Cattlemen announce scholarship winners

The Bates County Cattlemen and Cattlewomen are proud to announce the recipients of scholarships

James Fischer son of Jerrell and Jill, graduate of Appleton City School District. James plans to attend University of Missouri- Columbia and study Agricultural Systems Management.

Brooke Dunning daughter of Troy and Michelle, graduate of Butler School District. Brooke plans to attend Murray State College and study Agricultural Education.

Cameron Tallman son of DJ and Venessa, graduate of Adrian School District. Cameron plans to attend Redlands Community College in El Reno, Oklahoma.

Congratulations to James, Brooke, and Cameron, and thank you to all dedicated students who applied. We're proud you will represent Bates County and cattlemen and women across the nation! Best of luck to all!

Scholarships will be presented Friday night in the arena before the Junior Livestock Auction.

Bad advice? At least it's free...

The 77th annual Hume fair and rodeo is all set to run July 30th through August 3rd, and there's lots on the schedule.

The theme this year is Blue Jeans 'n Country Dreams so you can plan your parade float accordingly. Booth space is available by contacting Erika at 660-424-0644. And yes, it looks like Old Coots Giving Advice (see photo) will be on hand to steer you in the wrong direction free-of-charge as well.

Let's meet the candidates:

Baileigh Rogers

Hi! My name is Baileigh Rogers and I am running for the 2019 Hume Fair Princess. I am 10 years old. My parents are Josh and Heather Rogers. I have two sisters, Brileigh and Bridleigh. I live in Hume and will be a 5th grader this year at Hume Elementary. I love to play sports. I play basketball and softball. In my free time I like to play with my sisters and my bottle calf, Buddy. I’ve attended the Hume Fair and Rodeo ever since I was born. My favorite part has been participating in the Wild Pony Race and seeing my friends.

I am selling tickets on chances to win $550 worth of fabulous prizes. If you would like tickets, I will be happy to sell them to you. Just comment on this post and I’ll come see you! 😊 I would greatly appreciate your support! Thank you!

Blayk Sears

Blayk Sears is the 5 year old daughter of Matthew and Kate Sears. She will start Kindergarten this fall. She enjoys, pageants, baseball, swimming and her chickens. She loves playing with LOL Dolls and Barbies. When Blayk grows up she wants to be a Doctor. Her favorite part of the Hume Fair is spending time with all her family, eating snow cones, and chasing sheep. She hopes everyone has as much fun at the fair as she does.

Dalton Hess

My name is Dalton Hess and I'm 17 years old. I go to Hume High School and am going into my Senior Year. My parents are Jack and Kim Hess. Some interests of mine include team roping and barrel racing, or just riding a horse in general. Some other interests of mine may include warm weather, swimming, and my few pets. We have an inside cat, Eugene, and two bunnies, Bean and Rose. You can contact me for rodeo tickets and/or colt tickets at (660-227-3815 (Mobile) or 660-447-6130 (Home).

The rodeo this year will be under the direction of C.R. McKellips Rodeo Co and is set for August 2nd and 3rd. Call in date is July 22nd 10 am to 2 pm at 417-876-2353.

Find more information about this year's celebration on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Hume-Fair-Rodeo-Hume-MO-1443839669226575 

And we'll see you at the fair! 

Reese joins Speech and Debate team at UCM

Robert Reese, AHS Class of 2018, has been selected for the 2019-2020 Speech and Debate team at the University of Central Missouri (UCM). After an interview about his hobbies and how he wanted to affect the Speech and Debate (S&D) team, along with a performance using a piece from high school, Robert signed on the dotted line once he was selected. 

Making the S&D team is a big accomplishment for Robert as it has been a goal of his since high school. He said, "Since high school I've had a love for public speaking in general, and S&D was my outlet. Since I graduated, I've been waiting to get to UCM (post-community college) and hopefully join the team to be able to once again perform what I love doing. Thankfully, I made the team, so now I get to do just that: perform, and give my voice."

About the S&D team, Robert gave some specifics. The UCM Speech and Debate team has been active for over 60 years and has made quite the reputation for not only a strong and balanced team, but one that any other team can quickly make friends with. Competitions start in September, and will go until April, and most are at other colleges over 3-4 days. He said, "If I qualify, there are national and international competitions, some of which take place in the UK."

Where did it all begin and who was influential in Robert's passion for speech and debate? "My biggest influences both come from those who helped me get here, and authors that I've borrowed pieces from. As they tell you in S&D, your pieces have to mean something to you to really do well on them, and each piece I've done means a lot to me," Robert said. He went on to say, "Mrs. Powell and Mrs. Coffelt are two of my biggest influences, as Powell got me into public speaking in the first place; without her I may not have discovered my knack for the activity, and my love of it. Mrs. Coffelt helped me take a sparked interest and grow it to an ability to perform and compete, not only in S&D, but also in other clubs, such as TSA. It's a good skill to know, as it crosses over in several places."

Robert extends gratitude to people who have helped him on the path to reaching one of his collegiate goals. He said, "I'd like to thank my supportive parents for listening to speech after speech after poem after poem while I attempted to memorize and tweak my performances. A thanks goes to Mr. Sears, as he put up with me in TSA, and further encouraged my growth in the club, which helped me in both TSA and S&D. And a thank you to the News Leader for giving me a little shout out!"

When he's not competing with the S&D team, Robert will be working diligently on academics. He is majoring in Secondary Education with an English focus.

-courtesy of Adrian News Leader and photo by Chris Engelken

Congrats Adrian FFA officers

Jocelyn Reynolds will be serving as Secretary this year. Her SAE project is vegetable production. Jocelyn’s goal for the FFA chapter this year is to recruit more upperclassmen. Jocelyn said, “my favorite FFA memory is the bus rides to contest or trips.” Jocelyn is looking forward to serving as your chapter Secretary.

Makenna Hummel will be serving as this years Second Vice President. Her SAE project is outdoor recreation. I recently asked Makenna what her favorite FFA memory was. Makenna’s favorite memory would be judging horses at state. Makenna’s goal is to get a team on stage at state this coming year. Makenna is looking forward to serving as your chapter Second Vice President for the 2019-2020 year. 

Courtesy Kameran Collier

One year anniversary of Derrick Harris Homicide

Press release 7/9/19

Today marks one year since 36 year old Derrick Harris was murdered at 17th and Lister, and this case remains unsolved. 

If you know anything about this case, please do the right thing and submit an anonymous TIP via the TIPS Hotline (816-474-8477), kccrimestoppers.com, or the P3 TIPS mobile app. 

TIPS leading to an arrest in KCMO homicide cases are worth up to $25,000, and no one will ever know but you.

Retirement celebration for Jim Gamber

A retirement celebration for Jim Gamber will be held July 11th from 2-3:30 p.m. in the Golden Valley Hospital lobby. The public is invited to attend.

FLASHBACK: How can I help you?

Butler telephone exchange on the corner of Delaware and Chestnut streets in Butler around 1940

As above, the same location today

Long before texting and social media, the primary way to have a conversation over a distance was by telephone. Most homes only had one telephone, and sorry teenagers, privacy was a little hard to find since the phone was usually located in the central part of the house, well within earshot of your pesky siblings

In the very early days, the telephone had a crank handle- give it a good spin and it would 'ring' an operator who came on the line and asked who would you like to call. However, by the 1950's, the  rotary dial phone allowed you to dial the number you wanted, and an operator was only needed for calls outside of your exchange area.

Operators working at the Butler exchange

During all this evolution, there was a staff of operators who worked at the United Telephone office located at the corner of Delaware and Chestnut streets in Butler ready to provide help when needed.

As time and technology moved along, by the 1970's, the pushbutton phone and automated exchanges eliminated the need for operators, and the Butler telephone office slowly dwindled away; and today, wireless phones have almost completely taken over.

Read more about the 'good ol days' of placing calls in Bates County HERE 

 -our thanks to Jana Rosier

Obituary - Donald W. Griffitt

Donald W. Griffitt, 72, Clinton, Missouri passed away, Friday, June 28, 2019 at his home in Clinton. Fond memories and condolences may be left online at www.vansant-millsfuneralhome.com. 

Funeral service will be on Thursday, July 11, 2019 at 11am with visitation one hour prior to the service at Vansant-Mills Funeral Home, Clinton, Missouri. Interment will follow at Bethlehem Cemetery. 

The family suggests memorial contributions to be made to the Donald Griffitt memorial fund and may be left in care of the funeral home.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Vansant-Mills Funeral Home, Clinton, Missouri.