Kingdom of Callaway Supper celebrates community, tradition

Julie Boyd Uhls, 2015 Kingdom of Callaway Supper president, chats inside William Woods University's Tucker Dining Hall during the annual celebration. The 110th Kingdom of Callaway Supper celebrated people who've made contributions to the community.
Julie Boyd Uhls, 2015 Kingdom of Callaway Supper president, chats inside William Woods University's Tucker Dining Hall during the annual celebration. The 110th Kingdom of Callaway Supper celebrated people who've made contributions to the community.

The 2015 Kingdom of Callaway Supper brought together the Callaway County community Tuesday, March 24 on the William Woods University campus.

After a cocktail reception and meal, the more than 260 attendees moved to Dulany Auditorium for the program featuring entertainment, awards ceremony and guest of honor speech.

Jane McClellan, a Fulton native and manager of consumer and market insights for the J.M. Smucker Company, was the guest of honor and spoke about her family history in Callaway County and the characteristics that makes Callawegians unique.

Joyce Epperson of Fulton received the Settler's Award for her dedication to the community through her volunteerism. Epperson is a former medical first responder, crisis response team member and volunteer at the Missouri School for the Deaf among other responsibilities.

The Fulton VFW Post 2657 accepted the Service Award for its contributions to veterans and the community alike for more than 75 years.

"We looked at the work they have done in the community," Cliff Nevins, a member of the Service Award Committee, previously told the Fulton Sun of the group's selection. "They do a lot of fundraising, and they give it all back - not just to veterans, but to the community. They've given money for Honor Flight, they bring veterans over from Mexico to have dinner with their families every month, they donate to SERVE, they give money for Alzheimer's. It's just a good organization.

"They go under the radar. They don't do it for the accolades, but we thought it was time they were recognized."

It was also announced Tuesday night that Ron Atkinson, owner and operator of Gasper's Truck Plaza, will be the 2016 Kingdom Supper president.