Community News
Benld Council purchases batteries to fix water tower issue
A day after the City of Benld issued a boil order due to low water pressure, members of the city council voted unanimously to purchase three batteries at a cost of about $1,000 to restore communication between the tower and the City Water Department. The action came during the council’s regular monthly meeting on Monday night at Benld City Hall.
An antenna and radio system atop the water tower normally monitors the water level in the tower and alerts city officials when water needs to be pumped to the tower to keep it filled. Last week that system apparently failed and the level of water in the tower reportedly was allowed to drop below 21 feet. The boil order imposed on Sunday was lifted Tuesday after testing of water samples collected on Monday were determined to be safe for drinking.
Maintenance Supervisor Jim Savant told the council that the batteries that failed were three years old and had purchased replacement batteries that were installed when the tower was built about 15 years ago.
“At the time we were told to buy cheaper batteries,” Savant said. “The better ones we’re going to get now are like the ones that were in there originally.”
“What was different about this circumstance and the last time (the water system lost pressure) when we didn’t have a boil order?” Ald. Peyton Bernot asked.
Mayor Jim Kelly said the city was informed that anytime the system loses pressure, it should impose a boil order, even though there is no break in the water lines which could allow bacteria to enter the system. Restoring pressure, he noted, could stir up sediment and impurities.
Answering a question from the council, City Attorney Rick Verticchio said the city has no legal obligation to inform the public about a boil order other than to have the boil order announced on the local radio station and other reasonable measures. “You don’t have to go door-to-door or anything like that,” he said.
TREES ON CENTRAL AVENUE
By a vote of 4-2, the council approved Bernot’s motion to purchase seven Japanese silk maple trees from Waldbart Nursery, Bunker Hill, to be planted on Central Avenue within the business district. With a price tag of $150 each, the cost of the trees will total $1,050. The saplings to be planted currently are eight to nine feet in height and have trunk diameters of about two inches. Their maximum growth is expected to be limited to about 20 feet so as to not interfere with overhead utility lines.
Ald. Jim Tilashalski advocated the purchase, saying the plantings will help beautify the downtown area.
“The tree meets a lot of the concerns people have had with height and width and what have you,” Tilashalski said. “It has a beautiful white flower in the spring.”
[pullquote]Tilashalski said he felt so strongly about the issue that he was willing to pay for the trees out of his pocket.[/pullquote]
Tilashalski said he felt so strongly about the issue that he was willing to pay for the trees out of his pocket. He has previously purchased other trees for Benld parks.
“I’m passionate about trees on Central Avenue,” Tilashalski said. “I, personally, would be willing to go ahead and buy the trees. Then, if in two years, people don’t like them, we can dig them up and put them somewhere else or remove them. I won’t put any strings on them.”
Previous tree plantings on Central Avenue have been unsuccessful. Several trees planted in openings in the sidewalk were removed by city workers when root growth threatened to damage sidewalks. Those trees, replaced by a Build Benld project, were damaged in a wind storm. Tilashalski said only one of the Build Benld trees survives at this time.
In addition to damaging sidewalks, Ald. Teresa Tucker said trees planted earlier never flowered “because they didn’t have enough dirt” in the tree pits that contained them.
“That’s why I’m saying, if you have concerns about this, I’m willing to pay for them,” Tilashalski said. “I feel that strongly about it.”
Tucker originally moved to accept Tilashalski’s offer, but her motion failed to secure a second. “If Jim wants to take a chance on them, I’m for it,” she said.
“I say we should pay for them,” Bernot said, moving to use city funds for the purchase. His motion was approved with Bernot, Tilashalski, Lance Cooper and Brian Frensko voting in favor. Tucker and Mickey Robinson voted “no.”
EXECUTIVE SESSION
No action followed an executive session requested by Ald. Frensko, seconded by Bernot. The nature of the closed-door discussion—whether it involved personnel, real estate or legal issues—was not disclosed.
ORDINANCE COMMITTEE
Ordinance Committee Chair Tilashalski said the committee is expected to meet at least one more time “so we’ll be in a position to make some recommendations” regarding revisions and updates to the city code. The revised ordinance book will be presented to the full council for further discussion and approval.
In the meantime, Tilashalski asked Verticchio about the legality of increasing the cost of a business license for storage unit rental businesses. The city currently licenses local businesses at a cost of $25 per year, but Tilashalski noted the city derives revenue from most retail businesses through sales tax and water usage.
“We don’t get anything from storage units other than property taxes,” Ald. Tucker commented.
Tilashalski asked Verticchio if business license pricing for storage units could be based on square footage.
[pullquote]It would be better to base the higher cost on what it costs the city rather than ‘we don’t get anything’[/pullquote]
“What you’re talking about is different categories of business licenses,” Verticchio said. “You can do that but you should give the businesses notice. It has to stay within reasonable bounds. If it costs $25 for me to run my insurance business but it costs $900 to have a storage business, you may have a problem.” He said the higher cost would be more appropriately based on expenses the city incurs on behalf of the business—such as installing culverts to provide customer access to the storage unit facility. “It would be better to base the higher cost on what it costs the city rather than ‘we don’t get anything’,” he said.
Ald. Bernot asked Verticchio to clarify the difference between “soliciting” and “peddling” since the current code requires separate licensing for each activity. Verticchio said “peddling” is a somewhat archaic term referring to people who sell a physical product door-to-door while “soliciting” more generally refers to people collecting donations for specific causes.
“I’d merge the two,” Verticchio said. If council members choose to do so, he said the city could exempt charitable organizations from the licensing requirement to solicit donations. In that event, the fee for profit-making ventures would be $300 to contact customers door-to-door within the city limits.
“A lot of the time, you aren’t going to get sales tax from those activities and that’s why you’re charging for a license to solicit,” he said.
CONCRETE SAW PURCHASE
On a motion by Ald. Bernot, the council voted to accept a bid from Sievers Equipment to supply a concrete saw attachment for the city’s backhoe at a cost of $1,689.97. Sievers submitted the lowest of three bids for the equipment. The new equipment will include saw blades for cutting concrete and for cutting asphalt.
Savant said the new equipment will assist with projects such as installing culverts by reducing the amount of excavation needed and reducing the amount fill needed for backfilling. Currently, maintenance workers use the backhoe to excavate culverts, resulting in a larger excavation.
EMPLOYEE INSURANCE
On a motion by Ald. Cooper, seconded by Ald. Frensko, the council voted adopt a Blue Cross-Blue Shield Preferred Plan 527 for employee health insurance. The plan is a step down from the Silver 501 plan currently available to employees. The Silver 501 plan will remain available to employees who opt to pay the difference in the cost for the superior insurance policy.
CIVIC CENTER DOORS
Ending a long-standing discussion, the council approved the purchase and installation of three new doors at the front and on the west side of the Civic Center at a cost of $11,820. The contractor for the project will be Darrel Osborne.
The issue had been under discussion for several months. Among the questions was whether or not the city needed to also replace an exit door on the east side of the building in order to meet safety regulations.
Ald. Frensko said he had talked with local Fire Chief Larry Norville, who told him a building with a capacity of more than 100 people should have at least three exits. No immediate decision was made on whether or not the east side exit will remain open and available as an emergency exit.
ITALIAN-AMERICAN CLUB RECOGNITION
The council unanimously approved a motion by Ald. Tilashalski to buy ad space to recognize contributions to the city made by the Italian-American Club.
“The Italian-American Club has contributed a lot to the City of Benld,” Tilashalski said. “I think it would be nice if the council would take an ad out in the paper thanking them.”
Tilashalski noted the club had paid for sidewalk replacement in parts of the city, built a pavilion in the park, planted flowers on Central Avenue, and purchased flags for Central Avenue, among other projects.
No monetary limit was set for the cost of the ad space.
OTHER ACTION
In other action, the council:
- Approved a motion to close the first block of South Main Street from 2 to 5 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 29, for a Trunk or Treat event sponsored by the Benld Public Library.
- Entered into a contract with Scheffel Boyle to again conduct the city’s annual audit.
- Approved the purchase of a vanity from R.P. Lumber at a cost of $170.98 to replace a sink behind the bar in the Civic Center.
- Adopted a prevailing wage resolution required by law which obligates the city to contract with vendors who pay their employees prevailing wages as established by the Department of Labor.
- Voted to pay $300 to enroll in the state’s Law Enforcement Support Office program which enables the Police Department to purchase surplus police equipment from the State of Illinois.
- Accepted a bid of $680 from Reid Tire and Auto, Gillespie, to make repairs to a Dodge pick-up truck used by the Maintenance Department.
- Adopted a resolution authorizing the Mayor to accept a bid from the city’s electric provider when bids are opened on Aug. 30.
- Approved the issuance of business licenses for Ideal Cremations and Chill-N-Grill.
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Ye Olde Christmas is the theme of the Macoupin County Historical Society’s annual Christmas Show, which will be held Friday through Sunday, December 5–7, at the John C. Anderson Home and Museum, 920 West Breckenridge in Carlinville.
“The Christmas Show is one of the most magical times to visit the Anderson Home,” said MCHS Board Member and House Manager Brandy England. “Some families make it an annual Christmas tradition to visit the Anderson Home when it is decorated for Christmas. It’s a great opportunity to get into the Christmas spirit and pick up some ideas for decorating your own home for the holidays.”
MCHS member Kendra Mize, of Bunker Hill, who has coordinated the decorating effort for more than two decades, has again marshalled a small army of volunteers to decorate all 13 rooms of the home. Each room features a themed Christmas tree, along with mantle pieces, centerpieces, tabletop decor, garlands and florals, and other special touches.
The home will be open for self-guided tours from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, December 5; from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday, December 6; and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, December 7.
“We’re very excited to offer for the first time candlelight tours from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday,” said Shawna Ashby, who serves as a co-manager with England. “Viewing the decorated home by candlelight promises to be a magical experience.”
The final candlelight tours on Friday and Saturday start at 7:30 p.m. Admission to the home is five dollars for adults and one dollar for children ages five to 12, with four-year-olds and younger admitted free of charge.
The Anderson Home Gift Shop will be open during tour hours, offering one-of-a-kind gift items and stocking stuffers. Santa Claus will be on hand in the downstairs parlor to greet children and listen to their Christmas wishes from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, December 6.
While the decorated home is the centerpiece of the Christmas Show, several other features on the Historical Society’s grounds will be open. The Red Barn will be open and serving hearty beef stew, chili, homemade pies, and warming holiday beverages such as wassail and hot chocolate on Friday and Saturday.
The General Store and Print Shop will be decorated and open to the public, with the Print Shop offering its popular handmade Christmas cards and other items produced in the shop; kids can print their own blank “Santa List” to keep track of their Christmas wishes.
“The General Store offers unique gift items, including some small antiques, for shoppers to peruse,” England noted.
Local blacksmiths will demonstrate their craft in the MCHS Blacksmith Shop located on the north side of the Historical Society Grounds, with wrought iron gift items, including stocking hooks and decorative pieces, available for purchase.
The Macoupin County Historical Society’s Christmas Show runs concurrently with the Carlinville Christmas Market and Downtown Christmas events, and a free trolley and shuttle buses include the Anderson Home as a regular stop during the festivals, enabling visitors to ride from the square or the Macoupin County Fairgrounds to the Historical Society grounds.
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Members of the Community Unit School District 7 Board of Education on Monday night voted to approve a property tax levy request totaling $3,920,295 for 2025 property taxes payable in 2026. Because of tax caps and other factors, however, the district expects to collect only an estimated $3,786,607 of the requested amount.
In addition to acting on the tax levy, the board also held a lengthy discussion regarding annual district “report cards” issued by the Illinois State Board of Education to assess school performance from last year, approved a high school band/choir performance trip to Chicago in March, and agreed to apply for a school maintenance grant of up to $50,000 in matching funds.
The new proposed levy exceeds last year’s tax extension of $3,599,569 by more than $320,726—an increase of about nine percent if the levy were to be approved at the county level. The more realistic anticipation of $3,786,607 exceeds last year’s extension by $187,038, or an increase of about three percent. A Property Tax Extension Limitation Law (PTELL), approved by Macoupin County voters in 1995, restricts increases in the levy to five percent or the federal Consumer Price Index (CPI), whichever is less. This year’s CPI is estimated at 2.9 percent.
The approved levy seeks $1,650,000 for the Education Fund while expecting to realize $1,653,831; $450,229 for Operations & Maintenance, while anticipating $438,041; $200,000 for Transportation while expecting $180,434; $35,000 for Working Cash while expecting $42,602; $174,700 for the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund while anticipating $117,788; $154,101 for Social Security while expecting $105, 248; $247,264 for Tort while anticipating $240,570; and $33,501 for Special Education while expecting $32,593. For Bond and Interest, which is not subject to PTELL, the district is levying $975,500 while anticipating the same amount.
Local property tax revenue accounts for about 20 percent of the district’s overall annual budget.
Because the levy request exceeds 105 percent of the previous year’s extension, a public hearing is required. That hearing is scheduled at the start of the board’s regular December meeting at 6 p.m., Monday, Dec. 15. In the meantime, the proposed levy is available for public inspection on the district’s website and in the district office.
Using a PowerPoint presentation, Owsley emphasized the levy request is essentially a wish list for what the district would like to raise through property taxes.
“The levy is the ‘Christmas list’ I talk about every year,” Owsley said. “If you don’t put it on the list, you’re not going to get it.”
Projecting what the district can legally seek under tax caps can be challenging because the district’s total equalized assessed valuation will not be confirmed until after Jan. 1 while state law requires the district to file its levy request before the end of December. For that reason, local school districts routinely file requests that exceed what they actually expect to receive in property tax revenue, and rely on the County Clerk to adjust the request to the maximum amount the district can receive.
“Because of tax caps, we have one shot to capture increases in the EAV and new construction,” Owsley said. “If we don’t do that, we lose it in perpetuity.”
To calculate the new levy, Owsley projected a 15.12 percent increase in the EAV—nearly double the previous year’s rate of increase. By overestimating the EAV growth, the district expects to capture the entire increase in assessed valuation when that number is finally determined.
“Even though we know the EAV will likely be around the historical average, we base our levy on a much higher amount so as not to lose revenue from new growth,” Owsley told the board. “We can do this without running the risk of overtaxing taxpayers because the district will receive no more than what we are entitled to by law.”
Owsley said relatively stable increases in EAV have resulted in a steadily declining tax rate. Since 2014 when the rate was $4.24 per $100 in EAV, the rate has fallen to $3.20 for 2024. In other words, the county can use a lower rate to generate the extension to which the district is entitled because the value of taxable property has increased.
“As long as the EAV goes up by more than the Consumer Price Index, our tax rates are going to go down,” Owsley noted.
SCHOOL DISTRICT REPORT CARDS
The board spent several minutes discussing recently released school report cards issued by the Illinois State Board of Education. Interested persons can view local report cards by visiting https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/.
All three attendance centers received a “Commendable” designation, meaning there are no student groups that are underperforming academically, and the high school graduation rate exceeds 67 percent. Last year, BenGil Elementary School achieved an “Exemplary” designation—the top designation a school can achieve.
Elementary Principal Angela Sandretto said administrators knew the school would not earn an Exemplary rating, even though students are state average in English/language arts, math and science. The Report Card designations are based on growth rather than academic performance. With students already exceeding state standards last year, the opportunity for growth was limited.
Assistant Principal Tara Cooper agreed, noting BenGil Elementary’s student performance is in the upper half of schools statewide that are meeting academic standards. “So, while we are not ‘Exemplary,’ we’re very happy with where we are.”
Supt. Owsley told the board the State Board of Education is working on revamping the assessment system because of the growth vs. performance issue. “That’s why they’re redoing all of this because they are penalizing schools for meeting goals,” he said.
For Gillespie Middle School, the report card shows students meeting or exceeding state averages in math and science but significantly lagging in English/language arts.
“ELA is our most concerning area,” Principal Patrick McGinthy told the board, “along with absenteeism.” The report card shows a chronic absenteeism rate of 25 percent, but Owsley and other administrators said the rate is exacerbated by the State Board of Education including nearly all absences whether or not they are excused.
Rosentreter noted the State Board will allow a student to be absent five days for illness without a doctor’s excuse. On the sixth day, however, the absence is unexcused unless the parent or guardian provides a doctor’s slip. Many parents, however, are reluctant to pay for a doctor’s visit for a child that is suffering from a minor illness.
McGinthy said Middle School teachers are attempting to address the deficiency in English/language arts by increasing writing exercises and requiring students to write in conjunction with other curriculum areas.
Rosentreter noted that the assessment standards for high schools differ from the standards for elementary and middle schools in that the State Board emphasizes graduation rates. For Gillespie, the graduation rate is an impressive 86 percent, though chronic absenteeism checks in at 31 percent.
“Math is definitely our shining star,” Rosentreter said, noting the school scored 17.8 points compared with the state average of 18. The school performed less well in the areas of English/language arts and science, scoring 16 points on ELA compared with the state score of 18 and 17.2 points compared with the state average of 19.
The report cards are based on results for the Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR) test for elementary and middle school students, and ACT scores for high school students.
Administrators said it’s difficult to motivate students to do well on state-mandated tests since the tests do not affect the student’s grade point average. To incentivize testing, Rosentreter said the high school is offering to let students skip final exams if they hit state standards on the mandated tests.
Owsley noted that the district report card documents the continuing decline in school enrollment—dropping from 1,325 seven years ago to 1,082 for the 2024-25 academic year.
“We don’t see that turning around anytime soon,” Owsley said. “It’s not just a Gillespie thing; it’s a trend for schools throughout Macoupin County.
BAND/CHOIR TRIP TO CHICAGO
Following a presentation by band/choir instructor Brad Taulbee, the board approved a high school band and choir performance tour to Chicago set for March 19-21. Taulbee said the tour company retained for the trip places emphasis on security and safety for traveling students. The company supplements hotel security with its own security personnel to monitor student rooms during the trip.
The tour includes workshop sessions at Vandercook College in downtown Chicago, and performances by the choir at the John Hancock Center and by the band at one of the city’s museums.
Taulbee said he is attempting to keep the cost affordable for participating students. Depending upon the number of students who ultimately go on the trip, he said he expects the cost to be about $739 per person. Additionally, he is lining up sponsors who can help with expenses for students who could not otherwise afford to participate.
“Security is my main concern,” said Board President Mark Hayes. “We just came back from there and seven people were shot in the area we were in.”
Taulbee said he expects to recruit seven to 10 chaperones and will ensure that the ratio of students to chaperones does not exceed 1:10.
SCHOOL MAINTENANCE GRANT
The board concurred with Supt. Owsley’s recommendation to again apply for a state School Maintenance grant of up to $50,000. The grant is a “matching” grant requiring the district to match grant funds dollar for dollar. The district has successfully applied for the grant for the past several years.
If the application is successful, Owsley said the funds will likely be used to remove asbestos-containing floor tiles in the choir room and elsewhere in the Middle School.
PERSONNEL
Following an executive session of about 40 minutes to discuss personnel and other issues, the board voted unanimously to accept the resignation of Tim Wargo as an assistant high school baseball coach and post the position as vacant, and voted to appoint Wargo as the head high school baseball coach for the coming season.
In separate actions, the board approved maternity leaves for Alexis Lupkey, district paraprofessional, and Gear-Up Coordinator Jordan Bartok. Lupkey’s leave is tentatively scheduled from Dec. 8 through March 18. Bartok’s leave is expected from Dec. 12 through Jan.6.
Board members voted unanimously to hire Christopher Whaley as a substitute bus driver, pending a routine background check and documentation of certification.
The board also voted unanimously to terminate Makayla Huff as a three-hour cook and post the position as vacant.
On a motion by Bill Carter, seconded by Weye Schmidt, the board voted unanimously to rehire fall coaches as follows: Jordan Bartok as head high school girls volleyball coach with Shelsie Price, as an assistant coach; Cory Bonstead as head football coach with Nate Henrichs, Jarrod Herron, Korben Clark, Alex Jasper, J.O. Kelly, Billy Gill and Florian Seferi as assistant and volunteer assistant coaches; Jay Weber as head coach for the parent-funded high school cross-country program with Jack Burns as a volunteer assistant coach; Jake Kellebrew as head coach for the parent-funded high school golf program, with Michael Otten as a volunteer assistant coach; Tim Wargo as head middle school baseball coach with Trae Wargo as assistant coach; Michelle Smith as head middle school softball coach with Jim Matesa, Joe Kelly and Melissa Heigert as assistant coaches; and Liz Thackery as head coach for the parent-funded middle school cross-country program with Laura Peterson as a volunteer assistant coach.
DISTRICT FOCUS
During a District Focus segment, Supt. Owsley introduced newly hired School Resource Officer Jacob Linhart, and High School Principal provided a report with photos of a recent school-wide Veterans Day observance.
Linhart, who has served five years as a police officer on the Gillespie Police Department, replaces Wade Hendricks, who recently retired after serving three years as the CUSD 7 School Resource Officer.
Linhart said it is a “great privilege” to serve as a Resource Officer, protecting students and staff. “I’m honored that you guys are allowing me to do it,” he said.
High School Principal Rosentreter said the school served breakfast to about 200 veterans and their families Tuesday morning, Nov. 11. Later, the veterans were joined by nearly 700 high school and middle school students for a recognition ceremony in the high school gymnasium.
Since the event coincided with the 25th anniversary of CUSD 7’s Wall of Honor program, the annual event did double duty as an induction ceremony for five are individuals, all of whom happened to be U.S. Military veterans.
The inductees included the late Sergeant Major John Marion Malnar, Command Sergeant Major John “Jack” Burns, Colonel Mark Daley, Lieutenant Colonel William P. Falke and Captain Robert Leone. Rosentreter said Daley and Leone traveled with their families from Colorado and Texas, respectively, to attend the ceremonies.
Burns, a retired CUSD 7 teacher, later visited BenGil Elementary School to present a program and teach students how to properly fold an American flag.
Rosentreter recognized the City of Gillespie for a donation of $1,000 to help purchase food for the veterans.
Born in Benld and a resident of Sawyerville, “Big John” Malnar earned a Silver Star during the Korean Conflict and a Gold Star, awarded posthumously after he was killed in action in 1968 in Vietnam. A Marine training center at Camp Geiger in North Carolina is named in his honor.
Though not a Wall of Honor inductee, Jacob Miller, a 100-year-old World War II veteran and recipient of two Purple Hearts, was recognized with a standing ovation.
The annual Veterans Day breakfast and ceremony provides students with an opportunity to meet and recognize local veterans as potential role models for their own futures.
Owsley said the event is a major event on the district’s calendar which grew out of a simple flagpole ceremony initiated 25 years ago.
CEJA GRANT FUNDS
Board members briefly discussed plans for about $74,000 in anticipated Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA) grant funds. The federal program is intended to compensate communities that have experienced revenue loss as a result of coal mine closures.
Owsley said the district committed about $86,000 in last year’s CEJA grant funds to the City of Gillespie to help pay for improvements to Plum Street, which is heavily used by district school buses. He has not transferred those funds, however, pending the start of the project.
Owsley said he was seeking the board’s input on how the money should be used.
“We could continue to partner with the city on Plum Street,” he said. “But there are plenty of project areas within the school.” The money could be used, for example, for continuing asbestos abatement. He identified other upcoming needs, including a new roof for the high school/middle school and an HVAC project.
President Hayes pointed out the school district paid for improvements to Kelly Street when BenGil Elementary was built and subsidized a project to reconfigure drainage on Broadway Street, in addition to the dollars committed for Plum Street.
“The school district is not in the business of building roads,” he said. “I think we’ve been more than generous with the city.”
Board member Peyton Bernot agreed the money should be committed for use by the school district.
TRIPLE I CONFERENCE
Several board members who attended a conference for board members and administrators Friday-Saturday, Nov. 21-23, in Chicago, commented briefly about their take-aways from conference sessions. Popularly known as the Triple I Conference, the convention is sponsored by the Illinois Association of School Boards, Illinois Association of School Administrators and the Illinois Association of School Business Officials.
Owsley said more than 700 Illinois school districts were represented, making the Triple I the largest gathering of education professionals in North America.
Bernot briefly reported on a session he attended regarding upcoming legislation and financial outlooks for school districts. He described the session as “much less optimistic” than sessions he’s attended in the past.
Owsley was among the convention presenters, discussing social-emotional learning. He commented that several districts attending reported efforts to involve students in school administrators. Some districts, he said, appointed a non-voting student representative to the school board to take part in discussions directly affecting students.
“When you think about it, we hear from faculty members and we hear from parents,” Hayes commented. “The people we don’t hear from are the most important part of what we do.”
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The Holiday Sparkle Committee of Gillespie is preparing for the 4th Annual Holiday Sparkle Lighted Parade and Community Tree Lighting, set for Sunday, November 30, at 6:00 p.m. in downtown Gillespie. This beloved community tradition invites residents and visitors to kick off the holiday season with lights, music, and festive cheer.
Food trucks will line the parade route starting at 4:00 p.m., offering a variety of tasty options for families to enjoy before and during the celebration. The event will culminate in the illuminated parade and the ceremonial lighting of the community tree, signaling the official start of the season’s celebrations.
A highlight of this year’s festivities will be a special performance by Gillespie area students in grades 3 through 5. The group will join together to sing Christmas carols, lending their voices to the town’s joyous welcome to the holidays.
Parade participants are invited to bring extra sparkle to the evening—whether by entering a parade float, walking in the parade, or simply attending to enjoy the atmosphere. Participation helps make the event truly magical for the entire community. The only requirement for the parade is all entries have to incorporate holiday lighting.
To join the parade lineup, interested participants can sign up at https://forms.gle/L7Q4tEkgjj8Lt5E47. The Holiday Sparkle Committee expresses gratitude for the ongoing support of residents, businesses, and volunteers who help bring this festive occasion to life each year.
The second part of the holiday festivities will take place on Saturday, December 13 when the Sparkle will sponsor the vendor fair and food trucks in downtown Gillespie including a visit from Santa. Vendors will be located in the Gillespie Civic Center, Zion Lutheran Church, and Emma G’s Upscale Boutique while local businesses and eateries will also be open. An egg nog jog benefitting Gillespie Cross Country will also be held on December 13 and interested participants can join here.
The Holiday Sparkle Committee invites everyone to mark their calendars and join in the celebration. For more information, please contact the committee by email at gillespieholidaysparkle@gmail.com or visit Gillespie Holiday Sparkle on Facebook.
