Rex Sisco honored as a veteran with Quilt of Valor

Veteran Rex Sisco recently received a Quilt of Valor from members of Peace and Honor Quilts of Valor during a ceremony at the Magic City Discovery Center in Minot, N.D. The quilt was made by children at the center.

Rex is a 1965 graduate of Carterville High School and lives in Minot. He is the son of the late Rex and Betty Sisco, of Webb City and Carterville.

He is a retired Air Force master sergeant, who served from Dec. 5, 1966 – Sept. 30, 1991. He trained as a reciprocating aircraft mechanic, then retrained to maintain ICBM Minuteman Missiles. He served in Thailand during the Vietnam War and in support of the Gulf.

The mission of The Quilts of Valor Foundation is to cover service members and veterans touched by war with comforting and healing Quilts of Valor.

Sisco was also chosen to go on the Western North Dakota Honor Flight to Washington D.C. in April. He was able to visit the Vietnam Wall and many other monuments, as well as the Capitol, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the Aircraft and Space Museum.

‘Billy Elliot the Musical’ starts Wednesday at JLT

Joplin Little Theatre’s production of “Billy Elliot the Musical,” with music by Elton John and lyrics by Lee Hall, will be performed Wednesday, Aug. 7 through Sunday, Aug. 11.

Set in a northern English mining town against the background of the 1984 miners’ strike, Billy Elliot is the inspirational story of a young boy’s struggle against the odds to make his dream come true. Follow Billy’s journey as he stumbles out of the boxing ring and into a ballet class, where he discovers a passion for dance that inspires his family and community… and changes his life forever.

Carolyn McGowan directs the cast, including Kellan Atchley in the title role, and two dance ensembles.

Other cast members are: Jackie Elliot (Billy’s Dad), Nick Kubicek; Mrs. Wilkinson (Billy’s Teacher), Michelle Atchley; Michael Caffrey (Billy’s Friend), Fox Dillahay; Tony (Billy’s Brother), John Streeter; Edna (Billy’s Grandmother), Emily Adams; Mr. Braithwaite (Dance Pianist), Aryan McHaffie; Debbie (Mrs. Wilkinson’s Daughter), Gabby Nance; Dead Mum (Billy’s Mother), Mandie Kubicek; George (Boxing Coach), Kevin Sidenstricker; Big Davey (Comic Miner), Adam Rusch; Lesley (Union Organizer), Hannah Bradley; Pit Supervisor, Logan Daniel; Small Boy (Youngest Boxer), Jupiter Dillahay; and Kevin (Oldest Boxer, Posh Boy), Jude Stadler.

Tickets are $18 for adults and $15 for senior citizens and students. They can be purchased by calling (417) 623-3638 or online.

Sky Kings’ Summer Fun-Fly set for Aug. 10

Sky Kings R/C Club members invite all model aircraft enthusiasts to attend their Summer Fun-Fly and Swap Meet from 9 a.m. to sunset Saturday, Aug. 10.

The club has its own airfield north of Sharon Drive on the west edge of Carterville.

Spectators are reminded not to forget to bring a chair and hat. There’s no fee. Lunch will be available for purchase.

Chi Chi Mama’s WIC group to participate Saturday in World Breastfeeding Week

Chi Chi Mama’s Breastfeeding Support Group will participate in the World Breastfeeding Week celebration on Saturday, August 3. The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 12 noon in the Community Room of the Joplin Public Library, 1901 East 20th Street in Joplin, and is open to everyone in the community, including breastfeeding mothers and anyone who wants to support breastfeeding mothers.

This event offers something for the whole family. Numerous groups will have displays and information to share with attendees. Learn more about community health resources in the area including:

• Environmental, Health and Safety

• Parents As Teachers (PAT)

• Joplin Health Department

• WIC (Women, Infant and Children)

Refreshments and door prizes are included in the event. Sponsors for the celebration are United Health Care, Home State Health, Healthy Blue, and Breastfeeding Coalition of Southwest Missouri.

The event theme is Closing the Gap – Breastfeeding Support for All, as announced by the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA). WABA is a global network of individuals and organizations concerned with protecting, promoting, and supporting breastfeeding worldwide.

Chi Chi Mama’s is a Joplin WIC affiliated group and is open to the community. For more information call (417) 623-1928, ext. 1768.