Point News

By Editor | December 29, 2025 |

After the 5-1/2 inches of snow last Saturday, we received another 2-1/2 inches on Monday. Temperatures have stayed cold all week, anywhere from 25 to 39 degrees so not much snow has melted. The old saying “whatever date the first measurable snow is, that is how many snows we will get.” If that is correct, then it’s certainly bad news because our first snow was the 29th of November.
How many of you remembered on Sunday that the attack on Pearl Harbor happened on December 7, 1941, making it over 84 years ago. This surprise military attack by Japan that brought the United States into World War II. This attack was on the U. S. Pacific Fleet at its Naval Base at Pearl Harbor on Oahu, Hawaii. The attack killed 2,403 service members and wounded 1,178 more by destroying and sinking six U. S. ships. This resulted in the U. S. declaring war on Japan the next day.
Many thanks to the Brussels Girl Scouts, Troop 405, who visited the elderly, as well as those who had lost loved ones the past year. Scout leaders and parents drove the girls to many houses to present a storage container of wonderful paper products, cleaning items and even candy and then sing beautiful Christmas Carols to them. This year I happened to be one of their stops and I immensely enjoyed the gift, and especially hearing their beautiful voices which definitely brought tears to my eyes. Girls, and Scout leaders and parents that drove them, you may not realize how much that meant to all of us and how thankful and blessed we are because of your kind deed. They also visited the Calhoun Care Center and the CILA Home in Hardin. Many thanks again to all of you.
Congratulations to Kevin and Elaine Eberlin who celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary last weekend. Their children Jennifer (Don) Nagel and daughters Addison and Paige of Valparaiso, IN. Ann (Dennis) Patton, and twins Ryder and Sienna and Nikki (Maurio) Fraschini and daughters Lucy and Isabella, all of St. Louis were home to help them celebrate. The above named, along with brothers and sisters of Kevin and Elaine, and their spouses and most of their wedding party were in attendance for the celebration at the Grafton Winery in Grafton. Many more happy and healthy years ahead to the Eberlin’s.
My Saturday visitor and helper was my son John of Edwardsville. Julie and Caleb visited and helped her dad Francis Toppmeyer. John put up and decorated my outside trees, wreaths on all the doors and assembled my new indoor tree, along with shoveling snow and working on my computer. That evening we joined the rest of the family and Francis for a delicious chicken dinner and lots of side dishes, as well as peach cobbler for dessert. Francis and I are two lucky people to have them visit and help out so much.
On Sunday after church I was joined by my daughter and son-in-law Dennis and Shelly Scherer of Wright City, MO and two of their grandchildren, Noah and Addy Keppler of Wentzville. Dennis installed new smoke detectors upstairs and down he had purchased for me. After the recent time change and installing the new batteries he noticed my detectors were past the 10 year mark and needed to be replaced. As usual I also had a list for him and Shelly to help with and while they were busy Noah and Addy decorated my new Christmas Tree. Shelly had made a meatloaf, ready for the oven and I added the side dishes. Afterwards while Shelly was loading the dishwasher I got dessert ready, cherry pie, cake and coffee. I really enjoyed their company as well and tasks they accomplished. Thanks to them all, and my decorated tree turned out great, thanks to Noah and Addy.
So many beautifully decorated places in the area to visit, such as the Brussels Park, Batchtown Park, Brenda Sievers light show and Jana Sievers and family who have kept up her late husband, Tony Sievers Candy Cane Lane on Turner Hollow in his memory. With it getting dark so early now it’s a great time to take a drive around the area to see the many great light displays.
Deepest sympathy to the family of Robert “Bob” Snyders of Batchtown who passed away on November 29 at the age of 83. What made it even more sad for the family was losing their mom, Pearl Snyders, just three months earlier. Survivors include two sons Leon and Kent (Andrea) Snyders, daughters Patricia (Bernard) Johnes and Tammy (Tony) Franke, all of Batchtown and their families. Also, a brother Bernard (Gloria) Snyders of Golden Eagle and sister Karen (Everett) Friedel of Batchtown, and a sister-in-law Helen Devening of Fieldon. Bob was preceded in death by his parents Vincent and Agnes (Pluester) Snyders, his wife Pearl, and their oldest son Otto Snyders. Visitation on December 2 at Gress, Kallal and Schaaf Funeral Home in Hardin and funeral on December 3 at St. Barbara Church in Batchtown.
Birthday Blessings this week to my niece Stephanie (Carnes) Davis and Erin Carnes and cousin Jeanine (Carnes) Meinen, also Leroy Zimmerman, Brent Kirn, Mike Halemeyer, Curt Peters, Barb Dickey, Tracy (Wieneke) Huelsman, Cindy (Held) DiCarlo, Karen Droege, Mary Remmers, Bernice Snyder and all others celebrating their natal day at this time.
Happy Anniversary to Roger and Michelle Hagen and all other couples celebrating their wedding anniversary this week.
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PRAYER FOR PEARL HARBOR DAY
Dear Lord, Today we remember a time of great evil in our world. This day is now set aside to honor the fallen, and to thank God for their sacrifice. We also pray for the many families affected on that horrible day, December 7, 1941. Help us to always remember Pearl Harbor and help us to keep America alert. May we never forget the many that lost their lives that day defending America’s freedom. In Jesus’ name, Amen