Elvis, fishing holes and hot weather on the to-do list

The forecasted weekend weather says it’s still summer but most area schools headed back to classes this week, much to the chagrin of my son, Cooper and certainly many other students. Local college campuses are also set to open on Monday.

Traditionally, I’ve always tried to lessen the first week of school dregs by scheduling a fun activity for Cooper and me to do the weekend after classes begin. We may take a day trip or simply have a special meal at a favorite restaurant as a way to take his mind off the upcoming school year.

I can always find plenty of stuff for us to do here in Southeast Missouri, which is how this column was born. Each Thursday, I will publish a short to-do list of places to go and things to do locally for the weekend/week ahead. All listings will be within short driving distances and free or low cost. At the end of the column look for the latest list of five new movies premiering this weekend.

This week’s to-do list includes Elvis movies, fishing holes and a historical house in Qulin.

• Make plans to visit the historic Rodgers Theatre at 204 N Broadway in Poplar Bluff on Friday night for a double feature of the classic Elvis Presley movies, Jail House Rock and Viva Las Vegas on the big screen. There’s no admission charge, but donations will be accepted toward the ongoing theater restoration efforts. Concessions will be available. Movie showings begin at 7 p.m. For more information visit the Rodgers Theatre on Facebook or go online to www.rodgerstheatre.org

• Pack a picnic lunch along with your fishing pole and head out this weekend to Pinewoods Lake Recreation Area near Ellsinore. Friday and Saturday looks to be the best days weather-wise. The woodsy area sits next to Pinewoods Lake in Southeastern Missouri. Driving directions from Poplar Bluff: go 7 miles north on U.S. Highway 67, then travel 16 miles east on U.S. Highway 60. This 32-acre hidden gem lake is an ideal location to enjoy fishing for bass, sunfish and catfish and walking scenic trails on the southeastern quadrant of the Mark Twain National Forest. A floating fishing pier and a concrete boat ramp are available for use. The accessible walking trail is 1.3 miles long and provides views of the lake, songbirds, wildlife and wildflowers.

Pinewoods Lake has a day-use picnic pavilion which can accommodate up to 75 people. The shelter is equipped with tables and large grills. Trash service is not available and all visitors must carry out all garbage. Vault toilets are provided but there is no drinking water available.

• The Oller-Reynolds House in Qulin is one of our area’s many historical homesites open for touring by the public. Built in 1910 by James B. Chadwick, the original house on Fourth Street served as a saloon at the time then a private residence through the post 1940s. Jacob and Cynthia Oller purchased the home in 1925 then transferring ownership to their daughter, Eliya Walls in 1939. Mrs. Walls’ daughter, Ruth Reynolds and her husband, John, were the remaining owners until their deaths. The home was donated to the Melville-Qulin Historical Society and moved to its present location at 10 South St. in 1989. The home is furnished with period artifacts and furniture true to the history of the property and is open for tour by appointment only. Please contact the Qulin Historical Society at 573-328-4488 for more information or to schedule a tour.

• Five new movies coming out this week are: Where’d You Go Bernadette, rated PG-13; Good Boys, rated R; The Angry Birds Movie 2, rated PG; 47 Meters Down: Uncaged, rated PG-13 and Blinded By The Light, rated PG-13.

Whatever you choose have some fun checking off your own to-do list this weekend.

Email suggestions for the To-Do list to news@darnews.com .