March 2016 Connection

FREE

Mystery in the

?

Maize

SPECIAL SECTION:

F ocus on

Youth

Uncovering

Justice

A magazine dedicated to Southwest Missourians

MARCH 2016

2 | MARCH 2016

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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

Monett, MO 65708 417-235-7465

Member SIPC

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.

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CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 5

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6 | MARCH 2016

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Focus on Youth Special Section

13 Let the crayons fly

March 2016

Inspire children to create great art

15 Verona Wild Clovers Learning the love of gardening

28 Unbeatable dancer

Young Sammy Johnson bounces back from threatening leg injury

33 Learning after hours

Exeter’s after-school program shines with success

38 Poms up, frowns down

Monett Pizzazz Poms wow with peppy, on-point performance

Other features

46 Against the clock

Local first responders give their all for community

65 Can you guess?

Mystery tool appears after recent floods, remains unidentified CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 7

ON THE COVER

53

Chasing the shadows

Recently-retired Monett police chief talks about the manhunt of his career

Contents 11

Proud Parent contest

23

Healthy Connection

by Lindsay Sparks, RD, LD

21

24 27 45 62 67 71 73 74

Cutest Pet contest

Recipes: Dishes of the Irish Bottles & Brews

The final search for Micki Jo West’s body in the corn field.

Detective Tim Schweder is seated at right by the marker stake.

Community Calendar

JOIN US ONLINE:

Familiar Faces

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Submitted photos from readers Ad list

Parting Shot

Have an idea for a story you would like to see in Connection Magazine?

Email it to connection@monett-times.com

8 | MARCH 2016

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CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 9

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10 | MARCH 2016

Proud Parent

Elijah James Mayberry is the 1-year-old son of Ashley and Jonathan Mayberry of Monett. Elijah is March’s cutest kid.

Congrats,

Elijah!

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.

CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 11

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FOCUS ON YOUTH

YOUTH ART MONTH

Let your child’s imagination run wild March is National Youth Art Month

M

arch is national Youth Art Month and that makes me happy.

My 7-year-old is just starting to get into the swing of things in art class at school, and I love seeing where his imagination takes him.

I was recently going through Dylan’s backpack and found a pile of beautiful pictures that I could not figure out the meaning to.

I found a printout from the art teacher with interpretations of the Pacific Ocean where three specific areas of art were represented; Japan, Marshall Islands and Hawaii. I looked at the pictures she included, and then looked back at my son’s artwork. Pretty neat.

There was one piece of art in particular that I could not stop looking at. He used all sorts of materials like beads, yarn, stickers, tiny seashells and beans.

This is adorable stuff. It takes me back to when I was just a little girl in art class, expressing my individuality and how I craved to be in art class all day. I saved the most precious pieces from my youth and have found myself on more than one occasion showing my son my paintings and sculptures. They’re nothing special, but they hold memories from different times in my life of which I can’t seem to let go.

“

Youth Art Month is important to me. Not just the month of March, but the actual necessity to have art in our children’s lives is something which unites children and parents.

I find myself wondering if Dylan will do the same thing one day with his children.

CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 13

YOUTH ART MONTH

Like any parent, it’s hard to know which pieces of art to hang on to and which ones to toss. I admit, I do let go of the scrap pieces of paper where only doodles and dots take over the canvas, but I have to hold on to the other pieces. I bought myself a big artwork tote where I carefully keep all of his most precious works. I also use the walls of my pantry as a blank canvas that I cover with every piece of Dylan’s work. I may walk in to get a box of pasta, but I walk out filled with the awe and beauty of his innocence when I trace my finger over the faces he has drawn. It’s like a piece of his soul is out in the open for everyone to see and for me, it just puts this mama’s heart over the edge.

Youth Art Month is important to me. Not just the month of March, but the actual necessity to have art in our children’s lives is something which unites children and parents.

When’s the last time you sat down with your kids to paint something or make something? You need to do it. Even if you don’t consider yourself crafty or one of those sit-onthe-floor type parents. That’s OK. Move outside of your comfort zone and buy a couple of paintbrushes, a ream of paper and go for it. I guarantee you that you will learn something about your child that you did not know prior to making art together.

I’ve learned that Dylan is pretty

BillionPhotos.com good at drawing. I’ve learned that it helps calm him down when he’s especially wound up. I’ve learned that it evokes questions he might not otherwise think to ask me and questions I may not think to ask him. Art is just another area of parenting that opens up a whole new world of ideas.

There are tons of resources in the area where you can let your child’s imagination run wild. The next time you’re looking for something to do with your kids, think art and visit one of these kid-friendly places:

1. Glaze Craze in Aurora: This is a fun place for both adults and children. Your kids can pick out their own piece of pottery and paint it, add embellishments to it and learn how to do different things with paint (crackle, bubbles, stamps, etc.) Once the piece has been fired up in the kiln, it’s ready to be picked up. GlazeCrazeStudio. com

2. Amazeum in

Bentonville, Ark.:

This gem just opened in July 2015.

It is a fun, interactive museum for kids of all ages. One of my favorite places for my 2-year-old since she can put on a smock and paint to her heart’s content on the glass walls in their art room. Amazeum.org

3. Firehouse Pottery in Springfield and Joplin: They offer story time pottery. Your child gets to paint a piece of pottery associated with the book that is being read. Ten dollars for about an hour will keep you and your kiddos busy. FireHousePotteryJoplin. com and FireHousePottery.com Celebrate National Youth Art Month and try something new. Take it one step further and turn your child’s artwork into stickers, note cards or turn it into a coffee mug. I did this recently for my husband’s birthday and it has been one of his all-time favorite gifts. I like to get mine from Shutterfly.com or SnapFish.com.

Create something great this month and every month!

Meagan Ruffing is a parenting journalist who loves watching her kids get creative with art. Visit her at MeaganRuffing.com and follow her on Facebook at writer/meaganruffing.

Her forthcoming book, “Overwhelmed to In Control: Keeping Things Simple When Life Gets Tough,” will be available on Amazon this summer.

14 | MARCH 2016

FOCUS ON YOUTH

Verona Wild Clovers sold canned goods at the Verona Car Show. Front row, from left: Abigail Bogart, Jewel Williams and Sam Pinkley.

Back Row: Treistan Reed and Kelson Guenther.

4-H group active in community with garden, special projects

Story by Kyle Troutman, editor

VERONA WILD CLOVERS

Clovers making mark in Lawrence County

T

he Verona Wild Clovers 4-H Chapter is making its mark in Lawrence County and surrounding areas, completing a number of projects and keeping an ongoing garden near the Verona school district.

The Clovers have been in existence for three years under the leadership of Debbie Pankau.

Vonda Kissinger, Tiffany Reed and

Debra Erwin are also dedicated volunteers who have given much of their time every week to assist the Wild Clovers at the meetings.

In its first year, the chapter brought in 16 members, and in the second year, the chapter grew to near 40 members. Now, the Clovers are in their third year, with members ranging from 5-13 years of age.

CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 15

“Most 4-H Chapters meet once a month during the school year,” Kissinger said. “The Verona Wild Clovers meet once a week all year long.”

The Clovers have become a wellrounded community group, completing many projects in the past three years.

“They did their part in making ornaments for the Verona Elementary School Christmas Tree, and they divided and distributed many boxes of non-perishable food to the elderly and needy during the holidays for each of the three years,” Kissinger said. “They also made Boo-Boo Bear

gift bags for the Lafayette House in Joplin last year for Christmas.”

The Missouri Department of Conservation gave a presentation about planting and maintaining trees.

Then, each member received either a Dogwood tree or a Redbud tree to plant at home, and some trees will be planted in the Verona Parks.

“The Verona School Nurse Patsy du Plessis presented a First Aid demonstration to all members,” Kissinger said. “Each member participated in hand-to-hand first aid. They also prepared chocolate chip cookies and baked them during a weekly meeting.”

The Clovers have become a well-rounded community group, completing many projects in the past three years.

16 | MARCH 2016

Verona Wild Clovers members use some basic farming tools to till the community garden.

Clovers have worked in the concession stand at the Lawrence County Fair in Freistatt for the past two years, and they also signed the 4-H Pledge at the fair.

“Members built three remote controlled robots as a group each of the last two years,” Kissinger said. “Each member made picture frames, wire art and birdhouses as group projects for the fairs in Freistatt, Springfield and Sedalia. Members also made their own individual projects and showed animals for the fairs.”

VERONA WILD CLOVERS They had to remove grass, roots and many rocks.

They worked the ground, planted, watered, and harvested

From left, Treistan Reed, Connor Erwin and Abigail Bogart pick peas at the Verona Wild Clovers’ community garden.

For funding for their plethora of projects, the Wild Clovers held a yard sale last year and a bake sale this year.

They also participated for two years in the 5K run in Aurora and Community Health Fair in Verona following the run last year.

While all of those projects were fun, educational and a service the community, Kissinger said the Verona Wild Clovers’ biggest accomplishment was raising a big garden.

“The garden was fenced in with a sign above the gate that said ‘Verona Wild Clover’s Garden,’” she said.

“Members broke ground on their garden the first year. They had to remove grass, roots and many rocks.

They worked the ground, planted, watered, and harvested many fruits and vegetables from their garden.”

The group then sold fresh fruit and vegetables, canned goods, birdseed wreaths, bracelets and baked goods in their booth at the Verona Car Show in August for the past two years. They also hosted the “Horticultural Twilight Tour” at the 4-H garden last summer and again in August this year presented by the Lawrence County Extension of Missouri.

The Clovers also participated in the first annual Verona Wild Clover’s “Harvest Supper,” where members and their families were able to feast on all of the food they had harvested from their garden, and they received awards for all of their hard work throughout the year.

“Unfortunately, the garden had to be moved to a different place,” Kissinger said. “Verona Wild Clovers received a grant from the Missouri 4-H Foundation to assist with the

Verona Wild Clovers members get together at one of its Wednesday meetings at the garden after a day of harvesting.

CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 17

relocation process and other community projects. The Verona school district was very generous to let the 4-H chapter use a bigger area of land for the garden. They also provided a water hydrant for the members to water their garden with.

“Volunteers with tractors and other farm implements again assisted in preparing the ground for the Wild Clovers to begin their garden adventure. Smaller implements, plants and straw were also donated. Volunteers built and replaced the broken down doors with heavier doors on the small old barn. Weather proofing will be put on the doors by members. New fencing and gates were built around the yard and garden area by members and volunteers.”

Kissinger said volunteers also cut down big limbs and fixed some smaller things on the barn. Some members made and painted wood crafts that are displayed on the side of the barn, made a rock path lined with flowers in the garden and planted barrels full of a variety of flowers.

“Leaders, volunteers and members had many ideas for the garden area to make it bigger and better than the one before,” Kissinger said. “The new garden was very beautiful and a huge success. The members harvested many wonderful fruits and vegetables for use as fundraisers as well as the ‘Harvest Supper.’ They have also built two picnic tables, which will be weather proofed for the garden area with the help of volunteers. They have completed a flower garden with a tree surrounded with brick in Cannon Park in Verona.”

The Clovers also brightened the entrance of the Verona Elementary School with flowers, gravel, soil, brick boarder and a park bench. Park and school projects were supported by the Missouri 4-H Foundation, Verona school and community members. The Clovers completed other projects and participated in other events this past year, and they have other projects to complete in the spring for the parks, garden and upcoming fairs.

The 4-H members, leaders and volunteers have participated in and won Move Across Missouri, a program promoting physical activity, the last two years. All participants have to log minutes on a sheet to show all of the exercising and movement they have done during the allowed time period. All of the members are participating again this year.

“The members are hardworking children who have learned many lifelong lessons and are always willing to learn more,” Kissinger said.

“They are very proud of their accomplishments. They are fortunate to have a wonderful leader, many volunteers, and members who work together to get any project completed. The Verona Wild Clovers are extremely honored to belong to a community that is so supportive.

We, as a 4-H Chapter anticipate being together as Verona Wild Clovers for many years to come, with new members always welcome.” 

The Verona Wild Clovers 4-H Club poses for a photo at its Cannon Park Project. (Left) Verona Wild Clovers members stand under their sign after giving a horticulture tour. Front row: Connor Erwin and Allaura Baker. Second row: Miranda Baker, Sam Pinkley, Samantha Koehler, Will Koehler, Brittaney Erwin and Treistan Reed. Back row: Debbie Pankau, leader; Tiffany Reed; Kelson Guenther; Debra Erwin; and Vonda Kissinger.

18 | MARCH 2016

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Front Street 417-835-8111 CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 19

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Proud Parent

Meet

Indigo

Indigo is a Australian Shepherd service dog who belongs to Deb Buchanan of Shell Knob.

March’s Winner!

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.

Indigo is pictured helping Janice Beshears of Monett shop for her groceries at Walmart.

CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 21

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Healthy Connection ‘Savor the Flavor of Eating Right’ with

mindful eating

My definition of food might  Mindful eating is eating with intention and attengo something like this: tion. delicious, mouth-watering, make my taste buds dance  Mindful eating requires slowing down, chewing and my mind rejoice. thoroughly, and enjoying However, if you want to be rethe texture, tastes, and ally technical, we can go Oxford smells of your food. When Dictionary style on breaking this we eat mindlessly, we may word down: “Food (noun): any nutritious substance that people or overeat or make poor food animals eat or drink, or that plants choices. It takes about 20 absorb, in order to maintain life and minutes for your stomach growth.” Without food, without to signal to your brain that proper nutrition, our bodies will suffer. We must eat food in order you are full, thus all the to grow, to have energy, and to more reason to appreciperform all the basic metabolic ate your meal or snack and functions our bodies need to exist. savor every bite.

Unfortunately, food can get complicated. It is often on our minds when  Mindful eating requires we first wake up, or perhaps during awareness of your physical times of stress, times of celebraand emotional hunger cues tion, holidays, when trying to get and recognition of your our picky 3-year-old to eat, preparing meals for our family, when non-hunger triggers for trying to lose weight, or overcome eating. Wait and think bean illness. fore you decide to eat and However much thought you may try using a hunger scale, give to food, it is undoubtedly a rating your physical hunger very important part of our lives and our culture. In fact, the average on a scale of 1 (not hungry) American makes approximately 200 and 10 (very hungry). decisions regarding food every day.

March is designated as National Nutrition Month (NNM) by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND). Each year the AND has a different theme for NNM and this year’s theme is “Savor the Flavor of Eating Right.” Savoring the flavor requires being mindful. Making mindful eating a part of your life can have huge benefits and help you to make better food decisions.

So, what is mindful eating?

Antonio Diaz

Think of the following questions as you make your next food decisions:

Why do I eat?

When do I want to eat?

What do I eat?

How do I eat?

Where will I eat?

Use these questions as cues to help you understand your food behaviors and food choices. Most importantly, remember that you control what goes on your plate and in your mouth and ultimately the health and well-being of your body.

Happy eating!

lindsay sparks, RD, LD, 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 | 23

Recipes

Beer Braised Irish Stew and Colcannon

St. Patrick’s Day

Ingredients: Irish Stew 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 1 (3 pound) beef chuck roast, trimmed of fat and cut into 1/2-inch cubes 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour 1 cup coarsely chopped onion 1 cup coarsely chopped carrot 1 (12 fluid ounce) can or bottle dark beer 2 bay leaves 1 teaspoon dried thyme 1 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper 2 cloves garlic, minced 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce Colcannon 3 slices bacon 2 pounds russet potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks 2 cups thinly sliced cabbage 1/4 cup milk, warmed 2 tablespoons butter 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper 2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley Directions: n Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. n Heat the vegetable oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat until very hot, and brown the meat in 2 batches, stirring to brown the cubes on all sides.

Return all the meat to the Dutch oven, sprinkle with flour, and stir lightly to coat the meat with flour. Stir in onion, carrots, dark beer, bay leaves, thyme, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, garlic, and Worcestershire sauce. Bring the mixture to a boil, and cover. n Place the Dutch oven into the preheated oven, and cook for 45 minutes.

Uncover, stir the stew, and cook until the beef is very tender and the liquid is reduced by half, about 45 more minutes.

24 | MARCH 2016

n Place the bacon in a large, deep skillet, and cook over medium-high heat, turning occasionally, until evenly browned, about 10 minutes. Drain the bacon slices on a paper towel-lined plate.

Crumble the bacon and set aside. n About 30 minutes before the stew is ready, make the colcannon. Place the potatoes into a large pot and cover with salted water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until tender, about 20 minutes.

Drain and allow to steam dry for a minute or two.

n Place the cabbage into a microwave-safe bowl, and add 1 or 2 tablespoons of water. Cover and microwave on high for about 2-1/2 minutes. Uncover (watch out for steam) and stir the cabbage. Cover and microwave for about 2-1/2 more minutes, until the cabbage is slightly tender but not mushy. Drain excess liquid, and set the cabbage aside, covered. n Place the potatoes into a large bowl, and add milk, butter, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper. Beat the potatoes with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy. Stir in the cabbage, crumbled bacon, and parsley until well combined. n To serve, place a scoop of colcannon onto a plate, make a hollow, and fill with braised beef stew.

Irish Cream Chocolate Cheesecake Ingredients: 1-1/2 cups chocolate cookie crumbs 1/3 cup confectioners’ sugar 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder 1/4 cup butter 3 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened 1/4 cup white sugar 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour 3 eggs 1/2 cup sour cream 1/4 cup Irish cream liqueur Directions: n Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a large bowl, mix together the cookie crumbs, confectioners’ sugar and 1/3 cup cocoa. Add melted butter and stir until well mixed. Pat into the bottom of a 9 inch springform pan. Bake in preheated oven for 10 minutes; set aside.

Increase oven temperature to 450 degrees F. n In a large bowl, combine cream cheese, white sugar, 1/4 cup cocoa and flour. Beat at medium speed until well blended and smooth.

Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Blend in the sour cream and Irish cream liqueur; mixing on low speed. Pour filling over baked crust. n Bake at 450 degrees F for 10 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 250 degrees F, and continue baking for 60 minutes. n With a knife, loosen cake from rim of pan. Let cool, then remove the rim of pan. Chill before serving. If your cake cracks, a helpful tip is to dampen a spatula and smooth the top, then sprinkle with some chocolate wafer crumbs.

Luck o’ the Irish Brownie Ingredients: 4 (1 ounce) squares unsweetened chocolate

4 cups confectioners’ sugar

1 cup margarine, softened

1-1/2 teaspoons peppermint extract

2 cups white sugar 3 eggs 2-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract 1 cup all-purpose flour 1/2 cup butter, softened

2 tablespoons milk, or as needed 6 drops green food coloring 1-1/3 cups semisweet chocolate chips 6 tablespoons butter 1 tablespoon vanilla extract

Directions: n Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish. n Melt the unsweetened chocolate in a cup or small bowl in the microwave. Stir at 15 second intervals until chocolate is smooth. Allow to cool slightly. Transfer to a large bowl, and stir in the margarine and sugar until smooth. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla. Stir in the flour just until blended. Pour the batter into the prepared dish and spread evenly. n Bake in the preheated oven until the surface appears dry and the sides are beginning to pull away from the edges of the pan, 20 to 25 minutes. The brownies may look more like cake and may jiggle slightly in the center. This is normal. Remove from the oven and cool in the pan set over a wire rack. n To make the middle layer, beat 1/2 cup of butter with confectioners’ sugar in a large bowl using an electric mixer. Add milk as needed to get a spreadable consistency. Stir in the peppermint extract and green food coloring. Spread this over the cooled pan of brownies.

Refrigerate for 30 minutes n In a microwave-safe bowl, microwave chocolate chips with the butter until melted. Stir every 20 seconds until chocolate is smooth. Stir in vanilla and then pour over the chilled brownies and quickly spread to cover the surface. Cool again until firm, about 10 minutes, then cut into squares and serve.

CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 25

Irish Heritage Cabbage

Braised Corned Beef Brisket

Ingredients:

Ingredients:

Amazingly Easy Irish Soda Bread Ingredients:

2 slices Irish bacon, diced

1 (5 pound) flat-cut corned beef brisket

1 medium head cabbage, cored and cut into

1 tablespoon browning sauce (such as

4 cups all-purpose flour

wedges

Kitchen Bouquet), or as desired

4 tablespoons white sugar

2 tablespoons melted butter

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

1 teaspoon baking soda

2 teaspoons ground nutmeg

1 onion, sliced

1 tablespoon baking powder

2 cups water

6 cloves garlic, sliced

1/2 teaspoon salt

salt and pepper to taste

2 tablespoons water

1/2 cup margarine, softened

1/2 cup red wine vinegar

1 cup buttermilk Directions:

1 egg

Directions:

n Preheat oven to 275 degrees F.

1/4 cup butter, melted

n Preheat your oven’s broiler.

n Discard any flavoring packet from corned beef. Brush brisket with browning sauce on both sides. Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and brown brisket on both sides in the hot oil, 5 to 8 minutes per side.

n Place cabbage into a large pot. Add water and bring to a boil. Simmer over low heat until tender, about 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, cook bacon in a skillet over medium-high heat until crisp. Drain and set aside. Drain cabbage, and drizzle with melted butter. Sprinkle with bacon and nutmeg. Transfer to a baking dish. n Place under your oven’s broiler until the top layer is lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Serve with salt, pepper and vinegar as desired.

n Place brisket on a rack set in a roasting pan. Scatter onion and garlic slices over brisket and add water to roasting pan.

Cover pan tightly with aluminum foil. n Roast in the preheated oven until meat is tender, about 6 hours.

1/4 cup buttermilk Directions: n Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Lightly grease a large baking sheet. n In a large bowl, mix together flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, salt and margarine. Stir in 1 cup of buttermilk and egg. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead slightly. Form dough into a round and place on prepared baking sheet. In a small bowl, combine melted butter with 1/4 cup buttermilk; brush loaf with this mixture. Use a sharp knife to cut an ‘X’ into the top of the loaf. n Bake in preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean, 45 to 50 minutes. Check for doneness after 30 minutes. You may continue to brush the loaf with the butter mixture while it bakes.

26 | MARCH 2016

Source: AllRecipes.com

Bottles & Brews

EastEr

Dark Side of the Moon

A recipe employing one of the most iconic Irish beers of all time, Dark Side of the Moon is also known as a Black and Tan, but the lunar name gives a nod to the band Pink Floyd.

To make the mixed brew, pour half a Blue Moon into a glass, then slowly top with Guinness. If done correctly, the beers should remain separated, and Guinness’ trademark head will grace the top of the glass.

George Killian’s Irish Red A premium amber lager brewed by Coors, George Killian’s Irish Red is allegedly based on an 1864 recipe created in Enniscorthy, Ireland.

Named after George Killian Lett, grandson of the Lett’s Brewery founder in Ireland, the beer earns 71 score from 818 reviews on BeerAdvocate.com, as well as a 75 score from the website’s founders.

A casual, crisp amber brew, George Killian’s Irish Red has a 4.9 percent alcohol by volume.

BEER, WINE

& SPIRITS

Visit our locations in

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Jameson Irish Whiskey

A staple when it comes to classic Irish whiskeys, Jameson is triple-distilled and aged for a minimum of four years before being poured into the iconic green bottle. Flavor-wise, Jameson boasts a balance of spicy, nutty and vanilla notes, with hints of sherry.

The best-selling Irish whiskey worldwide, Jameson was founded in 1780 by John Jameson, and is now brewed in Midleton, Ireland.

CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 27

FOCUS ON YOUTH

MONETT DANCER

The unstoppable Sammy Johnson

S

ammy Johnson’s love of dancing almost came to a crashing halt following a serious bike wreck in Monett last August.

“I don’t even know how it happened,” said his mom, Terri Johnson.

“He is usually so flexible and fast and it was so surprising to see him have a wreck on his bike.”

But a manhole cover in the street could have easily ended his dance career and hopes of teaching dance when he is older.

“He crashed just a couple of houses down from ours,” said Ed Johnson, Sammy’s dad. “With all of our kids and the noise they make, we might not have heard him calling for help or realized there was a problem for quite some time.”

But two Tru Green Lawn Service employees, David Frost and Jesse Morris, were just finishing up a job in the neighborhood and heading out when they came upon the abandoned bike in the roadway.

Knowing instinctively something was wrong, they looked around to find Sammy, age 11 at the time, motioning them for help from a nearby sidewalk.

Luckily for Sammy, Frost is a veteran who served in Iraq, and ran down the street to notify Sammy’s parents, grab a belt and a stick, and prepared to stabilize the injured leg.

“I looked and saw his kneecap way up above his knee and just had to let Terri handle it,” Ed said. “I was

28 | MARCH 2016

Young Monett dancer continues to follow his dream after bike crash and surgery able to drive the car to [Cox Monett Hospital], but she had to deal with the knee. I just couldn’t do it.”

“There is a sleeve the kneecap fits into,” Terri added. “That broke in three places. Cox sent him straight on to Springfield, after giving him morphine for his pain.

“Luckily, there was a surgeon from Children’s Hospital in Columbia who comes to Springfield for two days each month, and he happened to be here when Sammy had his wreck. He was the one that did the surgery.”

Dr. Dan Hoernschemeyer, the orthopedic surgeon, later told Sammy’s parents it was one of the most complex surgeries he had ever performed.

“We were pretty scared when he broke his leg,” Terri said. “We weren’t sure he’d be able to dance again. Luckily, Dr. Dan is a ballroom dancer, he understood our fears and he said he’d make sure Sammy was 100 percent better.”

For Sammy, losing the ability to dance would have been a tragedy.

The graceful, energetic youth had only been dancing for two years, but had already dreamed of becoming a dance teacher one day.

“

We weren’t sure he’d be able to dance again.

- Terri Johnson, Sammy’s mom

Story by Melonie Roberts

Sammy Johnson waited patiently at the office of Dr. Dan Hoernschemeyer, a pediatric orthopedic surgeon at Children’s Hospital in Columbia, for the removal of his full-leg cast following a serious bike crash in Monett.

CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 29

MONETT DANCER

“Since he was 2 years old, he’d dance on the kitchen table or do cartwheels and tumbling,” Terri said.

“He was always counting, and we never understood that, because we don’t dance.

“Since he never wanted anything for Christmas or birthdays, we decided he needed to get into some kind of activity and thought gymnastics would be a good fit.

“After taking him to a local instructor for evaluation, he recommended taking Sammy to Tumble Town in Neosho. They wanted him to join competitive cheer and gymnastics immediately.”

Sammy faithfully attended classes four days a week, developing his natural skills, and taking a state competition championship at age 8 in front of about 3,000 people.

“We knew this was something in him,” Ed said. “His coordination is so good, he can do anything. At 2 years old, he climbed all the way up the backstop at the park.

He is

Sammy Johnson, right, is pictured with members of the Premiere Dance and Cheer Studio in Monett at a Monster Hop training, held in January 2015, in Dallas. Clockwise, from front, are: Bree Burton, Addy Burton, Shaelynn Gonzalez, Mady O’Hara, and Johnson.

30 | MARCH 2016

Students at Premiere Dance and Cheer Studio in Monett are pictured following this year’s Christmas Parade in Monett. From left, are: Audra Mahurin, Sammy Johnson, Valya Smith, Espn Crockett, Cadence McGlothlin, Kally Brandt and Payton Flynt.

very agile.”

To encourage his love of dancing and tumbling, the Johnsons cleared their living room of furniture so he could do flips and back flips and practice routines without endangering the family television.

“He saw a lot of competition at a Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, training class,” Ed said. “His rhythm abilities were far above other kids in his age group. He’s very gifted in that sense.”

Following weeks of recovery and recuperation, during which Sammy was unable to attend dance classes, he was released from rehabilitation therapy Dec. 14, and performed just days before in the annual Monett Christmas Parade.

“It doesn’t even hurt,” Sammy said.

“I think his recovery was helped along because of his age, his athletic ability, and

we didn’t have to start pushing him to start using his leg,” Terri said. “He was hard to keep down for the length of his recovery.”

“He went back to dance wearing a brace,” Ed said. “He was active, doing cartwheels and everything.

Just with a stiff leg. I kept praying he wouldn’t damage it again.

“We thank God the Tru Green guys found him and were able to strap up and stabilize his leg. We are so thankful they stopped to help.”

Sammy recently received a $250 dance scholarship and a new mountain bike from Frost and Morris, who kept tabs on his recovery since August.

Now released to resume his activities, Sammy is able once again to march — and dance — to the beat of his own drummer, and has resumed dance practice at least four days a week. He is preparing for six upcoming competitions in the fourstate area.

“He doesn’t even need music,” said Terri. “He just starts dancing.” 

Sammy Johnson, center, is pictured with Shaelynn Gonzalez, left, and Kally Brandy at the Showstoppers dance competition in Branson.

Tru Green employees David Frost, left, Sammy Johnson and Jesse Morris, are pictured at a presentation of a $250 scholarship and a brand new bike after Johnson’s recovery from a serious bike injury in Monett that nearly ended his dancing career.

Sammy Johnson is pictured here at the 2014 national dance competition held in Dallas. The theme of the show was “Hollywood.”

CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 31

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FOCUS ON YOUTH

Exeter Elementary second-grade Teacher Tiffany Cornman helps her student Olivia Garner put her personally-made bird feeders made with pine cones, peanut butter and bird seed into a bag for safekeeping. The craft is just one of many interesting activities in which students participate as part of the school’s after-school program.

Exeter schools make a big difference in families’ lives

Story and photos by Julia Kilmer

EXETER AFTER SCHOOL

Small school sets the example for rural districts

M

ost parents work fulltime jobs to support their families. And while they’re at work, they need a safe and beneficial place for their child to go once school lets out.

But in rural Barry County, there aren’t many options, like a Boys & Girls Club, to choose from. However, many families have such an option in Exeter’s after-school program.

Like many small schools in the area, the district didn’t have an

official program, so parents had to make arrangements to pick up their children at the end of the school day, or be home to catch the bus when children arrived.

A nearby YMCA has a program, but for low-income families, membership is not an option in a rural area with lower wages and less employment opportunities.

“We are a rural school with not many options for kids after school,” said Mandy Mattingly, program director.

CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 33

Exeter Elementary second-grade Teacher Tiffany Cornman helps her student Olivia Garner put her personally-made bird feeders made with pine cones, peanut butter and bird seed into a bag for safekeeping. The craft is just one of many interesting activities in which students participate as part of the school’s after-school program.

But that shortcoming worked to their benefit.

The district applied for the 21st Century Grant through the Department of Education and Secondary Education, demonstrating a need financially and practically through staff, student and parent surveys. To everyone’s delight, the district received a $400,000 grant, which paved the way to start and sustain an afterschool program. The grant disperses funds in increments over the length of the grant, with the end goal of helping the district sustain a program on their own.

“Our socioeconomic status helped us with getting the grant,” Mattingly said.

34 | MARCH 2016

So, now, when the school day ends at 3:05 p.m., the Aftercare program, as parents call it, begins.

Children can stay until 5:05 p.m., which allows parents to work a full day or run errands, and gives children opportunities to expand their knowledge, participate in fun activities, and complete their homework.

It helps parents like Tiffany Aldridge, who works until 5 p.m. in Monett, about 24 miles away. She has an after-school sitter, but if something comes up, she knows she can rely on Aftercare as a backup. The program helps her, just as much as it helps her two children.

“It’s very helpful, so I can finish my work day,” Aldridge said. “The

kids do science experiments, go on walks and field trips. It gives them an opportunity to do their homework.

It’s definitely a benefit.”

Amanda Mattingly has three children in Aftercare.

“It gives them something to do instead of having to watch TV,” she said. “For Christmas, they went caroling. I’ve seen them have a piñata, and they do exercises and play outside.

They get help with their homework.

It helps me so much, especially with three kids to focus on.”

The program also offers adult education classes, family activity nights.

Since it began in September 2014, enrollment has far exceeded expectations.

FOCUS ON YOUTH

EXETER AFTER SCHOOL

Children love the program so much, parents report that their children sometimes get upset if they are picked up early.

Exeter Pre-K Teacher Darla Horner reads the story, “The Grouchy Ladybug” to fascinated children during the district’s after-school program, which provides many educational and enrichment activities for children.

Exeter Elementary Teacher John Palmer shows fourth-graders an example of what the origami pinwheel they are making will look like when finished.

“

The kids do science experiments, go on walks and field trips. It gives them an opportunity to do their homework.

It’s definitely a benefit.

- Amanda Mattingly, mother of three Aftercare kids

CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 35

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Aftercare is organized into themes of educational instruction and enrichment activities, like physical fitness including walks, to science and technology involving science experiments with robots and solar power, to literacy, crafts, multicultural activities, community projects and even fundraisers for fellow classmates. For Christmas, children sang to residents at a local nursing home, and another day, went to the Discovery Center to enjoy the thrill of hands-on science.

“They are doing fun things they don’t get to do in the classroom because of a lack of time,” Mattingly said.

“I have had numerous parents tell me that they are so happy with the program,” said Tim Jordan, Exeter Elementary principal. “Some families comment about how convenient it is to have a program where they know their kids will be safe until they are able to be home with them after work. Parents are able to work full-time jobs knowing that their kids will be brought home safely on the school bus at 5 p.m. They do not have to be concerned with their children going home alone right after school because they are able to stay at the school and have extended learning opportunities.

“Mrs. Mattingly and the afterschool program staff all do a fabulous job with their individual roles as leaders, lesson planners, and facilitators. I am always amazed with the energy and creative ideas that the workers are able to maintain throughout the afternoon and into the evening.”

Children love the program so much, parents report that their children sometimes get upset if they are picked up early.

Sharyn Crouch works at the school as the middle and high school counselor, but as a grandparent, also utilizes the program.

“My grandchildren love the program,” Crouch said. “If I pick them up early for some reason, they get mad. They are upset because they were doing something fun, and now they have to miss the activity.

The end products they bring home are interesting, and I enjoy listening to the kids describe how they made them.

“Another benefit I enjoy is I can go to the grocery store or run errands without having four children bombarding me with, ‘I want…’

“Since I work at the school, it allows me to continue on a project until I have completed it. Before Aftercare was established, I would have to stop what I was doing and get them all situated doing an activity. Invariably, I would have to stop an argument or redirect someone’s attention. With Aftercare, they are well-supervised doing various, ageappropriate activities. It’s a great program.”

“The consistent numbers throughout the school year is a testament to the fact that our students love to keep coming back,” Jordan said. “Also, after-school staff members offer extra help with student homework and studying. In addition, students benefit from fun activities that have exciting themes that they may not get a chance to experience during the more structured school day.

“I am so happy with what the program offers to our students. I believe that students grow and learn because of the experiences that children are given.” 

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s m o P z Pizza z

perform with precision and style

The Pizzazz Poms showed their sassy style at dance camp last summer. In the front row, from left, are: Madeline Hills, Magen Hensley, Sierra Jensen and Meghan Gaines. Back row: Gabi Gollhofer, Zoe Rosenbalm, Madelyn Milburn, Harriett Meyer, Sydney Sebastian, Amanda Hensley, Deven Kimzey, Ariana Madison, Emma Jones and KayleyAnna Dohmen.

38 | MARCH 2016

FOCUS ON YOUTH

PIZZAZZ POMS

For more information on the Pizzazz Poms, contact Tamara Stadter at tstadter@g-apps.monett.k12.mo.us.

High school’s dance team now seeking program boosters

M

onett High School’s dance team, the Pizzazz Poms, are now a recognized sports program at the school, in which participants utilize colorful costumes, various styles of music in combination with precision dance moves to create exciting and energetic routines to perform at sporting events and in competition against other schools.

“Pizzazz Poms started by the school counselor 11 years ago as a community activity,” said Tamara Stadter, head coach for the team. “At that time, it was not school-affiliated.

She left after two years and the school absorbed the program as an activity under the guidance of the choir director, Hailey Acklin. I served as co-coach under her and then became head coach five years ago.”

The team’s members are not cheerleaders or pep squad members.

“They’re all about dance,” Stadter said. “We’re a spirit squad, like cheerleaders but a different aspect.

We work with the band a lot, as well.”

Initially, the team only performed at home basketball games, but in the last year, they have added additional games, performing on the sidelines at

Story by Melonie Roberts

Monett High School’s Pizzazz Poms dance team recently hosted a dance camp for the district’s younger students both as a fundraising effort and to inspire youngsters to consider joining the team when they reach high school.

home football games.

“This is a year-round sport,” Stadter said. “The girls attend dance camps in the summer, work on new routines every year, and compete against dance teams from other schools. If the girls don’t like the routines they learn at dance camp, they choreograph their own. I always choreograph the competition routines.”

At camp, each girl leads three different 1-1/2-minute routines, backed by pom, jazz, kick or hip-hop style music. They are evaluated at the end of camp on memory and showmanship, earning ribbons for first, second or third place. Campers also attend technique classes. team-building activities, and drill dance, which helps them with focus and precision.

“We have tryouts in March,” Stadter said. “Each candidate has to

attend a try-out clinic and learn one routine that is a combination of the four styles we do.

“They also have to choreograph their own 30 to 45 second routine.

As for technique, we’re looking for a grand jeté, pirouette, toe touch and left and right splits for flexibility.

They are allowed to choose another element to showcase as well.

“

I look for someone who makes progress between day one and the end of tryouts.

- Tamara Stadter, Pizzazz Poms head coach

CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 39

The Pizzazz Poms performed this year at the Christmas Parade in Monett. In the front row, from left, are: Meghan Gaines, Magan Hensley and Sierra Jensen.

Second row: KayleyAnna Dohmen, Harriett Meyer, Madelyn Milburn, Emma Jones and Ariana Madison. Back row: Zoe Rosenbalm, Gabi Gollhofer and Amanda Hensley.

“I actually look for someone who doesn’t have it perfect to begin with.

I look for someone who makes progress between day one and the end of tryouts. That shows me they’re coachable, they’ll be able to get it with more tryouts and practice. It helps if they have had dance before, but it’s not required.”

Stadter said it is easy to distinguish between those with a dance backgrounds and those without.

“I can usually tell what they’ve studied,” she said. “Girls find it difficult to understand the difference between studio dance and the dance team. They have to come in and

learn to do something differently — turns, arm placement, foot placement. Sometimes it’s easier to teach a student without a dance background than have to re-teach a student with several years of studio.

“Pom is sharp, fast, and the girls have to hit the move, as opposed to the slower-flowing ballet routines.”

Stadter is trying to generate interest in a booster club to help the girls with expenses and fundraising.

“I think having a booster club would open up more fundraising opportunities for us,” she said. “It is extremely expensive for a dance team to operate.”

The team forms a very close nucleus, with all interests centered around dance.

40 | MARCH 2016

The girls have to cover the cost of their own footwear, dance wear, tights, undergarments, camp fees, Tshirts and shorts for camp, as well as their sequined warm-up jackets.

“Most of the uniforms are purchased from fundraiser monies,” Stadter said. “For instance, I ordered 20 uniforms last year, but I only have 14 girls on the team. But you never know. If something gets ripped or stained, it would be hard to replace an item later. The vendor may have run out or discontinued that item.”

The team forms a very close nucleus, with all interests centered around dance.

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Pizzazz Poms instructors hosting a recent dance camp for students interested in learning the routines had them practice individual moves several times before combining all into a routine for a public performance in January. From left: Madelyn Milburn, Pizzazz Poms instructor, students Mary Elizabeth Jastal, Abby Long, Emma Kate Hensley and instructor Amanda Hensley.

At a recent elementary and middle school dance camp, hosted by the Pizzazz Poms, Olivia Wood, prekindergarten, took a few moments out to relax between routines.

As Pizzazz Poms, team members learn about more than just dance moves and new routines.

42 | MARCH 2016

Payton Flynt, middle school student at Monett, paid close attention to Pizzazz Poms instructors hosting a recent dance camp for students interested in learning the routines.

FOCUS ON YOUTH

“They’re like my own children,” Stadter said. “These are my girls. I go through some of the same emotions as their parents. When you spend four years with the girls, you develop a very close bond.”

For now, Stadter’s little family of dancers is gearing up for end of the year events, March try-outs and summer camp. While they are not performing in front of cheering crowds, they will be learning new, and often more complicated, routines, and squeezing other activities around practice, homework and family obligations.

Stadter’s future goal is for the team to have a designated practice space.

“With mirrored walls and a dance barre,” she said. “Right now, we practice in the commons area, and it gets really distracting with people coming in and out. The girls lose focus. We practice on weekends because that’s the only time we can get the gym.”

Practice is vital for a team that routinely places high in the ranks against other area schools at region-

“

It doesn’t matter to me if they bring home a trophy or not. Their goal has been to make me cry.

And they do. Every year.

I am so proud of them.

als and qualifying to attend national competition every year.

“We’ve only been to nationals one time, because it’s too expensive,” Stadter said. “We usually place in the top three in our division at state, competing against 21 other schools, both public and private.”

As Pizzazz Poms, team members learn about more than just dance moves and new routines.

“Each practice is a lesson in teamwork,” Stadter said. “They have to learn how to get along with several different personalities. Every single girl on the team is passionate about dance. Each also has their own opinion on it.

“We have to look at what’s best for the team as a whole. For some, that’s a learning experience.”

While the current team is comprised solely of girls, Stadter hopes to have boys try out and join as well.

“It would be interesting to see how having boys would change the dynamics of the team,” Stadter said.

“It would likely change the choreography and we would have more partner dancing.”

Performances and competition take a lot of practice, which is both mentally and physically challenging.

“To get a routine ready in three or four weeks usually results in 12 to 15 practices,” Stadter said. “Sometimes, we are down to the wire and still learning the routine.

“We always do a Christmas routine. We start working on it in October. And sometimes the girls are learning two or three routines at one time.

PIZZAZZ POMS

“It’s very taxing, especially right before competition. During competition season, I tell the girls with asthma to bring their inhalers when we condition for stamina. Believe me, the girls would rather run than do a competition routine.

“And sometimes we practice them three or four times in a row. At the end of competition season, they all have bruised knees, a shoulder injury, back or hip issues. It can be brutal.

The mental part as well, memorizing every little detail of the routines.”

All that practice pays off.

“Once they take the floor, it’s all them,” Stadter said. “I’m sitting back there with butterflies in my stomach.

I know in the first eight counts of the routine if they have it, how it’s going to go. When they come off the floor, they can tell how I feel about it. … I’m really proud of what they’ve done. “ And win, lose or draw, the team always celebrates.

“We can’t control how well the other teams perform, what routines they bring,” Stadter said. “All we can do is focus on ourselves and make certain when we go out on the floor, we’ve done our absolute best. We always try to improve on our score from the previous year.

Then, I always take them for some sort of celebration. Usually it’s The Cheesecake Factory. Someplace we can’t eat here.

“It doesn’t matter to me if they bring home a trophy or not. Their goal has been to make me cry. And they do. Every year. I am so proud of them.” 

- Tamara Stadter, Pizzazz Poms head coach

CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 43

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44 | MARCH 2016

March 2016 March 1

n Opening Day of Trout Season at Roaring River State Park. The Cassville Chamber of Commerce will be serving anglers free coffee, beginning at 5 a.m.

March 2

Calendar March 19

n The Aurora Chamber of Commerce will have a Community Easter Egg Hunt at noon at the Aurora High School. n The Cassville Senior Center will hold its regular monthly dance at 7 p.m.

n Methodist Manor Blood Pressure Check, 10:30 a.m. at Grace Foot Care Clinic (by appointment), and 9 a.m. at the Cassville Senior Center. Call 417-847-4510.

n A dance, sponsored by the Seligman Chamber of Commerce, will be held 7-10 p.m. at the Chamber Event Center. The band will be 3 Hits and a Miss. Bring snacks to share.

n Blood Pressure Check at the Central Crossing Senior Center, 10:30 to noon.

n The Aurora Chamber of Commerce will hold a business expo at Aurora High School from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

March 3

n First Friday Coffee will be held at the Cassville Library, beginning at 8 a.m., sponsored by the Cassville Chamber of Commerce. n The Monett Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual membership banquet at the Scott Regional Technical Center, commons area. n The Cassville Senior Center will have paint classes beginning at 9 a.m. n A dance, sponsored by the Seligman Chamber of Commerce, will be held 7-10 p.m. at the Chamber Event Center. The band will be Classic Country. Bring snacks to share. For more information, call 417-662-3612.

March 7

n For tax preparation, call the Central Crossing Senior Center and make an appointment, 417-858-6952.

March 22

n The Transition and Resource Expo is set for 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Scott Regional Technology Center at 2 David Sippy Dr. in Monett. This event is open to individuals with disabilities of all ages, parents, educators and caregivers. A light supper will be served, and there will be prizes and drawings during the event. For more information, people may call 417-235-7022.

March 23

n WIC (Women, Infants and Children) at the Central Crossing Senior Center, Shell Knob.

Call for appointment, 417-847-2114. n Nell’s Nails (by appointment) beginning at 9 a.m. at the Cassville Senior Center.

March 25

n The Monett Senior Center Dance will be held at 7 p.m.

n The Cassville Senior Center will have its monthly birthday lunch from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

March 12

March 26

March 14

March 28

n A dance, sponsored by the Seligman Chamber of Commerce will be held 7-10 p.m. at the Chamber Event Center. The band will be Cheyenne. Bring snacks to share. n Tax preparation, call the Central Crossing Senior Center and make an appointment.

417-858-6952.

n A dance, sponsored by the Seligman Chamber of Commerce, will be 7-10 p.m. at the Chamber Event Center. The band will be Cheyenne. Bring snacks to share. n Nell’s Nails, Central Crossing Senior Center in Shell Knob. Call for appointment.

March 16

n The Cassville Chamber of Commerce will have Tomorrow’s Leaders Today Small Business Session, 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

March 17

n Alzheimer’s Support Group meets at the Central Crossing Senior Center in Shell Knob at 2 p.m. n A special St. Patrick’s Day Lunch will be served at the Cassville Senior Center, beginning at 11 a.m.

March 18

n The Monett Senior Center will have its monthly Birthday Bingo.

 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 Highway J in Golden every Monday of each 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 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, 417-847-2965.  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 Seventh and Cale streets in Monett.

Call 417-442-3706.  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.

Central Crossing Senior Center Shell Knob, 417-858-6952 Regular events:

March 15

n Grace Health Services. For appointment at the Central Crossing Senior Center, call 417858-6952.

Community Support Groups

Cassville Senior Center 417-847-4510

n Tax Counseling for the elderly is available every Wednesday. Call for appointments. n Card games are held every Tuesday at noon, and each Friday Dominos are at noon.

 Domino Poker, every day from 12:45.  Mah Jongg, every Monday and Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.  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.

Central Crossing Senior Center Shell Knob, 417-858-6952

n Tax Counseling for the elderly is available every Monday from 8:30 to noon. Call for appointment.

 Knitting and crocheting classes every Thursday from 9 to 11 a.m.  Pinochle, every Thursday from 12:30 to 3 p.m.  Cards Galore, every Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.  Wood Carvers, every Thursday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.  Wii Bowling, every Wednesday. 12:45 to 3 p.m.

CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 45

Alissa Leek, paramedic with the Barry-Lawrence County Ambulance District, recently prepared to start an IV on a patient being transported to an area hospital.

It’s a tough job 46 | MARCH 2016

Firefighters typically respond to a number of emergency calls, including medical, wrecks and fires. When dispatched along with the ambulance, firefighters provide backup assistance in loading patients and returning equipment and supplies to the ambulance when needed. Pictured are Firefighters Bo Prock and Lance Allcock and emergency medical technician Shala Bass.

Dedicated responders excel in the face of long hours, high stress

Story and photos by Melonie Roberts

I

t takes a special kind of person to dedicate their life to helping others, and among them, emergency medical technicians and paramedics tend to line up somewhere near the rank of angels with stethoscopes.

These professionals present a calming influence over those who are, admittedly, having one of the worst days of their lives, and they are ready to roll with the sound of a dispatcher’s call over the radio.

“This job gets your adrenaline pumping when it’s a good call,” said Laura Logan, an emergency medical technician with the Barry-Lawrence County Ambulance District.

While some of the transfers are routine, taking patients from skilled nursing facilities to area hospitals, others are more noteworthy.

Alissa Leek has been a paramedic

for 10 years and has seen many challenging patients over the course of her career.

“The patients with the altered mental status can be pretty scary,” said Leek, a part-time paramedic with BLCAD. “I had one guy the police apprehended twice and he escaped out of the back of the ambulance while we were transporting him. He was on ecstasy and out of his head. He was running around naked on the highway and then head-butted a semi tractor and trailer that was trying to pass in the other lane. We apprehended him again, sedated him, and finished the transport.

“Mental patients, whether it’s drug-induced or mental illness, they’re just dangerous people. But it’s that kind of stuff, those volatile scenes, that get your heart racing.”

CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 47

Some scenarios are heartbreaking.

“The kids are always the ones that get you,” Leek said. “Sometimes, we’re in the position of having to care for an abused child while we want to drop-kick the parents off to the middle of nowhere. But we have to be able to treat the child, which means having the parent cooperate with us. You just have to do the job, but you do it with tears in your eyes.”

Leek has seen her share of multi-vehicle pile-ups, fire victims and the sick or injured. She has also had to deal with working around many other emergency responders, whether police or firefighters, and the accompanying cavalcade of trucks, cars and “looky-loos,” the spectators who seem to show up to gawk at disasters.

“The people who don’t pull over when we’re running hot down the

48 | MARCH 2016

highway are the worst,” said Laura Logan, an emergency medical technician. “They don’t seem to understand that someone’s life is literally at stake.

“If I ever get into a crash in one of these [ambulances], it will probably be because someone isn’t pulling over and is impeding traffic; I’ll start to switch to the passing lane and they’ll pull out right in front of me, or they’ll go through an intersection just as I’m starting through and won’t stop.

“People don’t know what to do.

There needs to be more education on [how to yield to] emergency vehicles.”

EMT’s and paramedics often find themselves at risk when responding to emergency situations. They are required to help extricate patients from the twisted metal of crashed vehicles, work around downed power lines during inclement weather, drive

Laura Logan, EMT, and Alissa Leek, paramedic, recently prepared to take a patient to an area hospital. Emergency responders work in all kinds of weather conditions, from freezing cold to blazing hot, and in many high-risk situations, including car crashes, around downed power lines and chemical spills. Their training not only includes patient care and safety, but how to avoid on-the-job hazards that could impact their own well-being.

through hazardous road conditions at any time of the day or night, and keep a cool head and professional demeanor through it all.

“One of the worst things we see is when a first responder is injured, either on the job or off,” said Leek.

“When it’s someone in the field that you know and work with, that hits close to home. They’re like family.”

“Burn patients are always real bad,” added Lee Flory, another paramedic working the same shift.

“I had one near total leg amputation and we had to fly the patient out. The patient actually looked me in the eye and begged, ‘Don’t let me die.’ That gave me goosebumps.

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Lee Flory, paramedic with Barry-Lawrence County Ambulance District in Monett, called in a report to a Springfield hospital while transporting a patient.

Paramedics are authorized to initialize pre-hospital care, including administering drugs to relieve pain, correct cardiac problems, and perform endotracheal intubation, cardiac monitoring and tracheal intubation. The most important function of the paramedic is to identify and treat any life-threatening conditions and then to assess the patient carefully for other complaints or findings that may require emergency treatment. Emergency room doctors can authorize additional treatment while the patient is in transit, if necessary.

We saved him. We even saved his leg.

He’s had multiple surgeries, and there are more to come, but it’s satisfying to hear that he made it.”

Although they are working in a rural area, EMTs and paramedics rarely enjoy “down time.”

“We typically get 10 to 15 calls per truck, per 24-hour shift,” said Shala Bass, an EMT for BLCAD. “Our shift has probably been the busiest, especially since the first of the year.”

There are benefits, as well as drawbacks to the long hours emergency personnel work. The ambulance barn has five rooms that serve

50 | MARCH 2016

as sleeping quarters for overnight staffers, but sleep is never guaranteed.

“We’ve learned not to take off our boots,” Bass laughed. “Sure enough, when we do, we get a call.”

“I sleep with one ear open,” Logan added. “I hear everything, even when someone gets up to go to the bathroom. By the time I get a day off, I’m tired.”

“There’s not much time to rejuvenate,” Leek said. “You definitely learn to live without sleep. And when you consider most of us have two jobs, because this position is so low paid, that means you’re on 48 and then off for 24 or 48.

“It helps when your spouse is in the same field. They understand what drives you and why you work the hours you do.”

The same goes for meal times, as well.

“You almost hate to start to cook a meal or eat, because you know you’ll be called out,” Logan said. “When you finally get back, it will be burned or cold.”

Logan solved that dilemma by making soup in a crock pot for the shift she worked. Others brought leftovers from home to warm up in the microwave in the facility’s small kitchen.

Between calls, personnel tried to catch up on past episodes of the XFiles. They rarely finish an episode uninterrupted.

“

It’s the satisfaction of knowing you’re helping people. It’s knowing that you’re saving lives.

- Lee Flory Barry-Lawrence County paramedic

“Thank goodness for Netflix,” Logan said. “You can pick right back up where you left off.”

Employees also use time between calls to study for further accreditation, working out, completing routine household chores around the station, caring for foster kittens living near the station, cooking or napping.

The district is starting to routinely partner the same people on the same shift.

“I like that,” Logan said. “It helps to really know your partner and how they work. It makes things easier. We depend on each other.”

Other things that help make the job easier are automated external cardiac defibrillators, automated cots and machines that can monitor a patient’s heart rate, pulse and blood oxygen, freeing up a paramedic’s hands for other tasks.

But there are still advances to be made in the pre-hospital world of emergency services.

“My dream piece of equipment is something that will generate reports for you,” Flory said. “The worst part of this job for me is the paperwork.

It’s a necessary part of the job, but I’d like to see some system that would take down narrative, read the equipment, monitor vitals and track mileage.”

“I’d like to see the district get a bariatric unit for patients over 450 pounds,” Leek added. “It’s a bigger unit with a Hoyer lift to get patients loaded into the ambulance.”

But through all the back strain, lost sleep and tempestuous patients having really bad days, there is one common trait among those who rush into danger when others are running away.

“It’s the satisfaction of knowing you’re helping people,” Flory said.

“It’s knowing that you’re saving lives.” 

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Three photos used in the search for Micki Jo West, who disappeared at age 19 in 1979.

Missing, but not forgotten

Recently-retired Monett police chief recalls biggest case

I

n 1985, detectives at the St. Joseph Police Department received a phone call about an unidentified female body discovered near Shell Knob. This was not the first such call from one particular father. Micki Jo West was reported as a missing person on Sept. 11, 1979, in St. Joseph.

Every time an unidentified female body surfaced anywhere in the state, her father called, asking officers to investigate. Arden Locke knew his daughter was not just missing, she was dead — murdered by a man known to the police and the family. That man was Marvin Irvin.

That year, Detective Sergeant

Story by Murray Bishoff

Tim Schweder was assigned to investigate the call. It was not Micki Jo West’s body. But that assignment was Schweder’s first involvement in the Micki Jo West case, a case that would occupy much of his time for the next five years.

Little did he know that 30 years later, he would be the chief of police in Monett, which is near Shell Knob. But the case of the missing daughter, Micki Jo West, would haunt him, and take five years — and the deaths of at least two more women — before Schweder faced Marvin Irvin and said, “You’re under arrest for murder.”

“That was the high point of my career.” Schweder recalled.

Tim Schweder Former Monett Police Chief

Detective Schweder appeared on the episode of “Unsolved Mysteries” focusing on the disappearance of Micki Jo West.

Schweder is the retiring police chief in Monett.

CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 53

was. Micki Jo refused to give up her friend. She told Ruth she was carryEarly on the morning of Sept. 11, ing a small hammer in her purse for 1979, Micki Jo West left her home in protection. midtown St. Joseph. She walked to a On the afternoon of Sept. 11, nearby bus stop to catch her ride to Marvin Irvin showed up at Ruth’s work at the St. Joseph State Hospimotel with two buddies. They broke tal. She was a 19-year-old brunette down the door, took Ruth and the and well liked. Micki Jo was never baby, and held them prisoner for seen again. several hours in Irvin’s house. That Micki Jo was keeping an imporevening, Ruth climbed out a window tant secret for her best friend and and escaped. She went to the police sister-in-law that morning. Her and filed a kidnapping complaint sister-in-law, Ruth Irvin, was a pretty against Irvin. She did not know blonde married to Marvin Irvin, 31, Micki Jo was missing at that time. six-foot-three, about 200 pounds, No charges were ever filed in Ruth’s an affable African American, and abduction. a former St. Joseph police officer By the end of the same day, Micki who had a history of drug use and Jo’s coworkers notified her family assault. A few weeks before that day, that she had never made it to work.

Ruth had decided to take her baby After midnight on Sept. 12, Micki and leave her husband. She and the Jo’s mother filed a Missing Person’s baby hid with family members and report. Everyone knew by then that friends, moving frequently, always Marvin Irvin had found Ruth at the afraid Marvin would find them. She motel. Arden Locke told the police knew a beating would follow if he his daughter was kidnapped by Marsucceeded. vin Irvin. He said there was no way On Sept. 10, Ruth checked into a Irvin could have known where Ruth cheap small motel. She called Micki was hiding unless Micki Jo told him.

Jo to tell her where she was staying.

Ruth told detectives that five Micki Jo said Marvin was following people knew of her location that her to work, had confronted her sevnight. Four of them said they had eral times, and was threatening her not told Irvin. That only left Micki if she would not tell him where Ruth Jo. Ruth told police Irvin was “very abusive” and “wanted absolute The first note found in Overland Park, Kan., on Sept. 11, 1986, submission from the writer who claimed knowledge of Micki Jo West’s

Motive

murder. The spidery writing is now believed to have been done

by Marvin Irvin himself, taunting police to capture him.

from his women.” They knew Micki Jo would have done anything to protect her sister-in-law.

Since there was suspicion of foul play, detectives were assigned to investigate Micki Jo West’s disappearance. Marvin Irvin was questioned.

He denied everything, and passed a polygraph test. His buddies were picked up. They admitted helping Marvin kidnap Ruth, but did not know anything about Micki Jo. Days passed, then weeks, months and years. Many leads were investigated, but no evidence was found.

The case grew cold. Ruth and Marvin divorced. Irvin moved to a small Iowa town, where he worked for the Chicago Northwestern Railroad. He re-married and settled in.

But Micki Jo’s parents would not let go. They tracked Irvin. Arden Locke even put up posters about Micki Jo where Irvin would see them.

New evidence On Sept. 11, 1986, seven years to the day after Micki Jo West disappeared, a note was found at the Oak Park Mall in Overland Park, Kan. It was hand written in blue ink on a green stenographer’s pad and placed in a white envelope. The writing was in a shaky spidery hand, with no punctuation, misshapen letters, and no signature. It was addressed “To St Jo Police Dept.”

A note found on Oct. 2, 1986 on lined stationery, part of the series of notes about the Micki Jo West homicide.

54 | MARCH 2016

The note read: “To Police I saw Marvin Irvin kill Micki West in St. Joe Mo I want to tell because I can’t sleep I want to get it over with or I will kill myself He hide her body so no one find it” This was not the first written communication in the case. In seven years, there had been several others, each different in form and content.

All were unsigned. The first was a letter mailed from Des Moines, Iowa, on the same day Micki Jo West disappeared. Made from cutout magazine letters, it contained symbols, a Latin quotation, and a reference to Psalm 11:5 and 6 — verses about God hating those who loved violence. In another note, mailed to a local newspaper reporter, the author claimed they were paid $20 by Marvin Irvin to kill a white girl and put her in a well. A third note named Marvin Irvin as the killer, but provided no evidence to back that up. Each note was investigated and nothing helpful was discovered.

Detective Schweder was assigned

The note and stationary from another message about the Micki Jo West homicide, written in the distinctive hand seen in the previous messages.

to look into the latest note found in Overland Park. He sent the original to a crime laboratory to check for fingerprints. Over the next few weeks, four other notes were found, one in Overland Park and three in St. Joseph.

“They were from the same author and had essentially the same message,” Schweder concluded.

“This person was desperately trying to get attention, crying out for help.

When the Overland Park Police did not respond, they came to St. Joseph to make sure someone knew they needed help.”

If the notes were genuine, the author had to be someone already known in the case. Many questions needed to be asked and answered.

Who would remember and observe the anniversary date of the crime?

Who had a motive for renewing interest in the case? Was anyone with Marvin Irvin the day Micki Jo West disappeared? Was there a person connected with the case who lived in the Overland Park area?

Why were the notes unsigned? How could the author be identified and

compelled to talk?

Sgt. Schweder was assigned to the case full-time and brought in FBI Behavioral Science profilers.

The FBI concluded the notes had legitimacy. The only sure way to tell was to find the author. The strategy was to reopen the case and contact all of the principal persons, including Marvin Irvin. The notes would not be made public unless it was absolutely necessary.

Over the next six months, everyone important to the case was re-interviewed. Arden Locke lived in Kansas City, Kan. The original investigating detectives thought he was the note writer. He could easily have left the notes in the Overland Park mall. Locke was a reserve police officer. From the first, Locke was critical of the way the case was handled. He complained often and publicly by contacting the Kansas City news media. The detectives accused him of meddling and amateur sleuthing. Locke accused them of incompetence and laziness.

The next best possibility was a man Marvin Irvin said was with him the day Micki Jo disappeared.

There was no report of an interview

A note from Aug. 16, 1990, sent to Kansas City TV station KQTV, now in stencil, continuing the series about the Micki Jo West homicide, all believed to have been sent or arranged by Marvin Irvin.

CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 55

with this important alibi witness.

Schweder traveled more than 200 miles for that interview to Wichita, Kan. The man was not surprised to see a St. Joseph police detective. He cooperated fully, denied writing the notes, and failed a polygraph test conducted by the Kansas Bureau of Investigation. He claimed to be innocent, but Schweder was sure he had written the notes and participated in the murder.

Interrogation Schweder decided it was time to talk to Marvin Irvin. He drove to Jefferson, Iowa, and contacted the local police. They knew Irvin well. He had come to their attention more than once, usually for disturbances with women. He was probably the only black man in town and had a reputation with the ladies.

Schweder explained the case to the local officers. They were intrigued and eager to help.

Schweder found Irvin to be intelligent, well spoken, and sincere in his profession of innocence. He said the last time he saw Micki Jo was a few days before her disappearance, when he asked about Ruth. She refused to tell him where Ruth was and they parted amicably.

Irvin was not sure if he had been with the man in Wichita on the night and morning of Sept. 11. He proudly stated he had three or four girlfriends at the time. He could have been with one of them. Irvin said he just heard “street gossip” around town that Ruth was hiding in a motel. It was just a freak accident that he actually found her.

He did pay his buddies $10 or $20 to help him snatch Ruth. He had no idea what happened to Micki Jo and was eager to help in any way.

Schweder did not tell Irvin about

56 | MARCH 2016

the latest series of notes.

By Sept. 11, 1987, the author of the notes was still unproven. It was decided to go public. On that day, a news conference was held in St. Joseph. The notes were shown to the media and an appeal was made for the author to come forward. At the same time in Wichita, a new interview was set up for Irvin’s friend and alibi witness. If he was the author, he should feel maximum stress on the anniversary date. It never happened. He disappeared and did not resurface for over a year.

In January of 1988, the notes began to reappear. But they were different, no longer handwritten. Now the author used a lettering stencil and a pencil, but the same paper and envelopes. One was found propped against a movie theater ticket booth at a shopping mall in Kansas City, Mo. Another was mailed directly to Thurmon Mitchell, a newsman with Channel 5 in Kansas City. Mitchell was the only African American reporter to file a story on the case. In that note, the author offered to take Mitchell to Micki Jo West’s body.

The notes also said the writer did not want a reward. Mitchell tried to open a door to the author. He set up a special hotline to the TV station and made an on-air appeal to the note writer to call with more information. The station staffed the phone all weekend. No calls came.

A total of five stenciled notes were received. Each one had essentially the same message: Marvin Irvin killed Micki Jo West. The body was hidden, and the author needed help and was remorseful.

Every handwritten and stenciled note was unsigned, except one. That one had the letters MIKMJW. It did not take long for Schweder to realize those letters stood for “Marvin Irvin Killed Micki Jo West.”

“I decided then that this was all phony,” Schweder said. “The writer wasn’t legitimate. He was never going to come forward. It was all a hoax.”

National news Schweder saw an episode of the TV show “Unsolved Mysteries,” about the search for a homeless man who had inherited a fortune.

If that merited a national television show, maybe they would help with his case. He contacted the production company. They were intrigued with the story, as others had been throughout the course of the investigation.

Late in 1988, the production company filmed the segment. It aired in January 1989. Schweder, Ruth Irvin and Arden Locke appeared on camera. The notes were shown, with Marvin Irvin’s name blotted out. After the broadcast, more than 800 tips came in. None of them were useful.

“It was a really great experience, but very frustrating,” Schweder said.

Before the “Unsolved Mysteries” episode aired, police in Jefferson, Iowa, called Schweder. It was more than a year since his interview with Marvin Irvin. They told Schweder serious charges had been filed against Irvin after he pulled a gun on a woman there. At the end of a high-speed police chase, Irvin was arrested. While resisting that arrest, an Iowa State Trooper broke Irvin’s front teeth with a nightstick.

The woman in the case was a local girl, another one of Irvin’s girlfriends. The officers remembered the Micki Jo West case and questioned her about Irvin. She told them Irvin had bragged more than once about killing a woman in St. Joseph, a woman related to his

ex-wife in some way. Her body was buried somewhere in a cornfield.

The girlfriend said Irvin threatened her, and told her she could end up the same way.

CASE BREAK Schweder and Detective Steve Fueston drove 250 miles to Iowa to interview the girlfriend. She was a blonde, like Ruth Irvin. She was very angry and wanted to see Irvin in jail for a long time. She told the detectives that Irvin talked about the St. Joseph murder frequently. Someone had helped him move the body.

He enjoyed killing and had killed other women. She did not know any names or where any bodies were buried, but she did know someone who might. Irvin had an ex-wife living in a nearby town. This wife was originally from St. Joseph. Irvin said more than once she knew too much about him.

The detectives drove to the next small town. They contacted the police. And again, they knew Marvin Irvin and his ex-wife well. She came to the police station for an interview. At first, she was non-committal. She said Irvin had threatened to kill her and her family if she talked.

Finally, she broke down and told her story.

She dialed back time to 1979.

She had been a 16-year-old, one of at least two girlfriends Irvin had, in addition to his wife. A few days after Micki Jo West disappeared, Irvin showed up and had to talk.

He was excited. According to her, Irvin said he had gone to the bus stop after Micki Jo. He was alone.

He confronted Micki Jo, hit her and dragged her semi-conscious into his vehicle. She told him where Ruth Irvin was hiding. He killed Micki Jo and with the help of others and

buried her body in a cornfield near White Cloud, Kan. “This was the first time that anyone had given us direct evidence of Irvin’s involvement in the disappearance,” Schweder wrote in a report.

But there was still no body, no physical evidence and no other witnesses. Charges could not be filed.

Marvin Irvin was released on bail. His Iowa girlfriend stayed in touch with him. She told Schweder that Irvin watched “Unsolved Mysteries” all the time, frequently commenting on the stupidity of police. She taped the segment about Micki Jo West and watched it with him. She reported Irwin made no reaction during the Micki Jo West segment of the show.

Irvin spent a year in prison for assault. He got out and quickly found trouble again. Iowa authorities decided he might have a better chance of turning his life around back in St. Joseph, where he had family and some job prospects. They made an arrangement with Missouri authorities. Irvin’s parole officer phoned Schweder in January 1990 to report Irvin had moved back to St. Joseph and provided the name of his new parole officer.

Eight months later, in August 1990, another note was mailed to Channel 2, the local St. Joseph television station. This time, the author claimed Marvin Irvin had killed Micki Jo West, hid her body, and there were two other dead bodies in the same place. Like the other notes, Schweder decided the author was still playing with the police for some unknown personal reason.

Murder On Labor Day weekend in 1990, Patricia Rose went to the Blue Town Tavern in St. Joseph with friends.

Blue Town Tavern

J&J Tavern

Patricia stayed at the bar after her friends left. Two or three days later, her family called the police and reported her missing.

By now, Schweder was the sergeant in charge of the Crimes Against Persons Unit. His detectives handled the case. Patricia was single, in her 20s and brunette. She lived alone. A search of her apartment turned up nothing, no signs of a struggle, no evidence of foul play. No witnesses remembered her leaving the bar. The police were told she had left on her own before and always came back.

“We figured she’d turn up, but she didn’t,” Schweder said.

Two months later on Halloween weekend, Crystal Simmons went to the J&J Bar in St. Joseph. Like Patricia, she was a brunette in her 20s, single, and lived alone. Her family reported her missing a few days later. Officers talked to the bartender who said Crystal left at closing time with a black man who had no front teeth. The bartender did not know the man’s name.

CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 57

Two missing women within 60 days, similar in appearance, and in similar circumstances was so unusual it could not be ignored. There was a good chance those women had been murdered. A full investigation was launched. Schweder and four detectives were given the cases.

The following Wednesday, a story with photos of the missing women appeared in the St. Joseph newspaper.

The police asked for help in finding them. At about 8 a.m., the phone rang on Schweder’s desk. It was an investigator from the state prison in Cameron, Mo. A letter to an inmate had been confiscated because it had raised the eyebrows of prison censors who read all the incoming and outgoing mail.

The investigator told Schweder part of the letter could be about the two missing women. Schweder asked him to read that part. He began the first sentence with “Marvin came home all bloody last night.” It went on to describe Marvin giving a watch with blood on it to his wife, that his wife was afraid he had done something bad and wanted to leave him, but she was scared.

Schweder knew immediately that Marvin had to be Marvin Irvin. The investigator confirmed that when he said the letter was written by Marvin Irvin’s sister to their brother in prison.

The letter had been written two days after Crystal Simmons disappeared.

Everything fit Marvin Irvin, including the bartender’s description.

Under questioning, with this new information, the bartender admitted he knew Irvin and his family. He was afraid to identify Marvin Irvin as the man who left with Crystal Simmons.

ARREST What followed was a non-stop intense gathering of forces, securing search warrants and rounding

58 | MARCH 2016

up investigators. At the prison, a cell search turned up another letter to Irvin’s brother. This one got through censors. In that letter, Irvin’s sister described Marvin knocking on her door about 3 a.m.

He asked her if she had a shovel. He said he had made a mistake and the mistake was in his car trunk. She went on to say it looked like Marvin had done something bad again but she hoped not. It was dated a few days after Patricia Rose disappeared.

Police, the Highway Patrol, the FBI and a SWAT team descended on Irvin’s house in St. Joseph at 5 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 8, 1990.

They broke down the door and pulled Irvin naked from his bed with his latest blonde wife. They found bloody clothing, jewelry of the victims, even the hammer that later proved to be the murder weapon on a bedside table. This was the first case where the St. Joseph Police Department obtained DNA evidence, which enabled officers to identify blood from one of the women in Marvin Irvin’s truck and blood from the other victim in the trunk of his car.

Marvin Irvin refused to waive his rights and talk to the police.

His sister and brother did the same.

Police still had no bodies, but they had enough to charge Irvin with two murders.

Schweder recalled that detectives worked 20 hours a day for the rest of that week. Micki Jo West was always on his mind. There had to be a way to connect that murder to Irvin as well. Sunday morning, the detective supervisors, including Schweder, decided they needed a rest. Everyone would knock off early and come back on Monday morning ready to hit it again.

Right after that meeting, the Doniphan County, Kan., sheriff called. Hunters had found a fresh

skull in a cornfield by White Cloud, Kan. Schweder and his colleagues got in a minivan and headed west.

There before them was the proverbial cornfield, 200 acres of it, the corn just cut, a pond, windmills for a couple wells and nearby woods.

The skull had been dug up by coyotes. The coroner said fatal blows to the cranium were fresh.

Schweder and the team were confident this was their victim. The landowner told them Marvin Irvin had hunted and fished on his land The next day, about 60 people and cadaver dogs began to search.

There were officers from St. Joseph, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, FBI, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, the Kansas Highway Patrol, and local sheriff and police. One man arrived late and parked at a distance. He tromped across the field to catch up to the others, and literally fell over the skeleton in a corn row, a shallow grave partly dug out by animals. That was Patricia Rose.

The officers continued the search through the day without further success. One officer finally had to break away from the others to go relieve himself. He went off into the woods and thrust down his shovel.

It went deeper than it should have.

He looked down and saw hair sticking out of the ground. There was Crystal Simmons, two weeks to the day after her death, clearly recognizable in a shallow grave. Autopsies showed both women were killed by blows to the head from a hammer.

Redemption After the discovery of the bodies, the detectives were able to turn to the Micki Jo West case. On Thanksgiving weekend, Schweder took another call, learning that another one of Irvin’s girlfriends at the time

Marvin Irvin’s bedside table. Tests showed the claw hammer on the table was the weapon used to kill Patricia Rose and Crystal Simmons.

of Micki Jo’s disappearance was in town. This was the woman Irvin’s Iowa wife had named as having a part in disposing of Micki Jo’s body.

Schweder had never been able to find her. She was in St. Joseph for the holiday and was leaving soon.

Two detectives were sent to bring her in. They missed her by minutes but got her address. Schweder and another detective followed her 600 miles to Colorado.

She agreed to talk after an offer of immunity from prosecution. The old girlfriend recounted a chilling tale. Marvin Irvin came to her house early one morning. He was excited, scared and needed help. He told her he killed Micki Jo and the body was in the car. She agreed to help because she was afraid. They left St. Joseph and drove across the Missouri River bridge toward White Cloud, Kan. As they crossed the bridge, she thought — or maybe imagined — the wrapped-up body said, “Help me.” She was never sure.

They arrived at a cornfield. The old girlfriend graphically described helping carry the body, her legs so weak from fear she was barely able to walk. Before he completed the burial, Irvin got his shotgun and fired twice into the body, just to be sure.

“A jury would have hated her,” Schweder said, “but they would have believed every word she said.”

Based on that evidence, Marvin Irvin was charged with the kidnapping and murder of Micki Jo West.

In the fall of 1991, Schweder received a late night call at home from his chief. He was told to report at 6 a.m. for a special detail. Marvin Irvin had made a deal. He agreed to plead guilty to escape the death penalty. He was required to show the police where Micki Jo West was as part of that deal. Irvin was taken to the cornfield. He indicated Micki

Jo was buried in the area where Patricia Rose was found. Schweder felt he was not sincere and enjoyed leading the sheriff, police chief and prosecutor on a wild goose chase.

That same afternoon in a packed courtroom, Marvin Irvin pleaded guilty to three counts of first degree murder, including Micki Jo West. Irvin’s comments at sentencing showed no remorse, and even blamed the victims. Schweder was appalled. But at least it was over.

Irvin was immediately sentenced to

three life terms without parole, plus 100 years on each count.

One last massive search took place for Micki Jo West. Officers spent three days in that cornfield, digging up an area the size of two football fields, down to a depth of six feet, finding nothing. Schweder knew she wasn’t there. He believed that Irvin was afraid Micki Jo’s body might turn up so he moved her more than once. He is the only person who knows where she is and he is not talking.

The final search for Micki Jo West’s body during excavation of the corn field.

CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 59

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Department of Corrections photo, 2015 So who wrote those notes? About two weeks after Irvin’s arrest, two Kansas City Homicide detectives showed up at the daily briefing in St. Joseph. One had been assigned a murder case in the mid 1980s.

The victim was in her 20s, brunette, single, and lived alone in mid-town Kansas City. She was stabbed to death and found in her apartment.

That detective heard a news report about Marvin Irvin and Micki Jo West. It rang a bell. He presented Schweder with a note and envelope they had received about a year after the murder. The note was written in a spidery shaky hand. The envelope was addressed “To KCMO Police” The note read “Help me. I killed Micki West …” and [their victim].”

The handwriting, paper, envelope and especially the message were the same as the notes since 1986.

Schweder is certain Marvin Irvin himself had either sent all the notes, or engineered them being sent by others. Irvin was taunting the police to catch him. It had all been a game for him.

Micki Jo’s father called Schweder last December, just to touch base. After more than 35 years, his daughter remained a vivid memory for both men.

Micki Jo is still listed as a missing person on the online service the Charley Project. 

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P HOTO S U B M I S S I ON S

This photo was recently captured by Marvin Carney.

These photos were recently captured by Esther Hightower.

62 | MARCH 2016

These photos were recently captured by Linda Sue Sparkman.

These photos were recently captured by Valerie Miller.

This photo was recently captured

by Jason Hightower.

Do you have a photo you would like to see published in Connection Magazine?

Email it to connection@monett-times.com for consideration.

CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 63

These photos were recently captured by Linda Sue Sparkman.

These photos were recently captured

by Valerie Miller.

64 | MARCH 2016

What is it?

A mystery tool eludes identification efforts

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The wrench had two odd heads, one at each end. One extended out at a 90 degree angle, the other at a 45 degree angle. The slot in the wrench extended inside at a depth of two inches. However, both slots were only 5/8th of an inch wide.

The substantial size of the wrench suggested it was made to move a heavy duty object, possibly throwing a switch or turning something that a less substantial tool could not budge.

Story by Murray Bishoff

F

ollowing the flooding in Monett on Dec. 26, a most curious item surfaced. Lying on the concrete bridge across the creek behind The Monett Times office was an unidentified tool.

It was a steel wrench, 18 inches long, a half-inch thick, with chipping red paint on it. Weighing about 20 pounds, it was not the type of object that tends to float down a stream, let alone land on top of a bridge eight feet above the creek floor.

The wrench had two odd heads, one at each end. One extended out at a 90 degree angle, the other at a 45 degree angle. The slot in the wrench extended inside at a depth of two inches. However, both slots were only 5/8th of an inch wide. The substantial size of the wrench suggested it was made to move a heavy duty object, possibly throwing a switch or turning something that a less substantial tool could not budge.

The tool surfaced next to Kelly Creek, where the raging flood waters had eroded the bank on the south side of the stream, causing the fence between the causeway and the Monett Street Department barn to collapse. Had the tool been buried in the ground and unearthed by erosion? No one could say.

Showing the tool to street department and utility workers shed no light on the discovery. Even engineer Kevin Sprenkle could not explain it. But Sprenkle suggested taking it to Lonnie Fulp, who ran his own machine shop for years.

Fulp had an idea. Looking closely at the edges, he identified machining markings, where a saw had cut the wrench out of a solid piece of steel. Irregularities identified the tool as hand-made, not commercially manufactured. One of the heads, he noticed, was more smoothly and evenly finished than the other, as the maker got better at his task.

CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 65

“

Monett dentist David Honeycutt had the clearest idea of what the tool might be.

If Connection readers have any ideas, or if any of you remember using a tool like this, contact us at 417-235-3135.

He called it an extrusion former.

To make a slot of that kind, Fulp figured the maker drilled a hole through the steel, then ran a saw down both edges of the slot. He discounted what remained of a small colored sticker on one head. Too many irregular edges discounted polished commercial production. To him, it was obvious that one person had labored, for perhaps more than a day, to finish this tool.

“If you had to have something, back then, you’d make it,” Fulp said.

Back 50-70 years ago, he said it was easy to find a piece of steel that could be made into a tool. But what exactly was it designed to do? Fulp could not say.

Because of Monett’s history as a railroad town, it seemed likely someone in the railroad shop may have created the wrench for a very specific job. Fulp felt sure that once finished, a tool that unique would have few other uses. Finding an 80-year-old railroader who might know could prove just as difficult. Tom Pinkley, a retired railroad engineer in his 70s, did not recognize it, but offered to share of photo of it with his fellow retirees.

Monett dentist David Honeycutt had the clearest idea of what the tool might be. He called it an extrusion former. In his first job for McDonnell Aircraft (now part of Boeing) in St. Louis in 1956, Honeycutt would receive a piece of extruded metal from a die, and it was his job to bend it the last small amounts to fit designed measurements. He used very similar tools to slide over a metal end and

66 | MARCH 2016

bend substantial pieces into a precise position.

Monett’s history suggests many businesses, back to the railroad, that had need to bend metal. The railroad’s maintenance roadhouse, located west of the Centennial Overpass bridge, could have used such tools. Flood waters passed over its site. Though the roundhouse was demolished in 1954, many artifacts could still lay buried there.

Metal extrusion handlers like EFCO Corporation, Wells Aluminum (now SAPA) and many other manufacturers located on the hill in the city’s Industrial Park, could have used such tools, but don’t lie in the flood zone where such a misplaced item could travel. Olympia Foundry, located three blocks away from the discovery site, could have used such a tool, though workers for Steel Tech of the Ozarks, presently leasing the building from the city, did not recognize it. Olympia’s old leaders have all departed.

“

“Frisco” red — suggested to him a railroad tool, perhaps something to turn a valve on the old steam engines.

- Hardol Schelin, Roderick Arms and Tools

Harold Schelin, who runs Roderick Arms and Tool, Monett’s oldest machine shop, agreed the tool could have been used to bend metal. However, the color red — “Frisco” red — suggested to him a railroad tool, perhaps something to turn a valve on the old steam engines. Schelin had also never seen anything quite like it, and was sure his company’s founder, Claude Roderick, would not have made such a device back in his early days in business.

Even so, the tool defies corroboration. Dodie Robbins, collections manager for the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, could not pinpoint its function.

“I showed the picture of the tool to our staff in the restoration shop who are very familiar with working on steam locomotives, but they could not figure out what this type of tool would have been used for,” Robbins said. “We do not have any wrenches in our museum collection with a similar shape of head, and I was also unable to find any reference to a wrench shaped like this in our library materials. Since it appears to be a hand-made tool, it must have been made for a specific purpose. Unfortunately, no one now knows what the purpose at that time was.”

A reverse image search on Google and TinEye produced no matching results. No archival pictures appear similar to this tool.

The mystery continues.

The 14th annual Dining for Diabetes dinner, a fundraiser for Cox Monett Hospital’s diabetes education program, was held on Jan. 23 at St. Mary’s Catholic School gymnasium.

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Familiar Faces

Tammy Gomez and Steve McCully Sydnie and Morgan Myers Rhonda Orrell, Jennifer and Brad Hanson Shelly and Eric Enloe Erin and Kent Boursheski and Jack George

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11 6. Coleen Ferdig, Eric Griffin and Tristan Ferdig 7. Linda Nicholas and Vina Morgan 8. Alex Severs and Mark Hutchings 9. Jerod and Lauren Huebner 10. Mary Ann Cox and Susan Hodge

12 11. Abby Patton, Ashley Kurima and Kaesha George 12. Hank and Leichelle Cotney

TiTle loans Pay Day loans Phone: 417-235-4200 • 775 Chapel Dr., Suite F, Monett, MO 65708 CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 67

Cassville Chamber Banquet

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7 1. Hope Robbins and Lane Cargile 2. Wendy Barton, Lisa Hembry, Kari Asbill, Jim Barton, Jeff Swadley and Richard Asbill 3. Garrett Graham and Aaron Wahlert 4. Quinn Bolton, Corina Bolton, Michelle Bolton and Jeff Bolton 5. Isaac Jones and Charlea Estes 6. Christy and Wade Hermansen 7. Brittany Farris and Ben Crawford 8. Jake Whitham, Cade Wilson, Levi Hodge and Ying Thao, Cassville High School Speech and Debate 9. Cindy Carr, Kyla Moore, Becka Bokor, Rachael Freeman, Chad Johnson and Aaron Carr

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Lewis Fundraiser

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1 1. Charles Lewis, 29, of Pierce City has been diagnosed with an unknown kidney ailment and will be traveling to Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., in February. Lewis is pictured here with his wife, Stephanie, and their two-year-old son, Hunter.

Members of the First Baptist Church in Pierce City hosted a fundraising dinner and auction Saturday, Jan. 16, to help offset medical expenses.

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4 8 2. Robert and Kayla Hogan 3. Anna Hayes, Tessie Cox and Austin Cox 4. Ryker and Jodie Carey 5. Tabitha Vallee and daughter Sakura Vallee

PO Box 37 • 816 Broadway Monett, MO 65708 jjfloor@suddenlinkmail.com

10 6. Lindsey Garza and Kalynn Graham 7. Marian Merritt and Brenda Stanley 8. Penny Smith and Kelley Hagebusch

“A Little Store With Big Savings” Residential & Commercial Owned & Operated by Jim & Jayne Terry

9. Stephanie Lewis and Patty Hall, mother of Charles Lewis 10. Darby Craig, Doug Davis and Bob Evans 11. K.C. Graham and Lindsey Garza

Bus. (417) 235-0016 Fax (417) 235-6364 Res. (417) 442-7974 CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 69

The Monett Senior Citizens Center held a Valentine’s Dance on Feb. 1 at the Monett City Park Casino.

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8 1. Diana and Lonnie Gray 2. Betty and Tim Francis 3. Marney and Bessie Nowland 4. Judy and Harold Reynolds 5. Glen and Wilma Seufert 6. Virginia and Don Lasswell 7. Glenda and Don Myers 8. Jo Anne Ellis and Lawrence McLeroy 9. Geneva Dalton and Evelyn Shilling 10. Loren and Luanne Qualls 11. Lee and Barbara Belle 12. Vickie and David Hunt

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St. Mary’s Home and School and the Parish Council of Catholic Women hosted a Spuds and Bingo fundraiser Saturday, Jan. 16 at St. Mary’s School in the multi-purpose room.

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Maggie Jones, Olivia Elbert and Ava Elbert Karleigh Reber and paw-paw Steve Gripka Regina Jung and brother, Dale Jasumback Loretta Grasskemper, Kathy Willis and Clayton Willis Frances Castle and Alice Freeman Jemma Fenske and Garrett Schmidt Hadley Barchak, grandma Mary Abramovitz and Quinn Barchak

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Ad list A Beautiful Image . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Acambaro Mexican Restaurant. . . . . . . . 75 Ava Belle’s Flea Market. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Barry Electric Coop. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Bennett Wormington Funeral Home. . . 20 Bentonview Park Health . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 Burrus Jewelers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 Carl Pyper. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 Carolyn Hunter DMD. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 Cassville Health and Rehab. . . . . . . . . . . 52 CJR. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Coast to Coast Home & Auto. . . . . . . . . 37 Community National Bank. . . . . . . . . . . . 41 Cornerstone Bank. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 Country Dodge. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Cox Medical Centers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76 Crane Family Dentistry. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 Diet Center. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 Doug’s Pro Lube. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Drury University. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Eastside Church of Christ. . . . . . . . . . . . . 61 Edward Jones. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Farm Pro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

First State Bank of Purdy. . . . . . . . . . . . . 61 Fohn Funeral Home. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Four Seasons Real Estate. . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 Four States Dental Care. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Freedom Bank of Southern Missouri. . . 52 Grande Tire. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Guanajuato Mexican Store. . . . . . . . . . . . 60 Hodde Medical Clinic. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Houlihan’s. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Ila Bohm’s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 J&J Floor Covering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69 J. Michael Riehn, Attorney. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Ken’s Collision Center. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75 Lackey Body Works. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 Lacoba Homes Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Les Jacobs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 Macadoodles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Missouri Loan Center. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67 Mocha Jo’s. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Noble Finance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 Oak Point Assisted Living. . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Old Town Pharmacy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Ozark Methodist Manor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

Peppers and Co.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61 Race Brothers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Ramey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Scott Regional Technology Center. . . . . 22 Second Chances. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 Security Bank of Southwest Missouri. . 19 Shelter Insurance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 Smile Designers Dentistry. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 St. John’s Lutheran Church . . . . . . . . . . . 22 State Farm. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Superior Spray Foam. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Swartz Tractor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 The Jane Store. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 The Pampered Chef . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 Tomblin’s Jewelry. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Tried & True Candles & Tans. . . . . . . . . . 49 Trogdon Marshall. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 Whitley Pharmacy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75 Wickman Gardens. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Willis Insurance Agency. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Youngberg Chapel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Ziggie’s Café. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 71

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Have Connection delivered right to your doorstep for $40 a year.

Call: 417-847-2610 Cassville

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Barb and Garry Barnhill recently took Connection Magazine with them to the Island of Kauai in Hawaii.

Dennis and Patty Burge of Monett took Connection Magazine with them during a trip to Jamaica in late January.

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CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 73

Parting Shot Photo provided courtesy of the Verona WIld Clovers: Treistan Reed, Connor Erwin and Brittaney Erwin check out the flowers in the Verona Wild Clovers’ community garden.

“Education is the best friend. An educated person is respected everywhere.

Education beats the beauty and the youth.”

— Chanakya

74 | MARCH 2016

s Collision Center ’ n e K The Area’s Finest Collision Repair Facility

At Ken’s, we do things differently Here at Ken’s, we work for you, the customer.

We use a thorough estimate process, refered to as X-RAY Estimating, using the latest technology, to make sure your car is fixed right, to Factory Specifications with the right parts, by highly trained technicians.

Ken’s Collision Center – anywhere else is just a body shop!

712 W. 10th St. • Cassville, MO 65625 • 417-847-1200

www.kenscollisioncenter.com

505 Plaza Drive, Monett 417-354-8408

acambarorestaurant.com We cater!

Come

Check Out Our New

Spring Fashions!

Fashion Forward Spring Open House!

Saturday, March 12 8:30AM – 3:00PM Drawings for percentage off sales!

Prizes Every Hour!

Whitley Pharmacy

Refreshments!

101 West 8th, Cassville, “on the Square” 417-847-2722 or 417-847-2717

CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 75