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A magazine dedicated to Southwest Missourians
FEBRUARY 2016
Weddings: More than just the dress
Make it the perfect day for couple, friends and family
A lifetime woven by love Monett residents Floyd and Dee Stewart had nearly 51 years together
Tire man keeps rolling on Jack McCaffrey celebrates life in tire industry
ď ĽUnveiled ď Ś
a special supplement of Co
n n ecti o n
CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 1
2 | FEBRUARY 2016
February 2016
Special section
Unveiled 14
The perfect day
21
Giving and receiving
49
Find the right wedding for you and yours The Stewarts of Monett lived a life of love together
Library Connection A love of reading
Image courtesy of Alfred Angelo, Inc.
CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 3
www.edwardjones.com A magazine dedicated to Southwest Missourians
PUBLISHER Jacob Brower connection@monett-times.com EDITOR Kyle Troutman editor@cassville-democrat.com Marketing director Lisa Craft community@monett-times.com ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVES Sheila Harris James Craig Marion Chrysler
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CONTRIBUTORS Murray Bishoff Meagan Ruffing Nancy Ridgley Shawn Hayden 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 PHOTOGRAPHERS Chuck Nickle Brad Stillwell Jamie Brownlee Amy Sampson DISTRIBUTION Greg Gilliam Kevin Funcannon TO ADVERTISE 417-847-2610 - Cassville 417-235-3135 - Monett Send email inquiries to connection@monett-times.com Mailing address: P.O. Box 40, Monett, MO 65708 Connection is published monthly and distributed free in Cassville, Monett, Exeter, Washburn, Pierce City, Mt. Vernon, Aurora, Verona, Roaring River, Eagle Rock, Shell Knob, Purdy, Wheaton, Freistatt, Marionville, Seligman, Golden and other surrounding areas. Connection is a publication of the Cassville Democrat, The Monett Times and Rust Communications.
Photos by JB Photography
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Contents On the cover: Photo by Jamie Brownlee, JB Photography
8
Little House in Mansfield
13 33
Column: Getting the job done right
41
Taking the shot
52
Tire man rolls on
Laura Ingalls Wilder home explored
Foster Creativity
Making art expression accessible and easy Chuck Nickle shares his passion for photography Devotion to hometown success
29 30 39 47 48 57 62 65 65 66
Healthy Connection Proud Parent contest
JOIN US ONLINE:
Recipes: Love of food Cutest Pet contest
facebook.com/MyConnectionMo
Community Calendar Submitted photos from our readers Familiar Faces My Connection Ad list Parting Shot
twitter.com/myconnection_mo Have an idea for a story you would like to see in Connection Magazine? Email it to connection@monett-times.com
CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 7
This is the desk where Laura Ingalls Wilder penned the Little House book series. She wrote her memories out in longhand, with pencil. They were later typed and edited by her daughter, Rose Wilder Lane, herself a renowned author. The desk, now located at the main homestead, Rocky Ridge Farm in Mansfield, is said to be preserved as it was at the time of her death.
Remembering
Laura
Laura Ingalls Wilder homestead, museum holds treasure trove of memorabilia 8 | FEBRUARY 2016
Story by Melonie Roberts
G
one are the days of travel by covered wagon, sod homes, breaking ground with a mulepulled plow and cooking three meals a day on a wood-fired stove. But those memories, and more, and forever memorialized in the beloved young reader book series, the Little House books, by Missouri author Laura Ingalls Wilder, who made her home and lived her final years in Mansfield. Ingalls Wilder richly details memories about her pioneer childhood, growing up in the Big Woods of Wisconsin and then moving to Kansas, Minnesota, Iowa, the Dakota Territory before she married Almanzo Wilder and they settled in Mansfield in the book series that has fired the imaginations of young readers for over eight decades. “The Little House on the Prairie” was published in 1935, just 80 years ago, by HarperCollins, and served as the inspiration for the popular television series Little House on the Prairie. The show ran from 1974-83, and can still be seen on the Hallmark Channel. The show is also aired in 30 countries around the world. The stories of her traveling family, their settlements in various parts of the American frontier, the trials they endured and their milestone moments have become touchstones in the lives of many readers throughout the subsequent years. Starting with “Little House in the Big Woods,” published in 1932, Ingalls Wilder, who was about 4 years old at the time, describes the daily details of pioneer life, from growing their vegetables in a garden and her father, Pa, hunting for food, bringing in the harvest and preparing for a cold winter. The family celebrates with homemade toys and treats, and Ingalls Wilder recalling the sound of Pa’s fiddle as she and her sisters drifted off to sleep each night.
Laura Ingalls Wilder, as an adult, grew to be only 4-feet, 11-inches tall, about average for the era. Pictured is one of her dresses and a parasol on the porch of Rocky Ridge Farm in Mansfield.
CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 9
Photo by Melonie Roberts
A tour guide at the Laura Ingalls Wilder home in Mansfield tells a group the history of the Rock House, a gift from Rose Wilder to her parents, Laura Ingalls Wilder and Almanzo Wilder. It was in this home that Laura Ingalls Wilder began writing the Little House series, the first four of nine books, “Little House in the Big Woods,” “Farmer Boy,” “Little House on the Prairie” and “On the Banks of Plum Creek.”
The next book, “Farmer Boy,” published in 1933, told of her husband’s childhood in New York. Almanzo’s story eventually intertwines with Laura’s in The Long Winter, spent in the Dakota Territory. In the next book, “Little House on the Prairie,” published in 1935, Ingalls Wilder tells of the family packing up and traveling by covered wagon to Kansas, until they find a place to build their new home. There, the family encountered Indians and witnessed cattle drives, both new experiences to young Laura. In “On the Banks of Plum Creek,” published in 1937, the adventure takes up where the Ingalls family moves to Minnesota. There, the family’s crops are beset by a plague of locusts and a terrible blizzard threatens the survival of the family. They prevail, and relocate to the Dakota Territories, as told in “By the Shores
10 | FEBRUARY 2016
of Silver Lake,” published in 1939. It is there that Pa puts up the first building in what will eventually become a new pioneering town. He takes a job in a small store owned by the railroad and once again the family settles into work, school lessons and listening to Pa’s fiddle each night. It is in this story her sister, Mary, goes blind and Ingalls begins describing sights and events in vivid detail, acting as her sister’s “eyes.” In “The Long Winter,” published in 1940, Ingalls Wilder tells of the harrowing winter that threatens the survival of the town until a young Almanzo Wilder and another young man, make a treacherous journey across the prairie to find wheat. “The Little Town on the Prairie,” published in 1941, continues with spring socials, parties and Almanzo Wilder asking Pa’s permission to walk Laura home from church. In this book, Laura re-
ceives a certificate to teach school, even though she has not completed her own formal education. “These Happy Golden Years” details Laura’s experience as a teacher living away from her close-knit family for the first time. She would return home on holidays, in a horse-drawn buggy driven by Almanzo. In this book, the relationship between Almanzo and Laura continues to blossom. The saga continues with “The First Four Years,” when she and Almanzo finally make their home at Rocky Ridge, in Mansfield, where the young family farmed and sold firewood for 50 cents a wagon load. Eventually, they turned the Missouri homestead into a profitable poultry, dairy and fruit farm. The Little House books are written in simple language, with vivid descriptions of the landscape, clothing, tools and utensils used in the pioneering era.
Rocky Ridge Farm at Mansfield was the primary home for Missouri author Laura Ingalls Wilder and her husband, Almanzo. The couple lived for a few years at the Rock House, located about one-quarter mile from the main homestead. Rocky Ridge Farm features six rooms on the main level, and three on the upper level.
Their daughter, Rose Wilder Lane, went on to become a renowned writer, authoring “Let the Hurricane Roar” and “Free Land,” both based on Ingalls-Wilder family stories told to her as a child. Wilder Lane was financially secure from the proceeds of her own book sales and she ordered plans from Sears Roebuck for an English cottage-style modern home and had it built for her aging parents. It was located about one-quarter mile from the original homestead at Rocky Ridge, and featured the modern amenities of electricity, running water and refrigeration. It was in the Rock House that, at age 65, Ingalls-Wilder, at the urging of her daughter, started penning “The Little House” series in pencil on legal pads that cost 5 cents each. Lane helped edit most of the books in the Little House series. Proceeds from the publication of the
books gave Laura and Almanzo a comfortable income to live out the rest of their lives. Since first being published in 1932, the books have been translated into 40 languages and continue to inspire readers worldwide. Since her death, the properties have been acquired by the Wilder Home Association and has been converted into a museum, preserving the historic structures for future generations. In the museum is Pa’s fiddle, which is taken out of its display and played once a year at the Wilder Days celebration in Mansfield. Additional displays include period clothing, a carriage, photos and other family memorabilia. The museum and homestead are located at 3068 Highway A in Mansfield. For more information and a calendar of events, visit LauraIngallsWilderHome. com.
Sears and Roebuck sold everything from textiles to pre-fit houses in 1928, and that is where Rose Wilder ordered the plans for the English cottage-style modern home she had built for her parents, Laura Ingalls Wilder and Almanzo Wilder. The Rock Cottage is located on property that had been owned by the couple in 1928, but was later sold after they returned to the original farmstead at Rocky Ridge in Mansfield.
CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 11
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Column Connection
Job discrimination With a job title of Farm Wife, I find most of my job discriminatory. And I base that on the premise of “look like a woman and think like a man.” In this story, I would like to cover a few of the items that are in my undocumented job description.
Tractors.
I should not only be able to drive a tractor but know what kind it is, how to shift gears, oil types, motor sizes and various other parts, for those trips to the implement dealer for repairs. For example, a trip to pick up gears for a mower conditioner. First of all, let me preface that when I hear the word “conditioner,” I am thinking of hair not hay. Sure enough, I came home with wrong gears and paid the wrong price. In my defense, my only instruction was to “pick them up.”
Planning and a purpose.
Working cattle with the boss is always an adventure. I might add, not as scenic or peaceful as the Colorado Mountains. I understand corralling cow/calve pairs and weaning them. I’ll just twitch my nose, cross my arms, nod my head and twirl around in a circle until my womanhood makes it happen. Of course not, but the businesswoman in me thought this would be a good time for a plan. A, B or C, any would suit me as long as I knew which one we would be following. I was made aware of that there really never is a plan and if there is, it is subject to change during implementation. Usually, communication of this so-called plan is in a most unappealing and loud tone. This was not something I learned while obtaining a degree in communications.
Pampering.
I may be a city girl, and I understand that a cow is a female bovine, but why is she the recipient of such insensitive name calling? She is squeezed in between two panels, while a large calf is being pulled
from her insides against its and her natural wills and she doesn’t want to stand still. What’s wrong with some soothing music, calming conversation and some aromatherapy? I know it is at times like this that I could use a little. Multi-tasking must be an expectation of a woman, regardless of her job. I can do laundry, make supper and hold a part of broken machinery while the boss — a.k.a. mechanic — attempts to repair it. He on the other hand, can eat supper, create laundry or tear up equipment all at one time. So, I guess it is all a matter of perspective. Time management is another story. “Can you come help me, it will only take five minutes.” Thirty minutes later, I hear, “While you are here, can you help me with this too?” This is where the term ‘blackened’ was invented when it comes to cooking. And “hey, while you are here, jump up on the tractor and lift me up in the bucket.” “But, I just got off work and am wearing a dress and high heels,” as if I thought he should notice. I might mention, it can be done, but one must watch those holes in the floor of the tractor. You’ve heard the saying, “Behind every successful farmer is a wife who works in town,” and you’ve also heard the saying, “A woman’s work is never done.” “We” is an overrated term on a ‘to-do’ list. I feel like, if I didn’t create the list, I shouldn’t be responsible for its completion. Feelings will get a girl in trouble.
Driving.
It is permissible to swerve off the road if you are rubbernecking at a piece of farm equipment or a fresh harvested field, but considered a ‘crazy woman driver’ if you are multitasking — say adding an item to the grocery list, looking for his sunglasses or digging for a piece of gum in the bottom of your purse because no one carries gum in their pocket.
Organization
. Let me just tell you that the boss decided he wanted to take over the paperwork for the annual beef sales to our customers. He fired himself. Not sure how that works, and wish I could do that on occasion. All other duties as assigned, there are no words for this section.
Mind changing.
Oh how that is associated with a woman, but let me tell you that a day can start out with “I need you to ted hay today,” and then turn into, “We need to wean calves,” and then “Wait, I might need you to rake hay.” So, here I am on standby, waiting to see what he wants me to cross off his ‘to-do’ list. As the old country song goes, “Stand by your man, show the world you love him” And I do.
Pam Wormington was born a city girl, proclaiming to never marry a farmer or live in a small town. “God had other plans, “ she giggles. “My husband, is a kind and patient man who works very hard, either teaching me or fixing what I didn’t learn.” Pam and her husband live in the country and raise grass-fed beef. They own Wormington Trucking, carrying on three generations of milk haulers. “I love my life and all the laughs that come with it, “ she said.
CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 13
Wedding dress images used courtesy of Alfred Angelo, Inc. Alfred Angelo wedding dresses are available at Fashion Crossroads in Monett. 14 | FEBRUARY 2016
UNVEILED CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 15
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Weddings: Icing on the cake
Make it the perfect day for couple, friends and family
S
he said yes. Now, it’s time to start planning the thousand details to make the wedding a perfect day and one to remember for a lifetime. The first question is when? All seasons in Missouri have their highlights. From the first early spring blooms or vibrant fall foliage of an outdoor celebration, to the summer
stained-glass cathedrals of a centuryold stone church or a luminary-lit pathway leading to a glass chapel on a silent winter’s evening, brides have an abundance of choices for their wedding venue. Some brides may prefer to wed in a simple outdoor garden ceremony, while others might want the fairytale setting of arriving at a castle in a horse-drawn buggy. Some popular wedding venues in
Wedding gifts for him: • Engraved pocket watch • Custom beer coolers • Initialed cuff links • Engraved flasks • Personal grooming kits • Group trip
• Booze, the good stuff • Engraved pocket knife • Personalized beer or shot glasses • Steampunk gear watch
Story by Kyle Troutman, editor, and Melonie Roberts
southwest Missouri include: Pythian Castle in Springfield, The Round Barn on Clear Creek at Walnut Grove, Bear Creek Lodge at Walnut Shade, Springhouse Gardens in Joplin, Log Chapel Of The Ozarks in Branson, Wilderness Chapel at Silver Dollar City, Hill Creek Lodge at Purdy, the Monett Park Casino, Historic Firehouse No. 2 in Springfield and Stonegate Glass Chapel at Walnut Shade.
So many ways to say: “We love us.” CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 17
This year’s bridal bouquet trend incorporates a lot of bling among the blossoms.
Wedding gifts for her: • Engraved pocket watch • An e-reader like a Kindle Fire or iPad • A movie-themed gift basket • Silk pajamas • A gift certificate to a luxury spa • A hair and beauty makeover at a local salon • Personalized jewelry • A hand-bound photo album or scrapbook • A French press with a pound of gourmet coffee • A gift certificate to a favorite restaurant • A deluxe picnic basket
The bride and groom will want to show their appreciation for the support of their attendants, and some of the most popular gifts this year are listed. 18 | FEBRUARY 2016
Each location boasts a unique setting or theme for a couple’s nuptials. Once that is decided, the planning becomes somewhat easier. Seasonal flowers, gown colors and styles, cakes and invitations are chosen to reflect the couple’s taste.
Flowers “We can custom create floral pieces to reflect the bride’s choice, whether it’s bling or burlap, from a barn to a church, or shabby chic style to vintage or traditional,” said Bernie Craft, one of the floral designers at Wickman’s Garden Village in Monett. “We also have plant rentals, arbors, vases and urns, along with landscaping services and even an outdoor wedding venue, at Babbling Brooks in Crane, available to make the couple’s day special.” This year’s fashion color palette, as released by Pantone, tends to run toward neutrals with pops of vivid color for accents. Top 10 colors that will be used this year by designers include rose quartz, peach echo, serenity (blue), snorkel blue, buttercup, limpet shell (aqua), lilac gray, fiesta (red), iced coffee and green flash.
Salon services “A lot of brides are going with the neutrals, mauves, pinks and purples this season,” said Bobbi Houston, owner of A’Static Salon and Spa in Monett. “We’re seeing a lot of tiaras, headbands and loose, gathered ‘messy look’ styles. braids are also big this year, with styles like Elsa, the waterfall and puffy Dutch braids.” The salon also offers manicures, pedicures, facials, sauna, tanning and spray tanning. “We often schedule bridal parties, where the bride and her attendants come in for a mini-spa day, hair, nails, massage with aromatherapy and ionic detox,” she said. “If they schedule far enough in advance, we shut down the shop for the afternoon, or they can opt to have an afterhours party, bring their own wine, relax and be pampered.” Houston said she will also schedule on-site hair styling visits on the day of the wedding for the bride and her attendants.
According to Bernie Craft, one of the floral designers at Wickman’s Garden Village in Monett, custom wedding orders can be made to fit the needs of any wedding theme, from bling to burlap, barns to shabby chic and traditional to vintage.
Gowns and tuxedos Located at 413 E. Broadway in Monett, Fashion Crossroads offers a number of wedding gowns and tuxedos, many of which may be speciallyordered. “We have a few here we show in the books, but most are special orders, where we take measurements to get the right size,” said Berniece Morris, owner. “Our tuxedos come from a warehouse, and we have books for those, too, so people can select whatever combination they want.” Morris said styles always change for wedding gowns, and longer dresses are more popular right now. “A lot of brides like the flowing dresses with fuller skirts, and sheer fabrics,” she said. Located at 313 E. Broadway in Monett, Brownsberger’s offers tuxedo and shoe rentals for weddings and proms. “People can go through our book and we order everything from Jim’s Formal Wear,” said Amy Davis, with Brownberger’s. “There’s not really any special style or anything right now, it just all depends on people’s tastes and budgets.” Davis said April is typically the store’s most busy time, as many need rentals for prom season. Davis said for Saturday events, tuxes are usually returned the following Monday. Jim’s Formal Wear also offers a phone app, which allows people to design what they want from home, then some into the store and order it.
One of the tuxedos available to rent is pictured. Tuxedo rentals require $40 down and full cost ranges from $119 to $187.
Wedding cakes and planning Located at 9309 Highway 43, south of Joplin, Country Cakes and Bridal Shoppe is a go-to location in the region for all things weddings. “We do wedding cakes and planning, and right now we’re planning some weddings in June, as some people just got engaged,” said Jackie Arwood, owner. “We do tuxedo rentals, and we sell a lot of wedding dresses.” Arwood said popular among brides this year are sleeved dresses and lace. “People like sleeves, tank straps and ball gowns, and lace mermaids are popular,” she said. “If you get a dress with allover lace and it’s mermaid, you’ve got it made.” Arwood said the Shoppe has been in business 24 years, and all the employees have tons of experience. “We are a family-owned business, and we have extremely good prices,” she said. “We also go a ways out, to Nevada, Branson and Coffeyville, and down to Tulsa.”
CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 19
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Floyd and Dee Stewart of Monett:
A lifetime woven by love
L
ove, that irrepressible, unreproducible, life-changing fire, may be the most elusive of bonds between two people. But when it sticks, binds and weaves two people together, there’s no mistaking its power and its effect. Longtime Monett residents Floyd and Dee Stewart had nearly 51 years together. Those who knew them could not doubt their bond. Their life together was filled with those moments that come only from a combination forged and tempered by love’s touch. Their daughter, Claudia Nolan, and son, Mark, remember its fingerprints and growing up in its warmth. Their marriage started on what some might call trying circumstances. It was Dec. 29, 1937, and the snow had drifted over the roof of the buildings in Minot, N.D. They had to tunnel outside to reach the street, and walk to the church. For their first anniversary, Floyd painted a picture of their wedding, with Dee at the altar wearing galoshes. The Stewarts were both teachers, a profession with notoriously low pay in those days. They met at the Minot State Teachers College.
Story by Murray Bishoff
For their first wedding anniversary, Floyd Stewart painted this depiction of his wedding with Dee, showing the rubber boots on her feet that she wore as they passed through a snow drift over the house roof to reach the church in Minot, N.D., on Dec. 29, 1937.
CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 21
Dee and Floyd Stewart struck a familiar dance pose, showing their playful nature, said daughter Claudia.
“I never heard them ever say an unkind word to each other.”
22 | FEBRUARY 2016
According to their son, Mark, it was Kismet — pure fate — that they were meant to be together. Both the Gronvolds, Dee’s family, and the Sorensens, Floyd’s family, came from Norway. Unacquainted with each other, the families lived in villages 20 miles apart in Norway, and both immigrated to Minnesota, to towns 20 miles apart. Floyd’s grandfather moved to North Dakota, as did Dee’s father, to towns that were 20 miles apart, unknown to each other, until paths crossed at college. “I always felt it was meant to be,” Mark said. Only three months older, Dee ended up in the class a year ahead of Floyd. They kept their marriage a secret for a year. She was teaching in his hometown of Sherwood, N.D., at the time and acting as principal, at a time when teachers could not be married. He was the president of his fraternity, and presidents could not be married. It took extra devotion and effort to sustain a marriage under such conditions. Dee received a little gold wedding band at the wedding. She would wait 25 years for the diamond, which eventually came. Times changed, too. As World War II cranked up, restrictions on marriage within the teaching profession faded away as the available pool of men disappeared. Floyd stayed behind, having a withered arm from Erb’s Palsy due to a pre-natal condition. The couple came to Monett in 1942 from Wichita, Kan. Floyd came with an assignment as a Boy Scout executive. Dee was pregnant with Claudia when they arrived. He was not paid for the first six months. Used to big city living and lifestyles, the couple learned Monett generosity firsthand, surviving due to Davis Grocery allowing them to run a tab for their provisions. Floyd picked up other jobs. He umpired at sporting events across southwest Missouri. Growing up with an alcoholic father, Floyd managed by working as an usher at a local theater, and got the same position at the Gillioz Theater, stoking the furnace and making sure everything was in order. The perks of the job helped Dee, who received a free pass to shows and saw three movies a week until she returned to teaching in 1947 after her second daughter, Rochelle, was 2. By then, there were patterns in the family evident to the children. Claudia and Mark recall Dee kissed Floyd goodbye every day when he went out the door.
“I never heard them ever say an unkind word to each other,” Claudia said. “I remember one time there was a coldness there, but then it was over. She said, ‘We got all our fighting over and done with before we got married.’” Their household had less pressure than many. Claudia recalled their home was always open to guests and college students who needed a place to go on a weekend. This spirit of generosity led to the couple opening their doors to Dee’s mother, who said she could not live alone once her husband died. Grandma Gronvold came with them as they came to Monett, and Floyd’s mother, Lilly Maud Stewart, joined them in the mid-1950s. Having both grandmothers present gave the children companionship and support few have the privilege to experience. Claudia recalled the two grandmothers were so different. Grandma Rochelle Zingara Gronvold came from a prominent family that had given land for the building of the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota. She was welleducated, a music teacher, well-traveled and confident, who had converted from Lutheranism to Catholicism. Claudia described Grandma Stewart as the opposite, a “stay-at-home, bake cookies life-long Methodist.”
Floyd and Dee Stewart went to all the school proms as chaperones. Here they were, possibly in the 1950s or 1960s, likely at one of those events.
(left) A 1940s portrait of Floyd Stewart, complete with his flashy signature. (right) A 1940s portrait of Dee Stewart, signed in her typical unassuming style, “Just Dee”.
“It was wonderful having both of them,” Claudia recalled. “They may have contributed to them having a happy marriage. It freed Mom up from housework. My sister was a delicate diabetic. It was a miracle she could live into her teens, with them there to help. “Dad always said Mom was his best cheerleader and supporter. I think he was. And he always bragged about her. Family was just really important to them, and community. They tried to do everything they could to help. They loved to dance. They’d go to all the concerts.”
CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 23
Dee and Floyd Stewart as a young couple, circa 1940.
Mark recalled some of their togetherness came from necessity. The family only had one car. Floyd took Dee to work and picked her up from teaching at the end of the day. “When I was in college, Dad bought a car for Mom and me,” Mark said. “It was my car at college. My mom always said that was OK. She liked that they only had one car.” The couple became fixtures in the community over time. When kindergarten came into the school curriculum, Dee switched to this youngest grade and taught Monett’s most impressionable children for 33 years. She became a charter member of the St. Vincent’s Hospital Auxiliary and shared time in other organizations. Floyd took on a leadership role in the Jaycees, even on a national level, became an integral part of the Monett Lions, had a wildly popular requestoriented radio show, “Revolving Rhythm,” on KRMO-KKBL radio in Monett in the 1950s and 1960s, directed plays, taught school, served as master of ceremonies at the Ernte Fest in Freistatt in its early days and ultimately became Monett’s mayor in 1984, leading the community’s centennial celebration and editing the city’s most comprehensive book of history. Through this busy routine, the Stewarts kept focused on each other. No big things came to mind, just little touches. Claudia recalled Valentine’s Day was important. Her father either bought a card or made her one. There were gifts, though perhaps not spectacular ones, shared on birthdays. Mark recalled they watched TV shows together, especially “All in the Family.” “Mom thought she was like Edith,” he said, “and Dad, like Archie, ruled the roost. I can see him watching TV while she was working in the kitchen. If he saw something special, he’d call out to her, ‘Dee, Dee, you have to come see this.’ “You just know they lived for each other.” “On their marriage day, their big wedding feast was leftover fruitcake and blackberry wine from Christmas,” Claudia said. “That’s what we served at their 50th anniversary celebration at the City Park Casino. Some people thought that was terrible, but they didn’t.
“You just know they lived for each other.” 24 | FEBRUARY 2016
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when to call a friend for help Co-ops are different. Although we are one electric cooperative of many, we are not alone when mother nature causes problems. Cooperation among cooperatives is one of our seven cooperative principles. So when storms cause widespread outages, experienced linemen from other cooperatives rush to our aid to restore power to you, as quickly and safely as possible.
4015 Main St. Cassville, MO 65625-1624 (417) 847-2131 • barryelectric.com CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 25
“My dad broke his leg in a fall at the post office in 1987. He had broken it the first time when he was taking refresher courses in Columbia and he was playing baseball. It was a terrible break and he had to have 18 screws put in. He re-broke it right above the screws. Mom got upset with me after that when I’d make him walk. It hurt. If it was up to Mom, he wouldn’t have walked on it. She always catered to him. “Whatever he wanted, he got. He was a roast beef and ground chuck guy. When he was a kid, he had chicken all the time, so he didn’t want it as an adult. “My dad loved to fish. For years, we would go to Roaring River State Park on Sunday afternoons and catch his limit. Or we went to Lake Leatherwood in Arkansas. I figured out later he took me along to row the boat, because he couldn’t, with his arm. Mom bought store-bought rolls to take along. We took six, buttered them and they’d be our supper on the way home. But Dad didn’t eat fish. Mom had to sell or give away the fish he caught.” The family hit the road together every summer. After school let out for strawberry picking, before the city swimming pool opened — which Floyd ran several years for extra money — the family packed the car and drove back to North Dakota. Those trips left Claudia with many amusing memories, of photos at the annual ritual at the Canadian border with Canadian Mounted Police, or at the statue of Paul Bunyon and his blue ox in Pomije, Minn., or dumping perfume she and her sister bought at Main Variety in Monett down the double-seated outhouse at their grandparents’ old place, hoping to somehow improve that odd place with no running water. It never seemed to help, but they never stopped hoping. Togetherness. Looking out for each other. Sharing experiences. No angry words. These made for an enduring marriage. “They just kept doing all the things they done up to the very end,” Claudia said. “They were very fortunate.”
One of the last family photos of Dee and Floyd Stewart with their children, at rear from left, Rochelle, Mark and Claudia, from Christmas 1987, as Floyd recovered from his broken leg.
After Floyd died on Dec. 15, 1988, Dee carried his memory until she passed away on Jan. 3, 2002. Claudia said Dee found it especially hard to eat alone. Missing him at night, she found the long Lederhosen stockings he wore with his traditional German outfit for Ernte Fest, and wore them to bed every night for the rest of her life. Mark said his mother told him when she first met his father, she had no feelings for him. One day, everything changed. She encouraged her son, assuring him that friendship, once nurtured, sometimes becomes so much more. For the Stewarts, it was a little thing called love, and that made all the difference.
A cowboy statue, which Floyd Stewart gave to his wife as a first anniversary gift. The quirky piece of commercial art reflected their shared sense of humor that bolstered their nearly 51-year marriage.
26 | FEBRUARY 2016
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CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 27
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Healthy Connection
Love, your heart Roses are red, violets are blue. What little 10-ounce organ in the body does the most work for you? Oh, wait, that’s not how it goes. OK, so cheesy poems aside. To solve my riddle, place your hand on your chest. Feel that faint thumping? That is your heart. Your heart does some serious work, beating an average of 100,000 times each day to pump about five quarts of blood a minute — or 2,000 gallons of blood total — every single day. Without your heart, the cells in your body would cease to have the oxygen needed to function. Most of us are well aware that our heart is of vital importance to our survival, but unfortunately, we often take this precious organ for granted. Stress, poor dietary habits, lack of exercise, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, lack of sleep, genetics, aging — all of these put our heart to the test and sometimes, a combination of one or more of these causes irreversible, life-threatening damage to our heart. According to the American Heart Association (AHA), heart disease accounts for 1 in 7 deaths in the U.S. and is the leading cause of death globally, accounting for 17.3 million deaths per year. Despite these grim statistics, there is good news: 80 percent of heart disease and stroke can be prevented. Show some love for your heart by following the AHA’s “Life’s Simple 7” to significantly lower your risk of heart disease.
1. Get active.
Start small (even if it’s only five minutes a day) and build up to 2-1/2 hours of moderate activity per week (which is about 20 minutes of walking, every day).
2. Control cholesterol.
Increase your “HDL” or “happy and healthy” cholesterol by increasing activity and fiber in your diet. HDL works to scavenge and remove the “LDL” or “lethal and lousy” cholesterol in your blood stream.
3. Eat better.
Consume nutrient rich vegetables, fruits, whole grains and lean meats and lower-fat dairy. Try cooking at home more often and using a smaller plate to control portion sizes.
4. Manage blood pressure.
High blood pressure, or hypertension, is known as the “silent killer” because 1 in 5 Americans are not aware they have it as it often has no symptoms. Keep your blood pressure in a healthy range by staying active, eating a heart-healthy diet and not smoking.
5. Lose weight.
Excess weight, especially in the belly, puts excess strain on the heart. Losing as little as 3-5 percent of your body weight can greatly reduce your risk for heart disease.
6. Reduce blood sugar.
Diabetes puts an individual at four times the risk of developing heart disease. Keeping blood sugars in a healthy range by staying active, eating healthy, and taking any medications as prescribed by your doctor.
7. Stop smoking.
In many studies, quitting smoking reduces your risk by more than 50 percent.
lindsay sparks, RD, is a registered dietitian at the Center for Health Improvement at Cox Monett Hospital. She graduated from Missouri State University and resides in Springfield. When Lindsay is not busy being a nutrition nerd, she enjoys running, yoga, camping, floating and spending time with her husband in the beautiful Ozarks.
CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 29
Proud Parent
Ellie Chapman is the 2-year-old daughter of Greg and Stephanie Chapman of Pierce City. Ellie is February’s cutest kid.
Congratulations,
Ellie!
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.
30 | FEBRUARY 2016
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.
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www.fourseasonscassville.com CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 31
Send us your trout fishing photos!
Get your trout fishing photos published in the 2016 Trout Times!
32 | FEBRUARY 2016
Email them to connection@monett-times.com Deadline is Tuesday, Feb. 9
How to foster creativity in your kids at any age 6 easy tips to get you started Crafty moms and not-socrafty moms seem to be the labels heard most often when it comes to crafts and kids. So many parents are hesitant to get the construction paper out, while others are happily decorating with glitter and glue. What if there was a middle ground for both kinds of moms? There is. Whether your child is 1 or 10, here are six fun and simple ways to foster creativity in your home.
1. Leave crayons
and coloring books on the counter. You can still foster creativity even if you like to have a clean house. After tidying up the counter tops, grab a few coloring books and crayons or markers and leave them in an open area where your kids are apt to see them. You will be surprised at how many times your child sits down to color rather than grabbing for the TV remote.
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5. Put easier,
toddler-friendly crafts in lower areas where your younger kids can reach them.
2. Buy craft items
4. Designate a craft
Browse through the clearance aisles the next time you are shopping and pick up any craft items you see on sale. This could be anything from a bag of beads to stickers. Sometimes, the most random craft items are the best creativity-inducing things for your children.
This could be a small area in your pantry or a cupboard in your laundry room. This is one of the easiest ways to foster creativity in your kids. Having a place just for crafts sends the message that this is something important enough to have its own spot in their home. Go one step further and ask your child to help you pick a spot and organize it together. That way, your kids will know exactly where to go when they get bit by the crafty bug.
when they go on sale. closet or corner.
3. Store crayons,
markers and glitter pens in fun storage boxes. Pick up a few see-through bins to collect items in to make it easier for children to see what they are reaching for. This is also a great way to incorporate fine-motor skills in your younger ones by asking them to separate crayons and markers into separate bins.
Think clothespins in an empty coffee tin on a low shelf. Your 2-yearold can easily grab this and plunk right down on the floor while you are nearby. This is a great craft for those of you who get anxious about your little ones having crayons. Let the child take the clothespins and build something by clipping them on the coffee tin or the cabinets. Give children a sheet of stickers and let them decorate the clothespins. You will be amazed at what children can do with just a little bit of freedom to foster their creativity.
6. Pick up a few
packs of blank note cards and let your older children make their own thank you cards and letters. This is an easy and creative way to teach your child the importance of communicating with others while expressing themselves through art. This is a perfect craft to teach kids manners (saying thank you for a gift) and teaching them how to mail a letter. Just imagine the smile the recipient will get when receiving a handmade note card in the mail from one of your kids.
Meagan Ruffing is a parenting journalist who loves watching her kids create just about anything. She fosters creativity in many ways but her most favorite way is hanging her children’s artwork up so they know that way they do matters to mom. Follow her at MeaganRuffing.com and social media for more crafty ideas.
CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 35
Standing Strong to Care for Your Loved One
Cassville Health Care & Rehab 1300 County Farm Road Cassville, Missouri 65625 Ph: 417-847-3386 Fax: 417-847-5449 melissa.miller@platinumhc.net bhowell@platinumhc.net
Happy Valentines Day!
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36 | FEBRUARY 2016
Valentine’s Day recipes
Shrimp Scampi Ingredients 8 ounces angel hair pasta 1-3/4 cups low-sodium chicken broth 2 garlic cloves, minced 1/4 teaspoon salt-free lemonpepper seasoning 1/4 cup chopped green onions, divided 1/4 cup minced fresh parsley, divided 1 pound uncooked shrimp, peeled and deveined Directions Cook pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, combine the broth, garlic, lemon-pepper and 3 tablespoons each green onions and parsley. Bring to a boil. Add shrimp; cook for 3-5 minutes or until shrimp turn pink. Drain pasta and place in a serving bowl. Top with shrimp mixture and remaining onions and parsley.
Breakfast, dinner or dessert, we have you covered when it comes to bringing a smile to the face of that special someone this Valentine’s Day.
Heart cookies Ingredients 1-1/2 cups butter, softened 2 cups white sugar 4 eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 5 cups all-purpose flour 2 teaspoons baking powder 1 teaspoon salt Directions In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until smooth. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Stir in the flour, baking powder, and salt. Cover and chill dough for at least one hour, or overnight. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Roll out dough on floured surface 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick. Cut into heart shapes with a cookie cutter. Place cookies 1 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheets. Bake 6 to 8 minutes in preheated oven. Cool completely.
Red Velvet Cupcakes Ingredients 1/2 cup butter 1-1/2 cups white sugar 2 eggs 1 cup buttermilk 1 fluid ounce red food coloring 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1-1/2 teaspoons baking soda 1 tablespoon distilled white vinegar 2 cups all-purpose flour 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder 1 teaspoon salt Directions Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease two 12 cup muffin pans or line with 20 paper baking cups. In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Mix in the eggs, buttermilk, red food coloring and vanilla. Stir in the baking soda and vinegar. Combine the flour, cocoa powder and salt. Stir into the batter just until blended. Spoon the batter into the prepared cups, dividing evenly. Bake in the preheated oven until the tops spring back when lightly pressed, 20 to 25 minutes. Cool in the pan set over a wire rack. When cool, arrange the cupcakes on a serving platter and frost with desired frosting.
CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 37
Bottles & Brews
BEER, WINE & SPIRITS
Visit our locations in
Monett Purdy and Cassville Happy
Valentines Day!
Martini & Rossi Asti champagne A sweeter champagne than most, Martini & Rossi Asti includes delicate flavors of melon, peach, apple and grapefruit. An alternative to chardonnay, the Asti complements spicy food, as well as chicken, fish or pork dishes. It has received multiple 5-star reviews on multiple websites dedicated to wines.
Yellow Tail Shiraz Made in Australia, Yellow Tail Shiraz is a red wine with flavors of cherries, spice and vanilla. Shiraz is gluten-free and vegan-friendly, falling in an area between dry and sweet wines. It pairs well with cheese, steak and sausage. It’s a wellbalanced wine with earthy tones and a lingering fruit taste.
38 | FEBRUARY 2016
Cupcake Reisling From the famed Palatinate wine-making region of German, Cupcake Riesling is a white wine featuring notes of honeydew and lemon before the sweet taste picks up and the drink ends with a zing. The wine is aged sur lie and stirred regularly for up to two months, allowing it to bring out the best in flavor.
Apothic Red Inspired by the what the company calls “Apotheca, a mysterious place where wine was blended and stored in 13th century Europe, Apothic red is a blend of zinfandel and merlot, with added Syrah and cabernet sauvignon. The flavor contains hints of cherry, vanilla and mocha, and the wine has a rating of 3.5 out of 5 on Wine.com.
Blue Cheese Crusted Filet Mignon with Port Wine Sauce Ingredients 1 tablespoon butter 1/2 cup minced white onion 3 cloves garlic, minced 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme 3/4 cup low-sodium beef broth 1/2 cup port wine 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 4 filet mignon steaks (1 1/2 inch thick) 3/4 cup crumbled blue cheese 1/4 cup panko bread crumbs
Lobster Scrambled Eggs Ingredients 4 eggs 1/2 teaspoon chopped fresh tarragon 4 ounces cooked lobster meat, cut into bite-sized pieces 1 pinch cayenne pepper 2 tablespoons butter 1 pinch salt and ground black pepper to taste Directions • Beat eggs and tarragon in a small bowl. Set aside. • Sprinkle lobster pieces with cayenne pepper. • Melt butter in nonstick pan over medium-low heat. Add lobster; cook, stirring, until warmed through, 2 to 4 minutes. Stir in egg mixture; increase heat to medium and scramble eggs, stirring constantly, until nearly set, 3 to 4 minutes.
Chocolate Covered Strawberries Ingredients 16 ounces milk chocolate chips 2 tablespoons shortening 1 pound fresh strawberries with leaves Directions In a double boiler, melt the chocolate and shortening, stirring occasionally until smooth. Holding them by the toothpicks, dip the strawberries into the chocolate mixture. Insert toothpicks into the tops of the strawberries. Turn the strawberries upside down and insert the toothpick into Styrofoam for the chocolate to cool.
Directions Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic and thyme. Cook, stirring constantly, until onion is tender. Stir in the beef broth, scraping any onion bits from the bottom of the pan, then stir in the port wine. Bring to a boil, and cook until the mixture has reduced to about 1/2 cup. Set aside. This may also be made ahead of time, and reheated. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Heat oil in a cast-iron or other ovensafe skillet over high heat. Sear steaks quickly on both sides until brown, then place the whole pan into the oven. Roast steaks in the oven for about 15 minutes for medium rare, with an internal temperature of 145 degrees F. You may adjust this time to allow the steaks to cook to just under your desired degree of doneness if medium rare is not what you prefer. Remove from the oven, and place on a baking sheet. Stir together the panko crumbs and blue cheese. Top each steak with a layer of this mixture. Preheat the oven’s broiler. Place steaks under the preheated broiler until the cheese topping is browned and bubbly. 3 to 4 minutes. Remove from the oven, and let stand for at least 15 minutes before serving. Serve with warm port wine sauce.
Source: AllRecipes.com
CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 39
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Making a scene
Local photographer gives advice on shooting scenery
B
utterfield Photographer Chuck Nickle is no stranger to being behind the lens for senior photos, family portraits, weddings and sporting events, but one thing he loves to do in his spare time is shoot scenic photos wherever he goes. “This is kind of sideline to what I normally do and is not my main business, but I mostly do it for me and mostly in the winter, because there is neat scenery in the winter with things like snow and ice,” he said. “The picture of the trees in fog was taken in the winter last year. I drove by the fog, and there was such a stark contrast because it was that duskish time of day, which created the eerie sort of
Story by Kyle Troutman, editor | Photos by Chuck Nickle
silhouette.” Some pictures, Nickle said, are taken by chance and luck instead of preparation or coming across still subjects. “That eagle picture was a fun one, and it was pure coincidence,” he said. “There were two or three flying around here, and we were chasing them when that one flew out into a field. I got the picture and didn’t even realize until later that it was carrying a squirrel in its talons. “The way his head was turned and him carrying the squirrel was all just good luck. Most pictures like that are luck anyway.” Nickle had another encounter with a squirrel, one fortunate enough to still be on the ground.
CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 41
“I always look for something unique, or neat nature stuff. Look for what might be pleasing to someone’s eyes.”
42 | FEBRUARY 2016
“That other squirrel was just in my yard, and I had a new camera lens and wanted to test it,” he said. “I shot through the door, and the squirrel pretty much posed for me.” Outside of shooting photos of animals, Nickle said there are some scenes that beckon to be captured. “The sunset photo was taken in the summertime while we were waiting to shoot an eclipse,” he said. “The sun was just setting over George’s, and it made for a good shot.” Nickle said for amateur photographers, finding something unique is always a plus. “I always look for something unique, or neat nature stuff,” he said. “Look for what might be pleasing to someone’s eyes. I always think, ‘If I like this, someone else might like it, too.’” Nickle said another key is not going out with any preconceived plans of what to shoot. “Sometimes, it’s best to go out empty,” he said. “What I mean by that is, don’t expect or look for anything. Just let stuff happen around you, slow down and see what you can find.”
CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 43
To see more of Nickle’s photos, people may visit ChuckNicklePhoto.com Once a person does find a subject, Nickle said composition and angles can make all the difference between a good photo and a not so good one. “I think shadows are really important in winter shots, especially in the snow” he said. “I think that’s what makes snow photos, like the fence one, work for me, because there’s so much contrast in shadows.” Nickle said those looking to take such pictures do not necessarily need fancy equipment or time set aside only for taking pictures. “A couple of the pictures, like the fence one, I took with my little Fuji camera,” he said. “It has high megapixels, but it’s definitely not the one I use for work. “I honestly don’t carry my camera enough. There’s been a few times when I wish I did have it, like when we were coming back from Nevada and there was a tree totally covered in webworms, and the sun was setting right behind it and made a really neat effect.” Nickle said because of that experience, keeping a camera handy at all times could mean all the difference in getting a perfect shot or not.
44 | FEBRUARY 2016
“I think shadows are really important in winter shots, especially in the snow. I think that’s what makes snow photos, like the fence one, work for me, because there’s so much contrast in shadows.”
CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 45
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Cutest Pet
Meet Scout. Scout belongs to Kelli McCallister of Monett.
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.
February’s winner! CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 47
Central Crossing Senior Center in Shell Knob
Calendar Feb. 1
n The Monett Senior Center Valentines Dance will be held at the Monett Park Casino Building at 7 p.m.
Feb. 2
n The Cassville Senior Center hosts Springfield Hearing Center at 10 a.m.
Feb. 4
n Cassville Senior Center Paint Classes at 9 a.m. n Fred Williams Hearing Aids, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Central Crossing Senior Center, Shell Knob.
Feb. 5
n Cassville Chamber of Commerce First Friday Coffee will be held at Bear Crossing Cabins, 21718 Coyote Ridge, near Roaring River State Park.
Feb. 8
n The Monett Senior Center’s board meeting will be held at 9:30 a.m. at the center.
Feb. 9
n The Monett Chamber of Commerce will be holding an Ag Conference at the National Guard Armory, 300 Chapell Dr., Monett, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Feb. 10
n Grace Foot Care at the Cassville Senior Center, 9 a.m.
Feb. 12
February 2016
n Free Lunch at the Monett Senior Center, courtesy of the Olde Town Pharmacy. n Valentine’s Lunch at the Cassville Senior Center will be at 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Feb. 13
n The Wheaton Historical Society will have a Valentine Party at the Community Center. For more information, call 417-652-7488.
Feb. 16 n Grace Health Services at Central Crossing Senior Center, Shell Knob.
Feb. 17 n Fred’s Hearing Aid service will be held at the Monett Senior Center.
Feb. 18 n A Regional Career Fair will be held at the Monett City Park Casino, sponsored by the Monett Chamber of Commerce, 1-5 p.m.
48 | FEBRUARY 2016
Regular events: n Paint Classes at the Cassville Senior Center, 9 a.m.
Domino Poker, every day from 12:30-3 p.m.
n Alzheimer’s Support Group will meet at 2 p.m. at the Central Crossing Senior Center, Shell Knob.
Mah Jongg, every Monday and Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Feb. 20
n The annual Chamber of Commerce Dinner and Show will be held at 5 p.m. at the Central Community United Methodist Church, Shell Knob. n Regular monthly dance at the Cassville Senior Center will be held from 7 to 10 p.m.
Feb. 21
n The Ozark Festival Orchestra pops concert will be 3 p.m. at the Monett High School Performing Arts Center, east end of Monett, north of Cleveland Ave. n “Broadway hit parade: music from Wicked, Les Miserables, West Side Story, Chicago, Fiddler on the Roof, My Fair Lady and Phantom of the Opera” n A silent auction with items for arts lovers will start at 2:30 p.m.
Feb. 22
n Nell’s Nails for toes and fingers from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Central Crossing Senior Center.
Feb. 25
n Grace Foot Care at the Cassville Senior Center, 9 a.m.
Feb. 26
n Nell’s Nails is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. at the Monett Senior Center.
“The Baseball Show” Monett Chamber of Commerce will be sponsoring a play “The Baseball Show” on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 5-6 beginning at 7 p.m. and on Sunday afternoon, Feb. 7 beginning at 1:30 p.m. at the Monett High School Performing Arts Center. Tickets are $5 each.
Cassville Senior Center Cassville, Mo.: 417-847-4510 Tax Counseling for the elderly is available every Wednesday. Call for appointments
Paint classes, every second and fourth Monday of each month. Line dancing every Tuesday and Thursday from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Quilting for Charity, every Wednesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Knitting and crocheting classes, every Thursday from 9 to 11 a.m. Pinochle, every Thursday from 12:30-3 p.m. Cards Galore, every Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wood Carvers, every Thursday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Community Support Groups: The Parkinson’s Support Group meets at 2 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church, 1600 N. Central in Monett on the second Thursday of every month. No charge to attend. Call 417-269-3610 to register. Celebrate Recovery meets at 7 p.m. at the Golden Baptist Church on Hwy. J, in Golden, on Mondays every month. Dinner is served at 6:15 p.m. This is for anyone with hurts, habit or hangups. The Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) group of Cassville meets at 8 p.m. at 1308 Harold Street in Cassville 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 Hwy. 86, in Eagle Rock, on Mondays and Tuesdays 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, 417-847-2965. Cassville Al-Anon Family Group meets at 8 p.m. at the United Methodist Church in Cassville every Thursday of each month. Narcotics Anonymous meets at 8 p.m. the first Tuesday of every month in the basement of St. Lawrence Catholic Church, located at the corner of Seven and Cale streets in Monett, 417-4423706. Narcotics Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous group meets at 7 p.m. the first Tuesday of every month at the First Baptist Church Activity Center, 618 Second Street in Washburn. 417-489-7662.
Library Connection
It’s Library Lovers’ Month! This column is written by workers at the Cassville Branch Library. Seated: Verna Fry, Cheryl Williams and Angie Judd. Standing: Sierra Gunter and Jane Severson.
Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters at the End
Of course, there are some of us who think every month is Library Lovers’ Month. But for those not so inclined, February is the month where it is brought to the attention of the community all the resources their local library has to offer. It is also time to remind people of the opportunities they have to support their local library. Visit your local library and take advantage of the books, magazines, DVDs, audio books, e-books, programs, computers, classes and other services. If your local library has a Friends’ organization, consider joining. After your visit, you may discover you are a library lover too. The following titles may be found on the shelves of the Barry-Lawrence Regional Library system or as e-books at Missouri Libraries 2 go.
The Princess Bride by Williams Goldman (adult fiction) The Princess Bride, as abridged by William Goldman, is about a beautiful woman named Buttercup who falls in love with a farm boy named Westley. Westley sets off to seek his fortune in America so they can marry, but is murdered at sea by the Dread Pirate Roberts. When word reaches Buttercup, she vows to live a loveless life. Fast forward a few years and she is set to marry Prince Humperdinck, an avid
hunter and truly dreadful man. She is kidnapped by three bandits who plan to murder her in order to start a war with a nearby country. Their plans are thwarted by a mysterious man in black, who defeats the three and saves Buttercup before revealing that is Westley. Humperdinck eventually catches Westley and, without Buttercup’s knowledge, tortures and kills him. With the help of two of the previous bandits, Westley is brought back to life and they storm the castle and save Buttercup. “Fencing. Fighting. Torture. Poison. True love. Hate. Revenge. Giants. Hunters. Bad men. Good men. Beautifulest ladies…” This book is one that has something for every type of reader. — Angie
by Atul Gawande (adult nonfiction) Like it or not, we are all mortal. It is not something most of us think about very often. Doctors are trained to find cures but sometimes there isn’t a cure. Sometimes the “cure” is worse than the condition. Dr. Gawande talks about the quality of life versus the treatment of illness. He writes that whenever a serious sickness or injury strikes and your body or mind breaks down, there are four vital questions to ask of yourself or your loved ones. The questions are always the same, regardless of the situation. This book caused me to do some hard thinking, and I highly recommend that it be read by everyone. After all, we are all mortal. — Cheryl
Williams
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Molina: The Story of the Father Who Raised an Unlikely Baseball Dynasty by Bengie Molina with Joan Ryan (biography) Even if you’re not into baseball, this memoir is still a wonderful read. Told through the words of Bengie Molina, this heart-warming story is as much about a life well-lived as it is about Puerto Rico’s favorite pastime. Benjamin Molina, father of famous Major League catchers Bengie, Jose’, and Yadier, was an accomplished player in his own right. A factory worker for more than 30 years, Benjamin spent most all his free hours teaching scores of neighborhood boys to play baseball and imparting life lessons. Through that, writes Bengie, “he gave us the rules and codes to live by: Integrity and humility; Respect; Play hard and unselfishly; and accept failure as a normal part of life and move on.” In the book’s conclusion, we learn the poignant reason Benjamin Molina, baseball player extraordinaire and remarkable father, sacrificed his own chance at baseball glory. — Verna
Fry
The Sancti Trilogy (Sanctus, The Key, and The Tower) by Simon Toyne (adult fiction) Two tribes pre-dating the beginnings of Christianity and even the cultures of Egypt and Mesopotamia have been locked in a war spanning millennia. The rest of the world is unaware of this clandestine and frequently vicious battle, until weird things start happening the world over. The ancient knowledge amassed by these two groups is locked away in a vast library, imprisoned in a stronghold of one of these tribes. Prophecies regarding the end of days need to be found and unlocked to
avert disaster. People from all walks of life all over the world are drawn into a race to find the keys to the puzzle. Intrigued? I was. I could hardly put the books down. —
Jane Severson
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Winter (book four of the Lunar Chronicles) by Marissa Meyer (young adult/teen fiction) In this final installment of the Lunar Chronicles, Princess Winter joins Cinder and her friends as they initiate their final plans to overthrow tyrannical Queen Levana. In so doing, they hope to restore peace to both Luna and Earth. I’ve been a fan of this series from the first book, and “Winter” does not disappoint. It’s perfect for fairy-tale lovers, with a futuristic twist and space mixed in. I cannot recommend this series enough. — Sierra
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CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 51
Tire man keeps rolling on Jack McCaffrey celebrates life in tire industry
F
Jack McCaffrey of Monett was inducted on Aug. 22, 2015, into the Missouri Tire Industry Association’s Tire Hall of Fame in a ceremony held at the Stone Castle in Branson. Matt Jost, president of the MTIA, at left, made the presentation.
52 | FEBRUARY 2016
ew areas in the nation have so many people with a history in the tire industry. Beginning in 1945, when Harold Friend introduced retreading tires to Monett, the sale of tires developed into a thriving industry. People who worked with Friend, and businesses that spun off from his tutelage, sent salesmen out across the fourstate area in search of customers. One of those men was Jack McCaffrey of Monett. In April, Jack, who founded Grande Tire with colleagues Leo Costley and Junior Avondet, was named to the Missouri Tire Industry Association’s Hall of Fame during an induction ceremony in Branson. Jack’s road into the tire business, like many rural Missouri roads, wound in many directions, eventually leading to a new and more interesting place. Jack served 12 months in the military on the demilitarized zone in Korea at the end of that war. After his service, Jack returned to Monett. The early 1950s offered many job opportunities, but Jack took a route followed by many preWorld War II laborers. He went to work for contractor M.E. Gillioz, who had his most successful period building roads, bridges, dams and other big projects. There was steady but hard work. “I was a ditch digger,” Jack recalled. “Later on, I worked under Emmett Creymeyer and O.S. Parscale. Gillioz was a gripey old fart, but if you did your job, he was satisfied. I didn’t like being inside. Construction work was rough in the winter time, but it was all right if you dressed right.”
Story by Murray Bishoff
Jack McCaffrey in the summer of 1982 at work in the garage at Grande Tire.
“The secret is knowing what to tell them, how to do it.
“My advice was get out
there and make it happen . Don’t sit back and expect them to give it to you.” On the job at Grande Tire in 1982, Mike Patton, one of the route men, prepares to hit the road with instructions from Jim “Booner” McCaffrey, Jack’s son.
CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 53
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After three years, Jack tried a different line of work. Friend Tire wanted route salesmen for their products. He was accepted without hesitation. “I didn’t really have a special approach,” Jack said. “A lot of it was bull. You had to sell yourself first. Once you got in with them, you had it made.” Jack hit the road with a truck and a trailer, hauling his inventory with him. His route took him into Oklahoma, one of about 12 routes the company had. He was on the road Monday, heading south past Muskogee to Wewoka, to Atoka on Tuesday, heading to Hugo near Texas on Wednesday and home on Thursdays. Burggraf Tire out of Quapaw, Okla., was the only other tire company working the road. Mohawk made the main tire that Friend Tire sold, later adding Seiberling products to their line. “I was the top salesman for 13 out of 15 years,” Jack said. “Usually, Monday was the best day. I’d go to W&W Trailers in Madill, Okla. He started in a little old garage. Now he has two monstrous buildings. I never got tired of the road. I enjoyed it.” But after 15 years, McCaffrey tired of his employer. The job was so independent, it seemed like he was mostly on his own anyway. He visited Harold Friend, Hubert Friend’s son who by then ran Friend Tire, and found support for the idea. Friend could keep supplying the tires. An independent operation could explore other territory and expand the business. Friend suggested calling the new business Grande Tire. Jack and his partners set up shop in Pierce City in 1972 and never looked back. “The risk never even bothered me,” Jack said. “I would have gone back on the
road, but I didn’t have to. I hired guys to do what I was doing. We started with three. Now we have four stores and more than 40 employees. “The secret is knowing what to tell them, how to do it. My advice was get out there and make it happen. Don’t sit back and expect them to give it to you.” Just like Jack, Grande Tire route men worked on commission. Jack said he looked at the appearance of his people,
and how they handled themselves. “You could tell pretty quick if a guy’s going to be a salesman or not,” he said. “I don’t think I ever had to fire anyone. You give a guy a truck, a trailer and tires, if he can’t find business, it’s his fault.” Not only did success rely on the product. Price and service made a difference to customers. “They could set their watch by me, unless I broke down or something,” Jack said. “We could do better than bigger company. We met with customers every week. Bigger companies’ salesmen might come around once a month.” Times changed, products changed and the business evolved. Jack recalled that during his heyday on the road, tires lasted only 10,000-15,000 miles. With the advent of radial tires, tires today last
50,000-60,000 miles. Customers also had expanded choices and a bigger price range. “When they came out with radials, we had a lot of trouble at first, then we got it smoothed out,” Jack said. “If people could afford a better tire, they could try the radial. When we went with Seiberling,” the tire company that had been the backbone of Friend Tire’s business for decades, “we went to Akron to meet with them. They let us name our own brand, which was Holiday Tires. They’re still in existence. Customers liked having a unique product. They were a good tire.” The corner gas station and garage gradually disappeared. Jack said his people had to find the handful of shops that remained. They knew their markets and stayed in contention for business. In 1992, Jack and Leo Costley decided to retire. They sold the business to Jack’s three brothers: Jerry, Jeffrey and Joel. “All my brothers worked for me,” Jack said. “I was selling to the employees.
They knew the tire business. I’m pleased with how they continued the tradition.” Jack’s life was different by then, having lost his first wife, Carol Jeanne, to a fatal vehicle accident in 1977. He eventually remarried to second wife, Pat. Jack continues to watch the business with great pride. To this day, he regularly wears his blue work shirts with his name embroidered on the pocket. Grande Tire today has outlets in Pierce City, Aurora, Cassville and Joplin. The Missouri Tire Hall of Fame designation caught him completely by surprise. The honor had previously gone to Don Isbell, president of Friend Tire in Monett, and Keith Shumaker, of Golden, founder of Shumaker Tire. Not only did Jack’s whole family go to the induction ceremony, but even one of the first customers from McAlester, Okla., attended. “I’m not surprised the tire business thrived in this part of the country,” Jack said. “I imagine they’re still using my formula.”
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Jack McCaffrey, at center, with the Missouri Tire Association Hall of Fame award. At rear are his brothers, Joel, Jay and Jeff. “We had 10 J’s in our family,” Jack said, “Jerry [who has passed away], Jeffrey, Joel, Joan, Joe, Joyce, Jim, Jay and Jeff and me. Dad always said if we had another boy, we’d have to name him Jacob or Jesus.” At left is sister-in-law Meg McCaffrey, and sister Joyce Tinklepaugh, at right.
CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 55
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P HOTO S U B M I S S I ON S
These photos were captured by Della Mae Stouder on Jan. 4 near Holiday Island, Ark. The bridge that is washed out is called the Little Golden Gate Bridge. The little cabin is just before it.
Do you have a photo you would like to see published in Connection Magazine? Email it to connection@monett-times.com for consideration.
These photos were recently captured by Scott Carney.
CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 57
This was captured by CJ Tabor in the Jenkins/Cato area during the first week of January.
These photos were recently captured by Valerie Miller of Monett.
58 | FEBRUARY 2016
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CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 59
These photos were recently captured by Linda Sue Sparkman.
These photos were recently captured by Esther Hightower.
60 | FEBRUARY 2016
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CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 61
Familiar Faces
The 31st annual community Christmas dinner in Monett, founded by and continued in memory of Linn Thornton, was held on Dec. 25 at the First United Methodist Church in Monett.
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62 | FEBRUARY 2016
1. Ronald Van Amber, Ellen Brown 2. Cindy Vadnais, Dan Dodson 3. Scott and Kim Rannebarger, Kim Thornton 4. Pat Swank, Willis Finn 5. Ashlie Gaches, Breanna Gaches 6. Rodger Harris, Joanna Koenig, Emily Koenig, Wendy Koenig, Rickey Koenig
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7. Front row: Sandra Cargile, Amy Cargile. Back row: Jeronimo Cruz, Johnathan Bolanos, Eli Cargile 8. Ken Gauthier, Margaret Kerr 9. Stephen May, Shirley Stumpff 10. Laura and Gary Churchill 11. Lori Jarvis, Henry Waltrip, Linda Barber 12. Jim and Brenda Popplewell
First Friday Coffee, a monthly networking event hosted by the Cassville Area Chamber of Commerce, was held at city hall on Jan. 8
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Jon Horner, Dr. Douglas Chad Johnson, Dusty Reid Mindi Artherton, Michele Bredeson Shawna Oltjenbruns, Dana Kammerlohr, Brittany Farris Maria West, Dr. Lisa Roark Tammy Littleton, Sonya Swope Missie Miller, J.R. Smith
TiTle loans Pay Day loans Phone: 417-235-4200 • 775 Chapel Dr., Suite F, Monett, MO 65708 CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 63
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Ad List A Beautiful Image . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 Acambaro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Ava Belle’s Flea Market. . . . . . . . 54 Barry Electric Coop. . . . . . . . . . . 25 Bennett Wormington . . . . . . . . . 25
est Missouri’s
Brownsberger’s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Burrus Jewelers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Carolyn Hunter DMD. . . . . . . . . 46
Cassville Health and Rehab. . . . 36 Chapman Medical Clinic. . . . . . . . 6 Community National Bank. . . . . 20 Cornerstone Bank. . . . . . . . . . . . 61 Country Dodge. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61 Cox Medical Centers. . . . . . . . . . 68 Crane Family Dentistry. . . . . . . . 59 Dairy Queen. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 Diet Center. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 Doug’s Pro Lube. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Eastside Church of Christ. . . . . . 27 Edward Jones Weber . . . . . . . . . . 4 Empire Finance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 Farm Pro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 First State Bank of Purdy. . . . . . 59 Fohn Funeral . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Four Seasons Real Estate. . . . . . 31 Four States Dental Care. . . . . . . 40 Freedom Bank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Grande Tire. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59 Guanajuato. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Ryan and Chris Nestleroad took Connection Magazine with them while vacationing with their families at Disney’s Epcot Center theme park in Florida.
Hill Creek Lodge. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Houlihans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Ila Bohm’s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 J. Michael Riehn, Attorney. . . . . 56 Ken’s Collision Center. . . . . . . . . 46 Lackey Body Works. . . . . . . . . . . 40 Les Jacobs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
fill out the attached subscription Macadoodles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 end the form along with a check Missouri Loan Center. . . . . . . . . 63 e to Monett Times, money order Mocha Jo’s. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 or your credit card information to Monett Chamber x 40, Monett, MO 65708.
Race Brothers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Tomblin’s Jewelry. . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Ramey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Tried & True Candles & Tans. . . 51
Scott Regional
Trogdon Marshall. . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Technology Center. . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Visionhealth Eye Center. . . . . . . 56
Second Chances. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Whitley Pharmacy. . . . . . . . . . . . 16
of Commerce . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Security Bank. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Wickman Gardens. . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Oak Pointe Assisted Living. . . . 12
Shelter Insurance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Willis Insurance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Old Town Pharmacy . . . . . . . . . . 55
Smile Designers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Youngberg Chapel. . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Ozark Methodist Manor. . . . . . . 50
State Farm. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Ziggies Café . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Peppers and Co.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Superior Spray Foam. . . . . . . . . . 51
onnection
Plymouth Junction . . . . . . . . . . . 12
The Jane Store. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Box 40 • Monett, MO 65708
ee: 877.403.6397 • 877.752.9275
CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 65
Parting Shot
Photo by Chuck Nickle
“Love isn’t something you find. Love is something that finds you.”
— Loretta Young
66 | FEBRUARY 2016
Authorized dealer
Family owned and operated since 1971
Race Brothers carries a complete line of farm and home supplies including clothing, lawn and garden, outdoor power equipment, pet supplies, tack and livestock supplies and much more!You will find our service outstanding whether your needs are for home or acreage in the country.
Big store with a lot of stuff! 235-7739
210 Hwy 37, Monett
862-4378
2310 W Kearney, Springfield
358-3592
2309 Fairlawn Dr., Carthage
2015 MISSOURI PRESS ASSOCIATION GENERAL EXCELLENCE AWARD WINNER
The MoneTT TiMes Serving Barry and Lawrence County, Mo., since 1899
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68 | FEBRUARY 2016