News for the week of March 31, 2014

What beautiful weather we are enjoying. I hope it continues and the forecast of rain this week stays rain and doesn't turn into snow or freezing weather. We are looking forward to being able to stop feeding hay. The cattle are on the move, looking for every blade of green grass they can find.

My soon-to-be daughter-in-law, Amy Teerink, is at her parents' home in southern Minnesota preparing for the wedding in a few weeks and the forecast there is some snow for this week. I know she is used to it since she grew up there but she has been living in Maui so it is quite a change for her. At least it won't last long and David and she will soon be back in Hawaii and enjoying the constant warm weather. I wouldn't mind a little bit of weather like that myself.

I have really been enjoying all the videos on facebook of the 24 hour cold water challenge. The idea is to immerse yourself into cold water or have it poured over you, sprayed on you, anything to get you cold and wet! It started out as a fundraiser at a church in Monroe, Georgia, to raise money to dig a well for clean water in Africa but now it has turned into donating to your charity of choice, then getting wet and challenging others to do the same. It looks like a fun time along with raising money for several good charities.

Congratulations to Jackie and Shirley Hall on the birth of their first granddaughter, Lydia Rose Bonner. Lydia's parents are Janessa and Scott Bonner. Lydia arrived very early in the morning of March 27 and weighed 7 pounds and 3 ounces. Lydia has three older brothers, Dryden, Caleb and Seth. I'm pretty sure Grandma and Grandpa are excited to have another grandbaby to spoil, and I know the rest of us can't wait for the stories Grandma Shirley will have to tell. She has already told us on facebook about three year old Seth and his reaction, “Sethy had his little mind blown with all the facts: she has no teeth, she can't talk, she can't walk, she can't play with him, she couldn't eat the green bean Caleb wanted to feed her, AND Sethy reported, 'She about to whine.' “

Sympathy goes out to the family and friends of Jean Robison who passed away March 25. Those that knew her well said Jean had such a sweet and fun personality and was one of those people that held the whole family together. Jean was the last of her big family of brothers and sisters.

The Bradleyville School Music Department had several students that received excellent ratings recently. Out of 9 events in the District music festival 7 received 1 ratings and 2 received 2 ratings. Ten students will be headed to State this year.

The baseball field at Bradleyville School is finished and Bradleyville will host the first game on the new field on Tuesday, April 1, at 4:30. I will be there watching the girls that afternoon. I am not sure if the boys have a game that same evening but you can find out by calling the school if you want to know.

Birthdays for the coming week include: April 3: Linda Combs, Tom Tilley; April 4: Josh Isaacs, Scott Lawson, Dawson McHaffie, Sawyer McHaffie; April 5: Tampa Rogers, Kelvin Whittaker; April 6: Carole Gott, Nick Norwine, Samantha Rogers; April 7: Kayla Day, Jackie Hall, Hailee Storts, April 9: Tyler Hankins.

Anniversaries for the coming week include: April 5: Buddy and Kathy Compton; April 6: Don and Robyn Whittaker.

News for the week of March 26, 2014

I got that big pile of leaves raked up and carted out of the front yard last week and just as I suspected, the grandson was so occupied doing other fun things in the yard in the pretty warm weather we were enjoying that he didn't even notice they were gone. Or if he did notice, he didn't care. Now I just need to get the rest of the yard raked and mow it before Easter. Sometimes I get it done and sometimes not. Easter is later this year so I might actually get it done in time.

We aren't party people but we sure partied over the weekend. Garrett turned three on Saturday and we had a big birthday party. All the family got to come and enjoyed watching Garrett open presents and blow out the candle on the cake. His mom and dad got him a new little battery powered toy 4-wheeler so I am expecting a lot of walking/running beside him while he is on it to keep him from leaving the country! On Sunday he visited his other grandparents, Cody and Carrie Jenkins, and also Ivan Lawson, and had another party with more cake and presents so I'm sure he is partied out!

The benefit for Wanda Whitaker last Saturday was well attended and raised a good amount of money for Wanda. Wanda lost her home to a fire several weeks ago and has been living with her sister in Ozark. Hopefully she will be able to move home soon. We share a back fence with Wanda, and she has always been a wonderful neighbor. We are so glad to live in an area that responds so generously when someone is in need.

Laramie Joe and Mesa Mae, beautiful little twin sisters and daughters of Wendy (Silvey) Cash, had their first birthday party on Sunday. I didn't get to attend but it looked like a wonderful party with lots of good food and fellowship. It looked like the twins were enjoying their presents and all the people who were celebrating their birthday with them.

Donna Sloan has good news, she will probably get to return to her home in Garrison this week after staying in the nursing home at Ava for the past few weeks for rehab. Donna fell a few weeks ago and fractured a couple of vertebrae in her back.

Baseball and softball games will be starting soon and we have a granddaughter playing this year so we will be making the trips to watch. I enjoy going to these games and hopefully the weather will be nice. I've been to a few when it was spitting snow and didn't enjoy those so much.

Birthdays for the coming week include: March 28: Kent Day, Eric Guerin, Sherry Guerin, Natalie Mooney, Sara Ridings; March 29: Wanda Cavner, Andrew Lovelace; March 30: Sherry Henning, Elijah Nelson, Hailee Norwine; March 31: Kayla Combs, Noah Blair; April 2: Dawson Deroo, Noel Shortt.

News for the week of March 19, 2014

We ended up with between three and four inches of very unwelcome snow at our house on Sunday. It's just a little bit redundant to say I am tired of winter. I keep remembering when I was a youngster, reading about the “Year Without a Summer”. I thought it was in the time of the pilgrims so I looked it up and it actually happened later, in 1816, due to a number of reasons, including low sunspot activity and a volcanic eruption that cooled the atmosphere. I have always remembered the subject of the story although I didn't have all the details right. It just seems like a horrific story to me, I guess because I don't enjoy cold weather at all. Of course, at that time it was truly horrific since people had to rely on what they grew in the warm weather to survive through the winter. I know in my head that we haven't had any of those conditions and spring and summer will eventually get here, but in the back of my mind I keep remembering this story. Sometimes I am just a pessimist, I guess.

Construction is still going on at New Mansion Church. It is really shaping up and going to provide many more seats in the sanctuary. I went over to clean last Saturday and really had to look to find anything to clean. Don and Robyn Whittaker had been there before me and cleaned and vacuumed. I appreciate the help cleaning during the dusty construction phase.

Congratulations to B.J. and Tara Russell on the birth of their daughter, Raelynn Michelle. Raelynn was born on March 12 and weighed 6 lbs. 4 oz. and was 20 inches long. I saw a picture of her on facebook and she is beautiful and has lots of dark hair.

I ran into Deb Hall while in Ava last Saturday and it was good to speak with her. We were going opposite directions in the parking lot so didn't have a chance to visit much but it was still good to see her.

Hope to see everyone Saturday at the benefit for Wanda Whittaker at the Bradleyville School. Wanda recently lost her home to fire and is living with her sister at this time. Eating will start at 2:00 and an auction at 3:00. There will be a table set up to receive any shower items such as clothes, household goods and food which won't be auctioned but go directly to Wanda. Any donations of crockpot food for the benefit or items to auction are greatly appreciated. The doors will be open at noon for convenience if you have anything to drop off. For more information you can call Cindy Marsh, Belinda Wyman, Gerald Yeary, Boone Hodges or Gary and Barbara Casey.

Birthdays for the coming week include: March 20: Rebecca Campbell, Emma Hampton, Linton Rentfro, Sue Swadley; March 21: Kelsey Adams, Ron Hunsaker, Riley Kisling; March 22: Garrett Lawson; March 23: Sammi Jo Gailey; March 24: June Boyd, Dustin Tilley; March 25: Buddy Compton Jr., Danny Flannery, Clessie Hurst; March 26: Leon Combs.

I missed two anniversaries last week. Happy belated anniversaries to Dustin and Lisa Tilley on March 17 and also to Cecil and Stella Beeler who celebrated 53 years on March 17.

Anniversaries for the coming week include: March 25: Tim and Ann Blair.

News for the week of March 12, 2014

March certainly came in like a lion, didn't it? I hope the old saying holds true and it goes out like a lamb and we can bid this winter goodbye. I am itching to get out and do some yard work but I haven't been able to get outside much yet. I always wait until this time of year to rake my leaves off the yard because we have so many oaks in our yard that don't want to let go of their leaves until the last minute, although many of them have fallen off to cover the yard completely. I raked a big pile last fall just so our grandson, Garrett could play in them and he really doesn't want me to rake them off although they are wet and matted down now. I know the grass is dead underneath the pile of leaves but grandsons come before grass, don't you think? I will get them off some time when he isn't paying attention and there is more exciting things to think about.

Please remember Donna Sloan in your prayers. She fell last Sunday and fractured a couple of vertebrae in her back. She will have to spend some time in rehab in a nursing home although I don't know which one yet.

Congratulations to the Bradleyville FFA on some of their recent competitions where the Bradleyville chapter placed 1^st in Soils team, 1^st place in Forestry teams and 3^rd in the Meats team.

New Mansion Church is in the process of expanding the sanctuary again and re-arranging some classrooms. It is a little dusty and messy right now but that goes along with any construction. The help on Saturday cleaning up was very much appreciated. The help from Corby Lux and his boys, Gavin and Levi and Don and Robyn Whittaker made my job a lot easier. The sanctuary will be gaining around 6o or so more seats. If you don't have a church home, you are welcome at New Mansion.

The Hunsaker Family spent last weekend in Oklahoma singing. The group is Ed and Leona Hunsaker, their daughter Kayla Combs, Melanie Whittaker. Ed and Leona's granddaughter, Jessica Hunsaker sang with them this past weekend also. I've heard all these people sing separately but haven't heard them sing in their group yet. I know they are probably awesome together and look forward to hearing them sometime.

Congratulations to my grandson, Hayden Crouch on winning the “photo of the week” on the Ozone Sports website. Last week was fun as everyone pulled together in a voting frenzy to vote for him to win. It was a back a forth situation with another photo and the phone texts and messages on facebook were flying as people were urging each other to vote, vote, vote! There were literally people from all over the world voting for him. I was one of the main campaigners so if I was a nuisance to anybody I apologize but I really wanted Hayden to win!

I got an e-mail from the Getaway Gift Shop letting me know they are open for the season so I'll have to swing by there and pick up some of the wonderful soap they sell and look over all the other items they have. They have some beautiful items for sale, lots of homemade items from different people, books, jewelry, greeting cards if you need one, just too much to mention really but it is lots of fun to look at everything they have, and a great place to pick up a gift that is unique.

Birthdays for the coming week include: March 13: Jayda Maggard, James Marsh; March 14: Virginia Clayton, Jacob Nelson, Scott Whittaker; March 15: Lacey Davis, Brent Koenig; March 16: Daniel Gillespie, Juanita Shortt; March 17: Brandon Harris, Koelder Ross; March 18: Nardena Brown, Amber Duff, Becky Krause; March 19: Bradley Flannery, Kerri Hampton.

Anniversaries for the coming week include: March 19: Brandon and Lori Burkhart, Sam and Judy Clemans.

News for the Week of March 5, 2014

Brrr. That's all I'm going to say about the weather this week.


Please keep little Madelyn Gross in your prayers. This beautiful little six month old baby girl had to have surgery at the end of February and is getting to come home this week. She has done so well and we pray she continues to improve. Daddy Dustin said she also got her first tooth while in the hospital recovering.


The basketball season has ended for both Bradleyville teams. The girls played a good game against the number one seeded team. They played well but the Chadwick girls have had an amazing season and came out the winner in district play. The boys played number one seeded Niangua for first place in districts and had a great game but Niangua pulled away and won the game. Both teams played great and had nothing to be ashamed of. Each and every one of them gave their best. Congratulations to both coaches for a winning season and for excellent coaching as well as being great role models for our kids. There is always next year, unless you are a senior. There is always a little sadness when it is your last high school game. We will miss our senior players next year for sure.


I know I speak for all the parents and grandparents when I say how much we appreciated all the pictures Elane Crum took and posted to facebook for everyone to enjoy. I know from trying to take pictures at ballgames it is hard to catch good shots but she captured a lot of good action shots. My pictures always came out too dark to see when I took pictures at ballgames and I finally gave up trying. I know there was probably a better setting for my camera but I never could even understand most of the directions that came with it.


Birthdays for the coming week include: March 6: Dillon Gross; March7: Lori Burkhart, Ray Hurst; March 9: C.J. Badovinatz, Tyler Braden, Rex Clemans, Cletis Shortt, Dennis Whittaker; March 10: Joe Scott; March 11: Georgi Clark; March 12: John Day, Ethan Douglas.

News for the Week of February 26, 2014

If you didn't have your outside possessions tied down last week there is a good chance they are in the next county by now. I couldn't believe how hard the wind blew for a few days. Several people had shingles blown off their roofs, including us. The ridge-cap on top of our house was standing up straight most of the length of the house. Bob got on top of the house and nailed them back down but I fear there are more leaks in our future when it rains. I heard that several people had trampolines blown out of their yards and one family had their heavy wooden swing set blown over. I spent two hours outside Saturday picking up pop cans, juice bottles and trash that had blown all over my yard from the pile beside Bob's truck. They needed picked up anyway, I just hadn't made the time to do it. Now it is all sacked up, ready to recycle or burn, depending on the content. On a bright note, I noticed the warm days had caused the daffodil leaves and surprise lily leaves to break through the ground. Now I will be on the lookout for the crocus blooms.


Both the girls' and boys' basketball teams won their games in the first games of district play last Saturday at Sparta. The girls played again Monday evening of this week against the Chadwick girls and the boys played on Tuesday evening against the Chadwick boys. These games will be played by the time the paper comes out so I don't know right now if we are still playing or not. If they did win, the girls will play on Thursday, February 27 at 6:00 PM and if the boys have won they will also play on Thursday evening at 7:30.


Our sympathy goes to the family of Henry Lawrence who passed away last week. Henry grew up in this area and graduated from Bradleyville School. He and his wife Lorene and two daughters, Patti and Jody lived here for many years. After their girls were grown Henry and Lorene moved to Springfield. Henry had been battling cancer for nine years. Everyone that knew Henry appreciated his kindness and sense of humor and he always had a smile for everyone.


Birthdays for the coming week include: February 27: Maycee Lumley, Scott Puckett; March 1: Bob Dalton, Brett Johnson, Heather Maggard; March 2: Dannon Hall, Morgan Lawrence; March 3: Janice Gray; March 4: Lee Bettis, Boone Hodges, Lindsey Thomas.



Anniversaries for the coming week include: February 28: Richard and Sue Baker; March 2: Bill and Paula Walker.