Cassville Community Reflections

Community Reflections

Inside: BUSINESS:

New businesses take shape in past year — Page 4

COMMUNITY:

Awards for saving lives, non-profit milestones mark year — Page 5

EDUCATION:

Bond issues, anniversaries, new super mark year in education — Page 6

HEALTH:

New EMS station, local clinic expansion make news — Page 7

AGRICULTURE:

Local agriculture sees strong year — Page 8

TOURISM:

Program brings more to Roaring River — Page 9 More than 2,500 anglers took to the waters of Roaring River looking for a big catch. Kyle Troutman/editor@cassville-democrat.com

A SPECIAL PUBLICATION OF

CASSVILLE

Democrat

Page 2 • Wednesday, March 25, 2020

Cassville Democrat

Cassville Democrat

Wednesday, March 25, 2020 • Page 3

Page 4 • Wednesday, March 25, 2020

Cassville Democrat

Reflections 2020

New businesses take shape in past year

Wintech opens, banks merge, medical marijuana dispensary coming

It was a banner year for business and economic development, with highlights including the opening of the Wintech plant in Cassville, the merger of CNB into Freedom Bank, and the awarding of a medical marijuana dispensary license to a Cassville provider.

Wintech brings jobs to Cassville

A new manufacturer started production in Cassville in June 2019, as Wintech, a Monett-based company, moved its vinyl window line to the former Thorco plant on Sale Barn Road in Cassville.

Jack Williams, Wintech president, said operations began with 20 new employees. The building was vacant for about four years before Wintech purchased it in early 2017.

“When we purchased it, we were using it for warehousing and storage, but we always knew we would expand operations there,” Williams said. “In late 2018 and early this year, we started working with the economic development groups in Cassville, and that really sped up the process.”

Williams said Wintech originally planned to roll operations into the plant immediately, but growth in business led to the plan being put on the back-burner.

“Isaac [Petersen, Cassville economic director] and Ron [Reed, former Cassville economic director] reached out initially, and we spoke with several members of the [Industrial Development Corporation] at a meeting at Barry Electric,” Williams said. “Their role ended up accelerating the process.”

Williams said the vinyl line is one of Wintech’s highest-volume lines, producing 200-300 windows per shift. They are designed as residential basement windows.

Although the plant started with about 20 employees, Williams said the intent is to grow the hiring to utilize all 100,000 square feet of the plant.

“Within the next 2-5 years, we aim to end up with 50-80 employees in Cassville,” he said.

“Monett’s plant has 135 employees, and we have a sales and service office in Denver run by one employee.”

CNB branches merge into Freedom Bank in 2020

Community National Bank, a Monett-based national banking association since 2002, announced plans to merge with Freedom Bank, a Missouri state-chartered bank located in Cassville, in 2019.

Community National Bank and its branch in Aurora will become branches of Freedom Bank.

In a statement, Freedom Bank announced its parent bank holding company, Freedom Bancshares of Southern Missouri, had entered into a definitive agreement with Community National Bank for a merger of the two operations under the name of Freedom Bank.

“As is customary, the bank merger is subject to regulatory approvals, a vote of Community National Bank’s shareholders, and other conditions precedent,” the statement said. “Upon completion of the bank merger, Freedom Bank will have total assets of approximately $430 million, deposits of $367 million, and loans totaling $326 million.

Freedom Bank presently has branches in

Dr. Lisa Roark, left, of Roark Family Health Clinic in Cassville, spoke on a panel at a town hall-style meeting at Missouri Southern State University in Joplin in 2018 to advocate for legalizing medical marijuana. Roark received a medical marijuana dispensary license for a facility in Cassville, the only one in Barry or Lawrence counties. Contributed photo Cassville, Shell Knob, Golden, Seligman and Willard.

“As our board evaluated many opportunities to partner with another financial institution, Freedom Bank clearly stood out as the best fit for our associates, customers and communities we serve,” said Michael Wallace, chairman of Community National Bank said, “Their extraordinary commitment to customer service and employee satisfaction played a significant role in the selection process of Freedom Bank.

We are excited about our future together.”

Stan Kelley, president and CEO of Freedom Bank, and Darrin Newbold, president and CEO of Community National Bank, will bring their combined 70-plus years of banking experience together to continue to enhance their respective markets and bring new products and technology to their customer bases.

“We feel fortunate to team up with Community National Bank’s associates and investors in relation to the pending transaction,” Kelley said. “Community National Bank is highly regarded as a top quality

bank among its banking peers.”

Freedom Bank opened in Cassville in 1999.

Newbold said the family style of doing business with Community National Bank will not change in the merger.

“We are committed to making this process as seamless as possible, but would like to thank our customers in advance for their patience and loyalty,” the merger announcement said. In addition to the close proximity to one another, Freedom Bank and Community National Bank share similar core values and put personalized customer service and serving their communities at the top of their priority list.

“Both banks are owned locally by a consortium of investors from mainly the Barry and Lawrence county areas, and their investor groups will be joining efforts to continue to grow the bank and look for future opportunities in the southwest Missouri area.”

The statement noted that over the last decade, mergers have been commonplace among community banks across the country. This tactic was

considered an excellent way for banks to come together in order to handle increasing regulatory burden and control costs through economies of scale.

Both banks have reported healthy growth since inception and attribute that progress to their community involvement and the resulting loyal customer bases that refer friends and family.

“With personal relationships being of utmost importance, customers can rest assured that they will continue to see all of the friendly faces they have come to know and trust at each location,” the statement said.

The merger process is expected to be finalized in

second quarter of 2020.

Medical marijuana dispensary license granted

The only successful applicant to receive a medical marijuana dispensary license in Barry or Lawrence counties was physician Lisa Roark’s business in Cassville.

The 192 licenses placed 24 licenses in each of the eight congressional districts. Nearly 1,200 applications were received.

Roark’s business, listed as The Dispensary on Highway 76 in Cassville, was 15th from the last to win approval, scoring about 60 points from the bottom cut-off. The Dispensary had the 10th

highest score of those approved in District 7.

Other proposed dispensaries in the bi-county area denied licenses included Monett Dispensary, proposed by Paul and Wendy Callicoat from Sarcoxie Nursery, for 333 Kyler, with 25 scoring higher; Blossom Wellness, at 3100 S. Elliott Ave. in Aurora; and Old Mt. Vernon 12, at 1207 E. Daniel Dr. in Mt. Vernon.

Successful applicants near Monett included Harmony, at 890 W. Harmony in Neosho; SMO4, at 13011 Highway 96 in Carthage; and Easy Mountain Investments, at 1740 Highway 60 East in Republic.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 10

Cassville Democrat

Wednesday, March 25, 2020 • Page 5

Reflections 2020

On April 13, 2019, Trooper Travis Coffey was awarded for his actions on the scene of a shooting that saved a man.

Colonel Eric Olson, left, presented the award to Coffey.

Contributed photo

Hundreds of people took to the street in 2019 at the annual Power of Pink walk/run, which benefits local woman battling breast cancer. Kyle Troutman/editor@cassville-democrat.com

Awards for saving lives, non-profit milestones mark year

Communities come together in many ways to help one another

Barry County residents are quick to help one another when in need, as evidenced by the two awards for saving lives earned by police in the last year, as well as anniversaries for programs to help others and a new food pantry opening in Cassville.

3 officers, state trooper get awards

A normal day turned heroic recently when a local woman collapsed and her husband immediately started CPR, with Cassville police officers taking over and using an AED machine when they arrived on scene, saving the woman’s life.

Dana Kammerlohr, Cassville police chief, said the three officers — Det. Danny Boyd, Sgt. Donald Privett and Officer Stuart Lombard — as well as local man Charles Greek, were all presented letters of commendation for their work in March 2019.

“We got a call through dispatch on the radio that a lady had collapsed,” she said. “She happened to be across the street from us at a local business.”

Kammerlohr said dispatch said the woman was unresponsive and CPR had been started.

“Officer Lombard automatically ran across the street,” she said. “Sergeant Privett got the AED and went across the street.”

Kammerlohr said Boyd was in his vehicle and heard the call over the radio and responded.

“When they got there Mr. Greek was performing CPR on his wife,” she said.

“Officer Lombard took over CPR, and sergeant Privett set up the AED with assistance from Boyd.

“They all worked together, and shortly after, the paramedics were there.”

Kammerlohr said everyone involved did what needed to be done, and they did it well.

“Mr. Greek had the foresight to go ahead and start CPR, which helped her to survive the situation,” Kammerlohr said.

“The paramedics did make a statement that the AED probably did the trick to bringing her back into rhythm.”

Kammerlohr said Greek received a letter of commendation for his actions, as well as the three officers.

“I didn’t come up with this saying, but I did put it on their letters, ‘Heroic actions are when ordinary people do extraordinary acts,’” she said. “I told the officers in the letter of commendation that, ‘The dedication to duty and action on the scene are keeping with the highest traditions of law enforcement officers. You have shown great honor not only to yourself, but also to your profession in the Cassville Police Department, in the

City of Cassville.’”

Bill Shiveley, Cassville mayor, said when Kammerlohr sent him a text message to tell him about the incident, he felt just like a proud parent.

“The officers did what they were supposed to do, and they did a great job,” he said. “We haven’t had the AED for very long, so I am glad we have them.

The AEDs are a great thing to have.”

Shiveley said he is happy that the officers and her husband were able to save a life.

On April 13, 2019, two State Highway Patrol troopers, Travis L. Coffey, and Cpl. Joel E. Givens of Troop D, were awarded for their life saving actions following a shooting.

Givens said Sept. 22, 2018, started off like any other night, and he didn’t expect the events that came to pass.

“When we got the call about the suspect, we understood he was wanted in questioning for a shooting incident in Springfield, and he was known to be armed,” he said. “We were trying to make what is called a quick response force with a staging area to get him apprehended before he could get into his car.”

Givens said that obviously didn’t work, and he and Coffey got into a pursuit after an attempted traffic stop.

“Once the pursuit got up to Aurora, that department set out spike strips to disable his vehicle,” he said. “He continued up to Marionville where he tried to carjack people.”

Givens said the subject stopped next to a white SUV and exited the vehicle.

“I was behind him toward his driver’s side door,” he said. “There were still two women in the white SUV in front of me.”

Givens said he knew then he was limited on his use of force options.

“We had recently been issued the tasers,” he said.

“The subject then climbed onto the hood, and I deployed my taser.”

Givens said immediately after he deployed his taser, he heard gun shots being fired from the officers on the other side.

“The subject rolled off the hood of the car and into the ditch,” he said.

“We were giving him commands to roll over on his belly, and he actually stopped us and said, ‘Guys, you just shot me, you are going to have to roll me over.’”

Givens said once the suspect was handcuffed, the training just took over and they started first aid.

“I didn’t do anything that another officer wouldn’t have,” he said.

“I got extensive medical training through departments I have worked for, and everything that I did I learned from good men I have worked with.”

Givens said the subject was bleeding from his inner left leg, inner right leg, a stomach wound, chest wound and a shoulder wound.

“My brain didn’t know what my hands were doing,” he said. “I went straight for my med kit, and Coffey and I applied tourniquets to both his legs. The stomach wound we couldn’t do a whole lot for right there, but the chest wound could cause his lung to collapse.”

Givens said they put a chest seal on him to keep the lung from collapsing.

“Coffey worked on his left shoulder wound,” he said. “He applied quick clot and packing gauze.”

Givens said the whole time, the subject was complaining that he was thirsty.

“I told him he was thirsty because he was bleeding out and he needed to stay still so we could work on him,” he said.

“The subject said, ‘I can’t believe you are going to let me die thirsty.’”

Givens said he and Coffey worked together and got the subject patched up.

“At some point, I had asked someone close by to just check me while I was working to see if I had been shot,” he said. “I was in the line of fire. The taser has five second cycle, so I tased him, they shot him, and when it was all done, I still had about two seconds left in the taser cycle.”

Givens said it all happened very fast, and he thankfully stepped off to the side and dropped down to avoid being hit.

“I don’t know what it means to me,” he said. “We just did what we had to do, what we were trained for and saved someone.”

Givens said the subject was shot a total of nine times.

“With the quick field assessment on the scene, we saw the really bad bleeders in the left leg and shoulder,” he said. “We also immediately assessed the stomach and chest wounds.”

Givens said the only reason he knows what to look for is because of the people who he has worked with and trained him.

“I was involved in a shooting once before,” he said. “A wife was shot and she actually locked herself in the bathroom and made a tourniquet herself out of bed sheets.”

Givens said he has been an officer for going on 14 years and has worked in many different areas.

“I got into this business because I wanted to help out my communities and state,” he said. “I wanted to make a difference, and I love people. Sometimes it is hard being the enforcer, but most people are good.”

Givens said he believes that most of the issues he comes across are people just having a bad day.

“Some people have messed up,” he said. “That doesn’t mean they are a mess-up, just that they had a hard moment.”

Givens said it is not just him who should have received the award, but also the people who have trained him.

Coffey said he was given information by county deputies that there was a

Recipients from the Power of Pink fundraiser posed for a photo before kicking off the walk/run in Washburn in 2019. Kyle Troutman/editor@cassville-democrat.com felon in the area.

“I located the vehicle, and after an attempted stop, a chase ensued,” he said. “He at one point let out a passenger, and Corporal Givens took over the pursuit as I took custody of the passenger.”

Coffey said he relinquished custody to another officer and returned to the chase.

“By the time I caught up to it, it was east of Marionville,” he said. “I pulled up just as the subject had come to a stop.”

Coffey said the subject jumped out of the window and onto another car,” he said. “He displayed a handgun and was shot.”

Coffey said the subject fell off the hood of the car, and he thought Corporal Givens had been shot so he checked on him first.

“I noticed the subject was down in between two cars and he was bleeding badly,” he said. “We applied tourniquets and pressure, then checked him over for additional bullet holes. We applied a chest seal and kept him alive.”

Coffey said the subject asked them to tell his children goodbye.

“We told him he would have to do that himself,” he said. “We kept him alive, and he was able to recover in the hospital and is now currently in prison.”

Coffey said the reason he signed up for his job is to protect life and keep others from being hurt.

“It is rewarding knowing that the training that the patrol provides is something we can lean on and works,” he said. “The training I received through this agency helped save a man’s life.”

Coffey said saving life is an amazing thing to do.

“It is not every day that you get to do that,” he said. “As law enforcement, we try to save lives all the time, and it fails a lot. Given the situation to save a life, I will forever be excited about that.”

Coffey said he hasn’t been involved in a shooting before.

“I’ve been in a car crash situation and tried to save a life,” he said. “One shooting event is absolutely more than enough.”

Power of Pink celebrates 10 years

The color pink has, since the early 1980s, represented the women and

On April 13, 2019, Corporal Joel Givens was awarded for his actions on the scene of a shooting that saved a man.

Colonel Eric Olson, left, presented the award to Givens.

Contributed photo

Gene Robbins, of Exeter, served as auctioneer at the Power of Pink walk/run event at Washburn City Park in 2019. The event raised $53,150.70 and each of the seven local women benefitting from the event received $7,592.96. Next year will be the 10th anniversary, and the theme will be “2020, Bring 10 in 10” and people are being asked to join the walk and bring 10 friends. Kyle Troutman/editor@cassville-democrat.com

men who fight to beat breast cancer.

More specifically, pink ribbons offer support to victims of breast cancer and awareness to the disease.

Locally, one family has spent the last decade bringing breast cancer into the spotlight and reaching out to those facing diagnoses with support, both monetarily and emotionally.

In 2010, the Power of Pink mission was born in the midst of a rodeo with the purpose of helping local women battling breast cancer.

In the past 10 years, Power of Pink has raised $188,041.49 for 32 women.

For the 10th anniversary, Janice McCracken, founder of Power of Pink, wants people to bring 10 friends to the May 2020 walk.

“My husband is a professional rodeo clown,” McCracken said. “Years ago, Wrangler started a program Tough Enough to Wear Pink, and they started raising money for breast cancer awareness.”

The McCracken family would go to rodeos every week, and Janice was constantly seeing the Tough Enough to Wear Pink program, which resonated with her even more when she and her husband started building the Gizmo Event Center in Wheaton.

“I told my husband that I wanted to help someone local that was battling breast cancer,” she said.

“We had our first recipients in 2009, but we didn’t start the walk until 2010.”

The McCracken family had their first rodeo in CONTINUED ON PAGE 11

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Cassville Democrat

Reflections 2020

Exterior rendering of the new 6,000-square-foot expansion to Cassville early childhood education building. Contributed photo

Bond issues, anniversaries, new super mark year in education Cassville’s Vision 150 bringing new building to campus

Bond issues at two school districts, program anniversaries and a new superintendent at Purdy were the major stories in the education world over the past year.

$4 million Vision 150 proposal passes

A $4 million no-tax-increase bond issue for the Cassville school district was approved in April 2019.

Proposition Vision 150 passed with 644 votes, 74.71 percent, in favor, and 218 votes, 25.29 percent, in opposition.

Richard Asbill, Cassville superintendent, said he is honored by the support of the patrons in regards to Proposition Vision 150.

“The teachers and board did great work asking and promoting the patrons on what we wanted,” he said.

The $4 million Proposition Vision 150, is a ballot measure aimed to provide Cassville School with funds to address capital projects that will offer new, as well as, expand educational opportunities.

The projects on the list include, Early Childhood Center, renovation of facilities, learning and innovation, ADA accessible playgrounds, security and roof and general maintenance.

Vision 150 is about the district celebrating 150 years of Cassville School, and the vision for the next 150 years.

The first project is to allow the district to build and expand early childhood programs including, Parents as Teachers (PAT), Pre-School and Kinder-Academy.

Asbill said these programs need additional space for students and activities that aim to give the youngest students the best start at learning and life readiness skills.

Asbill said the next effort will focus on renovation of the classrooms in the old middle school, also called the “vintage wing.”

He said it was built in the 1930s, there are only three outlets in each room — two originally — and the windows were replaced from the original single pane windows in the late 1970s.

The third and final project for Vision 150 is to continue its focus on student needs, including security upgrades, ADA playground accessibility and general maintenance.

Asbill said Vision 150 allows the district to economically accomplish multiple capital project goals at once and continue future early maintenance and capital project goals.

Asbill said the plan is to expand that throughout the intermediate playground, as well as, the primary playground which will get some ADA accessible equipment and walkways.

Proposition K.I.D.S updates Southwest

The Southwest school district added $169,000 from its district budget to

the original $2.2 million bond issue Proposition K.I.D.S., Keep Improving District Schools, that passed in April 2019, and projects were completed prior to the beginning of the 2019-2020 school year.

Tosha Tilford, Southwest superintendent, said ran smoothly.

At the lower elementary, ceilings were changed and electrical work was updated. The lighting in the building was complete, and painting was done.

And, a new security door was being installed.

Tilford said in the upper elementary school, painting was done and windows were changed out.

Electrical and flooring was done in the upper elementary building. The bathrooms were gutted and had new flooring and fixtures put back in, and all of the plumbing was finished.

In the middle school, lights and painting were completed, and the new middle school office was reconfigured.

Tilford said when she saw the work on the new middle school office when it was in progress, she noticed how different it was going to look.

“I walked in and tears came to my eyes,” she sad.

“It is just so amazing.”

Tilford said she is from Washburn and went to school at Southwest from K-12.

“I am so excited to be able to give these students the best of everything,” she said.

A full list of projects in the lower and upper elementary schools and middle school included: • Restroom renovations (student and faculty) • Asbestos removal • Middle school drainage • Energy efficient windows, doors, and lighting • Secure entrances and breezeway installation • Renovation of the multi-purpose room (removal of asbestos floor) • Lower elementary kitchen and cafeteria renovation and remodel • Fire alarm system installation • Other miscellaneous renovations and repairs as discovered as long as funds were available.

Exeter after-school program renewed after 5 years

The before- and afterschool program at the Exeter school district is able to continue this school year, as a grant was approved for a five-year extension.

Ernest Raney, Exeter school district superintendent, said the 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) was approved in October 2019, and he believes approval was due to great participation in the program. There are 172 students that participate in the program, which accounts for 55 percent of the entire K-12 student body.

“I think the parents are grateful for this opportunity to extend learning opportunities of their children,” he said. “We are fortunate to receive this grant

cassville vintage wing

Recess at Cassville school is extra fun this year, as students got to see the continuous work being done on the Vision 150 expansion work by Branco Enterprises Inc. Jordan Privett/jprivett@cassville-democrat.com for another five years.”

According to Raney, the before- and after-school program is a need in the Exeter community.

“We had families hoping we would get funded,” he said. “The program started again in October, so it was well after school had begun.”

The two-month waiting period was a strain for some families to work around.

“While waiting and hoping for this service to begin again, many families had to figure out alternative arrangements,” Raney said. “Everyone was happy and delighted to have this service.”

The before- and afterschool program is available to students from kindergarten to twelfth grade.

“We started this back in 2014 when we got the first five-year grant,” Raney said. “It is a highly competitive grant that is offered to all districts.”

Of the districts that competed for the grant, Raney said Exeter had great success due to the program’s performance during the first five years of funding.

“Because of that participation from our students in the first five years, I believe that helped us with the second round of funding,” he said. “The program is a great fit and something many families in the area need.”

The program is available in the morning from 7 a.m. to the time school begins, and in the afternoon from the time school ends to 5 p.m.

“Parents have to pick up and drop off students,” Raney said. “We don’t offer bus routes for the program. Even with that, it is still a program that many parents access and take advantage of.”

During the program hours, students have access to physical exercises, as well as STEM projects.

“They also coordinate throughout the school year to do family nights with academic related themes,” Raney said. “At those, students do different projects, as well as activities they can do with their families.”

There is also time available for tutoring if a student needs it.

“There is a variety of different projects and activities available to the students in the beforeand after-school pro-

Purdy graduates tossed their hats and blasted each other with Silly String to conclude graduation ceremonies. Murray Bishoff/Cassville Democrat

Cassville’s interior renderings of the early childhood education building. Contributed photo

Ground was officially broken in December 2019 for the Vision 150 childhood education center, being built onto Eunice Thomas Elementary. Taking part in the golden shovel event were, from left: Dusty Reid, director of facilities and operations; Superintendent Richard Asbill; Board Member Jon Horner; Board President Becky Henningson; Board Member Jeremy Marple; preschool teacher Stephanie Marple; preschool teacher Pam Ralls; preschool teacher Angela Brown; Parents as Teachers Director Nola Nickols; Board Member Chad Yarnall; Board Member Wade Hermansen; Board Member Steven Henbest; and Board Member David Haddock. Kyle Troutman/editor@cassville-democrat.com gram,” Raney said.

Gates hired as new Purdy superintendent

The Purdy Board of Education announced on May 13, 2019, that Mindi Gates, former Purdy associate superintendent, would start the 2019-2020 school year as the new superintendent, succeed-

ing Steven Chancellor.

Gates worked in the Purdy school district for six years, two as an instructional coach and four as the associate superintendent. She started her new position as superintendent on July 1, 2019.

“I am humbled and blessed to be given this opportunity by the Purdy

Board of Education to step into this position for Purdy school,” she said when hired.

“As for Mindi, I would just add that I cannot be more happy for her and the District,” Chancellor said.

“She has worked hard to put herself in a position to be a successful leader, and CONTINUED ON PAGE 12

Cassville Democrat

Reflections 2020

Wednesday, March 25, 2020 • Page 7

A helipad overlooks the new Eagle Rock EMS station under construction on Highway 86 in Eagle Rock. Kyle Troutman/editor@cassville-democrat.com

New EMS station, local clinic expansion make news

Grants to help sexual assault survivors; Access medical partners with schools A busy year in health news was marked by the construction of a new EMS station in Eagle Rock, the expansion of a local clinic, partnerships between Access and local schools, and more.

$1.1 million EMS station coming to Eagle Rock

The South Barry County Ambulance District and its contractor, Mercy EMS, kicked off an expansion project in 2019, as con-

struction is near completion on a new emergency services facility in Eagle Rock.

The property is adjacent to the Eagle Rock-GoldenMano Fire Protection Headquarters, located at 30625 State Highway 86, in Eagle Rock.

The fire district donated the property to bring emergency services together in one location for the community.

The new Eagle Rock facility will occupy 4,000 square feet and include two ambulance bays, living quarters, a supervisor’s office, work room, a decontamination room, supply room and a safe room for personnel assigned to the facility. A helicopter landing pad will also be part of this project to provide

an additional landing location when multiple aircraft are needed at an incident in the area. The facility is expected to be completed in December.

Ken Cieslinski, South Barry County Ambulance District board president, said the first thing he wants to say is thank you to the Eagle Rock Fire Department for partnering with this venture and making it possible.

“Our sole mission is to do the best we can for the citizens that we represent,” he said. “We felt, based on the analyzation that we had done, and the number of calls and the severity, that Eagle Rock was an absolute must.”

Cieslinski said at a fire chiefs meeting a year ago, they were talking about

The bay of the new Eagle Rock EMS station will hold two ambulances, with only one operational at a time. Kyle Troutman/editor@cassville-democrat.com doing CPR on a patient for 45 minutes before an ambulance could arrive.

“I grew up in a big city, and coming to this area is just so different,” he said.

“To hear that someone is doing CPR on a patient for so long before help can arrive is unacceptable.”

Cieslinski said the area does have limited resources, but that is changing.

“We need to be the best stewards we can using what we have,” he said.

“We have been appropriating funds for awhile, but there are other communities that will need it.”

“The Eagle Rock EMS facility will be the third strategically placed EMS station in the District and will greatly reduce response times to the community,” Cieslinski said.

“The new station will house vital equipment and personnel needed to provide emergency medical services to those who work, visit or live within the Eagle Rock community and surrounding areas. This area is currently served from the district’s headquarters in Cassville or from the Shell Knob station.”

Expansion underway at Roark Family Health

An additional 3,000 square feet is being added to Roark Family Health and Medical Spa to accommodate more space for new doctors and nursing staff hired by Dr. Lisa Roark.

Roark, owner of the clinic and spa, said the added square footage will double its size.

“We now have three doctors and new nurses, and we were just out of room,” she said. “I love our location, and I didn’t want to move.”

Roark said she is also adding a storm shelter to the building, and there will be more parking when the project is completed.

She said she wanted a storm shelter because Cassville has had a tornado warning every year for the last four years the clinic has been there.

“There really isn’t somewhere [for us] to go, and I love the idea of having a storm shelter available for myself, my staff and patients and also the community.”

Ken Cieslinski, left, South Barry County Ambulance District board president, and Brent Cruse, with DeWitt and Associates, tour the Eagle Rock EMS station under construction. The building is expected to be done my mid-March. Kyle Troutman/editor@cassville-democrat.com Roark said there are a lot of small rental houses in the area, and now, those residents will have somewhere close to go.

“We were already building into the hillside,” she said. “I thought we might as well make a storm shelter.”

Roark said the biggest need for the expansion is that she has hired four new people.

“We have one new doctor, two new nursing staff members and a new massage therapist,” she said.

“The biggest push for hiring more staff was that we added a medical marijuana certification.”

Roark said as private doctors started announcing that they were going to do the certification, most of them were $250-$350, which she said was ridiculous because insurance does not cover that, so patients are paying that out of pocket.

“First, I spoke with the Department of Health to confirm that I could do telehealth appointments,” she said. “They said I could do that, so I announced on social media that we would do telehealth appointments for anyone in Missouri for $100, which is what I charge for a DOT physical.

“I decided that a physical is a physical, whether it is to certify that they qualify for medical marijuana or that they can

drive for the DOT.” Roark said she didn’t inflate the price at all, and that made some physicians not so happy.

“That’s because they could either bring their costs down and match mine, or their patients would go elsewhere,” she said. “Very quickly, those prices started dropping, and now, there are at least two other physicians in Missouri that set their price at $100.”

Roark said a couple of them are doing it via telehealth, as well.

“We had so much interest in that, so I hired another doctor,” she said. “We have about 50 patients a day registering online that are wanting to schedule.”

Roark said she is currently seeing patients for medical marijuana certifications.

“The best way is for them to go on the website, fill out the forms and I will review the forms and make sure that they actually qualify so they aren’t wasting their time,” she said.

“If they qualify the nurses contact them and schedule them in.”

Roark said X-rays are inexpensive for her clinic, and costs to the patients are about the third of the price of other places.

“We are also getting a lot of people who are CONTINUED ON PAGE 16

Page 8 • Wednesday, March 25, 2020

Reflections 2020

Cassville Democrat

Local agriculture sees strong year

Lavender farm celebrates a year in business; beef outlook positive

Outlooks for beef and dairy farmers are looking positive after the past year, and a local farming operation has celebrated a year in business.

Beef outlook offers boom potential

Cattlemen may be on the verge of a banner year, if international trade moves according to indicators.

Scott Brown, state agriculture business specialist with the University of Missouri Extension in Columbia, spelled out the details at the 90th annual Stone County Livestock and Forage Conference in Crane in February.

According to market indications and federal statistics, Brown said the beef market domestically has remained strong. A 2.5 percent growth in meat supplies every year since 2014, the year of peak beef prices, would have normally driven prices down. It has not, because demand has increased.

Americans were eating 180 pounds of meat per capita in 2014 are now eating 205 pounds. At present, beef demand domestically appears to have flattened and may decline in the next few years.

“Everything looks good versus what we don’t know,” Brown said.

With “pretty good grass” in Missouri in 2019, herd sizes grew within the state, one of only five states in the nation to do so. Growth did not even match the decreases in herd supplies that took place in Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas. Feed yards reported 12 million head of cattle in them, record levels for several months, putting “feed yards in the driver’s seat,” Brown said.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture revised its projections of cattle supplies downward. Lower supplies will help to bolster prices.

Brown identified contributing factors that may impact the picture over time. Prime quality beef continues growing in price, while select beef is dropping in price. This led Brown to conclude producers must continue to provide high quality beef to satisfy consumers, keeping them from turning, as an alternative, to “chicken wrapped in bacon.”

Pork chops in the past had commanded prime prices. Now the prime market demand is for bacon.

The emphasis on quality, Brown noted, may have a price. “The time may come when below average calves aren’t worth very much,” he said.

The big variable in the marketplace will be international trade, Brown declared. The new United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement would at least firm up trade across the adjacent borders.

Conditions in the Asian markets in particular are reaching a critical point. A trade agreement appears in the offing with Japan, where U.S. beef has carried a 38.5 percent tariff. Brown projected an increase in sales to Japan in 2020, after a drop in 2019.

China has become an even greater wild card than in recent years. The Chinese, Brown said, who have historically consumed half the world’s pork supply, have seen their domestic production of pork drop by 19 million metric tons in two years, due largely to the impact of the Asian swine flu, a factor that is “far from done.” If the Chinese seek to import pork, they will turn to the European Union. The Asian beef

Farming often involves construction, or at least being handy with basic skills. During Field Day at the Southwest Center near Mt. Vernon, Dave Stahl, of Emery Sapp and Sons, gave high school students attending a chance to finish concrete in a form, pushing the mixture evenly for a finished square. Cameron Parrish, of El Dorado Springs, was one of the teens taking the challenge. Murray Bishoff/Cassville Democrat market has been dominated by Australia and New Zealand, but both those countries have suffered from heat, and Australia from wild fires, driving down their supplies and driving up their prices.

Pork producers, Brown said, already anticipate the Chinese will turn to them. Beef sales may be next. Factors like the Coronavirus continue to create instability for the Chinese, pressuring the government to make a choice. Brown added he also does not think Australia and New Zealand will be able to keep up with demand in Japan, again pushing sales toward the U.S. Full details on the latest trade agreement with China have not yet emerged to see what its impact will have.

Brown reported the U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates that in Phase 1 of the new agreement, U.S. beef and beef product exports to China could reach $1 billion annually. U.S. exports of pork products, at $700 million in 2017, are expected to reach $1.7 billion annual in the next two to three years.

The USDA further reports that due to the new agreement, “China will expand the scope of beef products allowed to be imported, eliminate age restrictions on cattle slathered for export to China, and recognize the U.S. beef and feel products’ traceability system.”

If that holds true, projections estimate trade on top of the $19.5 billion trade level to China in 2017, before the current tariff/ trade war began, could more than double in the next two years.

The University of Missouri College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources has made projections on prices cattle producers can expect in the next two years. Fed steer prices are likely to hold steady, inching upward from $120 per hundredweight. Feeder steers, the college projected, would rise from $170 per hundredweight to $180.

Brown acknowledged some stressers still threaten producers. Corn prices remain low with a harvest of 1.9 billion bushels in 2019. The USDA expected a harvest of 2.5 billion in 2020 as the market tightens.

“If we have serious dryness, that will move corn prices up, and it will push feeder cattle prices down,” Brown said. “We can’t have much higher feed costs.”

Traditionally, cattle cycles have run around 15 years, the last one taking from 1995 to 2014 to rebound to price peaks

again. Brown said a lot of the pressure on prices in that last cycle came from low demand. He did not expect that cycle to take nearly as long to recover this time.

Brown said producers with questions can reach out to him @ MUScottBrown or call 573-882-3861.

Forecast of new Farm Bill offers new options for dairymen

Dairy producers received three varied ways to look at their operations during the annual Dairy Day conference hosted by the Monett Chamber of Commerce and the University of Missouri Extension Service last year.

For an unusual handson approach, veterinarian Dr. Scott Poock with the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Missouri in Columbia dissected an udder from a recently slaughtered cow.

Poock looked for practical issues to discuss as well as probing the half of the udder showing evidence of mastitis, which likely led to why the cow was culled.

An udder, Poock said, can hold from 100 to 400 milliliters of milk. Milk does not flow on command, but only after stimulation. Generally Poock recommended 90 seconds.

An initial flow of milk will follow, approximately 12 ounces, then a second flow will generally follow. Early lactation cows require less stimulation. Some cows become conditioned to release milk at the sight of a calf, which is why some dairies have a calf in the milking barn.

Poock advised against milking a cow as long as six or eight minutes to completely drain the udder. The prolonged pull of a vacuum on the nipple can hurt the cow, making it harder for her to give milk subsequently. He recommended a salve to treat the nipple and carotine plug to retard leakage after milking.

Some animal rights advocates, Poock said, have gone so far as to call milk “puss” and unfit for consumption. Poock said that is inaccurate. The average number of white blood cells in Missouri milk is 300,000 cells per milliliter, while human blood has 15-30 times that amount. For every 100,000 cell increase in the somatic cell count, a cow loses 5.5 pounds of milk production and reproductive performance.

Producers try to hold the somatic count to 250,000 milliliters The count will jump when the cow deals with infection, like mastitis in the udder.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 13

Veterinarian Dr. Scott Poock dissected an udder for producers at the Monett Dairy Day conference, identifying the mechanics of the organ and problems from illness that could surface. Murray Bishoff/Cassville Democrat

Cassville Democrat

Reflections 2020

MDC Director Sara Parker Pauley, right, poses with Governor Mike Parson, center, Drew Erdmann with the Missouri Office of Administration, behind Pauley, and the staff of Roaring River Fish Hatchery after hatchery staff received their Award for Innovation for its unique fishing program. Contributed photo

Wednesday, March 25, 2020 • Page 9

Donald “Doc” Ballard, right, Vietnam War veteran and oldest living Medal of Honor recipient in Missouri, offered an embrace to Scott Hettinger, founder of Charlie 22 Outdoors, during an event on May 21 for Operation Roaring River, which allowed veterans and their families to spend four days at the state park. Kyle Troutman/editor@

Program brings more to Roaring River

Tourism continues strong tradition in Barry County

Leading the tourism charge every year is Roaring River State Park, which annually brings thousands upon thousands of people to Barry County for fishing, hiking, camping and more.

This past year, a new group of people made their mark at the river, the Hatchery was recognized for one of its innovative programs, and the 2019 Opening Day festivities went off without a hitch.

Operation Roaring River takes flight

Based in Webb City, Charlie 22 Outdoors is a non-profit organization dedicated to veterans and

the outdoors, and the group came to Barry County in May of 2019 to camp out at Roaring River State Park.

Scott Hettinger founded Charlie 22 Outdoors as a result of a passion for serving those who have already served.

“The Mission of Charlie 22 Outdoors is to provide outdoor activities to our nation’s veterans with the goal of showing them there is hope, love and a personal meaning in God’s grace,” he said. “You may or may not be aware of this, but every day in our country, 22 veterans commit suicide. This has to stop.”

Hettinger said Charlie 22 Outdoors provides the events free of charge to those who served and their families. Charlie 22 Outdoors covers all expenses including travel, lodging, food, tags, guides, taxidermy, and meat processing.

“I did something like

this for another group for several years,” he said. “My wife was very involved in that group as well. We left that group in 2016.”

Hettinger said he and his wife were heartbroken about leaving the group, so over the next few months, they tried to regroup and figure out where God was leading them.

“Then, in March of 2017, we were asked to work with Catch a Dream Foundation,” he said. “They asked us to be a host.”

Hettinger said that was approved in June of 2017.

“But, during that time I realized something was off,” he said. “I am quadriplegic, and for me when I am in pain or something is wrong, I sweat.”

Hettinger said he and his wife tried to treat him for infection, but it wasn’t successful.

“When we got approved to be a host for the founda-

cassville-democrat.com

Joel Topham, left, Roaring River State Park manager, addressed the delegation from Charlie 22 Outdoors’ Operation Roaring River during their opening ceremony on May 20. Charlie 22 Outdoors provided the events free of charge to 40 of those who served and their families, covering all expenses including travel, lodging, food, tags, guides, taxidermy and meat processing for a four-day stay at the park. Contributed photo tion, my doctor sent me to a neurosurgeon and ordered a CAT scan,” he said. “The CAT scan revealed an infection was killing me, and we didn’t know it.”

Hettinger said he was put on antibiotics, and after the infection went down, they were going to take my kidney.

“After eight weeks, we went to Tulsa for the surgery,” he said. “They told my wife to prepare for the worst because there were complications with calcification.”

Hettinger said thankfully, he made it through and the doctors sent him home to heal.

“My wife and I went to church on October 7, 2017, and our preacher was talking about Joshua 1:9,” he said. “it says, ‘Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.’”

Hettinger said at that moment he realized what he needed to do.

“I have always wanted to help veterans,” he said. “I am an Army Brat and my father was military. I had four or five guys in mind that I wanted to work with, so after church I spoke with some of them.”

Hettinger said by that Monday, he had six men who together formed Charlie 22 Outdoors.

“Our goal in October 2017, was to be prepared for a Turkey hunt in the spring 2018,” he said. “But, we were asked to join a hunt in January 2018.

“We decided if it would all come together, we would do it.”

Hettinger said at that point they realized they needed money and veterans.

“In November 2017, we were chosen as a beneficiary for their contributions for the holidays” he said.

“They gave us $7,000 in December. The employees raised donations and the company doubled it.”

Hettinger said at that point, the only thing left was to get the veterans.

“We set the goal of at least four veterans, and the day before the application cut off, 15 veterans applied for the hunting trip,” he said. “God had his hand in all of this, because the next

thing we had to get was insurance. The insurance was bought for us with no cost to us, it was $2 million worth of coverage.”

Hettinger said he and his daughter were on a hunt on their property and a guy was there to film the hunt for a TV show in Joplin.

“The guy realized he used to live on that property about 20 years before,” he said. “He ended up developing a website for us for free.”

Hettinger said everything just fell into place.

“The January hunt went perfectly, and about a week later applications just came flooding in,” he said. “Now, here we are. We have tripled out events for this year. We served 19 veterans last year and will serve 100 this year.”

Hettinger said he constantly gets phone calls from people about people wanting to help.

“I had a guy that hunted in November who told me he almost committed suicide,” he said. “Then, he saw that November hunt, and it saved his life.”

Hettinger said the veteran understands he has problems to face, but now his life is changed for the better.

“The purpose is to show these people that there is a reason they are here,” he said. “Last year in August, we had an auction, and one of the guys that helped purchase guns for the auction was there.

“We planned a video at that auction that showed veteran that had committed suicide and his story. The guy is an avid fisherman and knows Joel Topham at Roaring River.”

Hettinger said the guy told Topham about what the organization is about and what they do.

“Turns out that Joel is a veteran also, so they began putting together thought of doing an event there at Roaring River,” he said.

“Within a few days of having a meeting and making a flyer, all 40 slots were filled up, and we had a waiting list.”

Hettinger said there was an overwhelming response from Cassville and people who wanted to volunteer and give back.

A veteran from Hawaii and the oldest Medal of Honor recipient in Missouri

attended be the event last year. Another event is planned for this year.

First Hole Program receives Governor’s Award

Roaring River State Park Hatchery employees traveled to the Missouri Capitol in January to receive the Governor’s Award for its First Hole program.

Paul Spurgeon, Roaring River Hatchery manager, said the Governor’s Award was received for the program’s quality and productivity in the innovation category.

“The program allows schools, veterans and disabled groups to come fish the first hole for free,” he said. “Roaring River will provide tackle, poles, permits and education to the groups.”

Roaring River is the only Hatchery in the state that administers this program.

“There has always been a lot of stuff like this offered at Roaring River,” Spurgeon said. “At the Hatchery, we do so much more than just raise the fish.”

The biggest initiative taken is teaching children how to fish.

“The first hole is right next to the hatchery at the start of the stream,” he said.

“It is reservable, and when people make reservations, we rope off the hole and gather permits, bait and poles for the group.

“We usually reopen the hole back to the public at noon.”

Spurgeon said he encourages people to volunteer to help instruct the groups on how to bait the poles, cast and get the fish on a stringer.

“We have had volunteers come in and offer cooking classes to the groups before, as well,” he said. “Originally, this was focused more on school groups, and we offered education based on the introduction to fishing.”

Over the last four to five years, it has also become about therapy.

“Veteran groups come in and they already know how to fish, but they can use the time therapeutically,” Spurgeon said. “They aren’t so much looking for instruction as much as they are searching for a healing experience.”

CONTINUED ON PAGE 15

Page 10 • Wednesday, March 25, 2020

Reflections 2020

Wayne and Tommie Tomblin are pictured six months after they were married in 1945. Contributed photo

Cassville Democrat

Chloe Epperly managed and co-owned Tomblin’s Jewelry and Gifts in Cassville from 1986 until her death in November 2019. Contributed photo

Business: Roark focused on patient care; Tomblin’s marks anniversary

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4

Licenses were also approved for four dispensaries in Joplin, 11 in Springfield, two in Branson West, and one each in Ozark, Branson, Nixa and Lebanon.

The number of unsuccessful applications reflected a lively entrepreneurial spirit in southwest Missouri. Rejected licenses included 58 in Springfield, 14 in Joplin, seven in Ozark, five in Branson, three each in Branson West and Bolivar, two each in Neosho and Nixa, and one each in Reeds Spring, Nevada, Lebanon and Clinton.

Roark said patient care and local growth are her main focuses when dealing with local businesses.

“I am only doing the dispensary,” she said.

Roark said there are plenty of local jobs that will be created, and that only benefits the Cassville and Barry County community.

“I shop locally as much as I possibly can, and I think it is important to support our local businesses,” she said. “There are a lot of people from out of state that have lots of money, and they can come in and put a cultivation center in anywhere they want to, and it is no hair off their backs.

“Local people, however, are working hard and putting everything on the line to do this, and those are the people with heart and soul and who I know I can trust.”

For Roark, it all comes down to who has the best for the patients in mind.

“For a dispensary, I would expect 10-15 jobs to be created,” she said.

“What I have done in my clinic is what what I plan to do in my dispensary, which is always patients before profit.”

The location of Roark’s medical marijuana dispensary will be at 460 State Highway 76.

“We had a fitness center there, but it is pretty much empty,” she said. “We will start working on remodeling it for the dispensary.”

Roark said she doesn’t imagine that having a second business will change much for her as far as working less hours in the clinic.

“I don’t think it will make any difference at all,” she said. “I have hired a really great management team, of all local people, who each have their own strengths. I expect that they will be able to 99.9 percent run the business completely with the same ideals that are important to me.”

Roark said she will be available in case there are any patient-specific questions.

“Honestly, I would do that anyway, even if it wasn’t my business,” she said. “I want the patients to have the best care possible.”

Roark would like to

highlight the fact that the dispensary will be completely separate from the clinic.

“Separate buildings, and separate employees,” she said. “There will never be any cannabis in the clinic.”

Tomblin’s celebrates 55 years in business

In 1964, Wayne and Tommie Tomblin purchased Kenneth Brown’s Jewelry Store on the Cassville square and established Tomblin’s Jewelry and Gifts.

The Tomblins were married in 1945 in a twist of fate that began a love story for the ages. When they were asked to be witnesses at their friends’ wedding, and their names were put on the bride and groom spot by mistake.

The two looked at each other and decided right then that they would be married.

The love story of Wayne and Tommie Tomblin has had a hand in many other love stories through the years by way of Tomblin’s Jewelry and Gifts.

Over the years, the business grew, and it changed locations three times until finding its home in the old Barry County Bank, its current location.

In 1986, Wayne Tomblin passed away, and Chloe Epperly began to manage the store for her mother, Tommie.

A year later, a fire broke out in the upstairs portion of what is now Whitley’s Pharmacy, due to an electrical repair.

In June 2017, the Barry County Museum posted a photo of the aftermath of the fire on Facebook, to which Chloe Epperly responded, “I remember laying in my bed with my windows open after church, and I hollered at mom, ‘I think the store alarm is going off,’ she got a call just after that.”

The business was relocated to the west side of the square until the current building was built.

During this time, Chloe Epperly would receive a police escort to and from the bank to secure the fine jewelry during the closed hours of the day.

After the fire, within the original archway of the store, there was a frame for a divided sign, which is now located in the back of the Tomblin’s.

There were enough spaces in the sign that it was refurbished and now contains the letters of Tomblin’s in stained glass, then the archway was rebuilt.

During this time the Jewelry Store grew to be much more than just fine jewelry. They added many fine gift lines at reasonable prices to service a need for the community.

In 1996, Tommie Tomblin passed away on Nov. 30. At that time,

Chloe Epperly and Dana Kammerlohr became co-owners of Tomblin’s Jewelry and Gifts, and Chloe managed the store.

Aside from helping families begin and offering lifetime memories, Tomblin’s prides itself on customer service.

Offering direct sales, gift wrapping, jewelry repair, engraving, bridal registry, class ring orders and much more, Tomblin’s Jewelry and Gifts in Cassville aims to promote American made products and support local artists by carrying their lines.

Chloe Epperly died on Nov. 9 at 68 years old.

Since her passing, the family has gathered to help run things at Tomblin’s.

Amy Stephenson, one of Chloe’s daughters, said eventually she will most likely be in a managerial position at the store.

“At this point, everyone is pitching in, children and grandchildren, and everyone kind of has their own job to do,” she said. “Charli Jo Epperly is handling the online stuff and advertising.”

In June, Stephenson’s husband and her daughter, Mattie Stephenson, will be going to jewelry repair school.

“Mattie is already kind of handling the day to day operations and taking care of orders and inventory, but this was something in the works before Chloe’s passing,” she said. “It really bothered her when she couldn’t do the in house repairs anymore and it was important to her to bring that back.

“I remember my grandpa, Wayne Tomblin, would say, ‘If you take care of them when they buy their class rings, the first time they will have an experience with a jewelry store, they will come back to you in the future,’ and he was right.”

As for the future of Tomblin’s Jewelry and Gifts, the crew plans to focus on expanding their online presence and offering more sales that way.

“It is important to us to keep that face-to-face customer service as well, but this is a way for us to grow,” Stephenson said. “A gentleman came in recently and said he comes in every year to buy his wife a gift, he said he has to drive over an hour and he knows one day he won’t be able to do that so he hopes we will be able to ship something to him.”

Stephenson mentioned her mother’s charm bracelet and how loaded down it was with charms.

“It was great to look at them, and talk about the stories with each one,” she said. “We always laughed during communion at church, because all you could hear was her charm bracelet jingling around.”

Sisters Dana Kammerlohr and Chloe Epperly co-owned Tomblin’s jewelry and Gifts from 1996, after the passing of their mother. Contributed photo

Cassville Democrat

Reflections 2020

Madi Bonham, right, looks on as Brittany Erwin, second from right, and Kyler Hayward, third from right, watch Erwin’s spin for a prize at the Commerce Bank booth at the Cassville Chili Cook-Off in 2019. Running the bank’s booth were Fallan Skidmore, left middle, and Kain Topham, left. Kyle Troutman/editor@cassville-democrat.com

Wednesday, March 25, 2020 • Page 11

Santa Claus visited Herrin Animal Hospital in December 2019 in the form of local community members, like Jack Farrow. Herrin Animal Hospital hosted its 20th Open House and Toy Drive, which doubles as an opportunity for people to drop off last minute gifts that will be gathered and distributed by OACAC as a part of Share Your Christmas. Jordan Privett/jprivett@cassville-democrat.com

Community: Power of Pink, Herrin see anniversaries; new pantry opens

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5

2009, and as a family of goal setters, they decided to help two local women and donate $1,000 to each of them.

“We fell a little short on the $1,000, but as a family, we put in more money to make sure we reached our goal,” she said. “We realized it was a little harder than we had initially thought. In 2010, we started the walk, which helped to bring in more people.

The walk was something that the community could be a big part of.”

McCracken said she wanted to do the Power of Pink walk on Mother’s Day weekend.

“What better thing to do with your mom than to spend a morning walking for a cause while spending quality time?” she said.

McCracken said she has not had breast cancer and no one in her family has either.

“I just saw a need, and I felt like breast cancer could happen to anyone,” she said. “Anybody can get that devastating phone call, and I couldn’t think of a better way to help.”

McCracken said she never really understood what people diagnosed with breast cancer go through until she became involved with them every day.

“I call and speak with each woman when they are nominated,” she said.

“I listen to their stories, and it breaks my heart.

My husband always says he hates the night that I make those calls, because I am so emotional.”

One of the women nominated last year had a chemo that was called the Red Devil, McCracken said this woman lost her fingernails and toenails, and the doctors eventually told her they had to stop the heavy sessions or she would have ended up in a wheelchair.

“The cancer is killing these women, and I can’t imagine how much it hurts,” she said. “But, on top of the cancer, the treatments they have to endure to beat the cancer are just as painful. Nobody thinks about the chemicals that are in the treatments, and each time I speak with one of these women, it opens my eyes.

“They are so strong to take what they have to do every day.”

The point of the Power of Pink is to take care of a small piece of these women’s lives, McCracken said, whether it is a car payment or whatever they need that will bring them some peace.

“We want them to just think about getting better,” she said. “When we first started, we only focused on Barry County, and now, we have expanded to the four-states area.”

McCracken said so far, Power of Pink has been blessed in the fact that they have not had to turn down anybody.

“We have had ladies who have turned us down,” she said. “I have had women who said

they have great insurance and that we should help someone else who needs it more, and I think that speaks volumes for those ladies.”

Power of Pink is a non-profit organization and is currently working with an attorney to look into some changes that the organization can make.

“We would like to be able to help people yearround,” she said. “For example, if a woman finds out she has breast cancer after our walk in May, we want to have some kind of reserves that we can hand out to help.”

Plunder Designs, out of Utah, is teaming up with the Power of Pink again this year for the 10th anniversary.

“We are all very excited about that,” she said.

“Twenty percent of all the sales from Plunder goes to the Power of Pink. It is a huge factor and a blessing that they picked us to team up with. My husband said it was God who put us together.”

McCracken said she is trying to get people to bring 10 friends for the 10th anniversary.

“We are working on trying to develop some new ideas during the event to make it more of a celebration,” she said. “I set a goal last year to have 500 walkers in Wheaton on the day of the walk for our 10th anniversary.”

Another goal for the 10th anniversary is to have each of the women that have been helped throughout the years there and recognized.

“The Friday before the walk is when we do the banquet,” she said. “Last year, we almost sold out tickets for the banquet, so it is growing, and the auction is growing, as well.”

The Power of Pink 10th anniversary walk is scheduled for May 9.

“Anyone who wants to be involved, I would love for them to get ahold of me,” she said. “I am amazed and thankful that God has allowed us to grow so much in the last 10 years, and I am excited to see what happens over the next 10 years.

“I have thought before, what would I do if no one was nominated one year, and my daughter tells me that would actually be amazing. We could actually say we have raised the money and it is here if someone needs it, but thank the Lord that no one needs it right now.”

For more information on the Power of Pink, the women helped or how to get involved, people may visit www.powerofpinkmo.com, the Facebook page Power of Pink.

Herrin celebrates 20 years of giving

With all the holiday events and activities in full swing through December, people might forget about those less fortunate, but Herrin Animal Hospital has not for 20 years.

Herrin hosted its annu-

Jaiden Reibert, left, whose 1976 Chevy El Camino SS won the State Senator Pick, and Hunter Chasteen, whose 1969 Ford F100 won the Chief of Police Pick, posed for a photo next to their trophies and vehicles at the car show, which ran in conjunction with the Cassville Chili Cook-Off in 2019. Kyle Troutman/editor@cassville-democrat.com al Open House and Toy Drive for the 20th time in 2019, and event meant to help encourage people to stop by for good food and sweets while they drop off a new and unwrapped gift to be donated.

Through a partnership with the Barry County Neighborhood Center (OACAC), Herrin Animal Hospital gathers new, unwrapped toys to donate for Share Your Christmas.

Brent Herrin, owner of Herrin Animal Hospital, said the Open House and Toy Drive have always been done together.

Herrin opened his office in 1996, and three years later, he began the toy drive with OACAC. “We were involved with other things like it in the past,” Herrin said. “The staff and I liked this idea and liked the idea of being more involved with the Chamber. The toy drive is important to all of us. We enjoy the feeling we get when we send a truck load of toys out into the community. It helps to keep that sense of community.”

The gifts are all in their original packages and unwrapped when dropped off.

“We get everything from bikes to wooden blocks,” Herrin said. “The Toy Drive is for all ages of children, and we will take anything.”

Someone also came into the Herrin Animal Hospital and donated $500 to go shopping for new toys.

“It always amazes me how generous our clients are,” Herrin said. “We will wait to go shopping until we get ahold of OACAC. They usually have more specific needs and lists that this can be directed to.”

Herrin said it is hard to pick a favorite part. At the Open House, he loves talking to everyone who comes in, but nothing beats the feeling when the toys go out.

“Time really flies, and I didn’t realize it has been 20 years until we started talking about it,” Herrin said. “It always impresses me how giving people are, and I am happy to be a part of it.”

Mill Street Church of Christ opens 24/7 food pantry

The Mill Street Church of Christ in Cassville is

now offering the Helping Hands Pantry, open 24 hours per day and 7 days per week, where shelves are stocked with non-perishable food items, as well as personal hygiene products, small blankets and other seasonal items.

Jason Cockrum, church member and coordinator of the Helping Hands Pantry project, said he had recently moved back to the area, and the idea was based on a larger project and will operate as a “take what you need” and “leave what you can” project.

“It has been open to the public since Dec. 12, but we are still working out some logistics,” he said.

“One thing we need to finish up is signs that help direct people to the pantry, but we didn’t want to delay opening the pantry because of signs.”

The 24/7 pantry will remain unlocked and accessible, and it is located on the exterior of the building, located at 1104 Mill St. in Cassville.

“By making the pantry a self-service option, this will hopefully remove reservations or shame that some people feel when they have to ask someone for assistance,” Cockrum said. “Additionally, we hope this will encourage more people to get involved in donating, since they can drop off items at any time.”

The idea was developed after some discussion about how the church can get more involved with the local community.

“We want to help where we are needed,” Cockrum said. “Where I was living before was a much bigger city, and they had projects like this that went over well, so I wanted to do this in our community.”

There are signs and posts that tell people what kind of items should or shouldn’t be donated.

“We don’t want people leaving items like medications, medical supplies or harsh chemicals,” Cockrum said. “Also, be aware of the season, and don’t leave any liquids that can freeze in the cold weather, and don’t leave anything carbonated that can explode.

“We will try to keep items that pertain to the season and what may be needed by people.”

The church hopes to encourage people to help

Barb Allen dropped a ball off at the Herrin Animal Hospital for the 20th Open House and Toy Drive in December 2019. Many other community members donated a new and unwrapped gift to Herrin Animal Hospital that will be distributed as a part of the OACAC Share Your Christmas. Jordan Privett/jprivett@cassville-democrat.com

Judy Hayes pours a cup of chili from the First State Bank booth in 2019. Kyle Troutman/editor@cassville-democrat.com with specific needs like food and hygiene products, but to also think about other ways they can reach out in their community.

“We want people to think on a bigger scale of what a need in their community is,” Cockrum said. “Right now, as a church, this food pantry is what we can do with the resources we have.

“Maybe this will help

spark an interest in someone, and the next time they are at the grocery store, they will pick up an extra box of food to donate. This is going to help the people we see every day, the people who are directly involved with our lives.”

For more information, or to donate, people my call the church at 417-2331211, or email Cockrum at info@millstreetcoc.com.

Page 12 • Wednesday, March 25, 2020

Cassville Democrat

Reflections 2020

Community members gathered at the Cassville Crowder Campus in February to celebrate the ribbon cutting of the new building. Jordan Privett/jprivett@cassville-democrat.com

School Board President Todd Schallert presents Edgar Aguilar with the first diploma of his class. Murray Bishoff/

Cassville Democrat

Education: Board president praises Gates; Crowder Cassville hits milestone

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6

she is an emerging star in the education profession.

“I’m anxious to see where Purdy will go under her direction.”

Todd Schallert, Purdy Board of Education president, said the board used the Missouri Association Rural Education (MARE) search committee to find candidates.

“Paul Ricker headed that process for us,” he said. “He opened it for four weeks, then, he narrowed the applicants down to what he felt were the top four applicants.”

Schallert said there were 9-10 applications total for the position.

“We had four just absolutely wonderful interviews,” he said. “Mindi had a very clear-cut plan for Purdy and how she saw us moving in the future.”

Schallert said Gates had great ideas and a passion for the district.

“She has a love for all of the teachers, staff and students,” he said. “She separated herself in the interview process and with her love for the district it became obvious to us all that she was the choice.”

Schallert said the process from the time Chancellor notified the board he would be leaving to hiring Gates for the position took about eight weeks.

“We had the application process open for four weeks, and once it closed, it took about a week and a half to finalize everything,” he said. “Steven has been here for seven years, and both he and Mindi have been wonderful professionals for the district.”

Schallert said he truly believes Chancellor has left the Purdy school district better than he found it.

“We are so happy with what he has done here,” he said. “When we sat with Mindi for her interview process, you could see the love and the ideas she has for Purdy.

“We can put a great candidate on top of all of that, and we are very excited.”

Crowder celebrates 20 years

The Crowder Cassville campus celebrated its 20th anniversary, and staff, students and the community were all excited to share the joy.

Angela Seymour, director of the Crowder Cassville campus, said she started working Crowder Cassville in 1999, when it first introduced classes to the community.

“One of the biggest changes over the last 20 years is our new building,” she said. “But, I think some of the significant changes along the way include when we got our first science lab.

“That was the first time we were able to offer an entire degree in Cassville.”

Seymour said before there was ever a campus for Crowder, classes would be held at the high school in the evenings.

“Then, we were approached by Jerry Watley, who said he was going to be moving his manufacturing business to a different location and had some space available,” she said. “He came in and

actually did renovations for Crowder Cassville campus and built classrooms for us inside of that facility that was located at the corner of Fair and East 13th streets.”

Seymour said Crowder Cassville was able to expand quite a bit that first semester with a new campus.

“But, to offer an entire degree, we had to get that science lab,” she said.

“We built the science lab probably six years after we got the campus.”

Seymour said programs started to expand, and Crowder Cassville was offering a handful of degrees.

“First, it was just general education and a couple of others,” she said. “But, we had a lot of students interested in nursing.

“We didn’t really have the space for it, but Jerry Watley came through one day as the students were getting out of classes. It was hard to get through the hallways, and he said, ‘It is time for some more space.’”

Seymour said they started construction on where the campus is located now, and that finished in 2009.

“We doubled our square footage and added so many classrooms,” she said. “Because of that, I was able to offer so many more classes, and our enrollment jumped with a 45 percent increase in 2009 for fall classes.”

Seymour said in 2009, Crowder offered summer classes at the old building and fall classes in the new building.

“When we got completely moved to the current location, I was able to add many more sections of classes,” she said. “That offered so many more degree and opportunities for our students.

“We knew we wanted to add a nursing degree, and the move allowed us to plan ahead.”

Seymour said when everything was in place for the nursing degree, her last hurdle was funding.

“We landed a grant for the nursing program and for some other things,” she said. “We started nursing in January 2012 and have had eight graduating classes with a 100 percent pass rate the last two years.”

Seymour said nursing was the first degree that was a two-year degree, so the students could do it in two years and then get a job.

“Another significant thing that happened was partnering with Missouri State University and getting MSU classes in Cassville,” she said. “That started August 2012, and that was huge because students could finish their bachelor’s degrees right here in Cassville.”

Seymour said now, Crowder Cassville has also partnered with Drury University, and those classes started last year.

“Now, we have MSU and Drury here for bachelor degree completion,” she said. “Crowder Cassville now offers six degrees and several certifications on campus.”

The campus has expanded again at the current location, to the tune

Jarrett Brattin give his valedictorian address during Exeter’s graduation ceremony. Kyle Troutman/editor@cass-

ville-demorat.com

of about 5,000 square feet.

Offices and the student lounge moved out to the new addition. A big plus about the expansion is that students are able to have indoor access to both academic buildings.

Old offices were renovated into two large classrooms and a large bookstore.

“When I talk about the bookstore, some of the things that students are really excited about are more Crowder merchandise, better food choices and the biggest one is fountain pop,” she said prior to the project’s completion. “Even the teachers are excited about it.

“It is kind of funny, but really we are so happy to be able to offer to our students things that make it a college life for them.”

Seymour said she forgets some of those simple things that make college life more enjoyable, and having a slushy machine in the bookstore just happens to be one of those things that Crowder can give its students.

“For the longest time, we did not offer those things because we were a satellite campus,” she said.

“But now, we have grown so much, into a fully functioning campus.

“It has progressed every year, and we are always meeting as a staff to improve the student experience and success at Crowder Cassville. I see our potential as a university center,” she said. “Where we can bring in courses from universities that our students are transferring to, we are already working that, but I want to see it get stronger.”

Seymour said Crowder has already made huge steps in that direction by partnering with MSU and Drury.

“I want to see more opportunity for students, and also help meet the local needs for our businesses,” she said. “I want us to be able to offer the training for that local economic development as well.”

Seymour said a lot of people have been pitting college and trade schools against each other, but really, college is trade school.

“Crowder College is a major tech school,” she said. “I would love to see some partnerships with industries where we can offer technical training to get students into the position that pays better than starting wage.

“These types of oppor-

State Treasurer Scott Fitzpatrick attended the ribbon cutting for the Cassville Crowder campus in February. He spoke about the positive impact Crowder plays on the local community. Jordan Privett/jprivett@cassville-democrat.com

The aftermath of the Silly String barrage at the end of Purdy’s graduation, just before the final confetti cannon was popped. Murray Bishoff/Cassville Democrat

A total of 30 students received their diplomas from Exeter High School. Kyle Troutman/ editor@cassville-demorat.com

tunities are very expensive to start up, like to open up a diesel mechanic shop or a welding school is just so expensive,” she said. “And that is what we struggle with — finding the funding.”

Seymour said she would also love to have a FEMA shelter for the facility and to open fire academy.

“Right now, for people to get fire training, it is an hour away,” she said.

“Our training officers are recognized as some of the top in the state.”

Seymour said it is hard to plan for the next 20 years because right now, Crowder is training people for jobs that don’t exist yet.

“The workforce is evolving faster than education at times,” she said.

“Being that hub for the community, helping the community grow and helping people get the skills they need to be successful and provide for their families is what’s important.”

Seymour said Crowder is open and prepared for whatever comes next.

Faculty speaker Misty Hall concluded her address by gathering the graduates together for a selfie photo.

Murray Bishoff/Cassville Democrat

Cassville Democrat

Reflections 2020

Two-year-old Dahlia Wardlaw and her dad, Ben Wardlaw, ran through the beautifully in bloom lavender fields during the Fun in the Field Lavender Festival in 2019. Ben Wardlaw, owner of Gardenia Farm Flowers, had a booth set up during the festival, but took a little break with Dahlia. Jordan Privett/jprivett@cassville-democrat.com

Wednesday, March 25, 2020 • Page 13

Petra Morgan took part in the U-Pick lavender bouquets for $10 at the Fun in the Field Lavender Festival in 2019. With a number of activities, music and booths, it was beautiful fun for the whole family. Jordan Privett/jprivett@

cassville-democrat.com

Agriculture: Expert addresses Farm Bill; Simplicity Lavendar Farm grows

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8

Looking at the other half of the udder, Poock quickly found lymph glands quite enlarged compared to the first half, indicating a fight with infection. Cutting into the udder found tissue bloodier, firmer and more odor. He said the udder was probably hot, hard and painful. He offered a regimen for treating animals, taking samples from each cow in the herd, as he does at the university’s dairy, dating it and freezing it for later comparison.

“Amazingly, a lot of mastitis goes away,” Poock said.

A Staph aureus infection, on the other hand, “can be a bugger,” and when it surfaces, every cow has to be tested. The treatment for Staph aureus is eight consecutive days of treatment with the antibiotic marketed as Pursue.

If an older cow, such as a nine-year-old, comes down with Staph aureus, Poock said “it probably doesn’t pay to treat it,” and the cow would be culled from the herd.

University dairy specialist Reagan Bluel, host of the conference, offered a primer on how to calculate nutrition needs for lactating cows. Referring to the National Academy Press publication “Nutrient Requirements of Dairy Cattle,” Bluel walked the audience through several formulas, working off the foundation that a 1,000-pound cow needs 21.5 pounds of dry matter per day to eat. Not all food is equally nutritious, so Bluel talked about how to make sure a cow gets 11 pounds of mega calories a day.

Not all food, she stressed, is degradable in a cow’s rumen. Bluel urged producers to have their feed tested for nutritional value. After a hot period in 2018 that spikes nitrates in grasses, Bluel especially urged testing to make sure stockpiled hay had no toxic quantity of nitrates.

“The best thing you can do is next spring, harvest the best hay you possibly can,” she said. “That is the competitive edge.”

Looking ahead, economist Dr. Scott Brown, an agricultural and applied economics professor with the University of Missouri, provided an introduction to the dairy portion of the recently passed federal Farm Bill. “[The bill] is probably not the best thing ever,” Brown said. “We’ve done a lot of policy things on dairy. Not many have worked. It’s hard to write policy to where the cost isn’t billions of dollars.”

Price supports, started in the 1980s, resulted in milk prices moving very little for decades. The last vestiges of it did not disappear until the 2014 Farm Bill.

“Fixed costs today are so high producers have to run operations at full

boar,” Brown said. “In 2018, we couldn’t get the supply side to turn down.

I been saying for years, ‘The cure for low prices is low prices.’”

The new Farm Bill modifies some older programs that may have had better intentions than they performed. The Milk Income Loss Contract (MILC), passed in the 2002 Farm Bill, Brown noted, was widely disliked because producers could not collect on it no matter how the market turned, though it did pay for short periods.

MILC was replaced by the Margin Protection Program (MPP), which again didn’t pay. MPP offered different levels of coverage, figuring producers would pay more for better coverage. Brown said the vast majority signed up for the minimum, leaving too little in premiums to pay.

The problem, the local producers confirmed, was in the feed cost adjuster, which did not respond to conditions.

Brown said the old feed cost adjuster would have worked better.

“You don’t need as much risk management on feed as on milk,” Brown said. “I think you’ll get better protection this time.”

MPP worked better in 2018, he noted, because producers were given until June to sign up. With a half year gone, they could calculate how much would be paid out. Several of the local producers took advantage of that and signed up for the higher coverage.

The new bill has Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC), a new version of MPP, though it offers new risk options. Brown projected the sign-up deadline this year would likely be

by June. He noted DMC offers a 25 percent discount to producers who sign up for the same rate over all five years of the program. He expected the university would send staff across the state to help producers sign up once the final rules operating the program were announced.

The Dairy Revitalization Act in Missouri provided another source of income, as one producer noted, refunding some of the premiums to the federal program. Brown said that worked well for many who participated. Those who choose to invest their premiums in new coverage will get 100 percent of it back.

Those who want cash back will receive 75 percent.

Asked how much coverage to buy, Brown recommended getting 35 percent of production covered at the maximum amount.

He considered that an incentive to stay even, and did not think that would encourage creating more milk supplies.

“The porridge can’t be too warm or hot,” he said.

“You don’t want policy that

produces too much milk.

Now at least we’re warm.”

If the formula is “too hot,” Brown warned it likely will remain in place all five years of the bill and producers will “have to live with it.”

Lavender Farm making name for itself in area

Over the last year, the business name Simplicity Lavender Farm has been heard more frequently and with more understanding.

The plant’s scent fills the air surrounding the acre of planted lavender.

Rick and Kathy Henning, owners of Simplicity Lavender Farm, said they bought the property about six years ago, but it was a little more than two years ago when the idea really began to develop.

Because of the business’ growth and new items offered, its first ever Christmas Open House was hosted on the property on Dec. 14, 2019.

“Washburn is our local community, but the dynamics of the area turned out to be a surprise,” Henning said. “Cassville and other communities have really helped to support us as well. They make it so that we can reach out in Washburn and help where we can.”

The couple went to the school and spoke with students about what they do, and they donate to the school whenever possible.

“We are only able to do that because of the support from the surrounding communities, and we are thankful,” Henning said.

“Our Community isn’t just our neighbor, it is anyone we can help and create a relationship with.”

“The community response to us has been truly amazing,” Henning said. “People come up to us all excited and they just can’t believe we are doing what we do, ‘here.’”

Why a lavender farm and why here are the questions they get asked the most.

“We don’t really have an answer to those questions,” Henning said. “It all happened for us. It wasn’t planned. We follow the Lord, and wherever he takes us, we will go.”

Henning said this was all God’s plan, and they owe it all to him.

“We have had an extremely successful year,” she said. “It has been an incredible year for us, and every step we take has been so well received. People really seem to appreciate and love us, we couldn’t be happier.”

At the festival over the summer, the Washburn Fire Department set up a fundraiser.

“It was great to be able to offer something like that,” Henning said. “Then, I overheard two long-time residents saying, ‘Did you ever think anyone could bring so many people to Washburn?’”

Each year, Field Day at the Southwest Research Center offers details on the advantages of growing crops in a high tunnel. Nahshon Bishop, with Lincoln University, told visiting high school students how the tunnel harnesses the sun and holds its heat and providing light. He noted produce generally stopes 10 times from field to table. Growing in a tunnel reduces the steps for local production. Cold season crops such as lettuce are started in August and grow through late November. Murray Bishoff/Cassville Democrat

With purple blooms of lavender surrounding her during the Fun in the Field Lavender Festival in 2019, Harshini Kommidi, 8, from Bentonville, Ark., decided to get her face painted just as colorfully. Jordan Privett/jprivett@cassville-democrat.com

Farming innovations shared during Field Day at the Southwest Research Center near Mt. Vernon included a presentation by Renew Biomass, which grow Miscanthus on 2,500 acres in southwest Missouri, including north of Aurora. The high-growing plant, at left, can be ground into fiber and sold to pet food companies as a supplement for animal digestive health. Eric Allphin, director of agriculture for Renew Biomass, said its product is largely sold to help calm upset stomachs in dogs and cats. Murray Bishoff/Cassville Democrat Henning said the couple’s main goal is not just to be successful, but to help grow their local economy too.

“Over the next year, we hope to accommodate one of our biggest requests, to sell plants,” Henning said. “But, that is more involved than just selling. We need a nursery license and a greenhouse, but it is in the plans for 2020 because so many people request it.”

There are no plans to grow outside of lavender

at this time, but the idea is not completely out of the picture.

“We hope to hire some part-time workers this year,” Henning said. “Our mission is to grow, not to stay put.”

By hiring a couple of part-time workers from Washburn, they will effectively be supporting the local livelihoods of their community members.

“That is important to us,” Henning said. “We are pretty excited about 2020.

The lavender festival will

grow leaps and bounds due to the response from this year, and we are looking into a mobile gift shop for groups and parties.”

One of the most exciting bits of news from Simplicity Lavender Farm is that in May 2020, it will host their first wedding ever.

“They contacted us and we talked about it,” Henning said. “We are supplying the grounds, and they will do everything else.

“But, we are so excited to be supplying the venue.

That is a huge step for us.”

Cassville Democrat

Page 14 • Wednesday, March 25, 2020

Gary Youngblood

Jill LeCompte

Amy Boxx

Keith Daniels

Presiding Commissioner

Sherry L. Smith County Assessor

Skylar Bowman County Collector

Craig Williams Circuit Clerk

Lois Lowe

County Treasurer

Gary Davis

County Sherrif

Prosecuting Attorney

Wayne Hendrix

County Clerk

Public Administrator

Gary Schad

Southern Commissioner Northern Commissioner

Jim Fohn

Barry County Coroner Robert Folke

Johnnie Cox

Associate Circuit Judge Associate Circuit Judge

Jack Goodman Circuit Judge

Danielle Still

Recorder of Deeds

Jim Fohn

County Coroner

Barry County Coroner Phone: 417-847-2141 Fax: 417-847-5575

Cassville Democrat

Wednesday, March 25, 2020 • Page 15

Reflections 2020

Andrew Tyson, of Purdy, extracted the hook from a fish landed by son Waylon in the first half hour of fishing in 2020. Waylon wore child’s tag No. 2, purchased on Saturday. Murray Bishoff/Cassville Democrat

More than 2,500 anglers took to the waters of Roaring River looking for a big catch. Kyle Troutman/editor@cassville-democrat.com

Tourism: Roaring River gets recognition, sees warmer Opening Day in 2020

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9

Nursing homes also bring out their more mobile residents, who also tend to use it as therapy.

“Branching out to those other groups has proven to be very successful,” Spurgeon said. “The best part about receiving the Governor’s Award is the recognition that Roaring River got.”

Spurgeon said it was an amazing experience to hear so many people talking about Roaring River.

“It was a room full of leaders, representatives and the Governor talking about how impressive it is,” he said. “Some of them had never even heard of Roaring River. Roaring River is a community park, so this award isn’t just for the employees — it belongs to everyone, including the volunteers and the community.”

Spurgeon said it wasn’t just Roaring River that got attention and good light, but Barry County as well.

“Roaring River depends on the local community, there are a lot of people involved,” he said. “We are fortunate to have what we have, and we always want to continue to make it better for the future, and hopefully, more people will take part in that.”

Spurgeon said Roaring River is always looking for volunteers, and people may call the Hatchery at 417-847-2430 for more information.

Opening Day 2020 crowds swell

Opening Day in 2020 proved to be a banner day for the opening of trout season at Roaring River State Park near Cassville.

The weekend and unusually warm temperatures led to one of the largest crowds for the opening of trout season in memory.

Park staff could see it coming. Cory Hartman, of Monett, said he waited in line for 40 minutes Saturday night to buy his fishing tag. At 6 a.m., there was a line of eager anglers 150 long winding through the park store, very unusual for that hour.

By the time State Treasurer Scott Fitzpatrick fired the gun at 6:30 a.m. to start fishing, tag sales had reached 1,720: 1,424 for adults and 296 for children, almost as many as the 1,834 (1,547 adults, 287 children) who had purchased tags by the gunshot on a previous Sunday opening in 2009.

The crowd was far bigger than the last Sunday opening in 2015, when there was snow on the ground for only the third time in 25 years. Then, only 869 tags had sold by 6:30 a.m.

By 8:30 a.m., tag sales were up to 2,009 (1,669 adults, 340 children) as the crowd continued to swell.

By the day’s end, Roaring River led the day in tag sales, with children pushing the trout park ahead of the two others in the state.

Roaring River had 2,065 adult tags sold and 493 children’s tags for a total of 2,558. Montauk was second with 2,154 adult and

303 children’s for a 2,457 total, and Bennett Spring sold 2,123 adult tags and 255 children’s for a 2,378 total.

Fitzpatrick kicked off catch-and-keep trout season by firing only a single shot from the ceremonial pistol.

“You can’t have any misfires, so I needed a solid first pull, and I got it,” he said. “I’ve been out here for Opening Day every day I could for a long time when I was in the house, and I was really excited to be the person to shoot the gun.

This is probably the biggest event in this house district, so it’s a big deal. I also got the No. 1 tag, and I will put it in my office and display it proudly.”

Fitzpatrick also said he was taking credit for the mild weather.

“I’ll take credit for anything I can during an election year,” he said. “We have been blessed today compared to recent years.”

Fitzpatrick, who graduated form Cassville High School, said he has fond memories of the park through the years.

“As a kid, it meant we got a day off school, so we loved that,” he said. “I like coming own here. It’s the best state park in the system. Of course, I’m a little bit biased, but I love being here. We bring down the kids and have picnics, and it’s just a great place to bring your family and get away from the fast life and enjoy nature.

“We are lucky to have it here. There are not many places in the state you can go and be 10 minutes away from a beautiful park.

Cassville should count itself lucky to have it.”

According to Corp. Steve Jabben, the park ranger, available parking spaces were exhausted as early as 5:30 a.m. One park ranger’s vehicle measured the park temperature at 38 degrees before a half hour had passed to fish. With only a light breeze, temperatures felt even warmer. Two fishermen were seen wearing shorts. Even the pre-dawn darkness seemed to fade faster this year.

Fish in the stream that runs at a constant temperature of 54 degrees began biting almost immediately, and anglers within minutes were pulling catches out of the water.

Joe and Lisa Casper, of Cassville, fishing for their 53rd opening day, reported they had landed their limit with 20 minutes.

“I first came down here with my mama,” Joe Casper said. “I was hooked from the first fish. I loved it.”

For many, it was a homecoming experience. Jim Williams, who decades ago worked with Linn Thornton at Wells Aluminum in Monett, was in from his home in Belton, south of Kansas City. He has missed seven opening days since his first in 1961.

“I had just moved here when my brother-in-law said he was going to take me fishing,” Williams said.

“I like the camaraderie.

There are some guys from Webb City I had breakfast with that I’ve been meeting here for the last 10 years.”

Richard Beeler, who grew up in Cassville, drove in from Pryor, Okla. He said he and his brother have come back for many years and now bring their children.

Mike DePriest, originally from Monett, came from Chicago to continue his Opening Day tradition, begun in the 1970s.

Dennis Cleveland and his son, Ryan Cleveland, both of Kansas City, have been Opening Day regulars since 1970.

“We’ve been here at 6 a.m. every year since Ryan was 13,” Dennis Cleveland said. “We caught a 7-pounder together one time. Ryan caught it and I landed it for him.”

Ryan Cleveland said even though times change, their family’s Roaring River tradition is untouched.

“As I get older, it’s tougher to get together to do stuff, but this is always something we get together for,” he said.

Mike Tichenor, who lives in Eagle Rock, “down the road” in his words, said he had come to Opening Day since he was 12 years old, with his parent.

“I’ve got a passion for fishing, and I hadn’t met the bass yet,” Tichenor said, confessing to a greater weakness for bass fishing.

Mitchell Etheridge, of Aurora, went to Roaring River when he moved to the area in 2014 and now comes regularly.

“I just like Opening Day,” Etheridge said. “The fish are bigger and there’s a bigger crowd.”

Justin Hilburn, 38, of Cassville, said Opening Day is a longtime tradition from himself, his family and his friends.

“In 2015, I caught 175 trout,” he said. “And, in 2008, I caught the largest one in the park, a 10.3-pounder. I also won the Master Angler Award in 2008. This is my 35th years in a row to be here.”

Hilburn was fishing in the fifth hole, right by the CCC Lodge bridge, using black and yellow marabou jigs.

“Olive green and black and yellow are my favorite colors,” he said.

Hilburn said his father, who is 75 this year, brought him to the park all the time as a child.

“My family is one of the largest in Barry County and we’ve been here over 100 years,” he said. We used to live by the golf course, and I would ride my bike down to the park and fish, then he would pick me up and I’d go pick up range balls at the golf course as my job. [Fishing at Roaring River] is a great tradition to pass on to my three boys, Jackson, Jamison and Jason.”

Blaine Byron, from Aurora, said he had come to Opening Day for 28 years. He couldn’t get away while in high school, but once he graduated, he came in a group of 12 fellows.

“It’s down to two of us,

Former Cassville resident Richard Beeler, right middle, purchased his fishing tags at 6 a.m. in 2020 at the head of a line that stretched all the way to the front door of the Roaring River Park store. Murray Bishoff/Cassville Democrat

State Treasurer Scott Fitzpatrick shoots off the Opening Day gun in 2020 during festivities at Roaring River State Park. The firing of the gun signifies the open of catch-andkeep trout season. Kyle Troutman/editor@cassville-democrat.com but now we’ve got offspring to bring too,” Byron said.

Connie Adamson, of Monett, said she had “grown up fishing,” and has attended Opening Day “forever.” Her son, Chris Adamson, now a Verona resident, said he had come to the opening for 35 years and did it for “stress relief.”

Daniel Beckwith, of Aurora, recounted how he had come to Opening Day for 18 years. Why? “It’s the joy of the sport,” he said. “You get to see God’s beauty out here.”

Peyton Rayburn, 16, of Exeter, said his father brings him to Opening Day festivities.

“I think I have been every year since I was 2, and I usually tag out,” he said. “My favorite part is seeing how many people show up.”

Trenton Boykin, of Aurora, back for his third Opening Day, brought his wife, Toni, and daughter, Brylenn, who wore the No. 1 children’ fishing tag, purchased at 9 a.m. on Saturday. Both parents said they were taught to fish by their fathers.

“I get to hold the fish and take pictures!” Brylenn said.

Richard Witt, of Monett, said he and a bunch of his high school friends skipped school to come to his first Opening Day in 1972.

His parents had a favorite camping spot, but he hadn’t started fishing until he was 25. Now he and his extended family come as a tradition.

Roy Hudson, of Cassville, said his first Opening Day was 47 years ago. He credited “the joy of fishing” for bringing him back.

“You very seldom meet a stranger down here,” he said.

Few had a story more poignant than Verdane Thornton, of Monett. He

Gerald Houston, of Cassville, cleans off one of his catches at the cleaning station. Kyle Troutman/editor@cassville-democrat.com

recalled coming first to Roaring River at age 6 or 7, brought down by his father, the late Linn Thornton, well known for his fishing skill and catching fish for the community Christmas dinner he hosted in Monett.

“I fish at the same hole where I fished with my dad,” Verdane Thornton said. “He taught me everything.”

For many, the Opening Day experience ran more than a few hours. Brad Wells, of Monett, fishing with Curtis Johnson, of Pulaskifield, said he had not missed many openings since the late 1980s, coming and camping with a group.

Bill Dillon and his wife, Gerry, of Monett, come to the park for a week. They had been camping since last Thursday.

The park appeared in immaculate condition for the big event. Maintenance

crews had placed straw and netting over wellwalked portions of the lawn around the CCC Lodge to reduce damage from foot traffic. The Cassville Area Chamber of Commerce again had a tent set up to offer free coffee through the morning, but had no extra cups once their plastic memorial cups emblazoned with this year’s date had run out. Barrels set along the banks of the river holding fires still proved popular during the pre-dawn hours and later, as anglers and spectators alike stopped for a quick warming.

Jabben reported that anglers had even extended in larger numbers than in the past into the No. 3 fishing area, reserved for fly fishing only and open to those who wanted to wade into the water for a better shot at a big catch.

Page 16 • Wednesday, March 25, 2020

Cassville Democrat

Reflections 2020

Dr. Lisa Roark recently decided to expand her clinic and add 3,000 square feet, which will double the size of her clinic. With Lowe Construction well into the project, passers-by are starting to notice some progress. Jordan Privett/jprivett@cassville-democrat.com

Bud Lowe, of Lowe Construction, cuts boards that were being used to erect the frame of the new expansion at Roark Family Health and Medical Spa. Jordan Privett/jprivett@cassville-democrat.com

Health: Services provided for student mental health and sexual assault survivors CONTINUED FROM PAGE 7

interested in the platelet-rich plasma (PRP) joint injections,” she said.

“It is kind of like a stem cell treatment, except we take their blood and inject it back into a joint that causes pain.”

Roark said the price for that at her clinic is $150, and it can cost more than $600 in other places.

“I just want people to know that we are not putting a dispensary in the clinic,” she said. “I am not just a cannabis doctor. I see children, and I don’t want my patients to have to worry about that.”

Wheaton schools partner with Access Medical

Mental health in students has become kind of a hot topic over the last few years, and school districts are looking into more and better options to offer its students, just like the Wheaton school district, which has partnered up with Access Medical for the upcoming school year.

Lance Massey, Wheaton superintendent, said the school and Access Medical have come to an agreement based on referrals and parent requests.

“They will utilize some on-site staffing, as well as a telemedicine platform, to help our students with mental health issues,” he said. “They won’t be here all the time, and at this point, we don’t know exactly what it will look like.”

Massey said as a district through the counselors, parents will be contacted, and the counselors then will make arrangements through Access Medical staff members.

“Our counselor will be our liaison between the school district and Access Medical,” he said. “If there is a need for further services for a student with which Access Medical staff do not believe they can solve within the school district, then the option will be open for transfer to another Access Medical site.”

Massey said if a student needs something like

family counseling, that will be handled outside of the school district.

“Nothing will be forced upon any parent or student, but if there are issues where a professional says family needs to get involved to talk about things, that will go beyond what will be facilitated on campus,” he said. “There is such a growing need for mental health focus. More and more issues are coming into light, and we hope as a district this can be an opportunity for our students to get some help if they need it.”

Massey said it also is a benefit for the parents to offer something so that they don’t have to travel too far to get a child the needed help.

“We are trying to make something that can be a service for our students, and in turn, maybe even give us a better educational environment,” he said.

Massey said there is no financial items or obligations for the school district to offer this.

“We will provide some space for this to take place in, and that will be the district’s obligation in the matter,” he said. “Access will provide the equipment needed and the district will provide the internet access they will need.”

Massey said at the June board meeting the Board of Education signed a memorandum of understanding with Access Medical, which lays out the broad details of the plan.

Grants expand services for sexual assault survivors

Nearly $600,000 in grant funding will soon allow CoxHealth Systems through Cox Monett Hospital to expand its services for survivors of sexual assault.

Two separate grants address different service expansions and additions.

A $363,637 grant will provide additional Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANE) professionals to provide Sexual Assault Forensic Exams (SAFE)

to CoxHealth’s rural hospitals, located in Monett, Cassville and Lamar in Barton County. The funding will help ensure that specially trained SANE staff are present at CoxHealth hospitals in Springfield, Branson and Monett when patients come to the Emergency Department requesting SAFE exams.

According to a statement from CoxHealth, the grant also helps establish a sexual assault response team in five Ozarks counties: Barry, Lawrence, Barton, Stone and Taney.

The team will include law enforcement, health care providers, crime labs and other agencies to help victims navigate services available to them.

Additionally, it provides an eight-hour forensic training session for 120 hospital emergency department nurses at CoxHealth’s rural hospitals in Monett, Cassville and Lamar.

Funds would also help purchase additional equipment for forensic exams, and enable the purchase of clothing and comfort items for survivors after undergoing exams.

Grant money would also fund two annual community education forums to discuss prevention and treatment resources available for victims in the five counties.

This project is supported an award from the U.S. Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women.

A $227,202.67 grant will create a comprehensive telehealth system to improve care for victims of sexual assault in rural areas of southwest Missouri, specifically in Barton, Barry and Lawrence counties.

This expansion will provide 24/7 accessibility to a SANE staff for sexual assault survivors in the rural areas who would previously have been transferred to outlying facilities to Springfield, as far as 65 miles away.

In addition, the grant provides telehealth equipment and staffing to implement a TeleSANE

Lowe Construction is busy at work on the expansion of Dr. Lisa Roark’s clinic. The framework is already starting to go up, and Troy Lowe adds a few screws to the building. Jordan Privett/jprivett@cassville-democrat.com Nursing Hub at CoxHealth in Springfield. Telehealth and forensic examination equipment will enable 24/7 SANE qualified care to victims of sexual assault at Cox Barton County Hospital and Cox Monett Hospital. Comfort care items will be available for victims at time of discharge from the hospital.

This project is supported by an award from the Missouri Department of Social Services Victims of Crime Act, administered by the U.S. Department of

Justice, Office for Victims of Crimes.

Grant funding will be available in early 2020.

CoxHealth plans to launch services as soon as possible in 2020, the statement from CoxHealth said.

The new services target adult victims and should not provide additional services to children victims.

“Children in the CoxHealth service area will still be served by the area child advocacy centers in Springfield, Monett, and Branson West,” said Vickie

Dudley, executive director for the Children’s Center of the Ozarks. “There is a different process for reporting and investigating a sexual abuse case involving a minor.”

SAFE exams are available to anyone who comes to CoxHealth’s emergency departments, the hospital statement said. Reporting options are specific to the patient and their unique situation. Patients may choose to contact law enforcement for investigation, but it is not required.

Cassville Democrat

Wednesday, March 25, 2020 • Page 17

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Cassville Democrat