How to Host an Autumn Scavenger Hunt for Families

 Before the cold rolls in, fall gives us one last chance to gather, snack, and explore together.

Autumn  is more than just a change in weather it’s a shift in pace. The leaves turn, the air cools, and families find themselves craving connection before winter settles in. A scavenger hunt in the park is a simple way to honor that season with a: low-cost, high-joy, and rich with seasonal gathering

 

Here’s how to host a scavenger hunt that blends nature exploration with community care.

 

 Step 1: Choose Your Park & Set the Date

Pick a local park with walking trails, trees, and a picnic table or shelter. Mid-afternoon works best warm enough for comfort, cool enough for cocoa. Once you’ve set the date, start building your guest list. Five to ten families keep things manageable and meaningful.

 

 Step 2: Prep the Essentials

As host, you’ll provide: Paper plates, cups, napkins or paper towels. A tablecloth for the picnic table. Printed scavenger hunt flyers for each child

Encourage guests to bring:

One dozen cookies (pumpkin, oatmeal, or chocolate chip)

A large thermos of hot cocoa or cider

Bottled water (two cases total for the group)

Optional: a folding chair for comfort

This keeps the snack table simple, seasonal, and shared.

 Step 3: Build Your Scavenger Hunt List

Each child gets a checklist with items to collect or photograph. Keep it nature-based and age-friendly:

Scavenger Hunt Items:

A red leaf

An orange leaf

A smooth rock

A bird’s feather

A photo of a squirrel

A photo of a bird

An acorn

A photo of a spider web

Bonus Finds:

A leaf bigger than your hand

A mushroom (photo only!)

A tree with peeling bark

A bird’s nest (photo only)

You can laminate the lists or tuck them into clipboards for easy handling.

 

 Step 4: Snack & Share

After the hunt, gather at the picnic table to share snacks and stories. Kids can show off their finds, swap photos, and enjoy warm drinks while adults catch up. You might offer small prizes or printable certificates for participation nothing flashy, just a little extra joy. 

 Final Thoughts

This kind of gathering doesn’t need perfection. It needs presence. A few leaves, a few cookies, and a few families 

How to Decoupage a Tabletop for Autumn Decor (Beginners Guide)

This how to guide was created for the curious, the cautious, and the creatively restless. Maybe you’ve got a wooden table that’s seen better days, or maybe you just want to bring autumn indoors in a way that feels personal. Either way, this is a slow, satisfying process that turns tissue paper into something lasting.

Step One: Start with What You Have

You don’t need fancy tools or a studio setup. Just a wooden table (even a thrifted one), some autumn-themed tissue paper, decoupage glue (Mod Podge works fine), a soft brush, and a clear sealant. If your table has a glossy finish, give it a light sanding with fine-grit paper. You’re not trying to strip it just rough it up enough so the glue has something to hold onto.

Step Two: Choose Your Paper and Cut It to Fit

Pick a design that speaks to you. Rust-colored florals, copper leaves, anything that feels like the autumn season. Lay the paper over the tabletop and trim it to size. If your paper is thin or delicate, work slowly tissue tears easily, and you’ll want clean edges. You can also tear the paper for a more organic look, but that’s a style choice, not a rule.

Step Three: Glue with Intention

Brush a thin layer of decoupage glue directly onto the tabletop. Not too much just enough to make the surface tacky. Then gently lay your paper down, starting at one edge and smoothing as you go. Use your fingers or a soft cloth to press out any air bubbles. If it wrinkles, don’t panic. Most wrinkles settle as the glue dries, and a few imperfections just make it look handmade.

Step Four: Let It Dry, Then Seal It

Once the paper is fully adhered and dry (give it a few hours), brush on a layer of clear sealant. This protects the design and gives it a finished look. You can use matte or gloss depending on your style. Let it dry completely, then add a second coat. If you want a super smooth finish, lightly sand between coats with fine-grit paper.

Step Five: Style It for the Season

Now the fun part. Add a mug of cider, a stack of books, a vase of dried flowers. Your table isn’t just furniture anymore it’s a seasonal statement. You made it. You styled it. And you taught yourself something new.  

 Footnote: Autumn is a great time to shop yard sales. You might stumble across wooden furniture just waiting to be transformed into a decoupage masterpiece. Keep an eye out for tables, trays, or even drawer fronts with good bones and a flat surface you’ll be surprised what a little glue and paper can do.

Joplin Misses the Mark of Nursing Deer Ethics

A nursing white-tailed fawn feeds beneath the protective canopy of an oak tree, surrounded by tall grasses and filtered sunlight. The doe stands alert, her body angled to shield her offspring, while the fawn still speckled with white leans in close, drawing warmth and nourishment. This quiet moment of connection reflects the seasonal vulnerability of late-born fawns in Joplin Missouri, where urban hunting ordinances offer no protection for nursing deer or fawn.

As of 2025, Joplin’s urban hunting ordinance permits bow hunting within city limits during the fall and early winter months. But this regulation fails to address a crucial ethical and biological concern: the taking of nursing does.

City of Joplin Bow Hunting Ordinance Endangers 

Nursing Deer and Late-Season Fawns

While technically allowed under Missouri’s broader hunting laws, targeting a nursing doe especially one with late-season fawns born in August is not ethically sound. It directly contradicts wildlife survival data and undermines responsible conservation efforts. 

The Missouri Department of Conservation and regional wildlife experts have repeatedly emphasized that late-born fawns are biologically underdeveloped and unlikely to survive winter without maternal care. By allowing hunters to target does indiscriminately, the ordinance risks orphaning vulnerable fawns and destabilizing local deer populations.

I live in southwest Joplin, adjacent to 29 acres of privately owned, heavily wooded land that has long served as sanctuary for a small deer herd. This season, I’ve observed three does, two first-season bucks, and three late-season fawns born in August. The herd was larger last year but many did not survive the winter. Projectiles were heard in the woods at night, and the loss was palpable.

Late-Season Fawns and the Quiet Proof of Timing

These images were taken in southwest Joplin, where a small deer herd continues to shelter near my home. The nursing doe and her late-season fawns just 2 to 3 weeks old move quietly through the underbrush, still fragile, still learning. You’ll notice the spent blooms of the “naked lady” lilies in the background, a subtle but unmistakable marker of the season’s shift. Their fading petals confirm what the wildlife already knows: it’s late summer, and these fawns are just beginning. 

  

Late-Season Fawns: Vulnerable and Still Learning

The does in southwest Joplin are still nursing fawns born in August late-season arrivals who remain biologically behind their spring-born counterparts. These younger fawns often lack the body mass, fat reserves, and foraging experience needed to survive Missouri’s harsh winter conditions.

Removing a nursing doe this late in the season leaves these fawns without the guidance and protection they still depend on, despite city officials’ claims that they are “independent.” Even if a fawn is technically weaned, its survival hinges on learned behaviors: identifying food sources, avoiding predators, and navigating territory. These skills aren’t instinctive they’re taught. And when a mother is taken too soon, that learning curve is abruptly severed. 

Joplin’s Urban Hunting Ordinance: A Harvest Without Safeguards

Joplin’s urban hunting ordinance passed as Ordinance 2025-083 permits bow hunting of deer within city limits during Missouri’s archery season (September 15–January 15). Hunters must be at least 16 years old, possess all required state permits, and carry written permission from landowners of private parcels one acre or larger. Those under 18 must be accompanied by a licensed adult with hunter education certification. All hunting must be conducted from a stand at least 10 feet off the ground.

However, the ordinance includes no seasonal or ethical exemptions for nursing does, late-born fawns, or first-season young bucks. As written, it permits the harvest of any deer within city limits regardless of age, dependency, or biological vulnerability. There is no stated limit on the number of deer a hunter may take under city rules, deferring instead to state regulations, which allow multiple tags depending on permit type and season.

This means bow hunters, age 16 and up, are legally allowed to target mature bucks, newly weaned fawns, and does still actively nursing August-born offspring. Even teen hunters are eligible, provided they meet basic permit requirements and are accompanied by a licensed adult. The ordinance reads as a harvest of all deer not a selective or humane management plan. And that omission carries real consequences for wildlife still learning to survive.

 Legal Doesn’t Mean Ethical: What Missouri Conservation Actually Says

While Joplin’s urban hunting ordinance may technically comply with Missouri law, it clearly contradicts the ethical standards and wildlife stewardship principles promoted by the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) and MU Extension.

 No Exemptions for Nursing Does or Fawns
The ordinance permits the harvest of any deer mature bucks, first-season young bucks, nursing does, and late-season fawns with no seasonal safeguards or ethical restraint. Hunters age 16 and up are legally allowed to participate, including teens accompanied by a licensed adult.

 MDC’s Hunter Ethics Guidance
The MDC urges hunters to “respect the land and all wildlife” and to “make every effort to retrieve and use all game.” Ethical hunting includes considering the ripple effects of harvesting a nursing doe especially when dependent fawns are still learning to survive.
➤ Read MDC’s Hunter Ethics page

 MU Extension on Population Health
According to MU Extension’s white-tailed deer management guides, deer populations are shaped by habitat, hunting pressure, and seasonal conditions. Removing does with dependent fawns can skew herd dynamics and reduce recruitment rates undermining long-term viability.
➤ Explore MU Extension’s deer management resources

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 Supporting Resources

• Hunter Ethics – Missouri Department of Conservation
• Ecology and Management of White-Tailed Deer in Missouri – MU Extension
• Wildlife Control Guidelines – MDC

.No Exemptions: Joplin’s Bow Hunting Ordinance Targets All Deer

Joplin’s urban hunting ordinance includes no seasonal or ethical exemptions for nursing does, late-born fawns, or first-season young bucks. As written, it permits the harvest of any deer within city limits regardless of age, dependency, or biological vulnerability. This means bow hunters, age 16 and up, are legally allowed to target mature bucks, newly weaned fawns, and does still actively nursing August-born offspring. Even teen hunters are eligible, provided they meet basic permit requirements and are accompanied by a licensed adult. The ordinance reads as a harvest of all deer not a selective or humane management plan. And that omission carries real consequences for wildlife still learning to survive.

 Author's  Note / Disclaimer
This article is intended for educational and advocacy purposes only. It reflects the author's personal perspective on urban wildlife management and public safety. No part of this content promotes illegal activity, violence, or harm toward animals or individuals. All references to local ordinances, safety concerns, and wildlife behavior are based on publicly available information and lived experience. Readers are encouraged to consult official city resources and conservation experts for guidance.

How to Decoupage Autumn Hat Boxes with Leaf Print Tissue Paper

Autumn is a season of texture, color, and quiet transformation and your home décor can reflect that beautifully. One of the most charming ways to celebrate fall is by creating custom decoupage hat boxes using leaf print tissue paper. These boxes aren’t just decorative; they double as storage for your seasonal decorations, keeping everything tidy and ready for next year.

Materials You’ll Need:

Round or oval hat boxes (cardboard or papier-mâché work best)

Leaf print tissue paper (like the one shown above)

Decoupage glue (e.g., Mod Podge)

Soft brush or sponge applicator

Scissors

Optional: matte sealant spray for added durability

 Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Prep Your Surface
Wipe down the hat boxes to remove any dust or residue. If the surface is glossy, lightly sand it to help the glue adhere better.

2. Cut Your Tissue Paper
Trim the leaf print tissue paper into manageable sections. You can cut around individual leaves for a collage effect or use full sheets for a seamless wrap.

3. Apply the Glue
Using your brush, apply a thin layer of decoupage glue to a small section of the box. Gently press the tissue paper onto the glue, smoothing out wrinkles with your fingers or a soft sponge.

4. Layer and Seal
Continue working in sections until the entire box is covered. Once dry, apply a top coat of glue over the paper to seal it. Let it dry fully before stacking or storing.

5. Style Your Display
Stack your finished hat boxes near a cozy corner, entryway, or mantel. Add a small pumpkin, dried leaves, or acorns for a seasonal decorations that feels both curated and organic.

Why It Works

Feature:
These decoupage hat boxes are an attractive way to decorate for fall bringing in warm tones, natural motifs, and a handmade touch that feels personal and inviting.

Benefit:
They’re not just pretty. You can store your autumn garlands, faux pumpkins, leaf garlands, and seasonal linens inside, keeping your décor organized and protected until next year.

Urban Bow Hunting in Joplin: A Cautionary Tale from the City Woods

 

This week, a local father and son took a walk in the woods in Joplin and stumbled upon something unsettling: a group of men constructing a deer hunting stand on land they didn’t own. When asked if they had written permission or a city permit, the men admitted they did not. The father picked up his phone and said he was calling the police. The men quickly backed off, saying they “didn’t want any trouble,” and left. The father and son then dismantled the stand and scattered the wood to prevent its reuse.

No police report was filed. No photos or recordings were taken. But the story, shared on Facebook, is a stark reminder of what happens when ordinances are passed without clear enforcement plans.

 Joplin’s Urban Hunting Ordinance
In June 2025, Joplin approved Ordinance 2025-083 allowing bow hunting of deer within city limits. Hunters must:

• Hunt only on private land of at least one acre
• Use a recurve bow
• Carry written permission from the landowner
• Register with the Joplin Police Department
• Follow all Missouri Department of Conservation rules
• Shoot from a stand at least 10 feet off the ground
• Be at least 16 years old (with adult supervision if under 18)

The ordinance was designed to reduce deer-related traffic accidents and property damage. But without active monitoring, it risks attracting the wrong kind of hunter those who bypass permits, ignore property boundaries, and operate under the assumption that no one’s watching.

 Why This Matters
The men encountered in the woods weren’t just violating city code they were trespassing, constructing an illegal hunting structure, and potentially endangering nearby residents. If they’d returned to hunt illegally the consequences could have been far worse. And yet, without documentation or a formal report, this incident becomes just another anecdote easy to dismiss, hard to track.

 What We Need

1.    Active patrols in wooded areas during hunting season

2.    Clear signage on private land boundaries

3.    A public reporting system for ordinance violations

4.    Education campaigns to help residents understand their rights

5.    Accountability from city officials to monitor and respond

This article is about protecting our community from poachers, trespassers, and those who exploit loopholes. If Joplin wants to manage its deer population ethically, it must also manage the risks that come with opening the door to urban hunting.

Disclaimer:
This post is based on a publicly shared account from a local resident and is intended for educational and advocacy purposes only. The incident described has not been independently verified, and no formal report was filed with law enforcement. Readers are encouraged to consult official city resources and ordinances for the most accurate and up-to-date information. For details on Joplin’s urban hunting regulations, visit the City of Joplin’s Urban Hunting Registration page.

Other Joplin MO articles by author 

Urban Deer in Joplin: What’s Really Driving the City Bow Hunting Ordinance

Joplin’s Urban Deer Hunting Ordinance Will Change Autumn2025 Forever: What Residents Need to Know

Autumn in Joplin when Sanctuary Faces New Risks

Joplin’s Split Scene: Nature Trails & Civic Voices (Aug 30, 2025)

 

Haunted Highway Autumn Rituals: Missouri’s Spookiest Road Trip

 

As Halloween creeps closer and the leaves begin to fall, some of us crave more than pumpkin patches and cozy sweaters. If your idea of an autumn activity includes haunted towns, ghostly dwellings, shadowed roadways, and forest trails thick with legend this Missouri road trip is exactly what you’ve been waiting for.

But be warned: this route isn’t for the timid. It’s for the ones who seek out paranormal whispers, who document the eerie and the unexplained, who treat every foggy detour as a story waiting to be told. So, if you’re ready to chase ghosts, honor forgotten histories, and feel the chill of something watching pack your bag, grab your gear, and head into the heart of Missouri for the spookiest road trip of the season.

For the Brave Ones Who Crave a Good Haunt in Missouri

If you’re one of my followers who lives for spooky rituals, haunted lore, and crisp autumn air thick with mystery this road trip is exactly what you’ve been craving. Missouri’s haunted highway isn’t just a scenic drive. It’s a descent into ghost stories, forgotten tragedies, and places that remember.

These stops carry emotional weight, spectral residue, and the kind of energy that lingers long after you’ve left. Whether you’re documenting for advocacy, ritual, or creative release, this route will test your nerve and reward your curiosity.

Let’s begin.

As the leaves crisp and the air turns sharp, Missouri reveals its shadowed corners. This isn’t just a scenic drive its a reckoning. A haunted road trip through the heart of the Midwest, where history lingers and the veil thins. Whether you’re chasing ghost stories or documenting the emotional residue of place, these stops offer more than fright they offer voice.

1. Jesse James Farm & Museum (Kearney)

Outlaw folklore meets family tragedy. Visitors report flickering lights and phantom footsteps echoes of Jesse’s unfinished legacy. A must-stop for those who document myth and memory.

 2. Belvoir Winery (Liberty)

Once an Odd Fellows Home, now a winery steeped in spectral lore. Ghost tours wind through the old infirmary and orphanage. The wine is good. The energy? Unsettling.

 3. Vaile Mansion (Independence)

Victorian grandeur with a tragic twist. Sylvia Vaile’s story buried in a glass coffin, they say haunts the halls. Perfect for those who pair architectural decay with emotional resonance.

 4. Hotel Bothwell (Sedalia)

Third-floor mysteries abound. Disappearing items, disembodied voices, and a lingering sense of being watched. Stay overnight if you dare or document from the lobby.

5. Missouri State Penitentiary (Jefferson City)

“The Bloodiest 47 Acres in America.” This decommissioned prison offers guided ghost tours and raw emotional terrain. Ideal for advocacy bloggers exploring justice and trauma.

 6. Zombie Road (Wildwood)

A forested trail with legends of shadow people and ghostly watchers. Best walked at dusk, with camera in hand and ritual in heart. Not for the faint of spirit.

7. Lemp Mansion (St. Louis)

A dynasty undone by suicide and scandal. The Lemp family’s brewing empire collapsed and their home remains one of the most haunted in America. Sunday brunch is served with a side of sorrow.

 8. Pythian Castle (Springfield)

Built by the Knights of Pythias, later used by the military. Ghost sightings, cold spots, and a ballroom that hums with memory. A visual feast for product mockups and seasonal cards.

 9. Union Station (Kansas City)

Site of the 1933 Kansas City Massacre. The architecture is stunning, the energy heavy. Document the contrast beauty and blood, history and haunting.

This autumn, let your road trip be more than a thrill let it be a reckoning. Missouri remembers. Will you?

Autumn Bed Bug Alert: Travel Risks & Local Infestations

Bed bugs aren’t just a summer nuisance they’re seasonal hitchhikers, with peak activity in late summer and fall. As travel increases and temperatures shift, infestations quietly rise in hotels, laundromats, and multi-unit housing. Joplin, Missouri, like many mid-sized communities, is seeing a resurgence one that’s underreported but deeply felt.

This updated post builds on my original January 2025 article, which documented the rise of bed bug cases across Missouri and offered firsthand accounts, treatment strategies, and natural repellents. The issue hasn’t faded its cyclical, and it’s back.

 

The Bigger Picture: Nationwide Activity June 2025 spike: Industry reports show a national uptick in infestations, tied to the return of pre-pandemic travel, hotel stays, and public gatherings.  No immunity for small towns: Bed bugs are equal-opportunity hitchhikers, thriving in laundromats, hotels, and multi-unit housing

 

 A Local Account: When Clean Isn’t Safe

“When our washing machine broke, we had to use a public laundromat. It looked clean a worker was mopping and wiping tables. My husband and I thought, ‘This one won’t have problems.’ Wrong. Within days, we had bed bugs.”

This firsthand account highlights a common misconception: cleanliness doesn’t guarantee safety. Bed bugs don’t discriminate. They hitch rides on clothing, laundry baskets, and even folding tables. 

 What Happened Next

• Diatomaceous Earth (food grade) applied to floors and bedding areas
• Mattress encased in a plastic dust mite cover
• All bedding, drapes, and floor coverings laundered on high heat
• DE allowed to sit for one hour before vacuuming

“We’re not sure if the bugs came from the washer or dryer, but since the laundromat was very busy,  with doors opening and closing they could’ve hitched a ride while we were folding clothes.”

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Natural Defense: Peppermint Oil Spray

For those avoiding harsh chemicals, this DIY spray offers a gentle way to repel bed bugs in laundry baskets, hotel rooms, and home bedding zones.

Ingredients

10 drops peppermint essential oil (100% pure)

1 cup distilled water

1 tbsp witch hazel or white vinegar (optional)

Spray bottle (glass or BPA-free plastic)

Instructions

1.    Add water and witch hazel/vinegar to the bottle

2.    Drop in peppermint oil and shake gently

3.    Spray lightly around laundry baskets, mattress seams, luggage, and baseboards

4.    Reapply every few hours or after laundering

“We used this spray around our laundry basket and folding area after our bed bug scare. It gave us peace of mind without the chemical fog.”

⚠️ Note: This spray repels but doesn’t kill eggs or deeply hidden bugs. Always test on fabric before full use.

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 What Travelers Can Do

Whether you're staying in a hotel or using public laundry services, here’s how to protect yourself:

• Inspect mattresses and headboards for rust-colored stains or live bugs
• Use hard-sided luggage and avoid placing bags on upholstered furniture
• Pack a travel-size bed bug spray (EPA-approved)
• Launder clothes immediately after returning home—hot water and high heat only
• Consider mattress encasements for long-term stays or high-risk areas

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Hotels and Hospitality: 2025 Red Flags

As bed bug activity rises, so do concerns about hotel hygiene and pest control. Travelers should:

• Check recent reviews for mentions of pests
• Avoid hotels with deferred maintenance or staffing shortages
• Report any sightings immediately and document with photos

Author's Notes:  August 2025 while there’s no official registry of bed bug cases in Joplin, pest control companies and local accounts confirm the issue is real and rising.

A January 2025 article titled “Insect Invasion: 5 Missouri Cities Combating Bed Bug Onslaught” confirms that Joplin is actively addressing infestations through community workshops and pest control partnerships. The piece highlights Joplin alongside St. Louis, Kansas City, and Springfield, noting a statewide rise in bed bug activity due to travel and public exposure.
🔗 Read the full article here