Author: paulinemasson

——————————————————————————————————- When a favorite son was memorialized June 4 with an annual poker run that bears his name, a dozen members of his family gathered at Pacific American Legion 320 antique pavilion to cheer on the bikers and vehicle drivers who took the 130 mile ride to play out their poker hands. Danny Lee “Turtle” Johnson, whose death of an unexpected heart attack on July 15, 2018 at age 52, electrified the community, is remembered each year in this popular … Continue reading “Annual Charity Poker Run Keeps the Memory of Danny “Turtle” Johnson In the Game”

Who would pay $10.75 for a snow cone?That was the cost of the strawberry cheesecake paradise, flavor of the week at the Snow Monster stand at West Osage and Indian Warpath Drive on Saturday evening, June 4. Don’t scoff,. It was a bargain. If ordered a la carte it could have cost $12.50 or more. And people, mostly families, were lined up 25-deep to order the ‘build-your-own’ Snow Monster summer treats, You had to be patient. One couple, who allowed … Continue reading “Monster Summer Treats Scare Up a Crowd at West Osage Sidewalk Cafe”

  Few of Pacific’s historic homes – constructed during the heyday of railroading here – have had more loving care than the two story landmark Bell Funeral Home building at 709 West Union Street. The actual building date is uncertain. Photographs in 1890 of the Everett house under construction two doors east show this lot was empty but the original home appears in a 1910 photo. Little is known about the Hill family that built the house and lived there. … Continue reading “Historic Landmark Future Assured as Bell Funeral Home Gets Its Third Owner”

Arm chair travelers and history buffs are in for a treat this week when a local history luminary offers a presentation on one of the most talked about – and maybe the most misunderstood –  places on the globe, the Bermuda Triangle. Laurie Davis Osseck, Scenic Regional Library adult outreach coordinator, a master at uncovering histories mysteries, will be at the Tri County Senior Center, 800 West Union Street, Friday morning at 9:00 a.m. to present a show and tell … Continue reading “Curse of the Bermuda Triangle Comes to Life Under the Eye of a Local History Luminary”

——————————————— Forty-three years ago this spring the City of Pacific opened its city swimming pool for the first time. During the months leading up to the pool opening the city was in the throes of a dilemma. The board of aldermen was in absolute disagreement. It might not have been the biggest fight leaders had in the city’s history but it was memorable. As the pool opens Saturday, May 26 for the 2022 season, we take a look back how … Continue reading “City Swimming Pool Opens for 43rd Season But It Took a Fight, a Grant and City Workers Turned Excavators to Get Here”

———————————————————————————————————————————– By Pauline Masson –  When you think of family heirlooms that have a hold on their owners your thoughts might not turn to something as short-lived as a cut flower. But for one Pacific resident, a particular gorgeous pink peony has bloomed in her garden each spring for the past 53 years. Yes, 53 years.  Cousins of this peony also bloom in the garden of Mary’s brother and sister-in-law John and Vickie Cox and her sisters Barbara Latham and … Continue reading “53-Year-Old Plant Ties Mary Miller’s Family Together When it Blooms Each Spring”

————————————————————————————————————————————————————– By Pauline Masson – A long neglected and somewhat disheveled house that was harboring a significant past is to get a chance to regain its place as a St. Louis Street landmark. Jason Clark with McDonough & Smith LLC, Eureka has purchased the abandoned and overgrown bungalow at 319 West St. Louis Street and two adjoining lots east of the house. He plans to completely restore the house as wine tasting venue and build a vintage outdoor wine garden … Continue reading “Long Neglected Celebrity Home to Get a New Life”

——————————————————————————————————- Article submitted by Auxiliary 218 On Saturday, May 21, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. – rain or shine – Washington American Legion Post 218 will present WW II Weekend, a living history event.   There is no cost to attend and the public is invited. The Post is located at 1007 E. Third St. Parking will be located at the Mercy Hospital lot west of the Post Home.  World War II re-enactors in period clothing will display their … Continue reading “Washington American Legion Post 218 to Honor Greatest Generation in WWII Weekend Event”

By Pauline Masson – This week the community lost a former city officials who for 87 years was the voice and the face of a community that in his view was steeped in small town roots where knowing your neighbor meant more than what other communities thought of our town. No pubic figure in my years of reporting on Pacific activities was more public than Walter Arnette – always with his wife Doris at his side. The couple attended every parade, … Continue reading “Walter Arnette – The Most Visible City Official / A Face In the Crowd at Every Pubic Event”

———————————————————————————————————————————————————- By Pauline Masson – Charleen Presley is president of a family operated glass business, a certified woman business owner, treasurer of the organization ‘Business Women of Missouri,’ a supporter of local causes and kidney donor. But she is not your typical woman executive giving interviews about breaking through the glass ceiling. Her inspiration was a successful business woman of another generation – her mother. “I am just following in her footsteps,” she said. When Charleen was growing up, the … Continue reading “What Glass Ceiling? – Glass Company CEO Says She Is Following in Her Mother’s Footsteps”