DOGWOOD ACRES, 09-28-09

DOGWOOD ACRES, 09/28/09, ELANE CRUM

Hello friends. September’s last weekend was about as perfect as one could hope for as we welcome autumn. Rick met with the neighbors for Saturday morning coffee at Dan Crane’s cabin. As usual, he did not share much news with me, except for the fact that Harry Coleman was riding close to the ground in a little three wheel vehicle.

Sunday services at Sandy Church were good; the kind that make you especially glad that you did not miss. Sunday dinner was extra good too. Bill Hodges fried a nice mess of catfish to go with the white beans and cornbread that Mary Lou had prepared. Ashton and Erin decorated a yummy molasses cake for Amy’s birthday.

While “some” of us found a comfy spot to while away the rest of the afternoon, LeaAnn and the kids went for a long walk to the back of the farm. I sent my camera with her and she came back with sweet pictures of the kids, young calves and the old homestead. Martin ran nine or ten miles and Rick walked the dogs to the mailbox and back a couple of times.

Hodges Sunday Doggy Daycare is interesting with Martin and Amy’s two fluffy boys, Harley and Duke, and our frisky Little Fox. They run and tumble with one another and, when given the opportunity, may tree a cat or two.

Harvey Westfall came to see Rick last week and brought some salmon from his Canadian fishing trip. He had some big fish stories to tell , but did have pictures to back them up.

My Thursday volunteer duty at the White River Valley Historical Society is over as the “New Harmonies” exhibit ended this weekend. I especially enjoyed the lunch time concerts held every Thursday and appreciate new friends made through the six weeks exhibition.

This last Thursday was especially busy with Forsyth high school students coming for a morning tour. Then, the Bradleyville School Band came to set up on the parking lot for a noon-time concert. After setting up their chairs and instruments they came inside to explore the exhibit before concert time. Students from both schools were just a delight to visit with. There was a lot of interest in the variety of instruments on display; some plucked at the 5 strings of the banjo; others experimented with spoons and the washboard. The toilet seat guitar was also intriguing to several, so there was a great variety of music.

At noon they were all in their seats with instruments tuned and ready to play. The “Screaming Eagles” band was awesome; certainly did make their school and families proud.

Hunting season has changed the lifestyle patterns of bow-hunters and their families. Rick’s alarm wakes me up at 6:00 a.m. every morning, whether he gets up or not. Bow season is long enough that there is not a great urgency to be up and at ‘em every single day, so he is pacing himself.

All of these fellows in the woods are looking for deer sign, but bear sign and pig sign also crops up here and there. The latest pig sign was over by my brother, Jim’s house, right in their yard! Had we not seen for ourselves, we would not have believed it, but life on Dogwood Acres is full of surprises. Bye for now.

DOGWOOD ACRES, 09/21/09

DOGWOOD ACRES, 09/21/09

Hello friends. The Bilyeu Reunion was well attended on Saturday. It just does not last long enough and I left thinking of all the people I did not have time to set and visit with. The youngest was the pretty little granddaughter of Ricky Dean Bilyeu. The oldest was Aunt Bonnie Gimlin Bilyeu. (PICTURE IS Aunt Bonnie Bilyeu, Bobby Joe Bilyeu & Mary Lee Bilyeu Brown)

I was surprised to win because my whole family was there, husband, all my kids and grandkids. I will admit it was easier for my whole family to be there than some with larger families, but was proud to have them by my side.

As reunions go on, Sara Shannon asked me to announce the Cook reunion which will be held on Saturday, 9/26 at the Taney Center from 11:00 to 2:00.

The Lone Star Homecoming is just around the corner as we are almost to October. It will be on the 2nd Sunday, October 11.

When we got home on Saturday evening, the girls were anxious to play a new game they had gotten for the WII and Rick was ready for a nap. Before I sat still long enough to take a nap, I went to visit Christie and her family. It was a rather quite evening at their house with only Bill, Christie and Sean there. They were having dinner on the screened-in porch, so I pulled up a chair and ate a few bites of lasagna while catching up on the events of their week.

Rick went to pick up our granddaughters at Plainview School Friday and stopped at Granny & Papa Hodges on the way home. The girls talked him into adopting one of the new kittens so our world continues to stay exciting. Little Fox thinks she is a new toy to play with, but Tiger, one of our big cats has adopted the baby, protecting her or it, we do not know which, from the energetic little dog.

No doubt, I am forgetting news or just do not have enough concentration to remember what else happened, so will say Bye for now.

SEPTEMBER SUNDAY

SEPTEMBER SUNDAY AFTERNOON
Sunday afternoons with our kids and LeaAnn's family are so special. I love the pictures in this album, because they simply show the family doing everyday things...Sunday Dinner...PaPa's on the porch...afternoon walk through the fields....Hope you enjoy!

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Bradleyville Band

The Bradleyville Band played for the Smithsonian "New Harmonies" exhibit sponsored by the "White River Valley Historical Society" in downtown Forsyth, MO.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

MAPLES FAMILY REUNION, 09/12/09

CHRISTIE BILYEU BIGGS, ELANE BILYEU CRUM, BECKY DAVIS ALLEN

all are granddaughters of Xury and Grace Pritchard Davis

Becky is daughter of Nadine Wade Davis & Walter Davis, granddaughter of Riley & Rose M Maples

NADINE WADE DAVIS, OPAL MAPLES THOMAS, AGNES WADE

Nadine and Agnes, daughters of Ivan and Ruby Maples Wade

Opal, sister to their Mother, Ruby

DOGWOOD ACRES, 09/14/09

DOGWOOD ACRES, 09/14/09, ELANE CRUM
Hello friends. I keep trying to put more activities into my weekends and the time just does not stretch like I need it to! While Rick went for biscuits and gravy at Ken Puchta’s log cabin on Saturday morning, Little Fox and Bud helped me water flowers. Next, was a lick and promise at house cleaning and when Rick got home to stay with the dogs, I was ready to head out for Springfield.

Christie had gone to work early, but we met at Ryan’s Cafeteria in Springfield where we crashed the reunion of the descendants of Riley Alexander Maples from around Highlandville. Our Aunt Nadine Davis is a granddaughter of Riley and daughter of Ruby (Maples) Wade and Ivan Wade. She and her sister, Agnes, were chauffeured from Kansas by our cousin, Becky, also known as Rebecca Fern.

I did not expect to know anyone, but met a whole family of kids that I went to school with at Highlandville, the children of Jack Maples.
The two living children of Riley were there, Junior and Opal. I had a nice visit with Opal and enjoyed hearing about the years that she and her husband, Oliver Thomas, pastured Southern Baptist Churches around the area.
Another cousin, Betty (Maples) Wiseman told us she remembered our mother but she and Aunt Wanetta Keithley were the ones who got in trouble for talking too much on Melvin Patrick’s school bus. Imagine that!
Such nice people, but we love our Aunt Nadine and Agnes, so knew they would have a sweet family.

After leaving the reunion, I followed Christie to the new Sam’s Club on S. Campbell. I do not shop at Sam’s very much so it was a treat for me. While I was wandering around looking lost, I almost ran into Austin and Shirley Sutton from Taneyville. They said it was also their first time to shop there. I also saw Chad Curtiss, one of Neal’s buddies from school days at Marshfield. We have a lot of good memories from over eleven years that Neal had with classmates there.

Christie went back to work and I finally got home about 6:00 p.m. Sunday was a welcome respite at the end of a busy week. It was fellowship dinner day at Sandy Church and I made chocolate brownies with white butter cream icing and a big pan of Settler’s Beans with deerburger. They ate all the beans but there must have been six pans of brownies so most of those came home with me. Rick will not eat them and I will, so they went to work with me on Monday.

Aunt Roma Smith spent a few days in the hospital last week, but is now at home, being tended lovingly by Uncle Bill. He is such a good cook and knows just what she likes and how to make it pretty and appetizing.

Last Friday Rick and I attended a program for grandparents at Plainview School. Sheila Thomas is the music teacher there this year and she did a great job. The kids had fun and we old folks enjoyed hearing songs from the decades that we have lived through.

After leaving the school, we came home via DD Hwy and stopped at Rick and Judi Horner’s yard sale. They had lots of help with Joe, Nadine and Jack keeping them company. After school was out Kelly and Gus came so, we got to see almost the whole family. They tried to give us the Mama dog and puppy that someone had dumped on them, but we already have more than enough dogs.

I got a newsy email from Carla (Cummings) Jennings. She said Kaitlyn and Raymond keep them very busy with ballgames. Little Wesley is still getting used to the long days at kindergarten. Brian had taken the boys squirrel hunting, but I have not heard whether or not they had fried squirrel with gravy for dinner that evening.

One day last week I went into McDonald’s next to my office and got to visit with the Harding Family. Wayne and Gloria were there with Jimmy, Glowayna and her husband. I had never met him, but he thought he had seen my picture in a cooking magazine, the one that TV cook, Paula Deen, publishes. I had never had anyone tell me I looked like Paula Deen, but will take it as a compliment.

Rick and I went to Marshfield one evening for visitation of Patricia Barnum Szczechowski. We were next-door neighbors when Neal was very young and enjoyed watching their children grow up. There was a big crowd at the funeral home, but after being gone for almost twenty years, only saw one person that we knew, our friend and another neighbor, Barbara Berg.
I showed property today in Highlandville, Nixa and Ozark, ending up in a deep hollow near the head of Bull Creek. There was a beautiful home there at the end of a gravel road. It was dark and raining by the time we got there, but I want to take Rick and go back sometime just to see it in the daylight.

There is a white car with stripes of red paint likely traveling H Hwy on a regular basis. It would not have had red paint until Monday morning about 9:30 a.m. That was when it ran my nephew off the road on H, just south of Lone Star Road. Thank God he was not hurt and by the grace of God, his car landed on its all fours. Of course, the white car never stopped, but since his red car has white paint all along the side, it stands to reason the white car may have red stripes. Bye for now.

DOGWOOD ACRES, 09/07/09

Erin Crum, age ten, and her Mom, LeaAnn Crum

DOGWOOD ACRES, 09/07/09, ELANE CRUM
Hello friends. Labor Day weekend turned out to be a busy one for our family. I had floor duty Saturday and Rick went with Neal and family to a Black Powder Rendezvous near Gainesville. Sunday was a full day with church, family and Sunday Dinner at Bill and Mary Lou’s table. Amy Hodges parents, Keith and Candy Cremeens, were visiting for the weekend and enjoyed the big country meal. The Sunday meal included meatloaf, fried squirrel, mashed potatoes, gravy, veggies fresh from the garden, raisin cobbler, peach pie and homemade ice cream.

After the dinner dishes were done, we were entertained with Sunday Bluegrass by Martin and LeaAnn. Ashton and Charlie played the WII all afternoon, Erin and I made homemade paper, and Little Fox romped and played in the grassy yard. The new litter of fluffy kittens also got their share of attention. Mary Lou says they have to find new homes soon and I think Rick has his eye on one that should make a good playmate for Little Fox.

The kids met us at Silver Dollar City on Monday afternoon. The first thing we did was visit Birdle Mannon’s cabin. LeaAnn got so excited looking at the pictures of Birdle, who was one of her first vacation bible school teachers at Caney Church.

The guys spent too much time in the knife shop, and then we had lunch in front of the waterfall. Rick and I found a shaded bench to sit on while the kids rode Wildfire and Fire in the Hole. Our evening finale was the Isaac’s Concert in Echo Hollow Amphitheater. It was the first time Rick and I had seen them in person and we were not disappointed.

Last week was another busy one with activities at White River Valley Historical Society. I was at the museum Thursday afternoon and thoroughly enjoyed the music of Irene Johnson and friends, Bill and Barbara Starrett. Both ladies played the autoharp and Bill played the fiddle. What a pleasure it was to hear them play.

Friday night we went to the “Jam Session” and potluck dinner at Taney Center. Before going to work Friday morning, I fried up some Venison burger and made a kettle of Taco Soup to take for my contribution to the meal. Alice Wyman brought in a pan of homemade cinnamon rolls, still warm from the oven, and we both managed to nab one of them. They were definitely the kind that melt in your mouth and make you want to eat another one or two.

There were a lot of good pickers and singers there, many that I did not know, but some that I did. We enjoyed hearing Ronnie Timmons sing, especially enjoyed his recitation about the preacher! Our daughter-in-law, LeaAnn, was there with 5-string banjo and guitar. She and ten-year old Erin sang a special and then Junior Lawrence backed her up with his guitar while she picked some banjo tunes. Junior has played with LeaAnn and her brother, Martin, since they were little kids. We enjoyed seeing him again.

Patsy Kenyon from Hollister called and asked me to announce the Kenyon Reunion to be held on September 19 at Shadow Rock Park. They will meet at 5:30 at the pavilion near the playground for a potluck meal.

Glenette Brown wants me to remind the Bilyeu Family and friends about the Bilyeu Reunion on September 19 at Spokane High School. It begins at 11:15 with potluck meal served at noon. There will be a good time of visiting and some singing after lunch.

My sister, Christie Biggs, celebrated 25 years at Bank of America earlier this year. Most of her time was in Forsyth and just the last two or three years she has been at the branch next to Wal-Mart Supercenter at Branson West.

Many local people will remember that it has not always been Bank of America, but began as Bank of Taney County in September of 1958. Christie was almost three years old when they opened and sixteen years old when she opened her first checking account with $5.00. She remembers ordering a box of checks that was $2 and that left her $3 which she soon spent and closed the account. She has written more fond memories of her banking days in Forsyth, which I will post on my blog, http://www.dogwoodacresonline.blogspot.com/
Bye for now.

Bank of Taney County Memories by Christie Biggs

Bank of Taney County opened September 1958, I was nearly 3 years old.
At age 16 I opened my first checking account with $5.00 and depleted that stash in NO time at all. (I think I ordered a box of checks that was $2 so that left me $3.) hmmmmm...not much different now is it?

I recall going in and thinking the ladies all looked so nice in their "uniforms" brown....like UPS ---- I don't believe they enjoyed being twinkies, but I remember thinking they all looked so "smart" and how fortunate they were to be in such a nice place to work all dressed up!!
Through the years workers came and went with the bank growing on and changes made consistently.

The first change was when Bank of Taney changed to:
Boatmen's Bank of Taney
Boatmen's Tri-Lakes (that's when we stepped out and included Branson, Crane and Stone-Ridge...now called Branson West)
Boatmen's Bank of Southern MO (when we merged with Springfield "national" bank)
Boatmen's Bank (I think we dropped the southern mo... for a while)
Nations Bank 1997
Bank of America 1998

A lot of good people have gone through those doors, I'm happy to treasure all the faces and with memories, some sad, some sweet, and many hilarious but ALL with love, I still see so vividly; Glee Williams AKA "Granny", Patsy Johnson, Bob Hodges, Eddie Beaver, Jay Frank Taylor, Barb Dorgan, Betty Burche, Aletta Reynolds, Martha, Eileen Dilday, Arlene Braden, Liz Houseman, Lona, Tammy Morton, Karrie Blevins, Don Brown, Amy Snapp, Linda Morey, Deborah, Leslie Wyman , Joanne, Candy, Jolene, Rita D, Pam Kueck, Barb Keller, Barb Casey, Helen Soutee, Janet, Tammy Rutherford, Della Russell, Shelly, Tracy, Teresa Blair, TJ Buttry, Vicki Holland, Wanda Campbell, John and Jack, Renee, Lisa, Shelly, Kevin, Dana, Amy Tate, Dixie Tilley, Dean Harmon, Pam Rogers, WOW ....so many more.

Some have gone on to meet the Lord, and the rest are tarrying, working through our daily lives waiting to meet with them again one day soon.

My term as a teller began in 1984 so I missed out on the years where they used to see how many bankers would fit into a Volkswagen and how many trips Jack would make to pick up workers on snow days so he would have people to count money and run transactions for that day. Each of us have memories that make us smile and are precious in our own mind. I'm especially glad to have known Glee Williams, we young "peons" had a definite respect for Glee which she so gracefully earned. One of the funnier stories of my era with Glee involved a new associate that had been told to use the bank car (we had those back then) and go into Springfield for all day training. When TJ got back that day she was bragging on what a nice "ride" she enjoyed into town and back. Come to find out Glee had left her keys in her own personal pink luxury car so when TJ went out, she just grabbed the first car with keys in it. (remember when we used to do that too?) Glee had worked all day, never leaving the bank not realizing her car had gone on a little trip. I don't think she cared that TJ took her car but as a new teller it scared her to death when SHE realized what she had done.

Glee's special name was "Granny". I'm not sure why nor when that name was attached but it followed her throughout her banking career. Some of my first thoughts soon after my employment was, "why does everyone call her Granny? I can't call her Granny, I already HAVE a Granny"!! I cautiously began calling her that and in no time at all felt comfortable with having a 2nd GRANNY. The operations department had an important set of keys that were held on a key ring that had belonged to Glee and bore her initial. We used to say, "Throw me the Granny key", new associates had a hard time understanding what the "Granny Key" was but we continued to use it for a long while after Granny was gone, not wanting to give it up, as all things do change we had to retire the "G" ring a few years ago. The Granny key ring still exists and I know it deserves a special spot in history as Granny will always have a special place in our hearts.

The next time you walk into your local Bank of America branch in Forsyth, just know that the doors welcome you with more than 51 years of howdys and a lifetime of history.

Christie Biggs

Bank of America VP & Mortgage Specialist

417-272-0468

DOGWOOD ACRES, 08/31/09

DOGWOOD ACRES, 8/31/09, ELANE CRUM

Hello friends. Rick and the dogs have already made a bike run to the woods this morning and are back for a nap. Little Fox keeps us both on our toes with numerous trips outdoors, while indoors we try to supervise appropriate chew toys.

My Thursday volunteer time at the WRVHS museum exhibit was cut short because of a closing at the title company. I cannot complain about that as closing a sale anytime is a good thing. I was at the New Harmonies exhibit during the lunchtime concert by the Boldman Family from Kirbyville. This was my first time hearing the family play and all I can say is a great big “WOW”! This talented family is truly a joy and pleasure to watch and listen to.

There are several free events at the museum this week beginning with Lunch and Learn on Wednesday. John Fullerton, great grandson of Chick Allen, will be discussing Cowboy Ballads.
Last week I visited with Bill and Barbara Starrett and their friend, Irene Johnson. Irene plays the autoharp and they will all be playing together at this Thursday’s lunchtime concert.

The Pickin’ Party, an old time jam session and potluck, will be Friday, Sept. 4, 6:30 p.m., at The Taney Center. It is free, but do bring a covered dish for the potluck and if you play an acoustic instrument, bring it and plan to pick along! Sounds like a fun evening.

Rick and I went to see Big Smith at Branson Landing last Friday night. We got there early to set up our chairs, had dinner at Texas Land and Cattle Steakhouse, did a little shopping before the concert. There was such a large crowd; I know we missed seeing many people that we know. Uncle Roscoe and Aunt Wanetta were there with John and Mary Anne Webster. I saw Auntie Wan dancing the Big Smith Jig, so do believe she enjoyed the evening.

It was a beautiful evening to relax beneath a cloudy sky and enjoy the music of my cousins. My favorite songs are the ones they recorded at Lone Star Church of God several years ago. I got teary eyed when they sang their Grandma Thelma’s song, “I’m Gonna Land on the Shore”. How many times did I hear her sing that? I don’t know, but enough that, for just a moment, a vision of her singing shadowed out her grandsons and everything around me.

Just as I was recovering from that, a lonesome sound came from the lake and what did I see but the Lake Queen. As old memories threatened my emotional state, I saw Aunt Wanetta dancing the Big Smith Jig! Uncle Ros was right behind her, but I do not think he was dancing. My mood lightened and we had a brief visit with Dave Stewart before leaving the Taneycomo Lakefront.

On Sunday we had the pleasure of being in church again with Herman Rossner. Happy tears ran down his cheeks as he listened to the good singing and preaching from Sandy Church folks.
Later on Sunday, we visited with LeaAnn’s Uncle Eddie Turner and Aunt Annette Clayton. Uncle Ed’s emphysema keeps him from getting out to church now, but Annette takes good care of him. We enjoyed the cake, ice cream and hot coffee that she served before we left for the evening church service.

Special guests at Sandy Church on Sunday night were Kevin and Sue Clayton. It was a special night for our church kids, but we all enjoyed the flannel graph story that Sue told us. She has been doing flannel graphs since 1979.…thirty years now! After church Juanita Menzies and Patty Siler served desserts and more ice cream. I think we came home with full tummies!

As September begins this week, I must remind members of the Bilyeu Family that there is a Family Reunion coming up soon. The Annual Bilyeu Reunion will be on Saturday, Sept. 19, at Spokane High School, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Save the date and remind other family members. Bye for now.

ELANE CRUMCell: 417-239-4059Website: www.elanecrum.netWebsite: www.elanecrum.com

Blog: www.dogwoodacresOnline.blogspot.com

ROSCOE & WANETTA (DAVIS) KEITHLEY

DOGWOOD ACRES, 08/24/09

DOGWOOD ACRES, 08/24/09, ELANE CRUM

Hello friends. The little dog is definitely keeping us on our toes. Rick took her to visit Jeff and Janet Dalton and she came home with a new name, Little Fox. That same day they also went through the bank’s drive-thru and she got a doggy treat. I think Little Fox likes all the special treatment.

Besides riding in the pickup, she rides the 4-wheeler to assist Rick on his scouting adventures in the woods. Friday evening I got home just in time to go with them and we traveled wooded trails that most people would never identify nor could even follow. Eventually we got to an old road that went to the home place of Grandma Nettie’s ancestors.

Due to recent rains, there was water in the branch that would eventually run into Bull Creek. The rusty wire fence that marked property boundaries was barely hanging on to rotten old posts and dead trees. Most likely, I am one of the few who may see these old landmarks. It was a nice way to clear my mind of cobwebs that can accumulate in a day’s work.

It was growing dark when we got home and found Grandma Christie and Madison waiting for us. Madison had completed her first full week of riding the big yellow school bus to Taneyville School.

Colby came over Sunday night to borrow a bundt pan. He was baking an angel food cake for his anatomy class and said something about studying cells. I don’t get it, but any excuse for a cake always works!

Coming out of the supermarket last week, I saw Alice Wyman and had a good visit with her. She looks great and is preparing for the next round of meds recommended by her doctor.

White River Valley Historical Society’s “New Harmonies” Exhibit is off to a big start. I went in on Thursday afternoon to work my shift as a “Docent”. Although it would be much simpler to just say guide, here is what the dictionary has to say about the word that dates back to 1630-40 “ "a person who is a knowledgeable guide, esp. one who conducts visitors through a museum and delivers a commentary on the exhibitions”.

Bob Griffiths was the guest musician, singing many wonderful old classic tunes while I was there. I had a nice visit with Ida Harmon and also got acquainted with the other “Docent”, Dr. Tom Collins. I will be back on duty again this week, same time, same place; perhaps I will see some of you there.

After missing services at Sandy Church last Sunday, it was good to be back this week. Pastor Neal preached good sermons from the Book of John. Sunday Dinner at Bill and Mary Lou’s was almost all homemade or homegrown. There was fresh grape juice, fried zucchini patties, fried potatoes, sweet corn cut from the cob, sliced tomatoes, hot rolls and chocolate cake that was one to dream about. Bill fried fresh fish, Martin made ice cream and Neal sliced the yellow spotted heirloom watermelon that he and LeaAnn grew in their garden.

Ronnie Bilyeu emailed me a classic picture of VBS at New Haven Church. It was taken about 40 years ago and with 45 kids looked like they had a good VBS that year. Pastor Elmer Davis is in the picture, “little Elmer Davis” was holding the Bible and Donna Bilyeu Maples held the American flag. Several of my aunts, other relatives and old friends are in the picture, but I wish we had names for all of the kids. I have put the picture on myblog,www.dogwoodacresOnline.blogspot.com . Perhaps some of you out there can take a look and help identify the kids. I would really appreciate it! Bye for now.