Stories from Wednesday, September 20, 2017

The Cassville cross-country team has a simple training method — run, then run and follow that up by running some more and then cool down with more running. “The thing about cross-country, more than any other sport, is what most kids hate to do [run], we do for fun,” said Chris Shore, Cassville coach. “This season, we are blessed with kids that enjoy the sport and the results are starting to show.”...

The September Cassville Middle School Students of the Month, sponsored by Willis Insurance, were recently announced.

Revisions in the construction plan for the new FEMA shelter at the Purdy school district offered $100,000 in savings as school officials drew closer to awarding a construction contract. Superintendent Stephen Chancellor recently unveiled several revisions worked out with Paragon Architecture of Springfield that overcame issues raised in previous discussions...

The Cassville Branch Library and sisters of the late Becky Fischer, previous children’s librarian at the library branch, are finding common ground concerning a mural painted on the library’s wall over 13 years ago in her memory. In the fall of 2015, after receiving a $25,000 grant, the library needed to rearrange its teen’s and children’s section to make the best use of space. ...

Jalie Whisman and her Yorkie, Buster, waited patiently for his category to come up in the dog show that took place at the Shakin’ in the Shell festival Saturday at Shell Knob.

After delaying action for two months in hopes that issues would resolve themselves, the Purdy City Council changed directions and adopted a detailed new livestock ordinance in September. Mayor Bo Prock told aldermen the key question was whether or not the city would impose governance over livestock. Enforcement of restrictions had relaxed over time, resulting in reports of everything from chickens to a donkey living in and on the edges of town...

Shell Knob Elementary School is planning a Community Give Back Day event on Sept. 29.  Students and staff will be volunteering in the Shell Knob community as a way to thank them for supporting the school throughout the year, such as helping provide school supplies and other acts of kindness...

Barry County residents Edgar and Sandra Schreiner will be hosting the fifth annual Frontier Days event on Sept. 23 and 24, on their farm between Cassville and Jenkins. The fun starts at 10 a.m. for the free, two-day event, which offers a heaping helping of old-fashioned family fun, early 1900s artistry and trades packaged in pioneer times and culture...

The Southwest Little Theatre, part of Southwest Schools in Washburn, will present "The Melodrama and Olio," a modern comedy favorite with overly-dramatic dialogue and excessive emotional acting style that has audiences joining in to cheer the hero and boo the villain...

In an effort to bring vendors together and welcome customers to her new store, Erin Atkinson, owner of The Grand ol’ Shopperie off Highway 86 east of Exeter, established a new swap meet for vendors and shoppers in the parking lot of the business, which took place Sept. 14-16...

The Jenkins Fire Department Fish Fry will be Oct. 7 at Station No. 1 at Flat Creek Bridge on Highway 248. Music by Ripplin’ Creek will begin at 4:30 p.m. Serving will begin at 5 p.m. and continue until 7 p.m. The Auction will start at 6 p.m. The menu consists of fish or chicken, baked beans, slaw, hush puppies, dessert and a drink. Cost is $9 for adults, and children 10 and under are $4. For more information, people may call Sara at 417-342-4243...

Cassville fourth-grade student Logan Marple visits with her grandparents, Jerry and Linda Marple, in her classroom during Grandparent’s Day Sept. 8.

Lanna Burnette, a student at Exeter High School, was recently presented with the school’s highest agricultural honor — the DEKALB Agricultural Accomplishment Award, sponsored by Monsanto Company. Burnette, the daughter of Tim Burnette and Becky Coffey, received the award for excellence in academics, leadership and agricultural work experience. ...

Jace Hayworth, son of Ashley and Jeremy Hayworth, fishes from his boat at an activity offered for children during the Parents as Teachers program Back to School event on Sept. 7.

The Wheaton school district announced its Students of the Month recipients.

Members from the Exeter FFA Chapter attended Salute to Agriculture, co-sponsored by PFI Western Wear, Missouri Farm Bureau and the William H. Darr College of Agriculture on Friday, Sept. 8. Over 1,400 FFA members from 37 chapters were treated to a meal, a round of agricultural olympics and yard games, concluding at the John Q. Hammons Arena to enjoy a PBR PFI Western Invitational. Industry leaders were on hand to remind students that agriculture is important and food will feed the world...

Ms. Ashley Jorraine Lawrence of Skidmore and Dr. Adam Joe Brown of Cassville were engaged on December 18, 2016, in New York City. The couple will be married on October 7, 2017, in Columbia, MO.

It takes a community to serve a community. Thanks to volunteers at Mercy Hospital Cassville, patients undergoing a variety of rehab have another boost to get them back on their feet. Earlier this month, the Mercy Hospital Cassville Auxiliary finalized the purchase of a SCIFIT PRO2® exercise bike for $4,845. It will be placed in the hospital’s fitness area, for physical, occupational and cardiopulmonary rehabilitation patients. ...

Central Crossing Senior Center in Shell Knob recently added an MIA Memorial at the center. Jeff Harp, chief publicity officer for the center, said guests lining up to eat lunch at the center may notice the memorial — a table accompanied by a special tribute to honor missing service men...

Each year, Commerce Bank and Commerce Bancshares Foundation contributes to community organizations that positively impacts the lives of Barry Countians.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) announced that, starting Sept. 1, dairy producers can enroll for 2018 coverage in the Margin Protection Program (MPP-Dairy). Secretary Sonny Perdue has utilized additional flexibility this year by providing dairy producers the option of opting out of the program for 2018...

Meet Tasha, the Haven of the Ozarks Pet of the Week.

On Sept. 9 Central Crossing Senior Center in Shell Knob held a carnival for area youth that was attended and enjoyed by all ages.

Lorelei VanDerhoef, a student at Cassville Intermediate School, was recognized as Miss Missouri Outstanding Teen Princess for 2017, after participating in the Princess Program at the Miss Missouri’s Outstanding Teen pageant in Mexico, Mo., June 14 -17...

One week after struggling to maintain focus in a loss to McDonald County, the Wildcats of Cassville bounced back with a 33-6 win over previously-unbeaten St. James. “I thought we finally put together four complete quarters,” said Lance Parnell, Cassville coach. “We scored in all three phases of the game and I thought we responded well [from the McDonald County loss].”...

While a three-game skid has damped the spirits of the defending Class 3 state champion, Monett (2-3) travels to Cassville on Friday with everything in the world to prove. The Wildcats (3-2) are fresh off a beatdown of St. James, 33-6, while the Cubs suffered their third consecutive loss in a row a 46-10 setback to Aurora...

The football rivalry between Cassville and Monett plays second fiddle to no other gridiron match-up. It is as intense a rivalry as can be found in not just southwest Missouri, but in the entire state. “The thing that really heats up the rivalry is the fact that the parents from both schools work together at many of the area factories,” said David Large, former Cassville coach. “One set of those parents is going to have bragging rights for an entire year.”...

It's safe to say Cassville Coach Lance Parnell was excited by Friday's win over St. James, as he started his post-game speech with an emotional, "Woooooooooo." A week after falling to McDonald County, 21-14, Cassville turned the tide by taking a three-hour road trip to shut down a previously undefeated St. James team, 33-6...

The Cassville volleyball team is off to a 7-3-2 start to the season.

Going back into some incidents involving the Cassville and Exeter Railroad history brought a question concerning what had caused the facility that had fed this community for goods from 1896 to 1956 to end. Taking on the title of World’s Shortest, Standard Gauge Railroad — a claim that was never really verified — the “Cream and Eggs,” as she frequently called, was a longtime important part of this community...

Karla Ingrid (Johnson) Hoyt, 70, passed away on Tuesday, September 19, 2017, at Lacoba Homes in Monett. Born on November 7, 1946, in Sacramento, Calif., she was the daughter of Carl and Audrey Johnson. Karla graduated from Elk Grove High School in 1964. On April 19, 1968, she married Robert Hoyt in Oakland, Calif...

Arvilla Mae Edwards passed away May 21, 2017. She was born Sept 5, 1929, to Chester F. and Ona Mae Stever of Cassville. She was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Ermal (Nellie) Stever and sister, Eunava (Lloyd) Dilbeck. A complete obituary was in the May 31, 2017, edition of the Cassville Democrat...

Gabriele Ellrick, 64, of Purdy, passed away on Friday, Sept. 8, 2017, at Cox Hospital in Monett. She was born on Jan. 15, 1953, in Heuchelheim, Germany, daughter of Paul and Franziska (Diehl) Mahn, and moved to the United States in 1982. Survivors include: one son, John Ellrick, Jr., of Purdy; two daughters, Sandra Smith, of Pineville and Bernice White and her husband David Aaron, of Pierce City; six grandchildren; and three brothers still living in Germany...

Donald Melber Cole, 74, passed away on Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2017, at his home in Washburn. He was a veteran. Cremation arrangements are under the direction of White Funeral Home and Crematory, Cassville.

Monett at Cassville Seneca at Aurora East Newton at Mt. Vernon McDonald County at Lamar Pierce City at Lockwood Aurora at Monett, 46-10 Cassville at St. James, 33-6 East Newton at Seneca, 36-6 Lamar – Idle Mt. Vernon at McDonald Co., 43-21 Pierce City at Miller, 42-14...