Connect with us

Community News

2011 Mini Miner & Mini Miss Candidates

Published

on

The Mini Miner and Mini Miss pageant is for children ages 3-5 who reside in School District #7. One girl and one boy, along with Miss Black Diamond Days and Jr. Miss Black Diamond Days, will represent the Gillespie community at other area pageants, parades, and community events. Mini Miner and Mini Miss winners will be chosen based on a penny-per-vote concept. Canisters have been placed in local businesses and will remain there until June 1st. Winners will be announced at the Mini Miner and Mini Miss pageant on June 4th at the Gillespie Civic Center at 6:00pm. Everyone is welcome to attend! Here are the candidates for 2011..

Keaton Bertoldi

Keaton Jacob Bertoldi is the four-year-old son of Billy and Megan Bertoldi of Wilsonville and the grandson of Bill Bertoldi, Janine Bertoldi, Lisa White, Willam F. Bertoldi, Joyce Bertoldi, and Wanda Boerkel.  His mom works for Illinois Buisness Card Directory and his dad is self-employed.  He has on brother, Billy(five).  Keaton attends pre-school at Benld Macoupin County Head Start and has three pit-bulls names Diesal, Buddy, and Abby.  His favorite color is red.  When Keaton grows up, he wants to be a kindergarten teacher like his brother’s teacher Ms. Jubelt.  His canister is located at the Workplace Bar in Gillespie.

Kenton Brown

Kenton Brown is the five-year-old son of Ryan and Jamie Brown of Gillespie, the grandson of Brad and Linda Miller and Brian and Monica Brown, and the great-grandson of Mitch and Sue Bryant.  His mom works for American Medical Software and his dad farms.  He has one brother, Gavin (10).  Kenton attends Education Station pre-school and has one cat named Baylee, a cat named Thomas, and a rabbit named Pepper.  His favorite color is red.  When Kenton grows up, he wants to be a fireman and fight fires.  His canister is located at TJ’s in Benld.

Mason Cerentano

Mason Cerentano is the three-year-old son of Cody and Michelle Cerentano and the grandson of Rick and Tena Cerentano and Curt and Reva Bowen.  His dad works at Daley-Bruckert Chevrolet in Staunton and her mom works at McDonald’s in Edwardsville.  He has one sister, Reagan(two).  Mason attends Education Station pre-school and has two dogs named Mikko and Coco.  His favorite color is red.  When Mason grows up, he wants to be a fireman.  His canister is located at Shell in Gillespie.

Austin Klose

Austin Klose is the four-year-old son of Jessica Shaw and Erich Klose and the grandson of Paul and Linda Shaw and Mike and Sherry Klose.  His mom works at Randy’s Market in Benld.  Austin attends Benld Elementary Pre-K and has two dogs named Wall-E and Baby and a rabbit named Buz.  His favorite color is orange.  When Austin grows up, he wants to be a farmer.  His canister is located at Miner’s Restaurant in Gillespie.

Marcus Reno

Marcus Reno is the three-year-old son of Samantha Cuevas and Andrew Reno of Benld and the grandson of Angel and Angie Cuevas and David and Debbie Reno.  His mom works at Schutt Manufacturing and his dad works at Toni’s Restaurant.  Marcus attends Benld Elementary Pre-K and has two dogs named Baby and Marley.  His favorite color is blue.  When Marcus grows up, he wants to be Spiderman.  His canister is located at Family Dollar in Benld.

Kaden Rieffer

Kaden Rieffer is the four-year-old son of Ed and Jessica Bearden-Rieffer of Gillespie and the grandson of Kent and Nancy Bearden and Bill Riefer.  His dad works at AAA Construction Services and his mom works at Michelle’s Pharmacy.    Kaden has 2 brothers, Bryce (9 years) and Zander (5 years).  He is in Mrs. Niehaus’ class at Benld Elementary Pre-K and has chickens, roosters, and ducks for pets.  His favorite color is blue.  When Kaden grows up, he wants to be a baseball player and drive trains.  His can is located at Michelle’s pharmacy in Gillespie.

Austin Schehl

Austin Schehl is the three-year-old son of Amanda Cairns and Andrew Schehl III of Benld and the grandson of Randy Cairns Sr., Michelle Pocklington, Dawn Maxville, and Andy Schehl.  His dad works at Cooper B-Line in Highland and his mom is a stylist at Cairns Creations Home Salon.  Austin has one brother Zachary and is expecting another brother soon.  He has two Great Danes named Roxy and Apollo, and a Miniature Pinscher named Princess.  His favorite color is Blue.  When Austin grows up, he wants to be a mechanic.  His canister is located at Jumpin’ Jimmy’s in Gillespie.

Andrew Sellers

Andrew Sellers is the four-year-old son of Brian and Dale Sellers of Benld and the grandson of Gordon and Irene Nessl, Rosalie King, and Eldred Sellers.  His mom works at Gillespie Family Practice and his dad works for Metrolink.  He has two sisters, April and Ashley, and a brother Brian.  Andrew attends Education Station pre-school and has one dog named Chleo.  His favorite color is green.  When Andrew grows up, he wants to be a baseball player.  His canister is at Casey’s in Benld.

Elissa M. Cline

Elissa M. Cline is the four-year-old daughter of Kellyn and Justin Peoples of Gillespie and Justin Plasters of Litchfield.  She is also the granddaughter of Dennis and Brenda Cline, Dee and Brian Marit and Shirley Lovell.  Her mom works at First Community Bank of Hillsboro and her dads work at Wright Automotive and IGA in Litchfield.  Elissa has a cat named Smoky and two dogs named Jackson and Vista.  Her favorite colors are blue and yellow.  When Elissa grows up, she wants to be a doctor. Her canister is located at Randy’s Market in Gillespie.

Kylee Means

Kylee Means is the four-year-old daughter of Dillon and Jami Davis of Gillespie and the granddaughter of Arthur and Diana Means.  Her dad works at Cooper B-Line in Highland and her mom is a stylist at House of Hair and Nails in Gillespie.  Kylee has one sister named Camrynn (7 months).  She has one pet crab named Mr. Crabs.  Her favorite color is blue.  When Kylee grows up, she wants to be a stylist liker her mom.  Her canister is located at Casey’s in Gillespie.

Lillianna Patterson

Lillianna Patterson is the three-year-old daughter of Maranda Patterson and granddaughter of Jenine and Cliff Cook, the great-granddaughter of Judy and Chuck Macaby, and the great-great-granddaughter of Lillian Hoerig and the late Melvin Hoerig.  Her mom works at Vito’s Italian Pizzeria in Chatham.  Lillianna has 1 brother (Raymond Clayton, 7) and 1 sister (MaKynleigh Patterson, 6 months).   She has a cat named Meow Meow and her favorite colors are pink and purple.  Lillianna says she wants to be a doctor when she grows up so she can “help little kids like me.”  Her canister is located at Sullivan’s Drugstore in Gillespie.

Wrigley Releford

Wrigley Releford is the four-year-old daughter of Chris and Jennifer Releford of Gillespie and the granddaughter of Gary and Jamie Michalik, Robin Smith, and the late Gary Releford.  She is also the great-granddaughter of Joan Davis and Edna Releford.  Her mom works at Georgia Pacific and her dad works for the Gillespie/Benld Area Ambulance Service.  Wrigley attends Education Station Pre-School and has three pets; a dog named Splendor, a rabbit named Sunny, and a turtle names Surtle.  Her favorite color is purple.  When Wrigley grows up, she wants to be a cheerleader. Her canister is located at MotoMart in Gillespie.

Brooklynn Whaley

Brooklynn Whaley is the four-year-old daughter of Michelle and Chad Whaley of Gillespie and the granddaughter of Rhoda and Alfred Vaniter and Bruce and Sherry Sands.  Her mom works at Randy’s Market in Benld and her dad works in HVAC.  She has one sister anmed Madyx (10).  She attends Education Station Preschool and has a cat named Miss Kitty and a dog named Poopydog.  Brooklynn’s favorite color is pink.  When Brooklynn grows up, she wants to be a princess.  Her canister is located at Randy’s Market in Benld.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Advertisement

 

 

Share this story

Comments

comments

Community News

LLCC announces spring 2025 President’s and Vice President’s lists

Published

on

SPRINGFIELD — Lincoln Land Community College has announced its full-time and part-time President’s and Vice President’s lists for the spring 2025 semester. Part-time students are enrolled in six to 11 credit hours while full-time students are enrolled in 12 or more credit hours.

Students who earned a 4.0 grade point average (GPA) are noted with an asterisk and earned President’s list honors. Students who earned between a GPA of 3.5-3.99 earned Vice President’s list honors. The excerpt below features Macoupin County students.

FULL-TIME STUDENTS

Bunker Hill – Logan R. Helling

Carlinville – Reid P. Evans*, Brody M. Reif

Gillespie – Maris E. Brill, Austin L. Grace*

Girard – Max Allen*, Katie Angulo*, Mick B. Downs*, Josh Hagerman, Reed Lewis, Michael S. Prose*

Mount Olive – Jakobb E. Brown*, Georgia G. Kampwerth

Palmyra – Alexis R. Bowman*

Advertisement

Staunton – Paige N. Horstmeyer*, Michael J. Matesa*, Lauren R. Mathis, Brandon Mo

Virden – Zorah E. Austin*, Michaeh N. Barnhouse*, Maddie Carver, Jackson R. Pierce*, Morgan C. Snell*, Grant M. Strickler, Courtney N. Ulinski*

PART-TIME STUDENTS

Benld – Christopher Young*

Carlinville – Alex C. Nance*, Jerry D. Nance Jr.*

Gillespie – Jessica L. Tiek*

Girard – Lindsey J. Ferguson*, Jackson R. Henke*, Natalie Moriconi*

Mount Olive – Kara A. Harmon*, Justin D. O’Neill*, Hayden Wylder*

Virden – Candace L. Carlile*, Lillian M. Carlile*, Natalie M. Little*, Josie P. Patterson, Luciano Pierce*

Advertisement

Share this story

Comments

comments

Continue Reading

Community News

2:18 Missions Team to host fundraiser cookout at Randy’s on June 21

Published

on

The 2:18 Missions Team, a dedicated local outreach group based in Gillespie, is excited to announce its upcoming cookout fundraiser to support its community initiatives. The event will take place on Saturday, June 21st, at Randy’s Market in Benld.

From approximately 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., community members are invited to enjoy delicious homemade food while supporting a worthy cause. The menu will feature pork chops, pork burgers, hot dogs, and refreshing water — perfect for a summer day of good food and fellowship.

“All proceeds from this event will go directly toward our mission efforts to serve and uplift our community,” said a spokesperson for 2:18 Missions Team. “We’re grateful for the support of our neighbors and look forward to seeing everyone there!”

Come out to Randy’s Market in Benld on June 21st to enjoy a tasty meal, support local endeavors, and connect with others in the community.

Share this story

Comments

comments

Continue Reading

Community News

Organizers announce protest in Carlinville on Saturday

Published

on

Protestors at a Macoupin County board meeting (archived photo/TheBenGilPost.com)

CARLINVILLE, IL – On June 14th, concerned citizens are invited to join a coalition of grassroots organizations to nonviolently protest in front of the Macoupin County Courthouse at 201 E. Main St. in Carlinville, IL, from 2:00pm – 4:00pm. This protest is one of over 1,400 protests taking place nationwide with millions of participants as part of the NO KINGS National Day of Action and mass mobilization in response to the increasing authoritarian excesses and corruption of the Trump administration.

Trump’s unconstitutional actions include suppressing free speech, detaining people for their political positions, deporting American citizens, defying the courts, and much more – all while enriching himself and his billionaire allies.

“Now Donald Trump is planning a military parade in Washington, D.C. on June 14th. This display of might is intended to intimidate opponents and solidify his image as a strongman, while paying for it with taxpayer dollars.”, said Kelley Hatlee, a volunteer organizer with the Macoupin County 50501and Indivisible movements. “Instead of allowing this military parade to be the center of attention, the NO KINGS nationwide protests make action everywhere else the story of America on June 14th: people coming together in communities across the country to reject strongman politics and corruption.”, said Hatlee.

“We’re showing up together as neighbors, friends, and fellow community members to say NO to authoritarianism and yes to a government that serves everyone,” said Chelsa Pruden, a volunteer organizer with Macoupin PRIDE and Macoupin County 50501 and Indivisible. “We’re tired of watching powerful people trample our rights and our voices. This protest is about reminding everyone, especially those in power, that real strength comes from the people.”

Participants are encouraged to make protest signs that convey their personal messages. Packaged, nonperishable food items will be accepted for donation to local food pantries to help low-income families who will be hit hardest by Trump’s policies.

The NO KINGS protest in Carlinville is organized by a volunteer coalition of the Macoupin PRIDE and the Macoupin County 50501 and Indivisible grassroots movements. The coalition has created a Facebook page titled “Macoupin County 50501 and Indivisible” for concerned citizens to follow.

Advertisement
Share this story

Comments

comments

Continue Reading

Trending

×

We need your support. If you value having timely, accurate news about your community, please become one of our subscribers. Subscribe