Community News
Top Stories of 2011
Here are the most viewed stories from each month. We did not pick them, our viewers did. Click on any heading to view the entire article. The stories are from March to December because we did not start our quest until the end of February.. enjoy!
March
Chuck Price to Open Restaraunt on Gillespie Main Street!
Gillespie’s own Chuck (C.P.) Price is planning to open a new restaurant on Main Street. It will be located in the building that last housed Ageless and Broadway Video. We recently interviewed Chuck to get the inside scoop on his new venture. Here are his responses:
What will the new restaurant be called?
Chuck: “Originally I had settled on “The Pit” but after asking for suggestions from friends and family I have decided to call it “CP’s Five n’ Dine. People still remember when that building was “The Dime Store” so we feel that “CP’s Five n’ Dine” will keep that sense of nostalgia and history alive. I’m even in talks to try to get the old robotic horse that used to be in the window at The Dime Store.”
What is your target opening date?
Chuck: “My goal is to do everything we can to be open by May 1st.”
What kind of food will be on the menu?
Chuck: “We will serve all the same dishes that were available at Chief’s as well as an expanded dinner menu, breakfast all day, protein shakes, and a full blown bakery.”
What will it look and feel like inside?
Chuck: “We’ll have a large dining area with lots of things to promote shopping local in G-Pie. As I said before we’re even trying to get the horse from the old dime store.”
April
Cody McGuire & David McGuire Charged in Gillespie Shooting
Two 19-year-old Granite City men have been charged in connection with the shooting of a 30-year-old male late Wednesday night in Gillespie, according to Illinois State Police.
The office of Macoupin County State’s Attorney Jennifer Watson confirmed late Thursday that Cody R. McGuire (pictured top left), 19, of Granite City is charged with attempted murder, aggravated battery with a firearm and aggravated battery in connection with the the shooting of Lee Jason Walton, 30, in Gillespie. McGuire is accused of shooting Walton in the face and chest with a .38 caliber handgun.
David P. McGuire (pictured top right), 19, also of Granite City is charged with aggravated battery for allegedly causing great bodily harm to Walton by striking Walton in the head with his fist.
ISP Master Sgt. Dave Wasmuth said Thursday that the Macoupin County Sheriff’s Department received a call shortly before midnight reporting a shooting in the 700 block of West Gillespie Street in Gillespie. Gillespie City Police and Macoupin County Sheriff’s deputies reportedly responded to the scene where they found Walton suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.
May
80 Graduate From GHS
In a ceremony long on tradition with a few moments of serendipity, Community Unit School District 7 awarded diplomas to more than 80 graduating seniors during commencement exercises on Sunday afternoon in the Gillespie High School gym.
Valedictorian Ashley Heyen departed from the tradition of delivering a valedictorian speech to sing an original composition while accompanying herself on guitar. “Unlike my amazing co-valedictorians, I’m not a good speech writer,” Heyen said. “This song just came to me and I hope you enjoy it.”
The song, “Days Like This,” described Heyen‘s emotions upon saying goodbye to high school and preparing for the future. “They say all good things must come to an end,” she sang. “That’s life and it will happen over and over again.”
Class members gave Heyen a standing ovation at the conclusion of her performance. An emotional Katie Benz, high school math teacher, used part of her time at the podium to say goodbye. “The decision to leave Gillespie High School is one of the hardest I’ve had to make,” she said. She offered thanks to parents, teachers and to High School Principal Joe Tieman “for believing in me four years ago.”
June
Kylie Frensko crowned Miss Black Diamond Days 2011
Miss Kylie Frensko was crowned Miss Black Diamond Days 2011 queen on June 3, 2011 at Gillespie Civic Center. Kylie is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Brian Frensko of Benld. She is will be a junior at Gillespie High School and is very active in cheerleading. She also received awards for People’s Choice and Most Photogenic. Miss Frensko was among 7 other canidates and hundreds of people who quietly awaited the announcement of who would wear the crown. “It’s such a great honor,” Kylie said. First runner up went to Bailey Loveless and Miss Congeniality went to Mikayla Tarro.
Miss Emily Harszy was crowned Jr. Miss Black Diamond Days 2011. Emily will be a freshman at Gillespie High School and is very active in her church. She also received awards for Miss Congeniality. Ms. Harszy mentioned the pageant was, “an awesome experience.” First runner up was Reese Marshall and Kaitlyn Henrichs received awards for People’s Choice and Most Photogenic.
Before ending her reign, Miss Sarah Heyen expressed her gratitude for the experience, and encouraged her successor to, “Enjoy every moment because the experience goes by fast.” Then the runners-up and winners were announced and friends and family crowded the stage to congratulate them all.
July
Historic Coliseum Ballroom Destroyed by Fire
The storied entertainment venue that once hosted the likes of Tommy Dorsey, Duke Ellington and Fats Domino was destroyed by a fire that broke out about 9 p.m., Saturday, July 30.
Community Unit 7 Fire Protection District Chief Larry Norville said local fire departments were called shortly after 9 p.m. The first units arrived on the scene about 9:20 p.m., at which time the ceiling was fully inflamed. As many as 16 fire departments from throughout the region eventually responded to the blaze, many of them serving as tenders to bring water to service pumper trucks and two snorkels on the front lines of the battle.
The Coliseum was the scene of a free concert Saturday night featuring the local band, Shadow of a Doubt. Thirty or more people were in the building with flames reportedly erupted in the ceiling. Norville said initial indications were that the fire started in the ceiling in the northeast corner of the building. At least one person was taken by ambulance to a hospital for treatment of smoke inhalation and minor burns. Two others were taken by private vehicle, apparently for treatment of smoke inhalation. Norville said some people inside the building feared they would be unable to escape the blaze when the fire broke out as burning ceiling tiles began to rain down at the front of the building as they were trying to exit.
August
DePoppe hired as Gillespie Chief: Special Council Meeting August 15
The city then went in to executive session to appoint a chief of police to the police department. After 30 minutes, the council returned to open session. With a motion made to hire Jared DePoppe to chief of police, the council voted 6-1 with the only decline coming from Gus Ottersburg.
While waiting for DePoppe to arrive at the council meeting to swear in, Mayor Hicks updated the council on the demolition of the buildings on Macoupin Street. Hicks said there were many counts of asbestos and it will have to be removed before demolition. Demolition is slated to begin August 26. The asbestos will have be removed prior to the demolition, there was not much asbestos. The titles of the buildings has not been signed over to the city, but it is expected to be handled soon.
DePoppe then arrived at the meeting and was sworn in by city attorney: Kevin Polo. DePoppe and his wife, Joanna, have been living in Gillespie since June of 2005. DePoppe and his wife have 2 children: Bree (5) and Lock (6 months). DePoppe has been with the Gillespie Police Department since October of 2006 when he was hired as a volunteer police chaplain. In August of 2007, Depoppe was then hired as a part time officer and he served this position for a year and one half until he was hired full time in March of 2009. In January of 2011, DePoppe was again promoted to Sergeant and then Depoppe was acting chief of police when Dean Plovich resigned almost 2 months ago. Depoppe has been the pastor at First Baptist Church in Gillespie since January of 2006.
September
CUSD #7 Breaks Ground on New Elementary
A crowd of over 100 visitors plus over 750 students were all smiles when school board members and elected officials broke ground on the new 26 million dollar new elementary school. Superintendent Paul Skeans welcomed everyone to the ceremony. “The new school will be completed by December of 2012,” Skeans addressed the crowd.
After the high school band and choir opened the morning ceremony, Superintendent Skeans reminded the crowd what the school district has been the recipient of. On Sunday, March 28, 2009, the school district lost the brand new elementary school in neighboring Benld. Just four days later, Skeans said, the school district was operating under double shifts in the high school and middle school. “That is why all the students are here, they were all apart of it,” Skeans mentioned. In November of 2009, the district was able to move the elementary students into modular building with the help of Phil Hare and Deanna Demuzio. Then, with the help of Governor Pat Quinn, the school district was able to receive 19 million dollars in grant money to help replace the elementary school. “The school board then matched 7 million dollars to help make the project possible,” Skeans said.
A committee of 26 members selected the Kelly street site on July 19, 2010. Then, in August of 2011, the school board awarded the first sitework construction bids. “In the next months, the school board will be awarding construction bids,” Skeans forcasted. It has been a long process, according to Skeans, but this community has joined together and overcame the obstacles and that has led us where we are today, “that is why we are here today.”
October
Local fitness center hoping to expand this August
A local business in Gillespie may just be getting a little bigger this summer. According to Pete Visintin, Ageless Fitness and Tanning, located at the old Curry concrete plant, is in the process of lining up financing for a new 11,000 square foot multi-sport gym that will be adjacent to the current building. If all goes as planned, they hope to have the new gym completed by the end of the 2012 summer.
“This has been our plan all along since we built the new gym. In fact, it was part of our agreement with the city. It was originally supposed to be completed within 5 years of opening our new gym, but with the success we’ve had, we decided to move it up. It will not just have a positive financial impact on our business, but the entire community should see a difference. We hope to run 10-12 tournaments per year as well as 4 or 5 sports league per year, bringing around 200 people per tournament to the Gillespie area. Retail shops, restaurants, and gas stations should see an increase in traffic. With the addition of the new school and the new high school sports complex, as well as the changes that are happening on main street, we hope we’ll be able to show outsiders what a small, nice town Gillespie is. ”
The 11,000 square foot facility will include a regulation full court basketball court that will also be able to be used as a volleyball or tennis court. It will also house a 3200 square foot turf area with at least 2 batting cages and plenty of room for groundballs and throwing. It will contain bathrooms and a concession stand, as well as plenty of seating for spectators. In addition, the new building will allow Ageless to redo the floor plan of its current building so they can add more cardio equipment, as well as expand their successful athletic strength and conditioning program.
November
Savant withdraws resignation and holds supervisor position
After resigning from his supervisor duties a week earlier, Savant chose to remain supervisor..
The Benld City Council met for a special meeting on Monday, November 21 to discuss personnel issues. On the last regularly scheduled board meeting, November 14, Jim Savant informed the City Council that he is resigning “from all supervisor duties.” Savant is the maintenance supervisor for the City of Benld.
Savant informed the council that he “is severely underpaid and is forced to ask for a raise.” He went on to say that he knows the excuses he will get after asking for a raise and is willing to accept them. After being with the city for 22 years, the supervisor title lost “a little luster” to Savant and he decided it is the best choice for him and his family.
After much discussion, the council voted to table the acceptance of his resignation on November 14 and discuss the issue with Savant. “He obviously has a grievance, we should hear him out,” Mayor Hendricks noted.
December
Gillespie Police Officer shoots dog
After being at new home just over one day, chocolate lab puppy, with the name of Molly, broke loose out of her backyard where she was in company of a pair of other chocolate labs.
According to owner Deanna Rife, the new puppy was anything but aggressive and was rather sweet and playful. Rife went on to say the puppy was a Christmas gift for her mother.
Upon escaping the fenced in yard, Molly wandered to a nearby neighbor where the action took place.
“When I came by she snapped at my arm and was growling and I was like, okay,” said Melissa Holmes. She was foaming at the mouth, and just like a lot of foam and drool, but there was a lot of foam and she growled a lot, like for 15 minutes straight.”
Unable to move the dog, Melissa said she had no other choice than to call the police. Gillespie officers arrived within minutes and from there Holmes stopped trying to apprehend the dog.
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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.
Comments
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.”
Comments
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.
