Community News
GHS students take center stage in “Beauty and the Beast” musical
A selfish prince denies a woman refuge to his palace and is left with a curse that can only be broken by true love. The beloved animated feature film “Beauty and the Beast” comes to life as the Gillespie High School choir debuts their spring musical this weekend.
The tale between a young woman who falls in love with a tempered beast is well known, but Gillespie’s choir will leave the audience begging for more as the group retells the tale on four different nights – Thursday at 7 p.m., Friday at 7 p.m., Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m.
[pullquote]Gillespie’s choir will leave the audience begging for more[/pullquote]Remaining tickets to the shows will be available at the doors of the Ben-Gil Elementary Gym where the musical takes place or at Dee-Dee’s Designs in downtown Gillespie. Friday and Saturday’s shows are nearly sold out, but tickets were remaining to all four shows at the time of publication.
Gillespie’s choir presents a musical every other year and this year’s production is one of the best they have presented. Led by chorus instructor and musical director Mrs. Angela Brink and student stage director Kobe Willis, the musical features 50 cast members and nearly 40 crew members.
“We have been working on this since returning from Christmas break,” director Angela Brink told us during an exclusive showing Wednesday evening. “It’s been nonstop practicing in February and March.”
Brink was very happy with the how the students performed Wednesday night and despite a few issues with the sound cutting out during Wednesday’s production in the new Ben-Gil Elementary Gym, she said they don’t have many bugs to work out during the day on Thursday.
“This is the first time the sound has ever cut out on us,” Brink said on Wednesday. “I don’t know what is causing it, but we will definitely have the tech kids over here all day on Thursday to hopefully get that fixed.”
Identical to the Disney animated movie, the GHS choir’s musical features a large group of townspeople, dancing dinner utensils, aggressive wolves and “silly” girls. Beast, played by Jacob Kirkwood, transitions from a hot-tempered creature that Belle, played by Kaitlin Henrichs, fears in the beginning of the musical to a soft-hearted man Belle ends up loving.
Both Kirkwood and Henrichs display their powerful vocals throughout the musical and display a wide variety of facial expressions and gestures. Kirkwood heads the castle with Lumiere, played by Tyler Jamieson; Cogsworth, played by Baily Hendricks; Babette, played by Darian Gill; Madame de la Grande Bouche, played by Elly Price; Mrs. Potts, played by Meghan Sillman; Chip, played by Paige Adkins; and a large group of enchanted objects played by McKenzie Whitworth, Teran Schlechte, Kamryn Smith, Sara Ruyle, Reese Marshall, McKenzie Hartpence, Maya Marcacci, Sydney Henrichs, Nina Moutrie and Alexis Lupkey.
[pullquote]It’s been nonstop practicing in February and March.[/pullquote]Jamieson, who plays the flirtatious candlestick Lumiere, had the audience rolling during his quick one liners Wednesday evening. His lively dynamic and accented voice paired nicely with Darian Gill’s roll as Babette. Gill, equally flirtatious as Jamieson throughout the musical, plays a French feather duster.
Brady Anderson had the audience laughing Wednesday evening as well in his self-centered role as Gaston. Anderson is adored by the “silly girls” group played by Emily Harszy, Karlie Libbra and Shelsie Timmermeier, and leads the large group of town folk to help him kill the beast after his proposal to Belle didn’t end the way he wanted.
Through many changes, the set features a bright and colorful village, treacherous woods, a realistic castle featuring a library and a local tavern as well. With some set pieces appearing difficult to move, the set changes weren’t as fluid as Brink hoped, but she said that’s always a wish of hers.
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In a decisive finish that underscored his rising dominance in Illinois Class 1A cross country, senior Chaz Oberkfell of Gillespie High School claimed the state title with a time of 14:31.10 at the IHSA State Cross Country Championships held at Detweiller Park on Saturday, November 8.
Finishing just behind Oberkfell, sophomore Evan Knobloch of Toulon (Stark County) crossed the line in 14:46.25, placing second. Rounding out the top five were senior Blake McLeese of Tuscola (14:46.45), senior Luca Bryja of Elgin (Harvest Christian Academy) with 14:48.38, and senior Elijah Teefey of Pleasant Plains at 14:49.02.
This victory marks Oberkfell’s second IHSA Class 1A state championship. He also won the state crown as a junior in 2024 with a time of 14:31.87. In his sophomore year, he finished 21st with a 15:21.43 season-best time.
Looking ahead, Oberkfell is set to compete in the New Balance NXR Midwest Regional Championships on Sunday, November 16, at the LaVerne Gibson Course in Indiana. The meet serves as a critical stepping stone toward the national championships, and Oberkfell will look to carry his state momentum into the regional stage.
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The community is invited to participate in a family-friendly, drive-thru charity event aimed at keeping local students warm this winter. The “Warm Up Our Kids” drive-thru takes place on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Karmak Campus, located at 1 Karmak Plaza, Carlinville, IL and is sponsored by Karmak and Carlinville Area Hospital and Clinics.
Additional drop-off boxes will be available at the following locations to maximize participation and convenience:
- Sullivans in Carlinville, Gillespie, and Litchfield
- Pharmacy Plus in Girard
- Sav-Mor Pharmacy in Virden
- CAH&C Clinic sites in Gillespie, Girard, Carlinville, and Virden
- Briar Rose in Litchfield
- Brave Hazel in Carlinville
- Oh-So Cute Boutique in Virden
Drive through the event route and drop off much-needed supplies listed below. All donations will directly benefit students in the participating school districts, helping ensure every child has the warmth and essentials they need to face the winter season. Community support help bridge gaps and bring tangible, immediate relief to families in need.
Join us in spreading warmth and goodwill this December. The Ben Gil Post and community partners look forward to seeing you at the Karmak Campus drive-thru.
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A Macoupin County jury found Jeffrey D. Brown, 50, of Sawyerville guilty of aggravated battery with a firearm in connection with the shooting death of Rodney Messerly, 42, also of Sawyerville, authorities said.
The verdict was delivered a little before 6 p.m. on November 4, 2025, after a days-long trial led by Macoupin County State’s Attorney Jordan J. Garrison. Brown now faces a mandatory prison sentence ranging from six to 30 years with the sentence to be served at 85 percent. The sentencing will take place on January 12, 2025.
According to testimony and evidence presented at trial, the incident unfolded on September 17, 2024, when Brown called 911 claiming Messerly had entered his home. Responding deputies found Messerly deceased on the front stoop outside the residence. Brown testified that Messerly had forced his way into the home, and he fired in self-defense inside the residence.
Surveillance video played to the jury depicted portions of the confrontation: Messerly speaking with Brown at the door outside the residence before Messerly pushes inside—off-camera for a stretch—followed by four gunshots fired from within the home. Messerly is seen falling back onto the front steps.
A video interview of Brown with Lt. Ryan Dixon of the Macoupin County Sheriff’s Department revealed Brown stated he took three steps back inside the residence before firing the initial shots. Forensic pathologist Dr. Nathanial Patterson testified that the first four shots would have been fatal. Approximately seven seconds pass before Brown fires a final shot from inside the residence, striking Messerly in the chest as he yells an expletive.
Garrison offered condolences to Messerly’s family, calling the incident a “horrible situation” and noting that the healing process is just beginning for those affected. He described Messerly as having been experiencing delusions at the time of the incident and emphasized that the last shot was not in self-defense, characterizing it as an act of vengeance.
Brown faces additional charges in unrelated matters: Armed Violence (Class X felony) and Production of Cannabis Plants (Class 4) in 2024CF228, and Resisting Arrest Causing Injury to an Officer in 2024CF252.
Public sentencing is scheduled for January 12, 2025. Prosecutors cautioned readers that charges are not proof of guilt and that Brown is presumed innocent until proven otherwise in a court of law.
