Wagoner/Cedar Bluff School reunion Saturday, Sept. 6

By Connie Maupin

The members of the Cedar County Historical Society held their yearly election of officers and business meeting on July 28, at the Cedar County Museum in Stockton. Present were President Judy Nichols, Vice President Chris Barber, Secretary Connie Maupin, Treasurer Anna Hopkins, Judi Cain, Frank Stranimier, Virginia Barber, Ellis Benham, Bob Phillips, Sheila Griggs and Sharyl Henry. The meeting was called to order and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

Members were informed of the passing of Nancy Dissler, sister of member, John Beydler. Society members expressed condolences.

There will be a Wagoner/Cedar Bluff School Reunion on Sept. 6, beginning at 4 p.m. and a pot luck supper at 4:30 p.m. at Wagoner. Please bring a food item if you plan to eat. There will be a raffle for two rifles, $10 per ticket and a Minute Man II missile memorabilia display. Items from the Minute Man II memorabilia will be donated to the Wagoner School and to the Cedar County Historical Society. Retired Lieutenant Colonel, Jerry Akins, former chief of the MMII Evaluation Team of the Nation, will be speaking. An auction of donated items from the community will be held after the presentation. Bring a lawn chair, since there will be no other seating available.

Judy Nichols and Sheila Griggs will now be editing the CCHS newsletter.

The society ordering CCHS logo t-shirts for their members.

Discussion regarding a set-up to allow customers to pay with a debit card resulted in a decision to pass for now. It will be revisited at a later time.

The society will be printing more 1908 Plat Books, lyceum books, Stockton Lake overlay maps and CDs to increase inventory before the Walnut Festival.

Kendra Morris, new owner of the Hoff house, is planning to offer a venue for the public. She is avidly seeking anyone who can give her more history of the home and any personal memories they may care to share. Information can be given to the society to forward to her.

Sheila Griggs proposed the possibility of QR codes for some of our museum displays. Members thought it a good idea but perhaps too labor intensive for our limited personnel to attempt at this time.

The society is considering the undertaking of a cemetery walk sometime in the future. Planning is being undertaken by Chris Barber and Sheila Griggs with the assistance of Judy Nichols. Judy will try to obtain permission to have the event in the Stockton City Cemetery. Cemetery walks are programs put on by historical societies in old cemeteries while wearing period clothing and sharing stories about notable people who have been buried there.

Members who have not paid their dues, need to do so by Sept. 1, 2025 to remain on the roster. The society currently has 32 life members, 1 honorable member, 15 regular (yearly) members and 12 non-profit organizations.

July 28 was the yearly election of officers. The process was not quite the same as in past years due to the resignation of beloved treasurer, Anna Hopkins. She has been an outstanding treasurer and the society accepted her resignation with deep regret.

Officers elected for the 2025/26 year: President – Judy Nichols, Vice President – Chris Barber, Secretary – Connie Maupin and Treasurer – Sheila Griggs.

Board Members: President Judy Nichols, Vice President Chris Barber, Secretary Connie Maupin, Treasurer Sheila Griggs and Society Member, Bob Phillips.

July donations to the museum: Chris and Virginia Barber donated a candle holder and retirement picture from the Luella Phipps estate. Bob Phillips donated a nicely framed copy of Burl E. Phillips’ Honorable Discharge, along with miscellaneous pictures and a news article from the “Cedar County Booster.” Kellie Wildie donated a steamer trunk, a large walker doll, metal tackle box with woodworking tools from her great-grandparents, Edna and Jess Schock of Jerico Springs.

The museum will be open Saturday, Aug. 16, from 12:30 to 4 p.m. and Aug. 25, from 1 to 4 p.m. The next meeting will be Aug. 25, at 1 p.m. at the museum.

The Cedar County Museum and Research Library are located at 106 West Davis Street in Stockton. For information, appointments or to purchase publications call: 417-276-1142, email at cedarcomohistsoc@gmail.com, on Facebook at “Cedar County Mo Historical Society” or by mail at P.O. Box 111, Stockton, MO 65785.