Point News – November 24, 2021
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By Carol Sue Carnes
618-883-2333
My column is a little longer this week due to being absent last week. The past week we enjoyed some beautiful fall weather, temperatures in the low 70’s, even Sunday reached a high of 63. Now last night the winds changed and blew out of the north and we have much cooler temperatures, today only in the mid 40’s. Sounds like about the same for Thanksgiving Day. At this time I would like to wish you and your family a wonderful and blessed Thanksgiving Day.
Congratulations to David and Abby Baalman of Meppen on the birth of a son on Oct. 18, 2021 at Mercy Hospital in St. Louis. The infant, weighing 7 lbs. 13 ozs., has been given the name August Ronald. Elder child Abel. Grandparents are Mark and Robin Baalman and Janet (and the late Leo) Schleeper. Great grandparent Judy (and the late Ronnie) Baalman.Anita Baecht . Jeff and Joan Kiel have been blessed the past few months with two grandchildren. Congratulations to Cody and Ashley Kiel on the birth of a daughter, born on Sept. 7 at Mercy Hospital in St. Louis. The infant weighing 7 lbs. 2 ozs. has been given the name Evelyn Mae and is joined by big brother Beau William 20 months. Maternal grandparents also celebrating this occasion are Kevin and Melinda Wieneke of Meppen. Congratulations to Mitchell and Jessica Kiel on the birth of their first child, a son, born on Nov. 8 at Mercy Hospital in St. Louis. The infant, 19-1/2 inches long and weighing 7lbs. 12 ozs., has been given the name Jack Bruce.
Judy Zahrli spent the weekend of Nov. 6 and 7 in Chesterfield, Mo. with friends Carol, Terrie, Jo, Linda and Brenda, celebrating their 54th Anniversary since graduating from St. Louis City Hospital School of Nursing. They get together every year to celebrate this wonderful occasion. Their time together included lunch on Saturday at the Cheesecake Factory, shopping, wonderful time visiting with gift exchange and that night dinner at Anne Gunn’s Steakhouse.
My son, John Carnes of Edwardsville, accompanied me to the St. Louis airport on Friday morning, Nov. 12, where we flew to Washington, DC. During my free time that afternoon and evening we enjoyed riding the trolley in Old Town Alexandria, VA to various points of interest in that area. That evening we dined at “The Wharf” on King Street to enjoy east coast seafood, then a stroll along the Potomac River before returning to the hotel. On Saturday I, along with 6 other board members, credit and supervisory committees and the CEO and Directors of the Signature Federal Credit Union attended an all day Board Meeting and Executive Session. John headed out on the Metro to see the Baseball and Football Stadiums, the U. S. Capitol, Washington Monument, the White House and Arlington Cemetery. It had been six years since he had accompanied me before so he enjoyed seeing it all again and with the warm sunny day and trees at their peak he got many fantastic photos. That night we, along with 17 others, including Edmund Carley the newly elected National President of the Postmasters Association, formerly of Lincoln, IL also joined us. We dined at Landini Brothers and also celebrated the retirement of our former Chief Executive Officer Rebecca Cuddy, who with her husband Jim, now lives in North Carolina. Rebecca was our CEO for 36 years, the same time I was elected to the Board. So great to see her and her hubby and join in the celebration, wishing her many wonderful retirement years on the beach. On Sunday afternoon John and I returned to Lambert Airport and later that evening I returned home. Thanks John for going with me.
As you may all know, St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry is now open on Wednesday and Thursday every week from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Anyone in the county needing food or other assistance please stop by during those hours. The clothing, shoes, etc area is also open at this time if you wish to visit. Anyone wishing to donate clothing must call ahead for an appointment time to drop it off. Kim Ringhausen advises they are only accepting clean, gently used clothing, nothing torn, stained, etc. And, no clothing from smoking households. Winter clothing is their priority now. Only residents of Calhoun County are eligible for these services. The new phone number for the facility is 618-576-2500. All clientele, including proxy clients, have to re-enroll in the program. If you wish to volunteer in either the food or clothing pantry please call Robin Hillen at 618-535-3834.
The Red Hatters group will hold their next get-together on Wednesday, Dec. 8, at the Old Fill-In in Batchtown beginning at 11 a.m. Please mark this on your calendar and bring a gift for the bingo.
Deepest sympathy to the family of Barry Struse of Brussels who passed away on Sunday evening. Barry was preceded in death by his wife Barbara. Memorials can be made to the Brussels American Legion Post 685 to which he belonged or the Shriners Hospital.
Birthday Blessings this week Jim Held, Kendra LaMarsh, Sophia Baalman, Blake Nolte, Patti Rose, Ann Kirn, Leland Jones, Ella Sievers, Andy Held, Justine Schulte, Carrie Friedel, Mary Ohlendorf, Lexie Schulte, Johna Tepen and all others celebrating their natal day at this time. Birthday Blessings this week to Shirley Wieneke, Daniel Baecht, Elden Kinder, Andrew Heffington, Kevin Kiel, Betty Rose, Dan Snyders, Diane Tepen and all others celebrating their natal day at this time.
Happy Anniversary to Paul and Ann Marie Pohlman, Virgil and Margie Wieneke, George and Jean Lesseg and all other couples celebrating their wedding anniversary last week. Happy Anniversary this week to Albert and Cindy Jenkins, Gilbert and Shirley Kinder, Darren and Chris Hayn, Melvin and Shirley Wieneke, Steve and Diane Baalman, Frank and congratulations to my granddaughter, Lydia Carnes of Edwardsville, who along with her Sheltie, Bella, flew to Jacksonville, Florida on Thursday, Nov. 11 for the 2021 US Open Reserve National Championship, open to all dogs, Nov. 11-14 and held at the Jacksonville Equestrian Center. I am happy to say this was the second year in a row that Bella received the title of National Champion. Bella made it on the Podium 5 times to receive her awards for her agility abilities in jumping, agility, speedstakes and other challenges. She will now be traveling to New York in the near future for the Westminster 2022 Masters Agility Championship. Great job Lydia and Bella.
The Brussels Woman’s Club met on Thursday afternoon at St. Matthew Church hall. Many items were on President Elaine Eberlin’s agenda. Once again, our yearly $100 donation was made to the St. Louis Food Bank for their monthly trips to Hardin with food. Beginning in 2022 this donation will be made each December to the St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry in Hardin. On the loss of a club member, Jane Herter, it was decided to make a donation to the Crisis Center for Abused Women. This was a yearly project of Jane’s and each year she brought out large laundry baskets which members filled with cleaning products, kitchen tools, laundry detergent, paper products, etc. Jean Barton, a close friend of Jane’s, offered to take on this project so each year in May this will be done. With this being flu season and COVID still in the area we agreed to skip our usual Christmas get-together. Weather permitting we will resume meetings in January. Many thanks to hostess Jean Barton for her delicious pumpkin bread topped with whipped cream.
Rosemary Bick would like everyone to know that on Nov. 9 she underwent hip replacement surgery at a hospital in St. Louis. She also stayed afterwards in the rehab unit for a couple weeks and now is receiving therapy from the Calhoun Co. Health Department. All went well and she is convalescing at her apartment at the South Calhoun Retirement Center. Best wishes for a speedy recovery Rosemary.
On Sunday, Nov. 14, Zoey Joyce-Ann Meyer, daughter of Matt and Tara Meyer of Golden Eagle was baptized at St. Matthew Church in Brussels with Rev. Randy Fischer officiating. Sponsors were Kent and Tammy Schulze and Tricia Koehne-Lawson (Zoey’s aunt). A breakfast buffet was enjoyed at Pere Marquette Lodge before the 11 a.m. church service. Present were Zoey’s parents, grandparents, great grandfather, sister and godparents.
My son John Carnes of Edwardsville spent Sunday with me. Lots of leaf raking and hopefully the last mowing of the season for him. Pulled up last of the turnips before it gets down to 20 and below, trimmed hibiscus, rose bushes, etc. Many thanks for all his help. For dinner that evening we enjoyed Chinese, a favorite of both of us. Julie and Caleb Carnes also accompanied him and spent the day with her dad Francis Toppmeyer, helping him with laundry, cleaning, etc. I know Francis also appreciated all the help.
On Friday, I met my daughters Shelly Scherer of Wright City, Mo. and Cyndi Axford of Chesterfield, Mo. at Mid-Rivers Mall in St. Peters, Mo. for a day of Christmas shopping. At noon we enjoyed lunch at Outback Steakhouse and then more shopping afterwards. Really enjoyed the day with them!
Jerri Lynne Klemme, owner and floral designer at J.L. Krafts and Flowers of Golden Eagle will be doing a Christmas Open House this year, but it’s going to be different than usual. Appointments aren’t necessary. But if you would feel more comfortable coming during a time to yourself, you may make an appointment after those days or hours. (Phone number is 618-883-2490). Also if you prefer to shop at her home you can either pick up your items or they will be delivered (here in the county). Open House is Saturday, Dec. 4, 10 AM to 5 PM and Sunday, Dec. 5, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Bob and Laura Kaibel and Darrell and Carol McKinney, all of the St. Louis area, along with Tony Moennig of Meppen and Judy Peer of O’Fallon, Mo. spent some time recently in Branson, Mo. While there they enjoyed shopping, various shows and the beautiful Christmas light displays.
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Thanksgiving Prayer:
Dear Lord, You cause the rain to fall and the sun to shine. In the miracle of creation You gave us fruit from the trees and grains from the field. Through farms, gardens and ranches You feed us. Through builders You give us homes and through still others You clothes us. Thank you, God, for providing us with all our bodily needs, but most of all for salvation through Your son. In Jesus’ name, Amen
