Recovery coach Dustin Kibler (standing) introduces himself to members of the Clinton County Take Action Coalition during their March 14 meeting. (Photo by Melissa Wilkinson) The Take Action Coalition of Clinton County is a group with a mission; to expose the often undiscussed phenomenon of drug use and alcoholism in the area. The public group — composed of professionals, former addicts and friends and family of those who have suffered from addiction — have met monthly since fall 2018 to share personal stories and discuss methods to combat the growing crisis, from public awareness and education to treatment options and prevention.
The group was founded by county residents Cary Trame and Craig Loddeke in order to give those suffering from addiction — whether first or second hand — a local place to seek answers.
“My wife Deb and I experienced addiction with our daughter. As parents, we were in a situation where we didn’t know where to turn and felt very alone. There’s a big stigma with addiction, whether it’s alcohol or drugs. We don’t like to talk about it,” said Loddeke. “I was looking for something to get going in Clinton County to really get some exposure to the subject.”
Since its founding, the group has seen support from local schools, the Clinton County Sheriff’s Department and Chestnut Health Systems, a group focusing on addiction treatment and mental health care with locations in Maryville, Granite City, Belleville and Collinsville. At last Thursday’s meeting, the coalition introduced Dustin Kibler, a recovery coach from Chestnut.
Kibler is a recent graduate of Clinton County’s drug court, an intensive, multi-year rehabilitation program. The program serves as an alternative to prison, and addicts become eligible only after a criminal felony conviction. Kibler said his decision to get clean was inspired by his mother’s heartbreaking response to his continued addiction.
“She went out and bought me a headstone and said ‘this is the last thing I’m going to buy for you.’” he said. “She drove me out there to the headstone and said ‘never talk to me again.’ That night, I got arrested.”
The Matthew 25 Ecumenical Food Pantry has been providing disadvantaged people of Clinton County with food and hygiene items since 1966. Once based in Carlyle’s old Methodist church, the pantry moved to its new home in 2015. Now located in the St. Mary Center at 1171 Livingston Street in Carlyle, Matthew 25 serves about 250 families — and donates 14 tons of food — every month.
To Matthew 25 treasurer David Rodden, who has been involved with the food pantry since 2012, the mission of serving the needy is a dear one. Rodden also serves as one of two Clinton County representatives on the board of South Central Transit (SCT), a public transit organization providing shuttles to Clinton, Jefferson, Marion, Perry, Washington and Franklin counties.
According to Rodden, South Central Transit offers services to and from Matthew 25, but the service is underutilized.
“There’s people that need food that have no way to get to the food pantry,” he said. “There’s a whole group of people who aren’t coming because they can’t make it.”
Matthew 25 distributes food and hygiene items to those in need every Wednesday morning from 9:30 to 11 a.m. in the St. Mary Center. SCT riders can be dropped off within walking distance of the center via either the Blue Jay or Purple Martin routes.
“For pricing, it depends on the age (of the rider)”, said Sherri Bassen, public relations director of SCT. “Ages 18-59 we consider adults and their fare is $2. Senior citizens 60 or over are 50 cents. Children 4 or younger, if they’re riding with an adult, there’s no charge. Children 5-17 are the same as an adult.”
Top: Neal Kahre, Travis Jondro and Nick Jondro showcase their ax throwing area at Riverside Outdoors. Bottom: The bar area of Riverside Outdoors, located at 170 Washington Street in Carlyle. The location is now open and features an archery range, ax throwing, bags, darts, and a bar area to relax and socialize. (Photos by Kelly Jo Ross) Archery — check. Ax throwing — check. Slot machines — check. What more could Clinton County want?
And it's all available in Carlyle, at Riverside Outdoors and River Slots.
Nick Jondro, his brother Travis Jondro, and friend Neal Kahre are proud to announce the opening of their outdoor sportsmanship business.
Riverside Outdoors and River Slots has only been open for about three weeks, on Feb. 20, but the three are happy with how business is going, especially about a hunting-themed hangout for those wanting to get together.
It was exactly one year prior when the three started working on the project; where they bought the building and turned it into a hunting "shed" party, of a sort.
The building, located at 170 Washington Street in Carlyle, used to be the old Huels Oil Co. building.
Last year, they wanted a place to go and hang out; a place where people can go and have fun.
"We saw this place for sale and thought to have a place to hang out and shoot our (hunting) bows," said Nick Jondro. "If that didn't work, we were going to use the building to store our tractors."
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446.60 |
| Sun., March 17 | 447.75 |
| Tues., March 19 | 448.51 |
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| March 14 | 1.49" |
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