Things to do this weekend

The Linda Hunter Retirement Party will be held 9:30 - 3:00 today at the Butler Library

Don't forget the Butler Bear Backers Mini NASCAR races Saturday, sign in starts at 3 pm with races starting at 5 pm. Location is in the areana at the Butler Fair Grounds.

For more information contact Tray at 660-200-6031.

Obituary -Darlene W. Wolfe

Darlene W. Wolfe

Darlene W. Wolfe, 76 of Metz, MO, passed away on Wednesday, August 26, 2015 at Nevada Regional Hospital following a period of declining health. Darlene was born November 27, 1938 in Laredo, MO, the daughter of Clifford and Opal Holloway.

Darlene was one of eight children and married Jerry Wolfe, July 12, 1959 in Larado, MO. The couple moved Nevada in 1962 and later moved to Metz in 1977. Darlene enjoyed Sunday drives, liked to sew, cooking, eating out. Her main passion in life was taking care of her family. She was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. Darlene was a member of the First Baptist Church in Rich Hill. Darlene was preceded in death by her parents, a grandson, Charlie Garner , two sister, Pat Anderson and Wanda Anderson; a brother Gene Holloway,

In addition to her husband Jerry of the home in Metz, survivors include one daughter, Mary Ruth Garner and her husband Kenn, Shawnee, KS; four grandchildren, Matthew Vandenburg and his wife Brandi, Butler, Sara DeLeon, Branson, MO, Shawn Garner, Olney, MD, Crystaline Garner, Nevada; 10 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Cleo McIntosh, Wichita, KS, and Ginny Brown, Las Vegas, NV; two brothers, Junior Holloway, KC, MO, and Larry Holloway, Grandview, MO; extended family and special friends. Graveside services will be held at 1:00 p.m., Saturday August 29, 2015 at Newton Burial Park in Nevada with Pastor Tony Jones officiating. The family will receive friends at Ferry Funeral Home, Friday, August 28, 2015 from 6-7:00 p.m.Memorials may be made in her memory to one’s charity of choice in care of Ferry Funeral Home.

Obituary - Anne Louise Musgrave

Anne Louise Musgrave, 97, Harrisonville, Missouri, died Monday, August 24, 2015 at Crown Care Center in Harrisonville. Graveside services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, August 28 at Orient Cemetery, Harrisonville. 

(A complete obituary will be posted when information is available).

Obituary - Merlin Dale Wharton Sr.

A memorial service for Merlin Wharton will be held at Hill and Son Funeral Home in Appleton City, Missouri on Thursday, August 27, 2015 at 11:00 a.m.

The Minster officiating at the service will be Brother Aaron Johnson and Brother Jim Knight. Interment was in Pleasant Valley Cemetery, Deepwater, Missouri.

The family suggests Memorial donations be made to the American Parkinson Disease Association, and those may be left at the funeral home.

Merlin Dale Wharton, Sr., 77, passed away at his home in Appleton City, Missouri on August 23, 2015. Merle, one of nine children, was born February 11, 1938 in Wellington, Kansas, the son of James Junior and Anna Elizabeth (Warden) Wharton.

Merle grew up living in several towns in south central Kansas. As a young man he worked in the construction industry installing components in the missile bases that dotted the United States in the 50’s and 60’s. In 1964 his family moved to Clinton, Missouri where Merle continued in construction and also did some farming. In 1974 he moved to St. Clair County where he continued farming and began raising cattle. Merle and wife, Barbara, moved to Appleton City in 1993 buying the Blue Inn Restaurant which they operated until Barbara’s health failed. After her death in 2004 Merle sold the Blue Inn and retired. He spent his time enjoying his “coffee buddies” and taking it easy. In 1985 Merle had begun traveling to Canada to fish and hunt, making that trek for 26 years straight. He loved that time spent with friends in North Woods. His passport and map were always handy and he had planned to take another trip soon.

Merle was preceded in death by his parents; his wives Linda and Barbara; one brother Donald Wharton; and one sister Dottie Beaver. Survivors include his children: Merlin Dale Wharton, Jr., Floyd James Wharton (Shellie), Robert Allen Wharton (Tamara) and Donald Ray Wharton (companion Mary); his grandchildren: Michael and Robert Wharton, Tonya O’Kelly (Brian), Jamie Reese, Elizabeth and Rachel Wharton; four brothers: Milton Dean Wharton (Gladys), Vernon Wharton (Jeanie), Delbert Wharton (Joann) and Raymond Wharton; two sisters, Darlene Scott (Bus) and Deanna Learned (James).

Highlights from Max Motors car show

Two Vernon County residents injured in Cedar County crash

Two Walker residents escaped serious injuries in a one vehicle accident Thursday morning in Cedar County. According to the Missouri Highway Patrol, the accident occurred at about 10:15 A.M. Thursday morning on Route U, 5 miles Southeast of El Dorado Springs, in Cedar County, involving a 1997 Dodge Dakota driven by 37 year old Carrie Messick. The patrol says, Messick was traveling Westbound when she experienced a blowout, ran off the roadway, and struck a culvert entrance to a field.

Messick was listed with minor injuries and transported to Cedar County Memorial Hospital in El Dorado Springs. A passenger, 8 year old Harmonn Messick, was listed with minor injuries and transported to Cedar County Memorial Hospital in El Dorado Springs.

History of Bates County: Sky-Vue Drive In

Gone are the days of black and white television- if you wanted to see a movie in color, you went to a theater. And if you wanted a special date with your girl, you went to a DRIVE IN movie theater...

One of Butler's historic landmarks, now long since gone, was just that place. Located just north of the new Bears football field on south 71 highway, the driveways in to and out of Sky Vue Drive-In are still visible.

Records indicate Sky Vue was opened in 1960 by George Snitz, and for the next 20+ years was the place to be on a Friday or Saturday night.

A small, dimly lit booth, barely big enough for a person, was located just inside the entrance. There was a quick glance to verify how many were in your car, collect your cash and you were on your way to find the perfect parking spot. If it was already dark, you turned off your headlights and were guided by small marker lights that kept you from driving into the abyss.

The facility was able to accommodate just more than 250 cars (albeit with a few unpaid movie goers in the trunk) that parked on gravel terraces to provide an unobstructed view of the big screen. Lower your window, hang the heavy aluminum speaker on the glass, and get ready for the show.

Located in the middle of this open air theater was the concession stand and projection room. It was a small building, usually quite warm inside on a Summer's night as popcorn, hot dogs, fries and soft drinks were served up.

On the north end of the building, a projectionist threaded films onto one of two projectors, required because an entire movie would not fit onto one reel. Occasionally, the projectionist would have a problem- such as sound getting out of sync with the movie. Or, missing a cue to start a new reel (the cue being a small mark that appears in the corner of the screen).

Projection problems or not, it was all part of the experience. Sometimes it would rain. Or someone would have a dead battery because the left their foot on the brake pedal. Maybe, some just fell asleep after an all nighter and had to be revived by the manager.

Due to competition with television, VCR's and other mediums, drive in theaters have mostly died a slow, painful death, as was the case with Sky Vue, which closed in the late 80's.

It's Saturday night! What are you gonna do? Go to Sky Vue!  

UPDATE: Early morning fire total loss in Butler

On Monday, August 17 at approximately 6:18 A.M. the Butler Fire Department responded to 1687 NE County Road 2504 for a report of a structure fire.

On arrival a single story, wood frame and brick residential structure, approximately 60' X 20" was found to be approximately 80% involved in fire.

An exterior attack was made on the fire, with protection of an exposure building to the south of the fire building a priority.

The fire was declared under control at approximately 6:54 A.M., with the final units leaving the scene at approximately 8:50 A.M.

The residence was occupied at the time of the fire, but the occupants were not at home.

The structure and contents are a total loss.

Along with Butler units, Adrian Fire and Rich Hill Fire responded, as well as Bates County EMS for standby and the Bates County Sheriff's Department.

Exact cause of the fire remains undetermined at this time after investigation by the Missouri State Fire Marshal.

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