Lily's House Volunteer Spotlight: Melinda Elmer

Melinda has been volunteering her time with the women at Lily’s House since 2022. Twice a month she leads cooking classes at the shelter. This spring they began serving a monthly senior luncheon at Houston Plaza, so she added a cooking prep class in addition to the two regular classes. She also helps serving the lunch at Houston Plaza with the women who prepared it.

Melinda says her favorite part of working with the women is, “watching them grow from a timid ‘new gal’ to the beautiful creation God always intended for them to be. Sometimes people tell me I'm a blessing to them - but in reality, they are a blessing to me. I have infinite respect for each of them because of their bravery and determination to complete the phases of Lily's House.”

Melinda has gotten to help some of the moms bake and decorate birthday cakes for their children. “This doesn't seem like a big deal to most of us - but oftentimes these moms have never had the opportunity to do this. They choose the cake flavor and design, and I take my cake decorating items in. Over a couple of days we bake and make scratch frosting. I start them out and then they take over, learning how to make [frosting] shell borders, transfer pictures to the cake and write a message. I truly enjoy being a part of this ‘milestone’ with them, and seeing the joy in their eyes knowing they did this themselves for their child's birthday.”

One of the great things she’s seen accomplished at Lily’s House is the raised vegetable beds. Since she is a gardener herself, she appreciates that the ladies work in their own garden. “They prepare the beds in the spring, plant the seeds and starts, maintain by watering and weeding, then harvest their bounty. The last couple summers, I have taught the girls how to process their own tomatoes into jarred salsa for their pantry. They feel accomplished eating what they worked so hard for.”

Melinda is humbled to be able to spend time with the ladies at Lily’s House. “When I think I have a heavy task ahead of me, I think of the stories some of them have shared with me about their pasts, which puts my ‘problems’ into perspective. Like I said, I am the one who is blessed by them. I have also been better able to tell more people about the wonderful work of Lily's House, and how the girls' lives and the lives of their children are changed because of this ministry.”

We are so blessed to have Melinda volunteer her time to pour herself into the women at Lily’s House. Thank you for all you do!

Week 7 football scores

Scores to be added as they become available 

Liberal 34
Appleton City 70

Adrian 35
California 0

Midway 20
Cole Camp 21

Drexel 82
Greenfield 40

Clinton 20
Harrisonville 13

Richmond 20
Holden 41

Archie 75
Jasper 14

Monett 24
Lamar 27

Cassville 27
Nevada 20

Lockwood 63
New Heights Christian 8

Odessa 26
Pleasant Hill 21

Osceola 46
Rich Hill 14

El Dorado Springs 27
Sherwood 13

Windsor 59
Versailles 6

Butler 0
Warsaw 48

Mild Winter ahead? We'll see...

 

As of late there have been many reports of all orange wooly bear caterpillars spotted around the area prompting the question, "What does it mean?" According to folklore, the more orange a caterpillar has, the more mild Winter will be and of course, all orange means super mild? 

Eh, we'll see. Our brief research which included predictions from the Old Farmer's Almanac, Accuweather and a few others show that the central USA will see an 'average' Winter with the most active storms to appear at the beginning and very end of the season.

Staff photo

Adrian Historical Society receives special gifts

During the most recent meeting of the Adrian Historical Society, Sheriff Chad Anderson presented books covering the history of the Bates County Sheriff's department to the Historical Society and the Adrian library which will serve as an invaluable resource for both.

You can follow the Adrian Historical Society on Facebook here https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064606305592 to learn more.

A beautiful day for the Papinville Picnic

 

Roc Marquardt (left) was high bidder for the Tom Altenburg painting of the Papinville schoolhouse

It was a beautiful day for the Papinville Picnic. Not only was it a beautiful day, but it was the best picnic we have ever had. A big crowd, good food, over 70 items in the silent auction, 30 pies auctioned, cake walk, wagon rides, kids games and the band was wonderful. People enjoyed visiting and joining in the activities.

We want to thank Roc and Zack Marquardt for sponsoring the free wagon rides and Jeff Miller for providing his champion team of mules and wagon. A big thank you goes out to the band, Wesley Danner and Terry (Coonce) Owen has played in the band since the beginning of organizing the Papinville Historical and Cemetery Assoc. They both attended the Prairie City School, Jeff Watts for sponsoring the kids games, Tom Altenburg for painting the Papinville School that was auctioned. Roc Marquardt was high bidder. Phyllis Stewart made a quilt that was raffled. Trent and Janet Nelson were the big winners.

The food was delicious this year with a few more sides added and a big thank you to the food committee : Jerry and Angelia Stangel, Bob, Lorrie and Alisa Swarnes and all the members of the Assoc. that helped to cook and serve. Beverly Sullins, Kim Wilson, Angelia Stangle and Alisa Swarnes for organizing the pie auction. The judges were Barret Case, Kim Jacobs and Sandy Hendren, the auction committee Alisa Swarnes, Angelia Stangel, Kay Henley, April Hendren, Lori Stewart , Kathy Heuser and Phyllis Stewart. We thank Bryan Wade for coming to do the pie and live auction. He did a wonderful job . Thessociation works very hard to make this event fun for everyone. A big thank you goes out to the people that brought desserts for the cake walk, food table and the pie auction and to all the businesses that gave items for the silent auction. We want to thank the Mennonite Youth Group for coming out to help clean the school, museum and cemetery for the event. They were treating to a hot dog roast for their help.

The pie contest winners were: Child division; 1- Gracelea Swarnes(Carmel Fried Apple), 2 -Olivia Kate Weinsee(Cherry),3- Wyatt Wilson (Dutch Apple), 4 Gracelae Swarnes (Strawberry Rhubarb). Adult Division: 1 - Donna Arnold (Blackberry), 2- Michelle Steuck (Pecan), 3 -Terri Owen (Cherry) , 4 -Terri Owens (Apple).

Roc Marquardt (Vice Pres.) talked about the project for next year that the Assoc.is wanting to do at the cemetery.

A new metal fence is to be installed on the south side of the cemetery. A piece of the fence was shown so people could see what it would look like. It would be installed by the association members which would help with the cost.

The students that attended the picnic from District 7 were: Papinville School 0, Mission Branch, Brenda Kay (Eikenberry) Henley, Seelinger 0, Prairie City, Connie (Klinksick) Cook, Bill Klinksick, Wesley Danner, Terri (Coonce) Owen, Debra (Swarnes) Black, Rozelle (Fix) Caldwell, Gayle (Miller) Thomas, Peggy (Fischer) Breckenridge, Delbert Wilson. Teacher, Gilbert Lee, Seelinger .He is the only teacher that is still living that taught in district 7. He taught at Seelinger for one year (school year 1949-1950) .

Our hope in the Papinville Historical and Cemetery Association is to keep the history going through to the next generations. Next year is the 250th year of the United States. We hope to have a big celebration. If you would like to help in any way you can contact Trent Nelson(Pres.), Roc Marquardt (V.Pres.), Carrie Klinksick (Sect.) ,April Hendren (Treas.)or Phyllis Stewart (Activity Dir). It is also the 140 year the Civil War ended.

Hope you have enjoyed the stories about Papinville. I will keep doing stories as long as I can. Thank you for your interest in Papinville History. Let’s keep it going . Many thanks for your support. Until the next story. Submitted by Phyllis Stewart, Activity Director

Trent and Janet Nelson were high bidders on the quilt, shown here with Phyllis Stewart

This new sign was unveiled in honor of Ron & Marcelle Marguardt and Fred & Mildred Marquardt

Butler Masonic lodge turkey dinner coming Nov. 2nd

 

Lady Bears make strong showing at Eldo Tournament

The Lady Bears finished out their regular season at the Eldo Tournament.

Team Results: 1st - Eldo, 2nd - Adrian, 3rd - Butler, 4th - Nevada, 5th - Stockton.

Individual Results: Jena Tourtillott finished tied for 5th of 24 golfers with a career low tournament score of 102. Ashlynn Hannah finished 8th of 24 golfers with a career low tournament score of 109. Lyla Eldred also had a career low tournament score with 122. Hayley Dooley 119 and Gabbie Carmichael 128.

The District Tournament is October 9 in Mountain Grove.

Fun, informative program followed with special presentation

 

Before what appears to be the largest crowd for an event yet at Robertson Hall last evening, Lurenda "Rendy" Morris made a very special presentation titled 20 Years in the County Jail.

Following her stories about growing up around the old Bates County Jail, Sheriff Chad Anderson paid homage by presenting a plaque honoring her father Sheriff Clovis Sivils for his 20 years of service (1952-1972) to Bates County.

Those who attended commented that her stories where quite informative, entertaining and interesting as they gave some often unrevealed insight as being a youngster with a father who was also the local Sheriff.

Thank you for a great evening.