Ozark Mill site of Finley Foundation launch

Wheels were turning down by the old mill stream Sept. 22 with the launch of the new Finley River Community Foundation. The Ozark Mill, owned by Bass Pro Shops' Johnny Morris, was the site of the foundation's formal announcement. The event was highlighted by demonstrations of the still-functional mill. The Finley River Community Foundation will administer funds and make grants for community-oriented projects in the Ozark area with the help of the Community Foundation of the Ozarks. The foundation already has five funds established: the Clifton and Carole Collins Fund, the Dennis Miller Memorial Fund, the M. Elise Crain Fund, the Ozark Main Street Fund and the Christian County Museum Fund. At left center, Carole Collins, president of the Finley River Community Foundation, discusses the community foundation concept and how it will benefit the area. Below left, influential women Loa Freeman and Elise Crain took part in the launch festivities. Both have been honored among SBJ's 20 Most Influential Women in Business, Freeman in the class of 2001; Crain in the class of 2000. Crain is a member of the new community foundation's board of directors. Other photos show milling equipment working much as it did during its heyday.