Connection April 2022

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CONNECTIONMO.COM

APRIL 2022

new restaurant

Table Rock Tavern Easter plans

Sunny Bunny Monett Theater Dept.

on with the show

Special Sections Lawn & Garden Shell knob

Fresh Starts

A MAGAZINE DEDICATED TO THE OZARKS

2 | April 2022

editorial

Spring Time, Easter, Time for Change

I

n April 2019, I wrote a column in the Connection magazine entitled, Changes Come and Changes Go. I am beginning to believe that when spring hits and the seasons change, it must mean that changes must begin here.

As most of you already know, Cassville Democrat, The Monett Times, and Connection magazine has been purchased by another company called CherryRoad Media. This is a young company that I feel will bring great new innovations to our products.

The company is focused on the paper products and digital and I believe will introduce some new ways for our communication and news to be delivered.

The magazine will remain with little or no changes, focused on community subjects, activities and stories on local people that everyone enjoys reading. CherryRoad wants to make sure that the audience remains happy with the product that they are receiving.

The last change that I wrote about was my title. I went from advertising manager to general manager. The title change was an adjustment with more responsibility and since I had never put together a magazine, that proved to be a challenging but enjoyable feat.

This change is with the company and the title. My title now will be regional advertising director, which again entails a lot of responsibility but apparently that is my path in life.

4 | April 2022

Like I shared with you in April 2019, I began this line of work in 1989, and there have been a few times where I thought I wanted to try a different type of job, but once you get in this line of work, it is hard to get away from it. As they say, “when it gets into your blood, you cannot get it out.” And the titles that I have had!! Wow, I am not even going to list them because there are too many.

I hope everyone enjoys the upcoming changes that we will embark upon. CherryRoad will bring new technology to the newspapers, and I am certainly looking forward to seeing what all of that means for our products.

This column is a two-parter as we also have a holiday coming up on April 17. Easter (barring any rain) will be exceptionally enjoyable for me this year as I feel like it will almost be normal.

For our family in 2020, we did not have a get-together because of Covid and in 2021 the gathering was small. This year, we will gather and almost all of the family will be there. I am very excited and look forward to the little kiddos hunting their eggs, which is something that I started in our family. I think the total amount of eggs is around 130, filled mostly with candy but there are some that have

A MAGAZINE DEDICATED TO THE OZARKS

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REGIONAL ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Lisa Craft lcraft@cherryroad.com MULTI-MEDIA SALES EXECUTIVES Vicky Abraham Marion Chrysler INDEPENDENT SALES CONSULTANT Sheila Harris CONTRIBUTORS Meagan Ruffing Darlene Wierman Melonie Roberts Susan Funkhouser Pam Wormington Jordan Troutman Christa Stout Jennifer Conner Annie Lisenby Smith Mike Gervais PHOTOGRAPHERS Chuck Nickle Jamie Brownlee Amy Sampson DISTRIBUTION Greg Gilliam Kevin Funcannon TO ADVERTISE 417-847-2610 - Cassville 417-235-3135 - Monett Send email inquiries to connection@monett-times.com Mailing address: P.O. Box 40, Monett, MO 65708 Connection is published monthly and distributed free in Cassville, Monett, Exeter, Washburn, Pierce City, Mt. Vernon, Aurora, Verona, Roaring River, Eagle Rock, Shell Knob, Purdy, Wheaton, Freistatt, Marionville, Seligman, Golden and other surrounding areas.

Connection is a publication of the Cassville Democrat, The Monett Times and CherryRoad Media.

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money and the big big prize is a $20 egg! It is definitely a treat to see their faces when they get the money and count it all at the end of the hunt. We all need to pray for sunshine!

It is also the time for the Easter Bunny when he does that magical trick and lays his eggs. I have never understood how once a year a bunny lays eggs or perhaps he just gathers the eggs and delivers them. I don’t think that was ever very clear and sometimes he delivers presents, just like Santa Claus only not wrapped. It is a fun time, and it is the first holiday that most of the time gives us warmer temperatures so the little ones can run all over the yard and hunt eggs.

This is also the time for Christians to celebrate the fact of Jesus Christ being resurrected and walking out of that empty tomb so we can walk in our faith with hope and freedom.

So to all of the magazine readers, I hope you enjoy the magazine and grow with us in our new endeavor. I hope the sun shines bright on Easter day for all of your family members, young and old, to enjoy a family get-together.

And as a follower of Christ, I pray that the resurrected Lord dwells within you today by His Holy Spirit. If so, you’re a new person, not only in righteous standing before God, but in ability and desire. Let’s celebrate that every day!

Lisa Craft

Regional Advertising Director, Connection Magazine Lisa Craft is Regional Advertising Director of Connection Magazine, The Monett Times and Cassville Democrat.

She can be reached at lcraft@cherryroad.com

CONNECTIONMO.COM

APRIL 2022

new restaurant

Table Rock Tavern Easter plans

Sunny Bunny Monett Theater Dept.

on with the show

Special Sections Lawn & Garden ShelL knob

Fresh Starts

A MAGAZINE DEDICATED TO THE OZARKS

Gardens, Easter celebrations, Shell Knob events, this spring is all about looking up.

CONTENTS LAWN & GARDEN

9 Victory Over the Virus Garden

SHELL KNOB 25 2022 Events

31 Changing of the Director 13 Healthy Connection 20 Cutest Kid

37 Parenting Column: Autism Awareness

45 Mental Health Column 50 Cutest Pet

“I have never understood how once a year a bunny lays eggs or perhaps he just gathers the eggs and delivers them. I don’t think that was ever very clear...”

51 Rescued, My Favorite Breed: More on Millie 54 Parting Shot

Have an idea for a story you would like to see in Connection Magazine?

Email it to connection@monett-times.com Facebook.com/MyConnectionMo

6 | April 2022

A P R I L 2022

15 | HE IS RISEN

Easter Sunrise Service is offered this year at the First United Methodist Church in Monett

17 | WHAT DOES THE EASTER BUNNY DO WHEN IT’S NOT EASTER?

We asked Pierce City Elementary School third-graders what they thought and found some very fulfilling answers

21 | SUNNY BUNNY

Aiding in Easter celebrations producing eggs in the millions, this factory makes the season

34 | TABLE ROCK TAVERN

This new Shell Knob business is making a name and making friends

38 | TAKING THE STAGE

Monett High School Theater Department is making new strides, teaching the play production

42 | HEMOPHILIA AWARENESS

Local family strives to excel together despite difficulty of genetic disorder

46 | PALLET GRANDEUR

Norm Farnum knows the beauty waiting in a pile of pallets and brings an artistic touch to his pieces

F

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A

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U

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E

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ConnectionMO.com | Connection Magazine | 7

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LAWN & GARDEN

Victory over the virus garden

M

y grandparents were all raised on farms, and having lived through the Great Depression as children, they all were emphatic about two things: never waste food and grow your own vegetables. Over time, the memories of hard times during the Depression and the two world wars have faded. But with rising costs for almost anything, especially food, there is one idea that is resurging: a victory garden.

Victory gardens began in 1917 during World War I when the National War Garden Commission encouraged families to grow their own fruits and vegetables to free up crops to feed soldiers overseas. Although originally called “liberty gardens,” the name changed to victory garden when

Story by Annie Lisenby Smith

it became clear that the United States and its allies would win the war. After Pearl Harbor was bombed, it’s reported that Eleanor Roosevelt began a new campaign for victory gardens.

And, according to almanac.com by the end of World War II, nearly two million gardens produced 40 percent of produce consumed in the country.

When starting a victory garden, those who have little experience in gardening might feel lost in how to start and what to plant. Fortunately, there are people in our community who have experience and want to help. Six years ago, a community garden was started in Shell Knob by a variety of community members. “The goal was self-sufficiency, to take care of yourself, your neighbors, and your friends,” said Twilia Harrison, former

Robert Balek

Mizzou Extension

director of the Shell Knob Chamber of Commerce. “The garden is now half an acre and gave away 800 pounds of produce in 2021.”

A great support to volunteers of the Shell Knob Community Garden and others across Barry and Lawrence counties has been the University of Missouri Extension. Robert Balek, Horticulture Field Specialist, has worked for the extension for seven years but brings over 40 years of experience in horticulture. He praises the community garden in Shell Knob saying, “They decided to use the community garden as a hub for gardening activities to engage with neighbors and the community.”

ConnectionMO.com | Connection Magazine | 9

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Balek encourages gardeners of all experience levels to start their own victory gardens. For anyone needing guidance, there is an abundance of information on the MU Extension website. “We also have the ‘Ask a Missouri Master Gardener’ Facebook group as part of the University of Missouri Extension Master Gardeners Facebook page,” Balek said.

“All kinds of gardening questions get answered there.”

When planning a garden, you have to choose what to grow. What’s most important is that you choose fruits and vegetables that your family will eat or that can be donated to neighbors, friends, or food banks. If beets are easy to grow, but no one in your home eats them, then don’t waste the time or energy. Balek suggests that those new to gardening start with something simple like squash, tomatoes, or peppers. Other gardening groups also suggest growing cucumbers, green beans, carrots, potatoes, strawberries, or blackberries.

“Our vegetable planting calendar offers a long list of vegetables,

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including sowing dates and amount of space needed to provide for a family,” Balek said. This can be found online by searching for: MU Extension Vegetable Planting Calendar.

By using this calendar, gardeners can decide when to plant and how long to expect to wait for ripe produce.

But gardening is more involved than simply putting seeds in the ground.

Through the MU Extension, there are many resources to help gardeners learn about soil testing, rotating crops for higher yields, and watering and maintenance techniques. “Each county has an office where questions can be taken for horticulture specialists to advise and answer,” said Balek. Extension offices for Barry and Lawrence counties can be reached at 417-466-3102.

While growing your own fruits and vegetables, families can save money at the grocery store. According to money. com, a family with a well-maintained 600-square-foot garden could produce 300 pounds of produce annually. The cost of seeding a garden like this on average is $75, while the cost to purchase all that produce would be approximately $600.

Today, you don’t have to be raised on a farm to know how to garden. If you are willing to learn, you might be able to provide for your family, friends, and neighbors while also experiencing the health and mental health benefits of being outside working in the sunshine. And no matter your skill level in gardening, by connecting with educators and other gardeners, you will be able to save money by growing your own food while building relationships and community. “At our community garden it’s everyone coming together, sharing their skills and talents, and working together,” said Harrison. “We are a community who comes together to get things done.” n

healthy connection Abbie Lambert is a Missouri State University dietetic intern and graduate student who is passionate about helping others live long and healthy lives through nutrition. Her nutrition interests include community nutrition, Health at Every Size, and intuitive eating.

by Abbie Lambert

Snack Smart in the Workplace

M

id-morning you feel your stomach growl, notice your energy is low, and you are having trouble focusing on your work.

These physical cues may point to a mid-morning drop in blood sugar indicating that you’re hungry. Enjoying small snacks throughout the day can prevent a mid-morning or afternoon drop, keep you focused, and prevent you from overeating at meals by stabilizing blood sugar.

Am I hungry?

Ask yourself, “Am I hungry?” and then notice what’s going on in your body physically and emotionally. Is your stomach growling?

Do you have brain fog or a headache? Maybe you need something instead of food such as a 5-minute break, brisk walk around the office, or a sip of water. These cues may be misinterpreted for hunger. If you are hungry, select a healthy snack that will satisfy you and keep you on track for the rest of the day.

Mindful Snacking Packing snacks at home is a great way to always have something on hand and avoid purchasing high calorie and priced snacks at your workplace. Plan to keep 1 to 2 snacks on hand each day. Snacks

should be 200 calories or less and include a carbohydrate and protein or fat. When a carbohydrate, which breaks down into simple sugars, is paired with a protein or fat, it is digested more slowly and doesn’t result in a blood sugar spike. When selecting snacks, choose options easy to prepare and that are limited in added sugars, saturated fats, and sodium.

Fresh fruit + nut butter or yogurt

Healthy Snack Combos

Wrap with low-sodium turkey + cheese + lettuce

Snacks can be as simple as a piece of fruit, handful of trail mix, or cut vegetables. Take your snacks to the next level with these simple snack combos. Remember the carbohydrate to protein and fat ratio when creating your unique snack.

The average person needs between 11-15 cups of water per day to stay hydrated. Investing in a reusable water bottle and making a point to sip from it every thirty minutes is a great way to start creating a habit of drinking more water. Avoid soda and energy drinks as these add extra calories and sugars that may cause a sugar rush and crash. Instead, swap your daily sugar-sweetened beverage with water flavored with fruit, sparkling water, calorie-free flavored water, or unsweetened tea.

Fresh vegetables + low-fat dip or hummus Whole grain crackers + turkey + avocado Smoothie (fruit + milk + protein powder + yogurt + spinach) Beef jerky + whole grain crackers

Dark chocolate + dried fruit Staying hydrated

If you love your afternoon coffee pick-me-up, incorporate one of these healthy alternative swaps into your next order.

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Syrups/sweeteners

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ConnectionMO.com/HealthyConnection | Connection Magazine | 13

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Monett’s First United Methodist Church hosts sunrise service

He Is Risen

E

aster unveils the rebirth of nature following the long sleep of winter, a sense of renewal of the human spirit and provides a touchstone for those celebrating the resurrection of Christ.

Story by Melonie Roberts

This year, as the sun starts making it’s way over the horizon, worshippers at First United Methodist Church in Monett will not only welcome the start of a new day, they and their guests and visitors will have the op-

portunity to take part in the Easter Sunrise Service celebration that begins at 6:15 a.m. on Sunday, April 17. This year’s message, according to Pastor Brian Smith, is “Light after the Darkness.”

ConnectionMO.com | Connection Magazine | 15

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Annual Easter Egg Hunt for kids at 10:15 a.m. on Palm Sunday, April 10 “After these dark times that have included Covid and upheaval around the nation and the world, there is hope and comfort in following the light of Jesus, celebrating His resurrection and the promise of everlasting life,” he said.

The service, which will be held at the cross garden on the grounds of the church, is expected to last about 30 minutes, and will be followed with light refreshments served in the multipurpose room.

Traditional services will also be held at 9:15 a.m., followed by a pancake breakfast, then contemporary services at 11:15 a.m. and services in Spanish at 12:30 p.m. Worshippers may also follow inside services at www.fumcmonett.org.

“The church has had a long-standing tradition for hosting sunrise services on Easter morning,” Smith said.

“In the event of inclement weather, we will move the service inside.”

Those planing to attend the sunrise service are advised to dress for the weather accordingly and to bring chairs for comfort.

“We generally average 30 to 40 worshippers,” Smith said. In the first post-quarantine celebration, he hopes to see more this year. All are welcome to join.”

In preceding celebrations, the church will host its annual Easter Egg Hunt for youngsters at 10:15 a.m. on Palm Sunday, April 10, on the grounds of the church.

For more information, call First United Methodist Church at 417-235-7444. n

Easter Bunny preparing for annual egg hunts But what does he do the rest of the year?

W

e all know that the Easter Bunny is gearing up for one of the busiest days of his year, preparing to scatter eggs in fields, parks and yards across southwest Missouri and the nation. But other than that one day of frantic activity, we wonder what he does the rest of the year?

We went to Pierce City Elementary School to ask some third-grade experts their thoughts.

“I think the Easter Bunny works in a factory shaped like a bunny that is made of chocolate with egg-shaped lights with glitter mixed in the paint.

To get to the factory is 70 feet into the ground, so if you see a path of gold eggs, follow it and you will see a chocolate fountain and bunnies driving truckloads of Peeps, all packed up for Easter. The Easter Bunny is helping his workers with dyeing eggs for Easter.

Then when you go home, follow the road of Peeps.”

— Anna “I think the Easter Bunny helps people in stores and works in disguise as a human. He probably does not put away carrots because he would try to steal the carrots.”

— Cohen

Story by Melonie Roberts

“I think the Easter Bunny is magic.

Why I think that is because you cannot hear him while he is giving you your candy. Another reason why I think that is you can’t catch him while he is giving you your candy.”

— Elivia “I think the Easter Bunny lives in Santa’s Workshop. I think that because the Easter Bunny could memorize the way. Also, he could see what chocolate the kids like. Then Santa’s elves could help make the chocolate eggs. Lastly, it wouldn’t take long to leave the Easter eggs with Santa’s sleigh. I think the Easter Bunny works at Santa’s Workshop.”

— Lucy

The Easter Bunny comes well prepared for the annual Monett Easter Egg Hunt, scattering up to 8,000 eggs each year at Monett’s South Park for youngsters to find.

“I think the Easter Bunny hides in a hole in the ground. Each night he delivers packages around the world.

Once he delivered 500,000 packages, he almost ran out of breath. He’s lucky he had a water bottle. He is also an artist. I saw 30 of his pictures once. Lastly, after all that, he makes chocolate eggs.”

— Dreven “I think the Easter Bunny works in a factory to make Peeps, chocolate and jelly beans.”

— Lakota

ConnectionMO.com | Connection Magazine | 17

“I think the Easter Bunny is Santa because he is fluffy and has a white beard. I think he shaves all the other hair off to play Santa and also so he can mark his routes for Easter.”

— Adela “No one knows where the Easter Bunny’s factory is. You are going to find out where the factory is now.

Deep in the forest there is a hole 80 feet or more. The Easter Bunny factory has mini trucks. The Easter Bunny told me that he makes one million chocolate bars like Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. They have so much candy! They have eggs, and candy canes and Peeps. They have bunnies and chicks, too. It is so fun there you should visit.”

— Knox “I think he doesn’t work at all.

Maybe he is in Hawaii relaxing. While his workers make eggs. I think he is relaxing for the big day. Then before Easter, he prepares. It would be a hard job. At least we get chocolate, right?”

— Oli

18 | April 2022

“The Easter Bunny gives you eggs on one day of the year. What does he or she do the rest of the year? I think during Christmas he or she helps Santa. I also think he or she helps the Leprechauns on St. Patrick’s Day. Maybe he or she also helps the Tooth Fairy.

He or she might help the turkeys not get eat on Thanksgiving Day. I think he or she does a good job on making all of the holidays a success.”

— Dakota “This is what I think the bunnies do. They deliver eggs but after that, they go to school as a teacher. They do math and science. Then they switch with a nice teacher and go home to take a shower. Then they get into their Braum’s outfit and sleep for three hours. Then they wake up, put on their shoes and goes to work for nine hours.”

— Breanna “So if the Easter Bunny delivers eggs on Easter, what does he do in his free time? I think the Easter Bunny works on a farm half of the time. He grows carrots, potatoes, peas and wheat. On his farm, he also has some cows, pigs, sheep and chickens. Then for the rest of the time he paints eggs. He uses different colors such as blue.”

— Nik

“Maybe like? Do the eggs for next year? Or like making chocolate? Oh, I have a good one. Like go on vacation!

But nobody knows. Wait, Easter Bunny can work at McDonald’s. Oh yeah!”

— Riley “I will tell you about what the Easter Bunny does in his free time. First, the Easter Bunny goes to birthday parties. Next, he goes to Koala Land and sees his wife, Mrs. Koala. Last, once he is done seeing his wife, he has to say ‘Bye,” and goes to McDonald’s.

He gets an egg sandwich so he will lay eggs. Bye. Hope you enjoyed.”

— Jilly

Now that we know what a busy bunny he is, perhaps we should keep our eyes peeled for the teacher in disguise, the underground chocolate factory, Mrs. Koala, the local farmer’s vegetable patch or roads lined with chocolate eggs and Peeps to catch a glimpse of the Easter Bunny at his day job.

Just look for the “little cottontail” as he bounds toward his next task.

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cutest kid

Aaliyah Lombard, is the eight-year-old daughter of Katie Lombard of Pierce City

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20 | April 2022

Kim Davis, an employee at SWI Barry-Lawrence, is lending the Easter Bunny a helping hand this year, filling Sunny Bunny Easter Eggs with candy just in time for the annual Easter Egg Hunt at Monett’s South Park.

Helping the Easter Bunny through a busy season Hundreds of youngsters expected for first post-quarantine hunt

I

t’s been a couple of slow years for the Easter Bunny, but local experts are predicting he’s going to have to put on his racing shoes to cover all of the post-quarantine events taking place this year.

And lending a helping hand for their fourth year are employees at SWI Barry-Lawrence, formerly the Monett Area Sheltered Workshop, who are busy stuffing Sunny Bunny Easter Eggs with sweet treats for this year’s annual Easter Egg Hunt, taking place at 10 a.m. on Saturday, April 9, at Monett South Park’s soccer fields.

What is unique about this year’s event is the pastel colored eggs hail from SWI Industrial Solutions in Springfield, where employees in the sheltered workshop work year-round to manufacture enough of the plastic treat holders to ship anywhere from 12- to 18-million eggs across the nation. In fact, SWI owns the injection egg molds and the plastic shells are manufactured in Harrison, Ark.

Story and photos by Melonie Roberts

Rob Walker, plant manager for SWI Barry-Lawrence, hefts one of the boxes of Sunny Bunny Easter Eggs that are being filled with sweet treats for the upcoming Easter Egg Hunt at Monett’s South Park. The Sunny Bunny eggs are manufactured year-round at SWI Industrial Solutions in Springfield, providing meaningful employment to people with disabilities. The Springfield location currently serves over 230 adults at its 75,000-square-foot facility.

ConnectionMO.com | Connection Magazine | 21

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Eight 1,000-count boxes of Sunny Bunny Easter Eggs are filled for the Monett Young Professionals Network’s annual Easter Egg Hunt, set for April 9.

“These eggs are especially engineered to be easy to assemble,” said Dave Dunn, general manager of SWI. “The eggs are ideal for those who are disabled. They are very easy to open and snap closed. But they are sturdy, too.

We’ve had pilots drop our eggs from helicopters, and they don’t pop open.”

“We expect this to be a pretty big Easter,” said Rob Walker, plant manager for SWI Barry-Lawrence. “People have been so shut down by Covid, they are finally going to be able to get out and enjoy some activities this year. Sales have rebounded tremendously this year, and we anticipate a record number of kids enjoying this year’s Easter Egg Hunt.”

While packing candy into plastic egg shells doesn’t provide full time employment for workers at SWI Barry-Lawrence, it certainly keeps them hopping before Easter.

Though only one or two workshop employees are needed to manage the early spring project, the remaining workers are busy bees, fulfilling other orders that have come into the business since SWI took over management of the facility in August 2021.

“Significant improvements to the facility, including a new heating and air conditioning system, have made the work environment more comfortable and inviting for employees and guests alike,” Walker said. “The facility’s workforce has also increased by nearly 60 percent since that time. And I am still looking to hire more employees.”

Walker looks over the factory floor where employees visit and laugh while they complete their tasks and smiles.

“It’s going to be a good Easter,” he said. n

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ConnectionMO.com | Connection Magazine | 23

SPECIAL SECTION | SHELL KNOB

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SHELL KNOB

Each year thousands of people flock to Shell Knob to get a glimpse of the fun, family activities scheduled throughout the year. When the weather is warm, the water stays cool, and the area is never short on things to keep locals and tourists entertained.

For more information or to volunteer, people may reach out to the Shell Knob Chamber of Commerce office at 417-858-3300.

Events 2022

May 16

SHANKIN’ IN THE SHELL This is the fourth year the Shell Knob Chamber of Commerce is hosting the annual golf tournament.

This four-person scramble is hosted at the Cassville Golf Course, and it costs $250 per group.

“This is my first year experiencing it,” said Kellie Davis, Shell Knob Chamber of Commerce director. “It is all for raising money for the fireworks show, which is going to be epic.”

June 11

POKER RUN This is the fifth annual event which falls the week before Father’s Day.

“It is always pirate-themed,” Kellie said. “This year it is called, ‘Bouncy for the Boom-Boom.”

There are five stops along the tour, and it costs $25 per hand.

“We are hoping to keep those the same this year,” she said. “But, we will start at the Pizza Hut dock this year.”

People can contact the Chamber for a possible August Poker Run, as well.

July 4

July 2

PRE-BOOM Since July 4 falls on a Monday this year, the Shell Knob Chamber of Commerce has decided to host a pre-boom party at the Community Park.

“We will have a band, beer garden, and BBQ,” Kellie said. “We will sell beer and food, but there is no gatecost. It will run from 5 to 10 p.m.

“This is a celebration.”

FIRE AND THUNDER FIREWORKS DISPLAY and LET FREEDOM RING BOAT PARADE “The boat parade is hosted the morning of the 4th,” Kellie said. “It starts at 10 a.m., and fireworks follow at sundown.”

There are no gate-costs to attend the events. People who wish to enter the boat parade are encouraged to sign up at the Chamber office before the event. The Chamber will be using the same fireworks vendor as last year.

ConnectionMO.com | Connection Magazine | 25

SPECIAL SECTION | SHELL KNOB

26 | April 2022

September 16-17

SHAKIN’ IN THE SHELL AND CUSTOM CLASSIC CAR SHOW

Shakin’ in the Shell features one of the most popular car shows around with dozens of entries ranging from antique automobiles to some of the hottest modern cars on the market.

Renovations at the park were completed last year, including trees planted at the entrance. The Custom Classic Car Show will take place on the 17th. The band will be the same as last year, Morgan Squared. The event will be open on Friday from 4 to 11 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

“I would like to get some of the carnival rides back this year,” Kellie said. “I want more commissions and more for the kids.”

October 1

HOMER SLOAN BUDDY BASS TOURNAMENT

For the 43rd year, the Homer Sloan Buddy Bass Tournament will come to Shell Knob. It is one of the biggest on the lake.

Daisy Mae applies face paint to Athena Shoemaker, 9, who traveled from Nebraska for the 2021 Shakin’ in the Shell event in Shell Knob.

“People can go to the Chamber website to register for the event,” Kellie said. “It costs $100 to register and $20 for the big bass.”

The steak at the end of the tournament is provided by Harter House and Central Crossing Marina.

“The first 50 boats receive hats,” Kellie said.

October 22

ANNUAL CHAMBER BANQUET AND HOOTENANNY “Last year, we started the Hootenanny,” Kellie said. “It was a huge hit. It is always a good show.”

The event is open to the public and seats cost $30, which includes a meal, plus there is a bar.

Fun at the annual Shell Knob Chamber of Commerce banquet and Hootenanny in 2021.

ConnectionMO.com | Connection Magazine | 27

SPECIAL SECTION | SHELL KNOB The event will be hosted at the Barn at Bear Ridge, as well as catered by them. There will also be a bluegrass-style band.

“I want to fill the whole place this year,” Kellie said. “Also, we need people to buy seats and tables before the event, so we have a headcount for the meal.”

December 10

TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY AND JINGLE BELL JAMBOREE The Tree Lighting Ceremony was a new event that the Chamber started last year to go alongside the Jingle Bell Jamboree.

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“We had decided to get a tree to honor Twila, and we used that tree for the lighting ceremony,” Kellie said. “We will do that again this year. We handed out s’mores, hot chocolate, and Santa was there.

“People thought it was great, but I don’t think a lot of people knew about it, so I hope it will be bigger this year.”

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Twilia Harrison served as the Shell Knob Chamber of Commerce director for seven years. She retired in 2021 with some of the best Shell Knob moments under her belt.

You say goodbye, I say hello Davis: ‘We are the pearl of Table Rock Lake — hidden in the shell’

A

pillar in the Shell Knob community is the director of the Shell Knob Chamber of Commerce. This person in selflessly involved with businesses, events and the community itself.

For seven years, this person was Twilia Harrison, her face and bright personality was a staple at any event.

Twilia believes that Shell Knob is her home, a home to the community, and a home to the travelers who find solace at the lake.

Even before her time as the chamber director, Twilia was involved in building the community, building friendships and building a safe place for families in Shell Knob. She will continue to have her hand in the mix for many years to come, even though she retired from being chamber director in 2021.

After seven years of business open houses, Shakin’ in the Shell and Fourth

Story by Jordan Troutman

of July fireworks, “I’m not gone,” she said. “I have at least three lists of projects and events at the park, senior center and community building.”

Harrison said she has some new ideas to bring to the table.

“I want to get people together to do artistic activities and just be together,” she said. “I want to continue to build Shell Knob and bring other communities in.”

She will obtain this by staying on the Friends of Shell Knob board.

“When I think about what I am most proud of, the biggest thing is working in the community,” Twilia said. “Everyone came together. We all work together, and together we get things taken care of.”

Kellie Davis, is the new Shell Knob Chamber of Commerce director.

“Kellie is wonderful,” Harrison said.

“She is so spirited and came right in and

made this building beautiful.”

Kellie said while she grew up in Kansas City, she often spent time at Table Rock Lake and in Shell Knob.

“My husband and I decided that we wanted to move back closer to family,” Kellie said. “We decided we wanted some land and not to move to a city.

“We both love the lake and love Shell Knob — it was familiar, yet totally different, and exactly what we wanted.”

Her first event in 2021 was the Shell Knob Hootenanny, followed by the first ever tree lighting ceremony in December 2021.

“Twila [Harrison] is a wealth of information and is still helping me on the side,” Kellie said. “There is no way I could do any of this without her, and I am forever grateful for her help.”

For Twilia, there is not one event or Shell Knob activity that she claims is her favorite.

ConnectionMO.com | Connection Magazine | 31

SPECIAL SECTION | SHELL KNOB

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“Each one of them brought something new to the table, as well as, brought in its own group of people and followers,” she said. “I do know that the only way these events could come to life is with the help of the volunteers.”

Harrison said the businesses and the Chamber are the glue, but the volunteers are what makes the whole thing work.

“It’s a circle,” she said. “You can’t have one without the other.

“I support and see the bigger picture.

And what I saw here is the connection brought that bigger picture to life.”

Kellie said she would want people to know that she is approachable and easy to get along with, and she likes to involve people in projects.

“Sometimes you need help and sometimes you have to give help,” she said.

“I would like to see Cassville and Shell Knob do more together, and have our schedules of events united.”

Twilia had some advice for Kellie as she steps into the director role, the same advice was given to her when she first started seven years ago.

“Make it your own, the rest will fall into place. Make it your own, nothing is written in stone,” Harrison said. “When I would say, ‘I have an idea!’ Those four words would just terrorize the board. But in the end, they would always say, ‘Go for it, you never know until you try.’

“They were my lifeline, and that is what I am trying to do for Kellie. She will see things differently than I did and that will be beautiful.”

Kellie is focused on the continuing growth of Shell Knob and surrounding areas.

“I guess my ultimate goal would be just to have all the businesses thriving and everyone in the community happy,” she said. “Perhaps instead of having a season, we can be busy enough for everyone year round.

“We are the pearl of Table Rock Lake — hidden in the shell.” n

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Finding friends at the Table Rock Tavern A

local Shell Knob business recently opened its doors after a year of renovations.

The Table Rock Tavern, opened on December 5, 2021.

Jill Broyles, owner and operator of the Table Rock Tavern, said that the idea came to her after decades of visiting the lake.

“I’ve been coming to the lake area with my parents since 1979,” she said.

“We would camp in Viola for two weeks every year.”

While she is originally from the 34 | April 2022

Wichita, Kansas, area, Jill moved to Carthage in 2020.

“I would come to my lake house here in Shell Knob on the weekends,” Jill said. “One day, I was on Facebook and I asked, on the Table Rock Group page what there is to do in the area, and if they would be interested in a sports bar?”

Jill discovered, if she built it, they would come.

“Within two days the Facebook post had over 600 comments,” she said. “It blew up from there.”

A new business in town, the Table Rock Tavern has been a huge hit for the last couple of months. Jill Broyles, owner and operator is excited for the summer season.

Jill leases the property from Mike Fitzpatrick. Based on the Facebook response, Mike’s wife reached out to Jill and told her Mike might have the perfect property.

“Mike has been great to work with,” Jill said. “It all started in January 2021. So there was a year of renovations, and Mike paid for all of them.”

Jill worked managing an assisted living facility until April 2021, when she moved to Shell Knob full time.

“I wanted to oversee stuff,” she

Story by Jordan Troutman

Table Rock Tavern opened on December 5, 2021. Jill Broyles owner and operator of the business is happy to have a place where people can gather.

Jill Broyles, owner and operator of the Table Rock Tavern, said this bar top was the creative work of the contractor whom she worked with for nearly a year, Joe VanTrump.

Jill Broyles, owner and operator of the Table Rock Tavern, along side her son, Adam Cook, and daughter, Alex Cook, who help her run the business.

said. “We had some really big projects happening, and some smaller things that I wanted to be able to manage. I wanted to help guide the contractor.”

Jill said Joe, the contractor, was also fantastic to work with.

“He built the bar top,” she said. “It was like a baby to him, he is very creative.”

After all the building, Jill said the best part about the Table Rock Tavern is watching relationships being built.

“I have seen friendships built here,” she said. “I hope that I am filling a

need in the community, and this is a place people can always come to build friendships and relationships.”

Jill has a master’s degree in aging studies, which is what she had made a career out of. But, she bartended in her early 20s.

“Because of COVID, the government made my line of work not much fun,” she said. “I had to lock the doors, and I couldn’t let people be with their families. There was a need in the Shell Knob area, and I am excited to be a part of the solution.”

Jill operates the Table Rock Tavern alongside her son, Adam, and daughter, Alex, and one other employee, Brooke, who is from Cassville.

“I am hoping to add more people during the tourist season,” she said.

“We have a small hometown family feel, and we are invested in the local community and businesses. The tourist community will help, but the locals are what really drive a business.”

The sports bar feel is exactly what Jill envisioned.

“We have a real simple bar food

ConnectionMO.com | Connection Magazine | 35

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menu,” she said. “Burgers, fries, onion rings, mushrooms, that kind of thing. I wanted to focus on a bar that serves food, instead of a restaurant that has a bar.”

Jill feels like that is something that helps set the Table Rock Tavern apart from other local businesses.

“We are a clean, non-smoking, family establishment,” she said.

“We aren’t a chain. The bar is full scale with a big variety. People really wanted non-smoking, that was a big part of the comments on the post I made.”

Jill said there is not really any competition with other local places.

Everyone just kind of does their own thing.

“This is fun for me, I enjoy it,” Jill said. “I also enjoy fishing, and my dog, J.B.” J.B. has become a patron of the Tavern himself.

Table Rock Tavern is currently closed on Tuesdays, but open at 11 a.m. the rest of the week. People can follow their Facebook page at Table Rock Tavern. n

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What does supporting someone with Autism look like?

parenting column

April is Autism Awareness Month which means, it’s a great time to get out there and support friends and families who may have a child who is on the Autism spectrum. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a range of behaviors that can be identified as challenges with social skills, speech, repetitive behaviors and non-verbal communication.

ASK IF THEY NEED ANYTHING. Families with children who are on the spectrum can feel overwhelmed a lot of the time. Things that may be easy for you, are incredibly difficult for parents raising a child who faces daily challenges. Some of these challenges can be ones that no one outside of the home even knows about. Such as, getting their child ready for school in the morning.

Children on the spectrum crave routine. If something in their routine is off, this can throw the whole morning off. Simply asking a parent, “What can I do to help you today?” is a great place to start.

A

UNDERSTAND THAT CHILDREN ON THE SPECTRUM MAY DO THINGS DIFFERENTLY AND THERE IS PROBABLY A REASON FOR THAT. For example, maybe you see a kid who is headed to school in the middle of winter and they’re wearing a T-shirt and shorts. I have seen parents ridicule other parents for allowing their children to wear this.

What that parent might not know though is that that child may have some sort of sensory aversion to certain fabric going over their arms and legs.

Understanding that something

U

you see may have an entire story behind it, is a great place to start with being aware.

TAKE TIME TO GET TO KNOW THEIR CHILD. One of the coolest and kindest things you can do is get to know him or her. This helps the family feel included and accepted. Getting to know someone’s child is showing that you care. A lot of these kids are into really neat hobbies and are mini-experts on whatever their specific interest is (dinosaurs, a certain movie, etc.). You may just learn something from them!

T

INVITE THEM TO PLAYDATES. This is a big one. A lot of families who have a child on the spectrum can get left out because their child is ‘different’ than other children. It is hurtful to be left out. Use playdates as an opportunity to teach your own kids about including everyone and not just including them to say you did, but including them because it’s fun to have a variety of people to play with.

I

S

STIMMING IS A WAY THAT CHILDREN WITH AUTISM MAKE SENSE OF THEIR OUTSIDE WORLD.

by Meagan Ruffing

They do repetitive movements or make noises that help them feel calm. This could be rocking back and forth, moaning, saying a word or phrase over and over again, or making continual noises.

Sometimes this can come off in school as a child who is trying to disrupt the class; especially if this person is high-functioning and their Autism is only known by the family. If your children see a child who is stimming, whether it be at school or when you’re out running errands, take them to the side and teach them what that means. Staring at someone who is stimming can be incredibly uncomfortable and rude.

MINDFUL. Be mindful of families with children on the spectrum when things go differently. These kids want to be included, loved on, and accepted just like everyone else. If you have plans to meet up at a certain time and the parent calls to let you know things went south and she needs to reschedule, be mindful of how you respond. This parent is probably already feeling so stressed out that they can’t follow through with their plans so your gentle response may be just what that parent needs to hear.

M

Parenting journalist Meagan Ruffing loves helping families who have children on the spectrum. She enjoys getting to know the unique needs these families have and finding fun ways to serve them.

Find ways to be more aware of those around you. You may know someone who has a child on the spectrum or maybe that family is yours.

If no one has told you lately, you’re doing a great job.

ConnectionMO.com/ParentingColumn | Connection Magazine | 37

The Monett Drama Department is hoping to expand its offerings next year with major productions in the spring and fall, as well as a series of smaller-scale performances sprinkled throughout the year.

Taking the stage O F F T H E B E AT E N PAT H

38 | April 2022

W

hen most people think of the life lessons learned in high school, they think of traditional educational experiences like history and English classes, or the physical highs and lows of hardworking athletics departments. But one often overlooked experience in Monett is expanding its efforts and endeavoring to teach students teamwork, confidence and the joys of entertainment.

At Monett High School, Matthew Kiewiet’s drama program aims to get students involved in everything from set design and lighting to acting and even public speaking.

Kiewiet said there are exciting new developments in the school theater program that aims to see more productions and wider participation by offering different avenues for students who may not necessarily feel comfortable in the limelight, or who are more interested in the technical side of theater production.

“Next year we’re going to have costumers and stagecraft in theater 1,” Kiewiet said. “We want to create awareness for students who aren’t aware of how much you can do behind the scenes.”

This year, in the theater department, Kiewiet said there are between 20 and 25 students working in stagecraft, 10 working in costuming and makeup and 25 students participating in speech and debate, a program he said goes hand-inhand with acting.

Story by Annie Lisenby Smith

When most people think of high school theater departments they typically think of young thespians performing Shakespeare before an audience, but as Monett’s Theater department expands, teacher Matthew Kiewiet is putting a stronger focus on other aspects of the productions, like costuming, set building, lighting and audio.

In addition to the behind-the-scenes work, various productions could enlist up to 18 actors appearing on stage.

Kiewiet said he approaches the theater department with the same principals as many high school athletics coaches. It’s a fact that most star varsity players will never go on to perform at the professional level.

Likewise, Kiewiet said the program isn’t about teaching students how to make a career out of acting, singing or stagecraft, it’s about creating connections and important life lessons like teamwork, preparation and cooperation.

“The goal of the classes and the department in general is collaboration,” he said. “That’s a lifelong skill that you

can take anywhere and that can be applied in any field. And I want to teach these kids about being good communicators.”

Kiewiet also said there is a huge social aspect to the drama department that brings students together with a shared interest and goal.

“Finding a sense of community is very important,” he said. “For these students, I want to make sure they have a place to go where they know there are people like them and give them a sense of safety. They get to come together and create pieces of art. From the actors to the set designers, they come together and spend months creating a world other people get to see, and I really hope to see more students latch onto that.”

ConnectionMO.com | Connection Magazine | 39

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The theater department has traditionally held two performances each year, one in the fall, and a second in the spring, with the fall production being a full-length play and the spring offering hosting smaller productions based on teaching the students both movement and lines.

Kiewiet said he hopes to see that grow to include reader theater and one act performances that give the young thespians more opportunities to take to the stage with shorter, single act performances throughout the year, as well as full-length productions in the spring and fall.

He said students are consulted when it comes time to perform the major plays, but selecting each individual production is a task in and of itself, as hosting a play comes with a cost.

“The students have suggestions, but with how expensive rights can be, we always have to ask ourselves if we can get approved for the rights,” he said.

“Normally, rights for a play run between $1,500 and $3,000. And that’s just the rights. That’s before costumes or anything like lumber for sets.

The department also has to take into consideration how many students are available and interested in acting in a performance as well as how elaborate costumes and sets will be.

Kiewiet also said there are a lot of opportunities for students to earn scholarships, awards and accolades, both from their stage performances and for the stagecraft students. “We work with the International Thespian Society, the Missouri Thespian Society and the Theater Honor Society, and every year the Thespian Conference hosts workshops and crew members can also be inducted with actors,” he said. “You can also be inducted with actors and you get to earn points at the conference, which has competitions geared toward theater tech.” n

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ConnectionMO.com | Connection Magazine | 41

A P R I L 17TH

Hemophilia Awareness The Snareys persevere against medical challenge together

F

Nathan receiving a medal at championship finals. Swimming is a fabulous exercise for those with bleeding disorders.

42 | April 2022

amily traits are passed down through generations. Sometimes a mom will gush, “My son has his grandmother’s eyes.” Other times a dad will proudly announce, “My girl won state at basketball, just like me!” On April 17, 2022, one inherited trait is recognized globally. World Hemophilia Day is a day to bring awareness to a characteristic passed through families, hemophilia and other bleeding disorders.

A rare genetic disorder, hemophilia occurs in 1 of 5,000 male births. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that hemophilia is an “inherited bleeding disorder in which the blood does not clot properly.” Those with hemophilia have low levels of proteins called “clotting factors” in their blood, which can lead to spontaneous bleeding and bleeding after injuries or surgery.

Story by Annie Lisenby Smith

The Snarey family

Evan running cross country this fall.

Exercise is important to keep strong healthy bones and muscles, which helps reduce bleeding episodes.

Little brother Nathan enjoying a shaved ice more than the races.

One family in Monett is very familiar with hemophilia. Mareena Snarey, a teacher at Central Park Elementary, said that her father was born with hemophilia and was very active in the bleeding disorders community. “He was president of the National Hemophilia Foundation around 1980, but like many of his peers, contracted HIV from tainted blood products and died from AIDS in 1986,” Snarey said. “Those were tough years for the hemophilia community and our family.”

After losing her father, Snarey’s family moved from Texas to California and didn’t have much involvement in the bleeding disorders community until her son, Evan, was born in 2008. Evan was diagnosed with hemophilia the same as his grandfather, which brought the Snarey family back into the bleeding disorders community. Going through treatments with Evan prepared the

You can’t tell from looking at them, but half of the family members live with a genetic disorder that requires regular treatments.

Snarey family for their youngest son to also be diagnosed with hemophilia.

Knowing that she was a carrier of the hemophilia gene, Snarey was aware that her children might inherit hemophilia, but she was surprised to learn a few years ago that she also had a mild form of hemophilia. “Half of our family has hemophilia. Two of our boys have severe hemophilia, less than 1 percent factor 8 in their blood,” Snarey said. “I always knew I was a carrier, or one who could pass hemophilia on to my children, and that I would bleed and bruise easier than the average person, but never considered myself as someone with a bleeding disorder.”

ConnectionMO.com | Connection Magazine | 43

After an outpatient procedure, Snarey developed an abnormally large hematoma and decided to have her factor levels tested. “We discovered that my factor levels are only 18 percent of normal, meaning that I too am a mild hemophiliac. Now that I have been properly diagnosed, I have access to medicines that help control bleeding episodes that previously I would just deal with,” Snarey said.

Over the years, this mother of four and her husband, James, have learned to live with hemophilia and the challenges it brings. Two of their sons, Evan (now in 7th grade) and second-grader Nathan were diagnosed with hemophilia at birth. Their daughter, Elizabeth a freshman at Monett High School, and their middle son, Blake in 5th grade at Monett Intermediate School, did not inherit the gene to give them hemophilia.

With their first son, there was a learning curve living with and treating a hemophiliac. “We have a picture of Evan on his first birthday sucking a red lollipop with red drool coming down his face,” Snarey said. “The drool is actually blood though. He had a bleed in his mouth that we were trying to get under control. A nurse came to our house to administer his medicine, which required us to lay him on the kitchen table, with me holding his arms and laying over his chest pinning him down so that the nurse could infuse his medicine into a vein in his foot. We were lucky if the nurse was able to get him infused on the first try, but often we had to retry several times. Squirmy little kids with chubby appendages and nearly invisible veins made it so very difficult to find a vein and infuse medicine.”

Having cared for Evan for years, the Snareys were more prepared when their youngest was diagnosed. “Nathan got a bleed in his thigh from the vitamin K shot he got at birth,” Snarey said.

“Without medicine, his little newborn 44 | April 2022

Evan recovering from surgery in 2013 after having a port catheter placed to help infuse his medicine.

Accessing a port is much simpler and easier than finding an arm or foot vein to infuse medicine. muscle was swollen to roughly the size of an orange by the time we returned to the hospital five days later to try to give him medicine. It took seven attempts to find a vein, and he came home with a needle taped to his head for us to continue giving him medicine daily for the next week. Luckily, he was our second hemophiliac son, so I knew how to infuse his medicine, and immediately we saw improvement in his leg as the bleeding stopped and the swelling went down.”

Living with hemophilia isn’t simple.

Having studied the disorder and living with it in Evan, they were prepared when Nathan’s body developed an inhibitor against his medicine. During the

Evan Snarey as a toddler holding syringes after receiving an infusion to treat his genetically inherited hemophilia disorder.

Those living with hemophilia learn at a young age about treatments and how to administer them. Before he was even 10 years old, Evan was self-infusing his medication.

“Big, old veins are much easier to find than little kid veins,” Mareena Snarey said as she infused herself with factor 8 at home after a medical procedure.

event after his vitamin K shot, Snarey said that they tried to get his bleed under control on their own at first because they knew that introducing the clotting factor medication at such a young age could lead him to developing the inhibitor, which is what happened.

“An inhibitor is where his body created antibodies to the factor medicine, making it useless to the one receiving it,” Snarey explained. “Because he developed an inhibitor, at about a year old we started a regimen to attempt to tolerize him to the medicine by giving him high doses of factor daily for about a year. Eventually, his body learned to stop fighting the medicine, and he has been on an every-other-day regimen since then, for over seven years.”

As time passes, more is learned about hemophilia and new treatments and types of treatments are being developed. “Recently both boys have switched from an intravenous medicine that required finding a vein for each dose, and every-other-day or three days a week dosing, to a new subcutaneous injectable that they can take only once a week,” Snarey said with excitement.

“They still don’t like the needle sticks, but they are simpler and less frequent and doing a great job of keeping bleeding episodes under control, so we are sticking with this new medicine for now.”

Looking to the future, Snarey wants people to know that hemophilia is much more manageable than it was when she was a child. “My dad walked with a limp because his joints had been damaged from repeated bleeding episodes,” Snarey said. “But today, thanks to huge improvements in medicines, the boys can lead a mostly normal life.

There are some sports they still decline participating in, like football and hockey, because the risks of serious injury are still prevalent. But there is so much they still can do.

“The boys have both played soccer, but only recreationally. They also swim competitively with the Waterthrashers during the summer. Most sports are easy to manage, as long as we stay on top of our treatment regimen and pay attention to any injuries. We treat injuries as quickly as possible to prevent long lasting impairments.”

Snarey and her family have been active in the bleeding disorders community and are advocates for the disorder.

While April 17, 2022, is World Hemophilia Day, the month of March is Bleeding Disorders Awareness Month.

Organized by the National Hemophilia Foundation, this is a month where those living with bleeding disorders can share about their lives, stories, struggles, and successes. More information about this organization and bleeding disorders can be found at www.hemophilia.org. Also, the Midwest Hemophilia Association organizes a walk each year to raise awareness and funds for research. The next walk is June 11, 2022, in Kansas City.

Snarey encourages anyone who suspects they have abnormal bleeding to get it checked out with their doctor.

“Women often deal with abnormal bleeding thinking it’s just part of life.

But did you know that about 1 percent of the population, male and female, have bleeding disorders? Many go undiagnosed for years and years like I did, not knowing that there are medicines out there that can substantially help improve their quality of life,” Snarey said. “Whether it’s hemophilia, von Willebrand’s disease, platelet disorders or a different rare disorder, there are so many resources available now that can help improve your quality of life.” n

ConnectionMO.com | Connection Magazine | 45

When it comes to sourcing pallets, Norm said he has a few different avenues he has identified.

But shipping those shipping pallets for a job can be a job itself.

Recycling and reusing E

Hannah Farnum unloads a truck full of extra long deckboards that were dismantled from pallets built to ship hot tubs.

46 | April 2022

ach Earth Day people all around the globe focus their attention on ways to recycle, reduce, repurpose, and reuse; and one Stone County resident has found a unique way to incorporate those noble concepts into his remodeling business.

Norm Farnum is a longtime handyman and remodeler who has gained a reputation in Southwest Missouri, and when his mother-in-law asked for a unique rustic look for her living room, he found a new pursuit to add to his repertoire.

His mother-in-law, Irma McCaskill, had seen a rustic style pallet wood wall in her local salon, and asked if something similar could be recreated in her home. To get that specific look (and avoid destruction of an historic landmark barn), Norm discovered that he could pull off the look using repurposed wood from shipping pallets.

It worked, and he hasn’t looked back.

To date, Norm has covered walls, ceilings and even built pieces of furniture using the repurposed wood.

“I have sought pallet wood from a few different sources,” he said. “I’ve used Meeks in the past because they’ll just throw them away if nobody wants them, but I have to catch them at the right time.”

Once he identifies a source for pallets, the next step in a project is to dismantle them. That took some trial and error the first time.

“It’s a lot of work to take apart a pallet. It takes a lot of energy,” Norm said. “I first started with a crowbar, but did some research on how to dismantle them more efficiently and discovered a tool called a pallet buster. I contacted a neighbor who works with metal, and we had one built.”

With a source of pallets and an effective way to dismantle them into

Story by Mike Gervais

This elaborate herring bone pattern was designed and installed

by Norm into a recessed ceiling for a client in Kimberling City.

Norm’s first introduction to pallet wood was via his mother-in-law.

She asked him to simulate a rustic wall featured at a local beauty salon.

usable wood, all Norm needed was a new project.

Lucky, the rustic look and use of reclaimed barn wood has become such a popular aesthetic, Norm has had several opportunities to take and apply his new-found skill.

He said he has created an entire bedroom wall using pallet wood and even had an opportunity to create a unique recessed ceiling, both are features in a home in Kimberling City.

He has also built end tables for his mother-in-law, and a hope chest for one of his remodeling customers.

“The furniture pieces started by accident when my mother-in-law — pleased with the walls that I had done for her — asked if I could make a coffee table top,” Norm said. “I enjoy doing both, but I think I like designing walls better because you start with an empty pallet and you fill it. It’s literally a pallet for pallets.”

This bedroom wall shows off how versatile pallet wood can be when Norm builds a project. This wall features a unique pattern and a modern rustic feel.

ConnectionMO.com | Connection Magazine | 47

Norm Farnum sits atop a hope chest he designed and built using repurposed pallet wood.

“Sometimes the wood will help you determine what the best application is.”

-Norm Farnum, artisan

Norm also explained that, while a lot of work goes into dismantling the pallets and cutting the repurposed wood down to the appropriate size, he said he can also get the work done using fewer tools than other remodeling jobs may demand.

“There are more headaches involved when you’re using irregular wood, which is what you get when you use pallet wood, but it’s also the look that you’re going for,” he said. “I’m very frugal when it comes to using everything I can from the pallets, too. What you get looks very nice because of the diversity of the wood you get in pallets.”

He also said that, depending on where he sources his pallets, he could end up using some exotic woods that you might not find at a hardwood store.

He also said there is an artistic eye that goes into creating a satisfactory look using repurposed wood.

48 | April 2022

“Sometimes the wood will help you determine what the best application is. I’ve done crown molding. I’ve done herring bone and many other patterns.

There’s a lot you can do.”

And as he goes deeper and deeper into the applications of repurposed pallet wood, new opportunities have arisen.

Norm said at one point he was able to source pallets much larger than the common four-foot by four-foot size, and ended up with much longer pieces of wood to work with.

“There are pallets for everything under the sun,” he said. “Everything that gets shipped is on something that can be moved. And with a lot of pallets, they have a useful life, then they get thrown away.”

Because he’s using repurposed wood, Norm said it may appear that a project can come in significantly cheaper than

if he were using fresh lumber, but he explained there is a lot of hidden work involved in reclaiming wood.

“You have to source it, then you have to dismantle it, and then there is a lot of cutting and often, sanding, involved.”

He said one benefit is that he generally knows how much space he is going to cover with pallet wood, and because pallets come in regular sizes, he has a formula to figure out almost exactly how many pallets he’ll need.

But the end result, because each pallet will be different, every job Norm does ends up being a one-of-a-kind work of art that could never be duplicated exactly.

“Right now I’m getting more remodeling work because of my pallet work, not vice versa. But this has been an accent to my remodeling business. I’d like to focus more on the pallet wood because I really enjoy doing it. n

mental health column

By Brad Ridenour

Chocolate Easter Bunny Disappointment I wouldn’t say I have a sweet tooth, but I do enjoy a solid milk chocolate every once in a while, and those who know me also know I like a bargain.

When I was in college the stars aligned as I was shopping the week following Easter Sunday. There in the aisle was a brand new, never before used chocolate Easter Bunny for a reasonable 50 percent off. Even for a poor, frugal college student this was too good a bargain to pass up.

Later that night, I decided to enjoy my spoils and bit into what I thought was a solid, milk chocolate bunny, but instead the bunny was hollow. I was eating chocolate covered air. I was deceived. I was gipped; I should have gotten that for 90 percent off! I was so angry I bit the head off of that

CEO of Clark Community Mental Health Center and a Licensed Professional Counselor

empty-minded bunny. Alright, I am being a bit overly dramatic, but it was disappointing.

Disappointments come big and small.

No matter the size, it never feels good when our expectations are not met.

Oftentimes, we do ourselves no favor by making disappointments bigger than they actually are. By wallowing in the disappointment, we magnify the hurt.

When others fail to meet expectations, some hold grudges, develop deep resentment, and drink the poison of bitterness. When some don’t measure up to their own high standards, they turn the disappointment into feelings of failure and self-loathing. How we deal with the disappointments in life will impact our mental well-being and our futures.

Famous American inventor, Thomas Edison, comes to mind as one who set

a great example as to how to cope well with disappointment. History suggests his teachers did not think he was smart enough to amount to anything, and he was fired from a couple jobs. Then, think about how discouraged and disappointed Edison could have become as it took him 1,000 unsuccessful attempts before making his light bulb work effectively.

Instead of seeing each trial and error as a disappointment, he saw it as a lesson learned and a step in the right direction. I am so thankful he persevered when many would have given up because we still could be living in the dark! Like Edison, we need to look at the bright side when disappointments come our way. At least I didn’t waste my money on a dark chocolate bunny.

Show Me Hope @ The Clark Center

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Show Me Hope at the Clark Center is connected to resources for financial help, mental health help, and self care. The program is free and confidential.

Programs are created to assist our communities with the ability to recover from the grief, uncertainty and frustration of recent times.

We are here to listen and help. Here 24/7......

Show Me Hope, call or text: 1-800-985-5990 Clark Center: 417-235-6610

CC Community Resilience Recovery ConnectionMO.com | Connection Magazine | 49

cutest pet Charlie, rescue dog and fur baby of Ruthie Townsend of Seligman

Charlie 50 | April 2022

Email your pet’s photo to:

lcraft@cherryroad.com

If you think your furry or feathered friend is the cutest in the area, let us know! We invite you to share a photo of your pet to be featured in Connection’s Cutest Pet contest. Photos should be sent in the original JPG format at the highest resolution possible. Remember to include your pet’s name, city of residence and your contact information.

rescued, my favorite breed

by Christa Stout

Millie Grace makes it through transport A month or so ago, I wrote about another way everyone can volunteer and help our pet population - transports.

On January 27th, I received a text asking if I could do the first leg of a transport to the greater St. Louis area. At first I was inclined to decline, I had just completed two other transports, and then I read the history.

A Rottweiler puppy about 3 months old, was found by a young woman when she heard whimpers outside. The pup was caught in a trap with both legs.

The young woman took the pup to a vet, received some pain medicine and antibiotics, but was unable to pay for more extensive treatment, so she contacted an ACO for help. Long story short, after publishing the pup’s plight on Facebook, SOAR (Stray and Orphaned Animal Rescue in O’Fallon, Mo.) ‘tagged’ the pup (agreed

to take it into the rescue) and the transport logistics were started.

A picture had been added to the Facebook post, showing her swollen paws and a couple of open wounds on her head — I couldn’t say no.

I was scheduled to do the first leg the morning of January 28th, meeting the finder in Marionville and taking her to the next transporter in Springfield. We settled her in a large kennel, wrapped her in soft blankets, trying to keep her comfortable and warm. The poor pup was a little scared, but she never complained and within a few minutes settled down and

went to sleep. We took extra precautions and did a ‘no paws on the ground’ transport because she had not been fully vaccinated and Parvo is still rampant.

By the time she was about halfway to her destination, we realized she needed help fast.

She had somehow opened up one of her wounds a little and had bled a bit and was pretty lethargic.

It was at this point that Meredith, one of the transporters, suggested we name the pup ‘Grace because it was by the grace of God she was found and it will be his grace that pulls her through. It was unanimous!

ConnectionMO.com/RescuedMyFavoriteBreed | Connection Magazine | 51

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Grace went directly to SOAR and to her foster mom, Jamie, who rushed her to the vet for examination and when the vet office closed, took her to the Emergency Clinic in Winghaven for fluids, and IV antibiotics, as well as cleaning the old head wound and checking circulation. Christine, who is SOAR Director, told them to do any and everything possible.

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The examination showed Millie was critical and needed to be hospitalized, the good news was no Parvo, and no broken bones, however, she did have worms and ticks, which were treated, an old head wound that was cleaned and her right paw had deep puncture wounds.

The left leg was cold to the touch, meaning there was no blood flowing, and no circulation; and of course there was swelling.

The veterinarian worked the legs while she was under sedation, to increase circulation and they thought they were looking better.

Jamie, the foster, mentioned her kids wanted to name her Millie, so she is now Millie Grace on her vet docs. No arguments from any of us! n

Advertiser Index Aire Serv....................................................23 Aurora Motor and Machine..................41 Barry Lawrence Regional Library........... 3 Bruner Pharmacy.....................................33 Cappy Harris Realtors............................19 Clark Community Mental Health.........49 Coldwell Banker......................................19 CoxHealth.................................................56 Doug’s Pro Lube......................................16 Edward Jones............................................. 5 Factory Direct Mattress........................... 2 First State Bank of Purdy......................55 Fohn Funeral Home................................40 Four Seasons Real Estate......................23 Jared Spears, DDS..................................14 Ken’s Collision Center............................36 Lackey Body Works................................40 Lil Boom Town.........................................36 Michael’s Hardware................................19 Missouri Farm Bureau............................23 Monett Chamber of Commerce...........36 My Best Friends Closet..........................22 Ordinary to Oddities..............................14 Ozark Methodist Manor........................52 Peppers and Co.......................................41 QC Supply.................................................33 Roaring River Health & Rehab..............33 Rusty Gate Flea Market.........................36 Security Bank of Southwest Missouri .............................................................52 Shelter Insurance....................................55 Tomblin’s Jewelry....................................53 Trogdon Marshall....................................22 VisionHealth Eye Center.......................16 Whitley Pharmacy...................................41 SHELL KNOB American Water Sports.........................32 Big Creek Resort.....................................30 Central Crossing Senior Center............26 Freedom Bank of Southern Missouri.. 29 Green Mountain Realty..........................24 Hickory Hollow Resort...........................29 Loren Lane................................................30 Maricorp....................................................26 Patak-Phillips Finearms.........................32 Remax Lakeside.......................................30 Root Cellar................................................32 Shell Knob Chamber of Commerce.....24 Shell Knob Small Engine........................28 Steak Inn...................................................28 Totally Home............................................28 LAWN & GARDEN Affordable Propane................................12 AG Service Center .................................12 Coast to Coast ........................................10 Main Street Feeds...................................11 MFA Co-op Association.........................10 Race Brothers............................................ 8 Roots Greenhouse..................................11

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parting shot

“Fishing is much more than fish.

It is the great occasion when we may return to the fine simplicity of our forefathers.”

- Herbert Hoover

54 | April 2022

“Roaring River” by Toni Boykin

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