I always enjoy the “Looking Backward” section of the Herald. Last week in the 25 Years Ago column was a tale of farmers from this area inspiring “Operation Haylift”. It was Willie and Carol Boeddeker who started that movement by donating hay and calling in the idea to KKOZ. Then they contacted Washington D.C., the office of a Missouri Representative. Much more than 1200 bales were donated. After the two C-141 planes flew out to Virginia, we had enough hay to then fill two boxcars, and that hay went to Georgia. Cecil Huff was also very much involved. Forgive me for not remembering everyone as the information was lost in the house fire. We had local semi-truckers who hauled the hay to the airport and the railroad yard and didn’t charge a penny. Many young people volunteered in loading/stacking the hay on trucks in Ava and transferring it to the planes and boxcars. With still more hay coming in, Willie and I hauled some to needy farmers in this area and as far as north of Springfield. Believe me, all this made for some very tired folk especially as most of us involved were dairy farmers.
The donated hay was mostly alfalfa so the Georgia farmers had to be warned to mix the alfalfa with grass hay to keep their cattle from having “digestive disturbances”. Following the Springfield News Leader reports on our efforts, farmers from all over the southern part of Missouri then donated hay and similar movements started in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Iowa. When the C-141 planes arrived in Virginia, President Ronald Reagan was there to meet them but by that time, the Boeddeker name was forgotten and Missouri legislators took the credit for innovation, implementation and sharing. No wonder I dislike politics!
Now, we are in drought ourselves and I pray our farmers were able to bale sufficient hay before it turned so hot and dry to feed their livestock through the winter. My concerns now include ponds drying up. Farming is the biggest gamble of all as we gamble with our very beings, our very existence.
Many years ago several National Farmers Organization members were at the State Fair in Sedalia handing out pamphlets regarding problems in agriculture. One person, rejecting a pamphlet said to Willie Boeddeker, “We don’t need you farmers. We can go to the grocery store.” If you don’t see something wrong with that statement you are living in la-la land…and please, don’t vote!
A phone call from Wyoming on Friday informed me it was all of 61 degrees there at 10 a.m. A van load of us went to the fair Saturday afternoon. We had a nice time, especially as a front cooled us down some, and we truly enjoyed seeing the draft horse competitions. Unfortunately a hitch in my get-a-long caused us to leave before Justin could go on any rides.
Nick and Angel Boeddeker dropped in Sunday afternoon for a visit before continuing to Arkansas to visit Angel’s parents. They had some interesting and funny stories to share. Nick has been working in North Dakota and was telling of mosquitoes there. That is not news to those of us who were born there. I couldn’t keep a grin hidden as we heard from him of how miserable the mosquitoes are. Been there! Experienced that!
To all of you out there, please try to keep cool and safe. We pray for God to keep you safe in His hands.
Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church from the desk of Jamey Herd:
Vacation Bible School finished Saturday night with good attendance and one adult that came to the Lord for Salvation. VBS began Thursday night and ended Saturday noon with a cookout. We appreciate Daniel for cooking the burgers and franks out in the heat. Everyone chose to eat inside where it was cooler.
Pastor Carl brought the morning message from Exodus 24: 9-11. After service most stayed and had the leftover burgers and franks. Laveta and Susie had 11 children in Children’s Church. Services were dismissed Sunday night so members could attend the fifth Sunday singing at Breedon Church
Joan Workman reports that a reunion for the Dogwood School will be held on August 14 at 1:30 pm at the Bruner Community Building. If you attended or taught at this school you are invited to attend. The Dogwood School was in existence many years ago. Refreshments will be served.
I hope everyone can stay cool this next week. They report this will be our worst week for heat. Till next week, God Bless.
