TOUR AMERICA 2019: HOLLISTER, MISSOURI -THE SHOW-ME STATE

Places We Have Called Home In 2019

Home Is Where We Park It:  Turkey Creek, Hollister, Missouri

August 17, 2019

Temperature 93

College of the Ozarks:  Tractor Museum – Weaving Studio – Stained Glass Studio 

Ah well I guess we knew it couldn’t last.  The last few days the temperatures have been rather moderate both during the day and at night.  No more.  We’re back to temperatures in the 90’s during the day and 70’s at night.  Such is life.

We are giving thanks for one thing – we’re here instead of there.  Let me explain.  Watching the weather report for the areas we’ve just come from and the picture is not pretty.  From St. Louis up the weather has been wild what with high winds, hail, and pounding rain.  To think we were in that area just a few weeks ago.

Let’s go back to the College of the Ozarks.  There is still so much to see so we best get going.

While we were there today we met a group of about 12 women who graduated from the College about 30 years ago.  They each spoke so highly of the College.  One stated that come graduation she didn’t want to leave.  The College had become her home.  Another stated had it not been for the College she never would have received a college education.  Still another stated that she left ready, able and willing to work.  Yet another stated that employers flock to the college to hire it’s students both because of the education they receive and the work ethic instilled in each student.  And so it went.  Not one had a negative word about the College.

Admissions, though, we discovered has become a lot tougher.  Over 4,000 apply each year but only 1500 are accepted for each new freshman class.  Needless to say there is an extensive waiting list.  In addition each student must maintain a C average or higher in order to remain active and in good standing.  Remember, this is while also fulfilling their work assignment.  I would say if you can make it here at the College, you can make it any where in life.

OK, let’s go sightseeing.  We’ll begin today with the Tractor Museum.  I had never been to such a museum before so I was quite curious as to what I would find.  Come on, let’s discover what’s here together.

First thing you notice as you enter is this mural on the back wall which was created by a student at the College.

This is a general overview of one section of the museum.

I found this exhibit rather fascinating.  Imagine a simple seat being viewed almost as a work of art.  But, back then they took great pride in their work.

 

Let’s look now at some unusual tractors.  First up is a 1918 Advance Rumley heralded at the time as the new light weight tractor.  Light weight?  It weighted over 6 tons!  For fuel it used a combination of water and kerosene.  The water allowed the engine to run cooler which in turn added to its longevity.

Next on the list is a 1925 Case.  It had a 4 cylinder engine and a 3 speed transmission.  It used kerosene for fuel.  I found this eagle on the grille so simple but elegant.

The brown cover visible on the radiator has writing that says in essence Do not remove until engine has reached operating temperature.

For some reason, and I haven’t been able to find out why, early tractors had their engines mounted sideways in the frame.  Anyone have any ideas?

Next up is a 1929 Hart-Parr.  It has a 2 cylinder gas engine with a 3 speed transmission.  Take a good look at what it looked like before it was restored.

Here it is after it has been restored.  Wow!  What a difference.

Again, the engine is mounted sideways in the frame.  Oh, the difference in color?  No flash then I changed to flash.

It’s got enough levers, pedals, and a steering wheel to make any gear head absolutely happy.

Here we have the volkswagon of tractors.  It’s a 1948 Allis Chaimers with a rear mounted 4 cylinder gasoline engine with a 4 speed transmission.  It was claimed to be un-equaled for precision planting, seeding, fertilizing and cultivating.  Over 30,000 units were produced.

How about a couple of trucks?  First, for our Ford fans.  This is a 1929 Ford Depot Hack.  The back was modified to carry large amounts of luggage.  These vehicles usually worked around train stations.  Remember, back around this time almost everyone traveled by train.

For our Chevy fans.  This is a 1954 Chevy Series 650 truck.  It had a 154 hp engine, a 4 speed transmission and a 2 speed rear axle.

Coming to the end of our visit, a couple of items that have nothing to do with trucks, tractors, or the likes.

Finally, we both found this exhibit absolutely stunning.

There is so much more to see here but time to go.  We’re moving across the street to the Dairy. Farm  Remember the alumni I mentioned in the beginning of the blog?  One of the women worked here as a student and she spoke about her time here with a great deal of pride.

We have to keep moving.  Down the street we go to the Weaving Room.  This is another place where students are assigned to work.  This was a description of how a loom works but no matter how many times I read it I just couldn’t wrap my mind around the process.

One of the looms set up and being used by a student.

Yet another loom.  What colors!

Here we discovered that there are any number of types of looms,  We also discovered that you can create an infinite number of patterns with all kinds of colors and as complex as one might want.

Here are some examples of patterns that you can weave on a loom.

 

Also on this floor is another craft that students work at.  It is Basket Weaving.

The process of making a basket explained.

Students hard at work making baskets that will be sold once completed.

Completed baskets for sale on the basket tree.

One more stop to make.  Don’t give up on me yet!  The next stop has some absolutely beautiful and breathtaking art work.  We’re going to the Stained Glass and Candle Shop.  Everybody wave HI to Barbara.

This is one of the front windows.  Stunning.

Students hard at work.  This young lady is working on a Nativity Set.

Another student working on a couple of different pieces.

Here are some finished pieces.  It’s hard to say which is more beautiful then the next.

Two of my favorites.

They also make night lights.

Once again I picked out two that really caught my eye.

Here is a display case of candles that they had for sale.

How about one more stop before we leave for the day?  I know, I know I said the above was the last.  But you’ll find this one absolutely delicious.  Come on we’re going to the

Students hard at work.

The fruits of their labors.

 

Barbara was on a mission!  We came home with Strawberry Jelly, Apple Butter, and Pepper Jelly.

Yes, you can even order on line.  Exactly what we needed to know.

Time to call it a day.  Honestly.  But we’re far from finished.  We have more to share with you in the coming days.  Stay tuned for we have some really neat places on campus to visit and share with you.

That was our day on The Day of Retirement.  We had another full and wonderful day, a day we spent together, traveling along, singing our song.  Each time we return to the College of the Ozarks we come away even more impressed.  We also discovered today that they now have a separate campus and are now offering classes from Kindergarten through High School.  I can’t think of a better place for an individual to get a first class education.

Thanks again for joining us today.  We always appreciate your company and your comments.  Catch your tomorrow.

These are the voyages of  Graybeard and it’s two human soul mates.  Our continuing mission: to explore as many new states as possible, to seek out new acquaintances and make new friends, to boldly go where we have not been before

See you on down the road!