SPOTLIGHT ON
CARTERVILLE CAMBRIA CRAINVILLE
Friendly people are the communities’ best assets
October 23, 2015 BYRON HETZLER, THE SOUTHERN
Carterville, Cambria, Crainville: Friendly people are Tri-C’s best assets CHANDA GREEN FOR THE SOUTHERN
Spend a day in Carterville, Crainville or Cambria and you’ll know that the most valuable asset of the Tri-C area is truly the charm and friendliness of its people. Take a stroll in historic downtown Carterville, visit the Veterans Memorial and the Heritage Museum, sit and talk at Rich’s Barber Shop or do the same at Country Cupboard while you enjoy a cup of coffee and a piece of homemade pie. Stroll through Cannon Park; there’s a walking path that circles a pond. Note the number of smiles and stop, when you can, just to enjoy the ambiance of small-town spirit or a chat with one of the resident characters. They make Carterville special, too. If it’s Friday night, visit the weekly auction at Bev’s Second Chances in Cambria. You might just pick up a bargain. But, don’t just take note of what residents offer to strangers like you. Dig a little deeper, and you’ll find out just how much and how often the citizens help each other, through local projects and larger efforts, including Gum Drops, a non-profit organization that provides 50,000 backpacks of food annually to atrisk children in more than 35 Southern Illinois schools or The Poshard Foundation For Abused
Children, an organization that provides assistance to abused and neglected children. When you’re done running around, don’t go home yet. Have a nice meal at Walker’s Bluff. Then, since it is, after all, football season, take in a game at Carterville High School and soak up some local enthusiasm in the Harrison-Bruce Sports Complex. You’ll find it contagious and invigorating. Join in, and the excitement will increase exponentially. I guarantee it. If you’re lucky enough to be in or near town while the Pumpkin Path is open or the Halloween Extravaganza is kicking off in Cambria, go, by all means, go! Did I call you a stranger, earlier? My mistake: By now, you’ve been visiting long enough that you have been officially adopted as a TriC’er. Welcome, friend, to your hometown away from home. “Tri-C’s are Americana at its best,” Glenn Poshard wrote in a publication about the area by SIU photojournalism classes. “There’s a sense of community, of pulling together, of caring about the welfare of your neighbor that’s just not found everywhere in America. We hear the phrase ‘quality of life’ used to describe communities such as these, but here, it goes even beyond this well-worn description.”
Good schools and friendly people: Carterville has it all Carterville Mayor Bradley Robinson doesn’t need much prompting to start bragging about his city. He cites a litany of reasons, but reason No. 1 is, simply, the people. “We’re a close community. Everyone really does know everyone,” he said. “If someone wanted to be anonymous in Carterville, I guess they could, but they would have to work at it. It doesn’t take long to get that feeling of being home, even if you’ve just moved here. It is really amazing, but it’s not my doing; it’s the people of the Tri-C area.” Reason to brag No. 2: the school system. “Our school system is something almost every parent looks at when they consider locating here. It’s top-notch with good leadership and a staff that puts students first, producing results that are consistently above average,” he said. “And you can’t forget our successful sports programs. So, when you put all of that together, Carterville schools are a major factor in the growth of the TriCity area.” The mayor is particularly proud of the fact that all of Carterville’s schools have kept their art programs, but he’s even more proud of the community support that continues to make all of that excellence possible. The Carterville business environment is right on track, too, despite a couple of temporary detours, some major road construction at the intersection of Carterville and
Page 2 Friday, October 23, 2015 THE SOUTHERN ILLINOISAN
THE SOUTHERN FILE PHOTO
Cannon Park in Carterville is a popular spot with residents and visitors alike, offering a skate park, swing sets or a walk around the pond.
“I was talking to the school superintendent about a year ago and he told me that the Carterville School District has been growing annually, adding an average of 100 students each school year for the past few years.” Bradley Robinson, Mayor of Carterville
Illinois 13 and state funding that is, well, difficult to count on or budget for. But here’s the good news: “By the end of November, work on our intersection should be 90 percent complete, with the last of the project – grading and seeding – to be done in the spring,” the mayor said. “I’m sure that once that work is done, with better access to the city’s businesses, there will be increased
traffic and marked economic growth. “With Carterville’s central location on the Illinois 13 Corridor – 10 minutes from Marion or Carbondale – we’ve been able to be successful despite the state’s problems,” he said. “We have been fighting to maintain this level of growth without being able to count on any of our funding from the state.”
Most of Carterville’s businesses are small, but there are a lot of them. There are no big-box stores, so there are no large sales tax checks coming in. Still … “What we may lack in sales tax revenue, we more than make up for in charm, community spirit and support,” he said with that Tri-C smile planted firmly from cheek to cheek. “Go, Lions!”
Feeling right at home in growing Crainville “Welcome to the Village of Crainville, with more than 1,000 residents and growing!” That’s the kind of greeting you’ll get when you visit the new Village Hall. It may be from one of the ladies behind the counter or, if you’re lucky, it may be from hizzoner himself, Crainville Mayor Ron Mitchell. It’s a real down home kind of greeting, but the mayor has more Mitchell than one reason to feel at home at the new village hall. His house, the one he grew up in, was on the lot where the new Village Hall stands. So, when he goes to his office, it’s more than a little bit like going home. “Ours was the third house ever built in Crainville,” so watching it come down and the new village hall go up was bittersweet.” Ron’s been mayor for six years now. He was on the Board of Trustees for about 30 years. He was elected a few days after the May 8, 2009, derecho struck, and he helped guide Crainville through the subsequent cleanup
little longer. At least the Carterville exits will be done soon,” the mayor said. “I’m convinced that will bring more business and more residents here to Crainville.” He’s also quick to point out that The Robin’s Nest, Crainville’s daycare center, has grown exponentially in the past few years and is in the process of expanding again. “Give me some time and RICHARD SITLER, THE SOUTHERN I’ll talk your ear off about Crainville,” he said. “It The Crainville village hall and community building sits on land has great potential. It’s my that once belonged to the family of Mayor Ron Mitchell. hometown and I love it.” “Y’all come back real or the new cameras in the If you want to know soon,” you’ll hear when village’s three squad cars. about improvements to BYRON HETZLER, THE SOUTHERN you leave, and when you “Sure the Route 13 the local police force, just Crainville is growing, especially in the residential arena. do, don’t forget to bring expansion project has stroll down the hall and some canned goods to ask Crainville Police Chief temporarily inconvedrop in the donation nienced residents and Curtis Rogers. He’ll tell is growing like their and rebuilding. basket in the foyer of the business owners, but we you about his new full“We worked together to neighbors, too. Village Hall. “There’s a new housing time officer, Sean Dobbins, just have to bear with it a help each other. One man development in Crainville, used his Bobcat to clear and two others in progMarion Street so traffic Gold & ress,” Mayor Mitchell said. could get through,” he Expert Repair “New homes are being said. “Crews from both Silver Jewelry Stone Setting added all the time. IDOT and IDOC moved Custom Jewelry “We’ve just recently massive amounts of trees, Laser Welding Diamonds spent $1 million upgradand neighbors helped neighbors clean and repair ing our water system, increasing line sizes their homes and busiall over the place. That nesses.” Locally Jeweler improved water pressure If you’re sensing a Owned Experience... and directly benefitted our theme here, you’re right. For Over... citizens,” he said. “We also The folks in Crainville replaced the roof on an are just as generous and 45 25 friendly as their neighbors 185,000-gallon water tank Rt. 13, Carterville Years Years for $75,000, with the help in Carterville and Cam• yjeweler.com of a $40,000 grant.” bria. And the community
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“Our biggest event of the year is coming up, our Halloween Extravaganza. It includes a haunted house, a haunted walking trail, hay rides, concessions and what we call surprise dancers.” Robin McFarlin, Commissioner of Community Relations in Cambria
PROVIDED
Cambira Commissioner of Community Relations Robin McFarlin and Mayor Steve Gottschalk.
Story of Cambria is one of generosity, community spirit Cambria Mayor Steven Gottschalk keeps a sharp eye on the bottom line and is very proud of the fact that the village’s books are in the black. “We’re a solvent village,” the mayor said. “We’re proud of that. That’s no small thing, that we’re frugal enough to have some money in the bank.” But get him started talking about the people he serves, and he will relax, lean back in his chair and tell story after story about the generosity of the citizens of Cambria, with all the details of a man who knows almost everyone in town. Or, he might give you a rundown of the events and efforts in Cambria to bring people together, including the upcoming Halloween Extravaganza, monthly bingo at the Community Center, the spring bike giveaway, outdoor movies in the park, and the Labor Day parade and festivities. If he doesn’t regale you, just ask his sidekick, Trustee Robin McFarlin.
“The village assumed control of the annual Labor Day Parade recently from the Fire Department and really worked hard to revitalize the event,” said McFarlin, Cambria’s commissioner of community relations. “The last event was our best event with 32 entries in the parade, prize bingo games, a flea market with nine vendors, food, games, an inflatable carnival and music.” Both McFarlin and Mayor Gottschalk agree that Cambria is growing and both agree on the main reason for that growth. “I believe it’s due entirely to the excellence of the Carterville School District,” said Mayor Gottschalk. “The schools draw people from miles around, and that means more people looking for homes, settling in and supporting their communities.” Gottschalk said the Cambria Board of Trustees has just approved another addition of 88 homes in one development, while work goes on in another across town, and
Cambria is growing — in numbers and in community spirit, says Robin McFarlin, village trustee.
several new homes have been built. There have also been several major home renovation projects in Cambria, part of a project to help the elderly and disabled. And he wasn’t done bragging. “We’re getting more
Page 4 Friday, October 23, 2015 THE SOUTHERN ILLINOISAN
volunteers for our ambulance service, set to go through EMT training, and we’ve just hired another police officer,” he said. “Police Chief Nathan Wright and Fire Chief Jamie Needham do a great job serving and protecting the citizens.” Since May, there have
been three new members serving on the Cambria Board of Trustees, five in all, and one new commissioner of community relations. “We may not all agree on every topic,” McFarlin said. “But we all have great respect for each other and work well together.
BYRON HETZLER, THE SOUTHERN
“Cambria is growing; I agree with the mayor. But when I say that, I’m not thinking of the numbers. I’m thinking of our community spirit, residents coming together as a community to get things done, and that’s growing every day, right here in Cambria.”
Education, healthcare are economic engines for Tri-C area Carterville Mayor Bradley Robinson knows specifically what has driven and sustained the economic growth of his city and the Tri-C area. It’s just a few miles down Illinois 13, a sprawling complex of learning for about 7,400 students. John A. Logan College was created by public mandate in 1967 under the authority of the Illinois Community College Act of 1965. The College opened its doors to its charter class in the fall of 1968 and acquired its permanent grounds in the following year. The college is named for John A. Logan (182686), a Civil War general who spent his early years in what is now the community college district before becoming a U.S. senator. Logan is also remembered for his role in establishing Memorial Day and as an advocate of public education. “John A. Logan College is a major player in the economic and residential growth of the Tri-C area,” said Mayor Robinson. “The college is our single biggest employer, so I can’t emphasize its impact enough. Just their one signature event – Hunting and Fishing Days – brought more than 30,000 to the campus in Carterville this year and really helped our businesses. Their annual craft sale, coming up, also draws large crowds.” Carterville doesn’t just benefit from the influx of students and visitors to John A. Logan events. The college and the city work closely together to help each other. “John A. Logan is vital to our economy, to sustaining our growth, and we work hand in hand to
director of the SIH Cancer Institute. Last year, the institute treated 974 cancer patients from diagnosis through treatment and rehabilitation. This year, SIH Cancer Institute Director Jennifer Badiu projects about 1,200 patients. “We’re averaging 30 to 40 new cancer diagnoses per week,” she said. “Every one of our 21 infusion chairs is pretty much filled every day. We have more specialists now, including three medical oncologists, and we’ve just added palliative care support to our menu of services.” Mayor Robinson believes that the SIH Cancer Institute will be a major player in the Tri-C area’s future economic growth. “I can say right now, at least anecdotally, that The BYRON HETZLER PHOTOS, THE SOUTHERN SIH Cancer Institute is having a positive impact Southern Illinois Healthcare Cancer Institute in Carterville opened in February. on Carterville, Cambria “John A. Logan College and Crainville, although it’s too early to cite figis a major player in ures,” he said. “We’re watching, believing that the economic and this kind of state-ofresidential growth the-art healthcare facility so nearby can only of the Tri-C area.” mean good things for Bradley Robinson, the region.” Mayor of Carterville Campbell agrees. “The SIH Cancer Institute has created jobs for the region. It’s certainly Director Jan Campbell an economic asset. But agree that the area’s at least for now, our main main industry is educaindustry is education,” tion. However, the recent said Campbell. completion of the SIH John A. Logan College Cancer Institute, has both brings a lot of people to of them thinking of the the region from all over the healthcare industry. state. According to Mickey On March 2, SouthEdwards, Carterville City ern Illinois Healthcare Clerk, it is “one of the few opened the doors to colleges located inside the their new $24.5 million, John A. Logan College in Carterville is a big factor in sustaining economic growth for the Tri-C city limits of a municipal43,500-square-foot SIH region. ity in Illinois. The college Cancer Institute in Cartdefinitely brings jobs, and erville to cancer patients Mayor Robinson and special training programs help each other,” Mayor many of its employees live and their families. for the city, based entirely Carterville Chamber of Robinson said. “The colin the Tri-C area.” Jennifer Badiu, Commerce Executive on our needs.” lege has offered to create
THE SOUTHERN ILLINOISAN Friday, October 23, 2015 Page 5
Take a stroll in historic downtown Carterville, where most of the businesses are small, but there are a lot of them.
BYRON HETZLER, THE SOUTHERN
Carterville Chamber has a lot to brag about The Carterville Chamber of Commerce, like all chambers, promotes and assists and encourages the business, social, cultural and civic life, and the general welfare and prosperity of the area. As executive director, Jan Campbell has her hands full. “There’s just so much to promote, so much to be proud of, starting with the warmth and generosity and downright friendliness of our town, and the fact that we have some of the nicest, newest and best schools, and some of the most dedicated and
motivated educators that keep our students excelling and ranking high in test scores,” she said. Jan and her husband, Charlie, are longtime Carterville residents, having moved here in 1975, so she knows about the good people of the Tri-C area. Jan retired from teaching in 2010, so she knows about the high-quality schools in Carterville. And she and Charlie owned and operated SI Tours for six years, so she knows exactly what the Tri-C area has to offer to visitors. But she also knows about the
“There’s just so much to promote, so much to be proud of!”
and First Southern Bank, Guy DiMaggio State Farm insurance, Tequilas Mexican Restaurant, Wonder Wash Laundry Center, Jan Campbell, Executive director, Carterville Chamber of Commerce The Country Blacksmith Trailers, and Boggess it’s almost completed and Auto Detailing. business community. Integrated Health is “The city and the Cart- once it’s done, in the very new to Carterville, an near future, I expect to erville Downtown Meroutgrowth of Chiropractor see more rapid growth of chants Committee have Brian Hester’s practice, businesses.” worked hard to find ways offering a multi-disciplinNew businesses in to revitalize the downtown area and draw more busi- Carterville include the SIH ary approach to healthcare that includes nutritional Cancer Institute, Intenesses to relocate there,” grated Health of Southern education and analysis, she said. “Of course, we have been going through a Illinois, Hometown Flow- physical and occupational therapy, acupuncture and transition period with the ers and More, Home Re Nu (home-improvement), massage therapy, weightRoute 13/Division Street loss management and Peoples National Bank road construction, but
Page 6 Friday, October 23, 2015 THE SOUTHERN ILLINOISAN
Essential Oils. Carterville Mayor Bradley Robinson noted that there’s a “new developer coming into town at 110 and 112 North Division Street. They’re artists and they tell me they’re putting in a general store,” he said. “There’s also Integrated Health as one of our newest businesses, and Mandy Moore, a podiatrist, who opened a new facility in the 800 block of Division. And there’s Wonder Wash, our totally remodeled laundromat on the corner of Howerton and Division.”
Road construction inconvenient, but area to benefit overall For motorists who travel the Illinois 13 Corridor between Carbondale and Marion regularly, road construction on that stretch of the highway has been going on longer than most of them would care to remember. It’s true that all the equipment, the detours and the reduced speed limits are aggravating, especially when you’re in a hurry to get somewhere. But consider this statistic: In a six-year period from 2001 to 2006, there were a total of 1,190 crashes along that portion of Illinois 13, resulting in three deaths and 103 serious injuries. The IDOT project consists of adding a third lane in each direction to Illinois 13 from Division Street in
Along with widening Illinois 13 by adding a lane on both sides, the IDOT has been working on widening the intersection at Carterville and has been working with the city on the project since the spring of 2013. As part of that project, they have put up a concrete divider between the north and south-bound lanes Bradley Robinson, of Division, leading to Mayor of Carterville Illinois 13. “The divider has Carterville to Williamson RICHARD SITLER, THE SOUTHERN been perceived to be an Traffic has been tied up on Division Street in Carterville during inconvenience, but it’s County Parkway in Marthe ongoing construction at Illinois 13. Traffic levels and too really a safety issue,” ion. It will also provide many accidents justify the expense and headache of better said Carterville Mayor a supplemental frontage access at this intersection. Bradley Robinson. “Along road network to address with the divider, plans issues with economic are to move access to the acceptable capacity for a expenditure. According development, safety, and four-lane roadway system frontage roads on either to IDOT studies, nearly traffic mobility and effiside of Division Street and has compromised 36,000 vehicles travel ciency. that stretch of road, which safety and traffic mobility further north. That’s Traffic levels have also because there’s a pretty and efficiency. justified the construction nears or exceeds their
“By the end of November, work on the Carterville intersection should be 90 percent complete, with the last of the project – grading and seeding – to be done in the spring.”
good number of accidents at that intersection, with folks entering and exiting the frontage roads so close to Route 13.” By the end of November, work on the Carterville intersection should be 90 percent complete, with the last of the project – grading and seeding – to be done in the spring. “I hope to be able to tell Carterville citizens about our community Christmas present, having all temporary road signs and detours, equipment and road crews gone by December,” Mayor Robinson said. “I’m sure that once that work is done, with better access to the city’s businesses, there will be marked growth and increased traffic.”
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Carterville schools continue tradition of academic excellence There’s something different about Carterville schools, and it starts with a rich tradition of more than 100 years and counting of academic excellence. Students begin with a strong foundation of learning at Tri-C Elementary, with an engaging environment supported through a network of parent volunteers and an emphasis on technology in the classroom. They are paired with caring adults or high school students through a mentoring program to help provide support and encourage positive relationship building. Students then move to Carterville Intermediate School, where they are challenged, both academically and with a number of extra-curricular activities, from fifth to eighth grade. The school counselor has an active anti-bullying program designed to teach students about being friends and handling conflicts. And everyone, from administration and staff to school organizations and individual parents, help keep standards high and students provided for. For example: the PTO just helped pay for a new pavilion on the elementary school playground and new swings and paint
Last year, the school board recognized a record 23 CHS seniors who earned the designation of Illinois State Scholar. In 2013 and 2014, Carterville Community Unit School District No. 5 was awarded the 2013 SchoolSearch Bright Star A+ Award of Excellence, given to only 60 districts who demonstrated the highest student performance (the top five percent of 866 districts in the state). CUSD No. 5 also received the SchoolSearch Bright Star Award for being in the top one-third of Illinois school districts in student achievement and in the bottom one-fourth in operating expenditure per pupil. Carterville was one of 91 districts who received this award. SchoolSearch is an BYRON HETZLER, THE SOUTHERN Students begin with a strong foundation of learning at Tri-C Elementary in Carterville. educational research and consulting firm that publishes rankings of 25 percent of graduates “In addition to outcountry and football, to for the playground at the standing academics, Cart- attend four-year universi- school systems. They work name a few. intermediate school. with major companies to erville has had substantial ties, and 70 percent of “Carterville is a special At Carterville High provide relocating famigraduates attend comsuccess in athletics and place with a long history School, in their statelies school information munity college. Tens of the fine arts,” he said. and many fabulous tradiof-the-art facility that because school quality is thousands of dollars’ “The level of cooperations,” said Keith Liddell, opened in 2011, stuone of their top concerns. worth of scholarships are tion among community, superintendent of CUSD dents learn and grow As a result of this level parents, staff and students awarded to CHS graduates No. 5. exponentially. There’s a creates a learning environ- every year. And Carterville of excellence and of supHe grew up on East science wing with fully High School students con- port, Carterville schools ment that is nurturing Grand Avenue in Carterequipped laboratories, tinue to excel on the ACT, continue to grow in enrolland conducive to lifeville, where his parents an exceptional culinary ment. The CJHS Band is recently exceeding state long learning.” still live, and spent much department, a 750-seat the largest it has ever been Carterville High School scores in all four tested performing arts theater, an of his spare time, “riding this year with 59 students, areas with a composite award-winning marching my bicycle all over town.” was ranked in the top five and CHS opened with a score 2.2 points higher percent of Illinois high This will be Liddell’s first band, and a banner crop record enrollment of 606. than the state average. schools in 2011. About year as superintendent. of athletes in golf, cross
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To protect and serve Police Chief Reno brings fresh ideas and 22 years of experience to town Carterville Police Chief Heather Reno was hired this summer, just a few months ago, but she’s comes with plenty of experience – 22 years in law enforcement – and plenty of plans to improve an already efficient and highly effective police force. “I was ready for this new challenge,” Reno said. “It’s a process, getting used to each other here, learning about each other and how best to work together for the common good. But that’s how it is with any new job.” Chief Reno started with a few technology upgrades. She instituted an official e-mail system with e-mail addresses for every officer. She’s making plans for an electronic record-keeping system, and she’s launched the police department’s Facebook page, which has brought communication between the citizens and the police into the new
“And when all of the intense negativity toward police was on the news every night, the businesses in town displayed blue ribbons as a show of support.” Heather Reno, Carterville Police Chief
millennium and improved it more than can be easily described. She’s also trying to increase the staff, to help the department’s eight full-time officers and 16 part-timers who work to protect and serve Carterville and the Tri-C area. She’s hired one full-time officer and is hiring parttime auxiliary staff. “We’re the only agency on the west side of Route 148 that is staffed around the clock. So, we are ‘it,’ in a lot of ways for a lot of
Richard Sitler, The Southern
Carterville Chief of Police Heather Reno says one of the best things about working with the police department is the level of support that comes from the community.
people,” she said. Chief Reno is not new to the Tri-C area. She’s been a Tri-C’er for 21 years, living in Carterville since 1999. But she has brought a lot of fresh ideas to her position and a lot of administrative experience. She retired from the Carbondale Police Department as a support services lieutenant after more than 21 years on the force. Her job there involved records training, community
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relations, the accreditation program, grants, animal control, training, community service officers and the crime victim advocate program. She’s also a staff sergeant with the Illinois National Guard and a licensed registered nurse, so she is more than prepared, she said, to roll up her sleeves and handle anything the job throws at her. The only thing that
took her by surprise was the overwhelming feeling of gratitude and the tremendous support that the department receives from the citizens they serve. “It’s one of the best things about working here,” she said. “The level of support offered by the community is tremendous. People are grateful for our work, and that’s so refreshing,” Reno said. And that provides the strongest motivation
possible to improve the relationship between the community and the police department, a relationship that Chief Reno truly believes is vital to the success of both. “When you live in the town you work in, that brings true ownership to the job,” she said. “The decisions I make as chief, have an impact on me as a resident and as the parent of a child in the school district.”
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Coming soon: Tri-C Community events and the arts “The people of the Tri-C area take every opportunity to celebrate our community and our lives,” said Carterville Mayor Bradley Robinson. If you keep up with the slate of community events in Carterville, Cambria and Crainville, you’ll know that’s true. “One of our biggest event of the year is coming up, our Halloween Extravaganza. It includes a haunted house, a haunted walking trail, hay rides, concessions and what we call ‘surprise dancers,’” said Robin McFarlin, Cambria’s commissioner of community relations. Here are a few more Tri-C Community events coming up: Pumpkin Path, Oct. 30 from 5 to 8 p.m. in downtown Carterville.
Businesses open doors to trick-or-treaters. There are also a costume contest and parade and a haunted maze. For more, call the Chamber of Commerce at 618-985-6942. Veteran’s Day Luncheon and Program, Nov. 10 and 11. The lunch is sponsored by Carterville Junior High School, and the program, hosted by the American Legion, will be at the Veteran’s Memorial. The Heritage Museum will be open from 10 a.m. to noon. Community Thanksgiving Dinner, Nov. 26 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Carterville Community Center, 120 N. Greenbriar Road. This free event is open to the public; call to let them know you’re coming by calling at 618-985-2011 or 618-9853040.
Christmas in Carterville, Dec. 4 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. in downtown Carterville. There will be visits with Santa, free cookies, hot chocolate and cider, a chili dinner, hot dogs, crafts, carriage rides, carolers, a vendor market and a Little Miss Snowflake and Mr. Mistletoe contests for kids aged 3 to 5. For more information, call the Chamber of Commerce at 618-985-2252. Walker’s Bluff: Walker’s Bluff Winery is situated on more than 200 acres of Southern Illinois. Guests enjoy spectacular views. Then come inside and enjoy the indoor beauty and ambience; at 326 Vermont Road, Carterville. On Oct. 23 at 7 p.m., “Ghostbusters” will be shown on the big screen in the Tasting Room. On Oct.
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Page 10 Friday, October 23, 2015 THE SOUTHERN ILLINOISAN
31 at 8 p.m., the fourth annual Monster Bash Costume Party will be in the Tasting Room and includes live music and a tour of the “bat cave.” These events are in addition to a regular series of concerts in the Tasting Room and performances at Legends restaurant. For more information, visit walkersbluff.com. The arts at John A. Logan College: The college presents a regular roster of theater, musical events and museum exhibits and shows. Here are a few coming up: zz Nov. 14 and 15 — 40th AutumnFest Arts and Crafts Show is an annual juried event for more than 100 exhibitors of handcrafted arts, crafts and specialty foods. Annual attendance is
approximately 7,000. For more information, email emilyhenson@jalc.edu or call 618-985-2828, ext. 8015. zz Nov. 20 and 21 at 7 p.m. — “A Few Good Men” will be presented by the Performing Arts Department. zz Dec. 11 and 12 at 7 p.m. — “A 1940s Radio Christmas” will be presented by the Performing Arts Department. Side Door Gallery: George Mavigliano and his wife, Renee, both artists, live in Carterville and operate a small book store and gallery called the Side Door Art, Books & Gallery at 100 E. Illinois. It’s open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, call 618-985-8918, or send an
e-mail to sidedoorart@ outlook.com. Dance at Arabesque Studio: Arabesque Studio has been open since 2003, offering classes in ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop and pom to students aged 3 and older. For more information, stop by at 101 N. Division St., Suite, C, Carterville, or call 618985-8715 Dance at RhythmEffects Studio: RhythmEffects Studio opened in the summer of 2010 “because you should never miss a chance to dance.” It’s at 6166 Old State Route 13 in Carterville. For more information, visit rhythmeffects.com or call 618-985-2050. And don’t forget to check on events at Carterville High School at cartervillelions.org.
Heritage & Preservation Foundation is on a mission DETAILS The Harrison/Bruce Historical Village at John A Logan College covers five acres that includes the Purdy School (1860); Hunter Cabin (1818); and a museum in a replica of the historic David Ruffin Harrison House, which includes a general store log cabin and post office. Free public tours are offered on the first and third Tuesdays of the month through November. For more information, call 618985-2828, ext. 8015. The Veteran’s Memorial was a 10-year dream of its designer, the late John Yack. The $100,000 project was approved in February 2011, and dedicated on Nov. 11, 2011, in downtown Carterville. The Anne West Lindsey District Library, at 600 N. Division in Carterville, was the vision of Anne West Lindsey, a wellestablished author and a Carterville native, who left $1.5 million and 5.4 acres of land to the city for the purpose of a community library. A groundbreaking ceremony was held in November 2008, and the library was opened on May 3, 2010.
CARTERVILLE — The Carterville Heritage & Preservation Foundation was organized as a 501C3 charity in 2010 with a mission to present, preserve and restore the history of the Tri-C area. “I heard about the foundation from Sheri Hunter and Jennifer Spence, who were writing their history book and asking anyone who was interested to come to the first meeting of the foundation,” said Sharon Holmes, President of the group. “That’s how it all started for me.” The foundation sponsors downtown events, including the annual Christmas in Carterville. They have worked to preserve items such as the Richart Quilt displayed in the Anne West Lindsey Library. And they worked to open the Carterville Heritage Museum. The city donated the building at 139 S. Division St. Then, Jim and Dee Childress gave a substantial sum of money to go toward renovation. Jennifer Spence and David Gobert, as well as several community volunteers, renovated the museum. The Childress’ donation, along with community labor, made the museum possible. It opened in 2011, in
COURTESY
This photo was taken in front of Jettie Vaughn’s store in Cambria. It’s now a postcard from the Carterville Heritage Museum. COURTESY
The museum gift shop
The interior of Elles store in Carterville. It’s now a postcard from offers nostalgic, customthe Carterville Heritage Museum. designed T-shirts, retro
a completely renovated building that showcases architectural details from the former 1924 Carterville High School, the one that was demolished earlier that year. Among the museum’s numerous, local and historical items are an icecream table and chairs and a neon sign, salvaged from the old Hampton Drug Store, which make for a cozy corner where visitors can sit down for a minute or two. “We had lots of help to make this museum happen, leading right up to
The Chamber That Does!
Proud to serve the Carterville business community by providing opportunities for growth and business development. Visit www.cartervillechamber.com for membership and activity information.
our grand opening in 2011 and continuing today,” Sharon said.
candy, gift baskets, a few antiques and popular greeting cards created hand made by local
volunteers. It features local history books, too, including “Carterville, Cambria & Crainville: A Look Back At Our Towns” by Jennifer Spence and Sheri Hunter.
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505 Rushing Drive, Herrin - Just West of Logan Park on Rt. 13 The Southern Illinoisan Friday, October 23, 2015 Page 11
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