Barry County
Through the Years, Dec. 25
30 YEARS AGO: JUDGED BEST OF DECORATIONS — Providing a more than adequate identification for Santa Claus as he next arrives in Cassville, this home decoration scheme was chosen best of the town by Chamber of Commerce judges. The home is that of Jim and Helen O’Dell on Fair Street.
Haven of the Ozarks Pet of the Week, Dec. 25
Meet Emmett, this week’s Pet of the Week! He was born June 20, 2017, and he’s a brown and black Belgian Shepherd Malinois/American Bulldog mix.
Arvest makes series of school donations
Arvest Foundation recently awarded the Exeter school district with a grant of $5,000 for its student fund.
News Briefs, Dec. 25
The Roaring River Nature Center on Jan. 11 and Feb.
The reason for the season
Through all the commercialism and gift-giving to Santa and elves on shelves, one Cassville woman is hoping to help locals remember the reason for the Christmas season — the birth of Jesus Christ. Wife of Cassville United Methodist Church Pastor Jeff Fugitt, Jamie Fugitt has been collecting Nativity scenes for more than 40 years, and more than 120 unique scenes are on display at the church through Jan.
Man charged for chase on Hwy. 37
An Exeter man is facing a felony charge and a misdemeanor charge following an alleged high-speed chase on Highway 37 in Barry County. Cody Priest, born 1989, of Exeter, is charged with felony fleeing and misdemeanor failure to yield to an emergency vehicle.
Exeter boys hoops wants to peak at season’s end
The Exeter boys basketball team has had a challenging start to its season, but Coach Tremanye Williams is less concerned about the beginning as he is the end. Finishing at 10-16 last season, the Tigers return three seniors — Kason Nelson, Jesse Eaton and Kendal Gorman — to this year’s squad.
Through the Years, Dec. 18
40 YEARS AGO: CHRISTMAS, AN IMPORTANT PHASE — Started in early October, the Little Joe Transplant Fund in Cassville is nearing the halfway point as funds bump the $175,000 figure. Goal of the effort for a heart-lung transplant for six-year-old Joe Starchman is $350,000.
Christmas coming for 315 children
On Christmas morning, the smiles of 315 Barry County children stand to be a bit brighter, all thanks to local businesses, individuals and volunteers who support Share Your Christmas. A service of the Ozark Area Community Action Corporation’s (OACAC) Barry County Neighborhood Center, Share Your Christmas provides gifts directly to families in need, for a variety of reasons, that may not have a gift budget otherwise.
’Twas on the press before Christmas
’ Twas 7 days before Christmas, and at The Cassville Democrat, Busy hands were a’typing requests for iPhones and snacks. Each year we ask second- graders their wishes from Santa, And while most requests are common, some make us say, my lanta! There are more than 250 printed for Kringle this year, And we hope they bring parents and and the jolly ole elf cheer.
