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Commission meets with extension representatives
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The Monroe County Commission met on Friday, Dec. 11 with Presiding Commissioner DonaldSimpson and Associate Commissioners Mike Whelan and Glenn E. Turner present.
Chris Vahlkamp inquired about the possibility of changes to the status of County Road 455.
Charles Holland, Bob Mitchell, Brenda Vaughn, Paula Delaney, Mary Morgan, David Eales and Stephen J. Wright, members of the University of Extension Council, presented their 2010 budget request. Council members informed the Commission that they have lowered the requested operating amount from last year and will be hosting fundraising luncheons during the next few months to help defray costs.
The Commission reviewed contract documents between architect Michael P. Kettelkamp and the county in regard to the upcoming ADA Project.
Dan Buckman with Great River Engineering updated the Commission on the status of BRO 198 (34) on Florida Road, BRO 446 (33) over Otter Creek and the 205 Columbia Bridge.
Commission reviewed property proposals and awarded the contract to Continental Western Group (Public Entity Pak).
The Monroe County Commission also met on Monday, Dec. 14 with Simpson, Whelan and Turner all present.
Stanley Vaughn inquired about drainage work needed on County road 679.
Joe Jacobs with the Monroe County Health Department discussed options available for wastewater treatment.
Oliver O’Fallon requested drainage work on County Road 760.
The Commission received confirmation from MoDOT on the preliminary submittal for the BRO Bridge Project 353 (35).
The Commission approved Progress Invoice No. 1 on the BRO 353 (35) Bridge Project.
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Section 8 housing applications being taken
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The not-for-profit North East Community Action Corporation (NECAC) will resume taking applications on January 13, 2010 for its Section 8 Housing Rent-Assistance Program. Applications for the Section 8 program will be accepted at NECAC County Service Centers in Lewis, Lincoln, Macon, Marion, Monroe, Montgomery, Pike, Ralls, Randolph, Shelby and Warren counties. The agency has not been able to accept applications since Sept. 2008 due to all program vouchers being fully issued with all monies allocated.
Applicants who meet income and other guidelines will be put on a waiting list. Once their names reach the top of the list, they will receive vouchers to search for an apartment, house or mobile home or may use their current rental residence if the landlord agrees to participate.
NECAC provides voucher holders with a list of landlords who participate in the program. Voucher holders are responsible for contacting, applying for and signing an annual lease with landlords. The amount of the rent payment subsidy depends upon the individual or family income, size of family and the unit they select.
Preference will be given to families who live or work in the county where they make application and those who plan to live or work there. More information about the program is available by calling or visiting NECAC County Coordinator Erin Kirlin or Housing Assistance Counselor David Amirault at the NECAC Monroe County Service Center, 314 N. Washington in Paris, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays, 660-327-4110, or by calling the NECAC Rent Assistance Program at 1-866-552-5560.
NECAC has contracted with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for over 30 years to administer the Section 8 program in its 12-county service area. The cities of Macon and Hannibal are excluded because they operate their own public housing authorities. NECAC administers more than 2,700 HUD rental vouchers in its 12-county area.
NECAC is a 12-county area nonprofit social services, community health and public housing Community Action Agency that serves the low-income, elderly, youth, disabled and disadvantaged through partnership contracts and grants with federal, state, and local governments, private businesses and other non-profit agencies.
The agency’s Central Administration Offices are located in Bowling Green with NECAC County Service Centers operated in each county. NECAC administers and operates over 60 service programs with over 30 funding sources and serves more than 7,250 low income families and 18,751 individuals a year.
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YEARS AGO compiled by Janet Painter
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90 Years Ago
Dec. 31, 1919
Miss Winnifred Vaughn, who was home from Visitation Convent in St. Louis for the Christmas vacation, entertained a group of friends at the home of her mother, Mrs. W.B. Fahy. Miss Lucille Moss entertained with a dance at the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. W.H. Moss, west of town.
W.S. Woodson purchased the lot just west of the Davis building on East Summer Street from D.D. Melson of Florida. Price $1,100.
J. Travis Willis, Dean and Russell Wilson, Raymond Lewis, Eldred Thiehoff, Lloyd Greathouse, Harry Longmire and Miss Helen Southern returned to the University of Missouri at Columbia after spending the Christmas holidays with homefolks.
Christmas events conducted by the women of St. Stephen Parish at Indian Creek totaled over $300. A turkey dinner was served at noon and a dance in the evening.
Miss Velva Smith and Roscoe Burditt, both of new Warren, were to be married Jan. 1.
Miss Margaret Smith accepted a position with the Standard Printing Co. in Hannibal.
80 Years Ago
Dec. 31, 1929
With this issue the News ceased publication as a semi-weekly newspaper and resumed weekly publication with Thursday of each week as publication day. The News was founded in January 1875 by the late Samuel Hallock, and had been a weekly newspaper until changed to the semi-weekly status by John W. Cox about 1914, and it had been continued as such thereafter until the above date.
A total income of $3,546.73 was reported by the 24 students in the vocational agriculture department of the Monroe City High School for the 1929 calendar year. Roy W. Carpenter was instructor.
The People’s Bank and the Monroe County Exchange Bank, both at Holiday, were merged as of Dec. 30, 1929 under the name of the Monroe County Exchange Bank. It was the 59th bank merger in the state and the eighth in Monroe County in the preceding four years. The Citizens Bank and the Farmers & Merchants Bank in Monroe City had merged in 1926 as the Union Savings Bank.
70 Years Ago
Jan. 4, 1940
The New Year opened in Monroe City with a temperature of 7 degrees below zero.
Mr. and Mrs. M.T. Lasley of Hunnewell observed their golden wedding anniversary with a dinner and “open house.” The anniversary actually took place on Jan. 9, but the observance was held on Dec. 31 for convenience to family members.
Miss Dorothy Miller and Cecil Ravenscraft were married Christmas Day, Dec. 25, 1939, by the Rev. E.H. Farmer in Canton. Miss Nina Dea Fields and George Mudd were married in Sterling, Colo., on Dec. 27, 1939.
Officers installed for 1940 by Monroe City Masonic Lodge No. 64 were: Marvin R. Painter, worshipful master; H.R. Miller, senior warden; C.E. Hedges, junior warden; Eugene McGlasson, senior deacon; M.T. Swearengen, junior deacon; George S. Tompkins, tyler; L.S. Collins, senior steward; Scott Conway, junior steward; P.M. Christian, marshal, W.E. Yowell, treasurer for his 25th year; C.A. Gentry, secretary; W.H. Wadsworth, chaplain.
60 Years Ago
Jan. 5, 1960
Postal receipts of $16,943.47 in 1949, exclusive of money orders and postal savings, set a new high record in the history of the Monroe City Post Office. It passed the 1949 record of $14,809.60 by over $2,100.
Charles (Red) Spalding fractured the small bone in his left leg when his car went into a ditch at 11:30 at night near the Harold Kendrick place. He was thrown out but the car did not overturn. Harry Dean, who was with him, suffered a slight shoulder injury.
Mr. and Mrs. T.B. Utterback of Stoutsville and Harry Terrill north of Monroe City escaped with minor bruises when their autos were involved in a head-on collision on Highways 36-24 east of Monroe City.
A son, their first child, was born Jan. 2 to Mr. and Mrs. Bryce Karcher of Hannibal. A son was born Dec. 29, 1949, to Mr. and Mrs. Charles F. (Bruce) Mudd.
Emmett A. Tuley sustained a back injury when attempting to cross a small creek. He started across the creek walking on a log, then about half way across decided to turn back. He lost his balance and fell into the water.
A high reading of 60 degrees on Jan 2 was followed the next day by a cold wave accompanied by freezing rain and snow and sent the mercury down to 5 degrees above zero.
Wilma Sullivan, 9 year-old daughter, of Mr. and Mrs. Milton Sullivan, won a bicycle in a radio contest conducted by WGEM radio station in Quincy.
50 Years Ago
Dec. 31, 1959
The Methodist Church marked the 175th anniversary of the church in the United States of America.
A daughter was born to Mr. and Mrs. Roger Crowe Saturday, Dec. 26. She was their fourth child and first daughter.
Mr. and Mrs. Henry Dean were parents of their third child and second daughter born Dec. 27.
Bids were being accepted as of Dec. 21 to build and lease a new post office in Monroe City.
Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Burditt celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary Sunday evening, Dec. 27, with a turkey dinner.
40 Years Ago
Dec. 25, 1969
Winter officially arrived in Monroe City with several inches of snow which didn’t dampen the spirits of Christmas schedules.
The Jaycees sponsored letters for POW’s; the list has 1300 names on it. The cards were to be sent to the North Vietnamese leaders to encourage them to release the names of the U.S. prisoners.
Mr. and Mrs. Roscoe Burditt of Hannibal were to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary Jan. 1.
Births: a daughter was born Dec. 20 to Mr. and Mrs. David Watson.
30 Years Ago
Dec. 27, 1979
The city’s dispatcher system was to be funded until Jan. 3, 1980 according to the city council minutes and could have employees from the federal Manpower Program to help run it.
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Buckman were to celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary Dec. 30. The couple was married Jan. 15, 1940 in Kansas City.
Don LaRue, vocational agriculture teacher at the Monroe City High School, was featured in the News as he communicates through a portable computer terminal that can be hooked to the phone line to communicate to another computer at the University of Missouri.
20 Years Ago
Dec. 28, 1989
Brian Foster, son of Rick Foster will be playing in the Rose Bowl for the Michigan Wolverines against the University of Southern California Trojans on New Years Day.
Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Burditt were to celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary Dec. 29.
Steven R. Carroll, son of Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Carroll, joined the law firm of Ely, Cary, Welch & Hickman of Hannibal as an associate.
Debbie and Robert Keller attended the 1989 Governor’s Conference on Agriculture held at Osage Beach. They were sponsored by MFA, Inc.
10 Years Ago
Dec. 28, 1999
Taken from the files of The Lake Gazette
Cindy Bowman of Shelbina was to be hired to replace Gary Osbourne as city clerk after he resigned. She was to begin her duties Jan. 10.
Births: a son, Bryce Nelson, Dec. 21 to Paul and Rachel Mensching; a daughter, Addilyn Candice, Dec. 25 to Scott and Riss Hays; a daughter, Addison Lea, Dec. 14 to Carrie Jo Blackford and Rob Cunningham of Philadelphia.
Angie Dawn McCullough and Lance Alan O’Bryan were married Oct. 9 at the Southern Heights Christian Church in Lebanon, Mo.
Carolers of the Hunnewell area met at the Hunnewell Methodist Church and dashed through the snow in horse drawn wagons to sing Christmas Carols through the small town.
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Looking at Monroe City's Christmas in 1909 by Nancy Stone
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Travel with me, if you will, back to December 1909, for Christmas shopping in Monroe City. If the pages of the Monroe City NEWS the week before Christmas are an indicator of economic prosperity, the farmers had a good year and business was brisk.
The Missouri State Board of Agriculture had just announced that the state had produced the most valuable corn crop in history. The average yield per acre, state-wide, was 27.4 bushels with a value of nearly $115 million. Farmers from the surrounding area had kept the railroad stock yards busy the week before Christmas shipping cattle, sheep, hogs and poultry to eastern markets.
The Monroe City tax collector, Richard A. Kirby, knew Main Street would be a lively place until December 25. He announced that he would be at E. L. Anderson & Son’s Grocery from 9 a.m. to noon and from 1 to 4 p.m. daily to collect city taxes.
Anderson’s was just one of at least six grocery stores in town. Griffith’s Grocery, in the corner building west of the Monroe City Bank, advertised “a new, fresh and complete stock of groceries, comprising all the staple and fancy things to eat.” Oranges were just 50 cents a peck. (For those of us used to buying fruit by the pound, four pecks make a bushel.)
The temperance movement was in full swing in 1909, and the local chapter of the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union (W.C.T.U.) served coffee, oysters, and pie at Griffith’s on Saturday, December 18. Carrie Nation, the “Kansas hatchet slinger” had wandered into the bar at Union Station in Washington, D.C. the week before and smashed $35 worth of liquor and glassware. The local W.C.T.U. Chapter apparently took a more peaceful approach to promote their cause.
J. H. Harris carried a full line of vegetables, original and canned, canned fruits, native and California, imported figs, dates, raisins, jellies, syrups, olives, sweet and sour pickles, coffees and teas--everything to be found in an up-to-date grocery store for the Yule-Tide. He hoped “by fair and courteous treatment to merit a continuance of the same liberal share of business during the coming year.”
Yates & Sherman and Burt Bull also carried a line of holiday foods and candies and the Foley Brothers specialized in “the very best cuts of meats of all kinds.”
Hawkins and Melson’s Meats and Fancy Groceries, the largest and for many years the most successful grocery establishment in town, was known for their fresh meat, which included beef, veal, ham, turkey, chicken, rabbit and occasionally wild game. Oysters were shipped in “direct from the coast” and they offered another popular holiday treat, Kalazamoo celery. In addition to their usual stock of staples they carried cranberries, egg plant, lettuce, radishes, a variety of nuts, fresh fruit, fancy Christmas candy, cigars and tobaccos.
December and cold weather also ushered in “hog-killing time.” The Crescent Meat Market, C F. Dierks proprietor, and Hawkins and Melson’s offered to butcher hogs, render the lard, and make sausage cheaper and with less waste than the farmer could do it himself.
Holiday meals typically included extra fresh breads and pastries. McFarland Brothers, reminded local cooks that “it is absolutely necessary that the bread, biscuits, cakes, pies, etc. for the Christmas dinner must be up to the standard in order that the dinner may be successful.” They claimed “no housewife, however skilled or proficient in the art of baking can attain the best results without Monroe City Milling Company’s flour,” pictured in their newspaper ad in 48 pound bags.
For those cooks not up to the challenge of baking, the C. L. Carpenter Bakery and the Arcade sold bread, pies, cakes, and other pastries. Both also had a lunch counter for the busy shopper.
There was no shortage of gift stores on Main Street a century ago. Rogers & Thompson called their store Santa-Claus headquarters. For the Christmas season they carried dolls, doll furniture, bread making sets, doll buggies, pianos and dozens of other attractive toys for the girls and plenty of things for the boys as well. They also had a wide selection of garments and accessories for men, women and children, including ladies handbags, priced from 50 cents to $3.00; the latest styles in ladies collars designed by the best New York manufacturers; pins for the collar, belt, hat, veil or cuff; silk scarves; fancy gloves; and handkerchiefs. Perhaps to compete with the mail order catalogue business, which in 1909 was growing as fast as internet sales in 2009, they also offered to “put up” their gifts in neat and attractive boxes.
The Economy Store was owned by Missourians, and they promised personal service and the lowest prices on chinaware, Queensware, dolls, pictures, mirrors, toys, toy wagons, and everything imaginable.
Lamar Wood, second generation proprietor of the “Old Reliable” drugstore, added the “best assorted of Christmas goods we have ever shown” to his normal stock. It included perfumes from 10 cents to $2; oval and round picture frames 5 cents to $1; fine hair brushes, 25 cents to $3; assorted sundries, toys, and even a fine line of Meerschaum and French briar pipes priced from 25 cents to $8. Wood’s was also the agency in Monroe City for Schrafft’s package candies made in Boston.
The J. N. Southern pharmacy said, “We can furnish presents for everybody at prices within the reach of all. Our stock is complete.”
Even the A. Jaeger Hardware Store had gifts to suggest: silverware, knives and forks, carving sets, chafing dishes, serving dishes, safety razors, shot guns, rifles, crumb trays, coffee percolators, footballs, diamond edge skates, savory roasters, scissors and pocket knives.
Perhaps relying on their reputation for quality merchandise and a prime location on Main Street, Levy’s Department Store merely advertised a “Big Bazaar and Xmas sale.”
The A. Boulware & Son Shoe Store had men’s, ladies and children’s slippers priced from 75 cents to $1.50. A sad note to the season came the Sunday before Christmas when Aaron Boulware, the long-time popular proprietor, died suddenly. He was serving his third term as Monroe City Mayor.
For those who wanted to make Christmas 1909 a memorable year, two furniture stores, C. A. Hamilton and F. M. Wilson & Son, suggested tables, rocking chairs, folding beds, dressers, kitchen cabinets, davenports and other pieces that would last for years to come.
Fine jewelry could be purchased from R. Manning, and Dimmitt’s. The later also sold pianos and guaranteed delivery Christmas Eve.
Pianos were not a sideline for G. W. Sandifer. His Christmas ad said, “You will find nothing but music and everything in music at my store. Is there not a sense of security in purchasing a piano from a house that in each particular grade carries the finest products of piano makers?”
How music lovers of a century ago would envy the size and quality of the iPod that is on many Christmas lists in 2009! One of the most popular items in 1909 was the talking machine. G. W. Sandifer carried a variety of styles that ranged in price from $20 to $200. He also stocked Columbia Indestructible Cylinder Records, which cost 35 cents, and repaired all talking machines that were on the market. His service department was undoubtedly his only competitive edge against the Sears Catalog which sold a similar talking machine for $8.75 and cylinders for 18 cents.
With dirt streets, plank sidewalks, and the lack of indoor plumbing, one of the most popular shops in town was Strean’s barber shop were you could “fix up and be nice” to enjoy Christmas with a first class shave, haircut, hot or cold bath and get your shoes shined. Joe would even pick up customer’s shoes if they were too busy to bring them in.
The grand finale of the 1909 season was a comedy given December 23 at the Opera House by the Eureka Debating Club of the Monroe City High School. “Jedediah Judkins, Justice of the Peace” promised theatre goers an “opportunity to laugh your sides sore, see a good drama, and help the High School.” Those with staring rolls were: E. M. Sipple, H. M. Tuley, Warren Fuqua, Leslie Bell, B. D. Weeks, Edward Jane, Richard Asbury, Evodia Gentry, Helen Gosney, Willie Hampton, Edna Crawford and Lizzie Crisler.
With the advent of the automobile and improved roads, retail business slowly moved away from downtown Monroe City. Only the memories of Christmas’ past can bring back the hustle and bustle that once was the trademark of Main Street.
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Christmas comes early for Monroe City woman and family
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| Lisa Weisenborn accepts the keys to a car from J.C. Shoemyer.
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A single Monroe City mother won’t have to worry about reliable transportation or a washing machine that broke just before Christmas.
Lisa Weisenborn gasped with excitement as she discovered that she was the winner of the 2009 National Benevolence Program through J.C. Shoemyer, Inc., in partnership with the Monroe City community and local churches.
Through the program, the collision repair industry comes together to turn cars that are “written off” by either the owner or the insurance industry into sound, reliable transportation for chosen families.
The cars, like the Santa-Claus-suit-red 2003 Alero that Ms. Weisenborn received, are mechanially sound with the craftsmanship of collision repair experts such as those at J.C.’s who donate their time and talent to restore the paint and interior to like-new condition.
Donations made possible by businesses and individuals throughout the community are used to purchase gifts for the family who are chosen by members of the local Ministerial Alliance.
This is the fifth year that J.C.’s has sponsored the event locally.
Todd Platt, manager of J.C.’s Collision Repair Center, thanked those who attended the event for their continued support of the program. He said that the program is not possible without the strong support of the community’s businesses, churches and individuals. J.C. Shoemyer, owner of the company, said that, despite the weakened national economy, donations were even more generous than in the past.
In addition to receiving the car, Ms. Weisenborn also will have the taxes and insurance paid on the car. She also received a new washing machine, had her trailer lot rent paid for six months and her three children received a host of gifts and gift cards. Ms. Weisenborn’s three children, Heather, D.J. and Dylan, and her parents, Tom and Sheila Yager, all of Monroe City, attended the event and helped to arrange a visit to J.C.’s so that she could be welcomed at a surprise reception.
The 2009 sponsor list included A&S Printing, Accu-therm, Alliant Bank, American Family Insurance Agent J.R. Derksen, Applebee Tree Flowers & Gifts, Ben Franklin, Buckman’s Convenience Store, C&R Markets, C.W.’s Trophies & Awards, Century 21 Broughton Team Agent Gina Carroll, Dowell’s Pit Stop, Mark Saunders of Edward D. Jones Investment, Eva Mae’s Cafe, F&M Bank and Trust, Farmers Elevator, G.C. Potterfield Trucking, Garner Funeral Home, General Veterinary Clinic, Hassard Elevator, Hays Christmas Tree Farm, HNB Bank, K&C Auto Sales, The Lake Gazette, LaRue Insurance and See Real Estate, Meyer Implement, MC Styles Salon, MFA Oil Co., Ministerial Alliance, Monroe City Ready Mix, Monroe Tire & Battery, Orscheln’s Farm & Home, Pete Paris Chevrolet, Pizza Hut, Quinn Farm Supply, Ren Potterfield Trucking, Inc., State Farm Agent Terry Critten, Turpin Auto, UMB, Jerry & Kathy Wilper and Dr. Rodney Yager.
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