Busy time ‘Around Town’
Former resident makes news … Michael Smock, M.D., plastic surgeon and medical director of the St. John’s Mercy Burn Center, was featured in that hospital’s newsletter in the article “Healing and Hope for Pediatric Burn Patients.” Smock, formerly of Farmington, said “Children are 10 to 15 percent of the more than 600 burn patients treated at the burn center each year.” Dr. Smock was Salutatorian of the Farmington High School Class of 1986.
Class reunions were plentiful … Among the several class reunions held during Homecoming as the class of 1943 celebrated their 65th. Seventeen class members and six guests met a Ryans for lunch, a Chinese Auction, and lots of laughs and conversation on Sept.. 27. Those attending were Bud and Melba (McDaniel) Gierse of St. Louis, Dick and Rosemary (Mueller) Loeber of Fenton, Edwin and Dorothy (Eiser) Mount of Park Hills, and Ralph Gibson of Ironton. Those from Farmington were: Vernon and Lorene “Sparky” (Overall) Kollmeyer, Albert and Bertha (Dickey) Weiman, Patsy (Thomure) Abbott, Emmett and Anna Mae (Denman) Wampler, Pat (Detring) Brockmiller, Henry Klob,Mary Jane (Lindsey) Johnson, Mr. and Mrs. Charlie Laws, Mr. and Mrs. Glenn Thomas, Nesta (Vessell) Wade, and Berniece “Tookie” (Barnhart) Rickus.
Goodbye to a classmate … The class of 1953 enjoyed a reunion at St. Francois Country Club on the 27th with a large attendance. Jim and Mary (Canterberry) Findley, of Mt. Zion, Ill. were among those sharing reminiscences and making new memories that evening. Word was then received a few days later that Jim had died suddenly on Oct. 1. Funeral services were held in Mt. Zion with graveside services and burial at the Knob Lick Cemetery. Besides family, many of Jim’s classmates attended the service. Those attending included Mary (Mrs. Bill) Roberts, Barbara Miller Ward, and Sonny and Elma Jennings all of Farmington; Mr. and Mrs. Leroy Miller of Fredericktown, and Mr. and Mrs. Paul Hahn of DeSoto, Kansas. Jim was retired as trucking supervisor of USF Holland Service. He is survived by his wife, and two sisters: Patricia (Darrell) Elders and Marilyn (Bill) Elders.
Showing the way … Congratulations to the Downtown Development Association and Joe Ruebel, who headed the project, on the attractive Way Finder signs that are now going up around downtown. A lot of hard word went into getting the project completed, and thanks also go to beanie’s toys who created the signs, and the city for their support of the attractive signage.
A new home … BJC Home Care Services held a ribbon cutting and open house this past Tuesday at their new location at 727 Weber Road. The offices are located at the side of the First Bank Building. Congratulations to all of the staff
Progress at last … Work is going forward on preparing the space for Buffalo Wild Wings Grill and Bar, that will be the first business to open in the new shopping center located southwest of Maple Street. Lots of activity taking place to prepare for the opening in December.
The flock gathered … The Fall Hen Party was held on Friday, Sept. 26, at the home of Kim Bohnenkamp with her co-hosts Sue Evans and Peggy Ropelle. The seventh annual gathering brought together women from throughout the county for an evening of conversation, sangria, food and fun. Thanks to the “head hens” for hosting such a delightful event.
Make plans now … The Route du Vin, “Wine Diva Weekend” will be Nov. 22-23 with a journey along the area wine trail, that includes stops at Twin Oaks, Crown, Chaumette, Charleville and the Cave. Along the way participants will be treated to fine wine perfectly paired with a delicious ‘Diva Treat’ at each of the distinctive wineries. Register at all five wineries, and your name will be entered for special Route du Vin giveaways. Cost is $20/person until Nov. 7 and tickets may be purchased in advance by calling Sainte Genevieve Winery: 800-398-1298, or in the tasting room of participating wineries.
Anniversaries celebrated … Bosie and Jackie (Cresswell) Boswell, formerly of Farmington, and now residents of Texas, recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. While not really known as a fact, it would be easy to imagine the couple off bird-watching, searching for an elusive cross-hatched jaggernaut or some such. Boise has kindly sent along one of his favorite birding spots in Texas: the upper Texas Coast where, he says, he and Jackie have birded on several occasions, in the Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge. It’s Located about ten miles from Clute and the Lake Jackson area.
Other anniversaries were celebrated by: Lou and Phyllis Fabre, 56 years on Sept. 13;Larry and Kaye Lynn Michael celebrated their 18th anniversary on Labor Day; Al and Bert Weiman, Oct. 1; John and Pam Harrison, Oct. 2; Mike and Jessie William, Oct. 4; Jim and Anita Lyons, Oct. 8; Emmett and Anna Wampler, Oct. 16.
Let’s “card them” … Francis Carrow and Otto Lerche are both recuperating at their respective homes after recent surgeries. Both Carrow and Lerche were long-time businessmen in downtown Farmington. And long-time resident Mary Crouch is at Camelot’s Huckstep Orthopedic Center, recovering from a broken hip. Get Well cards would be appreciated.
Visitors to our town … Fourteen members of the group that traveled from Manchester Methodist Church, joined their fourteen traveling companions from Farmington that went on the12 day northern trip to South Dakota. The group met for lunch and picture exchange at the Warehouse BBQ on Sept. 13. After lunch Bill Sherrill and his wife, Alice took the group for a tour of Farmington, and the Manchester group greatly enjoyed their visit.
Kiwanis have installation … Kiwanis Lt. Gov. Ron Schneider was at the Wednesday meeting this week to install the new officers of the local club. Jenni Thorn of Parkland Hospital, Cindy Minnis of CFS and Jim and Kellie Cribbs of Raymond James were inducted as new members at the meeting. The Kiwanis meet at noon every Wednesday at Pasta House.
A toast to the Masters … Two club members of the Parkland Toastmasters won on both the Club and the Area level of speech competition. Jerry Hoeflein and Daniel Nickolson will now compete on the District Speech Contest Oct. 19 at Jefferson College. Parkland Toastmasters is celebrating their 1st birthday and meets on the 1st and 3rd Monday of each month at Mineral Area College, North College Center at 6:30. For more information contact Pam Brooks at 573-756-6640.
Visitors … Danny Miller’s sister, Claudia Radford, and her husband, David, of Dallas, Tex., will be in town this weekend visiting Danny and Sandy. David will attend his 50th class reunion with his (pre North County era) Bonne Terre Bulldogs classmates. The Millers also sold three yearlings in September at the Heritage Place Yearling Sale in Oklahoma City.
Thursday, Oct. 9 … Dine Out Thursday for United Way is at Pasta House and on the 16th at Branding Iron. Enjoy a great meal…help a great cuase!
Saturday, Oct. 11 … from 7 to 11 a.m., the Farmer’s Market on the VFW parking lot will continue to offer local seasonal produce, and plants through the end of October. Also, watch for:
* Walk for Life walk-a-thon hosted by the Parkland Pregnancy Resource Center.
* Elk’s Lodge Family Picnic with dinner at 5 p.m. Games and Rides for the kids.
* All-You-Can-Eat Chicken Fry from 4 to 7 p.m. at the St. Joseph Parish Gym. $8 for adults and $4 for children that day, or buy advance tickets at Earth Mother Health Foods for $5, adults and $3 for children.
October 24 … Harvest Night for little spooks and their parents held downtown behind City Hall, sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce.
October 31 … Trunk or Treat will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. at Memorial Methodist Church parking lot where children can receive Halloween treats.
