December 1998 - Life in Oak Springs, the Homeplace

Life in Oak Springs, the Homeplace

December 1998

This series of posts on each Friday, so far, during 2015 has continued 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 December of 1998.

The Oaks Springs Historical and Genealogical Society held a regular monthly meeting at the Oak Springs Public Library on Tuesday evening, December 15. For the program, Sarah (Campbell) Flanders shared some of her research on the Campbell family from 1838 and the history of the Oak Springs Savings Bank. [Follow her story through the links starting here: http://homeplace.wikispaces.com/Campbell+family.] It was announced that election of officers for the 1999 year would be held at the January 1999 meeting.

Out in the east valley, it was noticed that the Visitor Center building for the McDonald Conservancy on the east side of north Highway 37 was now fully enclosed. Work on the interior would apparently continue through the winter.

Oak Springs merchants were in full holiday mode through the month of December. Many new holiday decorations had been added, and the Oak Springs Enterprise was filled with holiday specials.

Among out-of-town visitors for the Christmas holiday was Beverly (Bevins) (Gates) Threshold. This was her first visit back to Oak Springs since the death of her husband, Winnie. She spent Christmas Day with Scott, Rachel and Faith Gates. Heather Gates was also a holiday guest  

*****

We have now arrived at January 1999 when the next novel, “3 Threats to the Homeplace” was supposed to have begun. As many of you will recall, last spring, I published this essay: http://homeplaceseries.hubpages.com/hub/3-Threats-When-is-a-novel-not-a-novel - “When is a novel not a novel.” Since that time I have been exclusively writing 600 to 1250+ word episodes, both in the 1880s stories and here, to bridge the gap from the end of 1997 to the beginning of 1999.

Beginning here next week, I intend to publish adaptations of the first 12 chapters I had drafted of the “3 Threats” novel. The caveat, the adaptations, of course, is to let the characters ‘tell the story’ rather than me trying to force them into an ‘overarching theme.’ My characters didn’t seem to take well to that attempt, earlier, and now we get to see where they take us with these stories in this new, serial, approach.

Readership of these weekly posts has been exceptional in recent months. I hope my stories continue to draw you in. As I’ve said before, I love feedback, so feel free to share your thoughts with me, here, on Facebook, on Google+, or via private email.

Thank you for your continued support!

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

Dr. Bill  ;-)

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

Life in Oak Springs, the Homeplace

Mid-November 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-November of 1998.

The Oaks Springs Historical and Genealogical Society held a regular monthly meeting at the Oak Springs Public Library on Tuesday evening, November 17. Jennifer Kirk presented the program on her experiences using the PAF computer program for storing her researched family history data. Discussion after the meeting was split between those who saw the computer program as a ‘great new tool’ and those who only wanted to continue to use paper records and notebooks as they had always done it. 

A joint press release from The Bevins Trust and the McDonald Conservancy was published in the Oak Springs Enterprise on Wednesday, November 18. It simply stated that agreements had been reached among all parties involved with regard to land assignments and distributions to the various ongoing projects related to the two entities and related individuals. These agreements would allow planning for the individual projects to move forward. Both entities expressed their appreciation to all other entities, both public and private, for their cooperation. Ronnie Cox, Executive Director of the McDonald Conservancy, in response to questions following the press release, added: “We felt it was important to let the public know that these negotiations had been completed. It was one of the loose ends following the awarding of the DNR grant that had held up or delayed some other project planning. Those plans and projects can now move forward.”

Meanwhile, construction work at the McDonald Conservancy Visitor Center on Highway 37 was moving along briskly.

Paul Gates, Manager of the Oak Creek Mill and Mill Market, confirmed that plans for the Par-3 Golf Course near the Mill along the creek were now proceeding forward. He added that clarification of the land ownership interests had opened the way for the golf course planning as well as the modifications to the kayak/canoe portage roads and the proposed new housing development in the area. These would all now be done in concert with the trails system of the McDonald Conservancy funded by each phase of the DNR grant.

Traditional Thanksgiving holiday activities in Oak Springs and the Oak Creek Valley were continued with a focus on “food and football” for most of the local residents.

Thanksgiving Day family gatherings reported included:

1) Harry and Sarah Flanders hosted Jacob Howell, his wife, Lisa Flanders-Howell, and their son, Tommy Howell.

2) Jack and Mona Evans hosted Travis and Laura Inman and their children along with his parents, Grover and Hedda Inman. Mona’s father, Lyle Cunningham, and Jack’s father, Doc Evans, were also among their guests. Late afternoon guests were Christopher, Nicole and C.P. Ogden.

3) Karen and Lori Winslow hosted the extended Bevins family in the Heritage Hall at the Homeplace Country Inn, including:

a) Bart and Diane Bevins; Christopher, Nicole and C.P. Ogden; Brian, Jennifer and Ashley Kirk; Don and Linda Kirk

b) Paul Gates, Julie Barnes, Scott, Rachel and Faith Gates, and Heather Gates

c) Peter, Sheila and Jeremy Bevins

d) Matt, Susan, Tyler and Emily Winslow

e) Mark, Erin and Jessica James, visiting from Austin, Texas

f) Raynor Crimmons and his daughter, Randi, visiting from the Washington, D.C. area

g) Dick and Penny Nixon

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

Dr. Bill  ;-)

November 1998 - Life in Oak Springs, the Homeplace

Life in Oak Springs, the Homeplace

November 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 early November of 1998.

At 4:50 p.m on Thursday, November 5, 1998, the phone rang and Karen Winslow picked it up. It was her sister, Beverly, on the other end of the line, calling from her home in Jackson, Mississippi. “Winnie has died. He had a massive heart attack, late this morning. There was nothing they could do.” Beverly began sobbing. “I’m sorry, I’ll get myself together again. I just cannot believe it. He was so vital, so full of life!”

Karen listened carefully. She had never heard Beverly sound like this, and let her talk, waiting for an opening to reply. “Are you okay, Beverly?” she said. “What can I do for you?”

Beverly sniffed hard, “Can you tell Scott and Heather? I can’t do it over the phone.” More sobbing. “I just can’t.”

“Of course. I’ll go do that, and you call back when you know what comes next. OK?”

“Yes, thank you, Karen. I’ll do that. Just let the kids know. I’ll get back to you when I know about arrangements.” Beverly hung up.

Karen immediately set about locating Scott and Heather and arranging to speak to each of them in person. Her nursing and counseling skills kicked in automatically. She handled the task with ease even with the difficult circumstances. She had gone to the stable to talk to Heather, and then the two of them went to Scott and Rachel’s house to tell them. Lori had agreed to stay by the phone at the Inn in case Beverly called back sooner than expected. She didn’t.

Like Karen, both Heather and Scott were much more concerned about their mother’s mental health condition than the fact that their stepfather had died. He was an old man after all. They barely knew him. He was very nice to them, but he really was their mother’s close companion, not theirs. They expected he would die one day, but were expecting it to be further in the future than turned out to be the case. They were also concerned, of course, about what came next. Karen was a good person to have available to talk to. She assured them the next steps would come in order. It would just be a matter of hurry up and wait, over and over, for a while. They talked about possible approaches until they were comfortable with the most likely outcomes. They had called their father, Paul, and he had joined them at Scott and Rachel’s place. He had assured them that he would accompany them to the funeral in Jackson, if that turned out to be the right thing to do.

And, that is what they did. In addition, Karen, and Bart and Diane, went to the funeral as well. Rachel and baby Faith stayed in Oak Springs, of course; her sister and father were available to assist, as needed. Lori stayed to look after the Country Inn. Peter decided he didn’t need to go. He wasn’t that close to his older sister Beverly, and felt he would only be a distraction.

On their return, Karen summarized their observations when she spoke with Lori. “Beverly was completely composed, again, for the funeral. She acted appropriately, as Winnie would have wanted her to. She introduced us to his children and their families. We were also all surprised that they all knew, already, about Winnie’s distribution of his assets. Apparently he had been very open with his children, and with Beverly. They had a pre-nuptial agreement that was very specific. All of his Mississippi property went to his children, except that Beverly could continue to live in the mansion as long as she wished (as long as she didn’t remarry). All of his Missouri property and interests went to Beverly along with a one million dollar asset fund that was hers without strings. Beverly had seemed perfectly happy in the mansion, made them all feel at home, while they were there, and handled herself as well as anyone could have expected.”

Heather returned to school the day after her return and everyone else went on with their lives as usual.

Over at Bart and Diane’s house, Bart just said one more thing: “Well, I wonder what Beverly will do next.”

Diane replied, “Don’t we all.”

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

Dr. Bill  ;-)

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  ;-)

October 1998 - Life in Oak Springs, the Homeplace

Life in Oak Springs, the Homeplace

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 October of 1998.

Winnie and Beverly (Bevins) (Gates) Threshold arrived at the Oak Springs Motel late Thursday afternoon, October 1, 1998. They had driven up from their home in Jackson, Mississippi, in anticipation of the birth of the first child of Beverly’s son, Scott, and his wife, Rachel. They hoped they were not too late. They had not received word on the car-phone Winnie had in his car, so they assumed they had made it on time. Winnie was known in Mississippi at Winston T. Threshold III, a wealthy local industrialist. Here in Missouri, he insisted on just being “Winnie” the southern gentleman visiting his second wife’s hometown. He had built, and did own, the Oak Springs Motel so their arrival did not go unnoticed by the local staff.

Normally, they stayed northeast of town, in the adjoining county, at the Big Thunder Lodge, where he was a major stockholder and a member of the Board of Directors. A board meeting was his normal excuse to get Beverly to come up and visit her children by her first marriage to Paul Gates, Scott and Heather. She always enjoyed seeing the children, but had also always been reluctant to stay more than a few days in her hometown. She had left for Jackson right out of high school, and at the time, said she would never return. However, in 1987, in order to assure a family inheritance for her children, she had come “Back to the Homeplace” as the wife of Gates and the mother of their two young children. She soon returned ‘home’ to Jackson, divorced Gates, and sometime later, married Threshold. Paul Gates and the children, Scott and Heather, remained in the Oak Springs area to participate in the Bevins Trust, created by Beverly’s parents to preserve the family farm and related assets. They had been very happy living in Oak Springs. For this trip, Winnie had insisted they stay nearby Scott and Rachel at the Oak Springs Motel.

Beverly had come back for Scott’s graduation, both High School and Community College, and his marriage to Rachel (Rachel was one daughter of the local newspaper editor and publisher). But, each time, Beverly had retreated back to Jackson in short order. Now, with a grand baby arriving, Beverly really wanted to be a part of this new phase of her life, if she could. She called Scott and learned that, yes, the baby was still pending… but it wouldn’t be long, for sure.

The baby, a girl, arrived early on Saturday morning, October 3. They named her Faith Gates. Mother and baby were able to have family visitors at the hospital, for a brief visit, late that afternoon. Along with Winnie and Beverly, Paul Gates was there, of course. Paul and Beverly now had a friendly, civil, relationship based on their mutual love of their children. He still didn’t understand her motivations, nor she his, but they had worked it out. Also there, whom they had met at the wedding, was Richard ‘Dick’ Nixon, Rachel’s widowed, and still single, father. The grandparents took turns going in to see the baby and her mother. The young father, Scott, was mostly happy to have a healthy wife and baby. He was pleased the grandparents were each there to visit, but really hoped they wouldn’t stay too long.

Baby Faith had two aunts, Penny Nixon and Heather Gates. Each decided to wait until Sunday afternoon to come for a visit. Penny was the older sister of Rachel, and was Associate Editor to her father at the Oak Springs Enterprise. Penny had never married, and assumed she would not have children, so she felt a special relationship to her new little niece. Heather was now in her Senior Year of High School. Her feelings toward the baby were very similar to those that Penny was feeling.

Winnie and Beverly returned to Jackson a couple of days after Scott and Rachel took baby Faith home.

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

Dr. Bill  ;-)

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  ;-)

April 1998 - Life in Oak Springs, the Homeplace

Life in Oak Springs, the Homeplace

April 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 April of 1998.

The McDonald Conservancy announced the hiring of Ronny Cox as Executive Director effective April 20. Cox had been affiliated with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources in Rolla for many years. In that position, he had many dealings with The Bevins Trust and the McDonald Conservancy so has been very familiar with their work, mission and direction. Peter Bevins, Managing Director of the Conservancy, was quoted: “On behalf of the McDonald Conservancy I want to extend our warmest welcome our new Executive Director. We never imagined that we could be so fortunate as to acquire the services of this outstanding public servant. Our working relationship, over recent years, has been exemplary, and very valuable in an advisory role as the Conservancy was conceived and founded. To have his expertise available on a daily basis will be extraordinary.” It was learned that Cox found that he qualified for an early retirement program offered by the state at about the same time as the Conservancy directors were considering the possibility of hiring a full time executive director. Cox added he had hoped to get “back into nature” when he eventually retired, and this opportunity was just too good to pass by. He said: “The McDonald Conservancy is one of only a few organizations across the country doing the kinds of things I would really support expanded in the way of public-private undertakings with respect to preserving and maintaining our natural environment. I am pleased to have the opportunity to contribute to that effort.”

Locals:

Lori Winslow met with Trace Watkins at the Jensen and Watkins office to go over the latest plans for the housing development in the east valley. At this stage, they were still blocking out possible combinations of green spaces and different proposed combinations of sizes of lots that might be incorporated. There were still some questions as to the precise borders of the property they would have available to develop, pending the Conservancy needs, the golf course placements, and access to current and proposed roadways. They were also each still getting to know and understand what each of them wanted to see in the develop, conceptually. Gary had stepped back and allowed the two of them to work on this part of the project. He knew they were each totally devoted to accomplishing it, and he was available to assist in any way he could.

Easter fell on April 12, so the Town of Oak Springs sponsored Easter Egg hunt on Centennial Square was held on Saturday morning, April 11.

Social Notes:

Paul, and his daughter, Heather, Gates hosted a family Easter dinner at their cottage in the east valley at noon on Sunday. Guests were Peter, Sheila and Jeremy Bevins, Scott and Rachel Gates, and Julie Barnes.

Matt and Susan Winslow hosted a family Easter dinner at their home on Sunday following church services. Guests were Karen and Lori Winslow and Raynor Crimmons.

Cop Shop:

Two young men were arrested late Tuesday evening, April 14. They were caught while still inside Bud’s Sinclair Auto Service store, rifling through the tools, following a tip called in my a concerned neighbor. Money from the cash drawer was in the pocket of the jeans of one of the young men. These two were identified as two of three juveniles also arrested in February on break in charges. This time, they were held in jail pending  a Juvenile Court appearance.

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




Dr. Bill  ;-)

March 1998 - Life in Oak Springs, the Homeplace

Life in Oak Springs, the Homeplace

March 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 March of 1998.

 [Image Source: Wikimedia Commons]

Following are excerpts from an interview published in the Oak Springs Enterprise between reporter, Rachel (Nixon) Gates, and Diane Bevins, General Manager of Bevins Stables and Trail Rides in the east valley. The subject was their horse-breeding operations and the interview also included horse-breeding partners, Heather Gates and Dr. Jennifer Bevins.

Diane said: “Yes, we take great pride in the strides we have made in our horse-breeding program here at the Stables in the last couple of years. Heather Gates, although still only a junior in High School, has taken the lead for us and it has been an award winning process, to date. I see much more of the same in the future. We each get strong technical guidance from our veterinary partner, Dr. Bevins, of course. We breed both purebred Palominos and high-quality non-purebreds as well. We have two birthing stalls, and now try to have two births in January and two in March, if all goes as planned. And things usually go as planned.

“I should also mention that we highly value our association with a number of the other members of the Palomino Horse Breeders of America in the region. We have had many interactions that have been mutually beneficial over a number of years. We couldn’t have done what we do without those colleagues and friends.”

Rachel asked: “What mix of purebred to non-purebred to you use in your breeding?” To which Diane replied: “One or two purebreds a year is our current goal. We don’t want to expand the lines too quickly. Quality over quantity is our current strategy. We also desire to slowly grow our trail ride options, which requires more non-purebred horses. And, we need to sell some horses each year, in each category, to help finance the whole operation.”

What are your primary responsibilities, Heather? Rachel asked. Heather replied: “I would say I have two primary responsibilities right now. First, because I am still in school, getting that done right is a high priority. The horses are my FFA project, so that meshes nicely. Second, I am responsible for all the ‘grunt work’ with the breeding process, directing and helped out by the other stable employees. The care and comfort of the brood mares and their foal are my responsibility. All the record keeping for the breeding stock and their offspring are my responsibility.”

Rachel turned to Jennifer,  “And Dr. Bevins, how do you fit in the equation?” To which she replied, “My responsibilities are general health of the animals and technical advice and assistance to the horse-breeding process. We use all artificial insemination, so I’m responsible for having both materials and equipment available, and I assist and supervise the operations, along with Heather, and others as may be required. I regularly monitor the reports Heather prepares on the condition of all the animals, and recommend and treat as needed. It is a real pleasure to be involved in this first-class operation and process. Our outcomes have been outstanding.”

Turning back to Diane, Rachel said: “Dr. Bevins may have answered my final question. Do you consider the horse-breeding operation here at your Stables to be a success?”

Diane replied: “Very much a success, for all involved. My first purebred Palomino was Marilyn, way back, many years ago. Sunshine, Heather’s principle Palomino mare, is an offspring of Marilyn. We have developed other excellent mares and have been able to sell a number of male and female offspring for premium prices. On the other side, we have continued to upgrade our trail horse herd, while selling a regular number of horses both old and young to help support the stables and the breeding. We also do some breeding for other horses that we board. For example, Christopher Ogden owns Shadow over there in the second birthing stall. This is her second foal in the last two years. We are all very pleased with how our program is succeeding.”

Locals:

The Sullivan End-‘O-the-Road Livestock Auction announced that the first “Cow-Calf” Auction of the season would be held on Friday, March 27, 1998. A find selection of locally raised stock was expected at the sale event. Refreshments would be available from vendors at the Auction House.

Social Notes:

Travis and Inman, and their children, Zach and Kayla, spent Spring Break week in Branson. They enjoyed Silver Dollar City and many of the other local attractions.

Peter, Sheila and Jeremy Bevins spent Spring Break at the Lake of the Ozarks, boating and fishing, they said.

Cop Shop:

There were no incidents reported this month.

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




Dr. Bill  ;-)

February 1998 - Life in Oak Springs, the Homeplace

Life in Oak Springs, the Homeplace

February 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 February of 1998.

The following are excerpts from an interview published in the Oak Springs Enterprise by Rachel (Nixon) Gates with Paul Gates, Manager of the Oak Creek Mill and Market, regarding planning efforts by The Bevins Trust, the McDonald Conservancy, and related entities up and down Oak Creek in the near future and in the long range:

“Based on the feedback we constantly receive from both our local and visiting customer base, several projects are now in various stages of development, Paul Gates explained. The Bevins and McDonald interests are also looking “outside the box” at opportunities that may be there that no one has yet recognized by visiting other sites around the country, even around the world, for ideas. The Internet has certainly begun to make this much easier, of course. I’m talking to you here, today, in hopes of giving the community some additional insights into some of things we are working on, recognizing that most of them are still in early stages of planning and development.

“Apportioning land along Oak Creek, owned by The Bevins Trust, through donations to the McDonald Conservancy, is an ongoing project. Roughly, all of the land on either side of Oak Creek, from the National Forest boundary on the north, just south of the county line there, to the south county line, is involved in this process. The challenge is to develop the proper mix of public and private use of that land both for now and into the future. Preservation and maintenance of the ecosystem is an over-riding concern. We hope to eventually have trails on both sides of Oak Creek, accessible to the public, with some, but limited, crossover opportunities.

“My most recent project, Paul Gates continued, is the possibility of putting in a Par-3, nine hole golf course, on the west side of Oak Creek from just above the Mill, down the slope and possibly around the Pond. Integrating this with the proposed Conservancy Trails systems and nearby other private developments is now being worked through with all persons and entities involved. The grant proposals submitted on behalf of the McDonald Conservancy currently being reviewed are a key element in those discussions as well, of course.

“The final major piece of this puzzle appears to be the desire of the families involved to create a residential housing development on original McDonald farm land just to the south of the Pond and Creek, that would also tie in from the west to the Bevins Stables and Trail Ride location, which is also the headquarters of the Bevins Agricultural Operations. These are complex projects, but it feels like we are beginning to see the long-term “light at the end of the tunnel” on this integration of ideas. While much of the detail work must necessarily be done “behind closed doors,” we do want the community to be aware of the outcomes being sought. That is why I’ve been authorized to talk to you about it all, today. I hope this has been useful.”

Locals:

Big Thunder Lodge was advertising weekend specials for couples through the months of February and March.

Oak Springs Food Village ran a series of ads for their new fresh fruits and vegetables department through the month.

Social Notes:

Matt and Susan Winslow returned from a week of vacation that they spent skiing and relaxing at and around the Breckinridge area of Colorado.

The Valentine’s Day Dance at the Oak Springs Country Club was well attended and a good time had by all, according to several reports. The local band, Swingtime, was especially appreciated.

Cop Shop:

Three juveniles were arrested, booked, and remanded to the custody of their parents following discovery of their involvement in a series of recent break-ins and acts of vandalism in the downtown Oak Springs area, along Main Street, police said.

"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.

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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  ;-)