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Candee Burkhart of Versailles (left) browses over the flower baskets during the Versailles Chamber Farmers’ Market Thursday, May 8 at the city parking lot on Jasper Street. Rachel Zimmerman (back left) and Alma Zimmerman show Burkhart the selection of flower baskets. (photo by Chris Faughn)

Commission to sell Morgan County maps
The Morgan County Commission approved the purchase of 2,000 four-color folding county maps from Marceline Mapping for $1,000 Wednesday, May 7.
The cost will cover the production and shipment of the maps. Once they arrive, the commission will sell them for 50 cents apiece to recoup the cost.
Originally, the total cost for the maps was $2,705 without advertisements. Upon further research by the commission after the Monday, April 28 commission meeting, the company offered to produce the maps at a lower price with advertisements.
The $1,000 came out of an outside services fund.
In other business, the commission voted to continue comparing prices for a new air conditioning unit for the commissioner’s office.
Two bank bids were approved for certificates of deposit.
The Bank of Versailles was awarded a bid of $819,416.62 over the course of six months at 4.5 percent interest for a CD.
Sun Security Bank was awarded a bid for $616,434.33 over the course of three months with 1.65 percent interest.
The next commission meeting is scheduled for 10 a.m., Monday, May 19 at the Morgan County Courthouse in Versailles.

Updated county history book in the works
Plans are progressing for an updated Morgan County history book to cover anyone not in the original history book and all families from 1979 to present. It will include a special section on military personnel. Morgan County Histrocial Society Member Barbara Barnard said she has received many names of military personnel from World War I to the Iraq War.
Carol Jones gave a report on the Mid Missouri Coalition meeting she attended recently in Cole Camp. Jones said there is a program available from the Mid-America Arts Alliance which provides workshops, online tutorials, on-site professional consultations, and peer networking opportunities. She plans to investigate the program more fully.
The Morgan County Historical Society will hold an ice cream social 5 to 7 p.m., Saturday, May 31 at the Morgan County Museum.
The Sweet Adalines will perform. Cake, ice cream, and museum tours will be available. Board members will sell tickets.
An historical society member appreciation reception will be held 2 to 4 p.m., Saturday, June 21 at the Morgan County Library.
Vintage photographs will be taken by Andy Richmond at the Heritage Garden gazebo at the Morgan County Museum Saturday, July 26.
A program on the Gee Island Slave Quilt will be held Monday, Aug. 25 with a quilt exhibit at the Morgan County Museum.
A homes tour is also planned for Sunday, Sept. 21.
There will be a cemetery walk Saturday, Oct. 25 with live actors portraying original residents of the city.
On Monday, Nov. 24 Dwight Weaver will present a program on Missouri caves in history and legend in Barnett.
The next meeting of the Morgan County Historical Society is scheduled for 6:30 p.m., Monday, June 2 at the Morgan County Museum.

Conservation department says no changes
Gravois Community Betterment Association member Joel Kirkpatrick discussed his meeting with Missouri Department of Conservation official Greg Stoner at the association’s Tuesday, May 6 meeting. Kirkpatrick met with Stoner to discuss the cleanup of Spring Branch Creek on Highway 5 in Gravois Mills.
According to Kirkpatrick, Stoner said there would be no dredging or changes to the creek bed because these types of areas are needed for small fish and spawning. He also said these areas are why the fishing is so good at the Lake of the Ozarks.
The association voted to have Brad Vold’s Computer Hut build the association’s website. If available the domain name will be gravoismillsmo.com. The association plans to link to area chamber and tourism web sites. Gravois Mills area businesses interested in linking to the website may call Rita Rathmel at 573-372-2260.
Rathmel discussed the need to clean up Gravois Mills. She said she attended the Monday, April 10 Morgan County Commission meeting to voice her concerns about the properties. Commissioner Sonny Earnest told her there are no planning and zoning ordinances in Morgan County and the commission did not have the power to make ordinances. According to Earnest, before Gravois Mills can make ordinances they have to become a city. He suggested contacting the City of Laurie to see how they became a city. The Versailles Leader Statesman incorrectly printed Rathmel was interested in Gravois Mills becoming a city. Rathmel said, “We don’t want to make Gravois Mills a city, we just want to get things done.”
Rathmel also discussed approaching the Missouri Department of Natural Resources to ask for a fishing dock in Gravois Mills. Kirkpatrick said Gravois Mills already has one in the conservation area next to the post office. Rathmel said she would like to work towards getting another.
Association member Ed Thomas said he contacted 13 candidates who confirmed they will attend the “meet the candidate forum” Thursday, June 12 at the Veteran’s of Foreign Wars hall in Gravois Mills.
The association, along with the Gravois Area Crime Watch and the VFW are working together in coordinating the forum. It has not been decided if the format will be candidate speaches only or if there will also be a question and answer session.
The next meeting of the Gravois Mills Community Betterment Association is scheduled for 8 a.m., Tuesday, May 20 at the Western Cafe.

Morgan County gets enhanced enterprise zone
Missouri Department of Economic Development Director Greg Steinhoff announced Monday, May 5 that portions of Morgan County have been designated as an Enhanced Enterprise Zone (EEZ).
The Morgan County cities, towns and rural areas designated for EEZ are Stover, Versailles, Gravois Mills and Laurie.
This designation will make it possible for tax credits under the EEZ program administered by the Missouri Department of Economic Development to help spur the creation of new jobs.
“We take great pride in our work to help Missouri communities enhance opportunities for their citizens,” Steinhoff said. “This designation will make Morgan County eligible for state assistance to attract and retain jobs. I know community leaders will take advantage of this and work diligently with private sector businesses looking to expand or relocate in an area with a tremendous workforce.”
The average citizen will not be affected by EEZ. It will create potential for new businesses and the expansion of current businesses in this area through tax credits.
Business owners interested in receiving the EEZ statutes can get them from the Lake of the Ozarks West Chamber of Commerce at 573-374-5500.
Chamber Director Mike Keneagy said, “This will be a great economic tool.”

Versailles High School Spring Fling is May 9
The Versailles High School 33rd Annual Spring Fling is 7 p.m., Friday, May 9 in the Versailles Middle School gym.
The theme this year is “Singing with the Stars.”
Performances will include soloists, small groups, student bands and the high school concert and chamber choirs.
Music compilations will be a mix of older and newer tunes.
Graduating senior members of the choirs will be recognized.
Admission is $4 for adults and $3 for students and children. All proceeds go to the choral department at the high school.
“The really special thing about Spring Fling is that it is primarily student led. The soloists, small groups and student bands practice mostly on their own outside of school,” High School Choral Director Kristi Clark said. “This is the time we really get a taste of their individual talents as they perform their own styles and choices of music.”

Meetings scheduled May 12-20
The following meetings will take place this coming week:
•The Gravois Arm Sewer District meeting will be 6 p.m., Monday, May 12 at the district office in Gravois Mills.
•Laurie City Council will meet 6 p.m., Monday, May 12 at Laurie City Hall.
•The Sunrise Beach board of trustees meeting will be 6 p.m., Monday, May 12 at Sunrise Beach City Hall.
•The Morgan County R-II School District board of directors meeting will be 7 p.m., Monday, May 12 at the Versailles Middle School library.
•The Cam-Mo Ambulance District meeting will be 11 a.m., Tuesday, May 13 at the Laurie base.
•The Versailles City Council will meet at 7 p.m., Tuesday, May 13 at Versailles City Hall.
•The Gravois Mills board of trustees will meet 7 p.m., Tuesday, May 13 at Ozark Boat Storage in Gravois Mills.
•The Mid-Mo Ambulance District meeting will be 7 p.m., Wednesday, May 14 at the Tipton base.
•The Rocky Mount. Sewer District meeting will be 7 p.m., Thursday, May 15 in Rocky Mount.
•The Morgan County Health Center board of directors will meet at 4 p.m., Monday, May 19 at Morgan County Health Center in Versailles.
•The Versailles Area Chamber of Commerce board of directors will meet 5:30 p.m., Monday, May 19 at the chamber office in Versailles.
•The Sunrise Beach Fire Protection District will meet 6 p.m., Monday, May 19 at the station on Route F.
•Gravois Mills Community Betterment Association will meet 8 a.m., Tuesday, May 20 at Western Cafe in Gravois Mills.

R-II school year ends with flurry of events
The following events, assemblies, meetings and field trips will occur at the Morgan County R-II School district by the end of the school year:
Friday, May 9
5th grade developmental talk.
11 a.m.- 1 p.m.- Special Services Cook-Out at the sports complex
7 p.m.- Versailles High School Spring Fling at the Versailles Middle School gym.
Monday, May 12
6:30 p.m.- Band Awards Banquet (middle and high schools) at the Versailles High School commons.
7 p.m.- Morgan County R-II School District board meeting at the Versailles Middle School library.
Tuesday, May 13
4-6 p.m.- South Elementary School Art and Book Fair (buy-one, get-one free), Parent-Teacher Organization elections and potluck dinner.
6-7:30 p.m.- Invention Convention science contest and display at the Lucille Bishop Cafeteria in Versailles.
6-8 p.m.- Morgan County R-II School District Art Fair. Elementary work will be displayed in the hallways. Middle school work will be displayed in the lobby and elective hallway, the industrial arts room and in the window of the FAC room. High school work may be viewed in the gym.
6:30 p.m.- Versailles Elementary Talent Show at the Versailles Elementary School gym. It will feature Tiger Tunes, dancing, small group performances, a recorder band, piano and vocal solos and other talents.
Wednesday, May 14
Kindergarten field trip to Subway in Versailles.
Third grade field trip to Ha Ha Tonka State Park.
Fourth grade Science Day.
Thursday, May 15
Junior BETA field trip to Tiger Lanes bowling alley in Versailles.
Kindergarten field trip to Subway in Versailles.
Friday, May 16
1:15- Fifth grade Accelerated Reader party.
6-8 p.m.- Versailles Middle School dance in the gym.
Kindergarten field trip to Subway in Versailles.
Saturday, May 17
7:30 p.m.- Graduation at Versailles High School football field, or in gym in case of rain.
10:30 p.m.- Busses load for Project Graduation at YMCA in Boonville. Will return early the following morning.
Monday, May 19
1:45 p.m.- Fourth grade reading celebration party at Versailles Elementary School.
Tuesday, May 20
2:25 p.m.- Kindergarten, first and second grade awards assembly at Versailles Elementary School gym.
2:40 p.m.- South Elementary School awards assembly in the building’s multipurpose room.
6 p.m.- Winter/Spring Sports Banquet at the Versailles High School commons.
Wednesday, May 21
South Elementary School activity day.
9:20 a.m.- Fifth grade Say It Straight presentation.
1:30 p.m.- Second grade Accelerated Reader park reward.
1:45-3 p.m.- Fourth grade spelling bee.
2 p.m.- Fifth grade promotion ceremony in the Versailles Elementary Gym.
4 p.m.- Curriculum committee meeting at the Versailles Middle School library.
Thursday, May 22
2:20 p.m.- Third, fourth and fifth grade awards assembly in the Versailles Elementary School gym.
Friday, May 23
Morning- South Elementary School third graders’ “Meet Your Teacher Day” at Versailles Elementary School.
11:30 a.m.- Tiger Track Meet for fourth and fifth grade at Versailles City Park. Third graders will watch.
Saturday, May 24
Alumni Banquet at Versailles High School commons.
Tuesday, May 27
Versailles Elementary School “Meet Your Teacher Day.”
11:15 a.m.- End of year dismissal.
For more information, contact South Elementary School at 573-372-6261, Versailles Elementary School at 573-378-4272, Versailles Middle School at 573-378-5432, Versailles High School at 573-378-4697, or the central office at 573-378-4231.

Farm Bureau meet the candidate event May 10
Morgan County Farm Bureau will host a legislative “meet the candidate” dinner at 6 p.m., Saturday, May 10 at the Versailles Assembly of God gymnasium at the corner of Hicks and Hunter Streets in Versailles.
All candidates running for any office that affects Morgan County have been invited to attend. Rep. Ike Skelton will be the guest speaker.
The meeting is open to the public. Attendees do not have to be a member of Farm Bureau.
Dinner will be furnished by Farm Bureau, Cargill Meat Solutions and Central Dairy.

St. Patrick’s to celebrate mothers on May 15
St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Laurie will hold a Celebration For Mothers event 7 p.m., Thursday, May 15 on the grounds of the church.
They will celebrate and salute mothers, motherhood and family life with a lighted candle ceremony.
Speakers will be Don Drake, Rose Vanderbeck, Helen Fiek, and Emily Tichy. Charlie Turner will provide music.
For more information call the church at 573-374-7855.

Latham School alumni banquet is May 25
Latham School alumni will have the 71st Annual Banquet at 5 p.m., Sunday, May 25 at Latham School.
Officers for the year are President Leah Willson, Vice-President Lula Rohrbach, Secretary Lois Murphy and Treasurer Sue Ann Loesch. Committees are: nominating, Lula Rohrbach; food, Faye Moser; and decorating, Norma Blankenship.
Eighth-grade graduates of 1938, 1943, 1948, 1953, 1963, 1968, 1973, 1978, 1983, 1988, 1993, 1998 and 2003 and high school graduates of 1933, 1938, 1943 and 1948 will be recognized.
Former students and teachers should make reservations with Lula Rohrbach at 64812 Route F, California, MO 65018, or by phone 660-458-6668, no later than Wednesday, May 21.

First Versailles car cruise to be June 10
The City of Versailles summer car cruises will be every second Friday of the summer months, beginning 6 p.m., Friday, June 10, not every Friday in June as reported in the Thursday, May 1 issue of the Versailles Leader-Statesman. The Leader-Statesman apologizes for any confusion the mistake might have caused. 
The cruise locations will alternate between B & B Drive In and Sonic in Versailles. At each cruise there will be a disk jockey, food vendors, and the Optimist Club will hold a poker run through town.
There is no charge for the event. For more information, contact Versailles City Hall at 573-378-4634. 

County Relay for Life in Versailles June 27-28
Relay For Life of Morgan County will be held Friday and Saturday, June 27-28 at the Versailles City Park. The purpose of the event is to celebrate survivorship and raise money to support the American Cancer Society.
Relay For Life dollars provide hope for all of those who are touched by cancer, according to Beth Draffen, Morgan County mission/advocacy chairperson.
The dollars raised at Relay For Life events support the work of the American Cancer Society in four key areas:
Research-The society funding established the link between smoking and lung cancer, helped develop the prostate specific antigen test (PSA) and campaigned for acceptance of the Pap test for early detection of cervical cancer. The organization has also been involved with breakthroughs including mammography, a cure for childhood leukemia, and Tamoxifen. The society has invested more than $3 billion on research since 1946 and is the largest source of private, nonprofit cancer research funds.
Education-The society publishes and updates early detection screening guidelines for breast, cervical, and colon cancers. They provide information and guidance related to testing for early prostate and lung cancer. They also provide 24/7 access to the latest cancer information at 1-800-ACS-2345 and www.cancer.org, helping people make informed decisions, finding local resources and services, providing patient-to-patient online support, and searching for clinical trials.
Advocacy-The society fights for life-saving laws on a local, state, and federal level to increase research funding, reduce tobacco use, promote early detection of cancers, improve access to and coverage of care, and support cancer patients.
Services-The society provides patient and family support service to help people with cancer during and after treatment, including wigs, turbans, and head coverings; assistance with transportation to treatment; nutritional supplement; Look Good...Feel Better; Cancer Survivors Network; Hope Lodge; camps for children with cancer, clinical trial matching services; and scholarships for youth survivors.
For more information call Draffen at 573-378-4451.

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