The Original Voice of Valmeyer

Volume 12 – Number 35 September 6, 2004

To look in and not out, to look forward and not back, to look up and not down.

IF THE ROOSTER DIES . . . . . . . BUY AN ALARM CLOCK!

Flags throughout the community at half-staff . . . the bay at the Firehouse draped in black . . . all fitting tributes to Melvin Fisher who lost his battle with cancer this week. It was always community first for Melvin. Just this summer, while in a weakened condition, Mel made sure to put in a slow order for the trains coming through Valmeyer during the July Midsummer Celebration Parade. Mel was in his glory early this year when he was chosen to man the controls of Union Pacific steam locomotive 3985 as it barreled through Valmeyer. Thank God he was given that opportunity. Melvin never married and never had children, but he never lacked family. People that he worked with in various organizations became his extended family . . . those people treated him as family, and Mel was happy to return the favor. Whenever Mel got involved with an organization or on a project, whether for the Valmeyer Jaycees or the Valmeyer Fire Department or as the Valmeyer ESDA Coordinator during the Flood of 1993 or spearheading an effort to park a caboose in centerfield at Borsch Park, he never gave less than 110% effort, and to put it simply . . . HE WAS JUST A GREAT GUY! Mel, we’re going to miss you.

THIS WEEK AT SCHOOL . . . . .

Tuesday, September 7 – High School Golf at Freeburg – 4:00 p.m.

Tuesday, September 7 – High School Volleyball at Columbia – 5:15 p.m.

Wednesday, September 8 – Junior High Softball & Baseball at Red Bud Catholic – 4:15.

Thursday, September 9 – High School Golf – Alton Marquette / Roxana at Valmeyer.

Thursday, September 9 – Junior High Softball & Baseball at Marissa – 4:15 p.m.

Thursday, September 9 – Band Instrument Display Night – 7:00 p.m.

Friday, September 10 – High School Volleyball against New Athens at HOME – 6:00 p.m

Friday, September 10 – Junior High Softball & Baseball at SPPS – 4:15 p.m.

Saturday, September 11 – High School Volleyball vs. Alton Marquette at HOME – 1:00.

Regular meeting of the Valmeyer Village Board of Trustees – Tuesday, September 7 at 7:30 p.m. at the Emergency Services Building.

It will soon be time for the 2^nd Annual Valmeyer Jaycees Golf Tournament. It will be a time to enjoy golf, food and drink, and good times with good friends. This 18-hole, 4-person scramble event will be held on Friday, September 17^th at The Acorns Golf Course, with a 1:00 p.m. shotgun start. Entry fee of $60 per person will entitle you to golf, a cart, beverages for 5 hours, and a barbecue buffet. Grab three friends and join the fun. The Jaycees are also looking for hole sponsors. For registration or sponsorship information, contact Lyn May at 939-7213. All proceeds will benefit Jaycee community projects, like park improvements, holiday decorations and support of other community and educational programs.

A MEMBER OF OUR COMMUNITY IS IN NEED OF OUR ASSISTANCE. . . . . MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR A BENEFIT EVENT TO HELP MARIE MITAN WITH HER FIGHT AGAINST LEUKEMIA. The Benefit Event will be on Friday, October 1 from 8:00 p.m. to Midnight at Turner Hall in Columbia. Doors will open at 7:30 p.m. The feature will be music by Pancho Vegas . . . The Party Never Ends. The admission fee will be $10, and there will be 50/50 chances and other raffle tickets throughout the night. A cash bar will be available. All proceeds will benefit Marie Mitan’s fight against leukemia. Remember Marie in your prayers.

BEGINNING SEPTEMBER 1 - - - The Village has contracted with a different company for garbage pickup. Trash will still be collected on Thursdays, unless a holiday falls on Thursday, in which case garbage pickup will take place on Friday during that week. Each resident will be limited to four (4) bags or cans, not to exceed thirty (30) gallons in capacity nor to exceed fifty (50) pounds in weight, each week. The major change is that in addition to regular trash pickup, the company will be doing curbside pickup of recycle items ON THE FIRST AND THIRD THURSDAYS OF EACH MONTH. You can place your recycle items - - - aluminum cans, tin cans, type 1 and 2 plastics, and glass - - - at the curb in a separate container from your regular garbage. The recycle items do not have to be separated - - - they can be commingled - - - as they will be sorted at the recycle center. The garbage contractor is a strong supporter of the newspaper recycling program at the school, and encourages Valmeyer residents to take their newspaper, magazine and catalog items directly to school and place them in the large green and yellow dumpsters on the School parking lot. If you have any questions about the change in garbage pickup, please call Village Hall.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS – VALMEYER FALL CHURCH PICNIC sponsored by St. John United Church of Christ and St. Mary Catholic Church on Sunday, September 19^th from 11:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. There will be plenty of barbecue including carryouts, hamburgers, hot dogs, and cold refreshments. There will be raffles and games for the kids and adults including a cake walk, country store and attendance prizes. Musical entertainment will be available all day including Pearl Hirsch at 11:00 a.m., Todd Bradshaw at 12:00 noon, the Annointed Praise Gospel Singers at 1:00 p.m., the Thunder and Lightning Cloggers at 2:00 p.m. and the Bud Light Brigade at 3:00 p.m. Plan to come early and stay late at this fun event.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR COMMUNITY YARD SALE DAY – SATURDAY, OCTOBER 9^TH – If you are interested in participating, please contact Village Hall, as a Community Yard Sale listing will be available in town on that day.

Members of Valmeyer American Legion Post 901 and Auxiliary will be hosting a CHILI SUPPER ON FRIDAY, OCTOBER 15 from 4:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Valmeyer American Legion Hall, 618 South Meyer Avenue in Valmeyer. The menu will include chili, hot dogs, dessert and beverage. The cost will be $5.00 for adults, $3.00 for children ages 6-12, and FREE for kids under 6. Don’t miss the food and fellowship of this event.

Visit the School’s webpage at www.valmeyerk12.org . . . find the Original Voice of Valmeyer on line by visiting the Community Links section of this site.

SEE YOU NEXT WEEK!!!!!!!!!!!!