Volume 7, Number 11 - Spring 1982
President's Message
Greetings to all members of the White River Valley Historical Society! The Annual meeting in June will end my year as your president and I am pleased to say that it has been an interesting and rewarding one.
I have enjoyed all of the duties connected with the position. I have also become aware of how much work is involved in keeping the Society functioning smoothly. The credit for the trouble-free operation must go to the excellent staff, the secretary/treasurer/editor and all of the elected and appointed officers. But we also need the support and cooperation of all the membership and I am sure we can count on everyone to do what they can.
This is a democratic society, one in which everyone should share in the decisions. Your president would not want to change that in any way. But sometimes a question or situation arises that has to be taken care of before the next meeting so the Executive Committee feels obligated to make a decision.
One such issue arose right after our March meeting. We were invited by the Taney County Center Committee to participate in their celebration on May 15, the purpose being to raise funds for the proposed Taney County Center. The White River Valley Historical Society was to have a booth where they could sell surplus quarterlies and donated books, then contribute any amount of our choice to their building fund. After considerable discussion, your Executive Committee decided to participate and trust it was the proper decision and best for the Society.
I finish this year’s term with thanks for your support and the privilege of serving as your president.
Fred Hartman
WRVHS Historical Essay Contest
The endeavors of the Historical Essay Writing Contest, recently sponsored by the society, were made known to the members and guests attending the March 14 meeting of the group.
All three winners were in attendance and each read their winning paper. President Hartman awarded the students their checks: 1st - $15.00, 2nd - $10.00, and 3rd - $15.00.
First place was given to Sherri Sanders, who wrote "The History of Cross Roads, Missouri." Second place was won by Neil Frost, who wrote "The Bodenhammer Homestead." Both these students are in Mrs. Betty Nicholson’s eleventh grade American Folklore Class at Glendale High School in Springfield. third place winner was Cathy Cooper, a tenth grade student of Mrs. Kristen Morrow’s Local History Class at Forsyth High School, who wrote "The School of the Ozarks: Beginnings." Sherri’ s essay is found elsewhere in this issue and others will be published later.
Dr. Bob Hendrickson, Chairman of the English Department at The School of the Ozarks, served as Judge. He wrote that he appreciated the efforts of the writers and the materials that were collected and selected the winners on the following criteria:
1. Originality of research - presenting materials that is not commonly known or readily available.
2. The use of documentation appropriate for any historical research.
3. A writing style appropriate for the task and subject, including organization
development, and mechanics.
Dr. Hendrickson commented that all papers were interesting and well done. In discussion with the teachers of the students, both of whom were present, felt that the contest was very worthwhile and would like to see it continued. Both teachers had made the essays a class assignment. In addition to the two schools mentioned previously, Nixa High School and Monett High School also participated.
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