Boonville

May 16, 2023
Contact: Deidra Ashley, ashleyde@missouri.edu
Photos by Abbie Lankitus

‘Tis the season — foaling season, that is — at the University of Missouri’s Equine Teaching Facility.

The facility, part of the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources’ Division of Animal Sciences, is known for its long tradition of breeding and raising quality quarter horses. It’s also a prime example of the student-operated, hands-on experiences you can find at Mizzou.

Undergraduate students in Animal Science’s Equine Breeding Management class focus on practical applications of reproductive management techniques and breeding in the horse.

Check out the hands-on learning in action.

The Division of Animal Sciences Equine Teaching Facility is located at South Farm, just a few miles from main campus. It’s operated by 60–70 undergraduate equine practicum students and volunteers who are overseen by a barn manager, equine faculty members and two assistant undergraduate managers.

“We are a science-based equine program focused on nutrition, physiology, health and reproductive management,” said Marci Crosby, an instructor and advisor in the Division of Animal Sciences and the Equine Program Director.

Morgan Stansell, a senior animal sciences major from Caruthersville, Missouri, collects vitals and other stats from a mare. The information is documented and used to help monitor changes as the horse nears labor. 

Devin King, a senior animal sciences major from St. Louis, said he came to Mizzou specifically for the equine program. “My favorite experience was the first birth I was able to see,” King said. “I’d never witnessed labor before, so it was really special for me.”

During foaling season, about 50 students rotate through shifts that span all 24 hours of the day. Their job is to keep an eye on the mares should any start to foal. Earlier this season, some of the students got food and camped out for a foal expected to come that night, which they then witnessed firsthand.

How do they know when a baby is coming? Physical changes to the mare’s body and its mammary secretions (early milk for the unborn foals) is gathered to help inform students as to when a mare may start the laboring process. Milk calcium concentrations and pH levels of mammary secretions are measured for each mare.

Faith Korpus (center), a senior animal sciences major from Frankfort, Illinois, and other students work to analyze some of the secretions they gathered for the day.

Numerical data are kept on a white board in the lab, helping all students stay up to date on each mares’ stats.

An ultrasound is conducted by Mikaela Adams, an animal sciences instructor and the Equine Teaching Facility Manager, to see if a mare is ready to be bred.

Makenna Parks (left), a junior animal sciences major from Omaha, Nebraska, and Erica Mantle (right), a part-time student beginning her master’s degree in the fall, from Boonville, Missouri, observe the ultrasound and provide hay for the mare. “I’ve never had experience with equine reproduction, so this has given me a big opportunity,” Mantle said. “I’ve learned so much.”

“Students play a role in every level of the management of the horses,” Crosby said. “In the breeding season they are handling stallions, breeding, and foaling out mares. In the fall they are focusing on equine marketing, training, interfacing with sales customers and thinking about the economics of the industry. They have all these different hands-on opportunities — everything from the top down.”

Many of the students are working to complete the Equine Science and Management Certificate, a certificate program open to all Mizzou students.

One of the favorite tasks is training the new foals, which is simply getting them used to human interaction and touch.

The foals are trained throughout the year. The sale of Mizzou-owned foals each fall in the MU Online Horse Auction and Fundraiser as well as the management of client mares for foaling in the spring both provide hands-on learning experiences to the students. Additionally, they generate funds that are used to directly support the operations of the facility and student education.

“Learning about how to care for mares and foals, manage a breeding herd and train foals for sale is something that I will carry with me into my life and future career,” said Madison Genge (right), a senior animal sciences major from Festus, Missouri. “I can’t say I’ve heard about experiences like this being offered at other schools, and it makes me feel incredibly grateful that I chose Mizzou and was able to learn through this program.”

Story written by Madalyn Murry

Originally Appeared Here

It’s no secret that getting fresh, tasty brews to craft beer lovers takes a lot of packaging and there are various opinions on what is and isn’t recyclable. Our craft beer recycling guide takes the guesswork out of the process so that we can all make our empties more useful.

Glass

This one’s easy. Glass is always a yes to recycle—all colors, sizes, shapes and even broken bottles. Glass can be endlessly melted and reused. Today’s bottle will live for decades if recycled.

Cardboard

Recyclers love corrugated trays and boxes and it’s fine if a label or tape remains. Can cases are a little less beloved because of a moisture-resistant plastic coating but should still be recycled.

Ideal recyclables—bottles, printed and blank cans and corrugated cardboard.

Plastic

Plastic six- or four-pack holders—known in the trade as handles—should also be recycled, and drinkers can make a difference in the success rate.

Your best option is returning handles to a dedicated collection point. Many breweries accept empty handles and reuse them on fresh batches of cans. Likewise, PakTech, one of the largest handle manufacturers, has collection boxes some places. Its website has a map, though depending on your hometown, options may be limited.

Handles can also go in mixed recycling bins, though with a potentially lower success rate. Because of their shape, handles sometimes get incorrectly sorted with other flat things like cardboard and paper. Commercial recyclers do their best to keep them separate so it’s still worth dropping them in the bin.

Cans

Cans are the trickiest due to various labeling options, but also represent the most in-demand recycled material. This is where drinkers can really help out recyclers.

Blank or printed cans, where the design is applied directly onto the aluminum, are easiest. Put them straight into the bin. These are most common on flagship beers from larger breweries.

Labeled and sleeved or wrapped cans are more problematic for recyclers because almost the entire can is covered with plastic. Automated sorters frequently identify the cans as plastic and send them into the plastic pile. Even if they stay with the aluminum, they reduce the quality of the product.

Can sleeves with seams on bottom and side. Grab a knife and remove.

Recyclers do their best to keep things separate but drinkers can make a huge impact. Simply peeling labels or removing sleeves turns them into ideally recyclable blank cans. Labels are usually obvious but sleeves can be tricky to identify. They are essentially can-shaped plastic that’s shrink-wrapped on. They are smooth and shiny and have a seam around the bottom and top edges of the can. Labels and sleeves go in the trash.

Clearly, removing labels is a lot more realistic for a couple of porch beers than after a raging summer barbeque. However, according to Marti Matsch, deputy director of Eco-Cycle in Boulder, Colorado, even if you can’t remove all the labels, it’s still worth recycling. There’s a decent chance the cans will end up being reused and keep new brews fresh for years to come.

Finally, the bonus question: to flatten or not to flatten? According to Matsch, best not to flatten. Why? Because similar to plastic handles, flattened cans get identified as flat things and routed off to cardboard-land. “It is really tricky when things are flat,” says Match. Crushing cans in your hand is OK because they still identify as three-dimensional objects.

Inquire Locally

For a variety of reasons, including technology and market demand, different recyclers have different rules on what they accept. While it may seem confusing that something is recyclable in Denver but not Dallas, the answer is simple: the financial bottom line.

Matsch explains that processing and transportation costs need to be lower than the selling price. “Here in Colorado we love glass,” because of the built-in glass market at the nearby CoorsTek ceramics manufacturer. However in some parts of the country it’s just not cost-effective to transport glass to a buyer, so glass recycling is not offered to residents.

The recommendations in this article will work for the majority of mixed-stream recycling, especially in larger cities with established programs. However it always pays to check with your local recycler or trash service.

Breweries Looking for Solutions

Given the relatively clear guidance on recyclability, craft breweries are doing their best to help. Unequivocally, every brewery I spoke to wants to use printed cans. However, as with many good works, the reality of economics and logistics complicates the matter.

In 2022 Ball Corp, one of the primary can-makers, increased the minimum order from 200,000 to 1 million cans per brand. That’s five truckloads. To put it in context, a brewery canning 200 cases a month would need around 17 years to use all those cans. Between up-front cost, storage and lack of rebranding flexibility, few small breweries can justify printed cans.

Cost and Flexibility Drives Labeled Cans

Anderson Valley Brewing Company in Boonville, California, offers a snapshot of the challenges facing craft breweries. In 2022 the brewery completed the switch from glass to aluminum in a bid to dramatically reduce its transportation footprint. It had initially ordered printed cans for higher-volume brews with year-round demand. However Ball’s minimum order increase pushed the brewery toward more labeling.

While labeled cans are more expensive per can, they offer much-needed financial and logistical flexibility. Says Kevin McGee, Anderson Valley’s president and CEO: “Right now flexibility and the ability to stay nimble is our priority. It’s all about scale.”

Copper Kettle Brewing in Denver has come to a similar can-clusion. The brewery switched off bottles more than five years ago and has experimented with various can designs. Even before Ball’s minimum order change, the brewery concluded that printed cans took up too much space, took too long to use up and required months-long lead times. Sleeved cans were simply too expensive. For its distribution footprint the brewery has found that the only viable solution is labels.

Copper Kettle currently labels its cans but hopes to go digital.

A Digital Future

Copper Kettle owner Jeremy Gobien and head brewer Greg Moore haven’t given up, though. They’re currently exploring digitally printed cans, which can be done in small quantities of a pallet or less. “If we can get a halfway decent price on a printed can I can tell you we’ll end up switching to it,” says Moore. If it works out, he’ll package the brewery’s flagship and seasonal beers in printed cans. However, the brewery will keep labeling one-off and small batch brews.

Anderson Valley’s McGee agrees the future lies with digitally-printed cans. He’s eagerly awaiting the day when advancing technology makes it feasible to make the switch. Currently, digital printing still costs about twice as much as labeling for the brewery. McGee believes some day it may even be realistic for breweries to invest in digital printing technology on their canning lines.

For Dry Dock Brewing near Denver, the day for digital printing has already arrived. The brewery recently announced a full switch to digitally-printed cans from Canworks in Austin, Texas. With its significant volume and large storage warehouse, the brewery was able to further its environmental goals in a way that also made business sense.

“After learning about the impact that wrapped cans have on not only the environment but also recycling centers, we think it’s very important to move away from them,” says co-owner Kevin DeLange. He adds: “We’re also making a serious effort to ask our customers to remove the labels from their Dry Dock crowlers, so that those cans get properly recycled.”

Dry Dock Brewing printed cans. Photo contributed by Dry Dock Brewing.

Peel Off Those Labels to Recycle!

For the time being, most craft brewers have to content themselves with smaller measures similar to Dry Dock’s crowler messaging. Both Anderson Valley and Copper Kettle dedicate a portion of their label to a reminder for drinkers to peel it off. Meanwhile, some brewers are using sleeves with an easy-off zipper. This carries a significant cost premium, however.

Some breweries are changing other aspects of their packaging. Ska Brewing in Durango, Colorado, recently announced the change from plastic to CanCollar paperboard-based six-pack holders. By foregoing plastic handles it expects to consume 95% less plastic. “The installation of the CanCollar Corsair is one of Ska’s ongoing, never-finished efforts to build a more sustainable future,” says co-founder and CEO Dave Thibodeau. Anderson Valley has also moved from plastic handles to cardboard.

Anderson Valley’s cans include a Peel Here suggestion on the label.

Infinitely Recyclable

In the end, anything craft-beer drinkers can do to make sure recyclable materials successfully get into the recycling stream helps the economy and the environment. “There’s a lot of energy savings in the aggregate if people remove the labels,” says McGee.

According to Matsch, a recycled can saves 95% of the energy that would be required for a new can. Aluminum and glass never degrade and are infinitely recyclable. “If you get it in the recycling bin it can go around over and over and over again,” she says. “Recycling really works when people are paying attention and participating.”

Originally Appeared Here

Up to 30 members of Springfield’s radio industry will be signing books and answering questions about their work at the Historic Fox Theatre this weekend.

The History Museum on the Square is hosting a book signing event for “The History of Radio in Springfield, Missouri,” on Saturday at 2 p.m. at the theatre located at 157 Park Central Square. Springfield radio personalities, writers, executives, engineers and others will be present.

Edited by Malcolm Hukriede and Dan O’Day, who worked in Springfield’s radio industry for many years, “The History of Radio in Springfield, Missouri” features a total of 49 authors who share their experience and favorite memories from working in radio.

O’Day, who has 50 years of experience in the radio industry, from hosting to production to sales, said he and Hukriede began brainstorming an idea about a book in 2016. The book’s 49 individual stories were collected between 2017 and 2021. O’Day said this process included folks being interviewed and others writing their stories out themselves.

“The History of Radio in Springfield, Missouri” includes nearly 70 years worth of information. In addition to the book’s historical perspective, it includes a good deal of “reminiscing” by its authors, O’Day said.

“There are stories in there that made me weep,” he added.

Among those featured in the book include the late Jim Bohannon, a national radio host, and late Father Harry, host of “The God Squad.” Those attending this weekend’s book signing include Dan Shelley, Woody Snow, Janet Lane, Cedric Randle, Wayne Glenn, Don and Chris Louzader, Summer Stevens, John Kimmons, “Miss Kitty” Ledbetter, “Curly” Clark, Mike The Intern and Ned Reynolds, according to a news release.

John Sellars, executive director emeritus of the history museum and host of “Sharing Stories of the Crossroads” on KICK 92.3 FM, will also be in attendance. In partnership with the history museum, “Sharing Stories of the Crossroads” airs every Tuesday at 4 p.m. and explores the history of the Ozarks.

“Springfield has such a rich radio history,” Sellars said. “The KBGX radio building over on Boonville (Avenue) was the first building west of the Mississippi (River) constructed as a radio station. Everything about it, the engineering of that building is for it to be a successful radio station: the sound-proof walls, double-thick doors.” Formerly, the KGBX radio station was located at 605 N. Boonville Ave.

Sean FitzGibbons, executive director of the History Museum on the Square, said he anticipates the book signing to feature “great storytelling” as folks enjoy one-on-one conversations with the book’s authors.

“Unless you go out and are like some radio enthusiast, you’re not going to be able to find all these little stories that make up Springfield’s history,” FitzGibbons said. “This book is a great way to have that access to that information.”

“The History of Radio in Springfield, Missouri” is available for sale at the History Museum on the Square and on Amazon for $25. If purchased at the history museum, a portion of the book’s proceeds will be donated to the museum.

Originally Appeared Here

Errors, missed scoring chances lead to 6-4 setback

by Hobby King/SPORTS EDITOR

In front of a Senior Night crowd at the Marshall Sports Complex Tuesday, the Marshall Owls were hoping to break into the win column in the North Central Missouri Conference.

However, the Moberly Spartans took advantage of three Owls’ errors and pitched out of some jams and won the conference battle 6-4.

Marshall head coach Paul Alberson was disappointed in the way the game played out.

“It’s what’s cost us all year,” he said. “Those are plays we make all the time. We do them in practice and shown that we’re capable of making those plays. If we make the two plays on the infield and two catches in the outfield, and it’s a completely different game.

“I’ve just got to them to understand that we’ve got to stay mentally checked in the entire game. We’re not a bad team. We put ourselves in a situation where we probably should’ve won that game 4-2. But with the errors behind us, we lose 6-4. 

“That’s the way it’s been all year, and I haven’t done a good job of fixing that, and that’s on me. The good thing is, we’re a fairly young team. These kids come in and work hard. We’re going to get better.”

Each team scored a run in the second, but the Owls left runners on second and third.

The Spartans capitalized on one of the Marshall miscues to score three times in the third on one hit. Owl starter junior Aiden Coffman walked three and hit one in the frame, as well.

In the bottom of the fourth, the Owls, who lost to Moberly 7-1 in their first meeting on April 27 in Moberly, sent nine batters to the plate and scored three times. Freshman Brock Marshall and Coffman had base hits in the frame. They also drew four walks in the inning. But they left the sacks jammed when sophomore Parker Hisle flied out to shallow center field.

“You can go back to the first month of the season when we had a talk, and we talked about we were one hit away from pushing more runs across,” Alberson said. “We kept a lot of pressure on; we had a lot of guys left on base. We’re one hit shy of putting up a good, squirelly number, keeping the game in our control. 

“We’ve tried to mix up our lineup, and it’s not just one person, it’s one through nine. We’re just one hit short.”

Moberly scored an insurance run in the sixth off relief pitcher freshman Brody Kueker. With runners on first and third, the runner on third, the runner on third was told to “GO” by the third base coach and took a few quick steps toward the plate. That coaxed Kueker into balking and the runner scored.

The Owls’ offense was shut down in the final three frames by freshman lefty Max Richardson. He retired the Owls in order in the fifth, sixth and seventh innings.

“(He threw) nothing hard, but he was very good around the plate all the time, good off-speed stuff,” Alberson said. “We were just not patient enough to let the ball come to us and drive (it). We were out in front of everything. We just didn’t make solid contact.”

Each team finished with seven hits.

Seven different Spartans had hits, including a double by freshman Kyler Fanning and a triple from senior Braeden Hunt. 

Marshall had two singles and junior Jayden Dominique a double for the Owls. Senior Jayden Edmund, freshman Chase Thompson, Coffman, senior Michael Carver had the other hits. Coffman scored twice and Dominique and sophomore courtesy runner Brock Rudd once each. Marshall, sophomore Ian Miles, Carver and Dominique had the RBIs.

Coffman allowed five runs (two earned) on seven hits, two walks and two hit batters in five frames. He fanned one. Kueker gave up one earned run on four walks and struck out one over the final two frames.

Moberly improved to 5-5 in the NCMC and 15-12 overall.

The Owls finished their NCMC schedule 0-10. The 3-20 Owls played a non-conference game at Boonville Thursday.

 The Owls are seeded fourth and play the No. 5-seeded Richmond Spartans (10-20 through Tuesday) in the first round of the Class 4, District 13 tournament at 10 a.m. Saturday. If the Owls win, they will tangle with the top-seeded Odessa Bulldogs at 4:30 p.m. Monday. The Bulldogs (16-9 through Tuesday) are one of three teams with a first-round bye in the five-team bracket. The other byes are No. 2-seeded Boonville (12-10 through Tuesday) and third-seeded Oak Grove (12-12).

Originally Appeared Here

State Fair Community College is pleased to recognize Patricia “Patty” Wood of La Monte as the 2023 Distinguished Alumni.

Wood has served on SFCC’s Board of Trustees since 2012 and currently is president of the board.  She will be the keynote speaker for SFCC’s general commencement ceremony at 7 p.m. Friday, May 19, in the Mathewson Exhibition Center on the Missouri State Fair Grounds. A reception for Wood will be held at 3:30 p.m. on May 19, in the Daum Museum’s reception area on the Sedalia campus.  The public is invited to attend.

Wood graduated from State Fair Community College in 1972 with an Associate of Arts degree. Later she earned a Bachelor of Science in Education in 1974, a Master of Science in Education in 1998, and additional hours towards a Specialist Degree, all from the University of Central Missouri. Her 32-year career in education includes pre-K and elementary teaching, K-12 Library Media Specialist and Technology Coordinator at Pettis County R-V and Sedalia school districts.  She is a member of the Missouri Retired Teacher Association.

Wood attributes her success to the educational foundation she received at SFCC.  She serves on the SFCC Foundation Campaign Committee and is helping to raise funds for a new advanced agriculture and transportation technology center. Additionally, Wood has served on other committees including SFCC’s 25th, 40th and 50th anniversary celebrations.

In addition to the college, Wood supports agriculture locally, in Missouri and nationally.  Recently, she was appointed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to the National Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion and Research Board.  In 2021, she served as Missouri Cattlemen’s Association president and is the University of Missouri (MU) Extension of Pettis County council president.  She is a member of the Pettis County Cattlemen’s Association, Missouri CattleWomen, Missouri Farm Bureau, American National CattleWomen, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, and the Missouri State Fair Foundation.  Since 1994, Wood and husband Pat have welcomed fairgoers to the Missouri Cattlemen’s Beef House on the Missouri State Fairgrounds.

In 1990, the Wood family was named MU Extension of Pettis County State Fair Farm Family, and in 1991, was named Sedalia Area Chamber of Commerce Farm Family. Wood and Pat received Missouri Cattlemen’s Association Cattlemen of the Year Award in 2007, and Wood received Missouri CattleWoman of the Year Award in 2016.

The Woods own and operate a diversified farm with a cow-calf operation and row crops. They have two children, Stacey Follis (Chad), Brian Wood (Becky) and four grandchildren.

“We are extremely proud of alumna Patty Wood, who has provided exemplary leadership within the SFCC Board of Trustees,” said Dr. Brent Bates, SFCC president. “She is passionate about SFCC and cares deeply about student success. Patty’s educational and career accomplishments are outstanding, making her a wonderful honoree for the SFCC Distinguished Alumni Award.  I hope the community will attend our reception in Patty’s honor on May 19 at the college.”

Nominations for the Distinguished Alumni award are accepted online throughout the year.  Go to  www.sfccmo.edu/alumni to learn more and submit applications.

Health Sciences will hold a pinning and commencement for its graduates at 2 p.m. May 19 in the Matheson Exhibition Center. This year approximately 142 Health Sciences students will receive 192 degrees and/or certificates in these programs: Associate of Applied Science – Dental Hygiene, 10; Diagnostic Medical Sonography, 13; Health Care Specialist with Emphasis in Pharmacy Technician, 2; Health Information Technology, 4; Medical Assisting, 5; Nursing, 57; Occupational Therapy Assistant, 11; and Radiologic Technology, 13; Professional Certificates – Medical Assisting, 11; Medical Coding, 11; Pharmacy Technician, 2; and Practical Nursing, 40; Skills Certificates – Medical Assisting, 11 and Pharmacy Technician, 2.

This year approximately 580 graduates will receive 734 degrees and/or certificates. Breakdown of degrees (as of May 8) include 387 Associate of Arts, 7 Associate of Fine Arts, 31 Associate of Arts in Teaching, 7 Associate of Science, 179 Associate of Applied Science, 96 Professional Certificates, and 27 Skills Certificates.

The numbers include students who attend SFCC in Sedalia and at campuses in Boonville, Clinton, Eldon, Lake of the Ozarks, Whiteman Air Force Base, and online.

SFCC’s Adult Education and Literacy program will celebrate individuals who passed the High School Equivalency exam during 2022-2023 with a ceremony at 10 a.m. May 20 in the Stauffacher Theatre on the Sedalia campus.

Originally Appeared Here

By Laura Wax Boonville Daily News

Boonville High School’s Class of 2023, gathered on Monday evening May 1, for Senior Awards Night.

The evening opened with BHS Principal Kenya Thompson addressing the class. “Tonight we celebrate students who demonstrated excellence in the classroom, as citizens, in their extracurricular activities, and in our community. This evening we will award $62,000 in external scholarships with more than $47,000 of that coming directly from our local scholarships here in the Boonville community. Thus far these students have earned roughly $325,000 in institutional scholarships from their respective colleges and universities, which does not yet account for A+ dollars at this time. Each presenter today represents the countless number of people in the Boonville community who support students in their endeavors to learn about our district mission to be responsible individuals, competent workers, and contributing citizens.”

The Class of 2023 contains 107 seniors. Among those, there are two Bright Flight Scholars (those who score 30 or higher on the ACT), 14 Presidents Award for Academic Excellence winners (3.5 GPA or higher and at least a 26 ACT score), 12 George Washing Carver Awards winners (top 10% of the class), and 50 A+ Program participants.

For the first time, a Boonville High School student was awarded the Delta Sigma Theta Murial Battle Scholarship. Tawny Brown, BHS Class of 1993 and Vice President of the Columbia Alumni Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta presented the award to Tyson Ellison.

Along with scholarships, other recognitions were presented. The Key Club Exceptional Service Award was presented to Abby Fuemmeler. The Boonville Daily News Scholar- Athlete was awarded to Colby Caton and Madison Smith. The Daughters of the American Revolution’s Good Citizen for 2023 was Molly Schuster. The Pirate Leadership Award went to Colby Caton. The Missouri State High School Activities Association Award for Excellence was presented to Tyson Ellison and Emma Neidig. The Central Missouri Blue Star Mothers presented those joining the armed forces with red, white, and blue cords to wear during graduation. Brayden Gamel and Eathan Northern will be joining the Marines. Matthew Fry will join the Missouri National Guard. Abby Fuemmeler and Jackson Johns received the United States Marine Corps Distinguished Athlete Award. Trent Maxwell, Brandon Mackey, and Tyson Ellison represented Boonville at Boys State this past summer. Emily Gibson attended Girls State.

Institutional scholarships were awarded from Central Methodist University, Coe College, Columbia College, Drury University, Lincoln University, Missouri University of Science and Technology, Missouri Valley College, Murray State University, Northwest Missouri State, South Dakota Mines, Southeast Missouri State University, State Fair Community College, University of Central Missouri, University of Missouri – Columbia, University of Nebraska, and William Woods University.

Members of local service organizations, memorial scholarship boards, and churches were among those present to award scholarships to graduating students. “Tonight we want to thank our presenters from the various organizations they represent. Students, please recognize these individuals and their dedication to our future. Consider how you might pay it forward for their generosity,” stated Thompson. “I want to thank our parents and caregivers tonight. Students excel when they are supported at home. Many of you began at an early age instilling guidance, hard work and perseverance to your students. Thank you for giving us the privilege of seeing them grow into such capable young men and women.”

Originally Appeared Here

Marshall also competes at NCMC Tournament

by Hobby King/SPORTS EDITOR

Managing to win only one of three doubles matches, the Marshall Owls’ tennis team dropped an 8-1 North Central Missouri Conference match at Moberly Tuesday.

Owl junior Joseph Leavitt and sophomore Lee Morales teamed up to defeat Moberly sophomore John O’Laughlin and junior Michael O’Laughlin 10-7 at No. 2 doubles.

Other results were: (Singles) (1) junior Erlan Jones lost to sophomore Ryan O’Laughlin 10-6; (2) Leavitt lost to senior John Meystrick 10-2; (3) junior Andrew Ybarra lost to John O’Laughlin 10-1; (4) junior Connor Slusher fell to Michael O’Laughlin 10-1; (5) junior Hunter Vestal lost to freshman Enda Chang 10-1; and (6) Morales dropped a 10-7 decision to sophomore Ryan Richardson.

In doubles, (1) Jones and Ybarra were beaten by Ryan O’Laughlin and Meystrick 10-3; and (3) Slusher and Vestal lost to Chang and Richardson 10-4.

The Owls dropped to 3-12 overall and finished 1-4 in NCMC duals. Moberly improved to 9-5 and 3-2, respectively.

The Owls played in the conference tournament Wednesday at Mexico. 

The Owls had two singles players place fourth, three fifth and one sixth. All three doubles teams finished fifth.

Jones claimed fifth at No. 1 singles, beating Fulton junior Beau Edwards 8-2 in the fifth-place match. Jones went 1-1. The champion was Mexico junior Brendan McKeown, who defeated Jones in the first round. He defeated Kirksville junior Gavin Pike in the title match.

Leavitt was fifth at No. 2 singles. He defeated junior Andrew Holmes of Fulton 8-3 in the fifth-place match.  Leavitt went 1-1. Hannibal senior Parker Terrill defeated senior Timothy Cason of Kirksville 10-3 in the title clash.

Ybarra was fourth at No. 3 singles. He received a first-round bye, then lost his semifinal match to senior Wesley Martin of Kirksville 10-3. He dropped the third-place match to sophomore Boston Davolt of Mexico 8-3. Ybarra went 0-2. Senior Gabriel Foster of Hannibal won the title with a 10-7 victory over Martin.

At No. 4 singles, Slusher was sixth after dropping the fifth-place match to Moberly’s Chang 8-0. Slusher went 0-2. Senior Augustus Herrin of Hannibal won the title with an 11-9 victory over Kirksville senior Turner Peterson. 

Vestal was fifth at No. 5. He won the fifth-place match 8-1 over Fulton freshman Chase Feltner. Vestal was 1-1. Freshman Zane Lomax of Hannibal won the singles bracket with a 10-6 victory over senior Max Walker of Kirksville.

At No. 6 singles, Morales finished fourth. He lost the third-place match to Kirksville senior John Boyer 9-8 (7-5 tiebreaker). Morales was 0-2. Hannibal sophomore Jace Lee was champion with a 10-0 win over Mexico sophomore Quaid Grubb.

The Owls’ No. 1 doubles team of senior Aidyn Garrison and sophomore Paul Benjamin was fifth. They defeated Fulton sophomore Aaron Sebacher and freshman Charles Eckert 8-4 in the fifth-place match. Garrison and Benjamin were 1-1 on the day. Kirksville sophomore Preston Puckett and junior Simon Mollick won the bracket with a 10-3 triumph over sophomore Kevin Westhoff and senior Garrett Heaton of Hannibal.

Marshall sophomore Timothy Mann and freshman Viktor Medina finished fifth at No. 2 doubles. They lost in the first round to sophomore Trevor Wright and sophomore Carter Blackburn of Mexico 10-5 and then had no opponent in the fifth-place match. Moberly sophomore Josiah Owen and sophomore Christian Lucas won the bracket with a 10-6 decision over Hannibal senior Stephen Sankpill and senior Rylee McAfee.

At No. 3 doubles, Owl senior Nick Shireman and junior Daniel Russell finished fifth. They lost their first-round match 10-4 to sophomore Dragan Schweim and sophomore Brennon Beasley of Mexico and then had no opponent in the fifth-place match.

Hannibal won the team title with 47 points. Kirksville was second with 45 points, followed by Mexico with 35, Moberly  30, Marshall 19 and Fulton eight.

The Owls next play in the Class 1, District 13 Tournament. Fourth-seeded Marshall hosts the fifth-seeded Knob Noster Panthers in the first round at 4:30 p.m. Monday. If the Owls win, they will take on top-seeded Warrensburg Tuesday. The championship match is Wednesday. Others in the six-team district are (2) Higginsville and (3) Boonville.

Originally Appeared Here

First Friday Art Walk gives you three opportunities to meet authors and get your books signed May 5 in downtown Springfield.

A total of 12 venues will be open for May’s First Friday Art Walk, a monthly effort in which galleries and businesses line up arts-related events across downtown Springfield. The public is encouraged to walk downtown and pop into many of the galleries in what organizers call a “self-guided tour.” Venues are open for variable hours between 5 and 10 p.m.

Author LaDonna Greiner to appear at Formed, Park Central Library

Two of the three author-meeting opportunities are with LaDonna Greiner. She’ll start the evening at Formed: An Artist Collective (210 E. Walnut St.) from 6-7 p.m. She is showing an exhibition of her photography work as well as promoting her book “I’m Here for a Purpose.”

“Imagine being lost in the Missouri wilderness on a cold January night during a five-hour thunderstorm,” a press release reads. “Now, imagine living to tell the tale. Ozarks Photographer LaDonna Greiner doesn’t have to imagine it. She experienced it! Lost and soaked to the skin, she manage to survive the night and find her way to civilization.”

LaDonna Greiner is the author of “I’m Here for a Purpose” and a local photographer. (Photo: First Friday Art Walk)

Guests at Formed will be able to meet Greiner and get their copy of her book signed while they enjoy refreshments. Tony Menown will provide live music.

Can’t make it to Formed? You can also see Greiner at the Park Central Branch Library (128 Park Central Square) starting at 7 p.m. She’ll showcase her work “Ozarks Barns, Backroads & Byways” and present “The Story Behind the Photo.” She will also be available to sign copies of “I’m Here for a Purpose.”

See artist and author Nancy Dornan at Fresh Gallery

Nancy Dornan is the featured artist this month at Fresh Gallery (401 N. Boonville). Dornan is showcasing her new palette knife series “A New Direction.” She’ll also be signing her new book, “I Married an Immigrant.”

“In 2009, (Dornan) decided to learn how to paint,” a press release reads. “Nancy started taking classes and workshops and has explored a variety of mediums and styles. She loves to explore color and texture in myriad subjects, from foods to travel experiences to light shimmering on water or light reflecting on a city scene. Bold colors and bold textures appeal to Nancy. The tactile nature of her work requires many different tools, sometimes to the exclusion of traditional brushes.”

BookMarx features poster design from Josh Mayfield

Posters from Josh Mayfield will be on display in the gallery space at BookMarx (325 E. Walnut St., Ste. 101). He is a visual artist, musician and organizer with the Party for Socialism and Liberation in Springfield.

“His recent work in poster design revolves heavily around his organizing, aiming to create art that inspires and empowers the working class, as well as brings light to injustices,” a press release reads. “His most recent work focuses on the liberation struggle of the Palestinian people and on opposing the most recent attempts by the U.S. to stoke the flames of war.”

Posters from Josh Mayfield will be on display at BookMarx during the May First Friday Art Walk. (Photo: First Friday Art Walk)

The Downtown Church hosts its first party of 2023

Families won’t want to miss The Downtown Church (413 E. Walnut St.), which is hosting its first party of the year, from 6-8 p.m. There you can find popcorn, lemonade, kids’ activities and live music from Deja Crew.

Other venues for May’s First Friday Art Walk are:

Jeff Kessinger

Jeff Kessinger is the Reader Engagement Editor for the Springfield Daily Citizen, and the voice of its daily newsletter SGF A.M. He covered sports in southwest Missouri for the better part of 20 years, from young athletes to the pros. The Springfield native and Missouri State University alumnus is thrilled to be doing journalism in the Queen City, helping connect the community with important information. He and wife Jamie daily try to keep a tent on the circus that is a blended family of five kids and three cats. More by Jeff Kessinger

Originally Appeared Here

THE BASICS:  NETWORK, a play adapted by Lee Hall in 2019 from the 1976 screenplay by Paddy Chayefsky, directed by Loraine O’Donnell, and presented by D’Youville University’s Kavinoky Theatre. April 21 – May 14, Thursdays – Saturdays at 7:30, with matinees on Saturdays at 3:30 and Sundays at 2:00 at the Kavinoky Theatre 320 Porter Ave, Buffalo, NY 14201 (716-829-7668).

www.kavinokytheatre.com

The Kavinoky is offering a “Buy One Ticket and Get One Free” deal for NETWORK. Use code BOGO at check out, or click here to purchase with your promo code already applied or just call (716) 829-7668.

RUNTIME: 2 hours with one intermission

THUMBNAIL SKETCH:  Is broadcast news a sacred trust? A business? An entertainment?  It’s all three as we’ve come to experience it in our lifetimes.  In this play, news anchorman Howard Beale’s ratings are down and he’s just burned out.  During his final (he thinks) broadcast he unloads on the viewers all of his frustrations about modern life, politics, and how everyday people are getting screwed.  Encouraging his viewers to go to their windows and shout out to the world “I’m as mad as hell, and I’m not going to take this anymore” his ratings soar as he becomes a populist prophet.  It’s all new and shiny and exciting, until it isn’t.  As the network’s suits dither and scramble the shrewd Diana Christensen, the only woman exec, focuses intently on the almighty buck.  

THE PLAYERS, THE PLAY, AND THE PRODUCTION:  Executive Artistic Director Loraine O’Donnell has left the building after five years at the helm to go to another non-profit position in her hometown of Boonville, NY.  She’ll be back next season to direct two more plays, but before she left for home, she directed one more Kavinoky-appropriate play.  By this, I mean that The Kav has a long history of plays with a political angle and since most Americans get their political news from television, NETWORK is a political play.

It was written as a screenplay by Paddy Chayevsky in the early 1970s, about ten years before the creation of The Fox News Network not to mention the grooming of television “news” personalities such as Tucker Carlson, Bill O’Reilly, Rush Limbaugh, Glenn Beck, etc..  And while Chayevsky correctly saw that TV is all about money and that ratings are useful in that they dictate the cost of advertising (or the cost to the cable companies to have the show) I’m not sure that he correctly predicted just how soulless the medium would become. 

And that’s why, even though Howard Beale as played by Peter Palmisano is arguably the protagonist and central character for this play, the person to pay attention to is Diana Christensen as played by Michele Roberts.  You see, Howard Beale is insane.  He’s like a wild man preaching in the desert.  He actually is a true believer.  And he’s willing to break one of the cardinal rules of journalism: Report the news; don’t become the news.

Kodi James & Peter PalmisanoMichele Roberts, Jacob AlbarellaPhotos by Gene Witkowski

But Diana doesn’t care a whit what’s going on in Howard’s brain.  If the people want bread and circuses, if they want human sacrifice in the coliseum, that’s what she’ll give them.  She does seem a little concerned when Beale announces that he’s going to commit suicide on air, but you know that she’s not really concerned with the loss of human life as much as the potential gain in ratings.

If Diana has the soul (or lack of same) as Lady Macbeth, then Max Schumacher (played by Christopher Guilmet) is her Macbeth, a man plagued by doubts but willing to go along with her as she uses sex to motivate him.

Other various “suits” or TV execs are played by Matt Witten, John Kreuzer, Don Gervasi, Peter Horn, and ultimately the alpha-suit, played by Jack Hunter. Also on stage in various television studio roles are Anne Defazio, Jacob Albarella, Brenan Didio, Shannell Dixon, Kodi James, Camille Jessica, and (on-screen only) Mike Randall.

As you can see, it’s a very big cast, and I wish that Lee Hall in his adaptation had whittled down the list of characters.  There is a lot of A-list talent on that small stage with, honestly, very little for most of them to do.  I understand that there are multiple levels in any television network’s hierarchy, but I don’t need to see them all.  I’m contrasting NETWORK with The Kavinoky’s 2022 production of THE LIFESPAN OF A FACT, also about veracity in journalism, which was a very compelling drama with only three characters on stage (played by Peter Palmisano, Loraine O’Donnell, and Brian Brown). 

Approximating a television studio, the set by David King is not hyper-realistic but quite serviceable and does NOT require any lengthy scene changes (with the occasional chair being carried on and off by one of the actors not in the scene).  The Kavinoky continues to get mileage out of its digital backdrop, providing a lot of authentic 1970s commercials before the show and during the entire intermission.  That was a lot of fun for the mostly Boomer audience.  Brian Milbrand once again came up with the video design but this time we actually got to see him on stage as “Camera Man” during the “on-air” segments of the play.  The play is firmly set in the 1970s, before cell phones and right in the middle of the career of CBS Walter Cronkite “the most trusted man in America.”  I’m sure back then, in contrast, the character of Howard Beale seemed extreme.  Not so much today.

As Tucker Carlson and Fox News continue to be the news themselves, NETWORK is a play that might help make some semblance of a sense of it all.

Lead image: Peter Palmisano, Brian Milbrand, Michele Roberts, Camille Jessica, Kodi James & John Kreuzer

*HERD OF BUFFALO (Notes on the Rating System)

ONE BUFFALO: This means trouble. A dreadful play, a highly flawed production, or both. Unless there is some really compelling reason for you to attend (i.e. you are the parent of someone who is in it), give this show a wide berth.

TWO BUFFALOS: Passable, but no great shakes. Either the production is pretty far off base, or the play itself is problematic. Unless you are the sort of person who’s happy just going to the theater, you might look around for something else.

THREE BUFFALOS: I still have my issues, but this is a pretty darn good night at the theater. If you don’t go in with huge expectations, you will probably be pleased.

FOUR BUFFALOS: Both the production and the play are of high caliber. If the genre/content are up your alley, I would make a real effort to attend.

FIVE BUFFALOS: Truly superb–a rare rating. Comedies that leave you weak with laughter, dramas that really touch the heart. Provided that this is the kind of show you like, you’d be a fool to miss it!

Originally Appeared Here

ERIC VICCARO, sports@moberlymonitor.com

Moberly High School’s boys golf team entertained 15 others at the Spartan Invitational on Tuesday, April 11, at Heritage Hills Golf Course. 

The Spartans finished fifth in the large-school division known as Group One, fueled by Isaac Stoneking’s 85. The team carded a 359 composite. 

“I thought we played decent golf,” Moberly head boys’ golf coach Jared Van Cleve said. “We seem to struggle a bit more at home compared to other courses.” 

While the Spartans played behind North Central Missouri Conference rivals Hannibal and Kirksville, their team total was well within Van Cleve’s expected range for them. 

Stoneking has proven to be a model of consistency so far this season, and the Spartan Invitational was another instance. He carded a front-nine 42, and scored 43 on the back, with five pars and one birdie. 

Nick Kessler also came through for Moberly during the tournament, with back-to-back birdies on Holes No. 7 and No. 8, and another one on the finishing hole. 

Gage St. Clair and Javaughn Briscoe provided Moberly with counted scores of 86 and 102, respectively. 

Salisbury, with a formidable lineup this year, was moved into the large-school division. 

The Panthers competed well, with Nolan Gordon carding a 73 (shooting 1-under par 35 on the back nine) for second place among individuals. Jaxon Green also picked up a medal with a 78.

Westran was moved down into the small-school division, and Aidan Brockleman earned medalist honors with an 80. Brockleman put together a three-over 39 on the front nine. 

“Aidan played his best golf, up to this point, of his high school career,” Westran head coach Jeff Schleicher noted. “He earned medals at three tournaments in three day, including a No. 1 finish. I am very proud of his productive week. I’m looking forward to a strong finish going forward.” 

Logan Brown also played well for the Hornets with a 92, including a front-nine 41.  

The Spartan Invitational serves as a fundraiser for the golf program. Local businesses are hole sponsors, a thankful Van Cleve reported. 

Stoneking medalist

BROOKFIELD — Isaac Stoneking was overall medalist for the first time in his scholastic career on Thursday at the Brookfield Invitational.

“Isaac put together the round he has been looking for,” Van Cleve said. “He was able to string together eight pars and two birdies.”

Van Cleve noted Stoneking was fitted for a new shaft, and his short game and punch shots helped him at Brookfield Country Club. 

Stoneking scored 39 on the front nine and followed with a 40 on the back for a 79, two strokes lower than Brookfield’s Cooper Clarkson and Macon golfers Britton Wineinger and Hagen Ritter.

INFORMATION

BOYS GOLF

Spartan Invitational

At Heritage Hills, Moberly

Tuesday, April 11

Group One

Team Standings 

1, Hannibal, 319; 2, Salisbury, 324; 3, Boonville, 330; 4, Kirksville, 332; 5, Moberly, 359; 6, Jefferson City, 386; 7t, Fulton, 390; 7t, Mexico, 390 

Top Golfers

1, Zach Espey, Boonville, 72; 2, Nolan Gordon, Salisbury, 73; 3t, Quinn Thomas, Hannibal, 74; 3t, Kyle Locke, Hannibal, 74; 5t, Brooks Poulsen, Boonville, 78; 5t, Jaxon Green, Salisbury, 78; 7, Junter Combs, Kirksville, 79; 8, Jack Parker, Hannibal, 83 

Moberly Scores

Isaac Stoneking, 42-43-85; Nick Kessler, 44-42-86; Gage St. Clair, 46-40-86; Javaghn Briscoe, 47-55-102; Carter Ross, 53-55-108 

Salisbury Scores 

Nolan Gordon, 38-35-73; Jaxon Green, 40-38-78; Elliot Carter, 44-42-86; Tyson Parker, 44-43-87; Jace Carter, 46-50-96 

Group Two

Team Standings 

1, Milan, 354; 2, Harrisburg, 380; 3, Brookfield, 387; 4, Paris, 401; 5, Schuyler County, 417; 6, Glasgow, 426; 7, Westran, 450; 8, Slater, 520 

Top Golfers

1, Aidan Brockleman, Westran, 80; 2, Taylor Trenter, Milan, 82; 3, Cooper Clark, Milan, 84; 4, Daren Deporto, Milan, 87; 5, Cooper Clarkson, Brookfield, 87; 6, Aiden Grindstaff, Harrisburg, 91; 7t, Ethan Blessing, Scotland County, 93; 7t, Kai Wiedeman, Brookfield, 93 

Westran Scores 

Aidan Brockleman, 39-41-80; Logan Brown, 41-51-92; Carter Dean, 63-49-112; Matthew Hopper, 85-81-166 

Originally Appeared Here