Point News

By Editor | December 2, 2025 |

See-saw temperatures all week from 53 to 65. Predictions are for possible showers today. Quite a change headed our way on Thanksgiving, only a high of 40 and then falling temperatures and down in the mid-40’s. We’ve had several morning the past week of fog and again a dense fog advisory to end this morning. In past years we did have snow on Thanksgiving, that can wait until end of December for me.
Last Monday night St. Vincent DePaul hosted a dinner for the Volunteers of both the Food Pantry and the clothing department. It was held at Knights of Columbus Hall and began at 6 p.m. President Brad Vacca was the Master of Ceremony and gave us a synopsis of what all took place the past 11 months. He thanked all the volunteers for their work and quoted Mother Teresa several times. Such as “Not all of us can do great things, but we can do small things with great love” and “It’s not how much we give but how much love we put into giving”. He filled us in on the Benefit held on November 1 and how successful it was. At the end he introduced Bernie Wallendorf of Batchtown as volunteering to be President of St. Vincent DePaul for the immediate future. Bernie gave us his plan for the months ahead and we all wished him much success in taking on this new position. The delicious buffet meal, catered by Kim, Dennis and Emma Vogel, was enjoyed by approximately 50 in attendance. Present from South Calhoun were Bill and Joan Held, Janet Schleeper, Kathy Rogers, Joe and Kathy Schulte, Lynn and Linda Eberlin, Ronnie and Joyce Maag, Rosie Wreath, Dean and Jean Barton, Keith and Carol Pohlman, Sarah Wilschetz, Yvonne Baecht and myself. Many thanks to the Food Pantry Manager, Robin Hillen and the Clothing (and personal items) Manager Terry Vacca who both do a wonderful job.
The Brussels Woman’s Club met on Thursday afternoon for their monthly meeting. A countdown of remaining Bicentennial Cookbooks was given. Out of the 800 books ordered we are down to less than 100. They are still available at both Banks in Brussels MME’s Grocery Store, Wittmond’s and Odelehr Market and from any of the club members. And, in Hardin at the banks and Northside Grocery. With Christmas near they do make great gifts. Next time you are at the Brussels Heritage Park check out the east side of the village hall for the concrete bench recently erected in memory of our dearly departed club member of 75 years, Marie Held. Many thanks to Chad Brodbeck and his Industrial Arts Class that helped with unloading it, digging and leveling a spot for it, Randy Fuller for hauling and putting rock where needed, Hardin Ready-Mix for donating the concrete pad and John Carnes for affixing the plaque. Marie was a great asset to our club during those 75 years and is certainly missed. Other items discussed was a $100.00 donation for December for the St. Vincent DePaul Food Pantry. Also, we will be checking at the Calhoun Nursing and Rehab Center to see if any residents, that don’t have a family, that might be in need of an outfit of clothes for a Christmas gift. Our annual Christmas Luncheon and Party at the Wittmond Hotel will be at 1 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 19. No further business the program on Education was given by me on our American Flag. This was followed by a delicious dessert by hostess Jean Barton.
On Friday Angie Tepen and her mom Carol Stepanek enjoyed lunch at Fountain Hill Restaurant in Grafton. Afterwards they spent the afternoon Christmas shopping.
On Saturday morning, November 22, a Bridal Shower and brunch in honor of Lucy Kallal was held at the Rastello Room in Hardin. Lucy will become the bride of Gage Thornton of Bethalto on December 27 at St. Joseph Church in Meppen. She is the daughter of Eric and Lisa Kallal of Hardin.
On Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon Miss Kim’s Showcase of Tumbling and Dance event was held at Lewis and Clark College in Godfrey. Many from Calhoun are in her class and participate in many of the dance and gymnastic talent portions of the program. This year’s showcase was dedicated in memory of Caroline Goode for her love of tumbling. A scholarship in Caroline’s honor was presented to Claire Rose, daughter of Ben and Jill Rose of Brussels.
Keith Baecht of Jerseyville spent the weekend with his mother, Yvonne Baecht. Many hours were spent deer hunting and later in the evening lots of visiting and card playing with his mom.
Alyssa LaMarsh, daughter of Mick and Christi LaMarsh of Hardin, honored to work at the 59th Annual Country Music Awards and this year escorting Luke Combs. She referred to how pleased she was to work with Luke and his team and being in the company of George Strait, Brooks & Dunn and Zach Top. You are one lucky gal Alyssa, who has been working with these great performers for several years now at the Country Music Awards in Nashville.
Deepest sympathy to the family of Robert “Red” Wagner who passed away on at Jerseyville Manor after a prolonged illness on Saturday, November 15. Robert, age 84 was the son of the late Lewis and Rose (Telkamp) Wagner. Visitation was on Monday 8:30 to 9:30 at the Brussels Funeral Home and funeral Mass followed at 10 a.m. at St. Mary’s Church. Survivors include his brother Paul Wagner and sister Virginia Wagner. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister Vera and brother-in-law Eugene Brink.
Deepest sympathy to the family of Dennis Droege who passed away on November 17 at his home, just 10 days short of his 74th birthday. Dennis was the son of the late Leo and Addelle (Tepen) Droege. He married Kim Herter on July 23, 1982, and they shared over 43 years together. He is survived by his wife Kim, children Kenneth Droege and Kayla (Nick) Turner and their families. Siblings Johnny Droege, Deborah Murphy and sister-in-law Kathy (Doug) Walters and their families. Per his request he is being cremated with no services to follow.
Deepest sympathy to the family of David Johnson, 4 months and 16 days old that passed away on November 20 at Children’s Hospital in St. Louis after a difficult but brief battle with cancer. He is survived by his parents Marcus and April Johnson, siblings Bella and Scarlett, grandparents Melissa Akers and Scott Akers, Craig and Kelly Johnson, Amanda and Robert Clark, Keith Wright, Jr. and great grandparents Ruth Johnson, Sylvia Hitchings, Wally and Janice Watkins and Billie and John Parker. Visitation will be Saturday, Nov. 29, from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at Gress, Kallal and Schaaf Funeral Home in Hardin with a graveside service to follow at Oak Grove Cemetery in Hamburg. He was preceded in death by great grandparents David Johnson, Don Hitchings, Bill Charlton and Vernon and Marie Prater.
Birthday Blessings this week to Josh Wieneke, Elden Kinder, Veronica Wade, Andrew Heffington, Kevin Kiel, Betty Rose, Dan Snyders, Brady Ellis, Diane Tepen, Alessa Ray, Austin Thompson, Julie Baalman and all others celebrating their natal day at this time.
Happy Anniversary to Albert and Cindy Jenkins on their 50th Anniversary, Gilbert and Shirley Kinder, on their 62nd Anniversary. Also, Darren and Chris Hayn, Steve and Diann Baalman, Frank and Anita Baecht, Tim and Carol Friedel and all other couples celebrating a wedding anniversary this week.
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THANKSGIVING PRAYER:
Heavenly Father, You are the great giver. You have given us family and friends, food to eat and shelter. You provide for all our needs, both temporal and eternal. You feed us with Your body and blood, washing away our sins and granting us to stand righteous before You. Thank You for providing us with all our needs, but most of all for salvation through Your Son. Out of our thanksgiving for all You have given us, let us serve one another with joy until that day when we feast together eternally with you Lord. Amen