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“I grew up in Neosho and always took the fish hatchery for granted.”
That’s what Jack Sours, Neosho stone carver, sculptor, and potter, had to say about his long-held feelings for the Neosho National Fish Hatchery.
But as a grown man, Sours no longer takes the hatchery for granted. In fact, he has become a big fan of the hatchery and of the friends group that was formed to support the staff and the work at the hatchery.
Sours’ big change of heart actually came just this summer.
“We noticed something in the Neosho paper saying the friends group would hold a tour of the new visitor center and the public was invited,” Sours said. “So we thought we would go tour the new building to see what it was all about.”
Right after the tour, Sours visited with a member of the friends group and the idea of him doing some kind of fish sculpture was suggested.
“I began to think about that and thought maybe I’ll do a little something,” Sour explained.
As a result of that, he began working on a rainbow trout, carved from Indiana limestone. The next month, the friends group meeting included a tour of the new sturgeon building. As new members, Jack and Leann attended and were introduced to the Pallid Sturgeon, an endangered species that biologists are trying to save from extinction.
“I was really taken with the science that was going on with the sturgeon,” Sours said, “I had never seen a Pallid Sturgeon before.”
That prompted yet another sculpture — this time of a Pallid Sturgeon, also made from Indiana Limestone.
But this man of stone did not stop there.
“I decided to do another trout out of a block of alabaster,” Sours said. “It isn’t as tough as the limestone, but it is probably more beautiful.”
Working with the friends group, Sours will have these pieces for sale in the visitor center gift shop. Because they will be quite expensive, Sours doesn’t expect many sales, but he hopes someone will want one for their home or office —and they will certainly look good in the gift shop. Should any of them sell, the friends group will share in the profits.
Sours is doing everything he can to help the hatchery and the friends group, and he is absolutely delighted with the new visitor center. An artist at heart, he loves the entire concept of the hatchery building, just as he loves and admires the work the hatchery staff does.
“I grew up in Neosho and always took the fish hatchery for granted.”
That’s what Jack Sours, Neosho stone carver, sculptor, and potter, had to say about his long-held feelings for the Neosho National Fish Hatchery.
But as a grown man, Sours no longer takes the hatchery for granted. In fact, he has become a big fan of the hatchery and of the friends group that was formed to support the staff and the work at the hatchery.
Sours’ big change of heart actually came just this summer.
“We noticed something in the Neosho paper saying the friends group would hold a tour of the new visitor center and the public was invited,” Sours said. “So we thought we would go tour the new building to see what it was all about.”
Right after the tour, Sours visited with a member of the friends group and the idea of him doing some kind of fish sculpture was suggested.
“I began to think about that and thought maybe I’ll do a little something,” Sour explained.
As a result of that, he began working on a rainbow trout, carved from Indiana limestone. The next month, the friends group meeting included a tour of the new sturgeon building. As new members, Jack and Leann attended and were introduced to the Pallid Sturgeon, an endangered species that biologists are trying to save from extinction.
“I was really taken with the science that was going on with the sturgeon,” Sours said, “I had never seen a Pallid Sturgeon before.”
That prompted yet another sculpture — this time of a Pallid Sturgeon, also made from Indiana Limestone.
But this man of stone did not stop there.
“I decided to do another trout out of a block of alabaster,” Sours said. “It isn’t as tough as the limestone, but it is probably more beautiful.”
Working with the friends group, Sours will have these pieces for sale in the visitor center gift shop. Because they will be quite expensive, Sours doesn’t expect many sales, but he hopes someone will want one for their home or office —and they will certainly look good in the gift shop. Should any of them sell, the friends group will share in the profits.
Sours is doing everything he can to help the hatchery and the friends group, and he is absolutely delighted with the new visitor center. An artist at heart, he loves the entire concept of the hatchery building, just as he loves and admires the work the hatchery staff does.
“I don’t think most people have any idea of what great work is being done there,” he said. “It’s inspiring to me.”
And that inspiration has truly blossomed in his workshop.
“I will do anything I can to stimulate interest in the hatchery and the friends group,” Sours says. “That’s why I’m trying to help. I want to challenge everyone in Neosho to do what they can to help. This is our town, and this is our hatchery. In my mind, this new building gives us bragging rights.”
For those who might want a more affordable Jack Sours piece of work, there is good news. He is doing a series of small pieces of pottery (cups, plates, and covered dishes) that will feature the image of a fish and the name of the hatchery.
“I hope to have a dozen of each in the gift shop by the time they hold the grand opening,” Sours said. “This is the least I can do for the friends group.”
Helping others by giving his talent makes Jack Sours not only a good friend of the local hatchery, it makes him a good neighbor to everyone in town.
Kay Hively is the editor of The Post, and writes a weekly column for the Daily News.
