News briefs

The Exeter chapter of Sleep in Heavenly Peace will join fellow chapters nationwide on Sept. 10 in the largest single-day bed-building event in the U.S. Chapter members will be building bunk beds from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the warehouse parking lot at the train tracks on Highway 76/86. Sleep in Heavenly Peace is a non-profit dedicated to providing beds to children in need, delivering a safe, comfortable place all children deserve. Volunteers to help build beds or join the organization are welcome.

Two Wheaton booster clubs will host events from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Wheaton Fire Station and Wheaton City Park. The Wheaton Athletic Booster Club will be offering a free car wash, and the Wheaton FFA Booster Club will host a bake sale.

The last day to register to vote is Oct. 12 for those who are not current registered voters of Barry County and wish to vote in the Nov. 8 General Election. People may register to vote at the County Clerk’s Office; the Monett Chamber of Commerce; or the Shell Knob Chamber of Commerce. Please notify the Clerk’s Office of any registered voter’s change of address or name change. Photo ID is required to vote in the November General Election. Absentee voting starts Sept. 27 at the Barry County Clerk’s Office in Cassville, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Two weeks of in-person, no excuse absentee voting begins Oct. 25. If unable to vote in person, a voter may send a written request to the office of: Joyce Ennis, 700 Main St. Suite 2, Cassville, MO, 65625; or fax to: 417-847-5311. The Office will need: Voter’s name, physical address, mailing address, date of birth, last four digits of Social Security number, phone number, reason for voting absentee and signature. Those who live in the Shell Knob or Monett areas can go to the Shell Knob Chamber or Monett Chamber and fill out the absentee application, and they will fax it to the Barry County Clerk’s office. Absentee applications are also available at sos.mo.gov. For more information people may call the Barry County Clerk’s Office at 417-847-2561, opt: 3, or email jennis@barrycountyclerk. com or ajohnson@barrycountyclerk.com.

The Wheaton Volunteer Fire Department will host the 64th Annual Wheaton BBQ on Saturday in the city park on Main Street in downtown Wheaton. Activities will begin at 10 a.m. with the opening of the craft and information booths. At 11 a.m. the annual Spud McCracken Horseshoe Pitch Tournament will begin, along with the Wheaton Street Machines Show & Shine Car event and the Wheaton FFA petting zoo. At 11:30 a.m., the food service will begin. The menu will be barbecue chicken, homemade baked beans, baked potato, bread, homemade pulled pork sandwiches and drinks. Also available will be homemade pies and ice cream. Free children’s carnival and pony rides will be available from 1-8 p.m., along with Wheels of Freedom monster truck rides. Beginning at noon the following bands will perform: Prairie Roads Band, The Sugar Mountain Band, Hog Eye Holler Band, Marshall Miller Band, 221Band and 2 Dog Karaoke. At 8 p.m. the day is capped off with the 29th Annual Duck Race in the park. $1,000 will be given to five winners at the conclusion of the race. For more information, people may call 417-847-7568.

The Lovin’ Life For Lisa Lawyer Benefit will be held on Sept. 17 from 5-8 p.m. at Southwest High School in Washburn. The event is $10 at the door and will include live music, a silent auction, raffles and food. Proceeds support Lisa Lawyer, former Rogers School District employee recently diagnosed with ALS. Because of the prognosis, she will need a handicap van soon. Lawyer is the wife of Doug Lawyrer, former superintendent and volunteer firefighter in Washburn. Donations are also accepted at any Freedom Bank branch, in the Donation for Lisa Lawyer account. For more information, people may contact Debbie Brooks at 479-619-9989.

A variety of bluegrass bands will perform every Friday night, from 7-9 p.m., through Sept. 30 at the Roaring River Shelter at Roaring River State Park. About 10 bands will play at some point this summer, and admission to every show is free. A Saturday performance will also be held for Labor Day. Attendees should bring their own lawn chairs, and a tip jar will be set up for the bands.

A 2005 single cab shortbed Chevy pickup truck is being raffled to benefit a local family affected by breast cancer. Tickets may be purchased at The Shop by D and L, located at 503 Mill St. in Cassville. Entrants must be 18 years of age, and each ticket is $10. The winner will be drawn at the Wheaton Cruise-In on Oct. 1.