50 years ago

Sept. 15, 1976

— Table Rock Over Million Visitors Ahead Of 1975

To say that Table Rock Reservoir is headed toward a banner visitor year is not a bit premature. Richard Groves, project director for the Army Corps of Engineers, told the Democrat this week the reservoir was running 1,426,000 visitors ahead of last year at the end of July. Groves said figures that would include August and the Labor Day weekend had not come out of computer banks at the Little Rock, Ark., district office. However, he said figures through the end of July had total visitor numbers standing at 4,128,000. At this same point of the year in 1975 the figure was 3,702,000. The year previous January through July visitors numbered 3,448,000. Initial figures for Labor Day did indicate that approximately 350,000 people were on public use facilities around the reservoir during the four-day holiday. The 1976 figures for this particular area reflected about the same growth as those of the entire lake according to Groves. He listed the area’s six public use areas and their visitor numbers, again at the end of July, as follows: Campbell Point 55,714, Viola 44,508, Eagle Rock 95,928, Big M 32,420, Viney Creek 24,746 and Kings River 5,037. Groves said the Branson office had no figures available on Table Rock standing with other regional reservoirs. In years past the lake has led the Dallas, Texas, region in attracting visitors in the area labeled as southwest by the corps. For instance last year the reservoir attracted a total of 6,188,100 visitors. The previous year the lake was atop regional figures with a 5.6 million visitation standing. None of the engineer figures include facilities on private property around the lake. Resorts and private camping facilities have been experiencing summer crowds in record numbers. Sharing in the increases at the Barry County communities of Shell Knob, Viola, Golden, Mano and Eagle Rock. Early spring decreases in visitor numbers due to weather conditions were apparently wiped out with growth factors commencing in June and continuing through Labor Day. Resort and boat dock facilities now are watching trends that indicate a healthy growth in visitor numbers during the early fall. Factors usually attracting people to the clear water areas of south Barry County during the fall include better fishing trends and the Flaming Fall Review, predicted for the second and third week of October.

— 10,500 Swine Flu Doses On Order For Barry County

Sometime after the first of October, 10,500 doses of swine flu vaccine will be arriving in Barry County. Then, around October 26-27, clinics will be established for the administering of the vaccine to those 18 years and older in the county. Barry County Health Unit officials this week announced the established schedule as it exists at present. Mrs. Edith Purdom, administering nurse at the unit, said clinic locations had not been established but would be announced soon. A meeting next Wednesday night at the health unit will bring Dr. O. A. Griffin, District Five health officer from Springfield to meet with physicians and hospital administrators in the area. In his program, Dr. Griffin will present slides and material on the federal program. Mrs. Purdom says that session will plan distribution and administration of the vaccine. Mrs. Pat Tichenor, clerk at the unit, said this week there was wide interest in the county concerning the program, set by the federal government to avoid expected outbreaks of flu this winter. Officials recently noted that an outbreak in 1918 resulted in 84 deaths in Barry County and 87 in Lawrence. Unit officials said the vaccine request from Barry County included 8,000 doses of regular serum and 2,500 for those 65 years of age and older. The supply will be used to provide needs for both clinics and those desiring to have the vaccine administered by their private physician. Original shipments are expected October 4 by the State Division of Health which in turn will distribute requirements to district offices. Distribution of the vaccine has been entangled in legal requirements as to who will be responsible for liability. The federal government, which is providing the program at no cost, is also covering the manufacturers and physicians who participate in established clinics. Mrs. Tichenor said medical people in the county were in the process of determining their individual needs. Programs have not been established for giving the vaccine to persons under 18 years of age. Officials believe arrangements will be announced soon for this age group. In advance of the program, persons with ailments or those uncertain about their ability to take the vaccine are being requested to consult with their physician prior to participating in the program. Those allergic to eggs are especially urged to take this precaution. Mrs. Tichenor said daily phone inquiries regarding the time and location of clinics were being answered with the statement, “adequate notice will be given news media of clinic locations and instructions. That’s all we can say at the present time.”

40 years ago

Sept. 17, 1986

— 131 FASCO Employees Get Service Awards At Banquet

Cassville’s largest industry feted 131 employees Tuesday night in the second annual Service Awards Banquet. FASCO Industries Inc., a subsidiary of Hawker Siddeley Co. of London, England, acknowledged 20- and 10-year employees. Also honored were members of the Founders Club. Corporate officials here for the event included James F. Callahan, chairman of the board of directors from Boca Raton, Florida; Rod Karpen, senior vice-president from St. Louis offices; and Jack Golen, vice-president human resources, from the Chicago, Illinois offices. Following a buffet dinner at the Cassville schools faculty, the program included a welcome by Steve Buchheit, personnel manager. The invocation was by Rodney Hughes of the plant’s quality circles. Comments and introductions came from Morris Castleberry, vice-president and plant manager. Callahan was the principal speaker, and then was assisted by Castleberry in presenting 20-year awards to six persons. Included were Dewey Nelson, Garland Parker, Darrell Pueppke, Charles Shore, Dale Stewart and Jerry Workman, all FASCO employees prior to the firm installing a plant here in 1975. Receiving 10-year recognition in the program, most of whom began FASCO employment with the start-up in Cassville were: Kathy Andrews, Ken Balmas, Mike Bateman, Jackie Bowman, Rose Bowman, Delores Box, Retha Brattin, Donna Brennan, Bert Brown, Jeanetta Brown, Keith Brown, Sue Brown, Susan Buntin, Virginia Buntin, Bernice Burnette, Leta Burnette, Mary Ann Clark, Bob Cole, Cheryl Cole, Ronnie Coleman, Jim Cook, Kervin Cook, Minnie Cornell, Alvin Cornman, Kim Craig, Janice Crawford, Bud Creason, Dennis Dake, Brenda Darneal, Donald Decker, Lorene Dotson, Marsha Gager, Karen Garrett, and Mildred Garrett. Kimie Gautney, Devilla Gunter, Evelyn Haddock, Gaylord Hadlow, Georgina Harris, Jerry Heiniger, Jean Henson, Melba Henson, Connie Higgs, Ruth Horton, Rodney Hughes, Leo Intessimone, Bill Jones, Clara Laizure, Jerry Laney, Linda Laverty, Dennis Ledgerwood, Steve Love, Jeannie Lucas, Les Lyons, Darlene Malarkey, Gary Martin, Darlene McCracken, Judy McNabb, Danny Miller, Debbie Miller, Gerry Miller, Danny Morgan, Johnny Morgan, Mike Morris, Ernie Newman, Dollie Owens, Sue Owens, Steve Pendergraft and Linda Petty. Roberta Pierce, Leonard Pittman, Clara Pointer, Lennie Potter, Ruth Preddy, Jerry Ray, Steve Reed, Mary Ann Renfrow, David Rose, Dorothy Sams, Carol Schieler, Ned Senter, David Shelley, Marie Shelley, Connie Shuey, Louise Skelton, Allen Sparks, Betty Stansberry, Henry Staub, Lou Stewart, Diane Stillions, Lauren Stockton, Betty Jo Stringer, Cathy Terry, Mary Terry, Eudora Tillman, Doyle Tucker, Brenda Turner, Karen Walker, Les Watson, Lonnie Weston, Linda L. Williams, Olieva Wolf and Mava Writer. Founders Club recognitions from Morry Golden, president, went to: Cub Bair, Jim Basye, Buchheit, Castleberry, Myrtle Clifton, Bill Craft, Goldin, Leland Hodges, Elaine Horner, Imogene Hurt, Jim Lindsey, Margaret Luney, Jewell Robbins, Don Stockton, Nelson, Parker, Pueppke, Shore, Stewart and Workman.

— Chipper’s Best In USA

A two-year-old Palomino gelding, Chipper, is the 1986 Palomino Horse Breeder’s Association world champion for 1986. Chipper, whose real name is Gold Tailwind, is owned by Mrs. Dana Kammerlohr of Cassville. And, he had further area background. He came from the Arthur Davidson Quarter Horse Farm at Monett. Chipper’s accomplishment didn’t come easy. He had to get his act together in four weekends of showings before the world show in Indianapolis, Indiana, September 11. But, he did it quite nicely, qualifying for the world showing the first weekend round. Mrs. Kammerlohr, who got her start in horse backgrounds as a member of the Rough Rider 4-H Club in Cassville, “many years ago,” said the gelding was conditioned for showing by Roger Coday of Collinsville, Oklahoma. The owner, who was accompanied on the trip by her mother, Mrs. Tommie Tomblin, shares another love of animals. Her husband is Cassville veterinarian Dr. M. A. Kammerlohr, Jr. They both agree the nicknames of Chip Chipper have no. Judging in the world class event was in halter and conformation. According to literature, the judges named Chipper to the honor because he was the best horse out of the class that typifies the ideal animal. The September 11 event wasn’t enough for the horse and promoters. Over this past weekend they were in Tulsa for the Rogers County Fair. There entered, Chipper walked away with first in amateur 1984 gelding, first in open 1984 gelding and reserve champion amateur gelding. Mrs. Kammerlohr dedicated the win to her late father, Cassville jeweler Wayne Tomblin. “Mom and dad always encouraged me in my interest in accomplishment,” she said.

30 years ago

Sept. 11, 1996

— Roaring River spring’s flow reduced due to dry weather

If you take a drive through Roaring River, you will need to take a second look, or even a third. Water levels are at the lowest they have been in years. This is due to this summer’s below average rainfall. The spring is currently putting out one-third the normal amount of water per day. According to Jerry Dean, hatchery supervisor, the average water flow from the spring is 20.4 million gallons a day. The hatchery requires 11 million gallons a day to operate. Currently the spring is putting out just seven million gallons a day, and the hatchery is pumping the additional four million gallons required from the river back into the spring. The twin waterfalls are not running and haven’t been for weeks. Dean said the last time the water level was as low as it is now was during one winter in the early 80s. The hatchery had to ship fish to the Chesapeake Hatchery. Dean also stated that 10 of the 40 raceways have been shut down due to the spring’s low water level. “We need 19,000 trout to finish out the 1996 fishing season,” stated Dean. “The Shepherd of the Hills Hatchery is keeping those fish for us and shipping them to the hatchery as needed.” “We haven’t had to move out any fish yet,” Dean said. “We can shut off more raceways as needed. The trout are not in danger.” Dean is hoping for some much needed rain. “I’m hoping we get some rain this fall. I’m not yet sure how we will handle it this winter, if we’re still low,” Dean said. “We could raise what fish we can here at the hatchery, and trade back and forth with the other hatcheries for the rest.” Dean said low water conditions are a situation hatcheries have to face from time to time. “Some years we’ve sent as many as 20,000 trout to Taneycomo at the end of the season,” stated Dean. “Somehow it works out each year.” Dean is somewhat concerned about the upcoming winter. He is hoping that the water level is back to normal in preparation for opening day on March 1, 1997. The water is very low, but it is still clear. The trout tag sales have not been affected by the drought experienced at Roaring River. Tag sales have remained normal compared to last year, Dean reported.

— Washburn city water problems could carry a $10,000 price tag

Well problems at Washburn could stick the city with a $10,000 bill to repair the 32-year-old system. City Clerk Mary Roller said air is getting into the lines at the well, causing the water to take on a cloudy appearance. “It looks like Alka Seltzer bubbles in the water,” Roller said. The problem could be caused by bad check valves, a hole in the well pipe or the fact that the well is not recovering because people are using a lot of water due to the dry weather, Roller said. City officials have decided to pull the well pump and replace 735 feet of obsolete two-and-a-half-inch pipe with new three-inch pipe. They also will replace the check valves and put a new seal on the well. When labor cost is added to materials, Roller said the city could expect to spend at least $10,000 on the project. The city hopes to pull the well pump on Friday. Before they shut down the system, Roller said the city will pump the 50,000-gallon tower full of water. While the pump is down, city residents are urged to conserve water. At present, the city has discontinued its bulk water sales to outside customers. The well specialist hired to do the repairs said it should take him 14 hours to fix the system unless major problems are uncovered. If the pump must be shut off for a prolonged period of time, the city of Seligman is prepared to supply Washburn with water at no charge. Because the mayor and aldermen must be available to oversee repairs to the well, the city council meeting has been postponed from Sept. 12 to Sept. 17 at 7 p.m.