FREE
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Inspiring Educating A SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT OF CONNECTION
E
A MIME SPEAKS
Adventures that include tutelage from Marcel Marceau
BACK HOME AGAIN David Miller’s journey brings him to Scott Tech
THE ROAD TO NASHVILLE Katherine Wise begins her journey
UNIQUE PARTNERSHIP REACHES UNIQUE YOUTH Noel’s 4-H program responds to local needs
A PASSION FOR STORY TIME Developing richness in literacy
A magazine dedicated to Southwest Missourians MARCH 2015
MARCH 2015
CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 1
Talk about cancer with those who get it. Cancer Support Group Every 2nd Tuesday of the Month 6:30 p.m. Senior Life Solutions Conf. Rm. Mercy Hospital Cassville Mercy invites you to join others whose lives have been touched by cancer. Our group offers support, inspiration and the fellowship of other cancer patients and their loved ones.
All are welcome. For more information, call Mercy Hospital’s Senior Life Solutions at 417-847-6042. Your life is our life’s work. mercy.net
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MARCH 2015
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11 A MIME SPEAKS
CONTENTS
38 UNIQUE PARTNERSHIP REACHES UNIQUE YOUTH Noel’s 4-H program responds to local needs
17 BOOK REVIEW Optamir’s Last Commander by Joseph Horst
43 A PASSION FOR STORY TIME
18 BACK HOME AGAIN
46 DONKEY BASKETBALL VISITS EXETER
24 THE ROAD TO NASHVILLE
49 HEALTHY CONNECTION Move naturally
29 YOUNG WRITERS 50 FAMILIAR FACES 30 MOPS TESTIMONY 53 BOTTLES AND BREWS 33 CLAY SHOOTING CHAMPS MARCH 2015
54 MY CONNECTION
CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 5
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Connection
A MAGAZINE DEDICATED TO SOUTHWEST MISSOURIANS
PUBLISHER Jacob Brower jwbrower@yahoo.com EDITOR Sherry Tucker thorntonlives@gmail.com P.O. Box 405 • 111 S. Market St. • Mt. Vernon 417.466.2800 • fax: 417.466.3066 Toll Free: 1.800.748.7756
ENJOY THE FREEDOM
ART DIRECTOR Veronica Zucca connection@monett-times.com ADVERTISING MANAGER Lisa Craft community@monett-times.com ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVES Sheila Harris James Craig Marion Chrysler CONTRIBUTORS Murray Bishoff Meagan Ruffing Nancy Ridgley Darlene Wierman Sheila Harris Susan Funkhouser Pam Wormington Amanda Reese Anne Angle Layne Sleeth Dori Thomas Katrina Hine Kim McCully-Mobley Brad Stillwell PHOTOGRAPHERS Chuck Nickle Jeff Terry Rob Lotufo
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DISTRIBUTION Greg Gilliam Kevin Funcannon TO ADVERTISE 417-847-2610 - Cassville 417-235-3135 - Monett Send e-mail inquiries to thorntonlives@gmail.com Mailing address: P.O. Box 486, Cassville, MO 65625 Connection is published monthly and distributed free in Cassville, Monett, Exeter, Washburn, Pierce City, Mt. Vernon, Aurora, Verona, Roaring River, Eagle Rock, Shell Knob, Purdy, Wheaton, Freistatt, Marionville, Seligman, Golden and other surrounding areas. Connection is a publication of the Cassville Democrat, The Monett Times and Rust Communications.
MARCH 2015
Editor’s note
“There is divine beauty in learning – to learn means to accept the postulate that life did not begin at my birth. Others have been here before me, and I walk in their footsteps. The books I have read were composed by generations of fathers and sons, mothers and daughters, teachers and disciples. I am the sum total of their experiences, their quests. And so are you.” Elie Wiesel
M
oving along now into March, we can be assured that Spring is just around the corner. I can’t wait to see the little daffodils, and then the irises, peeking out with their green stems, reminding us of the cycle of seasons, the circle of life and the inevitability that time moves onward. Life is an ongoing transition in position and perspective. I remember being a kid. I can think of the way I felt about the people that surrounded me, whether it was my parents, brothers, friends or teachers and other adults. It’s amazing to me to think about what I thought then – and now, as an adult and mother, how I feel about the people who were with me, and who influenced me. I think as I age, I am more endeared to the memories of those who had patience and were willing to teach and guide. I realize, too, that as a mother, it is often difficult to emulate that patience I remember receiving from others, though I do try to use it as a model for my own behavior. This gives me even more appreciation for those willing to teach. I appreciate all those who inspired and taught me when I was young, and those who take time to do the same with my children. But, teaching and learning does not stop at childhood. Something I have found, is that we all have an opportunity to inspire and educate each other, no matter what we do, where we are or what age we are. I think inspiring has less to do with setting a course or teaching a method, but rather sharing an attitude of willingness, perseverance and encouragement. I am inspired by the attitude that budding singer Katherine Wise has at such a young age. Reading her story gives a look into a student/teacher relationship that has helped her grow and strengthen. Sometimes inspiration is about creativity and sharing. If you have preschool children, I recommend attending story hour at our local libraries. Spending time at the library with sweet librarians dedicated to sharing stories with small children will become a treasured memory to any child that attends. Reading, and being read to, fosters creativity in a fun way, and opens up a world of make-believe that experts agree is important for developing thinking skills. Thank you, Julie McCollum, for being one of those special story hour teachers. Read her story on page 43. In times when we worry that kids are selfish, and grown-ups are apathetic, I hope that the stories in our March Connection will help provide a glimpse into some very good stuff that is going on in our own back yard. We are blessed to live among good people taking time to nurture our kids. We should also be proud that we are surrounded by kids that have hopes, dreams, ambitions and skills. Take care now,
Sherry Tucker MARCH 2015
On the cover:
Hans Christen Andersen said, “Life itself is the most wonderful fairy tale.” Children can learn to be inspired and creative by playing pretend.
Harlee Rae
and Lynkin Adele, daughters of Whitney Carter of Cassville, enjoy being princesses during their play-time together. PHOTOS BY SIMPLY TREASURED PHOTOS, CRISSY KAPPEDAL, PHOTOGRAPHER. www.facebook. com/simplytreasuredphotos, www. simplytreasuredphotography.com, 417-230-2028.
(Cover, page 9, Parting shot)
Do you have an interesting story you’d like to see featured in Connection? I’d love to hear your idea! Email thorntonlives@gmail.com and share it with me! CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 7
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MARCH 2015
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Inspiring Educating A SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT OF CONNECTION
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A mime speaks
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Book review Optamir’s Last Commander by Joseph Horst
18
Back home again
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MOPS testimony
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CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 9
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A mime speaks STORY AND PHOTOS BY BRAD STILLWELL
MARCH 2015
CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 11
I
t is widely believed that birth order – what place a person falls in relation to their siblings, can have a deep and indelible impact on how a child develops. First-born children are often leaders and become highly motivated, while the middle child will seek relationships outside the family unit or become rebellious. The last-born child on the other hand can often be fun loving and mischievous – words that easily describe Elise Buchman of Eagle Rock, the “baby” in her close-knit family. “I come from a family of professional overachievers,” Elise shared. “There’s a meteorologist, a doctor and a lawyer. We all went on beyond college to graduate school and I became a clown.”
12 | CONNECTION MAGAZINE
MARCH 2015
Born on an air force base in California, Elise would spend most of her childhood living in various parts of the country. Her father was a doctor in the army and the family moved six different times before Elise reached high school. After leaving the military, Elise’s father remained in the reserves and looked for a place where he could go into private practice to learn and perform heart surgery. “The options where he interviewed were Hawaii, San Francisco, Philadelphia, San Antonio, and Lincoln, Nebraska,” said Elise. The family ended up selecting a move to Nebraska. “I was fourteen – I didn’t understand that choice at all,” Elise shared. “My dad’s
From Mother Goosed and Other Nonsense Elise’s unpublished second book of children’s poetry
Hickory Dickory dock, My phone is now a clock. It takes pictures of you, It’s a flashlight too! And tomorrow it’ll wash my socks.
from Kansas and my mother was from Omaha – all my siblings were born there. They were Midwest heart and soul.” Elise came to her new high school having excelled in softball, field hockey, and basketball. A short scrappy athlete, Elise was disappointed to learn that her opportunities were very limited. “When we moved to Nebraska, Title IX hadn’t kicked in yet and I had to give it all up,” said Elise. “They had volleyball, which wasn’t my sport; I could walk under the net. What they did have was a mime troupe, and that’s how I got into mime.” Elise tried out for the mime troupe at the request of one of the first friends she made at the school, Teri Knuth – a MARCH 2015
friendship that still thrives. “I decided to try out for the volleyball team even though it’s not really my sport I’m not the right height for that. Teri would try out for volleyball with me if I would try out for the mime troupe,” Elise recalled. “I had no clue what that was. I got into the mime troupe and I fell in love with it. That was the most wonderful thing in the world.” Elise finished high school still heavily involved in both the mime troupe and the limited sports opportunities that were available to her. When it came time for college, Elise decided that she would study sports journalism. “I went to a career fair and talked to sports editors who suggested that I go to
a small liberal arts school and learn how to write.” Elise said. It was while attending college at Doane in Crete, Nebraska, Elise followed her plan playing basketball, volleyball and editing the school newspaper. Then one day she auditioned for a play and her whole world changed. “On a whim I tried out for a theatre production which I had never done,” said Elise. “They were doing Our Town with open auditions and I got a part.” Changing her major to theatre, Elise would eventually graduate with an additional degree in English. She then worked in repertory theatre after graduation and also took graduate classes at a nearby university. CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 13
Elise would spend the next three years of her life in Paris studying mime under the tutelage of the greatest mime of the twentieth century.
It was her previous experience in mime that helped her while working in children’s theatre as a performer and director. Elise would also work with another woman creating a clown show. She even auditioned and was accepted into the Ringling Brothers Clown School, but she didn’t accept that offer because she was given the opportunity of a lifetime in the summer of 1984. “In the summer of 1984, Marcel Marceau was doing his first American workshop in Ann Arbor, Michigan,” Elise shared. “You had to send in a video tape to audition and get into the workshop. I auditioned with two good friends and all three of us got in.” Marcel spoke a great deal about his school in Paris while teaching the two-week workshop. At 26, Elise was disappointed to learn that his school was for performers aged 18-24. 14 | CONNECTION MAGAZINE
“I asked him where would he recommend I could go to study,” Elise recalled. “He invited me to his school. It didn’t occur to me that I didn’t speak French; he invited me to his school so I was going!” Elise would spend the next three years of her life in Paris studying mime under the tutelage of the greatest mime of the twentieth century. In addition to taking classes five days a week, eight hours a day, Elise also took classes on the weekends in classical and theatrical fencing while also performing street theatre to make ends meet. At the end of the three-year program, Elise became the first American woman to complete the program. Elise recalled several stories about the man who was well known for never saying a word. “He would often say: ‘Never ask a mime
to talk because you will never get him to stop,’” Elise remembered. “He used to tell me stories about Red Skelton because he knew I was a clown. He thought Red Skelton was the finest natural mime because he never studied it.” Marcel also provided valuable insights on life and acting that Elise also shared. “One of my favorite things that Marcel used to say is that people are very afraid of silence,” said Elise. “The hardest thing for performers is to deal with silence on stage – a lot of people are afraid of it. It’s not just onstage, people are afraid of silence. You go anywhere now there’s a TV blaring, there’s music blaring – people are unnerved by silence.” Her most treasured memory were the words of encouragement given to her by Marcel upon graduation from the program. MARCH 2015
“Marcel told me I was incredibly gifted with comedy, which is kind of cool,” Elise shared, “What attracted me to mime was Red Skelton, Harpo Marx and Marcel Marceau.” Elise’s story continues with experiences of teaching theatrical fencing in Spain and at Oxford University in England. Moving to New York City she would earn two advanced degrees in English literacy and creative writing. She even auditioned for the Muppets. “I got to wear Kermit twice,” Elise recalled. “That’s mime – you’re wearing a big honking costume.” A neck injury ended her career as a performer, and in 2010, Elise moved to this area to help her father take care of her mother who was ill and needed care. Her family fell in love with this area many MARCH 2015
years ago and Elise has been visiting for over 40 years. A published poet, Elise has also directed five plays for the Holiday Island Theatre Guild since moving here and she recently received a full-time position working near her home. Through the years, Elise has learned that there are some things that are just universal. “Kids laugh at the same things no matter what country you’re in,” Elise shared. “They laugh at the same things, and that was a delightful discovery. My whole purpose in life is to make people laugh. When I first learned I couldn’t perform anymore, I could still have that purpose.” n CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 15
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BOOK REVIEW
Optamir’s Last Commander by Joseph Horst
REVIEWED BY ANNE ANGLE
S
irith is on the move again, and if he can conquer Otapmir, the known world will be his!! Every other country has fallen to, and fears, his ruthlessness. Jorson Roctel, a citizen of Otapmir, is a naïve young man who knows little more than the life of a miner. That life is about to change and therein lies the story of OTAPMIR’S LAST COMMANDER. Step back in time to a medieval fantasy filled with epic battles and lots of war strategy, as good and evil struggle to rule the empire. Jorson, a giant of a man, has a run-in with the law and is conscripted into the army as punishment. This punishment is the equivalent of a death sentence for young, untrained warriors, but Jorson will prove to be the exception. He quickly rises in rank, due partly to his size and natural abilities and partly to the fact that the King of Otapmir (The Red Lamb) has secretly selected him for great things. Jorson is a likeable young man. He occasionally doubts his skills and abilities, and rightly so as his military promotions come along so quickly he knows he is not qualified to do what he has been called upon to do. Conversely, when unimaginable and unexpected success comes, his ego gets in the way; but the good people he has surrounded himself with help him to refocus. He sometimes questions, doubts, and even defies authority as he makes his way through the new world in which he finds himself. He is fiercely protective of the young men under his command, grieving at the loss of just one soldier and temporarily debilitated at the loss of thousands. He finds that desire for revenge is a motivating factor in many of his military personnel. He tries to reeducate those people to the fact that “righting a wrong” for the greater good of the whole nation is a more noble endeavor. Sirith, the power-hungry enemy, is a master battle strategist and also a master deceiver. His military successes are amazing and his military personnel embrace his MARCH 2015
philosophy. Most believe that he is a good leader because the basic needs of the masses he has conquered are provided for and they live in peace. Truth is, the villagers are too weak, hungry, unarmed, and afraid to rise up in protest. The King of Optapmir, who is seldom seen and we known only as The Red Lamb, seems to be omniscient, omnipresent, and omnipotent.
The author, Joseph Horst, is a young man, 17 years old, who lives in Golden, Missouri. He has been homeschooled and has always loved to write. He says a course entitled the One Year Adventure Novel helped hone his writing skills. This is his first published novel and he hopes to write a sequel as well as a prequel to this story. The reading audience most likely to enjoy this book is teenagers and young adults. Though fairytale in nature, several twists and unexpected events (including spies and traitors) in the plot make it more than that. Fairytales always end with everyone living happily ever after. Not necessarily so in Otapmir. The surprise ending certainly suggests a sequel. If you like flashing swords, crashing shields, dashing Knights, and bashing battles, this book is for you. n
Anne Angle is a retired Cassville High School life sciences teacher. An avid reader, Anne is a member of Crowe’s Cronies Book Club based in Cassville.
CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 17
Back home again David Miller’s journey brings him to Scott Tech STORY AND PHOTOS BY KIM MCCULLY-MOBLEY
D
avid Miller has the best of both worlds. He is a Monett Cub by day and a Houn’ Dawg by night. His career has come full circle the last couple of years. He says it has all been part of God’s divine plan. It is plain to see he is quite happy about that. He is happy about the students and staff members he has been able to serve for the past 25 years, as well. He is director of the Scott Regional Technology Center in Monett and will be wrapping up his second year at the helm in July. His 25 years in education have included nine years in administration, at both Aurora and Monett school districts, and 16 years as a math teacher and coach at Rich Hill and Aurora. He has learned something from all of it but is happy to be back home—where he
18 | CONNECTION MAGAZINE
graduated from high school in 1985 as that quiet, shy basketball player who spent a lot of time at the First Baptist Church. In fact, he held the single season scoring record for a long time at Monett High School with 543 points. He went on to graduate from College of the Ozarks in 1990 with a bachelor’s degree in math. His educational path would not stop there. He would receive a master’s degree in secondary administration from Missouri State University in 2005. From that point, he would move into the assistant principal’s position at Aurora High School in 2006. In 2009, he would become AHS principal. Since 2011, he has worked back in Monett as assistant high school principal and now the director at Scott Regional Technology Center.
“I have always, and will always, think the best thing about any job I have had in education is the students. I get to meet all kinds of students from all different backgrounds and try to make their educational experience the best it can be,” explained Miller on a cold, blustery day in January. In all of his positions, he has also enjoyed the opportunity to be around diverse staff members from all walks of life with a variety of interests. When speaking about his colleagues at Scott Technology Center on Monett’s southeast side, “They are a diverse group with many talents. I also get to meet other people from all walks of life: business, industry, college, etc. It is a very exciting place to work.” MARCH 2015
A typical day starts early and finds him at his desk in Monett by 7:15 a.m. He will check emails, return emails and phone calls and make a plan for the day. He checks in with staff members and often meets with faculty members as they prepare to start the day. When the students from 14 different sending schools begin to arrive around 8:45 a.m., he often greets the students as they enter the building. “The neat part about that is they are happy to be here. Discipline issues are rare. This is a great environment,” Miller explained. Mornings will usually be filled with more emails and phone calls, classroom observations, state and federal report filings and conversations with employees. After the lunch break, the routine starts all over again as the afternoon students begin to arrive. Miller might have an occasional evening ceremony or event to attend, but finds most days wind to a close around 4:30 p.m. The challenge of his current position comes with trying to make connections with over 520 students from 14 sending schools in the southwest Missouri area. A reward comes when he sees a student who
“I get to meet all kinds of students from all different backgrounds and try to make their educational experience the best it can be.”
MARCH 2015
struggles at his/her home school, but finds a path to real success at the Scott Regional Technology Center. “That’s what it’s all about,” he added. The rewards come in layers as his team helps prepare today’s students for the workforce. He also has the advantage of making connections and knowing what is going on in the area work force, business and industrial fronts. At the end of each day comes another reward. Miller is happy to wind down on the 15-minute drive back home to Aurora, where he lives with his wife, Tammy, and son, Matt, who is a freshman at Aurora High School. A daughter, Brooke, is a student at his alma mater—College of the Ozarks. He enjoys time with his family, watching sporting events on television or in person, playing golf and resting on his faith in God that God will continue to use him as he sees fit. “Any success I have had is a direct result of my faith in God, my family members and their support, and the great people God has allowed me to work with in my career. I think it is important to work hard, develop relationships, treat people the way you want to be treated and stay devoted to lifelong learning,” Miller said. “He has worked so hard and is so dedicated to his job and to the students. It’s nice to see him being recognized for that. I am very proud of him and proud to be his wife,” Tammy Miller explained. Miller still has a few plans and tricks up his sleeve. His “bucket list” includes taking his wife to Maine, seeing a Masters Golf Tournament in person and playing a round of golf at the Augusta National (Georgia) Golf Course. Ironically, his list also includes getting up close and personal with an 18-20 foot white shark while in a boat or an underwater cage. He hopes to serve out the remainder of his educational career right where he is at today as retirement is a few more years down the road. Hopefully, folks in southwest Missouri will remember him and his passion for people while they ponder the educational journey of that quiet, shy, high-scoring basketball player—who has been making a difference in southwest Missouri for over 25 years. n CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 19
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Connection’s Cutest Kids
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Are you a proud parent? If so, take this opportunity to show off that cute kid of yours. We invite you to share a photo of your child to be featured in Connection’s very own proud parent cutest kid contest.
MARCH 2015
Email your child’s photo to connection@monett-times.com. Photos should be sent in the original JPG format at the highest resolution possible. Remember to include your child’s name, parent’s name, age, city and your contact information. The contest is open to children ages 10 and under. The photos submitted will be used for the sole purpose of this contest.
CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 23
Charles M. Schultz once brought to cartoon life a scene featuring his beloved Snoopy riding on Charlie Brown’s shoulders. The cartoon caption read, “In life, it’s not where you go; it’s who you travel with.” Purdy High School senior, Katherine Wise, brought that cartoon wisdom to life for me in January, when I interviewed her about her experience as Purdy High School’s first-ever All-National Honor Choir participant.
NashvillE the road to BY SUSAN FUNKHOUSER
TH ENTIRE CAST OF OKLAHOMA! PUT ON BY PURDY HIGH SCHOOL CHOIR IN THE FALL OF 2014.
T
hree months prior to our interview, as I sat amid a restless audience at Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry, anxiously awaiting Katherine’s arrival on the stage, I began writing this article. I expected to quote her on her general impression of her stay in Nashville (“It was like an amazing episode of Glee!”). I planned on describing for you the nine-hour rehearsals and regaling you with the tale of the choir’s scolding received for exceeding their allotted break time. What 24 | CONNECTION MAGAZINE were they doing when they lost track of
time? Singing around a piano. I had every intention of helping Katherine describe her stunning black, floor-length evening dress, of which she noted, “I love that dress. It’s such a pretty dress. I felt so privileged to wear it.” I wanted to reveal to you Katherine’s first thought when she stepped onto the Grand Ole Opry Stage; “Oh my gosh! Elvis stood here!” However, my intended article died in January, as Katherine took me down the road that led her to Nashville and introduced me to the people who accompanied her on her journey. You need to meet them, too.
MARCH 2015
Family fans Katherine Wise sang her first solo at the age of 2, at the front of the First Baptist Church of Purdy. Her parents beamed from the crowd and videoed their young performer, dressed in dark purple, as she belted out all the verses and choruses of “Awesome God.” Katherine remembers, “I was so proud to sing to my church about my God, just like I watched my mom do!” As the years unfolded and Katherine grew into a powerful performer, she sang on many different occasions and in many different venues, but two faces in the audience never changed. Kevin and Ginger Wise are Katherine’s devoted parents and truest fans. Sitting beside them during one of Katherine’s performances is a true joy. Ginger’s video camera rolls, preserving priceless moments of triumph, and Kevin’s applause thunders above all the rest. Their pride in and love for their daughter is palpable. The Wises live in rural Purdy. Kevin works at EFCO in Monett, while Ginger serves her family as a homemaker
and an overseer of the family farm. Their lives began to change drastically as Katherine’s extraordinary talent continued to develop. “They have given me so many opportunities. They’ve encouraged me to audition, even though it meant a lot of time away from home and often a lot of money. They just trust God that it will be taken care of. They believe in me so much.” Their faith was richly rewarded last October. Those glowing, love-filled faces that encouraged 2-year-old Katherine in church beamed once more from the Grand Ole Opry audience as their daughter strode on stage to perform. As Katherine approaches graduation from Purdy High School in a couple of months and makes plans for the future, the Wises continue to provide support, love and faith. “I have always known that they will totally support me, no matter what I set my mind to do. That feeling – knowing that somebody totally has your back – it is everything.”
The naysayers Not everyone who traveled down the road to Nashville with Katherine was a faithful fan. As we strolled down memory lane, Katherine confided in me the heartbreak she experienced during her freshman year of high school. “Singing with the whole choir, including juniors and seniors, during my freshman year brought my confidence way down. The older sopranos didn’t want me in choir. They told me so. They said, ‘You’re too loud, and we don’t like it. You need to be quiet.’ I was a young singer. I hadn’t learned vocal control yet. I really tried to blend with the choir, but I’d never sung with one. It’s hard for me to be quiet. That is my greatest struggle. I can do loud just fine, but my soft was louder than everyone else’s.” Instead of encouraging and mentoring their young choir member, the older singers continued to isolate and belittle Katherine. “They stuck me behind them, where I couldn’t see anyone. I could hardly see Mrs. Lee. They told me, ‘Be a freshman.’” Katherine did not identify her tormentors by name; she is far too classy for that. However, she carried them, their words and their actions with her. “They hurt my confidence big time.” Katherine confessed to a continual struggle with confidence, but when the time came to step onto the Grand Ole Opry stage, she found the strength to leave the naysayers behind. “Up to that point it hadn’t hit me that I was actually good. Being there made me realize that I am good at what I do. I finally understood that you shouldn’t let others’ opinions bug you, because those opinions aren’t always true.” In reflecting on the pain of the past, Katherine identified several blessings. “In spite of those girls choir built in me a confidence I didn’t have. I actually look at people I meet now. I used to walk with my head down, but now I look people in the eye. I’ve also become an encourager. Having my confidence nearly destroyed by those older girls has made me try even harder to help other singers. Back then I needed somebody to tell me I did well. Now, I am that person for others.” MARCH 2015
ABOVE: KATHERINE PERFORMING AT AGE 2.
BELOW: KATHERINE AND KADEN PROPPS PERFORMING A SCENE IN OKLAHOMA!
CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 25
The teacher
“Mrs. Lee has been so personally invested in me through all four years of high school. Even when I was younger she always made me feel like a priority. She makes all of her students feel that way. It’s not just a job for her.”
26 | CONNECTION MAGAZINE
“Tell me about Mrs. Lee.” My request silenced the normally chatty singer. Tears pooled in her eyes, and she averted her gaze as a few escaped down her cheeks. I watched a million emotions and memories cross her face before she finally answered. “Mrs. Lee . . . is a tough teacher. She expects from you what she knows you can give. In the beginning I thought her expectations for me were too high. She knew what I could do; I didn’t. That’s the way it’s always been with us. She always knows I can do something before I even begin to think I can.” When I asked Katherine to identify the most important lesson she learned from her mentor she quickly replied, “Always listen to Mrs. Lee! My freshman year, while we were rehearsing a contest piece, she told me, ‘You need to do it this way. A judge will catch it if you don’t.’ I said, ‘Yeah, yeah,’ but I didn’t do it. Although I got a I rating, the judge called me on it. It was the only fault he found. Mrs. Lee bragged, ‘I told you so!’ I said, ‘Yeah, I just didn’t believe you!’ Can you believe I told her that? She said she figured other students had thought that, but none of them ever said it! I think that’s when she really started to like me!” Lauren Lee has directed the Purdy High School choir for the past 11 years. In the last four she has successfully molded and shaped Katherine’s voice, confidence and plans for the future. “She has been so personally invested in me through all four years of high school. Even when I was younger she always made me feel like a priority. She makes all of her students feel that way. It’s not just a job for her.” Katherine and her director share a multi-faceted relationship, developed through the miles they’ve traveled together and the experiences they have shared. “She is like my other mother, but I value her not only for the teacher and mother-figure she has been to me, but also for the friendship we have developed and the fun we have shared. She taught me how to open a bag a few days ago. I was struggling to get my music into it. She grabbed it, showed me how to do it and said, ‘Oh Katherine! So much to teach you, and so little time!’” Mrs. Lee also provided for Katherine a much-needed self-esteem boost and gave her hope for the future. “She helped me build my confidence. She inspired me to pursue music as a career. I would never have seriously considered it an option if she hadn’t shown me it was possible.” “What is the greatest gift Mrs. Lee has given you?” Again the silence and tears. “She has given me so much of her time. She has even taken time away from her own family to do stuff with me, to work with me, to support me, to make me better than I am. The greatest gift she has given me is herself.”
The predecessor Katherine Wise made Purdy High School history by making it to the AllNational Honor Choir, and she was the first member of her family to perform on the Grand Ole Opry stage. She was not, however, the first one to dream of doing it. “My Grandpa DeLaMatter grew up listening to the Grand Ole Opry on the radio and later watching it on television. He sang in local quartets and dreamed of one day performing on the Grand Ole Opry stage. He didn’t have the support or the financial means to do it. He grew up during the Great Depression. He had to take care of his family. He was told, ‘Be sensible.’ I think that’s why he has always told me not to be. He has always encouraged me to pursue my music. I can never thank him enough for that. He told me that he felt as if he had passed his dream on to me. He said, ‘It wasn’t meant for me to sing on the Grand Ole Opry, but it was meant for me to have
the dream so I could pass it on to you.’” Although Grandpa DeLaMatter couldn’t make the trip to Nashville to watch Katherine perform, he was definitely there in spirit. Katherine carried him onto the Grand Ole Opry stage in her heart. “His dream wasn’t in vain. I did it. I wanted to give my best performance for him. I wanted him to be so proud.”
MARCH 2015
The driver One of my favorite things about Katherine Wise is her deep humility. She truly does not grasp the depth of her talent. She has no clue what a special person she is. She proved it while trying to answer one of my last questions. “Who is Katherine Wise?” Not surprisingly, she stammered and stuttered and hesitated before exclaiming, “I don’t know!” Then she badgered, begged and pleaded with me to help her answer. “Who do you think I am?” “I know who I think you are. I want to know how you define yourself…” “Well, I’m still self-conscious.” Long
pause. “I’m pretty humble.” That might be the understatement of the year. “I’m kind of high-strung, and I’m motivated!” She was pretty proud of that last one, but she added, “I try to be positive. I’m an encourager. I also see myself as joyful.” “Fill in the blank. ‘Hello, my name is Katherine Wise. I am...” Without hesitation she replied, “I am a singer, by the grace of God. I know God gave me the gift and the opportunity.” I guess she has a pretty good grasp of who she is, after all.
PARENTS LARRY KEVIN AND GINGER WISE WITH KATHERINE AT ALL STATE CHOIR 2015.
The destination The moment finally arrived. The 340 voices of the All-National Honor Choir filed onto the Grand Ole Opry stage, each bedecked in elegant black. I strained to catch a glimpse of Katherine, and then there she was. In her words, “It was holy ground.” Indeed, it was. As she strolled confidently onto that world-famous stage, carrying with her the love of a faithful family, the dedication of a committed teacher, the dream of a beloved grandfather and the joy of the Lord who gave her the gift, Katherine mesmerized. I don’t know what anyone else in the audience saw in that moment, but I glimpsed true joy. As she lifted that voice crafted in Heaven itself, Katherine filled every nook and cranny of that enormous auditorium with sheer bliss. From Ave Maria to Will the Circle be Unbroken Katherine and company thrilled every soul in attendance. They ended their performance with Rejoice! I did. I rejoiced in the struggles overcome, in the hard-won triumph, in the grace of God who provided it all, and in the knowledge that Nashville was not the end of the road for Katherine Wise; rather, it was just the beginning.
The road ahead What lies ahead for Katherine Wise? Among other things, a series of auditions – Missouri State University, the University of Missouri at Kansas City Conservatory and finally the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York, to name a few. “After graduation in May I plan first to get my bachelor’s degree in voice and then to go on to get my master’s in opera. Then I hope to pursue a career in opera and eventually become a music professor.”
“What do you fear when considering the future?” “I’m afraid of getting lost in a big city and getting mugged!” I made a mental note to get her a Garmin and a Mace canister for graduation. Turning serious she honestly confided, “I fear that I won’t be good enough. I’m afraid I won’t be able to make a career out of my music. I have to keep reminding myself that if I never try then I’ll never know.”
The folks in the rearview mirror As we wrapped up our interview, it was my turn to face my own fear. “I’ve seen what fame and fortune can do to people. My greatest fear for you is that it might change who you are. Have you considered that?” “I guess I’ve thought about it, but fame and fortune don’t motivate me. That’s not why I want a career in music. I want to do it because I love it, because it’s who I am. If I become famous in some way, I don’t think it will change me. I won’t forget where I came from, how I started or who helped me get there.” n MARCH 2015
coming soon!
Katherine will perform the German Aria that landed her a spot in the All-National Honor Choir on April 26, accompanied by the Ozark Festival Orchestra. She is one of three featured performers in their Young Artists’ Concert, which will be held at 3 p.m. at the Monett City Park Casino.
CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 27
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YOUNG WRITERS HOSTED BY AMANDA L. REESE
“I am sure that some are born to write as trees are born to bear leaves: for these, writing is a necessary mode of their own development.” C.S. Lewis to Arthur Greeves
THE BEACH
As a young girl, I continually wrote, including details about recent happenings. For me, it was the natural thing to do. I agree with C.S. Lewis; there are some in whom God created the desire and need to write. Writing is a piece in the process as they become all God created them to be. With that being said, I am excited to share this months submission from Silas Garrett. Silas is the grandson of Mike and
Silas Garrett, Age 9 Webster Grove, Mo. I woke up in the morning to the smell of the salty Atlantic sea. I couldn’t wait to get down to the beach. Hi, my name is Silas and I’m going to tell you about my problem that occurred at my trip to the beach. First thing I did when I woke up was go downstairs and eat breakfast (which today were frosted flakes) with my cousin Eli. Later that day, me and my family got ready for the beach. Personally, I couldn’t wait another second to get down there. First, we got on our swimming suites. Second, we put on some white sunscreen. It made us look like ghosts. After that, we headed down to the beach. I left my flipflops at the house despite the sticky spurs that were laid over the terrain. Thankfully I didn’t get any stuck in my smelly feet. When we got down to the beach I grabbed my boogie board and ran to meet the waves. When I got out far enough to catch a big wave, I saw one coming straight at me and got on my boogie board...I was overtaken by the wave. I swallowed some
MARCH 2015
Phyllis Garret of Monett. Silas lives in Webster Grove, Missouri, with his parents Kelly and Elizabeth Garret and one brother, Sam. Silas likes soccer, riding his bicycle and plays the cello. He also loves the beach. Last summer, the Garrett’s took a family vacation to the beach in North Carolina. When Silas went back to school, he wrote a story about his experience.
sea water and got some up my nose. I was disappointed. I went over to where my mom was reading and told her about what had just happened. She told me to try something else and then try again later. And so I built a sand castle and after awhile I stepped back to examine what I had made. It looked totally awesome. Suddenly, I remembered that I was going to try to boogie board once more before we left the beach for that day. So I ran to get the boogie board I was using that day, and again I ran to meet the waves. I got out far enough to catch a big wave, suddenly I saw it coming. It was a one of a kind wave it was humungus!!! I hastily got on my boogie board not a second too late. I was swept up by the wave and skimmed across the water all the way to the shore. I lay there in the sand for a split second and then jumped up to tell my mom what I had just done. She congratulated me and we headed back to the house. Later that night, I tiredly walked up the stairs to where I was sleeping. I got in bed and slowly fell asleep to the sound of the waves lapping against the shore. And, before I knew it I was asleep. This is the story of my beach trip. Thank you for reading. n
CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 29
MOPS testimony BY MEAGAN RUFFING
I
head out the door with my two little girls and make the early morning commute to Monett on the third Friday of every month. These mornings tend to be a bit earlier than most and the need for worship music is a necessity before I make contact with anyone other than the woman looking back at me in the mirror. Because I will be switching my stay-at-home mom hat for my coordinator of Mothers of Preschoolers’ hat for the next few hours, it is imperative that I fill my soul with the only truth I know; the Lord’s love for me. It’s on these Friday morning commutes that I reflect on all that this group of women has given to me whether they are aware of it or not. When I moved here from the northeast seven years ago, the only soul I knew was my husband’s. I was used to traveling the world and experiencing new cultures in foreign countries and suddenly found myself in my twenties, in Mt. Vernon, with a degree in journalism and no clue what to do with myself. My husband’s job transfer took us from Maine to Missouri less than a year after we said “I Do” and neither one of us could have ever imagined that we would welcome our first baby just two years later. It was during this time that I began writing for Connection Magazine. I had answered an ad in the Monett Times Newspaper looking for freelance 30 | CONNECTION MAGAZINE
journalists. One of my first assignments was to write about a local group called MOPS. Not knowing anything about what MOPS stood for or what my drop-in meeting would be like, I was pleasantly surprised to be met by tons of smiling faces and warm, much-needed hugs. I knew that this was going to be a great article for the
community but what I did not know, was how much I needed these women to open their arms and hearts to me as a fellow mother. MOPS turned out to be the answer to so many unanswered prayers. I found a rock solid group of women who accepted me just as I was; imperfections and all. I struggled
Some facts abou MOPS The Monett MOPS year runs from September through May This is Monett MOPS’ 9th year as a group There are 27 moms and 4 mentor moms in this year’s group We meet the third Friday of every month We have 14 volunteers who watch our children while we meet for two hours We have 38 moppets (preschoolers) enrolled We have a speaker who comes to every meeting and talks about something related to that meeting’s theme This year’s theme is, “Be You, Bravely” Dues are $45 for the entire year Monett MOPS is part of MOPS International We have a kids’ day out and a moms’ day out every month There are 3,850 Mops groups worldwide
Ever wonder what goes on at a Mops’ meeting? Here’s our schedule: Prayer, breakfast, devotion, announcements, door prizes, baby game, speaker, creative activity, discussion group
Monett MOPS has an annual garage sale in March. This is our one and only fundraiser for the year. This year’s sale will be on Saturday, March 21 from 8am-1pm at the First Presbyterian Church in Monett. There will also be baked goods or sale. MARCH 2015
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of the co-coordinators about taking over as coordinator when the new MOPS year begun. It was something I had been praying about even before she called me so it just felt right to fully commit. My first full term as coordinator is now coming to an end and so is my time at home with my three children. Dylan will be in first grade this fall, my 3-year-old Hannah will start preschool and then my baby, my 17-month-old, Elinor MOPS Mission Statement: Rose, will be the lone child at MOPS International encourages and home with me. equips moms of young children to realize Navigating this mothering thing with MOPS their potential as mothers, women and was a whole lot easier than leaders, in relationship with Jesus, and in doing it on my own. Never partnership with the local church. have I ever been in the company of so many other suggested that I pray about my involvement women, let alone one woman, who ever lifted me up, built me or supported me as with the group, and if that is where I felt much as these women do in the Monett God leading me to serve, and to apply MOPS group. Every mom out there needs for a position. I’ve never been one to shy MOPS. They just do. n away from a leadership role nor do I mind speaking in front of large crowds, so I went for it and joined a core group of women Meagan Ruffing is a at a summer retreat where we bonded freelance parenting writer. over food, testimonies, hopes, dreams and She loves bath time just the future of our MOPS group. It was the as much as her kids do beginning of a beautiful season of life for and enjoys finding fun and me. creative ways to make After three years of serving on the bathing more fun. steering team, I was approached by one with finding answers to my son’s behavioral issues and instead, found solace in friends who let me cry. The burden I carried on my shoulders about having a child who was different than others was lightened each time I was in the presence of these moms. I was approached by a member of the steering team going into my second year of MOPS about joining the committee. She
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Sunday Morning Bible Study - 9:30 a.m. Worship - 10:30 a.m. Sunday Evening Worship - 6 p.m. Wednesday Evening Bible Study - 7 p.m. MARCH 2015
CLAY SHOOTING CHAMPS
STORY AND PHOTOS BY LAYNE SLEETH
“Pull!”
A bright orange clay disc flies through the air in the distance and a shotgun blast shatters the target just a millisecond later. If that sounds like a thrill to you, then you just might enjoy competitive trap shooting. Southwest School is one of the few schools in the region that has a trap shooting team, and they’re setting the bar high for everyone else in the sport. The Southwest Trap Team originally began in 2001 as an At-Risk School Program. Kevin Jackson, a Southwest Middle School teacher at the time, started the program for kids who may not have been inclined to participate in the other mainstream sports. Trap shooting provides an alternative outlet that the kids can excel at and be proud of. It’s another incentive to keep their grades up, stay in school, and instill them with skills and confidence. There was great interest that first year, MARCH 2015
CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 33
with 15 students shooting on the team. Mike Vining is the current coach for the team, and he has been active on the team from its inception, when his daughter, Staci, joined the team. “That first year the kids showed a real aptitude for trap shooting, and were talented right out of the box. They took to it like a duck to water. And it just evolved from that into a competitive team.” Mike took over as coach after Kevin in the summer of 2002 and has been dedicated to the team ever since, when he isn’t teaching elementary Physical Education or officiating football, basketball and baseball.
MIKE VINING, TRAP TEAM COACH
“My favorite part of coaching trap is watching a young shooter come in that has never shot before, struggling to shoot one or two targets out of 25, and then watching that light click when they figure it out. You’ll watch them improve weekly and then yearly. We have something that we do when a kid breaks their first 25 in a row – we kind of make a ceremony out of it. We take their hat (most shooters will wear a hat to keep the sun out of their eyes – you know, country kids) and fill it full of targets. We throw it out and everyone shoots their hat. To see a kid go from not shooting well to getting their hat shot... that’s just it for me.” So, what exactly is trap shooting all about? The clay target is also sometimes referred to as a clay pigeon because back in the early 1800s the sport included live pigeon targets. The way trap shooting 34 | CONNECTION MAGAZINE
works is there is one “house” where the trap machine will sit and throw out “birds” for shooters. There are five stations, meaning there are five shooters on a squad. The target is always at the same height out in the field, and the clay is going away from the shooter. Once each person shoots five targets, they all move over to the right one spot. And they do that again five more times, until they shoot 25 targets each. That’s one round. There are other clay target shooting sports like skeet and sporting clays, but they are sort of advanced variations on the original version of the sport – trap shooting. Skeet has a high and low house, where two targets go sideways across the field, intersecting in front of the shooter, rather than away from the shooter. Sporting clays is set up almost like a golf course, where each station simulates a more complex hunting situation, with clays that act like flushing quail or hopping rabbits. Regardless, all of these disciplines of clay pigeon shooting are collectively a relatively expensive sport, with the initial cost of a shotgun and equipment, and the routine cost of shells, and the fee for each round shot. However, those that are involved in the shooting community feel that it is well worth it. Ranging from fifth grade to twelfth grade, the Southwest Trap Team has room for everyone. The ATA, or Amateur Trapshooting Association, is the international governing body in the world of trap shooting. Their guidelines divide shooters up into Pre-Sub division, or kids
aged 11 and under, Sub-Junior, ages 12 to 14, Junior, ages 15 to 17, and Junior Gold, ages 18 to 23. At the beginning of the season, a team shoot-off determines average scores and the kids are divided into squads of five based on their averages. The first squad has the highest averages and the next five highest averages are on the second squad, and so on. The Southwest Trap Team has been the Missouri State Champions for seven of the 14 years that it’s been competing. The years that Southwest hasn’t placed first in state, they’ve ranked 2nd or 3rd. In fact, they’ve made quite the name for themselves – in 2009, Southwest won that National Championship, with a winning score of 979 out of 1,000 targets broken. In this high school sport, there are no classifications so Southwest goes up against some much bigger schools. There were close to 1,000 athletes shooting at the state shoot last year in 2014. The Missouri state shoot is a notoriously tough competition. In 2009, when Southwest placed first in Nationals, they had actually placed fourth in state. The team even received a Missouri Sports Achievement Award by the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame at the 2010 Enshrinement Ceremonies, alongside famous names like baseball MVP Albert Pujols and trap shooter, Leo Harrison III. Four students on the Southwest Trap Team have gone on to shoot in college, one of which was also a member of the Junior Olympic Team in 2005. Another big name that came out of Southwest MARCH 2015
CHARLIE HENDERSON HONES IN BEFORE BREAKING ANOTHER TARGET.
HEATHER WINDES, JUNIOR HIGH CAPTAIN
MARCH 2015
high school is Allen Treadwell. Currently, Treadwell co-hosts shows on Bass Pro’s Outdoor Channel and is a decorated skeet shooter and sportsman. He has also been an alternate on the U.S. Olympic team. Treadwell graduated before the trap team was instated, but he remains an icon for the young shooters at Southwest. At the awards banquet at the end of each year, an award called the Allen Treadwell award is given to a senior who has shown exceptional academic achievement as well as outstanding marksmanship. The recipient of the award gets to sign their name on a clay target that is displayed in the Alan Treadwell Award case. The trap team begins their season in January, and it lasts until July. This year there are about 17 kids shooting on the team. Once a week, practice is held at the trap field in Seligman behind Ruby’s gas station. Last season Superintendent Mr. Bob Walker and the Southwest school CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 35
board worked together to help build the practice field in Seligman. Parents on the booster club laid blocks and poured concrete for the field. Area merchants in Barry County and the Washburn and Seligman communities have been instrumental in keeping the program going. The Southwest Trap Team really is a total group effort, with the community pitching in, and support of parents, booster club fundraising, teachers, and past assistant coach, Rick Wright, and current assistant coach, Kent Willer.
TEAM CAPTAIN, HAYDEN FOX, TAKES A BREAK IN BETWEEN ROUNDS. HE’S WEARING HIS HAT THAT’S BEEN SHOT BY THE TEAM.
At one chilly January practice, shooters ignore the cold and adjust to windy conditions. Junior High team captain, Heather Windes, explains how she came to be on the team, “Originally my best friend really wanted me to join the team, so I did. Now I just love it – I love shooting.” In between rounds, the kids take a break and gather around a fire pit for warmth. But it’s not long before they are ready to start up another round. One round costs $5 each, and the extra money goes toward end-of-
the-season activities when the students travel to the big competitions. Coach Vining notes that they go through 10 to 12 cases of clay targets every week. About once a month, the team travels to shoot in an area competition. A large regional competition is held every March at Ozark Shooters hosted by Branson High School, called the Missouri Winter Games. Teams from Southwest, Crane, Logan-Rogersville, Ash Grove, Sparta, and, of course, Branson high schools compete. Linn Creek, Missouri, is the headquarters for the Missouri Trap Shooters Association, where the AIM state shoot is held each summer. AIM (Academics, Integrity, and Marksmanship) is affiliated with the Amateur Trapshooting Association, and
abides by their regulations. The National Championship is now held every year in late July or early August at the World Shooting Complex in Sparta, Illinois. If the team places at the state shoot, then the whole team goes. The Southwest Trap team is definitely doing something different in the sports arena. This non-traditional sport is accessible to almost anyone, regardless of athletic ability. Seasoned shooters are made with enough practice and fine-tuning of their skill. The satisfaction of breaking targets can last beyond high school years. Clay target shooting can be a lifelong sport that is fun and rewarding for everyone, with a built in community of likeminded shooters. n
FIFTH-GRADER, TY HOWARD
36 | CONNECTION MAGAZINE
MARCH 2015
CONNECTION’S
CUTEST PET Meet Reggie, a seven-year-old Corgi owned by Joe and Kathy Myers, Shell Knob. He loves playing ball even in the snow!
If you think your furry or feathered friend is the cutest in the area, let us know! We invite you to share a photo of your pet to be featured in Connection’s very own Connection’s Cutest Pet contest. Email your pet’s photo to connection@monett-times.com. Photos should be sent in the original JPG format at the highest resolution possible. Remember to include your pet’s name, city you reside in and your contact information. MARCH 2015 CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 37
4-H YOUTH ASSOCIATE AMANDA WERNER PASSES OUT SNACKS AS SHE VISITS WITH STUDENTS OF THE 4-H AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM.
Unique partnership reaches unique youth Noel’s 4-H program responds to local needs STORY AND PHOTOS BY KATRINA HINE
T
he small McDonald County community of Noel is known for special stamps at Christmas and as the Canoe Capital of the Ozarks, but what few people may realize is that Noel has become a uniquely diverse community for the otherwise rural Ozark region. It has become a cultural center with distinctive challenges and unlimited opportunities not only for its residents but also for organizations seeking to meet the needs of the multiple ethnic groups. Those cultural differences are profoundly evident when one visits the Noel Primary and Elementary schools. Noel Elementary Principal Tim Kilby, in his first year as principal, has taught in the McDonald County School System since 1988 and has witnessed firsthand the unique challenges in providing quality
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education to immigrant children. Over the last approximately 20 years, the demographics of this most southwestern county, whose southern border is the famous Mason – Dixon line of the 1820 Missouri Compromise, has dramatically changed. Initially, with the arrival of Hispanics who were re-located to the area to work in local poultry plants and then followed by Hmong, Vietnamese, Micronesians, Burmese and Somali. The Noel schools currently have 10 different languages spoken throughout their hallways. Kilby notes that the biggest challenges facing the district were the developmental needs of the children and the difficulty in communicating with not only the children but also their parents. The school district has risen to meet the needs of this exceptional situation,
such as providing electronic devices with language learning programs. However, providing the depth of skills needed to traverse a culture vastly different than their own outside of the school system required a different skill set. Enter University of Missouri Extension Services, an organization that grew from the Land Grant College Act instituted by Abraham Lincoln in 1862. Developed to meet the educational needs of rural families, Extension and its expansion program, 4-H, rose to the challenge of meeting educational and social needs outside of the schools. Agriculture and Rural Development Community Program Director John Hobbs, a life-long McDonald County resident, began to hear the stories of how communication and cultural barriers were posing real concerns for the county’s MARCH 2015
POTATO STARTS IN MR. HOWERTON’S SCIENCE CLASS, WHICH DOUBLES AS THE 4-H AFTER-SCHOOL ROOM.
“Noel is unique in the state of Missouri with very diverse audiences that reside in such a rural community,” stated Jeremy Elliott-Engel, Regional 4-H Youth Development Specialist. He continued, “The grassroots effort provides a picture of what old-fashioned community values do when there is a need to be met. The partnership of Extension 4-H and the McDonald County School District has opened the door of opportunity for a special group of people transplanted into the Ozarks.”
newest residents. “Many of the people have no idea how to grow their food and they are unaccustomed to the vast types of foods that are available to them in our stores,” Hobbs adds, “we began to hear of increased diabetes among many of the immigrants and now we have introduced healthy eating classes and a community garden.” Hobbs knew that Extension could help bridge the gap and provide life skills necessary to transition to life in Missouri. “Extension services approached us in 2014 with the proposal for an after school program that would teach dietary education and other life skills that the students could then take home to their non-English speaking parents,” Kilby said, “Having Extension come in with the 4-H After School program has helped tremendously.” MARCH 2015
Many of the families come from climates that are much warmer and drier than Missouri is. For instance, the Somali, most of which lived in refugee camps prior to coming to the U.S., have no concept of tornadoes or ice storms. Many of the immigrant families had no real homes, let alone electric stoves, indoor plumbing or smoke alarms. Meeting their needs would take a community effort, which Extension was able to take the lead in developing and tailoring programs for this special challenge. But then again, Extension has been on the leading edge of education for decades. Today, with the changing demographics and migration to larger urban areas, Extension has evolved to continue its educational focus for a new type of 4-H member. Large urban centers such as Kansas City, Jefferson City and St.
4-H AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM STUDENT, ERIK HOLDS A LEOPARD GECKO WHO RESIDES IN THE SCIENCE ROOM OF NOEL ELEMENTARY.
Louis have benefitted from the diversity of programs developed by Extension and 4-H to meet their unique urban needs. Programs such as robotics, photography, meal planning and cooking skills, to mention just a few, have provided city kids with skills that they can take into adulthood, providing them with healthy living opportunities and experience in potential career choices. According to Jeremy Elliott-Engel, Regional 4-H Youth Development Specialist based in Newton County, “Noel is unique in the state of Missouri with very diverse audiences that reside in such a rural community. MU Extension in McDonald County realized that we needed to be serving immigrant and refugee populations …these new populations need resources, and we have research based information that CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 39
AFTER-SCHOOL ATTENDEES POSE WITH SAL THE RABBIT. FRONT ROW, L TO R: HAMINTON, DAKOTA WITH RABBIT, AND ERIK. BACK ROW: ASHLEY.
can help their transition.” While engaging the unique immigrant population in the Noel Elementary School is the impetus for the After School Program, Extension hopes to address the unique needs of all the children attending the school. The demographics of the United States population has shifted to reveal more single-parent low-income homes than ever before. According to 2013 census data, persons living below the poverty level in McDonald County is 21.8 percent totaling over 900 families, while the Missouri state average is at 15.5 percent. Amanda Werner, 4-H Youth Program assistant, facilitates the after school program with teachers, Ron Howerton, Science, and Celeene Lewis, Junior High Ag Instructor, who both volunteer their Monday afternoon till evening. Howerton, 40 | CONNECTION MAGAZINE
with a passion for all things nature, began a school garden a few years back, which he expands each year. He admits, “I just can’t say no when it comes to helping kids.” Lewis, grew up in 4-H and has reaped the benefits of the various programs. “I was a terribly shy kid in grade school, but once I started doing talks in 4-H, I gained confidence to speak in front of others.” As the students filter in for the after school program, backpacks are set aside to take turns holding the menagerie of critters in Mr. H’s room, which serves as the location for the after school program. The crowd is small this day with approximately six students eager to see what the program will bring today. Werner integrates some aspects of agriculture into the lessons by introducing the members to proper care of goats, chickens and rabbits.
Dakota, a shy student holding a mini-lop rabbit named Sal, offers his thoughts on a recent lesson. “I really liked the part where we talked out how to do something in front of the others. I had to teach everyone how to draw a square and I know how to draw a square, but trying to tell how to draw it was hard.” Another member, Haminton, a gregarious fellow, was all grins when asked what his favorite thing was about the program. “I love the snacks!” he teases, but adds, “I really liked it when they brought in the animals, and I learned how to take care of them.” Later, Haminton excitedly explained that they would be taking a trip to visit his grandparents and cousins in Guatemala. Werner, formerly a stay-at-home Mom, is familiar with the advantages of 4-H. Having homeschooled her MARCH 2015
STUDENTS FROM THE 4-H AFTER-SCHOOL PRACTICE GIVING DEMONSTRATIONS TO HONE THEIR PUBLIC SPEAKING SKILLS.
children, who were active in 4-H, she found volunteering in 4-H a worthwhile venture. When the position opened up with Extension, she was eager to apply. “My goal for this program is to boost the confidence and sense of community among this unique group of kids. Language is a barrier that can be overcome, in fact, many of these kids have learned to be translators in their homes and because of that, the concepts we teach will benefit the whole family.” The success of the program is being watched at more than just the local level. It could also become the incubation of another area of programming across the state in addressing cultural differences. According to Elliott-Engel, if this program in Noel demonstrates success in “bridging the gaps of language, cultures and awareness, MARCH 2015
then we can take these lessons and apply them to [other] communities.” “The university has given McDonald County a one-time pot of money to help Extension expand programs in Noel, and to address the unique programs that are occurring here,” Elliott-Engel notes. “We are hoping to develop local financial support from businesses, the town and the County Commissioners to keep these programs going after they realize the impact that we are able to have.” Other organizations have joined the cause of providing much needed life skills trainings to the diverse population in the Noel area. Crowder College has opened an Adult Education Center, which teaches English and computer skills. The McDonald County Coalition in partnership with
local emergency services, has provided tornado safety, winter safety and fire safety classes. The grassroots effort provides a picture of what old-fashioned community values do when there is a need to be met. The partnership of Extension 4-H and the McDonald County School District has opened the door of opportunity for a special group of people transplanted into the Ozarks. The opportunity to bridge our differences is built one child at a time as community members step up to take responsibility for helping their neighbor. But then again the 4-H pledge says it all: “I pledge My Head to clearer thinking, My Heart to greater loyalty, My Hands to larger service and my Health to better living for my club, my community, my country and my world.” n CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 41
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A passion for story time STORY BY MEAGAN RUFFING PHOTOS BY MEGAN RUFFING AND SHERRY TUCKER
{ } “I believe I was given a gift... I was given a gift by God to be able to work with children like I do.”
MARCH 2015
W
ednesdays are busy days for Julie McCollum. As the Youth Services Coordinator at the Mt. Vernon library, she oversees back-toback story time sessions in the morning and a home school co-op in the afternoon. Having earned her associate’s degree in early childhood development, she has the credentials and the undisputed passion to be mentoring to children and adults, alike. A recent partnership with the Head Start program in Mt. Vernon means that Julie is able to share her knowledge and love of ‘all things library’ with even more students than she might not otherwise have reached. This partnership may be new to Julie, since she has been employed with the branch for less than one year, but she is no stranger to the Head Start program. Her library journey began more than
two decades ago when a friend of hers asked Julie if she could help out at a library in Rolla. Once employed at the library, Julie says a teacher from the local Head Start program approached her and asked her to help teach and run programs for their school. Julie did this from 1993 to 2001 and then moved to Topeka, Kansas, where she accepted a job as a preschool teacher and director of the YMCA. When a family emergency brought Julie and her two sons, Brent and Jason, to Marionville to help care for her ailing mother, Julie took a job in the Verona School District as a para for the special education program in the town’s high school. After working there for one school year, Julie transitioned back to the library world and began working at the Aurora Library for the next three years. CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 43
The top ten children’s books worth reading according to Julie The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes by Eric Litwin The Little Mouse, the Red Ripe Strawberry, and the Big Hungry Bear by Don and Audrey Wood Love You Forever by Robert Munsch There’s a Nightmare in My Closet by Mercer Meyer Mouse Count by Ellen Stoll Walsh The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Eric Carle Froggy Plays in the Band by Jonathan London The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle 44 | CONNECTION MAGAZINE
Julie was eventually recruited by the people of the Barry/Lawrence County Library for the position of Youth Services Coordinator at the Mt. Vernon Branch. “I was so excited,” says Julie. “I knew Cindy [Rinker, Mt. Vernon Branch Supervisor]. “She’s one of the sweetest women in the world.” It’s apparent that Julie has a gift. She is passionate about the work she does and her creativity with children is contagious to those around her. It’s hard not to get excited about story time when Julie’s in charge because she genuinely wants to connect with each and every child. “I believe I was given a gift,” she explains. “I was given a gift by God to be able to work with children like I do.” Julie says she remembers bringing her own children to group activities when they were growing up. “Kids need to be in a group activity,” explains Julie. “It is always beneficial for the children.” With her children now grown, Julie gets to love on her two grandkids, Juliana, 3, and Blake, 2. She hosts a sleepover in their honor every other weekend and gets excited about the time she gets to spend with them. “I’ve always liked children,” she says. “I was a latein-life child to my parents.” With her fulltime job at the library and sleepovers with her grandchildren, she also teaches Sunday school to preschoolers at her church, experiments in the kitchen with her husband, Norm, whom have dubbed
themselves ‘foodies’ and considers herself a homebody. “I want to be a blogger,” she says. “I want to write about children and blog about the highlights of story time for parents who stay at home in rural areas. I have a lot of ‘in the works’ projects.” She also wants to go into business selling crafts with her sister some day and possibly revisit the book she penned years ago about a monkey named Chen Chen who needs a home when his environment is torn down because of deforestation. “I love monkeys,” says Julie. “I’m big on primates and things that live in trees.” She’s also big on reading and says she prefers to read nonfiction and theological stuff. The last novel she read was “Nothing to Lose” by Lee Child. “I read a lot of children’s books,” explains Julie. “I’m always looking for the next best thing. I would like to develop an after school program for 8, 9 and 10-year-olds,” she says. “I think there is an interest for school-aged children to come to the library. Story time isn’t just about reading. It’s about being rich in literacy.”
“Parents can edit as they are reading,” offers Julie. She says if there is a book you want to read to your children but there are parts of it you don’t think are appropriate, you can edit those out. Julie recommends putting a post-it note on the page in the book of where you’d like to stop reading to improvise. Where will she end up in five years? “I live for the day. I don’t know what’s coming,” says Julie. “Today I plan on being at the library because I can’t imagine leaving.” If you’d like to sit in on one of Julie’s story times, call the Mt. Vernon Library at 417-466-2122 for more details. n MARCH 2015
The Adventures of Chen Chen the Orangutan For Shannon, who took a break from moving mountains to move me AN UNPUBLISHED STORY BY JULIE MCCOLLUM
Chen Chen is an orangutan from the rainforest in Borneo He lives on an island with other orangutans who have no place to go Their forest once had many trees where they could play and swing But the trees are being cut down to make room for other things Chen Chen has lots of friends And likes to goof around He stretches up so very tall and then falls upon the ground Lone is like a mother and teacher all in one She loves them so She teaches them how to be safe There is so much they need to know One of their favorite times of day Is when it comes time to eat They will eat just about anything Fresh fruit, veggies and sometimes even meat There are lots of great apes that do not have a home Cha Cha Saturnus and Jordan live on the island too They need to learn to be wild animals because they do not really belong in cages as pets or in the zoo We all need to remember orangutans are wild They belong in the jungle; they shouldn’t be bought as a pet or treated as a child Lone hopes one day to set all apes free to live as they should in the jungle far above in the trees!
MARCH 2015
CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 45
DONKEY BASKETBALL
R E T E X E S T V ISI
STORY BY SHERRY TUCKER PHOTOS BY ROB LOTUFO
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ost folks around here have seen donkeys their whole life, but how many have ridden a donkey? Imagine jumping on a bare-back donkey, staying on – and trying to play basketball at the same time! It’s a recipe for laughter and fun! The Exeter Athletic Booster Club recently hosted a Donkey Basketball Game, with the help of Dairyland Donkey Ball, from Wisconsin. Dairyland is a traveling Donkey Ball team that helps with set-up, promotion and manages the entire game... including the clean-up afterward.
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Just like any other game held in the gymnasium, the floor is cleared, the announcer takes the mic, the officials are ready, and the crowd is excited and anticipating a good game. The only thing that is a little different is that the participants need an abundance of humility, rather than skill – oh, and they need to acquire a readyfor-action clean-up crew that can handle occasional manure time-outs. MARCH 2015
Mr. Jordan, Exeter Elementary Principal, offered his support by being a rider. Was it his first time on a donkey? “Yes, first time on a donkey. The hardest part was staying on when he kept ducking his head! I had a blast – especially hearing how excited the crowd got when I was thrown off the donkey.”
Kerry Mattingly, of the booster club, enlisted the help of teachers, administrators, former students and friends to make up the team rosters. Four teams, with five players each, played against each other, with a championship round at the end. Kerry rode as well, and says it was her first time and will gladly do it again! Most of the riders had never plopped on the back of a donkey before. One of the most entertaining parts, on the spectators part, was watching the players try to mount the sloped backs of the docile donkeys. Rokky England, former Exeter Student, was one of the daring riders, “Riding a donkey is like riding a bike, but not sitting on the seat – but rather like sitting on the bar going down a semi bumpy hill! It looks easy, but when you go to jump back on after dismounting, you have one shot to hit the middle, otherwise it’s flop city, plus there is a factor that the donkey is suppose to be cooperative, but its not always the case. Put hair and an attitude on the top rung of a pipe fence and that’s what you have underneath you.” Though most of the riders were men, a couple of women braved the competition. Jessica Nichols, of Exeter, has had donkey ball experience, “Playing donkey basketball is a lot of fun as long as you can stay on the donkey! The most trouble I had is when the donkey was trotting and I had to run and jump on! I think everyone should try it at least once – and let me tell you, I was a lot less sore when I did it when I was younger – not that I’m old now though.” James Kho, who graduated just last year from Exeter, was happy to help out. James, who is now taking classes at Crowder, misses the games and camaraderie that he had with the schools MARCH 2015
varsity basketball team and was excited about the opportunity, “Heck, yeah I was all for it. I have never rode a donkey before and I got to play basketball again in front of a crowd again.” James also shared, “The hardest part was getting on and staying on the donkey. While actually playing basketball, it was hardest when you try to steer the donkey with one arm. I enjoyed it and would do it again! It was the scariest but funniest thing I have ever done!” Jessika Brattin and Mandi Higgs are friends whose husbands participated as riders. They loved the game, as well as a good laugh. Jessika said, “I enjoyed the Donkey Basketball game so much. I have never laughed harder – it was really great. My husband loved it, too.” Mandi agreed, “Watching the donkey basketball game was hilarious! I hadn’t laughed that hard in a long time.” Their husbands, Justin and Colt are active outdoorsman, but those falls off the back of the donkeys can wear you down. Were they sore the next day? Jessika shared, “He’s pretty active anyways, so he wasn’t really sore the next day. I figured he would of been.” Colt, was
apparently entertained, shares Mandi, “My husband had a great time playing and was not really that sore the next day, just a little stiff. He was definitely a willing participant and would do it again in a heartbeat, he had a lot of fun. We both hope it becomes an annual event!” The game was fun, and the fundraising aspect was a success as well, with the booster club raising more than $1000. Kerry says, “We plan to do it again for sure. The feedback was very positive from both the audience and riders. I think the younger generation wasn’t too sure at first what it was all about, but after watching it they thought it was great!” n
THIS AIN’T NO PONY RIDE! KIDS WERE HAPPY TO TAKE TURNS RIDING THE DONKEYS BACK AND FORTH ACROSS THE GYMNASIUM DURING THE INTERMISSION.
CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 47
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Move naturally
HEALTHY CONNECTION
BY SHAWN HAYDEN
W
hile striving to live a healthy and happy lifestyle, messages are continually preached regarding physical activity, healthy eating, mental clarity and a healthy social life. These practices, while ideal, are not always possible with our hustling and bustling lifestyles. Dan Buettner, author of The Blue Zones, describes “9 Lessons for Living Longer from the People Who’ve Lived the Longest.” One of the primary practices of these centurions is they move more naturally. They are not running marathons or hitting the gym every day, but they are living in environments that encourage them to move without thinking. No matter how busy your lifestyle is, you have time to add movement into your day. Below are some simple steps to Move Naturally: Take a five minute walk before you sit down to eat. If possible, ride your bike or walk to work instead of driving. Put your favorite mug or cup on the lowest shelf possible so you have to squat down to get it. Take your meeting to the streets; get your co-workers together and walk while you are discussing new ideas. Park in the parking spot farthest from the door. Do not use the nearest bathroom, walk to the farthest one. Take the stairs instead of the elevator….always! Get rid of your electric can opener and use the manual one. Practice good posture while you are sitting or standing. Stand at your desk instead of sitting. These are just a few steps to add movement, steps, and natural exercise to your daily life. Thinking about exercise as a gym or structured oriented activity can create a negative connotation, and add additional stress to an already stressful life. Spring is around the corner, so think of adding these activities to your day to help reduce stress and create a healthy you. n Shawn Hayden is the project coordinator for the healthy communities program at Cox Monett Hospital. He has an undergraduate degree from Drury University in chemistry and biology, as well as a master’s degree from Missouri State University in health promotion and wellness management. Shawn is an avid cycling enthusiast racing most weekends across the area. He enjoys spending time with his wife hiking and camping and their two fur kids.
MARCH 2015
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Familiar faces The Pierce City Senior Citizens Center hosted its annual Valentine’s Day fundraiser Sweethearts Dinner on Feb. 14 at the center. 1. Margie and Don Gripka. 2. Phil and Carolyn Gollhofer. 3. Ev and Jim Larkin. 4. Loretta Hurlbut and Vernal Caldwell. 5. LaVerne and Jean Kutz. 6. John and Lillian Heath. 7. Kenny and Penny Smith. 8. Jim and Betty George, Jack George. 9. Paul and Pat Kaiser. 10. K.C. Caldwell and Mary Ann Buchannan 11. Tom McClure, Wilma and Glen Seufert. 12. Front: Berneice and Clarence Koenig, Back: Jean and Mike Washick.
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MARCH 2015
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Familiar faces St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Pierce City hosted a loaded potato dinner and bingo night fundraiser on Jan. 17 to raise money to restore the church’s historic organ. 1. Marilyn Mattas, Mary Grissom, Dorothy Heisner. 2. Terry Campbell, Phil Gollhofer. 3. Teresa Wrobleski-Mayer, Carolyn Gollhofer. 4. Julie WaetkeBishoff, Cathy Lewis. 5. Anna Hogenmiller, Madison Gripka, Layla Jones. 6. Lanetta and Jerry Higgins. 7. Andy Parrigon, Wendell Parrigon. 8. Charlotte Sloan, Bernice Cochran, Tari Reeves, Bonnie Parrigon. 9. Brenda and Lavern Kennedy. 10. Heather Gripka, Riley Gripka, Neysa Kleinman. 11. Lexi Eck, Linda Eck, Zoe Gurley, Minnie Roberts. 12. Chad Forgey, Rick Golubski
MARCH 2015
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Familiar faces The Exeter Booster Club hosted “Donkey Basketball” on January 15 as a fundraiser that drew a large crowd. 1. Cameron Weston with grandmother, Opal and brother, Blake. 2. Randy and Jenny Thomas with Chris Hobbs. 3. Stacey Carpenter with Stormy Frampton, Bailey O’Neill and Chloe Carpenter. 4. Nicholle Forgey with Carter Stringer and Kaitlyn O’Neill. 5. Ashley Coffey with Cooper and Abbi Caddell. 6. Amanda Robbins with Diane and David Bowman. 7. Lindsey Wubker, Jack Fly and Teresa Wubker. 8. Gene and Regina Robbins. 9. Gary and
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Kim Stringer. 10. Dalton Horn and Chandler Greenlee. 11. Wilda Lee, Alma and Marlin Robbins. 12. Rhonda Scott and Susan Fields. 13. Vickie, Alice and Jim Senters.
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MARCH 2015
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brews
Risata Moscato d’Asti
This award-winning wine is made from Moscato grapes grown in the town of Asti, Italy. Moscato d’Asti is fresh and fragrant with vibrant flavors of tangerine and other fruit as well as honey. The wine is concentrated but sweet and well balanced with a low alcohol content of 5.5 percent.
Frei Brothers Reserve 2010 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir Russian River Valley Pinot Noir is medium-bodied with flavors of dark cherry, blueberry and blackberry. This wine has an earthy and robust character, which is framed by subtle hints of oak from French and American barrels.
BEER, WINE
& SPIRITS
Canoe Paddler Newly released as a spring/summer seasonal brew, Canoe Paddler is a Kolsch style beer brewed by Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Co. in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin. The light-bodied beer features subtle hints of lemon grass and white pepper with a touch of rye that provides a nice clean, dry finish.
Visit our locations in
Spring Batch This farmhouse-style ale is the first spring seasonal beer ever released by Mother’s Brewing Co. in Springfield. Spring Batch has a deep golden hue and is a medium-body brew that balances earthy, floral and slight yeast flavors with a touch of fruity hop for a bright, dry finish. MARCH 2015
MONETT PURDY AND CASSVILLE CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 53
My Connection “My Connection� photos should be e-mailed to connection@ monett-times.com. Photos should be sent in the original JPG format at the highest resolution possible. A short explanation of who is in the photo and where the photo was taken should also be included. 1. Mike Dillon and Linda Sparkman (formally of Purdy) took Connection to Jamaica. They enjoyed their stay at the Grand Palladium Lady Hamilton Resort on the Caribbean Sea between Montefo Bay and Negril. 2. We just returned from Oahu, one of the Hawaii Islands where we toured Pearl Harbor WWII memorials. The photo was taken on January 15, as we were about to board the USS Missouri Battleship where the peace treaty was signed to end the war with Japan. Pictured (L to R) are of those who were with our group, all but one (John Batson) are former residents of Monett: John and Lisa Batson of Nixa, Betty and Tom Pinkley of Monett, Scott Pinkley of Republic, Mary Saunders of Watts, OK and Noll Saunders of Dallas, Texas. 3. Glen and Leah Aldridge, Don and Janie Bates, Allen and Leona Keeling, Art and Sue Negre, Rex and Sharon Henderson recently sailed from New Orleans with the KWFC Gospel Cruise aboard the Carnival Dream to Cozumel, Belize and Roi Tan. 4. We took Connection with us to the 2015 Arkansas State Champion Auctioneer Championship on Feb. 6 where Parker Stumpff competed and went on to capture the State Auctioneer Title. Parker showcased his talents in the preliminary round and progressed to the finals to sell more items and complete the interview portion, then be announced as the 2015 Arkansas State Champion Auctioneer. Attending the championship were Carlin and Kathy Hooten, Rex and Janice Stumpff, McKenzie Driver, Donnie, Teresa and Shania Stumpff, Parker, Ashely and Hadlie Stumpff.
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5. Cynthia Knight, of Eagle Rock, and sister, Dottie Coleman, of Cape Fair, were in Summerville and Charleston, South Carolina, visiting family. This photo was taken on a side trip to Isle of Palms where we had lunch and a picture with ocean in the background. It was a wonderful day. 6. Charles and Marilyn Carey, of Aurora, took a seven-day Caribbean Cruise on the Carnival Pride. They went to port in Cozumel, taking the January issue of Connection with them. They also toured Isla Roatan and Cayman Island. 54 | CONNECTION MAGAZINE
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Stay connected MARCH EVENTS
MONTHLY MEETINGS AND DANCES The Southern Beekeepers of Missouri will meet at 7 p.m., the third Tuesday of the month, at the First United Methodist Church of Monett. Anyone interested in bees is welcome to attend. For more information, call Leon Riggs at 417-2355053 or Kevin Young at 417-847-5464. Sons of the American Revolution meet every fourth Tuesday at Granny Schaffer’s Restaurant on North Rangeline, Joplin, at 6 p.m. Members and anyone interested in joining are welcome to attend, as well as spouses. Dinner followed by short meeting. Please call president, Frank Shouse at 417-385-3150 for more information. Bunker Hill Community Association monthly Old Time Music Jam, held the first Saturday of every month. Located just off the junction of Hwy W, and Hwy 76, east of Anderson, Mo at 5823 Route W. The Ozark Ridgerunner music group starts at 6 p.m. and welcomes anyone who sings, plays an instrument or just loves traditional country and bluegrass music. Refreshments provided and bring your favorite dessert or snack for a potluck at 8 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. Every Thursday of each month the Bunker Hill Quilt Club, of Anderson, meets from 10 a.m. till the last quilter leaves. Located at Bunker Hill School and Community Center just south of the junction of E Hwy 76 and Hwy W. For more information call on Thursdays, 417-223-5555. Send event listings to thorntonlives@gmail.com MARCH 2015
The Stella Senior Citizens Center, the Monett Senior Center and the Aurora Senior Citizens Center hold dances weekly and monthly. The Stella dance is held every Friday from 7 to 10 p.m. with music by the McDonald Playboys and Frosty Garland and the RoadHogs on alternate Fridays. The Monett Senior Center, located at 405 Dairy Street, hosts their dance on the first Monday every month from 7-10. Music provided by Evelyn Lock and the Outrider Band. Snacks to share are welcome. $3.00 per person. The Aurora dance is held every Saturday of the month from 7 to 10 p.m. featuring the Funtimers Band. Pierce City Senior Center offers free bridge classes at 2 p.m. each Monday and quilting at 1 p.m. on the first and third Wednesday of each month. Central Crossing Senior Center, in Shell Knob, offers line dancing classes from 9 to 10:30 a.m on Tuesdays and Thursdays; Zumba from 8:15 to 8:45 a.m. on Tuesdays
and Thursdays; Mahjong from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays; bridge from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Thursdays; quilting for charity from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m on Wednesdays and Thursdays; dominoes from 12:30 to 3 p.m. on Mondays and bingo from 12:30 to 3 p.m. on the first and third Monday of each month. McDonald County Back to Basics community group will be held at the New-Mac Community Room, old Hwy 71, north of the high school, in Anderson, Mo., the second Thursday of each month. Pot luck at 6:30 p.m., and meeting from 7 p.m. To 8:30 p.m. Newton County Library, located at 201 W. Spring Street, Neosho, offers monthly events. On the third Thursday each month, at 1 p.m., the library hosts a book discussion. Feel free to bring your lunch and enjoy the discussion. The library also holds a Friday Chess Club, ever Friday afternoon from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. For more information visit www.neosholibrary.org or call them at 417-451-4231.
MARCH 1 The Waldensian Presbyterian Church, south of Monett, will open a temporary exhibit on the two Waldensian ministers who worked at the church in the 1800s, as part of the church’s commemoration of the 140th anniversary of its founding in 1875. This will be an interpretive exhibit, putting the story of these two men, Jean Pierre Michelin Salomon and Carlo Buffa, in the context of their times, as emigrants from Italy to the New World, their years in Monett, and what became of them after they left southwest Missouri.
MARCH 6 If you’re looking for something fun to do on a Friday night, plan to attend the Cassville Education Fund’s Trivia Night which starts at 7 p.m. at the Cassville High School commons. Four rounds of trivia questions will be interspersed with winner-take-all bonus point games. The entry is $15 per player. Spectators are welcome to come and watch the fun at $5 per person. All proceeds from the evening will benefit the academic programs that the group supports at Cassville Schools. CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 57
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