Year in review – 2022

By Editor | January 3, 2023 |

January 2022
■ The Calhoun Commissioners held their monthly meeting Dec. 21, with the first order of business being the reorganization of the board. It was decided, upon motion, that Terry Woelfel and Phil Robeen would retain their seats as chairman and vice chairman, respectively. Additionally, all committee assignments will remain the same as well.
Next on the agenda, the commissioners began their discussion regarding the appointment of an interim state’s attorney to fill the vacancy of current State’s Attorney Rick Ringhausen, which will be created by his resignation on Jan. 16.
■ The Jersey Calhoun Jaycees announced Richwoods Volunteer Fire Department, represented by the Fill Inn Station, as the winner of the Calhoun Christmas Tree Contest on Saturday, Jan. 1.
Over the last month, businesses have decorated Christmas trees throughout Calhoun County and they asked the community to pay to vote for their tree/organization. Fourteen businesses participated and ten local organizations were represented.
■ Calhoun Community Foundation (CCF) is now accepting online grant applications from the community for projects that support health, wellness, economic development and the overall advancement and sustainability of the County. In the past, CCF has awarded grants to Calhoun County organizations including: Community Recycling, the Barn Quilt Tour, Cash for Trash, Village of Batchtown, Calhoun Elementary School, the McCully Heritage Project, and the Brussels Fitness Center. The grant applications are reviewed and approved by the CCF board of directors with an average award of $1,500.
The deadline for the online grant application is Feb. 28, 2022.

■ The regular meeting of the Brussels school board was held Tuesday, Jan. 18, in person at Brussels School. Dr. Mark Martin, District Superintendent first acknowledged the effort that has kept the school year operating smoothly despite the pandemic. He recognized the “outstanding work done by the Brussels staff, for going the extra mile to keep our students safe and the doors open.”
“During the latest spike of COVID- 19 infections, there are too many stories of kindness, initiative and generosity to pass on during a school board meeting. In the face of adversity, people just keep bouncing back to support each other, thank you for everything,” said Martin.
■ Keisha Morris was sworn into the office of State’s Attorney in Calhoun County on Tuesday, Jan. 18, at 8:30 a.m. “Having known you as many years as I have, I know you’ll do a great job. said the Honorable Charles H. W. Burch prior to swearing in Morris.
After being sworn in, Morris stated, “Thank you for the opportunity to serve the community in which I live and in which my ancestors lived. As State’s Attorney, I will advocate and support our local law enforcement. I will continue to protect and serve the Kingdom. I am bringing over 15 years experience as a practicing attorney. This is the best community to live in and I will help in the effort to keep it that way.”
■ The Calhoun County Board met on Tuesday, Jan. 18, at 5 p.m. for their monthly meeting, where the Board appointed Jerimiah Moomey as the County’s Emergency Service Disaster Agency (ESDA) Coordinator.
Board Chairman Terry Woelfel said he believes Moomey will do a great job in the position.
Also at the meeting, the Board was addressed by Jonathan Lammy regarding his pasture lease access easement agreement. Since being granted the access easement,
Lammy said he noticed people trapping on the land. He asked the Board if he could place “No Trespassing” signs. Instead, the Board gave permission for Lammy to place awareness signs that remind people not to hunt or trap on government property.

February 2022
■ The Poor Farm Bootleggers Speakeasy Adult prom fundraiser was held on Saturday, Jan. 22, at the KC Hall in Hardin. According to one of the event organizers, Peggy Hall, the turnout was very good.
“We did have a successful fundraiser and the money raised helps fund field trips and items for the classrooms at the Calhoun Elementary and Junior High School,” said Hall. “This was the second event like this we had; the first one was in 2020 before COVID. Then last year we weren’t able to have it due to COVID. We hope to do an annual event like this with a different theme each year. Everyone has fun dressing up, but it isn’t necessary to dress in the theme.”
■ A recent ruling from Judge Raylene DeWitte Grischow in Sangamon County has placed a temporary restraining order on Governor J.B. Pritzker’s executive order on mandatory masking, vaccination, and testing guidance. This ruling affects 145 schools across Illinois.
The ruling is temporary, meaning that the order will be extended or reversed in around 10 days, when the Appellate Court reaches a verdict. The restraining order took effect on Monday, allowing districts to make their own decisions for the time being.
Calhoun Unit 40 was not named in the suit, but has made the decision to make masking, vaccination, and testing of their unvaccinated staff recommended rather than required. According to District Superintendent Andrea Lee, the decision came from paying close attention to the community and town metrics. She said that the move has been largely well-received by parents, students, and staff.
■ Ted “Redeye” Schumann passed away on Thursday, Feb. 3, and his absence is already being felt across the community in which he lived, loved, and served.
“I have to drive by his house every day and I just feel emptiness,” said Kampsville Mayor Wade Gibson.
A Korean War Veteran, purple heart recipient, former Mayor of Kampsville, coach, referee, school bus driver, and owner of Schumann’s Conoco Gas Station, Schumann was active in the community for many years.
■ Last week, Old Man Winter made his way across the region, dumping over a foot of snow in some places, and Calhoun County was no exception. Both, Wednesday, Feb. 2 and Thursday, Feb. 3, were snowy days. Accumulations were high, making travel hazardous at times. Drifts reaching three feet tall in some areas were even reported. Roadways were made passable due to the diligent work of those keeping up with plowing the streets throughout the storm.
■ After successful seasons for both the seventh and eighth grade Calhoun Warriors basketball teams, the boys were recognized between the Junior Varsity and Varsity game on Friday, Feb. 11.
The seventh grade Warriors dominated at the sectional game against New Berlin on Feb. 4 and were able to move onto state. At state, they defeated Stewardson-Strasburg, 35-29, but lost to Decatur Robertson, 47-39. In the final state matchup, the Warriors faced off against Champaign St. Matthew at Meridian on Thursday, Feb. 10, where they took home the third place state title with a 44-36 win.
The eighth grade Warriors accomplished many things this season. They were Griggsville Perry Tournament champions, Pike County Tournament champions, and they won the regional title in the championship game against Greenfield. The team moved onto sectionals at New Berlin, where they faced off against South County. The Warriors faced defeat at the hands of the Vipers, 30-17, and did not move onto the state level.

March 2022
■ The Calhoun County Commissioners met for their monthly meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 22, at 5 p.m. where they heard reports from the Health Department, announcing new state laws and a climate change grant the county was selected to receive.
Teichman gave a rundown on new NACCHO (National Association of County and City Health Officials) climate change policies that are urging local health departments to collaborate with community members to prepare for and respond to climate change impacts.
“For residents in our county, obviously, the topic most relevant to them would be the flooding,” said Teichman. “With this county having experienced multiple ‘100-year-floods’ and a ‘500-year flood’ within a few decades, it’s definitely a valid concern.”
Teichman said that the county applied for, and received, a highly competitive $30,000 climate change awareness grant through NACCHO. Calhoun was only one of three other places to receive the grant, according to Teichman, “The other two were very large, we’re a small fish in a big pond on this grant,” he said.
Using the grant funds, the county plans to put together informational packets to distribute to homeowners and business owners to educate people on the history of flooding in the county and what to do before, during, and after a flood. For youth climate change education, there will be an Earth Day festival held on Friday, April 22, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
■ Brussels’ landmark Wittmond Hotel suffered an accidental kitchen fire last week on the morning of Thursday, March 10.
Restaurant owner Charlie “Chipper” Burch said he got a call early Thursday morning and arrived on scene right before the Point Fire Protection department.
“We were very lucky,” Burch said.
Only one worker was at the hotel Thursday morning to prepare for a birthday party that was scheduled for the following Saturday.
■ The community is invited to take a dive under the sea in Kampsville, this weekend, with the opening of Calhoun Entertainment Company’s (CEC) production of Disney’s The Little Mermaid.
CEC, under the direction of Jerry Sievers, will be presenting live performances of the Disney classic the last two weekends in March at the Center for American Archeology in Kampsville.
Sievers shared his enthusiasm about the upcoming show and is confident in its success. “I’m really looking forward to the production, it should be a lot of fun,” said Sievers.
The CEC performance is starring Ellie Nolte as The Little Mermaid herself, Ariel, to which Sievers had this to say, “Our Ariel is very talented, I think she’s going to be a real treat.”
■ Starting next month, Calhoun teens and pre-teens will, once more, have a youth space to congregate and have fun with friends.
The Hot Spot Calhoun Youth Center, located downstairs in the First Presbyterian Church in Hardin, is reopening after being closed for the past two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The center is all set to open back up on Wednesday, April 6.
“We really want to get the word out about our reopening since we’ve been closed for so long,” said Calhoun Youth Center President Dick Lieber. “A lot of young people enjoy the center.”
■ In honor of Hardin’s 175th anniversary, the Village of Hardin has been working to revive the tradition of the Great Illinois River Raft Races. The beloved event will make its grand return this July and the Raft Race Committee is hard at work meeting and planning for the event.
The Great Illinois River Raft Race promises to be the most exciting thing on the Illinois river this summer… or at least the most fun, just like it was in the past.
Julie Kronable, Committee Member announced, “We are eager to bring this tradition back to our town, its return has been long awaited.”
■ The Jerseyville McDonald’s received a generous donation from Tom McConkey for the Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) of St. Louis, with the help of his uncle, Jerry Voigt, and his cousin, Jeremiah Voigt. The Kampsville family was able to collect and donate nine five-gallon tubs of soda tabs to the charity.
On Wednesday, March 23, the Jerseyville McDonald’s showed their appreciation to McConkey with cake, goodies, and photos. The date was especially significant, as World Down Syndrome Day was March 21, and 47-year-old McConkey has Down syn- drome, himself.
“Tom has a big heart, and he loves to help out his community,” Jerry Voigt, McConkey’s uncle, said.

April 2022
An employee at Hardin Drive In took it upon herself to do something kind and selfless for a member of her community.
Linda Herkert of Calhoun is battling cancer and Calhoun High School student, Cha Cha Wilson, decided to do something to help Herkert and her husband, Jimmy.
On Sunday, April 3, from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., during her waitressing shift at the Drive In, Wilson collected her tips as she normally would, but rather than pocketing the cash, she gave the funds directly to the Herkerts. Wilson invited the community to come out to the restaurant for breakfast, lunch, or ice cream, promoting her cause via Facebook, and it paid off in a big way.
In total, Wilson raised $1,150, with more to come from donations sent through the cash sharing phone application, Venmo.
■ In seasonably appropriate fashion, with Easter right around the corner, Sophie Lorton has once again organized her annual fundraiser, “Egg My House!”
Calhoun residents will be able to pay to have their home, or someone else’s home, “egged” for a good cause. Funds raised this year will go toward new sporting uniforms for Calhoun Grade School.
While having your home egged may sound like a form of property damage traditionally carried out by pranksters, Lorton’s fundraiser is Easter-y and fun, not frustrating to clean up. Participants will have until Friday, April 15, to pre-order plastic eggs that will be filled with candy and hidden in the yard of their choice on Saturday, April 16; or Sunday, April 17 .
■ The Brussels Girl Scouts were out and about in Calhoun, picking up litter on Saturday, April 9, to earn some money in the “Cash for Roadside Trash,” anti-litter campaign taking place in the county. The Scouts, along with leaders and adult volunteers, worked on five different areas, cleaning up roads for three hours on the brisk, chilly morning.
Two groups worked near the Brussels Ferry Road area on Illinois River Road, one group started at the ferry landing and the other one worked towards the ferry, from Meyer Road. Other roads that the Scouts tackled were Gun Club Road, Illinois River Road from Golden Eagle Country Store toward the town of Brussels, and Krause Lane.
■ Students from across Calhoun County were brought to McCully’s Heritage Project in Kampsville in celebration of Earth Day, Friday, April 22.
The event, put on by the Calhoun County Health Department (CCHD), was funded through a grant from National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO). The health department administrator Sandy Teichman said they are thrilled that Calhoun received the money.
“We were one of only four to receive this grant,” she said. “When I was filling out the application, I had absolutely no idea we would get it.”
■ The Rastello Room filled with citizens of Calhoun County interested in making changes to Calhoun County’s approach on tourism on Wednesday, April 20, for the Calhoun County Economic Development informational meeting.
Presenting information about tourism and economic development were: J.D. Lorton, Hardin Trustee; Cory Jobe, Ceo Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau (GRRTB); Patrick McGinnis, Executive Director for The Lower Illinois Valley Rural Prosperity Initiative; Dennis Wilmsmeyer, Executive Director of American Central Port District.

May 2022
■ The St. Vincent De Paul Society (SVDPS) of Calhoun County is planning to celebrate an official grand opening of the new Hardin Food and Clothing Pantry May 15, at 11 a.m.
■ After three years since its closure due to flooding in 2019, The Barefoot Restaurant is finally returning, just in time for summer vacation.
The Barefoot name and recipes locals know and love were purchased by siblings Brian Matthews and Kelly Sievers, along with Kelly’s husband, Phil Sievers, last fall. The restaurant will be reopening in a different building than the original.
Due to shipping delays, The Barefoot Restaurant unfortunately does not yet have a set opening date planned, but they hope to be ready to open towards the end of May or early June. More information about the Barefoot’s return can be found on their Facebook page.
■ Once a week since 1987 Veterinarian Dr. Patrick Graham has been paying Calhoun County a visit to care for residents’ pets, however, he will soon be retiring, leaving a hole in the area that is yet to be filled.
Veterinary medicine was always a field that Graham was drawn to. Growing up on a livestock farm, he had a lot of exposure to animals. “We had several vet- erinarians that worked with our animals when I was a kid,” he said. “It just kinda seemed like an easy thing for me back then. When we had a sick animal, I would have an idea of what the issue was, it just kind of clicked.”
Graham’s last day to see patients at his Pittsfield Clinic will be Friday, May 27, and his last trip out to Batchtown will be Wednesday, May 25.
-The Calhoun Lady Warriors softball team defeated the Lincolnwood Lady Lancers, 5-0, claim- ing the Regional Title, at Monday evening’s game at Calhoun.
The Warriors started off strong, managing to put up two runs while the Lancers were unable to answer back. The following six innings were more of the same for the Lancers who remained scoreless for the entirety of the game. Calhoun scored a run in the third inning and two in the fifth inning.
Scoring for the Warriors: A. Gilman put up two points; and E. Sievers, K. Angel, and B. Friedel each scored one.

June 2022
■ The Calhoun High School Lady Warriors softball team had a successful end to their season which concluded this week. After dominating the Regional Championship against the Lincolnwood Lancers, 5-0, last Monday, the Warriors went on to the Marissa Sectionals where they defeated the Okawville Rockets, 10-3, last Tuesday, May 24. The Warriors moved on to the Supersectionals held at the University of Illinois ball diamonds in Springfield on Monday, May 30. Calhoun faced defeat at the hands of the Illini Bluffs Tigers, 12-4.
Calhoun softball finished their season with an impressive overall win-loss record of 25-10 and a conference win-loss record of 8-1.
■ Phase one of the Hardin Connect Illinois project has been completed and phase two commenced this week. Illinois Electric Cooperative, (IEC) started phase two which consists of laying fiber internet service cables throughout Calhoun County. This next phase began on Tuesday, June 7, following the completion of phase one.
■ Brussels was the spot to be, this past weekend, for art lovers and those who simply wanted a day filled with culture, beauty, entertainment, tasty food, and family fun.
Art in the Park took place on Saturday, June 4, from 1 to 4 p.m. at Brussels Heritage Park and was sponsored by South County Public Library (SCPL). The event was well-attended with organizers saying they were very pleased with the turnout.
“We really appreciate everyone who came out and supported this event,” said Joan Kiel of the SCPL Board. “It’s hard to tell how many people [attended] because everything is so spread out, but I think it was pretty successful.”
■ The River Raft Race Committee met at the Hardin Riverfront Monday, June 6, to prepare for The Return of the Great Illinois River Raft Race and Hardin’s 175th Anniversary coming up next month, on Saturday, July 16. The Committee started by finalizing a parade route for the event. The parade will start at Hardin’s Elevator, then head west along Main Street.
■ Following a more than three month closure, Brussels’ landmark Wittmond Hotel will be re- opening on Saturday, June 18, just in time for Father’s Day.
The hotel suffered an accidental kitchen fire on the morning of Thursday, March 10, and has remained closed since. According to Wittmond owner, Charlie “Chipper” Burch, the menu will “by and large” be the same. For now, the restaurant will remain “reservation only,” but will fully re-open at some point in the future.
■ Republican State Senator Darren Bailey paid Hardin a Flag Day visit on Tuesday, June 14, part of his bus tour, as he campaigns for Illinois Governor.
Calhoun Republicans came out to show their support at Illinois Riverdock Restaurant at 9:30 a.m.,where Bailey was in attendance along with other GOP leaders including Republican U.S. Representative Mary Miller, Republican Representative Blaine Wilhour and former Trump Campaign Advisor Steve Cortes who all spoke.
■ Continued equipment delays have again pushed back the opening of The Barefoot Restaurant in Hardin. Owners, Brian Matthews and Kelly and Phil Sievers, purchased the restaurant in September of last year— it had been closed since the 2019 floods. They had hoped to open Barefoot for business at the end of May, or early June, but due to slow equipment shipments and other delays, they are not yet serving up those beloved Barefoot recipes.
■ The Calhoun County Health Department (CCHD) has completed their Flood Preparedness Plan booklets. They are now available for pickup at the department and will be available at various locations throughout the county. The booklets are intended to inform the public about what to do before, during, and after a flood.
The CCHD was able to have these booklets made thanks to a highly competitive $30,000 grant Calhoun County received from the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO). Calhoun was one of only four counties to receive these grant funds.
■ A Calhoun County couple was killed last Friday, June 17, when they hit a deer with their motorcycle around 9:19 p.m. The victims of this fatal accident were Frank and Linda Murphy of Golden Eagle. Frank, age 73, was driving the bike and Linda, age 64, was the passenger.
■ The beloved Calhoun County swimming pool in Hardin is suffering from a leak that has gotten worse over the years, leaving the future of the pool hanging in the balance.
Locating the leak has not been an easy task, according to the Calhoun Community Swimming Pool Association (CCSPA), who have been trying to determine the source for a while. CCSPA member Craig Johnson said the severity of the problem is unknown, so they aren’t yet sure of what will need to be done to get the pool fixed.