Sheads entertain crowds this Thanksgiving

Seventy-two people gathered at Larry and Vickie Shead's farm to participate in the Thanksgiving holidays. Relatives, friends, friends of friends and college students began arriving on Wednesday, with many staying until Saturday or Sunday.

Thursday morning, a number of the guests helped in bringing in the Shead's winter supply of wood, while others moved furniture and set up tables in preparation for the dinner. At noon, after the rest of the guests arrived, Clayton Whitson, Joel Ray, both son-in-laws to the Sheads, Amos Cupp and Paul Tylutke, all four from Tulsa, Okla., played their guitars and led the group in praise and worship. This was followed by Larry Shead giving a short devotion and Ralph Shead voicing the prayer for the meal.

After a scrumptious meal and great visiting, many of the guests took a walk on the trails in the Shead's woods where each one crossed the 55-foot swinging bridge built by the Sheads. After arriving back at the farm house, the guests participated in a talent show with the various guests sharing their talents. Visiting and eating continued throughout the evenings with numerous games being played.

The festivities continued throughout the weekend with the last guest leaving Sunday afternoon.

On Saturday Nov. 10, Mick and Mary Coonrod Bournonville, their daughter Connie and husband John, who live near Phoenix, Ariz., came to visit Lorene Gibson, daughter Barbara Jo and husband Allan Pederson, in Brenda Ariz. A chili lunch, made by Barbara Jo at her mother's request, was served on the first chilly day of the season. (The desert temperature didn't get out of the mid-50s for the day.) Then an ice cream bar was enjoyed by each of us who had room for a cold treat. A wonderful visit was enjoyed by both old and new friends with both old news and new, being shared by the two generations. All three men had served in the armed forces, so it made for a great Marine Corps birthday and early Veterans Day celebration.

Former Arcadia resident, Rita Leist, passed away recently. She and her husband, Raymond, lived on the Missouri side of the state line. They ran a store on the state line where they sold gasoline and liquor. Their children are Carole Jean Gruenwald, Linda Leist, Vicky Leist, Sandy Leist and Barbara Leist. Mrs. Leist was living in Frontenac at the time of her death.

The Arcadia Christian Church had their monthly church dinner on Dec. 2 following the morning services. The chicken for dinner was paid for by Pastor Charles and Willa Cable as a Christmas present to the congregation.

Dec. 8 will be the holiday dinner at the community center in Arcadia. The meal is free and is scheduled for 5 to 7:30 p.m. Carry-outs are available, as well as rides. All are welcome and are asked to bring non-perishable goods to be distributed to those less fortunate at Christmas.

Santa Project: The chili and soup feed along with the pie auction brought in around $1,000 toward a nice Christmas for the area kids. This money will provide presents for the kids when they visit Santa on Dec. 15. We would like to thank Mike Thyer for auctioneering the pie auction (nice job, Mike); Joyce Stephens for baking a very large number of pies and everyone who donated pies, time and supplies. There are too many of you to list everyone. So, thanks again to all of you.

Harold Dean Simpson, age 79, resident of rural Arcadia, died Friday, Nov. 16. He was a 1950 graduate of Arcadia High School.

Paul and Cheri Walrod and family, Eudora, along with Andrew and Loryn Woodworth, Lawrence, spent Tuesday- Friday with Charles and Willa Cable. They all celebrated Thanksgiving together. On Tuesday and Wednesday evening, they enjoyed wiener roasts and watched the stars and moon while eating.

Every Thursday night (5:30-7 p.m.), St. Michael's Church serves supper. Carol Burns and Kathy Allen have enjoyed attending this event.

Patty Peterson hosted her annual Christmas brunch on Saturday, Dec. 1, at her home in Arcadia. There were 16 guests including: Jean Sluter, Lori Sluter, Susan Ackerson, Leora Younge, Lynetta Fisher, Kathy Allen, Willa Cable, Michelle Castro, Mary Lee Payne, Mary V. Shead, Vera Parrish, Janet VanLueven, Shirley Garrett, Judy Rawlings, Lillie Coonrod and Ernestine Berkey.