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Welcome to The City of Parma Web Site. All friends of Parma are invited to post a message in our public Guest Book. We are very interested to know if you attended school at Parma. And if you are a graduate of the Parma High School, please also tell us the year you graduated. Let's have fun, but remember to keep it clean and free of flaming. Guest Book Archives: 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 Name: Dick Ramsey Comments: To the people who did the work to put the weekend together, you did a GREAT job! For those who visit and haven't seen it, there is some very interesting material in the history room at the community center. I think every Parma native will see something that brings back memories. Congratulations to Smokey and Wayne on well deserved recognition. I hope to see more contemporaries next year. Name: Paul D. Ford Comments: Hey, Cluaudia Name: M. A. Hart Comments: Congratulations Wayne for receiving the plaque as honorary host for the 2010 Down Home Days in Parma, MO. It is always great to attend each year. M. A. Hart Name: Wayne McKenzie Comments: During the Parma Down Home Days of 2010 I received a beautiful plaque as honorary host. I am very proud of the the Plaque, I feel very highly honored and I wish to thank everyone. Name: Jim Smith Comments: I was about 10 on the Saturday night Hughey Kitchens was killed. My memory of some of the details of the shooting could be inaccurate. Having said that, I recall that he was shot one Saturday night by the owner of a restaurant located next to the Parma theater. Kitchens, I was told, was attempting to arrest the son of the restaurant owner who had gone into the restaurant to allegedly advoid arrest. Kitchens followed him inside the premises and proceeded to arrest the son. The father became involved and subsequently shot Mr. Kitchens. (I do not know who the name of the restaurant owner.) If my memory is correct, Mr. Kitchens was hired by the City to replace Ms. Maggie Porter who had assumed the roll of Marshall after her father, who had been our Marshall, was killed. By whom, I do not know. As I have indicated, I was just a boy at the time and relied on adult conversation. Name: OTIS GOODWIN Comments: I AM LOOKING FORWARD IN COMING HOME TO PARMA THIS YEAR FOR "DOWN HOME DAYS" WITH MY WIFE ANN, ONE OF MY DAUGHTERS, JUDY AND MY SON-IN-LAW BOB. I GRADUATED FROM PARMA HIGH SCHOOL IN 1934. MY CONTACT INFORMATION IS annabelll@charter.net. Name: claudia garrison (cagle) Comments: HI CLASS OF 1974,CLAUDIA HERE I LIVE IN GODFREY IL. MARRIED 30 YEARS,3 CHILDREN,3 GRANDKIDS. I WORK FOR QUEST DIAGNOSTICS,AND SOME DAY HOPE TO HIT THE LOTTERY AND RETIRE.HOPE TO HEAR FROM SOME OF THE OLD GANG. THANKS CLAUDIA AKA BIRD Name: e, alberson Comments: I remember the killing of Hughey Kitchens and wasnt another marshall named Tom Womack also gunned down around the the same time? Name: Dick Ramsey Comments: I am attempting to get together as many as possible of the greatest class Parma ever had. In the class are Sandra Anderson, Rufus Barnes, Royce Bates, Tonja Beck, Joyce Biggs, Debra Brown, Claudia Cagle, Kevin Cagle, Denise Cooper, Dawna Denson, Paul Ford, Raydell Higgins, Earl Hill, Herbert Hill, Betty Johnson, Greg Johnson, Minnie Johnson, Don Kirk, Reatha Lewis, Steve Lewis, Elaine Nunn, Rolly Perkins, Roy Perkins, Larry Pride, Charles Ross, Lessie Scott, Venetter Thatch, Mike Walker, Rhonda Whitaker, Carl Wright, Dale Hardin, Brenda Smith, Landall Carter and me. If you know any of these people, please alert them. I can be contacted at rich@rqrconsulting.com. I look forward to seeing everyone at Down Home Days. Name: Loren Belford Comments: Bill Tom Knight really loved Parma and the last conversation I had with him was about how Parma influnced our lives later in life. One thing that we agreed upon was the shocking murder of our Town Marshal when we were very young.So young in fact that we never understood why our classmate, Billy Kitchen's, father was killed in the early 40's. I remember being outside the Lucy Brothers store when the Kitchen uncle came up crying "they killed my brother"! Everyone was in shock and running around but I didn't understand what was going on. Is there anyone left that remembers that day and what happened? Was there an immediate arrest of the person who killed Marshall Kitchens, who did it, who arrested the killer, what happened to the killer, and was the killing over a poker game in the kitchen of the Blankenship house, which was the first house south of the rail road tracks in Parma. I would really love to jog the memory of anyone who lived in Parma at that time and rememers this event. Name: Kim (Daniels) Hampton Comments: Steve, I saw your posting on here. I have wondered about you for many years. I have searched the internet to try and find you several times...and came up empty handed. I am still in Parma. My husband owns/operates Mahan Gin. I run the gin office and I have been the city treasurer here for almost 19 years now. I would love to hear from you. My email address is: mahan@bpsnetworks.com I am also on facebook. I hope to hear from you soon. "Kimmy" LOL Name: Ann Lindsey Ogl Comments: Ron & I plan on being there. Name: evelyn nunn alberson Comments: planto attend the picnic. sure hope i see someone i once knew or from class 1948 if theres anyone left Name: Steve Mitchell Comments: Ann:I would enjoy hearing from you.I have lost your e-mail address somewhere along the way.I found this neat site about Parma and enjoy scrolling through and reading everyone's comments.I saw a picture of Thelma Husted and was flooded with memories.The real truth is that Thelma and Dr. Husted are founding fathers of Parma.They delivered many babies in their time.Please contact me at stevemitchell23@hotmail.com. Name: LEO E. MATTHEWS Comments: EYE'M REGISTERING FOR THE DOWNHOME DAYS WEEK-END. Name: Steve Turner Comments: I have several fond memories of Parma....I lived there during my high school years...I was one of the first graduates of NMCC..I went on to college, but my parents lived there until my dad passed in 1990. Donna Sapp gave me piano lessons and did her best to get me to stretch my chubby little fingers. Heaven help her! Anyway, I was in Parma on Christmas Day last year, and it was really good to see the town I remembered after 20 years...God bless everyone still there...and thanks for all the good high school memories! Name: Lou (Hickerson) Lay Comments: Thanks, George, for sharing the prayer given by the Kansas governor. It would be wonderful if alll state and federal congressionsl sessions were opened with such a prayer. Maybe it would be a step in bringing our country back to where our forefathers intended it to be. I enjoy viewing the Parma Web Site often. Name: STEVE STEWART Comments: WAY TO GO OSCAR . YOU HAVE ALLWAYS DONE A GOOD JOB FARMING . I STILL REMBER THE DAY THE WE TRYED TO SAVE THE COTTON IN THE DUST . IT ALL WENT BLACK BUT WE TRYED . WILL TRY TO GET HOME THIS YEAR . THE KIDS WOULD LIKE TO COME BACK ALSO . MAYBE WE WILL GET TO SEE EVERYONE TILL THEN . GOD BE WITH YOU . Name: Gordon Bennett Comments: Paul, I recently saw some of your postings here including the notification of the passing of your Father Willie Ford Jan of 2008 and was saddened to hear of his passing. Willie was also my Uncle as my Father Warren G Bennett was Willie's half Brother. I have just started working on my Ancestry and was looking for information on your Family. You can Email me @ wbennet5@san.rr.com, I would love to hear from you. Gordon Bennett Name: George Husted Comments: In January of 1996 when minister Joe Wright was asked to open the new sessions of the Kansas Senate, everyone was expecting the usual generalities, but this is what they heard: THE PRAYER Heavenly Father, we come before you today to ask Your forgiveness and to seek Your direction and guidance. We know Your Word says, "Woe to those who call evil good,," but that is exactly what we have done. We have lost our spiritual equilibrium and reversed our values. We confess: We have ridiculed the absolute truth of Your Word and called it Pluralism.
Search us, Oh God, and know our hearts today; cleanse us from every sin and set us free. Guide and bless these men and women who have been sent to direct us to the center of your will. I ask it in the Name of Your Son, the living Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen. The response was immediate. A number of legislators walked out during the prayer in protest. In six short weeks, Central Christian Church, where Rev. Wright is pastor, logged more than 5,000 phone calls with only 47 of those calls responding negatively. The church is now receiving international requests for copies of this prayer from India, Africa, and Korea. Commentator Paul Harvey aired this prayer on "The Rest of the Story" on the radio and received a larger response to this program than any other he has ever aired. With the Lord's help, may this prayer sweep over our nation and wholeheartedly become our desire so that we again can be called one nation under God. Name: Rachelle Whitaker Comments: My grandmother, Nelda Mills, and grandfather, Bryce Whitaker SR., came from Parma and I still have family living there. Name: Wayne Grovenor Comments: I was born in Parma in 1965 and I had family that lived in the area in the 60's and 70's. I am just trying to find out about my past. My grandfather worked for the railroad. His name was Eugene Grovero and my grandmother was Celestine Grovero. My mother was Irene Niswonger and I had an aunt and uncle Verl and Jewel Williams who lived near Parma, later moved to Catron, and finally to Lilbourn. Some of their childeren attended school at Parma. Other went on to NMCC when the school was built. I am just trying to find out as much about my past as I can. You may reach me by e-mail at waynegrovenor@rocketmail.com Name: Larry R. Edwards Comments: My family & I moved to Harrisburg, MO Dec 19, 1963 when I was 11 years old and I have lost touch with my old classmates. I would like to hear from anyone who would have graduated in 1970 to please email me at larryedwards5352@gmail.com and give me a list of names. I would love to touch base with them again. Name: Sue Parkman Comments: May God bless all our old friends and family this Holy Week of Easter 2010 and with our Nation in turmoil we need all the blessings we can get to survive the turmoil in our cities across this wonderful land United States of America. May we never forget the men and women who made our country a safe haven with freedoms not known in any other land. Support our troops where ever they are and pray for their safe return home. Name: Melinda Dawson Comments: Just wanted to see where my parents lived in 1960. Name: Ann Lindsey Ogle Comments: The Mitchells are my cousins - they speak of you often. I've not been to England - would love to visit there and meet each of you. Name: George Husted Comments: Hi Tracey! It's great to get word from England and be reminded that anyone around the world, with roots in Parma, can catch up on news from Parma. I have been to England three times and really like your transportation system. Much better than driving in the cities. Again, it's great to see your input. George Name: Tracy Daily-Jones (Mitchell) Comments: Although I live all the way in England I have strong links to Parma and have many happy memories of my visits there. My Grandma was Dorothy Mitchell, sadly no longer with us but watching over us. She was a cook at Parma school and played the organ at church on Sundays. Miss her very much. My Uncle Charles still lives in Parma, Aunt Sheila (now Carson) lives in Malden and Uncle Steve in Kentucky. All too far for my liking! Love them very much. Look forward to catching up with more news from Parma. Name: John Greenwood Comments: I am proud of Oscar, and happy to see him get this honor. I was 2 years ahead of Oscar in School, but a couple of things that I remember about him was that he was a great basketball player. We called him "Big O". But most of all I remember him as a genuine all-around nice Guy. Name: Diana ( Sapp) Coffer Comments: I am very proud of my cousin. He has worked hard all his life. Name: Tom & Sue Parkman Comments: Wow!!! What a pleasant surprise to be greeted by Oscar and Donna on the Parma
Web Page. Name: Ann Lindsey Ogle Comments: Congratulations Oscar and Donna on receiving the SWCD Conservation Farmer for 2010! We are so proud of you!! Name: George Husted Comments: I am really proud of Oscar. He certainly deserves this recognition. He is so active in the city, in the church, in community activities, in farmer's get together activities. Parma is very fortunate to have Oscar and his wife Donna as very active residents. And to top that, he certainly is a superb farmer! Name: evelyn nunn alberson Comments: I knew Sylvia morgan, was her clasmate for 3 yrs. very pretty blonde!! also knew rod but not as well seems like most of class of 48 are gone. Name: Sharon Hansen Comments: My dad was Rod Chamberlain and mother was Sylvia Chamberlain (Morgan). Both have passed away, but my stepmother Sherley Chamberlain lives in Dexter.I now live in Southern California. Hope to visit Parma next year - 2011 with my cousin Ginger who also lived in Parma for awhile. Name: michael d. kerr Comments: my grandfather & father were born in parma. I still have an aunt & uncle that live in town that we are very close to. my wife & I come down to vist about once a year. Name: JAMES THOMAS Comments: YOU WILL ALWAYS BE THE PLACE THAT I CALL HOME Name: Loren Belford Comments: Hello Ginger Ashley. Regarding your inquiry about the orgin of Down Home Days ,you should make an inquiry with Larry Gee about this. I think he is the guy who did it but success has many fathers. One thing is for sure, people love this opportunity to get together again in their beloved Parma. Name: Ann Lindsey Ogle Comments: I'm not sure of the date, but I believe Shaw Aycock was the one who originated it. Each year is always a special treat - I hope it continues forever. Name: Ginger Ashley Comments: I just read Sue's comments on the first July reunion event and was wondering what year it started? I think it was early 80's but am not exactly sure. It is great to visit with those who choose to return. The ones that never come are missing a treat!! Name: bruce bowen Comments: # 573 568 3286 Name: Tom and Sue Parkman Comments: HAPPY NEW YEAR PARMA FAMILY AND FRIENDS!! It is a beautiful New Years day in Northern Illinois even though the temperature has risen to 5* this evening and we have several feet of snow banked up beside our driveway. I think God is trying to make sure Tom gets his exercise this winter so he will be in shape for summer traveling to Home Town Days. I was sorting and pitching today and found our notes concerning the first Home Town Days which started out to be a Reunion of the Parma Jets Baseball team of the 50's. Little did we know then how it would turn into an annual celebration that would bring familes together year after year to sit in the sun and talk about all the things that brought us happiness in the " Good Ole Days". I hope that everyone is already making plans to return this year but if you haven't started thinking that far ahead maybe my note will encourage you to do just that. I hope so, as I was unable to attend last year and I was sad the whole day knowing what I was missing. I will be checking back from time to time so I will have some idea how the plans are coming along. Mayor Ramsey and his crew do a great job with all that goes into making us feel welcome plus I know there are many others that work very hard too. Just can't say enough about all you guys and gals that put all this together. We love and appreciate your hard work. It shows with the end product. Blessings to all in Twenty Ten. Name: George Husted (Jerry) Comments: Sidney and I want to wish all of you a very happy new Year and many, many more. things are going very well here in our home town. Name: Martha Hall McElroy Comments: My dear sister, Jane, and I visited Parma the week of Dec. 15. We met some really nice folks and wanted to give them a "shout out". The ladies in the insurance office at the funeral home...not only did they go beyond to help us, they sent us down the street to visit with "Ole Wayne" McKenzie. Never met a nicer man...he took us to show us the house where Grandmother Hall lived...it has been renovated since she lived there but it is still somewhat similar, though the yard is quite messy. If anyone wants to contact me with information for our ancestry search, my email address is flower.2@comcast.net. Thanks very much for the hospitality. Best wishes for the New Year. Name: George (Jerry) Husted Comments: We are enjoying some of our children and grandchildren this Christmas. What a joy!! ANd have received so many blessings from all of our Children and grandchildren. It is so good to be able to live in "my home town, Parma". With 36 years active duty in the Air Force and U.S. Navy, what a joy to be able to enjoy retirement in my Home Town. Again, Merry Christmas and a wonderful and prosperous New Year. George & Sidney Name: Diana (Sapp) Coffer Comments: Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Name: Dennis Teel Comments: I was born in Essex but I spent several summers visiting my grandparents in Parma. Harvey Dunn pastored the Assembly of God Church and 2 blocks away Wesley Teel my other grandfather. I have fond memories of Parma and that time period. The memories are short on dates and names. I remember the 6cent flavored sodas at the general store. Does anyone remember when the Parma Hardware had a phone number of 31? Would love to hear from anyone who remembers my grandparents. My email is sales@furnesscontrols.com. Name: Tina Robison Anderson Comments: I have found many of my childhood friends from Parma but am still looking for one person...Her name was Wendy Marie Jones...her parents were Sonny and Jeanette Jones..they moved to Michigan in the mid 80s and I'd sure like to find her if anyone has any info or knows anyone who is related to them...God bless and prayers to all...tina Name: Tom & Sue Parkman Comments: Just learned of the death of a dear friend and mentor, Camille Newingham of Risco, Mo. I was not related specifically to her but her husband's brother was married to my cousin. However that is not where she influenced me the most. She was a godly example in every aspect of her life. She remained lucid and wise even in her last years of life and we shared many hours laughing and reliving our pasts in various paths in various towns. If I could choose a person to emulate it would be Camile. Dear friend you are loved by many and respected by all. Farewell and May Your Crowns Be Many. Our Worthy Grand Matron has left the building but her legacy lives on. Name: Rommie (Allen) Smith Comments: I am looking for an address or phone number for Pete or Paul Pflueger. IM pretty sure they lived there around Parma. Please help. Icdman@hotmail.com Name: Diana (SApp) Coffer Comments: To everyone in Parma have a Happy Thanksgiving. Name: Martha Hall McElroy Comments: My grandmother, Rosa Barham Hall, was the post mistress and I have a very old photo of her standing in front of the Post Office. She was born in 1884 in Bloomfield. In December, my sister and I are planning to visit Parma to see her home place and to visit the gravesites in the Bloomfield Cemetery. The last time I was in Parma was for Grandmother's funeral in 1969. Thank you for allowing me to post this message. Name: Tom and Sue Parkman Name: Paul Ford Name: Tom and Sue Parkman Comments: I was saddened to learn of the recent deaths of my long time friends Joe Cunningham, Irma Jean Brannon Mayo, and Cheryl Ramsey. Parma will have to look long and hard to find replacements for their longstanding residences there. I realize Irma was living away but I know her heart remained in her old stomping grounds of PHS. They will be missed for many years to come and never forgotten by those of us who spent many days walking and talking with them throughout our past. I recently visited Parma and enjoyed reflecting on many things while there that had meant so much to me. Folks don't let Parma die a death of neglect. Pull up your boots and start making a pretty, clean town out of the ashes of destruction that has befallen you. With every family working on their own property, then joining neighbors to help the helpless Parma could shine again in no time. Take a look around and take pride in your town that those of us who trek back to visit you can be proud to say I lived here too. It is possible and you can do it if you don't get discouraged and throw in the towel. Why do you think all the many people show up for the 4th of July Celebration? There was once a lot of love and caring for each other when we used to live there. We still care about each other and all of you too. Do it for yourselves so you can take pride in your community. Our world is getting hard hearted but we can't let that happen in Parma Missouri. You are good people that have just gotten discouraged. Have a Clean Up Parma Rally and just see what you can accomplish and keep looking to the future and forget past grudges or whatever is hindering your growth. We oldies know how hard it is down there but you are all capable of doing more as individuals and as a neighborhood watch group as well. Don't let your selves down and don't let the community as a whole down either. We out here in other states are praying for you to get back on your feet and make the town shine again. We are pulling for you and will return every opportunity we can for as long as we are physically able. We Love Parma People and want you to love yourselves as well. Don't give up -----clean up and shine. I will be waiting to hear the news. God Blessings on You. Tom and Sue Name: Jim & Carolyn Lovett Comments: A somewhat belated "Thank You" to all who work each year to make the 4th of July picnic possible. It is always a thrill to reconnect with the wonderful people we met during the years we lived and worked in Parma. Name: Mary Sue Brown Diamond Comments: The poem you read at the community house on Friday night was extremely touching. The Cunningham's are related to us. My grandmother raised Nadine Cunningham Ross after her mother died when she was thrown by a horse. My grandmother was Lizzy O'Neal Cunningham Lee. I would like to have a copy of the poem. My email address is msdiamond23@bellsouth.net. Name: Mary Sue Brown Diamond Comments: Mack, I have some annuals for '49, '50, and '51. Please send me you email address so we can talk about it. msdiamond23@bellsouth.net Name: Clay Richardson Comments: Hi, Earnest - birth 1944, death 1995. Name: Jean Cravens Comments: Carol and I became friends when we worked together. She was a very sweet person. She and another friend took me out for my 50th birthday. They had a very pretty bag with pink tissue paper and I thought it must be a nice gift and it had a can of wd 40 in it. lol We all got a kick out of that. Name: Diana Sapp Coffer Comments: Carol and I was in the same grade together. We grew up together. Paul is right the people you grew up with is very special for the rest of your life. Daryl and family I am so sorry for your loss. You are in my prays. God Bless You Name: Paul Ford Comments: I just want to extend my sincere condolences to the Ramsey family for their loss. Carol was always a good friend and a very sweet person. Although, I hadn't seen her in many years I will miss her. The people we grew up with and shared young youthful events with are just more special than friends we make later in life. So Carol was what I considered one of my speical friends. God bless all of you in this time of grief. Name: Walton Wilson Comments: M.A. Hart--Thank you so much for your response to my inquiry about Walker
School. When I found this website a few years back, I went back and read all the
Guest Book Archives and didn't see one mention of Walker. Of course it was in a
different county. If it isn't too much trouble, I would love to have a copy of
the picture and would be glad to pay any expenses incurred. My mailing addr is: Name: D.W. Comments: I see a couple of people here are related to Thomas C. KNIGHT. I thought I'd ask if anyone was related to a Martha KNIGHT who married John MARTIN and lived in Risco in the 1890's. At least some of their children were (I don't know b. order) Alfred, Bentz, Prudence, Ella, John and Effie. I don't know if Martha and Thomas C. KNIGHT are related, but you never know. My email address is writedw@gmail.com. I'd welcome any suggestions. Happy hunting everyone! :) Name: M. A. Hart Comments: Walton Wilson, I saw your post on the Parma Web site inquiring about the old Walker School located north of Parma in Stoddard County. I started to school there in 1934 & later that year we moved four miles north of Catron & I attended the old Kendall School in New Madrid County untill the 6th grade. The teacher was Mr. Howard Miller at Walker & he lived close to the Hills Store located on north from the School. We lived a short distant south of the School then east about a quarter of a mile. I do have a zerox copy of a picture of the old school & willing to share a copy with you, if you will send me your mailing address. Under the picture it says: Walker School - Twp 24 Rge 11 * District 108. First Name: Linnerman. Consolidated with Parma in 1949. Name: Walton Wilson Comments: Just wondering if anyone remembers the old Walker school over the line in Stoddard county. My family moved to the area in 1949 when I was about 7 yrs old. The little farm we bought was about a mile or 2 south of Hill Store. There was a one room school adjoining our place. I think I went there for about a year before transfering to Parma. In the next couple years, the school was closed and I think torn down. There was a partition down the middle of the building separating grades 1-4 and 5-8. We even had a little kitchen where our meals were cooked and we just ate at our desks. We moved from the area to Arkansas when I was in the 9th grade, but I have a lot of fond memories of the area. Name: Rhonda Edwards (Bean) Comments: I would just like to say thank you to the man who passed my telephone number onto my Aunt Lois. I really appreciate what you did. I was so happy to hear from her today. It's great to see that there are still wonderful people in the world who care about others. Once again, thank you and have a wonderful night! Rhonda Name: tosco Comments: ciao da www.tosco.it Name: Rhonda Edwards (Bean) Comments: If anyone has any info on my family or if my family members come across this message I would love to hear from you. My email is larry-rhonda@hotmail.com and my phone number is 407-952-4619. I hope to hear a response from someone soon. My Aunt Lois and Uncle Danny Cravens along with their children Ricky Cravens and Dennis Cravens and Thomas Cravens along with some sisters that they have, Rita, Lisa, Francis and Sandy and I have no idea what there last names are now. Thank you, Rhonda Name: Rhonda Edwards (Bean) Comments: I haven't been to Parma for many years. last time I was there I was only 16. Every summer my family would come to visit my Granny and Aunt Lois and her family, along with Aunt Ruby and Uncle Bill in Malden. As for myself I have alot of fond memories in that little town. I believe that they should not tear anything down, the funds should be there to restore all those buildings and to make Parma the happy place that it was when I came to visit from Michigan every year. I hope everyone is doing well these days. Have a wonderful day! Rhonda (Bean) Edwards Name: Mary Sue Brown Diamond Comments: Pauletta passed on Wednesday @ 12:00 p.m. The visitation and funeral will be in Rolla, MO on Friday and Saturday, respectively. Burial will be in Malden on Saturday afternoon. Name: Tom & Sue Parkman Comments: Dear Friends and Classmates, Just read the various opinions on tearing down Parma business district and it is a painful thought for many of us whose families were born and reared there. However the nation is in such a depression there is not going to be a barrel of money for restoration from the sound of things. It would be nice if some of them could be saved and turned into tax producing businesses eventually. The big thing here in Illinois is antique stores, resale shops, arts and crafts, flea markets, bed and breakfast homes for tourists. Some places show films of their community from the past and how it grew. Some have tours of old homes that were landmarks of the past, and charge a small fee for the tours. They list the places in the state magazine of places to see in New Madrid County. We always pick up those mags when we travel out of state and plan our trips accordingly. Every time we return to Parma we drive around to see all the houses we have lived in. I have lived in every section of Parma from birth to our departure in 1966. Some of the houses I lived in are no longer standing but some are and they hold many memories that come alive each time I return. I have memories of the old post office and Rosa Hall giving me my parents mail and cautioning me about not losing it. I remember the smell of Kings Store, Boaz Five and Dime store, Gardner's Drug Store, Lucy Brothers, John Young's Barber Shop, Old Parma Theater, Hole in the Wall hang out, Brown's Pool Hall, Ramsey Hardware and Implement...I was there when it was being built and the blue tile was so beautiful that Randall and I picked up chips of it to play with at home. I remember all this and much more but the younger people today have not had much to look back on there other than their homes and commuting to another town to attend school with kids from other towns that were all robbed of the good times of growing up in a small town that loved them enough to provide a place to remember for a lifetime. So I can understand how they don't care if the old buildings are torn down to them that is all they are and in the best interest of their future maybe they deserve some new buildings and a new interest in a home town that cares enough to change the image of death and dying. I will always love what Parma was to me in my heart but if I lived there now I would be depressed . However I would do my best to try to save any building that could be rehabbed and made into a place for young people to have a safe and happy hang out and find some tenants who were willing to invest in building memories for the youth. It would pay dividends in the end and they would want to come back year after year to eat barbeque with their friends like those of us born in the 20's 30's...40's....50's. Respectfully Submitted, Name: Mary Sue Brown Diamond Comments: Thanks to all who participated in making July 3-4, 2009 another memorable weekend in Parma. Friday night, the Community Center was beautifully decorated with a patriotic theme. Our parents taught us patriotism, to respect veterans and honor our leaders, so it was touching to see all the patriotic decorations. The Friday night snacks were enjoyable. The Cunningham's presentation was an interesting view of their family and Parma and the poem read was a real tear-jerking treat. The BBQ on Saturday was delicious, from what I understand Tommy Daniels is due congratulations on that. The Class of '59 had their graduation 50 years ago. We had a good showing, I believe there were 29 persons attending the gathering. All activities were a blessing to me. I didn't think I would live this long. Name: Mary Sue Brown Diamond Comments: Yes, Loren, there are Federal and State Agencies to assist with the restoration/preservation of Parma. I am TOTALLY AGAINST destroying the landmarks that make Parma, Parma. If the landmarks are removed there will never be any way of getting assistance for renovation of the buildings from the National Register of Historic Places, there will be no possible way to get assistance from any other federal agency to put Parma, so to speak, back on the map, there will not be any way to honor the places visited by veterans who walked the streets; no way to recognize that Harry Truman walked the streets of Parma when he was running for Senator. When it comes to restoring/renovating/preserving historic buildings, it is my understanding from having worked in the field when I was employed by the Federal Government, an environmental engineer and persons trained in the field of historical preservation should be consulted. There is a lot of history in the buildings and around the central intersection in Parma. Has everybody forgotten about the presentation my sister, Arva Lee Brown Kerr, made at the Friday Night Community Center in 2006 about the history in Parma? Why don't we look at recovering the history of Parma and retaining it instead of tearing down the buildings; everybody putting their head together to assemble the history. Look at the pictures hanging on the wall of the community room in the Community Center presented to the City of Parma by the Brown family. Once places of history are destroyed, they can not be replicated and get federal assistance. Had the depot not been destroyed, it would have SIMPLY been a matter of paper work in getting it put on the National Register after having recently obtained the names of all the soldiers who served from Parma and left town via the depot. Big mistake! If Parma is destroyed, particularly down town, WHO WOULD WANT TO GET MARRIED THERE? Who would stop toff 153 o drive through the town to look at the buildings and old beautiful houses if the center of it is "a pleasant landscape"? Doesn't anybody have time to look at the National Register on the internet and other federal agencies who provide financial assistance to small towns in America? In the past three years since I first heard of this horrible idea "to tear down the "guts" of Parma and build "a pleasant landscape", I have moved four times. In the past one and a half years, Arva Lee and Pauletta have been extremely sick. I have made many trips to provide caretaking to them because I am the youngest child in the family. Arva Lee who lived in Jacksonville, FL passed on July 8, 2009; my husband and I were in St. Louis providing assistance to Pauletta when we were notified of Arva Lee's passing. Pauletta has been in the hospital since April 8, 2009. I have made three trips to MO to help her since April. She is not expected to live much longer. Can't somebody do some research and see what kinds of assistance there are for "small town America"? This should, in my opinion, be a group effort to SAVE Parma, not destroy it. PLEASE PLEASE DO NOT DESTROY, PLEASE ATTEMPT TO PRESERVE. Don't let Parma die!!! Please make your voices be heard to Mayor Ramsey which ever way you choose! If the majority is passive and doesn't want it preserved, so be it. Mary Sue Brown Diamond Name: Loren Belford Comments: Could the partially collapsed buildings in Parma be considered a fire hazard and threat to the safety of Parma residents? Would it be possible to have these buildings condemned and then torn down in the interest of public safety? Are there funds available from the Federal or State government for such a project? It would create a lot of problems if one of the buildings collapsed and injured someone in the downtown area. What would happen if someone was injured by a fire in the buildings or one of the Parma volunteers was injured fighting such a blaze. In addition to this the experience of visiting Parma again would be greatly enhanced if these eyesores were not longer there. Name: Karen Breen Comments: Great Website! Name: Bob Fanucci Comments: Well spoke Dede. Wish I could have been there. My love to the family. Name: Floura (Thomas) Myers Comments: I graduated from NMCC in 1985. I have lived in many places but I always come back to Parma Name: DeDe Cunningham Riddle Comments: Wanted to say thank you to the City of Parma and the many volunteers who make Homecoming Days a huge success. I can see from the faces of all those whom attend they are glad to be "home" again and enjoy reminiscing about the "good ole days". Parma has always been and will always be my hometown. I have many great memories of growing up in a place where I felt secure, befriended, loved and encouraged to just be me. I wish to once again sincerely thank each and everyone of you who attended and took part in the recognition of the Cunningham family on Friday night, July 3rd. I felt it was truly an honor and I know how much it meant to Arch, Bill, Bud, Jack and Blanch. Although Lillian, Normalene and Joe could not be there, I know if they could have been, they would have also felt honored for the recognition bestowed upon their namesake by their "hometown". Parma--There's no place like home!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Name: Ann Lindsey Ogle Comments: It was great visiting with everyone. Ron and I have been attending for several years, he has become an "honorary" Parma resident and enjoys meeting everyone too! Thanks to everyone for their efforts with the community center and picnic. As always Tommy's BBQ was outstanding. See you next year!! Ann Name: Delano Brown Comments: Arva Lee Brown Kerr, passes away at her home in Jacksonville. If anyone wants to send cards. the address is 635 Hammond Blvd. Jacksonville,Fl.32221 Name: Alice Ward Bailey Comments: Just a huge Thank you to all of those who worked to make the "downhome days" happen. I know there is a lot of work and effort to pull it all together. Friday night was great and the room looked very nice--patriotic, as it should for July 4th! Thanks for everything--my husband and I were happy to be there and enjoyed seeing so many people from my past Alice Ward Bailey Name: LEO E. MATTHEWS Comments: RAY AND JOY, Name: Marla Blankenship Comments: Thanks to everyone who worked so hard to make this weekend such a enjoyable time for everyone. The decorations at the community building was wonderful. Thanks to everyone involved. Just wanted everyone to know how much it is appreciated. Name: Wayne Gamble/Ada Hull Gamble Comments: Your aunt Ada can be contacted at <gambles@sbcglobal.net> Name: JIM BROWN Comments: LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING EVERYONE ONE MORE TIME THIS YEAR AND HOPEFULLY MANY MORE YEARS TO COME. Name: Doyle Overfield Comments: My wife and I, along with my brother Bill abd his wife will be there for the celebrations this year. Name: Sue Rodgers Parkman Comments: Dear Smokey & Picnic Committee, To those of you who are coming, Thank You for your continued support of this annual event that keeps us all connected to our roots. Love and Prayers for a great day. Sue Name: LEO (SHINE) MATTHEWS Comments: RAY AND JOY, WE WOULD LOVE TO ADD SOME MORE NAMES TO THE VETERAN LIST. leomatthews@sbcglobal.net Name: Raymond & Joy (Young) Corlew Comments: Have enjoyed looking at the website and seeing familiar names. We regret we won't be with you all on the 4th, but wish you well. We would like to find out how to list Ray as one of Parma's Army veterans. He served from 1963 to 1966. Also, Ray's cousin, Glenwood Corlew, was a 20 year Air Force veteran. Glenwood was born and raised in Parma also. Wishing you all the best. Name: Margaret Rodgers Melton Comments: I will not be attending the 2009 celebration. I would like to say hi to all my friends, classmates and especially the class of 1959. We had some wonderful times back then. Wishing all a safe trip during this 4th of July celebration wherever you might be. Sincerely, Margaret Melton Name: Lou (Hickerson) Lay Comments: I won't be able to come to Down Home Days; however, my thoghts will be with
you all that day. Have a great day!!!! Name: Ginger Douglass Ashley Comments: The class of 1959 is having our 50th Reunion at the Parma Community Bldg. the night of July 4th. We would welcome anyone who would like to come and visit with us after the dinner around 7:30. We look forward to seeing you. Name: Sue Parkman Comments: Anyone wishing to send condolences to the family of Bobbie Ballard Becorest who past away early Sunday morning may do so at the following web site. RockfordRegisterStar.org and click on Obituaries. Bobbie was a Parma High School graduate and avid supporter of the Home Town Days. I believe she had never missed coming until last year when her health issues overcame her. She had attended the year before, coming directly from the hospital and arriving just like she was fit as a fiddle. Never complaining about anything and smiling from ear to ear when she saw her friends from high school. Bobbie was a talented lady and her piano skills were always in demand. I think it is ironic that one of the most favorite songs she played was called The Blood and with her illness so closely related to that we will never forget her when we hear that song. Pray for her family and church family as she is leaving a big void in their hearts that only God can fill in the days ahead. Tom and Sue Parkman Name: Tom and Sue Parkman Comments: Bobbie went to be with the Lord this morning after a long battle. We miss her already. Her greatest delight was attending the July 4th Celebration each year and seeing all her many friends. I will re-post when I get the details of her arrangements. Bobbie was a good friend to many and her laugh would brighten the dullest day. Pray for her family and friends as they work through their loss. Name: Jim and Patty Timmer Comments: Have enjoyed looking at the website and reading the post. Although Parma was never our hometown, and we never went to school there, we did enjoy living there from 1989 to 1995 and being a part of the community. We are looking forward to the Picnic on 4th of July, seeing old friends again. Name: Mary Helen Lichtenegger Peters Duggar (Ruby Knight's daughter) Comments: My daughter found relatives looking for info about my grandfather, Thomas Knight, who had a funeral home there. Please feel free to contact me at mhpduggar@gmail.com. Name: Jim Allen Comments: This is to inform the people of Parma of the death of my sister Alta Allen Walls. She was born in Parma the daughter of Olcy (Bigboy) and Vera (Bea) Allen. She died on April 21,2009. She was a big supporter of the Down Home days and always looked forward to coming back. Jim Allen Name: mack lawrence Comments: like to find a copy of a year book 1949 0r thru 1951 Name: Tim Novic Comments: I enjoyed surfing your website and felt the urge to write a line in your
guestbook. -Tim.novic@gmail.com Name: Gregory Thatch, USAF, Ret Comments: Hello, I grew up in Parma and moved to St. Louis and back later in high school. I started elementary school there before we moved but came back and went to high school at New Madrid County Central and Malden High. Parma was a great place growing up and I'll never forget all the good people there. It's kind of mindblowing to see some of the places that people from Parma are living now. Seem like we've done alright for such a small town. Anyway, this is a great site. Keep up the good work Name: mike bowen Comments: Just wanted to say hello and i sure miss that wonderful little town of Parma. I was down in Malden back in January when my dad (James Bowen) passed away. Didnt have time to visit that great little town but i got some vacation time coming to me in April and i will be stopping by. Any old friends who remember me give me a call and we'll get together and catch up on old times. Give me a CALL AT 636-586-2677 Look forward to hearing from you. Later. Name: Paul Ford Comments: Well I'm here to tell you New York is BIG. You could put Parma in the basement of just one building and have room for Risco. Name: Tom & Sue Parkman Comments: Hello friends, Tom and I were in town recently but only found our friend Smokey Johnson and a crop dusting plane behind the school house. We were saddened by the falling roof on the northwest down town buildings. I assume it was due to the ice storm plus the decay of many years. I know it isn't possible financially to restore the town but it sure is sad to see it fall. Our grandchildren photographed each one last summer when they came for Home Town Days. They were interested to hear what used to be in each and saddened for our memories being all that was left. Once our generation leaves at least they have heard and seen the evidence of our existence "once upon a time when we were young". Thanks to FEMA for coming to your rescue and hopefully business as usual will resume soon. See you July 4th and plan to help out anyway we can while there. Name: George Husted, CDR, USN, Ret. Comments: Hi Milt, Don't feel that you are so far from our fair town of Parma, Missouri. One of the Colorado Springs Police Officers, has relatives in Parma; US! Dave Husted, our youngest Son and his family live there. Best regards, George I recommend your coming to one of the "Down Home Days" when 400 - 600 people each year from many of the various parts of the USA come here to visit!!! Name: Milt Woodham Comments: I'm impressed that people from our little corner of the world have spread so far afield. I was part of the 1953 PHS class, but have been unable to get back for any of the reunions. Name: Ginger Ashley Comments: We are working on the 50th class reunion for class of 1959. We are trying to locate several class members. We are trying to find Dewayne Davis, also the Walker twins Sarah and Betty. If anyone can help us locate these people, please let us know. Thanks. Name: Mike Bowen Comments: Just wanted to say hey to all my old classmates and neighbors from that good
old town of Parmee Happily married to my wonderful wife of 21 yrs and proud
Grandparents of three beautiful granddaughters, Sierra,Savannah and Dani Lynn. Name: geraldinelawrencebrackney Comments: I would like to say hello to everyone.Big Boy and I are doing great.He has 2 beautiful children Chandler 10 and Sailor 7. They are my pride and joy. We love Kansas. I know everyone is glad to have power. We went through that last december and in the spring during tornado season.Generators are worth everything they cost. Name: George Husted, CDR, USN, Ret. Comments: We finally got power this afternoon. We had to toss about 2-300 Bucks worth of stuff from our freezer. We are seriously looking forward to purchasing a power unit for our home before next winter. The Parma Fire Department has been feeding quite a lot of people and bedding down some too. Those people are our real heroes. So many people had no food nor a way to prepare it if they had some. Also, many were without heat and hot water since Parma was without electricity for nearly a week. A real "ATTABOY" for our Parma Fire Department. Name: Rhonda Edwards (Bean) Comments: I do hope all of you are safe and that your power comes back on soon. I live in Florida and it has been over 20 years since I have been in that kind of weather. I feel so bad for all of you. Have a great day. Rhonda Name: Bill Rainey Comments: Just talked to my mother and brother. Nelvia Rainey and Mckinley Rainey. We wish everyone well in your time with no power Name: Paul Ford Comments: Well I hope everyone is hanging in there with all the power outage. We down in north east ark are slowly getting power back. Ours came on around 2:00 pm this afternoon. I can tell you I really appreciate electricity. I understand it is really bad around Malden and Parma and Kennett as well. We really appreciate all the power crews and team members that have traveled many miles to come help put us back in the warm. I hope everyone will be patient and be kind during this time of concern. I hope everyone does well and comes through this ok. Name: Mark Armstrong Comments: I remember visiting family in Parma as a child. Now doing some genealogy research looking for anyone that has info on James or lavettia Armstrong? Thanks, And God Bless Mark Armstrong markwaynearmstrong@yahoo.com Name: Tom & Sue Parkman Comments: Having been neighbors to Melba's family for several years and Joy Ann a childhood play mate of our daughter Ruthie, we feel a great sorrow in the death of Tommy Bond. He was a hard working, loving father and good friend. May God bless his family and comfort them during this time. The Parkman Family sends their love to you all. Name: Travis Jones Comments: Hello again. Does anyone out there have antique family bibles with entries for the persons aquainted with the Lutheran ministries to the old "Big Swamp Settlement" up at Cape Girardeau. Hectors, Rice and Taylors moved from there and crossed the New Madrid area until where among the first settlers of Dunklin County, Missouri. Names that I am studying for my genealogy are: Jael Ann RICE - nee Brown ; Time frame of the entries would cover 1810 to 1900 They may be associated with Hornersville, Taylor's Slough, New Madrid, Como, Parma, Apple Creek, Big Swamp, Malden, Kennett, Tyronza ARK, Lebonon TN, Bloody Bucket Saloon, Bloomfield, Grand Marias, Sikeston, Catron, Parma, Canton, Burfordville, Harper's Ferry; Pole road; Henderson Please email your notes to: Name: Carla (Sapp) Kutyba Comments: Here's hoping to all the wonderful people up home in Parma and for those that have moved away, I hope you had a Very Merry Christmas and I hope that this New Year 2009 brings lots of great blessings upon each and everyone of us. God Bless you all. Carla Author information goes here.
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