Jack and Mary Lee Payne recently returned from an 11 day trip aboard Celebrity Cruise Line's Galaxy. They boarded ship in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and visited eight islands, including Aruba, Curacoa, St. Lucia, Barbados, St. Kitts, Grenada, Tortola and Dominica. Before flying to San Juan, they enjoyed great-granddaughter Grace Lainey O'Dell's first birthday party at Pisgah Baptist Church in Excelsior Springs, Mo.
Grandson Seth Morton, a junior at Excelsior Springs High School, received honorable mention as a 2008 all-conference basketball player. He led the Tigers in scoring , rebounding and assists. His write-up stated that he was well known as a shooter who could handle the pressure. It also stated he will be a valuable senior leader for the Tigers next year. He was also nominated for the 2008 Dream Team in the Kansas City area. Seth received a letter of congratulations from State Representative Bob Nance of the 36th Congressional district.  Grandparents Jack and Mary Lee Payne are very proud of Seth.
On  April 14, Autumn Leaves Senior Citizens met with eight present for a fine dinner at the noon hour. Pastor David Peterson gave the blessing. An interesting project conducted by President Lilly and Jerry Coonrod was the cleaning of the file cabinet. All took part in deciding what to keep and what to ship. There were quilt scraps from the early days of the club when members would make quilt tops as a money making project. Scrap papers, parts of decks of cards, parts of Bingo prizes, an oilcloth table cover, etc. The song books were kept as souvenirs from the Old Methodist Church. The cottage was moved in from the country to be used as Sunday School classrooms and the social meetings of the church many years ago.  After the church closed, the buildings were sold separately. Open Door Mission became active in the church and Autumn Leaves became owners of the Cottage. After the church was struck by lightning and burned in 1979, the Open Door members rebuilt. Don and Esther Talent were ministers.
Also kept in the file cabinet is the secretary's book written mostly by the late Susie Morris who served for many years. On the desk is a picture from 1995 when a much larger crowd attended with 17 present. Now important papers, such as guarantees for appliances, have a secure place.
After the business meeting, the seniors played bingo till each won a prize. Present were Helen Sisney, Carole Garrison, Bob Cavin, Mary V. Shead, Patty Peterson, who took blood pressure readings, David Peterson and the Coonrods. The May 12 meeting will be a carry-in dinner at noon followed by Bingo after the business meeting. New members are welcome to join the fun, food and fellowship.
Special guests in Christian Church on the last Sunday in April were Carol and Ryan Brooks from Englevale, Mindy Packett with Autumn Kunzler and Drew Pommier, James Casey, Courtney Allen, Skye Montayne and Joey Allen, who gave her birthday offering.
Pastor David reported on the Campus Christian Sponsors dinner he attended at Pittsburg State University on Saturday evening. It is one of the missions the church helps support.
The JOY Sunday School class studied from Daniel 9 and the lesson was continued by Pastor David Peterson after Communion time that was served by John Parrish and Lofton Younge. Pastor asked, "How is the Lord helping you?" He advised that, "Things must be made right with God and with one another." Services closed by singing “God be with you, till we meet again.”
Aydin Marie Sisney, Girard, celebrated her first birthday on April 3 with pizza, ice cream and a ladybug cake. Aydin is the daughter of Mike and Missy Sisney of Girard. Big brother Evan helped blow out the candles and open presents. Present at the party were grandparents Mike and Nancy Sisney, Jerry and Diane Hanson, Girard; great-grandparents Willard and Pat Burns, Minden, Mo., and Helen Sisney and Brock Sisney, a cousin, Arcadia. Special friends Chris and Connie Sponsel, Angie Mukwindidza; Girard, and Annie Keller and Klete, rural Parsons. 
Jace and Jesse Pavlik , former Sunday School teachers in Arcadia Christian Church, announce the birth of their daughter, Hazel Wyn Pavlik in Joplin, Mo. on April 23. She weighed seven pounds and was 21-inches long. Pastor David Peterson of Arcadia was one of her first visitors.
Remember to call the fire department at 638-4444 if you have scrap metal to give to their fundraiser project. On Saturday, there will be a bake sale at the fire station. This is sponsored by the Old Settler's committee. Saturday at 6:30 p.m., the monthly Community Sing will be held in The Community Center. It is worth the drive to Arcadia for a pleasant evening, No admission charge. City Wide Yard Sale will be May 24. There is a $2 charge to put your name and address in the ad. Call Amber Schmitz at (620) 638-4288. That same evening will be the Arcadia High School Alumni Banquet in The Lamplighter Inn, the former Holiday Inn, in Pittsburg.