Ceremony to Mark Start of Cotter’s Centennial at Great Cotter Trout Festival, April 30
    On Friday, April 30, Cotter’s 100^th birthday celebration will begin when Mayor Bill Jennings reads a proclamation officially marking the start of a summer of celebration. The 4 p.m. ceremony, which is being sponsored by the Saturday Club of Cotter, will include music by the Cotter High School Band and Choir.
     The three living former Mayors of Cotter - Lewis Dennis, Rex Bayless, and J. D. Pratt - have been invited as special guests, and each will speak about the highlights of their terms as Mayor of Cotter.
     Winners of the Centennial Essay and Arts contests will be introduced. Entry forms and rules have been delivered to the school, and we hope all the kids participate.

 World Championship Shore Lunch Cookoff
From John Berry
      At 5 p.m. the first of two new events will begin. The World Championship Shore Lunch Cookoff, the only one of its kind, is to determine who cooks the best shore lunch on the WhiteRiver. Local fishing guides will be battling each other for bragging rights to the

 title, as well as monetary prizes of $100 for first place, $50 for second place, and $25 for third place.
         The shore lunch is a time-honored tradition in our area. Guides stop at noon and prepare a shore lunch for their clients featuring the fish caught that morning. Trout, potatoes and hush puppies are cooked over an open fire on the riverbank. The World Championship Shore Lunch Cookoff is a celebration of this tradition.
     There will be a $25 entry fee and fish will be provided.  
     For an application, a copy of the rules and regulations, or further information, call John Berry at (870) 435-2169 or write berrybrothers@infodash.com.

 Shore Lunch Fish Fry
     Anyone watching the contest who is overcome by the aroma and sight of the fish frying can enjoy this special treat by attending the Shore Lunch Fish Fry, which will be held at the same time. Rim Shoals personnel will be the cooks again this year. Be there early to ensure that you get your dinner – the last two years have been a sell-out! R. V. Armstrong and the Broken Spoke Band will entertain ‘til 9 p.m.

Saturday, May 1
Trout Seminars, Fly Tying, Kids Fishing
     Wanna learn to fly fish? Fly fish from a boat? Make a long cast? Saturday’s your chance!
     One of the highlights of the Festival has always been the trout seminar series, which this year will be held near the gazebo.

10:00 am    Lori Sloas    Getting Started

11:00 am   John Berry    Fishing From A Boat

12:00         Dan Berry      The Long Cast

1:00 pm     Duane Hada   TBA

      If you’re 15 or younger, the Rod and Reel Club will be there to show you the best spot to catch one of the 400 trout stocked by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission.

     The Mid South and North Arkansas Fly Fishers will be in the Spring House to show you the art of fly tying and teach you to do your own. Members of both clubs will also be helping visitors learn all about fly fishing by giving demonstrations and lessons. These three fishing clubs are integral to the success of our Great Cotter Trout Festival.

Antique and Collectable Fishing Tackle Show, Appraisal and
Swap Meet
     Another new event at the Festival this year will be an “Antiques Roadshow” for fishing equipment. Several area experts will on hand to tell you what your items are worth. If you’d like to pick up something special, check the Swap Meet tables. If you’re a collector, there’ll surely be something you can’t resist!

Proposed Options for Street Department Equipment
From Chuck Flowers,
Councilman, Ward 2 Position 2
Street Department Chairman

     The time has come to do something about the condition of the streets and ditches of Cotter. As the Council members and Mayor have been advised by a concerned citizen, he/she is appalled at what the storm the night of Thursday, March 4, did to the streets and the impression made on anyone coming to the Supreme Boat Tournament on March 6.
     The street department worked Friday, March 5, doing as much as possible and then resumed on Monday morning finishing up. They did not work Saturday or Sunday as that would have been on overtime pay rate and there were no hazardous conditions. They did not clean Harding because that is a state highway and they are not responsible for it and are not authorized to work on state property.
     Spring has sprung and the weather will now permit street work.
     Cotter does not have the equipment necessary for proper street maintenance. If we are going to do something about the conditions of the streets and ditches, we are going to have to acquire that equipment. We have sold the Dodge truck with the snow plow (worn out to the extent that it was not economically feasible to try and keep it running). It broke down in the early evening when starting to clear the streets during the last snow storm. The only thing we have now

to move snow is the dump truck. The plow on the front is in a fixed position and cannot be moved, so when it is used and your vehicle is parked on the street, you have to shovel the snow away before you can get out.  We may not have another snow storm this year, but what about next winter? I for one do not enjoy shoveling snow, but I am also not going to criticize the street department for doing the best possible job with the lack of equipment that they have. We need to plan ahead on what we are going to do about equipment - and then do it. Don’t wait until after the need arises (a foot of snow and no way to move it) and then try to acquire the equipment we need.
     City Council and the citizens of Cotter need to let the street department know which direction they want us to follow on maintaining the streets. We are offering the following three proposals for equipment and you need to give us some idea of which way you wish for us to proceed, and then let us do it. 

1. Sell the Ford Pickup (about 140,000 miles)
    and buy new 4x4 1/2 ton.       $16,000.00
    We estimate that the Ford will
    bring about $2000.00
    Buy small used Road Grader $10.000.00

2. Buy used 3/4 ton 4x4 for
   snow plow.                             $15.000.00

3. Buy small road grader            $10.000.00
    Next year replace Ford pickup

     Both the Ford pickup and the dump truck are old enough and have enough miles on them that they are prime candidates for major repair problems in the near future.

Buy a Phone Card, Get Cheap Rates,  Support Cotter Musicians

     For $10 you can chat with friends in distant places for up to 250 minutes -- just 4¢ a minute -- and support the Cotter High School music programs.
     John Devos, band director, says it’s been tested and, as long as you’re not calling from a pay phone, it comes out at 4¢ a minute every time. (If you use it from a pay phone, there’s a 50¢ connection fee.) No matter where you go, no matter what time it is, it’s still 4¢. The band gets 50% of the profit from the cards.
     To get your cards, call Cotter High School at 435-6323 and leave a message for Mr. Devos that you’d like to buy the card. Don’t forget to leave your name and phone number. You can also go to the music building at the school and order a card. A student will deliver them to you in a few days.
     Here’s something to add to your calendar. The Spring Band and Choir Concert will be held in the Elementary School Cafeteria on May 17 at 6:30 p.m. Be there and clap big for these hard-working, talented kids. They deserve our support, so let’s let them know how much we appreciate all their hard work. Just one more thing for Cotter to be proud of!

Coming Events in Cotter

      Spring has come to Cotter, and it’s time again for the Spring City Wide Yard Sale.  Get together all that good stuff you’ve been saving, clean out your closets, and make some money. Your junk is just what someone else is looking for! Join the party on April 3.
     Also on April 3 be sure you visit Annie’s Books and Collectibles, a new shop opening in the cute little building at 125 McLean. After the Grand Opening ribbon cutting there at 10 a.m., drive up to Hopkinswoode, Cotter’s newest restored inn at 914 Combs, for their Grand Opening. It’s the late Katherine Hopkins Pitman’s home, and you won’t believe the view! And watch for Riverbend Trading’s Grand Opening later this month.
     Saturday, April 10, at 9 a.m., be at Big Spring Park to welcome the Bunny to the Easter Egg Hunt. The kids couldn’t be cuter and the candy couldn’t be stickier!
     Large item trash pickup, while not as much fun as an egg hunt, is surely necessary. Our next one will be April 12.
     Flippin is planning to welcome 5,000 Ranger Boat dealers and fans on April 23-24. Give them a big smile when you see them shopping in the Trout Capital, USA.
     To top it all off, the Great Cotter Trout Festival on April 30 and May 1. Have a great time in our great town!

Mayor’s Minute

      Exciting things just keep happening in our home town! 
     Starting April 5^th, 2004, we will have an animal control program up and running! The City is contracting with a young man from the Pyatt area to make unscheduled patrols of the city to enforce our animal control ordinance.  He will be picking up both cats and dogs that are at large on public property.  They will be taken to his property and held in pens for a maximum of 14 days.  Owners can retrieve their pets by paying a daily boarding fee, and reimbursing the city for any money paid for the services.  Also, proof of a City license issued for the pet must be shown before the animal will be released to the owner.  An animal wearing a collar with a City license attached will be returned to the owner the first time with the warning that the animal will be picked up the next time it is found at large.  This is a “no-kill” operation, with the animals adopted out if not claimed in the 14 days.  The young man will be wearing a jacket with “ANIMAL CONTROL” on it.  He will be working under the direct supervision of Police Chief Jack Burkhart.  Several years ago, we had a similar program that

proved very successful and in about three months had the situation under control.
       Cotter has been known for the Big Spring for many years.  In the early Fifties, in an effort to make the spring more attractive to spawning trout, a ditch was dug parallel to the river for approximately 2500 feet.  For whatever reason, most of the fish chose to ignore the effort.  Now the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission is actively developing the area into a limited access fishery.  They are in the process of evaluating the condition of the area, in order to provide the required habitat improvement that will hold the largest number of fish.  Special regulations will allow catch and release fishing by youngsters under 16 until the water warms, when the regulations will allow limited harvesting.  If economically feasible, cold water will be added to allow year around trout fishing.  If not, catfish can be stocked for warm weather fishing.  It will be another great thing for the large number of people enjoying our Big Spring Park.
     Congratulations are certainly in order to the Fire Department Auxiliary for the highly successful Chili Supper and Auction.  I understand that money is still coming in, and that over $5,000 has been raised so far. Thanks Folks, all your hard work in greatly appreciated.

Bridge Status Report

      A packed house at the White Sands Restaurant for the March 16th breakfast meeting of the Cotter Area Chamber of Commerce heard the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Dept (AHTD) and Hardy Construction describe the Cotter bridge project and plan for completion.
     Resident engineer John James, AHTD, outlined the timeframe for construction from the work order issued on Feb 25, 2002, to the present. The total contract award was $6.2 million with $4.9 million expended to date. Two hundred working days were included in the contract with time not counted during the winter months from mid Dec thru mid March. Load levels for the new bridge are being studied and will be announced in the near future.
     Philip Caves, Bridge Foreman, Hardy Construction, gave a detailed description of the work that has been done and work that remains. He explained this job has been the most challenging of his 35 year career. Safety has been a prominent consideration working 60 feet above the water. Innovative techniques such as a rolling scaffold have been developed to meet production and safety needs.
     Caves announced that the bridge should be completed by the end of June. Preliminary discussions have begun regarding re-dedication planning.

Nearly and Newly
From Janet Latham

We welcome the Cliff Lilly family on Valley Airport Place to the Cotter area. 

And two newborn citizens of Cotter: 

Ethan Jack Dearmore is welcomed by his parents, Mr and Mrs Grant Dearmore and brother Hunter. 

Elijah Carson Cooke is welcomed by his parents, Mr and Mrs Sonny Cooke and brother William.   

Cotter License Plates On Sale
From Janet Latham

     Business woman, Iva Duggins, owner of Firehouse Antiques in Cotter and Audra Messick of Mountain Home admire the new license plate that the Cotter Chamber of Commerce are selling as part of the year long Centennial Celebration for the city of Cotter.

     The first 100 plates paid for and reserved in advance will have the 1904 - 2004 centennial dates.  The scene is of a rainbow trout jumping out of the water with the rainbow bridge, the bluffs and the white river in the background.  Cotter Arkansas and Trout Capital USA are also on the license.  According to the maker, Ozark Engravers, the plates are very durable fiberglass and the colors will not fade for the life of the plate.  The river scene was produced by artist, Duane Hada of Cotter.

     Plates may be reserved by  sending $15.00 (check or money order) per plate to Cotter C of C, c/o Latham, PO Box 711,  Cotter AR  72626-0711.  Reserved plates can be picked up at the Cotter Trout Festival on April 30/May 1 at the Big Spring Park or if requested to be mailed out of town, add $2.50 for postage.

Cotter VFD Auxiliary Raises Over $5,000 at Chili Supper

     A fun evening for Cotter residents – the annual Chili Supper, Bake Sale/Auction, and Silent Auction -- raised money for new equipment for the Cotter Volunteer Fire Department. Fire Chief Jim Whittington said that the final numbers weren’t known yet, but the total will be over $5,000, including a $1,000 Wal-Mart donation.

     This is the only fundraiser the Fire Department has each year, and it’s always a great opportunity to chat with other Cotterites we see only infrequently.

     Chili, chicken noodle soup, cornbread and desert were served by members of the Kids Crew, assisted by the firemen. The kids did a great job of keeping all cups full. Diners entered the Elementary School Cafeteria, chose a seat, and were quickly served.

     One of the highlights of the Chili Supper was the Silent Auction, a new event this year. A few of the items up for bid included a stay in the historic Rainbow Bridge Lodge,  tools, antique wrought iron decorations, haircuts, an antique fire hose nozzle, bird baths, plants, pottery, airplane flights, and a five course Victorian dinner for ten from Claudette’s at Lithia Springs.

     Be on the lookout for items to donate next year – the more unique the better.  Help the Cotter Volunteer Fire Department help you.

Local residents waited only a short time for chili or soup.

Dave Gilpin, of Dave’s Auction in Gassville, with the help of Chief Whit, auctioned off the cakes and pies furnished by Auxiliary members and others (left).

Denis and Emily Dunderdale (right) debate whether to raise Mike and Robin Williams’ (left) bid for that apple pie just one more time. They didn’t, and Mike had a $125 pie to eat. We’re sure it was worth it, and it was a great donation to the VFD.