The Lake Gazette - Archives

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WEDNESDAY, September 8, 2010 ~ Vol. 14 No. 32

Monroe City, MO

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30 Years Ago, Lankford Field to be dedicated

90 Years Ago
October 25, 1918
The Rev. Fr. James Ryan, who was ordained in the priesthood of the Catholic Church during September, was assigned as assistant to the resident pastor of Holy Rosary Catholic Church, the Rev. Fr. John Ryan.
Senator R.S. McClintic, Mayor J.G. Wade, Fred Hardesty, Thomas Conboy, A.A. Melson and W.H. Moss went to Jefferson City to attend a state highway meeting. They made the trip in the interest of placing Monroe City on one of the state roads which was to be designated by the State Highway Commission.
Elmo Brownell, 16-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. F.A. Brownell, was the youngest man from this city to enter the services of the U.S. Army. He enlisted the previous summer as a truck driver and received his training at Camp Joseph E. Johnston, Jacksonville, Fla.

80 Years Ago
October 26-29, 1928
G.E. Chipman, J.D. Utterback, M.B. Proctor and Tom Dawson attended the annual meeting of Group I of the Missouri Bankers’ Association held in Kirksville.
Mr. and Mrs. Jess Dowlin of near Emden were parents of a son, William Lee, born October 18.
Miss Lucille Crandall went to Okmulgee, Okla., where she accepted a position in a beauty parlor.
Mrs. Carrie Dimmitt and Mr. and Mrs. Herman Levy visited in Columbia with the formers son, Herman, a student in the University of Missouri.
Mrs. Jack C. Carter of Houston, Tex., arrived for a visit with Mrs. D.R. Davenport and Miss Berta Lee Nolen.

70 Years Ago
October 27, 1938
Dr. W.T. Rutledge and Dr. C.A. Noland attended the annual convention of the American dental Association in St. Louis.
L.A. VanDyke, former superintendent of the Monroe City public schools, accepted an appointment in the State Department of Education under State Superintendent Lloyd King. He was to have the official title of Director of High School Supervision.
The Monroe City High School girls’ basketball team lost their first game of the season to New London. Members of the team were: forwards, Rosemary Harn, Mary Beth Christian and Doris Swearengen; centers, Charlotte Ann Henderson, Anna Belle Christian and Lois Tuley; guards, Nellie Mae Shay, Evelyn Burditt and Dorothy Greeves.

60 Years Ago
October 28, 1948
Miss Naomi Hill, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Gordon L. Hill, and Maurice Lehenbauer, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ed Lehenbauer, were married October 24 in the parsonage of Immanuel Lutheran Church.
C.E. Robey was elected president of the newly organized Business Men’s Association. Other officers named were: Wilfred S. Dawson, vice president; Raymond M. Noel, secretary, and Norvin Yates, treasurer. Directors were C.E. Hedges and Harold Kern, two years; Claude Buckman and P.J. Butler, one year.
Joseph Hardy, a civilian employee with the Justice Department of the Korean government, completed his assignment at Seoul, Korea, and arrived for a visit with his mother, Mrs. John C. Hardy.
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Pollitt were parents of a son, Michael Joseph, born October 22.
The Henderson Produce Co. in this city observed their fiftieth anniversary as a member of the business world, in connection with the 100th anniversary of the American Poultry Industry.

50 Years Ago
October 23, 1958
Miss Colleen Joyce McGaughey of Quincy, Ill., and Walter Raymond Thomas were married October 18. Miss Leaha Seke of Liberty, Ill, and Edward Lorenson were married October 18.
The Lions Club reported total receipts for their fall festival were $1,718.63 with net receipts of $395.93.
Chester Ely, Joe Chinn, Henry Dean and Dan Ragar of Monroe City were with a group of eight men who returned from a nine day hunting trip to Dubuque, Colo. They brought back 16 deer and one elk.
Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Burditt were to observe their golden wedding anniversary November 2 with an open house.
New People: a son was born to Mr. and Mrs. Paul Buckman October 16. He was named Brent Alan. A son, Albert Benedict, was born to Mr. and Mrs. Gregory Buckman, October 16. Mr. and Mrs. Glennon Ridgeway were parents of a son, Robert Glennon, born October 17. A daughter was born to Mr. and Mrs. Tommy Hays of Moline, Ill., October 21.

40 Years Ago
October 24, 1968
G.B. Veatch was awarded the Community Betterment Award at the annual awards banquet held in Jefferson City. Mr. Veatch had been the chairman of the Monroe City Community Betterment Association for the past year. The award was presented to him by Governor Warren E. Hearnes.
Channel catfish were transferred from the rearing pond to Monroe City South Lake. The catfish were hatched at the Hunnewell Hatchery in June and July.
The Monroe City Panthers, coached by Charley Welker, spoiled the Louisiana Bulldog’s homecoming by winning 21-12.
Sp/4 Charles L. Smith was to leave October 25 for Oakland, Calif. for an assignment in Vietnam. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Cecil D. Smith.
Those scheduled for induction into the armed forces from Monroe County included: Donald Lynn Harman of Holliday; Gary Phillip Hagan and Gary Paul Baker of Monroe City and Dickie Ray Thomas of Hunnewell.
Mrs. Judy Plunkett was named “Woman of the Year” at the Monroe City Businessmen and Professional Women’s Club. Mrs. Plunkett was the president of the club.

30 Years Ago
October 19, 1978
A non-Italian Pope, Pope John Paul II, brought comments from the local residents of Monroe City. Mrs. Joyce Yegge, a daughter of Polish descent thought it was great!
Births: a son, Michael Keith, October 15, to Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Wilson; a daughter, Kati Karine, October 7 to Mr. and Mrs. John Wedig of Fowler, Ill.; a daughter, Kelly Michele, October 11 to Mr. and Mrs. Robert Geyer of St. Louis.
Mr. and Mrs. Earl Graupman celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary with a family gathering in Hunnewell.
Hollie Griffin Lorenson and Cecil Vernon Bastian III were married September 2 at the Monroe City United Methodist Church.
Mrs. Ardys Crouch was named “Woman of the Year” at the Business and Professional Woman’s Club breakfast. The event coincided with those of other chapters across the state and nation during National Business Women’s Week.
Lankford Field, the Monroe City track and football field, was to be dedicated to Galen E. Lankford, former superintendent, prior to Monroe City’s Homecoming game against Palmyra.

20 Years Ago
October 27, 1988
Presidential hopeful Governor Michael Dukakis visited the area including the farm of the Melvin Kaden family located on Highway 24-36 East of Monroe City.
The United Methodist Church was to hold their first Harvest Festival with a turkey dinner in the Fellowship Hall.
Jonathan’s Holiday Floral located in the former Barrel House Pizza restaurant was to open on Monday October 31. It is owned and operated by John Snider of Lakenan.
Seven hundred eighty persons attended the annual Holy Rosary Fall Dinner served by the altar society. It was reported that they served 100 more dinners than the previous year.
Births: Bob Bono received two phone calls of two grandchildren born two minutes apart, a daughter, Anastasia Katherine, October 14 to Captain Robert and Terry Bono of Blytheville Air Force Base in Arkansas and a son, Christopher Glen to Michael and Marge Bono at Cape Girardeau, Mo.; a daughter, Stephanie Victoria, October 17 to Steve and Vicki Ratliff of New London; a daughter, Ashley Abigail, October 23, to Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Hollingsworth of Paris; a son, Derek James, October 21 to Cathy and Kent Bichsel.

10 Years Ago
October 28, 1998
Taken from the files of The Lake Gazette
The “Grim Reaper” was to be present at Monroe City R-I High School on October 29 as Red Ribbon Week was taking place at the school. He was to symbolize that every 22 minutes someone dies due to an alcohol related accident. Other special activities were also taking place during the week.
The Holy Rosary Fall Dinner was a huge success as approximately 950 people were served the turkey dinner. An increase of 150 more served than the previous year.
A 7 ½ pound sweet potato was pictured in the Gazette brought in by Dwayne Foster who had received the plants from Mrs. Fern Webb.
Kami Beaver and Todd Schachtsiek were crowned FFA Barnwarming Queen and King during the annual event. Other attendants included: Andrea Drebes, Josh Potterfield, Kyla Greeves and Eric Minor.

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Florida Methodist Church to celebrate 175 years of worship

To the casual observer, Florida, Mo., may look like a deserted town with a few buildings that have had a recent face lift.

It’s true that the once thriving little village no longer has business houses lining its streets or children of permanent residents playing in the school yard. Yet the spirit of the community remains.

On Sunday, Nov. 9, 2008 the Florida United Methodist Church will celebrate a tradition of worship and fellowship that has been the heart of the town for 175 years.

It was on Saturday, the ninth day of November 1833, that Jacob Lanius, a young circuit riding preacher, opened a two-day meeting in the Town of Florida. According to the archives of the United Methodist Church, he received several additions and constituted a church of 14 members. Their names, like the early church records were lost when the original church burned some time before the summer of 1897. What is known about the early church history comes primarily from newspaper accounts.

The Monroe County Appeal of June 6, 1874, reported that “Florida has a fine brick church.” In May 1875 the Florida correspondent reported “the Church had been furnished with a fifty dollar chandelier and is to have a new roof.” The 1876 Atlas of Monroe County showed only one church building in the town and labeled it the Methodist Church.

By 1878 there was also a small church for black residents in a log building; Elder H. W. James preached there in November of that year.

The May 30, 1879 issue of the newspaper reported that “a quarterly meeting of the M. E. (South) church was held last Sunday. Elder Austin presided over the white folk’s church and a highly colored gentleman over the black church.”

The total population of the village, according to the 1880 census, was 148. Florida at that time had three physicians, Drs. Johnson, Chowning and Goodier. James Pollard made harness; M. Wilkerson was a bee tender; J. D. Poage was the wagon maker; William Barr, W. K. Ross and J. A. Leach were blacksmiths; Thomas Moore was a store keeper; Curd Johnson, J. H. Carr and J. B. Herndon were druggists; J. P. Goss and W. M. Wilkerson were merchants; Susan White was a dressmaker; Isaac Greening carried the mail; Mason Greening and Henry Ward were teamsters; Thomas and Eliza Scott ran a hotel; and Lisa Young and Amanda McCreerie taught school. The other adult citizens were primarily farmers, laborers, worked in the stores, or kept house.

They provided goods, services and a school for the farm families in the surrounding area and a place to worship. The Florida Presbyterian Church was organized in 1869 but did not have its own church building until Feb. 1, 1889. The Methodists and Presbyterians, each with an itinerant preacher, shared the little brick Methodist church. Rev. A. P. Linn, a Methodist, preached on the second Sabbath and Rev. C. W. Humphries, a Presbyterian, preached on the third. There was occasional preaching by Reformers and Baptists as well.

After fire destroyed their only church, the townsfolk must have worked hard to rebuild. On Oct. 31, 1897 a new church building was dedicated. The Monroe County Appeal reported:

“The largest crowd ever seen at a church service in Florida attended the dedication of the new Methodist church last Sunday morning. The singing was splendid and Rev. Warren’s sermon interesting and appropriate. The church was paid for before the dedication. A basket dinner was served by the people of Florida and her fame for whole-souled hospitality was fully sustained. The Florida Methodist church is one of the oldest organizations in the county.”

Improvements and repairs have been made to the building, which is now over a century old. A bathroom and Sunday school room were added, storm windows and vinyl siding were installed and a new roof was raised.

The population of Florida steadily declined and after the opening of Mark Twain Lake business in the town ceased. Those with ties to the village, or new residents of the area, help keep the faith and tradition alive. As they have through the years, the congregations maintain their own identities, but with the help of lay preachers, worship together. Today the Methodist service is held on the first and third Sunday, while the Presbyterian service is held on the second and fourth Sunday.

The Homecoming Celebration of the 175th Anniversary of the Florida Methodist church is Sunday, Nov. 9. A church service will be held at 10 a.m. Lunch will be served immediately after the service with music, refreshments and the historic good fellowship for which Florida is still known, in the afternoon. All are welcome to attend. 770 081022 10/22/2008 his

McCain victorious in high school mock election

Monroe City R-1 High School students participated in the Missouri Mock Election on Oct. 16 and elected Republicans over their Democratic counterparts .

John McCain got the nod for president with 51 percent of the vote over Democratic challenger Barack Obama with 44 percent.
Kenny Hulshof also took the gubernatorial seat with 50 percent of the vote, defeating Democratic contender Jay Nixon.
Blaine Luetkemyer nudged out Judy Baker in the 9th District Congressional race with a 2% lead.

Forty-nine percent of the students said they voted the same as their parents, and 84 percent would vote on Election Day if they could.
Students voted in an election simulation that will give them a voice in our democracy today and will help them become better citizens for tomorrow.

Through the National Student/Parent Mock Election, children in Missouri voted in mock elections held by their schools, in their classrooms, within their clubs and at home with their families.
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Vote for good health at your local polling place

If you live in Monroe County, you now have another choice to make when you go to vote on Tuesday, Nov. 4.

This is your chance to cast your vote to be healthy by taking advantage of clinics, which will be set up at all polling places in Monroe County.

Every person needs to be proactive about their health this winter. The Monroe County Health Department will be available to administer flu and pneumonia vaccines at a nominal cost. Nurse will be available to administer flu and pneumonia vaccines at a nominal cost. Nurses will be available from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. at each local polling location.

For more information call 660-327-4259.

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Volunteers sought for Make a Difference Day

Make a Difference Day will be held in Monroe City from 8 to noon on Oct. 25.

Volunteers will help individuals requesting assisting with chores such as cleaning flower beds, raking yards, pulling weeds and cleaning gutters. Preferences will be given to the elderly and disabled persons of the community, but anyone may request assistance.
For more information or to request help, contact Marlin McCormick, 573-735-4543, Ed Talton at 573-735-4513, or Kay Howes, 573-735-4600.

Anyone interested in helping should meet at Holy Rosary Church Parking lot at 8 a.m. 721 081022 10/22/2008 nws

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