Stories from Saturday, March 6, 2010

JOPLIN, Mo. -- The Southern Symphony Orchestra, under direction of Dr. Kexi Liu, music, will perform its spring semester concert, "A Classical Celebration," on Thursday, March 11. The concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. in Taylor Performing Art Center. It is free and open to the public...

FORT SCOTT, Kan. -- A program designed to help seniors get fresh produce is back in Kansas. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment recently took on the Kansas Senior Farmer's Market Nutrition Program, which provides low-income seniors with checks to exchange for locally grown and fresh fruits, vegetables, herbs, and honey at local farmers' markets. The program will be available in 22 Kansas counties...

There are a lot more questions than answers in the closing of the Prairie Pride biodiesel production plant, near Eve. Kent Engelbrecht, commodity manager for Prairie Pride, said Friday no one from the group could comment until a hearing before Judge James Bickel Tuesday...

In April, a bold, new publication is coming to southwest Missouri and southeast Kansas. It's a magazine filled with features, informative articles, puzzles and more. "Ageless" is a magazine for people who have experienced life long enough to know they want more. ...

So what if the weather was a tad nippy the night, this past Thursday, our Community Choir held the dress rehearsal for its "Spring Fling" at the Fox Theater downtown? So what if there were only 19 singers on stage? Under the exuberant leadership of newcomer Bill Martin, who provided a light-hearted running commentary between the 19 songs in the program, the head-turning competence of newcomer piano accompanist Jennifer Schneringer, and a wonderfully novel selection of many sweet and lilting spring songs we haven't heard before, the Choir's 75-minute paean to the season will bring a tear to your eye and knock your socks off -- at the same time.. ...

Patricia Charlotte Emily Delavan, 90, of Little Rock, Ark., the widow of the late Dr. Wayne Delavan, died Thursday, March 4, 2010, at Saline Memorial Hospice House in Bryant, Ark. A graveside service will be held at 9:30 on Saturday morning, March 6, at Pinecrest Cemetery in Collegeville with the Revs. Clayton Bulice and LaVon Post officiating, and under the direction of J.A. Funk Funeral Home of Malvern...

Orin Frank McGrath, Milo, Mo., died on Friday, March 5, 2010, at Kansas University Medical Center, in Kansas City, Kan. Family information and funeral arrangements will be announced later by Ferry Funeral Home, Nevada.

Richard Leroy "Dick" Marchant was born Jan. 6, 1922, in Fort Scott, son of Newton Lunceford "Tom" and Kathryn Goetz Marchant. On Sept. 23, 1940, Richard enlisted in the United States Army in Fort Scott. He served his country proudly during World War II until his honorable Discharge on Sept. 27, 1945...

Mrs. Norma Jean Orr Lewis, 81, died March 4, 2010, at Stone County Hospital in Wiggins. Mrs. Lewis was a member of First United Methodist Church in Wiggins and was a kindergarten teacher and also day care director at Southwest Academy for more than 30 years...

Feb. 20 Harley M. Kessler, Springfield, speeding 54/40 and no valid operator's license. Dennie L. Melton, Springfield, no valid operator's license. Feb. 21 Nicolette L. Lane, Nevada, failure to register vehicle. Feb. 22 Joshua G. Eaton, Milo, failure to transfer plates and no proof of insurance...

Hi neighbors. Didn't I tell you we would have nice weather again sooner or later? Let's hope there's more where this came from. One of my favorite things to collect is trivia. Few people know more about less than I do. When I hear some fact that is more or less pretty useless, I remember it...

We often talk about things that come out of the blue as something that we didn't expect. In my case I came home to find a beautiful martin house on the deck with a short note from a friend explaining he made the martin house in his workshop and he wanted to give it to me. It not only was a two story work of art, freshly painted, but done in the Fort Scott Tiger colors of red and white. How much better can it get...

Doris Sprecher, formerly of Fort Scott, will be celebrating her 95th birthday on March 11. Those who wish to do so may send birthday cards and wishes to: Doris Sprecher, Presbyterian Manor, 4700 W. 13th, Room 1116, Wichita, KS 67212