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Sunday, July 11, 2004
Changes abound for Arma V.J. Homecoming
By JESSICA TIMS Changes abound for Arma V.J. Homecoming
Morning Sun Staff Writer
ARMA - About a month ago the Arma V.J. Day
Homecoming may have seemed to be in shambles.
The homecoming committee was looking for an alternative after Toby Nemmers, owner of Toby's Amusement, a carnival company based in Arma since 1964, announced at a city council meeting that he would not bring his carnival to the city's annual festival.
"We weren't sure what we were going to do," said Steffie Peternell, chairman of the Arma Homecoming Committee. "Friday night is one of our best nights because the carnival's always there for the kids and they have a bracelet night. The kids can ride all night for one set price. There are things for the adults to do, but without the carnival what were we going to do for the kids?"
Nemmers changed his mind, and the carnival will go on as planned. But the shock of possibly loosing one of its top attractions and the time it took the committee to come up with other ideas for attractions - mainly on Friday night - set the group back about six weeks. But Peternell promises everything will be in order for the 58th annual celebration, which begins on Aug. 6.
"We are a little behind but we will get there," she said. "It's our 58th (homecoming) and we want it to be better than all the ones before it."
While the carnival will remain the same, Peternell said there are some things that will be changing.
"You just have to go through each year and see what's working and what's not and make changes," she said.
One of the changes will be the band at the city's street dance. The Bellhops, a 50s era band which has participated in the event for the past several years, will not be playing at the dance, held from 8 to 11 Saturday night.
"This year we have Cousin Eddie," Peternell said. "That's Dr. (Adam) Paoni's band."
She discovered the band when Dr. Ron Edwards, whom she works for, went to see the band play and told her how much he and his kids enjoyed the show.
Cousin Eddie plays a mixture of its own music and covers of artist from ZZ Top and AC/DC to Aerosmith and the Eagles.
The Tioga Township Dixieland Jazz Band, which has played before the Bellhops in the past, will also not be performing.
Another change will be to the auto show on Washington Street after the homecoming parade on Saturday morning. At a time when southeast Kansas has seemingly gone "hog wild" with the ever-growing Blessing of the Bikes and the new Harley School in Frontenac, the show, which has traditionally been for cars and bikes, will now just feature motorcycles.
For those competitive homecoming-goers, the popular games and tournaments will stay the same.
"We still have the mud volleyball, the three-on-three and the bocci," Peternell said. "This year we will have horseshoes on Saturday and Sunday. Last year we just had it on Saturday."
The children's activities will stay the same, with turtle races, tricycle races, foot races, sponge tosses and a throwing contest. However, the sidewalk art activity will not take place.
The one thing that will remain the same is the time of year the celebration is held, which is the second weekend of every August.
"This all started because of the veterans coming home after the victory over Japan," Peternell explained. "That is what we are celebrating."
This year's event will go through Sunday , Aug. 8. The homecoming committee has chosen the theme "Celebrating 150 Years of Kansas Heritage," as a tribute to the their home state and the Chautauqua.
"The committee is busy, we are still collecting (for the Sunday night raffle and event prizes)," Peternell said. "We just want people to know that there's still going to be a homecoming and Toby's is coming. It's our 58th and we are trying to make it our best."
Anyone wishing to donate prizes to the committee, is interested in attending a meeting or wants information on homecoming can contact Peternell at 347-4711 or at 347-8787 after 5 p.m. and on the weekends.
Staff writer Jessica Tims can be reached at
jessica.tims@morningsun.net or by calling 231-2600 Ext. 138.
The homecoming committee was looking for an alternative after Toby Nemmers, owner of Toby's Amusement, a carnival company based in Arma since 1964, announced at a city council meeting that he would not bring his carnival to the city's annual festival.
"We weren't sure what we were going to do," said Steffie Peternell, chairman of the Arma Homecoming Committee. "Friday night is one of our best nights because the carnival's always there for the kids and they have a bracelet night. The kids can ride all night for one set price. There are things for the adults to do, but without the carnival what were we going to do for the kids?"
Nemmers changed his mind, and the carnival will go on as planned. But the shock of possibly loosing one of its top attractions and the time it took the committee to come up with other ideas for attractions - mainly on Friday night - set the group back about six weeks. But Peternell promises everything will be in order for the 58th annual celebration, which begins on Aug. 6.
"We are a little behind but we will get there," she said. "It's our 58th (homecoming) and we want it to be better than all the ones before it."
While the carnival will remain the same, Peternell said there are some things that will be changing.
"You just have to go through each year and see what's working and what's not and make changes," she said.
One of the changes will be the band at the city's street dance. The Bellhops, a 50s era band which has participated in the event for the past several years, will not be playing at the dance, held from 8 to 11 Saturday night.
"This year we have Cousin Eddie," Peternell said. "That's Dr. (Adam) Paoni's band."
She discovered the band when Dr. Ron Edwards, whom she works for, went to see the band play and told her how much he and his kids enjoyed the show.
Cousin Eddie plays a mixture of its own music and covers of artist from ZZ Top and AC/DC to Aerosmith and the Eagles.
The Tioga Township Dixieland Jazz Band, which has played before the Bellhops in the past, will also not be performing.
Another change will be to the auto show on Washington Street after the homecoming parade on Saturday morning. At a time when southeast Kansas has seemingly gone "hog wild" with the ever-growing Blessing of the Bikes and the new Harley School in Frontenac, the show, which has traditionally been for cars and bikes, will now just feature motorcycles.
For those competitive homecoming-goers, the popular games and tournaments will stay the same.
"We still have the mud volleyball, the three-on-three and the bocci," Peternell said. "This year we will have horseshoes on Saturday and Sunday. Last year we just had it on Saturday."
The children's activities will stay the same, with turtle races, tricycle races, foot races, sponge tosses and a throwing contest. However, the sidewalk art activity will not take place.
The one thing that will remain the same is the time of year the celebration is held, which is the second weekend of every August.
"This all started because of the veterans coming home after the victory over Japan," Peternell explained. "That is what we are celebrating."
This year's event will go through Sunday , Aug. 8. The homecoming committee has chosen the theme "Celebrating 150 Years of Kansas Heritage," as a tribute to the their home state and the Chautauqua.
"The committee is busy, we are still collecting (for the Sunday night raffle and event prizes)," Peternell said. "We just want people to know that there's still going to be a homecoming and Toby's is coming. It's our 58th and we are trying to make it our best."
Anyone wishing to donate prizes to the committee, is interested in attending a meeting or wants information on homecoming can contact Peternell at 347-4711 or at 347-8787 after 5 p.m. and on the weekends.
Staff writer Jessica Tims can be reached at
jessica.tims@morningsun.net or by calling 231-2600 Ext. 138.
Tuesday, June 22, 2004
NHS alumni banquet, dance slated
NHS alumni banquet, dance slated
Plans are being finalized for the annual Arma-Northeast High School Alumni Association's banquet and dance, to be held at 7 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 6, at the Mirza Shrine Temple in Pittsburg.
A registration and happy hour will be from 6 to 7 p.m., and the dance will follow from 9 to 11:30 p.m., with music provided by the Johnny Zibert band. Anyone wishing to attend the dance only may do so at a charge of $5 per person at the door.
After the dinner, the classes of 1954, 1979 and 1994 will be honored for their 50th, 25th and 10th anniversaries. The new superintendent for USD 246, Randy Rivers; and the new Northeast High School Principal, Bryan Weilert, will be introduced.
Officers of the alumni association are Michael Doue, president; Ron Pommier, vice president; Kathy Anselmi, secretary; and Marcel Normand, treasurer.
The alumni event is being held in conjunction with the annual Arma V-J Homecoming during the weekend of Aug. 6, 7 and 8.
Anyone wishing additional information or reservations should call Normand at 347-8563.
All donations received will go to providing scholarships for graduating seniors of Northeast.
