Batchtown News

By Editor | December 30, 2025 |

All news correspondents were asked to write their news column by this afternoon. So I’ve included all news I have at this point. This Thursday morning it started out with very windy conditions and some rain, as of this afternoon the rain ended and winds are calm. We did enjoy a beautiful Wednesday with temperature up to 55 and now at 45 today.
Debbie (Eberlin) Tepen hosted a Girl’s Cookie Making Day this week. Present were her daughters and granddaughters, Leslie Patterson and Erin Vehige and girls. It was amazing to see her photos on FaceBook of the 16 dozen yummy cookies they made. All the gals were wearing matching Christmas print aprons made by Debbie. What a great day they all had!
A large attendance on Wednesday night at the Brussels Gym. Students from Junior High and High School presented “Rockin Around the Christmas Tree” which not only included lots of beautiful Christmas songs and Carol’s but also dancing snowmen and reindeer. The chorus was accompanied by Carol Pohlman on the piano. Everyone present enjoyed this wonderful program.
On Thursday night, December 18, St. Mary’s School presented their Christmas program at the Brussels American Legion Hall.
Angie Tepen of Brussels and her sister Carol Drainer of Jerseyville enjoyed lunch on Wednesday at Applebee’s Restaurant in Alton and afterwards spent the afternoon shopping.
Julie Kulp of Golden Eagle is on the office staff of Sandberg Phoenix and von Gontard PC in Clayton, MO. She attended her annual Christmas party with the entire staff this past week.
The Calhoun Warriors Volleyball Awards night was held on Wednesday evening at Straight Home in Hardin. Congratulations to all the team and coaches on a wonderful year.
On Sunday, Dec. 21, Gary and Tammy (Kamp) Kronable of Grafton were joined by cousins Dennis and Shelly (Carnes) Scherer of Wright City, MO, Trevor and Cyndi (Carnes) Axford of Chesterfield, MO and Aunt Carol Sue Carnes. They all enjoyed a wonderful brunch at the Fountain Hill Restaurant in Grafton, as well as a great visit together.
Mark your calendar for January 11 for the Retirement Party of our wonderful Sheriff of Calhoun County, Bill Heffington. The party will be held at Straight Home Bar & Grill from 12 noon to 4 p.m.
Deepest sympathy to the family of Dorwin (Jr.) Looper, age 87, who passed away on December 14, 2025. Visitation was on Friday, December 18 from 4 to 7 p.m. Funeral service was on Saturday at the Gress, Kallal & Schaaf Funeral Home in Hardin. He is survived by his wife of 67 years Sharon (Sevier) and two children, Veronica (Greg) Woelfel and Kirby (Angie) Looper and their grandchildren Gwen (Charles) Burch, Gretchen (Chet) Trenary, Katie (Wade) Yocum and Kristopher Looper and their children, sisters Virginia (Gene) Smith and Patricia Wright; brother-in-law Sam (Sandy) Sevier. He was preceded in death by his great grandson Jacob Stelbrink siblings Gary Looper and infant sister, stepfather Ira Dyer, his in-laws Joe and Helen Sevier, sister-in-law Patty (Ray) Tolbert.
Deepest sympathy also to the family of Frederick Meyer of Cottleville, MO passed away on December 14 while in his beloved Calhoun County. He is survived by his fiancee’ Teresa Martin of Cottleville, his two daughters Katy (Robbie) Serfling and Lindsay (Christopher Melton) and two grandsons Dexter and Max Serfling. He is also survived by his siblings Virginia (Gary) Heichelbech of St. Peters, MO, Joann (Carl) Kiel of Brussels, John (Luretta) Meyer, Mary Gerecke, Martha (Rick Demers) Meyer. His Goddaughters Renee (Josh) Kinder and Carrie (Nathan) Heineman and their families. A Memorial Service was held on December 19, followed by a funeral service at Baue Funeral Home in Cave Springs.
A post on FB this week stated the Old Point Pub in Brussels will be closing on Sunday evening December 28. An invitation for a party was posted. It stated “Bring yourself and your favorite side dish and come out to see bartender Vicki Nation and all friends of the Pub. Food will be ready about 6 p.m. on Sunday, December 20. This party was held a week before the establishment closed. So sorry to lose this business in Brussels.
Birthday Blessings this week to Madison Willman, Samantha Macauley, Jayleigh Droege, Owen Macauley, Barb Sperlo, Kris Hagen, Lea Miller, Ben Hanneken, Holly Swan, Joan Bonner, Megan Nolte, Jaize Johnes and all others celebrating their natal day at this time.
At this time, I would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas. Many thanks to those who enjoy my column during the year and take time to thank me, there are even those who appreciate my weekly prayers as well. Just remember “Jesus is the Reason for the Season” May God Bless You and Yours with a wonderful Christmas Eve and Day. Your Point News correspondent, Carol Sue Carnes
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CHRISTMAS PRAYER:
Dear Heavenly Father, As we enter this beautiful holiday season, give us caring hearts and loving hands with which to do Your Will. Grant to all peace, love, understanding, patience and hope so that we may receive the true meaning of this blessed time of the year. Forgive our selfish ways and remind us that “it is better to give than to receive”. In Your Holy Name, Amen