Stories from Tuesday, October 28, 2014

EIGHTY YEARS AGO Oct. 26-Nov. 1, 1934 The Monett Park Casino was converted into a perfect haven for Halloween revelers for the annual frolic on Oct. 31. A profusion of black and orange crepe paper in festoons and drapes, intermingled with black cats, skeletons and other emblems of the gala season. The frolic was one of the gayest and most enjoyable dances held recently...

The Purdy Assembly of God will host an Under the big Top Fall Celebration from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, oct. 31 at 209 W. jefferson St. in Purdy. There will be bounce houses, a dozen free games for kids, food and fun. A Thanksgiving luncheon hosted by VFW Post No. 4207 Ladies Auxiliary will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Nov. 5 at the Post, located on West Highway 60. Turkey, dressing, cranberry sauce, salad, dessert and beverage are on the menu. Cost is $6.50...

Monett's traditional Halloween Costume Contest, sponsored by the Monett Lions and The Monett Times, will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Friday at the Monett City Hall Auditorium. Downtown merchants will open their doors to the costumed characters prior to the contest...

The Monett High School drama department will present Agatha Christie's play, "And Then There Were None," at 7 p.m. on Thursday and on Nov. 1 at the Monett City Hall Auditorium. A cast of 12 will portray "Downton Abbey"-era characters in a classic thriller...

Around 3,000 people poured onto the parking lot of the First United Methodist Church in Monett on Saturday for the seventh annual Trunk or Treat celebration, more than in the past two years said Paul Lanning, church pastor. Costumed characters began lining up at 4:45 p.m. on a warm evening for the Halloween substitute celebration. Janie Bates, right, put treats in a bucket for Andrew Eaton, held by Miranda Nute and accompanied by Sierra Heintz. Murray Bishoff times-news@monett-times.com...

A panel seeking to envision Monett in five years and how to get there found a major need to promote Monett for potential employees and as a place to live. Hosted by the Monett Chamber of Commerce, the visioning group plans to develop a clearer vision and strategy for Monett's future...

Lonnie Morris, a 20-year employee of Stanphill Sanitation, was recently honored with the 11th Annual Dale Taunton Helping Hands Award. Morris was honored for his service at the Pierce City Community Banquet held on Oct. 11 at the Pierce City Senior Center...

A tour of the two FEMA-funded storm safe rooms under construction at the Monett schools provided a close-up look of the facilities taking shape. Superintendent Brad Hanson said four school board members available to take the tour expressed surprise at the size of the new performing arts center at the high school, as well as the building north of the E.E. Camp gym that will double as the cafeteria for both the middle school and intermediate school campuses...

Pierce City Coach Brad Hocker thanked his seniors after their final football game on Friday, and he used them as an example for the rest of the team. Hocker said to his underclassmen that even though the odds were against the seniors, they never gave up, and they continued to give every ounce of energy they had until the end of the game...

Getting ready to play for third place at state is a hard thing to do, according to Monett softball Coach Ty Goetz. Yet, that was what he explained to his team immediately following a crushing, 2-1 loss to Platte County in the state semifinal Friday. Goetz told his team that only two programs could end their seasons with a win and they still had an opportunity to achieve that goal...

All season long, the Monett football team has let its play on the field do all the talking. The Cubs used its their offensive play against East Newton Friday to deliver that message, loud and clear. It was a simple out and up route that went for a 37-yard gain, with Zack Hammond delivering a perfectly thrown ball to receiver Levi Pfitzner. Although it did not result in a touchdown, the play informed the visitors that th e Cubs were not messing around...

Eileen Hauser, 93, of Joplin, formerly of Aurora, died at 7:40 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, at Spring River Christian Village in Joplin. Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 7, at the Springfield National Cemetery, located at Glenstone and Seminole, in Springfield...

Russell G. Ryder, 91, of Monett, died Oct. 17 at Lacoba Homes in Monett. Burial was held Oct. 20 at Woodlawn Cemetery, Virginia Beach,Va.

John Charles Hawk, Sr., 83, of Monett, MO, passed away on Sunday evening, Oct. 26, 2014 while at Cox South Medical Center in Springfield, MO. John was born on Aug. 19, 1931, in Shamokin, PA, son of the late Harry D. and Elizabeth (Schmidt) Hawk. Following high school, John enlisted in the United States Air Force. ...

Kathleen McGuire, 88, of Shell Knob, died Monday, Oct. 27, at the Cassville Health Care and Rehab, Cassville, Missouri. Cremation arrangements are under the direction of the White Funeral Home and Crematory, Cassville.

H. Eugene "Gene" Langely, 80, of Aurora, died at 9:00 p.m. Monday, Oct. 27, at his home. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 30, at Crafton- Cantrell Funeral Home in Aurora. Burial will be at the Marionville IOOF Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 29, at the funeral home...