To The Editor ...

Editor,

Current River Heritage Days Aftermath:

The event is finished but the plans for 2025 are already on the drawing board. The Current River Heritage Days three-day festival was met with sunny skies and lots of smiles.

Many thanks to all the people who participated in making the festival a success. From Thursday’s John Ashby VFW cookout and Cake Walk—And THANKS to the FCE and Mendy Cates- Reece with United Country Realty for Michael Richmond & Son’s entertaining music. It was a small gathering but fun for those in attendance. The biggest prize came from the Doniphan Koosie Group and was very well received.

Also, Thanks to the Veterans group, who Friday started with the raising of the flag, as the Doniphan Chorus sang the National Anthem, as well as, other patriotic tunes when the local students arrived.

It has become a tradition for the students—and everyone else—to take a wagon ride with Jerry and Yolanda Stroup—at no charge, thanks to Jake Netherland and the folks at Current River Ford and Countryside Chevrolet. Everyone seems to enjoy taking a ride around town in the wagon, seeing and being seen by shop owners and others.

The event would not be possible without the assistance of the Three Rivers Advisory Board, in Poplar Bluff. Thanks to this group, the working and creating of all the activity for the Heritage days are educational and entertaining.

We were all so surprised that Pedro came back for a surprise performance! Thanks to D&D Tire, Richie Dement and his jumping Mule, Pedro, came back on Friday to jump for the students.

The local students had a fun day of “old timey” fun and games with help from the Ripley County 4-H, led by Tony Merkle, The Poplar Bluff Chapter of the National Society of Daughters of the American Revolution, Jim and Fred Bollinger, The Military Order of the Stars and Bars Col. Alden B. Lowe chapter 32, The Ozark National Scenic River Ways, David Porter, potter, The USDA Forest Service, Brenda & Donald Yarbro and many other demonstrators such as the Current River Heritage Museum Volunteers, Donna Reynolds and others who were instrumental in making the days a fun-filled success.

The Friday events ended with wonderful music by Borderline and a delicious evening thanks to Agri-Gro and the folks at J.W.Woodworks and the fantastic light display and dance-floor, provided once again by Jack and Heather Jones. The barn dance seems to be a much loved tradition for Heritage Days.

Doniphan’s own, award winning auctioneer Randy Whiteside, with assistance from his grand-daughters, Eva and Willa made the pie supper a successful endeavor. The biggest prize went to Matt Michel, a tri-pod holder for a fire pit, created by local blacksmith, Chris Miller.

Saturday started early with a pancake breakfast, provided by the John Ashby VFW. Thanks to the Tractor Supply Co. and Castle Products people were entertained by Hannah Katheryn at the cabin. At noon, in the Plunk Schoolhouse, Missouri Humanities Speakers Bureau sponsored by Rocky River Resort presented author, Alex Prim, who spoke about “Missouri’s Conservation Heroes.”

If anyone would be interested in helping to organize the 2025 Current River Heritage Days, please stop by the museum and speak to Julie Braschler.

Thank you everyone who participated in the 2024 CRHD festivities.

Sincerely

Julie Braschler

Doniphan