Beard & Mustache Competition benefits Isabel’s House

Beard & Mustache competition, benefiting Isabel’s House: The Crisis Nursery of the Ozarks. Saturday, June 04, 2011 from 8:00 PM – 1:00 AM. at Patton Alley Pub, local men will be judged on their facial hair in a number of categories, including “Mustache, Natural”, “Mustache, Styled”, “Partial Beard-Natural” and so on. There’s even a “Fake Beard” category. Among the judges will be Devin Cara, who currently holds 3rd place in the world  in the Garibaldi category, and his wife Kelly, who ha been to two world competitions. Christian Hutson of Just For Him will also judge. Drinks and other fun will be there throughout the night.

Registration is from 6:45-7:45 p.m.. The contest will probably last until 10 p.m., with Deep Fried Squirrel playing afterwards. Registration is $10 at the door, or you can register online at queencitybeards.com. Also visit the website to learn more.

(See 417 Mag for more outlandish things to do in 417 Land!)

10,000 Garden Challenge is headed to Springfield, Mo

The 10,000 Garden Challenge is headed to Springfield, Mo. The Missouri Department of Agriculture will visit the “A Tribute to the Red, White & Blue: A Patriotic Flower Show” event, Friday, May 27 to register gardens, share gardening advice and encourage Missourians to participate in the Challenge.

The 10,000 Garden Challenge is an initiative to register 10,000 Missouri gardens to promote agriculture, gardening, health and nutrition. Department staff will be at the Library Center in Springfield, Mo. from noon to 8:30 p.m. to add to the more than 3,100 gardens already registered at AgriMissouri.com.

On March 14, Governor Nixon, the First Lady, and Director Jon Hagler of the Missouri Department of Agriculture challenged Missourians to register 10,000 gardens in the state of Missouri and put them on a map to promote gardening, health and nutrition throughout the state.

Annual Outdoor Adventure Fair for disabled people is June 18 near Bois D’Arc

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Southwest Center for Independent Living (SCIL) invites people with disabilities of all ages and their family and friends to the 8th annual “Day at the Range and Outdoor Adventure Fair,” Saturday, June 18, 2011, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Andy Dalton Shooting Range and Outdoor Education Center near Bois D’Arc.

“SCIL proudly co-hosts the annual Day at the Range and Outdoor Adventure Fair event to provide recreational opportunities to persons with disabilities that they would not typically have,” said Gary Maddox, SCIL Executive Director. (more)

FLASH FLOOD WATCH NOW IN EFFECT THROUGH SUNDAY MORNING…

A flash flood watch for Southwest Missouri is now extended through Sunday morning because of all the rain from Friday.  A meterologist with the National Weather Service says 1 to 2 1/2 inches of rain fell across the area.  The runoff will cause rivers, creeks and streams to rise.  Folks downstream from Table Rock and Beaver Lakes could see more water as the Army Corps of Engineers may release the excess.  Expect the rain to stick with us.  There’s a daily chance of showers and thunderstorms through the middle of next week.

THE FLASH FLOOD WATCH IS NOW IN EFFECT FOR

* PORTIONS OF SOUTHEAST KANSAS AND MISSOURI…INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING AREAS…

IN SOUTHEAST KANSAS…BOURBON…CHEROKEE AND CRAWFORD.

IN MISSOURI…BARRY…BARTON…BENTON…
CAMDEN…CEDAR…CHRISTIAN…DADE…DALLAS…DENT…DOUGLAS…GREENE…HICKORY…HOWELL…JASPER…LACLEDE…LAWRENCE…MARIES…MCDONALD…MILLER…MORGAN…NEWTON…OREGON…
OZARK…PHELPS…POLK…PULASKI…SHANNON…ST. CLAIR…STONE…TANEY…TEXAS…VERNON…WEBSTER AND WRIGHT.

* THROUGH SUNDAY MORNING.

* ADDITIONAL RAINFALL WILL BE POSSIBLE FROM LATE THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT AS MORE THUNDERSTORMS MOVE ACROSS THE AREA. HEAVY RAINFALL ON ALREADY SATURATED SOIL COULD LEAD TO FLASH FLOODINGAS WELL AS RIVER FLOODING.

* LOW LYING AREAS NEAR CREEKS AND STREAMS AND LOW WATER CROSSINGS WILL BE ESPECIALLY SUSCEPTIBLE TO FLASH FLOODING.

THOSE CAMPING OR FLOATING ON AREA RIVERS SHOULD CLOSELY MONITOR RIVER LEVELS AND BE PREPARED TO SEEK HIGHER GROUND.

THE ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS ANNOUNCED THAT RELEASES FROM BEAVER AND TABLE ROCK LAKES MAY BE INCREASED AS A RESULT OF ADDITIONAL HEAVY RAINFALL. THOSE DOWN STREAM FROM THESE DAMS INCLUDING LAKE TANEYCOMO SHOULD BE PREPARED TO TAKE PROPER ACTION IF INCREASED RELEASES ARE REQUIRED.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

A FLASH FLOOD WATCH MEANS THAT CONDITIONS MAY DEVELOP THAT LEAD TO FLASH FLOODING. FLASH FLOODING IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION.

YOU SHOULD MONITOR LATER FORECASTS AND BE PREPARED TO TAKE ACTION SHOULD FLASH FLOOD WARNINGS BE ISSUED.

In The Ozarks Tomorrow

The Master Gardeners of Greene County are hosting a free gardening event for kids Saturday. 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Springfield-Greene County Botanical Center at Nathanael Greene|Close Memorial Park, 2400 S. Scenic in Springfield. Organizers say the event will take place rain or shine.

The 5th Annual Springfield Missouri Indian Artifact Show is scheduled for Saturday at Remington’s Event Center at 1655 W Republic in Springfield. It starts at 8:00 a.m. and ends at 5:00 p.m. Collectors from eight states will present authentic artifacts for sale and display. An artifact authenticator will be in attendance to help you with your finds.

Bike to Work Week

May 16-20
If you haven’t yet been able, here’s your chance to try out Springfield’s developing on-street bike route system, trail system, and bus system in combination to get to work or school. This national annual challenge highlights the importance of creating bicycle-pedestrian friendly communities, and we hope you will support what happening with this effort here in our own community! Leave your car behind at least one day that week. Register your business or school through our Drive Less website.

James River Flood Photos

We would love to see the photos you gathered during the 2011 flood.

Compared to the flood of 2008

Springfield Wagon Company

The Little Fish In A Big Pond

Years ago I was asked by Wayne Hocklander to clean out the basement of his business, Hocklander Jewelry at the corner of South and Walnut in Springfield. It was filled with boxes of misc. papers, old jewelry boxes and basically what Wayne thought was junk, He wanted it gone. I started early one morning cleaning out the boxes and loading them into a dumpster when I dropped one of the boxes and had to pick up the papers. Much to my surprise they were old documents from the Springfield Wagon Company. I showed them to him and at the time they were in pretty rough shape. He made the decision to just pitch them. They were of no value I suppose back in the early 70′s.

I decided to hang on the few decent ones, mostly correspondence to buyers and post cards. At that time I was more impressed with the elegant handwriting displayed and thought they should be saved. I’m glad I did. Below is the basic history of the Springfield Wagon Company if you’re not familiar with it.

The Springfield Wagon Company could be called the company that didn’t blink. Through nearly 80 years of business, it took on many bigger companies head on, challenging them on their own terms. Now, the Springfield Wagon Company could be called the company that wouldn’t die.

About 200 people recently gathered at Founder’s Park in Springfield, Mo. to attend a public forum in order to share their common interest in an early-day vehicle. They collected memorablia, one-of-a-kind photographs, and videotaped interviews. They also celebrated the return of a company that closed fifty years ago.

The original Springfield Wagon Company, which operated near the scene of the collectors’ meet, sold many thousands of wagons from 1872 until 1941, when the factory relocated to Fayetteville, Ark. ‘Farm and road’ type wagons were made there near the Ozark hardwood forests until 1951. The wagon was one of the last high-wheeled vehicles in production.

Springfield wagons were made from the best materials. The yellow poplar box was finished in green with yellow striping, and the brand name was printed in white-painted block type. Its oak or hickory running gear, including spoked (12 in front and 14 in the taller rear) wheels were orange, trimmed in black. This combination of distinct colors would remain trademarks of the well-known wagon for 80 years.

When Springfield entered the market for wagons, it was a little fish in a big pond. Three major wagon manufacturers looked down their proverbial noses at the fledgling company. Studebaker had one of the longest pedigrees and was probably the most successful wagon at the time, followed closely by the Bain and Schuttler wagon companies. These companies were not alone. Birch, Wilson, John Deere and others had begun to establish footholds in the market.

Read More…

Have your own garden at Rutledge-Wilson Park

Potential gardeners get have a small garden plot at Rutledge-Wilson Farm Community Park.

The Springfield-Greene County Park Board is currently accepting applications for the Adopt-An-Urban Garden Program at the park located at 3825 W. Farm Road 146.

The program provides area residents with a space in which to grow a garden, along with providing an opportunity to gather with others who have a similar interest in gardening. Garden plot sizes are eight-feet by 16-feet, for $25 per season; 16-feet by 16-feet, for $40 per season. Half of the 60 plots are still available for 2011; first come, first served.

All food grown is the property of each plot’s owner. Each participant is responsible for maintaining weed control, providing all seeds and other equipment required to grow a garden and removing debris at the end of the growing season.

The Park Board provides a raised bed with a compost soil mixture and water access for each plot.

Garden Fever

Ozarks Gardening Feb 16, 2011

By: Jim Long

It may not feel like it with all the deep freeze cold and snow we’ve had, but it’s garden planning time. Mid-February to mid-March is the best time to plant peas, onions and potatoes if you want the best growth and the fewest insect problems. Ozarks tradition dictates peas be planted by Valentine’s Day, but I didn’t accomplish it this year. My garden was still under several inches of snow that day. Next week will be soon enough.

Beetle provided by: Horn Farm Community Gardens York, PA

Potatoes, as I’ve mentioned in this column every winter for almost two decades, will tolerate a lot of cold in the spring. The earlier they are planted, the better you will avoid potato beetles. Onions too, benefit from early planting.

February is also the ultimate month for pruning grapevines and muscadines. Why so early? Because as soon as the daytime temperatures start easing upward, the sap rises in grapevines. If you wait too long to prune, the vines will “bleed” sap, sometimes gallons a day, for a week or more. Early pruning while the weather is still cold will prevent that.

This is also the month to prune back sage and lavender plants. Both herbs should be if cut back by two thirds in early spring before new growth begins to prevent die-out of the center of the plants. Hard pruning also encourages more vigorous growth and blooming. (More)

About The Author: I have been a columnist for The Herb Companion magazine for the past 19 years and have regular columns in The Heirloom Gardener and The Ozarks Mountaineer magazines. My syndicated Ozarks Gardening column runs in newspapers across the Missouri and Arkansas Ozarks and I am the author of 25 books on herbs, gardening and cooking. I travel and lecture for groups and national conferences throughout the year and travel abroad in search of new culinary plants to grow, photograph and write about. Visit my website