The Friends of Hobbs State Park Speaker Series is an educational and entertaining collection of programs available free to the public that are given throughout the year at the visitor center at Hobbs State Park. The 2014 list of presentations has just been announced. All programs begin at 2 p.m. unless otherwise noted.
Feb. 8: Steve Dunlap: “The Osage” - A realistic view of the Native America tribe that 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. This collection is significant as it is sometimes the best detailed map of a town or city dating from the mid-1800s.” April 12: Teri Lane: “Building Backyard Habitats.” May 3: Leah Whithead: Some of the most outstanding historical events that have happened in Benton County.
May 24: Denis Dean: “Arkansas Bears” - In the last two years more black bears have been documented in Benton County than in recent times.
June 14: Robert Thomas: “Dragonflies.” July 6: David Chapman: “Prairie Restoration.” July 19: Dayton Steelman: “Insects that Suck” - Three separate programs on ticks at 1 p.m., chiggers at 2 p.m. and mosquitoes at 3 p.m. Aug. 2: Susan Young: “Before Beaver” - An indepth look at homes, businesses, roads and general lives of the people before Beaver Lake was built.
Aug. 16: Dan Skoff: “Tornadoes.” Sept. 13: Auston Jones: “Very Ento-resting” - A presentation on facts, myths and legends of local insects, spiders and various other arthropods.
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.
Oct. 12: Scott Nobel: “Tree ID.” Oct. 25: Tom Duggan: “Railroads of Northwest Arkansas” Nov. 30: Tom Dillard: “The Butterfield Stage Coach Line and What It Meant to Northwest Arkansas.”
All programs are free to the public.
Information: 789-5000.
Northwest Profile, Pages 34 on 01/26/2014