Stories from Thursday, November 21, 2013

EIGHTY YEARS AGO Nov. 21, 1933 "Bogie Alley," an operatta about a large family living in a tenement, will be presented by the Plymouth Parent-Teacher Association at the high school auditorium. There are choruses of flowers, butterflies, the Bogies and drill teams for the brooms, baseball nine, dolls, tin soldiers, cave boys and the airplane skit...

It's beginging to look a lot like Christmas at Monett's South Park, thanks to Monett City Electric workers. This is the 10th annual Festival of Light for Monett's South Park, Electirc workers spend one to two weeks building and hanging the light structures and another week checking all the bulbs. Pictured above, on the ground, from left, are: John Ellis and Chris Russell. Securing the lights in the lower bucket was Blake Sullivan and operating the lifting bucket was Brett Cogburn...

times-news@monett-times.com The Monett Main Street board has voted to expand its efforts to establish a historic district for downtown Monett. At its Nov. 14 meeting, Main Street board members heard that Missouri Historical Advisory Council would, under the present application, consider the south side of Broadway as non-contributing properties, despite improvements that have been made...

times-news@monett-times.com A new study on the economic impact of airports on communities in Missouri shows the Monett Regional Airport has risen on the list of major contributors and continues to outpace facilities in much larger cities. According to the Missouri Department of Transportation, which prepared the economic impact study for 2012, "There are currently 100,621 jobs in Missouri that are in some way connected to the airport system and its activities. ...

Pierce City artists are invited to enter the 2014 Draw Pierce City contest, open to any public, private or home-schooled student in the Pierce City R-6 School District. The event is sponsored by the Pierce City Arts Council (PCAC). Adult artists over the age of 18 are also invited to compete, but need not live within the Pierce City school boundaries...

times-news@monett-times.com The 40th anniversary of the Barry-Lawrence County Development Center was celebrated in the bi-annual fundraising auction and dinner, held on Nov. 8 at the Monett City Park Casino. "It was a wonderful event," said Margaret Holle, long-time activist for the program who is recognized as the organization's founder. "We cleared over $5,000. Attendance was high and the new City Park Casino worked out well for us."...

Hobbs-Anderson American Legion Post #91 will host a beef stew dinner with salad and beverage from 5 to 7 p.m. on Nov. 21 at the Legion Home, located at 717 E. Broadway. Cost is $5. Carry-outs are available. Pastor Paul Lanning, from the First United Methodist Church, will provide a Thanksgiving message for the next meeting of the Monett Kiwanis Club, at noon on Nov. 26 at Happy House restaurant...

jwhitlock@monett-times.com One person received minor injuries in a single-vehicle crash on Highway 97, five miles north of Stotts City at 4:55 p.m. on Nov. 18. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Virginia A. Harmon, 86, of Miller, was traveling north in a 2006 Kia Optima, when her car went off the right side of the road and overturned. Harmon was taken to Cox Hospital in Springfield. She was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash...

Monett resident Kurt Schmitt, pictured above, won the Baywash Carwash High School Fooball Pick'em contest presented by the Monett Times. The grand prize winner, Schmitt, received an i-Ppad mini for picking the most prep winners over the last 10 weeks. Monett Times advertising manager Lisa Craft presented Schmitt with his prize...

A minor two-vehicle collision around 5 p.m. on Nov. 19 on East Cleveland in Monett prompted a response by eight emergency vehicles. According to Officer Paul Ferguson, the subjects had left Monett Municipal Court and the collision prompted a verbal altercation that officers defused quickly. ...

sports@monett-times.com Several area alumni and friends of Missouri State University (MSU) in Springfield assembled at the City Park Casino on Nov. 18 for a MarooNation gathering. The event featured a dinner and presentation from current MSU staff on the University's progress and future goals...

A display recounting the contributions of the Masons to the Monett community over the last 125 years is now on display at the Monett Museum, located at 705 E. Broadway. Skip Smith, who also serves as worshipful master for Monett Masonic Lodge #129, AF&AM, prepared the exhibit. The museum is open from 1 to 3 p.m. on Tuesdays, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Thursdays and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays...

Frank Edward Lands, age 63, of Purdy, died on Saturday, Nov. 16, at Cox Hospital South in Springfield. Memorial services be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 23 at the Temple Baptist Church in Monett. Cremation arrangements are under the personal care and direction of Buchanan Funeral Home, Monett...

Thomas David (Tom), age 76 of Knoxville, Tenn., passed away Friday, Nov. 15, 2013 at Tennova Residential Hospice in Knoxville. Tom was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather and brother. He was a member of Cokesbury United Methodist Church and former member of Beaver Ridge United Methodist Church. ...

A total of 28 students at Scott Regional Technology Center completed Project STIR: Steps Toward Independence and Responsibility. The program, taught by Scott Hettinger of the Joplin Regional Office, enhances students' self-advocacy skills and encourages self-determination. ...

jwhitlock@monett-times.com Berean Christian Academy has announced its honor roll students for the first quarter of the 2013-14 school year. First graders named to the all A Honor Roll are: Ryah Hardin, Carter Keeling, Kaycee Huff, Elijah Smith, Parker Africa and Dolly Spurlock...

Monett Elementary School has announced Students of the week for Nov. 4. Pictured in the front row, from left, are: Michael Gross, Jacob McCall and Damon Mahurin. Back row: Dacia Grubbs, Edith Perez, Jazmin Garrett and Julissa Villa. Not present for the picture was Madison Walker...

jwhitlock@monett-times.com Former Monettan, LeAnn Verhoff, has been nominated for the homecoming court at Pittsburg State University. LeAnn is the daughter of Kirk and Teresa Verhoff, of Monett. She is a 2011 graduate of Monett High School and currently a junior at Pittsburg State University...

Monett High School has announced Students of the Month for October. Pictured in the front row, from left, are: Adriel Ridenour, junior; Kara Hopkins and Sam Martinez, seniors. Back row: Jorden Henson and Jacque Ballay, sophomores; and Camryn Franke and Tommy Sangston, freshmen. Not present for the picture was Tarek Masri, junior...