This Sunday night, we say goodbye to the old year, and greet the new. Here’s a look back at people and events of note in Clinton, Henry County and environs in 2023, in case you missed it the first time around.
January:
Daniel Peek, 14, is feted as a published author at Clinton Middle School. Daniel won the Flash Fiction contest sponsored by Stephen Kozan’s “ReadyAimWrite Kids” program for his book, “Wings of a Bird,” and signed copies at the book launch.
The Clinton Daily Democrat sells its historic building on Washington and moves into the former Bluebird Mercantile store front, 104 S. Main.
Max Jeys wheels out the Beer Bus at Primitive Olde Crow and Winery, featuring dozens of craft beer on tap.
February:
Amitria McNack is met with a parade when she returns to Clinton on Feb. 24 from Columbia, where she made CHS history by taking first place in the Missouri State High School Activities Association’s wrestling tournament in her weight class.
March:
Fancy, a Border Collie trained by Miles Bailey of Clinton, is named the Missouri Farm Bureau’s Farm Dog of the Year.
Gracie and her litter of puppies, born in a hay bale of the field of her deceased owner, are adopted by two generations of the same family.
Terry and Angie Carey open Frank’s Fish Shack next to their home on Hwy. 7 S., west of Tightwad. Terry fries up catfish, and Angie cooks sides they serve from a food trailer, named for Terry’s father, a Truman Lake fisherman.
April:
Ryan and Julie Summers attend a surprise party at Primitive Olde Crow and Winery on April 1, marking the 10th anniversary of opening their first pharmacy in Clinton. The couple now operate pharmacies in 13 locations.
Greg Shannon cuts a ribbon at the Katy Trailhead to officially open his new business, Katy Trail Tours and Shuttle service.
May:
Cruisin’ To Clinton holds its first Cruise Night of the season on the Clinton Square, organized by volunteers Matt Wray, Brent Winter and Marty Loyd.
Randy Shipman, Joe Hilty, Darren Huey and Ron Pack, with other Celebrate Recovery and First Baptist Church volunteers, start remodeling a former church on Ohio into the Men’s Discipleship Center, a residence home where former jail inmates can make a new start.
Linda Lampkin opens the Appleton City Carousel, which she bought from the carnival that operated it at the city fair for 11 years. Installed inside an octagonal building she had built on the Appleton’s City main street, the carousel has drawn riders from 12 states.
Dara Bigler attends a surprise party celebrating her 20 years as director of the Clinton branch of State Fair Community College.
July:
The Olde Glory Days Parade is not rained out.
Kim Henderson of Kim’s Cabins in Windsor is a keynote speaker at the opening of the Rock Island Trail State Park in Windsor.
Mayor Carla Moberly wields a knife in a pool-noodle cutting ceremony to reopen Clinton’s outdoor swimming pool in Artesian Park, which was closed for a facilities remodel and the addition of a new pool house.
Jane Marshall, the first female manager of a Walmart store, is feted as the guest of honor at her retirement party, held at the Clinton Walmart, where she started as a cashier in 1975. Jane’s career was featured as the lead story on the Walmart World website, and Walmart radio ran “shout-outs” to Jane all over the country on July 26.
August:
Jim Raysik is inducted into the 4-H Foundation Hall of Fame for his support of 4-H programs in Henry County for the past 35 years.
Carmen Rather and Jesse Frencken, who teamed up to offer pediatric therapy services in a small office in Clinton, expand the Pediatric Place into their entire 2nd Street building. A new Autism Center is rising in an adjacent space.
September:
Caroline Wagoner, president of the Clinton High School FFA, cuts a red ribbon to officially open the Cardinal Pride Farm and Education Facility on the CHS campus.
October:
Peggy Bowles, board members and staff of the Henry County Health Center host a grand opening for the center’s new building at 111 N. 3rd St.
The Clinton Fire Department hires Bayley Heider, making her the first female career firefighter with the department.
November:
Mayor Carla Moberly, Gregg Smith and Wallace White wield shovels to break ground for an airport terminal building at Clinton Regional Airport.
December:
A open house for the new Bourland Radiation Oncology Center, 501 E. Oakstar Dr., is held on Dec. 11.
Last but not least, Polly Mills, beloved member of Curtis and Shelley Mills’ family, crossed over the Rainbow Bridge on Dec. 5. According to the notice the Mills placed in the CDD, Polly, a senior pug, was adopted from Clinton Animal Rescue Endeavor (CARE), who rescued her in July of 2022. Polly was preceded in death by three brothers, Sancho, Mr. Beefy and Cletus. Cremation services were provided by Over the Rainbow Bridge Pet Memorial Services.
“Her ashes are in an urn with her two brothers, Sancho, the chihuahua, and Mr. Beefy, the pug,” Shelley said.
The ashes will be buried with Shelley when she passes away, she said.
The concept of a pet “crossing the Rainbow Bridge” has become a solace to pet owners who have lost a best friend. An allusion to an ephemeral bridge in Norse mythology that spans the divide between this world and the next, “The Rainbow Bridge” is the title of an essay written by teenager Edna Clyne of Inverness, Scotland, after Major, her Labrador retriever, died. Edna envisioned a place where Major was waiting for her, to be reunited, and cross the bridge together.
As we step over the threshold between the old year and the new year, may we do so in a spirit of joy and love for all who cross our path in 2024.
The Changing of the Guard:
Hellos and Goodbyes
Coal Tire and Battery in Coal closed on Dec. 23, 2022, and McCoullough Tire opened in its location.
The Preaching Point held their final service on Dec. 31, 2022.
Daniel Dody completed his year as the 2022 president of the Clinton Chamber of Commerce, and Adam Cummings took the gavel as the 2023 president.
Taps sounded for Capt. Robert Richter, USMC (ret) of Clinton, who died at the age of 85 on Jan. 21, 2023. Richter was the founder of the Marine Corps Mustang Association for Marines like him who had served as an enlisted person and earned promotion to officer.
Randy Shipman retired as pastor of First Baptist Church in January 2023. Pat Findley became the new pastor.
Andy Bullock, long-time conservation agent for Henry County, retired. Drew Davis was hired as the new Missouri agent.
The irreplaceable Ann Drury, manager of the Aquatic Center since 2006, retired. Ann did not want any falderol when she left.
Tim Komer retired as Sports editor of the Clinton Daily Democrat. Owen Scoles, a student at CHS, was hired as the Sports Reporter of the CDD.
Roger House, pastor of Allen Street Baptist Church, retired. Justin Wright became the new pastor at Allen Street Baptist.
Joel Long took the controls from Wallace White as manager of the Clinton Regional Airport. Joel grew up in southwest Tennessee near Pickwick Lake, where he learned to fly.