Community News
Tour de Coal & Fall Festival is Another Success
Tour de Coal attracts over 250 riders.
Free entertainment, fall crafts and merchandise, food, an educational animal show, the smoke house, children’s games, and a business expo was highlighted at the Coal Country Chamber of Commerce 13th annual Fall Festival on Saturday, September 24, at the Benld City Park.
The festival was held in conjunction with the 6th annual Tour de Coal. Participants were able to choose from a 15-mile family ride, a mid-length 36-mile ride or a metric century (66 miles). The terrain is flat to rolling with some hills.
The Tour de Coal attracted over 250 riders this year and proceeds will be used by the Coal Country Chamber of Commerce to improve the communities of Benld, Dorchester, Eagarville, East Gillespie, Gillespie, Mount Clare, Sawyerville and Wilsonville. The Chamber sponsors events such as a free Summer Concert Series, a Paws in the Park Dog Show, the Fall Festival and Breakfast with Santa.
Hundreds of people visit the Fall Festival.
The fall festival was non-stop gathering all day Saturday with over 500 people in attendance at different times throughout the day. There was something for everyone at the festival.
While the festival officially opened at 10 a.m. the free entertainment starts at 7:30 with Joe Powell serenading the many crafters, food vendors, and local business people who are setting up their booths.
At 9:45 a.m. the Will Black Orchestra, led by local musician Bill Winkleblack, performed, followed by the Heartland Band at 11:30. The Heartland Band featured classic and modern country music and the State Champion Fiddler, 13 year-old Mikayla Roach. Steve Davis will presented “Elvis” and his full band, the “Memories of Elvis” from 1-4:00pm and had the dance floor full the entire time.
Riders engage in either a 15 mile, 36 mile, or 66 mile trail.
New to the 13th Annual Festival this year was the live full-grown Reindeer with antlers. Children and adults were able to see creatures from 2 feet away. The reindeer also known as the caribou in North America, is a deer from the Arctic and Subarctic. Reindeer vary considerably in color and size. Both sexes grow antlers, though they are typically larger in males.
Another popular animal show this year was the Reptile Show shared with the Festival by Dr. Richard Crowell of the Biology Department of Blackburn College. Crowell brought a collection of native and exotic snakes and lizards. Viewers were able to learn about various species as well as handle some of the reptiles.
Another free exhibit for the children was the Community Unit 7 Fire Protection District’s “Smoke House”, which is a scaled down version of a family home that is used to teach youngsters how to respond in the event of a house fire. During demonstrations with groups of children, the Smoke House was filled with non-toxic “smoke,” giving firefighters an opportunity to teach children how to safely exit the house.
Illinois State Police District 18 once again brought in the “Rollover Simulator” , a car model with human “Dummies” that shows people what would happen to someone who is not wearing a seat belt when a car roles over.
As always, the CCCC Train, is free for anyone.
Lettie Crays was again able to share a children’s book that she has authored. This year’s book was the “just arrived”. Festival attendees who bought the book were able to have the author sign it.
The Macoupin-Montgomery Chapter of Crime Stoppers offered free fingerprinting of children for identification purposes in the event a child is lost or abducted. Each set of fingerprints was given to the children’s parents for safekeeping.
“We hope that local folks and those from far away enjoyed this day of much free entertainment, and a way to have a family adventure that is inexpensive and fun.” Robinson concluded.
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FELONIES
Ronald R. Arnold, 35 of Gillespie, is charged with aggravated battery in a public place in connection with a December 28 incident.
Kenneth E. Ray, 39 of Bethalto, is charged with aggravated fleeing while involving the disobedience of two or more official traffic control devices, fleeing/attempting to elude officers, speeding 25-34 mph over the limit, and driver’s license expired more than a year in connection with a December 19 incident.
Jacklyn M. Wichman, 30 of Decatur, is charged with possession of methamphetamines (< 5 grams) in connection with a December 30 incident.
MISDEMEANORS
Levi R. Ladendorf, 31 of Staunton, is charged with battery/causing bodily harm in connection with a July 17, 2023 incident.
Demian E. Ellis, 46 of Benld, is charged with battery/making physical contact in connection with a December 30 incident.
Steven D. Lewis, 33 of Virden, is charged with two counts of violation of a protection order in connection with a December 30 incident.
TRAFFIC
Jason A. Keffer , 28 of Standard City, is charged with canceled/revoked/suspended registration in connection with a December 23 incident.
Daniel R. Gooding, 36 of Carlinville, is charged with driving on a suspended license and operating an uninsured motor vehicle in connection with a December 28 incident.
Douglas D. Davis, 27 of Benld, is charged with driving on a revoked license, operating an uninsured motor vehicle and expired registration in connection with a December 26 incident.
Brandon E. Swarringin, 26 of Carlinville, is charged with driving on a suspended license in connection with a December 21 incident.
DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE FILED
- Terry L. Lumma versus Robert L. Lumma
MARRIAGE LICENSES
- Pietro Lentini of Carlinville and Anna Jean Triplett of Greenfield
- Morgan Barber and Emilee Bridgwater, both of Benld
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Summer Repertory at Carlinville is pleased to announce the return of a comedy play to the stage. Performances of Ripcord will be held January 17 and 18th at 7:30 PM and January 19 at 2 PM at Blackburn College Bothwell Auditorium.
Ripcord, by David Lindsay-Abaire, is based in the Bristol Place Senior Living Facility. The rivalry of odd couple roommates Abby and Marilyn, results in high stakes comedy of conflict for control of territory.
Cindy Rice and Joe Hardy bring their combined experience directing the small cast of seasoned actors.
Rice, who has directed place and musicals In Illinois and Texas, spent 15 years co-directing musicals at North Green high school.
Hardy, who began acting at age 7 with notable roles in Summer Repertory Theatre’s Shrek The Musical, The Little Mermaid , and Suessical, has also performed at several Springfield, Illinois, theaters. He has a BA in Theatre Performance from SIUE.
Tickets for Ripcord may be purchased at the door only. Ripcord is rated PG-13. For more information, see Summer Repertory Theatre at Blackburn College Facebook page.
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The Partnership for Educational Excellence is gearing up for an exciting trivia night on Saturday, February 15, 2025.
The lively evening is the education foundation’s one-and-only fund raiser. Proceeds will allow The Partnership to continue programs benefitting all CUSD7 students. Since 1992 the it has awarded more than $1 million to the improved and continuing educations of local students.
Since 1992 every student in every classroom in CUSD7 has benefitted from classroom mini-grants, school-wide academic grants, and – over the past three years – district-wide grants of $90,000 for improved and enhanced student computers.
In addition, The Partnership offers individual $2,000 academic tuition scholarships to GHS graduates enrolled in accredited state and private, academic and trade colleges and universities. In 2024, a record 40% of GHS graduating seniors received these awards.
The “For the Love of Education” Trivia Night will be held at the Gillespie Civic Center, 115 North Macoupin (behind City Hall). Doors open at 6:00 p.m. and the competition begins at 7:00 p.m.
Mulligans will be for sale; games and lightning rounds will keep the evening lively; and a variety of door prizes will be awarded. Contestants are invited to bring their own beverages and snacks. Alcoholic beverages are permitted with a photo I.D.
In addition, The Partnership’s annual Grand Raffle will kickoff. Two “early bird” winners will receive $100 each on February 15. Their tickets will remain eligible for the grand prize of $5,000 on Saturday 12 April 2025. The fee is only $100 per table, up to 10 people per team.
There are four ways to register:
- phone Director Mary Griffel at 217-556-5456;
- visit www.thepartnership7.org to register online or to print out a mail-in form;
- write to The Partnership, P.O. Box 125, Gillespie IL 62033.
