Spelling Bee Sponsor Needed.

Southwest Missouri schools are in need of a sponsor or a group of sponsors for the Regional Spelling Bee. These sponsors must be businesses or community organizations. Without a sponsor, schools in 25 Missouri counties cannot enroll in the Scripps National Spelling Bee. Although it seems that only one child‹the champion‹will be benefiting from this sponsorship, it is not so.

Those who compete in the spelling bee enrich their vocabulary, have an appreciation for diverse languages, and develop writing competency. The enrollment deadline for Southwest Missouri schools is December 17, 2010. The sponsorship fee of $1000 is not due until January 2011. The remaining funds for sending the regional champion to the nationals are reimbursed to the speller’s family after Bee Week, which is at the end of May or beginning of June. A $15 credit goes back to the sponsor for every school that enrolls with Scripps. Last year 31 schools enrolled in the program from SW Missouri, so the sponsor earned $465 to offset the costs associated with their program. Contact is Denise McClanahan at (573)426-2627 or at mcclan5@fidnet.com.

I still can’t out guess the coffee maker.

As fast as today’s drip pots are, the first pot a coffee never gets done fast enough. I am typically standin’ with cup in hand waitin’ for the drip process (although I would argue that a perked cup tastes better) to run its course.

I wait ‘till the drip ceases, remove the pot to pour a cup, and the maker spews a last shot of coffee all over the counter.

It usually makes that growlin’ noise right after the liquid hits the hot plate, like it had held the fluid as long as possible.

There are reasonable solutions to this almost daily confrontation I’m sure. But the use of large hammers and other implements of destruction in the kitchen is frowned upon in my household.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

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Weekly Columns

As the location for artCentral moved from Red Oak II in 1999 to our current location, the Hyde House, the first exhibition presented was by a group of local women artists, calling themselves the "Spring River Artists". Geographically, they all lived near Spring River at that time, and though their number has decreased from the original seven to five, their intensity to produce art has not. Now, as we celebrate a landmark anniversary for artCentral, these women return to exhibit new art that they have created. Expected back is Tricia Courtney of Joplin, art director for the GLOBE for many years until her recent return to painting full time. Now both an artist and also a new gallery director this past year, Tricia manages the new "Rose Gallery" that has just opened in Joplin. Another artist from Joplin is oil painter Kim Kissel, also currently a full time artist who enjoyed a solo showing at artCentral in 2006. Helen Kunze of Carthage is a current member of the Board of Directors of artCentral and was a volunteer co-director in our past. Helen has a commercial art background. Sculptor Linda Simpson of Carthage, who’s "Blue Parrot Studio" is located in Alba, is presently out of the country, teaching in Prague. Her bronze and stone and alabaster sculptures will be exhibited in absentia. Continuing to maintain an active presence at artCentral is Joplin artist Randy Wright, who has become a full time artist recently following retirement from elementary art teaching in Carthage. A long time favorite artCamp instructor for artCentral, Randy is currently working primarily in silver and semiprecious stone jewelry art and thrown and hand built clay pottery. We look forward to the unique work that these veteran artists will be bringing to this new exhibition, almost 10 years after that first showing in 1999. Join us Friday night to meet these women at their opening, beginning at 6:00 here at Hyde House in Carthage. For additional information, call 358-4404. Next week I will wrap up the most exciting and successful first annual "Maple Leaf Plein Air Artist" competition held last week!