Stories from Friday, April 19, 2013

Monett School Board members talked about program innovations during their March meeting. Superintendent Brad Hanson distributed an article from Deloitte's Center for Best Practices on childhood hunger. The Washington, D.C.-based Share Our Strength not-for-profit organization studied childhood hunger and found Missouri is one of 10 states where more than 16 percent of children experience hunger...

Flora L. Deal, age 91, formerly of Pierce City, died on Wednesday, April 17, in Berryville, Ark. Funeral arrangements are incomplete under the direction of Lakin Funeral Home in Pierce City.

Larry D. Garrett, age 61, of Pierce City, died on Wednesday, April 17 at the Veteran's Hospital in Fayetteville, Ark. Funeral arrangements are incomplete under the direction of Lakin Funeral Home in Pierce City.

Betty Alene (Hutchens) Blodgett, 88, of Nixa went to be with the Lord, Tuesday, April 16, 2013, of natural causes. She was born April 16, 1925, in Pioneer, Mo. to George Leslie and Magnolia Irene (Stewart) Hutchens. She was wed to Bobby Gene Blodgett in 1942. They had five children together, Donna Marie Lally, Scott Hutchens, David Gene, Michael Alan, and Randall Lynn. Betty and her family resided in Russell, Kan. from 1952 until 1994...

In its distinctive and often unexpected way of running ahead of trends, the Monett R-1 School Board has started looking at making breakfast available to all students. Such innovations come with a price. Some opponents of government spending would disagree with even the premise of school meals. But with so much money already invested in public education, adding a little more to ensure children have enough physical fuel to learn only makes sense...

Dear Editor: As superintendents of Barry County school districts, we feel it is our duty to share some thoughts on the pending legislation of Senate Bill 26, sponsored by Senator Will Kraus of Lee's Summit. This bill has passed by a veto proof margin of 23-11 in the Missouri Senate...

Royce O. and Elaine Ashley will celebrate their 70th wedding anniversary on April 25. Royce O. Ashley and Elaine C. Steffen were united in marriage in Santa Ana, Calif., where Royce was stationed in the U.S. military. They settled on a farm northeast of Pierce City where they lived for 50 years...

Randy and Vicki Bealer, of Delta Junction, Alaska, announce the engagement of their daughter Kimberly Bealer, to Caleb Witt-Schulte, son of Bill and Bonnie Schulte, of Pierce City. The bride-elect is a graduate of University of Alaska Anchorage with a degree in English, and works for Kaya Associates at Fort Greely, Alaska...

Misty Stiles Shearburn, of Monett, and Micheal and Elizabeth Shearburn, of Van Buren, Ark., announce the engagement and forthcoming marriage of their daughter, Megan Michelle Shearburn, to Timothy Edward Haase, son of Carl and Krissy Haase, of Pierce City...

Jonny and Janaye Atkinson, of Louisville, Ky., announce the birth of a son, Owen Alan, at 2:31 p.m. on March 25. He weighed 11 pounds, one ounce and measured 21 inches. Maternal grandparents are Jeff and Julie Abramovitz, of Monett. Paternal grandparents are Stephen and Wendy Atkinson, of Rogers, Ark...

The Pierce City Branch Library has a display of Royal Doulton Toby Jugs, provided by Carolyn Dean. The collection belonged to Dean's mother, Ola Mae Day. The display will continue through April. Quilting with Debbie continues at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 23...

CENTRAL PARK AND MONETT ELEMENTARY HM - Homemade fresh in the Opaa! Kitchen. WG - Whole Grain item. Monday -- Breakfast: Pancakes, cereal or oatmeal. Lunch: 1. Hot dog on a bun. 2. Parmesan chicken sandwich. 3. Chef salad. Tuesday -- Breakfast: Breakfast sandwich, cereal or oatmeal. Lunch: 1. Chicken nachos. 2. Mozzarella dunkers. 3. Fajita chicken salad...

Nine students representing fourth, fifth and sixth grades participated in the annual Purdy School Spelling Bee on Feb. 5. Following a lengthy competition, fifth grader Shana Whisman correctly spelled "accuracy" and was named the Purdy School Spelling Bee champion...

Monett Intermediate School sixth graders took third place in a recent Quiz Bowl competition. Third place winning Quiz Bowl team members were recognized at the monthly board of education meeting.

Ten members of Purdy R-2 School District's fourth through sixth grade choir, Eagle Echoes, participated in the 2013 District Elementary Honor Choir at the Carthage auditorium on Saturday, March 9. Purdy's singers joined 180 students from 17 area schools in an all-day rehearsal and evening performance of five songs, directed by Beth Burch. Purdy Eagle Echoes perform under the direction of Samantha Burt...

The mixed woodwind ensemble from Purdy High School achieved a 1 rating at the district music festival, advancing them to the state music festival in Columbia on April 27.

Purdy High School band member Hannah Sehrbrock achieved a 1 rating on her flute solo at the district music festival. She will compete at the state music festival in Columbia on April 27 . [Photo submitted]

Scott Regional Technology Center joined forces with the Monett Chamber of Commerce to obtain the status of Work Ready Community. Students attending Scott Regional Technology Center recently certified their workplace skills. The Workforce Investment Board team proctored the ACT WorkKeys tests. In order to receive any level of certification, students had to pass the following tests:...

Central Park Elementary students, Haley Gaines and Kimberlee Parris, were selected to present their artwork at the Youth Art Month Capitol Exhibit on March 26 in Jefferson City. Mrs. Amy Green, art instructor at Central Park, accompanied the students. Both students received certificates, and their artwork was displayed in the Missouri State Capitol Building...

A surprise covered-dish dinner will be held to honor Linn Thornton (Santa Claus) for his many years of serving the community with holiday dinners and Christmas gifts for children on Saturday, April 20 at the Boy Scout pavilion at Monett City Park, next to the playground, The event begins at 1 p.m. Those attending are asked to bring a covered dish. Meat and a celebratory cake will be provided. For more information, call 236-0222...

"Spring is here and donations are starting to pick up at Crosslines," said MaLinda King, administrator. "We have decided to open the first and third Saturdays of the month from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m." The extended hours will give those in the workforce time to shop at the store on weekends...

A crabapple tree in bloom in the spring is an unforgettable sight. Flowering crabapples provide spectacular blooms in a range of colors from red to green. The wide range of forms and size makes it a tree for all landscapes. The large beautiful crabapple tree pictured above is the center of attention in the back yard of Bob and Charlotte Bounous, of Monett...

At a special meeting of the Verona City Council, aldermen approved a wastewater permit for BCP, a local manufacturing plant in the city. The permit will allow the factory to discharge waste into the city's wastewater system. In other business, aldermen approved having a mechanic look at the Dodge Durango, used by the Verona Police Department, to see what repairs to the aging vehicle would run. The approved cost of the inspection is $100...

Marley Gripka, age 4, broke through the finish line during Saturday's Trike-a-thon at St. Mary's Catholic School in Pierce City. The event was a fundraiser for St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital.

The Purdy Eagles baseball team spotted the McAuley Warriors a pair of runs in the first inning then rallied for a 4-3 victory on April 16. Playing at Purdy, the Warriors' Shaw Robertson supplied the fireworks in the first inning, blasting a two-run round tripper to lift the visitors to a quick 2-0 lead...

Times Photo by Nancy Noll-Meyer The Monett Youth Wrestling Club qualified 12 wrestlers, pictured above, for the state meet held in Columbia. In the front row, from left, are: Matthew Bahl, Jace Stow, Joseph Semerad, Elias Barrientos, Ethan Umfleet and Joel Barrientos. ...