Forum Flashbacks: Aug. 13-19
MARYVILLE DAILY FORUM, AUG. 14, 2001
25 YEARS AGO: Waving to the crowd at the Ravenwood Festival during the annual parade is Little Mr. Jackson Township Andrew Mullock, son of Steve and Joanie Mullock, Ravenwood. He is joined by Grand Marshal Arza Boswell and Little Miss Jackson Township Kaysie Wiederholt, daughter of Bruce and Renee Wiederholt, Ravenwood.
50 years ago
Maryville Daily Forum, Aug. 13, 1976
Grassroot Reflections
Column by Opal E. Eckert
One of Nodaway County’s earliest communities is in process of recording another accomplishment of significance — the presentation of its own historical development as a Bicentennial pageant.
Many other towns in the county have staged Bicentennial programs with guest speaker, special music, drills, contests, exhibits and parades. Graham sponsored a program of this type as it became our county’s first and Missouri’s fifth Bicentennial town. …
On the evening of Aug. 27, Hughes Township residents and guests will get glimpses of just how it was there in the beginning and on down through periods of significance in the community and in the United States.
Mrs. Paul (Lucille) Wyman, the author, has spent hundreds of hours during the past year doing the research and verifying data to make her pageant story ring true. The 8 p.m. Aug. 27 presentation will be a highlight of the annual two-day Graham Street Fair. Both pageant and fair are centered on the theme “America’s Heritage on Parade.”
“It is really a community effort,” Mrs. Wyman stressed. “Older residents have been most helpful in assisting with the gathering of properties and in revealing facts of the area’s growth. Everyone we have asked has cooperated in developing the pageant.”
The author praised her sources — the Nodaway and Graham Historical Societies; the two-volume history compiled about the Graham area, the State and Maryville libraries, and the Maryville Daily Forum. Interviews with the older residents proved especially helpful, she said.
The pageant will be staged in the town park, located on the south side of Highway A. The presentation will be divided into three acts of several episodes each. Continuity will be provided by David Moore, narrator, and by center stage characters, Grandpa (Bill Medsker) and Grandma (Mrs. Wyman), who tell the Graham story to their two young grandchildren (Scott and Lori Lemar).
75 years ago
Maryville Daily Forum, Aug. 16, 1951
Gay Good Will Caravan Visits Tarkio, Fairfax
An enthusiastic and gay group of Maryvillians formed the Good Will caravan, which visited Fairfax and Tarkio last night. The Maryville Chamber of Commerce is the sponsor of these weekly trips.
Emcee Tom West, and the clowns, James Vann, J. Harold Holt, and little Bobby Thuresson, were responsible for setting the gala mood, although the Maryville summer band, under the direction of Andrew McCrae, set the spirit at a rollicking pace. …
Raymond Black received numerous rounds of applause for his performance on his ukelele, and his vocal renditions. The German Band, composed of Dick Dooley, Don Bennett, Carl Yehle, Raymond Black, Gary Funkhouser, and Jim Andrews, entertained with their zany polkas.
J. Harold Holt conducted an IQ quiz show, and Jim Summers and John Symanski were in charge of the drawing of the merchandise awards.
EDITOR’S NOTE: The 50- and 75-year flashbacks are courtesy of the Missouri Digital Newspaper Project from the State Historical Society of Missouri, accessible at shsmo.newspapers.com.
