The Ozarks Studies Institute, an ongoing initiative of the Missouri State University Libraries, has published

OzarksWatch Magazine, Series 2,Volume XII, No. 1. The theme of the Spring/Summer 2023 edition is the history of sports in the region. 

The six main articles cover auto racing, horse competitions, women in professional basketball, a high school basketball championship, baseball, and shotgun training. In these pages, you’ll find lots of interesting facts. For example, did you know that there is a breed of horses native to the Ozarks? 

This edition also has the usual book reviews in the back as well as a new section: Memories. It contains recollections of unique events that we wouldn’t want to be lost to history. This first round of memories includes Drury University’s triple crown sports championships, float fishing on Ozarks rivers, and a teenager’s summer job in the Kraft Cheese mines under Springfield. Managing Editor Susan Croce Kelly writes, “…consider sending us an article about your memories – we can’t guarantee we’ll print them, but we do guarantee we will read them carefully and print as many as we can.” 

If you have any ideas, feel free to reach out to Susan at susancrocekelly@gmail.com or the Ozarks Studies Institute Managing Editor Rachel “Elaina” Kersey at rkersey@missouristate.edu. The magazine is on sale for $9.95. You can pick up your copy in the Duane G. Meyer Library, room 006A. Please email Elaina before you come.