Monthly Archive

Photos and story by
STACY RICE,
Managing Editor
After a twelve-week long Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) program, twenty-three Drexel Elementary sixth graders were recognized at a D.A.R.E. graduation Monday night in the south gymnasium of the school. A large number of parents, grandparents, and siblings attended the ceremony.

The Cass County Sustainability Committee has been awarded a $16,349 grant to provide recycling education and begin a revolving drop-off recycling program in the cities of Peculiar, Drexel, Garden City and Freeman.
The grant application was approved by the Mid America Regional Council Solid Waste Management District Executive Board.
“We are delighted to be chosen; this is our first year to apply and we got it,” said CCSC chairperson Doris Sherrick.

Ron Weers, age 64, passed away on December 2, 2008 at 6:40 a.m.
Funeral services were at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, December 6, 2008 at the Louisburg United Methodist Church 249 N. Metcalf Louisburg, KS 66053.
Visitation was from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. Friday, December 5, 2008 at the church.
Burial was with full military honors in the Louisburg Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requested contributions in Ron’s memory made to American Legion Post 250 of Louisburg or the American Cancer Society.

Clint and Cathy Napton of Soda Springs, Idaho announce the birth of their daughter, Megan Rose, on November 30, 2008 at 3:07 a.m. She weighed 6 pounds 15 ounces and was 19 1/2 inches long. She is welcomed by her big brother Shane, age 2.
Read the complete announcement in the December 11th edition.

By RICHARD HETTINGER
The Drexel Lady Cats began their season with a convincing win over the Appleton City Lady Bulldogs by a score of 52 to 25. They started out slowly but increased their lead each quarter. They played a tough defensive game allowing only 25 points. They were constantly setting traps and stealing the ball.
They moved on to face the Adrian Lady Blackhawks in another early start game at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, December 5. Adrian was seeded second in the WEMO Tournament with a big strong bunch of returning letter winners.

By RICHARD HETTINGER
Bobcat Boys Basketball officially began on Tuesday night with an opening round bout with the number one seeded team in the WEMO Tournament. With no returning starters and only one returning letter winner, the boys spent the late evening learning.
Archie jumped off to a big lead and never looked back. They eventually won the game by a large margin of 64 to 22.

By RICHARD HETTINGER

By RICHARD HETTINGER

By RICHARD HETTINGER

Star Trek, the classic science fiction television series, debuts with its first episode, titled “The Man Trap” and ushered in a franchise that endures to this day, on March 4 - The Beatles: In an interview published in The London Evening Standard, John Lennon comments, “We’re more popular than Jesus now,” eventually sparking a controversy in the United States, on April 13 - United States president Lyndon Johnson signed the 1966 Uniform Time Act act dealing with daylight saving time, U.S. troops in Vietnam totaled 250,000 in April, in May Busch Memorial Stadium opened in St.

Mark your calendars! On December 10th at 10:00 a.m. Mrs. Claus will visit the Drexel Public Library! She will visit with all of the children and then read special stories. Don’t miss this wonderful treat!

In keeping with annual tradition, the Drexel Lions Club will have their Christmas Turkey Giveaway drawing again this year. The change, Santa Claus will not be available prior to the event or during. Rumor has it, he has quite a work load ahead of him!
The twenty-five turkey giveaway will take place next Saturday, December 13th, at 10:00 a.m. at the park on Main Street. You must be present to win and only one turkey will be awarded per household. No...
Read the complete story in the December 4th edition.

The Drexel R-IV School board held their regular monthly meeting on Monday, November 17, 2008 at 6:30 p.m. in the Library Media Center.

Terry L. Hocker, 60, passed away on November 27, 2008 at his home of 31 years in Lee’s Summit, MO, surrounded by his family and friends after a fearless 5.5 year battle with multiple myeloma cancer.
Services were held Sunday, November 30, 2008 at Langsford Funeral Home in Lee’s Summit, at 2 p.m. Donations may be made to The Children’s wish/dream foundation.
Arrangements were under the direction of Langsford Funeral Home, 115 SW 3rd Street, Lee’s Summit, MO, 64063.

Muriel Mary Haefele age 94, of Louisburg, Kansas died November 27, 2008 at her home.
A celebration of her life will be held 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. Saturday, December 6, 2008 at her home 401 N. 9th Street, Louisburg, KS. The family suggests contributions to the Olathe Hospice.
To leave a special message with the family you may visit our website at www.penwellgabel.com
Arr: Penwell – Gabel Louisburg Chapel 120 South Broadway Louisburg, KS 66053.

Shelly Rae Tooley, age 49, of Louisburg, KS, passed away Friday, November 28, 2008, at the Overland Park Regional Medical Center.
Funeral services were held at 10:00 AM, Wednesday, December 3, 2008 at the Louisburg United Methodist Church. Visitation was from 6:00 - 8:00 PM, Tuesday, December 2, at the church. Burial was in the Louisburg Cemetery. The family suggests contributions to Cedar Cove Feline Conservation Park C/O Penwell-Gabel Louisburg Chapel.
Arr. Penwell – Gabel Louisburg Chapel 120 South Broadway Louisburg, KS 66053.

The Drexel Fire Department, Drexel Police Department and the Drexel Lions Club will again team up to sponsor the Annual Shop with a Cop/Firefighter event on December 13th. Recently, Drexel’s Chief of Police Jon Carpenter was presented with a check in the amount of $500 to go toward the Shop with a Cop/Firefighter Program from Harrisonville Wal-Mart by Store Manager David Blankenship and Ann Hammonds, Personnel Manager. In addition, Casey’s General Store of Drexel donated $100 toward the program. Chief Carpenter is pictured with Melody VanBlaricon of Casey’s.

The Drexel R-IV school district welcomed senior citizens on Tuesday afternoon in celebration of Thanksgiving as they held their annual Thanksgiving Dinner and Concert. At 1:00 p.m. the Student Council served the traditional Thanksgiving turkey and all the trimmings to more than sixty local seniors. As entertainment, the Junior High Choir, Junior High Band, High School Band, first year Guitar Band, and the High School Choir took to the risers for many musical ensembles from “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy” to “What a Wonderful World” with Meagan Lane on the trumpet.

By STACY RICE,
Managing Editor
WOW! What a great bunch of kids, well ok, young adults as they like to be referred, we have moving up the ladder at Drexel High. Soon, very soon, they will be amongst us working gurus as they enter another stage of their young lives.

The Bates County Sheriff’s Office, the County Task Force and other law enforcement agencies are continuing to look for an Amsterdam area rancher who has been missing nearly a week. David Cook, manager for the Sterling Ranch near Amsterdam was last seen Wednesday, November 19 when he reportedly said he was going to meet someone. He took only his glasses, a cell phone and a money clip and left behind, his wallet, vehicle keys and his vehicles.

Cookies and apple cider were provided by Anita Brown and Lynette Harris for the Missouri Main Street Connection downtown improvement meeting at the Community Center on November 18, 2008. The 7:00 p.m. meeting took the place of the regular monthly luncheon meeting of the Drexel Community Betterment Corporation (DCBC).

For Anthony Monteleone and Tyler Swezey, getting an A in their Documentary Production class would have been enough. They had no idea their short documentary, “Everyone Lives Downstream,” would go on to win first place in a national competition.

By RICHARD HETTINGER
As I enjoyed being sports writer for my high school back in the 50’s, I am going to attempt to do the sports section of the Drexel Star justice. Back in the 50’s it seemed to me it was a lot easier when all you had to do was type it out and print the paper. With all the modern technology, now I have to learn the computer terms, digital camera operation with it’s many buttons, saving and deleting pictures etc. etc. I’m sure it will be better than the old mimeographed paper that we used to print.

The Drexel Bobcats and Lady Cats showed a different style on “Meet Your Team” night last Friday by doing competitive Olympic-style drills. To avoid any further injuries such as sprained ankles, etc., they did not have a fierce scrimmage as the boys and girls were divided into two co-ed teams, one black and the other in gold, and went through competitive drills consisting of ball handling, shooting, and dribbling. The black team finished ahead with the competition being very close.

Greg Mullinax, Treasurer of the Drexel Community Betterment Corporation, handed Rev. Marilyn Neimeyer a check for $200 earlier this week for the Community Food Pantry. Neimeyer plans to open a meat account at Welborn’s Thriftway with the funds in order to help needy families.

Following the Civil War, and the removal of civilians from Jackson, Cass, Bates and part of Vernon Counties, as a result of Order No. 11 in 1863, those who returned saw a desolate landscape with only chimneys left to mark once flourishing farms and homesteads. The Burnt District Monument commemorates the suffering which almost every family in western Missouri endured in the war years of 1861 to 1865 and the courage they displayed. Construction of the Burnt District Monument, on the grounds of the Cass County Justice Center in Harrisonville, Missouri, is nearing completion.

The Board of Aldermen of the City of Drexel, Missouri met in Regular Session on Monday, November 10, 2008. Mayor Reece called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. The meeting was held at City Hall.

Jack R Cook, 82, Freeman, MO, died Monday, November 17, 2008 in Harrisonville, MO.
Funeral services were held at 10:00 AM Friday, November 21 at the West Line Christian Church in Cleveland, MO. Friends called from 6:00-8:00 PM Thursday, November 20 at the Atkinson Chapel in Harrisonville, MO.  Burial in Freeman Cemetery, Freeman, MO.  Contributions may be made to the church.