The annual Spelling Bee was held on November 21. Congratulations to the MCJHS Spelling Bee contestants! It was a competitive bee that lasted 14 rounds with Jason Miller winning by spelling the word “writhing”. Braelyn Patton came in as 1st runner up.
Jason Miller, an 8th grade student, is the son of Amber and Dru Faulkner and William Miller.
Braelyn Patton, an 8th grader student and the 1st runner up, is the daughter of Ron and Kris Patton.
Jackie C. Buckner, 38, of Johnston City, Illinois, has been sentenced to 200 months in federal prison for his role in a methamphetamine conspiracy, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Steven D. Weinhoeft, announced. Buckner previously pleaded guilty to a one-count indictment charging him with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.
The indictment alleged that the offense occurred between December 2016 and May 2018, in Williamson County. Evidence at the plea and sentencing hearings established that Buckner was involved with other persons in the distribution of ice. Ice is methamphetamine with a purity level of at least 80%.
At sentencing, the district court found that Buckner was responsible for the distribution of approximately 615.30 grams of ice.
The investigation was conducted by the Southern Illinois Enforcement Group and Drug Enforcement Administration. The Energy Police Department also assisted in the investigation.
Allendale School is proud to announce its Students of the Month for November:
Brice Cooper (K), Wyatt Buchanan (1st Grade), Jaden Linson (2nd Grade)
Ava Bates (4th Grade), Hallie Courter (Jr. High), Caleb Schneider (Jr. High), Logan Doerr (3rd Grade)
MCES: Congratulations to Zeke Kasinger and Brynlee Hammel from Mrs. Jones Second Grade class. They recently won Real Rewards prizes from MobyMax. Both students selected MobyMax Cinch Sacks as their prizes. MobyMax is an adaptive, differentiated K-8 computer program. *Not pictured: Gavin Wilson
Wabash Valley College is pleased to announce a lovely exhibit, “Pottery by Tony Treadway,” now on display in the Brubeck Arts Center Gallery. A “Meet the Artist Reception” will be held on Sunday, December 16, from 12: 45-1:30 p.m. (Central Time), and the public is invited to attend.
Anthony “Tony” Treadway is a Ceramic Artist/Potter, creating decorative and functional ceramic vessels in his New Harmony, Indiana studio; Treadway Clay. Tony is originally from Robinson, Illinois and was an art instructor at Lincoln Trail College. He earned his Bachelor’s of Fine Arts in Ceramics from University of Evansville (1986), served as a studio apprentice at New Harmony’s Sarah Campbell Blaffer Studio, and earned his Master of Arts in Ceramics and Sculpture from Eastern Illinois University (1989). Tony began working in clay in 1979 as a freshman at Robinson High School and has never stopped. He and his wife, Christy (his business manager, inspiration, and best friend), moved to New Harmony in 2015 to pursue his artistic career and become a part of the historic Utopian community.
“Inspiration for my work comes from my love of history, clay, archeology, and the Wabash River Region. I am proud fifth generation “River Rat” and have spent much of my life exploring the environment and history of the area, especially the archeological remains of the Native American sites throughout the region. The shards and vessel forms of the Middle Woodland period (circa 200 AD to 600 AD), the Hopewell Culture (circa 200 AD to 500 AD), the Mississippian Culture (Cahokian people, 850 AD to 1150 AD), and the Angel Mounds Culture (late Mississippian to European contact) have constantly inspired my work. It is the impressed textures and carved designs, nature-based forms, and traditions that are unique to these cultures and our region that I have infused into my work. It, at least to me, is continuing the traditions and paying homage to 2,000 years of pottery in our region. Saying that, I also have to pay the bills and have a creative line of “production ware” that still holds true to our region. The Tree Ware, Wabash River Life Ware, and our Turquoise series follow very traditional formats, but still fill my need to be creative.”
Wabash Valley College hosted Edwards County High School, Princeton Community High School, and Mt. Carmel High School students on Friday, November 9 for an Open House from 9-11 a.m. in the Brubeck Arts Center Theatre. Over 60 students were welcomed by WVC President Dr. Matt Fowler, after which they were enlightened about WVC campus life by advisors, instructors, and WVC students. The students met with club representatives and enjoyed a campus tour. Highlighting the morning’s activities was the drawing for the awarding of a $500 Wabash Valley College Scholarship, with the lucky recipient being Edwards County High School senior David Ratcliffe. The scholarship is to be used in the 2019 Fall and Spring Semesters
Mount Carmel Junior High School would like to congratulate the Aces of the Month. These students have been selected by MCJHS Staff as going above and beyond at the Junior High School. Congratulations go to 7th grade students, Nathan Weiss & Charles Mauck, and 8th grade student, Tommy Potts. Great job students and keep it up!!!
The Wabash Valley College Warriors are hosting an “Ugly Christmas Sweater Contest” to be held on Saturday, December 8, at the WVC vs. Shawnee Community College basketball games.
Dig way back in your closet for the ugliest, most hideous sweater and join in for a night of fun, giving, and Warrior Basketball! The Warriors will be asking the crowd to decide who brought their “UGLY” to the game during halftime of the men’s game.
The Warriors will also be conducting a toy drive. Bring a new, unopened toy and receive free admission to the basketball games! What could be better than basketball, giving back to the local community, and adding a little “ugliness” to your night?
If ever there is a Christmas town, it is Mt. Carmel where the Main Street (Market) intersections each flicker with streams of lighted garland running to a giant Christmas tree overhead also sparkling with colorful LED holiday lighting. Parades, concerts, open houses in gift shops and businesses, community concerts, and more events join to raise the joy of the holiday time and also to help many families and individuals to have food and gifts.
On Sunday, December 16 at 1:30 p.m., the incredibly talented New Odyssey trio of musicians will return to the Brubeck Arts Center stage at Wabash Valley College, 2200 College Drive, performing an entertaining and exciting Christmas concert. The group mesmerizes audiences throughout the year with Classic rock, country, novelty and specialty arrangements.
The New Odyssey shows include a variety of songs from every genre, so the Wabash Valley Arts Council knows a standing ovation will again be part of the “New Odyssey Christmas.” And, again with 30 instruments strategically laid out on the stage, the group promises to play every single one. A unique part of the show was during the performance of the Beatles’ “Sergeant Pepper” when drummer Gary Todd changed into the Sergeant Pepper jacket and played the drums through sensors in the jacket that resulted in note-by-note drum beat backing the great Beatles selection.
New Odyssey has been together for over 30 years but will be retiring after their current tour. New Odyssey’s professional quality has thrilled appreciative audiences during three previous performances in the Brubeck Arts Center. At previous concerts, patrons rose to their feet disbelieving what the 3-man,
30-instrument group could do, from Pharrell Williams’ “Happy” to Frankie Valli, Chicago, the Temptations, Iron Butterfly, even Flatt and Scruggs.
From start to finish, New Odyssey plays its song variety and showcases its skills through many instrument changes, crowd interaction, and vocal performances from all three band members. Drummer and comic Gary Todd has been involved in show business since age two when he started performing as an acrobat with the family act “The Tumbling Todds,” as well as singing and performing on over 15 musical instruments. His stage presence falls in the category “totally unpredictable.”
Michael Jay began singing and playing guitar at age 12, and by the time he was 21, he was playing bass, composing music for his own bands, and performing along with national recording artists. He has done television and radio commercials, was music director of a local play, and is involved in music ministry at his church. As a personal highlight, Jay sang the National Anthem for the Chicago Cubs, and he is considered the vocal strong point of the band.
Gary Polkow began his piano training at age 7. As an 8-year-old, he was rewriting and performing traditional classical children’s pieces. His list of credits includes film credits, synthesizer sound design, music and choir director, as well as the music director of New Odyssey.
Expect one of the most unique acts hosted by Wabash Valley College and to see and hear some magical Christmas music! Patron Passes will be honored, and single ticket price is $10. Tickets will be available at the door or may be reserved by calling 618-263-5124 or seatonc@iecc.edu.
The new Wabash County fiscal year began on Saturday and office holders were sworn in to new terms this morning in the Wabash County Courtroom by Judge William C. Hudson II.
Taking the oaths of office were (L-R) County Commissioner Tim Hocking, Assessor Debbie Gittings, County Clerk Janet Will, Treasurer Beverly McBride, and Sheriff Derek Morgan.
Click the photo for a slideshow from today’s brief ceremony.
