Opinion

The contagious effects of sunshine

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

It was interesting to learn this past week that a new beautiful gateway sign is in place at the Sheffield Cemetery south of Arcadia. Then in The Morning Sun was a picture and article about the man who built it --Troy Kukovich owns an ornamental iron and blacksmith shop in Frontenac. He is the son of Helen Smiley, rural Arcadia. Another son, Travis Kukovich, is a Goldsmith and owns a jewelry store in North Carolina.

Susie Stelle sent a picture of the new structure and noted that her mother, Doris Stelle's memorial contributions were given to share in the expense of the beautification of the burial place.

We urge folks to take a drive by to see the new sign that reads Pleasant Valley 1877 Sheffield.

JOY Sunday School Class met on Monday evening, February 17 in Christian Church bungalow with eleven present for the dinner and business meeting. Patty Peterson, president opened the business meeting with the Bible Question, "Who was the apple of God's eye?" Deuteronomy 32:10 says Jacob is the one. Birthday offerings were given by Mary Lee Payne, Gary Peterson and Betty Dehn.

Each month, the class plans to do something special for someone in need. An offering was taken for a family in Coalvale whose home burned recently. Other necessities are being gathered for them.

In closing the president quoted, "Those who bring sunshine to the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves."

Others present included Vera, who put humor in the evening, and John Parrish; David Peterson, Christy-Wayne Parrish, Mae Watt, and Mary V. Shead.

Delton Watt Jr., Fayette, Mo., and Bill Watt from Independence, Mo., spent several days with Mae Watt. Before leaving for their homes on Delton Jr.'s 59th birthday, the sons took Mae to make her out of town appointments.

Reading the article in The fort Scott Tribune about the letter in bottle brought back memories of Mary V. Shead's girlhood days. The daughter of Morres Liepman, who put the letter in th bottle in 1918 in France, 86 years ago, it was found in 2004.

While his wife Elva Sheffield Liepman and two children Luna Jean and James were living with her mother, Liza Sheffield, in Arcadia, Mary V. used to play games with Luna Jean in the home recently vacated by Jean Ham. This is certainly a story from the Small World Department.

On March 16, an Easter Dinner will be served in the Arcadia Community Center for a $5 donation per person from noon until 2 p.m. sponsored by both Old Settlers Committee and Arcadia Fire Department.

Later in the afternoon, kids 5 years and under in one group and the others 6 years-13 years of age will meet at 2:30 p.m. in the ball park for an Easter egg hunt. Invite your friends.

March 1 the Community Sing will start at 6:30 p.m. March 22, AHS Our Gang Dinner. Easter Sunday, Open Door Dinner will be in Community Center.

Saturday afternoon, Ralph and Cindy Shead stopped in Arcadia for a visit with his Aunt and Uncle Jack and Harriett Corporon who were in Arcadia for a visit. Sheads were enroute to a speaking engagement in Valley Falls Christian Church.

On Sunday evening, Larry and Vickie Shead enroute home from Tulsa, Okla., visited the Corporons in Arcadia.

The Corporons returned to the airport in New York City on Tuesday. They were quoted as saying it took as long to go from the airport to their home in Brooklyn as it did to fly from Kansas City to New York due to slick streets in the City.

On Feb. 20, 2008, what is known as Crystal Dial's Ceramic Shop was "let down to the ground." It is understood that back in time, it was a bakery shop. Many recall it being used as a meeting place for the American Legion, Boy Scouts and even the Arcadia Baptist Church was organized in this same building.

The last Sunday in February, young guests in the Christian Church Sunday school brought from Parsons by Marrisa Monahan were Tyler and Tray Myers and cousins Liberty and Janina Monahan. Also Courtney and Danielle Allen and Crystal Montanye were in attendance. The teacher was Betty Dehn. Birthdays were given by Gary Peterson and for Sydney Seimens who turned 4 on her rare birthday on Feb. 29.

Pastor David told of enjoying attending the 4-H Chili Feed he attended with friends in Deerfield on Saturday night.