From Staff Reports
Wappapello Lake businesses and residents are determined the flooding will not dampen their spirits for the area's Independence celebration.
Trevor Williams of People's Community Bank updated plans and distributed brochures for the 4th of July Celebration (Independence Day Celebration) at the Wappapello Lake Area Association (WLAA) June 13 meeting at the Bill Emerson Memorial Visitor Center.
The event will be Saturday, July 1 and activities will start between 2-3 p.m., Williams said. Downsizing activities means there will be no car show, boat parade, nor beauty pageant this year.
Music provided by a disc jockey will fill the air, Williams said. Among the other activities will be food vendors, basketball, corn hole, volleyball, face painting, ring toss, bounce house and much more. Puxico cheer team will sell baked goods and glow sticks. Booths will be set up around picnic shelter #3. A water sprinkler system will be put in place to help people cool off.
Fireworks will begin at dark, explained Williams. He and someone from the fireworks will meet with Doug Nichols and visit the area where the fireworks will be ignited. The fireworks folks will bring the insurance policy.
Boo Boo the Clown will also perform two magic shows at the Visitor Center at 6:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 1, and there will be an Elvis impersonator .
Andrew Jefferson announced the revised special event schedule are WWE July 8, Water Fest Aug. 19, Kid's Fishing Event 23 Sept. 23, and Lawn Mower Races Oct. 14. He asked the Association for support of Water Fest.
He briefed the group on public relations efforts during the flood recovery and T Highway repair.
Cindy Jackson, operations manager, discussed the flood recovery efforts and public water control meetings June 5 - 6. She explained the severity of the tree damage at the Greenville Recreation Area after the flood.
Holliday Landing and Peoples Creek Campground (lower) opened June 15, Jackson said. Greenville Campground will not open this year but it will be put back together again better than ever before with major upgrades. Other work items include local bike trail, fishing trail at Peoples Creek, raising D Highway, etc. She asked if WLAA would engage with Greenville to be a part of the Association.
In other reports, Mingo Job Corps-Atissa Bryant, SGA vice President, reminded the association the Job Corps students were available to help with community activities and special events.
Jan Brown, Cape Arrowhead, commented about the Mingo Job Corps Community Relations meeting June 8. Other members of WLAA in attendance were Jonnie Hayes, Steve Sutter and Andrew Jefferson.
Gloria Triplett requested assistance Thursday, July 6 from men who has access to pickup trucks to meet at the storage shed at 1:30 p.m. Jennifer needs the sno-cone machine for the WWE and Triplett wants to put in shelves. Those attending are asked to bring electric drills and screw drivers. The other date for the cleanup is Oct. 20.
WWE Committee member Tim Schultz stated the work days for the WWE preparation are Thursday and Friday, July 6 - 7. Shifts for working the event are 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m, and 12:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m. WLAA members can wear blue WLAA Shirts and park near the boat ramp and restroom.
Chaonia Volunteer Fire Department will do food concession for Lawn Mower Races Oct. 14. Little Brushy will take care of food concession for Movie in the Park Friday, June 30.
Brown is working on sign design for T-shirts and commemorative coins/medallions.
Melvin Boyers, representing the Crowley's Ridge Black Powder Club, asked about the commemorative coin/medallion. His club wanted to see if WLAA would be interested in helping them get them for the 40th Anniversary of the Old Greenville Black Powder Rendezvous which is scheduled for the third weekend in April 2018. Since the group is a member of WLAA, it was approved WLAA would share the cost with them. In addition, WLAA T-shirts and medallions will be available for sale at the Rendezvous next year.
Trevor Totten distributed copies of the Wayne County Journal Visitor's Guide. It was suggested that he post something on Face Book about the availability of these items. If businesses advertised and hasn't received copies, call the Wayne County Journal Banner. All extras will be taken to the 2018 St. Louis Boat Show.
Next meeting will be at 6 p.m. Tuesday, July 18.
Other attendees included Atissa Bryant (Mingo Job Corps), Danny Pierce (Level Ground Ministries), Casey Rush (Mingo Job Corps), Stephen Sutter, Marie Obourn, Melvin Boyers (Crowley's Ridge Black Powder Club), Jan Brown (Cape Arrowhead), Sandy Boyers (Crowley's Ridge Black Powder Club), Jonnie Hayes (Cape Arrowhead), Carole Beal Richard, Tim Schultz, Trevor Totten (Barrett's Marina and Resort), Deb Hayes (Cape Arrowhead), CeCe Totten (Barrett's Marina and Resort), Cindy Crabb (Crabb and Company).