Ruth Maxwell and Judy (Maggard) Stewart (right), members of the Ozark Riverways Foundation, the official friendship group of the Ozark National Scenic Riverways.
Ruth Maxwell and Judy (Maggard) Stewart (right), members of the Ozark Riverways Foundation, the official friendship group of the Ozark National Scenic Riverways.
Judy (Maggard) Stewart and Ruth Maxwell and others have been gearing up for the Upper Current River Celebration at Cedar Grove and Akers Ferry May 14.
The Saturday event is chock-full with history-related agenda items from dawn to dusk.
• 7 a.m. - Beginning with a Birding Hike to Devil’s Well; while at Devil’s Well speakers will share some of the history and memories around the location.
• 9 a.m. - There will be an Aker’s Cemetery walk, during which some living family members of those interred there will share stories of their loved ones. According to Stewart and Maxwell, Rick Mansfield will be doing a presentation at the cemetery regarding the history of burial customs in our part of the Ozarks. Mansfield is well-known in the area for his living history presentations. “He always does such a great job,” said Stewart.
• 10 a.m. - People will gather just down the road from the cemetery at the Akers Ranger Station to discuss memories of the river and the history of the Welch family, Welch Cave and Akers Ferry. Organizations will have tents for visitors and history enthusiasts to come and enjoy. There will also be pictures and relics from days gone by.
• 11 a.m. - Those gathered will be taken on a guided tour of Mt. Zion Church and learn about the history and restoration plans for the building.
• Noon - There will be a break for lunch—people will need to bring their own picnic lunches as they visit with friends and neighbors.
• 12:30 p.m. - A bus will leave for Welch Spring, where people can walk down to see Welch Spring and the old hospital or float the river with a guided walk up to Howell Maggard Cabin. (Kayaks and canoes reserved by 11 a.m.) Floaters are expected to return to Akers Ferry by 3:30 p.m.
• 5:30 p.m. - People will gather at the Derryberry Cemetery at Cedar Grove to talk about the history of the Cedar Grove area.
• 7 p.m. - Ozark Riverways Foundation will sponsor a concert from The Baker Family Bluegrass hosted at Big Chill Bar & Grill, located at Big Rock Candy Mountain in Jadwin.
“Our goal is to preserve the past for the future,” said Stewart.
“We hope that people will come to see us and bring people with them,” said Maxwell. The Ozark Riverways Foundation has lined up speakers for the event, but that doesn’t mean that others can’t come to share their memories; in fact, they encourage it.
“We want them to bring their stories, too,” said Maxwell.
Event partners include the Ozark Riverways Foundation, Shannon County Museum, Friends of Mt. Zion, Ozark National Scenic Riverways, the Ozark Heritage Project and the Dent County Historical Society.
John Hewkin has been a sports fan since he was a kid. He’s played, coached and been a fan of sports. I was a sports writer for 15 years before moving back to Missouri, but to this day you will still find me in my man cave a lot of nights and weekends watching something that requires a ball.
