On the Street

63-year employee

City Utilities employee Carl Sawyer is retiring Oct. 9 after 63 years of employment. Sawyer began employment June 1, 1940, with the Springfield City Water Company and continued when that firm was purchased by CU. In recognition of his 63 years of employment, the James River Pump Station is being renamed the Carl E. Sawyer Blackman Water Intake Station.

SMSU centennial

Southwest Missouri State University_s centennial book, _Daring To Excel: the First 100 Years of Southwest Missouri State University,_ is available for advance purchase. The book is researched and written by Don Landon, PhD, SMSU professor emeritus of sociology and former assistant to the university president. It will go to press this fall and be distributed in early summer 2004. Orders for the book are being taken through the SMSU Bookstore. Books cost $39.95 each, plus $10 shipping and handling when appropriate. Orders also are accepted online at www.smsu.edu/centennialbook. The number of books printed will be based on the number of orders received by Nov. 1. The book will be a full-color, hardcover publication with more than 400 pages and 300 photographs covering the university_s history and several key individuals involved.

SLT gallery

The call for entries for the next exhibition at the Gallery at Springfield Little Theatre will be held Oct. 20. It is a juried art exhibition, with the jurors being members of the board of directors or their appointees. The exhibition will feature original art that reflects the themes of _To Kill a Mockingbird._ Two-dimensional entries must be a minimum of 8-by-10-inches but no larger or heavier than can be easily handled by an SLT volunteer. Three-dimensional entries can be no larger than 30-by-10-by-13-inches and must weigh less than five pounds. All works must be delivered between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Oct. 20 to Springfield Little Theatre, 311 E. Walnut. Jurying will be done that evening. Works may or may not be for sale. There is no entry fee, but SLT will retain commission on any pieces sold. For further information, call 417-869-3869, ext. 14.

Slice of Nice

The Citizens Memorial Hospital Hospice Benefit Trail Ride will be held Oct. 25 at Hulston Mill historic park in Dade County. Sign-in begins at 8 a.m. and the trail ride begins at 10 a.m. that day. Donations of $20 per person (up to a maximum of $40 per family) are requested, and include the ride, a barbecue dinner and live entertainment by Floodwater. Individuals can donate $10 for the dinner and live entertainment. All proceeds will benefit the CMH Hospice. Riders must provide their own mounts and can bring a sack lunch to be eaten during the ride. Registration by Oct. 10 is suggested. To register, or for more information, call Jill Elliott, CMH Hospice volunteer director, at 417-326-3585.