Community News
Where is Chris Haddad at now?
Chris Haddad
Chris Haddad is an interesting fellow with a very bright future full of loads of potential. The BenGil Post was able to catch up with Chris at the airport before he departed to the Caribbean, wow.. we can now claim we have interviewed one of the most successful entrepreneurs to come from the BenGil area.
After Chris graduated a semester early from Gillespie High School in 1994, he started life as a soldier. He did miss out on his final Prom and “a few other things” by graduating early, but he joined the Army National Guard after being influenced by Mr. Jack Burns, history teacher at Gillespie High School. Mr. Burns was Chris’s favorite teacher throughout high school as well as his football coach during his star football days and then later became his sergeant in the Army.
After basic training in Fort Benning, Georgia, Chris went away to start his college life at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale. College was a fun time, but there was more on the horizon for Chris and he was edging to figure out what it was. He later graduated in December of 1998 with a bachelor’s degree in Science. A half of a year rolled by and Chris decided to pack of life and move to Florida. In Florida, Chris first lived in Orlando temporarily until he settled down in the Tampa Bay area. With income being a high priority at the time, he decided to start supporting himself like many other college graduates.. working in beach bars. The beach bar work was great, but after 6 months passed – he knew it was time for a change.
During his stay in Tampa Bay, he met a new friend from Australia who had always influenced him to expand my travels. Before the final goodbye, Chris packed up the Florida life and drove back to Gillespie to work for relatives at Broom’s Orchard in Carlinville. Broom’s Orchard lasted 2 months and once again, he was on the move – this time to Austria! Chris jumped on a plane and was off to Sydney, Australia to celebrate the millinieum.
In Australia, Chris had to make a living so he acquired a one year working visa and supported himself once again in the hospitality business working in pubs and restaurants. After traveling all over Australia, Chris landed a job bartending at an outdoor 18 day party venue at Sussex Lane for the Sydney Olympics in 2000. According to Chris, “This one of the best experiences in my life at the time and I definitely starting to hear my calling.” Shortly after the Sussez Lane gig, one of his Aussie working peers asked him if he would like to set stake in Australia and open up their very own bar/restaurant. Chris said they both had very similar ideas and of course they were also filled with the same passion – so the first restaurant was in the works.
Chris's first import.
After finishing his travels in Australia, it was time for a change of pace. Chris headed to Southeast Asia (Thailand & Indonesia) for a short amount of time before his visa expired and then he was then back in the United States. Chris decided to set up fort in the States for about one year. During that year, Chris worked at many different styles of restaurants, pubs, nightclubs, hotels, and lounge bars – just trying to educate himself with a variety of different styles of hospitality establishment. After being in the United States for 14 months, he received a call from his new business partner saying it was time to come back to Oz. Chris and his business partner had set up their companies and registered their business name via emails, fax and phone since Chris was no longer an Australian resident. Chris’s partner requested his presence was needed within 2 weeks back in Austria for their business.
A little shy of 3 weeks, Chris was back. In February of 2002, Chris arrived in Cairns, Australia and then drove south six hours to a little place called Airlie Beach. Airlie Beach is the gateway to the Whitsunday Islands and is up close to the Great Barrier Reef in North Queensland, Australia. In May of 2002, Chris and his partner had opened a small trendy lounge bar in this area called Armada. For five “amazing years”, they built up the business and operated the day-to-day operation. After those five years, they sold the establishment and became the “richest poor guys in town.”
Chris and his friend then headed 3 hours north to a city called Townsville and opened up another restaurant/bar in 2007 called Jamaica Joe’s. By that time, Chris had acquired permanent Australian residency at this stage. But later in 2008, Chris felt the need to become a true blue Aussie and he applied and later received his citizenship. Presently, his passport wallet included an American passport accompanied by an Australian passport.
Chris at the Carribbean participating in the Carnival in Trinidad & Tobago.
Jamaica Joe’s has been extremely successful after 4 years of hard work and dedication. In the time being, Chris opened up two other new restaurants for friends, but his main focus was always concentrating on his work in Townsville. Jamaica Joe’s has allowed him to still travel, since that is his number one passion. After feeling the need to have a good time, Chris just went to the Caribbean to participate in Carnival in Trinidad & Tobago.
Well, now we are in the year 2011 and Chris made his first visit to Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) Vietnam for a 4 day business trip. Chris later came back to Australia in April and started the construction of a new bar/restaurant concept called Hog’s Head Tavern & Wine Bar which is situated in the infamous Bitexco Financial Tower in Saigon. Presently, Chris is one week from the opening day of Hog’s Head and is involved in some intense staff training. This has been his biggest business challenge yet, he told us. However, Chris spoke highly of the citizens, “The people and the country are amazing.” As of now, Chris is between Australia and Vietnam at the moment balancing his businesses, but still visiting them to make sure operation is running smoothly.
Gillespie will always be home to Chris, but Australia has taken him “in like an adopted son. I do feel a bit more Aussie these days, but I will always have a bit of of the red, white and blue still running through the veins.” Chris expects to return to Gillespie within 2 years for a visit, he misses his family and close friends the most. His motivation to travel and see the world has led him to where he is now and he would not trade it for the world. In 5 years, Chris sees himself possibly still is Austria, but the Caribbean is in his eye for the future. His next stop: the little beach bar in the Caribbean with the dive shack and the beach volleyball net set up at the front.
We, The BenGil Post, give Chris a huge thank-you for being halfway around the world and responding to our questions in 6 hours!
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FELONIES
Jamie L. Whitford, 49 of Alton, is charged with violation of an order of protection in connection with an August 17 incident.
Sarah J. Crays, 39 of Virden, is charged with aggravated fleeing/damage to property (>$300), aggravated fleeing police/21 mph over the limit, and driving on a suspended license in connection with an August 18 incident.
Eric J. Trump, 33 of Carlinville, is charged with aggravated battery/great bodily harm in connection with an August 17 incident.
Henry D. Wilson, 37 of Mt. Olive, is charged with possession of methamphetamine (<5 grams) in connection with an August 19 incident.
Nicholas A. Williams, 31 of Staunton, is charged with possession of methamphetamine (<5 grams) in connection with a May 19 incident.
Holly A. Messerly, 38 of Bunker Hill, is charged with possession of methamphetamine (<5 grams)in connection with a May 5 incident.
Garret A. Brown, 22 of Springfield, is charged with aggravated battery/peace officer, criminal damage to government property (<$500), possession of a controlled substance, driving under the influence of alcohol, and canceled/revoked/suspended registration in connection with an August 19 incident.
Andrew K. Ridens, 36 of Staunton, is charged with possession of methamphetamine (<5 grams), driving on a revoked license, and operating an uninsured motor vehicle in connection with a July 21 incident.
MISDEMEANORS
Tarina S. Slaughter, 46 of Girard, is charged with resisting a peace officer/firefighter/corrections employee in connection with an August 17 incident.
Joseph W. Reiniesch, 40 of Gillespie, is charged with aggravated assault/public property in connection with an August 16 incident.
TRAFFIC
Dallis E. Houseman, 56 of Modesto, is charged with drivers license expired more than a year and failure to obey police officer in connection with an August 18 incident.
Jameson E. Anderson, 35 of Shipman, is charged with improper use of registration/title, unlicensed, and operating an uninsured motor vehicle in connection with an August 11 incident.
Jordan A. Abner, 18 of Godfrey, is charged with speeding 26-34 mph over the limit in connection with an August 13 incident.
Amanda R. Bianco, 44 of Staunton, is charged with speeding 26-34 mph over the limit in connection with an August 7 incident.
Hunter J. Kapp, 18 of Highland, is charged with speeding 35+ mph over the limit in connection with an August 15 incident.
Adam L. Bray, 43 of Carlinville, is charged with driving on a revoked license, canceled/revoked/suspended registration, and operating an uninsured motor vehicle in connection with an August 16 incident.
Kaelan N. Ramos, 34 of Shiloh, is charged with speeding 35+ mph over the limit and operating an uninsured motor vehicle in connection with an August 15 incident.
DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE FILED
- Justin Robert Bickel versus Melissa Ann Bickel
- Jennifer Miller versus Matthew Miller
- Ryan T. Bloomfield versus Cheyenne M. Bloomfield
- Angela K. Greenwalt versus Jay A. Greenwalt
- Val Leffers versus Karen Leffers
MARRIAGE LICENSES
- Jeremy Wayne Pride and Brandi Marie Hatzel, both of Shipman
- Jacob Patrick Millard and Jenna Frances Wernsing, both of Carlinville
- Dustin Eugene Bauman and Miriam Susan Jenkins, both of Virden
- Jeremy Dale Canoy and Samantha Elaine Goyke, both of Girard
- Bryan Edward Woodward and Jake Marie Cain, both of Shipman
- Glen Alexander Mcelyea and Candice Dawn Herin, both of Shipman
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FELONIES
Jacob R. Morgan, 38 of Staunton, is charged with burglary and theft/control/intent ($500<10k) in connection with a July 28 incident.
TRAFFIC
Justin C. Grider, 41 of Carlinville, is charged with driving on a suspended license in connection with an August 14 incident.
Chynasyl B. Chynybaev, 38 of Kent, WA, is charged with CDL not obtained and no fee paid/over registration weight in connection with an August 20 incident.
Clinton D. Coleman, 34 of Springfield, is charged with driving on a suspended license and operating an uninsured motor vehicle in connection with an August 22 incident.
Gary L. Cunningham, 61 of Staunton, is charged with driving on a suspended license in connection with an August 23 incident.
Christopher J. Moreland, 38 of Staunton, is charged with DL expired more than a year, operating an uninsured motor vehicle, and driving/operating a non-highway vehicle.
Matthew W. Stoops, 32 of Bunker Hill, is charged with DL expired more than a year and no valid registration in connection with an August 19 incident.
Jordan T. Trimm, 33 of Benld, is charged with improper use of registration/title, unlicensed, and operating an uninsured motor vehicle.
Cole Y. Waugh, 41 of Gillespie, is charged with driving on a suspended license in connection with an August 16 incident.
Jessie J. Waugh, 44 of Gillespie, is charged with driving on a suspended license in connection with an August 15 incident.
Austin D. Guiliacci, 25 of Staunton, is charged with canceled/revoked/suspended registration in connection with an August 20 incident.
Matthew D. Knick, 20 of Mount Olive, is charged with driving on a suspended license and operating an uninsured motor vehicle in connection with an August 25 incident.
Kirstain S. Harris, 29 of Memphis, TN, is charged with driving on a suspended license and speeding 26-34 mph over the limit in connection with an August 24 incident.
Devin Berry, 36 of Blue Island, is charged with driving on a suspended license and driving 15-20 mph above the limit in connection with an August 24 incident.
Rudolph H. Jackson, 60 of Gillespie, is charged with driving on a revoked license, operating an uninsured motor vehicle, and no valid registration in connection with an August 24 incident.
Sean M. Rogerson, 50 of Palmyra, is charged with driving on a revoked license in connection with an August 27 incident.
DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE FILED
- Peggy Wells versus Jason E. Wells
- Cheri Woodson versus Alan Woodson
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Community News
Football, parade, and GHS Athletic Hall of Fame induction highlight Gillespie homecoming
A football game pitting the Gillespie Miners against the Staunton Bulldogs, a parade and the second annual induction ceremony for newly named members of the Gillespie High School Athletic Hall of Fame will highlight Homecoming next month.
The theme of this year’s celebration is The Roaring Twenties.
The parade will kick off on South Macoupin Street at 6 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 25. The parade will march to the high school where a pep rally is scheduled for 7 p.m., followed by the coronation of the Homecoming King and Queen at 7:15 p.m. There will be a Powder Puff Game/Cheer Section competition at 7:30 p.m., also on Wednesday, Sept. 25.
There will be a meet and greet with newly named members of the Athletic Hall of Fame at 6 p.m., Friday, Sept. 27, followed by the Homecoming football game at 7 p.m. Hall of Fame inductees include Mike Viano, Jack Genet, Dennis Best, Barbella Magus, Sam Stewart, William & Florence Schmidt and Family, and Deb Olson and the ’93, ’94 and ’95 GHS softball teams. New members will be inducted during a 2 p.m. reception on Sunday, Sept. 29, in the high school gym.
The annual Homecoming dance is set for 7-9 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 28 at the high school gym.
For GHS students, Homecoming activities will start well in advance of the Homecoming weekend festivities. Students from all four high school classes will work on building parade floats from 6-9 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 19, Monday, Sept. 23, and Tuesday, Sept. 24. Students will decorate hallways for Homecoming from 3-5 p.m., Friday, Sept. 20, and 9 a.m.-12 p.m., Saturday, Sept 21.
Monday, Sept. 23 will kick off a week of “dress-up” days for students. For Monday, the theme is Boas and Bowties. Tuesday, Sept. 24 will feature Glitz and Glitter. Wednesday, Sept. 25 is Rhyme Without Reason Day, and Thursday, Sept. 26, will feature Gangsters vs. Flappers. The dress-up theme for Friday, Sept. 27 will be School Spirit.
In addition to Wednesday’s pep rally following the parade, there will be a game-day pep rally at 1:15 p.m., Friday, Sept. 27.
