 HOPE Coalition, Inc. held an informational meeting last Thursday morning due to a lack of quorum.
Saturday, September 20 will be the Johnson County Walk for Health kick-off at 9 a.m. at the Community Activity Center (CAC), activities director Jennifer Loos told the board of directors at the HOPE meeting.
“The kick-off consists of a short talk, followed by a pre-assessment including heart rate, blood pressure, glucose and a three minute walk test,” said Loos. She added this is one of the CAC’s health awareness activities and encourages the community to take part in the event.
The board discussed the Pink Tea which is scheduled to be held October 14 at 11 a.m. at the CAC. Executive director Danny Crews told board members Jack Bozarth, development director, Cancer Research Center, Columbia, will be the guest speaker. He went on to say individuals and organizations are invited to the fourth annual Pink Tea. “It is a way of thanking people for the things they do in the community and for supporting HOPE,” said Crews. The guest speakers will give information about surviving and fighting cancer (breast, prostate or any other type), he went on to say.
In planning business, Crews told the board the planning committee met last Tuesday to discuss possibilities for moving their programs to other locations in the event their building sells. “I’ve talked with some local realtors and also some community leaders about possible locations for HOPE services,” said Crews. “Some favorable and some not so favorable. Some local persons/organizations might be willing to share office facilities.” Crews asked board members to think about what is important to HOPE and what services they do well, such as WIC, Harvesters, GED program, Clothes Closet, and job search program.
In public relations news, Crews said he attended the Missouri State Employees Charitable Campaign August 27 in Jefferson City and there were several different agencies there; many were United Way. “Nearly all of them had tri-fold displays and handouts to explain their organization and operations,” Crews stated. “I think we need to think about getting some of these resources.”
Crews went on to say he also attended CHART (Community Health Awareness Resource Team) September 4 in Warrensburg. “HOPE will be one of their pilot programs, which is what Jennifer Loos explained earlier in talking about the Walk for Health,” said Crews.
In other program news, Crews told the board he met with the WIC personnel to set up their laptops to use HOPE’s wireless network. “We are one of three pilot satellite sites using their new software over the network. Our phones are no longer unusable when WIC is here,” Crews commented.
Crews then gave a maintenance update to the board on different items that needed attention including CAC thermostats, rear double doors in CAC, roof leaks in the Community Service Center (CSC), paint CAC concession/office, electrical power disconnects on CAC roof units, gymnasium floor finish, among others.
In other CAC news, Loos told the board the Holden Fair was a success without any major incidents. “The rain caused all the activities to be moved into the CAC building,” said Loos. “The rain may have helped us some, since we made approximately $500 at the concession stand. We will also have to ask the Chamber of Commerce for a new price for rental due to the large crowds and being open more hours than we agreed upon. More water and electricity was used throughout the three-day event.”
In activities news, Loos reported the volleyball league began last week and is a six-week session for third through sixth graders. Loos said she is working with Susan Jennings on a schedule for volleyball tournaments and they have eight scheduled already. She added basketball leagues are scheduled to begin the first week of November and Kyle Crews has agreed to help with these. There will also be a tool show at the CAC on October 11, according to Loos. “It is a semi that travels nationwide and displays and exhibits their tools. They are paying us $300 for the use of the building and the event will be held from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.,” Loos said.
Loos then asked board members if they could come up with any ideas for further moneymaking programs at the CAC. Board member Donna LaHue suggested they hold a quilt show as many different churches and organizations in the area have a lot of women who are really interested in quilting.
Board president Bob Mickey asked Loos if there were any prospects for expanding the basketball league. She said they may offer competitive leagues for younger teams in the future. Mickey also asked if Loos used past contact information to reach coaches and Loos replied that she did.
In Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP) news, Crews told the board he was working on some adjustments on the quarterly report and would fax it in soon.
Crews expounded on the Holden Fair, saying parking was a real issue at the CAC building and he would like to thank the Holden Police Department for their assistance with this issue.
The informational meeting of the HOPE Coalition closed to reopen October 16 at 6:45 a.m. at the CSC.
By Dana Neubert
News Staff
The board of directors of Trails Regional Library voted unanimously to approve a new signage plan for the system, without inclusion of monument sign section, according to minutes of the meeting taken September 18.
The monument sign has been a point of contention recently between the board and some members of the Holden community and the Friends of the Library. The Holden citizens were in favor of the sign for the Holden Branch and were requesting the board approve the monument signage.
According to branch director Karen Hicklin, “The new signage plan is designed to provide a consistent and professional identification of each of the facilities within the Trails Regional Library system. It identifies improvements that are viable at all of the eight branches. Implementation of the plan will begin within a few weeks and completion is expected to take one year.”
She added the plan includes interior and exterior signage for all branches so they can remain consistent with use of the new district logo and make it easier to identify the library within the community.
Hicklin went on to say, “The library’s free program guide, which is available at all of the branches, provides a listing of the library’s events for children, teens and adults, plus additional events sponsored by the Friends of the Library. The fall program guide is currently available. Future projects to enhance the library’s communication with its residents are under development and include an electronic newsletter which would serve as an additional reminder of upcoming events.”
She explained exterior signage as all branches will have the following permanent exterior signage: identical exterior signage that identifies each as Trails Regional Library using brushed aluminum 12-inch Clarendon uppercase letters mounted above or adjacent to the main entrance; vinyl door signage that uses the district logo and indicates the community it serves and hours of operation; building identification; restriction signs that combine major or common restrictions (skate boarding, concealed weapons); and signs required by local ordinances. She also explained interior signage which includes identification of distinct components of the collection; emergency exits. “Branch managers may determine any temporary signage that will assist or inform patrons such as temporary signs pertaining to library operation or events that will be displayed for more than one week should be printed, not hand-written; and temporary signage promoting library events should include the district logo,” stated Hicklin.
Local Friends of the Library member and former president Kristel Spies said the group was disappointed by the board’s decision but understood they had reservations about the monument sign. “The Friends of the Library has always tried to be very proactive for the library and tried to fulfill requests made by the library and our patrons,” said Spies. “I began the project for the monument signs two years ago when I was president and so I just followed through with it. I will say we are very excited about the new vinyl lettering. We have wanted that; we’re all for anything that makes an improvement to the library.”
Spies and the Friends of the Library group had a petition available for members of the community who were in favor of the new signage. “I just want to say thank you to the more than 200 people who came forward and signed the petition,” stated Spies. “This community always pulls together to get things done and I think it’s great to see that.”
By Dana Neubert
News Staff
The stage was set for a magical Homecoming night in Knob Noster Friday evening. A huge crowed had gathered to dedicate their brand new artificial turf field and see their football Panthers, 3-0 for the first time in 15 years, defeat the powerful Holden Eagles, ranked 11th in the state’s Class 3 Poll.
The one item they failed to factor-in to their perfect evening was All-State running back and linebacker Dennis Hutchings. All #43 did to dim the luster to the Knob Noster evening was rush for 209 yards, score four touchdowns and intercept three passes, to lead the Eagles to a 48-14 pounding of the Panthers.
The win gave Holden their fourth victory in as many tries and a 3-0 record in the Missouri River Valley Conference East.
Hutchings wasn’t the only culprit in the Panther-bashing scenario. He merely was cast in the starring-role of many Eagle bubble-bursters. Senior David Lerda topped 100 yards pushing his four-game total to 408. Aaron Ferguson had a good night under center, passing for 82 yards and one touchdown on five of 10 tries. Wide receiver Crosby Coleman caught another touchdown pass and Deron Binkley hauled in three passes for 52 yards on the evening.
The Holden defense shut down the Knob Noster defense to only 45 yards. Except for a 34-yard run for a TD in the second quarter by senior Brian Cass, the Eagle defense limited the Panther running attack to 11 yards. Even though Knob earned more total yards, 187, than any team against Holden this year with most of the damage coming from quarterback Ivan Pyszka to all-state wide receiver Cullen Rosine, head Eagle coach Rich Johnson was still happy with his team’s defensive effort.
“We did what we set out to do,” Coach Johnson explained. “We wanted to stop the run and hold them under 200 total yards, and we did that. Outside of the one run for a score they couldn’t rush against us at all. This game also gave us our first good look at an effective passing game which a couple of teams down the road also have. We held them to 11 of 25 passing for 142 yards.”
The Eagles struck first in the game when Hutchings capped a 64-yard scoring drive with an eight-yard TD with 7:28 to go in the first quarter. The two-point try was no good and the Eagles led 6-0. A few minutes later in the first period, Lerda plunged five yards to paydirt finishing a 90-yard drive. He also carried the two-pointer over giving the boys in blue a 14-0 lead with 2:22 left in the first. Hutchings struck again only 30 second later when he picked off a Panther pass and streaked to the end zone for the TD. Binkley’s kick was true and Holden led 21-0 at the end of the first period.
Only seven seconds into the second quarter, Knob scored on Cass’s run and inched closer to 21-7. But the Eagles took the wind out of their sails with a seven and one-half minute. 13-play drive of 77 yards to take a 28-7 lead on Lerda’s second TD of the night, this time from 22 yards out.
The Panthers came up with a drive of their own, going up top to Rosine for a six-yard score with only one minute left in the half. The score stood 28-14 in favor of Holden at the intermission.
In the second half, after an ineffective series for each team, Hutchings picked off his second pass of the night at the Knob 30. Seven plays later he slammed over from the two to give the Eagles a 35-14 advantage. On the ensuing kickoff, sophomore Jacob Reiman recovered a muff on Knob’s 21. On the first play after the fumble, Ferguson hooked up with Coleman for a 21-yard TD strike to put the game out of reach at 42-14. The Eagles finished their scoring on their first drive of the fourth period when Hutchings tallied his fourth of the night from four yards out. For the rest of the final stanza it was junior varsity time which was highlighted by a 29-yard on four carries effort from sophomore Billy McBride.
Offensively, Coach Johnson was very pleased with his O-line. “From tackle to tackle, our line graded out at either an A or A-,” he praised. “Clayton Hill, Reiman, Denny Holsey, Kevin Kephart and Dakota Hutcheson blocked very impressively.”
He also had good words for tight end Binkley who caught three passes on the evening. “We try to take advantage of what the opposition is giving us,”
the coach continued. “Their defenders across the middle were coming up to try and stop the run so we threw to Binkley down the seam.”
On Hutchings’ performance, he said, “Dennis has been solid all year long. He’s averaging more than 200 yards a game and he's a great linebacker. Tonight he said he just got in the passing lane where he thought the ball was going to be thrown and he was right at least three times.”
Defensively, Reiman and David Carter once again led all tacklers with eight and seven respectively. Max Lloyd and Lerda had five apiece and Andrew Wakeman, Hutchings and Kephart tallied four each. With two were Binkley, Coleman and Hill, while Trever Glynn, Jared Anstine, Hutcheson and Jacob Borgen all finished with one apiece.
On special teams, Binkley was four of five in extra point tries and Ferguson hit one punt on the evening for 33 yards and no return.
Friday night, the Eagles will host the Butler Bears in their own homecoming starting at Eagle Stadium at 7 p.m. Holden will be going for a 5-0 record to start the season for the third consecutive year.
If they succeed, they’ll have to shut down a talented backfield led by quarterback Colby Teiman and running back Shawn Brakey.
“Butler has some talented kids,” the coach continued. “And I’ll guarantee you they’ll play hard against us. They always play us very hard-nosed. They’d love to beat Holden on our homecoming.”
By Steve Sullins
Editor
|
|
Just a short three weeks after Holden High School playing its first soccer game in history, the varsity team collected its first win in history Monday night at Center High School in Kansas City.
The Eagles defeated the Yellowjackets 1-0 as sophomore Brett Mason scored the historic goal in the 73rd minute of the contest. Stephen and Steven Parker assisted on the goal, while senior goalkeeper Zach Lavely earned the shutout in goal.
“We’ve talked for seven weeks about getting better every day and the irrelevance of results,” explained head soccer coach Chris Thompson, “so we didn’t get overly giddy about winning.”
Describing the historic goal, Coach Thompson said, “Center had the opening pressure on us in the first 20 minutes, but we made a couple of personnel changes and we carried the play the rest of the night. We created a goal by a forward carrying the ball to the corner, turning on the end line and playing a ball across the goal mouth. Brett had a quality finish coming from the central midfield.”
The victory comes on the heels of two defeats last week that Coach Thompson actually felt good about. The Eagles fell to powerful O’Hara, 6-0 and Alta Vista Charter 2-1 in two overtimes. “The score in the game against O’Hara was very misleading. I felt we were making great progress in the game,” the coach stated. “We finally held defense shape and showed a much more organized defense. Also, Jake Taylor did a very good job on the Celtics’ star Trevor Gudde. The game had a much closer feel and the second half we carried a lot of the play.”
In the heartbreaking loss to Alta Vista, the coach praised his players for carrying the play the entire game. “We deserved to win that game,” he said. “They had 16 players from countries where soccer is the major sport.”
Holden’s goal in that game was supplied by Stephen Timmer.
“Our players are starting to get it now,” the coach continued. “We’re really defending well now. This was a very encouraging week.”
The Holden High School varsity softball Lady Eagles hit a rough stretch last week, losing three games and adding two more to the loss column in the Missouri River Valley Conference East.
They lost to non-conference Odessa, 11-0 in fine innings and then were defeated by Carrollton, 6-1 and Knob Noster, 2-1 in a heartbreaker last Thursday. The three losses drops the girls to 1-5 overall and 1-3 in the MRVC East.
“This has been a tough season for us so far,” head Lady Eagle coach Allison Corwin stated. “We are playing a whole new level of competition. We have the talent to compete, but we can’t make errors at this level of play and expect to win. We have discussed HEART a lot lately and fingers can’t be pointed. This is a team sport. We win as a team and lose as a team.”
In the Odessa loss, sophomore hurler Karley Kilgore gave up five hits and no walks and struck out five. Freshman Hailey Johnson and junior Faith Eissler each had a single in the game.
Coach Corwin said the girls did a lot of great thins in the loss to Carrollton. “Katey Jennings had a great defensive game, but our hitting has been weak this season. The girls have to get in the box focused and know they can hit the ball. We have to keep our heads up and continue to push every play of every game.”
Freshman Alisha Burks started on the mound and allowed seven hits and one walk. Kilgore relieved her and had two strikeouts and no walks while giving up only two hits. Kilgore and Johnson each had two singles in the game while Kelci Moore drew a walk.
Last Thursday, the girls traveled to Knob Noster and lost a heartbreaker to the Lady Panthers, 2-1. “The team really played with a lot of heart in the game,” Coach Corwin praised. “I saw communication on the field that is essential in the game of softball.”
The Lady Eagles were up 1-0 until the fifth inning when Knob scored two. “I was very pleased with the showing we had in the game defensively,” the coach continued. “We have to get our offense going. We leave way too many runners on base.”
In the game, Burks pitched a gem allowing only five hits in seven innings while striking out three and giving up two walks.
Offensively, Rebecca Fisher, Jenna Brockhaus, Moore, Dani Jo Riley, Jessica Gearhart and Selena Gochenour each had a single, while Riley and Eissler also received free passes.
After a game Monday with MRVC East opponent Lexington, the girls will travel to Lone Jack tonight (Wednesday). They will then entertain Higginsville Thursday beginning at 4:30 p.m. at the City Park softball field.
Holden High School’s varsity Lady Eagle volleyball squad brought home third-place honors from the Platte County Tournament held Saturday in Kansas City.
The girls lost only twice on the day - once to state third-ranked Platte County, 21-25 and 19-25 in pool play and to Kearney, 15-25 and 26-28, in the semifinal round of the tournament.
Other games in tourney play saw the Lady Eagles defeat Springdale, Arkansas 25-10 and 25-16 and St. Joseph Benton, 25-13 and 25-15. In the first round of tourney play, they defeated rival Pleasant Hill, 25-20 and 25-21 for the second time this season. They topped Belton, 25-10 and 25-22 to win the third-place award.
In the lass to Platte County, who head coach Julie Carver said is probably the best team the squad has season this year, the “kids fought hard.” Kelsey Carver and Calla Burden led all attackers with seven and five kills respectively and Stacey Calhoun had nine assists. Valerie Lambert and Jill Hutchings were perfect on serve receives as well.
The coach awarded the Attacker of the Tourney to Burden, Setter of the Tourney to Calhoun and Leader of the Tourney to Lambert.
The Lady Eagles came into the weekend tourney after defeating two more Missouri River Valley Conference Western Division opponents last week.
The victories over Odessa, 25-16; and Harrisonville, 27-25, 22-25 and 25-21; brought Holden’s record against the MRVC West to 4-0. They have also collected wins over Pleasant Hill and Oak Grove. Monday, the Lady Eagles will play their first game in their conference, the MRVC East, when they host the Knob Noster Lady Panthers beginning at 5 p.m. That game will be the first of 10 consecutive games with league foes.
Holden Tops Wildcats
In the victory over Harrisonville last Thursday, Coach Carver showed her excitement, “Wow, what a great match,” she exclaimed. “Both teams came ready to play and it was a fun match to coach, play in or cheer for. We played pretty well except for the exception of giving up some runs here and there.
“The girls really fought hard throughout the match. It’s matches like these that build your toughness. You have to find a way to get the job done. That takes learning to believe in yourself and your teammates when the match is on the line. It was a great winning effort by our team. Matches like these are what make us better.”
Junior Kelsey Whitehead was the team’s most efficient attacker. “She had only four kills,” the coach said, “but she also didn’t have any errors.”
The coach gave the Attacker of the Match to Whitehead and the Aces of the match to Calla Burden and Valerie Lambert. She said the Players of the Match were the entire team.
Lady Eagles Down Lady Dawgs In Two
Holden played tough in the first game against Odessa and put together a couple of runs to create some distance to win by nine. “I thought we were a little flat and didn’t serve very tough in the first game,” Coach Carver stated. “We missed four serves and that’s way too many for one game.”
In the second game, the Lady Eagles again came out and battled even until putting some runs together like the first set. Holden was ready to put it away and missed their serve on match point allowing Odessa to put together a six-point run. “That really made the game look much closer than it really was,” the coach added. “We need to play a little more focused and put a team away when we have them down. We won the match but didn’t execute very well.”
Leading attackers for the game were Kelsey Carver and Kelsey Holmes with seven and six kills respectively. Lauren Adams led the way in assists with 11.
Save of the Game honors were given to Stacey Calhoun, while Carvers and Holmes were co-attackers of the game.
By Steve Sullins
Editor
OBITUARIES
PAUL ERNEST DAVIS
Paul Ernest Davis, age 67, of La Monte, Missouri, died Wednesday, September 17, 2008, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s, at his home.
Paul was born in Orrick, Missouri, on November 1, 1940, to Lawrence Davis and Evelyn (Hupman) Davis. He grew up in Orrick and graduated from Orrick High School in 1958. He moved to Holden, Missouri, after high school and started farming and dairying.
Paul married Betty Lou McQuitty on May 21, 1960 and they had three children, Kimberly Ann, Brian Keith and Jennifer Lynn.
Paul and Betty moved to La Monte in 1965 and started a dairy. Paul wanted to be a dairy farmer and worked on the dairy farm for 45 years before retiring in 2004. Paul won many awards with his registered Holsteins. He enjoyed showing cattle at the Missouri State Fair and around the state. He was Outstanding Young Farmer of Pettis County in 1971. Paul was a 40-year member of the National Holstein Association of America, Missouri Holstein Association and West Central Missouri Holstein Association.
He was also a dairy leader for 30 years at Pettis County livestock shows. He was given an honorary chapter FFA Degree from the State Fair Community College. He served 15 years on the board of La Monte IV School.
Paul and his wife Betty were chosen Outstanding Young Dairy Couple of Mid-America Dairymen, Inc. of Kansas City Division in 1974. He also served as director of Mid-American Dairymen in the Kansas City Division. He was a member of Dairy Herd Improvement Association for 35 years.
He loved all kinds of sports especially basketball and football from high school to pro teams. He also loved to talk cows!
Survivors include his wife, Betty Lou Davis of La Monte; daughter and son-in-law, Kimberly and Scott Rieckhoff of Georgetown, Texas; his son and daughter-in-law, Brian and Linda Davis of La Monte; daughter and son-in-law, Jennifer and Rick Snyder of Columbia, Missouri; his mother, Evelyn Audsley of Chilhowee, Missouri; three brothers, Ralph Davis and wife Carol of Holden, Michael Davis and wife Sandy of Warrensburg, and Gary Davis and wife Sharon of Chilhowee; a sister, Mary Lou Lockard of Lee’s Summit, Missouri; and six grandchildren, Matthew and Kristie Rieckhoff of Lubbock, Briana and Alicia Davis and Colton and Zander Snyder.
He was preceded in death by his father and a sister, Laura Davis.
Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Saturday, September 20, 2008, at the Moore Funeral Home in La Monte with Pastor Gene Smith officiating.
Burial was in the La Monte Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Doug Davis, Kevin Davis, Tate Jenkins, Eric McQuitty, Evan McQuitty and Mark McQuitty.
Honorary pallbearers were William White, Charles Von Holton, Aaron Warner, Paul Faulconer and Leonard Kindle.
The family received friends on Friday evening from 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home in La Monte.
Memorial contributions are suggested to the Pettis County Junior Livestock Show, Missouri State Holstein Association, or Mid-Missouri Alzheimer’s Association and may be left in care of the funeral home.
JERALDINE FAY HENDERSON
Jeraldine Fay Henderson, age 59, Warrensburg, Missouri, passed away Wednesday, September 17, 2008, at home.
She was born September 12, 1949 in Freeman, Missouri, the daughter of Archie and Betty (Cleveland) Hall, and graduated from high school in Drexel, Missouri. She had lived in Holden and North Kansas City before moving to Warrensburg in 1995.
Jeraldine worked at Holden Sundries, Brown Equipment Company, and Second time Around Shop in Holden. She was a mailer for The Kansas City Star from 1985 until 2003.
Surviving her passing are a son, Jerry Prettyman and companion Ron Nichols, St. Petersburg, FL; two daughters, Misty and husband Jerry Haun, Centerview, MO and Rachael Prettyman, Warrensburg, MO; two brothers, J.D. Hall in New York state, and Terry Hall, Adrian, MO; and two grandchildren, Levi and Sierra Haun.
Funeral services were held at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, September 21, 2008, at Ben Cast & Son - Wood Funeral Home, Holden, MO with Pastor Michael Wakeman officiating.
Pallbearers were Marty Stevenson, Annette Hughes, Eric Dossett, Bobby Ridge, Thelma Robinson, Vickie Nations, Tina Walker, Gary Haun, Cowboy Quentin Wehmeyer, Scott McMullin, Dana Joyner and Joey Anderson.
Cremation followed the services.
The family received friends from 1:30-2:30 p.m Sunday.
|