Princeton grad wins Sports Emmy
1980
Special to the Post-Telegraph
NEW YORK, NY The 45th Sports Emmy Awards were presented by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, honoring the best in American sports television coverage in 2023. And Princeton High School graduate Greg Logan - a member of the Princeton Post-Telegraph staff during high school - was the recipient of a Sports Emmy.
The ceremony took place at The Jazz at Lincoln Center's Frederick P. Rose Hall in New York City on May 21, 2024.
Logan, a 1980 graduate of Princeton High School, won a Sports Emmy Award for Outstanding Team Technical-Studio for his work on the 2023 NFL Draft in Kansas City. Logan, who has operated a camera for ESPN on the NFL Draft for 21 years, earned a bachelor’s degree in Arts & Science Radio-TV-Film in 1984 from the University of Missouri-Columbia. He worked for ESPN as a freelancer from 1988 to August 2014 and became an employee in September of 2014.
Other sports Logan currently operates a camera on are: • Monday Night Football Saturday ABC Prime Time College Football • College Football Playoffs
Princeton High School graduate Greg Logan displays his 2023 Sports Emmy he received this past May in New York City. Logan shot basketball photos for the Princeton Post-Telegraph during his high school days.
OBITUARIES
Colleen Torrey
Spickard, Mo.
Colleen Torrey, a 93-year-old Spickard, Mo., resident, passed away Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2024 at Pearl’s II Eden for Elders in Princeton, Mo. Her funeral service was held Saturday, Dec. 14 at Resthaven Mortuary of Trenton, Mo. Burial followed in Ravanna Cemetery east of Ravanna, Mo. Memorial donations are suggested to Hamilton Cemetery, and may be left with or mailed to the funeral home.
Virginia Colleen Torrey was born Oct. 2, 1931 in Grundy County, Mo., to Joe and Inez (Bain) Hamilton. She graduated from Princeton High School and on Dec. 3, 1950 she was united in marriage to Boyd Torrey in Princeton. She worked at a grocery store while Boyd served in the military, and then became a homemaker and helped on the dairy farm. Colleen was always busy crocheting, cooking, or working in her large garden. She was a member of Princeton First Christian Church.
Surviving relatives include her husband, Boyd, of the home; son Jay (LuAnne)Torrey of Centerville, Iowa; daughter Brenda (Mike) Hooker and sister Joann (Jim) Brodie of Trenton; brother-in-law Bob (Clio) Torrey of Overland Park, Kan.; grandchildren Ryan (Mindy) Torrey of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., Jerod (Rachel) Torrey and Sarah (Omar) Torrey of Des Moines, Iowa, Kevin (Sarah) Wyatt of Spickard and Kelby (Lacey) Wyatt of Kearney, Mo.; great-grandchildren Berkley Colleen Bond, Quincey Rae Bond, Monroe Jay Torrey, Elliana Grace Torrey, Addison Grace Wyatt, Carter Edwin Wyatt, Weston Lane Wyatt, Kamden Jo Wyatt, Isla Mae Jordan and Everly Rose Jordan; and many nieces and neph-
ews. Those preceding her in death include her brothers JR (Ethel), Tom (Veda), Barney (Marilyn), Kenneth, and Bob (Janette) Hamilton; and sisters Rosemary (Marvin) Cudney, Deleta (Clarence) Johnson, and Nadine (Harold) Elliott.
Brian Travis Lincoln, Neb.
Brian Travis passed away Dec. 5, 2024 at the age of 48, after experiencing cardiac arrest. Brian lived a very active life filled with energy, kindness, patience and love as a devoted husband, father, son, brother, uncle, friend, and held many more titles.
Brian Kenneth Travis was born July 24, 1976 in Trenton, Mo., to Judy Travis and the late Frank Travis. He grew up on a farm in southeastern Mercer County as the youngest of four boys. Growing up he was active in 4-H and FFA while raising cattle and sheep on the family farm.
He graduated from Princeton High School and attended the University of Missouri, where he graduated with a degree in ag economics. While in college he was a member of Alpha Gamma RHO. Brian met his wife Mindy in Columbia, Mo., where they enjoyed running and biking together on the MKT Trail, where they later got engaged. He went on to get his master’s degree in occupational safety from Central Missouri State. Mindy and Brian were married in Columbia on May 10, 2003. They then moved to Nebraska the same year where Brian could pursue his ag safety career.
In Nebraska they raised their three children, Brianne, Matthew, and Molly. He enjoyed being active and competed in many races, half marathons, triathlons, and iron man events. Even while living the last 21 years in Husker territory, Bri-
an was still a loud and proud Mizzou fan. He enjoyed cheering on the Tigers, Royals, and the Chiefs. While he loved his college and pro teams, nothing came close to cheering on his kids. Cheering Brianne on as she is running, traveling and coaching Matthew with baseball and hockey, and sharing sideline talks and banter with Molly were his favorite things. We also know he enjoyed every father-daughter dance recital more than he would ever admit. His smile will never be forgotten as it filled a room. His departure leaves a legacy of warmth, kindness, and unfillable void in many lives, yet they find comfort in the memories and everlasting love they shared.
He leaves behind his wife Mindy, children Brianne (19), Matthew (16), Molly (9), two pets (Zoey and Cocoa); mother Judy Travis of Columbia, Mo.; brothers Jeff (Cary) of Mexico, Mo., Tim (Cindy) of Independence, Mo., and Todd of St. Louis, Mo.; along with cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 28 at Roper and Sons South Chapel (40th and Yankee Hill) in Lincoln Neb. Family visitation begins at 1 p.m. preceding the service.
COMMISSION
MERCER COUNTY COMMISSION
Report taken from minutes of meetings of the Mercer County Commission. All votes are unanimous unless otherwise noted. Monday, Dec. 9
• Minutes of the Dec. 2 meeting were approved.
• Bills were approved and paid.
• Commissioners received the monthly balance sheet from Collector/Treasurer Susan Moore, verified by County Clerk Judy Hamilton. Hamilton presented the revenue and expenditure monthly reports and balance of protested taxes.
• Commissioners and Hamilton signed a certified copy of order authorizing Moore to pay the Princeton Post-Telegraph $10 for advertising, and $131.85 to Cardmember Services for supplies. Money was taken from Sheriff’s Special Fund #32.
• Commissioners received the motor equipment expense report from Sheriff Jeff Spencer for the 2017 Chevrolet Tahoe transport vehicle, and the November reports for patrol vehicles driven by Deputy Jordan Boswell and Trevor Ratliff.
• Circuit Clerk and Recorder Tammy Crouse presented the November uniform disbursement record, receipt and disbursement report, and list of land transfers.
• Commissioners received October and November fees collected from Hamilton.
• Bids were opened at 10 a.m. for heating and air conditioning repairs. Commissioners voted to accept the bid from Botts & Tye Corporation for $35,362. It was the only bid received.
DIVISION I CIRCUIT COURT
Judge Steve Hudson
Persons listed in this report are Missouri residents unless otherwise noted. Addresses shown are those of the defendants on the day their cases were heard. Defendants in criminal cases were represented by counsel unless otherwise noted.
Wednesday, Dec. 11
• State vs. Ryan M. Harris, Newtown: Harris appeared for arraignment on a Class E felony charge of first degree harassment. He waived arraignment and entered a plea of guilty. He was sentenced to three years with the Department of Corrections (DOC), to be served consecutively with his 2022 conviction on the same charge. In that case, he was sentenced to four years in the DOC with credit given for 39 days in jail he
had served. Bond was continued. Harris was remanded to the custody of the Mercer County Sheriff’s Office.
• State vs. Jacklyn S. Ormsby, Princeton: Ormsby appeared via Webex for a hearing involving her 2022 convictions on three Class D felony charges of possession of a controlled substance except 35 grams or less of marijuana or synthetic cannabinoid, a Class A misdemeanor charge of second degree tampering with a motor vehicle, and a Class D misdemeanor charge of unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia. At her request, cause continued to Feb. 11, 2025 at 9 a.m. for a probation violation hearing.
• State vs. Donnie E. Gannon, Princeton: Gannon appeared without counsel for a case review involving his 2023 conviction for a Class E felony charge of driving while intoxicated (persistent offender), and Class A misdemeanor charges of driving while revoked or suspended (second or third offense), second degree property damage (law enforcement or relative), and operated a motor vehicle in a careless and imprudent manner, involving an accident. His request for bond modification was sustained, and his SCRAM device was ordered removed by North Missouri Court Services.
• State vs. Mitchell R. Medina, Bakersfield,
Calif.: Medina did not appear for for a case review involving his 2023 conviction on a Class D felony charge of first degree tampering with a motor vehicle. He was represented in court by his public defender. A capias warrant for Medina’s arrest was ordered issued, for nationwide extradition with no bond allowed. His probation was suspended until further order by the court.
LAND TRANSFERS
Friday, Dec. 6
• The B.P. Ranch LLC to Daniel McClimon.
• Fulleroak Properties LLC. to Charles H. North Jr.
Monday, Dec. 9
• Darren Stice, successor trustee, to Donald Wilburn.
• Darren Stice, successor trustee, to Roger Kearney.
• Dennis A. Bagley to Dale A. Bagley.
• Josh A. Coon to Parker A. Coon et al.
• John Sanford et al to Nelda Sanford.
Tuesday, Dec. 10
• Jacklyn Ormsby to David D. Kerns.
• Lake Marie Property Owners Association to Justin Toomey.
Thursday, Dec. 12
• Carpenter Family Farms LLC to Charles Harry Thayer, trustee, et al.
ADVERTISE in the Princeton Post-Telegraph today!
Mercer board discusses staff surveys, approves property insurance
One question received a low rating in survey
PRESTON COLE
Princeton Post-Telegraph MERCER, Mo A number of actions were taken by the North Mercer County R-3 Board of Education during its Dec. 9 meeting.
• The consent agenda was approved. Items included were paying bills, financial reports, the boys/girls basketball report, reports about the after school program, guidance, nurse and transportation departments, and evaluations about the school climate, professional development, atrisk special education and Title I programs.
Staff surveys were discussed, because there was an increase to the num-
ber of staff members responding with a rating of “5” or lower on the question “Am I happy working at North Mercer?
In the special ed program, there was a recommendation to go from 1.5 to two teachers. Superintendent Wade Hall said he doesn’t feel that’s necessary at this time.
• A few CSIP (Comprehensive School Improvement Plan) goals were added to the superintendent’s evaluation form, and information on those goals was included on the form.
• District funds are invested in a MOSIP (Missouri Securities Investment Program) money market account because it has a higher return rate.
“Redbook” available at Extension centers
University of MO Extension
STOCKTON, Mo. “Recordkeeping is important to make management decisions for optimum cattle operation productivity and profitability,” says Patrick Davis, University of Missouri Extension livestock field specialist. Davis urges cattle producers to consider purchasing the 2025 pocket-size “Redbook” to aid in their recordkeeping. The books are available at county MU Extension centers for $8 per copy.
“Cattle producers can store all types of information in these books,” says Davis. The calf information section contains 10 boxes to enter cow identification, calf ID, birth date, birth weight, calf sex, calving ease, etc. There is space for around 425 head of entries. It has a calendar section so that it can be used as a planner. Cattle producers can also store data such as pasture usage, artificial insemination records and herd health records.
“These books also can be used as an educational tool to cattle producers,” says Davis. The Redbooks have information
on calving-ease scores, body condition scores, calf death loss scores, international year/letter code for animal ID, Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) best practices, gestation table and more.
“Cattle producers should not use this book as their sole recordkeeping system,” says Davis. To use the information collected in the book, cattle producers should transfer the information into an Excel spreadsheet or other format that allow for analysis of the information. In addition, entering the information into an electronic format improves the likelihood that it will not be damaged or lost.
These books are produced by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and distributed to MU Extension centers for sale through cooperation with University of Missouri, MU Extension and the Show-Me-Select Replacement Heifer Program. Supplies are limited, so if you are interested, contact your local MU Extension center to purchase a book.
THE FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment for religion, or prohibiting the free exercise there of; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of the people to peacefully assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”
Hall had researched rates with local banks.
• The board set the next meeting date as Monday, Jan. 13, 2025. Hall will email all district plans to board members for approval during that meeting.
• The premium for property insurance from CPSK Insurance - $62,752 - was approved for the 2025-26 school year. The premium doesn’t include cyber insurance; CPSK will be sending a bill for that policy. The increase in the total premium will be around 11%.
• Budget amendments were approved.
Revenues are up by $648,574 and expenses are up $415,691. The district now predicts a net gain of nearly $160,000 in revenues compared to expenses from the orig-
inal estimate. Hall said grants are the main factor in the amendments since they weren’t included in the initial projected budget.
• Principal Amy Huse reported that teachers have been looking at a different math curriculum, and that newer English textbooks need to be purchased. She handed out grade level reading goals for board members to review.
• Superintendent evaluation forms were handed out, with the new CSIP goals added. Board president Teri Noe wants members to return their forms to her before Dec. 31.
• In his report, Hall said winterization of equipment has begun, the heating boilers are working well, and that he’s look-
ing into buying a battery powered leaf blower.
He added that the maintenance department will be scrubbing floors and hallways, and working on the restroom behind the kindergarten classroom, during the upcoming Christmas break.
Hall said the district’s APR (Annual Performance Rate) has increased from 63.6% to 75%, and the student performance score has risen by 11 points. He and Huse will continue to work on improving the APR score.
Two proposed 202526 school calendars have been sent to staff members for a vote. Hall said the state has a 1% funding incentive for districts that have 169 student days.
He’s also looking for an AMI (alternate methods of instruction) plan
that Mercer could use on snow days. A plan would have to be submitted for state approval.
And, Hall said he’s working with A Bar K Boutique of rural Princeton on staff Christmas gifts.
Closed session
After a closed session, the board hired Kelly Brown as head cook starting Tuesday, Jan. 7, and increased duty pay rates effective Jan. 1. Three staff members - Martin Mason, Jamie Robinson and Martha Clark - had their salaries raised to $13.75 per hour effective Jan. 1, matching the state’s new minimum wage.
Editor’s Note: Information for this report was taken from unapproved meeting minutes provided by district bookkeeper Jennifer Lynn Wilson.
Princeton City Council approves requests about sign, trash fees
Don’t forget the summary graph
PRESTON COLE
Princeton Post-Telegraph
PRINCETON, Mo Members of the Princeton City Council approved requests from two business owners and voted to enter a water plant operater apprenticeship program, during their meeting last Tuesday night (Dec. 10).
Jeffrey Van Gundy wasn’t at the meeting, but the council heard his request to put a sign designating a curbside pickup space in front of his business, Java On the Square, at the corner of West Main and Broadway street (702 West Main), on the southeast corner of the square.
His request was conditionally approvved by all four council members, the conditions being that the sign be a temporary sign, and that it is to be moved when the business isn’t open.
Nikki Gibson also wasn’t present for the meeting, but Councilwoman Peggy Constable said Gibson requested that the trash service at her shop be removed from her city bill, since it isn’t a residential address and service isn’t being used there. Council members voted to remove the trash service fee from Gibson’s account.
Apprenticeship program approved City Superintendent Greg Goodknight talked
about an apprenticeship program that the Missouri Rural Water Association offers. He said it’s a two-year program, and classes are held in Cameron twice a month. The apprentice would work under water plant operator Matt Hydorn on a fulltime basis, in addition to taking the classes.
When the program is complete, the apprenticeship would give the city a fully trained, certified water plant operator, at a cost to the city of $5,000.
Classes start in January, and Goodknight said he’d like to offer the program to part-time seasonal employee Levi Willett.
The council voted to move forward with the program. Other items No votes were taken, but a number of items were discussed.
• Council members learned that all new water mains have been placed, and connections are being made. One connection, scheduled for Dec. 12, was postponed to Monday, Dec. 16.
• Councilman Tony Johnson, who is also chief of the Mercer County Fire Protection District, told his colleagues that a board to oversee 911 dispatching has been formed.
• Councilwoman Karee Cunningham brought up the issue of the former concession stand at the old ballfields, after
Election results certified
JoDONN CHANEY
Special to the Post-Telegraph
JEFERSON CITY, Mo. The Board of State Canvassers, comprised of Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft, Judge Jon Beetem and Judge Daniel Green, certified the results of the November 5 general election on Dec. 5.
“The people have spoken,” Ashcroft said. “With November’s results now official, we are pleased to have completed another election cycle. The success of this election is respective of the patronage of Missouri’s voters, election authorities and poll workers.”
Official results show 2,995,376 Missourians, 67.56% of registered voters, voted in the general election.
The certification process, set by Missouri statute, ensures every vote is counted and vote totals are accurate before the results are official. After Election Day, local officials have two weeks to verify vote totals and evaluate provisional ballots. The secretary of state’s office then has until the second Tuesday in December to validate the results reported by each of Missouri’s 116 local election authorities. The secretary of state and a panel of judges, comprising the Board of State Canvassers, then meet to certify the official results.
Official results from the November election, as well as previous elections, are available at enr.sos.mo.gov.
Princeton seniors work on graduation requirements
the council in November decided not to move forward with the campground proposal from Mercer County Area Development.
Kurt Meighen, former Princeton High School agricultural education teacher and FFA advisor, is still leading the PHS trapshooting program and is using the building. Goodknight is to speak with Meighen about the situation.
• City Clerk Cory Willett said the majority of the new water meters purchased with ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) are installed, and that includes an in-office monitoring system. She said the meters and monitoring are “working out fantastic,” and that the ability for her and Deputy Clerk Jami McLain to keep in-time monitoring and reposting on the entire water system is “incredible.”
Willett added that customers also have full access to their accounts.
• The filing period for two seats in the April 8, 2025 election began the morning of the meeting. Willett reminded Constable and Rogers that their terms are open for filing. If they, or any resident, wants to file there are informational packets available at City Hall.
• The next meeting was scheduled for Monday, Jan. 13, 2025 at City Hall.
Editor’s note: Information for this report came from unapproved meeting minutes provided by City Clerk Cory Willett.
Princeton High School seniors recently checked another item off their graduation requirement list today - they completed their CPR training and attended other trainings to prepare them for life after high school. First Interstate Bank presented about credit scores and their importance. Marcia Cox of Farm Bureau discussed all things insurance with our seniors and shared many interesting facts! Holly Boxley with Roeslein Alternative Energy shared tons of helpful tips and tricks for seniors to enhance their employability skills. Brandi and Josh from the Mercer County Ambulance District conducted the hands-on CPR training to certify all seniors. Then, they got to enjoy lunch together as a class. “We are so thankful to have a community full of individuals ready to step in and provide great lessons for our seniors as they work towards graduation,” said Superintendent Jerry Girdner.
CAINSVILLE MELANIE CHANEY
There is a school board meeting on Dec. 18 at 6 p.m. The Pre-K-Christmas program will be Dec 19 at 1 p.m. in the school gymnasium. There will be basketball games at home on Dec. 19. Early dismissal on Dec. 20 for Christmas break. School will be out up until classes resume on Jan. 7.
Lilah and Lakelynn Chaney stayed Friday night, Dec. 13 with their grandparents Herman and Melanie. Damien Chaney stayed the night on Saturday, Dec. 14. So now everyone reading knows what I did the last week. Work and enjoyed grandkids. What did everyone else do? I don’t know, no one gave me any news! Please send me something for next week, I won’t even have school news! Thanks everyone and have a great week.
COURTESY PRINCETON HIGH SCHOOL
Lineville City Council hears about water leak fix, accepts garbage bid
Cost for project would be approximately $180K PRESTON COLE
Princeton Post-Telegraph
LINEVILLE, Iowa Members of the Lineville City Council heard from a representative of an engineering firm about a water main project during its meeting last Monday night.
Nancy Buss from Hall Engineering spoke with the four council members present about a water leak under the railroad tracks that run through Lineville. She said the council needed to pass a resolution that says they are accepting project
plans, and for contractors to submit bids.
She said the cost for the project would be approximately $180,000, and Mayor Jack Shields said the city would have to look at getting funds to cover the project’s costs.
The council voted to approve the resolution. In another water-related matter, shrinkage in the Water Department was pegged at 22.13%.
Shields said that he thinks there are potential leaks at the top of West Hill and at a property on West Third Street.
Other actions
• City Clerk Brandy
Shriver produced two bids for garbage service, both of which would start on Feb. 1, 2025.
Beavers Dumpster Service submitted a bid of $3,000 per year on a three-year contract, while C&E Trucking submitted a one-year bid of $2,630. The council approved the C&E Trucking bid on a 3-1 vote.
• Shields said he’d ordered three loads of gravel to be put on Eighth Street, and one load to place under the water tower for future use.
He said Marion Township in Mercer County, Mo., would blade West
Missouri has become a “peanut
LINDA GEIST
University of MO Extension
PORTAGEVILLE, Mo. Missouri farmers may have grown the peanuts that you enjoy in holiday candies like peanut brittle or peanut clusters.
In 2020, the USDA named Missouri a primary peanut-producing state, a designation for states averaging more than 10,000 tons of peanut production annually over three years, says Justin Calhoun, University of Missouri Extension soil and cropping systems specialist.
Calhoun is one of the researchers studying how to improve Missouri peanut production at the MU Fisher Delta Research, Extension and Education Center in Portageville.
Most of the state’s peanut production is in southeastern Missouri. In the Bootheel’s sandy soils, peanuts thrive where other crops may struggle, he says.
The peanut is a low-input, profitable cash crop that improves soil health by adding nitrogen to the soil. Calhoun says peanuts are a “high ROI” crop with many benefits.
Like soybeans, peanuts are legumes that have a
symbiotic relationship with rhizobacteria, which fix nitrogen in the soil, says Calhoun. They also contribute to pest control and can increase yields of cotton - another top crop in the Bootheel - and corn when rotated properly.
Missouri becomes primary player
Missouri has become a major producer in the peanut world in the past five years. Previously, production centered around the southern states of Georgia, Florida, Virginia and the Carolinas. In Calhoun’s three years at MU, the state’s peanut acres have more than doubled, with 20,000-22,000 acres reported in 2024.
Most of peanuts grown in the Bootheel are used for candy bars and peanut butter, says Calhoun.
“All of our peanuts in Missouri are contracted with a buying point as they are planted,” he says. “The overwhelming majority of those acres go to a company, Delta Peanut. A few acres go to another large peanut company
Line Road once or twice a year, and the city had never received a bill for the service. Council members voted to pay Marion Township $250 to blade the street. Shields is to find our who and where the money needs to be sent.
• Councilwoman Elizabeth Polsdofer reported she had received complaints about cleaning supplies at the Community Building, and where they’re kept. It was determined that someone needs to make a list of what is needed, and to be in charge of making sure the supplies are always
powerhouse”
called Birdsong,” says Calhoun.
From there, the buying points work with different groups to market those peanuts for various products. Many of Missouri’s peanuts are either grown for future seed production or sold to food companies.
The most common variety, Ga-06G, which is a type of peanut called a runner, is sold for consumption, primarily as peanut butter. They also can be roasted. Other runners like Ga-16HO and Ga-O9B are higher in oleic acid and better suited for peanut oil production.
Spanish hybrid varieties like Span 17 produce higher-quality peanuts that go to companies such as Mars, the maker of Snickers and other popular candy bars. High-oleic peanuts and the Spanish hybrid make up a minority of the Bootheel’s acreage, with the standard runner, O6G, being the heavy lifter.
There is a better mar-
ket for Spanish-type peanuts, but the runners have higher yields and end up dominating the acreage, says Calhoun.
Harvest: Dig, flip, dry, shake
Harvesting peanuts is a two-step process. First, a digger machine pulls up the peanut plant, flips it over and sets it back down to dry. Then, a shaker or picker machine separates the peanut pods from the rest of the plant.
MU’s first experience with peanut production was in 2022 during Calhoun’s first season on the job. “Over the last three years, we’ve been fairly successful in growing a pretty sizable peanut research and extension program,” he says.
Checkoff dollars fund including three research projects that Calhoun oversees at the MU Delta Center.
provided.
Shields said the city still needs to find a person to clean the Community Building. Councilman Jacob Snow gave Shriver two names to contact.
• Bills in the amount of $32,854.31 were approved for payment.
• Shriver reported that November revenue was $23,435.62 in governmental funds and $68,733.18 in util-
ity funds. Expenses were $11,845.26 in governmental funds and $16,396.09 in utility funds.
The monthly transfer of $1,425 in utility funds was reported.
Editor’s note:
Harvesting peanuts is a two-step process. First, a digger machine pulls up the peanut plant, flips it over and sets it back down to dry. Then, a shaker or picker machine separates the peanut pods from the rest of the plant.
COURTESY JUSTIN CALHOUN
Clerk Brandy Shriver. All votes were unanimous, except where noted.
GUNS & AMMO
WOOD’S GUN SHOP
5 Miles South of Ravanna
660-748-5795
9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday 1-4-2024-ufn
Boyer Land Company LLC
Aaron Franklin, Sales Agent Princeton, MO 64673
660-748-6314
YOUR REAL ESTATE SPECIALIST! 1-4-2024ufn SERVICES
NO HUNTING
NOTICE - Hunting and trespassing with dog and/or gun, trapping or fishing on land owned or leased by the undersigned is strictly forbidden. You are hereby warned to keep off these properties. Trespassers will be prosecuted.
No tresspassing for any reason on land that we own or lease. John & Linda Baughman. 9-28-23-52tp
No hunting, fishing or trespassing on property owned, leased or rented by Joe and Victoria Ryan. 4-27-23-52tp
Absolutely no hunting or trespassing on Highland Farms land owned and operated by Dixie Berger, Joe Berger & Steve Berger. 5-16-24-52tp
Absolutely NO TRESPASSING, including but not limited to hunting, fishing, hiking, mushroom hunting and drones on land owned and/ or rented by FRJ Family Farms, LLC. 3-23-23-52tp
Absolutely no hunting or trespassing on land owned by Barbara & LeRoy Hider 10-10-23-52tp
NO HUNTING OR TRESPASSING on any land owned by LAKE MARIE PROPERTY OWNERS ASSOCIATION. 7-28-23-52tp
No hunting or trespassing of any kind, including but not limited to use of dogs or drones, on land owned by Diane Houk and Jenny Bomgardner. 9-28-23-52tp
Absolutely NO TRESPASSING, including but not limited to hunting, fishing, hiking, mushroom and drones on land owned and/or rented by KRW5 Trust (Keith or RaeLynn Weaver). 10-5-23-52tb
No hunting or trespassing on any land owned by Bill and Peggy Heck. 5-30-24-52tb
No hunting, trespassing or fishing on property owned, leased or rented by Shirley or Joe Don Pollard. 4-19-24-52tp
Absolutely no hunting or trespassing on Choate property at any time. 3-28-24-52tp
Absolutely no hunting with guns or dogs, fishing, or trespassing on land owned by Berndt Farm and Berndt Twin Lake Inc. 11-10-23-52tpP
No hunting or trespassing on Cox family property - Andy and Donna Cox, and Robert and Tina Cox. 12-3-22-104tpP
No trespassing on property owned by Shandra Morin 4-11-24-52tp
LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
NOTICE is given that a public hearing will be held by the Board of Aldermen of the City of Mercer, Missouri at 6:30 p.m. on the 23rd day of December in the year 2024 at the City Hall, 14402 State Street, Mercer, Missouri, concerning the matter of the proposed annexation into the City of Mercer, Missouri of the following described real estate in Mercer County, Missouri: THAT PORTION OF THE NORTHWEST QUARTER OF THE SOUTHEAST QUARTER OF SECTION 19,TOWNSHIP 66
NORTH, RANGE 23 WEST OF THE 5TH PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, LOCATED IN THE COUNTY OF MERCER, STATE OF MISSOURI, BEING A PORTION OF THE PARCEL OF LAND DESCRIBED IN TRUSTEE'S WARRANTY DEED RECORDED IN THE RECORDER OF DEEDS OFFICE AS DEED BOOK 241 PAGE 664, AND BEING DESCRIBED BY JASON R. LOADER, PS 2010018904 ON SEPTEMBER 17, 2024 AS FOL-
LEGAL NOTICE
LOWS: COMMENCING AT THE SOUTHEAST CORNER OF SAID NORTHWEST QUARTER OF THE SOUTHEAST QUARTER; THENCE ON THE SOUTH LINE OF SAID NORTHWEST QUARTER OF THE SOUTHEAST QUARTER, N 88°40'22" W 451.49 FEET TO THE WEST RIGHT-OF-WAY LINE OF THE C.R.I.&P. RAILROAD AND THE POINT OF BEGINNING; THENCE CONTINUING ON SAID SOUTH LINE N 88°40'22" W 183.24 FEET TO THE EAST RIGHT-OFWAY LINE OF US HIGHWAY 65; THENCE ON SAID EAST RIGHT-OFWAY LINE, N 04°22'18" E 515.22 FEET; THENCE CONTINUING ON SAID EAST RIGHT-OF-WAY LINE, N 10°54'13" E 131.86 FEET; THENCE S 88°14'31" E 135.40 FEET; THENCE S 05°06'35" W 176.56 FEET; THENCE S 84°53'25" E 41.00 FEET TO SAID WEST RIGHT OF-WAY LINE OF THE C.R.I.&P. RAILROAD; THENCE ON SAID WEST RIGHT-OF-WAY LINE, S 05°06'35" W 465.62 FEET TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING. CONTAINS 2.58 ACRES, MORE OR LESS. ALL BEARINGS HEREIN ARE BASED ON A MISSOURI STATE PLANE COORDINATE SYSTEM, NAD1983(2011), CENTRAL ZONE 2402 GRID BEARINGS. At this public hearing any interested person, corporation or political subdivision may present evidence regarding the proposed annexation. Furthermore, any objections to the proposed annexation should be filed, in writing, with the Board of Aldermen of the City of Mercer, Missouri not later than 14 days after the date of the said public hearing. Done by order of the Board of Aldermen. Tracy Meinecke City Clerk DATES OF PUBLICATION December 12, 2024 December 19, 2024
LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE TO ALL PERSONS interested in the Estate of Billy J. Hobbs, Decedent. The undersigned, Duane Hobbs, is the acting Successor Trustee, under the terms of the Trust, the terms of which provide that the debts of the decedent may be paid by the Successor Trustee upon receipt of proper proof thereof. The address of the Successor Trustee is 20851 Gazebo Street, Princeton, Missouri 64673.
All creditors of the decedent are noticed to present their claims to the undersigned within six (6) months from the date of the first publication of this notice or forever be barred. /s/ Russel Duane Hobbs, Successor Trustee of the Billy J. Hobbs Irrevocable Trust dated 08/09/2010. Allan D. Seidel Seidel & Havens, LLP 705 Main Street Trenton, MO 64683
Telephone: (660) 359-2293
Facsimile: (660) 359-6744
Email: mahlaw@shdattorneys.com
ATTORNEY FOR SUCCESSOR TRUSTEE
DATES OF PUBLICATION
December 12, 2024
December 19, 2024
December 26, 2024 January 2, 2025
Christmas story From Page 1
young age of 12 was confounding the religious leaders with his knowledge and wisdom.
This young man would grow up to be the greatest man who has ever lived. He was different. He was a man but He was God in the flesh. Yes, he hurt just like we hurt, bled like we bleed, and was tempted as we are tempted, but He was God.
John the Baptist recognized Him as the lamb of God. The disciples recognized they were living in the presence of deity.
No one else has ever lived the way Jesus lived. He healed the sick. He gave the blind sight. He enabled the lame to walk. He raised the dead. He fed masses of people with a few loaves of bread and fish. He was the greatest teacher who ever lived.
More books have been written about Jesus than any other person. The Bible is the best-selling book of all time. Every week billions of people worship him publicly and privately.
Jesus loved like no other person but he had great opposition. Sadly, most of the opposition was from the religious crowd of his day. They weren’t satisfied until they convinced the political leadership of that day to execute Jesus publicly on a cross. His execution was brutal, humiliating, shameful, and repulsive. The way Jesus was treated fully exposed the wickedness of mankind and the literal cruelty of religion.
The story of Jesus does not end at the cross or his burial. The story of Jesus doesn’t end at all.
Three days later the stone was rolled away from
his burial tomb and he emerged alive as the victorious Son of God who conquered death, hell, and the grave. He spent time with his followers teaching and equipping them before his departure into heaven right before their very eyes.
As he ascended into heaven the angels told the disciples, “Why do you stand here gazing up into heaven. This same Jesus shall come again in like manner.” From that day forward the disciples became the greatest group of missionaries of all time. Everywhere they went they told the story of Jesus. Everyone who heard the story and believed the story were forever changed.
Do you believe the story? Have you heard this story? Maybe you’ve heard it many, many times. Possibly, you never grow tired of hearing the story. It’s an old, old story but it’s the story that gives us hope. This story of Jesus keeps us going, looking forward to better things and better times.
The story of Jesus is the story of life, peace, hope, and forgiveness of all of our sins. It’s the story about heaven and seeing our loved ones again. It’s the story that often turns houses into homes, lifts drug addicts out of ditches, gives people a sense of direction and purpose in life.
Do you love the Christmas story? Do you love who this story is about? The story is about Jesus. If you don’t know him, ask him right now to come into your heart and life and he will.
A heavenly host of angels proclaimed to shepherds watching their flocks, “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which
is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:11)
May the greatest story ever told become the greatest story you know personally.
Find books by Glenn Mollette at Amazon.com. Learn more about his books, columns and music at GlennMollette.Com. His email is gmollette@aol. com.
From Page 1
lost in the first round of the 1979 Class 2A playoffs.
MERCER CO. HEALTH DEPT.
305 West Main, Princeton 660-748-3630 DECEMBER
• Men’s Saturday Prime College Basketball
• Big Monday Big 12 College Basketball
• Men’s ACC Postseason Basketball Tournament
• Women’s College Basketball Regionals and Final Four
• NCAA Wrestling Championships
• SEC Post Season Baseball Tournament
• Major League Baseball
• Women’s College World Series (softball)
• Men’s College World Series (baseball)
Logan got his start in sports photography during high school, when he served as a sports photographer for the Princeton Post-Telegraph
Logan played football at Princeton, at running back, linebacker and kicker for the 1978 and 1979 Grand River Conference champions. His 1978 team finished second in the Missouri Class 1A football playoffs, and Greg Logan
WIC services Thursday, Dec. 26, at office, by appointment. Open lab Friday, Dec. 20, 8-10 a.m., by appointment. Other items
• Office will close at 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 24 for Christmas Eve, and will be closed Wednesday, Dec. 25 for Christmas.
• Board meeting: Monday, Dec. 30, 6 p.m.
• The department is still offering COVID-19 and flu shots for all 6 months and older regardless of insurance status; state vaccine provied by VFC and 317 programs. Regular and high-dose flu shots are available. RSV shots may be available for those 60 years of age or older, and women during their 32nd through 36th weeks of pregnancy. Inventory is limited. A monoclonal antibody injection is also available for infants in their first RSV season. Call for more information or to schedule an appointment.
ADVERTISE in the Princeton Post-Telegraph today!
PRINCETON PRESCHOOL
Lacey Power
Dear Santa,
I have been very good this year. I am always very nice to my sister. I would love a few gifts for Christmas. Here is my list: bike, four-wheeler, scissors, PlayDoh, toy car.
Love, Paxton Brown
Dear Santa, I have been a very good girl this year. I am always very nice to my family and friends. I would love a few gifts for Christmas. Here is my list: play dog, play babies, Barbie dream house, fake duck, pink bike, skateboard, and clothes.
Love, Harper Burnett
Dear Santa, I have been very good this year. I am always very nice to my family and friends. I would love a few gifts for Christmas. Here is my list: unicorn remote control car, baby dolls, FurReal Daisy Yoga Goat, magnetic drawing board, Bluey and Bingo toys, Little Live Pets Baby Monkey, FurReal Newborn Kitty. Love, Lexi De La Cruz
Dear Santa, I have been very good this year. I am always very thankful to my friends. I would love a few gifts for Christmas. Here is my list: kinetic sand, Barbie, unicorn phone, and toys.
Love, Adalynn Holt
Dear Santa, I have been very good this year. I am always very good to my mom and dad. I would love a few gifts for Christmas. Here is my list: shark stuffy, Legos, key to the little house, my own little house, my own slime, garage for the little house, and a mini excavator.
Love, Kreed Holt
Dear Santa, I have been very good this year. I am always very nice to Mason. I would love a few gifts for Christmas. Here is my list: motorcycle and candy.
Love, Zuriel Izaguirre
Dear Santa, I have been very good this year. I am always very nice to Ryker and Boyd. I would love a few gifts for Christmas. Here is my list: a baby that is alive and puzzles.
Love, Evelyn Miller
Dear Santa, I have been very good this year. I am always very nice to my friends. I would love a few gifts for Christmas. Here is my list: Gabby Dollhouse, Princess Peach Castle, Sadness, Joy, puppy, horse, and a kitchen.
Love, Jessalynn Nordyke
Dear Santa, I have been very good this year. I am always very helpful to my mommy. I would love a few gifts for Christmas. Here is my list: pizza grill, pink playhouse, and a cow.
Love, Gracelynn Purvis
Dear Santa, I have been very good this year. I am always very nice to my friends. I would love a few gifts for Christmas. Here is my list: robot kitty, magna-tiles, and baby dolls. Love, Paisley Purvis
Dear Santa, I have been very good this year. I am always very nice to my friends. I would love a few gifts for Christmas. Here is my list: Paw Patrol house, Elmo telephone, big Sonic, big Mario, rifle, another boy elf, and monster trucks.
Love, Mason Stout
PRINCETON PRESCHOOL
Emily Voorhies
Dear Santa, My name is Paisleigh. I am 4 years old. This year I have been mostly nice. One thing I did nice this year was help my mom with the dishes. What I would like most for Christmas is Play-doh, it's my favorite. Also, if you can, would you please give my Daddy 60 acres so we can hunt big deer together. I promise to leave out milk & cookies for you and veggies for your reindeer.
Merry Christmas Santa!
Love, Paisleigh
Dear Santa, My name is Boyd. I am 4 years old. This year I have been a little good. One thing I did nice this year was cleaned the floor. What I would like most for Christmas is a Dispicable Me 4 Fart Blaster. Also, if you can, would you please give Kennedy a doll because she loves dolls. I promise to leave out cookies for you and carrots for your reindeer. Merry Christmas Santa!
Love, Boyd
Dear Santa, My name is Ridge. I am 4 years old. This year I have been good. One thing I did nice this year was play with Mylee. What I would like most for Christmas is Play-doh. Also, if you can, would you please give Mylee a costume because she doesn't have a costume. I promise to leave out cookies for you and food for your reindeer. Merry
Christmas Santa!
Love, Ridge
Dear Santa, My name is Waylon. I am 3 years old. This year I have been a little good. One thing I did nice this year was shared stuff with my bubby. What I would like most for Christmas is a Sonic the Hedgehog toy. Also, if you can, would you please give my bubby a toy because he's my big brother. I promise to leave out cookies for you and milk for your reindeer. Merry Christmas Santa!
Love, Waylon
Dear Santa, My name is Ruby. I am 5 years old. This year I have been good. One thing I did nice this year was making Mahala friendship cards. What I would like most for Christmas is an otter toy and for Mrs. Emily to have a Happy Chritmas. Also, if you can, would you please give Huxson a fighting toy, Mahala a Bluey toy, and Kennedy a butterfly toy because they are my friends. I promise to leave out cookies for you and carrots for your reindeer. Merry Christmas Santa! Love, Ruby
Dear Santa, My name is Kennedy. I am 5 years old. This year I have been good. One thing I did nice this year was play a game with Mahala. What I would like most for Christmas is a doll. Also, if you can, would you please give my dog a dog toy and my cat a cat toy because they love to play. I promise to leave out milk & cookies for you and reindeer food for your reindeer. Merry Christmas Santa! Love, Kennedy
Dear Santa, My name is Holden. I am 4 years old. This year I have been good. One thing I did nice this year was be nice to my parents. What I would like most for Christmas is Minecraft stuff. Also, if you can, would you please give my "little" brother Hunter a toy because he's been good. I promise to leave out milk & cookies for you and carrots for your reindeer. Merry Christmas Santa! Love, Holden
Dear Santa, My name is Huxson. I am 5 years old. This year I have been super good. One thing I did nice this year was play video games. What I would like most for Christmas is a robot. Also, if you can, would you please give my sissy a drone because me and Sissy can fly it. I promise to leave out a new puppy for you and food for your reindeer. Merry Christmas Santa! Love, Huxson
Dear Santa, My name is Haevyn. I am 3 years old. This year I have been good. One thing I did nice this year was picked up toys with Mom. What I would like most for Christmas is a doll. Also, if you can, would you please give my baby sister a buggy because she likes dolls too. I promise to leave out a present for you and a leaf for your reindeer. Merry Christmas Santa! Love, Haevyn
Dear Santa, My name is Ryker. I am 5 years old. This year I have been really good. One thing I did nice this year was hug my mom and kiss her. What I would like most for Christmas is a new 22. Also, if you can, would you please give my dad, and my mom, and my Rainey, and my Papa, and my Nana presents because I love them. I promise to leave out cookies & brownies for you and corn for your reindeer. Merry Christmas Santa! Love, Ryker
Dear Santa, My name is Mahala. I am 4 years old. This year I have been really good. One thing I did nice this year was ask my mom if it was supper time (and she said yes). What I would like most for Christmas is a unicorn toy. Also, if you can, would you please give Callao a T-Rex toy because he wants one. I promise to leave out a present & cookies for you and presents for your reindeer.
Merry Christmas Santa!
Love, Mahala
MERCER PRESCHOOL
Joanne Fisher
Dear Santa, I have been good this year. I would like a play kitchen and my mom told me there is. Bluey makeup and I would love to have that as well.
Love, Jean-Anne H.
Dear Santa, I have tried to be good this year. I would really like some new makeup. Thanks so much.
Love, Avonah W.
Dear Santa, I am working really hard at being good. I would love to have a sheep, not a real one, a pretend one.
Love, Mya W.
Dear Santa, I have been so good this year. I think I would love to get a little stuffed bunny that is like a toy. Hope you can make this for me.
Love, Taylor W.
Dear Santa, Hi Santa! I have tried real
hard to be good this year. I would like to receive toy food for christmas.
Love, Presley W.
Dear Santa, How are you? How are the reindeer? I would like a baby alive doll.
Love, Timber L.
Dear Santa, I have been so good this year. I am really hoping you can bring me a shotgun. Don‛t worry I won‛t shoot your reindeer. Love, Caleb P.
Dear Santa, Hi Santa! I have tried so hard to be good this year. I would like the toy “Tony the Super Wing”.
Love, Felix M.
Dear Santa, I have been working really hard at being good. I would like a toy robot T-Rex and any other toy you have as well.
Love, Layne S.
Dear Santa, I have been so good this year and worked really hard. I would like a motorcycle, a real one that I can ride outside.
Love, Rowan H.
PRINCETON KINDERGARTEN A
Renee Dailey
Dear Santa, Hi, I would like an Xbox and a toy figure that is named Flash. I would also like my own phone. Have a great day delivery presents. Thank you! Thomas Schaffer.
Dear Santa, I would like a present. I have been good. I would like a puppy. Also, a puppy dog set. Thank you so much.
Leilani Youngs
Dear Santa, How do you have floating reindeers? I would like a Barbie Dream House. Thanks. Everly Stark
Dear Santa, You‛re a really nice guy. I am thankful for you. I would like things for video games, a train set on a track and a new watch. I gave mine to my sisters so I would like a new one.
Jackson Sticken
Dear Santa, Are you going to give me toys?
I would like a unicorn and maybe tractors I would share with my brother. My brother likes dinosaurs if you could bring some of those. My Mom wants earrings and my Dad needs a new wedding ring.
Styrling Claycomb
Dear Santa, You‛re cool. I would like your autograph. You can bring me stuff like a sword. Thank you and be careful on your trip. Hunter Howie
Dear Santa, I like your beard. Will you bring me toys, like American Doll stuff? Thank you for all the luck that you give us. Landi Webster.
Dear Santa, I really like Christmas. I love my family. I really do not know what I want for Christmas just stuff. Donovan Allen
Dear Santa, Can I have a toy cat for Lexi so she can have one like me? I want a new phone. Thank you. Josey De La Cruz
Dear Santa, I would like 2 fighting guys and a truck with a man. That‛s it. Brooks Radewald.
Dear Santa, I would like some toys for Christmas. I want a light up horse named Sophia. I would like a new real horse. I love horses. Thank you. Addison Brown
Dear Santa, I would like a RC car, a new nerf gun and a bike. I am good sometimes. Sometimes I am not. Thank you for my stuff. Kyler Hamil
Dear Santa, I just want a Barbie doll and stuff. That‛s it. Thank you Santa. Clara Meinke
PRINCETON KINDERGARTEN B
Stacy Girdner
Dear Santa, How are you? I would like an Elsa doll.
Love, Amaya Cano
Dear Santa, Where do the elves live? I would like a bumper car and a train. Love, Hoyt Carr
Dear Santa, What do the elves look like? I would like a tablet and baby dolls.
Love, Mary Grace Davis
Dear Santa, Where do the elves sleep? I would like automatic tractor with a grain cart. Love, Ollie Easter
Dear Santa, How do you get to the North Pole? I would like a squish toy and kitty toys.
Love, Ella Felder
Dear Santa, How do you get the presents
delivered before day time? I would like a bike and a tractor.
Love, Kwayd Girdner
Dear Santa, How can you get everywhere so fast? I would like nail polish and makeup.
Love, Averleigh McCart
Dear Santa, How do you make presents? I would like Magic Mixies and a bike.
Love, Kinzley Miller
MERCER KINDERGARTEN
Danessa Stout
Dear Santa,
Hi Santa! I am glad you sent Steve the elf to my house. I have tried to be good. I want a yellow Christmas star to go on top of our tree. I would like an electric scooter.
Love, Lane F.
Dear Santa, I am trying to be kind to my friends. I am trying to be good. I am thankful for my mom. I want my own laptop. I want a toy car for Christmas.
Love, Brixton H.
Dear Santa, How are you? How are the reindeer? I want a toy car for Christmas. I want a dog, too.
Love, Evie M.
Dear Santa, I am trying to be good. How are you? I want a drone for Christmas. I also want a toy jeep.
Love, Greyson S.
Dear Santa, How are the reindeer and how are you? I want a Reborn Baby Doll with accessories. That is all.
Love, Layla W.
Dear Santa, How are the reindeer doing? How are the elves doing? How are you doing? I want a red remote control car. I want a white horse. I want a toy horse that walks by itself and has a rider. I want a laptop too.
Love, Elle
Dear Santa, How are the elves doing? How are you doing? Can I have a toy horse that has a rider? Can I have a cow with a rider? Can I have an X-Box? I want a hov-
erboard. Love, Reese S.
Dear Santa, How are Trixie the elf‛s friends? How are the reindeer? I would like a blueberry pillow. I want a horse too.
Love, Lillee S. W.
PRINCDTON
FIRST GRADE A
Shelly Hanson
Dear Santa, I want a Sonic robot, a Hot Wheels training course and a windup mouse for my cats. Thank you for the presents. Love, Daemon Allen
Dear Santa, Can I have a Stanley cup, nail polish, makeup and a picture of Grandpa Jim? Thank you for the reindeer stuffy last year!
Love, Hayslee Berndt
Dear Santa, I would like a makeup kit and some high heels. What is your favorite kind of milk and cookies?
Love, Avery Crouse
Dear Santa, I want a dirt bike for Christmas. P.S. I have been wanting one for a long time. I also want a microphone and a PS%. I would also like a gaming setup. Thank you for the bike last year.
Love, Graycen DeMoss
Dear Santa, Can you get me a phone? Santa, when is Christmas? Thank you for bringing me a science kit last year!
Love, Greyleigh Girdner
Dear Santa, Do you like elves? How do you carry a heavy bag? How do you deliver all the toys at once?
Santa, does your reindeer fly?
Thank you for the pop it and makeup last year! I want a kitten for Christmas.
Love, Blakeley Guilkey
Dear Santa, I would like a car, a drivers license and a headset. Thank you for the stuff you gave me last year!
Love, Jamison Holt
Dear Santa, Can you give me a Nintendo
Switch, PS5, a gas dirt bike and a red bike? Thank you for giving me everything I want.
Love, Wyatt Kilen
Dear Santa, How are you doing? I would like a bumper car, a science kit and a snow globe. Do you actually have elves? Do you actually exist Santa? Do your reindeers actually exist? See you soon
Santa!
Love, Fiona Landis
Dear Santa, How are you so sneaky? I want shoulder pads for Christmas. Thank you for the sled last year!
Love, Logan Lopez
Dear Santa, I would love a Hatchimals Big Egg Pufficorn please. How was your year? I am happy that you gave me what I wanted last year. Thank you for everything!
Love, Christine Pugh
Dear Santa, I would like a dollhouse. I would also like a toy dog. Thank you for all my presents last year!
Love, Savannah Weaver
PRINCETON FIRST GRADE B
Britni Oshel
Dear Santa, How are your reindeer? I want a remote-control garbage truck. I want a steam roller from Gridners. My mom needs a soft mattress. I love you Santa.
Love, Bentley Girdner
Dear Santa, Are your elves working hard? I would like skorts and my own cleaning set. I need clothes. My dad needs pillows. I love you Santa. Love, Blakely Berndt
Dear Santa, How are your elves? May I have a sewing machine and an electric nail painting machine. I want a hoverboard for Clay and Chase. I love you Santa. Love, Baylor Evans
Dear Santa, Do the reindeer want carrots? I want a Nintendo Switch, a
tablet, and a phone. Can my Colter get a door swing and pull up bar? I love you.
Love, Hyde Hamilton
Dear Santa, How are you doing? I hope this isn‛t too much but I want a Patrick Mahomes jersey. I need more Pete the Cat books. Can you bring a snow globe for my mom? I love you.
Love, Bowen Ellsworth
Dear Santa, Did you have a good day? I want an electric bike and a drone. I need socks. I think Barrett wants a sweater. Are you having a great day? Love, Miles Johnson
Dear Santa, Is Rudolph real? I would like a fighting video game. I need new shoes. Could you bring my sister a doll? I love you Santa. Love, Brant Elder
Dear Santa, How are your elves? I would like a craft set. I would like a puppy for Christmas. I need pajamas and long sleeve shirts. May I please have a phone for Paisley for Christmas? Love, Marlo Holt
Dear Santa, How are you doing? Please may I have a baby doll? I need more pants. Could you bring my mom more shorts? I love you so much! Love, Savannah Parsons
Dear Santa, How are you Santa? I would like some gloves and a jacket please. Can I have a pretend phone please? I want to get my mom some coffee. How are your reindeer? Love, Paisley Baker
Dear Santa, Do the reindeer really, really like carrots? Can I have an elf? Can I have a cake squishy maker? I need a hat. Can you get my mom perfume? I love you Santa and reindeer. Love, Faithlynn Roberts
Dear Santa, Are you ready for Christmas? I want a V.R. headset and a Transformer motorcycle. Please bring Zuri a toy Spiderman. I love you Santa. Love, Zaiven Nickel
MERCER FIRST GRADE
Melissa Eakes
Dear Santa, How are you? How are your elves? For Christma I would like a purple squish mellow, a purple squish mellow doll, and a chapstick.
Love, Atalia W.
Dear Santa, How are you? How are your elves? For Christmas I would like large Pikachu stuffy, PS5, and XBox.
Love, Logan G.
Dear Santa, How are you? How are your elves? For Christmas I would like an American Girl Doll and happy number sleeping sack.
Love, Ophelia H.
Dear Santa, How are you? How are your elves? For Christmas I would like a dirt bike and a grave digger tank.
Love, Ty H.
Dear Santa, How are you and your elves? For Christmas I would like a PS5, Nintendo Switch, and a new TV.
Love, Rage W.
Dear Santa, How are you? How are your elves? For Christmas I would like a tank truck, remote control train, and a bulldozer.
Love, Eli H.
Dear Santa, How are you? How are your elves? For Christmas I would like a happy napper sleeping sack, unicorn squishy mellow, and a care bear.
Love, Sadie R.
Dear Santa, How are you? How are your elves? For Christmas I would like a new bike, pikachu stuffy, and a squish mellow dog.
Love, MarLee M.
Dear Santa, How are you? How are your elves? For Christmas I would like hot wheel cars, remote control semi truck, and a remote control bulldozer.
Love, Shawn T.
Dear Santa, How are you? How are your elves? For Christmas I would like a new TV and a cow squish mellow.
Love, Aubree W.
PRINCETON SECOND GRADE A
Denni Berti
Dear Santa, Thank you for the presents. I love them so much. For Christmas, I want slime and a bunkbed, please. The cookies will be on my table. With Love, Sophie
Dear Santa, How are the reindeer? This Christmas I want a bb gun and a robotic quarterback. I will leave milk and cookies and I will also give your reindeer snacks. With Love, Kasen
Dear Santa, How are you? I am good. I would like some boots and some gloves, please. That would make me happy. I will make you some sugar cookies. With Love, Alessa
Dear Santa, Could I have pairs of socks, and a blanket, please? Could I have a stuffed animal Rudolph and a real puppy? Santa, I will leave cookies for you and have carrots for the reindeer. With Love, Mya
Dear Santa, How are your reindeer and how are you? Can I please have a real pet baby bunny and a cage for it with water and food in it? If you cannot, get me a real bunny, you can get me a stuffed baby bunny. With Love, Sadie
Dear Santa, How have you been? How is Rudolph? Can I please have a dog or a bunny? I need some tickets for my family. I need an elf, please. How are all of your elves, and Mrs. Claus? I will leave you some cookies. With Love, Paysleigh
Dear Santa, I want an Xbox, please. Can I have a deer target that I can shoot with my compound bow? How is Mrs. Claus?
With Love, Easton
Dear Santa, How are the elves? Can you please give me a rat and a target? I will leave you cookies. With Love, Thomas
Dear Santa, Can I have four Hawaii tickets so I can be with my family? I also want a baby sister so I can replace my brother. How are your elves doing? With Love, Braxtyn
Dear Santa, If I really could, would you really get me a bunch of Mr. Beasts? Can you also please get me a Lego set with a bunch of Serpentine? With Love, Locklar
Dear Santa, Can I please have a Go Cart and a dirt bike? I will leave cookies on the table and carrots for the reindeer. How is Rudolph and Connor? I have been wondering. How are you? Is Mrs. Clause ok?
With Love, Elliet
Dear Santa, How is Rudolph? Can I get a PS5, please? I will leave milk and cookies. Also, why don‛t I see you every year? With Love, Benson
Dear Santa, I want a Play-Doh ice cream truck, please, and a marble run, please, Santa. I will make some cookies for you and chopped carrots for the reindeer. With Love, Everly
PRINCETON SECOND GRADE B
Melissa Renfro
Dear Santa, How are you? For Christmas I want a smart mask and a food truck and a pack of Pokemon cards. Then I will get a present for Santa. I am a good kid. Do you like cookies? With Love, Grant
Dear Santa, How are you? I am fine. I have four sisters. How is Rudolph? For Christmas I want a puppy and a skateboard. With Love, Paisley
Dear Santa, I am Ruby. I want a Squishamello for Christmas. How is the weather? Is it cold there? I love Santa! I wish I could go and see you. With Love, Ruby
Dear Santa, I am Willow. This Christmas I want a Chromebook and squishies and I want to go to Branson and an animal tracker bracelet. Do you like donuts? With Love, Willow
Dear Santa, I love puppies. For Christmas I want a hoverboard and a puppy. Fletcher is getting old and it makes me sad. Merry Christmas. With Love, Oaklyn
Dear Santa, How are you? I have a bike and it is fun. This Christmas I would lie a bike lock and a Lunch Lady book. Do you like chocolate? With Love, Killian
Dear Santa, My name is Juliana and I like blue. Can I please have a hoverboard for Christmas? Can I have 2 American Girl Dolls with cars. I want skates too. What do you look like?
With Love, Juliana
Dear Santa, I am busy at my home. May I have a German Shepherd please, I want a baby German Shepherd. How is Rudolph? With Love, Ellena
Dear Santa, I am busy learning 2nd grade. I want a 3D pen. How are you? How is Mrs. Clause? How is the weather? With Love, Ruger
Dear Santa, How are you? For Christmas I
want an electric Dirt Bike for Christmas. I have been good. I also want controllers and Hey Dudes. How is Mrs. Claus? With Love, Brycen
Dear Santa, I am a good kid. Will you please get me a Bay Blade Ring and some Bay Blades? Do you like our chocolate cookies? I love Santa. I hope you have a good Christmas. With Love, Dylan
Dear Santa, I like cats very much. How are you doing? I would like a remote-controlled dump truck. Merry Christmas. With Love, Titus
MERCER SECOND GRADE Larisa Eivins
Dear Santa, I have been good this year. I would like a rocking climbing RC truck, a racetrack, a blanket and a new pillow. Love, Barrett B.
Dear Santa, I have been good. This year I would like a RC car, an elf on the shelf and some monster trucks. Love, Malaki C.
Dear Santa, I have been good this year. I would like a phone, a camera, and a tablet. My family is doing great, we hung up our Christmas tree at my mom and dads.
Love, Rhythm W.
Dear Santa, I have been nice this year. I would like a camera, a candle, and a toy dog for Christmas. I love you and I am going to leave milk, cookies, and carrots for you.
Love, Emma G.
Dear Santa, I have been wondering if I was naughty or nice, you can pick. I would like an American Girl Doll with long black hair and dark blue stripes. I also want you for Christmas, you are so nice. Thank you for the Elf on the Shelf in our classroom and at my house. I have a lot of fun
with my Elf. Love, Allie L.
Dear Santa, I have been good this year. I would like makeup, skincare, pink toys and pink stuff for Christmas.
Love, Meredith M.
Dear Santa, I have been good this year. I would like a balance beam, gymnastics bar, and a mat for christmas. I really want these.
Love, Charlotte F.
Dear Santa, I have been good and bad this year. I would like a PS5 for Christmas. Christmas is the best holiday and it is my favorite time of the year.
Love, Jagger P.
Dear Santa, I have been good this year. I would like my orange stuffed cat and my pretty bracelet with jewels from Melinda‛s house for Christmas. Please put my cat on the top of my bunk bed and my bracelet on the dresser in our room. I would also like an Elf on the Shelf and candy in my stocking.
Love, Faith M.
PRINCETON
THIRD GRADE A
Kathy Schwenneker
Dear Santa, For Christmas can I have a crossbow at Mom‛s house? How is Elfy? I want an iPhone and a gaming PC. Have a good day! From Weston G.
Dear Santa, I can‛t wait ‘til Christmas! I also can‛t wait to see what I am going to get on Christmas morning! I am asking for some more chapter books, a timer for reading so I can time myself and not waste all the batteries on my dad‛s phone, a purple or pink Bible bag for my Bible, a cookezz, fuzzy socks to wear around the house, little tabs to put in my Bible, and that‛s all. How are your reindeer? Bye now!
From Emerson P.
Dear Santa, May I have bell bottoms, slime, and a lot of Stitch stuff, preppy nails and other preppy stuff. Can I have an iPhone 16 Ma because I may get an Apple watch so I need a phone to hook up to it so I can call people. May I also have a baby doll that blinks, moves its mouth, and makes sounds?
Your friend, Payzlee T.
Dear Santa, I have been trying to be nice. I don‛t really want a lot! I really want to have a baby sister. May I please have a big bear that is super fluffy? May I also have gymnastic bars and a new bed?
Love, Aria
Dear Santa, I can‛t wait for Christmas. I can‛t wait to see what I get. I want a Harry Potter Hogwarts Lego set. I would also like Yoda slippers, a Yoda blanket, and a Minecraft pillow, Robux, and paint canvases.
From Adalynn P.
Dear Santa, I would really like a big monkey for my bear named Gollum. I sleep with him every night. On Christmas Eve, we will make sure to leave you really good cookies and hopefully eggnog. I really hope I have been good this year. If I get the monkey, I will probably name it Monkey Man, and he will be best friends with Gollum. But, really I just wish everyone a happy and jolly Christmas.
Your friend, Kaylen S.
Dear Santa, My I have a Stanley and black hair dye? Santa, can I please have a phone? Santa, may I have a fake horse that can eat carrots and apples? Can I have a mug with hot cocoa and some marshmallows, too? May I have a toy stroller for the baby toy? May I have a safe? Yes, I know what you‛re thinking, why do you want a safe? Because I will keep it for my money.
Love, Taylor M.
Dear Santa, Can I have a dirt bike? Can I have a 4-wheeler? I would like a new phone. I need a break from school. Can I have a monitor and keyboard to play Minecraft? Thank you.
Your friend, Carson G.
Dear Santa, I want an art kit with 10 canvases and 11 paint brushes, a tv for Addy‛s and my room, and iPad, and … V-bucks, an Apple computer, a Stitch bedset, a stuffy, and an outfit. Also, an iPod case cover with Stitch on it, please. Love, Emma O.
Dear Santa, I want a little tree. I want another elf. I want a motorcycle. I would like a new chair. I love the elves. Thank you!
Love, Ryleigh N.
PRINCETON
THIRD GRADE B
Katie Bagley
Dear Santa, Thank you for the bunny family for my little stuffie bunny, she loved it. I would like a stuffie bunny because my dog tore it up. I would also like a Santa stuffie. Thank you! Merry Christmas!
Love, Everly Conger
Dear Santa, Thank you for the gifts you gave me last year. I really enjoyed the Squishmallow octopus. This year, I would like a Breyer Toy Horse, I don't care which color it is, and also a Squishmallow cow, and a toy bunny. Thank you and be safe!
Love, Morgan Ellsworth
Dear Santa, How are you doing? How is your family? Thank you for the presents last year, I really loved them. This year, I really want a Tamagotchi, a new horse halter and a new Squishmallow. I also want a notebook. Thank you!
Love, Maddie Holt
Dear Santa, How are you doing this year? Thank you for all my gifts last year. I really loved the presents you gave me. This year I would like a remote control monster truck, a camcorder, and a car that you can connect to a Nintendo. Thank you and merry Christmas!
Love, Kynison Peterson
Dear Santa, Thank you for all the gifts last year. I really like my Nintendo from last year. This year I would like to have a huge Squishmallow and the Hey Dudes that have fur inside. I would also like a pair of Ariat boots. I would also like a Tomagotchi and also a pair of the Lainey Wilson Wranglers. Thank you and have a jolly Christmas.
Love, Sadie Justice Sager
Dear Santa, Thank you for all the presents that you gave me last year. How is Lola doing? How is Mrs. Claus? How are the other Elves? I loved the Cookie Bakery Oven you got me. This year, I would like to have more Pokemon cards, a Squishmallow cat wearing a hat, a new iPad, and the next Best Wishes book. Thank you and Merry Christmas! Love, Lucy Radewald
Dear Santa, Thank you for all of my gifts last year. I really liked the Breyer Horse Camper. This year, I would really like a Breyer Truck and Trailer. I would also like another collector horse that I get every year. The last thing that I would like is a realistic silicone baby doll with a pair of clothes. Thank you and safe travels!
Love, Raelynn Sue VanGenderen
MERCER THIRD GRADE
Amy Hall
Dear Santa, How are you? I would like for everybody to have a good Christmas. I would like an autograph of Patrick Mahomes and a PS5.
Love, Cash S
Dear Santa, How are you? I hope you have a good Christmas. How many elves do you have? I would like an “I smell children!” I would like a big math book. I would like a makeup set. Love, Gracie M P.S. Have a good year.
Dear Santa Claus, I hope you will come this year. Santa, can you tell me how Rudolph is? I want to know if you could get me a real corgi please? And a tool set and a kitten. Have a very good Christmas.
Love, Reece S
Dear Santa, How many elves do you have? How many reindeer do you have? Do you get cold? I would like some knitting yarn and some of the supplies.
Love, Gracie E
Dear Santa, I would like to know how many reindeer you have. I would like a Nintendo Switch. I would like a camera-controlled drone. I would like an Xbox. I hope you are feeling well at the North Pole.
Love, Malachi W
Dear Santa, How do you get your magic? I
would like an Xbox and I would like an LOL doll. I hope your day is going good.
Love, Jasmine H
Dear Santa, How are you doing? Can I please have an Xbox Series and an IPhone 15? I hope you have a good Christmas.
Love, Wyatt P
Dear Santa, How many reindeer do you have? I want a toy jet plane and a basketball game on my Switch and a phone. Have a good day. Love, Kade J
Dear Santa, I hope you have a good Christmas. This is what I want for Christmas, the apple set pj‛s. I hope you have a good rest of your year.
Love, Randi S
