Trout Capital News, September, 2004

The Cotter Chamber of Commerce has finalized the plans for the fall "CITY WIDE YARD SALES EVENT." It will be on Saturday, September 11 from 7 am to 4 pm. Any resident of Cotter may set up a sale at their home but must sign up (no phone calls) at the Cotter City Hall between Sept. 1st and Sept. 10th to

be included on the list and map that is handed out on the day of the sale. This is a 'free' sale and does not count as one of the 2 yard sales that requires a city permit. Historically, this event has an average of 51 yards sales that day.

Despite the best efforts of new Cannaday building owner, Herb Parker, and his troops of sidewalk superintendents and photographers, the walls of the 1906 building refused to stand.

After removing the back and cleaning out the interior careful efforts were made to remove only the second floor walls. Steady pressure was applied to the top, and it seemed like it might work. The top leaned in for a few seconds and fell correctly, but the lower floor collapsed forward onto McLean Avenue, depositing Cotter-made cement blocks almost all the way across McLean Street to Rainbow Bridge Treasures. The area was well cordoned and no damage of any kind occurred. The only victim in the incident was a very disgruntled skunk that departed the building a few minutes before the walls came down.

The old post office building still stands, and Mr. Parker hopes to be able to save it and build a new building to replace the fallen one.

New Real Estate Listings to be
Available Online – Free!

Did you know that there are free listings available online for your Cotter property?

If you have property in Cotter for sale, rent, or lease, whether or not it’s listed with a real estate company, you can now have it listed online at CotterAR.com, a sister Web site to Cotter’s own official website, CotterArkansas.com.

You provide the words and pictures and we’ll put it up for as long as necessary at no cost to you.

To arrange for your free listing for your home, business, or vacant lot, call Sonny or Judi Sharp, 492-4483. Digital pictures are preferred, but we can also use photographs if necessary.

Another New Business Opens in Downtown Cotter

No one we’ve talked to seems to know the earliest history of the little house just across 2^nd Street from the Cotter Post Office. It was previously a barber shop and pool hall, we’ve been told.

Now Quinn and Tina Berry, formerly of Memphis, have given it new life as Riverbend Trading Antique and Fly Shop.

Come by and take a look at the latest historic building in Cotter to be renovated – you might find just the thing you’ve always wanted but could never find!

Last Bridge Construction Picture

Taken in late July, this picture shows the last part of the roadbed on the R.M. Ruthven bridge being completed.

During these final few days of construction, the bridge is getting a bath with Simple Green, and will soon be the most beautiful bridge in Arkansas once more.

Saturday Club of Cotter Begins Membership Drive

On July 29, 1905, “a party of ladies met with Mrs. Hopkins on Cotter Heights and organized a club to meet weekly and spend a social hour.” They called themselves the “Fancywork Club.” This was the beginning of the Saturday Club of Cotter, which became a part of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs in 1916.

Since that time, the members of the club have volunteered for Cotter, giving countless hours of service to improve the cemetery and park, start the town’s first library, and support the Cotter schools.

The Saturday Club continues to be active in supporting the schools, and now we’ve taken on the job of buying markers for sites which are important to the history of Cotter.

If you are interested in our goal of improving Cotter and in joining us as part of a volunteer workforce, call Judi Sharp, 492-4483, Sharon Peters, 435-5555, or Wanda Fielding, 435-6371.

Council Continues City Upgrades

At their monthly meeting August 26th the Cotter City Council took several steps to upgrade services. Peggy Hammack was appointed to complete the unexpired term (Dec 31, 2004) of Mary McLaughlin who has moved from this area.

Mayor Jennings was authorized to seek additional bids and proceed with sidewalk replacement on the east side of Second Street between McLean and South Streets. One bid had been received and two additional will be considered providing they are within 5 percent of the bid already received.

The council ratified purchase of a new truck for the street and water departments. Expenditure of $2800 was also given for hydraulics for adding a dump bed and a wiring harness for adding snow removal equipment.

Approval was also given for replacement of a major valve at the waste water treatment plant.

The Council approved a $1 per hour raise for police officer Ron Weaver, retroactive from Aug 1st, based on his outstanding performance of duties.

They heard second reading of Ordinance 04-04 "An Ordinance Controlling the Manufacture, Sale, and Use of Fireworks within the Corporate Limits of the City of Cotter, Arkansas, and Providing for a Penalty." Third reading and final action is scheduled for the next Council meeting Sept 23rd.

Olympic Medal Has Cotter Connection

Cotter resident Helen Miller is very proud these days after watching her grand niece Amanda Weir swim in the recent Olympic Games at Athens, Greece. Amanda was a member of the 4 x 100 freestyle relay team and won a silver medal. Helen's sister, Amanda's grandmother, lives in Seal Beach, California.