Forum Flashbacks: June 27-28

FORUM FILE PHOTO
The 2004 Nodaway County Show-Me Tractor Cruse raised more than $41,000 over the weekend for Camp Quality, a summer camp near Stewartsville serving children battling cancer. A total of 204 vintage tractors rolled through several area communities during the event, which was followed by a free-will-donation barbecue and auction. “I would just like to thank everyone who showed up to support the Show-Me Tractor Cruise,” said Joy Beattie, one of the organizers. “Whether you gave your prayers, your time, service or money, it is all greatly appreciated.”

25 years ago

• Mother Nature, with an incredible show of force, has made it clear to Nodaway County residents just what she can do.
  What began with golf ball- to baseball-size hail in the northwest portion of the county shortly before 8 p.m. Saturday, concluded with 60 to 90 mph winds and torrential rainfall.
  In the county’s southern area, residents were advised to seek shelter when a tornado was spotted just southwest of Maryville.
  While Maryville managed to escape without seeing a twister, other parts of the county were not so lucky, and the damage done by the storm left some wondering how much worse a tornado could have been.
  Trees were snapped like toothpicks, and branches as big as a foot in diameter littered city streets from one end of town to the other.
• Former Missouri governor and U.S. Senate hopeful John Ashcroft spoke with area residents Saturday afternoon during a campaign trip through northwest Missouri.
  Ashcroft, who has been working in the private sector since his second term as governor ended in 1992, made the decision to get back into politics when he learned current U.S. Sen. John Danforth would not seek reelection.
  “As long as Jack Danforth was involved in the campaign, I didn’t have any thoughts of running,” Ashcroft said. “I was surprised when I received the phone call that Jack Danforth was not seeking reelection. At that time I began to point toward the opportunity, potential.”
  Ashcroft recollected dealing with former state Rep. Everett Brown when Mozingo Lake was in its initial stages of development.

15 Years ago

• The Maryville Merchants returned home a little soaked and a whole lot stoked as the team earned the State Championship on Sunday.
  The Maryville Merchants won their pool play at the state tournament in Lee’s Summit and went into sudden death elimination play on Saturday.
  The team won both of its games, which moved them into the final four on Sunday and also guaranteed the Merchants a trip to nationals.
  In Sunday’s final games, the day started off drizzly but the game started on time at 9 a.m. The rain continued pouring, and the game was halted early in the second inning with the score in the Merchants’ favor at 2-1.

5 years ago

• Rolla Dicks Unit 315, American Legion Auxiliary, met June 17 in the new community-Legion building in Burlington Junction with 13 members and two junior members present.
  President Sharon Slagle was in charge of the opening with Chaplain Kathleen Price offering prayer.
  An initiation ceremony was held for two new senior members, Susan Damewood and Nicolette Comstock.
  Sharon Slagle, Kathleen Price, Nancy Poole, Tammie Mather and Norma Bragg led the brief service.
  Membership chairman Tammie Mather reported that unit membership is now 190, with 115 senior members and 75 juniors.
• The Elmo Alumni Banquet took place at 6 p.m. June 7 at the Elmo Methodist Church.
  Pictures and memorabilia were displayed. Forty graduates and 25 guests attended.
  Co-chairs were Mary Ann Irvin, Carol Snodderley, Marie Twaddle, Barbara Butler, Mary Jane Adkins and Connie Marriott. Name tags were handed out by Connie Marriott, and the invocation was offered by Barbara Butler.