Good things are happening in Cotter; it's a great time to be here!
Cotter Bridge Closed for Repairs
City Council Approves Possible Historic District for Downtown Cotter At their monthly meeting on September 21 the Cotter City Council unanimously approved a Chamber of Commerce-sponsored plan to pursue designation for part of Cotter as a historic district. The plan would be taken up in conjunction with the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program and, if successful, enable listing a variety of Cotter properties on the National Historic Register. This action would provide an excellent way for the community to preserve its colorful history embodied in many early buildings and also offer a way to make them better. The action would not only raise the level of awareness of historic properties, but also afford financial incentives to property owners. For example, development of designated historic properties into income producing endeavors may qualify for up to a 20% tax credit. Other incentives are also available. Listing properties in such manner does not interfere with individual property rights. The process includes a preliminary site visit by members of the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program to determine the feasibility of a historic district and its fundamental borders. Detailed research on each building will be required to write its history and complete the requirements for determining its eligibility. The package of all buildings would be submitted for approval to the state review board. Upon their approval, additional work would be required to complete the National Register nomination process. The final approval is by the National Parks Service who maintains the National Register of Historic Places. In other matters the council heard a report by President Gil Stammer about the meeting earlier in the week with Representative Womack about repair of the old Cotter bridge. The council expressed concern and plans to draw up a resolution expressing support for necessary repairs and disagreement with any efforts to close the historic structure to vehicular traffic. Recent paving expenditures in the downtown area and near the school totaled $51,346. The council approved purchase of a dump truck for $17,000, The city sold an old truck and separate trailer for over $8,000 to help defray the cost. School Fair On October 20th The annual fall festival at the Cotter Elementary School is scheduled for October 20 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The event will be held throughout the elementary building. There will be a variety of fun activities to include games in the classrooms, food, bingo, costume contest, a bake sale and more. For more information call Carol at the elementary school at 435-6655. Old Bank, Waverly Hotel Complex Sold at Auction. At 10 a.m. on September 13 part of Cotter's history temporarily changed hands on the Baxter County Courthouse steps. The property, a large white building on the corner of Second and McLean, was auctioned pursuant to bankruptcy proceedings. The only bidder was the Bank of Yellville. Their representative was attorney Kenneth Smith who bid $94,000. He advised that at this time the bank planned to hold the property for direct resale. A bank spokesman stated the total cost to buy the property, including associated fees, would be $95,714.11. Steak Fry A Tasty Success The Cotter Area Chamber of Commerce annual Steak Fry was held Sept 9, 2000, at the pavilion in the park. Judy Epperson, event chairperson, reported that over 100 people enjoyed a great meal cooked by steak master chefs, Jack Seaman and Ralph McNair. Diners and dancers were entertained by Bobby Carson and the Monkey Run Boys. Cotter Care Crew Hosts Arkansas Arts Council Representative The Care Crew played host to Sally Williams of the Arkansas Arts Council on September 21 at the Spring House. She presented a slide show of outdoor art projects from throughout the country and talked about grant programs. The pictures generated a number of thoughts by members of the audience that were often repeated as "we might do that here." Other business included discussion of the Turkey Trot Parade at Yellville on October 14. Help is needed to obtain specific items to include an old shotgun, wooden keg, skillet, and most importantly help to put the Care Crew float together. Volunteers can report to the City Hall area on October 11th, 12th and 13th after 5 p.m. The float will also appear in the Gassville frontier days parade on October 21. Profit from the recent "Pig-In-A-Poke Barbeque was reported as $904. Other events upcoming include the school fair on October 20. Five volunteers are needed. The Care Crew Bean Dinner is scheduled for November 3 at the Spring House. Chamber Hosts
Representative Womack The Cotter Area Chamber of Commerce meeting September 19 attracted a good crowd to the Spring House, and most came to discuss the future of the old R. M. Ruthven Bridge. The absence of a realistic plan by the Arkansas Highway Department to make long term repairs on the 70-year-old structure has generated fear within the Cotter community that the bridge may be considered too expensive to repair and ultimately closed to vehicular traffic. The Highway Department has bid repairs twice and both times bids have far exceeded available funding. Representative Womack listened to a number of concerns that closing the bridge would be devastating to the economy of Cotter. He was asked to become involved to find out the real status of the bridge and also to help find additional funds to pay for the repairs. He exhibited a good understanding of the problem and assured the audience he would inquire as to more funding from a variety of sources, both state and federal. Gregg Harding, resident engineer from the Ark Highway Dept at Yellville, also attended the meeting. He was very helpful in explaining the nature of major repairs to very old structures. He indicated he would report community concerns back to the Highway Dept. A local news report on radio station KTLO on September 21 included taped comments by Arkansas Highway Commissioner Jonathan Barnett of Siloam Springs who stated the Highway Department had not given up on making the necessary repairs to the Cotter Bridge. He expected the repairs to be re-bid in the near future. Both Representative Womack and Gregg Harding were invited back to the October meeting to continue the discussion. 23 rd Annual Cotter Alumni Reunion Honors Class of '50 About 170 of Cotter's alumni, their families and friends gathered here on September 2. A variety of special attractions enhanced their visit. The Baxter County Historical and Genealogical Society invited all to come for a tour of the newly restored Rollins Hospital in Gassville, now the Rollins Hospital Museum. The Cotter Care Crew's Pig-In-A-Poke Barbeque was held on Saturday at lunchtime at the Spring House, and Open House activities in the downtown were ongoing on both Friday and Saturday. Reunion events included an afternoon meeting
at the old Cotter gym, and a special dinner at the White Sands Restaurant.
The class of 1950 received special honors for their 50th
anniversary.
Open House...Cotter Style A train was picking up passengers, visitors were enjoying food and entertainment, and the downtown streets were filled with people. At times reminiscent of Cotter's heyday, the Cotter Area Chamber of Commerce festival Arts, Antiques and Antiques...A Cotter Open House promoted the downtown area September 1 and 2. Despite the extreme heat, there were conservative estimates that 1000 visitors came back to enjoy Cotter. Many shopped for arts, antiques, collectibles and crafts. Many attended history related lectures, evening music, and skits by the Twin Lakes Playhouse in City Hall. There were special attractions throughout the event, including a boat display in the streets, Civil War re-enactors, two helicopter fly-ins, an outdoor gospel concert, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission mobile aquarium, and special trains from Cotter to Flippin by the White River Scenic Railroad. Everybody enjoyed great food from the Care Crew Barbeque, the Volunteer Fire Department, and street vendors (including Judy Nazarenko's funnel cakes). Promotion of the downtown during the event was effective. Two vacant buildings are in process of being sold and the new owners have commercial plans. The building at 506 Second Street will open as Firehouse Antiques in the near future. The small building formerly known as the McLean Avenue Takeout will re-open as a specialty food shop. Visitors of all ages seemed to have a great time and we hope to provide ample reasons for them to come visit Cotter again.
Back To School Hours:
Art classes with instructor Priscilla Shelby are offered on Monday from 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. for ages 6 - 10 and on Tuesday from 3:30 to 5:00 p.m. forages 11 - 17. Basketball leagues for grades 3 & 4 and 5 & 6 will be on Monday and Thursday nights from 5:30 - 7:30 during the month of October beginning October 9th. Participants will receive team shirts. There will be a $5 per player fee. Parents are invited to join the fun. Haven't you always wanted to be a coach just once! Coach David Martin works with the Cotter 7th grade boys team on Monday and Wednesday from 3:30 - 4:30 and the 7th grade girls team on Tuesday and Thursday from 3:30 - 4:30, sometimes limiting court usage. For more information on Youth Center activities, phone Evelyn Denton, Director, at 435-2850. This newsletter is published monthly and presented as a public service by the City of Cotter. It will focus on organized events and activities. It is edited by Sonny Sharp. Input on any potential articles is actively solicited. Please e-mail material to sonny@thehistorybook.com or drop it by The History Book at 114 McLean, right across from City Hall. You may also use regular mail to Trout Capital News, PO Box 128, Cotter, AR 72626. For further information, call 492-4483 or 435-6757. |
The R. M. Ruthven Bridge was closed by the
Arkansas Highway Department for several weeks on Tuesday, September 26. As
has been reported, the bridge will be closed for two weeks to do repairs on
"pier 2" fixing a particular trouble spot. These repairs are being
done in-house by the Highway Department and are not part of major repair
concerns that have not been met due to department funding shortfalls.
However, no one could take heart from a lead article in the Baxter Bulletin
on September 27 that discussed the current poor condition of the bridge.
That report left no doubt the bridge would be closed for "at
least" two weeks. The bridge will likely continue to be a crucial issue
to Cotter for some time to come.
North
Arkansas Youth Center Activities