50 years ago
June 13, 1973
— A good representation from Barry County was among the 1,200 participants in the state meeting of Future Homemakers of America at the University of Missouri-Columbia recently. Included were: Helen Nicoll, Carolyn Nations, Jane Blankenship, Teresa Riddle and Diane Fare of Cassville; Nola McMillen, Connie McGurder, Christine Day and Cheryall Bowling of Exeter; Willie Shanks and Barbara Campbell of Monett; Betty Sparkman, Barbara Schad, Sharon Schad and Martha Davis of Purdy; mBarbara Burnette, Debbie Burns, Brenda Fletcher of Washburn and Joan Vanderboom, Pam Holden, Mary Lynn Courdin and Cheryl Box of Wheaton. Speakers at the conference included Dr. Arthur Mallory, Missouri commissioner of education and Jeanne Thurman, Missouri state fair queen. Workshop sessions centered on career topics including interior design; teaching home economics; fashion design and food services.
— Sanders Bookkeeping of Cassville has purchased a business building on North Business 37 here formerly housing а neighborhood grocery, which adjoins their present location in the Hawk Building. Mr. and Mrs. Ed Sanders, business owners plans moving to the new location within the next 10 days.
— A Cassville dance student of Mrs. Mary Beck, Jean Ray daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ed Ray, has been accepted for the Joplin Civic Ballet. She one of four of Mrs. Beck’s students chosen. They will rehearse weekly for a presentation later this year.
— While some areas are reportedly under heavy gasoline restrictions, Barry County thus far has escaped much rationing of the motor driving fuel. However, some limitations have existed in stations having low quotas of fuel from their suppliers. In most cases these are in the 10 gallon range. Generally, Barry County for the motorist and boater is a haven of ample supplies of gasoline. Cuts of as much as 10-12 percent have been reported by some bulk dealers. Management of their product to give the best service to the public is being practiced by most dealers.
40 years ago
June 8, 1983
— With an initial capacity for 5.5 million pounds of zero cold storage, Southwest Freezers, Inc. is converting the former Exeter MFA Exchange into a frozen food warehouse. The corporation was formed for the project by Mr. and Mrs. Ron Holt and Mr. and Mrs. John Berning, all Exeter residents. The corporation purchased the closed MFA facility building consisting of 6,000 square feet. The project will include doubling the building floor space with a new building. Holt and Berning said the firm had also purchased the Emo property of three lots adjacent to give them the entire block of Commercial to Front Streets in Exeter for future expansion. Initial work of the project is removal of the existing concrete floor in the present structure. Extensive insulation will be placed in the new floor. Holt said the new structure, which will be installed upon arrival of a metal building, will have a 16-ft. ceiling. The present structure has a 10-ft. ceiling. Southwest Freezers will target the poultry and wholesale food distribution business as their customers.
— Material is arriving on the site of Grande Tire Co’s new location in Cassville. The firm, located at present on South Main, will move into the new 4,000 square foot building when completed. Operating in Monett, Aurora, Joplin and Pierce City, the Cassville branch of the firm is managed by Emil Burnetti.
— Two juveniles have been apprehended in connection with extensive vandalism at Liberty Baptist Church in northeast Barry County. The incident last Thursday night was solved by Barry County officers the following morning. Sheriff Jim Hopkins said thousands of dollars in damage resulted in the youth’s activities. Hearings and names of the youths involved were not released by the authorities.
— Upwards of 350 persons toured South Barry County Memorial Hospital’s new 18-bed patient wing and remodeled support facilities during an open house Sun-day. Hospital officials said 350 persons signed the guest book, with a goodly number not registering their attendance. The million- dollar facility featured a ribbon cutting ceremony at the start of the 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. program. Volunteer organizations were in charge of “showing off the new and remodeled Gravel Street hospital plant operated by South Barry County Hospital District.
— Fun-Spot Building For Entertainment Roaring River Fun-Spot, adjacent to Roaring River State Park, has completed erecting a 54×100 building that will provide a stage for future entertainment events. Jack James, owner, says weekend programs are being held at present. About a month from completion of the layout, James says the building will eventually provide a stage and kitchen area to provide regular evening meals and entertainment. Plans are to provide country- western and gospel programs at the location up Dry Hollow from the park. James says the facility will be modeled after several in western states that cater to tourist groups, providing evening meal service and entertainment. When completed and seats are provided, regular program schedules will be featured. At present the weekend operation centers around the building with local entertainment.
30 years ago
June 2, 1993
— A 28-year-old Cassville man has been charged with the April 19 arson fire at Hilltop Cafe. Mark Wilson, listing a post office address only, was arrested by Cassville police officers after a warrant was issued by prosecuting attorney John Lewright. Wilson, who could be on probation involving previous charges, was released on a reduced bond of $10,000. The original bond setting was $50,000. Wilson’s preliminary hearing before associate judge Edward Sweeney is June 24. The restaurant fire occurred at 4:15 a.m. on a Monday, at the business owned by Mr. and Mrs. Charles Marrs. The building at Hilltop is owned by Mr. and Mrs. Fred Arning. Investigation by the Missouri Fire Marshal’s office and U. S. Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms agents determined the blaze was set when a back door was broken and gasoline poured onto the floor of the cafe kitchen. Sources said a delivery person in the area at the time of the early morning blaze, turned in an alarm and might have seen someone running from the scene —Missouri governor Mel Carnahan is speaking at a fund raising dinner for state representative Nolan McNeill in Cassville Thursday night. In his first year as the state’s chief executive, governor Carnahan will be making his first appearance here. The fundraiser will be at the Cassville school’s cafeteria. McNeill in his fifth term in the Missouri House of Representatives chairs the agribusiness committee in the house and serves on the parks and recreation and insurance committees. Tickets for the Cassville legislator’s event can be obtained at the door for the 6:30 p.m. event. An invitation only reception for the governor will precede the event at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Donald Cupps.
— The Shell Knob CCC Camp has been hit recently by several incidents of vandalism. In March, three of the four bathroom roof skylights were broken by rocks or pellet guns. The skylights and new roof were installed by volunteers last fall. Previously, two window screens were cut to try to enter the shelter kitchen. Attempts were also made to get in through the doors, but failed. The screens have been replaced, but according to Pat Irwin of the Forest Service, “Our budget is tight right now. We ate still planning to chip and seal the parking lot. Until we know what that is going to cost, we can’t spend any money on repairs.” Most recently, vandals removed the brass name plates from the playground equipment the CCC Camp. At Big Bay Recreating Area two miles east, thieves broke into the Campground in early April, and stole six signs valued at $50 each.
— Barry County unemployment percentages fell to 5.8 percent for the month of April, according to the Missouri Division of Employment Security. The rate was down from 6.1 percent the month before, but not as low as the 4.6 for April 1992. Area county percentages in the latest report, Lawrence 6.1, McDonald 4.6, Stone 10.5 and Newton 5.1.
— First phase of a new Hardee’s fast-food operation in Cassville was the pouring of the floor. Ready-mix trucks were making round trips to the former Blalack Motor Co. location at Fifth and Main, in the process of delivering materials. Chapman Construction Co. of Cassville will assemble the building, a process which began Tuesday and will find a roof on the building before the week is out, if weather cooperates, according to Les Chapman.
In recent years at least, this year’s strawberry crop is one of the best, according to Dennis Epperly of near Cassville. He termed the quality and yield off his patch about the best in the past 10 years.” Epperly said he suspects there are less than six total acres of berries in Barry County this vear. Years ago, there were hundreds of acres and berries were shipped out of several associations by the carload. Epperly’s patch is in the Corinth community and is mainly devoted to U-pick operations. As he holds a display sample of berries, individuals picking for their own supply are pictured in the background. The Epperly patch is about an acre in size and is yielding good according to the grower. For the strawberry shortcake lover, the unfortunate part of the season, it’s too short! Democrat file photo
