By September of 2005 the school was ready to host its first annual Wooley Creek Bluegrass Festival and plans were made for it to be held October 14,15 and 16. Following is an account of the 3 day celebration:
"The hills around Wooley Creek Road
west of Cape Fair were alive with the sounds of music this past week-end,
as all who attended the first Wooley Creek School Bluegrass Festival were
privileged to hear some of the best bluegrass bands in the country. Toes
were tapping, hands were clapping and many were singing along starting
Friday and continuing through Sunday afternoon; as they were entertained
by great bluegrass groups like the Missouri Boatride, Creeks Arisin',Cedar
Hill, Gold Wing Express, Route 66, Mount Zion, Lonesome Road, Ozark, Lights
of Home, the Link Family, and Another Time, Another Place.
Relatives and long time friends gathered
to not only hear the great music, but to meet and greet each
other in the little Wooley Creek School that has once again taken on life.
The school restoration committee worked very hard since last June to begin
the process of cleaning, making repairs and adding memorabilia to the walls
of the school so that it can once again be enjoyed by the folks of the
Wooley Creek community.
Saturday morning a school reunion
was held for former students and teachers and there was standing room only
as folks gathered, signed the guestbook and greeted old friends as they
looked at pictures of many familiar faces on the walls. Old school memorabilia
such as shiny tin cups, old lunch pails, a Big Chief tablet, a water bucket
with dipper, and an old oil lamp brought back memories as each one began
to tell stories of things they remembered as a student at Wooley
Creek.
At 10 a.m., former student 86 years
young Earl Jones began to pull the rope of the old school bell to call
everyone to order and have a seat at one of the old desks or other chairs
that had been provided for the occasion. A special recognition program
began with a welcome to former students, teachers and invited guests. The
oldest living 8th grade graduates, Vada Wilson, Vera Gamble and Earl Jones,
from the class of 1933 were honored and each given a Remember When 1933
book and a bronze mum plant. Former teachers Vera Gamble, Beulah Brown,
Oma White, Lenora Jones and Ruth Luck were each presented with a certificate
of appreciation and a gold apple pin. Each one told of their fond memories
of the school and a bit of what they have been doing since their teaching
days. A special gift was presented to Vada Wilson for her valuable assistance
and support of the restoration committee and her valuable contribution
of one of her hand stitched quilts to help raise needed funds for the school.
A donation check from Bill Packwood,
formerly of Cape Fair and now living in California, was presented to members
of the Wooley Creek School Association directors Doyle Branstetter, Jack
Tolbert and Oliver Foster to be applied to future repairs of the school.
Jerry Reavis of Crane was honored
for his gift of a beautiful model of the school which he had made. It is
a true replica and made with actual stones gathered from the school grounds.
Reeds Spring School Superintendent
Mrs. Angie Besendorfer and members of the Reeds Spring School Board Ron
Smith, Darin Hustead and Sae Tuia were welcomed and recognized for
their support of the school restoration project and their donation of a
teacher's desk from one of the old Reeds Spring schools. Wooley Creek school
was consolidated with the Reeds Spring district in the fall of 1952.
Glenda Chamberlin, member of the restoration
committee introduced other members Mary Ann Broomfield, Mike and Cathy
Collins, Ron and Teresa Smith, Mariann Bruckner, Cyndi Stull, David Wren,
Marion Jones, Doyle and Janice Branstetter.
Although not in attendance, former
State Senator Doyle Childers and his wife Sue were thanked for their generous
donation of old books to the school.
Following the recognition ceremony
refreshments of cold apple cider and cookies were served to all as many
continued to visit and then wandered outside to enjoy the bluegrass music
on the school grounds.
At 1 o'clock humorist, author and
former member of the Darling Family on the Andy Griffith Show, Mitch Jayne
entertained folks inside the school with his memories of teaching in a
one room school. Visitors continued to visit the school through the day
and into the evening.
Sunday morning once again brought
a standing room only crowd back to the school when 92 years young former
preacher and teacher, Ercel Carter conducted worship services at the school.
The message was outstanding and enjoyed by all who attended.
Following the service State Representative
Dennis Wood officially presented United States and Missouri state flags
to the Wooley Creek School, as well as framed certificates to indicate
the flags had flown above the state capitol building at Jefferson City
on July 20th of this year.
Festivities continued throughout the
week-end as folks from near and far came to see the old school and listen
to the great bluegrass music. Sunday afternoon local music entertainers
Oliver Foster and Sharon Bennett were invited to join Larry Sifford's
Missouri Boatride bluegrass group to sing with them. This was enthusiastically
received by all the folks attending and they were given standing ovations.
The drawing for the quilt donated
by Vada Wilson took place Sunday afternoon and Ada Branstetter was announced
as the winner. Sharon Bennett was the lucky recipient of the drawing for
a new Deering Banjo.
As the festival grew to a close Sunday
afternoon at 3 p.m. as strains of bluegrass music faded and the school
doors closed, all who attended agreed that the festival had been a success
and plans for a second Wooley Creek School bluegrass music festival are
already being discussed."
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