Community News
Ainad Shriners Celebrate 100 Years in 2012
Invite you to attend 100th Anniversary Hospital Celebration
Ainad Shriners Band waiting to board train EStL Relay.
Ainad Shriners are celebrating their 100th anniversary throughout Southern Illinois during 2012. The anniversary year is full of events in which the public is encouraged to participate. We will be starting our celebration with a parade in Effingham and membership drive. On June 1st, we will be hosting our 100th Anniversary parade in Belleville, Illinois. This “kicks off” our circuses over nine days and six cities throughout Southern Illinois. We will be in Belleville, Waterloo, Jerseyville, Olney, Salem and DuQuoin. Then, throughout the summer come see us at your local festival or homecoming. Listen to our drum corps, hum a tune to our band, watch our motor cycle units, laugh at a clown and take a picture with a furry animal.
Ainad Drum Bugle Corps on Firetruck Cairo Parade.
Ainad Shriners was created with 105 members beginning on May 8, 1912. However, an initial committee of 35 businessmen discussed the possibility of joining a new organization within the Masonic Fraternity in order to promote fun and fellowship. This meeting was held on Friday evening, Apr. 19, 1912. Through affiliations from surrounding Shrine Temples in Illinois and Missouri and with applications by new individuals, an additional 154 members were admitted into the new fraternal organization. By December 1913, membership had increased to 259 and was granted a charter into Shriners International on May 13, 1913. Ainad Shriners became temple number 130 throughout the United States and the fourth of five temples in the State of Illinois.
The new fraternal organization was named “Ainad,” after the Arabic word for “obstinacy.” The name was given to the organization by the Imperial organization during the national convention in Los Angeles on May 7, 1912.
Thomas L. Fekete was the first Ainad potentate (leader), serving as the temporary leader until the charter was issued on May 13, 1913. Mr. Fekete then served as the Illustrious Potentate for the charter year of 1913.
The Shriners met regularly at the Scottish Rite Temple at 14th & College in East St. Louis, IL. Occasionally the group met at the Missouri Athletic Association (Club) in St. Louis as well as offices of members who had businesses in East St. Louis from 1912 until 1923. The existing temple, or Shrine Center, started construction in June 1922 and ended by September 1923 and still stands at 609 St. Louis Ave. in East St. Louis, Ill. The building was dedicated on November 24, 1922 and remains the largest auditorium in the city.
Ainad temple under construction in 1922.
Designed in the Moorish style of architecture, the building was erected in response to a growing need for a public venue for conventions, sporting and social gatherings in the community. Notable St. Louis Architects William B. Ittner and A. B. Frankel with Associated Architects designed the building. Jesse I. Gedney owner of Gedney Contracting was selected at the construction superintendent. On a side note, A.B. Frankel and Jesse I. Gedney were intimately familiar with the organization as they were Shriners. Throughout the building’s 90-year history, the Ainad Shriners’ organization sponsored or contracted with groups such as the Business and Professional Women’s Club, Daughters of the American Revolution, Illinois State Federation of Labor and numerous others to hold boxing matches, circuses, dances and proms for the East St. Louis High School, pageants, ice cream socials, Shrine band and drum corps concerts, wrestling matches, public forums for politicians, mayoral balls, country western concerts for Lee Greenwood and Mel Tillis, and trade show exhibitions.
The first non-Masonic function held at the new building was a dinner and dance sponsored by the members from 124th Field Artillery Post American Legion, November 10,1923 in the newly erected building. The first sporting event was a basketball game between East St. Louis and Greenville High Schools on January 23,1924. During the month of December, the Elks club held their annual fashion and bazaar from the 10th through the15th.
The Shriners had numerous committees to provide additional support for the activities of the growing membership. These were by-laws, charitable, entertainment, hotel, membership, transportation and special functions of the membership. Any individual from the floor could present an idea and then according to Roberts Rule of Order follow through. The Potentate appointed any special committees to investigate an idea or solution to an issue regarding the membership. Having a committee was the preferred method of handling an issue, which still exists today.
Want to see the hospital and join the Ainad Shriners celebrate 100 years? Click on the invitation and make your reservation! You will be amazed by the hospital and service. Ainad Shriners 100 Year Invitation
Public entertainment was no stranger to the new fraternal organization. In 1916, the organization opened to the public for the purpose of hosting minstrels as a fundraiser. These were often popular for an evening out for membership and those who wanted to be entertained. Ainad Shriners’ first circus (a tradition that continues today in several Southern Illinois communities) started on January 21, 1922. The John W. Moore Co. from Chicago provided the circus entertainment. The Union Trust Building in East St. Louis was the site for the circus. It ran for seven nights in the auditorium.
Ainad Band Drum Bugle in the Imperial New Orleans King & Queen Neptune Parade.
Traveling to events for the shrine was not a small undertaking. Railroads were the means and mode for transporting individuals as well as large groups. Throughout the history of Ainad Shriners there was a committee who handled the travel arrangements for the temple. Each year the incoming potentate would appoint a new committee chairman for the purpose of handling the annual pilgrimage (national convention). The chairman would work with the Illinois Central, Chicago & Alton, Michigan Central, St. Louis, Cleveland, Cincinnati & Chicago Railroad companies as well as countless others. The membership would travel in class by riding in Pullman cars. Members who lived in East St. Louis would take the train from the East St. Louis Relay Depot while others would travel from their communities to East St. Louis. Travel on trains was more economical and by the 1960s air transportation as well as the new interstate highway system was changing the way individuals and groups traveled.
On March 18, 1924, Major Frank L. Reardon addressed Ainad Shriners on behalf of the War Department requesting the permission to use Ainad Temple as a mobilization point in case of war, for infantry and artillery regiments. During World War II the building was used as a mustering, or gathering of units, prior to departure for the European or Asian theaters for battle. Units would drill in the auditorium as well as the basement. Additionally, the U.S. Army had a communications unit there during the Korean and Vietnam Wars. The building was also the regional headquarters for Civil Defense, used until the mid-1970’s.
Ainad Shriners supported local charities from 1912 to 1922 throughout Southern Illinois. Often the Shriners provided support to local and national organizations such as the Boy Scouts of America, Elks, Knights of Columbus, St. Clair County Humane Society, St. Clair County Tuberculosis Society, United Jewish Relief Fund and countless others. Whenever there was a natural disaster in the area the call for action was placed to the members. Those who did not ask were approached and monetary or living expenses were provided. Then, beginning in 1923, the fraternal organization supported the newly created Shriners Hospital in Shreveport, La., which was created in response to the rapid spread of polio and other pediatric and orthopedic medical issues. The first Shriners hospital was established by September 16, 1922. However, this charitable giving has not stopped but continues today.
On June 1, 1924, the Ainad Shriners band, drum corps and patrol units participated in a parade for sole purpose of dedicating the opening of Shriners Hospital for Crippled Children, formerly located off of Kingshighway in St. Louis. The units provided entertainment following the dedication ceremonies. Today, 22 Shriners Hospitals for Children are located throughout North America. The hospital system has evolved over 90 years to provide medical care for burn victims, spinal cord injuries, cleft lip and pallet in addition to pediatric and orthopedic medical issues.
1952 Shriners with gifts.
Today, Ainad Shriners is the ninth largest temple of 195 Shrine centers throughout the world. With a membership of approximately 4,600, Ainad is the largest of the five Shrine centers in Illinois. During the late 1970’s, its membership grew too as many as 10,000 throughout Southern Illinois.
Over the past 100 years, Shriners have been active throughout Southern Illinois in parades, festivals, paper crusades and membership ceremonials. Ainad Shriners are all Free Masons who reside in virtually every community of Southern Illinois. Many of these men were founding fathers of numerous municipalities leaving their legacy and passing from one generation to the next. These men exemplified the application of Masonic teachings of truth, brotherly love, helping others and affirming that all mankind is created equal. Shriners are generally active in most every type of business, profession, and field of endeavor. Shriners are often leaders in their respective fields and in the various churches, civic organizations, and service clubs of their community. If you would like to know more information regarding membership in Shriners, go to our website beashrinernow.com.
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Carlinville – The Macoupin County Agriculture Education (MCAE) Foundation is offering 6 – $1,000 scholarships for the upcoming 2025-26 school year to students wishing to pursue agriculture majors.
The MCAE Foundation offers scholarships to provide encouragement and financial assistance to Macoupin County residents and/or students of Macoupin County schools who display well-balanced attributes of good citizenship, commitment to activities and scholastic ability.
The applicant must be a graduating high school senior or a current college student who plans to attend or is attending an Illinois junior college, college, university or Career Technical Education (CTE) program, and majoring in agriculture.
Applications are available through your high school guidance counselor, high school agriculture instructor or the Macoupin County Farm Bureau® (MCFB®). An electronic copy of the application can be requested by contacting the MCFB® office by telephone or by email at: mcfb@gomadison.com
All applications must be submitted to the MCFB® office by March 27, 2025. Any questions can be directed to the MCFB® office at 217/854-2571.
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FELONIES
Domincqua N. Contreras, 31 of Bunker Hill, is charged with aggravated battery in a public place in connection with a January 8 incident.
Dillion D. Grether, 25 of South Roxana, is charged with possession of methamphetamines’ (<5 grams) in connection with an October 15 incident.
MISDEMEANORS
Cory J. Dodson, 36 of Carlinville, is charged with theft/unauthorized control (<$500) in connection with a December 6 incident.
Megan J. Morgan, 33 of Carlinville, is charged with theft/unauthorized control (<$500) in connection with a December 6 incident.
Robert D. Sanson, 34 of Belleville, is charged with criminal trespass to a building in connection with a December 2 incident.
Christopher R. Lott, 47 of Carlinville, is charged with theft of labor/services/property and criminal trespass to land in connection with a January 7 incident.
Amiel K. Kimsey, 20 of Homewood, is charged with minor in possession of liquor in public and driving 15-20 mph above the limit in connection with a January 1 incident.
TRAFFIC
Dawn M. Malone, 57 of Collinsville, is charged with driving on a suspended license, operating an uninsured motor vehicle, disregarding a stop sign, no turn signal lights, unsafe loading, operating a motor vehicle vehicle with suspended registration, and unregistered/expired registration in connection with a January 4 incident.
Cheri L. Bagwell, 47 of Carlinville, is charged with driving on a suspended license, operating an uninsured motor vehicle, and transporting/carrying alcohol in connection with a January 1 incident.
Siera A. Lewis, 28 of Alton, is charged with driving on a suspended license, operating a motor vehicle with a suspended registration, and operating an uninsured motor vehicle in connection with a January 1 incident.
Stephen C. Springman, 37 of Shipman, is charged with driving on a revoked license in connection with a December 17 incident.
Shundrana M. Roy, 29 of Milwaukee, WI, is charged with driving on a suspended license and driving 21-25 mph above the limit in connection with a January 1 incident.
MARRIAGE LICENSES
- Trent Eichen and Summer Melton, both of Carlinville
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Gillespie voters will have an opportunity to vote on whether or not the City of Gillespie can impose a one percent retail sales tax for Public Safety purposes as a result of action taken by the city council Monday night. Council members voted unanimously to approve a resolution prepared by City Attorney Rick Verticchio to put the question on the April 1 consolidated election ballot. The question will be presented in conjunction with the election to choose the mayor, city clerk, city treasurer and three aldermen.
The council discussed the issue of seeking a Public Safety sales tax during the council’s regular meeting on Dec. 9 and during a continued meeting on Dec. 23, at which time there was speculation the city could implement the tax via resolution only without seeking voter approval. The resolution presented Monday night confirms that voters can weigh in at the ballot box on whether or not to impose the tax.
“This is just a resolution so we can have that question on the ballot,” Verticchio told the council.
During the December meetings, Treasurer Dan Fisher said the city agreed to seek the tax during collective bargaining negotiations with the police officers union. The expected $200,000 will help cover additional costs associated with local police joining the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund system for retirement benefits, as well as the cost of adding additional police officers to cover police protection services in satellite communities. Benld Ald. Jerry Saracco told the Benld Council last month that satellite communities also were being asked to consider seeking a Public Safety sales tax to help defray police protection costs, but there appeared to be no interest on the part of the Benld Council to follow Gillespie’s lead.
In addition to the tax question and city officials, the consolidated ballot also will include elections for three Community Unit School District 7 Board of Education members, as well as township officials.
POLICE STATION PROGRESS
On a motion by Ald. Dave Link, seconded by Ald. Dona Rauzi, the council unanimously voted to release $59,199.26 to contractor John Watson, Gillespie, to pay subcontractors for remodeling work at the new Gillespie Police Station at 124 N. Macoupin St., the former location of Gillespie Chiropractic directly across the street from City Hall.
Rauzi reported the city had paid Watson $9,000 to start the remodeling project. The additional money will be used to pay various vendors such as Glass Cutters, Carlinville, and Carpani Computers for installing computer networking and internet systems.
The council also approved a $1,998.85 change order request for the project to cover the cost of reopening exterior stairs that the previous owner had enclosed. The additional money will cover the cost of siding, framing, lighting and replacing stairs that were removed when the entry was enclosed.
In a related matter, the council formally declared as surplus property a desk that the previous owner left behind and to transfer the desk to Watson. Rauzi said the desk had little value and that no other city office had a use for it. She said the options for disposing of it were to either give it to Watson or store it at the Civic Center.
With the same action, the council declared as surplus unused roof trusses which will be offered for sale via sealed bids.
GRANT MANAGER BILL
On Fisher’s recommendation, the council agreed to pay Fuel Growth Group’s bill of $137,550 for billing and consulting services associated with grant management services related to $3 million in federal grants and $1 million in state grants awarded to the city for its downtown streetscape project. Fisher said the agency’s bill is based on an hourly rate totaling 7.5 percent of the $4 million in grant awards.
Verticchio said he plans to contact the vendor regarding its new contract due to concerns he has about some of the contract’s wording. He said the contract calls for an hourly rate up to $257,000 after the first installment of 50 percent is paid.
“I don’t have any great problem with the contract,” Verticchio said, adding that he wants to revise the contract so the city does not owe the balance if the billable hours do not reach $257,000. “In all probability, we will get to that amount, but I want to make sure that if we don’t reach $257,000, we won’t owe them the full amount.”
EXECUTIVE SESSION
No action followed a brief executive session requested by Ald. Frank Barrett, Lake Chairman, to discuss personnel. While the nature of the discussion was not specified, it is likely the closed-door session focussed on replacing Gary Thornhill, long-time Lake Manager who recently resigned to take another job.
In a related matter, Barrett told the council he is getting pricing from Carpani Computers for a new point-of-sale computer and printer for the Lake Store.
“When Gary left, we were using his computer and printer at the store,” Barrett said, explaining the need for new equipment.
COMMUNICATIONS TOWER
Council members briefly discussed the status of a new communications tower, construction of which is likely to start this year. The council previously entered into a franchise agreement to lease property for the tower, which will provide services for AT&T cell phone transmissions and other providers. Ald. Wendy Ottersburg said the company revised its plan to add 20 feet to the tower’s height to expand its range.
Water Plant Operator Dave Pickett said he is eager for the tower to be completed as it will allow the Water Department to implement a computer program enabling the Department to control water flow from the pumping station to the Water Plant without having to physically travel to the pumping station.
“It will be a huge savings for us,” Pickett said.
AUDIT ACCEPTANCE
Upon Fisher’s recommendation, the council voted unanimously to accept the city’s official audit. In a departure from past practice, no representative of the auditing firm appeared before the council to present the audit findings. Fisher said the audit showed the city to “be in the black” but did not mention whether or not the auditor made any other findings.
COUNCIL RADIOS
Mayor John Hicks reported that two-way radios previously issued to city council members are unaccounted for and asked aldermen who might still have a radio to return them to City Hall. He said the radios were issued to aid with communications in the event of an emergency.
“Somewhere along the line, some of them disappeared,” he said.
SNOW REMOVAL
Ald. Bob Fritz, answering criticisms voiced on social media, clarified that the city does not have responsibility for removing snow on sidewalks. He said people were upset because city workers did not remove snow on sidewalks in the area of CUSD 7 schools.
“Those are not our responsibility,” Ald. Rauzi noted.
Ald. Landon Pettit said that when he worked for the city, city workers were advised by the city’s insurance provider to leave sidewalks alone.
“The insurance company told us not to do that,” he said. “Once we clean them off, any liability for them is on us.”
CEJA MEETING
Fisher told the council he plans to meet with CEJA grant partners at 6 p.m. Thursday at City Hall to discuss CEJA expenditures and closing out the grant. The federal Climate and Equitable Jobs Act grant of $1.1 million was awarded last summer. The City of Gillespie retained $70,248.57 with the remainder allotted to various local units of government, including: Village of East Gillespie, $51,654.72; City of Benld, $58,721.50; Village of Eagarville, $50,684.28; City of Staunton, $80,929.61; Gillespie Public Library, $70,248.57; Benld Public Library, $58,721.50; Gillespie Township, $73,458.48; Cahokia Township, $69,004.42; Community Unit School District 7, $98,167.33; North Mac CUSD 34, $98,584.12; Gillespie-Benld Ambulance Service, $133,202.60; Village of Royal Lakes, $51,038.87; City of Bunker Hill, $60,102.51; Village of Mount Clare, $51,878.67; and Brushy Mound Township, $53,919.08.
The Climate and Equitable Jobs Act is a federal program to mitigate against economic conditions that result as the nation moves away from fossil fuels to embrace renewable, “green” energy sources. The local grant award is related to job losses resulting from the idling of Shay Mine No. 1, formerly Monterey Mine No., 1. Each entity was awarded $50,000 plus additional funds based on “job loss” and “revenue loss” factors.
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