CORRESPONDENCE
Wednesday, December 5, 2018
Calhoun News-Herald
A3
Hardin, Illinois
WHAT'S GOING ON BETWEEN THE RIVERS Q Batchtown News
Q Point News
by Marcy Klockenkemper Q 618-396-2468
There was a lot of Christmas cheer in Batchtown Sunday evening. The ladies of St. Barbara Altar Society and their spouses met at the Old Fill Inn Station for their Christmas party. All had delicious chicken and beef supper with all the trimmings including a delicious piece of pie. Bingo games followed with a gift exchange closing a wonderful evening. All had a good time visiting and enjoying the holiday. Congratualtions to Ben and Kendall Eilerman on the arrival of a son, Nolan Rodney, born on Saturday, Dec. 1. The grandparents are Keith and Hope Klocke and Rick and Debbie Eilerman, all of Batchtown. Lindy and Martha Bick have returned from a trip to Denver to see their family, Mary Bick and Davis and Rachel and grandchildren, Levi and Claire. The weather was great and the family enjoyed the traditional Thanksgiving Dinner. Weston and Raechal Chileers of Beckley, W.Va. are proud parents of a son, Maddox Kash, who was born Nov. 17. The grandparents are Craig and Pam Friedel and Julie Vickers. The great grandparents are Everett and Karen Freidel. The Hardin Senior Center members had their Christmas Party Tuesday at the Illinois Riverdock. Carol Brangenberg, Peggy Johnson and Marcy Klockenkemper all from Batchtown were there. Paula Zimmerman celebrated her birthday Dec. 3 with daughters Shawna and Dana at her home in Fayetteville, N.C. Happy Birthday, Paula, have a good year. A Koinonia Meeting was held at St. Joseph’s Church Hall Thursday evening, Nov. 19. Everyone who has gone to a previous Koinonia can attend these meetings of planning for the next Koinonia. The next meeting is Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2019 at 6:30
p.m., and will be everyone week following the same day of the week and time. The Koinonia is scheduled for March 8 through 10, 2019. All are welcome to attend. The Franciscan’s of the Tau will meet Sunday afternoon at 12:30 p.m. at the Hardin Church Office to prepare Christmas boxes of food for a few families in need. They will deliver them and then eat out together at the Barefoot. If you want to get in the Christmas Spirit, attend the Christmas Concert directed by Jerry Sievers and performed by the Calhoun Entertainment Company singers at the Hardin First Presbyterian Church. Show time is 2 p.m. followed by refreshments and conversation with those there. Santa Claus is coming to Batchtown Sunday, Dec. 23 at 7 p.m. at the town Building. Bring the little ones to see Santa and have some holiday cheer. The Calhoun FHA is collecting canned goods for those in need, bring what you can to help out. The Batchtown Friedel’s Red and White Store is closing Dec. 21, 2018. It will be greatly missed. The folks who attend the Dow Baptist Church fixed a Christmas Dinner for the residents of the Vahle Terrace Home in Jerseyville. Linda Russell who used to work there attended the dinner with them. All enjoyed the festive atmosphere, the good food and company with friends. Sharon Freidel enjoyed her birthday at the St. Barbara Altar Sodality Supper Sunday evening. Everyone sang for her and wished her a happy birthday. Somehow, not only for Christmas, But all the long year through, The joy that you give to others, is the joy that comes back to you. - John Greenleaf Whitlier
Q Kampsville News
by Diane Brangenberg Q 618-653-4520
The Calhoun Unit 40 Band hosted its Christmas Concert Sunday afternoon to a packed crowd. Such a wonderful concert. As I’ve said many times, our band director Cara Rojas is absolutely amazing! We are very lucky to have her. Her first year as band director at Calhoun, my son was a senior and my daughter a freshman. We had 14 students in the high school band. Just four years later our band had grown and we marched at Disney’s Magic Kingdom. We have since marched twice at Disney and traveled to New York twice. We currently have 134 band students in the jr. high, St. Norbert’s and high school. The concert finale was all 134 students preforming together “The Carol of the Bell’s.” It was absolutely amazing. As I’ve said before, Cara Rojas, we are glad you and your family now call Calhoun your home. The Calhoun Entertainment Company will hold their Christmas Concert Sunday Dec. 9 at The Presbyterian Hall beginning at 2 p.m. Refreshments will be served afterwards. We have so much talent in our community. St. Norbert’s hosted its annual Advent Party Monday night. The kids enjoyed punch, cookies and making ornaments. Harlow Hayn turned 5 years old Nov. 30. She celebrated Saturday Dec. 1 with an ice skating party at the Loading Dock in Grafton. Jaelyn Hill turned 14 on Nov. 30. She celebrated with family and friends Saturday with lunch at Straight Home. Happy Birthday to Danny
Johnson Nov. 28. He was also treated to dinner with his daughters Elizabeth and Karmen and Granddaughter Gia. Happy Birthday also to Wade Gibson on the 29th. Elf School, which will be held Dec. 16 as part of the Christmas in Calhoun Celebration, is definitely going to be a big hit. They had such an overwhelming response that they added more hours. It’s so great when we have things going on in our community. My helpers and I are busy working on the Kids’ Christmas Party Sunday Dec. 16 beginning at 6 p.m. in the Center for American Archeology Gym. Monday, Dec. 10 we will be wrapping gifts at The Landing beginning at 10 a.m. Don’t forget I also need bakers. Anyone wanting to donate can get ahold of me. Thank you to Michael Tavern and Carla for the prizes you donated to the party and thanks Dave and Joanne Dexheimer for the goodie bags. Our community is so giving. Jeff and I enjoyed the lights at Rock Springs Park Thursday night. We voted for our favorite Christmas. St. Norbert’s fourth and fifth grade have a Harry Potter themed tree and the sixth, seventh and eighth grade also has a beautiful angel tree. The Calhoun Junior Football League hosted its banquet Sunday afternoon at Straight Home. Don’t forget the Queen of Hearts Drawing Friday night at the Kampsville Legion.
Unfortunately, we are still dealing with some water issues. We realize it’s aggravating but appreciate how patient everyone has been. Thursday, Nov. 29 there was a Rosary Prayer Service at St. Joseph Church for Gus Wallendorf Sr. Please add Gus to your prayers and continue prayers for Gail Bailey, Cindy Sprong, Jan Clore, Jim Hill, Joe Gress, Kathryn Chapman, David Fester, Sandy Wille and Eileen Gardner. Enjoy your week and please take advantage of all the local businesses as you do your holiday shopping. Please continue to keep news coming my way.
by Carol Sue Carnes Q 618-883-2333
Barb Ward of Taylorville spent several days recently with her mother, Marie Held. While there, she prepared dinner for family members Jim and Sharon Held of Alton, Bob and Bonnie Held of Brussels, Cindy DiCarlo of St. Louis and Marie Held. The occasion was her brother Jim’s birthday. Happy to hear everyone enjoyed the delicious meal and day together. Many more “happy ones,” Jim! Keith and Becky Baecht, Matthew and Samuel of Jerseyville, Matt and Lynette Eberhardt of Chenoa, Daniel and LeAnne Baecht and Connor of Springfield, Mo., Shirley Kennedy of Hillsboro, Mo. and neighbor Judy Klemme were Thanksgiving dinner guests of George and Yvonne Baecht on Saturday, Nov. 24. They also celebrated the birthdays of Daniel Baecht and Becky Baecht. Many more “happy ones,” Daniel and Becky! Lee and Elaine Mann hosted Thanksgiving dinner at their home on Thanksgiving. All the family members of Roy and Barb Hagen were present and enjoyed the wonderful dinner and afternoon together. As I am writing my news this morning Channel 2 reminded everyone that Dec.3, 2018 marks the 200th Birthday of the State of Illinois. On Dec. 3, 1818 Illinois became the 21st state in the Union. Happy Birthday, Illinois! Jerri Lynne Klemme’s “Flowers and Crafts” held an open house on Saturday and Sunday in Golden Eagle. Not only did everyone get to shop for her many arrangements, crafts and poinsettias, but also enjoyed sampling the huge variety of homemade cookies, cake, candy, cheese, salami and crackers along with turkey and roast beef sandwiches, iced tea and coffee. Many thanks to her for this annual event she hosts. A large crowd attended both days. Winner of the beautiful Christmas throw was Pat Jacobs. The Brussels Woman’s Club had their Christmas meeting, gift exchange and luncheon at noon on Friday
at the Golden Eagle General Store and Restaurant. Present were Elaine Eberlin, Judy Burch, Marie Held, Janet Schleeper, Jean Barton, Jane Herter, Kelly Mazzacavallo, Sandy Armstrong, Judy Klemme, Maggi Wester and Carol Sue Carnes. The entrée and garden salad were delicious, thanks to Sheila Jerls, and for dessert she even served ice cream with cherry topping and a pizelle cookie. The ladies also brought homemade cookies which they shared with fellow club members. Everyone enjoyed the afternoon and hospitality of hostess Sheila. The club does not meet in January or February but will resume meetings in March 2019. Sorry that several of our members were ill and unable to make it that day. My visitors on Saturday were John Carnes of Edwardsville and Cyndi and MacKenzie Axford of Chesterfield, Mo. Many thanks for all they accomplished while here. John once again raked leaves, picked up broken limbs from strong wind we had lately and put up all outdoor Christmas decorations, etc. In the meantime Cyndi and Mackenzie decorated indoors putting up the tree and bow window decorations, along with other help I needed. With the grand opening that evening of the Golden Eagle Country Store Restaurant Wood Fired Pizza I treated my helpers to dinner there. Tried two different pizzas and they were both delicious. Many thanks John, Cyndi and MacKenzie for all your help on Saturday. After Caleb Carnes got off work Saturday, he, his sister Lydia and mother Julie Carnes visited with her parents Francis and Liz Toppmeyer and helped put up their tree. So great to have our kids help us in our older years, hope they know how much we appreciate them. George and Yvonne Baecht and John and Sue Kinchloe attended the Jerseyville High School Christmas Concert on Sunday evening. Matthew
Baecht, son of Keith and Becky Baecht played in the band, there were also great orchestra musical selections and various choral groups that entertained. Everyone reports a wonderful evening of great music. Marie Held received a phone call Saturday evening that her daughter and son-inlaw (Barb and Kerry Ward) in Taylorville were spared from injury and severe damage to their home as the major tornado passed through that evening. A neighbor’s tree fell and damaged a small area of their home and of course with power lines down there was no electric or heat. Many homes and businesses in its path were completely destroyed as many of you saw on TV. Our heart goes out to those who suffered injury and complete loss of their home. St. Mary’s Altar Society held their Christmas dinner and party on Friday evening at the church hall. Many thanks to Sarah Kinder, Yvonne Macauley, Gloria Snyders and Rosie Wreath for a wonderful meal and evening of entertainment. Over 25 members were in attendance for the event. George and Yvonne Baecht received word on Sunday night that their brother-in-law, Alan Syrcle, husband of Susan (Baecht) Syrcle of Griggsville, passed away that evening. Deepest sympathy to all the family. Arrangements are being finalized at this time. Birthday greetings this week to Patricia Kirn, Bob Kiel, Rosie Wreath, Leroy Zimmerman, Brent Kirn, Mike Halemeyer, Curt Peters, Ricky Hering and all others celebrating their natal day at this time. Happy Anniversary to Dave and Mary Kirn, Vince and Caroline (Burch) Stegman, Paul and Mary Lou Goetze, Roger and Michelle Hagen, Pat and Sharon Friedel, Carl and Pauline Eschbach and all other couples celebrating a wedding anniversary. THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: As stated by musician Charlie Daniels “Only two things protect America, the grace of the Almighty God and the U. S. Military!”
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