Despite inclement weather, the 2004 Holden Fall Fiesta was a resounding success, according to fair board chairperson Michelle Guinn.

“I think the fair was a great success this year,” Guinn said. “The weather was great for most of it, except Friday, and we had a huge crowd all day and evening Saturday.”

Guinn said Friday night’s attendance was down due to weather and several events that had to be canceled because of it. “Attendance on Friday night was even lower than we expected,” Guinn said. “But, attendance on Saturday definitely made up for it.”

According to Guinn, the addition of the kids’ pedal tractor pull and the old time fiddle contest proved to be a success. “The kids’ pedal tractor pull was a huge success,” Guinn said. “We had 50 entries, and the kids who won are qualified to enter the state kids’ tractor pull at Harrisburg, MO next fall.”

Guinn attributed the contest’s success to great participants and helpful sponsors. “I am grateful to all who sponsored and helped with the pull,” Guinn said. The kids’ pedal tractor pull was sponsored by Hartzler’s Equipment- Randy Steckley, Farmers and Commercial Bank, Gudde Truck and Tractor, Heartland Farm and Lawn, S&S Fertilizer and Clinton Farm and Home.

The old time fiddle contest welcomed young and old alike to display their fiddle talents. “We didn’t have as many contestants as we’d hoped to have,” Guinn said. “Despite the small number of participants, I think it went well... People really seemed to enjoy it.”

Another contest that seemed to be lacking in participants, but was a success due to the crowd’s enjoyment, was the car show. “We were expecting 60-70 entries, but only had 40,” Guinn said. “We’re hoping to be able to bulk that up a little next year.”

Guinn said she feels the parade was this year’s largest and most impressive event. “The parade was one of the biggest we’ve had,” Guinn said. “We always expect it to be big in an election year, but we had a lot of other entries as well.” Guinn also said she felt attendance at the parade was up from years past.

The fair also included several traditional events Holden residents have come to expect from the fair, including the baby contest, queen contests, 4-H and agriculture exhibits, flower show, dog show and kid’s races. Guinn said she felt attendance and participation in all of these events was the same as what the fair board and participants have come to expect over the years.

Guinn said she is grateful that the Community Activity Center was available for use during the fair. It housed the agriculture, flower and 4-H exhibits, as well as providing a place for the talent show, baby show and fiddle contest to be held.

A definite highlight of the fall fiesta was Marion Robey’s participation as grand marshal. Robey has been a well-known educator in Holden and an advocate for education in general, for a number of years. Robey was seen in attendance of the fair at various times throughout the event, including an appearance in the Holden Fall Fiesta parade.

Jim King and the Texas Connection Band played to an enormous crowd Saturday night, tantalizing listeners with their blend of Texas Swing, newer country and unique renditions of hits from the “Big Band Era.”

Other favorites enjoyed by the crowd was The Country Pride Band, Carla VanHoose, The All American Girls and Anna Herod.

Guinn said she is very appreciative of all who helped make this year’s fall fiesta a success. “A lot of work goes into the fair,” Guinn said. “Not a lot of people participate in the planning and work of the fair, but those who do are well appreciated.”

Guinn explained the fall fiesta is organized by the fair board, which consisted this year of herself, Francis Brillhart, Jenny Sollars, Pat Zvacek, Misty Haun and Dwight Anstine. “We start meeting in January each year,” Guinn explained. “That’s when we decide on a theme for the next fair and try to come up with new ideas.”

The fair board has its last meeting in October each year after the fair has concluded. Guinn said anyone willing to help out with the planning and “leg-work” of the fair should call her at 732-6770.

A preliminary weekend for the 2005 Holden Fall Fiesta has been set for September 29, 30 and October 1.

By Christi Stowe
News Editor


The Kingsville R-1 School District bus routes were up and running Monday morning after vandals caused mild to moderate damage to the buses at the school.

According to Kingsville District Superintendent, Kevin Coleman, it is believed the vandalism, which was also directed at the Kingsville FFA greenhouse, occurred early Sunday morning.

“There were several tires slashed on the buses, stop arms pulled off and mirrors broken,” Coleman said. “Fire extinguishers were discharged inside... They weren’t trying to steal anything. They were just being plain destructive.”

Coleman said the vandals broke a door handle off the FFA greenhouse, gaining entry, where they knocked over plants, discharged fire extinguishers and left the water running inside. The greenhouse was a new addition to the school two years ago, and, according to Coleman, its newness may have played a part in the vandalism.

“The greenhouse hasn’t been hooked up to the school’s alarm system yet,” Coleman said. “The vandals didn’t touch the main building, luckily.” Coleman continued by saying he thought the alarm may have served as a deterrent in the main building.

Coleman said he thought the vandals may have been motivated by the idea of causing the bus routes not to be able to run on Monday, in the hopes of not having school.

“Thanks to the help of several area people, we were able to run as usual on Monday,” Coleman said. “About 15 of us spent all day on Sunday repairing tires and cleaning up the buses so they could run their regular routes.”

Coleman said the Johnson County Sheriff’s Department has been investigating the matter, and he hopes suspects are found soon. “We definitely plan to prosecute,” Coleman said. “This was just silly and destructive.”

According to detectives with the Johnson County Sheriff’s Department, the incident is under investigation. Officials with the department are, reportedly, working to develop a list of suspects.

Officials said, sheriff’s department officers have plans to meet with students at the school to request further information leading to suspects. The officers also plan to offer the vandals an opportunity to come forward with a confession.

By Christi Stowe
News Editor
Holden R-3 School District faculty, students and patrons gathered at the new intermediate school Sunday for a ceremony to dedicate the facility.

The new 37,000 square foot building, funded with a $5.9 million bond issue, received approval from voters in April 2003 in a landslide of 70 percent.

Holden R-3 Superintendent, Dr. Lindell Harrison reminded those in attendance it was only one year ago when he stood on the same spot, participating in a ground-breaking ceremony.

Harrison recognized present Holden R-3 Board of Education members, as well as Wade Lettinger, the architect who designed the new facility.

The present board of education includes Jeff Miller, Susan Feeback, Pat Zvacek, Dale Jarman, Mike Watterson, Jim Wallace and Darrin Anderson.

Harrison also recognized past board members for their hard work and dedication toward the building project during their terms. Those recognized were Michelle Guinn, Robert Hoffman and David Heiman.

Jeff Miller, board of education president, commended the past and present members of the Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO). “These people worked very hard to get a message about the bond issue out to our patrons,” Miller said, noting the members had distributed brochures and flyers at several local events.

Miller also commended citizens who had volunteered and held in-home meetings, which he said he felt played a big role in the community’s approval of the project. “It gave people the opportunity to have their questions answered in a relaxed environment,” Miller said.

“This school represents a community partnership between parents, teachers, students, administrators and the public,” Miller said. “Ordinary people have accomplished something extraordinary... The community should be very proud... You have given these students roots, and the staff thanks you for the opportunity to give them wings.”

Missouri State 121st District Representative, David Pearce was also present for the occasion. Pearce presented a framed resolution to Holden R-3 Board of Education President, Jeff Miller.

The resolution, which commended school officials, students and the community for their hard work and support of the building project, was approved by the entire House of Representatives and signed by Speaker of the House, Catherine Hanaway.

Pearce commended the faculty and patrons for treating the education of Holden’s future leaders as top priority. “Education is important for our future,” Pearce said. “I hope the students and teachers here never forget what it feels like to be in a new school building for the first time.”

Holden Elementary School Principal, Robyn Sisk addressed the crowd, saying she had experienced a number of exciting changes in the district during her 19 years here. She noted the most dramatic change she has witnessed is the construction of the new intermediate school building.

Sisk reflected on a time when there were 650 students, kindergarten through fifth grade, attending class in the old elementary building and several mobile units outside.

“I remember a day when I passed a student in the hall coming in from outside... He quickly whirled around and headed back outside,” Sisk chuckled. “I asked him where he was going, and he told me he had to go back outside because he forgot his paper in the trailer park.”

Sisk also reminded ceremony attendees about a time when physical education classes were held on the stage in the cafeteria during lunch.

“When the new gym had been poured, I walked in and I remember thinking ‘I have dreamed of a room like this for K-5 students for 19 years,” Sisk said.

Sisk concluded her speech by commending the community and staff for their hard work to make the intermediate school building a reality, pointing out that there is a correlation between environment, education and safety.

Holden Intermediate School Principal Donna Fizer reminded the crowd the old intermediate school building had housed students of many grade levels through the years. “It has served as a high school, middle school and intermediate school,” Fizer said. “But it can no longer accomodate 76 years of growth.”

Fizer said the new building is designed to accomodate growth and advancement in technology and infrastructure. “We are able to control the temperature in this building,” Fizer said. “No more class time will need to be lost due to heat.”

Fizer also said the new building is handicap accessible, provides an attractive, inviting place for the students to eat and gives the art, music and other departments plenty of room for class and also meets storage needs. Fizer summed up her speech by saying, “I am very grateful for a building in which we can educate our students well into the future.”

Just prior to a ceremonial ribbon cutting by Fizer, representative students from each grade, kindergarten through fifth, placed an envelope full of items in a time capsule to be kept at the school. According to Fizer, the envelopes will be opened as each class graduates.

The representatives from each class were:
Kindergarten, Cheyenne Burgle; first grade, Nathan Hahn; second grade, Claire Shore; third grade, Kelsey Albel, Katherine Rigdon and Kimberly Henke; fourth grade, Skyler Aldrich, Tyler Tilden and Morgan Shutey; fifth grade, Spencer O’Neil, Lee Neering, Jeremy Rogers and Alissa Russell.

After the time capsule was full and the ceremonial ribbon had been cut, students directed attendees, who were anxious to view the fruit of their efforts, on a tour of the new facility.

By Christi Stowe
News Editor
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