SPECIAL PROJECTS
River Legends Scholarship
The Ozark Riverways Foundation offers a $500 scholarship to a high school senior each spring. To apply for the scholarship, students must complete an application and write an essay about an Ozarks Riverways Legend that has inspired them.
River Legends Scholarship Fund was established in the spring of 2022 by the family of Jean Tobey in her memory. Jean had a lifelong connection to the Current and Jacks Fork rivers and was instrumental during the creation of the Ozark National Scenic Riverways. In the early 1960s, Jean sold her abstract business in Eminence and worked for the National Park Service to develop the ONSR. High school students who are seeking post-high school education will be eligible for a $500 scholarship by writing an essay about a person who has greatly influenced their life and is their personal "Legend". All essay entries will be judged by a committee and scores will be based on a scoring rubic. The number of scholarships awarded will be dependent on fund availability. We hope to be able to offer a scholarship in many of the regional schools. All donors are invited to give to this fund to support education of our youth.
What is an Ozark River Legend?
An Ozark River Legend is an individual deeply intertwined with the natural beauty and heritage of the Ozark Riverways. This person exhibits an unwavering commitment to environmental stewardship, possessing an extensive knowledge of the region's history, waterways, flora, and fauna. A River Legend shares their passion for the Ozark Riverways with others and inspires a sense of responsibility towards its protection. Their connection to the rivers is not merely functional but a profound and spiritual relationship, making them a living embodiment of the Ozark's rich river legacy.
How can you help?
Your generous donation to the River Legends Scholarship Fund enables us to continue to support the education of local youth dedicated to the preservation of the Ozark Riverways. By investing in education, we foster a new generation of River Legends committed to the future of our cherished waterways.
Mount Zion Church
The Mt. Zion Community Church stands on a hill overlooking the Current River, just above Akers Ferry and just below the Devil’s Backbone on Highway K in Shannon County.
It was built on land donated by George and Jane Purcell in the 1930s. Many Ozark families along the Current River — the Maggards, Purcells, Dooleys, Fergusons, Rileys, Summers, Howells, Hodgeses, Farrises, Stringers, Terrills, Medlocks and Greens, among others — would have attended this church for community events and to worship God in their beautiful countryside. It is built of native stone gathered and placed by hand in the Ozark vernacular style of the early 1900s. It was completed in 1948.
Although it has stood the test of time, it is in need of major repairs to preserve it for the future. It is the last remaining building of its kind in the upper Current River community. It is the best reminder that Akers, Rector and Cedar Grove were vibrant, thriving communities in the early 1900s.
The building is owned by the National Park Service, but limited budgets for maintaining historical structures has taken its toll on the church and over the years the building has deteriorated. The Ozark Riverways Foundation, along with a local community group, the Friends of Mt. Zion, are asking for your financial help with the restoration costs of this piece of tangible Ozark history, estimated at $60,000. Along with the renovations, a restroom facility is needed at the location. For the last 10 years, there has been an annual Christmas Celebration at the church.
It is our desire to preserve and protect Mt. Zion for historical purposes and to be enjoyed as a gathering spot for holiday celebrations, community events, worship services, visitor point of interest, and as an inspirational place along the beautiful upper Current River.
Remembering Cedar Grove Fund
The Remembering Cedar Grove fund was setup by the family of Robert "Bob" Eugene Howell after his passing in the spring of 2023. Bob was born and raised on a farm along Big Creek, two miles south of Cedar Grove. He attended the one-room schoolhouse in Cedar Grove through 8th grade before going on to high school in Summersville. Bob shared the history of Cedar Grove with everyone he met. The purpose of the fund is for the cultural and historical preservation of the old village of Cedar Grove. It would include such things as, but not limited to, wayside interpretive signs with pictures and stories at significant sites and home places, preservation of structures or remnants of structures, or trail development with historical markers. All donors who have family connections to the Cedar Grove area or who love the Cedar Grove area on the upper Current River are welcome to give to this fund.
Veterans Activities Fund
Consider honoring a service member in your family with a donation to this fund. The Veterans Activities Fund was established in the summer of 2021 by Sandra Overman-Haile in memory of her husband Charles "Chuck" B. Haile, US Army 1965-1968. Chuck was a veteran, serving his country in the Vietnam War from 1967-1968. Chuck was proud to be an American and was honorably discharged at the end of his service in the US Army. Sandy and her husband Chuck loved the Ozark National Scenic Riverways, especially the Big Springs area. The purpose of this fund is to support disabled American Veterans in a variety of activities within the ONSR, but especially with managed hunts for disabled Veterans at Big Spring which are held every fall.