Days Gone By In Staunton

Thursday, April 26, 1990 -- Earth Day - Staunton Style... Well Attended -- Over 100 people enjoyed beautiful weather and heartfelt messages at Earth Day – Staunton Style on Sunday, April 22 as local residents took part in the world's largest environmental event.

Held at the Little League Complex, the event kicked off at 1 p.m. with an informative and inspiring talk by Sherry Rondi of the Staunton Area Recyclers concerning environmental issues and Earth Day. Rev. Avis Richardson from the United Methodist Church followed with an anecdote and poem in keeping with the theme of the day, and Mayor Fred Brauer addressed the gathering with his own enthusiastic support of the event.

Holly Steinmeyer explained the successful Adopt-a-Pet program, listing contributors, and then led the Earth Day committee members in a tree dedication ceremony.

Heather Sparling, eight-year-old daughter of Dana and Debbie Sparling, was presented a $50 U. S. Savings bond for her winning entry in the logo and slogan contest held earlier this year. Sponsored by the Staunton Area Recyclers, the contest was open to all area youngsters and Heather's design was selected from a number of top-notch entries. An enlargement of her logo was displayed before onlookers at Earth Day. The bond was donated by Roger Pfalzgraf.

Dale Sheets donned the Litterbug costume and entertained youngsters on hand. The costume was made available by the Macoupin County Development Association.

The city-wide clean-up competition got underway at 1:30 p.m. with 11 teams made up of over 75 members participating. Team leaders were presented with collection bags and maps designating the area to be cleaned up. Teams set out on foot, on bicycles, in cars or trucks, or even with a wagon. Within an hour, teams began returning for more bags and maps, then set out again.

The 3:30 p.m. judging revealed a tie between teams led by Charlie Spencer and Delores Masinelli. Winning team members were presented with certificates for a free waffle cone from Dairy Queen and all other participants received a certificate for a free regular cone.

A total of 169 bags of trash was collected, resulting in 13 barrels of recyclables and rubbish. The recyclables collected were taken by Staunton Area Recyclers to nearby recycling centers. Bags for collecting the trash during the two-hour competition were donated by National Food Store in Edwardsville.

Countryside Nursery, represented by Donna Sievers, participated with an interesting variety of displays. Recycling techniques for gardeners using plastic gallon milk jugs and soda bottles were demonstrated, and Sievers displayed unique paper pots made by recycling grocery bags.

One of the nursery's very popular displays was the "Feely Box." A variety of miscellaneous items found in nature were inside the closed box. Children put a hand into a hole in the top of the box and tried to identify each item by touch.

The nursery distributed free seeds for the Earth Bird plant and for a variety of vegetables to participants in the city-wide clean-up. The seeds were attached to a coupon which can be redeemed for a free vegetable or flower plant. The coupon expires May 31, 1990, and must be redeemed at the nursery.

A large number of people – some of whom wish to remain anonymous – participated or contributed to make the weekend a resounding success.

Earth Day – Staunton Style ended with a commitment to the preservation of our local environment.

FIREMEN GET SPECIALIZED TRAINING -- The Staunton Volunteer Fire Department will be participating in two specialized training classes presented by senior officers of the Ponderosa Volunteer Fire Department from the Houston, Texas area, and National Training Director Steve Taylor, Lukas Rescue Systems, Stamford, Connecticut.

On May 6, SVFD members will undergo nine hours of "hydraulic tool rescue/extrication" using the latest technology in rescue systems. Ponderosa Deputy Chief Jeff Doran and Sieve Taylor will present the class which will include classroom and hands-on training in vehicular extrication techniques. Chief Doran is a paramedic-firefighter in the Houston area and is considered an expert in the rescue field. This class is specifically designed to allow SVFD members to be a "step ahead" prior to their future purchase of a new hydraulic extrication system.

SVFD members are currently in the process of raising the necessary funds to purchase the much needed equipment.

On May 8, SVFD members will participate in a three-hour presentation of "identifying hazardous materials" by Ponderosa Assistant Chief John O'Gorman. Chief O'Gorman is the Emergency Response Coordinator for Shell Oil Company in Houston.

Ponderosa Fire Chief Fred Windisch and SVFD Training Officer Rick Haase have been planning these events for the past several months. During their stay, Chiefs Windisch and O'Gorman are also attending a Shell Oil Company sponsored train-the-trainer course in Incident Command.

Community Food Pantry Reorganized -- A Community Food Pantry Council was formed in January, 1990, to collect donations and disperse supplies to needy families in Staunton.

The Food Pantry had previously been operated by the Staunton Clergy Association with the help of volunteers. The Pantry still relies on donations of food and other basic necessities to operate.

Members of the council are Lucille Tiburzi, President; Lucille Binney, Treasurer; Joe Monte and Ray Tiburzi, Food purchasers. The Pantry is open each Tuesday from 1 to 3 p.m. and is staffed by volunteers. The Pantry continues to operate from the First United Methodist Church on Main Street in Staunton. Last fall the Pantry received a generous community contribution, but it is still dependent upon local donations to serve the needy.

SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE -- Antiques, wood crafts, crocheted items, collectibles, clothing and the list goes on - of items to be found at the Livingston Flea Market this Sunday, April 29, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Livingston Park Pavilion.

Admission is free. Food will be available.