Historium needs items for April programs
by Sue Ann Luna Jones
sueann@ozarkcountytimes.com
With the closing Saturday of its popular friendship-quilt show, "Squares of Affection," the Ozark County Historium is working toward its next event: "Pass-Along Plants," a five-day series of April programs focusing on Ozarks gardening-and-growing traditions and ideas.
The event, to be held April 12-16, will feature "brown-bag lunches," where visitors bring their own lunch to eat while listening to local and regional "plant people" talk about their work and memories. Historium president Janet Taber said the lineup is still being assembled but will include Jerry Orton of Baker Creek Seeds in Mansfield talking about the booming business of heirloom seeds. Others will talk about Ozarks wildflower, herbs and greens.
On Saturday, April 16, a plant-exchange is planned. "We hope residents will bring seeds, cuttings and bulbs to share with each other that morning," Taber said. "It's what Ozark County gardeners have done for years, giving friends and neighbors ‘starts' from their own yards and gardens when they thin out their flower beds or gather seeds in the fall. We hope they'll bring a bagful of those seeds and starts to town that day to give away to someone who's just getting started or to swap with someone else who's also brought bulbs or seeds or cuttings to share."
"Pass-Along Plants" will also include an exhibit of photos and items depicting the traditions of Ozark County's gardeners and growers.
"That means we're looking for pictures of earlier generations working or enjoying their gardens and flowers," Taber said. "Or maybe someone is willing to share an old gardening implement or tool their grandma made or used. Or stories! We love stories about our ancestors' pioneer ways. We hope residents will share these things with us for the exhibit, and then they will be returned."
To share a photo or item for "Pass-Along Plants," contact Taber at 265-3372 (janettaber@gmail.com) or Sue Ann Jones at 679-2452 (sueann@ozarkcountytimes.com).
See complete story in Wednesday's <em>Ozark County Times.</em>