 August Outstanding Customer Service Award honors went to local OATS bus driver, Debbie Taylor.
Taylor was surprised at the Holden Senior Center by staff from the Holden Image with a bouquet of flowers and a plaque in honor of her achievement.
She has been driving the OATS bus in Holden for 17 years and says she truly enjoys her job and the people she serves. She transports three to five people daily to the Senior Center for lunch. She is also available to take patrons shopping locally at the grocery store, Dollar Store, or to the beauty shop.
Along with her regular driving duties, Taylor organizes out of town trips for the public. She says people especially enjoy their trips to Branson in the summer time. She books the shows and motels for her patrons and says her bus is always full when she schedules these special trips.
“Occasionally we travel to the casinos in Kansas City and are in the process of planning a trip to the Amish community of Jamesport this fall,” stated Taylor.
She has a lot of experience driving a bus as she is also employed by the Holden School District as a bus driver. She has served the Holden school children for the past 22 years in that capacity.
A native of Holden, Taylor lives here with her husband Jim. They have three children and four grandchildren who all live in the area.
She is available to drive patrons on the OATS bus Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and encourages people to use the service. “We transport people where they need to go and the suggested donation is $1 per ride for a one-stop trip. It’s a great service for the public and I wish more people would use it,” said Taylor.
When she’s not busy driving a bus, Taylor likes to spend her time collecting Depression glass and going antique shopping. She is also an Avon representative and has been selling Avon for 23 years.
Taylor’s supervisor, Carolyn Tyler, said of Taylor, “She’s a very dependable person. She’s wonderful with the people she serves and really takes an interest in them and makes sure they get where they need to go safely. She does a great job.”
Taylor said she was surprised by the award and was very thankful to whoever nominated her. “I enjoy visiting with the people every day. Taking them to the Senior Center gives them a chance to socialize and interact with others plus gives them a well-balanced meal. It offers them companionship which in turn makes me feel good,” said Taylor.
The person who nominated Taylor said, “Debbie is always so helpful and friendly. She is so pleasant every single day. She helps everyone up onto the bus and makes sure they safely get where they are going and back home again. I think she truly deserves the outstanding customer service award.”
By Dana Neubert
News Staff
Johnson County Christian Academy is continuing to work with a computer based curriculum in many of its classes for the ‘07-’08 school year.
The technology-focused program initiated last year at JCCA is known as Alpha Omega’s Switched-on-Schoolhouse. Switched-on-Schoolhouse (SOS), is a nationally recognized, accredited curriculum for elementary and secondary students. School leaders initiated this computer-based style of instruction for several reasons. One purpose was to assist the JCCA faculty in providing a quality, individually tailored course of study for its students. This style of learning fits well with JCCA’s small class sizes and multi-grade classrooms, according to administrator Liz Deno.
Deno went on to say another reason was to strengthen students’ computer literacy, which is becoming an increasingly more important and necessary life-skill. Both teachers and students were pleased with the flexibility and challenge this curriculum brought to the classroom. This year the computer-based program at JCCA has been expanded to include more students. Currently, nine fifth and sixth graders and five seventh and ninth graders are using the program, as well as a few younger advanced math students. All fifth and sixth graders are taking one subject through SOS. This allows these younger students to become introduced to the process of computer-based learning, and provides an easy transition for them as they move into the upper grades, and more computer-based classes. Lap-top computers were purchased for the seventh-ninth grade class this year and assigned to each student. The lap-tops provide the portability for the students to do their homework and to study, and enable the students to keep up with the class and their studies when absent or out of school. In addition to the benefits for full-time students, this program has also enabled JCCA to offer a part-time program of study called “Course Select” for home-schooled or non-traditional students. In collaboration with the SOS program, students also work on traditional assignments, such as projects, oral reports, and group studies as well as participate in community service events. This combination of traditional instruction and individual tutoring is working to enable each student to understand their subject matter more thoroughly and progress confidently. For more information about the SOS course of study, “Course Select”, or any other of JCCA’s programs, one may contact the school office at 660-656-3307.
Johnson County Recorder of Deeds Jan Jones has announced that beginning August 28, 2007, couples getting married in the State of Missouri will no longer have to make two trips to the county recorder of deeds to obtain their marriage license.
Effective August 28, 2007, the three-day waiting period will be repealed. If the ceremony is being performed within 30 days of the application, the couple may take the marriage license with them. Previously, the bride and groom were required to appear before the recorder of deeds to make application, wait three days and return to the recorder's office to pick up the license.
Jones also points out that change will allow those who have travel limitations, such as many military personnel, the ability to make plans without imposing unnecessary travel time and expense on them.
Missouri follows more than 30 other states that have already eliminated the three day waiting requirement and allows the couple to take their license with them at the time of application. In Missouri, a marriage license is valid for 30 days after issue.
Applications are taken Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. at the Johnson County Recorder of Deeds office, 300 N. Holden Street #305, Warrensburg, MO. The fee is $51 cash payable at application.
The Hugs Project met on August 21 and six ladies sewed and prepared for shipping 60 Hugs, with instructions, an instant drink mix and two hard candies. The Hugs also contained notes written to the soldiers thanking them for their bravery and for protecting everyone. The notes were written by Chilhowee Senior Citizens and Crest Ridge Summer School students.
This shipment of Hugs was sent to Brian Motley, to be shared with his fellow soldiers. Brian is a 2001 graduate of Chilhowee High School and the grandson of Wilma and Ron Shaw of Chilhowee. The next Hugs Project meeting is September 18 from 8:30 to noon. If anyone would like to participate, call 660-656-3507.
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Show Me Energy Cooperative of Centerview welcomed yet another dignitary to their facility on August 29 with the visit of Senator Clair McCaskill.
McCaskill was given a tour by owner Steve Flick and learned about phase one of the operation which, according to Flick, entails utilizing switch grass, corn stalks and milo fodder and converting them into a bio mass pellet which can then be used for home heating and coal-firing electrical utilities.
Flick went on to say phase two will utilize the same by-products to make ethanol, diesel, methanol and possibly aviation fuel. "Every bail of bio mass will convert to so many gallons of fuel," stated Flick.
Speaking on McCaskill's visit, Flick said, "We look forward to working with her and her office to bring renewable energy fuel technology to Johnson County. Senator McCaskill had a chance to interface with our board and investors and learn about our vision. We had a roundtable discussion so she could see where our operation was going. We told her of our collaboration with Black and Veatch which is engineering in clean energy technologies."
McCaskill shared information about the farm bill and how it will benefit the farm group. Flick plans to welcome her back with a yellow ribbon cutting ceremony in the future.
"We basically shared our vision with Senator McCaskill and told her of the schedule of events taking place. We wanted to show her that this process is effective, proven and reliable. We want to show Johnson County and the world that this works," said Flick.
Flick said he and his staff had a wonderful visit with McCaskill.
"We are working with her office and the congressional delegation of the State of Missouri to make this a reality for Johnson County," stated Flick.
OBITUARIES
LESLIE WILLIAM “BILL” WILSON
Leslie William “Bill” Wilson, 66, of Kingsville, MO, beloved husband of Rose and loving dad of Christine and Jeffrey, left us for a better place Friday, August 31, 2007 at his residence.
Bill was born August 5, 1941 in Lee’s Summit, MO the son of Loren A. Wilson and Maybelle (Hartzell) Wilson. He graduated from Lee’s Summit High School in 1959 and attended Central Missouri State College.
He married Rose E. (Hughes) on March 7, 1981 in Lee’s Summit. Bill was a tradesman with Western Electric/AT&T until retiring in 1997. In that same year, the couple moved to Kingsville.
He was a skilled archer and an accomplished wood craftsman. Bill enjoyed fishing, wildlife and spending time outdoors. “He was a dog’s best friend.”
Survivors include his wife, Rose; one daughter, Christine Prince and her husband Jerry of Queens, New York; a son, Jeffrey Wilson of Swansboro, North Carolina; his mother, Maybelle Wilson, Warrensburg; a brother, Andrew Wilson and his wife Linda of Wildwood, MO; a sister-in-law, Dusty Wilson of Clinton, MO; two grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father and a brother, Ronald.
Memorial services will be held Thursday, September 6, 2007 at 7 p.m. at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Holden with Father Pete Savidge officiating.
Williams Funeral Chapel in Holden is in charge of the arrangements.
Memorials are suggested to St. Patrick’s Building Fund and/or Johnson County Hospice.
He is loved dearly. May he rest in peace. ILYF
CALVIN D. WARNER
Calvin D. Warner, 71, of Lee's Summit, Missouri, was born Sunday, January 19, 1936 in Holden, Missouri, the son of Charlie and Iscie Irene Hough Warner. He departed this life Thursday, August 30, 2007 at the Lee's Summit Medical Center.
On December 24, 1960, Calvin was united in marriage to Judith Ann Sears in Pleasant Hill, Missouri.
Calvin was a truck driver for Arkansas Best Freight for 30 years until his retirement in 1998. He was an Army veteran.
He was preceded in death by his father
He is survived by his mother, Iscie Warner, Lee’s Summit; his wife Judy, Lee’s Summit; one son Stan Warner and his wife Rebecca, Lee’s Summit; one daughter, Dee Ann Hendrickson and her husband Mark, Hermitage, Tennessee; two sisters, Donna VanMeter and her husband Jr., Holden, Missouri and Charlotte Timmons and her husband Ray, Holden, Missouri; four grandchildren, Hannah Hendrickson, Heather Hendrickson, Allyson Warner and Katelyn Warner; other relatives and many friends.
Funeral services wereheld 10 a.m. Tuesday, September 4, 2007, at the Stanley-Dickey Funeral Home, Pleasant Hill, where visitation was held from 6 to 8 p.m. on Monday. Reverend Allen Baker officiated. Burial was in the Pleasant Hill Cemetery.
Casket bearers were Richard Bond, Shawn Stansill, Scott Stever, John Totten, Matt VanMeter, and Donnie Warner. Honorary bearers were Bob Bedsaul, Jim Bradbury, Bill Routh, Duane Williams, Kenny Williams, and Jerry Zvacek.
Arrangements, Stanley-Dickey Funeral Home, 203 N. Armstrong, Pleasant Hill, Missouri 64080.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.stanley-dickeyfuneralhome.com.
JOAN PEEBLES
Joan Peebles, 77, of Knob Noster, MO passed away Tuesday, August 28, 2007 at the Bothwell Regional Health Center in Sedalia.
She was born March 17, 1930 in Camden, Tennessee, the daughter of Robert Noah DePriest and Hester Lucy (Bomer) DePriest. She graduated from Camden High School in 1948.
She married William Thomas Peebles, Sr. on May 29, 1949 in Corinth, Mississippi. The couple moved from Tennessee to Knob Noster in 1964. Joan was a cafeteria manager for the Knob Noster School District for 22 years prior to retiring.
William preceded her in death on February 15, 1991.
Joan was a member of the Knob Noster United Methodist Church. She enjoyed needlework such as crocheting and embroidery. Her hobbies also included reading and playing cards. She especially enjoyed spending time with her family.
Survivors include three children and their spouses, William T., Jr. and Dianne Peebles of Loveland, CO, Patricia F. and Jim Nipko of Holden, MO and Melissa J. and Kenneth Daugherty of Higginsville, MO, one daughter, adopted in love, Amy Payant and her husband Ron of Kansas; one brother, Larry DePriest and his wife Emily of Ashland, Ohio; two sisters, Odell B. Barnes of Camden, Tennessee and Wilma Thompson and her husband Fred of Spring Hill, Tennessee. Joan is also survived by 11 grandchildren; four grandchildren adopted in love; many great-grandchildren; and several great-great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, September 1, 2007 at Knob Noster United Methodist Church, with interment following in Knob Noster Cemetery. The family received friends from 6-8 p.m. Friday at Williams Funeral Chapel in Warrensburg.
Pallbearers were Alf Gallagos, Paul Richmeier, Tom Peebles, Jason Anderson, Steve Livingston, Mark Sommerhauser, Joshua Hubbard and Cody Nipko.
Memorials are suggested to Knob Noster United Methodist Church or the American Lung Association.
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