Participants of the 2019 Black Tie and Talent Show stand on stage after their introductions. From left to right: alternate Lacey Schrand of Breese, Kayla Von Burg of Carlyle, Gwendolyn Frisse of New Baden, Noah Marlar of Trenton, Sydney Becker of Bartelso, Alexis White of Trenton, Trent Holtgrave of Aviston, Hannah Schmitz of Aviston and Owen Henderson of Trenton. (Photo by Melissa Wilkinson) Congratulations to the participants of the 2019 Black Tie and Talent Show, held Saturday, Jan. 12 at Hidden Lake Winery in Aviston. A total of $10,350 in scholarships was awarded. to nine young students. The event was sponsored by the Aviston Sons of the American Legion (SAL.)
Approximately 275 people attended the event. Happy hour started at 5 p.m. and included beer, wine and cocktails. Dinner included glazed pork, fried chicken, potatoes, green beans, corn, salad and an assortment of decorated cupcakes prepared by Covered in Chocolate in Breese.
SAL Chaplain Tom Schrage said a prayer before the meal and recognized the veterans and soldiers serving this country. The main event started at 7 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance. Event chairman Jim Kues then thanked everyone for attending the event and recognized co-chairman Craig Timmermann.
Saturday’s show was the 14th annual Black Tie event. Since inception, the program has given away $140,000 in scholarships to Clinton County youths. Kues spoke about the community service efforts of the county and the values of shopping locally, mentioning that the program’s main funding is from small businesses in Clinton County. He thanked the downselect judges from Aviston American Legion Downselect Contest, the SAL wives for decorating the winery's Champagne Hall, Ashley Deiters and the winery staff for their accommodations and winery owners Steve and Angela Gorazd.
The CEDC hears from guest speaker Ron Deedrick (left), legislative liaison for the Realtor’s Association of Southwestern Illinois. Deedrick spoke about what people look for in an area when considering purchasing a home. (Photo by Melissa Wilkinson) The Carlyle Economic Development Club (CEDC) is beginning their mission to better the city of Carlyle, starting with some of its youngest citizens. At their regular meeting on Jan. 10, the club met at Case-Halstead Public Library to discuss three programs to improve K-12 education in Carlyle and Clinton County.
The first program, called Creating Entrepreneurial Opportunities (CEO), is an immersive entrepreneurial education course for high schoolers. The program is currently implemented in Bond County and the CEDC is already rounding up sponsors — both individual and business — in order to bring it to Carlyle, Mater Dei, Central, Wesclin and Christ our Rock high schools.
“Education is one of the best areas in which we can improve Carlyle,” said CEDC chairman Jason Meentemeyer.
Another program discussed was Project Lead the Way, a series of intensive, hands-on classroom experiences for Pre-K through 12th grade in topics such as computer science, engineering and biomedical science. Meentemeyer said the program is costly and would require donations and fundraising.
The final topic on the subject of improving education was dual credits through Kaskaskia College. Currently, high school students must go to a satellite location after school to take college-level classes. Meentemeyer proposed that the CEDC fund further education for willing teachers at Carlyle High School in order to qualify them to teach dual credit courses, saving time and travel for students. In addition to fundraising, said Meentemeyer, he would like to meet with Carlyle superintendent Dustin Bilbruck, Carlyle principal Jared Weh and Kaskaskia College president George Evans to discuss the idea.
“This would help Carlyle become a more leading, competitive school,” said Meentemeyer. “I would like if we could get our dual credits focused on the core needed for arts and science degrees and then go out into the area of agriculture or computer science or engineering.”
In addition to sponsors, the CEDC is considering several fundraising options to make these programs a reality, including a parade float and a food stand at the upcoming Clinton County Fair.
This meeting’s guest speaker was Ron Deedrick, legislative liaison for the Realtors Association of Southwestern Illinois. In his presentation, Deedrick addressed what people look for when deciding to purchase or build a home in a certain area.
“Location, location, location,” said Deedrick. “A lot of people look at … schools, ease of access to services and amenities available.”
In other news, the CEDC voted to purchase a membership to the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association, which Meentemeyer said will open up new, in-depth opportunities for learning. The club is also in the process of registering as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
The CEDC will next meet on Feb. 14 at 6 p.m. at Case-Halstead Public Library. The guest speaker will be Brad Eversgerd, director of quality for World Wide Technology.
A new Mexican restaurant is making its way into Carlyle.
Los Amigos Bar and Grill will be in Carlyle next month.
The bar and grill will replace the Wheelhouse Bar & Grill, that was located at 5 Resort Drive in Carlyle, at the Mariner's Village Resort.
The Mexican and American-traditional cuisine also has locations in Vandalia and Greenville.
The Wheelhouse Bar & Grill in Carlyle closed its doors last month after five years in business.
Mariner's Village Resort owns the property where the Wheelhouse Bar & Grill was located.
A representative from Mariner's Village said that a new operator will soon be at the shuttered Wheelhouse Bar & Grill location.
"We're very excited about it and hoping that the residents of Carlyle, Breese and the rest of Clinton County come out," the representative said.
The restaurant is slated to open Feb. 25.
| Fri., Jan. 11 |
447.40 |
| Sun., Jan. 13 |
446.91 |
| Tues., Jan. 15 | 446.38 |
| Jan. 9 | .01" |
| Jan. 10 | .00" |
| Jan. 11 | .00" |
| Jan. 12 | .63"r, 5.9"s |
| Jan. 13 | .72"r, .9"s |
| Jan. 14 | .04"r, .2"s |
| Jan. 15 | .00 |
