Wednesday 4-27 College of the Ozarks (Hard Work U)

 

Awesome Day

We had another gorgeous day of sunshine. It got up to 76 degrees. 

We started the day with pancakes. Then we put things away because we were going to Point Lookout, which was 6.5 miles away. We wanted to visit the Ralph Foster Museum, a museum on the Ozarks History. It is located on the campus of College of the Ozarks (Hard Work U).

College of the Ozarks or Hard Work U is a Christian college, all students must work at one of 100 campus jobs or industries to pay for part of their tuition, the rest is paid by scholarships provided by government programs or donors. The students graduate with no school debt. They have to be full-time students, work fifteen hours a week and two 40 hour weeks a year. They live on campus and are responsible to pay room and board of $9,000 a year. The university was founded in 1906 by Presbyterian minister Reverend James Forsythe as a high school. In 1956 it became a Junior College and in 1965 it became a four-year bachelor's program. In 1990 it became a four-year college. 

We parked the Minnie in the Ralph Foster Museum parking lot. The museum is a huge three story building full of displays. Ralph Foster was one of the true pioneers of radio. He was an avid hunter and fisherman, a strong conservationist, a man close to nature and love his fellow man. On the first floor they have: the original Beverly Hillbillies Car,  a Rolls Royce, Cameos, Dolls, Clocks, Circuses, Si Simon Music Room with different musical instruments and performers from the Ozark area, Rose O'Neill (a famous artist, cartoonist, illustrator and writer) and Primitive Americans. It also had Edwards Art Gallery, that has beautiful quilts, paintings and art. The second floor had a huge gun and firearm collection, Natural History, African Animals, North American Animals, 20th Century American Conflicts (different wars) and Native American Artifacts. Third floor was Natural History, Birds, Butterflies and Moths, Rocks and Minerals and History of the Ozarks. Each bird, butterfly, moth, rocks and minerals were marked with a name and number. You take the number and match it to the same number in a book and it tells you a little bit about the item. The museum was very good and and displays were huge. There were students on each floor to answer any questions you had. We had a great visit.

Entrance gate

 

Beverly Hillbillies Car

 

Franklin Roosevelt Hall Hanger

 

One of the birds display

 

An oak sideboard by Furniture Marker F. Hoffman in 1860

Afterwards we went to the Minnie and had lunch. After lunch we walked around the campus. The campus is gorgeous and has a lot of different buildings where the students make different items and sell them. Buildings like: The Fruitcake and Jelly Kitchen, Edwards Mill, Stained Glass and Candle Shop, Horticulture and Landscaping, Gaetz Tractor Museum, College Creamery and The Keeter Center (Restaurant). There were other points of interests we walked by. We went into the Edwards Mill, where they have a working grist mill, it is based on a 1800s-era, water-powered grist mill. They make their own pancake mix, muffin mix,  and cornbread mix. On the second floor there was a weaving studio and basket weaving area. The general store also sold other products that were made by students in other shops. We bought a bag of malted pancake mix. We went next door and visited the Stained Glass and Candle Shop. We walked through the shop and saw a few stained glass projects in the works and others that were completed and for sale. Next we walked to the Gaetz Tractor Museum, unfortunately it was closed. We walked around a little more. We wanted to go to the College Creamery and we weren't sure where it was. We walked by the main fountain, where a couple of students were putting a row boat in the pond for a couple who were getting their pictures taken in it. Larry asked the two girls and they both were more than happy to tell us where to go. They said the ice cream was delicious and to take advantage of the free samples. The College Creamery was located in the motel by the Keeter Center. We bought a couple of scoops, peanut butter cup and coconut chocolate. They were big scoops and delicious. The motel was gorgeous. It was made out of wood and the staircase had a beautiful wood railing. The elevator had glass windows allowing you to see the area below and around as you go to your room. On the way back to the Minnie we walked by the fountain, there was a beautiful swan swimming in it. When he saw us walking he propelled himself through the water to get to us. We have never seen a swan swim so fast. A lady said he probably saw the bag we were carrying from the Edwards Mill, where they sell swan food. He was probably disappointed we didn't have any food for him. We had a super time.

Edwards Mill and General Store

 

Part of the Mill

Basket Weaving materials

 

Some of the stained glass items for sale at the Stained Glass and Candle Shop

Swan swimming to us

 

Pancake & waffle mix we bought

When we got back to the campground I played my games. I did the Daily Challenges of Solitaire and Mahjong. Then I did the Event: Two Game Tango Mini of 10 games (5 Tri Peaks and 5 Pyramid). It took me 25 minutes and 21 seconds, which put me in 6th place in my group. 

Larry and I read the rest of the day and evening. I finished reading the 17th book of Guido Brunetti. 

I only got 6,000 steps walking around Hard Work U so after dinner I walked the lake trail for an hour and a half. Then I finished up my steps by stepping in place. I ended up doing 26,000 steps, which put me in 4th place in my group.