Opinion Pieces are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the Sheridan Express.
By Chandra Hopkins
Thankfully, the election process is about to wind down! I know we are all tired of the ads, the claims and the counterclaims, the flowery rhetoric and the billions of promises that will never be kept no matter who is elected. With all of this "junk" we have to sift through, no doubt many will wonder if it is even worth it to go to the polls.
It is our duty to participate in this important process. Many have fought for the right to cast their ballot and for all Americans to do the same. It is also important to be an informed voter. It is our responsibility to make sure that we know who and what we are voting for. Every election is important but this election is one of the most serious we have faced. We are faced with electing a leader of this great nation at a time in history when the consequences of our actions will have an enormous effect on generations to come. How then, are we to choose who would be the best leader based on all the political campaigns? It is hard to sort through and find the truth. When the truth is hard to find the best place to find it is in the facts. Facts cannot be changed and they will not go away. They are what they are.
Neither candidate running for president was my choice. I disagree with them both on several issues. However, there is a clear choice. No matter what the talking heads and spin doctors say, there are facts that cannot be ignored. Barrack Obama is a candidate that scares the daylights out of me. There are so many issues that are deal breakers just by themselves! No matter how many times Obama's supporters tell you that things you question are irrelevant to his presidency, the issues remain and must be considered. How many of us would sit in a church for 20 years listening to our minister spew hate and tell us how horrible our country was? How many of us would sit on a so called educational foundation with someone who bombed our pentagon and ran an underground domestic terrorist organization and have that very person launch our political campaign from his living room? How many of us would be so naive to think that Iran is just a little country who couldn't hurt us? How many of us would have the nerve to run for president of the greatest country in the world and go to Germany and tell them how bad the United States is and to constantly run our country down? How many of us would let a baby born alive when an abortion is botched and want a law to let that child die because that was the original intent of having an abortion?
Doesn't it make you a little nervous that Barack Obama attracts people like Rev. Wright, Louis Farrakhan, Father Pflager, Bernadine Dorn, Bill Ayers, Hugo Chavez (dictator of Venezuela) Fidel Castro, the American Communist party, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (crazy man leader of Iran), the Hollywood leftist crazies and a host of other socialists, Marxist wing nuts? What is it about him that they subscribe to? I would venture to say that Mr Obama has the same ideas about "sharing the wealth" that socialists share. Give your money to the government and they will see to it that it is shared equally as they see fit to all Americans. Is that really what you want? Obama is running on "hope and change".....if he is elected we can "hope" that we all have a little "change" left when he gets finished "redistributing" our hard earned paychecks!! There are so very many flaws in his thinking that it would take more than a newspaper column to get it all covered. If you consider just the few things I have mentioned, there should be no doubt that there is sufficient reasons to vote for John McCain.
John McCain loves this country. It is abundantly apparent and is not something you have to wonder about. He would always have the best interests of our country in the forefront of all his decisions. We may not always agree with him but I would always be comfortable in knowing that he will be making decisions for the people of this great country and will not be thinking about being a global president. We are electing the president of the United States not the next president of the world!! Obama has delusions of turning America into Europe and of himself being the world's leader. John McCain knows that we are a capitalistic country and that socialism will not work. Our forefathers didn't set out to make us like Europe...that is why they founded a free country!
Barack Hussein Obama is an extreme socialist liberal. He is someone who is constantly apologizing for our actions and blaming America for all that is bad in the world. Liberalism has run amok enough in our country! If Obama would be elected, there would be no way to stop the insanity with congress being controlled with the likes of Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid and the other liberals in charge. It is time to take it back and reclaim it for the most blessed, most generous and greatest country in the world! I urge you to vote for the man who loves his country and has proven it, who has the most common sense ideas and who will stand up for the ideals our founding fathers set forth for us years ago. For our country's sake, vote for John McCain.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Friday, October 24, 2008
Jack Remembers for 10-29-08
My oldest son, Dr. Steven Hackley, got bored in high school and dropped out at the end of his Junior year. Luckily, he was accepted at MU without a high school diploma. He is now a Professor at the University of Missouri at Columbia in the Psychology Department. He does research and also teaches undergraduate and graduate students. He is the Past President of the world-wide Society for Psycho-physiological Research.
When Steve was a young boy he helped my dad milk cows. He was paid $1.00 per milking and he saved virtually every penny he earned. He had quite a bit of money saved up and decided he would like to take lessons and learn how to fly. He rode his bicycle four miles to the East Kansas City Airport located at Grain Valley. He had parked his bicycle and was looking in a plane parked next to the airport office when the management came out, ran him off, and told him not to come back. He talked his mother into driving him once a week twenty-one miles to the Higginsville Airport, located off I-70 and operated by Marshall Branson, who took an interest in Steve. Marshall was a compassionate and patient instructor and got Steve ready to solo on his 16th birthday, which was the legal age.
I called the Kansas City Star and told them my son was going to both solo an airplane and get his driver’s license on the same day. Branson flew the Cessna 150 from Higginsville to the Grain Valley airport to meet Steve. With the Kansas City Star reporter and Steve’s family watching from the ground, Steve completed his solo flight. The next stop was the Independence License Bureau, where he took his driver’s test, once again with his family and the Kansas City Star reporter looking on. Upon completion of the driver’s test, the examiner announced to the onlookers that the newly 16 year old pilot had flunked the test.
When Steve was a young boy he helped my dad milk cows. He was paid $1.00 per milking and he saved virtually every penny he earned. He had quite a bit of money saved up and decided he would like to take lessons and learn how to fly. He rode his bicycle four miles to the East Kansas City Airport located at Grain Valley. He had parked his bicycle and was looking in a plane parked next to the airport office when the management came out, ran him off, and told him not to come back. He talked his mother into driving him once a week twenty-one miles to the Higginsville Airport, located off I-70 and operated by Marshall Branson, who took an interest in Steve. Marshall was a compassionate and patient instructor and got Steve ready to solo on his 16th birthday, which was the legal age.
I called the Kansas City Star and told them my son was going to both solo an airplane and get his driver’s license on the same day. Branson flew the Cessna 150 from Higginsville to the Grain Valley airport to meet Steve. With the Kansas City Star reporter and Steve’s family watching from the ground, Steve completed his solo flight. The next stop was the Independence License Bureau, where he took his driver’s test, once again with his family and the Kansas City Star reporter looking on. Upon completion of the driver’s test, the examiner announced to the onlookers that the newly 16 year old pilot had flunked the test.
37529 Missourians May Overpay for Plan D
Medicare estimates that 37,529 eligible Missourians have not signed up for a program that would help them pay for Medicare Part D and drastically reduce their prescription drug costs.
The program is known as "Extra Help for Medicare Part D," or the "Low-Income Subsidy." It pays 75 percent or more of prescription drug costs associated with Medicare Part D, the federally subsidized prescription drug program.
Carol Beahan, director of the nonprofit CLAIM program, would like to see more people enroll in the program.
"Many people don’t think they can afford Medicare drug coverage, because it does require cost sharing. That’s what the Extra Help program is for. People shouldn’t have to make a choice between buying groceries, or buying their medicine. Tight budgets shouldn’t force people to sacrifice their health," Beahan said.
"Some simply may not know they could be eligible for the program. Others might see the program as a handout; but I tell them that every week they have paid for the benefit already. Now’s the time to use it," Beahan said.
Applications for the Extra Help program can be requested by phone by calling Social Security at 1-800-772-1213. It can also be completed online at www.socialsecurity.gov or at your local Social Security office.
The program is known as "Extra Help for Medicare Part D," or the "Low-Income Subsidy." It pays 75 percent or more of prescription drug costs associated with Medicare Part D, the federally subsidized prescription drug program.
Carol Beahan, director of the nonprofit CLAIM program, would like to see more people enroll in the program.
"Many people don’t think they can afford Medicare drug coverage, because it does require cost sharing. That’s what the Extra Help program is for. People shouldn’t have to make a choice between buying groceries, or buying their medicine. Tight budgets shouldn’t force people to sacrifice their health," Beahan said.
"Some simply may not know they could be eligible for the program. Others might see the program as a handout; but I tell them that every week they have paid for the benefit already. Now’s the time to use it," Beahan said.
Applications for the Extra Help program can be requested by phone by calling Social Security at 1-800-772-1213. It can also be completed online at www.socialsecurity.gov or at your local Social Security office.
Time to Change Batteries in Smoke Detectors
As the fall time change approaches American Red Cross and the Sheridan Fire Department wants to remind residents to make another change that could save their lives - changing the batteries in their smoke alarms.
Saturday, November is “change your clock, change your battery” day and on that day it is recommended that everyone put a new battery in their smoke detector. The Red Cross and Sheridan Fire Department will be coordinating visits to homes of seniors and others who need help changing the battery in their smoke detector. Also, anyone who does not have a smoke detector in their home, the American Red Cross will provide a detector and a Firefighter will assist with installation. To schedule assistance with your smoke detector, please call the American Red Cross by Thursday, October 30 at 1-800-378-8438.
“A working smoke alarm provides an early warning and critical extra second to escape,” said Kevin Kirby, Executive Director. “This is particularly important for those most at risk of dying in a home fire, such as children and seniors.”
Children are particularly vulnerable during home fires. Children ages five and under are twice as likely as the population as a whole to die in home fires. 80% of child fire fatalities occur in homes without working smoke alarms.
Adults ages 65 and older are two times more likely to die in a home fire; those ages 75 and up are three times more likely and those ages 85 and up are 4.5 times more likely to die in a home fire.
Although 92 percent of American homes have smoke alarms, non-working smoke alarms are so common that they are robbing residents of the protective benefits these critical home fire safety devices were designed to provide. The most commonly cited cause of non-working smoke alarms: worn or missing batteries.
Changing smoke alarm batteries once a year is one of the simplest, most effective ways to reduce these tragic deaths and injuries. In fact, a working smoke alarm nearly cuts in half the risk of dying in a home fire.
Saturday, November is “change your clock, change your battery” day and on that day it is recommended that everyone put a new battery in their smoke detector. The Red Cross and Sheridan Fire Department will be coordinating visits to homes of seniors and others who need help changing the battery in their smoke detector. Also, anyone who does not have a smoke detector in their home, the American Red Cross will provide a detector and a Firefighter will assist with installation. To schedule assistance with your smoke detector, please call the American Red Cross by Thursday, October 30 at 1-800-378-8438.
“A working smoke alarm provides an early warning and critical extra second to escape,” said Kevin Kirby, Executive Director. “This is particularly important for those most at risk of dying in a home fire, such as children and seniors.”
Children are particularly vulnerable during home fires. Children ages five and under are twice as likely as the population as a whole to die in home fires. 80% of child fire fatalities occur in homes without working smoke alarms.
Adults ages 65 and older are two times more likely to die in a home fire; those ages 75 and up are three times more likely and those ages 85 and up are 4.5 times more likely to die in a home fire.
Although 92 percent of American homes have smoke alarms, non-working smoke alarms are so common that they are robbing residents of the protective benefits these critical home fire safety devices were designed to provide. The most commonly cited cause of non-working smoke alarms: worn or missing batteries.
Changing smoke alarm batteries once a year is one of the simplest, most effective ways to reduce these tragic deaths and injuries. In fact, a working smoke alarm nearly cuts in half the risk of dying in a home fire.
Growers Use Crop Residues to Increase Yields and Protect Soil
Growers Use Crop Residues to Increase Yields and Protect Soil
Growers using no-till and reduce till systems have reduced soil erosion in Northwest Missouri to a point that we have achieved many of our goals in reducing soil loss. However, with heavy rains this spring and some of the damage that occurred in 2007, we do have some small ditches in fields.
If you have fields that have damage, you may want to smooth the ditch edges with a blade. Plowing or disking loosens more soil and this can dislodge with the impact of rains. Also, sowing some winter small grains that can create residue will help absorb the energy from rain. Old crop residues also help prevent erosion once the ditches are filled.
As we continue to look for ways to improve crop yields, some are questioning the value of no-till. We only have to look back about 20 years to see the benefits we have now.
When we lose topsoil, our crop yields decline. The organic matter contained in top-soil provides our crops with sources of nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus. Organic matter also provides the environment for good plant growth.
Our data at the Graves-Chapple Farm continue to show that no-till crop yields are equal to or greater than other tillage systems. Also, when you examine the income and expense, the economics are better with no-till.
Another reason for continuing with no-till is increased water infiltration. Tests conducted years ago at Graves-Chapple showed that no-till had greater infiltration rates of water compared to other tillage systems even ripping the soil. We also repeated this again last year at the Graves-Chapple Farm and again the results were faster infiltration rates with no-till.
The use of crop residues to protect the soil and the use of mechanical practices to move excess water off of row crop fields continue to be important strategies to keep our soils productive and producing high crop yields. Lets continue using these practices so future generations can have access to this resource.
For more information contact Wayne Flanary at (660)446-3724 or Heather Benedict at (660)425-6434, Regional Agronomists with the University of Missouri Extension.
Growers using no-till and reduce till systems have reduced soil erosion in Northwest Missouri to a point that we have achieved many of our goals in reducing soil loss. However, with heavy rains this spring and some of the damage that occurred in 2007, we do have some small ditches in fields.
If you have fields that have damage, you may want to smooth the ditch edges with a blade. Plowing or disking loosens more soil and this can dislodge with the impact of rains. Also, sowing some winter small grains that can create residue will help absorb the energy from rain. Old crop residues also help prevent erosion once the ditches are filled.
As we continue to look for ways to improve crop yields, some are questioning the value of no-till. We only have to look back about 20 years to see the benefits we have now.
When we lose topsoil, our crop yields decline. The organic matter contained in top-soil provides our crops with sources of nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus. Organic matter also provides the environment for good plant growth.
Our data at the Graves-Chapple Farm continue to show that no-till crop yields are equal to or greater than other tillage systems. Also, when you examine the income and expense, the economics are better with no-till.
Another reason for continuing with no-till is increased water infiltration. Tests conducted years ago at Graves-Chapple showed that no-till had greater infiltration rates of water compared to other tillage systems even ripping the soil. We also repeated this again last year at the Graves-Chapple Farm and again the results were faster infiltration rates with no-till.
The use of crop residues to protect the soil and the use of mechanical practices to move excess water off of row crop fields continue to be important strategies to keep our soils productive and producing high crop yields. Lets continue using these practices so future generations can have access to this resource.
For more information contact Wayne Flanary at (660)446-3724 or Heather Benedict at (660)425-6434, Regional Agronomists with the University of Missouri Extension.
Sooty Blotch in Apples
Sooty Blotch in Apples Not a Health Concern
By Janet Hackert, Regional Nutrition and
Health Education Specialist
This year the apple harvest has been bountiful! But some of those beautiful apples are showing blemishes caused by sooty blotch. Although they may not look nice, these apples "do not pose a health risk," says Dr Michael Ellis from the Department of Plant Pathology at Ohio State University.
An apple with sooty blotch has brown to dull black spots on it. The spots do not have clear-cut edges, but rather have an indefinite outline. The spots may be confined to one small area, or may cover most of the fruit’s surface. Most commonly this problem occurs with Golden Delicious or Grimes apples, but may show up on any variety.
Sooty blotch is caused by a fungal infection. It is particularly prevalent later in the season when May and June were cool and wet and July and August were hot and dry – much like we have had in many parts of northwest Missouri this year.
The good news is that sooty blotch is only ‘skin deep.’ Because it is confined to the surface of the fruit, it is easy to remove it. As Dr. Ellis reports, "Removal of the fungus by washing, rubbing or peeling the fruit results in fruit that is acceptable for cooking or eating fresh." But then, washing and rubbing any type of fruit is recommended to keep that food safe to eat, whether the process is to remove sooty blotch or any number of potentially dangerous microorganisms.
Hold apples at 35-40 degrees Fahrenheit for optimal long term storage. Apples at these temperatures last far longer than at room temperature. Temperatures in a garage or basement may be cool and will prolong the shelf life of apples. But even better would be to use a spare refrigerator where apples would be kept at a constant temperature. For apples with sooty blotch, the same storage conditions are recommended. Even after being held in cold storage, "sooty blotch could increase, but not be a health risk," says Dr. Ellis.
University of Missouri Extension is the local link between the resources of the four University of Missouri campuses in Columbia, Kansas City, Rolla and St. Louis; Lincoln University in Jefferson City; and people throughout the state.
Equal opportunity is and shall be provided to all participants in Extension programs and activities, and for all employees and applicants for employment on the basis of their demonstrated ability and competence without discrimination on the basis of their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability or status as a Vietnam-era veteran. This policy shall not be interpreted in such a manner as to violate the legal rights of religious organizations or military organizations associated with the armed forces of the United States of America.
By Janet Hackert, Regional Nutrition and
Health Education Specialist
This year the apple harvest has been bountiful! But some of those beautiful apples are showing blemishes caused by sooty blotch. Although they may not look nice, these apples "do not pose a health risk," says Dr Michael Ellis from the Department of Plant Pathology at Ohio State University.
An apple with sooty blotch has brown to dull black spots on it. The spots do not have clear-cut edges, but rather have an indefinite outline. The spots may be confined to one small area, or may cover most of the fruit’s surface. Most commonly this problem occurs with Golden Delicious or Grimes apples, but may show up on any variety.
Sooty blotch is caused by a fungal infection. It is particularly prevalent later in the season when May and June were cool and wet and July and August were hot and dry – much like we have had in many parts of northwest Missouri this year.
The good news is that sooty blotch is only ‘skin deep.’ Because it is confined to the surface of the fruit, it is easy to remove it. As Dr. Ellis reports, "Removal of the fungus by washing, rubbing or peeling the fruit results in fruit that is acceptable for cooking or eating fresh." But then, washing and rubbing any type of fruit is recommended to keep that food safe to eat, whether the process is to remove sooty blotch or any number of potentially dangerous microorganisms.
Hold apples at 35-40 degrees Fahrenheit for optimal long term storage. Apples at these temperatures last far longer than at room temperature. Temperatures in a garage or basement may be cool and will prolong the shelf life of apples. But even better would be to use a spare refrigerator where apples would be kept at a constant temperature. For apples with sooty blotch, the same storage conditions are recommended. Even after being held in cold storage, "sooty blotch could increase, but not be a health risk," says Dr. Ellis.
University of Missouri Extension is the local link between the resources of the four University of Missouri campuses in Columbia, Kansas City, Rolla and St. Louis; Lincoln University in Jefferson City; and people throughout the state.
Equal opportunity is and shall be provided to all participants in Extension programs and activities, and for all employees and applicants for employment on the basis of their demonstrated ability and competence without discrimination on the basis of their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability or status as a Vietnam-era veteran. This policy shall not be interpreted in such a manner as to violate the legal rights of religious organizations or military organizations associated with the armed forces of the United States of America.
Friday, October 10, 2008
Bad Second Inning Dooms Northeast in Districts
A bad second inning doomed Northeast Nodaway in districts as they lost 11-1 in six innings to Stanberry Wednesday. The Bulldogs scored six times in the second to create an insurmountable 7-0 lead after two innings and cruised to the victory.
Stanberry scored once in the first; Sydney Stoll reached on an error and Hailey Stuart doubled her to third, hitting a shot into the right field gap. Kimberly Jensen was thrown out on a dropped third strike, but Stoll broke for home safely on the throw to first to make it 1-0.
Northeast threatened in the top of the second as Blair Schmitz walked and Mallorie Peters grounded out to advance her to second, but Taylor Dougan and Sarah Fox struck out.
The Bluejays were doomed by pitching breakdowns in the second inning. Emily Bryant struck out three Stanberry batters in the first, but her control deserted her and she walked four batters in the second. Stanberry teed off on her as well, getting four hits in the frame and sending eight straight batters to the plate safely. The big blows for the Bulldogs in the inning were Shannon Luke’s two-run single between first and second as well as Jensen’s line drive single that scored two more.
Northeast got a run back in the third when Bryant tripled in the gap in right center and Cammi Hansen grounded out to bring her in.
Bryant walked two more batters in the third; Alex Wallace advanced them with a bunt and Hailey Stuart singled them home. Stuart took second on a wild pitch and then Jensen reached safely when Mallorie Peters fell down trying to field a grounder, scoring Stuart. That made it 10-1.
After Northeast went in order in the fourth, Taylor Dougan replaced Bryant on the mound. She struck out the first two batters; Morgan Luke reached on an error for Stanberry, stole second, and took third on a wild pitch. But Cammi Hansen fielded a grounder and threw her out at the plate to end the inning.
Dougan was hit by a pitch for Northeast and took second on a wild pitch in the top of the fifth; however, Kelsie Shaw and Sarah Fox struck out and Emily Bryant grounded out to end the threat.
Stanberry loaded the bases with nobody out in the bottom of the fifth, but they could not score. Dougan struck out Jensen; Katie Redig hit a line drive that would have ended the game, but Bryant snared the shot at shortstop to keep Northeast alive. Kelsey Stuart struck out to end the inning.
With two outs in the sixth, Rachel Runde singled between first and second while Blair Schmitz walked; however, Mallorie Peters grounded out to strand them. Morgan Luke singled in the 11th run for Stanberry to end the game on the 10-run rule.
Stanberry scored once in the first; Sydney Stoll reached on an error and Hailey Stuart doubled her to third, hitting a shot into the right field gap. Kimberly Jensen was thrown out on a dropped third strike, but Stoll broke for home safely on the throw to first to make it 1-0.
Northeast threatened in the top of the second as Blair Schmitz walked and Mallorie Peters grounded out to advance her to second, but Taylor Dougan and Sarah Fox struck out.
The Bluejays were doomed by pitching breakdowns in the second inning. Emily Bryant struck out three Stanberry batters in the first, but her control deserted her and she walked four batters in the second. Stanberry teed off on her as well, getting four hits in the frame and sending eight straight batters to the plate safely. The big blows for the Bulldogs in the inning were Shannon Luke’s two-run single between first and second as well as Jensen’s line drive single that scored two more.
Northeast got a run back in the third when Bryant tripled in the gap in right center and Cammi Hansen grounded out to bring her in.
Bryant walked two more batters in the third; Alex Wallace advanced them with a bunt and Hailey Stuart singled them home. Stuart took second on a wild pitch and then Jensen reached safely when Mallorie Peters fell down trying to field a grounder, scoring Stuart. That made it 10-1.
After Northeast went in order in the fourth, Taylor Dougan replaced Bryant on the mound. She struck out the first two batters; Morgan Luke reached on an error for Stanberry, stole second, and took third on a wild pitch. But Cammi Hansen fielded a grounder and threw her out at the plate to end the inning.
Dougan was hit by a pitch for Northeast and took second on a wild pitch in the top of the fifth; however, Kelsie Shaw and Sarah Fox struck out and Emily Bryant grounded out to end the threat.
Stanberry loaded the bases with nobody out in the bottom of the fifth, but they could not score. Dougan struck out Jensen; Katie Redig hit a line drive that would have ended the game, but Bryant snared the shot at shortstop to keep Northeast alive. Kelsey Stuart struck out to end the inning.
With two outs in the sixth, Rachel Runde singled between first and second while Blair Schmitz walked; however, Mallorie Peters grounded out to strand them. Morgan Luke singled in the 11th run for Stanberry to end the game on the 10-run rule.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Jack Remembers for 10-15-08
January 11th, 1965 was the coldest day of the winter. The sun was out, but it was below zero. It was the second Monday in January and Inauguration Day for Governor Warren Hearnes. The Honorary Colonels were lining up in alphabetical order for the Inaugural Parade.
For many years, the Democratic governors had named Honorary Colonels to their staff. Normally they named two per county and sometimes many more. They had Colonels uniforms and marched in the Inaugural Parade. At the Inaugural Ball held in the Rotunda of the Capitol Building, the Colonels and their ladies would promenade down the spiral staircase and past the state elected officials. It was a colorful ceremony and cost the state nothing. The Colonels also paid for the painting of the First Lady’s portrait that would hang in the mansion, and would participate in functions throughout the Governor’s term of office.
The Colonel next to me asked if I was cold. I replied, "I’m freezing." Out of his inside coat pocket, he pulled a pint of whiskey, which we thought warmed us up. His name was Pat Jones and from that day on, he was my favorite "Colonel". He owned Modern Security Insurance Company, a 7500 acre ranch near Rogersville, and later built the Exotic Animal Paradise east of Springfield on Highway 44.
After the Inauguration at high noon we adjourned to one of the State Senator’s offices and continued to warm up by consuming some of the Senator’s stock. During this period of time, Pat related to me how proud he was of his two children. His girl he was not worried about, but he said he didn’t think his boy Jerry would ever be worth a dime because all he thought about was football. Jerry was playing that year on the University of Arkansas Razorback team as a guard. Little did Pat realize 30 years down the road his son would own the Dallas Cowboys. I don’t know what the Cowboys are worth, but the Washington Redskins recently sold for $800,000,000.00.
For many years, the Democratic governors had named Honorary Colonels to their staff. Normally they named two per county and sometimes many more. They had Colonels uniforms and marched in the Inaugural Parade. At the Inaugural Ball held in the Rotunda of the Capitol Building, the Colonels and their ladies would promenade down the spiral staircase and past the state elected officials. It was a colorful ceremony and cost the state nothing. The Colonels also paid for the painting of the First Lady’s portrait that would hang in the mansion, and would participate in functions throughout the Governor’s term of office.
The Colonel next to me asked if I was cold. I replied, "I’m freezing." Out of his inside coat pocket, he pulled a pint of whiskey, which we thought warmed us up. His name was Pat Jones and from that day on, he was my favorite "Colonel". He owned Modern Security Insurance Company, a 7500 acre ranch near Rogersville, and later built the Exotic Animal Paradise east of Springfield on Highway 44.
After the Inauguration at high noon we adjourned to one of the State Senator’s offices and continued to warm up by consuming some of the Senator’s stock. During this period of time, Pat related to me how proud he was of his two children. His girl he was not worried about, but he said he didn’t think his boy Jerry would ever be worth a dime because all he thought about was football. Jerry was playing that year on the University of Arkansas Razorback team as a guard. Little did Pat realize 30 years down the road his son would own the Dallas Cowboys. I don’t know what the Cowboys are worth, but the Washington Redskins recently sold for $800,000,000.00.
Pool Fundraiser October 18th
Grant City Community Betterment along with VFW and VFW Auxiliary will be hosting a Bingo Night and Soup Supper on Saturday, October 18th at the Worth County Fairgrounds Building. They will start serving at 5:30 pm and free will donations will be accepted for the soup supper.
Bingo will start at 7 pm and will be a 50% payback per game. All proceeds will go to the Pool Renovation Project.
Come join us for some good food and lots of fun.
Bingo will start at 7 pm and will be a 50% payback per game. All proceeds will go to the Pool Renovation Project.
Come join us for some good food and lots of fun.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Westfork Boosters 4-H Minutes for October 5th, 2008
The regular meeting of the West Fork Boosters 4H Club was called to order by President Austin Thummel at 4:00 pm on Sunday, October 5, 2008. The Pledge to the American flag and the 4H Pledge were led by Austin Thummel. DeAnn Warne, secretary did roll call. The Roll Call Question "What is your favorite color?" Wyatt Rush gave the treasurer’s report with a balance on hand of $1389.69.
Old business discussed everyone needs to turn in their enrollment forms. At our September meeting we discussed doing a food drive for the Mission Possible Center as our community service project. The goal was to raise 150lbs. of food. We receive quite a bit of food. Our December meeting will be Saturday, December 6th, with bowling at Maryville from 3-5 and we will have pizza delivered. Before bowling we will go shopping for kids that we have taken off the Angel Tree.
New business discussed was our November Community Service Project. A couple of ideas that were thrown out was a Soup Kitchen in St. Joe, cookies for seniors or adopt a family for Thanksgiving. The kids took a vote with 7 votes to Soup Kitchen, 6 votes to adopting a family for Thanksgiving and 2 votes for cookies for seniors. It was decided if we couldn’t get in the soup kitchen then we would adopt the family. We discussed who would bring drinks & snacks our meetings. Wyatt Rush made a motion to start at the beginning of the alphabet. Luke Andrews seconded.
November: Andrews / Gabriel Family
December: Hardy/Hunt Family
January: Rush/ Thorborn Family
February: Thummel/ Troutwine Family
March: Warne/Welch Family
April: Andrews/Gabriels Family
May: Hardy/Hunt Family
Next meeting will be Sunday, November 2nd at 4:00 p.m. at the Worth County Fairgrounds Building or we will find out about the soup kitchen.
A motion was made by Sidney Thummel to adjourn the meeting and Luke Andrews seconded it.
DeAnn Warne,
Secretary
Old business discussed everyone needs to turn in their enrollment forms. At our September meeting we discussed doing a food drive for the Mission Possible Center as our community service project. The goal was to raise 150lbs. of food. We receive quite a bit of food. Our December meeting will be Saturday, December 6th, with bowling at Maryville from 3-5 and we will have pizza delivered. Before bowling we will go shopping for kids that we have taken off the Angel Tree.
New business discussed was our November Community Service Project. A couple of ideas that were thrown out was a Soup Kitchen in St. Joe, cookies for seniors or adopt a family for Thanksgiving. The kids took a vote with 7 votes to Soup Kitchen, 6 votes to adopting a family for Thanksgiving and 2 votes for cookies for seniors. It was decided if we couldn’t get in the soup kitchen then we would adopt the family. We discussed who would bring drinks & snacks our meetings. Wyatt Rush made a motion to start at the beginning of the alphabet. Luke Andrews seconded.
November: Andrews / Gabriel Family
December: Hardy/Hunt Family
January: Rush/ Thorborn Family
February: Thummel/ Troutwine Family
March: Warne/Welch Family
April: Andrews/Gabriels Family
May: Hardy/Hunt Family
Next meeting will be Sunday, November 2nd at 4:00 p.m. at the Worth County Fairgrounds Building or we will find out about the soup kitchen.
A motion was made by Sidney Thummel to adjourn the meeting and Luke Andrews seconded it.
DeAnn Warne,
Secretary
Silver-Haired Legislature Identifies Priorities
Silver Haired Legislative delegates from all areas of the state met September 29, 30 and October 1, 2008 for their 35th annual legislative session. Delegates debated and voted on twenty-two separate proposals during a three-day session, which took place at the Capitol Plaza Hotel & Conference Center, as well as the House and Senate Chambers of the Capitol in Jefferson City. Delegates attending from the Northwest area were Senators: Sharon Ferris, Trenton; Dale Faulkner, Tarkio; Helen Leimbach-Zech, Plattsburg. Representatives: Edwin & Dorothy Allender , Chillicothe; Dale & Patricia Midland, Maryville; Martha Rush, Sheridan; John Murphy, Maysville; James Crenshaw, Lathrop; Claude Brandon, Savannah; Joyce Nixon, St. Joseph; Jennie Vertrees, Princeton; Mary Catherine Damm, Chillicothe; Howard Trullinger, Eagleville.
At the conclusion of the session, delegates voted on their top five priority bills for presentation to the Missouri General Assembly, scheduled to convene in mid-January. Silver Haired priorities include:
1. Comprehensive Entry Point;
2. Increase Area Agencies on Aging Meal Funding;
3. Increase Missouri Health Net Asset Levels:
4. Increase Personal Needs Allowance of Facility Residents on Medicaid;
5. Regulate Payday Loans.
At the conclusion of the session, delegates voted on their top five priority bills for presentation to the Missouri General Assembly, scheduled to convene in mid-January. Silver Haired priorities include:
1. Comprehensive Entry Point;
2. Increase Area Agencies on Aging Meal Funding;
3. Increase Missouri Health Net Asset Levels:
4. Increase Personal Needs Allowance of Facility Residents on Medicaid;
5. Regulate Payday Loans.
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