Point News

By Editor | June 23, 2026 |

The past week we enjoyed great weather, temperatures anywhere from 79* to 85*. Also, a light shower of rain on Thursday and then a fantastic rain on Sunday, amounting to around one and a half inches in the rain gauge. Farmers have been busy harvesting wheat while it was nice and many double cropping while the weather held out.
At Vacation Bible School at St. Matthew’s this year in Brussels they were fortunate to have twenty-three young adults volunteering to help with VBS. In the past, after it was over the leaders treated them to a day of fun for all their help. In past years they have enjoyed Raging Rivers, Six Flags, etc. This year, with many of them employed for the summer only eleven were able to make the trip to Kentucky to experience the Ark Encounter in Williamstown, KY. The group left on Sunday, July 14, after church service and their first stop was Evansville, Indiana, at the War Museum. There they enjoyed a tour led by local Veterans. During World War II this was a manufacturing powerhouse now featuring walk-through galleries, showing how local factories (like the Chrysler plant) adapted to produce billions of bullets, as well as ships and war-winning innovations. The museum houses a rare P-47 Thunderbolt which was built in Evansville. They also got to try out interactive flight simulators and hear personal accounts of workers and battlefront soldiers through photos, artifacts and memorabilia. Then on to Florence, KY where most of the group stayed in the activity center at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church for two nights. Monday was spent at the Ark Encounter which features the ground level up to deck 1, 2 and 3 of this huge life size Ark, 510 feet long, 85 feet wide and 51 feet high (it spans over 1.5 times the length of a football field and is as tall as a seven- story building. The Ark exhibits include stuffed animals in cages, Noah’s family’s living quarters, a workshop and displays. The outdoor area includes a zoo, playground, carousel and Noah’s Village. That evening they drove into Cincinnati, Ohio to the Purple People walking bridge. There the group was able to cross the bridge and stand in both Ohio and Kentucky at the same time. Tuesday the group returned to Calhoun. Those making the trip were Amanda, Olivia and P. J. Brodbeck, Lorelei and Rachel Hartman, Megan and Hailey Meyer, Cheyenne and Dayton Brundies, Hannah Klaas, Jaxon and Patrick Smith, Brantley Heffington, Maggie Tepen, Lea Miller, Sandy Nolle and Debbie Kamp. This wonderful trip was made possible for the youth with a generous donation by the Vera Herter family. I’m sure they all enjoyed it. I, too, toured it in 2020 and it is well worth your time to visit if you are ever in that area.
Congratulations to Dan and Trish Long of Golden Eagle on the birth of a son at 9:30 AM on June 12. The infant weighing 6 lbs and 10 ounces has been given the name William Franklin. The Long’s also have three older sons. Trish is Principal in the Brussels District 42.
Congratulations to Josh and Maggie (Toppmeyer) Wieneke who were wed on Saturday at St. Mary’s Church in Brussels. A reception and dance followed later in the day. Josh is the son of Jason and Brandi Wieneke of Batchtown and Maggie the daughter of Mark and Mary Toppmeyer of Golden Eagle. Grand parents are Larry and Mary Kay Wieneke of Hardin and Joan (and the late Francis) Bonner of Meppen and Francis (and the late Liz) Toppmeyer of Golden Eagle.
Keith, Becky and Samuel Baecht and Sue Underwood, all of Jerseyville were visitors and dinner guest on Sunday of Yvonne Baecht.
Visitors of Roy and Barb Hagen on Saturday were Judy Devening of St. Peters and Jan Bick of O’Fallon, MO. They came to bring their dad some Father’s Day gifts and enjoy a wonderful visit with he and Barb.
The music last Friday evening at Brussels Heritage Park was again enjoyed by many. The next event will be on July 3 with the band “Highway 67”.
The Brussels 4th of July event will be held on Friday evening, July 3 beginning with a mini parade at 5:45, followed by music in the park by Highway 67 and at dark the fireworks. Not only is this a 4th of July celebration but also America’s 250th Celebration as well as the Village of Brussels 150th year Celebration. Bring your lawn chair and come on out for a wonderful evening.
Deepest sympathy to the family of John Droege, age 76, who passed away on Tuesday, June 16 at Alton Memorial Hospital. Visitation was held on Monday evening, June 22 at Crawford Funeral Home in Jerseyville and funeral services there on Tuesday morning at 10 AM. John is survived by his longtime companion, Susie Holden and her family, also a sister Debbie Murphy and sister-in-law Kim Droege, both of Golden Eagle and their family. In addition to his parents, Leo and Addelle Droege he was also preceded in death by a brother Dennis Droege.
Birthday Blessings this week to Connie Sievers, Laura (Kamp) Sparks, Irene Wallendorf, Clark Seaman, Austin Thompson, Bernice Snyder, Ralph Fuller, Christi LaMarsh, Austin Stepanek, Francis Toppmeyer, Tess Drainer, Abby Thompson and all others celebrating their natal week at this time.
Happy Anniversary to Joe and Tammi Snyders, Tim and Suzie Snyders, Delmar and Barb Bick, Fred and Debbie Kuhn, Greg and Sarah Harding, Ben and Diane Tepen and all other couples celebrating their wedding anniversary this week.
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PRAYER FOR AMERICA’S 250TH CELEBRATION
The 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The journey toward this historic milestone is an opportunity to pause and reflect on our nation’s past, honor the contributions of all Americans, and look ahead toward the future we want to create for the next generation and beyond.
Dear God, we greet this Fourth of July with grateful hearts as we call to mind the vision of freedom and justice for all upon which our country was founded 250 years ago. We offer a heartfelt prayer for gratitude, unity and peace. Thanks to you God for our country’s freedoms, honor those who protect them and pray for wisdom and compassion to guide our nation forward. We give glory and praise to you God and pray that we may always live in peace and harmony. In Your name, Amen