Batchtown News

By Editor | October 28, 2025 |

By Marcy Klockenkemper
618-396-2468

It’s a nice Fall Day in Calhoun County. There has been a little rain but not very much. People are turning on their furnaces, or wood burners especially as the evening and night approach.
The St. Vincent DePaul Fund Raiser is this Saturday night, Nov. 1 at the Knights of Columbus Hall, Hardin, Ill. The doors open at 5 p.m. with the dinner beginning at 6 p.m. Your ticket includes a fried pork chop dinner with all the trimmings, and a choice of dessert. The keynote speaker is Zip Rzeppa, and the music for the evening is the Cryptkickers Band. We are hoping for a good turnout. Come and join us. Purchase your tickets at the St. Francis of Assisi Parish Office, or the Blessed Trinity Office, and the Banks of Kampsville, and Bank of Calhoun and their Branches. Sponsorships are available contact Brad Vacca at [email protected]. The fundraiser is being held to assist the St. Vincent DePaul Society in Calhoun County. Help feed the hungry and help those in need. The support you give is appreciated.
Halloween Night the Batchtown Woman’s Club members will be at the Village Hall at 6 p.m. to distribute candy to all the children. It’s always fun to see them in their costumes with their parents, and friends on Halloween night.
St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church drive thru from 4 to 8 p.m. They will also be serving roast beef sandwiches and desserts. If you want to pre-order soup call 618-946-0534 and leave your name and number and how much soup you would like. For those wanting to leave your clean jars at the hall either Friday or Saturday at the Hall please put your name and number on them.
St. Anselm’s Game Night is Sunday, Nov. 2. The doors open at 12 p.m. and the games start at 1 p.m. Come for the fun of playing the games, the good food, and visiting with the people there.
The Calhoun American Legion Auxiliary will have their Thanksgiving potluck meal on Nov. 9, at 2 p.m. at the Hardin Legion Hall. Turkey, chicken, and dressing will be furnished. A Meal for the Veterans, their family, friends, and volunteers who helped with the apple pie making are invited.
VeraAnn Klockenkemper had company Friday. Her sister Elda Hayn, and her daughters Tammy and Tonya came to visit, and they enjoyed the day.
Autumn Lewis celebrated her 4th birthday on Oct. 16 with her friends. Autumn loves dolls.She received a life sized doll and a stroller to push her in for her birthday. Happy birthday Autumn.
Michael Eilerman celebrated his 50th birthday with some of his family and friends at the Batchtown Tavern with others also celebrating October birthdays on October 30th. Happy birthday to all of you
Oct. 23rd Henry Barczewski celebrated his 17th Birthday at the St. Louis Blues Game with family and friends. Happy birthday Henry, have a fun year.
We wish Larry Siemer a good recovery and good health. He has been in the hospital and hopes to be home soon.
Jeremy Russell will celebrate his birthday Oct. 30 with his family, Angie, and daughters Zoe and Sadie. His Mother Linda Russell gave him a lemon pie for his birthday. Happy Birthday Jeremy have a wonderful year.
The Calhoun Historical Society met Monday evening, Oct 20 at the Riverdock Restaurant. After a great meal the group enjoyed a presentation by some of the members who read news articles from the newspapers from the past 20 years. They were informative, and some of them comical. Everyone enjoyed the presentation and had a good time. A business meeting followed.
The Calhoun Warrior won their football game with Mount Sterling in Brown County. The score was 12 -2. The Calhoun Warriors are 9-0. Congratulations team and good luck on your next game.
Dr. Jacob Maag has a Veterinarian Service in the American Legion Building in Batchtown from 4- 7 p.m. every Tuesday night.
The Cornerstone Church in Batchtown Sunday service is held at 10:45 a.m. Their Bible Class is every Wednesday morning at 9 a.m. Everyone is welcome.
St. Barbara Catholic Church in Batchtown meets Sunday at 8 a.m. Saturday morning daily mass also meets at 8 a.m. Everyone is welcome.
The Hardin Senior Center is open from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday thru Friday. Home delivered meals are available to the home bound.
The St. Vincent DePaul Society Food Pantry and Clothing Store are open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. except the fifth Wednesday of the month.
St. Vincent DePaul helps with Rent, Utilities, Mortgage, GED, and Help with other Agencies. Call the volunteer on the hot line at 1-618-310-1141 for assistance.
It’s time to be thinking about feeding the birds in the wintertime. A simple recipe from the Farmer’s Almanac is a Suet Cake, it takes two parts melted fat, one part peanut butter (also fat), two parts cornmeal. Melt the fat and the peanut butter in a saucepan until completely liquid. Remove from heat and let it sit for several minutes. Stir in the cornbread and cook for a few minutes. Pour them into small containers like a tuna can and refrigerate until they are hard enough to hold their shape. Put in a suet feeder, or cut them into cakes, seal in a plastic wrap, and store in the freezer.
–––––––––––––––––
Autumn Pathways
On the pathways to November
Falls resplendence I’ll remember
The scarlet days October spills
Along the creeks, across the hills.
Gigantic oaks in russet browns,
Tall maples clad in crimson gowns
Chrysanthemums and goldenrod –
Delightful days designed by God!
– Nora M. Bozeman