News Briefs, Oct. 9

Knights of Columbus coat distribution on Sunday

The Knights of Columbus will host a New Coat Distribution on Sunday from 2-4 p.m. at St. Edward Catholic Church in Cassville. The child must be present to try on the coat for size, and there are no other requirements. For more information, people may look up the Facebook event: “Cassville – Local New Coat Distribution.”

Labor Auction in Wheaton Monday

The Wheaton FFA chapter will host its Annual Labor Sale and Auction on Monday. A free pulled pork dinner will begin at 6 p.m., with a live auction to follow. A silent auction will be open during dinner and the live auction. The FFA Booster Club will be selling pork rinds, FFA T-shirts, and raffle tickets for a four-pack of Kansas City Chiefs tickets.

Eagle Rock hosting numerous events

The Eagle Rock Community Association will be hosting its final PotLuck of the year on Monday starting at 6 p.m. The theme is Chinese. Eagle Rock Lego Club will hold its Monthly meeting on Saturday starting at 10 a.m. at the Eagle Rock Community Center, located at 27824 St. Hwy. 86 in Eagle Rock. The Eagle Rock Library and Friends of the Library will be hosting their annual Howl-O-Ween Fest on Oct. 26 starting at 6 p.m. with a trunk or Treat and then showing a Halloween Movie at 7 p.m. Anyone interested in decorating a trunk should contact the library at 417-271-3186.

Events at VFW, library in Shell Knob

The Shell Knob VFW Ladies Auxiliary and the Shell Knob Friends of the Library will host a Chili and Soup Dinner with Desserts on Oct. 26 at the Shell Knob VFW Hall from 4:30-6:30 p.m. All proceeds go toward the Shell Knob Library Building Fund. The Shell Knob Library will be hosting a “Touch a Truck ” event on Friday Oct. 18 from 5:30-7 p.m. There will be several tucks for children to see and explore.

Southwest hosting pumpkin-decorating contest

The Southwest High School Chapter of National Honor Society is hosting a pumpkin decorating/carving contest for Pre-K to fourth-grade students and fifth- to eighth-grade in late October. The contest will have five categories, including: scary/monster, decades, “Inside Out,” sporty, T.V. shows/movies, funny/goofy, food, and animals. The NHS students will place them in categories, but each pumpkin needs to be clearly marked with the student’s name, homeroom and grade. All students who participate will receive a small bag of candy with the top winners in every category receiving a bigger prize. Pumpkins can be turned in as early as Oct 28. All pumpkins must be turned in and decorated by Oct 30. Students must take their pumpkins home by Oct. 31. The contest judging will be held in the elementary and middle school main hallway Wednesday morning and afternoon (Oct. 30). Pictures of the winners will take place afterwards. Anyone with questions or concerns may contact either Riley Flippo (rflippo@swr5.net) or NHS Adviser Steve Voyak (svoyak@swr5.net), or call the high school at 417-826-5413.

Craft sale on Saturday

A craft sale will be held at Old Church Gallery in Shell Knob on Saturday from 8-11 a.m. The sale will include crafts, holiday items, baked goods and a few antiques. People may call 417-858-2510 for more information.

Cassville Performing Arts Center Open House set

The Cassville school district will host an Open House for its new Performing Arts Center on Oct. 10. The even will be from 3:30-4:30 p.m., with a ribbon-cutting set for 4 p.m.

Wheaton FFA Booster Club selling Chiefs raffle tickets

The Wheaton FFA Alumni Booster Club is selling raffle tickets for a prize of four Kansas City Chiefs tickets (Section 34, Row 26, Seats 1-4) and a parking pass to the Dec. 21 game against the Houston Texans. Tickets are one for $5 or five for $20 and may be purchased from JoGina Park at Wheaton City Hall, or by contacting the Wheaton FFA Alumni Booster Club Facebook page. The winner will be drawn on Nov. 9 at the Wheaton FFA Barnwarming, where tickets may also be purchased last-minute. The tickets will be transferred to the winner by email.

Resurfacing of Route WW begins soon

The Missouri Department of Transportation has announced multiple resurfacing projects in the area, including one in Barry County. Drivers can expect lane closures and occasional traffic delays beginning the week of Oct. 14 for a resurfacing project on Route WW between Highway 39 and County Road 1170/1180, south of Aurora.

Boo Bash returns to Cassville YMCA

The Cassville Area YMCA’s annual Boo Bash will be held at the Y on Oct. 26 from 5-7 p.m. Members and non-members are welcome to the event, which will feature food, candy and games. People may contact the YMCA via phone, email or at the facility, located at 408 Highway 248 in Cassville by Oct. 15 to register a trunk/booth. There is no cost for registration or participation, but booth must provide their own candy. This is an outdoor event, and if weather does not permit, it will move indoors and on tables. Tables are limited, so people with extras should bring them in the event of weather. This is a free community event, and booths may hand out business cards with their pre-purchased donated candy of your choice. For more information or questions, people may call the YMCA at 417-846-1537.

Nov. 5 General Election absentee voting underway

The last day to register to vote is today (wednesday) for those who are not current registered voters of Barry County and who wish to vote in the Nov. 5 General Election. People may register to vote at the County Clerk’s Office; the Monett Chamber of Commerce; or the Shell Knob Chamber of Commerce. Registered voters should also notify the Barry County Clerk’s Office of a change of address or name. Photo ID required to vote in November General Election. Absentee voting is ongoing at the Barry County Clerk’s Office in Cassville, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Two-week in-person, no-excuse absentee voting begins Oct. 22. If unable to vote in person, a voter may send a written request to the office of:  Joyce Ennis, 700 Main St. Suite 2, Cassville, MO  65625 or fax to: 417-847-5311. The Office will need: name, physical address, mailing address, date of birth, last four digits of Social Security number, phone number, reason for voting absentee and signature. Those who live in the Shell Knob or Monett areas may visit the Shell Knob Chamber or Monett Chamber Office and fill out the absentee application. They will fax it to the Barry County Clerk’s office. Absentee applications are also available at sos.mo.gov. For more information, people may call the Clerk’s Office at 417-847-2561 opt: 3, or email jennis@barrycountyclerk.com or ajohnson@barrycountyclerk.com.

Seligman Bingo Night on first Tuesday of month

A Bingo Night will be held the first Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m. at the Seligman Chamber Event Center, located on Highway 37 north of the city. The building is handicap accessible, and all ages are invited. Bingo cards are $1 per play, and there is no limit on plays. A variety of prizes, excluding cash, will be awarded. Sodas and water are available for $1 each. Alcohol and smoking are not allowed in the building. For more information, people may call Eldora at 417-342-3895.

Cassville Senior Center hosting monthly dances

The Cassville Senior Center has started a once-a-month dance and dinner event with live music. The doors open at 6:30 p.m., and the dance is from 7-10 p.m. The Board of Directors for the Senior Center is sponsoring dances at the facility, located at 1111 Fair St. in Cassville. Dances are held on the first Friday of the month. Everyone is welcome. The July Dance will be held on July 5, going along with Fourth of July Festivities. There will be prizes and a 50/50 Raffle. The admission fee is $5 per person, and the dinner cost is a $5 donation. The menu is potluck, and attendees are welcome to bring a dish. All proceeds go to Senior Center.

Old Church Gallery Farmers’ Market open weekly

The Old Church Gallery Farmers’ Market runs every Thursday from 8-11 a.m. The market has farm fresh produce, flowers, eggs, jams, relishes, baked goods, handmade crafts and more. Selection varies every week, so come early for the best choice. Old Church Gallery is on Farm Road 1240 in Shell Knob and can be reached at 417-858-2510.

OATS rides available in Barry County

OATS Transit offers regular transportation services for the rural general public of any age, seniors, and individuals with disabilities. Please call the local OATS Transit office at 417-887-9272 or 800-770-6287 to schedule a ride or find out about services in the Barry County area. People may also visit the OATS website at oatstransit.org to view local schedules under “Bus Schedules,” then click on the county of service. OATS offices will be closed, and regular routes will not be running on Feb. 20 for Presidents’ Day. Please keep this in mind as trips are scheduled near these holidays. OATS Transit is hiring drivers statewide to can continue serving riders. Openings are listed on the OATS website.

Lessons offered before Seligman’s Saturday dances

The Seligman Chamber of Commerce country dances at the Seligman Chamber Event Center are every Saturday from 7-10 p.m. No alcohol is allowed. Admission is $10 per person, and 18-and-under are free. There is a potluck, 50-50 drawing and door prizes. Free dance lessons will also be given from 5-6 p.m. For more information, people may call 479-903-3640.