Batchtown News

By Editor | April 15, 2026 |

It’s a beautiful Spring. The Redbud and Dogwood Trees are blooming this week. It is a good idea to save these trees if you are eliminating trees. They are beautiful. The wildwood flowers, daffodils, bluebells, dutchman britches, are in season. Garden flowers are coming up too. Mushrooms are out in the wood areas. It’s great to be outdoors.
The Turtle Soup Supper at Batchtown St. Barbara Church was held in the Church Basement. The option to dine in or drive through was available to the crowd. Other foods served to those who dined in were beef sandwiches, hot dogs, and various dessert choices. The turtle soup could be ordered by bowl, quart, or gallon. It is a local special, and a favorite of many Calhoun people, and others who have tried it and liked it. Turtle Soup was not sold out at the end of the Supper. It is still available until it is sold out.
Henry Barczewski won the 4-H Public Speaking Contest and will move on to compete at the state 4-H contest. He is the son of Greg and Rosemary Barczewski of Batchtown. Congratulations Henry. We wish you the best at the next contest.
The Chaplet of Divine Mercy will be held at 3:00 p.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Brussels, and at St. Norbert’s Catholic Church in Hardin. It was well attended and is held the week after Easter every year.
St. Michael Church in Greenfield will have their annual pork chop dinner, on Sunday, April 19 (drive thru only, from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Tickets are $15.00 with children ages 5-12, $7.
Celebrate Your Marriage with Cha Cha Lessons. Call 618-468-5701 to sign up for 5 lessons, 6-7 p.m. Join the group for ice cream afterwards at Shivers in Godfrey.
Marge Hillen of Hardin celebrated her birthday, Monday, April 6, 2026, Easter Sunday with her family. Marge enjoyed being with her grandchildren, and great grandchildren. During the week Marge and, Margaret Ann Ringhausen met with other friends, and relatives at the Hardin Senior Center where a delicious meal, and good conversation brighten the day.
The Hardin Senior Center will have Bingo games for Seniors on Thursday, April 16. Linda Russell’s company this week were, Jeremy, Angie Russell, and daughters, Zoe, and Sadie. They all attended and ate at the Turtle Soup Supper. Jeremy and Angie helped and worked along with many others at the Turtle Soup Supper.
Fred and Gina Rrose had their 62nd. Easter Egg Hunt on Easter Sunday. This is a Robeen Family Tradition. As they grew up, Gina and her sisters always enjoyed the Easter Egg Hunt. Fred and Gina’s have four grandchildren who are now enjoying the Easter eggs hunt as they did. They found all of them, a total of 102 eggs, and had a good time doing it.
Andy Titus has retired from the Ameristar Casino after 30 years of employment. Congratulations on your retirement!
George Presley and his family attended the Turtle Soup Supper Saturday, April 11 at St. Barbara’s Church in Batchtown. They enjoyed the food and talking with friends from the area, Mackenzie Cranmer was accepted into the University of Tennessee to obtain her PHD.
Haleigh Cranmer will graduate on May 9th from SIUE with a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice. Congratulations to both of you on your accomplishments.
Delmar and Barb Bick had their family at their home in Batchtown on Easter Sunday. Their whole family came, and enjoyed a big meal, and then watched the grandkids find Easter eggs. There were 29 there to enjoy the day.
The Batchtown Cornerstone Church is every Sunday at 10:45 a.m. Bible Class is every Wed. at 9:00 a.m. Everyone is welcome.
Grief Share – Grief Support Group A safe place to journey through loss together. You don’t have to walk this path alone. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted – Matthew 5-4. All are welcome! The time is Monday’s 6 – 7:30 p.m. at St. Norbert’s School 401 Vineyard Street, Hardin, Il. Contact Angie Goode through Facebook Messenger at 618-419-1151 for more details.
The Calhoun Library Services in Hardin is available at Calhoun High School. Everyone interested may go and receive the information, books and help you need at the library.
The Bible Classes at St. Mary’s Hall in Brussels will resume in the Fall. Joyce Vogel, the teacher will resume in Sept, the date to be announced as it grows closer.
–––––––––––––
Springtime
Springtime comes like magic
As snowflakes melt away,
It’s such a special joy to know
That God sent His love to stay.
It seems just like a miracle
To see a brand-new day,
With tulips popping up to smile
In their own special way.
There’s new grass coming through the ground
It brings a special smile
Just to feel it underneath your feet,
It helps to walk in style
We know that God is looking down
To show how much He cares,
And let us know in His own way –
His love is everywhere.
So don’t forget to stop and say,
“We thank You God, today.”
‘Cause He has sent His special love
In His own special way.
– Bonnie J. Lyons