About Buchanan County, MO

ACTIVE RAIN MEMBERS, FRIENDS AND FAMILY, I NEED YOUR HELP, PLEASE ..FOR KIDS ACROSS THE UNITED STATES!

Several years ago, I wrote our personal story of a tragedy about my son that was killed, and how it has changed thousands of kids lives across the United States.

This is a contest that I need your help to vote for, if we become a finalist!

MARK J REYNOLDS MEMORIAL BIKE FUND

The contest is CLOROX CLEAN-UP CONTEST and they are giving away $10,000 grants for kids.

The rules of the contest:

There is currently 8 kids that need a special adapted bike due to disabilities and these bikes are $500 -$2500 apiece. Please take a minute and vote if we become a finalist. It does not cost you anything only a little time.

Visit our website see how we make a difference in the lives of kids

Become a fan on Facebook

We currently have 2 NOMINATION CAUSES established on the Clorox Clean-UP Contest. If we are selected as a finalists, there will be a voting period for online users. This is where I would appreciate your help by VOTING.

http://apps.facebook.com/brightfuture/causes/218

http://apps.facebook.com/brightfuture/causes/2400

THANK YOU!

Today I stopped by the Hinterland Mall's Store Grand Opening, on the South Belt Highway in St Joseph MO, the parking lot was bumper to bumper cars with curious shoppers anxious to see what was in the new store.

Hinterland Mall is a really cool store, which features New Furniture, Antiques, Crafts and so much more.

As I was browsing the individual booths it became obvious that shoppers loved the homemade candles, creative crafts and antiques as they carried their new finds around the store including myself that was so reasonably priced.

The store reminded me of my grandmother house years ago, Depression Glassware, the colored Fiesta dishes, Walnut Marble Top Tables, Crocks, crocheted dollies, framed original old prints. For a second, I almost could smell the homemade cinnamon rolls she used to bake from scratch for the grandkids with the flour that came in a cloth sack.

Hinterland Mall has a wide assortment of new sofas, chairs, lamps, tables along with additional new furnishings.

Upon leaving the store I visited with Tim Shafer the General Manager at Hinterland Mall for a second. Tim said the mall is currently adding additional booth space along with glass display cases.

Hinterland Mall is Open 9-6 Daily and located at 3201 South Belt Highway, St Joseph MO

Today is Gary and my 45th Wedding Anniversary....Where do the years go?

The newly weds taking off for their honeymoon, Right? ....

Life was rough for newly weds in 1964, Gary was in his first year as an apprentice pipefitter/plumber with the starting wage at $4.65 an hour and Dona was working at the American Angus Association that payed $200.00 a week. Young and in Love, "LIFE is GOOD!"

The corvette had been picked up from the mechanic shop the day before from having its engine completely overhauled and then hidden in the garage overnight so no one would write on it with SHAVING CREAM, after-all it would ruin the paint.....

The Honeymoon plan was to travel to Kansas City for the weekend a 45 mile drive, a nice slow drive would be fine on a newly rebuilt engine, How Romantic!

It must have been 10 PM or after before the Young Newlyweds left the church starting on the road, when about 5 miles out of town the engine begin to register HOT!!

The Mechanic was called and a Tow Truck was sent to tow the car (with the Bride & Groom) back to town.

If you can imagine a Bride in her wedding dress and the Groom in his Tux in a mechanic shop until 1:00 AM in the morning, I am sure it was quite a sight, but when your Young and in Love "LIFE IS GOOD!

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO MY HUBBY!! LIFE IS GOOD

Please read this touching story about Matt Ziesel a young man that "Just wants to play football" that became a media sensation overnight.

Matt Ziesel is a freshman at Benton High School in St Joseph, Mo, who loves to play football.

Last Friday night displayed what true sportsmanship truly is about in a freshman game against Maryville. The score was 46-0 which was a lost game for Benton but a winner for sportsmanship, coaches and all the players that night, along with Matt Ziesel who just wants to play football!

With 19 seconds left in a meaningless game, Benton Freshman Coach Dan McCamy, approached Maryville's coaches with the idea of allowing Matt to enter the game and score a touchdown. At first bewiltered by Mr. McCamy's advances the Spoofhounds' staff agreed.

Matt sprinted down the sideline, with Coach McCamy giving encouragement, and Maryville's players feigning attempts to tackle him.

Matt's father, Mike, Benton's activities director witnessed the game but his wife was out of town so Mr. McCamy decided to put the video on the internet for Mike's wife to see.

Matt has Down syndrome and Doctors had advised his parents that he probably shouldn't play football, due to the dangers of physical contact.

Matt watches the video and sees a touchtown regardless of the circumstances.

Matt just wants to play football!

To the Maryville and Benton players, and coaches, Thank You, for making this happen for Matt!

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