The Holden City Council accepted the resignation
of Councilman Cecil Bloss at a meeting Tuesday night at the Hallar Community
Building.Bloss indicated the action was necessary due to work responsibilities at his new job. Holden businesswoman Brenda Stumpff was appointed and approved to fill the position until the next election. In other petitions, the council refused to act on a request by resident Bob Kozee who asked that the alley on Seventh Street, between Main and Pine, be closed. Kozee explained the request was made in order to move his garage and be able to drive his car in and out of it without backing over his neighbor’s yard. Another neighbor, however, objected to the action, saying that he has used the alley in the past for moving his motor home and had even poured a concrete pad for parking. He also said that his grandson might start using the parking spot for his car. Councilman Brent Brown opposed the request for closing the alley, saying, “If we do this, we’ll have to do it for everybody in town.” Councilman Charles Shore explained to Kozee that if the alley were closed, only half of the easement would be turned over to him anyway. The other half would go to the owner of the property on the other side of the alley. A discussion with DragonLady Commercial Roofing about the new city hall roof was tabled until next month as no one from the company was present. Jenny Sollars, representing the Holden Chamber of Commerce, reported the annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony will be held Nov. 25 and that the Chamber of Commerce annual banquet will take place Nov. 28. Keynote speaker for the event will be a business consultant whose expertise is in keeping small town downtowns thriving. She was also given permission to go ahead with the annual downtown tree trimming at a cost of $900. In one other request, Sollars asked for commitments from the council to go with members of the chamber to take a tour of Integrity Correctional Center. After much discussion, she left two dates this could be accomplished. C of C president Sam Raber also urged council members to take advantage of the tours, saying, “ICC deserves a second glance.” A request by the Holden Jaycees to sell five percent beer at a beer garden during the Fall Fiesta Oct. 1 was approved. The garden will be at the same location as last year. Also, Mary Hillsman was granted permission to have liquor consumed at a wedding reception to be held at the Hallar Building Oct. 8, from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. A request from city employees to have the city’s website reworked and updated was tabled until next month in order to receive more proposals. In the mayor’s communications, Terry Hedglin reported that the city’s storm siren had taken a lightning strike during a recent storm and the repair bills had already reached approximately $2,000. He stated that there was one more repair to be made and needed to know if the bills should be sent to the insurance company. Since the policy had a $1,000 deductible it was the consensus that the bills should be reported. Mayor Hedglin also shared that an individual from a Lee’s Summit real estate company inquired about getting a one-time exclusive listing of the former Rose Chemical site. He stated that the person indicated that he had a possible buyer working through another real estate company. The mayor indicated that all such proposals should be filtered through the Warrensburg Area Economic Development Corporation, but the representative didn’t seem interested in doing that and was “rather vague.” Councilman Brown echoed the feelings of the council saying he wasn’t interested in listing at this time and “if we did, it should be through a local company.” In reports, Councilman Karl Timmerman forwarded a bid for handicap upgrades to City Hall to the city engineer for review. Councilman Chad Manford expressed concern of the city sponsoring a co-ed softball league. He explained that traditionally the league was sponsored by the Holden Sports Association. Mayor Hedglin tabled more discussion of the situation until next month when he will attempt to have more information and all parties concerned at the meeting. Councilman Brown reported that work was going according to plan on the water tower refurbishing. He also explained that the duck blinds at the city lake, which the city leases for $35 per season have in recent years been purchased by out-of-town individuals, then sub-let for as much as $100 per day. He felt that if there was that much money to be made on these, the city should have a part of it. Mayor Hedglin suggested changing the ordinance at next month’s meeting to reflect a season’s lease price of $500. In the last item of the meeting prior to executive session, fire chief Mike Wakeman was given approval to lease a new thermal imaging camera at a down-payment amount of $900 and $3,148 per year for three years. During executive session possible litigation was discussed. By Steve Sullins Editor
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It’s that time of year again. The air begins
to turn a little crisper, children return to school, and very soon the
sights and sounds of the Holden Fall Fiesta will return to the streets
of downtown Holden. It is time for the young girls to purchase their
formal dresses for the queen contests and float builders to start getting
together their tissue paper, balloons and bows. It is time for everyone
to rest their feet in preparation for three, fun-filled days of walking
and taking in the atmosphere. Yes, the Holden Fall Fiesta is upon us
once again. “Old-Fashioned Fun” is the theme of this year’s fiesta, and it will be held Thursday, September 29; Friday, September 30 and Saturday, October 1. “In the days past there have undoubtedly been lots of old- fashioned fun Fall Fiestas in Holden,” Chamber of Commerce president Sam Raber said. “We, as a community, are very proud of our Holden Fall Fiesta and each year we have committed to carry on the traditions of our forefathers by having a fair board committee that makes an effort to make the fair bigger and better. This year is no exception.” The 2005 Holden Fall Fiesta Grand Marshal is Sandy Davidson. She is a 2004 graduate of Holden High School and was ranked fourth in her class. During her high school career, she actively participated in cross country, basketball, track, FFA, student council, Octagon Club and many other activities. She was a four-year, all-state runner in cross country, four-time, all-state in track and the female state winner for the Wendy’s High School Heisman award. She will attend Central Missouri State University this fall for a degree in secondary education with a major in math and minor in health. She will also run cross country and indoor and outdoor track for the Jennies. “Once I graduate, I hope to give back to local schools some of what I’ve acquired throughout my life. I want to teach high school students and be helpful to them in deciding what they will be good at in life...,” she said. “I would like to thank the community for providing a great place to live and making Holden a special place in my heart.” The Fall Fiesta will kick off Thursday, September 29 at 5 p.m. when local singer Anna Herrod sings the National Anthem at the grandstand, which will, as in years past, be located on Market Street adjacent to Farmers and Commercial Bank. From 5 p.m. until 6:30 p.m., Holden’s Country Pride Band will entertain crowds at the grandstand with a blend of classic and new country and gospel. The band includes David Taylor, Doug Esloo, Ron Stewart, Mike Keith, Eric Denny, Lou Ann Crook, Norman Mauldin and Tammy Elsloo. The band has been a crowd favorite for a number of years, and although members have come and gone over time, the band’s up tempo, right on target country sound has remained the same. At 7 p.m., the annual Holden Fall Fiesta Queen Contests will be held at the grandstand. The contests will begin with the wee queen and king contest, which is open to boys and girls four, five and six years of age who live in Holden, Kingsville, Strasburg, Latour, Centerview, Chilhowee or Lone Jack or are the child of a former Holden graduate. After the crowning of the wee queen and king, the pre-teen and junior queen contests will be held, which are open to girls ages seven through 10 and 11-14 (and in the eighth grade). Entrants are not required to live in the area. Last, but certainly not least, the crowning of the Holden Fall Fiesta Queen will be held. This contest is open to all single girls of the freshman, sophomore, junior and senior classes of Holden, Kingsville, Chilhowee, Lone Jack, Latour and Centerview. Previous fair queens are not eligible. Immediately following the queen contests, Anna Herrod will entertain the crowd with her vocal stylings. Herrod has been singing and playing music since the age of three, and is best known locally as someone who has often been seen singing and playing with the Country Pride Band. This will be her fifth year performing at the Holden Fall Fiesta. Friday, September 30, the fair will once again begin with the singing of the National Anthem by Anna Herrod. From 5 p.m. until 6:30 p.m., the All American Girls will delight audiences at the grandstand before turning the show over to the Holden On’s Square Dance Club with caller Bill Reynolds. All square dancers are welcome to participate in this event. From 7:30 to 8 p.m., an old- fashioned shotgun wedding will be held at the grandstand. Come prepared to brace yourself. The huge surprise of this wedding is sure to have its guests rolling in the pews. The annual talent show will be held at 8 p.m. at the Community Activity Center. Contestants should register by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, September 28 by contacting Ernie Hillsman at (816) 616-6931. There may only be one talent per entry with a four minute time limit. No bands will be allowed due to set-up time. An entry fee of $5 per person will be charged and no lip sync will be allowed. Prizes will be awarded for first and second place in the following categories: nine years and under, 10-14 years, 15-18 years and 19 years and older. In addition, an overall grand prize will be awarded. From 8 until 10 p.m., a street dance will be held in front of the east stage featuring Holden’s very own Blackwater Union Band. The east stage will be located near the intersection of Second and Pine streets. Beginning at 8:30 p.m., Kansas City-based band Steelcreek will entertain the grandstand crowd with tunes from the 60’s and 70’s. The band is well known for their reminiscence of Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, Poco, Firefall, the Little River Band and the Beatles. In years past, Saturday has always been the most well-attended day of the Holden Fall Fiesta. Saturday will begin at 7 a.m. with a 5k run. The run will begin at city hall. All who wish to participate in this event are invited to enjoy this 3.1 mile run/walk. An entry fee of $10 will be applied to all entries postmarked by Tuesday, September 20. The cost will be $11 after September 20. T-shirts will be given to all entrants. Awards will be given to the best overall male and female finishers as well as first, second and third in each age division. Entry forms are available at Taylor’s Fitness Factory. For more information, contact Pat Zvacek at (816) 732-2257. The annual baby show will be held at the grandstand beginning at 10 a.m. All babies will be pre-judged on Saturday, September 24 at 8:30 a.m. at Holden Middle School. All classes include those children who will be ages birth through four-years-old as of September 27. Children who are four-years-old and one day on September 27 will not be included. No registration is required, but a $5 entry fee is required. Checks should be made payable to the Holden Area Chamber of Commerce. No hats, bonnets or headbands will be allowed. Casual attire is recommended. For more information, contact chairperson Ina Mae Fiscus at (816) 732-6848. For the third year in a row, a car show will be held as part of the fiesta. It will begin at 11 a.m. at Holden Motors. The gates will open at 9 a.m., and judging will be held from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. Awards will be given in the following categories: motorcycles, trucks, street rods, cars, under construction, muscle cars and best of show. In addition, door prizes will be awarded, which will include a 50/50 pot. Free parade entry will be granted with car show entries. For more information, contact Dwight Anstine at (816) 732-5516 or Jenny Sollars at 732-4605. The annual children’s races will be held at the grandstand from noon until 1 p.m. These races will include big wheels, tricycles, bicycles, turtles and a diaper derby. All contestants should meet in front of the grandstand at noon. No registration is required. First, second and third prizes will be given in each class of every race. The Forward Community Church praise and worship band will entertain crowds at the grandstand with a mix of contemporary praise and worship music beginning at 1 p.m. Everyone in the community is encouraged to attend this uplifting event. Also at 1 p.m., the kids and adults pedal tractor pull will be held at Holden Public Library. Boys and girls agest four through 12 years of age need to report to the library by 12:45 p.m. Children will be competing against other children their own age. The first 70 entries will be accepted. Entry forms and a $3 entry fee should be mailed to Misty Haun. The entry fee will be $5 on the day of the contest. A first place trophy will be awarded in each class with ribbons for second and third place. Adults will be given an opportunity to compete immediately following the children’s competition. All adults should report to the library by 2:30 p.m. A form with $3 entry fee should be mailed to Misty Haun. For more information, call Misty Haun at (816) 732-5877. Pedal tractors should be furnished by entrants. A new addition to the fair this year will be the “old-fashioned” contests which will include hog calling, watermelon seed spitting, pie eating and whistling contests. These will begin at 2 p.m. at the grandstand. Entrants must register by visiting or sending an entry form to Heimans by Thursday, September 29. The hog calling contest is open to anyone under 18 years of age. First, second and third prizes will be awarded. The first 20 to enter are guaranteed a spot to perform before the audience. The watermelon seed spitting contest is for entrants ages 18 and over, who will see who can spit their watermelon seeds the farthest. First, second and third prizes will be awarded. The first 20 entries will be accepted. The pie eating contest is open to those entrants ages 18 and over. First, second and third prizes will be awarded and the first 20 entries will be accepted. The whistling contest is open to all ages. Wet your whistle and get ready to whistle a tune! The first 20 entries will be accepted, and first, second and third prizes will be awarded. At 2 p.m. the Dazzling Dancers will provide the entertainment on the east stage. The Dazzling Dancers have been performing for events since 1999. They entertain at rodeos, nursing homes, basketball games, parades and other events. These energetic dancers, some as young as three-years-old, are led by dance instructor Jamie Patterson. From 3 p.m until 3:45 p.m. the Footlights Academy will perform selections from their spring recital “Through Chidren’s Eyes” at the grandstand. They will feature excerpts from the musicals “Annie” and “The Wizard of Oz” with a few soloists performing, as well. The tiny tots are sure to sing and dance their way into your heart. From 4 p.m. until 5 p.m. Don Henson will perform at the grandstand. Henson has been a crowd pleaser for a number of years with his selection of gospel tunes. At 5 p.m., evening festivities will be kicked off by the singing of the National Anthem by Anna Herrod, and the annual parade will begin at 5:30 p.m. The parade line up deadline will be 4:15 p.m. and the parade will leave from the high school at 5 p.m. The entry deadline is Wednesday, September 21 at 5 p.m. Entry forms may be dropped in a box at the Bank of Holden or Farmers and Commercial Bank or mailed to organizer Ann Osborn. A grand prize will be awarded, and first, second and third prizes will be awarded in each of the following categories: religious or educational, agrarian or novice, auxiliary, antiques and political. All entries received after the September 21 deadline will be accepted but will be placed at the end of the lineup and will not be eligible for judging. Following the parade, Anna Herrod will entertain crowds at the grandstand. The Anderson Brothers will entertain crowds at the grandstand beginning at 7:30 p.m. The Anderson Brothers are a dynamic gospel quintet consisting of five brothers ranging in age from 18 to 29. The full, rich outpouring of harmonious sound is equaled in no other group. They excel in acapella singing, traveling the country in song and testimony. A “Pepsi Garden” will be held near the east stage this year. Anyone who would like to perform at the east stage should contact Francis Brillhart at (816) 850-4227. Fair books, which will contain entry forms for all aforementioned contests are available at the Holden Image, 117 E. Second St. in Holden. By Christi Stowe Special To The Image |
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