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STORM SEASON PREPARE FOR THE UNEXPECTED

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EDITORIAL

Letter by Lisa Craft

Education = Big Decisions

T

his is the time where schools say goodbye to a group of students that they have devoted 12 years of time and education to prepare them for the world. It is decision time. Time for that group of young adults to decide whether they continue their education, stop going to school and get a job, or in some cases, begin raising a family.

Mike Gervais, reporter at The Monett Times and writer for Connection Magazine, has interviewed a group of fouthgrade students from Verona. The question asked was “What is the best lesson you’ve learned from Mrs. Conway this year?” At this age you receive a variety of answers from how they feel about certain subjects to something as simple as “she’s kind.”

I can only speak for myself, but there were a number of teachers that made an impact on my life, both positive and negative. As with any career, there are some teachers that are there just for the job, and others that want to make a difference in future generations.

I watched my mother, Rayanne Atwell, teach young children. She taught kindergarten and eventually first grade in Purdy. She adored her children. I used to tease her and say she treated her students better than her own children. But she saw potential in those children and wanted to be a part of their life’s beginning. This was not just a job to her — it was a path that she chose later in her life that she loved. She loved teaching the children and watching them excel and then be promoted into the next grade. The best thing was when they would come back after they would graduate and say they had Mrs. Atwell as their first-grade teacher. That always told me that they loved her and admired her enough to acknowledge her as part of their life.

Teachers are very important in the molding and creating of our children’s future. They take part in whether or not a student is interested in a certain career. They help with a positive outlook and sometimes have to be there to just talk and help a student through a hard part of their life.

Teachers are responsible for making future teachers. If you are good at what you do and capture the attention of the student, that student might be a teacher themselves, and that is something that there is always a need for.

Educational providers, whether they are teachers, counselors, principals or superintendents, have to be able to have a special outlook that focuses on children. Some children “need” more than others because of a troubled upbringing.

They need structure and have to be taught the importance of certain things that perhaps are not taught to them at home.

They need to be able to focus on the students whose needs are different, like being fed, clothed, and sometimes when they are younger, they just need a hug once in a while.

If you are in this career field, some of the situations can literally break your heart. But that is only if you are among those special teachers that care from the bottom of your heart.

The world seems to be getting more difficult to handle.

Our children have had to experience more than I did when I was younger. I didn’t have to worry about a pandemic and some of the things that they have to be concerned about are at a level that I would have never been able to conceive when I was their age.

Those that make it through the 12 years of education with the help of our educational staff, I commend you. You have made a huge accomplishment just finishing school. You are strong and apparently you want to succeed in your life.

Now you will begin to make even bigger decisions as to what you want to do. Some of you already have chosen a college to pursue your passion. Some of you have already decided that you can pursue your passion without college and continue with the job field. Some of you will have families that are so very important to you that you will make sure they grow into the adult that you feel might change the world.

Whatever the case may be, remember the teacher that helped you make that decision or helped you get there. Students that are stepping out into the world right now, I wish you the best. Be strong and pursue whatever you choose. It’s your choice — your passion — your success.

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

4 | May 2022

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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.

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Tornado Warned Supercell near Victoria, Kansas, on May 26, 2021.

May kicks up the tornado season in the Great Plains and Ozark foothills.

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CONTENTS 28 Cutest Kid

29 Parenting Column: Mental Health Awareness 31 Mental Health Column

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33 Healthy Connection: Stroke Prevention 44 Cutest Pet

45 Rescued, My Favorite Breed 47 Familiar Faces 50 Parting Shot

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

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6 | May 2022

Scan to schedule your 3DTM Mammogram Since 2003, the board-certified radiologists at The Breast Center have provided hope through personalized care.

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M AY 2022

10 | TORNADO SEASON

The Great Plains produces some great storms come spring and summer.

18 | L.V. CUPP, CIVIL WAR LETTERS Memoirs of a bygone time, Union solider describes life of the Civil War in vivid detail

24 | BLANKETS FOR BABIES

Monett mission provides handmade quilts and care packages for new mothers at Cox Monett Hospital

35 | A GRAND RAISING

Ruth Primrose shares her joys on raising grandchildren in the 21st century

37 | TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK

Teachers make a difference in the lives of their students. Take a moment to see student appreciation for this notable week

Modern comic books are often credited with beginning with Superman in 1938, but local collector Murray Bishoff has issues of newspaper funny pages dating back to the turn of the century featuring serialized adventure and fantasy stories featuring some characters that would ultimately make their way to traditional comic books.

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From humble beginnings and beyond the “Funnies,” comics shape the modern world.

43 | A BIG ‘THANK YOU’

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Jami Lynn’s of Monett offered free breakfast to snow plow drivers during February’s storm

ConnectionMO.com | Connection Magazine | 9

According to the Storm Prediction Center, the five deadliest tornadoes in U.S. history are as follows: #1 — March 18, 1925, The Tri-State Tornado, 695 deaths #2 — May 6, 1840, Natchez, Mississippi, 317 deaths #3 — May 27, 1896, St. Louis, Missouri, 255 deaths #4 — April 5, 1936, Tupelo, Mississippi, 216 deaths #5 — April 6, 1936, Gainesville, Georgia, 203 deaths

Photo by Cade Woolaway

A Warning Means — Take Shelter Now

TORNADO ALLEY. The central area of the United States sees approximately 1,000 tornadoes each year.

The deadliest tornado in U.S. history happened on March 18, 1925, hitting the area of Missouri, Illinois, and Indiana, which gave it its name, The Tri-State Tornado.

10 | May 2022

The list itself mentions another 20 tornadoes between 1860 and 2011 that took more than 3,000 lives combined. Some of which hit extremely close to home.

On May 22, 2011, the Joplin tornado killed 158 people — the most deadly the U.S. had seen for more than half a century.

Story by Jordan Troutman

Near Victoria, Kansas, on May 26, 2021.

These dramatic aerial photos were taken by Linus Cambells. They feature the damage caused by the May 4, 2003 Pierce City tornado to the Pierce City Armory and the destruction of the downtown area.

ConnectionMO.com | Connection Magazine | 11

On April 18, 1880, a tornado hit Marshfield and killed 99 people. May 9, 1927, sent a tornado to Poplar Bluff, which took the lives of 98 people.

Tornado Alley was coined in 1952 for a research project studying severe storms.

Also known as the Tornado Belt, specifically referring to the great plains, the area goes as south as Louisiana and north as the Canadian border, placing Missouri nearly perfectly in the middle.

Jet streams, warm moist air, cold dry air, and warm dry air create the perfect breeding ground for E.F. 3, 4, and 5 tornadoes.

When Severe Weather is on its Way Mike Phillips, Barry County E91-1 director, and Eddie Laning, Barry County E9-1-1 operations manager, said severe weather training for dispatchers begins in March.

“We provide awareness training and keep an eye on the radar and the local skies,” Mike said. “We receive an email from the National Weather Service (NWS) when we expect significant weather.”

This keeps the dispatchers and the firefighters aware of what is possible over the next few hours.

“NWS gives us indicators, so we don’t have to interpret weather data,” Mike said. “When it is time to sound the sirens, our local Emergency Management will give us the call.”

Eddie said radar can anticipate what is coming during severe weather.

“If Emergency Management says storm spotters are needed — we send out the page,” he said. “For whichever area, web page out the fire departments.”

Mike said it is up to the individual Fire Chief to go out or not. Usually, that is dependent on training.

12 | May 2022

Rotating Wall Cloud near Victoria, Kansas, on May 26, 2021 “The Fire Department gives us field reports,” Mike said. “For example, they may tell us, “I have pea-size hail,” or “There are high winds at Hilltop.”

Internally, the 911 dispatchers then create a CAD incident to track all their data.

“That data goes to Emergency Management, who then hands it over to NWS,” Mike said.

Siren Activation Tornado warnings are issued through the NWS. From that, by local Emergency Management request — storm sirens are sounded.

“There are three ways a siren can be activated,” Mike said. “If we are indicated by the NWS to activate, through a phone call from a trained fire or police chief, or by Emergency Management.”

Eddie said for the general public, while they understand the natural response to notify 911 unless they have storm spotter training, they should trust that trained individuals are on the job.

“When it comes to storm siren warnings,” he said, “People should remember they are outdoor warnings. You are not

meant to hear them indoors — if you can, you are lucky, but do not rely on a tornado siren when you are indoors.

“The siren sounds for three minutes, then rests for three minutes. That cycle continues until the NWS notifies us to turn it off.”

People should have access to cell phones, radios, TV, or other ways to receive warnings and notifications while they are indoors.

“In severe weather situations, if sirens are going off — there is a reason,” Eddie said. “911 dispatchers are in constant contact with multiple fire and police departments during a severe weather event. Trust the trained individuals.”

The general statement is that people should be prepared for three days in a severe weather event.

“Dispatchers are sent off for training to deal with weather events,” Mike said.

“There are supervisors on-site to manage, and we test the sirens monthly.

“The 911 center is the sole location to have sirens activated. It is built to withstand an EF5 tornado, we have a generator to power all of our equipment, and we have a high wind resistant towers to keep everyone informed.”

Photos by Cade Woolaway

everything about storms. By second grade, I knew I wanted to go to O.U. and become a meteorologist.”

Cade remembers around that time, the show Storm Chasers was on TV. “In high school, I had to stay on top academically,” he said. “Academics was always first and foremost. That was my plan to get here, and years later, here I am.”

Cade said there have been some occasional areas of storm activities in the “offseason” over the past few years.

“That is why people have to stay prepared for severe weather 24/7, 365,” he said.

Funnel near Victoria, Kansas

On the Ground Storm spotters are deployed during a severe storm event to help keep the local agencies, and the NWS informed.

Cade Woolaway, a 2021 Wheaton graduate, is 19 years old and attending the University of Oklahoma, studying to become a meteorologist.

“It takes a lot of math and sciences to become a meteorologist,” Cade said. “I am lucky that O.U. is one of the best, if not the best, meteorology schools.

“Their School of Meteorology is one of the biggest in the nation and is housed inside the National Weather Center.”

Cade is in a four-year program.

“My end goal is to be on the research and operations side of storms,” he said.

“As an NWS employee, or with Emergency Management.”

Cade served with the Wheaton Fire Protection District from January 2020 to July 2021 before leaving for college.

“We didn’t have anything that directly hit the district area during my time, but we did have some straight-line wind damage on the north side of town,” Cade said. “I enjoy a thunderstorm, but it is solely for research if I go out to one.

I am trying to learn as much as I can as

a first-year student.”

Cade said people often misinterpret storm spotters as storm chasers.

“That is not the case at all,” he said.

“Storm chasers go after the storms, sometimes for footage or research, but storm spotters keep an eye on things to relay that information back to local organizations or the NWS. “Many times, spotters are out well before a storm hits hard. This allows them to get a good vantage point.”

Spotters get the information to the NWS, and the NWS interprets that information with radar.

“Spotters are mainly looking for signs of rotation or something that seems suspicious,” Cade said. “In general, the main threat is rotation.

“Storms that are “supercells” or large storms with a wall cloud will shift down and look like it is lowering. There isn’t much to worry about if there is no rotation in that, but if there is rotation, that is the beginning.”

That could be a warning on-site, as a funnel cloud is usually reported before a tornado touches down.

“I developed an interest in storms early,” Cade said. “It was around kindergarten I knew I wanted to know ConnectionMO.com | Connection Magazine | 13

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When disaster strikes On the warm Sunday evening of May 4, 2003, just after 7 p.m., the sky over Pierce City turned green, but not the welcoming Kelly Green known throughout the city.

Shortly after storm sirens sounded, the Pierce City tornado ripped through the city, leaving behind mass destruction and the loss of one life, Dale Taunton.

Like many others in the downtown area, Dale Taunton sought refuge at

Pierce City Armory following the destruction of the tornado that devastated the small town on May 4, 2003.

the city Armory, which was built in the 1940s.

The tornado left behind a city ravaged, debris filling the streets, more than 70 homes destroyed and many businesses and buildings in the downtown area demolished — including the Armory.

David Jones, the current Pierce City Fire Chief, said he was a firefighter for Pierce City; he was 29 years old at the time of the 2003 tornado outbreak.

“A call came in for storm spotter activation,” he said. “I went to the station and got a truck. We were well ahead of it at that point.”

In 2003, the city didn’t have the number of storm sirens they have now, so the firetrucks would be put on routes to sound the alarms.

“That’s what I was doing when it came in,” David said. “My position was downtown Pierce City.”

The tornado was forming west of town and coming in quickly.

“I remember the sky turned green,” David said. “It was an odd color. I ended up riding it out behind a carwash. I end-

Photo by Pete Rouch

“This time of year, things are starting to ramp up. But, no matter what the season is in Missouri — be prepared.”

Cade said it is looking to be an average season this year.

“The winter was normal, and typically, when that happens, the storm season is average as well,” he said. “While some weather patterns form, each weather event is its own.”

Cade developed a website for people to access, https://woolawaywx.com.

“I developed a website in 2018,” he said. “The current one is much more advanced, and I have been rebuilding it since 2021.

“It allows me to post things which can be shared outside of Facebook.

It has a forecast that people can easily access and allows text alerts and discussions.”

Advice for the public when dealing with severe storms: “Have several ways to get warnings,” Cade said. “Sirens are meant for outdoor warnings. People should have two to three ways to receive alerts.”

What is a warning versus a watch?

“A watch happens beforehand,” he said. “It allows resources to get manned, storm shelters to open, and people to get prepared. It is determined that conditions are favorable for a tornado.

“A warning means all of the ingredients have come together — take shelter now.”

ed up over there because I was heading west for a better vantage point as a storm spotter.”

The firefighter/storm spotter further to the west of Pierce City reported a tornado had touched down.

“I remember thinking I couldn’t see it,” David said.

Within seconds the tornado was in town, and shortly after that, it was gone.

“It was chaotic,” he said. “Everyone was trying to give reports to [911] dispatch so, after the fact, we would know where to look.”

At this time, David was helping direct other departments through debris.

“There was so much devastation,” he said. “Departments came from all over to help. I think Monett was here in 10 or 15 minutes. But so many came to help.”

David said the scene was one resembling a war zone.

“All of the buildings were from the 1800s and brick,” he said. “There was brick everywhere.”

In the aftermath, the public was left stunned and confused.

ConnectionMO.com | Connection Magazine | 15

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“It was mass chaos,” David said. “There was no way to control that, but most people were coming out and trying to help.”

David said there were many people inside the Armory, which was the understood designated shelter.

“It was hard to determine where to start and where to finish,” David said.

“We got an emergency command center up at some point, and at 1 or 2 a.m., we still didn’t have power.

“Many firefighters worked through the night.”

David said the next few days and even weeks ran together after the Pierce City tornado.

“I remember that, for a while, every time a storm got brought up or was on its way, people were really on edge,” he said. “The highways were shut down for days. FEMA came in and helped with the clean-up. It was late July or maybe even August, and they were still tearing buildings down and removing debris.”

David said a lot has changed over the years regarding modernized equipment.

“I think the biggest takeaway is to have a plan,” he said. “Even if that plan gets canceled in a non-event, it is better to have been prepared instead of waiting until the last minute.” n

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Remembering a Civil War Veteran

Cupp shared his thoughts on leaders in the Army and government. In this letter, Cupp describes General Grant as a “spry looking fellow.”

18 | May 2022

A

s we approach Memorial Day this year, Americans are given a chance to look back on battles fought, lives lost, and families changed forever.

For one Monett family, they have a rare treasure that has opened their eyes to their ancestor’s life while fighting in the Civil War. Lemuel “Lemon” Valentine Cupp joined the Union Army in 1862, a year after fighting had begun. At the time, he was living in Ohio and joined the 126th Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He continued fighting in the war through 1865. During his time in the Army, Cupp wrote many letters home, and one of his sisters kept them safe. These letters have been passed down through the generations and now belong to Cupp’s great-grandson Gerry Bounds of Monett and Bounds’ daughter Lacey Siver of Monett.

These letters are extremely rare and show a soldier’s direct point of view and experiences in the Civil War. Bounds intends to have them evaluated for their historical significance through the State Historical Society of Missouri.

“My Uncle Fletch (Clarence Fletcher Cupp), my mother’s oldest brother, had given the letters to my mom years ago,” Bounds said. “Uncle Fletch was an avid history buff and a war hero in his own right. He flew 30 bomb missions in World War II.” Bounds said that his grandmother passed the letters to his Uncle Fletch because he wanted to write L.V. Cupp’s biography and to save them for posterity.

L.V. Cupp survived the Civil War even though he was injured by a bullet and was held as a prisoner of war. After the war, L.V. Cupp settled in northern Missouri, later moving to Carthage in 1869.

He worked for the Turner Carriage and Harness Company for 17 years before opening his own grocery store. He was active in the store until he was 80 years old. At age 90, he passed away in Carthage. His obituary recounted that L.V. Cupp was “vigorous” in his later years

Story by Annie Lisenby Smith

and “mentally alert and often recounted many stirring reminiscences of Civil War days.”

Hoping to share a glimpse at life during the Civil War, Bounds shared these letters. The following excerpts show insight into daily life, politics, battles, and the challenges of living through the Civil War.

Lemuel “Lemon” Valentine Cupp’s final resting place in Carthage, Mo.

Camp Chase Sept 30th, 1862 Dear Sister, Please permit me to once more to drop you a few lines to let you know that I am still on the land of the living. I hope that you may never have to experience the service for it is a trying thing though we are not in the danger that the ones are that is in the active service but we are confined pretty close and we have plenty of duty to perform.

We have to stand guard every other night but we expect it to be every third night here after. But that is all that we have to do and another great objection I have to it is it is the wickedest place I ever saw. There is all kinds of people here and every thing to lead people astray. I tell you there is no respect to the Sabbath here.

Well, I will not try to write you a very long letter for it is improbable for me to write for there is fifteen of us in one house all in one small room. There is too much conversation so you will have to excuse all mistakes and bad spelling. It is hard for me to say when I will get home again… I will have to close for I cannot write when there is so much talking. So no more at this time but forever remain your affectionate brother.

The only available photo of Cupp taken after the Civil War. Early in the war, Cupp complained that photos were expensive and wouldn’t buy them.

Later, he lamented his decision because there were no more photographers around.

L.V. Cupp ConnectionMO.com | Connection Magazine | 19

Camp near Brandy Station, VA Nov. 22nd, 1862 Dear Sister, As I am not very tired, I thought I would write you a few lines to let you know that I am still alive but have had a sore face for the last week or so. I caught cold in my jaws. It makes me look fat. I received your letter last night a week, was glad to hear that you were all well. I have plenty of clothing. I received two shirts from home last Sunday. We have plenty to eat and drink such as it is we have fish fresh, hard tack, soft bread, sugar, coffee, candles, soap, etc. My health is better now than it was at first.

Captain is still in Libby prison. I wish he was with us again. We got a fresh supply of green backs yesterday. I will include $5.00 in this letter for some stamps. We cannot get them here. I must close for this time. Write soon. I remain as ever your brother.

L.V. Cupp North Mountain Station Camp in the Woods, VA Dec 15th, 1862 Dear Sister, I received your kind and welcome letter this morning. Was glad to hear that you were all well. I had gave up all hopes of getting any more word from you. I thought you had forgotten you had a brother out in the world fighting for the union all right.

We left Cumberland last Friday night about 10 o’clock, arrived here the next morning at 5. We have a beautiful place here to camp. I received a box of apples, apple butter, and molasses about an hour before we were ordered to leave there… We were ordered out on a scout yesterday morning. We only had 10 minutes time to fix up rations to last till today. We had a nice time but did not see any rebels in arms. We saw where they had been along the railroad. They tore up ties and set fire to them and then put the rails on and bent them so they could not lay them back. They swore the damed (sic) yankees would never have any more shipping on this road. I have the opinion they will. There is good prospects for it now for the damed (sic) yankees are laying down fast enough they only lag a mile and a half a day. It has only been tore up about 5 a week. When the rebels were tearing it, they were all bare footed. Their skins strapped on their bare feet… It is no wonder for we can see blood on the stones yet where their feet bled while they were at it. We started out with the expectation of getting into a fight yesterday but we come up missing. I am not anxious to get into a fight. I have just had my breakfast. I had crackers, cow butter, apple butter and cold beef and so on. I think we will have some beans for dinner tomorrow.

I have not got a letter from home for over a week. I got a box 20 | May 2022

though that was better than a letter. It takes a letter three days to come here… I will have to close for this time for it is drill time.

We are all well this morning. From your brother.

L.V. Cupp Near Martinsburg Feb 3rd, 1863 Dear Sister, I would not take a discharge unless I was certain I would never get well. There are a great many sick of the measles here now.

There has been 14 or 15 in our regiments since we started out…

The old saying is the darkest hours are just before day. I hope the dark hours will soon be over for us… I was talking to some secessionist prisoners the other day. They said they never expected to whip the north and they didn’t think the north would whip them. I don’t think old Abe can get 10,000 volunteers in the United States now. This country is ruined now. The timber is all spoiled and the fences are all burned… It is snow or rain all the time but we have good tents and plenty of straw. I don’t believe I could sleep in a bed now if I had a chance.

LV. Cupp Martinsburg March 24th, 1863 Dear Sister, It is the opinion of a good many that the rebels will leave Virginia and go south. Ed Dorsey got home last week. He was a prisoner at Richmond. He was there three months. He said he saw 160 dead carried out of the hospital he was in. They all died of the small pox. They were most all rebels… I think the war will be over by next fall if our men just watch their corners now.

LV. Cupp Near Creek Station, Va May 9th, 1863 After describing a long march and sleeping on the side of a mountain without a tent or straw to then march again the next day to the field where a battle was held, Cupp continued.

The boys were scattered over the battle ground picking up sabers, carbines, revolvers that were lost during the fight on Saturday before. The rebs captured two companies of our men there but they got the worst end of the bargain. Those two companies fought 800 rebs, 5 hours.

Our loss was two killed, 1 wounded. The rebs loss, 40 killed and 35 wounded.

After this, Cupp describes marching from one place to another to protect the Army from rebels, but never finding them.

Your brother was mad enough to fight. We got there at sundown but no rebs again. So that was a force march for nothing. You may know we were tired after marching 31 miles that day… We made our beds on the creek bank. We had 8 miles to come yesterday morning through rain and mud. I don’t know no whether we will stay here. We have no clothing with us, only what we have on. Our things are all at Martinsburg. Yet, the boys are all well and hardy except sore feet.

don’t get a letter, I will be mad. We have had no papers since last Friday. I think we will be relieved this evening. I was up most all night. I am well and hardy. Hope the few lines will find you enjoying the same. Kiss the baby for me. Write soon.

Your brother, L. Cupp

L.V. Cupp

In February 1864, Cupp was on furlough and exploring the new town where his father had relocated in northern Missouri. He stated that he was healing well and told stories of meeting girls and comparing them to Ohio girls.

Martinsburg

April 9th, 1864

May 10th, 1863 I get most awful lazy these warm days. We only drill 4 hours a day. We went out to drill this forenoon and when we got to a shade tree, we halted. We stayed there a half an hour and then drilled a few minutes and started for camp but the major made us go back and drill half an hour. We had a notion to boot him but you see he had shoulder straps on.

Grant is going to do all he can for the rebs this summer. I say success to him. I just think Old Lee will get his eye teeth cut this summer.

L.V. Cupp At the Battle of the Wilderness (May 5-7, 1864), Cupp was injured by a bullet to his leg.

L.V. Cupp Camp 4 miles south of Petersburg On June 14, 1863, Sergeant Cupp was captured by the Confederates at Martinsburg, Virginia, and for 30 days was held by them in Libby Prison and at Belle Island and Petersburg, Virginia. Afterward, he was paroled and sent to a parole camp at Annapolis, Maryland, where he remained until the fall of 1863, when he was exchanged and returned to the front to rejoin his regiment. In a later letter, he mentioned that some new soldiers would never understand what it was like to live on 4 ounces of bread and water a day.

July 3, 1864 (after the Battle of the Wilderness May 5-7) Sister, I am still trying to live so that if I should fall on the battlefield I will fall in sight of heaven. I want to live so that if we never meet again on earth we will meet in heaven where no wars nor rumors of war come. My leg is almost well.

L.V. Cupp Camp near Charleston, VA Aug. 9th, 1864

Near Bealton Station, October 27th 1863 Dear Sister, It has been some time since I read a letter from you or any of the rest of our folks. I have wrote 7 or 8 letters to them and got no answer. I will not write any more if it is too much trouble for them to write. I will not bother them any more to read. They are not worth answering… I have been with the regiment almost three weeks. We have been mostly in the rear until this week we are in the front. I thought yesterday we were going to get ahead of the army’s cavalry. Went out and stirred them out and then fell back but they would fall, for our brigade was stationed in the woods ready for them best. I think they smelt the rat. It was swell for them they did. I suppose you have been well since you last wrote. I wrote you a few lines before my parole camp but I have got no answer yet. I think the mail will be up this evening if I

I don’t think there is any danger of the Sons of Liberty or peace men resisting the draft. If they do, they will have a nice time of it. I think they would call themselves sons of h- -l (sic). They would hit the nail on the head. I have seen Grant often. He is a spry looking fellow. I have no doubt but what he will take Richmond but he must have time and means to do it with.

L.V. Cupp Camp near Charleston, VA Aug. 19th, 1964 We are on our way back to Harpers Ferry again. I think another such a triumph as this and old Abe will be dead in the shell. I’ll bet he has lost 100,000 votes in the last two months. He don’t get my vote.

L.V. Cupp ConnectionMO.com | Connection Magazine | 21

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L.V. Cupp Camp near Winchester, VA Nov. 30th, 1864

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Sister, I don’t know yet what I will do after my time is up here if I am spared. I had always thought of nothing else but farming before I came to the service. I will consult Father on that subject. I think I shall stay with Father after I get out of this. I wish I was there now for I am afraid he works too hard for his own good. If I was there, I would not let him work so much. I would have been in the army one year sooner if it had not been for that well. I only have about 9 months yet to serve. I am afraid I will not get a furlough this winter.

L.V. Cupp

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This is a small selection of excerpts from L.V. Cupp’s letters. He would openly talk about the struggles he had as a soldier and often addressed his faith. He continued fighting through the war and continued to send home stories about troop movements, skirmishes, and how rebel soldiers were defecting and joining his camp. Another story was about a member of his regiment who was caught and tried as a traitor. He described watching the execution take place and stated that he thought he would be okay with seeing something like it, but that after actually seeing it, “once was enough.”

Cupp’s letters are full of details and stories about the Civil War, ones that were preserved by a family passing them down through generations. He survived his service in the Civil War. For this Memorial Day we recognize his sacrifice and the ultimate sacrifices of so many others serving the United States that did not make it home. n

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One of the favorite aspects Jan Jackson enjoys about her mission outreach is the “puzzle-piecing” of complimentary or coordinating fabrics to create kits for the 25 to 30 volunteer quilters to piece together. Jackson typically uses one of two simple patterns for the quilts, Steppin’ Up or Sew Quick, so quilters are familiar with how each quilt comes together.

In 2020, students in Purdy’s Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) apparel, textiles and fashion class, under the instruction of Amy Hutson Harkey, took on the task of making baby blankets and burp rags for Blankets for Babies.

“Keep them safe, Mission provides keep them warm…”

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24 | May 2022

f anyone recalls the lyrics to the 1971 Carpenter’s ballad “Bless the Beasts and the Children,” they might remember the next few lines that urge listeners to “Light their way when the darkness surrounds them, And give them love, let it shine all around them…”

Warmth and love are just two of the cornerstones that underlie the mission foundation of Blankets for Babies, a volunteer organization organized by Jan Jackson, or rural Monett.

“I felt the Lord wanted me to do something with babies and blankets in 2012,” she said. “But it didn’t really pan out at that time.”

Still, the conviction persisted.

At a Bible study in 2020, the topic touched on the subject of all things taking place through God’s perfect timing, and the message resonated with Jackson.

“He just opened the door,” she said.

“I had a friend working at Cox Monett’s labor and delivery department who said they used to get blankets but hadn’t in some time. We met in March 2020, right before the shutdown, and it was the perfect time. We had, in two months time, we had one lady bring us 30 quilts and 20 quilt tops. People just went to work.”

The 501 (c) 3 organization is governed by several ladies, Cynthia Martin, Gwen Fillinger, Melissa Faucett, Barb Smith, Carol Moore, Debbie Sanders and Jackson.

Story by Melonie Roberts

Just Getting Started Melissa Faucett, right, Jan Jackson, center and Gwen Fillinger are pictured in September 2020 with their first delivery of Blankets for Babies bundles to the former Cox Monett Hospital location at 801 Lincoln. The project is a mission outreach offering support to new mothers by supplying a few necessities for their newborns.

“At times, we have 25 to 30 volunteers working,” she said. “They are amazing.

Monett Community Church is our base.

They have been very supportive of our outreach.”

One of the “fun parts” for Jackson is cutting out the quilt top pieces for the kits.

“It’s like a jigsaw puzzle,” she said. “I love coordinating the fabrics and will try one after another until I find a combination I like,” she said. “I use two patterns, Steppin’ Up and Sew Quick, because they are fairly simple and quick to go together.

I’ll make dozens of kits that will complete a 34-by-30-inch blanket and volunteers will come in and take several at a time.

We are always busy. It’s exciting to see all

the pieces come together into a quilt.”

One donor supplied over 200 partial bolts of fabric, while others have assisted with monetary donations, or service through making the quilt tops or completing the quilts.

But it isn’t just a quilt these new moms and their infants receive.

“Each bundle comes with one quilt, two receiving blankets, two burp rags, a chin cloth for feeding time, a decorated onesie and a Bible,” Jackson said. “One woman in Springfield just buys and adds embellishments to the onesies. Another volunteer, who had suffered a deep depression, told me that this project had given her purpose in life. My biggest core of volunteers are over 60, and these ladies

are sewing their little hearts out. But each bundle is valued between $80 to $100.”

But the mission is more than just a group of ladies getting together to quilt a few baby items, and the blessing is twofold.

“Blankets for Babies project is born out of a passion and desire to show God’s love to newborn babies and their mothers,” Jackson said. “The Bible says ‘Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him.’ Being a new mom is sometimes overwhelming, and we want moms at Cox Monett to know we are there to support them. Our mission statement says it all: Believing that children are a gift from the Lord, we desire to share God’s love to newborn babies and their families through gifts of encouragement, blankets and prayer.”

But not all babies at Cox Monett end up going home.

“We had one of the nurses ask if we had any Angel Gowns,” Jackson said.

I didn’t know what it was, but I told her I could try. I ended up meeting two ladies at a scrapbooking seminar, and they both knew how to turn wedding dresses into Angel Gowns for babies born sleeping. They were both eager to be able to help out these families in need.

Another lady crocheted little pouches for some of the youngest infants.”

Other challenges include keeping various elements of the quilting process in stock.

“But God always provides,” she said.

“We ran out of Bibles and were unable to get what we needed, and the Gideons came through and blessed us with several of theirs. Another time, a glitch resulted in us getting a double order, and when I called the company, I told them I would have to wait until the quarter ended in order to pay them. I had just purchased

ConnectionMO.com | Connection Magazine | 25

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a lot of fabric. They were fine with that, but then my sister decided to support the program and the amount she donated was exactly enough to cover both the fabric cost and the Bible order. God provides for our needs every time.”

Several area quilting shops have also been very supportive of the mission, providing fabric or a sewing room one day per month for volunteers to use.

Locations include Blue Top Quilt Shop in Lamar; Heavenly Notions in Granby; The Thistle in Pierce City; Merrily We Sew Along in Springfield and P-Dub’s in Exeter.

“The group sewing events provide the opportunity for people to come together,” Jackson said. “Seeing how much they care and the giving of their time, energy and resources –– it’s just a blessing. The whole mission is chocked full of generous people. It’s awesome and heart-warming.”

Those wishing to donate may do so through PayPal at Blanketsforbabies2020@gmail.com; P.O. Box 831, Monett, MO 65708, by contacting any board member or through Amazon Smile charities. n

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PARENTING COLUMN

Meagan Ruffing is freelance parenting journalist and Mental Health Counselor.

She loves promoting Self-Care Sundays and challenges you to do something kind for yourself today!

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by Meagan Ruffing

May is Mental Health Awareness Month

O

ne of my favorite months of the year is May. Not only does it have Mother’s Day, but it is also the month to celebrate mental health. As a Mental Health Counselor, I teach others every day how to care about themselves; so I thought I would share some of my personal favorites with you.

1. Mindfulness.

Get yourself a mindfulness desk calendar. I picked one up for myself at the beginning of January, and it has quickly become one of the first things I look forward to each morning. I read the uplifting quote for the day and sometimes, it seems like the calendar knows exactly what I need.

2. Keep the Peace.

When I need to keep my mind sharp and free of negative thoughts, I block out social media, texts, and any type of content that might cause me to get stressed out. Sometimes this means I put my phone in another room so I can focus on other things.

3. Deep Breaths.

I know this one sounds really simple (and it is) but do not underestimate the power of a good deep breath.

This is something I try to do with each of my clients in almost every session. It helps reset the body and be present in that moment.

4. Good Sleep.

This one goes without saying but a good night’s sleep does a body good. If your sleep routine is cur-

rently not where you want it to be, figure out what could be different about it. Is the room too hot? Too cold? Does your pillow need to be replaced? When I have clients who have trouble sleeping, I help break it down for them. We look at each part of their sleep routine and talk through how it is working and what could be better. Sometimes I will have them keep a sleep log to see if we can find patterns that can be repeated or disrupted based on how they are feeling.

5. Pick a Hobby.

I always tell people it is so important to find something that makes you feel good. I love to cross-stitch and it is something that calms me after a long day. I used to love to read and I still do, but I have not been able to read through a book

ConnectionMO.com/ParentingColumn | Connection Magazine | 29

in its entirety in a long time. This is something I am working on and trying to get better at. What is something you love to do? What makes you happy?

6. A Good Support System.

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This is vital for your mental health.

I am originally from Massachusetts so all of my family is out that way.

I have made it a point to make everlasting friendships out here so that I know I am not alone when going through hard things. Plus, it is much more fun to celebrate the wins in your life with people who love you.

7. Food.

I have learned how important it is to keep myself fed and hydrated throughout the day. This helps me stay focused and ready for the tasks ahead. Tip: I keep random snacks in different places in case I find myself in a situation where I have not had time to eat. (Car, office desk, purse, etc.)

8. Highs and Lows.

This is one of my favorite things to do with my kids. I ask them every night either at dinner or bedtime, what their high was (best part of the day) and low (worst part of the day). I learn so much about my kids that way, and they learn a lot about me!

A great way to celebrate Mental Health Awareness Month is to get out there, and do something kind for yourself. You are worth it, and you deserve it.

Scan the QR Code to read more 30 | May 2022

MENTAL HEALTH COLUMN

Treatment produces results

By Brad Ridenour

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

A Month for Mental Health

M

ay is Mental Health Awareness Month. With the stress and strain of the last two years, many have recognized how their mental health has been affected. For significant reasons like an increase in suicide and overdose death rates, there has been greater focus on the importance of mental health and how it impacts individual lives and our society at large.

Here are the most recent numbers available all of which were reported prior to the start of the pandemic.

Prevailing wisdom says these numbers will only worsen following the pandemic crisis:

One in five adults will experience a diagnosable mental health problem or substance use disorder in any given year. Think about it. One out of every five adults you encounter at the grocery or department store, gym, church, or in the neighborhood may have a mental health or substance use problem this year.

Six to 7 percent of full-time employees experience a Major Depressive Disorder each year.

But, mental health problems, don’t just impact adults. In fact, 50% of mental health problems start to develop before the age of 14.

In total, almost half the population has a chance of developing a mental/behavioral health problem during a lifetime, but sadly fewer than half of individuals who need mental health treatment each year will seek it.

Your mental health is important not only in May but every month of the year. If you have questions or concerns about your mental health you can see from the above statistics that you are not alone. Do yourself a favor and don’t delay in seeking assistance; there is no better time to start treatment than now. Why now? Research shows that treatment is effective, with early intervention showing the best results.

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HEALTHY CONNECTION

Elecia Faaiuaso is dietetic intern at Cox College who is passionate about improving the health of her Samoan community by aiming to address nutrition and wellness. She believes that eating for health is important, and that it should not be a rigid experience, but rather a wholesome, enjoyable relationship with food. Be mindful and nourish yourself with kindness.

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M

ay is National Stroke Month, which is designed to inform and educate people about the dangers of this medical emergency.

The human brain is an amazing organ. It controls thoughts, emotions, motor skills, breathing, hunger- basically every process to keep our body functioning. Blood vessels supply the brain with oxygen and nutrients that are necessary for its complex job. However, when there is no blood flow to the brain, parts of the brain become damaged or die. This is called a cerebrovascular attack, also known as stroke.

A stroke can cause lasting brain damage, long term disability, or death. About 795,000 people have a stroke each year, making it the fifth leading cause of death. It is important to understand the types of strokes, ways to reduce risk, and symptoms.

What do yo do if you think someone is having a stroke?

Did you know Cox Monett Hospital is a designated Level IV Stroke Center?

Individuals suffering a stroke will receive quicker response times and improved survival and recovery rates.

What can I do to prevent a stroke?

Stroke is preventable. Here are some ways to lower the risk of a stroke: MOVE MORE: You don’t need a gym membership.

EAT MORE FRUITS AND VEGETABLE

• Walk around your yard

• Try a new fruit and vegetable every week or day

• Do chair exercises while watching your favorite shows • Dance with family or friends • Park your car further away from your house or from the entrance of a store

What causes a stroke?

• Do yoga in the living room

Lack of blood flow to the brain can kill brain cells within minutes.

There are three types of stroke.

Each one is distinguished by its part in blocking blood flow:

EAT LESS SALT

• Ischemic Stroke: a clot blocking blood flow to the brain • Hemorrhagic stroke: a broken or ruptured artery preventing blood flow to the brain • Transient ischemic attack: mini stroke caused by a temporary clot

• Cook with herbs and spices • Remove salt from the table • Read the label on processed foods (Rule of thumb: avoid if Sodium DV is higher than 20%)

• Cook your vegetables a different way: bake, roast, grill, stir-fry, slow cook, sous vide, soup • Have fruit for dessert or as a snack ADD HEALTHY OILS AND NUTS TO YOUR MEAL PLAN • Substitute your cooking oil with olive oil or avocado oil • Eat fatty fish like salmon, mackerel, sardines twice a week • Pack unsalted nuts as snacks

• Rinse canned vegetables

STOP SMOKING

EAT MORE POTASSIUM: Eat foods high in potassium: oranges, bananas, dark leafy greens, broccoli, potatoes

• Find a buddy to quit with you

• Reach out to smoking cessation resources • Keep yourself busy with a hobby

ConnectionMO.com/HealthyConnection | Connection Magazine | 33

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With love, from grand-momma Primrose: ‘I am now one, “Grandchildren are the prize for raising your children,” “Grandchildren are God’s way of compensating us for growing old,” “Your children are your rainbows, and your grandchildren are your pot of gold,” whichever quote you resonate with, they all show how much love grandparents have for their grandchildren.

Ruth Primrose raised her children, three of them, then she was blessed with four grandchildren. Little did she know, she would be raising two of her grandchildren independently.

“I became a mother in 1981,” Ruth said. “Raising children is one of the best things I’ve ever done, but it is also challenging.”

Parenting and childhood have plenty of hurdles to overcome, and Ruth did everything she could to enjoy every minute of it.

“Watching my children grow up and watching them learn was such a wonderful time in my life,” she said. “I am now one of what I am sure is hundreds of grandparents raising their grandkids.

“I am raising two granddaughters, Brooklynn, age 16, and Paydin, age 12.”

It wasn’t expected, and it wasn’t the way she envisioned spending time with her grandchildren, but Ruth found a way to do it.

“It’s a little different raising grandkids, as the times are different, but you still have the same values and want to teach them right from wrong,” she said.

“I think I’m a little more lenient with the grandkids. It can be challenging at times as you want to be the grandparent and spoil them and send them home, but I can’t do that.”

Story by Jordan Troutman

of what I am sure is hundreds of grandparents raising their grandkids’

Ruth Primrose is raising two of her grandchildren, Brooklynn, age 16, and Paydin, age 12.

Ruth said she has to have rules, and the girls have to learn to obey the rules as if they were her own children.

“You have to reassure them that they are loved and have a home with you,” she said. “The best blessings are when they accomplish something, get good grades, or say or do something genuine-

ly kind. It gives you a sense of pride and feels like you really made a difference in their lives.

“The girls give me a reason to be a better person and mother/grandparent every day.”

Ruth said she learns from them as they learn from her.

ConnectionMO.com | Connection Magazine | 35

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“Brooklynn is such a caring, sweet person and loves animals,” she said.

“If it was up to her, we would have a whole herd of dogs.

“She loves children and loves to paint and do art. She is kind and very forgiving. She also shows her sister a lot of compassion and love.”

Each child has their own strengths and beauty.

“Paydin is unique in her own way,” she said. “She loves reading and loves plants and animals, as well.

She loves to collect rocks and gems.

“She is sweet and has a very good relationship with her sister.”

Both girls get good grades and love school.

“That also brings me a sense of pride in them for doing so well,” Ruth said. “We love and depend on one another.

“I hope that they can see that sometimes we have to make sacrifices for our family, and we always take care of our family.”

Ruth said she and the girls take life as it comes and roll with the punches.

“I never fail to tell them all the time that I love them, and I’m so happy they are in my life,” she said.

“I need them as much as they need me.

“Always show love, always try and talk to your kids, sometimes you have to wait for them to come to you. Say what you mean and mean what you say. We are not perfect, but we try, and some days are easier than others.”

According to the Population Reference Bureau, more and more children are living with and being raised by their grandparents, to the tune of 2.9 million children in 2010. This number is consistently growing and identifies children whose grandparents are their main care providers. n

Mrs. Valerie Conway’s fourth-grade class at Verona Elemetary School

M

ay 2-6, 2022, is Teacher Appreciation Week – a time to thank the men and women who spend so many hours sharing their knowledge about everything from arithmetic to life with local youngsters.

Students with Mrs. Valerie Conway’s fourth grade class at Verona Elementary School recently sat down to share the best lessons they’ve learned from their teacher this year.

Mrs. Conway is a second year fourth-grade teacher at Verona Elementary School.

While many of her students said they love her math lessons, or her kindness, Mrs. Conaway said her favorite subject to teach is reading.

Teacher Appreciation Week

Story by Mike Gervais

ConnectionMO.com | Connection Magazine | 37

What’s the best lesson you’ve learned from Ms. Conway this year?

Gunner Martinez, 9

Anjelica Gutierrez, 10

“It would be timesing fractions.”

“Fractions.”

Liam Todd, 10

Maria Feargas, 10

“Spelling. The words are just fun.”

“To divide by two digits.”

Sophie Keim, 10

Whitley Riott, 10

Trista Campbell, 10

“She’s kind, and she makes it all a lot of fun.”

“She doesn’t yell if we make mistakes, she just helps us fix it.”

“Math. She explains it so that I can understand it and it’s easier.”

38 | May 2022

Mackenzee Martinez, 10

Lydia Thlvia, 9

Peter Lehendzevych, 10

“Subtracting fractions because I’ve never done it before and it’s very interesting.”

“Volcanoes. We talked about volcanoes.”

“Multiplication. The facts are easy to remember.”

Brian Williams, 11

Brooklyn Baker, 10

Tavia Lechner, 10

“Doing, like subjects, like fractions. “Science because we did Me and my mom and dad are the experiments.” best in my house at math.”

“Spelling, because we get to walk around the room to find each other and find the word.”

Addy Arnold, 9

Zoey Brown, 10

“Probably history. I like it because I like knowing how things worked before I was alive.”

“Math. It’s easy.”

Nevaeh Ferrell, 10, who has just joined Mrs. Conway’s class “She’s kind.”

ConnectionMO.com | Connection Magazine | 39

You Name It Collectibles located at 613 Main Street in Cassville is the best local dealer in comic books. The business is open Saturday and Sunday, and hosts a half-off comics sale every Sunday.

For More Than Collectors

Comics F

or nearly 100 years the bright colors and vivid pictures in comic books have drawn children in and set them on a path that would lead to a whole world of art and literature.

Across the country, comic book retailers will be celebrating the art of comics with Free Comic Book Day on Saturday, May 7.

While many comic book stores have disappeared in recent years as many collectors and readers have turned to online sellers, locally, one Cassville business keeps the spirit alive with a huge collection of used books for sale.

Pierce City is also home to a comic book collector and industry insider, Murray Bishoff, who began reading and collecting as a child and maintains an impressive library of classic comic books and comic strips from the late 1800s through the 1970s.

For many, the beginning of the comic book age was the first appearance of Superman in Action Comics No.1, first published in April of 1938.

40 | May 2022

Story by Mike Gervais

“The genius of those particular cartoonists really framed what became over time the national sense of who we are.”

But to Murray, the story of the comic book begins much, much earlier and in a much, much different format.

“To talk about comics, we have to talk about what a comic is,” he said, explaining that long before the bright colorful booklets that are marketed to young readers, newspapers were home to the modern comic book’s predecessor—the comic strip. And while the idea of a comic strip may conjure images of Garfield, Charlie Brown and the Peanuts Gang or Marmaduke, newspapers in the late 1800s and early 19th Century often featured full 16page sections knows as “The Funny Pages.”And they didn’t just feature the four-or-five panel shorts most are familiar with today. Some comic strips in that era featured full-page stories in the familiar multi-panel comic book format. Another familiar feature was ongoing, serialized stories that forced readers to tune in each week to see what would come next.

Murray explained that the first recurring character in the funny pages was “The Yellow Kid, featured in the New York World in the 1890s.

Eventually, more familiar characters like Buck Rovers, Dick Tracey and Tarzan would make their way into the newspaper funnies before going on to star in their own comic books.

Other familiar faces, like Mickey Mouse, one of the most recognizable faces in the world, really got defined in the newspaper funnies.

“The genius of those particular car-

toonists really framed what became over time the national sense of who we are,” Murray said.

As a comic book fan from a young age, Murray said the introduction to the fantasy worlds of the stories, the artwork and the writing made an impact.

“As a kid, you’re getting exposed to all this wild stuff, and it’s every bit as good of literature as some novels,” he said. “And back then, you couldn’t film it, you didn’t have to be able to film it because you can think it.”

And, while Murray doesn’t continue to collect comic books, he cherishes the copies he has kept from his childhood, and Hollywood’s major comic book adaptations have kept the stories of his youth in the public eye in recent years.

“I’ve had a great deal of joy just from exploring this stuff,” he said.

“Back in the day, it was just us bunch of geeks who were into this, now it’s everybody. It’s exciting.”

One Cassville resident who got into the comic book game later in life is Phil Bridges, owner of You Name it Collectibles located at 613 Main Street in Cassville.

While the Barry and Lawrence County area may not have a traditional comic book store, Bridges has been able to fill that gap by providing a wide selection of used comics at his collectibles shop.

You Name It, as the name suggests, offers a little bit of everything collectible - from Magic the Gathering and

Before the modern comic book hit shelves in the 1930s, with a unique marketing plan to specifically appeal to children, youngsters were drawn to newspaper comics as an introduction to artwork and literature.

Phil Bridges of You Name It Collectibles in Cassville carries more than 50,000 used comic books, ranging from the old Archie strips, to high-quality, high-value graded collectibles featuring more modern super heroes and villains.

ConnectionMO.com | Connection Magazine | 41

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Pokemon cards, to vintage and antique toys, to books, video games and comics.

“I have about 50,000 comic books and my goal is to have 100,000,” Bridges said. “The longer I’ve had this place, the more I’ve enjoyed the people who enjoy this playful stuff. If it’s not playful, I don’t sell it here.”

Phil said he didn’t set out to become the local comic book dealer, but he saw the value in the books when he purchased a set of comic book price guides from the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s and noticed that comics tend to go up in value over time rather than depreciate.

From there, he stumbled upon a buy one get one free sale for long boxes (the white boxes used to store comic books) and he was off to the races.

“When you look at the interest in comic books, it’s not like the stock market or dogecoin, it’s personal, it’s about having something that’s yours,” he said.

As to housing a comic book collection in, Phil said it can be both a draw for customers, or a unique find for someone who may have come in looking for playing cards or toys.

“You can always buy something you want online, and supposedly for cheaper, but that’s not always the case,” he said.

“And for collectors, sometimes it’s about the hunt. It’s about searching through long boxes looking for that one book you want or need, or finding something new that you haven’t seen before.”

While used comic book stores traditionally don’t participate in Free Comic Book Day, because they don’t have the relationship with publishers and dealers that new stores maintain, Phil said every Sunday at You Name It Collectibles is half-off comic book day, and longtime collectors or those looking to find something new are always welcome to stop by during business hours Saturdays and Sundays to filter through the long boxes and see if they can find gold. n

Good Deeds Catch On “Thankless” may be a word many would use to describe their jobs, and one Monett business stepped forward on one of the coldest days of the year to say “thank you” to a group that works day and night to keep us safe and are often forgotten and overlooked.

When a series of winter storms buried the region in February and March, a fleet of snowplow drivers from the state, county and local towns and cities took to the roads, braving the hazardous conditions day and night to clear the way for our morning commutes and routine chores.

These men and women suffer the cold and icy conditions whenever the need arises, but we rarely think of the long hours they spend behind the wheel so we can simply leave our warm comfortable homes.

Jami Lynn’s, located at 1305 E. Cleveland Ave. in Monett put a call out to all city and MoDOT road workers who were out and about working on Wednesday, Feb. 23 to let them know the restaurant would feed them free of charge as a “thank you” for their commitment to the community.

“I know how bad the weather was, and we are so appreciative of them,” said Jami Lynn, owner of Jami Lynn’s. “They are out there risking their lives, and we thought this was something we could do for them.”

Jami Lynn’s served vegetable beef stew and cheese roll-ups during the storm

Story by Mike Gervais

Most of us probably don’t consider the life of a plow driver. Long hours, alone in the cold cab of a truck on icy and hazardous roads.

But Jami Lynn’s Restaurant in Monett was thinking of them during February’s storms, and offered them a free meal to say thank you for their service.

and Lynn said between 28-30 workers stopped by for the meal.

Lynn said the restaurant has in the past served meals for hard-working public safety employees in the past, and expected a strong turnout from the busy road workers.

However, what Lynn didn’t expect was the response from one local community member.

“We had one gentleman, I didn’t get his name, who drove through our drivethrough and said he appreciated what we were doing, and wrote a check to cover our costs for the meals,” Lynn said.

That gentleman was Monett resident Barry Lenhart, of Lenhart Construction, who was touched by the gesture and wanted to express his gratitude as well.

“My wife and I are big supporters of first responders,” Lenhart said. “Our son is in the military and we want to

support them, but that’s not really something we can do with our business, so this was our way of giving back.”

Lenhart said he and his wife Dawn have lived in Monett for the past 20 years, and have been operating Lenhart Construction for the past four years.

Lynn said the gesture from Lenhart was unexpected, but welcome.

“We set out to give a blessing, and we ended up being the ones who were blessed,” Lynn said. “That’s how that works. I just want to say thank you so much to them for doing that,” Lynn said of the Lenharts.

Jami Lynn’s opened in Monett approximately 10 years ago as a steakhouse. Lynn said for the past three years, the business has been located on Cleveland, operating as a drive-through and take-out only restaurant that serves family-style home-cooked meals for lunch and dinner. n

ConnectionMO.com | Connection Magazine | 43

CUTEST PET

Patsy and Friday, fur babies of Luke and lana Casady of Fairview

Patsy &

Friday

44 | May 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.

Community rallies to help puppy heal

RESCUED, MY FAVORITE BREED

If anyone is able to donate to

by Christa Stout

Millie Grace’s medical bills, scan the provided QR code.

Healing Grace

L

ast month, I reported on a puppy that was caught in a legal trap, found by a neighbor, rescued, taken to a veternarian and with the help of many people along the way, made it to SOAR (Stray and Orphaned Animal Rescue) in O’Fallon, Mo., and the foster parents, Jamie and Justin. Because the left paw had no blood circulation, her leg had to be amputated and there was still some doubt as to the viability of the right leg, which had also been caught in the trap.

Of course, none of us involved in her life could leave Millie Grace (or MG as she is called by many), and we kept in touch with everyone throughout the month. I am sure we were nuisances at times, asking how she was doing, what was the prognosis, etc. Despite all the work by Jamie and the almost daily visits to the vet, her foster mom was very patient with us and answered all of our questions as best she could. Jamie’s husband Justin even built a little wheel chair to see if that would help her keep the weight off the right leg, which was still questionable.

You might recall that February 8, found MG having more surgery.

Her bone was exposed where the nail was dangling off. That required anesthesia to clean the wound, remove the dead tissue and skin on the toe next to the one that has the bone exposed and removing

the toenail itself. More daily visits for a couple of weeks for bandage changes until her bone is no longer exposed.

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February 9th finally brought some good news, the vet said her toes looked incredible, and there was already new tissue growing back.

By February 13th, Jamie was reporting that MG is becoming more of a puppy every day and that it is amazing to watch her transformation. MG was encouraging Seeley, the foster parent’s own dog to play, and she would snuggle up with their other dog whenever she could.

During this time, her bandage came off the other paw, and she was treated with ointment. She was going for laser treatment twice a week and there was discussion whether she needed to be put under anesthetic to debride the toe. It seems that the tissue in her toe was severely damaged inside her paw and was healing from the inside out. The wound was ‘surfacing’ to the outside of her paw as the inside is trying to heal.

Also, the last of her staples and stitches were removed. However, she had to wear the cone again because she is not allowed to lick the paw.

MG also became a little braver. Jamie says she used to be scared to go outside and now she wanders off with Seeley and just looks back at her foster mom now and then.

Donations to Millie Grace will continue to assist her in treatment along with other strays with similar hopes.

$1,000 FUNDRAISING GOAL

ConnectionMO.com/RescuedMyFavoriteBreed | Connection Magazine | 45

We were all so proud of the little pup. Jamie allowed her to go outside to play in the snow and she loved it so much!

We Are Dedicated To Providing Excellent Care!

February 22, brought the best news yet, the vet said ‘the paw looks good and unless something crazy weird happens, she gets to keep it.’ She got to celebrate with a treat from Starbucks! The shouts of joy and happy tears went from southwest Missouri all the way to St. Louis.

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March 7, Jamie reported that Millie Grace is getting spayed and micro-chipped on Tuesday, April 8th and she has a forever home! It is someone who Jamie knows and she assured us will make an awesome family. They are already in love with her and have been watching her progress all along. They are willing to do any and everything they may need to do for her if her leg bothers her more. Jamie also mentioned that another toenail fell off, but she is still getting around and playing like normal.

As of March 11th, after her spay, MG went to her furever home and is enjoying it thoroughly. All of us who had anything to do with helping her to this point, shed a few tears of joy.

As Meredith said, and we all agreed, “I feel we got way more from MG than we gave. Every pup should have a loving home, and it makes us so happy to know MG will have one.”

Millie Grace is such a trooper; we all admire her stamina, endurance and her ability to give love despite surgeries, pain and those awful collars, LOL! From all of us to Millie Grace and her new family “Have a fantastic life.” For Millie Grace it is the beginning of a new life!

Thanks to everyone who has contributed to this wonderful pup’s journey: Candace, finder; Karen, ACO; Eve, finding Rescue and Transport; Sarah, Mike, and Meredith, transport; Christine and Michelle, SOAR; Jamie and Justin, fosters; and of course her new parents.

FAMILIAR FACES

Mother-Son Dinner and Dance | Food truck

1

2

3 St. Mary’s Catholic School in Pierce City hosted its annual Mother-Son Dinner and Dance on April 9, in the multipurpose room.

4

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

5

1

2

Patty Kyle and Ashley Rivera Kim Avondet and Kellen Avondet Laura Apostol and Jayden Apostol Payton Cox and Bethany Cox Taylor Parrigon and Harrisen Parrigon

3

Food truck time 1.

2.

3.

4.

Jeff Meredith and Lindsay Hall of Monett Gabriella Anderson, 8 Cameron Eggleston, 10 of Wheaton Fred and Carol Grimm of Monett

4 ConnectionMO.com | Connection Magazine | 47

FAMILIAR FACES

Roaring River Health and Rehab | Monett Chamber of Commerce

Clayton Montgomery’s 104th birthday party at Roaring River Health and Rehab 1.

2.

3.

4.

1

Sheila Boyd and Norma Fitzgerald Debbie Yarnall and Dottie Lewis Sue Mattingly and Honey Dew Cherry Warren and Jerry Yarnall

2

3

4

1 Monett Chamber Banquet 1. Bridget Baure, Diana Weber, Kelsey Evans, John Johnson, Jeremy Hahn and Drew Forsman of Life360.

2. Stephanie Schumacher and Pam Schumacher.

3. Aaron Jones and Ricky Gonzalez.

48 | May 2022

3 2

Advertiser Index Aire Serv.................................................. 8 Animal Clinic of Monett.....................46 Aurora Motor and Machine..............22 Barry County Farm Bureau...............30 Barry Lawrence Regional Library....... 3 Bruner Pharmacy.................................32 Carey’s Cassville Florist.....................36 Clark Community Mental Health.....31 Coldwell Banker..................................34 CoxHealth.............................................52 CS Bank.................................................30 Doug’s Pro Lube..................................46 Dr. Jared Spears...................................14 Edward Jones......................................... 5 Factory Direct Mattress....................... 2 First State Bank of Purdy.................... 8 Fohn Funeral Home............................32 Four Seasons Real Estate..................27 Freedom Bank of Southern Missouri... .........................................................16 J&J Floor Covering.............................22 Ken’s Colliison Center........................17

Setting The Standard For Senior Care Debbie Howard – Administrator dhoward@roaringriverrehab.com

Providing Rehab, Healthcare, Happiness and Hope

812 Old Exeter Rd., Cassville, MO. • 417-847-2184

Lackey Body Works............................26 Larry Arnold..........................................23 Lil Boom Town Event Center............42

Expand Your Options, Increase Your Business!

Lunker Landing....................................34 Monett Chamber of Commerce.......51 Monett Times ......................................49 My Best Friends Closet......................26 Ordinary 2 Oddities............................27 Ozark Methodist Manor....................42 Peoples Community Bank.................32 Peppers and Co...................................17 QC Supply, LLC...................................... 7 Roaring River Health & Rehab..........49 Rusty Gate Flea Market.....................16 Security Bank of Southwest Missouri. .........................................................23 Shelter Insurance................................14 Table Rock Tavern...............................42 The Breast Center................................. 7 The Lake Shack....................................34 Tomblin’s Jewelry................................36 Trogdon Marshall................................23 VisionHealth Eye Center...................27 Whitley Pharmacy...............................17

Marion Chrysler Cassvillesales2@gmail.com Cell: 479-244-7082 Office: 417-235-3135 ext 30 Fax: 417-235-8852

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Marketing, Advertising & Online Media Specialist ConnectionMO.com | Connection Magazine | 49

PARTING SHOT

Photo by Linda Sparkman

“What sunshine is to flowers, smiles are to humanity.”

-Joseph Addison

50 | May 2022

Explore Monett App Now available ConnectionMO.com | Connection Magazine | 51

WE KNOW HEALTHY FOOD IS HEALING. BUT NOT EVERYONE HAS ACCESS TO IT. AMANDA BELLE’S FARM IS CHANGING THAT. In partnership with Springfield Community Gardens, we’re growing healthy food year-round, which will eventually be used in our cafeterias, prescribed to patients and available through a community program. And that’s just the beginning.

It’s the right thing.

coxhealth.com