Stories from Saturday, May 28, 2016

When a loved one dies, it generally falls to family members to sort through the lifetime collection of memorabilia that defined who that person was and what mattered most in the person's life. Much of the memorabilia may seem mundane, sentimental, and, occasionally, historical, and such was the case when a handful of letters found their way into the hands of Rusty Newton, a 1976 graduate of Miller High School...

Monett Main Street has awarded two façade grants for 2016. The Main Street program offers grants, generally up to $1,500, as a 50 percent match for projects that will improve the exterior appearance of the downtown business district. This year, the grant sizes increased to $2,000 for the first time. In 2015, Main Street also awarded grants to improve rear views that will be especially visible with construction of the Community Pavilion on Front Street...

Plans have been announced for the Summer Reading Club at the 10 branches of the Barry-Lawrence Regional Library. This year's theme will be "On Your Mark, Get Set, Read!" Activities will begin as early as June 1 at some branches. The kick-off will start during the week of June 14 as internationally-known storyteller Sherry Norfolk presents "The Games People Play." Norfolk will share highly interactive global tales about races, games, contests and competitions that engage children in language, books and literacy. ...

Memorial Day offers an opportunity to remember family and friends who have passed on, as well as those who have served in the military.

Eric Greitens, best-selling author, former Navy SEAL, Rhodes scholar and Republican candidate for governor, made his first appearance in Monett on Monday at a meet-and-greet, hosted by Gary and Karen Williams and Mark and Terre Costley.

The Monett Municipal Swimming Pool opens today. Hours are Sunday through Friday 1-5 p.m., Saturday 1-8 p.m. Cost is $3 for admission. YMCA members get in free 3D Corporate Solutions will hold an auction to benefit the company's foundation at 12:30 p.m. ...

"Hammer in 2016: A Gathering of Blacksmiths" will be a new entertainment event offered from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on June 4 in Newtonia, celebrating the ancient craft. Blacksmiths from around the four-state area will gather at the historic Ritchey Mansion in Newtonia to demonstrate their skills and sell their wares. Visitors can watch blacksmiths work from nails to fancy ornamental iron...

Rita Elisa Vega, daughter of Grace Vega and granddaughter of David and Margaret Whitlock of Monett, is one of two inaugural recipients of the White-Foster Endowed Scholarship at Drury University in Springfield. The merit-based scholarship supports research conducted by women in Drury's newly revamped honors program...

The Verona R-7 Preschool and Parents As Teachers Program held their annual Preschool Graduation Friday, April 29. The program began with a welcome from Melvie Hillhouse, the former PAT educator at Verona.

Reese Stevenson of Purdy has received a bachelor of arts degree from the University of St. Mary in Leavenworth, Kan. Stevenson was one of 414 graduates to receive degrees in commencement exercises on May 7. The University of Mt. Mary is a Catholic co-educational applied liberal arts university founded by the Sisters of Charity in Leavenworth...

Brandon Gollhofer, son of Phillip and Miss Gollhofer of Fort Worth, Texas, graduated from Newman University in Wichita, Kan., on May 14. He is the grandson of Phillip and Carolyn Gollhofer of Monett. Brandon received the Harvey and Leona J. Ablah Award, given to one male and one female student for exemplary service in the community, making a positive contribution to society, and for having the highest grade point average of the graduating class. The award included a $2,500 honorarium...

Officials at Monett Elementary School have chosen students demonstrating the characteristic of staying safe as Students of the Week for May 16.

Purdy Coach Joshua Hughes did not spend long talking to his full team after a devastating 15-2 loss in the Class 2 quarterfinal at Plato. "I don't care if you lose 1-0, 20-19 or 15-2, losing still hurts," Hughes said. "We played our tails off to get to this stage, and one game isn't going to define us or our season."...

For a prep athlete, there is no greater honor than having colleges come to your door and invite you to come and play for their programs. Monett's Jonah Paszek accepted one such offer to continue his football career at Missouri Southern State University in Joplin...

Those of us who distribute flags on the graves of veterans for Memorial Day notice trends among the ranks of the fallen. At the city cemetery in Pierce City, for example, the Grand Army of the Republic in 1902 distributed about 30 big bronze stars marking who had fought for the Union in the Civil War. ...