Prose: Nonfiction
Sample Student Writings
JamesHollister High School9th GradeTeacher: Mrs. Roberts
Ozark Mountain Music
Some of the first performers in the Ozarks are the Baldknobbers. They rented a room downstairs of the Taney Hills Library two nights a week. When their fans started filling the room they moved upstairs and had shows more than two nights a week. Pretty soon, they moved to highway 76 and perform nightly except for Sundays. Their keyboard player, my father, Howard Hale married a lovely young girl named Debby Pettett in 1978 on the stage. The Baldknobbers' owners soon retired from the stage and left it to the next generation. Now they even have third generations performing on stage.
Now the Branson community has over 3,706 people actually living in the city, and it is the country music capital of the world. The Baldknobbers with their one room under the library and 5o folding chairs started it all.
But before all this, in 1969, when the Beverly Hillbillies filmed segments of their show at Silver Dollar City, the Baldknobbers were singing and playing with other bands during the day, then at night they would perform at their theater. So the y are pretty much the backbone of the Ozarks.
Another music group is the Presley's Mountain Music Jubilee, who were the first to build a theater on highway 76, one year before the Baldknobbers. Before they had their theater they performed in a cave near Kimberling City. Lloyd and his son Gary bought a farm west of Branson and built a theater to see if they could draw attention. They had 363 folding chairs. Their quote was, "We don't intend on putting up all these chairs if we don't think someone will be sitting in them." But before the Baldknobbers and Presley's, there was the great Silver Dollar City and Shepherd of the Hills.
Silver Dollar City is an amusement park were you can go on rides or go and shop and even go and sit at the cabins and listen to some good old Ozark Mountain music from the Homestead Pickers. Danny Eakin, one of the friends of the community, plays and sings with them. As far as I am concerned, he is one of the best musicians the Ozarks has. He and my dad put together a bass tub for me to perform with them at a fund raiser for Project Taney at the Baldknobbers Theater March 23, 1999. . . . The tub is one of our early instruments that people that move here might not know about, and without such people as Howard and Danny, we might lose all sorts of kinds of music. So whenever you have the chance to learn about stuff like this take it.
Another one of the first places in the Ozarks is the Shepherd of the Hills. It sets on top of a hill west of Dewey Bald. From early spring to late October, the Homestead introduces visitors to the old J.K. Ross cabin and farm and via an outdoor play, which the Baldknobbers used to play for.
In 1977 to 1980 the Baldknobbers and four other theaters were the only ones during this time. The shows worked together so Missouri and the surrounding states would know that the Ozarks was a good place to come for lively, family-oriented country music entertainment. They became active in community affairs and joined the Branson Chamber of Commerce to promote their shows.
In 1981, the Hee-Haw Theater opened with a house band and several stars from the Hee-Haw television show: Archie Campbell, Buck Trent, and Lulu Roman were guests on the show and lived in the Ozarks parts of each year. Perhaps the show featuring well-known entertainers was ahead of its time, at any rate, the show did not take hold and so it closed in 1983.
One of the new shows in 1981 was the Wilkenson Brothers who built their own theater. The show features a band composed of Larry and Gary Wilkenson and other local musicians.They sang and played popular country music for their time. In 18=986 the Wilkensons sold their theater to Box Car Willie. As Branson and the lakes area gained national attention for drawing to its stages large numbers of the nation's most popular and enduring country and western stars. Now our area has over 80 theaters. But it all started with one.
Sources: Howard Hale, Debby Hale, books from school, computer, internet, Baldknobbers WEB page
AshleyHollister High School9th GradeTeacher: Mrs. Roberts
Geography
"For this project, I chose to interview a gentleman, who through his organization has made a powerful impact on the surrounding areas and upon my life. Therefore, I have many thanks to some very special people. First Miss Becky Gerhart and second to Mr. Larry Long, Executive Director. The following is the interview I conducted with Mr. Long. This interview is in question and answer format. The initials will indicate who is speaking. LL is for Larry Long and AT is for myself."
One Man is Helping Make a Community Grow
AT: What inspired you to bring the Boys and Girls Club to this area?
LL: I'm from this area. There was really nothing for kids to do here.
AT: In your opinion, will this organization add value to the Ozarks history?
LL: Yes. Kids here will learn and become productive citizens.
AT: I understand that Brad Pitt and Denzel Washington were members of Boys and Girls Club when they were young. Is the organization helped by having celebrities promote it?
LL: Sure, they're good role models for the kids.
AT: If the club ever closed, in your opinion, how would the parents react?
LL: They'd be very upset.
AT: Has the organization helped our economy in this area?
LL: With 26 people working for us, it has helped out a lot of families.
AT: In your opinion, would there be more gang related incidents in Branson and the surrounding areas if the club wasn't here?
LL: Sure, because we keep a lot of teenagers busy.
AT: In your experience, have you ever seen club members turn into staff members?
LL: Yes, people like Joe West, Jeff, Gen, Justin, and Larri (Lori) Long.
AT: Is the program known as "Youth of the Year" of more benefit to the club or the club members?
LL: It could be for both if it inspires other members to apply themselves and excel.
AT: What has been your greatest contribution to the club program since moving to Branson?
LL: Number one being able to serve 1800 kids, and number two raising money to do that.
AT: Would you bring your grandchildren to the Boys and Girls Club in the new millennium?
LL: Sure, it's a good social experience and a great way to meet kids from other backgrounds.
JanessaHollister High School10th GradeTeacher: Mrs. Roberts
"The reason for writing my essay was to show how lucky our county is to live in such a place where you feel safe. By comparing my school to other schools I have gone to may help someone get a better idea of exactly how fortunate we are."
I have lived in the Ozarks for about 16 years. Not in one specific area, but all over the Ozarks, moving from place to place. All of the areas are unique in their own way, but the area I live in now is most definitely the most unique and interesting place I've lived in yet. It is an area of "Ozark Mountains," many lakes, all kinds of multicultural people and ideas. It is an area of theme parks, theaters, malls, family shows, and all sorts of entertainment.
This area is a great place for families and friends to spend their vacation. Where they can come and relax and enjoy the atmosphere. It is unique to the Ozarks because of the extreme variety it brings. There are so many ideas, traditions, and ways of life expressed throughout the area. People come here from all over to enjoy the family fun.
This area is not only a great area to spend your vacation, but a wonderful place to live as well. The teachers in the schools here are great. They are so friendly and give you hope fro your future. They know you on a personal basis instead of knowing you as "just another student." They are all so understanding and adjust to the students' individual needs. When they pass you in the halls, they say, "Hello," calling you by your name. This is definitely a more laid-back, friendly atmosphere than what I was used to from living in other areas.
Getting a job here is so much easier than a lot of places. Not only is it easier, but you also have more of a variety to choose from, so you get to do something that you enjoy instead of something that you "just have to do." The pay is a lot better because of the demand for employees. It's very interesting to meet so many different people from all around the world while you are at work.
For teenagers, it is a good place to live, because it is a good way to keep us out of trouble. All of the go cart places, batting cages, shows, amusement parks, malls, jobs, and school events keeps us out of trouble. These things keep us from doing things we shouldn't be doing. We are all so busy doing positive things that we don't have time to think about doing negative things. I have honestly seen less violence and drugs in the schools and in this area than the areas I've lived in in the past.
I have never seen such a family-oriented community. The people in this area are also very proud of America and they express that a lot in many different ways. This community is very positive. Of course, it has its down sides, such as all of that traffic, but all of the positives cancel out the negatives. If you haven't guessed, the place I have been describing is the Branson, Missouri (area). It is most definitely the best place to live!
TashaForsyth Middle School8th Grade Teacher: Mrs. Whetstone
"My name is Tasha and I am 14 years old. I have an older sister. Her name is Audrey, and she is special to me. I was born in Moore, Oklahoma. We moved here in the Fall of 1992 and started attending Forsyth Elementary School. I enjoy being outside, being with my friends, listening to music, jumping on the trampoline, taking walks by the stream in my yard, and spending time with my mom.
"The theme of this project was "This Community: Voices of Our Youth," so I started doing research on the community of Forsyth, and it really interested me. I wanted to know more. As I researched the history of Forsyth, I noticed that of the families who resided here as children grew up, they helped build this community, an d it has gone on for generations. . . . I started my research by interviewing my stepdad's father, reading some very interesting facts in books, and talking to a local police officer. I think Forsyth is a very interesting community and is a nice, small, quiet, peaceful place to live."
The town of Forsyth was named after a man by the name of John Forsyth. In the late 1800s the population of Forsyth was around 10,127 people.
Missouri became a state on August 10, 1821 and was added to the maps as a state.
In 1837, John Hancock established a Post Office by the old Trading Post. John Hancock registered the Post Office as Forsyth after his good friend John Forsyth. At that time the Forsyth Post Office was the only Post Office from Springfield, Missouri to Carrollton, Arkansas.
The community of Forsyth finally became a town in 1890. At that time the 7th Courthouse was in the process of being built.
In the 1800s . . . slaves were used in Forsyth and surrounding communities by the farmers on their farm land. Slaves were also used by the farmer's wives to do work around the house, babysit, and cook the meals.
In 1906 the railroad finished the railroad tracks to transport things to Branson and Hollister. (Items transported) from the town of Forsyth (went by boat to the railroad.) Some of these items were food, mail, and other items of necessity.
In 1911 the construction started on the Powersite Dam. The Powersite Dam has a 546 foot wide spillway, a 70 foot face and creates the 22 mile long Lake Taneycomo.
In 1913 two different things were happening in the town and surrounding communities. One was the Grand Opening of the Powersite Dam, the other being that Forsyth was adding a jail house and construction was underway. To this very day the old jail house and old Courthouse (foundation) are still visible from the main highway and are located in what is now known as Shadow Rock Park.
In 1914, the township of Forsyth was constructing a school.
In 1915, the school burned down and had to be rebuilt.
In 1947, the United States Corps of Engineers announced plans to build Bull Shoals Dam. The dam would control the floods of the White River. Since the town of Forsyth was located on the flood plain, the Federal officials offered the city fathers two options: To relocate the town of Forsyth and accepting reimbursement to rebuild everything or that the town of Forsyth would cease to exist. The city fathers in 1950 decided to relocate the town to where it is located now. The current town of Forsyth was built on what was a golf course. When the town was relocated and the school was built, it was built where we are attending school now. This was done in the late 1950s or early 1960s.
In 1953, the construction on the bottom story of the current courthouse began. In 1990 they finished the construction of the top story of the courthouse.
In the late 1930s the College we now know as The College of the Ozarks was moved out of Forsyth and moved to where it is now in Hollister. Rocks from the old courthouse were taken to the college to be used.
When Forsyth was relocated the first store built was Wolf's Drug Store. Where the Longhorn Restaurant is located now there was a cafe named Paul Paskies' Cafe. All the buildings located on highway 160 (where Powell's, Fox & Turtle, etc.) are located were built by a man named Manford Pierce. Downtown where Evan's Title Company is located used to be the old Bank of Taney County. From the Bank of Taney County it became Boatman's Bank and moved to the corner of Hwy. 160 and Main. In 1998 the Boatman's Bank sold and became Nation's Bank. Early in 1999 Nation's Bank sold and will become Bank of America.
Up on Skyline Hills road where Wyatt's cabinet shop is now located used to be the old Forsyth school shop. The red brick house that is located next to Wyatt's was built out of the bricks from the school shop.
In late1994 and early 1995, Forsyth implemented the 911 emergency system. Also in 1995, Forsyth added a new convenience store named Prime Time located on hwy. 160 and owned by Steve Woods. In late 1995 and early 1996, construction started on the new City Hall located on Hwy. 160 next to Glen's Supermarket. The new City Hall also houses the City of Forsyth Volunteer Fire Department. The new City Hall was finished in the fall of 1997.
In 1997, Forsyth started construction of a new restaurant McDonald's which finally opened in late 1997 or early 1998.
We all are a big part of the town of Forsyth becoming what it is today and what it started out as, many years ago. Each person is involved in the development and structure of the town we live in called Forsyth.
RachelForsyth Middle School8th GradeTeacher: Mrs. Whetstone
Spring in the Ozarks
In less than a day, beautiful, vibrant colors of spring in the Ozarks explode into an enchanting palace all around me. I have lived in the Ozark hills my entire life, more than fourteen years, and I thought I had seen everything, but I am amazed by the most ordinary things around me.
As I walk along the pebble-free path built by little critters skittering along to find food for their empty bellies, I see precious little pink flowers popping up one day then gone the next. As I glance around, I see hundreds upon hundreds of dogwood flowers. They look like tiny little pieces of popcorn scattered along the horizon.
I make my way along the path and not but five minutes into my pleasure walk I stop abruptly to see a thin mother turkey leading her young across the path. She pauses for just a moment to let a slacking youngster catch up to speed and then she hurriedly makes her was along. Astonished by what I see i find a moss-covered rock lying beside the trickling creek which makes sweet music for all to hear. I stop and try to take in the wonders of nature that I often take for granted. Sitting on the rock i look around to see what's near me. A towering oak tree that has been here longer than anyone I know, all of its little acorn spouts planted by a forgetful squirrel that is stowing them away for the harsh winter. Then up in the sky, a menacing red-winged hawk is scouring overhead for its next meal. An impulsive blue tailed skink (lizard) scampers up a huge sycamore nearby. An over zealous leopard frog takes advantage of its surroundings by leaping into a still pool, making no more than a dimple in the water.
The fresh budding leaves of spring are useless for shade below the unforgiving sun, but thankfully a cool breeze sweeps overhead. Eager to see more, I slowly meander along just in time to see an inquisitive little fox prance through the woods hot on the trail of a cottontail rabbit. Waiting around to see what happens, I am lured away by a colorful array of mushrooms practically submerged in fallen leaves. I ponder the idea of sampling a mushroom, but I quickly remind myself not to. My attention is then diverted to see a white-tailed deer noisily nibbling on some acorns left by a forgetful squirrel. As I watch silently, desperately trying not to breathe too loudly, the deer, as well as I, are startled by a barking squirrel that is scolding my presence. This rude interruption temporarily silences the chorus composed of the ringing all of the black-capped chickadee along with t he gentile hum of a song sparrow. This attracts the deer's attention toward me and sends him into a panic. He swiftly dashes off into the ever thickening underbrush. Disappointed, I find a crumbling log to rest on. Just before I sit down, I almost miss a fat ole' caterpillar munching on the leaves of a Virginia creeper that nearly dominates the log. Then suddenly a light spring mist comes showering overhead that quickly turns into a full-fledged downpour. Running up the path, I see the squirrel skipping through the treetops and a butterfly that is perched on a flower, along with some bees. They are all desperately fleeing to shelter in this temporary downpour.
I run into my house, upset to be practically drenched. The rain suddenly stops. I look out of the window and see the sun shining and I see a full rainbow. In awe, I realize that nature never ceases to amaze me.
MelanieForsyth Middle School8th GradeTeacher: Mrs. Waters
The History of White River Valley Electric Cooperative
In the late 1930s farm life, work, and severe weather conditions plus the failing economy in Taney County made it necessary for an electric co-op to be started. Most of the farmers at that time were familiar with co-op creameries and grain elevators to accomplish what no one could do alone.
When the idea of a rural electric company through cooperatives reached Taney County, most farm families understood using cooperatives to meet their supply or marketing needs, but not an electric co-op. Fear of the unknown made farmers think twice about going to something like electricity, but in spite of that the co-op idea in partnership with REA (rural Electrification Administration) became the force that carried rural Taney County out of darkness.
Just a few people who saw the potential spread the word.They worked without pay and went from farm to farm to convince them that it would be worth the effort to get electric on a co-op plan. Once the word got out that there was going to be an REA co-op organized, the first meeting drew a large crowd. At this meeting REA had a representative who drew lines on a county map showing people how and where the electricity would come from. Not everyone was in favor because it meant going into debt to the government, there also was a five dollar membership fee, which at that time was a lot of money.
The ones in charge of signing up new members found it better to have the farmers' wives present when they spoke about having electricity. They told her about lights to help the children study, and when they talked up an electric refrigerator the wife would often sign up before the husband was finished arguing.
After they felt they had enough members the next task was to get the right-of-way through farm lands to build the lines; REA did not have any funds to purchase them. They had to get each and every land owner to sign easements to cross the property. This was very hard because farmers had to be persuaded to put up five dollars and to sign up, and now they were being asked to give up a strip of their land.
By 1939, there were enough members to start construction of the lines. First came two men with a tape, a lot of stakes , and some paint. These men surveyed the area, painted some numbers on the stakes, and drove them into the ground. Then another truck cam e with a load of poles and dropped one at each stake. The next truck to come along had all the hardware and transformers. Then came then men who would dig the holes and set the poles, after that a truck with wire would come through with a group of linemen, attaching the wire and hanging the transformers and service lines to complete the job. This type of construction is still used today.
Under the guidelines established by REA, the White River Valley Cooperative was incorporated on February 10, 1939. By 1940, the Cooperative had built 195 miles of energized line with a total of 505 services and 4 employees. Frank Dawes was the general manager. Today, White River Valley Cooperative has about 4,400 miles of energized line, serves more than 38,000 meters and has 126 employees and Chris Hamons is the current general manager. Its territory covers five counties in Southwest Missouri: Christian, Douglas, Ozark, Stone, and Taney. It is one of 41 distribution cooperatives in Missouri's electric cooperative network.
While electricity remains its primary concern, the co-op strives to meet the needs of its members. White River has a variety of programs, including operation round-up which has collected and distributed more than $730,000 in assistance to area families, community based organizations and local college students.
This is just one part of Taney County's long history.
Sources: Julie Clifford, PR Dept. White River Valley Cooperative; The Next Greatest Thing, 50 Years of Rural Electrification, White River Valley Cooperative News Release
KirkForsyth Middle School7th GradeTeacher: Mrs. Whetstone
"My name is Kirk and I am 13 years of age. I have lived in Forsyth for 5 years and enjoy most sports, excluding golf. I feel that this (subject of editorial) is a severe problem and is most likely going to become worse before it is corrected."
Clear As Mud
Here in Forsyth and the surrounding towns, there is a growing epidemic. Water pollution. Brochures advertising the crystal clear waters and great fishing of the Tri-Lakes area are becoming more and more fiction with the passing of each garbage day. Truthfully, the water in our lakes and streams is littered with tin cans, soiled socks, household cleaner bottles, and occasional car parts. People who have lived here longer times than others seem barely able to recollect how it once was. Fish, animals, and people using the waterways for fun seem most affected. I know from experience.
For instance, I was fishing on the bank of a slow-moving creek and my line got caught up in some large rocks beneath the surface. I couldn't quite pinpoint my lure's exact location, but I knew the vicinity. The lure was one of my favorites, so I wanted to find it. As I prepared to wade in and locate it, I tried to find a place to sit and remove my shoes. I looked to the right and then to the left but found no place to sit due to the collection of cans and bottles. I eventually resolved to stand and take off my shoes. On my way toward the boulders, I was halted by a sharp, throbbing pain in my left foot. I looked down and saw none other than the shards of a "Samuel Adams" underneath my feet. This made me very aware of the problem.
Therefore, I think the residents of Taney County should be more careful with their trash and stop casually throwing their wastes into our lakes and streams. If this happens, the water will immediately be in better shape and the only thing left will be to clean up the already existing garbage.
There are some minor setbacks though, such as a fuller landfill and more trouble for people to take their trash back home. Most of the trash I see could be recycled and I feel that taking trash to a landfill is much better than polluted water.
So, I am inviting the people of this community to help keep our lakes and streams clean. Let the brochures tell the truth. Take a garbage bag when you go fishing and put your bottles and cans in that, not on the banks of some creek.
LauraForsyth Middle School8th GradeTeacher: Mrs. Whetstone
"I picked Spike White and Kanakuk because I thought that it was an interesting topic. I have always kind of wanted to go to Kanakuk because I had never gone to a camp and I wanted to know about how a camp's run and what kind of activities are inside of a camp. I learned how the camp worked and how they treat people, and for that reason I thought that Kanakuk an d Mr. White are a great inspiration to Taney County."
My Interview with Spike White
When I found out that I would be meeting Spike White, I have to admit I was a little nervous. But to my surprise, he was a very funny, well-mannered man who made me feel extremely comfortable. When we pulled up to the K-1 gate at Kamp Kanakuk, a man got out of his truck. The very first thing I noticed was his big sparkling blue eyes that looked like they had witnessed a lot of happy times. Another thing I noticed was he had gray, curly hair. Something else was his sun-tanned skin, it looked like it had formed over many summers of sun exposure. A further thing I noticed was that as soon as he saw me, he knew my name. He is a very busy man preparing for 14,000 kids, but he still was thoughtful enough to greet me by my first name.
For sixty-nine summers he has rushed to complete construction for Kamp's opening. Matter of fact, one of the comments that he made to me was,"We'll have to hurry to make it just like we always do." An additional thing that I noticed was his athletic build. He looked like he was in good shape, and ready for anything.
We started out the interview by him telling me a bit about his life. I found out that Spike White was born and raised in Amarillo, Texas. I also discovered that he moved to Missouri in the 1930s. The very beginning of Kanakuk Kamps was a dormitory that they rented on the campus of College of the Ozarks ( School of the Ozarks then). It was a girls' camp called Kickapoo, and it later moved to Bee Creek. The camp was later acquired by a coach from Tulsa named Bill Lantz. He changed the camp to a boys' and girls' camp and made up all kinds of games. Since Spike's mother had her master's degree in nutrition, Mr. Lantz asked her to come to Kanakuk to plan the meals and to play the piano. Spike went down to Kanakuk as a camper
Spike went on to tell me that the whole mission of Kamp Kanakuk was to reach more kids for Christ. He also told me about an incredible program they have. He told me they bring a group of kids down from the cities who have never seen a tree or heard of God, and they get to attend Kamp Kanakuk for a couple of weeks.
Kanakuk has many different programs for different ages, and different activities. Right now, they're are constructing an eighth camp, called K-8. Some of the camps that they have are: K-1 (ages 8-13) and K-2 (ages 13-18). Some of the two week camps are K-Kountry(ages 7-11), K-1 (ages 11-12), K-West (ages 12-14), K-2 (ages 15-18). They also have two other camps, K-7 and K-Extreme (ages 13-18). In all of these camps, they concentrate mainly on the sport of their choice and many sports like it.
In the years that Spike White has been here, he has witnessed all kinds of changes. One of the major changes that he has witnessed in the area is the roads and highways. When he first moved here, he used to run out to Marvel Cave, and they could run right down the middle of highway 76 and not worry about a car coming. Spike said that they used to see only about 3 or 4 cars a day.
He took me to the old main road to Branson from Kanakuk, and the road was a tiny little dirt road that the truck would barely fit on! It used to be East Highway 76!
Mr. Spike White also took me on a tour of K-1 and a little of K-2. It was amazing; everywhere that I looked there was a basketball goal or a tennis court or a football field,even a soccer field. They had all kinds of neat swimming pools and lakes. They had low diving boards, medium diving boards, high diving boards, and even higher diving boards! It was a sports paradise. I am an athlete myself. I love to play any sport there is, and Kamp Kanakuk was like a dream camp to me.
I have lived in Taney County my whole life, and I think that Kamp Kanakuk is a great place for all kids and an inspiration to the whole community. They take kids in that have maybe never experienced love, and they show those kids unconditional love. They judge nobody, and when you are at that camp, you are all equal and treated and loved the same, and in that way I think that Kamp Kanakuk, and Spike White and all the rest of those who work at Kamp Kanakuk are one of the greatest assets of this community. I believe that they are all one reason that Taney County is as strong as it is now.
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