Owl Country Journal

In 2017 sisters Andrea Bottiglieri and Angie Stewart found bound scrapbooks at their Aunt Betty Melton’s home. The scrapbooks contained newspaper clippings that highlighted the folks of the Greater Highlandville – Spokane, Missouri area. In addition to scrapbooks full of local owl country memorabilia, she also had many photo albums that Andrea and Angie knew needed to be shared. Andrea wrote to th

e Editor of the Christian County Headliner to share about Aunt Betty’s memorabilia and also set up a group on Facebook to share pictures of the scrapbooks and old photos. The group was lovingly named Owl Country Journal because all of the newspaper clippings and photos were of folks from in the area. Owl Country Journal is now a way for Andrea to honor Aunt Betty’s historical preservation and small town scrapbook keeper legacy. Today there is a faithful following of folks from the Greater Highlandville – Spokane area that journey along with Andrea as she shares newspaper clippings, vintage photos, and vintage yearbooks from Aunt Betty’s collection, as well as highlight stories and history from the area that folks might find interesting. Since the Greater Highlandville – Spokane area serves one rural school district whose beloved mascot is an Owl, the Owl Country name fits just right. Andrea (Melton) Bottiglieri is the daughter of Joe & Inna Faye (Sportsman) Melton. She grew up in Highlandville, Missouri and is a graduate of Spokane High School, class of 2000. Andrea currently resides in San Antonio, Texas with her husband and children. Andrea is an avid genealogy and history enthusiast. She is a member of the Christian County Historical Society.