Name: Otis Goodwin
Home Town: Harrisville, Michigan
Subject: Born in Parma in 1916
Date: Thursday, October 05, 2006
Time: 05:51 PM
Comments:

I was born in Parma in 1916,(now 90 years old) and lived there until 1937, graduated from Parma High in 1934. I picked and chopped a lot of cotton in the farms surrounding Parma. I moved to Michigan in 1937. My closest friend Bill Nolan lived across the street. We graduated and attended college together,and we maintained our friendship until he passed away 3 years ago. He lived in Malden. I would be glad to hear from anyone who I my have known me at that time, please email me at annabelll@charter.net.

Name: Gianluca Schmidt
Home Town: Parma, Italy
Subject: Greetings from Parma - Italy
Date: Thursday, October 05, 2006
Time: 11:28 AM
Comments:

Hi! My name is Gianluca Schmidt and writing from Italy. Due to the fact that I live near the city of Parma - Italy (do you know the famous Parma ham?) I was wondering if there's a place with the same name in the Great United States! And I found this great website and this beautiful city. Is very nice to see the pictures of your wonderful place and the people who live there.

Is there anyone who knows the origin of the name of your city? Maybe is because there was a person who came from Parma Italy? I'm very interested on this matter. Thank you.

If you want to know something about my city, please visit the website: www.parmaitaly.com.

Feel free to write me at g.schmidt@libero.it.

Goodbye to everyone and hope to hear from you soon.

Ciao.

Gianluca

Name: Rebeca Mead
Home Town: Bernie, MO
Subject: trish
Date: Tuesday, October 03, 2006
Time: 12:16 AM
Comments:

I think trish has made parma a better place to live and she is a very good cop. thank you for being there for me trish when my house burnt me and family wish you and the others that helped the best God Bless You all!!!

Home Town: San Diego, CA
Subject: I remember Parma
Date: Monday, October 02, 2006
Time: 05:25 PM
Comments:

Thank you for this website. The snow pictures that are posted are absolutely wonderful. I haven't seen snow in many years. I was only in Parma for a blink of an eye when I was a kid. I lived in Bloomfield and Dexter for a while. I think that I have an aunt Charlene there in Parma. I think she may work at the Post office or at least at one time did.Her husband's name is Steve. I will always remember a boy "Marty" that gave me butterflys in my stomach and stars in my eyes. I wonder if he is still around Parma somewhere? I doubt I will every know since his first name is pretty much all I can remember. I remember the cotton fields there. Miles of land that seperate each home. I can spit out my bedroom window and hit my neighbors house we are so close! I remember mosquitos the size of rats there that flew in swarms. I had huge ichy bumps all over me during the summer.... and lighning bugs. Haven't seen a lightning bug in forever. I remember being bored out of my mind with my brother there just not appreciating the freedom, abundance of time and gift of being in "the country". Weird how the little things stand out the most sometimes. Seems funny to most, but I have dreams of living in a very small country town one day. You are all lucky people in so many ways to have life move just a little more slower. Seems that things are wonderfully appreciated there ...like a new firetruck, 911, community and family. Your neck of the woods just seems purer and more genuine. It is so overcrowded and distant here. Every man for himself and screw the next guy is the general attitude here. Fate didn't keep me there but maybe one day it will bring me back. Good luck to all!

Name: DORIS
Home Town: BETTENDORF, IA
Subject: MEMORIES OF PARMA
Date: Monday, October 02, 2006
Time: 02:56 PM
Comments:

I CAN REALLY RELATE TO ALL THE COTTON PICKING AND CHOPPING. I WOULD BE SO TIRED I WOULD FALL ASLEEP AT THE DINNER TABLE. MY FATHER, REV, BARNEY GARRETT, PASTORED THE CHURCH OF GOD IN PARMA. THIS WAS IN THE 1951-52-53 ERA. WE LIVED RIGHT NEXT DOOR TO THE CHURCH. IF ANY OF YOU REMEMBER ME EMAIL ME AT macdor@netzero.net. I DID REVISIT PARMA A FEW YEARS AGO AND COULD NOT BELIEVE THE CHANGE. I GUESS WE HAVE TO ACCEPT CHANGES. SOME OF THE CLASSMATES I REMEMER ARE "POP" PARKER, ERLADEAN PEARSON, LINDA U. PEARSON, RITA PARKER, MY MEMORY IS SHORT. HOPE TO HEAR FROM SOMEONE.

Name: DORIS (GARRETT)McADAMS
Home Town: BETTENDORF, IA 52722
Subject: LOOKING FOR CLASSMATE
Date: Monday, October 02, 2006
Time: 02:15 PM
Comments:

Hi, I attended Parma High school in 1951-52. I am looking for two friends. They were valvictorian and salatitorion for grad. class of 1955. They were sisters, Erladean and Eulene Pearson. I would love to contact them. My name was Doris Garrett. If anyone knows of their whereabouts or address please either give them my address: Doris (Garrett) McAdams, 3615 Cedarview Ct. Bettendorf, IA 52722 Would greatly appreciate any info.My email address is macdor@netzero.net

Name: Paul Ford
Home Town: Paragould,AR
Subject: Still Looking for Elijah Ford
Date: Wednesday, September 27, 2006
Time: 11:30 PM

Comments:

Well I am still trying to contact Elijah Ford who left a msg on here. I sent an email and posted a comment with no results. If anyone has any info about Elijah Ford would love to hear from you. Also, heard from Johnny Greenwood, and it was so great to catch up with you Johnny. I wish more people would post comments and use this site. It is really a great place to stay in touch with where you come from. Thanks to all of you who keep this site going. I would also appreciate if everyone could help keep on my father Willie Ford. He has alzheimers and has trouble regonizing people he has known all his life. So anything you good folks at Parma could do I thank you in advance.

Name: MIKE COX
Home Town: OSCEOLA ARKANSAS
Subject: SMALL TOWN
Date: Tuesday, September 26, 2006
Time: 10:55 AM

Comments:

I LIVED IN PARMA IN 1974 AND 1975. IT WAS A SMALL TOWN BUT SOME OF MY BEST MEMORIES HAVE COME FROM THAT PLACE. MY EMAIL IS mlcoxfd20@yahoo.com IF ANY ONE FORM THAT TIME WOULD LIKE TO CONTACT ME.

THANKS MIKE

Name: Marva Morgan Womack
Home Town: Parma, MO
Subject: THANK YOU
Date: Monday, September 25, 2006
Time: 10:22 PM

Comments:

Though Jeff and I moved around the state over the past years due to his jobs, Parma has always been home because of family and friends.

Losing my husband recently on July 31st, our eldest daughter's birthday, to a Massive Heart Attack I again came home to Parma to have his funeral and as I reflect back over those three days, Parma Friends were there for my family. Over 700 people attended visitation that one evening and Many were friends who came back home for us in our time of shock and sorrow. I would like to say Thank You for being there, for the calls, cards, gifts and visits. This has helped me in going forward with each day. People who came from Parma can always be proud to say they now live or once lived in a special place.

May God Be With Each One And With Our Parma, MO.

Name: Carolyn Landrum
Home Town: Parma
Subject: Malcolm Lamar Needham
Date: Thursday, September 21, 2006
Time: 06:01 PM

Comments:

Looking for any information on the above named. Sonny Johnson, as we all knew him, graduated in 1956. I know he died in the state of New York but wondered if anyone has any information regarding him or his family.

Thank you.

cdrum@mycitycable.com

Name: Roger McCarty
Home Town: Talorville IL
Subject: Hello Parma
Date: Tuesday, September 19, 2006
Time: 01:24 AM

Comments:

Hello everyone in Parma. My name is Roger McCarty and I was afraid the town might have disappeared by now. I am happy to see it is still there and going strong. I was born near Parma out on six ditch at my Grandparents house, James (JIM) and Gracie Weaver on Oct 10, 1950. Yep, old doc Husted delivered me, my brother Bennie and, my Sister Alice. I think I cost a whopping $36.00. My family was sharecroppers and we lived around Parma in the fifties and sixties until around 62 when my family moved to Illinois. To this day I hate COTTON. Reading the entries in the guest book sure brings back a lot of memories. My father John McCarty worked for Dick Spitur(sp) and my mother May Jean (Gist) McCarty took care of the kids and worked in the cotton fields. In case you don’t remember dad as John you may remember him as JB or Buddy Weaver. I won’t go into all the name stuff but dad had a few AKA. I didn’t recognize many names when reading through all the entries in the guest books. Forty five years later the old memory is not what is used to be. Some of the names I do remember from my time in Parma were Roger James – I think his family owned a bar uptown, Jimmy Cravens, Charles Mitchell, Francis Hardesty, Joyce Laurie(sp). I would have been part of the class of 1968.

I had hoped to make it to the celebration this year, but life got in the way and I couldn’t make. I plan on trying again next year. Please, every one in Parma help the rest of us who have wandered away keep up-to-date on what is happening. I can’t tell you how wonderful it is to have found this site. As I read the entries in the guest books I feel as if I am a part of the community again. It was interesting to read of everyday happenings such as birthdays and deaths, purchasing new fire trucks, and seeing how 911 affected the community. It enjoyed following you as you shared your political opinions on the election of President Bush and read you defend or condemn the war in Iraq. I guess in a way I have returned to Parma as have so many others who come home through this site. The community may be small, but its population and impact is enormous. rmccarty@iltech.org

Name: Bill Smothers
Home Town: St. Louis/El Paso
Subject: Old Friends
Date: Thursday, September 07, 2006
Time: 04:44 PM

Comments:

Looking for any information on Bill Dickerson, a resident of Parma beginning in 1946 and died in 1989, also any know whereabouts of Vaughn Smothers? Graduated from Parma High In 1942?

And Finally, Anyone know the whereabouts of Kim Daniels?

The family ran a Filling Station for many years in Parma?

Feel Free to contact me at stl1bil@yahoo.com

Name: Delta Resident
Home Town: Delta, Missouri
Subject: Lucky to have police chief Trish Cohen
Date: Wednesday, September 06, 2006
Time: 12:28 PM

Comments:

To the citizens of Parma, you are very lucky to have gotten Chief Cohen. At one time she was our chief. She did what no other police officer was able to do. She gave us our town back from the gang that had just about everybody scared to death to do anything about it. So in doing a great job here. Stepping on the toes of our "village idiots" the city let her go because that is how Delta works. So Parma Residents don't be affaid to speak up when you see something she will keep your name out of it if at all possible. She is a excellent police officer and a wonderful person. Alot of us wish we had her back.

Name: George Husted
Home Town: Parma, MO
Subject: American Flags
Date: Sunday, September 03, 2006
Time: 11:17 PM

Comments:

Just a note of thanks to the crew at QMI who put up the American Flags through out our fair city every special day and take them back down, roll them back up and store them. And thanks to the secretaries there who remind the guys to do it.

Well Done QMI!!! Thank you so much for your dedication to beautify our home town and to your patriotism.

Name: Shack Norros
Home Town: Ladson
Subject: Good job, guys.
Date: Sunday, August 27, 2006
Time: 05:22 PM

Comments:

Good site. I'll be back soon. Thanks for your work.

Good bye

Name: Son of Not The "Tin Man"
Home Town: Oz
Subject: Class Reunion of '56
Date: Wednesday, August 23, 2006
Time: 09:13 PM

Comments:

I would like to begin by thanking the class of '56 for the most thoughtful package we recently received. A candle bearing the class picture from the Class of '56 with the message "Sometimes our light goes out but is blown into flame by another human being. Each of us owes deepest thanks to those who have rekindled this light. On behalf of the Knight family we cannot thank you enough.

We lit the candle for Bill Tom Knight Monday evening so that he might again feel the magic of "Oz" and hoped that his youth would once again come to life because we knew that he would not make it to the upcoming reunion and stand under that "sometimes working streetlight" that he was so looking forward to. He lost his battle with cancer later the following morning (8/22/06).

This message board has been a favorite place for him to come and be close to the people of Parma that he grew up with.

I wanted to repost his original "Not the 'Tin Man'" that he posted shortly after the 4th of July gathering in '91 while still in the glow of the excitement from the trip. He might have left out a few names, but it is a roll call of all the people that he fondly remembered and dearly loved.

Monday, July 9, 2001 at 4:57 PM
From: Not The "Tin Man"
Subject: Discovering Oz!
CITY: Oz

Message: Every year at about the same time - as surely as fall gives way to winter - and then to spring - there is a metamorphosis which occurs and brings me back to "Oz". I do not arrive with the "tornado" of Oz... but rather with the invigoration of once again reliving my youthful days in one of God's favorite spots! To enter Oz, one needs to be a true believer.. and, it is helpful to have been there in the formative years of youth. I have returned many times since my youth but it was only during this visit that I fully understood the magic of Oz.... In MY Oz, I do not see the boarded up buildings which have been abandoned by the family farms gone from the past. In MY Oz, I do not see the closed schools and churches, and I do not see the quiet stillness of the town. What I do see is through the eyes of a believer - born and reared in that land of Oz - oh so many years ago. As the hours of this years celebration were drawing to a close and Oz was again ready to return to the quiet, peaceful pumpkin of Parma - I finally understood why I keep returning. As midnight approached and all was dark and quiet - I stood in the center of town - under the sometimes working traffic light - and looked all around me. Even on that hot and muggy night I felt a chill go over me and at that moment I discovered what I believe to be the truth. The boarded up doors and the boarded up windows of all those buildings were not boarded up to keep people and things OUT - they were boarded up to keep the MEMORIES IN!! Don't let them get away! With these aged eyes and with a fading memory - I can still see my youth and its characters along the way which helped create me - whatever that may be or however well that turned out. On one end of one street, Scholfield's had a car dealership & later so did George Overfield - Dodge & Plymouth. Focus Morgan had the hot spot hangout in his drugstore & Blanky made the best milkshakes and pineapple sundaes anywhere around. Pascal Gardner's Drug store & the daily papers; John Mack Leigh and his insurance office; Meddie Smith & his 5 & 10; John Young and Wallace Gerard cutting hair.. and "Shine" putting the glow to a pair of shoes; Leonard Braden and then Mr. Clements running the movie house - 10 cents until you turned 12 then it was 35 cents; Rosa Hall handling the Postmistress chores; Grocer stores alive and busy... Encil Knight, E.J. & Nellie Reynolds, Sherrills, Pop & Margie Grimsley, Wink Knight and 10 cent comic books, Greggs, General Store of Leo King, W.L. Ramsey Hardware and Implement with Buck Knight, Glendal Beard, Pete Parkman & in the shop Johnny Daniels, Lee Orman and Frank Bean; A.D. Brown & his bar, grill and pool hall; Lutes pool hall, and even Blanky had one. Frank Edge, Bill Leonberger, Gene Knight had cafes; Glenda Davis and Demetra Braden did the hairdos! Orville & Russell Coffee, Shaw Brothers, Perk Ledbetter, Ray & Annabelle Webb had the gas stations at 16 cents a gallon. Lucy Brothers and Alstuns did dry goods; Huey Kitchens and John Teeters guarded the peace; E.B. Gee & Mahan Gins running 24 hours a day; Doc Husted & Thelma caring for our ills & birthing our sons and daughters - along with Doc Gilbert; Frank Catron and his junk yard; Hallie Norman and the lumber yard; Gratz furniture store; Sam & Marie Widner did "The Home Tribune" every week; Mrs. Scott Barney kept turning out the best bookkeepers and typists in the state; Mr. Merrick maintained scholastic order - along with Virginia Parker his faithful secretary; Sarah Keith and "number please?" - ours was "4-9"; Mrs. Conatser ruling over the piano lessons; Mr. Salyer and the "tax man cometh"; Lorwood Plantation alive and well; The "spit and whittle bench:; Mr. Denson could squeeze walnuts with his good hand and put a permanent charie-horse on your knee; Pap Jones and his miracle of making warts go away; Ed Glapensky keeping the school working; the Mississippi River flood of the early 1940s and the Bootheel tornado that destroyed our school; Picking cotton from dayligh to dark - but only half day on Saturdays. All of this turned the streets of Parma into a hustle & bustle of activity on Saturdays - and the streets welled with "walkers" on Saturday night so thick you could not stir them with a stick. And, Frank Highfil won the drawing for the new car at the sesquicentennial! Ditch-8, bridge dances, Townley House, Swirley Top, Pop Warners, Riddle Hill. Then there was the Malden Drive-In movies - hide in the trunk and get in free!! Swimming trips to the New Madrid pool. Skating parties at the Malden skating rink. Summer Boy Scout trips to Camp Llewellan. "Sneak Days" at Wappapello Lake. And let us never forget the true value of the "Senior Trip"! Especially, if Cagle drove the bus!! So, while realizing that these memories of Oz are endless, and while Judy Garland never visited my Oz - I will again return to refill my mind with just enough of the fuzzy feel-goods to last another year - when I will again return for more. Each time I return, I will again, with the approach of midnight on Saturday night, stand under the sometimes working traffic light and look all around me. I know I will feel again the magic of Oz - see behind the boarded windows and doors - and watch excitedly as my youth will once again come to life.

Name: Paul David Ford
Home Town: Paragould, AR
Subject: Elijah Clyde Ford
Date: Monday, August 21, 2006
Time: 09:28 PM

Comments:

I have tried to get into contact with Elijah Clyde Ford who left a message back on July 28. However, I have not heard anything back does anyone have an e-mail address for him? If so could you please post it in here or send it to me. Is it possible to get the email address of Elijah Clyde Ford from the administrator of this site? If so, my email address is ptcbford4@sbcglobal.net

Name: Tom Love
Home Town: Dexter , Mo.
Subject: Junior Reinbott
Date: Saturday, August 19, 2006
Time: 10:36 PM

Comments:

To Joe Fields regarding your reqeust for information about Harold Reinbot , Jr. Did you get my e-mail?

Name: Joe Fields
Home Town: Fairbanks, Alaska
Subject: seeking family of fallen soldier in Vietnam
Date: Wednesday, August 16, 2006
Time: 04:56 PM

Comments:

Although it's over 40 years ago now, I'm seeking contact with the family of HAROLD W REINBOTT JR who flew with my unit in Vietnam at the time of his death. I believe I was the last person not on his Aircraft to speak to him and, I was crewmember of "HorseThief" Recovery AC that was first into the crash site and recovered his AC. My email is joseph.fields@acsalaska.net

Thank you

JNFIII

Name: Brenda
Home Town:
Subject: Memories of Parma.....
Date: Saturday, August 12, 2006
Time: 10:22 PM

Comments:

What a great site! I attended Parma elementary school starting first grade in 1956. My first grade teacher was Mrs. Sibley for whom I have much affection and wonderful memories. Second grade was Mrs. Lucy who was also wonderful. My freshman year in high school I had the good fortune to have Mrs. Leigh as a teacher. I took piano lessons from a lady in a large beautiful house on the main road in Parma but cannot remember her name. I have enjoyed reading everyones memories of picking cotton, cotton vacation and cotton carnival. I share those wonderful memories as well as memories of vacation bible school at all of the churches in Parma. I moved the summer after freshman year and then on to college, married and have spent the past thirty-six years traveling the world (from Parma to Paris and beyond) with my husband and children but I have never forgotten my wonderful childhood in the small southern town of Parma. Thank you for the memories!

Name: David Husted
Home Town: Colorado Springs
Subject: Pictures
Date: Saturday, August 05, 2006
Time: 11:32 PM

Comments:

It looks like a great time was had at the "Down Home Days." Wish we could have been there. It was exciting to see all these wonderful pictures. Hmmm...I wonder who the photographer was?

Dave and family

Webmaster's note: The photographer was George (Jerry) Husted, the same one that has taken most of the pictures posted on this web site.

Name: Paul David Ford
Home Town: Parma
Subject: Elijah Clyde Ford
Date: Saturday, August 05, 2006
Time: 01:18 AM

Comments:

I would love to talk to the person listed as Elijah Clyde Ford. I am pretty sure we have to be related. My father is Willie Ford, who still lives in Parma. My grandfather "Ford" was James Ford. Please feel free to contact me at "ptcbford4@sbcglobal.net I have found and been in contact with several others of our family. Look forward to hearing from you.

Name: Lou Lay
Home Town: Hampton, Virginia
Subject: Reply to Cathy Beck
Date: Thursday, August 03, 2006
Time: 05:30 PM

Comments:

Cathy, I am related to M. O. Hickerson. He was my dad. I would love to get in touch with you. My address is 43 Chowning Drive, Hampton, VA, 23364. Telephone is (757)851-6631. I would like to share with you about my dad and his family. Thanks for the contact.

Name: George G. Husted
Home Town: Parma
Subject: Jeff Womack dies of heart attack
Date: Tuesday, August 01, 2006
Time: 05:07 PM

Comments:

Chaffee Chief of Police Jeffery Glenn Womack went to be with the Lord Monday morning at 12:31 am., July 31, 2006 at his residence from a massive heart attack. He was 53 years 7 months of age.

Visitation will be this afternoon, Tuesday, August 1st from 5-8 at the Watkins Funeral Home in Parma and the funeral service will be tomorrow, August 2nd, at the Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield at 10 a.m and burial with full military rites in the Missouri Veternas Cemetary. The Missouri Highway Patrol, the Chaffee Police Department and the Jackson Police Department will provide honor guard from start to finish of ceremonies, with rotation every 15 minutes. Police cars will escort the procession from Parma to Bloomfield

Jeff and his family are dearly loved and he will certainly be missed throughout all of Southeast Missouri, having grown up in Parma/Catron/Lilbourn area, served 4 years in the United States Air Force, served in the Missouri Highway Partrol for 25 years service after which he retired, two years with the Jackson, MO. Police Department and finally for the past 2 years as the Chief of Police at Chaffee, MO

Name: Cathy Beck
Home Town: St. Louis
Subject: Message for Lou Hickerson Lay
Date: Monday, July 31, 2006
Time: 10:45 PM

Comments:

Hi, Lou. I'm wondering if you are related to M.O. Hickerson who lived for a number of years in Parma. If you are, I'd love to correspond with you as he was my grandfather. I was not able to ever meet him since he and my mother were estranged, and I know next to nothing about him. Thanks!

Name: Elijah Clyde Ford
Home Town: Parma, MO
Subject: Home
Date: Friday, July 28, 2006
Time: 10:41 PM

Comments:

My Father, Clyde Elijah Ford was born in Parma. I lived there when I was 4,5 and 6 years old. My 1st grade teacher was Ms. Love. I am interested in communicating with anyone who knows of my family.

Elijah Clyde Ford

Name: LEO E. MATTHEWS
Home Town: HERCULANEUM, MO.
Subject: PARMA YEARLY PICNIC
Date: Tuesday, July 25, 2006
Time: 12:27 AM

Comments:

I WOULD LIKE TO THANK GEORGE, GEORGE, GEORGE AND ALL ALUMNI THAT GET THIS TOGETHER EVERY YEAR. SURE WISH MORE OF OUR ALUMNI COULD ATTEND. THEY DON'T REALLY KNOW WHAT THEY MISSING. I REALLY ENJOY GOING BACK TO PARMA EVERY YEAR. SURE IT ISN'T WHAT IT USE TO BE, BUT WHAT TOWN IS. NOT MANY OF THOSE SMALL TOWNS HAVE A GET-TOGETHER LIKE WE DO. IT IS HARD TO VISIT WITH EVERYONE FOR ANY PERIOD OF TIME. I WANT TO THANK EVERYONE THAT GET IT TOGETHER.

THE WEB-MASTER DOES A GREAT JOB TOO. WE DON'T WANT TO FORGET HIM.

C U ALL NEXT YEAR!!!!!!

LEO (SHINE)

Name: Tom Parkman
Home Town: Parma
Subject: Pictures
Date: Tuesday, July 18, 2006
Time: 11:57 PM

Comments:

So happy to see all the pictures on the web site, especially since we could not be there this year. Congratulations Brown Family we love all of you! Parma family and friends keep up the good work and we plan to see you next year.

Name: JoEmma (Greenwood) Morgan
Home Town: Old Hickory, TN
Subject: picture
Date: Monday, July 17, 2006
Time: 09:02 AM

Comments:

Oh My Gosh !!!!!!

The pictures are all great, except for mine. Ha! Ha! Ha!

JoEmma

Name: Paul D. Ford
Home Town: Paragould,AR
Subject: Ok it is working
Date: Friday, July 14, 2006
Time: 11:42 PM

Comments:

I just wanted to say hello to Johnny Greenwood. It was good to see you on here. I have so many fond memories of you comming over to our house when I was a kid. I would love to hear from you my email is ptcbford4@sbcglobal.net

Name: Carla (Sapp) Kutyba
Home Town: Houston, TX
Subject: Down Home Days
Date: Sunday, July 09, 2006
Time: 04:35 PM

Comments:

It was great to see alot of people I haven't see in years. There was still alot of people I knew that wasn't there. But I had a great time. Hope to be able to do this again. To my friends I didn't get to see, drop me a line at cickut@yahoo.com See Ya Carla

Name: Paul Ford
Home Town: Paragould,AR
Subject: Down Home days
Date: Wednesday, July 05, 2006
Time: 10:23 PM

Comments:

Hope everyone had a good time look forward to seeing all the pictures that will get posted

Name: John Greenwood
Home Town: Mt. Juliet, TN
Subject: Class Reunion
Date: Wednesday, July 05, 2006
Time: 02:12 PM

Comments:

Harold, I just read your comments and you are so kind and thoughtful. It was good to see you and Linda, you both look great. We sure have had a lot of good times. You are a wonderful friend and always will be. Remember our golf game in Cape Girardeau??? Very few people are able to work in their chosen field. While in school you talked about a career in broadcasting. With lots of hard work and dedication you were able to fulfill your dream. You are great at what you do and very successful. We are all so very proud of you.

It was wonderful seeing everyone. I feel so fortunate to have grown up in Parma and to have had the opportunity to know such fine people. I think of everyone often and wish I could see you more. I hope we can all get together again in two years for our 45th. reunion. Hopefully, those who wanted to come this year but were unable, will ge to be there.

May God richly bless each and every one of you.

Johnny Greenwood

Name: Diana Sapp Coffer
Home Town: Parma
Subject: Home Town
Date: Monday, July 03, 2006
Time: 10:35 AM

Comments:

I had a great time visiting with friends and family.

Thanks to everyone that worked hard putting it together.

I would love to hear from classmates.

DnCoffer72@yahoo.com

Name: James Harold (Boscoe) Borders
Home Town: Poplar Bluff, Missouri
Subject: Friends in High Places
Date: Sunday, July 02, 2006
Time: 09:08 AM

Comments:

My wife Linda, and I really enjoyed the class get together at Rebecca's in New Madrid just last evening. I had a great time visiting with friends and classmates. We are all blessed to have such great friends and everyone appears to be in great shape. 07/01/06

I really appreciate the time spent with each of you.

Let's do it again.

Glen Medlin, it was great to see you again. We had so much fun going up together. After all, we owned the street we lived on in Parma. Nobody else dared go there, right! Remember the bat (bird type) you tried to hit with the baseball bat and ended up hitting yourself in the head. Just one of many memories.Since you're working around Poplar Bluff give me a call and we'll do lunch. Glad you and your family are doing well.

Johnny, (John Greenwood) my best friend in high school and still is today. We'll get together in Nashville again this year. Johnny, still humble and always praising others. If you really know this guy you have to love him. We have many memories in Parma and in Nashville. Glad to hear your mother, sister, and brothers are doing okay.

Silas Crain, lot of great memories and fun back in ole Parma. Keep up the spirit man. Do you remember the fire crackers, race to Malden? Great visiting with you.

Sharon Brannon/Wagner always great to see you. Glad you and your family are doing well. You really haven't changed that much. Please take this as a compliment. You were always one of my special people at Parma.

Dewayne Bates, looking great man, you haven't changed a whole lot. It was a pleasure to see you. Keep the road hot between Florida and Chicago.

Charlotte Allen-Pedersen, it was only a short visit but the first time I've seen you since 1963. You are still warm, truthful, and friendly.

Andy Allen, doing a great job in life. Thank God for people like you. Stay safe. With people like you we can make it all better.

Judy Wakefield-Watson and your husband. It was great to spend time over dinner with you guys. Judy you're very out going and fun to be around along with your husband who I know is a down home guy.

John Clubbs, glad to see you and your wife again. You're too close to Poplar Bluff, give me a call and will do lunch.

Sammy Hector and Sheri, glad to see you guys again. I know it was tough giving up Hydes Catfish,but glad you all were there Saturday.

Mary Melton-Ford, still friendly, honest, and truthful. Mary it was a pleasure for my wife and I to sit at the same table with you ,Willie, John Greenwood, Sharon Brannon-Wagner, Judy Wakefield-Watson, and husband.

Bertha Boone-Truett, always a pleasure. Glad you made it down. Your brother and I had a lot of fun back in Parma.

Rat Grace, (Larry) great fun last evening. Still the same all Rat Grace. Man, it brought back memories. When I first meet you in Parma, you were into cars so it really wasn't a surprise that you're still into cars. Pleasure man, thanks for the wine. Have fun in Mississippi.

Oscar Sapp, glad somebody in your family can sing. Great job Donna. Oscar you and Harold are like family to me. Glad to see the both of you again. Keep the tractor warm Oscar. Harold and wife ,you guys enjoy your retirement in Paragould.

Linda Gregg-Babcock, sorry I didn't get to talk to you last night.

I missed Betty Outlaw-Allen, Francis Whitworth Pipkins, Glenda Bray, James Mauldin,Bobby Bridges, Edward Chapman, Raymond Corlew, Sheilah Garrard, Marsha Carvens-Beaird, Marty Watson, and Jack Ellerbrook.

God bless you guys

Bill Ward, Larry Warren, Coach Denbow, Jim Lovell and everybody else that I missed in this communications, it meant a great deal to me to see all of you.

It was well worth the time.

God Bless you all.

Jim (Boscoe) Borders & Linda

573-778-6049 email jhborders@yahoo.com

Name: Lou (Hickerson) Lay
Home Town: Hampton, Virginia (since 1960)
Subject: Down Home Days
Date: Friday, June 30, 2006
Time: 02:06 PM

Comments:

I have enjoyed all the messages about life in Parma...all the cotton picking stories (didn't read many about chopping cotton).

I know it was all "fun" for most of us at that time as well as a real necessity; however, it is great not to have done this for a iving (as many of our parents did). Can't believe we even made each day a competition to wee who could pick the most....guess it helped us keep our sense of humor. My students never believed me when I said I grew up picking cotton....didn't have the great web site to prove it to them then.

About the web site..thanks so much to the one who makes it all possible. You do a great job. I check it out every week and enjoy reading about so many of the friends from Parma..

Will miss being at the celebration this weekend and plan to make it back next year.

Name: George Husted (Jerry)
Home Town: Parma
Subject: Dressing up Prma
Date: Sunday, June 25, 2006
Time: 11:01 PM

Comments:

I just want to express my appreciation to Bob Baker and the staff guys at QMI that put up the flags for every holiday and take them down the next week - without even being asked. What a difference in the appearance and the morale of our people. Well our morale is high anyway - how many towns do most people wave at you as you pass on the street.

Also, thanks to the webmaster George, for the great work in putting the AgXplore story on the web.

SEE YOU ALL SATURDAY!!!

Name: T. Wayne Hendrix
Home Town: Parma Mo.
Subject: Memories
Date: Wednesday, June 14, 2006
Time: 09:19 PM

Comments:

First of all let me express how wonderfully amazing I find this site. To think a town which even during its most thriving days was a "small town" could generate as much interest as is reflected by the number of postings in this guest book.

I was born in Parma in 1945 but two months after my birth my father was killed in Germany in the closing weeks of WWII and my mother moved out of state. So a long time resident I can not claim to be.

However my Grandfather lived in Parma until his death and many summers I visited him and Grandma for 2 weeks and a few times for as long as a month. Many fond memories went with my each time I returned home.

Several times since the deaths of my Grandparents I have passed through Parma just to look the "ole" town over.

Even though I was only a sometimes visitor, Parma is where I think of when I am ask about my home town.

A sincere Thank You is extended to the person or persons who give up their time and efforts to maintain this site. I think you are doing a very fine thing.

T. Wayne Hendrix

Name: Diana Sapp Coffer
Home Town: Montgomery Texas
Subject: Home Town
Date: Saturday, June 10, 2006
Time: 10:31 AM

Comments:

Just want to tell everyone hello. I can't wait to see some old friends and family. Parma is a great town to raise a family and still is. My Mom Betty raised 5 children. I remember when Aunt Anna and Uncle Buck Sapp had their cafe . In the back room Buck, Junior and Wayne would be playing and singing. I served alot of food to my hometown friends at Parma. And for the cotton pickers I also had a chance to pick cotton. See you soon.

Name: Carla (Sapp) Kutyba
Home Town: Houston, TX
Subject: Down Home Days
Date: Saturday, June 10, 2006
Time: 01:08 AM

Comments:

Down Home Day is almost hear and I hope to see some faces I haven't seen in years. Darlene good to see you on the guest book. Hello to everyone and hope to see you all soon. It's always good to return home to your family roots. It's always nice to visit the small town of Parma. It might be small but Parma has a big heart for a lot of people. This is just a question-what would Parma be like if alot of us folks that moved away would move back.Well see all you down home folks soon.

Name: Bill Ward
Home Town: Fort Walton Beach, Fl
Subject: cotton pickin
Date: Tuesday, June 06, 2006
Time: 08:06 PM

Comments:

Just want to tell my story of cotton pickin... I loved to pick cotton for the Rowlands.. We would ride the ole cotton truck to and from the cotton fields with either Shirley or Jeanette driving. They would drive fast as the truck would go and try to throw us out the back of the truck.,, I think intensionally!!!!!!!! We had a good time pickin although dont think any of us can enter the most cotton picked contest.. But with the Girard girls Sheila,Donna, and Delilah there was never a dull moment....

Name: jerrygeorge
Home Town: in the sky with god
Subject: missing him
Date: Monday, June 05, 2006
Time: 11:27 AM

Comments:

from your mother i love and miss you so much and your sisters brothers and friends &family god bless you for ever and ever amen your childrens ,too daughters and your wife too we love you so much tell god we said thinks for ever thing amen love always in jesus name love you god & jesus.

Name: Charles W. Ward
Home Town: Parma (Years ago)
Subject: Cotton Pickers---Randall Ramsey & Tommy Love
Date: Sunday, June 04, 2006
Time: 12:32 PM

Comments:

Without a doubt Randall, I recall you having picked 457 pounds of Cotton on the Ward Farm October 17, 1953. Sorry Tommy!!!!!!!!!!! Randall also excelled in Hair Pulling with wire pliers. That same year a number of Parma High School cotton pickers had a Hair Pulling contest over the noon hour on the Ward front yard, which was supposed to be used for eating their lunch. It seems as though Johnny Braden was the subject of the Hair Pulling Contest. Well, Randall won!!!!! The victory only was savored. by Randall, until he got home that evening. As I recall; W.L. Ramsey(Randall's Dad) had a number of "choice words" and may have discreetly planted a foot on Randall's posterior, although I'm not sure about the later!!!! Sorry Randall; but when I read your comments about cotton pickin' that story can to mind. Don't remember who the other praticipants in the "Hair Pullin Contest" were-------Do You??????

Name: darlene sapp reeves
Home Town: parma
Subject: just want to say hi
Date: Saturday, June 03, 2006
Time: 01:43 PM

Comments:

I live in paragould arkansas, i work at monroe. I have been here since 1975 and loving this town. I am married to randy reeves. I have a son named brandon who is 24, and a daughter whitney who is 19. Both of my kids live here in town. I will be home for the celabration, and hope to see some old faces i havent seen in a long time. Hope to see you soon.

Name: Paul Ford
Home Town: Paragould, AR
Subject: Parma
Date: Friday, June 02, 2006
Time: 11:15 PM

Comments:

It is so nice to read positive comments about good ole Parma. Growing up in Parma I developed life long friends that even though we may have not talked in several years, when we do talk it seems like it had not been more than two weeks. Recently, I got a phone call from Kurt Batz. We determined it had been almost 6 years since we had seen each other. It was so great to hear from him and catch up on both our famlies. It is nice to see Dick Ramsey's comments as well. There is just something about going thru so much together in a small town, like Parma, that creates life long friends. I think this is something you just can't get growing up and the big city. Well my wife and daughter will try and be at the "Down Home Celibration" this year and hope to see a lot of you from 1970-1974 time frame there. As always would love to hear from any of you at our email "ptcbford4@sbcglobal.net" God Bless

Name: Dick Ramsey
Home Town: Columbus, OH
Subject: Parma
Date: Thursday, June 01, 2006
Time: 07:02 PM

Comments:

I am writing with two thoughts; one I echo George's comments about the picture at the top of the site. When I saw it, I immediately thought how proud I am to have had Parma as my hometown. Like many of you I have been all over the country and traveled the world. Doing so makes me more appreciative of the grounding one gets growing up in Parma.

Second, a word about a recently departed classmate. I have not been in touch with JW Gaines for 30 years, but for one twelve month period I was with him every day. We were 2/5ths of the last regional championship team for Parma basketball. JW was one of those quiet people who you knew would perform when called on and always had your back. The night before the regional championship we were all together and I asked, "Why do you want to win this?" They asked me to go first and I gave some long winded, long forgotten answer. When it came JW's turn he said, "I want to stay in a hotel." The next night I played harder than I ever did trying to get him that night in a hotel. He was a good person.

Name: Margherita
Home Town: Parma, Italy
Subject: cities name
Date: Tuesday, May 30, 2006
Time: 08:46 AM

Comments:

Hallo everibody,

I just find out that your city took the name from mine in Italy, I just never knew it!

Pls check pics from my city (home to Parmesan cheese and Parma ham), it was founded by ancient Romans and it is very beautiful!

Name: George G. Husted
Home Town: Parma
Subject: Website
Date: Monday, May 29, 2006
Time: 11:10 AM

Comments:

To the webmaster,

You did an excellent job of putting the photo of the monument in front of the community center, with the small flags in front of it, then the American Flag in the background, and the inscription "FREEDOM IS NOT FREE" across the top.

Beautiful job, Thanks for continuing to help make Parma an excellent home town. It certainly is my choice!

George

Name: ===
Home Town: Main Street USA
Subject: To the young man that dislikes Parma
Date: Sunday, May 28, 2006
Time: 05:24 PM

Comments:

I travel back to Parma each year because that is where my roots are. It was a great town in my time, we had a movie theatre, several grocery stores, a jewelry store, a news paper, a dime store, lumber yard, dry cleaners, bakery, furnature store, restaurants such as Ruth Leonbergers, Parkers, Edges and oh yes, let's not leave out Bill Morgans drug store. Bill was the greatest, somewhere (maybe) there is a booth with my initals carved in it from bill's place. We had a Western Auto Store (bought a bicycle there), three or four gas stations. We hung out on the streets with no fear of being mollested, played ball at the ball diamond in the summer when school was out, yes those were the days.

Now, could I ever go back to Parma to live, I don't think so.

However, the Parma I remember is etched on my heart and is forever in my memory. A Monarck Butterfly will return to the same tree and mostly to the same branch year after year, no matter how the surroundings have changed. I will return to Parma year after year as long as my Lord will permit me, no matter how it may change.

Maybe some day you will have good memories of Parma, maybe not as good as those of us in our 60's and 70's, but I think one finds good wherever one may choose to look for it.

I wish you the best for a good life.

Name: Otis Goodwin
Home Town: Harrisville, Michigan
Subject: Born in Parma, MO in 1916
Date: Saturday, May 13, 2006
Time: 04:48 PM

Comments:

I was born in Parma in 1916,(now 90 years old) and lived there until 1937, graduated from Parma High in 1934. I picked and chopped a lot of cotton in the farms surrounding Parma. I moved to Michigan in 1937. My closest friend Bill Nolan lived across the street. We graduated and attended college together,and we maintained our friendship until he passed away 3 years ago. He lived in Malden. I would be glad to hear from anyone who I my have known me at that time, please email me at annabelll@charter.net.

Name: Donna Robison Brezina Stees
Home Town: Harrisburg, N.C.
Subject: 1961- 2006 45th Parma High Reunion
Date: Thursday, May 11, 2006
Time: 03:03 PM

Comments:

To anyone interested...

I am working w/Tom Daniels, still in Parma, putting together a 45th reunion for the class of 1961. It will be 6/30/06, day before the Parma Picnic. Hopefully this will get the attention of those I have not been able to contact by phone, e-mail or snailmail.

Hope to see you all there......

Donna Robison Brezina Stees

Webmaster's Note: In order to reduce the download time of the Guest Book, I have archived the Guest Book entries by year.  Hyperlinks are located at the top of the Guest Book web page.

Name: Paul Ford
Home Town: Paragould, AR
Subject: Hello Carla Sapp
Date: Tuesday, May 09, 2006
Time: 07:41 PM

Comments:

Hey Carla,

Good to see you on the board here. This seems to be a place to find old friends. How in the world did you wind up in Houston, Tx? I guess just like the most of us we found our way into many directions. I do see Darlene sometimes. I saw her more last year when her daughter was on the basketball team and she came to all the games. I haven't seen her as much anymore, just now and then in Wal-Mart. Do you ever get back to Parma? Well good seeing you on here feel free to email me if you would like and catch me up on you and what you have been up to for all these years. I am at ptcbford4@sbcglobal.net

Name: Fred
Home Town: Parma
Subject: Parma, Mo
Date: Monday, May 08, 2006
Time: 02:43 PM

Comments:

 . . .Until the City Leadership stands up and demands change, this town will continue to be worn down until there is mostly nothing at all. I challange the Mayor and other town leaders to DEMAND landlords of ALL of the dilapidated structures to fix or replace them before a vistor becomes hurt by something falling (roof, walls - ect).

Webmaster's Note: Personal flaming removed.

Name: JoEmma (Greenwood) Morgan
Home Town: Old Hickory, TN
Subject: Alice Marie Farr
Date: Monday, May 08, 2006
Time: 09:39 AM

Comments:

Many years ago a girl by the name of Roberta Farr came to Parma school and was in my class (which is the class of '56). She was from Mitchellville, Iowa. I wrote to her for awhile after she moved back to Iowa. Is Roberta your relative and if so how can I get in touch with her?

JoEmma

Name: Alice Marie Farr (now Pirnie)
Home Town: Went to Parma schools 2nd-7th grades
Subject: Would have graduated with Parma High School Class of 1955.
Date: Monday, May 08, 2006
Time: 01:04 AM

Comments:

I did contact Mr. Merrick in 1955 and he was gracious enough to send me a list of the graduating class of that year. However I have never pursued it any further. We lived on the Jerry Garland place the last year we were in Parma school district. My name was Farr at the time. I now live in Rogue River, OR. and my full name is Alice Marie Pirnie. My email address is amfevp@charter.net.

Name: Katie
Home Town: Parma
Subject: Fred...
Date: Sunday, May 07, 2006
Time: 05:22 PM

Comments:

To Fred, look at how the town looked 10 or 15 years ago, it was so different. It was so alive. not compared to 20 or 30 years ago of course,but still a lot better than it is today, and it's just going to keep getting worse until there is no getting better.

Name:
Home Town: Parma
Subject: To the "unnamed teenagers"
Date: Saturday, May 06, 2006
Time: 10:00 PM

Comments:

Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I did not leave my name since there must be something to be feared in Parma if ones name is known. I definately would not want anyone to be harmed for expressing their opinion but in today's society it seems there is more fear today than there was at one time. Things are different in all towns and cities with the infiltration of every nationality known. America has always been a melting pot but it was filled with people with a desire to work hard,live honestly and safely with their families. No everything was not rosey then just as it will never be rosey anywhere since evil is world wide. There once was a community spirit that guarded the welfare of all . Then parents started saying don't tell me what my children can or can not read or do in school. Children caught that message and knew they could get out of doing the hard work if they whined to mama or daddy. Next the kid was a drop out from school,not old enough to get a job so they started selling drugs so they could have the hottest clothes and hang with the "cool gang". You say well there are not drugs in "small town usa". Sorry to disappoint you but it is rampant in every community because "good people" did nothing in their own family and it carried over into the community,county,state,and now our whole nation is on a drug high both legal and illegal. Parma is just a small example of many towns,& cities in our nation. You just see it more in the small towns than those that live in the cities. I saw where Parma couldn't even find a law enforcement person from their own residents. Now that is scarey. Is there not a man of the community willing to protect their own? It is like the homes nowdays. The fathers have left the home unguarded and the wolf takes the best of everything and leaves town. That is what happened to Parma. The fathers sold out the children by getting rid of their school.which caused them to lose their spirit and when the spirit is gone all that is left is dust. Just before July the dust is swept to a co That is evident by the numbers that return year after year to their Parma High School Reunions. Face it Parma Fathers you killed the future when you killed the school.

Name: - -
Home Town: Parma
Subject: Parma
Date: Saturday, May 06, 2006
Time: 01:20 AM

Comments:

I know how all of you think that what the "un-named teenager" said was wrong, and that you all feel differently about Parma. Some of you even say that there wasn't must to do when you all were growing up, I look at pictures from back then, and realize how great it used to be. Well, Myself being a teenager in Parma just like the teenager before, am going to say that Parma has changed a lot just in the last 5 or 10 years. There isn't anything to do here. It isn't the most awful place to live in the world, but it just is really bad, when we have to drive to New Madrid, Lilbourn, Matthews, Canalou, Kewannee just to be with our friends. I remember when I used to think that Parma was the best town ever, that was only 11 years ago. I was 5 and I was in Pre-school, I thought that I would go to school there for the rest of my life and it would be good. I got older, the school shut down, my hopes and dreams where gone. Parma just isn't what everyone says it is. Myself and a friend go walking around frequently in Parma...We look at the buildings and think of how they were once full of life, people coming in and out of the doors, children playing. Now they just sit there, going to waste. The roofs of most of them have fallen in, I remember noticing that at the last Carnival that was in Parma. Being on the Ferris Wheel at only 8 years old even then thinking what it could be. I don't guess that I see what you all see in this town. We begin to look back at times past and think "oh how wonderful it was to live there" I'm sure that when I get older, I will appreciate it more...I just can't seem to do that now. I'm sorry if I have offended anyone. But the "un-named teenager" and I we know what its like from the teen perspective. We know.

Name: LEO E. MATTHEWS
Home Town: HERCULANEUM, MO. 63048
Subject: PARMA, MO.
Date: Monday, May 01, 2006
Time: 11:08 PM

Comments:

I WOULD JUST LIKE TO SAY THAT PARMA IS THE BEST DARN TOWN IN THE WHOLE UNITED STATES!
THANKS EVERYONE,

LEO

Name: Vicky Borders Armstrong
Home Town: Parma, MO
Subject: Down Home Days
Date: Sunday, April 30, 2006
Time: 02:36 AM

Comments:

I graduated from PHS 1973. I attended Down Home Days last year, and enjoyed it very much as did my grandchildren.

I remember growing up in a town where you knew everyone. Hi! Carla Sapp, cousin. I am glad to see you still peruse this site. If you get a chance email me, I would love to hear about your family and when you will be home again.

daisy3782000@yahoo.com is my email address. This is a good website, thank you, George Husted for keeping it going.

Name: Milton E. Woodham
Home Town: Peach Orchard MO
Subject: Parma HS History Question
Date: Saturday, April 29, 2006
Time: 10:43 PM

Comments:

Geetings from Colorado Springs, Colorado.

I'm a 1953 graduate of Parma HS, and I'm curious about when the school was closed. I've not been back to Missouri since 1999 and the school appeared to have been closed for quite some time even then.

About 4 years ago I met a man who was visiting here in Colorado and he told me that he lived in Parma Missouri. When I replied that I had attended high school at Parma he was stunned. His name was George Husted. What are the odds of that kind of meeting!

Name: Carla (Sapp) Kutyba
Home Town: Houston, TX
Subject: Down Home Days / reconnecting with classmates
Date: Saturday, April 29, 2006
Time: 04:09 AM

Comments:

Another year is almost here for the down home days of Parma, Mo. Hope for many to be there and have a great time. Hello to everyone. I have see alot of names of people of Parma High School on website called Classmates, might be a way for some to get reconnected to freinds of high school of your time. From what I remembered there's like 2 hundred something people listed on Classmates. Well just thought I would pass this info to others. Hello to Paul Ford and to Cindy Ross. PS. Paul if you see my sister Darlene tell her hello from me. Thank you. Cindy if you can locate my mother in Dexter she could probably give you information on Charlie. My mother has told me lots of history of Parma over the years about things as well as people she grew up with going way back when she was a young girl. PSS. Donna Weaver my mother could probably help you out some with your questions on your grandparents, go to classmates and look me up for me to give you info. Always good to come to Parma WEBSITE for lots of reasons. Keep up the great work Mr. George Husted. Later

Name: George G. Husted
Home Town: Parma
Subject: Grants Pass visit
Date: Friday, April 28, 2006
Time: 09:00 PM

Comments:

Hi Anna,

My wife, Sidney, and I will be passing through grants Pass, OR. on approximately September 28th. If it is possible we would love to stop for a couple of hours on our way south. How about emailing me at: gghusted@bpsnetworks.com with your address and phone number so we can communicate.

George (Jerry) Husted

Name: LEO E. MATTHEWS
Home Town: HERCULANEUM, MO. 63048
Subject: PARMA, MO.
Date: Friday, April 28, 2006
Time: 12:09 AM

Comments:

ANNA, I SAW YOUR COMMENT IN THE GUEST BOOK. I LIKE THE GUEST BOOK, READ IT EVERY NIGHT. GEORGE DOES A REAL GOOD JOB WITH IT.. I GRADUATED FROM PHS IN 1951. YOU PROBABLY DON'T REMEMBER ME. I'M SURE YOU GRADUATED EARLY THAT YEAR. I REMEMBER YOU WELL. MY E-MAIL ADDRESS IS leomatthews@sbcglobal.net I STILL GO BACK TO PARMA OFTEN. ATTEND THE "DOWN HOME DAYS" EVERY YEAR. WE ARE HAVING OUR (55TH) CLASS RE-UNION THIS YEAR (JULY 1ST). WE WOULD ALL LIKE TO SEE YOU. E-MAIL ME.. LEO

Name: Vicki
Home Town: Parma
Subject: Unnamed teenager living in Parma's comments
Date: Sunday, April 23, 2006
Time: 12:51 PM

Comments:

I grew up in & around Parma. Lived there for 19 years, went to church there, laughed/cried there, made wonderful friends there, loved & lost there. Graduated from good ole PHS in 1972. True, theres not much to do there, wasnt much to do back in my day either, but i made some of the most unforgettable memories there, people i will always treasure & remember fondly, thankful that our paths crossed. Thank you Parma for being such an important part of my early years. Thank you to the people of Parma, past & present for all the memories----good and/or bad.*GRIN* I am very proud to say Parma, MO is my hometown & I am looking forward to being there this year for the annual Picnic. I am so proud of where I came from that I am bringing my daughter-in-law & grandson to proudly show them my hometown! Unnamed teenager, hopefully some day you, too, will be proud to say you grew up in Parma......

Name: Anna E. Dennington-Mincher
Home Town: Parma, Mo.
Subject:
Date: Saturday, April 22, 2006
Time: 08:58 PM

Comments:

My husbanc, Charles, and I currently live in Grants Pass, OR.,the small community in which we chose to retire. Because of my husband's health, we have been unable to get back to these reunions. My last visit was in July 1990 and I won the beautiful quilt, made by some of the ladies. Because I know some of the women's names on this quilt, I will cherish it always. Grants Pass is a small community, so I was surprised to have a woman walk into our bible study, who lived in Parma the year I graduated. I love the website and if anyone would like to communicate with me, please do so. I tell everyone that I would not have wanted to spend my childhood any where but PARMA, MO. Greeting to all!

Name: Paul D. Ford
Home Town: Paragould,AR
Subject: Down Home Days Registration
Date: Saturday, April 22, 2006
Time: 09:05 AM

Comments:

I would like to ask if it is possible to list those people who are filling out the registration forms to attend the 2006 Down Home Days event. This way we all could see who is planning on attending. If there is a way, to view the registration, on this site I guess I am not smart enough to figure it out. I am not sure at this time if me and my family will be able to attend or not. I would also like to say to the folks who make this event possible you do a fantastic job, keep up the good work. Finaly, any of my ole classmates wanna give me an update on how your doing and where you are please feel free to e-mail me @ ptcford@paragould.net Looking forward to hearing from any of you.

Name: Trish Cohen
Home Town: Deilstadt/Bloomfield
Subject: To the young man who is concerned at Parma
Date: Thursday, April 13, 2006
Time: 09:14 PM

Comments:

To the young person who is concerned about the City of Parma. I am the current Chief of Police here in Parma. No I don't live here, but I have worked here since June as a Police officer and have gotten the opportunity to meet several wonderful people. Yes there are buildings in need of repair, etc. and yes there is drug activity in this small community as is in every city no matter what the size of the city. It is more noticeable in small rural communities because of the fact that they are smaller than the bigger cities. There is less drug activity in Parma than there was when I came to work here. Myself and my fellow law enforcement officers have been working to try to correct this problem but unfortunately this Police Department does not have enough officers to do all that is needed. Further more unfortunately we lack the cooperation of several of the citizens in town. I read an article in the April 10th news paper where a lady from Charleston spoke out regarding her view of how police officers are not doing their jobs due to the fact that they have been unable to locate the person or persons who shot and killed two people in Charleston last week. My response to her, to you, and every other person who feels that the police are not doing their jobs, and I am sure I speak for most of the law enforcement officers and agency, it is the citizens of these cities and towns who are going to have to get involved with their communities to make them better. Children and adults both should get involved in their communities and BY ALL MEANS WHEN YOU SEE SOMEONE WHO IS BREAKING THE LAW BY FIGHTING, DEALING DRUGS, USING DRUGS, VANDALIZING, TERRORIZING, UNDERAGE DRINKING, ETC, ANYTHING, REPORT IT AND GET INVOLVED!! One of the biggest problems that police officers have is NO ONE WANTS TO GET INVOLVED due to being afraid of retaliation. I'm saying that if people want their communities back the way they used to be they have to get involved and help put a stop to it.

I have worked as a law enforcement officer in New Madrid County since early 2003 and have loved working in this county. My fellow law enforcement officer are wonderful people and they care but we can't do it alone. I was raised in a town less than half the size of this town, Deilstadt and everyone there was like family. We never locked our houses or our vehicles. We all came together when there was a death or illness in a family. At times we even came together on holidays. Parents didn't let their children run wild and spankings were given quite frequently if needed. We were taught to respect our elders and knew that if we did anything wrong no matter who's house we were at we got spanked there and then when we went home by mom and dad and fifty percent of the time also by grandma and grandpa. Our parents need to take control and there would not be near the problems that there are in communities these days. The prisons and jails would not be near as full as they are.

You sound like a very well mannered young person and sound as if you care. I would really like to meet you and talk to you some time. Believe in your faith, get your education, and by all means get involved. Contact me sometime if you would like. I would certainly enjoy it.

Mr. Husted, your response was wonderful and I agree with you. This little country girl loves the quietness of small towns with out all the cars.

GOD BLESS YOU AND EVERYONE!!!!!

Name: Fred
Home Town: Parma
Subject: Living in Parma
Date: Tuesday, April 11, 2006
Time: 05:28 PM

Comments:

Commander George, you as well as the young lad who wrote in are both correct. Parma is a small shell of its past years. If we the residents of Parma do not bond together there will be no Parma, Mo left. The infrastructure of Parma has deteriorated to the point of no return. Take a trip down memory lane and remember how the city looked just 20 to 30 years ago. It was alive and enjoyable. Now it is just there.

Name: CDR George G. Husted, USN, Ret.
Home Town: Parma, Missouri, USA
Subject: I enjoy living in Parma
Date: Monday, April 10, 2006
Time: 1:04 AM

Comments:

I love Parma. My wife and I have traveled in all of the 50 states, I have been in 37 foreign countries, we have moved 20 times in our married lives since I spent 36 years active duty military.   We lived in several locations from Los Angeles to Washington, DC and several between. We have four children, one born in Texas, two in Parma and one in Maryland.

We retired from Washington, DC and, since we were going to have to buy or build anywhere we went, we could have moved anywhere in the world we wanted to, or, we could have purchased the lovely home there in Washington, DC we had lived in for the last six years. Another Navy officer living in Pensacola, FL wanted to move to DC and offered to sell us his house near the beach there in Pensacola. We had lived in Pensacola on two different tours of duty.

We chose to move back to Parma. We love it. In the first 2 or 3 years people would ask “Don’t you miss the big city where there is so much to do?” My answer was always the same: “NO, there are more cars stopped in traffic every morning on the Woodrow Wilson Bridge than there are in the whole city of Parma.” People are too busy to stop and visit.  Just to go to a show or shopping or fill up with gas or see a doctor, we had to drive through traffic for 5 to 15 miles.

And, if you think Parma has drugs and crime, you ain’t seen nothing. Also, there are probably as many killings in many big US cities daily as in Iraq daily but it is so common it doesn’t make news.

Parma is a nice quiet town with a lot of potential for people who want to have a part in the community. As in every town and city, there are some small locations where drug are moved, but certainly not “a meth or crack-head on every street”. Several arrests have been made to keep our city as clean as possible. I have yet to see a dealer and if I did, they would be off the street pronto.

For the teenager who was ashamed to leave his name, there certainly are lots of “worse places to live”. There are nine churches here in Parma with great fellowship in all of them and I have visited some of them. There are plans for the school complex and for some of the older buildings in the town center. However, away from the center, there are lots of things happening that are very good and very prosperous. I have two more businesses to put up on the Parma web site that are really humming businesses.

Now for the “Un-named teenager” your next to last statement: “I wish I could help it out.” You didn’t do our City of Parma any favor by publishing for the world to see your narrow field if vision. Get out and look around the whole fair city and meet some of the citizens who are striving and making Parma the city you see on the web cite. You can be an asset to Parma.

As for Parma people, lots of us are looking forward to the annual “Down home Days” Friday evening June 30th and the Annual Picnic Saturday July 1st . We are expecting the usual of between 500 and 700. Registrations are already coming in from the website. Another grand homecoming is approaching!

Sincerely,

CDR George G. Husted, USN, Ret.

Name:
Home Town: Parma, Missouri, USA
Subject: Life as a Teenager in Parma
Date: Monday, April 03, 2006
Time: 11:08 PM

Comments:

Parma isn't a nice or great place to live if your a kid or teenager. The only thing that makes it livable are that there are people in it that are easy to live in the same town with but don't get me wrong, there are still some I would like to give a peice of my young mind to.

Sure, it isn't horrible but I wouldn't go past saying it's semi-descent. There are worse places to live.

I think it's funny how the makers of this site make it out to look as just some quiet white-bread town. You'd think we were all living in cottages and sipping lemanade all the time. Like there isn't a meth or crack-head on every street.

For those who have walked down the streets of Parma recently, you've probably noticed that most of the buildings that were once full of people coming and going are now just empty, condemed, barely standing as a reminder that once upon a time this town was alive. Living in this town is depressing and as much as I think about how when I grow older I want to move as far away as I can from this place part of me wishes I had a lot of money so I could stay and maybe make a difference.

If I won the lottery (if I was even old enough to win the lottery) I would buy the old school and make something out of it for the kids in this town so they had something else better to do than go out and do stupid stuff. You see, after all the negative things I have to say about this town, I've still had some good times living in this place. I just wish with all my heart and soul it was as great as it's made to look on this site...I wish I could help it out.

God Bless.

Name: Ken Tripp
Home Town: Lilbourn, MO
Subject: Sherry Hillis sister Rhonda
Date: Monday, April 03, 2006
Time: 02:15 AM

Comments:

Hi,

I was in grade school with Rhonda Hillis, Sherry's sister as I recall. I was just wondering if I could get note to her?
My email is knnthtripper@aol.com

Name: Wilburn Ellis Parker
Home Town: Ft. Lauderdale, Fl.
Subject:
Date: Saturday, April 01, 2006
Time: 02:49 PM

Comments:

Hi Junior Delashment I was reading messages in the guest book and saw where you are trying to locate George Ellerbrook. He is in Texas 817 613 7065. I hope to see you this 4th of July.

willeparker@bellsouth.net

Name: Vicki Parker Veldhuis
Home Town: Allegan Michigan
Subject: Went to school in Parma
Date: Thursday, March 30, 2006
Time: 06:05 AM

Comments:

I went to school in Parma.I have been seaching for my classmates.I would have gradaute in 1980.I have been looking for Julie Payne. We were best friends in school.I miss Parma. I miss Missouri.I had some of the best Teachers.And the people i went to school with were the best. I have talked to Quila Goodman .We moved back to Michigan when i was 17.My sister Carol Gradauted in 1976 from Parma High School. Carol lives in Plainwell Michigan. Paula and I both live in Allegan Michigan.Parma is a great town.I want to say hi to everyone. Vicki Parker Veldhuis

Name: JoEmma (Greenwood) Morgan
Home Town: Parma
Subject: Good Ole Days
Date: Tuesday, March 28, 2006
Time: 09:44 AM

Comments:

Parma in the 50's...what a wonderful place to live. Yes, Marva the stories of picking cotton does bring back a lot of memories. So does thinking of how it was on a Saturday night. There was not a parking place to be had after sundown. All the kids gathering at Morgan's Drug Store. The men would gather in front of John Young's barber shop and watch TV through the front window. The cotton carnival was something we all looked forward to. The atmosphere, the crowds, the rides and music. What a life. I feel so lucky to have grown up in Parma in the 40's and 50's.

Name: Marva Morgan Womack
Home Town: Parma, MO
Subject: More Good Home Town Memories
Date: Tuesday, March 21, 2006
Time: 07:30 PM

Comments:

The stories of picking cotton brings many memories to those from Parma. Thinking about pictures I have from daddy's (Bill Morgan) Drug store, the juke box going with kids dancing and then the parades and remembering how the streets filled up at night on weekends with laughter and money to spent, I am wondering who has stories to share of the parades and carnival week that went along with being out of school to pick cotton. Memories come back to each one as we remember in our hearts the days of living in our hometown.

Name: Tom Love
Home Town: Dexter, Mo.
Subject:
Date: Tuesday, March 21, 2006
Time: 12:56 AM

Comments:

We are saddened to hear of the passing of our friends and classmates from Parma. Leo, we noticed that you also listed yourself . Just kidding, but your memo did say that the following had passed away, and your name was at the bottom of the list. Looked a little scary at first until I realized that you were just adding your name as the sender of the memo. You are still among the living??

Name: paula kay parker born
Home Town: allegan michigan
Subject: looking for some of my class mates of 1981
Date: Monday, March 20, 2006
Time: 11:53 PM

Comments:

i am lookingfor some of my class mates . elizabath kavy , ethel jones tina bowen, if enity one knows of some one from the class of 1975 or 1976 please email me at sperit_of_the_wolfs@yahoo.com . please i love to here from you all . i had to live parma school after the year 1976 . i had to tean malden school for a year and then i quit school and my mom and dad movid to mich ,so i had to move to . so i am hoping to here from some one . parma was the best place to go to school . i am hoping some one can tell me something about Elizabath kavy .

,

Name: Paul D. Ford
Home Town: Paragould,AR
Subject: Finding an ole friend
Date: Monday, March 20, 2006
Time: 08:09 PM

Comments:

I am trying to contact Sharon Ross Rhines. I read your comments the other day and was interested to see if your are realated to Charlie Ross. He graduated with me in 1974. I have talked several of my class mates and no one has any idea where he might be. So if you or anyone else has any information about Charlie Ross of the Class of 1974 please email me or post it here. My email is ptcford@paragould.net

Name: LEO E. MATTHEWS
Home Town: HERCULANEUM, MO.
Subject: PARMA ALUMNI
Date: Saturday, March 18, 2006
Time: 12:04 AM

Comments:

I HAVE RECEIVED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE FOLLOWING HAVE PASSED AWAY LATELY.

BILLY PAUL MOORE
DONALD STEWART
BARBARA USSELTON

LEO E MATTHEWS

Name: JACQUE
Home Town: MERRITT ISLAND
Subject: IRAQ-VERY INTERESTING-DID YOU KNOW? 2/2/2005
Date: Wednesday, March 15, 2006
Time: 09:24 PM

Comments:

FIRST OF ALL WHAT IS PARMA? ARE YOU OF THE MUSLIM RELIGION? OR ISLAM? PLEASE EMAIL ME AND LET ME KNOW IF YOU PUT OUT THE ARTICLE --2/2/2005?

Webmaster's Note: This post refers to a blog going around the net by the same title, although how the poster got this associated with a Small American City in the middle of America is beyond me. The Blog is pasted below.

IRAQ - VERY INTERESTING - DID YOU KNOW ?

 
1. The garden of Eden was in Iraq.
2. Mesopotamia, which is now Iraq, was the cradle of civilization!
3. Noah built the ark in Iraq.
4. The Tower of Babel was in Iraq.
5. Abraham was from Ur, which is in Southern Iraq!
6. Isaac's wife Rebekah is from Nahor, which is in Iraq.
7. Jacob met Rachel in Iraq.
8. Jonah preached in Nineveh - which is in Iraq.
9. Assyria, which is in Iraq, conquered the ten tribes of Israel.
10. Amos cried out in Iraq!
11. Babylon, which is in Iraq, destroyed Jerusalem.
12. Daniel was  in the lion's den in Iraq!
13. The  three Hebrew children were in the furnace fire in Iraq (Jesus had been in Iraq also as the fourth person in the fiery furnace!)
14. Belshazzar, the  King of Babylon saw the "writing on the wall" in Iraq.
15  Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon, carried the Jews captive into Iraq.
16. Ezekiel preached in Iraq.
17. The  wise men were from Iraq.
18. Peter  preached in Iraq.
19. The  "Empire of Man" described in Revelation is called Babylon, which was a city in Iraq!
 
 
And you have probably seen this one. Israel is the  nation most often mentioned in the Bible. But do you know which nation is second? It is Iraq! However, that is not the name that is used in the Bible. The names used in  the Bible are Babylon, Land of Shinar, and  Mesopotamia. The word  Mesopotamia means between the two rivers, more exactly between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. The name Iraq, means country with deep roots.
Indeed Iraq is a country with deep roots and is a very significant country in the Bible.
No other nation, except Israel, has more history and  prophecy associated it than Iraq.
 
And  also.. This is something to think about! Since America is typically represented by an eagle. Saddam should have read up on his Muslim passages...
 
The following verse is from the Koran, (the IsIamic Bible)
Koran (9:11) - For it is written that a son of Arabia would awaken a fearsome Eagle. The wrath of the Eagle would be felt throughout the lands of Allah and lo, while some of the people trembled in despair still more rejoiced; for the wrath of the Eagle cleansed the  lands of Allah; and there was peace.
(Note the verse  number!) Hmmmmmmm?! God Bless you all Amen !

 

Name: David Gee
Home Town: Modesto, Ca.
Subject: Looks Like A Lovely Little Town
Date: Sunday, March 12, 2006
Time: 07:26 PM

Comments:

I saw the old school for sale on ebay and thought I'd check Parma out. It looks like a small town that I grew up in, in Texas named Smithfield. Great people, a little crazy, but good hearted. Parma looks like a nice place to live.

Name: Barbara Jewett Lillard
Home Town: Parma--Suffolk, VA
Subject: Picking Cotton
Date: Sunday, March 12, 2006
Time: 03:59 PM

Comments:

OK, you "cotton pickers", I've been sitting back reading your comments and it sure brought back some funny memories, and some not so funny. No doubt about it, it was HARD, back-breaking work, hard on the fingers too. I remember the cold/hot weather, heavy dews in the early morning, bugs, worms, snakes, mice, spiders, etc., and staggering under the weight of a full sack of cotton while walking through the field to the wagon. At that time I must have weighed 100 lbs soaking wet. (We won't talk about my weight today.) So, I preferred chopping cotton, much easier to me and a good way to get a tan. There was the time a bunch of us got into a boll fight while picking, Rita Nussbaum and me against some boys (I don't remember who now), and I got hit right in the middle of the forehead real hard, and I knew then how Goliath must have felt!! I used to pick cotton with Russell Rowland and his mother, Mozelle. I sure did love Mozelle, she was like another mother to me, a real sweetheart. I get the warm fuzzies thinking back to those days in Parma, my kids are envious of me because I got to grow up in the 50's. We've all come a long way, we have a lot to be thankful for including our great friendship. Hope to see you in the future. Until then, God bless.

Name: Tom & Sue Parkman
Home Town: Parma/Loves Park,IL.
Subject: Willis Paul Moore
Date: Friday, March 10, 2006
Time: 11:45 AM

Comments:

We were saddened this week to learn of the passing of a special friend "BillPaul" Moore. He was a 1954 graduate of Parma High School. Some of our classmates were privledged to spend some time with him at his family reunion last July.

I cherish that memory along with many others.

He will be remembered for his kindness,loving spirit,jovial attitude,singing,cooking and so many other attributes. We miss him but know he is making Jesus happy with his laughter and sweet spirit. We are thankful he is no longer suffering from the terrible cancer.

We send our deepest sympathy to all his family.

Much Love and Prayers to all of you. Tom and Sue Parkman

Name: P.RUTH JAISEEL BABU
Home Town: BAPATLA , GUNTUR - INDIA
Subject: PRAYER NEED FOR orphan children india
Date: Wednesday, March 08, 2006
Time: 07:48 AM

Comments:

Dear friend,

Greetings to you in the most highly exalted name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It is really a great privilege but God has given to share something with you about my ministry for your kind co-operation. I take the promise from Mathew7.7 and approach you for your kind consideration for our ministry.

I may be knocking at your door at an odd time, but with the promise that it will be fulfilled. We are a team of youngsters with a great zeal and enthusiasm to extend the kingdom of god in India. We have no affiliation with any organization and we have no any kind of support from anywhere. The resources we have in our ministry are very limited and many times they are beyond the reach of our basic needs. Our aim is to visit every nook and corners of Indian villages and promote the Gospel to every perishing soul. We really hope to see a great deal of harvest in the coming days. In this regard we earnestly wish for your leadership and guidance. Our ministry is mainly based on Gospel work in rural, tribal and slum areas. We visit a number of villages in a month to proclaim the Gospel. India is a country of Idolatry and superstitions. Indians have 9million of Gods and Jesus Christ is considered to be a foreign god. So what we want to prove is that Jesus is the savior of the world.

In this regard we need your encouragement in anyway. Christianity in India is considered to be the religion of lowest community. Christians have no honor in the society. They are not allowed to live together with the people of High community. They are considered to be untouchables. So they live in their huts at the outskirts of villages. They work as laborers in the fields for the landlords. They really depend on their potluck. It is because of their poverty and illiteracy. We are regular victims of nature calamities such as cyclones, floods and fire accidents, which take away every year a number of lives and make their children orphans. At such times we bring some of the orphans to us on look after them by collecting money from our local people. But many times the money collected in that way is beyond the reach of their basic needs. At present we are looking after 15 orphan children. When we found them they were in a very pathetic condition. They continually cried for their lost parents. Some midnight many of them got up and cried bitterly for their lost mother and father. It was beyond our level to console them they are gradually getting accustomed to our love and care. We have to provide them clothes and coverings. Feed them twice a day. Send them to school and buy their educational material and pay their medical bills.

Now days prices have gone up so high that a common man cannot reach them. In such a condition we are not able to feed them and meet their needs properly. If we forsake them to their fate their precious lives will be ruined. In this regard we approach you for your kind charity and generosity to wipe out the continuous stream of tears on their tender cheeks and fill their little bellies with a little food. If you could kindly find a sponsor to support them every month we will be ever grateful to you. Please have compassion for them. In a very needy condition we look on to u for your kind involvement. As we have shared with the orphan children about this letter to you they have already started to pray that our Heavenly Father may bring you their way. Waiting for your loving mail In His vineyard P.Ruth Jaiseel Babu my e- mail id rosministriesindia@yahoo.com

Name: Sharon Ross Rhines
Home Town: Parma
Subject: looking for Cindy Ross (cousin)
Date: Friday, March 03, 2006
Time: 04:42 PM

Comments:

Here is my email spr72@sbcglobal.net ignore the other one 72 has to be after spr.

Name: Randall Ramsey
Home Town: Parma
Subject: Class Reunions
Date: Friday, March 03, 2006
Time: 04:42 PM

Comments:

I have been advised the following are planning a combined class reunion for July 1 2006. 1963-1964-1965-1966 & 1967.If anyone needs more info they can contact Donna Sapp @ 573-357-4527 or Verla Landers @ 573-357-4556.

Name: Sharon Ross Rhines
Home Town: Parma
Subject: looking for Cindy
Date: Friday, March 03, 2006
Time: 04:29 PM

Comments:

If anyone has the address or email of Cindy Ross I would love to have it. My email is spr@sbcglobal.net Thanks to the people who monitor this website, it brings back alot of fun memories and let's all take alittle trip back home when the miles are too far to travel.

Name: Sharon Ross Rhines
Home Town: Parma
Subject: Cindy
Date: Thursday, March 02, 2006
Time: 09:46 PM

Comments:

Jewel and Marie Ross were my parents. Cindy is my cousin. I live in Tulsa, OK. I also served in the Air Force and have tried to find Cindy for 20 years. My email is not on yet but I will email Leo Matthews and try to get in touch with Cindy and Terry. Mom and Dad bought Uncle Charlies house and lived there until Mom's death in Dec 1991. I moved to Eufaula, Ok and Dad died in May 2000. They are buried at Malden.

Name: Sharon Ross Rhines
Home Town: Parma
Subject: love the pics
Date: Thursday, March 02, 2006
Time: 09:22 PM

Comments:

I graduated 1972. Jewel and Marie Ross were my parents.

Would like to find some of the children Mom and Dad kept. I enjoy seeing all the pictures of the town. Spent 8 yrs in the Air Force, have three children, one boy, two girls, and 5 grandchildren.

Name: Johnny Taylor
Home Town: Parma, MO
Subject: Where do I send pictures?
Date: Thursday, March 02, 2006
Time: 11:43 AM

Comments:

I was wanting to send some pictures to be posted on the Parma site. Where do I send those pictures? I am the grandson of Ida Mae Claborn. I am amazed with that little lady and would love to have a picture of her posted.

Webmasters Note: Pictures to be posted on the web site may be e-mailed to webmaster@parma-mo.com.  Pleas be sure to include a description of each of the pictures.

Name: annie trirer
Home Town: san diego ca
Subject: i move down there
Date: Saturday, February 25, 2006
Time: 04:41 AM

Comments:

but it is just to little for me there.so i move back to san diego ca'it is just to cold for me there.

Name: Webmaster
Home Town: Parma
Subject: Website Updates
Date: Tuesday, February 24, 2006
Time: 03:07 AM

Comments:

Just a note to let you know that the hosting company this site uses migrated the website to a new platform and I did not get the new access user name and password until just this morning.  I am sorry that it took so long for these updates to be posted, but I did not have access to do so, or any way to let you know what was going on.  There are about 10 days worth of new entries posted to the Guestbook now.  I will also get busy on the rest of the updates - getting ready for Down Home Day, Etc.

Name: Larry Gee
Home Town: Parma
Subject: Tommy Love
Date: Tuesday, February 21, 2006
Time: 07:34 PM

Comments:

I was just wondering if Tommy ever did anything but pick cotton. I can think of a few things.

Name: Maxine & Ann
Home Town: Beckley
Subject: Anita Bennett
Date: Tuesday, February 21, 2006
Time: 10:41 AM

Comments:

Noah,Ann and Family,

We know the pain is great, but God has a plain for that pain. Use it to His glory. We will miss her to, our love goes out to you during this hour.Stay strong.

Maxine Coats & Ann Toney

Name: Mary Parkman
Home Town: Formerly Parma,Mo
Subject:
Date: Sunday, February 19, 2006
Time: 04:46 PM

Comments:

Nanette,

I believe your aunt in Mi. is several hundred miles from the Parma,Mo. Website. Perhaps you meant Parma Ohio or some other Parma. Good luck in your search.

Name: Paul D. Ford
Home Town: Paragould, AR
Subject: Well hit the Return Button to Quick
Date: Sunday, February 19, 2006
Time: 12:51 PM

Comments:

Well I hit the return button and BAM message sent. So I will try again. First, hello to Darlene Sapp, of Paragould. Then would like to say hello to all of my friends who graduated from Parma High School (Parma Pirates)years between 1970-1977. I graduated in 1974 but had friends during this time frame. Great site wish more would use it to post information. I am a salesman for a company out of Irving, Tx for the last 14 yrs. I am married,wife is a school teacher, and a 16yr old daughter. My dad, Willie Ford and my brother Little boy, still live in Parma. Dad has allzhimmers now but physically is still very healthy. Would love to hear from any and all from Parma. My email is ptcford@paragouuld.net.

Name: Ginger Ashley
Home Town: Lilbourn
Subject: TOMMY LOVE
Date: Friday, February 17, 2006
Time: 10:12 PM

Comments:

Hey Tommy, you really did miss your calling. You should have been a NASCAR driver as you drove a hundred everywhere you went. Do you remember the night we (Jr. Reinbott, Alice, you and myself) came upon the accident on Townley Road and two airmen from the base were killed. Did that slow you and Jr. down, NO!! you floorboarded it all the way back to Parma to tell the law. Wonder if we all had not been killed. I hope you never tell your grandsons what a daredevil you were. Just let them think

Name: Gina Callegari
Home Town: New York
Subject: Ancestors
Date: Wednesday, February 15, 2006
Time: 12:29 PM

Comments:

Hi Parma Italy-

I am looking for relatives in Italy. My grandmother came from Parma on a ship to Ellis Island around 1920-ish. (not sure) Her name was Louise Varacchi-Callegari.

Looking for any possible relatives.

Webmaster's Note: the Parma Italy website is parma-italy.com

Name: JoEmma (Greenwood) Morgan
Home Town: Nashville, TN
Subject: Chopping Cotton
Date: Thursday, February 16, 2006
Time: 08:30 AM

Comments:

Cotton chopping, I hated it.....too many blisters, too hot with no shade from the small cotton to cool the sand. No resting, had to keep up with the crew. Bah Bah Bah

Name: Nanette
Home Town: Groves, Tx.
Subject: Wedding Cake Bake Off Winner
Date: Sunday, February 12, 2006
Time: 09:32 PM

Comments:

My mom wants me to find the name of a lady from Parma who participated in a national wedding cake bake off in Tulsa, OK. The lady didn't win but she did place second or third & I have an aunt in MI who is wondering if she may know the lady. My aunt lives a short distance from Parma. Can anyone help me here with the lady's name? TY!

Name: Tommy Love
Home Town: Dexter, Mo.
Subject: Choppin Cotton
Date: Friday, February 10, 2006
Time: 06:37 PM

Comments:

I guess we will start a new subject. Looks like I am the winner on Pickin cotton , unless we got a closet cotton picker out there who doesn't want to admit he ever had to pick cotton. I picked tons of it and proud of it. Good thing, its the only thing I was ever good at. I guess I did miss a chance at being a NASCAR driver, had a lot of experience at that around Parma, as most of us did. It was a lot more fun than those stupid oval tracks were you turn left, pedal to the metal, until the engine blows up or you run out of gas, a very boring sport if you ask me. Much more fun to take the S-Curve down south of Parma at 120 MPH. Now on to choppin cotton. I hated it. The most I ever got paid was $5.00/day. That was it, regardlesss how hard you worked. At least pickin cotton, the harder you worked, the more you made. Lot of difference in $16 picking and $5 chopping. More fun picking anyway, lots of good cotton boll fights, plus other benefits that I can discuss in private if you have a need to know. And thats all I have to say about that.

Name: Ronnie Stinson
Home Town: Valmeyer, IL.
Subject: Looking for Tommy Dugan
Date: Wednesday, February 08, 2006
Time: 09:15 PM

Comments:

I am looking for Tommy Dugan We went to Parma, school together.

Name: JoEmma Morgan (Greenwood)
Home Town: Nash
Subject: Cotton Pickin tales
Date: Wednesday, February 08, 2006
Time: 08:06 AM

Comments:

Alice, Yes Frank Catron was a great Dad to Helen. Helen was in my class ('56). Sadly, she died several years ago from cancer. Sorry you will not be able to be in Parma this year. I would love to sit and visit with you. I will think of you during Tommy's airshow. :) We are all so lucky that our little town has kept in touch like we have. Thanks, to the great people that are still there and realize we all love Parma. I know it takes a lot of time, effort and money to keep this thing going each year.

Name: Bud Henry
Home Town: Florissant, Mo.
Subject: Those good ole Cotton fields back home.
Date: Tuesday, February 07, 2006
Time: 11:57 PM

Comments:

Hi Gang:

I figured I might as well put my two cents worth in. Ha Alice said that she thought we got paid 3 cents a pound for cotton. Seems like I remember 3 1/2 cents a pound or $3.50 a 100. I know I would work until I pick 200 then quit for the day. (That was after I got big enough that my Grannie couldn't us a cotton stalk on my butt.) I know I worked a lot of days for old George Stewart driving a tractor for 50 cents a hour. My Grand kids find it hard to believe that they can't even buy a Hamburger, Coke and Fries for what we put in a 10 day to earn. Everyone's talking about picking. What did a day of chopping cotton pay.

Name: Alice Ward Bailey
Home Town: Annandale, Virginia
Subject: cotton pickin
Date: Tuesday, February 07, 2006
Time: 08:20 PM

Comments:

Yea JoEmma! It was/is fun and yes Tommy Love kicked it off! I agree with you, Donald Nelson must be related to Frank Catron--had forgotten all about him! He was a great Dad to Helen his daughter though! They lived beside my grandmother forever so saw quite a lot of him and his dogs!I agree, there has to be more "pickers" out there! Yes, also a big thanks to the webmaster and all those that have made this site possible!

Name: JoEmma (Greenwood) Morgan
Home Town: Nashville, TN
Subject: Cotton Pickin tales
Date: Monday, February 06, 2006
Time: 11:42 AM

Comments:

Tommy, you sure did wake up a lot of ole cotton pickers... I know there are a more out there and I would sure love to hear some more cotton pickin tales. Hey, Don Nelson, are you kin to Frank Catron??? I do enjoy the Parma website and look at it every morning, hoping for more news. Thanks, to those who make this website possible. The last three weeks have been great, thanks to Tommy.

Name: shauna
Home Town: parma, idaho
Subject: just curious
Date: Wednesday, February 01, 2006
Time: 10:35 AM

Comments:

just wanted to know what outsiders thought of our little town.

Webmaster's Note: I didn't know that there were so many cities named Parma.  The Parma Idaho web site is http://www.parmaid.com/.

Name: Ben Krejci
Home Town: lorain, ohio
Subject: A LOVE STORY!
Date: Tuesday, January 31, 2006
Time: 03:11 PM

Comments:

Im writing this because i miss parma and i used to attend Pearl road elementry school & Greendriar middle school & iam know currently attending Life skills its a computer scool that helps you graduate in a select few months this is my fifth month here at Life skills. Any ways i miss parma i had a girl friend her name was Kelly Popovich before she was my girlfriend she was my close best friend and i didnt realize that this is the girl of my dreams right in front of my face any ways we started dating and i think it was like 2-3 days later i had to move to lorain, ohio were i started going to Admiral King High scool but i dropped out and i started going to life skills but ive trying to go back to my first love and just tell her that i just wont to hold her. I think its been about 5-6 years since ive seen her , although ive went out with other girls but all they ve done was use me for my money , and If I still know Kelly Popovich shed probably take me back within a heart beat , thats if she hasent found some body yet. But this very long comment is for any one who knows Kelly Popovich or her brother Chris Popovich you tell him or her that Benjamin Joseph Krejci is still deeply in love with her and that id do any thing for her . This is Ben signing off . p.s.Kelly If you still have a computer then I hope you are reading this..........................

Webmaster's Note:  I think you may have this site confused with the Parma, Ohio web site.

Name: Randall Ramsey
Home Town: Parma MO
Subject: Cotton Pickin
Date: Monday, January 30, 2006
Time: 01:09 PM

Comments:

Tommy----It was a "Super C Farmall"

Name: Tommy Love
Home Town: Dexter, Mo.
Subject:
Date: Monday, January 30, 2006
Time: 12:05 AM

Comments:

I know I did not do well in school, but I did learn to spell a few words correctly. You will note in my earlier comment that there is no such word as sponser, which I used. It is sponsor, I think!!! I'll ask Garth Leigh, I am sure he will know.

Name: Tommy Love
Home Town: Dexter, Mo.
Subject: Cotton Pickin'
Date: Sunday, January 29, 2006
Time: 11:59 PM

Comments:

Didn't know we had so many good cotton pickers in Parma. But since that was about all we had to do, we should have been good at it. I am sticking to my story of 454 pounds,and Donald, I didn't need a copper head snake to do it. (Great story , but I think you may have embellished the truth a little there) Hey Randall, if you picked more that 454 pounds , you must have been using one of your dad's one row cotton pickers on a "C" Farmall tractor. I had a little incentive to pick that much cotton in one day. Needed the money to buy me one of those nice blue and gold FFA jackets and a new pair of track shoes. Didn't have Nike sponsers back in those days, had to buy your own or run bare-footed.

Name: Donald Nelson
Home Town: Doe Run MO
Subject: Cotton Pickin
Date: Sunday, January 29, 2006
Time: 05:18 PM

Comments:

Best I ever did at picking cotton was 750 Lb. in one day. However, It was fate that helped me out. You see, I was picking along and only had about 35-40 Lb. in my sack and I came upon this huge copper head snake. Well he struck at me and I jumped out of the way, he struck my cotton sack instead. You know that sack of cotton started to swell and swell and swell, before you knew it, I couldn't pull it any more. Rubel Mitchel had to come out with his tractor and pull it up to the scale.

Anyway, that is how I remember it.

Name: Sue Rodgers Parkman
Home Town:
Subject: Cotton Picking
Date: Sunday, January 29, 2006
Time: 03:14 PM

Comments:

Delano there had to be someone behind you with a switch to get that much work out of you at that age. ha ha I picked lots of cotton but not in one day.Picking with the Hickerson sisters,the Schroyer brothers,Lance Morgan,and sometimes with the Moores,Wakefields,Lapes,Mosers etc. The list is endless and the memories are back breaking.I was thrilled to get in good cotton when the price was up to $5.00/100, however that wasn't an everyday happening. For Sure!!!!The money was gone by Monday after a trip to Sikeston for school clothes.These younger kids missed out on "Cotton Vacation" poor souls.

Name: Delano Brown
Home Town: White House, Tn.
Subject: Cotton picking
Date: Thursday, January 26, 2006
Time: 04:40 PM

Comments:

I could only pick 250 on a good day, with lots of dew and a few boles. and real sore fingers.

Name: Alice Ward Bailey
Home Town: Annandale, Virginia
Subject: cotton picking
Date: Tuesday, January 24, 2006
Time: 05:47 PM

Comments:

Randall, as I recall my the past, you had a choice--Military School in Mexico,Mo or pick cotton and I also recall (don't want to pop your bubble) but...I just don't remember that you were an overachiever in the cotton fields! At least as far as picking cotton was concerned! I'm sure you are correct in that my older brother Charles Wayne Ward can probably remember your success better than me especially since I'm so much younger than you two!ha. Seems long ago and far away in those "ole cotton fields back home" and Jo Emma you are right--imagine working that hard all day and getting .03 per lb--glad none of us are there now! Sure was fun riding the cotton trailer on the road to the gin under a clear sky filled with stars--so many reaching down so far it seemed you could reach out and touch them. Oh the good old days!

Name: Mark Stockton
Home Town: portageville
Subject: mother
Date: Tuesday, January 24, 2006
Time: 04:40 AM

Comments:

Just wanted to say thanks for the cards and calls from the Parma people in my families time of sorrow. The death of my mother and old Parma resident from past. Jackie Stockton. stockton@brick.net

Name: Randall Ramsey
Home Town: Parma
Subject: Pickin Cotton
Date: Monday, January 23, 2006
Time: 03:36 PM

Comments:

Tommy--I am sure I picked more than 454 lbs but I can't remember the exact amount. I will check with Charles Wayne Ward since he trailed behind me all day.

Name: JoEmma (Greenwood) Morgan
Home Town: Nashville, TN
Subject: Tommy's air show
Date: Monday, January 23, 2006
Time: 08:14 AM

Comments:

Tommy,

It was pointed out to me by my brother Johnny, that I misread your message. I thought you said If Mr. Bagby was going to be there you would put on an air show....well, now I hope he will not be there. I cannot imagine anyone being able to pick 454 lbs. of cotton in one day. Would love to hear the story. Just think all of that work for under $15.00. Do you remember what you were paid a pound? As an ole cotton picker I am very impressed... Hey Donald, 350 lbs. was a good days work. Would like to hear your story too.

JoEmma

Name: Don Chappell
Home Town: Jefferson, Ga.
Subject: Cotton pickers
Date: Friday, January 20, 2006
Time: 12:43 PM

Comments:

Tommy, as I recall, Freida Belford, Loren Belford and I picked a thousand pounds in one day. (300.350,350), This was early morning with dew on the cotten till dark.

Of course, as I get older, these numbers may increase.

I would really like to see a good air show.

Don Chappell

Name: jTommy Love
Home Town: Dexter, Mo.
Subject: Cotton Pickin'
Date: Friday, January 20, 2006
Time: 10:32 AM

Comments:

Alice and Jo Emma, I know you don't believe it, but it was me who picked 454 lbs. of cotton. It was in Oct. of 1956. And believe it or not, I got beat by Jr. Bond that day, I think he picked around 470. Its a good story, will tell you about it the next time we meet.

Name: Alice Ward Bailey
Home Town: Annandale, Virginia
Subject: picking cotton
Date: Thursday, January 19, 2006
Time: 07:55 PM

Comments:

Tommy Love, just who ever picked that much cotton in ONE day??? Would love to see the Air show but alas, I can't make it this time! Have a good one!!!! Alice Ward Bailey

Name: William Jeffery
Home Town: London, Kingdom
Subject: I have been impressed!
Date: Thursday, January 19, 2006
Time: 11:35 AM

Comments:

This is one of the most informative websites I have been to in a long while. Please keep up the good work!

Name: JoEmma (Greenwood) Morgan
Home Town: parma
Subject: Picking Cotton
Date: Thursday, January 19, 2006
Time: 07:38 AM

Comments:

Tommy, who picked 454 lbs. of cotton in one day??? Sorry to say but 200 was tops for me, and I had to work hard all day long. I would also like to say thanks to all who work so hard to have the 4th. of July event for us. I love it too. I hope Mr. Bagby will be there next year so we can all enjoy the Tommy Love airshow.

JoEmma

Name: Tommy Love /tomandcarmen@battleswireless.com
Home Town: Dexter, Mo. 63841.
Subject: Air Show, etc
Date: Tuesday, January 17, 2006
Time: 01:10 AM

Comments:

Let me know if Mr. Bagby , the FAA inspector is going to be at the next homecoming. If he is not going to be present , I will put on an airshow like you have never seen before. Thanks to all of you who work so hard to make this event possible. We love it.

Trying to find out who is the best cotton-picker to ever graduate from Parma, can anyone top 454 lbs. in one day?

Name: Carla
Home Town: Columbia, Missouri
Subject: Lan Edwards?
Date: Tuesday, January 10, 2006
Time: 01:54 PM

Comments:

I was wondered if anyone remembers my dad. Lan Edwards. He lived in Parma until he was eighteen and then move up north. If anyone has any stories they would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Name: Roland Dechaine
Home Town: Beverly Hills
Subject: Love your Town
Date: Thursday, January 05, 2006
Time: 12:55 PM

Comments:

I spent two wonderful weeks in Parma Last year and am looking for the person I met and had such a great time with. "Remember the apple tree"?????

Contact me at RolandDechaine@hotmail.com

Name: Mike Hambrick
Home Town: Biggers, Arkansas
Subject: Contact Friends
Date: Sunday, January 01, 2006
Time: 03:49 PM

Comments:

I am trying to locate a couple of close friends that lived in Parma the last I heard from them. Their names are Jimmy and Harold Lawerance. They can contact me at Swifty032863@hotmail.com. This is a very nice website, you guys keep up the good work!!!