When the Holden Chamber of Commerce met in regular session at Strate’s Drive Inn on Thursday morning, the upcoming St Patrick’s Day parade was one focus of discussion.
It was reported that the parade will form at Tilden’s Quick Lube at 205 E Second Street, at 5 p.m.  The parade starts at 5:30 p.m., proceeds west on Second Street and turns at Break Time to march South on Highway 131. It then turns east on Third and proceeds to the Haller building. The Sesquicentennial Vintage Hat contest will begin at approximately 6 p.m.  There will also be a St. Patrick’s Day corned beef and cabbage dinner from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Haller Building.
In committee reports:
•The membership committee, which is charged with recruiting new members and retaining current members, reported that applications were still being sent out.
•The Fall Fiesta Committee reported they have begun holding ongoing meetings to plan the three- day event which will be held September 13, 14, and 15.
•Dennis Mason reported on behalf of the community betterment committee that the city directional and welcome signs are still a work in progress. The committee is also charged with conducting the ongoing curb appeal project.
•The downtown park committee organizes and conducts the maintenance of the Dillon-Mickey Park. They stated that they  will need volunteer assistance for mowing and maintenance of the park. Anyone wishing to buy a memorial brick for placement at the park may call chamber offices at 816-732-6844 or find details on-line at www.holdenchamber.com.
Andrew Wakeman from the Holden High School Future Business Leaders of America gave an update on the group’s activities. The FBLA has applied for chamber membership and requesting an activity they can help the chamber with. Pat Zvacek suggested the maintenance of the downtown park and the civil war reenactment coming up for the sesquicentennial.    
•The economic development committee will meet March 17 at O&M Enterprises at 6 p.m. They will be discussing points for the comprehensive plan working on demographics information and other materials that have been provided.    
In other business, chamber President Jo Ann Alpert recently attended a meeting of the Farmers Market Association of Missouri. She learned that many markets charge participating vendors a fee while the Holden market does not.
The next chamber meeting will be Thursday, April 3 at 7 a.m. at Strate’s Drive Inn.
By Terri Vinck
News Staff



Students at Holden High School are scheduled Monday to begin eating in their new cafeteria according to a report made by architect’s representative Wade Lininger at the regular meeting of the Holden R-III School Board held Monday night at the Holden Intermediate School.
Larry Arnone, district auxiliary services director, told the board that students have been briefed on the new procedures for the new kitchen and cafeteria during their advisory times.
Lininger added that with the opening of the area, the construction crews will shift emphasis to the new classrooms and outside work such as asphalting tasks.
During the construction update, the board also approved three change orders in the amount of approximately $5,500.
In board financial news, interim superintendent Dr. Paul James informed the group that they would have to begin looking seriously at increasing the tax levy in the general fund area.  That category funds teacher’s salaries and everyday expenses. 
He said because the board has voluntarily rolled back the levied amount from $3.75 approved by a public vote in 1998 to the present $3.31, it was time to seriously consider increasing the amount to fund the higher salaries and increased operating expenses.  He added that to be able to continue with the present programs it would soon become necessary.
In personnel matters conducted during the board’s executive session, employment of Sarah West as elementary school assistant principal was approved.  Resignations were accepted from Sarah Gilkey, day plus assistant; Marion Robey, part-time Target teacher; Shawna Gard, junior class sponsor; Stephanie Stewart, junior class sponsor; and Tracy Ewens, head cheerleading coach.
Other changes announced during teacher contract renewals were Jon West, moving from high school/middle school vocal music teacher to high school/middle school instrumental music teacher.  Morgan Parrish is also moving from eighth grade language arts to instructional coach.
In other board business, 2008 Project Graduation was given permission to use two school buses for transporting high school seniors to their Project Graduation party May 18-19; and a proposed summer school plan for next summer was approved.
In a highlight of the evening reports, Arnone praised his bus  personnel for the recent Highway Patrol annual inspection.  Only three out of 26 buses were not approved during the first phase of the inspection for an 88.5 percent passing rate.  Those three buses were then re-inspected and approved later that day giving the buses a 100 percent passing rate.  Arnone stated that credit is due bus maintenance personnel Mark Carver for the high marks.
In other reports, Julie Brunner presented her annual technology report and received approval for the new technology plan which will last until 2011. 
By Steve Sullins
Editor



Being defeated by Skyline 48-14 wasn’t in the script, but this year’s edition of the Holden High School Lady Eagles went further into post-season play than any other HHS girls’ team in 17 years.
The Holden girls, playing in a sectional matchup with the Lady Tigers of Urbana, MO, Wednesday night at the State Fair Community College arena, had a tough time as was evidenced by events in the first quarter.  While the Lady Eagles were still trying to get their legs under them, Skyline was already putting the game out of reach with an early 20-point flurry.  With the Lady Tigers stroking three  three-pointers and getting inside when they wanted to, Holden could only manage three points to end the first period already in a deep 17-point hole.
The second quarter was a little more respectable, being outscored by only 7-5, the Lady Eagles were behind by 19 at the intermission and still searching for some offensive rhythm.
“On a night when we needed to be solid on both ends, our offense left us,” lamented head Lady Eagle coach Travis Fleming.  “The first couple of possessions actually predicted the entire game.  We did a good job of running our sets and got three good looks at the basket, but we failed to convert on all three and then missed a pair of free throws.  During that same stretch, Skyline was knocking down threes and taking control of the game.  We ended up going five for 28 from the floor and four for 10 from the free throw line.  A lot of our shooting woes can be contributed to Skyline’s defense, but we just did not do a good job of finishing.”
One bright spot on the evening was Holden’s defense.  They held Skyline to nearly 17 points under their season average.
“Defensively I was pleased with our effort,” Coach Fleming stated.  “We made a few mental mistakes and they made us pay.  We wanted to press and got a couple of turnovers when we had the chance, but our inability to score kept us from being able to set up any pressure.”
In the second half, Holden found themselves still in the offensive doldrums, but held the Lady Tigers to only 21 points in the half.  Thirteen Lady Eagles saw state tournament action which bodes well for future trips.
“I am nothing but proud of this group, they accomplished a lot this year and one loss at the end does not take all of that away,” the coach continued.  “Sure we would have liked to play stronger in our final game, but we didn’t and we have to learn from this experience.  It was a good experience that we worked hard to get to.”
Speaking of his seniors, the coach said that Emily Collett, Eleanor Brown and Deanna Quisenberry will be missed.  “They were my first freshman class and I have enjoyed watching them grow into the kids they are today,” Fleming added.  “I also want to give a big thank you to our fans for all of the support we received this year.  We played in some great atmospheres and the game is not the same without our great fans cheering us on.”
Leading scorers for Holden were freshman Kelsey Carver and junior Calla Burden, both with four and Kelsey Whitehead, three; and Brown with two.
By Steve Sullins
Editor