Marshall News

We have had some rainy and very windy weather the past few days. But it looks like sunny weather is ahead at least for a bit.

We have had a few light rains which will help our gardens some, I think more rain is in the forecast so I hope this helps even more. I had some plants out and a few seeds sown and the frost the other night did not seem to hurt is so far. Hopefully the blackberry winter is over. Warmer weather would be nice.

The library just had its seed and plant sale and swap. We had a big crowd. Lots of tomato plants. Ms. Sue Gray had an assortment of plants which I am sure she will be also selling at the Farmer’s Market this summer. Everyone seemed like they were anxious to get their summer gardens and flower beds planted. I am hoping that the warm weather is here to stay.

I hope everyone is doing ok. The eclipse event has passed. We had a lot of visitors. The fellas at the Veterans Hall had chairs out for those folks that wanted to stop in there. There were about 13 cars I believe. The Buffalo had a lot of visitors I heard and the overlook up on the mountain by Rock N Java had a lot of visitors.

This being a leap year it means that for folks here in the Ozarks that read the Lil Abner cartoons, it is also Sadie Hawkins day. Good luck ladies in catchin’ your man. Be sure to use your good perfume today (Blue Waltz) don’t just dab some vanilla behind your ears like usual. Also here is a tip, be sure to wear your running shoes.

Well the warmer weather has got people stirring around quite a bit. We have been busy. Several photos have been donated and we have been going thru those and posting some of them on our facebook page Searcy County Arkansas Genealogy Archives. We are always glad to get more photos to share. Thank you to all who brought in photos for us to share.

We had two meetings at the library this week. The first meeting was the meeting about the upcoming eclipse. About 50 people attended. They are working hard to make things successful for Marshall, The second meeting was the Friends of the Library brunch (Love Your Library a Bunch Brunch). Ms. Susan Todt and the other ladies of the Friends group did a wonderful job in providing a special Valentines Day Brunch. There were muffins, pies, sourdough breads, jellies, and other goodies. There wee about 40 guests. We took a plate over to Mrs. Joyce Tudor and enjoyed visiting with her for a bit.

We have had a busy couple of weeks at the Library. Several folks have stopped in with questions about life in the olden times. For instance we discussed the different gravies we had, usually at one of our grandparent’s homes. There was flour gravy, meal gravy, chocolate gravy, tomato gravy, red eye gravy and vinegar gravy. Some folks had not heard of meal gravy. It is made the same as flour gravy, but I think it is better when it is eaten warm. After it gets cold not so much, It is good on fried or mashed potatoes. Some one mentioned it is good on cornbread. Then some one said a cold glass of cows milk in a snuff glass would go good with it Well yes, if the cow had not been eating bitterweed’s. That is a taste you don’t forget.

I think what we have in the way of weather for now is called false fall, this in not to be confused with weather later on that we know as Indian Summer. The November 12 1954 paper had an article with the caption “Ozarks enjoying Indian Summer: Hills cloaked in Colorful Fall Revue.” The article talked about the cool nights and warm sunny days. Also mentioned were the beautiful colors that provided breath taking scenery for the tourists to see.

I hope everyone is doing ok. Had some computer problems and that meant I couldn’t get my news in on time.