By Mindy Crandall Just like many history textbooks, Jack C. Vineyard, a wounded war veteran who fought during the Invasion of France in World War II has detailed accounts of this battle. Even though he is growing in age, as he is soon to be 88, his memory is as…
By Mindy Crandall Heart of the Ozarks Healthcare Center is a nursing home facility that peacefully sits on a hillside at the four-way stop of South Highway 5 and West 76 in the Fox Meadows Addition. Heart of the Ozarks is just as glorious and secure as a bird’s nest…
Proudly standing on the southeast side of NW 12th Avenue is the recently remodeled Town & Country Supermarket. The beautiful new wood-peaked entryway is like a crown on this gem of a store in the heart of Ava. A well-deserved crown considering local folks have been shopping at Town &…
A stone’s throw west of Ava, nestled among quickly greening hills, sits the Buff’s dairy farm. It’s a lovely three hundred acre spread dotted with barns and outbuildings, a spacious home, and over one hundred registered milk cows. Throughout the farm, the steady tinkling of cowbells gently mixes with the…
It takes a lot good people to make an agricultural area successful. Among them, farmers, haulers, feed and fertilizer folks, feed lot workers, and sale barn operators. In Ava, the Douglas County Livestock Auction, better known as the “Ava Sale Barn,” is owned and operated by father and son team,…
This coming Sunday, Pastor Oren Alcorn and his congregants will mark the twenty-fifth anniversary of his leadership of Ava General Baptist Church, one of the oldest and largest churches in the county. It takes a special person to lead a church for that long. Someone who surrendered to The Call…
When our hills and hollers are brown and bare and winter grasp is cold and hard, Ozarkers yearn for hints of coming spring. One of the surest signs in Douglas County, as reliable as the swelling of buds and the rise of tender lily shoots, is the photograph in this…
By Mindy Crandall It’s hard to imagine how much transformation can take place in a small town with a population of 3,186 in a year’s time. Much more than you would think. Not only did Ava elect a new mayor, Eddie Maggard and install several new stop signs at four-way…
By Mindy Crandall Christmas is love, Christmas is laughter and Christmas is filled with smiling children and happy ever-after. No doubt, this is the true feeling of Joe and Jan Cox, a couple who decided to purchase a house on a nice sized city lot in the beautifully manicured subdivision…
A tribute to those who courageously served in the Battle of the Bulge and to veteran Adrain Owen who tells the story. By Sue Curry Jones In late 1944, subsequent to the allied forces’ successful D-Day invasion of Normandy, France, it appeared as if World War II was all but…
A strong foundation that started with Henry Klineline and his move to Douglas County in 1876. By Sue Curry Jones In Ava’s early days as a village community, the countryside was much different in appearance. The terrain was filled with unspoiled landscapes and hillsides. The ground was covered with a…
Standing proud as they are role models for our families, and a bonus for our community. By Sue Curry Jones Selfless service, acts of valor and heroism are expressions that come to mind when remembering veterans and their service to our country. No matter when they served, during war or…
By Mindy Crandall Veteran’s Day is Friday! A day that all should commemorate on the eleventh hour. Every American citizen has earned the freedom that has and will continue to be gained through the acts of brave soldiers who choose to protect our dearly beloved country. Great sacrifices should be…
A time to honor our military heroes and take pride in their service, sacrifice and commitment. But, most of all, it’s our duty to say thanks. By Sue Curry Jones Public holidays are occasions we all anticipate and look forward to each year. We celebrate these special days for a…
By Mindy Crandall Life in the late 1800′s was much different from today. It was a time of “big change” and the start of the industrial revolution. Most families farmed for a living here in Missouri. People were beginning to understand the sting of pain from war, the hardships in…
Father expresses his fears and concerns to youngest daughter. By Sue Curry Jones In many ways, our day-to-day lifestyles are drastically different from the ways of the early 1900s. Our mode of living is much easier, and more modern. During those early years, news items were just starting to travel…
By Mindy Crandall Last Saturday began with the same rituals as every other weekend. I was up early, attended and watched one of my son’s soccer games and coached my other son and his team. My voice was raw from the constant yelling of instruction and encouragement. My legs were…
By Sue Curry Jones In the mid-to-late 1800′s, daily life in the Ozarks was a challenge. For early settlers, carving out a livelihood and decent existence took perseverance. Life was a constant battle for survival and it wasn’t easy. Everyday tasks, big and small, were implemented through endurance and fortitude.…
By Mindy Crandall – as told by lifetime coach and mentor, Larry Silvey The Reflections column the past few weeks with the exception of last week has been a continuing series – History of Ava Bear Football. It is my hopes to finalize the last remaining football seasons with a…
By Sue Curry Jones The homecoming queen tradition at Ava Schools has been an exciting event for this community since it’s inception 62 years ago. And, even though event details have changed a little bit, and each generation has put their brand on coronation night, it would seem that the…
By Mindy Crandall – as told by lifetime coach and mentor, Larry Silvey The 1986 Ava Bears Varsity Football Team was under the instruction of Head Coach, Larry Silvey, who led them to a 9-2 record and a SCA and District Championship. They were the first Ava team to go…
By Mindy Crandall – as told by lifetime coach and mentor, Larry Silvey In 1976 Larry Silvey remained Head Coach and led the Ava Bears to a very impressive 8-2 record. This team was a very talented offensive team averaging 27.1 points a game. They rushed for 2,603 yards (8th…
By Mindy Crandall – as told by lifetime coach and mentor, Larry Silvey In 1956, Jimmy Williams became head coach. The Bears struggled during the 1956 season winning only three games under Coach Jimmy Williams, who resigned after only one season. Their SCA record that year was 3-5 and a…
By Mindy Crandall – as told by lifetime coach and mentor, Larry Silvey Ava is beginning their 63rd year of varsity football this fall. Listed in the article are the team records, the head coaches and a short summary of each of the previous 62 years. There were several years…
By Sue Curry Jones There is no doubt that nervous tension surrounds the back-to-school frenzy and first day of school. The host of emotions for kids and some parents may range from excitement to anxiety to stress, to worry and dread –– or maybe a mixture of all of the…
By Betty Lou (Epps) Moore I began school at Goodhope when I was 5 years old. My four brothers and a sister all went here. For the first three years all eight grades were in one room. When I started 4th grade, another teacher, Luna Newton, was hired for the…
By Sue Curry Jones, as told by Cinita Brown In August of 1937 a new school term was to begin at Robertson School, District 87, located about seven miles south of Ava. At that time there were 105 rural schools in Douglas County. Robertson had between fifty and sixty students. …
By Mindy Crandall Just a few months ago, the words “School is out!” rang through the halls of the Ava schools. Students and teachers were relieved and breathed a quiet, but an enthusiastic sigh of relief as another hectic school year was over – history! Those same children could now…
Retired Rear Admiral Hamlin Tallent Personifies The Heart of the Ozarks By Sue Curry Jones The world was different in the 1960s –– so was Ava. Our community was quiet, serene and fundamentally relaxed. The town was filled with children of all ages playing together in the streets or neighborhoods.…
By Mindy Crandall Many Americans have stood tall, raised their right hands to their heart and recited the words to the Pledge of Allegiance. To be honest, I am one of them who have said, I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, many times, but…
By Sue Curry Jones Independence Day is a summer season holiday we all look forward to celebrating. It’s an occasion that generates family get-togethers, town gatherings, community parades, and national unity. The holiday brings everyone together for spectacular organized celebrations. And, for children, the holiday is exciting and fun, as…
By Mindy Crandall Early one afternoon I jumped into my van, camera and notebook in tow, in hopes to do one of my best interviews yet. It didn’t take me long as I was headed west, down Hwy. 14. Just about 15 minutes outside of Ava and at the top…
By Mindy Crandall Have you ever wondered how and what defines a person? Every single living being has at least one thing that sets them apart and makes them unique. Experts agree that just as unique as a person’s fingerprint is the way that they think and behave. Some characteristics…
By Sue Curry Jones Artists are a passionate lot, and as most of us know from history, some are more temperamental than others. As students in school, nearly all of us had the opportunity to study art and read about outstanding artists and how they impacted the world. We learned…
By Sue Curry Jones Like any great baseball player, Jonathan Batcheller knows that winning a game isn’t just about hitting a home run. Sometimes, it’s about endurance, strength and tenacity. It’s also about facing disappointments, taking near misses and strikeouts –– but most of the time –– it’s about getting…
By Mindy Crandall Over the years many speeches have been given where the phrase, cut from the same cloth, have been used. Several people have used this analogy to describe that all humans are created equal. In fact, the Bible also contains similar word phrases to describe equality. I, myself,…
By Mindy Crandall Viewing a cave is not everyone’s idea of fun, but usually only due to three things: the fear of the unknown, fear of bats or because one is claustrophobic. I on the other hand, jumped at the chance to go inside Onondaga Cave. I must say, when…
By Randy Dudley The History At the age of 25, Henry Rowe Schoolcraft set off on an expedition to explore the sparsely populated areas of the Midwest including southwest Missouri. Schoolcraft was a self-described neophyte at this sort of adventure and often depended on the hospitality of the local settlers…
By Mindy Crandall Every week a new article is written for the Reflections column. In doing so, appointments have to be scheduled and research has to be done in order for the article to have an impact. Not always and this was the case, does an interview become possible. In…
By Mindy Crandall When my children were little, there was nothing more gratifying than sitting down with them each evening to read a book. Each night we would snuggle up together on the couch or someone’s bed and almost in rhythm they would all four softly yell out at their…
By Randy Dudley On top of a hill a few miles south of Strafford, Missouri, lies something unexpected. There is a clearing at the end of a winding gravel drive. It was never really intended to be shared with or seen by anyone other than it’s original designer, builder and…
By Randy Dudley Since we moved to Ava five years ago, our family has always talked about putting out a garden. It seemed like every year something would come up and it just never seemed to get done. Then a couple of years ago we met up with Len Pense…
By Mindy Crandall The expedition was long, right at an hour, to be exact. I was headed to Fair Grove, a small town just outside Springfield to learn more about gardening. To be honest, my first thought was, why do I need to travel so far to learn about such…
By Mindy Crandall For any legendary and famous painter such as Leonardo Da Vinci and Vincent van Gogh, a masterpiece was not created in one day and for that matter, sometimes even years. The same has held true for Ava Victory Academy. Since its beginning in 1995, Ava Victory Academy,…
By Mindy Crandall It has been noted that Ava Bear basketball existed in the Ava schools in the 1920’s and was played prior to that, outside the school with organized teams from the town, military and churches. Women were not allowed to play at this time. Thinking back, women were…
By Mindy Crandall A timeline is a project artifact and a way to highlight certain dates in history over a long period of time. Ava Bear basketball has been making history since the 1920’s when the first organized basketball team for Ava High came into existence and is still making…
By Mindy Crandall Reminiscing is the act of enjoying fond memories whether it be among friends over a cup of coffee or in the silence of one’s own home. It is a look back in time, the mere existence of what was once today or the near future, now only…
A nostalgic tribute to the memory of the Ava Speedway By Sue Curry Jones The idea may have started from a group of young high school students who passed Doc Sallee’s Machine Shop every day at noon. They were intrigued by the midget racer he was building in his shop.…
Racing is a sport that has taken a lot of criticism for not being an actual competition. Comedians have used the line, “another left turn” in their comedy routines to poke fun at the mere lack of respect that racing sometimes gets. Many movies have also ridiculed some of the…
By Mindy Crandall Missouri is one of the most central of the states in the U.S., however, it shares some of the same time-long traditions as the southern states, and the love of racing is one of them. Although there are no NASCAR racetracks in Missouri, the popularity for the…
By Mindy Crandall America’s best-seller, the Bible, makes reference to the fact that all things, as we know them, will eventually come to an end. For many sportsmen who have spent at least one night a week for the last several months together on the creek will also be using…
Primitive Thymes may not be thought of as a new business since it is still owned by the same couple, Brad and Amanda Evans, who purchased it in November 2009. And, actually, the business has been in Ava for quite some time. However, factor in the fact that this couple…
By Whitney Keith Brooke Elwood started her business in August 2010, with her first event being a wedding. “My business is a cooking service designed with you in mind,” she said. Elwood said she started the business because she enjoyed cooking. “I didn’t think Ava offered anything like this,” she…
Candles are the hot item of choice at a recently-opened business in Ava. A Shop Around The Corner is located at 224 S. Jefferson, just south of the Ava Square. According to Lisa Ritter and her sister, who own the business, their quickest selling item is the Candleberry Hot Maple…
By Whitney Keith Reflections has dug into the lives of Douglas County residents, showcasing their passions, talents and gifts. We have also traveled beyond this area, showing readers places that they may want to visit someday. Here’s the year in review for Reflections, with our wishes that the next year…
Some people may not be aware that we have a winning Olympic team in our midst. Heart of the Ozarks of Ava sent a group of residents in Mountain Grove, Missouri, on Oct. 26 to participate in the Golden Age Games. The local care facility came away with the first-place…
By Whitney Keith During the early part of 1940, monetary gifts came to 12 current and former residents of Douglas County from an anonymous giver, later dubbed the “Angel of Ava.” According to “A Reminiscent History of Douglas County, Missouri, 1857-1957” by J.E. Curry, recipients were: R.L. Story ($150), Jack…
By Whitney Keith In this time of holiday traditions and ceremonies, many local residents have turned their minds and hearts to what they can do for others in the community. The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office has participated in two charity events this holiday season. The sheriff’s office distributed over 60…
Davis Auto in Ava celebrated their 50th anniversary in March. The Davis family business started not with cars, but with general merchandise. However, Dale’s father, Cecil, sold cars even before that time. Cecil operated an auto parts store starting in 1939, along with selling some used cars on the side,…
By Whitney Keith Local couple Morris “Morrie” and Carol Wash had a special Thanksgiving tradition with their children and grandchildren. Starting in the 1970s and lasting several years, The Wash family would gather together on that special day for the first football “Bowl” game of the season. “We always said…
By Whitney Keith Coyote hunting is a sport that’s misunderstood by many people who weren’t raised in an area or family in which it was popular. Brad Stanifer is an avid coyote hunter, and hunts, at times, several days a week. Stanifer said he doesn’t own any dogs himself, but…
By Whitney Keith In honor of Veterans Day, we are honoring a Douglas County family who has served our country faithfully for many years. J.W. And Sharon Jenkins have a family that has served in our nation’s military for over 80 years total. The tradition started with Sharon’s father, Sammy…
Dr. Hollis Smith opened Sho-Me Feeder Pigs, Inc. in 1970 one mile south of Ava where Lakey’s Hay Barn is currently located.The first sale was held Oct. 20, 1970. The date was important to Smith because his father’s 60th birthday was that same day. “We sold 60 pigs in that…
By Whitney Keith Anyone who has taken a drive through the Mark Twain National Forest land in our area has probably noticed the fire towers sprinkled throughout the land. The Mark Twain National Forest was originally established in 1939. The government began buying land for it in 1933. The Civilian…
By Whitney Keith Double, double toil and trouble; Fire burn, and caldron bubble. No, it’s not a witch’s brew, but something infinitely more delicious. This year marks the 21st for Apple Butter Day at the Ozark Mennonite School between Mansfield and Seymour, just south of U.S. 60. Cauldrons of apple…
By Whitney Keith The Ava High School volleyball program has had lows and highs in its 34 years, but dedicated coaching has made the difference for this sport. Organized volleyball started at Ava High School in 1976. Former athletic director Larry Silvey said that past annuals show volleyball teams in…
By Whitney Keith For existing for only nine years, the Ava High School softball squad has racked up an impressive array of wins and titles. This week, we will be discussing three years in which the Lady Bears seemed to dominate the field. 2004 The 2004 squad ended the season…
By Whitney Keith The Ava High School football squad of 1954 might seem to belong to a long-gone era, but these players are still holding their own in the local record books against today’s gridiron giants. The 1954 season ended with a 9-1 record, and the team was state-ranked through…
By Whitney Keith This article will continue the highlight of several Ava High School football teams that we have been featuring over the past few weeks. The 1993 and 1994 squads had very similar records, but the make-up of players was different, as many starters for the 1993 team graduated…
By Whitney Keith The 1985 and 1986 Ava High School football seasons seem to be twins of each other. Both years Ava won district and conference championships, and both years they lost to Republic after the regular season. 1985 In 1985, the Ava Bears went 10-2, scoring 309 points while…
By Whitney Keith Over the next month, we will be highlighting teams in Ava High School football history that have stood out for their performances. This week’s article will focus on the 1977 and 1980 teams. 1977 “This was a very good defensive team,” said Coach Larry Silvey, who led…
By Whitney Keith The Ava R-I football program started in 1948, with a squad that ended the season with a record of 1-5. The Ava boys scored only 46 points to their opponents’ 123 that season, not an auspicious start to what may be Ava’s most beloved sport. The football…
Most small towns in southwest Missouri have town squares, but few have one as full of businesses and restaurants as the Ozark Court Square. The Ozark square consists of a central courthouse and lawn, surrounded by four sides of buildings, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.…
By Whitney Keith A local resident has made a name for himself in the world of fiddle contests, and has cemented his reputation with a big win at a national competition, Junior Marriott, owner of Marriott Music in Ava, placed first in the open division of the Grand Lake National…
By Whitney Keith The Old Harlin House in Gainesville is a historical landmark that still has great appeal for visitors today – namely, terrific dining. The house, which was first built in 1911-1912, underwent extensive renovations and restoration in the past decade to stand as a beacon to sturdy workmanship…
By Whitney Keith We have a celebrity in our midst. Well, at least in the quilting world. Squires resident Marla Yeager recently had one of her quilts, called “Borealis,” featured on the cover of American Quilter Magazine. The path to the magazine cover was interesting, and started with an entirely…
By Whitney Keith Sometimes it’s easy to forget how many local attractions our area has for visitors. Branson is packed with tourists every summer, and the lakes get some heavy traffic, as well. Even closer is the Laura Ingalls Wilder Historic Home & Museum in Mansfield. Even though I grew…
One of the most photographed spots in Missouri is also one of the most fun for a weekend camping or floating adventure. Alley Spring National Park is located between Summersville and Eminence on Highway 106. The park is a two-hour drive from Douglas County, mostly down U.S. 60. For those…
There’s been a lot of chatter recently about a local concert venue that has been bringing big name music acts to the Ozarks. Black Oak Mountain Amphitheater is located in Lampe, a small town south of Kimberling City. The amphitheater, which was originally built in 1983, was re-opened this year…
The Squires Volunteer Fire Department started in 1982. In that year, Ava Rural Fire Department was the closest fire department to Squires. Seeing the need for a closer fire department, several citizens, with the cooperation from Ava Rural and the local Missouri conservation department, organized the volunteer department. The very…
