E-Newsletter - April 2, 2010

 

And They’re Off! Children Enjoy Tradition Of Easter Egg Hunts

Easter egg hunts, both large and small, took place throughout Monroe County over the past couple of weekends. A few of the bigger ones attended were at the Maeystown Sportsman’s Club, the Waterloo VFW, St. Paul UCC of Waterloo, Century 21’s at the Columbia American Legion and Midland States Bank in Waterloo.

Children rush to pick up the many eggs on Saturday, April 3 during the Waterloo VFW Easter Egg Hunt.   – photo by Gage Wienhoff

 

Easter Bunny Stolen: The stuffed Easter Bunny sitting on the front counter at the State Driver’s License Facility in Waterloo was stolen in the past week. “We figure a customer or one of their children just picked it up and walked out,” said a facility employee. The empty box the toy came in was placed in the empty spot with a note asking for the bunny’s safe return. “If someone has it, we will gladly take it back – no questions asked,” said the employee.

 

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 museum has just completed an expansion project doubling the size of the facility located on the south end of Waterloo.

“The museum will now be able to share more memorabilia with current and future generations,” said Museum President Phil Horn. “Whether a stagecoach, a 1909 Cadillac, Native American artifacts, antique cameras or horse drawn wagons, there is something for everyone to see.”

Items at the museum range from recent history to the Stone Age. It is located at 724 Elaine Drive near the Bellefontaine House. For more information, call 618-939-5008 or send an email to wms@htc.net.

The History Museum of Monroe County                              - photo by Phil Horn

 

Brandon Ponder shot a hole in one March 29 on the 130-yard, 18^th hole at Columbia Golf Course. He used a Cleveland nine iron and a Pinnacle ball. The feat was witnessed by Benjamin Ponder, Geremy Meese and Jeremy George

 

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

 

Valmeyer’s annual Alumni Dinner Dance is scheduled for May 8 at the St. Mary’s Catholic Church Hall. Those honored will include Carol Faye Sondag as the Most Distinguished Alumni and Marcia Braswell, Honorary Alumni. Dinner begins at 6 p.m. followed by a dance featuring the band Country State of Mind. Tickets are available at Mike’s Convenience Store, First Bank or the Valmeyer Village Hall.

 

Activities Designed For Children Scheduled Next Weekend At Fort de Chartres

There are several events scheduled at Fort de Chartres to appeal to children for April 9-11. School Day for students will be Friday, April 9. Elementary and junior high school classes will learn about baking bread in a stone oven, creating items on a wheel lathe, making powder horns and leather items, weaving baskets, spinning flax into thread and colonial fire starting. They will also experience a Native American village with its daily activities, watch the fort’s French Marines perform military drills and participated in 18^th century children’s games.

Re-enactments and demonstrations from the mid-1700s will return on Saturday and Sunday, April 10-11 during the 12^th annual April Trade Faire and Frolic. Children may watch as French Colonial re-enactors from around the country gather to compare their clothing, skills and accoutrements. The event is free and open to the public.

Fort de Chartres State Historic Site is the reconstructed mid-1700s fort which the French used as their main base of operations when they controlled the Mississippi River valley. The site contains the oldest building in Illinois, the fort’s original powder magazine. The fort is located four miles west of Prairie du Rocher along Route 155.

 

Art Ritter is planning Columbia High School’s Class of 1960’s 50-year reunion. Classmates can get hold of Art by sending him an email at art.ritter@hotmail.com.

 

A new book club will be meeting at the Morrison-Talbott Library in Waterloo on the third Wednesday of each month. The first meeting will be April 21from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. The first order of business will be to choose a name for the club. The book to be discussed is Highest Duty by Chelsey “Sully” Sullenberger, which can be requested from the library’s website: www.waterloolibrary.org. The library also has print editions and an audio version available. Other upcoming events at Waterloo’s library include: DAR Tween Book Club, April 8, at 4 p.m.; Edmond DeRousse book signing, April 10, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; and book sale, April 22-24.

 

Recent Obituaries

Dolly Joyce James, nee Creely, 74, of Prairie du Rocher, died April 2, 2010. She was born Oct. 14, 1935 on a rowboat in the middle of the Mississippi to the late Charles and Romancie Marie (nee Sayge) Creely. Mrs. James is survived by her husband, Carl Clyde James; children Clifford James of Topeka, Kan., Debbie James of Topeka, Kan., Julie James of Connecticut, Charles James of Cahokia, Clyde James of Waterloo and Caro James of Prairie du Rocher; and a sister, Peggy Marshall of Lemay, Mo.; along with 17 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a son, Eric James; and 11 brothers and sisters. Mrs. James was a homemaker. A memorial will take place Wednesday, April 10, at 2 p.m. at the Prairie du Rocher Village Park with Broth Harmon officiating.

Dorothy Whelan, nee Reitz, 89, of Waterloo, died April 3, 2010. She was born March 14, 1921 in Waterloo. Arrangements pending at Quernheim Funeral Home.