Just as quickly as this year has gone by, the fall season is upon us, and all around there are sure signs of one of the best seasons going for this part of the woods.

If you don’t think the color change in the forests that surround us isn’t just around the corner, drive down to the Roller Nursery growing grounds south of Washburn and see some of the young trees getting ahead of their elders out in the woods in converting to the Flaming Fall Review.

Conservation Commission observers are predicting early rains in the area and heavy foliage in making for the possible most brilliant display of colors in about two weeks that might have been seen around here in some time. They feel certain the color show will exceed last year under drought conditions.

Top viewing is probably just a couple of weeks away as Chuck Miner and Rick Linebarger repeated to me for years out of their seats with the U.S. Forest Service. They followed the actual theory of the change due to the decrease in daylight hours more than any other factor. So, that put the best to view about mid-October.

Both these men are retirees of the U.S. Forest Service before the move of all agency offices to Ava. They were always handy for weather records, especially monthly rainfall records. Their cooperation was always missed.

Enjoy, you’re in one of the best times of the year here in the Barry County Ozarks.

There was once an area between Horner Branch and Flat Creek that was the largest eye sore in town. John Baker was mayor and determined to clean the area.

The problem existing was that two persons claimed ownership and were reluctant to have others on their property. Finally, this situation was resolved, and the mayor called for volunteers to clean up the area. Surprise was on most faces on the scheduled workday.

A good crew swiftly attacked the trees and brambles in the area until it was clean. Although taking two days most of the crew hung into the finish, even with muscles that were not accustomed to this type of labor.

Those claiming the property didn’t show as crew members.

Thinking about days in our old neighborhood recently reminded me of a pair of unappreciated neighbors, including one whose son worked on a noisy vehicle at all hours of the night disturbing the whole of Chinquapin Woods and the other who was constantly getting our son’s mail and not forwarding same for days. That same one, by mistake, accepted a mess of Crappie from a friend by mistake and thinking it was a joke, threw them away!

Then there was the youngster that discovered we had a phone jack on the pool deck and frequently left a phone there. After noticing some rather expensive calls, the phone came in the house.

A vote of thanks goes to a resident just up the street who once taught the card game of bridge and some of the pointers he furnished as I jokingly developed my own system.

Then there is the swimming pool mechanic that lived in our area that pulled me out of a couple of problems on different occasions.

Much appreciated was the former neighbor who had a tractor and finish mower who worked over our vacant lot until it was in good enough condition where it could be maintained by a regular machine.

Another, who at the time was in her 90s, and was always a dog owner, twice was successful in catching bird dogs when they would find their way out of the kennel. She brought them home one time leading one by the collar as she drove, the other was in the seat beside her.

We were fortunate that a longtime friend moved near us who had equipment, tables and racks to hold garage sales. The only reward he would accept was a supply of tomatoes, which was back in the days that we could grow them.

Not to be unnoticed are the neighbors who were watchful of our place when we might have been traveling in the past. Although this might seem to be a small thing, if you’ve ever done this while away from home, you can realize what a peace of mind it can be.

These are a few instances, there are others that have been equally appreciated over the years. Some might have been forgotten or caught in the space limits afforded this column.

For the most part, names have been omitted purposely, but surely those who have provided that which we’ve covered, will remember and once again know how much they meant to us!

They don’t always come in with this willingness to help people.

Bob Mitchell is the former editor and publisher of the Cassville Democrat. He is a 2017 inductee to both the Missouri Press Association Hall of Fame and Missouri Southern State University’s Regional Media Hall of Fame.