Trout Capital News, Cotter, Arkansas, January 2006

Trout Capital News

Volume II Number 6

Published by the City of Cotter, Arkansas

January 2006

Santa Visits Cotter
By Tina Cooke

   The Arts and Crafts group, sponsored by The Saturday Club, had their Christmas party at the North Arkansas Youth Center (N.A.Y.C.) on December 12^th. Approximately 22 merry souls

attended the gathering. The children feasted on pizza, cookies and juice. We played a gift exchange game called “Dirty Santa”. One of the children played a Christmas Carol on her recorder. There was a surprise visit from Santa Claus who passed out gifts to the children.

      We at the Art & Crafts group would like to thank everyone that supported the party. Especially we thank the N.A.Y.C. for providing the space and stage and for allowing us to have the party. Special thanks also to Cotter’s Saturday Club for the funding of the party. Ms. Wanda, Ms. Karen, Ms. Anita – thanks for the help during and after the party and for the wonderful cookies and snacks supplied. And a very special thank you to Mr. Jerry Gumm. I think he had just as much fun as the children. We hope to see everyone again next year. The Cotter’s Saturday Club Arts & Crafts group hopes that everyone had a wonderful Christmas and would like to say, may all have a blessed New Year.

City Hall Holiday Open House
By Theresa Mosley

     Enticed by cookies, snack platters, and punch, roughly 50 people visited City Hall throughout the day to share smiles and holiday cheer. The vestibule and council chambers, decorated by Jolene Treat, offered a creative balance of the elegant and the whimsical. The live Christmas tree was framed by a blue snowy forest backdrop. Little white lights behind the backdrop gave the impression of sparkling snowflakes. The tree was decorated with an angel theme with angel hair running down the center of the tree from the tip to base. Poinsettias decorated the council bench. You may have missed it but the wreath by the Mayor’s Office hid big bulgy eyes and sang when ever motion was detected. No surprise it was shut off early in the day.
     The official tree lighting at 5 pm was celebrated by 20 people who, lead by Gil Stammer, sang Christmas Carols. No sweeter carols can be found. The evening ended with hugs, handshakes, blessings of Christmas joy and wishes for a healthy and happy New Year. Thank you Jolene, Peggy, Emily and Kay for making the celebration a success.

Historical Markers
By Sharon Peters

     Spearheaded by the Saturday Club of Cotter, with historical research led by members Judi Sharp and Wanda Fielding, fifteen historical markers have been placed on Cotter Buildings:

1) Johnson Home 1905 (Spring House)
2) Cotter High School Gym
3) Methodist Church 1904 (St James Place)
4) Baxter County Bank 1906 (Rainbow Bridge Treasures)
5) Miser Hotel 1906 (Rainbow Bridge Lodge)
6) Masonic Lodge 1932 (residence of the Rileys)
7) McClain Embalming 1905 (Firehouse Antiques)
8) McClain Furniture 1905 (Firehouse Antiques)
9) Adams Hall 1914 (409 2nd St also the home of Cotter Music Jam)
10) Eaton Mercantile 1914 (ditto above)
11) Jolly’s Iron Clad 1905 (Cotter Hobby)
12) McClure’s Funeral Home 1930 (Law Office of Drew Pierce)
13) Toll House 1932 (Riverbend Trading)
14) White Grocery 1927 (275 Melba St, shown above)
15) Billingsley Building 1912 (Cotter Hair Studio)

More buildings will be identified with markers in the spring.

Saturday Club has funded this project by selling: a historical picture of Cotter for $1.00; fans with historical photos for $5.00; The Building of Cotter (The Peerless Gem of the Ozarks) by Judith Ramey Sharp for $30.00; and Elmo Hurst in His Own Words by Anne Ramey for $10.00. These items may be purchased in local Cotter shops.

The Saturday Club wishes to thank property owners for purchasing their own markers. To date: Shelley and Leon Baker; Julie and Mac Caradine; Iva and Don Duggins; Tim Malaney; Duane Paulson; Sharon and George Peters; Drew Pierce; Diana and Ray Riley; Sue and Jim Whittington.

At last but not least, the Saturday Club would like to thank Deb Peterson and Tim Malaney for installing the markers.

Deb Peterson, Wanda Fielding and Tim Malaney pose with LaVern Smith and Fern Morris before installing the historical marker at White’s Grocery.

     The Saturday Club December meeting and Christmas Luncheon was held at the beautifully decorated home of Diana, daughter of Helen Lacefield.

Featured Sponsor of the Month

Riverbend Trading
Antique and Fly Shop

     Quin and Tina Berry are the owners of Riverbend Trading located at 102 Combs Ave. In April, they moved from their previous location across the street from the post office to the historic Toll House.
     The shop has something for both men and women. The fly fishing room has plenty of river gear and Quin has tied fly patterns just for the White River. Antique reels, lures and other trout and wildlife gift items are also available for decorating the cabin.
     The remainder of the shop is filled with antique furniture and collectibles. Recently, they added Beanpod Soy Candles, Cherith Valley pickled vegetables, salsas and jellies. Wheeler’s pecans and fudge from the Dinner Bell. Cotter licenses plates, t-shirts, caps, bags and notecards are also sold there. The sale of these Cotter items helps support the Cotter Area Chamber of Commerce. More items will be added when they return from Market.

     Riverbend Trading business hours are: Monday – Saturday 9 am – 5 pm and Sunday 10 am -4 pm.

The Commercial Hotel 110 McLean St 1970

Spotlighting Cotter History
By Wanda Fielding

From the Cotter Courier: October 16, 1903 – Our friend J. J. Chastain, Jr. is erecting a hotel and intends to open the same to the public in general next Monday, Oct. 5. Mr. Chastain fully understands the hotel business and will cater the wants of the traveling public in a way that will prove him a genial host.

Aug. 11, 1905 Advertisement by J.S. Pearce, Prop. – The Commercial Hotel: a public house with all the conveniences of the private home. A good table and service our patrons demand. $1 a day, $4.50 to $5.00 a week.

The Commercial Hotel had 18 rooms, a large Dining Room with long tables where many bowls of delicious home cooked food was served. The kitchen was fully equipped. The Lobby was very elegantly furnished. In later years, the McClumore Sisters, Tollie Wooten and Everette and Betty Wills operated the Hotel.

Tour buses and people from the area would come just to eat at the hotel. Many people made it their home the year round. During the building of the Bull Shoals Dam several of the employees stayed through-out the completion of the Dam.

The operators would employ local people and high schools students as their help.
Mrs. Tollie Wooten purchased most of her food supplies from the Fielding Grocery. She would call an order in every morning and it would be delivered to her.

Mrs. Tollie Wooten was the operator when I had my first meal there in 1949. There were about 50 people seated around the table which was full of bowls of delicious home cooked food. The bowls were passed around the table. When they became empty new bowls were brought out from the kitchen. You did not go away hungry.

Local clubs would meet there. Bridal and Baby Showers were held there. It certainly is a Cotter Landmark. Thanks to Betty Wills for furnishing the picture of the Hotel.
City Council News
From Mo Mosley

There have been three Council Meetings since the December Trout Capital News was published. On December 6th, a special meeting was held for the City Council decision to uphold or deny the Planning and Zoning Committee’s recommendations on the zoning change request for the Boonstra property located on McLean St. The Council voted unanimously (4-0) to uphold the P&Z decision and advised Mr. Boontsra he would have to move his trailers within thirty days. The 4-0 vote was unanimous as one council seat is open and Mr. Daryl Porter was unable to attend.

The regular monthly meeting was held on December 15. The preliminary budget for 2006 was presented; City Christmas gathering was discussed; and Peggy Dunn’s resignation letter was read. Peggy sold her house and moved back to Illinois to be closer to family. The mayor thanked Peggy for years of loyal service and stated that she would be missed. The seat in 1st Ward will be filled at the January 2006 Meeting. Anyone living in Ward 1 that is interested in filling the seat should make us aware at City Hall and show up the 4th Thursday of January at the CC Mtg.

Thanks Peggy and we all wish only good things for you in the future.

On December 21 a Special Meeting was held to adopt the 2006 Budget. It was announced that the Water Dept was approximately $30,000 short and some money from another account was being transferred to make up the deficit for 2006. Other measures will be required to make a permanent fix as by law the Water Dept is required to stand alone without subsidizing from other city funds. There has not been a rate increase in water rates in Cotter since 1994.

The City Council and I will be studying the following ways to get the Water Dept back in line:

1. Have a Rate Study done by Arkansas Soil and Water to see if we need a Rate Increase.
2. Study the Summer Water Rate Program and determine if its cost is equitable to all citizens of Cotter.
3. Look for ways to improve our efficiency in production and service.
4. Compare our rates and how we do business with surrounding communities.

Other items discussed at this meeting include installation of a pressure reducing system on the line to the new Denton Ferry Park; paying for the $8,500.00 city well pump that failed last week and finding money to replenish the depleted inventory of spare parts necessary to keep our water system up and running.

Coming Events
Jan 10 2025 Committee Mtg 7 pm Spring House
Jan 17 Chamber of Commerce Mtg
             8 am at White Sands
Jan 21 Saturday Club 2 pm Topic: “Red Bud Trees”
Jan 21 Angel Food Pick-up
Jan 26 City Council Mtg 6 pm

Chamber Chatter
By John Berry
     These are exciting times for the Cotter Area Chamber of Commerce. We have just finished a very successful year. In addition to two very successful festivals, The Trout Festival and The Fall Festival, we raised the funds to install lights for the ball field. The highlight of this effort was a fundraiser featuring Whitey Herzog. The lights are all paid for and have been donated to the City of Cotter.

     I want to thank our outgoing Officers for a terrific year and all of their hard work. Beverly Pence has done a great job as President and has led us through some trying times. Gary Flippin was outstanding as Vice President and no one has worked harder (his fish fries are legendary). Gail Major did a terrific job as Secretary and seemed to be involved with everything. Shonna Rosson stepped up to the plate and filled a void with the treasurer’s position. Board member, Denis Dunderdale, performed admirably. Board members, Tina Berry and Dianne Doughty return this year to continue the fine work they have been doing.

     The real excitement is coming. We have just installed new officers. We have a strong Board that is chomping at the bit to get started. I will be president. Gil Stammer will be vice president as well as Gary Hanson. Margaret Stammer is treasurer and Judy Sharp is the secretary. The remaining board positions are ably filled by Peter Peitz and Iva Duggins.

     Last year the Cotter Area Chamber of Commerce held its first Board retreat to plan for our future. At that meeting they developed the Chamber’s mission statement, Promote And Support Economic Growth And Commercial Development In The Cotter Area. They also developed a strategic plan. The major objectives of this plan are:

• Promote trophy trout management
• Develop a comprehensive marketing plan
• Forge alliances with local government and other civic organizations
• Retool our festivals

     Our board has embraced this plan and will work hard to implement it this year. Our first meeting for 2006 will be Tuesday January 17, at 8:00AM at the White Sands restaurant. Every one is invited and encouraged to join the Chamber so that you can be part of the exciting year that lies ahead. Our first speaker will be Cotter’s Mayor, Mo Mosley. We will implement a new tradition of having our first meeting of each year start with a conversation with the Mayor. I look forward to seeing you there!
Mayor’s Corner
By Mo Mosley

     Christmas and New Years have come and gone for another year and I hope everyone had a Holiday Season that fulfilled your desires. As a Nation we should all be grateful to the men and women who put their lives on the line every day to insure our freedom and allow us to celebrate Christmas and New Years as our own convictions dictate. My hat is off and prayers go forth for the people of our Armed Forces.

     Last September, the council and I started working on the city budget for 2006. Although some of us had been on the Council for a period of time, we soon found out this would not be a quick and easy process. We met many times and crunched numbers until we were all tired of it. I became consumed by the process and kept Jolene, the Bookkeeper, from her work answering my questions and questions from the Council.
     We tackled the General Fund first, under the impression it would be the most time consuming. We re-assigned the Cemetery Fund into the General Fund for simplicity. When we got to the Water Dept. budget we found ourselves $30,000 short when comparing projected revenues vs. minimum expenses. It turns out, we had inflated numbers in the 2005 budget which made it look as though all was hunky dory. So now we are faced with the short fall and challenged with finding a fix.

     Jolene pointed out a fund that was unused in the recent past. We checked with the auditor and he advised that it was permissible to use the fund as a band aid fix for 2006. That is what we decided to do while we study a real fix. Thanks Jolene for your help!!

     Making a City Budget is a lot like making a budget at home except it is with other people’s money and is open to all citizens to see and critique. The fix for the Water Dept needs to be understood and accepted by all of Cotter. Dandy Don Meredith used to say “If ifs and buts were candy and nuts every day would be like Christmas Day,” however we all know ifs and buts will not be candy and nuts and we have a hard fix to make. The City Council and I will be studying ways to get the Water Dept back in line (see article on page 5). All of this is underway and I will keep the town aware of our progress and our options before any hard decisions are made.

HAPPY NEW YEAR to all and I ask for God’s Blessings on our town and all of us in the New Year.

December Crossword Solution
     We apologize. When we named it “Crossword Crazy” we didn’t intend to drive you crazy! The clue for 7-Down was unintentionally omitted.

Dress for Success
By John Berry

Yesterday Lori and I went fishing and it looked like summer was over. It was 41 degrees, there was no sunshine and the wind was howling. I landed a fat eighteen-inch brown and Lori landed an eighteen and a nineteen-inch rainbow. In addition we landed a lot of other good fish. For me, truly great fishing begins in late fall and continues through winter. Here in Arkansas we have a twelve-month season. But to take advantage of the most productive time you need to be able to stay outdoors to do it. To be comfortable you need to have the proper clothing.

The first consideration is waders. While neoprene provides insulation and a certain amount of flotation they do not breathe and tend to get a little clammy. My first choice is breathable waders. To provide the necessary insulation I wear capeline or polypropylene underwear and
pile pants. What you have to remember is that the water at a constant 57 degrees is probably warmer than the air. When it is bitterly cold and windy you may find yourself wading deeper to stay warm. I buy my wading boots two sizes larger than I normally wear so that I can wear two pair of expedition weight capeline socks and still have room to wiggle my toes. It is more important to be able to wiggle your toes than to have additional insulation. Tight shoes will be very cold.

Next you should consider your clothing, which should consist of three layers, the wicking layer, the insulation layer and the shell. The wicking layer is the closest to your body, your underwear. The idea is to wick moisture away from your body in order for you to stay dry and dry is warm. New synthetics like capeline or polypropylene are the ticket here. What you want to avoid is cotton. When cotton is wet, the water in it cools as it evaporates. The property that makes it a fantastic fabric in the summer makes it the wrong choice for winter.

The insulation layer functions as it sounds - it holds heat. The fabrics of choice are pile or wool. Wool is a traditional fabric and functions well. It will keep 60% of its insulating value when wet. I prefer pile garments made from polartec or synchilla. These can be wrung out when wet and then put back on. The thing you have to consider is that they are not wind proof. Down garments should be avoided as they lose all their ability to insulate when wet. You can wear several insulating layers and remove them as the weather warms.

This of course brings us to the shell. The shell is designed to keep the wind and rain off of you. While you want the shell to be wind and waterproof you also want it to breathe. Once again dry is warm. The fabric of choice is Gore-Tex. It has tiny openings in it that allow water vapor to escape but keep out water in its liquid form. Another choice is waxed cotton. These cotton jackets have been treated with wax, which keeps the fabric from absorbing water. Waxed cotton is very functional, durable, and can be easily retreated at home. It does tend to be heavy and a little pricey. You should always have a hood on your shell to keep your head warm and dry.

Always wear a hat. If it is not too cold, I prefer a felt cowboy hat. The broad brim provides a lot of sun protection and they just look cool. If the weather really turns cold I wear a pile hat with a brim and ear flaps (think Elmer Fudd). I also wear gloves. I prefer fingerless wool but also have a few pair of fingerless pile gloves. I always carry an extra pair in case one gets wet. If it’s bitterly cold I wear neoprene gloves and polypropylene liners. They are waterproof and warm. If you follow these suggestions you can easily stay out in the worst weather and catch the big one while your buddy is huddled up in front of the fire trying to stay warm.

A Special Thanks to
Trout Capital News Sponsors

Bill and Annette Pettit

Happy New Year!
from White Mist of Cotter
at 106 Combs Avenue
featuring Cotter Artist of the Month –
Lynn D Baker, Master Woodturner

This newsletter is published monthly by the City of Cotter and focuses on organized activities. It is edited by Mo & Theresa Mosley and Tina Berry. It is printed by Good Impressions Printing. It is also published electronically at www.troutcapitalnews.com. If you have information to contribute, please e‑mail it to Tina Berry at smberry13@hotmail.com, drop it by City Hall, or mail it to PO Box 9, Cotter, AR 72626.

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