Forum Flashbacks: May 16-22
MARYVILLE DAILY FORUM, MAY 16, 1999
25 YEARS AGO: PULL!!! – The tug-of-war competition required intense concentration from Northeast Nodaway Elementary students, from left, Tiffany Wilmes, Liz Welch, Elizabeth Porter, Samantha Porter and Bradley Seipel. The school held field day on Friday and students participated in various events.
25 years ago
Maryville Daily Forum, May 20, 1999
It was a moment devoted followers had been anticipating for over 16 years. For most, it more than lived up to their expectations.
The unveiling of the new “Star Wars” prequel Wednesday was a momentous occasion for fans all over the world. Maryville was no exception as the movie premiered with three showings yesterday at Missouri Twin Theater.
“I think it was the best cinematography and special effects I have ever seen,” theater employee Josh Nauman, who saw “The Phantom Menace” in a special viewing just after midnight Wednesday, said. “The fact that George Lucas had to wait 15 years for computers to catch up to his imagination speaks volumes for the movie.”
Although critics have claimed that the movie does not live up to the standard set by the original “Star Wars” trilogy, most fans disagree.
“It was pretty cool. It had a lot of graphics in it,” Henry Fisher, who saw the movie Wednesday with his friends Matt Blackney and Alex Wray, said. They all agreed that the movie would be worth seeing again.
All three showings at Missouri Twin Wednesday were filled with movie goers, owner Joella Holman noted. In order to show the film, theater has agreed to show it for six weeks in the downstairs theater. Holman saw “The Phantom Menace” at a screening May 6. They learned May 10 that the theater would be able to show the movie on opening day. …
The Maryville audience was dominated by middle school children and college students, like Steve Holaday and Billy Koch. They both reported being very excited about viewing the movie and planned on attending opening day when they first learned about it.
For many “Star Wars” fans who saw the original movie as children, the new film is a form of nostalgia, taking them back in time.
Don Ferree was 3 years old when he saw the original movie in 1979. He has been waiting for the prequel since “Return of the Jedi” in 1983. “I tried not to read too much about it because I didn’t want to ruin it,” Ferree said.
Fifth grader Elizabeth Robertson became a Star Wars fan from reading the book and because her parents are also fans.
Missouri Twin has installed a new digital sound component to enhance the sound effects for the “Star Wars” movie.
50 years ago
Maryville Daily Forum, May 17, 1974
Opal Eckert, recently retired journalism instructor at Northwest State University, has been named a recipient of the Distinguished Service Award from the Missouri Association of Teachers of English (MATE). State President Virginia Frazier presented the awards at a recent state meeting in Springfield.
Mrs. Eckert was introduced by Robert Fay and was honored as a past program chairman, vice president and president of MATE. She received gifts of books from the board of directors.
Other teachers attending from the area were Dale Midland and Dorothy Weigand, MSU.
100 years ago
Maryville Tribune, May 16, 1924
GRADUATES INTO MANY VOCATIONS
_______________
The senior class of 1924 of the Maryville High School is soon to be no more. With the granting of the last honors the Board of Education can bestow upon the members of the senior class they will become graduates — tonight. The customary tears will be shed over the rolled parchments, but care will also be used that white ribbons are not soiled, as the class of 1924 will begin on the second chapter on the big book of adventure and the class will part — they have decreed it.
A census of the class members was taken yesterday and the students have signified their intentions of entering into eleven fields of work. Teaching headed the list with fourteen followers while only eleven of the entire class have made no plans for their life work. Commerce claimed three of the class; journalism has appealed to three students, and music has claimed her quota of three. Nursing and coaching has claimed two each of the graduating class, and there is an embryo big business man, electrician, chemist and dramatic director among those who will receive their honors tonight. …
The State Teachers College will furthen(sic) the education of thirty-six of the graduates while the Gem City College of Quincy, Ill., will receive two of the students. Three of the class are undecided as to where they will further their education. The University of Missouri will receive one.
Only seven members of the class will continue their schooling without a break and enter school while sixteen will stay at home. Four students expect to make a trip while three will work. Five will study music and five will work on farms. One boy will be a clerk while another will be a carpenter’s apprentice during the summer months.
Only ten of the class do not foster any particular high ambition and answers given to the question, “What is your highest ambition?” were varied. One girl stated that her highest ambition was “to find happiness,” while a boy’s highest ambition was to be “conductor of the New York Philharmonic Society Orchestra.” To be good teachers was the ambition of four while two chose nursing. To be a success was given by eight; a success in commerce by three; a “True American Four-Fold girl,” by one; a good journalist by two; an orator by one; an authoress by two; commercial chemist by one; athletic coach by one; and a successful stockman by one.
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.
