(Taken from the July 6, 1950 issue of the Teutopolis Press.)

This news story of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776 is written as though the event were occurring today. Its purpose is to give this all-important document the currency it ought to have these days. The Declaration of Independence, for all that it was written 174 years ago, remains predicated on the living issue of human freedom. Consider, as you read, that all this well might be happening right now.

Philadelphia, July 4, 1776 - These American colonies today became the United States of America as 56 members of the Second Continental Congress signed a Declaration of Independence without a dissenting vote. The vote came after a long day of bitter debate during which many members of the Congress  publicly said they were not "ready for an open break with England."

The congress, which had been meeting behind closed doors for some time, had been actively working on the declaration since last June 10. Prior to that day, Richard Henry Lee, of Virginia, had introduced a resolution urging the absolvence of all allegiance to the British crown.

Vacation Bible School was held from June 6-13 at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 3 miles north of Dieterich with St. John's Lutheran and Grace Lutheran of Dieterich as co-hosts. Pastor Stephen Gillet gave the welcome and songs "The Bee Song," "We Love to Come to God's House," "Jesus is Alive," and "Buzzin' in the Hive," were sung by the children. The theme for the week was "Planet Zoom." The daily offering went to the Mission Project in the Dominican Republic.

39 students registered with an average attendance of 34. The Directors were Jennifer Boerngen and Natalie Hall with 8 teachers, and 17 volunteer leaders and other volunteer staff. Snacks were served each evening by the Ladies Aid of Grace, St. John's and St. Paul Lutheran Churches.

Teachers for ages 3 and 4 were Lisa Kreke, Andrea Courson and Hannah Gillet with students, Hunter Bannick, Abby Courson, Kaden Einhorn, Ryan Galbraith, Kyle Goebel, Samantha Goebel, Elijah Hall, Jackson Holste, John Holste, Ella Kreke, Hailey McWhorter, and MacKenzie Thilker.

It was a hot, humid day but parade 2010 will go down as one of the biggest parades in recent history. The clowns on their bikes, the shriners in their cars, the large display of antique tractors and cars, the floats and of course the horses. Our marshal Rick Siemer gave up his seat in the convertible to his daughter and grandson as he proceeded to walk and hand out goodies to those attending. We thank our neighboring community, Dieterich, as they sent over the "Hat Squad" and their patrol car along with their undercover agent "Roach" to handle the tight security needed for the parade and do a little advertising for their July 4th parade and celebration.

The Grand Knight's award presented to the entry judged to be the best in the parade went to entry number 18, the "Respect for Life" float that makes us realize that life is sacred and we as a community need to protect this gift.

The Effingham Elks Handicapped Children's Committee donated $556.82 of educational materials for autistic children to two classrooms at Neoga Elementary School. Funds raised for these donations come from the annual auction held each November. In addition, two wheelchairs were donated to Teutopolis School District and one wheelchair to Effingham Jr. High valued at $552.63.
 

Mayor Jerry Weber has declared June 30 a Day of Prayer in Teutopolis of Effingham County for the Right to Life. In a recent letter to the Mayor concerning "Respect for Life," Effingham County Right to Life, sponsor of the Annual Day of Prayer, mentioned the growing disrespect for life in this land of the free. In light of this, I, Jerry Weber, Mayor of the Village of Teutopolis, do declare:

Whereas, God has created all life; and whereas, all life is sacred from conception until death; and whereas, there has been a growing disregard for life for the unborn, elderly, and handicapped; and whereas, Effingham County Right to Life was organized to promote the sacredness of life through prayer and education; and whereas, our country has over a million abortions a year and a growing lack of concern for the handicapped and elderly.

The "Young Author" award winners from Dieterich Elementary School are as follows: 4th Grade - Taylor Gephart and Kelsey Fletcher, 5th Grade - Sydnie Vahling and Seneca LaGrand, 6th Grade - Nick Feldhake and Chris Flood, and Overall Winner was Alexandria Ashley-Miller.
 

The Teutopolis State Bank is preparing for a trip to see the Cardinal/Cub Ballgame in St. Louis on September 14. The cost of the trip will include Bales Motor Coach transportation, game ticket, sandwich, chips, cookies, and a drink. Departure will be from the St. Francis Church parking lot at 3:30 for the 7:15 game. There will be a stop at the Troy Rest area for the meal.

Stop by the Teutopolis State Bank today for more information and to purchase your ticket to this exciting ballgame.

The 2010 Teutopolis High School Valedictorian is Leah Westjohn, daughter of Ted and Donna Westjohn of Montrose. The 2010 Teutopolis High School Salutatorian is Tara Heuerman, daughter of Dave and Cheryl Heuerman of Teutopolis. Congratulations!
 

The Confirmation Class of St. Aloysius, Bishop, was confirmed on April 23, 2010. Pictured left to right - bottom row: Alice Drees, Gene Drees, Katherine White, Brittney Beckman, Msgr. Carl Kemme, Father Joe Carlos, Rose Niemerg, Samantha Westendorf, and Dianna Borries. Second Row: Scott Jansen, Jordan Roepke, Matthew Cutright, and James Lidy. Third Row: Brittany Niemerg, Olivia Kuhl, Tiffany Goeckner, Jenna Ruholl, Amy Probst, and Tara Pruemer. Fourth Row: Andy Waldhoff, Beth Weishaar, Mary Niemerg, Kaitlyn Hartke, Danielle Borries, and Kylie Zumbahlen. Top Row: Michael Probst, Willie Jansen, Alicia Grimes, Cole Hartke, Tim Probst, and Ryan Will.
 

The Swingler reunion will be held on Sunday, June 6 at noon at Sigel Park. Bring a covered dish.

For more information, call 217-895-3308 (the Kastl's).

The Sigel town-wide garage sales was held on Friday, June 4 from 9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. and will also be held on Saturday, June 5 from 7:00 a.m. - 12:00 Noon.

There will be at least twelve participants including the St. Paul's Ladies Aid.

The Annual Summer Town Wide Garage Sales are being planned for Saturday, June 5, in Dieterich, sponsored by the Dieterich Woman's Club.

In order for your name to be on the map, you must phone the Village Hall at 925-5410 by 10 a.m., June 3. The sales will be open from 7 a.m. - 12 noon.

A parade, good food, games, entertainment, rides, a raffle, refreshments, a big chicken and ham dinner and many other things will be there at the annual K. of C. picnic on Sunday, June 13.

It will all begin with a parade starting at twelve o'clock going from the high school down Main street and on to the K. of C. picnic grounds.

There you can enjoy an afternoon of fun and friendship. The theme this year is "Community Service." The Grand Marshall of this year's parade will be our own citizen of the year, Rick Siemer.

On May 2, the second graders from Teutopolis made their First Holy Communion at St. Francis of Assisi Church.

The Teutopolis State Bank and Sigel Community Bank would like to thank the community for their support at the fundraising cookout for ARC held on Friday, May 14. There were over 2500 sandwiches served, which brought in a total of $13,178.17 donated to ARC Community Support Systems. The grill was won by Judy Poe of Effingham and the quilt was won by Betty Buscher of Teutopolis.

A special thank you to the Board of Directors and all the local businesses for making this such a huge success. Donators included 3-Z Printing, Weber Brothers, Wessel's Grocery, Teutopolis Locker Service, Party Worx, Kountry Kitchen, Effingham Animal Health, Effingham County Pork Producers, Designs Unlimited, Brumleve Industries, Kenter's, Ping's, Teutopolis Knights of Columbus, Brickbat, Teutopolis Press, Effingham Daily News, KJ Kountry, Dust and Son, Chamber of Commerce, Doug McCain, Lewis Bakery, Frito-Lay, and Pepsi.