Community News
Wilsonville Board continues to wrestle with master meter replacement, lift station upgrade
Betty Vanucci, Jan Mohr, Rosalee Schuey and Keith Mohr, representing the Wilsonville Thursday Seniors group, present a check for $1,700 to Wilsonville Village President Annetta Veres during Tuesday night’s meeting of the Wilsonville Board of Trustees. The group raised the money through a spaghetti dinner and directed that half of the donation be earmarked for the purchase of a generator for the Wilsonville Community Center.
Members of the Wilsonville Village Board continued ongoing discussion regarding replacement of a faulty master meter measuring the village’s water usage from the City of Gillespie and improvement to the so-called Liberty lift station during Tuesday night’s regular meeting of the board. Both issues have been under consideration for several months but the meeting ended with no definitive action being taken on either project.
The board also voted to hire two new part-time police officers for the village and discussed the possibility of creating an outdoor memorial commemorating the village’s historic court battle that forced the Earthline Corp. to remove toxic wastes from the Earthline landfill.
Early in the meeting, resident Sharon Borgini sharply criticized the board for allegedly failing to act on the master meter issue while spending large sums of money on renovations to the Wilsonville Community Center. Village President Annetta Veres laid the blame at the feet of the village engineer, Rodney Potts, saying Potts has not been responsive to the village’s requests for information.
Trustee John Veres said he had sent multiple text messages to Potts but had received no reply. He said he had concerns about the design Potts had previously submitted to correct the master meter issue.
[pullquote]I don’t want to do it wrong again.[/pullquote]“Forty years ago, a previous administration made a mistake,” he said. “I don’t want to do it wrong again.”
As the exchange between Borgini and Trustee Veres, Village President Veres called the discussion to an end.
“Nothing ever gets done by yelling,” she said, “and no one wants to get that (master meter project) done faster than I do.”
Later, when the board moved into its regular agenda, Trustee Veres said he has questions about the design Potts submitted and that Potts has failed to respond to his questions. At issue is a faulty master meter that measures the amount of water coming into Wilsonville from the Gillespie water system. Because of the defective meter, the village is being overcharged about $400 a month for water it did not use. Trustee Veres said the meter was improperly installed four decades ago, causing the meter to eventually fail.
“Those meters are made to be on a straight line and ours isn’t,” Trustee Veres said. “Our system is backward. The meter is in the bypass (rather than the water main).” The elbows leading into and exiting the bypass, Veres said, create turbulence that eventually damages any meter the village might install. “It has to be done right. Otherwise, we’re going to have turbulence and we’re going to get a false reading.”
“At one point, Rodney said the pit may not be big enough to put in what we need to put in,” Village President Veres said. “We have to get the master meter done. I’m not sure why Rodney is dragging his feet. Every day it doesn’t get done is a day that costs us more money.”
Trustee Pam Zaksas questioned using Potts to design the installation since the company he works for, Crawford and Associates, designed the original installation that failed.
“If Rodney is with the company that screwed things up 40 years ago, why are we going back to that same company?” she asked.
President Veres acknowledged that using an alternate engineering firm would be a possibility if Potts remains unresponsive to the village’s questions.
[pullquote]Ultimately, no further action was taken on the master meter issue.[/pullquote]Ultimately, no further action was taken on the master meter issue. Likewise, no definitive action was taken on improvements to the Liberty Street lift station. The lift station, used to pump raw sewage toward the treatment lagoon, has been prone to overflowing when it becomes clogged with debris. Potts had recommended replacing the lift station pumps with grinder pumps designed to pulverize debris and allow it harmlessly pass through the system. A demonstration of a grinder pump, however, proved to be unsatisfactory, according to President and Trustee Veres, who attended the demonstration recently at the village hall.
The pump reportedly pulverized thin strips of plastic, but when the Veres asked to see if it could handle a mop head, the pump became clogged.
As an alternative, Trustee Veres said the village could install three high capacity hydromantic pumps equipped with strainers that would allow nothing larger than two inches in diameter to pass through the pump. Larger debris collected by the strainers would have to be physically removed from a basket below the strainers. The total cost of the pumps is estimated at $36,000, Veres noted.
PART-TIME POLICE OFFICERS
Following a 20-minute executive session to discuss personnel and litigation, the board voted unanimously to hire Dave Reno, Benld, and Jim Mullen, Hillsboro, as part-time police officers at a wage rate of $13 per hour. The board had voted last month to offer the positions to the two men, and voted Tuesday night to formally hire them. The two new additions will enable the village to have police patrols for 35 hours per week. Police Chief Wayne Watkins will be in charge of scheduling hours for the part-timers.
EARTHLINE MEMORIAL
Board members took under advisement a proposal to create an Earthline memorial at the village hall to commemorate the court battle residents waged to force the company to remove toxic wastes from the Earthline landfill. President Veres suggested that the memorial could consist of a painting now housed at the Community Center, along with information about the incident, permanently protected in an outdoor setting adjacent to the village’s veterans memorial. She said she also would like to get the Illinois Department of Transportation to put signage on the highway directing visitors to the veterans memorial.
Wilsonville Police Chief Wayne Watkins presents a check for $1,500 to Wilsonville Village President Annetta Veres Tuesday night as ordinance officer Bob Reimann looks on. Watkins obtained the grant from Walmart to be used for police department upgrades. Watkins said the money will help with the purchase of new winter uniforms, acquisition of radio equipment and the purchase of computer programs.
The painting, depicting a young girl holding a rabbit and emerging from the front gate of the Earthline landfill, became a bone of contention last month when several residents complained about its temporary removal from the Community Center. Moving the painting and protecting it with weatherproof framing and glass would make it accessible to more people, Veres said.
“You could see the veteran’s memorial and the Earthline memorial with one stop,” she said. She asked board members to think about the proposal with an eye toward voting on the project in the next month or so. In the meantime, she said she would work on getting signage posted on the highway for the veteran’s memorial.
“This is where it needs to be,” Trustee Veres commented. “It doesn’t need to be down at the Community Center” where only a few people see it. Veres also said he is interested in working with the county historical society and tourism officials to develop a smart phone app visitors can use to access additional information about the Earthline issue.
DONATIONS
Early in the meeting, President Veres accepted a $1,700 donation from the Thursday Senior Citizens group. Rosalee Schuey, who presented the check, said the group is asking that half of the donation be earmarked for a generator for the Community Center which would make the center available for use as a shelter in the event of a major power outage. The group raised the money through a recent spaghetti dinner.
“That represents a lot of hard work and a lot of donations,” Trustee Veres said.
The village also accepted a $1,500 donation from Walmart obtained through the efforts of Police Chief Watkins to be used for upgrades for the police department. Watkins said the money will help buy new winter uniforms, purchase radio equipment and update computer programs. He said he also is working on a $1,000 grant from another source that is likely to be presented at a later date.
SHADY OAK LOGGING
President Veres reported that a logging company that previously expressed an interest in removing specific trees from Shady Oak Park and even visited the location to identify the trees has since decided that Wilsonville is too far away for the project to be practical for them. She said she would contact other area loggers to see if there is any interest from an alternate logging company.
Earlier in the meeting, resident Mary Ann Rossetto expressed concerns about the proposed project, noting that Shady Oak Park adjoins wooded land she owns.
“My woods go into those woods,” she said. “I really don’t want to lose any of my woods.”
President Veres said that if logging is allowed on the Wilsonville property, the village would be mindful of property lines. Trustee Veres said that within the park itself only about eight trees were identified for removal.
Rossetto also asked about getting a street sign erected for her street to assist delivery services and visitors in finding her home.
“I sometimes have things delivered and they have to call to find out where I am,” she said.
President Veres said the signs and posts are on hand and that she would speak with the maintenance department to ensure the signs are erected soon.
COURT MONEY PAYMENT SYSTEM
On a motion by Trustee Veres, seconded by David Day, the board voted unanimously to enroll in Court Money, an online program the will allow residents to pay bills from the village online by using their credit card or debit card. The system already is being used by the Village of Royal Lakes and President Veres said the village is pleased with the program. Residents using the system will pay a small convenience fee, but the program will cost the village itself nothing.
OTHER ACTION
In other action, the board:
- Accepted the bid of HHH Construction to install two back doors at the Wilsonville Community Center. President Veres said the bid is about $200 less than what the company normally would charge for the project.
- Gave permission for the Wilsonville Community Outreach organization to use Mugger Field, if necessary, for a Burger and Brat Bash and Trunk or Treat event on Oct. 8. Trustee Veres said the field may be used for overflow vendors, if needed.
- Reviewed a report on ordinance violation tickets issued.
- Heard a report from Trustee Veres regarding two sand filters at the sewage treatment lagoon that have become clogged. Trustee Zaksas recommended contacting Illinois Rural Water Association to see if the organization had resources for correcting the problem. She also suggested contacting the organization for assistance with resolving the village’s master water meter issue.
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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.
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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.”
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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.
