January 1— The Monett Times Midweek

GOOD OLD DAYS PAGE 2 | GO GUIDE PAGE 4 | DEAR ABBY/COMICS PAGE 8 | CLASSIFIEDS PAGE 10

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GET FIT IN 2015

Setting reasonable goals is the first key for success in weight loss - Page 3

The Monett Times Midweek

Page 2 • Thursday, January 1, 2015

BACK IN THE GOOD OLD DAYS EIGHTY YEARS AGO JAN. 4-10, 1935 • The motor-minded people should have a lot of fun in Monett on Saturday, Jan. 5. The new cars are strutting their stuff and they are things of beauty. Perhaps in no single year have the motor cars come out so stylishly patterned and so efficiently constructed. It looks like the many refinements added to cars in the last few years that have proved their value are being retained.

• With the Ozark people accustomed top seeing rabbits skip out in the path nearly every time they go in the country, it seems strange to hear of states where rabbits are scare. Last year one firm shipped 16,000 rabbits to three eastern states. This year the firm had orders for 20,0000. The Farmers Exchange in Monett buys rabbits for them through local agencies.

SEVENTY YEARS AGO JAN. 4-10, 1945 • L.E. Meador, delegate at large at the state constitutional convention, told a group of about 100 PTA members and teachers at the high school school auditorium on Jan. 4 that the new constitution is one which was written for the people, out of some 377 proposals submitted, and that three-fourths of the 1875 document was left in the new constitution.

• Charles Mansfield, Monett clothier, died on Jan. 9 in Kansas City , where he had a heart attack on a business trip for the Mansfield Clothing Store. He was born in Pierce City in 1885 and moved to Monett when the Frisco moved the divi-

sion point. He bought half interest in the clothing store with Charles Galloway in 1918, bought out Galloway in 1933 and was voted Most Valuable Citizen of Monett in 1937.

SIXTY YEARS AGO JAN. 4-10, 1955 • Gross receipts for 1954 at the Monett Post Office were $122,389.49, or some $26,000 over the past five years average, according to figures released on Jan. 7

by Postmaster Grover Fulton. Receipts were slightly under the record breaking year of 1953.

• Overflow crowds attended impressive dedication services on Jan. 9 at the new Freistatt Trinity Lutheran Church.

An estimated 1,060 persons participated in the morning service in the magnificent $200,000 Gothic style structure.

Attendance in the afternoon was nearly 1,400.

FIFTY YEARS AGO JAN 4-10, 1965 • One of Monett’s oldest and most successful businessmen, Will T. Stocker, announced on Jan. 5 that he had sold the Stocker Furniture Company to B.H and Mabel Browning of Neosho.

Stocker engaged in the jewelry business for 39 years, starting in 1903 in the Hamft Millinery Store at Third and Broadway.

He left Monett in 1910, returned in 1921, joined the Binion-Stocker Music Company in 1928 and in 1942, he and Binion purchased the Callaway Furniture Company.

• Receipts at the Monett Post Office in 1964 totaled $224,983.79, an increase of $37,259.13 over the previous year, reported Postmaster

A sign indicating 431 fewer traffic deaths were recorded in Missouri for the year 1974, compared to 1,452 in 1973, is displayed by Governor Christopher S. Bond, second from left. Statistics reveal this is the greatest traffic fatality reduction ever recorded for a one-year period in Missouri. Results were announced on Jan. 3, 1974 at a news conference with Michael Garrett of Monett, state director of public safety, at left. Also pictured, from left, are: Ruth Kostman, state director of Women in Traffic Safety; Paul Collins, state director of highway safety; Col. S.S. Smith, Highway Patrol; and R. Dale Findlay, executive vice president of the Missouri Safety Council. File photo/The Monett Times John W. Hunt. Outgoing mail showed a definite increase with 2,947,617 pieces handled, up, up 139,063 from 1963.

FORTY YEARS AGO JAN. 4-10, 1975 • Monett High School senior Denise Hegi will be one of 27 high school senior girls participating in the 17th annual Missouri State Junior Miss Scholarship Pageant, which will be held Jan. 31 to Feb. 1 in Florissant.

• The All American Red Heads, world champion professional girls basketball team, will meet a Monett men’s team in E.E. Camp gymnasium in Jan. 18. The team traces its history back to 1935 when girls working for Mrs. Doyle Olson’s beauty salons at Cassville formed a girls basketball team,

first called the Cassville Red Heads. Orwell and Lorene Moore of Caraway, Ark. have owned the team since 1956.

THIRTY YEARS AGO JAN. 4-10, 1985 • Rev. John T. Bilyeu has begun his duties as pastor at the First Baptist Church in Monett. Bilyeu formerly served as pastor at First Baptist Church in Willow Springs. He fills the vacancy left by the resignation of Rev. Otis Divine, who left to accept a post in Ash Grove.

• In honor of the 20th anniversary of Wells Aluminum Inc. in the Monett-Cassville area, employees presented executive vice president and general manager H.C. Beckwith with a giantsized Christmas card, an aerial framed photograph

of the plant and keys to a new golf cart.

TWENTY YEARS AGO JAN. 4-10, 1995 • New Monett municipal judge Carr Woods was sworn in on Jan. 4 by City Clerk Doris Meyer. Woods, who served as assistant city attorney under city attorney Mike Garrett, assumes the post that had been held

by Dale Burke, who is now the city attorney.

• Construction has begun on a new branch facility for United Missouri Bank in Monett at Kyler and Dairy Street. The 1,068 square foot facility is expected to open in early spring.

TEN YEARS AGO JAN. 4-10, 2005 • After two days of steady rain, Kelly Creek rose to within six inches of backfilling the storm sewers and spilling into Broadway on Jan. 5, dropping a foot by 9 a.m. from the alert issued at 5:45 a.m., thanks to a lack of additional rain.

• Students at Purdy High School will no longer be allowed to have cell phones, beepers, pagers or other electronic communication devices during the school day. The new policy is a response to student abuses calling for no use of devices during school hours.

ON THE COVER: With the holidays behind us, area residents may now want to focus on their New Year resolutions. One of the most popular vows is to lose weight.

This month, Monett Midweek will explore a number of weight loss and maintenance options. Contributed photo

The Monett Times Midweek

Thursday, January 1, 2015 • Page 3

What’s your New Year’s resolution?

Of the top 10, losing weight ranks 3rd

BY MELONIE ROBERTS

T

reporter@monett-times.com

he holidays are over, the New Year has begun, and it’s time to pay the piper for all that holiday celebrating.

Many area residents will make out their resolutions lists just hours before the midnight countdown on Jan. 1, 2015, but others will wait until they have had a chance to recover from the revelry of the previous night.

Of the top 10 resolutions, losing weight typically ranks in the top five, as people reflect on the previous 10 weeks of cocktail parties, office dinners and family gatherings where food played a major role in the festivities.

Setting reasonable goals is the first key for success in weight loss, but for some, a little extra help is needed.

“We are focusing on our clients with the promotion, ‘Step into a new you in 2015,’” said Mendi Hubbard, co-owner of Diet Center in Monett. “We have some exciting news starting inn 2015, and we are going to encourage our clients to utilize technology, such as pedometers and Fitbits, to help track their activity and monitor their movement and success.”

Hubbard said obesity is one of the most dangerous health issues facing the community today.

“There is an increase in the incidents of diabetes, high cholesterol levels and heart disease,” Hubbard said.

“Being healthy is a combination of things done daily. Get plenty of sleep, drink plenty of water and plan your meals for the day.”

The Diet Center’s program is approved by such organizations as the American Heart Association, American Diabetes Association and American Cancer Society.

“That’s very important for people choosing a weight-loss program,” Hubbard said. “Clients on this program will work closely with their doctors and adjust their medications as needed.”

Hubbard said Diet Center is more

Good things come in small packages. These approved Diet Center shakes and snack bars count toward an individual’s daily caloric intake, but are balanced with fruits, dairy and protein components to balance a healthy diet. Melonie Roberts/reporter@monett-times. com

than a weight-loss program.

“We design meal plans for our clients and teach them not only how to lose weight, but to maintain it,” she said. “Many people can lose, but they can’t keep it off. We study labels for clients and show them why some products meet their nutritional needs.”

The three-phase program first focuses on reducing weight.

“We do body composition measurements on a monthly basis to measure clients’ success,” said Hubbard. “That is followed by stabilization, and by maintenance.”

The exciting thing for Hubbard is this year, her clients lost a combined total of over 10,000 pounds.

“That is unbelievable,” Hubbard said. “That make a statement of health.

People don’t want to lose weight, they want to be healthy.”

CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

Who said dieting can’t be tasty? Out with the old proverb of “if it tastes good, spit it out,” and in with the new tastier options of healthy, balanced snacks to ward off the mid-morning grumbles or for a late afternoon pick-me-up. Melonie Roberts/reporter@monett-times.com

The Monett Times Midweek

A LOOK AT AREA EVENTS THIS WEEK

BY MURRAY BISHOFF

TULSA, Okla.: At the Tulsa Performing Arts Center, 110 S. Second St., Tracy Letts’ play “August: Osage County” is presented at 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 8 with more shows for the next two weekends at the Liddy Doenges Theatre.

KANSAS CITY: “The Dinner Detective” murder mystery dinner show continues Saturdays at the Starlight Theatre, 4800 Starlight Dr. “Santa Conquers the Martians, or Close Encounters of the Third Kind” runs through Sunday at the Martin City Melodrama and Vaudeville Company, 20700 W. 151st St. in Olathe, Kan. “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: the Musical” runs through Sunday at the Coterie Theater at Crown Center, Grand Blvd. and Pershing Road.

ST. LOUIS: The Cirque du Soleil show “Varekai” is performed at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 7 through Jan. 11 at the Chaifetz Arena, Market and Lindell.

Repertory Theater of St. Louis’s production of Todd Kreidler’s stage adaptation of the screenplay for “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner” opens Jan. 7 and runs through Feb. 1 at the Loretto Hilton Center, 130 Edgar Rd. in Webster Groves.

SPECIAL EVENTS

AREA MUSIC FAYETTEVILLE, Ark.: At George’s Majestic Lounge, 519 W. Dickson, playing this week are Left of Center, Joe Giles and the Homewreckers on Friday; and the Grady Matthews Band on Saturday.

JOPLIN: At the Downstream Casino, west of Joplin, performing this week are Pearl with dance and soul music on Friday, and the Nace Brothers on Saturday.

TULSA, Okla.: At Cain’s Ballroom, 423 N. Main, DRYVR, the Joint Effect and Superpimp play on Friday. Parmalee performs on Jan. 8.

ST. LOUIS: At the Pageant, 6161 Delmar, G-Eazy, Kehlani, Kool John, Jay Ant and Marc Goone perform on Jan. 7.

AREA THEATRE

GO GUIDE

Page 4 • Thursday, January 1, 2015

SPRINGFIELD: The Liquid Nitro Autocross tour performs at the Ozark Empire Fairgrounds Friday and Saturday.

At the Springfield Art Museum, 1111 E. Brookside Dr., the exhibit “Four

by Four,” focusing on artists from the four-state artists, Sage Dawson, Denny Schmickle, Mark Cowardin and Emily Wood, runs through March. 15.

BENTONVILLE, Ark.: At the Crystal Bridges Art Museum, 600 Museum Way, “John James Audubon and the Artist as Naturalist” runs through Jan. 5. “State of the Art,” focusing on the contemporary American art scene, runs through Jan. 19. “Born of Fire,” a show of ceramic art in the regional collection, runs through March 2.

FORT SMITH, Ark.: At the Fort Smith Regional Art Museum, 1601 Rogers Ave., “An American in Venice: James McNeill Whistler and His Legacy,” runs through Sunday. An exhibit of works

by Liz Whitney Quisgard runs through March 1.

JOPLIN: The 67th annual Membership Show at the Spiva Center for the Arts, Third and Wall, runs through Saturday.

TULSA, Okla.: The Tulsa Shootout, the nation’s largest micro sprint racing event, runs Thursday through Saturday in the Expo Center at Expo Square, 4145 E. 21st St. The Monster Jam monster truck rally runs Jan. 5 and 6 at the BOK Center, 200 S. Denver.

At the Gilcrease Museum, 1400 N. Gilcrease Museum Rd., an exhibit of

new acquisitions of American Western art is on display through March 29. An exhibit of making small bronze sculptures, from Frederic Remington and his contemporaries in Western art, continues through March 23.

At the Philbrook Museum, 2727 S. Rockford Rd., “A Creative Union,” an exhibit of works by Barbara Latham and Howard Cook generated by issues of their time, runs through Sunday.

“Impact,” an annual exhibit of Native American fine art, runs through Jan. 11. “Fever and Flash,” an exhibit of pop art in the 1970s, with works by Warhol, Rauschenberg, Saul Steinberg and others, runs through March 15.

KANSAS CITY: At the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, 4525 Oak St., “The Plains Indians: Artists of Earth and Sky” runs through Jan. 11. “Worldly Luxuries: Repetition in Renaissance Textiles” runs through Feb. 15. New exhibits running into the summer include “Piranesi: Imaginative Spaces” and “World War I and the Rise of Modernism.”

ST. LOUIS: The original Harlem Globetrotters perform at 7 p.m. on Friday at the Scottrade Center, 1401 Clark Ave. The St. Louis Museum of Art exhibit “Atua: Sacred Gods from Polynesia” runs through Sunday. An exhibit of the landscapes from the Hudson River School runs through April 5. Exhibits on Tibetan Buddhist art and calligraphy in Chinese and Japanese art run through Feb. 22.

The St. Louis History Museum’s exhibit “Louisiana Purchase: Making St. Louis, remaking America” runs through April 19.

At the Kemper Art Museum at Washington University, three exhibits close on Sunday: “Drawing Ambience: Alvin Boyarsky and the Architectural Association,” “Encountering the City: The Urban Experience in Contemporary Art” and “Picturing Narrative: Greek Mythology in the Visual Arts.”

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The Monett Times Midweek

Thursday, January 1, 2015 • Page 5

PICK

THREE

MURRAY’S TOP PICKS FOR THE WEEK

1

For those who want to keep partying on Jan. 1, there’s the Hangover Ball on Jan. 1 at Cain’s Ballroom, 423 N. Main in Tulsa.

Country music fans will enjoy performances by Cody Canada, Wade Bowen, Jason Boland, Evan Felker, Adam Hood, Brian Keane, Mike McClure, Bo Phillips and B.J. Barham.

In a week with very few theater opportunities available, the Broadway musical “Once” is presented at 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 6 through next weekend plus more shows the following weekend at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center, 110 S. Second St. “Once” follows the progress of a motley crew of musicians who come together, launch a record deal and experience a love story.

3

2

For one final nostalgic look at Christmas, “A Christmas Story: the Musical” runs through Sunday at the Fox Theatre, 527 N. Grand in St. Louis. Jean Shepherd’s holiday reminiscences make a two and a half hour stage show with all the silliness and lovable characters of the film to life.

It may not be Dickens, but it’s Americana through and through.

Murray Bishoff is a veteran theatergoer, traveling weekends to many of the venues within driving distance, from Tulsa to St. Louis. From dance recitals to operas, he’s been there and shares his recommendations.

‘Frozen’ is named top entertainer of the year

BY MARK KENNEDY AP Entertainment Writer

NEW YORK — If you have children, or know someone who does, or just listened to one recently, the choice of Associated Press Entertainer of the Year won’t come as much of a shock: It’s “Frozen,” and in 2014, we just couldn’t let it go.

Although the animated film opened late in 2013, the story of Elsa, Anna, Olaf, Kristoff and Sven easily outpaced other vote-getters like “Sherlock” star Benedict Cumberbatch, TV guru Shonda Rimes, musicians Beyonce and Pharrell Williams, and even an entry for the culture’s fixation on the female rear.

In 47 ballots submitted by members and subscribers of the AP, “Frozen” won 12 votes. Taylor Swift had 8. Matthew McConaughey and Jimmy Fallon were tied for third with 7 votes each. Voters were asked to consider who had the most influence on entertainment and culture in 2014.

“Frozen” has earned Disney more than $1.27 billion at the box office worldwide, becoming the most successful animated movie of all time. Its signature song, “Let It Go,” won an Oscar, and a national touring live version on ice has been a huge draw. The lines of girls wearing sparkly dresses waiting for a chance to see Elsa and Anna at Disneyland are staggering.

“Frozen” was the most searched movie in 2014, according to Google.

“It’s amazing,” said Chris Buck, who co-directed and co-wrote the film with Jennifer Lee. “A year later, it’s still crazy.”

Asked if they had managed to get their heads around the film’s popularity, Lee replied: “I don’t know if it’s possible. I kind of hope it’s not possible because this is a really great feeling.”

The film’s gravitational pull has now supplanted Barbie as No. 1 on the holiday wish lists of girls, according to a survey by the National Retail Federation. Barbie had been the queen for 11 years in a row, but felt a chill this year from the kingdom of Arendelle.

The Oscar-winning story about how the sisters Anna and Elsa overcome Elsa’s terrible power to turn everything into ice and snow has songs by the husbandand-wife songwriting team Robert Lopez

and Kristen Anderson-Lopez. It features the voices of Kristen Bell, Idina Menzel, Jonathan Groff, Josh Gad and Santino Fontana.

One Entertainer of the Year voter said the film had layers of magic: “’Frozen’ has become nearly unavoidable. Before seeing the movie, I knew the names of each main character as well as the theme song. But it’s more than that. Sisterhood is something so important to little girls whether they are an only child or have 10 siblings,” wrote Jill Harry of The Derrick and The News-Herald of Oil City, Pennsylvania.

“The movie takes that theme, that feeling and perfectly matches it with the magic Disney is known to produce. The end result is a movie that has become an obsession. And now snowflake blue is the new black.”

While the nation fell hard for the film, one famous actor was positively tonguetied. John Travolta butchered the pronunciation of Menzel’s name at the Oscar ceremony. What came out was something that sounded like “Adele Dazeem,” but it only helped Menzel sell more tickets to her Broadway show “If/Then.”

“Frozen” translated into cold, hard cash at the box office. Apple said the animated film’s soundtrack was the year’s top selling album on iTunes, and “Frozen” merchandise accounted for nine of the top 10 best-selling items in Disney stores. There were “Frozen” sing-alongs on Disney cruises to the Caribbean, a book series was published and some of the characters made it onto the fourth season of ABC fantasy-drama “Once Upon a Time.”

Its creators are still coming to grip with its power. “We have tried to figure it out or define it and dissect it to figure out what it all was,” said Buck. “We call it lightning in a bottle. There is something there and I can’t really describe it.”

Parody and tribute videos never slowed down in 2014, and boys and girls continued to spontaneously belt out “Let It Go” on playgrounds or cite its memorable quotes like, “The cold never bothered me anyway,” ‘’I’m Olaf and I like warm hugs!” and “Some people are worth melting for.”

The Monett Times Midweek

Page 6 • Thursday, January 1, 2015 Jenna Hohensee is one of the many clients who has followed Diet Center’s weight management program.

Hohensee made several changes that has curbed her emotional eating habits and refocused her attention to a healthy lifestyle. Melonie Roberts/reporter@ monett-times.com

Mendi Hubbard and Sue Childress, co-owners of Monett’s Diet Center, started the business nearly 26 years ago and still have loyal customers continuing their maintenance programs through the business. “We change lifestyles,” Hubbard said.

“We’ve said it for 26 years, and nothing makes a better statement for health.” Melonie

Forget the quick energy, caffeine-laden energy shots at the convenience store and pick up the thermogenic fat-burning energy shots made by Diet Center. The fat burning products contain powerful ingredients which help enhance the body’s natural ability to burn fat. These ingredients stimulate the mitochondria in the fat cells in your body to begin burning fat. Melonie Roberts/reporter@monett-times.com

Roberts/reporter@monett-times.com

Resolution: Eating as much fruits and vegetables as possible a big booster

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3

Not only are individuals seeking healthier lifestyle options, industries and businesses are jumping on the healthy lifestyle bandwagon.

“More industries are promoting health and wellness for their employees,” Hubbard said. “We have participated in four recent health fairs and are scheduled for three more in January.

“Healthy employees result in lower insurance costs. Schools are also stepping up to promote wellness with students.

We’re seeing a lot of pedometers and Fitbits on students. As a community, we are working together to become more healthy.”

One way to achieve that goal is to clear out the cabinets and refrig-

erators of all unhealthy, processed foods, and replace them with fresh fruits and vegetables.

“I support eating what comes out of the ground and off the tree as much as possible,” Hubbard said. “When you replace those unhealthy choices with healthy choices, placed at eye level in the cabinets in the refrigerator, not only does it

help the person trying to lose weight, but the entire family, as well.

Their spouses or children are more likely to open up the refrigerator and pull out some fresh vegetables or fruit because that’s what’s there. In that way, getting healthy is addictive.

It spreads from the kids to the spouses.”

Hubbard advocates

eating as many fresh vegetables and fruits as possible, along with a measured amount of meat or protein.

“You can eat a few things you want, but fill the body with what it needs,” Hubbard said.

The overall result is more than just a smaller jean size.

“You feel good,” Hubbard said. “There’s

no price to put on that.

Everyone wants to feel good, and the bottom line is there is nothing bad about losing weight.

That’s the key to longterm success with good health.

“We hope everyone steps out to be the best they can be in 2015.

Giving yourself the gift of good health is the best gift you can receive.”

The Monett Times Midweek

Thursday, January 1, 2015 • Page 7

Top news of 2014 left public grasping for answers

BY ADAM GELLER AP National Writer

Twenty-thousand feet down the answers may be waiting, hidden in some underwater canyon far off Australia’s coast. But more than nine months after searchers began scouring the seas for a Malaysia Airlines jetliner that vanished with 239 people aboard, the catastrophe defies resolution.

In that way, the long, fruitless hunt for clues to Flight 370’s fate set the tone for many of the headlines that defined 2014. It was a year upended by calamity and conflict, disease and division that often left the public and its leaders grasping for answers.

From Ukraine to the Middle East, from the Ebola threat to the tensions exposed by police killings in Ferguson, Missouri, and elsewhere, many of the top news stories fed into a growing sense of frustration.

Confronting the questions raised by the headlines brought little peace of mind. Instead, one event after another exploded, demanding attention but often rewarding it with weariness and lingering unease. Unlike 2013, when much of the news centered on Washington’s political dysfunction, many of this year’s biggest stories were rooted in far-flung locales, but their impact kept rippling.

That was certainly the case with the conflict over Ukraine, stretching back to President Victor Yanukovych’s ouster in February. When Russia filled the vacuum by grabbing the Crimean peninsula and working with militants bent on taking more territory from the western-leaning government, it set off a standoff reminiscent of the Cold War. Militants are blamed for downing a second Malaysian jet as it flew over Ukrainian

airspace in July, killing all 298 aboard, the largest number of them Dutch. U.S.-led sanctions have begun tightening a vise on the Russian economy.

Months later, both sides are locked in a stare-down that can hardly be called a peace.

In less harried times, even many of the biggest news events capture the public’s attention for just a few days, or perhaps weeks, before slipping from view. But in 2014, Ukraine kept a lasting place in the headlines and was hardly an exception.

Consider that the Ebola crisis began with a case in Guinea last December. By March, the World Health Organization was tracking the outbreak and working to marshal a response. But a year after the outbreak began, there is no end to fears of a disease that has killed more than 7,500 people.

Nearly all of those deaths came in three west African countries. But when a Liberian man with the disease died at a Dallas hospital this fall, followed by a handful of other U.S. cases, it set off a panic and doubts about whether the health system was ready. As the year neared an end, the WHO questioned reports of progress in containing the disease in Africa based on data it says is filled with inconsistencies.

The Malaysia Airlines disaster, too, captivated the world long after the plane disappeared shortly after takeoff in the early hours of March 8.

Eventually, aircraft, ships and searchers from 26 countries were assembled to look for the wreckage. In October, a contractor dispatched ships with high-tech sonar to scan 23,000 square miles of Indian Ocean floor. But the job could take until at least next May, officials say, and no wreckage has ever been found.

“The sense of helplessness, the feeling of powerlessness, and the pain have not eased but only worsened as times goes by,” said Liu Weijie, whose wife was aboard the flight. He was speaking after 100 days passed without any sign of the jet.

Meanwhile, violence in the Middle East once again took command of the headlines, sometimes in ways that shocked even a public numbed by the region’s tense history.

The worst violence broke out in Libya since dictator Moammar Gadhafi was overthrown, after the Islamists in control of the national congress ignored a general’s February order to dissolve the chamber. With militias in control of Tripoli, the year ended with the country split by two governments, two parliaments, and hundreds of thousands of people displaced.

In Gaza, the June kidnapping of three Israeli teens by Hamas operatives brought a crackdown by Israeli forces, retaliatory rocket attacks and a 50-day war that killed more than 2,100 Palestinians and 72 Israelis. But it ended with no hint of a route toward resolution.

After nearly four years of civil war in Syria, the U.S. and other countries appeared stuck in a circular debate about whether and how to intercede. But the radical Islamic State group’s rapid expansion, capped by militants’ videotaped beheadings of Western hostages, jarred an expanding coalition to launch a campaign of more 1,000 bombing attacks on IS strongholds in Iraq and Syria.

As the year ends, though, leaders cautioned that their vows to destroy the insurgency could take years to fulfill.

“We recognize that hard

work remains to be done,” U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said.

Even as the war on the Islamic State group began, Americans turned their attention to suburban St. Louis, where in August a white police officer fatally shot black 18-year-old Michael Brown, after stopping him and a friend for walking in the middle of the street. Exactly what happened was clouded by conflicting witness accounts.

Brown’s death, and a grand jury’s decision not to charge the officer, prompted a furor over law enforcement’s treatment of young, black men.

Other police killings in New York, Cleveland and elsewhere just fed the public’s frustration.

The year’s string of unsettling news stories continued through its final weeks, when a gunman’s siege of a Sydney cafe ended with two hostages dead, and the U.S. accused North Korea of responsibility for a hacking attack on Sony that roiled the studio and the film industry.

If any news event offered the chance for resolution, it was the November elections that presented fed-up voters with a means for shaking up the status quo.

That’s just what they did, handing Republicans control of the Senate they sought to battle President Barack Obama and boosting the party’s strength in a number of statehouses.

But there’s been little sign that will break gridlock in Washington, where Obama’s recent decisions — particularly an executive order curbing deportations — have stirred intense GOP enmity. With the election over, public disenchantment has remained in place, with polls showing that two of every three Americans

believe the country is headed in the wrong direction, despite continued improvement in the economy.

Clearly, not all of the news stories of the past year lacked resolution. Obama’s December announcement that the U.S. would restore diplomatic relations with Cuba after more than half century prompted both celebration and disdain.

There were winners and losers at the Winter Olympics and the World Cup — which spotlighted athletic excellence, along with Russia’s outsized spending and Brazil’s political discontent. The number of states allowing same-sex marriage doubled this year, reflecting shifting attitudes and politics.

In South Korea, parents grieving over the April ferry sinking that killed 300, most of them high school students, saw the captain sentenced to 36 years in prison, fixing some measure of responsibility, but without closure.

But those headlines could not distract from the larger narrative of a country and world faced by daunting challenges and few answers within reach. That was clear in late October, when Peter Foley, an Australian coordinating the hunt for the vanished Malaysia Airlines jet, faced questions about its direction.

“We are in for the long haul,” Foley said.

He was referring only to the searchers and their role in trying to bring resolution to a singular conundrum. But he could just as well have been speaking about the challenges raised by any one of numerous news events in 2014, a year when making sense of the headlines required patience, but did little to reward it.

The Monett Times Midweek

Page 8 • Thursday, January 1, 2015

Dawn of another year brings opportunities to begin anew

D

EAR READERS: Welcome to 2015!

If the last year was challenging for some of us, a new one has arrived, bringing with it our chance for a new beginning.

Today is the day we have an opportunity to discard destructive old habits for healthy new ones, and with that in mind, I will share Dear Abby’s often-requested list of New Year’s Resolutions, which were adapted by my late mother, Pauline Phillips, from the original credo of Al-Anon: JUST FOR TODAY: I will live through this day only. I will not brood about yesterday or obsess about tomorrow. I will not set far-reaching goals or try to overcome all of my problems at once.

I know that I can do something for 24 hours that would overwhelm me if I had to keep it up for a lifetime.

JUST FOR TODAY: I will be happy. I will not dwell on thoughts that depress me. If my mind fills with clouds, I will chase them away and fill it with sunshine.

JUST FOR TODAY: I will accept what is. I will face reality. I will correct those things that I can correct and accept those I cannot.

JUST FOR TODAY: I will improve my mind. I will read something that requires effort, thought and concentration. I will not be a mental loafer.

JUST FOR TODAY:

JEANNE PHILLIPS DEAR ABBY I will make a conscious effort to be agreeable. I will be kind and courteous to those who cross my path, and I’ll not speak ill of others. I will improve my appearance, speak softly, and not interrupt when someone else is talking.

JUST FOR TODAY: I will refrain from improving anybody but myself.

JUST FOR TODAY: I will do something positive to improve my health. If I’m a smoker, I’ll quit. If I am overweight, I will eat healthfully—if only just for today. And not only that, I will get off the couch and take a brisk walk, even if it’s only around the block.

JUST FOR TODAY: I will gather the courage to do what is right and take responsibility for my own actions.

And now, Dear Readers, I would like to share an item that was sent to me by L.J. Bhatia, a reader from New Delhi, India: DEAR ABBY: This year, no resolutions, only some guidelines. The Holy Vedas say, “Man has subjected himself to thousands of self-inflict-

ed bondages. Wisdom comes to a man who lives according to the true eternal laws of nature.”

The prayer of St. Francis (of which there are several versions) contains a powerful message: “Lord, make me an instrument of your peace; “Where there is hatred, let me sow love; “Where there is injury, pardon; “Where there is doubt, faith; “Where there is despair, hope; “Where there is darkness, light; “And where there is sadness, joy.

“O Divine Master, “Grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; “To be understood, as to understand; “To be loved, as to love; “For it is in giving that we receive,

“It is in pardoning that we are pardoned, “And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.”

And so, Dear Readers, may this new year bring with it good health, peace and joy to all of you.— LOVE, ABBY Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips.

Contact Dear Abby at www.

DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.

For everything you need to know about wedding planning, order “How to Have a Lovely Wedding.” Send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $7 (U.S. funds) to: Dear Abby, Wedding Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447.

(Shipping and handling are included in the price.)

The Monett Times Midweek

PEANUTS

Thursday, January 1, 2015 • Page 9

BY CHARLES M. SCHULZ

MUTTS

GARFIELD

BY PATRICK McDONELL

BY JIM DAVIS

Monett Times offers

Gift Certificates for Our Subscription 1 month • 3 months • 6 months • 1 year

CROSSWORD

BEETLE BAILEY BY MORT WALKER

The Monett Times Midweek

Page 10 • Thursday, January 1, 2015 1. Special Notices

16. Help Wanted

16. Help Wanted

IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Please check your ad the first day of publication. If it contains an error, report it to The Monett Times Classified Department. Errors will be corrected and credit will be issued for the first day of publicationsonly.TheMonettTimesshall not be liable for any loss or expense that results from the publication (whether published correctly or not) or omission of an advertisement.

DRIVERS: HOME WEEKLY! Truck w/fridge and microwave.

Paid health ins., vacation, holidays & more. CDL-A w/2yrs recent experience. Standard Transportation Services.

1-888-992-4038 ext 133.

TAKING APPLICATIONS for an individual interested in a permanent position as an aluminum welder. Willingness to learn is a must. Previous experience is required. Benefits include paid holidays, paid vacations,. There will be a 60-day probation period .Starting pay will be based on experience. Applications can be picked up at DAR-A-CON IND., INC. 1707 N. Central, Monett, MO. 65708. For more information contact Sonny or Darren Woodward at 235-1914.

DRIVERS, SOLO 3 or 6 day runs, $44cents per mi, Free Health Ins..

Same day pay. 800-769-3993 for details, on-line app www.trailiner.com.

9. Services Offered

DRIVERS TEAMS or hard running singles call me now, for new truck, lot’s of mi., good pay, ins., home weekly. Justin: 866-312-7919.

FOR ALL of your heating, air conditioning and sheet metal work, call Monett Sheet Metal, 235-7116.

DRIVERS: TEAMS Springfield, MOtoCaliforniaandreturn,4-day runs, new trucks, same day pay, www.trailiner.com 800-7693993,

GENERAL CONSTRUCTION: Painting, roofing, room additions, carpentrywork,vinylsiding,small plumbing & concrete work.

235-6961, 236-5477.

SIDING & TRIM, Replacement Windows, guttering, entry, storm & garage doors. Over 30 yrs. experience, local references provided.

Ken R Mitchell 417-838-2976 Free estimates.

10. Lost and Found DACHSHUND, RED, Long hair, $100 Reward.

Call Anytime 417-669-8344

16. Help Wanted CLASS A CDL Driver needed.

Must be 23 years of age. Minimum 2 years experience. Call 417-476-2380 DRIVERS, 60,000+, CDL-A $2500 sign on, 1 month exp., Same Day Pay! Free Health Ins., No CDL? We have Free Training! www.trailiner.com 800-769-3993.

GRASSLANDS Consultants, LLC is now hiring for Dairy Farm Assistant.Musthavegoodworkethic and enjoy work with cattle.

Granby/Stark area. Interested individuals should apply in person at 218 E. Broadway, Monett LAWRENCE COUNTY Manor is nowhiringforLPNnightshift6pm to 6am. Great benefits, holidays, sick days, vacation. Sign on bonus. Apply in person. 915 Carl Allen Mt. Vernon, MO 65712. Online at lcmanor.com This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

LAWRENCE COUNTY Manor is now hiring for RN day shift 6am to 6pm and some nights 6pm to 6am.Greatbenefits,holidays,sick days, vacation. Sign on bonus.

Apply in person. 915 Carl Allen Mt. Vernon, MO 65712. On-line at lcmanor.com.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

OFFICE HELP NEEDED: Full time with some weekends. Filing, answering calls, and computer skills required. History in payables, receivables and general accounting a plus. email lsnyder@scoular.com with questions and to fill out your application.

25. Real Estate For Sale PUBLISHER’S NOTICE: All real estate advertised herein is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act, which makes it illegal to advertise “anypreference,limitation,ordiscrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin, or intention to make any such preference,limitationordiscrimination.

We will not knowingly accept any advertisingforrealestatewhichis in violation of the law. All persons are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised are available on an equal opportunity basis.

26. Mobile Homes Sales CHRISTMAS ON Clayton Homes of Springfield! $2,000 gift card w/ purchase of a new home! Offer good thru 12/23/2014.

417-865-2086 CLAYTON MANUFACTURED Homes. We will pay top dollar for your trade! Any condition! 417-865-4181

29. Houses for Rent

51. Wanted to Rent

55. Storage

I HAVE very nice rental homes, varied number of bedrooms, the city of Monett. Call Max Easley at 417-235-6871 or 417-693-1024.

PASTURE OR hay ground wanted. Verona or East Monett area.

40 acres or more. Graves 417-669-4583

CROSSLAND STOR-ALL. Across East of Wal-Mart. 10 buildings, 7 sizes. 235-3766.

29a. Duplexes For Rent

Visit us online at: monett-times.com

2 BR, 1 Ba. 4-plexe units in Monett.AllelectricCentralH/A,appliances furnished, W/D hookups.

Starting at $425 per month, $250 deposit. 354-0744 or 236-0140.

AVAILABLE NOW one up-scale quad plexes, nestled in a quiet planned neighborhood inside Monett. Brick facade, 2 Bd, 2 full Ba, walk-in closets, garage, laundry with W/D hookup. Kitchen with bar thatopenstodiningandlivingrm.

All stainless appliance including built-inmicrowave.Ceilingfansin all rooms and private patio. Call 417-773-8948 or 417-354-0744.

VERY NICE 2 bd 2 ba with garage. $545/mo $300/ dep.

Also 3 bd 2 ba with garage, $610/mo, $300/dep. 505 Dairy St. Monett.

417-489-8185 or 417-235-5231

FRIEZE’S STORAGE- 10 Sizes plus outside storage. Gated at night. Phone 417-235-7325 or 417-393-9662.

WHY PAY More, Rent from Us & Store. S & G Storage.

417-235-1914 or 417-235-9289.

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30. Apartments for Rent 2BR, 1BA, garage, central H/A, all electric. $450/mo. No pets.

417-236-4118.

FOR RENT: 2 BR, 1 Bath, No pets, No smoking, 510 Dairy, $400/mo + deposit.

Call 466-8817

USED AND repo homes available.

Call today - 417-865-7029

NICE 1 bdrm, c/h & air, dishwasher, fridge, stove, washer/dryer hookup. No Pets. In Pierce City $385 dep/$385 rent

26a. Mobile Homes for Rent

31. Rooms for Rent

2 BEDROOM, 1 1/2 bath, furnished kitchen. Close to downtown. No Pets. 6 month lease, we pay the water. $350 monthly, $125 deposit. 417-235-6097

J & T ECONO Rooms to Rent.

Weekly low rates - No pets. Cable TV, refrigerator, microwave.

417-489-6000

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The Monett Times Midweek

Thursday, January 1, 2015 • Page 11

r u o Y r o f t s Ju Valentine

Send Us Or Bring Us A Cute Photo Of Your Child or Grandchild

We will place the photo in a frame similar to the one to the left. Your little valentine will appear in The Monett Times on Saturday, February 14, 2015.

Child’s Full Name Age Parents Grandparents

All photos must be picked up in the office.

Due to limited space available, names of great-grandparents cannot be included.

HURRY NOW!

The Cost is ONLY $10.00/ single child

Add $1 per additional child in picture

Early Deadline Feb. 3rd.

The cost for Feb. 4th - 6th is $12

Mail, email or bring your photo along with child’s full name, parents’ names, and/or grandparents’ names.

The Monett Times, P.O. Box 40. • insertionsmtcass@gmail.com

The Monett Times Serving Barry and Lawrence Counties for over 100 years

505 Broadway • 417-235-3135 • Monett, Mo.