By Brianna Pitts
InkFreeNews

CLAYPOOL — The planning of the Claypool sesquicentennial has been in the works for the last year, with its committee meeting on the second Saturday of every month.

Donna Morris, one of the women leading this committee, discussed the ins and outs of planning such a monumental event for the community.

A photo of the front page of the Centennial Book.

Morris moved to Claypool when she was a sophomore in high school and has lived there ever since. In December of 1960, Don and Donna eloped and have been married for almost 63 years. They raised their two boys, Dale and Dean, in Claypool. Don and Donna have also attended Claypool United Methodist Church since they were married.

Morris mentioned her inspirations for putting in the time and effort to plan this event came from the two parade marshals selected, Janet and Marge Warren. She said the two women are incredibly influential in the community, but especially when it came to planning the Claypool centennial event 50 years ago. One particularly intriguing project Marge Warren contributed to the event was organizing a historical book about the last 100 years of Claypool. Donna has been able to use this as a tool in the planning process, as well as add to it.

When asked her favorite part of the planning process, Warren said she loved experiencing the camaraderie of Claypool coming together to plan such a historically significant event. She spoke about how encouraging it was to meet with people of all ages to pull this event together, and how there were many new people and ideas that helped plan that impacted the event for the better.

She also spoke of the significant church involvement that happened in order for everything to come together. Morris said the planning process really showed how the people of Claypool could work together and bring their individual strengths to planning this event.

When asked what made her the most excited when planning, Morris said seeing all of their labors and commitment come to fruition at the event would be her favorite aspect. She also said she “could not wait to see everyone enjoying themselves and reminiscing, being a witness to the Claypool sesquicentennial bringing people back to Claypool, who grew up here, to celebrate.”