Easter Bunny and Spring Cleaning on tap for City

Easter Bunny Express! The Easter Bunny arrives at approximately 10 a.m. at the Farmington Sports Complex by helicopter on Saturday, April 10. The big egg hunt begins at 10 a.m. by age divisions of 0-2, 3-5, 6-8- and 9- 11. Dan Combs and a score of volunteer will assist the big bunny in conducting the annual egg hunt that is sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce, Farmington Kiwanis, Farmington Rotary, Farmington Lions and a host of Farmington merchants. Bring the kids with their baskets and join the fun.

Haul out the trash. The city will conduct its free annual pick up of your unwanted items next week, beginning with Ward 1 on Monday, April 12. The pick-ups will continue throughout the week in successive wards. Items must be no larger than can be handled by two men. Certain items, such as old tires and items picked up by regular trash haulers, are not accepted.

New look for downtown. The new trees have arrived and the planting of these more urban-friendly trees will soon begin. The trees were purchased by the Downtown Development Association, partially with a contribution by US Bank. Several of the sidewalks downtown have also been replaced by the city, notably in front of Long Hall on Columbia Street and the 100 block of West Liberty. The city has also placed a convenient deposit box for light and water payments by the sidewalk in front of city hall. The Skate Park has had the added touches of metal railings installed on two sides and new shrubs planted.

Making their move. Dennis and Rhonda Cox are leaving the area and moving to an area near Pensacola, Fla. next week. Dennis retired from Mineral Area College about two years ago, and Rhonda was a hair stylist who operated Techniques Beauty Salon and, later, Court of Three Scissors Salon in Farmington for 27 years. The popular couple will be greatly missed, and they can expect to have a number of visitors who “just happened to be in the neighborhood.”

Running for a good cause. Kyle and Lori (Robbins) Cox of Gulf Breeze, Fla., are making an appeal to their many friends in Farmington to help them raise $5,200 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. The couple is participating in the Society’s Team in Training Triathlon in Memphis, Tenn. on May 2. Donations should be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and mailed to: Kyle and Lori Cox, 1517 Lighthouse Court, Gulf Breeze, Florida 32563.

Westrup reception. A reception is being held for Warren and Stephanie Westrup on Friday, April 16 to celebrate their marriage on Feb. 21.

Several couples also have wedding anniversaries coming up. Among them are: Robert and Dorothy Smith who celebrated their 52nd anniversary on April 2; Eric and Amy Schaper, 3 years on April 3; Scott and Ann Burkhart, 14 years on April 7; Vernon and Lorene Kollmeyer celebrate their 57 years together on April 13, and John and Cheri McGurie their 8th anniversary. Dewey and Tracy Smallen 15 years on April 15 and Ron and Eva Jane Simms 44 years on April 16. Congratulations to all!

Are you a MOP? If you’re a MOP (Mother of Preschoolers) you have the opportunity to join with other Moms each Monday morning at 10:15 a.m. at Memorial Methodist Church and share the triumphs and trials of child rearing. A MOPS volunteer keeps the children busy in the playroom while the moms enjoy some social time. Call Tori Hollis at 747-3152 or the church office at 756-4565 for information.

Mail appreciated. The addresses follow for two of our local servicemen. AAAO Johnson, Jeremy D., Division G-1 Box 17, CVN 65, USS Enterprise, FPO-AE, 095443-2810 and A Company 1140 TH Engineers BN, Michael Tennant 3232, 5302 Ashby Ave., Fort Riley, Kan. 66442. Drop a card, letter or CARE package to these young men to let them know they are in our thoughts.

While you’re mailing cards, you might drop a birthday wish to some of the following: Orville Hampton, March 30; Nadine Thomas, April 2; Virginia Elders, April 4; Velma Kocher, April 6; David Jones, April 9; Nancy Gierse, April 10; Jerry Pigg, April 11; Helen Giessing, April 12, and Betty Knight and Eric Schaper, April 13. Special birthday wishes go to Emilie Miller on her 96th birthday on April 8 and to Florence Starr who celebrates 92 years on April 12. Miss Miller is at Presbyterian Manor and Mrs. Starr at Southbrook Manor.

Fairy tales with a twist. The MAC Little Theatre Guild will present the musical “Into the Woods,” April 13-17 at the newly remodeled MAC Community Center Theatre. The production consists of the interweaving of several well-known fairy tales, but with such unusual twists and outcomes not found in the original stories that director Rick Giles says it may be unsettling for youngsters. Tickets are $5 each for the general public and $2 for students.

Searching for classmates. The class of 1954 will hold their 50th anniversary reunion this year on October 22 and 24. They are looking for the addresses of four of their former classmates: Bill Anderson, James Bollinger, Bob Stone and Carole Westerhold. If you can supply information contact Larry Meyer by e-mail at LarryBM@aol.com or write him at 1606 West Lake Rd., Murphysboro, Ill. 62966.

Moore Bouquets. Carol Moore received the Cultural Recognition Award from the Mineral Area Council on the Arts last Sunday during intermission at the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra concert. Betty Schaper, director of MACA, presented the award to Moore, who is the chairperson of the Mineral Area College Music Department. Moore is well know and highly respected in the area for her many contributions to the MAC music department since she joined the college in 1984.

A new role. Congratulations to Dr. G. Richard Reney on being named president of the Southeast Missouri Retired Teachers Association.

Easter Brunch. Jamie Roberts will have the Black Crow Cafe open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. this Sunday for an “Eggstraordinary” Easter Brunch. Reservations can be made by calling 756-3566.

Don’t touch that dial. The Farmington Kiwanis will be the hosts for their annual “Kiwanis Radio Day” on Saturday, April 17 on KREI. Members of the Kiwanis Club will be interviewing guests on a variety of programs and subjects throughout the day. Tori Young is chairing the event. It’s always informative and fun when the Kiwanis take over the controls at KREI. Be sure to “tune in” and the Kiwanis tune up.

The Farmington Chamber of Commerce has a ribbon cutting on tap next week on April 16 at 3 p.m. for Cabinet Masters located in the Village Square Shopping Center. The new shop was not damaged in the fire last week that partially destroyed Glitz & More, owned by Joan Hutchings.

The Chamber will also take their giant scissors and ribbon to officially open Orchard View Apartments Friday, April 23. The newest apartment complex is located on Maple Street. Randy Rowe is the complex manager.

Staff and patients of Mineral Area Regional Medical Center had a special visitor recently when country-music legend Ferlin Husky stopped by. Husky, who is originally from Cantwell, but was here to see relatives who still live in the area, one of whom he visited at MARMC. Willa Dean Meyer, spokesperson for MARMC, said Huskey visited with other patients and staff members as well and brought a lot of pleasure to a lot of people who remembered many of his country-western hits.

The Elks Mobile Dental Clinic will be at the Farmington Elks Lodge #1765 through Thursday, April 22 to provide free dental service for eligible individuals. For information and appointments call 573-690-6003.

Hoopster Callahan scores! Derrick Callahan, son of Justin and Lisa Callahan, placed fourth in the Regional Elks Hoop Shoot with 18 out of 25 baskets. The shoot was held in Paris, Tenn. Callahan, who won the local and Missouri State Hoop Shoot competed against the other state winners from Tennessee, Arkansas, and Kentucky.

A personal note. My sincere thanks to the Farmington Elks for the Award they presented me at their recent annual banquet. It came as a complete, but much appreciated, surprise, thanks to the nefarious plotting of my Press colleagues Doug Smith and Shawnna Robinson, and Exalted Ruler Larry Forsythe. Congratulations to Sid Bloom, the new Exalted Ruler, and his slate of officers who will guide the fraternal organization through 2004-05.