State Historical Society of Missouri Awarded Federal Grant

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The Joseph L. Norton VFW Post No. 919 of Trenton, with the help of Alisa Ormsby, recently received a $10,000 grant from the Veterans United Foundation to be used for the remodel and expansion of the VFW building. The post would like to thank Alisa and the Veterans Foundation for their help with the project. Anthony W. Ralston is the Post Commander and John S. Smith is the Post Quartermaster.

Chapter MN PEO Holds New Officer Installation Ceremony

Chapter MN, PEO installed officers during its meeting on Monday, March 6 at the Hodge Presbyterian Church. Pam Johnston was the hostess and Diane Lowrey was the co-hostess.

Cathy McKay was the installing officer and conducted a ceremony for recording secretary Pam Johnston, corresponding secretary Holly Cox, treasurer Ann Constant and guard Terri Cox. Other officers to be installed at a future meeting are Sarah Maloney, president; Barb Cox, vice president; and Brigette Bunnell, chaplain.

Cathy McKay conducted the business meeting according to ritual. Robin

Wilson was the chaplain pro-tem and gave the devotion from Psalms 51. There were 16 members present at the meeting.

Reports were given by the yearbook committee, which distributed new pages for the 2023-24 yearbook, and by Robin Wilson, who is the courtesy chairman. Members approved Sarah Maloney as the delegate to the June state convention in Kansas City with Barb Cox as the alternate.

The next meeting will be held on Monday, April 3 with Brigette Bunnell as hostess. Pam Johnston will have the program.

“The Republican has a greater purpose in life than merely to publish the news.” . . . Col. W.B. Rogers. Published every Thursday, except holidays; Single Copy, $1.15 plus 10¢ sales tax. $52.60 plus tax per year in Trenton and Grundy County. $64.60 plus tax per year in Missouri and $75 per year out of state.

Ward Circle Hears Devotion on “A Tale of Two Sisters”

The Ward Circle of the First Christian Church met March 7, 2023 for a luncheon meeting at Washington Street. Four members were present for the meeting. President Talma Joiner opened the business meeting with a “Thought for Today” which focused on love followed by the CWF Prayer. The secretary/treasurer's report was read and approved.

Barbara Crow, service chairperson, reported that no requests had been made over the winter break for meals. Janice Stimpson, courtesy chairperson, gave a report on cards sent since the circle met in December. Nine Christmas cards and eight birthday, get well and sympathy cards have been sent. Illnesses of members were discussed with Roger Hawkins and Lillee Dalrymple having surgery the week of the 6th.

Pre-Easter events were discussed as the church looks forward to Easter on April 9th.

Barbara Crow led the devotion using Psalm 103:8-18. There are many different kinds of love and the lesson focused on brotherly love and the little things we can do for each other to share that love. The small kindnesses that make a better day for the recipient are available for all of us to share. Each member then told of receiving some small blessings and how it made them feel. Mrs. Crow then then gave a short biography of Dolly Parton and her lowly beginnings but her big dreams. She has enabled her charities to donate 130 million books to children. This big dream was the result of realizing that her father couldn't read. We may not be able to do deeds on this scale but small daily kindnesses make the world a better place. The meeting closed with the CWF Benediction.

The next meeting will be April 4th at 11:30 at Washington Street. Betty Wimer will have the devotion.

Columbia, MO - The National Historical Publications and Records Commission has awarded the State Historical Society of Missouri a grant to organize, describe, and make available four collections of Missouri congressional papers, including U.S. Representatives Dewey Short and Bill Emerson and U.S. Senators John Danforth and Thomas Eagleton. Archivists will process over 918 cubic feet of papers, electronic records, photographs, and audiovisual materials.

The federal grant will allow for digitization of some portions of the collections. The grant award of $347,612 requires that the State Historical Society contribute $120,487 to the nearly half-million-dollar project. The papers of Short, Emerson, Danforth, and Eagleton span almost 100 years of Missouri history from 1912-2010 and provide valuable insights into national and regional events and issues, according to Laura Jolley, assistant director, manuscripts, at the State Historical Society.

“Congressional papers are critical to our understanding of political and cultural shifts, and they explain the priorities, con- cerns, and needs of governmental entities as well as of constituents,” said Jolley.

“The processing of the congressional papers will make it easier for researchers and the public to discover the history recorded within them.”

The grant cycle for the congressional archival project continues through 2025. Once these papers are fully processed, scholars will be able to navigate the collections and better understand the interactions of the state and its people with national political trends and points of view. The State Historical Society of Missouri is the depository for the papers of U.S. senators and representatives after they leave office. Many of these records, some dating back to early statehood, contain letters, travel logs, speeches, and diaries of political figures elected to represent Missouri. To learn more, visit SHSMO.org. Collections of the State Historical Society are available to the public at six research centers in Columbia, St. Louis, Cape Girardeau, Rolla, Springfield, and Kansas City. The State Historical Society’s headquarters is in Columbia.