WESTERN CLINTON COUNTY SENIOR SERVICES last week honored the volunteers who deliver meals to shut-in area residents as part of the nutrition program provided to the elderly by the agency. The volunteer drivers were treated to a dinner and awards ceremony, and each was given a certificate signifying their service. Front row, from left, Rich Tremmel, Helen Midgley, Margaret Kehrer, Margie Pollmann, Pat Toennies, Norma Jansen, Marcie Hacker, Erlene Strubhart, Beverly Rogowski, Marie Netemeyer; back row, Gordon Humbracht, Lynn Humbracht, Marie Dulle, Dolly Netemeyer, Rita Netemeyer, Eleanor Huegen, Florence Zurliene, Toni Engelmann, Alice Book, and Edgar Netemeyer. Western Clinton County Senior Services offers "congregate" meals on site daily at the Trenton Senior Center, located in the Masonic Lodge on North Main Street, and also provides nutritious hot meals to elderly area residents who qualify for home delivery. The meals program is available to all Sugar Creek and Lookingglass residents ages 60 and over.

A small donation is suggested. For more information, call the senior center at 224-9913.

The slide at the Trenton pool has been shut down by Trenton mayor Bob Koentz, who told city council members on Monday evening that the slide, which was donated for use at the pool, violates state regulations for public swimming facilities.

"Based on Illinois regulations for a slide of that height, there needs to be ten feet of water in the pool at the point it enters the water, and in our case there was only four feet of water,c Koentz said.

Koentz said the electrical connection for the pump that supplies water to the side is supposed to be certified by a mechanical engineer, which also hasn't been done.

"It has been shut down, and it will stay that way,” Koentz said. "It's not something I wanted to do, but it's the state law and we have to follow it. The bottom line is it's just not really the type of slide that's meant for use at a public pool.”

Koentz said there are other issues related to the pool's operation he has studied as well. "State regulations require that there be at least one lifeguard per 100 swimmers or per 2,000 square feet of pool area,” he said, "and at least one lifeguard must be within 50 feet of the diving board at all times when it's in use. I've told our lifeguards about these regulations and our intent to follow them.”

Koentz said there are also a number of daily record-keeping requirements that must be completed for operators of public swim facilities.

The city recently advised the park board of its intent to take greater responsibility for pool operations and functions, to ensure closer oversight of the mechanical systems of the pool, particularly as improvements are completed through a park improvement project scheduled for this fall.

Many problems related to the pump are believed to be maintenance issues. On Monday, maintenance superintendent Tom Peppenhorst suggested the pump and motor need to be replaced. "I know it's not included in the OSLAD grant,” Peppenhorst said, "but it needs to be done.”

The grant will include a new liner for the pool to mitigate a leaking problem, as well as replacement of the gutter and pressure system that feeds water to the pool.

Trenton soccer coordinator Keith Franke visited the council on Monday to ask for permission to place a sign on city easement near the soccer park, adjacent to KMK Sheet Metal Fabricators on Broadway. The council gave Franke the go-ahead to place the sign on a city sewer easement.

The council gave permission to Doug Denaro of the TrentonFest committee to install a temporary electric meter and run an underground line about 50 feet to accommodate the bands at the festival in September.

Mayor Koentz told the council he has ordered a small striping machine at a cost of about $560 to make the painting of crosswalks easier for maintenance workers. Koentz said the striping work will begin as soon as road oiling is complete. The previous method involved a roller and a pan.

Police committee chair Kim Trame reported that additional police officers will be commissioned for crowd control at the TrentonFest in September.

Trame also said she will coordinate with the Clinton County probation department to utilize probationers with public service requirements to complete some clean-up duties around town.

The city's lease with Kaskaskia College for rent on the Centralia-based community college's Trenton extension center is near expiration, and the city intends to ask for an increase from $2,000 per month to $2,300 per month, to account for substantially higher utility bills. The college's rent includes a portion for utilities and a portion for rent. The new lease is expected to be for another four years in duration.

Committee on Aging chair Margaret Conley reported that Western Clinton County Senior Services has received a commitment from its funding agency, Southwestern Illinois Area Agency on Aging, to provide two new computers for the Trenton facility. "There will be no cost to the city or the senior center,” Conley said

Wesclin School District will begin the 2007-2008 school year on Wednesday, August 15. This will be a full day of school with the cafeterias in operation. There will be a district workshop for teachers on August 14.

Registration days will be August 2 and 3 for all grades, prekindergarten through 12th.

Students who will attend Trenton or St. Mary's Elementary will register in the Trenton Elementary cafeteria.

Students who will attend New Baden or St. George Elementary will register in the New Baden Elementary cafeteria.

Registration for seventh through 12th grade students will be in the cafeteria on the junior high-high school campus.

Look in this week's Section B for complete information on registration and the upcoming school year.

- 1907 -

Henry Ahrens died at his home Saturday after a brief illness.

Born to Mr. and Mrs. Robert Tschudy a boy Thursday and a girl to Mr. and Mrs. Ned Edwards Wednesday.

Idaho Tribe 222 will give an Indian powwow at the Trenton Park on August 3. There will be a street parade, two notable speakers, games and amusements. An interesting feature will be the “Burning of the Paleface at the Stake,” which is well worth seeing. No intoxicating liquors will be sold on the grounds and the best of order will be maintained.

Butcher Kuhl of Aviston moved one of the buildings he recently acquired and will use it as a meat shop. The building presently so used will become a barber shop.

- 1917 -

Born to Mr. and Mrs. Walter Lee a son on July 27.

Margin Faitz, well known stock fancier, will give his second annual mule colt exhibition on Sept. 1.

Mary H. White died Friday evening at the age of 72.

Some parties stole a lot of canned goods from the basement of Charles Meinkoth who will give the party the remaining seven cans if he will return.

One auto to every 29 persons in the United States is the absolute evidence of the general prosperity of this country.

- 1927 -

The Trenton Boy Scouts, under Scoutmaster O.C. Pahlman, spent the week near Jamestown.

G.A. Lehmann, for two years a teacher in the Phillipine Islands, spent last week with his aunt, Mrs. Ida Lehmann.

Mrs. Sarah Todd, nee Craig, a former resident of this vicinity and a sister of Mrs. C.L. Faires of near St. Jacob, died at her home in Halstead, Kan.

A severe windstorm Thursday did damage to fruit and ornamental trees and to telephone and electric wires. The storm was followed by a much needed rain.

- 1937 -

Richard Ritzheimer under-went surgery for a hernia Friday at Highland.

E.J. Mahlandt, editor of the Breese Journal, and a prominent Democrat, was appointed acting postmaster at Breese.

William Wind was elected commander of Stahl Post 778 of the American Legion.

Rev. J.J. Merzdorf, who has held the pastorate at St. John's Church for several years, has resigned and preached his farewell sermon last Sunday. The family is moving to Nashville.

- 1947 -

The wedding of Miss Lorene Steffen of New Baden and Herbert Friederich of Mascoutah will take place August 2 at St. George Church.

Walter W. Andrews, formerly of Trenton, died in Granite City on July 27.

The marriage of Miss Julie Lorenz and Paul Schroeder was solemnized July 26 in the parsonage of the Methodist Church.

Earl Giger and Miss Eleanor Koehler of Summerfield were married at St. Joseph Rectory in Lebanon Saturday afternoon.

- 1957 -

Edgar J. Voges and his brother-in-law, LeRoy Reiter, lost their lives in a two-truck collision Tuesday morning three miles northwest of Trenton in St. Clair County.

A daughter was born to Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Zeisset on July 26 and a son to Mr. and Mrs. Paul Sims on July 28.

Miss Dolores Richter of Aviston was crowned queen of the Black and White Show.

A daughter was born to Mr. and Mrs. Richard Goestenkors of Aviston on July 24.

Ralph and Russell Ritzheimer have enlisted in the Navy.

- 1967 -

The blood bank at Trenton went over the top Monday when 124 pints of blood were donated, a record for this area. The quota was 110.

Dr. Oliver Anderhalter of Jennings, Mo. and formerly of Trenton, received the cross of the Knight of St. Gregory in St. Louis Cathedral. He is a professor at St. Louis University.

Harold Huene was elected commander of Stahl Post 778 of the American Legion succeeding Eugene Trame who has served a total of ten terms as commander.

Sons were born to Mr. and Mrs. Byron Williams and to Mr. and Mrs. Donald Potthast.

Larry Harris, head basketball coach of Wesclin, accepted a similar position at Johnston City.

Miss Margaret Ann Kapp and Eugene Feldmann were married in St. Paul Church, Highland, on July 8.

- 1977 -

Donald W. Jones is the new superintendent of Wesclin School District #3.

The annual Draper family reunion was held July 24 at the Trenton Community Park.

Glenn C. Lawrence of O'Fallon and formerly of Trenton died July 21 at the age of 62.

Donald W. Baer, 71, of R.R. 2, Trenton died July 21 at his home.

Anton Jansen of St. Rose died July 21 at the age of 71.

The Trenton Lions Club closed out its membership at 93, the largest Lions Club to be chartered in the state outside of the Chicago area during the past year.

- 1987 -

Pete Schumacher of Trenton was installed as Illinois Knights of Columbus State Treasurer at ceremonies at Elgin on July 18.

Milton Luginbuhl of Trenton won a $1000 Series EE U.S. Savings Bond in Loveland's Trucks & Bucks Giveaway.

Mr. and Mrs. Tony Lambert announce the birth of a son, Austin Maline, on July 3.

Mrs. Agnes M. Dierkes died July 16 at St. Joseph Hospital, Breese, at the age of 90.

Relatives and friends of the Austin R. Draper family held a reunion at the American Legion Home on July 19.

Marsha Bair and John Fox announced their engagement. The couple is planning an October 17 wedding.

Denise Marie Spihlman and Jeffery Carl Frerker were married in St. Mary Church, Trenton.

Mrs. Selma Buehler, 81, died July 25 at St. Joseph Hospital, Breese.

Daughters were born to Rhonda and James Dupras, and Kay and Don Maue.

-1997-

Joseph Andrew Drees was born on June 11, 1997 at Belleville Memorial Hospital.

Jennifer Ann Huelsmann and Mark Edgar Litteken were wed on June 7, 1997 at St. Francis Church in Aviston.

Eugene E. Willett died Monday in his home.

Alice Berkemann, 72, of Trenton, died Sunday, July 22, 2007 at her home. She was born October 22, 1934 in Damiansville, daughter of Herman and Mary Margaret, nee Overberg, Schomaker, and they both preceded her in death. She married Bernard Berkemann October 29, 1957 at St. George Catholic Church in New Baden, and he died April 14, 1993. Other precedents included brothers John, Vincent, and Joseph Schomaker; sisters Eleanor Kamer and Louise Buehler; and in-laws. Surviving are four sons, Michael Berkemann of New Baden, Herman (Agnes) Berkemann of Trenton, Paul Berkemann of New Baden, and Daniel (Carol) Berkemann of Waterloo; a daughter, Rosemary (Gary) Trimble of Trenton; a sister, Marie Krausz of New Baden; two brothers, Herman (Sophie) Schomaker and David (Kay) Schomaker, all of New Baden; seven grandchildren, Brian, Jennifer, and Jason Berkemann; and Matthew, Christopher, Alicia, and Natalia Trimble; in-laws, other relatives and friends. Mrs. Berkemann was a homemaker. She was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church in Trenton and its altar sodality. She chaired the semiannual rummage sale at St. Mary Church for many years, and served as an election judge in Trenton. The funeral was this morning (Wednesday) from St. Mary Church. Interment St. Mary Cemetery. Memorials to St. Mary Altar Sodality or Hospice of Southern Illinois will be received through Moss Funeral Home in Trenton.

Condolences to mossfuneralhome.com

Lee C. Mohme, 43, of Trenton, died Monday, July 23, 2007 at St. Elizabeth's Hospital in Belleville. He was born November 17, 1963 in Staunton, son of Janet (Bolen) Hetrick and the late Charles Mohme. His mother survives in Boiling Springs, Pennsylvania. He married Deanna Hull and they later divorced. Surviving are his children, Jadii (fiancé Ramon Castillo) Mohme of Paducah, Kentucky, Caren (Carl) Hodges of Belleville, Shaunda Mohme of Trenton, and Scott Mohme of Trenton; a grandson, Aiden Mudd; a brother, Jerry (Suzanne) Mohme of Bastrop, Texas. Mr. Mohme was a deputy for St. Clair County Sheriff's Department. He was a member of St. John United Church of Christ in Trenton, Trenton Masonic Lodge 109 and Fraternal Order of Police. The funeral is Friday at 10 a.m. from St. John United Church of Christ, the Rev. Mark Buck officiating. Interment Trenton Cemetery. Friends may call Thursday from 4 to 9 p.m. and Friday from 8 to 9:45 a.m. at the Moss Funeral Home in Trenton. Memorials to his children's educational fund will be received at the funeral home. The Masonic Lodge will have services Thursday evening at the funeral home.

Condolences to mossfuneralhome.com

Charles W. "Charlieh" Mohme, 69, of Lebanon, died Friday, July 20 at St. Joseph's Hospital in Breese. He was born in New Douglas June 15, 1938, son of Emil and Ruanna, nee Clayton, Mohme, and they both preceded him in death. He married Jane Gilmartin-O'Connor January 16, 1982 in Lebanon, and she died November 19, 1998. Surviving are four children, Jerry P. (Suzanne) Mohme of Bastrop, Texas, Lee C. Mohme (who died July 23, 2007) of Trenton; Thomas E. (Connie) O'Connor of Divide, Colorado; and Christen (Mark) Bleisch of Shiloh; a brother, Emil Paul (Carol) Mohme of Benton, Kentucky; five grandchildren and one great grandchild. Mr. Mohme was an auto mechanic in Lebanon for over 40 years. Interment College Hill Cemetery in Lebanon. Memorials to Lebanon Volunteer Fire Department will be accepted through Meyer Funeral Home in Lebanon.

W. Paul "Bud" Strake, 79, of Trenton, died Tuesday, July 17, 2007 at St. Joseph's Hospital in Breese. He was born January 25, 1928 in Breese, son of Bernard and Johanna, nee Abeln, Strake, and they both preceded him in death. He married June Kuhl on August 12, 1965 in Lebanon, and she survives at home. Also surviving are a brother, Herbert (Pauline) Strake of Creve Coeur, Missouri; brothers- and sisters-in-law Rosemary and Mike Mazeka of Beckemeyer, Ruth and Roger Schmitz of South Bend, Indiana, Dennis Kuhl of Mt. Olive, Agnes and Maurice Coyle of Anchorage, Alaska, Theresa and Al Hostmeyer of Olathe, Kansas, Frank and Sheila Kuhl of Miami, Florida, and Kathleen Kuhl of Tampa, Florida; nieces, nephews, and friends. Mr. Strake was a retired partner and co-operator of The Trenton Sun, retiring in 1990 and continuing to work at the newspaper part-time until his death. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, serving in post-World War II Japan. He was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church in Trenton. The funeral was Saturday from St. Mary Church. Interment St. Dominic-St. Augustine Cemetery, Breese. Memorials to St. Mary Church or Trenton Ambulance Service will be accepted through Hempen Funeral Home in Breese.

Condolences to hempenfuneralhome.com