Breese sisters are the new owners of Fantastick Pops
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- Written by: Kelly Jo Ross
What's poppin' at Fantastick Pops?' The popular handmade artisan pops food truck is under new ownership.
The keys have officially been handed over to the new owners of Fantastick Pops, so now you will see a new face behind the wheel of the "pop"ular teal blue and orange gourmet popsicle food truck seen in Clinton County.
And who are the new owners that keep popping up?
Meet Kinsey and Kylie Stockmann of Breese.
They just recently bought the business from the original owners, Anna Venhaus of Germantown and her sister-in-law Allison Kaiser of St. Charles, Missouri.
The idea of Fantastick Pops has been a sweet and solid one. A few years ago, on a family summer vacation in Kentucky, Anna was told to try out a cute shop that sold gourmet popsicles.
"Let me just say, the kids were in heaven and so were the adults," Anna said.
But these were so much more than what you would typically think of when you think of a frozen kid’s treat.
These were gourmet pops!
"They were fun and colorful, but all natural and handmade. Unlike anything we’d had before," she said. 
On the car ride back to their cabin, they were raving about the popsicles and started brainstorming about bringing the idea to the St. Louis and Southern Illinois area.
So, she just said to her sister-in-law Allison (known as the best cook and health fanatic in the family), “you know, we could totally do this. We could be a team. You could do what you love, which is working in the kitchen creating one-of-a-kind recipes and making people happy with food, and I could do the marketing and business side of this business from Illinois.”
Done.
In August of 2018, the duo drew up a business plan, finalized their paperwork and Fantastick Pops was born. re
"From the beginning, the one thing we knew right away was that we wanted our product to be locally sourced fruits and veggies, with ingredients that were all-natural. Nothing artificial," said Anna.
'Sister Act' opens Clinton County Showcase’s season on outdoor stage
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- Written by: Bryan Hunt
Clinton County Showcase starts its 2022-2023 season on the road — sort of — when "Sister Act" premiers this week. Show dates are tonight through Sunday, with all shows starting at 8 p.m. A Monday rain date has been set, but only if needed.
The show is directed by CCS veteran Sean Thomas and takes place on the outdoor stage at Breese North Side Park, so all seating will be general admission.
There are no reserved seats and everyone should bring their own chairs or blankets.
This will allow for people to spread out and social distance (in family groups) as they deem comfortable. Facemasks are encouraged.
About the play "Sister Act" is the feel-good musical comedy smash based on the hit 1992 film that had audiences jumping to their feet. When disco diva Deloris Van Cartier witnesses a murder, she is put in protective custody in the one place the cops are sure she won't be a found: a convent.
While in hiding, she helps her fellow sisters find their voices as she rediscovers her own.
"Sister Act" is reason to rejoice! Between the powerful gospel music, outrageous dancing and a truly moving story, it is a sparkling tribute to the universal power of friendship.
Beckemeyer’s 'Hometown Heroes' banner project making headway
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- Written by: Bryan Hunt
The Sons of the American Legion Squadron 1227 in Beckemeyer is spearheading the "Hometown Heroes" banner project for Veterans Day.
Holthaus-Kampwerth American Legion Post 1227 in Beckemeyer, the SAL squadron and Legion Auxiliary will be the host organizations for this year's events.
Veterans Day is observed on Nov. 11, which is when the Clinton County festivities —meal, program and parade — will take place.
More information about these events will be released later on.
Greg Kruse, with the Sons of the American Legion, said what they are trying to do for the "Hometown Heroes" is have banners made for veterans who either have or had lived in Beckemeyer, or if they were a member of Post 1227 "even if they did not live in Beckemeyer."
He said there are members who live in rural areas, or in other towns like Carlyle or Keyesport, but are members of Post 1227.
Photos will be collected, scanned and added to the banners, which are 30 inches by 60 inches.
They will be hung on poles throughout Beckemeyer, especially along the parade route.
The banners will remain up for about a month, Kruse said, and then they will be given to the families. The photos used in making the banners will also be returned to the families.
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