Kampsville News – December 22, 2021
PROTECTED CONTENT
If you’re a current subscriber, log in below. If you would like to subscribe, please click the subscribe tab above.
Username and Password Help
Please enter your email and we will send your username and password to you.

By Diane Brangenberg
618-535-5915
What an amazing turn out for the Kampsville Kids Christmas Party.
The Center for American Archeology generously lets us use the Kampsville Gym and Chuck Titus always goes above and beyond to make sure we have everything we need.
Mayor Wade Gibson, James and the Village Trustees always show their support for the betterment of our town and help with anything we need. “It takes a village.“
Santa enjoyed hearing what all the “Littles“ wanted for Christmas and each kid received a stocking of candy with an orange, compliments of the Kampsville American Legion and Auxiliary. They also got a “free singing puppy,“ compliments of Marcia Agney, Calhoun Country Christmas. Rob Parameter and myself made sure all those puppies could sing, as we provided the batteries.
Our raffle baskets were definitely a hit. Thank you all that donated baskets and all that bought raffle tickets. Thank you to the Landing and the Bank of Kampsville for allowing us to display and sell chances before the party. The basket raffles are one of our sources for buying gifts. Debby Klunk, our committee, and myself are beyond thankful to all of our community members as well as our businesses that keep this going.
We have all ages assisting with this party. As we were decorating on Sunday, the amount of teenage boys and girls we had there decorating and setting up was unbelievable. I would like to think that because they grew up with this “magic” that we always created, they want to make sure other kids get the same Christmas magic.
My hope is this is what will insure that years down the road this party will continue because we have kept all of these kids involved.
This party is also very much funded by the Millie Schumann Memorial. Millie was one of our original committee members in helping to get this party going.
Thank you Bob and Margie Smith, who not only decorate their house amazing. They shared their lights with us to keep our party festive.
Anyone attending the party might have noticed some of the decorations. Throughout the gym we had lots of vintage plastic decorations. These decorations were generously given to us by Redeye and Millie as well as the Christmas Tree that sits by Santa.
Also, throughout the gym we had decorations of animated Santas as well as Nutcrackers and little decorative ornaments. These were a gift to the party from the Joyce Titus family. I don’t think there is anything more fitting that speaks volumes then the decorations in the gym belonging to Redeye, Millie and Joyce. Because anyone can tell you Kampsville School was near and dear to them. Mrs. Titus and Redeye spent many years in that gymnasium.
All around 100% successful party and we can’t wait to do it again next year as we are already planning.
Calhoun Unit 40 elementary school presented their Christmas program under the direction of Lindsey Watters. Parents and grandparents sure enjoyed it. It was absolutely wonderful.
Don’t forget to drive to Kampsville to look at our lights. Our whole town is lit up. Thank you to the Lite Up Kampsville Committee, who keeps encouraging everyone in town to get involved.
Happy Birthday to Robin Johnson on Dec. 19. Of course Dennis treated her to a night on the town and he brought her to the Christmas party.
Doctor Baalman also celebrated his 90th birthday on Dec. 19. Dr. Baalman is another guy who definitely had an impact on this whole county. He very much enjoyed getting birthday cards from so many.
Betty Kuhlman is enjoying the holidays in Texas with her son Terry and his family.
Sympathy goes out to Haley Zirkelbach on the passing of her Grandpa Raymond Brundies. Haley was a very devoted granddaughter, always checking on grandpa and taking him to the doctor when he needed to go. Please keep Haley and the Brundies family in your prayers.
I am also very sad to say Mark Bowers passed away. Mark fought long and hard with always a grin on his face and a positive attitude. Shelly, Mark’s wife, is our rural mail carrier here in Kampsville.
Please keep her as well as their sons, Even and Mitchell; his sisters, Carrie, Shelly, Debbie and Chris; and mother-in-law, Shirley Blumenberg, in your prayers.
Continued prayers for Linda Herkert, Joyce Blumenberg, Darren Kress, Zel Blumenberg, Joe Gress, Amy Roth, Jim Hill, Raymond Sievers, Isabel McGlaughin, Kurt Roth, Wyatt Sibley, Eileen Gardner, Bruce Williams, Jerry Crader, Bob Banghart and Kathryn Chapman. As well as all of our service men and women unable to be with their families this holiday season. They keep us safe so we can be with our families.
I would like to wish all my readers a Blessed and Merry Christmas, from my family to yours.