Stories from Monday, December 23, 2013

Winter has impacted work in recent weeks by Monett city crews. Street Superintendent Russ Balmas reported half of the road salt stockpiled for the winter was put to use in the December snowstorm. Stockpiles of salt, liquid calcium chloride and Geomelt, the beet juice product to prevent ice on bridges, has been restocked...

Damage from rain on Dec. 20 and early on Dec. 21 that froze on trees and power lines in the Monett area proved minimal over the weekend. The effects appeared to grow on Dec. 22, however, as the weight of ice bent trees farther as temperatures continued to hover in the low 30s...

A major construction contract to renovate the entrance into the school gym and move the restrooms and library received approval by the Purdy Board of Education at a rare 7 a.m. meeting on Dec. 20. Bids for the project were opened on Dec. 19. Superintendent Dr. Steven Chancellor said Paragon Architecture checked references as contractors expressed interest in the project. He urged board members to schedule a special meeting as soon as possible...

The Monett Times is once again sponsoring the First Baby Contest for 2014. The lucky little lad or lass to be the first born at Cox Monett Hospital after midnight on Dec. 31, 2013, will win prizes from 10 area sponsors. This year's prizes include: A $25 savings account from Community National Bank for the first baby;...

Mister and Miss Merry Christmas at Purdy High School were crowned at the school's holiday assembly on Dec. 17. The court for Mister and Miss Merry Christmas at Purdy High School, pictured from left, are: junior candidates Cash Skiles and Shelby Thomas, senior candidates Kirstin Strother and Reese Veith, sophomore candidates and winners Randi Lowery and Robby Ortega, senior candidates Tanner Marshall and Dana Cunningham, and freshmen candidates Kaden Propps and Briana Granados...

An Aurora child was one of three persons hurt in a single vehicle crash on Dec. 21 five miles south of Rogersville in Christian County. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Candace Wright, 22, of Aurora, was driving west on Route U in a 2004 Mitsubishi Endeavor at 3:45 p.m. on Dec. 21. Wright's SUV ran off the right side of the road, struck a ditch and overturned...

Volunteers are needed to help cook, serve, deliver and clean-up during the Monett community Christmas dinner, part of the Linn Thornton Christmas program, on Dec. 25 at the First United Methodist Church, located at 1600 N. Central. Volunteers should arrive as early as 7 a.m. ...

Times Photo by Murray Bishoff Ramey Supermarket in Monett helped brighten the holidays for families at Monett Intermediate School that faced an uncertain Christmas. A $500 donation was turned into 10 $50 gift cards and shared with 10 families to ensure a Christmas celebration. Peg Bryan, principal at Monett Intermediate School, at left, accepted the donation from Roger Umfleet, Ramey store director...

The Monett Cubs wrestling team remained perfect (3-0) on the season in duals meets with a 39-33 win against Branson on Dec. 19. The Cubs took eight of the 12 varsity matches. "Branson always wrestles us tough at their place so to come away with the victory is great," said Monett coach Daryl Bradley. "We gave up three pins and had 2 forfeits. We need to figure out a way to stay off our back. We are in good shape and we are beginning to show that we have the potential to be good."...

This week is one of the most sacred weeks in all of the United States. On Wednesday, Dec 25 most family's will assemble together, exchange gift, eat a meal and enjoy Christmas. On Thursday, Dec. 26, area basketball teams hit the hardwood for a ho-ho-whole lot of games...

Students received recognition from the Purdy School Board for outstanding achievement in music and sports during the first semester of classes. Katherine Wise qualified for the All-State honor choir. In volleyball, Macey Breeding qualified for first team all-conference, Vira Aldava for second team all-conference, and Courtney White for honorable mention. ...

"Two bowls of Wheaties," joked Purdy senior Brent Cornman when asked what got him ready for the basketball game against Wheaton on Dec. 19. The swift 5'11" guard scored 18 points in the game's first eight minutes as the Eagles used a lighting quick attack to subdue the Bulldogs, 73-40...

The Pierce City Eagles improved to 5-3 on the season with a 60-46 win over the visiting Southwest Trojans on Friday, Dec. 20. Zack Hyde scored a game-high 24 points to lead the Eagles, while Brad Daniels rang up 22 points for the Trojans. Pierce City won this game at the lines. The Eagles shot 23 of 32 from the free throw line, and hit three of their five treys in the decisive fourth quarter...

Monett Lady Cubs The Monett Lady Cubs fell 56-23 to the Carthage Lady Tigers on Dec. 19. Carthage built a 14-2 lead after one period and held a 40-12 halftime advantage. Scoring for Monett: Haylee Morris, 8; Brooke McLean, 6; Elizabeth Arnold, 5; and Faith Schmidt and Emily Krueger, 2 each...

EIGHTY YEARS AGO Dec. 23, 1933 The annual Christmas kids party, which has been sponsored by Mr. Gillioz since the opening of the Gillioz Theatre in Monett, will again be held on Christmas morning with a specially selected program and entertainment for the youngsters. As the children leave, each will be given a sack of Christmas candy...

Edwin Dale Fickes, age 80, of Stark City, died at 9:22 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 19. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 26 at McQueen Funeral Home in Wheaton. Burial will be in Altamont Cemetery in Altamont, Kan. Visitation will be held from 8 to 10 a.m. on Dec. 26 at McQueen Funeral Home...

Bruce William Tiggemann, age 60, of Shell Knob, died on Wednesday, Dec. 18. Funeral services were held on Saturday, Dec. 21 at Peace Lutheran Church in Shell Knob, under direction of Fohn Funeral Home, Shell Knob. Burial was at Lake Park Memorial Gardens in Shell Knob...

Charles Seward De Lay, age 67, of Shell Knob, died at 1 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 16. Memorial services will be held at a later date in California. Cremation arrangements are under direction of Fohn Funeral Home in Shell Knob.

Times Photo by Julie Waetke-Bishoff The annual Pierce City churches' community vesper service was held on Sunday, Dec. 15 at the Congregational Church in Pierce City, under the direction of John Archer. A choir drawn from many congregations sang Christmas carols and anthems between 10 Biblical selections of telling the Christmas story. ...

Times Photo by Melonie Roberts Santa's special helpers were getting busy on Thursday packing gifts for children in need at Crosslines in Monett. From left, are: Carri Childers, MaLinda King, director of Crosslines, Amanda Mecino and Milinda Williams. ...

Submitted photo An unusual look into celebrating Christmas in Europe is offered at the Monett Museum. Mark McMillin, shown above, has provided a display of antique German Christmas tree stands which he and his wife, Connie, collected while McMillin was stationed in Germany with the U.S. Army in 1999 through 2004. Located at 705 E. Broadway in Monett, 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...

Submitted photo The Monett Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS) group met recently at the First Presbyterian Church in Monett. After the meeting moms and children packed 35 Operation Christmas Child boxes with donations received. Group members were pleased to help in the effort to spread holiday cheer and the Gospel message of hope. ...