Veteran area musician Dewayne Bowman and his band entertained the Stones Prairie Picnic crowd with classic country music selections. Bowman, second from left, on guitar, and Randy Vanderpool, right, on bass provided vocals. Steve Matlock, at left, played steel guitar and Johnny Winter, center right, played percussion. Murray Bishoff/Special to the Cassville Democrat
Even small children had games they could play at the Stones Prairie Picnic. Collins Hardwick, 4, daughter of Britten and Katelyn Hardwick of Purdy, directed by ball girl Lily Terry at right, may not have grasped tossing a softball from a distance into a milk can, but she understood a deposited ball constituted a prize, and for that, she was right on target. Murray Bishoff/Special to the Cassville Democrat The Stones Prairie Picnic featured food, games, live music, and an antique car share. One of the most popular features remained the wagon rides around the field west of the church grounds. Joe Grissom, with his horses Shaggy and Scooby, provided a picturesque jaunt into the country, the essence of a community gathering in rural Barry County. Murray Bishoff/Special to the Cassville DemocratBeverly Childress, left, chatted with Kay Johnson, seated, at the craft table, when handmade items made by ladies from St. John’s Lutheran Church were available for sale. One of the big draws at the picnic are the quilts, visible at rear, given away in a drawing. Carla Schad, of Purdy, who buys multiple chances on the quilts, won both the Midnight Garden quilt and the baby quilt. Schad also purchased two other quilts, supporting the efforts of the church ladies who made them. Murray Bishoff/Special to the Cassville Democrat Linda Schad, right, chatted with one of the many customers coming to the food shack at the Stones Prairie Picnic. The line of customers extended back to the bandstand. Several political candidates took the opportunity to greet guests and promote their campaign. Murray Bishoff/Special to the Cassville Democrat Ideal weather conditions greeted visitors to the annual Stones Prairie Picnic on July 17, on the grounds of the St. John’s Lutheran Church, southwest of Purdy. Handmade hamburgers from fresh beef, bratwurst, and homemade pies fed the crowd that gathered for socializing at the annual event. Murray Bishoff/Special to the Cassville Democrat While children played games of skill, like golf putting, adults at the Stones Prairie Picnic engaged in the most popular game of chance, bingo. The bingo table filled as the evening progressed, with many donated items available as prizes. Murray Bishoff/Special to the Cassville Democrat
