Forum Flashbacks: April 18-24
MARYVILLE DAILY FORUM, APRIL 23, 1999
25 YEARS AGO: I Love You, Tomorrow – Annie, Jr., played by Dana DeMott (center) and the rest of the orphans sing a production number during the first scene of the Nodaway Community Theater Company’s rehearsal of the musical Thursday night. The production will be held at 7 p.m. on April 24 and 2 p.m. April 25 at Washington Middle School. Tickets are available at the door.
25 years ago
Maryville Daily Forum, April 21, 1999
Maryville and the surrounding area are tensing up following the tragic events that took place in Littleton, Colo., where two teenagers in black trench coats opened fire on classmates at Columbine High School, killing at least 16 people, including themselves.
“We will be in very close communication with the schools today,” Keith Wood, director of Maryville Public Safety Department, said. “There is a trend of copycats in situations like these.” …
When asked if the Maryville Schools have a policy on attacks like this, Ron Landherr, high school principal, said, “We do have a plan; we know what to do, but we don’t want to discuss it — we don’t want it (the information) out.”
Wood said it helps that they have a school resource officer, who is at the school everyday. Dave Arnold is the school resource officer for the Maryville R-II School District. Wood said Arnold is there to assist in instruction, get to know the students, and to assist faculty.
“I’m comfortable we are both (Maryville School District and Public Safety) prepared if something should happen,” Wood said.
Maryville Superintendent Gary Bell said the district’s crisis intervention plan has been in place for several years. In addition, each school building has its own plan.
“Anytime a tragedy like this gets media coverage, there is a real sense of loss for everybody,” Bell said. “We look at ourselves all over again. It alerts everybody who works with kids and the whole community.”
50 years ago
Maryville Daily Forum, April 24, 1974
It is a nice place to visit, to read books, magazines and newspapers, to relax and listen to music or to visit peacefully with friends. It is so unlike the stereotype of the hushed, sterile library.
“I don’t want people whispering in here,” said Leah Johnson, librarian. “I hate the idea of having to be silent in the library.”
The “No Silence” sign at the main entrance to the Maryville Public Library attests to this fact.
“I had a sign posted which said ‘No Whispering,’ but I think people thought it meant no talking at all.”
In an interview in conjunction with National Library Week, Mrs. Johnson said she liked the library to be a place where people can come to enjoy themselves. …
“If children are told when they first come to the library that they must not talk, they’ll never want to come back again.”
The library offers plenty of reason for children to return. The Story Hour is a popular program with children who come to the library in the morning to hear fairy tales and other children’s stories read by Arlene Showers, assistant librarian. The program also includes games, films and visits by persons who relate items interesting to the children. …
For adults who can come to the library, offerings include 20,000 volumes of books, 70 periodicals, six newspapers, 200 art prints and 1,250 records, all of which can be checked out to take home, free of charge. The library can also obtain films, but there is a $4 rental charge for this service. In addition, there are tapes, cassettes and puzzles to check out. …
The Maryville Public Library offers another service which is not found in all cities — the librarians answer questions.
“We encourage people to call if they need a fact, figure or some other brief research done,” Mrs. Johnson said.
She said the library has gotten several calls for the legislature hot line, a direct line to Jefferson City whereby persons can obtain information on the status of a bill before the General Assembly.
“We also get a lot of calls about genealogy, county history, sign language for the deaf, and how to get a patent,” Mrs. Johnson said.
She added that the most difficult common request the librarians receive is when a person can remember only one line from a poem and wants to know the name of the poem.
“If they know the author or if the line they remember is the first line, we don’t have any trouble finding it, but if not, then we just look until we find it.”
100 years ago
Maryville Tribune, April 22, 1924
Many Hear President By Radio At Tribune
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The address of President Coolidge at the annual luncheon of the Associated Press in the Waldorf-Astoria, New York, which was relayed by the Kansas City Star broadcasting station, WDAF, and nine others, was received here today between 12:45 and 2 o’clock by the Maryville Tribune. Many Maryville citizens listened to the loud speaker installed in front of the Tribune for that purpose through the courtesy of H. C. Todd, manager of the Hanamo Telephone Company.
Fourth street, for one block west of Main street was roped off during the time the speech was in progress in order that the listeners might not be disturbed by the noise of passing vehicles. This is believed to be the first time in the history of Maryville that a public street was roped off in order that people might hear a Radio speech without interference.
EDITOR’S NOTE: The 50-year and 100-year flashbacks are courtesy of the Missouri Digital Newspaper Project from the State Historical Society of Missouri, accessible at shsmo.newspapers.com.
