Beach Party, wedding parties, and birthday parties

Country Days are here and Farmington is throwing the doors open wide for locals and visitors alike as a welcome to the three-day “Beach Party.” Festivities actually began on Wednesday, May 30 with the Queen Pageant at Centenne Center. The young lady selected as the Country Days Queen will be the Parade Marshall in Saturday’s “really, really big” parade. Redfield Collision Center owner Greg Redfield has again taken on the gigantic task of arranging the annual parade that begins at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 2.

Lots going on throughout the weekend highlighted with the free concert Saturday night at Long Park by country music star John Anderson. Contact Ursula Kthiri or one of her staff at the Chamber office for information or to pick up schedules, buttons, t-shirts, etc. There’s also a schedule in this issue.

Remember that many craft and service booths are set up on the Wohlschlager lot at the corner of Columbia and Main streets. Be sure to visit the vendors and enjoy shopping the variety of crafts and sign up for various prizes and door prizes.

BACA (Bikers Against Child Abuse) will have a food booth next to Cuzzins’ during Country Days and will serve hamburgers, brats, and turkey legs to raise funds to assist with their work of helping to create a safer environment for abused children. A bike show will also be held and the public is invited to vote for their favorites with a penny a vote. A local chapter has been formed in Farmington that will serve a 100 mile radius. Currently there are 25 members in the chapter that meets the last Sunday of every month at 2 p.m. at the Factory. To join or for more information call Paula Klemp at 756-0847.

One of the celebration’s regular helpers, Civic Center Director Bill Towler, won’t be as much in evidence this year as he is recovering from a broken right femur and broken right arm. The accident occurred last week when he fell from a ladder at the Civic Center. Proving you can’t keep a good man down, Bill is already back at work part-time but is definitely staying away from ladders.

Birthdays galore. Wanda Jones was honored at a surprise birthday party to celebrate her 70th birthday on Sunday, May 27. Her son Dale, daughter-in-law Arlene, and grandkids Corey, Brad, and Emily joined Wanda’s many friends from the Church of God of Farmington in celebrating the day. Wanda also received calls of well wishes during the party from her daughter, and son in law, Regina and William Silvey of Texas, and her grandson Ryan of Louisiana.

A joint birthday celebration was held for Becky Landrum and her grandson, Buck Landrum during a family reunion in Detsin, Fla. last week. Mit and Chris Landrum arranged the gathering for their children and families to all spend several days together at a large beach house in Detsin. Besides Mit, Chris and Becky, other family members were Buck and Emi Landrum and daughter Hannah of Seattle, Wash.; Dr. Michael and Andrea Landrum and daughters Grace and Emily of San Antonia, Texas; Jessica Klemp and her friend from Denver, Colo.; and Briana Klemp of San Francisco, Calif. The four generations co-existed harmoniously and had a memorable time of sand, sun, family and fun.

Among others birthdays celebrated were the following: Dr. Bill Miller, May 12: Alma Dean Cleve, May 22; Delores Plummer, Nancy Halbrook and Vernon Kollmeyer who had his 82nd birthday on May 23; Jane Carleton and Lois Johns, May 24; Sherry Greminger (Daily Journal Editor), May 25; Pam Clifton (who has worked with both the Press and Journal) celebrated both her birthday and wedding anniversary on May 26; and Sonny Jennings had his 72nd birthday on May 29. Sonny celebrated his natal day by leaving for a fishing trip in Canada with friends Don Smith, Jeff and George Roosman.

Wedding vows exchanged … Perfect weather smiled on the outdoor evening wedding of Katelyn Peterson and Derek Wiles on May 19. The wedding and reception, held at the home of the bride’s parents, Chip and Debbie Peterson, were beautifully decorated with numerous floral arrangements by Judy Sheets. A large cross made of two electric poles that stood by the Unity Candle table, was a touching remembrance of the bride’s maternal grandfather, the late Ron Brown. Katelyn and Derek will make their home in St. Louis as they continue their respective educations in Physical Therapy and Optometry.

Savanna Lee Moll and Kenneth Green exchanged their vows on May 18 in a ceremony at the Memorial United Methodist Church in Farmington. Savanna will graduate from the University of Missouri-Columbia in 2008 with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education. Kenneth graduated this month from University of Missouri-Columbia with a Masters in Business Administration and has accepted a position with Deloitte and Touche in St. Louis.

Everything was coming up roses at the wedding of Angela Harrington and Kyle Mertz this past Saturday at the First Baptist Church. The reception that followed was held at Elizabeth Hall in Leadington. The table centerpieces were red roses and the tiered wedding cake, made by the bride’s mother, Diane (Mrs. Rick) Harrington, was decorated with more than 200 live roses. Among the out of town guests were several former Farmington residents, including: Bob and Val AuBuchon of Camdenton, Mo.; Debbie and Darryl Lumos, Ryan Harrington, and Amy Harrington (the bride’s sister and Maid of Honor), all of Springfield, Mo.; Barbara Shinn of Kirkwood, Mo.; Laura Kennedy of Calif., and Andy and Ashley AuBuchon of Birmingham, Ala. The newlyweds will make their home in St. Louis.

Double Doctors … Kelly and Katie Roark, daughters of Mike and Cindy Roark, both recently graduated from University of Missouri-Kansas City in time to serve as Maids of Honor for their cousin, Katelyn Wiles, nee Peterson. Kelly received a Doctor of Pharmacy degree and Katie a degree as a Doctor of Medicine.

Travelers … Jackie Berry, of Bonne Terre, has returned from a week-long vacation in Florida and is ready to go to work as the newly installed President of United Way of St. Francois County.

On a Mission … Claude and Nancy Lynch left Wednesday for Miedzyrzecz, Poland, on a Volunteers in Missions (VIM) trip with a group from Oklahoma. The group will be teaching vacation Bible school, visiting English classes and working on a Methodist church that needs repairs. There are 29 volunteers in the group, that will return to the States on June 10.

Bill and Christine (Miller) Robbins arrived in Farmington this past week at the home of her parents, Danny and Sandy Miller, after enjoying a week-long Mediterranean cruise given for the top performers with Symantec, the company Bill works with in Singapore. Following the cruise the couple spent nearly three days touring Istanbul. Mallory, their 2 1/2 year-old daughter, has been staying with her grandparents since May 18.

Company’s coming … Jay and Debbie Jennings and their children, Jason, Amy, Susannah Keeter and her husband, Ryan, are expected to arrive in Farmington on June2 for a week’s visit with their families. Jay has recently accepted another award for a WRAL-TV documentary. Columbia University’s School of Journalism honored “Focal Point: Standards of Living” with its “Let’s Do It Better” Award as part of the University’s Workshop on Journalism, Race & Ethnicity. Jennings traveled to New York to accept the award on Friday, May 4, 2007. “Focal Point: Standards of Living” originally aired in August of 2005. WRAL-TV Documentary Producer Clay Johnson, Anchor David Crabtree and Jennings as photographer, teamed up to create the half-hour program. Jennings showed the documentary and spoke at the workshop of about 100 journalists, editors and journalism professors, many from several other countries.

Columbia University awarded only one other television outlet, Bryant Gumbel and HBO’s “Real Sports” program.

Bank on it … First State Bancshares, Inc. will acquire Progress Bancshares, Inc. of Sullivan, Missouri, subject to approval by federal and state regulatory bodies, and the approval of Progress’ stockholder. Bill Cooper, is Chairman of the Board of First State Bancshares, and First State’s principal subsidiary, First State Community Bank, and Greg Allen, is President & Chief Executive Officer of First State Bancshares and Vice-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of First State Community Bank. Lee Keith is President of Progress Bancshares and Progress Bank, The acquisition is expected to close during the third quarter of 2007. Progress Bank of Missouri, operates financial centers in Sullivan, Owensville, Warrenton and Wright City, Missouri.

Paving the way … Never one to let grass grow under his feet (especially if you can pave it) Dr. David Cramp has purchased the asphalt paving and sealing construction company of J. Maxson in Park Hills. If you see David be sure to congratulate him on his new venture.

Lifeguards needed … The St. Francois Country Club has openings for two or more lifeguards to complete the team for the summer months. The position begins at the end of May and continues through Labor Day weekend. Anyone interested should contact Cyndy or Eric at 756-7574 Tuesday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 9 pm or come by in person.

Remember to enjoy the Beach Party this weekend without having to bother with the usual beach paraphernalia or getting sand in your shoes. Head downtown for the big parade and other festivities and have a ball … (beach ball, that is!)!