Connection June 2023

Show Me Hope @ The Clark Center

Is It PTSD? When you have PTSD, it’s hard to feel safe. The traumatic event – natural disaster, combat, sexual assault, accident - can take hold, and you find you can’t stop thinking about it. Maybe you have nightmares and trouble sleeping. Maybe you feel on edge and unsettled or don’t find pleasure in things you used to enjoy. Maybe you feel it’s just easier to be alone. Feelings like these are common after going through a trauma. For most people, they pass in a few weeks or months, but for others they are long lasting. PTSD symptoms fall into four categories: reliving or re-experiencing the event, avoiding things or places that remind you of the event, negative changes in beliefs and feelings, and hyperarousal or being on guard. For someone to be diagnosed with PTSD, they need to have symptoms in all four categories. PTSD symptoms can happen at any age, and they come and go. Only a mental health care provider can diagnose you with PTSD. And, knowing if you have PTSD is the first step to getting effective treatment. So, it is important to talk with a doctor if you think you have symptoms. There are effective treatments even if you have been living with symptoms for years. Keep in mind that you’re not alone. And, there are treatments that will help you feel better and take back control of your life. Be the advocate – take that first step for yourself. Learn more about PTSD symptoms at the National Center for PTSD. The PTSD Coach app and PTSD Coach Online can also help you learn about PTSD symptoms and practice skills to manage those symptoms. You can even track your PTSD symptoms in the app. The PTSD Treatment Decision Aid is another online tool that can help you decide which treatment is best for you. Other useful resources are the Understanding PTSD and PTSD Treatment booklet, and the National Center for PTSD’s whiteboard videos

2021 was rough. Show Me Hope at the Clark Center is connected to resources for nancial help, mental health help, and self-care. The program is free and con dential. Programs are created to assist our communities with the ability to rec er from the grief, uncertainty and frustration of recent times. We are here to listen and help. yone in community with concerns about their rec , or that of another individual or group is encouraged to call and seek assistance.

An

The Clark Center 417-235-6610

Points of focus for Show Me Hope are resiliency, self-care and experiencing loss. Here 24/7......

w Me Hope, call or text: 1-800-985-5990

If you or someone you know needs crisis support now. Call or text 988

Clark Center: 417-235-6610

Resiliency Community Recovery CC

Get Together at the Library for the

SUMMER READING CHALLENGE 2023

Amazing programs and events throughout June and July are happening this summer at the library. It’s more than just a reading program, go to fun programs promoting social learning and getting together with our community. Your will find magicians, animals, science experiments, Music, art & culture at the 100+ programs across the Library district. The Summer Reading Challenge is FREE and runs June 5th - July 29th. Use the safe QR code or go to blrLibrary.com/src to find out more about starting your summer challenge!

BINGO! This year you will track your Summer Reading Challenge progress with a fun online bingo card. You can choose your own way to win! Completing challenges and logging books on this bingo card will earn you rewards for your first “bingo” (up, down, or diagonal) and for the “blackout” (filling the whole card.) The bingo card is featured through the BeanStack online platform. If you have ever logged into BeanStack you will just need to log back in with the same password and user name/email. Go to blrlibrary.beanstack.org to sign in._

It’s Peanut Butter Jelly Time

In my May column I mentioned that I would be traveling to my granddaughter’s wedding and that I might have a story to share when I returned.

The wedding was beautiful and of course my granddaughter made a beautiful bride. They have since moved from Kansas to Arkansas, so now we will get to see them more.

Nothing out of the ordinary happened. The music was pretty, the bride and groom are awesome, the food was good and it all went off without a hitch! My grandson and great-grandson were flower boys. They did a great job. The groom’s father officiated the ceremony and the couple’s vows were beautiful. The preparation for something like this goes on and on for a ceremony that does not last very long. It’s like you blink and it is over. But the beautiful memory stays with you forever in your mind and in pictures.

Now let me share with you my unique traveling partner. Traveling approximately 4.5 hours one way with a 6-yearold boy. My grandson, Jackson. Now, first let me describe him a bit. Jackson has energy that never quits and a brain that operates the same way. He has numerous ideas and questions that are never-ending. I am not bragging when I say he is extremely smart, just finishing kindergarten but his educational levels match fourth grade. He thinks totally beyond a 6-year-old level, knowing just about all there is about space, stars, the moon and volcanoes. I mean, there does not seem to be limits to what this little one knows and if he does not know it, he will do his best to try to find out.

In all of the praises that I just shared about my grandson, and all of the songs that he could serenade us with, on the trip the one he chooses to sing, over and over and over and over is one entitled “Peanut Butter Jelly Time.” Now, I don’t know how many know this song but if you do not know it I will warn you, do not go and listen to it. It will stick in your head forever, just like Baby Shark.

I know this is a song meant for children, but folks it makes no sense! “It’s peanut butter jelly time,” now that’s not bad but then we go into “Where he at, Where he at, Where he at, There he go, There he go,” and then we have a verse that says “Do the peanut butter jelly with a baseball bat” then we go back to “where he at, there he go” and then we go to “Now, break it down and freeze then we tic tac toe then we freestyle your style.”

Yes I have just shared with you the lyrics that were shared with everyone in our car for many hours. Now I really never heard the entire song but Jackson made sure he sang Peanut Butter and Jelly over and over. If you want the full effect, you will have to listen to the actual song but I will warn you again, it is dangerous and addictive.

Now on the way back, it seemed like the song was mysteriously forgotten. He was playing a game and asking a lot of questions about space. His curiosity has no limits. And it was sometimes delightful to realize that even though he chatters a lot, his ongoing questions have never been squelched by his parents. They give him time, answer him and try to help him learn about everything he wants to know about, which believe me is a lot!

Jackson has a very active imagination. We actually saw an awesome mirage on the way home and it totally fascinated him. Of course he was asking questions wanting to know exactly what it is and how it is created. We go back to space questions and believe it or not he even asked questions on life and death. It is hard for a little one to sit for so long in a vehicle when you are use to going, going and going some more. But I will say that the majority of the time I enjoyed and marveled at what came out of his mouth. The ideas that he came up with and the questions that he would ask his parents, he probably hesitated to ask me because he knew I probably wouldn’t know the answers.

The trip home was song-free, just filled with talk and filling his mind with more info.

Then we were probably about three hours into the trip back home and what did we all hear? “It’s Peanut Butter and Jelly Time!”

He is really a joy, never knowing what he is going to create, ask, tell you, or maybe invent. Thank you Jackson for a memorable trip.

Lisa Craft is owner and publisher of Connection Magazine and The Monett Times. She can be reached at monettcommunity@ gmail.com Owner & Publisher, Connection Magazine

OWNER/PUBLISHER

Lisa Craft monettcommunity@gmail.com

MULTI-MEDIA SALES EXECUTIVES

Marion Chrysler

CONTRIBUTORS

Meagan Ruffing

Susan Funkhouser

Pam Wormington

Christa Stout

Annie Lisenby Smith

Mike Gervais

Murray Bishoff

Steve Chapman

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Chuck Nickle

DISTRIBUTION

Kevin Funcannon

TO ADVERTISE

417-235-3135 - Monett

Send email inquiries to monettcommunity@gmail.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 The Monett Times. Both publications now locally owned and operated.

3-month

3 month 3.10

9-month

1 year 3. 25

2 year 3.45

1-year

5.10 5.15 5.15

% % %

APY* APY* APY*

9/20/2022.

*Annual Percentage Yield (APY ) ective 8/15/2022. CDs ered by EdwardJones arebank-issuedand FDIC-insured up to $250,000 (principal and interest accrued but not yet paid) per depositor, per insured depositoryins titution,for each accountownership category Please visit www.fdic.govorcontactyour advisor for additionalinformation. Subjecttoavailabilityand pricechange.CDvalues are subjecttointerest rate risk such that when interest rates rise, the prices of CDs can decrease. If CDsare sold priortomaturity, the investor can lose principal value FDIC insurance does not cover lossesinmarketvalue.Early withdrawal maynot be permitted.Yields quoted are net of all commissions. CDs require the distribution of interest anddonot allowinteresttocompound. CDs ered through Edward Jones are issued by banks and thrifts nationwide.All CDs sold by EdwardJones areregistered with theDepositoryTrust Corp.(DTC)

*Annual Percentage Yield (APY) effective date 5/17/2023. CDs offered by Edward Jones are bank-issued and FDIC-insured up to $250,000 (principal and interest accrued but not yet paid) per depositor, per insured depository institution, for each account ownership category. Please visit www.fdic.gov or contact your advisor for additional information. Subject to availability and price change. CD values are subject to interest rate risk such that when interest rates rise, the prices of CDs can decrease. If CDs are sold prior to maturity, the investor can lose principal value. FDIC insurance does not cover losses in market value. Early withdrawal may not be permitted. Yields quoted are net of all commissions. CDs require the distribution of interest and do not allow interest to compound. CDs offered through Edward Jones are registered with Depository Trust Corp. (DTC).

CFP®

Advisor

Blecha

Blvd

A MAGAZINE DEDICATED TO THE OZARKS

farm & Ranch | special section

One of the inaugural Women in Dairy members, Jane Gunter of Conway, celebrates June Dairy month with program coordinator, Reagan Bluel— Extension Dairy Specialist for the University of Missouri

Women in Dairy participants learn about Robotic milking options from Kansas Dairy producer Linda Foster

Women in Dairy member, RaeAnn George teaches this young family about “daily dairy” — feeding, milking and farm work associated with milk production

Annually the Women in Dairy group host the “Meet your Farm-Her” event in Springfield to celebrate Dairy Month in June through education and promotion about farming practices and health benefits of dairy consumption

Women in Dairy

needs and experiences may be less universal, presenting their own struggles.

“I’ve talked to lots of groups about women in agriculture,” said Reagan Bluel, University of Missouri dairy specialist based in Cassville. “Dairy is different. It’s hard to understand unless you are in dairy.

Taking care of livestock is the same overall. Beef producers often get a day off. You put a round bale out, make sure there’s water, and you’re fine. But in dairy, you’re milking twice a day, every day. There’s no yielding. You can’t do less. It’s not an option.

Story by Murray Bishoff

The Women in Dairy at Dave Buehler’s farm near Mt. Vernon, one of many field trips the group takes for its monthly meetings

417-835-3000

“Women in dairy is a very small population. In Missouri, Dairy producers make up less than .02 percent of the population, and the women within dairy are even less. They’re the gals who are on the farm, milking the cows every morning, making it happen.”

In her first spring as local dairy specialist in 2015, Bluel was handed the idea of organizing a group for women in dairy by Ted Probert, retired dairy specialist from the South Central region, and Karla Deaver, now field specialist in 4-H youth development for the University Extension in Lawrence County.

“I developed the idea, to create a community of ladies who all understand each other,” Bluel said. “This is a safe place for women to share ideas. It’s a really cool community, people who are passionate about dairy production. That could range from milk pricing to talking about how upset you are when your daughter’s 4-H heifer dies. It’s more than just a feel-good group, but the hugs are nice.”

The group meets monthly on the second Wednesday. In May they gathered at the Southwest Research Center near Mt. Vernon then traveled to Dave Buehler’s nearby rural Mt. Vernon farm to hear about diversifying farming again to create a more sustainable operation in the face of market pressures. Buehler promotes growing elderberries on that extra two-to-five acres that many farms mow for hay, tapping into the fastest growing crop in the health focused field centered in Missouri.

“These women share what’s successful in their herd,” Bluel continued. “It doesn’t look like we’re talking about production practices, but it’s kind of baked in.

“One time we were making Christmas wreaths. We’re not crafty people. We were all struggling together. We ended up talking about dystocia events [difficult calving] through the years and

Feeder calf sale every Tuesday 10am, slaughter cows to follow Bred cows/ pairs every Tuesday 6pm

“Where we work hard, so you can get the most out of your work”

they recalled what they did, which vet they called and what the outcome was. It’s not like other meetings I go to where I’m presenting facts and recommendations. We end up in a group doing whatever task. It’s the conversations amongst each other that help people learn.”

While many women may talk or complain about men, Bluel doesn’t hear that from Women in Dairy. “In so many cases, these women are in business with their significant other, walking in parallel,” she said. “Most of the time, these gals are working alongside just as hard as the spouse. They know neither can do it without the other. It’s a different dynamic than most marriages.

shot of the Women in Dairy at

Group

Dave Buehler’s rural Mt. Vernon Elder Farm.

Marilyn Calvin, left, and Reagan Bluel, right, wearing their Women in Dairy T-shirts at the group’s May meeting.

DFA (Dairy Farmers of America) Innovation Center, Located in Springfield, welcomed the group to learn about how they invent products that encourage dairy consumption, such as Taco Bell’s Cheezy Gordita Crunch.

Andy Thomas, horticulturalist and agroforestry specialist with the University of Missouri, spoke to the Women in Dairy group at the Southwest Research Center near Mt. Vernon about the advantages of elderberries, a crop that takes up small acreage and can supplement operations at a dairy farm

“We do discuss employee management, but boy-bashing just isn’t productive.”

Around 12 to 15 women attend these gatherings regularly, a group that varies depending on where they meet. When gatherings take place on the west or south central regions, the faces change. At the May gathering, a few ladies came from as far away as Conway and Philipsburg.

At times even Bluel is surprised at benefits from the gathering. Getting to know participants, helps me better serve their farm.

“My surprise has been, as an Extension agent, how close I’ve gotten to them,” Bluel said. “I’ve learned more ways I can help. Being better able to serve each individual farm has been huge.”

The feeling has been mutual among group members.

“This has been a really beneficial thing to do,” said Marilyn Calvin, a group regular who dairy’s northwest of Mt. Vernon. “You get to know more people. You can feel really isolated out on the farm. This has been a really good experience.”

Bluel went even further. “This has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my job,” she said. n

Newly organized board seeks to bring the Barry County Fair back to its former days of glory

Barry County Fair is scheduled for Saturday, June 24, at the Circle M Cattle Barn located at 11969 Highway 37 in Butterfield

Fair schedule

7 to 8 a.m.

Check in and weigh in

8:30 a.m.

Hogs start

A New Beginning

In its earlier days, the Barry County Fair was a major event for those living in the area. The first one was held on the week of Oct. 9, 1908 and was “one of the most successful county fairs ever held in Southwest Missouri,” according to an article that appeared in the Oct. 17, 1908 edition of the Cassville Democrat. The article went on to further describe the events of the fair, which included horse, mule and foot races, a ladies riding contest, and competitions for the best in produce, horticulture, canned goods, pies, farm animals, quilting, embroidery, and more. The fair was equally successful

in the following year with “thousands of people” attending it, according to an article that appeared in the Cassville Republican on Oct. 21, 1909.

However, around 2000, interest in the fair began to dwindle, and so, it went from being a multi-day occasion to being held on a single day each year. Jimmy Hinson, an agriculture instructor at Cassville High School, said he remembers when the change took place.

“I think they thought they could fit everything in one day, and the fair had lost some size and numbers of exhibitors,” Jimmy said. “It wasn’t thriving as much as it used to.”

9 a.m.

Rabbits start

10 a.m.

Sheep start, broilers and fowl start

10:30 a.m.

Goats start

11 a.m.

Beef cattle start

12 p.m.

Dairy cattle start, dairy goats follow dairy cattle

2:30 p.m.

Thank you dinner

3:30 p.m.

Live market auction

In more recent years, the Barry County Fair has largely been an event where youth show livestock. However, a newly organized fair board hopes to restore the fair to its former glory by once again making it a multi-day, family-friendly affair, while at the same time giving those who lack exposure to farming a chance to see what agriculture is really all about.

“It’s been (16) years since it’s been anything but livestock,” said board member Tracy Hudson, “and we’re trying to get it back … to (being) a family event, so people of the community, and their kids especially, get to come and see that this is what agricultural looks like. It’s not just seeing a tractor go down the road or seeing the corn out on the field.”

One of the biggest obstacles to the fair’s growth, said Tracy, is the fact that it doesn’t have a permanent location. The

fair has been held in a variety of locations over the years, including the Gizmo Event Center in Wheaton, Stumpff’s Family Event Center in Cassville, and other locations.

“We need to find someone who sees the vision that we have and maybe is willing to give us a permanent lease for 50 or 100 years,” Hudson said, “or someone who’s going to donate 10 acres for us to have a permanent location in Barry County that’s accessible and easy to get to.”

This year, the fair will be in the Circle M Cattle Company Barn, as it was last year. While carnival rides and other major fair attractions may not be an option right now, Board member Robert Gray said that the board has added some new features onto the fair this year. For example, there will be a raffle and a silent auction, both with prizes donated by local business.

Learn more about the Barry County Fair on Facebook

The members of the newly organized Barry County Fair Board include Deanna Royer, Kaitlyn Branson, Jimmy Hinson, Lewis Royer, Clay Blankenship, Chris Kilts, Tracy Hudson and Rob Gray

One of the biggest obstacles to the fair’s growth is the fact that it doesn’t have a permanent location.

“A bunch of the sponsors and local businesses have given us different items that will be raffled off,” he said. “And some (prizes) will be (in the) silent auction. Tim’s Fly Shop gave us a real nice trout or crappie fishing pole to raffle, and Roaring River Resorts is giving us a two night stay at their new location.”

Hudson said there will also be food trucks this year, and a “Thank you” dinner will also be held as a show of gratitude to the fair’s sponsors and those who come to bid at the live market auction, which will be the fair’s last event.

Hudson also added the fair can not only give young people an activity they can succeed in, it can also help bring families closer together.

“I think it’s going to allow a lot of youth to be able to do something that they find a new love and passion in and give them a platform to show that,” she said, “and I think that’s exciting. I think it’s exciting to have that platform for the whole family to be able to participate.”

The Barry County Fair will be held on Saturday, June 24 at the Circle M Cattle Barn located at 11969 Highway 37 in Butterfield, about a half-mile north of Georges. For more information about the fair, go online to www. barrycountymofair.com or visit their Facebook page. n

two free events

Party in Monett

First State Bank of Purdy is bringing Monett’s biggest summer block party back for two shows this year.

First on Front concerts, featuring music, food and family-friendly fun will return Friday, June 2, and Friday, July 7, at the Glen and Sharon Garret Downtown park on Front Street in Monett.

Event organizer Amanda Lee, of First State Bank of Purdy said this year’s events have an exciting lineup of new and returning musicians slated to perform.

First on Front fans will likely remember past performances from Route 3, the Mark Chapman Band and Jake Stringer & Better than Nothin’, who

will all be making appearances in Monett this year. And area music fans will likely know of the new featured acts, the Jessica Horn Band, the Clayton Ray Trio and Members Only, who will all be making their first First on Front appearance this year.

Local favorite the Mark Chapman Band will be headlining the first First on Front concert of 2023, taking the stage at 8:15 p.m. Friday, June 2.

Route 3 will be returning to the First on Front Street at 7 p.m. Friday, June 2.

The Clayton Ray Trio will make its first First on Front appearance at 6 p.m. Friday, June 2.

June’s First on Front will feature the Clayton Ray Trio taking the stage at 6 p.m., followed by Route 3 at 7 p.m. and the Mark Chapman Band at 8:15 p.m.

Lee said Route 3 is returning this year with a longer set from its previous performance and Mark Chapman Band will be headlining the show for the first time.

For the July show the Jessica Horn Band will begin performing at 6 p.m., followed by Jake Stringer at 7 p.m. and Members Only at 8:15 p.m.

Lee said Jake Stringer hails from Marionville, Members Only comes from the Springfield area and the Jessica Horn Band is coming from the north-west Arkansas area.

“We’re showcasing local music and local talent, because we believe that local is where everything happens,” Amanda said. “That was the whole idea behind First on Front, to showcase our community.”

In addition to the live music the event has lined up, First on Front organizers partner with a number of other agencies who make an appearance at First on Front.

Lee said the Monett Police and Fire departments will be on hand to show off some of their equipment and mingle with residents, as well as Cox Monett Hospital representatives.

She also said residents can expect to eat well at this year’s events, as more than a dozen food trucks have committed to attend.

First on Front will also have a beer garden for residents ages 21 and older. The beer garden is staffed by bartenders from Angus Branch.

The City of Monett also plans to have the downtown park playground and splash pad open for younger event-goers.

Also, new this year, Amanda said a 360-degree camera will be available for residents and visitors, giving them an opportunity to take unique selfies that will show all the happenings around them.

First on Front began in 2018 with three summer shows, the first Friday of each month. In 2020, First on Front was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The summer block party returned in 2021 and 2022 with one show during the summer.

Headliner for First on Front, July 7, is Members Only, beginning its performance at 8:15 p.m.

First State Bank of Purdy volunteers Shelby McCaffrey and Angi Vanderbol at last year’s event.

Two Free Events First on Front

June 2 & July 7

Amanda said First State Bank of Purdy saw so much success with last year’s event, that they’re testing the waters this year by adding another concert.

“We have data from last year that shows we had 4,000 unique visitors. That doesn’t mean there were 4,000 people downtown all night, we saw that the average visitor stayed for 125 minutes,” she said.

The data also indicates that approximately 59 percent of the attendees at last year’s concert were Monett residents, with the remaining 41 percent traveling from out of town.

“It’s such a magical event,” Amanda said. “It’s that perfect summer night when you create those core memories with your friends and family. There are a limited number of picnic tables, so we encourage people to bring their own picnic planets or lawn chairs.”

First on Front is staffed entirely by volunteers, First State Bank of Purdy employees, and boasts a professional quality concert thanks to Doyle Richter of Creative Sound and Music, who produces the event, beginning with set-up that begins as early as 8 a.m. the morning of the concert.

“He just does an unmatched job,” Lee said. “It’s music festival quality. And it’s free.”

“We want people to come out and support the event,” she said. “It’s our thank you to the community. The intent was always to create a community that has economic impact and First on Front is our time for the town to show off and show visitors what a unique community we have while they enjoy these fun family moments.”

by Lexie Buchman

Finding Balance in Your Diet

What is a balanced diet?

A balanced diet means incorporating a variety of essential nutrients that includes carbohydrates, fiber, fats, protein, vitamins, and minerals through consuming foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and dairy. How we fuel our bodies during the day determines how we feel.

A balanced diet is beneficial to our bodies and aids in preventing malnutrition and chronic disease. There is a wide variety of processed foods that are available in the United States that are quick, convenient, and easily accessible every day that contribute to obesity and steer away from a balanced diet.

Because of this, individuals are consuming food that has high contents of calories, fat, sugar, and sodium, also known as the “Western Diet”. The Western Diet has led many individuals to choose processed, fast food over whole foods resulting in a lack of essential nutrients.

Diabetes MyPlate

The American Diabetes Association developed a tool to help you visualize and portion your meals:

Diabetes MyPlate. Despite the name, this tool is recommended for all people, regardless of whether you have a diagnosis of diabetes.

The Diabetes MyPlate consists of ½ plate of non-starchy vegetables, ¼ plate of carbohydrates, and ¼ plate of protein. This tool can assist you in making sure you are on the right track to eating a balanced meal.

Examples of Balanced Meals

Breakfast:

• Breakfast Burrito Bowls: Throw together leftover meat, eggs, vegetables, and avocado or sub quinoa for vegetarian

• Yogurt parfait with berries and nuts

Lunch:

• Chicken tacos with avocado salsa and cucumber slices

Learn more at DiabetesFoodHub.org

Fluid Intake

Drinking enough water daily is crucial to our health. The CDC defines water intake as “the amount of water consumed from foods, plain drinking water, and other beverages.”

Water keeps our bodies at a temperature that is considered normal and takes away any waste left in the body through excretion, perspiration, and bowel movements.

• Hummus and grilled veggie wrap: Cook zucchini on the grill or in a grill pan until tender and layer it with raw peppers, spinach, store-bought hummus and herbs

Dinner:

• Salmon with green beans and rice

• Veggie flatbread: Sauté veggies and add on top of whole wheat pita. Top with mozzarella and tomato slices and bake in oven until cheese melts.

Lexie Buchman is a dietetic intern with Cox College. She is passionate about helping others improve their quality of life through food and nutrition.

Now iN MoNett aNd Cassville!!!

417-665-1522 Cassville 417-354-8633 MoNett

RANDALL, MASRI, AND RANDALL P.C.

We have a solid reputation as effective legal practitioners and possess a depth of experience, serving Monett and surrounding area with 70 years of combined experience in the law business.

The only home-owned Title and closing Agency in Monett

Jim Randall, member of Randall, Masri & Randall, PC law firm and title agency, was a scheduled instructor in a nationally broadcast continuing education seminar for attorneys, title companies, lenders, realtors and other real estate professionals conducted by National Business Institute, a nationwide seminar production company. The online seminar was conducted on August 11.

There is no recommended amount of water one should drink per day, but it is useful to know approximately how much you are drinking per day. Urine color can be an easy gauge for hydration status.

Variety

It is vital to remember that you can still consume your favorite foods while following a balanced diet—in moderation.

Many believe that they must completely restrict themselves from a type of nutrient or food when “dieting” to be healthy and lose weight, but that is not the case.

Although a balanced diet may not always lead to weight loss, the nutrients being consumed are working to keep you and your body healthy and nourished. Our bodies need these nutrients to work effectively.

Not consuming a balanced diet can cause decreased performance, fatigue, and even diseases such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, cardiovascular disease, obesity, and malnutrition. n

468 HwY 76 601 s. KYler street Cassville, Mo. MoNett, Mo.

Gwen Campbell

The Artist’s Way

At a young age, a child might show particular interest in a sport, telling stories, singing, or more. For local artist Gwen Campbell, a love of art that began when she was a child has turned into a lifelong passion.

Campbell has loved art for as long as she could remember. “On my fourth birthday, my dad gifted me with an easel he’d made for me,” Campbell said. “I have always loved drawing and painting, anything artistic.”

This love of art has carried over decades and led Campbell on many adventures across North America. Now residing in Monett, Campbell continues to paint and brighten the world with her art.

For 37 years, Campbell lived in

Story by Annie Lisenby Smith

northwest New Mexico, her earlier years spent on a Navajo Reservation. “At that time, I added to the family budget by painting at home, mostly decorative painting, which I love doing, and sold through retail locations, such as furniture and home décor stores,” Campbell said.

Gwen Campbell at work on one of her very popular pet portraits.

In the late-1970s, Campbell became the sole provider to her son and daughter. By that time, she’d already relocated to Farmington, New Mexico. There she bought The Cottage, “an established art materials store and gallery.” At the gallery, Campbell held art seminars and taught many classes while also running the store and gallery.

Her experiences at The Cottage allowed Campbell to interact with talented, nationally successful and wellknown artists. “One of them who had been brought in for seminars by the previous store owner was Bob Tommey of Carthage, Missouri,” Campbell explained. “He was an excellent instructor and taught how to mix paint from just five tubes to achieve a palette of

12 colors that could then be used to tone down intensity, and could easily be learned to avoid all the guesswork in mixing. I actually still teach that method, and do not accept new students unless they take that basic class, or have studied with Bob himself.”

By 1987, Campbell was ready to embark on a truly artistic adventure. “I sold the store, bought an RV, and started following horse and dog shows doing commissions of animals,” Campbell said. “For two years I did this, traveling from Mexico to Canada and earning our living in this manner. When my youngest, Laura, graduated high school and was ready to start college, I realized that we needed a more steady income rather than the fluctuations of that life,

so I applied and was hired by one of the distributors I had previously bought from at The Cottage.”

Settling down, Campbell worked for the two largest distributors in the country. This opened up more opportunities to demonstrate art techniques using these products. This new venture also allowed Campbell to travel to many countries and “to work with the finest art materials available, and the company I had always had the dream of being associated with.”

Campbell added, “It isn’t often that one gets to have their career ambition realized, and I was greatly blessed, as I have been all my life.”

Campbell’s painting found at The Kentucky Derby Museum Gift Store.

“It isn’t often that one gets to have their career ambition realized, and I was greatly blessed, as I have been all my life.”

Art has played a major role in Campbell’s life. It’s allowed her to support herself and her family financially while doing something she absolutely loves. “From time to time during these days, I have worked at improving my skills by attending seminars given by many artists whose work I admired,” Campbell said. “Some of these are Daniel Greene, Bob Tommey, Larry DeGraff, Leona Turner, Xiang Zhang, Larry Clingman, and Steve Napper.”

With all this creativity must come inspiration. Campbell points to a series of paintings she’d completed for her church, First United Methodist Church Monett, as a source of inspiration. “I have painted The Baptism of Jesus with Him coming up out of the water,” Campbell said. “It is my favorite of the church paintings.

“Also, my family has always been influenced by having good art around, seeing art in museums and other activities involving art subjects,” Campbell continued. “My daughter, Laura Still is the Elementary Art Teacher at the Pierce City school, and her two daughters, Alex and Katie, are very accomplished in a variety of genres and mediums. Katie minored in art at MSU, as her mother had done at NAU in Arizona. My mother, grandmother, and cousins were gifted artists as well.”

With so many paintings she’s created, Campbell has several favorite pieces. “The main one was an Arabian stallion, and another which was commissioned by the San Juan County Museum, in Aztec, NM,” Campbell said. “It was well received, and up to that time, at 4’ X 6’ the largest painting I had done. A few years later, the rights to a limited product with images from that painting were picked up by The Kentucky Derby Museum Gift Store, which was both lucrative and a big thrill for me.”

Campbell continues to teach, accept commisions and paint

Contact Campbell: 417-393-0840 or 417-235-4262

Campbell recognizes that she couldn’t have done all this work alone. “I have always had support from The Lord above, my family, friends, and the multitudes of students over the years.”

Creating art hasn’t been Campbell’s only role in the artistic community. She’s also passed on her skills to others. “I have taught since 1967 to the present, and enjoyed it immensely,” Campbell said. “For years I did not take children, but since I moved to Missouri in 2005, I have taught a number of bright and motivated home-school kids, one of whom is a true prodigy, and I love working with them and their parents.”

Currently, Campbell continues to paint and teach. “I love to teach and am planning on resuming decorative painting lessons in the fall, also on a limited basis. I will turn 86 this summer and do not teach as many lessons as before, so if anyone out there is interested, the sand is running out, so get busy and get on a list.”

For anyone wanting to see more of Campbell’s art, she has paintings on display at First United Methodist Church Monett, at her home gallery (shown by appointment only), and at Pitiful to Posh, booth #68 in Monett. To contact her for lessons, commissions, or paintings, call 417-393-0840 or 417-235-4262.

The Roman poet Horace said, “A picture is a poem without words.” With her training and skill, Campbell is bringing much poetry without words into our community. n

“I love to teach”

by Meagan Ruffing

Hello June! Hello Hot Weather.

Welcome to June, my friends… where today is hot and tomorrow will be hotter.

I grew up in Massachusetts where we have four distinct seasons: spring, summer, fall, and winter.

Since moving to Arkansas, I’ve learned that hot and cold are the two seasons and Arkansans flow back and forth between the two. Because of this weather, I have learned how to adapt to summers with my children by coming up with fun ways to beat the heat. We have some “musts” that we look forward to this time of year and hope they will help you and your family stay somewhat cool this month.

1. Swimming is always up there with things we do this month. We have a neighborhood pool and so we try to go at least once a day to help break up the stickiness of the heatwave. If you don’t have a neighborhood pool, check out the times for your community pool or a nearby splash pad.

2.

Icee Pops are a childhood staple if you ask me. They’re around $5 for a huge box of them and they are the perfect summer treat for you and your kids! Be sure to keep your freezer stocked so you’ll

have it ready to help everyone stay cool.

3.

Water balloon fights are a fun and easy way to cool off. The Dollar Store always has a good selection and they’re easy to pick up for a last-minute go-to activity. Your kids will think you’re the coolest mom and who knows, you might even crack a smile when you decide to join in on the fun and throw a balloon at one of your kids.

4.Hook the sprinkler up in the front yard, back yard, or underneath the trampoline. Tell your kids to throw their bathing suits on and let them have fun running back and forth through the water. I usually crack open a book and sit on the back patio while the kids are squealing from trying to dodge the water. Every time I see my daughter laughing as she runs through the sprinkler, I swear it’s me as a child.

5. Stay inside with the air conditioner on and watch a movie. Some of my favorite summer days have been closing the house, turning the lights off, turning the A/C up, and grabbing a couple of lightweight blankets to cuddle up with on the couch. If you don’t feel

like staying home but still want to watch a movie, take a trip to the movie theater and treat everyone to a day out.

6. Head to a jump park. The closest one out here is probably Defy in Rogers, Arkansas. Google ‘indoor jump parks’ and see what comes up for you. This is a fun idea for the days when it’s too hot to be outside, but your kids need to get some energy out. Trampoline parks are a great way for kids to stay cool while getting some exercise in. Bonus tip: bring a good book for yourself and grab a seat on one of the couches while your little ones jump for hours.

7. Grab an iced coffee from your favorite coffee place, grab the kids a couple of fresh lemonades and head to town for some summer shopping. This is one of my favorite things to do with my girls, even if we don’t buy anything. Sometimes it’s fun just to get out and feel fancy with an iced coffee on a hot day.

Meagan Ruffing is a parenting journalist and mental health therapist living in northwest Arkansas. She is looking forward to hanging out with her kids this summer and trying some new things.

8. Head to the beach! If you’re lucky enough to have a vacation planned, I hope it’s to a sandy spot with beautiful waves and a good book. My kids love looking for seashells and building sandcastles. The beach is the epitome of enjoying the summer for me. There’s no place I’d rather be when it’s hot, than laying on my chair, eyes closed, soaking up the sunshine.

9. If you have littles and want to keep things super simple, grab a kiddie pool from Walmart and enjoy some splash time in your backyard. Add an extra layer of fun and blow bubbles while your little one giggles at trying to pop the bubbles that float their way.

10. Visit your local library and join their summer reading program. This is a fun way to keep your kids (and you) engaged in reading. That “summer slide” that teachers talk about is real and this has helped me keep my kids at their targeted reading level. It’s been fun to see what kinds of books my kids pick out and we almost aways end up getting ice cream while we’re downtown.

I hope you enjoy your summer no matter how hot it gets. Try these 10 tips the next time you find yourself wondering what you’re going to do with your kids for the day. I promise you’ll make memories along the way. n

Timeless Milestones Captured

at Dry Valley Methodist Church

Alocal church congregation will meet for the final time this month. The members of the Dry Valley United Methodist Church will gather at their church building on Sunday, June 25 for their last church service. Due to its diminishing congregation, the church is being disbanded, almost 200 years after it was established.

chair and longtime church member. “And then they built a schoolhouse, and they had services in the schoolhouse for a while, and then they built the first church.”

The church’s time capsule has sat behind this cornerstone since 1986. The time capsule will be opened when the church meets for the final time on June 25.

Dry Valley Church was established by the Rev. Benjamin Woods Sr., a Methodist circuit rider, or traveling pastor, who settled in Lawrence County with his family and a few other families from St. Clair County in Illinois.

“He held the services up in his house in 1836,” said Clara Nichols, Dry Valley’s secretary, treasurer, PTR

Story by Steve Chapman

According to an article by Kaylea Hutson that appeared in the Feb. 8, 2001 edition of The Sarcoxie Record, the church met in Woods’s home until 1856, when the Dry Valley School building was completed, at which time the congregation began having services there. Then, in 1876, a new school house was built, which served as the church’s meeting place until 1894, when a church building was built on land donated by Harris Woods. That building would stand until 1956, when an accidental fire burned it down.

Clara said that the church’s then young people were painting the building, and it is believed that the fire started when direct sunlight caused some of their paint to ignite.

“The youth were painting on the inside,” she said, “and they had the old paint, and they had paint thinner and things. And when they got done for the day, they set it all in the vestibule, and they felt like that the sun hit it and set it on fire.”

With their church building gone, the congregation returned to holding services in the school while the present church building was constructed.

“My father-in-law and his brotherin-law made a basement,” Clara said, “and we had the church in the basement from 1957 to 1960. In 1960, we built the top part and started having church in the top part.”

Twenty-six years later, the church celebrated their 150th anniversary with a reunion. As part of the celebration, the church members opened a time capsule placed inside the church’s outer wall in 1960, and the Rev. George Wade dressed up like a circuit rider from the church’s earlier days.

For the church’s final service, Clara said, the congregation will meet to worship that morning. Afterwards, they will gather for a meal in the church basement and the church’s present time capsule, which was placed after the original time capsule was opened in 1986, will be taken out and opened for viewing.

Following the church’s final service, Clara said, she will deed the church building to the United Methodist Conference in Joplin, what happens to it after that will depend on who buys it.

The Dry Valley Methodist Church is located at 17560 Lawrence 1010 in Wentworth. For those interested in attending the final service, worship is at 10:30 a.m.; the meal and opening of the time capsule follow at 11:30 a.m. n

Members of Dry Valley Church pose in front of the old church building in this 1936 photo.

Attendees of the Dry Valley Church reunion pose for a photograph as they celebrate the church’s 150th anniversary on June 28 and 29, 1986. Picture first appeared in the July 10, 1986 edition of the Pierce City Leader-Journal.

The Rev. George Wade dressed up as a Methodist circuit rider during the church’s 150th anniversary celebration. Picture first appeared in the July 10, 1986 edition of the Pierce City Leader-Journal.

Previously in Keeping Secrets, 15-year-old Paige and her mom Alice, a spy, are sent on an overnight adventure rescuing Paige’s dad from Alice’s rogue boss, Piper. Having been kidnapped with Paige’s crush Brayden and drugged unconscious the trio has awoken on an airplane with Sebastian Miranda, international criminal. He doesn’t realize the computer files he’s seeking are hidden in a necklace Paige wears when upon landing, he welcomes them to his home.

Keeping Secrets part eleven

By Annie Lisenby Smith

“Mom!” Paige screams. “Duck!”

With a quick look over her shoulder, Alice sees Piper too. She instinctively pulls Paige and Brayden toward the ground by palming the backs of their heads. It’s like what Paige has seen secret service agents do in movies. Paige barely keeps her feet underneath her.

A squeal proceeds a loud pop. A man who had been kissing a woman with long, raven-colored hair crumples, falling to the ground at the woman’s feet. A thick needle sticks out from his shoulder, just like the ones shot into Paige and her mom before they were kidnapped.

“Keep running,” Alice orders pulling Paige down the sidewalk as a cluster of people surround the unconscious man. They block Sebastian’s path.

“What happened?” Paige asks.

“Piper and those stupid stiletto heels,” Alice smiles and sucks in another breath. “She tripped on a crack. Her shot went wild. Keep running.”

“Where are we going?” Brayden asks as the trio presses past a group of people waiting to get into a packed restaurant.

“Just keep running until we lose them,” Alice answers. Brayden’s grip tightens on Paige’s fingers. He’s gotten a few steps ahead so that he’s even with Alice and they’re dragging Paige along. It feels a little like when she was little and her parents would hold her hands and swing her until her feet flew into the air. The memory hits Paige hard. She has no idea if she’ll ever see her dad again. At least he was safe. Tech Guy Tom had him. Dad was safe. She repeated the three words in her mind as she pushed her legs harder and her sneaker-clad feet raced down a Puerto Rican sidewalk.

Paige is beginning to wonder if they’ll ever stop running when her mom says, “Here. Come in here.” They duck into

a tiny ice cream shop where a Latin woman with a kind smile greets them with a wave.

“Hola,” the woman says. “Ice cream. Homemade.” She waves her hand over the ice cream case like she’s displaying a wonderful prize on a game show.

“Thank you,” Alice replies. “Look at the ice cream, kids. Let’s catch our breath and make a plan.”

“Are they still following us?” Paige asks with a glance at the door as a woman comes in leading a line of children in matching T-shirts.

“We’re safe for now,” Alice replies. “We lost them. Do you still have the flash drive?”

With her hand finding the Lego brick necklace hanging on a chain around her neck, Paige nods.

“Good,” Alice smiles. “Now we need to find somewhere to send a message.”

“We passed a bunch of cell phone stores,” Brayden says. He still holds Paige’s hand, and Paige is totally okay with that. She likes the reminder that he’s with her. If he’s with her, he’s safe. And she likes holding the hand of the boy she’s been crushing on for over a year too.

“No, no cell phones.” Alice takes a breath. “We don’t have any money. We need a safe location. A government office or something like that. There’s a shared network. If I can log in, I can send a secured message.”

“Where can we find that?” Paige asks.

“I don’t know,” Alice says shaking her head. “I need a moment to think.”

“What about an Army base?” Brayden asks.

“Yes,” Alice perks up. “That would be great. Perfect actually.”

“Senora,” Brayden waves at the woman. “Hables inglés?”

“Sí, yes,” the woman smiles.

“Great,” Brayden leans across the glass case. “Where is Fort Buchanan from here?”

“From here?” The woman frowns. “Far. Five miles, más o menos. You need taxi.”

“Fort Buchanan? That’s brilliant,” Alice says.

“Thanks,” Brayden’s color rises in his cheeks. “My dad was stationed there before I was born.”

“But I don’t have my credentials,” Alice’s shoulders drop.

“You go to other fort,” the woman points to a collage of posters stacked upon posters on an old cork board hung behind them.

Alice steps closer pulling Paige and Brayden with her. “A fort. A national park. That might work.”

Paige reads the header of the poster. Castillo San Felipe del Morro. San Juan National Historic Site. Open daily.

“Yep, that might work,” Alice repeats.

“A la derecha,” the woman points toward the right. “Not too far. Very nice.”

“Gracias!” Brayden yells over his shoulder as Alice pulls them back out to the sidewalk.

As her feet pound, a drip of sweat trails down Paige’s face. With her hands still in Alice’s and Brayden’s she can’t wipe it away. The ocean breeze is lighter being farther from the beaches and doesn’t cool Paige like before.

People cover the narrow sidewalk slipping in and out of shops which makes running while holding hands nearly impossible. But they all stay connected as they weave and dodge ambling families and ogling tourists.

Following directional signs posted for the fort, the trio breaks free of the tightly built buildings onto a stone plaza with a long flight of descending stairs. Across the street at the bottom is a wide grassy lawn leading to the 500-year-old Spanish fort positioned on the cliffside. Sun glitters off the ocean, waves dotted with thin whitecaps.

“We’re going to be in the open,” Alice says pulling her hair down from its ponytail, “so act like a tourist.”

Paige and Brayden’s gazes find each other. They smile, and Paige enjoys that, sweaty as her palms are in the San Juan heat, Brayden hasn’t let go of her hand. They follow Alice down the stairs where they squeeze between vendors selling kites and bottles of water. Paige’s mouth tingles at the sight of cold bottles sweating in the heat.

“Excuse me,” Alice says as she bumps into a sunglasses stand. Paige gapes when five steps later Alice drops a pair of dark sunglasses over her eyes. “Mom,” Paige says, “did you steal that?”

“No,” Alice replies, “I’ll return them later. I need to blend in better.”

Crossing the street, they find themselves in a large grassy area covered with people flying kites of all colors in the strong Ca-

ribbean winds. Alice’s gaze keeps flicking side to side, and Paige can’t ignore the tension in her mother’s shoulders.

“Wait here against the wall,” Alice says leaning against a tall wall near the entrance to the fort. Joining her Paige melts against the cool stone. Shaded, the stones have stayed cool in the summer heat.

“Aren’t we going in?” Brayden asks nodding to a man taking tickets.

“The office is inside the fort, right there next to the gift shop,” Alice says. “We need to get inside, but without money, we’re going to have to get creative.”

People bustle around there. Parents chasing children, seniors in cozy shoes taking pictures, grumpy teens with their faces glued to their phones. A girl with blue-streaked hair whines to her dad as they pass Paige. It makes Paige ache to see her dad again. Has it really been less than 24 hours since she’d clipped a quick “bye” when he’d dropped her off for marching band practice?

A man’s voice catches Paige’s attention. A tall man with a booming voice leads a group of tourists all in a cluster. He speaks into a portable microphone, the speaker bouncing against his hip with each step. His guttural sounds and heavy words are obviously German.

“Mom,” Paige nods at the group. Alice studies them, lifting her sunglasses. With a smile, Paige knows her mom is in on the plan.

With the gawking German tourists passing in front of them, Alice, Paige, and Brayden push off the wall and merge into their gaggle. The Germans are so busy taking photos and pointing at guidebooks, that they don’t notice their new friends. Staying in the middle of the pack, Alice, Paige, and Brayden are waved through the ticket line designated for tour groups as a park ranger clicks a people counter in his palm. The only difficulty is when the ranger stops three people at the end of the line. He holds up his clicker and argues with the tour guide.

Alice uses the distraction to pull Paige and Brayden from the group and into the gift shop. A small fan on the top of a shelf oscillates but merely stirs the hot air without pro viding any relief. Pretend ing to look at a stand full of postcards and novelty pens by the door, Alice keeps her eyes on the office door. When a ranger steps out of the office, she darts in and sticks a pen in the crack to keep the door from closing.

Seeing her mom wave her over, Paige drops the fake pirate’s treasure map she’d been pretending to peruse. She and Brayden scurry to Alice and slip in the office door behind her.

The office is dark, heavy curtains covering the windows. Mixed with the sound of tourists outside is the puff and hiss of a window air conditioner. Blinking, Paige wills her eyes to adjust to the lack of light. Alice has quickly found a computer on a desk.

“Need any help? I’m pretty good with computers,” Brayden offers moving to look over Alice’s shoulder at the glowing screen.

“It was left unlocked,” Alice smiles. “I just need to see if I can access the secure system from here. Tom showed me how to do it once, but that was two years ago.”

“It might be in the folder options to show hidden folders,” Brayden leans closer, squinting at the screen.

“Can I do anything?” Paige asks feeling helpless.

“Keep lookout,” Alice replies without looking up from the screen. “Lock the door and don’t let anyone in.”

After turning the deadbolt, Paige pulls back the edge of the curtain covering a window next to the door. As Alice and Brayden talk in hushed tones behind her, Paige studies the people outside.

“No, it’s got to be this folder,” Alice says with rising frustration.

“But if you’re wrong, you’re going to sever the internet connection,” Brayden’s shoulders droop.

Alice sighs looking between Paige and Brayden. Taking her eyes off the window, Paige watches her mom think. Alice runs her hands through her hair and shakes her head. “We have to try,” she says reaching for the computer and typing in a quick command. Everyone holds their breath.

“We’re in! Yes!” Alice high-fives Brayden then attacks the keyboard, typing faster than before.

A commotion outside captures Paige’s attention. “Mom, we’ve got trouble.”

Just a few feet beyond the window Paige watches a blonde woman limp up to one of the rangers and berate him while flashing her ID.

“Give me a second. I hit a wall,” Alice whispers. “Brayden can you see what this is?”

As Brayden and Alice click and type, Paige keeps her eyes on Piper Glenn. Her hair is limp and her cheeks reddened by the heat. She’s yelling above all the other noises making passersby stop to watch her meltdown.

“I know they’re here. They have to be here. We tracked them here,” Piper yells at the ranger.

“Mom? Should we get out of here?”

“That’s our only exit, sweetheart,” Alice says. “I’m almost through. Give me one more minute.”

Piper’s voice rises. “Mom?” Paige asks.

“One more minute,” Alice says through clenched teeth.

A key jingles in the deadbolt lock. “Mom!” Paige steps back leaning against the window.

“Ten more seconds,” Alice replies.

Blasting sunlight invades the office when a ranger opens the door and ushers Piper inside. Paige can’t hold in her squeal of surprise. When Piper’s eyes land on hers Paige can tell that Piper has won. The game is over.

Or is it?

With a hard yank on the curtain, it breaks free from its rod. Paige lunges at Piper and throws the thick fabric over her. Piper shrieks as she fights the invasion. In the scuffle, the ranger races outside yelling something in Spanish.

Paige grabs for Piper, their arms tangling with the curtain in their struggle.

“Paige! No!” Alice screams grabbing for Paige and pulling her behind the desk with Brayden.

When Piper tosses the curtain off her head and levels her eyes on Alice, Paige knows it’s over. They lost.

“Now! I have had enough of this ridiculousness,” Piper limps closer to Alice. “You’re coming with me.” Piper pulls her gun from her waistband and aims it at Alice’s heart. “All of you. Let’s go.”

The three fall in line. As they follow Piper’s directions and walk single file through the fort, Piper doesn’t hide her gun from the public. Squeals, gasps, and racing feet retreat behind them back toward the entrance.

She leads them through a walkway to an outdoor area and up a ramp to where they are at a high point overlooking the sea. Piper orders them to stop as she pulls her phone from her pants pocket and taps the screen. Paige recognizes that holding hands with Brayden from a point where they can see miles across the open ocean might have been romantic under different circumstances. But with Piper’s gun trained on them and Alice, the magic is lost.

“There,” Piper nods. “My chariot is on its way. Sebastian is coming for me. And we’re going to fly off into the sunset. Finally.”

A small helicopter flies down the coastline straight for the fort.

“Only one last thing to clean up,” Piper smirks. “I’m going to need you to climb up on the ledge.”

Paige’s heart skips a beat. The thick stone ledge is at least four feet tall and keeps visitors from plunging 30 feet to a walkway below on the fort’s lower level.

“Move!” Piper screams. All control has disappeared as the helicopter comes closer. “Climb up. You can jump or I can push you. Doesn’t matter. I just need all of you gone.”

Story continued on page 41

1. Sabina Chapman, Becky Golubski, Julie Garner and Kathleen Farrelly

2. Kristi Chapman and Sheila Drewianka

3. Laura and Jeff Pfeifer

4. Dianna Woods and Mick Hagebusch

5. Carolee Gibson and Lesa Van Pelt

6. Father Matthew Rehrauer

7. Makenna and Jennifer Tudor

8. Cheyenne McDonald and Ray Scott

9. Connie Michael and Leah Thompson

Shop Hop/Bug Bash 2023

GO CAPS 2023 honor chords

KEEPING SECRETS | PART ELEVEN

“Piper, please,” Alice pleads. “Don’t do this to the kids.”

“Move.” One word. And one steely look of death. That’s all it takes to set them in motion.

“It’s time to pay the piper,” Piper laughs.

“That’s a terrible pun,” Paige sneers.

“Paige,” Alice warns. She’s climbed up to crouch on the ledge. “Do what she says.”

“Jump to my death?” Paige huffs, her feet still on the ground. “To support her espionage. I mean, this is espionage, right?”

“Climb up,” Piper groans stepping closer to Paige, her gun trained on Paige’s heart.

The deep flutter of the helicopter’s blade has grown louder than the crash of waves far below. It’s getting closer. Paige keeps her feet rooted on the thick stone tiles.

“Paige, come on,” Brayden urges. His feet dangle over the edge, all color draining from his face.

Following Piper’s quick glance, Paige looks over her shoulder. The helicopter is close enough that the wind from its blade blows her hair so it dances around her shoulders.

Story continued from page 39

“Don’t jump,” Paige tells Brayden and her mom unable to hide the quiver in her voice. Her heart beats against her chest to the thump of the whirling helicopter blade.

Piper steps closer, the tip of her gun touching Paige’s sternum and grazing the Lego brick necklace. The necklace with the hidden USB file drive. Paige gasps.

“Put the gun down,” a voice booms from the helicopter. Seeing the look of shock on Piper’s face, Paige whips her head around and freezes.

The person sitting in the helicopter with a broad smile plastered across his face is definitely not Sebastian Miranda.

Catch up on Keeping Secrets

parts 1-10, before our final chapter premieres next month

(Left to right) Joshua Harvey, Jenna Spencer, Aliyah Edwards, Reese Schultz, Sadie Camp and Alexis Waltrip

Archer is the

of Becky Brown of Monett.

by Christa Stout

Long Haulers Looking for Furever Homes

I visited this month with Annie, ACO at the Aurora Pound. My daughter and I had helped her out one weekend when she had some personal obligations and couldn’t help three starving dogs that had been abandoned outside of the city limits.

Some people had moved and left three beautiful sweet dogs behind without thought of what would happen to them. A kind neighbor notified Annie, fed the poor dogs and kept them confined until we could get them and transport them to Rolla where we met someone from the rescue that was able to take them.

So, my first question for Annie was how did the three dogs do and the news was all good. The rescue named them Peter, Paul and Mary (one of my favorite groups) and they were all adopted, Paul and Mary were adopted together.

When asked how everything is going at the pound, she told me that she had been full for so long, it is hard to remember what it was like when there were only a few dogs at the pound.

She has several dogs that have been there since August of 2022 and she is constantly networking to find adopters or rescues that are able to accept them. Some of the dogs are almost feral because no one has socialized them and with as many dogs as the Aurora Pound has, it is hard to find time to do so.

View available pets for adoption

Reminder:

This year flea and tick season is especially wicked, so treat your dogs with preventive. On the cat side, bobcat fever is causing many cats to fall ill, so please treat them also. I know I don’t need to say this, but just in case … flea and tick treatment is specific to either dogs OR cats and should never be given to the other species.

Annie does what she can with the time that she has, but it takes a lot longer to train when concentrated time isn’t available. The good news is that the city has no restrictions on the length of time a dog can stay at the pound, but in turn, it does prevent doing some owner surrenders who have themselves fallen on hard times due to illness, death or loss of job.

The problem, of course, goes all the way up and down the chain –when there are no fosters, most rescues cannot take any more animals, and the same occurs when there are no more adopters to be found. Annie says she tries very hard (like most ACO’s) to find appropriate adopters to avoid getting an animal back or possibly having the animal come to harm.

And taking animals to a shelter that euthanizes for space is not acceptable. Annie says: “I’m looking for homes for the dogs, not to get rid of dogs.”

Sadie

Deeks

Jade

Diamond

So doing some verification of background and vet references is a must, although, dogs may be adopted by someone who has never had an animal but is willing to educate themselves on animal care and be aware they are doing a 15 year commitment to the pet. Spaying/ neutering and keeping the dogs confined are high priorities. It is sad to see a dog run over and injured because he was allowed to run lose.

Like most ACO’s, Annie gets discouraged periodically when there are more dogs than adopters and no rescues can be found. When asked what she does to overcome these periods, she says that one good adoption turns everything around for her. She says her job is definitely ‘hard on the heart’.

You can tell Annie loves all of her dogs by the way she describes them, here are some of her current long-time residents: Mom and 2 litters of dogs came into the pound and the mom, who she named Rocking Horse because she had a habit of rocking back and forth, was adopted first. Her offspring is still available: JADE loves everything and everyone, while DIAMOND, at 6 months old, is still reluctant to allow humans to be her friends. The two are bonded and love each other and all dogs. The perfect home would allow them to be adopted together by a patient and loving dog owner.

“

It is only through labor and painful effort, by grim energy and resolute courage, that we move on to better things.”

— Theodore Roosevelt

I joined PreventT2, a program proven to prevent or delay type 2 diabetes. The program’s lifestyle coach and the other participants were great. And the CDCapproved curriculum taught me how to lose weight, be more physically active, and reduce stress. My doctor said it’s making a difference. I plan to stay healthy for a long time. You can do it, too—with PreventT2.

For more information, call Bai Xiong at 417-635-4563 or scan the QR code below.