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  ;-)

January 1998 - Life in Oak Springs, the Homeplace

Life in Oak Springs, the Homeplace

January 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 January of 1998.

At the January meeting of the Oak Springs Historical and Genealogical Society the following new officers were elected:

President: Rhoda Offutt

Vice President & Program Chair: Mona Evans

Secretary: Penny Nixon

Treasurer: Lisa Flanders-Howell

Membership Chair: Sarah Flanders

Immediate Past President: Brian Kirk

Rhoda Offutt reported on sales of the “American Centennial” book that had exceeded expectations, but there were still copies available for those interested. She also encouraged all members to continue to look for old documents about the community and local families in unusual, as well as the usual, places.

[http://www.amazon.com/American-Centennial-Homeplace-Founding-1833-1876-ebook/dp/B00NJFHPVA/

Free with Kindle Unlimited]

The Jensen & Watkins Construction Company held an Open House on Wednesday, January 7th, to celebrate the First Anniversary of the Company. The notice in the paper reminded the community that Gary Jensen had been in residential construction in the community for more than ten years. His nephew, Trace Watkins, had come to Oak Springs to join him, just over a year earlier. It was on this date in 1997 that they had officially opened business as the company we know today, located on the west side of State Highway 37 about 2 miles north of the intersection with State Highway 24. Watkins, in his early 30s, had been in construction work in the Kansas City area for more that ten years, as well. The company specializes in single family residences, duplexes and four-plexes.

Locals:

It was learned that Paul Gates, Manager of The Oak Creek Mill, had presented a proposal to The Bevins Trust to build a Par 3 Golf Course on the slope from just above the Mill down to and around the Mill Pond below the Mill. Each tee would be located above the green and hole below on five of the nine holes proposed. He was said to have presented the plan as a compliment to the 18-hole golf course on the west side of Oak Springs at the Country Club, not as competition. He felt that both local and visiting golfers would support both courses.

Lori Winslow confirmed to our reporter that she had met with Gary Jensen and Trace Watkins at the Jensen & Watkins Construction Company office on north Highway 37 northeast of Oak Springs regarding possibly creating a housing development on Bevins Trust land south and east of the Mill Pond, running parallel to Oak Creek as it exited the Mill Pond. It would be designed to integrate with the proposed Par-3 Golf Course, the kayak/canoe portage and serve as a direct link to the Bevins Stables and Trail Ride facilities from the west. It was known that several Bevins family members had talked of building new homes, and it appeared this development might meet those and other local needs. Winslow also confirmed that she had been involved with a residential housing development group in Los Angeles before her move to Oak Springs. She had enjoyed that work, and believed some of what she had learned there could be incorporated into a development here in the valley.

Social Notes:

Trace Watkins, of the Jensen & Watkins Construction Company, created a bit of stir at the local McDonalds last Thursday when a teenager mistook him for the country music singer, Trace Atkins, and set off quite a ruckus. Watkins was a bit embarrassed by the attention, but admitted to this reporter that it had happened to him before, in Kansas City, in years past. He said he preferred to think of himself as resembling his uncle, Gary Jensen, his business partner. But, he added, he really didn’t have much control over what others thought when they saw him, and, admitted it was flattering.

Cop Shop:

A total of four vehicles abandoned on public roadways in the valley following the January 15 blizzard were ticketed and towed to the police compound area. This occurred only after owners had not retrieved their vehicles themselves in a timely manner.

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




Dr. Bill  ;-)

October 1997 - Life in Oak Springs, the Homeplace

Life in Oak Springs, the Homeplace

October 1997

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.” Here is a peek at ‘Life in Oak Springs,’ and the surrounding valley, in October of 1997.

The 11th Annual Arts and Crafts Show fund-raiser held on Saturday, September 27, was a huge success again this year. We spoke with Mona Evans, Chair of the Planning Committee, on Monday following the Show. Mona thanked all the people who came to the show and especially the members of her planning committee who made the whole event possible. She was careful to point out that the prime beneficiaries of the community wide event were the charities: Breast Cancer Awareness and HIV/AIDS Awareness programs benefiting needy members of the community again this year. Mona pointed out that all booth spaces for crafters had been rented out, both on the grounds of the Homeplace Country Inn and on the grounds of the Oak Creek Mill and Mill Market. 3 more artists had accepted invitations to the juried art show this year, another new record number, and those sales added to the new fund-raising total in 1997. She did add that a few copies of the full-color program for the art show were left for purchase, at the Oak Springs Enterprise, for anyone interested. All proceeds would go to the charities.

The Oak Springs Country Club was hosting a Halloween themed party for members on Saturday evening, October 25.

The Community celebration of Halloween would be on Friday night, October 31; from 6 to 8 p.m. Parents were urged, along with all of their children, to observe these hours. October 31 will be a new moon, so, it will be very dark during the night. People were urged to use care in all of their activities.

Locals:

Christopher and Nicole Ogden became the parents of their first child, a son, on October 15. They named the boy Carter Palmer Odgen, but he will go by “CP” - keeping up the naming pattern heritage of his father, Christopher. CP is the fourth generation with the initials C and P. Grandparents are Linda Ogden, Bart and Diane Bevins, and Jack and Mona Evans. Great-grandfathers are Doc Evans and Lyle Cunningham.

It was learned that Reverend Clarice McCauley had married Don Kirk and Linda Ogden in a private ceremony at the Methodist Parsonage on Sunday afternoon, October 26. Brian and Jennifer Kirk stood up with the couple as they took their vows. When we talked to Don, he said they just decided it was time to get married, quietly. He added that they would be at home at her house. He also mentioned, that after some remodeling, Brian and Jennifer would be moving into the condo that Don and Brian had shared, earlier.

Paul Gates, Manager of the Oak Creek Mill and Mill Market, and Julie Barnes, Activities Director at the Big Thunder Lodge, each attended the Fall Tourism Conference in Rolla, October 16-18.

Social Notes:

Matt Winslow, Christopher Ogden, Travis Inman and Raynor Crimmons attended the University of Missouri Tigers football game at Faurot Field, in Columbia, on Saturday, October 4, against the Iowa State Cyclones, battling for the Telephone Trophy. The home team was victorious 45-21. The happy fans returned home safely.

Paul Gates was the escort for Julie Bares at the Halloween themed party at the Oak Springs Country Club on October 25.

Cop Shop:

It was reported that 3 cars sitting outside City Hall had been ‘keyed’ on Tuesday, October 28th. No information was available at press time on possible suspects.

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




Dr. Bill  ;-)

July 1997 - Life in Oak Springs, the Homeplace

Life in Oak Springs, the Homeplace

July 1997

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.” Here is a peek at ‘Life in Oak Springs,’ and the surrounding valley, in July of 1997.

The 4th of July Gala Celebration at the Oak Springs Country Club was a weekend to remember, according to those who attended it this weekend. Good golf, good food, and fun games for the kids were the highlights most often mentioned in the news article.

Scott Gates completed the requirements for the Farm Operations Associates Degree at Ozarks Community College and took part in graduation exercises on Saturday, July 18, at the end of the summer term. A total of 35 persons took part in the graduation exercises and over 250 persons attended the graduation ceremony.

Brian Kirk, President of the Oak Springs Historical and Genealogical Society (Society), reported that members of the community had continued to provide very interesting documents and artifacts from their closets and attics that the review committee had been processing. He noted an interesting sidebar to the review process was that many of the items brought to the attention of the committee were related to others in the community, not necessarily to their own family, of the people providing the materials. Many folks noted they felt these items were important, but didn’t know what to do with them. The donation rate, he added, was running above 75 percent. The others, of course, were items families wanted to keep in their possession. He said that those were especially appreciated, and each was recorded and added to the database of information being gathered. The Society, he added, is still accepting donations of material so do not stop bringing what you find to the Library. Judy Watson will be happy to process it, he said.

Locals:

Ozark Communications, Inc. formally applied to the City Council to be the exclusive cable television provider to the City of Oak Springs. This was in response to the Request for Proposal sent out by the City earlier. Theirs was the only application received by the time of the deadline set for application.

The Oak Springs Enterprise ran a front-page article feature the opportunities for kayaking and canoeing on Oak Creek that featured photos of Oak Creek Outfitters providing services to their customers on a summer outing.

Social Notes:

A graduation reception was held at the Homeplace Country Inn Heritage Room honoring Scott Gates following the graduation exercises at the Ozarks Community College on Saturday, July 18. Scott’s parents and sister hosted the reception: his father, Paul Gates, his mother and her husband from Jackson, Mississippi, Beverly Bevins Gates Threshold and Winnie Threshold, and his sister, Heather Gates. Total guests in attendance exceeded 70 persons including family, friends and co-workers at The Bevins Corporation.

On July 26th, Bart and Diane Bevins returned from a week long vacation trip to the Lake of the Ozarks. They told friends it was great to just sit on the balcony of their condo and stare across the lake for long periods of time. Bart especially enjoyed, he added, taking in several new restaurants they had not tried on previous visits. Diane concurred in that. They highly recommended such a get-away to anyone feeling stressed in their job.

Cop Shop:

Jeremiah Loomis was released from the state penitentiary after having served over twelve years of an original 20-year sentence on drug charges based on his operation of a meth lab in the hills southwest of Oak Springs. The story went on to tell how his brother, Jasper, was charged in the murder of the public defender that represented Jeremiah in court on the drug charges. Jasper was killed by police officers, acting in self-defense, when they attempted to arrest him for the murder and he attacked them with a hunting knife. {For 'the rest of the story,' see: "Murder by the Homeplace:" http://www.amazon.com/Murder-Homeplace-William-Leverne-Smith/dp/1469926652/} 

Vandals reportedly did extensive damage to three cars parked along west Maple Street overnight on July 17-18. Police are still investigating the incident.

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




Dr. Bill  ;-)

Hometown Monday - D is for Diane, Don and more

Hometown Monday

D is for Diane, Don and more

We are continuing this series of posts of excerpts from the novels, novellas, and short stories of "The Homeplace Series" Family Saga story-telling, with a new twist. We have adopted a format from the: "Blogging From A to Z Challenge." Each week we will share a published except related to a person whose name begins with that letter. 

This series of posts is to provide an insight into the story lines that may not be clear from other promotional pieces about "The Homeplace Series." These will also be coordinated with the content of the developmental Wiki, "Beyond the Books" - to expand the information available there, as well. [Links in the text, below, provide more information on that person or entity]

Today we look at D. For D, we have (with two excerpts, below):

Danny Urich - Manager of McDonalds in Oak Springs in 1987, in "Murder by the Homeplace;" His wife is Jill.

Diane (Spencer) Bevins - Wife of Bart Bevins - see first excerpt, below

Dick Nixon - Editor and Publisher of the Oak Springs Enterprise in 1987

Doc Evans - veterinarian; approaching retirement, turned over his large animal clients to Jennifer in 1996

Don Kirk - lawyer at the Ogden Law Firm - see second excerpt, below

Donnie Bevins - first year student at OCC in 1987; deceased in 1996; son of Bart and Diane Bevins; sister of Jennifer Bevins

Douglas Johnson - lawyer with Ogden Law Firm, early in 1987; victim in "Murder by the Homeplace" late in 1987

A Diane excerpt from "Back to the Homeplace" from Monday, March 2, 1987:

"We should be able to get in an hour ride before dark, Mom." Jennifer cinched up the girth of the saddle on Bon Jovi, her chestnut stallion. "The days are finally getting longer."

Diane smiled back and moved her palomino mare, Marilyn, toward the drive away from the barn. "It has been hard to get out for a ride, hasn't it? The wind has been blowing so cold its just no fun. The calm today is very welcome." The sun shone brightly in the western sky as mother and daughter rode side by side down the lane from their house to the main road. A flock of little horned larks were visible in the field along the road where Bart had fed hay to the cattle earlier in the day.  On the other side a pair of cardinals chased each other in a patch of giant horseweed and ragweed. 

"How are you and Dad taking having all the family around? You seem just fine, but...are you really?"  Jennifer felt as though she hadn't had a minute alone with her mother in two weeks. They hadn't even talked about the will meeting. This should be the chance to do that.

Diane looked a little surprised at the question. "I am fine. Thank you for asking. It has been a strain, though… especially for your father. He has worked so hard on this farm since his Dad died. I don't know what he'll do if he can't keep working it."

"Can you tell me what is really happening? Before they all came you told Donnie and me what was going on. Now I feel left out a little. You and Dad have been so busy, it seems."

"Well, it is kind of complicated and none of us really knows as much as we would like. Your grandma used videotape, a “TV will,” for this part of her will. She talked to each of us just like she was there in front of us. Your father actually cried; tears just ran down his cheeks." Diane shook her head as she recalled. "She told us how important it was to her and your Grandfather Frank that the farm be kept together. They also wanted each of us to continue to benefit from the family farm life into the coming generations. Beverly seems convinced that Mildred was senile when she made the tape. I must admit to having wondered a little myself."

Jennifer tightened her grip on the reins as a quail took flight with a whurrrr from the roadside just in front of her. Bon Jovi did a nervous dance but then moved forward. "It is hard to imagine grandma sitting there talking into a video camera. I always thought she was pretty old-fashioned, actually. Maybe I was wrong."

"Carter says she saw an article in Successful Farming magazine and asked him if he could do it with her. She and Frank had talked about this plan a lot, had it all worked out. Being able to tell us about it ‘in person,’” Carter said, “made her feel we would all take the news better." Diane chose her words carefully, Jennifer could tell. "She was right, though. It was a shock to hear that it would actually be over two more years before we know for sure what will happen, who will own or control the farm. Seeing her actually saying the words did make it more believable, I must admit."

"Have you talked to Donnie? Does he understand there is still so much uncertainty?  What does it mean to him?" Jennifer was thinking of all the plans she had heard Donnie and Melanie talking about, about being a part of the farm operation...soon.

"No, he has been at school and with Melanie. The right chance just hasn't come up yet. Your father and I aren't sure ourselves how we feel about it." Diane hesitated with each thought.  It was almost as if this was the first time she had seriously considered that situation, Jennifer noted.

Diane continued, hesitantly. "It's hard to talk to anyone. We expected to be here 'forever'. Any other alternative wasn't considered. Your father has retreated into his own thoughts. He has hardly talked to me since the meeting, to tell you the truth." Diane slapped Marilyn into a trot as they turned right, onto the main road. Jennifer followed suit and they rode in quiet for a quarter mile. The cheery voice of a Carolina wren, singing as though it were summer, was the only sound to disturb the beat of the hoofs on the gravel.

******

A Don Kirk excerpt from "The Homeplace Revisited" from Thursday, August 15, 1996:

Returning from lunch, Christopher walked back into the office with Don Kirk, the other lawyer in their firm. Carter had hired Don late in the fall that Christopher went off to college, in 1987. Carter and Don had known each other since law school in St. Louis. While Carter had returned to the small town law practice, Don had stayed near home in St. Louis and gone into corporate practice and had served in several political appointments in recent years. He said he was more than ready to join a small town firm to finish his career to retirement. He was the same age as Carter, and they both hoped that Christopher would join the firm when he was ready, as he had done. Neither had anticipated the challenge that now faced them; that Carter would not be around much longer.

Christopher had gone to the Rotary Club luncheon meeting with Don today because the speaker was their local State Senator Charles Medford. Keeping current on local politics is always critical for each lawyer in a local law firm.

As they returned, Don told Christopher that the easement issue on the road through the Bevins property had been before he joined the firm. However, he had been involved in a few cases of environmental endangered species cases, in the past, so he would be happy to consult and help in any way he could with the current situation. Christopher returned to his office to renew his research on the issues he now faced.

"May each of us have a Homeplace to hold onto, if only in our minds."

Bill  ;-)

Hometown Monday - B is for Brian and others

Hometown Monday

B is for Brian and others

We are continuing this of series of posts of excerpts from the novels, novellas, and short stories of "The Homeplace Series" Family Saga story-telling, with a new twist. We have adopted a format from the: "Blogging From A to Z Challenge." Each week we will share a published except related to a person whose name begins with that letter. 

This series of posts is to provide an insight into the story lines that may not be clear from other promotional pieces about "The Homeplace Series." These will also be coordinated with the content of the developmental Wiki, "Beyond the Books" - to expand the information available there, as well. [Links in the text, below, provide more information on that person or entity]

Today we look at B. For B, we have:

Bart Bevins - we shared an excerpt about him back here

Beth (Young) McDonald - this is Mildred's mother - we'll look at her more in the future

Beverly (Bevins) (Gates) Threshold - we looked at her when we shared info on Paul Gates, her first husband

Brian Kirk - let's look at an excerpt of his, today.

An excerpt from "The Homeplace Revisited" from Saturday, August 31, 1996:

Brian arrived at Christopher’s office right at noon. After exchanging pleasantries, they took Christopher’s car to the Country Club for a private lunch. As they walked in together, Christopher realized that the two of them actually looked a lot alike. They both were about the same height and build. They were each dressed in open collar shirt and slacks that could have come from the same closet. They each had neatly combed brown hair and similar smiles. Brian had darker eyebrows, a more prominent nose and slightly smaller ears, if you bothered to look real close.

Their conversation was typical of young lawyers, each seeking to identify persons they knew in common as a way of feeling out the other person’s thoughts, motives, and manner of approach. 

They each ordered the half turkey sandwich and vegetable soup with a Diet Coke. That was encouraging, Christopher mused. 

Christopher asked Brian why he would consider leaving the corporate firm in St. Louis for much less money for this opportunity in Oak Springs, the obvious question. Brian talked of the constant pressure of partners and corporate clients, they always wanted work done faster and didn’t really seem to care all that much if it was done really well… just done yesterday. The hours became unbelievable, he said. He also missed his father. In law school, with the pressure to get done, it hadn’t been a problem. But now, when life was supposed to be about some balance between ‘home and family’ and work – there was no ‘home and family’ time. There was no time for a social life, at all. When he wasn’t working, he was exhausted, and feeling he should be at work or he would be considered a failure.

They discussed the pressures and life of working in the small town firm, with the uncertainties there as well. They also talked about life in the small town and living in the southern Missouri Ozarks with all of the outdoor activities available. They talked of Sunday always being ‘home and family’ time, as well as most Saturdays, and most evenings. It was up to you. You needed to get in your billable work, but it was manageable, and there would be the three of them to work together and share the workload.

“That honestly sounds heavenly, Christopher,” Brian replied. “I am a hard worker, a very competent lawyer. I just need a change of scene, and this sounds remarkable, and very timely. I’d sure like to give it a try.” 

"May each of us have a Homeplace to hold onto, if only in our minds."

Bill  ;-)