Days Gone By In Staunton

Thursday, Nov. 22, 1990 -- Gingerbread Village at First Assembly -- Saturday, Dec. 1 from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., you will step into a Christmas wonderland at The Annual Gingerbread House Craft & Bake Sale at First Assembly of God, Route 4 South, Staunton.

Not only will the entire fellowship hall become a gingerbread house with special "rooms" to visit such as Grandma Mary's Bedroom (filled with quilts to buy and free candy canes for little kiddies), Aunt Victoria's Parlor (brimming with all things Victorian), and Grannie's Cupboard bake sale (where real grannies will tempt you with countless Christmas goodies and a free cup of coffee). And don't forget to Un-Trim our Theme Christmas Trees.

But this year will feature a first for our area! "Gingerville," an entire village of "gingerbread" shops, homes and more will be unveiled! You will be able to choose an individual centerpiece from a Christmas village of over 20 buildings including Big Red's Doghouse,Tiny Toy Shoppe, Village School House and even Grandma Tucker's Cottage. Each building is handcrafted of candy canes, cookies and even pretzels, and although not necessarily edible, they will be a wonderful keepsake for your home. There is also a drawing for a free gingerbread church, but you'll want your own little building just in case!

The church family at First Assembly invites you to enjoy the Christmas season with them, and what better way to start than at the Gingerbread House.

Film Crew Visited Staunton - Mt. Olive Area -- A television film crew from station KABC-TV, Hollywood, California, visited in Staunton and Mt. Olive recently. ABC is making a 60-minute film, to be shown by ABC stations, on the history of Old US Route 66 between Chicago and Los Angeles. While in Staunton, the filming took place at Crystal Ballroom and in Mt. Olive at Soulsby Service.

Pack 33 Held Scavenger Hunt -- Pack 33 held their November pack meeting last Thursday night. The Cub Dens competed against each other in a scavenger hunt. Den 1 returned first with all 21 items on the list. They were led by Den leader Michele Holt and parent Doris Coalson. First place was good for a large pizza.

Once again the Scouting for Food Drive was a success. The Cub Scout Pack 33 would like to thank everyone who donated food items. Those Cub Scouts participating in hanging food bags and picking them up were: Jason Banovz, Justin and Darren Rucker, James and Bobby Holt, Joel Hawley, Derek Spudich, Randy Bersch, Johnny Jascur, Robert Hoffman, Jason Randle, Matthew Kirksey, Stephen Davis, Chris Dively and Jason Steinmeyer. A thank you to adult leaders Michele Holt, Edward Rucker, Jerome Jascur, Scott Hawley.

A thank you to parents Roxanne Dively and Holly Steinmeyer.

The Cub Scout Pack 33 committee wishes all members of the Pack and all citizens of Staunton a happy and blessed Thanksgiving.

CITIZEN AWARENESS NEEDED TO HELP FIGHT CRIME -- Staunton residents have been the victims of several more residential break-ins during the past week. The thieves are apparently looking primarily for cash so please put it in the bank. The break-ins usually happen in the late afternoon to early evening. It gets dark early these days, so please put your light on. Watch out for your neighbor. Call the police when you see someone suspicious. Please get a description and license number and call the police immediately.

The Police Committee

I.E.P.A denies permit application for landfill -- Denial of an application to change a name and transfer ownership has not stopped operation of the Staunton Landfill, north of the city on Route 4. The denial by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, Division of Land Pollution was announced at the meeting of the Macoupin County Board in November. The denial was based on six points. Jim Cool, president of the proposed Staunton Landfill has 60 days to reapply for the transfer.

According to Chris Liebman, I.E.P.A., Cool indicated his intention to refile after corrections are made. The application proposed changing the name of the landfill, which was first permitted by the I.E.P.A. in the 1970s, from Community Landfill to Staunton Landfill. The application also proposed transferring ownership from Charles Westhoff, Jr. of Gillespie to Staunton Landfill, Inc., Jim Cool, President, in care of Waste Specialists, Inc. of St. Louis, Mo.

DCCA reps Will discuss Civic Center -- Representatives of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Affairs will be in Staunton December 7 to talk with some residents about the possibility of establishing a civic center here. Betty Hoxsey and Kathy Hauter of D.C.C.A. will meet with representatives of the Staunton Senior Citizens, the Chamber of Commerce and the City Council at 1 p.m. at City Hall.

The D.C.C.A. reps will explain the procedures necessary in setting up a civic center authority. Following such procedures is one way such a center could be funded. For many years several groups have indicated an interest in having a civic center in town. A number of possibilities for the location of such a building have been identified, including the property which previously housed The Alleys.

St. Paul Bell Choir to play at Powell Hall -- St. Louis Symphony Orchestra has honored St. Paul's United Church of Christ Bell Choir with an invitation to perform prior to their concert on Sunday, December 2, and Wednesday, December 5. St. Paul's Choir is the first such bell choir to be chosen to play prior to the orchestra in magnificent Powell Symphony Hall on Grand Avenue. "It really is an honor," said Bell Choir Director Dennis Stiegemeier.

Stiegemeier will lead the bell choir through 14 carols and Christmas songs in the Grand Foyer of the hall from 6:40 to 7:20 p.m. Following the Bell Choir's performance, the world famous St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, directed by Richard Hayman, will present their popular Holiday Pops Concert.

Stiegemeier organized St. Paul's Bell Choir 11 years ago. The 11 choir members, all members of St. Paul's Church, practice and play the hand bells, made in Pennsylvania, nine months of the year.

The choir performs regularly at St. Paul's and has performed in numerous programs around the area. The church sold one 1 block of tickets for admission on Dec. 2 and is taking a bus to that concert.