(Articles from Morning Sun Newspaper: August 9 ,  August 12,     August 24 , 2001)

Morning Sun Article Appearing  August 24, 2001

Arma Homecoming results listed

ARMA -- Results have been announced from some of the contests and games held during the Arma V-J Homecoming.

Additional results may be announced in the near future.

Sidewalk "Chalk Art" winners were: Age 14 and older, Cameron Lofts, first, Brett Dalton, second, and Kayla Sorrick, third; Age 10-13, Morgan Stokes, first, Kara Wolsey, second, and Aston Brown, third; Ages 6-9, Brittny Neil, first, Bethany Robinson, second, and Angel Cordray, third; and Age 5 and younger, Colton Bunney, first, Faith McClaskey, second, and Matthew Locke, third.

Horseshoe pitching winners were: Class A, Wayne Barber, Stockton, Mo., first, Maurice Hines, Stockton, second, and Carl Grick, Diamond, Mo., third; Class B, Dale Parnell, Diamond, first, Boyd Sloan, Jasper, Mo., second, and Bill Rodebush, Jasper, third; Class C, Randy Coulter, Pittsburg, first, Buddy Trammell, Mulberry, second, and Dennis Hensley, Mulberry, third; Doubles, Michael Buche, Mulberry, and Cliff Rodebush, Jasper, first, Dale Parnell, Diamond, and Dennis Hensley, Mulberry, second, and Kris Haynes, Franklin, and Paul Parnell, Diamond, third.

Winners in the bocci contest were: Dale Mynatt and Jim Mynatt, Pittsburg, first, Paul Fiorucci and Jim Wilbert, Wichita, second, Andy Ashbacher and Aaron Ashbacher, Frontenac, third, Bill Toschi and Bill Toschi, Arma, fourth, and Dick Eckberg and Frank Negri, Wichita, fifth.

Rolling pin contest winners were as follows: Angela Reardon, first, Kathy Roe, second, Tina Birkey, third, Denise Farinacci, fourth, and Shawna Testerman, fifth.

Nail driving contest winners were: Theresa Zamora, first, Shontel Mills, second, Debbie Stroud, third, Patty Wright, fourth, and Angela Reardon, fifth.

Winners in 3 on 3 basketball were as follows: Age 18 and older, Jeff McMillan, Dave McMillan, Amanda Barkley and Pat Nelson, first; Russ Cramer, Brett Dalton and Mike Sisk, second; Steve Amershek, Tommy Hartzfeld and Scott Cleland, third; and James Spencer, D.J. Logiudicci, Brandon Sigmon and Andy Bryant, fourth. Junior High Division: Eric Easter, Alex Scimeca, Payton Shaffer and Randall Wicker, first; and Josh Bird, Dustin McMinn, James Hartzfeld and Drew Beasley, second.

Numerous children's games were held. Turtle race winners were as follows: Land Turtles, Kyle Whetzell, first, Ashley Setina, second, Seth Marshall, third, Aaron Setina, fourth, and Regina McCary, fifth; Water Turtle Race, Brett McCary, first, Kirby McCary, second, and Gage Cowan, third.

Tricycle race winners were: Boys, Noah Given, first, Matthew Wright, second, Brodrick Glessner, third, Timothy Peternell, fourth, and Wyatt Feagan, fifth; Girls, Joslyn Cantrell, first, Kaley Bogina, second, Mary Farmer, third, and Jaycie Polhlopek, fourth.

Foot race winners were as follows: Boys, Age 3-5, Taylor Birt, first, Drew Ashbacher, second, Terry Hancock, third, Noah Given, fourth, and Brodrick Glessner, fifth; Girls, Age 3-5, Kaley Bogina, first, Joslyn Cantrell, second, Micaela Birt, third, Sicily Stahl, fourth, and Abby Gaffner, fifth; Boys Age 6-8, Andy Farmer, first, Eric Esposito, second, Drew Israelsky, third, and Conor Feagan, fourth; Girls , Age 6-8, Lindsay Stolte, first, Morgan Tafvin-Roe, second, Sidney Given, third, Eastin Hancock, fourth, and Jenny Zornes, fifth; Boys, Age 9-11, Jordan McClintick, first, Cory Woods, second, Jeremy Sallins, third, Gage Cowan, fourth, and Daniel Rank, fifth; Girls, Age 9-11, Erin Stolte, first, Erin Esposito, second, Laura Nelson, third, Jessica Cleveland, fourth, and Elizabeth Oehme, fifth; Boys, Age 12-15, Daniel Camp, first, James Lakey, second, Brad Vinardi, third, Dane Kroll, fourth, and Josh Swezey, fifth; Girls, Age 12-15, Heather Brown, first, Casey Whetzell, second, Courtney Whetzell, third, Kristen Nicoletti, fourth, and Sarah Nelson, fifth.

Sponge Toss winners were: Boys, Age 3-5, Brett McCary and Brock Buffington, first, Taylor Birt and Gary Whetzell, second, Bill Lackamp and Wyatt Feagan, third, and Caleb Eckelberry and Joseph Polhlopek, fourth; Girls, Age 3-5, Joslyn Cantrell and Sicily Stahl, first, Micaela Birt and Abby Gaffner, second, Kaley Bogina and Hanna Wade, third, and Rayne Wright and Matthew Wright, fourth; Boys, Age 6-8, Eric Esposito and Andy Farmer, first, Cody Burlingham and Jonah Gaffner, second, Joey Claffey and Austin Bogina, third, Kyle Eckelberry and Austin Pitts, fourth, and Bradley Oehme and Justin Zornes, fifth; Girls, Age 6-8, Haley Brown and Taylor Smith, first, Emily Weiss and Lindsey Stolte, second, Kirby Feagan and Jamie Brady, third, Payton Whetzell and Lori Whetzell, fourth, and Alison Williams and Alicia Esposito, fifth; Boys, Age 9-11, Todd Brennon and Jeremy Sullins, first, Cory Wood and Jordan McClintick, second, Danny Davied and Daniel Rank, third, Gage Cowan and Alex Jones, fourth, and Ian Horn and Kyle Whetzell, fifth; Girls, Age 9-11, Andrea Ashbacher and Erin Esposito, first, Erin Stolte and Alaina Stroud, second, Jessica Patterson and Elizabeth Oehme, third, Brooke Buffington and Kristin Lorenz, fourth, and Laura Williams and Miranda Wright, fifth; Boys, Age 12-15, Travis Sullins and Josh Bird, first, Josh Lorenz and Brett Brown, second, Matt Toschi and Jeremy Sullins, third, Karl Wicker and Jordan Houghton, fourth, and Brad Vinardi and Kyle Vinardi, fifth; and Girls, Age 12-15, Casey Whetzell and Courtney Whetzell, first, Jessie Clarkson and Lindsay Redlon, second, and Ashton Brown and Heather Brown, third.

Throwing contest winners were: Boys, Age 3-5, Brett McCary, first, Terry Hancock, second, Noah Given, third, Matthew Wright, fourth, and Brock Buffington, fifth; Girls, Age 3-5, Hanna Wade, first, Kaley Bogina, second, Alison Williams, third, Abbie Gaffner, fourth, and Rayne Wright, fifth; Boys, Age 6-8, Andy Farmer, first, Eric Esposito, second, Kyle Eckleberry, third, Joey Claffey, fourth, and Brett McCary, fifth; Girls, Age 6-8, Lindsey Stolte, first, Emily Weiss, second, Morgan Tarvin-Rowe, third, Faith Hookson, fourth, and Taylor Smith, fifth; Boys, Age 9-11, Jordan McClintick, first, Daniel Rank, second, William Howard, third, Cory Woods, fourth, and Troy Whetzell, fifth; Girls, Age 9-11, Kristin Lorenz, first, Laura Williams, second, Brooke Buffington, third, Erin Stolte, fourth, and Jessica Patterson, fifth; Boys, Ages 12-15, Brad Vinardi, first, Matt Toschi, second, Cailin Jones, third, Cory Whetzell, fourth, and Brett Buffington, fifth; and Girls Age 12-15, Casey Whetzell, first, Courtney Whetzell, second, Heather Brown, third, Janelle Johnson, fourth, and Bethany Robinson, fifth.

Those winning gift certificates were Brooke Buffington, Haley Brown, Cody Burlingham, Danny Davied and Lori Whetzell.

Movie pass winners were Kaley Bogina, Laura Williams, Brett Brown and Austin Bogina.

Tractor pull results were as follows: Division II, BJD, F-12, F-14, Russ Boyd, Joplin, first, Dan Richard, Arma, second, John Karn, Paola, third; 3,300 Lbs., Tony Gayer, Muskogee, Okla., first, Danny Myers, Altoona, second, and John Karn, Paola, third; 3,500 lbs., John Karn, Paola, first, Tony Gayer, Muskogee, second, Paul Myers, Altoona, third; 4,000 lbs., Dan Richard, Arma, first, John Karn, Paola, second, and Tony Gayer, Muskogee, third; 4,500 lbs., Mike Schettler, Girard, first, Dan Richard, Arma, second, and Nadine Sexson, Goodman, Mo., third; 5,500 lbs., Stan Griffin, Claremore, Okla., first, Mike Schettler, Girard, second, and Ronnie Cummings, Inola, Okla., third; and 6,500 lbs., Jim Sumner, Catoosa, Okla., first, Stan Griffin, Claremore, second, and Ronnie Cummings, Inola, third.

Division III: 2,500 lbs., Larry Storrer, LeRoy, first, Ken Storrer, Iola, second, and Russ Boyd, Joplin, third; 3,300 lbs., Larry Storrer, LeRoy, first, Jim Shieldnight, Porter, Okla., second, and Loren Korte, Iola, third; 3,500 lbs., Jim Shieldnight, Porter, first, Ernest Chupp, Pryor, Okla., second, and Larry Storrer, LeRoy, third; 4,000 lbs., Larry Storrer, LeRoy, first, Ernest Chupp, Pryor, second, and Jim Shieldnight, Porter, third; 4,500 lbs., Lynn Heller, Broken Arrow, Okla., first, and Ernest Chupp, Pryor, second; 5,500 lbs., Lynn Heller, Broken Arrow, first, Jim Shieldnight, Porter, second, and Brent Cummings, Inola, third; 6,500 lbs., Jim Shieldnight, Porter, first, Brent Cummings, Inola, second, and Jim Sumner, Catoosa, third.

Open: 3,500 lbs., Ernest Chupp, Pryor, first, and Larry Storrer, LeRoy, second; 4,500 lbs., Ken Storrer, Iola, first, Seth Seedorf, Reeds, Mo., second, Mike Schettler, Girard, third; 5,500 lbs., Jim Seedorf, Reeds, first, Mike Schettler, Girard, second, and Brent Cummings, Inola, third.  Back to Top

Morning Sun Article appearing  August 12, 2001

A celebration for all ages
Arma Homecoming attracts diverse crowd with variety of events

By HAROLD CAMPBELL
Morning Sun Staff Writer

ARMA -- Noah Given didn't care that it was the 55th edition of the Arma V-J Homecoming Celebration -- all his concentration focused on the $5 prize he was receiving for winning the children's tricycle race Saturday.

Yet, as the 4-year-old Columbia, Mo., boy tore apart the envelope to clutch the $5 bill inside with his proud parents and grandmother looking on, the victory scene served as a microcosm of what Arma's annual festival is all about, a celebration for all ages.

"I grew up coming to Arma Homecoming and so we have to come back every year," Noah's mother, Shari Given, said. Her mother, Ann Hancock of Arma, has attended every Arma Homecoming since the event began in 1946.

"Of course, I was very young when it started," she said with a laugh.

Saturday's events started off with a performance by Beth's Batoners, featuring the group's "Coca Cola" skit.

With the blare from fire truck and ambulance sirens, the parade down Washington Street featured Northeast High School Homecoming Queen Natalie Stewart and grand marshal Terry Waterman, representing all past commanders of Lon Helm Jr. Post 182 Arma American Legion.

A first-time parade participant was new Arma City Council member Peggy Bain.

"It was a really nice parade," she said. "It was a lot of fun."

First place winners in the parade were Dan Richard, Arma, antique and classic tractor; Infinia Health Care, Arma, commercial float; Hometown Christmas Spirit, organizational float; Jack Alvested, Arma, antique cars; Ben Brown, Appleton City, Mo., bikes; Rachel Brown, Appleton City, Mo., pets; Laura, Taney, Allison and Braden Williams, Lawrence, novelty; and J.D. Sannipoli, Arma, motorcycles.

A new event at this year's Homecoming was sidewalk art in front of Arma Drug. One of the budding artists participating was Haley Brown, 7, of Girard.

"I just like to draw," she said. When asked if she would like to be an artist someday, she replied, "Maybe."

Other events scheduled for later Saturday were horseshoe pitching, women's rolling p;in throw, women's nail-driving contest and mud volleyball tournament.

The day was to end with an antique and classic tractor pull, spaghetti feed at the Arma American Legion Hall and street dance with music by The Bellhops.

Today's activities begin at noon with the bocce tournament registration in the park. Registration is $2 per person, and co-ed entries are welcome, according to event chairs Craig Stokes and Henry Ashbacher. The tournament begins at 12:45, and cash prizes have been donated by local businesses.

Other contests include the fishing derby at 1 p.m. in Hookie Park and the doubles horseshoe pitching competition at 1 p.m. The Three-on-Three basketball contest is at 2 p.m. on the old football field.

Those with less athletic ambition may check out the Junior Bathing Beauty Contest at 5 p.m. Registration is at 4:30 p.m. in the Arma Community Center. Trophies will be awarded to boys and girls in three age categories: 6-12 months; 1-2 years; and 2-3 years. All contestants must dress in swimwear. Donna Shephard has donated a quilt to be given away following the contest.

Today is also "Bracelet Night" at Toby's, from 4 to 8 p.m. in the park.

Rounding out the weekend is a gospel sing from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Arma Community Center. The event features "The Singing Word" and "The Jesus Project," who recently performed at the Crawford County Fair in Girard. "The Singing Word" is a group composed of members from several Girard Churches, while "The Jesus Project" is from Victory Life Center in Pittsburg.

All kinds of drawings are planned for this evening after the free watermelon feed at 8 p.m. At 8:30 p.m., there will be a drawing for Christmas items, followed by drawings for a variety of prizes donated by area businesses. You must be present to win.  Back to Top

Morning Sun Article Appearing  August 9, 2001

A cause for celebration
Arma event commemorates end of WWII, alumni reunion

By OLIVE L. SULLIVAN
Morning Sun Staff Writer

For 55 years, friends, family and residents of Arma have known the small city is the place to be in early August. That's how long the annual V-J Homecoming celebration has been taking place.

Since 1946, the celebration of the end of World War II has been combined with the annual high school alumni reunion for a full weekend of fun and activities.

This year, the alumni reunion will be held Friday, Aug. 10, at the Pittsburg Mirza Shrine Temple from 7 p.m. to midnight. The Class of 1951 will be honored on its Golden Anniversary; the Class of 1976 celebrates its Silver Anniversary; and the Northeast Senior Class of 2001 will be recognized at the banquet.

Back home in Arma, the fun begins Friday with Toby's Amusement Company, which offers rides from 7 to 11 p.m. at Arma City Park. Friday is "Bracelet Night," where kids can try all rides for one set price.

There also will be a ceremony Friday night, by the Lon M. Helm Jr. Post No. 182 Arma American Legion. Beginning at 7:30 p.m., the event includes a rendition of the National Anthem, an introduction by Commander Johnny Cummings, and a welcome address by Mayor Rock Anderson.

The horsepulling contest also takes place Friday evening, starting at 7:30 p.m. behind the Arma City Ballpark. Admission is $2 for adults; children under 12 are admitted free.

Trophies and prizes will be presented to the first three places, and area businesses have also contributed all kinds of gate prizes for the audience, ranging from $50 cash to a pound of beef jerky from Schroeder's Locker.

The fun continues Saturday, Aug. 11. The arts and crafts booth will open at 8 a.m. and run throughout the day, and Toby's Amusement Company will be in the park throughout the weekend. Beth's Batoners will perform at 9:30 a.m., followed at 10 a.m. by the annual Homecoming Parade.

This year the parade features Homecoming Queen Natalie Stewart. The Grand Marshal is Terry Waterman, who will represent all Past Commanders of the Lon Helm Jr. Post No. 182, Arma American Legion.

All parade entries to be judged must be registered and in line by 9:15 a.m.

There will be several cash prizes awarded to floats in several categories: Commercial Floats, Organizational Floats, Pet Parade, Novelty Parade, Bicycle Parade, Antique Cars, Classic Cars, Antique and Classic Tractors, and Motorcycles.

Antique Cars are those built before 1966, according to parade chairman Bart Maransani. Maransani's helpers include Michelle Maransani, Brenda Stokes, Scott Popejoy, Vince Chirafisi and K.C. Cameron.

At 11 a.m., Rock Anderson will serve as Master of Ceremonies at the Grandstand, introducing honored guests and dignitaries.

The rest of the weekend will be devoted to the popular activities that bring folks home to Arma year after year: kids' games and a cakewalk at the Grandstand area, the annual car and motorcycle show in front of Bedene Funeral Home, horseshoe pitching and mud volleyball will all take place Saturday, along with other fun games like the Women's Nail Driving Contest and the Women's Rolling Pin Toss.

New this year is "Sidewalk Art" in front of Arma Drug. The event will be chaired by Gary Lofts and Ed Babcock; supplies will be provided for all the budding Picassos and Rembrandts out there.

Food won't be neglected on Saturday, either. As well as vendors downtown and at the carnival, celebrants can attend the annual Homecoming Dinner sponsored by the Arma United Methodist Church in the church basement and check out the spaghetti feed at the Arma American Legion Hall. There is a $4 donation for the spaghetti; the feed starts at 5 p.m.

Finally, The Bellhops will provide music for the downtown street dance, which starts at 8 p.m. Organizers suggest spectators bring their lawn chairs.

Sunday's activities begin at noon with the bocce tournament registration in the park. Registration is $2 per person, and co-ed entries are welcome, according to event chairs Craig Stokes and Henry Ashbacher. The tournament begins at 12:45, and cash prizes have been donated by local businesses.

Other contests include the fishing derby at 1 p.m. in Hookie Park and the doubles horseshoe pitching competition at 1 p.m. The Three-on-Three basketball contest is at 2 p.m. on the old football field.

Those with less athletic ambition may check out the Junior Bathing Beauty Contest at 5 p.m. Registration is at 4:30 p.m. in the Arma Community Center. Trophies will be awarded to boys and girls in three age categories: 6-12 months; 1-2 years; and 2-3 years. All contestants must dress in swimwear. Donna Shephard has donated a quilt to be given away following the contest.

Sunday is also "Bracelet Night" at Toby's, from 4 to 8 p.m. in the park.

Rounding out the weekend is a gospel sing from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Arma Community Center. The event features "The Singing Word" and "The Jesus Project," who recently performed at the Crawford County Fair in Girard. "The Singing Word" is a group composed of members from several Girard Churches, while "The Jesus Project" is from Victory Life Center in Pittsburg.

All kinds of drawings will be held Sunday evening after the free watermelon feed at 8 p.m. At 8:30 p.m., there will be a drawing for Christmas items, followed by drawings for a variety of prizes donated by area businesses. You must be present to win.

The Homecoming Committee and Board of Directors thanks all the contributors of both time and financial support, and all of those who come out to enjoy the fun and make the annual weekend a success.

Officers are as follows: Chair, Steffany Peternell; vice chair, Ken Cleland; secretary, Kathryn Richard; treasurer, Emma Louise Ales; chair of ticket sales, Joan Cleland; prize collection, Mildred Nicoletti and Frances Ryder.     Back to Top