Wooley Bluegrass

By Dale Grubaugh

One-room schools are not original to the Ozark Mountains. However, throughout these hills and hollows you will find the remains of many a one-room school house. These schools were the backwoods man’s attempt to keep his family and himself from being illiterate. Armed with the firm belief that a good education (reading’, writin’, and cypherin’) would help his off-spring have a better and easier life, he would send them off for “book learnin’” as weather and work allowed.

Many of these one-room schools fell into such disrepair they are now beyond reclamation. Some have been purchased by individuals and remodeled to be used as homes or maintained as community buildings. Sadly, there are far too many that have completely ceased to exist — now no more than vacant memories.

Happily though, there are a few of the Ozark one-room schoolhouses which are held in the hearts and hands of caring folks — former students, educators or family members endeavoring to restore these tabernacles of early scholarship to their former glory.

One such schoolhouse is the Wooley Creek School in west-central Stone County.

A committee of folks from the community made up of former students, family members and caring neighbors have determined not only to restore the school to its original physical condition but are also reclaim its purpose in the community: education.

All this takes time and money.

Ole Elias got hisself introduced to Wooley Creek School ’cause they have a bluegrass festival every October to help raise money for the school restoration. I first went to the festival two years ago just because I like bluegrass music — and because some friends of mine (Larry Sifford and son Justin who have the bluegrass band Missouri Boatride) were putting on the festival and had asked StateoftheOzarks to come over and see what was happenin’.

We did. And in 2011 StateoftheOzarks became partners with the Wooley Creek Bluegrass Festival and School.

This past October StateoftheOzarks was at the festival from start to finish. We set up a booth that was right purdy. We had strawbales and punkins fer decoration and a table displaying some of Josh’s artwork and writing. And of course, we had a notebook for folks who were not readers of StateoftheOzarks.net to sign up and become subscribers.

The first evening we were invited to a fish fry hosted by the Siffords. The fish was good but the best part was a lemon meringue pie that undeniably was the best I had ever put in my mouth. I tried really hard to find out who made it, but no one would ’fees up to it.

The Wooley Creek Bluegrass Festival is near’ like goin’ to the county fair or to a big family reunion.

Folks were coming from everywhere. Many came because they had read about the event on StateoftheOzarks.net. It was fun visiting with folks we knew and getting to know folks who knew Josh and I through StateoftheOzarks. It was also fun getting to meet and know folks that are now readers of StateoftheOzarks.net.

StateoftheOzarks provided balloons for the kids. And every kid on the place was carrying around a balloon or two. I reckon it was kinda comical watching ole Elias huffing and puffing as I was trying’ to blow up those balloons.

There was a raffle for a hand made quilt. The quilt had been made by one of the former students of the school. Miss Vada and her sister were there to visit with folks and encourage them to buy chances on the quilt. Proceeds went to the school.

One lady — whose booth was next to ours — featured individual sized home made pies and cakes along with fresh jams and jellies.

Jeff Branstetter and his crew manned the concession wagon, turning out some of the best real beef hamburgers ya’ll ever tasted.

And, of course, there was plenty of bluegrass music. Brightwater Junction, the Peterson Family, Missouri Boatride, Southwynn and many others provided wonderful entertainment throughout the entire event.

Sunday morning featured gospel bluegrass music and preaching. I didn’t get attend the Sunday morning’ events last October but I shore am plannin’ on being there this coming October if the Good Lord allows.

In fact, I hope to see ya’ll at the Wooley Creek Bluegrass Festival this upcoming October. Stop by the booth and visit a while. Maybe I’ll blow up a balloon for ya.

’Till next time, keep picking.

Elias Tucker

October 20, 2012

About the columnist:

Dale Grubaugh, writing as “Elias Tucker from The Holler” is a valued contributor to State of the Ozarks. He is a man who loves his Ozark culture deeply.

As a Southern Baptist preacher and pastor, Dale has dedicated his life to the people of these hills.

Also, he has worked hard in many facets of the Branson show industry. And he has lived the Ozarks, fishing, hunting, appreciating the wilds that are so close but so closely forgotten.

— Joshua Heston, editor