The Annual AC Music Pancake breakfast and Open Mic fundraiser will be 8:00-10:00 a.m. December 6 in the AC Elementary Gym. The menu includes all you can eat pancakes, sausage, bacon, coffee and juice. Adults eat for $10, kids 3-11 $5 and 2 and under free. There will also be performances by Coy and Reid Stephan, Mark Withers, Tommy Payton, Danny Greathouse, Ben Yancy and the AC Music Students Steel Bands. If you want to join them on stage to share your music, contact us at BYancey@Appletoncity.k12.mo.us.
December 6, Growing In Grace will have a bake sale from 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. along with other vendors for Christmas In The Country. They will also be having their Community Dinner with music from 3:00-6:00 p.m. The menu is spiral ham, sweet potatoes, homemade mac ‘n cheese, green beans with potatoes, homemade bread, salad bar and dessert. They have recently started delivering meals to the community as well. Reach out to 660-492-3425 if you would like a meal delivered.
AC Public Library will be hosting a bake sale and book signing on December 6, during Christmas in the Country, 8:00 a.m. till they run out. The support from the bake sale will go to the continuation of the Library and its programs. They are also excited to be joined by Janna Elliston, a local author, who will be showcasing her new children’s book, The Legend of Maggie and Lance. She will have copies available for purchase and to be autographed. They hope to see you there! This event is made possible by Thrivent and the Staff and Volunteers of the AC Public Library.
Women helping women with their education is what Chapter CC PEO Sisterhood has done since 1915 through grants and scholarships for women of all ages. Numerous local women have received PEO scholarships and grants. Local members are having a quilt raffle this month and will be selling tickets with the drawing December 6 at the Depot Craft Show.
The Ellett Memorial Hospital Foundation will be selling raffle tickets for three baskets inside the Park Building during the Grinch Candy Cane Hunt. The three baskets are: a RevIVe Hydration Basket donated by April Loney, a BBQ Smoker/Grill kit donated by Denice Nitchals, and a Chili Pot + Fixings basket donated by Green’s Welding. Raffle tickets are $5 per ticket. The winners will be drawn on December 20. If you have any questions or are interested in purchasing tickets, please contact Julee Snyder at Ellett Memorial Hospital.
Appleton City Manor and Countryside Estates invite you to stop by for a free holiday tour of the skilled nursing home and residential care facility on Saturday, December 6, from 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. Come see the transformation for yourself – freshly remodeled spaces, festive holiday decor and a warm welcome waiting for you. They are located at 500 N Ohio St, Appleton City – just south of Ellett Memorial Hospital.
Hudson and Appleton City Parents As Teachers will be hosting Pictures With Santa on Saturday, December 13 from 9:00-10:00 a.m. at the Rockville Methodist Church
Meet Me On Main will hold their final Second Wednesday Shop and Stroll for the year on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Participating businesses include Jina’s Junque, Rural Roots, 3 Wishes, 4th Street Fika, Cork & Keg, and the A.C. Library will be open with a craft to make.
The Knights of Columbus will have their monthly pancake and sausage breakfast at the Knight’s Hall in Montrose on Sunday, December 14 from 8:30 – 10:00 a.m. Treat your family to a hot breakfast you don’t have to cook or clean up. A free will donation will be greatly appreciated
The Golden Apples will meet Thursday December 4 at The Farmhouse Kitchen banquet room. This week’s theme is “Potluck”, so dust off those favorite recipes for those main dishes, sides and desserts. They’ll get out the bingo cards and see who’s on a winning streak.
The Montrose Cheerleaders are selling fresh Christmas Decor (wreaths, sprays, garland, mini trees, etc.). You may purchase online through December 15 at GiftItForward.com/fundraising using coupon code MONTROMO001 or contact a cheer member or Amy Wagner at 660-492-3370.
Ellett Memorial Hospital Appleton City offers outpatient specialist services for December 2025. Call 660-476-2111 for appointments. Wednesday Dec 3 – Upper GI, Colonoscopy-Dr. Namin, Thursday Dec 4 – OB/GYN, Dr. Kallberg, Tuesday Dec 9 – Rheumatology-Dr. John, Thursday Dec 11 – Neurology- Dr.- Shoaib, Friday Dec 12 – Ortho-Dr. Gray, Friday Dec 12 – Dermatology-Timmerman, PA, Tuesday Dec 16 – Ophthalmology, Dr. Soni, Wednesday Dec 17- Upper GI, Colonoscopy-Dr. Namin, Thursday Dec 18 – Podiatry- Dr. Pace, Friday Dec 19 – Ortho-Noble, FNP, Friday Dec 19 – Dermatology-Timmerman, PA, Tuesday Dec 30 – Rheumatology-Dr. John.
“The Little Apple” was started by the A. C. Economic Development as way of informing residents of news and events sponsored by area businesses and organizations. Items of a clearly personal nature, such as birthdays, anniversaries, awards (not group sponsored), personal sales and the like are not accepted for publication. Items may be edited for accuracy, grammar or space restrictions. Please email articles for “The Little Apple” to dcp81@embarqmail.com by Tuesday evenings or bring them to Dr. Payton’s office to be included in that week’s edition. To receive “The Little Apple” free by e-mail, or to be removed from the email list, send your e-mail address to dcp81@embarqmail.com If you have changed your email address, please send the current address, so the list can be updated.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Dec 6 Christmas In The Country in Appleton City
Dec 10 Meet Me On Main Street Second Wednesday Shop and Stroll from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Dec 14 Knights of Columbus monthly pancake and sausage breakfast at the Knight’s Hall in Montrose 8:30 – 10:00 a.m.
This year’s Christmas in the Country celebration will take place on Saturday, December 6.
The 29th Annual Christmas in the Country Depot Craft Show, December 6 will provide shopping pleasure for all. All items provided for sale are hand crafted by the vendors. Returning crafters and some new faces will make this a great show. Plan to attend and buy locally for those on your Christmas List. This annual event is sponsored by Appleton City Museum. Hours are 9:00-2:00
Christmas in the Country will be December 6. Organizers are planning a parade like last year but hoping for more businesses, churches and organizations to participate. They would like all floats, golf carts, rangers, etc. to be decorated with Christmas lights. The parade will be 6:00 p.m. Saturday night and lineup will be at the school. After the parade, the Mayor’s Christmas tree lighting will take place and then Santa Claus will visit with the children. If you would like to be in the parade, please contact Kristine Parks at 660-492-2171.
8:00 am – 11:00 am After-Prom Celebration Committee – Holiday Rummage & Bake Sale (School Cafeteria)
8:00 am – 10:00 am Steel Band – Pancake Breakfast (East Gym) Music by Steel Band
8:00 am -12:00 pm AC Public Library Bake Sale and Book Signing with Janna Elliston
9:00 am – 2:00 pm 29th Annual Christmas in the Country Depot Craft show
9:00 am – 2:00 pm 2 Blondes Thrift – Vintage Holiday Sweaters (302 N Walnut St)
9:00 am –2:00 pm 4th Street Businesses – Rural Roots, 3 Wishes, Jina’s Junque (open all day), 4th Street Fika, Half-Baked and Brown’s Chiropractic with 2 vendors and a backdrop for photos
9:00 am – 2:00 pm Growing In Grace bake sale along with other vendors
11:00 am – 1:00 pm Hudson Hustlers 4-H youth – Baked Potato Bar (Park Building Forest Park)
1:30 pm – 3:30 pm Christmas Tour at AC Manor and Countryside Estates
3:00 pm – 6:00 pm Growing In Grace Community Dinner
3:30 pm Ellett Memorial Candy Cane Hunt, Pictures with the Grinch, FREE Hot Chocolate and Free Christmas crafts for the kids (Forest Park)
4:30 pm Optimist Club – Soup and Chili Supper (Park Building Forest Park)
5:30 pm Lineup for Parade in school parking lot
6:00 pm Parade starts
Lighting of the Mayor’s Christmas Tree will follow the parade
Pictures with Santa will be in the park building immediately after the lighting of the tree.
Funds are needed for the backpack program. Holy Trinity Church in AC houses this project, which is funded by you, the community. They now are sending 35 packs of food home with school kids weekly. The cost is $950 per month and they are reaching out for help. Donations are accepted at the church and may be made to: TUMC, with memo: Backpack. Thank You.
Feeding management of cattle is important to the profitability of the cattle operation. Furthermore, forage is the main part of the diet for cow-calf producers, so economics related to acquiring that forage is important to an operation’s bottom-line. Therefore, MU Extension, with the help of Wheeler Livestock Auction, is providing a workshop to discuss these topics on December 15 at 6:00 p.m. at the Landmark Restaurant, 301 South Main, Lowry City, MO 64763. This workshop will discuss winter cattle management and economics related to forage acquisition. MU Extension Livestock Field Specialists Patrick Davis and Andy McCorkill will discuss winter cattle feeding. MU Extension Ag Business Field Specialist Jake Hefley will discuss economic consideration for buying versus baling hay. This event is free, and meal will be provided with support from Wheeler Livestock Auction. Registration is required to attend by December 8. Register online at https://tinyurl.com/bdntbsjx or by contacting the St. Clair County MU Extension Center at (417) 646-2419. For more info on the event, contact Davis at (417)276-3313 or by email at davismp@missouri.edu.
Understanding markets as well as suggestions on feeding cattle through the winter are important for a cattle operation to function properly. Furthermore, understanding financial tools that are available to cattle producers is helpful in planning for operational success in the future. Therefore, MU Extension is partnering with FCS Financial to provide a cattle producers meeting to cover these topics 6:00 p.m. December 11 at the Vernon County Fairgrounds Centennial Hall at 1641 E Ashland Street, Nevada, MO 64772. This meeting will cover cattle feeding and ag business topics related to cattle production. MU Extension Livestock Field Specialists Patrick Davis and Andy McCorkill will discuss winter cattle feeding. MU Extension Ag Business Field Specialist Wesley Tucker will provide a cattle market outlook. There will also be representatives from FCS Financial to discuss products available to cattle producers. This event is free, and meal will be provided with support from FCS Financial. Registration is required to attend by December 5. Register online at https://tinyurl.com/2mfhs4f4 or by contacting the Vernon County MU Extension Center at (417) 448-2560. For more information on the event contact Davis at (417) 276-3313 or by email at davismp@missouri.edu.
Volunteer drivers are needed ahead of the busy year-end season. New Growth Transit especially needs volunteers in the Appleton City and Montrose area to provide free rides for residents who aren’t able to drive themselves to medical appointments and other essential destinations. Drivers are reimbursed $0.70 per mile (not income), receive training and ongoing support, and choose when and where they’re willing to drive. Call 417-283-7991 or visit newgrowthtransit.org to learn more.
The Appleton City Ministerial Alliance meets throughout the year providing community services and opportunities for the area churches to gather together for worship. Additionally, the ACMA helps people through the region in a variety of ways. In 2023 the ACMA founded the Tony Reynolds Memorial Scholarship, which is a $1000 scholarship awarded locally to an area student pursuing continuing education post-high school. Some in the community have asked about the ability to make donations directly towards the scholarship fund that are not used in other ACMA endeavors. At any time, you may make donations towards the ACMA and they encourage you to do so. You may make donations at any of their community meetings, or feel free to contact one of the ministers serving in the ACMA for more information.
