Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) help is available for students seeking financial assistance while attending college during the 2009-2010 school year.   Two help sessions will be provided locally to assist students and parents in completing the FAFSA.
On Saturday, February 7, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. a FAFSA help session will be provided in the Holden High School library.  Computers will be available for use and HHS counselor Jerry Crouse will be present to offer FAFSA guidance.
On Sunday, February 8, from 2-4 p.m., a FAFSA help session will be available at the University of Central Missouri, student union, room #236.
If students and parents are able to do two things prior to these help sessions, this will assist them in the completion of their online FAFSA.  Those two things are: apply for and have the FAFSA pin in hand on that day (a pin for the student and for the parent will be needed so that the online FAFSA can be signed electronically).  Go to www.fafsa.ed.gov.  Complete the FAFSA (2009-2010) worksheet using information from the 2008 student and parent tax returns.  With all information completed on the worksheet, finishing the online FAFSA will be a simple process.
For the free application for a FAFSA pin or for the FAFSA (2009-10) worksheet, go online to www.fafsa.ed.gov.  Students are encouraged to complete their FAFSA by March 1 and no later than April 1, 2009.  For further questions, contact HHS counselor Jerry Crouse at jcrouse@holden.k12.mo.us or 816-850-4444, extension 1016.



Former Holden mayor Mike Wakeman was appointed for up to 30 days to the position of City Consultant to the city of Holden until a second reading can be passed on an ordinance which would put him in that position until May 1, 2010.
The first reading of the bill was passed unanimously last Tuesday night at a special meeting of the city council. 
Because of several projects Wakeman had underway, Mayor Pro-Tem Butch Shore and the council felt it was necessary to contract Wakeman for the duties of City Consultant so the projects will continue to be streamlined and have continuity.
According to the terms of the contract, Wakeman will not be involved in personnel issues.
His duties will include:
1. Administrative assistant to the mayor pro-tem. 
2.  Purchasing agent for the city and has authority to make purchases of less than $250.
3,  Budget officer and will assemble estimates of financial needs and resources of the city and submit a budget document to the city council.
4.  Will make financial reports to mayor and city council relative to financial condition of the city.
5.  Consultant will work with city boards and committees to help coordinate the work of each.
6.  He will attend all meetings of the city council.
7.  Will supervise the preparation of all bid specifications for services and equipment and receive sealed bids for presentation to the city council.
8.  Other duties include coordinating federal and state programs and keeping the public informed in the purposes and method of city government through mail and the news media.
Besides personnel issues, also not part of the consultant’s duties will include policy formation, city council agenda, conference attendance and record keeping duties.
Wakeman will be expected to spend at least 10 hours per week in consulting duties and be compensated at the rate of $300 per month, plus reimbursable business expenses as approved by the council.



Holden resident Kenneth Stephens was appointed to the vacant Ward I city council seat to fulfill the term of Ernest Taylor who was removed from that position at the January regular meeting of the council.
The action was taken at a special meeting of the council last Tuesday night at City Hall.  Taylor was removed due to non-attendance at meetings and failure to fulfill his duties as a councilman.
Stephens and Bill Vance had both volunteered to be named to the position and both told the council that they felt it was time to “give back” to a community that “had been very good to them.”
Stephens is a longtime employee for United Parcel Service and Vance has his own lawn service business and automobile delivery company.
When asked for his opinion, former mayor Mike Wakeman who was in attendance at the meeting said that he felt either person would be a good councilman.
Ward II councilman Jim Nipko stated that Vance might have more trouble having regular attendance at meetings due to his auto delivery company which could take him anywhere in the U.S.  He said he felt Stephens had a job with more regular hours and would be able to make the meetings.
In a secret ballot vote, Stephens was given the nod with four votes to Vance’s two.  He was then sworn-in to his new position.
Mayor pro-tem Butch Shore addressed Vance, who is a member of the police merit board, and told him that the council was grateful for his service to date and that Stephens being selected didn’t cast anything negative on Vance.
Vance stated that he was willing to remain in his board position.


The Holden United Methodist Church will host Financial Peace University, a life changing video series by national radio talk show host and author Dave Ramsey.
Financial Peace University can help one change their whole outlook and teach people to manage their finances rather than have their finances manage them. 
Classes began Feb. 1 at 5 p.m. at the new Holden United Methodist Church, located at 605 E. 10th Street.
The next class will be Sunday, February 8 at 5 p.m.  Please call Pastor Pat Kelley at 816-898-3449 to register.



Turnovers were the Holden High School varsity boys’ basketball team’s undoing as they came just short of winning the Clinton Invitational Tournament championship.
The Eagles fell to El Dorado Springs, 68-58, in the title tilt Saturday night in the Clinton High School gymnasium.
Holden was rolling, ending the first quarter with a four-point lead and increasing that to as much as eight in the second quarter.  But three straight turnovers on three trips downs the court late in the second stanza resulted in Eagle turnovers which the Bulldogs took advantage of converting all three times and moving to within one by intermission.
“We’ve not been taking care of the ball lately and having way too many turnovers,” lamented head Eagle coach Dale Wescott.  “We’ve been able to get by with it in some games, but it really bit us in this one.  We had 19 turnovers in the game and many led straight to El Do buckets.”
Leading the way in scoring for the Eagles was senior point guard Trevor Yancey, who poured in 26 points - many coming early when he was hot behind the arc.  Other statistics for the boys in the championship game included, Bryce Evans, 18 points and nine rebounds; Zak Anstine, seven points; Deron Binkley who has been battling a foot injury, four points and 14 reb ounds; and Crosby Coleman, three points and six rebounds.
Named to the All-Tournament team were Anstine, Yancey and Evans.
The recipient of a first-round bye, the Eagles crushed Clinton in the semifinal round by a 75-45 score.  Nine boys got into the scoring column as Holden shot 60 percent from the floor and 62 percent from the free-throw line.
Behind by one point in the first quarter, Holden went on a run and led by 14 by the end of the half and 20 at the beginning of the fourth quarter.
“We just kept our foot on them and kept increasing our lead,” Coach Wescott said.
In a very balanced scoring attack, Coleman was the top scorer with 15.  He added 12 rebounds to complete a double-double.
Other stats were: Anstine, 13 points, five rebounds and four assists; Evans, 13 points, three assists and two steals; Yancey, eight points, three assists and two steals; David Lerda, eight points and two steals; Binkley, seven points and nine rebounds; Kyle Elkins, six points; Jacob Borgen, three points; and Jared Anstine, two points.
The Eagles will travel to Richmond Friday night and Carrollton, Tuesday as they hit the meat of their conference schedule.
Named the players of the week by Coach Wescott were Evans, offense; Coleman, defense; and Anstine, hustle.


The Holden High School Lady Eagles held Class 5 Lebanon to less than half of their 70-point tournament average, but it wasn’t enough as they fell to the Lady Jackets, 32-23 in the championship match of the Clinton Invitational Basketball Tournament.
It was the girls’ second shot this season of winning a tourney title, but according to head Lady Eagle coach Travis Fleming, “We just couldn’t find the bottom of the net.”
The taller Jackets couldn’t put the Lady Eagles away, as the Holden girls kept coming back and got to within three in the second half.
“Even though our shot weren’t dropping, we stayed in the game with solid defense and good rebounding,” Coach Fleming elaborated.  “We only made three baskets the entire first half, but we went into the locker room down only eight with momentum and positive attitudes.  The third quarter we found some offense against their zone and it was fueled by Lauren Geisler hitting the offensive boards.  She played her strongest game of the year Saturday.  Pulling down 10 rebounds against a team that brings the size of Lebanon is a strong stat.
“I was proud of the way we fought through our shooting slump to keep the game close and give us a chance,” he continued.  “We cut the lead to three on two Kelsey Carver free throws but gave up a big three as time expired to end the third quarter.  On a night when scoring was at a premium, that was a huge bucket.”
Named to the All-Tournament team were Carver and Stacey Calhoun.
Scoring included, Lambert, eight points, two rebounds and one assist; Geisler, six points, 10 rebounds and four assists; Carver, five points and five rebounds; Kelsey Holmes, two points, two rebounds and one assist; Calla Burden, two points and two rebounds; and Jenna Brockhaus, three rebounds.
The Lady Eagles had a lot easier time of it in the first round and semifinals, pounding Butler, 55-29, and beating Crest Ridge for the second time this season, 52-39.
Topping the scoring chart in the win over the Lady Cougars was Carver who poured in 17 points and one assist.  Other statistics in the Crest Ridge victory were:  Valerie Lambert, eight points, two rebounds, two steals, six assists and went six for six from the foul line in the fourth quarter; Calhoun, six points, two rebounds, five steals and two assists; Burden, five points, three rebounds and one steal; Geisler, four points, five rebounds, two steals and two assists;  Kelsey Whitehead, four points, four rebounds and two assists; Brockhaus, four points, four rebounds and one assist; Holmes, two points, four rebounds, one steal and one assist; and Lauren Adams, two points, one steal and four assists.
Butler Statistics
Scoring in the win over the Lady Bears was led by Calhoun who had 12 points, six rebounds, two steals and nine assists. Also in double figures was Carver with 10 points, three rebounds, three steals and one assist.
Other stats included:  Geisler, nine points, four rebounds, one steal and three assists; Whitehead, seven points, five rebounds, three steals and two assists; Lambert, six points, two rebounds, four steals and four assists; Brockhaus, three points, five rebounds, one steal and one assist; Katie Passler, two points, one rebound and two steals; Holmes, two points, one rebound, one steal and two assists; Adams, two points, one rebound, two steals and one assist; and Burden, two points, three rebounds and one steal.
Coach Fleming named Carver, offense; Geisler, defense; and Calhoun, hustle; as his players of the week.



  

Zach Lavely and Jacob
Reiman won individual championships as they led the Holden High School varsity wrestling squad to a four-place finish at the Lathrop Invitational Tournament held January 24.
Both captains of the Eagle grapplers, Lavely and Reiman win their weight classes at 171 and 160 pounds respectively.  The tournament contained a strong field with schools including Albany, North Platte, South Holt, Gallatin, Polo, Stanberry Maysville, Sherwood, West Platte, South Harrison, Lathrop and Warsaw.  The Eagles were just a few points out of third place at the meet.
Winning a second-place medal at 189 pounds was James Gray and sophomore Stephen Parker came away with a third-place finish at 130 pounds.  Billy Fannin was fourth in his 135-pound weight classification as was David Carter at 152 pounds.  Zach Turner won sixth at 145 pounds and Trevor Glynn took seventh in the 125-pound division.
Two days prior to the Lathrop tourney, the Eagles lost only their second dual of the year as a strong Knob Noster team dominated Holden by a 58-18 score.
The only winner for Holden on the night was David Carter who pinned his opponent in the 152-pound weight classification.
It was also senior night at HHS as the team and fans honored the Eagles’ only senior wrestler Zach Lavely.  Also introduced were senior managers Jessie Carter and Deanna Pemberton.
The Holden grapplers will now point to the Class 1, District #2 meet which is scheduled for February 13 and 14 at Knob Noster High School.
Competing along with the Eagles will be  Adrian, Blair Oaks, Butler, Diamond, Fatima, Knob Noster, Lone Jack, New Bloomfield, Seneca, Sherwood, Tipton, Versailles and Warsaw.


OBITUARIES

EMMETTE RODGER  BOYLE, JR.
Emmette Rodger Boyle, Jr., age 85, passed away Saturday, January 31, 2009 at the Cedar County Hospital in El Dorado Springs, Missouri.
Rodger was born on January 12, 1924 to Emmette Rodger Boyle, Sr. and Kathryn Wells Boyle at Independence, Missouri.  Rodger accepted Jesus as his savior at an early age.  He graduated from Grain Valley, Missouri high school in 1941 and was a freshman at the University of Missouri at Columbia when the United States entered World War II.  He served as a naval transport  pilot from February, 1942 to December, 1945.  After the war he came back to Grain Valley to farm.  He and his father bought Lofjon Farm at Chapel Hill, Missouri.
Rodger married Naomi Snow on April 27, 1951.  To this union were born: Evelyn, Kathryn, Bill and Barb.  The family settled on the James Mayes estate at Warrensburg, Missouri in partnership with James Mayes and ran a successful registered Angus cattle farm, a bull-testing station and planted crops for 21 years. Because of health concerns, Rodger retired from the farm and moved to Lake of the Ozarks.  He worked at the Electrovert factory for 10 years.  After 17 years, they  moved to Gladstone to be closer to their grandchildren and Rodger worked at a pottery shop packing the pots for delivery.  Rod then became employed by his son-in-law, Bill Hershewe, as a carpenter to repair “Ugly Houses” and warehouses.
During several summers Rodger began working with a Baptist men’s group on building or repairing churches.  When Rodger was ordained as a deacon at the Northgate Baptist Church he said, “I can’t remember a time I didn’t believe in God,” and was currently a deacon at the First Baptist Church in El Dorado Springs.
Rodger was very civic-minded and worked on church finances at churches where he was a member; was the secretary of the Knob Noster School Board for nine years; served on the Warrensburg area Extension Council for 10 years; and served as the western judge of the Missouri Selective Service Appeals Board during the Vietnam War.
Rodger was preceded in death by his parents; twin granddaughters, Tiffany and Michelle; and one great-granddaughter, Mathilde. 
He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Naomi S. Boyle; daughter Evelyn Boyle of El Dorado Springs, MO, daughter Kathryn Hershewe of Kansas City, MO; a son Bill Boyle and wife Karen Jo of Wellsville, KS; daughter Barbara and husband Tim Dittmann of Kansas City, MO; nine grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; sister Jean and husband John Raymond of Springfield, Virginia; brother Claude and wife Mary of Odessa, MO; his church family and many friends.
There was a visitation on Tuesday, February 3, 2009 from 7-8 p.m. at the Bland-Hackleman Funeral Home in El Dorado Springs, MO.  Funeral services for Emmette Rodger Boyle, Jr. are on Wednesday, February 4, 2009 at 10:30 a.m. at the Elm Spring Baptist Church in Elm, MO with Reverend John Holt officiating.  Leonard Ketterman and Catherine Snow will provide the music.  Interment will follow in the Elm Spring Cemetery under the direction of Bland-Hackleman Funeral Home.
Pallbearers are Charles Snow, Mike Boyle, Brian Boyle, Kevin Boyle, Rodger Dittman, John Cronin, Nick Hershewe and Matthew Hinerman.

MINNIE M. LEWIS
Minnie M. Lewis, 89 of Urbana, MO and Kingsville passed away Tuesday, January 27, 2009 at her residence.
Minnie Mae Harris was born June 2, 1919 in Iowa Park, Texas, the daughter of Roy C. Harris and Effie L. Palmer Harris.  She graduated from high school in Sundown, Texas and attended Howard Payne College in Brownwood, Texas.  Minnie was united in marriage to Reverend Gene D. Lewis on September 3, 1939 in Sundown.  The couple moved from Menard, Texas to Mountain View, Missouri in 1945.  They resided in numerous towns throughout Missouri, among them being St. Joseph where she was a certified nursing assistant at the Methodist Hospital for several years.  She moved to Kingsville 25 years ago and for the past five years, Minnie had divided her time between Kingsville and Urbana.  Over the years, she volunteered at church, school, where she was a health assistant and also the Senior Center among many other things.  In 1993 Minnie received Volunteer of the Year Award from M.A.R.E.
Survivors include three daughters and their husbands, Betty and Bob Butler of Urbana, Gerry and John Hamment of Kingsville and Janet and Steve Chandler of Denton, Texas; two sons and their wives, Bob and Ellen Lewis of Kansas City and Everett and Cathy Lewis of Lake Jackson, Texas; a sister, Carleen Carter of La Salle, Illinois; a brother, W.B. Harris of Canyon, Texas; 15 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; and eight great-great-grandchildren. 
Minnie was preceded in death by her husband Gene on November 28, 1981; and two brothers, Thomas and Lee Roy.
Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, January 31, 2009 at the Kingsville Baptist Church with Reverend John McRoy officiating.
Graveside services were at 2 p.m. Saturday at the St. Joseph Memorial Park Cemetery in St. Joseph, Missouri.
Pallbearers were grandsons, Bill Butler, Earl Hamment, Russell Hamment, Chuck Lewis, Tim Lewis and Kyle Lewis.
The family received friends from 6-8 p.m. Friday, January 30, 2009 at Williams Funeral Chapel in Holden.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the Kingsville Baptist Church building fund or Freedom Chapel Baptist Church of Urbana building fund.
Online condolences may be left at www.williamsfuneralchapel.net.

LERA L. MCGLAUGHLIN
Lera McGlaughlin, 54, of Holden, Missouri passed away January 26, 2009, at the home.
Funeral services were held at 1 p.m. Friday, January 30, 2009 at Maple Hill Funeral Home.  Burial was in Maple Hill Cemetery.  Visitation was from 6-8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.
Lera was a dedicated, loving wife, mother and grandmother.  She was a friend to all.  Lera was a member of Elm Spring Baptist Church (Kingsville, MO).
Survivors include her husband Jerry McGlaughlin; children, Lisa (husband Shane) Parcels, Marc (wife Sherri) Hill, Matthew (wife Amy) Hill; step-children, Christina (husband Todd) Boswell, Adrian McGlaughlin, Heather (husband Patrick) Batey; brothers, Steve (wife Mung) Irwin, John (wife Jolane) Irwin; sister-in-law, Carol (husband Mike) Martinez; nine grandchildren.
Lera will be greatly missed by all who knew her. She is also survived by her furry four-legged daughter, Chiquita.
The McGlaughlin family would like to give a special thank you to Lera’s friends at Dit-Mco, where she was employed for 25 years.
Arrangements were under the direction of Maple Hills Funeral Home, KC, Kansas.

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