Librarians Think Outside the Box

Windsor Library, Barnhart, Missouri

Be silent. Move quietly past other readers in the narrow bookshelf aisles. Speak in whispers. You might hear a librarian chasten a noisy patron with a “Shush”, but not today. Curiosity drove me to investigate the breaking of this rule.

Running late and driving at a pretty good clip, I was on my way to the library when another Nugget abruptly appeared. I was happy, even thrilled – but should I stop? I passed them, vacillating. Accepting my luck, I embraced the gift and returned to a large group of people on the side of the road standing close under rock cliffs. We are warned not to venture near these rock faces as sections can unleash themselves and anyone standing beneath can be badly injured.

Missouri Geologists

So, why would this group risk this possibility? I was convinced they are “Rockers”, my term for geologists (geologist sounds so stuffy, don’t you think?). And I was right. It was the Association of Missouri Geologists Annual Field Trip. Their banquet had been the night before. They had come from throughout the state:  Kansas City, Columbia, Springfield, Rolla, Farmington and other cities. Today they were examining the mineralogy and geology of the area, finding fossils, and studying the stratigraphy of the cliffs (the study of rock strata to include the distribution, deposition and age).

Geologists Enjoying Their Day

I had been blessed with coming upon these people on the one day a year, in the one segment of an hour in a year that they would appear in this location. How can anyone describe my luck? I catch these Life Nuggets every time I venture out. Every day is an adventure.

The “Rockers” are surprisingly gregarious and down-to-earth (so to speak) and were bursting with knowledge they wanted to share. In spitfire action I was asked, “Do you know what Blood Alley is along Highway 21 and why it isn’t called that anymore?” “And why is the area at Highway MM no longer called Death Valley?” And George regaled me with rock humor and proved to me how he could “rock my world” with his one-liners.

It was exciting to spend this very brief time with them. Their leader gave me his personal copy of their colorfully bound anniversary booklet and we exchanged contact information. I made new “friends” and expect to be invited to next year’s celebrations where I will have the time to learn the answers to their questions and much, much more.

Too soon, I moved on to my target for the day. Think of the last time you entered a library. What was the atmosphere? Did you see serious people reading, researching, studying? And what did you hear? Some pages shuffling in the predominate silence?

When I passed through the Windsor Library doors today I heard . . . music. A band was playing. Yes, a band. Speakers were amplifying the notes filling the air. In a library? Who could pull that off? Who else but CT and the Retirees! Yes, they sure get around Jefferson County and show up in some of the most unlikely places.

This performance was not after hours as I supposed it would be. No. They were entertaining a group of people sitting in chairs right in the middle of the main aisle in front of the librarian’s desk during normal hours of operation. It was a bit incongruous as you might imagine. The audience felt it, too. Where they would have otherwise exchanged a few words between friends, sang along with the tunes and danced, they sat rather rigid and silent, as if students in a classroom. After all, old habits of respect are hard to break and libraries resemble a schoolroom. The audience discreetly tapped their toes and lip-synced to the tunes. They only let some energy out when they applauded.

Packed in the Main Aisle

The musicians have a gentle persona and their tunes are not stridently offensive. Their presentation style is appropriate for a library. Regular patrons read books, used computers and conducted their usual routines without being disturbed by the old time country, ballads, Delta blues and Bluegrass tunes.

Marty and CT

It seems all entertainers push and strive and sweat to prove to the audience they are great performers, but CT and his gang is ultra low-keyed, casual. When the music begins to crescendo and CT moves forward and picks up his right foot, I am expecting a physical display – the tongue between the teeth, the guitarist digging into his music, head bobbing, hair swaying – but, no. Instead, he gently places his foot to the floor and slowly and ever so minimally, moves his body and picks the strings. He takes one step backward and that is all. No flash. No gyrations. Just talent

The subdued attitude is the actual pulse of this group, the allure. It is their calling card. They are genuine in a day of fakery and shallowness. And their following is attracted by this distinction. They walk away feeling peaceful and entertained, uplifted by the decency and simplicity of these unusual players.

Marty, CT, Phil, Dave, Mary and Joyce

I covered these delightful people when they appeared in a restaurant (Whole Lotta Livin’ Goin’ On), a venue which provided a more rockin’ atmosphere and audience participation. In comparison, their performance was as enjoyable as ever. In fact, I believe they are working together more smoothly and harmonizing a bit better. What hasn’t changed is the obvious friendship among the members and the quality product they produce.

As for all this commotion in a library – maybe this will set a precedent and libraries won’t be so stuffy in the future, so rigid. Maybe music will be allowed on a regular basis. Maybe librarians will let their hair down and relax and refrain from stamping your book overdue.

Then again, maybe not. Well, one can dream.

A Surprise Among Crafters

Byrnes Mill Festival, Rural Jefferson County, Missouri

On my way to the festival on a sunny morning, my eye caught activity off the right side of a curving road. Another Life Nugget had presented itself. I braked and came to a noisy stop on loose gravel. A man and woman, probably spouses, and a few youngsters were clearing brush from a neglected cemetery of very old gravestones.

These people are members of St. John’s Catholic Church located on old Highway 21 in Imperial. Shy and seeming to not want attention for their labors, they continued working as the man spoke with me. This plot of land, with graves dated in the 1800s, lies between two sections of St. John’s Cemetery and was once owned by the Bohemian Society. The Church has now incorporated this section into the Cemetery proper.

It was a delight to see these people of giving spirit, looking not for accolades, simply serving. And sharing this selfless task with children and being role models for them teaches hands-on connection to their community and its past. I will be revisiting this site again.

Citizens Serving

Uplifted, I took to the road again. When I arrived at the Byrnes Mill Park, I was struck by the atmosphere of this little celebration. It was quaint and quiet, homey and small. No flashy fanfare, sound speakers, or decorations; no formal walkways, just people meeting on a natural grassy slope.

 

But what struck my eye before investigating the fair was perhaps another Nugget. I saw a structure down the hill on the banks of the Big River that seemed to be cut in half – the top half gone. A nearby person said it might be the remnants of an old mill. An old mill? I recently covered a festival at the Licking Mill. I took pictures of this ruin and will add this info to my file for future research. Can anyone in my audience venture a guess as to what this structure was once used?

What was this?

Foundation is concrete - What are the three "posts" inside?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Booths at the fair sported a variety of handmade products. There were eight inch square “Fairy pillows”; rocks and minerals, some made into jewelry; dream catchers; bird feeders; wood lawn decorations and home preserves, cheeses and fresh cobblers.

But I came to see the Alpacas and there they were – Daisy (light tan), Princess (white), Isabella and her baby Blue Boy.

The Girls

Alpacas require special care. They are subject to Meningeal worm which paralyzes them and leads to a suffering decline. White tailed deer are carriers of a parasite, called a slug, in their stool. If alpacas eat the affected grass they become infected. Preventive is a monthly injection of Dectamax. The cost is minimal, about twenty-five cents per animal, yet many owners neglect this treatment. The feet of alpacas consist of two toes in front of a rear pad. The nails must be trimmed regularly.

In Peru and Bolivia, where their mortality rate is higher, you will see more products made from the animal pelts. Alpacas are valuable for their fleece (fiber) which provides more warmth at lighter weight than wool.

If you own alpacas, you don’t have to search out their waste to clean their living areas. They are considerate animals and deposit their “beans” into a community dung pile. Their waste is sold and is good for gardens as it contains no nitrogen. Thus, it is not necessary to compost the waste before application to the soil.

Alpacas are gentle animals and do not attack or rear up and kick people. It is healthy for them to breed and produce on a regular basis with only a two week rest period between impregnations. Gestation is one year.

Owners can enter their animals in competitions where they are judged on their structure and fleece characteristics such as density and crimp, the tighter the crimp, the more elastic the fiber. Award winning animals improves the price for studding or selling.

To me, though, they are objects of affection. They are soft to the touch and are fun to watch as they interact with other “pen pals”. And their tickle-y tongue makes me giggle when I hand feed them.

Cuddly Cuties

These alpacas are from Big River Alpacas in Fletcher, Missouri. Monies raised benefit the efforts to find new therapies for autism. The facility is open for education and holds annual Alpaca Farm Days usually the last weekend in September. There are hand spinner and knitter demonstrations, goat cart rides, opportunity to feed the animals, food and other festivities. Donations are appreciated and many products are available for purchase.

Soft and warm socks, Realistic hand puppets

Alpaca fiber

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another attraction was angora rabbits – oh, so gorgeous – long-eared, long-haired makes them look husky, yet they have small, delicate bones and are fragile animals. Their owner uses a spinning wheel and makes angora products. Mostly though, she just plain loves her animals and showers them with gentle affection.

Spinning wheel used to make angora thread

There were two music groups at today’s festival – Banjo Ben’s Family Bluegrass Band and Miss Crystal and the Codgers (string music). Check YouTube for future videos. The music provides a delightful and peaceful change of pace.

Banjo Ben's Family Bluegrass Band

And if you want to make this kind of music, Brekens Designs can supply custom made instruments and other products.

Hand Made Musical Instruments

The Byrnes Mill Police had a booth manned by friendly, approachable officers. On display were Beanie Babies, gun locks, and children’s coloring books, stuffed bears and more provided free to all.

On the park grounds is a preserved, two story cabin. Inside is a depiction of an era long gone. It is dark inside, candle lit and furnished in the style of the time – very educational and instructive. The cabin will have an Open House on November 5, 1-4pm, and will be decorated for Christmas in the 1800s with homemade gifts, refreshments and Santa.

The word festival is defined as an occasion which can include cultural performances and exhibitions. The Byrnes Mill Festival provided this, and was a low-keyed, pleasant, and peaceful event with opportunity to learn new things.

Please participate in your local events and generate business in your community. Not only are these events enjoyable, they are very educational and lead you into new avenues. Follow through and visit the home sites of the exhibitors. It won’t be long and I’ll be dropping in on the Big River Alpaca farm and meeting with the angora rabbit woman to discover even more.

Have fun learning!

NOTICE:  Follow my Events page for new additions to the schedule. If you are interested in booking any of the above mentioned exhibits that do not have a website, contact me for their information.