News

Ellie McCracken, 1, and her sister, Presley McCracken, 4, of Cassville, weren’t sure what to think of Santa at the Cookies with Santa event, hosted by the Barry County Genealogical and Historical Society, at the Bayless House in Cassville Saturday afternoon.

Exeter High School’s 2023 Miss Merry Christmas candidates include, from left: Abby Lemons, junior; Jaylee Hawkins, freshman; Natalie Crumpler, senior; and Ashley Cole, sophomore.

Cassville freshman Kole Fry smiles as he gets some “construction” criticism from Justin Clark, back, transportation coordinator and outreach specialist for Nabholz, while working the excavation simulator set up by the company at Cassville’s career fair on Nov. 21. Also helping Fry work the ground was Jamie Stover, right, Nabholz foreman. Kyle Troutman/ktroutman@cassville-democrat.com

The Cassville High School candidates for Mr. and Miss Merry Christmas have been announced. The group will be collecting donations in the community over coming weeks, with proceeds benefitting the Barry County Neighborhood Center’s Share Your Christmas program. The boy and girl who raise the most will be named Mr. and Miss Merry Christmas. Candidates include: front row, from left: freshman Gracie Maher, daughter of Allen and Brooke Maher, of Shell Knob, and Melissa and Jeremy Mansfield, of Cassville; sophomore Tyra Sturgell, daughter of Chad and Shawna Sturgell, of Cassville; senior Emerson Grossman, daughter of Melanie and Randy Grossman, of Cassville; and junior Jayla Cota, granddaughter of Carol Reed and Brent Stumph, of Cassville. Back row: freshman Carlos Barrientos, son of Allese Stubbs, of Cassville, and Melecio Barrientos, of Monett; sophomore Trevis Moore, son of Jeremy Moore, of Cassville, and Susan Norris, of Monett; senior Malachi Vincent, son of Stacy Reese, of Cassville; and junior Talen Reed, son of Shawn and Stephanie Reed, of Eagle Rock.

The Ozark Festival Orchestra will present its Christmas concert at 3 p.m. on Sunday at the Monett High School Performing Arts Center. A special feature for this performance will be 10 dancers from the Midwest Regional Ballet Performing Arts Company and School in Joplin, dancing to three selections from Tchikovsky’s “Nutcracker.” The concert will also include holiday favorites by Leroy Anderson, arrangements of “Carol of the Bells” and other seasonal selections, a visit from Santa Claus and a sing-along. Parents are encouraged to bring children for photos with Santa. Cost for admission is $10 for adults, $5 for senior citizens and free to children age 18 and under. The OFO is a not-for-profit ensemble based in Monett with 53 players in this concert, 15 of whom are from Barry and Lawrence counties.

Det. Doug Henry, with the Barry County Sheriff’s Office, speaks to students about law enforcement during Career Day on Nov. 21. The event for all Cassville High School students allows them to see attainable careers in their community and help guide them in future course options.