If you had asked me a month ago if I thought the paper would be hosting a pie and cake competition and auction, I would have raised a confused eyebrow.

Yet, just a few weeks ago, our sales executive and reporter, Sheila Harris, pitched us the beginnings of that very idea.

Inspired by Kaitlyn McConnell, who publishes the digital magazine “Ozarks Alive” and recently published “The Ozarks Pie Project Diary” book, Sheila initially approached us with the idea to have a pie social and auction off folks’ sweet creations as a fundraiser for local food banks.

After securing a location and Donnie Stumpff as the auctioneer, we had enough to create a new event. Stumpff suggested an evening event and supplying a supper to draw a crowd. From there, the plans expanded and expanded, and the inaugural Barry County Bake Off and Dessert Benefit Auction — set for Saturday from 5-8 p.m. at the Crowder Cassville Community building — was born.

Ignoring the feeling we might have bitten off more than we could chew, we forged ahead securing sponsorships, including cakes as well as pies, deciding what rules of the baking competition, settling on awards and seeking out a caterer.

We created a Facebook event and printed posters to hang around town, and created a Google form to get an idea of how many entries we’ll have.

Within just a week, we had more than 150 responses to our Facebook event — a number we were shocked and delighted to see.

Yet, as much as we want as many people as possible to come, it sure made catering a challenge. After seeking a handful of quotes, we settled on The Rib, which will provide us a potato soup, beef vegetable soup, salad and bread, as well as sweet tea, unsweet tea and water. The meal is $5 at the door, as we aimed to provide a decent meal at a cheap cost for people to enjoy. We will also have Cassville JAG students volunteering to serve the meal.

As the event approaches this week, we could not be more excited. Along with the pie and cake competition and auction, live music will be provided by keyboard/vocalist Cindy Edwards, of Springfield.

McConnell will attend and talk about the history of pie suppers in the Ozarks, as well as the makings of her own “pie book,” a labor of love consisting of 48 vintage Ozarks pie recipes, as well as the stories of a few Ozarks pie-makers.

Stumpff will begin auctioning pies, cakes and other donated auction items, including a surprise item, beginning around 6 p.m.

As much fun as we expect the event will be, we wish more for it to have a measurable impact for our beneficiaries, the Cassville Pantry and the Generations Project.

All funds will be intended to alleviate food insecurity in the area. The Pantry has long been a source for families and the food insecure to make ends meet, and the new Generations Project is soon offering a grocery store-style pantry at its new facility, the Andey Hunter Community Resource Center, located at the old Barry County jail.

As the holidays approach, we know these organizations will do their best to help locals provide more with less, and we aim to help them do it.

So, come to the Crowder Community Building on Saturday ready to eat and with plenty of cash! Help us help our friends and neighbors this holiday season, and snag yourself a pre-Thanksgiving pie or cake in the process.

Kyle Troutman has served as editor of the Cassville Democrat since 2014 and owner/publisher since 2023.

He is a three-time ISWNE Golden Dozen award winner. He may be reached at 417-847-2610 or ktroutman@cassville-
democrat.com.