Connection August 2023

YOU’RE WELCOME

AT THE BARRY-LAWRENCE REGIONAL LIBRARY!

ACROSS OUR TWO COUNTIES, NINE BLRL BRANCH LOCATIONS serve thousands of your friends and neighbors each month. If you live in Barry or Lawrence County you are welcome to get your FREE library card and start accessing the vast array of services the BLRL offers.

• Our friendly librarians provide one of the largest collections of books and other materials in Missouri.

• The BLRL provides multiple online resources including media streaming, audio books and e-books.

• Each year, over 60 thousand participants enrich their lives in our amazing Library programs.

• BLRL programs are offered for all ages and areas of interests.

TO GET YOUR FREE LIBRARY CARD visit your local BLRL branch and remember to bring your ID and proof of residence if you have questions call the library. (contact information below)

SATURDAY, AUGUST 26

THE BLRL IS PART OF THIS WORLDWIDE EVENT HELD ON THE MONETT LIBRARY PATIO

10:30 am ... THE DULCIMER GROUP

11:00 am ... MARSHALL MILLER BAND (Folk & Rock- Covers & Originals)

12:00 pm ... RUBY COOK (Southern Gospel- Original Songs)

1:00 pm .... DWANYE SMITH (Ozarks & British Isle Music)

2:00 pm .... SCHUMACHER SISTERS (Pop)

3:00 pm .... MATT BAIRD OF THE BAND SPOKEN ( Rock)

MANY PERFORMERS WILL HAVE MERCHANDISE FOR THEIR FANS! Use The QR CODE and link below to see updates/ info: BLRLIBRARY.COM/POST/PLAY-MUSIC-ON-THE-PORCH-DAY-AUG-26

THE AURORA LIBRARY

Phone: 417-678-2036 · Fax: 417-678-2041

E-Mail: aurora@blrlibrary.org

THE CASSVILLE LIBRARY

Phone: 417-847-2121 · Fax: 417-847-4679

E-Mail: cassville@blrlibrary.org

THE EAGLE ROCK LIBRARY

Phone: 417-271-3186 Fax: 417-444-5109

E-Mail: eaglerocklibrary@blrlibrary.org

THE MARIONVILLE LIBRARY

Phone: 417-463-2675 / Fax: 417-463-2116

E-Mail: marionville@blrlibrary.org

THE MILLER LIBRARY

Phone: 417-423-8528 Fax: 417-423-8582

E-Mail: miller@blrlibrary.org

THE MONETT LIBRARY

Phone: 417-235-7350 · Fax: 417-319-2391

E-Mail: monett@blrlibrary.org

THE MT. VERNON LIBRARY

Phone: 417-466-2921 - Fax: 417-466-2936

E-Mail: mtvernon@blrlibrary.org

THE PIERCE CITY LIBRARY

Phone: 417-476-5110 Fax: 417-408-8810

E-Mail: piercecity@blrlibrary.org

THE SHELL KNOB LIBRARY

Phone: 417-858-3618 Fax: 417-720-2099

E-Mail: shellknob@blrlibrary.org

Just a Little Spoiled W

e have had some very hot days in July and I am not sure what August will bring but usually we are blessed with some very hot days in August as well. I use the word blessed very loosely in the prior description.

One evening recently I arrived home to find that our electricity was out. This happens every now and then, but only for short amounts of time. Neighbors usually text each other to see if it is a neighborhood thing and of course it was. Even though it was still a very hot evening, and I have three full freezers, I was not too worried, expecting it to kick back on soon. So I set upon my nightly duties of taking care of my dogs. After all, when I arrived it was still cool in my house so apparently it had just kicked off.

I let the dogs out, fed them and let them out again. Time continued and the electricity had not made a quick comeback. I sat in my chair and watched outside and saw the electric company service truck drive by. I texted my neighbor and they had told her that they knew where the problem was but were not sure how to fix it. Uh oh.

It was then I figured I better not text or call much as my phone battery was not at a full charge and I might need to use it later. Also I realized that I better find a flashlight and it was getting a bit stuffy in the house. To attempt to make a long story short, it was at that time I realized just how spoiled I am. Probably the majority of us are but I will speak for only me. The electricity finally came back on at approximately 8 p.m. and I was very thankful.

In the midst of that evening, I began to remember my childhood and tried to figure out when we had air conditioning at home.

Oh my goodness, we never had air conditioning. We had box fans everywhere. We had them placed in the windows backwards to pull the hot air out of our house (supposedly).

My mother and I would spend a lot of time sitting on the front porch swing trying to catch a cool breeze. Or we would take a drive, go to the Dairy Queen and have all of the windows down in the car. We didn’t even have air conditioning in the car for quite sometime and when we did, I remember it was one unit installed below the dash in the front. Yes I know, I am old.

I cannot remember air conditioning in the schools. Not to say that we didn’t have it, but if we did it was more towards when I graduated and new buildings were being built. I know we never had it in any of my elementary years.

Air conditioning in the homes was a luxury. The funny thing was that we were not use to having it so cooking still continued even though it would heat up the home more. We would attend church and use the hand fans on a stick. And we would spend a lot of time at the swimming pool or at the creek.

I dare say that the majority of us have become soft. If we had to endure three digit temperatures without air conditioning, we could become ill and we sure do not want to turn that oven on.

It is really kind of fun to think about how things have changed. Today you rarely find a home without air conditioning and swimming pools at homes are fairly common now as well. Schools are air conditioned and students are not sweating in their seats nor are they fighting over who gets to sit by the window even though there is no cool breeze coming through.

Are we spoiled? You bet we are but at the same time I am sure the majority of us are very thankful the way times have changed and for the luxuries that we have now that makes living life more comfortable. Do your best to stay cool!

Owner & Publisher, Connection Magazine

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

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AUGUST 2023

10

10 | AMTRAK ADVENTURE

A trip on the rails holds a certain romance away from the land-travel world of interstates and traffic

14 | END OF SUMMER PLANS

A short drive away holds the keys to making the most of the remaining days of summer in 2023

20 | LOCAL’S FLORIDA RETREAT

Sweet Spot MediSpa in southwest Florida began with the dream of one spa-loving Monettan

26 |

MONETT MIDDLE SCHOOL

The new campus glows with excitement for the 2023-2024 school year

30 | KIRSTIN RACICOT IN ACTION

Racicot makes her way in Hollywood to create successful career

36 | A FOND FAREWELL

Annie Lisenby Smith recounts her favorite stories with Connection Magazine

Chicago Chicago Train Trip to Annie Lisenby Smith’s

The pleasure of traveling by train has nearly been lost to those in the Ozarks because of the distance to train stations. But there is a beauty to rocking to the steady rhythm of a train rolling down the tracks. When I was invited to attend a conference in Chicago recently, a good friend suggested I take the train. It was excellent advice because I didn’t want to drive on the busy Chicago roads searching for places to park. Also, while on the train, I could pull out my laptop and write more on my newest book.

While the Amtrak stations aren’t close, my husband and I found that traveling by train only took a little longer than traveling by car to Chicago. We drove three hours to Jefferson City, Missouri to board our train. Before going, I looked at maps for the route to the train station and was surprised that the station is next to the governor’s mansion. It was a beautiful location surrounded by historical buildings and across the tracks from the Missouri River.

Story and photos by Annie Lisenby Smith

Lake Michigan looking toward Navy Pier.

The Chicago River at twilight.

The Chicago Transit Authority elevated train system known as the “L” winds between tall buildings through downtown Chicago.

When waiting for the train in Jefferson City, there is a small lounge, but most passengers waited standing in the shade of a tall tree next to the tracks. Overhearing other passengers chatting around me, I learned that I could look on the Amtrak website to track my train. When I pulled up the map of trains across the United States and clicked on our train I was shown where it was located, what it’s next stop would be, and if it was running ahead or behind schedule.

Riding the line that crosses Missouri from Kansas City to St. Louis much of the route is along the Missouri River. Sitting on the north side of the car afforded many views of the river and its tributaries. Upon arrival in St. Louis the route travels through downtown where passengers will see notable sights such as Busch Stadium and the St. Louis Arch before crossing the Mississippi River into Illinois.

Once in Illinois, the views are mostly of small towns and corn or soybean fields. But at each stop, passengers are given a sample of small-town Illinois. The tracks also stop in the capitol of Springfield, where if you look at the right time, you’ll see a great view of the capitol building not far up the street from the tracks.

When taking the train to Chicago, the line ends at Chicago’s Union Station. We exited on the north side of the station for an easy walk to our hotel and found ourselves across the street from the Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower). With a long history and memorable Skydeck, this 110-story building that towers over the Chicago skyline is a sight to see from its base.

We arrived in Chicago around 8:30 p.m. and were surprised at how quiet the streets were. This area of Chicago is the business district; so many offices and restaurants had closed for the day. We had an easy walk to our hotel. Once there, we settled into our room on the fifth floor and marveled at the towering buildings surrounding us.

The next morning started our one full day of adventuring with Chicago. And what better place to start an adventure than on the public transit system known as the L, an elevated train network. This historic transit system began operation in 1892. Today, it spans 102 miles of routes.

Much information can be found online about each of the lines. I’d recommend that if you haven’t used the Chicago L before, that you research which lines and stops you’ll need before you go. Tickets can be bought from vending machines at each stop and are for single rides or an all-day pass.

At the end of the day, with my conference finished, my husband and I returned to our hotel. We’d tried to call in an order for a famous Chicago deep-dish pizza twice and were told that we’d have to wait at least an hour. This was not surprising on a weekend. Instead, we rolled the dice and my husband walked a few blocks from our hotel to a pizzeria.

There are no pictures of the delicious deep-dish pizza we shared for two reasons. One, when in transit, the integrity of the pizza crust was jeopardized so that when we opened the box at our hotel, the sauce and cheese poured out the side like a broken levee. Two, after

The train winds through downtown St. Louis providing excellent views of the St. Louis Arch.

Tourists surround the iconic landmark in Chicago; the artistic installation “Cloud Gate” often called “The Bean.”

strategically recovering the escaping pizza bits, we ate it too fast to take a picture.

We were lucky that we were in Chicago in June because the sun set much later in the day. This meant that once our bellies were full, we could walk to see the iconic “Bean” statue. The actual name of this reflective statue in the shape of a coffee bean is “Cloud Gate.” It is open to the public and is situated so that it reflects the Chicago skyline. From the “Bean” we took a 15-minute walk to the shores of Lake Michigan. Our route took us to a marina where many boats were anchored. To the north of us was Navy Pier and to the south was the Adler Planetarium. It was a beautiful night to sit and listen to the water lapping against the shoreline as others meandered up and down the walking and biking trail next to the water.

In a short time, my husband and I were able to see many famous places in Chicago. While it was a fun adventure, it was also a very busy city with many people and many cars. This made boarding our train to return home to the quiet Ozarks much sweeter. Before boarding the train, we waited in Union Station’s Grand Hall. It was full of beautiful architecture and history.

Taking the train to Chicago was the best idea. I’m grateful for the suggestion from a dear friend. We walked many, many steps in the city but were able to sit back and relax for the ride back to Jefferson City. And the Amtrak service was very pleasant. With newer train cars, there was excellent air conditioning and free Wi-fi. The food and snack options available in the snack car were reasonably priced, but we also enjoyed many snacks we’d carried onboard.

Our trip to Chicago was delightful. The only thing that could have made it better was more time to explore the architecture and museums and having more slices of deep-dish pizza.

by Melissa Palabiyik

To Bean or Not to Bean...

Many of us like to start our mornings with a cup of coffee. Coffee is one of the most popular consumed beverages today. Due to its popularity, there are many discussions on whether coffee is a safe beverage to consume and if it is beneficial or not to our health.

Research shows potential health benefits of coffee. A study from Stanford Medicine found a connection between decreased inflammation and coffee consumption. They found that caffeine countered the effects of the metabolites that drove the inflammatory process. Additionally, research shows caffeine has a role in prevention of cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

The minerals such as magnesium in coffee may improve the effectiveness of insulin and glucose metabolism in the body. According to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, in some people, coffee has shown to have neurological benefits and act as an antidepressant. Standard U.S. guidelines for moderate intake of caffeine is three to four cups of coffee will have a potential to increase mood and alertness in some individuals.

Although coffee does have potential benefits, caffeine is still a stimulant and there are potential risks of consumption. For some, caffeine may increase anxiety, restlessness, insomnia, and heart rate. The maximum recommendation of caffeine is four cups (400mg) per day for the average healthy adult population to drink without having adverse effects. However, some populations such as pregnant women, the elderly, and those with high blood pressure should be wary of consuming caffeine. According to Harvard Health, this population can safely enjoy one to two cups of coffee.

Despite potential benefits, it is important to keep in mind that extra sugars and creamers contribute to most of the calories in our coffee. Added sugars can cause more inflammation, while the added calories in a day can result in weight gain. There are many ways to give your coffee a boost without the added sugar and calories. One way is to experiment with different coffee beans. Black coffee may not be everyone’s favorite; however, different beans give different flavors. Arabica is the most common coffee bean- it is sweeter and less acidic, while Robusta is higher in caffeine and has an earthy bitter flavor. Try your black coffee with a different bean and you might find one you like!

If flavor is something you are searching for, different spices can be used to give that extra kick. Cinnamon, peppermint, pumpkin spice, nutmeg, and ginger are just a few examples. Finally, skip the creamers and add dairy or nondairy milk instead. Cow’s milk or soymilk will give you some extra protein, and some milks are unsweetened with a flavor (ex: unsweetened vanilla soy milk) for that extra sweetness.

It is also notable to add quality beans to provide a better-quality cup. When shopping for beans ensure to check for companies that are testing for mold and mycotoxins.

These parameters can ensure you are not getting extra inflammation in your morning (or early afternoon) cup and prevent health issues from arising down-stream. It is also wise to ‘stop’ your caffeine intake in the early afternoon (before 3 p.m.) to allow time for your body to detoxify the caffeine for a restful night’s sleep. Of course, this is a general timeline.

Ultimately, coffee is not inherently “bad” if consumed in moderation and quality beans are being considered. Follow the guidelines of maximum four cups a day, be mindful of coffee additions, and the time of day to gain potential benefits without skipping out on the taste. n

Melissa Palabiyik, a dietetic intern at Cox College, graduated from Framingham State University in Framingham, Mass. with a Bachelor of Science in Food and Nutrition. Her dream job would be to work at an outpatient eating disorder clinic after completing her internship.

Make the Most of Summer 2023

August is when summer begins to wind down. Before the month is out, temperatures will begin to drop, and kids will be back in school. However, the season isn’t over yet, and whether you are looking to get in that vacation you’ve been putting off or just want to get another outing in before fall arrives, there are several options available that are only a few hours drive away or closer for that one last excursion.

Branson:

Perhaps the most popular vacation destination in southwest Missouri is in Branson. Branson has shows, theme parks, museums, shopping, fishing and boating opportunities.

Silver Dollar City

Silver Dollar City (SDC), a theme park set in the 1880s, is a mini-vacation in itself. Billed as the “Number One Theme Park in the U.S.” by Trip Advisor,

SDC has over 40 rides and attractions, including roller coasters, boat rides, a train ride, play areas, a haunted house and more. The park also has over 40 live music and theatrical performances, including an evening performance at Echo Hollow Theater after the rest of the day’s activities wind down. Bonus: This will be the final year the park operates their “Fire in the Hole” ride, so you might want to ride it before it’s gone forever.

The Shepherd of the Hills Outdoor Theater

Perhaps one of Branson’s most iconic attractions, The Shepherd of the Hills Outdoor Theater has been in operation since 1960. In addition to a live drama based on Harold Bell Wright’s novel, you can visit the historic farm that the novel was based on. Here, you can see Old Matt’s Cabin, play miniature golf, go on the Ninja Warrior Course, explore the rope bridge-linked tree houses, or look over the scenic Ozarks from the top of Inspiration Tower. If you would like to eat before the show, there is also

a Barbecue Bash and Bluegrass Show before the main show. Of course, be sure to check out their latest attraction, the Copperhead Mountain Coaster, a new 3,350-foot roller coaster snaking its way through the Ozark Mountains.

White Water

For those who like to get wet, the White Water Theme Park has a wave pool, a tropical-themed lazy river, aqua shooters and nine different waterslides.

Music and Live Performances

Branson has no shortage of live entertainment. Visitors to the city can chose to see the Presley’s Country Music Jubilee, Legends in Concert, the Baldknobbers, performances at the Americana Theater, Dublin’s Irish Tenors and the Celtic Ladies, various tribute shows and much more.

Dinner Theater

Branson also has dinner theater options. At the Dixie Stampede, you can

Story by Steve Chapman

Though summer days are shrinking, last minute local vacation opportunities abound

Some of the events taking place in Branson and Eureka Springs in August 2023:

Branson:

The Frozen Treat Trail: Until Aug. 30, you can collect points and earn rewards by eating ice cream or other frozen treats at any of 10 of Branson’s favorite ice cream spots. More information available at www.explorebranson.com/ branson-frozen-treat-trail.

Farmer’s Market: The Farmer’s Market offers the best locally grown produce and handmade items like soap and honey. The market is open on Branson Landing on Tuesdays from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Concerts at Branson Landing: Branson Landing will host two live, outdoor concerts by the fountains during August: Super Jam on Saturday, Aug. 5 and The New Waves on Saturday, Aug. 19. The concerts start at 7:30 p.m. and are free to the public.

The Cal Ripken Major/70 World Series: Taking place at 1000 Pat Nash Drive in Branson, this is the World Series for the best 12-year-old baseball players in the world. Thirty-six teams from across the globe will compete to see who is the best. More information available online at www.baberuthleague.org under the “Tournament and World Series” tab. The tournament runs from Aug. 3 through Aug. 13.

Eureka Springs

Summer Diversity Weekend: Running from Friday, Aug. 4 through Sunday, Aug. 6, this free event features live Mustang drag shows around Eureka Springs and family-friendly activities.

Farmers Market Salsa Contest:

If you are interested in sampling some of the best locally-made salsa, or if you would like to enter your homemade salsa into the competition, come to this event on Thursday, Aug. 10. The person with the best salsa takes home a $25 prize; other prizes are also available. Everyone present gets the chance to sample the entries. For more information, e-mail Katie Wood at esfmarket44@gmail.com.

Turpentine Creek Mopar Classic: Taking place in Eureka Springs on Friday, Aug. 18 and Saturday, Aug. 19, this car show benefits the Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge. More information available at www.tcmoparclassic.com.

31st Annual Volkswagen Weekend: Hundreds of Volkswagen owners will bring their vehicles, ranging from bugs to vans, to Eureka Springs Best Western from Aug. 25 through Aug. 27. Events will include a parade, car show and a “tourcade” through the countryside. More information is available at www.eurekaspringsvwshow.com.

enjoy a four-course meal while watching a dazzling show with comedy, magic tricks and demonstrations of equestrianship. Another option is the Showboat Branson Belle, which has lunch and dinner cruises, where you can enjoy dinner theater and sightseeing on Table Rock Lake. Other options include the WhoDunnit Hoe Down: A Murder Mystery Dinner Show, the Escape Reality and Magic dinner show, Branson’s Murder Mystery Dinner Show, and the Million Dollar Quartet Dinner Show.

Museums and Other Attractions

In addition to its theme parks and shows, Branson also has a number of museums. One of the most famous is the Titanic Museum. Here, you can touch an iceberg, feel how cold the water was on the night the Titanic went down, learn how to send an SOS signal, see a scale replica of the ship and view over 400 genuine artifacts from the Titanic herself.

Another famous museum is Ripley’s Believe It or Not! The museum contains over 500 oddities and marvels, including unbelievable works of art, artifacts and more. Nearby is the Ripley’s Super Fun Park, where you can enjoy unlimited activities, including laser tag, an outdoor maze, Smash Dash and the Laser race. Tickets to both the museum and fun park can be purchased as a combo.

Other attractions include the WonderWorks amusement park with educational entertainment, the Hollywood Wax Museum, the Creation Experience Museum, the Extreme Racing Center, and much, much more.

Dublin’s Irish Tenors

The Branson Landing

Located on the banks of Lake Taneycomo, the Branson Landing offers a different kind of experience. If you enjoy shopping, there are over 75 different stores located on the Riverfront, including clothing, shoes and novelties. At Dicks 5 & 10, one of the few fiveand-dime stores left in the country, you can purchase souvenirs, gifts and items you won’t find anywhere else.

Find accessories and gear paying tribute to America’s first responders at American Heroes, or personal care items at Bath and Bodyworks. If you’re an outdoors type, you can get your camping, fishing and hunting gear at Bass Pro, or take a moment to marvel at their massive indoor freshwater aquarium. Up the road in the historic district, you can get an old-fashioned ice cream soda, sundae or cone at Mr. B’s Ice Cream Parlor.

The Landing also has no shortage of dining options with Big Whiskey’s, Guy Fieri’s Kitchen, Joe’s Crab Shack and Cantina Laredo. Or go to Bass Pro’s Whitefish House, where you can dine directly over Lake Taneycomo. Finally, Parakeet Pete’s Waterfront Zipline will give you an overhead view of the lake that you’ll never forget.

The Lakes

Branson has three lakes nearby, providing those who enjoy the great outdoors with plenty of opportunities for boating, fishing, camping and hiking. Table Rock is a prime location if you want to catch a trophy-sized bass. Bull Shoals is also a great spot if you are looking to catch striped bass, crappie or walleye.

However, if you are looking for trout, you should drop a line in Lake Taneycomo. All of the lakes have recreational spots for those who want to spend some time living in or exploring the outdoors.

Eureka Springs:

When it was founded in 1880, Eureka Springs, Ark. was known for the supposedly healing water found in its various natural springs. Today, it is a center for art, theatre and outdoor activities.

The Great Passion Play

Without a doubt Eureka Spring’s most famous attraction, the Great Passion Play is an almost two-hour re-telling of the last days of Jesus Christ which includes 170 actors and incorporates the use of live animals and special effects in a 4,000-seat amphitheater.

In addition to the play, you can take the Holy Land Tour, in which they can see replicas of Jerusalem’s East Gate, the Tabernacle, the Upper Room, the tomb of Jesus and other exhibits.

Another attraction is the Marketplace, where you can hear the Parables of the Potter, meet David the Shepherd, see and pet animals at Noah’s Ark Park or see a performance by the Jerusalem Dancers.

There are also three museums on the grounds, housing collections of

bibles, historical artifacts and works of art depicting Jesus. You can also see the 67-foot-tall Christ of the Ozarks statue and a section of the Berlin Wall on display. And if you’re into mountain biking, the grounds also have 18 miles of biking trails.

Fishing

With Beaver Lake, Kings River and the White River all in close proximity, there is no shortage of opportunities for those who want to go fishing. Beaver Lake is known for its striped bass, while Kings River has plenty of sunfish,

The Great Passion Play

Downtown Eureka Springs

smallmouth, spotted gar and walleye. The White River, meanwhile has a large number of trout, though white bass and walleye have been caught there also.

Caves

If exploring the world underground interests you, you can take tours of the Onyx Cave in Eureka Springs and Cosmic Cavern in nearby Berryville, Ark. War Eagle Cavern on Beaver Lake in Rogers, Ark. offers both traditional and oil lamp tours. Above ground, they also offer gemstone panning, the Lost in the Woods Maze, in which you must find five lost Native American tribes before you can exit, and explore the Moonshiner’s Mystery Shack, where you can see water flow uphill, balls roll uphill and people walk at odd angles.

Shopping

With its large collection of artist workshops, antique stores and gift shops, Eureka Springs has a wide array of shopping opportunities for visitors. At Fresh Harvest, you can find the finest flavor-infused olive oils and basalmic vinegars, while the Silver Maple Gift Market offers a large variety of gift ideas, including books, cocktail mixers, teas, candles, decor items and more. You can purchase home-grown vintages at Keels Creek Winery, and if you or someone you know is an aspiring painter, you can find all the supplies you need at

Adventure Art. Other shopping opportunities downtown includes Hides, Hats & Heirlooms, the Eureka T-Shirt Company, Eureka Springs Harley Davidson and Parts Unknown.

Dining

Eureka Springs has over 100 restaurants, including Thai, Chinese, Southern comfort food, Mexican, Italian, barbecue and farm-to-table, among many others. Almost all of the restaurants in Eureka Springs are locally owned.

The Crescent Hotel

The Crescent Hotel and Spa is considered to be one of the finest in the area, and also has the distinction of being the “Most Haunted Hotel in America.” Room 218, also known as “Michael’s Room”, is the most requested room in the hotel and is also considered to be the most paranormally active room there as well. However, if you would like to view the building but are wary of staying in a “haunted” hotel, tours are also available.

The Eureka Springs Railway

The Eureka Springs Railway offers train rides on the restored Missouri and North Arkansas Railroad. The train will take you to “Junction”, Ark. and back and run from an hour to two-hours. The railway offers visitors a choice of lunch, dinner or excursion rides.

These are only a sampling of the options available for vacationing in the Ozarks. More information about the attractions in Branson can be found at the Branson Area Chamber of Commerce by going online to www.explorebranson. com or by calling the chamber at 1-800296-0463 or (417)334-4084. For more information, go online to the Eureka Springs Chamber of Commerce at www. eurekaspringschamber.com or call 1-800638-7352. But hurry, summer will be over before you know it.

Other Day Trip Options

Roaring

River State Park

Roaring River is a spring-fed river and trout fishing hatchery. During trout season, the river is stocked with rainbow trout in the sections throughout the park for fishing. Additionally, you can tour the trout hatchery, visit the historical museum, feed trout in the pool located at the opening of the spring or go hiking along one of the park’s trails. For those who would like to stay longer than a day, lodging is available at the Emory Melton Hotel or one of the park’s cabins; there are also campgrounds available. More information is available at mostateparks. com/park/roaring-river-state-park.

Wilson’s Creek National Park

The site where the Battle of Wilson’s Creek took place on Aug. 10, 1861, the park features a visitor’s museum with hundreds of Civil War-era artifacts on display, an interactive map of the battlefield, a short film about the battle, and items for sale. You can also tour the battlefield, see the historic Ray House, the only surviving structure in the park that dates back to the battle. Admission is free. More information available at www. nps.gov/wicr/index.htm.

Red Oak II

Red Oak II is a recreation of the original Red Oak, hometown of the late Lowell Davis. An artist by trade, Davis created Red Oak II as a tribute to his hometown; it includes several buildings dating back to the 1920s or earlier that are preserved and kept in pristine condition, including an old school house, jail, church, general store, diner, gas station and more. There is no admission fee to tour Red Oak II. More information is available at www.redoakiimissouri.com/ index/index.html. Red Oak II is located at 10917 Country Loop 22 Kafir Road, Carthage, Mo.

Carthage Food Truck Friday

Carthage has a Food Truck Friday on the second Friday of each month in their Central Park. Typically, 18 food trucks will offer a variety of foods including barbecue, Mexican, Chinese, burgers, hotdogs, deep-fried carnival-style foods, frozen treats and more. Other attractions include face painting, balloon art, games and a live concert.

Precious Moments Chapel

The Precious Moments Chapel, located in a scenic countryside setting just outside of Carthage, features a church with 85 hand-crafted murals featuring stories from the Bible painted in the style of the Precious Moments figurines. On the grounds, there are also the Peaceful Garden, walking paths, a museum and a gift store. Tours are available daily, or you can walk through the chapel on your own. More information is available at www.preciousmomentschapel.org.

George Washington Carver National Monument

This national park is located at the Moses Carver Farm, where George Washington Carver, one of America’s most prominent scientists, spent his boyhood. It includes a museum with exhibits about Dr. Carver’s life and his works, a walking trail, a visual depiction of the cabin that he lived in as a boy and the house where the Moses Farmer family lived. More information is available at www.nps.gov/gwca/index.htm.

Pea Ridge National Military Park

Like Wilson’s Creek, this park is located at the site of a Civil War battle; the Battle of Pea Ridge, fought on March 7 and 8, 1862. The park includes a historic museum, guided tours and various activities. Admission is free. More information can be found at www.nps.gov/peri/ index.htm. n

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

Local girl makes Florida look good

Monett natives Amy and Jason Ingle are living a lifelong dream in Florida by helping their community look and feel better.

Amy created SweetSpot MediSpa in southwest Florida in October of 2017 and has been experiencing incredible growth since then.

“I came to Florida about 21 years ago,” Amy said. “My husband and I went to high school together, and reconnected later on. He worked for Jack Henry from 2019 to 2021, then retired… or, I retired him. Now, he home schools our son and helps me with the business, doing the administrative work.”

The daughter of Vicki Orr and the late Jim Orr, Amy attended school in Monett, where she met her future husband, Jason.

Story by Mike Gervais

Amy, Jason and Levi Ingle, with roots in Monett, currently reside in Florida, operating a successful spa business.

Sweet Spot MediSpa

LOCATION: SOUTHWEST FLORIDA | OWNERS: AMY AND JASON INGLE OF MONETT, MO.

Visit

According to Amy, the two were good friends, taking band and other classes together in school. After high school graduation, the two went their seperate ways, but remained in touch through social media.

Ultimately, Amy found herself living and working in Florida, and reconnected with Jason on a trip back to her hometown, and a romance began to blossom.

Eventually, Jason moved to Florida, where he continued to work for Jack Henry as Amy began looking at starting her own business - and ultimately opened Sweet Spot MediSpa.

Sweet Spot offers Botox, permanent makeup, fat dissolving injections, laser treatments and much more.

“It’s something I fell into,” she said. “I was a nurse, and went on to

Sweet Spot MediSpa has two locations, in Fort Meyers and Punta Gorda, Fla.

Amy Ingle currently employs 15 staff members at Sweet Spot MediSpa’s two locations.

LET US SHOW YOU HOW!

get my masters and became a nurse practitioner. I’ve always been an entrepreneur and it’s been a dream my whole life to own my own business. I knew I’d love it because I’m really hands-on.”

After spending 30 years as a nurse, Amy started her spa business by renting a suite in a big salon.

“I did a lot of free work to get the word out back in 2017, but as business picked up, I started doing injections,” she said. “I bought a mother injector in 2019 and now we have 15 employees. I’ve been busy. I have six injectors now, and I’m looking at hiring a seventh.”

“I saw a need in southwest Florida to give some personal care for women and men who just want to look better, feel better and be healthier in their lifestyle, so I opened the business and here we are.”

Amy is currently operating two spas, one in Fort Meyers and another in Punta Gorda.

She said the secret to her success is simple. “I believe in having a good product, good technique and building trust and having a fun atmosphere,” she said.

The Ingles, along with their nineyear-old son Levi and grown children, Akash, Jacob and Jade, still make it back home to the Ozarks occasionally.

Jason has a ton of family in Mt. Vernon and Monett and my mom still lives there,” she said.

For those who would like to see the local success story continue, Amy said Sweet Spot MediSpa offers an online store and ships product all across the country.

“I thought about opening a spa in Monett at one time, but that’s a tough thing to do when you live so far away,” she said.

To check out what Amy and Jason are up to, visit sweetspotmedispa.com.

Getting Back into the School Groove

Can you believe it’s that time of year again? I say this every time I sit down to write a backto-school article; where did the summer go?

For me and my family, it went down with a trip to Kansas City, a trip to the lake, and lazy days at the pool. I’d say it was a good summer indeed. Shifting my attention from July to August gets me excited for cooler weather and first day of school stories but, I know my kids don’t get as excited.

My kids would much rather hit snooze on their alarms and head back to bed until noon. Making that transition from laid back summer days to routine-oriented schedules can be a bit hard for kids.

Since becoming a single mom these past four years, I have had to find ways to make that transition easier for everyone.

by Meagan Ruffing

Here are my secrets to getting everyone back in the school groove:

1. Don’t wait until the night before school to change your kids’ bedtime. I like to start earlier bedtimes the week before the first day so I can give my kids time to adjust to a new routine. In the summer, they have free reign over when they go to bed (ages 9, 11, and 14). During the school year, their bedtimes are 8:30 for the younger two and 9:30 for the oldest. This is usually the hardest part of transitioning for my kids, but I do this every year when August rolls around, so they’re used to it by now.

2. School shopping always seems to help get my kids a little more excited about going back to school. Letting them pick out their first-day outfits usually helps when alarms go off and no one wants to get out of bed. When I say, “But aren’t you excited about putting your

new clothes on?” I get a couple of smiles and three kids who are getting ready for school.

3. That last week of summer before school starts, I ask my kids if there is anything left that they want to do before heading back. Obviously, their requests must be within reason financially and geographically, but it gives us all one more opportunity to check things off our summer bucket lists.

4. I let the kids have “one last sleepover” with whatever friend they want. I do this at the beginning of the summer when school ends to signify the break, but I also do it at the end of the summer to signify the last few days of relaxation.

5. I’ve started taking the day off before school starts as a new tradition. I do this to help myself prepare for the next day and it helps reduce my stress which makes everyone happier.

Meagan Ruffing is a parenting journalist and mental health therapist living in northwest Arkansas. She’s looking forward to her day off before the big day.

Have a great year, Wildcats!

6. The night before the first day of school, I like to talk to my kids about any nerves or excitement they have about entering their new grade. I often find things out that I had no idea were on their minds and other times, I spend the bulk of our conversation telling them about my experiences in school. This tradition has become a simple way for me to get an idea of how they’re feeling about the next day.

7. Our neighborhood pool is still open when school starts so I like to take that first week back and head to the pool in the evenings when I get home from work. I find that this helps with easing everyone back into a routine. It’s also a great way for me to find out how their week has been going and if there are any areas of their schooling that I might need to keep an eye on.

8. Since I’m a single parent home, I plan our meals for the first two weeks of school to help take the pressure off myself of knowing what to cook. The kids enjoy picking out what we’re all going to eat, and I enjoy teaching them how to make things now that they’re old enough to help!

If you can think about the things that tend to stress you out when August rolls around, you’ll have a better idea of where you need to prepare more.

Don’t forget to give yourself a break from getting “all the things” done and reward yourself for a job well done. n

Monett Middle School A new day at

When school begins for the year on Aug. 23, students attending Monett Middle School (MMS) will experience an entirely new world, with a new campus, a new physical location north of the high school (MHS), and a new configuration of students, with sixth graders joining the seventh and eighth graders.

The new campus, which will eventually transform into a new high school with the addition of another building years from now, is on two levels, unlike any building in the Monett district at present, and reflects the newest ideas in classroom design, getting students used to walking between four buildings an under-one-roof experience, even though it may prove farther to reach all the locations than the old facility.

It will be an exciting time of discovery.

New campus brings change, opportunity and excitement

“Prior to the end of the 2022-23 school year, all of our students and teachers have had a chance to walk through the building,” said Principal Dr. Jonathan Apostol. “Our students were definitely excited about the upcoming school year and the new spaces they will be in. Students and teachers alike have said that

being under one roof will be so much better as students won’t have to ‘bear the elements’ as they did in our former, multi-building campus. They have liked the larger classroom space, the ability for some of the classrooms to pull a divider so that teachers can team-teach and place students in small groups, and the ability for our students to use the library space as a location for collaboration.”

As students enter the building, they will face a large room, a commons room unlike anything middle schoolers have seen before. Except for the high school, no building has as spacious a central gathering place as this new building.

“The new commons will change the style of interaction with students,” Apostol said. “To ensure that everyone has a space to sit before school, we will have seventh and eighth grade students sit in the gymnasium while our sixth grade sit in the cafeteria. It allows for easy transition once the bell rings to dismiss students to their first period classes.”

Not only will the commons double as a cafeteria, but next to the grand staircase leading to the upper level of classrooms will be a tiered seating section, what Apostol called “the learning stairs.”

Story by Murray Bishoff | Photos by Steve Chapman

A staircase, with an adjoining learning staircase, connects the first and second floors.

The new Monett Middle School is ready for the 2023-24 School Year.

“This is an opportunity for teachers to take their students outside of the classroom to sit at the stairs,” he continued. “Teachers can provide their lectures while presenting at the drop-down screen. Outside of the lunch hours, it will also provide a larger open space for teachers to spread out students to work independently or in groups.”

Though this building has an elevator for accessibility, students should generally not expect to use it.

“Our procedure is that only students with accessibility issues use [the elevator].” Apostol said. “The student [needing it] may have a classmate to help carry items for them, but it will only be for that student’s use. This could be for a student who is in a wheelchair or a student with crutches.”

Among the many changes, middle schoolers will have no lockers, except

NEW MMS DROP-OFFS

A big change for parents comes in the student drop-off and pick-up routine. Motorists will find themselves driving into a complex that also serves the high school, Scott Regional Technology Center high school drivers and faculty for three campuses.

For morning drop-off:

1. Enter on 17th street and turn right into David Sippy Drive.

2. Turn immediately left into the MMS parking lot.

3. Turn right to follow the parking lot signs.

4. Turn left through the parking lot into the MMS driveway.

5. All cars will merge into one lane closest to the building.

in the athletic locker rooms where kids dress out for physical ed and games.

“This was a cost savings for the district by eliminating lockers and increasing classroom and hallway space,” Apostol said.

While a student in the old buildings could see from one end to the other, having little question of where to go, the new building has more of a labyrinth layout, especially on the second floor with classrooms on both sides of the grand staircase, and in hallways that shoot off at right angles in several places.

“We have actually named our four hallways - Purple, Gold, Monett and Cubs,” Apostol noted. “We will have signs that will help students navigate the hallways and maps that they will have on schedule pick-up day with the classroom numbers on it.

6. Pull as far forward before dropping your student off.

7. Please have your student use the vehicle doors to the right to walk to the main entrance.

8. Turn right or left as you exit on 17th Street (Apostol encourages families to turn right as there may be traffic slowdowns on Cleveland.)

For afternoon pick-up:

1. Follow the same steps above for drop-off.

2. Park single-file as far forward in the MMS driveway.

3. Have your student enter your vehicle from the right hand side.

4. Turn left or right on 17th Street.

Signage in the gymnasium states loud and proud that Monett is the home of the Cubs. The school’s gymnasium is approximately 10,000 square feet in size.

The commons area in the middle school utilizes natural lighting.

“The timetable won’t change. We traditionally dismiss students at 7:45 a.m. to report to their first-period classes. We begin morning announcements at 7:56 so that we can begin our learning promptly at 8 a.m. We will have four-minute passing time for students to transition from one classroom to another. It also gives time for our teachers to have a restroom break as well. We will actually stagger five minutes between MMS and MHS to allow for a staggered drop-off at the beginning of school and pick-up at the end of school.

“We have been lenient in the first week for students to get their bearings. Our open house for the students and parents gives them an opportunity to ‘walk’ their schedule so that they can navigate efficiently in the building. Students will definitely need to use their time wisely to navigate to their next class while using the time as a restroom break, if needed.”

Several teaching programs will undergo transformative evolution growing into much bigger spaces. None will see a more revolutionary change than the science labs, surpassing even what the present high school students have that date back nearly 20 years now. The labs have smaller tables in different shapes, ideal for collaboration, a spacious layout and brightness surpassing traditional rooms.

“The science tables themselves -whether it be the island or the peninsula setup - already group students into two to four so that they can collaborate on the experiments that the teacher has set up in their lesson plans,” Apostol observed. “Again, we were forward thinking in this [design] process. MMS and MHS were great to collaborate on what the science classroom needs are. Our middle school science teachers do not use gas, while our high school teachers do. With this in mind, the building is prepped for gas, but there is no gas connected to the building until the transition occurs.”

The Family and Consumer Science (FACS) class, known for using a kitchen and equipment like dolls simulating infants, has always struggled for adequate room. That

815 Jerome Ln. Monett, MO 65708 Located behind Taco Bell in Monett

changes in the new arrangement.

“The additional space will give more opportunity for more students to participate in FACS class while giving a larger space for art students to be creative,” Apostol said. “Additionally, our art teacher, Amy Barker, encourages her digital photography students to take pictures outside, rather than inside to learn about photography basics.”

Similarly, the instrumental and vocal music programs now have their own large rooms with an abundance of storage space. They are located in what will also serve as part of the reinforced storm shelter, making each larger than a typical classroom.

“Both programs continue to grow in interest and size. In the past, both band and choir had to share the same space. Now with the separate spaces, it does give more flexibility when band and choir can have classes, since we still share teachers between MMS and MHS,” Apostol noted.

The old middle school, built in the early 1970s, originally tried the open classroom concept, with folding doors between rooms. While innovative, the concept proved unmanageable and noisy. Block walls replaced the folding walls in the 1990s. The spaciousness of the new building again offers an acoustic challenge from too much space for reverberation, something that won’t fully be discovered until a population of young people inhabit it.

“Throughout the building process, our architects have been good at ensuring sound quality in the classroom and hallways,” Apostol stated. “There might be some level of sounds that could be heard when teachers and students are engaged in the classroom. You’ll notice in the hallway that we also have tack boards. It serves a dual purpose — enables teachers to post student work outside their classrooms and deadens the sound coming from students as they

move throughout the building. In the commons area, you’ll notice some of the treatments in the ceiling. They also serve as a way to reduce echo.”

The most revolutionary addition for the middle school life may well be the gym. Large like the high school facility, much brighter than the E.E. Camp Gymnasium ever was, the gym is big enough for hosting tournaments, and its spacious locker rooms will dwarf the old facilities.

“We are definitely excited about our state of the art gymnasium. Our bleachers are able to hold around 500 students and staff,” Apostol continued. “That should be able to seat most of our entire building! Outside of our physical education classes and evening games, we will leverage our gymnasium for schoolwide assemblies.

“Our bigger locker rooms will have a positive impact on many of the inter-scholastic sports available to our students. The boys locker room has larger lockers that will be utilized for football - including shoulder pads and helmets. Each locker room has a TV that will live stream the games so that the coaches know when their players need to warm up.

“Our larger concession area is also state of the art! There is a TV inside the concessions area and outside the concessions area that will be live streaming the games. The two digital menu boards will display the concession items -- it will look very similar to the high school as we have partnered with the Booster Club to help supply our concessions. The bathrooms adjacent to the gymnasium are handicap accessible and will be helpful for all patrons. When the gymnasium is not in use with our MMS students, MHS can host varsity and JV tournaments while being on the same campus. This could include volleyball, basketball, and even wrestling.”

Unlike other campuses, the middle

school storm shelter will only serve the school population and not open to the public. The high school’s performing arts center, across the parking lot, opens during storm events. The public can use other storm shelters at Monett Elementary and the intermediate school.

The new building offers broader security options than a multi-building arrangement.

The public will enter from the front, coming directly to the main office. The administration staff, counselor and nurse had offices near each other before, but now will have even more offices close by and a conference room.

“Being under one roof is a great way to ensure that all students remain inside from the beginning of school to the end,” Apostol said. “All exterior doors are locked during the school day with access only to MMS staff via electronic access. Our front entrance mimics the high school as a double-entry for families. We have cameras that cover both the interior and exterior of the building so that we can follow a student from one side of the building to the other side.”

During fire drills or other evacuations, doors around the perimeter offer ways to exit all staff and students in a timely manner, he added.

“There should be enough space in the MMS driveway and parking lot,” he said. “Please do not park on David Sippy Drive or 17th Street.”

Apostol agreed there is a great deal of anticipation and excitement as the school year begins.

“We came to the Monett community for a bond because of our growth,” he said. “Likewise, our community supported the bond by almost 80 percent! I believe that our community believes in the innovation and success the Monett R-1 School District has and places their trust in the administration, teachers, and staff who make it a great place to learn every school year!” n

A Class Act

Kirstin Racicot brings Monett experience to Hollywood and beyond

Go to the movies or turn on your TV, and you don’t expect to see someone from Monett. After all, those are “other worldly” jobs. And yet, several have made that leap, from Mayor V.B. Hall’s daughter, Betty, back in the 1940s, and Amy Rauch, Pete and Betty Rauch’s daughter, in current days. Another is 2009 Monett High School graduate Kirsten Racicot, who currently lives in Los Angeles, the daughter of Denise and David Boyd.

So how does someone appear in plays as well as speech and debate at Monett High School, in a regional acting company like Rebel’s Bluff in Mt. Vernon, who competed on the Waterthrashers swim team, make that leap? Not easily. Kirstin graduated from Stephens College in Columbia, where Betty Hall also went for a year, tackling demanding roles like Laura in Tennessee Williams’ “The Glass Menagerie.” Kirstin jumped into work opportunities with both feet, even taking major roles at the prestigious Okoboji Summer Theatre in Okoboji, Iowa, and at professional theaters in Kansas City and St. Louis before heading to the West Coast.

“Theatre in Monett helped me realize the joy of live acting and storytelling,” she

said. “I was only doing theatre in Monett for fun, and I hadn’t really realized that I could pursue it as a career. I also didn’t realize at the time how powerful a live theatre performance can leave you feeling. After the world shut down for those couple years during COVID-19, especially in Los Angeles where I feel the safety guidelines were stricter, there seemed to be flocks of people coming back to theatres to see live shows. The energy was electric because this form of storytelling is so important in bringing people together to forget about the world they live in for the moment, and instead join in on another world of fantasy and be in unison with those around you.

By now Kirstin has had the lead in nine plays, played a supernumerary twice at Los Angeles Opera, and acted in 13 films and TV shows.

“My advice to kids testing the waters in a high school show would be to dive right in!” she said. “Acting is the most beautiful form of storytelling, even if you are just exploring it for fun. Who knows, you may like it so much that you pursue it for a career. If you enjoy live theatre, I would also advise to get your hands on as many plays as you can and familiarize yourself with some of the greatest playwrights. You never know when you may

Story by Murray Bishoff | Photos provided courtesy of Kristin Racicot

Kirstin Racicot filming “Critical Candle,” a short about Mrs. Bernard (played by Racicot), her son, and her daughter - who participated in the secret intelligence transmission during WW2 and fought bravely with the Nazi German officers.

Kirstin Racicot acted in plays and film to develop her screen career.

need to pull a monologue from thin air and recite it and the more you have in your repertoire bank, the better!

“I think local/regional theatre does help prepare a motivated actor for the bigger stage. The process of auditioning alone is very beneficial to a motivated actor. You need to be comfortable and become good at auditioning. It is the first look directors and casting directors have at you, and you can’t waste the time being too nervous or stressed to not show off your full potential and make them realize they need you!”

Acting is a competitive and periodic career, seldom offering steady work in front of an audience or a camera. Kristin has found some aspects as an actor more satisfying.

“I really enjoy doing live theatre more than film. Perhaps because my training was in theatre, but the feeling I get being on stage is not the same on a film set. I love being in a film or television set, don’t get me wrong. However, as an actor, there is a gratification and feeling of unity as one with an audience that you can feel where the energy is so electric and you

know you have everyone caught up in the moment of the scene with you on stage. I don’t get that feeling on camera. Perhaps it is also the fact that you rehearse longer for your character in theatre than on film. Film moves so quickly - you can prepare for your scene in film or television as best you can when you are given the final script within day(s) notice, but then you will almost undoubtedly have an entirely new scene or script the day of filming with only minutes to prepare. Then you may do the scene one or two times and that’s it. The director yells ‘Cut. Great, let’s move on.’ You are then left to wonder if your acting was brilliant enough to make it through the editing room floor.”

As a tall actor, Kirstin has not had to fight off casting in child roles, but she has had to struggle against typecasting.

“Throughout college, I was usually always cast in the ingénue roles. I didn’t mind it though, because many of the roles are fun. After I moved to Los Angeles, it seemed for a minute, casting directors would pigeonhole me into ‘college student,’ ‘older sister’ or ‘young mother.’ The age of the character can always be tricky because my manager would often send me out for ‘older’ roles that I thought I was not right for. It’s more about looks. If you can pass for ‘18 to look younger,’ work that avenue as long as possible. You take the work where you can find it! I actually had several opportunities where I was cast as a young mother and it was always interesting to meet the child actor they paired me with and to see them starting out in the industry so young.

“This is going to sound so incredibly silly, but a dream role would be a character on ‘The Young and the Restless.’ I grew up watching this soap opera with my grandma every day since I could remember. We would take a lunch break and watch the never-ending drama unfold in Genoa City and often catch up on the drama on ‘The Bold and the Beautiful’ right after. My grandma has been gone 10 years now, but I still catch

an episode of ‘Y&R’ every now and then because the great thing about soap operas is the plot hardly ever changes and I smile because it reminds me of my granny. Soap opera actors get such flack and not enough respect though, because the amount of dialogue they are required to memorize daily is intense!”

To stay active in the business, Kirstin has diversified.

“Soon after I had joined SAG/AFTRA, I started working as a stand-in for a few different projects like Season 3 of the TV series ‘You.’ I stood in for Natalie Engler, Saffron Burrows, Shannon ChanKent and Victoria Pedretti that season. I really enjoy being a stand-in as it’s less pressure as a main actor, and you get to still be a valuable part of production as they focus the lighting and cameras on you just right so they can spend less time adjusting camera angles and focus while the actor is ready to film.

“In turn, I also started working as a precision driver for several films and television shows.” That included work on Steven Spielberg’s “The Fabelmans.” “You may have never noticed, but when you watch a movie or show, all the cars in the background crossing in and out of frame or in the middle of high-speed chases involve precision drivers. I often get to work alongside stunt drivers who operate pod cars that I drive alongside where the main actor appears to be driving, but it’s actually a stunt driver. Ah, the life of movie magic!

“I also have recent experience working as a production assistant, which I really enjoy. I have worked in a production office and also on set or stage - where I much prefer just because I love to see the magic of daily production happen right in front of me. Before COVID-19, I was working in a casting office and I also learned a lot from that experience.

“I find that being ‘behind the camera’ so to speak, is sometimes more gratifying to me because I feel more like I’m a part of the team as a whole and I enjoy that.

Kirstin Racicot

If you’ve ever taken time to sit after a movie and watch the full line of credits, you’ll realize that it truly takes hundreds of people to make one movie come to life or even one episode of a television show. There are so many different departments behind the camera working 12-14 hour days every day with one goal in mind: to work together to create storytelling for television and film audiences all around the world. There is nothing quite like it and I absolutely love it.”

Kirstin has also banked on her teaching experience for steady work outside the capricious entertainment industry’s orbit, but in a way she can jump back in when opportunities arise.

“For the past eight years, I have worked as a substitute teacher between stage gigs,” she said. “It has been the best job! I really enjoy it and the flexibility I have is wonderful. If I were to book an audition last minute or a random rehearsal pops up, I don’t have to call my boss and plead with them to change my shift. Instead, I just go online and block full days or half days on my calendar, and the school system knows I am unavailable to teach those days - no questions asked. I sub any class from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, including special education classes and physical education classes. I really enjoy teaching the younger grades because I can be silly with them and they really enjoy all my dialects and characters I create during story-time. I also dog/house sit for several different clients in the Los Angeles area when my schedule allows for it.”

Life isn’t all work for Kirstin. She spends free time exploring Los Angeles, the beaches north of Malibu and taking hikes.

“Los Angeles is really great for finding authentic food from anywhere and everywhere in the world, so I love to restaurant hop and try out a new entrée or meal at a new restaurant near and far,” she added.

Kirstin has dived deeply into roles, experiencing both highs and lows. One that left a mark came in Eve Ensler’s play “Necessary Targets” at Stephens College, based on the tragic stories of Bosnian women during the war in that country. Story continued on page 40.

by Christa Stout

Committ to Pet Owner Success

I struggled a little writing this column this month, it just seemed like there is only bad news out there and then suddenly things turned around a bit, friends gave me some ideas and some things happened that made everything a little better.

But first, if you haven’t read Mike Gervais’ article on the Monett Animal Shelter in The Monett Times July 5 issue, please do so, he very accurately described some of the difficulties our local pounds and shelters are having and how you can help. Also, his ‘Staff View’ column in the same paper is heartwarming. Thank you, Mike for helping the shelters and the animals.

And while I’m at it, let me say a quick word about our local newspaper. I cannot imagine a town without a newspaper but the only way they can continue to give you the local news at a reasonable price, is by subscribing. Lisa and her staff are doing a great job keeping the paper going and giving you the news, as well as the Connection magazine and others. But, back to pets and shelters/rescues/sanctuaries. A lot happened this last week and a half and thank goodness I can say most of it good. First, a little 3 ½ pound puppy was found at a construction site in the North part of Monett. One of the construction workers (obviously an animal lover) found him, put him inside one of the homes being built to keep him

out of the horrible heat and called Animal Control. Karen Griggs, the Animal Control Officer, picked him up and I happened to arrive at the pound when she returned with this cute little black and white ball of fur, scared to death, not sure what was happening. The first words out of my mouth (wonder how that happened?) was “I will foster him”. I knew he was too small to stay in the pound and that it wasn’t a good environment for a little bitty guy who is probably five weeks old or less.

Since then, he has learned a lot and is growing. The first thing was getting his dewormer. I am happy to report he is now wormfree! Although he is not yet house broken, he pees every time I take him outside and set him down in the grass, and when necessary, he also poops. He has been with me almost everywhere I go and has learned to be snuggly and friendly with everyone he meets.

He even made his appearance at the Monett Museum, had a great time and was greeted by a lot of friendly people. He went for a walk (and poop) at the pavilion, where he tried to explore every blade of grass! And yes, I do take care of his poop, I carry doggy poop bags at all times. Oh, and have I mentioned, he loves to chew on toes? As I am writing this, he is asleep in his kennel and Rudi, my German Shepherd, is watching him. We made it through two nights of storms, and it seems that

View Mike Gervais’ article in The Monett Times about the Monett Animal Shelter, published July 5, 2023

puppy has the same fear of storms that Rudi has (or maybe he felt Rudi’s fear of lightning and thunder). Anyway, this short little story will end when he goes to a shelter soon that has already tagged him.

Karen has been working very hard trying to find rescue for all of the dogs in the pound and to get some incentives going by asking for fosters and sponsorships. And thanks to Mike’s article and the kindness of many of the residents, there were some adoptions, and some much needed sponsorships to reduce the adoption fee, which by the way, doesn’t even cover the benefits, like vaccinations, spay/ neuter, etc. Also, two bonded Great Pyrenees that were found in Monett, were tagged by a rescue 200 miles from here and Karen and I will have the pleasure this weekend of delivering them to their temporary residence (shelter), where hopefully they will get adopted soon.

One of my friends at the museum suggested I also remind everyone that dumping animals is not only cruel but illegal. And buying or taking kittens, puppies, etc. at places like the Walmart parking lot is simply not a good idea.

Many of these pets have fleas and worms, and sometimes have diseases, such as parvo. If you have existing pets, they in turn can catch the fleas, worms and illnesses. And believe me none of these are fun – fleas are hard to get rid of, worms can be treated with medicine, if the pets are not too young, and unfortunately, parvo is many times deadly and may contaminate the ground with the parvo virus for many months/ years.

So, one more time, please spay/ neuter your animals, get them the necessary vaccinations and make sure they get annual vet visits. Monthly flea and tick medicine is an absolute must in this area and heartworm is unfortunately still rampant. And please make sure you get the correct flea and tick remedy for the type of animals –the medicine for dogs will kill cats and the medicine for cats is not good for dogs.

Thank you to the wonderful citizens who have helped out and continue to help and thank you Karen for caring so much!

And shame on you, if you have dumped a dog, that is totally coldblooded and heartless!

If you are ready to help out, please contact your local rescue, pound or shelter or take a look at their website or Facebook page, it generally lists their needs. And from my experience, although it is not totally without work, fostering is wonderful and all supplies for the foster pet is being furnished by the shelter. So what’s keeping you from helping more? n

A Fond Farewell

Three and a half years ago I was a newly aspiring writer. I’d written a book but was interested in other forms of writing too. What started as a quick question to Murray Bishoff, well-known local writer, turned into a long journey of writing that took me to places and people I would have never imagined.

My first article for Connection Magazine was in October 2019. Editor, Lisa Craft, was giving me a trial run to see how I did. When I asked if I could write again, she asked for another story. Then another story. When I started writing for Connection, I had no idea how much I’d learn about writing but also how much I’d learn about this corner of the Ozarks. Stepping away has been bittersweet. I made this decision because a new work opportunity arose that I couldn’t miss and in my writing career I’ve become busier with new projects and speaking at

conferences. But I will deeply miss being invited to share a slice of life with those in my community.

Now, as my writing time has come to an end with Connection I wanted to look back at these years and share some of what I’ve learned and the people I’ve met. I wish I could write about every single person and place, but that would fill this issue and many more.

Some of my favorite stories have been about families. Every family is unique. Some have encountered more struggles than others, such as the Erwin family. Their daughter Allayna was born premature and spent 52 days in the NICU during the early days of the pandemic in 2020. With Allayna, I’ve been privileged to see her family regularly and love seeing her running with her hair flying behind her. She’s healthy and well and growing like a weed. Another young girl who’s overcome medical obstacles

Story and photos by Annie Lisenby Smith

The Erwin family leaving NICU in 2020. The Parrigon family at their dairy farm in 2020.

Lilly loves the feel of sand at the beach.

A handwritten letter sent home from the Civil War by L.V. Cupp.

“Some of my favorite stories have been about families. Every family is unique.”

is Nora Costley. Before her birth, her parents learned that Nora had Down’s Syndrome and a heart defect. The beauty of Nora’s story was how strong she was, even as an infant, and the support of her family. Recently, I bumped into the Costleys at the Monett Farmer’s Market and enjoyed smiles and waves from Nora. Victoria, her mom, listed all of Nora’s new skills with pride.

Learning about our neighbors in Barry and Lawrence Counties opened my eyes to children with special needs like Nora. Lilly was a special girl I met too. She lives with autism and sensory processing disorder. In an article I wrote on Autism Awareness, I met Lilly and others with autism. I didn’t know much about Autism before this article, and my eyes were opened to the joy and the struggles for these new friends. Being a spectrum disorder, people with Autism have challenges that can vary from mi-

nor to severe. The most important point I took away from this story was that we may not understand a disorder; whether it be Autism, Downs Syndrome, Hemophilia, or other disorders; but we can love these people and welcome them in our community.

Another family I had the honor of meeting was the Parrigon family in Stotts City. I visited them and their dairy farm to celebrate Dairy Month. Small family farms are filled with some of the hardest working people I’ve ever met. They love their farms and care for them with their hearts. And they laughed at me as an outsider when I asked silly questions about cattle that most folks around here already know. They welcomed me in and taught me to have a deep appreciation for dairy products and family farms.

What’s special is finding groups of people who are like family even though

they don’t share blood. One of these families was a group of ladies who are regulars in Zumba at the Monett YMCA. This group of regulars in Zumba class have built friendships that have grown beyond the group exercise classroom. They are much like the members of bluegrass band, Spillwater Drive. The four members talk about each other like family as they share stories of their adventure pickin’ and grinnin’. What’s significant about both of these groups is how welcoming they are. If you walk into the Zumba class, you’ll likely leave with a friend. Spillwater Drive members recently spent time teaching the next generation of bluegrass musicians with the Ozark Mountain Music Association.

The history of a town is only continued by sharing the stories of those who’ve walked its streets before us. One wonderful person I met shared many stories of her days growing up and living

The Zumba friends at the Monett YMCA. Members of local bluegrass band Spillwater Drive teach bluegrass musicians.

Three Costley sisters. Photo courtesy of Amy Green

Mary Spivy, long-time Monettan. Fresh picked strawberries from Crafty Farms.

Elderberries grown at the Mizzou Southwest Research Center.

in Monett. Mary Spivy quickly became a new friend with her kind smile. Her stories from her childhood were filled with fresh-picked strawberries, being in high school during World War II, and all the festivals and celebrations of these days. Everyone should know someone as lovely as Mary.

In 2022, Lisa Craft asked me to see if I could find a story about a local or local family who had fought in war in honor of Veteran’s Day. Not being able to think of someone off the top of my head, I posted on Facebook and Lacy Siver replied. She had letters sent home from war by one of her family. I asked her which war and my jaw dropped at the answer. The Civil War. She and her family trusted me with the hand-written letters sent home from L.V. Cupp. In his words I saw early hope and excitement to fight. As his years in war passed, his tone became more dour describing the heartbreak of warfare. It was a rare peek into a life lived more than a century ago.

My travels through the Ozarks have been shared across the pages of Connection. They’ve been filled with local produce like strawberries and elderberries, stories of over comers; families who love and fight with their whole hearts, and many, many people I now call friends. Thank you, readers, for joining me in these journeys. These past 3 and a half years have been special. And at times of saying goodbye, I reflect on what Dr. Seuss said, “Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened.”

I’m not leaving the area and expect to see many of you at community events. I continue writing and look forward to sharing more books and short stories with you as they are published. If you’d like to keep in touch, you can sign up for my newsletter on my website at: www.annielisenby.com. Thank you for being a part of the adventure that brought me here. I look forward to sharing with you all again.

1. Margaret and Richard Jones

2. Murray and Julie Bishoff

3. Aaron Sorian and Lexie Jones

1. Shayla Dozz, Amy Mattlage and Mr. Zippy the dog

2. Connie Jarvis, Betty F. Brandt and Nina Sloan

3. Juliana Robles

Purdy 4th of July

1. Amy Mattlage, Shayla Dozz and Mr. Zippy the dog

2. Robyn Drake, Evan Fugitt and Nicole Arnaud

3. Colleen Evans, Brenda Burgherr and Arnold Ray Evans

4. Karen Hamer, Betty Arnaud, Victor Arnaud, Elner Medlin, Mary Scott and Ralph Scott

Waldensian

Picnic

Story continued from page 32.

Her character had a long monologue that dealt with rape and losing a child in a horrible way.

“It is very difficult as an actor to get into the mindset of someone who has experienced so much trauma and do their character due diligence to tell their story appropriately,” she said. “There is a fine line of respecting their story without making fun or being too dramatic. I remember night after night, when I left the scene after my dramatic monologue, picking myself out of the giant sandpit we had on stage, tears streaming down my face and neck and entering into my dressing room, I was exhausted!

“I gave it my all, and the mental awareness and emotion it took to muster up and be in the moment was a lot mentally, emotionally, and physically. I am grateful that my friend cast me in that role, because I would have never pushed myself that far otherwise. I had always played it safe and had never taken on a role with so many dimensions because I hadn’t believed that I would have done it justice. It proved to me that I could do any role I set my mind to.”

In the end, having fun becomes a measure of a successful career. For those touchstone moments, besides the thrill of acting itself, Kirstin returned to her two summers at the Okoboji Summer Theatre where she directed several of the children’s shows.

“It was a wonderful experience and really showed me how much I enjoy directing others,” she recalled. “Theatre for young audiences is especially difficult for an actor, because you have to work harder to keep the attention of a child. I had to teach my actors to keep their audience as engaged as possible, because if you lose one, it spreads like wildfire and it is so hard to get their attention back once you have lost it. You have to keep young audiences engaged at all times and that is no easy task during a 30-to-40-minute live show. I also taught my actors that you have to let go of any ego you may have - throw it out the window. It’s okay to be silly and laugh at yourself during the rehearsal process because if you have fun, the audience has fun.” n

1. Kristy Cook

2. Darren Indovina and Ashley Moore

3. Bob and Janetta Quinn

4. Micah Arrington

5. Eric Sarver and Scott Redshaw

6. Al and Shellbie Robertson

7. Kelly Rosewiczeke

8. Amelie Velasquez, 10

Wild Game Feed 2023

DECORATION DAY

by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Sleep, comrades, sleep and rest

On this Field of the Grounded Arms, Where foes no more molest, Nor sentry’s shot alarms!

Ye have slept on the ground before, And started to your feet

At the cannon’s sudden roar, Or the drum’s redoubling beat. But in this camp of Death

No sound your slumber breaks; Here is no fevered breath, No wound that bleeds and aches.

All is repose and peace, Untrampled lies the sod; The shouts of battle cease, It is the Truce of God!

Rest, comrades, rest and sleep! The thoughts of men shall be As sentinels to keep Your rest from danger free.

Your silent tents of green We deck with fragrant flowers Yours has the suffering been, The memory shall be ours.

Grant Baker 101 E. Olive Aurora, MO 417-678-5404

Grant Baker 101 E. Olive Aurora, MO 417-678-5404

GBaker@ShelterInsurance.com

Grant Baker 101 E. Olive Aurora, MO 417-678-5404

GBaker@ShelterInsurance.com

GBaker@ShelterInsurance.com

Chris Hammen 106a Cortney Ln Crane, MO 417-723-5394

Chris Hammen 106a Cortney Ln Crane, MO 417-723-5394

Chris Hammen 106a Cortney Ln Crane, MO 417-723-5394 Chammen@ShelterInsurance.com

Chammen@ShelterInsurance.com

Chammen@ShelterInsurance.com

Andy Brandt 855 E US Hwy 60 Monett, MO 417-235-5603

Andy Brandt 855 E US Hwy 60 Monett, MO 417-235-5603

ABrandt@ShelterInsurance.com

Andy Brandt 855 E US Hwy 60 Monett, MO 417-235-5603

ABrandt@ShelterInsurance.com

ABrandt@ShelterInsurance.com

Shelby Rohlman 522 E. Broadway Street Monett, MO 65708 417-235-6239

Shelby Rohlman 522 E. Broadway Street Monett, MO 65708 417-235-6239

SRohlman@ShelterInsurance.com

Shelby Rohlman 522 E. Broadway Street Monett, MO 65708 417-235-6239

SRohlman@ShelterInsurance.com

SRohlman@ShelterInsurance.com

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