Not only did Joyce Anderson witness the development of Mark Twain Lake, but she was an integral part of it.
For the last 42 years, the 67-year-old sparkplug has been office manager at See Real Estate in Monroe City.
The agency’s founder was Warren See, who was president of the Clarence Cannon Dam Association when Anderson started her career.
“I was involved in it all the time,” she said. “There was always something going on. It didn’t take long to realize what an impact it would have and all that it entailed. It was an exciting time.”
Anderson wrote letters to politicians, planned meetings and other events, typed speeches, prepared presentations and anything else to move forward the effort to build the dam and lake.
At the time, few of Anderson’s peers worked outside the home. It was a man’s world, but Anderson never felt slighted in her work.
“You learned a lot real quick,” she said. “It gave me a sense of awe at first. I loved the challenges that I saw.”
Anderson graduated from Monroe City High School in 1960 and got a degree as an administrative secretary from Capital Business College in Jefferson City. She also got her professional secretary designation from Hannibal-LaGrange College.
Hundreds of people put in countless hours to make the dam and lake a reality.
“The whole deal was a grassroots effort,” Anderson said. “I was never out in front, but I was always a part of it.”
One of the few times Anderson wasn’t on hand was at the groundbreaking for the dam in September 1968.
Her excuse was one with which nobody could argue. Her son, James K. Jones, was born the day before the ceremony.
Anderson did make it to the dedication on a rainy day in September 1984, when country musicians Johnny Cash and Helen Cornelius performed. Hundreds of people attended.
“We got wet, we got muddy, we lost shoes,” Anderson said with a laugh. “But it was worth every minute of it.”
Many forget the impact the lake has today, Anderson believes. The development has provided jobs, recreation, power, clean water and flood control.
“We’re not Lake of the Ozarks and we never will be,” she said. “The economic impact is out there, but it’s hidden. Look at what we’ve got. We have a perfect spot for families to enjoy themselves, we’ve got a great water supply, we’ve got flood control and we’ve got a great place to come and enjoy.”
Anderson still works, but isn’t involved in lake activities anymore. She and her husband, Charles, have a blended family of seven children, 21 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
“I’m one of the few left who was there at the beginning,” Anderson said. “You look at the membership cards and go ‘No, no, no, no, no, no.’ I feel blessed that I made it this far.”
Whenever Anderson wants to recall the heady days of yesteryear, all she has to do is pull out her scrapbooks. Articles dating to the 1950s tell the story of a group of ordinary Northeast Missourians who accomplished an extraordinary feat.
“It’s been a great ride,” Anderson said. “I wouldn’t trade it for the world.”
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Not only did Joyce Anderson witness the development of Mark Twain Lake, but she was an integral part of it.
For the last 42 years, the 67-year-old sparkplug has been office manager at See Real Estate in Monroe City.
The agency’s founder was Warren See, who was president of the Clarence Cannon Dam Association when Anderson started her career.
“I was involved in it all the time,” she said. “There was always something going on. It didn’t take long to realize what an impact it would have and all that it entailed. It was an exciting time.”
Anderson wrote letters to politicians, planned meetings and other events, typed speeches, prepared presentations and anything else to move forward the effort to build the dam and lake.
At the time, few of Anderson’s peers worked outside the home. It was a man’s world, but Anderson never felt slighted in her work.
“You learned a lot real quick,” she said. “It gave me a sense of awe at first. I loved the challenges that I saw.”
Anderson graduated from Monroe City High School in 1960 and got a degree as an administrative secretary from Capital Business College in Jefferson City. She also got her professional secretary designation from Hannibal-LaGrange College.
Hundreds of people put in countless hours to make the dam and lake a reality.
“The whole deal was a grassroots effort,” Anderson said. “I was never out in front, but I was always a part of it.”
One of the few times Anderson wasn’t on hand was at the groundbreaking for the dam in September 1968.
Her excuse was one with which nobody could argue. Her son, James K. Jones, was born the day before the ceremony.
Anderson did make it to the dedication on a rainy day in September 1984, when country musicians Johnny Cash and Helen Cornelius performed. Hundreds of people attended.
“We got wet, we got muddy, we lost shoes,” Anderson said with a laugh. “But it was worth every minute of it.”
Many forget the impact the lake has today, Anderson believes. The development has provided jobs, recreation, power, clean water and flood control.
“We’re not Lake of the Ozarks and we never will be,” she said. “The economic impact is out there, but it’s hidden. Look at what we’ve got. We have a perfect spot for families to enjoy themselves, we’ve got a great water supply, we’ve got flood control and we’ve got a great place to come and enjoy.”
Anderson still works, but isn’t involved in lake activities anymore. She and her husband, Charles, have a blended family of seven children, 21 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
“I’m one of the few left who was there at the beginning,” Anderson said. “You look at the membership cards and go ‘No, no, no, no, no, no.’ I feel blessed that I made it this far.”
Whenever Anderson wants to recall the heady days of yesteryear, all she has to do is pull out her scrapbooks. Articles dating to the 1950s tell the story of a group of ordinary Northeast Missourians who accomplished an extraordinary feat.
“It’s been a great ride,” Anderson said. “I wouldn’t trade it for the world.”
