Monthly Archive

By ANDY ENOS

The year was 1969. The Clinton Sunrise Optimist Club was seeking out a community in which to build another Optimist Club. A gentleman from Clinton by the name of Lyle Cummins knew a gentleman in Adrian by the name of Wayne C. Davis. Lyle approached Wayne with the idea of building an Optimist Club in Adrian. Wayne took it upon himself to seek out the key people that would eventually become the Charter Members of The Adrian Optimist Club.

By SHARON KIESEL

The Adrian Chamber of Commerce’s featured business for August is the Happy Go Lucky Convenience Store and Gas Station located at McColloh Street and Missouri Highway 18. The business is owned by Edward Lakhani, who also has a similar business in Archie. The family-owned business has been in operation for two years in the building that has been at that location for about 15 to 20 years.

By SHARON KIESEL

“When the pole went up and those guys raised the flag for the first time...it made me proud that I am privileged to be a part of a group of men (pictured far right) who worked to make this memorial a reality,” said Don Durbin, Commander of Adrian’s VFW Post 1935.

Last spring, the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education made a major change in testing the performance of high school students through specific end-of-course exams. These tests counted against the students’ final grades.

By ANNA LEE JAMES

The American Red Cross Bloodmobile will be in Adrian Tuesday, September 8 from 1-6 p.m. at the Optimist Building. All the time I hear about someone whose life was changed by the blood donations of compassionate donors who stepped up to give blood to help those in need. Families are able to share another birthday, another smile, another hug, or another holiday with their loved ones, thanks to your donations.

Mary Davis passed away Monday, August 24. Visitation and funeral services will be held Saturday, August 29 at the Adrian United Methodist Church. Visitation will be held from 10:00-11:00 and services will begin at 11:00. Contributions may be made to the Adrian Manor Memorial Fund.

Jerry “Yogi” Clark passed away Sunday, August 23. Visitation will be held Thursday, August 27, 6:00-8:00 p.m. and services will be held Friday, August 28, 10:00 a.m. at the Adrian Optimist Building. Contributions may be made to the Boy Scout Troop 238.

Helen Reighard, age 78 of Drexel, Missouri died Thursday, August 20, 2009 at her home in Drexel. She was born July 1, 1931 to Edgar and Edna Johnson Cline in Greenwood, Missouri.

Memorial services were 7 p.m. Saturday, August 22, 2009 at Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel in Butler, Missouri with Rev. Don Keithly officiating. Contributions may be made to Heartland Hospice.

Ruth H. Gunther, age 87 of Chesterfield, Missouri died Tuesday, August 18, 2009 at the Missouri Baptist Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri. She was born December 20, 1921 to Frederick and Amanda Beaman Alexander in Warsaw, Missouri.

Graveside services were 10:30 a.m. Friday, August 21, 2009 at Oak Hill Cemetery in Butler, Missouri with Rev. Art Ellsworth officiating. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to charity of choice.

William G. “Bill” Campbell, age 87 of Butler, Missouri, formerly of Kansas City, Missouri died Saturday, August 22, 2009 at Bates County Memorial Hospital in Butler. He was born August 11, 1922 to William Marvin and Agnes Garrison Campbell in Bates County, Missouri.

Memorial services will be held at 4 p.m. Sunday, August 30, 2009 at Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Butler, Missouri with Elder James Cauthon officiating. Contributions may be made to the Christian Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses.

Jason and Cara Fairman are proud to announce the birth of their daughter Anna Mae Fairman. Anna was born at St. Joseph Medical Center August 2, 2009 at 11:35 a.m. She weighed 7 lbs. 4 ozs. and was 20 inches long.

Alex and Kjirsten Cantrell, Alexis and Trenton of Archie, MO announce the arrival of Olivia Opal Cantrell, She was born August 16, 2009, 9:01 a.m. weighing 5 lbs. 12 ozs. and measuring 17 1/4” long.

Ashlee Burris, Adrian, and Brianna Greene, Drexel, have been selected for the Pre-Teen America Program in Jefferson City. The program is an educational and personal development enrichment program for girls ages 7 - 12. Last Saturday Ashlee (left) and Brianna (right) held a fundraising bake/garage sale at Adrian Tire & Lube to help cover program costs. The girls were blessed with many generous donations and lots of helpers, making their sale a huge success.

Right: Adrian vs. Osceola

Middle: Adrian vs. Rich Hill

Far right: Adrian vs. Appleton City

In preparation for the upcoming football season, the Adrian Blackhawks played a scrimmage game last Thursday evening at the athletic complex. Quarterback Trevor Gregg throws a pass for the Blackhawks.

photo by Mike Burris

FRESHMEN (right): Front row - Shelby Shannon, Rashaell Keating, Brandon Williams, Brice McMillan, Logan Jennings, Brendin White, Sawyer Highley, Alex Peery, Caitlin Kimminau, Kireston Luptak. Back row - Joe Collins, Tyler Bohannon, Zach Lewis, Coach George Bruto, Dillon Tenholder, Skyler McElwain, Nathan Oates, Austin Pitts.

SOPHOMORES (far right): Front row - Myiah Winn, Christa Hill, Vince Romi, Christian Schlotman, Ethan Weeks, Payton Wilson, Michael Cannady, Chelsea Morrison, Tarissa Keating. Back row - Travis Proell, Drew Cochran, J. R. Lawrence, Coach George Bruto, Eric Moles.

JUNIORS (right): Front row - Rebecca Keating, Emily Bohannon, Andrea French, Michael Guinn, Brandt McMillan, Luke Hough, Ivan Wendelton, Tyler McDonald, Haley Bass, Jordan Reichert. Back row - Chopper Bagby, Shawn Blackburn, Brandon Doll, Kody Cook, Coach George Bruto, Levi Cunningham, Seth Rosekopf, Drew Riley, Coleton Greer.

SENIORS (far right): Front row - Trina Bass, Tuff Wimberly, Trevor Gregg, Nick Highley, Skyler Kariker, Erik White, Kayla Patnoe. Back row - Jimmy Ray, Chad Goforth, Kendall Schellman, Coach George Bruto, Tom Gregg, Tyler Proell.

photos by Mike Burris

Chris Schaller and Henry Wendelton of Adrian, Kaitlin Mitchell of Appleton City and Maggie Massey of Butler, received Reserve Grand Champion in the Super Teen Contest on August 16 at the 2009 Missouri State Fair. Pictured left to right are: Chris Schaller, Kaitlin Mitchell, Henry Wendelton, and Maggie Massey.

Five new members of the Adrian R-III educational team include (right): Brice Fischer, Ben Palmer, Samie Hill, Allison Oates and Amy Basore.

The Archie R-V School District introduces this year’s new teachers (middle). Pictured in the front row, left to right: Tracie Kimminau, Karen Miller, Stephanie Hackleman and Jami Smith. Back row, left to right: Paul Brack, Rob Russ, Jacob VanSlyke and Brian Marston.

Lesson plans, meetings, bulletin boards, calendars, decorations, name tags, and much more. Getting ready for a new school year is a huge undertaking for teachers, faculty and administrators. In appreciation for their hard work all year, and to provide a break from the back-to-school commotion, Adrian PTO hosted a “Welcome Back” Appreciation Luncheon for R-III staff on Monday, August 17. Everyone savored the taste of Butthead BBQ as well as the side dishes provided by PTO officers.

The American Red Cross Bloodmobile will be in Adrian Tuesday, September 8 from 1:00 p.m. -6:00 p.m. at the Adrian Optimist Building. There are immeasurable ways your blood donation helps those in need, which are many around the world, and here in our own community. Regular donors tell me, “Nothing else I do makes me feel this good about donating blood.” Some say, “One day it could be me or someone in my family who needs blood.” Others say, “I’m just an ordinary person who feels extraordinary every time I donate blood . . .what could be better than saving a life?”

There is a wrong listing for the Adrian Police Department’s emergency phone number in the August 2009 edition of the Embarq phone directory.

The number listed has the exchange numbers transposed. The emergency number should be 816-297-2121, not the number printed in the book. The Adrian Fire Department’s emergency number is correct and is the same number (816-297-2121) as the Adrian police emergency line.

Walmart in Harrisonville granted $1,000 to the Adrian Community Library last week for large print and children’s books. Pictured left to right: Joyce Walsh, Debbie Moles, Patty Hahn, Roma Welch, Walmart Assistant Manager Ann Hammond, Jeannette Emerson, Donna Jones, Kay DePriest, Dolly Robey, Leona Catron, June Ray, Bo Pike, Patricia Pike and Harper Pike.

The Adrian High School football coaches held a camp for 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th grade little leaguers on Wednesday, August 12. Pictured are the players warming up for drills and a scrimmage game with coaches Chad Bruto, Tyson Basore, George Bruto, Matt Cochran and Shaun Bruto.

Far right, little league player Sam Mager knocks the ball loose from running back James Keating.

(photos by Mike Burris)

The Blackhawks are gearing up for another terrific football season. During practice on Friday, August 14, the players ran from Frontier Village to the Athletic Complex.

The Kansas City Royals Clinic for Special Olympics was held at Kauffman Stadium on Thursday, August 6. Those participating from the Bates County Blazers team coached by Gayla Boyd were: front row, left to right: Evvy Sladen and Dawn Wix of Adrian. Back row, left to right: Ryan Dancer of Amoret and Janie Smith, Bob Wainscott, and Connie Larcom of Adrian.

Roy and Debbie Umstattd, Adrian, announce the engagement and upcoming marriage of their daughter, Bailey, to Andy Carr, son of Robert and Julie Carr, Adrian.

The couple is planning a September 19 wedding at the home of her parents. They will be making their home in North Kansas City.

Mr. and Mrs. Gene Irvin will be celebrating 50 fun filled years of marriage on Sunday, August 23. Carolyn Kay Hand and Gene E. Irvin were united in marriage August 23, 1959 at the Butler Methodist Church.

August birthdays were celebrated recently at Adrian Manor Health and Rehabilitation. Residents celebrating their birthdays were, left to right: Faye Dillon, Gladys Dees, Marty Mitchell, Joe Clifton.

Shirley Ann Hough, age 73 of Butler, Missouri died Saturday, August 15, 2009 at Bates County Memorial Hospital in Butler. She was born October 23, 1935 to George Otto and Florence Leona Austin Portwood in Adrian, Missouri.

Funeral services were 1 p.m. Wednesday, August 19, 2009 at the Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel in Butler, Missouri with Darwin Bennett officiating. Burial was in the Oak Hill Cemetery, Butler. Contributions may be made to the Help Ronnie Hough Wrestle Cancer Fund.

Mary Elizabeth Van Meter, 94 of Drexel, MO passed away Thursday, August 13, 2009 in Adrian Manor, Adrian, MO.

Funeral services were held Saturday, August 15, 2009 at 10 a.m. at the Mullinax Funeral Home, Drexel, with the Rev. Steven Donnelly officiating. Burial will follow in Freeman Cemetery, Freeman, MO. No visitation. Memorial contributions in Elizabeth’s name are suggested to the Missouri Baptist Children’s Home, in care of the funeral home.

Linda Lou Suwara, age 65 of Lynwood, Washington, died August 7, 2009 in Lynwood. She was born October 15, 1943 to J. L. and Elsie Mae Dodds in Santa Monica, California.

Memorial services were held at 2 p.m. Saturday, August 15, 2009 at Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel in Butler, Missouri with Rev. Art Ellsworth officiating.

Robert “Bob” Patrick Lackland Sr., age 53 of Peculiar, Missouri lost a five year battle with cancer Wednesday, August 5, 2009 in Peculiar. He was born March 2, 1956 to Robert Elliot Jr. and Eleanor Conner Lackland in Kansas City, Missouri. Bob, one of four children, grew up in Appleton City, Missouri and Independence, Missouri.

By MICHELE BURRIS

Dr. Kirk Eidson and the Adrian R-III District are preparing for the first day of school on August 20. So what’s new? The installation of a web-based system is underway.

R-III is participating in the School Improvement Initiative, which is a three-year commitment with the Professional Learning communities. The initiative is designed to identify optimal learning.

The district has re-structured by moving the sixth grade to junior high. A preschool program with a maximum enrollment of 15 children has been added to the district.

Practice for the high school fall sports season kicked off for the Adrian Blackhawks Monday morning at 12:01. Forty-nine football players, along with Head Coach George Bruto and his assistants Matt Cochran, Shaun Bruto, Tyson Basore, started their football practice of the year in front of a large crowd at the Wayne C. Davis Little League Field. Twenty-seven girls hit the court at the same time in the high school gym for volleyball practice. They are coached by Head Coach Erin Carver and her assistant Amy Basore.

The first practice for the 2009 Adrian junior high football team will be held Monday, August 17th at 3:45 p.m. at the Adrian sports complex. All players will need to bring physicals, cleats, t-shirts and shorts.
Volleyball practice will begin Thursday, August 20 at 6:15 a.m. in the east gym. All players MUST have physical in order to begin practice.

July birthdays were recently celebrated at Adrian Manor Health and Rehabilitation Center. Residents celebrating birthdays in July were, left to right - Lillian Ryan, Faitha Foster, and Deanna “Dee” Hockett.

Katharyn A. Lowe (Katyan) earned placement on the Dean’s List for the 2009 spring semester at Avila University.  
Katyan is the daughter of Myrna Case, Adrian, MO, and the granddaughter of Allan Anthuis, Sr. of Raymore, MO.  Katyan will be a sophomore at Avila this fall and is a pre-med major and plays basketball for the Avila Lady Eagles.
Katyan is a 2008 graduate of Miami High School.
 

By Bob Oldfield

A Parent/Student information meeting on the Adrian R-III School District Student Drug Testing Policy will be held Monday, August 24, 7:00 p.m. in the high school commons area. Complete Policy and Procedures for this program is available on the district website or in the high school office and will be available at the meeting. All students must enroll in this program in order to participate.

Melvin S. Ingram, age 94 of Butler, Missouri died Wednesday, August 5, 2009 at Willow Lane Nursing Center in Butler. He was born June 13, 1915 to John and Delia Deller Ingram just south of Rich Hill, Missouri.

Funeral services were 11 a.m. Saturday, August 8, 2009 at the Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel in Butler with Elder Daniel Brown officiating and Elder Michael Brown assisting. Burial was in the Fairview Cemetery, Butler. Contributions may be made to the Adrian Restoration Church of Jesus Christ or the Adrian Community Library.

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Verlinda Hazel Rich, age 97 of Lexington, Missouri formerly of Butler, Missouri died Monday, August 3, 2009 at the Lexington Care Center in Lexington. She was born June 19, 1912 to Hiram George and Gertie Cecil Moore Cummings in Butler.

Funeral services are 11 a.m. Friday, August 7, 2009 at Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel in Butler, Missouri with Dr. Terry Davis officiating. Burial was in the Oak Hill Cemetery, Butler. Contributions to Butler First Baptist Church, American Cancer Society or American Diabetes Association.

By SHARON KIESEL

Something that was just a dream about a year ago is now a reality. Adrian now has a new heliport for air ambulance service for the city, surrounding rural areas and neighboring communities.
The new helipad, located on Optimist Community Building grounds at the corner of Old 71 Highway and Co-Op Road, is the brain child of Adrian Lions Club member Joey Bailey.

Joey said he talked to Chief Dizney first, then Lions member Ken Newsome got involved. Soon after, Jim Johnson with the Harrisonville helipad joined in, and everything snowballed from there.

The Southside Cafe in Butler was the setting on Tuesday, August 4 for a book signing event. The book “I Stand - A Miraculous Journey From Paralysis to Praise,” was co-authored by former Merwin area resident Brenda Black and gospel music recording artist Pam Morgan.

Jon Cockrum, Urich, MO, is the August 3 Adrian Optimist progressive bingo winner. He is pictured with a check for $4400.00. Next week’s jackpot is $4200.00.

Shelly and Doug Scotten, of Adrian, are proud to announce the birth of their son, Colt Douglas Scotten. Colt was born at 7:02 p.m. on July 13, 2009, at Nevada Regional Medical Center. He weighed 9 pounds, 9 ounces and measured 20 inches long.

Melvin and Jeweldine Smith celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary with a trip to California. Pictured, Melvin Rita Scott (flower girl), and Jeweldine.

The Oates reunion was started about 40 years ago by Leta Mae (Oates) Gates. As the family grew getting together for Christmas was impossible so Leta decided to have Christmas in July. The first few years she had a Christmas tree and music and there was even a gift exchange. Now it is just a get together.
The group appreciates Dick Essenpries for running the train. It was a big hit with the kids as well as the adults. Everyone enjoyed the day.

Frontier Village was the Saturday, August 1, 2009 destination of the descendants of Albert Harrison and Clara Margaret (Eckert) Robey. Albert came with his parents, two brothers and a sister from Ohio to Bates County, Missouri in 1872. Clara was the child of David and Florence (VanBenthusen) Eckert. They were married December 29, 1892 and had four sons: James Grant, David Francis, Sherman Arthur and Marion Albert.

All agreed that Frontier Village was an ideal place for the reunion, but the next one will be in the summer of 2011 in Council Bluffs, Iowa.

Adrian Blackhawks football practice will begin Monday, August 10 at 12:01 a.m. Senior football players are to be at the complex at 9:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 9 and the rest of the team should report at 10:00 p.m. All athletes need to have their physicals in order to begin practices.

The 14-0 slow-pitch softball champs are pictured. Front row, left to right: Katy Brownsberger, Kelly Tindall, Jill Jacobs, Angie Keiser and Amy Basore. Back row, left to right: Tyson Basore, Rance Waite, Ryan Rapp, Brian Keiser and Luke Tourtillotte.

Mildred B. Martin, age 92 of Willow Springs, Missouri died Sunday, July 26, 2009 at Willow Care Nursing Home in Willow Springs, Missouri. She was born July 8 1917 to William Henry and Pearl Robbins Huey in Cameron, Missouri.

Graveside services were 2 p.m. Saturday, August 1, 2009 at Oak Hill Cemetery in Butler, Missouri. In lieu of flowers, contributions to the Butler Public Library.

Richard Allen (Rick) Erisman, 53, died Tuesday, July 21, 2009 at his home, on the river, with his family and his beloved dogs by his side. He is sadly missed by all.