Looking Backward 2.1.2012
25 Years Ago
January 29, 1987
Cong. Gene Taylor announced this week the names of young men and women who reside in the 7th Congressional District that he nominated to West Point, the Naval Academy, and the Air Force Academy. This list contains the names of two individuals from Ava and a third from Norwood. Nominations to the Air Force Academy include Daniel Rees and William Goss, both of Ava. Goss is nominated for the Army Academy at West Point, as well as to the Naval Academy. Also nominated for the Naval Academy is Heather Dodge of Norwood.
Southwest Baptist University has announced its Honor Roll for the Fall 1986 semester. Students from this area include Kathy Sparks and Cary Jones, both on the Dean’s Honor Roll.
His & Hers Drive-in, 807 North Jefferson, Come help us celebrate the last three days of our Grand Opening –– 50¢ hamburgers; homemade spaghetti with salad, garlic toast, ice tea or coffee, $2.19 and a free medium drink with order on Saturday.
Airman Raymond T. Rees, son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Rees of Rural Route 2, Ava, Mo., has graduated from Air Force basic training at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. He is a 1986 graduate of Ava High School.
GENTRYVILLE –– Ada Dobbs and Ella May LeRoy visited Wednesday with Minnie and Covas Moss.
RED BANK – A surprise going away party was given after church for Miss Mitzi Lirley who will begin attending college soon. Our prayers and best wishes to her.
COUNTY LINE –– Mrs. Joann Rackley and Mrs. Bentley Bushong visited Saturday night with Mr. and Mrs. Dean Davis.
50 Years Ago
January 25, 1962
The most current siege began last Thursday, and by early Friday morning five inches of snow had fallen. Sub-freezing weather let the snow remain on the ground until a thaw started Sunday. Sunday night, however, the thermometer dropped to near zero, the cover of snow and moisture froze, and Monday morning roads were in the most hazardous condition of the winter.
The Ava Motel, consisting of 11 rental units and a home, has been sold by Mr. and Mrs. Cecil Davis to Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Weist of Kansas City, according to Mr. Davis. The motel is located at the former junction of Highways 5 and 14, just north of the Highway House Café. Harry and Bessie Kelly will continue to manage the Ava Motel for several months until Mr. and Mrs. Weist move here.
Marvin Barnes was elected as the new president of the Community Recreation Association at a meeting held Tuesday night in the courthouse. He succeeds Willard Pueppke, who has served for two years.
Dick Arndt, 32-year-old field representative of the MFA Milling Company, will assume managership of the Ava Farmers Exchange on Feb. 1, according to an announcement made this week by Clovis Gipson, retiring manager. Arndt, has been employed with the milling company for eight years, and he and Mrs. Arndt and their eight-year-old son, Andy, are living in Muskogee, Okla.
The finest invention since Adam lost his rib, to take away the chill of these freezing nights, was the electric blanket.
There was once a time when local residents paid the full cost of educating local children, and the state barely entered the financial picture. Came a time, however, as now, when about two-thirds of the Ava R-1 annual budget comes from the state government. The state insists that children must attend school if the money is forthcoming; hence, average daily attendance is a basic factor as to how much money is received.
Miss Rosemary Harlan, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. C.E. Harlan of Ava, was installed as Worthy Advisor of Ava Assembly No. 62 Order of the Rainbow for Girls at open installation ceremonies Thursday evening, Jan. 18, at 7:30 o’clock in the Ava Masonic Hall.
A new guidance center for the benefit of war orphans has been established by the Veterans Administration on the campus of Southwest Missouri State College.
ALMARTHA –– Hattie Shindler spent Monday with Carrie Murphy. … Mr. and Mrs. Russell Walker and Gerald visited Walter and Macie Walker Sunday.
WASOLA –– Birthday offerings Sunday were given by Betty Lou Daniel, Viola Hicks and Letha Zigler.
Mr. and Mrs. Lester Harvey of Ozark announce the engagement of her sister, Ruby Arnold, to Lyle Piland, son of Mr. and Mrs. Lynn Piland of Ava.
75 Years Ago
January 28, 1937
John Holt, farmer of seven miles south of Ava, was here Monday exhibiting a gray wolf killed near his farm Sunday morning. The wolf was killed Sunday morning by Howard Holt and Buck Silvey. The Holt boys were rather proud of the performance of their hounds in the chase, especially that of a prize hound secured some time back from Burl Shipps.
Douglas County officers occupied offices in the new courthouse Friday and Saturday of last week and Monday the county court sold the old frame courthouse to the highest bidder. The building was sold to F.F. Buck and E.R. Fletcher for $350. It is to be removed by them from its present situation in the center o the square within ninety days.
Deb Clinton of Roosevelt and Arlie Holdt of Ava, Route 2, were made man and wife Wednesday morning about 9 o’clock in the first wedding ceremony performed in the new courthouse. About twenty county officials, clerks and others were witnesses to the ceremony.
The cast for the operetta “Maid in Japan” is announced this week by Roy Tharp, high school music supervisor and director of the production. In the cast are Albia Hunsaker, Audra Hunsaker, Marjorie Reynolds, Wanda Burdett, Helen Marie Thompson, Lorene Fancher, Mary Yeoman, Ted Gray, David Kelley, Joe Sutherland, Rex Browning, Paul Tillman, Franklin Stewart and Junior Hailey. Accompanist is Charlene Gray.
The public library sponsored by the ladies of the American Legion Auxiliary will open Monday in a room in the basement of the new courthouse.
The amount of Ava’s real estate valuation according to the assessment of 1888 and the amount of taxes extended for the following year were discovered last week as they prepared to move from the old courthouse to the new courthouse. Real estate in Ava for the year 1888 was assessed at $7,835. Total taxes for Ava for the year 1889 amounted to $101.89. Taxes on real estate were $29.15; personal taxes were $45, and merchants taxes $27.74.
A house belonging to Raymond Hart, four miles west of town, was destroyed by fire this morning between 10 and 11 o’clock. It was understood that oil Mr. Hart was heating on a stove exploded, starting the fire.
GIRDNER –– At the soil conservation meeting here Monday Harvey Beason was re-elected township committeeman.
SWEDEN –– Because of heavy snow and bad roads the school bus did not make its trip to Ava Monday.
MERRIT –– A new son, who arrived January 19 at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Archer, has been named Franklyn, Jr.
RIPPEE –– Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Wilson announce the birth of a daughter Wednesday, Jan. 20.
MT. TABER –– Clifford Turner reported a family down toward Smallett was in critical condition last week without provisions, living in a barn, having had their house burned some time ago, and the children of a family of seven all sick with chicken pox.
100 Years Ago
February 1, 1912
An examination of the peach buds reveals the fact that there will be no peaches this year in this part of the country. The extreme zero weather has killed them. Out of several hundred buds examined in different orchards we have not been able to find a live one. The apple crop and small fruits have not been damaged to any great extent.
An attempt to enforce “blue laws” in Joplin will be made as a result of a city ordinance to be presented to the city council at its next meeting.
John Levan surprised many of his friends last Saturday by driving to Denlow and taking unto himself a helpmate. He has captured the heart of Cammie Anderson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Elijah Anderson of Denlow. They were married Saturday evening, Rev. Byrd of Ava officiating.
Citizens of Aurora voted to keep saloons out of their town for four more years by giving a majority of 53 for the “drys” in the local option election held there. Ideal weather brought out the temperance workers in full force.
Pennsylvania physician claims to have educated two African chimpanzees to reason. After this there ought to be hope for some humans.
TOPAZ –– Mr. James Parsons of Wright County moved onto the farm known as the Oscar Rankins farm. … J.L. Welch sold his farm to a Mr. Wilson of Cabool who will take charge of same in the near future, consideration $1,500.
We observe the wood haulers are trying to bring the price of their wood up to a dollar and a quarter a load. That is higher than any point along the Frisco from Springfield south, as far as we know anything about it.
DENLOW DOTTING –– Balis Johnston has sold his store and returned to his farm. Otto Souder is his successor, may he make a success in his return to the old stand. He is J.W. Souder deceased son.
We notice that John H. Curran is a candidate for Railroad and Warehouse Commissioner on the Democratic ticket. We are surprised that he would ask the support of any paper in this territory. We have not forgotten how he treated us during the Land Congress at this place last year. To start on, there are no Democrats in this country to vote, and if there were, they certainly wouldn’t have the nerve to vote for him.
FARMERS: Your time is money. Only a few years ago factories and stores run their places of business and added on large enough profits to cover cost, profits and waste. The waste of labor runs into millions of dollars because of improper equipment and loose ways of doing business. But TIMES ARE CHANGING. You deal with us, you always get what you came for because we carry the stock. You don’t have to drive 5 to 20 miles and go back with an empty wagon when you trade at Timberlake & Burnet. We keep only high grade goods. They are the cheapest. Our Coal oil burns better. Our seeds grow better. Our wire fence is a special high grade of wire and “The Knot That Can’t Slip.: Our crushed rock salt is stronger and purer. Our sanitary churns the old style with the quick and easy movement – makes butter come quicker and better flavor. Buy the best. It costs no more. Your time is worth money. We deal in facts. You be the judge.
Around The Home By Gloria Kuhn Area Home Agent, Jan. 25, 1962
OZARK PUDDING
1 egg
¾ cup sugar
1/3 cup flour
1 ¼ teaspoon baking powder
dash salt
¼ teaspoon nutmeg
½ cup chopped peeled apples
½ cup chopped pecans
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract.
Beat egg; add sugar beating until light and creamy. Sift together flour, baking powder, salt and nutmeg; add to egg mixture, blending well, fold in apples, nuts and vanilla. Pour into a well greased 9-inch pie plate. Bake in a 325 degree oven 30 minutes. Serve hot or cooled and may be topped with whipped cream or ice cream.
