Monett Best of the Best 2015

Best of the Best

2015

Residents award St. Mary’s 4 Readers’ Choice awards

- Page 10

The Monett Times Thank you to the readers of The Monett Times for voting us

“BEST INSURANCE AGENCY” & RILEY SNYDER as “BEST INSURANCE AGENT.” 2014 & 2015

It’s a privilege to serve you!

- Steve Roldan, Marlene Clark & Riley Snyder

Riley Snyder Agency 600 Bridle Ln Ste B Monett, MO 65708 (417) 235-6034 rsnyde2@amfam.com

American Family Mutual Insurance Company, American Family Insurance Company 6000 American Parkway, Madison, WI 53783 ©2013 007388 – 12/13

2015 Best of the Best | The Monett Times

Page 2 • Saturday, October 10, 2015

Best Independent Living Facility

to readers of The Monett Times for voting us: Best Nursing Home

2 & 3 bedroom apartments available • Private residences Full bath w/safety features • Housekeeping every other week 24-hour emergency call service • Scheduled transportation Take a virtual tour at: www.lacoba.org Or, come by for a personal tour.

Our current and future amenities include:

Culture Change comes to Lacoba Homes, Inc.

Extensive remodeling is underway at Lacoba Homes, with improvements projected to be completed by the end of the year. Our goal is to make our living quarters as home-like as possible, with an emphasis on conditioning residents for a return home.

• 16,000 square foot addition, some areas completed, other areas completed by fall.

• New staff break room with lounge, full kitchen and fitness center • Additional private rooms, with outdoor courtyard and walking trail • Spas with body massage shower, jetted whirlpools, foot whirlpool, heated towel warmers and relaxation music with video.

• Great room with fireplace • Expanded physical therapy gym • New library • De-institutionalized home-like environments • All electric beds • New beauty salon • Residents' choice of activities • Formal private dining room for family gatherings • Meal preferences & restaurant-style dining, including salad bar and dessert cart • Snack cart available 24 hours a day

To learn more about our community, call 417-235-7895.

Serving our community for 49 years

850 E. Highway 60 • Monett, Missouri www.lacoba.org

The Monett Times | 2015 Best of the Best

Saturday,October 10, 2015 • Page 3

Thank you to the readers of The Monett Times for choosing us as

“BEST TOWING SERVICE.”

readers of

The MoneTT TiMes, for choosing me as We appreciate your business!

24/7, rain or shine, we’re here when you need us!

“Best Chiropractor!”

ThOMaS TOWING & RECOVERy Over 40 years experience

AUTO • HEAVY DUTY TOWING

101 E. Dairy, Monett

235-3323

John A. Watts, DC 131 s Madison Ave, Aurora, MO•417-678-3272

Thank you for voTing for us as

“BEST GAS STATION!” • COFFEE, made from Freshly-ground Beans!

• Local Missouri-made Products: Jams, Pickles, Salsa, Beef Sticks • Friendly Service • Clean Restrooms • Cold Beer • Hot Deli Items • Wide Variety of Snacks & Conveniences

• No-ethanol, Premium Gasoline • On & Off-Road Diesel

YONKERVILLE COUNTRY STORE • 2912 U.S. Highway 60, Pierce City • 417-476-2100

2015 Best of the Best | The Monett Times

Page 4 • Saturday, October 10, 2015

2015 Best of the Best winners EATING OUT

KIDS AND FAMILY

Church . . . . . . . . . . . . . . St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Pierce City All-you-can eat buffet . . . . . . . . . . . . Angus Branch Steakhouse Asian restaurant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Happy House Bar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Fern’s Tavern, Pierce City

Kid-friendly restaurant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . McDonald’s Pastor . . . . . . . . . Fr. Peter Morciniec, St. Mary’s Catholic Church Pediatrician . . . . Dr. Raymond A. Grote, Freeman Health System

Pawn shop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Monett Gun and Pawn Pet store . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . O.G.’s Pets Rental equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Monett Rental and Sales Tire sales and service . . . . . . . . . . . Grande Tire Co., Pierce City Tobacco/vapor store . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Modern Variety

School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . St. Mary’s Catholic School, Pierce City

BBQ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Big Baldy’s Bac Woods Barbecue

School administrator . Peg Winfrey, Monett Intermediate principal

SERVICES

Breakfast . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Angus Branch Steakhouse

Teacher . . . . . . . . Sally Heidlage, St. Mary’s School, Pierce City

Accountant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The CPA Group

Coffee house . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mocha Jo’s Coffee Cafe Desserts . . . . Red Barn Cafe and Hen House Bakery, Mt. Vernon Doughnuts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Daylight Donuts

PLACES

Attorney . . . . . Darlene Parrigon, Parrigon Law Office, Pierce City Auto body repair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gasser’s Body Shop

Independent living complex . . . . . . . . Lacoba Nursing Home Inc.

Auto glass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Monett Glass & Mirror LLC

Company to work for . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Missouri Gas Energy

Auto mechanic (individual) . . Fred Slagle, Slagle’s Auto Center

Fast Food . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Braum’s

Factory/industry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Justin Factory Outlet

Auto mechanic shop

Frozen treats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Braum’s

Golf course . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Windmill Ridge Golf Course

Bail Bonds Service . . . . . . . . . . Aleshire Bail Bonds, Mt. Vernon

Hamburgers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Braum’s

Hospice Provider . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hospice Compassus

Bank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Community National Bank

Marina . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Big M Marina, Cassville

Bank teller . . . . . . Brenda Kennedy, First State Bank, Pierce City

Nursing home . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lacoba Nursing Home Inc.

Best customer service (company) . . . . . Flummerfelt’s Town and

Karaoke . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bayou Lunchbox Mexican restaraunt . . . . . . . . . . . Acambaro Mexican Restaurant Pizza . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mazzio’s

Resort . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Roaring River Resort, Cassville

Certified Automotive Service

Country, Pierce City Best customer service (individual) . . . . . . . . Mike Flummerfelt,

Sandwiches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mocha Jo’s Coffee Cafe

SHOPPING

Seafood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bayou Lunchbox

Antique store . . . . . . Plymouth Junction Antique and Flea Market

Cable provider . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Suddenlink Communications

Steak . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Angus Branch Steakhouse

Athletic apparel . . . . . . . . . . . . . Adrenaline Apparel and Design

Car wash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Layton’s Car Wash, Pierce City

Athletic equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Academy Sports, Joplin

HEALTH AND BEAUTY

Auto dealer (new) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Les Jacobs Ford, Cassville Auto dealer (pre-owned) . . . . . Steve Dowdy Motors, Mt. Vernon Boat sales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bill’s Marine

Barber shop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ken’s Barber Shop

Clothing store . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Peppers and Co.

Chiropractor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dr. John A. Watts, Aurora

Consignment/retail store . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Modern Variety

Dentist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dr. Michael P. Glouse

Convenience store . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Casey’s General Store

Drug store/pharmacy . . . . . . Thompson Family Drug, Pierce City Eye doctor . . . . . . . . Dr. Jerry D. Roberts, Nestleroad & Roberts

Discount store . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dollar General Farm equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . Larson Farm & Lawn, Freistatt Farm/feed center . . . . . . . . . . . . . AG Service Center, Pierce City

Family doctor . . . . . . Dr. Melvin D. Hodde, Hodde Medical Clinic

Flea market . . . . . . . Plymouth Junction Antique and Flea Market

Hair salon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Studio 502, Pierce City

Floor covering store . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . J&J Floor Covering

Hair stylist . . . . . . Stephanie Chapman, Studio 502, Pierce City

Florist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kay’s Floral Affair & Gardens

Health and fitness club . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Curves Hospital . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cox Monett

Gift shop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bruner’s Pharmacy and Gifts Grocery store . . . . . Flummerfelt’s Town and Country, Pierce City Gun Shop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Quick Draw Gun

Flummerfelt’s Town and Country, Pierce City

Carpet cleaning . . . . . . . . . . Missouri Cleanpro Carpet Cleaning Cell phone company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . AT&T Check Cashing Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Monett Check Cashers Construction company . . . . . . . . Alexander Concrete, Pierce City Dry cleaner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Top Hat Cleaners Financial advisor . . . . . . . . . . . . Donald E. Weber, Edward Jones Funeral director . . . . . . . Rick Wormington, Bennett-Wormington Funeral home . . . . . . . . . . . . Bennett-Wormington Funeral Home Insurance agency . . . . American Family Insurance - Riley Snyder Insurance agent . . . . . . Riley Snyder, American Family Insurance Internet service provider . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Suddenlink Law firm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Parrigon Law Office, Pierce City Loan officer . . . . . . . . Darrin Newbold, Community National Bank Mortgage company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Community National Bank Oil and lube . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Certified Automotive Services

Manicure/pedicure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Happy Nails

Hardware store . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Friendly Supply Co., Pierce City

Payday/Title loan service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Western Shamrock

Martial Arts Studio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gold Dragon TKD

Health food store . . . . . . . . . . . . . Herb Depot & Organic Market

Pest control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bug Man Pest Control, Pierce City

Massage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Serenity Massage

Home health care services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Oxford Healthcare

Pet groomer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kelly Lunsford, Ruff Cuts

OB/GYN . . . . Dr, Angela Langer, Freeman Health System, Joplin

Home improvement center . . . . . . . Lowe’s Home Improvement

Photography studio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . JB Photography

Jewelry store . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Burrus Jewelers, Mt. Vernon

Plumber . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hall’s Plumbing

Lawn and garden . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lowe’s Home Improvement Liquor store . . . . . . . . . . . . . Thompson Family Drug, Pierce City

Real estate agent . . . . . . Glenna L. Kraft, Crown Double K Realty Rest estate agency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Crown Double K Realty

Veterinarian . . . . Charles L. Wallace, Country View Animal Clinic

Nursery/garden center . . . . . . . . . Pinewood Nursery, LaRussell

Satellite provider . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . DirecTV

Veterinarian clinic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Animal Clinic of Monett

Paint store . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sherwin-Williams Paint Store

Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Thomas Towing and Recovery

Optical shop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nestleroad & Roberts Pharmacist . . . . . . . . . . Doug Thompson, Thompson Family Drug

The Monett Times | 2015 Best of the Best

Saturday,October 10, 2015 • Page 5

PROUD tO be VOteD #1

Thank you

to readers of The Monett Times for voting us

Clothing Store in the area!

“Best Dry Cleaners!”

TOP HAT CLEANERS Professional Dry Cleaners

• Dry Cleaning • Laundry: Wash - Dry - Fold • Alterations • We Clean Comforters, & Repairs Spreads & Sleeping Bags

416 Broadway, Downtown, Monett

210 W. Broadway • Monett 417-235-3511

417-235-7622

www.tophatcleaners.net

Always defining, exciting and unique.

Proud to be voted #1 Tire Sales & Service in the Area!

THANKYOU! - Grande Tire Since 1971 -

GRANDE TIRE, INC.

“Mastercraft Tire Made In America Since 1908”

Goodyear ~ Firestone authorized Dealer

also available: Michelin • Goodrich • Toyo • Mastercraft • Jetson

Check Our Mounted/ Balanced FREE Stems OUT THE DOOR PR ICES! Quality passenger, truck, light truck and farm tires at the most competitive price in the 4-state area!

1-800-535-3542 AURORA 417-678-2128

CASSVILLE 417-847-2934

PIERCE CITY 417-476-5156

JOPLIN 417-781-9280

Thank you for voting us #1 Auto Body Shop in the Area!

It has been an honor and privilege to serve our customers.

GASSERS BODY SHOP Auto Body Repair & Paint 203 E. Newman Ave. • Pierce City, MO. 65723

417-476-5795

2015 Best of the Best | The Monett Times

Page 6 • Saturday, October 10, 2015

Honored to be voted #1 Law Office and #1 Attorney in the area!

Parrigon Law office, LLc.

• Divorce / Family Law • Modifications • Adoptions • Custody • Paternity • Social Security Disability • Traffic Tickets • Trust / Wills Probate • Guardianships • Estates

Thank You So Much For Voting Us

#1 Pharmacy in the area #1 Pharmacist in the area #1 Liquor Store in the area

109 N. myrtle, Pierce City, mO

parrigonlawoffice@yahoo.com 417-476-5546 The Choice Of A Lawyer is An Important Decision And Should Not Be Based Solely Upon Advertisements.

Darlene F. Parrigon Attorney At Law

417-476-5165 • Pharmacy • 476-2828

Stay current.

Call 235.3135 to subscribe to The Monett Times. www.monett-times.com

REACH LOCAL CONSUMERS THROUGH GEOTARGETING

The Monett Times is local residents’ source for news and sports, being read nearly 230,000 times per month. Now, you can not only reach our readers, but also reach local consumers, no matter what websites they visit! Your ad will be seen by local customers at least 26,400 times on desktop and mobile websites other than Monett-Times.com.

CONTACT US TO FIND THE RIGHT PLAN FOR YOUR BUSINESS!

The MoneTT TiMes 417.235-3135 community@monett-times.com

2015 Best of the Best | The Monett Times

Page 8 • Saturday, October 10, 2015

Thank you for your votes for

“BEST ASiAn RESTAuRAnT”

Thank you

for voting for us!

“Best Bank” • “Best Mortgage Company” Darrin Newbold - “Best Loan Officer”

We appreciate your business!

Happy House

SUPER BUFFET Fine Chinese Restaurant 840 Hwy 60, Monett • 417.235.0380 Thank you to readers of The Monett Times for voting us:

“Best All-You-Can-Eat Buffet,” “Best Steak” & “Best Breakfast!”

Steaks • Seafood Sandwiches • Buffet Desserts • Bar menu Daily breakfast menu WEEKEND BREAKFAST BUFFET Banquet room available

Open daily 7a.m. - 9p.m.

114 Chapell Drive Monett, Missouri

235-3350 www.angusbranch.com

We cater!

901 E. Hwy. 60, Monett 417-235-BAnK (2265)

444 s. rinker, Aurora 417-678-BAnK (2265)

www.cnbbanking.com • 1-800-255-4194

Thank you for your votes!

“Best Jewelers 2015”

The Monett Times | 2015 Best of the Best

Saturday,October 10, 2015 • Page 9

THANK

Y YOU. YO OU.

At Larson Farm & Lawn, we’re honored to receive the Reader’s Choice Award for Best Farm Equipment.

We appreciate every one of our customers and are committed to providing you with excellent equipment and customer service all year long. We’re here for YOU.

ANDERSON............700 71 Hwy W Outer Rd............... (417) 436-3333 FREISTATT ..............524 N Main St.................................(417) 235-7279 HARRISON..............3440 Hwy 65 S................................(870) 741-4915

JEFFERSON CITY...Junction 50 & 63 ...........................(573) 455-2353 LEBANON...............1001 Deere Ln.................................(417) 532-2011 NIXA........................Hwy 160 and CC.............................(417) 724-2226

ROGERSVILLE........4655 E Hwy 60............................... (417) 881-2677 ROLLA.....................11875 County Rd 3080.................(573) 368-2011 WEST PLAINS ........3285 N US Hwy 63 ........................ (417) 256-7127

LarsonJD.com

AUTHORIZED DEALER

Thank you to readers of The Monett Times for voting us “BEST FLEA MARKET” & “BEST ANTIQUE STORE!”

Plymouth Junction Antiques & Flea Market 311 Broadway • Monett, MO

Coming soon Plymouth Junction to

417-393-0511

Quick turn around • Embroidery Promotional products • “BEST PRICES IN TOWN”

Tues. - Sat. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Sun. 1 - 5 p.m. | Booth space available • No commission

2015 Best of the Best | The Monett Times

Page 10 • Saturday, October 10, 2015

St. Mary’s gets strong support from Monett Times readers Church, school, priest, teacher each win Best of the Best award

By Kyle Troutman

S

editor@monett-times.com

t. Mary’s Catholic Church and St. Mary’s School have strong support from their parishioners and patrons, and the contributions can be seen most recently in the four Best of the Best awards the organization and the people within it have received.

Along with being voted Best Church and Best School by The Monett Times’ readers, Father Peter Morciniec was awarded Best Pastor, and Sally Heidlage earned Best Teacher, both for the second consecutive year.

St. Mary’s Church and School

What: Received four Best of the Best awards from The Monett Times’ readers.

Awards: Best Church; Best School; Father Peter Morciniec, Best Pastor; and Sally Heidlage, Best Teacher

Best pastor

Morciniec, priest of the St. Mary’s congregation for the past 17 years, said winning the award a second time is an honor, and all thanks goes to

the people of the parish.“The best part of being here is cooperating with the people,” he said. “They are very welcoming and accepting of me, and I enjoy working here. I am very humbled and honored for the entire parish, and to be a witness to the faith in southwest Missouri. “ Born in 1944 in Slask, a German province that became a Polish province when he was 3 months old, Morciniec

said he knew at an early age he was being called to the cloth.

“I decided probably in grade school in Poland that I wanted to be a priest,” he said. “I felt the Lord calling me to the ministry, and I answered the call positively.”

Morciniec studied to become a priest in Krakow, Poland, and he was ordained in Czestochowa, Poland, in Continued on Page 16

ON THE COVER: Father Peter Morciniec, priest at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, stands in front of the church in Pierce City. For the second consecutive year, Morciniec received the Best Pastor award from The Monett Times’ readers. Kyle Troutman/editor@monett-times.com

Thank you to the readers of The Monett Times!

“Best ChurCh” • “Best Pastor”

“Best teaCher” • “Best sChool”

St. Mary’s Parish Family (in Pierce City) was nicely surprised with the recognition as the best church and best pastor for the second time.

Many thanks to all who voted. St. Mary’s parish mission is to proclaim the greatness of the Lord and to fulfill our Catholic Vocation.

- Fr. Peter J. Morciniec and St. Mary’s Parish Family

St. Mary’s School is very appreciative of this recognition of best school. St. Mary’s is a great educational institution because the church parishioners, teachers, and families work together to make St. Mary’s the best it can be for our students. Thank you for recognizing our school.

God Bless you! Principal, Judy Harper St. Mary’s is a fantastic school! I feel so blessed to be part of it. Thank you so much for this honor of best teacher and your support! May God Bless you!! Sally Heidlage

St. Mary’s Church • 200 Front Street • Pierce City, Mo. 417-476-2827 • stmarys.catholicweb.com

St. Mary’s School • 202 Front Street • Pierce City, Mo. 417-476-2824 • stmaryspiercecity.catholicweb.com

The Monett Times | 2015 Best of the Best

Saturday,October 10, 2015 • Page 11

St. Mary’s Catholic Church has about 750-780 parishioners from about 375 households, and its priest, Father Peter Morciniec, received the Best Pastor award from The Monett Times’ readers for the second year in a row. Kyle Troutman/editor@monett-times.com

Father Peter Morciniec, priest at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, stands near the altar of the church in Pierce City. Kyle Troutman/editor@monett-times.com

St. Mary’s Catholic Church has about 750-780 parishioners from about 375 households, and its priest, Father Peter Morciniec, received the Best Pastor award from The Monett Times’ readers for the second year in a row. Kyle Troutman/editor@monett-times.com

Page 12 • Saturday, October 10, 2015

2015 Best of the Best | The Monett Times

Thank You!

We appreciate your confidence in us!

Thank you for voting for us as “BEST REAL ESTATE AGENCY” 2014 & 2015 INC.

CROWN DOUBLE K REALTY , INC. Glenna L. Kraft, Broker “BEST REAL ESTATE AGENT 2015” 417-235-4424 Whitey Mettlach, Realtor “BEST REAL ESTATE AGENT 2014” 417-489-1153

R E S I D E N T I A L • FA R M S • C O M M E R C I A L

825 E US HWY 60 Suite A, Monett, MO. • (417) 235-5231

glenna@ckkrealty.com • richard-whitey@ckkrealty.com • cegolubski@gmail.com rodroller@mo-net.com

The Monett Times | 2015 Best of the Best

Thank you for your votes!

“BEST EYE CLINIC” • 2014 & 2015

Danny Nestleroad, O.D. (left): “Best Eye Doctor 2014” Jerry D. Roberts, O.D. (right): “Best Eye Doctor 2015” with the Monett Vision Source Staff

NESTLEROAD AND ROBERTS, OPTOMETRISTS DANNY D. NESTLEROAD, O.D. JERRY D. ROBERTS, O.D.

507 E. Cleveland, Monett 417-235-5250 www.visionsource-monett.com

Saturday,October 10, 2015 • Page 13

Readers of The Monett Times, thank you for choosing us as

“Best Bail Bonds Service!”

Aleshire Bail Bonds

Mark & Marji Aleshire • 417-466-FREE (3733) 314C EAST CENTER • MT. VERNON, MO 65712 PAYMENT OPTIONS AVAILABLE

Thank you for voting us

“BEST CHECK-CASHING SERVICES!”

Did you know?

Hospice is about living, not dying.

Many hesitate to contact hospice because they fear that hospice is only about dying. Instead, hospice is about making the most of every day. It is a proven fact that today, many patients who qualify and are admitted to hospice actually improve with the specialized care they receive.

Hospice care is not about giving up; it is about aggressively managing symptoms so that patients can live their lives in comfort. We would love to introduce you to the gentle, caring Hospice Compassus professionals who provide this unique, holistic approach encompassing physical, emotional, spiritual, and family support.

No one is denied service because of age, race, sex, sexual orientation, religion, or diagnosis.

MONETT CHECK CASHERS

809 Jerome Ln, Monett, Mo • (417) 235-2274

Page 14 • Saturday, October 10, 2015

Our clinic staff is delighted to introduce to you our newest member, Betty Seeley, Nurse Practitioner.

Betty was trained by Dr. Hodde years ago in ER when she was studying for her NP degree, and she has since extended her experience into clinical practice and well-woman exams. She is here on Mondays to provide well-woman exams and meet any quick medical needs you might have had over the weekend. Call us today at 417-476-7201 for an appointment with Betty.

2015 Best of the Best | The Monett Times

The Monett Times | 2015 Best of the Best

Saturday,October 10, 2015 • Page 15

Proud to be voted #1 Paint Store in the area!

THANK YOU EXTENDED STORE HOURS:

Mon & Fri: 7 am to 8 pm • Sat: 8 am to 6 pm • Sun: 10 am to 6 pm Store hours may vary. See store for details.

To locate a Sherwin-Williams® store near you, visit sherwin-williams.com or call 1-800-4-SHERWIN. Join us on

Thank you so much

for voTing for us as The

#1 Flooring Covering Store!

We have all of your floorcovering needs!

Carpet • Wood • Laminate Ceramic Tile • LVT & Traditional Vinyl

Mohawk Anniversary Sale!

Sept. 10th thru Oct. 26th At cost, or below!

Remnants, Half Price!

Installation available for all products.

816 E. Broadway Monett

417-235-0016

jjfloor@suddenlinkmail.com

for voting us the Best Auto Mechanic Shop & Best Oil & Lube Service Center in the Area!

Certified Automotive Services 1410 E Broadway St, Monett, MO 65708 (417) 354-0950

Thank You For Voting Us

The #1 for Best Customer Service as a Company and Best Customer Service from an Individual (Mike Flummerfelt)!

C o & untr n w To Supermarket y Flummerfelt’s at Pierce City

Phone: 417-476-2233 • Fax Service Available: 417-476-2233

Store Hours: Monday-Saturday 8 a.m. - 9 p.m.

Sunday 9 a.m. - 7 p.m.

See Our Ad & Lunch Specials On Facebook!

QUEST

www.townandcountrypiercecity.com

2015 Best of the Best | The Monett Times

Page 16 • Saturday, October 10, 2015

St. Mary’s: Principal credits quality teachers for winning Best School award

Continued from Page 10

1970 at age 26. He spent six years as a priest in Poland before coming to the United States.

“At that time, in the 1970s, there were calls [from the United States] for Polish-speaking priests, I was asked by my bishop to go over and I accepted the invitation,” Morciniec said.

“I spent three years in Pennsylvania and New Jersey in Polish-speaking parishes, like in the Philadelphia and Trenton areas.”

After those years, Morciniec decided he would like to stay in the United States and get a temporary citizenship.

“Poland was under a heavily-communist government, and [if I went back], I would always be under suspicion and my work would be restricted, so I decided to stay in the U.S,” he said.

The bishop in Springfield invited Morciniec to join the area parish, and Morciniec spent time in Neosho and Aurora before being assigned to St. Mary’s. He also does work at St. Agnus in Sarcoxie.

Morciniec said being a priest in the United States is strikingly different from serving in Poland, mainly because of the number of Catholics versus the number of people in other denominations.

“It’s different because in Poland, 90 percent of the people are Catholic, and here, it’s about 6 percent,” he said.

“So, it’s a challenge to work in an area with so many different denominations and to find how we can work together to serve the Lord the best. I think I passed the exam.”

Morciniec still has two sisters overseas, one in Poland and another in Germany, and he recently went to visit them for five weeks.

“When I lived in Poland, it was totally different,” he said. “Now, when I go visit my family, there is not much difference between there and here.”

According to Morciniec, St. Mary’s has about 750-780 parishioners from about 375 households, and he enjoys being a priest when people need him.

“I do weddings, baptisms and other sacraments, because that’s an important part of the Catholic community here,” he said. “[Parishioners] also help make my life easier by doing the landscaping.”

Sally Heidlage, back left, leads students in kindergarten through fifth grade in music class in the St. Mary’s gym. For the second consecutive year, Heidlage received the Best Teacher award from The Monett Times’ readers. Kyle Troutman/editor@monett-times.com

Best school

The church’s landscaping extends to the school, which has about 105 students in kindergarten through eighth grade. Morciniec said about one-tenth of the students are non-Catholic, and after the eighth grade, most of the students go to Pierce City High School, and some go to East Newton High School.

“The school is a big part of the parish, and we are very proud to have the school and have sacrificed a lot to keep it,” he said. “To keep a private school open, you have to have a lot of resources, support and donations.”

Judy Harper, first-year principal who came from McDonald County schools, said what makes it so great is the teaching staff of six, including the pre-kindergarten teacher.

“I believe [we got the Best School award] because we have very good teachers, and you can’t have a strong instructional school without good teachers.” she said. “We also have great support from the parents. We had a meeting one night, the Home and School meeting, like a [Parent-Teacher Organization], and I was surprised to see the number of parents here.

Coming from a school of 600 kids,

I often didn’t see that much parent involvement.”

Harper said class sizes also make a difference, and St. Mary’s averages about 15 or 16 children in each class, which are paired by grade level.

Best teacher One of the teachers that makes the school great, Sally Heidlage, teaches the first and second grade class and has the largest group at 25.

Originally from Purdy, Heidlage is in her 21st year at St. Mary’s, and she has been teaching for 27 years total, working at Pierce City’s Central Elementary previously.

“I think I got the award again because of this school family and the amazing support we have,” she said.

“It’s amazing to me that families take time out of their busy schedules to [vote in Best of the Best], and that says a lot about the families and the parish.

I’m honored to get the award, but I’m honored and blessed to be a part of St. Mary’s.”

Key to success

Morciniec said one key to having such a strong school is keeping tuition low, as St. Mary’s is one of the least-ex-

pensive private schools in the state.

“From what I’ve found, we are the lowest in the state, and certainly the lowest in the area,” Harper said. “It’s $1,300 per year for non-parishioners and $800 for parishioners. That’s about half or even less than any other area private school.”

Heidlage said another thing that makes the school so great is the atmosphere and Christ-centered teaching.

“It’s a family-oriented school, and it’s wonderful to be in a school where I can teach about God, pray in class and show students to put the Lord first,” she said.

Harper said the family-like atmosphere is a huge bonus for the students and the parishioners.

“It’s a family atmosphere, and a lot of the students have been going here since kindergarten, so by the eighth grade, they’ve known their classmates for many years.

“I think parents who are thinking about sending their children here would be very happy. It’s a small school, and teachers are even willing to come in over the summer to meet with prospective parents. I even had one call me at home to say how excited she was to send a child here.”

The Monett Times | 2015 Best of the Best

Sally Heidlage, right, leads students out of the St. Mary’s gym after music class. For the second consecutive year, Heidlage received the Best Teacher award from The Monett Times’ readers. Kyle Troutman/editor@monett-times.com

Thank you to readers of The Monett Times for voting us “Best Veterinary Clinic!”

Saturday,October 10, 2015 • Page 17

In a hallway leading to the St. Mary’s gym is a picture of Father Peter Morciniec, right, with President George W. Bush, who visited St. Mary’s in May 4, 2003, after Pierce City was struck by a tornado. The church was left unscathed. Kyle Troutman/editor@monett-times.com

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