Photographing the way we live

New Year’s resolutions when followed out for a time have a wonderful way of reordering our personal experience.

Since agreeing with myself that I would “knit the sky” each evening, I have both spent more time looking up than looking down and been able to carve out just a few minutes each evening for my favorite pastime. This past Monday the sky was a beautiful shade of almost perfect blue. I kept being caught up in the vastness of the space above.

I had great spans of time in which to gaze out while driving to visit one of my oldest friends in Barry County. About halfway between Neosho and Cassville I realized that I was framing up visual “shot” as I drove. I was thinking out an old barn or a stand of evergreen trees would make a nice picture. Blame it on another New Year’s endeavor, this of my friend Chrissy Day. Since the first of the year she’s been capturing a photograph image a day and posting on her blog The Way We Really Live.

Chrissy has a great eye. She sees things that I miss – until I see her photograph. I’ve added to my very early morning routine a visit to her blog, just to have a little “inspiration” time before the day becomes too hectic.

I keep giving Chrissy grief about needing to enter her photographs in an exhibition. Not because that will somehow lend credibility, they’re already “worthy” but because they’re good enough to share with a wide audience. Hopefully next year she’ll enter an image or two for possible consideration in the annual PhotoSpiva exhibit.

The 36^th Annual PhotoSpiva opens this weekend, March 10, at 10 am. PhotoSpiva is Spiva Center for the Art’s national claim to fame.  This exhibit brings together art and photography,  surrounding viewers with outstanding images selected by a nationally known juror.

There was no theme or categories. No way to distinguish photographic processes or professional status. Spiva had 156 photographers submit 844 images for consideration by photographer Andrew L. Moore. Moore, who photographed Joplin for the New York Times, selected 88 images by 64 photographers, that he felt showcased excellence and visionary work. Included in the exhibit are photographs by both amateur and professional U.S. photographers.

PhotoSpiva 2012 runs through Sunday, May 6, which allows plenty of time to make a run to Joplin and view the exhibit.

Chrissy, on the other hand, will be not quite half finished with her year of photographs come the first of May. Fortunately there are plenty of beautiful days and bountiful shots just waiting..

Booster Club Boost

I’ve often written about the matriarchs and patriarchs of Neosho. Individuals who leave such big shoes to fill, climbing into them seems insurmountable.

Who would dare to think they could be the next Hale McGinty or Ruth Bushmeyer. Who would think they’ve got anything on Ann Cope, Fred Clark, Peggy Payne or Robert Allen. Although these individuals probably never viewed themselves as role models, I’m confident at one time or another they’ve contemplated the servant leader concept of performing self-less acts for a greater good.

The problem with such steadfast role models is that often it appears overly intimidating to get in line and start shouldering part of the burden. Frankly, that’s my own weak-kneed excuse for not doing more.

It occurred to me at last Thursdays’ final football game that fortunately we are quietly surrounded by selfless individuals who have taken on community leadership roles simply because they felt it was the right thing to do. They recognized that someone needed to take charge, and they accepted the challenge; not because they had a vested interest or anything personal to gain, but simply because the opportunity to serve was there.

Each week Clark and Chyna Rhoades, Brett Day, Susan Elledge, Val Stauffer, Sandra Crane and Leslie Merrick put in time organizing and supporting the efforts of the Neosho booster club. Throw in a home football game and each of these individuals adds another six to seven hours of on-site volunteer work to their day.

I recognize that we’re not all sports fans and I’m confident that there are volunteers providing an equally impressive amount of time to the efforts of the agricultural students, band, speech and debate squads. Being confident that the Booster club model is not unique solely to the sports department makes me confident that we have the ability and the wherewithal to support Neosho and invest in its future pride and spirit.

Most of the individuals leading the Booster Club have children who are either too young or too old to participate in high school athletics. They’re in there for the students and never to promote themselves or their business.  I know I’ve never said thank you. I’ve thought, “Wow (he/she) is always here working. I should rally myself and volunteer to help.” When you think about it, wouldn’t that be the best complement we could offer; to say “You’re doing a great job. How can I help?

In the interim, if you see Clark or Chyna, Brett or Susan, Val, Sandra or Leslie, stop and tell them thanks for their service to our schools and the leadership roles they’ve claimed.

I love this time of the year!

Autumn arrived last week. The autumnal equinox occurred and once again we’re entering into the best time of the year to live in Neosho. I’ve got my favorite trees staked out. So far no changes on the Maples in front of the First Christian Church where members of the congregation are doing what
they do each fall, churning out impressive numbers of apple pies.

Fall sports are in full swing. It’s warm enough to enjoy the start of the game in shirt-sleeves and just perfectly suited to carrying along a light jacket.

Craft shows and festivals are in every surrounding community. The best thing about craft shows, in my opinion, is that they always have kettle corn. I’m not crafty nor do I have any more room in my house for more stuff, but I love going and looking, admiring the ability of others to create something beautiful, useful or both.

Wisely or in another serious act of self-loathing I have once again embarked on a serious round of dieting. What was I thinking? It’s the wrong time of the year to start that! I’m all about the pumpkin shakes, the pumpkin pie and more importantly the pumpkin donuts at the Donut House. It’s obviously a culinary oversight that pumpkin flavor isn’t enjoyed year-round, after all bacon is trendy and found in everything from desserts to drinks. Pumpkin is just as worthy. So I consider it self-preservation that I’m committed to saying no to all things pumpkin along with the funnel cakes and caramel apples.

I asked my photographer friend Julie and she agrees that the outside light looks better in September. The grass and trees sparkle. The blue of the sky is bluer. Vibrancy outside now hints at the changing leaf colors around the corner.A lot of folks like to live in climates where it’s perpetually spring or early summer. Not me. I’ll take the gamble of a snow-filled winter and a scorching summer for the brief autumn splendor that’s found here at home.

Grotto Fine Arts Gallery

I’m an unabashed lover of Neosho.  I adore it when there are lots of things going on; folks running around the square, restaurant parking lots full, and the ball fields filled with kids. 

Maybe it’s partly the excitement of another school year.  I’ve always enjoyed fall. When younger, I looked forward to the beginning of a new schedule of classes and seeing friends again every day.  Although I enjoy the laid-back pace of summer, this year I’m not sad to see it winding down.  Goodbye blistering temperatures. 

The Wildcat Pride event was once again enjoyable and representative of what a good group of student athletes we have here in Neosho.  The faculty and staff of the school, the various business sponsors, the parents and community fans, made it “a great day to be a Wildcat.”  It’s a great sight to drive past the school and see the stands filled and the parking lot brimming with tents and crowds of people.

As a side note: I also love to drive past the high school campus during speech and debate competitions as well as theatre or musical performances and note the large crowds and groups of excited students.

Another recent Neosho “event” I hope you were able to participate in was the Grotto Fine Arts Gallery’s Finest Potters and Top Musicians Open House this past Saturday.  Big Al and I thought we would just pop in for a few minutes to take a quick look around.  Two hours later we’re enjoying the live music and visiting with friends when we  remember we have other obligations and to work hard to tear ourselves away.

April Davis and the many artists that have filled the Grotto are truly captivating.  You just can’t rush through the rooms.  Numerous local artists are represented, and if I wasn’t deathly frightened of leaving someone off I would try to start naming names.  Trust me on this one; make the time to visit the Grotto and view the art.  You’re going to fall in love with some work, or maybe several pieces.

What I strongly noticed during the Grotto’s event was how many folks were there that are not from Neosho.  Chatting with several they mentioned how much they loved the space, really enjoyed visiting Neosho and were planning on staying in town for dinner.  As far as we could tell, there were a lot of people in attendance just like the Big Guy and myself.  They were individuals with a full-plate of weekend responsibilities, rushing in to support the Gallery, then being awestruck once they got inside; striking up conversations, munching on insanely good snacks and generally reclaiming their weekend.

As a community, we’ve got so much to offer.  Every day is a great day to be a Wildcat on the field or in the gallery.

Nice Guys Are Always First In Customer Service Arena

Did you hear about the latest study that showed that “disagreeable” people in the workplace made more money than their more amenable coworkers?  Apparently, if you’re tough to work with and a man, you’ll make $10,000 more than your fellow male peers.  If you’re a woman and tough to work around, you’ll make $2,000 more.

Doesn’t that just seem wrong on so many levels?  I wonder if it’s a similar correlation to the theory some folks are falsely operating under that to be negative is to appear more intelligent or sophisticated.

I don’t know about you, but negativity and hatefulness repels me.  I’ve been mocked for being a Pollyanna and have stared back countless eye rolls when asked how I was and I’ve replied “awesome.” I can’t help but also think that organizations that pay disagreeable employees are either sure that those individuals have no contact with customers or they’re confused as to why they’re losing money.

I love a deal.  It’s great when I’ve found a good bargain or “stacked” some coupons in a shopping trip, but no matter how good the deal, if the employees of a store are rude, I’m not going back.

Fortunately, we have some incredible folks working in Neosho.  They may be employed by national chains, headquartered thousands of miles away, but these individuals still conduct themselves as our friends and neighbors.

A good example occurred earlier this week at Lowe’s.  The Marble homestead remodel has moved upstairs.  As I wrote about recently, the twins repainted their rooms.  Our attention has now turned to carpet and window coverings.  We’re nightly visitors at Lowe’s.  Some nights we don’t buy anything, but look at various products, trying to get a read on what appeals to two fifteen-year-olds.

On our last trip we were ready to make a window shade commitment.  Our plan was simply to purchase the blinds and leave them for sizing.  But within minutes “David” was at hand ready to cut them to order while we waited.  He and Big Al enjoyed a chat about fishing and fathers; David has just spent the day fishing with his father, and had scheduled a night shift to catch up on hours.

Within a few minutes we walked out with three set of custom-cut shades and a pretty good feeling about David and Lowe’s in general.  Good customer service and kindness always win the day. 

Neosho's Bright Future

When I moved to Neosho I was just 21.  Working in public relations at Crowder would be my first job out of college.  A few weeks before the position began; I came to town to look for a place to rent.  I remember stopping to eat a quick bit for lunch at one of the restaurants on the Boulevard.  It was a hot August like now, and sitting there I looked out across the highway at the high school. 

I remember thinking how nice it was that the school seemed to be at the heart of the town and that the football field was immediately next to it.  Even though it would be almost 10 years before I would have kids, I daydreamed a little about how nice it would be for my children to one day attend Neosho Schools.

My decision to start my career here was based as much on how impressed I was with Crowder as how hopeful I was to become part of Neosho.  I never regretted either decision.

Crowder was a great place to work for almost two decades.  And now for almost 25 years I’ve called Neosho home.  I’ve often compared our Western Hills neighborhood to Neosho in general.  It’s small enough that everyone knows everyone, but big enough that folks aren’t “in your business” all the time.  But at the first sign of trouble, people will flock to you, climbing over each other to help.

Neosho is the type of place where folks are just waiting to do something good.  A perfect example is the Hope Chest project at Mills Furniture.  The ripple effects from that effort are now felt far and wide; both in terms of those who have helped find and fill the chests along with those on the receiving end.

Last week Neosho’s Bright Future’s program kicked off.  Once again, there was no denying that Neosho was ready to answer the call.  Neosho First Baptist was filled with eager parents, dedicated teachers and fantastic community leaders all waiting to hear how they could become a part of this program that has so positively impacted the Joplin school district.

Each and every speaker that morning spoke from the heart.  Representative from the school, athletics, business, the court system and Neosho churches spoke about what ministering to students meant to them and how they saw Neosho’s Bright Futures program being a key factor in the success of our district.

There are so many ways to help: having lunch with a student, volunteering at a school, sponsoring a classroom, or even a school.  The organizers of Neosho’s effort have purposefully left portions of the next steps open.  They want to make this program – Neosho’s program; meet the needs of our students, here and now.

Get involved.  Check out “Bright Futures Neosho” on Facebook or call Neosho schools, 451-8600. 

Neosho is a great community with a very bright future.

Welcome to Neosho

Our children’s church message a couple of weeks ago was about making people feel welcome.  Our children/youth minister Melinda Gibson brought a welcome mat and asked the children what it was.  Most of them replied rug, which provided her with the opportunity to explain the phrase "putting out the welcome mat."

I’ve been thinking a lot about Neosho’s welcome mat every time I drive down Harmony Street.  It is so refreshing to see a full parking lot in the old McClintock’s/Scholastic parking lot.  One of the businesses damaged as part of the Joplin tornado has temporarily located to the space.  These folks are spending a large part of their day now in townand it feels good to know we, as a community, had the space to provide.

Reading a recent Neosho Daily News report, it was not surprising to learn that there has been an increase in local home sales since May 22.  Amye Buckley wrote that since that time, 87 new Neosho water customers established residency and signed up for services. The signs of change are evident in our neighborhood, three homes on our circle, long on the housing market, and have now sold.  All three are being occupied by families whose homes were destroyed by the tornado.

So many of us have felt lost as to how to help, and now it seems we have a perfect opportunity simply by throwing out Neosho’s welcome mat and making sure our new residents, no matter how long they’re here, know they’ve arrived somewhere they can regroup and right themselves.

If you’re like me, sometimes I’m asked if I know a particular person.  Even if we’ve never spoken, but if they’re from Neosho, I’ll say yes; because they’re “Neosho people.”  Having only lived here for the past 24 years, I have never experienced any feelings of being on the outside.  Neosho has always felt like home.

A quote I remember attributed to Thomas Hart Benton was his description of Neosho as a town addicted to celebration.  We have our Christmas parade, our arts celebrations, our car shows and Wildcat pride.  More importantly, I believe we celebrate each other.  We celebrate our commitment to our schools by volunteering when asked to help.  We celebrate our community when we participate in civic events; serve on committees and attending council meetings.  We celebrate the arts when we attend local plays and concerts.

Maybe now more than ever, we can prove Thomas Hart right and celebrate Neosho by welcoming our new residents.  A warm smile and a quick, “Welcome to Neosho.  We’re glad to be here for you,” will be one of the many ways we can help renew and rebuild.

God winks in Neosho

I still look for the God-winks in life.  Those times when you know comfortably and completely that you’re in the right place in the right time.

We enjoyed one of those experiences last week when we stopped for a quick lunch at a Neosho restaurant. Big Al and I were discussing Lauri Lyerla and Jennifer Matters' efforts at Mills Furniture to get “chests of hope” to kids and teens impacted by the Joplin tornado.

So many people are trying to find some way to help that whenever a creative idea is presented to them, they are eager to jump in and help.  Lauri had heard from folks with Oral Roberts University that they had a couple of semi-truck loads worth of donations ready for transport to Neosho.

While waiting on our lunch, I made a quick call to a friend at the Missouri Motor Carriers Office to relay questions about tags and permits needed to head to Tulsa to pick up the donations.

As I concluded the call, a lady walked up to our table and said, “Excuse me, but we couldn’t help but overhear.” 

“My boyfriend," she said, pointing to a gentleman at a corner table “is a truck driver and he has his own truck.  He would really like to talk to you about helping.”

We all moved back to his table and introduced ourselves.  Debbie Greene the woman who took the initiative to talk to us and her boyfriend John Van Syoc were connected emotionally to the tornado disaster like many of us who live and work nearby.  A quick call was made to Mills and by the time we had all been served and had eaten our lunch the logistics were worked out and a plan was ready.

By that evening, John had driven to Tulsa, loaded his tractor unit and a trailer owned by Scott Wade and was on his way back to Neosho.

We ran into Lauri that night at a fundraising event for the McKee family, who had their lives turned upside down by the tornado.  She was overwhelmed by the generosity and kindness of people who only hours before we hadn’t known, but who were now partners in something much bigger. 

We all should have known that the afternoon’s generosity was a delightful hint of the good things to come at the McKee benefit later that evening.  Initially, the event was intended to raise enough money to cover a month’s worth of living expenses, but wonderfully over five times that much was realized.  Kudos need to be extended to Head Football Coach Jared Schoonover, the football team, members of the Neosho Booster Club, the Neosho Youth Football volunteers, and the faithfully generous citizens of our community who opened their hearts and wallets to help.

It’s good to get the occasional “god wink” reminding you that you truly are in the right place at the right time.  It’s also pleasing to know that you’re living in the right place.  We received that reminder about Neosho last week. 

Jam, Gardening & Keep the twins filled!

Took the MO Extension class on jam and pickle making this week. It was too much fun. I learned more than I can possibly ever remember...took lots of notes, particularly while watching the Pickle PowerPoint.

Made my first batch of blueberry jam this afternoon. Anxious to wait the 12-24 hours to determine how it turned out. Borrowed Donna's kitchen to fix the 12 jars of jam. Hopefully all the neighbors like blueberry!

The community garden at Crowder had less gardeners than expected this year. Gardening is one of those things I dream about and plan big in the fall, yet when the day comes to plant, I'm content to wait until the Farmer's Markets open for my fresh produce. Fortunately Darrel Hedricks has actively tilled, weeded, and watered his portion of the garden. More advantageous for use he shared an amazing bag of corn ears this weekend. They were the best we've had all summer.

Speaking of the Farmer's Market. I love our Market in Neosho. This weekend the Dexter and I fixed Marconi peppers stuffed with sauteed onions, tomatoes and Italian sausage - all vegetables supplied by the Market. Each week we've tried some new recipe or fell in love with a particular farmer's offerings.

Trains - Operation Lifesaver

Growing up, we didn’t have neighbors across the street. We had train tracks. My dad worked at B. F. Goodrich in Miami and we lived fairly close to the plant. I’m not sure if the tracks carried material into and out of the BFG, but in my mind they’re connected.

The train engineers would wave as the trains moved by while my sister and I played in the front yard. Hearing their horn and the roar as they went past was one of the ways I marked the time of my childhood days, pleasantly absent of a wristwatch.

Even now, living in Neosho, we live near the tracks. The railroad bridge and line that runs behind Griffith Motors is close to our house. I love watching the trains cross overhead as we drive on the roadway beneath. I even like hearing the crazy, early morning whistles of the train that every few weeks pull through town around 5 a.m.

Our kids love trains as well. The top shelf of our large family bookcase is specially set aside for the Box Car Children books. Each one dated on the title page with the day and year each of our children finished reading it.

This week at work, we’re observing Operation Lifesaver, a time devoted to raising awareness about railroad crossing safety. I’m crazy competitive, love to come in first whenever possible. This is one time that I’m not too thrilled with our standings.

For the entire state of Missouri, 20% of all railroad crossing accidents occur in Jasper and Newton counties. And understand this – those individuals involved in these accidents are primarily in their 30s and 40s – not the distracted teens and early 20s I had originally assumed.

Each and every day, I try to cram more and more appointments and errands into my day. I often fail to take into consideration the “flex” time I’ll need just to get from one spot to the next. Railroad crossings and no place to be running behind and trying to make up a little time; there’s a reason why school busses come to a complete stop at all crossings – it’s smart to stop and look. Be safe before you cross.

Throughout this week we’ll be taking reporters are some short rail trips, letting them see first hand the number of times motorists try to beat the trains here in Neosho and some other locations in the two county area. I know from visiting with many of you that read this column that we’re all juggling more balls in the air than we can some days count; today’s our day to add travel time into our planners, allow for the occasional train to cross your path. Take the opportunity to relax and count your blessings as you safely wait at the crossing….and be sure to wave.

Great Grandpa Column

I'm a sucker for any writing about wonderful grandparents. Cody Thorn, Neosho Daily News sports writer really hit a homerun in tonight's paper.

http://www.neoshodailynews.com/sports/x379990124/Is-there-crying-in-baseball

Cody is everywhere. In fact it would be easy to think he's a twin - it seems impossible that he can be at so many events in one day...and go to college....and have a life!

Check out the column. Then if you're blessed enough to still have a grandparent living, give 'em a call. You'll be glad you did.