Eight counties | 36 cities | one region

ST. JAMES—Eight Maries County residents were honored during the Meramec Regional Planning Commission’s (MRPC) annual dinner Oct. 21 at State Technical College in Linn.  Paige Breeding, Skyler Rice, Vicki Nelson and Wilma Stephen were honored as 2020 volunteer award recipients. Amanda Wieberg, Gracie Schultz, Stacey Kelly and Larry Kampeter were honored as 2021 volunteer award recipients. 

Each year, MRPC honors residents, local agency representatives and organizations in the Meramec Region who contribute to their communities by volunteering their time, talents and support. With the cancelation of the 2020 dinner due to COVID-19, award recipients from 2020 were honored at this year’s event. 

“It was so good to come together in-person and honor our volunteers,” said MRPC Executive Director Bonnie Prigge. “We are only able to honor a few volunteers each year, yet we extend our gratitude to the hundreds of volunteers in our region who truly make our region such an amazing place to live, work and visit. We are successful because of our volunteers.” 

Youth volunteers receiving 2020 awards were:

• Paige Breeding, daughter of Dawn and Scott Breeding of Vienna, was nominated by Maries County Presiding Commissioner Vic Stratman. Breeding is a 2020 graduate of Vienna High School. She was an officer in several organizations, including Future Farmers of America, National Honor Society, FBLA and FCCLA. Breeding was involved in Students Against Drunk Driving and honor choir. In her work at the Eagles Club, she organized work schedules. She is an excellent speaker and has MC’d events in the Vienna area.

• Skyler Rice, daughter of Michelle Gehlert and Michael Rice of Belle, was nominated by MRPC Chairman Steve Vogt. Rice is a 2020 graduate of Belle High School. Skyler held the offices of president and treasurer in the Future Business Leaders of America at school where she achieved three levels of Business Achievement Awards, competing at districts, state and national contests. She was also active in National Honor Society, Band, Volleyball and Basketball, Science Club and Archery. Rice helped with blood drives, fundraisers, community cleanup events, scholarship dinner and the fair concession stand. Rice also served as student adviser to the Maries R-II School Board in 2018 and 2019.  

Two individuals received outstanding volunteer awards for 2020:

• Vicki Nelson of Belle, nominated by Vogt, works many fundraisers and volunteers for many organizations. She served seven years on the Maries County R-2 School Board; 12 years on the Central Workforce Development Board; and she as a founding member of the Meramec Regional Community Foundation and served two years as president. She also serves on the Maries County R-2 School Foundation Committee and the Belle Community Betterment Association, serving as treasurer for both groups. Nelson has also served on the Three Rivers Helping Hand Foundation for 10 years. Nelson volunteers at the Belle Fair and for school Archery Club events. With nearly 44 years in banking experience, she has served the Belle community for the past 14 years as the Vice President of Mid-America Bank, Belle branch.

• Wilma Stephen of Vienna, nominated by Stratman, served on the Maries-Osage Ambulance Board since the mid 1970s and served as the board secretary for the majority of those years. She has been invaluable election poll worker during elections, going to whatever polling location requires help that year. Stephen has worked the polls in Maries County for three years. In addition to her work on the Ambulance Board and with elections, Stephen worked with homebound senior citizens to fill out their taxes at no charge.

Youth volunteers receiving 2021 awards were:

• Amanda Wieberg, daughter of Ruben Wieberg and the late Karen Wieberg of Vienna, was nominated by Stratman, She is a 2021 graduate of Vienna High School. She has been very active in Future Farmers of America, including holding officer positions. She volunteers at blood drives through the Methodist church and at the Vienna Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry. Wieberg volunteers at the Argyle Knights of Columbus and through various other activities.

• Gracie Schultz, daughter of Jamie Mercer and Jeff Schultz, was nominated by Vogt. Schultz is a 2021 graduate of Belle High School. She graduated from Belle High School as the salutatorian with a 4.2 GPA. She is a noted athlete, where she was a state champion in track and field finishing first in the triple jump. She also participated in basketball and volleyball. She is continuing her education at Columbia College. During high school, she served as an officer with National Honor Society and participated in events such as American Enterprise Day, March of Dimes and the Kiss-A-Pig contest to raise money for charitable causes. She is active in her church and was involved in the annual CROP hunger walk.

Two individuals received outstanding volunteer awards for 2021:

• Stacey Kelly, of Belle, nominated by Vogt is a quiet, unassuming leader who prefers to be in the background and out of the spotlight. She is a member of St. Alexander’s Church and works at Legends Bank in Belle. She has been a Hawkeye 4-H leader for eight years, was a member of the PTO for eight years and a booster club member for eight years. Her greatest accomplishment has been as a charter member of the Belle Community Betterment Association (BCBA), which was established four years ago. Kelly has been the chair of the Belle Swap Meet and Extravaganza all four years. She is in charge of contacting and registering vendors, setting up vendor sites and organizing volunteers to work the gate and concession stand. Without Kelly, the event absolutely would not be the success it is. 

• Larry Kampeter, of Vienna, was nominated by Stratman. As a veteran, Kampeter has been very active in the local VFW, holding officer positions. He has also been active and held officer positions with the Vienna Volunteer Fire Department for five decades. Kampeter has volunteered countless hours as an electrician, fryer maintenance specialist and tower clock repairman along with countless assorted other tasks that no one knows about at his church. He makes sure that the American flags are put out before Memorial Day at area cemeteries each year. He has selflessly donated his time and expertise on numerous causes for decades, and the Vienna Community is blessed to have him.

Also receiving awards for 2020 contributions to their communities were:

• Paula Pierce of Hermann, nominated by Gasconade County Presiding Commissioner Larry Miskel;
• Joe Brand of Salem, nominated by Dent County Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles;
• Bruce Harrill of Waynesville, nominated by MRPC board member Luge Hardman;
• City of Crocker Park Board, nominated by Crocker Mayor Glen Smith;
• Kris and Carrie Richards of Potosi, nominated by MRPC board member Laurel Boisonault; and
• Nick Barrack of Rolla, nominated by MRPC board member John Butz.

The Eugene E. Northern award, the highest volunteer honor given by MRPC, was presented to Ralph and Jerry Voss of Linn for 2020 and Judy Terry of Rolla for 2021. 

Ralph and Jerry Voss of Linn were nominated by Osage County Presiding Commissioner Darryl Griffin and MRPC board member Dr. Don Claycomb. Ralph practiced law in Osage County and then was elected Associate Circuit Judge of the 20th Judicial Circuit of Missouri. Ralph started the Osage County Drug Court to address substance abuse issues and served as drug court judge. He took tremendous interest in the drug court participants – helping them find jobs, providing encouragement and was always on call for them. The drug court continues to be his greatest accomplishment and an important part of rehabilitation. 

Ralph and Jerry purchased the Osage County Observer in 1970 and then the Unterrified Democrat in 1976. The UD is known as one of the most outstanding newspapers in the state – factual news, community interest and articles on youth sports and achievements. Jerry is known for her “fearless focus” on local news, and her articles had every detail of public meetings.  Public servants soon learned not to say anything stupid because they would be quoted in full on the front page. Jerry received several awards for her newspaper work. The paper sold in 2018, but Ralph still writes a regular weekly column and Jerry still sells ads for the paper. 

Jerry served on the State Coordinating Board of Higher Education and was on the Board of Curators of Lincoln University. During her time on the coordinating board, Linn State Technical College was established and became State Technical College of Missouri

Ralph and Jerry are active in their church and parochial school and have served on many boards and committees over 50 years. They served as picnic and fall festival co-chairs, setting records for fundraising. Ralph served as president of the Linn Lions Club and fair chairman and both manned the famous fish stand for many years. Ralph and Jerry were founding members of the South Poll Grass Cattle Association in 2009 and served on the board of directors for several years. They also host “field days” at their beef cattle farm to bring new ideas to the local farmers and beyond.

Judy Terry of Rolla was nominated by MRPC Board Member John Butz. Judy has worked tirelessly for the citizens of Rolla and Phelps County. For the last 19 years, Judy has served as the Phelps County/City of Rolla Regional Volunteer for the American Red Cross. As part of her responsibilities with the Red Cross, Judy works to provide fire victims with hope after experiencing the tragedy of a fire. Through the Red Cross, she works to provide housing, clothing and food to each victim regardless of the circumstances. She has responded and continues to respond to fires at all hours of night, in all weather conditions with many of them emotionally and physically injured. 

She has shown compassion and made a noticeable impact for the citizens of Rolla and Phelps County by also volunteering for many years at the following organizations: First Assembly of God, to provide the shelter and food services; AARP Tax Aid services, as a volunteer tax preparer; Meals on Wheels; Rolla Nutrition Site; and GRACE (Greater Rolla Area Charitable Enterprise).  

The impact of Judy’s volunteerism to the Rolla/Phelps County community is without measure. She has never sought leadership positions or accolades for her volunteerism.  She demonstrates a true servant heart with a desire to help someone in need.

Working in partnership with the Meramec Regional Development Corporation (MRDC), MRPC recognizes lending institutions who partner with MRPC/MRDC on local business projects. MRPC’s Lender of the Year award for 2020 was presented to Mid America Bank.  Steve Brune, chief financial officer, and Mark Baker, loan officer, accepted the award on behalf of the bank. Mid America Bank partnered with MRDC on an SBA 504 loan for Harbor Place Estates, a senior living facility in Linn. MRPC’s Lender of the Year award for 2021 was presented to First Community National Bank.  Becky Simpson, vice-president/marketing director, accepted the award for First Community National Bank. FCNB used MRPC’s CARES RLF program to help the new owners of Lucky Clover Resort and Anderson Family Center, both in Steelville, to purchase the businesses and renovate the buildings.

Staff members were recognized at the 2021 awards banquet for years of service included: 

• Jill Hollowell, environmental programs specialist, 5 years of service;
• Anne Freand, planning manager, 5 years of service;
• Samantha Maddison, senior community development spcialist, 5 years of service;
• Gary O’Day, senior community development specialist, 5 years of service;
• Linda Carroll, senior secretary, 5 years of service;
• Mag Roberts, docudrama coordinator, 5 years of service;
• Maria Bancrroft, business loans specialist, 15 years of service;
• Kelly Sink, project development manager, 20 years of service; 
• Linda Loughridge, fiscal officer, 25 years of service;
• Bonnie Prigge, executive director, 30 years of service;
• Tammy Rigsby, senior housing coordinator, 30 years of service; and
• Teresa Murdie, senior housing coordinator and inspector, 40 years of service.

Each year, MRPC employees are asked to select one staff member who performs above the call of duty, exhibits exemplary work performance, voluntarily promotes the organization and exhibits a positive work ethic and attitude. MRPC’s 2020 employee of the year was Kathryn Hawes, environmental programs specialist. Employees selected Housing Manager Donald Keeney as the 2021 Employee of the Year.

This year’s event was hosted by Osage County, the City of Linn and State Technical College of Missouri. The night included a reception that began at 5:30, sponsored by Legends Bank, the City of Linn and M & T Farms – Cool Cow Cheese. A silent auction, which raised over $1,439 to offset the costs of the dinner, was held during the reception. Some 165 people attended this year’s event in the gymnasium in State Tech’s Student Activity Center. The dinner was catered by Great Western Dining.

“We want to thank everyone who came together to make this annual dinner possible, especially State Technical College for allowing us to use the activity center and handling all the room and audio-visual arrangements,” said Prigge. “It was a wonderful celebration.”

Formed in 1969, MRPC is a voluntary council of governments serving Crawford, Dent, Gasconade, Maries, Osage, Phelps, Pulaski and Washington counties and their respective cities. Steve Vogt, representing the city of Belle, serves as MRPC chairman. A professional staff of 36 led by Executive Director Bonnie Prigge offers technical assistance and services, such as grant preparation and administration, housing assistance, transportation planning, environmental planning, ordinance codification, business loans and other services to member communities.

To keep up with the latest MRPC news and events, visit the MRPC website at www.meramecregion.orgor on Facebook at www.facebook.com/meramecregion/.

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Top of the Page Cutline: Pictured Back Row (left to Right) Vicki Nelson, Stacey Kelly, Larry Kampeter; Front Row, Amanda Wieberg, Paige Breeding, Skyler Rice and Gracie Schultz