Bates County News

Wednesday, July 16, 2025

The Little Apple: News from Appleton City

 


The Community Blood Center (CBC) is the primary provider of blood and blood components to 70 plus hospitals and medical centers in the Greater Kansas City Region.  CBC will conduct a life-saving blood drive on Friday, July 25 from 2:00-6:00 p.m. at Ellett Memorial Hospital, 610 N. Ohio St, Appleton City. Donors are encouraged to make an appointment by visiting savealifenow.org/group and using Group Code: EG2B but walk in donors are welcome.  For additional details, contact Julie Grubb at 660-476-5242 or Kayla Orear at 660-476-5214.

 River of Life Fellowship hosts Third Sunday meetings each month called “All the More” meetings at 6:00 p.m.  Everyone is welcome to attend, and they will have a variety of “different kinds” of meetings over the year including singspirations, times of fellowship, formal and more informal times of worship.  Sunday, July 20, they are hosting a Worship Singspiration and encourage you to come and hear great music (and maybe bring a song or two to share as well).  They will enjoy some snacks and fellowship after the meeting.

 Trinity Lutheran Church, Appleton City, Mo, will be hosting “Christmas in July” VBS July 21-24 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. They will be following the star to the cradle of our Lord. Join them for cool crafts, great music, and fellowship with friends. Dinner will be provided each evening. Registration begins at the door at 5:45 p.m. July 21. For their mission this year, they will be collecting non-perishable food for West Central Food Bank.

 The 2025 EMH Community Block Party will be Saturday, September 27, 2025, 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.  If you are interested in vendor space, please contact Kim Raybourn at 660-476-5236. 

 Zink Motor Company is featured in the June 15, 2024 issue of Rural Missouri magazine.  A link to the article is https://ruralmissouri.org/drive-into-yesteryear/ Previous articles about local businesses include the Rustic Duck from January 2023, https://ruralmissouri.org/rustic-duck/ The AC Carousel from July, 2024 https://ruralmissouri.org/a-gift-for-the-kids-2/ and the awarding of “Kid Friendly Attraction” in “The Best of Rural Missouri 2024”,  April, 2024, https://ruralmissouri.org/best-of-rural-missouri-2024/

 The Appleton City Ministerial Alliance meets throughout the year providing community services and opportunities for the area churches to gather together for worship.  Additionally, the ACMA helps people through the region in a variety of ways.  In 2023 the ACMA founded the Tony Reynolds Memorial Scholarship, which is a $1000 scholarship awarded locally to an area student pursuing continuing education post-high school.  Some in the community have asked about the ability to make donations directly towards the scholarship fund that are not used in other ACMA endeavors.  At any time, you may make donations towards the ACMA and we encourage you to do so.  You may make donations at any of our community meetings, or feel free to contact one of the ministers serving in the ACMA for more information. 

 The Appleton City Carousel is open Friday, Saturday, Sunday 4:00-7:00 p.m. until Labor Days weekend. The Carousel added the 35th state of Connecticut to their Visitors Map. States left to visit the Carousel are AK, AL, AZ, DE, HI, ID, IN, LA, ND, NJ, MT, PA, RI, SC, WY and Washington DC.  Six Countries have visited Belize, Denmark, Haiti, Italy, S. Korea and Spain. If anyone in the area has visitors from an unvisited state or country, Linda Lampkin is willing to meet them in off hours. Leave a message at 660-492-0131.

 Growing In Grace Community Center, 117 W 4th St, ACMO is sponsoring a community dinner featuring food and music August 2.  Fried chicken, mashed potatoes & gravy, green beans, corn, homemade bread, salad bar and dessert will be served 3:00-6:00 p.m. Music will be provided by Freedom Tabernacle Church from Osceola and James Damon from 4:00-6:00 p.m. They will also have a kids’ fun day August  16 with food, games, cotton, candy, slushies and more, including balloon twister at 4:00 p.m. Both events are donation only.

 The Appleton City Museum is open Friday afternoons 1:30-4:30 through September 26, with other times by chance or appointment.  Contact Susan at 660-464-0288.  New exhibits have been added including stained glass window from the original First Baptist Church and a beautiful framed mirror from Motts Food Locker in Rockville.  Bring your family to learn about Appleton City’s history

 “The Little Apple” was started by the A. C. Economic Development as way of informing residents of news and events sponsored by area businesses and organizations.  Items of a clearly personal nature, such as birthdays, anniversaries, awards (not group sponsored), personal sales and the like are not accepted for publication. Items may be edited for accuracy, grammar or space restrictions. Please email articles for “The Little Apple” to [email protected] by Tuesday evenings or bring them to Dr. Payton’s office to be included in that week’s edition. To receive "The Little Apple" free by e-mail, or to be removed from the email list, send your e-mail address to [email protected] If you have changed your email address, please send the current address, so the list can be updated.

 Ellett Memorial Hospital Appleton City offers outpatient specialist services for July, 2025. Call 660-476-2111 for appointments. July 16 – Upper GI, Colonoscopy-Dr. Namin, July 17– Podiatry- Dr. Pace, July 18 – Ortho- Laura Noble, FNP,  July 23 - Ortho-Dr. Gray,  July 25 – Dermatology – Dylan Timmerman, PA,   July 29– Rheumatology-Dr. John,  July 31-Neurology- Dr.- Shoaib.

 

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

July 20     River of Life Fellowship hosts Third Sunday “All the More” meeting 6:00 p.m.

July 21-24     Trinity Lutheran Church, ACMO, “Christmas in July” VBS 6:00-8:00 p.m.

July 25     Blood Drive at Ellett Memorial Hospital 2:00-6:00 p.m.


 

Kitchen Essentials is turning ONE — and you're invited to the celebration!

Join them Friday, July 18th from 9 to 5, and Saturday, July 19th from 9 to 2 for their 1-Year Anniversary Bash!

They’ve got giveaways, tasty samples, and in-store specials you won’t want to miss — all at Kitchen Essentials, located at 131 E Walnut Street in Nevada.

Whether you're a pro chef or just love to cook, there's something for everyone!

So mark your calendar and come celebrate with them — only at Kitchen Essentials! Cooking with Heart

Betsey Lynn Newman, age 67 of Amsterdam

Betsey Lynn Newman's wishes were to be cremated and remembered with fond memories.  There are no public services at this time.  Arrangements under the direction of the Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel (660-679-6555) Butler, Missouri.  Online condolences www.schowengerdtchapel.com.  

Betsey Lynn Newman, age 67 of Amsterdam, Missouri died Monday, July 14, 2025 at her daughter's home in Butler, Missouri.  She was born February 28, 1958 to Alfred James and Pauline Ada Moore McNeal in Waverly, New York.

Betsey is survived by one daughter, Cristy Lewis of Butler, Missouri; two brothers, Alfred McNeal of Smithville, Missouri and Jerry McNeal of Lone Jack, Missouri; one sister, Cassie McNeal of Helena, Montana; and three grandchildren.  Betsey was preceded in death by her parents, Alfred and Pauline McNeal; and two sisters, Cheryl Holtzclaw and Sharon Shipers.



Tuesday, July 15, 2025

Prank Swap Shop Calls

 The Swap Shop Caller that has been keeping us entertained over the past few weeks needs to know that The Federal Communication Commission 45 L.Street NE Washington D.C. frowns on this  type of Public Radio Air Wave abuse. The caller is being recorded and documented, which will in turn, allow Bright Speed Phone Company to get involved.  The prank callers'  number will be recorded on the FM 92 landline phone records. If this type of call continues, FM92 will press charges and the callers address will then be trackable. If this goes forward….. it will get the local police and the FCC involved as the radio station is governed by the Federal Communication Commission. Like the saying goes….. it’s all fun and games until you get caught.  




Pat Morris, age 90 of Amsterdam

Pat Morris, 90 of Amsterdam, Missouri peacefully, surrounded by loved ones at St. Luke’s Rehab & Memory Care in Carthage, Missouri.  Graveside services will be held at 1:00 pm Monday, July 21, 2025 in Scott Cemetery, Amsterdam, Missouri.  Services under the direction of Mullinax Funeral Home, Buter (660-679-0009).  Memorial contributions may be made in lieu of flowers, to Cure Alzheimer’s Fund, 34 Washington St. Suite 230, Wellesley Hills, MA 02481.   Messages of condolence may be left for the family at www.mullinaxfuneralhome.com.

Patsy Lou Strong Morris was born November 8, 1934 in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, the daughter of Elwood and Edna Patterson Strong.  She was a wonderful and loving mother, wife and grandmother.  Her first priority was always her children.  During her marriage to her first husband, Charles E. Smith, she gave birth to 5 sons and 1 daughter; Richard, Jim, Ronnie, Connie, Mike and John.  They lived on the family farm in LaCygne, Kansas where Pat welcomed his 4 sons; Art, Gary, Danny and Steve, into their family.  She raised Danny and Steve as her own, after their mother died.  After Charles died in 1961, Pat remained on the family farm with their 8 children. 

During the following years, Pat met G.W. Morris, and they were married in 1966.  They sold the family farm in LaCygne and moved to a farm in Amsterdam, Missouri, where G.W. was raising his 3 children.   Along with her full-time job as a mother, Pat was known for her kind and compassionate heart and her beautiful voice.  She was part of the church choir and often sang duets with her good friend Eleanor at special church events, as well as many “family karaoke sessions” over the years with Ronnie, John and Connie.  After raising their combined children, Pat continued to give back. She worked at area care facilities after earning her certification as an Accredited Nurse Aid.  In 2016, after successfully working and farming for 49 years, Pat and G.W. retired and moved to Carl Junction, Missouri.

Pat is survived by two children; Connie Smith and John Smith as well as her husband, G.W. Morris, two step-children, Shelly Sims and Carl Morris, plus numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.





 

This public service announcement is paid for by Duffer Hollow Design of Rich Hill, Throwing Shade since 2022

The Bates County Masonic Lodges, in partnership with the Protectors of Children, will be hosting a Missouri Childhood Identification Program (MoChip) event at the Adrian Optimist Club, located at 317 S Old 71 Hwy in Adrian, on Saturday, July 26th, from 10 AM to 2 PM. This event is open to children and young adults aged 11 to 21.

The process takes about 15 minutes. Data is never stored and is provided to you on a flash drive in Law Enforcement-Amber Alert format. The information on the flash drive includes:
1) The child’s physical description
2) Photos
3) Digital fingerprints
4) Contact information
5) A dental impression
6) DNA and a scent sample for search dogs
As well as other important details needed by emergency crews and law enforcement to assist in locating your child in case they go missing.

Monday, July 14, 2025

Nevada Griffons weekly Schedule

 Good afternoon, all......here is the schedule for this weekend and the week ahead.  The season is winding down, but there's still a lot going on! Here's the rundown.....


Saturday, July 12th - Away game at St. Joseph Mustangs, 7 pm

Sunday, July 13th/Monday, July 14th - Away games at Clarinda (IA) A's, 7 pm both nights

Wednesday, July 16th -  Lunch on the Square, 11:00-12:30 - Look for us in the Cricket parking lot, where we'll be serving a brown bag lunch of burger, chips, homemade cookies and a drink for just $8.

Wednesday, July 16th - Home DH vs.St. Joseph Mustangs, First game begins at 5 pm
  •  Fan Appreciation - Free Admission
  •  Memorabilia Auction - Silent Auction featuring items like hats, shirts and other gear provided by our Griffons players, as well as several items of signed NFL memorabilia
  • Dollar Dog Night sponsored by the Vernon County Sheriff's Office
Thursday, July 17th - Home game vs. Jefferson City Renegades, 7 pm
  • Baseball Bingo
Sunday, July 20th -Home DH vs. Chillicothe Mudcats, First game begins at 5pm
  • Old Fashioned Ice Cream Social Fundraiser (postponed due to June rainout).  Homemade ice cream and cakes provided by Griffons board members, host families and fans




A house number on your home could save a life.

 

News from City of Archie: House Numbers Required

Date: Jul 14, 2025

The Board of Aldermen would like to remind all residents and business owners that address numbers are required to be placed on the house or business, or even on the mailbox or curb of the property.  This will help with identification of locations for emergency services and deliveries.  Thank you for your help!


The Archie Board of Aldermen would like to remind all residents and business owners that address numbers are required to be placed on the house or business, or even on the mailbox or curb of the property. 

This will help with identification of locations for emergency services and deliveries. 

House number may be purchased for as little as 50 cents per number, glow in the dark numbers are the best. Remember …. If they cant’ find you…. They can’t save you.

Put your house numbers on your home. It could save the life of someone you love.




 



 Purchase your Linn County Fair and Rodeo tickets at a discount from Queen Candidates.

Eugene Calvin Benbow, age 86 of Peculiar

Eugene Calvin Benbow's wishes were to be cremated.  Graveside service with inurnment will be 1 p.m. Friday, July 18, 2025 at Oak Hill Cemetery in Butler, Missouri.   No visitation prior to service.  Arrangements under the direction of the Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel (660-679-6555), Butler.  Online condolences www.schowengerdtchapel.com.

Eugene Calvin Benbow, age 86 of Peculiar, Missouri died Wednesday, July 2, 2025 at Belton Regional Medical Center in Belton, Missouri.  He was born November 12, 1938 to Admiral John and Ruby Fern Brown Benbow in Bates County, Missouri.

Eugene is survived by his wife, Marilyn Marie Benbow of Peculiar, Missouri; two sons, Charles Eugene Benbow of Peculiar, Missouri and Timothy Richard Benbow of Lincoln, Nebraska; two grandsons, Nolan and Naden Benbow; two granddaughters, Emerson and Rilyn Benbow; and one brother, John Dale Benbow and wife Charleen of Appleton City, Missouri.  Eugene was preceded in death by his parents, Admiral and Ruby Benbow; one granddaughter, Beatrice Benbow; and one nephew, John Benbow.




 

We literally have no words to describe our feeling over the tremendous community support we received supporting Jim’s illness.  We would like to thank everyone that organized the fundraiser dinner, cooked, donated and of course our kids for serving. We are beyond blessed with such a generous community and family. We can only say thank you so much!! We appreciate it more than you will ever know and we will be sure to pay it forward.  God Bless you all!!

Thank you again,

Jim and Thomi Herrell

Thank You from the Herrell Family

 The friends and family of Jimmy Herrell sends a Thank You to those that attended the Sunday afternoon BBQ fundraiser. Over 250 meals were served. The Herrell family thanks the cooks, the servers and the volunteers that donated their time to the cause. The money you spent will be used for medical and travel expenses. Thanks again.




 The 2025 Hume Fair and Rodeo is July 28th thru August 2nd which includes 2 nights of rodeo action.  The books open date for those wanting to compete in the upcoming Hume Rodeo is Monday, July 21st from 10 am to 3 pm, call 417-876-2353.  So if you want to compete in the Hume Rodeo, call 417-876-2353 on Monday, July 21st and mark your calendars for the Hume Fair and Rodeo July 28th thru August 2nd.


Friday, July 11, 2025

Ronnie Kahn Formerly of Butler age 88 of Leawood Kansas

 Ronald “Ronnie” Fox Kahn, 88, of Leawood, Kansas, passed away peacefully on June 2, in Rancho Mirage, California, where he had maintained a winter home for many years.

Born in Kansas City, Missouri, on April 4, 1937, to Lester and Ethel Kahn, Ronnie grew up in Butler, Missouri. He attended Wentworth Military Academy, graduating in 1955, and later pursued his education at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where he was a member of the ZBT Fraternity. He proudly served in the United States Army, primarily stationed in France. Upon returning home, he married the late Barbara C. Kahn, his devoted wife of 65 years, who died in September 2024.

A successful entrepreneur and business leader, Ronnie was the principal owner and chairman of several transportation and logistics companies, including Kahn Transportation Company, Central States Thermo King (CSTK), Double Check Company, Tri-State Equipment Company and Velociti Inc.

A passionate Kansas City Chiefs fan, Ronnie was a longtime season ticket holder, having secured his seats on the first day they became available in 1963. He also served as a Chiefs Red Coater, embracing his love for the team and community. In retirement, he became an avid golfer and canasta player, and he spent much of his time traveling the world and visiting Michelin-starred restaurants with Barbara.

Throughout his life, Ronnie remained actively engaged in philanthropy and business leadership. He was a member of the Thermo King and Chevrolet Dealer Advisory Councils, as well as a director of Boatsmen Bank in Butler, Missouri, and Tamarisk Country Club. His dedication to charitable causes was reflected in his service and dedication to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (Kansas City), the Mayo Clinic (Phoenix) and Beit T’Shuvah (Los Angeles). In 2023, he and Barbara were honored with the Harriet Award for their longstanding philanthropic efforts.

Ronnie was an unstoppable whirlwind of energy and mischief, delighting in playful antics and sparking joy in everyone he met.

Ronnie is survived by his children, Michael L. Kahn and Shelly Kahn Tessel; his grandchildren, Alexander “Sasha” Kahn, Lucie Tessel, Jonah Tessel and Teddy Tessel; his sisters, Lenita and Marcia (Mel); his brother-in-law, Edwin (Susan); and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. He is survived by a wide circle of cherished friends. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, his parents and his favorite dog, Bogie.

A private family burial took place at Rose Hill Cemetery on June 6, officiated by Rabbi Kramer of The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Kahn Family Fund for AI Research and Innovation at the Mayo Clinic, a fund dedicated to Alzheimer research (Mayo Clinic, Department of Development, 200 First St. S.W., Rochester, MN 55905 or give.mayoclinic.org), or to Beit T’Shuvah (8831 Venice Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90034 or beittshuvah.org/support/donate).

The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to Ronnie’s dedicated healthcare aides — Crystal, Lupe, Karen and Charlotte — his physician, Dr. Christopher Flores, and his nurse Jennifer at Mission Hospice Services for their compassionate care.

Online condolences for the family may be left at louismemorialchapel.com.




Bates County Memorial Hospital

 American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines® – Stroke Rural Recognition Silver award recognizes efforts to address the unique health needs of rural communities 

People who live in rural communities live an average of three years fewer than urban counterparts and have a 40% higher likelihood of developing heart disease and face a 30% increased risk for stroke mortality — a gap that has grown over the past two decades.1,2 Bates County Memorial Hospital (BCMH) is committed to changing that. 

For efforts to optimize stroke care and eliminate rural health care outcome disparities, BCMH has received the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines® – Stroke Rural Recognition Silver award.  

The American Heart Association, the world’s leading nonprofit organization focused on heart and brain health for all, recognizes the importance of health care services provided to people living in rural areas by rural hospitals that play a vital role in initiation of timely evidence-based care. For that reason, all rural hospitals participating in Get With The Guidelines® – Stroke are eligible to receive award recognition based on a unique methodology focused on early acute stroke performance metrics. 

We are proud that our team at Bates County Memorial Hospital is being recognized for the important work we do every day to improve the lives of people in Bates County who are affected by stroke, giving them the best possible chance of recovery and survival,” said Greg Weaver, Chief Executive Officer. “As a hospital in a rural community, we deal with characteristics, such as extended interfacility transportation times, and limited staffing resources. We’ve made it a goal to make sure those hurdles do not affect the standard of care our stoke patients receive.  

“Rural communities deserve high quality stroke care. I’m proud of our team for their commitment to stroke care excellence and this achievement.” 

The award recognizes hospitals for their efforts toward acute stroke care excellence demonstrated by composite score compliance to guideline-directed care for intravenous thrombolytic therapy, timely hospital inter-facility transfer, dysphagia screening, symptom timeline and deficit assessment documentation, emergency medical services communication, brain imaging and stroke expert consultation. 

“Patients and health care professionals in Bates County face unique health care challenges and opportunities,” said Karen E. Joynt Maddox, M.D., MPH, co-author on the American Heart Association’s presidential advisory on rural health. “Bates County Memorial Hospital has furthered this important work to improve care for all Americans, regardless of where they live.” 

1 American Heart Association. American Heart Association issues call to action for addressing inequities in rural health. February 10, 2020. https://newsroom.heart.org/news/american-heart-association-issues-call-to-action-for-addressing-inequities-in-rural-health; American Heart Association. Public Health AmeriCorps to address health inequity in rural communities. April 6, 2022. https://newsroom.heart.org/news/public-health-americorps-to-address-health-inequity-in-rural-communities.

2 Harrington R, et al. Call to Action: Rural Health: A Presidential Advisory From the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association. Circulation. 2020;141:e615–e644.




The Little Apple: News from Appleton City

  The Community Blood Center (CBC) is the primary provider of blood and blood components to 70 plus hospitals and medical centers in the Gre...