturday, June 5, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Columbia High School parking lot. Nice Twice At The Depot, a not-for-profit resale shop located in Waterloo which supports Camp Wartburg, will collect gently used clothing, shoes, furniture, toys and other household items. The Columbia Library will accept gently used books. Web Innovations and Technology Services will accept electronic items, including VCRs, stereos, audio/video equipment and small home electronics, such as blenders, toasters, irons, old motors, batteries, cell phones, printers, computers, monitors, washers, dryers, dishwashers, furnaces, air conditioners, refrigerators, humidifiers and other freon containing devices.

Reliable Sanitation will accept recyclable items, including glass, plastic and aluminum. Newspapers and other paper products can be dropped off at the bins located at the Columbia public schools and ICS. Reliable Sanitation will also provide dumpsters to allow citizens of the City of Columbia to dispose of non-recyclable items. Proof of residency identification will be required for this service. Paper shredding for documents will be available that day from 9 a.m. to 12 noon. There is a limit of 10 boxes per person. This shredding service is sponsored by Columbia National Bank, Reliance Bank and Midland States Bank. Fluorescent tube lights and compact fluorescent light bulbs will be collected by Cotton’s Ace Hardware, which will continue to accept the bulbs throughout the year. Smaller batteries (A, AA, AAA, D, etc.) will be collected at the recycling event and can also be brought to City Hall throughout the year for proper disposal.

In order to continue its effort to promote recycling in the community, the City of Columbia will be giving out a free recycling bin at the CHS parking lot (while supplies last). Again, proof of residency is required. The City is also looking for volunteers or organizations to assist in this event and to help remove trash from various locations throughout the town. On both June 4 and 5, the city will waive the need for yard and garage sale permits. Any unsold items remaining from those sales can be put in a sturdy box or plastic trash bag and brought to the high school parking lot until 3 p.m. on June 5 for recycling or disposal. For additional information about this event or to volunteer, contact City of Columbia’s Jackie Hausmann at 618-281-7144, ext. 106.

Immaculate Conception Grade School teacher Carole Waide has been named the recipient of the 2010 Teacher Legacy Award from the Catholic Holy Family Society. In a surprise visit to her at the end-of-year school mass, CHFS Fraternal Director Mary Barbara Kurtz approached Waide and presented her with an engraved bell, a $100 gift certificate and $50 to spend on her classroom. Immaculate Conception Principal Mile Kish, who nominated Waide for the award praised the longtime ICS teacher.

“Carol goes beyond the normal definition of the classroom teacher. She sees the big picture when looking at the educational process and involves herself for the good of all at Immaculate Conception Grade School,” Kish said. He added that Waide has a heart for the social justice movement and has formed a Kids For Social Justice at the school which works s with the developmentally challenged and Special Olympics. “Her legacy goes far beyond just her classroom for she inspires others and her legacy grows,” said Kish.

ICS teacher Carol Waide

Fort de Chartres Rendezvous Is This Weekend

The 40th annual Fort de Chartres Rendezvous is scheduled for June 5 and 6 at the historic fort located in rural Prairie du Rocher. This is the Midwest’s largest gathering of 1700s era soldiers, settlers, traders and campers. The Rendezvous is free and open to the public. There is a charge for parking. The event features military units, traditional craft demonstrations, pirates, period music and dancing, black powder shooting events and cannon firings. In addition there are numerous food and beverage stands.

Each day’s activities begin at 10 a.m. with the Opening Ceremony and Posting of Colours. The Retreat Ceremony ends the activities at 4:30 p.m. An 18th century military tactical demonstration (mock battle) takes place at 2 p.m. each day, and the French Marines of Fort de Chartres will perform the Fort Toulouse Drill at 11 a.m. A dance for all participants and visitors will be held Saturday from 8 to 10 p.m. at the fort.

Monroe Countians should be on the lookout for Columbia Alderman Jim Agne who will be demonstrating the wooden items he makes with his antique cutting-lathe. He has been participating in the Rendezvous since the first one 40 years ago. The String Connection Band will be playing from 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. on both days. The band features recent Gibault grad Jennifer Clerc, who teaches violin at Zarkie Music in downtown Columbia.

A complete timetable of events scheduled for the Rendezvous is at the Fort’s website: www.ftdechartres.com. The event is cosponsored by the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency, Les Coureur de Bois de Fort de Chartres and Save Illinois History.

A video featuring a seven-minute home movie of the Waterloo Homecoming Parades in 1947 and 1967 has been posted on the YouTube. The movies were taken by Bob Noelke. To view, click on the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3W2QuPyajvE.

A Columbia Community Blood Drive will take place Tuesday, June 8, from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m., at Turner Hall. Homemade cookies and refreshments will be served. To make an appointment, call 618-281-6941. Walk-ins are also welcome. The Red Cross currently has a shortage of the type O blood group, the “universal blood type.”

Mon-Clair Baseball Games Slated For Friday And Sunday: Mon-Clair Baseball League action for this weekend starts tonight at 6 p.m. with the Waterloo Millers hosting the St. Louis Spikes at the SPPS Field. Doubleheaders begin are on tap for Sunday as Columbia hosts the Belleville Rockies, Valmeyer heads to Koeneman Park to play the St. Louis Longhorns and the Waterloo Millers are on the road to play Millstadt.

Plans are already underway for the Valmeyer Mid-Summer Celebration which will run from Saturday, July 3 through Monday, July 5. The Mon-Clair League baseball tournament, the Mid-Summer Classic, begins Saturday, July 3, at 9 a.m. and continues through the weekend with the championship game taking place Monday, July 5, at 3 p.m. The Brent Roever Memorial Volleyball Tournament will take place beginning at 10 a.m. on Saturday, July 3. For more info., call Kristine Voelker at 458-7771. The parade will take Sunday, July 4 at 1 p.m., with the theme Transportation Through The Ages. The Colossal Fireworks display will begin at dusk Sunday evening. Musical entertainment will be provided by Fountain Creek Band on Saturday and Aftershock on Sunday.

Several Monroe County organizations are participating in a program to collected unwanted or outdated medications. Beginning July 1, area citizens will be able to drop off the unwanted pills, no questions asked, at a collection box located at Waterloo Police Department lobby. A collection box will be available on a 24-hour, seven days a week basis. Organizing this program is the Waterloo Police Department, Illinois American Water, Wightman Pharmacy and the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department. The police officers will work with Steve Wightman, owner of Wightman Pharmacy, to identify the prescription drugs that are left in the box and the controlled substances which will be incinerated.

“By implementing this drug box depository we will be addressing the growing problem in society of unused / left over prescription drugs being abused by our youth and the growing incidents of public water systems detecting drug traces in our drinking water,” Waterloo Police Chief Jim Trantham said.

Wightman said that studies show that approximately 41 percent of teens believe prescription drugs are much safer to use that illicit drugs and leaving those unused drugs in the medicine cabinet can lead to a temptation to experiment.

The kickoff of this program will take place on Thursday, July 1, at 2 p.m. in the Waterloo Police Department lobby. The public is welcome to attend, along with local and state elected officials.

Monroe County Court Report…

The following cases were adjudicated in Monroe County Circuit Court in Waterloo the week of May 31, Judges Brian Babka and Dennis Doyle presiding:

A charge of domestic battery against Sheila N. Hull, 39, of Waterloo was dismissed at the request of offended witness, Tracy Reynolds. The charge stemmed from a May 4 incident at 12 Station West.

Kayla A. Kohler, 21, of Waterloo pleaded guilty to driving under the influence of alcohol. Kohler was ordered to pay total fine and court cost of $1,380 and to obtain a drug/alcohol evaluation and placed on one year court supervision. The violation occurred April 8 on Levee Road at Berger Road; the Monroe County Sheriff's Department handled the incident. Charges of operating an uninsured motor vehicle and illegal transportation of alcohol were dismissed.

Joann Moore-Pluff, 65, of Waterloo pleaded guilty to driving under the influence of alcohol-first offense. Moore-Pluff was ordered to pay total fine and court cost of $1,380 and to obtain a drug/alcohol evaluation and placed on one year court supervision. Moore-Pluff's license was suspended for 12 months on May 2. The violation occurred March 17 on Country Club Lane at Rogers Street; the Monroe County Sheriff's Department handled the incident. A charge of improper lane usage was dismissed.

Danielle F. Gloeckner, 33, of Waterloo pleaded guilty to driving under the influence of alcohol - first offense. Gloeckner was ordered to pay total fine and court cost of $1,380 and to obtain a drug/alcohol evaluation and placed on one year court supervision. Gloeckner's license was suspended May 19 for six months. The violation occurred April 3 on Illinois Route 3 at HH Road; the Monroe County Sheriff's Department handled the incident. A charge of improper lane usage was dismissed.

Matthew L. Miller, 37, of Waterloo pleaded guilty to illegal production of cannabis sativa. Miller was ordered to pay a $250 fine. The violation occurred May 3 at 5244 Timber Lakes Dr.; the Monroe County Sheriff's Department handled the incident.

Jeremy P. Busby, 22, of Columbia pleaded guilty to illegal possession of cannabis. Busby was ordered to pay a $250 fine. The violation occurred Feb. 4 on Admiral Parkway at Mark Drive; Columbia Police handled the incident. Charges of operating an uninsured motor vehicle, no valid license and speeding 32 mph in a 25 mph speed zone were dismissed.

Andrew J. Donelson, 19, of Waterloo pleaded guilty to illegal possession of cannabis. Donelson was ordered to pay total fine and court cost o $618 and placed on one year court supervision. The violation occurred March 23 on Lakeview Drive at Fawn Run; Waterloo Police handed the incident. A charge of illegal consumption of alcohol by a minor was dismissed.

Tramere J. Johnson, 22, of St. Louis pleaded guilty to driving under a revoked license. Johnson was ordered to pay total fine and court cost of $286 and placed on one year court supervision. The violation occurred May 4 on Country Club Lane at Illinois Route 3; Waterloo Police handled the incident.

Valerie L. Ruffin, 39, of Red Bud pleaded guilty to battery. Ruffin was ordered to pay total fine and court costs of $302 and placed on one year court supervision. The violation occurred May 2 at 5508 VV Rd.; the Monroe County Sheriff's Department handled the incident.

Mary A. Maxey, 53, of Waterloo pleaded guilty to failure to yield properly. Maxey was ordered to pay total fine and court cost of $173 and placed on three months court supervision. The violation occurred April 21 on Illinois Route 3 at Service Road; Illinois State Police handled the incident. A charge of failure to secure a child in a car seat was dismissed.

Denise A. Flanagan, 37, of Columbia pleaded guilty to driving under a suspended license and operating an uninsured motor vehicle. Flanagan was ordered to pay total fines and court costs of $498 and placed on one year court supervision. The violations occurred April 28 on North Main Street at Whiteside Street; Columbia Police handled the incident.

Dale Blandford, 20, of Lenzburg pleaded guilty to driving under a suspended license and illegal possession of drug paraphernalia. Blandford was ordered to pay total fines and court costs of $956 and placed on one year court supervision. The violations occurred April 9 on Fourth Street at Waterloo Junior High School; Waterloo Police handled the incident. A charge of speeding 34 mph in a 20 mph zone was dismissed.

Rocher Man Sentenced In Dog-Fighting: James Millburn of Prairie du Rocher was one of seven individuals sentenced June 1 by a judge in at the Federal Courthouse in East St. Louis in connection with involvement in a dog-fighting ring in St. Clair County. Those also sentenced were William Berry, 35, of Lebanon; Derrick Courtland, 43, of Centreville; John Bacon, 37, of Fairview Heights; Julius Jackson, 41, of East St. Louis; Joseph Addison, 41, of East St. Louis; and Ricky Stringfellow, 37, of Centreville. They were all charged with Conspiracy to Commit Unlawful Activities of Dog Fighting. The violations took place between Nov. 18, 2008 and, at least, April 18, 2009.

Prison terms handed down were: Berry and Millburn, one year and one day; Courtland and Jackson, 18-months; Bacon, 16 months; Addison, 24 months; and Stringfellow, 12 months. All of the defendants were ordered to pay a $100 special assessment and also restitution to the Humane Society of Missouri for the care of the seized pit bulls. They were also each sentenced to three years of supervised release following their prison terms.

The investigation was headed by the U. S. Department of Agriculture’s Office of Inspector General, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the Humane Society of Missouri, the United States Department of Agriculture Office of Inspector General and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Jennifer Hudson and Mike

Thompson. This prosecution is the latest in a series of major animal fighting investigations conducted throughout the country since the passage of the Animal Fighting Prohibition Enforcement Act signed into law in May 2007, which makes it a felony to participate in the blood sport.

Harry Wolf To Receive Order Of Merit From German

Waterloo German Band front man Harry Wolf has been chosen to receive the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany. He is being honored for his lifetime endeavor with the band to promote the German culture in the United States. This is the highest honor Germany bestows on a citizen of another country. Wolf, along with a contingent of Waterloo dignitaries will depart Monday and head to Chicago to watch as Wolf receives the award from Onno Hueckmann, the German counsel general of Chicago.

Harry Wolf playing the Alphorn last month during the Waterloo Rotary Club’s 75^th anniversary celebration at The Falls.

The annual Ainad Shrine Circus will be at the Monroe County Fairgrounds in Waterloo on Monday, June 7 at 7:30 p.m.

Local rock and roll band Where's Charlie will play at Busch Memorial Stadium July 15 as part of a Battle of the Bands competition prior to the start of a St. Louis Cardinals baseball game. Of the three bands invited, the band which has the most fans in attendance will be invited back to play at the stadium in September. Lead singer and guitar player Scott Harres said the band is able to sell $30 tickets for $20 for those who want to root on their band.

The Columbia Public Library is gearing up for their ninth annual car show on Friday, June 11, from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. The rain date is Saturday, June 12, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Besides the vehicles, there will be games, free hot dogs and soda, attendance prizes and a book sale. The library is currently collecting donations of books to either be added to their collection or to be sold at the upcoming annual book sale which runs June 10 -12.

Antique tractors will be displayed and put through some tests this Sunday, June 6 at the Monroe County Fairgrounds during the annual Gateway Two Cylinder Antique Tractor and Gas Engine Show. It runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Food stands will be open.

Recent Obituaries

Wilmarth Henrietta Holtman, nee Barbeau, 90, of Waterloo, died June 1, 2010 in St. Louis. She was born March 31, 1920, the daughter of the late George and Myrtle (nee Palmier) Barbeau. Mrs. Holtman is survived by her children, Constance (Joseph) Majka of Maeystown, Judith (Marvin) Oliver of Lenoir, NC., and Michelle (Kenneth) Wilson of Valrico, Fla; a sister, June Weatherly of Troy; and brothers Larry Barbeau of Pinckneyville and Dale Barbeau of Plano, Tex; along with seven grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. Mrs. Holtman was preceded in death by her husband, Edwin Holtman; five brothers; and one sister. Visitation was at DeFabio Funeral. Mrs. Holtman was buried at  Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery.

Lori A. Brumfield, nee Barker, 53, of Waterloo, died June 1, 2010 in St. Louis. She was born June 1, 1957, the daughter of the late Alan and Peggy (nee Allen) Barker. Mrs. Brumfield is survived by her husband, Kevin E. Brumfield; children, Philip, Jacob and Taylor Brumfield; a sister, Lisa Barker; and a brother, David (Jennifer) Barker. She was preceded in death by a brother. Mrs. Brumfield was a retired registered nurse at veterans’ hospitals. A service will be held at a later date. Memorials may be made to Multiple Sclerosis Society. Arrangements were handled by Quernheim Funeral Home.

Dorothy K. Woodcock, nee Koch, 93, of Waterloo, died June 4, 2010 in St. Louis. She was born March 29, 1917, the daughter of the late Gustav and Anna (nee Wernicker) Koch. Mrs. Woodcock is survived by her children, Richard (Carol) Woodcock and Jean Woodcock; grandchildren Tina (Errol) Johanning and Tricia (Chris) Lutman; great-grandchildren Evan and Eli Johanning and Lydia Lutman; and a sister-in-law, Lena Woodcock; along with nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her husband, Roy Woodcock; an infant daughter; sisters Anna Rippelmeyer, Elizabeth Stahl and Frieda Steinmann; and brothers Gustav, Fred, Henry, Charles and Alvin Koch; along with sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law. Mrs. Woodcock was a member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Wartburg. She enjoyed spending time with her family, sewing, quilting, crocheting and gardening. Visitation is Sunday, June 6, from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Quernheim Funeral Home. Funeral is Monday, June 7, at 2 p.m. at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Wartburg with Pastor Stuart Rethwisch officiating. Mrs. Woodcock will be buried at Kolmer Memorial Cemetery in Waterloo. Memorials may be made to Holy Cross Lutheran Church’s Memorial Fund.