Stories from Sunday, February 8, 2004

Hi neighbors. While looking in the coffee grinds for inspiration for a topic for this week's column, I realized I was supposed to use tea leaves for such endeavors. Since I had no tea, I decided to seek insights elsewhere. My friends were busy avoiding me which is their typical behavior on Thursdays. They learned long ago which day is my agonizing day to pick a topic and they stay unavailable for comment...

These days, I no sooner lay my head down on the pillow than I'm asleep. But back before my heart attack, and while I was smoking two packs of cigarettes daily, I would lie awake literally for hours, unable to fall asleep. Often, my alarm clock would ring, and I'd stumble out of bed for an 8 a.m. class without having slept a wink....

100 Years Ago -- February 8, 1904 EDITORIAL -- Is Dancing, playing cards and theatre-going sinful? Basis of a strong sermon by Rev. Neville of the All Saints Episcopal Church last evening. "A time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance." Eccles. ...

BOLIVAR, Mo. -- The Nevada Tigers lost their consolation-round game 43-31 to the Ash Grove Pirates at the 73rd Bolivar Liberator Tournament on Friday. Freshman Bryan Campbell's pair of treys shot the Tigers into the early lead at 6-0, but Ash Grove replied with a 6-0 run of its own. The first quarter ended with the Pirates up 11-10...

ralph pokorny/nevada herald The Nevada High School After Prom Committee held its annual soup and chili feed and father-son/mother-daughter basketball game fund-raiser on Friday at Wynn Gymnasium. Above, mother Stephanie Beckett (left) draws a blocking foul on daughter Ashley in roundball competition. Stephanie went to the line and calmly sank one of two free throws...

I used to hate Pete Rose. Used to, that is, until I read a column by one of my favorite baseball writers, Joe Falls of Detroit. Falls said, don't hate Pete Rose. If you hate Pete Rose he'll break your heart. And I got to thinking about why I hated Rose and it was because he was always doing something to beat one of my teams. ...

Although the bird seasons have ended, Missouri bird hunters have places to hunt and work their dogs and are always sure to get some action. There are more than 40 hunting preserves in the state that offer hunting for quail, pheasants, chuckers and some offer hunting for ducks and wild turkey...

Maurine F. Dennis, 83, Nevada, Mo., passed away Thursday, Feb. 5, 2004, at the Barone Alzheimer Care Center, Nevada, following a length illness. She was born Dec. 14, 1920, in Walker, Mo., to William L. Dally and Ella Mae Davis Dally. She married Earl E. Dennis on Feb. 12, 1943, in Seattle, Wash., and he survives of the home...

William R. Snead, 71, Nevada, Mo., died Friday, Feb. 6, 2004, at Nevada Regional Medical Center. Funeral services will be at 1:30 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2004, at Ferry Funeral Home, Nevada, Mo. The family will receive friends 7 to 8 p.m. on Monday at the funeral home...

Mary Jean Swager, 80, died Feb. 3, 2004. Services were held at Ferry Funeral Home on Feb. 7, at 2 p.m., with Pastor Ralph Clark officiating. Musical selections were "Just a Closer Walk With Thee" and "Ave Maria." Pallbearers were Evan Gundy, Taylor Gundy, Mark Liter, Holly Liter, Doug Gundy and Wilson Liter. Interment was in Newton Burial Park. Arrangements by Ferry Funeral Home...

The closing of the Southwest Missouri Psychiatric Rehabilitation Center in El Dorado Springs is a hot topic in the area and a deep concern to many throughout Vernon County -- and several surrounding counties as well. As revealed at Thursday's public meeting one of the fallouts of the closing of this facility is going to be complications for law enforcement officers trying to find beds for acute care patients. ...

By Steve Moyer Nevada Herald What do wolves, anti-marriage laws and greeting cards have in common? Why, Valentine's Day, of course. The beginnings of Valentine's Day are shrouded in mystery but there are some clues for modern historians to speculate over...

Members of the Education Committee of the Nevada/Vernon County Chamber of Commerce have organized efforts to host a full day seminar at the 3M Clubhouse next Wednesday, Feb. 11. The workshop will be attended by current members of the senior classes from Bronaugh, Northeast Vernon County, Sheldon R-8, and Nevada R-5 Schools. ...

Negotiating rural roads was treacherous Friday -- even for those best equipped to do so. A slippery corner on an unnamed county road south of Nevada was the culprit that caused this Center Township plow to overturn. Its driver was transported to an area hospital for treatment by a passer-by...

Judy Coyle crowns Leona Walrod as queen while her son Zach watches during the After Prom committee's annual mother/daughter and father/son basketball games Friday night at Nevada High School. The Walrods raised $180, which was the most money raised by any of the candidates for king and queen. The event is a fund-raiser for After Prom activities hosted by the committee, to offer students a safe, drug-free evening of fun...