Mid-October 1998 - Life in Oak Springs, the Homeplace

Life in Oak Springs, the Homeplace

Mid-October 1998

This series of posts on each Friday during 2015 continues the stories of “The Homeplace Saga” series of family saga, historical fiction families in the area of Oak Springs following the novel “Christmas at the Homeplace,” which ended as 1997 began. Here is a peek at ‘Life in Oak Springs,’ and the surrounding valley, in mid-October of 1998.

Sunday, October 18, 1998, was a sunny, crisp fall day in Oak Springs and the Oak Creek valley. Families gathered at many homes to enjoy this particular day, each in their own ways.

Peter, Sheila, and Jeremy Gates chose this Sunday to scout the woods along the ridge in the 4-wheel ATVs for future Christmas trees. In another month or so, it would be time to get serious about this task. They enjoyed just being out in the woods, together, of course. From time to time, they stopped to examine a particular area more carefully. Or, a high spot on the ridge provided a distinctive view of the surrounding Ozarks wooded mountains that they want to share. Life was good, on days like these.

Don and Linda Kirk hosted their family for dinner after church, and family time after. This also served as a family one-year birthday party (actual birthday was the 15th, of course) for grandson, C.P., along with his parents, Christopher and Nicole Ogden. Baby Ashley, now in her second month, was also a center of attention, of course. They grow so fast. Young parents, Brian and Jennifer Kirk, were happy to share their baby and realized she would have a first birthday, before they knew it. The other grandparents, Diane and Bart Bevins, were pleased to be invited to join in the celebrations.

Matt, Susan, Tyler and Emily Winslow had invited his mother, Karen, and sister, Lori, to join them for dinner after church, as well. Tyler was now in third grade and Emily had started Kindergarten, earlier in the fall. They enjoyed playing games together and Emily was especially proud to show her grandma some of her art projects from school.

Travis and Laura Inman, Zach and Kyla, hosted the paternal grandparents, Grover and Hedda Inman, on Sunday afternoon, at their home.

Paul and his daughter Heather Gates visited Scott, Rachel and baby Faith on Sunday afternoon. They didn’t stay long, to allow baby and mother to get their rest. They continued to marvel at the miracle of birth that had blessed their family.

The Oak Springs Enterprise on Wednesday, October 28, was filled with advertisements and announcements related to the upcoming weekend Halloween activities for the community. There were also notices of prohibited activities and the penalties for violations.

"May everyone have a homeplace, if only in your mind."

Dr. Bill  ;-)