News for the Week of July 9, 2014

Happy summer to everyone! The temperature is supposed to climb this week but it has been so pleasant the past couple of weeks with the slightly lower temps. Bob sure has enjoyed the lower temps and a couple of days of lower humidity.

Our next door neighbors to the south were sitting outside a few days ago when they heard a noise. They looked around and there was a black bear standing in their yard. Different people have seen them so close and even in our road leading to our house but we've never seen one here. I don't know whether to be happy about that or not. I know one must be out there close somewhere. Makes me a little nervous about picking blackberries but not enough nervous to keep me out of them. Bob said I'd be okay as long as I didn't get between a momma and her cubs. Well that makes me feel better. I better just take the car or 4-wheeler when I go so I can make a little faster getaway.

The Bradleyville FFA took a week-long trip out west recently. Kids that went on this trip were Dean Clark, Megan Fox, Luke Clemans, Caiden Cash, Trey Boyd, Shekinah Clemans, Mariah Clemans, Emily Todd, Gabe Shipley, Megan Lovelace and Hayden Crouch. They were accompanied by FFA teacher, Clint Gailey and his wife, Hannah. They did a lot of camping and went through Nebraska, traveled on to the Pacific coast in Washington State, came back through Idaho, Montana and Wyoming on the way home. I know I missed a state or two but don't know the exact order. They had a great time and saw a lot of sights and wildlife.

I'm a week or two behind, but congratulations to Jack and Stacey Clemans and their family on the adoption of their son, Greyson Michael. Jack and Stacey recently traveled to China to bring their son home. He sure is a cute little guy and seems very happy to adjust to life here. He couldn't have been adopted into any better family than Jack and Stacey's.

Congratulations also to Bandy and Staci Dalton on the birth of another son, Creed McGarett Dalton. Creed was born early in the morning on June 28 and weighed 7 lbs. 9 oz. He is very adorable and I've heard a lot of people say he looks like his Grandpa Joe Norwine.

New Mansion Church had a great celebration for the 4^th of July. The VBS program started at 3:00 on Sunday afternoon, then outside for lots of fun games. At 6:00 everyone filled up on pulled pork and loads of side dishes and desserts. Around 7:30 everyone gathered in the ballfield beside the church to watch R.O.A.M. Those initials stand for Riders on a Mission, a great group of young Christian men who rode their motorcycles and four wheelers, did stunts and rode up ramps and jumped from one ramp to the other. Great entertainment and all the kids loved it. I think all the grown-ups enjoyed it too. After this entertainment there was some turtle racing, and then at dark Cindy Todd sang the national anthem and we all enjoyed fireworks.

Next Sunday at 2:00 in the afternoon there will be a baptizing at Hercules for those wishing to be obedient in this step of faith. Several from New Mansion VBS will be baptized.

Birthdays for the coming week include: July 9: Jerry Henning, Debbie Marsh, Arica Todd; July 10: Norma Burkhart, Glenda Floyd, Shelly Rogers; July 11: Mike Flanigan; July 12: Hannah Howie; July 13: Josh Adams, Harley Guerin; July 14: Ginger Harmon; July 15: Phillip Day, Cindy Todd, Jarett Yeary; July 16: Ron Clark, L.T. Collins, Richard Gott, Jan Robertson, David Rogers, Richard Stoecker.

Anniversaries for the coming week include: July 13: Vic and Deanna Badovinatz; July 14: Vernon and Barbara Fuller; July 16: Junior and Peggy Hicks.

News for the Week of June 11, 2014

The weather sure has been perfect for transplanting trees and flowers the past few weeks. I got two volunteer maple trees and a redbud tree transplanted and several flowers. I still have a couple of trees I need to set out and a few more flowers but the way the forecast looks I still have time. They hardly know they have been uprooted and re-planted when it stays so wet. On the downside, I have to keep my computer unplugged almost all the time from the fear of lightning running in on the line. I wish I had gotten a laptop instead of a desktop now, since I could go ahead and use it during bad weather. Lightning might run into my router but it wouldn't hurt my computer. I could stand the cost of a new router better than a computer. They say hindsight is 20/20.

Every two years the Bradleyville Alumni Association hosts an all school reunion. The all-school reunion for 2014 will be held on Saturday, June 14, beginning at 6:00 pm in the Bradleyville School gym. This reunion is for anybody who graduated from Bradleyville School, anybody who ever attended school there, anybody who ever worked there in any position, and even if you never attended there but just want to visit or eat. The FFA chapter will be preparing food for purchase which will be barbecue sandwiches, coleslaw, baked beans and a drink. A plate will be $5.00 with the money going towards FFA activities and trips. Each of the classes with members present will be recognized. Any alumni who have passed away since the last reunion will be honored with a moment of silence. Two worthy individuals will be recognized and inducted into the Bradleyville Wall of Fame. There will be an election of officers for vice-president, secretary, and treasurer. There will be plenty of time for visiting and picture taking. There will also be pictures on display of former years. Eddie Hunsaker is president of the alumni association and invites and encourages everyone to be present.

Congratulations to the family of Scott and Julie Lawson on the birth of their new baby boy, Caiden Briar Lawson. Caiden was born on May 29 at 8:09 in the evening and weighed 6 pounds and 13 ounces. Caiden was welcomed home by big brothers Garrett and Emmett and big sister, Makenna.

Congratulations also to Brandon and Lori Burkhart on the birth of their baby boy, Jaxon Reid Burkhart. Jaxon was born on June 2 at 3:21 PM. I know Grandma Vicki and Grandma Connie can't wait to get in their rocking time with this long awaited little boy!

We were saddened to learn of the passing of Richard Mitchell last week. His services were June 9^th at Clinkenbeards in Ava and final resting place at Goodhope Cemetery. I will always remember his kindness as a first responder when our daughter Julie wrecked our car by Plainview School with Danielle and Courtney as passengers. He was very kind and went above and beyond which I am sure is what everyone who knew him would say about him. During his battle with cancer he still had a wonderful testimony to share. I know he will be missed by all who knew him.

Lynn Case and her family went to the bull rides at Ozark last Saturday and had a great time. Lynn said she saw one of my best friends in the world, Carol Case sitting a few rows down from them. Carol is no relation to me through the Case name but her and Bob are distantly related back through the generations. Carol and I have know each other all our lives and were best friends in school. I could fill up an entire page with all of our similarities and coincidences in our lives but they would probably be boring to everyone else. Just a couple would be that we both married somebody with a last name of “Case”, both of our husband's fathers died of brain cancer, and we are both grandmas to twins.

Birthdays for the coming week include: June 11: Sara Whittaker; June 12: Baylee Hurst; June 13: Roger Chaney; June 14: Katie Hodges, David Murphy, Raymond Swadley; June 15: Elsie Combs, Calley Matthews, Amy Strahan, Wyatt Whittaker; June 16: Tom Braden, Samantha Copas; June 17: Shannon Baird, Arnold O'Neal; June 18: Karla Yeary.

Anniversaries for the coming week include: June 11: Jason and Alicia Crouch; June 14: Dennis and Sara Case; June 17: Clarence and Shelley Rogers.

News for the Week of May 21, 2014

Another Monday here in Bradleyville. The old song lyrics, “rainy days and Mondays always get me down” is running through my head this morning. I have always substituted the word “never” for the word “always” in those lyrics, because I have always enjoyed rainy days and I have always enjoyed Mondays also, kind of a relaxing day for me after a busy weekend. This Monday, though not rainy, is very cloudy. I would rather it rain than be cloudy and gloomy but I know Bob and others that have to work outside are enjoying the cool temperatures and the clouds that keep the sun off of them while they work.

On a brighter note, my hummingbirds are enjoying themselves immensely. I have around twenty or more swarming around two feeders. There are one or two bullies that sit guard duty on top of the feeders but there are just too many for the bullies to run off. It is so much fun and enjoyment to me to watch these little birds.

I talked to Kathryn Braden and she sent some information to me that she would like everyone to know about. The regular annual meeting of the Eldridge Cemetery Association, Incorporated, will be held at the cemetery on May 25, 2014, as specified in the Association's by laws. There will be a short Memorial service beginning at 11:30 AM with the Association and Board of Directors meeting to follow. A covered dish luncheon will follow the business meeting. The cemetery is located 3 miles south of Bradleyville and east off Hwy 125, approximately 2 miles on Eldridge Road. The public is invited to attend. Please bring your lawn chair and covered dish. Table service will be provided. If you have any questions call 417-785-4380.

I am behind schedule this year. I usually buy some flowers to decorate graves all through the year so I will be ready when Memorial Day gets here but I haven't bought one flower yet. My peonies seem to be behind this year also and some are just now beginning to bloom so I may take bouquets of peonies this year.

We were able to attend only one night of revival at Caney Church to hear Randy Dalton preach last week but we enjoyed it very much. Randy had a message to really make you think and examine yourself. We also enjoyed hearing Timothy Sims sing “Great is Thy Faithfulness”. He did a great job and really sang from the heart and that is what is important to me.

Congratulations to Landon and Eva Millard on the birth of their son, Rhett Michael on May 16. Rhett weighed 8 lb. 10 oz and was 22 inches long. Lots and lots of beautiful black hair. Big sister, 4 year old Jerica will love helping Mom and Dad take care of him I'm sure.

Bradleyville's Kindergarten class of 2014 will graduate at a program at the school on Friday, May 23 at 2:00 in the afternoon.

Many schools are dismissed for the summer already but Bradleyville still has a little time left to go. There will be no school on May 26 in observation of Memorial Day and then the last day of school will be on May 27 with a dismissal at 12:45. Summer fun begins then, along with summer school and many ball camps.

Birthdays for the coming week include: May 21: Dean Clark; May 23: Alvin Nelson; May 24: Caleb Blair, Ruth Hodges, Cameron Potter; May 26: Ryan Caldwell, Judy Whitaker; May 27: Cassandra Horner, Jessica Kisling, Nona Norwine.

Anniversaries for the coming week include: May 21: Ron and Judy Alstatt; May 22: Jeff and Tammy Spicer; May 26: Kelvin and Melanie Whittaker; May 27: Jackie and Gail Adams, Bo and Judy Bonner, Bubba and Lisa Taylor; May 28: Bill and Sue Guerin.

News for the Week of April 28, 2014

We escaped storm damage although several friends and neighbors have reported damage in varying degrees. So sorry for the loss of life and property in other parts of the country. This is normal spring weather for the area and it has been late this year for tornado type activity but it is one thing I always dread. I don't really worry about it and I actually slept through any bad weather we had but I hate all the destruction from storms of this kind.

One nice thing that comes out of all that rain this time of year is mushrooms. People have been finding lots of mushrooms and Bob has brought in two or three messes while he has been out turkey hunting or working. Last Monday morning after the storms he brought home a plastic sack full of large white morel mushrooms. I hadn't seen any that big in several years. I've also seen a lot of pictures of people finding the big red beefsteak mushrooms although all the ones Bob has found have been the morels. Bob is the mushroom finder at our house, I can't find one unless maybe I tripped and fell with my face landing in front of one.

I talked with Connie Haes for a while Monday and she said the Caney/Roberts Cemetery near Hilda will hold dinner at noon and business meeting to follow on Sunday, May 4^th.

The Bradleyville FFA under the guidance of Clint Gailey went to state competition and the Forestry Team took 2^nd in state, the Soils Team took 8^th, and the Meats Team placed number 15 in state. Three out of four on the Forestry team took group I individuals and Chance Ingles received a State FFA degree.

On April 30 Bradleyville School will have Kindergarten screening from 8:30am-2:30pm for all children starting Kindergarten next year.

The Spring Concert for the high school will be held on Thursday, May 1 at 7:00pm. The band and choir always give an outstanding performance, directed by Chris Sprague.

Also on May 1 there will be a baseball game at Bradleyville, with Everton, starting at 4:30.

The annual Walk/Run will be held on Saturday, May 3 this year, and it is also a snow make-up day. It starts at 8:30 in the morning for registration with the walk/run starting at 9:00.

The Athletic Awards and FFA Awards ceremony will be held at Bradleyville School on May 6, starting at 6:00pm.

It's a little far out, but I will mention also baseball at Lutie on May 8, starting at 4:30 and then on May 9 the FFA fish fry will be held at 5:00pm. I'll have more information next week.

Graduation for Bradleyville School seniors will be at 7:00pm on Saturday, May 10^th.

Birthdays for the coming week include: May 1: Echo Combs; May 2: Nicole Hunsaker; May 3: Bill Birdsong, Cindy Clark, Sara Jane Fleharty, Marnita Hughey, Kim Scott; May 4: Brady Rogers; May 5: Ethel Bunnell, Jan Clark.

A very special Happy Anniversary to Pete and Novella Knight of Washington State who have been married for 74 years on May 3^rd.

Also on May 6: Mike and Nicole Hunsaker.