Monthly Archive

Tuesday, November 11th, was Veterans Day, and 23,442,000 military veterans were recognized around
the country for their service, according to the United States Department of Veteran Affairs.
Drexel R-IV students observed the special day by honoring a number of veterans through a formal ceremony. The
William D. Gymnasium was packed with students, teachers, administration, and a few community members, all
gathering to give thanks to the extraordinary people who served and continue to serve our country. Prior to the

The Drexel FFA held it formal chartering ceremony on Tuesday evening, November 4th in the Drexel High School North Gymnasium. Over 100 members, parents, and other guests were present to witness the special occasion. Members and FFA Advisors representing FFA chapters across the Area 7 FFA Association came to support Drexel FFA. Chapters represented were Appleton City, Butler, Miami, Pleasant Hill, Holden, Clinton, Adrian, Osceola and Harrisonville.

For the past several years R.I.O. has supported a community food pantry located at the United Methodist Church at 304 E. Walnut in Drexel. The food pantry is still available to anyone in need but supplies are very low. The demand has already been high for food assistance due to the current economic situation. The food pantry can only be sustained through generous donations from the community. As you do your weekly shopping, would you please consider picking up a few non-perishable items to donate to the food pantry?

The Attorney General’s Office has some advice for Missouri seniors on Medicare, who soon will have the chance to make changes to their Medicare prescription drug coverage. Enrollees subscribing to Medicare Part D will have the chance switch drug plans during the annual open enrollment period from November 15 through the end of the year.
Part D subscribers have the opportunity to shop around for a better plan. Drug companies have the right to make changes to their plans, and seniors’ needs often change, so a plan that worked well in 2008 might not be the best plan for 2009.

E. Brooke and Adam R. Spinks of Cape Girardeau, MO are proud to announce the birth of their son, Asher Feris Spinks on November 4, 2008 at 12:04 p.m. at the St. Francis Medical Center. He weighed 7 pounds 15 1/2 ounces and was 19 1/4 inches long.
Maternal grandparents are Richard and Ladone Hettinger of Drexel, MO. Paternal grandparents are Phylis and Les Crump of Cape Girardeau, MO and Gary Spinks of Scott City, MO.

Submitted by B.T. WEBB
The Drexel Area Golf Association has had a successful and busy year. The City of Drexel, using the Parks and Recreation money, purchased a new mower for the exclusive use on the golf course.
They have signed a lease with the City of Drexel for a period of five years. This means that the golf association is responsible for all maintenance of the golf course. Also any activity on the course must be approved by the Association’s Board of Directors.

Drexel Bobcats chosen to the 2008 Western Missouri Conference All-Conference Football Team are: left to right, 2nd Team Offense and Honorable Mention Defense - junior Zach McMahan, Honorable Mention Defense - sophomore Austin Allen, and Honorable Mention Defense and Honorable Mention Offense - senior Nathan Crim.

Drexel Lady Cats chosen to MSHSAA Class 1 District 14 Volleyball (All-District Teams) are: First Team - senior Chelle McAnany, left, and Second Team - junior Megan Lane.

Gary W. Criss, age 65, Louisburg, Kansas, died Saturday, November 8, 2008 in his home.
Gary was born on November 2, 1943 in Kansas City, MO, the son of Wayne and Dorothy (Wilson) Criss.
Visitation will be held 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. Wednesday November 12, 2008 at Penwell - Gabel Louisburg Chapel with graveside services following at 11:00 a.m. at the Louisburg Cemetery, Louisburg, KS.
The family suggests contributions to Sunflower Health Care/Hospice Inc. 6399 W. 159th St. Stilwell, KS 66085
To leave a special message for the family you may visit www.penwelgabell.com.

Registered voters of Cass and Bates Counties traveled to their respected polling stations Tuesday to vote in the 2004 General Election. Missourians voted to elect a Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, Treasurer, Attorney General, Representatives and Senators, not just President and Vice President, at the polls. Long lines outside polling stations across Missouri early Tuesday and the number of people who had already cast their votes further indicated that voter turnout this year was expected to be ...

Costumed children clog Drexel’s Main Street for 2nd Annual
Halloween Fun and Safety Night.

The Drexel Ladies Auxiliary VFW recently celebrated the 25th Anniversary of the charter of their group. They had a short ceremony followed by a cake and punch reception after their October 16th meeting. Those present and receiving pens for 25 years of membership are, left to right: Joan Endecott, Juanita Dyer and Mary Geuy. The group meets the 3rd Thursday of every month at the VFW building in Drexel. New members are always welcomed.

Dale and Phyllis Dean celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on October 23, 2008. They have three children, six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren and make their home in Prairie Village, Kansas.  A celebration dinner was held in honor of the event.
The couple got married in Iowa.  Dale was born and raised in Drexel.

Lunch was catered at the Community Center by Old Aubry BBQ, hosted by Hawthorn Bank for the October 28th DCBC meeting. Present were: Sue Bush, Tyler Black, Greg Mullinax, Dave Alburty, Marilyn Niemeyer, Joe Ziegler, Anita Brown, Craig Arnold, Lynette Harris, Barbie Shipley, Vic Shipley, Herbie Thomas, Bob Miller, Jim Welborn, Carol Pranulis, Peggy Moles, Kara Smith, and Patty Dreher.
The invocation was provided by Pastor Marilyn Niemeyer, and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited to start the meeting.

The Drexel Bobcats closed out the regular football season last Thursday night by traveling to Archie to face the Whirlwinds. The Bobcats fell 35-0 and finished with a 1-9 overall record, 1-0-6 conference record.
The Bobcats trailed 7-0 after the first quarter and allowed three Whirlwind touchdowns in the 2nd, trailing 28-0 at the half. The last Archie touchdown came in the 3rd quarter.
Nathan Crim led the Bobcats in rushing with 72 yards on 17 carries; Austin Allen had 10 yards on 8 carries, and Kurtis McLellan had 9 yards on 5 carries. Austin Allen was 2 of 7 for 8 yards.

The Drexel Lady Cats volleyball squad wrapped up their season with a final record of 19-10-4 after competing in the District Volleyball Tournament last Monday, October 27th.
On Monday, Drexel, seeded third in the tourney, defeated Miami, 6th seed, in two matches 25-12 and 25-13.
Gunnels led in serving points with 12, Russell 8, Lane 5, McAnany 5.
Gunnels led in aces with 5, Lane followed with 3, Russell 1, Swezey 1.
McAnany led in kills with 7, Lane 3, Russell 3, and Gunnels secured 3.
Swezey led with 8 assists, Russell 7, McAnany 1, Gunnels 1, Hocker 1.

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) said today that Missourians can improve their chances of fighting off influenza and staying healthier this flu season by taking three simple steps. By getting the flu vaccine, taking everyday precautions, and taking flu antiviral medicine if the doctor recommends it, people stand a good chance of avoiding the misery and even serious illness flu can cause.

It is with great pleasure that Drexel High School and members of the newly organized agricultural education program and Drexel FFA Chapter invite you to a formal ceremony to commemorate the signing of the official charter of the Drexel FFA Chapter.
The chartering ceremonies will be held on Tuesday evening, November 4th at 7:00 p.m. in the Drexel High School north gym.

D o you know where the dairy products you eat and drink come from?
Do you know the five basic food groups?
How about exercise? Did you know it is important to incorporate it into your daily routines?
Drexel R-IV elementary students learned the answers to these and to other questions as they explored a hands-on learning experience last Tuesday when their normal everyday gymnasium was transformed into a healthy food environment.

In conjunction with instruction on areas of personal values, citizenship, and respect, the Drexel R-IV School will host the 2nd Annual Veteran’s Day Celebration on Tuesday, November 11, 2008 at 1:00 p.m. Veterans from all areas of service are invited to join the students for lunch and/or a brief ceremony immediately following the meal.
While students have been asked to specifically invite guests whom they know personally have served our country, the District wishes to extend that invitation to all veterans in our area. The District asks that you RSVP to...

s the General Election day fast approaches there is much information voters must be aware of before going to the polls to vote.
First - all polling locations in the State of Missouri will open promptly at 6:00 a.m. and close at 7:00 p.m. on November 4, 2008. Any voter that is in line at their proper polling location by 7:00 p.m. will be allowed to vote.

The Drexel High School Choir will attend All-Conference Choir at Archie on Saturday, November 1st. There will be a free public concert in the Archie gymnasium at 3:00 p.m.

Charles B Land, age 80, of rural Osawatomie, Kansas, died October 23, 2008 at his home.
Charles was born September 24, 1928 in Cass County, Missouri, near Drexel. He was the only child of Roy Vernon and Tessie Lourene (Kent) Land. He grew up in the Drexel area and graduated from Drexel High School with the Class of 1946.

The Drexel Lady Cats took to the road last Tuesday, October 21, to take on the Sheldon Lady Panthers. Drexel dominated the Lady Panthers, 25-12, 25-15, 25-19, playing best 3 out of 5.
Taylor Swezey led the Cats in serving points with 11, Lane followed with 9, Russell 9, and Gunnels 7.
Swezey took home 5 aces, with Lane 4, and Gunnels closing in with 3.
Katie Hocker led with 6 kills, McAnany 4, Russell 3, Swezey 3, Moles wrapped things up with 2.
Meagan Lane secured 9 digs, and Gunnels 2.
Gunnels had 1 successful block.

The Drexel Bobcat varsity football squad took to the road last Friday to compete against the Appleton City Bulldogs in a district game. They fell to the Bulldogs 42-21. Drexel received the ball at the 7:00 p.m. kick-off.

Drexel’s City Administrator Mike Fisher was honored last week by City staff and friends for his dedicated service to the betterment of Drexel for the past several years. Refreshments were served and well wishes for his future endeavors were shared. Fisher officially resigned at a Special Meeting earlier this month. Fisher will be turning over a new leaf taking a position as clerk/administrator in Savannah, MO. Fisher started his new job full-time on Monday, October 27. Photo by Stacy Rice