Connect with us

Missouri

Missouri State’s Meyer Library becomes new home of David Harrison’s written collection

Published

on

Missouri State’s Meyer Library becomes new home of David Harrison’s written collection


More than 40 boxes full of letters, unfinished manuscripts and dust jackets were packed tightly in the back of Thomas Peters’ van last week as he drove back to Springfield from Warrensburg. The collection of materials belonged to Springfield native and Missouri Poet Laurate David Harrison and will soon be accessible at Missouri State University’s Meyer Duane G. Library.

Peters, dean of Missouri State’s Library Services, made the two-hour drive to Warrensburg last week because up until that point, Harrison’s collection has been stored within the University of Central Missouri’s James C. Kirkpatrick Library. Recently, Harrison decided it was time to bring the collection home.

For 35 years, Harrison participated in Central Missouri University’s Children’s Literature Festival, a multi-day event that recognizes authors and illustrators from across the country. This year, the festival celebrates its 55th anniversary. As one of the festival’s most frequent attendees, Harrison was asked if he would be interested in donating his works — both finished and incomplete — to the James C. Kirkpatrick Library.

For years, Harrison collected letters, draft scribbles and other pieces of written work, piling the paperwork under his desk at home, then transferring the pile — once it got tall enough — to a box in his basement. Once a few boxes were full, he’d send them on their way to Warrensburg.

Advertisement

But more recently, Harrison has been donating his written materials to Meyer Library. The author no longer attends the Children’s Literature Festival and doesn’t have strong connections at Central Missouri University like he used to. A request from Peters, who expressed interested in Harrison’s collection, proved to be the final push he needed to make the move.

To have all of his work in Springfield, his hometown, is “delightful,” Harrison said. He is hopeful that students and members of the community will find use in the collection, whether it be for academic research or learning more about the behind-the-scenes of writing and publishing books.

More: Poetry from Daily Life: A billboard — and a missed, best breakfast — birth a poem

Advertisement

Peters, who expressed that the library is “really excited” to have Harrison’s collection, said the materials will survive much longer at the library than they would if they were kept in a “dusty attic.” Moreover, he’s glad to know that the materials will not make their way into landfills, as historical artifacts often do.

When and where will Harrison’s collection be accessible?

Peters told the News-Leader that he transferred about 42 boxes from Warrensburg to Springfield, full of Harrison’s collection. This amount of material will take a while to process. Specifically, library staff will need to establish a finding aid, which will help folks search through the collection, and transfer the materials to acid-neutral containers. Some parts of the collection, like photographs, will be digitized.

The collection, which does not have an official title yet, will be housed within Meyer Library’s Special Collections and Archives, located on the third floor of the library. Peters said he imagines the collection will become accessible in 2025.

Greta Cross is the trending topics reporter for the Springfield News-Leader. Follow her on X and Instagram @gretacrossphoto. Story idea? Email her at gcross@gannett.com.

Advertisement



Source link

Continue Reading
Advertisement
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Missouri

Fire wrecks building Wednesday morning in east Kansas City, Missouri

Published

on

Fire wrecks building Wednesday morning in east Kansas City, Missouri


KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A fire ripped through a vacant building Wednesday morning in east Kansas City, Missouri.

The fire was reported about 11 a.m. and fire crews arrived to find heavy smoke and fire pouring from the two-story, vacant building in the 5100 block of east 27th Street, KCFD said in a release.

KCMO Fire Department Battalion Chief/PIO Michael Hopkins

Fire wrecks building Wednesday at East 27th Street and Elmwood Avenue in KCMO

Firefighters dragged several hose lines into the building to knock down the fire while other fire crews searched for occupants in the building. No one was found inside the building.

Advertisement

A few minutes after the firefight began, the department’s incident commander ordered everyone out of the burning building because of the fear of roof collapse. The roof collapsed about 10 minutes later.

FIRE 3.jpg

KCMO Fire Department Battalion Chief/PIO Michael Hopkins

Fire destroys building in east KCMO

No injuries were reported.

The fire was under control around noon, but fire crews are expected to be on the scene knocking down hot spots.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Advertisement





Source link

Continue Reading

Missouri

No. 2 South Carolina visits Missouri following Slaughter’s 22-point game

Published

on

No. 2 South Carolina visits Missouri following Slaughter’s 22-point game


Associated Press

South Carolina Gamecocks (12-1) at Missouri Tigers (11-4)

Columbia, Missouri; Thursday, 7 p.m. EST

Advertisement

BOTTOM LINE: Missouri plays No. 2 South Carolina after Grace Slaughter scored 22 points in Missouri’s 90-51 victory over the Jackson State Tigers.

The Tigers are 9-2 on their home court. Missouri ranks ninth in the SEC at limiting opponent scoring, allowing 57.9 points while holding opponents to 38.0% shooting.

The Gamecocks are 1-1 on the road. South Carolina has an 11-1 record in games decided by 10 or more points.

Missouri makes 46.3% of its shots from the field this season, which is 11.6 percentage points higher than South Carolina has allowed to its opponents (34.7%). South Carolina averages 23.6 more points per game (81.5) than Missouri gives up (57.9).

The Tigers and Gamecocks meet Thursday for the first time in conference play this season.

Advertisement

TOP PERFORMERS: Slaughter is averaging 14.7 points for the Tigers.

Te-Hina Paopao is averaging 11.4 points for the Gamecocks.

LAST 10 GAMES: Tigers: 8-2, averaging 80.6 points, 34.7 rebounds, 14.8 assists, 9.8 steals and 3.0 blocks per game while shooting 47.9% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 59.2 points per game.

Gamecocks: 9-1, averaging 82.8 points, 39.0 rebounds, 16.8 assists, 11.7 steals and 5.9 blocks per game while shooting 47.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 53.0 points.

___

Advertisement

The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.




Source link

Continue Reading

Missouri

Will Missouri grocery stores lose shoppers to Kansas?

Published

on

Will Missouri grocery stores lose shoppers to Kansas?


KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kansas is eliminating its sales tax on groceries.

Will Missouri shoppers take their business across the state line to save money?

The state’s tax on Kansas food sales was 2%.

In Missouri, the food sales tax is 1.225% on take-home grocery food items and the revenue it generates primarily supports public schools.

Advertisement

Local governments levy sales taxes on groceries, potentially increasing the total tax rate up to 8%.

The Missouri Department of Revenue has an online tool that shows the full tax breakdown.

A bill to end the grocery tax in Missouri stalled in the legislature last year, with lawmakers citing lost revenue and confusion on how money from the tax would be made up.

“Frankly, I’ve lived in a couple of states where they didn’t have sales tax on food and it always works out better,” said Marcus Moses, a shopper in south Kansas City. “Oh yeah, it’s going to affect how I shop. I’m going to spend a lot more time in Kansas buying food than in Missouri.”.

Grocery store operators are paying close attention to what happens when the Kansas sales tax goes away.

Advertisement

Jack McCormick, KSHB 41

Missouri store cuts prices

“It’s important to shop in Missouri, to support your state and support your stores, but I also think the store needs to do their job too to keep the customers shopping,” said Moe Muslet, who oversees Farm Fresh Market in south Kansas City. “I mean they’re looking for value, so we need to offer them value or they’re going to go somewhere else.”

Muslet knows his customers want the best deals.

“Us opening this store, we knew it was going to happen and we planned on it already, he said. “Our prices are aggressive, offering good products at good prices, nice customer service, and a store. They’ll continue shopping here.”

One couple said it’s not likely they will change where they shop.

Advertisement

“Where you used to go the store for $35, now it’s $60 or $65,” said Louise and Jimmy Clossick as they shopped Tuesday night. “Grocery prices are going up, so you do watch for bargains or sales. Does it make a difference in where we shop? Probably not that much; it’s more of a convenience for us.”

Poster image - 2024-12-31T230418.160.jpg

Jack McCormick

Jimmy and Louise Clossick

Gas prices will keep one Missouri shopper in the state.

“It costs more in gas to get over there and back,” Jeremy Coleson said. “And time. Time is probably the most valuable.”

Kansas officials estimate the elimination of the tax will save about $500 a year for a family of four.

Advertisement

Muslet says he has a plan to stay competitive at his store.

“Lowering margins, lower our margins so we are losing a little bit here, but we will gain it with increased sales we are hoping,” he said. “I don’t think the sales tax will compete with our store much, but I think their stores will.”





Source link

Continue Reading

Trending