A special event sponsored by the Bridgewater family for several years had 150 people enjoying cookies and hot chocolate as Santa handed out stockings and Teddy bears to the children in Arcadia, on Dec. 12 at the Community Center. Also given away were a pair of bicycles donated by Ernestine and Forrest Berkey. Winners were Alanis Sprague, who won the girl's bike, and Baily West, the boys bike. A special thanks to Rae Ann Rose and Emory Briggs for supplying 100 stockings and also thanks to Our Gang of Arcadia High School for their donation that bought the bears. The volunteer Fire Department supplied Santa the ride to the children's event. A special thanks to all who donated their time and or money and for all the cookies served to all.
Mary Virginia Shead would like to express her thanks to friends and relatives for the birthday reception she received Dec. 7 in Arcadia honoring her 90th birthday. Among the 70 people who signed the guest book, 21 were relataives including Nelson (Mick) and Eloise Corporon, Joplin, Mo.; Portie Hughes, Mcpherson, and daughters, Lisa and Mike Blodgett from Republic, Mo., Kirby, John and Katie Gould from Olathe, Dr. Bill and Melinda Corporon, Overland Park; his sister Gael Martin, Spring Hill, Ralph and Cindy Shead, Carl Junction, Mo., their son, Matthew and Ashley, Joplin, Larry and Vickie Shead, Garland, Mark and Haley and Katy, Ft. Scott and Maria Shead, Tulsa, Okla.
Former pastors of Arcadia Christian Church present were Phil Casey and daughter Emilee from Tulsa; Charles and Willa Cable, Redfield and present pastor David Peterson.
Two members of my 1936 high school graduating class in Arcadia were Raymond Grace, Carthage, Mo., and Juanita Giger McWilliams, Joplin.
A picture was taken of four members of the Busy Bee Refund club in attendance included Helen Sisney, Ruth Holland, Reba Rouse and Mary V.
The present JOY Sunday School class that was started 52 years ago had eight members listed in the guest book. They are Patty and Gary Peterson, Walter Foulk, Sam Payne, Lester and Ruth Waring, Ruth Holland and Susie Stelle. Mary V. was the first president. She thanks you all for the cards, pictures, gifts, good memories and attendance.
Lorene Gibson had the pleasure of helping her granddaughter, Ruth Ously of Olathe celebrate her 40th birthday when she spent the day in Arcadia.
Daniel Payne and friend Annette Smith were guests in Arcadia Christian Church on the Sunday before Christmas. They attended with Sam Payne who is his brother.
Birthday song was dedicated to Allen and Linda Watt's anniversary, and birthdays for Robyn Mae Appling, Tommy L. Watt Jr., and A. J. Edwards Jr.
Forrest and Ernestine Berkey enjoyed Thanksgiving dinner with their daughter Angela and Bill Redd and daughters Kristen and Bethany in their country home near Pittsburg. The Berkeys celebrated their 15th wedding anniversary on Dec. 4 with dinner at Cafe Del Rio and Christmas shopping.
Patty Peterson held her annual christmas brunch in her Arcadia home on a cold blustery day. The 11 ladies present were warm and glad to be together as they sat around a very large table enjoying the warm delicious foods, salads and drinks. She was assisted by Betty Dehn. Others present were Kelly Reeves, Shirley Garrett, Linda Bridgewater, Mae Watt, Cathy Allen, Mary V. Shead, Carolyn Girard from Arma, Kristin Girard from Joplin and Willa Cable from Redfield.
Due to lots of activity along with bad weather, both JOY dinner meeting and Class # l0 meeting were canceled for the month of December. If all is better, the next class meeting will be held in the home of Kelly Reeves on Jan. 21, 2009.