JEFFERSON CITY - Autumn has arrived and some leaves have already started to turn in the ShowMe State and the Conservation Department says fall foliage will be more colorful in some parts of the state than others.
Missourians have e experienced a wide extreme of weather this year i- from heavy rain and flooding to extreme heat and drought. More recent weather has a greater impact on fall hues, however.
As we edge into October and the warmth ebbs and Missourians unpack sweaters and sweatshirts, the ShowMe State’s forests kindle leafy fires to usher in autumn. This year, the fires will burn brightest in the Ozarks.
Poets wax eloquent about the impending season of splendor, while scientists focus on the interaction of weather and pigments. Most of us just want to know where and when to go to see October’s best visuals. This year, southern Missouri and the tier of counties immediately south of Jefferson City are predicted to be the places to see fall color at its best.
Many people believe that cool weather or frost cause leaves to change color. While temperature may affect color, it is only one of many factors that play a part in painting deciduous woodlands in glorious fall colors.
Hot, dry weather tends to reduce fall color, according to Nick Kuhn, community forestry coordinator for the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC). He said flooding also tends to diminish the intensity of fall color. Those facts serve as the basis for some general predictions about this year’s fall color display.
“Cole County to Arkansas is looking good for fall color this year,” said Kuhn. “I think the Bootheel and Kansas City areas may have a bit less color than usual, with north-central and northeastern Missouri being less colorful still.”
Kuhn said he expects fall color to be about average across the rest of the state, due to recent better weather.
Although summer extremes might reduce fall color somewhat, Missouri’s fall weather has been favorable for tree color so far. Moderately dry conditions, with sunny weather and daytime highs in the 60s and nighttime lows in the 40s, all tend to intensify fall colors. However, freezing temperatures, heavy rain and strong wind could still cut short the fall-color season by stripping leaves from trees.
According to Kuhn, twig damage from cicadas is unlikely to have much effect on fall color in most areas.
Fall color almost always peaks around Oct. 15 in Missouri. Trees in the northern and southern parts of the state may change colors a week earlier or later.
Photo Above: Fall color paints a picturesque scene on a regional roadway. (Archive photo by Annabeth Miller)
Link Of Interest
Missouri Department of Conservation
SPRINGFIELD – A Southeast Missouri educator was honored by Gov. Jay Nixon recently and recognized at the 2011 Governor’s Conference on Economic Development in Springfield.
Three Rivers College President Dr. Devin Stephenson received the governor’s E3 Award – Excellence in Education, Economic Development and Employment.
"I'm certainly overwhelmed," said Stephenson. "As I received the award, I felt that I was receiving it on behalf of everybody that's helped the college. I'm only the conductor; there are a lot of people playing in this orchestra. But I've never been one to shift back into neutral. We will continue to listen and look for every possibility for partnerships and growth. We have to continue to see the possibilities."
Stephenson was nominated by members of his staff and Rep. Todd Richardson (R-Poplar Bluff). The E3 Award is a workforce development award that honors extraordinary leadership and innovation in developing strategies, directions and high performance expectations to enhance employment in Missouri.
"I want to congratulate Dr. Stephenson and the college," said Richardson. "The ability of the college to reach out to area businesses and work to produce a well-trained, well-educated workforce is indispensable to our ability to maintain and grow our economy."
Stephenson and Three Rivers were recognized for actively building partnerships with individuals, businesses, community leaders, organizations, and government officials from throughout the region. These partnerships support the college and its efforts to train the area workforce and serve as the primary economic development engine in the region.
"All across Missouri, we are standing out from other parts of the country, we are working together, and we are seeing real sparks of economic growth," said Gov. Jay Nixon in his address to the conference assembly. "I really appreciate the way Dr. Stephenson and the community college system of our state embraces worker training, career training, and makes those things a focus of their mission each and every day."
"It's evident that Devin has always been involved in the business community and making sure that there's growth in our local economy," said Steve Halter, economic development coordinator and director of the Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce. "He's got great vision. Any time you have education and business working together, you're going to see growth."
"It's a humbling thing to receive this award after only being at Three Rivers for two years," Stephenson said. "I really appreciate the award, and having this stamp of approval on our work is very important. It is absolutely humbling, and that's all that I can say."
Photo Above: With Nixon at the 2011 Governor’s Conference on Economic Development in Springfield were (fro left) Judy Stephenson, Steve Halter, of the Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce, Stephenson, Nixon, college Director of Development Emily Parks, and Zora Mulligan of the Missouri Community College Association. (TRC photo)
Missouri Southern Healthcare presented one lucky fair attendee with a new iPad. From over 730 names of fairgoers who stopped at the medical center’s booth and entered the drawing, Adam Vandiver of Bloomfield was the lucky recipient.
Missouri Southern Healthcare had a booth at the Annual Stoddard County Fair offering free blood pressure checks, and an opportunity to register to win the iPad.
Vandiver was given his new iPad Monday by Amy Akers, CeO of Missouri Southern Healthcare.
Local Link Of Interest
Missouri Southern Healthcare
Earlier his month Jeri Morgan-Pierce of Dexter earned the use of a new Chevy Malibu sedan as a result of her outstanding achievements in operating her independent Mary Kay business.
This is not the first car for Morgan-Pierce. She has received career cars from MaryKay during her careeer with the company. The new Chevy Malibu sedan is fresh white color.
Since the program’s inception in 1969, more than 120,000 independent sales force members have either qualified or re-qualified to earn the use of a Mary Kay career car. Currently, more than 5,600 Mary Kay career cars are on the road nationwide.
“The Career Car Program provides the independent sales force the opportunity to earn the use of a visible symbol of their success,” said Darrell Overcash, president of Mary Kay Inc. U.S.
“Each car obtained through this exciting program reflects the hard work, determination and professionalism of the independent sales force.”
Independent Beauty Consultants earn the use of Mary Kay career cars through their outstanding achievements in their personal Mary Kay businesses.
Class of '76 Gathers For Reunion
ShowMe Times Editor
What happens when a group of old friends all find themselves back home in Dexter, and it happens to be a Friday evening, and the Bearcats are playing football in Charles Bland Stadium?
They all head to the football game, of course!
The Dexter High School Class of 1976 is gathering this weekend for its 35th class reunion this weekend, and a contingent of the class organized and attended the football matchup between the hometown Bearcats and the Malden Green Wave.
With some of the men in their letterman jackets, and at least one lady in her cheerleading uniform, the group entered the gates at Charles Bland Stadium carry signs proclaiming “Class of 1976” and a few cheers of welcome from the hometown crowd and the students at the game.
Gathering in the north end zone prior to pregame festivities, the group huddled for a photograph amid lots of hugs and greetings and “do you remember me”. The group that had gathered at the flagpole for prayer prior to the game applauded the class as it “tried” to organize for the photograph.
Reunion festivities continue through the weekend, including the reunion dinner at Hidden Trails County Club on Saturday evening.
Welcome Home, Bearcats!
The writer is a member of the DHS Class of '75, and remembers some of this crowd as being crazy juniors!!
