October 2023

Mandi Lyall, kindergarten teacher at Eunice Thomas Elementary School, reads a large book with engaging illustrations to children, some of whom needed a closer look, at Literacy Night Under the Lights event at Wildcats Stadium on Thursday.

A new playground is under construction at Roaring River State Park, courtesy in part to a grant from the Cassville Community Foundation. The total price tag for the project was $35,000, according to Carl Bonnell, Missouri State Parks Ozarks Region deputy director. “We just received the playground equipment a couple of weeks ago,” he said. Bonnell said, in addition to assembling and situating the new playground features, much work will need to be done on the site, including the placement of borders and cushioning materials. Bonnell anticipates that the project will be completed in advance of the March 1, 2024, opening of catch-and-keep trout season.

Nyls Sarratt, 5, of Rogers, Ark., spins the rope-making machine, making a length of rope with the help of Michael Schreiner, of Cassville. Kyle Troutman/ktroutman@cassville-democrat.com

For 12 hours each week, the Cassville High School band is putting in work. The efforts paid off on Saturday at the Pleasant Hope Pirate Power Classic, where the Wildcats earned four total awards: first place in Class 3, best drum major, best drumline and battle of the bands (spirit award).