50 years ago

April 1, 1976

— CHS Business Students Going To State Events

The Cassville chapter of the Future Business Leaders of America was the host club at the District Five conference held on the campus of Missouri Southern State College at Joplin last week. Ten of the 12 chapters in the district were represented with 230 persons in attendance. Miss Sally Blythe, Cassville district president, presided over the business session. Out of the 15 competitive events entered at the district level, Cassville received first, second, or third recognition in thirteen. Those qualifying to compete at the state conference April 30-May 1 at Jefferson City are Tracy England, first in public speaking; Miss Blythe, first in senior steno-grapher; Julie Younger, third in spelling. Parliamentary team, Pat Rahoy, Miss England, Jerry Yarnall, Roger Lander, and David Samuel also placed first and will represent the district at the conference in the Parliamentary Procedure event. Miss Blythe was second in Ms. FBLA and Samuel was third in Mr. FBLA events. Other recognition for CHS was: Janice Petty, second in clerical, Annette Preddy, third in junior clerk-typist; Marilyn Stringer, second in machine transcription and Sheri Stacy, second in junior stenographer. The chapter’s activity report was awarded first place recognition and will be entered in the state competition. The exhibit received third place. The Cassville chapter was awarded the certificate for the largest chapter membership. Miss Blythe installed the District officers for 1976-77 who were elected by voting delegates from each school.

40 years ago

April 2, 1986

— Plenty Evidence Of Early Spring Arrival In County

Look around you, there is evidence everywhere that the arrival of spring is early this year. In fact, bloomings are early enough that estimates of the full color of dogwood and redbud are being adjusted from the third weekend in the month to this coming weekend. And, those whose business it is to keep records, Vollenweider Orchards, confirm the arrival is about two weeks early. Another indicator, Roaring River State Park is having a record turnout of anglers on the stream. Loren Nickols, tag sales supervisor at the park, said last week’s purchase of daily tags ran over the 5,000 figure. “That’s the first time that’s happened in four years,” he observed. Yard mowing chores have started throughout Cassville, again two or three weeks earlier than normal. On the dogwood and redbud situation, Rick Linebarger of the Cassville ranger district of Mark Twain National Forest, said it appeared now the full blooming ot the trees would be this weekend, instead of the April 18-19 date predicted earlier in the year. The mid-April date is “a usual date for the trees to be in full bloom, but like everything else, it’s early this year,” Linebarger said. John Vollenweider’s records at the sprawling orchard between Cassville and Exeter, indicate this is the earliest for apples to be in heavy bloom since the late 1970’s. The orchard installed bees this week, 360 hives of them, to being pollination of the or-chard. The orchard folks said a cold spell, a possibility for this weekend, could delay further full blooming, but that’s not pro-bable. Early spring and the pre-season arrival of 80 degree temperatures are credited with putting one of the most attractive views of the Barry County Ozarks before the people….at least a couple of weeks earlier than normal this year.

— Exeter Approves Only Tax Issue In Tuesday Balloting

There weren’t many tax issues before voters in spring balloting Tuesday, but out of four, Exeter’s approval of a one cent sales tax was the only one to pass. Emerald Beach Village on Table Rock approved a water assessment issue. The election went without incident Tuesday, with the only real excitement probably coming from write-in ballots for road districts and a necessity of moving the Monett poll from the National Guard Armory to the city hall. County Clerk Rex Stumpff said the polling places were moved about 10:00 a.m. Tuesday after a call from Jefferson City advised him that a bomb threat had been received, targeting a National Guard Armory in the state. Stumpff said state officials, in a precautionary measure, cleared all armory facilities immediately. So far as has been determined, there was no actual incident reported in the state. Stumpff said write-in ballots cast in various road districts made it impossible to compile returns in the unofficial review Tuesday night. He said tabulations would be made during the official canvass sometime Wednesday. As stated before, unofficial returns available Tuesday included the following school propositions: Cassville, John Anglum an incumbent led balloting with 503 as Steve Buchheit, a newcomer, got 402 votes, as both were elected to three year terms on the board of education. Southwest of Washburn, incumbents Don McCaslin with 166 and Jim Roller with 203, were renamed to the board of education. Three other candidates included Jim. Chadd 101, Jerry Laney 98, and Vern Dalton 134. Jenkins, Wes Wilson with 46 and Darrell C. Sams with 40 were named to the school board. Other candidates, Carol A. Walker 38 and J. D. Gautney 31. Monett, David Honeycutt with 254 and Jim Bass with 256 were elected. A third candidate, Joe Schneller, received 69 votes. Purdy, two incumbents were returned to the board of education when Allen Keeling received 434 votes and Jimmie Terry 411. Challengers David Redshaw had 126, Carolyn Flummerfelt 136 and Cathy Terry 110. Shell Knob, named Gary D. Peters with 156 votes and Charles M. Gibbs with 135 to the board of education for three year terms. Jana Rima, a third candidate, received 162 votes winning a one year term. Wheaton, Dale Forgey with 143 and Lindy Lombard with 110, were top vote getters and elected to the school board. A pair of additional candidates, Joe Phelps 95 and Lloyd Birchfield 44, were also on the ballot. Municipal and village voting in the county Tuesday produced these initial returns: Exeter, joined the municipal governments in Barry county collecting a one cent sales tax. The vote was 54 in favor and 41 op-posed. Funds are scheduled for use in street and general city purposes. Council election processes in Exeter had Alma M. Chappell win the north ward council seat unopposed as Charles Ricketts won in the south ward, also unopposed with 42 votes. Cassville, north ward, Gary Fields unopposed received 84 votes. Fields, who is moving outside the city limits, has filed voluntary annexation papers to remain in the corporate limits status. South ward voters named incumbent Bob L. Mizer with 67 votes over challenger Jim Buford’s 31, to another term on the council. Butterfield village, named to a four year trustee post was Orville Periman with 26 votes, James E. Martin received seven. Named to a one year term was Anna L. Howerton, unopposed with 21 votes. Chain-O-Lakes village at Eagle Rock, named three trustees for two year terms. Charles F. Bain with 34 votes, Frank H. Jenkins with 24 and Kenneth Moore with 19 were elected. Other candidates, Harold Hinton got 18 votes and C. O. Mitchell 16. Emerald Beach village near Golden, passed a water assessment issue, voting 70 yes ballots and 21 no. Trustees for two year terms were Kenneth F. Johnson with 51 votes, Don Goshay and Cy Bauer with 49 each. Also running, Donald McLean had 44 votes, Charlotte Murphy cornered 38 ballots. Purdy, east ward voters chose Pearl McLeod to the council with 52 votes, while Joan Fox got 23 and Linda Balmas 17. West ward voters gave the nod to Gene Black with 117 votes, while Fay Griego got three and Walter R. Welch 26. For a one year term, Richard Redshaw received 91 votes to win over Pam Hardwich’s 50 votes. Seligman, unopposed, Tommy Evans was named west ward alderman with 33 votes and James Appleton went on the council in the east ward with 31 votes. In the only race here, L. B. Corn was named collector with 54 votes, over Joseph Pedersen’s 16. Washburn, assorted write-in voting in Washburn was not completed Tuesday night, but will be tallied with the official count Wednesday. Stumpff said it was doubtful the returns would be ready by press time. Wheaton, Bethel Prewitt with • 40 votes was elected in the west ward and Lawrence Butler will represent the east ward by virtue of his 50 vote count. District reports available Tuesday included: Flat Creek Special Road District’s plan to levy an additional 35 cent tax for one year was defeated. The vote was 163 yes and 209 no ballots. Commissioners had proposed the levy increase to up-grade roads and improve equipment. Claud Hilburn and Dale Estein were filed write-in candidates, with Hilburn apparently named to the commission with 31 votes to 14 for Estein. There were an additional 50 persons named in write-in ballots. South Barry County Hospital District, T. A. Prier of Butter-field was renamed to the board unopposed. South Barry County Ambulance District, in their respective districts, all unopposed, Emma Jo Privett with 1,016 votes, Jim Chadd with 978, Alan Stub-blefield with 2, and Dunbar “Cub” Bair with 784 were named directors. Barry-Lawrence County Ambulance District residents named Ruby Wilks with 75, Irene M. Knapik with 58 and Vera Golubski with 248 to district board posts. A seven cent levy increase proposal was defeated 154 yes votes, 189 no votes.

30 years ago

March 27, 1996

— Everyday Heroes: Local businessman will be honored Saturday

Charlie Ray is the kind of man who always puts others first. He was doing just that when he fought to save two children trapped in a tragic fire in Butterfield several months ago. After working alongside the state fire marshal for most of the day, Charlie returned later that night to extinguish a second fire that had flared up at the scene. Before he could make it back home, he suffered a stroke that landed him in the hospital for two weeks and left him paralyzed on the left side. Doctors said Charlie’s stroke was caused by his diabetes, smoke, stress and cold. “It all ganged up on me,” Charlie said. Initially, Charlie couldn’t move his fingers, and his speech was slightly slurred. Charlie didn’t let his adversity keep him down for long. After five weeks of grueling physical and occupational therapy, Charlie is now back at George Ray-Sons Feed Store in Cassville, joking with customers and friends who drop by for a visit. His speech is clear, and he can now take several steps on his own. “I want to get back to 100 percent,” Charlie said. “I do everything I feel big enough to try.” During his recovery, Charlie has been lifted up by family and friends who are giving him what he has always given them: time, friendship and help in time of need. This Saturday, the Butterfield community will be hosting a Charlie Ray Birthday Benefit from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Butterfield Community Center. Local musicians, including Norman Spain, The Granny’s and Dale and James Terry, will be donating their talents to entertain the crowd and help Charlie celebrate 48 years of life. A money tree will be set up to raise funds to help the Ray family with continuing medical expenses. Charlie’s heritage of helping others extends as far back as his roots in Barry County. He was born in Cassville in 1948, grew up in Butterfield and graduated from Cassville High School in 1966. In addition to operating the family business, Charlie also serves as assistant fire chief for the Butterfield Volunteer Fire Department and road commissioner for the Butterfield Special Road District. He is president of the Barry County Farm Bureau board and is active in the First Baptist Church of Butterfield and the Gideons. Family is also very important to Charlie. He and Barbara have three children: Martha, 21, Sarah, 18, and Tommy, 16. “Charlie is a friend’s friend,” said Millard Andrews, lifelong friend and fellow fire-fighter. “It doesn’t make any difference what the situation is or where you’re at. He’s always willing to help.” David Sater is another of Charlie’s close friends. He describes Charlie as a good husband and father, a hard worker and a “nice guy who tells humorous stories. “I wish I could be more like Charlie,” said Sater. “He always puts himself last and puts other first. He sacrifices himself for the good of others. He does this with his family, his church, as a firefighter and for his fellow man.” “Charlie’s a true Christian, and he loves Jesus with all his heart. That’s what makes him very special to all who know him. I know you shouldn’t put your faith in mortal men, but I kind of do with Charlie.”

— Cassville makes investment in latest computer technology

Technology is a never-ending circle that continuously upgrades itself, and hopefully, so is the educational system. Education is what prepares the youth of today to be the leaders of tomorrow, and technology now plays an important role in that process. Cassville High School recently experienced a technology upgrade with the purchase of 52 new, state-of-the-art computers. These computers are IBM compatible and are equipped with Pentium processors. The high school’s business department utilizes 48 of the new machines. Teacher Colleen Slinkard’s room is now home to 32 computers, which were installed in January, and Jim Rabourn’s room houses 16. His computers were purchased by the district in October 1995. The school’s business computers are networked together but are equipped with separate log-in strips, which require a name and password for access. The ratio of students to computers in this department is one-to-one. Funding for the new computers came through state and district money. The school board voted to dedicate approximately $75,000 towards the purchase of new computers. With the help of the state, the high school was able to purchase $59,000 worth of computers for approximately $29,000. Because of a business technology class taught by Tyne Rabourn, the school received its state money through a vocational grant. Any student may use school computers under the direction of one of the business teachers. Each computer has word processing, spreadsheet and data base applications and can be used for other applications if needed. They also have Microsoft Works, Word Perfect, Lotus 1, 2 and 3, Aldus Pagemaker and Data Base soft-ware. In Mrs. Rabourn’s classes, students use desktop publishing to create advanced layouts and put books together. Computers in Mr. Rabourn’s room are used by students enrolled in day and night classes. The night classes that meet at the high school are sponsored by Crowder College. Mr. Rabourn teaches Introduction to Computers, and Mrs. Rabourn teaches Word Perfect 6.1. Mrs. Slinkard uses her computers for timed writings in her typing classes. Students who once practiced on an electric typewriter now learn skills on a computer keyboard. The computer times and grades the students work, and tells how many words per minute the student types. Mrs. Slinkard’s students also use computers to create reports and graphics. “It has been very exciting for students,” Slinkard said. “They have shown interest and patience with the change.” A separate computer lab is located next to the high school media center. The quartet of new computers arrived in January. This lab, which also includes some of the older model computers, is open to all students. All four of the new computers are equipped with Rom drives. One of the older computers is hooked up to the internet and can be used by students under faculty supervision. “The computers give students practical experience on the latest technology,” said Sharon Farrow, media specialist. “I like using them because everything is self explanatory,” said senior John Bailey. “They’re easier to work with because they have easier pro-grams,” said Stacy Cornelison, a senior. Mrs. Rabourn thinks that the best thing about the computers is that they give students more opportunity to learn. The computer skills they acquire will be something that can be used in the workplace or in college.