50 years ago

March 12, 1975

— $360,000 CAPITAL PLAN AT PARK NEXT TWO YEARS

The next two years will see approximately $360,000 spent at Roaring River State Park for capital improvements, according to James L. Wilson, director of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. Replying to an inquiry from the Democrat recently, Wilson said $150,000 of this amount is scheduled in 1975. Projects included will be: reconstruction of retaining wall at Park Center which was damaged in last year’s flood, re-roofing of the motel and dining lodge and the purchase of some additional property. The property acquisition referred to is apparently the Edmondson land at the foot of the State Park hill at the entrance on Highway 112. Wilson also said the park’s department would be involved jointly with the Department of Conservation to provide more fishing waters and flood protection on the upper reaches of Dry Creek and in the spring valley. For fiscal 1976, Wilson said the department has requested $125,000 for construction of additional restrooms and electric campsite hookups. An additional $35,000 is proposed for acquisition of a miniature golf physical plant. The golf attraction is presently operated by Mrs. Anna Lee Farley. State intentions are apparently to phase this private operation out of the park facilities at the expiration of present contracts. Mrs. Farley and her late husband held long term contracts for the facility with the private developers of Park Center before state purchase of the property. Information forwarded by Wilson had a total of $523,798 collected in camp fees over the past 10 years. A yearby- year review had: 1965831,600; 1966-533,741; 1967-535,938; 1968549,247; 1969-550,390; 1970-557,796; 1971$73,970; 1972-563,724, 1973-566,462 and 1974560,- 930. Concession proceeds from park operations amounted to a total of $351,452 to the state. The figures jumped from a low of $25,434 in 1965 to a high of $37,311 in 1970. All years during the past nine exceeded the $32,000 figure. Operation of park facilities this year is anticipated to run in the $102,026 figure by Wilson. This includes $72,476 for personal service and $23,150 for operations. Since 1965, capital improvements to the leading park in the state system included: water system improvements $65,000, campground rest-room, $17,500, remodeling of cabins $30,000, construction of duplex cabin $25,000, property acquisition $30,500, campground development $30,000, construction of superintendent’s residents $14,-000, sewer system improvement $211,000, paving $15,-775, re-roofing motel and restaurant $9,700 and winterizing comfort station $2,000. Payout on interest and principal on bond issues which provided funds for the state’s purchase of park Center facilities in 1968 have amounted to $275,640. Wilson noted the project had not generated enough income to meet obligations of the bonds plus necessary maintenance and repairs, requiring utilization of earnings from other sources to make necessary payments. Wilson said the park system, which operates under his department, was required to make recent increases in camping fees due to the fact that cost development of new campsites have increased a full 50% over the past four years.

— ENGINEERS WILL DISCUSS LAKES OPS REVISION

Possible changes in the operation of Table Rock and Beaver Reservoirs in this area will be discussed in a series of area meetings called by the Army Corps of Engineers in March and April. Involving six reservoirs in the White River basin of Missouri and Arkansas, discussions will, so far as this area is concerned, center on Table Rock in southwest Missouri and Beaver in northwest Arkansas. The Little Rock District of the Corps has been authorized by Congress to study the need for changing operations, according to Col. Don Weinert, district engineer. The six reservoirs, including two area impoundments, were built to provide flood control, hydroelectric power and other purposes. Congress requested the study to determine the advisability of changing the operation of the lakes to provide improved flood protection, recreation, fish and wildlife, regional and agricultural water supply, power generation, improved navigating conditions and other related land resources. Six meetings are scheduled, the closest to their area being at School of the Ozarks on March 26 and Rogers, Ark., on March 25. Requests from the Cassville Chamber of Commerce and Central Crossing Association for a possible session at either location, have not been answered at this time. Both organizations volunteered their facilities and cooperation in holding meetings in this area. Those scheduled at present will begin at 7:30 p.m. Interested individuals, local, state and federal agencies, groups and organizations are urged to attend and express their views on the study. Colonel Weinert said written suggestions should be forwarded to Corps headquarters in Little Rock, Ark. Several years ago both the Cassville C of C and the CCA suggested to the engineers that a reappraisal of uses on the reservoirs be studied to give full meaning to recreation possibilities. This apparently is the first move in that direction.

40 years ago

March 13, 1985

— TWO NEW BUSINESS OWNERS IN CASSVILLE

Cassville has a pair of new business owners this week as Mr. and Mrs. John Milner have purchased a location at Hilltop for their Milner’s Auto Center and Mr. and Mrs. Andy Crighton, Mr. and Mrs. Dick Sanders and Mr. and Mrs. Richard Tudor have purchased Balloonatics in Cassville from Carlene Stephens. Mr. and Mrs. Milner bought acre and a 40X60 foot building from Mr. and Mrs. Bill Vance, from which they will area wide distribute batteries, tires, and do body repair and auto cleanup. Mr. and Mrs. Vance are currently constructing a new 60X150 foot building to which they will move their Marine Repair and Boat storage business, adjacent to the Milner site on Highway 112. The three family ownership at Balloonatics on the west side of the square, will be known under a new name, Three Belles. Plans are to continue a complete line of balloons, arrangements and services to parties and banquets. Plans also include expansion to specialty baskets containing gourmet foods, gifts, books and game ideas for all occasions.

— P&Z REZONES HOME FOR OPTOMETRIST OFFICE

Cassville zoning and planning commission gave initial approval to a request for zoning change Monday. Requested by Dr. Dale Assing, optometrist, on a contingent purchase of the W.T. Baker estate property at Sixth and West streets, the change was from Residential Three to Commercial One. Dr. Assing’s announced plans are for a future office location. Commission members in the session were Joe Ellis, John Anglum, Carter Koon and Mayor Bill LeCompte.

— TRANSMISSION LINE HEARING HERE MARCH 27

Possibility of a high voltage transmission line passing through this area in the future will be subject of an environmental hearing Wednesday, March 27 in the Cassville schools gymnasium. The hearing will begin at 7:30 p.m. KAMO Electric Cooperative of Vinita, Oklahoma will conduct the hearing as a requirement of the rural Electrification Administration. Financial assistance from REA makes the hearing necessary. Robbie Dockery, environmentalist with KAMO, said the power transmission line will run from Oklahoma in a northeast direction to the Springfield area. KAMO, which markets power to Barry Electric Cooperative here interchanges with, Empire District Electric of Joplin, has proposed the new transmission line for future needs of heavyup availability of power in this area. Ms. Dockery said there would be three choices of corridors, probably entering Missouri in the Anderson area and passing possibly through this area. In any event, services of larger than existing lines would be available to Barry Electric. Officials estimated corridors needed for the project would be two and onehalf miles wide.

30 years ago

March 1, 1995

— SESQUICENTENNIAL CONTINUES ADDING ATTRACTIONS

“Two For The Show,” a country musical comedy group from Branson, will highlight the Friday evening entertainment, at 7 p.m., June 30, in the high school gym, to kickoff Cassville’s Sesquicentennial Celebration. The group has performed in Echo Hollow at Silver Dollar City, has been the opening band for several Nashville stars and backup for Barbara Fairchild. “Their style is a lot like Ray Stevens,” said Darrell Ledenham, 150-year anniversary chairman. “The crowd will want to come early and stay late,” added Ledenham. “Two hours before the Show begins, we’ll have a blue grass band playing on the parking lot and a food court set up for dinner.” At 9 p.m., as the show ends, the audience will have the opportunity to view a hot-air balloon glow, a rare spectacle. The seven balloons arriving to compete in the two days of races will be fully inflated to show off their colors. Seven local industries have been invited to sponsor a balloon, which will carry their banner during the races. Skies over Cassville will become colorful when the kickoff race begins at 7 a.m., Saturday, July 1, from the new soccer fields near FASCO. Other races are set for 6 p.m., Saturday, and 7 a.m., Sunday, July 2. The Sesquicentennial planning committee has firmed several of the major events, beginning with the Friday lineup. “This is top professional talent. But with help from sponsors, we can hold down the admission price. We want to make this an evening families can afford,” Ledenham said The 150year celebration, June 30 through July 8, will also feature reenactments by Civil War groups, an Indian dancing exhibition, and an encampment of Mountain Men. He added, “Nowhere in the Ozarks will there be a week with this spectacular a lineup. I’m proud of our committee for coming up with these plans.”

— 1,835 BRAVED FRIGID ROARING RIVER OPENING

Twenty-two degrees and a good breeze blowing down Roaring River valley from the north combined to make the Rainbow Trout opener cold enough to keep some of even the most ardent away from the stream Wednesday morning. At the opening gun there were 1,835 stream-side. The number had grown to 1,890 by 8:10 a.m. Jack Nickols, park concessionaire said it didn’t look like any new records would be set for the 1995 opening. Standing high mark for tag sales on a Wednesday is 2,019, according to Jerry Dean, hatchery director. Against the background of a Cassville Sesquicentennial banner hanging from the lodge balcony, early arrivals at their favorite spot at the stream were well coffeed by Chamber of Commerce members that began their service about 5 a.m. Gallons of the warming fluid were brewed on the bank of Roaring River. Warming fires that were working attracted good crowds and frequently served as hand thawing stations as break-offs of lures and leaders occurred during the heavy fishing opening. Line freezing in guides was also a frequent problem with anglers which was easily solved by dunking equipment in the 57 degree water. Traditional elbow-to-elbow crowding was obvious in the more favorite spots. Those seemed to be the ones producing the most splashes in the water indicating a catch. Size of trout in particular places also seemed to attract those fisherpersons who moved about during the first two hours of fishing. Fishermen began their casting as the opening gun fired this year by R. G. Fisher, longtime resort operator on Highway 112. Fisher, a past C of C president and long active in March 1 and other activities at the state park, was tapped by the park’s people to recognize both organizational and individual assistance from the Cassville area over the years. Dr. Doug Eiken, director of the Missouri Parks Division, was on hand for the opening, escorted by superintendent Pete Landstad. Coffee servers representing the C of C included: Jon White, Lonnie McCullough, Jr., Elvin Kime, Jeff Houk, Mark Smith, Tom Koehler, Amy Wells, Chip Lawson, Kathy White, Pam Hinson, Dr. Ken Hall, Dr. Dale Assing, Bob Allen, Stan Kelley, Dennis Baker, Steve Arnold, Reece Lancaster, Landon Fletcher and secretary Sonja Chasteen. Largest trout weight as of 8:30 a.m. was a four pound, 12 ouncer landed by Derrick Meltabarger, 12, of Cassville. Park officials welcomed the number at opening, setting a good start on the park’s season. Last year over 122,000 purchased tags for a new record. Standing record for opening is 3,504 set in 1981 on a weekend event. Youngsters were obvious in their numbers as most schools of the area consider the March 1 opening a holiday. Many were accompanied by adults that spent their time retying lures and leaders. “That’s all part of opening morning,” commended Vaughn Smith as his two youngsters alternated with equipment problems.