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(Top) Dawson Bross participates in the 2009 40th Old Threshers Reunion Kiddie Pull. (Bottom) Tom Miller, Shelbina, and his farm team took home the top honors in the Amateur Farm Pull, on Friday night, July 10.

The 40th Annual Mark Twain Old Threshers Reunion was a qualified “wonderful” success according to Old Threshers Committee President Angie Fields.
   “We have a wonderful event - with a wonderful crowd and wonderful weather,” said Fields.
   The actual kick-off for Old Thresher’s began on Thursday night, July 9, with the Tenth Annual Fish Fry, at the Old Thresher’s Building. Over 200 people enjoyed the fish cooked by Noodler’s Anonymous.
   The only hitch to the weekend events came with the rain on Sunday. But quick thinking by the organizers moved the professional horse pull to the Eddie Smock farm north of Paris. (Look for event winners in next week’s Monroe County Appeal) The ATV Rodeo was the only event rained out.
   The weekend’s event featured numerous activities including the draft horse pull, a miniature draft/pony pull, a pet show, children’s games, a auctioneer calling contest, flea market, musical entertainment, a farm horse pull, a dunking booth, an old time threshing display, a white elephant auction, a kiddie pedal pull, a well received downtown parade, sawmill demonstrations, numerous vendors, a farm tractor pull and more.
   “Our vendors were very happy with the crowd and the whole attitude of the event,” said Fields.
   The Old Thresher Committee consists of President Angie Fields; Vice-President Rob Gooding (Cairo); Secretary Marie Morgan; Treasurer Mary Curtright; and members Tuck Carter, Cindy Hultz, Jack Beamer, Ed Schulte (Mexico), Ray and Rebecca Coffman, Debbie Mann, Bobo Wright and Richard Mills.
   “Anyone interested in joining the committee can contact Cindy (Hultz), Mary (Curtright) or me (Fields),” said President Fields. “We could use your help.”
   Fields was quick to note that plans are already in progress for next year’s 41st Old Threshers reunion, top be held on July 9, 10 and 11. As usual the event will begin with the fish fry on Thursday, July 8.
   Tom Miller, Shelbina, with Frank and Fred pulling, took home first place in the farm horse pull.
   Bryan Rustemeyer and his dog Toto took home the first place trophy in the Pet Show. Bryan is the son of Anthony Rustemeyer and Carly Kitchen and the grandson of Sandra Barton.
   Toot Ewalt, Quincy, won the first annual auctioneers calling contest.
   “I have been auctioneering for over 39 years,” said Ewalt. “I still love it!”
   Michael Poehlman, Columbia, was awarded the “Best Restored Tractor” for his 1940 DC Case.
   Poehlman explained that it took over two and a half years to restore the tractor to its winning condition and that the tractor had been his brothers when he was 16 years old.
   “We lost my brother to cancer when he was 21,” said Poehlman.
   Poehlman went on to explain that the tractor had sat unused for 35 years.
   “I always wanted to fix it up,” said Poehlman. “I had a friend who helped me restore the tractor.”
   “It makes me feel honored when I see this tractor,” said a proud Poehlman. “I have a new appreciation for everything restored.”   2031 0929 7/16/2009 hdl

Lucas Summers

During Monroe County July Law Day, Thursday, July 9, 26-year-old Lucas R. Summers, of Macon, pled not guilty to felony first-degree assault. The courtroom was full of both family members and friends of both the defendants in the assault case and the assault victims, Jerome Herrin and Drew Bartels.
   Summers and three others are charged in the beatings of two men near Paris on March 21.
   One of the assault victims, 23-year-old Jerome D. Herrin of Madison, later passed away.
   Judge Robert Clayton II granted a motion from public defender Todd Schulze to move Summers’ trial to Adair County (Kirksville).
   At the present time, a court hearing in Adair County has not been set.
   In two other related cases adjudicated during July Law Day, Monroe County Prosecuting Attorney Nicole Volkert reduced charges to felony second-degree assault against two other suspects, 20-year-old Charles E. Webb, of Shelbyville, and 18-year-old Donald Fuller III, of Clarence.
   Both waived formal reading of the assault charges against them, and both pled not guilty and both Fuller and Webb will return to court during September Law Day – Thursday, Sept. 3, at 9:30 a.m.
   Volkert said her decision to reduce the charges was based upon evidence.
   “I think it fits with the facts of the case,” she said. “I felt it was appropriate to do at this time.”
   “We appreciate the efforts of the prosecutor,” Webb’s attorney, Gillis Leonard said in open court referring to the reduction in the assault charge.
   Charges against a fourth suspect, 22-year-old Michael R. Flowers, of Macon, were reduced Tuesday, July 7, to a second-degree assault. Flowers will be arraigned at 9:30 a.m., on Thursday, Aug. 6.
   During preliminary court appearances, witnesses have testified that Summers, Webb, Fuller and Flowers were among the five men and one woman who drove from Clarence to Paris on Saturday, March 21 after a telephone battle of words with Herrin and 19-year-old Drew Bartels.
   One witness testified that Summers began an unprovoked attack on Herrin when Herrin came to the door of the Bartels home.
   Preliminary testimony also has shown that Bartels and another man at the home brandished guns, but no shots were fired.
   The attacks took place about 1:30 a.m. March 21.
   Deputies found Herrin dead in the yard when a caller from the home alerted them at 7:17 a.m. Bartels was injured but survived.
   Witnesses previously told authorities that Summers beat Herrin and that the other three suspects attacked Bartels.
   Summers also recently was charged with a misdemeanor for alleged non-payment of child support. An arraignment in that case is set for 1 p.m. July 21 in Macon County.
   Summers remains in the Monroe County Jail on $200,000 cash-only bond. Webb, Fuller and Flowers are all free on bond.   2032 0929 7/16/2009 hdl

Jaelyn Bergmann, top left, attended the Missouri FFA public speaking academy with her advisor, Josh Bondy.

Fifty-four FFA members from across the state participated in the Missouri FFA Public Speaking Academy held June 9, 10, and 11 on the University of Central Missouri campus.
   The Missouri FFA made it possible for FFA members to benefit from the professional staff at University of Central Missouri.
   During the three-day event, FFA members used the Internet and other communication technology to develop and refine an effective speech. Dr. Terry Cunconan, Dr. Wendy Geiger, and graduate students from the University’s Speech Communication Department conducted the three days of intense learning. The academy was designed to help FFA members increase their confidence, develop organizational skills, use language effectively, analyze audiences and improve speaking skills by judging themselves honestly and critically -- while keeping a positive attitude. Each student presented his or her speech in competition at the conclusion of the academy.
   Dr. Terry Heiman, Missouri State FFA Advisor, was present for a group picture and for the presentation of awards at the banquet held at the Panhellenic Complex Dining Hall on Thursday, June 11. The banquet included the presentation of certificates of completion to each of the participants and recognition of the winners in each division. The finalists in each division (Beginners, Intermediate, and Advanced) were presented plaques and a State Leadership Pin from the Missouri FFA Association.
   Assisting with the three-day conference were State FFA Officers -Megan Thacker, Area l State FFA Vice President from the Northwest Technical FFA Chapter, Taylor Huhmann, Area 8 State Vice President from the Tipton FFA Chapter, Elizabeth Coffelt, Area 12 State Vice President from the Branson FFA Chapter, and Jennifer Baird, Area 15 State Vice President , from the Farmington FFA Chapter. Also assisting with the academy were chaperones Cyndi Reichel, Stover FFA Adviser, Josh Bondy, Paris FFA Adviser and Charles Simpson, Cole Camp FFA Advisor. The Conference Manager for the academy was Kathy Harlan, Guidance Counselor, at Salisbury High School.   2033 0929 7/16/2009 hdl

A rural Madison woman, Judy Pennington, was in court in Macon recently. A bench trial was set for Wednesday, July 15, for Peninngton, one of two suspects in a Monroe County animal abuse case.
   Judy Pennington is charged with six counts of felony animal abuse for allegedly mistreating animals at a rural Madison farm.
   Pennington’s husband, Ronnie, faces the same charges. A trial date for him will be set Wednesday, Aug. 5.
   Working in cooperation with the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department, the Humane Society removed 148 animals from the farm on April 2, 2008, after what the Humane Society of Missouri called years of trying to get the Penningtons to improve conditions. The team included experienced animal rescuers and an independent vet.
   Investigators said the dogs, cats, horses, goats and other animals had inadequate shelter, insufficient food and improper access to water.
   The Penningtons disputed the charges and called the removal of the animals unnecessary.
   The Humane Society eventually took legal custody of the animals after the Penningtons missed a court-ordered deadline to pay for their care.
   The trials will be held in Macon County on a change of venue.
   Editor's Note: The bench trial was postponed and has not been rescheduled.   2035 0929 7/16/2009 hdl

The City of Paris is concerned with the safety of individuals driving golf carts, mini-motorcycles, motorized bicycles and other alternative means of transportation on streets and the highway. In researching this issue recently passed state laws require a valid drivers license to operate these modes of transportation on any street or highway. To find out more information regarding these requirements and to avoid issuance of ticket please contact the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department at 660-327-5175.
   
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