Letters to the editor

The Osage Prairie YMCA is doing great!

Dear editor:

We have fielded some calls lately from folks who are concerned that the City of Nevada's current, short-term financial struggles will affect the YMCA's ability to operate or to construct a swimming pool. The YMCA is a private, not-for-profit organization, independent of the City of Nevada. The Y receives no funding from the City, and the YMCA's swimming pool project is still on track.

Here is some information about the YMCA that might interest your readers:

Our fund drive to build a swimming pool is nearing completion. Thanks to many volunteers and hundreds of donors, we are just $100,000 short of our $1.9 million goal. Volunteers' work continues, and we anticipate a successful completion of our campaign very soon. Anyone who would like to contribute to that success may call me at (417) 667-9622.

The YMCA's Building Committee is hard at work hiring an architect to design the pool. Several firms have been interviewed, and the committee is currently negotiating contracts with those firms. We hope to break ground on the pool in the first half of 2007.

The YMCA continues to offer many hours of service each week. If any of your readers are interested in exercising indoors when the weather is unpleasant, they should contact us for membership information.

We continue to offer a number of programs for people of all ages and interests. Fitness classes, youth and adult volleyball leagues, dance lessons, and social card games are all planned for this fall.

Financial assistance is available to people who need it. Many members of our community make annual gifts to the Y's "Strong Kids Campaign." This fund drive helps us make sure that we never turn anyone away from our membership or programs because they can't afford them.

On behalf of the Osage Prairie YMCA, its staff, and board of directors, I would like to thank the thousands of members who belong to the YMCA, and the hundreds more who continue to support the Y for helping us build strong kids, strong families and a strong community.

Tedd Maxfield

YMCA Director

Thanks "FORE" everything!

The week of July 10-14, I held the first Annual Nevada Tiger Golf Skills Clinic. The clinic attracted a total of 31 youngsters. The purpose of this clinic was to introduce the wonderful game of golf to young people and to further spark their interest and enjoyment of the game of golf.

This clinic could not have taken place without the assistance and support of the following groups or individuals:

First and foremost, I want to thank all of the Tiger and Lady Tiger Golfers, both past and present, that helped; Emily Benbrook, Aubrey Jones, Lakyn Mansfield, Brice Leonard, Sam Moore, Zach Braucher, David Cavener, Kenny Hill, and Tyler Gast. With the assistance of these volunteers, the clinic ran smoothly and safely.

Next, I would like to thank Raymond Crawford and the staff at the Frank E. Peters Municipal Golf Course; Harold, Linda, Mike, and many others. They had the course and driving range in excellent condition everyday. I also would like to thank Diann Marti for letting us use the Truman Elementary gym the first day of the clinic when rain threatened our day.

I would also like to thank First National Bank, TeamBank, and Heritage State Bank for their support to help get this clinic off to a successful start.

I would like to thank Frank and Pat Arnold at Pat's Design Unlimited for their excellent work on the shirts for this clinic.

Finally I would like to thank all of the participants and their parents. I hope the parents will encourage their children to continue to practice and develop their skills. I hope the kids will continue to play golf, develop the skills they learned at the clinic, and continue to appreciate the game of golf at a new level.

I know that there is probably someone I have forgotten to thank, so, to everyone involved with the clinic, THANK YOU. I am looking forward to next year's clinic.

Brian Leonard

Golf Coach

Nevada High School

In appreciation

Dear editor:

As the 2006 Vernon County Youth Fair Queen I would like to thank everyone who made the fair possible. First of all, I would like to thank the Fair Board. They worked long, hard hours out of the goodness of their hearts. Yet, they were always at the fair smiling and ready to help. I would also like to thank all of the committee members, leaders, and advisors. I know that they also worked very hard organizing and assisting the area's youth. Also, thank you to all of the exhibitors and their parents. You all work hard throughout the year preparing your projects, and you make the fair as great as it is. Without everyone working together our fair would not be one of the best in our state.

On behalf of the entire youth fair, I would like to express my great appreciation to everyone who supported the Vernon County Youth Fair. I feel that as a county we are truly blessed to have such wonderful support from area businesses and individuals.

I would like to send a special thank you to Jane Ann and Jennifer Hancock, Nancy and Katherine Kerbs, Shelly Winter, and Amy Ast for organizing and running this year's royalty competition. You all were so friendly and put us to ease at a very nerve-wracking time. You did a superb job.

In closing, I would once again like to express my to everyone who assisted with the Vernon County Youth Fair in any way.

I will never forget my wonderful experiences as the Vernon County Youth Fair Queen.

Whitney Hinkle,

2006 Vernon County Youth Fair Queen