Arnold city officials have seen a strong demand for the coffee-table book celebrating the 50th anniversary of the city’s incorporation in 1972.
The city is giving away free copies of the book, which is filled with photos of people, places and events taken in Arnold over the past 50 years.
Initially, the book was to be handed out on July 2 during Arnold’s Independence Day Celebration.
However, the city canceled the event, which was to be held at Arnold City Park, because of inclement weather.
Arnold officials then made 500 books available on July 6 at City Hall, 2101 Jeffco Blvd., and the Arnold Recreation Center, 1695 Missouri State Road, with each location handing out 250 of the books. Those copies are nearly gone, city officials said Monday, July 11.
“People are just thrilled to have them,” said Teresa Kohut, Arnold Parks and Recreation supervisor. “They are going through them before they leave the building. I think people are really loving them.”
The city and the Leader teamed up to produce the book, which is packed with images from the last five decades, after Beck, Flamm City, Maxville, Old Town Arnold, Tenbrook and Wickes were incorporated to create the city.
Along with photographs from the Leader’s archives, current and former Arnold residents submitted photographs for the book.
City Administrator Bryan Richison said 2,000 copies of the 68-page book were printed, which cost the city $6,270.
Books will be available at the Arnold Days festival, set for Sept. 16-18 at Arnold City Park.
However, the city’s anniversary committee was scheduled to meet July 12 to determine if more books would be made available before that at the rec center and City Hall, or if the city will plan another event before Arnold Days so books can be distributed, Richison said.
“I kept 1,500 back, not knowing whether we would try to do something else or not,” he said. “(On July 12), we will discuss where we are at with the books. We may want to make some of the other 1,500 books available, do another event or re-order.”
Richison said he is happy the book is popular.
“The whole reason we didn’t charge is so people would have them,” he said. “The feedback I have received has been positive. People like seeing the pictures, especially people who have lived here for a number of years and recognize some of the older buildings and remember how things have changed. I am happy people are getting their hands on them, can look through them and enjoy them.”
Kohut said the city expected to spend up to about $40,000 on the Independence Day Celebration to cover the cost of free events, such as a bubble extravaganza, eating contests and family games, as well as a performance by the band Wildfire.
Richison said the city expects to receive a credit of $25,000 from Gateway Pyrotechnic Productions for the fireworks display that was canceled on July 2, which made up most of the $40,000 budget, and the company will offer the display at a different time.
City officials also are discussing when Mayor Ron Counts will unveil a 50th anniversary mystery showpiece, which was scheduled to happen during the Independence Day Celebration.
The July 2 event, which was canceled the day of the festivities because of the park’s condition following heavy rains, is the second time the city’s plans to celebrate Arnold’s anniversary have been altered.
A gala held March 18 ended early when Michael D. Allen, 69, of Arnold suffered a medical emergency and had to be rushed to Mercy Hospital South in south St. Louis County. He died at 12:02 a.m. March 19, Allen’s wife, Peggy Allen, said.
“We will talk about if we want to make a run at another event, or if we want to concentrate now on Arnold Days,” Richison said. “I understand people are feeling a little disappointed about not being able to celebrate (the 50th anniversary). Any big events will probably be outdoors, and you have to worry about the weather again. At least with Arnold Days, you have three days, and you hope at least one of those days is good. I don’t know what we will do, and I am curious to see what ideas (anniversary committee members) have.”