 As
Dennis Mason begins his term as president of the Holden Chamber
of Commerce, he says his focus will be on economic development.
And that, he emphasizes, begins downtown.
With that in mind, Mason says there are a number of issues that
need to be addressed and he would like to see the downtown business
owners and local residents work toward an overall plan of what
the community wants.
Some of those issues involve the condition of downtown sidewalks,
the Bradford Pear trees that line Second Street and the Chamber
of Commerce building.
The trees were planted in the summer of 1987 as part of a Community
Betterment project. The community won first place in the state-sponsored
contest that year and received an award for utilizing trees as
part of a downtown landscape project from the Missouri Department
of Conservation.
However, once the trees matured, starlings began to nest in the
trees causing some business owners to call for their removal. The
Chamber then began an annual tree trimming project which seems
to have alleviated most of that problem. However, trimming the
trees back causes the trunks to grow faster which is now causing
problems with sidewalks in the business district.
Mason said if a decision to remove the trees is made, he is committed
to putting something back in their place.
“When people come to a community, their overall impression is often based
on the appearance of their downtown so it is important to make it as attractive
as possible,” he added.
The fate of the Chamber of Commerce building itself is also part
of a debate among local citizens.
“We have two options. Some would like to see the building restored and
others would like to tear it down and build a new building back in its place.
I am hoping we can make a decision this year,” said Mason.
The Chamber building is located on the corner of Main and Second
Street in what served as Davidson’s Cafe for many years.
Prior to that, the building served as a local gas station. The
group also owns the building directly behind it which formerly
housed Grandpa’s Workshop. That building was constructed
in the early 1970’s as a small grocery store.
Should the Chamber choose to restore and remodel the current building,
it is possible the other building would be incorporated into that
plan as well.
Work also resumed on the Dillon-Mickey Park next to Walker’s
Variety in downtown Holden.
“The weather has been holding us up,” he said. “They poured
concrete recently though and pavers should start going down after Christmas.”
As part of the fund raising efforts for the park, the Chamber sold
engraved, brick pavers to be permanently placed on the grounds
of the park. Marilyn Mickey-Clay donated the land for the project
and a large stone fountain which is partially finished as well.
Several granite benches are also being donated in memory of loved
ones by area families.
Replacing and improving the Christmas decorations downtown is also
a priority to Mason. A drive to raise funds for that project begins
the first weekend in February when the group, in conjunction with
the Holden Image, will sponsor a basketball tournament at the Community
Activity Center. All proceeds will go toward that effort.
The annual membership drive, Mason added, is also underway and
he encourages everyone to get involved in the organization. The
group’s next meeting is Thursday, Jan. 5 at 7 a.m. at the
Harmony House Restaurant.
Mason also added that Jo Ann Nolan would begin writing a column
for the Chamber focusing on the group’s activities and goals
- watch for “Chamber Chatter” in the Holden Image.
By Rusty Hartwell
Publisher
Property Taxes Due
By December 31
Johnson County Collector Ruthane Small reminds everyone that real
estate and personal property taxes are due by December 31, 2005.
Taxes must be paid in person or by mail. If mailed,
they must be postmarked by December 31 to avoid penalty. For
the taxpayers’ convenience, a drop box will be available
24-hours-a-day at the east front door of the Johnson County Courthouse
through December 31. The box will be removed Jan. 1, 2006.
Payments may be made with cash, check, money order or credit card.
The collector’s office is open Monday through Friday from
8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. including the noon hour. The office
will be closed on Monday, December 26 for the Christmas holiday.
The office will be open on Saturday, December 31, from 8:30 a.m.
to 4:30 p.m.
For more information or questions, call the collector’s office
at (660) 747-5531.
Holiday Decoration
Winners Listed
The Holden Garden Club has recently announced the winners in their annual
Christmas Decoration contest.
The winners are: Residential non-religious category - first
place, John and Kristy Talley, 300 W. Third Street; second place,
Mark Barwick, 500 S. Clay Street.
Residential religious category - first place, Bill and Sandy O’Brien,
1409 S. Market Street; second place, First United Methodist Church,
400 S. Main Street.
Window decorations - first place, Mike and Darcy Roach, 503 S.
Pine Street; Honorable mention, Farmers & Commercial Bank,
124 W. Second Street; and Galle’s Smokehouse Grill, 105 W.
Second Street.
First Baby Of
The Year Contest Set
Businesses in Holden and the surrounding area are once again sponsoring
a “First Baby Of The Year” contest.
Numerous gifts, gift certificates and savings bonds will be awarded
to the first baby born with a Holden or Kingsville address.
New parents should contact the Holden Image office at 732-5552
for further information.
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The spirit of Christmas is alive and well at the home of Oren,
Jr. and Jeanne Henry on South Lexington Street in Holden.
The Henrys illuminate their home and grounds with an assortment
of Christmas decorations that would thrill any young child and
bring Christmas joy to many adults as well. Numerous Santas
grace their yard, some that dance and sing, a Christmas Mickey
and Minnie Mouse, Frosty The Snowman, a horse pulling a sleigh
complete with a winter driver, a Nativity Scene, and seasons greetings
signs, just to name a few.
And all of this comes together because they truly enjoy it, according
to Oren. “It’s become somewhat of a family tradition,
as our five children and all the grandchildren show up around Thanksgiving
and give us a hand setting it all up,” he said.
If the family and the neighbors pitch in, it usually takes approximately
four to five hours to finish, he added.
“If Jeanne and I do it on our own, it takes
us about three and one-half days to complete the decorations.”
One neighbor, Kameron Ruble, has been helping the Henrys every
year since he was 12 years old.
Some of the challenges they face include having to replace the
heavy re-bar that holds up the largest of the decorations. He
also said the electrical outlets they had didn’t have the
capacity to handle the amount of electricity needed for the displays
and he has had an additional 220 amp service installed which gave
them 12 extra outlets.
The Henrys add to their collection every year, depending on what
new ideas they come up with or new decorations they see for sale. They
purchase some of their larger pieces from the Den of Ornamental
Iron, which is located on 44 Highway near Rolla, Missouri. Their
new snow globe they found at Sam’s Club and some wooden decorations
have been purchased in Lee’s Summit. Some special pieces
have been made by their neighbor, Ronnie Ballard, who is an excellent
welder and craftsman, according to Oren.
They sometimes get their ideas from watching television, as was
the case when they watched Larry the Cable Guy and heard his catch
phrase “Git ‘R’ Done.” Jeanne thought
that was funny and so they added that to the display along with
a sign that says, “Bring them home safely,” referring
to the servicemen and women. The Henry’s have a relative
serving in the military.
After finishing the display, the Henrys welcome their nine grandchildren
and their friends to enjoy all the pretty lights and wintery
scenes all through November and December.
When the Henrys moved into their home five years ago, the lot next
to the house had been neglected, according to Oren, so they decided
to clean it up and decorate it throughout the year, changing with
the season. In the summer time, their pristine yard boasts
over 114 beautiful rosebushes and other flowers.
In preparing for the winter display, according to the Henrys, they
sit down with pencil and paper each year and draw a plan for what
their yard will look like before starting the decorating process.
“It’s hard work, but it’s a lot of fun. And we have
so many people driving by and slowing down to look at everything. A lot
of people stop and thank us for going to all the trouble. That’s
what really means a lot to us and that’s why we do it, so everyone can
enjoy it,” said Oren
“Growing up, my father always decorated our home at Christmas time and
I’m just carrying on that tradition. Jeanne did not have the opportunity
to decorate for Christmas when she was growing up, so she’s more excited
about all this than I am,” he added.
Oren and Jeanne also take the time to decorate the inside of their
home as it boasts four Christmas trees and a large Santa Claus
collection, among other things, this year.
The Henrys sometimes obtain their ideas from small Christmas decorations. Some
things they are thinking about for the future include Santa on
a motorcycle, Santa in a bathtub, and Santa on a train. They
are never at a loss for ideas but can only add so much each year
as the large decorations are quite costly.
When not in use, the decorations are stored in several large garages.
When asked how one might go about beginning a collection or decorating
their homes, Jeanne said it’s a good idea to start buying
early, right after Christmas when the decorations are marked down.
“Just be creative; I took an angel that was for a pond and put it in
the gazebo and just strung some lights around it this year,” said Jeanne.
Oren added that people can take a regular yard bench and add lights
and it looks beautiful.
“There are all kinds of ways to cut corners to make some pretty ornaments,” he
said.
He also suggested to watch for extension cords and electrical equipment
to go on sale and purchase them at that time. For the amount
of electricity he uses, he recommends using only name brand
extension cords and light bulbs - the cheaper ones won’t
last as long. He should know; he currently has more than
30, 100-foot extension cords and many smaller ones in use as well.
“Buy what you can afford and then just add to it every year; it’s
kind of fun to plan what you want it to look like,” he added.
The Henrys believe more people around Holden are getting in the
holiday spirit as they’ve noticed an increase in Christmas
decorations over the past few years. Jeanne added, “it’s
something families can do together to celebrate Christmas and the
holiday season.”
Because it takes the Henrys three days to take down all of the
decorations after the holidays, Jeanne jokingly said she sometimes
is tempted to be a complete redneck and leave them up all year
round.
“It is my dream to have a winter wonderland park for families to bring
their children and walk through and admire the displays and see the singing
and dancing Santas - then maybe warm up with a little hot chocolate. That
may happen sometime in the future,” Oren said.
Until then, the Henrys say everyone is welcome to come by and admire
their decorations; that’s what they are there for.
The hours of work and the expense that goes along with such a process
are a wonderful present for the entire community - a present that
everyone can open early just by driving by the Henrys’ home.
By Dana Neubert
News Staff |