25 Years Ago
February 27, 1986
John Mackey and Sonia Lansdown were crowned 1986 Ava High School Hoop King and Queen in ceremonies at the AHS gym last Friday night.
The city of Ava took delivery Monday on the 1986 dump truck that was purchased recently from Zane Gray Chevrolet and Olds of Ava.
The Ava Lions Club is sponsoring a big program of bluegrass and gospel music here Saturday night that features some of the best known groups of this area. The entire proceeds of the program which will be held in the Ava High School gymnasium, will go to Rhonda Sue Johnson, 11-year-old victim of Hodgkin’s disease.
On February 4, Joe and Marjorie Pitts observed 50 years of marriage.
Dwight Lee Reynolds, son of Raymond and Betty Reynolds, Ava, enlisted in the Air Force’s Delayed Enlistment Program this week. Airman Reynolds, a 1983 graduate of Ava High School, is scheduled for enlistment in the Regular Air Force on March 27.
Max and Kathy (Call) Stephens are proud to announce the arrival of their son, Eric Kyle, born Feb. 20 at Cox Medical Center South.
Mr. Roy Harnden, of Medord, Ore. arrived at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Glenn E. Harnden Feb. 7 for a visit with his brothers and sisters of the area. Visiting in different homes during his two week stay were Mr. and Mrs. John R. Harnden of St. Louis, Mr. and Mrs. Howard Harnden of Rogersville, Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Dilsaver of Nixa, Mr. and Mrs. Glenn E. Harnden, Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Jenkins, Mrs. Nellie Norman, Mr. and Mrs. Warden Jenkins, all of Ava.
MOUND –– Mr. and Mrs. M.E. Bray visited Friday evening with Mr. and Mrs. Clyde Allen.
50 Years Ago
February 23, 1961
Five Ava High School senior girls have been named as candidates for the 1981 Docomo queen, and a contest to select the winner is being conducted this week. The queen will be chosen by votes cast with the purchase of a year book. The five girls selected by the senior class as nominees for the honorary title are Joan Warden, Norma Hart, Leah Streight, Nettie Atchison and Judy Posey.
The epidemic of mumps appears to be slowing, although there are still several children out of school. There are a few scattered cases of scarlet fever in school, also. This disease starts with a very sore throat, headache and fever. A fine rash appears in about 24 hours, usually starting on the neck and chest, later extending to the limbs. Prompt treatment by a doctor and use of some of the new drugs make this disease much less severe than it was a few years ago.
Mrs. Richard Dye entertained at her home in Ava Wednesday night, when she hostessed a meeting of the Ava Study Club. During the business session, conducted by Mrs. Homer Grose, vice president, the ladies decided to use the money obtained from the clubs “Traveling Basket” to purchase milk for students of the Ava grade school who are unable to buy milk each day. Attending the meeting were the following members: Mesdames Robert Cook, Herman Davis, Olen Deckard, Vernon Ray, Lawrence Haynes, Harold Hutchison, Homer Grose, Robert Kottmeier, Jack Norris, Ray Parsley, Don Knierim, Taylor Wood and the hostess.
A birthday dinner served Tuesday noon, Feb. 21, at the home of Mr. and Mrs. W.C. Kilburn in Ava was given in honor of Mr. Kilburn, who was celebrating his 83rd birthday.
David Earl Pitts, son of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Pitts of east of Ava, was given a surprise party on his 18th birthday, Feb. 15 at his home. Those attending were Bill Walls, Denny Chaffee, Rosemary Harlan, Cindy Currier, Carole Pettit, Karen Robertson, Barbara and Patty Pitts, Carolyn Barnes, Dennis Cunningham, Kenny Ewing, Billye Plaster, Gene Holman, Fred Bacorn, Sue Huff, Mary Martha Hutchison, Sue Page, Jim Pitts, and the honoree.
Abolishing revenue stamps on liquor, beer and wine and depending instead upon a reporting system for tax collection and enforcement purposes would save the state the $222,000 cost of the stamps in the coming two-year appropriations period.
A lifetime of good examples is much better than a library of good advice.
MURRAY –– Mr. and Mrs. Joe Newton and Owen Brown visited Sunday in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Oden Nash and sons. Mr. Nash has the mumps.
STAR –– Jimmy Lee and Nita Nadine Letsinger have the mumps.
ALMARTHA –– Max Murphy is attending school at Willow Springs on Saturdays.
ARNO –– Mr. and Mrs. P.A. Chance spent Tuesday afternoon here in their son’s home, Mr. and Mrs. Doyne Chance and son, Larry. Larry had the mumps.
75 Years Ago
February 27, 1936
Over 300 school teachers and members of school boards in Douglas County are expected here next Thursday for an all-day meeting with state school officials.
A two-foot water snake which appeared to have no dread of cold weather picked the coldest morning this year to come out for air. Mr. Tucker has a water reservoir thirty feet square built around a living spring in his barn lot. During these recent cold morning he has had to break the ice on it. Tuesday morning when he broke the ice the snake appeared with the stream of warm water. Whether the heat of the water caused the snake to come out or the water reached the crevice where it had hid for the winter, is not known. The thermometer registered 8 degrees below zero Tuesday morning.
From all standpoints crime is a greater enemy to the country than war. The World War cost $1,000,000 an hour, but the crime bill is now $2,000,000 an hour.
The oldest herd of registered Shorthorn cattle in southern Missouri will be dispersed Friday, March 13, when the entire herd belonging to W.S. Robertson will be put up at auction on his farm a mile and a half southwest of Longrun. Mr. Robertson recalls that it was nearly thirty-five years ago that he first established his herd of registered Shorthorns, using as a foundation cows of the second generation from Choice Goods, grand champion bull at the World’s fair in St. Louis.
Miss Opal Mae Warren of West Plains and Manuel Bell of Dora were married in West Plains recently, the marriage ceremony taking place in the county clerk’s office in the courthouse at 3:30 o’clock.
Is the worst yet to come? It is not heartening, after what we have gone thru, of suffering, of fatalities from cold, dead cattle, coveys of quail frozen stiff, the little lifeless bodies of birds beneath the trees and — the list could be long. Then to read of coming drought, flood and dust storms awaiting us. Yet, we shouldn’t think too much about it nor sit down and wait for it. We should not let unhappy predictions deter us from an earnest effort. There may be rain enough to stay the drought and conquer the dust. It’s what no man can tell.
A daughter was born Thursday morning to Mr. and Mrs. David Joslyn. The baby was born in the Wallace hospital in Lebanon where Mrs. Joslyn has been visiting relatives.
M.F. Yandell and son Vaud had a public sale at their home just north of Ava Monday. They plan on going to Lindsay, Calif., about March 2nd. A.C. Sears of east of Ava has leased the Yandell service station just north of town on Highway 5.
Mr. and Mrs. Nolan Peters and two daughters and Carl Peters all of Willow springs were Sunday afternoon guests of Mr. and Mrs. E.A. Castle and son Bobby Lee. Both Messrs Peters are brothers of Mrs. Castle.
100 Years Ago
March 2, 1911
An arctic expedition in which reaching the north pole will be a secondary matter, was announced here by Capt. E.B. Baldwin, the explorer. Capt. Baldwin, who commanded the Baldwin-Ziegler expedition to Franz Josef Land in 1901-02, expects to launch the expedition about September 1912. The equipment he says will include aeroplanes and balloons. The expedition will start from Bering Strait and follow the polar ice drift. The object, Capt. Baldwin says will be to collect data and complete the magnetic survey now being made by the Carnegie Institute.
The anti-discrimination bill, providing that no railroad can charge a greater passenger rate per mile between non-competitive points than it charges between competitive points, was reported favorably to the Senate of the assembly. The House has passed the bill.
A surprise dinner was given at the home of Mrs. Fletchers last Saturday, and about 57 enjoyed an elegant dinner in honor of her 59 birthday.
Dentistry. I have come to Ava to practice Dentistry in all its various branches. I will be located on 2nd floor of Post Office building. If you are in necessity of dental work don’t fail to see me. Consultation will prove my competency. My prices are light, my work guaranteed, painless in operating, extractions and filling. Best materials used for all classes of work. Soliciting your patronage, W.G. Mefford, D.D.S.
Poultry eggs, highest cash prices. We also buy hides, furs, wool and all other produce. We sell Stark fruit, Pratts foods, incubators, separators, fencing, etc., etc. Timberlake & Burnet, “On the Square”, Phone 157.
Up to this last cold spell the fruit crop in this section is not damaged much. The peach buds were examined and found to be in excellent shape.
The Murray-Inman Mill has just shipped in a car of “Polar Bear” flour.
W.P. Johnson of Rome was in Ava last Friday and made our officer a very pleasant call. He brought in some fine tobacco which he raised on his place last summer. Some of the leaves measured 25 inches in width. He says this would be a great tobacco country if it was property cultivated and handled.
Big Opening Saturday March 11th. New Spring dress goods in all the newest materials and colors. Spring gingham, suiting marquisette, voiles, and in that anything to make the lady dressed up. We have it. Men’s clothing, the most complete line we have ever had. Something very nobby for the young men. We extend a special invitation to all the citizens of Douglas and adjoining counties to come in and visit our mammoth store and get prices. J.F. Holestine
W.A. Clay, of the Van Clede Lumber Co., of St. Louis, was in Ava the latter part of last week and made arrangements with the H.E. Bash Tie Co. to buy a car load of oak lumber each week.
