Spring is here … we think
What’s going up there?…The reason for the large area of raw ground on Maple Valley Drive just north of Parkland Health Center, has been the source of much speculation. A spokesperson for Americare said the area will be the site of a new assisted living and memory care campus in Farmington. Both Maplebrook, the 21-bed assisted living building and The Arbors, a 16-bed residence for those with Alzheimer’s and other memory disorders, are scheduled to open in the spring of 2013. Sikeston-based Americare owns and operates Ashbrook assisted living and Southbrook skilled nursing in Farmington, as well as nearly 100 other senior living communities throughout the Midwest. This will be a $5.3 million project and will have positions for 25 full and part-time employees.
Getting together…Several members of the FHS class of 1975 gathered at 12 West restaurant for lunch and laughs on March 3. Mike Kollmeyer and his cousin, Carol Currington Faircloth (of the class of 1973), planned the mini-mixer when they learned Bruce Starnes and his wife Ellen were going to be in Farmington for a short visit. Those who gathered around the table with the hosts and the Starnes were: Keith Freund, Jim Hill, Martha (Marty) Hill, Judy (Sales) Sheet and fiancé, Rick Izard, Janice (Dugal) Spane, Carol (McAllister) Rigdon, and Rita (Cole) Stamm. The decibel level raised considerably as “do-you-remember” escapades and memories were traded.
Old actors never die, they just miss their cues … Plans are under way for a giant group hug at “An Evening With Doc” starting at 6 p.m. on Sept. 1 at Mineral Area College. Dr. G. Richard Reney, a long-time drama director at MAC and the one who set the bar for excellent community theater performances in our area, has announced plans for a permanent move to Boston, Mass. to be near his family. Laura Raymer and Arlene Martin Jones are the producers of the Bon Voyage Celebration and MAC Theatre Reunion and are extending an open invite to all those who ever appeared in or worked on one of Doc’s productions to attend the farewell event. More details will be announced as plans are firmed up. Contact either one through Facebook or call Laura at 573-915-0522.
Looking for a BFF?…You’ll find one that will fill all you accessory needs at the BFF Boutique at the Factory. Carol Faircloth and her best friend Barbara (Schramm) Yancheck fill their space with fun, funky, and fantastic jewelry, purses, and other fashion items.
Our loss … Memorial United Methodist Church will be losing Dr. Rick Broadway as its pastor following the United Methodist Annual Conference in June. Dr. Broadway has accepted an appointment to the United Methodist Church in Pulaski, Tenn. The move places Dr. Broadway and his wife, Theresa, closer to two of their children and grandchildren and very near their best friends who live in Tennessee. The Broadways came to Farmington in 2006 and quickly became well-liked and respected by the congregation for their pastoral care and involvement with church activities.
Ongoing sea tale …Tom and Linda Ray continue their year-long voyage around the “loop” of eastern waterways including the Atlantic coast on their 42-foot boat, the “Raydiance.” The Rays’ were in Palatka, Fla. near Silver Springs, where on March 31 one of Linda’s former fourth grade students, Elizabeth Whitener Stegemoller, her husband Aaron, daughters Lucy and Adde, and her mom, (Linda’s good friend) Judy Whitener from Farmington, joined the Rays for the day. Elizabeth received her PhD in neuroscience from Northwestern and now teaches and conducts research in the field of Parkinsons disease at the University of Florida-Gainesville. The Rays have made numerous new friends on their travels, including this writer’s cousins, Ron and Sharon Godfry, who took the Rays on a tour of Jensen, Fla. and lunch at Shuckers while they were docked at Hutchinson Island. Small world, keeps getting smaller and friendlier, especially when you’re on a boat.
Making it personal … Wayne Sheets and wife, Allison, hosted a Business After Hours on April 5, at his store “Make it Personal”. The meet and greet event gave chamber members and guests an opportunity to become familiar with the store’s custom personalized gifts, awards, uniforms, apparel, signs and other items. “Make it Personal” is located at 310C Potosi Street. Stop by and welcome Wayne to the business community.
Coming up:
How’s your health? … Find ways to improve it at the 15th Annual Free Health Expo this Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon at the Mineral Area College Field House. The event, sponsored by St. Francois County Community Partnership, has set this year’s theme is “Let’s DO 60,” encouraging children and adults to do 60 minutes of play or exercise a day. (Computer play doesn’t count). Over 50 booths will be present throughout the Expo with lots of health tips, screenings, information, games for kids, and a chance to meet and interact with the Farmington Correctional Center’s K9 Unit and Puppies for Parolees. Free mammograms will be available for women ages 40-64 who are uninsured or under-insured by BJC Mammography Van. Call 1-800-870-5731 to schedule you appointment.
A ‘plant and pound’ event … The spring sale and Garden Celebration will be held in downtown Farmington on April 28th from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The day will provide a garden marketplace and mini-seminars by garden club members, along with live music by local performers, and booths with wares made by artisians and hand-crafters. Downtown shops will also be featuring great sales.
The Downtown Pound fundraiser for local Parents As Teachers will be held that morning with pre-registration 7:30 a.m. in front of Jennie Annies at 14 E. Columbia Street. The 5K and 10K timed races begin at 8:30 a.m. Non-runners who would like to walk or bring their children in wagons are also welcomed. Fees for adult runners are $25 and $15 for runners under 12. All proceeds go directly to families within Parents As Teachers.
Girls’ Night Out Spring Fling will be held April 26 to benefit the United Way of St. Francois County at Twin Oaks Vineyard and Winery.” Jackie Berry, United Way board member, will host the evening and silent auction. Doors open at 5 p.m. and the event continues until 7 p.m. Guests are requested to bring at least $20 for United Way and to bring toothbrushes, toothpaste and dental floss for Upward Smiles, the new children’s dental clinic located in Park Hills. The clinic offers dental care to children under 18 who are covered by Medicaid. The clinic is the newest agency to be funded by the United Way of St. Francois County. Auction items can be donated by calling the United Way at 760-8929 or sending an email to donna@unitedwayofsfc.org. The organization’s goal for the year is $190,000. Paula Jackson, president of the United Way Board, announced that Debbie Bunch, Vice President of New Era Bank, and Dr. Richard Winder, Medical Director and Physician Advisor for MARMC and Medical Director for the St. Francois County Ambulance District, have recently been added to the United Way Board of Directors.
The Farmington Public Library is celebrating National Library Week through April 14 with a variety of special events. Staff recognition day was held Tuesday and cookies will be served tomorrow to visitors. Saturday is a good time to return overdue books, as fines will be forgiven on Saturday. April 14. Stop by, register for a drawing for gift bags, held each day, and thank the library staff for the excellent job they do everyday in furnishing us excellent reading, resources and services.
