GREENVILLE -- Wayne County residents celebrated a bicentennial birthday Tuesday.
The county, which has been celebrating its Bicentennial all year, was organized on Dec. 11, 1818.
Members of the community, the Wayne County Bicentennial Committee and the Historic Greenville Community Center, Library and Museum co-hosted the historic birthday celebration at the county courthouse.
David Bollinger, chairperson of the Bicentennial Committee, welcomed and thanked everyone attending. Bollinger asked Dona Payne, an employee of the Wayne County Circuit Clerk Office, to lead the gathering in singing, "Happy Birthday Wayne County."
Wayne County Presiding Commissioner Brian Polk thanked the Bicentennial Committee for their hard work throughout the year on organizing all the special events. Polk read a Congressional Record from the United States House of Representatives, honoring Wayne County on the Bicentennial by Rep. Jason Smith. Wayne County Eastern District Commissioner Bill Hovis also thanked all those involved in making the Bicentennial year special for everyone.
Lois Waala, of Missionary Acres near Silva, led an invocation prayer and blessing. Everyone enjoyed cupcakes prepared by Christy Johnson and the Clearwater R-I culinary arts class. The Historic Greenville Community Center, Library and Museum provided punch and hot cider.
Those present representing the Wayne County Bicentennial Committee were, David Bollinger (chairperson), Brenda Seal (committee member), Susan Elayer (secretary) and Vickie Patterson (committee member). Elayer and Patterson were also representing the Historic Greenville Community Center, Library and Museum.
Among others attending the event were, Andrew Jefferson and Becky Hayes, representing the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Wappapello Lake and Old Greenville; Delores Keele, president of the Wayne County Historical Society; Wayne County Officials, Polk, Hovis, Chad Henson (western district commissioner), Darren Garrison (circuit clerk), Brenda Seal (county clerk), Carol Hale (county treasurer), Michael Jackson (prosecuting attorney) and Cindy Stout (recorder of deeds); Amber Sturgeon (county treasurer-elect) and Michael Anderson (prosecuting attorney-elect). Kelly Potter of the Prosecuting Attorney's office, served as event photographer.