Opinion

A little piece of Arcadia history

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Michelle, Madison, Ashton and Wade Bright came to Arcadia to spend their spring break with grandparents, Don and Terry Bright. They have now returned to their home in Oologh, Okla.

Forrest and Ernestine Berkey visited her sister and husband, Eileen and Chuck Wheeler in Independence, Mo. Chuck has cancer and is recovering from a stroke but able to be in his home.

Ray Dobbins formerly of Arcadia was in Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg recently but able to return to his Fort Scott home last week.

While in Fort Scott recently, Charles Corporon and Mary V. Shead visited with Gypsy O'Neal, her mother Doris Howell and daughter, Toni O'Neal Ruggles. Gypsy and husband, Tim O'Neal are pastors of Faith Christian Center in Fort Scott. Gypsy said that very soon their church will be moving to their new location on Highway 69 in the newly remodeled Branding Iron Steak House. It is a mile North of the Cherry Grove Baptist church.

The March AHS Our Gang dinner meeting will be on Saturday the 26th. Since the dinner is to be catered, RSVP is required. As usual dinner will be served in Arcadia Community Center.

Mike Thyer of rural Garland has opened the store at the end of East Race Street in Arcadia just across the state line in Missouri. Items carried at the store include groceries, garden seeds, tools and various items needed to keep a household running. They also have gasoline at a reasonable price. Meals can be purchased as well. They are open seven days a week and welcme you to come check out the store.

At the February meeting of JOY for a soup supper held in Christian Church Parsonage, 22 were present including former Pastor and wife Cal and Judy Swickard from Glen Elder, Kan. During the business meeting officers elected for the following year were President: Patty Peterson, Vice President, Betty Dehn: Secretary, Vera Parrish; Treasurer, Christie Parrish.

On March 14, 13 members and friends of the Class celebrated JOY's 55th birthday with a dinner in Gebhardt's near Mulberry. Pastor Charles Cable gave the blessing. Following the dinner, the new Treasurer honored the old Treasurer, Mary V. Shead who served in that office for 21 years with gifts of red Roses, hand lotion and a beaded bracelet Christie herself had made special. It included the initials J.O.Y. and a tiny metal cross. It showed so much caring of classmates. Others in attendance were Vera and John Parrish, Wayne Parrish, Bob and Samuel Cable from Lamar; Pastor's wife, Willa Cable; Patty and Gary Peterson; Ashley and Elisabeth Semple from Redfield.

All ladies in the area are invited to attend Christian Church Ladies Spring Retreat on Saturday, March 26 in Arcadia. Continental Breakfast doughnuts, coffee and juice will be served at 8:30. Special Music by Janelle Bunney from Liberal, Mo. Special Speaker, Judy Swickard. Lunch will be served at noon followed by crafts and pamper time.

On St. Patrick's Day, Chuck Corporon, formerly of Arcadia, now living in Pittsburg, had a unique experience when he discovered a little known piece of Arcadia history.

Many years ago, a group of Slovenians, known as Vivio Slovenci, which means "Happy Slovenes," marched in Arcadia celebratory parades. They performed musical numbers and dressed in native Slovenian costumes. Locally, decendents of those early marchers have continued to meet each month to continue the traditions. Last Thursday, 15 attended the meeting, held at Chicken Annies where, after dinner, they gathered to sing traditional Slovene songs. They were accompanied on the accordian by Johnnie Zibert of 50 Camp. Other attendees were: From 50 Camp, Louella Zibert; from Pittsburg, Stephen Lomshek, Debbie Lomshek, Reno Cecora, Kathleen Brown-Cecora, Lottie Mocnik; and Rose Shular Campbell; from McCune, Dick Raunikar; from Arma, Frances Ryder; from Mulberry, Wayne and Velda Lehman; from Arma, Frances O'Blak from Nevada, Bettie Alt and Margaret Scott. Chuck Corporon was a guest of Rose Campbell a former student and teacher in Arcadia High School.