Connection September 2023

The language used to describe mental health topics such as suicide has changed over the years. It has been some time since I heard someone use the phrase “successful suicide” to explain how someone died. We need to completely rid the English vocabulary of that phrase because there is nothing “successful” about suicide; suicide only leaves in its wake pain and heart-ache. Though suicide ends a life, it starts what might become a life-time of grief in surviving loved ones.

Sadly, suicide rates have increased dramatically since 2000. According to the CDC’s most recent data, the number of individuals who completed suicide increased 36% between 2000 and 2021. In 2021, suicide was responsible for a death in the US approximately every 11 minutes, surpassing 48,000 heart-wrenching deaths. Furthermore, suicide was the second leading cause of death for those in the 10-14 and 20-34 age brackets. Our goal as a community should be 0 suicides. One is too many. This month take the time to learn how you can help prevent suicide and practice what you learn all other months of the year. Do not hesitate to ask if someone has been thinking about suicide. The conversation that follows that question might just be what saves a person’s life. As you are able, support people who are at risk and involve professionals when necessary. A community intent on saving lives can do just that.

If today you find yourself struggling like the 12.3 million adults who thought about suicide or the 1.7 million who attempted suicide in 2021, seek the help of a mental health professional and/or call 988, the nationwide mental health crisis and suicide prevention lifeline.

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.

• Every Branch of the BLRL offers enriching programs for all ages and areas of interests.

GIVE THE GIFT OF READING!

KIDS 6+ CAN GET THEIR OWN LIBRARY CARDS

It’s FREE and makes children feel very special while teaching them responsibility. Library cards are totally free for all Barry & Lawrence residents. The BLRL doesn’t charge late fees and provides tons of materials to check out and programs for all ages.

LIBRARY E-CARDS:

You can get quick access to library services online at blrlibrary.org

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

Healthy Children, Healthy Future

With school starting last month, it has come to my attention that this is now the time to be on the lookout for illnesses – bacterial or viral. Of course, there are different illnesses year-round, but once the school year begins, children become sick more often. When I refer to bacterial or viral infections, the majority of them show outward symptoms like fever, body aches, chilling, stomach aches and a number of different ways that adults know instantly that children are ill.

But what about the symptoms that are not obvious?

Some of the simpler physical disorders that a child can experience are not always apparent to adults, whether you are the parent or teacher. One of the first things that came to my mind that affects learning for a child or just everyday functioning is eyesight. A child does not always realize that their eyes are not working correctly, especially if it has been going on for quite some time. The younger children may just accept it as the way it is suppose to be, so it is our responsibility as adults to watch out for these problems.

Vision problems in children can be suspected if squinting is noticed; holding reading material closely; experiencing headaches or complaints about things appearing blurry but there are other less obvious signs of possible vision problems.

If your child has a short attention span and looses interest in games, projects or lengthy activities. These all require clear vision and can be difficult if your child has a vision problem.

If your child looses his or her place when they are reading this could indicate multiple vision issues including a lazy eye.

Vision problems could be the culprit if your child avoids reading and other close activities. If they feel tired and have trouble concentrating and learning it could be due to a vision problem.

Regular eye examinations are an important part of a child’s overall health. The earlier your child is treated, the better off your child will be.

Of course another disorder would be paying attention to a child’s hearing. They could have had an illness that caused a partial hearing loss or an injury that could have damaged their ear drum.

Sometimes parents or teachers just think that the child is not listening. I am just pushing everyone that has the responsibility of a child to make sure that when they think their child is not listening to them, make sure there is not a physical reason.

Our kiddos are our future and it is up to us to take care of them and make sure that they receive education without the distractions of any physical disorder that we don’t catch.

In our magazine, we provide a health column monthly on different topics from Cox Health. We also provide numerous health articles on different subjects, information on people that have experienced health issues, physical and mental.

If readers have an interest that they are wanting information on and we can provide that, please feel free to email me at monettcommunity@gmail.com and we will do our best to provide the information to the public.

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

OWNER/PUBLISHER

Lisa Craft monettcommunity@gmail.com

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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.

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FEATURES

10 |

STEAM-O-RAMA

Set your engines, Ready… for steam! Venture into the history of the Ozarks with a display of vintage steam engines Sept. 14-17

15 | QUICK

DRAW GUN

Brothers build a gun and archery business expanding through support of local enthusiasts

17 | BIENNIAL

QUILT SHOW

Discovery Quilters of Shell Knob bring their quilts and skills to display at Shell Knob Elementary, Sept. 23-24

22 |

CENTER FOR DIAGNOSTIC MEDICINE

Dr. Lisa Parker starts new medical clinic with patient care and emotional support at its center

27 | NEW

ORCHESTRA DIRECTOR

Carla Wootton expresses her passion for music beyond the bars and chords at the Ozark Festival Orchestra.

31 |

WORLD TRAVELER RETURNS

Vince Martinez leaves his mark in history and shares his story of the world with Monett

34 |

NATIONAL COOKIE CUTTER MUSEUM

Joplin History and Mineral Museum opens its doors to the history of the cookie cutter with a selection of thousands

A convoy of trucks hauling the Ozark Steam Engine Association’s antique steam engines arrives at the new Steam-O-Rama grounds. The convoy, which transported the steam engines to the new location on Saturday, July 22, was an event in itself.

Carla Wootton steps into a new director role at OFO.

age 5, sons of Joseph and Liney Harvick, of Eagle Rock

Steam-O-Rama

Ozark’s Steam Engine Association

Expands Annual Venue to 140-acre Homestead

Newly arrived antique steam engines are lined up in a row after being hauled to the new Steam-O-Rama location.

A modern-day tractor hauls an antique steam engine into place.

For the first time in 60 years, Steam-O-Rama, the celebration of antique agricultural technology from the early 20th Century, has a new home. This year, the event will be held at its new location in Halltown, just off I-44.

The first Steam-O-Rama was held in Billings, Mo. in 1962. The following year, it was moved to a 17-acre spread in Republic just off US 60, and before long, the festival’s location there doubled in size.

However, with several businesses opening new locations in Republic, combined with an increase in housing developments to accommodate the city’s growing population, the Ozark’s Steam Engine Association (OSEA), which holds Steam-O-Rama, was unable to expand the festival’s location

any further. This led the organization to search out a new location for the event.

“With the growth of Republic and the developments coming around, we realized that we were packed,” Shelly Elliot, secretary of OSEA. “We were utilizing every inch of that 34 acres, so we were pretty well landlocked. So we began talking about possibly moving and what that would entail.”

Eventually, the OSEA purchased the Whinrey Homestead, a historic site in Halltown, located just south of I-44, to serve as Steam-O-Rama’s new home.

Shelly said the festival’s new site is over four times the size of its Republic location, meaning Steam-O-Rama has the potential to expand in the future.

“We have 140 acres here, which provides us with a lot of potential for growth,” she said.

Story by Steve Chapman | Photos by Steve Chapman and Kenny Shipley

Members of the Ozark Steam Association relax and talk a bit after offloading one of their antique steam engines.

The 61st annual Steam-O-Rama Festival will take place from Sept. 14- 17

Airgas Linde AWG

Come

Shelly also said that Steam-O-Rama would continue to have the same attractions as it did in Republic.

“We are still going to have the swap meet,” she said. “We’re going to have the Model Railroad Society; we’ll have the Antique Truck Club, as well as the Southwest Missouri Early Day Gas Engine and Tractor Association Branch 16; they’re the Gas Engine and Antique Tractor Association. They help us host this event every year. So you’re going to see all of the same entities that were featured at Republic.

“It’s going to be the same show, but it’s going to be laid out with room for growth.”

The 61st annual Steam-O-Rama Festival will take place from Sept. 14 through Sept. 17. To get to the festival grounds, if coming from the Monett/Aurora area, take MO 174 to Highway O and go north about four miles. If coming from I-44, take the Halltown exit 58 and go south on Highway O for about one mile. For more information, go online to the Steam-O-Rama website at www.steamorama.com, or visit the Ozark Steam Engine Association’s Facebook page. n Learn more about Steam-O-Rama at SteamORama.com

A parade, an event, a festival, a fair – when we gather together, Shelter is proud to be there.

A parade, an event, a festival, a fair – when we gather together, Shelter is proud to be there.

byShel hlmanRo 522 E. ayBroadw Street Monett, MO 65708 417-235-6239

SRohlman@ShelterInsurance.com

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

Andy Brandt 855 E US Hwy 60 Monett, MO 417-235-5603 mABrandt@ShelterInsurance.co

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

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

Chris nHamme 106a tneyCor Ln ,Crane MO 417-723-5394 mChammen@ShelterInsurance.co

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

Grant Baker 101 E. eOliv ,Aurora MO 417-678-5404 er@ShelterInsurance.comGBak

We’re your Shield. We’re your Shelter. ShelterInsurance.com

We’re your Shield. We’re your Shelter. ShelterInsurance.com

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

Drawing on Arms Success

With the 2023 hunting season just around the corner, Quick Draw Gun has expanded their business to include a custom archery shop. Officially re-opening in July, Quick Draw Gun, located at 601 S. Kyle St. in Monett, added a total of 1,800 square feet of retail space with plans to continue expanding and improving its gun manufacturing and customization facilities. With the expansion came a lot of new inventory expanding on their already large selection of firearms, ammunition, accessories and much more.

Quick Draw was incorporated in 2013 and opened for business in December of 2014.

Brad (the owner) said he had a 25year career at Jack Henry, and when he began considering retirement, he also began considering what he would like to do. “I wanted a retirement career, and I wanted to run the most American business there is,” he said. As an avid collector of classic American firearms, it wasn’t long before Quick Draw was

Story by Mike Gervais

born and the business began to expand into the area’s premier gun store.

Brad said Quick Draw gun specializes in helping first time and novice buyers as well as seasoned professionals. We want to be a shop where people can learn about this amazing sport without feeling intimidated. We strive to make everyone’s experience enjoyable and memorable.

“We have the area’s largest selection of tactical rifle accessories and components we sell under the Hillbilly Tactical brand. We also do custom firearm refinishing with Cerakote finishes.”

Brothers Terry and Brad Hawkins can meet all community needs for their firearms and archery, with Brad operating Quick Draw Gun and Hillbilly Tactical, and Terry offering Hillbilly Archery.

Cerakote finishes provide a protective coating on firearms in a wide array of colors, giving the guns a unique, custom look. “If you can dream up a color, we can finish it,” Brad said.

“We’ve been very successful and are one of Missouri’s highest rated Cerakote shops.

“We also have our own manufacturing facility to build custom hand-finished 1911 firearms,” said owner Brad Hawkins. “I’ve been producing them for almost three years” “You can have a hand-built, custom 1911,” Which Hawkins proudly states “Your gun your way.”

With everything we had going we really outgrew the old space we were in,” he said. With that in mind, the company expanded its offerings after The Bullpen, a tenant in their building, relocated.

With the new space available, Brad’s brother, Terry Hawkins, saw an opportunity to further expand the shop’s offerings while filling a gap left when a longtime local archery retailer retired.

Terry grew up with an interest in archery, and frequented Count’s Ar-

chery, which operated in Monett for approximately 40 years. “He was like a neighbor,” Terry said. “I grew up in his store.”

Eventually, that shop moved to Pierce City, before selling off its stock to Terry so the owner could retire last year. “When Counts was getting ready to retire, Brad was talking about expanding and I knew it would be a good fit,” Terry said. Thus was born Hillbilly Archery, now located in Quick Draw’s expanded shop in Monett.

This is something Terry has been wanting to do for quite a while, so he purchased Counts Archery last fall.

At Hillbilly Archery, community members can outfit themselves for the upcoming hunting season, seek professional advice from the knowledgeable staff and look to them for advice and new equipment.

“There’s a little more set-up for archery, so when someone wants to come in and buy, that’s part of the process, helping them get the right equipment, then tuning it and setting it up for them. We can show you the ropes and find a bow for your needs and price point, and teach you the ba-

sics of handling a bow.”

Hillbilly Archery offers everything you need for traditional archery, compound bows and even crossbows.

“We can do extreme tuning, full service if you already have your bow, we can make custom arrows, whatever you want,” Terry said. Hillbilly Archery is also a licensed retailer for brands like Prime, Athens, Skre Extreme Mountain Gear, Bear, Trophy Ridge, Killer Instinct, G5 Outdoors, Quest, VPA, Gold Tip, Morrell Targets, Skre clothing and much more.

Terry also said the team at Quick Draw Gun and Hillbilly Archery can set community members up with all their bow fishing needs.

Looking ahead, Terry said Hillbilly Archery has a long-term goal of creating an archery range and developing a shooting league for local community members.

“Right now, our goal is to be competitive with online pricing,” said staff member and bow technician Kyler Gray. “You can come in here and get your hands on it and see how you like it, and expect to pay the exact same price as you would online.” n

Quick Draw Gun in Monett has expanded its offerings, bringing its retail space to 1,800 square feet and offers everything from custom made firearms to bows with every accessory in between.

Biennial Quilt Show

Sept. 23-24 at the Shell Knob Elementary School

‘Birds of a Feather Stitch Together’

Many different types of comfort quilts are made by the members of the Discovery Quilters of Shell Knob. This September the biennial quilt show will be held using the theme, “Birds of a Feather Stitch Together.”

The comfort quilts for the Shell Knob community are made for Pregnancy Lifeline, Barry County Health Department, Stone County Health Department and those who are experiencing a family tragedy or death. Baby quilts are also made for The Purple Flower Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Center in Berryville, Ark. The center seeks to provide resources, one-on-one support, services as feasible and empowerment to those who have been affected by domestic violence themselves, or who know someone who has within Carroll County. They also work to prevent the occurrence of domestic violence in Carroll County by providing awareness and education to the public.

The group also makes Quilts of Valor or Quilts of Honor for veterans and lap quilts for wheel chair bound patients in veteran’s homes. A quilt is also made for each graduating student at the Lives Under Construction (LUC) Boys Ranch. The ranch is located in the heart of the Ozark Mountains in southwest Missouri. Their mission is not only change a young man’s life, but impact him while he is at the ranch by teaching him the values of hard work, respectfulness, responsibili-

Story by Lisa Craft

ty, honesty and Christian values through the actions of the staff members. Boys are able to find purpose and develop their talents by acquiring various trade skills, excelling in education and feeling a part of the LUC family.

The quilt projects are made possible by each member giving their time, talent and treasure to benefit others. There will be a silent auction at the show featuring several beautiful adult quilts and baby quilts that will go to the highest bidder. Proceeds will help fund quilting supplies and the machine quilting process for the ministries.

The show will be held on Saturday, Sept. 23 and Sunday, Sept. 24 at the Shell Knob Elementary School. The judged show will showcase the talents of the members with a colorful display of quilts. Show hours will be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday. Those attending will be able to view quilts, shop at the vendors, bid on silent auction items, visit the boutique that features many handmade items for sale and win door prizes.

The special stage display will be some of the “Show Me Sampler” quilts featuring blocks depicting all things Missouri.

Many of the members participated in putting this display together.

Demonstrations will be held from 10 to 11:30 a.m. on Saturday and at 1 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday there will be quilt turnings featuring the quilts of two of the members.

A live miniature quilt auction will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday with all of the proceeds going to the Alliance of Churches. The proceeds will help further the mission of the churches to provide food for those in need as well as emergency assistance and the back to school program that benefits every student in the Shell Knob school system with supplies.

The show will close on Sunday at 3 p.m. with viewer’s choice award and the drawing of a queen size opportunity quilt and a drawing for a Brother sewing machine donated by Shawn’s Sewing Center of Springfield. The winner does not need to be present. n

by Brin Hannum

Brin Hannum is a dietetic intern from Kansas City with a special interest in functional nutrition and how food impacts our mood and emotional wellbeing. In her free time, she enjoys entertaining her Border Collie, participating in Pilates, hiking, and watching all of the best classic sitcoms.

Inflammation and Processed Foods

Inflammation is our body’s way of healing itself when it has undergone trauma or damage, whether it be from our environment, physical injury, or all the more prevalent: our food.

When the immune system senses something foreign, it knows what it needs to do. It fights for us.

It was over 2,000 years ago when Hippocrates said, “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.” But, what if our food has actually become our poison? When inflammation gets out of control in the body, rather than healing, it can cause extensive harm to every system. There are several very common additives and ingredients in processed foods that we see today.

Sugar is pro-inflammatory when consumed in excess. The average American consumes over 17 teaspoons of added sugars a day, when we should be limiting added sugars to 6 teaspoons or less a day. Added sugars (which are now revealed on all nutrition labels) spike our blood sugars quickly and make our body work hard to bring blood sugar back to baseline, or homeostasis.

Trans fats are another highly inflammatory additive in processed/ shelf stable foods that allow them to be preserved for a long time while artificially enhancing the taste and mouthfeel of foods. Trans fats are man-made through the process of hydrogenation. Research has shown that there is no healthy amount of trans fats to consume, and they should be entirely avoided.

Trans fats would be another foreign substance your body is not able to metabolize properly, leading to metabolic diseases such as dyslipidemia, heart disease, and diabetes. It’s important to note that trans fats are sneakier than added sugars, because nutrition labeling regulations don’t require reporting trans fat content if it’s less or equal to .5g per serving. When it says zero grams, it may still contain trans fat. Paying attention to ingredients lists is just as important; if it has hydrogenated in the name, it contains trans fat.

Processed meats are salted, cured, preserved, and often smoked or flavored. While it’s important not to be afraid of naturally occurring fats, these kinds of meats are high

in saturated which can also lead to inflammation.

Too much of these types of foods can increase your risk of heart disease, stroke, and some cancers. Foods to avoid on labels might be nitrites, nitrates, monosodium glutamate (MSG), sodium acid pyrophosphate (this gives some processed meats their red color), and foods from animals treated with antibiotics, hormones, or steroids.

We’ve all heard of how great omega-3 fatty acids are for your health, however they are just one piece of the story. Omega-6 fatty acids works with omega-3s for normal growth and development.

Unfortunately, Americans are chronically deficient in omega-3 and often get too much omega-6. When intake of both of these are out of balance the excess of omega-6 elicits a pro-inflammatory response. Foods rich in omega-3s are salmons, nuts, and flaxseed to name a few, while many people choose to supplement if they can’t get enough from their diet alone.

Many of the seed oils used in our foods are a notable contributors to inflammation. Oils such as canola,

peanut, soybean, corn, sunflower, and safflower are all oils are that are high in omega-6.

Refined carbohydrates are a mainstay in a lot of people’s diets these days. Refined carbs refer to those breads made with primarily white flour which has been stripped of its nutrients and fiber.

Foods like breads, pastries, crackers, sugary cereals, and white rice would all fall into this category. These are similar to added sugars because they no longer have the nutrients or fiber to slow down their digestion, leading to harsh blood sugar spikes. Instead of avoiding these, it may be easier to replace them with whole grain foods, such as whole grain breads, brown rice, and oatmeal. Carb rich foods with fiber of 3g or more per serving can aid your health instead of hinder it.

Overall, these foods are all so common that they may often make up someone’s entire diet. With everything working against us, how is our body meant to fight off all of those immune attacks? It would be like putting out one fire just for another to always pop up. Sounds exhausting on our body! Naturally, all of these foods contribute to inflammation, but can also make us feel sick, tired, anxious, and depressed. However, there are plenty of ways to turn it around when it comes to the way we nourish and heal our bodies. Focusing on increasing our vegetable and fruit intake by filling half of our plate will go a long way. Including a variety of colors on our plates, which indicates nutrient density, will cause our organs to thank us. Limiting added sugars and saturated fats, while avoiding trans fats entirely is recommended, while making simple substitutions for those refined carb options will benefit your health in the long run. n

Center for Diagnostic Medicine: Above and Beyond

This is my last attempt to lose weight before I try weight loss surgery,” said an anonymous patient. In this particular instance, age was a factor, gaining and losing weight all of her life was a factor and health was the most important factor.

Dr. Lisa Parker had been this anonymous patient’s doctor for quite a while until she announced that she was leaving the clinic that she was practicing at. Eventually Parker announced that she was going to open an independent clinic, but did not know when or where. Lisa and Krista Turner, registered medical assistant, decided to set out together to open an independent family practice.

“I wanted to open an independent practice so I could make appointment times how I wanted to,” said Lisa. “I wanted to be able to give quality time to the needs of my patients and to do it that way, it works better if you are independent.

“My husband kept encouraging me to do this. I said it was like Indiana Jones when he steps off that cliff then the ridge appears. But he steps off in faith and that is exactly how I felt.”

“Lisa has integrity. She is a great lady and physician. She is smart and knows her stuff,” said Krista Turner, Lisa’s medical assistant. “She cares about her patients and I like to think that I am of the same mind. She is my person.”

The duo found a building in Spring-

field and thought that was where they would get started. They began to make plans and then the idea of a clinic in Springfield fell through.

“God closed that door,” she said. An office opened up in Mt. Vernon and Krista and I both lived here. It all worked out perfectly. I really did not know if there was a need in this area, but obviously there was because before we could even take insurance after we opened, we had patients just stopping in. For quite a while we had numerous patients doing cash pay, which was encouraging.”

The Center for Diagnostic Medicine had its ribbon cutting on September 6, 2022, opening its door to the public. In a very short time, the center had a waiting list of patients.

“My main focus is wellness, people getting healthy, nutrition and diagnostics,” Lisa said. “I want to do my best to figure out what is wrong with people which might include some testing that you cannot do in traditional labs.”

Dr. Parker has 23 years of medical experience, including 14 years in the emergency department. Krista has 16 years of experience in the medical field. Other members of the staff include Kim Greenlee at the front desk and Steve Brock, office manager.

Other than offering typical medical services, The Center for Diagnostic Medicine offers specialties to their patients. One of the first introduced was a medical

Story by Lisa Craft

Dr. Lisa Parker

Krista Turner, registered medical assistant

weight loss program called Finish Line. This is an intense 12-week program consisting of eight sessions. The initial session is a 90 minute comprehensive kick-off appointment with Dr. Parker to get a thorough history, including any past weight loss strategies and discuss specific goals for the patient.

“This is not a gimmick or a fad diet,” said Lisa. “It is an individualized weight loss program that incorporates a persons body type, age, sex, activity level and any underlying metabolic issues. One size does not fit all. You have to figure out their body type and their bad food habits

which are unique to each person.

“For some, medication is indicated,” said Lisa. “I will say that for the entire time that I have been a doctor, there has not been anything safe or effective for weight loss until now. With the Semaglutide, Wegovy and this class of medicine, it is amazing. It helps people, they don’t feel hungry and they are able to control their food.”

The program has high accountability and the patient must meet with the doctor weekly for the first month and then every two weeks for the second and third months.

A physical exam is performed followed by obtaining a whole-body scan through the technology of the Fit3D Pro-scanner in the office. The scanner shows muscle mass and fat mass and is not affected by water weight/hydration status. This tool will show participants muscle mass increase, fat mass decrease and their posture improvement. It will create an exact avatar of the patient and reveal body composition.

Going back to the anonymous quote at the beginning of this article, she began this program just about the same time that the center opened. At this current time, she has lost a total of 82 pounds.

Currently there is a total of 36 participants for a total loss of 853 pounds.

“The thing I like best about the weight loss program is seeing patients get healthier and happier which makes me happy,” said Lisa. “It is very satisfying to feel like I am making a difference.”

Another specialty is the Galleri, which is multi-cancer early detection. The test detects many cancers that are not commonly screened for today to allow for earlier treatment. Testing can be easily in-

Fit 3D Pro Scanner is the cutting edge technology and is available at the Center for Diagnostic Medicine. A simple 90 second scan will determine your percent of body fat, pounds of fat and pounds of lean mass as well as all your measurements accurately.

Pictured on the right is Collette Witt, of Marionville, discussing the weight loss program, Finish Line, with Dr. Lisa Parker.

The Finish Line Weight Loss Program is displayed on the wall with runners racing to be the first to the Finish Line.

corporated into a routine healthcare visit. If a cancer signal is found, the results can predict where in the body the cancer is coming from to help the healthcare provider guide the next steps.

The Alletess is also offered at CDM which tests for food intolerances.

“This has helped people with their quality of life more than anything that I have done,” said Lisa. “It tests beverages, meat, dairy, all grains and seasonings. This has helped so much to find out why patients are having so much stomach pain and how to treat it.”

“We are receiving a spiritual pay out, this is a ministry to us,” said Krista. “It is a spiritual overflow that fills me up. There are probably three of four people each week that I just stop and pray with. It is not always concerning medical reasons, it could be something else that stands out that I feel the need to pray for them.”

“By the time I come into the exam room, sometimes they are crying or singing,” said Lisa. “I think that sets the tone for the entire visit when the patient realizes they can speak about whatever is going on. We all need compassion.”

“You can’t get that everywhere,” said Krista. “You can’t fake that or manufacture it. Patients can be truthful and they will be heard.”

Dr. Lisa Parker and Brad Parker have been married for 11 years. They have seven children, five girls and two boys. Brad is a builder.

“This has changed my outlook,” said Lisa. “I come home happier.”

Krista is a single mom with two boys and two girls.

“I’m just a single mom that loves to cook, sing, bake, and do different crafts,” said Krista. “I love to experience things and spread Jesus wherever I go. That’s my jam.”

The center is getting ready to expand so they can hire nurse practitioners and take on new patients.

For more information visit drparkerclinic.com. The center is located at 320 W. Mt. Vernon Blvd in Mt. Vernon, MO. n

Solo September: Care for the Single Parent

Even though fall is one of my favorite times of the year, it also happens to be about that time when school schedules are back in full swing. When things get busy and I’m running all over town trying to keep up with my kids’ activities, I tend to fall into the pity party mode.

The reality of being a single parent hits me again and I realize that it’s just me. I’m the only one running the kids around. I’m the only one taking sick days at work for kids’ appointments. I’m making dinner every night. I’m budgeting and saying no more than I’m saying yes to things. Then it hits me like a ton of bricks; parenting by myself is so hard sometimes. While I can’t snap my fingers and make things go back to a two-parent household, I can reframe my situation and be intentional about giving myself a break when I need to and acknowledging daily, that I’m doing the best that I can. Those two things have helped me be successful at single parenting while maintaining some level of inner peace.

by Meagan Ruffing

1. I do my best at leaving white space on my calendar when I can. Divorce is traumatic and I realized that I was packing my schedule to the point where I had no down-time just to avoid feeling anything. This is a trauma response. I have had to be intentional about not scheduling something every night of the week and allowing myself to have nights where I have nothing planned. It’s been hard because those are the times when my mind wanders. Now, I notice those moments and choose to journal, call a friend, or go to a yoga class to help calm my thoughts.

2. I stay off social media when I’m feeling lonely in the parenting world. Looking at other families doing family things is sometimes too much for me. Even though my kids and I do a lot of fun things together and I’m thankful for the family time we have, I know what triggers me when I’m in a negative headspace, so I steer clear of it.

3. I make a gratitude list when things get tough. This helps me to remind myself of all the things that I have and never want to

take for granted. Hands down, this is the best tip I can give to another single parent. Write down all the things that you are thankful for and watch how your mindset and mood change throughout the day. This also helps take the focus off what I don’t have and pivot to what I do have.

4. The kids and I make a fall bucket list of things we want to do before winter hits. Creating this list gets us excited about the upcoming months and helps me prepare early on. While I try to go with the flow as much as I can, I am a planner and that’s what keeps me organized as the only adult in the home. We can do all the fun things that we do because I know how to manage our schedules.

5. When I have nights that just feel like too much and I’m exhausted, I recognize that and remind myself that I have the power to make things easier in that moment. Instead of cooking dinner, I put together a snack board for the kids and pull things from the pantry or, if the budget allows, I order in. My best friend who has reminded me almost daily since

Meagan Ruffing is a parenting journalist and marriage and family therapist living in northwest Arkansas. She enjoys helping other single parents find joy in the hard times while recognizing the hard stuff.

Families Needed

my divorce just how good of a mom I am, told me that my kids don’t need a home-cooked meal every night. They just need to eat.

6. That brings me to my most important tip when it comes to feeling the gut punch of doing this parenting thing alone; you must find a solid support system. You just must. The women I surround myself with are uplifting, got your back, call in-themiddle-of-the-night friends who I know would do anything for me and my kids. The names of these women are always on my gratitude list, and I can’t imagine going through the things I went through without their love and support. I never take these friendships for granted because I know how fortunate I am to have them. But I put into my friendship what I get out of them. I give what I receive and then some. I would do for them and their kids what they do for me and mine.

September doesn’t have to be a time for you to stay in the hard. It can be a time for you to look for hope in random moments with your kids and late-night phone calls with your friends. It can be hard and healing. You can hold both feelings and they can both still be true. I like to tell my clients in therapy that there is room for sorrow and happiness.

The important thing is to validate both and decide what you’ll do with them. This September I will be updating my gratitude list and adding one more thing. I am thankful for the opportunity to sit with people during some of their hardest life moments and help them heal. My job as a therapist has become such a passion for me and one that I don’t take for granted. n

The New Music Director of Ozark Festival Orchestra:

Carla Wootton

The Ozark Festival Orchestra, based in Monett, begins rehearsals for its 44th season this month. The four-concert season opens on Oct. 15 at the Monett High School Performing Arts Center.

The OFO begins with a new music director, after Alexandra Kovatch took an opening at the University of North Texas to study for a doctoral degree in conducting. Carla Wootton steps in as the OFO’s new music director. A flute player who has lived in southwest Missouri for more than 30 years, Wootton has many connections with area music groups, as director with the Springfield Little Theatre since 1993, an on-call flute player for the Springfield Symphony, and a band director at several public schools from 1990 to 2017.

She told the OFO board that she wants to immerse herself in the Monett community and plans to meet with many groups in the coming weeks. She met the players at an ice cream social organized for that purpose.

Music has played a major role in Wootton’s life from a young age.

Story by Murray Bishoff

“I always remember singing in church and loving it,” she said. “My mom sang alto and I always tried to sing along with her, as most kids my age I could only sing the melody, so that made me feel more special. I started piano lessons in fourth grade and flute in fifth grade band. Although I loved sports and made good grades, music was something that seemed ingrained in my soul. It has always been home to me.

“I loved my first piano teacher and she also played flute. That’s what I wanted to play in band – although they told me I’d be much better at the clarinet. Piano and flute became my escape from the real world.

a new door in a new season

Carla Wootton

“To this day, my brother and sisters will tell you how aggravated they became with all of my practicing. But whenever anything was wrong, which can happen quite often during the teenage years, I would go to the piano or my flute. Both became my best friends, my teachers, and my way of coping with life.”

The OFO will open its season with its first concert on Oct. 15, continuing the tradition of Sunday afternoon performances, mostly at the Monett High School Performing Arts Center. Rehearsals begin on Sept. 5 at 7:15 p.m., maintaining the Tuesday evening gatherings that have cemented the family atmosphere of the players. Six weekly rehearsals will lead up to the 3 p.m. concert.

The first concert with the theme “Hello Monett!” will feature many orchestral favorites. The Christmas concert will follow on Dec. 3. The Young Artists concert, themed “Hello Young Talent!”, comes on Feb. 25. The OFO’s popular pie and ice cream gala “Hello Summertime!” will wrap the season at the Monett City Park Casino on April 14.

Wootton credits David Goza, who served three different stints as OFO’s music director back to 1989, with leading her to the podium.

“I became a band director and loved working with kids, which was something I never realized I would love,” she said. “David was one of my professors at SMSU [MSU now] and I had him clinic my band. After the clinic, he talked with me about my conducting and how I was really good at it and should pursue it. I loved conducting, but my focus was more on the kids and getting them to the place I knew they could be regarding the music and how it could impact their growth. Music is so very powerful.

But when I wanted to get my master’s degree, orchestral conducting is what I chose, not another degree in education. I think that’s what let me know my path might head more toward conducting as I continued on my musical journey.”

Wootton sees her role as conductor more in terms of collaborating than overseeing the music making. While she won’t do as much musical theater in the future, she called the transition between the two forms as a dance she has enjoyed.

“I have always played/subbed in orchestras while also playing in the pit for musicals,” she said. “There is still a lot I’m learning about musical theatre, but I absolutely adore the people I work with. They all volunteer their time – like our OFO community musicians – and they are such hard working lovely people. I can also see future OFO concerts that might have a few of my musical theatre friends becoming involved and collaborating with us. I love the creative side of music, so who knows who or what you might see on the stage with our OFO!

“Back in my band directing days I was guest conductor of several league bands. I was the associate conductor of the Springfield Youth Symphony for 12 years, and I have conducted several operas. My brother is one of the Texas Tenors who gained fame on ‘America’s Got Talent.’ They made a PBS special called ‘Rise’ and I was the conductor for that also.

“I learned from every position I have ever had and the main thing I learned was how to reach out to others when I didn’t know something. But I probably learned the most from practicing piano … yes, that might sound crazy. I was never a natural technician when it came to music. I have always been very musical, but I had to really take things apart and figure out how to get them in my fingers, sometimes very quickly. I never gave up. I never wanted anything to get the best of me, so I would figure out how to practice, what to practice, in order to get it. That gave me grit. That also helped me when I started working with others to hear things that weren’t sounding good and figure out how to rehearse or what to say to my musicians so we could get on the same page and make beautiful music. I’m still learning. It will never stop.”

Wootton recalls studying piano in college and facing a choice of going on in her piano studies, a notably lonely career spending endless hours in the practice room, or taking a turn that engaged people directly. She chose teaching, starting in a little school that meshed its program with its community.

“I’ve seen band directors who were not the best musicians make phenomenal directors and build great programs because they knew people and loved them,” she said. “I discovered that

kids are the smartest creatures alive and if you do not truly love working with them, they know it, and it will never go well. People come first.”

She hopes to continue that strategy with the OFO.

“As you know, kids do NOT have to sign up for band,” she noted. “They have to sign up for math and social studies, but not band. So I learned how to tow that line of kids learning, and yet having a good time so they would want to sign up year after year. A community orchestra consists of volunteers who love music and this fits my personality the best. I can be direct and to the point. I know how I want things to sound and I know how to rehearse them to get this done, but I have to do this in a way that is still fun and makes our musicians feel valued, important and part of it. My job is to inspire! My job is not to tear down, belittle or ridicule someone into practicing, or coming in at the right time or playing in tune. And to be honest, that doesn’t truly work in any situation, even professional ones. Building people up is what creates excellence. So I feel I am very well suited with this wonderful community orchestra and I’m so excited to see the places we may go!”

Wootton described her conducting style as “very clear and yet musical.” She tends to mostly memorize the scores she presents.

“I feel my job is to give all players confidence and inspiration to do what they need to do, so I’m very big on eye contact and cues,” she said. “I feel the most at home conducting and the energy that goes between conductor and my musicians is sacred to me. It’s really special. That is only done with connection and trust. I do not like it when conductors are not prepared on day 1, so I work very hard at learning our music in advance and knowing how I want it to sound. It’s then in my court to figure out what to do to help get it there. I start rehearsals on time and end on time. I try to be very respectful of everyone’s time and I don’t want to waste it, so being organized is a must.”

One of her experiences as a fifth grader left an impression that has influenced how she approaches music.

“In fifth grade beginning band, there was a friend of mine, Dale-Ray, who was having a really hard time playing the flute,” she recalled. “I was very natural at flute so our teacher had me get with Dale-Ray and help him. I think that was the first time I entered the teaching world, although I didn’t know it. I was just helping and I liked it. I remember conducting our Springfield Youth Symphony in Carnegie Hall and the feeling of that moment with those kids. The energy was unbelievable and that thing that goes on between con-

ductor and orchestra that I love so much was phenomenal – very inspirational. Most of my influences, though, have been through what I perceived as my failures. I don’t like the feeling of failure but it has become my teacher, so I now look at failures as opportunities to learn, be happier and better. There are a lot of people out there more talented than me, but not a lot of folks who can out-work me. I have grit and although things will undoubtedly go wrong, I’m the type who will try to figure it out so it gets better…so I get better.”

Wootton’s tastes in music will surface immediately in the first concert, reflecting a broad range and excitement, but always appealing.

“We are playing several of my favorites on our first concert,” she said. “One of my all-time favorites is the Hummel trumpet concerto, which my husband, who is a professional trumpet player, is playing with our group. Tim is quite amazing as a musician and I can’t wait for the collaboration between our OFO and him. The audience will absolutely love this piece too. I love great music that truly says something, that connects. I’m not one to play music ‘just because you should,’ because of some famous composer or tradition. Life is too short for that. So, I love some of most all composers. Then there are tunes by the same composers I don’t like.

Story continued on page 39.

Members of the 2022 Ozark Festival Orchestra

Vince was there

You’ve seen the World War II graffiti “Kilroy was here.”

You may have even noticed that over time, in many historic events or places, Monett people were there.

There’s one Monett man who confirms many of those sightings, and whose own adventures rival the story books.

From the battlefield to the board room, Vince Martinez was there.

Vince says his was the first Hispanic family to come to Monett. He arrived as a first grader in 1948, moving from Oklahoma City. Vince’s father’s family immigrated from Spain and settled in the Monterey, Mexico area. Vince’s grandfather got a job as a cook for the Santa Fe Railroad and eventually ran all the food service for the railroad, then later ran restaurants in the Oklahoma City area. Vince’s dad grew up in Durant, Okla., served in World War II, met his mom and married her in Abilene, Texas. After the war he started working for the Postal Service. He secured a job with the Railway Postal Service, which brought the family to Monett.

“My father had just completed a master’s degree in music,” Vince recalled, “but he could make more money for his family in the Railway Mail Association. I realize now that was a tremendous sacrifice.”

Vince started classes at the Plymouth Elementary School at Euclid and Cale. His family lived on Fourth Street, across from the First Christian Church, renting from Ethel Lane, whose husband worked for the railroad. The next year they moved to Benton Street. Vince was an inquisitive little boy. He charmed the formidable Etta Gardner into giving

Story by Murray Bishoff

Vince Martinez

him permission to come onto the Gardner mansion property on Central Avenue and play with the tadpoles and fish in her pond. M.E. Gillioz lived nearby at Benton and Frisco, and built a tennis court for his daughters. Vince watched the girls and boys play tennis and wanted to play as well.

“I talked my parents into buying me a tennis racket when I was about eight,” he recalled. “I went there with a metal can of balls. I’d practice hitting balls against the wall over and over. That was my introduction to tennis. I played forever after that.”

A Monettan travels the world and after a lifetime, comes back home

Vince became such a good player that he never lost a high school tennis match, and has become something of a legend in Monett sports. He also played on a Little League baseball team with his neighbor Mike Garrett and a couple of years of football in high school.

Vince’s life took a turn his senior year. His father, who was frequently not home due to his job and only understood harsh discipline stemming from his military background, pushed Vince to want to leave. On the last day of October in 1959, Vince left school his senior year and joined the Marine Corps at age 17, though the school discouraged it. He qualified for a job in electronics and studied radio operations.

Then Vince became a world traveler. He went to Okinawa, Japan, for 18 months, where he took classes through the University of Maryland, as well as studying martial arts, earning a black belt several years later. He spent a few months at the U.S. military base in Da Nang, Vietnam, testing new communications equipment for the growing military presence there. Returning to the U.S., Vince ended up at Camp LeJeune in North Carolina. His experience as a lifeguard at the Monett swimming pool and earning his Water Safety Instructor certification enabled him to become a Marine Corps diver and parachutist in Okinawa. Because of his MOS specialties, he was assigned to 2nd Force Reconnaissance Company.

During the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962, when the world was on the edge of nuclear war, Vince was on board a ship off Cuba with the Second Marine Division, preparing to invade. When that ended, he reenlisted and was assigned to the Marine electronics school at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego,

where he would teach electronics and again be able to take college courses. One of his electronics students was an old acquaintance, Ron Terry from Monett, whose father had been another railway postal clerk. Another friend, Johnny Davis, MHS Class of 1961, who was in the Navy’s Underwater Demolition School, which became Navy Seals, was also in San Diego. Vince also ran into Jim Flaherty, from Pierce City, in San Diego, at Electronics School and then again in Okinawa. Jim had a lieutenant that was supposed to have played tennis for the University of Tennessee.

“He was good, but not that good because I beat him,” Vince recalled. “Of course, Jim was ecstatic.”

While assigned to the electronics schools, Vince also ran into Dick Gibson, Buddy Lee and Jimmy McCully, all from Monett. After teaching in the electronics schools for two years, Vince was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines at Camp Margarita, part of Camp Pendleton, north of San Diego, Vince joined the infantry battalion, and became its radio

chief. By mid-year in 1965, the U.S. intervention into Vietnam was ramping up, and his entire battalion shipped out as First Battalion, Third Marines. Vince oversaw all the radio communications. He also was in charge of setting up all communications systems at the Jungle Warfare School in Okinawa. The school was for numerous companies preparing for jungle warfare in Vietnam. Vince spent several days with photo journalist Dickie Chapelle, a legend for her coverage of World War II and Korea. Chapelle was with them for about 10 days.

“She was a sweetheart,” Vince recalled. “I talked a lot with her. She told war stories. She gave me a hug when she left, and she wasn’t a big hugger. When I got back to camp, I learned she had been killed twoand-a-half weeks later, stepping on an anti-personnel mine. That hit us hard. We knew then this was the real thing.”

A few days later, Vince headed to Vietnam with his battalion’s advance party.

One of the radio operators on the Second Battalion, Third Marines, which Vince’s unit was replacing, was Ron Terry from Monett. Ron left the day before Vince arrived. While on a trip to the Marine Exchange at Da Nang, Vince was tapped on the shoulder and turned to see Dick Gibson, once again another Marine from Monett who was there as part of Alpha Battery, 11th Marines. This was the artillery support battery for Vince’s battalion.

A few weeks later, Vince, now a sergeant, was working with his radio operators in the operations bunker when he got a call that a lieutenant was looking for him. It was George Groh, who had been in Vince’s class at Monett High School, nephew of Monett businessman George Groh. Vince talked Groh into flying back to Camp LeJeune for Christmas with

Vince with his parents and siblings

Vince. Pulling some strings, Vince helped Groh into applying for the Marine Pilots Program. George was accepted and became a pilot of C-130 cargo planes.

“Later, George told me he’d become an air liaison pilot for another infantry unit. ‘You got me into a lot of crap,’ he told me. ‘I’m not flying, I’m calling in air support.’ I said, ‘You’ve got to take the good with the bad.’”

When Vince returned to base after Operation Orange, a major operation with many casualties, he was assigned to his regiment’s headquarters since they had received a new communications van made by Collins Radio in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, one he and other instructors in electronics school had critiqued for the company. No one else knew anything about it.

“I got there on a Friday and the Third Battalion lost its radio chief on Saturday. They were going to send another sergeant who knew nothing about infantry as he had only recently arrived in Vietnam. I met with the regimental communications officer. I said that’s not fair to them or him. That battalion had been through a lot. I can teach anyone what they need to know about the van in a week. I think you should send me.” And they did.

Once he got there, Vince was met by the colonel, who said he never wanted to be out of touch with his men. “I said, ‘Yes sir.’ That was Earl ‘Pappy’ DeLong, one of the last of the World War II and Korea colonels.” DeLong was the only colonel to earn a silver star medal in World War II, Korea and Vietnam.

In time other Marines replaced Vince’s battalion, and they went back to Okinawa. It was time for Vince to return to the States and he had received orders for final drill instructor screening at the MCRD San Diego. Vince discovered he’d been recommended for drill instructor school. Not one to back away from opportunity, Vince said as an electronics guy, he would rather finish some classes and join a com-

munications battalion. While on leave in Monett, Vince learned from his dad after a morning run that a telegram arrived for him at Western Union. He had been accepted into drill instructor school.

“The drill instructor is the epitome of the Marines Corps,” Vince said. “You’re supposed to be far and above the average Marine. You learn how to turn civilians into basic Marines. I had been to NCO [non-commissioned officers] school and had been to the first Inter Service Instructors School while I was teaching electronics. I had a leg up on that portion, doing all the classes, learning all the commands to drill, all the movements each person needs to make.”

Despite some injuries, Vince secured the job for a two-year tour, ending as a platoon commander and was promoted to gunnery sergeant. He graduated from San Diego State with a degree in electrical engineering then was discharged from the Marines the next month. Even though he had the training to secure a top technical position in the military, it was the end of 1968. The Vietnam war still raged, and staying in would send Vince back to Vietnam. He decided not to reenlist and not to continue his military career.

Through a job fair at San Diego State, Vince took a job with Hamilton Electro, a major distribution company that became Hamilton Avnet, today known as Avnet. Vince worked on the Bay Area Rapid Transit System in San Francisco, seismic devices, on surgical lasers in their infancy with Litton Industries, the first digital cash registers, and eventually consumer electronics in stereos.

“Industrial electronics were fun,” he recalled, “but you could call on an engineer at a facility, design a semi-conductor, micro processors, diodes, resisters, and they wouldn’t remember you being there.”

From there, Vince ended up in Iowa. He went to work for an electronics distributor that also owned three stereo

stores. Consumer electronics, he found, was really his niche. Inland Container, a firm making high quality corrugated packages, had an electronics division called AFS, where Vince ended up as vice president of marketing after it was bought by Dow Chemical.

“Here I am, a kid from Monett, Missouri, rubbing shoulders with these Dow Chemical executives, flying on a company plane,” Vince said. “I was the first Hispanic hired into senior management of any division of Dow Chemical. From there, I had positions with Fujitsu Electronics – a sister company of Toyota, kind of like RCA with a little bit of Westinghouse thrown in. I worked for Nippon Electric Corporation consumer division in the same position as vice president of marketing, like the General Electric in Japan. Our office was in Rosemont, Illinois, near Chicago. I was back in the Midwest. Later, they wanted me to move to New Jersey. I said I’m not moving. My contract says I can stay in Kansas City. My wife had a good job. They bought out my contract.”

After that, Vince worked for Outboard Marine, a firm he’d sold electronics to in the past. The Marine industry took Vince to Joplin. Later he purchased FourState Restaurant Supply and started Marine Corps Active Wear, selling embroidered shirts and hats, “everything from a $1.99 decal to a ceremonial sword, lots of clothing, lots of gift items. In 22 years, we never got a piece of clothing back for being defective.”

Vince rebuilt that business after the Joplin tornado demolished his building, and sold it three-and-a-half years ago. During this period, he also did a great deal of public speaking for the Marine Corps. He served on the school board for the Catholic schools in Joplin.

“I had a license plate that said ‘X DI’ because of the store selling military apparel,” he said. “I’d get stopped by other Marines working as law enforcement Story continued on page 40.

Joplin’s National Cookie Cutter Museum Taking Shape

For many of us, the rich aromas of fresh baked cookies, and that first taste of a warm treat fresh out of the oven are enough. For others, a cookie is much more than the sugar, eggs and flour that created it.

Monett resident Kay Johnson has a unique perspective, thanks to her collection and work with cookie cutters.

While most of us pull the old cookie cutters out of the drawer each holiday season for a month of baking, then return them for a long rest, Kay has been using cookie cutters for a number of unique projects over the years, and kicked off a collection that led her to join the National Cookie Cutter’s Club and eventually volunteer to co-curate the National Cookie Cutter Historical Museum located in the Joplin History and Mineral Museum located at 504 S. Schifferdecker Ave. in Joplin.

If you ask Kay, there’s more to cookie cutters than meets the eye.

The National Cookie Cutter Museum features a display of cutters from England. The red standing crocodile is Marvin the Marvelous Crocodile which is the logo for Roald Dahl’s children’s medical research foundation, and the display includes Paddington bear, Queen Elizabeth, letter from Buckingham palace Princess Margaret’s office telling of her delight in purchasing a Christmas set of cookie cutters from Tulsa, Okla. to give to her nephew, Charles (now King Charles) for his fourth Christmas

“Our history and culture can be seen through cookie cutters by looking at the subjects, and materials, which can indicate what was going on in the world at the time,” she said. “Plus, they’re just fun. How can you look at a cookie cutter and frown?”

Kay explains that brands ranging from the automotive industry to popular cartoons have offered their own unique take on cookie cutters. Over the years, everything from Mickey Mouse, to Chevrolet have issued their own cookie cutters.

When you look at a particular cookie cutter, much can be learned from the time and place it was created and used. From the classic, hand-made tin cookie cutters of yesteryear, depicting basic shapes of animals or Christmas trees, to the more elaborate plastic cutters of more recent history that boast more details and those ever-popular licensed images of popular products and characters,

Story by Mike Gervais

each cookie cutter tells its own story.

That variety and rich history has predictably led to niche market for collectors who pride themselves on their unique collections.

For Kay, her interest in cookie cutters was purely academic – until it wasn’t.

“My interest in cookie cutters began because I used them in school when I taught third grade. I would get sliced American cheese, and I would have money cookie cutters, in the shapes of dollars and coins, that they could use to slice the cheese and learn about money. Then they could eat it,” Kay said. “When I was teaching kindergarten I would use the cookie cutters for the alphabet. I would use things like a Raggedy Ann doll to teach them the letter R. Of course, I used them at home too when I was raising my children.”

Kay also says that cookie cutters aren’t just for cookies anymore. “You can use them to cut bread and put it in the toaster for a snack, to make shapes in cheese and lunch meat, there’s lots you can do.”

From there, Kay began developing her own small cookie cutter collection and in 2004, she read an article in The Joplin Globe about the National Cookie Cutter Museum.

“After the Joplin Globe article, I thought this might be something I’d be interested in, and in 2006 I went to the National Cookie Cutter Convention in Pittsburgh, Kansas, and met the national president who helped me with obtaining resource materials and putting together displays of the museum. In 2009 I became co-curator and I’m currently the co-curator with Pam Bowling.”

The National Cookie Cutter Museum boasts a massive collection of cookie cutters from throughout the ages, representing various countries, companies and styles.

“I have a personal collection, but it’s not nearly as large as some,” Kay said. “Some people have 50,000 to 100,000 cutters. Some people like to collect a sin gle subject they like, like just ginger bread, or just handmade tin cookie cutters.”

The museum is inclusive, with a col lection of thousands of cookie cutters.

“Every cutter we have at the museum, and we have thousands, are catalogued. We have 12 six-foot display cases and we have them separated with different themes, like cookie cutters from different countries, or even brands,” Kay said. “There’s something for every member of the family.”

And the collection keeps growing – mostly on donations. “We have thou sands of cookie cutters, but we’ve pur chased maybe 12 of them.”

The museum also has a basket of cut ters that guests can choose from to take home with them.

um is located inside the Joplin History and Mineral Museum, which helps support the display by providing a space for the cookie cutters. “We are deeply indebted to them and they’ve told us that attendance at the museum is up 30 percent. We also have a national board that oversees the museum operations

Photo of National Geographic United States map with a cookie cutter of each state affixed. Cutters made by hand by Al Moorhouse, Canon Falls, MN.

Email your pet’s photo to: monettcommunity @gmail.com

If you think your furry or feathered friend is the cutest in the area, let us know!

We invite you to share a photo of your pet to be featured in Connection’s Cutest Pet contest. Photos should be sent in the original JPG format at the highest resolution possible.

Remember to include your pet’s name, city of residence and your contact information.

Sammy is a 3-year-old Maine Coon cat rescued by Jean and Junior Haddock of Jenkins

Sammy Sammy

by Christa Stout

Dirk’s Fund Big Heart for Large Breeds

If you read last month’s column, you probably remember the two Great Pyrenees mixes Karen and I transported to Pacific, Missouri. They are a bonded pair of dogs weighing a combined almost 190 pounds, that were found on Monett’s streets during the hottest and most miserable time of the year.

No one was willing to adopt them! Desperate, Karen contacted a Great Pyrenees Rescue who initiated contact with Dirk’s Fund in Pacific, and thankfully, they were willing to take on the two dogs.

As we talked to everyone and watched Bear and Bailey frolicking around their new living and play areas at Dirk’s Fund, I decided my next column would be about this rescue because I felt that the dogs’ story does not end with the transport. I asked Linda, the volunteer leader, if I could contact her later and get some more information for our column - the answer of course, was yes. So, I called Linda a few days ago and the first order of business was catching up on Bear and Bailey. It turns out they love everyone there and everyone loves them, but it was found that Bear is heart worm positive and was going to start his treatment that week. Bailey did not have any heart worms, which is unusual since they lived together all their lives.

Linda told me that the rescue has been in existence for 40plus years. It was started by the founder and his wife when they rescued a Great Pyrenees named Dirk, who required expensive surgery for which they had to raise some funds, and the name of their rescue became Dirk’s fund. They currently have 11 dogs at the rescue, four in foster homes and two more coming in.

Like Bear and Bailey, everyone gets their own indoor and outdoor kennels, and these kennels are very roomy, a dog’s heaven. There are also five large outdoor yards for running. Whenever possible, their own food is continued to avoid any tummy upsets. As soon as possible they are assessed by the Pacific Animal Hospital (Linda says they are the best, not only are they wonderful with the animals, but they have been very accommodating, even when it means after hours emergency help).

The dogs are given their first set of vaccinations and a full examination. If a health issue is discovered, a plan is made for treatment and an appointment is made for spay/neuter if there are no health issues. Ten days after the spay/neuter procedure, the dogs are available for adoption. Adoption days are Saturdays and Sundays.

Before adopting any pet, please view this YouTube video produced by Dirk’s Fund.

Here are some of the adoptable pets (besides Bear and Bailey); please read the entire descriptions at dirksfund.com

MOLLY

Hi, I’m Molly! You know what I would love most? To know what it’s like to have a home of my own. You see I am a 4 y/o 80lbs retired purebred golden retriever and my life so far has been breeding and now living in this incredible rescue Dirk’s Fund. As much as I enjoy the volunteers here, I would prefer to have my own furever family.

TEDDI

We don’t know how he was treated before he came to us with some trust issues. We’ve been working with him, and have consulted with experts, and what we feel he needs is an active athletic single owner, someone who is an avid hiker and/or runner/walker with experience and expertise in dog handling and would participate in a session with his current trainer. No kids or other pets.

JACKSON

Jackson is a Great Pyrenees snuggle bear! He is super affectionate and will love anyone who can pet him. He loves being outside and going on walks! He is obedient to some commands. He is great in the car and in hotels. He is slightly fearful of abandonment and sometimes eats food or paper goods left on counters, so he must be kenneled upon leaving the house. Loves playing with other dogs and plays peacemaker in the dog park.

Dirk’s Fund takes only large dogs such as Golden Retrievers, Anatolians, Great Pyrenees and Black Labs, so if you are interested, check out their adoptable pets. Linda speaks highly not only of Bob, the Director, but also the board and the wonderful volunteers, who together make this a great place for large dogs. Her favorite dog story is one where a dog was chained in front of a trailer and in order to stay cool, he had dug a hole. The dog was picked up and taken to a foster who promptly fell in love with the dog. Sometime later, the now owners were transferred to Hawaii, but they did not want to give up their dog, so they kenneled him for six months (at quite an expense) until they were able to find and pay a company to ship him to Hawaii. Needless to say owners and dogs are extremely happy to be reunited. What a happy ending. n

“I love all kinds of music, from orchestral to band to rock ‘n’ roll to easy listening. I like some country music but would rather listen to bluegrass. I actually want to learn what our community and our OFO musicians like. I like such a wide variety of things, as long as it’s quality and musical, I’m all about trying it!”

Wootton said her dedication and effort will extend to making OFO concerts enjoyable to the audience.

“I want our audience to be engaged, have a smile on their face, feel like crying at times – because the music moves them – and I want them to go out telling their friends and families what a wonderful concert they attended. I want it to not be boring at all and I want to get more of the community and the Monett school system involved as much as I can. Music moves people and can be something that brings folks of all different beliefs, together. People say that math is the universal language, but I think it’s music. Whether making it or sitting and listening to it, it doesn’t matter what language you speak, your gender, your life circumstances, it can connect us. I want our audience to feel that!”

Wootton extended an invitation to musicians who might like to play to come to an OFO rehearsal. Depending on the music selected, there is room for more strings and brass players in particular. Performers must be skilled enough to play orchestral music and follow a conductor. Age is not a limiting factor.

“If you have a love of music and would like a wonderful community to belong to, please consider sharing your musical talents with us and the great community of Monett!” Wootton added. n

Questions about the OFO and playing in the orchestra may be directed to Wootton at carla.wootton@yahoo.com.

Scan the QR code to send an email.

1. Christina and Jimmy Pedigo

2. Rebecca Becker

3. Brandon Moore

4. Andelynn Vineyard, 14 and Ashlee Vineyard

5. Dianna Woods

6. Ethan Mahurin, Angalena Euram, Lydia Mahurin, and Lexi Mahurin

7. Laira Jones, 16; Ali Debes, 16; Annie Rakoski, 17 and Lexie Jones, 16

8. Cammie and Kelly Lakin

9. Ed Velten and John Velten

officers or other Marines in the area, who would stop and salute. I had to have the Marine Corps approve it. The officer who did was in one of my platoons. The license plate was good for business.”

Vince’s great-grandmother had been married to a council or/mayor in Mexico but after his assassination she moved the family to Durant, Okla. Vince never visited his father’s family in Mexico, where one of his great uncles became a general in the Mexican army. Others went into business, education and health sciences.

These days Vince is married to Jane Hager Sligar and lives in Monett. The two knew each other vaguely as kids, when he served as a Monett lifeguard and she, about age 13, had a bit of a teenage crush on him. In his later years, Vince was divorced and Jane was a widow. Their paths crossed 55 years later. Vince still remembered Jane Arend and the white bathing suit with blue piping she’d worn at the pool.

“We met for lunch. We haven’t been apart since,” she said.

This might be called one of those “small world” stories, except Vince has been to the other side of it and back. He is proud of his Hispanic heritage, and marvels that he achieved in his interesting career and rewarding life.

Vince speaks fondly of his old friends and his days growing up in southwest Missouri. Monett was always Vince’s home, and remains so today. n

1. Markus McKnight, Hannah Stewart, Kalene Sangston and Thomas Sangston.

2. Mackenzie Shanks, Kristine Shanks and Mike Shanks.

3. Ian Cook, age 6, with Karen Burton.

4. Jerry Hudson and Tony Littleton.

5. Joe Grissom and Foxy Roxy.

6. Brooke Enos, Bella Alden and Ethan Hartman.

Vince and his wife, Jane Hager Sligar

SHOT Chapel Bridge in Lucerne, Switzerland. Photo by Pete Rauch

“

If we are to find our way across troubled waters, we are better served by the company of those who have built bridges, who have moved beyond despair and inertia.”

-Marilyn Ferguson

ACHIEVING MAGNET® DESIGNATION MEANS

Only 9% of U.S. hospitals meet the Magnet Recognition Program’s 94 standards of excellence – the nation’s gold standard of nursing. And we’re pretty proud to be one of them, because it means our nurses go above and beyond. Doing more, so you can feel better.

It’s

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EARNING NURSING’S HIGHEST HONOR. IT ALSO MEANS THE BEST POSSIBLE CARE FOR YOU.

the right thing.

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