February 2025

Inspirations Dance Academy wins on the KC Music Hall Stage.

Inspirations Dance Academy Competition Team won the 2025 Platinum Power Award and Top Recreational Studio, among many other accolades, at Platinum National Dance Competition held at Kansas City Music Hall, on Feb. 14 through 16.Miss Mary's Garden, a Line featuring the entire team, Addison Workman, Alexia Collings, Avery Davies, Billie Clardy, Charley Phillips, Elizabeth Ingersoll, Grayson Wise, Harper Werner, Hayvin Irwin, Hope Zahnd, Izzy Naber, Josie Combs, Kylie Madget, Marleigh Weichinger, Mercy Zahnd, Meredith Weichinger, Miley Ward, Olivia Campbell, Payton Campbell, Piper Thompson, and Zoie Beaman, earned a Platinum and First Place Overall.The routine, created by Mary Ingersoll and Raychel Baker, was also recognized with a Choreography Award and the judges’ choice for most entertaining routine of the entire weekend, the Platinum Power Award.The studio also won Top Recreational Studio, across all attendees, for the weekend.Dreaming, a Large Group Jazz, featuring Addison Workman, Billie Clardy, Grayson Wise, Harper Werner, Izzy Naber, Kylie Madget, Marleigh Weichinger, Mercy Zahnd, Miley Ward, and Zoie Beaman, earned a Platinum, Champion of the Category and First Place Overall.Charley Phillips, Elizabeth Ingersoll, Josie Combs, Olivia Campbell, Payton Campbell, and Piper Thompson, performed a Jazz Small Group, Let It Grow, earning a Special Judges Award, “Super Stars”, and a High Gold.Forgotten Stuffies, an Acro-Gymnastics Group featuring Addison Workman, Avery Davies, Billie Clardy, Charley Phillips, Elizabeth Ingersoll, Grayson Wise, Harper Werner, Hayvin Irwin, Hope Zahnd, Miley Ward, Meredith Weichinger and Zoie Beaman, earned a Special Judges Award, “Creative Concept”, and High Gold.Grow As We Go, Lyrical Group, Alexia Collings, Avery Davies, Billie Clardy, Izzy Naber, Kylie Madget, Payton Campbell, Special Judges Award, “Beauty and Grace”, High Gold.I Feel the Earth Move, a Tap Group, featuring Grayson Wise, Harper Werner, Izzy Naber, Kylie Madget, Payton Campbell, and Piper Thompson earned High Gold.Miley Ward performed her Jazz solo, I Don't Like to Show Off, earning a Platinum and Eighth Place Overall.Izzy Naber, with her Musical Theatre solo, You Can't Stop the Beat, earned a special Judges award, “Broadway Baby”, High Gold, and Champion of the Category.Harper Werner & Kylie Madget, performed their Jazz duet, I'll Be There For You, earning a Special Judges Award, “Dynamic Duo” and High Gold; Billie Clardy, Elizabeth Ingersoll, and Josie Combs, performed a Jazz Trio, You Can Tell She's A Princess, earning a Special Judges Award, “Princess Squad” and High Gold.Alexia Collings & Zoie Beaman, performed a Jazz Duo, Take on the World, and earned a Platinum.Piper Thompson's Tap Solo, Shake a Tailfeather, earned a High Gold and Champion of Category.Grayson Wise's Open Solo, Let's Go Crazy, earned High Gold & Champion of Category.Additional Solo & Duo results included:Billie Clardy, B.E.A.T, Acro-Gymnastics, High Gold; Harper Werner, Rock Star, Open, High Gold; Kylie Madget, Ready or Not, Open, High Gold; Avery Davies, Where the Wild Things Are, Open, Gold; Elizabeth Ingersoll, I Got You, Acro-Gymnastics, High Gold; Grayson Wise and Izzy Naber, Macarena, Tap, High Gold; Avery Davies & Miley Ward, That's My Girl, Open, High Gold; Alexia Collings, My Tears Ricochet, Lyrical, High Gold.“This was a tremendous start to our competition season,” said Mary Ingersoll, owner of Inspirations Academy and Director of the Competition Team.

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Savages clean up at districts; taking on state

The excitement is palpable in the wrestling room for the Savage wrestlers as the team gears up for the 2025 MSHSAA State Championship this week.As previously reported, this team has shown remarkable talent and determination throughout the season, culminating in an impressive performance at the Class 2 District 4 meet this past weekend. Arguably, the hardest district in class 2 boys wrestling, the Savannah Savage wrestling team placed 3rd as a team, despite competing with two open weight classes.This accomplishment speaks volumes about their resilience and determination, as they continually pushed themselves to perform at their best.Out of the talented roster, seven wrestlers have qualified for the state championship, showcasing the heart and skill of this small yet mighty team.Landon Smith, 106lbs, 3rd place; Lawson Francis, 126lbs, 3rd place; Creighton Cook, 132lbs, 2nd place; Deagen Pasley, 150lbs, 3rd place; Kaiden Phillips, 165lbs, 1st place; Braylon Ellis, 190lbs, 1st place; and Cooper Burnsides, 215lbs, 1st place.Three wrestlers emerged as district champions for the Savages; sophomore Kaiden Phillips at 165lbs, junior Braylon Ellis at 190lbs, and senior Cooper Burnsides at 215lbs.Kaiden Phillips showcased his strength and skill by pinning his opponent in the championship match in a mere 1:42.

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KENNETH E. NOLD

Kenneth E. Nold, 90, Helena, Missouri, passed away Tuesday, February 18, 2025. He was born February 24, 1934 in St. Joseph, Missouri to Emmett and Ruby (Lancey) Nold. Kenneth married Darline Delores…

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Taste of the Past

Nowadays, a lot of people can go out to eat whenever they want. A lot of people still cannot.When I started having my own money, I used to be quite prone to dining out to dinner as opposed to staying in for supper.

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