Dear Hearts
and Gentle People:
It’s a hot
time in the old town as I write. We’ve had 90s for 30 out of 47 days, but it’s
beginning to moderate. (I think the instructions on my oven said “moderate” is
325 degrees.) Sounds about right.
It’s been a
very busy summer despite the heat. I’ve been involved in the activities instead
of writing about them. J
Jack Gueguen thinks I should turn this job
over to someone younger. He wrote: “May I make a friendly suggestion? Why
not do a farewell TLC, and either appoint a successor (a junior trainee?) or
call for a junior volunteer. Or get some nominations first. But you
are in the best position to know. We’ve all appreciated your gallant
(and sometimes heroic) efforts on behalf of old Lexington to keep us all
connected, and well informed of doings in our hometown.” Any takers? The
pay is terrific. Benefits: hearing from old friends every once in a while.
Our most
recent event was Porches & Peaches. This clever innovation was a big
success despite a short planning period and a first-time event. Six homes
participated, and each had a professional musician on the porch, performing for
the visitors. Homeowners gave a bit of history about the house. Peaches were
everywhere, peak of the season, and I was surprised that the crowd was mostly
out-of-towners. Many said they would be back next year, so I hope we do it
again.
Two items of
immediate interest. Do you know Lexington Rocks? Cute activity bringing people
outside, and it’s being done in several other communities I understand. People
paint a rock and hide it. Person who finds it must re-hide OR keep but replace.
People are having a lot of fun with this, and you can actually see kids outside.
The other
current news:
Zach Garrett shoots in the recurve
men's gold-medal match during the Archery World Cup on May 1, 2016 in Shanghai. This Wellington
resident is in the Olympics, and I believe his event is Saturday 8/6. Check it
out.
Our
annual Community Fair is about to begin. The organizer says it will be seven
days “packed full of events” starting Aug. 15. It really is fun and much
like the Fall Festival of old. Lots of events: Strut Your Mutt, washer toss,
turtle races, beer garden, musical performances, games, contests, carnival,
fried chicken dinners, salad luncheons, all kinds of vendors. Something to do
every day during that week.
Another
huge first-time celebration will take place Labor Day Weekend. Here is the
Intel from organizer and Minutemen Pride president Allan Lee:
The newly-formed Minutemen Pride organization, composed of
Lexington alumni and community members, is planning a celebration of Lexington
High School’s rich athletic history with a gathering of the Return of the
Champions, Chris Banks Memorial Scholarship Golf Tournament fundraiser, and the
induction of the school’s first class into the Minutemen Athletic Hall of
Fame, all taking place on Labor Day weekend.
The festivities begin on Friday, Sept. 2, when the state champion
football teams and their cheerleaders from 1976, 1980, 1984, 1988, and 1995,
along with undefeated football teams from 1946, 1954, 1960, and 1979 and their
cheerleaders, state track champions from 1959 and 1960, and the first class of
Hall of Fame inductees will be introduced at halftime of the Minutemen-KC?Northeast football game. A reception and social will follow the
game at the Spotted Pig Restaurant in Lexington.
On Saturday morning Minutemen Pride will host the Chris Banks
Memorial Scholarship Golf Tournament at Shirkey Golf
Club in Richmond. The tournament is a fund raiser for the scholarship fund
named in honor of Chris Banks, a 1991 LHS graduate who was an All State
Minuteman, an All Big 8 player at the University of Kansas, and a two-time
Super Bowl champion with the Denver Broncos. Anyone interested in playing in
the four-man scramble may contact Tim Swartz at 660 232-2903.
On Saturday the Hall of Fame induction/Return of the Champions
banquet will begin at 6 p.m. in the Lexington High School gym. The Hall of Fame
recognizes outstanding contributions in the categories of Coaches, Athletes,
Teams, and Special Contributors. Tickets are now on sale for $15 and can be
purchased from LHS athletic director Billy Cobb, Tim Swartz, Tom Beck, Wendell
Stephenson, Shane Dickmeyer, and Alan Meyer. Those of
you out of town may send a check for the correct amount to Tim Swartz, 37
country club Lane, Lexington MO 64067. After the banquet the inaugural
class will be introduced and presented a plaque. The first class is Coaches -
Bill Hamann, Gil Rector, Tom Beck, Jan Marquis
Thompson, and Tom Hayes; Athletes and years graduated - Bobby Price
(‘46), Bobby Gadt (‘47), Bennie McAlister (‘50), John
Jenkins (‘50), Richard “Dootsie” Guevel
(‘52), Larry Bland (‘57), Larry Kopp (‘61), Jim Grechus
(‘62), Tim Warden (‘65), Bob Gibson (‘68), Glenn Atkins (‘69), and Chris Banks
(‘91). The football teams from 1946, 1954, 1960, and the state track champion
teams from 1959 and 1960 will enter in the Team category, and Bill Holman, who
has coached Little League football and baseball in Lexington for 45 years, will
enter the Hall as a Special Contributor. Afterwards, a reception and social will
be at the VFW in Lexington.
The weekend’s activities will conclude on Sunday night at 6 p.m.
with a free Gospel concert at the Lexington Auditorium. Donations to the Chris
Banks Scholarship will be accepted there or at any of the weekend events.
Please attend any or all of these events in an historic weekend for Lexington
Minutemen athletics.
Those
who haven’t been to the refurbished and updated Municipal Auditorium (The LEX)
will be pleased to see it full of life and the center of Lexington activities
once more.
Melissa Beal, a relative newcomer to Lexington wondered: “Does anyone
remember 13th street being built from Main St. North? I have a United State
Geological Services map from 1949 that does not show the road until the 1979
aerial survey. Please remind everyone that is coming to the class reunions that
I will take collections at the Stream Team 4618 - Lexington Middle School
Booth.”
She
was “also wondering if TLC readers have any remembrances of the water
department or services and waste water or storm water events that come to mind.
The reason I ask is to get information to possibly post on the city website
about the progress that we are making in these areas. The idea came from
listening to a presentation about Kansas City, MO wastewater treatment since
1809 or such. It was done by an EPA guy here in KC. I thought too it might be
neat to have him out for a talk about rural development in water and wastewater
/ storm run-off.”
TLC
readers have long memories. I am always delighted to hear from anyone about
anything, so let’s hear it.
A
delight for us old folks arrived a while ago. I won’t tell you who sent it,
because she is in the photo. I was going to award a wonderful prize to everyone
who ID’d correctly: a free subscription to TLC!
But I cannot remove the names. Still, some may need further info.
And
yet another photo! This is Frequent Contributor Jim O’Malley and his wife
Ellie:
They celebrated very significant birthdays
in July. Jim was 85 on
the 12th and Ellie was 80 on the 6th. He says “We're still chugging
along!”
Sure hate to sign off with obituaries. Many of the following
names are people I was close to. These were the ones reported to me:
Marlene Gabler
Strodtman
Bonnie Williams Larkin
Bob Warner
Homer Seaton
Danny O’Brien
Maxine Thompson
Andy Kohly
Judson Dobson
Delbert Best
James “Sonny” Eapmon
Gary
Miller ’63 wrote: “I
was saddened to read of the passing of Kenny Kopp. Somehow, I missed his obituary. Ken
was always a loyal friend and one I never saw in a bad mood or utter a bad word
against anyone. Truly a good person. I remember that I learned how to ride a
bike on his bike in his back yard on Oneida street. Ken, Dick Adkison and I spent many wonderful times together riding
bikes and playing baseball in the neighborhood. Such a sad passing of a good
friend.”
On that bittersweet note,
I will bid you farewell until next issue.
Your devoted Scribe,
Susan