Lifestyles

Raymond and Mary McMeley celebrated 60 years of marriage on Sept. 9, 2021. The couple’s initial plan for a large celebration was sidetracked due to COVID-19. However, their immediate family have been vaccinated and they were able to get together over the Labor Day weekend. ...

Countryside Christian Church in Monett is hosting a gospel and bluegrass concert featuring The Farm Hands at 6 p.m. on Oct. 10, at the church, located at 1200 N. Eisenhower in Monett. The group features leader Tim Graves (dobro), Kimberly Bibb (fiddle), Bryan Graves (bass), Kelsey Crews (banjo) and David Mansfield (guitar), will showcase their gospel and bluegrass stylings with songs such as “Pride,” “Circle of Wood,” “Green River Ferry Boat,” “Come Walk with Me” and more...

A total of 32 people donated blood at the recent American Red Cross blood drive at New Site Baptist Church in Monett. First time donor was Tracy Glouse. Those achieving donation milestones included Michele Cornell and Glenn Fields, one gallon; and Nora Barrientos, 4 gallons...

Evert Fritz, a lifelong resident of the Monett/Freistatt area, will turn 95 years young on Sept. 7. All family and friends are invited to attend an open house to help him celebrate his birthday from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Sunday at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Monett. Contributed photo...

Tom and Sharon VanDerhoef, of Pioneer, are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary. The couple was united in marriage on Aug. 26, 1971, in Commerce, Okla. They have two children; Valerie, who is married to Brett Friederich, and their daughter, Ella, of Andover, Kan.; and a son, Dan VanDerhoef, who is married to Leilani, and their two daughters, Lorelei and Lyndsie, who live in Cassville. The photo was taken on Tom and Sharon’s honeymoon in Hawaii. Contributed photos...

As Missouri celebrates 200 years of statehood, one local organization is celebrating its 100th year of work in the community. On Sunday, May 2, the Verona Knights of Columbus Council held a celebration in the Holy Trinity Parish Hall in Aurora to commemorate the appreciation the Knights have for their clergy and religious, and also to celebrate the 100-year anniversary of the Verona Council of the Knights of Columbus...

The Health Department divides food service code violations into two categories; Priority and Core items. Priority items are more likely than other violations to contribute to food contamination, or illness and/or injury. Core items although important to the overall hygiene of the establishment, do not necessarily present an immediate threat to food contamination or illness and/or injury...

• Marissa Acevedo, five counts of equipment violation, fined $113.50 each count; one count of animal at large, $63.50. • Brianna M Akins, affray, non-injury assault, suspended imposition of sentence (SIS), six months probation. • Alexis Aldaba, operated vehicle on highway without valid or no license, SIS, six months probation...

Monett Lions recently gathered for a traditional pulled pork potluck dinner in Monett’s South Park and the annual installation of a new slate of officers.

CRIMINAL • Gregory Allen Ackley: possession of marijuana of 10 grams or less, misd. D, fined $150; unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia, misd. D, fined $150. • Omer Al Khaf JI: failed to maintain a good working horn, fined $250. • Richard L. Aleshire: tampering with utility meter- 2nd degree, misd. A; stealing, misd. A...

With summer coming to an end local students who participated in the annual St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, Waldensian Presbyterian Church, First Presbyterian Church and First Christian Church Vacation Bible Study are celebrating a successful year. Thirty five children ages 4-17 enjoyed being Knights of North Castle during a vacation bible school event held three hours each morning for a week at the First Christian Disciples of Christ Church at 4th and Wishart in Monett...

Almost 200 area teens and adults from the Monett Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints re-enacted the westward trek of handcart pioneers June 24 through 26. Each youth was assigned to a family consisting of a “Ma and Pa” and approximately six to eight youth. For three days, they helped push wooden handcarts with their belongings over various terrains – camping for two nights...

Students of piano teacher Mrs. Ruth Burnside enjoyed a piano party at Burnside’s home in Purdy June 5. According to Burnside, student Elijah Maples won the door prize by guessing the musical term 0 (whole note.) The party also included a “double double” ensemble by Jake Maples, Heidi Schrbrock, Maddie Clifton and Mrs. Burnside. There were also two piano solos, performed by Clifton and Schrbrock...

A total of 42 people donated blood at the recent American Red Cross blood drive at Countryside Church of Monett. First time donors included Matthew Brubacker and Julie Balmas. Those achieving donation milestones included Molly Johnson and Angela Johnson, two gallons; Aaron Johnson, three gallons; Walt Hamer, eight gallons; and Donna Beckett, 25 gallons...

Serving others isn’t always pretty, but service is what Monett Lions do every day. Local Lions served the community recently by cleaning up their section of roadway near the airport as part of the Adopt-a-Highway program.

A team of Monett Lions proudly presented a $1,700.00 check to the Monett Historical Society – funds generated from the Lions annual Steak Dinner.

Brad Ridenour, director of Clark Community Mental Health Center, provided a program for local Lions Club members recently that outlined the origin of Clark Center, the increasing need for its services and the vast array of staff and services utilized to address those needs...

Patients who need an electroencephalogram (EEG) can now have the test performed at Cox Monett Hospital, eliminating a need to travel to other cities. EEG is a noninvasive and painless diagnostic test performed to measure the electrical activity of the brain. The outpatient test is performed by strategically placing electrodes on a patient’s scalp. The diagnostic tool is used to diagnose seizure disorders, such as epilepsy, and other brain conditions...

Monett area residents will have the opportunity to learn about their risk for cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, diabetes and other chronic, serious conditions during a screening event hosted by Life Line Screening June 28 at New Site Baptist Church in Monett...

The Monett Police Department has been recognized by the Lexipol Connect program for achieving silver level for consistently and effectively disseminating policies to officers, issuing timely policy updates as laws change, and ensuring officers are trained on policies...

Richard and Mary Jones were recently honored on their 50th wedding anniversary at an event hosted by their children, Brian Jones, David and Kim Jones, Aaron Jones, Kevin and Barbara Jones and Lee and Megan Jones. The couple were married June 5, 1971...

A total of 61 donors recently took part in the American Red Cross blood drive at St. Lawrence Catholic Church of Monett. First time donors included Elaina Cremer, Molly Johnson and Jennifer Rice. Milestone donations for recent drives include Joni Potter, one gallon; Jana Bible, two gallons; Randy Kristek, five gallons; Danny Potter, six gallons; and Gerry Bounds, 19 gallons...

The Monett Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution awarded certificates and scholarship checks to local high school award winners on Saturday, April 13.

Barry County Retired School Personnel recently donated $500 to Barry-Lawrence Regional Library.

This past year has emphasized the importance and power of connection. When the pandemic limited face-to-face interaction, Compassus volunteers continued to lend their time and unwavering support to members of the community facing serious and life-limiting illness – even from a distance...

Arvest Bank kicked off its 11th annual Million Meals campaign, which will continue through May 29. The campaign’s goal is to provide at least one million meals to those in need and it benefits more than 90 locally selected organizations throughout Arvest’s four-state footprint...

Barry and Lawrence counties are partnering with the True Charity Initiative to host a workshop on effective compassion. True Charity’s Foundations Workshop will outline seven marks of effective charity, coupling philosophy with best practices. So many of those living in poverty are caught in a generational cycle of dependency. ...

Pollyana Johnson, of Monett, will be serving an overseas mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The daughter of Liza and Eric Johnson, also of Monett, she has been assigned to the Sáo Paulo Brazil West Mission - Temple Visitor’s Center and will begin her mission there May 19...

Verona resident Donnie Craft has served on the Verona School Board for more than 30 years and is now preparing for some well-earned rest.

Ray Elbert, right, was recently named 2021 Legionnaire of the Year by Bob Painter, commander of the Monett American Legion Post #91.

Honoring military veterans for their service is a part of CoxHealth’s culture, and the health system is expanding the recognition it provides with a new Veterans Honor Program. The program launched systemwide in recent days, standardizing the ways patients who have served in the United States Armed Forces are recognized...