Santa Claus is making an early stop in St. Joseph this Saturday
ST. JOSEPH - St. Joseph-Stanton Fire Family will host a "Holly Jolly Christmas" from 7-10 am at the St. Joseph-Stanton Fire Station on Saturday.
The family-friendly event will have various craft tables, a hot cocoa bar with all the fixings, and a cookie decorations station with cookies from nearby Casey's.
"We add a little more fun each year!" Vickie Reese told The Sentinel yesterday. "This year is the 75th Anniversary of the Fire Department so we are showcasing that achievement on a special tree this year."
Best of all, Santa Claus will stop by at 10 am in his firetruck sleigh to greet all the children and guests. Kids will receive a gift bag after the visit from St. Nick.
"We have some surprises that aren’t on the flyer," Reese said. "After the kids see Santa, they will get a special Firetruck gift bag that has some take-home crafts, reindeer food, and the Santa’s Helper fire helmet.
A Pancake and Sausage breakfast will be served from 7am-9:30am by members of SJS Fire Family. A photographer will also be on hand to take family portraits from 8-9:30 am.
This is the third 3rd year the Fire Family has hosted the Holly Jolly Christmas event. It would have been the fifth, but the Covid pandemic postponed one year and canceled it in another according to Reese. For more information, see the flyer below.
Holiday movie filmed in St. Joseph released on Friday
Photo: Courtesy YouTube
ST. JOSEPH - Originally called "Fly Swatter Cafe" during production, the movie filmed in St. Joseph in January 2020 was released on YouTube on Friday. A Fargo Christmas Story, starring the late Ed Asner, Cynthia Aileen Strahan, and Richard Riele, is a film based on several short stories from Fargo, North Dakota. Just a few months before most of the world sheltered in place due to the pandemic, Geschenk Coffee House was the location chosen as the cafe featured several times in the one hour and 37-minute presentation.
While the majority of the production was completed in North Dakota, the writer and director, Monticello native Robin Christian Peters, told WCIA in 2020, "We were looking around for places to shoot, looked at 30 cafes, and found one in St. Joe that fit the, you know, the feeling. The charm wasn’t too modern, wasn’t too old."
Released on December 1, the movie can be viewed for free on YouTube or below.
The film also features Sadie Katz, Robert Donavan, and former Associate Chief Administrative Law Judge of the United States Social Security Administration, Paul Lillios.
Known for his iconic roles in "The Mary Tyler Moore Show", "Lou Grant", and the movie "Elf", Grant passed away on August 29, 2021, in Los Angeles.
Peters, who is Executive Producer and Director for Dreamscape Cinema, has produced ten films to date, and currently has two other projects in post-production.
Philo Exchange Bank to open new bank in St. Joseph
PHILO -- The Philo Exchange Bank announced this morning its plan to open a new bank facility in St. Joseph. The new location at 109 N. Main Street is tentatively scheduled to open on December 1, 2021.
The bank will be located across the street from the Busey Bank branch office which will cease operations almost two weeks earlier on November 19.
In addition to bank teller operations, the branch will also have an in-house loan department overseen by Royal native Les Hoveln. Formerly with Gifford State Bank for the past 16 years, he will serve as Executive Vice President and Senior Lender. Hoveln, who transitioned to the new position on August 3, has more than 35 years of financial lending expertise.
According to today's press release, the Main Street location "will serve as a temporary facility for the bank as it establishes a permanent location in the next 12 to 24 months."
"We are excited for this opportunity to expand our bank footprint to the St. Joseph area," Hoveln said. "We look forward to providing the community with a banking partner that can assist in all banking needs while providing friendly customer service that has served six generations of customers."
Opening its doors back in 1883, Philo Exchange Bank has grown to operate three existing locations in Philo, Allerton, and Broadlands.
New optometry location in St. Joseph hosts open house next week
Chittick Eye Care will host a Grand Opening at its new St. Joseph location on Friday, October 8 from 11a until 2p.
Located at 226 East Lincoln, the office will offer quality optometry services to area residents including eye exams and medical treatment for eye problems. Chittick Eye Care operates eight other offices in downstate Illinois and plans to open its tenth unit in Arcola in 2022. Opening in 1959, sister operations can be founds in Danville, Hoopeston, Watseka, Rantoul, Savoy, Villa Grove, Paris and Lincoln.
Doctors Jim Lohrberg and George Rix will use state-of-the-art technology to serve area patients and also focus on building long-term relationships with patients to support their overall eye health. Lohrberg, an optometrist who has practiced for more than twenty years in Danville and Springfield, is a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry. Rix, who graduated from Eastern Illinois University in 2010, is a native Illinoisian and joined Chittick Eye Care in 2018.
"Our goal is to provide small communities with a hometown eye doctor," says Dr. Shawn Mallady, Owner of Chittick Eye Care, in a release announcing the upcoming event. "We are thrilled to bring top-notch personnel, high-tech services, and world-class fashion to all the towns we serve - which now includes St. Joe."
Visitors who stop in to see the new business in downtown St. Joseph can register to win a TaoTao scooter as well as prizes from other local merchants. There will be a live radio broadcast during the event and the first 75 attendees will receive a boxed lunch from SCRATCH. For more information, call 217-442-2631 or visit their website at www.chittickeyecare.com.
Throwback Thursday: The first St. Joe 5K
This week's Throwback Thursday features photos and memorable faces from the inaugural SJO 5K, then known as the St. Joseph Community Festival 5K. In the months ahead, visit the race's official website here for information concerning this year's upcoming race.
The Sentinel, courtesy of PhotoNews Media, has more than 250,000 images from more than a decade and half of sport coverage and athletic events in St. Joseph. As space and time allows, we will share photos, memorable moments and treasured images from the massive collection of images of sporting events in our files for your weekly paper.
With a turnout that exceeded organizers' expectations, 194 finishers ran in the first St. Joseph Community Festival 5K Saturday, August 9, 2008. Brothers, Aaron, left, and Caleb Ball sprint out of the gate ahead of the pack at the start of the run. The race featured a great course under perfect running conditions and over 40 door prizes for participants from area merchants. (Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)
Jennifer Ball, Sherry Nagy, Kate Morgan, and Sandy Bayles raise their arms as they head for the finish line. Over 190 runners and walkers participated in what would be come the first of an annual community event in St. Joseph. (Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)
Landon Vowels devours a banana after finishing his race. (Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)
*** Editor's Note: This following paragraph was removed from the story due to the PhotoNews archive shuttered by Covid-19 pandemic. "The PhotoNews online archives are searchable by name, date and event. Use the search tool on this page to find current and nostalgic file photographs."
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*** Editor's Note: This following paragraph was removed from the story due to the PhotoNews archive shuttered by Covid-19 pandemic. "The PhotoNews online archives are searchable by name, date and event. Use the search tool on this page to find current and nostalgic file photographs."
Cold day's work
1st annual Santa HO HO HO 5k Fun Run/Walk a success
ST. JOSEPH - On the way home from a marathon/half marathon race in Indianapolis, Max Painter and members of his running group lamented how the event was the last race they would run in 2018.
During the discussion fellow runner Brenda Hixon suggested the possibility of taking another road trip. Maybe to Chicago or running in Indy again at either city's Santa Hustle. The group of avid runner decided they would indeed run one more race before the end of the year.
However, the next morning Painter, a veteran who started running while serving in the Army, woke up with a better idea.
"Why don't we just do that here?"
Painter presented the idea to the group and it was a hit.
Combining efforts Hixon and Painter created the 1st Annual St. Joe Santa HO HO HO 5k Fun Run.
As they planned the event, they expected, at best, a modest turn out of maybe 50 to 100 Santa-ly cladded runners making their way through the streets of St. Joseph. To their surprise and delight, registrations started rolling in and the field of runners and walkers quickly rose over 200.
"It exploded into this," Painter said while scanning the finish line as runners and walkers crossed the finish line to receive their medals from Mayor Tami Fruhling-Voges and other finish line volunteers. "We love it."
And by this, Painter meant the 325 participants and nearly that number of spectators, family members and well-wishers along the 5k course on Saturday.
The near freezing temperatures did not keep runners away.
"It wasn't too cold out there once you got running," said Dwayne Schlabach, who started running to stay in shape.
For Peyton Wendell the race one more opportunity to put on his holiday best, a royal blue two-pieces Christmas suit.
"My aunt bought it for me last year. I wore to school a few times and I thought this would a great time to wear it one last time," he said. "It (the run) was really fun. There were a whole bunch of people out there cheering for you."
Rhonda Littlefield, who crossed the finish line capturing her finish with her smartphone, enjoyed the race.
"I wanted to support the community and do something fun," she said echoing the sentiments of other runners as the sun peeked from behind the clouds through the crisp December air. "I didn't fall down and hurt an ankle so it's a great day. It was a lot of fun!"
Coming off a recent injury that limited his running, Gregory Poe was happy to be able to run and spend quality time with his two sons, Nick and Eric.
"I haven't been able to run for a while," he said. "I really enjoyed it and had a great time."
Hidden behind sunglasses and her Santa beard, Sara Meyer said she also enjoyed the atmosphere and holiday cheer along the course.
"I'm use to competing in more competitive races," she said before heading over to have her picture taken with someone dressed in Grinch costume. "It was something fun to do today and a great day for it."
Former St. Joseph-Ogden high school running star Chelsea Blaase was the first competitor and female runner to cross the finish line. Brandon Mattsey was the first male runner in and Kendrick Johnson was the first runner in the youth division to finish the inaugural race.
During the discussion fellow runner Brenda Hixon suggested the possibility of taking another road trip. Maybe to Chicago or running in Indy again at either city's Santa Hustle. The group of avid runner decided they would indeed run one more race before the end of the year.
However, the next morning Painter, a veteran who started running while serving in the Army, woke up with a better idea.
"Why don't we just do that here?"
Painter presented the idea to the group and it was a hit.
Combining efforts Hixon and Painter created the 1st Annual St. Joe Santa HO HO HO 5k Fun Run.
Runners start their run during the Ho Ho Ho 5k on Saturday. Over 300 runners took part in what may become an annual event in St. Joseph. (Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)
As they planned the event, they expected, at best, a modest turn out of maybe 50 to 100 Santa-ly cladded runners making their way through the streets of St. Joseph. To their surprise and delight, registrations started rolling in and the field of runners and walkers quickly rose over 200.
"It exploded into this," Painter said while scanning the finish line as runners and walkers crossed the finish line to receive their medals from Mayor Tami Fruhling-Voges and other finish line volunteers. "We love it."
And by this, Painter meant the 325 participants and nearly that number of spectators, family members and well-wishers along the 5k course on Saturday.
Gregory Poe give two thumbs up as he crosses the finish line. (Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)
The near freezing temperatures did not keep runners away.
"It wasn't too cold out there once you got running," said Dwayne Schlabach, who started running to stay in shape.
For Peyton Wendell the race one more opportunity to put on his holiday best, a royal blue two-pieces Christmas suit.
"My aunt bought it for me last year. I wore to school a few times and I thought this would a great time to wear it one last time," he said. "It (the run) was really fun. There were a whole bunch of people out there cheering for you."
Rhonda Littlefield, who crossed the finish line capturing her finish with her smartphone, enjoyed the race.
"I wanted to support the community and do something fun," she said echoing the sentiments of other runners as the sun peeked from behind the clouds through the crisp December air. "I didn't fall down and hurt an ankle so it's a great day. It was a lot of fun!"
Coming off a recent injury that limited his running, Gregory Poe was happy to be able to run and spend quality time with his two sons, Nick and Eric.
"I haven't been able to run for a while," he said. "I really enjoyed it and had a great time."
Hidden behind sunglasses and her Santa beard, Sara Meyer said she also enjoyed the atmosphere and holiday cheer along the course.
Sara Meyer poses for a photo with The Grinch after running in the Ho Ho Ho 5K. (Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)
"I'm use to competing in more competitive races," she said before heading over to have her picture taken with someone dressed in Grinch costume. "It was something fun to do today and a great day for it."
Former St. Joseph-Ogden high school running star Chelsea Blaase was the first competitor and female runner to cross the finish line. Brandon Mattsey was the first male runner in and Kendrick Johnson was the first runner in the youth division to finish the inaugural race.
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