St. Joseph Fish Fry Brings in Crowds
March 22 – If you haven’t enjoyed a fish fry at St. Joseph Church, you shouldn’t put it off. Time seems to pass very quickly, and already three out of the total of six weeks that the church serves fish on Fridays have already gone into the history books. These fish dinners during Lent have become a Farmington fixture. While totals of yesterday’s turnout have not yet been reported to us, we do know that the week before, on March 14, the Church served an amazing 1,200 meals. One of the main reasons for the good turnout at this annual Church function has been the simple fact that the chefs at St. Joseph know how to turn out a good meal – with unlimited refills. In addition to three different types of fish, patrons can count on finding three vegetables, macaroni and cheese, cold slaw, French fries, hush puppies, a choice of drinks (including beer), and dessert. All for $8 per person. Our own Farmington Post(note)-Dispatch food critic has tasted everything on the menu, and he give St. Joe food “two thumbs up!”
Work Continues on Two Projects in City
March 19-- With a break in the bad weather on March 19, the city street department was able to lay down the first layer of asphalt on the section of Columbia Street that is being resurfaced. With that aspect of the road improvement now largely complete, the next phase will involve taking off the top layer of asphalt that covers Columbia Street from First Street to somewhere near Black Knight Drive. Next, the top surface of asphalt will be removed from the rest of Columbia Street from A Street to Ste. Genevieve Ave. Once all that work has been done, a final top surface of asphalt will be poured on the entire length of Columbia Street.
At the same time, a break in the weather has also allowed work to resume on the new Panera (St. Louis Bread Co.) now going up across from the Walmart center. The brick work which rings the bottom of the building has been completed, and the subsurface of the top part of the outside structure is being applied. When that is completed in the next few days, it will be covered with stucco and painted. On the inside, the floors have been poured and the interior wall frames have been completed. Work on the wiring is currently being done. Our sources at the project expect the store to be opened for business by mid-May.
At the same time, a break in the weather has also allowed work to resume on the new Panera (St. Louis Bread Co.) now going up across from the Walmart center. The brick work which rings the bottom of the building has been completed, and the subsurface of the top part of the outside structure is being applied. When that is completed in the next few days, it will be covered with stucco and painted. On the inside, the floors have been poured and the interior wall frames have been completed. Work on the wiring is currently being done. Our sources at the project expect the store to be opened for business by mid-May.
Don Weiler Named Legionaire of the Year
March 16-- Don Weiler was named Legionaire of the Year for 2013 in an impressive ceremony March 16 at a joint meeting of the members of LePere McCalister Post 416 and their Ladies Auxiliary. In presenting the award, Post Commander Ken Kelly said the award was given in recognition of Weiler’s outstanding leadership and service as a member of the American Legion which “benefits our community, state and nation.” Among his many responsibilities and services, Weiler is adjutant of the Post and handles the rentals of the Post building. He is also in charge of the Post dances one weekend per month, is a trustee, and he assists in the regular cleaning duties at the Post building on Columbia Street.
FHS Stuns Bayless on its way to Final Four
March 15-- The Farmington Knights' relentless defense is sending them to the final four at Columbia on Friday March 22, 2014 at the Mizzou Arena. In the Quarterfinal game at the Civic Center in Farmington on March 15, Bayless jumped out to an early 8-7 lead but it would be their only lead for the remainder of the game. FHS ended the first quarter on a buzzer-beater three ball from Jonah Barnes which put the Knights on top 12-8 after the first frame. The Knights poured it on opening the gap to begin the second quarter with 11 straight points and finished the half with a double digit lead. Bayless made a feeble attempt at a come back in the second half led by Patrick Triplett (10pts) and Edwin Mehmedovic (19pts), cutting the lead to 43- 35 late in the fourth quarter. Farmington sealed the win from the free throw line by scoring 15 of the last 18 points in the game. FHS was led in scoring by Garrett Callahan and DJ Hardy with 13 points each and TEAM DEFENSE that stymied the Bayless offense the entire game. Farmington will face LaFayette of St. Joseph on Friday, March 21 in Columbia at the Mizzou Arena at 6 p.m.
First Layers of Asphalt on Columbia Street May Be Poured Monday
March 14 -- Sources at the Street Department say that if the weather cooperates, the first layer of asphalt will be laid down on the new gravel base that has been prepared for a section of Columbia Street from A Street to First Street.
Given the fact that Farmington is, after all, in Missouri – which can have surprising weather changes anytime during the year – city officials are reluctant to guarantee that the asphalt work can begin on any given date. However, indications as of Friday afternoon on March 14 appear to show that the weather will permit asphalt work to get underway on Monday, March 17.
With warmer weather present during most of this week, city workers were able to add more finishing touches to the new sidewalks being installed along the new roadway. In addition, fill dirt was also laid down along most areas of the new sidewalk. Crews also were able to complete some of the final finishing touches on the gravel sub-surface of the road before the new asphalt sub-surface is poured.
Once the current top surface of the remainder of Columbia Street has been removed – scheduled for completion sometime this summer -- a final smooth asphalt top surface will be poured on the entire length of Columbia Street beginning somewhere around Black Knight Drive and extending all the way to Ste. Genevieve Avenue.
Needless to say, once completed, the new road surface on Columbia Street will enhance this part of our city.
Given the fact that Farmington is, after all, in Missouri – which can have surprising weather changes anytime during the year – city officials are reluctant to guarantee that the asphalt work can begin on any given date. However, indications as of Friday afternoon on March 14 appear to show that the weather will permit asphalt work to get underway on Monday, March 17.
With warmer weather present during most of this week, city workers were able to add more finishing touches to the new sidewalks being installed along the new roadway. In addition, fill dirt was also laid down along most areas of the new sidewalk. Crews also were able to complete some of the final finishing touches on the gravel sub-surface of the road before the new asphalt sub-surface is poured.
Once the current top surface of the remainder of Columbia Street has been removed – scheduled for completion sometime this summer -- a final smooth asphalt top surface will be poured on the entire length of Columbia Street beginning somewhere around Black Knight Drive and extending all the way to Ste. Genevieve Avenue.
Needless to say, once completed, the new road surface on Columbia Street will enhance this part of our city.
Native American Performs at Long Memorial Hall
March 7-- A sizable crowd turned out last night to hear Native American Preston Tone-Pah-Hote of the Kiowa Nation in Oklahoma perform at the Long Memorial Hall. Among the high points of the program was Mr. Tone-Pah-Hote's description of the various items of Indian clothing that he was wearing. While pointing to his headdress, which largely consisted of feathers, the speaker emphasized that Eagles have always played a central role in Native American culture. He also shared a number of stories about the myths and legends of the Kiowa tribe. Using a large drum, Mr. Tone-Pah-Hote chanted out a song while his wife and child demonstrated an example of Native American dances. The event was presented by the Mineral Area Council on the Arts and funded, in part, by the Missouri Arts Council.
Flowers Provide First Hint of Spring at our Funeral Home
March 7 -- Having survived one of the harshest winters in the past seven or so years, the very first flowers have popped out – through the snow no less -- around the front porch of the Little House next door to our funeral home. Not surprisingly, these flowers are hearty Crocuses, which, along with a now abundant supply of Robins, seem to always give us our first taste of Spring. Now it shouldn’t be long before Tulips begin poking through the top soil of the garden space in front of our facility on Columbia Street.
Mouse Races Bring Large Crowd to Annual Rotary Club Event
March 1-- The St. Francois County Rotary Club's Mouse Races proved to be a large crowd pleaser again this year. Tonight's performance by five of the little critters at each race drew loud cheers as the performers raced to the finish line. Other games, plus a bountiful supply of pizza and other refreshments, helped insure the best turnout yet at this annual Rotary Club event according to incoming club president Dan Sanders. All funds raised at this, and other club events, are used to support various charity projects around the county.
Work to Resume on Columbia St. When Weather Permits
When the Columbia Street resurfacing work first began, it was warm outside and much of the basic work was completed. The photo above was taken on October 28, 2013.
This photo, taken a little further east as the photo above, was shot on March 3, 2014.
March 6-- Resurfacing work is slated to resume on Columbia Street from A Street to First Street once the weather permits. For the most part, preparation of the roadbed has been completed and once the temperature rises to the required level, a rough asphalt sub-surface will be applied. The final phase of the project will be completed with the laying down of the top–and very smooth—asphalt surface. Because of the rough condition of the sub-section of this part of Columbia St., officials decided to remove the entire old road down to the bedrock. However, the rest of Columbia St. from Black Knight Drive to Ste. Genevieve Avenue -- is in much better shape, and only the top part of the present surface of these sections of Columbia Street will need to be milled before the laying down of a new asphalt top surface. A final aspect of this entire project will involve the installation of sections of new sidewalks between Dewey Street and Black Knight Drive.
Work Resumes on Panera’s New Restaurant
February 28 -- After a number of delays due to bad weather, work resumed this past week on the St. Louis Bread Company’s new Panera Bread restaurant again under construction on Karsch Blvd. across the street from the Walmart shopping center. Much of the work on the roof seems to have been completed and most of the windows have been installed. A source familiar with the project told us that work on the facility should be completed during the month of April.
The staff of the Farmington Post-Note Dispatch and Cozean Memorial Chapel wishes everyone a very Happy New Year Please Everyone Be Safe and Have Fun!!!
Snow is Going, Going . . .
(almost) Gone
December 19 -- By early afternoon the thermometer hovered around 55 degrees and much of the snow that has covered Farmington over the past week had largely disappeared. To be sure, our town still has a lot of the white stuff remaining, mainly in piles along the sides of some roads and around parking lots. One of the more interesting sights downtown occurred at the former Missouri Natural Gas Building on First Street, where water running down the spouts had suddenly frozen as the temperature quickly dropped to around 7 degrees last week. Meanwhile, more snow (and/or other forms of precipitation) may be on the way around Christmas night although the total accumulation is not expected to amount to more than an inch according to local weather forecasts.
Rotary Club Shootout at MAC Draws Crowd
December 14 -- Although the heavy snowfall in the area caused the cancellation of several of the earlier games planned for the 55th annual St. Francois County Rotary Club’s “Shootout” at the Mineral Area College, the large crowd that showed up at the MAC gym was still rewarded with some thrilling games. The first game featured an upset in which the favored Central High School boys lost to a scrappy West County team, 73-54. Next came the Farmington High School girls -- Eureka game with the Knights losing 54-41. Next, the Mineral Area College women totally swamped the visiting team from Southeastern Illinois, 102-39. In the final game, MAC’s men's team topped the visitors from Kansas City Kansas Community College, 74-53.
Cozean Chapel to Hold Christmas Memorial Service
Cozean Memorial Chapel & Crematory, together with BJC Hospice, will hold its fifth annual Christmas Memorial Service on Tuesday, Dec. 10, at 6:30 p.m., at the Cozean Chapel. Family and friends are invited to come forward and place a special ornament on a Tree of Remembrance. These ornaments can then be taken home after the service.
In addition to the ornament presentation, the service will include guest singers, a comforting message by Pastor Jeff Brady, and a special video tribute. Refreshments will be served following the program.
In addition to the ornament presentation, the service will include guest singers, a comforting message by Pastor Jeff Brady, and a special video tribute. Refreshments will be served following the program.
Consider Donations to the Black Cemetery
November 27--During the past several years an effort has been made to clean up the old Negro Masonic Cemetery on Colony Church Road. This burial place, organized more than a century ago, had become overgrown with weeds until a group led by Bill Matthews recently began calling attention to the needs of this historic black cemetery. Since then various groups, along with the organization of a formal cemetery care committee, have made marked improvements in the upkeep of the cemetery. If anyone would like to make a contribution to this worth cause, they can do so by sending a donation to the Negro Masonic Cemetery fund care of the Memorial United Methodist Church at 425 North Street.
Brief History of the Ritz Theater
The year 1927 was important in movie history. In Hollywood, Warner Brothers released the first talkie feature movie, "The Jazz Singer." In St. Louis, the Fox Theater was opened as the largest movie house west of the Mississippi River.
That same year, about 65 miles to the south, Farmington was not about to be outdone when work began on its new showplace, the Ritz Theater. To be sure, the Fox was larger than the Ritz -- but not in proportion to the total population of the two cities. The Fox held 5,000 seats for a metropolitan St. Louis population of more than 1 million. The Ritz, with 1,000 seats, served Farmington's metropolitan area of approximately 3,000. George Karsch owned the theater for two decades before selling his chain of eight area movie houses, including the Ritz, to Tom Edwards and Harold Harriss, the latter who soon sold his share of the partnership to Frank Plumlee. With these new owners, the Ritz would be the flagship of the Edward & Plumlee theater group.
Work began on the Ritz in 1927 soon after its predecessor, the Monarch Theater, located across the street (which is now the location of the Ozarks Federal Savings & Loan parking lot) was destroyed by fire. From the start, the Ritz was intended to be the showplace for this part of the state. In addition to its unusually large seating capacity, the new building featured a 65-foot wide stage along with an orchestra pit, dressing rooms below the stage for Vaudeville actors, and a large loft above the stage from which scenery could be lowered. In 1939 a Hammond organ was installed for live music performances following the showing of feature films on Thursday and Sunday nights. In 1935 the theater's large sign, featuring a running string of electric lights, was installed over the Columbia Street entrance. The theater's grand opening, complete with numerous vaudeville acts, was held on April 9, 1928.
Originally the theater could only show silent films. Early in 1930 the Vitaphone sound-on-disc system was installed. That method of producing sound was constantly nagged with technical problems as delightfully noted in the MGM musical comedy film, "Singing in the Rain." The following year these problems were solved when sound-on-film equipment was installed. By the mid-1930s Karsch further updated the projection booth with top-notch projection equipment that increased light output to the screen by 60%. Cinemascope was introduced in 1954.
Thanks to its large stage, the Ritz proved to be an important gathering place for numerous events, including variety shows, club meetings such as the Roy Rogers Riders group, square dances, church services, and even a monster show featuring a local actor named Bozzie who wore a monkey suit. During World War II, Twentieth Century-Fox stars Gene Tierney and Anthony Quinn took the stage to sell war bonds.
For years the front part of the building facing Columbia street housed a rental store owned by the theater. On May 27, 1964, that store, occupied then by the P.N. Hirsch Co., was destroyed by fire. The 5-alarm fire, one of the largest in Farmington history, also damaged several other stores on Columbia Street and closed down the theater auditorium because of water and smoke. The theater never opened again. Its last show was "Fancy Pants" with Bob Hope. The historic photos below were provided to us by Jessie Sitzes.
That same year, about 65 miles to the south, Farmington was not about to be outdone when work began on its new showplace, the Ritz Theater. To be sure, the Fox was larger than the Ritz -- but not in proportion to the total population of the two cities. The Fox held 5,000 seats for a metropolitan St. Louis population of more than 1 million. The Ritz, with 1,000 seats, served Farmington's metropolitan area of approximately 3,000. George Karsch owned the theater for two decades before selling his chain of eight area movie houses, including the Ritz, to Tom Edwards and Harold Harriss, the latter who soon sold his share of the partnership to Frank Plumlee. With these new owners, the Ritz would be the flagship of the Edward & Plumlee theater group.
Work began on the Ritz in 1927 soon after its predecessor, the Monarch Theater, located across the street (which is now the location of the Ozarks Federal Savings & Loan parking lot) was destroyed by fire. From the start, the Ritz was intended to be the showplace for this part of the state. In addition to its unusually large seating capacity, the new building featured a 65-foot wide stage along with an orchestra pit, dressing rooms below the stage for Vaudeville actors, and a large loft above the stage from which scenery could be lowered. In 1939 a Hammond organ was installed for live music performances following the showing of feature films on Thursday and Sunday nights. In 1935 the theater's large sign, featuring a running string of electric lights, was installed over the Columbia Street entrance. The theater's grand opening, complete with numerous vaudeville acts, was held on April 9, 1928.
Originally the theater could only show silent films. Early in 1930 the Vitaphone sound-on-disc system was installed. That method of producing sound was constantly nagged with technical problems as delightfully noted in the MGM musical comedy film, "Singing in the Rain." The following year these problems were solved when sound-on-film equipment was installed. By the mid-1930s Karsch further updated the projection booth with top-notch projection equipment that increased light output to the screen by 60%. Cinemascope was introduced in 1954.
Thanks to its large stage, the Ritz proved to be an important gathering place for numerous events, including variety shows, club meetings such as the Roy Rogers Riders group, square dances, church services, and even a monster show featuring a local actor named Bozzie who wore a monkey suit. During World War II, Twentieth Century-Fox stars Gene Tierney and Anthony Quinn took the stage to sell war bonds.
For years the front part of the building facing Columbia street housed a rental store owned by the theater. On May 27, 1964, that store, occupied then by the P.N. Hirsch Co., was destroyed by fire. The 5-alarm fire, one of the largest in Farmington history, also damaged several other stores on Columbia Street and closed down the theater auditorium because of water and smoke. The theater never opened again. Its last show was "Fancy Pants" with Bob Hope. The historic photos below were provided to us by Jessie Sitzes.
November 19--Work is continuing on the first segment of a city project to provide a totally new road surface for Columbia Street from the corner of Columbia and South A streets to Columbia and West First streets. The project, which also includes new sidewalks, will ultimately stretch all the way up West Columbia Street to where the construction recently was completed on the cross-over project at Highway 67.
So why is the city digging so deep below the surface? The answer, as one source told us, is that the new work will greatly reduce the chances that cracks in the new road surface will develop over time. In the past, the city normally tended to just apply a new surface over an old roadway. But invariably, cracks on the older surface would quickly work their way into the new surface. Anyone who drives downtown on Columbia Street can quickly see a montage of cracks and fractures. Some of those street cracks would also creep into the adjacent sidewalks.
In contrast, residents are invited to see the smooth new section of road on West College Street from North A Street eastward to North Washington Street which was completed earlier this year by the street department. Construction of this strip of roadway involved total removal of the old surface plus several additional feet of dirt beneath the old road. Following that procedure, the resulting trench was filled with numerous truckloads of gravel which was subsequently tightly packed down with compacting equipment. Residents were then allowed to drive over this new road surface for a month or so to further hard pack the gravel.
Once the gravel bedrock was determined to be properly compacted, a new asphalt surface was applied. The result of such new roadwork was, amazingly, well described in an advertisement in a 1919 edition of The World’s Work magazine for the Barrett Co., which was promoting their new “Tarvia” process for a “smooth, mudless, easy-traction surface” coal-tar roadway preparation method which they claimed resulted in streets that were smooth enough for roller skating yet durable enough for heavy highway traffic. Well, these attributes promised nearly a century ago seem to describe Farmington’s new road projects on West College Street and now on West Columbia Street.
So why is the city digging so deep below the surface? The answer, as one source told us, is that the new work will greatly reduce the chances that cracks in the new road surface will develop over time. In the past, the city normally tended to just apply a new surface over an old roadway. But invariably, cracks on the older surface would quickly work their way into the new surface. Anyone who drives downtown on Columbia Street can quickly see a montage of cracks and fractures. Some of those street cracks would also creep into the adjacent sidewalks.
In contrast, residents are invited to see the smooth new section of road on West College Street from North A Street eastward to North Washington Street which was completed earlier this year by the street department. Construction of this strip of roadway involved total removal of the old surface plus several additional feet of dirt beneath the old road. Following that procedure, the resulting trench was filled with numerous truckloads of gravel which was subsequently tightly packed down with compacting equipment. Residents were then allowed to drive over this new road surface for a month or so to further hard pack the gravel.
Once the gravel bedrock was determined to be properly compacted, a new asphalt surface was applied. The result of such new roadwork was, amazingly, well described in an advertisement in a 1919 edition of The World’s Work magazine for the Barrett Co., which was promoting their new “Tarvia” process for a “smooth, mudless, easy-traction surface” coal-tar roadway preparation method which they claimed resulted in streets that were smooth enough for roller skating yet durable enough for heavy highway traffic. Well, these attributes promised nearly a century ago seem to describe Farmington’s new road projects on West College Street and now on West Columbia Street.
Bob Lewis to be Honored by Local Audubon Group
November 18--The legacy of Bob Lewis, an avid birder and conservationist who was the founder of the East Ozarks Audubon Society here, will be honored at the club’s regular meeting on November 21 at 7 p.m. at the United Memorial Methodist Church.
Robert Dean “Bob” Lewis, who passed away October 21, was a long-time resident of Farmington, where his family for many years operated the Western Auto store. Bob graduated from Farmington High School in 1946, where he served as president of his class and captain of the football team. He served in the U.S. Army almost immediately following graduation from FHS until his honorable discharge in December 1947. During that time he married his high school sweetheart, Joyce.
He attended Central College, Flat River Junior College and the University of Missouri, where he received a Bachelor of Journalism degree. Bob then worked for several newspapers until he returned to Farmington where he took over the operation of the Western Auto Store until it was sold in1976. Bob then served as a Vice President for Mercantile Bank in his home town until his retirement in 1987. He was a past president of the Kiwanis Club, a former member of the Farmington School Board and a member of the Jaycees. He was an active member of the Memorial United Methodist Church.
In Farmington, he became known as the “bird man” who compiled a list of over 600 species identified. He founded the East Ozarks Audubon Society which met here monthly, where he served as the organization’s newsletter editor.
He was a good public speaker and was often invited to give programs both at home and around the state – usually on the topic of birds and the importance of conservation. Bob always had a passion for nature. He received the highest honor in the Boy Scouts. He loved canoeing, camping and mountain climbing. Bob also worked for the National Park Service in the Rocky Mountains and as a naturalist at the St. Francois State Park.
At the Thursday evening meeting of the Audubon Society, another long-time Society member, Bill Reeves, will focus the program on Bob’s legacy and on a proposed plan for enhancements of the Dr. Crouch Nature Sanctuary the development of a wetlands area as a tribute to Bob Lewis.
Robert Dean “Bob” Lewis, who passed away October 21, was a long-time resident of Farmington, where his family for many years operated the Western Auto store. Bob graduated from Farmington High School in 1946, where he served as president of his class and captain of the football team. He served in the U.S. Army almost immediately following graduation from FHS until his honorable discharge in December 1947. During that time he married his high school sweetheart, Joyce.
He attended Central College, Flat River Junior College and the University of Missouri, where he received a Bachelor of Journalism degree. Bob then worked for several newspapers until he returned to Farmington where he took over the operation of the Western Auto Store until it was sold in1976. Bob then served as a Vice President for Mercantile Bank in his home town until his retirement in 1987. He was a past president of the Kiwanis Club, a former member of the Farmington School Board and a member of the Jaycees. He was an active member of the Memorial United Methodist Church.
In Farmington, he became known as the “bird man” who compiled a list of over 600 species identified. He founded the East Ozarks Audubon Society which met here monthly, where he served as the organization’s newsletter editor.
He was a good public speaker and was often invited to give programs both at home and around the state – usually on the topic of birds and the importance of conservation. Bob always had a passion for nature. He received the highest honor in the Boy Scouts. He loved canoeing, camping and mountain climbing. Bob also worked for the National Park Service in the Rocky Mountains and as a naturalist at the St. Francois State Park.
At the Thursday evening meeting of the Audubon Society, another long-time Society member, Bill Reeves, will focus the program on Bob’s legacy and on a proposed plan for enhancements of the Dr. Crouch Nature Sanctuary the development of a wetlands area as a tribute to Bob Lewis.
Cozean Chapel Again Receives National Recognition
October 21—For the twelfth year in a row, Cozean Memorial Chapel has been awarded the coveted Pursuit of Excellence Award by the National Funeral Directors Association. In making this year’s announcement, NFDA President Robert T. “Bob” Rosson noted that the honor bestowed on our funeral home was “In recognition of providing outstanding service to families and the community, and adherence to the highest professional and ethical standards.” Only about 2% of approximately 24,000 funeral homes in the nation are honored each year with this special recognition. Jon Cozean, president of Farmington Undertaking Co., Inc., which does business in Farmington as Cozean Memorial Chapel & Crematory, was personally given a certificate of achievement by NFDA President Rosson at a special awards ceremony October 21 at the national NFDA convention held at Austin, TX.
Big Turnout for Annual St. Catherine Parish Gun Shoot
Sept. 29 -- A large crowd turned out again this year for the St. Catherine’s Parish Fall Turkey and Ham Shoot on the church grounds at Coffman. Among the many attractions, in addition to perfect weather, was a food stand, baked goods room, silent auction, tractor display, a beautifully restored 1934 Nash sedan, and –most importantly -- the popular turkey and ham shoot. Funds raised at the picnic will be used to repair the 94-year-old church structure which needs new siding, refurbishing of the beautiful stained-glass windows, new soffit fascia and siding for the parish hall, and a face lift for the outside of the rectory.
Funeral Association Holds 125th Anniversary Celebration at Cozean Facility
September 13-- Nearly 100 funeral professionals from around Missouri gathered at the Cozean Memorial facility September 12 to help celebrate the Missouri Funeral Directors and Embalmers Association’s 125 anniversary. Guests spent the late afternoon touring the funeral home facilities and crematory. Also on display were numerous antique mortuary items including a number of Nineteenth Century caskets and old embalming equipment. Several old hearses were on display in the parking lot. A meal and a program followed at the new First Baptist Church auditorium which is across the street from the funeral home.
The Cozean facility is one of three locations around the state where MFDEA is celebrating its anniversary. The other two will be held on September 19 at the Shadel’s Colonial Chapel at Lebanon and September 26 at Heritage Funeral Home at Chillicothe.
Near Capacity Crowd Welcomes 1138th Back Home
A near capacity crowd welcomed home the Missouri National Guard 1138th Engineer Company from active service in Afghanistan at an impressive ceremony September 8 at the Centene Center. The unit, which is based at the armory in Farmington and includes soldiers from other parts of the state, had left for the Middle East on July 6, 2012. All members returned alive. While deployed there, the Guard members had traveled approximately 14,000 miles searching for roadside bombs in the Kandahar Providence. The large crowd that welcomed the soldiers home included family members, friends, and a large turnout of local Patriot Guard members.
Cozean Memorial Chapel Again Honored by National Association
August 28-- For the eleventh year in a row, the National Funeral Directors Association has given its coveted Pursuit in Excellence Award to Cozean Memorial Chapel. This award, now in its 30th year, was designed by NFDA to honor funeral homes around the nation that are “committed to providing outstanding service to families and the community they serve and dedicated to achieving the highest professional and ethical standards.” In its notification of the award to the Cozean staff, NFDA President pointed out that “. . . you have shown an ability to create premiere services and programs that go beyond expectations.” The award, which is given each year to about 200 of the 24,000 member funeral homes, will be given out at a special ceremony at the association’s annual meeting to be held in mid-October in Austin, TX.
Have the talk of a Life Time.
First Look at Farmington Knights Football 2013
1st Row L/R: Garrett Duncan, Aaron Maize, Nicky Creco, Coby Moon, Tyler Wade, Trey Amsden, Jake Taylor. 2nd Row: DJ Hardy, Hunter Corcoran, Tim Braddy, Quinn McIntosh, Devin Nagel, Justin Boehm, Adam Maple, Payton Napoli, Robert Jackson, Johnny Barton. 3rd Row: Tommy Wilfong, Ken Pham, Ethan Barron, Brayden Bohn, Trent Wideman, Tyler Finch, Conner Forsythe, Scotty Roberts, Collin Huitt, Alec Stavern, John Barr, Charles Rhodes. 4th Row: Matt McCarthy, Blair Boyd, Devin Savage, Noah Patterson, Zach Williams, Jared Nickelson, Landon Rigdon, Chase Montgomery, Jason Harrington, Chris Smith, Sam Reid. 5th Row: Braydon Slade, Garrett Meder, Logan Dotson, Nick Bertram, Brayden Krause, William Seibert, Kalob Kathcart, Dealano Joe, Brandt Busenbark, Lance Johnson, Justin Wade, Trevor Keith. 6th Row: Michael Wright, Nick Cassimatis, James Hamlett, Mason Savage, Jacob Cluck, Zac Weber, Brendan Ferris, Austin Files, Dillion White, Zac Rowley, Camron Haines. 7th Row: Jessica Heberlie (Mgr) Chad Winch, John Ames, Scott Hibbits, Erik Kruppe, Josh Hoehn, Derrick Eaves, Jake Whitener, Talon Camden (Mgr.)
2013 Seniors- Trey Amsden, DJ Hardy, Coby Moon, Tim Brady, Justin Boehm, Nicholas Greco, Rob Jackson, Garret Duncan, Aaron Maize, Jacob Taylor, Tyler Wade, Adam Maple, Payton Napoli, Johnny Barton, Quin McIntosh, Hunter Corcoran, and Devin Nagel.
From left to right: Chad Winch, Derrick Eaves, Josh Hoehn, Erik Kruppe, Scott Hibbits, John Ames, and Jake Whitener.
Farmington Host State Baseball Tournament
Crowds were in Farmington this weekend for the 2012 Missouri Babe Ruth 13-15 Year Old State Tournament. Teams competing in the event were from Caruthersville, Mineral Area (National), Quad Cities, SW Ozarks, SEMO South, Dexter, Sikeston, and Mineral Area (American).
PERFECT WEATHER
With the perfect weather (not too hot, lots of rain), our city and the surrounding area finds the grass is green, home gardens are growing corn as high as an elephants eye, and the flowers in full bloom surrounding the court house
Two Leading Local Aviators Honored
May 19--Two World War II aviators with strong ties to Farmington were honored at a special ceremony May 18 at the airport by the City of Farmington. The men, Ralph Pingel and Cecil Hulsey, were presented with proclamation plaques by Mayor Stuart Landrum, Jr., who said these airmen represented the best of the “Greatest Generation”-- which refers to the millions of Americans who grew up during the Great Depression in the 1930s and then served in the armed forces during World War II in the 1940s.
Both Pingel and Hulsey were also called back into service during the Korean War in the early 1950s and both received the Distinguished Flying Cross for their military services. Pingel joined the Army Air Corps just before Christmas in 1942. By the end of World War II he had served in both the European and Pacific theaters of operation, flying B-29 heavy bombers, Douglas C-47 transport planes, and Douglas A-26 medium bombers. Later he flew 75 combat missions over North Korea, where he experienced numerous “close calls” from enemy gunners. From 1962 until the mid-1980s, Pingel managed the Farmington Airport. In honor of his service to the city, the entrance to the airport has been renamed Ralph Pingel Lane.
Cecil Hulsey spent his military career in both wars serving as a flight engineer on the giant B-29—the largest and most technically advanced aircraft of World War II. During that war Hulsey flew more than 30 dangerous missions over Japan during 1944-45. At that time, most larger aircraft were named by their various crew members. Hulsey determined that the “City of Farmington” would look great on the side of his bomber, and –thanks to great respect with which members of the crew held him—Hulsey got his wish. He told the crowd at the ceremony that getting the naming rights was not really a big deal. He said he explained to crewmembers just how wonderful the town and its citizens were—and they went along with Hulsey’s idea. “The town has proven that I was right,” Hulsey added in his remarks at the ceremony, noting that from the 1940s to the 2010 the population of the city grew from 3,300 to more than 16,000.
While both men received much of the applause, the big star of the event may well have been a large model of the B-29 in which Hulsey flew that now hangs from the ceiling of the airport lobby. Built to the exact scale of the real plane, the model B-29’s 14-foot wingspan dominates the room. Taking about four years to complete, the aluminum-coated plane was the handywork of Fire Chief Todd Mecey and others including Rob Nash, Chuck Sitzes, Rod Wofford and Steve Jennings. Indeed, the model plane looks so real that one might think that it is possible to take it out to the airfield, start its engines, and watch the craft as it takes off with a roar.
The public is invited to see the model plane at the airport.
Both Pingel and Hulsey were also called back into service during the Korean War in the early 1950s and both received the Distinguished Flying Cross for their military services. Pingel joined the Army Air Corps just before Christmas in 1942. By the end of World War II he had served in both the European and Pacific theaters of operation, flying B-29 heavy bombers, Douglas C-47 transport planes, and Douglas A-26 medium bombers. Later he flew 75 combat missions over North Korea, where he experienced numerous “close calls” from enemy gunners. From 1962 until the mid-1980s, Pingel managed the Farmington Airport. In honor of his service to the city, the entrance to the airport has been renamed Ralph Pingel Lane.
Cecil Hulsey spent his military career in both wars serving as a flight engineer on the giant B-29—the largest and most technically advanced aircraft of World War II. During that war Hulsey flew more than 30 dangerous missions over Japan during 1944-45. At that time, most larger aircraft were named by their various crew members. Hulsey determined that the “City of Farmington” would look great on the side of his bomber, and –thanks to great respect with which members of the crew held him—Hulsey got his wish. He told the crowd at the ceremony that getting the naming rights was not really a big deal. He said he explained to crewmembers just how wonderful the town and its citizens were—and they went along with Hulsey’s idea. “The town has proven that I was right,” Hulsey added in his remarks at the ceremony, noting that from the 1940s to the 2010 the population of the city grew from 3,300 to more than 16,000.
While both men received much of the applause, the big star of the event may well have been a large model of the B-29 in which Hulsey flew that now hangs from the ceiling of the airport lobby. Built to the exact scale of the real plane, the model B-29’s 14-foot wingspan dominates the room. Taking about four years to complete, the aluminum-coated plane was the handywork of Fire Chief Todd Mecey and others including Rob Nash, Chuck Sitzes, Rod Wofford and Steve Jennings. Indeed, the model plane looks so real that one might think that it is possible to take it out to the airfield, start its engines, and watch the craft as it takes off with a roar.
The public is invited to see the model plane at the airport.
Photos (left to right): Plane logo "City of Farmington"; Mayor Landrum; Plaque presented to Ralph Pingel; Two other plaques presented to Julie Mangold, daughter of bombardier Paul A. Rietz, who flew on Hulsey's plane, and Cecil Hulsey; and three of the builders of the model B-29, Todd Mecey, Steve Jennings, and Rod Wofford; some of the crowd on hand for the ceremony.
Spring is Bringing Colors to Farmington
May 25-- Mid-May in town brings out color in the county seat--with merchants displaying festive goods, young robins getting ready for flight, skate boarders flexing their muscles, and yards coming into bloom.
St. Joseph Church Dedicates New Infant Memorial
May 12-- When a young man remarked to Father Rickey J. Valleroy that he lost a child some years earlier and regretted that he had nowhere to mourn, the priest at St. Joesph Catholic Church got an inspiration to build an Infant Memorial. That dream became reality in Farmington on May 12 when Valleroy dedicated an impressive Infant Memorial and Sacred Space area at New Calvary Cemetery. The memorial, located at the northwest edge of the cemetery, consists of beautifully etched monuments and two memorial walls with names or other remembrances of children of the parish who have passed away. Father Valleroy gave special thanks during the hour-long ceremony to the Knights of Columbus and the Deputy Grand Knight, Rob Grindel, and also Kevin Hale, who designed the memorial and was responsible for the etchings of all the memorial stones. Others singled out for special thanks were Brent Meyer, Tim Maloney, Paul Fortman, Keith Heberlie, Ken Schmidt, and the Fourth Degree Knights, who served as the Honor Guard.
Historian Jack Clay Honored
May 16--Friends of Jack Clay, noted historian of Farmington and the surrounding area, were on hand May 15 at Camelot Nursing and Rehab Center to see a slide show of the local area that Jack had prepared from photos he had assembled over the years. While many of the slides depicted buildings and people long gone, the center of attention was Jack himself, whose sparkling comments revealed that his mind is as sharp as ever. Some of his fans expressed the hope that he might be willing to give the same program soon as a St. Francois County Historical Society meeting.
Steeples Make a Point
When you think about it, Farmington is a town steeped in steeples. As part of a new series on this topic, the Post(note)-Dispatch will be featuring many of these majestic structures on our web page – including the first group shown here. Can you identify each of them? (Hint, the oldest one was constructed in 1889.) The others shown here were erected in 1901, 1908, 1912, 1954,1973, and 1991. If you are able to match the names and dates with these steeples, please send us an e-mail at: cozean2@sbcglobal.net. [We will provide the answers in a few weeks.]
. . . and Doe Run Steeples also Make a Point
September 26: Walker Johns Press Box at the FHS football field should be largely completed in time for the home football game set for September 28 against Cape Central. [For more information on this story see the report of August 20 below.]
Greif Recovery Support Croup Scheduled in Farmington
Work Continues on Walker Johns Memorial Press Box
August 20: Workmen today were placing a rubber covering on the wooden roof of the new Walker Johns Memorial Press Box that was built August 18 at the high school football field. That Saturday a group of volunteers assembled the structure, part of which had been pre-fabricated earlier by volunteers at the old Little Tikes warehouse. First came the floor, which was attached to the pre-existing steel beams on the bleachers at the home side of the field. Next came the building sides followed by the interior framework. Coming this week will be the electrical wiring, followed by the finishing work on the interior walls. The exterior of the building will be of steel siding painted the same shade of tan that is found on the new weight room building at the field. The press box should be completed and ready to use in time for the first home game August 31 against Trinity Catholic.
New Press Box Being Built for High School Field
August 16: Friends of the Farmington High School football program are at it again. A few years ago they collected money to purchase an artificial turf to replace the poor-quality natural playing surface at the school. The new turf not only allowed multiple uses of the field, often at the same time, but the sponge-type artificial surface also vastly improved safety for the players.
Some of the same participants in that project are now involved in building a new press box soon to be erected above the home seating area. The idea for this facility, to be used by print, radio and TV reporters, came from Kenneth James and Kelly Charisse (Walker) Johns as a way to honor their 14-year-old son, Walker Henry Johns, a Knights football enthusiast who died in November 2011. Young Johns had been raised around Farmington Knights Football and was a waterboy for the team at the time of his death. The Johns family was well aware that the old press box was in a poor state of repair and needed replacing.
Others quickly volunteered to help. Among them was Keith Hutson, who helped raise about $25,000 needed to fund the project, Brockmiller Construction Co., which contributed to the design and helped supervise construction, and Gifford Lumber Co. is supplying materials at a discount. Together with the help of about a dozen Knights fans who are constructing the building, Kenneth Johns believes the press box should be ready in time for the first home game against Festus on August 24.
Some of the same participants in that project are now involved in building a new press box soon to be erected above the home seating area. The idea for this facility, to be used by print, radio and TV reporters, came from Kenneth James and Kelly Charisse (Walker) Johns as a way to honor their 14-year-old son, Walker Henry Johns, a Knights football enthusiast who died in November 2011. Young Johns had been raised around Farmington Knights Football and was a waterboy for the team at the time of his death. The Johns family was well aware that the old press box was in a poor state of repair and needed replacing.
Others quickly volunteered to help. Among them was Keith Hutson, who helped raise about $25,000 needed to fund the project, Brockmiller Construction Co., which contributed to the design and helped supervise construction, and Gifford Lumber Co. is supplying materials at a discount. Together with the help of about a dozen Knights fans who are constructing the building, Kenneth Johns believes the press box should be ready in time for the first home game against Festus on August 24.
Audubon Society Adding to Engler Park Bird Sanctuary
July 23: With some volunteers from as far away as Kansas City, Junction City, KS, Phoenix and Bismarck, the local East Ozarks Audubon Society is adding to its Dr. F. R. Crouch Nature Sanctuary at Engler Park in a project dedicated to the memory of the late Lynne Elenore Winston, a long-time Farmington Audubon member who passed away February 2012.
Included in the impressive sanctuary expansion will be a tower for chimney swifts, where as many as 100 pairs of that specie can build nests at the same time. In addition, a new butterfly garden that will include native Missouri plants, flowers and rocks is being constructed. A new all-metal bench will also be located near the garden.
The Society hopes to have the project completed by July 27.
Included in the impressive sanctuary expansion will be a tower for chimney swifts, where as many as 100 pairs of that specie can build nests at the same time. In addition, a new butterfly garden that will include native Missouri plants, flowers and rocks is being constructed. A new all-metal bench will also be located near the garden.
The Society hopes to have the project completed by July 27.
Shown above top left is the new Chimney Swift tower: also shown above is part of the equipment and the crew constructing the tower. Lower right is part of the work crew taking a break from the summer heat.
Work Continues on Winston Bird Sanctuary Project
August 8: Work is progressing rapidly on the new tower for Chimney Swifts and a butterfly garden at Engler Park. The project, which involves more than 30 volunteers from the local area and as far away as Canada, will upgrade the bird sanctuary operated by the East Ozarks Audubon Society which is headquartered in Farmington. The driving force behind the project is Chuck Winston of Phoenix, AZ, who is the grandson of Lynne Winston, the late long-time valued member of the local Audubon Society. Young Winston is working on an Eagle Boy Scout special project badge—which is this fine addition to the bird sanctuary. The project is projected to be completed by the dedication ceremony scheduled for around noon on July 28.
East Ozarks Audubon Society local history
Dr. F.R. Crouch
Dr. F.R. Crouch was the inspiration for the formation of the local six-county chapter of National Audubon Society.
Dr. Crouch coached local Boy Scouts and others in bird study. He had graduated from Cornell University in New York with a Bachelor of Science in ornithology (bird study). Upon being granted a fellowship he chose to enter the field of medicine.
At his funeral in 1979 his brother, Dr. Jim Crouch, asked Bob Lewis if he was a member of National Audubon. Lewis replied that he thought Audubon was too political and that he preferred the American Birding Association which was strictly only about birds.
“You’d better get political if you want to have a place to watch birds in the future,” Dr Jim replied. In the spring of 1980 Bob and Bill Reeves attended the spring meeting of the Audubon Society of Missouri which was centered at Weldon Springs that year. They were impressed with the organization and decided a local Audubon chapter might be appropriate.
Lewis wrote a letter to National Audubon which was quickly answered by Ed Pemberton of the five-state Midwest region. The date of September 25th was set for a general meeting at the Civic Room of Ozarks Federal Savings & Loan. Anyone receiving the Audubon Magazine was automatically a member of the new chapter. Other nature loving people in the Farmington area were recruited by those wanting to form the chapter.
Professor Bob Scobee of Mineral Area College was instrumental in recruiting a number of his students and others in St. Francois County. Activities suggested by National Audubon included:
(1) Chapter meetings including nature films, speakers and business meetings.
(2) Field Trips to natural areas to study wildlife and flora.
(3) Seminars in bird feeding, bird watching and backyard planting for wildlife.
(4) Activities to promote a quality environment.
(5) Chapter newsletter at least six times a year.
(6) Involvement in Christmas Bird Counts or Big Day counts.
The first newsletter was dated December 4, 1980. The first president was Bob Lewis and his vice-president was Bill Reeves who succeeded him two years later.
By the year 2012 the Chapter has participated in 32 years of Christmas Bird Counts at Mingo National Wildlife Refuge. During many of those years members Bill Reeves and Steve Dilks has served as compilers of the counts.
The Chapter has also participated in a Breeding Bird Survey in Madison County for 30 years in which Karen Adams has mostly conducted the 25-mile survey. The data from this survey is submitted to National Audubon Society which when computerized shows a “picture” of the movements of birds each year.
Fifth grade students in the area are offered nature programs from National Audubon with a printed newsletter and a teacher program.
Several members have worked as volunteers at the World Bird Sanctuary at Lone Elk Park in St. Louis County.
Today the membership in East Ozarks Audubon hovers around 200 families in the six-county area including Iron, Madison, Reynolds, St. Francois, Ste. Genevieve and Washington counties.
Meetings are held on the third Thursday of odd months at Memorial United Methodist Church in Farmington. A refreshment period at 6:30 p.m. is followed by the general meeting at 7:00 p.m. The general public is invited to attend all meetings.
Membership is still automatic for those receiving Audubon Magazine. However, it is possible to become a “local” member without receiving the magazine. Local members pay $10 per year to cover the cost of the newsletter and meeting reminder postcards.
The Chapter also maintains a bird feeding station at Engler City Park containing 10 feeders which are filled twice each week. Pictures of bird feeding station and watching blind below.
Dr. Crouch coached local Boy Scouts and others in bird study. He had graduated from Cornell University in New York with a Bachelor of Science in ornithology (bird study). Upon being granted a fellowship he chose to enter the field of medicine.
At his funeral in 1979 his brother, Dr. Jim Crouch, asked Bob Lewis if he was a member of National Audubon. Lewis replied that he thought Audubon was too political and that he preferred the American Birding Association which was strictly only about birds.
“You’d better get political if you want to have a place to watch birds in the future,” Dr Jim replied. In the spring of 1980 Bob and Bill Reeves attended the spring meeting of the Audubon Society of Missouri which was centered at Weldon Springs that year. They were impressed with the organization and decided a local Audubon chapter might be appropriate.
Lewis wrote a letter to National Audubon which was quickly answered by Ed Pemberton of the five-state Midwest region. The date of September 25th was set for a general meeting at the Civic Room of Ozarks Federal Savings & Loan. Anyone receiving the Audubon Magazine was automatically a member of the new chapter. Other nature loving people in the Farmington area were recruited by those wanting to form the chapter.
Professor Bob Scobee of Mineral Area College was instrumental in recruiting a number of his students and others in St. Francois County. Activities suggested by National Audubon included:
(1) Chapter meetings including nature films, speakers and business meetings.
(2) Field Trips to natural areas to study wildlife and flora.
(3) Seminars in bird feeding, bird watching and backyard planting for wildlife.
(4) Activities to promote a quality environment.
(5) Chapter newsletter at least six times a year.
(6) Involvement in Christmas Bird Counts or Big Day counts.
The first newsletter was dated December 4, 1980. The first president was Bob Lewis and his vice-president was Bill Reeves who succeeded him two years later.
By the year 2012 the Chapter has participated in 32 years of Christmas Bird Counts at Mingo National Wildlife Refuge. During many of those years members Bill Reeves and Steve Dilks has served as compilers of the counts.
The Chapter has also participated in a Breeding Bird Survey in Madison County for 30 years in which Karen Adams has mostly conducted the 25-mile survey. The data from this survey is submitted to National Audubon Society which when computerized shows a “picture” of the movements of birds each year.
Fifth grade students in the area are offered nature programs from National Audubon with a printed newsletter and a teacher program.
Several members have worked as volunteers at the World Bird Sanctuary at Lone Elk Park in St. Louis County.
Today the membership in East Ozarks Audubon hovers around 200 families in the six-county area including Iron, Madison, Reynolds, St. Francois, Ste. Genevieve and Washington counties.
Meetings are held on the third Thursday of odd months at Memorial United Methodist Church in Farmington. A refreshment period at 6:30 p.m. is followed by the general meeting at 7:00 p.m. The general public is invited to attend all meetings.
Membership is still automatic for those receiving Audubon Magazine. However, it is possible to become a “local” member without receiving the magazine. Local members pay $10 per year to cover the cost of the newsletter and meeting reminder postcards.
The Chapter also maintains a bird feeding station at Engler City Park containing 10 feeders which are filled twice each week. Pictures of bird feeding station and watching blind below.
