Friday, July 31, 2015

September 1998 - Life in Oak Springs, the Homeplace


Life in Oak Springs, the Homeplace
September 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 September of 1998.


At a public meeting held at the Oak Springs Public Library on Wednesday, September 25, Ronnie Cox shared more details of the plans for the McDonald Conservancy Visitor Center now under construction at the northeast corner of State Highway 37 and Mill Road in the east valley. The Visitor Center is being funded as part of Phase One of the $800,000 grant received last month from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MoDNR). Cox shared the architectural drawings for the Visitor Center for Phase One. The main building will contain an exhibit area, a conference room, and offices for staff and volunteer activities. A hallway leading off the exhibit area divides the office. In Phase Five, an addition will be added, at the end of the hall, to accommodate expected expansion needs by that time.

Cox pointed out that our report last week was in error in suggesting that the only trailhead would be located at the Visitor Center. The Visitor Center would be the first trailhead constructed, but would be one of several as the trail system is developed over the years. A Public Restroom facility will be constructed between the Visitor Center and the Trailhead for the convenience of visitors. A maintenance garage for vehicles will be constructed behind the Visitor Center. It will also be built so as to provide the opportunity for later expansion as the need arises. The drawings also demonstrated possible landscaping elements for the entire site.

About twenty persons attended the meeting where drawings were also shared that showed the general areas were the trail system would be built. Cox pointed out that final placement would depend on further studies of the land itself and plans for adjoining developments still in the early planning phases. When asked about the projected westward trail, Cox responded that they were in early discussions with the State Department of Transportation regarding passage across State Highway 37. That portion of the trail, he added, would not be completed in the coming year, but later in the development process. The safety and convenience of the trail users were high priorities along with costs as planning moved forward he added.


Locals:

Ozarks Communications, Inc. was advertising an array of regional and national football games available on the local cable television network. Special deals coupling football with movies seemed to be the best available options.

Friday night football at the Oak Springs High School dominated the Oak Springs Enterprise Sports Section. The local Tigers were 2-2 in the young season.

A photo of a combine in a cornfield graced the front page of the Oak Springs Enterprise to signal that the fall corn harvest was underway.


Social Notes:

Brian and Jennifer Kirk were the parents of a daughter, Ashley Diane, born on the first day of September 1998. Grandparents were Bart and Diane Bevins and Don and Linda Kirk.

Richard, Melanie and Kim Stone visited over the Labor Weekend in the parental Don and Linda Kirk home. Additional dinner guests on Sunday, September 6, were Brian, Jennifer and Ashley Kirk along with Christopher, Nicole and C.P. Ogden. They all enjoyed getting to see the brand new addition to the family.

Reverend Clarice McCauley baptized Ashley Kirk at the United Methodist Church on Sunday, September 27. Her parents, both grandparents, along with many other relatives and friends were in attendance. Bart and Diane Bevins hosted a family dinner at their home following services honoring their new granddaughter.


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


Dr. Bill  ;-)


Tuesday, July 28, 2015

Tuesday Tidbits - July 28, 2015 - Levi Weston


Tuesday Tidbits
July 28, 2015
Levi Weston

I was recently asked to name my “favorite character” in my “The Homeplace Saga” stories. That, of course, is like asking you to name a favorite child. Instead, I named three from the ‘modern’ stories and three from the ‘founding’ stories.


See link for free Kindle app for your reading device]


The first among the three for the ‘historical’ stories was Levi Weston. He is really an ‘outsider’ in a number of ways, which perhaps makes him especially interesting. But, he had a fascinating relationship with ‘founder’ Jake Patton. Levi’s story shares many of the experiences of Oak Springs area residents in the Jefferson City area while they were ‘in exile’ during the Civil War. Levi makes major contributions to re-bullding Oak Springs. Also, he ties in nicely with “The Kings of Oak Springs” stories.

Here are some sample episodes from his story (each included in the eBook):

1. The opening chapter of Levi’s story…

2. Levi’s first contact with Oak Springs area folks…

3. Levi moved to Oak Springs, the first time, in 1857…

4. Levi during the Civil War…

5. Levi returned to Oak Springs after the war, in 1869…



Dr. Bill  ;-)

Friday, July 24, 2015

August 1998 - Life in Oak Springs, the Homeplace


Life in Oak Springs, the Homeplace
August 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 August of 1998.




Locals:

The 119th Annual Oak Creek Fair was held successfully on Thursday, August 6, through Sunday, August 9. Township residents displayed their animals, crops and projects on the fairgrounds in the southwest corner of Oak Springs. Highly ranked entries would likely also be seen later at the County Fair in Eminence and possibly later at the State Fair.

Six bands and musical groups performed on the two stages set up at each end of the fairgrounds this year and were a favorite of many people. As usual, the carnival was set up in the middle of the fairgrounds, and was well attended.

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MoDNR) announced that the grant from a special fund for which the McDonald Conservancy had made application last November had been approved. The grant awarded a total of $800,000 in 5 phases for projects to be carried out over the next three years. A department spokesperson said it was one of the most complex grants ever processed by the department, to date, but all of the required criteria had been met. McDonald Conservancy Executive Director Ronnie Cox spoke for the group: “We want to thank all of the persons and agencies that were involved in making the awarding of this grant to the Conservancy possible. Right now, the feeling here is simply one gigantic sigh of relief. Just about everything else we have been working on, and looking forward to, was contingent in some way on some part of this grant being approved. With the approval and primary funding of all 5 phases, actual work can move forward and really begin to appear in tangible ways. Each phase also has supplementary funding sources that now have to be confirmed and processed, as well. We look forward to hitting the ground running in a matter of days.”

Grading equipment was seen at work at the northeast corner of State Highway 37 and Mill Road preparing the land for the construction of the McDonald Conservancy Visitor Center. The Visitor Center construction is the first noticeable project now underway since the receipt of the MoDNR grant earlier in the month. The Visitor Center site will serve as the one trailhead for the several miles of trails to be constructed along Oak Creek in the coming months and years.
  

Social Notes:

Karen, Lori, Matt and Susan Winslow, recently returned from nearly a week in Tucson, Arizona, where they attended the wedding of their son and brother, Kevin Winslow and his finance, Carmen Martinez, who visited their family in the Oak Creek valley last month. Her family has roots in Arizona dating to many years before Arizona became part of the United States. The Wedding Ceremony and many related events celebrated that deep heritage as well as completing the actual nuptials.

Tyler and Emily Winslow, children of Matt and Susan Winslow, stayed in the Peter, Sheila and Jeremy Bevins home while their parents were in Arizona recently.

Harry and Sarah Flanders hosted a 6th Birthday Party for their grandson, Thomas Howell, Sunday afternoon, August 23, at their home. Thomas is the son of their daughter, Lisa Flanders-Howell and her husband, City Manager Jacob Howell.



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


Dr. Bill  ;-)


Tuesday, July 21, 2015

Tuesday Tidbits - July 21, 2015 - Christopher


Tuesday Tidbits
July 21, 2015
Christopher

I was recently asked to name my “favorite character” in my “The Homeplace Saga” stories. That, of course, is like asking you to name a favorite child. Instead, I named three from the ‘modern’ stories and three from the ‘founding’ stories.


The first among the three for the ‘modern’ stories was Christopher. Here are three snippets about Christopher - the first is in his high school years, in “Back to the Homeplace” and each of the others are when he has returned to Oak Springs as a young lawyer, nine or ten years later, from “The Homeplace Revisited:”

1. Sheila first meets Donnie and Christopher

2. Christopher meets Amy

3. Karen and Christopher about her family history



"May we each have a Homeplace, if only in our heart!"

Dr. Bill  ;-)


Friday, July 17, 2015

July 1998 - Life in Oak Springs, the Homeplace


Life in Oak Springs, the Homeplace
July 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 July of 1998.




Locals:

The annual 4th of July Celebration was again observed at Centennial Square on Main Street in Oak Springs. Travis Inman led a group of Army National Guard soldiers presenting the flag to open the program. State Senator Charles Medford gave the Keynote speech following introductory remarks by local officials.


Bart and Diane Bevins, Dr. Jennifer Bevins Kirk, and Heather Gates attended the Palomino Association meetings in Tulsa, Oklahoma, during the second week of the month. They attended a number of workshops and were pleased to be recognized at the awards ceremony that closed the conference as ‘exemplary’ Palomino breeders.

Showing at the Lyric Theater during the month of July:

Lethal Weapon 4
Armageddon
Saving Private Ryan
The Parent Trap


Social Notes:

Kevin Winslow and his finance, Carmen Martinez, spend an extended weekend visiting at the Homplace Country Inn with his mother, Karen Winslow, and other local family members. Following their visit, Karen told us that they were here partially to share planning for their upcoming wedding late next month in Tucson, Arizona, where they make their home.

Rayner Crimsons went to Springfield and appeared on KSPR-TV on the afternoon news show to talk about his new book, “Murder, He Figured.” Two days later, he also held a book signing at the Barnes & Noble store in Springfield.


Cop Shop:

Four persons were cited for improper use of fireworks over the 4th of July weekend. No major injuries were sustained, but several minor injuries were reported at the hospital emergency room.


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


Dr. Bill  ;-)


Friday, July 10, 2015

June 1998 - Life in Oak Springs, the Homeplace


Life in Oak Springs, the Homeplace
June 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 June of 1998.


 [You can now get this eBook, yourself, at: http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/drbillshares]

Locals:

The Oak Springs Public Library was pleased to host a local author for a reading and book signing on Saturday, June 20. Judy Watson, Head Librarian, hosted the event that began with a reading from his new book by author, Raynor Crimmons. The title of the book was “Murder, He Figured.”  Prior to his reading of selections from the book, Crimmons shared with the group assembled that he had written the book based on his journal of an actual experience in 1989 on a client visit right here in Missouri. The town was Weatherford, a number of miles to the southeast of Oak Springs along a man-made lake there. Two murders actually occurred during his visit, and he was pleased to have been able to assist local law enforcement in solving the crimes. He added that, unfortunately, that was not the only such experience he has had, but those were other stories, for other times, and perhaps, other books.  

Inman Real Estate was advertising two three-bedroom homes and three two-bedroom condos for sale in their most recent advertising. They added that several financing options were available to qualified buyers.

Big Thunder Lodge was running ads in the Oak Springs Enterprise for the upcoming 4th of July Celebration there, highlighted by fireworks. They were featuring several multiple day options around the Saturday 4th of July holiday for their guests, along with the many amenities available during a stay there.

Heather Gates won a First Place Ribbon for her FFA Project on breeding Palomino Horses at the State FFA Convention, and was invited to take her project to nationals in Kansas City later in the summer.


Social Notes:

Christopher, Nicole, and young C.P. Ogden spent the Memorial Day weekend and the week following in Branson. Nicole said they went to Silver Dollar City and took pictures of young C.P. in the “jail” to start his memories, much like both Christopher’s and Nicole’s parents had done with them from a very young age, as well.

Peter, Sheila, and Jeremy Blevins went boating at the Lake of the Ozarks for the second week in June.

Karen and Lori Winslow along with Matt and Susan Winslow were seen dining with Raynor Crimmons at the Oak Springs Country Club on Saturday evening, June 20. They were said to be discussing and celebrating his first book signing, earlier in the day at the Public Library, for his first book, “Murder, He Figured.”

Cop Shop:

Local police reminded everyone in the community to follow the strict state and local laws and ordinances on the timing of sales of fireworks related to the 4th of July as well as the use and timing of fireworks during the holiday period. Proper usage was emphasized, as an average of 5 serious accidents had taken place each of the preceding three years. Be Safe, but Sane, they urged.


"May everyone have a homeplace, if only in your mind."
Dr. Bill  ;-)


Thursday, July 9, 2015

Book Giveaway - Final opportunity to sign up


Book Giveaway
Final opportunity to sign up


Many of you reading this have already received your free PDF copy of my 23K word eBook, “The Kings of Oak Springs, Vol. One” (Some say it reminds them of a ‘Little House’ story)… for signing up for the free Dr. Bill’s  “The Homeplace Saga” Newsletter.

Join us in discussing family saga and family-related story-telling and reading...  ! ;-)

You can still get your free PDF copy today, by simply signing up here with name and email address:

If you share this URL with your friends, and they sign up, they will also receive the free PDF.

Friday, July 3, 2015

Yes, this is the second Friday...


Yes, this is the second Friday...

June 1998 in Oak Springs...

Will appear next week...


I'm taking a couple of weeks off to work on some other projects, thank you so much for stopping by.

One of my projects has been to put more of my short stories in "The Homeplace Saga" suite of stories into eBooks for your reading convenience. I'm using Lulu.com for these projects, and have been very happy with how they are coming out.


This is one of the first to be finished. it is now available at: http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/drbillshares for just $1.99 in the ePub format, used by many e-readers. While you are there, you can look at the several other books available there...

See you next week,

Happy Reading!!

Dr. Bill  ;-)

Wednesday, July 1, 2015

Birthday (July1) - 4th of July Special Offer


Birthday (July1) - 4th of July Special Offer



I made this offer on Facebook, and was pleasantly surprised how many people signed up! ;-)
I want to extend it to all my readers, in case you missed it:


I will send you a free PDF of my 23K word eBook, “The Kings of Oak Springs, Vol. One” (Some say it reminds them of a ‘Little House’ story) when you sign up for my free: Dr. Bill’s “The Homeplace Saga” Newsletter. Sign up here today (free): http://eepurl.com/bpPujv