Upcoming Thumbpicking Weekend features Concerts with Danny Dozier, Randy Buckner and Thom Bresh
In today’s world, we don’t need to grow our own fibers, weave our own baskets, hammer our own iron or carve our own wooden bowls. Most people today work jobs that have little to do with the basics of food, water and shelter. Yet there is a part of our nature that needs to get hands on those skills. Part of the satisfaction is the focus it takes to learn and master a craft that takes both your body and your mind. Your muscles take over the workload and the mind explores new directions. The mind-body connection is often shuffled aside in today’s busy world of instant information. Finding something that can reconnect the mind and the body is healthy for both.
Blacksmithing, basket weaving, quilting, wood carving, pottery are all crafts that not only allow you to make something, but they allow you to work with your body and your brain. The mission of the Ozark Folk Center State Park is to perpetuate the crafts and music of the Ozarks. We provide a place for people who are masters in a craft to work on that craft daily, preserving it. And they perpetuate the crafts by teaching them to those who come looking to learn, or those who catch the spark while they are visiting the Center.
In a unique program, craftspeople at the Ozark Folk Center offer one-on-one classes by the hour or the day. If you find a teacher you want to learn from while you are in the park, just ask them if there is a time today that you can work with them. You can also call the Ozark Folk Center office at 870-269-3851 to arrange for a class when you are planning your vacation. The fees and materials costs vary.
If socializing and structure are more your style, Ozark Folk Center crafts people offer regularly scheduled classes throughout the year.
The frequent rains, though welcome, have slowed progress in the garden. Walking, and especially, the use of heavy equipment in the yard and garden, when the ground is muddy, compacts the soil. Clay particles become elastic and sticky from water and soil disturbances. Human activity causes deep ruts, hard clods and long-term aggravation. Therefore, even though the grass grows high and the weeds proliferate during a long season of spring rain, a prudent person will find more useful things to do than to tromp and ride through the mud. Stay on the path. Spread gravel or mulch on bare ground in foot-traffic areas, sharpen and oil tools, fertilize, control disease and insects and sow seeds in pots. Be prepared to mow and plant when the soil has dried out a bit.
Fungal diseases are very happy with the cool, wet conditions in the garden. Some fungi spores travel in water and others, on air currents. Human fingers and tools can spread fungal spores from one plant to another when leaves are wet. With the promise of sunny days in the weather forecast, Heritage Herb Gardeners are going to work on the weeds and the fungus simultaneously.
We will be removing weeds and last year’s tree leaves from around our specimen plants. Then we will spread compost on the surface of the soil. To finish, the Mediterranean herbs will be mulched with sand and gravel. Vegetables and annuals will be mulched with wheat straw (not hay) and the more formal gardens will be mulched with a mixture of well-rotted bark and soybean meal.
The Heritage Herb Garden at the Ozark Folk Center graces the park with visual colors and textures, sweet and pungent aromas. With their natural display, they help us to interpret the history of the human use of plants.
For the complete Yarb Tales, click here to (Read More)
Skillet Restaurant Specials This Week
Skillet Lunch Specials
or
Razorback salad – Mixed greens w/ chicken breast, tomato, boiled egg, bacon, cheddar cheese, avocado & homemade French dressing, roll
Friday Night Special in May
Daytime Programs in the Craft Village
Noon program on the Bessie Moore Deck next to the School House
Daytime Musicians are located on the stage at the back of the Large Auditorium at 10:15 / 11:15 / 12:15 / 1:45 / 2:45 / 3:45
Tuesday, May 12
Noon Program – Mary Gillihan – Women of Mountain Music
Daytime Musicians – Sheryl Irvine
Evening – Closed
Wednesday, May 13
Noon Program -Widow Wilcox
Daytime Musicians -Uncle Dave & Friends
Evening Concert –
- Harmony
- Flathoof Stringband
- Bob Olivera
- Old Timers
- Wiede Family
Thursday, May 14
Noon Program – Shawn Hoefer – Smitty the Cowboy Poet
Daytime Musicians – Prestin Garey
Evening Concert – Thumbpicking Weekend
- Feature Concert – Danny Dozier
- Randy Buckner
- Ruby Pines
Friday, May 15 Noon Program – Kathleen Connole – Native Plants and People
Daytime Musicians – Clancey Ferguson & Friends
Evening Concert – Thumbpicking Weekend
- Feature Concert Ben Hall and Danny Dozier
- Clancey Ferguson
Saturday, May 16
Young Pioneers children 7-14 for more information click here for schedule click here
Noon Program – Jeanette Larson – Spinning Yarns
Daytime Musician – Glover Family
Evening Concert – Thumbpicking Weekend
- Feature Concert Thom Bresh
- Flat Broke
Craft Village is closed Sunday and Monday Gift Shop and Skillet Restaurant open seven days a week. Schedule Subject to Change Season Pass is good for Feature Concerts Ticket Information: 2015 OFCSP Season Passes are good for both performances. Individual tickets are available for each performance; $12.00 single event ticket includes admission to Craft Ground and afternoon show only, $12.00 single for admission to evening concert in Large Auditorium only. Combo tickets for both shows and Craft Ground admission are $19.50. Individual tickets and seating for this event are general admission only, no reserved seats. Call 870-269-3851 for more information or to purchase a 2015 Season Pass.
Craft Village – Open 10 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Tuesday – Saturday – Admission $12.00 for adults and $7.00 for children 6-12, children under 6 are free. Family pass is $29.50.
A season pass includes both Crafts and Music $75 for adults and $35 for children 6-12.
Skillet Restaurant – Open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. – good old southern country cooking
Homespun Gift Shop – Open 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. – featuring items from Arkansas crafters
Cabins at Dry Creek – Open daily & year-around for comfortable, quiet lodging
Loco Ropes -Highline Adventure open 7-days a week, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
