Rolla, British
Columbia celebrates
100th Anniversary
By Rolla Mayor Bill Jenks, III
While it may be well known that there are other towns and cities in the U.S. that are named Rolla, few may realize that Rolla, British Columbia in Canada was named after Rolla, Missouri.
While it may be well known that there are other towns and cities in the U.S. that are named Rolla, few may realize that Rolla, British Columbia in Canada was named after Rolla, Missouri.
In fact, I had the privilege recently of
recognizing and paying tribute to Rolla, British Columbia with a ‘Key to the
City’ plaque when the town celebrated its 100th Anniversary in
August 2012. The plaque was presented during a ceremony recognizing the 100th
Anniversary of Rolla, British Columbia, by Phelps County, Missouri resident
Paula Miller Lindenlaub (who is married to Russell Lindenlaub) to her cousins,
John Miller (age 82) and Belva Ireland (age 92) who live in British Columbia,
Rolla. The Rolla, British Columbia residents are the two oldest remaining
members of the Miller family who were the first settlers of Rolla, British
Columbia, and who named the community Rolla. John and Belva’s fathers were
brothers who were born in Phelps County, Missouri and traveled with their
father and other family members to Canada and arrived in the Peace River Valley
in 1912 (which includes Rolla, British Columbia).
In addition to the Key to the City plaque, a
Welcome to Rolla, Missouri banner, which now hangs in Rolla Community Hall in
Rolla, BC, was presented by Rolla City Administrator John Butz to members of
the Miller family who were in the Rolla, Missouri area (in 2008) while visiting
and researching family cemeteries. The blue and white welcome banner was
presented as a symbol of Rolla’s international friendship with Rolla, BC.
Somewhat similar to the topography of the
Rolla/Phelps County area, Rolla, BC, is a small historic farming community
located in the Peace River district of Northeastern British Columbia about 12
miles north of the famous town of Dawson Creek, which is the beginning of the
Alcan Highway (built in 1942 during WW II). The area in Rolla, BC is very scenic,
with gently rolling farmland and mountains in the distance. It is located about
2,500 miles from Rolla, Missouri.According to the Discover the Peace
Country.com Visitors Guide for Northern Alberta and British Columbia (http://www.discoverthepeacecountry.com/htmlpages/rolla.html),
Rolla, BC is home to the Rolla Post Office, Rolla Traditional School
(Kindergarten thru 7th grade), Rolla Community Hall, Rolla
Centennial Park and the Rolla Pub, which has become a landmark of the
community. The majority of the buildings in town are residential. Wikipedia
lists the population of Rolla, BC at around 1,000 people. Area residents
pronounce Rolla as “Raw-la.” The Sweetwater 905 Festival, held June 15-17,
2012, is a special event that takes place 1.5 miles west of Rolla, B.C. on the
Sweetwater Road. The three-day festival is a celebration of music, poetry,
visual and performance art, and brings together a wide range of talent from the
community, the province and beyond. To learn more about this unique event,
visit the Sweetwater 905 Arts and Music Festival Website at http://www.sweetwater905.com. Rolla BC is primarily an agricultural
community that cherishes its beauty, small-town flavor and peaceful lifestyle.
It is truly an honor for Rolla, Missouri to be closely associated and connected
to this Canadian town nestled in the Peace River Valley. We wish the Millers,
the Irelands and all the residents of Rolla, British Columbia the very best as
they celebrate their 100th Anniversary. I’d
like to remind everyone that due to the Labor Day Holiday on Monday, Sept. 3,
the Rolla City Council meeting will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 5 at 6:30 p.m. at
Rolla City Hall (901 N. Elm St.). I encourage the community to attend the
Council meeting, as the Rolla City Council and myself will be recognizing the
accomplishments of Chantae McMillan, a RHS star athlete and All American, who
recently participated in the Heptathlon in the 2012 Summer Olympic Games in
London, England. I will be presenting Chantae with a Key to the City plaque.
In addition, I will be presenting the Lewy
Body Dementia Day Proclamation to Rolla resident and Rolla Public School Board member,
Jane Haskell. Jane, along with her daughters, Joannie, Ann and Dana, will be
hosting the Coach Haskell 5K Walk/Run on Saturday, Sept. 22, 2012 beginning at
8 a.m. at the Rolla Junior High Hill. Coach
Dan Haskell, who was a former Rolla High School wrestling coach for numerous
years, a 9th Grade football coach at Rolla Jr. High School, and a
public educator for 32 years, most of which was in the Rolla Public Schools
system, was diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia in 2004.
Have a
safe week!
City Council
Mtg. set for
Wed., Sept. 5
Due
to the Labor Day holiday, the Rolla City Council meeting, which is usually held
the first Monday of the month, will be held Wednesday, Sept. 5 at 6:30 p.m. in
the Council Chambers at City Hall (901 North Elm Street).
The
Environmental Services Department will be pick up Tuesday’s trash on Wednesday.
There will be no special pick ups on Wednesday. For more information, please
call the Environmental Services Department at (573) 364-6693.
Labor
Day, Monday, Sept. 3 was closing day at SplashZone, Rolla’s favorite outdoor
waterpark.
The popular
Canine Plunge (end of the season swim for pets), where you may bring your dog
to the SplashZone, will be held on Saturday, Sept. 8 from 12-noon to 3 p.m.
Registration to this popular event is required, and there is a cost of $5 per
dog. All dogs must be vaccinated, accompanied by their owners and be
socialized. This event is limited to 30 canines. For more information please
call SplashZone at (573) 364-8222.
RPD cracking down
on impaired drivers
through September
The
Rolla Police Department will be cracking down on impaired drivers by conducting
a sobriety checkpoint during the month of September 2012.
Law
enforcement efforts will be increased in an endeavor to reduce the deaths and
serious injuries caused by impaired drivers. Those caught drinking and driving
could lose their license, money, and freedom.
“Driving
drunk is simply not worth all the consequences,” said Sgt. Tim Mayfield. “Our
message is simple and unwavering: Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.”
For
more Information, please contact Sgt. Tim Mayfield at (573) 308-1213 or visit www.saveMOlives.com.
Basswood Drive
street improvements
underway
The
City of Rolla Public Works Department, in conjunction with Rainey & Son
Construction, L.L.C., have begun substantial street improvements on Basswood
Drive.
The
Basswood Drive and Boxelder Drive Street Improvement project (#296), recently
approved by the Rolla City Council, will include excavation, storm sewer
installation, new curb and gutter, new driveway aprons, and subsequent 4-inch
paving.
The
excavation and road improvements on Boxelder Drive will begin immediately after
the street improvements are complete on Basswood sometime in October.
It
is anticipated that the entire street improvement project, including Boxelder,
should be completed before the end of 2012, weather permitting. Caution signs
and safety cones will be posted in the construction area, indicating lane
closures, and for motorists to please drive carefully.
“The
City of Rolla appreciates the assistance, patience and cooperation of the
public throughout the duration of this important street improvement project,”
said Steve Hargis, Director of Public Works.
For
more information, please contact the Public Works Department at 364-8659 or
visit www.rollacity.org.
International Idol
Talent Competition
auditions, Sept. 6
Do
you sing, dance, rap, act, or play a musical instrument? Talented community
members (all ages and acts are welcome) are invited to audition for the
International Idol competition on Thursday, Sept. 6 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at
the Havener Center, Meramec Room, on the Missouri S&T campus.
The
final competition will be held during the 3rd Annual Celebration of
Nations event on Saturday, Sept. 29 at the Downtown Bandshell (located at the
corner of 9th and Oak Street.) Group and individual prizes will be
awarded.
To
sign up or for more information, please contact Rebecca Holmes at rmhq57@mst.edu or Barbi Spencer at spencerbar@mst.edu.
Celebration
of Nations was created to promote awareness, understanding and the celebration
of the vibrant cultural diversity that makes Rolla unique to the Ozarks. ”One Campus. One Community. One
World.”
Canine Plunge at
SplashZone set
for Sept. 8
The
ever popular Canine Plunge, the end of season swim for pets, will be held on
Saturday, Sept. 8 from noon-3 p.m.at SplashZone, Rolla’s favorite outdoor
waterpark (located on 14th Street in Rolla).
Pets
must be accompanied by an owner and must be socialized and have current vaccine
updates. Early registration is required, and the event is limited to 30 canines
($5 per canine).
To
register or for more info, please call Mitch Lewis, Aquatics Manager, at
364-8222.
Planning & Zoning
Mtg. set for Sept. 11
A
Planning & Zoning Commission meeting will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 11 at
5:30 p.m. in the Rolla City Hall – Council Chambers, 90 N. Elm Street.
There
will be a report on City Council actions from the Aug. 20 City Council meeting
to approve an amendment to Exhibit 1 of the Pebble Stone Planned Unit
Development (first and final reading, approved).
In
addition, there will be a public hearing on the request to re-zone property at
2009 Vichy Road from R-2 (two family district) zoning to R-3 (multi-family
district) zoning.
The
public is invited to attend the meeting, and as always the meeting will be
broadcast live on Rolla Channel 16 beginning at 5:30 p.m.
Electronics & Appliance
Collection set for
Sept. 22 at Brewer Science
If
you have an old, broken or outdated computer, electronic device, appliance,
television, or cell phone that you have been wanting to get rid of, plan to
recycle, ‘go green’ and attend the Electronics & Appliance Collection on
Saturday, Sept. 22 from 8 a.m. to 12-noon at the Brewer Science parking lot
located at 2401 Brewer Drive (in the Hypoint Industrial Park at I-44 Exit
189/Hwy. V).
You
may drop off and recycle the following household items for free the day of the
collection: stoves, washers, dryers, microwaves and other appliances, computer
CPUs, keyboards, printers, VCRs, cell phones and other electronics.
During
this collection, there will be no fee for refrigerant appliances. There will be,
however, a $5 handling fee to dispose of TVs and computer monitors (no material
from businesses, please).
This
event is sponsored by the City of Rolla, Phelps County Commission, Brewer
Science, Inc., Ozark Rivers Solid Waste Management District, Missouri
Department of Natural Resources and Meramec Regional Planning Commission
(MRPC).
For
more information, please contact MRPC at 573-265-2993.
P.O.W. – M.I.A. Ceremony
and Cruise In set for
Sept. 22 at VMP
The
public is invited to attend a P.O.W. – M.I.A. Ceremony and Cruise In on
Saturday, Sept. 22 from noon – 4 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Park (located on
Southview Dr. off Hwy. 72 in Rolla).
The
event kicks off at noon with a Cruise In organized by the Rolla Cruise In
Committee and Cave State Cruisers. The P.O.W.-M.I.A. Ceremony, presented by
Chapter #49 of the D.A.V., begins at 1 p.m. Music will be provided by Phelps
County Bluegrass for Veterans at 2 p.m. Concessions will be provided by Rolla
Road Riders Motorcycle Club.
Other
events and activities are also being planned, so bring your chairs or pillows
for comfort and enjoy the festivities.
The
event is hosted by the South Central Regional Veterans Group. For more
information, please contact Russ Hinkle at (573) 68-4436 or Jerry Bumpus at
(573) 647-7601.
Operation
Neighborhood
Clean-up
set for Nov. 2
The
5th annual “Operation Neighborhood Clean-up” will be held on Friday, Nov. 2
throughout the Rolla community in designated, high priority areas. The
selection of these properties will be determined by the City of Rolla Police
Department and the Rolla Area Ministerial Alliance.
All
volunteers are asked to attend the welcome gathering at 6:30 a.m. at Greentree
Christian Church Youth Center located at 801 East 10th Street. A
complimentary continental breakfast will be provided. The clean-up will take
place from 7 a.m. to 12-noon.
The
entire community is invited to participate in this beautification effort, which
is once again being coordinated by the Rolla Area Ministerial Alliance and the
Rolla Police Department.
Operation
Neighborhood Clean-up is an opportunity for residents to partner with the Rolla
Area Ministerial Alliance, community churches, and the Rolla Police Department
to enhance a sense of community, well being, pride and property values among the
neighborhoods where the clean up is conducted.
The
clean-up effort will involve limited tree trimming, hedge trimming, and the
removal of brush piles, leaves, household items and trash. Groups or
individuals interested in volunteering may contact Chris Foster, Adult
Education Minister at Greentree Christian Church, at 364-2649 or cfoster@greentreerolla.org, or
Officer Vince Giacolone at the Rolla Police Department at 308-1213 or at vgiacolone@rollacity.org.
Rolla Downtown
Farmer’s Market
open every Tuesday
The
Rolla Downtown Farmer’s Market is open and operating under the new shade
structure in the lower parking lot of Rolla City Hall from 7 a.m. until 12-noon
each Tuesday throughout the growing season.
The
Farmer’s Market is coordinated by Roy Fiscus and Wilma Bingham, and spots are
available for vendors to sell their items, but they must be locally grown or
made products/produce (Phelps County).
No
flea market, yard sale type items will be permitted. All spots are first come,
first served. The cost to host a booth is $2 per day, which is given to the
organizers the day the vendors are there.
For
additional information, please contact Roy Fiscus at 341-8045 or Wilma Bingham
at 364-5544.
Evironmental Services Important Dates
(clip & save coupon)
Oct. 6, 2012
- Citywide Fall Clean Up: Saturday - Citywide clean up day
(residential only).
Nov. 22, 2012
– Thanksgiving Day: Thursday’s trash will be picked up
Wednesday.
Dec. 25, 2012
– Christmas
Day: Tuesday’s trash will be picked
up Wednesday.
.
Holidays
NOT affecting trash or recycling collection:
Oct. 8, 2012 – Columbus Day
Nov. 12, 2012 – Veteran’s Day
Nov. 23, 2012 – Day after Thanksgiving
Rolla Channel 16
live streaming
24/7 on the Web
If
you happen to miss the airing of a Rolla City Council meeting, Planning &
Zoning meeting, Rolla Public School Board meeting or Board of Public Works
meeting, you can now watch them live on the Rolla Channel 16 Website at http://rollachannel16.com.
Rolla
Channel 16, Rolla’s premiere Education and Government channel, is also now live
streaming (24/7) at http://rollachannel16.com.
RC16 is live streaming all Rolla City Council meetings, Rolla Planning &
Zoning Commission meetings, Rolla Public Schools board meetings, Rolla High
School Review and “City Minutes” hosted by the City of Rolla’s Communications
Office.
Other
syndicated content on RC16 such as Missouri Outdoors, Army Newswatch, and
Capitol Dialogue will also live stream on RC16 at http://rollachannel16.com.
For
more information regarding programming or DVD duplication of Rolla City Council
meetings, Rolla Planning & Zoning meetings, and Rolla Public Schools board
meetings, etc., please contact Kenny Perzan, Senior Video Editor, at (573)
426-3377 or at Kenny.Perzan@fidelitycommunications.com.
Be
sure to watch Rolla Channel 16 – “Education, Government and Community for you!”
SEPTEMBER 2012
Sept. 5 – City Council Mtg. (6:30 p.m.)
Sept. 6 – Board of Adjustment Mtg. (5:30 p.m.); Rolla City Hall
– Council Chambers
Sept. 6 – International Idol Talent Competition Auditions (6-8
p.m.); Havener Center (to register, contact Rebecca Holmes at rmhq57@mst.edu)
Sept. 8 – Lions Club Park Free Fishing Derby (8:30 a.m.-11:30
a.m.); Lions Club Park
Sept. 8 – Missouri S&T Coterie Fall Coffee (9 a.m. – 11
a.m.); Rolla Episcopal Church, 1000 Main St. (Nancy Block, 578-2797 or
nancyblock2000@yahoo.com)
Sept. 8 – Canine Plunge at SplashZone (noon-3 p.m.); end of
season swim for pets (accompanied by owner) that have been socialized and have
had current vaccine updates. Early registration required – limited to 30
canines ($5 per canine); 364-8222
Sept. 8 – Cruise In (5-8 p.m.) Fairground Chevrolet; 100
Fairgrounds Rd.
Sept. 11 – Planning & Zoning Commission Mtg. (5:30 p.m.)
Sept. 17 – City Council Mtg. (6:30 p.m.)
Sept. 22 – Electronics & Appliance Collection (8 a.m. –
noon); Brewer Science, Inc. Parking Lot, 2401 Brewer Dr. (in Hypoint Industrial
Park at I-44 Exit 189/Hwy. V)
Sept. 22 – Healthy Baby Extravaganza (10 a.m. – 2 p.m.); Fire
Station #1 Headquarters and Greentree Christian Church, 10th Street
(364-3989); FREE
Sept. 22 – P.O.W. – M.I.A., Cruise In; (noon – 4 p.m.); Veterans
Memorial Park, Southview Dr. (contact Jerry Bumpus for info at 573-647-7601)
Sept. 26 – Eggs & Issues (7:30 a.m. – 9 a.m.); Oak Meadow
Country Club; to RSVP, call the Rolla Chamber at 364-3577
Sept. 29 – 3rd Annual Celebration of Nations (11 a.m.
– 4 p.m.); Downtown Festival Park
OCTOBER 2012
Oct. 1 – City Council Mtg. (6:30 p.m.)
Oct. 6 – City-wide Clean Up (items to curb by 6 a.m.);
residential only
Oct. 13 – 34th Annual Arts & Crafts Festival (9 a.m. – 4 p.m.)
Oct. 13 – 34th Annual Arts & Crafts Festival (9 a.m. – 4 p.m.)
Oct. 15 – City Council Mtg. (6:30 p.m.)
NOVEMBER 2012
Nov. 2 – 5th Annual Operation Neighborhood Clean-Up
(6:30 a.m.-noon); volunteers meet for at Greentree Christian Church Youth
Center, 801 E. 10th St. (308-1213 – Vince Giacolone)
Nov. 5 – City Council Mtg. (6:30 p.m.)
Nov. 19 – City Council Mtg. (6:30 p.m.)
Nov. 22-23 – City Hall closed for Thanksgiving Holiday
Scott A. Grahl
Communications Director
City of Rolla, Missouri
(573) 426-6943
Follow us on Facebook
& Twitter at www.rollacity.org
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