50 years ago

Sept. 29, 1976

— First Flu Vaccine Friday To Doctors, High Risks

Arrival of the first shipments of swine flu vaccine in Barry County is expected Friday, according to Mrs. Edith Purdom, director of the Barry County Health Unit. Mrs. Purdom said this week the first of four expected shipments would be distributed to doctor’s offices and nursing homes in the county. Initially, over 10,000 doses of the vaccine was ordered by county health officials. How much will be actually received is not known at this time. Mrs. Purdom explained the vaccine would probably be available from doctors next week. She urged senior citizens and those in the high risk bracket to consult their physician concerning the shots. Still up in the air so far as Barry County is concerned are public clinics at which the vaccine will be administered. Originally, officials had hoped to conduct such clinics the middle of October. With deliveries of the federal vaccine uncertain, Mrs. Purdom speculated it would probably be the last of next month at the earliest. Mrs. Purdom also received information this week that dosage for youngsters under 18-years-old had been established. But, the vaccine is not available at this time. Again speculating, she thought these efforts might be conducted in the county by December. At the present time, there have been no firm dates established for receiving the remaining three shipments scheduled for Barry County. Last week, the health unit sponsored a visit of Dr. O. A. Griffin, district health officer, who spoke to area medical people at the Cassville headquarters. Attending this session were Drs. Mary Merideth, Gerald Johnson, W. G. Barnes, Clark Flanary, Cassville and Sergio Cruz, Monett. Also representing the Monett area were Sister Marita of St. Vincent’s Hospital and Louise Veith, school nurse. Mrs. Purdom will be assisted in the county program by nurses Maude Daniels and Margaret Cochrane. Dr. Griffin presented a film of the swine flu program to the local medical people. He also conducted a question and answer period covering the program that is admittedly slow getting off the ground as a result of legal and manufacturing delays. Mrs. Purdom stressed the fact that persons interested in the program should watch for news releases that would be published. She also said family physicians in this area would be kept informed as further programs of the inoculation effort develop.

— CHS Diploma Credits Will Be Increasing

Included in business before the Cassville board of education in a continued meeting Thursday night was a review of how the requirements for graduation would be increasing in years to come. Superintendent Ronald Evans and the six board members also made decisions about early graduation. On a review of present graduation requirements, the board outlined four units each in language arts, social studies, and electives, with two each in math, science, practical arts and physical education. One unit of fine arts is also required toward 21 credits needed for a diploma in 1977. However, the number of units needed in 1978 will be 22, in 1979 the need is set at 23 and in 1980 it will take 25 credits to graduate. On early graduation the board policy stated, students should fill out the forms which their parents must sign and then the decision should be between the student and their parents. If a student has met graduation requirements they could receive their diplomas after graduation, but would not be permitted to take part in ceremonies.” In other action by votes of the board: After due consideration and investigation the board considered the contract of J. C. Duncan valid as written for 1976-77 school year. Board denied request to extend bus route to Lone Pine Retreat area. Evans reported vandalism at school, damages amounting to $328.60 would be turned to insurance claim. Drill team and cheerleaders will meet seventh hour with no credit to be given. Not a unanimous decision, four yes and two no votes. Used and outdated football equipment will be made available for sale by the district. Accepted 40 of 50 helmets ordered by past administration from Bowlus Supply, with payment scheduled over two years. No action taken on request by Pete Wiseley for permission to drive bus to town to park during the day. Due to liability reasons, only coaching staff on field to attend to injuries during football games. Medical personnel to be called when needed. No action taken, after tie 3-3 vote, proposition to take busses free to away games for as many students as want to go, providing the bus is filled to capacity. The board resolved to go on record as taking a stand in opposition to coming Sales Tax Referendum in Missouri. Statement will be published at later date. Evans granted approval for Evans to serve on North Central evaluation team at Greenwood Lab school in Springfield. J. B. Elkins employed as member of custodial staff. Wiseley request for salary review resulted in no change; based on current schedule. Bill Gilkerson asked for consideration on salary due to driving 21 miles before first pick-up. Tabled until next meeting. Regular meeting date changed to the first Monday night after the 10th of each month. Approval for purchase of power hacksaw for vocational agriculture shop.

40 years ago

Oct. 1, 1986

— Cassville Will Have First Chili Contest

Cassville is just exactly 30 days away from having her first Chili Cook-off. The Chamber of Commerce will sponsor the event on the public square Saturday, November 1. Activities will be from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., according to co-chairs of the event, Joy Chappell and Sid Smith. Featured at the event will be a district runner-up from Cassville, Spiz Stephens, who ranked second in recent Springfield competition. Mrs. Chappell said plans were being made for Cassville to have competition for her own Miss Chili Pepper International. Plans of the C of C are to make the day-long activity something for everyone’s enjoyment. There will be cash and trophy prizes, entertainment, games, contests and good food. Since chili contests do not include beans in preparation, the C of C plans putting on a big pot of beans to cook on the square for those who like their chili in this manner. Entries in the contest will be open with additional information available from the C of C.

— Fighting Fire Brings Praise From City Mayor

An 11 p.m. blaze Sunday caused considerable damage to Town House Restaurant in Cassville. The fire was discovered by city patrolman Carl Nance on his routine rounds of town. The restaurant, owned by Mr. and Mrs. Don Watson, was heavily damaged by blazes in the dining room portion and another in the hallway between the kitchen and lounge area. The entire structure was heavily damaged by heat, smoke and water. Personnel of the city volunteer fire department was on the scene through 1:00 a.m. Monday making sure the blaze did not reignite. There was no speculation from the owners available as to when the facility would be reopened. The Town House loss would be the second restaurant and dining room casualty in Cassville in several weeks. Security Bank of Southwest Missouri’s purchase of Rainbow Dinner House for conversion to a banking establishment, was the first. Mayor Rolland Meador assessed the performance of the department with city personnel Monday morning. Issuing a statement, he said, “The manner in which Sunday night’s fire at the Town House Restaurant was handled showed that efforts to improve the city volunteer fire department are paying off.” Just September 8 the City’s board of aldermen confirmed the mayor’s appointment of Millard Andrews as city fire chief. Andrews, who has served on the all-volunteer department for six years, and the seven other volunteers who responded to the fire also received the commendation of State Fire Marshal Bill Farr, who investigated the incident. “They did an exceptionally good job. If they had not had the capability of fighting the fire from the inside, the roof would have been gone in a short time,” said Farr. Since Andrews’ appointment, the fire department has been involved in evaluation of equipment and planning for future need of the department. Ongoing plans include assessment of additional equipment needs, recruitment of volunteer firefighters, training for all volunteers, and preparation of written emergency plans to be integrated into the City’s Basic Emergency Preparedness Plan.

30 years ago

Sept. 25, 1996

— Cassville Democrat turns 125 this week

Roll out the birthday cake, candles and party hats. The Cassville Democrat turns 125 this week. The Sept. 25, 1996, edition of the Cassville Democrat is the 6,448th issue to roll off the presses since the newspaper’s inception in 1872. The Democrat’s increasing age makes it Missouri’s second oldest newspaper still in publication. In preparation for our 125th birthday, we looked back over previous issues of the Cassville Democrat. As we turned through pages of yellowing newsprint, we saw how the newspaper has brought its readers through major events in history, including the depression, World War I, World War Il and more recently the Persian Gulf War. These stories did not provide the news from a national angle but instead offered a hometown perspective. Names of local service men were listed, and the newspaper sought to tell about national events through the eyes of our local men and women. The Cassville Democrat has always reported on the news at home as well. Stories about fires, floods and criminal arrests run alongside articles on the garden club, local musical presentations and the school budget. Coverage of the news that affects Barry County residents has always been first priority at the Cassville Democrat. And even under new ownership, the Cassville Democrat continues to be Barry County’s best news source. Newspapers are an integral part of any community. They serve to chronicle the growth of its economy, the progress of its people and the issues threatening its vitality. Community newspapers are scrapbooks and journals of small-town life. The Cassville Democrat is proud to be a family-owned, small town weekly. As more and more newspapers are gobbled up by conglomerates, we stand firm in our belief that this community is best served by having a newspaper published by individuals who live and work in Barry County. While looking back through the newspaper archives, we discovered an insightful letter published in the Nov. 3, 1971 issue of the Cassville Democrat. The letter was written by Wayne Rowland, a Cassville native who was then serving as dean of journalism at Drake University. He penned the letter in honor of the newspaper’s 100th birthday. We have included two excerpts from his letter that aptly describe the purpose of our newspaper. “The hometown newspaper, if it has taken its responsibility to its community seriously, is an important institution, seldom well understood or fully appreciated by the people it serves.” “Each week I find a special kind of pleasure and reassurance when I read about my old home-town and county in the Ozarks. What may be holding the world together is the common folk in town and country, who are uncommon in their neighborliness, their honesty and their willingness to work their bent for finding joy and fulfillment in the real and simple day-to-day adventure for living. As the Cassville Democrat enters its 125th year, we pledge to continue providing our readers with a newspaper they can be proud of, one that captures the essence of our community and seeks to inform and educate our readers about the news and issues important to their lives. Because knowledge is power, we ultimately hope the information we provide through news stories, features and editorials will encourage and inspire our readers to meet the challenges of a new tomorrow. In honor of our anniversary, the Cassville Democrat will be reprinting various front pages, pictures and stories from past issues of the newspaper. Our first birthday offering can be found on page 4 under our special anniversary heading.

— Business survey reveals growth in Shell Knob area

Tourism is the name of the game for individuals who own and operate lake area businesses. Depending on revenue generated from consumers visiting Table Rock Lake, each establishment is affected by influencing factors. A review of the year sums up the outcome of the season. Area business owners reflected on what went well or what could be improved in preparation for next season. Out of the 15 businesses randomly surveyed for this story, eight reported weathering a “good” season, three said business was about the same as last year, while two others declared that business was down compared to last year. “I had a good summer,” said Eunice Steffens, owner/operator of Big M Marina. “My business is up over last year.” Don King, owner of Eagle Rock Boat Dock, said his business is about the same as last year, just a little bit better. “May was weak, due to weather,” said Ed Hoefler, manager of Rustic Manors Resort. “The rest of the summer was exceptional. We’ve been seeing a constant increase (in business). As an overall, we’re pleased with what we’ve seen this summer. The fall is looking good also.” Another positive response came from resort owner Nina Crain. “It has been fantastic,” said Crain, owner/operator of Hickory Hollow Resort. “We put a penny in a jar every time we have had to turn down a customer and we have 531 pennies. We’ve done excellent, 20 percent better than we did last year. Our store has done really well this year.” Gail Langdon, owner of Fish ‘N Fun Resort, says that May was one of the best months her resort has experienced. She said June was quiet, but the rest of the summer was fantastic. “Business has been adequate,” said Jeff Horner, owner of Eagle Rock Resort Motel. “What really keeps us going is our regular customers, coming back year after year.” According to Horner’s wife, Nancy, their resort has not seen a lot of people coming in from out of town this season. Bass Haven Resort owner Judy Engelthaler describes her business as being up through the end of August. Sam Dillard, owner of Navajo Hills Resort, says that his business was just about the same as last year. “Our business is up quite a bit,” said Terry Priest, owner of Horsefeathers. “This is only our second summer. Our very first year we were trying to build up the business, starting at zero. Our second year was better, which we anticipated.” Green Mountain Realty reports a decrease in business over the last year. Lee James, realtor for Green Mountain Realty, says business is down approximately 45 percent from 1995. James also says it looks like it will be better in the fall. “We’ve had real strong sales this spring,” said George Wiltermuth, realtor with Coleman Realtors. “Summer was off a bit, but fall seems to be very brisk.” Another positive outlook comes from Gale Green who works at Eagle Rock Realty and Construction. “There’s been quite a little growth in the area,” Green said. “We service from Eagle Rock to Golden….approximately 100 miles a day showing property.”