Pictured above is Wendell Johnson, the Westboro 76th annual Lord’s Acre Day Parade Grand Marshal.
The Westboro United Methodist Church held its 76th annual Lord’s Acre Festival in Westboro, Missouri, this past weekend. The festival is an event that everyone looks forward to and it never fails to entertain and put everyone in the fall/thanksgiving spirit.
This year’s events began on a gorgeous autumn morning, Saturday, October 8, with the sale of baked goods, crafts, and other misc. in the church. A cake contest was also held with some very uniquely decorated and tasty cakes. Winners of the cake contest follow:
Adults
German Chocolate Cake (Box) – 1st Place – Maggie Ramerez
German Chocolate Cake (Scratch) – 1st Place – Pat Martin
Angel Food Cake (Box)- 1st Place – Evelyn Cerven
Angel Food Cake (Scratch) -1st Place – Sharron Brown and
2nd Place – Pat Martin
Butter Cake (Box) – 1st Place – Sharron Brown and 2nd Place – Mildred Morrison
Butter Cake (Scratch) – 1st Place – Cathy Riggins and Pat Martin
Best Decorated Cake – 1st Place – Pastor Julie Sanders
Children
Best Decorated -Nina Ramirez
Best Cake – 1st Place – Emmy Laur, 2nd Place – Hallie Riggins and 3rd Place – Rainy Nordhausen
Best Decorated – 1st Place – Claire Pickrel, 2nd Place – Lynnae Green and 3rd Place – Alexa Barnes and Alex Ramirez
Wendell Johnson was the Westboro 76th annual Lord’s Acre Day Parade Grand Marshal. The following write-up about Wendell was submitted by Beverly Clinkingbeard:
Wendell’s trailer was pulled by an International H Tractor, belonging to Ben Blackman and driven by Justin Riggins. It followed the horse and riders carrying flags.
Wendell’s life began in 1948, being born to Harry and Anna Belle (Stevens) Johnson. He grew up on the Century Farm settled by his great-grandfather, N. A. Johnson. His grandparents were Frank and Alma Johnson. The Johnson name appears often in Westboro history of activities for community and the Methodist Church. His late father, Harry, was a veteran of WWII and the Battle of the Bulge.
Wendell attended Westboro School and played football all four years of high school. His remembrance of maybe the best and worst game was the first one he played in – it was a torrential downpour from beginning to end. He graduated Class of 1966. Wendell was a farmer and trucker and has five children, Kollette, Karen, Kenny (deceased), Kristie (deceased) and Cody, five grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. These days, Wendell is enjoying retirement.
The Westboro Lion’s Club has been an interest to Wendell for 48 years. He served in the past as an officer in the local chapter as well as the Lion’s District Government. He has also served on the Westboro School Board, Westboro Methodist Church Board, and continues to serve on the board of Center Grove Cemetery. The best part about Westboro, Wendell contends, is “the friendly people.”
Congratulations, Wendell, in the honor of serving as Grand Marshal and for being an ardent supporter throughout the years of the Westboro community.
Participants in the parade competed in a parade contest. A list of winners follow:
Best Float- 1st Place – American Legion, 2nd Place – WMC Youth Float and 3rd Place – Breast Cancer Awareness – Emma Laur and Tommi Lee Martin
Best Small Motorized Vehicle -1st Place – Noah’s Ark – Owen and Holden Bruce and Linley Hogue, 2nd Place – Daniel and Lions Den – Jackson and Alex Morgan and 3rd Place – Pumpkin UTV – Karen Martin
Best Decorated Pet- 1st Place – Claire – Josie King and 2nd Place – Dinosaur – Josie King
Most Unusual/Original Costume – 1st Place – Bat Girl – Ryligh Branson, 2nd Place – Skeleton Girl – Adydnn King and 3rd Place – Louise – Hallie Riggins
Classic/Antique Autos- 1st Place – 41 Chevy Coup – Special Deluxe – Jesse and Donna Payne, 2nd Place – 1982 Chevy Pickup – Brian Peregrine
Classic Farm Equipment- 1st Place – 1957 520 John Deere – Don Whitehill, 2nd Place – 1948 John Deere – Alan McNaugton
Horseshoe Tournament- 1st Place – Alan McNaughton and Robert from Clearmont, 2nd Place – Shannon Wiley and Slade McNaughton and 3rd Place – Garry Peregrine and Josh Larson
A worship service on Sunday ended the fun-filled weekend.