A Worth County woman was charged in court as a persistent offender in conjunction with an accident that occurred on March 10th, 2012. Information filed on June 3rd of this year by Prosecutor David Baird alleges that Heather Feese of Grant City committed a Class D Felony of DWI; she is being charged as a persistent offender. She had prior convictions in 2006 and 1999.
An affidavit filed by Missouri Highway Patrol trooper H. G. Vernon alleges that on March 10, 2012 on Route 46 two miles west of Allendale, he investigated a one vehicle accident. He states in the affidavit that he made contact with Feese at the Northwest Medical Center following the accident and detected an odor of intoxicants. According to Vernon, she refused to answer whether or not she would take the breath test, which Vernon interpreted as a refusal.
Bond was set for $10,000 and later reduced to $4,500; Feese was freed on bond. Conditions of the bond include submitting to BAC tests on request of a police officer, seek employment, reside at her mother's residence in St. Joseph, not possess or consume alcohol and not enter bars, and obey all laws.
Monday, June 24, 2013
Worth Man Charged with Nature Trail Vandalism
A Worth man was charged by Prosecutor David Baird with Class B Misdemeanor Property Damage for a vandalism on the Grant City Nature Trail that occurred April 14th. Information filed by Baird and an affidavit filed by Sheriff Terry Sheddrick alleges that Todd Corbett damaged the Nature Trail by driving in an unauthorized area and damaging the trail and grass.
Sunday, June 23, 2013
Missouri Department of Transportation to Resurface Route F
The Missouri Department of Transportation will resurface Route F in response to numerous requests from affected landowners in 2014. Among other projects, the DOT will also do the Isadora Bridge on Route 46 as well as the Platte River Bridge just east of Sheridan in 2016.
Route F has become one of the most traveled roads in the county despite its lettered status. Many people live in Blockton and work in Maryville; there is also frequent truck traffic from Ravenwood to Ringgold and Taylor Counties; both counties utilize the Ravenwood rock quarry.
A few years ago, the DOT had resurfaced Route F using an experimental treatment that turned out to be inadequate. It lasted only a few months; when the snow plows came to plow snow off, it took the experimental surface off with it. For this project, the DOT will be going back to the tried and true hot mix.
Other projects that will be done include resurfacing of Route 46 this year from 136 in Nodaway County to 169 in Worth County, pavement improvements to YY and D in 2014, pavement sealing for routes O, U, DD, E, K, Y, H, J, and B this year, and patching of routes E, K, Y, H, J, B, Z, 46, and 246 for this year. Work on resurfacing Route C from Allendale to Albany has been completed.
Mike Rinehart of the DOT came to the Worth County Fairgrounds Tuesday evening to deliver the news to interested patrons. He said that funding for the DOT was an ongoing issue; there has been no fuel tax increase for the DOT in the last 20 years while the prices of some ingredients that they use have doubled and tripled during that same time frame.
As a result of ongoing budget cuts by Washington over the last two decades, money is getting harder and harder to come by even as the need for DOT’s services is getting greater. Sterling Hopkins of MFA said that it has gotten to the point where it is dangerous to travel certain parts of Route F and that people are taking roundabout routes to get to where they are going and that temporary culvert replacements by the DOT are lasting as little as three weeks.
Rinehart said that he takes feedback at meetings like Tuesday’s and from the Missouri On the Move website and incorporates comments into long-range plans for road work. He said that there was a lot of interest in roads and bridges in Missouri; he said that their feedback website had gotten 3,000 responses so far. “I hear all the time from people who want us to do more with lettered roads,” said Rinehart.
Missouri is 18th in the nation in population, but 7th in the nation in highways; they have more miles in highways than Iowa, Nebraska, and Kansas combined. Despite this, the latter three states get $1.4 billion to spend on their roads while Missouri only gets $700 million annually.
Missouri is 6th in bridges; there are over 2,200 deficient bridges in the state. There are also 14 public ports which the DOT is responsible as well. There are 4 million tons of goods being shipped on barges traveling on Missouri waterways. Kansas City and St. Louis have the 2nd and 3rd largest rail hubs in the country respectively.
Rinehart said that the DOT had already made massive cuts to its operation and is operating as inexpensively as possible. They reduced their staff by 1,200 people and their buildings by 131 and eliminated 400-700 pieces of equipment. They have achieved $355 million in cost savings over the last two years, well ahead of their target.
In addition, their projects are coming in at 4% under budget and their Safe & Sound Program was completed a year and a half ahead of schedule. 95% of their projects have been done on time or early.
However, there are continued funding pressures on the DOT. Congress continues to drag its feet on the sequester, which will mean less and less money for the DOT in the future. Fuel revenues are less than expected and are predicted to continue to decline because of ever-increasing MPG standards for new cars. In fact, Rinehart said that some states were starting to get away from fuel taxes as a means of funding their transportation departments. Additionally, the Missouri River flooding from two years ago cost the DOT $18 million to fix. So despite all the ongoing cuts, Rinehart said that the DOT was not keeping up with state needs.
One possible solution was a 1 cent sales tax; however, it was filibustered by the Missouri Senate and will not be on the ballot in 2014 absent an initiative petition. The challenge will be to fight the perception that it will benefit I-35 and 70.
Route F has become one of the most traveled roads in the county despite its lettered status. Many people live in Blockton and work in Maryville; there is also frequent truck traffic from Ravenwood to Ringgold and Taylor Counties; both counties utilize the Ravenwood rock quarry.
A few years ago, the DOT had resurfaced Route F using an experimental treatment that turned out to be inadequate. It lasted only a few months; when the snow plows came to plow snow off, it took the experimental surface off with it. For this project, the DOT will be going back to the tried and true hot mix.
Other projects that will be done include resurfacing of Route 46 this year from 136 in Nodaway County to 169 in Worth County, pavement improvements to YY and D in 2014, pavement sealing for routes O, U, DD, E, K, Y, H, J, and B this year, and patching of routes E, K, Y, H, J, B, Z, 46, and 246 for this year. Work on resurfacing Route C from Allendale to Albany has been completed.
Mike Rinehart of the DOT came to the Worth County Fairgrounds Tuesday evening to deliver the news to interested patrons. He said that funding for the DOT was an ongoing issue; there has been no fuel tax increase for the DOT in the last 20 years while the prices of some ingredients that they use have doubled and tripled during that same time frame.
As a result of ongoing budget cuts by Washington over the last two decades, money is getting harder and harder to come by even as the need for DOT’s services is getting greater. Sterling Hopkins of MFA said that it has gotten to the point where it is dangerous to travel certain parts of Route F and that people are taking roundabout routes to get to where they are going and that temporary culvert replacements by the DOT are lasting as little as three weeks.
Rinehart said that he takes feedback at meetings like Tuesday’s and from the Missouri On the Move website and incorporates comments into long-range plans for road work. He said that there was a lot of interest in roads and bridges in Missouri; he said that their feedback website had gotten 3,000 responses so far. “I hear all the time from people who want us to do more with lettered roads,” said Rinehart.
Missouri is 18th in the nation in population, but 7th in the nation in highways; they have more miles in highways than Iowa, Nebraska, and Kansas combined. Despite this, the latter three states get $1.4 billion to spend on their roads while Missouri only gets $700 million annually.
Missouri is 6th in bridges; there are over 2,200 deficient bridges in the state. There are also 14 public ports which the DOT is responsible as well. There are 4 million tons of goods being shipped on barges traveling on Missouri waterways. Kansas City and St. Louis have the 2nd and 3rd largest rail hubs in the country respectively.
Rinehart said that the DOT had already made massive cuts to its operation and is operating as inexpensively as possible. They reduced their staff by 1,200 people and their buildings by 131 and eliminated 400-700 pieces of equipment. They have achieved $355 million in cost savings over the last two years, well ahead of their target.
In addition, their projects are coming in at 4% under budget and their Safe & Sound Program was completed a year and a half ahead of schedule. 95% of their projects have been done on time or early.
However, there are continued funding pressures on the DOT. Congress continues to drag its feet on the sequester, which will mean less and less money for the DOT in the future. Fuel revenues are less than expected and are predicted to continue to decline because of ever-increasing MPG standards for new cars. In fact, Rinehart said that some states were starting to get away from fuel taxes as a means of funding their transportation departments. Additionally, the Missouri River flooding from two years ago cost the DOT $18 million to fix. So despite all the ongoing cuts, Rinehart said that the DOT was not keeping up with state needs.
One possible solution was a 1 cent sales tax; however, it was filibustered by the Missouri Senate and will not be on the ballot in 2014 absent an initiative petition. The challenge will be to fight the perception that it will benefit I-35 and 70.
Worth County School is $150,000 in Black for 2013
Interim Superintendent Dave Fairchild reported at the regular School Board meeting that the school will be $150,000 in the black for this year. Fairchild reported that he is working with incoming Superintendent Matt Martz on the transition that will take effect next month.
Assistant Principal Chuck Borey reported that D’s and F’s continued to be significantly lower this year than in years past. He said that the remedial summer school went well this year.
Fairchild reported that the waxing of floors was ahead of schedule for this years. Work on the new partitions for the upper elementary classes has started. Fairchild reported that the transition to remote wireless will complete by next month.
The school has plans in place for various emergency situations that could come up. They will be distributed to teachers.
In what amounts to a backdoor tax increase by the Federal Government, the school is required to raise lunch prices by five cents this year even though the school lunch account nearly broke even for the previous school year. Fairchild said that the staff had been doing a good job of keeping costs for the school lunch program down.
The school board voted to transfer $40,000 to the capital expenses fund to pay for the technology upgrade.
Board Member Richard Mullock reported that a bill pushed by Representative Casey Guernsey to lower prevailing wage requirements for 3rd and 4th class counties has passed. If signed by the governor, it will mean that schools will not have to pay as much under state prevailing wage laws since it would be compared to other rural counties rather than by big cities.
Assistant Principal Chuck Borey reported that D’s and F’s continued to be significantly lower this year than in years past. He said that the remedial summer school went well this year.
Fairchild reported that the waxing of floors was ahead of schedule for this years. Work on the new partitions for the upper elementary classes has started. Fairchild reported that the transition to remote wireless will complete by next month.
The school has plans in place for various emergency situations that could come up. They will be distributed to teachers.
In what amounts to a backdoor tax increase by the Federal Government, the school is required to raise lunch prices by five cents this year even though the school lunch account nearly broke even for the previous school year. Fairchild said that the staff had been doing a good job of keeping costs for the school lunch program down.
The school board voted to transfer $40,000 to the capital expenses fund to pay for the technology upgrade.
Board Member Richard Mullock reported that a bill pushed by Representative Casey Guernsey to lower prevailing wage requirements for 3rd and 4th class counties has passed. If signed by the governor, it will mean that schools will not have to pay as much under state prevailing wage laws since it would be compared to other rural counties rather than by big cities.
Defiance Day Quilt Show Features Work of All Ages
The Old Defiance Day quilt show featured work from people of all ages. The youngest person to have their work featured at the Sheridan Christian Church this year was Megan Cassavaugh, who did a quilt full of horses for her 4-H project.
A lot of the quilts were pieces of history. The earliest quilts showcased were made in the late 1800’s. There were two quilts made by Mollie Belle Davidson in the late 1800’s. One was a feathered star while another was a “crazy quilt” featuring various attractive patterns and colors. Another quilt, which featured a lot of purple and yellow patterns, was made by Lucinda Scadden in the late 1800’s; she is the great-grandmother of Ramonia Parman.
Ms. Davidson quilted for around 50 years; one piece she did was made in 1943, a baby sash in honor of her granddaughter Helen Ford. Ms. Ford inherited her grandmother’s love of quilting; some of her work was showcased at the church Saturday as well. Quilting frequently is passed on in the family; one quilt was a farm quilt and the first quilt ever done by Kathy Miller; it was finished by mother Pauline Nelson.
There was some more recent work as well. There was a red and green sampler quilt made by the Stitch & Chatter Club; the borders and sashing were done by Kathy Miller while the quilting was done by Mary Kay Lambert. A quilt with a big star theme was made by Mary Kay Hunt and quilted by Lambert. Another quilt showcased history as it was a bicentennial quilt made by the late Maxine Evans.
A lot of the quilts were pieces of history. The earliest quilts showcased were made in the late 1800’s. There were two quilts made by Mollie Belle Davidson in the late 1800’s. One was a feathered star while another was a “crazy quilt” featuring various attractive patterns and colors. Another quilt, which featured a lot of purple and yellow patterns, was made by Lucinda Scadden in the late 1800’s; she is the great-grandmother of Ramonia Parman.
Ms. Davidson quilted for around 50 years; one piece she did was made in 1943, a baby sash in honor of her granddaughter Helen Ford. Ms. Ford inherited her grandmother’s love of quilting; some of her work was showcased at the church Saturday as well. Quilting frequently is passed on in the family; one quilt was a farm quilt and the first quilt ever done by Kathy Miller; it was finished by mother Pauline Nelson.
There was some more recent work as well. There was a red and green sampler quilt made by the Stitch & Chatter Club; the borders and sashing were done by Kathy Miller while the quilting was done by Mary Kay Lambert. A quilt with a big star theme was made by Mary Kay Hunt and quilted by Lambert. Another quilt showcased history as it was a bicentennial quilt made by the late Maxine Evans.
Jason Craig: “Who Says You Can’t Go Home?”
By day, Jason Craig (Jason Parman) works at a government job. But by night, he, his brother Scott, and their band hit the road and perform at various places in the St. Joseph and Kansas City areas singing about his home, Worth County and growing up on his parent’s farm near Hatfield. Jason and Scott came and performed at a concert in Sheridan to cap off a day of celebrations at Old Defiance Days. His entire band will perform August 31st at the Grant City Sesquicentennial.
He showed his talent as a showman growing up when he DJ’d for high school dances. Finally, he discovered that he had a talent for writing songs. He wrote a song about his parents, Ed and Nancy Parman of Hatfield on the occasion of their 40th wedding anniversary. The song was about them living lives of service and facing life with courage and love. From there, his songwriting career took off and it is still growing. Word about Craig and his band is spreading and he is starting to get concerts this year as far away as central Iowa in the north and Oklahoma in the south. Now, Craig is planning on doing a video to his signature song, “Worth Countin’ on,” about growing up in Worth County and promoting the county as a good place to live. He has already done one album and is now working on his second, which he plans to have finished in October.
Craig sang solo at Sheridan Saturday with his brother Scott Parman serving as his producer. When the whole band is together, Scott serves as his bass player as well. “I always enjoy coming home and I’m glad it’s not 8,000 degrees out,” said Jason.
Jason sang a mixture of original songs about trucks, country live, working on the farm, and the woman that he loves; he is married with children. He brought four different guitars to the concert Saturday; he quipped that he plays all of them so that his wife won’t sell them.
He led off with “Who says you can’t go home,” about growing up near Hatfield. He joked that the Holy Trinity of Country was beer, bait, and ammunition. One song he performed was “Steel toes,” written by Scott and finished off by Jason celebrating the working man. “Wife of the Night” incorporates nearly every pickup line that he has heard over the years and features a man in the bar who spends all his spare time trying to find a woman. “I love you for good” is dedicated to his wife.
“On the Farm” was written after Craig met a man on the plane who was a farmer and showed the virtues of hard work and how it pays off. He covered some popular songs such as “Hallelujah,” “The Fireman,” and “Shake it for me.” “I want you to want me” was inspired by the popular song, which Craig said never made sense that it was set to happy music. “Run back to you” was another song dedicated to his wife, about being away for a long time and then coming back.
The song that had the most audience impact was not an original but a song by a friend of Craig’s, “Linda started lying,” about a woman who constantly went out and cheated after saying that she loved the man and what the man felt about her behavior. Everyone had knowing smiles on their faces as they could identify with that song.
Craig said that the audience cheers meant a lot to him and that it was not too bad for 105,000 degrees out. He said that one big influence on him was the late George Jones; “The world will never be the same without him,” said Craig as he performed his hit, “He stopped loving her today.”
He showed his talent as a showman growing up when he DJ’d for high school dances. Finally, he discovered that he had a talent for writing songs. He wrote a song about his parents, Ed and Nancy Parman of Hatfield on the occasion of their 40th wedding anniversary. The song was about them living lives of service and facing life with courage and love. From there, his songwriting career took off and it is still growing. Word about Craig and his band is spreading and he is starting to get concerts this year as far away as central Iowa in the north and Oklahoma in the south. Now, Craig is planning on doing a video to his signature song, “Worth Countin’ on,” about growing up in Worth County and promoting the county as a good place to live. He has already done one album and is now working on his second, which he plans to have finished in October.
Craig sang solo at Sheridan Saturday with his brother Scott Parman serving as his producer. When the whole band is together, Scott serves as his bass player as well. “I always enjoy coming home and I’m glad it’s not 8,000 degrees out,” said Jason.
Jason sang a mixture of original songs about trucks, country live, working on the farm, and the woman that he loves; he is married with children. He brought four different guitars to the concert Saturday; he quipped that he plays all of them so that his wife won’t sell them.
He led off with “Who says you can’t go home,” about growing up near Hatfield. He joked that the Holy Trinity of Country was beer, bait, and ammunition. One song he performed was “Steel toes,” written by Scott and finished off by Jason celebrating the working man. “Wife of the Night” incorporates nearly every pickup line that he has heard over the years and features a man in the bar who spends all his spare time trying to find a woman. “I love you for good” is dedicated to his wife.
“On the Farm” was written after Craig met a man on the plane who was a farmer and showed the virtues of hard work and how it pays off. He covered some popular songs such as “Hallelujah,” “The Fireman,” and “Shake it for me.” “I want you to want me” was inspired by the popular song, which Craig said never made sense that it was set to happy music. “Run back to you” was another song dedicated to his wife, about being away for a long time and then coming back.
The song that had the most audience impact was not an original but a song by a friend of Craig’s, “Linda started lying,” about a woman who constantly went out and cheated after saying that she loved the man and what the man felt about her behavior. Everyone had knowing smiles on their faces as they could identify with that song.
Craig said that the audience cheers meant a lot to him and that it was not too bad for 105,000 degrees out. He said that one big influence on him was the late George Jones; “The world will never be the same without him,” said Craig as he performed his hit, “He stopped loving her today.”
Minister Couple Likens Journey to Pilgrim’s Progress
Ministry couple Mike and Connie Eighmy likened their journey to the old tale Pilgrim’s Progress, a 17th century tale by John Bunyan about a Christian who becomes convicted of the need to flee from the wrath to come and who must journey to the Celestial City to find eternal happiness. He must leave all of his friends and family behind in obedience to Christ’s command to leave behind his father and mother and follow Him in obedience to His will. Along the way, they encounter obstacles, counselors, and friends who guide them along the way while having to overcome various enemies. Finally, Christian nearly drowns as he tries to wade through the final obstacle, a moat surrounding the Celestial City. But he remembers his faith in Christ, allowing him to find firm ground and complete his journey to the Celestial City.
The ministry couple recounted their journey at the annual Worth County Alumni Reunion, at which 80 people and 34 guests attended. Mike said that after he graduated from Worth County in 1963, he went his own way for over a year before he enlisted in the Navy. But other people, including his commanding officer, recognized his talent for ministry even when he didn’t; he was told by Tom Stephens never to volunteer for anything in the Navy. But it didn’t matter; the commanding officer, who “knew how to talk sailor,” in Eighmy’s words, told him he hoped he was a Protestant and directed him to lead prayers for the Protestants, meet regularly with the chaplain, and supervise all the Jewish and Protestants when they went to religious services. That planted a seed in his heart and for Eighmy, prayer got to be important for him. He served for four years and was on a ship patrolling Tonkin Gulf at one point; their job was to retrieve downed pilots who were shot down by the North Vietnamese. Eighmy’s responsibilities were to keep the phone lines and the intercom working.
After he came back, Eighmy was in for a culture shock as he was confronted with one of many protests against the war and one protestor spit on him by a man who jumped out at him. But the seed had been planted in his heart; he read about Christianity extensively while on his spare time in the Navy ship’s library. After he was done with his service, Eighmy went to college and married Connie and they started going to church, where they had a close Sunday School group and met some people who lived out their faith and practiced what they preached.
The seed planted in his heart continued to grow and Eighmy’s pastor, Roy Hinds, recognized his talent for ministry and encouraged him to find ways of becoming more involved. Finally, Eighmy felt a calling from God to go into ministry and his wife, Connie, gave her unconditional support. Mike’s curiosity about Christianity led him to attend St. Paul’s School of Theology in Kansas City. Mike was influenced strongly by John Wesley, who taught that one would find holiness of heart and life if one submitted to God. Mike then became a minister for many years and Connie became a teacher. Now, the roles are reversed; Connie is now a minister in her own right after having taught for 29 years; she credited Mike and his strong background in theology for helping her to get started. She is now a pastor of the United Methodist Churches in Elmo and Clearmont. For Mike, his work is not done; he is now a hospice volunteer and ministers to those who are terminally ill.
He paid tribute to his mom and dad, who were always active in their church. He said that growing up in a small town such as Worth County made him accountable; for instance, he and a group of friends were throwing rocks at a cat when the elderly owner came out and offered to whip them and then call their parents after they ran away.
Connie Waldeier Eighmy, the sister of Lorace and Don and who has another sister in Elaine, noted that 1963 was the first graduating class to go through the new school building for all four years. There were 47 people who graduated from the Class of 1963, of which 10 are no longer here. She talked about how much things had changed from when she was growing up; for instance, she talked about a school from Medford, OR which had 21 valedictorians and another one which had 34. They have two children in Nick, who followed his dad’s footsteps and enlisted in the Navy and fought in Afghanistan, and Carly. They have four grandchildren. “We’ve been married for 49 years and it’s been a good ride,” said Connie. “Mike finally decided I was right most of the time.” She said that one should never stop learning and that people had to face the moment and that not everyone had a rich aunt who could bail them out. “Worth County taught us well and we’re proud to call it home,” she said. “She doesn’t tell you the whole story; she is always right,” said Mike.
The Class of 1963 was honored at the reunion as this was their 50th anniversary. David Seat gave the invocation while Richard Williams led the gathering in the Pledge of Allegiance. Kiley Reynolds and Kacey Smyser were the scholarship recipients this year. The alumni committee is selling a directory with every person who ever graduated from Worth County/Grant City since 1885, when the school was founded. Contact a Worth County Alumni Foundation member with corrections.
Mary Kay Hunt and Edith Miller were retained on the board. Bill Mozingo elected to retire from the board and the committee thanked him for his service. He was replaced by Helen Foster. The Worth County Community Band, directed by Carolyn Houts, performed two songs that were popular during 1963, “Climb Every Mountain” and “Blowing in the Wind.” They also performed the old fight song, which had been lost after the retirement of long-time band teacher Kenneth Thompson and which was recovered due to the efforts of Carolyn Hardy. It had been played and sang all the time at ballgames and student assemblies.
Billie Fern Wake stepped down as the registrar for the foundation. Wake along with Victor Fletchall were the oldest alumni present; they graduated in 1940.
The Fletchall family had the most members, with four people. The person farthest away was from California, with other alumni present from Florida, New Mexico, West Virginia, and Arizona.
Evelyn Groom reported that there were 13 present at the reunion of the Class of 1948 at the Fairgrounds. The event was organized by Groom, Doyle Parman, and William Bowlin. Ross Scott reported that the Class of 1945 had 15 show up for a reunion at the Senior Center. There were 63 graduates, of which 27 are still alive. Jerry Roach reported that 29 people, including guests, showed up at Allendale for the reunion of the Class of 1959. They had a fashion show and raised $110 for scholarships for the Alumni Foundation. The Allendale ladies helped serve. The Class of 1953 had their 60th Anniversary reunion in the Wabash Junction restaurant in Stanberry. 22 graduates along with spouses showed up. The Class of 1963 held a reunion in Allendale at which 22 graduates and 9 guests showed up. John Humphries organized the event through e-mail; he maintains a list where they exchange information about the class.
The ministry couple recounted their journey at the annual Worth County Alumni Reunion, at which 80 people and 34 guests attended. Mike said that after he graduated from Worth County in 1963, he went his own way for over a year before he enlisted in the Navy. But other people, including his commanding officer, recognized his talent for ministry even when he didn’t; he was told by Tom Stephens never to volunteer for anything in the Navy. But it didn’t matter; the commanding officer, who “knew how to talk sailor,” in Eighmy’s words, told him he hoped he was a Protestant and directed him to lead prayers for the Protestants, meet regularly with the chaplain, and supervise all the Jewish and Protestants when they went to religious services. That planted a seed in his heart and for Eighmy, prayer got to be important for him. He served for four years and was on a ship patrolling Tonkin Gulf at one point; their job was to retrieve downed pilots who were shot down by the North Vietnamese. Eighmy’s responsibilities were to keep the phone lines and the intercom working.
After he came back, Eighmy was in for a culture shock as he was confronted with one of many protests against the war and one protestor spit on him by a man who jumped out at him. But the seed had been planted in his heart; he read about Christianity extensively while on his spare time in the Navy ship’s library. After he was done with his service, Eighmy went to college and married Connie and they started going to church, where they had a close Sunday School group and met some people who lived out their faith and practiced what they preached.
The seed planted in his heart continued to grow and Eighmy’s pastor, Roy Hinds, recognized his talent for ministry and encouraged him to find ways of becoming more involved. Finally, Eighmy felt a calling from God to go into ministry and his wife, Connie, gave her unconditional support. Mike’s curiosity about Christianity led him to attend St. Paul’s School of Theology in Kansas City. Mike was influenced strongly by John Wesley, who taught that one would find holiness of heart and life if one submitted to God. Mike then became a minister for many years and Connie became a teacher. Now, the roles are reversed; Connie is now a minister in her own right after having taught for 29 years; she credited Mike and his strong background in theology for helping her to get started. She is now a pastor of the United Methodist Churches in Elmo and Clearmont. For Mike, his work is not done; he is now a hospice volunteer and ministers to those who are terminally ill.
He paid tribute to his mom and dad, who were always active in their church. He said that growing up in a small town such as Worth County made him accountable; for instance, he and a group of friends were throwing rocks at a cat when the elderly owner came out and offered to whip them and then call their parents after they ran away.
Connie Waldeier Eighmy, the sister of Lorace and Don and who has another sister in Elaine, noted that 1963 was the first graduating class to go through the new school building for all four years. There were 47 people who graduated from the Class of 1963, of which 10 are no longer here. She talked about how much things had changed from when she was growing up; for instance, she talked about a school from Medford, OR which had 21 valedictorians and another one which had 34. They have two children in Nick, who followed his dad’s footsteps and enlisted in the Navy and fought in Afghanistan, and Carly. They have four grandchildren. “We’ve been married for 49 years and it’s been a good ride,” said Connie. “Mike finally decided I was right most of the time.” She said that one should never stop learning and that people had to face the moment and that not everyone had a rich aunt who could bail them out. “Worth County taught us well and we’re proud to call it home,” she said. “She doesn’t tell you the whole story; she is always right,” said Mike.
The Class of 1963 was honored at the reunion as this was their 50th anniversary. David Seat gave the invocation while Richard Williams led the gathering in the Pledge of Allegiance. Kiley Reynolds and Kacey Smyser were the scholarship recipients this year. The alumni committee is selling a directory with every person who ever graduated from Worth County/Grant City since 1885, when the school was founded. Contact a Worth County Alumni Foundation member with corrections.
Mary Kay Hunt and Edith Miller were retained on the board. Bill Mozingo elected to retire from the board and the committee thanked him for his service. He was replaced by Helen Foster. The Worth County Community Band, directed by Carolyn Houts, performed two songs that were popular during 1963, “Climb Every Mountain” and “Blowing in the Wind.” They also performed the old fight song, which had been lost after the retirement of long-time band teacher Kenneth Thompson and which was recovered due to the efforts of Carolyn Hardy. It had been played and sang all the time at ballgames and student assemblies.
Billie Fern Wake stepped down as the registrar for the foundation. Wake along with Victor Fletchall were the oldest alumni present; they graduated in 1940.
The Fletchall family had the most members, with four people. The person farthest away was from California, with other alumni present from Florida, New Mexico, West Virginia, and Arizona.
Evelyn Groom reported that there were 13 present at the reunion of the Class of 1948 at the Fairgrounds. The event was organized by Groom, Doyle Parman, and William Bowlin. Ross Scott reported that the Class of 1945 had 15 show up for a reunion at the Senior Center. There were 63 graduates, of which 27 are still alive. Jerry Roach reported that 29 people, including guests, showed up at Allendale for the reunion of the Class of 1959. They had a fashion show and raised $110 for scholarships for the Alumni Foundation. The Allendale ladies helped serve. The Class of 1953 had their 60th Anniversary reunion in the Wabash Junction restaurant in Stanberry. 22 graduates along with spouses showed up. The Class of 1963 held a reunion in Allendale at which 22 graduates and 9 guests showed up. John Humphries organized the event through e-mail; he maintains a list where they exchange information about the class.
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