Buerge to host 2003 Miss Merry Christmas Pageant

Friday, November 14, 2003

Young ladies participating in the 2003 Miss Merry Christmas pageant are in for a real treat.  They get to meet "The Bachelor," Aaron Buerge, who will be the official master of ceremonies for this year's event.   

Buerge was at the center of last year's ABC reality show, "The Bachelor," along with 25 women who also participated in the show -- each of them ready and willing to say "I do" if they made it through the gauntlet of roses presented to those who made the cut each week.

In the end, Buerge picked a woman named Helene -- but according to the follow-up shows, the couple later decided to say "I don't."

As the show aired last year, eager paramours in southwest Missouri were making it clear that he had other options, and when the Nevada Daily Mail talked to him in October 2002, he noted that regardless of the outcome of the show (which hadn't been announced at the time) marriage was a long way off.

Originally from Butler, Mo., Aaron attended Joplin High School where he was active in soccer, track and competed as an All-State swimmer.  Currently he is employed as Senior Vice President of a family-owned bank in Springfield. Family members, Scott and Charlotte Buerge of Metz Banking Company, have been instrumental in bringing Aaron to Nevada for the pageant engagement.

Scott Buerge and his wife, Charlotte, are Aaron Buerge's first cousins once-removed. The Scott Buerges own Metz Banking Co. on Osage Boulevard and Aaron's father owns several banks in Missouri and Oklahoma. "He's my first cousin's son. His father is better looking than me and makes more money," Scott Buerge joked.

Scott Buerge hasn't noticed any change in his business from his cousin's sudden leap into fame. "It hasn't helped my business but I imagine it's helped his," Scott Buerge said.

At the Springfield First National Bank, where Aaron works, employees noticed more women milling about. Some asked about loans or accounts, others sip from the water fountain and leave.

The bank even added, "Yes, Aaron Is The Bachelor" to its street front sign that pictures Buerge to help satisfy the curious.

Teller Tina Albert, who instigated Buerge's participation in the show, also has noticed more cars coming through the drive-through and outdoor ATM in anticipation of getting a glimpse of Buerge in his office.

"I've had them come through the drive-through and stop and gawk at his window," Albert says. "But we haven't had any real bad ones yet."

Scott has noticed that he does get a little more attention from young women when they find out what his last name is. "Every time I write my name down somewhere a girl will ask if I'm related," Scott said.

Scott Buerge is happy for his cousin's luck but is content with his own life. "Life's been very good to me, I have nothing to complain about. Nevada is a great place to live," Scott said.

Applications for Miss Merry Christmas are being accepted now through 4 p.m., Monday, Nov. 24 for all school age young ladies in Vernon County, kindergarten through Grade 12. Registration is limited to the first 15 entries in each age category. All candidates must pay a $10 entry fee and may be sponsored by any club or organization, business or individual.

This year's pageant will be held on Saturday, Dec. 6, beginning at noon, at the newly renovated Fox Playhouse, 110 South Main. Judging is based on talent, personality, and dress.  

The coronation for this year's event will be conducted on Saturday, Dec. 6, beginning at 5:15 p.m., just prior to the traditional lighting of the courthouse Square.

For more information, or to enter the pageant, please call (417) 667-5300 or visit the chamber of commerce office at 201 East Cherry, on the second level of the TeamBank building.

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