Tropical Sno, Gillespie’s tastiest treat, owned by Margaret and Charlie Wayman, opens Sunday, May 1st at 2:00pm.
A ten-minute mini vacation, an affordable luxury, a bit of self-indulgence, a retreat from the heat of the day – whatever it may be, Tropical Sno has the oasis of shaved ice euphoria. Coming off of their best year since opening 9 years ago, the Waymans’ are hoping their 10th season will be the most successful.
Their hours during May when school is in session will be Monday-Friday from 5-9pm and Saturday and Sunday from 2-9pm. They may stay open later in the summer depending on how the customers respond.
The Waymans’ had originally “saved” the Tropical Sno from completely closing. When Ron & Nancy Bray had it up for sale, they were ready to move the building after it didn’t sell over the winter. They had the power disconnected and the decision to move was all but done. Charlie and Margaret went and talked to them on Easter Sunday in 2002 and immediately, Margaret knew that it was her mission to buy it. The Waymans’ remembered how they used to take Heath (their son) there when he was little and how much he enjoyed it. She also didn’t want the community to be without a Tropical Sno. With that in mind, Tropical Sno was brought back to life in 2002 under the new owners!
Fast forward a decade, and the Wayman’s haven’t once regretted their initial decision in 2002! They’ve created a fun, family-like atmosphere. Of course, it’s still a business about numbers, but they love to visit with the customers and keep up-to-date on their families. Margaret shares what Tropical Sno has brought her, “A lot of the kids that couldn’t even reach the counter on our first season are now driving up for their shave ice. So many people look forward to us opening every year. People ask me in the Fall and all Winter long when we will be opening. My motivation comes from the customers. We have so many repeat customers. We try to keep it as clean, comfortable and inviting as possible. New people to the community come to Tropical Sno to meet people. We have many people who sit for an hour or longer and visit with their friends. We have babies, senior citizens and all ages in between that come to Tropical Sno.”
With over 30 flavors and 150 flavor combinations they surely have something your mouth will be watering for. Tropical Sno sold over 11,000 cups last year and gave away over 2,000. Last year, they did a promotion where the first three days each person could get one free small shave ice. They were swamped and gave away over 1,100 cups of shaved ice during those 3 days. They also have custom-designed flavors. Over the years, kids have wanted to make their own flavor and name it. So, they now have a special recipe book which is very unique to the shop itself. The only new flavor for the 2011 season is coffee.
Join Tropical Sno on Facebook to share how much you love it and to keep updated on their specials.
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Last year on Mother’s & Father’s day, moms and dads received a free shave ice. Margaret provides coupons for special events and incentives for Vacation Bible Schools, Summer Reading Programs, ball teams, etc. At this time, Tropical Sno is not planning the free days for their grand opening. Their costs for supplies are up this year and they would like to try and keep the prices as low as last year.
Besides Margaret, all of the workers from last year are planning on returning and they include Margaret’s nephew, Drew Brummett along with Shelby Jarman, Sydney Koniak and Mackenzie Buckner. Drew has worked at Tropical Sno for four summers. This will be Shelby’s third season and Sydney and Mackenzie’s second summer.
Jamie L. Whitford, 49 of Alton, is charged with violation of an order of protection in connection with an August 17 incident.
Sarah J. Crays, 39 of Virden, is charged with aggravated fleeing/damage to property (>$300), aggravated fleeing police/21 mph over the limit, and driving on a suspended license in connection with an August 18 incident.
Eric J. Trump, 33 of Carlinville, is charged with aggravated battery/great bodily harm in connection with an August 17 incident.
Henry D. Wilson, 37 of Mt. Olive, is charged with possession of methamphetamine (<5 grams) in connection with an August 19 incident.
Nicholas A. Williams, 31 of Staunton, is charged with possession of methamphetamine (<5 grams) in connection with a May 19 incident.
Holly A. Messerly, 38 of Bunker Hill, is charged with possession of methamphetamine (<5 grams)in connection with a May 5 incident.
Garret A. Brown, 22 of Springfield, is charged with aggravated battery/peace officer, criminal damage to government property (<$500), possession of a controlled substance, driving under the influence of alcohol, and canceled/revoked/suspended registration in connection with an August 19 incident.
Andrew K. Ridens, 36 of Staunton, is charged with possession of methamphetamine (<5 grams), driving on a revoked license, and operating an uninsured motor vehicle in connection with a July 21 incident.
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MISDEMEANORS
Tarina S. Slaughter, 46 of Girard, is charged with resisting a peace officer/firefighter/corrections employee in connection with an August 17 incident.
Joseph W. Reiniesch, 40 of Gillespie, is charged with aggravated assault/public property in connection with an August 16 incident.
TRAFFIC
Dallis E. Houseman, 56 of Modesto, is charged with drivers license expired more than a year and failure to obey police officer in connection with an August 18 incident.
Jameson E. Anderson, 35 of Shipman, is charged with improper use of registration/title, unlicensed, and operating an uninsured motor vehicle in connection with an August 11 incident.
Jordan A. Abner, 18 of Godfrey, is charged with speeding 26-34 mph over the limit in connection with an August 13 incident.
Amanda R. Bianco, 44 of Staunton, is charged with speeding 26-34 mph over the limit in connection with an August 7 incident.
Hunter J. Kapp, 18 of Highland, is charged with speeding 35+ mph over the limit in connection with an August 15 incident.
Adam L. Bray, 43 of Carlinville, is charged with driving on a revoked license, canceled/revoked/suspended registration, and operating an uninsured motor vehicle in connection with an August 16 incident.
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Kaelan N. Ramos, 34 of Shiloh, is charged with speeding 35+ mph over the limit and operating an uninsured motor vehicle in connection with an August 15 incident.
DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE FILED
Justin Robert Bickel versus Melissa Ann Bickel
Jennifer Miller versus Matthew Miller
Ryan T. Bloomfield versus Cheyenne M. Bloomfield
Angela K. Greenwalt versus Jay A. Greenwalt
Val Leffers versus Karen Leffers
MARRIAGE LICENSES
Jeremy Wayne Pride and Brandi Marie Hatzel, both of Shipman
Jacob Patrick Millard and Jenna Frances Wernsing, both of Carlinville
Dustin Eugene Bauman and Miriam Susan Jenkins, both of Virden
Jeremy Dale Canoy and Samantha Elaine Goyke, both of Girard
Bryan Edward Woodward and Jake Marie Cain, both of Shipman
Glen Alexander Mcelyea and Candice Dawn Herin, both of Shipman
Jacob R. Morgan, 38 of Staunton, is charged with burglary and theft/control/intent ($500<10k) in connection with a July 28 incident.
TRAFFIC
Justin C. Grider, 41 of Carlinville, is charged with driving on a suspended license in connection with an August 14 incident.
Chynasyl B. Chynybaev, 38 of Kent, WA, is charged with CDL not obtained and no fee paid/over registration weight in connection with an August 20 incident.
Clinton D. Coleman, 34 of Springfield, is charged with driving on a suspended license and operating an uninsured motor vehicle in connection with an August 22 incident.
Gary L. Cunningham, 61 of Staunton, is charged with driving on a suspended license in connection with an August 23 incident.
Christopher J. Moreland, 38 of Staunton, is charged with DL expired more than a year, operating an uninsured motor vehicle, and driving/operating a non-highway vehicle.
Matthew W. Stoops, 32 of Bunker Hill, is charged with DL expired more than a year and no valid registration in connection with an August 19 incident.
Jordan T. Trimm, 33 of Benld, is charged with improper use of registration/title, unlicensed, and operating an uninsured motor vehicle.
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Cole Y. Waugh, 41 of Gillespie, is charged with driving on a suspended license in connection with an August 16 incident.
Jessie J. Waugh, 44 of Gillespie, is charged with driving on a suspended license in connection with an August 15 incident.
Austin D. Guiliacci, 25 of Staunton, is charged with canceled/revoked/suspended registration in connection with an August 20 incident.
Matthew D. Knick, 20 of Mount Olive, is charged with driving on a suspended license and operating an uninsured motor vehicle in connection with an August 25 incident.
Kirstain S. Harris, 29 of Memphis, TN, is charged with driving on a suspended license and speeding 26-34 mph over the limit in connection with an August 24 incident.
Devin Berry, 36 of Blue Island, is charged with driving on a suspended license and driving 15-20 mph above the limit in connection with an August 24 incident.
Rudolph H. Jackson, 60 of Gillespie, is charged with driving on a revoked license, operating an uninsured motor vehicle, and no valid registration in connection with an August 24 incident.
Sean M. Rogerson, 50 of Palmyra, is charged with driving on a revoked license in connection with an August 27 incident.
A football game pitting the Gillespie Miners against the Staunton Bulldogs, a parade and the second annual induction ceremony for newly named members of the Gillespie High School Athletic Hall of Fame will highlight Homecoming next month.
The theme of this year’s celebration is The Roaring Twenties.
The parade will kick off on South Macoupin Street at 6 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 25. The parade will march to the high school where a pep rally is scheduled for 7 p.m., followed by the coronation of the Homecoming King and Queen at 7:15 p.m. There will be a Powder Puff Game/Cheer Section competition at 7:30 p.m., also on Wednesday, Sept. 25.
There will be a meet and greet with newly named members of the Athletic Hall of Fame at 6 p.m., Friday, Sept. 27, followed by the Homecoming football game at 7 p.m. Hall of Fame inductees include Mike Viano, Jack Genet, Dennis Best, Barbella Magus, Sam Stewart, William & Florence Schmidt and Family, and Deb Olson and the ’93, ’94 and ’95 GHS softball teams. New members will be inducted during a 2 p.m. reception on Sunday, Sept. 29, in the high school gym.
The annual Homecoming dance is set for 7-9 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 28 at the high school gym.
For GHS students, Homecoming activities will start well in advance of the Homecoming weekend festivities. Students from all four high school classes will work on building parade floats from 6-9 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 19, Monday, Sept. 23, and Tuesday, Sept. 24. Students will decorate hallways for Homecoming from 3-5 p.m., Friday, Sept. 20, and 9 a.m.-12 p.m., Saturday, Sept 21.
Monday, Sept. 23 will kick off a week of “dress-up” days for students. For Monday, the theme is Boas and Bowties. Tuesday, Sept. 24 will feature Glitz and Glitter. Wednesday, Sept. 25 is Rhyme Without Reason Day, and Thursday, Sept. 26, will feature Gangsters vs. Flappers. The dress-up theme for Friday, Sept. 27 will be School Spirit.
In addition to Wednesday’s pep rally following the parade, there will be a game-day pep rally at 1:15 p.m., Friday, Sept. 27.