Stories from Friday, August 23, 2013

Richard Lapkiewicz, 61, of Shell Knob, passed away on Aug. 17, 2013, in his home. He was born on May 26, 1952, son of Joseph and Dolores (Pawlowski) Lapkiewicz in Jersey City, N.J. He joined the U.S. Coast Guard upon graduating from high school. He retired after 31 years as a master chief electronics technician. In July of 2002, he moved from Virginia Beach, Va., to Shell Knob to make his home...

Brice Nathaniel Mork, 37, of Eagle Rock, passed away Saturday, Aug. 17, 2013, as a result of injuries sustained in an automobile accident. He was born March 3, 1976, in Fresno, Calif., the son of Bruce and Nore (Groves) Mork. Survivors include: his mother, Nore Eldridge and her husband, John Gibbons, of Eagle Rock; one son, Nathan Mork, of Pennsylvania; two daughters, Alexa Mork and Vivi Mork, both of Pennsylvania; one brother, Brent Mork, of Fresno, Calif.; and one sister, Karaleen Mork, of Fresno, Calif.. ...

Bobby Hilton James, 77, of Cassville, passed away Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2013, in his home. He was born April 2, 1936, in Cassville, the son of Luther and Chloe (Hilton) James. On June 6, 1953, he was united in marriage to Christine Cantwell, who survives...

Lillian Cook, 90, of Cassville, passed away on Wednesday, Aug. 14, 2013, at the Ozark Methodist Manor in Marionville, Missouri, after a short illness. She was born in Elizabeth, New Jersey, on November 9, 1922. She lived in Elizabeth until 1999 when she moved to Ft. Myers, Florida, and on to Cassville in 2011...

James F. "Jim" Collins, 81, of Golden, passed away at his home Friday, Aug. 2, 2013. He was born in Chicago, Ill., Aug. 7, 1931, the son of Joseph Ferdinand "Joe" and Frances Mathilde (Grosklaus) Collins. On Nov. 12, 1977, he was united in marriage to Diane C. Holmes, who survives...

Ten Crowder College Cassville and Seligman Adult Education and Literacy (AEL) graduates received their high school diplomas on June 7 on the Crowder College campus in Neosho. Graduates include Tanner Catlett, Richard Choate, Carla Jo Robinson, Derek Sandtorf and Jessica Shelton, all of Cassville, and Cody Tilford, Mary Tilford, Bethany Godsy, Will Baez and Frederick Shoemaker, all of Seligman. Instructors were Janet Ballard and Anne Collier...

Stussy Stephenson, a junior and a member of the Cassville High School FFA chapter, is one of 80 performers to be chosen to play at the 86th National FFA Convention and Expo, Oct. 30 through Nov. 2 at Louisville, Ky. Stephenson is the son of Kent and Amy Stephenson, will play tuba in the National FFA Band...

50 Years Ago Aug. 28, 1963 Apple picking has started at Vollenweider Orchards located between Cassville and Exeter. Approximately 70 people are employed to handle the anticipated harvest of 50,000 bushels of apples, according to John Vollenweider. Two Barry County girls are included in 23 SMS students compiling perfect grade point averages of 4.0 to head the summer term honor roll released. Included in the group were Frantine Bradley and Sandra Haddock...

Thursday, Aug. 22 SUPPORT GROUP: The Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) group of Cassville meets at 8 p.m. at 1308 Harold St. in Cassville. For more information, call 846-4044. SUPPORT GROUP: Anyone who is concerned about a friend's or loved one's drinking is invited to attend the Cassville Al-Anon Family Group, which meets at 8 p.m. at the United Methodist Church in Cassville...

The Washburn Hootenanny all-day live music event will be held Saturday, Sept. 21 on the grounds behind the Washburn Post Office. Plans for the Hootenanny were at the top of the discussion, led by chamber president, Steve Hodgin, at the Washburn Area Chamber meeting. The chamber had elected to continue this popular community event after Washburn Community Center discontinued organizing it two years ago...

Good readers Anyone who plans on putting ink on paper as in the Fourth Estate knows it often takes good readers to make a good reporter. Readers can be a source of information unequalled at times. Such is the case in a couple of instances recently when this column dipped back in history to talk about the Barry County Sheriff's Posse and Boy Scout Troop 76 Indian Stomp Dance team of many years ago, and there were certain facts that were omitted or incorrectly stated by one source...

Two graduates of the Barry County Drug Court, from left, Clarence Frye and Joey Ball, received certificates and congratualtions from Judge Victor Head, center, who oversees the court. Family members and friends were also in attendance to speak on behalf of both men and their successfull completion of the program. Refreshments were served following the ceremonies...

Perfect weather and a large gathering made the fourth annual Seligman Truck and Tractor Pull a fun event to attend on Saturday, Aug. 17 at Ruby's Convenience Store and Café in Seligman. The event, which is sponsored by the Seligman Chamber of Commerce, drew in a large crowd of 900 attendees and 72 pullers...

Demolition Derby rescheduled The Cassville Rotary Club will hold its 11th annual Demolition Derby at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 7 at the Bill Hailey Rodeo Arena in Cassville. Classes include modified old iron 1980 and up; stock 1980 and newer; and compact. Admission is $7 for adults and $4 for children age 6 to 12. Children under the age of 6 are admitted free. For more information, visit www.gsademoderby.com or call 217-306-4025...

Soroptimist of the Year recipient named The ladies of the Soroptimist Club of Barry County elected Michelle Bredeson as the Freida Nokes Soroptimist of the Year. This honor is given to a club member that exemplifies extra ordinary leadership within the community and club. ...

Roaring River State Park was home to its annual fall Free Kids Fishing Day on Aug. 17, with Mother Nature providing perfect weather for the event. "It was a picture perfect day," said Paul Spurgeon, hatchery manager for the park. "You couldn't have asked for better weather."...

Jason Navarro, history teacher at Wheaton High School, is one of seven finalists for the Missouri Teacher of the Year Award, to be presented on Oct. 21 in Jefferson City. Navarro became eligible for the state award after being named the Wheaton R-3 District Teacher of the Year last year...

Purdy High School will host a volleyball jamboree Monday, Aug. 26 in the gym. In addition to the host Lady Eagles, teams from Cassville, Hurley, and Southwest will participate. Admission is $2 for adults and $1 for students. Concessions will be available. All...