February 14, 2025 Local Stories in and Around St. Joseph, Illinois

Voges urges St. Joseph residents to celebrate America

World War II veteran Bruce Voges loves America.

When he told his kids he wanted to have a Fourth of July parade in St. Joseph they knew they had to make it happen.

“My first response would be echoed by my brothers, Mike and Tim,” said Bruce’s daughter Michele Voges-Lawhead. “If Dad thinks it’s a good idea, then it’s a good idea and we’re going to help make it happen.”

And happen it will, tomorrow at 9:30 a.m.

The parade will start at Hackler Park. Anyone wanting to participate should be at the park by 9:20 a.m.

The parade will travel down Sherwood to Grand Avenue to Seventh Street. They will then travel on Bluestem to Balsam and back to the Park.

The family is asking residents to participate on bikes, golf carts, vehicles or by walking.

They are also urging participants to socially distance and wear a mask if they are unable to socially distance while participating in the parade or watching along the route.

“He hoped to bring joy to others,” Voges-Lawhead said. “He values our little town of St. Joseph and thinks our community will enjoy having a parade to celebrate our pride in America and to give thanks.”

The Fourth of July has always met a lot to the Voges family.

“He has passionately celebrated the Fourth of July for many of his decades,” said Voges-Lawhead. “Get-togethers at our home were tradition. Family and friends of friends were all welcomed by my parents to a huge annual cookout. He was famous for his fireworks finale at the end of the evening.”

A few months ago Voges said he wanted to celebrate, not only America, but also healthcare workers and first responders and their work during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This idea became a common theme,” said Voges-Lawhead.

Voges suggested the parade include the St. Joseph-Ogden Marching Band, sports teams, local American Legion groups and Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts but he has accepted that the first year may be a little smaller.

“In spite of Dad’s initial desire to shoot for the moon and include many, many people in the parade he now recognizes the need to scale things back, for this year,” Voges-Lawhead said. “But he truly hopes this will become a longstanding tradition in St Joe. At the age of 94, we have our fingers crossed that he will enjoy several more parades with us.”

Voges- Lawhead said the family is hopeful that people will participate and honor those that have sacrificed for the country while celebrating the positive.

“I believe we have a truly special community,” she said. “It has been inspiring to see everyone pulling together in various ways over the past several challenging months. But I also see many people and families safely out and about on bikes, taking walks and cruising on their golf carts and more recently dining in the streets. Like my Dad, I value our small-town roots. Parades have been a part of our traditions in St. Joe as long as I can remember. They unite us and we are reminded of how fortunate we are to live here. It is an important day to celebrate our community and our country.”

Banner
Related Posts

10 things you don’t know about me Staci Potter

August 12, 2021

August 12, 2021

We asked St. Joseph-Ogden’s new district bookkeeper to tell us 10 interesting facts about herself. Meet Staci Potter. 1. My...

10 things you don’t know about me… Dina Fox

June 5, 2019

June 5, 2019

My husband, Kerry, and I met when I was 18 years old in the middle of a snow storm.  We’ve...

Fine arts student of the month… Kabriel Schuster

August 29, 2019

August 29, 2019

Each month a committee of teachers selects a fine arts student of the month from nominees from the drama, art...

Christie Clinic Illinois Marathon results

April 27, 2019

April 27, 2019

More than 11,000 runners took to the streets of Champaign-Urbana this weekend for the 11th annual Christie Clinic Marathon. The...

10 things you don’t know about me with Whitney Setterdahl

November 25, 2020

November 25, 2020

My favorite childhood memory is when my youngest brother Jack was born. My brother Ben and I were eating an...

St. Joseph man peacefully protests against police brutality: ‘We need to listen’

June 4, 2020

June 4, 2020

Jon Arteaga isn’t looking for any praise by protesting at the corner of Main Street and Route 150 in St....

Weekend Family Fun Guide March 29-March 31

March 29, 2019

March 29, 2019

March 29Royal Community Garage Sale 5-8 p.m. Royal Community Building 103 Park St. Royal, IL 61871 Over 5,000 square feet...

Live at St. Joseph Village Board, Dec. 13, 2022

December 13, 2022

December 13, 2022

I am late because Sawyer had a Christmas Concert. #rudolphtherednosedreindeer #sparkles Discussing donating to the proposed project from last meeting...

Area students make Parkland Deans list

June 5, 2019

June 5, 2019

Area students make the Parkland Deans List FithianJazmine L. Rodriguez HomerGracyn A. AllenBrody D. ColeFiona N. ElyLena C. LeonbergerMarissa L....

For Schmidt, hard work pays off

July 12, 2019

July 12, 2019

Sammi Schmidt isn’t afraid of hard work. The future Illinois State Redbird was awarded the Gary Butler award at St....

Wagners give back in a variety of ways

May 29, 2020

May 29, 2020

Jim and Jen Wagner like to help people. They have helped people through the pandemic at their business, Wagner Signs...

Planning underway for St. Joseph Festival

July 17, 2024

July 17, 2024

Carnival Arm BandsCarnival Arm Bands are for sale at Village Hall during business hours until August 7.The Arm Bands will...

St. Joseph resident Lewis to star in ‘Frozen Jr.’

September 21, 2019

September 21, 2019

Hayden Lewis loves to act. The St. Joseph Middle School student is participating in the The Champaign Urbana Theatre Company...

Kidd hopes to ‘Gather the Good’ on blog

January 22, 2019

January 22, 2019

Nancy Kidd knows there is good in all people. The St. Joseph resident said that as a former juvenile detention...

St. Joseph Chamber announces Little Prince candidates

July 27, 2024

July 27, 2024

Addison MonierSon of Tiffany Monierhttps://gofund.me/128cdc2b Conor SchottSon of Rachel and Jason Schotthttps://gofund.me/6c508ce0 Will PetersSon of Steve and Sarah Petershttps://gofund.me/712d223d Emmett...

Comments
Leave a Reply