Greetings, My Fellow Missourians
Last Thursday, August 16th, was Missouri State Fair Legislative Day. Elected officials and state leaders, over 1,000 people, all met for the annual Governor’s Ham Breakfast for an update on the drought and other current issues in agriculture. Following breakfast, we spent time visiting several agriculture exhibitions and competitions. We then met again at lunch time for Senator Blunt’s annual Ag Advisory Luncheon. Speakers for the day’s events included Governor Mike Parson, USDA Undersecretary Bill Northey, Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler, Congressman Jason Smith, Attorney General Josh Hawley, and Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft.
The day was full of activities including time spent at the Missouri State Fair Beef House with fellow members of the St. Clair County Cattlemen’s Association. I also enjoyed helping with a cooking demonstration with the Missouri Cattlewomen to promote “Beef for Breakfast.” The Beef House was established in 1982 to promote the beef industry by serving a menu full of delicious beef selections to fair goers. This yearly 11-day event wouldn’t be possible without all the volunteer members of the county cattlemen’s associations from across the state.
My wife, Marla, and I then helped with the “Drive to Feed Kids” sponsored by Missouri Future Farmers of America and Missouri Farmers Care. This event was part of an effort to educate the public about the state’s agriculture productivity and combating childhood hunger. FFA members came together to pack 100,000 meals (buddy packs) for children in need; this amount is one month’s worth of buddy packs for a 32-county area which includes Benton County. District 125 schools that benefit include Warsaw North and South Elementary Schools and Warsaw Ruth Mercer Elementary.
We also had the joy of spending much of the day with our daughter, Anna, and some of our grandchildren. It never fails to amaze me how much the children enjoy and learn by going to the fair. They were fortunate enough to not be starting back to school until after the State Fair and took advantage of the day by going to all the livestock and animal exhibits and shows, 4-H/FFA displays and competitions, fair rides, and, of course, great food!
Are you ready for the 100-mile yard sale?
“Discover More on Route 54” is hosting the Annual 100-Mile Yard Sale scheduled for Labor Day weekend during daylight hours, August 31-September 1, along U.S. Highway 54 including the cities of Nevada, El Dorado Springs, Collins, Weaubleau, Wheatland, Hermitage, Preston, Macks Creek, and Camdenton. Everyone is invited and encouraged to sell, attend, and ‘Discover More on Route 54!’ Sellers will be responsible for their own yard sale signs to attract motorists. With the increased holiday traffic, it’s encouraged that other non-profits (fire departments, churches, etc.) hold rummage sales & fundraisers at the same time.
For the most up-to-date information on locations on the 100-Mile route, please go to the Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/MOHwy54YardSale/. If you are planning to host a yard sale on your Highway 54 property, please post the address and hours to the Facebook page.
There will be host locations for anyone not living along Highway 54 that would like to participate:
Camdenton – American Family Insurance parking lot (graveled area only), 309 W. Hwy 54. Must register with cray.hulett@yahoo.com;
Macks Creek – in front of the Public Water Supply District 1 Office in Macks Creek, 13067 W. US Highway 54;
Preston – Yates Rustic Range Trading, located 6 miles east of Preston, call for space (417)733-7193;
Hermitage – Beyond Bargains Flea Market, 624 W. Hwy 54, [Fee charged] call Kathy (417)399-1474 for prices;
Wheatland – Hwy 54 RV Park (watch for digital sign), across from Main St., call for space (417)282-5400;
Collins – Brenda’s Quilt Stop & More, located west of Collins along Hwy. 54 call to register (417)876-9997;
El Dorado Springs – the old Wood’s parking lot, at the junction of Highways 54 & 32; and
Nevada – Life Church, 421 N. Centennial Blvd. Must register with LCembassy@gmail.com or call (417)667-9760.
RULES for setting up/selling at a host site:
1. First come, first setup basis each day;
2. Dumpsters located on the property are NOT for public use, please remove everything you do not sell, and be respectful of the host property; and
3. The sellers will be responsible for their own sale signs to attract motorists.
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