50 years ago

May 26, 1976

— Company’s A-Comin To Area For Memorial Day

If last year’s figures and some projections for this Memorial Day weekend are indicators, Barry County’s 19,000 population will increase by nearly 35,000 persons during the first three-day holiday of the spring season. That means a bunch of company will be arriving for the Friday through Monday holiday. And, they will find an easily accessible latch string on the welcome door at the south part of the county where recreational facilities are concentrated around Roaring River State Park and Table Rock Lake. Of the projected figures, 22,935 would be using facilities of seven public use areas on the reservoir. Last year for the same holiday, they attracted the following numbers: Campbell Point 4,079, Big M 3,287, Eagle Rock 7,000, Viola 3,202, Kings River 2,194, Viney Creek 1,299 and Big Bay 1,976. More up-to-date figures were predicted by Superintendent John Hardin. He said there will be about 3,200 campers and those using accommodations at Roaring River over the holiday. Another 3,500 people will picnic in the park and an additional 5,000 visitors will just wander through. Charles Curry, hatchery superintendent, said 2,312 anglers purchased tags last year for the holiday. “But, that will be up this year, all other records from last season are being broken this year,” he observed. Hardin said Roaring River was ready for the big influx of people that will begin arriving Friday. He said a general spruce-up of the park and a possibility of a new saddle horse concessionaire being on duty would give the park a boost. Table Rock facilities, including resorts, who admit reductions during May mostly because of other than ideal weather conditions, are expecting no vacancy signs to flicker on early this holiday. Jim Rogers, Roaring River concessionaire, said accommodations under his control were full. Cassville and nearby motels have vacancies at this time that undoubtedly will be filled with off-the-road traffic. Memorial Day, the lone holiday during which no special event is promoted in this area, will also be swelled by those who will join friends and families for visits through Monday. During the remainder of the summer season, special events are scheduled to go along with the observances. Generous rainfall in May has the Roaring River stream in better condition than it was for the earlier season opening March 1. Table Rock Lake, which climbed to a 198 level earlier in the month and then dropped, was “rising slowly” Tuesday. Heavy traffic expected in Missouri and this area brought a plea from the Missouri Highway Patrol for drivers to avoid mistakes as they travel over the weekend. Col. Sam Smith, superintendent, reminded drivers 13 persons were killed in traffic over the same holiday last year.

— Rain-Free Outing For Cassville’s Troop 76

Scouts of Cassville’s Troop 76 got an unusual experience over the weekend, they were in Broken Arm Valley for a rain-free outing, according to Scoutmaster Charles Vaughan. The troop usually experiences rain or snow on their weekend outings in the area, owned by the local scout organization. For the Friday-Saturday-Sunday event, the troop divided into two groups, an older contingent which is practicing for a summer outing at Philmont in New Mexico. This group backpacked from Fortune Branch Valley, joining the troop Saturday morning. Included were: Dr. Max Edmondson, Stanley Beeson, Jon and Jay Edmondson, Randy Norton, Rickey Jagger and Keith Brisco. Younger scouts entered the troop area Friday, working on site improvements and camping skills. Included were Mike Lowe, Whitney Norton, Scott Norton, David Young, Mike LeCompte, Tom Lowder and Jeff Nickols. In addition to Vaughan, other adults assisting were: Raymond Jagger, Terry Beuterbaugh, Jerry Beuterbaugh, Steve Reed, Steve Vaughan and Jim Henderson.

40 years ago

May 29, 1986

 — Holiday Weekend Crowds Were Big

The Barry County Ozarks hosted good crowds of visitors for the Memorial Day weekend. The bellringer of the area, Roaring River State Park, had nearly 200 more anglers than last year, according to concessionaire Jack Nickols. Tag sales over the three-day weekend were 933 for Saturday, 1,064 for Sunday and an estimated 1,010 for Monday, producing a 3,007 total. This exceeded the 2,852 for the same weekend last year. Nickols said the six-tenths of rainfall that visited the area over the weekend in showers didn’t seem to phase many of the fisherpersons. By contrast, three-inch rains visited recreation areas to the east of Barry County, causing some flooding and evacuation of areas. Sheriff Jim Hopkins praised the behavior of crowds that were in the area. “Public use areas on the lake were crowded, but we didn’t have any problems,” the sheriff said. Visitation figures from the Army Corps of Engineers covering Table Rock Lake were not available at presstime.

— Osborn’s Vault Sets District Record At 14’

A junior pole vaulter from Cassville High, that really didn’t have a pit to practice on at Wildcat Stadium, set a new sectional record for first place last week and as a result will be in state 3-A competition Saturday in Columbia. Allan Osborn Jr., a transfer student from California, put the new record in the books when he vaulted 14 feet. Coach Rick Lawson said the athlete probably is just hitting his stride for the year because of the practice handicap. Osborn went a full foot over the old record of 13 feet in the meet at Logan-Rogersville. “Most of his improvement has been during or after his event was completed at meets this year,” Lawson said earlier. Because of inadequate facilities here, the youngster worked extra jumps into trips to other schools which had pits that were sufficient protection from coming down from the heights Osborn jumps. In his first year at CHS, Osborn lives with his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Lea of rural Cassville. Other entries for the Wildcats at sectional included a sixth place finish for the 800 meter relay, Long, Bohns, Basye and Jett. In the 400 meter dash competition, Jett was eighth at a time of 53.8. Lawson said the times weren’t all that bad, but that competition in the class was extremely hard for this meet. He noted his squad included only one senior, with the season providing a great deal of good experience for the younger runners for the Wildcats.

30 years ago

May 22, 1996

— Bid for new Roaring River lodge came in under budget

Bids on a new lodge complex at Roaring River State Park were opened last Thursday with one of the five bids coming in under the $4.2 million budget figure. Apparent low bidder is Edgewater Construction Co., of Eureka Springs, Ark. They submitted a base bid of $3,940,000. Other bids were received from: Branco Enterprises, Inc., Neosho, $4,280,000; R. E. Smith Construction Co., Joplin, $4,339,000; Nabholz Construction Co., Rogers, Ark., $4,485,000; and Oakridge Builders, Springdale, Ark., $4,745,000. Edgewater was also the low bidder during the first bid submission in November 1995, when all of the seven bids came in over state estimates. The company’s first bid was $4,506,621. Other bids ranged from $4,995,000 to $5,357,000. The state opted to reject the first bids, re-design the facility to cut construction costs and accept a second set of bids. According to Mark Bruenger, project manager with the state’s Division of Design and Construction, project modifications totalled about 30 in number. The scope of the 47,000-square-foot facility was not changed but rather fine-tuned. The building elevation was raised, the central parking lot design was changed from circular to rectangular, and wood siding was substituted for stone facing on the exterior of the building. Bruenger said the award notice to proceed should be mailed to the low bidder within the next week. From the date the paperwork is mailed, the contractor has 458 consecutive days to complete the project. The lodge project at Roaring River also received a boost in the form of a $900,000 supplemental appropriation approved by the state legislature this session. In an effort to ensure that there was enough funding available to complete the Roaring River lodge project, the Department of Natural Resources requested a $1 million supplement to the $4.2 million originally allocated. Bruenger said additional funding would allow the state to complete Alternate #4, which would restore the complex’s stone facing. Edgewater submitted a $300,000 bid on Alternate #4.

— Veteran CHS coach retires from coaching after 17 years

Veteran Cassville High School Coach Ron Cowan resigned from his coaching duties after devoting 12 years to Wildcat athletes. Cowan has been a coach for 21 years, putting in 17 years as high school head coach. He spent his first five years coaching at Hilldale High School in Muskogee, Okla. While at Hilldale, Cowan led the high school baseball team through five winning seasons with a record of 52-25. He also coached the high school girls fastpitch softball team, amassing a 61-9 record over five years. Cowan took the driver’s seat as head boys basketball coach at Cassville in 1984. He held this position for two years. Under his leadership, the 1985-86 boys team made history with their 16-10 record. They were the last winning boys basketball team until this year. Cowan then went on to coach the Lady Wildcats basketball team in 1986 and has remained at that post up until now. His 1986-87 girls team finished their season second in the conference and district with a 23-4 overall record. During this time period, the Lady Wildcats, under Cowan’s direction, have either tied or won second place in the Big 8 Conference five times. “I’ve been head coach for 17 years in two to three sports every year,” Cowan said. “After this basketball season was over I just decided it was time to take a break. I’m ready to take a break and spend more time with my family and kids.” Cowan also spent eight years as the head high school volleyball coach, stacking up 101 wins, 86 losses and 4 ties. CHS was conference co-champions in 1991 and 1992 and district champions in 1991, 1992 and 1995. In 1991, Cowan was selected as Big 8 Coach of the Year. “I have had a lot of great kids over the years, and there are some great ones coming up,” Cowan said. Cowan is someone who is deeply admired and respected, not only by his players, but by his colleagues as well. “One of the things that I admire most about ‘Coach’ is that he lives a good example in his own life,” said Martha Dunnam, Cassville Elementary principal. “He’s a very conscientious person, offering to assist other staff members. He’s always willing to talk with the parents whenever there is a problem.” Taking over one of Cowan’s roles is Coach Chris Shore, who has been named head girls basketball coach for the 1996-97 school year. Shore used to play basketball under Cowan back in 1985-86. “He’s probably one of the reasons why I went into coaching,” Shore said. “He’s been a big influence on me, a positive influence.” There is something about Cowan that brings a smile to people’s faces when someone asks about him. “You have to be special to have little kids in P.E.,” said Paula Holtzman, first grade teacher at Cassville. “He’s very good, very patient and puts on a good sports day. The kids love him.” Someone who has filled Cowan’s shoes previously is Jim Orrell, Cassville Middle School principal. “I took over the boys program from him, and it was in good shape,” Orrell said. “He had trained the boys well. He’s been easy to work with and has a good rapport with other staff members.” Jennifer Arnaud will now be the head volleyball coach after serving under Cowan as his assistant for the past three years. Cowan said some of his fondest memories were beating a team nobody thought you could beat and winning tournament championships. These accomplishments will remain happy memories for Cowan. The coach with an overall basketball coaching record of 240-189 over 17 years and 177-130 during his 12 years at Cassville, plans to continue teaching P.E. at the elementary school and also driving a school bus. Cowan adds that he will now enjoy being on the opposite side of the court “watching a lot of games.”.