Yesterday I told you about my clients looking for a home in the Laclede County R-1 school district. They lost out on a home in Phillipsburg MO by a matter of minutes!We're still looking!If you own a home in the Laclede County R-1 school district and are in Lebanon MO, Conway MO or Phillipsburg MO please read on...This couple is looking for a home: with a little bit of land, 3+ acres would be ideal at least two full bathrooms is a must at least three bedrooms hard wood floors would be nice, but not required a basement would be nice a storm shelter would be a great bonus easy access to I-44 would be a plus in good condition - not a whole lot of work please If you have a home you think would be of interest to my client, and you are willing to sell, call me at 417-533-4015 or email me at de... 03/07/2009

Do you remember the Pep Rally?It's been a long time since I've given any thought to the Pep Rallys we held in school. I don't remember grade school get togethers. I doubt we had any since my grade school split into at least three different high schools. But, I do remember my high school, Benet Academy, and the Friday pep rally. I especially remember "We Are the Champions" by Queen pouring into the hallways from the loud speakers. To this day I do not know who allowed such a song to be played in our Catholic prep school hallways, but it is a vivid memory -- one I know I'll ever forget. So why the trip down memory lane? Ezard Elementary in Conway Missouri held a pep rally this past Friday. Conway is a self contained campus - with all 12 grades on the same grounds. My daughter is in sixth ... 02/21/2009

Conway Missouri High School receives Bronze medal from US News and World Report For the second year in a row, US News and World Reports  has published their list of top 100 High Schools in the United States. US News analyzed over 21,000 high schools, ranking them by Gold, Silver and Bronze standings.Congratulations to Conway High School in Conway Missouri for being named a Bronze Medal School in Missouri. Conway was one of forty-one schools in the state to make the over-all list. Conway High School is part of the Laclede County R-1 School District, serving approximately 270 students in grades 9 to 12.To learn more about the schools in Conway MO, here are a few links that may be helpful: How do you celebrate 95.3% attendance rate at Conway MO High School? You have the principal sleep on ... 01/05/2009

This year has brought a new High School principal, a new Junior High principal,a new Elementary School principal and a new Superintendent to Laclede County R-1 schools in Conway Missouri. A few new faces and a few familiar faces in new spots has brought a new life to the district and ... a little more FUN. The High School principal, Mr. Reeves, has helped revitalize our school spirit. He introduced our new slogan: It's a great day to be a Conway Bear! Mr. Reeves, and the Junior High principal, Mr. Lowrance, recently challenged students to exceed last year's attendance numbers: 95% for the year 2007/2008. (The state average for the same time period: 92.2%) The students met that challenge - 95.3% for the second quarter of 2008/2009 - and the two principals find themselves paying up by sl... 12/19/2008

Lebanon Missouri played host today to their Annual Christmas Parade. The Saturday before Thanksgiving traditionally kicks off the holiday season in Lebanon and Laclede County. The theme for the 2008 parade: Believe in the Spirit of Christmas.The Laclede Country R-1 Marching Band (Conway Missouri) was one of over one hundred entries in the parade and one of five school bands. This was the Conway's first appearance in almost five years in this particular parade. They did not disappoint.Director of Bands, David Taylor and his students took home 1st place for the "Best Drum Major" and 1st place for "Best Color Guard." Additionally, KJEL Radio broadcast the parade live on 103.7 FM - calling the Conway group "a very fine looking band."Congratulations to Mr. Taylor and the Conway Marching Band... 11/22/2008

Ezard Elementary School in Conway Missouri -  The 6th grade class has been learning about "going green."  They've talked about the environment, recycling and using items in unusual ways. Their latest assignment? Trash Art.   Use at least four items/things from around the home that otherwise would be thrown away. Think "outside the box" Try to avoid paint. This morning, boxes, tin foil, tooth picks, soup cans and  straws invaded the upper hall. The creativity of the class was impressive!How can you re-use items that would other wise end up in the trash bin? My daughter, Ashley, used a variety of items in her "Old McDonald's Farm" including: toothpicks, a cracker box, straws, a paper bag, wrapping paper, a potato chip container, a cup and, to hold the fence up - her used bubble gum! Chels... 11/20/2008

Food Power in Conway MO. Debbie DiFonzo volunteer. Today, Teresa Bell, a Nutrition Program Associate with the University of Missouri Extension, brought FOOD POWER to Ezard Elementary in Conway Missouri. FOOD POWER is a elementary grade level program designed to teach students the importance of healthy eating and physical activity. Using an interactive exhibit, the students used Pizza to learn how food comes from a Missouri farm, into their body, to ultimately give them the energy to grow and play. Farmer Tammy started the groups on their 45 minute journey talking about the "parts" of a pizza. What is the base? Dough - and what is that made of? Flour, which comes from Missouri wheat. What's next? Sauce, made from Missouri grown tomatoes. What must go on our pizza next? Of course, cheese... 11/13/2008

Back in May of this year, the Laclede County R-1 (Conway, MO) boys baseball team did something no other team in school history had done before: A Final 4 appearance.On May 29, 2008 our boys played in the Class 2 MSHSAA game for 3rd place. Going into the game the Conway Bears were 20 and 8, with Senior pitcher Kelby Rader 5 and 0. The boys easily won over Hallsville, 7 to 3. I must admit, I didn't know all the particulars of the win until a few weeks ago after walking into a PACKED school board meeting. Let me say, school board meetings in Conway MO are usually a quiet affair with only a handful of the public attending. Not the October meeting - students and parents alike packed the library meeting room. You could feel the excitement in the room - even after having time to let the thrill... 11/03/2008

Yesterday, I went on a listing appointment in one of my favorite towns, Conway MO. The property has 20 acres, with a home and various out buildings, including a very nice barn. (More to come next week as we finish up the paperwork and the visual tour.)When I arrived, a few minutes late, I waved and said hello to the hired hand. The lady looked at me and waved back, but did not say anything. As the owner, Sharon, and I talked, I found out the helper was deaf - and had been since the age of two. Sharon mentioned she would miss the sound of rustling leaves and whistling wind. Immediately I said I would miss the sound of a cat purring. Leaving the property some time later, I decided:I would also miss the laughter of my children and probably even their occasional whining.I would miss the che... 10/18/2008

Ezard Elementary, Conway MO. Teachers as heros. During my first 40 years, I've been blessed to have many hero's in my life. My Mom, my Dad, my husband, just to name a few. I consider Richard Nixon, FDR, George Halas and a few others hero's as well. They all have made a mark on the world, not always in the most obvious of ways.But, the true hero's in life, I do believe, are the teacher's; those in our schools, entrusted with our children each day. Growing up, I went to a Catholic grade school, high school and college. Many of the teachers were nuns, some were priests. I'd be hard pressed to name those names. But I do remember many, if not most, of the lay teachers. I remember Mrs. Mooney, third grade; Mr. Gary, eighth grade; and my beloved Mrs. Miller, fifth grade and then seventh grade.... 09/16/2008

Last night, the Mayor of the City of Conway appeared before the Laclede County R-1 School Board at their regularly scheduled meeting for the month of July. One point of business before the school board: moving the existing Conway storm siren.The City of Conway recently applied for and received a grant to purchase a new storm siren. The existing siren is located in downtown Conway while the school sits on the Northern fringe of town. The City offered to move the old, existing siren to school property with the City paying the cost of relocating the siren. The District was asked to approve the addition of the siren. They were also asked to sign a utility easement allowing Laclede Electric to place an additional pole on district property.A motion was made reflecting the request of the City ... 07/22/2008

  I've written this post a hundred times in my mind. It's been six weeks and I still can't get it down, not really.It's too hard to say good bye.May 23rd was our last day of regular school at Conway Elementary in Conway, Missouri. The following Tuesday, we started summer school and today, the 3rd of July, our summer school came to a close. Our long time principle is now officially retired. We said our good byes, teary eyed. I don't think Mr. Hibbs will be surprised should he read this post - I think he would expect me to relate his departure to real estate. Mr. Hibbs is a lover of people and children - I spent many hours trying to convince him real estate should be his next calling. I finally realized how I could write a post about Mr. Hibbs - I had to relate the experience to real est... 07/03/2008

Red foxes are common in the State of Missouri and mostly nocturnal. So, I have to tell you I was surprised to meet one early this morning on a street in Conway, MO.I had just taken photos for a BPO and was getting ready to put my camera away. Before me, at the stop sign, sat a fox. Pulling up, I watched. She wasn't afraid. She actually looked a little perplexed that I was driving down her street. Population of Conway, MO: 781 plus one ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Contact Debbie DiFonzo, Broker, United Country VIP Realty, at 417-468-5900 to list your property for sale or to purchase a property in Marshfield, Conway, Phillipsburg, Lebanon, Long Lane, or Buffalo, Missouri. To view all our listings and auctions, visit: www.UCtheOzarks.com Contact Debbie at: Debbie@ucvip.com Copyright © 2008 By Debbie DiFo... 06/18/2008

I probably shouldn't admit this... but it is what it is. I'm running for the Laclede County R-1 school board . . . again.This will be my third try. I've heard all sorts of things in my quest to serve on the school board. The most popular comment:You're not from here. You're an OUTSIDER.I've lived in the Conway, MO area since January 2000. I was born and raised out side of Chicago; my kids were born there as well. No matter what I do, how long I live here, I will never be from Missouri. Neither will my kids.But, I think of myself as an INSIDER.I own my own business. In fact I have two local offices.I volunteer at the school - I have a neat little title: Practical Parenting Partnership Coordinator. I'm in charge of the PPP (Aren't you jealous! The head P)I've been elected to the Laclede C... 04/02/2008

Summer school isn't like it used to be.     I remember growing up outside of Chicago, summer school was a taboo phrase. It was a bad thing. It meant failure. It meant going to school while your friends played outside and jumped in the pool.Here in Missouri, it's almost a privilege to attend summer school. Bus service is provided to and from school. Breakfast and Lunch are provided by the school. Every Friday is a field trip. Prizes are given for perfect attendance.Conway Elementary will again run a six week summer school this year. The students pick six different classes, one for each week. They stay in their "group" for the entire program and the teachers rotate in and out of the classrooms. My kids love it - they are exposed to teachers they might not otherwise get to have. They are w... 03/26/2008

In the past year, I've read many of the MeMe posts. While I enjoyed all of them, I haven't followed the trend and wasn't totally sure what the process was... Then Carole Provenzale "tagged" me for a MeMe! What? Me? I immediately logged on to AR, clicked the search button and was over whelmed by all the information on MeMe's! During my quest for information, I discovered Sondra Meyer, one of my United Country partners in crime, had tagged me earlier this month! What? Me?I now know more than I thought there was to know about a MeMe...So... Here we go... Two for the price of one...   1. I grew up in Naperville, Illinois, living in the same house; I am an only child and I wore a uniform every school day until I went to college. I grew up in the same home all my life, never moving until I go... 01/29/2008

I hate parades. Okay, there I said it. Most people think I am crazy - "How can you not like a parade?" they'll say...  I don't have a real good answer to that... It's not something I can easily answer. I just don't "get it."Okay, okay, so I'm a party poo-per when it comes to a parade. Maybe even a whiner...BUT, I finally have to admit, in a public forum - I went to a parade and actually had FUN!Last weekend, Conway, MO held their 29th Annual Old Fashioned Community Day's celebration. In the past, I've tried to avoid the Saturday morning parade for the reason listed above - I never thought I'd like a parade. This year, both my kids were invited to participate - I had little choice but to attend. My youngest walked in the "Bubble Brigade" and my oldest sat on the "Hee Haw" float. I walked... 09/25/2007

Conway, Missouri Bears Gettin' Ready For THE SEASONAfter an incredible, record breaking season last year the Conway Bears and Coach Shockley are already at the line, getting ready for the up coming season boys basketball season. Everyone was a Bear fan last year - from the very young, to the very old, those with students and those without. Read the full story on the 2006/2007 season here: Conway Chronicles    It truly was a season to remember!  The 2007/2008 season starts out like this:11/26 - 12/1              Strafford Invitational (A)12/04                         Pleasant Home (A)12/07                         Sparta (A)12/11                         Fordland (H)12/13                         Greenwood (A)12/17                         Seymour (A)12/20                         Aurora (H)1... 08/29/2007

In Conway, MO today was the last day of school. As of 1:05 pm today, my kids had "officially" declared themselves one grade level older - our son is now a second grader, our daughter a fifth grader.As I went through the final papers, the stack of art projects and the final report card, I couldn't help but feel a little sad. Not to worry, said my daughter as she patted my shoulder. "In only seven more years I'll be in college!" What?!Only... seven... more...Okay, okay, I get it... only seven more years....Both my kids thought that was a pretty cool observation. I didn't find it so "cool."As the busy summer selling season begins, I am reminded the kids are growing as quick as the weeds in the flower garden. Now is the time to feed the fish, go swimming, read a good book, count the cows, g... 05/16/2007