On the Edges

Ozark

Sutherlands to open at Consumers

Sutherlands Express will open Aug. 1 in approximately 40,000 square feet of the former Consumers store in the Ozark Corners Shopping Center at the intersection of highways 65 and 14. The shopping center is also home to Wal-Mart.

"It will offer tools, paint, hardware, building supplies, plumbing, electrical everything our bigger stores have. There will be limited inventory, but we will be able to get larger quantities and can take special orders," said Advertising Director Mary Vaughn.

Called a Sutherlands Express store, similar to one in Parsons, Kan., it will not stock large amounts of lumber, but lumber will be available for delivery from the Springfield location on Chestnut Expressway, according to Vaughn.

Store owner Tom Sutherland is the third generation of his family to operate the business. There has been a district office in Ozark for 25 years.

"We are opening new stores in the company every year, but opening this store, right here in the Ozarks, is very exciting," said Tom Sutherland, owner of the new Ozark Sutherlands and grandson of company founder Robert Sutherland.

"His grandfather started the business in 1917. That was back when a man put his name on the business in hopes that it would be around for his children and grandchildren. It's an American dream that really happened," Vaughn said.

Approximately 50 people will be hired when the store opens. Construction on the store's interior is being done by Sutherlands employees.

The outside of the building will be painted and a large Sutherlands sign added. Two existing loading docks will be used, Vaughn said.

Republic

Chamber readies for re-enactment

The Republic Area Chamber of Commerce is telling its members to be on the alert for thousands of visitors June 16-18. That date marks the Wilson's Creek 2000 event Civil War re-enactment to be held near the Wilson's Creek National Battlefield.

Dan Keeslar is the event coordinator for Mid America Battle Re-enactments of Springfield.

"If we are successful in our efforts to attract the number of expected combatants to the Wilson's Creek event, it will be the largest Civil War re-enactment to ever happen west of the Mississippi River," Keeslar said.

"With so much to see and do at the event, it might be impossible to see and do it all in one day: dozens of craft people, period acting, singing, dances, period outdoor revival, as well as a full day of military activities happening.

"Three of the five scheduled battles will be staged for the enjoyment of the spectator community and will involve such things as fighting through a 10-acre cornfield, 52 field artillery pieces and hundreds of horse cavalry," Keeslar added.

More information can be accessed at http://dabear.tzo.com/wilsonscreek/.

The chamber will sell water to the expected 10,000 battle participants and 80,000 spectators and host a tea on the evening of June 17.

Chamber members who work at the tea do not need to wear traditional attire and will be given free passes (an $18 value). To volunteer, call Christy Hermansen, 732-3356.