Althoff Catholic High School - Crusader Yearbook (Belleville, IL)

Page 17 text:

Many important local and state community events occurred in 1986-87. In order to improve the safety of her citizens, the state of Illinois toughened its DUI laws, a move effective in January. In June of ' 86, area residents joined the Hands Across America campaign to help the needy. By May of ' 87 over 12 million dollars raised from the campaign had been spent on projects to benefit the less fortunate. The city of Swansea celebrated its centennial in August with parades, a festival, century-old costumes, and many exciting events. The month of October brought events which left a marked impression on local communities. The Kroger Company closed its St. Louis area stores - including those in Metro East. This move left many local workers without jobs. The National Food Stores chain, along with numerous locally owned stores reopened, however, thus re-employing many of the men and women. One of the most tragic events of the year also happened in October. As a result of too much rain and a faulty flood gate on the riverfront, the city of East St. Louis flooded. Many people lost their homes and all of their belongings. Surround¬ ing community groups pitched in to help the suffering fam¬ ilies. The fall also brought the celebration of the first anniver¬ sary of the historic re-opening of St. Louis Union Station. The spring of ' 87 brought the Proud Partners group in Belle¬ ville out to help beautify the community. They cleaned up along the highways, and they also plan to reconstruct the banks of Richland Creek. Spring also was the time for the grand re-opening of Memorial Fountain in the square. Workers replaced the outer shell of the fountain and took care of other needed repairs. The city now boasts of an origi¬ nal water show that lasts over 40 minutes. Early in 1987 the March of Dimes also held the most successful walk-a-thon in Belleville ' s history. 1987 is also a year of planning in the area. Many new build¬ ings are scheduled for construction including a West-end mall which will have a new Venture store in the complex. The Lake Christine Center is planned for the East end, along with a new health spa. Also, the old Imbs Mill was destroyed so that the Richland Creed Office Park could be built. Many other com¬ mercial properties are scheduled for Swansea and Fairview Heights as well. Belleville and the surrounding communities will probably keep expanding until they merge with St. Louis and become St. Louis East, (o.k., maybe not!) But, I know we all want the area to be known as a nice place to live, a place where dreams become realities. M. Taphorn. 13

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St. Louis Union Station, a four-story Bed¬ ford stone building of modified Roman¬ esque design, rising at the front in a slen¬ der clock tower, was completed in 1894 at a cost of $18 million. It was designed by Theodore C. Link and built on an arm of old Chouteau ' s Pond. The landmark was redeveloped by The Rouse Com¬ pany and reopened in 1985 after it was abandoned as a railroad depot. It now features specialty retail, restaurants and a luxury Omni International Hotel The $ 135 million renovation was the na¬ tion ' s largest restoration project. The 11.5 acre train shed was selectively re¬ glazed and re-roofed; the original steel support structure remains exposed to remind visitors of the train shed ' s origi¬ nal use.

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It ' s taking and it ' s giving and it ' s 1 1 Maria Santos has been working at Baskin Robbins for a year. 2. Stephanie Pierce works at the YMCA as a swimming instructor life¬ guard and is paid $3.60 an hour. Previously she worked at the Westhaven Pool, and at the Belleville Pool. Working for a living 3. Michelle Clancy works for Dominos Pizza. She started by answering telephones and is now a pie maker. She makes $3.80 an hour. 5. Brad Zacharski, also in the pizza business, works at Ken ' s, where he makes $3.50 as a cook. 7. Lisa Mueller also has worked at Baskin Robbins, and now works at Dairy Queen 8. Melanie Schranz, a member of the Junior Board, has worked in the Fam¬ ous Junior Dept, for the last year at $3.62 an hour. 1 1. Jodi Edgar and Sue Dewein help out after school at the Magic Daycare center. They both receive $3.50 an hour.