Community News
Future of former bank site in Benld is in question
While the Benld City Council approved a maintenance contract for the city’s water tower and voted to enact an ordinance calling for a $500 fine when residents reconnect water services the city previously disconnected, it was a lengthy discussion about the former site of the Benld National Bank that dominated Monday night’s council meeting.
Derrick Tibruzi, along with his parents, Dennis and Susan Tiburzi, appeared before the council to again seek an extension on the deadline for establishing a permanent business building on the former site of the First National Bank of Benld in the 200 block of East Central Avenue. Derrick Tiburzi was the successful bidder in April 2022 to acquire the site from the city a month after the city had the former two-story brick building razed and removed. Under the terms of the contract, Tiburzi agreed to pay $6,000 down and retire the remaining $24,000 by making monthly $1,000 payments for two years. The contract also bound Tiburzi to establish a permanent business on the site within three years or forfeit whatever money he had paid the city and surrender the property to the city.
At the time, Derrick Tiburzi said he planned to build a barbecue restaurant on the site.
The contract reportedly allows for the city to authorize extensions on the construction requirement in the event of “extenuating” circumstances.
The Tiburzis on Monday night said they’ve since discovered the land was not adequately compacted to support a commercial building after the old bank was demolished, an assertion the city contests. In previous meetings with city officials, Derrick Tiburzi contended a concrete contractor he hired to pour a slab for the building refused to guarantee his work, citing improper compaction. Likewise, excavator Mike Ranger reportedly confirmed the site will not support new construction.
Citing extenuating circumstances, the Tiburzis reportedly sought an indefinite extension while they attempt to resolve the issue with the property’s condition. In lieu of such an extension, Derrick Tiburzi offered a proposal under which the city would refund a portion of the money he paid for the property once the entire $30,000 had been paid. Under that proposal, the city would return $19,245 to Tiburzi, while retaining the remaining $10,765. Tiburzi said he arrived at the numbers by applying an average price for Benld real estate of $1.48 per square foot and deducting the footprint of the former bank building.
Ald. John Balzraine reported Monday night he had talked to Mark Ranger, another local excavator, who said he has equipment to drill and staggered grid of 18-inch holes to a depth of three feet and fill them with water. “He said that property will drop within six months,” Balzraine said.
“Will he guarantee that is the solution to my problem?” Derrick Tiburzi asked.
“I don’t see how drilling to three feet is going to help when they excavated to seven feet,” Dennis Tiburzi commented. He alleged that below seven feet, the area was backfilled with construction debris, including loose bricks.
Balzraine disputed Tiburzi’s contention, saying the contractor that razed the building excavated to a depth of only five feet, which was the depth of the existing basement, and removed all debris from the demolition before filling the pit with clay and compacting the soil.
City Attorney Rick Verticchio said the brick debris below seven feet apparently is from a previous structure that no one knew about.
“Then that’s even more of a problem,” Dennis Tiburzi said.
Derrick Tiburzi said his concrete contractor told him that bringing the site up to standards for commercial construction would cost upward of $98,000.
“We can’t do that,” Tiburzi said. “I’d end up spending a quarter of a million dollars and I’d never see a return on my investment.”
Verticchio insisted that Tiburzi has a “contractual obligation” to build on the site. “The bank building stood on that site for 100 years and never had any structural problems with the foundation,” he said. “If you were going to build a four-story brick building, you might have a problem, but I think you could build a one-story building on a concrete slab on that site with no problem. If you don’t want it, you can walk away from it, we’ll keep the money you’ve paid so far and start working with the next guy.”
Derrick Tiburzi said he has paid about $26,000 toward the acquisition of the property at this time.
“We want the property,” Susan Tiburzi said. “If that’s the issue, I could write you a check for it tonight.” But she confirmed the family has no immediate plans to build while the stability of the site remains in doubt.
“The contract says we’ll give you a ‘reasonable extension’ for unforeseen circumstances,” Verticchio said. “If you think a ‘reasonable extension’ means you’d never have to build on it, then we’d probably have to go to court on that issue.”
“We would probably already have had a building-up if not for unforeseen circumstances,” Derrick Tiburzi insisted. “My whole plan was do do something good for the city but, unfortunately, plans have changed due to the circumstances we’re in. We have two experts who say the site is unbuildable. We would never have been here if it had been compacted appropriately.”
“I want something in writing from Mike Ranger saying the property is not buildable,” Ald. Jerry Saracco said. Verticchio agreed, saying the city would need written statements from the Tiburzis’ experts before it could consider altering the contract or releasing them from it.
Tiburzi pledged to “reach out” to Mike Ranger for a written opinion.
“Please don’t think we’re trying to do anything against the city,” Susan Tiburzi told the council. She said the family was attempting to protect her son’s interests while doing something to benefit the city.
While the lengthy, sometimes emotional, discussion reached no resolution, Mayor Jim Kelly encouraged Derrick Tiburzi to sit down with him and Mark Ranger to “see if we can work something out.”
POST OFFICE LEASE
The council again tabled action on a contract with the U.S. Postal Service to lease the Benld Post Office for another five years. The council delayed action last month, citing a provision calling for the city to include snow removal in the lease agreement. Verticchio said Monday night he discovered the snow removal clause was in the previous lease, although the city never provided snow removal services during the term of the lease.
“They say we accept the terms of the previous lease, or they don’t want to renew,” Verticchio said.
The current lease does not expire until the end of this year.
The new lease proposal would increase payment to the city from $25,000 to $25,500 per year. Upon accepting the proposal, the city will owe the brokerage firm that handles post office leases a commission of $1,500.
WATER SERVICE RECONNECTION
On Verticchio’s recommendation, the council authorized him to draft a proposed ordinance to implement a fine of $500 against property owners when disconnected water services are illegally reconnected. Verticchio said the Macoupin County State’s Attorney’s office has declined to pursue criminal charges in such circumstances because the city cannot prove beyond a reasonable doubt that a specific person is responsible for reconnecting the services.
The new ordinance will provide the city with an avenue to collect damages without having to prove criminal responsibility in court.
In a somewhat related matter, the council voted unanimously to file a lien against a property at 404 South First Street for about $3,500 in unpaid water bills.
“After a year, you’re allowed to foreclose on the lien, sell the property and keep the $3,500 you’re owed,” Verticchio advised.
NEWMAN COMMENDATION
Council members voted unanimously to send a letter of commendation to Mary Newman, director at the Frank Bertetti Benld Public Library, for 25 years of service to the community. The action followed a report from Ald. Norm Emmons, the city’s representative on the library board of directors, indicated the board had recently presented Newman with a plaque in recognition of her years of service.
“She has done a fantastic job,” Emmons said.
FIBER OPTIC INSTALLATION
Ald. Balzraine asked about the authority for crews installing fiber optic cables in the city limits for internet service.
Verticchio said the crews are authorized by state and federal law under legislation to boost rural access to internet services.
“They have a right to lay lines,” Verticchio said. “They can’t lay lines on top of any existing utilities, like water and sewer lines. I can tell you from the experience of other municipalities, they don’t pay any attention to that. They lay line over a water line, so if we have a water main break, we’re going to hit their line. What we need to do is to document that so we know where their lines are.”
City Clerk Terri Koyne said the company is supposed to provide a map showing the location of their lines.
Responding to a question, Verticchio further advised that one the company starts adding subscribers and connecting homes to the line, the city will have a right to impose a franchise fee.
CHICKEN ORDINANCE
The council declined to take any action toward amending the city’s zoning ordinance to allow residents to maintain more than six chickens on residential properties in the city. Last month, Travis Darling approached the council about expanding the number of chickens allowed to 15, saying he wanted to raise more chickens for meat and eggs to feed his family.
Verticchio said another option for Darling would be to petition the Zoning Board to rezone his property for agricultural use.
WATER TOWER MAINTENANCE
the council voted unanimously to contract with CorrPro, Chesterfield, Mo., to perform a routine annual inspection of the city’s water tower at a cost of $925. The inspection will include replacing bulbs in warning lights atop the tower. CorrPro has performed the annual inspection for the past several years.
BUSINESS LICENSES
The council unanimously approved a business license for Grace VanDoren, owner of Bells and Whistles, for a food truck to be permanently located at 301 Central Avenue. The business serves coffee and currently operates in various locations in the city and county.
The council, however, deferred action on a business license application from Anthony Girdner for Chunx Food Truck. Gardner said he was hoping to acquire a truck to serve snow cones and ice cream but had not arranged for a permanent location.
“We have a food truck ordinance,” Verticchio pointed out. “You don’t need a business license for that.” Verticchio said the ordinance requires the food truck operation to be certified by the Macoupin County Public Health Department and to pay a fee of $100 for one day of operation, plus $24 for each additional day. He said a business license would only be required if Girdner establishes a permanent location from which to operate.
TRUCK REPAIR
In other action, the council authorized payment of $6,647.84 to Area Diesel Service, Carlinville, for repairs to the city’s dump truck.
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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.
