Jan. 1, 1975

— CATTLEMEN AND LENDERS TAKING OPTIMISTIC LOOK Farmers, ranchers, dairy-men, extension specialist, bankers, and other lenders who met at the Gillioz bank, Monett recently generally agreed that they have common problems but optimism prevailed. Ken Morris, extension farm management specialist, opened the meeting by pointing out that farmers do face high costs and are having a very difficult time. Most have less cash and may not be able to meet their obligations. Eldon Cole, Extension livestock specialist, suggested that livestock men cull unproductive cows, pregnancy, use good bulls and supplement light cattle through the winter period. Roger Marcoot, Extension dairy specialist, suggested dairymen should test their cows individual milk production, feed to production, practice herd health measures, feed high quality roughage to best producers and avoid overfeeding the lower producers. Roy House, Cassville PCA; Cherry Warren, agriculture representative, First National, Cassville; Jim Boyer, regional supervisor, FmHA, Mt. Vernon; and Gene Williams, FLBA, Aurora; all made short comments about their source of credit and lending policy in todays stress period. All the speakers stressed the belief that things will get better, stay in the business and do as good management job as possible, study costs and returns, develop a good record system, consult with your lender, don’t be secretive about your needs at budgeting time, and in general, don’t panic. It seemed that the 45 or 50 who participated were more optimistic about the future. It is difficult to see much hope in the future agriculture economy but things have a way of changing. A large corn crop next year, a slackening of export sales of grain, a change in the economy with more demand, and the current easing of interest rates may have some good effects, along with other unknowns.

— BID PROPOSALS AT STATE PARK DUE JANUARY 31 Four bid proposals for operations at Roaring River State Park beginning next spring will be accepted by the Missouri Division of Parks and Recreation in January 31 lettings in Jefferson City. Included are new proposals and a surprise division of main concession operations. Newly proposed by the park division is establishment of a laundromat concession for operation of washing and drying equipment for the convenience of campers. The additional concession at the park is proposed in part of the old Roaring River School in spaces remodeled by park crews. Under separate contract, the park division proposed to have concessionaires for rental cabins, motel rooms, tackle-souvenir shop, swimming pool and firewood and grocery-provision store and dining lodge. This phase of operation has been under one contract, held presently by Mr. and Mrs. Norman Chaney of Cassville. The Chaneys, operating on a two-year option extension of their contract have resigned, with intentions of rebidding. Chaney explained operating under a three-year-old basis was not practical at this time. A fourth phase of bidding will be another attempt to obtain a saddle horse concession at the park. This recreation phase has been absent for one year when the parks department was unable to obtain a bidder or operator for the past season. The most recent contract holders were Mr. and Mrs. Jim Stacy of Cassville. Information on the proposals can be obtained from Superintendent James Woods at Roaring River or the park office in Jefferson City. Bids will be accepted on a percentage basis of the operations between the concessionaires and the State of Missouri. Contracts will be for two years, with a two year option for renewal on each of the four proposals.

Jan. 2, 1985

— M/SGT. JEFFRIES GETS AIR FORCE COMMENDATION Master Sergeant Charles V. Jef-fries, USAF, has distinguished himself by meritorious service as Propulsion Branch Chief, 4477th Test and Evaluation Squadron, 57th Fighter Weapons Wing, Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, from 28 August 1980 to May 1, 1984. “During this period, the outstanding professional skill, leadership, and ceaseless efforts of Sergeant Jeffries resulted in major contributions to the effectiveness and success of a vital training program,” his citation reads. “The distinctive accomplishments of Sergeant Jeffries reflect credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.” This is the second award and Oak Leaf Cluster for distinguished service the sergeant has received. Sergeant Jeffries is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Lisle Jeffries, Cassville, and is now stationed at Altus Air Force Base, Altus, Oklahoma. The CHS graduate currently has 16 years of service in the United States Air Force. His commendation was signed by E.H. Fischer, Major General, USAF.

— RAIN-ON-RAIN RAISES RIVERS AND RESERVOIRS Continued heavy rainfall in the White River and Flat Creek watershed has streams and reservoirs at high levels between the Christmas and New Year holiday period. Rains not including Monday, brought 8.9 inches at the U.S. Forest Service according to Chuck Miner. Sunday and Monday measurements in home gauges that didn’t freeze, stood at four inches. Table Rock Lake crested first at 927.29 Christmas day, but could go higher this week due to downstream problems encountered by the Army Corps of Engineers. Offices reported no major problems except inconvenience to shoreline facilities during the record high water levels. Branches were briefly across Main Street in Cassville New Year’s eve as Flat Creek also covered some crossings.

— JOE’S FUND OVER HALFWAY TO $350,000 GOAL FOR TRANSPLANT As intended in the initial goal in October and anticipated earlier, the Little Joe Transplant Fund went over the halfway point over the holidays. Funds in hand this week total $175,910.10, according to Lige Frost, effort chairman for the community-wide effort. Fund goal is $350,000 for six-year-old Joe Starchman, Cassville kindergarten youth, to undergo a heart-lung transplant in the future. Mrs. Ruby Reese, treasurer, said actually, some funds in addition to the total were available but had not been turned-in or deposited. They were minor in nature, the Little Joe Trust Fund official said. Joe’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Starchman, were notified just before Christmas that a tentative date of admission to Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania had been set. Dr. Frederick J. Fricker, MD, wrote the Starchmans of the date, “purpose of this admission is to both evaluate Joseph as an appropriate heart-lung transplant candidate at this time and also to educate your family about the risks and benefits of heart-lung transplantation. I would anticipate that Joseph would be in Children’s Hospital approximately one week,” he said. Dr. Fricker, a cardiologist in the hospital which is part of the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, also said the Starchmans would visit with heart-lung transplant surgeons, Dr. Bartley Griffith and Dr. Robert Hardesty, during their future trip. Little Joe, whose need has resulted in a wide response of financial aid and other assistances, will also undergo evaluation of other types during the first contact at Children’s. Joe was diagnosed as having primary pulmonary hypertension in the spring of 1983. In anticipation for the recommended surgery, the fund effort to assist the Cassville family began the first of October of 1984. About 20 Cassville organizations spearheaded the Little Joe Transplant Fund kickoff three months ago. Efforts in behalf of the financial drive have been widespread throughout the area. The Starchmans, originally from the Joplin-Webb City area, said a number of activities have been produced in that area. Mrs. Cecilia Miller, coordinator of events for the fund, said a number of activities are possible after the holidays to boost the effort even farther toward the goal. All fund efforts should be coordinated through Mrs. Miller.

30 years ago

Dec. 21, 1994

— FIRE AND POLICE SHARE $7,000 BENEFIT

Cassville police and fire departments will share a $7,000 profit from a chili supper and auction Friday night at the school cafeteria. About 300 persons attended the event, many staying to cheer on mayor Rolland Meador as he auctioned the larger donated items. The two newly-acquired drug-detecting German shepherds, Gina and Toman, were introduced to the crowd as the incentive for the fundraising evening. The police department’s $3,500 from the event will cover the purchase and upkeep of the dogs and buying a vehicle from Missouri state surplus to transport the dogs. Any surplus funds would go toward the police reserves pro-gram. “This event proves the support our community has for its police services,” said chief of police Bob Ruggles. “A police department can only be as good as the people who support it.” Fire chief Millard Andrews said the fire department would use these funds to purchase a machine to refill air bottles for self-contained breathing apparatuses, and also they are considering buying air bags to go with the Jaws of Life. “We’ll make the most of this money,” he added.

— YULE LIGHTS ATTRACTED NEW PARTICIPATION Homes getting into the Festival of Lights program of the Cassville Chamber of Commerce increased considerably over this holiday, according to Sonja Chasteen, C of C secretary. Prizes and recognitions for the efforts were awarded or recognized in the C of C meeting Tuesday. In the judging event, first place went to Mr. and Mrs. Jim O’Dell on Fair Street. Second to Mr. and Mrs. Tom Cardin and third to Mr. and Mrs. Bob Mitchell, both of Chinquapin Woods. Judges in the event commended efforts of residents in Chinquapin, choosing that area as the most festively lighted neighborhood in Cassville this Christmas season. Winners in this category, which did not require an entry, received a plaque recognition for their efforts. From among 35 entries, six residents who entered the competition, received $50 each from a random drawing of those residents who met the decoration criteria of the contest. Included in these winners, Diana Rose, Amy Young, Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Fischer, Mr. and Mrs. Tom Georges, Blaine Brock and Mr. and Mrs. Bob Allen. Excluded from judging of any kind were past first place winner of the contest, Schells in 1990, Allisons in 1991, Nations in 1992 and Ramsey in 1993.