The Sedalia State Fair Lions Club focuses on aiding the blind and visually impaired while making a strong commitment to community service and strengthening local communities through hands on service and humanitarian projects in the community.

The Sedalia Pettis County United Way (SPCUW) and Pettis County Community Partnership (PCCP) presented information on the SPCUW service outreach program title “Cram the Closet” to the Sedalia State Fair Lions Club. The focus effort for Cram the Closet it to keep unmet needs stocked in the Community Closet which is a derivative of Homeless Connect and created by the Putting Roofs Over People Coalition and managed by the PCCP. Unmet needs in our community consist of diapers, wipes, hygiene and household cleaning products. The focus of these efforts is to remove stumbling blocks to allow folks to become employed and/or go to school to provide financial sustainability for their family. There are qualifying guidelines and one must be referred by a service provider, school, health department, Katy Trail, etc. to access the Community Closet. Keeping with our purpose and wanting to assist the United Way reach it’s goal to increase the household medium income in Pettis County, the Sedalia State Fair Lions Club has made a significant donation to the Sedalia-Pettis County United Way.

Call Staci Harrison and the Sedalia Pettis County United Way Office to learn more, 826-2980. If you would like to join the

From left, Barry Henderson, SPCUW board member, Mary and Warren Trivett, Sedalia State Fair Lions Club members, Staci Harrison, executive director Sedalia-Pettis County United Way, and Wyatt Kidder, the Trivett’s grandson.

http://sedaliademocrat.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/web1_TSD012817LionsCLub.jpgFrom left, Barry Henderson, SPCUW board member, Mary and Warren Trivett, Sedalia State Fair Lions Club members, Staci Harrison, executive director Sedalia-Pettis County United Way, and Wyatt Kidder, the Trivett’s grandson. Submitted photo

Brittany Deanne Sell and Andrew Christian Beeman, of Lincoln, were married at 6 p.m. Friday, July 22, 2016, at the Windsor United Methodist Church in Windsor.

The bride is the daughter of Dwayne Sell, of Lincoln, and Debbie and Danny Templeton, of Ionia. The groom is the son of David and Jo Ellen Beeman, of Windsor. The bride’s grandparents are William and Peggy Hamilton and Bob and Brenda Sell. The groom’s grandparents are Eunice and the late Donald Beeman and the late Elmer and Louise Lentz.

The bride was given in marriage by her father, Dwayne Sell. Pastor Pete Hill officiated the ceremony.

Organist was Scott Brooks.

The maid of honor was Elissa Sell, sister of the bride. The bridesmaids were Adriana Hernandez, Marah Koons and Morgann Gregory.

Candle lighters were Hannah and Maddox Lentz, cousins of the groom.

The co-best men were Brenton Yates and Trenton Scott. The groomsmen were James Bates and Cameron Griffin.

The ring bearers were Levi Lentz and Ethan Lentz, cousins of the groom. The flower girl was Chloe Lentz, cousin of the groom.

Ushers were Luke Bartholomew, Alex Brock, William Soendker and Dean Thompson.

The wedding directors were Marsha and Jennifer Mersman. The program attendant was Clint Smith. The gift table attendant was Sandi Beeman, sister of the groom.

Musicians were Brent Harms, Jim Luetjen, Ben Van Dyke, Rick Masterson and Jim Bahrenburg.

The bride’s dress was white strapless with layered chiffon, zippered off above the knee for dancing. She wore pearls and pearl earrings, an elbow-length veil and cowboy boots. The flower bouquets included sunflowers, daisies and coral bells.

A reception was hosted at the home of the groom’s parents.

The bride is a graduate of Lincoln High School. She is a phlebotomist at Golden Valley Memorial Hospital in Clinton.

The groom is a graduate of Windsor High School. He graduated from the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg with a Bachelor of Science in agriculture business. He is self-employed at Beeman Farms in Windsor.

After a honeymoon in Riviera Maya, Mexico, the couple resides in Lincoln.

http://sedaliademocrat.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/web1_BeemanWedding.jpg

Mr. and Mrs. David Beeman, of Windsor, celebrated their 40th anniversary with a surprise gathering of friends and family Aug. 28, 2016, at Colton’s Steakhouse in Sedalia.

David Beeman and Jo Ellen Lentz were married July 30, 1976, at the La Monte United Methodist Church by Pastor Jerrie Jones.

Mr. Beeman is a self-employed farmer. Mrs. Beeman is a housewife and farmer. She worked at Kmart in Sedalia from 1976 to 1981.

The couple have two children, Cassandra Beeman, of Windsor, and Andrew (Brittany) Beeman, of Lincoln.

http://sedaliademocrat.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/web1_BeamanAnniv.jpg

These people recently received divorces in Pettis County Circuit Court:

James E. Vansteenburgh and Tammy J. Vansteenburgh;

Dee Dee L. Aubrey and James A. Aubrey.

President

This list is a sampling of crime in Sedalia and the surrounding area. Information is taken from official police reports, which do not necessarily contain statements from all parties involved in each case.

Sedalia Police Department

Arrests

Jan. 25

7:56 p.m.: Juan Quetzecua Marcos, 22, of the 700 block of Cooper Street, was arrested near the intersection of West 16th Street and South Limit Avenue on a charge of driving with a suspended license. A traffic stop was conducted because an officer ran a computer check on the license plate of a Ford F-150 and it came back as a license plate for a Chevrolet passenger car. Another computer check showed the driver had a suspended license and a Pettis County $250 Failure to Appear warrant for a previous driving with a suspended license charge.

Jan. 26

7:40 a.m.: Jeremy Michael Rader, 26, of Sedalia, was arrested in the 700 block of East Broadway Boulevard on a charge of possession of a controlled substance. An officer conducted a subject check on two people at a business. Dispatch confirmed both people had warrants. Rader had a $3,500 Pettis County warrant for property damage and a Burnett County, Wisconsin warrant for substantial battery with no bond. He was found to be in possession of methamphetamine.

8 a.m.: Reuben J. Moore, 44, of the 1100 block of South Harding Avenue, was arrested at his residence on a charge of fourth degree assault. A female told an officer she and a former significant other were in an argument about his new girlfriend living in the trailer with them. The victim said she got upset about seeing the girlfriend use her dryer and she tried to take the clothes out of it when the suspect pushed her onto the couch. The victim had minor bruising to her arm. The officer later made contact with the suspect and was informed by dispatch he had a Kentucky warrant for first degree sexual abuse of a victim under the age of 12.

11:25 a.m.: Joseph R. Decker, 18, of Stover, was arrested near the intersection of West 32nd Street and South Limit Avenue on a charge of driving with a suspended license.

Incidents

Jan. 21

5:32 p.m.: A suspect reportedly placed several items, valued at $435.26, in a tote at a business in the 3200 block of West Broadway Boulevard and tried to push the shopping cart out without paying. The complainant stopped the suspect, who took off running without the merchandise.

Missouri State Highway Patrol

Arrests

Jan. 25

3:15 p.m.: Jeffery S. Diels, 52, of Independence, was arrested in Henry County on charges of possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine), possession of drug paraphernalia, driving with a revoked license and no insurance.

7:01 p.m.: Steven J. Vining, 22, of Pacific Grove, California, was arrested in Saline County on charges of felony possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

http://sedaliademocrat.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/web1_crime-scene-police-lights-33.jpg

Community Retired Teachers

The Community Retired Teachers Association met Jan. 18 at Christ and Trinity Lutheran Church. Barbara Schrader spoke about her work with the charity, Broadway Cares. She has traveled to New York City several times to participate. Recently she directed the orchestra for the play, “Phantom of The Opera.”

During the business meeting, Carolyn Hays talked about the Missouri Retired Teachers Association and their plans for the coming year. Evelyn Porter gave the treasurer’s report and Jeanne Curry read the secretary’s minutes. Wanda Meyer thanked the group for the check to the church for providing a place to meet. Volunteer hours and donations were listed. The next meeting will be at 10 a.m. Feb. 15. All retired school personnel are invited to attend.

Daughters of Isabella

The Daughters of Isabella met Jan. 7, for their monthly meeting. Regent Linda Hoffmann called the meeting to order. It was voted on by the circle to discontinue First Saturday as attendance has decreased.

Report of the treasurer was given. Committee reports were also given. Under membership, Connie Thompson discussed the salad supper and membership night that will be held in April. The April committee will take care of the meal. The membership committee will take care of the talks at the masses and the program for that evening. Regent Linda Hoffmann thanked the social committee- Mary Jo Ballenger, Mary Lou Westermier and Jane Woolery for providing the refreshments for the evening. Theresa Rider (respect for life committee) reported that Birthright is in need of workers. The Birthright Rummage Sale will be April 7 and 8.

Mary Jo Ballenger reported that the next Community Café will be on Feb. 7.

Under new business, the doors will be locked on meeting night. The social committee will be responsible for watching the door and letting members in who arrive late.

An executive board meeting was scheduled for 11:30 a.m. Jan. 10 at the home of Karen Benson.

Donating a theme basket for the ham and bean dinner was discussed. It was decided that it we would not do one this year, but may do so next year.

If a meeting needs to be cancelled due to weather, the calling committee will be used to inform members of the rescheduled time. The cancellation will also be on the radio.

The next meeting will be Feb. 13 with the audit at 6 p.m. The Social Committee will be Sandy Rangitsch, Carolyn Thomlinson, and Anna Wright and chair Karen Benson.

Sedalia Duplicate Bridge Club

The Sedalia Duplicate Bridge Club met Jan. 19 at the Senior Services Center with the following results: first place, Richard Dimond, of Warsaw, and Shirley Meuschke, of Marshall; second place, Gene Evans and Peggy Kantz, both of Warrensburg; third and fourth place, Georgeann DeMoss and Bernadette Cleary, both of Marshall; third and fourth place, Lola Plummer and Gerald Evans, both of Sedalia.

Sedalia Photo Club

The Sedalia Photo Club hosted its regular monthly meeting at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 19. President Judy Talbott called the meeting to order.

Members discussed future photo opportunities.

The monthly photo theme was “bridges.” The color print winners were Sharon Ondracek, Bev Gerke, Ranetta Daugherty, Kathryn Marshall, Chris Shull, and Judy Talbott. The black and white print winners were Bev Gerke, Chris Shull, Carolyn Bauer, and Ranetta Daugherty. .

The meeting was adjourned by President Judy Talbott.

Refreshments were served by Carolyn Bauer, Kathryn Marshall, and Sharon Ondracek. .

The next meeting will be held at 7 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 16, in the basement fellowship hall, at Wesley United Methodist Church. The monthly photo theme will be “All About the Eyes” (four-by-six-inch color print and four-by-six-inch black and white print). There will be a show n’ tell category. Photos may be four-by-six-inches, five-by-seven-inches, eight-by-10-inches (matted or unmatted; no framed photos). The total size should be no bigger than 11-by-14-inches.

The Missouri Veterans Home in Warrensburg offers a variety of employment opportunities for those interested in serving our nation’s veterans. The home employs over 275 full and part-time workers who travel from all over West Central Missouri to enhance the lives of veterans. With all full-time and some part-time job opportunities, a robust package of State benefits is offered. They include a competitive salary, retirement plan, health, dental, vision and life insurance, three weeks of paid vacation and sick leave available within the first year of employment, and 12 paid holidays per year.

ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES

Nancy Profer, of Warrensburg, is the director of environmental services and has been with the home since June 2014. She has worked in the environmental services field for 27 years. She manages the housekeeping and laundry personnel who work day and evening shifts. “The applicants I am looking for want to become part of a work group who truly care about the quality of their work. They work hard every day because they love the veterans they work for. I employ people committed to excellence and teamwork,” she said. “If you are someone who has a passion for doing your best and want a great work environment, come join the best environmental services team around — the Missouri Veterans Home-Warrensburg!” Qualifications to become a member of our environmental services department include: completion of the 10th grade, one or more years of work experience or self-employment. Applicants must be able to follow and understand verbal and written instructions and meet physical requirements like pushing, pulling, standing, climbing, walking, reaching, lifting and balancing. Emma Rodriguez, of Windsor, has been part of the environmental services team since August 2013. “I enjoy working at the Missouri Veterans Home-Warrensburg because of the veterans. To help them out every day makes you feel good,” said Rodriguez. “I am proud of my job. It’s rewarding when I can bring a smile to the face of a veteran or his/her family.” “Emma’s enthusiasm is infectious. She arrives to work in the morning with a smile on her face and in her heart. That smile continues all day long as she does her job. She devotes her entire day to realizing our mission—‘To honor and serve our Veteran Heroes,’” Profer said. The environmental services team is vital to the Missouri Veterans Home as they set the tone for first impressions as families, veterans and visitors step foot into the home.

DINING SERVICES

Beth Coleman, of Sedalia, is the dietary manager at the Missouri Veterans Home-Warrensburg and has been with the home since December 2013. The dietary department is comprised of a mixture of cooks and food service helpers. They work both day and evening shifts.

“When it comes to applicants for our department, I’m looking for individuals who are dedicated with a true passion to make a difference in the lives of our veterans. In my opinion, aside from nursing, providing high-quality nutrition options to our veterans benefits their healing and quality of life,” Coleman said. “If you are looking for a career where advancement is possible, making a difference counts, and being a member of a team is important to you, look no further.” Karen Hinsberger, of Sedalia, was hired as a Food Service Helper in September. She feels driving 30 miles to work is worth it. “I enjoy coming to the Missouri Veterans Home. It’s not a job that I dread coming to. Working with these veterans is awesome. When you see someone having a rough day, you try to make him/her smile. I’ve been able to successfully do that! I really like the insurance here because it is something I didn’t have at my prior job,” Hinsberger said.

NURSING DEPARTMENT

Debbie Woirhaye, of Warrensburg, is the director of nursing services and has been at the Missouri Veterans Home-Warrensburg for 16 years. “We have outstanding clinical outcomes, low licensed nurse turnover, electronic medical records, a physician who is on-site daily, and we are heavily supported by ancillary staff,” said Woirhaye. “Our amazing nursing team has a great rapport with our veterans and their families. They are passionate and focus driven.”

CNA CLASS STUDENTS

The Missouri Veterans Home offers free open entry certified nursing assistant classes to all qualifying applicants. Staff Development Coordinator Emily Bond teaches the classes at the home. Applicants are paid while taking the class and are initially hired as part-time domestic care aides. This is over a $2,000 value. These classes are ongoing. For more information about this program, call Jane Thurman, nursing scheduler, at 660-429-4637.

CERTIFIED NURSING ASSISTANT/CERTIFIED MEDICATION TECHNICIANS

Those currently certified as nursing assistants and/or medication technicians are encouraged to apply. The Missouri Veterans Home offers a competitive salary and benefits package including a shift differential for working evenings and nights. There are opportunities for advancement into lead worker positions.

“The Veterans Home is a great place to work. The reward from taking care of the men and women who protected our freedom is a wonderful experience. The personal connection you are able to make with the veterans is amazing; they become family! The staff is friendly; the pay is one of the best in the area,” said David Goodall, of Knob Noster. He is a certified nursing assistant and certified medication technician.

EDUCATION CENTER

The Missouri Veterans Home has a state of the art education center for continuing education for all staff members. This allows staff to participate in mandatory training on-site.

FULL COMPLIANCE FEDERAL INSPECTION

A U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs federal inspection team conducted an annual visit to the Missouri Veterans Home-Warrensburg, Oct. 11- 13, 2016. The purpose of the routine inspection was to ensure the home’s compliance with national regulatory standards. Results of the in-depth inspection found the home to be in full compliance with all federal regulations. The surveyors had no concerns or recommendations.

Administrator Eric Endsley stated, “This is no accident; the many dedicated professionals of our Veterans Home are directly responsible for such an outstanding and rare accomplishment.” Endsley added, “Our Veterans Home consistently enjoys above average clinical and administrative outcomes; satisfaction surveys that reflect highly satisfied veterans, families of veterans, and employees; as well as, exceptional regulatory compliance—as demonstrated by this most recent Federal inspection.”

WAYS EMPLOYEES ARE HONORED

Every month an employee appreciation ceremony called “Shining Star” is held at the Missouri Veterans Home three times in one day so that every work shift can attend and feel appreciated. An employee of the month is selected by peers, veterans and their families and honored with a certificate for a day off with pay and a front and center parking space. Employees are also recognized for years of service, moments of excellence, and perfect attendance. Some employees have even been named the employee of the month by the Missouri Veterans Commission. This is a huge honor since any employee at any of the seven Missouri Veterans Homes, five Missouri Veterans Cemeteries and five Veteran Service Officer regional sites can be chosen.

HOW TO JOIN

To join a team of professionals whose mission is to honor and serve our nation’s veterans, contact the home at 660-543-5064. The Missouri Veterans Home-Warrensburg celebrates Veterans Day every day!

Debbie Worihaye

http://sedaliademocrat.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/web1_Debbie-Woirhaye.jpgDebbie Worihaye

David Goodall

http://sedaliademocrat.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/web1_Goodall-David.jpgDavid Goodall

Beth Coleman

http://sedaliademocrat.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/web1_Beth-Coleman.jpgBeth Coleman

Karen Hinesberger

http://sedaliademocrat.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/web1_Karen-Hinsberger-1.jpgKaren Hinesberger

Boys & Girls Clubs of West Central Missouri has embraced the phrase “Need not be present to win.”

For the first time as part of “An Evening of Heart and Hope,” the clubs’ annual fundraiser presented by W-K Chevrolet, bids for silent auction packages can be made by those not in attendance at the event Feb. 4 at Sedalia Country Club. The event usually sells out but the clubs’ staff knows that plenty of people are interested in supporting the clubs and the kids they serve, so they looked for a way to open up that opportunity.

Using the auction service Gesture, supporters attending the event and those at home can view, bid and track silent auction packages on their smartphones. Megan Jeffreys, the clubs’ fundraising director, said a couple of the clubs’ board members attended a Realtors event that used mobile bidding and said it was “awesome and easy.” The service not only opens bidding to those not in attendance, it streamlines the process for those who are at the auction.

“No longer do you have to fill out a bid sheet or even remember your bid number. It is going to be all on your phone and tied to your credit card,” said Emily Jarrett, the clubs’ communications director. “The cool thing about it is you can sit at your table and know what your silent auction bid is doing.”

The system works a bit like eBay and other online auction sites in that you can post the maximum amount you are willing to pay for an item and your bid will be automatically increased in increments until you win or are outbid. Users receive text messages in real time letting them know that their bid has been increased or that they have been outbid.

“I think the mobile bidding will create a lot more competitiveness among the people who are there because they are going to get text messages in real time saying, ‘You’ve been outbid,’ so … you don’t have to get up from the table and see where you’re at,” Jeffreys said. And while Boys & Girls Clubs of West Central Missouri pays a fee to use the service, “other Boys & Girls Clubs across the country who have used it said it was worth it because it increased their profit.” The link to sign up for bidding — https://e.gesture.com/events/5tC/ — went live on Friday morning, and I can assure it is fast and easy to get logged in and see what is available. You can see both the silent and live auction items, but remote bidding is only available for the silent auction packages.

“There are people who can bid on live auction items – they are a bit higher-dollar items – and then there are people who play games (at the event), which are lower-dollar items,” Jarrett said. “But we have all of these silent auction packages that are kind of in the middle.”

Among the silent auction offerings are footballs autographed by Kansas City Chiefs players Jamaal Charles and Spencer Ware, and a baseball signed by Kansas City Royals outfielder Lorenzo Cain. There’s a great “girls’ day out” package from Salon Ego, car care kits and much more.

“Our auction committee really went above and beyond in looking for good packages,” Jarrett said. “We really wanted to beef up our silent auction offerings.”

Aside from the traditional games and silent and live auctions, “An Evening of Heart and Hope” this year will be a bit of a return to the focus of the clubs: outstanding youth in our area. A collection of club members will perform during the evening and the guest speaker will be Jacob Rogers, who last week was named the clubs’ Teen Youth of the Year.

“Jake is a wonderful speaker,” Jarrett said. “He’s really funny.”

The evening also includes the “Say Yes” campaign, which raises funds for scholarships to pay for youths’ club fees. This year’s goal is $30,000, and those who register for the Gesture service to bid on silent auction packages also can contribute to “Say Yes.”

While this year’s changes are certainly notable, the core purpose of “An Evening of Heart and Hope” remains the same.

“At the end of the day it all goes toward kids,” Jarrett said. “It’s all for a good cause.”

http://sedaliademocrat.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/web1_Bob-Satnan.2013-New-2.jpg

A Sedalia man was arrested at his residence Thursday on drug-related charges after a search warrant was served.

According to a Sedalia Police Department STING unit news release, patrol officers and detectives with the Drug Enforcement Unit responded to the 1800 block of South Montgomery Avenue to serve a drug-related search warrant. After officers forced entry through the front door, a male found inside was taken into custody without incident.

A search of the residence revealed methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia and additional evidence that allegedly indicated methamphetamine distribution was occurring from the home, which is located within approximately 855 feet of Whittier High School.

Douglas W. Bradley, 54, was arrested and taken to the Pettis County Jail and placed on a 24-hour hold pending the filing of charges by the Pettis County Prosecuting Attorney.

He has been charged with distribution of a controlled substance in a protected location (methamphetamine), delivery of a controlled substance (methamphetamine), possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine) and unlawful use of drug paraphernalia. He has been issued a $100,000 bond, cash or surety.

Bradley was arrested by the Drug Enforcement Unit in July 2015 at the same residence on similar charges. The STING Unit news release issued at that time stated that arrest was the third time in three years SPD had served a drug-related search warrant at the residence.

Due to that and other information, the residence was considered a public nuisance drug house, and Bradley was charged for the felony violation of maintaining and keeping such a property.

According to online court documents, Bradley entered a guilty plea in December 2015 to the charge of possession of a controlled substance in the July 2015 case, so the court dropped the other four charges and sentenced him to five years in the Department of Corrections.

Douglas Bradley

http://sedaliademocrat.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/web1_bradleyd.jpgDouglas Bradley

Hughesville man hurt in crash

A Hughesville man sustained moderate injuries in a single-vehicle accident at 12:37 p.m. Thursday in Pettis County.

According to a Missouri State Highway Patrol report, Charles S. Blaylock, 63, was driving north on Walnut Grove Road when his vehicle traveled off the left side of the road and struck a sign. His vehicle then overturned and traveled down an embankment where it overturned and was submerged in Little Muddy Creek.

Blaylock, who was wearing a seat belt, was taken by Air Evac to University Hospital in Columbia for his injuries.

Information is taken from preliminary Missouri State Highway Patrol and Sedalia Police Department reports, which do not necessarily contain statements from all parties involved.

Editor’s Note: This is the third in a series and the final column of Jack’s “Texture Memories”

I joined the navy in Nineteen Fifty Five when I was seventeen, and by the time I was eighteen, and with a year at sea aboard a navy destroyer, I felt that salt was a part of my blood.

I could swagger with the best of them, and I had a 29-inch waist (for some reason a source of pride at that point in my life).

I wore the regulation, standard issue uniform that had always been good enough (although a little loose in the seat) with pride, but that was before a shipmate named Lonnie brought a set of gabardine dress blues into my world.

For the third time in my young life I had found the true meaning of sartorial beauty, and it had 13 buttons. I rushed right out, and spent a months pay for my own set of those skin tight beauties at the very next port. I felt what a new bride must feel like, when she slips on that white gown for the first time. Another thing that made those gabardines so desirable, along with the skin tight fit, was the fact that they were outlawed aboard ship as not being regulation.

They were not even allowed in our lockers, which meant we were forced to sneak them shore, then back aboard ship, changing in rest rooms, or any other place we could find. This was an inconvenience to be sure, but not enough to deter us. I even felt taller, when I wore those gabardines. The pants were snug enough to nearly cutoff my circulation, and the jumper hugged me so tight I could hardly breathe, but it was worth it. Lonnie and I would walk down the street, swinging our arms so the silk dragons flashed from the rolled back cuffs of the jumpers, while the bell bottom pant cuffs slapped around our ankles completing that salty look. We were “cool,” years before that word was even used to describe a hip style of dressing. My girlfriend said they made me look older too, “maybe even 20.” I was in gabardine heaven, and it seemed that all eyes had to be on me when I wore them. Life was perfect. (Almost)

One night I awoke in a cold sweat. I’d had a terrible dream that mom was standing at the foot of my bunk with her wringer washer demanding the gabardines. It was a warning I know that now. The dream turned out to be prophetic, as Lonnie and I were allowed to be “cool” for just a little while longer before a surprise inspection, the scourge of the enlisted man, uncovered the outlawed 13 Buttons hidden under the regulation sets of blues at the bottom of our lockers. The Inspecting Officer tossed them casually to the Master at Arms who stuffed them into his contraband bag … but not before he had rubbed the fabric between his thumb, and fore-finger, to feel the texture of the material.

A somber silence fell over the crew’s quarters, as they took them away, and I thought I heard Lonnie whimpering, then I realized It was me.

I still think about those Gabardines now and then, and how good they made me feel. I could have bought another set of course, but as it is with the first time for everything, it wouldn’t have been the same. Their memory is still with me however, and I can still feel the texture of the material, as well as my life back then when I think of them.

There have been other clothes and “Texture” memories as I matured, but none like those of my youth, which could be because, as soon as something gets real comfortable now, my wife sells it on a Rummage Sale. I think she got that from mom

http://sedaliademocrat.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/web1_Miller-2.jpg

In the late 1960s and early 1970s, women’s life choices were limited. We could graduate from high school, get married and become a wife and mother, or we could graduate from high school, go to college, graduate (or not), get married and become a wife and mother, or we could graduate from both institutions and work as a teacher, nurse, or secretary until we found Prince Charming, got married, and became a wife and mother.

About that time, though, some women decided that they wanted other opportunities, other choices. That’s when the women’s movement got rolling, and television stepped in, showing us what life could look like if we decided to do something different.

When I was trying to decide what to do with my life – although I was pretty sure I wanted to be a high school English teacher like my mother – I was intrigued by those other possibilities. I watched Marlo Thomas in “That Girl,” and thought it would be really cool to have my own cute apartment and live in New York. And then I watched Mary Richards on “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” and thought it would be cool to have my own apartment and live somewhere other than Minneapolis. It’s cold there. I realize that New York is also cold, but it is, after all, New York, where arts and letters abound.

These two women made me think about what I really wanted to do. My parents had always told me that I could be anything I wanted, and I tried to believe them, but I was scared of making the wrong decision. However, Ann Marie and Mary Richards opened new doors, showing me that women can live alone, find work and friends, and have a fulfilling life.

I remember one “That Girl” episode when Ann finally gets a part in a Broadway show. She is excited, but the show closes after three or four performances, and she is devastated. Her big worry: She had thought the play was good and would do well. How could she have been so wrong? And if she was wrong about that, was she also wrong about her own abilities? Maybe she should move home. But her father reads her a rave review of her performance, and she realizes that we hit bumps in the road, but those bumps do not mean that we fail at life. What a great lesson!

Mary Richards, though, was the woman I wanted to emulate. She was educated, came from a small Midwestern town, and found a good job in the big city, the only woman working with a team of men. She had her own apartment, shared her life with friends, and went out on lots of dates, none of them serious. Her life was interesting and challenging, and I wanted my life to be like that. I think that’s why I stumbled into law school at age 25. I had been living with a friend, and she and I were trying to find our paths forward. I was going out on dates, none of them serious, and I decided that I wanted to be able to support myself – like Mary Richards.

So I hit law school, shared a great duplex right off the Plaza with two friends, went to school, worked three jobs, went shopping on Thursday nights, and generally enjoyed life. Like Mary, I eventually found a good job, working with a team of men – and my friend Michele, who was the secretary of the department. It was about this time that I decided that I was interested in “getting serious,” and eventually, at age 30, married Max.

Now, Mary Richards, Mary Tyler Moore, has died. She was 80, and she had diabetes that had robbed her of her sight. But to me, she will always be the young woman in her late 20s and early 30s who showed me, and many like me, that my life could be what I made of it.

So far, I can’t complain. I’ve become a lawyer, a teacher, a writer, a church musician, a judge – oh, and a wife and mother. Thanks, Mary, for showing me I can make it after all.

http://sedaliademocrat.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/web1_Debbie-Mitchell-mug-3.jpg

Colleges and universities across the state are working to figure out how to cut costs after Gov. Eric Greitens announced a budget cut to higher education last week, including the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg.

Greitens cut more than $146 million in spending from the budget, including close to $68 million in core funding for public universities and community colleges. About $4.1 million is being withheld from UCM’s Fiscal Year 2017 budget, according to Assistant Director of University Relations Jeff Murphy, which he said is about 8 percent of the institution’s state funding.

Greitens said the cuts are necessary because of lower-than-expected tax revenues and rising costs in Medicaid and other programs.

UCM President Charles Ambrose told local media Friday morning that the university budget operates on about 65 percent tuition and 35 percent state funding each year, which just a few years ago was the opposite.

He noted that UCM has the lowest tuition in the state, thanks to minimal tuition increases over the last six years — there were no increases during three of those years and the other three had increases of 2 percent or less to account for inflation. With these new budget cuts, and the possibility of the cuts carrying over into Fiscal Year 2018, Ambrose didn’t give a firm answer on future tuition increases but didn’t rule out the possibility.

“If in fact you’re going to have significant divestment from the state in appropriations, the first place and probably the only place institutions could go on the revenue side to make it up is tuition,” Ambrose said. “We’re going to attempt not to do that at a level that will disrupt our students’ ability to afford UCM and pay for UCM as absolutely best we can.”

With many of the questions asked, Ambrose said specific decisions are still up in the air, as UCM is looking toward long-term needs as Greitens soon presents his proposed FY18 budget.

Ambrose said he is anticipating there will be a hiring freeze through the end of the semester, as the school has several open positions, but that personnel cuts are not expected at this time. He said fee increases and program cuts are possible, but nothing has been decided. Capital improvements are also on hold.

“There’s certain steps for capital projects that we’ve not obligated ourselves to that we’ll probably delay until we know where the bottom is going to be,” Ambrose said. “… We’re really fortunate to have reserves, but we don’t want to spend capital out of those reserves until we know what our reliance is going to be to bridge to where we’re headed.”

Ambrose said he recently met with UCM Foundation leadership to discuss the anticipated lower funds.

“Our Foundation board committed to us the energy to put our fundraising focus at an all-new level, primarily driving it toward students and more particularly students with need to make certain if we do have to increase tuition, we will have an equal level of private support to help offset for those students who need it the most,” Ambrose announced.

Separate from state budget cuts, Ambrose said UCM is also concerned with its large population of international students, primarily from India, being able to get student visas to study in the United States.

“If you listen to what could be possible, there have been the threat of proposals to eliminate the H1B visa, which wouldn’t be a question if students wanted to come or not, they would not be allowed,” Ambrose said. “… This even threat of taking away the H1B has sent a lot of students to Canada.”

Ambrose said in new international students, UCM is expecting a 50 to 60 percent loss, which equates to about 5 percent of the entire UCM student population.

With both the withholds and possibility of less international students, Ambrose said UCM is facing “the perfect storm.”

“If it was just the withholds and we could maintain the enrollment, or if it was the enrollment and we didn’t have the withholds, fiscally we could reshape and resize without too much significant rethink,” he said.

http://sedaliademocrat.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/web1_mule.jpg

It’s easy to take the Lake of the Ozarks for granted, perhaps because, for almost of us, it has “always” been there. It hasn’t been, of course, and the story of its creation is one of the reasons the lake is a truly amazing body of water.

Building a hydro-electric power plant on the Osage River was originally the brainchild of Kansas City developer Ralph Street in 1912. He was able to construct some of the roads, railroads and other infrastructure needed to build a dam before his funding ran out in the mid-1920’s.

St. Louis-based Union Electric took over the project and enlarged it far beyond Street’s wildest dreams. Construction of the dam began on August 6, 1929, and the 54,000-acre lake reached its designed 660-foot msl elevation some 22 months later on May 20, 1931. At that time, it was the largest manmade lake in the United States and among the largest in the world.

By way of comparison, the LOZ’s upstream neighbor, Truman Reservoir, was built by the Corps of Engineers and began construction in August 1964 and filled late in 1979 — 15 years later.

Admittedly, a multitude of factors — very much including the Vietnam War — made dam-building more complex in the 1970’s than it had been in the 1920’s. On the other hand, although some rudimentary motorized equipment was used, most of the work done on the Lake of the Ozarks project — including clearing the entire lake basin — was done by men and mules.

But be all that as it may, for you and me, it’s the high quality of the year round multi-species fishery found in the Lake of the Ozarks that makes it a truly amazing body of water. Moreover, the term “year round” should be taken literally. No matter whether you like to fish for crappie, black bass or catfish, right now is as good a time as any to ply the waters of the United States’ last major water project built by civilian entrepreneurs.

Crappie are among my favorite species, and the crappie that call the Lake of the Ozarks home are among my favorite crappie. That’s primarily because they can almost always be found near or under boat docks, and the Lake of the Ozarks has thousands of them.

Alas, all docks are not created equal in the eyes of a crappie. While the following is one of those rules with many exceptions, concentrating on docks which are suspended over sloping pea gravel bottoms and which have attached brush usually will maximize the number of keepers per hour.

When the spirit of the lake is smiling, swimming a jig suspended beneath a slip float parallel to the sides of the dock is all that’s required to load the boat. However, there are more than a few days when the ability to “shoot” a jig to the very back edge of a dock’s well or even in between its individual floats can make all the difference. To accomplish this feat, grasp the outside of the hook’s bend in your off hand, bend the rod double while holding the line with your finger and then release the jig, followed by the line a millisecond later. It’s easier than it sounds, although not by very much.

Local crappie experts rely on jigs almost exclusively at this time of the year. One-sixteenth ounce tube-tipped leadheads are standard issue, but the pros always have one-thirty-second ounce leadheads available, dressed not just with tubes but with hair or marabou as well.

Some days color doesn’t matter enough to worry about, but there are also days when color makes all the difference.

Purists won’t like this hint, but if you want to maximize your fun, try adding half a nightcrawler behind a jig’s artificial body. This may — and I stress may — make the jig slightly less

appealing to crappie, but it will make it far more appealing to walleye, channel cats, drum and carp–any of which can be very exciting on light tackle.

From now until early march, black bass can be found prowling points, primarily, but by no means exclusively, in the eastern half of the lake. Casting jerkbaits (long minnow-shaped hard plastic lures with lips of various lengths) has become the de rigueur’ method not only because it’s effective but also because you don’t have to be kin to Guido Hibdon to master the technique.

Everyone knows that blue cats and deep water go together like ham and eggs. Even so, in January and February, feel free to ignore that truism in favor of one of the mud flats next to the river channel. Get as shallow as possible — two feet is deep enough — and fan cast your fresh cut shad baits all around your boat. If there are blue cats nearby, the action will be fast and furious. If you haven’t had a bite in 15 minutes or so, move.

Given you can find shad — which, admittedly, isn’t always a given — catching blue cats in the two- to four-pound class really is as easy as it sounds.

Scott

http://sedaliademocrat.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/web1_2011_Scott_Gerald-1.jpgScott

As visitors at separate homecoming celebrations Friday, Jan. 27, Smithton senior guard Drew Apsher and Otterville senior guard Jake Neal assumed contrasting positions for the junior varsity games.

Apsher, isolated from the varsity group by a couple seats, kicked his feet up on the row of Cole Camp bleachers below him, and sat back with earbuds in.

Surrounded by teammates, Neal quietly manned the camera recording the junior varsity Eagles in the Lincoln High School bleachers.

And while the rivalry between Smithton and Otterville, and specifically between Neal and Apsher, is tenuous – Neal said they don’t talk much – the broke respective career scoring records this season, further strengthening the parallels between two prolific scorers.

Neal broke Keith Eckerle’s 27-year scoring record of 1,698 points Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2016 in the fourth quarter of a loss at Chilhowee. He has 1,927 points entering a game Friday at Lincoln, averaging more than 30 points per game.

The lanky, dark-haired Otterville senior, while reserved, is a self-described shooter and has been sinking 3-pointers with efficiency since the fourth grade.

“It gets you one more point than a regular shot,” Neal said.

Apsher, who shares Neal’s affection for 3-pointers, is blond with a habit of smiling with the crowd’s cheers and jeers alike. He broke his older brother Dane’s scoring record Tuesday, Jan. 24 in a home victory over Tipton.

A 35-point performance tipped the scales in Drew’s favor, but so did freshman minutes and mentorship from his brothers Dane and Dirk.

“At the end of my sophomore year, it came to light that there was a chance (breaking the career scoring record) would happen,” Drew said. “Both my brothers took me under their wings, and they’re a reason I’m good today. (Dane) kind of contributed to his own demise.”

With 2,000 points within grasp for both shooters, team goals – such as February’s Kaysinger Conference Tournament and upcoming district tournaments – are in focus for the short-term. Otterville is the defending Class 1, District 8 champion, while Smithton – in a Class 2, District 14 field that includes Lincoln and Sacred Heart – lost to the eventual district champs, Skyline, in double overtime last season.

After graduation, collegiate basketball and careers in sports are planned for the long-term.

“I’d like to stay around sports my whole life,” Neal said. “I’ve been thinking about sports training or sports medicine, something like that … No telling right now. We’ll see what happens.”

Drew, who said he’s passing more this season, said he wants to coach and has developed a good sense of how understanding individual roles leads to team success.

“That’s the biggest helper throughout your whole career, is the way your teammates play with you,” Drew said. “Smithton, growing up here, it’s not a big place. You get a feel for who does what role and at what time, and everybody accepting what their role is. As the season has gone along this year, everybody is really working that out, and I think we can start peaking and make a good run.”

Keith Eckerle, left, poses for a photo with Otterville senior guard Jake Neal at Otterville R-VI School in Otterville. Neal broke Eckerle’s 27-year career scoring record December 20 and is 73 points away from cracking the 2,000-point threshold as of Friday, Jan. 27.

http://sedaliademocrat.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/web1_Keith-Eckerle-Jake-Neal.jpgKeith Eckerle, left, poses for a photo with Otterville senior guard Jake Neal at Otterville R-VI School in Otterville. Neal broke Eckerle’s 27-year career scoring record December 20 and is 73 points away from cracking the 2,000-point threshold as of Friday, Jan. 27. Photo submitted by Wilma Watring

Drew Apsher looks to pass from the baseline during a game in the Tipton Tournament earlier in the 2016-17 season. Drew broke the Smithton career scoring record previously held by his older brother, Dane, with a 35-point game hosting Tipton on Tuesday, Jan. 24.

http://sedaliademocrat.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/web1_TiptonTournament_1.jpgDrew Apsher looks to pass from the baseline during a game in the Tipton Tournament earlier in the 2016-17 season. Drew broke the Smithton career scoring record previously held by his older brother, Dane, with a 35-point game hosting Tipton on Tuesday, Jan. 24. File photo

HIGH SCHOOL

BOY’S BASKETBALL

Cole Camp 83, Smithton 54

Kendrick Logan scored 27 points and Brady Smith finished with 22 in an 83-54 victory over Smithton at Cole Camp to celebrate homecoming.

Austin Berendzen had 14 points for the Bluebirds, while Drew Apsher led Smithton with 15 points.

Cole Camp (13-5, 5-1 Kaysinger) plays at Stover on Tuesday.

Smith-Cotton 56, Eugene 41

The Tigers advanced to the championship game of the Eldon Tournament with a 56-41 victory over Eugene on Friday.

S-C limited Eugene to single digits in each quarter of the first half, building a 32-15 halftime lead.

“Our defensive intensity was much better tonight,” said S-C Head Coach Bill Barton.”We got stagnant and rushed shots on offense. We need to be more disciplined and patient on that side of the floor.”

Bryson Couch led the Tigers with 15 points and Zion Buckner added 14.

“I was very happy with our overall effort tonight,” Barton said.

Smith-Cotton is scheduled to play the winner between Lebanon and Christian (O’Fallon) 7 p.m. Saturday at Eldon High School in Eldon.

Lincoln 88, Otterville 42

Jake Neal scored 22 points Friday in an 88-42 Otterville loss at Lincoln.

LATE THURSDAY RESULTS

Sacred Heart 61, Jamestown 53

Trent Lyles led Sacred Heart with 25 points to lead the Gremlins to the Slater Wildcat Classic finals with a 61-53 victory over Jamestown.

Micah Tanguay added 18 points.

Sacred Heart (13-3) play Fayette 5:30 p.m. Saturday at Slater High School in Slater for the tournament final.

Nevada 73, Versailles 42

Hunter Edgar had 17 points and Shane Randall added 13 in a 73-42 Versailles loss in the Clinton Tournament semifinals Thursday in Clinton.

Clay Gayman led Nevada with 28 points.

Head coach Jason Ollison said he was proud of the Tigers’ effort against a Class 4 opponent.

“The score does not indicate the effort that the boys gave tonight,” Ollison said. “I am very proud of how we competed tonight. We will regroup tomorrow in practice and be ready to bring home a trophy on Saturday.”

Versailles (8-8) plays for third 1 p.m. Saturday.

Smith-Cotton 67, Eldon 45

Smith-Cotton boys basketball team defeated Eldon, 67-45, Thursday night in the first round of the Eldon Invitational Tournament.

S-C held the Mustangs to 10 points in the first quarter. The Tigers’ Keoni Hale had a pair of dunks that started a big second-quarter run, leading to a 35-15 halftime lead for S-C.

Hale was leading scorer for the Tigers with 16 points and Zion Buckner added 14.

HIGH SCHOOL

GIRL’S BASKETBALL

LATE THURSDAY RESULTS

Marshall 61, Pilot Grove 24

Emily Schupp scored nine points for Pilot Grove in a 61-24 Lady Tigers loss to Marshall at the Slater Wildcat Classic.

Pilot Grove (10-7) plays for third place at Slater High School 1 p.m. Saturday against Glasgow.

Cole Camp 54, Smithton 24

A 26-point second quarter powered the Lady Bluebirds to a 54-24 victory at Smithton.

Bailey Heimsoth led Cole Camp with 21 points. Tori Harding finished with 11.

Audrey Williams scored nine points for Smithton.

Cole Camp (16-3, 6-2 Kaysinger) host Stover 6 p.m. Monday.

Sacred Heart 52, Sweet Springs 43

McKenna Beeler had 23 points and Grace Goodwin added 10 in a 52-43 Lady Gremlins victory over Sweet Springs in the Slater Wildcat Classic in Slater on Thursday.

Sacred Heart (11-6, 7-1 Kaysinger) played Fayette 7:30 p.m. Friday at Slater High School in the consolation game.

This list is a sampling of crime in Sedalia and the surrounding area. Information is taken from official police reports, which do not necessarily contain statements from all parties involved in each case.

Sedalia Police Department

Arrests

Jan. 26

10:56 p.m.: Ravil Ryakhmyatullov, 28, of the 1900 block of Timber Ridge Drive, was arrested near the intersection of South Quincy Avenue and West 14th Street on charges of driving with a suspended license and identity theft.

Pettis County Sheriff’s Office

Incidents

Jan. 25

12:46 p.m.: A silver Mercury Sable was reported stolen from a garage in the 3500 block of West Park Avenue in Sedalia.

Jan. 27

12:28 a.m.: A theft was reported in the 1200 block of Woods Drive in Sedalia.

http://sedaliademocrat.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/web1_crime-scene-police-lights-35.jpg

Steve Schilb’s favorite part about teaching is, “The kids, the kids, the kids. My kids.”

Schilb, a history teacher for 17 years, said the experience has been the best time of his life, but now he is moving on to a new chapter as he plans to retire at the end of this school year. Schilb said he enjoys helping young people believe in themselves and inspiring them.

Senior Alanna Seton had Schilb her junior year for American Government. She said she was upset when she heard of Schilb’s retirement.

“It’s sad because he’s a really great teacher and cares about his students. I’m sad for future high school students that won’t have the opportunity to have him as a teacher,” Seton said.

Her favorite memory of Schilb is playing Philosophical Chairs.

“It is a game where you talk about controversial topics and debate your belief,” she said. “The game teaches us that it is OK to talk about subjects that are sometimes frowned upon for talking about.”

Seton will remember Schilb for always giving back and teaching his students to do what makes them happy.

Schilb finds Philosophical Chairs valuable to students. He said, “It helps them learn reasoning and thinking skills, as well as speaking in public. It teaches kids that everyone can contribute to a reasoned discussion.”

English teacher Ashley Stees, a graduate of S-C, had Schilb her junior year for a Modern Civil Rights class. She said her favorite memory of Schilb is having spontaneous class discussions and Schilb engaging in students’ interests.

Schilb has two quotes that he preaches and instills in his students. The first: “It is never too late to do the right thing.” He said he hopes that by repeating this quote over and over, his students will remember it throughout life. The quote stuck with Stees.

“Throughout college I would be doing stuff and at random times the quote would just run through my head,” she said.

Schilb added, “When (students) fail, and they will, just like I did, they can pick themselves up and go on to still be successful.”

The second quote Schilb preaches is, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” He said he finds this quote very important because knowledge is power. He said, “If we don’t know what happened in the past, we will be helpless to prevent it in the future.”

Teacher Beth Ackerman has known Schilb for about 10 years. Her first reaction to hearing about Schilb’s retirement was how he would be missed; on second thought, she said, “How terrific.” Ackerman said Schilb has worked hard and deserves time for himself. She said Schilb taught her to have fun and love what you do.

Schilb will be teaching part-time at State Fair Community College. He said he wants to remind his students to never give up when they fail.

ROOKIE REPORTERS Smith-Cotton High School journalism students, in conjunction with the Reynolds Journalism Institute at the University of Missouri-Columbia, will report and write local stories for publication in the Sedalia Democrat throughout the school year.

http://sedaliademocrat.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/web1_Tiger.Badge_-8.jpgROOKIE REPORTERS Smith-Cotton High School journalism students, in conjunction with the Reynolds Journalism Institute at the University of Missouri-Columbia, will report and write local stories for publication in the Sedalia Democrat throughout the school year.

Steve Schilb

http://sedaliademocrat.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/web1_SSchilb-1.jpgSteve Schilb

Smiles and tears were evident for Jessica Sullins as her new Habitat for Humanity home was dedicated Sunday afternoon.

The new home, three bedrooms and two baths with 1,100 square feet, is the first of four Habitat homes that will be constructed on property located at South Lafayette Avenue and East 25th Street.

Sullins and her son Chase, 6, were overjoyed to be the owners of the first home.

“It means a lot to me,” Chase said smiling and hugging his mom. “I get three rooms and mommy gets two rooms!”

Sullins told the Democrat before the ceremony that the home means much to them both and that it’s “life-changing.”

“It’s been a very amazing experience to be part of,” she added. “It’s hard to put into words what it means. It’s changed our lives.”

Sullins, who works at Katy Trail Community Health Center, said her insurance agent Margaret Ward told her about the Habitat for Humanity program.

“I had never actually heard of Habitat,” Sullins said. “My dad went in to pay his insurance one day and Margaret told him about it and she actually educated me. I’m not going to lie, I thought it was a charity, and I found out that I actually got to build it and pay for it. I learned to look at it as a hand-up not a hand-out. I’m super excited.”

Sedalia Habitat for Humanity President Dave Limbaugh said this is approximately the 34th house built in the area since the program began.

Besides Sullins and her mother and father, April and Earl Sullins, and family, many people, including those from Whiteman Air Force Base, pulled together to donate time, labor and materials in the construction of the home.

Gary Potterff was general contractor for the home. He noted that he usually builds two to four homes a year but this was his first Habitat House.

“It’s humbling,” he added.

Contractors who donated material and labor were Jeff Carver with the electrical components of the home and Byron Smith with Smith & Sons Carpets. Many other local contractors worked on the home for reduced fees.

“Jessica’s been very patient,” Limbaugh told the crowd during the ceremony. “We had three people that we chose, and we vetted her in … The more you can understand the whole purpose of Habitat, it’s not about the mo0ney, it’s about changing lives and helping somebody.”

He added that when people pull together and donate time and material it “knocks down the mortgage” payment for the homeowner.

“A lot of you may have thought, in the past, that we give this house to them,” Limbaugh added. “… But we actually sell it to them and it’s sold at what it cost us to build, and we charge zero interest. We add the mortgage insurance and the taxes into the payment.”

As Sullins addressed the group Sunday afternoon she wiped away tears.

“It’s hard to put into words what this opportunity means to be selected,” she said. “To have such great support. Every week I had the pleasure to work with some amazing people … some of them would get off work, from working all night, and come and work on my house with no sleep.”

Sullins took time to thank each person who helped work on her new home, including her parents.

“One thing they asked at the board meeting is ‘why do you feel like you deserve this house?’” she added. “I could never answer Doc, but I could tell them a million reasons why my little boy deserved the house. This house has helped me grow as a person and realize I am a good person and I have a big heart. So I can finally answer that question.”

Jessica Sullins smiles at her son Chase, 6, after receiving the key to their new home Sunday afternoon from Sedalia Habitat for Humanity President Dave Limbaugh, center. Standing with Sullins is Mayor Stephen Galliher, left, and Linda Page, Habitat secretary. The home, dedicated Sunday in a ceremony, is located near South Lafayette Avenue and East 25th Street and is one of four Habitat homes to be built on the property.

http://sedaliademocrat.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/web1_TSD013017HabitatHouse-1.jpgJessica Sullins smiles at her son Chase, 6, after receiving the key to their new home Sunday afternoon from Sedalia Habitat for Humanity President Dave Limbaugh, center. Standing with Sullins is Mayor Stephen Galliher, left, and Linda Page, Habitat secretary. The home, dedicated Sunday in a ceremony, is located near South Lafayette Avenue and East 25th Street and is one of four Habitat homes to be built on the property. Faith Bemiss | Democrat

Jessica Sullins stands with her son Chase, 6, Beverly Clark, with the Sedalia Housing Authority, left, and her parents April and Earl Sullins as Habitat for Humanity President Dave Limbaugh speaks at the home’s dedication ceremony Sunday.

http://sedaliademocrat.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/web1_TSD013017HabitatHouse-2.jpgJessica Sullins stands with her son Chase, 6, Beverly Clark, with the Sedalia Housing Authority, left, and her parents April and Earl Sullins as Habitat for Humanity President Dave Limbaugh speaks at the home’s dedication ceremony Sunday. Faith Bemiss | Democrat

Deacon James Graves speaks at the Habitat for Humanity ceremony Sunday afternoon before presenting a Bible to the home’s owner Jessica Sullins and her son Chase, 6. “Do we really, really realize how blessed we are, look at this,” Graves said about the new home earlier in the afternoon.

http://sedaliademocrat.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/web1_TSD013017HabitatHouse-3.jpgDeacon James Graves speaks at the Habitat for Humanity ceremony Sunday afternoon before presenting a Bible to the home’s owner Jessica Sullins and her son Chase, 6. “Do we really, really realize how blessed we are, look at this,” Graves said about the new home earlier in the afternoon. Faith Bemiss | Democrat

Sunday afternoon, Jessica Sullins, right, gets a hug from State Farm Insurance Agent Margaret Ward inside her new Habitat for Humanity home. Sullins said Ward was helpful in referring her to Habitat.

http://sedaliademocrat.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/web1_TSD013017HabitatHouse-4.jpgSunday afternoon, Jessica Sullins, right, gets a hug from State Farm Insurance Agent Margaret Ward inside her new Habitat for Humanity home. Sullins said Ward was helpful in referring her to Habitat. Faith Bemiss | Democrat

Jessica Sullins and her son Chase, 6, cut the ribbon to their new Habitat for Humanity home, located near South Lafayette Avenue and East 25th Street, Sunday after the home’s dedication ceremony.

http://sedaliademocrat.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/web1_TSD013017HabitatHouse-5.jpgJessica Sullins and her son Chase, 6, cut the ribbon to their new Habitat for Humanity home, located near South Lafayette Avenue and East 25th Street, Sunday after the home’s dedication ceremony. Faith Bemiss | Democrat