Organizers have another successful Clinton County Relay For Life
- Details
- Written by: Matt Wilson - Breese Journal Reporter
We saw you at Relay! (Top photo) Relay For Life committee members (front, from left) Dana Timmermann, Debi Dressel, Michele Maue, Tiffany Jansen, Adam Cowgill, and (back) Allison Gregory, Barb Gerstner, Deb Koetting, Amanda Gerstner and Maggie Gerstner (not pictured are committee members Michelle Kalmer, Charlee Dixon, Jordan Becker and Kari Becker) The community came together for a good cause during the 26th annual Relay For Life on Friday, Aug. 8, at Central Community High School.
Community members celebrate at Relay For LifeOrganizers don't have all of the totals in yet, but they are expecting to reach $44,000-$45,000.
Many spent the night walking around the circle drive at Central.
"We were very impressed with the event," organizer Michele Maue said. "We had so many walk around the drive as survivors and love their commitment through all of the years. The American Cancer Society has helped fund researchers who have made incredible advances in cancer research, treatment, and early detection, but there is still so much work to do."
(Above, left) Cancer survivor David Deutsch, wife Caroline and granddaughter Adaline walk the circle at Relay The evening began with a survivor dinner. Activities then moved outdoors, with the opening ceremony and survivors lap starting at 7 p.m. The traditional luminaria ceremony began at sunset. CJ's Shake Up Stand was on site for cool drinks and treats. The night ended with winners of the basket raffles and the 50/50 drawing announced.
There was great response from local businesses and organizations with sponsorships. Organizers also coordinated with local shirt company AVH Ink & Vinyl to print shirts locally and they will donate a portion of their sales to Relay For Life.
A favorite moment of the event is seeing the survivors walk.
"We had some newly diagnosed, some still fighting, others proudly celebrating five, 10, 20, or 30-plus years survivorship, and unfortunately others remembering those loved ones we lost," Maue said. "They are all reasons to relay."
Organizers thanked everyone who supported Relay For Life this year.
The Kramer family walks around the circle drive at Central Community High School "Over the years, Clinton County makes our committee proud," Maue said. "Cancer is a word that none of us want to hear. We wish that we could magically wave a wand and eliminate cancer. In the meantime, we keep fighting for a cure."
Relay For Life is the American Cancer Society's signature fundraising event. Since its founding in 1985, Relay For Life has raised over $5 billion to fund cancer research, patient care services, and education programs.
Clinton County Relay For Life started in 2000 and has raised over $3.5 million for the American Cancer Society.
Anyone still wanting to donate their time or money is always welcome. Every donation and every volunteer help the committee continue the fight against cancer and support those in the community that have been affected. Memorial donations may be arranged through local funeral homes in memory of a loved one.
Donations can be mailed to: Relay For Life of Clinton County; P.O. Box 22; Breese, IL 62230.
The American Cancer Society is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. They are able to help those who have questions, need support, are looking for resources, or simply don't know where to turn. Call 1-800-227-2345 anytime day or night. No one should have to face cancer alone.
Clinton County Relay For Life committee member Deb Koetting reads a poem during the Relay For Life event on Friday, Aug. 8
Clinton County Relay For Life committee member Michele Maue speaks during the Relay For Life event on Friday, Aug. 8
Cruz-In The Dam car nationals set for Friday
- Details
- Written by: Matt Wilson - Breese Journal Reporter
The Cruz-In The Dam car show nationals are set for Friday, Aug. 14, at Mariner's Village at Carlyle Lake. Pictured are (front row, from left) Carlyle Mayor Judy Smith, City of Carlyle Street and Alley Department foreman Kyle Berry, Carlyle Police Chief Jason Herzing and Paige Laughhunn from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; (back row) Kurt Richter and Brad Jones from the Clinton County Car Club, City of Carlyle Electric Department foreman Kevin Rolfingsmeyer, Raj Chugh from Mariner's Village, Kayla Heimann from the City of Carlyle, and Darren Murphy from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Photo by Matt Wilson Vehicles of all kinds and varieties will make their way to Mariner's Village at Carlyle Lake for the 34th annual Cruz-In The Dam car show nationals on Friday, Aug. 14.
"We just can't wait," Brad Jones from the Clinton County Car Club said. "We have got a few surprises and try to change the show up a little bit every year."
The first Carlyle Lake Dam cruise leaves Carl's 4-Wheel Drive and Performance Center in Bartelso at 4:30 p.m. There will be dash plaques and goody bags for the first 50 participants at Carl's 4-Wheel Drive and Performance Center.
A police escort will help keep the vehicles together when they enter Carlyle.
The cruise across the Carlyle Lake main dam will be at 9:30 p.m.
Jones said race cars, four-wheel drive trucks and a lot of classic cars will be among the vehicles at Mariner's Village.
There were an estimated 500 to 600 cars at the event last year. There were 120 cars that cruised from Carl's 4-Wheel Drive and Performance Center.
"The versatility is what brings everyone here each year," Jones said. "We have Jeeps and Corvettes and last year we had a Lamborghini. Whatever you drive, bring it out here."
Hobie Timmons will be at the show with his custom St. Louis Cardinal motorcycle along with a couple of other custom motorcycles he has made.
This year's show is dedicated to all responders and veterans. There will be a live performance from Mudbone and a DJ on the main stage.
They keep the event family oriented. There will be bounce houses, balloons and face painting for the kids. A booth specializing in all of the new squishy toys for the kids also will be on site.
A huge raffle and 50/50 drawing will be done during the show.
Mike Cotten, a paint and metal expert and co-host of "Faster with Finnegan," a show about personalizing and racing cars on a budget, will be at the show.
The Carlyle Fire Department will be on site with a fire engine and American flag.
South Central Transit will shuttle people to Mariner's Village. There also will be two golf carts running throughout the night.
The Cruz-In The Dam is sponsored by Clinton County Car Club, the Rusty Rodz Car Club, Carl's 4-Wheel Drive and Performance Center. and The House of Mopar Car Club.
Express sees 26-4-1 season come to a close in Lexington
- Details
- Written by: Jeremy Chawgo - Breese Journal Sports Editor
Season to remember — The Aviston Express Post 1239 senior legion squad poses before their opening game of the 2026 Great Lakes Region Tournament on Wednesday in Lexington, Kentucky. The Express went 1-2 in tournament play and ended their season with an Illinois State title and a 26-win season. They were the 5th Division champs. PHOTOS BY JEREMY CHAWGO The Aviston Express Post 1239 summer of 2026 will be one to remember, with their season coming to a close on Friday night in Lexington, Kentucky on the campus of the University of Kentucky.
The Express began the season winning seven of their first eight games before dropping just their second game on June 14.
They rattled off 11-straight wins to end the regular season at 18-2-1. They rolled through the 5th Division Tournament with three wins to advance to the Illinois State Tournament, which also extended their winning streak to 14 games.
The Express swept through the competition at the State Tournament with four wins and a combined score of 37-22 for the second-ever State title which ran their winning streak to 18 games.
A 10-day break proved detrimental to the Express as they dropped their opening game of the Great Lakes Region Tournament with a 12-2 loss to host Lexington.
Quality start — Aviston righty Ethan Wheelan tosses in an offspeed pitch in the Express’ 7-3 win over Pittsburg, Kansas. Wheelan went the distance for the Express’ second-ever victory in Great Lakes Regional play.They regrouped behind Ethan Wheelan as they advanced another day with a 7-3 win over Pittsburg, Kansas. Post 1239’s season came to a close on Friday when they fell to eventual runner-up Terre Haute 11-9.
They ended the season with a 26-4-1 overall record with a Gator Classic title, a 5th Division title and a State title.
Miles Browne led the squad in hitting with a .439 batting average while Rowdy Sussenbach led the team with 29 RBIs. Benny Lehman led the team with 33 runs scored. Clayton Gaetti led the squad with 26 stolen bases while Sussenbach added 26. Lehman’s .370 career batting average was fifth all time.
Sussenbach finished second all-time in career stolen bases with 52 and he was never thrown out in those 52 chances. His .371 career batting average is tied for third all-time with Jeremy Hutkowski from 2001-2002.
The Express had a season batting average of .358 and they stole 111 bases out of 121 chances. They outscored their opponents 257-100 on the season.
Bryce Wieter led the team with six wins while Sussenbach added five wins. Wieter led the squad with 48 strikeouts which also included him tossing a pair of no-hitters this summer. Sussenbach added 45 punch outs.
Drake Curry led the team with a 1.17 ERA followed by a 1.58 ERA from Rowdy Sussenbach. The team had a collective 3.41 ERA on the season.
“I can’t tell you how proud of this group I am,” said first-year manager Alex Elsing. “They are a great group of players and individuals that did everything the coaching staff asked all season. This is a summer we all will remember.”
Terre Haute, Indiana 11, Aviston 9: The Express got off to a slow start in their season-ending loss on Friday in Lexington, Kentucky.
Post 346 scored the first three runs in the contest, before the Express got going in the third inning with four runs. However, Terre Haute got seven runs in the bottom of the inning to set the tone.
Conlan Haar set the tone for the Aviston offense as he was 3-for-4 from the leadoff spot with two doubles, a single, three runs scored and four batted in. Clayton Gaetti added two singles, a run scored, an RBI and a stolen base.
Drake Curry had two singles and two RBI while Rowdy Sussenbach had a single, a run scored, two batted in and two stolen bases. Benny Lehman walked twice and scored twice.
Safe at home — Aviston shortstop Rowdy Sussenbach slides in with a run in the Express’ win over Pittsburg on Thursday in Lexington, Kentucky. Sussenbach was second on the team with a .420 batting average this season. Brady Ceto took the loss, allowing seven earned runs in two innings of work, while Sussenbach allowed three earned in three innings. Lehman pitched a shutout inning of relief. The Express walked four and struck out six.
“You have to tip your hat to their guys,” said Aviston manager Alex Elsing. “They hit the ball and made plays. But I give our guys great credit for fighting back and making a game of it. We showed a lot of toughness climbing back into the contest like we did.”
Trailing 3-0 in the top of the third inning, Max Albers got things going with a walk and he moved to second on a fly out before crossing the plate on a single from Haar. Gaetti followed with a single before Sussenbach reached on an error to get within 3-2. Miles Browne was hit by a pitch before Curry chased in two runs to take a brief 4-3 lead heading into the bottom of the inning.
Post 346 got three walks and four singles to regain the lead as they plated seven runs to lead 10-4.
Aviston rallied in the fourth inning after the first two hitters were retired. Lehman walked and scored on a double from Haar who later singled on an RBI single from Gaetti to get within 10-6.
Trailing 11-6 in the top of the sixth inning, the Express got closer with a single from Albers and a walk to Lehman. Haar came up big once again with a two-run double. Sussenbach singled in Haar as they got within 11-9.
The Express went in order in the top of the seventh inning, ending the game and season.
Page 1 of 2
