Ed, Pat Morton Manchester's "Citizens of the Year"
Homecoming to honor West County fire district
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| Photo courtesy Barb Reuter/ Longtime residents Ed and Pat Morton will be honored at the Manchester Homecoming festival, set for Friday through Sunday at Paul A. Schroeder Park, as the city's "2008 Citizens of the Year." |
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"That surprised us," Ed said. "We didn't know anyone nominated us at all, but we're real honored."
"Celebrating a Century of Service," honoring the 100th anniversary of the West County EMS & Fire Protection District, will be the theme for the Homecoming celebration, set for Friday through Sunday, Sept. 5 through 7, at Paul A. Schroeder Park.For the first time, the event will use the former arts and crafts area to showcase emergency apparatus, safety planning, disaster-preparedness ideas and general information about the services provided by the fire district.
West County Fire Chief Dave Frazier Jr., who was born and raised in Manchester and is a Parkway South High School graduate, will be the grand marshal of the Homecoming parade Saturday.
The Mortons were pleasantly surprised by their honor.
"I think it's great for us to be Citizens of the Year, and I enjoy all the friendly people around here," Pat said. "Manchester feels like a small town, with such a hometown feel."
Both born in Marion County, Ill., the couple married in 1946 and have four children, 11 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren. They moved to Manchester in 1956 and have been in their Connie Lane home ever since.
The Mortons have been members of St. John United Church of Christ in Manchester for 51 years. Ed has served as a caretaker, usher, choir member and past council member; Pat has been a member of the women's fellowship. Pat also once served as a Scout den mother.
Ed has been part of an area barbershop quartet, the Twilight Four, since 1950.
The Mortons are members of the Lafayette Area Optimist Club, which for many years has had a Homecoming booth.
Ed served in the U.S. Navy and is a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion. Pat has taken part in the VFW women's auxiliary.
The Mortons have volunteered their time at Homecoming for about 20 years.
"I enjoy Homecoming for the camaraderie with the people there, the programs they put on for Manchester and seeing everyone in the community there," Ed said.
The festival also will honor Two Ten Henry as the first Homecoming "Local Business of the Year." Anne Keilty and Doug Flavin bought the then run-down historic home at 210 Henry Ave. in 1983 and restored it for Anne's daughter to open a gift shop. Doug, chairman of the city's Historic Review Commission, became a self-taught woodworker and has created furniture for sale at the shop. Both Anne and Doug create floral arrangements for sale in addition to glassware, paper goods, candles and more.
A major feature of Homecoming will be the parade, set for 9 a.m. Saturday. Entrants will line up at 8 a.m. in the south parking lot of Parkway South High School, 801 Hanna Road. Plaques will be awarded for originality, appearance and relevance to a theme. For a parade application, call the city Parks and Recreation office at (636) 391-6326, ext. 400, or Kari Pratt at (636) 391-2901.
Musical entertainment for the festival will include Spectrum Band with guest artist Steve Davis as Elvis Friday evening and GalaxyRED Saturday night. The Cajun band Gumbohead will perform Saturday afternoon, with the Mighty Big Band playing Sunday afternoon.
A new car show and display will take place at Homecoming. Any owner of an antique, classic or special car or truck can display it Saturday in a shady area just west of the main tent. Trophies will be awarded. Those wanting to display can call Dave Ziegler at (636) 394-7131.
The Old Trails Historical Society will open the historic Baxter Log Cabin from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday in the park. The cabin will incorporate memorabilia and information regarding West County EMS & Fire District. Anyone with West County historical photographs or items for display can call Sue Simons at (636) 227-3062. Also at the cabin will be pioneer demonstrations of quilting, rag-rug making and spinning.
The Manchester Historic Commission will operate a booth to tell residents about a veterans memorial to be built in the Margaret Stoecker Park on Henry Road. Displays showing the proposed memorial and information will be available, and anyone can purchase individualized brick pavers to honor veterans.
A Doggie Paddle Party will allow residents to bring dogs to the park's aquatic center for a swim. The Manchester Homecoming Committee is teaming with Benefiting Animals Through Responsibility and Compassion (BARC) to offer the event from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the center. Admission of $10 includes an owner and up to two dogs, with $3 for each additional person. Dog owners must provide complete vaccination records and pick up after their pets. Proceeds benefit BARC and the Manchester Homecoming Committee.
Contests during the festival for cute kids and cute pets will help raise funds for "Friends of Kids with Cancer." Photo size limit is 4 by 6 inches. Age limit for a child is 2 years as of Sept. 8. There is no age limit for pets. List the child's date of birth including year, full name, address, phone and name of person submitting the entry. Deadline to submit photos is Sept. 4; they may be e-mailed to ManchesterKidsAndPets@gmail.com. Call (636) 391-6326, ext. 400, for information.
Voting will take place during Homecoming. Presentation for winners will be in October, when trophies and prizes will be awarded by sponsors Dr. Duane Marquart with Primary Care Chiropractic and PETCO pet store.
You can contact Mary Shapiro at mshapiro@yourjournal.com.
22nd annual Manchester Homecoming festival
-- Admission: free
-- When: Friday-Sunday, Sept. 5-7
-- Times: 6 to 11:30 p.m. Friday; parade at 9 a.m. Saturday; festival 11 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.
-- Where: Paul A. Schroeder Park, 359 Old Meramec Station Road in Manchester.
-- Features: contests, raffle, refreshments, live entertainment, games, doggie paddle party, Luehr's Ideal Carnival rides and concessions.
-- Special: This year the festival is honoring the 100-year anniversary of West County EMS & Fire Protection District and will use the former arts and crafts area to showcase emergency apparatus, safety planning, disaster preparedness ideas and general information about the services provided by the district.
-- Volunteers are needed. Those willing to donate a few hours of time can contact the Parks and Recreation office at (636) 391-6326, ext. 400.
-- Food and beverage vendors and fundraising organizations can rent booth space. Call the Parks and Recreation office or Mike Clement at (636) 394-5862.
-- Phone: (636) 391-6326
-- Web site: http://www.manchestermo.gov/homecoming/homecoming.htm
