Excelsior Springs Standard Archive

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July 3, 2008

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Stream Team cleans up Fishing River

By ERIC COPELAND
Managing Editor

A week before Excelsior Springs celebrated Waterfest, more than four dozen volunteers were helping to clean out the waterway that serves as the backbone for downtown Excelsior Springs.

More than 50 volunteers turned out Saturday, June 21, for a stream clean-up project conducted by the city of Excelsior Springs with help from the Missouri Department of Conservation. During this first clean-up of the East Fork and Dry Fork of the Fishing River, the workers dragged an astounding amount of junk from the river over a five-hour period from 8 a.m.-1 p.m.

The crew collected 4,380 pounds of scrap steel from the river bed and banks, along with 1,440 pounds of other trash. A total of 32 tires were also removed and disposed of properly.

Volunteers for the effort included Boy Scout Troop 309, students from The Excelsior Springs Job Corps Center, employees of the city of Excelsior Springs along with inmates from the Western Missouri Correctional Center in Cameron, Excelsior Springs Rotary Club, and other local residents who saw the need to help promote water quality in local creeks and rivers.

"The city of Excelsior Springs would like to thank everyone who participated and let them know how much we appreciate their help in keeping our city clean," said Public Works Director Chad Birdsong.

Elms 120th includes wine fest

By ERIC COPELAND
Managing Editor

The Elms Resort & Spa is celebrating its 120th anniversary starting this weekend, and in addition to games, proclamations, a visit by actors portraying Harry and Bess Truman and fireworks on Friday, the Elms will welcome wine fans Saturday for the Missouri Wine Festival.

The event will take place from noon-9 p.m. on the back lawn of the hotel, located at 401 Regent Ave., and will feature music, art and, of course, Missouri wine.

Wineries that will be represented at the festival include Baltimore Bend, Jowler Creek, Indian Creek, Mount Pleasant, Pirtle, Riverwood, Rogller and Terre Beau. Wine may be sampled throughout the day and purchased by the glass, bottle or case, and the hotel will provide other food and drink for sale.

A number of area artists, artisans and crafters will showcase their work, while four musical acts provide a backdrop of country, bluegrass, rockabilly and old-fashioned rock 'n' roll.

This Friday, July 4, marks the Elms' 120th anniversary, and with it a year-long celebration begins.

Musicians featured during the festival include David Knopf, a faux country player who mixes a little rock in with the twang; the Cowtown Playboys, whose repertoire touches on all the musical styles listed above; the Great White Possum String Company, with 25 years of rockabilly under their belts; and Li1' Rachel, the "little girl with the big voice."

All the musicians will be playing under the wooden gazebo on the Elms' back lawn, while the artisans and crafters and the wine will be nearby.

"Our back lawn will be filled with Missouri wineries, artists and great music," said Elms Marketing Director Keith Winge. "It is the perfect setting for an event of this type."

This year's Missouri Wine Festival is hosted in collaboration with the Downtown Excelsior Partnership, an organization devoted to raising awareness for the Hall of Waters Historic District and other locations in Excelsior Springs, especially downtown. The not-for-profit group is seeking to increase tourism not just to downtown Excelsior Springs, but to the area in general.

Tickets cost $15 in advance or $20 at the event itself. For more information about the Missouri Wine Festival or order a ticket, call Daphne Bowman at Willow Spring Mercantile, 630-7467, or visit www.eswinefestivals.com.

Tickets are also available at several downtown businesses.

For additional information about the Elms' 120th anniversary, visit www.elmsresort.com. The Standard also printed a front-page article about the celebration in its Tuesday edition; the story is in our web site's archives.

Holiday closures

The office of the Excelsior Springs Standard and Town & Country Leader isn't the only place that is closed Friday in observance of Independence Day.

Virtually every government office -- city, county, state and federal -- will be closed for the day, including the license bureau. All branches of Mid-Continent Public Library will also be closed, as will all banks.

However, a number of grocery and retail establishments will remain open for the holiday.

Northland group sets July sale

The Northland Coalition, a group that fights substance abuse in the Northland, has planned a charity multi-family rummage sale for this month at Maple Woods Community College.

The sale will take place July 11-12 in the parking lot of the college's Human Services Building, 3100 NE 83rd St., Kansas City.

However, the group is asking for gently-used items to be donated for the sale. Drop-off days for any contributions will be July 9-10 in the parking lot of Tri-County Mental Health Services, which has its office in the same building as the Human Services Building at Maple Woods.

For additional information, contact Sara Dolton at (816) 877-0498 or sarad@tri-countymhs.org.

Correction

The follow-up to Waterfest printed in Tuesday's edition of the Standard understated the size of the Waterfest Parade Saturday morning.

We used the last official figure, "more than 40 entries," in describing the procession; in fact, the parade had nearly 75 entries.

We regret the error, and still intend to follow up the festival with listings of the winners of the various events and contests at the festival.

Center's Christmas in July goal within reach

As of July 1, the center had gathered 14,000 pounds of food, just 2,000 shy of their goal.

First United Methodist Church donated 450 items of food to the Good Samaritan Center's fundraiser Christmas in July, which will help restock the Center's shelves, on July 12.

The event starts with a 7 a.m. registration, followed by a rally on the center's lawn, which is located at 108 S. Thompson, and concludes with a march throughout downtown Excelsior.

The American-Italian Pasta Company donated another 1,000 pounds of food, making their total 2,000, according to Bob Gerdes, executive director of the center.

Other sponsors include: Bross & Spidle, Crescent Lake Center, M'Pressions, Ambassador Signs and Ray's Diner.

ES Museum quilt exhibit scheduled for Oct. 21

Excelsior Springs Museum and Archives is scheduled to host an art quilt exhibition from 11 a.m. -5 p.m. starting Oct. 21 through Nov. 20 at the museum.

The show features contemporary quilt artists that use unconventional materials in their work, such as paint, beads, metal and wood.

Today's art quilts show a wide range of ideas that capture the home and hearth with cutting-edge technologies of the digital age.

Elements from the Front Range Contemporary Quilters is toured by ExhibitsUSA, which is a national touring division of Mid-America Arts Alliance.

Mid-America Arts Alliance is a non-profit regional arts organization based out of Kansas City.

This is the first exhibition of quilts from the Front Range Contemporary Quilters to travel as a national exhibit.

Juror Robert Shaw, author of The Art Quilt, has selected 40 new works for this exhibition from members of the Front Range Contemporary Quilters, which is one of the oldest art quilt guilds in the United States.

The Front Range Contemporary Quilter is made up of artists, from Colorado, Wyoming, New Mexico and Kansas.

Along with this exhibit there will be a showing from local quilters.

If anyone has a quilt they would like to show, or would be interested in being a daytime hostess, please contact Denise Siegel at (816) 679-4443 or e-mail the museum, 816-630-0101, at emuseum101@hotmail.com.

Periodic updates will be available at the museum's web site at www.exsmo.com.

Marriage Licenses Filed

The following are marriage licenses filed in Clay County June 23-27.

Matthew Lee Rodgers, 23, of Excelsior Springs, and Samantha Louise Heishman, 20, of Crystal Lakes;

Bejamen Boone Vanderau, 26, and Monica Irene Herman, 24, both of Liberty;

Truman Ferril Teegarden Jr., 45, and Dawn Marie Teegarden, 38, both of Kearney;

Caleb Eugene Hopkins, 24, of Kansas City, and Cassandra Rae Rhoades, 22, of Liberty;

Ryan Joseph Johnston, 23, and Megan Janean Meier, 22, both of Liberty;

Darrell Alan Trussel, 28, of Independence, and Christina Dawn Greer, 24 of Excelsior Springs;

Dane William Nelson, 22, of Holt, and Mallory Christine James, 21, of Winnebago, Ill.;

Anthony Joseph Pica Jr., 22, and Autumne Nikole Foley, 20, both of Excelsior Springs;

Derek Peter Mueller, 21, and Tiffany Ann White, 21, both of Excelsior Springs;

Steven Ralph Burnett, 45, and Paula Luan Love, 47, both of Excelsior Springs;

Leslie Lee Kirkland Jr., 51, of Excelsior Springs, and Karen Ann Malone, 45, of Minneota, Minn;

Joshua Steven Reberry, 29, and Pepper Michelle Williams, 24, both of Excelsior Springs;

James Roy Capps, 29, of Kearney, and Deanna Rae Donn, 26, of Gladstone;

Bradley Keith Jackson, 33, and Misty Dawn Eales, 30, both of Excelsior Springs;

Travis Vaughn Korthanke, 26, and Shandee Lynn Bogar, 26, both of Kearney;

Mark Edward Fisk, 26, and Jennifer Elizabeth Fiduccia, 32, both of Excelsior Springs;

Noah John Pestock, 25, and Sally Ann Rogers, 20, both of Liberty;

Lance Rodney Huebner, 26, and Julie Anne Bruder, 29, both of Liberty;

Michael Albert Begnaud, 47, of Liberty and Julie Michelle Halsey, 46, of Liberty.

Former Excelsiorite qualifies for Olympic trials

By KIM SIMMONS
Standard Sports Editor

Many people from Excelsior Springs and surrounding areas may be very familiar with the Waller name (if not from the name of the local Waller truck company that is based out of Excelsior, maybe from some of the names behind the family-owned business). Bob and Kathy Waller and their children, Courtney and Rachael, lived in Excelsior years ago before moving to Liberty.

Rachael has shared a piece of the national spotlight this week as a competitor at the ongoing USA Olympic Swimming Team Trials being held in Omaha, Neb. What many may not know is that her road to such a prestigious spot in the world of swimming began right here in Excelsior where, as a toddler, she took lessons at the Rainbow Swim Club. Rachael also attended school at Isley and Elkhorn elementary schools.

The young swimmer began competing at age 10, and she eventually became a team member of the prestigious Kansas City Blazers. She continued to swim competitively until she left for college at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. According to Kathy, USC has a longstanding reputation for both academic and athletic excellence.

Rachael (who is now a senior) has taken full advantage of every opportunity she has been given at USC - both academically and athletically as a member of the university's Trojan swimming and diving team. In fact, she qualified for and competed in the NCAA D-I National Championships her freshman, sophomore and junior years and is an NCAA All-American. She is also a member of the PAC 10 All-Academic Honorable Mention Team and was recently recognized as an outstanding USC scholar athlete when she was honored as a "David X. Marks Scholar." Rachael has also served two years as a representative on the USC chapter of the NCAA's Student-Athlete Advisory Council and is committed to serving again during her upcoming senior year.

But for now, Rachael is focused on her commitment to her team at the biggest meet of her life - in what is probably the biggest venue of her life. In fact, more than 1,200 swimmers are competing for less than 30 spots on the U.S. Olympic team. According to Kathy, crowds are averaging over 12,000 at the finals - a number that is breaking records for past U.S. time trials.

The Wallers, who have been at the meet all week long, are particularly happy that the trials are being held at the Quest Center in Omaha.

"We are thrilled to have such an important event held here in the Midwest," Kathy said, adding that a large group of friends and family from the area have also been on hand to cheer for Rachael at the meet. "This meet is incredibly fast and exciting. In fact, this meet is generally a faster one than the Olympics. They (the facilatators of the Omaha arena and organizers of the time trials) have done a fabulous job."

Rachael competed in the 100m Fly early this week, coming in with a qualifying time of 1:02.24. Although she improved that mark with a time of 1:01.66 (a PR/Personal Record), she didn't qualify for the finals.

"In a sport where only the top two finishers in each individual event actually make the Olympic team, simply qualifying for the trials is something all competitive swimmers aspire to from a very young age," remarked Kathy prior to the race.

Rachelle also swam in the 200m Freestyle and recorded another PR (2.03.04) which qualifies her for the U.S. Open meet to be held later this year. At press time, she had yet to compete in the 100m Freestyle.

From her first lessons at a small local pool in her hometown of 10,000 to her impressive performances at an arena filled with 12,000 cheering fans, Rachael Waller has certainly made a name for herself every stroke of the way. It's exciting to know that it's a name with roots in Excelsior.Congratulations to the entire Waller family on behalf of the Excelsior Springs community.

(Watch The Standard for further coverage.)

Celebrate freedom, but recall struggle

In Excelsior Springs, we're already well into the Independence Day season. Not only can you hear the whizzes and pops of fireworks in virtually every neighborhood in town -- despite fireworks being banned in Excelsior Springs -- but local residents already saw a fireworks display Saturday night.

Well, more fireworks are on the way, and we know almost everyone will be celebrating the Fourth of July with their friends and families.

It's easy as we light firecrackers and fountains, or as we watch the amazing bursts overhead, to focus on the celebration of freedom. After all, to most of us, that's what Independence Day is: an opportunity to observe our nation1s birthday and a chance to celebrate life in the free world.

But that overlooks the long struggle our nation has faced as we have worked toward freedom. The Declaration of Independence wasn't the first step in our fight to break free from British rule, and it certainly wasn't the last. For years, American rebels fought against British redcoats, and the early years of our nation were anything but calm, as the new government tried to establish a framework within which our freedoms would be observed. And despite lessons about the Founding Fathers, they disagreed strongly about some aspects of the Constitution, the Bill of Rights and other components of the fledgling U.S. government.

Nor did the fight toward freedom end in those days. The Civil War and other conflicts cemented our freedoms, as did non-military battles such as the fight for civil rights.

Celebrate our Independence this weekend, but remember that it didn't come easily.

Lack of commitment cheapens marriage

By BRIAN RICE
Publisher

What has happened to the average American's level of commitment? Sadly, our society has become so accustomed to "casual relationships" that the true institution of marriage is in danger of extinction.

Many couples, generally the Baby Boomers on down through Generation X, have
set a lousy example to young people by treating marriage as a casual commitment that's relatively easy to get out of.

Today, people seemingly get married without even intending for it to last a lifetime. They throw a giant celebration, collect the gifts and swear to all sorts of serious sounding vows without actually making a commitment. If it's easy and the relationship works out, great, but if it doesn't couples get divorced and move on to the next relationship.

It's not simply America's high divorce rate that sends this message, but the fact that so many couples break up over the smallest of problems. If marriages are easily discarded then why go through the bother of working out your differences or finding common ground? It takes much less effort to walk away and find someone new than it does to build on what you have.

This problem has been compounded by the endless attention paid to celebrity marriages. It seems that the more media coverage a wedding receives, the less time its participants stay married. The end of these relationships might be portrayed by the media as sad, perhaps there1s a teary "Oprah" appearance by the female member of the couple or a "People" magazine cover story, but that sadness never lasts. Worse, our country has come to not only accept, but to expect, these relationships to end tragically.

This concept - that commitment means absolutely nothing and you can leave a situation as soon as it becomes difficult - has infected young people and seeped into other areas of their lives. If a vow taken in front of our closest family and friends, often in a house of God, can be so easily discarded then what can't be?

Our bad example teaches kids that when the going gets tough, the tough tell their lawyers to negotiate the best deal possible. Adults acting this way teach kids that they need not stick by any commitment. If you get cut from the team, stop practicing and quit the sport. If you don't understand algebra right away then decide that math must not be for you. Do anything you want and at the first sign of trouble, feel free to bail out. These self-serving attitudes will continue to unravel the core values on which this country was founded.

No marriage is perfect. Christi and I have our share of spats. A couple in a healthy relationship often argues over things, some big, some trivial.

Arguments should not be avoided or ignored. The key to marriage is not a lack of arguing, but the compromising and reasoning that comes as a result of the argument. The respect that is learned in a healthy marriage carries outward towards friends, coworkers and communities. It is this positive influence that our country so desperately needs if we are to remain strong and unified -- especially in tough times of war and recession.

If we expect our kids to show perseverance in times of trouble, then we must set a better example. Marriage has to mean something, because adults have to show the next generation that giving your word matters and that sometimes the hardest things to attain are the ones most worth having.