Author Archives: roger

John Holden won the 2026 Olivier Award for Best Actor for the London production of KenRex

Posted on April 20, 2026 by roger

 I saw KenRex and spoke with actor/writer John Holden last night, and I will have a lot coming down the pike on this. John’s one-man show portrays 30 characters from Skidmore/Nodaway County, including David Baird, Trena McElroy, the Bowencamps, attorney … Continue reading →

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21-Year-Old Alton 8 Foot Giant Loses Suit Against Barnard Doctor Charles Humberd 1939

Posted on April 18, 2026 by roger

In 1939, Robert Wadlow, the 21-year-old eight-foot-tall “Alton Giant,” lost a $100,000 defamation suit against Barnard, Missouri,  “giant expert” and former Nodaway Coroner Charles Humberd over Humberd’s writings about him in the American Medical Journal. The case was heard in … Continue reading →

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Review of KenRex in London Play: “Making a Murderer meets The Simpsons.”

Posted on April 18, 2026 by roger

Here’s Mickey Joe Theatre Review: KenRex, a one-person musical, based on Ken Rex McElroy, who was killed in Skidmore in 1981.  This review is for the London production.  It opened in New York in April 2026. Including the YouTube-generated transcript … Continue reading →

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Grand Army of the Republic Posts in Nodaway County

Posted on April 18, 2026 by roger

Here’s a list of 15 Grand Army of the Republic posts in Nodaway County.  The GAR was a veterans organization of Union soldiers and sailors in the Civil War.  This list is  compiled by the Sons of the Union Veterans … Continue reading →

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Britt Small and the Festival Music Commune at Skidmore 1976

Posted on April 15, 2026 by roger

Caption: From Left, Jonnie Small, Mindy Thompson, Britt Small, Penelope the dog Image colorized/enhanced from  https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-maryville-daily-forum-festival-famil/159592466/

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Daisy & Queen College Farm Mules Who Built Martindale Gymnasium 1926

Posted on April 14, 2026 by roger

The original 200-acre college farm (on the northwest side of the campus, mostly south of the Wabash tracks in the high-rise dormitory area). This farm was part of the original massive Faustiana Farm, which stretched around the college on the … Continue reading →

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1943 Washington High School Mural in Nodaway County Museum

Posted on April 13, 2026 by roger

In 1942-43, Washington High School students painted a mural on the lower level that depicted the school’s history.  When the school was torn down in 1999, the mural, as well as plaster pseudo-classical Greek sculptures that adorned the school auditorium, … Continue reading →

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Northwest’s New Computer Library Terminals 1984

Posted on April 13, 2026 by roger

AI colorized St. Joseph News-Press March 11, 1984 photo of the computer library terminals at the newly opened B.D. Owens Library replaced the old card catalogs of Wells Library when Owens opened in 1983.  Northwest embraced computers blindingly fast.  Northwest … Continue reading →

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Nodaway County Courthouse with Telephone Booths on Corner 1980s

Posted on April 13, 2026 by roger

In the early 1980s, the St. Joseph News-Press ran this great black-and-white photo in an advertising supplement about Maryville.  The photo before the Nodaway Historical marker was placed in front of the courthouse.  I got a kick out of seeing … Continue reading →

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Iconic Portrait of Educator Laura B. Hawkins (1878-1959)

Posted on April 13, 2026 by roger

Perhaps the most iconic high school portrait photo in Maryville is that of educator Laura B. Hawkins.  This photo still graces the Laura B. Hawkins Education wing of the Christian Church, and a scholarship is still awarded each year in … Continue reading →

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