We begin this week by remembering two friends who were called to their eternal reward recently. First, Erma Cudney who was a longtime member of the Dogwood community. There she lived with her husband, Jim and she was extremely active in the Dogwood Church of the Nazarene for many years.
I remember when Erma started to attend the Nazarene Church and we became fast friends. She served as our pianist for many years and she was always a lot of fun to visit with. My parents always enjoyed Erma as well. It was nice to see so many former neighbors at her visitation, which I attended with youngest daughter Jeanette Evans. I wish I could have been there for her memorial service at the new Nazarene Church building the next day.
Oldest grandson, Nicholas and our daughter-in-law, Jeri Inman attended together and they reported that it was a touching service. One that Erma would have enjoyed. Nicholas reported that it was nice to see Bobby Joe and Linda Myers, Erma Lee Lupton, Violet Lakey and granddaughter Valarie, Stella Fitzgerald, Bob and Ella Mae Huskey, Harley and Faye Allen, Sammy and Eva Lawrence, Sue Brown, Susan Sinclair, Misty and Regina Breshears and so many longtime friends from the area.
He said that Sammy Lawrence gave him a tour of the new building following the service. Our family has many ties to that congregation and it seems like yesterday that we were all sitting together in the pews of the Nazarene Church, singing praises to the Lord. Erma was laid to rest at Goodhope.
Our community also mourns the loss of James Cunningham. James was a great man and wonderful Christian. He is the husband of my best friend from high school, Marion Cunningham. James was well respected by many in Fordland and surrounding communities and our prayers go out to the Cunningham family as they say goodbye to such a dear loved one. We have many fond memories of visiting with James and Marion.
Just a reminder that Rev. Bob Huskey of Dogwood will be preaching at the tent revival at Elkland on Wednesday, Sept. 14 at 7 p.m. Fred Napier, former Seymour resident will be preaching at the revival on Sunday, Sept. 18 at 11 a.m. That same evening, Don Givans who is a former Dogwood resident will preach at 7 p.m. Jim Jones, Webster County Assessor is scheduled to preach on Friday, Sept. 16 and Bob Holden will be the song leader. Bob will preach on Thursday, Sept. 15 at 7 p.m. and on that night David Hartwell will lead the singing. David will preach on Saturday, Sept. 17 at 7 p.m. I mention that for so many of them have ties to this area and I know that many of their lifelong friends and neighbors will be anxious to hear them preach.
The Chateau Charmant, the “castle” in Olga, will play host to the 2nd annual Masquerade Ball benefiting the Fordland Clinic on Oct. 1. The evening will include hors d’oeuvre, dancing and costume contests. Most of the participants last year enjoyed the ‘masquerade’ aspect of the event, wearing masks and “ball” attire. Tickets are available on the Fordland Clinic website (fordlandclinic.org), by phone (417-767-2273), at the clinic, at Kindall’s Store and at the castle. This will be a lot of fun for everyone again this year.
Nicholas and Sarah reported seeing Philip, Sharon and Savannah Shannon in Branson on Saturday. They were all there for the fiddle contest in the historic downtown area. Savannah was a contestant in the fiddle contest and they reported that it was great to see them there. Nicholas and Sarah were there to visit friend, Mary McDonough (Erin from the Walton’s). It seems like the other day that Savannah was playing her fiddle on the side porch of Kindall’s Store at a performance with the Webster County Opry. She is doing such a great job.
That is all there is to report from this neck of the woods. Hope this finds you all well and look forward to seeing you all out this way in the near future.
