Stories from Sunday, August 17, 2003

A large crowd of participants and observers enjoyed a myriad of festivities Friday night at the 99th Sheldon Old Settlers Picnic. For area motorheads, a large collection of classic cars, restored vintage cars, hot rods and sports cars were present for the Cruise of 2003 on Main Street. ...

For years Nevada has been trying unsuccessfully to attract new employers to the area. This may be about to change. Last week's announcement by Green Forest Engineering -- that they want to locate a new plant here to manufacture a composite lumber product -- may be the first of similar announcements by several companies during the next couple of weeks or months. ...

Three runs. That was the difference in the Nevada Griffons' two losses at the National Baseball Congress World Series in Wichita, Kan., last week. The difference between a ninth-place tie (44 teams) and a loftier finish. Nevada won its first three games -- 5-3 over the Southern (Ala.) Paw Sox, 10-3 over the Tradewater (Ky.) Pirates and 3-2 over the Kearney (Mo.) River Bandits. ...

As we move into the dog days of August, fishing has slowed down and with the 90-degree temperatures we have experienced, its hard to think about hunting seasons, although they aren't that far away. While floating down Taneycomo, fishing for rainbows, with Larry Farmer and Dave Roberts, of Kansas City, the subject of the upcoming hunting seasons came up. ...

If you are among the 10,000 or so persons who was a friend of my father, Joe Bradham, there are only a select few, like maybe John Atkinson or possibly Harold Scism -- or could be Willard Bond or even John Byers who, if asked the question, "What was Joe's favorite sport?" might say something other than golf. ...

Hi neighbors. I hope you have batteries in your flashlights. And a thermos for your coffee. The big news this week was the east coast blackout. Not only that it happened, but why it happened, and how the people reacted to it. I was happily impressed with the people in New York City and every where else affected by the blackout. ...

A story in this past Thursday's Daily Mail caught my eye: "Trial begins in case of woman accused of killing infant with meth-tainted breast milk in California." Without much knowledge of methamphetamines, my imagination raced. I got a picture of a young, panicky mother of four, in California (where else?) suddenly deciding to "off" the youngest, and loading up her body with meth, much as the old gun fighters used to load their revolvers with bullets, to do the trick. ...

100 Years Ago -- August 17, 1903 SEDALIA -- The Third Annual Missouri State Fair opened today and will continue during the week. The five new brick buildings have been completed and preparations for the fair are well advanced. Hundreds of exhibits were placed in position Saturday and Sunday and there was a steady stream of visitors to the grounds all day. ...