TLC logo TLC #78:  August 25, 2005


Dear Hearts & Gentle People:
 
Lexington was shocked and saddened yesterday to learn of the sudden death of Susie Skelton, Ike's wife. She had just turned 69. Details are sketchy, but it is believed to have been caused by a massive heart attack.
 
Susie was a true partner with Ike, in life and parenting and politics and in representing our congressional district. They are the parents of three sons, two of whom are on active duty in the military.
 
Although Susie wasn't a native daughter, I know she shared Ike's love of Lexington and considered it home for the 44 years they were married.
 
There will be a visitation at Wentworth's Hall of Honor from 2 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Saturday 8/27. The funeral will be held at the Wentworth Chapel on Sunday 8/28 at 3 p.m. Burial will be private - family only. If you need further information, you are welcome to call me at 660-259-4559, and I'll try to help.
 
Today we began saying farewell to the old Lexington Bridge. The three land spans (8, 9, and 10) of the north section were dropped by a "simple blast" this morning. Of course many people from both sides of the river gathered to watch. In fact, spontaneous parties erupted in some locations.
 
The next explosive demolition event is scheduled for 8/30/05. According to Lafayette County Clerk Linda Niendick, it will be a multi-shot blast that will section up the north river span (span 7). This will be the first of the two river shots for the project. The third date is 9/7/05 for the demolition of the span (6) on the south river side. Finally, 9/13/05, the final blast will drop the south land spans (4 and 5). The remaining structure on the south side will be removed by mechanical means. I believe there will be some sort of memorial sign to mark the memory of the bridge.
 
Meanwhile photos fresh from today's event were furnished by Mary Nicodemus, a valuable new addition to Lexington. She is the web site administrator for the Chamber of Commerce. (When I say "new" she has probably been here 5 years or so.) Mary wrote:

If you are interested, or know of anyone who might be, I've put up a page on Historic.com with pictures of the Old Bridge and this morning's implosion.  As the other sections go down, I will try to get more pictures up on the page.

Go to: http://www.historiclexington.com/oldbridge.html

There is also a link to the Old Bridge Page from the home page of the site.
 
Incidentally, that bridge has quite a lot of history connected to it. I believe it will be a topic for our Tall Tales & Short Stories storytelling nights which are held once a month at The Brewery restaurant, the 4th Tuesday, at 6 p.m. All are welcome to attend and, if you have a piece of Lexington history to impart, that would be welcome too. However, since the topics are scheduled, please notify chairman Don Borgman at mdborg@earthlink.net or the Chamber of Commerce at lexcofc@iland.net or me at skworth@iland.net.
 
There have been three sessions to date, all great fun and most interesting. Also the second Open Air Market was an even greater success than the first session. They are held the First Saturday of each month from April through October, and there is everything from food to fine antiques available. Nearly all the shops run sales in conjunction, and it's a great time to socialize and find some bargains as well. Next one, of course, is 9/3.
 
Charlotte Skelton '59 Dallman 
 
Sounds like you have a ball on Tuesday nights. I would love to come to your meeting sometime when we are in Missouri. Again, thanks a lot for your time and devotion to writing all about Lexington.
 
Uh, oh! I was afraid of this:  Conrad  '56 Pitz takes me to task:
 

Susan, I have looked at TLC # 75 several times with much enjoyment, but wonder why there are no pictures or mention of Central School as there were of Arnold School. I at one time had pictures of all six grades while I was at Central, but over the years and several moves they have been misplaced or lost. I wonder if some of your readers of TLC might have some of the pictures of the same time frame as was mentioned in TLC # 75. The teachers that I remember were Miss Mike, Miss Conger, Miss Bess Gruber, Miss Marie Gruber and Miss Rush. Also I recently got in contact with two of my best friends while in Lexington, Carl =9356=94 & Carol =9357=94 Hackler Ghisalberti. They visited us here in the Ozarks today and I was telling and showing them the past TLC=92s that I have got and they both would like to be included in the mailings. Would you please add them to the list so they can enjoy what we enjoy so much. Continue the fine work that you send out to all of us. It keeps us in touch with the old home town and old friends and great memories.

 I replied "Yes, Conrad, one might think that being an Arnold 'graduate' I would be prejudiced. However, it's simply that more people sent in info about Arnold than Central." That's my story and I'm stickin' to it.

Maybe it will please him to see a very nice postcard photo of Central at our web address: 

 TLC #78 web pages

Also on the web page is the interior plan and the new concept for the front of the Lexington4Life building. As you remember that groundbreaking project will be located in the shopping center that formerly housed Place's and, later, Pamida. The Sav-a-Lot grocery that is there now will remain as a tenant.

As a public service, I am including a note that Joe Anton forwarded recently:

    ICE your cell phone!

In an emergency, paramedics will turn to a victim's cell phone for clues to that person's identity. You can make their job much easier with a simple idea that they are trying to get everyone to adopt: ICE

ICE stands for "In Case of Emergency."  If you add an entry in the contacts list in your cell phone under ICE, with the name and telephone number of  the person you want emergency services personnel to call on your behalf, you can save them a lot of time and have your loved ones contacted  quickly. It only takes a few moments of your time to do. Paramedics know what ICE means and they look for it immediately.  

And finally, perhaps the newest project to open in Lexington is the Carriage House, a reception hall in the block between 12th and 13th, south side, on Franklin Ave. It can be rented for large events, and I was told a recent wedding reception held there was really lovely.

As far as bragging rights go, take a look at the list of our assets that Doug '73 Booker, Economic Development Director, recently composed:

  • Tourism / History / 4 Historic Districts
  • Monthly Open-Air Market (first Saturday)
  • Hospital / Health Care System
  • Vineyards, Orchards
  • Battlefield / Anderson House
  • Antiques / Specialty shops
  • Downtown Merchants
  • Local Retailers outside of downtown
  • Sky-diving Club
  • Carriage House (reception hall, conference facility)
  • 6-Plex Cinema
  • River City Players (drama/acting)
  • New 'Ike Skelton' Missouri River Bridge
  • 4-Life Senior Center
  • WMA and Park University, 4-yr college town
  • Live theater, plays and shows
  • Restaurants and Pubs
  • Scenic Byway / Santa Fe Trail
  • Public Schools, Churches, Banks
  • Industry-Local / Surrounding Area
  • County Seat / Courthouse
  • Events, Festivals and Activities
  • Lodging / Bed & Breakfasts
  • Community Center ( in the works!)
  • Marina, Riverfront Park
  • Local Newspaper
  • National Guard (unit deployed recently)
Coming soon!?!  Downtown Hotel, ...local Hunting Preserve,
...Stables & Riding trails, ...bowling alley



'Til next time, I remain...
Your Devoted Scribe,
Susan


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