Nov. 12, 2025: TIMES PAST compiled by Sue Ann Jones
We don't know the facts about this photo of the Gainesville High School cheerleaders singing to a crowd standing on the bleachers in the old school's gym (now the Gainesville post office), but it's thought to have been taken during the singing of the school song in the late 1950s during a school-day assembly rather than at a ballgame since only two young children are pictured.
Ozark County News
Nov. 7, 1883
LOST – On November 6th, at or near the ford of the Big North Fork above Poe's mill, on the road from Gainesville to St. Leger, a silver purse containing $215. One $50 bill and a $10 bill with a corner torn off were among the other bills. I will pay $25 to any person finding and returning the same to me. – John M. Bunn
The Democrat
Nov. 23, 1904
There will be at least 200 bales of cotton baled at Gainesville this year, which is quite an improvement over the last few years. Ozark county is coming to the front, and those who own land here should not fool it away.
Ozark County Times
Nov. 13, 1925
Mr. Atkinson, of Bakersfield, . . . called at the Times office Wednesday and showed us a curiosity. It was an ordinary field mouse except that it was snow white. He captured it under a fodder shock.
Dawt items – There is a cry for cotton pickers now days. Lee Blaylock took a load of cotton bolls to West Plains.
Bakersfield Boomerang
Nov. 7, 1940
Bridges Creak items – Mr. J. L. Ferel left here for the hospital recently to be operated on for apendesitis. [Original spellings used - Ed.]
Elijah items – Everyone around here seems to be building and remodeling their houses.
The 4H club girls had a Weenie Roast down on the creek Sun. Everyone reported a good time.
Ozark County Times
Nov. 10, 1955
Mrs. Maxine Johnson of Gainesville has been appointed director of the 1958 March of Dimes in Ozark County. . . . The annual polio campaign, sole source of funds for the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis, will be conducted January 3-31. Mrs. Johnson will be serving her fourth year as county director.
Nov. 12, 1970
Mr. and Mrs. Dick McClay, operators of Crest Theatre here, told the Times last week that unless attendance picks up, the theatre will have to be closed.
To break even, Mr. McClay said, he would have to take in $50 a show when the theatre is open. It had been open seven days a week with matinees on Saturday and Sunday. Recently the schedule was changed, and the show is now open Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday nights with a matinee on Sunday.
The theatre was remodeled and redecorated, rest rooms, modern heating and air-condition and new RCA project equipment were installed by the McClays before the theatre, which had been closed for several years, was reopened in August.
Nov. 8, 1995
Sean and Cleta Sweeney, owners of the Bellsmith Art Studio in Souder, received the highest award for three-dimensional artwork at the Red River Revel Art Festival. . . . in downtown Shreveport, La. . . . At the festival, the Bellsmith was exhibiting bronze garden sculptures and windbells which are designed and produced at the art studio and foundry in Souder. The Sweeneys have been full-time artists for over 10 years and have many additional years in apprenticeships and art training.