Good news came from Jodie Dunn that her husband, Galen Dunn, is improving each day and soon will be removed from intensive care to a private room following heart surgery in a Minneapolis hospital.

In January, Ralph and Cindy Shead flew to San José, Costa Rica, where 31 years ago they studied the Spanish language prior to being missionaries in Santiago, Chile, for 25 years. Ten people were in the group.

During this mission trip, the travelers did two medical clinics and had meetings on the weekends. Ralph served as preacher at the church meetings. Cindy was one of the interpreters. They returned to their home in Carl Junction, Mo., the latter part of January.

Stan Jahay, Arcadia was recently elected Chief Rabban by the Mirza Shrine Temple. He was chosen by the new potentate, David W.. Titus, on Jan. 16 following the Shriners' special dinner.

Due to the sleet covered streets on Monday, Feb. 10, the Autumn Leaves Senior Citizens dinner, business meeting and Bingo games were canceled according to President Lilly Coonrod. The next gathering will be the first Monday in March.

In the mail recently, this reporter received an article and picture of a former classmate who graduated from Arcadia High School with 35 others in l936. Raymond Grace was born in Arcadia in December 1918 and was the youngest of the group.

Now a longtime Carthage resident, Ray was named Citizen of the Year on Jan. 18 by Marvin Van Glider. This is an annual award of the Carthage Area Chamber of Commerce. Back in 2007 he was chosen Citizen of the Year.

Grace went to Carthage in the early 1950s as a service station operator. He later expanded his business to become a petroleum dealer. He has been a long time member of the First Methodist Church and very active in many other civic affairs. We old timers who knew him and his family way back when, offer congratulations.

Chamber of Commerce Annual Banquet and the Citizen of the Year picture were spotlighted and the "Amazing Grace" name headlined in the Jan. 31 Carthage Press.

Jim and Melissa Marcum with their four children from Joplin, Mo., were guests at dinner at the Shead farm on Sunday, Jan. 27, to discuss the upcoming marriage conference to be held in Branson, Mo. in February. Larry and Vickie Shead have been invited to be the key speakers at the conference, whose theme is "Called as Couples."

Lavaine Murphy served as a referee at basketball game in Fort Scott Community college on Saturday afternoon, Feb. 2, where his cousin, Larry Shead, is an instructor. Before the official returned to his home in Webb City, Mo., the two fellows enjoyed supper at Great Plains Deli in Fort Scott.

Mark your calendars for the next Community Gospel Sing to be held the first Saturday evening, March l, at the Arcadia Community Center. These events start at 6:30 p.m. and are listed to close at 8:30 p.m., but many times run later due to the enthusiasm of the crowd.

Mark and Haley Shead with Katy were weekend guests of his sister, Mitzi Ray, and husband Joel Ray in Tulsa, Okla. Mark and Haley attended the Oral Roberts University Homecoming -- he with his 10th anniversary classmates and she with her former nursing classmates, who graduated a year later.

Ruby Van Dusen and son Jim Ward, Kansas City, visited her sister, Ernestine, and husband Forrest Berkey for three days last week.

On Monday, they had carry out food from Arby's after shopping in Pittsburg. Tuesday evening, Angela and Bethany Redd visited in the Berkey home. Kristen Redd was unable to be there because she plays in the band and was at a ball game in Frontenac that night.

The next evening, they are gathered in the Bill Redd home where Jim made taco salad and they enjoyed a home movie. Angela made fudge as a treat for the group.