The ORIGINAL VOICE OF VALMEYER

TO LOOK OUT, AND NOT IN – TO LOOK UP, AND NOT DOWN – TO LOOK FORWARD, AND NOT BACK

VOLUME 11 – NO. 27 July 7, 2003

IF THE ROOSTER DIES, BUY AN ALARM CLOCK

The 2003 Valmeyer Midsummer Celebration is history! It was a scorcher of a weekend, just like it is most of the time during July in the Midwest. There was plenty of fellowship and good times throughout the weekend, as many people return to Valmeyer to visit family and friends during the Independence Day holiday. Local civic organizations did a great job of providing food to keep everybody satisfied, and drinks to keep everyone cool. Musical entertainment during the evenings kept everybody hopping on the dance floor. A hearty group endured the heat for the Spades Tournament on Friday, and an even heartier group braved the heat on Saturday to participate in the Volleyball Tournament. Also on Saturday the whine of tractor engines could be heard across town as drivers showed off their talent during the tractor pulling competition. Talent was also displayed during the Sunday parade with some very colorful and creative floats depicting the Comic Book theme. Fredbird was his usual jovial self and entertained the youngsters, and the Bud Light Brigade logged their 19^th appearance in the Midsummer Celebration Parade - - - the place it all began under the Valmeyer High School shade tree in 1985. The Sunday night fireworks finale was the biggest and best ever, and people came from miles around to view the spectacular. Fireworks was provided on the baseball field as well during the entire Midsummer Classic. Congratulations to the home team Valmeyer Lakers who brought home the Championship of the tournament following a thrilling game with their local rival the Waterloo Buds. Quality baseball was the fare during the entire weekend, and what better venue than the newly completed grandstand / pavilion facility at Borsch Park. Everyone seemed pleased and impressed with the improvement project recently completed by the Valmeyer Jaycees and local volunteers. Following is an excerpt from the Dedication Address presented on Friday . . . . . Borsch Park opened for play in 1960 as a result of cooperation among several Valmeyer service organizations. Because of a need for additional playing fields for the area youth, it was decided to develop a ball park on this spot. The Valmeyer Firemen had originally cleared and leveled this area. The ground was then purchased by the American Legion, as they wanted to use it as a location for their post home. Members of the Valmeyer Optimist Club entered into a lease agreement with the Legion and began plans for construction of dugouts, grandstands, a concession stand and perimeter fencing. The park was later named for Valmeyer Optimist member Harold Borsch, who had organized the efforts to develop the park. . . . . . . At about the same time the park was completed, the Merrimac team of the Mon-Clair league was disbanding. The Optimists agreed to sponsor the team and Borsch Park became their new home. That team became the Valmeyer Lakers and has played at this park ever since. . . . . . . After the Valmeyer Jaycees were formed in 1969, one of their first efforts was to improve the restroom facilities at the park. In 1975 they organized one of their biggest efforts - - - the building of the large pavilion which served the park from 1975 until 2003 when it was taken down. The big pavilion with its brick barbecue pit became the centerpiece for the Midsummer Classic, now celebrating its 32^nd year. . . . . . . The Valmeyer Jaycees have led the effort to renovate Borsch Park. Only with the help of a large group of volunteers and thousands of hours of service is a project like this possible, especially when you consider the fact that it went from concept to reality in less than six months. The number of people who assisted with the project is too numerous to list, but to all of you who volunteered, including current and former Valmeyer Lakers, thank you very much - - - your assistance was invaluable. There are several individuals who led this effort that need to be thanked individually. Randy Coats headed up the concrete finishing and there were quite a few yards of concrete in this project as you can see. Special thanks to the Jaycee women who provided lunch for the workers during the project. The Valmeyer Jaycees appointed a 3-person construction committee to coordinate this project. Those three individuals are Dennis Kipping, Doug Sondag and George Brady. All three of these individuals put in countless hours to get this project finished before this weekend. George always had nicknames for individuals during the project. For example, Doug was always called the goat roper. It’s about time that George got a nickname of his own - - - let’s call him the Stain Slinger, because during the last several months George has slung his share of stain. Another nickname used quite often by George was little Hitler. That nickname was bestowed upon Allyn Rohlfing. It was Allyn’s coaxing that got us to consider this project from the very beginning, and since that time he has spent quite a few of his waking hours organizing work efforts and actually working on the project. We also would like to thank the companies and organizations that donated material, purchased billboard ads and gave financial donations. Your generous contributions are greatly appreciated. . . . . . . There is one thing still missing from our grandstands. Stadium seating has been ordered for this facility but it has not yet arrived. It is due to the generous donation of Alois and Twyla Luhr that the idea of stadium seating became a reality. With the donation of Alois and Twyla, Borsch Park will be one of the finest baseball venues in southern Illinois. Thank you, Alois and Twyla, for your generous support. We invite all of you to come back and visit Borsch Park later this year after the new seating has been installed.

Visit the School’s webpage at www.valmeyerk12.org - - - - - you will also be able to find the Original Voice of Valmeyer on line by visiting the Community Links section of this site. SEE YOU NEXT WEEK!!!!!!!!!