News from afar and close to home
The following message was sent by former residents, Pastor Dino and Denise Pacilli, as an update on their lives since leaving Farmington. Dino Pacilli was the pastor at St. Paul Lutheran Church for several years before he, Denise and their son Ethan moved to Kent, Wash. This is the open letter from Denise they asked to have shared with their many friends here.
“Greetings from Pastor Dino and Denise Pacilli: This has been a busy summer filled with some amazing events for our family. Our son, Ethan, graduated in June from Mount Rainier Lutheran High School. After receiving scholarships in choral music, theater, and worship band, we helped him get settled at Concordia University in Irvine, Calif., where he will pursue a degree in secondary education, majoring in history and theater. Ethan has had roles in many plays and musicals over the years, including several at Mineral Area College. His most recent accomplishment was the role of Don Lockwood in “Singing in the Rain,” at MRLH.
“Dino, Ethan and I traveled to Grand Junction, Colo., for daughter Tessa’s wedding on Aug. 4. The event was celebrated by many, including our daughter, Kerensa Lafata and granddaughter Sofia, of West Frankfort, Ill.; and Pastor Merlen and Nancy Wegener, of West Lafayette, Ind. (formerly of Farmington). Tessa and husband, Jeremy Miller, will be making their home in Kent, Wash., where Tessa will teach first grade at Sunbeams Lutheran School.
“Pastor Dino and I recently had the privilege of meeting President George W. Bush at a fundraising rally for Congressman Dave Reichert of Washington. Dave is a member of Lutheran Church of the Cross, in Kent, Wash., where Pastor Dino serves. Pastor Dino was asked to provide the invocation at the rally. An added bonus was waiting for a picture with the President and visiting with Seattle Seahawks players Mac Strong and Matt Hasselbeck.”
Mrs. Pacilli closed by sending love and joy to all their friends in Farmington. The Pacilli’s can be reached at their e-mail address of denisepacilli@yahoo.com.
A new resident … Aliyah Underwood entered the world (and her parent’s hearts) on August 31 at Parkland Health Center. Aliyah weighed 8 pounds, 5 ounces and was 21 inches long. Her parents are Robert and Nozanin Mostakova-Underwood of Farmington. Paternal grandparents are Ingrid Underwood and the late Ralph Underwood of Farmington, and Gulshod Navruzova and the late Mosasar Mostakov of Russia. Congratulations! If you can get Ingrid to get her feet on the ground, I’m sure she will be happy to show pictures of her granddaughter.
Another family blessing … Logan Daniel Struble Berck was born August 7 to Alan and Mimi Berck in Altus, Okla. Logan weighed 6 pounds, 14 ounces and was 20 inches long. His siblings are Lauren and Stephen and paternal grandparents are Rev. Dale and Helen Berck of Farmington. Maternal grandmother is Margo Withers of Houston, Tex. Logan was an early anniversary gift for Rev. and Mrs. Berck who celebrate their wedding anniversary Thursday.
Growing Room … Twelve West Restaurant on West Columbia Street is pushing out the walls into the former Mineral Area Office Supply building. Owners Brian and Joan Hurst are doing extensive remodeling to accommodate their plans to nearly double the seating capacity of the popular downtown dining spot. According to Brian, the new space is designed to include individual dining rooms that can be used to host private parties, meetings, reunions and other events. Long-range plans are for a catering service and the addition of an outdoor patio by fall of 2008. Things are definitely looking up downtown.
Home for the holiday weekend … Tim and Allison (Johnson) O’Donnell of Kansas City, Mo. and Roger Johnson of St. Louis were in town over the Labor Day Weekend to visit their parents, B. J. and Nancy Johnson and other family members. The visitors were at Twelve West for dinner Saturday evening with their parents and maternal grandmother, Barbara Hartshorn and Don Effrein.
Extended family … Tracy Johnson, her son and daughter-in-law, Justin and Stacy Johnson and their daughters, Faith and Kaylee, were in Farmington last week visiting me and my son, Mark Douglas. The Johnsons, who live on a ranch in Bennett, Colo., enjoyed touring the area wineries and other points of interest. Our mountains are much smaller but they’re friendlier to view. No nose bleeds or altitude sickness!
Tomato verdict … A few weeks back we reported that a man from Chicago had traveled to Farmington with the express purpose of buying tomatoes from Ron Hale. The tomatoes on reaching Chicago were divided among several chefs in that toddelin’ town to sample and evaluate for future use in their respective restaurants. The verdict? Outstanding! Plans are to work with Hale in securing quantities of the luscious fruit (yes, it is!) to be delivered to Chicago next year. Way to grow, Ron! Just save some for us locals.
Acing it … Congratulations to Fred Schwab Jr. for landing his first ever hole-in-one on the Par 3 #5 hole at St. Francois Country Club. The soon-to-be 77 year old used his trusty 31 degree hybrid club to ace the shot on Aug. 15.
Not to be outdone, Herb Medley accomplished his feat on the same Par 3 hole #5 on Aug. 16. Herb used an 8 iron to shoot his hole-in-one. Way to go, guys!
Thrifty shopping … Savvy shoppers find their way to The Ministerial Alliance Thrift Shop when looking for bargains. The shop is a fundraiser for the Farmington Ministerial Alliance and located in The Factory on First Street. Veve (Ross) Riche is the new director of the shop and food pantry and said all proceeds are used to buy food for the MA food pantry where it is distributed to needy families. In some cases, clothing items and other services are also provided for the families. The shop is staffed by volunteers and supported by donations. Veve said a very sincere “Thank you” is due the numerous businesses and individuals who consistently contribute to the shop, and especially to the Farmington Kiwanis Club that recently supplied a new washer and dryer to be used in preparing clothing for purchase.
Class act … Clara (Gouin) Slinkard hosted eight of her classmates from the St. Joseph High School class of 1957 on July 28. They were: Donald Wilson, Bette (Kuhlman) Griffin, Judy (Corzine) Barton, Francis Naeger, Donald Comet, Kurt Lober, George Effrein and Paul Merritt.
Art on display … The exhibit “Work is Art and Art is Work” is now on public display at First State Community Bank’s lobby in downtown Farmington. The Mineral Area Council on the Arts-sponsored exhibit includes photos of luthiers (the craftsmen who make the stringed instruments), tools and hand crafted stringed instruments in various stages of completion. The exhibit is on display during banking hours, Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Fridays 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Oct. 5. For group tours, call the Arts Council office, 518-2125. It’s also time to order season’s tickets for the Mineral Area Council on the Arts for the exciting offerings planned for this season. The tickets ensure reserved seating for all six events and advance notice of other special events. Contact Betty Schaper at the Council office to order season tickets.
Coming up … Several activities are coming up to benefit the 6th Alzheimer’s Memory Walk set for Sept. 29 held at the Bicentennial Park in Bonne Terre. Registration begins at 8 a.m. and the walk starts at 9. Still plenty of time to sign up your team by calling Jenni Thorn at 760-8310 or Kevin Thurman at 701-7380. All proceeds benefit the St. Louis Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association and services they provide in the Lead Belt area.
Helping the cause … A Yard Sale to benefit the Walk is being held this Saturday, Sept. 8, by the local Alzheimer’s chapter. The sale will be at 421 Wellington’s Place in Farmington and starts at 8 a.m. To donate items for the sale contact either Kevin or Jenni Thorn at the above phone numbers.
Friday, September 14 … “Around the Course for a Cause” is being hosted by Camelot Nursing & Rehab Center to raise funds for the Alzheimer’s walk. The four-person scramble is at Eagle Lake with tee-off at 1 p.m. and lunch served beginning at 11:30. Remember to call 756-8911 and say, “Sign us up!”
More golf … The Farmington Elks Lodge host their annual Weedy’s Golf 3-man scramble golf tournament on Saturday, Sept. 15 at Eagle Lake. The proceeds benefit the many community and educational projects funded by the Lodge. Sign up is at the Lodge Hall.
SFCC Couples League Banquet is Tuesday, Sept. 18. Cocktails at 5:30 p.m. and dinner at 6 p.m. Contact Elma Jennings at 756-3139 for reservations.
Mark your calendar for fall fun on September 22. The Downtown Development Association’s annual Fall Fest is set for that day with lots of good food, entertainment, craftsmen, vendors and special sales from downtown merchants. The annual Pet Show is a “don’t miss” feature of the day. Come see what’s going on downtown.
