Cynthia Fisher Lawhorn, Other Local Talent Highlight NWMEF Fundraiser

Northwest Missouri Enterprise Facilitation hosted a fundraising event “Bringing Home the Talent”, Sunday afternoon, March 13 at Mary Linn Auditorium on NWMSU campus with around 400 in attendance. Talent was in abundance with the performers that were absolute crowd pleasers. Pre-show artists featured represented the six counties in NWMEF service area were from: Atchison County, Jason Riley of St. Joseph; Adam Showalter, Springfield, MO, originally from Holt County; Tammy and Andy Heath, Overland Park, KS who originally made their homes in Stanberry and Mound City (Gentry and Holt Counties); Jeff Anslinger of Savannah; and Cynthia Fisher Lawhorn, Osage Beach, MO, calling Worth County her homeland. The pleasure of Fred Mares, National Hy-Vee Greeter from Maryville, MO provided excellent entertainment while guests were seated and featured a concert in itself.

Following an intermission during which time all the performers had the advantage to sell their recorded CDs, featured artists, Todd Bradshaw of Grand Jubilee, Branson, MO and his comedian friend, Terry Sanders of Silver Dollar City then took the stage. They kept the crowd awed with a variety of numbers. Bradshaw portrayed several different well known artists, and Sanders’ hilarious comedy acts as Homer Lee, Grandma Bradshaw and Joan Rivers made for a grand ending to an afternoon of great entertainment.

Sharing Emcee duties were Doug Schmitz, Bethany /Cameron - General Manager of KAAN AM/FM, WKFM & KMRN Radio Station and Marilyn Alldredge of Fairfax, NWMEF Fundraising Coordinator for the event. Both Schmitz and Alldredge were originally from Stanberry. During the course of the afternoon performance, Annette Weeks, NWMEF Facilitator spoke of the Free confidential services provided to businesses and entrepreneurs in the six county area. Alldredge and Weeks also presented MO Rep Mike Thomson and MO Senator Brad Lager with plaques of appreciation for their assistance to this group.

All the entertainers were brought back to the stage for one last round of applause and were presented with plaques of appreciation and an apple pie for “coming home” to share their time, talents, professionalism and willingness to assist in the continuation of the works of NWMEF. “Alldredge stated,” We could not ask for better entertainers, or for a smoother program process than what we experienced. The proceeds we gained will assist in keeping NWMEF important economic services ongoing. We are so grateful for all the support gained thru this event”.

Much appreciation went to the Sponsors for the event: $500 - Northwest Missouri Cellular, Maryville – Rock Port; Kincaid Gardens, Gary & Gayle Kincaid, Savannah; Maryville Daily Forum, Maryville. $250:Fairfax Agency, Inc., Bob & Marilyn Alldredge,Fairfax; Catholic Charities, Kansas City- St. Joseph; Laukemper Motors, Joe & Susan Laukemper, Mound City; Lower Marketing & Advertising, LLC; Jim Lower, St. Joseph; Colflesh Financial Services, Tarkio, David Colflesh, CLU, ChFC. $100: Hy-Vee – Maryville; Bank Midwest, Maryville; Oswald Brothers, Richard & Marion, Fairfax; Drs. Robert & Betty Bush, Maryville; Aunt Martha’s House Bed & Breakfast, Fairfax -Martha Shaffer – Owner; Sisters of St. Francis - Savannah.

Jack Remembers for 7-15-09

by Jack Hackley
Somebody please help and tell me what I have missed out on. I try to watch the evening national news. I prefer Brian Williams on NBC. On a Thursday night when I turned on the news, Brian Williams announced there was breaking news that Michael Jackson had died and for virtually the rest of that newscast, it was about Michael Jackson. I flipped the channel to ABC, same news there, and on CBS with Katie Curik. The next night and all weekend, it was the same thing except now they are saying that Michael Jackson was the greatest singer and dancer who ever lived. Whoa! Wait just a minute. These are the same stations that told us he was a child molester.
If I am not mistaken, Bing Crosby sold somewhere between 500 million and 900 million records back when no one had any money to buy them. "White Christmas" alone has sold 100 million and still selling strong. Not only that, Crosby won an Oscar for his role in the movie "Going My Way". Let’s don’t forget Frank Sinatra who had a few hits himself and also won an Oscar for best supporting actor in one of my favorite movies, "From Here to Eternity". Of course, my favorite singer was Hank Williams who I watched at the Ivanhoe Temple sing the number one song on the Hillbilly Hit Parade, "Lovesick Blues".
I also liked Earnest Tubb, Hank Snow, and in my drinking days ran in to Red Foley in a bar in Springfield and had a few drinks. Of course one of the all time greats was Eddie Arnold, who probably had more songs on the charts than anyone else since he recorded for 62 years, never drank, smoked, and remained married to the same woman. The greatest in my lifetime besides Bing Crosby would have been Elvis Presley. Elvis sold a billion records even though he got drafted in the Army and spent two years of his life in the Third Armored Division in Germany. Ironically, that Division’s photographer was Richard Deason, a brother to Beth Fulks, who owns Broadway Grill in Oak Grove, and also helps me prepare my articles. Richard photographed Elvis several times.
Michael who?
Jack can be reached at PO Box 40, Oak Grove, MO 64075 or jackremembers@aol.com

Senior Country Music Festival/Health Clinic in Bethany June 6th

Irlene Mandrell, youngest of the famous Mandrell sisters, will be the keynote speaker for the 15th Annual Senior Festival, "Country Hoe-Down," on Friday, June 6. The event will be held at South Harrison High School, 3400 Bulldog Avenue, Bethany, Missouri from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Just turn off I-35 at the Highway 69 Spur (Exit 93) and turn left on Bulldog Avenue to reach the school. Senior citizens, baby boomers and caregivers from across Northwest Missouri are invited to attend the festival.
The day will begin with health screening from 8:30 to 10:45 a.m., including free tetanus shots, massage, and screening for cholesterol, glaucoma, bone density, blood pressure, blood glucose, vision, blood oxygen and skin cancer. An exhibit area, with 25 exhibitors, will be open for viewing during this time. Morning fruit break will be sponsored by Health Systems Care Centers and Northwest Medical Center.
Opening session at 10:45 a.m. will feature actress, model and performer Irlene Mandrell, sponsored by CLAIM and Relay Missouri. Mandrell, starring on Hee Haw for eight years, is a two-time winner of Music City News comedy act of the year. An accomplished hunter, Mandrell annually hosts "The Irlene Mandrell Celebrity Shoot," raising money for "Wish Upon A Star" and Boy Scouts of America.
Noon luncheon, sponsored in part by Bethany KFC and Graves will be available for $3.00. Over the lunch break, join the group for fun exercise with "Get Up and Move with Nurse Good-body."
The afternoon session will be a lively competition of entertainment and skits by area senior centers. Cash prizes will be awarded to senior centers winning the competition, compliments of Cameron Elks and Gallatin Lions.
The Senior Festival is sponsored by the Northwest Missouri Area Agency on Aging. The event is funded in part from Older American Act funds, distributed by Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services.
The facility is air conditioned and handicapped accessible. There is no registration fee. For information on OATS transportation, check with your local contact person. Be present and win door prizes provided by area senior centers and businesses, including Branson Get-Away packages. Special Yee-Haw Grand Prizes, sponsored by Pamida Foundation, Harrah's Casino, Relay MO and CLAIM will conclude the day's activities. Come join the fun of Senior Festival '08 in Bethany, Missouri on Friday, June 6th.