Bob and Barb Kipfer describe their efforts to restore the health and beauty Bull Creek

Bob and Barb Kipfer retired from lucrative jobs in the medical field to the hard work of natural conservation. From their initial purchase of 80 acres on Bull Creek to their current preserve of 400 acres, the Kipfers have restored the riparian field, shored up the banks, and planted trees and other vegetation along beautiful Bull Creek. Barb has also planted some 90 indigenous species of native flowers, trees, and other plants in their suburban yard in Springfield. In their efforts to preserve the best of the Ozarks, the Kipfers offer an excellent example of what we can all do to save our home. Don't miss this important episode of the Ozarkian Folk Chronicles!

Episode 65: Saving the Ozarks One Creek at a Time: A conversation with the Kipfers

The inimitable Crescent Dragonwagon talks about Eureka Springs, Gerald LK Smith, and much more!

Join Curtis and Hayden when they sit down with author, chef, and innkeeper, Crescent Dragonwagon! Since her arrival in the Ozarks over fifty years ago, Crescent has published over fifty books in several genres including novels, children's books, and cookbooks. She has embraced the hills as her home, and the hills have embraced her right back! Crescent is a story teller par excellence, and her reminiscences will both inspire and challenge you. You don't want to miss this episode of the Ozarkian Folk Chronicles!

Episode 64: Crescent Dragonwagon  and Her Life in the Ozarks

Mark Bilyeu and Cindy Wolf share original tracks from the Vance Randolph collection in the Library of Congress

When Mark Bilyeu and Cindy Wolf visited the archives at the Library of Congress, they discovered and returned home with a treasure trove of folksongs collected by Vance Randolph himself. On this episode, you'll hear original tracks from well-known Ozarkers like May Kennedy McCord, Rose O'Neill, and Vance himself, as well as lesser known figures. We Ozarkers have always loved our music, and the Chronicles are proud to partner with Mark and Cindy to bring this music back to life!

Episode 63: The Creek Rocks and the Vance Randolph Folksong Collection

Emalee and Lillyanne perform songs that are as delightful as ever!

Emalee Flatness-Combs, performer with the Homestead Pickers at Silver Dollar City, and Lillyanne McCool, national old time banjo champion, bring the old songs to life with their beautiful voices and superb musicianship. From the wife so mean the devil threw her out of hell to the whimsical "Froggy Went A-Courtin'," Emalee and Lillyanne will waft you away to a simpler time. So, turn up the volume, open the windows, and enjoy this lighthearted episode of the Ozarkian Folk Chronicles.

Episode 62: Comic Songs of the Ozarks with Emalee Flatness-Combs and Lillyanne McCool

Kasey and Ginny Kimmons describe the challenges facing the Ozarks and what it takes to win. 

Like so many beautiful regions in the Ozarks, the Little Red River and the towns along its banks face unprecedented challenges from reckless recreators, greedy corporations, and the failure to protect a fragile environment. Kasey and Ginny Kimmons describe the challenges from ATVs that tear up river roads to the pollution that destroys precious river ecosystems to landowners that strip the hills. They also recall the successful effort of the citizens of Shirley, Arkansas, to confront a corporate Goliath and save the jewel of their town,

Episode 61: Loving the Ozarks to Death (The Kimmons Family: Part Two)

Life and love on the Little Red River: a conversation with Tom and Brandy Kimmons

In the early 70s, Tom and Brandy left Columbia, Missouri, where Tom was teaching at Mizzou, for the deep woods on the banks of the Little Red River, not far from Shirley, Arkansas. With nothing but a chainsaw, a hammer, and an auger, Tom built a cabin that still stands today. For ten years, Tom and Brandy lived in the cabin, and their first daughter, Ginny, was born there. Before their second daughter, Kasey, was born, they moved into Shirley, where the Tom worked diligently to improve his hometown. The fruits of his labor in Shirley are everywhere, extending to the water they drink. The Kimmons are an example of the love and respect our Ozarks hills deserve and the best way to "love them to life."

Episode 60: Loving the Ozarks to Life (The Kimmons Family: Part One)

At 84, Andrew Kilgore is still photographing, still learning, and still excited about his art. Andrew shares his story of moving to the Ozarks in the 60s, and the joy he's had in photographing the portraits of over 30,000 Arkansans. 

At 84, Andrew Kilgore is still photographing, still learning, and still excited about exploring the world through the lens of his camera. Andrew shares his story of moving to the Ozarks in the heyday of the 60s, and the joy he's had in photographing the portraits of over 30,000 Arkansans. We know you'll enjoy this inspiring episode of the&nbsp;Ozarkian Folk Chronicles.

Episode 59: An Invitation to the Circle: Photographer Andrew Kilgore on Life, Art, and the Ozarks

The Mortgaged Cow Murder

The Chronicle's own true crime historians--Tammy Morton and Angel Wolf--are back to tell the macabre and tragic story of the murder of Charlie Cobb. The web of conspiracy spreads out to include wives, friends, and lovers, and Tammy and Angel reveal the previously sealed account of the case by prosecutor Doug Mahnkey, the legendary Ozarks lawyer. Fascinating and disturbing, this episode sheds new light on an old crime that shook southwest Missouri.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Episode 58: The Mortgaged Cow Murder: Tammy Morton and Angel Wolf are back to tell the tragic story of the murder of Charlie Cobb. The conspiracy includes wives, friends, and lovers, and our guests shed new light on a crime that shook the Ozarks.    

Mark and Cindy are back to share their adventures in Ozarks folk music. They received a grant to research and arrange Ozarks folksongs collected by Sidney Robertson in the 20s and 30s and housed at the Library of Congress.  You'll love what they found!

Mark and Cindy are back to share their adventures in Ozarks folk music. They received a grant to research and arrange Ozarks folksongs collected by Sidney Robertson in the 20s and 30s and housed at the Library of Congress.&nbsp;Then Mark and Cindy returned with a treasure trove of beautiful folksongs that they have already begun to arrange and perform, and some of them are featured right here on the Chronicles! Don't miss it!

Episode 57: The Genius of the Creek Rocks: Mark Bilyeu, Cindy Woolf, and the Library of Congress

Come with us as we dive head first into the titillating tales of Ozarkian folklore and discuss the origins and obscurities of these stories. From Curtis Copeland and Hayden Head, this is Ozarkian Folk Chronicles.

Ozarkian Folk Chronicles

Follow

Your Hosts

Curtis Copeland

Hayden Head