For decades Holden’s children and youth have looked forward to the first days of summer and signs of warmer weather in anticipation of the opening of Holden’s swimming pool for the season. The summer months are usually full of bathing suit clad children and teenagers walking down the sidewalks and riding bicycles with beach towels draped around them on their way to the popular summer hang out. This year has looked a bit different, so far.

The last day of school was last week. Temperatures have been in the eighties. However, if area youth ride their bicycles or walk to the popular location they will find the gate surrounding the pool pad-locked and a large forsale sign on the fence. The concession stand window is closed, and a large concrete void stands where cool, blue water with a hint of chlorine once was.

Many owners of Holden’s public swimming pool have come and gone through the years. It has been owned by O&M Enterprises, the City of Holden and most recently, it was re-named “The Waterhole” and owned by Scott and Lori Perkins and Mike and Rhonda Wakeman, all of Holden.

The proprietors of “The Waterhole,” who operated the business for nearly five years, have listed the property for sale since finding that family and church commitments and the responsibility of full-time jobs have not allowed them to devote the large amount of time needed to manage the pool properly.

The property was listed by Trading Post Real Estate several months ago at a price of $45,000. After a few people showed interest in the property, but ultimately did not make the purchase, the asking price was reduced to just $35,000. However, at this time no one has yet purchased this beloved icon of the Holden community.

As recently as last summer, The Waterhole was a favorite swimming spot for children, youth and adults of all ages. The Perkins and Wakeman families operated a number of programs at the pool including children and adult swimming lessons, adult swim times, party rentals, christian activities and late night swim times for youth on designated Friday nights.

After purchasing the pool from the City of Holden in April 2001, the Perkins and Wakeman families completed a number of renovations to the aged business. Included in the renovations were new water slides, new diving boards and freshening of the restrooms and showers. In addition, they worked to provide more shaded areas for those who wanted to relax outside of the pool free from the heat of the sun.

“Our business and our jobs have just grown so much,” Lori Perkins explained. “We just don’t have the time to devote to it anymore. For the right person who can be very flexible, it would be a great business.” Perkins added that she and her husband, Scott, own their own business for which he works a great deal of hours. Scott had been the swimming pool’s primary maintenance man, lifeguard and swimming instructor.

Perkins said that she feels the business is an asset to the community and that if “the right person came along” it could continue to be of benefit. Specifically, Perkins said, in her opinion, enclosing the pool for year-round use would be beneficial. According to Perkins, grants through the American Arthritis Association are available for such projects if the proprietors would be willing to allow water therapy and water aerobics for seniors at the pool. “We looked into the grants,” Perkins explained, “but, we didn’t have the money to hire someone to write the grant for us and there is so much involved in the process we were never able to get it done.”

In addition, Perkins noted the importance of swimming lessons for children. “It’s a real benefit for a child to know how to swim,” Perkins said. “Even if the child doesn’t have a pool at their house, parents may not be aware of a pool at a friend’s house or a pond nearby. Knowing how to swim can help them save their own life.”

Perkins said she would like to see someone purchase the business who is interested in Holden as a community. “We were never in it to make money. We were more interested in providing a service for the Holden community,” she said. “It would be great if someone with the same interest would come along and buy it.”

Mayor Terry Hedglin agreed with Perkins. “It would be a shame for a town our size not to have a swimming pool,” he said. “The swimming pool is an excellent opportunity for the right person to make a little money and provide a public service, too.”

Hedglin added that although the city had owned and operated the pool in the past, it was sold because the expense of operating it was too great to justify the spending of Holden’s tax dollars for that purpose.

There are few people in the community who don’t remember either swimming in that pool or driving their children there so they could spend the day there. Holden Area Chamber of Commerce president Sam Raber said he feels the pool is an important part of Holden, both as a recreational offering and as a business. “It’s been here for a number of years. I remember my kids spending their summers there when they were young,” Raber reflected. “If no one buys it and opens it back up it is going to leave a real void in our summer recreation for Holden’s youth.”

In addition, Raber said from a business standpoint, if Holden does not have a swimming pool, people will simply drive to the nearest town that does, once again encouraging Holden’s citizens to utilize businesses and generate tax dollars in other towns. “People will go elsewhere to find that facility,” Raber said. “It’s just a really big void.”

The swimming pool facility includes a large, underground swimming pool with a deep and shallow end, two diving boards, two water slides, a lifeguard’s station, concession stand, restrooms with showers, picnic area and designated parking.

Anyone interested in the swimming pool as a business opportunity should contact Michelle Guinn at Trading Post Real Estate, LLC at 816-456-7119 or 732-6770.

By Christi Stowe
News Editor

They say there are four essential ingredients to a successful business venture - choose a career you love, give it the best there is in you, seize your opportunities and be a member of the team.

And that recipe is something the Jerome Heiman family has been working with for some time as they celebrate their 30th anniversary in Holden this week.

Sue Heiman, Jerome’s wife of 45 years, admits it hasn’t always been easy but says the dedication and hours spent nurturing the business have all been worth it. She and her husband, however, are quick to share that credit with their family, faithful and loyal employees and most importantly with the community.

“We owe a lot to the people of this community and the surrounding area for all the support they have given us over the years. Many of them have become longtime friends and it is through their encouragement and support that we have been able to grow as a business.”

And growth has been a constant denominator in the day-to- day operation of Heiman Home, Farm and Lumber.

As a young couple, Jerome and Sue were no stranger to the grain, feed and farm supply business. His father operated a grain elevator in Rockville, MO for many years and Jerome and his brothers became part of that business in later years. Forming a corporation with two of his brothers, the Heimans operated out of four communities at one point including Rockville, Ladue, Appleton City and Montrose, the latter being their home for many years.

Sue says the couple decided to sell the Montrose operation in the mid-70’s and look for a new business venture on their own.

“When we left Montrose, Peabody Coal was buying up a large percentage of the land which made one wonder if there was going to be much left. Peabody also left in years to come but we are pleased that the decision to sell led us to Holden.”

Ironically, it would be another of Jerome’s brothers who would influence his next business move.

Jerome’s brother Ted had purchased the former McVeigh Grain Elevator in Holden in 1955 and after 20 years and some serious health issues, decided to sell. With this opportunity, Sue and Jerome signed the papers, put their house on the market and made the move to Holden.

Beginning with strictly a grain and feed business, the Heimans say they saw the need to diversify several years later because most farmers had their own bins by that time and the grain business was dwindling.

Thus came the addition of a large building adjacent to the elevator which would house their True Value Hardware operation.

Adding on several times since the addition in 1981, the business was managed by Jerome, Sue and their son, David. Joining the business in 1986 were oldest daughter, Diane Klossen and her husband Mark. Although David eventually left to start his own business, the Klossens would eventually buy stock in the corporation and remain part of the management team today. A third generation of the family is also involved part time as Aaron and Scott Klossen work during the summer and vacations from college and high school.

In 1998, the family filled a void in the community when they added the lumber division which has grown steadily since its inception.

“The community needed a lumber yard and it has been a good addition for our business as well,” said Sue.

Service is a big part of the business plan at Heimans and Sue and Jerome say they do their best to accommodate the needs of their customers.

“In addition to our normal merchandise and services, we take custom feed orders, make farm deliveries, lumber deliveries and we place a number of special orders for our customers. Whether it be doors, windows or whatever they’re needing, we work hard to find that product. That’s part of what makes a home-owned, home-managed store special. We honestly care and work hard to give the customers what they want,” stressed Sue.

With isles and isles of plumbing, electrical, hardware, paint, lawn and garden, tools, clothing and more, Sue says the family has worked hard to provide not only the merchandise you might typically find in a larger community but the service to back it up.

With 30 years behind them, the Heimans have obviously found the ingredients to a successful business and they want the community to be a part of the celebration.

On Friday, June 10, join the team at Heimans for anniversary cake. On both Friday and Saturday, June 10 and 11, door prizes will be drawn hourly and free give-a-ways will be available with a purchase. On Saturday, June 11, the Heimans invite you to a free lunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. with food provided by Cedar Creek Lumber. Free balloons will be available for the youngsters in your family and manufacturing representatives will be available on Saturday to answer questions and offer advice.

“We look forward to seeing a big turnout from the community. This is just a small token of our appreciation for all the support the last 30 years. We’re proud to call Holden our home and none of this would have been possible without the positive partnership we have with the good people of Holden and the surrounding areas.”

Watch for Heiman’s anniversary flyer being inserted into the June 6 PennySaver for more specials.

By Rusty Hartwell
Publisher

The Holden Farmers Market is gearing up for another season with opening day being Saturday, June 4 at 7 a.m. Based on the number of new participates that have already signed up, organizers say this year should be a huge success.

Newcomers joining this year are Christy Braccino of Peculiar with hand-made novelty purses; Pam DeGraffenried of Garden City who is an independent Avon representative; Lisa Elam of Pleasant Hill with BeautiControl spa and skin care products; George and Weston Farmer of Holden with eggs, vegetables and chickens; Cathy Furrey of Chilhowee with vegetables, jams and jellies; Pat Mailan of Holden with hand-made jeans purses, pet treats and pet attire; Jeannie McClymond of Kingsville will have eggs; Connie Plemmons of Kingsville will have eggs; Matt and Christi Stowe of Holden will have vegetables; and Tri-County Orchard of Garden City with peaches, apricots and apples.

The Master Gardeners which are part of the outreach efforts of the University of Missouri Extension office are also scheduled to be in Holden on June 24.

“They present a program called “Helping Others Learn to Grow” and will be here to answer your questions about home horticulture and to help you find environmentally sound solutions to gardening and landscape problems,” said Jo Ann Nolan, organizer.

Returning this year will be Sandra Abel of Holden with her all-cotton, machine washable, hand-woven rugs; Rob & Kimberly Baake from the New Fenwick Alpaca Depot of Holden with a new alpaca baby named Ginger Snap; Bryan Coffman of Holden with farm fresh eggs, poultry and vegetables; Allan Dean of Holden with his huge variety of garden fresh vegetables; Jack Phelps of Holden with smoked ribs; Marcia Smith of Holden will have fresh picked cherries, herbs, potted irises of various colors and coleus plants; Mike Timmer of Holden with Tennessee-style, pulled pork sandwiches and his own homemade sauces; the Wadel Family of Holden with their famous baked goods, vegetables, and pickles; and Lisa Wright from Farmhouse Soaps of Holden with her all natural Farmhouse Soaps, body lotions, natural bath products, coffee, and everybody’s favorite candied jalapenos.

“We have a really nice sign that has been permanently mounted at the City Park. The new sign was provided by the Holden Area Chamber of Commerce. A big thank you goes to the Chamber of Commerce for supporting us once again this year,” added Nolan.

The Holden Farmers Market is a member of the Missouri Farmers Market Association and the Missouri Department of Agriculture’s AgriMissouri program. These memberships allow the local market to participate in all of the promotions and contests that these organizations offer. Market participants are eligible to purchase sales materials at discount prices and are also listed on the AgriMissouri website for anyone searching for a farmers market located in the state of Missouri.

The local market is sponsored by the Holden Area Chamber of Commerce Economic Development Committee and is open every Saturday morning, beginning in June, at 7 a.m. rain or shine at the Holden City Park.

There is no fee to sell at the Farmer’s Market but everyone is required to register. If you would like to participate or if you would like more information, contact Jo Ann Nolan at 597-3353 or by email at info@holdenmarket.com. Complete details and items that each seller will have available can be found at www.holdenmarket.com.

“We all are looking forward to seeing everyone again this year,” said Nolan.