Editor's note:
Thanks to the good Lord's blessing and lots of prayers Shirley is coming along better. She is having a little trouble making the transition to the therapy stage so she isn't yet out of the woods.
In case you hadn't heard. Shirley received hip fractures in a wreck June 28 in Lebanon when sideswiped by Davey Moore, Lebanon, who did not see a red light and crashed into her vehicle. It occurred about 1:30 pm at the corner of Washington and Elm.
Stoutland Tidbits
by Marie Brown
Happy Birthday America! This week as we slip out of the month of June into the first full month of summer we will celebrate our nation’s birthday. Years ago when I taught American History to high school students, I taught them that America was a “melting pot” of nationalities, cultures, and customs. I think we have moved from a melting pot to a salad bowl, where everyone wants to remain independent as an individual or group. Our Nation’s forefathers pleaded for a nation that would be united as one yet recognizing the differences that would promote a growing country. There is nothing wrong with America that cannot be fixed by what is right with America. I love my freedom and I love my America. Robert McBacker said, “We on this continent should never forget that men first crossed the Atlantic not to find soil for their ploughs but to secure liberty for their souls.” So, let us celebrate America’s birthday with parades, flag waving, fireworks, and family picnics. Let our children enjoy swimming and Frisbee throwing. Let our men continue to swap tales around the grill and women worry about the iffy potato salad. Let us know that the flies will die happy and everyone has overeaten-that is our patriotism! Summer kicked in this week with a heat wave that made the Devil himself search for a cool swimming hole. The rains only intensified the sauna like atmosphere. I am sure I saw ole Satan himself dancing in the rain. I just went to my favorite ice cream stand (Country Corner) and enjoyed the sweet, refreshing nectar. We had lunch at the Rose Café after church on Sunday. I am always amazed at the travelers that visit the eatery. From "A" to "Z" across our great country folks stop for lunch, pie and coffee, or just to say “Hi”. Arizona travelers were Jim and Joyce Kelso (Orescoth), Carolyn West (Queen Creek), and Steve Hammock (Tucson). Visiting from California were Bob Allen (Bellflower), Kathy (Mino) Phillips (Simi Valley), Tom Kalenowski (Laguna Beach), and Katelyn Jerreries from the state’s capital. Steve and Cheryl Burback came from Colorado. Cheryl will be making her home here in Stoutland. Coming from our neighboring state of Kansa was Mike, Anita, and Sydney Vogel. Georgia (Young) Smith hailed from Grinnell, LA. Marsha Baca will now be making her home in Stoutland coming from Knoxville, TN and from the big state of Texas came Brandi Burback (Austin) and Pat Cool (Wichita Falls). Representing the state of Louisiana was Barbara Smith (Grinnell) and from Illinois was Kayla Campbell (Quincey). Missouri visitors were Arlene Bales Davenport (Licouia), Margaret Manuel (Ballwin), John Franklin (KC), and Frecia (Pearcy) Moore, Yvonne and Thomas Goodwin all of Lebanon. We went to see Aunt Daisy (Brown) Wasmer Sunday afternoon. Her son Jack is visiting from Destin FL. Jim enjoyed visiting with Jack and his brother, Gary pulling to mind childhood memories on their grandparents’ farm on Brownville Road. Have you noticed the new hours of some our businesses? The Hair Shack is open on Tuesday through Thursday and by appointment. Other establishments have shortened their hours or are open with a quick call. The Town of Stoutland will be purchasing “Welcome to Stoutland” banners for downtown. If your organization or business would like to contribute to this project-call City Hall for more information. A big THANKS to the town for having the grass cut along our streets. This makes our pathways safer for our children on bikes, our walkers, and auto travelers. Did you stop by the Free Yard Sale at the Baptist Church (SBC)? They are hoping to make this an annual event to benefit the community. The SBC then hosted a free Family/Community Supper Sunday night. Mark your calendars for monthly community meals at the New Beginnings and the Methodist Churches. Captain Scalawag and the Lost Treasure were at the Stoutland School on Wednesday. This is a partnership between the school and library to encourage reading to our youngsters. The last four summer reading programs will be at the library at 10:30 on Wednesdays. July 8, the Camden County Astronomy Club will be at the Library. This program is open to all age groups. Please remember Shirley Wright (car accident), Lois Medley (hospital) and the Cora Smith Family (Cora went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday) in your thoughts and prayers this week. The heat and rain have not stopped the grass from growing-I feel the mower calling-grass is the cheapest plant to install and becomes the most expensive plant to maintain. The grass may be greener on the other side of the fence but it still has to be mowed. FINAL TIDBIT: “My patriotic heart beats red, white, and blue.” William J. Clinton.
Stoutland Baptist News
Have you ever wanted to read the Bible through, from Genesis to Revelation? You can. Join the group meeting on Tuesday evenings who are reading the Bible through in 90 days. The second meeting had us reading through Deuteronomy 8:1. This week’s meeting will be on Thursday evening at the Baptist Church. We will be viewing the DVDs that accompany the program. We are reading 12 pages a day. The church’s first Free Yard Sale was a success. Our purpose was to promote VBS and register children for the program scheduled for July 13-17. Many walked away with treasure which was another’s trash. The Ozarks Berry Festival is scheduled for July 18 at the Remington’s Entertainment Complex in Springfield, MO. The annual strawberry festival benefits the Missouri Baptist Children’s Home. There will be homemade quilts and crafts, a children’s day camp, homemade cobblers and ice cream, and much more. Brother Paul taught the fourth lesson of the Adult VBS material about the life of Peter Wednesday evening. The children will be giving us a sneak preview of the music of VBS this Sunday in the morning worship. They have been working hard on Sunday evening to learn the music. Paul preached from Revelation 2:1-7, 3:1-3, and 3:14-22 pointing out the problems with three churches; Ephesus, Sardis, and Laodicea. The choir sang a favorite; “He Brought Me Out” and Louise Myers sang “Neath the Old Olive Tree”. Special prayers went to Lois Medley as she was taken to Lake Hospital Saturday evening and for the family of Cora Smith. Cora went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday. Her memorial services were Sunday afternoon. We enjoyed the fellowship of many from the community and sister churches at the Family-Community Dinner Sunday night. We will celebrate the nation’s birthday on Sunday, July 5 with some added festivities to our worship service and the mission groups will meet on Wednesday, July 8. We welcome you to our services. Keep looking up and listening for the shout.
Sleeper United Methodist Church News
Cooler weather was certainly welcomed last Sunday as was everybody that had the opportunity to join us at SUMC for a wonderful time of worship and singing praises to out Lord and Savior. Pastor Marsha’s message focused on forgiveness and she used the story of David and Saul to make her point. She explained that although David had every reason to hate Saul he chose not to but instead, he chose to look at the good Saul had done and to ignore the times when Saul had attacked him. David demonstrated that it takes courage to lay aside hatred and hurt and to respect the positive side of another person, especially an enemy. Remember, a forgiving spirit demonstrates that a person has received God’s forgiveness.
As you read this, VBS will have ended but if the skit the kids put on to tell us about what was planned was any indication, VBS was going to be a whole lot of fun. We’ll get the full report this Sunday.
Speaking of this Sunday, not only will we celebrate VBS, we will celebrate Holy Communion. We also ask everyone to be in prayer for our nation and all of our service members stationed around the world as we also celebrate the Fourth of July weekend and in honor of that we want everyone to wear red, white and blue on Sunday. Immediately following the service, Pastor Marsha will be off to St Paul School of Theology in KC. Requests for pastoral needs in her absence can be directed to Sharlene Rieke, Lay Leader.
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Memorial Day Tribute
This picture and script on the grave of Hallie Smith in Dowty/Wair Chapel Cemetery, Stoutland was one of hundreds expressed this weekend by loving families and friends.
A new colt
Recently making appearance at the Hinshaw farm in Stoutland was a new colt.
Tractor hobbyists make stopover in Stoutland:
See LINK for pictures of tractors.
Memorial Day 2009
Discovery shows what Charlie Blackburn
purchased at a local hardware in 1915
(Only days before local murder)
by Bob Wright. Editor
See this link to our "From the Past" page for a recent discovery by your Editor concerning interesting purchases by Charlie Blackburn at Lee Palmer Hardware of Stoutland in 1915. One entry shows he purchased a box of shells on Friday, November 5, just five days before Wednesday, November 10, when the infamous murder written of in "Murder on Rouse Hill" by Alan Terry Wright was thought to have occurred. It doesn't prove a thing, but it makes you wonder.
We also found other names and entries in the ledger of interest showing what Stoutlanders were in town in those days and what they were buying at the local hardware. Prices seem ridiculously low by today's standards however however income was meager in comparison. The list of suppliers are fascinating for those interested in business history. Most of them are now defunct. There is a magnifier on the pages to bring entries up close.
There is a place also at the bottom of each picture to write your comments.
Incidentally, there is no store title on the ledger book but it came to me personally from James Evans who said it was from his father-in-law Lee Palmer's hardware store. The entries in the ledger concerning the Clifton family estate business also verify its source. Clifton was Mrs. Lee Palmer's maiden name. I'm sure for those carefully gleaning the entries, many other interesting facts might come up.
There are a few entries made by children later apparently "playing store" in the dusty old tool shed garage where the more than 90 year old ledger was stored at the Evans family home. Letter to the Editor
Beloved Family Pet is Missing in Stoutland--- Can you help?
Hello ~
I am a 1969 graduate of Stoutland High School and have enjoyed your website. It's great to see photos of so many people I know, even though I haven't lived there for nearly 40 years. My parents still live close by; C.A. & Claudia Stubblefield, and frequently enjoy Stoutland community events.
I'm looking for a forum to post info on my parent's missing boxer pup, Lacy. She disappeared a week ago. Needless to say, my parents are beside themselves. She was the one bright spot in their lives. I realize there's a good chance the dog was abducted, being a friendly and a beautiful purebred, but am also hopeful some kindhearted individual might help in the dog's recovery. I have posted an ad with photo in the ozark regional classifieds and have tried to post on Stoutland Topix.com, but they just deletes the posting. Apparently Topix.com is primarily an outlet for people wishing to vent about the school district, coach, & supt. Too bad they put so much energy into negatives rather than improving the towns emotional health.
I live in western SD and am just trying to help my folks from afar. If you have any suggestions your ideas or input would be most appreciated.
Thank you,
Charla Stubblefield O'Dea
Editor's note: Please call Claudia or C.A. at 286-4848 if you know anything about this pet or need more information. .
All school reunion draws well
over 100 to cafeteria dinner
The annual all school reunion drew at least 113 as judged by the sign-in book and noting several who didn't sign. The event, held October 12, in the school cafeteria attracted eight from out of state, 21 with Stoutland addresses, 28 with Lebanon addresses , 3 from Waynesville, 7 from Montreal, 19 with Richland addresses and 27 from other parts of the state.
Those attending from Stoutland included Wilma Preble, Della Sage, Sandy (Metzger) Watkins, Jim Begley, Bob and Shirley Wright, Carol Webster, Minnie Bell Ogle, Doris (Miller) Smith, Georgia (Stamback) Stamper,Nelda (Stamback) Tate, Joy and Charles Brown, Marcheta Vassey, Estill and Norma Clay, Helen Houser, Geogia Vaughn, La Dora Crabtree, Deloris Salsman, Carol Thieman, Jap Francis, Jerry Webster,Dwight and Cindy Franklin.
FROM LEBANON POSTAL ADDRESSES: Don Hawkins, Kay (West) Raef, Agnes (Martin) Claiborne, Georgia Bell, N. Darlene Allen, Judy Clark, Lula Evans, Peggy Burns, Bob Sundstrom, Lenvil and Hilda Mooney, Joleen Jackson, Junior and Mary Young, Bill and Vera Harrill, Geraldine Pruitt, Bob and Shirley Willard, Corbett Evans, Florene Honey, David Offutt, Brendon Darby, Dick Smith, Sammie Barclay, Virgina Courson, Archie and Ruth Allee, Howard and Frieda (Bechtel) Basnett.
FROM MONTREAL POSTAL ADDRESSES: Sherry (Shipman) Clemmons, Jerry Brown, Francis Barnes, Bill Fredrick, Kenneth Brown, Jack Long, Dale Long.
FROM RICHLAND POSTAL ADDRESSES: Helen and Duane Pemberton, J. O Vandergriff, Bobby Shockley, Caropl (Kurrelmeyer) Brackett, Sherry (Shepherd) Boatwright, Hugh McClure, Clyde and Betty Windrey, Marjorie Priest, Corrine Starks, Neva South, Stanley Miller, Evelyn Davis, Gerald and Clarice Payne, James Brackett, Betty Metzger, Tammy (Young) Dalton.
FROM WAYNESVILLE: Bonnie (Keeling) Schrimpsher, Robert and Joan (Fulbright) Knight.
OTHER MISSOURI; Darrell and Shrerryl Osborn, Nixa; Vada (Winfrey) Taylor, Marshfield; Ethel (Popejoy) Morland, Strafford; Naomi (Popejoy) Reese, Kirksville; Paul and Jaretta Allee, Jackson; Wayne Winfrey, Marshfield; Alice (Wells) Osborn, Rolla; Bob Barr, Springfield; Katherine (Brown) Swanigan, Jefferson City; Ernie and Mary Carlton, Dixon; Ray and Gayle Hopkins, Wentzville; Merle Gilmore, Nixa; Bill and Betty (Evans) Barr, Lee's Summit; Debra (Ogle) Dowdy, Rolla; Eugene Caudle, Springfield; Glenda ( Brown)Tiller, Lee's Summit; Mildred Johnson, Springfield; Steve Johnson, Centralia; Lillian Jones, Camdenton; Vincelia (Page) Poe, Warsaw and Jack and Nancy Begley, Village of Loch Lloyd.
FROM OUT OF STATE; Floyd and Lael Craddock, Stillwater, Oklahoma; Martin Osborn, Gifford, Illinois; Dean Craddock, Ark City, Ark.; Myra (Moore) Calagrossi, Anaheim, California; Ruby Crossland, Mesquite, Texas; and Howard and Barbara (Kurrelmeyer) Smith, Nebraska.
Corbett Evans (left) points out a face on a picture (see the picture in "From the past" section)
Hugh McClure
Time for school reunions
Several from the Stoutland Class of 58 looks over old high school annuals prior to their 50 year reunion on October 11 at the Stoutland Senior Center basement area. Shown from left: Betty (Pryer) Brieding, Sammie (Goss) Barclay, Norma and Estill Clay.
Shirley (Wagner) Wright and Lucille (Mooney) Garrison visit before the 50th class reunion that Lucille was attending in Stoutland October 11. Some of the group may have been planning to attend the all-school reunion luncheon at the school the next day.
loves her new calling
Winter hours at
"The Rose Cafe":
7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday - Thursday
7 a.m. - 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday
11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Sundays
New item on menu: Pizza!
by Bob Wright
Her kids first thought she was crazy. Now they say they are proud of her. Neva (Young) South is the new proprietor of "The Rose Cafe" in downtown Stoutland which opened May 5.
What would possess the comfortably retired grandmother to think of going into such a daunting business venture? She just says she saw that the equipment was for sale and "temporary insanity" kicked in. She made an offer which was not accepted at first. Later when the price came down, an agreement was reached and the adventure began on April 14. She didn’t tell her kids for six days after that.
"I miss my freedom but now that I have a good staff, I can get some time off," Neva said. She says she really enjoys the regulars that come in and miss them when they can’t come in. The first customer to walk in the door was Frank Logan. Her friend Ilsia Edwards provided the first "dollar bill of profit" for framing.
She credits many friends and relatives with helping her to get started. Some helped clean and paint; others provided flowers and vases for tables and some made aprons for staff use. Some even waited tables and helped with customers to get the business started.
The cafe is open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sundays. Winter hours are shortened on Friday and Saturday until 4 p.m. Specials are prepared daily for breakfast and lunch. Usually there are two specials to choose from on Sundays along with the regular menu, she said.
Current staff includes Sherri Cross (cook), and Jennifer Clemmons (waitress), Della Sage, Fred Hernandez and Crystal Neufelt. Neva says she has been learning to do everything so she can fill in when someone doesn’t show up.
Neva says there were certainly some rough spots when they first opened because they were still learning the business. She is no stranger to the restaurant environment, however. She did lots of cooking for two children and three step children mainly in Ohio and then worked as waitress, assistant manager, floor manager and breakfast manager at businesses in Florida where she lived from 1989 until 2006 when she moved back to her native Stoutland.
"It is sure good to see everybody," she said. "Some were babies when I left and now they are all grown up". Neva is a graduate of Stoutland High School where she attended 12 years.
She says it took awhile to learn how to order supplies and learn what people in the Stoutland area like to eat. Some of the dishes she served in Florida haven’t done as well as good old country dishes that people prefer in the Ozarks. The menu has improved considerably since the opening. They have a new recipe for biscuits which is working out well. Soup and beans and corn bread are always on the menu now. And she was surprised at how popular cakes and pies and cheesecakes have become. It isn’t on the menu yet but they also do root beer and ice cream floats upon request.
"What they like is what I want to fix," she said, "so it works out pretty good".
An often requested item is the "Weldon Burger" named after Weldon Evans, who attends church with Neva at Grace Baptist, Richland. She says Weldon made some suggestions about what to put on it so she named it for him. "It is one of our biggest sellers," she said. The bacon cheeseburger is also a good seller. In the future pizzas will be added.
"Everyone in Stoutland has been so sweet. We have good support from church people on Sunday," she said.
The business is able to accommodate larger groups by reservation by calling 286-3838.
Other features include a kids area with coloring books and crayons, non-smoking and smoking areas, ice machine and a soda machine out front of the business.
During the Memorial Day weekend Neva says she especially enjoyed all the out of state visitors who came to the restaurant. There was a lot of visiting going on, she said.
Estill Clay
Recognize this guy? The now retired but always busy Estill Clay sweeps up a little
in front of the station which he operated for many years. Estill was waiting for another party to come and meet him so he made himself useful. Estill is a wealth of information about Stoutlanders who have lived here the last 50 or so years but is rare indeed that you will catch him like this at the old station.
Picnic Holler"in Stoutland is getting to look more and more like a park and new picnic tables have been added along with the playground equipment.