Community News
Manager of Post Office Operations speaks to Benld residents
Benld is in negotiations to seek a different building
Sue Betts, Manager of Post Office Operations, represented Gateway Wednesday, April 4 for a meeting at the Benld Post Office concerning the suspension of the postal service at the Benld site. Ms. Betts was in the office from 2:00 till 4:00 p.m Wednesday afternoon to answer questions.
The largest contingent of residents arrived at 2:00 p.m. including Mayor Jeff Hendricks, Alderman Mike Heddrick and Mickey Robinson, Police Chief Kozak, Build Benld members: Jerry Saracco, Cathy Petrak, Lynn Shehorn, Gloria Sidar and Lynn Fraelle as well as about 25 other Benld residents.
Build Benld presented letters from local residents in support of keeping the Benld Post Office open. Ms. Betts reiterated that negotiations with the owner of the building, Leonard Spodek, New York, were not progressing well, but there were other options open if an agreement could not be met with Mr. Spodek.
Ms. Betts indicated that the decision to suspend the Benld Office was not in her purview. She went on to say she had taken pictures of the city, noted the various businesses, the amount of traffic and felt that the size of Benld warranted looking for other options to keep a Post Office open here. Ms. Betts stated the zip code would remain the same in Benld if mail were temporarily handled by the Gillespie Post Office. She pointed out that although the Post Office was the third largest employer in the country, revenue generated is that significant importance in keeping any facility open.
Benld resident, Frank Wargo, noted that there was adequate parking for handicap citizens at the Benld site and suggested Ms. Betts take a picture of the Gillespie facility. Currently there is no handicap accessible parking in Gillespie except to park in the middle of the street. There is one parking place in front of the Gillespie facility and it is not marked for handicap parking. This presents grave difficulties for handicap residents.
Other area residents asked pertinent questions about mail service, postal box availability, etc. There was discussion about what type of facility would be acceptable if another site in Benld could be found to house a “village post office” or a smaller, regular facility.
Mayor Hendricks is in negotiations with the Postal Office for an alternate site for the Benld Post Office and a representative toured that building on Wednesday. “We hope to hear if this meets with the Post Office’s requirements soon,” Lynn Fralle stated.
Local residents are urged to contact their congressmen for support in keeping the Benld Post Office open. Contact either Senator Dick Durbin or Congressman Bobby Schilling by clicking on the following links to find office telephone numbers.
To view Dick Durbin’s office locations, scroll to the bottom of this page and call any number listed. To contact Bobby Schilling, call any of the numbers listed on this page.
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2:18 Missions, a nonprofit focused on home repair projects in the Gillespie area and humanitarian efforts at Henderson Settlement in Frakes, Kentucky, has launched a spring food drive to support families served by the Henderson Settlement Food Pantry. The pantry assists low-income families across five counties in the Appalachian region, where a steady supply of nourishing food is essential.
The organization emphasizes that no donation is too small or too large. Right now, all contributions received from now through the first week of April will directly fund food for families in need. It costs roughly $35 to provide food for a family of four for an entire month, a goal that this drive aims to meet for as many families as possible.
Donations can be made in several convenient ways. Checks or cash may be given to any 2:18 Missions team member. For those who prefer digital options, donations are accepted via Venmo or PayPal at 2:18 Missions Nfp. Community members are also encouraged to follow and engage with updates on the 2:18 Missions Facebook page.
2:18 Missions stresses that every contribution, regardless of size, makes a tangible difference in the lives of families working to make ends meet in the mountains of Kentucky and the residents of Gillespie who support their neighbors in need. The organization invites the public to join in this effort and to help spread the word through social media and word of mouth.
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The Gillespie Public Library invites the community to its 13th annual Night of Trivia and Games, a popular evening of competition, camaraderie, and cash prizes. The event is set for Saturday, March 28, 2025, with doors opening at 6:15 p.m. and play beginning at 7 p.m. at the Gillespie Civic Center.
Attendees can expect a safe, social night out as organizers have arranged tables to accommodate social distancing, ensuring guests can enjoy the fun in a comfortable setting. The evening features prizes for first, second, and third place, along with a 50-50 drawing and other assorted cash games and prizes.
In keeping with the event’s lighthearted spirit, there will be no silent auction. Organizers emphasize that the goal is “Only laughs and fun,” with a chance to win money while enjoying a friendly competition format.
Entry is a $100 team fee, with a maximum of 10 players per team. Participants are encouraged to pre-register by March 25 to guarantee a table. Registration options include mailing a form to Gillespie Public Library, 201 W Chestnut, Gillespie, IL 62033; calling the library at 217-839-3614; or contacting Steve Joyce at 217-839-2839.
For those interested in joining or learning more, team captains should designate a contact person and provide a reachable phone number during registration.
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The estate of the late Lindell and Jean Loveless, longtime Macoupin County pork producers, has made generous equal gifts to The Partnership for Educational Excellence in Gillespie CUSD #7 and to the Carlinville CUSD #1 Education Foundation. The gifts come from the remainder of a family trust established to ensure high-quality end-of-life care and were divided upon Jean Loveless’s passing, with equal shares allocated to the education foundations in each district.
Tim Loveless, local businessman and son of Lindell and Jean, emphasized the family’s enduring commitment to education and practical life skills. “It was my parents’ desire to use these remaining funds to support and enhance career and technical education programs in our schools,” Loveless said. He recalled his family’s deep roots in hard work and the value of life skills, noting that “the spirit of this gift is to prepare students for life in general, and to prepare them to earn a living by learning a trade.”
“The bottom half of the class,” Tim continued, “needs financial education and practical skills. A person can learn and earn their way to success.” He described his parents’, grandparents’, and great-grandparents’ diverse ventures—from farming and cattle to turkey production, nursing homes, meat processing, swine production, and subdivisions—and underscored that high formal education is not the sole path to success, but motivation and skill are crucial. He expressed hope that the gift will help school districts boost opportunities for students who may doubt their ability to succeed.
John Fassero, Jr., president of The Partnership for Educational Excellence in CUSD7, welcomed the gift as a strong alignment with the Partnership’s mission. “This Loveless family gift is a perfect fit for the established goals and policies of The Partnership,” Fassero said.
Since its founding in 1992, The Partnership has awarded nearly 600 scholarships based on goals and hard work rather than GPA or class rank. Fassero noted that the organization has several scholarships targeted to the trades, and that nearly 20 scholars have pursued trade school education in the past four years alone. “In addition, two-thirds of The Partnership’s giving is directed to curriculum enhancement across all three schools and in all specialties, including shop and FFA,” Fassero added.
