I've lived in small towns almost without exception since 1973, and their waxing and waning interests me. Ava is a county seat in southern Missouri. Douglas County's population is about 13,000, which places it squarely in the "rural counties" camp.
Ava is the only incorporated town in the entire county and its population is a little over 3,000. According to Wikipedia, "Vanzant includes 3 convenience stores, one in Vanzant and two others within 5 miles ..." Suburban Vanzant extends five miles? Another Douglas county community is Smallett. Is that not a cool name for a little little town? I think we need to take a cruise down that way one of these nice spring days.
Anyway.
Once upon a time, Ava, Missouri, had its Once Upon a TIME. There was a story in the April 8, 1940, issue of the weekly newsmagazine about an anonymous benefactor who was mailing checks to different residents for different reasons.
The last recipient mentioned in the article was old Dr. Jasper Gentry. He didn't expect to get one of the "Ava Angel" checks. "Why, they've even forgotten I'm here," he said.
That TIME story had a happy ending but his life story didn't. He was found dead at his home on December 27, 1958, about 10 days shy of his 87th birthday. Cause of death: Frozen due to inclement elements.
Ava is the only incorporated town in the entire county and its population is a little over 3,000. According to Wikipedia, "Vanzant includes 3 convenience stores, one in Vanzant and two others within 5 miles ..." Suburban Vanzant extends five miles? Another Douglas county community is Smallett. Is that not a cool name for a little little town? I think we need to take a cruise down that way one of these nice spring days.
Anyway.
Once upon a time, Ava, Missouri, had its Once Upon a TIME. There was a story in the April 8, 1940, issue of the weekly newsmagazine about an anonymous benefactor who was mailing checks to different residents for different reasons.
The last recipient mentioned in the article was old Dr. Jasper Gentry. He didn't expect to get one of the "Ava Angel" checks. "Why, they've even forgotten I'm here," he said.
That TIME story had a happy ending but his life story didn't. He was found dead at his home on December 27, 1958, about 10 days shy of his 87th birthday. Cause of death: Frozen due to inclement elements.