Today's Feature

Art in the Park

In conjunction with National Park Week, George Washington Carver National Monument invitesthe public to the third annual Art in the Park Day. Held on Saturday, April 25th from10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., this free event celebrates the artwork of George Washington Carver.

George Washington Carver was inspired by the natural environment and gained a sense of serenity and personal rejuvenation from his artistic work. Like Carver, artists will be set up across the park grounds, drawing inspiration from nature. Hands-on workshops will be provided throughout the day and all visitors are encouraged to participate. Workshops will feature techniques in acrylics, oils, pastels, clay, pencil, natural dyes, and watercolors.

The event will also feature Wil Clay, a professional storyteller and illustrator of Toledo, Ohio. Mr. Clay will present a storytelling session and two workshops on portrait drawing. Visitors will have an opportunity to visit with Mr. Clay about his original paintings of George Washington Carver which were recently published in a new book entitled A Man For All Seasons: The Life of George Washington Carver.

An unveiling ceremony will take place at 10:00 a.m. in the visitor center. Artist CJ Kindy, Eikins, Arkansas, will present her awarding winning Carver mural, The Spirit of Giving. Ms. Kindy is the winner of the 2008 Thomas Hart Benton Festival’s mural competition.

A special exhibit, Expressions of the Soul, will feature artistic creations by George Washington Carver, including some of his original artwork on display for this special day.

This is also National Junior Ranger Day with a special Junior Ranger booth and hands-on art activities. Children can earn their own Junior Ranger badge and other fun items. Special "Kids Only" art workshops will be offered!

George Washington Carver National Monument preserves the birthplace and childhood home of George Washington Carver. The monument is located two miles west of Diamond, Missouri on Hwy V, then south ½ mile on Carver Road. For more information, please call the park at 417-325-4151 between 9:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

Mornin'

I’m gonna have ta get me a pair of galosha’s. Growin’ up all us kids had a pair with the buckles. They were big enough ta fit over the shoe and you could tuck the pants leg down inside. They were great for splashin’ in mud puddles and wadin’ in the small ditch that ran in front of the house.

There wasn’t anything much more fun that gettin’ out after a good summer rain and sl opin’ around in the puddles.

Course now folks might think it a little odd to see the neighbor out jumpin’ up and down in a mud hole.

That’s one of the good things ‘bout bein’ a kid. You could do things just ‘cause ya wanted to. If someone though your were a little crazy, it just added to the fun.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

This Is A Hammer

Spring Switcheroo

With April here and winter fast on its way out (and completely gone in some parts of the country), it’s time to set up your home for the warmer months. Spring cleaning can be thought of as a three-stage operation: cleaning up winter damage, switching out cold-weather protection for hot-weather guards, and scheduling additional do-it-yourself projects through the next couple of seasons.

Winter storms tend to leave debris and damage on and around a home’s exterior and yard. Start with a walkaround inspection of the roof and gutter system, removing loose debris like tree branches and noting areas that need more attention, like torn shingles and dammed-up gutter sections. Climb down and check out the house siding and foundation for cracks or other damage. Inspect the ground around the house to make sure water isn’t pooling against the foundation and that roots from nearby plants aren’t trying to take hold next to the masonry.

Once you’ve noted repairs and cleanup that need to be done, schedule the time you need to complete them. Clearing fallen branches and other stuff from the rooftop and gutters are an early-spring priority, while patching or replacing that torn shingle can probably wait for a hot, sunny day (as long as there is no leak underneath it).

Now is the time to switch out storm windows for screens, and to throw open the sash to allow fresh air inside your home. In the past, spring was a time to switch old linens and curtains for new ones, and it’s not a bad tradition to follow -- if only to wash the curtains at least, and get rid of accumulated dust.

You’ll also need to switch the air filter in the heating system, and to prep your air-conditioner (whether whole-house or window unit) for use by cleaning or switching its filter and giving it a test run.

Finally, in the garage, swap those cold-weather supplies -- snow shovels, scrapers and ice melt -- for lawn care and garden tools. Lightly oil the edges of metal shovels before storing upright.

HOME TIP: Sharpen and lightly oil the metal parts of garden tools before their first springtime use; to store, hang them vertically on a storage rack or perforated corkboard.