Three cheers for the Red, White & Blue Celebration

Fireworks will be bursting in air this weekend at the annual spectacular staged by the City of Farmington on the 4th of July. The traditional show can best be seen from the Water Park that will be open that evening from 7:30 to 9:30 to allow cool viewing at a ringside seat (or float) for the small price of $2.50 for youth and $3.50 for adults. The fireworks display will be staged in the field of the Byron Harrington Farm and begins at dusk. Bring your family, friends and patriotic spirit and celebrate the 4th.

History is made. It’s officially official! Mayor Charles Rorex received a letter from the National Parks Service stating that Farmington has been named to the National Register of Historic Places. The prestigious designation came after more than two years of hard work by the Downtown Development Association and their consultant, Deb Sheals of Columbia. To view the listing on the National Register website go to: www.cr.nps.gov/nr and look under new listings, June 18, state and county heading. Another reason for Farmington residents to celebrate and offer congratulations to DDA President, Jim Dismuke and his board of directors.

Others who have reason to celebrate are the following people recognizing their birthdays: Bob Manley and Dick Royer, June 30; Janet Moll, July 1; Margaret Politte, July 2; and Julie Powers and Kay Thurman on July 4. Happy Birthday to all!

A doff of the Chef’s Hat…Nathaniel Reid earned his chef’s hat from Le Cordon Blue Culinary School in Paris on June 4th. His parents, Dennis and Paige Reid, were there to offer congratulations and to spend a few days visiting Paris with Nathaniel as their guide. Reid completed a nine-month course and is now home for a few weeks before beginning his position in August as a pastry chef at a restaurant in Manhattan.

Former residents visited. Barbara Hartshorn and daughter, Nancy Johnson recently were guests of former Farmington residents Susan Wakins Hall and her daughter, Amy Hall, in Pepper Pike Ohio. While there they also visited with Susan’s mother, Winnie Watkins.

Good news. Former City Administrator Roger Hoehn is now home and recuperating from serious injuries he received in an accident that took place a few weeks ago at the corner of Washington and Columbia Street. Cards and well wishes appreciated.

Visitors. Dennis and Rhonda Cox were in Farmington for several days on business and to visit her mother, Imogene Dunlap. The couple now makes their home near Pensacola, Florida where Dennis is to begin a position in August at a community college.

Sheila Blackwell just returned from a memorable two-week tour of Alaska. While on the tour she and her three traveling companions visited Seattle, Vancouver, and many places of interest in Alaska including Denali National Reserve and a boating excursion on Glacier Bay.

Wedding vows were exchanged between Tracy Taylor and John Boyd on Saturday, June 26 at the First Baptist Church of Farmington. Tracy is the daughter of David and Ann Taylor and John is the son of Charlie and Rita Boyd, all of Farmington.

Wedding plans. Tina Whaley and Stephen Lilley have announced their engagement and plans for a September 26 wedding at the Botanical Gardens in St. Louis. Tina has been a member of the Farmington Parks & Recreation Department since 1987 and also the physical education teacher and volleyball coach for North County. Steve is a professional photographer at Trotter Photo in Manchester, Mo.

Happy Anniversary to the following couples: Debbie and Ken Wade, 30 years on June 21; Don and Mary James, 58 years on June 24; David and Mitzi Weber recognized their anniversary on June 26 and Al and Peggy Minghi celebrated on June 27. Dan and Christine Dunlap and Tom and Denelle Smugala had their 15th anniversaries on July 1; and David and Leslie Jones celebrate their 10th anniversary on July 9. Congratulations to all.

Family reunion. A reunion of the descendants of the late Earnest and Lillian Chilton was hosted on June 12 by Janet Douglas and her son, Mark Douglas. Attending were Elmer “Jake” Chilton, Mike and Jan Chilton, and their two sons, Jeff and Vicki and Bryan and Paula, all of Farmington; Wanda (Chilton) Dodge of DeSoto, Belinda Harris of Hillsboro and her daughter Rachel and two granddaughters; Betty and Roger Bannister of Highland Illinois and their two daughters Kim and Shelley and families; Ruth and Gene Black of Farmington and daughter Teresa Miller of St. Louis; Frank and Imogene AuBuchon of Sullivan and their daughter, Martha and her family of Jefferson City; and Sharon Godfrey of Coral Springs, Fla.

The golf tournament in memory of Mel Pinkston, sponsored by the Farmington First Free Will Baptist Church, is being held this afternoon, July 1 at Eagle Lake. This is the third year for the event honoring Pinkston, who was the well-liked owner of Mel’s Meat Market.

Shuffling spaces. Greg Shinn and Lee Thurman have moved the offices of Thurman, Shinn & Co. downtown to 315 N. Washington. Welcome them by stopping by or calling 760-9400.

Sue and Dennis Henson will soon begin construction of a new building to house their Hensco Technologies. The Hensons have purchased land on Karsch Blvd. across from PRI. Currently they are doing business in offices sat The Factory.

Parkland Gymnastics will also move next month from their present location on Highway H to their new building on Highway 67 next to Carpet One Gallery. They are still taking registrations for summer classes as well as summer camp.

Sign(s) of the time. Mark and Anita Griggs have expanded their printing business, Blake Graphics, by becoming the regional franchise for Sign-A-Rama., the world’s largest sign company. The installation this week of the massive printer that will print everything “from name tags to 54 inch billboard signs in full, detailed color,” makes the business one of only two companies in Missouri to have this state-of-the-art model. Blake Graphics has been undergoing extensive remodeling in preparation for the expansion that now gives customers throughout the region the opportunity to have all of their sign work, regardless of size, done locally. As part of the expansion, two new employees have been added to the staff. Kelly Nash is now manager of Black Graphics Printing in charge of print production and graphic design, and Kim Brewer has been hired as receptionist. As a side benefit to all of the stress or remodeling, Mark spent two weeks in training with Sign-A-Rama in Palm Beach, Fla. Anita stayed home and raised tomatoes. Stop by Blake Graphics to see the new look and printer and congratulate the Griggs on their business expansion.

While you’re in a patriotic mood this 4th, you might want to visit Lisa Williamson at her ‘Around the Corner’ Shop at 14 S. Jackson Street to see her selection of photo frames and albums, scrapbooks, and pillows that have the insignia of the various branches of the armed forces. She is offering 10 percent off on all of her patriotic inventory during the next week.

Plans are well underway for the 2004 St. Francois County Fair. A new attraction will be presented on Saturday, July 31 when the farmers of the county will give informational talks and demonstrations during the St. Francois County Farmer’s Forum. The Forum will run from 1 p.m. through 6 p.m. with each speaker giving a thirty-minute talk about something innovative being done on their farm. Linda Williams, who has a farm on Sand Creek Road, is in charge of the Forum. Call her at 760-1731 if you would like to be a participant.

A group of visitors from Poplar Bluff made the trip to Farmington Wednesday and visited the outstanding gardens of Mr. and Mrs. Ron Dugal on Hillsboro Road. After lunch at Ryans, the group then made a tour of downtown Farmington, and other points of interest, including the Water Park, and Centenne and the Civic Center. The tour was arranged by Mr. Dugal’s sister, Connie Caringer.

Places to be: The Plummer Family will present their Country Music Show this Saturday, July 3 with the added feature of a special guest from Branson, Phil Baker & “Willie Mareit.” the family fun show begins at 7 p.m. at the Plummer Family Theatre on south Highway 67. If you’re in a dancing mood, enjoy the music of Charley Barker & Highway 66 at the open dance at Plummers beginning at 7 p.m. Friday evening.

In a mood to just be entertained? Don’t miss the concert by John Berry this Friday evening at the Centene Center. Tickets at $20 and $15 are still available by calling 756-0900. The concert starts at 7 p.m. and is a great way to start the weekend celebration.

Closed for the holiday. Remember, all government offices, banks, and most business offices (including the Chamber of Commerce and Downtown Development Association) will be closed Monday, July 5th.