Episode 12 - Life in Oak Springs, the Homeplace

Life in Oak Springs, the Homeplace

January 1999

This series of posts on each Friday, henceforth, moving forward during 2015 will continue 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. Earlier, we have seen the community move from January 1997 through December 1998. We now move into January of 1999, in novel format…

Episode 12 - Beverly, from Chapter 6

Beverly knew that when she checked in at the front desk, especially with Jaxine Hagen working there, and specifically mentioned that she was staying ‘permanently’ the word would get around to her family and friends quicker than any other way. She was already well aware of Jaxine’s reputation. As long as Jaxine was honest, and consistent about it, and she seemed to be, Beverly didn’t really mind. She had a couple of ‘friends’ in Jackson who she had used, regularly, over the years, in the same way. It would continue to come in handy, she was sure.

For now, Beverly busied herself getting her personal things in place as she wanted them. She would order a pizza or something brought in later, for her evening meal. The top priority, at the moment, was resting and getting comfortable, before she started the rest of her life, tomorrow.

One really important thing Beverly realized that she had learned during her years with Winnie was the importance of planning ahead and writing things down that could be ‘checked off’ as completed. She had always ‘lived in the moment’ earlier in her life. She had come to realize this was what often got her in trouble, in the eyes of her family and friends. She had previously always been totally spontaneous. Living with Winnie, that had simply not been possible. His life was lived on a schedule. To fit in, and she so sincerely wanted to do that, she had to learn from him to curb those impulses. He had exercised great patience with her, she later realized, and she was forever grateful. They had become a fine couple, in his life. Now, he was gone. She had vowed to herself not to lose what she had learned from him during those important years in her life.

With her pizza finished, Beverly set about writing down her plans for the coming days. She had some notes she had made, but she strongly felt this evening was the time to formally plan her upcoming days, in this new environment. This would be her first draft, to be refined, later, as she went along. Looking at notes, she began...

1.  Call Heather this evening, to let her know I’m here, and will see her soon. See what her schedule is and plan accordingly.

2.  Arrange to see Faith, Scott and Rachel. Spend some quality time with Faith when it works best for Rachel and Scott.

3.  Spend some time with Brady, to assure him I’m not going to be a micro-managing owner, whether I live here or elsewhere.

4.  Sent up an appointment at the law office to consider the name change.

5.  Find a time to visit with Karen, Bart and Peter. Make it casual, no hurry, when they are ready - or better, if possible, some or all getting together naturally.

6.  Call Paul, and arrange to talk to him, in private.

7.  Stop by the City Library, to see how I can help out. Should be a great place to begin to volunteer, to find my place in this “new town” - even if it is my ‘hometown.’

8.  Dress smartly to the standards of the community leaders. Do now flaunt wealth or status. Fit in. Take opportunities to meet the people now in charge, and learn how to fit in. Perhaps starting at the Law Office, along with the Library, and here at the Motel.

9.  Visit Big Thunder Lodge, to keep current on ‘my investment’ there.

10.  Visit the local newspaper office. Pick up some recent back issues, there, and, look at older issues at the Library.

About eight o’clock, Beverly realized she should call both Heather and Scott and arrange to see them the following day, if possible. Heather said it would be best to come out to the Stable, after 4, as she had done before on visits. Scott and Rachel invited her to come over for supper, and to invite Heather to join them.

[To be continued - next Friday]

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

Dr. Bill  ;-)

Episode 11 - Life in Oak Springs, the Homeplace

Life in Oak Springs, the Homeplace

January 1999

This series of posts on each Friday, henceforth, moving forward during 2015 will continue 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. Earlier, we have seen the community move from January 1997 through December 1998. We now move into January of 1999, in novel format…

Episode 11 - Jennifer

Later Monday afternoon, Jennifer stopped by the home of Sarah Flanders to pick up the copy of ‘William’s Journal’ that Sarah said she had found. As she walked up to the house, from her car, the stiff January breeze seemed even colder than it had earlier in the day. Jennifer also realized that her own anxiety level was still climbing, thinking about what might be included in her 2nd great-grandfather’s journal. It was one thing for folks to have found old stories about their family. This was actually her family and likely in his own words.

Sarah greeted her at the door, and they discussed the weather, briefly, as Sarah took Jennifer’s coat. As they went into the living room, Jennifer noticed that there were four old notebooks laid out on the coffee table in front of the couch. Sarah said to sit at the couch, as she went around to the other side and sat down beside her.

Sarah began, “As you can see, on closer examination of the box, there were actually four journals by William McDonald in that box that Harry found at the bank. After I talked to you on the phone, earlier, I found them as I went back to take out the one I’d noticed earlier. Each appears to be for five years, during the 1920s and 1930s.”

Jennifer just stared at them, for a moment; then carefully picked one up. They each were a generic looking journal of bound lined pages. The entries were of varying length, dated, and hand-written. What a treasure… his own handwriting, she thought, as she opened the first, and thumbed through it. The front page of the volume in her hands simply said, again in his handwriting, ‘William McDonald - January 1, 1920 to December 31, 1925.’ The next page was headed with the January 1 date and several lines of writing, followed by January 2 and more writing. “This will take some time to absorb,” went through Jennifer’s mind.

To Sarah, she said, “Thank you, so much, Sarah, for letting me know about these. Are you sure it is alright for me to take them?”

“I talked to Harry, and he said the family should have them. From your work with the Society, I know you’ll keep and preserve them properly. They are a family treasure.”

“Yes they are, Sarah, yes they are. I’ll be sure the family knows they exist, take good care of them, and go from there.” She picked up each one, and saw that they each seemed to follow the same pattern of entries. In a moment, she realized Sarah was watching her.

Jennifer looked at Sarah. “I shouldn’t take any more of your time. If I find something exciting in here, I’ll be sure you’re the first one to know.”

“Thank you, that would be nice. But, I’m sure Karen and Bart will want to know quickly, as well.” Jennifer noted a matronly smile from Sarah that she hadn’t noticed before.

“Well,” Jennifer continued, “I’ll get out of your way. I’m sure you have things to do. Thank you again, so much, for letting me stop by and pick these up.”

“Happy reading,” Sarah said as she retrieved Jennifer’s coat, and escorted her to the door. “Keep warm out there!”

“I’ll do that.”

[To be continued - next Friday]

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

Dr. Bill  ;-)

Episode 10 - Life in Oak Springs, the Homeplace

Life in Oak Springs, the Homeplace

January 1999

This series of posts on each Friday, henceforth, moving forward during 2015 will continue 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. Earlier, we have seen the community move from January 1997 through December 1998. We now move into January of 1999, in novel format…

Chapter 6 - Beverly - Episode 10

“Is everything to your liking, Mrs. Threshold?” Brady McClellan, Manager of the Oak Springs Motel, was on his very best behavior as the new owner of the Motel had just arrived at her room for a long stay. “Is there anything else I can get for you?”

Beverly had been looking around the room, and was satisfied, for the time being. “Thank you, Brady. Everything is just fine, for now. I was happy to hear that this unit with the kitchenette was available. I’ll get along well here, until I can make other arrangements. I hope to be out by the time your busy season comes around.” They exchanged knowing smiles. “Oh, and Brady, when we are alone, please just call me ‘Beverly.’ I’m much more comfortable with that. I’m still uncomfortable with ‘Mrs. Threshold,’ but I’ll work on that later. I’ll let you or Jaxine know if I need anything else. Thank you.”

“Very good, then, Mrs. ..., Beverly. I’ll get back out front. We are here to make your stay comfortable, of course.” Brady bowed, just every so slightly, turned, and left the room.

Beverly looked around the motel room she had decided would be her home for the coming weeks. Meant for a family on vacation, it really had all she needed. Quite a change from the mansion of Winston T. Threshold, III, for sure. However, somehow, she really felt more comfortable here. She had really enjoyed being the wife of the important Winnie, but when he died, that had quickly become unimportant again. It had surprised her, but she had soon realized she was really putting on an act, playing a role, all along. Perhaps, she had realized, her whole life, up to that time, had actually been ‘an act.’

With his death, and then the birth of her first grand-daughter, and some alone time, Beverly realized she had done some real soul-searching, for the first time in her life. It soon came to her that she had been chasing some elusive something - well, since she left home immediately after high school. She also, rather suddenly, realized that she had actually been living that ‘something’ - but, didn’t realize it until it suddenly wasn’t there any more. Life with Winnie had ended. Her ‘family’ was in Missouri, not in Mississippi.

Winnie’s children from his prior marriages were kind to her, but they were nothing more to her then that. They were all grown, and had their own lives. She had not become involved with them, only him. His will had left them each very independent. She was allowed to remain in the mansion as long as she wished, but it belonged to them. His will left her his two properties in Missouri, this Motel and a substantial investment in the Big Thunder Lodge (a few miles to the north) along with a sizable Trust fund. If she hadn’t realized it before, she soon realized he wanted her to come back to her own roots.

So, here she found herself, ready to start another new life. But this time, she would do it right. She realized she had much in her past to overcome, but that would happen, over time, if she would but, as Winnie liked to say to her, ‘behave herself.’ That would be her new goal. Could she do it? Would she do it? Only time would tell.

[To be continued - next Friday]

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

Dr. Bill  ;-)

Chapter 5 - Episode 9 - Life in Oak Springs, the Homeplace

Life in Oak Springs, the Homeplace

January 1999

This series of posts on each Friday, henceforth, moving forward during 2015 will continue 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. Earlier, we have seen the community move from January 1997 through December 1998. We now move into January of 1999, in novel format…

Chapter 5 - Peter; Episode 9

[From the end of Episode 8:

They closed their conversation and Christopher continued to stare at the wall of his office, seeing nothing. “Who is Bruce Randolph?” kept buzzing in his head. He didn’t like unknown situations. He didn’t like not being in control of his situation. Hopefully the answers would come, tomorrow. ]

The first McDonald Conservancy office had been opened in what was now known as the Ozarks Communications building in downtown Oak Springs just over a year earlier, Peter realized as he sat at a desk in the small office that was now used by both he and Ronny Cox, the Executive Director (and only full-time employee) of the McDonald Conservancy. Ronny had come on board the previous April after taking early retirement from his position with the state Department of Natural Resources in Rolla. Ronny had been an integral part, as an outside consultant, in organizing the Conservancy under the oversight of Peter and the Bevins Trust. Now early in the third year of its existence, the Conservancy was on schedule with the 5-year plan created as part of the original organization. Already, Ronny kept busy, with the assistance of Peter as Board Chair, and a growing number of volunteers, inside and outside of the family and community, activating and growing the number of activities in the plan. Most were of a seasonal nature, involving nature, so they came up for attention, regularly, the full year around.

Most recently, in August of 1998, the Conservancy had been awarded a grant from the state Department of Conservation (combined State and Federal funds) in an amount totaling $800,000 to implement major segments of that 5-year plan, based on matching funds of donations of land and money already received and anticipated over that time period. The first moneys under the grant had just been received earlier in the month, based on expenditures in the fall, as well as in anticipation of upcoming activities. Ronny was responsible for assuring the proper activities were conducted, that they were properly documented, and that grant administrators at the state were kept informed of their progress on the plan. There were many contingencies to keep track of and keep on top of, as well.

Today, Peter and Ronny were going over final plans for the first phase of the McDonald Conservancy Visitor Center to be built on the east side of State Highway 37, about a half mile west of the Mill on Oak Creek. Phase One would also include two offices, a conference room, a display area and a reception area as well as a small storage area and a modest garage for small equipment, including an ATV to get around the property.

A knock on the door announced the arrival of Matt Winslow who let himself in, as they were expecting him to join them. Matt, oldest son of Karen (Bevins) Winslow, and her late husband, Jason, was President and General Manager of Ozarks Communications, owners of the building in which they were currently located. Ozarks Communications was the successor to Bevins and Winslow ISP (Internet Service Provider) and now held the Cable Contract for Oak Creek Township including the town of Oak Springs in addition to providing Internet services to the entire community as well, which was their first business venture in town.

Peter and Ronny wanted to be sure that they coordinated with Matt to assure that both Internet and Cable services would be available to install in the Visitor Center by the time they hoped to have the building completed late in the summer of the current year. Jensen and Watkins Construction had already been awarded the construction contract and were ready to begin work as soon as the final plans were approved.

In addition, they knew that Matt would soon be in need of their current office space, which he was letting them use temporarily, as a donation to the Conservancy, so they wanted to keep him up to date on plans for the Visitor Center. They would move into the Visitor Center offices as soon as they were available.

Matt, working through the Bevins Trust as a partner in setting up the original Internet Service Provider business back in the summer of 1996, had been fortunate to be able to buy this three story building near city hall at the time they were wiring Internet capability into city hall first for the community before going community wide. At the time, there had been several extra offices on the second floor and apartments on the third floor that were unoccupied. Now, Ozarks Communications was close to occupying all of the space. As more space was needed, they would be remodeling each room to meet their needs. Only Raynor Crimmons, who had an office on the second floor, and an apartment on the third floor, remained. He would be moving out by the end of the current calendar quarter.

After going over the key points of interest to Matt, Peter and Ronny received Matt’s assurance that his crews would be able to install both their Internet and their cable service as soon as the other construction was completed. They agreed to keep in touch, regularly, to assure that they all stayed on schedule with their plans.

[To be continued - next Friday]

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

Dr. Bill  ;-)