Arcadia Area News

Before Christmas, Betty Payne had a birthday she will never forget, according to her sister, Florence Karnes of Fort Scott. Early on Dec. 10, around 5 a.m. Betty was going to her bedfast brother's home nearby. She fell on the ice that had dripped off the house the day before and had frozen over again. She ended up in the emergency room in Fort Scott with a broken wrist and lots of bruises. The birthday she will never forget was her 74th.

Douglas Watt and friend, Don Bassett came from Wichita to take his grandmother Mae Watt to his Dad's home. There, Allen and Linda Watt had an early Christmas celebration. Mae was pleased to see all of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren that live in Wichita area. They are Teckla and Jeff, Justin, Jordan and Isaac Butler; Greg and Beth, Angela Thummel; Celena and Troy, Tyler, Summer and Sierra Fillbrook; Tim and Terri Thummel; Dustin and Shandy, Alex, Landon Thummel; Douglas Watt, Andy and Stephanie Watt Schwellng with two children; Michelle Watt and friend Jerrick. The hosts were happy to show the extensive remodeling and beautiful new furniture in their home. Later in the week the drivers returned Mae to her Arcadia home.

On Christmas Day, Forest and Ernestine Berkey went to their daughter Angela and Bill Redd's home in Pittsburg to enjoy dinner and the day with them and granddaughters Kristen and Bethany. That evening the Redds went to the home of Dude and Mimi Redd's family gathering. The Berkeys took Christmas supper and treats to Jim DeKarski and Walter Foulk and Mel Payne in Arcadia.

Betty Dehn spent Christmas Eve with her parents, Earl and Ollie Hill in Versailles, Mo. Christmas morning she traveled to Lexington, Mo. to be with her son Brent Zellers. At noon, her daughter Melissa and Eric Due and children joined them. On Tuesday, Betty drove to St. Louis, Mo. to meet Lou Dehn at the airport. There she met Judy Swickard from Palmyra, Ill. The two ladies had lunch at Ponderosa before Lou arrived.

Chris King, Joplin, Mo. spent Saturday with her cousin, Vickie Shead and family. She honored the group by cooking and serving the evening meal at the farm home.

Allen and Linda Watt traveled to North Padra Island and South Padra Island to spend ten days celebrating their 10th wedding Anniversary in Texas and Mexico. They stopped in Bertram, Texas to visit his brother Delton Jr. and Billi Watt and family. The two families went to San Antonio to sight-see on the famous River Walk.

A reminder to attend the Cato Historical Preservation Society will be the fourth Tuesday on Jan. 23, in Arcadia Community Center at 6:30 p.m.

Douglas Watt came from Wichita on Christmas Eve to visit his grandparents Bill and Diane Morrison and cousin James in Franklin. That evening he went to his grandmother Mae Watts where he spent several days. On Wednesday, his uncle, Tom Watt came to Arcadia from Lee's Summit, Mo. with his daughter Julie Watt and Krystell Pewthere who were visiting from New York. With them was his son, Tommy Watt and son Dawson Watt and Jennie Philbrook from Kansas City. They returned to their homes on Wednesday evening and Douglas to Wichita on Thursday. All were very happy to see each other as it had been a couple of years since being together.