50 years ago

Jan. 7, 1976

— Eagle Rock and Golden combine promotion effort

The Eagle Rock Booster’s Association and Golden Circle Shores Association voted to merge into the Eagle Rock-Golden Association to coordinate promotion and tourism efforts around Table Rock Lake. Officers from the Eagle Rock group will serve during the first year. The association plans to continue established community events while expanding joint promotional activities, including an auto-van show scheduled for April.

— State would condemn lots at Roaring River

The State of Missouri filed action in Barry County Circuit Court seeking to condemn two privately owned lots inside Roaring River State Park. The land, owned by Roy and Maxine Edmondson, is currently leased for a tackle and supply business. If approved, commissioners would set the land’s value, which the state could accept or reject.

— Teaching award

Mrs. Mabel Hilburn of Jenkins received the Outstanding Elementary Teacher of America award and was listed in Who’s Who in Missouri Education for 1975. A second-grade teacher at Wheaton R-3 School, Hilburn was recognized for her dedication to education.

— Second graders heard from White House

Cassville second graders in Miss Sheryl Fraley’s class received a reply from President Gerald Ford after sending a Bicentennial greeting card. The president praised their patriotism and civic pride, concluding the letter with a reproduction of his signature.

40 years ago

Jan. 8, 1986

— Cassville case before state Supreme Court January 17

A legal battle over whether residents of a Cassville subdivision can restrict land use is scheduled for Missouri Supreme Court arguments Jan. 17. The dispute involves Wildwood Estates residents and the Barry-Lawrence Association for Retarded Citizens, which purchased a home for use as a group residence. Residents sought to block the use based on subdivision covenants limiting property to single-family residences. After multiple court actions and appeals, the Southern District Court of Appeals transferred the case to the Supreme Court due to its broader implications and a new law allowing group homes of eight or fewer residents in single-family zones. The key issue is whether the law applies retroactively to existing covenants, a decision that could affect similar cases statewide.

— Share Your Christmas 1985 helped 200 families throughout area

More than 200 families received assistance through the Share Your Christmas program in Barry County, according to Volunteer Coordinator Dottie Davis. The effort provided food, clothing, toys and quilts, with 52 children in special families receiving full Christmas gift lists and new clothing. Cash donations totaled $2,289.30, the highest since the program began, supplemented by profits from The Second Act. Food baskets went to 156 families, clothing and toys were distributed to 129 families, and volunteers produced 37 quilts. Community participation from churches, businesses and individuals was described as outstanding.

— Lady Wildcats upset Monett, record at 5-3

Cassville’s Lady Wildcats pulled off a 42-41 upset over Monett as Debbie King hit two late free throws and her sister Shannon King scored 24 points. Coach Martha Faucett said the comeback win lifted Cassville to a 5-3 record, with the team hitting 20 of 21 free throws. Monett, the defending state champions, fell to 8-2. Cassville’s junior varsity lost 51-19. The Lady Wildcats’ next home game is Feb. 6 against Lamar.

— County bird count conducted over holidays

Ten participants recorded 2,990 individual birds of 58 species during the 1985 Barry County Christmas Bird Count, according to coordinator Merle Rogers. New species included hooded mergansers, ring-billed gulls and a prairie falcon. Bald eagles increased significantly, while some species declined or were absent. The count was conducted by volunteers from Cassville, Monett and surrounding communities.

30 years ago

Jan. 3, 1996

— Winter snowstorm strikes county hard

Area students received two extra days of vacation this week thanks to a winter storm that covered Barry County with over seven inches of snow on Tuesday. Both Barry and Lawrence counties seemed to be the hardest hit areas in southwest Missouri. More than 100 Carroll Electric Co-op customers lost power Tuesday after snow-weighted branches dipped down onto power lines. Scattered power outages in southern portions of the county were still being reported late Tuesday. Despite slippery roads, no major accidents have occurred in southwest Missouri’s Troop D region over the past two days, according to Sgt. Terry Moore with the Missouri Highway Patrol. He said officers did respond to calls from about 50 motorists who slid off the road and worked about 20 minor accidents. Winds combined with continual snowfall caused drifting of a foot or more, keeping area road crews busy around the clock since around midnight Tuesday. Ray Mayfield with the Missouri Highway Department said 10 trucks and two motor graders were clearing roads throughout the county, using salt, sand and chemicals to de-ice roads. Cassville City Administrator Greg Beavers said the city’s one snow plow had been used constantly on city-maintained roads and a backhoe was used to clear snow around the square and on-street parking in the downtown business district. Beavers said the city’s spreader broke down, leaving crews unable to apply salt or cinders until a replacement part arrives Friday. The National Weather Service warned another system could bring freezing rain late Thursday night or early Friday, with temperatures dropping into the teens over the weekend. The storm also resulted in numerous basketball game cancellations, with schools to reschedule games once classes resume.

— Plans for park’s new lodge need to be “whittled down”

The Division of State Parks has begun looking at ways to reduce the scope of the proposed lodge complex at Roaring River State Park, according to Division Director Doug Eiken. Based on construction bids, project costs must be reduced by $1 million. Seven bids opened Nov. 30 all exceeded the state’s estimated cost of $3,515,000 by at least $1 million, and the 30-day deadline to award a bid passed, rejecting all bids by default. Eiken said the state hopes to re-bid the project by late spring so construction could begin in summer, adding that alternative funding sources are being discussed but cost reductions are preferred. Possible savings include reducing the number of rooms, raising the building elevation to reduce site preparation costs or using less expensive exterior materials. No specific changes have been finalized, and modifications will be made upon advice of architects and engineers. Funds were reappropriated this year, giving the department another year and a half to complete the project. The lodge concept was first presented in February 1992 and called for a 47,000-square-foot complex on a 3.5-acre site with a store, restaurant and 26 guest rooms, at a projected cost of $3.2 million to $3.6 million. The site will remain on the hill above the current motel, with the superintendent’s residence demolished to make room. The old motel and restaurant will be removed after construction is complete.

— Blunt kicks off congressional campaign with visit to Barry County

Roy Blunt visited Cassville Thursday to announce his candidacy for Congress during a 15-county campaign swing, drawing about 20 people to the Barry County Courthouse. The former Missouri secretary of state is seeking to replace retiring U.S. Rep. Mel Hancock in the 7th District. The Southwest Baptist University president was joined by his wife, Roseann, daughter Amy and son Andy. Blunt, a Republican, spoke about focusing on fiscal responsibility and the difficult choices facing Congress, citing his experience in private business and county and state government. He is expected to face Gary Nodler in the Republican primary. Blunt served eight years as secretary of state and 12 years as Greene County clerk and lost the GOP primary for governor in 1992. He plans to remain president of SBU during the campaign.

— Pipe bomb explodes; destroys rural mailbox

Three juveniles were arrested last week for allegedly setting off a pipe bomb in a rural mailbox about two and a half miles from Seligman. Barry County Sheriff Ralph Hendrix said two 16-year-olds and a 13-year-old were turned over to juvenile officers and later confessed. The juveniles were also questioned about recent bomb threats at Southwest School. The mailbox was destroyed, and deputies found a magazine on bomb-making during searches of the juveniles’ homes. Hendrix said the juveniles were also responsible for tearing down 15 to 18 stop signs in the Seligman area.