Karen Mary Becker of Marthasville competed in auditions for the XFactor Show in Chicago last spring – and against 12,000 other contestants, got as far as performing in front of the four TV judges, including Simon Powell & Paula Abdul. In case you’re not familiar, XFactor is similar to “American Idol” where people compete for an opportunity to win a recording contract. One major difference is that XFactor is open for anyone over the age of 12. American Idol has a maximum age limit.

On January 9, 2012, Fr. Tom Miller became Pastor at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in New Melle. Fr. Tom comes to New Melle from Epiphany of Our Lord in South St. Louis where he had served as Pastor for 7 & 1/2 years. Prior to that he was Associate Pastor at St. Gabriel’s in South St. Louis, Sacred Heart in Florissant (where he was baptized) and St. Martin de Pores in Hazelwood. He also served as a Deacon at the New Cathedral in St. Louis.

Adele Welge, known as Dele (Dee-lee), celebrated her 100th birthday on December 24, 2011.  She was born on her parent’s farm on Becker Joerling Road, about 1.5 miles north of Femme Osage Creek Road. Her parents were Edward and Alvina (Twiehaus) Joerling. She had two sisters: Elsie, who was eight years her senior, and Alice, who was born in 1906, but died in 1928 from Nephritis (kidney disease.) 

By Dianne Sudbrock

Immaculate Heart of Mary Church (IHM) in New Melle bid a fond (and somewhat tearful) farewell to Fr. Richard Stoltz in early January. After 10-1/2 years at IHM, it is hard to imagine life around the parish without his presence. But as it says in Ecclesiastes, “There is a time for everything.”

By: Dianne Sudbrock

For a record setting third time, Max Ciampoli, trainer at Jimmie Hite Stables near New Melle, has trained and presented a grand champion in the All American Weanling Cup Futurity. The Weanling Cup is an event within the All American Horse Classic that was held this past September in Indiana. 

This story was originally published in the Boone Country Connection in April, 2003 along with the story, "A Condensed History of Hamburg, Missouri." I remember having a delightful visit that day with Les Mades who was born and raised in the town of Hamburg, along Hwy. 94 in St. Charles County.  He was one of few remaining survivors who could give a first hand account of life as it was before the residents of Hamburg, Howell and Mechanicsville were displaced by our government's take-over of their land for a munitions plant in WWII.  Unfortunately, Les Mades died July 3, 2011 at the age of 91.

Dianne Sudbrock

 Link to full story.

This story was originally published in the Boone Country Connection in April, 2003 along with the story, "Remembering Hamburg." I had a delightful visit that day with Les Mades who was born and raised in the town of Hamburg, along Hwy. 94 in St. Charles County.  He was one of few remaining survivors who could give a first hand account of life as it was before the residents of Hamburg, Howell and Mechanicsville were displaced by our government's take-over of their land for a munitions plant in WWII.  Unfortunately, Les Mades died July 3, 2011 at the age of 91.

Link to full story.

 Dianne Sudbrock