Sechrest, Loughary first inductees to Hall of Fame
The St. Francois County Rotary Club has teamed up with the Mineral Area College Athletic Department to form the St. Francois County Rotary Club/MAC Athletic Hall of Fame, and during the Rotary’s shoot-out on Saturday at the college between the women’s and men’s basketball games they inducted the hall’s first members, Bob Sechrest, Sr. and Hal Loughary.
Family members of both men were on hand as plaques were awarded and 16x20 portraits were unveiled of both men. The portraits will be hung in the MAC private dining room next to the cafeteria to be joined later by other inductees in the years to come.
Robert “Bob” Sechrest, Sr. coached basketball at Flat River High School for six years before spending 24 years at Mineral Area College serving as head basketball coach and also athletic director. Sechrest compiled a record of 465-273, and was inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame in 1990. In 2002 during half-time of the Mineral Area-Three Rivers game, Sechrest was recognized by the college for his dedication and commitment to the school by the renaming of the fieldhouse to be the Robert E. Sechrest Sr. Fieldhouse.
Sechrest’s achievements included seven nationally-ranked teams, four NBA players, and three times NJCAA Region 16 Coach of the Year. He was director of Region 16 for 16 years, as well as serving on the NCAAA Basketball Rules Committee and the Player Selection Committee for the Pan-American Games and Olympics. He was an assistant coach for the U.S. team in the 1979 Mexico City Games and for the NJCAA All-Star team in Brazil and Argentina. Sechrest was also named to the NJCAA Hall of Fame.
Sechrest passed away in 2008, but his family received the plaque in his honor. His wife, Eileen, was unable to attend the induction.
Hal Loughary started the MAC baseball program in 1967, and he remained the head coach until 1987. His 1981 team holds the college’s record in wins with a 40-10 season. In 2004 the Mineral Area College baseball field was dedicated to Loughary to be called the Hal Loughary Field.
Loughary lettered both in basketball and baseball at Murray State University in Murray, Ky., where he was inducted into the Hall of Fame for both sports. He signed with the St. Louis Cardinals to play in their Class D team, the Paducah Chiefs, after graduated in 1950.
Loughary commented on his career as a Cardinal coach, “They were the best years of my life and I met a lot of great people, many of them are young men who played for me.”
Some of the players who went on to play in the major leagues were Tim Lollar, Scott Little and Steve Bieser. Mark Hogan, head baseball coach at SEMO, and Keith Guten, who coached at Southwest Missouri State for many years, were also players for Coach Loughary.
Hal Loughary and his wife Vivian were both present with several family members to receive his plaque. MAC President Dr. Steven Kurtz and Athletic Director Chad Mills, along with St. Francois Rotary Club representative Jerry Weems, made the presentations.
Family members of both men were on hand as plaques were awarded and 16x20 portraits were unveiled of both men. The portraits will be hung in the MAC private dining room next to the cafeteria to be joined later by other inductees in the years to come.
Robert “Bob” Sechrest, Sr. coached basketball at Flat River High School for six years before spending 24 years at Mineral Area College serving as head basketball coach and also athletic director. Sechrest compiled a record of 465-273, and was inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame in 1990. In 2002 during half-time of the Mineral Area-Three Rivers game, Sechrest was recognized by the college for his dedication and commitment to the school by the renaming of the fieldhouse to be the Robert E. Sechrest Sr. Fieldhouse.
Sechrest’s achievements included seven nationally-ranked teams, four NBA players, and three times NJCAA Region 16 Coach of the Year. He was director of Region 16 for 16 years, as well as serving on the NCAAA Basketball Rules Committee and the Player Selection Committee for the Pan-American Games and Olympics. He was an assistant coach for the U.S. team in the 1979 Mexico City Games and for the NJCAA All-Star team in Brazil and Argentina. Sechrest was also named to the NJCAA Hall of Fame.
Sechrest passed away in 2008, but his family received the plaque in his honor. His wife, Eileen, was unable to attend the induction.
Hal Loughary started the MAC baseball program in 1967, and he remained the head coach until 1987. His 1981 team holds the college’s record in wins with a 40-10 season. In 2004 the Mineral Area College baseball field was dedicated to Loughary to be called the Hal Loughary Field.
Loughary lettered both in basketball and baseball at Murray State University in Murray, Ky., where he was inducted into the Hall of Fame for both sports. He signed with the St. Louis Cardinals to play in their Class D team, the Paducah Chiefs, after graduated in 1950.
Loughary commented on his career as a Cardinal coach, “They were the best years of my life and I met a lot of great people, many of them are young men who played for me.”
Some of the players who went on to play in the major leagues were Tim Lollar, Scott Little and Steve Bieser. Mark Hogan, head baseball coach at SEMO, and Keith Guten, who coached at Southwest Missouri State for many years, were also players for Coach Loughary.
Hal Loughary and his wife Vivian were both present with several family members to receive his plaque. MAC President Dr. Steven Kurtz and Athletic Director Chad Mills, along with St. Francois Rotary Club representative Jerry Weems, made the presentations.
United Way of St. Francois County schedules grant award presentation
Along with businesses, nonprofit service organizations in our area also donated funds and/or volunteer hours for the United Way.The Rotary Club recently donated $1,000 to United Way in support of agency grants. Pictured are members of the SFC Rotary Club presenting the check to fellow Rotarian Anna Kleiner of United Way of St. Francois County.
Rotary club trivia night to benefit Special Olympics
The St. Francois County Rotary Club is holding their 3rd Annual Trivia Night and Silent Auction on Jan. 10 at Heritage Hall in Bonne Terre. Trivia will begin at 7 p.m. and doors open at 6:15 p.m.
Rotary Project Chairmen Charles Boyer said it’s a fundraiser for Special Olympics and they hope to help host the St. Francois County Special Olympics in March or April.
“For those who want to come out and play it is $12 per person and there is a maximum of 10 players per team,” said Boyer. “We hope to have some really nice items for the silent auction and there will be some Cardinals baseball tickets and some Blues tickets. There will also be several nice home baskets that anyone will be proud to take home.”
There will be a pre-registration discount for those who pre-register before Jan. 4 and walk-ins the day of are always welcome. It is not required to come with a full team, individuals who wish to participate can be placed on a team. Boyer said in years past they have had a good turnout and expect anywhere from 12 to 15 teams this year.
“If they haven’t ever been on a team before, we will find a place for them,” said Boyer. “It’s really a team event so you don’t have to be intelligent in all fields, you just have to know a little bit about one particular field and you will fit right in. We will also provide water, soda and pizza, which is included in the registration fee.”
To pre-register or for any merchant who wants to contribute to the Special Olympics or the St. Francois County Rotary for the silent auction can contact Boyer at 573-431-5576 or registration payments can be mailed to P.O. Box 1235 Farmington, MO 63640.
Rotary Project Chairmen Charles Boyer said it’s a fundraiser for Special Olympics and they hope to help host the St. Francois County Special Olympics in March or April.
“For those who want to come out and play it is $12 per person and there is a maximum of 10 players per team,” said Boyer. “We hope to have some really nice items for the silent auction and there will be some Cardinals baseball tickets and some Blues tickets. There will also be several nice home baskets that anyone will be proud to take home.”
There will be a pre-registration discount for those who pre-register before Jan. 4 and walk-ins the day of are always welcome. It is not required to come with a full team, individuals who wish to participate can be placed on a team. Boyer said in years past they have had a good turnout and expect anywhere from 12 to 15 teams this year.
“If they haven’t ever been on a team before, we will find a place for them,” said Boyer. “It’s really a team event so you don’t have to be intelligent in all fields, you just have to know a little bit about one particular field and you will fit right in. We will also provide water, soda and pizza, which is included in the registration fee.”
To pre-register or for any merchant who wants to contribute to the Special Olympics or the St. Francois County Rotary for the silent auction can contact Boyer at 573-431-5576 or registration payments can be mailed to P.O. Box 1235 Farmington, MO 63640.
Dr. Jack Mullen
Jack Mullen. M.D., 91, of Bonne Terre passed away December 18, 2014, at the Missouri Veterans Home in Mexico, Mo. He was born April 19, 1923, in Las Animas, Colorado, to the late Harvey and Mary Lucille (Jeffrey) Mullen. Also preceding him in death on September 16, 2009, was his loving wife of 65 years, Edna (Roedel) Mullen, whom he married June 4, 1945.
Jack is survived by three children, David (Renee) Mullen, Nancy (John) Ernst, and Kathy (Curt) Casteel; eleven grandchildren, Brant (Rebecca) Mullen, Rachel (Nathan) Tiemeyer, Lynn (Ryan) Harper, Angela (Ryan) Anderson, John (Sara) Ernst, Jr., Mitchell (Piper),Casteel, Emily (Phillip) Cook, Grant Casteel, Megan Mullen, Caitlyn (Randy ) Fields, and Lucas Mullen; eleven great-grandchildren, Jackson, Hannah, and Ben Tiemeyer, Gwen and Eve Casteel, Natalie and William Anderson, Lydia and Fletcher Ernst, and Cambry and Lydia Fields. His family brought him great joy. His wife, each child, grandchild, and great-grandchild felt special and loved. He often wrote notes or emails to family members expressing his love and how proud he was of them.
He attended Western State College, Gunnison, Colorado. During his freshman year when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor, he enlisted that day in the Army Air Corps. He became a pilot and served in the China-Burma-India Theater with the Combat Cargo Task Force. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Air Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, and the Asiatic-Pacific Theater Medal with three campaign stars. He was nearly court-martialed for an unauthorized landing in a remote airfield to rescue a stranded Combat Cargo crew in China. This heroic landing and rescue ultimately resulted in him receiving the Distinguished Flying Cross. After discharge from the Army, he attended University of Missouri, Columbia where he received his B.S. degree. He earned his medical degree from Washington University School of Medicine.
In 1953, he moved to Bonne Terre, Mo., where he practiced general medicine until July 1, 1986, when he retired. His entire career was spent on the staff of the Bonne Terre Hospital where he served 5 years as the Chief of Staff. He established the first outstate Missouri-dedicated cardiac intensive care unit in Bonne Terre Hospital. He also served on the Outstate Courtesy staff of St. Luke’s Hospital in St. Louis, as well as an active member of the Missouri Pacific Hospital Association staff and a medical staff officer of the Missouri Pacific Railroad Company. He was a member of the Mineral Area Medical Society, where he served as secretary and later president for several years. He belonged to the Missouri Medical Association and the American Medical Association. He served five years as Trustee on the Board of the Missouri Heart Association. He was elected to the Board of Trustees of the Bonne Terre Hospital Association in 1969 where he served as Vice President and was a member of the Negotiating Committee for the Affiliations of Christian Hospital to form Christian Hospital – Bonne Terre, Inc. He continued on the Governing Board of Parkland Health Care affiliate of BCH, Inc. until he retired at age 70. He was the original incorporator and served as President of Bonne Terre Medical Associates, Inc.
Dr. Mullen served on the Board of Trustees of the Bonne Terre School District for 6 years and served as President the last year on the board. He was active in the re-organization of the Bonne Terre and Desloge School Districts into the North St Francois County District R-1. He served as President of the new district for the first two years of its existence. He was elected to the Governing Board of the Commerce Bank in Bonne Terre and served on the board from 1971 until 1992. He was a member of the Bonne Terre Chamber of Commerce and supported the Shephard House and the Heritage House. He contributed handmade furniture items for the auction at the Chamber’s annual fund raising. He belonged to the Centenary Methodist Church in Bonne Terre.
One of his great joys in life was belonging to the Bonne Terre Rotary Club which he joined in 1955 and subsequently served as President from 1958-1959. During his Presidency the club initiated the Honor Top 10% Award dinner and celebration. He was a Paul Harris fellow of the Rotary Foundation. He served as Governor of Rotary District 6090 in 1990 and served the International Organization on the Council on Legislation at Anaheim, Calif., and Caracas, Venezuela. He continued to remain active in Rotary until the age of 86. He never missed an opportunity to be a song leader at a Rotary meeting and his enthusiasm was infectious. He and Edna traveled to many Rotary functions throughout the world and enjoyed friendships with fellow Rotarian their entire lives.
Jack is survived by three children, David (Renee) Mullen, Nancy (John) Ernst, and Kathy (Curt) Casteel; eleven grandchildren, Brant (Rebecca) Mullen, Rachel (Nathan) Tiemeyer, Lynn (Ryan) Harper, Angela (Ryan) Anderson, John (Sara) Ernst, Jr., Mitchell (Piper),Casteel, Emily (Phillip) Cook, Grant Casteel, Megan Mullen, Caitlyn (Randy ) Fields, and Lucas Mullen; eleven great-grandchildren, Jackson, Hannah, and Ben Tiemeyer, Gwen and Eve Casteel, Natalie and William Anderson, Lydia and Fletcher Ernst, and Cambry and Lydia Fields. His family brought him great joy. His wife, each child, grandchild, and great-grandchild felt special and loved. He often wrote notes or emails to family members expressing his love and how proud he was of them.
He attended Western State College, Gunnison, Colorado. During his freshman year when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor, he enlisted that day in the Army Air Corps. He became a pilot and served in the China-Burma-India Theater with the Combat Cargo Task Force. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Air Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, and the Asiatic-Pacific Theater Medal with three campaign stars. He was nearly court-martialed for an unauthorized landing in a remote airfield to rescue a stranded Combat Cargo crew in China. This heroic landing and rescue ultimately resulted in him receiving the Distinguished Flying Cross. After discharge from the Army, he attended University of Missouri, Columbia where he received his B.S. degree. He earned his medical degree from Washington University School of Medicine.
In 1953, he moved to Bonne Terre, Mo., where he practiced general medicine until July 1, 1986, when he retired. His entire career was spent on the staff of the Bonne Terre Hospital where he served 5 years as the Chief of Staff. He established the first outstate Missouri-dedicated cardiac intensive care unit in Bonne Terre Hospital. He also served on the Outstate Courtesy staff of St. Luke’s Hospital in St. Louis, as well as an active member of the Missouri Pacific Hospital Association staff and a medical staff officer of the Missouri Pacific Railroad Company. He was a member of the Mineral Area Medical Society, where he served as secretary and later president for several years. He belonged to the Missouri Medical Association and the American Medical Association. He served five years as Trustee on the Board of the Missouri Heart Association. He was elected to the Board of Trustees of the Bonne Terre Hospital Association in 1969 where he served as Vice President and was a member of the Negotiating Committee for the Affiliations of Christian Hospital to form Christian Hospital – Bonne Terre, Inc. He continued on the Governing Board of Parkland Health Care affiliate of BCH, Inc. until he retired at age 70. He was the original incorporator and served as President of Bonne Terre Medical Associates, Inc.
Dr. Mullen served on the Board of Trustees of the Bonne Terre School District for 6 years and served as President the last year on the board. He was active in the re-organization of the Bonne Terre and Desloge School Districts into the North St Francois County District R-1. He served as President of the new district for the first two years of its existence. He was elected to the Governing Board of the Commerce Bank in Bonne Terre and served on the board from 1971 until 1992. He was a member of the Bonne Terre Chamber of Commerce and supported the Shephard House and the Heritage House. He contributed handmade furniture items for the auction at the Chamber’s annual fund raising. He belonged to the Centenary Methodist Church in Bonne Terre.
One of his great joys in life was belonging to the Bonne Terre Rotary Club which he joined in 1955 and subsequently served as President from 1958-1959. During his Presidency the club initiated the Honor Top 10% Award dinner and celebration. He was a Paul Harris fellow of the Rotary Foundation. He served as Governor of Rotary District 6090 in 1990 and served the International Organization on the Council on Legislation at Anaheim, Calif., and Caracas, Venezuela. He continued to remain active in Rotary until the age of 86. He never missed an opportunity to be a song leader at a Rotary meeting and his enthusiasm was infectious. He and Edna traveled to many Rotary functions throughout the world and enjoyed friendships with fellow Rotarian their entire lives.
Sechrest, Loughary first inductees to Hall of Fame
The St. Francois County Rotary Club has teamed up with the Mineral Area College Athletic Department to form the St. Francois County Rotary Club/MAC Athletic Hall of Fame, and during the Rotary’s shoot-out on Saturday at the college between the women’s and men’s basketball games they inducted the hall’s first members, Bob Sechrest, Sr. and Hal Loughary.
Family members of both men were on hand as plaques were awarded and 16x20 portraits were unveiled of both men. The portraits will be hung in the MAC private dining room next to the cafeteria to be joined later by other inductees in the years to come.
Robert “Bob” Sechrest, Sr. coached basketball at Flat River High School for six years before spending 24 years at Mineral Area College serving as head basketball coach and also athletic director. Sechrest compiled a record of 465-273, and was inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame in 1990. In 2002 during half-time of the Mineral Area-Three Rivers game, Sechrest was recognized by the college for his dedication and commitment to the school by the renaming of the fieldhouse to be the Robert E. Sechrest Sr. Fieldhouse.
Sechrest’s achievements included seven nationally-ranked teams, four NBA players, and three times NJCAA Region 16 Coach of the Year. He was director of Region 16 for 16 years, as well as serving on the NCAAA Basketball Rules Committee and the Player Selection Committee for the Pan-American Games and Olympics. He was an assistant coach for the U.S. team in the 1979 Mexico City Games and for the NJCAA All-Star team in Brazil and Argentina. Sechrest was also named to the NJCAA Hall of Fame.
Sechrest passed away in 2008, but his family received the plaque in his honor. His wife, Eileen, was unable to attend the induction.
Hal Loughary started the MAC baseball program in 1967, and he remained the head coach until 1987. His 1981 team holds the college’s record in wins with a 40-10 season. In 2004 the Mineral Area College baseball field was dedicated to Loughary to be called the Hal Loughary Field.
Loughary lettered both in basketball and baseball at Murray State University in Murray, Ky., where he was inducted into the Hall of Fame for both sports. He signed with the St. Louis Cardinals to play in their Class D team, the Paducah Chiefs, after graduated in 1950.
Loughary commented on his career as a Cardinal coach, “They were the best years of my life and I met a lot of great people, many of them are young men who played for me.”
Some of the players who went on to play in the major leagues were Tim Lollar, Scott Little and Steve Bieser. Mark Hogan, head baseball coach at SEMO, and Keith Guten, who coached at Southwest Missouri State for many years, were also players for Coach Loughary.
Hal Loughary and his wife Vivian were both present with several family members to receive his plaque. MAC President Dr. Steven Kurtz and Athletic Director Chad Mills, along with St. Francois Rotary Club representative Jerry Weems, made the presentations.
Family members of both men were on hand as plaques were awarded and 16x20 portraits were unveiled of both men. The portraits will be hung in the MAC private dining room next to the cafeteria to be joined later by other inductees in the years to come.
Robert “Bob” Sechrest, Sr. coached basketball at Flat River High School for six years before spending 24 years at Mineral Area College serving as head basketball coach and also athletic director. Sechrest compiled a record of 465-273, and was inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame in 1990. In 2002 during half-time of the Mineral Area-Three Rivers game, Sechrest was recognized by the college for his dedication and commitment to the school by the renaming of the fieldhouse to be the Robert E. Sechrest Sr. Fieldhouse.
Sechrest’s achievements included seven nationally-ranked teams, four NBA players, and three times NJCAA Region 16 Coach of the Year. He was director of Region 16 for 16 years, as well as serving on the NCAAA Basketball Rules Committee and the Player Selection Committee for the Pan-American Games and Olympics. He was an assistant coach for the U.S. team in the 1979 Mexico City Games and for the NJCAA All-Star team in Brazil and Argentina. Sechrest was also named to the NJCAA Hall of Fame.
Sechrest passed away in 2008, but his family received the plaque in his honor. His wife, Eileen, was unable to attend the induction.
Hal Loughary started the MAC baseball program in 1967, and he remained the head coach until 1987. His 1981 team holds the college’s record in wins with a 40-10 season. In 2004 the Mineral Area College baseball field was dedicated to Loughary to be called the Hal Loughary Field.
Loughary lettered both in basketball and baseball at Murray State University in Murray, Ky., where he was inducted into the Hall of Fame for both sports. He signed with the St. Louis Cardinals to play in their Class D team, the Paducah Chiefs, after graduated in 1950.
Loughary commented on his career as a Cardinal coach, “They were the best years of my life and I met a lot of great people, many of them are young men who played for me.”
Some of the players who went on to play in the major leagues were Tim Lollar, Scott Little and Steve Bieser. Mark Hogan, head baseball coach at SEMO, and Keith Guten, who coached at Southwest Missouri State for many years, were also players for Coach Loughary.
Hal Loughary and his wife Vivian were both present with several family members to receive his plaque. MAC President Dr. Steven Kurtz and Athletic Director Chad Mills, along with St. Francois Rotary Club representative Jerry Weems, made the presentations.
Rotary Club Installs New Officers
June 30 -- Dan Sanders, general manager of Cozean Memorial Chapel, has been installed as the new president of the St. Francois County Rotary Club. About 40 club members and their guests attended the annual installation ceremony, held tonight at the Crown Pointe Lodge. Other club members who also were installed by Jill Ballwin-Walker, Rotary Club District Governor, included (as shown above from the left): Troy Bollinger (Outgoing President), Harold Hastings (Director), Larry Joseph (Director), Dan Sanders (President), Derek Wiles (Secretary), Chris Morrison (President Elect), Candy Zarcone (Director), and Bob Gerig (Treasurer). Special awards were given to new club member Lewis Hayes, Jerry Weems for 23 years of perfect attendance and Harold Hastings with 35 years a perfect attendance. Rotarian of the Year was given to Bob Gerig.
Rotary Club Removes Trash from Karsch Blvd
April 26 -- Members of the St. Francois County Rotary Club held their semi-annual trash removal from the shoulders of Karsch Blvd. from North Washington Street to Highway 32. Among the workers were (from left): Lew Hayes, Stacy Williams, Candy Zarcone, and Harold Hasting. The club has been cleaning this roadway for the past 20 years.
Circus Coming to Town!!!!
The Kelly Miller Circus, founded during the Depression, is marking another milestone this year as it celebrates its 76th anniversary.
Founded in 1938 by Obert Miller and his sons Kelly and Dores, this traditional tented circus has seen the passing of over half of this century and still offers the same great family entertainment it presented in its humble beginnings.
Thanks to the sponsorship of the St. Francois Rotary Club, the all new 2014 edition of the Kelly Miller Circus will be in the area April 10 and 11 with performances at 4:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. both days at the St. Francois County Fairgrounds.
This year's shows will feature elephants, horses, and a cast of international circus stars under a beautiful circus big top. The tent raising itself is a great free show that will take place at 9:00 a.m. on April 10 and the public is invited.
This season the Kelly Miller circus will travel nearly 10,000 miles and give performances in over 200 cities and towns as it winds across North America from February through October. The new edition promises a more exciting and extravagant exhibition than ever.
The event is a fundraiser for the St. Francois County Rotary Club. Buying tickets in advance means the public can save money as well as support the year-round projects of the local organization.
The charitable projects stay within the county, including an annual scholarship fund. Examples of past projects include building a shed for the SEMO Family Violence Council, remodeling the restroom at Parkland Pregnancy Resource Center, and erecting a handicap-accesible swing set in a city park in Park Hills.
Tickets for the circus are $10 in advance for adults and $6 for children and can be purchased at First State Community Bank (all St. Francois County locations), Belgrade State Bank in Desloge and Farmington, Complete Vision Care in Leadington, Mike's Market in Bismarck, the Coffee Grill in Leadington, Hastings Unlimited in Farmington, or online at www.kellymillercircus.com.
Tickets purchased on show day at the box office will be $15 for adults and $7 for children.
Renee Bronaugh is a reporter for the Daily Journal and can be reached at 573-518-3617 or [email protected]
Founded in 1938 by Obert Miller and his sons Kelly and Dores, this traditional tented circus has seen the passing of over half of this century and still offers the same great family entertainment it presented in its humble beginnings.
Thanks to the sponsorship of the St. Francois Rotary Club, the all new 2014 edition of the Kelly Miller Circus will be in the area April 10 and 11 with performances at 4:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. both days at the St. Francois County Fairgrounds.
This year's shows will feature elephants, horses, and a cast of international circus stars under a beautiful circus big top. The tent raising itself is a great free show that will take place at 9:00 a.m. on April 10 and the public is invited.
This season the Kelly Miller circus will travel nearly 10,000 miles and give performances in over 200 cities and towns as it winds across North America from February through October. The new edition promises a more exciting and extravagant exhibition than ever.
The event is a fundraiser for the St. Francois County Rotary Club. Buying tickets in advance means the public can save money as well as support the year-round projects of the local organization.
The charitable projects stay within the county, including an annual scholarship fund. Examples of past projects include building a shed for the SEMO Family Violence Council, remodeling the restroom at Parkland Pregnancy Resource Center, and erecting a handicap-accesible swing set in a city park in Park Hills.
Tickets for the circus are $10 in advance for adults and $6 for children and can be purchased at First State Community Bank (all St. Francois County locations), Belgrade State Bank in Desloge and Farmington, Complete Vision Care in Leadington, Mike's Market in Bismarck, the Coffee Grill in Leadington, Hastings Unlimited in Farmington, or online at www.kellymillercircus.com.
Tickets purchased on show day at the box office will be $15 for adults and $7 for children.
Renee Bronaugh is a reporter for the Daily Journal and can be reached at 573-518-3617 or [email protected]
Helping Out Those In Need
St. Francois County Rotary Club Vice President Dan Sanders (on right) presented a check for $500 to Shelly Bess (on left) for the roof fund for Shared Blessings Homeless Shelter. The $500, raised at the Rotary's January Trivia Night, was in addition to $1,000 previously contributed for the roof.
Rotary club presents shed to violence council
On Wednesday the St. Francois County Rotary Club formally turned over ownership of a storage facility to the Southeast Missouri Family Violence Council. There is a sign on the shed giving recognition to the club for their efforts to the community and council.
Rotary President Troy Bollinger said they wrote a grant for the project.
"The total cost for the project was $2,250, out of that, $1,250 came from the St. Francois County Rotary Club and the remaining $1,000 was a grant, matched through the Rotary International," said Bollinger.
A storage facility was needed to keep equipment out of the weather. It will be used to store things like lawn equipment and toys for the kids. Violence Council Executive Director Carla Crocker said lawn maintenance has been an issue in the past.
"We pay people to mow our grass because we never had a place to store a lawnmower. We have always had people who would volunteer to mow it, but couldn't get the equipment here to do it. So this will alleviate that financial cost to have someone mow our grass," said Crocker.
She said this is something they never would have considered before because of the cost.
"To have somebody step up and say we are going to do this for you is amazing. It's definitely going to help us out with a lot of things as far as storage goes," said Crocker
Flat River Building Center in Park Hills was the company that built the facility in the backyard. General Manager C.L. Moore said he is glad to be able to help out.
"Ricky Webb and I built it. We didn't charge any labor costs. They just paid for the materials. I like to do things like that for people. I'm just trying to give back to the community," said Moore.
Rotary President Troy Bollinger said they wrote a grant for the project.
"The total cost for the project was $2,250, out of that, $1,250 came from the St. Francois County Rotary Club and the remaining $1,000 was a grant, matched through the Rotary International," said Bollinger.
A storage facility was needed to keep equipment out of the weather. It will be used to store things like lawn equipment and toys for the kids. Violence Council Executive Director Carla Crocker said lawn maintenance has been an issue in the past.
"We pay people to mow our grass because we never had a place to store a lawnmower. We have always had people who would volunteer to mow it, but couldn't get the equipment here to do it. So this will alleviate that financial cost to have someone mow our grass," said Crocker.
She said this is something they never would have considered before because of the cost.
"To have somebody step up and say we are going to do this for you is amazing. It's definitely going to help us out with a lot of things as far as storage goes," said Crocker
Flat River Building Center in Park Hills was the company that built the facility in the backyard. General Manager C.L. Moore said he is glad to be able to help out.
"Ricky Webb and I built it. We didn't charge any labor costs. They just paid for the materials. I like to do things like that for people. I'm just trying to give back to the community," said Moore.
Rotarian Jerry Weems has Grand Opening
Weems Insurance Agency held ribbon cutting Tuesday, January 14, with representatives of the Farmington Chamber of Commerce to Celebrate their recent opening. Weems Insurance Agency is located at 1209 Maple St. in Farmington, For more information or to congratulate them, contact them, contact Weems Insurance Agency at 573-701-9300.
Rotarian Charles Boyer Named Citizen of the Year by Park Hills Chamber
The Daily Journal "Citizen of the Year" for 2013 is Charlie Boyer, president of C.Z. Boyer & Son Funeral Homes, a Park Hills-Leadington Chamber of Commerce member for the past 10 years, and a member of the board of that organization for the past six.
The Daily Journal has presented its Citizen of the Year Award for more than 30 years to someone whose presence is a stabilizing force in the community. Publisher Gary Berblinger said Boyer fits that description due to his many years of consistent service to the community.
"Charlie is one of the most constantly present business leaders in the Park Hills community. When there is something going on, Charlie is there. He takes the role of leader when necessary and takes the role of worker when necessary, but he contributes back to this community consistently," Berblinger said.
Boyer is also a member of the Rotary Club of St. Francois County, Parkland Area Toastmasters and volunteers for "Pedal the Parkland" and several other community organizations and events. The Daily Journal's Ginger Pizarro presented Boyer the award Friday.
"His compassion and receptiveness have made him a leader in his industry and his community, if not in terms of material wealth, then certainly in the amount of love and respect felt by the hundreds of lives he touched. Local lives, people who themselves were touched by death, as they turned to him for assistance," Pizarro said.
Sources close to Boyer say no matter the monetary situation did he ever refuse a person a decent funeral and burial and that he is always willing to go beyond what is required to help a family pick up the pieces after the loss of a loved one. His family business has served the Parkland for more than 100 years.
Rotarian to head The United Way of St. Francois County!!!!
The United Way of St. Francois County has named former Park Hills Economic Development Coordinator Anna Kleiner as its new executive director. Kleiner assumes the post following the resignation of Donna Hickman.
“We are delighted to have Anna joining us and are confident she will build upon the work Donna’s done over the last five years,” said Kerry Glore, president of the United Way Board of Directors. “Anna has a heart for the people of the Parkland and a desire to help the United Way help the agencies that meet their needs.”
Kleiner has worked in community development and was a facilitator in the successful consolidation of Flat River, Elvins, Esther and Rivermines in the early 1990s. Since then, she has worked in marketing, taught at the university level and worked in Mississippi in recovery efforts following Hurricane Katrina.
She has a Ph.D.. in rural sociology from the University of Missouri. Since her return to the area in 2013, she has been working as a consultant for community-based research and program evaluation. She has also been a Research Associate for the Center for Population Studies for the University of Mississippi.
“I am honored to join the dedicated effort of the United Way of St. Francois County and am very impressed with the leadership success of Donna Hickman and the board of directors,” said Kleiner. “I am ready to work hard to support our agencies, as they serve so many people in need.”
Kleiner said she will work to enhance the success the United Way has achieved in community engagement and resource development. She is a member of the Park Hills-Leadington Chamber of Commerce, St. Francois County Rotary Club, American Evaluation Association, Community Development Society, Rural Sociological Society and Toastmasters International. She is married to Roger Huff and lives in Farmington.
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“We are delighted to have Anna joining us and are confident she will build upon the work Donna’s done over the last five years,” said Kerry Glore, president of the United Way Board of Directors. “Anna has a heart for the people of the Parkland and a desire to help the United Way help the agencies that meet their needs.”
Kleiner has worked in community development and was a facilitator in the successful consolidation of Flat River, Elvins, Esther and Rivermines in the early 1990s. Since then, she has worked in marketing, taught at the university level and worked in Mississippi in recovery efforts following Hurricane Katrina.
She has a Ph.D.. in rural sociology from the University of Missouri. Since her return to the area in 2013, she has been working as a consultant for community-based research and program evaluation. She has also been a Research Associate for the Center for Population Studies for the University of Mississippi.
“I am honored to join the dedicated effort of the United Way of St. Francois County and am very impressed with the leadership success of Donna Hickman and the board of directors,” said Kleiner. “I am ready to work hard to support our agencies, as they serve so many people in need.”
Kleiner said she will work to enhance the success the United Way has achieved in community engagement and resource development. She is a member of the Park Hills-Leadington Chamber of Commerce, St. Francois County Rotary Club, American Evaluation Association, Community Development Society, Rural Sociological Society and Toastmasters International. She is married to Roger Huff and lives in Farmington.
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Members of the St. Francois County Rotary Club visit the Parkland Pregnancy Resource Center Tuesday after the group completed a remodeling project at the center. Rotary President Troy Bollinger explained the civic organization applied for a CAP Grant through Rotary International for remodeling and renovation work for the center’s bathroom. The $2,000 matching fund grant was used to purchase needed items and materials for the project. Rotarians also contributed man-hours towards the project, helping to remove wall-to-wall carpet covering the floor and walls of the facility. The plumbing was updated and the entire facility decorated. Members of the PPRC Board of Directors thank the Rotarians for their contribution. Pictured are (from left) Rotarian Jerry Weems; PPRC Board Members Laura Kile, Dotty Bach, Josh Wilson, Amy Lee, and Traci Casey; Rotarian Anna Kleiner; PPRC Director Kim Nash; Rotarians Lois Ann Meyer, Bollinger, Gary Berblinger and Lew Hayes.
Rotary club unveils new swingset
NEW EQUIPMENT THE FIRST OF ITS KIND IN COUNTY
While it may not appear extraordinary, a new swing set gracing the vista of Columbia Park is actually the first piece of playground equipment for disabled children in the county.
The swingset for children with different abilities, a project spearheaded by the St. Francois County Rotaryorganization, was officially recognized late last week with a ribbon cutting sponsored by both the Park Hills-Leadington and Farmington chambers of commerce.
A Rotary club spokesperson said the idea was born at a training session in Jefferson City when another Rotary club discussed their role in a disabled swing set.
"I got to thinking we don't have anything like that around here. So I started doing some research and the closest thing I found was in Fredericktown. This is something that's needed in this area," said St. Francois Rotary spokesperson Curtis Turner.
The new equipment includes two handicapped-accessible swings, and a wheelchair-accessible sidewalk that leads to the swing set is surrounded by an ADA approved space of 32 feet by 32 feet.
"These pads are four inches thick. It's made for somebody to be able to come in on a wheelchair and move over into the swings. They are a cradle type swing with latches that will hold them in place so they can swing like anybody else. To meet the ADA requirements the flooring was a lot of it," Turner said.
State Rep. Linda Black attended the ribbon cutting event, saying the project is a step in the right direction to the Parkland improving services for disabled individuals.
The Rotary's contribution was approximately $14,000.
"We did this through fundraisers through the club. We also received a sizable contribution from the L.I.F.E. Center of Farmington, and also the Farmington Women Of Today gave us a nice contribution as well," said Turner.
The Park Hills Parks and Recreation Department also contributed to the project. They assisted with the pad and backfill, contributing labor and materials.
"It's a great addition to the park. It fills a need that was not met anywhere else in the county. We are proud to have it here in our park. We poured the pad and installed the swing. It was just a great joint effort," said Dooley Politte, Parks and Recreation Director.
The swingset for children with different abilities, a project spearheaded by the St. Francois County Rotaryorganization, was officially recognized late last week with a ribbon cutting sponsored by both the Park Hills-Leadington and Farmington chambers of commerce.
A Rotary club spokesperson said the idea was born at a training session in Jefferson City when another Rotary club discussed their role in a disabled swing set.
"I got to thinking we don't have anything like that around here. So I started doing some research and the closest thing I found was in Fredericktown. This is something that's needed in this area," said St. Francois Rotary spokesperson Curtis Turner.
The new equipment includes two handicapped-accessible swings, and a wheelchair-accessible sidewalk that leads to the swing set is surrounded by an ADA approved space of 32 feet by 32 feet.
"These pads are four inches thick. It's made for somebody to be able to come in on a wheelchair and move over into the swings. They are a cradle type swing with latches that will hold them in place so they can swing like anybody else. To meet the ADA requirements the flooring was a lot of it," Turner said.
State Rep. Linda Black attended the ribbon cutting event, saying the project is a step in the right direction to the Parkland improving services for disabled individuals.
The Rotary's contribution was approximately $14,000.
"We did this through fundraisers through the club. We also received a sizable contribution from the L.I.F.E. Center of Farmington, and also the Farmington Women Of Today gave us a nice contribution as well," said Turner.
The Park Hills Parks and Recreation Department also contributed to the project. They assisted with the pad and backfill, contributing labor and materials.
"It's a great addition to the park. It fills a need that was not met anywhere else in the county. We are proud to have it here in our park. We poured the pad and installed the swing. It was just a great joint effort," said Dooley Politte, Parks and Recreation Director.