All posts by Mary Virginia Shead

Arcadia Area News

Michael and Chrisi Shead sent word to their local relatives from their Mission in Guatemala that their Mother, Vickie Shead of Garland, KS., will be 60 years old on Monday, March 13. Congratulations.


Sunday Morning, February 12, birthday offerings were given by Pastor Charles Cable who said he is not growing older and to prove it he sang a solo entitled EACH STEP I TAKE before he went from the piano to the pulpit for sermon time. At the end he had all singing I HAVE THE JOY DOWN IN MY HEART. The other birthday offering was given for Tara Vanleeuwen. The birthday song was sung by the congregation.


Due to cold and snowy weather, the February 13, Autumn Leaves Senior Citizens was cancelled. Due to the snow that did fall, it seemed the right thing to do for Senior Citizens. The next meeting will be March 5, in the Senior’s Cottage on Arcadia Street, weather permitting.


February 25, will be this month’s date for AHS OUR GANG potluck dinner in the Arcadia Community Center at 6:30 PM.


Saturday afternoon, Larry Shead drove to Ottawa, Kansas to bring his Aunt and Uncle, Harriett and Jack Corporon of Brooklyn, NY to Garland, KS. Gathering at the Shead farm in the mean time were relatives and friends to celebrate the birthday of Vickie Shead and the 55th wedding Anniversary of the Corporons. Kentucky Fried Chicken furnished by the Corporons was enjoyed then after Happy Birthday and Anniversary song, the Ice Cream Cake was served by Larry. The total of thirteen present for the evening also included others, namely, Charles Corporon, Rose Campbell, Pittsburg; Matthew & Ashley Shead; Joplin; Ralph & Cindy
Shead; Carl Junction; Katy and Benjamin Shead, Ft. Scott and Mary V. Shead, Arcadia. where the New Yorkers spent Saturday night.


The last of January, Port Hughes in McPherson enjoyed visits from her daughter, Kirby Gould from Olathe, Kansas and first of February her brother Charles Corporon was her guest.


Dr Tyler Eugene Coomes, who died February 3, funeral was held in Brenner’s Chapel in Pittsburg on Monday, February 6. His wife is the former Ruh Herlocker of Pittsburg and a niece of Bill Dobbins in Pittsburg and Dan, Ray & Perry Dobbins of Ft. Scott. Her Grandfather is the Late Edd Dobbins, the Barber on Arcadia Street for many years. Condolences to the family.


Mark your calendars for Wednesday, March 14, 2012 for the USD School meeting to be held in the Arcadia Community Center from
7:00 PM to 8:00 PM

Arcadia Area News

On Friday, Julie Watt and her friend, Nicole Johnson from Woodstock, CT along with Julie’s Dad, Tom Watt and her uncles, Bill and Delton Watt visited Mae Watt and took her to lunch at the NuGrille in Ft. Scott. Julie and Nichola spent a few days visiting with Tom & Phyllis Watt in Lees Summit, MO. and with Carla and Duane Bowers in Liberty, MO. Many of the WAtt family members spent Saturday evening in Tom’s home visiting with the ladies from Ct.


A recent ad on KOAM TV showed Scott Ball, Arcadia, while announcing the Special Olympic Kansas Polar Plunge to be January 11, 2012.


Old time friends from Arcadia school days were pleased to meet with Mitchell Miles at the time he attended the funeral of Ruth Holland in Liberal, MO. in December.


Following the funeral and burial of Ava Mae Adams in the Arma Methodist Church and burial in Old Arcadia Cemetery on Wednesday, January 4, 2012, the ladies of Arma Church and Arcadia Christian Church prepared and served dinner to family, relatives and close friends. The ladies included Norma Lockwood, Emma Louise Aloe, Betty Brunk, Mildred Nicoletti, Patty Peterson, Lilly Coonrod, Carol Kessleor, Muriel Stroud, Deloris Bierbrodt, Among the many at the services and dinner included Juanita McWillliams and son Richard & Judy McWilliams from Joplin, MO. who are cousins to the deceased.
At dinner they were seated with other relatives


January 9, Sunday Arcadia Christian Church services and dinner were well attended this week . Landon Younge presented first a solo accompanying himself on his guitar, then he and Pastor Charles Cable sang a chorus. The audience responded with applause. Among other special guests at the dinner hour were Cable’s daughter, Cherri Walrod and family from Eudora, Kansas. Leora Younge had many of her family present for this special day. Christie Parrish gave a birthday offering for her Great Nephew’s first birthday, Kylee Wilsons.


While attending Kathreen Kunstel’s visitation in the Bedene Funeral Parlor in Arma, Helen Sisney was pleased to greet her son, Steve Sisney from Hiatville, KS and her granddaughter Courtney Sisney, rural Arma. Courtney works in the Arma Care Center where Kathreen once lived. Long time friend to Kathreen, also present to greet family members, was Rose Shular Campbell from Pittsburg.


Brandy & Michelle Mellon went to Arkansas to visit friends and family members during the Christmas Holiday. Back home, they took their neighbor, Darren Sliger, to SS and Church dinnner on January 8.

Sarah and Erin Shead, daughters of Cindy and Ralph Shead, came from California to spend a few days during the holidays with them in Carl Junction , Mo. and in Dewey, OK with their Grandfather, R.H. Geurin and their Aunt and Uncle, Mr. and Mrs. David Geurin and daughters. They attended the Shead celebration on Wednesday, December 28,with their brother, Matt & Ashley Shead of Joplin.

Other guests in the Arcadia celebration were Charles Corporon, Rose Campbell, Hayley, Mark, Katy & Benjamin Shead, Maria & Clayton Whitson. Jesse Hudson.


Presbyterian Village in Ft. Scott has issued an invitation to friends to attend National Pie Day. On January 23, they will serve Coffee and the choice of two delicious homemade pies on Monday Jan 23 , 2012. Call to make reservations before Jan. 20–620-223-5550. What a kind and gentle offer. Thank you!

Arcadia Area News

Carole Garrison had a fine time with her family when she went with her son and wife, Gary & Nancy Golladay, Joplin; their son, Larry Golladay of China to Ft. Worth, Texas where they spent the Christmas Holiday in the home of her Granddaughter Angela and John Lane and family.


The Arcadia Christian Church had guest preacher, song leader and pianist on New Year’s day. Due to illness of the regular and the assistants chosen for these tasks on this special day, all were pleased to hear Jeff King in the pulpit, and at the piano and his wife Angela King and baby Malynne leading the singing. In the audience were other family members, Mary Lee,and Makayla King. The group from Tulsa, Oklahoma were guests of John and Vera Parrish in Pittsburg and seated with them were other relatives, Janet Vanleeuwen, St. Paul, KS Christie and Wayne Parrish. Angela is the daughter of Walter Parrish former member of this church, now living in Texas.

The first Sunday Church dinner had already been postpone to the 2nd Sunday of January.


Two former members of the Arcadia Christian Church have died recently. Ruth Holland, 86, of Liberal, Mo was buried Tuesday, December 27, 2011 from the Liberal Christian Church and put to rest in Worsley Cemetery in Bronaugh, MO. The officiating Minister was her grandson, Curt Holland from Tennessee. Among the many friends who filled the church were Mary V. Shead, Arcadia, Ralph Shead, Carl Junction,, close friends to Ruth.

The other member is Ava Mae Adams who died in her home on New year’s Eve, 2011 with cose friends and a cousin Louise Holland at her side. She just recently came home from Ft. Scott Hospital. Funeral services will be Wednesday, January 4, 2012 in Arma Methodist Church.


Bill Dobbins formerly of Arcadia, fractured a hip in a fall at his home. Surgery to repair the break failed and the hip was replced at Via Christie hospital on December 27. He is recovering well. Recent visitors, all former Arcadia residents, were Charles Corporon, former teacher Rose Campbell, both of Pittsburg and Bill’s two brothers, Perry & Dan both of Ft. Scott.


Santa’s visit was a huge success. Approximately 150 children attended. Cookies and hot chocolate were enjoyed by all. A big thank you to everyone who helped make it possible. Bill Bridgewater has been known as Santa in Arcadia for many years.


Paw Prints will be at Arcadia Community Center for spay & neutering on Tuesday, January 31.


Because the married children of the Paul Shead family were visiting their in-laws during the Christmas holiday in far away places such as Tulsa, Oklahoma, Texas and Arkansas, thata family gathered in the Arcadia home of Mary V. Shead on Wednesday, December 28 for a dinner prepared by the ladies mainly at the Garland Shead Farm. As the families were arriving in Arcadia, a train was stalled on the two entrances to the town. Many of them returned to the mile corner, at Jewell Center they went East to Ohio Street and came into Arcadia at Bell Crossing.

After a fine dinner and gift exchange, many of the folks took a long walk remembering what businesses were on what street–a tour of memory lane. They went from the old Shead Service Station to the State Line greeting former friends from bygone days.

The 18 in attendance were Charles Corporon and Rose Campbell, Pittsburg; Matt & Ashley Shead , Joplin, MO. Clayton & Maria Whitson,
Tulsa, OK; Mark, Haley, Katy, Benjamin Shead; Jesse Hudson, Fort Scott, KS Sarah Shead, Erin Shead; Downey, California; Ralph & Cindy Shead, Carl Junction, MO., Larry & Vickie Shead, Garland, KS

Arcadia Area News

The Christmas Eve Communion Service was well attended this week in the Arcadia Open Door Mission. Pastor Roy Widmar led the singing of Christmas Songs and prayer time. He then spoke of the true meaning of Christmas after Linda Bridgewater sang a solo. Two couples then held the Bread and Communion Trays and the congregation went forward to partake at the same time. All were invited to attend Christmas Sunday morning services in Arcadia Christian Church.


A good number of regular and also guests were present in the Christmas Morning services in Arcadia Christian Church led by Pastor Charles Cable assisted at prayer time by Dave Bridgewater. Clay Carrington led the singing with Cable at the piano. Carol Bridgewater read the Christmas Story from the Book of Luke. Guest Landon Younge sang a special song accompanying himself on his guitar. Linda Bridgewater favored us with a solo “WHAT CHILD IS THIS?” Christi Parrish read the Christmas Story from the book of Matthew. Vera Parrish read an original Christmas poem written by John Parrish. They were pleased to have as their guests their daughter, Janet & Mark Van Leeuwen from St. Paul, Kansas and their daughter Tara Van Leeuwen, a beautician from Florida. Wayne & Christie Parrish gave Christmas wrapped gifts to the Ladies. Among other guests present were Charles Corporon & Rose Campbell from Pittsburg and Larry & Vicki Shead, Garland. It was announced the usual First Sunday dinner, Jan 1, 2012 will be held on January 5, due to the holiday.

We are sorry to read of the death of a former Arcadian, Weymouth Jones Filkins who was born and raised in Arcadia. a1940 Graduate of Arcadia High School. She and Mel Filkins built the large beautiful home on Haller Hill just west of Arcadia. Later years they moved to Council Bluffs, Iowa. After three month illness, at age 89 she died on December 14. Burial will be later in Pittsburg, Kansas. Condolences to the family..


Keith and Glen Twombly of Pittsburg took Walter Foulk to Independence, MO to visit his niece Fanny Mae Christinson. She has been ill but improving and glad far the visit.


The JOY Sunday School Class gives thanks to all who help save 1000 BEST CHOICE UPC ‘S. This is one of the ways the Class earns the funds they use to help people. Please keep saving for the send-in next December.


After a business trip to Ft. Scott, Charles Corporon and sister, Mary V. Shead traveled to Frontenac to deliver JOY Christmas Cookies to Bill Dobbins in Sunset Manor. There she met a friend from College Days at PSU, Janet Dalton who was a Freshman roommate of another AHS graduate, Velma Eggen Jewell. The visit was short but sweet!

On to Pittsburg, they visited Rose Campbell and the next stop was in the Cafe in Asbury, MO. They enjoyed a fine lunch, then on to Joplin for a visit with Mary V’s High School Class mate & husband, Juanita & Owen McWilliams. The ladies graduated from AHS in 1936. The same year, Juanita was chosen Year Book Queen. She showed her picture to Charles. This led to talk of Good Old School Days.

Nearby, lives Nelson & Eloise Corporon, so the travelers spent a delightful afternoon visiting their brother and sister. .


Ruth Holland, former Arcadian, more recently of Liberal, MO died December 22, 2011 in a Kansas City Hospital. The funeral will be held Tuesday, December 27 in Liberal Christian Church. Her sons are Don Holland of Lamar, MO and Howard & Louise Holland, Liberal, MO.


Larry & Vickie Shead spend Wednesday & Thursday last week ,December 21,22 in Tulsa visiting their family members, Marie & Clayton Whitson and Mitzi & Joel Ray and three little ones, Cademon, Atalie & Ryan. Back home on Christmas Day, they served dinner to his Mother, Mary V. Shead, his Uncle Charles Corporon and their friend Rose Campbell after attending church that morning.

Arcadia Area News

Patrons of the Arcadia Post Office are asked to sign a petition in City Hall in regard to the possible Post Office closing. The feasibility study will be over in early December by the U.S. Postal authorities. Shortly after that a decision will be made.


The announcement was made Sunday that a Community Holiday Dinner will be sponsored by Open Door Mission and Christian Church on December 10, in Arcadia Community Center, 5:00 PM.

Friends are asked for non perishable foods for the needy in Arcadia, In exchange for the gift, a ticket will be given for a drawing at the end of the event.


The Fort Scott Presbyterian Village invited area folks to attend HEALTHY CHOICE FOR DIABETICS DURING THE HOLIDAYS in their Village featuring Ann Ludlum who is the Agent for Southwind Extension District. I was sorry I had a meeting that day and unable to attend.


A former Arcadian and a member of this church has put together a spiral book all about THE ARCADIA CHRISTIAN CHURCH from the beginning to the present. I was pleased to receive from him a copy autographed by him and delivered to me by his parents, Vera and John Parrish, now living in Pittsburg. Walter now lives in Texas. Much of the history in the issue was written by my late father, G. W. Corporon. This is one of the things I am thankful for this Thanksgiving Holiday season.


Ralph & Cindy Shead returned to their home in Carl Junction, MO. after spending from November l7-20 attending the National Missionary Convention in Atlanta, Georgia.


OUR GANG will be meeting December 3 next month due to the busy holiday later in the month. Plans are for Soup and sandwiches. There will be Potato and Vegetable Soup and Chili. There may be Oyster Stew. Finger food and desserts. Those who care to participate, please take a wrapped gift to exchange


Stuart and Ashley and Elizabeth Semple enjoyed a Sunday dinner in Springfield, MO with his parents. In his place leading the singing in Arcadia Christian Church were Clay Carrington and Vera Parrish. Before sermon time, pastor Cable led all in singing a song he learned when teaching children as a Bible Student. It is entitled I’M IN GOD ARMY. All went through the motions. Vera read an original Thanksgiving poem written by husband John Parrish. Mae Watt sent greetings to all and a birthday offering for her son Bill Watt. The birthday song was dedicated to Bill.

A bulletin was passed to each person asking for a list of things to be thankful for and spend some time in prayer, praising and thanking God. May he bless you.


The first Monday in November, Larry Shead attended a meeting in Pratt, Kansas on behalf of Fort Scott Community College.. Enroute home he drove in heavy rain, so it took about 5 hours. About 2 miles from his farm home he missed hitting two opossums but hit a raccoon that ran out in front of him.. He had just had his car repaired from a recent hit by a deer.


On a recent weekend, Patty & Gary Peterson attended a Festival in the Apostolic Church on a hill in Seneca, MO. They had a very fine time and won three cakes.

Arcadia Area News

Clay Carrigton attended the wedding of his brother, Joseph Darel Plotner and Cassandra Marie Blanchard on November 11, 2011 in Galena, Kansas. A reception was held immdiately following the wedding in Fellowship Hall.


Gael & Dave Martin of Spring Hill, Kansas visited her Aunt, Mary V. Shead on Saturday morning in Arcadia and enjoyed lunch in Harry’s Cafe, Pittsburg with her cousin, Charles Corporon. That afternoon, they visited former Spring Hill neighbors who recently moved to Pittsburg. The Martins are former students of PSU.


Doris Schaub, former Arcadian now living in Ft. Scott visited Mae Watt one day last week. Mae’s sons living in the Kansa City Area and Wichita visit frequently and contact her by phone every day.

This past week, friends took Mae to the Veterans’ Day program held in Winfield Scott Elementary School. It was entitled THIS IS AMERICA.


Ava Mae Adams was honored for her birthday one day last week when her cousin, Louise Holland and Judy Rawlings took her to lunch in Pittsburg. Enroute to pick up their guest, the two ladies took Ruth Holland with a prepared lunch to the home of Mary V. Shead in Arcadia where the two old time friends played Dominoes, took a walk and talked about their activities of long ago when Ruth used to live in Arcadia and attended Christian Church. Ruth now lives Rural Liberal, MO.


In the Arcadia Christian Church on Sunday morning, November 13, Clay Carrington was the song leader with Vera and Christie Parrish as his helpers and Charles Cable at the piano. After Scripture Reading from the pulpit, two construction workers appeared with bags of rubbish that Pastor later described as “reasons why people don’t come to church”. The “two workers” are known as Willa Cable & Patty Peterson, teachers of the youth in Sunday School. They received a round of Applause! Those attending JOY Class again gave thanks to Wayne Parrish. President of the church Board for the home baked treats he brings each Sunday morning.


Ralph & Cindy Shead returned to their home in Carl Junction, Mo. after spending Fri night with his Mother, Mary V. Shead in Arcadia.
They left early Saturday morning to speak for Literature
and Teaching Ministries at Union Christian Church, Terre Haute, Indiana. Ralph first visited the church while a college student in the l970’s and stayed at the home of Jean Farr, who also hosted Ralph & Cindy for this visit.
OnThe same weekend his brother, Larry Shead left on Sunday for a business meeting on behalf of Community College, Ft. Scott in Pratt, Kansas. He also returned home on Monday evening.


Mitzi Ray with sons Cademon & Ryan and daughter Atalie of Tulsa spent time with Haley & Mark Shead family in Ft. Scott. Husband, Joel Ray was tiling a home in Joplin with his brother-in-law, Clayton Liston, as his helper. The Ray family spent one night with her Uncle Ralph & Cindy Shead in Carl Junction before returning to their home in Tulsa.