Today's News - August 22, 2010

Record Turn-Out For Tiki Trot And Power Outage Highlights 2010 Kirchenfest

Despite a power outage that knocked out the electricity from 9 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., the organizers of the St. Augustine Catholic of Hecker’s annual Kirchenfest were pleased with the turn-out at this year’s event held Saturday evening. There were a record number of runners, 935, participating in the 5K Tiki Torch. The runners traversed Nike Road in rural Hecker on a course lit only by tiki torches. “This is a tremendous show of support for this run,” said run organizer Tom Hootselle. The race began four years ago with just more than 100 runners and participation has grown every year.

The Hecker Community Center dining hall was also near capacity with folks dining on chicken dinners and nearly every seat was filled for the quilt bingo. The dance floor underneath the pavilion was hopping for the sounds of Butch’s Polka Kings. When the power went out, quick work by the Hecker Volunteer Fire Department installing a gas-powered generator restored electric to the beer stand and pavilion.

Runners take off from the starting line at the Tiki Trot.

Tiki Torch founder and organizer Tom Hootselle, right, welcomes State Senator Dave Luetchefeld to this year’s run. Luetchefeld was there to root on his son, daughter-in-law and three grandchildren who were participating in the 5K run along Nike Road.

Rich Casey gets some help from Ethel Mae Kreher ciphering money he took in from bingo players during the Kirchenfest.

 

Parade Highlights Two-Day Columbia Daze Festival

The streets of downtown Columbia were lined for miles along Main Street on Saturday afternoon for the annual Columbia Daze parade. The picnic was held Friday and Saturday at A.C. Metter Park and the Turner Hall grounds. Attendees were treated to great food, beverages, games and musical entertainment.

Columbia High School students show their community spirit while marching Saturday in the Columbia Daze parade.

Columbia Boy Scout Packs 319 and 325 carry a large United States flag along the parade route.

The Turner Hall float featured a Ferris wheel.

The Columbia High School cheerleaders march in the Columbia Daze Parade.

 

The Waterloo Bulldogs football team held the annual Orange and Black game on Friday night. The event was well-attended and Coach Dan Rose is hoping for a great season. The Bulldogs will be led by senior quarterback Brian Schaab, who will also play a starting role as a defensive back. The Bulldogs open the season next Friday at Freeburg.

WHS Bulldogs quarterback Brian Schaab makes a completion during Friday evening’s Orange and Black game.       - photo by Bob Haentzler of Gateway Photography / Orange and Black action photos online at www.gatewayphoto.net

 

Columbia Superintendent Clarifies Position On District’s Immunization Program
by Joe Leicht

The Columbia School District has no problem with the Monroe County Health Department, and Columbia public school children have no shortage of venues where they can receive a seasonal flu vaccine. That was Columbia Superintendent Gina Segobiano's two-part reaction to comments made at a recent Monroe County Board meeting by Health Department Administrator John Wagner and County Board Chairman Delbert Wittenauer, reporting in the Aug. 20 Independent. Dr. Segobiano said the comments - or at least they way they were reported - made the school district sound "snooty."

The superintendent confirmed the district declined to participate in the Health Department's September, nasal flu immunization program. "The reason why we're not doing a health clinic during the day is because we offered it afterschool or on a Saturday. Walgreens and several doctors in the area have made it available, and parents are taking care of it themselves," Segobiano said. "Also, the community is not clamoring for it, they're not as panicked as they would have been last year (when fears of the H1N1 flu were rampant,)" she said.

"It's not that we're trying to be snooty, and it's not that we're against the health department. But we felt (immunizations) during the school day are not necessary. We care about our kids," Segobiano said.

Recent Obituary

Ralph H. Spihlmann, 78, of Columbia, died Aug. 21, 2010. He was born June 2, 1932 in Breese, the son of the late William and Rose (Reilmann) Spihlmann. Ralph married Elizabeth (Kues) Spihlmann in 1954 in Trenton. She died Nov. 17, 2009. Mr. Spihlmann served in the U.S. Marine Corps who was a decorated Veteran of the Korean War. He retired from Churchill Trucking in St. Louis, Mo. and Teamsters Local 50. Ralph was a member of Men's Sodality at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Columbia American Legion Post 581, Trenton V.F.W. Post 7983 and the Disabled American Veterans. Mr. Spihlmann is survived by his children, Barbara (Mark) Andrus of Green Park, Mo., Larry (Susan) Spihlmann of St. Joseph, Darlene (Marvin Lloyd) Spihlmann of Waterloo and Michael (Stacy) Spihlmann of Columbia; a sister, Juliana Timmermann of Trenton; eight grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and a sister-in-law, Rose Spihlmann of Trenton. In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by a sister, Edna Netemeyer; and a brother, Robert Spihlmann. Visitation is Tuesday, Aug. 24, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Lawlor Funeral Home in Columbia. Funeral is Wednesday, Aug. 25, at 10 a.m., at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Columbia with Fr. Carl Scherrer officiating. Mr. Spihlmann will be buried at his church’s cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Eugene Schorb - Immaculate Conception Catholic Education Fund.