Volunteers with the Wright City Memorial Society will present stories of the past during a special program Sunday, Nov. 17, in the basement of the Fellowship Hall of Immanuel United Church of Christ in Wright City.

The program begins at 2 p.m. and the admission price is $5. All proceeds benefit the work of the Memorial Society in beautifying the city cemetery. Refreshments will be served. 

The presenters of the “Voices of the Past” program will give a glimpse into the lives of several notable residents and others who endured hardships and tragedies during their lifeline.

The story of the young Ella Fariss, the beloved daughter of prominent businessman and banker T.J. Fariss will be told, along with that of blind pianist Oscar Gempp. The Fariss family built a large two-story residence in downtown Wright City, and the home was later owned by the Gempp family. The life of Selma Bruning will be recalled. She and her husband operated a grocery store in Wright City for many years.

Among the other stories that will be told are that of Mary Gerdeman who perished with her two sons in a tragic car-train accident, and Mary Stamer, who traveled the world extensively as a lady’s maid to a prominent St. Louis family and then returned to the family farm south of Wright City. Emma Hedeman, the young widow of the town’s physician, will be remembered as will the life of Catherine Godt, the daughter of a member of the Missouri Home Guard who was killed during a Civil War skirmish between Warrenton and Wright City.

For more information, contact Marie Hollenback 636-745-1025.