National Missing Children’s Day.

Every year on May 25, Missourians are asked to remember the children who stare back each day from the posters of the missing. These are the faces of children who have been stolen from their families, run away from their families, or have been abandoned by their families. Regardless of the reason, these missing youth are in danger every day. It is the goal of National Missing Children’s Day to bring public attention to the growing problem of missing children.

President Ronald Reagan first proclaimed National Missing Children’s Day on May 25, 1983. It now serves as an annual reminder to Missouri and the nation that everyone can play a part in bringing a missing child home, and in preventing the occurrence of future missing children. All Missouri citizens are encouraged to drive with their headlights on throughout the day on May 25, to "light the way home" for our missing youth. The wearing of a white ribbon also symbolizes the continued fight to return children safely home.

"Every child has a right to protection and a healthy and safe living environment," said Sgt. Keverne L. McCollum, supervisor of the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Missing Persons Clearinghouse. As a state, we must stand strong against the dilemma of lost and missing children."

In 2009, 7,000 children were reported missing to Missouri law enforcement agencies. These missing reports included runaways, family abductions, and non-family abductions. At the end of 2009, 133 of these children were still missing. In the first quarter of 2010, there have been 2,339 children reported missing, 2,073 of which have been located.

"One missing child is still one too many," added Sgt. McCollum.

The Missouri Missing Persons Clearinghouse reminds all parents and guardians to talk to children about child safety issues as a pro-active approach to curbing child abduction. In the same manner as reminding children to look both ways before crossing the street, children should be reminded often to follow these safety rules:

CHECK FIRST: Check first with a trusted adult before going anywhere or accepting anything from anyone.

TAKE A BUDDY: Never go alone; always take a friend. If a child MUST go somewhere alone, remind them to call before leaving, stay on a protected path, and check in upon arrival.

SAY NO: Know that it is OK to say, "NO!" Teach children to tell a trusted adult if something makes them scared or uncomfortable.

BE SAFE: Remind children they always have the right to stay safe.

The Patrol’s Missing Persons Clearinghouse has a Child ID System, which can be taken to schools, health and safety fairs, and civic meetings upon request to make free, wallet-sized child ID cards for parents.

My brother worked on a pig farm ta help pay his way durin’ his college years. Said it wasn’t that bad a work, but he started noticin’ the resemblance ‘tween hogs and people.

He [my brother, not the pig] started noticin’ that if he was in a bad mood when he came in ta feed the animals, there was much disruption throughout the community. Some days he’d come and throw a bucket and be talkin’ loud and the pigs would respond accordingly. They’d start pushin’ and snarlin’ at each other. Other days he’d be hummin’ a tune and talkin’ quiet, they’d all be happy as could be.

One day he thought he’d get by bein’ a little late, but the pigs squealed.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

---

artCentral

ART NOTES from Hyde House

by Sally Armstrong, Director of artCentral

Excitement mounts as we approach the final weekend of our "5X5 Art Auction" here at Hyde House Gallery, and 55 bidders have left bids on all 74 works presented in our show. There have been a number of questions posed to us regarding the completion of our auction, and how we will handle specific scenarios as the bidding closes on contested works. My board of directors has just met today, and I would like to post the following instructions that will take effect in addition to the guidelines already presented to our bidders thus far. * "Sealed bids left with artCentral can be made only by persons already in possession of a bidding number, having filled in the required form previously. If a bidder is absent Saturday night, he/she may leave sealed bid with an agent representing him, with instructions on proceeding, or if artCentral is acting as agent we must have the desired spread bids in writing, incrementally as desired, or at least in minimum $50.00 advancements, with a ceiling or highest bid noted. If bidder is willing to go higher than their ceiling bid, an agent representing must have written authority to do so. An opening bid must be posted at the time the sealed document is presented, and the first qualifying spread bid will be posted at 7:00 pm on Saturday night, with additional bids presented as required until 7:30 pm. At 7:30, all 74 entries will have their highest bids highlighted and noted by a board member, and if these highlighted bids are not increased in 5 minutes, bidding will close on any work not increased, until all works receive their highest bids, using the 5 minute increments thereafter. This will continue until all bidders have dropped out and a final bid is achieved. As bids close on a piece, the identification sheet will be removed from the wall, and a piece may be claimed after being paid for at the cashier’s desk. Items not claimed Saturday night will be kept for later payment and pickup and any unclaimed piece not claimed in 30 days is offered to the next highest bidder, and then down the list until it is claimed. Payment is by check or cash only." Our gallery is open this weekend, Friday and Saturday noon to 5:00 for bidding, and then we will re-open at 6:00 again on Saturday for the final reception. All are invited to attend, so come out and watch the fun, or participate! You may go home with a work of art!