Ellie Halpin & Larissa Borror display their winning artworks along with Build Benld helpers that display other winners that were not present.
Despite the cold weather, the World Series game, and the girls volleyball game in North Mac, over 70 people attended the Second Annual Build Benld Art Contest and Auction.
Area youth have been working for numerous weeks on original pieces that were featured in this year’s “FALL FLAIR” theme for the contest that was held on Thursday, October 20th at the Benld Civic Center from 6:30pm to 8:30pm.
“This is many more people than we had last year,” Lynn Shehorn, public relations director of Build Benld said, “It is even more than we were expecting tonight.”
Build Benld was created in the midyear of 2010 that strives to improve the welfare and quality of life for all residents in Benld and prides to make the community a better place to live. You can find Build Benld’s current project across the street from the Benld Public Library where a gazebo and garden is being built for the community. Numerous other projects around town are accompanied with a “This is a Benld Build Project” sign.
The art contest is not something Build Benld usually “profits” off of, according to Shehorn, it is strictly held for the high school art students. Although, Build Benld does make money off of the paintings that are auctioned off.
The most a painting brought in Thursday evening was $30, and that is exceptionally well compared to the rest of paintings that were sold in the $15 range. Many say perhaps the paintings would not have sold for as much as they did without auctioneer Jan Dona. Dona referred to herself as a “noetic auctioneer,” but none-the-less, volunteered her time to make the second annual art contest a successful one.
Jan Dona donated her time as auctioneer for the event.
Money that was made during the contest through the paintings does not have a purpose, according to Lynn Fraelle, but proceeds from this auction will be used for Build Benld to sponsor this event again next year. Fraelle, who is a chairperson of Benld Build, thought of the art contest idea in 2010 to inspire young local artists whose artwork is not usually seen outside of the high school.
Judges for the contest were Louann Brown and Gracie Fulton-Becker, and the standard for judging this year’s art contest was provided to the art class students by the Gillespie High School Art Teacher Mr. Rosentreter who used the criteria for one of his school assignments. All of the contest entries were ‘teacher approved’ for the FALL FLAIR theme.
Award prizes were presented to the first, second, and third place winners, and all contestants received a certificate of participation and a ribbon, according to Fraelle. The winners of tonight’s contest were: Larissa Borror (first place), Ellie Halpin & Justine Hill (second place), and Keni Loveless (third place) while Logan Cloud placed first for best sketch.
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Altogether, about 16 paintings were auctioned off during the event as the event grossed over $200.
After discussion with Mr. Jerry Rosentreter and Lynn Fraelle, Build Benld plans to host the next Art Contest in the spring. The theme and information will be announced at a later date.
Cases filed during March 9 through March 15. Visit the “Court News” category under the “Community News” tab for other editions.
FELONIES
Bradley W. Crane, 47 of Brighton, is charged with aiding/abetting/possession of a stolen vehicle in connection with a December 28, 2024 incident.
Donavon M. Holmes, 24 of Benld, is charged with felon in possession of a weapon in connection with a March 11 incident.
Natosha L. Michaelis, 39 of Carlinville, is charged with two counts of forgery/making/altering a document in connection with a February 10 incident.
Bradley S. Watters, 36 of Carlinville, is charged with aggravated battery in a public place in connection with a March 12 incident.
MISDEMEANORS
Anita S. Grizzle, 49 of Gillespie, is charged with unlawful possession of a knife in connection with a March 9 incident.
Tonya L. Pfeiler, 43 of Carlinville, is charged with theft control/intent (<$500) in connection with a March 1 incident.
Timothy A. Dugger, 23 of Palmyra, is charged with criminal trespass to land in connection with a January 29 incident.
Dalton W. Branham, 27 of Springfield, is charged with criminal trespass to land in connection with a January 23 and January 29 incident.
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Crystal A. Holland, 50 of Carlinville, is charged with disorderly conduct in connection with a January 18 incident.
Bruce A. Day, 59 of Carlinville, is charged with criminal trespass to a building in connection with a February 13 incident.
Mark B. Bersch, 68 of Carlinville, is charged with criminal trespass to a building in connection with February 4 incident.
Robert D. Lindsey, 36 of Carlinville, is charged with criminal damage to property (<$500) in connection with a March 3 incident.
Thomas W. Gray, 35 of Carlinville, is charged with disorderly conduct in connection with a February 26 incident.
Ronnie E. Reyes, 40 of Carlinville, is charged with criminal trespass to land in connection with a March 13 incident.
TRAFFIC
Bethany E. Robinson, 27 of Carlinville, is charged with drivers license expired more than a year, passing a school bus while loading/unloading, and improper traffic lane usage in connection with a February 27 incident.
Timothy R. Galston, 46 of Harvey, is charged with driving on a revoked license and driving 11-14 mph above the limit in connection with a March 2 incident.
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Hector R. Herrera Pena, 39 of Guadalupe, NL, is charged with CDL not obtained in connection with a March 4 incident.
Stephen L. Barrick, 50 of Virden, is charged with driving on a suspended license in connection with a March 2 incident.
Kyle L. Stiltz, 32 of Virden, is charged with leaving the scene of an accident, operating an uninsured motor vehicle, and no valid registration in connection with a February 28 incident.
Bunker Hill – Zion Lutheran Church in Bunker Hill is excited to announce a rummage sale taking place on Thursday, March 20, Friday, March 21, and Saturday, March 22. The sale will be held at the church located at 609 East Warren Street in Bunker Hill. All proceeds from the sale will be donated to Illinois Valley Meals on Wheels in Macoupin County, a vital program that prepares and delivers over 1,500 meals daily to those in need across three counties.
Donations for the rummage sale are warmly welcomed and can be dropped off at the church’s north entrance starting Monday, March 17. Items of all kinds are appreciated, and your contributions will directly support the dedicated efforts of volunteers who ensure that nutritious meals reach our community members.
The sale will run from 4 to 8 PM on Thursday and then 8 AM to 4 PM on Friday and Saturday, making it convenient for everyone to stop by and find great deals while supporting a crucial service in our area.
For more information about the rummage sale or how to donate, please contact Jane Baker at 618-973-2666.
Cases filed during March 2 through March 8. Visit the “Court News” category under the “Community News” tab for other editions.
FELONIES
Bryer D. Greff, 30 of Virden, is charged with retail theft (<$300) with a previous conviction in connection to a March 1 incident.
Michael J. Weaver, 34 of Carlinville, is charged with methamphetamine delivery (400<900 grams), possession of methamphetamine (400<900 grams), and felon in possession of a weapon in connection with a March 3 incident.
Patrick D. Greer, 39 of Mount Olive, is charged with burglary and theft/unauthorized control (>500<10k) in connection with a January 23 and March 3 incident .
Brian H. Duff, 50 of Alton, is charged with theft/unauthorized control (>500<10k) in connection with a January 30 incident.
MISDEMEANORS
Allison S. Cisco, 18 of Carlinville, is charged with battery/causing bodily harm in connection with a March 1 incident.
Andrew C. London, 19 of Wilsonville, is charged with retail theft (<$300) in connection with a March 5 incident.
Shelby L. Veach, 23 of Staunton, is charged with resisting a peace officer/firefighter/corrections employee and criminal damage to property in connection with a December 16 and December 21 incident.
Robert J. Zumwalt, 43 of Livingston, is charged with resisting a peace officer/firefighter/corrections employee in connection with a December 21 incident.
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TRAFFIC
Andrew J. McDaniel, 56 of Littleton, CO, is charged with speeding 26-34 mph over the limit in connection with a February 23 incident.
Connor E. O’Brien, 25 of Riverside, is charged with speeding 26-34 mph over the limit in connection with a February 24 incident.
Anthony M. Reed, 29 of Fayette, MS, is charged with driving on a suspended license and driving 15-20 mph above the limit in connection with a February 22 incident.
Patrick M. Nejmanowski, 58 of Carlinville, is charged with driving on a revoked license and driving 21-25 mph above the limit in connection with a February 25 incident.
Michael A. Coates, 49 of Staunton, is charged with driving on a revoked license and operating a motor vehicle with suspended registration in connection with a February 16 incident.
Carl R. Albracht, 50 of Palmyra, is charged with canceled/revoked/suspended registration in connection with a February 25 incident.
Jessica M. Jenkins, 40 of Gillespie, is charged with canceled/revoked/suspended registration in connection with a February 24 incident.
Jason L. Peter, 48 of Carlinville, is charged with canceled/revoked/suspended registration in connection with a February 22 incident.
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Matthew D. Knick, 21 of Mount Olive, is charged with driving on suspended license in connection with a February 27 incident.
Julia A. Schall, 68 of Shipman, is charged with driving on a revoked license in connection with a February 27 incdient.
Amy N. Gomer, 39 of Shipman, is charged with driving on a suspended license in connection with a March 4 incident.
Dalton C. Bunyard, 32 of Wood River, is charged with speeding 26-34 mph over the limit in connection with a February 28 incident.
Edward Tumpach III, 33 of Hillsboro, is charged with reckless driving, improper traffic lane usage, and disregarding a traffic control device in connection with a March 5 incident.