New date, time for youth center barbecue

Nevada, Mo. -- Sunday, Sept. 30, is the date set for the 38th Annual McGennis Youth Center Barbecue.

Last year's heat wave prompted the Center's board to move the annual event from the first Sunday in August to the last Sunday in September.

This year's barbecue also features a new meal time of 1 p.m. This will allow folks time to come from church and also allow plenty of time for the crafts auction before dark.

Along with those changes, the 2007 edition of the barbecue marks the 40th anniversary of the McGennis Youth Center. It was in 1967 that Mary McGennis, with the support of her brother Connie McCiennis, donated 160 acres to establish the Mary A. McGennis Agricultural Park and Youth Center. The land was to be utilized as a place for youth character building.

Activities will get underway at this year's barbecue at noon. In connection with the 40th anniversary of the Center, a car show and a volleyball tournament have been added. The classic car and truck show will run from noon to 3 p.m. For more information about the car show, call Joe and Virginia Habjan at (417) 667-7309.

The volleyball tournament will start at 1 p.m. To enter or for more information about the volleyball tournament, call Luke Tourtillott at (417) 395-4858.

Horse-drawn wagon rides will be offered from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. to tour the Center. Musical entertainment by Mr. and Mrs. Dan Divine will be featured from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.

Attention will turn to the serving line at 1 p.m. Again this year Neil Steiner of Flaming Lantern will be preparing beef and pork, baked beans, potato salad, cole slaw, bread, ice tea and lemonade. Everyone who wishes to lend a hand to the Center is invited to bring along a cake for the dessert table. Any extra cakes will be auctioned off.

At 1:45 p.m. a unique variety of crafts and collectible items will go on the auction block. Larry Hacker will be handling the auctioneering duties. The crafts auction has become known for its quality items ranging from antiques to delicious baked goods. Among the items already donated are a custom-made computer desk donated by Bonnie Ted, a beautiful oak hope chest made by Jim Wheatley, and a smoker made by the boys at the Rich Hill Youth Development Center and donated by the Community Liaison Council. This smoker is just like the one raffled off at the Rich Hill Fourth of July Celebration. For more information about the auction or to donate an item, call Katie BellAbend at (417) 395-2275 (days) or (417) 395-4888 (evenings). The generosity of those who donate and those who bid has made the auction a major revenue source for the center.

The admission price to the barbecue is $8 for those over 12 years of age, $4 for those ages 5-12, and chilren younger than 5 are admitted free with parents. Tickets are for the meal.

From Rich Hill, the McGennis Youth Center is located five miles west on A Highway and four miles south on WW Highway.