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January 2017
Winter Wonder Is there a rough winter ahead?
Resolutions Make them as a family
Restoration Phelps School
Centennial
First Presbyterian Church
Downtown Aurora
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PUBLISHER Jacob Brower connection@monett-times.com
Happy New Year As the calendar turns the page, we wish you the very best in the year ahead.
EDITOR Kyle Troutman editor@cassville-democrat.com Marketing director Lisa Craft community@monett-times.com ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVES Sheila Harris James Craig Marion Chrysler CONTRIBUTORS Murray Bishoff Meagan Ruffing Lisa Buck Darlene Wierman Melonie Roberts Sheila Harris Susan Funkhouser Pam Wormington Brad Stillwell Jared Lankford Julia Kilmer Jennifer Conner Anne Angle Dionne Zebert Jane Severson Verna Fry Angie Judd Cheryl Williams Sierra Gunter
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Connection Magazine | 3
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4 | January 2017
Features
“Super Moon” by Cathy Lewis of Pierce City
9 | The right path Wyatt Howerton steps in to lead Berean Christian Academy as new principal
32 | Centennial of praise
January 2017
48 | Civil War history
First Presbyterian Church in Aurora celebrates 100th anniversary of building
Cassville man uncovers treasure from beneath sidewalk construction
38 | Cold news
50 | Central Crossing
Iconic one-room schoolhouse revived over two years in Phelps by local volunteers
Winters in southwest Missouri are not always so hospitable
Opportunities abound for all at the popular senior center
21 | Resolutions
44 | Apple Red’s
Make New Year’s resolutions with your children and see them excel at their goals
A resale shop in Aurora is looking to put downtown back on the map
14 | Back to Phelps School
Connection Magazine | 5
Photos by Stephanie Clymer, captured in Pierce City and Stella.
Contents 24 Proud Parent contest 25 Cutest Pet contest 27 Healthy Connection 30 Recipes 55 Bottles & Brews 57 Community Calendar 59 Familiar Faces 65 My Connection 66 Parting Shot
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Have an idea for a story you would like to see in Connection Magazine? Email it to connection@monett-times.com
6 | January 2017
Cover photo credit: PixieMe | fotolia.com
We are looking to honor 10 southwest Missouri women for their roles in making our community a great place to live! Tell us why a woman you know (or yourself) deserves to be featured
Influential Women
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Nomination deadline is March 1.
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Coming home Wyatt Howerton discusses attitude and displaying a positive outlook to students in Kristin Schulz’s class at the Berean Christian Academy.
Wyatt Howerton accepts new leadership role at Berean Christian Academy By Murray Bishoff
W
yatt Howerton’s eyes catch everything as he walks through Berean Christian Academy. Howerton is the new Berean principal this year. It’s been a long circuitous route for him. He has been peripherally associated with the Christian school from its beginning, and this year his son, along with Caleb Keeling, will be the first graduates from the school who have attended for all 13 years, kindergarten through high school. “I’ve been involved since the beginning of the school,” Howerton said. “The person who had the vision, Kelly Johnson, a good friend, came to me to explain it before taking it to the area pastors and asking for support. I was attending the Easyville
Fundamental Methodist Church at the time, where the school began. Now I’m the pastor there.” A 1989 Monett High School graduate, Howerton had an entire career at EFCO Corporation. Howerton married Kim Sommerer of Pierce City and came back home to get married at Grace Independent Methodist Church in Monett, where his father, Ronnie, pastored. He had worked his way up into the design and development division at EFCO before taking the principal’s job. “I felt God called me to come out here,” Howerton said. “A few years ago, I was out on the porch and felt God wanted me to take on a bigger role here. I argued. This time He wouldn’t let me deny it. God takes you on the route He plans, not you.”
Connection Magazine | 9
A high school history class at the Berean Christian Academy.
Howerton sees his role at Berean Christian Academy as pastor, administrator, team leader and principal. He added, “with much help from very versed teachers and the good staff we have. The teachers bring a wealth of knowledge in education. I feel blessed to learn from them. The volunteers are outstanding in this place. The support is amazing. There’s always someone willing to do whatever needs to be done, whether that’s mowing, janitor duties or whatever.” As for Berean’s future, Howerton remains very positive. “We have one of the top-notch education programs in the area,” he said. “When students leave here, they’re ready for college. We also strive to be a spiritual center. I want my kids to know someone cares for them. The students know the staff loves them. I believe that builds a well-rounded child.” Howerton believes the school already had its educational component in place before his arrival, as well as the spiritual part. He sees his role as increasing the strength of spiritual growth. 10 | January 2017
Wyatt Howerton, at left, engages in a lively chat with Marney Nowland, who teaches freshman algebra at the Berean Christian Academy.
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Connection Magazine | 11
“I want to be able to be seen by them,” Howerton said. “Sometimes, I pull kids into my office and say, ‘Let’s talk about what we can do to get you through this rough spot.’ I want them to be a success and get that sense of caring. I hope the administrators before me did that too.” Much of Howerton’s work this year has focused on consistency, making sure what teachers and administrators say is what they mean. “I believe kids want rules and boundaries,” he said. “I feel this year being consistent is a main goal, so kids know what’s expected.” Beyond the classroom, Howerton admitted a big part of his job is fundraising, to continue both the education effort and the maintenance of the facility. It’s not unusual for find him stuffing envelopes with a message 12 | January 2017
for supporters. “I envision doing this for a long time,” Howerton said. “I’ll see what God has in store. This is a home. God placed us here for a while.” Beyond the campus two miles east of Monett on Highway 60, Berean may have other roles to play. “I would like an off-site facility where we can cater to some at-risk kids,” Howerton said. “There are others out there who may need the love, compassion, education and spirituality that we can show them through Jesus Christ.” While with the Berean basketball team at a tournament in Fayetteville, Ark., the students played a Teen Challenge group from the Jay and Disney, Okla., area. These were students who may struggle in traditional school settings, but who
Wyatt Howerton stops to chat with Dawn Real, U.S. history teacher, in the course of his daily rounds at Berean Christian Academy. received special direction and support from the Christian environment that sponsored the team. “I can see us doing that,” Howerton said. “I see kids struggling in our communities who need that. Something off-site could be a benefit to those kids and the community.” Howerton sees his new job as a homecoming, though he’s been in Monett all this time. “I’ve been away. I’ve not been involved in the school as deeply as I am now,” he confessed. “Now I can contribute to the community. To introduce God-fearing leaders to this community, That’s my goal. That grows me.” )
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Connection Magazine | 13
14 | January 2017
By Murray Bishoff
Rising again Phelps school returns from history’s dust bin
W
est of Miller on Highway 96 is the Lawrence County town of Phelps. Once a thriving town, the community was largely wiped out in 1955 when the highway, part of the original Route 66, was moved south as part of an effort to replace a nearby bridge. In the process, most of the town’s businesses were wiped away. Towering over the north side of the road beside the original highway is the old Phelps School, a single-room wood structure with a high bell tower. Long neglected and peeling of paint, the school today has been almost fully restored, a monument to two years of labor by the Phelps School Community Center board, volunteers and a host of donations lending support. The restoration effort was a voyage of discovery, recounted Willie Washam, a board member who steeped himself for years in the project.
Connection Magazine | 15
Removing the belfry and four layers of roof from the Phelps School in October 2014 as renovations moved into high gear.
Leveling the west windows on the west side. Removing the old siding. 16 | January 2017
John Phelps of Springfield was the town’s namesake, attributed by 1860. The community dates back to the 1850s, when it was called Spencer, an 1854 post office in Stall’s Creek, and, for a while, as the Anderson Trading Post. The community had one of only three schools existing in the county operating before 1850. All the county’s schools closed during the Civil War except for a private one in Mt. Vernon. The original log school was located a mile north of the present site. Frame schools came into the area in the 1870s. The first school burned down. The current building was erected in 1888 after the school met for seven years at a nearby Methodist church. The school operated through the 1951-52 school year. After that, the school was consolidated into the Miller district. For another 25 years it served as the Phelps Community Center, and was the scene of a big community meeting on Jan. 28, 1989, where residents protested plans to build an industrial incinerator nearby. The Coon Hunters Association met there over the years. The Green Township Special Road District built on the land, establishing squatters’ rights. Locals seeking to preserve the school, the oldest link to the community’s roots, had their hands full. Washam said the original frame was made of oak that was likely cut locally. Records showed a local man brought in a steam-powered sawmill in the 1880s and cut down a grove of trees. The stumps were used for years for the annual Phelps picnic. Construction had its problems from the start, as restorers discovered. All the wood was placed while still green. “It warped and warped,” Washam said. “We can’t do anything about it.” The floor joists were 2-1/4 inches
by 10 inches. The interior trim was 4-1/4 inches wide, matching nothing available today. Washam observed conventional lumber standards did not exist before 1904. All of the interior trim was tongue and groove pine, coming from Arkansas. The exterior siding was all Poplar wood, likely also from Arkansas. The belfry, the prize of the structure, had collected two inches of dust in 128 years, about 15 gallons in all. Measurements were taken of the belfry to build a replacement. The porch, they determined, had rotted out entirely and had to be rebuilt like the original. On the front porch they found a star from the Grand Army of the Republic, from a chapter established in 1890 that met at the school. Restorers discovered the foundation was 400 pounds of limestone piled in the middle and built out from there. Nothing else was under the structure. No local contractors wanted to mess with modifying the rock. They found a rock mason from Mexico who agreed to help even the limestone and repair the breaks. To repoint the chimney, restorers located someone “down the road” who had some original bricks that they used to restore the original. All the inside walls had been covered in Masonite, probably in 1930. Under that covering, they found a Masonite blackboard, and behind it, they discovered a wood blackboard. They left sections of the wall off so viewers could see back through time to the first incarnations. School board minutes in 1935 refer to a spring remodeling to become a Class 1 school. That required more light in the building, which had only
had electricity since 1933 and three light bulbs, installed with supplies from a dime store in Carthage. Windows increased from four to seven, putting more on the west to provide light over the left shoulders of students, who sat facing north. The original windows were closed. Restorers found remnants of their location, revealed in part by square nails from earlier construction. They installed four fake windows inside to show visitors where the first windows had been. In that 1935 remodeling, the wood
stove in the school moved from the center of the room to the side. One of the outdoor toilets remains. The school gained a second door on the north side in 1939. Washam said a gasoline truck ran off the highway nearby, resulting in a house burning down. Board members decided a second exit away from the road could prove valuable in an emergency. Restorers found three floors in place. Under the oak floor, dating from the 1950s, was a four-inch tungand-groove floor made of pine. Under it was a six-inch tung and groove floor oiled with linseed. All three ended up coming out in the restoration, but sections were left to show the earlier versions.
Connection Magazine | 17
The roof originally came from oak shake, then had a layer of green asphalt and two layers of gray asphalt. Washam said crews tore off the entire roof. There was no soffit under the rafters. Consequently, the attic filled with dust. Restorers ruled out pulling down the beams for fear that the dust would suffocate them. “We got a 20-year-old on top of the ceiling to kick it down,” Washam said. “I don’t know how the ceiling stood.” All the joists were reinforced in the restoration. The new bell tower was fashioned out of structural angle aluminum. Restorers spent $500 to buy four shutters for the tower, held it together with stainless steel rivets and welded all the stress joints, leaving a much stronger version than the original. The base of the bell tower hit the roof line. Because the roof was not level, crews from Empire District Electric used their heavy equipment to put the new bell tower up twice: once to measure it so they could cut it to fit flat, and a second time to put it in place.
Restorers wanted something more lasting for the exterior trim. Washam wrote to the Hardie Corporation, which makes fiber cement building products, explained the entire project and asked for a donation. Much to their credit, executives at Hardie became intrigued and agreed to help. They donated six-inch fiber concrete board that restorers could cut down to the original 4-1/4 inch size. They also provided enough to put soffit in place for the first time. The shipment, coming out of the Meeks Lumber store in Mt. Vernon, weighed 4,000 pounds. They also used it for trim on the bell tower. The new roof has a life expectancy of 50 years. Washam wanted all the work done well so no one would have to follow him to make more repairs in the foreseeable future. The original electric meter, donated by Empire District Electric, was still in place, with its original seal. Washam contacted Empire as a not-for-profit organization and successfully negotiated the donation of a new meter, installed four feet underground.
A roof leak on the west side developed after the windows were added in 1935. A 2-1/2 inch sag developed in the wall, causing the windows and the wall to sag. Restorers found the foundation cracked, causing the wall to dip. They concluded they could raise the floor to level it, but raising the wall ran the risk of buckling the roof. As the restoration nears completion, Washam said the organization has eyed its place in the world of Route 66 enthusiasts. They plan to make the school into a museum, where they can display Phelps photos and possibly show panels on the ceiling of Route 66 in Lawrence County. The side road to Highway 96 where the school sits is part of the original Route 66 pavement. The group has three of the original school desks, but Washam said they are too badly deteriorated to save. They will search for others. School records are available from the 1920s, 1930s and 1940s to tell the story of the site. Washam said his organization still needs to drill a well. The school never had running water. Throughout its history, people had to cart water there, either from a nearby church or from the well on the south side of the road. This fall, restorers completed putting on E-glass storm windows in place, along with the heating and air conditioning system. Next spring, they expect to add paint, caulk and seal the concrete porch and foundation, as well as add steps to the back door. They plan to straighten the school’s original flagpole and put it back up, as well as put the bell in place. Much of the story of the restoration effort has been documented on the organization’s webpage: PhelpsSchoolOnRoute66.com. A link on the page offers a way to donate to the restoration effort through PayPal.
i
18 | January 2017
Crews from Empire District Electric used their heavy equipment to put the new bell tower up twice: once to measure it so they could cut it to fit flat, and a second time to put it in place.
2016
Phelps School, prior to renovation Connection Magazine | 19
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Parenting Column
CARE
Help your child set goals to further their ability to plan for the future.
Teaching your kids about
New Year’s resolutions
A
s my kids have gotten older, their questions about New Year’s resolutions have gotten more detailed. Questions like, “What is New Year’s?” “Why do you make resolutions?” “What does resolution mean?” “Can anyone make a resolution?” “What happens if you don’t follow through with it?”
Each time she does this correctly – meaning, before she starts whining – I will give her a sticker to put on her sticker chart. When her sticker chart fills up, she can go to the store and pick out a reward.
jolopes | fotolia.com
If I didn’t hold myself accountable before, now I have three little faces staring back at me that will. It got me thinking. Why not include the kids on this year’s resolution making? So that’s exactly what I did. This will look different for every family, depending on how old your children are. My advice is to start small and pick one thing you think your kids can do. Setting them up for success will only increase their chances of seeing their resolution through and as a result, feeling extra good about themselves. For example, my 5-year-old daughter Hannah has been an emotional roller coaster lately. Because this is something I have been wanting to work on anyway and I know it’s something everyone in our household will benefit from, I suggested her New Year’s resolution be to come to me first when telling me how she feels (happy, sad, angry, annoyed, etc.)
Start small and pick one thing you think your kids can do Connection Magazine | 21
Here are five important steps you can take as the parent when helping your child succeed at their New Year’s resolution this year. jolopes | fotolia.com
1. Keep it simple.
They’re kids. Their resolutions will probably look different than yours, and that’s OK. This isn’t supposed to be an end-all, be-all type thing. Involving your children with New Year’s resolutions is just a fun way to teach them about what it means to want to improve, better yourself, and try new things.
2. Have a sense of humor. Your son might want his resolution to be something silly like only eating purple foods for a year. OK, well, you know and I know that probably won’t last long, but that’s fine. If he’s really interested in doing this, it would be a great teaching experience. Think of all the foods you guys will end up learning about and you never know, this might end up being a very clever way of finally getting him to try eggplant?
3. Be a support. One of the best things about being a kid is having a wild imagination. Let your child run with that. Be her biggest supporter. If she really wants to be a unicorn starting January 1, than do everything in your power to make that happen. She will remember the mom who tried and the mom who taped on her horn every day because that is what she believed would be an incredible way to ring in the New Year. Something like this is such a great way to get her interested in reading about unicorns and may even spark her interest in drawing her own My Little Pony.
22 | January 2017
4. Model good behavior. As the parent, I keep my resolutions low key and something the entire family can be in on. It helps set the tone for the house and it’s a fun way to let my husband and kids help me succeed in seeing it through. Several years ago, my resolution was to floss my teeth every morning. It was something I wanted to do and I needed that extra incentive to make it happen. Guess what? My kids floss their teeth every night because they see me doing it and we all have fun picking out different types of dental floss when we’re at the store together.
5. Celebrate and congratulate, even if you stop. Even if your daughter’s resolution only lasts a few days or a few hours, celebrate the fact that she was brave enough to say out loud what it was that she wanted to do. These are the years when our children need to know they are free to explore their dreams in a safe place. These are the years when kids need to know their parents are their biggest fans. To get things rolling, jot down a few ideas with your kids about possible resolutions. Start by telling them what a New Year’s resolution means. Tell them what it really boils down to is making a commitment to do something better for yourself or for someone else. When you put it like that, it continues to set the foundation for making good choices and what parent doesn’t want that for their child?
Meagan Ruffing is a parenting journalist, author and speaker who tries to make a New Year’s resolution each year. To find out what she’s picked this year as well as what each of her children have picked for their resolutions, visit her at MeaganRuffing.com and everywhere on social media.
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Connection Magazine | 23
Proud parent Ivy Raye Delgado, 1, is the daughter of Whitney Keener and Raymond Delgado of Purdy.
Ivy is January’s cutest kid.
Congratulations, Ivy! Are you a proud parent? If so, take this opportunity to show off that cute kid of yours. We invite you to share a photo of your child to be featured in Connection’s very own proud parent cutest kid contest. Email your child’s photo to connection@monett-times.com. Photos should be sent in the original JPG format at the highest resolution possible. Remember to include your child’s name, parent’s name, age, city and your contact information. The contest is open to children ages 10 and younger. The photos submitted will be used for the sole purpose of this contest.
24 | January 2017
Cutest pet
January 2017
Meet Gordy, 10 weeks old at the time of this photo. He lives in Monett with his owner, Armin Kamyab.
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. Email your pet’s photo to connection@monett-times.com. 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.
January’s winner! Connection Magazine | 25
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Healthy connection
SAVE
Make a resolution to reduce food waste.
Cut back on waste, save time and improve variety
W
e’ve all done it. Filled up our grocery carts with fresh fruits and vegetables to kick start our new diet resolutions. As the week passes, our busy schedule keeps us from even opening the refrigerator. Now the veggies are starting to wilt and the bananas are well past brown. In the United States, we waste about 30 to 40 percent of our food supply each year. That is about 20 pounds of food wasted by each person every month. At the same time, one in eight people are food insecure in America. How can you work to reduce food waste in your own home?
Meal plan The first step to reducing food waste is to plan ahead. Look at your schedule for the week and jot down a weekly meal plan. What days will you have enough time to cook? As you make a grocery list, take an inventory of what you already have and what foods you need to incorporate into your next meals before they go bad. While at the store, stick to your list. If you know you will not have time to chop and dice fresh produce, choose frozen produce which will last longer. Not only will you reduce food waste, but also save money.
LISA BUCK, R.D., LD is a registered dietitian at the Center for Health Improvement at Cox Monett Hospital. She obtained her bachelor’s degree in dietetics and Spanish from Missouri State University and is working on a master’s degree in public health. Lisa is passionate about international development work and has volunteered throughout Central America working in the area of health education and promotion. In her free time, Lisa enjoys biking, running and all things outdoors.
Refrigerator cleanout meals Near the end of the week, check to see what foods are starting to go bad and make a “cleanout” meal. You do not have to follow a set recipe. Be creative in trying out new mixtures of flavors. These dishes will accommodate almost any of your leftovers:
Connection Magazine | 27
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n Stir-fry: Sauté small pieces of veggies and meat with herbs and spices. Stir in leftover grains or pastas for a quick and easy meal. n Quesadilla: Fill a whole wheat tortilla with leftover meat (shredded), cooked spinach, smashed beans, or grilled veggies with the cheese of your choice. Heat in a skillet until golden brown. n Smoothie: Use up extra fruits or leafy greens by blending them with ½ to 1 cup of milk or yogurt for an on-the-go breakfast or afternoon snack. n Soup: Start by sautéing onions and garlic until soft, then add water or broth with any uncooked grains or veggies. Simmer until tender, then add in any pre-cooked ingredients, such as grains, pasta, or beans. Finish with some curry or cumin to add a kick.
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n Frittata or Quiche: Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in an oven-safe skillet. Combine leftovers, such as veggies, chopped deli meat, or herbs, with 6-10 scrambled eggs. Sprinkle cheese on top and bake at 350 for 15-30 minutes, or until set.
If you know you won’t have time to eat your purchases or leftovers before they will go bad, be sure to put them in airtight containers to freeze. Fruit such as bananas and berries can be frozen to use in smoothies. Many vegetables can be blanched and then frozen. Use ice cube trays to freeze things such as tomato paste or fresh herbs (add about 1 tbsp. of water). Once frozen, you can pop them out and store in a freezer bag until you are ready to use your pre-portioned servings. Doubling your recipes and freezing the leftovers is a great way to make sure you have healthy grab-and go-meals on the days when there is no time to cook.
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Connection Magazine | 29
Porkolt (Hungarian Stew) Made With Pork Ingredients
Roasted Beet and Kale Salad Ingredients 3 large beets 1 tablespoon olive oil Salt and ground black pepper to taste 1 bunch fresh kale, cut into bite-size pieces 1/2 cup chopped cashews 1/4 cup dried cherries 2 tablespoons golden raisins 1/2 cup apple cider 1/2 lemon, juiced 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard 2 cloves garlic, minced 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar 2 tablespoons olive oil, or more to taste
Directions n Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. n Trim roots and stems from beets. Coat beets with 1 tablespoon olive oil and sprinkle with salt and black pepper. Place beets onto prepared baking sheet. n Roast beets for 30 minutes; turn beets over and continue roasting until tender, 30 minutes to 1 hour more. Let beets cool. Peel skins from beets and cut into 1-inch cubes. Toss cooked beets with kale, cashews, dried cherries, and golden raisins in a large salad bowl. n Whisk apple cider, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, garlic, and cider vinegar in a bowl. Slowly drizzle 2 tablespoons olive oil into apple cider mixture, whisking constantly, until dressing is combined. Pour dressing over salad and toss to coat. Refrigerate at least 1 hour for flavors to blend before serving.
30 | January 2017
5 slices bacon, diced 2 large onions, diced 1/4 cup Hungarian paprika 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper 5 pounds boneless pork chops, trimmed 1 large yellow bell pepper, seeded and diced 2 (14 ounce) cans diced tomatoes, with liquid 2/3 cup beef broth 2 cups reduced-fat sour cream 2 (6 ounce) packages wide egg noodles
Directions n Place the bacon in a large, deep skillet, and cook over medium-high heat until evenly browned, about 10 minutes. Drain, and reserve the drippings. Add the onions to the bacon and cook together until the onion is translucent. Remove skillet from heat and stir the paprika, garlic powder, and pepper into the bacon mixture. Transfer the mixture into a large stockpot. n Heat a small amount of the reserved bacon drippings in the skillet again over mediumhigh heat. Cook the pork chops in batches in the hot drippings until evenly browned on both sides. Use additional bacon drippings for each batch as needed. Remove the pork chops to a cutting board and blot excess fat off the surface of the chops with a paper towel; cut into bite-sized cubes and stir into the bacon mixture. n Heat a small amount of the bacon drippings in the skillet; cook and stir the bell pepper in the hot drippings until softened and fragrant; drain on a plate lined with paper towels. Stir the cooked pepper into the bacon mixture. n Pour the tomatoes with liquid and beef broth into a stockpot and place the pot over medium-high heat. Bring to a simmer and reduce heat to medium-low. Cook until the stew begins to thicken, stirring occasionally, about 90 minutes. Stir the sour cream into the stew just before serving. n Bring a pot with lightly-salted water and bring to a rolling boil; add the egg noodles to the water and return to a boil. Cook uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the pasta has cooked through, but is still firm to the bite, about 5 minutes. Drain well in a colander set in the sink. Ladle the stew over the drained noodles to serve.
Dawn’s Candied Walnuts Ingredients 1 pound walnut halves 1 cup white sugar 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon salt 6 tablespoons milk 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions n Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spread nuts in a single layer over a baking sheet. Roast for approximately 8 to 10 minutes, or until the nuts start to turn brown and the smell of roasting nuts fills the kitchen. n Stir together sugar, cinnamon, salt, and milk in a medium saucepan. Cook over medium-high heat for 8 minutes, or until the mixture reaches the soft ball stage of 236 degrees F. Remove from heat, and stir in vanilla immediately. n Add walnuts to sugar syrup, and stir to coat well. Spoon nuts onto waxed paper, and immediately separate nuts with a fork. Cool, and store in airtight containers.
Recipes
Apple Squares Ingredients 1 cup sifted all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking powder 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/4 cup butter or margarine, melted 1/2 cup packed brown sugar 1/2 cup white sugar 1 egg 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/2 cup chopped apple 1/2 cup finely chopped walnuts 2 tablespoons white sugar 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
Directions
Bacon Turnip Mash Ingredients
Baked Spaghetti Squash Lasagna Style Ingredients
n Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9x9 inch pan. Sift together flour, baking powder, salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon; set aside. n In a large bowl, mix together melted butter, brown sugar, and 1/2 cup of white sugar with a wooden spoon until smooth. Stir in the egg and vanilla. Blend in the flour mixture until just combined, then stir in the apples and walnuts. Spread the mixture evenly into the prepared pan. In a cup or small bowl, stir together the remaining cinnamon and sugar; sprinkle over the top of the bars. n Bake for 25 to 30 minutes in preheated oven; finished bars should spring back when lightly touched. Cool in the pan, and cut into squares.
1 spaghetti squash, halved lengthwise and seeded 1 onion, chopped 2 tablespoons minced garlic 2 (14 ounce) cans stewed tomatoes 1 tablespoon dried basil 1 cube vegetable bouillon Black pepper to taste 1 (15 ounce) can black olives, chopped 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese 1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
Directions
2 pounds orange turnip 2 tablespoons butter 1 pinch salt 1 pinch ground black pepper 1 dash garlic powder 1/2 pound bacon, cooked and crumbled 2 tablespoons rendered bacon fat
Directions n Peel and cube the turnip. Cook in a saucepan in salted water until very tender. Drain then mash with the butter or margarine, salt, pepper and garlic powder to taste. Set aside. n In a skillet, fry the bacon until nice and crispy. Remove from the skillet and crumble. Reserve 2 tablespoons of the bacon grease. n To the skillet with the 2 tablespoons of bacon grease add the mashed turnip and crumpled bacon. Stir and heat to the desired temperature before serving.
n Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Spray a baking sheet with a thin layer of cooking spray. Place squash halves cut side down on the baking sheet. n Bake squash 35 minutes in the preheated oven, or until a knife can be easily inserted. Remove from oven, and cool. n Meanwhile, spray a non-stick saucepan with cooking spray. Over medium heat, sautĂŠ the onion and garlic until golden brown. Stir in tomatoes, basil, bouillon cube, and black pepper. Cook for about 15 minutes, or until you have a medium thick sauce. n Remove squash strands with a fork, reserving the shells. Layer each half with a spoonful of the sauce, a layer of spaghetti squash strands, olives, and mozzarella cheese. Repeat layers until shells are full, or until all of the ingredients are used. Top with Parmesan cheese. n Bake for 20 minutes in the preheated oven, or until Parmesan cheese melts.
Source: AllRecipes.com
Connection Magazine | 31
The congregation at the First Presbyterian Church in Aurora stood as a hymn was sung at the church’s dedication service 100 years ago, before the litany of rededication.
Children from the First Presbyterian Church’s LOGOS program sang during the rededication service. Pictured, front row from left, are: Loren Sparks, Quincy McKinley, Preston McKinley, Kynnadi Snider and Kyndall Snider. Back row: Hannah Sandoval and Seth Shoemaker. 32 | January 2017
A century of doing
God’s work
O
n Dec. 3, the First Presbyterian Church in Aurora celebrated the 100th anniversary of its building in the church square. Typical of churches of the period, it’s a big building, not at ground level, the sanctuary up a flight of stairs and a basement of many rooms down a flight. Pews circle the sanctuary, which descends to the front, then rises again into the choir loft, framed by the large pipes from the organ. On both sides of the sanctuary are more rooms, the church parlor on the north and an equally large space on the south, separated from the sanctuary by accordion doors that fold up into the ceiling. The warm colors of dark varnished wood fill the sanctuary, providing a serene setting for worship. Stained glass windows encircle the perimeter of the church, windows installed when the church was built. The windows, with their distinctive green, geometric shapes and collages of Christian symbols appear strikingly similar to win-
By Murray Bishoff
Aurora church celebrates 100th anniversary of building
A view of the main entrance off the square off the First Presbyterian Church in Aurora. dows in the original United Methodist Church in Monett, built in 1917 and more than likely using the same window artist. The building has one feature that distinguishes it from other area churches: it is topped with a dome. On close examination, the dome has air vents that can be opened on it, apparently an early option for air conditioning, rather than a sheerly decorative feature. The building also has a third floor, with Sunday school rooms and a balcony overlooking the sanctuary. In the balcony are plush theater seats instead of pews. According to Cindy Fisher, church elder who grew up in the church, children reveled in the nuance of such unusual seats in church long after the novelty wore off on adults. The theater seats replaced the original pews, probably around the
1930s, before the current pews were put in place in the late 1940s. When the switch was made, many of the theater seats were donated to the Lawrence County Courthouse. The third floor also has tiny pews for children, dating from the late 1940s, used in the Sunday school opening ceremony prior to separating into classrooms for different age groups. In the basement, the church has a fellowship hall. Originally, the basement had a series of pillars supporting the rest of the building, like those under the balcony in the sanctuary. According to Fisher, Cliff Journagan, from the family that owns the local True Value Hardware, and Leonard Bisby in the 1960s mounted a major engineering feat, running steel beams across the basement ceiling. Their success enabled the church to take out the pillars, thus opening up the room in a more useful fashion.
Connection Magazine | 33
Hidden down in the basement is the boiler that originally heated the building. Fisher, who served as church secretary for many years, had her office over the boiler and confessed she used to worry about the boiler’s health. Now that the building has modern central heating and cooling, the boiler remains an antique reminder of a seemingly ancient technology. Other than that, the Aurora church resembles many churches of the day. The church had outgrown its earlier home on the northwest corner of Elliott and Church streets, and has now for a century been in the heart of the city, on the square. According to the church history prepared for this occasion, church members talked at length in the fall of 1915 about the need for a new building. The congregation, first organized in 1877, authorized purchase of the land on March 22, 1916. The land was donated to the congregation by the Riggs family on March 22, 1916. The cornerstone was laid in June 1916. The church was built by day labor at a cost of $18,000. All the materials were purchased through the Coleman Lumber Company at a cost slightly above wholesale. T.A. Miller donated all the inside furnishing woodwork and the large chandelier which still hangs in the sanctuary. The Ladies Aid Society raised $1,800 to purchase the original pipe organ. Upon completion, the church and all its furnishings were estimated to have cost approximately $25,000. Dedication services were held on Dec. 17, 1916, making the current celebration quite timely. Over the years, various improvements have been made to the building. The sanctuary was redecorated in 1941, including the donation of pulpit furniture, given in memory of current or former members of the church. An electronic organ replaced the original, but the pipes of the first instrument
34 | January 2017
still frame the altar and choir loft. Oak tables, made by church member Leonard Bisby, were used for many years for gatherings. Several are still in use. Others were replaced with modern lightweight models that can be placed anywhere with ease. During a remodeling in 1950, the junior and senior departments were made into “chapels.” The last extensive remodeling was done in 1988, at which time members raised $88,000 in pledges in a single day. When the Americans with Disabilities Act went into place 20 years ago, the church added an entrance from the alley with an access ramp to the base-
ment and the second floor. Recently, major repairs have been made to the ramp. “We have several families who have been in the church for decades,” Fisher said. “I’m a third generation, and my children’s children have been going to church, which shows how we go back quite a ways. It’s a family place.” Fisher credited many families with taking key leadership roles in the church, supporting its longevity with their gifts and efforts. Particularly influential in more recent years have been session members Craig Ellis and Scott Pettit, Bob and Jan Seibert, Larry and
A memorial plate on display during the centennial celebration of the First Presbyterian Church in Aurora, showing the church’s earlier building, located at Elliott and Church streets on top, and the current building, now 100 years old, at bottom.
Sandy Meyer, Bob and Caren Journagan, the Riggs family and the Burney family. Ardell Forrester has been our organist for many years and also helps organize the choir and arranges liturgists for worship. Gail Wilson is the church secretary and handles the session agenda as well as gently suggesting appropriate action on a number of church-related issues. “She is the glue that holds the session together,” said Scott Pettit. Theresa Pettit has served in various capacities over the years, mainly with the youth. Bill Riggs grew up in the church,
is an elder and has been a caretaker of the building for many years. His wife, Ann, now serves on the session as an elder. Larry and Debbie Stanley are both elders. Debbie is the chairwoman of the church life committee that organizes pot luck meals and programs. That committee is very active with several members who meet monthly. Larry Stanley serves as an elder on the session, is the chairman of the Stewardship Committee and is the church’s regular delegate to attend the Presbytery meetings. Rosemary Peterson has been active in the church for decades. “She served as one of my Sunday
School teachers when I was about 6 years old,” said Scott Pettit. “I remember her vividly giving us motherly care in her class. Now Rosemary runs the Moses Basket diaper bank. This program is for poor families in need of free diapers. Moses Basket is open every Tuesday from 10-11 am. Rosemary distributes between 50-100 dozen diapers per month.” Bob Journagan and Craig Ellis are on the building and grounds committee for the session. Craig recently installed a new water line. “There have been so many who helped,” Fisher said. Connection Magazine | 35
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Fisher herself serves as clerk of the session and is responsible for the session minutes. She also organizes the LOGOS program for the youth which is held every Wednesday afternoon. Fisher is also the chairwoman of the Christian education and youth committee for the session. The congregation considered moving in recent years, but finding the church building fundamentally sound, leadership has focused on beginning another renovation project and staying in place. The church rededication committee has been very active this year. The members are Steve and Kathy Lowry, Dean Gautney, Bill Riggs, Jan Seibert, Bob Journagan, Jim Shipman and Scott Pettit. This committee took input from the congregation from the inspection done in early 2016 and listed eight priority projects with bids. Long-range projects include adding air conditioning to parts of the building where it is still lacking. By the centennial celebration, the roof on the church had been replaced, and two new doors for the main entrance off the square were ready for inspection by those attending. “Great things are happening at the First Presbyterian Church, Aurora,” said the newsletter prepared for the anniversary celebration. “Rev. John Johnson [retired from the Disciples of Christ and a former pastor at the First Christian Church in Monett] has us moving in the right direction. Adult Bible class is growing, the Children’s LOGOS and Youth programs are continuing to thrive, and we are active in the community by the way of the Moses Basket Diaper ministry, support of Aurora Ministerial Alliance, Food Harvest, the local food bank and with volunteers at the Come and Dine program feeding meals to disadvantaged in the community. “We have a proud history as a vital member of the community, locally and internationally through the work of the Presbyterian Church USA. Our mission is to serve the community as God has called us to do.”
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Connection Magazine | 37
Season leaves its lasting mark on memories, landscape
Power poles were frequent victims in the ice storm of January 2007, as was this rural Monett pole, snapped but still suspended by its wires.
No matter what decade, the distinctive look of an ice storm remains the same. Mr. and Mrs. Luther Davidson, at left, and Mr. and Mrs. Arch Biggerstaff inspected the damage to Chinese elm trees at the Biggerstaff home at Seventh and Benton in Monett following the ice storm over the weekend of Dec. 8, 1956. 38 | January 2017
By Murray Bishoff
Looking northwest from the corner of Fifth and Broadway after the March 1970 snow, first arrivals at businesses on March 17, 1970, were those who had the chore of digging paths through the 20 to 24-inch layer of snow throughout the city.
Epic winters: E
pic winters. Snow covering every inch of the world. Ice storms that cut off power for a week. Cold that’s dangerous. Winters have been a joke around Monett in recent years. Officially snowfall was zero in 2012, 2013 and 2015. But winter is no joke. Back when the Monett weather station was in operation, local meteorologists recorded 23.7 inches of snow in 1979, and 15.6 inches in 1977.
Are they coming?
Twice, the National Weather Service recorded years in the nine-inch range, in 1978 and 1997. Then there’s heavy snowfall in a single day: 9.4 inches in 24 hours in 1977 and eight inches in 1997. On a 20-year cycle, one of those storms is due this year. For Lonnie Nine, who worked as a meteorologist from 1954 to 1996, including nearly 25 years at the Monett weather station, an “epic winter” would be “like a
winter we’ve never seen.” Yet over time, even Nine has about seen it all. On his first trip to Monett, in March 1970 to look over the newly completed weather station, Nine eyed ditches full of water and was told that it was runoff from 18 inches of snow. The Monett Times reported snow drifts up to four feet in height in what was considered one of the heaviest snows on record, 20-24 inches in the Monett area.
Connection Magazine | 39
Falling limbs made a mess of Monett following the ice storm in January 2007.
There have been winters that have redefined life in southwest Missouri. One of the most pivotal occurred in 1990-91. Here’s how The Monett Times described what happened on that occasion: “Freezing rain last Saturday [Dec. 29, 1990] soaked the snow already on the ground and then froze, creating a three-tosix inch solid layer that turned yards into skating rinks and streets into toboggan ramps.” This event caused the widespread collapse of poultry houses throughout southwest Missouri, some dating back to the 1940s. In light of this “cleaning of the slate,” major poultry producers like Tyson Foods introduced their own system for producing birds, exclusively in new houses that met their standards and specifications, where they could standardize production like never before. That new system runs to this day. 40 | January 2017
Drivers on Elm Street in Pierce City on Jan. 15, 2007, may have felt like they were driving through a wall of ice, and they weren’t far from wrong from the view of the high ice covered trees along the roadside. Winter is not all hardship in Monett. The great source of fun for the season, whenever there is snow, is sliding down the sledding hill at Monett’s South Park. The sledding hill is a manmade concoction, created by dumping tons of dirt over a rocky hillside used as a quarry and a city dump 100 years ago, leading into a cave that runs under the City Park Casino. This jolly sled run made its run in February 2013.
Monett lost one of its major landmarks due to that storm: the ice plant at the east end of Broadway, which had been in business since 1912. Snow frozen into thick layers of ice broke drainage spouts on the flat roof of the three-story storage building, resulting in large pool of water collecting on
the roof that turned to ice. The weight from the ice precipitated to collapse of the roof trellis, bringing down part of the roof. Without the storage building, the owners at the time saw no use in continuing the operation. They demolished the storage building and stripped the
still-working ice-making equipment, sending it off to another plant in Ohio. The remaining shell of what had been at the heart of Monett’s strawberry industry, the ingredient that cooled rail cars prior to the introduction of refrigeration, burned at the hands of vandals in 1994. Connection Magazine | 41
Perhaps the most devastating manifestation of winter in recent memory has been ice storms. Nothing has ground the entire area to a halt like a heavy layer of freezing rain that brings down tree limbs, power lines, breaks utility poles from the sheer weight of ice clinging to power lines, broken branches all over yards and streets — streets made impassible from that and layers of ice on roadways. After the ice storm on the weekend of Jan. 12, 2007, The Monett Times reported, “Streets look like car bombs exploded and shattered branches and bushes for lot after lot.” At the time, Monett City Commissioner Jerry Dierker put it bluntly, “It’s not safe to be anywhere. People need to be in, not driving, and not clearing limbs from their yards. If another limb falls, the weight of the ice could hurt or kill someone. This is not anything to be messing with.” Empire District Electric reported widespread power outages that in so many cases took more than a week to restore. Empire estimated two out of three people in both Barry and Lawrence counties were out of power. That Sunday night, power was out in most of Monett. “A completely black Monett, Missouri, is an eerie, eerie place to be,” said Monett Utilities Superintendent Pete Rauch, recalling his drive down Broadway during the outage. “It was very quiet. All you could hear was the truck, the cracking of trees and falling ice.” It wasn’t the first ice storm in memory, but it was the worst, by far. A total of 1.63 inches of freezing rain in December 1956 covered Monett in a scenic sheet of ice but caused little damage inside the city limits. In 1974, the National Guard had to be called out for the Miller and Greenfield area. From the junction of Highways 39 and 96 south of Miller, every utility pole for a mile had been broken. The Christmas day ice storm in 1987 stopped Monett industries and left surrounding rural areas out of power for a full week. As a result of the 2007 ice storm, utilities throughout the area began engaging
42 | January 2017
Monett, 1970
in much more aggressive tree trimming to prevent dipping power lines from breaking wires. Many beautiful trees have been sacrificed by excessive cutting. Nonetheless, towns like Monett, which have their own electric department, have made major strides preserving service through the diligent work of tree trimming crews. The State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) helped set up a series of warming centers and shelters in 2007, even in Monett. Aid teams distributed generators, some from the National Guard. Those plans remain on the books, just in case. Alliances developed between utilities to come to each other’s aid. In November 2016, Monett signed another one of those agreements with Municipal Electric Systems of Oklahoma. About 1,000 electric workers from outside the area came to help Empire recover from the 2007 ice storm. There were indirect casualties from the storm. In several cases, people died from carbon monoxide produced by their personal generators. Such dangers remain, even as people forget such hazards between storms. “This is a favorite area in a way for ice storms,” Nine observed. “I recall after one, the sound of breaking branches around my farm never ceased. It sounded like a war.” Nine observed that people forget how to drive in bad conditions after years without practice, especially driving in ice storms. “Beginning drivers may not have even seen one before,” Nine said. “One of my boys, Craig, drove one of my pickups to Monett High School from our farm after an ice storm, and ended up in a ditch
three days in a row, twice in Callan’s Crossing [now Cleveland and Chapell Drive], which was rather deep at the time. After the third time, one of the police officers said I needed to do something about it. I said, ‘My son needs to learn how to drive on that stuff.’” Nine attributed the recent lack of winter locally to global warming, and wondered at what point the kind of winters seen 40 years ago will return. “I hate to admit this, but when Al Gore brought out his thinking on global warming, I didn’t agree,” Nine said. “I think what happened got so political that I rejected it. I see a lot of evidence now. I think it has changed our weather, but not every day. There’s nothing out of the ordinary as an average weather day. “Before global warming, I remember one April where we had a total of .15 inches of rain. That was out of the ordinary. I was worried how that would affect crops and pastures. It turned out to be an average year, just as pretty as can be.” Nine said he was not 100 percent convinced by all the talk about global warming, especially over the future of winter. He was not prepared to write winter off. “Computers have changed the weather business,” Nine said. “Theoretical meteorological write these weather models, and they’re pretty good. In 1985, the AFOS [Automatic Forecast and Observation System] was introduced. A punch of a button took care of the first two hours of work I used to do: decoding a teletype, plotting a weather map and analyzing it. “I think occasionally there will be kind of a normal winter. Weather just goes on. You can’t control a lot of it.” Winter will be back.
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Connection Magazine | 43
By Melonie Roberts
Apple Red’s Aurora woman fulfills lifelong retail dream
Apple Red’s Resale, located at 206 Madison in Aurora, is home to more than 25 vendors offering their antique, collectible and craft items for sale.
44 | January 2017
Sarah “Red” Stephens, artist and owner of Apple Red’s Resale, located at 206 Madison in Aurora, and fellow artist Dennis Lawrence, owner of Rustics Flea Market, located around the corner at 17 E. Olive, share a laugh as they make plans for a collaborative effort to help revitalize the downtown Aurora area. Plans include special promotions and reviving the monthly Art Walk.
S
arah “Red” Stephens is fulfilling a lifelong dream of owning her own business, but it hasn’t been easy. “I knew I wanted to own my own business when I was 18 years old,” she said. “I let fear keep me from doing that.” Twenty-eight years later, after raising her five children and finding herself with an empty nest, Stephens decided to take the plunge. “I knew I wanted to do this, but I had to start small, on a shoestring budget,” she said. “I also had a lot of service projects I wanted to do, and my own artwork to focus on. “I drove by the corner of Church Street in Aurora and saw a small building for rent. I contacted Steve Allen, who has several rental properties around town, and looked into it. I rented the
building in 2014, but could already feel myself expanding when I got there.” Not content with only having a resale shop, Stephens built a kitchenette inside the business and started baking custom cheesecakes. Her reputation for a quality product spread, and she soon found herself catering to school functions, parties and other local events. “I also started compiling gift baskets for special events and fundraisers,” she laughed. “I always shop from my vendor booths for gift basket items before I go outside to department stores or other retail shops.” Stephens found a modest level of success, but was still limited by space constraints. Fast forward to April 2016, and Stephens found herself walking through the doors of her new building, which offered
additional floor space and the opportunity to revamp the interior and put her personal mark on it. “I pulled tile and carpet and got down to the wood flooring,” she said. “Once I got the vendor spaces in, they filled quickly. Vendors find items at estate sales, garage sales, auctions and in their own personal belongings to fill their booths. It works out well. I never thought interacting with the vendors would be so much fun, and all of the people I’ve met. It’s all about letting people come in and put their own creative touch on their booths. “There are a growing number of customers who plan day trips throughout the area with the specific goal of hitting every flea market and resale shop on the route. There is a lot more foot traffic at my new location.” Connection Magazine | 45
Concerning the resale business, Stephens is enthusiastic. “You never know what you’re going to find,” she said. “The hunt is half the fun.” Stephens credits the growth of her business primarily to word of mouth. “You don’t get anything else like it,” she said. “Community interest brings customers in. They want to sell and buy items. For some, it’s all about buying and selling, but I’ve discovered the community needs an outlet. People need people. It’s all about relationships. “Sometimes being the owner of a store is like being a bartender. People just need to mingle and get out. That’s what I like to provide.” Anxious to build yet another kitchenette and start rebuilding her cheesecake clientele, Stephens feels as if she is falling behind on her personal goals. “First, I need to get the expansion completed and a kitchen built,” she said. “Then I hope to develop some community classes teaching art, working on projects and promoting a new program, Damsel in Defense, a program designed to equip, empower and educate women to protect themselves and their families. Finally, I would like to reestablish the monthly Art Walk, get the community involved to support local merchants to revitalize the downtown area. That, finally, would include developing on my own art and promoting other local artists.” While Stephens has been moving and expanding her business, she has invested a significant amount of time in promoting the other downtown merchants and businesses in an effort to help revitalize the area. “As an artist and a woman, I truly believe in the adage of being true to yourself,” she said. “I’ve found that I have put my own art and projects on the back burner. I need to build another kitchenette and start making cheesecakes again. “I made a trip to Paris with a group of artists ranging in age from 20 to 60. One painting had all the artists celebrating and breaking bread together. That symbolizes,
to me, the idea that as much as we want to be reclusive, our survival is based on turning outward from ourselves and providing a connection to other people. It’s vital to our survival.” Apple Red’s is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and is closed on Sundays. For more information, visit Apple Red’s Resale on Facebook or call 417771-7976. )
Sarah “Red” Stephens, owner of Apple Red’s Resale in Aurora, arranges some blown glass necklaces and earrings on a counter display in her resale store.
Customer Charlotte Dykes happily agrees to her daughter Harley Dykes’ request to purchase a collectible Christmas bear from Apple Red’s Resale in Aurora. 46 | January 2017
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Connection Magazine | 47
The history below us
48 | January 2017
By Kyle Troutman, Editor
Cassville man finding Civil War relics under sidewalks
M
any may see the ongoing sidewalk construction along Main Street in Cassville as a noisy hinderance, but for one resident, it is an opportunity. Growing up interested in metal detecting, 1998 Cassville graduate Dustin Atnip saw the sidewalks being torn up as a chance to do some hunting, and with what all he’s found, he calls it a success. “I got my first detector a couple of years ago, and I got a better one earlier this spring,” he said. “I’m always looking for places to go, and construction sites are good places because all our history gets covered up by progress. At construction sites, you can get to that old stuff much faster.” During his hunts on Main Street, from the Cassville district campus west, Atnip has uncovered several Civil Warera bullets, a Grand Army of the Republic button, pocket knives, old coins and many turn-of-the-century items once lost. “You never know what you’re going to find,” he said. “You have to do your research, find where people were and find where the activity was. I tend to find a lot of Indian head pennies, wheat pennies and silver coins. “I knew Main Street was the Old Wire Road, and I had hoped to find a lot of stuff. Some days are good, and some are not. It all just depends on where an item is and how many holes I can dig.”
Pictured are numerous items Cassville graduate Dustin Atnip has found along Main Street during the sidewalk construction, including several Civil War-era bullets, a Grand Army of the Republic button, pocket knives, old coins and many turn-of-thecentury items once lost. To find items, Atnip said each detector is different, based on how deep it will detect and how small of pieces it can find. “Once I find something, I use a small garden trow to cut a circle and dig it out,” he said. “The detector will tell you how deep it is based on a coinsized object.” Atnip said for those looking to get into the hobby, looking online for the right detector is the best place to start. “There are all different types depending on what you want to do,” he said. “There are special ones for the beach, for land and for both. Typically, the more money you spend, the better it will be. You also have to learn that detector’s language, the different beeps and speeds. Once you learn that, it will
talk to you.” Atnip said there are also many resources online for people who search with detectors. “There are a lot of Facebook forums and places to go to help you find stuff, or to help you identify what you’ve found,” he said. Atnip said to always ask before going on hunts. “I try to get permission to hunt on private property because you can’t do this on government-owned land,” he said. For now, Atnip said the items he’s found on Main Street will be staying safe with him. “I don’t have a big collection, but I’ll put it in a shadow box and just keep it at home for now,” he said.
Connection Magazine | 49
The Melba Eakin Memorial Garden was constructed and dedicated this year to give members a place to go for quiet and reflection.
Central Crossing Senior Center
Quilters from the group Quilting 4 Charity make quilts for organizations and individuals in need — including victims of natural disasters such as the Joplin tornado and Hurricane Katrina — and they have a good time with each other while they’re at it. They also handstitch and restore family heirloom quilts. 50 | January 2017
Continuously-growing facility offers opportunities for physical, emotional wellness
T
he Central Crossing Senior Center in Shell Knob is one happening place. That’s because on any given day, there’s always something going on there. It may be a senior center, but don’t the name fool you. There’s no one sitting in a rocking chair there. This bunch of about 500 folks are a very active, progressive group of seniors who want to enjoy life, and this particular center is so abuzz with activity it’s like Union Station in a railroad depot. “We are literally doing something every day,” said Terri Bradford, center administrator. “There’s not a boring moment.” A sampling of activities and resources to keep seniors’ minds and bodies sharp include line dancing, Tai Chi classes, a library, computer room, woodworking classes, a fitness room, a quilting group, several card games, Pickle Ball, Wi bowling, a meditation garden, lunch, meals for home-bound seniors, social holiday events and more. There are also services like tax preparation assistance and Medicare counseling. From its humble beginnings in a rented space in the Bridgeway Plaza in Shell Knob to a new facility built in 1999 on 40 acres of pasture land, the center has exploded in growth, always adding something new. Two years ago, 6,000 square feet was added to the building, doubling its capacity for a total of 13,000 square feet. The most recent activity added is Pickle Ball, a game similar to tennis. Ed Hlasney, 71, a retired anesthetist, who has been going to the center for a couple of years, said this is his favorite activity.
Social gatherings for holidays and special events are a common sight at the Central Crossing Senior Center. Here, past administrator, O.J. Thompson flips burgers for a cookout. (above) Line dancers entertain guests at a Central Crossing Senior Center holiday event.
By Melonie Roberts Connection Magazine | 51
Pickleball is the latest activity to be added to the lineup of fun things to enjoy at the Central Crossing Senior Center in Shell Knob. The game is like a scaled-down version of tennis.
“We are literally doing something every day. There’s not a boring moment.” - Terri Bradford, center administrator
Artisans from the woodworking group, who meet at the Central Crossing Senior Center, create pieces. Anyone is welcome to join, regardless of skill level, and the group is open to anyone, not just seniors. Members say along with enjoying and perfecting their art, they enjoy each other’s company and learning from each other just as much. (right) Center Administrator Terri Bradford, who keeps everything running at the Central Crossing Senior Center, takes a break from her duties to share a smile. 52 | January 2017
“It gives me the chance to meet other people, and get a little exercise,” he said. He also likes to eat lunch there. “You can’t beat it [the price].” Lunch is offered from 11:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, for only a suggested donation of $3.50 if over 60 years of age, and $6 if under — quite a savings for a home-cooked meal. With such a bargain, it’s no surprise that about 60 people show up for lunch each day. “One of our main things we like to promote is our home-delivered meals, both hot and frozen, through the Meals on Wheels program for home-bound seniors,” said Bradford. The average age of participants who frequent the center is between 55-60, but it’s open to any senior, and anyone who wants to come partake in a good meal, whether chronologically a senior, or not. “It’s open to any senior, said Jerry Arnold, CEO. “In fact, it’s open to anyone, we just give priority to seniors.” Medical resources are also available, too. With Shell Knob a township in a rural location, members can receive medical treatment locally and stay in shape without having to drive long distances. Mercy Cassville offers physical therapy rehabilitation services, a contractor comes by for hearing aid checks, another for foot, toe and nail care, durable medical equipment like wheelchairs and walkers are available for loan, and volunteers offer Medicare counseling and enrollment, as well as the exercise classes and fitness room. Even beyond the appealing palette of activities to participate in, the center offers something else — the opportunity to remain independent and socialize. “As long as we keep them moving and active, it’s going to lessen depression, because it gives them something to look forward to and gives them companionship,” Bradford said. “Everyone who comes in is really happy to be here;
Card games are among many popular activities in which members take part at the Central Crossing Senior Center to keep one’s wits sharp.
it’s always such a positive atmosphere.” Virginia Noller, 79, has been coming for 15 years. She likes to play Bridge. “I come to have fun and socialize,” she said. “I was a quilter, and I volunteered in the kitchen at one time and checked people in for lunch. I have a great time here. The people are friendly and I couldn’t ask for a better place.” The center is funded through rent collected for the building, through selling water and sewer services to local residents, fundraisers, donations and local county taxes. “I think the Lord is with us, Arnold said, who has been involved with the center about 15 years. “When He knows we need something, He sends someone and it shows up. This center has something for everyone in the community,” he said. “We’ve got lunch, a good home-bound meal program, physical and mental activities, woodcarvers, a quilting room. There are so many things seniors can do to keep their mind and body active. The secret of a good senior center in any community is serving the seniors of the community.” An OATS bus brings people to the center who cannot get there on their own. “We have one man who is blind and
in a wheelchair, who comes to eat twice a week,” Arnold said. When asked what makes this senior center different, Arnold shared the following: “The only answer I have is the people in this community appreciate what we’ve got and they support it,” he said. “Also, this is a small community and they don’t have that many opportunities, so they see it as their own; they take an ownership more so than in a big town. So I’ve got to give the community most of the credit. A crossing, by definition, is a central place where two roads intersect or connect, a point where one has a choice to take one road, or the other. At CCSC, seniors are choosing the road of connection, and it’s taking them in the right direction, because it’s connecting them with others and creating physical, mental and emotional wellness in their lives. “Our center is very well equipped to provide services and activities,” Arnold said. “There is so much here for seniors and we encourage them to take advantage of those things.” For more information about any of the center’s activities and resources, call 417-858-6952. The center is open from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. # Connection Magazine | 53
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Bottles & Brews Warm up and cool down
Russell’s Reserve
Distilled by the Wild Turkey Distilling Company in Lawrenceburg, Ky., Russell’s Reserve is a single barrel bourbon aged in American white oak barrels handpicked by the distillers. It sports a signature taste of creamy toffee and vanilla. The spirit has won multiple awards in the past few years, including a gold medal at the International Wine and Spirits Competition in 2014, a 93-point score in the Ultimate Spirits Challenge in 2013 and a gold medal in the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, also in 2013.
Lazy Magnolia Southern Pecan
A product of Mississippi’s oldest brewery, the Lazy Magnolia Southern Pecan is a brown ale perfect for those who relish pecan-flavored items after the holidays. The beer has light hops to allow the caramel and pecan flavors to shine through. Southern Pecan won a bronze medal in the 2006 World Beer Cup specialty beer category. On BeerAdvocate.com, it has a 82 out of 100 from 1,715 ratings, and a 71 out of 100 from the site’s owners.
Goose Island Winter Ale
A seasonal favorite from the Chicagobased Goose Island Brewery, the Winter Ale is a brown ale featuring nutty chocolate notes and malty, roasted caramel flavors. It sports five different types of hops, including wheat and dark chocolate. On BeerAdvocate.com, it has an 84 out of 100 score from 243 ratings.
Samuel Adams Nitro Coffee Stout
Resembling a cold-brewed, dark coffee, Samuel Adams Nitro Coffee Stout has been described by reviewers online as Starbucks with a kick. A product of the Boston Beer Company, the drink is smooth and creamy, finishing with a robust flavor noted by dark roasted malts, bittersweet chocolate and Sumatran and Indian Monsoon Malabar coffees. With 414 rating on BeerAdvocate.com, Samuel Adams Nitro Coffee Stout has earned an 86 out of 100 rating.
Connection Magazine | 55
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417-235-DIRT (3478) 56 | January 2017
Community calendar
JANUARY 2017
Impacting the community.
Community support groups Grief Care Support, sponsored Community Support by Integrity Hospice, is held the last Thursday of
Cassville Senior Center
Aurora Diabetes Support Group meets the third Wednesday of each month at Mercy Hospital in
Dominos every Friday at noon. Call 417-847-4510 for more information.
The Parkinson’s Support Group meets at 2 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church, 1600 N.
Central Cross Senior Center
every month at 10 a.m. in Marionville at Methodist Manor, 205 South College Ave. in the Alice Lounge. Care group is for anyone experiencing grief through loss. Aurora in the private dining room at 4-5 p.m. It is free and open to the public. Note: There is no meeting in December.
Central in Monett on the second Thursday of every month. No charge to attend. Call 417-269-3616 or 888-354-3618 to register.
Celebrate Recovery meets at 7 p.m. at the Golden Baptist Church on Highway J in Golden every Mon-
day of each month. Dinner is served at 6:15 p.m. This is for anyone with hurts, habit or hang-ups.
The Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) Group of Cassville meets at 8 p.m. at 1308 Harold Street in Cass-
ville on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays every month.
The Turning Point AA Group meets at 7 p.m. at the west corner of Mitchell Plaza on Highway 86 in
Eagle Rock on Mondays and Tuesday every month.
DivorceCare divorce recovery seminar and support group meets at the First Baptist Church, 602 West
Street in Cassville at 6:30 p.m. on the first Tuesday of each month. Call for more information, 417-8472965.
111 Fair Street
Shell Knob
Friends’ Bridge every Friday. Call Quita at
417-271-9803 for details.
Cards Galore every Friday with Pitch
beginning at 9 a.m.
Domino Poker every day at 12:45 p.m. Mah Jongg every Monday and Wednesday
from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Paint Classes, every second and fourth
Monday of each month.
Cassville Al-Anon Family Group meets at 8 p.m. at the United Methodist Church in Cassville every
Line Dancing every Tuesday and Thursday
Narcotics Anonymous meets at 8 p.m. the first Tuesday of every month in the basement of St. Law-
Quilting for Charity every Wednesday and
Narcotics Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous group meets at 7 p.m. the first Tuesday of every
Pinochle every Thursday from 12:30
from 9-10:30 a.m.
Thursday of each month.
Thursday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
rence Catholic Church, located at the corner of Seven and Cale streets in Monett, 417-442-3706.
month at the First Baptist Church Activity Center, 618 Second Street in Washburn. 417-489-7662.
Notes:
to 3 p.m.
The Cassville Chamber of Commerce annual membership banquet will be held the first Saturday in February this year (Feb. 4) The Monett Senior Center’s regular monthly dance will NOT be held in the month of January. Weather permitting, it will be held in February.
Jan. 4
Jan. 19
Jan. 25
n Grace’s Foot Care will begin at 9 a.m. at the Cassville Senior Center, 1111 Fair Street. Call 417-847-4510 for an appointment.
n Alzheimer Support Group meets at the Central Crossing Senior Center in Shell Knob at 2 p.m.
n WIC (Women, Infants and Children) will be accepting appointments at the Central Crossing Senior Center in Shell Knob. Call 417-847-2114.
n Methodist Manor Blood Pressure Check will begin at 10:30 a.m. at the Cassville Senior Center, 1111 Fair Street, Cassville. n Blood Pressure Checks will begin at 10:30 a.m. at the Central Crossing Senior Center, Shell Knob. For more information, call 417-858-6952.
Jan. 6 n Cassville Chamber of Commerce will have its First Friday Coffee at the Cassville YMCA, beginning at 8 a.m.
Jan. 10 n A Free Coffee Klatch will be held at the Cassville Senior Center beginning at 8 a.m.
Jan. 12 n Paint classes begin at 9 a.m. at the Cassville Senior Center, 1111 Fair Street.
n The Pierce City Senior Center regular monthly dance will be held. n Paint classes begin at 9 a.m. at the Cassville Senior Center, 1111 Fair Street.
Jan. 20 n The Monett Senior Center will be having its regular Birthday Lunch beginning at 11 a.m. Call 417-235-3285 for more information.
Jan. 23 n Nell’s Nails (fingers and toes) will be held at the Central Crossing Senior Center in Shell Knob. Call 417-858-6952 for an appointment.
Jan. 24 n Grace Health Services will be held at the Central Crossing Senior Center in Shell Knob. Call 417-858-6952 for an appointment.
n Nell’s Nails will begin at 9 a.m. at the Cassville Senior Center, 1111 Fair Street. Call 417-847-4510 for an appointment.
Jan. 27 n The monthly Birthday Lunch will be held from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Cassville Senior Center. n Nell’s Nails is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. at the Monett Senior Center. Call 417235-3285 for more information.
Do you have an event you would like to have featured in our calendar? Email it to darlene@cassville-democrat.com
n Free Coffee Klatch will be offered at the Cassville Senior Center beginning at 8 a.m.
Connection Magazine | 57
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Hablamos Espanol 58 | January 2017
1613 N. 17th Street
Monett, Missouri 65708
Sunday Morning Bible Study - 9:30 a.m. Worship - 10:30 a.m. Sunday Evening Worship - 6 p.m. Wednesday Evening Bible Study - 7 p.m.
Familiar faces
GIVE
With a spirit of gifting that lasts.
1
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7 The fourth annual
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Alternative Gift Fair
was held on Dec. 3 at the Monett Area YMCA.
PO Box 37 • 816 Broadway Monett, MO 65708 jjfloor@suddenlinkmail.com
“A Little Store With Big Savings” Residential & Commercial Owned & Operated by Jim & Jayne Terry
1. Jean Guison and Tom Murie 2. Jaynee Langley and Marlene Whitham 3, Morgan Slater, Shelly Enloe and Amanda Slater 4. Jenny McMillan and Katy McDowell 5. Sabina Chapman and Kathleen Farrelly 6. Cody Ketchum, Ken Ortman and Shaun Crawford 7. Vicki Orr and Bernadine Hobson 8. Virginia Gaston and Linda Swadley
Bus. (417) 235-0016 Fax (417) 235-6364 Res. (417) 442-7974 Connection Magazine | 59
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11 The Monett Senior Citizen Center hosted a
Cowboy Christmas dance on Dec. 5 at the
12
Holiday Delights 60 | January 2017
Monett City Park Casino.
1. Randy and Connie Patton 2. Sharon Williams and Margie Washeck 3. James Stephens and Faith Yeats 4. Wilma and Glen Seufert 5. Tommy Croxdale and Lorene Grim 6. Louann Achey and Bob McCoy 7. Larry and Linda Bryan 8. Charlie Cross and Sue Snider 9. Danny Simmons and Clara Houck 10. Lynette Davey and Arlene Richmond 11. Paulette and Wayne Spangler, and Lorene Beard 12. Bonnie Dilday and Douglas Israel
1
2
3
6 Friends of Jolly Mill hosted their annual
5
4
Christmas celebration,
Friday, Dec. 2, and Saturday, Dec. 3.
Several local residents attended the event.
7
1. Laura and Jane Hammarstrom 2. Kade Reed and Audrey Shockley 3. Amy Mattlage and Shayla Doss 4. Cheyenne and Levi Butler, and Brian Jasumback 5. Autumn and Ashley Jones 6. Bryce, Allie and Ashley Stephens 7. Adam and Blaine Babbitt; Carol Chenoweth; Bree, Hailey and Brynlee Babbitt; and Denny Chenoweth
Festive Celebration Connection Magazine | 61
1
3
2
7
6 1. Betsy Fenner and Frances Wolf 2. Wayne and Carla Franks 3. Connie and Ken Van Nattan, and Don Feigel 4. Phyllis Henderson and Stanley Mulvaney 5. Juanita and Jerry Marbut, and Henry and Tom Mullins
6. Jack and Billie Ellis, and Lea Judy 7. Sarah Childress, Deven Kimzey, Michael Majors, Naman Desai and Kara Turner 8. Laura and Gary Churchill 9. Gene and Peg Griffin 10. Albert and Helen Cox
11. J.C. and Veda Kessinger, and Glen and Wilma Seufert 12. Front: Don and Virginia Lasswell, Back: LaVerne and Jean Kutz
2
1
3
4
Monett fans made the long trip to Ferguson to root on the gridiron Cubs in the
State semifinal game.
1. Kali and Benita Uhl, and Olivia, Kristen and Katie Earnest 2. Lacy and Mel Cash, and Miranda Brannon
62 | January 2017
3. Misty and Caitlyn Calhoun 4. Emma Hammond, Garrett Tharp, Gunner Bradley, Gavin Carr, Ethan Berry, Jace Stow and Nick Pilkenton
4
5
9
8
10 The Monett High School Student Council hosted the 43rd annual
Golden Age 11
dinner on Nov. 17 at the high school commons.
Ad list A Beautiful Image. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 Acambaro Mexican . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67 Barry Electric Coop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Bennett-Wormington . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58 Carolyn Hunter, DMD. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Cassville Health & Rehab . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 Chic-Fish-Kin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 CJR. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67 Coast to Coast . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 Community National Bank. . . . . . . . . . . 43 Cornerstone Bank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Country Dodge. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 Cox Medical Centers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68 Crane Family Dentistry. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Diet Center. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Doug’s Pro Lube. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 Eastside Church of Christ. . . . . . . . . . . . 58 Edward Jones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
EFCO Corporation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 Farm Pro. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 First State Bank of Purdy . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Fohn Funeral Home. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Four Seasons Real Estate . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 Four States Dental Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58 Freedom Bank of Southern Missouri . . 20 Friendly Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Grande Tire. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Guanajuato Mexican. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 J&J Floor Covering. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59 J. Michael Riehn, Attorney . . . . . . . . . . . 54 Ken’s Collision Center. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Lackey Body Works. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Les Jacobs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Michael Carman Furniture . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Monett Chamber of Commerce. . . . . . . 23 Oak Pointe Assisted Living. . . . . . . . . . . 23
Old Town Pharmacy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 Ozark Methodist Manor. . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Ozark Regional YMCA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Peppers and Co.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Pierce City Arts Council. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Race Brothers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Scott Regional . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Security Bank of Southwest Missouri. . 26 Shelter Insurance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Smile Designers Dentistry. . . . . . . . . . . .54 Superior Spray Foam. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 The Jane Store . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 The Niche . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 Tomblin’s Jewelry. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Trogdon Marshall. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Whitley Pharmacy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Willis Insurance Agency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Connection Magazine | 63
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EXPLORE
Traveling the globe with Connection in hand.
In celebration of their 50th wedding anniversary, Charles and Kathy Wallace of Monett visited Hawaii, and took Connection Magazine with them.
Don and Janie Bates cruised to the Caribbean on the Royal Caribbean Oasis of the Sea to Labadee, Haiti; Faemouth, Jamaica; Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico.
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Jerry and Angie Varner in front of Rainbow Falls on the Big Island in Hawaii. Not only was Hawaii the 50th state of the USA, it also makes the 50th State for Jerry with Making Memories Tours. (above) Jerry and Angie Varner at the Making Memories Tour “The Ultimate Hawaii.� touring three of the Hawaiian Islands: Oahu, The Big Island and Maui.
Connection Magazine | 65
Parting shot
REFLECT
Downtown winter skyline.
Deep into that darkness peering, long I stood there, wondering, fearing, doubting, dreaming dreams no mortal ever dared to dream before. -Edgar Allan Poe
Photo by Cathy Lewis of Pierce City
66 | January 2017
Feliz AĂąo Nuevo! Happy New Year! Thank you for your patronage in 2016! We look forward to serving you in 2017!
From the Staff at
Let us cater your special events! 505 Plaza Dr., Monett, Mo. 417-354-8408 www.acambarorestaurant.com
Connection Magazine | 67