Community News
Commemorating the Coliseum Ballroom is Underway
A small group of local residents began last week to explore possible options for commemorating Benld’s Coliseum Ballroom, which was destroyed by fire on Saturday, July 30.
Mickey Robinson described Wednesday night’s meeting in Benld as a “brainstorming, exploratory” session. Those attending included Jim Marcacci, who has been working on a video documentary about the Coliseum; former Coliseum employee Bob Badstebner; Route 66 enthusiast Ollie Schwallenstecker; Cathy Petrak of Benld; and Nelson Grman of Staunton.
“This area has lost enough,” Badstebner told the group. “We can’t afford to lose any more.”
“If there’s ever been a time for the community to gather around an effort, this may be a last chance,” said Marcacci.
Marcacci said a “teaser” video posted on YouTube to promote the documentary he and his partner are producing has had more than 25,000 hits since the fire.”There are volumes of people talking about this on the internet,” he said. “Many people have very good memories about the Coliseum. If we are able to do something, I think we ought to do it grand, because it was a grand old building.”
“Ideas for commemorating the iconic Route 66 structure ranged from creating a park on the property, installing an interpretive kiosk, preserving a portion of the remaining structure and even the possibility of rebuilding the once popular entertainment venue. But whatever happens at the site is contingent upon what property owner Danny Picarelli decides to do with the property once he secures a settlement from his insurance carrier. Petrak said her understanding was that Picarelli “wants nothing to do with it once the insurance is done.” She said she had been told the owner wants to dispose of the property on which the Coliseum sat, but he wants to retain ownership to a parcel located to the west of the building and that he will want an easement through the Coliseum site to have access to that property.
Group members tentatively planned another meeting for Saturday, Sept. 3, in the hopes Picarelli can attend. Those attending agreed something should be done not only to commemorate the history of the building but also to retain some of the tourism traffic the building generated before the fire.
“People traveled from all over to the Coliseum,” said Petrak. “Now, Benld has nothing left.” “We can’t just let it die,” said Badstebner.
Marcacci mused about the possibility of preserving the facade, installing a stage behind it and using the remaining structural steel to support a canvas covering similar to some public concert venues. Grman wondered about the possibility of rebuilding the structure on a smaller scale, “miniature Coliseum” with exhibits of memorabilia and concession stand for visitors. “I think we need to look at all our ideas,” he said. “Plan several different options, find out how much the cost would be and where in the heck you’re going to get the money.” Regarding fund-raising for any such project, Grman said the community will have to “reach out in a big way.” “There’s no way you can do what you want to do with local resources,” he said.
He suggested contacting various musicians unions, as well as some of the big name acts that once performed at the Coliseum. Badstebner said Mama’s Pride, a band that used to perform at the Coliseum, has already agreed to do a benefit concert at the site of the Coliseum if the project gets to the point of fund raising.
It was reported that Picarelli has removed the iconic neon sign from the front of the building and has placed it in storage. “He wants to keep it in Benld is what he told us,” Robinson said. Picarelli reportedly has started to sell commemorative bricks from the structure himself to raise money to replace equipment lost by Shadow of a Doubt, the band that was playing on the night the building caught fire. The band reportedly lost $45,000 worth of instruments and electronic equipment, none of which was insured.
Schwallenstecker noted that the Route 66 Heritage Project and Illinois Tourism Bureau have made interpretive kiosks available at minimal cost to be located at Route 66 icons. Such kiosks have already been installed, he said, in Carlinville and Virden, as well as at the Ariston Restaurant in Litchfield and the Sky View Drive-In. “The Coliseum was a tremendously important icon on the Mother Road,” he said. “There needs to be some kind of physical presence for the Coliseum.” Without the Coliseum or anything to commemorate it, Schwallenstecker said most Route 66 tourists, especially those from foreign countries, are likely to travel alternative alignments when they come through the area. There are four Route 66 alignments in Macoupin County, including Illinois Route 4. Without an icon to attract them, tourists are more likely to gravitate toward alignments through Litchfield and Mount Olive, he said.
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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.
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.
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.
DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE FILED
- Angela M. Berndt versus Travis E. Berndt
- Melissa K. Porter versus Kevin W. Porter
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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.
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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.
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.
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.
DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE FILED
- Neil Ringer versus Whitney Ringer
- Christina Essington versus John Essington
- Scott Huddleston versus Jessica Huddleston
Comments
Illinois Farm Bureau to host ‘Rules for the Road’ trucking seminar in Carlinville on March 20
Zion Lutheran School to host open house on March 18 for preschool and kindergarten programs
