Batchtown News – August 7, 2025

By Editor | August 6, 2025 |

By Marcy Klockenkemper
618-396-2468

It was hot this week but changed over the weekend giving us the cooler weather from the heat and helped picnic goers enjoy the Meppen Picnic Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 2nd, and 3rd. After the 4 p.m. Mass, the picnic began at 5 p.m. with the traditional food favorites at St. Joseph’s Hall. A big crowd enjoyed the tasty Turtle Soup, roast beef sandwich, chicken salad sandwich, hot dog, cake, and other desserts. Many friends and family visited and enjoyed the day. Outdoors the Country Store, and children’s games, bingo, and food stands of fish, soda, ice cream, and beer were gathering points for picnic goers. The Carl Mager “Back in the Saddle Band” played music Saturday night. Sunday the traditional fried chicken dinner, roast beef, mashed potatoes, dumplings, dressing, slaw, tomatoes, green beans, and home-made pie were enjoyed at the dinner. An evening meal was also enjoyed. The raffle was drawn and winners announced. Bingo, I-Dood-It and Fishpond were fun games for the kids. All enjoyed themselves at the picnic. Many of us remember past picnics and now look forward to next year.
A Band Concert directed by Jerry Sievers will be held August 17th at the Hardin Presbyterian Church at 2 p.m. with the CCEC and CEC Youth Band composed of youth members and adult members composed of Band Students and Adults members. It will be an enjoyable Concert with the newly formed band. Come and enjoy the experience and support the Youth Band, and the Calhoun Entertainment Co. members and adults and youth.
Andrea, Jeremy, Carlin, and Lauren Pohlman spent last week at Barb and Tony’s house at Lake of the Ozarks. They enjoyed the outdoors, swimming, and boating. Carlin showed them his water-skiing skills. They had a really good time.
The Sharon Friedel Family enjoyed dinner at the Meppen Picnic, and visiting with friends and relatives at the stands and games there. The picnic was very successful with a lot of people attending.
Cindy and Hayden Mezarous visited Linda Russell Sunday. They did mowing and yard work and enjoyed the day.
Donnie Reyes, son of Vera Droege of Meppen, came to visit Pat and Vera Droege while on vacation from his Florida home. Donnie is a chef at the Ritz Carlton and is enjoying time visiting his mother Vera for a few days. They had a good time. The food, the music and the cooler summertime weather made it a perfect time for a picnic.
The Brussels Picnic is next weekend, Saturday and Sunday 9th and 10th. See you there.
The Batchtown Woman’s Club met at Robin Hillen’s Home for their monthly meeting on Tuesday evening, July 29th, at 6 p. m. President Jean Tepen called the meeting to order. Members present were Marilyn Klockenkemper, Elaine Titus, Robin Hillen, Marcy Klockenkemper and Barb Margherio. The ladies are planning a Game Day at the K.C. Hall on Sunday, Aug. 24. Many of the local businesses have been asked to support the Woman’s Club by giving us a donation. We in turn tell them how we help and support the various activities such as the Easter Egg Hunt, school supplies, donations to the Town Park, Franke Ball Park, Town Recreational Building, Village Hall, Christmas Fruit Baskets to the homebound, donations to the Batchtown Fire Dept, and Ambulance, and other worthy causes specified by the Woman’s Club.
A progress report was given by the members on how our fund-raising efforts are going. We really appreciate the support we have been receiving in the community, and plan on using these resources for our projects. This coming year your donations make our efforts possible, thank you.
Game Day will be here before you know it. It is being held on Sunday, Aug. 24, at the K.C. Hall in Hardin. We are looking forward to seeing you.
The doors open at 11 a.m. and games start at 1 p.m. Lunch will be served beginning at 11 a.m. The lunch menu is Chicken Salad Sandwich, Dumplings/Noodles, Hot Dogs, Home Made Pie, Cakes, and Coffee, Tea, and Water. There will be 20 Games for $20.00. A Basket Raffle will be held; Chances will be available for you. We are looking forward to seeing you on Game Day.
Our sympathy is extended to the family of Barbara G. Beisman age 76. She was born Dec. 7, 1948 and passed away July 30, 2025. Barbara was preceded in death by her husband, Eugene Beisman, and her parents, Raymond W. Maag and Violet M Maag . She is survived by her son, Keith (Jayme) Beisman; her daughter, Michelle (Shawn) Motley, and her grandchildren, Kelsey (Zach) Porter, Trenton (Kaitlin) Marshall, Tyler (Carly) Marshall, Grayce Beisman, and Ryker Beisman. Barbara was also a loving great grandmother to Makayla, and Charles; and brother Ronald (Joyce) Maag.
Barb was a dedicated medical worker whose career spanned from being an ambulance driver to specializing in phlebotomy. Barb was known for her quick wit and hard-working nature; she was dedicated in her professional and personal life.
Family life was important to Barb, and she really enjoyed time spent on the farm. Memories of making apple and peach pies and yip-yip chili sauce are highlights of her love for family traditions and connections. Barb took pride in raising her family and balancing her career and responsibilities at home. It was one of her proudest accomplishments. Barb had a vibrant personality and enjoyed various pastimes, including trips to the riverboat casino, where her adventurous spirit shone brightly. Her visitation was from 9 -11 a.m. followed by the Funeral at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 2, at the Gress, Kallal, and Schaaf Funeral Home, Hardin, IL with burial at Wilson Cemetery in Batchtown, IL. The Memorials for Barb are the Calhoun Ambulance, and the Wilson Cemetery. Barb will be remembered by us all and will never be forgotten.
The St. Mary’s Church Picnic is on Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 9 and 10 and begins with 4 p.m. Mass at St. Mary’s Church. At 5 p.m. There will be Food and Games. Saturday night the menu is Turtle Soup, Fish sandwich, Burgers, Hot Dogs, Corndog, Nachos. Ice Cream, and more! The Games played are Kids Games, I Dood It, Bingo, Country Store, and music. On Sunday, at 11 a.m. a Cafeteria Style Dinner will be served in an Indoor Air-Conditioned Dining Room with Carry-outs available. The menu is Fried Chicken, Roast Beef, Dumplings, Mashed Potatoes, Dressing, Green Beans, Slaw, and Desserts. At 7:30 p.m. the Grand Raffle Drawing will be held.
The Brussels Picnic will have something new for 2025. A Musical Festival in the Beer Garden. On Saturday from 5 to 8 p.m. Jordan Thomure and Dominici Tocco will play, from 8 p.m. to 12 a.m., Backwoods Burden will entertain you, and on Sunday afternoon, 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., Lucky Jim Live will play at the Beer Garden. It sounds like a good time to listen to music with a variety of talented artists. See you at the picnics.
The Calhoun Senior Center is open Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Everyone is welcome. They also serve nutritious meals, and home delivered meals to the elderly, and homebound. Call Office Manager and Resource person, Beverly Mosbarger at 618576-9567 for information.
The Cornerstone Church in Batchtown has Sunday Services at 10:45 a.m., and Bible Class every Wed. at 9:00 a.m. Everyone is welcome.
The St. Vincent DePaul Society Food Pantry and Clothing Store is open every Wed. from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. They are closed in months with five Wednesdays in the month.
St. Vincent DePaul Society helps with Rent, Utilities, Mortgage, GED, and Help with other agencies. Call the volunteer on the hot long at 1-618-310-1141 for assistance.
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HOPE
Hope is the eternal spring
That lives within the hearts,
It yearns and pines and wishes –
A thing that never parts.
Hope is that which with which we live,
Eternal is the dream
Of life of love and happiness
And all that it may bring.
– James Joseph Huesgen