Community News
Miss Black Diamond Days Pageant
Seven local girls will vie for the title of Miss Black Diamond Days during the annual Miss Black Diamond Days Pageant at 6 p.m., Friday, June 3, in the Gillespie Civic Center.
In addition, 10 younger girls will compete for the first-ever Junior Miss Black Diamond Days title, according to pageant director Sonja Levie. The pageant coincides with the start of the three-day Black Diamond Days street festival in downtown Gillespie. The annual event features food, entertainment, contests and carnival rides.
Candidates for Miss Black Diamond Days include Bailey Loveless, daughter of Kenneth and Patti Loveless of Henderson; Kylie Frensko, daughter of Brian and Gina Frensko of Benld; Kaci Petri, daughter of Sherry Petri of Benld; Brooklyne Ruckman, daughter of Darrel and Jaime Ruckman of Mount Clare; April Ewin, daughter of Gary and Cindy Ewin of Gillespie; Shelby Watson, granddaughter of Larry and Donna Watson, and daughter of Vicki Watson of Gillespie; and Mikayla Tarro, daughter of Dennis Tarro and Yvonne Pinkerton of Gillespie.
Bailey Loveless and GHS Senior April Ewin are returning to the pageant after participating in last year’s pageant during which Sarah Heyen, then a junior, was named Miss Black Diamond Days 2010. The pageant winner will serve as the official hostess for Black Diamond Days, appearing in the parade on Sunday and participating in numerous other events during the weekend. Heyen, the outgoing Miss Black Diamond Days, will crown the new queen at the conclusion of the pageant.
During the pageant, three out-of-town judges will award points on the basis of a private interview, stage introduction, an appearance in evening gown, an appearance in swimsuit and the candidates’ on-stage response to a randomly selected question.
Though not a requirement, the new queen will be encouraged to represent Black Diamond Days in the Macoupin County Fair Queen pageant in July. “Julie Fischer and Kristen York (pageant directors) do an amazing job at the county level,” Levie said. “Whether they win or not in the Miss Black Diamond Days pageant, I encourage all my girls to go on to the county.”
Throughout the year, the new Miss Black Diamond Days will represent the City of Gillespie at other beauty pageants in the area, and at numerous area festivals and events. “She attends almost every local parade, whether it is Mount Olive, Dorchester or Carlinville,” Levie noted. Miss Black Diamond Days also is a presence for the Coal Country Chamber of Commerce”s Fall Festival, Tour de Coal and Snack with Santa. She also appears in the Gillespie High School Homecoming parade and makes an appearance during the coronation ceremonies for the Homecoming Queen and King.
Judges will choose a new queen, a first and second runner-up, and “most photogenic” designee. The candidates themselves will pick Miss Congeniality. A new feature of the pageant this year will be a People’s Choice award. Audience members can vote for their favorite candidates by depositing money in boxes designated for each of the candidates. The girl who has collected the most money will be named the People”s Choice award winner.
Money collected for the People”s Choice award will be split between the new queen and the People”s Choice winner. The new Miss Black Diamond Days, first runner-up, Miss Congeniality and Most Photogenic will each receive small cash awards. Levie is excited about the introduction of the first-ever Junior Miss Black Diamond Days pageant this year. Ten local girls, ranging in age from 12 to 14 will participate.
Junior Miss candidates are: Candace Conlee, daughter of Darlene Conlee of Benld; Kennedi Whitworth, daughter of Scott and Shelly Whitworth of Gillespie; Reese Marshall, daughter of Suzie and Joe Marshall of Benld; Kirsten Sherman, daughter of Leslie and Todd Sherman of Gillespie; Kaitlyn Henrichs, daughter of Eric and Gina Henrichs of Dorochester; Emily Harszy, daughter of Joe and Diana Harszy of Plainview; Erika Mabus, daughter of Richard and Annette Clark of Dorchester, and the late Chris Mabus of Carlinville; Samantha Vail, daughter of Barbara Kirkwood and John Vail of Wilsonville; Abigail Munos, daughter of Jason Boehmke and Amee Munos of Gillespie; and Baily Hendricks, daughter of Kent and Allison Hendricks of Gillespie.
Junior Miss candidates also will be judged on the basis of a personal interview and their response to a randomly selected question on stage. They also will appear in sportswear and in partywear.
For both groups of candidates, the pageant experience helps to instill a greater sense of self confidence, Levie noted.
“What I try to teach the girls in the eight weeks I”m working with them is how to walk, how to talk and how to project self confidence,” she said. “It’s a huge self esteem booster.”
When she first started working with the Junior Miss candidates, some of them were too shy to speak, she said. “I had some that wouldn’t smile; I had some that looked at the floor if you talked to them,” she said. “Now, they stand up with their heads held high. Their self-esteem has done a 180 degree turnaround.”
A major part of the experience for Junior Miss candidates is learning how to write a resume. For younger girls in sixth, seventh or eighth grade, the resume may include school activities, church activities and so on. Levie said she plans to keep those resumes on file so they will be available six years from now when some of the younger girls return to run for Miss Black Diamond Days. “I’ll be able to pull out their resume and say, “Look how far you’ve come”,” Levie commented.
For both Miss Black Diamond Days and Junior Miss candidates, the experience teaches “life skills they will use the rest of their lives,” Levie said. “We help them on how to prepare for a job interview,” she said. “We teach them to think on their feet, which is something you have to do the rest of your life.”
The pageant also will feature appearances by visiting queens from surrounding communities, and past Miss Black Diamond Days winners.
-Written and Contributed by David Ambrose
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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
Zion Lutheran School to host open house on March 18 for preschool and kindergarten programs
Illinois Farm Bureau to host ‘Rules for the Road’ trucking seminar in Carlinville on March 20
