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by Kelsey McLaughlin, Kelly Critten and Shelby Chadwick
The Gallatin FFA Chapter members kept busy this summer participating in livestock shows, leadership opportunities, and camps.
Megan Chadwick was elected Area 2 secretary and attended the Area Officer Institute at Lake of the Ozarks.
Breanne Brammer, Danielle Ness, and Riley Vanatta attended the Missouri Public Speaking Academy at the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg, where they expanded their knowledge of public speaking and presenting. Breanne placed third overall in the intermediate division.
Hunter Prentice, Lee Deutshman, Len Deutshman, Breanne Brammer, Shelby Chadwick, Megan Chadwick, and Maggie Strange attended the Leadership Adventure in Columbia. This was an opportunity for members to explore leadership opportunities, listen to guest speakers, and meet new people.
FFA members went across the state to attend livestock fairs, shows, and rodeos to exhibit supreme livestock. The Gallatin FFA Chapter struck gold at the Missouri State Fair. Members exhibited livestock, field crops, fruit and vegetables, and floriculture projects.
The Gallatin FFA Chapter had 149 exhibits receive gold ratings: Breanne Brammer, champion floriculture wreath; Laura Youtsey, champion corsage; Kyle Croy, champion warm season grass, champion corn stocks, champion miscellaneous plants, and reserve champion forage legume; Lee Deutshman, champion forage grass and reserve warm season grass; John Lollar, champion forage legumes; Maggie Strange, champion forage grass; Megan Chadwick, reserve champion alfalfa; Colt Bohannon, reserve champion clover; Erin Croy, reserve champion soy bean plants; Laura Youtsey, champion and reserve champion wool project.
Incoming FFA members were treated to a ‘Watermelon Extravaganza’ where they discovered the opportunities FFA had to offer, while eating delicious watermelon!
The Gallatin FFA Chapter hosted the Area 2 Greenhand Initiation with over 400 members, parents, and advisors participating. Megan Chadwick served as Area 2 secretary.
FFA and FCCLA had over 100 members and guests attend Barnwarming. Members learned how to line dance, and two-step to J.R. Bird’s expert calling. Candidates this year were: seniors Kelly Critten and Jordan Phelps, juniors Shelby Chadwick and Levi Michener, sophomores Danielle Ness and Len Deutshman, freshman Kristen Critten and Brent Kieser. Kelly Critten and Jordan Phelps were crowned Barnwarming queen and king.
The annual chapter fruit sales was a success. Items were sold from Harmison’s Hometown Fundraising, K and W Popcorn, Lachirco Fruit, and Rains Natural Meats. Top sales people were: Casey Alden, Kelsey McLaughlin, and Ashley Huffman.
Breanne Brammer and Danielle Ness participated in Fall Public Speaking Contest. Danielle Ness’s Farm Bureau, ‘Leading the Challenge’ speech placed fifth at area. Breanne Brammer competed in the Missouri Pork Association speaking competition and placed first at area, first at districts and fourth at state. Her "Thrive Not Just Survive: With Genetic Engineering" speech was given to many local organizations including; the Knee-Hi 4-H Club, Lions Club, and Fair Board.
This fall, a new addition to the Gallatin Ag department is the development of the school grounds west and south of the greenhouse. This land will be used as an orchard and walking grounds. Twenty-one fruit trees were planted to start a school orchard in addition to a walking trail that begins with ornamental plants and leads into a natural prairie. This is part of an ongoing project that began with landscape projects at the elementary and high school.
Ten members attended the 81st National Convention in Indianapolis, Ind. Members included: Megan Chadwick, Breanne Brammer, Danielle Ness, Chelsey Smith, John Lollar, Aubrey Walker, Ryan Chadwick, Len Deutschman, Kegan Merrit, and Chris Huffman.
Laura Youtsey and Riley Rains received their FFA American Degrees. At Convention, the Gallatin FFA chapter received a silver rating, recognizing it as one of the top FFA Chapters in the nation. Breanne Brammer and Danielle Ness accepted the award on behalf of the chapter and were featured on national television.
Thirty-one Greenhands traveled to Trenton to attend the Greenhand Motivational Conference held on the campus of NCMC. The members participated in games, leadership workshops, and listened to speakers. The conference was presented by State FFA Officers.
As part of the chapter Christmas party, members donated items for an angel tree. Members enjoyed pizza, snacks, and Christmas movies. Over 40 members attended.
Kyle Croy was selected as the Area 2 Star Farmer. He will go on to compete for the State Star Farmer at the FFA State Convention in Columbia.
The Gallatin FFA Chapter has had a busy and successful year so far. They are now beginning contest season and members have been training hard in the hopes of qualifying for state Career Development Events.
The Gallatin FFA Chapter would like to express appreciation to the community for their support through out the year and look forward to working with all of their supporters to have a great year.
Sounding loud and clear with support of Winston weather siren
Donors and supporters for the Winston emergency weather siren were honored by the Village of Winston. Pictured, left to right, are, front row, Lucille Lusk, clerk; Shawna Barnes, siren grant coordinator; Ben Lee, Ben Lee Real Estate; Angie McFee, Polliwogs Child Care; Sharon Uthe, Casey’s General Stores; Howard Curtis, Landmark Mfg; JoAnn Lee, Winston Trap Venture Crew; Tracy Michael, BTC Bank; back row, Arvella Eaton, Winston board chair; Becky Caldwell, Winston Trap Venture Crew; Jeff Speaker, Winston Pit Stop; Mike Edwards, AmerenUE; Bill Michael, Winston board member; Steve Shoot, Farmers Electric Coop; Melvin Lee, Winston Trap Venture Crew; Tom Kober, Landmark Mfg; Tara Youtsey, Horizon State Bank. [Submitted Photo]
Pictured at the mock check presentation by USDA to Winston for a new warning siren, are, left to right, Ann Uthe; Doris Bassett; Fae Lewis; Jerry Lusk; Bill Michael; Neil Miller, area manager, St. Joseph area office; Dave Clarkson, area specialist, Chillicothe sub area office; Sarah Woodward, field representative of Congressman Sam Graves; Mae Vanderslice; and Lucille Lusk.
USDA Rural Development helps fund warning siren for Winston
USDA Rural Development announced funding of $4,460 to the Village of Winston to help purchase an $11,444 outdoor emergency warning siren. A mock check representing the funding was presented to the village during a funding celebration held Thursday, Feb. 19, at Winston City Hall.
Rural Development worked with Arvella Eaton, mayor of Winston, and Lucille Lusk, village clerk, in the application phase of funding for the project, along with Shawna Barnes and Jennifer Hoppenthaler. Mayor Eaton expressed appreciation to Rural Development for funding for the siren, noting that the village did not previously have a warning siren.
The grant funds originated from Rural Development’s Community Facility Grant program. The community facility grants provide funding for essential pubic improvements to public bodies and non-profit corporation with substantial ties to the local community. The remainder of the cost of the siren ($6,984) will be provided by the Village of Winston in the form of applicant contribution.
2nd Annual Polar Bear Plunge at Lake Viking raises $15,723 for Special Olympics
The Second Annual Polar Bear Plunge on Feb. 21 at Lake Viking was a splashing success, raising $15,723 to date. A total of 46 brave men and women from around the area donned costumes and swim-wear to take a chilly dip into the lake. Their "Reason for Freezin"?….the athletes of Special Olympics Missouri.
Online fund-raising is still ongoing. Organizers of the plunge exceeded their goal of $15,000 but still hope to raise additional funds. Donations can be made at www.firstgiving.com/somo.
Top individual fund-raisers for this year’s event include: 1st place – James Rush, $5,025; 2nd place – Tim Goebel, $1,504; and 3rd place – Roxy Frye, $1,335.
Top group fund-raisers include the Stanberry R-2 School and CRCC Law Enforcement Agency.
Competition for the Golden Plunger was steep this year. Polar Bears are encouraged to come in costume and compete for the chance to take home the "golden plunger." This year’s recipients were 1st place – A Little Entertainment from Cameron Regional Medical Center; 2nd place – Chilli Babies from Chillicothe Correctional Center; and 3rd place – The Party Penguins from Stanberry R-2.
Winner of the College Challenge was Missouri Western State University.
This year’s event was one of 13 Polar Bear Plunges held across Missouri and hosted by local law enforcement agencies. The Lake Viking plunge was hosted by the St. Joseph Police Department. Presenting sponsors included Maryville Treatment Center and Missouri Western Security.
A symbol of soaring pride
Susan MacEachern captured these photographs of a pair of noble and majestic American Bald Eagles when they visited Lake Viking in February.
Whitney Fry, the daughter of Tim and Shandolyn Fry, all of Baxter, Minn., and Rory Thune, the son of Dave and Ronda Glende and John and Linda Thune, all of Brainerd, Minn., are planning a June wedding at the home of the bride’s parents on White Sand Lake in Baxter. The bride is the granddaughter of Shirley Fry of Gallatin and Elbert Fry of Bonne Terre.
Dodge for a cause
On Feb. 14, the Gallatin FCCLA Chapter hosted a dodge ball tournament to raise money for the Ronald McDonald House. Eleven teams competed in an effort to raise money for the cause. A little over $350 was raised. Pictured above is the winning team, the Has Beens.
Marjorie Frost to display quilt in Mound City
Marjorie Frost, Mound City, formerly of Gallatin, has been interviewed by her niece Linda Sehrt, regent of the Daughters of the American Revolution in Independence. The DAR’s project on "Quilters’ Save Our Stories" features a 30 minute interview of Marjorie telling some of her quilting stories and methods. The interview can be heard at the Library of Congress. Marjorie has made 36 quilts and received 58 ribbons at quilt shows of which 38 are blue ribbons. More pictures of this "Dahlia" quilt can be seen and the interview read at the Q.S.O.S. website www.allianceforamericanquilts.org/qsos/. Use the "Search" and enter MO64470-001. Marjorie will have some of her quilts at the Senior Citizens of Holt County and Mound City Nutrition Site, 613 State Street, Mound City, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, March 4. Please call the nutrition site if you would like to have lunch at 660-442-3324.
Norman and Delores Edwards celebrate 50th wedding anniversary
The families of Gene Edwards and Elaine Bain will host a 50th wedding anniversary dinner for their parents, Norman and Delores Edwards, on Sunday, March 8, 2009, at Mr. Bill’s.
They have eight grandchildren: Michelle and Clint George of St. Joseph, Joe and Beck Polley of Osborn, Shyla and Dusty Hood of Cameron, Lacy Edwards of St. Joseph, Bill Bain of Kansas City, Spencer Bain of Omaha, Neb., Ross Bain and Lucas Bain of Lawson.
Norman and Delores also have nine great-grandchildren, Ashlyn and Madison George, Noamie, Brendon and Victoria Polley, Destiny and Nathan Hood, Colton Bain, Noah Birkenbine.
They are the fifth in the Edwards family to celebrate their 50th anniversary – grandparents, David and Mary (Aug. 10, 1949); parents Claude and Mildred (June 2, 1977); brother Carl and Ernestine (Nov. 27, 2002); sister Marjorie and John (June 13, 2004).
There will be a reception from 3-5 p.m. on March 8 at Mr. Bill’s, 805 W. McGaughy, Hamilton. Cards may be sent to 916 N. Davis, Hamilton, Mo., 64644.
No gifts please.
An early dismissal at Gallatin R-5 provided the opportunity for Chi-Rho youth to learn of the missions in South Africa. A video/slide show presentation and Christian mission discussion was led by Emily Miller. Emily, a former GHS graduate, recently received her Masters in Advanced Christian Education from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Ft. Worth, Texas.
Emily, an advocate for youth involvement in Christian activities, spoke to the Chi-Rho members about her personal experiences while traveling on a mission. She also discussed the cultures of the South African people. Items from Emily’s South African trip were also on display so that the Chi-Rho members could view and ask questions after the presentation. The youth also enjoyed learning a native African dance and how the traditional South African head wrap is worn.
Emily related her experience of spreading the gospel to those in South Africa, as well as her journey and personal ‘calling of the Lord.’ The meeting of Chi-Rho was held at the First Christian Church in Gallatin with Pastor Russ Hamilton in attendance for Christian guidance and support.
Chi-Rho also collected over 35 windbreakers and hoodies to be distributed at the local schools for those students in need.
Chi-Rho is a non-denominational Christian youth group that focuses on service projects for our communities, as well as monthly meetings for Christian fun and fellowship.
Chi-Rho’s next event is to visit the Daviess County Active Aging Resource Center on Friday, March 13 to assist in delivering "Meals on Wheels," as well as serving at the center for the day and joining the adults at the center for games, cake and ice cream. Members voted to use this day off from school to visit and help the center.
Chi-Rho is always welcoming new members each month in grades 4-8. If you have a youth interested in finding out about Chi-Rho please contact Vera Nelson, Chi-Rho youth leader, or the First Christian Church at 663-3415.