Area News

Richards
The 56th annual Richards family reunion was held on Sept. 15 at Rogier Park in Vandalia, with 79 in attendance.
Those present discussed the family tree project that is in progress.
The business meeting was called to order by the vice president, Virgil Richards. Jamie Elmore gave the 2012 minutes and treasurer’s report.
Marcy Jones gave the historian’s report: one death, Everett R. Jarrett, on Dec. 20, 102; no marriages; and one birth, Rylee Jean Elmore, to Justin and Tasha Elmore on Dec. 1, 2012.

Smoky, the (Adorable)  Little Donkey …
… is showing signs of missing us being around the house in the woods, although we go back there every day and Bill goes at least twice a day. Now he comes to the fence, and when I walk toward him, he sidles up alongside, wanting to be petted. It will be interesting to see Smoky’s reaction to the longhorns and vice-versa.

Wedding
On Saturday, Sept. 14, 2013, Mahala Harpster of Villa Ridge, Mo., and Nathan Jacquin of Washington, Mo., were married at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, St. Peter.
The bride is the daughter of Dane and Belinda Harpster of St. Peter, and the groom is the son of Dale and Donna Jacquin of Washington, Mo.

As a result of the Sept. 1 Effingham Area Tea Party meeting, three businesses are hosting PTELL tax cap petitions.
Residents may sign a petition at Pine Ridge Homes on West Randolph Street in Vandalia, Donaldson’s Service in Beecher City of Artcraft Press on Ill. Route 33 at Lake Sara Road in Effingham.
The next Tea Party rally will be held on Oct. 5 at the Effingham VFW Home, with a free weiner roast at 5:30 p.m. and the main speaker, Bruno Berend, at 7 p.m.