Hale McGinty was the Mayor of Piney Point

"Mayor" McGinty

United States Vice President Hubert Humphrey once said. “Oh, my friend, it's not what they take away from you that counts.  It's what you do with what you have left.”  This type of positive attitude exemplified my friend, Hale McGinty.  Hale passed away Saturday, May 14, 2011.

As news spread of Hale’s passing, I have heard and seen many stories in the news about what a great person and businessman Hale was.  There have been many reports about the awesome things he did for the Neosho School District.  How he was Neosho’s “Greatest Cheerleader”.  How he was always pushing for economic development in Neosho and Newton County.  Also, much has been mentioned about his Family’s Department Store, “McGinty’s”, which operated on the Neosho Square for decades. 

All of the statements I just mentioned about Hale are important to his legacy and many would be wonderful accomplished all by themselves, but of course Hale did them all.  However, I want you to learn about a different Hale.  A Hale that had not as much to do with Neosho.  A Hale that was about being a great father, grandfather, friend, and mentor.

As far back as I can remember in my life, my Family had a Cabin at the confluence of Big and Little Sugar Creek – where Elk River is formed – in Pineville, Missouri.  The area where our Cabin was nestled was home to several other Cabin’s and was known as “Piney Point”.  Piney Point was a place of bustling activity in the 1960’s, 70’s and 80’s.  I have many wonderful memories there and most all of these great memories in some way or another involve Hale McGinty.

You see our Cabin was purchased in the 1950’s by my Grandfather, Herb Douglas.  My grandfather had few hobbies, but he loved Piney Point.  We went there all the time.  One of my first real memories of Piney Point was a fishing trip I went on with my Grandfather and Hale.  My Grandfather told me Hale was the “Mayor of Piney Point”.  I called him “The Mayor” from that point on. 

Hale loved Piney Point.  He loved watching the children run, swim, ride their bikes – anything kids could do – Hale would watch with joy.  He loved to Fish and walk along the creek looking for crawdads or unusual rocks.  Sometimes, I think he most enjoyed sitting in his chair on his deck and just watching time go by with no worries.

The first fish, I ever caught with my Grandfather, included Hale.  I caught a small fish and was so excited.  My Grandfather told me we could eat it.  So, Hale helped me clean the fish and prepare it for the grill.  Unfortunately, I hated the taste of fish!  But, the experience was good and we had a lot of fun!

I recall a canoe trip we took with many different families, from Piney Point to Low Water Bridge, which is South of Lanagan.  The weather was good as we started, but quickly turned cloudy and threatening.  As we approached the Riverside Campground Area, a massive storm hit – causing trees to be blown down and a significant amount of damage.  The damage was great enough; we were unable to continue our float trip safely.  Now, this was in the days before cell phones, so someone had to walk for help.  A short time later, we learned Hale would be coming to pick us up, along with some other people from Piney Point.  We were all glad to see him and our “Rescue Party”.

One of the last Piney Point memories I have of Hale, took place about seven or eight years ago.  On a sunny Fall Day, the “Creek Season” was well over and the leaves were turning brown, Hale and Betty (the love of his life) came strolling down the simple one lane gravel road, known as Piney Point Drive.  They stopped to visit and ask about our kids and my Parents.  Hale relayed how much he missed Herb, who had passed away several years earlier.  Then Hale looked intently at our Cabin and said, “The thing is kind of falling in.  You need to paint the side and fix it up some, don’t you think!”   

Now, this was not insulting, this was Hale’s way of looking to better Piney Point!  He was right – we did need to do some repairs and the following Spring – we did!  Once they were complete, Hale and Betty were the first people, outside the Family, we showed it to.

I am a little saddened by all the media reports about the great things Hale did, with no mention of Hale and his Piney Point “activities” – to me Hale was one of the best things about Piney Point. 

Hale was “The Mayor of Piney Point” and today a sadness looms over the area at the confluence of Big and Little Sugar Creeks.