Tarkio Farm Family of the Year
The Rolofson family was presented the Tarkio Farm Family of the Year award at the Tarkio Community Awards Banquet Monday, April 10, 2017, at the Community Building. Scott Poppa, left, last year’s award recipient, presented the award to Dean Rolofson, Tyler and Devan Rolofson, and Patty Rolofson.
Each year, the Tarkio Chamber of Commerce honors Tarkio residents and businesses who have made an impact on Tarkio and its citizens in the last year. The Chamber hosts a banquet and presents awards to the honorees. Around 80 to 90 people attended this year’s ceremony Monday, April 10, 2017, at the Tarkio Community Building. Reverend Julie Sanders led all in prayer before everyone dined on a delicious meal catered by Torrey Pines. Betsy Chapin recognized this year’s youth volunteers. These future Tarkio leaders have done a number of services the past year, including helping with basketball tournaments, local church and Bible School programs, the CH-F Celebrity Waiter Dinner, clean-up projects at Tarkio College, on Main Street, and the Tarkio rodeo grounds, swim lessons, Tarkio Rotary activities, tutoring, blood drives, and Meals on Wheels, as well as helped collect donations for Salvation Army, Toys for Tots, and the Tarkio/Westboro/Fairfax, Mo., Food Pantry. That’s quite a list of contributions and Tarkio is proud of these young men and women for their dedication to helping this town and its citizens. Youth recognized included Bree Barnett, Jae Barnett, Chloe Bruns, Shae DeRosier, Gus Hurst, Bella Hurst, Dixie Hendrix, Colin Joesting, Kaely Kirwan, Melissa Lang, Brooke Lee, Megan Lee, Grace Martin, Shelby McCartney, Dayton Murry, Madison Ohrt, Destiny Sanders, and Shaylee Sparks. Each year, one senior youth volunteer is presented with the Youth Volunteer of the Year award. This year’s recipient was Bree Barnett. Bree began volunteering at a very young age by helping her mother deliver Meals on Wheels, something she still helps with when time allows. She’s contributed many hours to the activities listed above. She is also a student leader with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and has been a ball girl during the state MSHSAA basketball tournaments. She has been a big part of the community and her future is bright. The Tarkio Chamber of Commerce recognized the 2017 Citizen of the Year. Last year’s recipient, Tim Morehouse, presented this year’s award to Larry McKinnon. Though Larry is originally from Shenandoah, Iowa, he has spent most of his life living in Tarkio and making a difference here. For those of us who have lived in Tarkio for many years – when we think of Tarkio and the citizens who represent our ideals, love for this town, and love of its people, we think of Larry. Larry spent years working above and beyond for the city. When it snowed, he was out there at anytime, day or night, for hours clearing the streets. And on his home turf, he’s spent years saving historical artifacts and tools and creating beautiful masterpieces in his wood shop, including the amazing Mule Barn replica you see at the Atchison County Historical Society Museum, as well as extremely creative birdhouses! The work is exquisite. He’s even taken in some “apprentices” and shared his tools and wealth of knowledge with those wanting to create masterpieces as well as shown them extreme patience when he could just as easily finish the project in half the time. He shares his delicious vegetables every summer and fall with anyone driving by and trusts people to leave money in the box (the honor system). And in the fall, he has invited his family and friends over to enjoy a hayride, s’mores, and pumpkins. Larry has had many animals over the years with chickens and sheep and dogs and others, as his love knows no bounds. He has also allowed young animal lovers to come help him take care of his critters. Larry is one of those people who truly makes friends of all ages and goes out of his way to help anyone and/or make their day a bit more enjoyable. He has been a big advocate and supporter of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Having gone through the pain and distress of cancer himself, he has wanted to help the youngest cancer victims as much as he can. He treats everyone like family, a trait that makes him such an embodiment of what we small town folk hold dear. Not only that, but recently he donated his tools to a local nonprofit in the hopes of creating a living history farm on his property, where children and adults can learn about the tools and actually see them being used. He is Tarkio’s past, present and future and it was a wonderful pleasure for all the banquet attendees to see someone so deserving receive this honor.
The Tarkio Chamber also recognized the 2017 Employee of the Year. Last year’s recipient, Tracy Hogue, presented this year’s award to Suzanne Brought. Born and raised in Atchison County, Suzanne grew up on a farm north of Tarkio, where she learned the true value of a good work ethic and wholesome living. Her work history involves jobs at Stevenson’s, Tarkio College Bookstore, Honey Tree, Earl May, Hurst Greenery, Colflesh Insurance, Rogers Pharmacy and Tarkio High School. At Rogers Pharmacy, Suzanne has a strong dedication to the work she does and the service she provides to her customers, whether it’s making sure meds are correctly and timely delivered or seeing to the personal welfare of customers. She puts her heart into her work. At Tarkio High School where Suzanne is the high school secretary, she has helped the principal with changes, challenges, and celebrations. Her professionalism, love of the students and willingness to help others is evident on a daily basis. Suzanne has dedicated 17 years to the Tarkio R-I School District and not a day goes by that she doesn’t greet the kids with a smile! Suzanne greets everyone who enters the building and is always willing to help visitors in any way she can. She has a very big heart not only for her three children, Matthew, Maria and Sarah, but also for every student who walks through the doors of Tarkio High School. Suzanne has been an active member of St. John’s Lutheran Church for her entire life and is involved with the St. John’s Lutheran Church youth, having taught Sunday school for five years, directed the bell choir for the past 14 years, and directed the junior choir for the past 16 years. She has also been a member of the Parish Life Committee for several years. Needless to say, there is nothing Suzanne won’t do for her church, family, co-workers and school. If you were to spend any time around her, you would see this every day.
The Tarkio Chamber also recognized the 2017 Farm Family of the Year. Last year’s recipient, Scott Poppa, presented this year’s award to the Dean and Patty Rolofson family. The Rolofsons, to include their son and daughter-in-law, Tyler and Devan Rolofson, have a strong faith and sense of community, love of family, and love for the land. Dean and Patty are active in the Tarkio Christian Church, serving as elders and deacons, officers of the church board, and all other aspects of the church program. Both are very committed to and have contributed to the survival of the church. Their faith exhibits itself in their sense of community whether it be delivering Meals on Wheels, helping with the local food pantry, serving on the Committee on Aging, or their years of service to the Tarkio R-I schools. The family has been farming their land for six generations. The family history can be traced back to the island of Arron, Scotland. The family immigrated to New Brunswick, Canada, in 1851 from Scotland. They settled on Herron Island. In September of 1872, Peter Currie and his wife, Mary, traveled by boat by way of the St. Lawrence River, then by train, to Atchison County, Missouri, and began farming. His eldest son, John C. Currie, and wife, Emma, established a farm on February 23, 1893, and paid $8,400 for the farm. This farm has been in the family ever since that day. John C. Currie’s son, Robert, and his wife, Anna, had one son named John Edward. John Edward and his wife, Dorothy, continued to farm the land of their grandparents. Three sets of their grandparents were all pioneer farmers living in Atchison County before Tarkio was even established. John and Dorothy had two children, Bobby and Patty. Today, parts of the farm are farmed by Patty’s husband, Dean, and son, Tyler, and his wife, Devan. All six generations of the family have raised corn, soybeans, and livestock. This is definitely one family who has dedicated many, many years to providing Atchison County, Tarkio, northwest Missouri, and beyond with food for the belly and kindness for the soul.
Lori Seymour with the Tarkio Chamber of Commerce recognized the new businesses of Tarkio. They include R. D. Smith Personal Property Appraisals & Auction Services, Find Your Zen, R & K Services, Midwest Trophies, and US Farm and Land Real Estate. Brad Mathers with Midwest Trophies was on hand to accept his certificate.
Brad Mathers with Tarkio Rotary Club presented an award to the Atchison County Health Center, which was represented by Sara Sue Taylor. The health center has dedicated many years of service to Atchison County and more specifically, Tarkio residents. Over the years, the center has provided affordable health screenings, vaccinations, and WIC services, as well as clothing, home supplies, and furniture that have been donated by the townspeople. Their friendly faces and helpfulness go a long way in taking care good care of Atchison County residents.
Besides the awards, representatives from local organizations gave updates. Carrie Livengood, Tarkio High School Principal, gave an update on the school and the many activities scheduled. She also remarked on the outstanding attendance records and how it’s a great achievement to have two schools full of children who are dedicated to advancing their knowledge.
Robert Hughes with Tarkio College gave an update on the school’s progress to become a certified college. The renovated building was to be inspected later in the week, which will determine whether the school can move on with holding classes.
Tristan Ray gave an update on the Tarkio Rodeo Board and progress made to the grounds. The board has spent around $75,000 in over 20 years to upgrade the grounds and bunkhouse.
Ann Schlueter gave an update on Community Hospital-Fairfax and the recent additions to services the hospital provides. She added that one of their new programs has even outgrown the hospital and in the near future, a modular building will be added to the grounds to house the program and its participants.
Monica Bailey with Atchison County Development Corporation gave an update on services it provides to county businesses with its business improvement grant. She also encouraged everyone to remind our local youth to continue working hard with their education and once they receive their college diplomas to bring their knowledge and expertise back to Atchison County.
Tarkio Citizen of the Year- The Tarkio Chamber of Commerce hosted the 2017 Tarkio Community Awards Banquet Monday, April 10, 2017, at the Community Building. Larry McKinnon, left, was named the 2017 Tarkio Citizen of the Year. He was presented a plaque by last year’s award recipient, Tim Morehouse, right.
Tarkio Employee of the Year- Suzanne Brought, above right, was named the 2017 Tarkio Employee of the Year at the Community Awards Banquet Monday, April 10, 2017, at the Community Building. Her award was presented by last year’s Employee of the Year Tracy Hogue, left.
New business in Tarkio- Lori Seymour, above right, with the Tarkio Chamber of Commerce, recognized new businesses in Tarkio at the Tarkio Community Awards Banquet April 10. Brad Mathers, above left, accepted the award for his business, Midwest Trophies.
Tarkio Youth Volunteer of the Year- Bree Barnett was named the 2017 Tarkio Youth Volunteer of the Year at the Community Awards Banquet Monday, April 10, 2017.
Tarkio Rotary Club award- The Tarkio Rotary Club, represented by Brad Mathers, right, presented the Atchison County Health Center with an award at the Tarkio Community Awards Banquet Monday, April 10, 2017. The award, accepted by Sara Sue Taylor, left, was presented to the center to honor them for their many years of dedication and service to Tarkio and its citizens.
Tarkio Youth Volunteer of the Year- Bree Barnett was named the 2017 Tarkio Youth Volunteer of the Year at the Community Awards Banquet Monday, April 10, 2017.
Tarkio Rotary Club award- The Tarkio Rotary Club, represented by Brad Mathers, right, presented the Atchison County Health Center with an award at the Tarkio Community Awards Banquet Monday, April 10, 2017. The award, accepted by Sara Sue Taylor, left, was presented to the center to honor them for their many years of dedication and service to Tarkio and its citizens.
