Your weekend planner

Today
Partly cloudy. High of 81. Winds from the ENE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 20%.

Bates County Democratic Women's Club meeting 6:30 p.m. at the Ballard Store

Friday
Overcast with a chance of a thunderstorm and a chance of rain. High of 75. Breezy. Winds from the SE at 15 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 40%.

Scottish Rite Ham and Bean Dinner 5:30 p.m. at the Butler Masonic Lodge

Saturday
Partly cloudy with a chance of rain. High of 75. Winds from the North at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 20%.

Relay for Life MASH Team walk/run starts at 9 a.m. a the BCMH east parking lot

Team Educate book sale at Community First Bank covered parking lot 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Order No. 11 program at the Bates County Museum starts at 10 a.m.

West Central Warriors vs Mills County Militia football at Rotary Field in Butler starting at 4 p.m.

Drexel High School Project Prom

Miami High School Project Prom

Sunday
Overcast. Fog early. High of 61. Winds from the ENE at 10 to 15 mph.

East Cantata at the Trinity United Methodist Church in Appleton City starting at 4:30 p.m.

Outlaw Bass Tournament for info call Dale at 660-679-9101

If you would like something added to the weekend planner send us an email at bateswire@hotmail.com

Miami Creek bridge replacement scheduled

APAC Construction of Clinton Mo. has announced the schedule for replacement of the Miami Creek bridge on 52 highway west of Butler. Barring weather or other delays, the replacement is slated to begin May 21 and run through August 9th of this year.

Closure of the bridge will certainly cause heartburn for anyone who regularly travels on west 52, however a detour to the north on county roads will be the best bet.

The Miami Creek bridge built in 1924 is too narrow and in serious disrepair, warranting replacement as soon as possible.

-photo by Ruth Reynolds

Alpacas and Elks team up to support autism families

On Saturday, June 2nd, 2012, Alpacas for Autism and the Adrian Elks will host an Alpaca Fiber Festival in Adrian, Missouri Proceeds from the event will benefit Adrian Elks Lodge 2864 and Alpacas for Autism, a nonprofit organization with a unique mission, “To improve the quality of life for individuals with Autism by teaching the fiber arts and using alpacas to improve social skills.”

Event Details
The open house style event will run from 10am to 3pm. Appropriate for all ages, this event will feature personal interaction with alpacas, goats and even a llama named Josh! The Adrian Elks will be offering a great menu of homemade treats so no one will go away hungry. Area fiber artists will be on hand to demonstrate their skills including, spinning, felting, weaving and knitting. Attendees will have the opportunity to try their hand at fiber processing and even create an alpaca craft to take home. Alpaca fiber, roving, yarn and finished goods will be available for purchase as well. A family friendly, fun time in the country for all!

About Alpacas for Autism
Alpacas for Autism is a nonprofit organization with a heart for animals, entrepreneurship and individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders. This unique combination has given rise to programs which support young adults beginning at age 12 through adulthood. Incorporated in September 2011, by founder and executive director, Tina Cochran, the mission is to provide tools this under-served group can use to become more self-sufficient.

Programs are being developed in two key areas: Social skills, through which alpacas are partnered with autistic individuals on the ranch in Adrian, Missouri; and Fiber arts/entrepreneurship, with classes in knitting, crocheting, felting, yarn spinning, business planning, marketing, etc. Funds raised by the organization also support a summer camp for youth with Autism (www.CampEncourage.org)

About Alpacas
Alpacas, cousins to the llama, are beautiful, intelligent animals native to the Andean Mountain range of South America, particularly Peru, Bolivia, and Chile. There are now over 150,000 registered alpacas in North America. There are two types of alpacas in the United States today. Although almost physically identical, what distinguishes the two types of alpacas is their fiber. The Huacaya (wa-Ki’-ah) is the more common of the two and has a fluffy, extremely fine coat. The Suri is the rarer of the two and has fiber that is silky and resembles pencil-locks.

Adult alpacas stand at approximately 36 inches at the withers and generally weigh between 150 and 200 pounds. Alpacas are alert, intelligent, curious, and predictable. Social animals that seek companionship, they communicate most commonly by softly humming.

To find out more about Alpacas for Autism visit http://www.AlpacasForAutism.com. Or call 816-258-0089.

To find out more about Adrian Elks Lodge 2864 email: adrianelks@gmail.com or call 816-297-8979

Obituary - Willard Steiner

Funeral services for Willard Steiner will be 11 a.m. Saturday, April 28, 2012 at Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel (660-679-6555) in Butler, Missouri. Visitation will be prior to services from 10-11 a.m. at Schowengerdt Chapel. Burial in Oak Hill Cemetery, Butler. Contributions to Pleasant Gap Christian Church.

Willard Louis Steiner, age 96 of Butler, Missouri, died Tuesday, April 24, 2012 in Butler. He was born July 20, 1915 to Louis Charles and Rosa Hegnauer Steiner in Butler.

Willard is survived by his wife Gertrude Steiner of Butler, Missouri; two sons, Kent Steiner and wife Conni of Andover, Minnesota and Neil Steiner and wife Brenda of Butler, Missouri; one daughter, Judy Ronning and husband Jack of Lenexa, Kansas; 15 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren and one great great-granddaughter. He was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Ethel Gilbert; and a great great-granddaughter, Katrinna Coffman.

Order No. 11 presentation this Saturday at the Bates County Museum

Tom Rafiner

Tom Rafiner, a native of Jackson County, has a passion for the Civil War history of Missouri’s Burnt District. On Saturday, April 28th at 10:00 am, Mr. Rafiner will present a free program at the Bates County Museum and the public is invited to come hear him speak in Robertson Hall. There will be a free will offering Sandwich & Salad Luncheon immediately following his presentation.

Tom is well known in the neighboring county just north of Bates, as his extensive research into the families displaced by the 1863 Order No. 11 in Cass County resulted in the publication of, “Caught Between Three Fires.” According to the book description, “Citizens struggled between three raging fires, Secessionism, Unionism, and an undying Border War.” Tom is now focusing his research on the 1850-60s families of Bates County and will publish another book that includes this history. The compelling and often heartbreaking stories of people displaced and lives destroyed, or at the very least disrupted, will now be compiled into a published work.

Serious research into this era of history in Bates County is particularly difficult because so many of the records were lost during the War. From the infamous late 1863 forced exodus until 1866, three long years, there was no county business conducted and therefore no records. Tom’s research has already taken him to the National Archives in Washington, D. C. and he plans additional trips in the future.

Tom Rafiner’s ancestors lived in Cass County through the Border War and well into the Civil War. His reputation as a talented and engaging oral historian, and storyteller, rests upon meticulous knowledge of Order No. 11. Bates County is fortunate that Tom Rafiner has taken an interest in the stories of Order No. 11 and the Museum is proud to host him as a guest speaker. The public is invited and encouraged to attend this very special program. Contact Peggy Buhr at the Museum for additional information. 660-679-0134.

Butler Optimists present Student of the Month awards

The Butler Optimist Club would like to recognize three Butler R-V students for their outstanding academic achievements and character. The three students were selected by the staff at Butler R-V. Each student receives a certificate of honor and a $20 gift card to Sonic donated by Miles Umstattd of Sonic in Butler. Madyson Shaffer and McKinzie received the Butler Elementary Optimist Student of the Month for March. Madyson Shaffer is the daughter of Justin and Amber Shaffer. McKinzie Wheatley is the daughter of Jerret and Brandy Wheatley. Derek Noe is the Butler JH Optimist Student of the Month for March. Derek Noe is the son of Damon and April Noe.

Heath Oates, Optimist member, presenting the award Derek Noe. 

 Mrs. Stacey Lawson, Optimist member and Principal at Butler elementary school
presents the awards to Madyson Shaffer (middle) and McKinzie Wheatley (right).

Elementary Picture: In the picture, Mrs. Stacey Lawson, Optimist member and Principal at BES, is presenting the award Madyson Shaffer (Left) and McKinzie Wheatley (Right).

Wimsatt family makes donation to Adrian fire department

The family of the late Richard Wimsatt made a monetary presentation to the Adrian Fire Department during the regular department training meeting held yesterday evening. Richard was a long time advocate and supporter of the fire department and the family's wishes were to present the donation of just over $2,300.00 in his honor.

Adrian Fire Chief Gary Dizney accepted the donation from Jewel Wimsatt on behalf of the family.

Senator Caskey to be honored Thursday at State Capitol

April 26th will mark a milestone; it will be the 20th anniversary of the Crime Victims Rights legislation as well as honoring Senator Harold Caskey whose dedication and commitment to victim rights was instrumental in this legislation in the state of Missouri.

The State of Missouri Crime Victims’ Rights Week Ceremony will be held on Thursday, April 26th on the south steps of the State Capitol Lawn in Jefferson City. This year’s theme is "Extending the Vision: Reaching Every Victim" and is scheduled to begin at 12:00 p.m.

Senator Caskey will be recognized with a public acknowledgement of his hard work and his dedication to victims’ rights.

-story courtesy FM 92 the Bullet