Jennifer Hartwick

When the husband of a friend from our local MOMS Club group was deployed she had two little ones at home and a third on the way. She didn't have family that lived locally but our group does what we can to support each other. We carpooled to school and helped with what we could.

One thing we struggled providing was help with yard care. She a two year old in the house and was far along in a pregnancy so trying to spend the afternoon on a riding mower was pretty much impossible. I called so many different organizations trying to locate help and I learned of a project today which would have been a blessing to my friend at the time and may be something she'll need look at in the future!

GreenCare for Troops is a nationwide outreach program coordinated by Project EverGreen. GreenCare for Troops connects local lawn and landscape firms with men and women serving our country in the armed forces away from home. Stuart Scott, with Cevet Tree Service here in Columbia, promoted the project on our local talk radio station, KFRU, last week.

GreenCare has helped over 1,400 volunteers provide free lawn and landscape services for over 6,500 military families nationwide. The cost to manage the GreenCare for Troops Program is underwritten by Cub Cadet Commercial.

Here in Columbia, you can contact Stuart Scott with Cevet Tree Service at 573-882-2466. You can find additional information regarding the program and additional volunteers on the GreenCare website at www.projectevergreen.com

Thank you for your support!

The Maplewood Barn Theater and Nifong Park will be location of the annual Heritage Festival during the 3rd week in September, 10am - 5pm. Free and open to the public! Parking is available.

The Heritage Festival showcases vendors and artists who demonstrate their skills and trades and sell their creations. In 2004, the event featured an 1859 town, cowboys and their chuck wagons, American Indian tepees and a Lewis & Clark Camp. Great music and entertainment on four stages, crafts, children's activities, storytelling, hay rides, kettle corn and more make this a fun family event.

My kids have a blast each year! It is very interactive and supports their imagination.

Just Between Friends

Friday, September 5-6, 2008
Boone County Fairgrounds
Off Route 63
Columbia, MO

I've signed up to consign at this sale for the second time. Each sale gets better as word of mouth grows so there are more shopping!!

Description: There is no need to shop overpriced mall and department stores, and no more running from garage sale-to-garage sale. Just Between Friends puts it all under one roof! The best in "gently-used" children's, juniors and maternity clothing, as well as baby equipment, nursery and maternity items, outside playground equipment, books, kids movies, shoes and toys, toys, toys!

See linke: http://columbia.jbfsale.com/

Mark your calendars because on September 27 from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm, the mid-Missouri community is invited to the South Farm Showcase sponsored by the University of Missouri College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources and the Missouri Agricultural Experiment Station.

"Families with young children have responded with compliments about how much they enjoy the educational activities," said John Poehlmann, AES assistant director. "We offer a glimpse of agriculture that is unique to our community and our faculty and staff do a fantastic job of bringing the complex issues to our visitors, both young and old."

Advertised activities include: a farm animal petting zoo, a corn maze, cockroach races and running the bases on the MU "Field of Dreams." Other attractions include live music and food vendors. There is no cost to attend.

The MU South Farm is located south of Columbia on New Haven Road, one-quarter mile east of the AC/Grindstone exit off Highway 63.

One thing we love to do with our children over the summer is to take them on a trip to a drive-in movie theater. In some areas of the country, they are few and far between. We are lucky here in mid-Missouri to have the Moberly Five and Drive which is the only remaining drive-in located in our area. Moberly is located a short 30 minute drive from Columbia.

The theater is located at 3000 North Morley, Moberly, MO 65270 and the movie hotline is 660-263-2000.

You can also get the movie listings on their website at: http://www.bbtheatres.com/moberlydetails.asp

Adults are only $6.50 and children from 3-11 are free!

With only one outdoor screen, they typically run a double feature. We bring sleeping bags and pillows for the kids. Arrive early and you can get a parking space near the front and let the kids lay on the grass. Sometimes we bring our blow up mattress too! Don't forget to bring your snacks and drinks for a inexpensive night of fun!

Enjoy a summers eve night at the drive-in!