Birthdays
1 Lisa Fitzgerald
1 Margaret Findley
1 Leslie New
1 Jack Fisher
5 Jana Finch
6 Jessica Garrett
6 Shane Morrow
6 Pete Belekonny
6 Terry Lee
6 Kirby Brelsford
7 Haley Hunt
7 Dale Rowe
8 Tina Fletchall
10 Bryan P.Hunt
10 David Rowe
13 Cory De Mott
13 Kim Brand
13 Deb Parman
14 Lori Haws
14 Virginia Asher
15 Terrell Owens
16 Larry Dowis
17 Garrett Hawk
17 Fern Parman
18 Duane Finch
18 Daniel Finch
19 Elaine Mitchell
20 Sandra Meredith
20 Kim Fletchall
20 Bo De Mott
22 Debra Dukes
23 Joshua Parman
23 Shirley Troutwine
24 Brad Thummel
24 J.T. Titus
25 Gary Cotter
28 Shelley Barnett
29 Maxine Roberts
29 Penny Brown
29 Alexis Hawk
29 Dustin Rauch
30 Morgan Hawk
31 Mackenzie Hawk
Anniversaries
3 Harold and Dee Wake
7 Steve and Patty Paxson
8 Chris and Tina Fletchall
14 Fred and Pat Ray
14 Bill and Ramonia Parman
23 Jeff and Deb Thummel
Monday, June 30, 2008
Sheridan News for July 2nd, 2008
I hope everyone enjoyed Old Defiance Days. The weather turned out pretty nice except for the beginning of the poker run but it even worked out fine.
Evelyn and Larry Hansen would like to thank everyone that attended their 50th anniversary party. All of the wishes for them were greatly appreciated.
Etha Pearl Ray was able to come from the WCCC for the festivities Saturday. Her son Stephen and his son Everett Collier and his wife Patty came from Independence and spent the day with Etha Pearl. They had two kids in the baby show.
Wilbur and Patty Rowe visited with Dale and Barbara Rowe on Saturday and stayed to watch some of the exhibits at the celebration. They visited with Myrtle Risser who was there with her sister Etha Pearl.
Marion Rowe was admitted to St Francis Hospital on Tuesday with blood clots in her legs. She was able to come home on Saturday and attend the Hee Haw Show in the evening. She is doing as well as can be expected after her recovery from her hip surgery.
Evelyn and Larry Hansen would like to thank everyone that attended their 50th anniversary party. All of the wishes for them were greatly appreciated.
Etha Pearl Ray was able to come from the WCCC for the festivities Saturday. Her son Stephen and his son Everett Collier and his wife Patty came from Independence and spent the day with Etha Pearl. They had two kids in the baby show.
Wilbur and Patty Rowe visited with Dale and Barbara Rowe on Saturday and stayed to watch some of the exhibits at the celebration. They visited with Myrtle Risser who was there with her sister Etha Pearl.
Marion Rowe was admitted to St Francis Hospital on Tuesday with blood clots in her legs. She was able to come home on Saturday and attend the Hee Haw Show in the evening. She is doing as well as can be expected after her recovery from her hip surgery.
Show-Me State of Mind for July 2nd, 2008
Americans Retain Right to Bear Arms
Growing up in St. Joseph my father and his friends loved to fish and hunt. It never crossed their minds that citizens did not have the right to own a rifle or a shotgun. They believed the Second Amendment protected this right, just as the rest of the Ten Amendments protect rights like free speech.
Therefore, I agree with the Supreme Court's interpretation last week that an absolute prohibition against gun ownership violates the Second Amendment right for citizens to bear arms. Most legal observers believe the Court did allow for reasonable safety precautions.
To combat crimes committed by those with guns, we need to maintain our support of law enforcement. Congress has not kept its promise to adequately fund our local law enforcement agencies. Congressman Sam Graves is part of this problem. In 2005 for example, Graves voted against increasing funding for state and local law enforcement programs, including COPS, by $200 million. Law enforcement grants were cut by $400 million from the previous year and that year's level was $226 million below the year before. This isn't how to keep our communities safe.
Now that the highest court in our country has affirmed the right of law abiding citizens to own arms, we must turn our full attention to cracking down on criminals who illegally possess guns. In Kansas City I worked with the U.S. Attorney and the Justice Department to arrest and prosecute convicted criminals who after serving their sentence again sought guns to use in illegal conduct. Within a matter of a few years, federal prosecutors working closely with local law enforcement agencies identified and charged 1,000 felons with federal firearm violations.
The Supreme Court has settled the issue of gun ownership and the right of citizens to use guns in a responsible manner. Whether that use is to hunt or to protect one's family in their homes, we now know that they can do so with the full protection of the law.
Kay Barnes is a candidate for U.S. representative for Missouri's 6th Congressional District
Growing up in St. Joseph my father and his friends loved to fish and hunt. It never crossed their minds that citizens did not have the right to own a rifle or a shotgun. They believed the Second Amendment protected this right, just as the rest of the Ten Amendments protect rights like free speech.
Therefore, I agree with the Supreme Court's interpretation last week that an absolute prohibition against gun ownership violates the Second Amendment right for citizens to bear arms. Most legal observers believe the Court did allow for reasonable safety precautions.
To combat crimes committed by those with guns, we need to maintain our support of law enforcement. Congress has not kept its promise to adequately fund our local law enforcement agencies. Congressman Sam Graves is part of this problem. In 2005 for example, Graves voted against increasing funding for state and local law enforcement programs, including COPS, by $200 million. Law enforcement grants were cut by $400 million from the previous year and that year's level was $226 million below the year before. This isn't how to keep our communities safe.
Now that the highest court in our country has affirmed the right of law abiding citizens to own arms, we must turn our full attention to cracking down on criminals who illegally possess guns. In Kansas City I worked with the U.S. Attorney and the Justice Department to arrest and prosecute convicted criminals who after serving their sentence again sought guns to use in illegal conduct. Within a matter of a few years, federal prosecutors working closely with local law enforcement agencies identified and charged 1,000 felons with federal firearm violations.
The Supreme Court has settled the issue of gun ownership and the right of citizens to use guns in a responsible manner. Whether that use is to hunt or to protect one's family in their homes, we now know that they can do so with the full protection of the law.
Kay Barnes is a candidate for U.S. representative for Missouri's 6th Congressional District
Capitol Report for July 2nd, 2008
Celebrating Our Freedom
The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution are cornerstones within our government and they also serve as symbols of the hopes and freedoms of all Americans. This week, we will again celebrate our freedom and our independence. As we enjoy time with our friends and family, we must not forget that the Fourth of July is a celebration of our commitment to freedom and the belief that all people are endowed certain rights and liberties.
The Fourth of July is more than a birthday party for Uncle Sam. It is a celebration of our independence that reminds the world that we will forever stand against those who seek to oppress the free will or destroy the hope of another human being. As each year passes, we risk losing our understanding of what makes the Fourth of July so important, the sacrifices that have been made to secure our freedom, our liberty and our way of life. Most importantly, we must remember that the future of our democracy will not endure if we become apathetic to an oppressive big government.
Everyday, as I enter our State Capitol, I am reminded of the efforts of our founding fathers. They rose to fight against oppressive government and high taxation in order to form a more perfect union. They believed that the foundation of a nation should begin with the freedom from tyranny, persecution, and oppressive government. As we craft public policy, deliberate and debate the issues, and ultimately cast votes, we are exercising the most fundamental principles of our democracy. As we experience the historic election year ahead, we as a nation will be deciding on the direction of our democracy. Will we elect leaders who promote big government solutions or officials who believe in personal responsibility and limited government intervention?
Regardless of your personal belief of the role of government, as we gather with friends and family among the barbeques and fireworks to celebrate the birth of our nation on July 4th, take a moment to look upon Old Glory and remember the freedoms that we enjoy in this country every day. These freedoms were not free in 1776, and they are not free today. They are purchased with blood, and washed with tears. The price is sacrifice, hardship, and often the loss of life. Our Founding Fathers have passed the torch to us and let us remember the sacrifices of those who protect our freedom, defend our liberty, and secure our way of life.
As always, please feel free to call, email, or write with your ideas or concerns. The Capitol number is (573) 751-1415, my email is brad.lager@senate.mo.gov and my mailing address is Room 429, State Capitol Building, Jefferson City, MO 65101.
The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution are cornerstones within our government and they also serve as symbols of the hopes and freedoms of all Americans. This week, we will again celebrate our freedom and our independence. As we enjoy time with our friends and family, we must not forget that the Fourth of July is a celebration of our commitment to freedom and the belief that all people are endowed certain rights and liberties.
The Fourth of July is more than a birthday party for Uncle Sam. It is a celebration of our independence that reminds the world that we will forever stand against those who seek to oppress the free will or destroy the hope of another human being. As each year passes, we risk losing our understanding of what makes the Fourth of July so important, the sacrifices that have been made to secure our freedom, our liberty and our way of life. Most importantly, we must remember that the future of our democracy will not endure if we become apathetic to an oppressive big government.
Everyday, as I enter our State Capitol, I am reminded of the efforts of our founding fathers. They rose to fight against oppressive government and high taxation in order to form a more perfect union. They believed that the foundation of a nation should begin with the freedom from tyranny, persecution, and oppressive government. As we craft public policy, deliberate and debate the issues, and ultimately cast votes, we are exercising the most fundamental principles of our democracy. As we experience the historic election year ahead, we as a nation will be deciding on the direction of our democracy. Will we elect leaders who promote big government solutions or officials who believe in personal responsibility and limited government intervention?
Regardless of your personal belief of the role of government, as we gather with friends and family among the barbeques and fireworks to celebrate the birth of our nation on July 4th, take a moment to look upon Old Glory and remember the freedoms that we enjoy in this country every day. These freedoms were not free in 1776, and they are not free today. They are purchased with blood, and washed with tears. The price is sacrifice, hardship, and often the loss of life. Our Founding Fathers have passed the torch to us and let us remember the sacrifices of those who protect our freedom, defend our liberty, and secure our way of life.
As always, please feel free to call, email, or write with your ideas or concerns. The Capitol number is (573) 751-1415, my email is brad.lager@senate.mo.gov and my mailing address is Room 429, State Capitol Building, Jefferson City, MO 65101.
A Moment with Mike for July 2nd, 2008
As I travel around the District this time of year, enjoying the barbeques, parades, picnics, fireworks and patriotic displays, I wonder how many actually stop and consider the price of Liberty and honor those who, as John Adams put it, "…have earned and bought it for us, at the expense of their ease, their estates, their pleasures, and their blood."
This week is a fitting time to honor those farmers, mechanics, and townspeople who, on April 19, 1775 stood toe to toe with the greatest military power of their day on the Lexington Green and the Old North Bridge at Concord where in the early morning hours the opening volley of American Independence was fired. The shot heard round the world, the first shot in our fight for independence from King George's slavery, was fired to protect and defend the natural right of men to protect themselves, to keep and bear arms for the purpose of preserving liberty. This right to keep and bear arms was codified on the 15th of December 1791 when it became the Second Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America. Ironically, this right was solidified again last week by a very important Supreme Court decision to uphold our second amendment rights.
It is unknown who fired the first shot and I’m not sure that it really matters. What matters is that freemen had the courage to stand for Liberty knowing full well the probable scene that would unfold when the smoke cleared and several would lay dead and wounded. It was Captain John Parker who instructed his Minutemen, "Stand your ground; don’t fire unless fired upon, but if they mean to have a war, let it begin here." These words have inspired many in the past two hundred years and brings to mind the courage, bravery and patriotism that so many have shown.
Our bold American spirit continues today and the resolve of our people is continually illustrated, whether defending our country or working together to help our neighbors as we have seen this year as we endured snow, ice, flooding and tornadoes in Northwest Missouri.
As we celebrate our independence and enjoy the freedoms and opportunities that we have, we should stop and say a prayer for our defenders and soldiers in uniform around the globe standing in harm’s way and for their families – never forgetting the families of those fallen soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines and coast guardsmen, who have died in defense of Liberty. They do this so that we may echo daily the words of Samuel Adams as he spoke to John Hancock on the morning of April 19, 1775, "What a glorious morning this is!"
If you have questions, you may reach me at my Capitol number 573-751-9465, at the local district number, 660-582-4014, by email at mike.thomson@house.mo.gov or by mail at Room 406A State Capitol Building, Jefferson City, MO 65101.
This week is a fitting time to honor those farmers, mechanics, and townspeople who, on April 19, 1775 stood toe to toe with the greatest military power of their day on the Lexington Green and the Old North Bridge at Concord where in the early morning hours the opening volley of American Independence was fired. The shot heard round the world, the first shot in our fight for independence from King George's slavery, was fired to protect and defend the natural right of men to protect themselves, to keep and bear arms for the purpose of preserving liberty. This right to keep and bear arms was codified on the 15th of December 1791 when it became the Second Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America. Ironically, this right was solidified again last week by a very important Supreme Court decision to uphold our second amendment rights.
It is unknown who fired the first shot and I’m not sure that it really matters. What matters is that freemen had the courage to stand for Liberty knowing full well the probable scene that would unfold when the smoke cleared and several would lay dead and wounded. It was Captain John Parker who instructed his Minutemen, "Stand your ground; don’t fire unless fired upon, but if they mean to have a war, let it begin here." These words have inspired many in the past two hundred years and brings to mind the courage, bravery and patriotism that so many have shown.
Our bold American spirit continues today and the resolve of our people is continually illustrated, whether defending our country or working together to help our neighbors as we have seen this year as we endured snow, ice, flooding and tornadoes in Northwest Missouri.
As we celebrate our independence and enjoy the freedoms and opportunities that we have, we should stop and say a prayer for our defenders and soldiers in uniform around the globe standing in harm’s way and for their families – never forgetting the families of those fallen soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines and coast guardsmen, who have died in defense of Liberty. They do this so that we may echo daily the words of Samuel Adams as he spoke to John Hancock on the morning of April 19, 1775, "What a glorious morning this is!"
If you have questions, you may reach me at my Capitol number 573-751-9465, at the local district number, 660-582-4014, by email at mike.thomson@house.mo.gov or by mail at Room 406A State Capitol Building, Jefferson City, MO 65101.
Setting in a Mousetrap, Pondering my Fate for July 2nd, 2008
I figured it out; good for me.
Many times I wonder, how stupid the government thinks we are. As I said in a recent article, "We all want to trust our government." I did as a boy until another Texas president got into office and started giving out free trips to Vietnam.
Now Bush has come on as the savior of the American motorist. The truckers are having troubles buying diesel, the airlines are all on the verge of being grounded and I really feel sorry for those who; like me, would like to have heat in their homes this winter. I wonder how many people are going to make it, but I have been wondering that for several years now.
Let me make this clear. When it comes to money I don’t trust anyone. Today while reading an article in the Des Moines Register, about drilling for oil, it finally hit me what Bush is up to. How do we get from Bush to the bottom line of his presidency, which is "no good?"
To refresh your memory, our beloved president wants to lift the ban on drilling off shore and in Alaska. On the surface that sounds really good, I mean really good. I really don’t think it takes brain surgery to figure it all out. What have the oil companies been wanting to do for several years but have run into political road blocks? You got the answer? Drill offshore and in Alaskan wildlife areas and whereever else oil companies want to drill. So what part of this big scare is about, is simply, a way to open new pools of oil for the oil companies, so they can get r____. (Fill in the last word yourself.) Not that they are not rich now. You have to remember this country is run by the oil companies. Our problem isn’t so much the amount of oil we have, it is we do not have enough resource to refine anymore. So what difference does it make how much oil there is if we cannot refine it fast enough? I read this one time. "Don’t lie, you won’t have to remember so much."
We have been told how many times that it is the speculators who are driving up the price of oil. The phrase begins, "If there is a 1. War 2. Natural disaster, or 3. The board members of Exxon-Mobil needed a new set of golf clubs the price is going to go up." I have told you before, the power of any leader is sealed like glue when he can make you afraid and makes you believe he is your only savior.
Frankly, I don’t care where they drill, I don’t worry about the spotted owl, I am not an environmentalist, I believe that no matter what happens, animals will adapt to the situation. They seem to be a little more flexible than many of us humans. Another thing, don’t tell me Iraq is not in a large part about oil. As far as I am concerned; Iraq’s oil has been bought and paid for by our service personnel. Why isn’t Iraq paying for its American mercenaries?
George Bush and his sidekick Sam Graves are now national heroes, like Cisco and Pancho, The Lone Ranger and Tonto or Cagney and Lacy. I hope Sammy is enjoying the kickbacks he gets from the oil companies. If you haven’t heard that before, you haven’t been reading your mail. I wonder how many other Republican congressmen are like Sammy? He gets up in the morning and asks George how he is to vote.
To put it simply, "the plot thickens."
Many times I wonder, how stupid the government thinks we are. As I said in a recent article, "We all want to trust our government." I did as a boy until another Texas president got into office and started giving out free trips to Vietnam.
Now Bush has come on as the savior of the American motorist. The truckers are having troubles buying diesel, the airlines are all on the verge of being grounded and I really feel sorry for those who; like me, would like to have heat in their homes this winter. I wonder how many people are going to make it, but I have been wondering that for several years now.
Let me make this clear. When it comes to money I don’t trust anyone. Today while reading an article in the Des Moines Register, about drilling for oil, it finally hit me what Bush is up to. How do we get from Bush to the bottom line of his presidency, which is "no good?"
To refresh your memory, our beloved president wants to lift the ban on drilling off shore and in Alaska. On the surface that sounds really good, I mean really good. I really don’t think it takes brain surgery to figure it all out. What have the oil companies been wanting to do for several years but have run into political road blocks? You got the answer? Drill offshore and in Alaskan wildlife areas and whereever else oil companies want to drill. So what part of this big scare is about, is simply, a way to open new pools of oil for the oil companies, so they can get r____. (Fill in the last word yourself.) Not that they are not rich now. You have to remember this country is run by the oil companies. Our problem isn’t so much the amount of oil we have, it is we do not have enough resource to refine anymore. So what difference does it make how much oil there is if we cannot refine it fast enough? I read this one time. "Don’t lie, you won’t have to remember so much."
We have been told how many times that it is the speculators who are driving up the price of oil. The phrase begins, "If there is a 1. War 2. Natural disaster, or 3. The board members of Exxon-Mobil needed a new set of golf clubs the price is going to go up." I have told you before, the power of any leader is sealed like glue when he can make you afraid and makes you believe he is your only savior.
Frankly, I don’t care where they drill, I don’t worry about the spotted owl, I am not an environmentalist, I believe that no matter what happens, animals will adapt to the situation. They seem to be a little more flexible than many of us humans. Another thing, don’t tell me Iraq is not in a large part about oil. As far as I am concerned; Iraq’s oil has been bought and paid for by our service personnel. Why isn’t Iraq paying for its American mercenaries?
George Bush and his sidekick Sam Graves are now national heroes, like Cisco and Pancho, The Lone Ranger and Tonto or Cagney and Lacy. I hope Sammy is enjoying the kickbacks he gets from the oil companies. If you haven’t heard that before, you haven’t been reading your mail. I wonder how many other Republican congressmen are like Sammy? He gets up in the morning and asks George how he is to vote.
To put it simply, "the plot thickens."
Passive Solar Greenhouses Store Heat Year-Round
Passive solar greenhouses
store sun’s heat in barrels of water
Inexpensive passive solar greenhouses heated only by sunlight falling on 55-gallon barrels of water are effective for growing plants year-round, said a University of Missouri Extension specialist.
Heat from sunlight is stored in water-filled barrels during the day and radiates at night, replacing use of fossil fuel, said Eric Lawman, an agronomy research specialist at the Bradford Research and Extension Center (BREC) near Columbia.
"Passive solar greenhouses extend the growing season and allow plant production year-round," Lawman said.
Temperatures inside an experimental passive solar greenhouse at BREC did not fall below freezing during the past two winters, Lawman said, while daytime temperatures have reached into the 80s. There is a similar greenhouse at the MU Southwest Center in Mt. Vernon.
The greenhouses measure 24 feet long, 12 feet wide and 12 feet high. The 2-1-1 ratio is important for such greenhouses to be effective.
"It allows adequate surface area for sunlight and minimal inside area to lessen heat dissipation during dark hours," Lawman said.
To capture as much sunlight as possible, the greenhouse has an east-west orientation, with a sloped south-facing wall. Geographic latitude determines the ideal slope angle; for central Missouri, the south-wall glazing should be about 45 degrees. The sloped wall consists of two layers of clear plastic spaced 6 inches apart. A small inflator fan pushes air between the sheets, creating a zone of dead air that serves as additional insulation.
The other walls contain fiberglass insulation sandwiched between metal siding on the outside and particleboard on the inside. The white, waterproof particleboard reflects heat into the barrels.
To extend the growing season, the greenhouse needs 2.5 gallons of water per square foot of glazing, Lawman said. For all-season growing, the requirement is 5 gallons per square foot. Thermostat-controlled shutters and exhaust fans remove excess heat as needed.
The greenhouse at BREC cost about $3,000 to build. "If you can build a shed, you can build one of these greenhouses," Lawman said.
Throughout winter, growers can produce cold-season crops such as lettuce, carrots and strawberries. Some plants can be started from seedlings, he said. Construction details and photographs are online at http://aes.missouri.edu/bradford/education/solar-greenhouse/solar-greenhouse.php.
store sun’s heat in barrels of water
Inexpensive passive solar greenhouses heated only by sunlight falling on 55-gallon barrels of water are effective for growing plants year-round, said a University of Missouri Extension specialist.
Heat from sunlight is stored in water-filled barrels during the day and radiates at night, replacing use of fossil fuel, said Eric Lawman, an agronomy research specialist at the Bradford Research and Extension Center (BREC) near Columbia.
"Passive solar greenhouses extend the growing season and allow plant production year-round," Lawman said.
Temperatures inside an experimental passive solar greenhouse at BREC did not fall below freezing during the past two winters, Lawman said, while daytime temperatures have reached into the 80s. There is a similar greenhouse at the MU Southwest Center in Mt. Vernon.
The greenhouses measure 24 feet long, 12 feet wide and 12 feet high. The 2-1-1 ratio is important for such greenhouses to be effective.
"It allows adequate surface area for sunlight and minimal inside area to lessen heat dissipation during dark hours," Lawman said.
To capture as much sunlight as possible, the greenhouse has an east-west orientation, with a sloped south-facing wall. Geographic latitude determines the ideal slope angle; for central Missouri, the south-wall glazing should be about 45 degrees. The sloped wall consists of two layers of clear plastic spaced 6 inches apart. A small inflator fan pushes air between the sheets, creating a zone of dead air that serves as additional insulation.
The other walls contain fiberglass insulation sandwiched between metal siding on the outside and particleboard on the inside. The white, waterproof particleboard reflects heat into the barrels.
To extend the growing season, the greenhouse needs 2.5 gallons of water per square foot of glazing, Lawman said. For all-season growing, the requirement is 5 gallons per square foot. Thermostat-controlled shutters and exhaust fans remove excess heat as needed.
The greenhouse at BREC cost about $3,000 to build. "If you can build a shed, you can build one of these greenhouses," Lawman said.
Throughout winter, growers can produce cold-season crops such as lettuce, carrots and strawberries. Some plants can be started from seedlings, he said. Construction details and photographs are online at http://aes.missouri.edu/bradford/education/solar-greenhouse/solar-greenhouse.php.
Relay for Life to be held July 18th
The American Cancer Society Relay For Life-Worth County will be held Friday, July 18 at 7:00 pm at the Frank B. Matteson MD Memorial Field in Grant City, MO. A special luminaria ceremony during the event remembers those lost to cancer, and honors those who have survived. The luminaria candle lighting to represent these individuals will commence at dusk, or approximately 9:40 pm. At this ceremony, each name will be read for which a luminaria has been purchased. There will be something new and special about the luminaria this year. If you have never attended this ceremony, we encourage you to come; if you have been to one, we encourage you to return, as it truly is a moving event, plus come see the new look.
Anyone wanting to purchase a luminaria may do so by contacting any Relay Team Captain, Team Member, Relay Committee Member, or by contacting Christina Charles, Karen Fletchall or Lola Claypool. Each luminaria is $5. If you would like to decorate or personalize your purchased luminaria, contact Christina Charles at 660-564-3782. The deadline for teams to turn in their luminaria orders is July 14th. However, luminaria can continue to be purchased at the event until 7:00 pm and be included in the ceremony.
"It is so beautiful to see all the bags around the track lit, and then you realize that each and every bag represents a person who was, or still is, fighting the cancer battle," said returning Team Captain Brianna Fletchall. At last year’s Relay For Life-Worth County 2,021 luminaria lined the track. Won’t you help to surpass this number in 2008?
Relay For Life is a fun-filled, overnight event. Teams of 8 to 15 members gather with tents and sleeping bags to participate in the largest fundraising walk in the nation. Relay unites friends, families, co-workers, businesses, schools and churches -- people from all walks of life. Teams seek sponsorship prior to the Relay, and hold fundraisers prior to, and at the Relay event; all with the goal of supporting a cure for cancer. There are many delicious food choices available to buy at Relay, and are available to anyone attending the Relay, whether actively participating, or there to observe and support.
Relay For Life-Worth County invites all cancer survivors, no matter where you live, to join in the evening kick off: the official Survivors’ Lap. Information on walking in (or obtaining a ride in) the survivors’ lap is available by contacting Amy Jackson at 660-564-2598, or by coming to the Survivor Registration booth at the event between 5:30 and 7:00 pm at the concession stand behind the school.
The American Cancer Society is the nationwide, community-based, voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives and diminishing suffering from cancer through research, education, advocacy, and service. For more information on cancer, call the American Cancer Society’s 24-hour help line at 1-800-ACS-2345 or visit www.cancer.org.
-Karen Fletchall
Publicity Chair
Anyone wanting to purchase a luminaria may do so by contacting any Relay Team Captain, Team Member, Relay Committee Member, or by contacting Christina Charles, Karen Fletchall or Lola Claypool. Each luminaria is $5. If you would like to decorate or personalize your purchased luminaria, contact Christina Charles at 660-564-3782. The deadline for teams to turn in their luminaria orders is July 14th. However, luminaria can continue to be purchased at the event until 7:00 pm and be included in the ceremony.
"It is so beautiful to see all the bags around the track lit, and then you realize that each and every bag represents a person who was, or still is, fighting the cancer battle," said returning Team Captain Brianna Fletchall. At last year’s Relay For Life-Worth County 2,021 luminaria lined the track. Won’t you help to surpass this number in 2008?
Relay For Life is a fun-filled, overnight event. Teams of 8 to 15 members gather with tents and sleeping bags to participate in the largest fundraising walk in the nation. Relay unites friends, families, co-workers, businesses, schools and churches -- people from all walks of life. Teams seek sponsorship prior to the Relay, and hold fundraisers prior to, and at the Relay event; all with the goal of supporting a cure for cancer. There are many delicious food choices available to buy at Relay, and are available to anyone attending the Relay, whether actively participating, or there to observe and support.
Relay For Life-Worth County invites all cancer survivors, no matter where you live, to join in the evening kick off: the official Survivors’ Lap. Information on walking in (or obtaining a ride in) the survivors’ lap is available by contacting Amy Jackson at 660-564-2598, or by coming to the Survivor Registration booth at the event between 5:30 and 7:00 pm at the concession stand behind the school.
The American Cancer Society is the nationwide, community-based, voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives and diminishing suffering from cancer through research, education, advocacy, and service. For more information on cancer, call the American Cancer Society’s 24-hour help line at 1-800-ACS-2345 or visit www.cancer.org.
-Karen Fletchall
Publicity Chair
WCCC News for July 2nd, 2008
Rain and more rain this week! We are ready for some sunshine! We ordered from Hart's Drive-In Monday afternoon.
We got several different items and sampled them all. Becky and friends were here for Bible Stories.
We talked about when we first saw or got a television. How we hurried through supper; so we could watch T.V. Grant City Christian Church
brought church and communion to us Tuesday afternoon.
Played bingo on Wednesday afternoon. Thanks to Marilyn Calhoun for bringing bingo prizes.
Auxiliary ladies took the shopping cart around Friday morning. We went outside in the afternoon. We didn't want to come back inside.
We did bubbles through flyswatters. We enjoyed being outside.
Saturday, Merle, Buck, Alvin, Buddy and Ruth went to Sheridan to the parade for Old Defiance Days.
Shirley Pierce held Sunday school and Isadora Church of Christ did church services on Sunday.
We got several different items and sampled them all. Becky and friends were here for Bible Stories.
We talked about when we first saw or got a television. How we hurried through supper; so we could watch T.V. Grant City Christian Church
brought church and communion to us Tuesday afternoon.
Played bingo on Wednesday afternoon. Thanks to Marilyn Calhoun for bringing bingo prizes.
Auxiliary ladies took the shopping cart around Friday morning. We went outside in the afternoon. We didn't want to come back inside.
We did bubbles through flyswatters. We enjoyed being outside.
Saturday, Merle, Buck, Alvin, Buddy and Ruth went to Sheridan to the parade for Old Defiance Days.
Shirley Pierce held Sunday school and Isadora Church of Christ did church services on Sunday.
2nd Annual Donnie McCrary Golf Classic
On June 14th Grant City Golf Course hosted the ‘2nd Annual Donnie McCrary, Jr. Golf Classic’ Tournament. The Tournament is held every year in memory of Donnie McCrary. There were over 30 teams participated. All winners donated their winnings back to the family.
The money acquired at the event is used for a scholarship that is handed out to Senior of the Jefferson School. They must write an essay on how cancer has affected their lives. This is the first year the scholarship was awarded and they look forward to continuing this tradition in the future.
In October of 2005, Donnie volunteered with the American Red Cross to help with the devastation Hurricane Katrina had caused in Louisiana (and while there, he witnessed Hurricane Wilma). A couple days prior to coming home, he had what appeared to be a fever blister on his lip, and the Red Cross medics looked at it and just told him to see his family doctor upon returning home. The doctors thought it was a cancerous tumor right away, and it was confirmed only days later.
He underwent immediate chemotherapy, and by January 2006, he had to have a feeding tube put in his stomach as he could no longer take any food or drink by mouth. The tumor would disappear with chemo for a week or two, but then would return with a vengeance and spread. In April of 2006, Donnie underwent an 18 hour surgery at KU Med that quite literally removed the lower-third of his face, which was somewhat rebuilt using titanium and skin grafts.
All the while this was happening to him, he maintained determination and strength. As if nothing had changed, he remained the rock for his family and friends. It was only in the week of his passing that he started really needing others to lean on. He passed away on June 9, 2007, at the age of 39. He left behind two young daughters, ages 7 and 13, to which he contributed his desire to fight the inevitable.
Winners were: Championship Division
1st Place: Chris Healy, Mark Harding, April Miller
2nd Place: Rick Peterson, Jared Peterson, Hunter Lewis
3rd Place: George Bliley, Janet Bliley, Jason Gray
"A" Division
1st Place: Gary Owens, Ernie Owens, BJ Stephenson
2nd Place: Tom McBrien, Larry McBrien, Shawn Orendorff
3rd Place: Rick McCrary, Ethan McCrary, Jeremy McQueen
"B" Division
1st Place: Don McCrary, Jordan McCrary, Jason Gray
2nd Place: Dustin Wells, Jamie Price, Tim Karr
3rd Place: Ronda Carroll, Lindsey Carroll, Roberta Owens
The money acquired at the event is used for a scholarship that is handed out to Senior of the Jefferson School. They must write an essay on how cancer has affected their lives. This is the first year the scholarship was awarded and they look forward to continuing this tradition in the future.
In October of 2005, Donnie volunteered with the American Red Cross to help with the devastation Hurricane Katrina had caused in Louisiana (and while there, he witnessed Hurricane Wilma). A couple days prior to coming home, he had what appeared to be a fever blister on his lip, and the Red Cross medics looked at it and just told him to see his family doctor upon returning home. The doctors thought it was a cancerous tumor right away, and it was confirmed only days later.
He underwent immediate chemotherapy, and by January 2006, he had to have a feeding tube put in his stomach as he could no longer take any food or drink by mouth. The tumor would disappear with chemo for a week or two, but then would return with a vengeance and spread. In April of 2006, Donnie underwent an 18 hour surgery at KU Med that quite literally removed the lower-third of his face, which was somewhat rebuilt using titanium and skin grafts.
All the while this was happening to him, he maintained determination and strength. As if nothing had changed, he remained the rock for his family and friends. It was only in the week of his passing that he started really needing others to lean on. He passed away on June 9, 2007, at the age of 39. He left behind two young daughters, ages 7 and 13, to which he contributed his desire to fight the inevitable.
Winners were: Championship Division
1st Place: Chris Healy, Mark Harding, April Miller
2nd Place: Rick Peterson, Jared Peterson, Hunter Lewis
3rd Place: George Bliley, Janet Bliley, Jason Gray
"A" Division
1st Place: Gary Owens, Ernie Owens, BJ Stephenson
2nd Place: Tom McBrien, Larry McBrien, Shawn Orendorff
3rd Place: Rick McCrary, Ethan McCrary, Jeremy McQueen
"B" Division
1st Place: Don McCrary, Jordan McCrary, Jason Gray
2nd Place: Dustin Wells, Jamie Price, Tim Karr
3rd Place: Ronda Carroll, Lindsey Carroll, Roberta Owens
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Letter to the Editor -- Graves' treatment of veterans
Letters to the Editor are the opinions of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the Sheridan Express.
Congressman Graves has been a major disappointment to this Vietnam vet. I tried to get him to work with me on a complaint about a government contractor here. Congressman Graves’ office wouldn’t even make a phone call in my behalf. This non-action has cost me a load of money. Now with soaring prices, my wife and I stand to lose all we have worked for. I left his office feeling like I just came home from Vietnam. Feeling lost and alone. My only guess is there wasn't any news media around. This is not what I expect from a elected member of congress to handle a vets complaint. GOD save our recent vets from what myself and my fellow Vietnam vets went through when we come home.
Cleveland Woods
Kansas City, MO
Congressman Graves has been a major disappointment to this Vietnam vet. I tried to get him to work with me on a complaint about a government contractor here. Congressman Graves’ office wouldn’t even make a phone call in my behalf. This non-action has cost me a load of money. Now with soaring prices, my wife and I stand to lose all we have worked for. I left his office feeling like I just came home from Vietnam. Feeling lost and alone. My only guess is there wasn't any news media around. This is not what I expect from a elected member of congress to handle a vets complaint. GOD save our recent vets from what myself and my fellow Vietnam vets went through when we come home.
Cleveland Woods
Kansas City, MO
Wheat Scab in Missouri
Wheat scab widespread in Missouri; wet weather to blame
Fungus cuts yields, lowers quality, MU specialist says
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Wheat scab, a fungal disease, is more widespread this year than it has been for several years, threatening to lower yields and reduce seed quality, said a University of Missouri Extension specialist.
"It’s been a long time since we’ve had a statewide problem with scab," said Laura Sweets, MU Commercial Agriculture Extension plant pathologist. "You really need wet conditions as the crop is flowering and right after flowering for scab to take off."
With corn and soybean planting delayed by persistent spring rains, farmers may not have paid as much attention to their wheat, Sweets said. "So it could be a surprise when they pull a combine into the field thinking they’re going to get very good yields but don’t get quite what they expected."
Wheat scab, also known as Fusarium head blight, affects wheat heads and kernels. Damaged kernels can result in major declines in yield and quality. "Infected kernels are light enough in weight and small enough in size that they will be blown out of the combine," she said.
Farmers with discolored, stunted kernels may be docked on wheat at the elevator. The fungus can produce mycotoxins that may affect livestock, lowering feed intake and reducing weight gain.
It’s too late in the season to treat scab with fungicides, Sweet said, but farmers can try one tactic to reduce the number of tainted grains at harvest: set the combine to blow out as much lightweight material as possible. This may help those planning to save seed or sell directly to a grain elevator.
Those thinking of saving seed should first determine the level of scab in the field, have the seed cleaned, do a germination test and consider using a seed treatment.
Farmers can perform germination tests at home or send samples to the Missouri Seed Improvement Association.
"Fusarium can survive on the seed," Sweets said. "If scab is high, that seed shouldn’t be saved. If it’s moderate, getting it professionally cleaned removes many small and damaged kernels."
Signs of scab include shrunken or discolored kernels with a pink or chalky tinge. Some may appear as "tombstone kernels," which are white, softer than normal and have an odd texture.
The fungus overwinters in crop residues, which are the major source of spores the next spring. It can cause disease in corn, barley, small grains and forage grasses, Sweets said.
Outbreaks of wheat scab are almost nonexistent in dry weather, but wet conditions during flowering dramatically increase the risk of infection.
If scab is a problem, manage fields for next year by using a scab-resistant wheat variety and rotating crops. Planting wheat after soybean can lower the risk of scab, Sweets said. "Because corn is a host for scab as well, planting wheat into corn increases your risk."
Next year farmers can take advantage of new fungicides that can be used later in the season and are more effective, she said. "But the trouble with fungicides is that none of them eradicate or completely control it. They just suppress or reduce it."
For more information on seed cleaning, germination tests or management of scab, contact your local MU Extension office.
Fungus cuts yields, lowers quality, MU specialist says
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Wheat scab, a fungal disease, is more widespread this year than it has been for several years, threatening to lower yields and reduce seed quality, said a University of Missouri Extension specialist.
"It’s been a long time since we’ve had a statewide problem with scab," said Laura Sweets, MU Commercial Agriculture Extension plant pathologist. "You really need wet conditions as the crop is flowering and right after flowering for scab to take off."
With corn and soybean planting delayed by persistent spring rains, farmers may not have paid as much attention to their wheat, Sweets said. "So it could be a surprise when they pull a combine into the field thinking they’re going to get very good yields but don’t get quite what they expected."
Wheat scab, also known as Fusarium head blight, affects wheat heads and kernels. Damaged kernels can result in major declines in yield and quality. "Infected kernels are light enough in weight and small enough in size that they will be blown out of the combine," she said.
Farmers with discolored, stunted kernels may be docked on wheat at the elevator. The fungus can produce mycotoxins that may affect livestock, lowering feed intake and reducing weight gain.
It’s too late in the season to treat scab with fungicides, Sweet said, but farmers can try one tactic to reduce the number of tainted grains at harvest: set the combine to blow out as much lightweight material as possible. This may help those planning to save seed or sell directly to a grain elevator.
Those thinking of saving seed should first determine the level of scab in the field, have the seed cleaned, do a germination test and consider using a seed treatment.
Farmers can perform germination tests at home or send samples to the Missouri Seed Improvement Association.
"Fusarium can survive on the seed," Sweets said. "If scab is high, that seed shouldn’t be saved. If it’s moderate, getting it professionally cleaned removes many small and damaged kernels."
Signs of scab include shrunken or discolored kernels with a pink or chalky tinge. Some may appear as "tombstone kernels," which are white, softer than normal and have an odd texture.
The fungus overwinters in crop residues, which are the major source of spores the next spring. It can cause disease in corn, barley, small grains and forage grasses, Sweets said.
Outbreaks of wheat scab are almost nonexistent in dry weather, but wet conditions during flowering dramatically increase the risk of infection.
If scab is a problem, manage fields for next year by using a scab-resistant wheat variety and rotating crops. Planting wheat after soybean can lower the risk of scab, Sweets said. "Because corn is a host for scab as well, planting wheat into corn increases your risk."
Next year farmers can take advantage of new fungicides that can be used later in the season and are more effective, she said. "But the trouble with fungicides is that none of them eradicate or completely control it. They just suppress or reduce it."
For more information on seed cleaning, germination tests or management of scab, contact your local MU Extension office.
4-H Livestock Show and Achievement Day
Even though there is not going to be a county fair, the 4-H County Council is still planning their annual livestock show and Achievement Day.
The livestock show will be on Saturday, July 12. It is a closed show for Worth County 4-H and FFA participants. Check-in begins at 9 a.m. Participants must have health papers before unloading their stock. The swine show will begin at 11 a.m., followed by the sheep show at 1 p.m., and the cattle show at 2 p.m. The Buyer's Supper will be from 5:30 - 7 p.m. with the sale beginning at 7 p.m. The 4-H County Council will have a concession stand throughout the day. All money raised by concessions is used by the council to support its activities. Anyone wishing to donate items or money for the concessions can contact the Extension Office. The public is welcome to attend the show and to come for lunch at the concession stand.
Achievement Day will be on Thursday, July 24. Participants should register at 6 p.m. Judging will begin promptly at 6:30 p.m. The 4-H County Council invites the public to come view the projects created by 4-H members throughout the year.
The livestock show will be on Saturday, July 12. It is a closed show for Worth County 4-H and FFA participants. Check-in begins at 9 a.m. Participants must have health papers before unloading their stock. The swine show will begin at 11 a.m., followed by the sheep show at 1 p.m., and the cattle show at 2 p.m. The Buyer's Supper will be from 5:30 - 7 p.m. with the sale beginning at 7 p.m. The 4-H County Council will have a concession stand throughout the day. All money raised by concessions is used by the council to support its activities. Anyone wishing to donate items or money for the concessions can contact the Extension Office. The public is welcome to attend the show and to come for lunch at the concession stand.
Achievement Day will be on Thursday, July 24. Participants should register at 6 p.m. Judging will begin promptly at 6:30 p.m. The 4-H County Council invites the public to come view the projects created by 4-H members throughout the year.
Alcopops Awareness Kit Announced
Missouri's Youth/Adult Alliance (MYAA), a statewide organization specializing in underage drinking prevention, announces a resource that urges parents, schools, law enforcement, and retailer workers to look twice at what youth are buying and drinking. Many may not be aware of a current trend in alcoholic beverages that is very inviting to youth. This alcopops awareness kit provides information and suggestions for raising awareness of an issue which is currently camouflaged.
'Alcopops' are alcoholic drinks that taste sweet and very much resemble fruit juices, teas, and energy drinks that are already popular with youth. The marketing of these products employs methods which reach and appeal to youth, while prices remain low due to tax classification as a beer.
The cans and bottles that are used to package most alcopops are nearly identical to their non-alcoholic counterparts. Upon inspection, three items will distinguish the products: nutritional facts will be listed on non-alcoholic beverages, but not on those with alcohol. On alcoholic drinks, the percentage of alcohol and the Surgeon General's warning will be present somewhere on the can or bottle, though it may be hard to find.
These products not only mislead young consumers by mimicking non-alcoholic products; they dupe parents as well. An 18 year old girl's Facebook page states, "I had a six pack of [alcopops] in my room and my mom found it, but she had no idea and thought they were just energy drinks."
Missouri's Youth/Adult Alliance's, Debunking the Disguise: An Alcopops Awareness Kit, contains information about Alcopops and how to raise awareness in your community. The kit also includes a post card which can be sent to members of your community to raise awareness of the issue. Copies of the kit and additional post cards are now available through MYAA. Call (573) 635-6669 or visit our website at www.myaa.org.
'Alcopops' are alcoholic drinks that taste sweet and very much resemble fruit juices, teas, and energy drinks that are already popular with youth. The marketing of these products employs methods which reach and appeal to youth, while prices remain low due to tax classification as a beer.
The cans and bottles that are used to package most alcopops are nearly identical to their non-alcoholic counterparts. Upon inspection, three items will distinguish the products: nutritional facts will be listed on non-alcoholic beverages, but not on those with alcohol. On alcoholic drinks, the percentage of alcohol and the Surgeon General's warning will be present somewhere on the can or bottle, though it may be hard to find.
These products not only mislead young consumers by mimicking non-alcoholic products; they dupe parents as well. An 18 year old girl's Facebook page states, "I had a six pack of [alcopops] in my room and my mom found it, but she had no idea and thought they were just energy drinks."
Missouri's Youth/Adult Alliance's, Debunking the Disguise: An Alcopops Awareness Kit, contains information about Alcopops and how to raise awareness in your community. The kit also includes a post card which can be sent to members of your community to raise awareness of the issue. Copies of the kit and additional post cards are now available through MYAA. Call (573) 635-6669 or visit our website at www.myaa.org.
Kay Barnes' Statement on DC Gun Ban
Kay Barnes released the following statement on the Supreme Court overturning the DC Gun ban:
"I agree with the Supreme Court's interpretation that an absolute prohibition against gun ownership violates the Second Amendment right for citizens to bear arms. I will continue to support laws that take guns out of the hands of criminals."
In striking down the District of Columbia's handgun ban, the Supreme Court ruled Thursday that the Constitution protects an individual's right to own a gun, the justices' first major pronouncement on gun control in U.S. history. The decision upheld a federal appeals court ruling that DC's gun law, one of the strictest in the country, went beyond Constitutional limits. Not only did the 1976 law make it practically impossible for an individual to legally possess a handgun in the District, but it spelled out rules for the storage of rifles and shotguns.
"I agree with the Supreme Court's interpretation that an absolute prohibition against gun ownership violates the Second Amendment right for citizens to bear arms. I will continue to support laws that take guns out of the hands of criminals."
In striking down the District of Columbia's handgun ban, the Supreme Court ruled Thursday that the Constitution protects an individual's right to own a gun, the justices' first major pronouncement on gun control in U.S. history. The decision upheld a federal appeals court ruling that DC's gun law, one of the strictest in the country, went beyond Constitutional limits. Not only did the 1976 law make it practically impossible for an individual to legally possess a handgun in the District, but it spelled out rules for the storage of rifles and shotguns.
Late Planting of Soybeans
Suggestions for Late Planting of Soybeans
Growers continue to struggle with rain interfering with planting and spraying operations. Corn is becoming too late to plant because of frost and yield risk.
Questions have been coming into the Extension office regarding alternative crops but our best suggestion would be to move to planting soybeans rather than trying a crop that you do not have experience with. Also, typically an alternative crop does not have a local market and may have to be trucked to another state to be sold. There are also many other complications of alternative crops such as fertility, weeds, insects and disease management requirements.
So as we move to first part of July, we would suggest planting soybean. When planting soybeans at this late date, this would be similar to a double crop situation after wheat.
First, narrow rows are better than wide rows. With this late date, planting soybean plants in narrow rows make better use of space compared to say 30-inch row spacing. We are substituting growth of individual plants by using narrow rows and capturing as much sunlight as possible compared to trying to achieve growth from individual plants in wide rows.
Seeding rates can be the same for both 15-inch and 30-inch rows but please keep in mind the lower germination rates of seed this year. We have had some fields that suffered from poor germination rates resulting in poor soybean stands.
In early July, plant a variety with a Group III soybean maturity to maximize yield. Group II variety will mature too early and Group IV have risk of frost.
If the site was flooded, inoculate the seed the Rhizobium and use a seed treatment to protect plants from seedling diseases. Flooded soils generally have seedling disease problems and Rhizobium levels may be reduced from flooded soils. Be sure to check product labels as some seed treatments can affect the viability of Rhizobium.
For more information, contact Wayne Flanary, Regional Agronomist, University of Missouri Extension at 660-446-3724.
Growers continue to struggle with rain interfering with planting and spraying operations. Corn is becoming too late to plant because of frost and yield risk.
Questions have been coming into the Extension office regarding alternative crops but our best suggestion would be to move to planting soybeans rather than trying a crop that you do not have experience with. Also, typically an alternative crop does not have a local market and may have to be trucked to another state to be sold. There are also many other complications of alternative crops such as fertility, weeds, insects and disease management requirements.
So as we move to first part of July, we would suggest planting soybean. When planting soybeans at this late date, this would be similar to a double crop situation after wheat.
First, narrow rows are better than wide rows. With this late date, planting soybean plants in narrow rows make better use of space compared to say 30-inch row spacing. We are substituting growth of individual plants by using narrow rows and capturing as much sunlight as possible compared to trying to achieve growth from individual plants in wide rows.
Seeding rates can be the same for both 15-inch and 30-inch rows but please keep in mind the lower germination rates of seed this year. We have had some fields that suffered from poor germination rates resulting in poor soybean stands.
In early July, plant a variety with a Group III soybean maturity to maximize yield. Group II variety will mature too early and Group IV have risk of frost.
If the site was flooded, inoculate the seed the Rhizobium and use a seed treatment to protect plants from seedling diseases. Flooded soils generally have seedling disease problems and Rhizobium levels may be reduced from flooded soils. Be sure to check product labels as some seed treatments can affect the viability of Rhizobium.
For more information, contact Wayne Flanary, Regional Agronomist, University of Missouri Extension at 660-446-3724.
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Blockton Birthdays and Anniveraries for July, 2008
July Birthdays
1 Whitney Henry
1 Coltyn Constant
1 Harold G. Johnston
3 Ruby Goff
3 Rick Ridge
3 Sherry Skinner
4 Edwin King
4 Roger Dukes
5 Bradley Melvin
7 Jackie Ridge
8 Brianna Friedman
8 Ray Key
8 Debbie Marcum
8 Lula Shimer
9 Sammi Jo O’Connor
10 Lisa Ridge
10 Stuart Maxson
11 Roy Cavin
11 Robert Green
12 Janice Johnston
12 David Meek
14 Becky Ridge Carlson
14 Craig Henson
14 Harold Key
14 MaKayla O’Riley
14 Carey Stroburg
16 Sarah Scroggie
17 Lorraine King
17 Latasha Wiederholt
18 Jay Hunt
19 Irene Freeman
19 Judy Guinn
19 George Scroggie
20 Vicki Jeanes
21 Dennis Powell
22 Marci Friedman
23 Joyce Brown
23 Jim Castillo
23 Kevin Norris
23 Bonnie Scroggie
24 Samantha Thorburn
24 Gary Myers
25 Bonnie Durham
25 Dale Kettle
27 David Walters
29 Alexis Hawk
29 Kyle O’Riley
30 Krystal Johnson Norris
31 Ronald Bownes
July Anniversaries
1 Maynard & Ardna Walsh
3 David & Cindy Johnson Maxson
5 Dean & Marrietta Cobb
21 Mike & Bonnie Scroggie
26 Donald & Mary Weaver
31 Doug & Julie Weaver
1 Whitney Henry
1 Coltyn Constant
1 Harold G. Johnston
3 Ruby Goff
3 Rick Ridge
3 Sherry Skinner
4 Edwin King
4 Roger Dukes
5 Bradley Melvin
7 Jackie Ridge
8 Brianna Friedman
8 Ray Key
8 Debbie Marcum
8 Lula Shimer
9 Sammi Jo O’Connor
10 Lisa Ridge
10 Stuart Maxson
11 Roy Cavin
11 Robert Green
12 Janice Johnston
12 David Meek
14 Becky Ridge Carlson
14 Craig Henson
14 Harold Key
14 MaKayla O’Riley
14 Carey Stroburg
16 Sarah Scroggie
17 Lorraine King
17 Latasha Wiederholt
18 Jay Hunt
19 Irene Freeman
19 Judy Guinn
19 George Scroggie
20 Vicki Jeanes
21 Dennis Powell
22 Marci Friedman
23 Joyce Brown
23 Jim Castillo
23 Kevin Norris
23 Bonnie Scroggie
24 Samantha Thorburn
24 Gary Myers
25 Bonnie Durham
25 Dale Kettle
27 David Walters
29 Alexis Hawk
29 Kyle O’Riley
30 Krystal Johnson Norris
31 Ronald Bownes
July Anniversaries
1 Maynard & Ardna Walsh
3 David & Cindy Johnson Maxson
5 Dean & Marrietta Cobb
21 Mike & Bonnie Scroggie
26 Donald & Mary Weaver
31 Doug & Julie Weaver
Monday, June 23, 2008
Sheridan News for June 25th, 2008
Well another week has gone by and not much is going on Sheridan due to all the rain but I hope everyone is enjoying the good days we have when we have them.
Faye {Dowis} Reynolds would like to thank everyone that helped celebrate her 90th birthday on June 13. She received 90 cards and more are still coming. All of them have made her birthday a very happy and blessed day.
Eldon and Loretta Hart took a drive to Wyoming last week.
Old Defiance Days are fast approaching. The members of the CBC have been working long hours to get everything ready. I hope everyone that can make it will attend and support the efforts of the CBC.
Faye {Dowis} Reynolds would like to thank everyone that helped celebrate her 90th birthday on June 13. She received 90 cards and more are still coming. All of them have made her birthday a very happy and blessed day.
Eldon and Loretta Hart took a drive to Wyoming last week.
Old Defiance Days are fast approaching. The members of the CBC have been working long hours to get everything ready. I hope everyone that can make it will attend and support the efforts of the CBC.
Recollections of a Farm Woman for June 25th, 2008
Dusty, my barn cat, made his first appearance in the barn one winter morning when I entered to chore. He was scared at first and was quite hungry, so food soon brought him around. By and by, he let me touch him. I call him Dusty because he has a faded orange tiger color; he looks dusty.
I used to have a couple of rabbits who played around the barn lot, but no more, as he soon took care of that. They were the same size as him, so he must be quite a hunter. He comes to the house now for his feedings. I guess he got used to it when he followed Sassy the goat.
My back porch door is in need of some repairs, so every once in a while, a mouse gets in and every once in a while, Dusty leaves the evidence they had been there. So, he does earn his keep now and again.
Dusty is friendly and loving with me, lets me pick him up once in a while, but soon gets nervous and wants down.
My house cat Popcorn, as my niece calls her, is a talker. You talk to her and she meows back. The first time she saw her, she talked to her and Popcorn meowed back. She then said she’s a talker. My niece is also a cat lover. Anyway, once in a while, I will talk to Popcorn in Cat. I will meow to her, she just looks at me and does nothing. But if you meow at Dusty, he just gets nervous and wants out.
He is also a one-person cat; I found this out when my older son and grandchildren showed up early one Saturday morning while Dusty was still eating his breakfast on the back porch. He immediately started running around helter skelter and hitting the windows like a wild bird that had gotten in by mistake. As soon as they got inside the kitchen, I went out and halfway calmed him down where I could get the door open and let him zip out. He keeps a low profile when friends and relatives are around. But when they disappear, he reappears.
In case you have wondered who does my proofreading -- I mess up every now and again and Jesse does it. My proof readers is Popcorn, because most of the time, she is sitting on my lap when I am typing up my stories.
I used to have a couple of rabbits who played around the barn lot, but no more, as he soon took care of that. They were the same size as him, so he must be quite a hunter. He comes to the house now for his feedings. I guess he got used to it when he followed Sassy the goat.
My back porch door is in need of some repairs, so every once in a while, a mouse gets in and every once in a while, Dusty leaves the evidence they had been there. So, he does earn his keep now and again.
Dusty is friendly and loving with me, lets me pick him up once in a while, but soon gets nervous and wants down.
My house cat Popcorn, as my niece calls her, is a talker. You talk to her and she meows back. The first time she saw her, she talked to her and Popcorn meowed back. She then said she’s a talker. My niece is also a cat lover. Anyway, once in a while, I will talk to Popcorn in Cat. I will meow to her, she just looks at me and does nothing. But if you meow at Dusty, he just gets nervous and wants out.
He is also a one-person cat; I found this out when my older son and grandchildren showed up early one Saturday morning while Dusty was still eating his breakfast on the back porch. He immediately started running around helter skelter and hitting the windows like a wild bird that had gotten in by mistake. As soon as they got inside the kitchen, I went out and halfway calmed him down where I could get the door open and let him zip out. He keeps a low profile when friends and relatives are around. But when they disappear, he reappears.
In case you have wondered who does my proofreading -- I mess up every now and again and Jesse does it. My proof readers is Popcorn, because most of the time, she is sitting on my lap when I am typing up my stories.
Worth County Holds 53rd Annual Alumni Reunion
Worth County Alumni held its 53rd reunion on June 22, 2008 at the Worth County High School gym. Billie Fern Wake took care of the registry for the Worth County Alumni. We had a very good turn out of 83 graduates and 36 guests for a total of 119. The earliest class represented was the class of 1934 by W.T. Osborn and Rita Kay Marrs Wake represented the class of 1937. The family with the most grads present was the Fletchall family with 8 present. The graduate from the greatest distance was Barbara Eighmy Agliozzo, class of 1950, from California. The class with the most present was the class of 1958 with 8 class members present. We always take up a collection during the Worth County Alumni to help with expenses and also help with the Worth County Alumni’s Academic Scholarship which this year went to Alex Mullock for $200 and the Worth County Alumni’s Vocational Scholarship for 2008 went to Kendra Wagner for $200. Our collection this year was $524.49. We also print and sell Alumni books, and this year we sold 7 books for $10 each, adding another $70.00.
Nine members of the Worth County R-III Swing Choir Ensemble that entertained the Alumni were: Nichole Patrick, Lauren Null, Eric Groven, Jordan Hughes, Joey Burbach, Jessica Borey, Ashley Reynolds, Gunnar Patrick, Logan Dignan, Connor Dignan, and Lee Roy Goolsby. They sang "For Good", "Seasons of Love", and "Dust in the Wind".
Judy (Gates) Hansen was the guest speaker for the Worth County Alumni meeting. Judy titled her speech "Rewind---Fast Forward". Judy shared her experiences of going to school at Grant City and the teachers she had while attending the Grant City School.
Carolyn (Lynch)Hardy and Billy Fred Mozingo were elected to continue to serve on the board of directors for 2009-2011.
The Worth County Alumni is every year on the 4th Sunday of June at the Worth County High School Gym.
Those present were:
1934: W.T. Osborn
1937: Rita Wake
1940: Billie Fern (Hiatt) Wake, Victor Fletchall
1941: Avis Parman, Donald Hughes, Dorothy Morris
1943: Eddie Fletchall, Vera Davis, Jay B. Shipley
1944: Bill Cottrell
1945: Alice (Hughes) Nash, Mary (Jones) Roach, Betty Ruckman
1946: Grace Fletchall, Charles Thompson, Betty (Smyser) Thompson
1947: Allen Fletchall
1948: William Bowlin; Bill Cadle, Beverly Cadle, Evelyn Groom
1949: Warren Combs
1950: Cora Mae (Stabe) Bowlin, Barbara Ann (Eighmy) Agliozzo, Joyce Thompson
1951: Helen (Cottrell) Laval, Wilda (Fletchall) Tullis, Marilyn (Proctor) Calhoun, Theresa Combs
1952: Chris Spainhower
1953: Sharon (Gabbert) Foster, Joyce (Cottrell) Walfe, Mary Masters; Shirley (Hughes) Pierce
1954: Nola (Fletchall) Pritchard, John P. Jones, Paul Rose
1955: Clark Stabe, Doris Ann (Deason) Miller, Leroy Seat
1956: Billy Fred Mozingo, Luella (Thomas) Nally, Joan (Weigart) Mullock
1957: Melbourne Fletchall, Donnie Boll, Carolyn (Daniels) Rush
1958: Shirley Lambert, Carolyn (Long) Fletchall, Jerry Roach, Mary Ellen (Hass) Boll, Jay Dalbey, Linda Phipps, Judy (Gates) Hansen, Betty (Brown) Smith
1959: Duane McKee, Suzanne Spainhower, Ruth (Kobbe) Allen
1960: Richard R Cottrell, Elaine (Thompson) Stabe, George Gates
1962: Sally (Craven) Johnson, Pat (Gates) Brown, Carol Ann Kerwin
1963: Carolyn (McNeese) Jones
1964: Edith (Weddle) Miller, David Hardy
1965: Mary Kay Hunt, David Hunt, Dennis Eighmy
1966: Carolyn Hardy
1969: Landis Lynch, Lynn Adams
1971: Rosa (Harding) Williams, Richard Williams, Bill Cottrell, JR, Judith Matteson
1983: Kyle K. Smith
2008: Lee Roy Goolsby, Joey Burbach, Logan Dignan, Connor Dignan, Jordan Hughes
Vistors:
Hazel Fletchall, Howard Wolfe, Allen Foster, Jean Parman, Victoria Moore, Walter Pritchard, Patty Sue Parks, Rebecca Moore, Shelley Lynch, Cindy Cottrell, Reva Lacey, Arlene Cottrell, Julia Dalbey, Charmayne Hughes, Truman Moore, Judy Mozingo, Lynn Tullis, Bill Tullis, Karen Rose, Jack Rose, Garland Roach, Burl Mullock, Eva Lee Fletchall, Ginny Tudeen, Austin Adams, Mary Adams, Kenny Smith, Kaley Smith, Nicole Patrick, Glenn McClellan, Jessica Borey, Ginny Tudeen, Lauren Null, Ashley Reynolds, Chris Bailey, Gunnar Patrick.
Nine members of the Worth County R-III Swing Choir Ensemble that entertained the Alumni were: Nichole Patrick, Lauren Null, Eric Groven, Jordan Hughes, Joey Burbach, Jessica Borey, Ashley Reynolds, Gunnar Patrick, Logan Dignan, Connor Dignan, and Lee Roy Goolsby. They sang "For Good", "Seasons of Love", and "Dust in the Wind".
Judy (Gates) Hansen was the guest speaker for the Worth County Alumni meeting. Judy titled her speech "Rewind---Fast Forward". Judy shared her experiences of going to school at Grant City and the teachers she had while attending the Grant City School.
Carolyn (Lynch)Hardy and Billy Fred Mozingo were elected to continue to serve on the board of directors for 2009-2011.
The Worth County Alumni is every year on the 4th Sunday of June at the Worth County High School Gym.
Those present were:
1934: W.T. Osborn
1937: Rita Wake
1940: Billie Fern (Hiatt) Wake, Victor Fletchall
1941: Avis Parman, Donald Hughes, Dorothy Morris
1943: Eddie Fletchall, Vera Davis, Jay B. Shipley
1944: Bill Cottrell
1945: Alice (Hughes) Nash, Mary (Jones) Roach, Betty Ruckman
1946: Grace Fletchall, Charles Thompson, Betty (Smyser) Thompson
1947: Allen Fletchall
1948: William Bowlin; Bill Cadle, Beverly Cadle, Evelyn Groom
1949: Warren Combs
1950: Cora Mae (Stabe) Bowlin, Barbara Ann (Eighmy) Agliozzo, Joyce Thompson
1951: Helen (Cottrell) Laval, Wilda (Fletchall) Tullis, Marilyn (Proctor) Calhoun, Theresa Combs
1952: Chris Spainhower
1953: Sharon (Gabbert) Foster, Joyce (Cottrell) Walfe, Mary Masters; Shirley (Hughes) Pierce
1954: Nola (Fletchall) Pritchard, John P. Jones, Paul Rose
1955: Clark Stabe, Doris Ann (Deason) Miller, Leroy Seat
1956: Billy Fred Mozingo, Luella (Thomas) Nally, Joan (Weigart) Mullock
1957: Melbourne Fletchall, Donnie Boll, Carolyn (Daniels) Rush
1958: Shirley Lambert, Carolyn (Long) Fletchall, Jerry Roach, Mary Ellen (Hass) Boll, Jay Dalbey, Linda Phipps, Judy (Gates) Hansen, Betty (Brown) Smith
1959: Duane McKee, Suzanne Spainhower, Ruth (Kobbe) Allen
1960: Richard R Cottrell, Elaine (Thompson) Stabe, George Gates
1962: Sally (Craven) Johnson, Pat (Gates) Brown, Carol Ann Kerwin
1963: Carolyn (McNeese) Jones
1964: Edith (Weddle) Miller, David Hardy
1965: Mary Kay Hunt, David Hunt, Dennis Eighmy
1966: Carolyn Hardy
1969: Landis Lynch, Lynn Adams
1971: Rosa (Harding) Williams, Richard Williams, Bill Cottrell, JR, Judith Matteson
1983: Kyle K. Smith
2008: Lee Roy Goolsby, Joey Burbach, Logan Dignan, Connor Dignan, Jordan Hughes
Vistors:
Hazel Fletchall, Howard Wolfe, Allen Foster, Jean Parman, Victoria Moore, Walter Pritchard, Patty Sue Parks, Rebecca Moore, Shelley Lynch, Cindy Cottrell, Reva Lacey, Arlene Cottrell, Julia Dalbey, Charmayne Hughes, Truman Moore, Judy Mozingo, Lynn Tullis, Bill Tullis, Karen Rose, Jack Rose, Garland Roach, Burl Mullock, Eva Lee Fletchall, Ginny Tudeen, Austin Adams, Mary Adams, Kenny Smith, Kaley Smith, Nicole Patrick, Glenn McClellan, Jessica Borey, Ginny Tudeen, Lauren Null, Ashley Reynolds, Chris Bailey, Gunnar Patrick.
Show-Me State of Mind for June 25th, 2008
Rural Missouri Needs Relief From High Gas Prices
High gas prices are devastating our economy. They are making life tougher for everyone, and especially in our small towns, folks are getting strangled. Small towns suffer more during these tough times. In some rural counties, residents spend three times more on gas than those who live in cities or suburbs. The St. Joseph News Press reported recently that the average commute time for Andrew County residents was almost 30 minutes. At that rate, someone in Andrew County pays nearly $200 per month for regular gasoline!
We can't just expect people to stop driving. A woman from Holt County who is on Medicare recently told me that she had to skip a doctor's appointment in Kansas City to treat a degenerative eye disease because she couldn't afford the nearly $35 in gas to make the trip. I wish that this story were uncommon, but it's not. It's just a reminder that the cost of gas affects everything including health care. And the impact on family farms is hitting everyone in the pocket book. Crop prices may be going up, but they are also getting more volatile. With rampant speculation by hedge funds and Wall Street investors, family farmers are caught in the crosshairs of this already rocky market. And with diesel above $4 a gallon and fertilizer 65% more than it was a year ago, our small farmers can barely keep up. These increases in input costs are enough to add $250,000 to the cost of growing 1,000 acres of wheat, much of which cannot be passed onto the consumer.
Congressman Sam Graves talks a lot about his concern for his rural constituents. But the fact is that he has only made things worse. Graves decided long ago that hefty campaign contributions from Exxon and big oil companies were worth more than taking tough stands for the folks back home. Graves has voted again and again to dole out massive taxpayer subsidies to oil and gas companies and has opposed recent common-sense attempts to redirect those tax breaks to alternative energies. I don't know about you, but I'm tired of business as usual in Washington. We need a representative who will side with us and not the special interests.
Kay Barnes is a candidate for U.S. representative for Missouri's 6th Congressional District
High gas prices are devastating our economy. They are making life tougher for everyone, and especially in our small towns, folks are getting strangled. Small towns suffer more during these tough times. In some rural counties, residents spend three times more on gas than those who live in cities or suburbs. The St. Joseph News Press reported recently that the average commute time for Andrew County residents was almost 30 minutes. At that rate, someone in Andrew County pays nearly $200 per month for regular gasoline!
We can't just expect people to stop driving. A woman from Holt County who is on Medicare recently told me that she had to skip a doctor's appointment in Kansas City to treat a degenerative eye disease because she couldn't afford the nearly $35 in gas to make the trip. I wish that this story were uncommon, but it's not. It's just a reminder that the cost of gas affects everything including health care. And the impact on family farms is hitting everyone in the pocket book. Crop prices may be going up, but they are also getting more volatile. With rampant speculation by hedge funds and Wall Street investors, family farmers are caught in the crosshairs of this already rocky market. And with diesel above $4 a gallon and fertilizer 65% more than it was a year ago, our small farmers can barely keep up. These increases in input costs are enough to add $250,000 to the cost of growing 1,000 acres of wheat, much of which cannot be passed onto the consumer.
Congressman Sam Graves talks a lot about his concern for his rural constituents. But the fact is that he has only made things worse. Graves decided long ago that hefty campaign contributions from Exxon and big oil companies were worth more than taking tough stands for the folks back home. Graves has voted again and again to dole out massive taxpayer subsidies to oil and gas companies and has opposed recent common-sense attempts to redirect those tax breaks to alternative energies. I don't know about you, but I'm tired of business as usual in Washington. We need a representative who will side with us and not the special interests.
Kay Barnes is a candidate for U.S. representative for Missouri's 6th Congressional District
Walk 1440 for June 25th, 2008
What does your past say to you?
Each of us has done something in our past that was wrong…the problem?
There is one absolute truth about your past…your past cannot be changed
There are days in which our past seems to speak to the forefront of our mind…what does your past say to you?
"Remember, when you did this or that…you were wrong…you’re no good…you haven’t changed…you’ll never be good enough…you are worthless…no one can love you"
What happens to a person that listens to & believes the words of their past?
A person that believes their past relives their past believes their past relives their past…the cycle doesn’t end
…a person that believes the words of what their past says about them is doomed to repeat their past.
What if you stopped listening to the condemning words of your past & placed your ear on the tracks of the future hoping for the arrival of freedom from your past?
Are you willing to listen to your future?
Who is a God like You, who pardons iniquity; And passes over the rebellious act of the remnant of His possession? Micah 7:18
Isn’t that what we want…a pardon from our past…someone to pass over our rebellious wrong in our past?
We question the potential pardon because we know our past wrong would cause anger in God…we reason in our mind "how can He pardon me…won’t God only ever reject me because of my past?"
Do you realize that you’re judging God’s character by your past?
God’s character does not depend on your past; God’s character depends on one thing: love.
He does not retain His anger forever, Because He delights in unchanging love
Micah 7:18
God doesn’t delight in anger…God delights in love…a love that never changes.
Your past will never change…if you dwell on your past…your future will be determined by your past.
His love for you will never change…if you dwell on His love in spite of your past…your future will be determined by the love of God not your past.
Will you visit the haunts of your past today or will you change your present path to a new one leading to a love that will never change?
There are 1440 minutes in a day…WALK1440 seeking our God who delights in loving you.
Each of us has done something in our past that was wrong…the problem?
There is one absolute truth about your past…your past cannot be changed
There are days in which our past seems to speak to the forefront of our mind…what does your past say to you?
"Remember, when you did this or that…you were wrong…you’re no good…you haven’t changed…you’ll never be good enough…you are worthless…no one can love you"
What happens to a person that listens to & believes the words of their past?
A person that believes their past relives their past believes their past relives their past…the cycle doesn’t end
…a person that believes the words of what their past says about them is doomed to repeat their past.
What if you stopped listening to the condemning words of your past & placed your ear on the tracks of the future hoping for the arrival of freedom from your past?
Are you willing to listen to your future?
Who is a God like You, who pardons iniquity; And passes over the rebellious act of the remnant of His possession? Micah 7:18
Isn’t that what we want…a pardon from our past…someone to pass over our rebellious wrong in our past?
We question the potential pardon because we know our past wrong would cause anger in God…we reason in our mind "how can He pardon me…won’t God only ever reject me because of my past?"
Do you realize that you’re judging God’s character by your past?
God’s character does not depend on your past; God’s character depends on one thing: love.
He does not retain His anger forever, Because He delights in unchanging love
Micah 7:18
God doesn’t delight in anger…God delights in love…a love that never changes.
Your past will never change…if you dwell on your past…your future will be determined by your past.
His love for you will never change…if you dwell on His love in spite of your past…your future will be determined by the love of God not your past.
Will you visit the haunts of your past today or will you change your present path to a new one leading to a love that will never change?
There are 1440 minutes in a day…WALK1440 seeking our God who delights in loving you.
Worth County Three Man Golf Tournament
The annual 3 Man Golf Tourney was held on June 8th 2008 at the Grant City Golf Course.
Par for 18 holes is 66. The tournament has a morning round and an afternoon round. Teams may play both rounds as long as they change one partner on the team.
The winners were
A flight
1st Chris Healy, Chris Cadle, Mark Harding 56
2nd Chris Healy, Chris Cadle, Aaron Carpenter 56
3rd. Dennis Downing , Mark Fletcher, Guy Fletchall 57
Andy Welch , Lloyd Bliley, George Bliley 58
Dennis Downing, Dave Brown, Les New 59
Dustin Lambert, Will Gladstone, Daniel Gladstone 60
B flight
1st Gary Owens Sean Orendorff, B.J. Stephenson 61
2nd Sean Orendorff, Chuck Reed, Randy Dewitt 62
3rd. Richard Caldwell, Gary Lambert, Darold Hughes 63
Dave Brown, Jason Lynch, Andy Welch 63
Alan Supinger, Dave Meek, Jay Hart 63
B.J. Stephenson, Bill Stephenson, Ryan Owens 65
D McQuary, R. McQuary, George McQuary 70
Par for 18 holes is 66. The tournament has a morning round and an afternoon round. Teams may play both rounds as long as they change one partner on the team.
The winners were
A flight
1st Chris Healy, Chris Cadle, Mark Harding 56
2nd Chris Healy, Chris Cadle, Aaron Carpenter 56
3rd. Dennis Downing , Mark Fletcher, Guy Fletchall 57
Andy Welch , Lloyd Bliley, George Bliley 58
Dennis Downing, Dave Brown, Les New 59
Dustin Lambert, Will Gladstone, Daniel Gladstone 60
B flight
1st Gary Owens Sean Orendorff, B.J. Stephenson 61
2nd Sean Orendorff, Chuck Reed, Randy Dewitt 62
3rd. Richard Caldwell, Gary Lambert, Darold Hughes 63
Dave Brown, Jason Lynch, Andy Welch 63
Alan Supinger, Dave Meek, Jay Hart 63
B.J. Stephenson, Bill Stephenson, Ryan Owens 65
D McQuary, R. McQuary, George McQuary 70
Capitol Report for June 25th, 2008
Protecting Our 2nd Amendment Rights
As we approach the 232nd anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, I am reminded of the importance of our Constitution and the freedoms and rights provided to us under this document. One of the most treasured rights that we hold in America is the right to bear arms. Although this right has continually come under attack from gun-control advocates, millions of Americans continue to fight to ensure our right to bear arms to protect ourselves, our families, and our property.
In the coming weeks, the United States Supreme Court will make a ruling on a landmark case that could provide further definition of our 2nd Amendment Rights. This case challenges the Washington, D.C. ban on guns, which is one of the strictest gun-control laws in the country. While many analysts expect the ruling by the court to be narrow in scope, the debate and discussion around this case should remind all Americans of the never ending attacks on our Constitution and the fundamental freedoms provided to us by our founding fathers.
Like most Missourians, I believe strongly in our right to keep and bear arms. Gun-control will not prevent criminals from getting guns, rather it will empower the evils of the world to attack a defenseless law abiding public. Last year, the legislature affirmed the right of individuals to protect themselves and their homes with the passage of the Castle Doctrine. This year the legislature passed HB 2034, which offers greater legal protections for operators of firing ranges and hunting preserves, a frequent target of gun control advocates.
Our founding fathers were very deliberate in selecting the freedoms they defined under the Bill of Rights. As the 2nd Amendment to our Constitution, only following the freedom of speech, I believe it is clear that our founding fathers envisioned a society and a country where we could and would legally bear arms to protect ourselves from those that would do us harm. Like millions of Missourians, I am proud to be a gun owner and I will continue the fight to protect and affirm the rights provided to us under our Constitution.
As always, please feel free to call, email, or write with your ideas or concerns. The Capitol number is (573) 751-1415, my email is brad.lager@senate.mo.gov and my mailing address is Room 429, State Capitol Building, Jefferson City, MO 65101.
As we approach the 232nd anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, I am reminded of the importance of our Constitution and the freedoms and rights provided to us under this document. One of the most treasured rights that we hold in America is the right to bear arms. Although this right has continually come under attack from gun-control advocates, millions of Americans continue to fight to ensure our right to bear arms to protect ourselves, our families, and our property.
In the coming weeks, the United States Supreme Court will make a ruling on a landmark case that could provide further definition of our 2nd Amendment Rights. This case challenges the Washington, D.C. ban on guns, which is one of the strictest gun-control laws in the country. While many analysts expect the ruling by the court to be narrow in scope, the debate and discussion around this case should remind all Americans of the never ending attacks on our Constitution and the fundamental freedoms provided to us by our founding fathers.
Like most Missourians, I believe strongly in our right to keep and bear arms. Gun-control will not prevent criminals from getting guns, rather it will empower the evils of the world to attack a defenseless law abiding public. Last year, the legislature affirmed the right of individuals to protect themselves and their homes with the passage of the Castle Doctrine. This year the legislature passed HB 2034, which offers greater legal protections for operators of firing ranges and hunting preserves, a frequent target of gun control advocates.
Our founding fathers were very deliberate in selecting the freedoms they defined under the Bill of Rights. As the 2nd Amendment to our Constitution, only following the freedom of speech, I believe it is clear that our founding fathers envisioned a society and a country where we could and would legally bear arms to protect ourselves from those that would do us harm. Like millions of Missourians, I am proud to be a gun owner and I will continue the fight to protect and affirm the rights provided to us under our Constitution.
As always, please feel free to call, email, or write with your ideas or concerns. The Capitol number is (573) 751-1415, my email is brad.lager@senate.mo.gov and my mailing address is Room 429, State Capitol Building, Jefferson City, MO 65101.
Grant City Council Discusses Possible Pool Renovation
At the last regular Grant City Council Meeting, the City Council was going to close the pool for good, citing rapid deterioration of the facility. But at a special meeting Wednesday involving City Council Members and Economic Developer Charity Austin, Craig and Gina McNeese did a presentation showing how similar pools have been renovated for $58,000 or less. And they said that the city could save even more if they were to eliminate zero depth entries. They said that with advancements in technology, pools similar to the state of the city pool could have their lives extended by around 25 years. For instance, a private pool in Plattsburg cost only $58,000 to renovate, and it would be less without zero depth entry.
And what’s more, Gina McNeese said that she had talked to a ton of people who had expressed willingness to donate to a pool renovation; "and that’s just me," she said. Time would not be a problem if there was enough volunteer labor; for instance, Plattsburg got their project done in 5 ½ to 6 weeks. And Brenda Parman, in attendance at the meeting, said that the shock value of the pool closing for the year would help bring in a lot of donations. By way of contrast, Gina McNeese said that it would cost the city $40,000 to get rid of the pool; "it’s just as expensive to remove the pool as it would be to renovate it," she said.
The key, according to Craig McNeese, was epoxy finish, which would keep the pool from falling apart the way that the Grant City pool did. Gina McNeese said that another good idea would be to keep water in the pool over the winter break. Another way to keep the pool from deteriorating has to do with outside pressure. Specifically, underground water from the outside of the pool creates pressure on the walls of the pool so that they would crack; creating buffer zones that the water could not get through would help solve that problem.
"We can do anything here if we set our mind to it," said Craig McNeese, citing the Carnegie trip and the Relay for Life event. He said that a lot was a matter of donated labor and basic masonry. McNeese said that the cleanliness of the renovated facility would be important, as would increased concession revenues. Gina McNeese added that most pools were not profitable anyway and that they had nothing to lose by offering a lot of specials to customers.
There were a number of suggestions raised about getting people on board with a swimming pool renovation and making it easier. For instance, if the city were to transfer the pool to a committee which would fix the pool and lease it back to the city, they might be able to work around the prevailing wage laws that drive up the cost of many such projects. Craig McNeese said that it would be best if repairs were completed before winter came on; while the possibility was remote, councilwoman Linda Phipps said that even if they could get the pool open for a month, it would be worth it. If the city were to turn the pool over to a private entity, for instance, they could still donate money to the project.
Another area of discussion was the shallow part of the pool. Participants said that they did not see a need for a zero access pool; Gina McNeese said that if they were to add that, they would reduce the shallow play area; she said that the large shallow area was one of the strengths of the pool. Craig McNeese suggested having steps into the pool as an option which would reduce space needed while allowing more disabled access.
And what’s more, Gina McNeese said that she had talked to a ton of people who had expressed willingness to donate to a pool renovation; "and that’s just me," she said. Time would not be a problem if there was enough volunteer labor; for instance, Plattsburg got their project done in 5 ½ to 6 weeks. And Brenda Parman, in attendance at the meeting, said that the shock value of the pool closing for the year would help bring in a lot of donations. By way of contrast, Gina McNeese said that it would cost the city $40,000 to get rid of the pool; "it’s just as expensive to remove the pool as it would be to renovate it," she said.
The key, according to Craig McNeese, was epoxy finish, which would keep the pool from falling apart the way that the Grant City pool did. Gina McNeese said that another good idea would be to keep water in the pool over the winter break. Another way to keep the pool from deteriorating has to do with outside pressure. Specifically, underground water from the outside of the pool creates pressure on the walls of the pool so that they would crack; creating buffer zones that the water could not get through would help solve that problem.
"We can do anything here if we set our mind to it," said Craig McNeese, citing the Carnegie trip and the Relay for Life event. He said that a lot was a matter of donated labor and basic masonry. McNeese said that the cleanliness of the renovated facility would be important, as would increased concession revenues. Gina McNeese added that most pools were not profitable anyway and that they had nothing to lose by offering a lot of specials to customers.
There were a number of suggestions raised about getting people on board with a swimming pool renovation and making it easier. For instance, if the city were to transfer the pool to a committee which would fix the pool and lease it back to the city, they might be able to work around the prevailing wage laws that drive up the cost of many such projects. Craig McNeese said that it would be best if repairs were completed before winter came on; while the possibility was remote, councilwoman Linda Phipps said that even if they could get the pool open for a month, it would be worth it. If the city were to turn the pool over to a private entity, for instance, they could still donate money to the project.
Another area of discussion was the shallow part of the pool. Participants said that they did not see a need for a zero access pool; Gina McNeese said that if they were to add that, they would reduce the shallow play area; she said that the large shallow area was one of the strengths of the pool. Craig McNeese suggested having steps into the pool as an option which would reduce space needed while allowing more disabled access.
Safe Disposal of Broken CFC Light Bulbs
Safe disposal of broken compact fluorescent light bulbs
BLUE SPRINGS, Mo. – Using compact fluorescent light bulbs is an easy and effective way to save on utility costs. “Using these bulbs can be very helpful to the family budget, but their use is not without risks,” said Marsha Alexander, University of Missouri Extension housing and environmental design specialist.
Compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) contain a small amount of mercury. The amount of mercury found in a typical CFL would cover the tip of a ballpoint pen—less than 5 milligrams. (A typical mercury thermometer, by comparison, might contain several hundred milligrams.)
While a broken CFL will release only a small amount of mercury, consumers should follow some basic steps to ensure a safe cleanup, Alexander said.
If a CFL breaks, people and pets should leave the room immediately. Avoid walking through the breakage area on the way out. Open a window for ventilation and stay out of the affected area for at least 15 minutes. Turn off the central forced-heating and air-conditioning system.
If the break happens over a hard surface such as wood or tile, carefully scoop up the glass fragments and powder using stiff paper or cardboard and place them in a sealable plastic bag. Use duct tape or a similar adhesive tape to pick up the remaining glass and powder. Wipe the area clean with damp paper towels and dispose of the towels in a sealed bag. Wash your hands immediately.
If the bulb breaks on carpeting, wear gloves and carefully pick up the glass fragments. Use sticky tape to remove remaining glass and powder. If small pieces remain, vacuum the affected area. Carefully remove the vacuum bag, wipe down the canister and dispose of the vacuum debris in a sealed plastic bag. Wash your hands immediately.
Check with your local city government about disposal requirements, Alexander said. Some recommend taking both broken and used mercury-containing bulbs to household hazardous waste centers.
Despite the presence of mercury, CFLs can actually reduce the amount of mercury released into the environment. Intact CFLs release no mercury, and the energy saved from using CFLs translates into less mercury emitted by coal-powered plants.
BLUE SPRINGS, Mo. – Using compact fluorescent light bulbs is an easy and effective way to save on utility costs. “Using these bulbs can be very helpful to the family budget, but their use is not without risks,” said Marsha Alexander, University of Missouri Extension housing and environmental design specialist.
Compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) contain a small amount of mercury. The amount of mercury found in a typical CFL would cover the tip of a ballpoint pen—less than 5 milligrams. (A typical mercury thermometer, by comparison, might contain several hundred milligrams.)
While a broken CFL will release only a small amount of mercury, consumers should follow some basic steps to ensure a safe cleanup, Alexander said.
If a CFL breaks, people and pets should leave the room immediately. Avoid walking through the breakage area on the way out. Open a window for ventilation and stay out of the affected area for at least 15 minutes. Turn off the central forced-heating and air-conditioning system.
If the break happens over a hard surface such as wood or tile, carefully scoop up the glass fragments and powder using stiff paper or cardboard and place them in a sealable plastic bag. Use duct tape or a similar adhesive tape to pick up the remaining glass and powder. Wipe the area clean with damp paper towels and dispose of the towels in a sealed bag. Wash your hands immediately.
If the bulb breaks on carpeting, wear gloves and carefully pick up the glass fragments. Use sticky tape to remove remaining glass and powder. If small pieces remain, vacuum the affected area. Carefully remove the vacuum bag, wipe down the canister and dispose of the vacuum debris in a sealed plastic bag. Wash your hands immediately.
Check with your local city government about disposal requirements, Alexander said. Some recommend taking both broken and used mercury-containing bulbs to household hazardous waste centers.
Despite the presence of mercury, CFLs can actually reduce the amount of mercury released into the environment. Intact CFLs release no mercury, and the energy saved from using CFLs translates into less mercury emitted by coal-powered plants.
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Stitch and Chatter Quilt Club News
The Stitch & Chatter Quilt Club of Worth County was organized by Vicky Murphy in April of 2006 as a charity club. As of this date, we have 11 members. We welcome anyone that is interested in quilt making and donating their time to make throws and other projects the members wish to donate to charity. As of this date the club has made 25 throws for the Show Me Home of Sheridan, 5 throws for children of house fires of Worth County, 1 throw for a silent auction, 1 as a personal gift to a Ravenwood accident victim, 55 pillow cases for soldiers in Iraq, 1 for a raffle for the Senior Center of Worth County, 28 blocks & 2 quilt tops, 7 yards of red/white fabric for the backing of the blocks & tops along with the batting to the wounded soldiers to make their own personal quilts in rehab. We also helped make pillow cases along with other volunteers for Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City and the St. Francis Hospital in Maryville. Other projects we have helped with are collecting Toys for Tots at Christmas time and a personal hygiene & cleaning supplies for Mission Possible Christmas baskets.
The Stitch & Chatter Quilt Club made a quilt for Defiance Days in 2007 to sell raffle tickets to make money to help with expense for all the donations to the different projects. We also made a quilt for the 2008 Defiance Days to sell raffle tickets. It is being displayed at the Great Western Bank in Sheridan now and we will have it on display in the park until 4 p.m. There will be a drawing on Saturday at 4:00 p.m., you need not be present to win. Tickets are $1 each or 6 for $5. LOOK US UP IN THE PARK.
The Stitch & Chatter Quilt Club made a quilt for Defiance Days in 2007 to sell raffle tickets to make money to help with expense for all the donations to the different projects. We also made a quilt for the 2008 Defiance Days to sell raffle tickets. It is being displayed at the Great Western Bank in Sheridan now and we will have it on display in the park until 4 p.m. There will be a drawing on Saturday at 4:00 p.m., you need not be present to win. Tickets are $1 each or 6 for $5. LOOK US UP IN THE PARK.
Saturday, June 21, 2008
FSA Nominations
The Worth County Farm Service Agency (FSA) office is accepting nominations for a County Committee person for Local Administrative Area (LAA) #2 which is comprised of Fletchall and Middlefork townships. The current Committee person representing this area is Mary Ewing.
Nominations can be accepted until Wednesday, August 1, 2008. Almost anyone participating or cooperating in an FSA program – and of legal voting age – can be a candidate. Farmers and ranchers can nominate themselves or any other producer for a position on the local FSA County Committee.
The election of responsible agricultural producers to FSA county committees is important to ALL farmers and ranchers with large or small operations. It is crucial that every eligible producer take part in this election because county committees are a direct link between local farm communities and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Committee members are a critical component of the day-to-day operations of FSA. They make decisions impacting the delivery of FSA farm programs at the local level. Farmers who serve on FSA committees help decide the kind of programs their counties will offer as well as important decisions about disaster and conservation programs, commodity price support loans and payments, and other agricultural issues affecting Worth County. They work to make FSA agricultural programs serve the needs of local producers.
Elected members will serve a three-year term. The newly elected Committee members and alternates will take office January 1, 2009. FSA will mail ballots to producers eligible to vote beginning November 3, 2008. The voted ballots are due back to the local county office either via mail or in person by December 1, 2008. If you have any questions concerning the local election process contact your local FSA office at 660-564-3341.
Nominations can be accepted until Wednesday, August 1, 2008. Almost anyone participating or cooperating in an FSA program – and of legal voting age – can be a candidate. Farmers and ranchers can nominate themselves or any other producer for a position on the local FSA County Committee.
The election of responsible agricultural producers to FSA county committees is important to ALL farmers and ranchers with large or small operations. It is crucial that every eligible producer take part in this election because county committees are a direct link between local farm communities and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Committee members are a critical component of the day-to-day operations of FSA. They make decisions impacting the delivery of FSA farm programs at the local level. Farmers who serve on FSA committees help decide the kind of programs their counties will offer as well as important decisions about disaster and conservation programs, commodity price support loans and payments, and other agricultural issues affecting Worth County. They work to make FSA agricultural programs serve the needs of local producers.
Elected members will serve a three-year term. The newly elected Committee members and alternates will take office January 1, 2009. FSA will mail ballots to producers eligible to vote beginning November 3, 2008. The voted ballots are due back to the local county office either via mail or in person by December 1, 2008. If you have any questions concerning the local election process contact your local FSA office at 660-564-3341.
Obituary: Hillyard Asher 1921-2008
Hillyard Asher of Worth passed away June 17th, 2008 at the Northwest Medical Center in Albany, MO. Hillyard was born May 21st, 1921 in Worth, the son of Charles and Gladys Asher. A 1939 graduate of Worth High School, Hillyard served as a medic in the US Army, landing on the beaches of Normandy, June 6th, 1944.
On July 1st, 1950, in Mount Ayr, Hillyard married the former Margurete Mathews-Dannar-Jennings of Worth, MO. He resided in the little town of Worth his entire lifetime.
Hillyard and Margy were owners of the drug store in Sheridan during the early 1950’s. He was a Missouri state liquor inspector for the Department of Liquor Control in the mid-1950’s and also worked for the Lawson Implement Company in Stanberry until his retirement in 1981.
Hillyard was a member of the Worth Baptist Church and the Chuck Wagon Saddle Club in Grant City. He was an avid quail hunter and loved to hunt with his brother-in-law, Erman Edwards of Jefferson City. What many don’t know about Hillyard was that he was a wonderful dancer.
His wife of 53 years, Margy, his parents, grandparents, brothers Kenny and J.D., and sister Patty preceded him in death. He is survived by his brother C.M. "Pistol" Asher of Sheridan, Bill Asher of Grant City, several nieces and nephews, by his caregiver Sharon Dozier, and his best friend and companion Skippy.
The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Worth Baptist Church. Graveside services and interment were held at the Barnes Cemetery in Worth on Saturday, June 21st at 10:30. Pastor Len Green officiated. Arrangements were by the Andrews Funeral Home, Grant City.
On July 1st, 1950, in Mount Ayr, Hillyard married the former Margurete Mathews-Dannar-Jennings of Worth, MO. He resided in the little town of Worth his entire lifetime.
Hillyard and Margy were owners of the drug store in Sheridan during the early 1950’s. He was a Missouri state liquor inspector for the Department of Liquor Control in the mid-1950’s and also worked for the Lawson Implement Company in Stanberry until his retirement in 1981.
Hillyard was a member of the Worth Baptist Church and the Chuck Wagon Saddle Club in Grant City. He was an avid quail hunter and loved to hunt with his brother-in-law, Erman Edwards of Jefferson City. What many don’t know about Hillyard was that he was a wonderful dancer.
His wife of 53 years, Margy, his parents, grandparents, brothers Kenny and J.D., and sister Patty preceded him in death. He is survived by his brother C.M. "Pistol" Asher of Sheridan, Bill Asher of Grant City, several nieces and nephews, by his caregiver Sharon Dozier, and his best friend and companion Skippy.
The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Worth Baptist Church. Graveside services and interment were held at the Barnes Cemetery in Worth on Saturday, June 21st at 10:30. Pastor Len Green officiated. Arrangements were by the Andrews Funeral Home, Grant City.
Friday, June 20, 2008
Corn Survival and Nitrogen Needs
Corn Survival and Nitrogen Needs
Surface water ponding, flooding, and water seeping back in from levees have hurt crops along rivers and creeks. Those plants that have the growing point above the water had a much better chance of survival than when water covers the growing point.
Death readily occurs when plants are submerged for any length of time. Corn growing point can be checked to see if it is white or cream colored. A darkening or soft tissue indicates that death will occur soon. Those survival plants should be carefully watched.
Flooding can cause lose of nitrogen and poor weed control. Supplemental nitrogen may need to be applied in field areas where plants survive and adequate soil oxygen can be restored. Those areas of fields which will remain poorly drained may not recover and be careful with supplemental nitrogen.
Dr. Peter Scharf, University of Missouri State Soil Fertility Specialist, has put together a score-sheet to help growers determine if supplemental nitrogen is needed in corn fields across the state. A copy of this can be found on the web by at http://ppp.missouri.edu/newsletters/icpm or go to Extensions web site and use search engine to find this information.
Mud and sediment caking leaves can damage leaves and stalks and allow for the development of fungi and bacteria. This may cause stalk rots in the fall and diseases such as crazy top may affect corn plants.
Keep a close eye on area fields.
For more information contact Wayne Flanary, Regional Agronomist, University of Missouri Extension at 660-446-3724.
Surface water ponding, flooding, and water seeping back in from levees have hurt crops along rivers and creeks. Those plants that have the growing point above the water had a much better chance of survival than when water covers the growing point.
Death readily occurs when plants are submerged for any length of time. Corn growing point can be checked to see if it is white or cream colored. A darkening or soft tissue indicates that death will occur soon. Those survival plants should be carefully watched.
Flooding can cause lose of nitrogen and poor weed control. Supplemental nitrogen may need to be applied in field areas where plants survive and adequate soil oxygen can be restored. Those areas of fields which will remain poorly drained may not recover and be careful with supplemental nitrogen.
Dr. Peter Scharf, University of Missouri State Soil Fertility Specialist, has put together a score-sheet to help growers determine if supplemental nitrogen is needed in corn fields across the state. A copy of this can be found on the web by at http://ppp.missouri.edu/newsletters/icpm or go to Extensions web site and use search engine to find this information.
Mud and sediment caking leaves can damage leaves and stalks and allow for the development of fungi and bacteria. This may cause stalk rots in the fall and diseases such as crazy top may affect corn plants.
Keep a close eye on area fields.
For more information contact Wayne Flanary, Regional Agronomist, University of Missouri Extension at 660-446-3724.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Wet Weather conductive to tomato diseases
Wet weather conducive to tomato diseases
Wet conditions make tomato plants susceptible to devastating diseases such as early blight and Septoria leaf spot. Now is the time to combat them in the vegetable garden, said a University of Missouri Extension horticulture specialist.
Typically, these diseases are controlled with fungicides applied at seven- to 10-day intervals, said Marlin Bates. But gardeners also can take other measures to prevent or at least delay the onset of these diseases.
"Everything we can do to reduce periods of leaf wetness will aid in fending off their development," Bates said.
Improving air circulation between plants helps dry leaves. Properly spacing the plants in the garden helps maximize air circulation without sacrificing valuable garden space. Bates recommends spacing tomato plants 2 to 3 feet apart.
Pruning is another effective way to ensure proper air movement around the plant. Removing shoots from the base of the plant so there are only two or three main shoots will open up the canopy and allow for proper air circulation. "These suckers should be removed before they get too long—usually when they are around 3 inches long," Bates said. Staking or caging each plant also opens up the canopy, allowing leaves to dry faster.
When watering the garden, he added, try not to wet the leaves. "Also, by removing infected plants from the garden, you can reduce the threat of disease for next year’s crop."
Keeping your plants healthy will make them less vulnerable to disease, Bates said. Be sure plants have enough water, nutrients and sunlight. "To ward off diseases, start each season with proper garden preparation," he said. "Soil tests indicate appropriate pH adjustments, let you know if you have adequate organic matter content, and provide fertilizer recommendations." Soil tests are available at your local MU Extension office.
As added insurance, many growers apply fungicides during wet periods, when the threat of disease is particularly high.
An MU Extension guide, "Common Diseases in the Home Garden" (G6203), is available online at http://extension.missouri.edu/explore/agguides/hort/g06203.htm .
Wet conditions make tomato plants susceptible to devastating diseases such as early blight and Septoria leaf spot. Now is the time to combat them in the vegetable garden, said a University of Missouri Extension horticulture specialist.
Typically, these diseases are controlled with fungicides applied at seven- to 10-day intervals, said Marlin Bates. But gardeners also can take other measures to prevent or at least delay the onset of these diseases.
"Everything we can do to reduce periods of leaf wetness will aid in fending off their development," Bates said.
Improving air circulation between plants helps dry leaves. Properly spacing the plants in the garden helps maximize air circulation without sacrificing valuable garden space. Bates recommends spacing tomato plants 2 to 3 feet apart.
Pruning is another effective way to ensure proper air movement around the plant. Removing shoots from the base of the plant so there are only two or three main shoots will open up the canopy and allow for proper air circulation. "These suckers should be removed before they get too long—usually when they are around 3 inches long," Bates said. Staking or caging each plant also opens up the canopy, allowing leaves to dry faster.
When watering the garden, he added, try not to wet the leaves. "Also, by removing infected plants from the garden, you can reduce the threat of disease for next year’s crop."
Keeping your plants healthy will make them less vulnerable to disease, Bates said. Be sure plants have enough water, nutrients and sunlight. "To ward off diseases, start each season with proper garden preparation," he said. "Soil tests indicate appropriate pH adjustments, let you know if you have adequate organic matter content, and provide fertilizer recommendations." Soil tests are available at your local MU Extension office.
As added insurance, many growers apply fungicides during wet periods, when the threat of disease is particularly high.
An MU Extension guide, "Common Diseases in the Home Garden" (G6203), is available online at http://extension.missouri.edu/explore/agguides/hort/g06203.htm .
Letter to the Editor -- Graves and deficit spending
Letters to the Editor are the opinions of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Sheridan Express.
Sam Graves has been involved in a spending frenzy during the past 8 years, without covering the costs of that spending. This is known as "deficit spending".
The budget has ballooned from $1.8 trillion in 2000, to a projected $3 trillion for 2008. In 2000 there was a budget surplus of $230 billion, compared to a projected budget deficit in 2008 of $410 billion. The national debt has now risen to an incredible $10 trillion! Congressman Sam Graves SUPPORTS deficit-spending. Add to this dismal lack of fiscal responsibility --- the dramatic rise in oil and gasoline prices, the crash in sub-prime mortgages, the bank credit debacle, and the deflation in home values. We can NOT afford another two years of "Gravenomics"!
Kay Barnes has a record of economic growth as mayor of Kansas City. Kay Barnes has an ability to work with a diversity of viewpoints to achieve economic success.
David Raffel
Parkville, MO
Sam Graves has been involved in a spending frenzy during the past 8 years, without covering the costs of that spending. This is known as "deficit spending".
The budget has ballooned from $1.8 trillion in 2000, to a projected $3 trillion for 2008. In 2000 there was a budget surplus of $230 billion, compared to a projected budget deficit in 2008 of $410 billion. The national debt has now risen to an incredible $10 trillion! Congressman Sam Graves SUPPORTS deficit-spending. Add to this dismal lack of fiscal responsibility --- the dramatic rise in oil and gasoline prices, the crash in sub-prime mortgages, the bank credit debacle, and the deflation in home values. We can NOT afford another two years of "Gravenomics"!
Kay Barnes has a record of economic growth as mayor of Kansas City. Kay Barnes has an ability to work with a diversity of viewpoints to achieve economic success.
David Raffel
Parkville, MO
Setting in a Mousetrap, Pondering my Fate for June 25th, 2008
Somebody over there must actually be able to think.
The news this week? The Saudis feel that the price of oil in to high.
Yes, the Saudis look to the future and see Americans not buying oil from them. They had heard us. If they don’t quit ripping us off, they are going to find they have no customers for their oil. Didn’t take long for them to put two and two together, and you want to know the real truth of the matter? They are right. The Saudis are going to start pumping more oil in hope that other countries will do the same and the price will come down.
Here is where they are wrong. Americans have seen the future and I hope we will end that quote by saying, "it is ours." The Saudis also think we will slow down in our quest for alternative fuels. I wish I could live long enough to see the day when oil is an alternative fuel. It is not hard to believe that the world is controlled by oil interests and we made one of them the most powerful men in the world. We now hold our breath in anticipation of the day coming soon that Bush will not be president anymore.
(Please do not send me that tired joke about the man who calls Bush and asks to speak with the president and Bush finally says, "I am not president anymore," to which the caller replies, "I just needed to hear that." I have heard that one applied to several other candidates and it is not funny to me. I have lost a few friends over such "humor." Although I do look forward to that day, January, 2009, I don’t want to hear any jokes making fun of politicians.)
Back to my story: The oil barons have actually done us some favors. We will become used to driving less and maybe more responsibly. Not driving hurts the economy, but in reality it saves us a lot of money to pay off our other debts. Don’t tell me you don’t have any. An automobile is the second biggest investment we make, how much money do we save if we are so tired of high oil prices that our cars last longer. How much money would you save it you bought a new car every seven years instead of every five years? That is just an example. High oil has cured this boy of new car fever.
Less driving of course means lessens pollution. I wonder how long it will be before people in Los Angeles will be able to see the sun? Think of how driving less will help the environment and maybe prolong the danger of global warming; that is to you who believe in such a thing.
High oil prices could even in fact to be the savior of the small town. I drive; as my second car a 1998 GMC Somona. I bought it about three years ago, it gets 22 mpg on the road. I now think at least twice about going to Bedford to the grocery or have supper.
So now what do we do? Alternative fuels are right around the corner. I believe the spike in fuel prices is the proof of that. "They are getting it while they can," my best friend says. They know the day will soon upon us we don’t need them anymore. As I said, I hope to see it.
The Arabs have forced us to be better. That is how we got through the oil problems of the 1970’s; boy do I miss those land yachts. We did it before and we will do it again. God bless America, the people have spoken.
The news this week? The Saudis feel that the price of oil in to high.
Yes, the Saudis look to the future and see Americans not buying oil from them. They had heard us. If they don’t quit ripping us off, they are going to find they have no customers for their oil. Didn’t take long for them to put two and two together, and you want to know the real truth of the matter? They are right. The Saudis are going to start pumping more oil in hope that other countries will do the same and the price will come down.
Here is where they are wrong. Americans have seen the future and I hope we will end that quote by saying, "it is ours." The Saudis also think we will slow down in our quest for alternative fuels. I wish I could live long enough to see the day when oil is an alternative fuel. It is not hard to believe that the world is controlled by oil interests and we made one of them the most powerful men in the world. We now hold our breath in anticipation of the day coming soon that Bush will not be president anymore.
(Please do not send me that tired joke about the man who calls Bush and asks to speak with the president and Bush finally says, "I am not president anymore," to which the caller replies, "I just needed to hear that." I have heard that one applied to several other candidates and it is not funny to me. I have lost a few friends over such "humor." Although I do look forward to that day, January, 2009, I don’t want to hear any jokes making fun of politicians.)
Back to my story: The oil barons have actually done us some favors. We will become used to driving less and maybe more responsibly. Not driving hurts the economy, but in reality it saves us a lot of money to pay off our other debts. Don’t tell me you don’t have any. An automobile is the second biggest investment we make, how much money do we save if we are so tired of high oil prices that our cars last longer. How much money would you save it you bought a new car every seven years instead of every five years? That is just an example. High oil has cured this boy of new car fever.
Less driving of course means lessens pollution. I wonder how long it will be before people in Los Angeles will be able to see the sun? Think of how driving less will help the environment and maybe prolong the danger of global warming; that is to you who believe in such a thing.
High oil prices could even in fact to be the savior of the small town. I drive; as my second car a 1998 GMC Somona. I bought it about three years ago, it gets 22 mpg on the road. I now think at least twice about going to Bedford to the grocery or have supper.
So now what do we do? Alternative fuels are right around the corner. I believe the spike in fuel prices is the proof of that. "They are getting it while they can," my best friend says. They know the day will soon upon us we don’t need them anymore. As I said, I hope to see it.
The Arabs have forced us to be better. That is how we got through the oil problems of the 1970’s; boy do I miss those land yachts. We did it before and we will do it again. God bless America, the people have spoken.
Initial R-III Budget Approved
At the June 18 Worth County RIII Board of Education meeting, the classroom trust funds were designated to be placed in the teacher pay portion of the budget. The classroom trust funds are the gaming dollars allotted to school districts on a per pupil basis. For the Worth County District, it amounts to approximately $139,559 for the 2008-09 budget.
Final revision of the 2007-08 budget was approved, and the initial budget for the 2008-09 school year was approved.
Sherri Runde will serve as the board treasurer for the 2008-09 school year, and Kandi Sorensen will serve as secretary. Matt Robinson was appointed as the district’s authorized signatory.
A committee was appointed to consider the use of student email as part of the instruction in the emints classrooms. Students would be able to email responses to posted questions and to each others’ entries as part of a discussion. Tish Warner will chair the committee consisting of Mrs. Garret, Mr. Healy, Mr. Robinson, Mrs. Kelley Ross, Karen Fletchall, and Kevin Austin.
Progress on district goals were reviewed. Neither the elementary nor the secondary school met the goal to decrease the percentage of d and f grades received by students. However, the goals of increasing the rigor in classroom instruction did meet the state goal. Office referrals were decreased by 35%, and technology was increased in the classrooms.
Special education compliance assurance was approved as were the final bus routes for the 2007-08 school year.
Amy Kimberlin was approved as the K-12 art teacher, and Mindy Carlson was approved for an elementary paraprofessional position. Ms. Kimberlin and Karen Andrews were approved as co-sponsors of the high school and junior high cheerleading squads.
Final revision of the 2007-08 budget was approved, and the initial budget for the 2008-09 school year was approved.
Sherri Runde will serve as the board treasurer for the 2008-09 school year, and Kandi Sorensen will serve as secretary. Matt Robinson was appointed as the district’s authorized signatory.
A committee was appointed to consider the use of student email as part of the instruction in the emints classrooms. Students would be able to email responses to posted questions and to each others’ entries as part of a discussion. Tish Warner will chair the committee consisting of Mrs. Garret, Mr. Healy, Mr. Robinson, Mrs. Kelley Ross, Karen Fletchall, and Kevin Austin.
Progress on district goals were reviewed. Neither the elementary nor the secondary school met the goal to decrease the percentage of d and f grades received by students. However, the goals of increasing the rigor in classroom instruction did meet the state goal. Office referrals were decreased by 35%, and technology was increased in the classrooms.
Special education compliance assurance was approved as were the final bus routes for the 2007-08 school year.
Amy Kimberlin was approved as the K-12 art teacher, and Mindy Carlson was approved for an elementary paraprofessional position. Ms. Kimberlin and Karen Andrews were approved as co-sponsors of the high school and junior high cheerleading squads.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Rural Water District Water System gets Clean Bill of Health
The annual Water Quality Report of the Worth County Public Water Service District received a clean bill of health. The district gets its water from the City of Grant City, which purchases its water from the Middle Fork Water Company. Middle Fork Water Company treats water from Linn Creek, which is then pumped into a reservoir next to the Middle Fork Water Company’s treatment plant. The Southern Iowa Rural Water Association is their emergency backup supply. Persons interested in reviewing the complete water quality report can contact Peggy Drake or Shannon Burns at (660) 564-4082.
The district was reimbursed $6,000 by FEMA for flood relief work from last year. They have until the end of December to complete the work. Ed Ackley reported that he was working to mark the meters on the system; he said that he was currently concentrating on Worth. He said that the difficulty was that sometimes, people pass away, or the land is sold, and nobody remembers where the meter was. He said that it was hard to locate them even with a metal detector.
The district is up to 519 customers; they added Jerry Davis and Gene Hardy to the system. The district received a thank you note from Hardy.
Ackley reported that there was a leak by the Nick Apblanalp residence near Denver as there was a pipe pulling apart near a creek. He said he ran in a 1" line through a 2" line.
The radio control system failed due to a lightning strike over the weekend of June 7th and 8th; Ackley said that they borrowed a radio from the city to use. The district will check and see if it’s insured.
The north water tower, along with many other places in the county, were targets of the massive vandalism spree around the county last month. The district will repaint the tower, which had paint peeling off anyway.
The board voted to obtain a price for a transfer switch for their new generator to use in the event of an emergency.
Ackley reported that the rising gas prices were "killing him" and that he had to put $20-30 worth of gas in every day in order to do his work. He said that it was even harder since the radio went out since that meant more trips for him.
The board voted to purchase a sign for the water district dozer.
The district was reimbursed $6,000 by FEMA for flood relief work from last year. They have until the end of December to complete the work. Ed Ackley reported that he was working to mark the meters on the system; he said that he was currently concentrating on Worth. He said that the difficulty was that sometimes, people pass away, or the land is sold, and nobody remembers where the meter was. He said that it was hard to locate them even with a metal detector.
The district is up to 519 customers; they added Jerry Davis and Gene Hardy to the system. The district received a thank you note from Hardy.
Ackley reported that there was a leak by the Nick Apblanalp residence near Denver as there was a pipe pulling apart near a creek. He said he ran in a 1" line through a 2" line.
The radio control system failed due to a lightning strike over the weekend of June 7th and 8th; Ackley said that they borrowed a radio from the city to use. The district will check and see if it’s insured.
The north water tower, along with many other places in the county, were targets of the massive vandalism spree around the county last month. The district will repaint the tower, which had paint peeling off anyway.
The board voted to obtain a price for a transfer switch for their new generator to use in the event of an emergency.
Ackley reported that the rising gas prices were "killing him" and that he had to put $20-30 worth of gas in every day in order to do his work. He said that it was even harder since the radio went out since that meant more trips for him.
The board voted to purchase a sign for the water district dozer.
Dogs the Issue at WCCC Board Meeting
Everybody, WCCC resident Noah Ray included, loves dogs. But not only do local cities always have to deal with dog issues; the WCCC has to deal with them as well. "A lot of us are on breathing machines," said Ray, addressing the WCCC Board Wednesday. "I’ve been here three years, and I think dogs are just fine, but here, they breathe the same air we do." He said that there were too many residents with dog allergies to justify dogs being allowed in the nursing home. "At one time, I counted 10 dogs running around the hallways here," said Ray. He said that neighbors’ dogs also came across the street while residents were out. "This place was made for older people, not the dogs," said Ray. Employee Ruth Allen said that some of the employees there were allergic to cats.
But on the other hand, everyone has an opinion about dogs. Board members agreed that there needed to be some kind of policy about dogs. But board member Bill Calhoon said that people brought in dogs for the therapeutic effects that they have on residents. In fact, some nursing homes have a cat that has the run of the place because of the therapeutic benefits they have on the residents. Other board members pointed out that many times, family members bring residents’ pets to them. "They see their pets as part of the family," said Board President Scott Houk. The board directed Secretary Jozy Moyer to look into the situation and report back to them.
The board got the budget back and was to have reviewed and approved it at a special meeting on June 17th.
The board voted, after a discussion, to reduce the license to 50 beds from 60. The savings on their insurance policy would not be that much, as there would only be $1750 in annual savings, since the insurance policy has already accounted for most of the changes made. And board members were concerned that it might be difficult to get them back should the needs of the facility change again. But board members felt that they needed the space for office purposes as well as Charlie Green’s therapy. Another advantage would be more privacy, since there would be more office space. Back when the facility was first formed, 60 beds was not enough and there were waiting lists; however, the facility now has 36 residents, with two more coming in for short-term stays.
The majority of nursing homes are in the same boat, competing for the same group of people. Board Member Martha Rush suggested fixing up some private rooms, suggesting that people might be willing to pay more for that. On a related note, board members said that they were very impressed with the completed room that the Worth County Progress Organization completed. The Progress Organization will challenge other organizations in the county to do similar work for other rooms in the facility.
The board voted to have Scott Houk sign all the checks along with Secretary Jozy Moyer and board member Kaye Havner.
The center received a FEMA check for $18,409.36 as well as $736.75 in tax revenues from the county for the month. The employee health insurance plan will go up 7.7% this year, creating an additional cost of $6,000 per year.
At the suggestion of Board President Scott Houk, the board voted to authorize the establishment of fact-finding committees that would look into issues and report back to the board with recommendations. The committees would not have the authority to make policy, only to make recommendations. "We’re stuck back 30 years ago when we had 50-60 residents and everything was fine," said Houk. "If we are going to move forward, we have to change." Secretary Jozy Moyer agreed, saying that "you never know until you try." "We have to think outside the box," concluded Houk. Board members reached a consensus that staff members could serve on these committees as well.
While the facility has gotten out of the woods from a financial standpoint, Moyer reported more problems with the building. She said that the building had shifted, there were two layers of sheet rock that needed replaced, and the attic was a "nightmare" in the words of board member Kaye Havner.
The board voted to explore the possibility of joining a nursing home association in order to get training if the costs were affordable.
But on the other hand, everyone has an opinion about dogs. Board members agreed that there needed to be some kind of policy about dogs. But board member Bill Calhoon said that people brought in dogs for the therapeutic effects that they have on residents. In fact, some nursing homes have a cat that has the run of the place because of the therapeutic benefits they have on the residents. Other board members pointed out that many times, family members bring residents’ pets to them. "They see their pets as part of the family," said Board President Scott Houk. The board directed Secretary Jozy Moyer to look into the situation and report back to them.
The board got the budget back and was to have reviewed and approved it at a special meeting on June 17th.
The board voted, after a discussion, to reduce the license to 50 beds from 60. The savings on their insurance policy would not be that much, as there would only be $1750 in annual savings, since the insurance policy has already accounted for most of the changes made. And board members were concerned that it might be difficult to get them back should the needs of the facility change again. But board members felt that they needed the space for office purposes as well as Charlie Green’s therapy. Another advantage would be more privacy, since there would be more office space. Back when the facility was first formed, 60 beds was not enough and there were waiting lists; however, the facility now has 36 residents, with two more coming in for short-term stays.
The majority of nursing homes are in the same boat, competing for the same group of people. Board Member Martha Rush suggested fixing up some private rooms, suggesting that people might be willing to pay more for that. On a related note, board members said that they were very impressed with the completed room that the Worth County Progress Organization completed. The Progress Organization will challenge other organizations in the county to do similar work for other rooms in the facility.
The board voted to have Scott Houk sign all the checks along with Secretary Jozy Moyer and board member Kaye Havner.
The center received a FEMA check for $18,409.36 as well as $736.75 in tax revenues from the county for the month. The employee health insurance plan will go up 7.7% this year, creating an additional cost of $6,000 per year.
At the suggestion of Board President Scott Houk, the board voted to authorize the establishment of fact-finding committees that would look into issues and report back to the board with recommendations. The committees would not have the authority to make policy, only to make recommendations. "We’re stuck back 30 years ago when we had 50-60 residents and everything was fine," said Houk. "If we are going to move forward, we have to change." Secretary Jozy Moyer agreed, saying that "you never know until you try." "We have to think outside the box," concluded Houk. Board members reached a consensus that staff members could serve on these committees as well.
While the facility has gotten out of the woods from a financial standpoint, Moyer reported more problems with the building. She said that the building had shifted, there were two layers of sheet rock that needed replaced, and the attic was a "nightmare" in the words of board member Kaye Havner.
The board voted to explore the possibility of joining a nursing home association in order to get training if the costs were affordable.
China to Buy $4.5 Billion in Soybeans
Today, a delegation of Chinese soybean buyers, along with Chinese Vice-Premier Wang Qishan, attended a trade ceremony in St. Louis and signed an agreement to purchase more than $4.5 billion worth of U.S. soybeans. The United Soybean Board (USB), the United States Soybean Export Council (USSEC) and the American Soybean Association (ASA) helped facilitate contracts between eight U.S. exporters and 14 Chinese importers.
Terry Ecker, a soybean farmer from Elmo, Mo., serves as international marketing chair for the USB. "The soybean checkoff helps drive demand and preference for U.S. soybeans," Ecker said. "The funds from state and national soybean boards have helped to turn China from one of the largest exporters of soybeans into the largest importer of U.S. soybeans."
Soybeans are the number one U.S. agricultural export, valued at more than $10 billion annually. Missouri ranks 5th in soybean production across the nation and continues to be the state’s number one cash crop. China has bought a record-breaking 436 million bushels of soybeans from the U.S. this growing season, more than double the amount of soybeans grown in Missouri last year. In 2007, Missouri exported more than $107 million in soybeans to China.
"We are honored to host the Vice Premiere and Chinese trade team here in Missouri," said Dale Ludwig, executive director and CEO of the Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council. "Nearly every other row of soybeans is sold in the export market and China accounts for almost half of that demand. We anticipate China’s demand for soy will continue to grow, so we are working to position ourselves to help satisfy their needs."
The Missouri Department of Agriculture signed a memorandum of understanding with China’s Chamber of Commerce of Import/Export of Foodstuffs, Native Produce and Animal By-Products (CFNA) calling for the expansion and promotion of agricultural and food trade, especially in soybeans.
"Missouri is honored to work with the Chinese delegation partnering to ensure a continued trade relationship," said Katie Smith, director of the Missouri Department of Agriculture. "Missouri soybean producers continue to provide quality soybeans to consumers all over the U.S. and the world."
Terry Ecker, a soybean farmer from Elmo, Mo., serves as international marketing chair for the USB. "The soybean checkoff helps drive demand and preference for U.S. soybeans," Ecker said. "The funds from state and national soybean boards have helped to turn China from one of the largest exporters of soybeans into the largest importer of U.S. soybeans."
Soybeans are the number one U.S. agricultural export, valued at more than $10 billion annually. Missouri ranks 5th in soybean production across the nation and continues to be the state’s number one cash crop. China has bought a record-breaking 436 million bushels of soybeans from the U.S. this growing season, more than double the amount of soybeans grown in Missouri last year. In 2007, Missouri exported more than $107 million in soybeans to China.
"We are honored to host the Vice Premiere and Chinese trade team here in Missouri," said Dale Ludwig, executive director and CEO of the Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council. "Nearly every other row of soybeans is sold in the export market and China accounts for almost half of that demand. We anticipate China’s demand for soy will continue to grow, so we are working to position ourselves to help satisfy their needs."
The Missouri Department of Agriculture signed a memorandum of understanding with China’s Chamber of Commerce of Import/Export of Foodstuffs, Native Produce and Animal By-Products (CFNA) calling for the expansion and promotion of agricultural and food trade, especially in soybeans.
"Missouri is honored to work with the Chinese delegation partnering to ensure a continued trade relationship," said Katie Smith, director of the Missouri Department of Agriculture. "Missouri soybean producers continue to provide quality soybeans to consumers all over the U.S. and the world."
Recollections of a Farm Woman for June 18th, 2008
Organic farming is not new; a lot of people were practicing it years ago. I was born and raised on a farm, and as I got older, it was my job spring and fall to clean out the chicken house and put all my findings on the garden spot.
Most of the time, this job was uneventful, but one time, an opossum appeared and I was at a panic level; if it got into the chicken house, it could raise havoc. I whacked it with my hoe; it immediately played dead. I hollered for my father. It came to again; I whacked it, it fainted again, and again I called for my father. My father arrived on the scene and came to my rescue and removed the unwelcome intruder.
Last spring, I heard that my new resident llama might be able to help me with my tomatoes. It wasn’t difficult to acquire llama leavings. He likes to make his deposit in the same spot, a tidy fellow.
I observed him do this one evening. He checked out the spot, turned around, backed up, and done his duty. I prepared the tomato bed and planted them. In no time, I could tell when they got their toes in Lenny’s tidy deposit. I was afraid I had been too generous as they got quite large and stately and maybe wouldn’t set on tomatoes. That’s what happens to you when you overfertilize, but I had worried for nought as they were loaded with tomatoes.
Goat berries, as they are referred to, are also good and you can side dress with them as they won’t burn your vegetables. You might have to work a little harder to collect them, though.
Most of the time, this job was uneventful, but one time, an opossum appeared and I was at a panic level; if it got into the chicken house, it could raise havoc. I whacked it with my hoe; it immediately played dead. I hollered for my father. It came to again; I whacked it, it fainted again, and again I called for my father. My father arrived on the scene and came to my rescue and removed the unwelcome intruder.
Last spring, I heard that my new resident llama might be able to help me with my tomatoes. It wasn’t difficult to acquire llama leavings. He likes to make his deposit in the same spot, a tidy fellow.
I observed him do this one evening. He checked out the spot, turned around, backed up, and done his duty. I prepared the tomato bed and planted them. In no time, I could tell when they got their toes in Lenny’s tidy deposit. I was afraid I had been too generous as they got quite large and stately and maybe wouldn’t set on tomatoes. That’s what happens to you when you overfertilize, but I had worried for nought as they were loaded with tomatoes.
Goat berries, as they are referred to, are also good and you can side dress with them as they won’t burn your vegetables. You might have to work a little harder to collect them, though.
Obituary: Marie Hauber Ross 1914-2008
Marie Hauber Ross was the youngest child of William (Will) Frederick Hauber and Maude Estella Hutton Hauber of Allendale. She was born on November 23rd, 1914 and died June 12th, 2008 at Northwest Medical Center in Albany.
Marie grew up in Worth County, attended Amity elementary school southwest of Allendale, and high school in Grant City. She received a B.S. Degree in Education at Maryville Teacher’s College and Wilson Teacher’s College in Washington, DC. She completed post-graduate work at Northwest Missouri State, University of Missouri-Rolla, and other colleges.
On March 23rd, 1940 she married Charles Clayton Ross of Martinsville and from this union, three children were born: Charles Frederick Ross, Paul Franklin Ross, and Clella Mae (Ross) Goodwin.
Marie lived with Clayton on a farm south of Allendale which they owned and operated. Before her marriage, she taught in rural schools in Worth County including Dry, Freeland, and Allendale. After marriage, she taught elementary curriculum and also high school history and mathematics at Bethesda, MD, Grant City, Albany, Martinsville, and Stanberry, and then at Nocatee in the DeSoto, FL schools.
She was a member of the Denver United Methodist Church and the former Amity Farm Club.
Marie was a kind loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, cousin, and friend. She was loved and remembered by her students and peers in the schools where she taught. She always exemplified the discipline and attitude of a teacher as well as being a nurturing mother.
Our grief at her departure is relieved by the wonderful memories we have of her humility, kindness, charity, and love.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Clayton, her parents, and her brother, Paul Hauber. She is survived by her three children, seven grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held at 3:30 p.m. Sunday, June 15th, 2008 at the Prugh-Dunfee Funeral Home in Grant City. Brenda Abplanalp and Vallory Williams officiated. Interment was in the Grant City Cemetery. Memorials in memory of Marie Ross may be made to the Worth County Educational Foundation in care of the Prugh-Dunfee Funeral Home.
Marie grew up in Worth County, attended Amity elementary school southwest of Allendale, and high school in Grant City. She received a B.S. Degree in Education at Maryville Teacher’s College and Wilson Teacher’s College in Washington, DC. She completed post-graduate work at Northwest Missouri State, University of Missouri-Rolla, and other colleges.
On March 23rd, 1940 she married Charles Clayton Ross of Martinsville and from this union, three children were born: Charles Frederick Ross, Paul Franklin Ross, and Clella Mae (Ross) Goodwin.
Marie lived with Clayton on a farm south of Allendale which they owned and operated. Before her marriage, she taught in rural schools in Worth County including Dry, Freeland, and Allendale. After marriage, she taught elementary curriculum and also high school history and mathematics at Bethesda, MD, Grant City, Albany, Martinsville, and Stanberry, and then at Nocatee in the DeSoto, FL schools.
She was a member of the Denver United Methodist Church and the former Amity Farm Club.
Marie was a kind loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, cousin, and friend. She was loved and remembered by her students and peers in the schools where she taught. She always exemplified the discipline and attitude of a teacher as well as being a nurturing mother.
Our grief at her departure is relieved by the wonderful memories we have of her humility, kindness, charity, and love.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Clayton, her parents, and her brother, Paul Hauber. She is survived by her three children, seven grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held at 3:30 p.m. Sunday, June 15th, 2008 at the Prugh-Dunfee Funeral Home in Grant City. Brenda Abplanalp and Vallory Williams officiated. Interment was in the Grant City Cemetery. Memorials in memory of Marie Ross may be made to the Worth County Educational Foundation in care of the Prugh-Dunfee Funeral Home.
Monday, June 16, 2008
Obituary: John Raymond Dugdale 1963-2008
John Raymond Dugdale, 44, went to be with his Lord on June 12, 2008 at his residence in Hopkins. John was born to Raymond and Zelma Ruth (Richardson) Dugdale on June 24, 1963 in White Salmon, WA.
John moved from Underwood, WA in 1974 and graduated from Worth County High School in 1982. Through high school, he played in the family band at various local places. After graduation, he went out into the world to pursue his music career. John retired from the road tours in 2004 to Hopkins due to health issues. Playing pedal steel guitar was his passion. He was known as Johnny Del Ray in the music circuit and will be sadly missed by all who knew him
John was preceded in death by his mother and an infant brother, Raymond Michael Dugdale.
He is survived by his father, Raymond Dugdale of Ridgefield, WA; sisters Deborah Fender (Mark) of Omaha; Vicki Perez (Ben) of Gravity, IA; and Cindy Owens (Daryl) of Maryville; two half-sisters, Kavita and Merra Dugdale of Ridgefield, WA; seven nieces and nephews and four great-nieces and nephews.
Graveside memorial services and interment were 3:00 p.m. Thursday, June 17th, 2008 in the Sheridan Cemetery near Sheridan. Josh Allee officiated. Arrangements were under the direction of the Prugh-Dunfee Funeral Home in Grant City.
John moved from Underwood, WA in 1974 and graduated from Worth County High School in 1982. Through high school, he played in the family band at various local places. After graduation, he went out into the world to pursue his music career. John retired from the road tours in 2004 to Hopkins due to health issues. Playing pedal steel guitar was his passion. He was known as Johnny Del Ray in the music circuit and will be sadly missed by all who knew him
John was preceded in death by his mother and an infant brother, Raymond Michael Dugdale.
He is survived by his father, Raymond Dugdale of Ridgefield, WA; sisters Deborah Fender (Mark) of Omaha; Vicki Perez (Ben) of Gravity, IA; and Cindy Owens (Daryl) of Maryville; two half-sisters, Kavita and Merra Dugdale of Ridgefield, WA; seven nieces and nephews and four great-nieces and nephews.
Graveside memorial services and interment were 3:00 p.m. Thursday, June 17th, 2008 in the Sheridan Cemetery near Sheridan. Josh Allee officiated. Arrangements were under the direction of the Prugh-Dunfee Funeral Home in Grant City.
Andrew Summers makes Dean's List for Linn State
Linn State Technical College would like to congratulate more than 200 students who earned Dean's List honors for the 2008 Spring semester. To qualify for the Dean's List, a student must maintain a grade point average of 3.5 from a possible 4.0.
With more than 25 programs, Linn State Technical College is Missouri's only public two-year technical college with a statewide mission. LSTC prepares students for profitable employment and a life of learning. Linn State Technical College has campuses in Linn, Mexico and Jefferson City. For more information about LSTC, visit www.linnstate.edu.
Andrew Summers made the Dean’s List for this quarter; he is a Heavy Equipment Technology-CAT Dealer Service Technician.
With more than 25 programs, Linn State Technical College is Missouri's only public two-year technical college with a statewide mission. LSTC prepares students for profitable employment and a life of learning. Linn State Technical College has campuses in Linn, Mexico and Jefferson City. For more information about LSTC, visit www.linnstate.edu.
Andrew Summers made the Dean’s List for this quarter; he is a Heavy Equipment Technology-CAT Dealer Service Technician.
Worth Caring Coalition Continues Underage Drinking Dialogue
The Worth Caring Coalition met again Tuesday night and continued their ongoing dialogue about the problem of underage drinking in the county. Immediate needs in the area were recruitment, getting together activities that were alternatives to alcohol, and bringing more people into the process. Chris Turpin of the Heartland Foundation encouraged them, saying that their efforts would make a difference down the road. "It used to be that when I grew up, there was Joe Camel," he said. "Now, smoking is not such a cool thing to do any more. And that was the result of people like you."
Coalition members reported that they had already got together two dance classes, taught by an instructor from Mount Ayr; they said that there were 15-20 people at both of these events. Coalition member Megan McClain said that the hardest part was getting peers to change. "The stuff I found out was so shocking, I didn’t even think of that stuff," she said.
Gary Hillebrand of Preferred Healthcare and Turpin suggested some ideas for the students -- designing T-shirts, setting up rules for members, giving out cards for staying clean, and scholarship opportunities for other kids. McClain said that those were ideas and that the main thing for the coalition was to keep on track with what they were doing. She said that they were working on having a drive-in movie for the summer as well as reaching out to the elementary students as well. Hillebrand said that a lot of what they did would have a major impact and then pointed to a surprising statistic -- "75% of you will come back here." Turpin added, "You will have an inside track on telling kids what they need to hear about underage alcohol."
McClain said that anyone over 21 could get alcohol for younger teens and that more and more, people in their 30’s and 40’s were hanging out with high school kids. She said that was one of the main factors driving the underage drinking problem in the county. As Superintendent Dr. Linda Gray Smith pointed out, this could lead to further problems down the road such as domestic violence. Deputy Sheriff Dennie Mildfeldt said that in 98% of the arrests that he made, alcohol was involved. Hillebrand said that one of the strengths of the coalition’s activities were that they were reaching out to the adults in the community. "It used to be that programs were just focused on you, and that is not enough," he said. "Youth are not always in the position to get things done, and adults are."
Mildfeldt said that one attitude that led to the problem is that people think, "I got drunk when I was young, and I don’t see the problem." He said that youth were drinking more than their parents were, reinforced by the fact that parents buy 2-3 cases of beer. But Judge Joel Miller said that the problem was not necessarily the local convenience stores; he said that when the state did a recent sting operation, the clerks all ran the kids out of the store. He said that the difference between Worth County and other places was that older people were generally working the registers.
Hillebrand said that attitudes towards drunkenness were another factor. "Most cities have the problem of stores selling underage people liquor," he said. "We’re not proud in St. Joseph that our rate is so high, and one of the first steps to combat that is to raise public awareness. It used to be that it was a matter of public embarrassment if you showed up drunk to something."
Hillebrand said that another attitude that he saw was the misconception that if someone only drank one day of the week, they were not an alcoholic. "But if they only drink on Friday, and they are focusing all that week on Friday, then they are still an alcoholic," he said. Hillebrand, who works with kids who are trying to get free of substance abuse, said that it used to be that there was no empathy or compassion for students. "No community organizations or schools understood what was going on with these kids," he said. "Fortunately, we have moved beyond that." Hillebrand encouraged the coalition members to come up with a set of best practices that have been proven successful in many different settings that they could use for their program.
Hillebrand said that another myth about alcohol that he encountered was that it was better for the kids to drink at home than it was to go away and do it. But he said that myth ignored the fact that the human brain does not fully develop until it is 25. "People who start drinking before that don’t reach their potential," he said. He pointed to the case of Yankee baseball superstar Mickey Mantle, whom he said hit all those home runs, but still did not play up to his potential because of his drinking problems. "He could have done even greater things than what he did," he said. The dying Mantle himself said that kids should not look up to him as a role model.
Then, Hillebrand challenged the students to look for ways to make things better. "We’re not looking to blame anyone," he said. "We’re looking for how we can make things better." He said that merely doing mass assemblies, horror stories, and reciting facts would not be enough; only a combination of activities would reach the community and the people that they were trying to reach.
Hillebrand said that too often, such efforts only focused on weaknesses; he said that the students should focus on strengths and resources such as law enforcement, the school system, and youth groups. He said that once the community got a handle on the alcohol problem that other problems, such as robberies, domestic violence, and drug abuse would go down in the community as well. "And alcohol is involved in 75% of domestic violence cases," he added.
He said that it was also a matter of getting out and talking to as many different people as possible. "Even people who oppose you won’t stand in your way if you talk to them," he said. Superintendent Dr. Linda Gray Smith said that she would call around and see if she could find someone interested in providing self-defense classes; there was a lot of interest in that expressed by area youth along with dance classes.
McClain said that one of the problems was that there was nothing to do in the area but ride four-wheelers. She said that it was a matter of figuring out how to get people involved.
Turpin said that sometimes, it was a matter of trial and error; for instance, one idea that worked for one teacher was taking his students to the local jail and having his students lie down in the hard beds. "They did not want any part of that," he said.
Brooke Adams said that one of the problems in the county was that there were hardly any Minor in Possession (MIP) arrests in the county. Highway Patrolman Scott Pritzel said that juveniles were routinely taken to Maryville or Bethany where they were detoxified and released to their parents; usually, he said that they would not tell them who supplied them with alcohol. He said some people supplied alcohol to teens for the money; for instance, they would take money from the teen to buy alcohol and then get some for themselves with the remainder.
Hillebrand reminded the students that they were in the majority; for instance, 80-88% of students don’t smoke pot. "Most would rather do fun stuff," he said. "Focus on the ones who would rather do fun stuff than hang out and use alcohol and drugs," he said.
He said that when power was given to youth, their involvement skyrockets. But Hillebrand said that there were obstacles that the coalition had to deal with. For instance, parents hosting parties or not securing alcohol might be an obstacle as well as new problems, such as abuse of prescription medications. He said that one key would be for the group to train people as advocates; another idea would be to meet with representatives and discuss laws that they could pass. "You need to decide what it is you need to do," he said. In places that stay at square one, things will continue to get worse; your goal is to get to square two and square three."
Teacher Jonell Cook said that there was a family issue that was involved. "Some people see underage drinking in the family as natural and normal because they’ve always done it," she said. McClain said that a lot of times, people were not open to new ideas. Hillebrand responded that "we can only do what we can. We can’t change backgrounds, but we can be role models to other kids," he said. Turpin added that a lot of times, the family members were absent. "That’s when you have to step in as a teacher," he said.
Cook said that a lot of times, it was generational; another factor was that there were a lot of different ways that people looked at things. She recounted a poverty project where everyone had to take pictures of what they thought poverty looked like. The students focused on old barns and houses, she focused on gardens "because that was their food," and others focused on spiritual poverty.
Hillebrand came back to his point about role modeling. "Even 5th graders can see for themselves how alcohol affects people," he said. He said that it was a matter of setting norms that stated that this was not acceptable as well as enrichment of strengths. "Focus on what you would like to see done, and plan a campaign or strategy that fits your needs," he said.
Coalition members reported that they had already got together two dance classes, taught by an instructor from Mount Ayr; they said that there were 15-20 people at both of these events. Coalition member Megan McClain said that the hardest part was getting peers to change. "The stuff I found out was so shocking, I didn’t even think of that stuff," she said.
Gary Hillebrand of Preferred Healthcare and Turpin suggested some ideas for the students -- designing T-shirts, setting up rules for members, giving out cards for staying clean, and scholarship opportunities for other kids. McClain said that those were ideas and that the main thing for the coalition was to keep on track with what they were doing. She said that they were working on having a drive-in movie for the summer as well as reaching out to the elementary students as well. Hillebrand said that a lot of what they did would have a major impact and then pointed to a surprising statistic -- "75% of you will come back here." Turpin added, "You will have an inside track on telling kids what they need to hear about underage alcohol."
McClain said that anyone over 21 could get alcohol for younger teens and that more and more, people in their 30’s and 40’s were hanging out with high school kids. She said that was one of the main factors driving the underage drinking problem in the county. As Superintendent Dr. Linda Gray Smith pointed out, this could lead to further problems down the road such as domestic violence. Deputy Sheriff Dennie Mildfeldt said that in 98% of the arrests that he made, alcohol was involved. Hillebrand said that one of the strengths of the coalition’s activities were that they were reaching out to the adults in the community. "It used to be that programs were just focused on you, and that is not enough," he said. "Youth are not always in the position to get things done, and adults are."
Mildfeldt said that one attitude that led to the problem is that people think, "I got drunk when I was young, and I don’t see the problem." He said that youth were drinking more than their parents were, reinforced by the fact that parents buy 2-3 cases of beer. But Judge Joel Miller said that the problem was not necessarily the local convenience stores; he said that when the state did a recent sting operation, the clerks all ran the kids out of the store. He said that the difference between Worth County and other places was that older people were generally working the registers.
Hillebrand said that attitudes towards drunkenness were another factor. "Most cities have the problem of stores selling underage people liquor," he said. "We’re not proud in St. Joseph that our rate is so high, and one of the first steps to combat that is to raise public awareness. It used to be that it was a matter of public embarrassment if you showed up drunk to something."
Hillebrand said that another attitude that he saw was the misconception that if someone only drank one day of the week, they were not an alcoholic. "But if they only drink on Friday, and they are focusing all that week on Friday, then they are still an alcoholic," he said. Hillebrand, who works with kids who are trying to get free of substance abuse, said that it used to be that there was no empathy or compassion for students. "No community organizations or schools understood what was going on with these kids," he said. "Fortunately, we have moved beyond that." Hillebrand encouraged the coalition members to come up with a set of best practices that have been proven successful in many different settings that they could use for their program.
Hillebrand said that another myth about alcohol that he encountered was that it was better for the kids to drink at home than it was to go away and do it. But he said that myth ignored the fact that the human brain does not fully develop until it is 25. "People who start drinking before that don’t reach their potential," he said. He pointed to the case of Yankee baseball superstar Mickey Mantle, whom he said hit all those home runs, but still did not play up to his potential because of his drinking problems. "He could have done even greater things than what he did," he said. The dying Mantle himself said that kids should not look up to him as a role model.
Then, Hillebrand challenged the students to look for ways to make things better. "We’re not looking to blame anyone," he said. "We’re looking for how we can make things better." He said that merely doing mass assemblies, horror stories, and reciting facts would not be enough; only a combination of activities would reach the community and the people that they were trying to reach.
Hillebrand said that too often, such efforts only focused on weaknesses; he said that the students should focus on strengths and resources such as law enforcement, the school system, and youth groups. He said that once the community got a handle on the alcohol problem that other problems, such as robberies, domestic violence, and drug abuse would go down in the community as well. "And alcohol is involved in 75% of domestic violence cases," he added.
He said that it was also a matter of getting out and talking to as many different people as possible. "Even people who oppose you won’t stand in your way if you talk to them," he said. Superintendent Dr. Linda Gray Smith said that she would call around and see if she could find someone interested in providing self-defense classes; there was a lot of interest in that expressed by area youth along with dance classes.
McClain said that one of the problems was that there was nothing to do in the area but ride four-wheelers. She said that it was a matter of figuring out how to get people involved.
Turpin said that sometimes, it was a matter of trial and error; for instance, one idea that worked for one teacher was taking his students to the local jail and having his students lie down in the hard beds. "They did not want any part of that," he said.
Brooke Adams said that one of the problems in the county was that there were hardly any Minor in Possession (MIP) arrests in the county. Highway Patrolman Scott Pritzel said that juveniles were routinely taken to Maryville or Bethany where they were detoxified and released to their parents; usually, he said that they would not tell them who supplied them with alcohol. He said some people supplied alcohol to teens for the money; for instance, they would take money from the teen to buy alcohol and then get some for themselves with the remainder.
Hillebrand reminded the students that they were in the majority; for instance, 80-88% of students don’t smoke pot. "Most would rather do fun stuff," he said. "Focus on the ones who would rather do fun stuff than hang out and use alcohol and drugs," he said.
He said that when power was given to youth, their involvement skyrockets. But Hillebrand said that there were obstacles that the coalition had to deal with. For instance, parents hosting parties or not securing alcohol might be an obstacle as well as new problems, such as abuse of prescription medications. He said that one key would be for the group to train people as advocates; another idea would be to meet with representatives and discuss laws that they could pass. "You need to decide what it is you need to do," he said. In places that stay at square one, things will continue to get worse; your goal is to get to square two and square three."
Teacher Jonell Cook said that there was a family issue that was involved. "Some people see underage drinking in the family as natural and normal because they’ve always done it," she said. McClain said that a lot of times, people were not open to new ideas. Hillebrand responded that "we can only do what we can. We can’t change backgrounds, but we can be role models to other kids," he said. Turpin added that a lot of times, the family members were absent. "That’s when you have to step in as a teacher," he said.
Cook said that a lot of times, it was generational; another factor was that there were a lot of different ways that people looked at things. She recounted a poverty project where everyone had to take pictures of what they thought poverty looked like. The students focused on old barns and houses, she focused on gardens "because that was their food," and others focused on spiritual poverty.
Hillebrand came back to his point about role modeling. "Even 5th graders can see for themselves how alcohol affects people," he said. He said that it was a matter of setting norms that stated that this was not acceptable as well as enrichment of strengths. "Focus on what you would like to see done, and plan a campaign or strategy that fits your needs," he said.
Show-Me State of Mind for June 18th, 2008
No Amnesty for Employers or ImmigrantsWhen it comes to immigration, Congressman Sam Graves likes to say, "You can't fix a leaky faucet while the water is running."I couldn't agree more, and that's why Graves' record on immigration leaves those of us who live here in Missouri scratching our heads. Sam's been in Washington so long that he's left the water running, forgotten to call the plumber, and now demands to know where the water is coming from!More than 5 million illegal immigrants have entered the United States since Graves and President Bush took office together in 2001. We all know that unsecured borders and attractive jobs are what draw immigrants. That's why securing our borders and cracking down on lawbreaking employers must be our top priority.Congressman Graves talks tough on immigration, but he's really exploiting the issue for political gain while undermining our efforts to fix the problem. In 2005, Graves voted to cut $48 million from U.S. Customs and Border Patrol. These are the folks charged with keeping our borders safe. How could Graves write in March 2005 that "our current immigration policy is sick," only to vote a few months later to cut funding for border agents? In 2006, Graves voted against a bill that would have cracked down on smuggling illegal immigrants across the border - only one example of his siding with businesses who knowingly hire illegal workers. Businesses and individuals who break the law by recruiting, hiring, and harboring illegal immigrants must be held accountable for their actions.Why would Graves do this? Because businesses who benefit from cheap immigrant labor and oppose employer sanctions are funding his reelection campaigns. Graves is so beholden to these special interests that he is still pushing for more work visas even though he knows that millions of immigrants who entered the country on these visas have overstayed and become illegal immigrants.We need a Representative who will work to fix the immigration problem by strengthening our borders and enforcing our laws. And we especially need someone who will oppose amnesty for illegal immigrants, and for lawbreaking employers.Kay Barnes is a candidate for U.S. representative for Missouri's 6th Congressional District
Household Battery Sites in Worth County
Dumping used household batteries in the trash can cause harmful effects to the environment. Elements such as cadmium, alkaline, nickel, and mercury found in batteries are unsafe for the environment when not disposed of properly. Batteries not disposed properly can also pollute lakes and streams, contribute to heavy metals that leach from solid waste landfills, and expose the environment and water to lead and acid. Additionally, batteries contain strong corrosive acids which may cause danger to the eyes and skin.
The Northwest Missouri Regional Solid Waste Management District is sponsoring permanent household battery collection sites throughout the five-county region of Atchison, Gentry, Holt, Nodaway, and Worth. Batteries collected at these sites will be disposed of through a permitted hazardous waste facility or recycled. Worth County’s collection sites are located in: Grant City at the County Courthouse, 11 West 4th Street and Grant City, City Hall, 101 W. Third Street.
For more information about the battery collection sites or to request a collection container for your city or organization, please contact Amy Stoner at (660) 582-5121. This project is funded in part by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.
The Northwest Missouri Regional Solid Waste Management District is sponsoring permanent household battery collection sites throughout the five-county region of Atchison, Gentry, Holt, Nodaway, and Worth. Batteries collected at these sites will be disposed of through a permitted hazardous waste facility or recycled. Worth County’s collection sites are located in: Grant City at the County Courthouse, 11 West 4th Street and Grant City, City Hall, 101 W. Third Street.
For more information about the battery collection sites or to request a collection container for your city or organization, please contact Amy Stoner at (660) 582-5121. This project is funded in part by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.
WCCC News for June 11th, 2008
A busy week in the life at the Worth County Convalescent Center. If you would like to get involved in a discussion group come out and have coffee at 9:30. We would like to have you. Monday's discussion was of different landmarks and vacation trips. Just reminiscing about past experiences.
Tuesday we had resident council. Rev Pinkerton was unable to join us, so we watched a taped service from the Grant City Methodist Church. Wednesday we bingoed.
We want to thank Ronnie Rauch for coming for Bible Study on Thursday. We are all looking forward to seeing him again next week.
Ronald Sanders' family provided cake and ice cream for the resident's and staff on Thursday afternoon. Happy Birthday Ronald Sanders!
Pete, Noah, Alvin, Orel, Verna, Virginia and Ruth when to the Senior Center for lunch Friday. We took hot rolls to share.
The Laplanders were here in the afternoon on Friday. We'll we be anxious to see them again next month.
Virginia came Saturday afternoon and made Root Beer Floats. Everyone is enjoying the cool ice cream with the warm weather setting in.
All the gentlemen received boutonnières for Father's Day! We hope all the Worth County father's had a great day!
Sheridan Christian Church came for church Sunday afternoon.
Tuesday we had resident council. Rev Pinkerton was unable to join us, so we watched a taped service from the Grant City Methodist Church. Wednesday we bingoed.
We want to thank Ronnie Rauch for coming for Bible Study on Thursday. We are all looking forward to seeing him again next week.
Ronald Sanders' family provided cake and ice cream for the resident's and staff on Thursday afternoon. Happy Birthday Ronald Sanders!
Pete, Noah, Alvin, Orel, Verna, Virginia and Ruth when to the Senior Center for lunch Friday. We took hot rolls to share.
The Laplanders were here in the afternoon on Friday. We'll we be anxious to see them again next month.
Virginia came Saturday afternoon and made Root Beer Floats. Everyone is enjoying the cool ice cream with the warm weather setting in.
All the gentlemen received boutonnières for Father's Day! We hope all the Worth County father's had a great day!
Sheridan Christian Church came for church Sunday afternoon.
Opinion: How Split-Second Decisions Imperil Youth
By Stephen Wallace, M.S. Ed.
Educating young people about the dangers inherent in their everyday lives is not an assignment for the faint of heart. It takes reams of information, no small amount of courage, and tenacity not easily maintained. Yet, as we enter one of the most dangerous seasons for teens, the call to action has never been greater.
Even well-intentioned teens may fall victim to a natural neurochemical process that may swiftly erase past reasoning, replacing it with split-second decisions that may surprise, or in some cases confound, them.
During adolescence – and somewhat beyond – dormant cognitive order gives way to mind-numbing change as the brain literally prunes itself, recasting its very structure in the interest of what psychologists call "higher order" thinking skills, such as appraising, predicting, and evaluating. This massive reorganization, in which the gray matter of the brain (which had been thickening up to the start of puberty) begins to thin as excess connections are eliminated and remaining ones strengthened, creates a leaner, meaner thinking machine.
Sounds great.
The only problem is that along with such transformation comes a (hopefully) temporary slighting of the part of the brain responsible for judgment. And a lack of judgment can lead to serious, even deadly, consequences.
Jay Giedd, M.D., a neuroscientist at the National Institute of Mental Health – and a leading researcher on adolescent brains – calls this period " a time of enormous opportunity and of enormous risk," pointing out that, among other things, it coincides, or perhaps collides, with other developmental forces. In an interview with PBS' Frontline, Dr. Giedd said, "It's also a particularly cruel irony of nature, I think, that right at this time when the brain is most vulnerable is also the time when teens are most likely to experiment with drugs or alcohol."
And that is especially troubling when it comes to teens and cars.
Research from SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) and Liberty Mutual Insurance reveals that, despite more than two decades of progress in the area of adolescent impaired driving, one in five teens reports combining driving with alcohol and almost one in eight says the same thing about marijuana.
Add to that analysis other key indicators of teen driving safety – using a cell phone (62 percent), having more than three people in the car (64 percent), and text messaging (22 percent) while driving – and you begin to see the scope of the problem.
And just when more teens than ever are climbing behind the wheel.
According to SADD and Liberty Mutual, during the summer teen drivers average 44 percent more hours behind the wheel each week and are more likely than they are during the school year to drive with three or more teens in the car (23 percent versus 6 percent), to drive late at night (47 percent versus 6 percent), and to drive when tired or sleepy (24 percent versus 9 percent).
These sobering statistics may help to explain why the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says that more teens die in car crashes during the summer months (June through September) than at any other time of the year. Another cruel irony of timing – the joy and freedom that summer brings crashing headlong into an unyielding cognitive makeover that leaves even the most responsible of teens at risk.
In her book The Primal Teen, New York Times health editor Barbara Strauch recounts the tale of one such teen, a girl who gets good grades and takes pains to avoid making poor choices. Nevertheless, Strauch reports, she sometimes "acts crazy," such as the time she countered a truck that had passed her on the highway by then passing it herself ... at a speed of more than one hundred miles per hour. As Strauch says, "She nearly killed herself."
Speeding cars, and impulses, call out for the type of deliberate, thoughtful processing of information that perhaps only fully mature adult brains can truly master, thereby placing a big, bold exclamation point on the value of parental intrusion into the carefree world of teen driving. After all, young people themselves say that their parents are the biggest influence on how they drive and they report that when Mom or Dad sets and enforces driving rules, they are more likely to stay safe behind the wheel.
Yet another place where judgments can be clouded, and lives forever changed, in a snap!
Stephen Wallace, author of the new book Reality Gap–Alcohol, Drugs, and Sex, What Parents Don't Know and Teens Aren't Telling, serves as the national chairman and chief executive officer of SADD, Inc. (Students Against Destructive Decisions). For more information about SADD, visit sadd.org. For more information about Stephen, visit stephengraywallace.com.
Educating young people about the dangers inherent in their everyday lives is not an assignment for the faint of heart. It takes reams of information, no small amount of courage, and tenacity not easily maintained. Yet, as we enter one of the most dangerous seasons for teens, the call to action has never been greater.
Even well-intentioned teens may fall victim to a natural neurochemical process that may swiftly erase past reasoning, replacing it with split-second decisions that may surprise, or in some cases confound, them.
During adolescence – and somewhat beyond – dormant cognitive order gives way to mind-numbing change as the brain literally prunes itself, recasting its very structure in the interest of what psychologists call "higher order" thinking skills, such as appraising, predicting, and evaluating. This massive reorganization, in which the gray matter of the brain (which had been thickening up to the start of puberty) begins to thin as excess connections are eliminated and remaining ones strengthened, creates a leaner, meaner thinking machine.
Sounds great.
The only problem is that along with such transformation comes a (hopefully) temporary slighting of the part of the brain responsible for judgment. And a lack of judgment can lead to serious, even deadly, consequences.
Jay Giedd, M.D., a neuroscientist at the National Institute of Mental Health – and a leading researcher on adolescent brains – calls this period " a time of enormous opportunity and of enormous risk," pointing out that, among other things, it coincides, or perhaps collides, with other developmental forces. In an interview with PBS' Frontline, Dr. Giedd said, "It's also a particularly cruel irony of nature, I think, that right at this time when the brain is most vulnerable is also the time when teens are most likely to experiment with drugs or alcohol."
And that is especially troubling when it comes to teens and cars.
Research from SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) and Liberty Mutual Insurance reveals that, despite more than two decades of progress in the area of adolescent impaired driving, one in five teens reports combining driving with alcohol and almost one in eight says the same thing about marijuana.
Add to that analysis other key indicators of teen driving safety – using a cell phone (62 percent), having more than three people in the car (64 percent), and text messaging (22 percent) while driving – and you begin to see the scope of the problem.
And just when more teens than ever are climbing behind the wheel.
According to SADD and Liberty Mutual, during the summer teen drivers average 44 percent more hours behind the wheel each week and are more likely than they are during the school year to drive with three or more teens in the car (23 percent versus 6 percent), to drive late at night (47 percent versus 6 percent), and to drive when tired or sleepy (24 percent versus 9 percent).
These sobering statistics may help to explain why the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says that more teens die in car crashes during the summer months (June through September) than at any other time of the year. Another cruel irony of timing – the joy and freedom that summer brings crashing headlong into an unyielding cognitive makeover that leaves even the most responsible of teens at risk.
In her book The Primal Teen, New York Times health editor Barbara Strauch recounts the tale of one such teen, a girl who gets good grades and takes pains to avoid making poor choices. Nevertheless, Strauch reports, she sometimes "acts crazy," such as the time she countered a truck that had passed her on the highway by then passing it herself ... at a speed of more than one hundred miles per hour. As Strauch says, "She nearly killed herself."
Speeding cars, and impulses, call out for the type of deliberate, thoughtful processing of information that perhaps only fully mature adult brains can truly master, thereby placing a big, bold exclamation point on the value of parental intrusion into the carefree world of teen driving. After all, young people themselves say that their parents are the biggest influence on how they drive and they report that when Mom or Dad sets and enforces driving rules, they are more likely to stay safe behind the wheel.
Yet another place where judgments can be clouded, and lives forever changed, in a snap!
Stephen Wallace, author of the new book Reality Gap–Alcohol, Drugs, and Sex, What Parents Don't Know and Teens Aren't Telling, serves as the national chairman and chief executive officer of SADD, Inc. (Students Against Destructive Decisions). For more information about SADD, visit sadd.org. For more information about Stephen, visit stephengraywallace.com.
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