E-Newsletter - April 2, 2010

 

Good Friday Is Big Day For Local Fish Fries

Putting together to-go orders today at the Columbia fire house are, left to right, Rodney Fassell, Kenny “Spooner” Schmidt, Cole Dreher, Chief Mike Roediger and Debbie Roediger.        – photo by Dayne Wittenbrink

Fried cod plates will likely be the most often ate meal today as Good Friday fish fries have been a tradition in Monroe County for as long ago as anyone can remember.

Waterloo’s VFW, which has Friday fish fries throughout the year, will feature an all-you-can eat buffet today through 7 p.m. “We have improved our system to make sure everyone, including carry-out orders, is served very quickly,” said VFW’s Butch Sparwasser. He said for today they have three extra deep fryers and two lines for the buffet. “We even opened up the upstairs dining hall so everyone is promptly seated. “No one should have any trouble getting their fill of fish and all the fixins’ today,” Sparwasser added.

Another popular place to dine on fish today is the Columbia Fire House. They began serving at 11 a.m. and it runs until they are sold out, usually around 5 p.m. “We’ve got 900 pounds of cod ready for today,” said CVFD President Rich Dreher. Rich remembers many years ago they used to promote the firemen’s fish fry by driving the old Studebaker fire truck (before it was restored) up and down Main Street ringing the bell to let everyone know about the fish fry.

The Valmeyer Jaycee’s annual Good Friday Fish Fry will be held today at St. Mary’s Parish Center from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. “We’ll have plenty of seating or you can take it to go,” said Kristine Voelker. “The bar will also be open all evening.”

The Waterloo Sportsman Club is expected to be a hopping place this evening. “We’ve went through several tons of fried fish and countless orders of fries, onion rings and other appetizers during Lent,” said Kevin Shevlin. “We’ll be working extra hard on Good Friday to make sure the line moves quickly.”

Alex and Denise Brown pick up their to-go order at the Columbia fire house. Mike Brady, left, tries to figure out how many fish orders to pick up for his fellow HTC employees.                – photo by Dayne Wittenbrink

 

Three Charged With Battery After Throwing Patron Out Of Fourth Street Bar

Thomas Van Buren, Scott Van Buren and Jeffrey Minnemann have each been charged with felony counts of aggravated battery in a case stemming from an incident Feb. 27 at Fourth Street Bar in Waterloo. According to the police report, near closing time at the bar, a patron, Keith Radford of rural Waterloo was asked to leave the bar by owner Tracy Morris. When Radford declined, Morris’ boyfriend, Thomas Van Buren, 33, of Red Bud, his brother, Scott, 27, of Waterloo and Minnemann, 33, of Red Bud, approached Radford and escorted him towards the door. Radford was then pushed out the door, lost his balance and fell onto the sidewalk. When he landed, his head took the brunt of the fall causing a severe injury. Radford was rushed to the hospital by Monroe County Ambulance. He remained in a coma for several weeks, but his condition has improved and recently regained consciousness, said Monroe County State’s Attorney Kris Reitz.

“We are continue to review with the Waterloo Police Department, including the bar’s security camera which video-taped the incident,” added Reitz.

If found guilty, a Class 3 Felony can bring a sentence of probation or between two to five years of prison. Minnemann and the Van Buren brothers were handed their charges on Thursday, April 1. Their initial court appearance is set for April 29 at 9 a.m. at the Monroe County Courthouse.

 

Three Charged In Home Invasion Of Burksville Home

A dispute in rural Burksville early last Sunday morning between a St. Clair County man and his ex-girlfriend led to the arrest of three men. On March 28, three men knocked on the door of Chad Krank’s residence in 5200 block of Kaskaskia Road. The initial report is the men were inquiring about a female staying at Krank’s home who had previously been friends with one of the uninvited guests.

When Krank opened the door, Jacob Huffman, 21, of Millstadt, Andrew Weaver, 20, of Millstadt, and Joshua Weaver, 23, of Belleville, forced their way into the home inquiring if the female was staying there. In the insuring argument, Krank was struck in the head with a beer bottle. Huffman and the two Weaver brothers then left the scene in a Ford truck. Monroe County Sheriff’s deputies and an ambulance soon arrived on the scene. Krank was transported to St. Anthony’s Hospital to received stitches for the laceration to his head.

The three suspects were soon located at a home in Millstadt and taken into custody by a Millstadt police officer. The suspects were then transported to the Monroe County Jail where they were each charged with a Class X Felony count of home invasion. Bond was set at $50,000 for each of them and they were released after posting the required $5,000 in cash. Andrew and Joshua Weaver, along with Jacob Huffman are scheduled to appear in court on April 30.

 

Waterloo School District Awards Renovation Bid To GRS Construction
           Project to include nearly 100 percent local tradesmen -  By Joe Leicht
The often piece-mealed structure at 200 Bellefontaine that has served as a high school for some and a junior high for other Waterloo residents is about to be transformed into a dedicated junior high school. The Waterloo School Board at a special meeting March 23 voted to award GRS Construction of Columbia a $292,687 contract to retrofit the "attendance center" -- an amalgam of 1930s, 1950s and 1990s brick and mortar, veined with 21st century technology.

Superintendent Jim Helton explained when the project is completed, the attendance center will house the district's sixth, seventh and eighth grades, with the administrative and common areas centered near the old library building. "This is all part of the 2006 referendum voters approved when they voted for the new high school building. Before we're finished, we'll be able to do away with the mobile classrooms at Zahnow," Helton said.

GRS Construction was about $50,000 less costly than the closest bidder and is owned by Gary Bockhorn, a district resident and parent. "Gary has done a lot of work for the district in the past, so there was definitely a level of comfort with him. He knows our buildings already," Helton said.

The project will include handicap-access features, flooring and general remodeling of various common areas. Upon completion of the district's voter-approved renovation project, Rogers School will eventually house only second and third grades and Zahnow School will house pre-K through first grade, with some areas reserved for future expansion.

 

Local Girl Scouts Arrange April Fool’s Day Fundraiser

Several Waterloo resident awoke April 1 to find their lawns filled with pink flamingos. The April Fool’s Day prank was pulled off by Waterloo Cadette Girl Scout Troop as a fundraiser. People could pay to have the girls scouts place the plastic yard ornaments on an unsuspecting friend, acquaintance or even an ed-itor of a local newspaper. “Well, they got me and I thought it was hilarious,” said Judy Brinkmann of Waterloo. Troop leader Karla Albert said the scouts will be by on Saturday morning to remove the flamingos from the yards. “This has really been a fun fundraiser for all involved,” she said.

Ed-itor Wienhoff’s front yard was filled with a flock of pink flamingos

 

The Waterloo VFW will be hoping Saturday night as rock band Aftershock will play beginning at 8:30 p.m. The band is calling it Gumstock as this will be bassist Denny Gum’s last performance as a single man. Admission is $5.

 

Rock band Father Jack will play Saturday night at Sal’s Wartburg Inn.

 

New rockers Embermorn, featuring Dave Mooney on guitar, will play in Valmeyer this Friday night.

 

Thursday Was Busy High School Sports Day: Sports action on Thursday included the Waterloo girls soccer team staying undefeated by downing Belleville East 5-0, while the Gibault girls lost to Granite City 8-0. Prep baseball action had CBC downing Gibault 19-4, and Chester defeated Valmeyer 12-9. On the softball diamond, Waterloo lost to New Athens 8-6, Gibault topped Freeburg 3-2 and Valmeyer softball team lost to Chester.

The upcoming sports schedule is light because of the Easter spring break, however on tap for this weekend, the Waterloo varsity baseball team travels to Murphysboro today for a game at 11 a.m. The softball team will play at Collinsville on Saturday at 11 a.m. For Gibault, the soccer team will host Glenwood High on Saturday at 10 a.m., and the baseball team hosts Mascoutah in a double header, starting at 11 a.m. The softball team travels to Althoff on Saturday for a 1 p.m. game. Valmeyer varsity baseball hosts Hancock High today at 3 p.m. while the Lady Pirates will play a road game at Freeburg at 4:30 p.m.

 

Columbia Eagles On A Winning Streak

The Columbia High School baseball team has won three straight games this week to improve their record to 4-6. They chalked up wins over Wood River (21-1), Steeleville (24-4) and 11-7 over Alton Marquette. The Eagles have the weekend off before heading to Metro East Lutheran on Monday.

Columbia third baseman Alex Schlemmer, left, take a throw in an attempt to nab a Steeleville runner attempting to steal third base.      - photo by Bob Haentzler / Gateway Photography

 

Columbia’s softball team improved their record to 7-2 with a 17-0 home victory Wednesday over Wood River. Jordin Toenjes picked up the shutout victory. Earlier this week, they beat Steeleville 11-0. Last weekend, the Lady Eagles came from behind to beat Wauconda 11-10 to take third place in the Pinckneyville Invitational.

Columbia’s Lexi Royer slides into third base in the Eagles’ 11-0 victory over Steeleville.   - photo by Debbie Roediger - www.roedigerphotos.com

 

The Columbia Eagles soccer team is off to a strong 3-1 record. They defeated Alton Marquette at home on Tuesday by a score of 4-3. Their next game is next Monday at home when they take on Mascoutah.

Columbia’s Taylor Byrd plays tough as she collides with the Alton Marquette goalie.          - photo by Debbie Roediger - www.roedigerphotos.com

 

Bulldogs Shut Out Tough Althoff Team: Waterloo’s A.J. Crutchfield was an ace on the mound and Jake Degener swung a hot bat Wednesday at the Bulldogs hosted Althoff. The crafty lefty hurled a scoreless complete game, scattering four hits and three walks with one strike out to improve his record to 2-0. Degener went three for three at the plate, driving in an RBI. The Bulldogs are now 4-1 on the season, while Althoff fell to 3-2. The Bulldogs’ only loss was to the Homewood Flossmoor from Chicago will head to Murphysboro on Friday.

Waterloo pitcher A J Crutchfield was in control of Wednesday’s varsity baseball game against Althoff.

 

Waterloo’s girls’ soccer team continues their winning ways and currently have a 6-0 record. They remained unbeaten with a 5-0 home victory Thursday over Belleville East. Last Tuesday, they beat Civic Memorial 9-0, Saturday they beat Gibault 8-1 and defeated Highland on Monday by a score of 7-1.

Waterloo’s Kelsea Chumley of Waterloo, second from right, takes a hard shot on goal during the Bulldogs’ victory over Belleville East.   - photos online at www.gatewayphoto.net. Senior Portraits, Sports, and Special Occasions.

 

Waterloo’s softball team picked up their first win of the season Wednesday with a 15-0 shutout at Cahokia. Lauren Weil picked up the victory. The Lady Bulldogs fell to New Athens on Thursday 8-6. WHS’s record stands at 1-4.

 

Pirates Baseball And Softball Looking For A Turnaround After Tough Week: Valmeyer’s baseball team (2-3) after they fell to Chester on Thursday 12-9. The Pirates will host Hancock Friday. The Valmeyer’s softball team traveled to Chester and fell to the Yellowjackets, dropping the Lady Pirates record to 1-3. The tea will head to Freeburg on Friday.

 

Gibault Picks Up First Win During Tough 2010 Season

The Gibault Hawks baseball team picked up their first victory of the season Tuesday with a 22-3 victory over Chester. They lost Wednesday’s game to Belleville West 1-5  and fell to CBC on Thursday 19-4 to drop their record to 1-6. The Hawks host Mascoutah (7-3). First pitch is at 11 a.m.

Gibault second baseman Cole Blechle, left, turns a double-play in the Hawks loss last Saturday to Marissa.

 

Gibault’s softball team continued their winning ways this week with a 2-1 victory at Belleville West on Wednesday. Emily Morris picked up the win while Kelly Kapp lead the offense by going 2-3 and an RBI. Then on Thursday they edged out Freeburg on the road with a 3-2 victory over the Lady Midgets. The Lady Hawks are now 7-1. The girls head to Althoff on Saturday for a 1 p.m. game.

 

Gibault’s girls’ soccer team continues to struggle with a record of 1-8. They fell to Granite City Thursday 8-1. On Saturday, the Lady Hawks host Glenwood. Kick-off is at 12 noon. .

 

Kids Enjoy Local Easter Egg Hunts

There were several Easter Egg Hunts recently in Monroe County, including at St. Paul UCC in Waterloo and the Maeystown Sportsman’s Club. This Saturday, the Waterloo VFW will host their annual hunt. Registration begins at 10 a.m. and the starting gun sounds at 11 a.m. “We’ll have plenty of prizes for this fun-filled event,” said Post Commander Stephanie Kirksey.

Ashlyn Crouch shows off her Easter eggs she picked up at the Maeystown Sportsman’s Club Easter Egg Hunt.

 

Every Tuesday has been designated a special day of prayer for Immaculate Conception Church’s Fr. Steve Gira and the 50 or so other people on the parish prayer list. Those on the list have various illnesses, injuries conditions or grave predicaments. Others on the sick or injured list include Gene Schorb and Bea Newton. Bea suffered a head injury when she fell down the steps in her home and has been hospitalized since then.

 

There are several outdoor plans on tap for Monroe County and Southern Illinois

Valmeyer Trail Walk: Valmeyer’s Salt Lick and new Johnson Trails will be featured on a group walk scheduled for Saturday, April 10 beginning at 9 a.m. The public is invited to join members of the Salt Lick Point Stewardship Committee, Kaskaskia Valley Audubon Society and Clifftop for this springtime hike. The trail features scenic views, up close experiences with nature, including a hill prairie. This event is free. The head of the trail is located just north of old town Valmeyer near the entrance to the Rock City business development.

The Kaskaskia Valley Audubon Society will host meeting Thursday, April 15 discussing shorebird migration in the central U.S. with an emphasis on Illinois. The guest speaker will be Dr. Corinne Carey, associate professor of biology at Southwestern Illinois College. Carey will emphasize the co-evolutionary aspects of shorebird migration and seasonal invertebrate population blooms. The meeting will be at Southwestern Illinois College Red Bud Campus auditorium. The meeting is free and open to the public.

Bats in Monroe County will be the topic of a natural history seminar Tuesday April 20, at 7 p.m., at the University of Illinois Extension in Waterloo. Dr. Joyce Hoffman, emeritus scientist with the Illinois Natural History Survey, will present Meet The Neighbors bats and their natural and unnatural history in the state and our area, including the 10 species located in Monroe County. The meeting is free and open to the public.

A leisurely, two-mile hike on the grounds of the Adorers of the Blood of Christ Convent in Ruma on Saturday, April 24. Clifftop volunteers Carl and Pen DauBach will begin the walk at 9 a.m. This event, hosted by the Southwestern Illinois Resource Conservation and Development, will also feature a barbecue luncheon and a talk by Sister Barbara Jean about the history of the property and the order’s commitment to the land. Reservations are required and can be made by contacting Mari Castello at 618-566-4452, ext. 22, or by email at mari.castello@swircd.org. A suggested donation of $5 per person is asked to cover lunch expenses.

 

Audition Schedule Set For Upcoming MASC Performance Of “Harvey”

The Monroe Actors stage company is getting ready for its summer season. It will open its 10^th season at the historic Capitol Theatre in downtown Waterloo with the comedy “Harvey.” The six performances will run June 18-20 and June 25-27. Auditions will take place on Sunday and Monday, April 18 and 19, at 7 p.m. at the Capitol Theatre. Roles are available for six men and six women. The auditions are open to anyone, and no experience is necessary. Auditions will consist of readings from the script on stage with other actors.

"Harvey," which debuted on Broadway in 1944 and played for five years, concerns Elwood P. Dowd and his invisible friend, A Pooka, a six-foot tall rabbit. MASC veteran Warren Frank is the director for this project. For more information about auditioning, call Frank at 282-6597.

 

GianFranco’s Italian restaurant has closed its Waterloo location. The owner has plans to re-open at the historic Ziebold building in downtown Red Bud.

 

The History Museum of Monroe County will reopen for the season on April 10 with a new display featuring vintage toys predating 1960. Hours are Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sundays, 12 noon to 3 p.m.

 

The next Columbia Community Blood Drive is on Tuesday, April 13 at Turner Hall from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. Donors will receive a complimentary Red Cross t-shirt. Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments can be made by calling 618/281-6941. 

 

Longtime Waterloo resident David Campo became a published author last week. His first book Cherry Street - Made To Kill became available to purchase online at www.publishamerica.net. with copies hitting the shelves in stores this summer. Campo recently celebrated his 50th birthday. “Remember, when you see David around town he is the newest member of Waterloo's Who's Who,” commented his daughter Carrie Bode.

 

Valmeyer Saddles Up On Donkeys For FFA Benefit

Erick Thien, center, goes up for a shot while Jon Heavner, right, gets ready for the rebound during the Valmeyer FFA Benefit Donkey Basketball Game.

 

The National Active and Retired Federal Employees Chapter 1067 will hold its monthly luncheon April 13 at 11 a.m. Ravanelli's Restaurant in Granite City. Buffet lunch is $10 and the first meal as a new member is free.  Meetings are held on the second Tuesday of each month except July and August. For reservations phone Dottie at 618-344-3896.

 

Students’ Talent Highlighted At Annual CHS Show

Singers, bands, dances, skits and other acts showcased their skills Wednesday during the annual CHS Talent Show.

Rock band Rock City Overpass performs the Romantics rock classic “What I Like About You” during the CHS Talent Show.   – photo by Bob Haentzler

 

Recent Obituaries

James Thomas Goldsmith, 86, of Waterloo, died March 31, 2010 in Waterloo. He was born Feb 4, 1924 in Walnut, NC., the son of the late Stephen and Betty (nee Thomas) Goldsmith. He is survived by his wife, Ida Mae (nee Payne) Goldsmith, whom he married Sept. 28, 1946. He is also survived by sons, Robert (Betty) Goldsmith of Waterloo, James M. Goldsmith Jr. of Waterloo and Randy (Debbie) Goldsmith of Waterloo; daughters Janet (Tom) Mooney of Renault, Joyce (Arlan) Koch of Evansville and Sabrina (Mark) Archambault of Eureka, Mo. He was preceded in death by five brothers, two sisters; seven grandchildren and six great grandchildren. He was a truck driver and a member of Teamster Local 618. Private graveside service is Friday, April 2 at Red Bud City Cemetery. Funeral arrangements were handled by Koch-Liefer Funeral Home in Red Bud.

Patricia Ann Row, nee Dougherty, 78, of Waterloo, died April 1, 2010. She was born June 22, 1931 in Wilmar, Minn., the daughter of the late Clifton and Helen (nee Farley) Dougherty. Mrs. Row is survived by her husband, Russell Row Sr., whom she married in 1954; children Theresa Ann (George) Blasé, Thomas Edward (Pam) Row, Russell Lee (Patricia) Row Jr., Daniel James (Debra) Row, Susan Marie (Harry) Bode, Shawnn Rennee (Charles) Green and Kristen Mary (Davilla) Peifer; grandchildren Blake Robert Blase, Anna Carlene Row, Sara Jo Withers, Riley Gene Withers, Kyle Russell Row, Brett William Row, Nicholas Patrick Row, Dustin Leighton Row, Samuel Albert Row, Lucas Daniel Row, Shawnn Patrick Row, Lauren Duncan, Jason Lee Rheinecker, Aaron Michael Rheinecker, Philip Lee Rheinecker, Daniel Patrick Green, Russell Leighton Green, Joseph Charles Green, Sean Luke Green, Olivia Kathleen Peifer and Quinlin. Jacob Peifer; sisters Delores Cysewsky and Geraldine Johnson; and a brother, Clifton Thomas Dougherty. She was preceded in death by sisters Eileen Cusack and Marylin Turner. Visitation is Monday, April 5, from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Quernheim Funeral Home. Funeral is Tuesday, April 6, at 10 a.m., at SS. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Waterloo with Father Osang Idagbo officiating. Mrs. Row will be buried at the church’s cemetery. . Memorials may be made to her church, SS. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Waterloo or to Hospice of Southern Illinois.