Friends of Hobbs State Park speaker series 2014

The Friends of Hobbs State Park Speaker series is an educational and entertaining collection of programs given throughout the year at the visitor center at Hobbs State Park available free to the public. The 2014 list of presentations, which begin at 2:00 p.m., are:

• Feb. 8: Steve Dunlap: “The Osage,” an eye opening, realistic view of the tribe of Native Americans who once dominated this area

• March 22: Robert Rousey: “The Amazing Sanborn Fire Maps,” “The Sanborn Map Company, the best known of the U.S. fire-insurance map producers, has made maps since 1867. The fire insurance maps produced by Sanborn show building footprints, building material, height or number of stories, building use, lot lines, road widths and water facilities. The maps also show street names and property boundaries of the time. This collection of maps is historically significant as it is sometimes the best detailed map of a town or city dating from the mid-1800s.” - University of Pennsylvania Rogers, Ark., Sanborn maps photographed for this presentation by Kathy Mayhue.

• April 12: Teri Lane: “Building Backyard Habitats — build them and the critters will come”

• May 3: Leah Whithead: “Visiting some of the most outstanding historical events that have happened in Benton County Arkansas”

• May 24: Denis Dean: “Arkansas Bears” — In the last two years, more black bears have been documented in Benton County than in recent times. What you want to know about our furry friends.

• June 14: Robert Thomas: “Dragonflies,” followed by a catch and release

• July 6: David Chapman – “Prairie Restoration,” something you can do even in your small part of the world.

• July 19: Dayton Steel- man: “Insects that Suck” — Three separate programs, all of which are absolutely fascinating. See one or see them all: 1 p.m. ticks; 2 p.m. chiggers; and 3 p.m. mosquitoes

• Aug. 2: Susan Young – “Before Beaver,” an indepth look at homes, businesses, roads, bluffs and general lives of the people before 28,000-acre Beaver Lake was built

• Aug. 16: Dan Skoff – “Tornadoes,” local weatherman tells how Mother Nature can turn things upside down in our neck of the woods.

• Sept. 13: Auston Jones: “Very Ento-resting,” an informative presentation on facts, myths and legends of local “creepy crawlers” — insects, spiders, mites and various other arthropods that are part of our lives here in northwest Arkansas. A few might even drop in to see the show themselves.

• Sept. 20: Alan Bland: “What it took to Make Beaver Lake” — If you have ever taken Beaver Lake for granted, think about what had to be done before construction of the dam: removal of homes, trees, entire communities, power lines, graveyards etc.

• Oct. 12: Scott Nobel: “Tree ID” — Ever want to know what some of those tree are around your house? You might be surprised what you have.

• Oct. 25: Tom Duggan: “Railroads of Northwest Arkansas” — There have been more short-line railroads in northwest Arkansas than many people know about. Why were they here and why did they disappear?

• Nov. 30: Tom Dillard: “The Butterfield Stage Coach Line and what it meant to NW Arkansas” — The presentation includes photos of one of the few stations still intact on the famous 2,800 mile long trek, Fitzgerald Station in Springdale, Ark.

All programs are free to the public, and comprise the 2014 Friends of Hobbs Speaker Series. For information call 789-5000.