Trusses Puttin' On in The Ozarks

    People, we have a new neighbor James and Beth Raines moving in down from the community building.

    Well, it all started with a phone call and word of mouth that James would be trying to put trusses on the house he is building.  James and his father-in-law was going to try to manhandle the trusses by themselves, so seven of the guys from the community came over to assist and folks it was some kinda of fun watching all of this taking place.
Every job has to have a Superintendent and Max Donnohue fit that bill.  James wife, Beth had donuts and coffee and a place to sit.  Well, who do you think was drinking coffee and wolfing down them donuts, and I can say he also tried to be the boss but nobody listened to him.  This fellow was our pastor at Ozark Chapel, Bro Darrell Ezell. 

    Well, with a plan that would make builders quake, we started setting trusses.  After we got the first truss up and in place, we started playing a game, which everyone was in on the game except Jim Parker.  The object of the game was try to knock Jim off the ladder.  We were down to the last few trusses when we finally succeeded.  High fives all around and then back to work.  At lunch time Beth and her mother showed up with fried chicken and pizza.

    You know the stories been told on preachers and fried chicken, well all I can say, was watch your hand when reaching into the chicken bucket, you could draw back a nub.  A good meal and we went back and finished up.

    Those attending, and some helped were Max Donnohue, Roger Wise, Richard Mirus, Wesley Riggs, Jim Parker, Darrell Ezell, and Glenn Brandenburg.

    At least that’s the way I remembered that day, more or less.  Thanks Guys for the memories.

Win A Quilt!

This quilt is to be given away during the fish fry on May 9. Chances are $1.00 each or 6 for $5.00. See any board member to purchase chances or you can purchase at the fish fry.
This picture shows the quilt top on a queen size bed. The top measured 80" X 96" before it was quilted by our quilting ladies. The top is light blue, pink and white as the main colors. The back of the quilt is pink.

Have You Heard?

Have you heard about WestArkSwap? No? Let me tell you about it!

WestArkSwap was formed as a local community bulletin board to announce things such as yard sales, fund raisers, and community events as well as items individuals may want to buy, sell and trade...all without the expense of newspaper ads.

We serve the Fort Smith/Van Buren and surrounding areas.

For more information, click WestArkSwap

Forecasting Weather

Modern meteorologists have nothing on old time folk lore. I guess as soon as there was such a thing as weather patterns, man has been trying to predict what's coming. Let's look at some of the old time "signs" for weather forecasting.

Animal sign -
A bad winter is predicted when:
squirrels gather nuts early (middle to late September).
beaver lodges have more logs.
fur or hair on animals such as horses, sheep, mules, cows and dogs is thicker than usual.
cows hooves break loose earlier.
crows gather together.

Insect signs -
A bad winter is predicted when:
hornets & yellow jackets build nests closer to the ground and they are thicker.
crickets in the chimney.
ants build their hills higher.
miller moths try to get inside by hitting the screens.

Plant signs -
A bad winter is predicted when:
blackberry blooms are heavier than normal.
carrots grow deeper into the ground.
onions grow more layers than usual.
hickory nuts have thicker shells.

To forecast rain -
It will rain if:
the cows are laying down in the pasture.
the leaves on plants are showing their backs.
there are clouds with the sunset.
ants are covering the hole to their hill.
birds start flying low in the air.

Do you have an ole' time predictions of weather?