The Holden Image

The staff and students of Holden Middle School are participating in a unique fundraiser for the third consecutive year thanks to sixth grade literature instructor Tasoula Scire and her husband, John, who own several Christmas tree lots in the Blue Springs area.

Christmas trees, brought to the school by the Scires are being sold to raise discretionary funds for the school.

“We use the money to do some extra things that tax dollars probably shouldn’t pay for, but are nice to do,” Holden Middle School Principal Greg Montgomery explained. “The majority of the money goes for extra supplies, incentives for students to do well on spring tests and prizes for the students.”

Montgomery said student organizations who help man the sale of the trees on evenings and weekends will receive the sale proceeds that occur during their volunteer time.

This year, several organizations will be manning the sale, including the Science Olympiad team and the choir.

The Christmas trees are on sale at the school from now until December 21. Prices range from less than $20 to around $40. Trees may be purchased each school day and on the weekends of December 11-12 and December 18-19. They were also available this past weekend.

The trees will also be available for sale during basketball games on December 9, 10, 14 and 16.

In the past, as many as 100 trees have been sold through the Christmas tree fundraiser, enabling the school to provide additional provisions to make learning more enjoyable for its students.

According to Montgomery, the trees are of good quality, many of which are fur trees. “The fur trees are very nice,” Montgomery said. “They should last well past Christmas as long as they are kept in water.”

For more information, interested persons may inquire at the school by calling 732-4125.

By Christi Stowe
News Editor

Most people view Santa Claus as the embodiment of the spirit of giving that occurs during the Christmas season. According to non-fictional resource books, the legend of Santa Claus actually began with the legend of Saint Nicholas, a real man who was believed to have given away all of his inherited wealth, and traveled the countryside helping the poor and sick. He became legendary for saving storm-tossed sailors, defending young children and giving generous gifts to the poor.

Although he is not wealthy like the man in the legend of Saint Nicholas was famed to be, Jerry Stogsdill, of rural Holden, believes in striving every day to live the life of good ole Saint Nick, so much that he has been imitating him for the past six years for local events and gatherings.

Stogsdill has been Santa Claus for many area events and locations, including Magnolia Baptist Church, Medford United Methodist Church, St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, the Holden Chamber of Commerce, Godfather’s Pizza, O&M Enterprises Christmas parties, Mazzios Pizza in Warrensburg and Tipton and Pizza Hut in Warrensburg.

He also plays Santa for Butterfield Youth Services in Marshall, a service that leads troubled youth back into stability. Butterfield is one of Stogsdill’s favorite causes, and for that reason, he plays Santa for them every year. Any donations he receives for playing Santa Claus are also given to Butterfield.

In addition to portraying the jolly old elf for local events, Stogsdill is part of Mid America Bassett Rescue, which rescues and fosters mistreated Bassett Hounds. Stogsdill, who admits to having a soft spot for the animals, owns four of his own, and at any given time may have as many as ten of the droopy faced hounds residing at his home.

It is because of his love for the Bassett Hounds he cares for that Stogsdill added “Santa Paws” to his Christmas routine. For the past three years, he has been appearing at various locations, including The Barkery and PETCO, dressed as Santa Claus.

Pet owners are then invited in to let their pet sit on his lap and have a picture taken. “A lot of people like to use them in their Christmas cards,” Stogsdill explained. “It can be somewhat challenging... especially when a person has three or four pets.”

Stogsdill said any proceeds he receives for playing Santa Paws are given to Mid America Bassett Rescue to help them continue their cause of saving and protecting the dogs.

Stogsdill, who was born and raised in Lone Jack, made the decision to attempt to portray Santa Claus for local events while employed with Sprint, where he worked for over 24 years, servicing Holden and the surrounding area.

“A lady at work brought in a Santa suit she was planning to loan to someone else,” Stogsdill explained. “After he (the person she loaned the suit to) brought it back, I asked her how she got the suit and if she’d be interested in selling it.”

Stogsdill said he’d wanted to dress up like Santa for awhile, but did not want to spend a lot of money on the suit, just in case it didn’t work out. His co-worker must have been touched by a little of the spirit of Santa, because she simply gave the suit to Stogsdill.

“Mother Nature and Father Time pointed me in that direction (to play Santa) when my hair and beard started looking this way,” Stogsdill said, brushing his long, white beard with his hand and chuckling. “People come closer to the spirit of Christmas when they see a Santa Claus with a real beard.”

Stogsdill wore the typical fake beard and wig for his first year playing Santa, but found it to be too hot and confining. So, he decided to grow his hair and beard out and began stripping the color from his hair each year to get the snowy white color children expect to see on Santa.

“This year I even did my eyebrows,” he laughed. “I will have very little makeup to this year... It will be nice.”

Stogsdill said some of his favorite memories are of children pulling on his beard. He has taken many photos in which children have a handful of his fuzzy, white beard.

Stogsdill said he enjoys his role as Santa Claus, because seeing people happy gives him joy. “It is great to see a child’s eyes light up,” he said. “It’s great when it’s obvious they believe in the spirit of Christmas... and, they believe in me.”

According to Stogsdill, playing Santa does not come without its homework. “I don’t have any children,” Stogsdill explained, “so, I have really had to spend some time in toy stores to learn what the hottest toys are.”

Stogsdill said the most confusing toys for him were during the Pokemon craze. “Sometimes I had to get a little help from the parents to know what the kids were talking about when they’d ask for a toy,” he said.

Many requests, much more difficult than a “hard to pronounce” toy have been laid on Stogsdill’s ears over the years.

“Occasionally there will be a child who will ask for something Santa just can’t do, such as issues dealing with the health of their mom or dad,” Stogsdill explained. “I just tell them there are some things Santa can do and some things Santa cannot do... I say that God is a higher power than Santa and it is up to him, but Santa knows God very well and will talk to God for them... It’s a really tough request.”

A remarkable characteristic of Stogsdill, in addition to the compassion he shows towards others is his determination. Stogsdill was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 1989, after complaining to doctors about loss of sensation in his arms and legs, as well as difficulties with his vision.

Although the M.S. poses a challenge for Stogsdill in playing Santa, he continues to don the red suit and hat and receive the requests of area children every year. “You can’t hardly be Santa and walk in with a cane, though I probably should use one,” Stogsdill said.

Stogsdill explained he doesn’t move around a lot when he is playing Santa at a location, in order to decrease the chances of losing his balance and stumbling around.

“Not being able to play Santa is my single biggest concern,” Stogsdill said, of his debilitating illness. “But, God has blessed me... I have had M.S. since 1989 and I’m still getting around on my own power.”

Stogsdill has a great support system in his wife, Frances, who is still working as an accountant for Defense Financing and Account Services. According to Stogsdill, Frances gets in on the Santa act, but does not play Mrs. Santa. “She is more like Santa’s helper or and elf,” Stogsdill said. “It just depends on what hat she wears.”

Stogsdill said, in the past, he has used a “Here Comes Santa Claus” ring tone on his cell phone to signify a phone call from “Mrs. Claus” back home during an appearance. “I would say things like, ‘I told Rudolph before I left to stay out of that barn’,” he laughed.

Another part of Stogsdill’s act has been to tell the children a secret. “I’ll say ‘Can you keep a secret and not tell anybody else’,” Stogsdill reflected. “Then I tell the kids (whispers) ‘Rudolph likes pizza’... They get such a kick out of it.”

Stogsdill spoke very fondly of another local Santa, Bill Campbell. “I have always admired Bill Campbell,” Stogsdill said. “I have always looked at him as what Santa should be on a daily basis... He truly lives the life.” Stogsdill said he strives to be as much like Campbell as possible.

When talking to Stogsdill, one thing is for sure. The spirit of giving comes in many forms. It is what you do with it that counts. At least for now, Stogsdill plans to continue spreading his giving by portraying St. Nick. “I plan to do this for as long as my health will allow me to,” Stogsdill said. “It has become a part of me now.”

By Christi Stowe
News Editor

To put it bluntly, Samantha McAninch was fed up . . . A young woman in her 30’s, McAninch had balooned up to over 200 pounds. And along with her weight problem, she also was a pack-a-day smoker and had been for years.

They say it takes motivation for someone to live more healthly and for McAninch, a slight, irregular heartbeat that developed was the sign she needed to break her old habits and begin a new lifestyle.

Although she admits she had tried multiple diets with little success, she turned to a program that has been around for a long time but admits she didn’t expect it to work at first.

The program she turned to was Weight Watchers, a nationally recognized diet plan for those looking to take off the extra pounds and more importantly, one that offers a solution to maintenance as well.

“I started the program on Thursday and the first weigh-in was on Monday and I lost weight - that made it easier to stick with the program,” said McAninch.

Beginning the diet, or change of lifestyle as she prefers to call it in March of 2002, she hit lifetime, or goal weight, in November of that year.

“Once I hit lifetime, I lost a lot of pounds - in fact, I got too skinny. At 5’10”, I was down to 144 and that was too small for my frame. Because of that, I put some back on and was a little more lax with what I ate. I was, however, still very aware of portion sizes and the types of food I ate. It is important to remember there are always healthy things to choose from when you eat out and when you’re in a rush.”

When the pounds starting coming off, McAninch made another lifestyle change - she gave up smoking.

“My decision was due in part to the success of the weight loss program. I had told my husband I would try to quit if I lost wieght.”

Once the decision was made, there was no turning back and she says she hasn’t picked up a cigarette since.

Samantha did more than just follow the diet though. “When I first started, I used the treadmill for 20 minutes a day which was less than one-half of a mile and I was exhausted by the time I was done. As time went on, I went further and further and began walking outside with some of my friends.”

She now says she averages over four miles a day - a regime she keeps up Monday through Friday, giving herself a two-day break on the weekends.

She says her success surprised her family and friends and herself but is adamant that it wasn’t that hard.

“You just have to make up your mind and stick with that decision,” she adds confidently.
Her success did not go unnoticed and she is now a Weight Watchers spokesperson as she serves as a company leader at several meetings in area communities including Holden.

She says she never dreamed of working for Weight Watchers when she began the program but is glad the opportunity came about.

“Some friends of mine thought it would be a good idea and I was motivated because I wanted to share my success with other people who have struggled with weight loss. It not only makes you feel better and look better but it gives you more confidence as well.”
McAninch, who says she has always struggled with her self image even through high school, has left those days behind and snickers when she admits it is the first time in her marriage that she has weighed less than her husband.

“Just being able to say that made a big difference to me.” She is quick to add, however, that she had support throughout the program.

“My husband, Ken, did the program with me. He didn’t go to the meetings and is not a lifetime member but in my mind he is because he followed the program right along with me.”

Ken, who did not need to lose as much as his wife, lost 25 pounds and began a regular exercise routine as well.

And life changed for the kids as well. The mother of three, Johnathon, Sarah and Peggy, Samantha says that Weight Watchers is family friendly and there are recipes and foods that everyone in the family will enjoy.

She admits, at first she fixed two meals, one for her and Ken and one for the kids. She soon realized, however, they liked the same types of food she and her husband were eating so it became somewhat of a family affair.

There are nights, she says when they go out, the kids can order anything they like. Suprisingly, she smiles, they too, usually pick something healthy more times than not.
If you would like to participate in the local Weight Watchers program, meetings are held on Tuesday evenings at the First Baptist Church in Holden. Weigh-in begins at 5 p.m. and the meeting begins at 5:30 p.m.

“You don’t need an appointment,” she empahsizes. “Everyone at the meeting has the same goal and together, we can help you realize yours.”

For more information or questions concerning the program, contact McAninch at 732-8660.

By Rusty Hartwell
Publisher

Many residents of the Kingsville and Holden areas have already taken advantage of quality, local medical care, according to Debbie Robledo, office manager for Western Johnson County Medical Clinic.

Originally scheduled to open in October, the clinic’s officials ran into several delays from insurance companies, as well as an extended search for medical providers.

According to Robledo, although slow processing by insurance providers continues, the search for practitioners appears to have come to a close, at least for now, as the clinic has brought in three health care providers to service the community.

Family Nurse Practitioner, Kristen Smith has been providing full-time care at the clinic since its opening. Smith has spent the past four years working in Southern California as a women’s health care provider. Prior to that, she specialized in occupational health at Boone County Hospital in Columbia, MO.

She has also spent time working as an ICU nurse prior to becoming a nurse practitioner. Smith recently relocated to the area along with her family. She is available at the clinic Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Christopher Maxwell, MD, is serving as supervising physician for the clinic. He has been practicing at a family practice clinic in Harrisonville. He is an associate of Dr. Holden, who was originally expected to serve as a doctor at Western Johnson County Medical Clinic. He does not hold regular hours at the clinic, but is in at varying times to fill in when Smith is not available. He also carries the responsibility of reviewing charts and overseeing medical performance at the clinic.

“He’s great,” Robledo said. “His personality is perfect for this clinic, and he truly knows rural health care.”

In addition to Maxwell, Scott Russell, MD., will also be providing care at the clinic. Currently, Maxwell, is employed by a travel firm that staffs trauma and emergency units for hospitals in Missouri, Kansas and Nebraska.

He is available at the clinic during its regular hours on Tuesday. According to Robledo, once Russell’s obligations to his travel firm are fulfilled he will be available on a more regular basis.

Last Thursday, the clinic received some well-deserved publicity when the Channel 4 News ran a feature story on the 6 o’clock news. According to Robledo, cameramen and reporters began their story at Kingsville Schools and continued on to ThyssenKrupp Stahl and the clinic. The story focused on the rural nature of Kingsville and how many years it has been without medical care up until the formation of the clinic.

Saturday, December 11, the clinic will again receive needed publicity when its employees man the phones for the KMOS Channel 6 Pledgeathon.

“I think we’ve had an overwhelming response, so far,” Robledo said of the community’s acceptance of the new clinic.

Currently, the clinic is open 7 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays and 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Fridays. According to Robledo, clinic officials are hoping to be able to offer more extended evening hours as well as Saturday morning clinics in the near future.

The clinic is able to offer on-site X-Ray and laboratory services to its patients. Physical and Occupational Therapy is anticipated to be offered in the near future.

The clinic has been able to hold some impromptu late-evening medical clinics recently, staying open until 9 p.m. In an effort to accommodate customers, Holden Drug has extended its hours on those evenings to match those kept by the clinic.

Anyone wishing to make an appointment to see a health care provider at the clinic may do so by calling (816) 597- 3500.

By Christi Stowe
News Editor