April Connection 2021

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APRIL 2021

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SHELL KNOB Working on Love

Ophelia Jane Boutique & Shell Knob Outfitters

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BLESSING BOXES First Steps

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2 | April 2021

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HELP BRINGING THIS TO OUR COMMUNITY Fundraising is continuing until we reach our goal. To learn more about it, go to blrLibrary.com/Monett or contact the Library; phone 417-235-6646 or email Greg@BLRLibrary.org

ConnectionMO.com | Connection Magazine | 3

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Located right behind Taco Bell in Monett 4 | April 2021

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Connection is a publication of the Cassville Democrat, The Monett Times and Rust Communications.

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APRIL 2021

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IN

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6 | April 2021

Diskey the Wonder Dog delighted the crowd during Shakin’ in the Shell last year with multiple tricks involving frisbees. Diskey’s handler is Russ Rosencrans, of Branson.

Read more on page 11.

CONTENTS 21 Healthy Connection: Fact vs. Fiction

23 Parenting Column: Clean House 31 Date Night 33 Cutest Kid 34 Recipes

45 Cutest Pet

47 Rescued, My Favorite Breed 49 Familiar Faces 50 Parting Shot

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

Email it to connection@monett-times.com Facebook.com/MyConnectionMo Twitter.com/MyConnection_Mo

Editorial

Is there light at the end of the dark tunnel?

T

his is one of those situations where I am totally stuck as to what to write about, because all I can seem to think about is what I was doing this time last year. Our lives totally changed in a way that I never dreamed I would ever live to see.

It has been a full year since we heard of a bad contagious virus that had reached the United States. We were thinking it might be over in a few weeks—maybe a month—then the nation, and the world heard a word that instilled fear in everyone; we had reached the status of a pandemic. A prevalent disease that takes over a whole country or the world—COVID-19.

Sometimes these columns can be light hearted, but this one does have a purpose; we have fought a war this year together. But this war has had so many outlets for us all to contribute our help, our positive thoughts, ongoing outreach in different forms, and we are still finding ways to contribute.

This coronavirus has come to us in many forms and we learned that how it affected one, would not be how it affected another. Soon the symptoms list would get longer and then strangely enough, we found out that we could have the disease without any symptoms at all. We did not know how it was going to affect us, and soon we did not know just how contagious it really was, we just knew that it was very, very contagious.

Some were shouting that it was all political, that it was a conspiracy theory while others were being put on ventilators and dying. Businesses were closing, schools were shutting down, churches closing, and then we were told that we could not see our relatives that we did not live with. There were, and still are, constant fights over whether to wear or not to wear the face masks, and not to forget, socially distancing. That’s quite a bit in one year!

The holidays were different, worshipping was different, some churches even had church services like a drive-in theatre. Working from home is the norm now, where before you could not hardly find a legit work-from-home job.

There has been an extreme rise in cremations and a extreme dip in regular funerals in fear that someone would spread the COVID. You could not say goodbye to your loved one before they passed even if it was not COVID, because they were getting to the point where they were not letting anyone but the patient into the hospital.

We all saw doctors and nurses working theirselves to the bone. But I do believe that we saw acts in people that we would not have seen if not for COVID. People offering to shop for the elderly and run errands for them so they did not have to get out and take any chances. I saw on the TV news people hanging out of their windows in the city singing, just to bring a bit of an uplift to others.

There have been more mental health organizations participating with counseling for those having a hard time being alone. People are trying to help with food, meals, toiletries and help parents with their children. Children helping with their parents.

There was even a group that got together and started to make phone calls to those that lived alone, just to talk.

They could not get out, so the loneliness grew much bigger.

Donations of all sorts came in more often and were bigger.

Perhaps this long year has made many of us less selfish, less narcissistic, and more to the point, where we can be more creative to find ways to help others. Also we have broken a record I believe in getting not one, not two, but three vaccines in that short matter of time. Does this mean that there is a light at the end of that dark tunnel? I believe so. Perhaps not an end to it, but perhaps enough of a light that come the end of May I will be able to hug my grandchildren and great-grandchildren as tight as I can. This is possible as long as we don’t go overboard with the thoughts and actions like the virus is over. I believe that will just put us in a backward trend after getting so close to the touchdown!

Happy Easter to Connection readers! Blessings to all who are with me today and prayers for all the families and those who have lost someone this past year for any reason.

Lisa Craft

General Manager, Connection Magazine Lisa Craft is General Manager of Connection Magazine, The Monett Times and Cassville Democrat.

She can be reached at monettcommunity@gmail.com or connection@monett-times.com

ConnectionMO.com | Connection Magazine | 7

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s n o ti c e S l a i Spec SHELL KNOB 11 13 17

Shell Knob Events Working on Love Facing COVID-19

LAWN & GARDEN 41 A customer enjoyed his guided fishing tour with Shell Knob Outfitters owner, Tim Burkemper Jr., in August 2020.

Restore Our Earth

24 | AUTISM AWARENESS

Symptoms may manifest differently for each person on the spectrum

36 | BLESSING BOXES A P R I L 2021

It all started with a wish and a prayer

ConnectionMO.com | Connection Magazine | 9

SHELL KNOB Home and Business Show

Poker Run

April 9th & 10th

August 21st

Annual Dinner

Shakin in the Shell Fest

April 17th

Sept. 17th & 18th

Shankin for the Shell Golf Tournament

Classic & Custom Car Show

May 10th

Sept. 18th

Poker Run

Homer Sloan Buddy Bass Tournament

June 19th

Oct. 2nd

Fire and Thunder Fireworks Display

Jingle Bells Jamboree

July 4th

Dec. 4th

Shell Knob Chamber of Commerce | www.shellknob.com | 417-858-3300 Photo Credit to Luis Cuestas

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Shell Knob Welcomes

2021 with annual events

April 9-10

Home and Business Show

For more than three decades, the Shell Knob annual Home and Business Show has hosted dozens of vendors who show off their products, businesses and ideas.

“Also known as the biggest little town show, this year’s show will be exciting,” Twilia said. “Over the last COVID year, we have had an influx of residents, and everybody wants to do something to their home or business.

“People can come here, one place at one time and make the connections to make their projects possible.”

Moving forward from the last year, Shell Knob is ready for any project inside or outside.

“We will see regular vendors, as well as new vendors this year,” she said. “This is an opportunity to have all your needs met.”

Story by Jordan Troutman

April 17

Annual Chamber Banquet

Last year, the annual Chamber Banquet was unfortunately rescheduled, then canceled due to COVID-19 concerns.

This year, the Hootenanny at the Barn with a dress code of buckles and boots will be hosted at The Barn at Bear Ridge.

The ribbon cutting for this wonderful new venue location will take place the evening of the dinner.

“This is an opportunity to showcase what they have,” Twilia said. “The Homestead Pickers will be there for entertainment, and there will be a great meal.”

People may contact the Chamber for ticket prices. Tickets will be pre-sold.

ConnectionMO.com | Connection Magazine | 11

SHELL KNOB With five different stops before the King’s River Marina, and food and drinks at the S.S. Dock Side Cafe and Pub, this event is a full day of poker and pirates.

July 4

Fire and Thunder Fireworks Display

For the third year, the Let Freedom Ring Boat Parade will continue to entertain the morning of the Fourth of July fireworks event.

May 10

Shankin’ for the Shell Golf Tournament The third annual, four-person scramble event will be hosted at the Cassville Golf Course.

Last year, the event was rescheduled from May to October, but it was still a huge hit.

“We had two hole-in-one prizes last year,” Twilia said. “You don’t have to be a good golfer to join. It is fun for any skill level, and you only count the best shot.”

“Last year, we had more than 20 boats enter the parade,” Twilia said. “It starts at 10 a.m. and the fireworks follow at sundown.”

There is no admission cost to this event, and the fireworks vendor from last year will be returning.

“Also, we will be remembering this year is Missouri’s 200th anniversary,” she said. “It will make for a special Fourth of July Celebration.”

“We will have new bands coming and activities for kids and adults,” Twilia said. “The car show is always a great turnout with more than 70 trophies given out.”

October 2

Homer Sloan Buddy Bass Tournament

The 42nd annual event is one of the biggest on the lake.

“People can contact the Chamber now for registration,” Twilia said. “The steak at the end is provided by Harter House and Central Crossing Marina.”

This year the Jingle Bells Jamboree will be hosted in the Chamber park.

“We are hoping to build up this event and include even more this year,” Twilia said. “We would love to see multiple entities get involved in this and make it a big holiday event for so many.”

Poker Run

12 | April 2021

The Chamber will continue to finish up renovation in the park before the event, and as people saw last year, the layout for the event was different.

Jingle Bells Jamboree

June 19 & August 21

“The pirate themed event is so much fun,” Twilia said. “There will be prizes for many new contests.”

Shakin’ in the Shell Fest and Custom Classic Car Show

December 4

The is a great fundraiser for the Chamber to help purchase fireworks for the Fourth of July event.

This fourth annual event will be hosted on two dates.

The first date, June 19, will be on Father’s Day weekend, and the second will be before school starts on August 21.

September 17-18

The decorated trees from last year were donated by local buinsesses and auctioned off as a fundraising event for the Chamber.

For more information or to volunteer, people may reach out to the Shell Knob Chamber of Commerce office at 417-858-3300.

“I’d love to see some hot chocolate booths and carolers this year,” she said. “I am looking to make this a two-weekend event.”

Tim and Lauren have spent years building their businesses, and now as a newly engaged couple will continue to build their family in the community of Shell Knob.

Working on Love Shell Knob couple build businesses, relationship simultaneously

P

eople say if you love what you do, you will never work a day in your life. In Shell Knob, there are two businesses which are run on pure love and passion.

The owners of these businesses were recently engaged at the beginning of this year.

Ophelia Jane Boutique is located in the Shell Knob Plaza, but it began years ago online.

Lauren Scheffer, owner of Ophelia Jane Boutique in Shell Knob, said she and Tim, her now finance, moved to Shell Knob in June 2018.

“I had already started the business online,” Lauren said. “We were living in St. Louis and moved to Maine for awhile.

“Tim has a 35 year old family lake house here in Shell Knob, and he always wanted to come back here.”

Tim came to Shell Knob and began a search for a store front for Ophelia Jane Boutique.

“He told me he found the perfect place,” Lauren said. “He painted a picture of the store and how it would look.

Story by Jordan Troutman

CONNECT ONLINE Ophelia Jane Boutique at the Shell Knob Plaza

314-732-3130

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Shell Knob Outfitters LLC 314-570-1075

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ConnectionMO.com | Connection Magazine | 13

SHELL KNOB

“We moved to Shell Knob in June 2018 and our businesses were up and running by the end of that month.”

Ophelia Jane Boutique showcases a wonderful selection of clothing items, shoes and accessories.

“Since I was 10 years old, I started designing purses that I dreamt I would have in a shop one day,” Lauren said. “I went to college, but I wasn’t sure what direction I wanted to go in.

“I got a business management degree and began working in retail.”

Lauren built her skill set during her time working retail at Nordstrom and finally decided she was ready to launch her own business.

“I still pinch myself every day,” she said. “It is hard, I am the only person who makes decisions for the shop, but I am in my 20s and I opened a store, and I am doing something I love.”

In the future, Lauren would love to continue to expand and open another store front.

“I want to stay in southwest Missouri,” she said. “This is our home, we love this area and we don’t want to leave.”

Even though the business started online, the store brings in more traffic than anything.

“I will continue to build my online presence as well,” she said. “At the same time, I get my name out there by going to events and vendor shows.”

Shell Knob is Lauren and Tim’s home, and where they plan to grow their businesses, and family.

“This community is full of people who love and care,” she said. “I have people come to my door every day just to check in and say hi.

“It is sweet. I always say, ‘If I had opened a store in St. Louis, it wouldn’t have the same community family as we have here.’”

14 | April 2021

Lauren Scheffer, owner of Ophelia Jane Boutique, is active on social media promoting her business as well as the business of the vendors she chooses for her store in Shell Knob.

A first name basis by the customers, and the community shows how much Shell Knob means to its residents.

“Tim and I got engaged this January and are planning a wedding for the fall of 2022,” Lauren said. “Once we are married we will soon be ready for a family. Tim is one of eight siblings so we want a family.”

The couple’s first goal was to build their businesses.

“Now, we have three years and are comfortable in our work,” she said. “We are big on community support, and after the last year people have realized just how important that is.”

As far as style goes for the Ophelia

Jane Boutique, Lauren said she buys what she likes and keeps an eye on trends.

“I like to do everyday things that people can dress up or dress down,” she said.

“Love versatile pieces and think people get more for their money when they buy like that.”

While there is no specific theme, Lauren looks at the trends for the seasons.

“I also try to put out handmade items and things from other small businesses,” she said. “I carry a line of wrapped jewelry that is all handmade from a small business owner.

“As a small business, it is important for me to support other people.”

Tim Burkemper Jr., owner of Shell Knob Outfitters, enjoyed the joy of a child learning to love to fish.

His brother Matt Burkemper and his niece Addison Burkemper, found that love in March 2020.

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Three generations of fishermen enjoyed a guided fishing tour by Shell Knob Outfitters owner, Tim Burkemper Jr. Tim and Lauren have built their own businesses separately, but together. At the same time they have begun building their family in the heart of Shell Knob.

Tim Burkemper Jr., owner of Shell Knob Outfitters in Shell Knob, said about 35 years ago his grandparents began building a home in Shell Knob.

“My grandfather passed away during the build,” he said. “So, my father and uncle finished building it.”

Tim spent his whole life coming back to Shell Knob for family vacations and trips.

“Before Lauren and I dated, I had decided to move back to the lake,” Tim said. “I came back for six months and spent the entire time fishing.”

After about six months, Tim went on an adventure that would take him to all 50 states in a year’s time.

“In the middle of it I came back,” he said. “I took Lauren on a date to a Cardinals game, and she came traveling with me for awhile.”

The couple liked Maine, and decided to move there for a bit.

“I enjoyed it, but I always dreamed of coming home and doing guided fishing trips,” Tim said. “The jet ski and kayak rentals just developed and became a part of it.

“I always loved jet skis and floating when I was a kid, so I bought a couple, and that continued to grow.”

When it comes down to it, the guided fishing trips is the thing Tim loves to do the most.

“I build my clientele every year,” he said. “Table Rock Lake is massive and every bank looks like a good one to fish, but really the fish are only in 5-10 percent of the water.”

Between his years growing up, and starting a business fishing, Tim has fished every bank on the lake.

“I have invested thousands of hours in finding the best spots to fish,” he said.

“People love fishing, but what they really love is catching fish.”

Tim said you really have to spend a lot of time on the water learning the patterns and tricks.

“Everything has to be taken into consideration,” Tim said. “The water temperature, the weather, the time of year, all of it matters.” Tim offers packages from 2- to 8-hour fishing trips.

ConnectionMO.com | Connection Magazine | 15

SHELL KNOB

Part of Shell Knob Outfitters is the guided fishing tours, another part is the jet ski and kayak rentals, which this couple enjoyed with the view of the bridge in the background.

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“The four-hour is the most popular,” he said. “The eight-hour is really for the more experienced fishermen, because it takes a lot to be on the water for that long.”

Tim said fishing is a lot like hunting in the fact that it is an adrenaline rush.

“You fish all day for that 10 to 30 seconds of excitement,” he said. “And that is never enough, you always want a bigger one.”

Tim said as a child when the family would be at the lake for vacation, he would get in trouble all the time for spending too much time at the water.

“I still get in trouble,” he said. “But Lauren is very understanding. She knows if I say I’ll be home at 5, that really means 6 or 7.

“Every day I am out there, and I am an 8-year-old with a pole. That’s why I do this, for the 10-year-old me — he would be so happy.”

Tim and Lauren are a part of the Shell Knob community, they have built their businesses and will build their family around the traditions and the love their community offers. n

Halloween, Christmas and Thanksgiving, are just some of the holidays where people gather at the Central Crossing Senior Center for laughs and friendship. Staff and volunteers are working hard to prepare for the reopening of the senior center whenever that day comes.

Shell Knob Faces COVID-19

How the virus impacted the community

B The Thanksgiving celebration at the Central Crossing Senior Center is one of the things the staff and volunteers are excited to get back to post COVID-19.

For more information or to volunteer, people may contact the

Central Crossing Senior Center at 417-858-6952.

Story by Jordan Troutman

usinesses across the country are being affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, some closing their doors, others adapting to the pandemic rules and doing the best they can. This impact has been felt in the community of Shell Knob, a tourist destination at the lake.

While Shell Knob is a tourist location for the warm months of the year, the residents who live here year-round rely on several organizations, such as the Central Crossing Senior Center.

Sam Herkelman, COO of the Central Crossing Senior Center, has been involved with the center for five years, four of which as COO. “My wife and I moved here and wanted to find somewhere to use our talents,” he said. “My talent is as a handyman.”

In March 2020, the Senior Center closed its doors to the public, and they have yet to reopen.

“Our customer base is the residents 60 years and older,” he said. “We offered programs like exercise, computer and library services, tax services, a quilting room, hygiene counseling, and

counseling services on ObamaCare, which has saved the people in this area more than $500,000 in 10 years.”

Sam said these services were once all offered at the center, and they will again someday.

“All of that shut down,” Sam said.

“The only thing we have been able to continue with is a drive-thru meal service.

“Senior Age manages the building, and between volunteers and staff, we can do a drive-thru for frozen meals every day, and a drive-thru for hot meals once a week.”

The Senior Center has had to modify everything it does to continue to serve the seniors of Shell Knob.

“Some volunteers have moved the exercise program to the VFW to do some stretches,” Sam said. “We have also helped with some tax prep this year, but we have had to do things differently. The customers drop off their paperwork instead of sitting there while it is being done.”

Sam said everyone is working together to modify and adapt, but not stop.

ConnectionMO.com | Connection Magazine | 17

SHELL KNOB

In May 2020, the Central Crossing Senior Center would continue to serve its community anyway it could.

Adapting to drive-thru meal delivery was a huge part of that.

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“Another effort we have made in adapting to COVID-19 is a daily push to make phone calls to our customers,” he said. “Having that daily contact is so important and some of our seniors don’t have anyone else to call in and check on them.

“We are always available for them to call us, as well.”

In addition to modifying the way they can do the regular day-to-day services, the Senior Center has been busy at work with maintenance and upgrades to prepare for the reopening.

“While the building is closed we have put in touches door controls, touch-controlled faucets, plastic screens, multiple hand sanitizer stations, and much more,” Sam said. “At this time we are not sure when the reopen will happen, but we are preparing to start a plan for it.”

One thing that increased throughout the pandemic has been the frozen meal home deliveries.

“That never stopped or slowed down,” he said. “We went from 80 to 100 per week to more than 200.”

Those numbers are in addition to the drive-up meals given out.”

Sam said the credit for all the innovations and adaptations happening at Central Crossing Senior Center goes out to the volunteers.

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“They are kind and happy to help people,” he said. “The volunteers have made sure to keep the human contact part of our service with our customers.”

The Senior Center volunteers have

stepped up and stepped in to make this last year possible.

“We have about 80 we can count on any given day,” Sam said. “But we have not been able to use all of them all the time this year. So, we are concerned about the number of returning volunteers when we are ready to reopen. We have been combatting that by making phone calls and sending letters to our volunteers to make sure they know how much we appreciate them and we are thinking of them.”

Sam feels confident that the volunteers will want to come back.

“That is just the kind of community support we have here,” he said. “Seeing the Senior Center empty now is such a sad sight. We have all seen it full of people and fun.

“Our goal is to get back to that again.”

The Senior Center volunteers work

All the innovations and adaptations happening at Central Crossing Senior Center goes out to the volunteers. hard fundraising for the budget each year, but unfortunately, with the shutdown, Sam thought that had all stopped.

“The community heard about our situation and came together,” Sam said. “They have sent us checks to help us get through this last year — that is the kind of community we have in Shell Knob.” 

ConnectionMO.com | Connection Magazine | 19

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Healthy Connection

By Faith Herron

Faith Herron is a dietetic intern at Cox College who has found a way to capitalize on her love for food by pursuing a career that centers around it. She intends to become a registered dietitian and is passionate about preventive health care and using food as medicine. In her free time, she enjoys experimenting with new recipes, playing tennis, and reading classic literature.

Nutrition Myths: FACT VS FICTION

N

utrition is a topic that frequents social media and the thoughts of consumers, which is not surprising considering the vast impact food and nutrition have on health. Sources for nutrition information are virtually endless. However, the sheer quantity of information available implies that not all of it can be accurate. The abundance of conflicting claims and misinformation can make it difficult to distinguish fact from fiction.

This month, we will discuss five common beliefs about food and nutrition and what truth (if any) they hold.

Myth #1 Red meat and eggs increase blood cholesterol Both red meat and eggs often get a bad reputation for being high in dietary cholesterol. Many people associate high dietary cholesterol consumption with high blood cholesterol levels.

However, extensive research has shown blood cholesterol levels are not significantly affected by cholesterol consumption.

Instead, blood cholesterol levels are primarily influenced by genetics and the distribution of carbohydrates and fats in the diet.

Myth #2: Taking a biotin supplement leads to healthier hair and nails Biotin is a water-soluble vitamin marketed for hair and nail health. The body uses biotin in nutrient metabolism. The FDA does not regulate supplements, which allows manufacturers to market their product around health claims that do not have supporting evidence.

There is little evidence that demonstrates biotin having a significant role in hair/nail health. While a deficiency of this vitamin can result in thinning hair and brittle nails, deficiencies are rare because biotin is found commonly in a normal, mixed diet. The excessive amount of biotin found in supplements has no benefit. Since biotin is water-soluble, excessive biotin is excreted in the urine and not even used by the body.

Myth #3: Skipping meals promotes weight loss Skipping a meal can seem like an easy way to reduce calorie intake and encourage weight loss.

However, skipping meals can

make it harder to lose weight or even promote weight gain.

When the body is not getting enough calories to meet its needs, it believes it is in a state of starvation. This means that the metabolism slows down and burns fewer calories. Additionally, skipping a meal may lead you to feeling hungrier throughout the day, resulting in overeating or bingeing on poor quality food.

Myth #4: Low-fat foods are better for you Many people are often drawn to foods with “low-fat” or “fat-free” in their name. Removing the fat in foods is not necessarily a good thing. Fat contributes to a food’s flavor. When fat is removed, the food will not taste as good.

The missing fat is often replaced with sugar to counteract this.

Make sure to check the nutrition label for sugar content when purchasing low-fat foods. Too much added sugar in the diet increases risk for cardiovascular disease, obesity, and diabetes.

ConnectionMO.com/HealthyConnection | Connection Magazine | 21

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Nutritionists are experts on food Many people may look to nutritionists for guidance when seeking nutritional advice. The term “nutritionist” is not regulated. Therefore, anyone can call themselves a nutritionist.

Because the field of nutrition is a complex science, a self-proclaimed expert is unreliable at best (especially with so many common nutrition myths believed to be true).

When seeking dietary advice, it is best to consult a Registered Dietitian (RD/RDN). RDs are experts when it comes to food and nutrition. RDs are required to complete a four-year nutrition/dietetics undergraduate degree, complete a minimum of 1200 hours of supervised practice, and pass a nationally accredited exam. In the future, a master’s degree will also be required.

Parenting Column

By Meagan Ruffing

Parenting Journalist Meagan Ruffing has already started cleaning out closets and getting things ready to toss, donate, and sell. She’s looking forward to less stuff and more time with her children this spring.

APRIL SHOWERS BRING MAY FLOWERS AND A CLEAN HOUSE!

W

inter is my favorite time of the year, but I have to say, springtime is coming in at a close second. Cleaning has always been something I’ve enjoyed doing, and there’s something about open windows with the fresh air that puts me in the mood to clean.

I yell, “Alexa! Turn on country music,” and she knows exactly what I like. I grab the broom and get to it. Before I know it, I’m in full swing and the house is well under way for a deep clean.

To make the idea of spring cleaning more enjoyable for those who might not be as excited as I am, I’ve come up with a few unique ways to keep things fun.

1. Get the kids to help.

I realize this might ADD to the mess, but it’s a good way to get the kids to pitch in and realize the importance of doing their share. Make it a weekly thing and consider giving them an allowance. Sometimes a small incentive means a big life lesson and isn’t that part of what raising kids is all about?

2. Put on comfy clothes.

You know which ones I’m talking about. The clothes that you love to put on but can’t stand for anyone else to see

you in —Yeah, those ones. Put them on. Throw your hair up in a messy bun and get to it. I always treat myself to a warm bubble bath or a long shower after a full day of cleaning. Sometimes I’ll even add in a facemask or bath bomb if I have the energy.

3. Light a yummy candle.

I’m in LOVE with a candle right now that a friend gifted me. It’s called Paris Café, and it smells like coffee. Every time I walk into the living room from another room in the house, I’m immediately met with roasted coffee beans with a hint of something sweet. I absolutely love it.

4. Hydrate. No, seriously.

You’d be amazed at how thirsty you can get while cleaning the house. Sometimes I get so wrapped up in what I’m doing that I haven’t realized several hours have passed by. Whatever your choice of beverage is, keep it close by so you can keep the momentum going.

I like to start my morning off with coffee, move to water, and then sip on a La Croix. I have quite the routine.

5. Call a friend or family member.

Between working full-time and being a full-time graduate student, I don’t have much time to call people like I used to.

One of my favorite things about getting into my cleaning routine is being able to call someone and catch up. I con-

sider it to be one of my best self-care practices.

6. Put out a new dish towel.

Did you know that I always used to take my grandmother’s dish towels when I’d go to visit her? I’d sneak them in my bag because I loved the way they smelled just like her house. Ever since then, I’ve continued the tradition of buying myself new dish towels when I see one that catches my eye. I also gift them to my friends from time to time because I love the special meaning they hold for me. It’s my unique way of letting my friends know that I love them like family. Whenever I’m cleaning, I like to put out a freshly washed dish towel or a new one that I’m excited about using.

7. Nap.

Perhaps my favorite thing about cleaning the house is the nap I take afterward. I’m usually exhausted after having cleaned from the moment I woke up until late afternoon so a long nap is well-deserved.

I hope you welcome this year’s April showers and May flowers with a renewed sense of excitement for beautiful weather and a clean house. There’s nothing better than getting things tidied up for the season.

ConnectionMO.com/ParentingColumn | Connection Magazine | 23

Autism Acceptance Month Autism Speaks

For more information

AutismSpeaks.org Facebook.com/autismspeaks

24 | April 2021

“We knew something wasn’t right when she ran away from her kindergarten class during recess, especially when she kept doing it,” my friend Christy explained over the phone. Her daughter, Lilly, was only five-years-old and had seemed to be an average child developing at a normal rate. But the introduction of a formal classroom highlighted challenges that Lilly was facing. What Christy didn’t know during that phone call was that a year later her daughter would be diagnosed with Sensory Processing Disorder and that Lilly was on the Autism spectrum.

The month of April is recognized as “Autism Acceptance Month” by the Autism Society. The society began their efforts on autism awareness in 1970. Over the decades, their goal through Autism Acceptance Month has been “to build a better awareness of the signs, symptoms, and realities of autism, and provide information and resources for communities to be more aware of autism, promote acceptance, and be more inclusive in everyday life.”

Story by Annie Lisenby Smith

Autism Information from Autism Speaks

Associated Challenges • An estimated 40 percent of people with autism are nonverbal.

• Nearly half of those with autism wander or bolt from safety.

• Nearly two-thirds of children with autism between the ages of 6 and 15 have been bullied.

Autism Spectrum

• Nearly 28 percent of 8-year-olds with ASD have self-injurious behaviors. Head banging, arm biting and skin scratching are among the most common.

Disorder is very much a spectrum.

There are people, young and old, living with ASD across all levels of the spectrum.

Before Christy’s phone call, I’d never known anyone with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). My only exposure had been through films such as Rain Man or Temple Grandin and hearing stories of families who had an autistic child and the challenges they faced. Through Christy and Lilly’s experience and those of others in our community, I’ve seen glimpses of what life is like for a person living with ASD. The Autism Society describes autism as “a complex, lifelong developmental disability that typically appears during early childhood and can impact a person’s social skills, communication, relationships, and self-regulation. Autism is defined by a certain set of behaviors and is a ‘spectrum condition’ that affects people differently and to varying degrees.”

Because autism is a spectrum disorder, the symptoms can range widely for each person diagnosed with ASD. For a local family, their 16-year-old son Alexz lives on a level of the spectrum where ASD interferes with nearly all of his

daily activities. Alexz’s mother Brandi, said, “Alexz was diagnosed with ‘Severe Non-Verbal Regressive Autism Level 3 with Intellectual Delay in less than five minutes at his first specialist’s appointment when he was two and a half years old.”

After receiving the diagnosis, Brandi said that she and Alexz’s father were devastated.

“We were young, new parents. We just knew this was somehow our fault and would lay awake asking each other if we did something wrong.” From stories other families shared with me, this is a common reaction, that the parents did something wrong. The Autism Society says that there is no known single cause for ASD, “but it is generally accepted that it is caused by abnormalities in brain structure or function. Researchers do not know the exact cause of autism.”

The prevalence of ASD has grown in recent years. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported a rate of 1 in 125 in 2004. By 2018, that rate had risen to 1 in every 59 people.

• Drowning remains a leading cause of death for children with autism and accounts for approximately 90 percent of deaths associated with wandering or bolting by those age 14 and younger.

Characteristics and Diagnosis: 1. Persistent differences in communication, interpersonal relationships, and social interaction across different environments What this can look like: Being nonverbal or having atypical speech patterns, having trouble understanding nonverbal communication, difficulty making and keeping friends, difficulty maintaining typical back-and-forth conversational style.

2. Restricted and repetitive behavior, patterns, activities and interests What this can look like: Repeating sounds or phrases (echolalia), repetitive movements, preference for sameness and difficulty with transition or routine, rigid or highly restricted and intense interests, extreme sensitivity to or significantly lower sensitivity to various sensory stimuli.

ConnectionMO.com | Connection Magazine | 25

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Being diagnosed at a young age, Alexz was provided with a variety of therapies, but due to his severity, the therapies couldn’t keep up with the rate of his regression. Today, Brandi describes her son as a “teenaged toddler.” She said that he should be “playing sports, getting ready to apply to colleges, and starting his senior year in the fall. He should be begging his dad for the car, getting his heart broken by his first girlfriend and making lasting memories with his friends. But he is currently sitting in his room, after I just changed his pullup and clothes, chewing on his toy dinosaur, listening to cartoons, and making loud screaming noises every few minutes.”

While acknowledging that raising a child with low functioning autism is very difficult, Brandi and her family encourage others who have a child with ASD. “Breathe,” Brandi said. “Research as much as you can, get the best doctors, and don’t let anyone tell you what you

Jonathan and his wife Dani are like any happily married couple. But daily they put extra effort into their communication techniques so that no messages are misinterpreted.

Alexz and his Little “Big” sister Reagan (age 14), waiting at the doctor’s office for his appointment, with his trusty dinosaur. should be doing. Breathe some more.

Oh, and lots of caffeine.”

“Alexz’s father and I would like people to know that each child or adult with autism is different,” Brandi added. “What works for one, probably won’t work for another. One autistic child may talk, others, like our Alexz will never say a word.

Also, autism doesn’t stop at eighteen.

Soon, we will have to go to court, meet with a judge, and be awarded guardianship of our own child so we can legally take care of him.”

The experience of a person living with ASD can vary greatly Brandi said.

Another perspective was shared with me by Jonathan, an adult with a college degree and a lovely wife, and most people wouldn’t look at Jonathan and know that he was diagnosed on the autism spectrum. “Typically, I’d be considered “high-functioning,” Jonathan said.

“AKA, people don’t see all the time you spend after encounters trying to make sure you got everything.”

Jonathan explained that he has a bachelor’s in science chemistry degree and a master’s in analytical chemistry. “I was working on a doctorate in the same field, before I had a burnout caused by stresses from my, then undiagnosed, ASD and major depression.” Often people with ASD live with additional challenges of depression, ADHD, gastrointestinal disease, and others.

Being undiagnosed as a child and young adult was a challenge for Jona-

than. “Looking back, I can see a lot of instances that are understandable now in light in the diagnosis. I was not comfortable wearing synthetic materials, so cotton, wool, silk, and linen, are my favorite fabrics because of that. And communication is hard when one party doesn’t know the message isn’t received, and the other party doesn’t know to look for the other parts of the message.”

Jonathan explained that he only processed verbal communication, so that any messages accented with body language and nonverbal communication were skewed. He said that he would mimic back his parents’ gestures, which led to much frustration and miscommunication.

Today, Jonathan focuses on communication with his wife. His ability to process messages, non-verbal communication and filter messages when there is interference meant that he had to leave his job working at a chemistry lab.

Like Christy’s daughter, Lilly, Jonathan lives with Sensory Perception Disorder. Christy explained that a motorcycle driving by is loud to her, but it’s “ten times louder for Lilly.” In Jonathan’s experience, he has an “incredibly hard time separating out noises.” Eating out at a crowded restaurant in pre-COVID times was challenging and mentally exhausting because he also struggles with sensitivity to bright lights.

Autism Spectrum Disorder is very much a spectrum. There are people,

ConnectionMO.com | Connection Magazine | 27

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Her family enjoys hiking adventures including a trip to the Shenandoah National Park in Virginia. young and old, living with ASD across all levels of the spectrum. Jonathan is higher functioning, and although he faces difficulties, he continues to find ways to overcome them and live a happy life with his wife.

For Brandi and her family, the challenges are much greater. “Alexz is a great kid, when he randomly snuggles up with his sister, or bugs her like a typical big brother would. When he initiates a hug, with his dad, his sister or myself that brings us to tears. Happy tears. But autism is hard. Every parent plans to raise their child for 18 years, set them free for the next 30 years and then hope they come back to help them face the final years of their own life. An autism parent can sometimes plan to raise their child for 65 years, and while doing so, also has to prepare for the other 20 or so after they themselves are long gone.”

As for Lilly, she’s doing well in second grade. Her school has supported her needs and helped Christy and her family find services to help her thrive.

Christy still worries about taking Lilly to another child’s birthday party, with a family that doesn’t know Lilly well.

They won’t understand that she sees the world a different way, that she processes the world a different way. But inside she is still a person who loves, laughs and, like Alexz, treats her family to the best snuggles. n

28 | April 2021

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Date Night

By Mike Gervais

This month’s date box came with a card game to stimulate conversation and a miniature fondue set, complete with chocolate, graham crackers, marshmallows and Rice Krispies treats. We were able to dig up a few extra goodies to dip in chocolate also.

Fondue or don’t on date night?

I

have never had fondue before – and if there are three things I love, it’s my fiancee Kat, cheese and chocolate – so this is a date night that’s right up my alley.

Each month Kat and I receive a mail order date in a box so we can take some time out of our busy schedules to enjoy an evening together without going out and about.

We’ve had some great experiences and made some cherished memories with past boxes, so we were excited as we opened our third box to see what was in store for us.

We found a romantic quick-draw card game, a miniature fondue set, complete with chocolate, marshmallows, Rice Krispies Treats and graham crackers.

This is exciting. I’ve never had fondue, but I have a notorious sweet tooth.

First – my sweet tooth. Seeing what we have in store for the evening, I immediately do a sweep of the kitchen, collecting everything I can find to dip in chocolate, with Kat hot on my heels closing cabinet doors and drawers behind me. Gummy bears: check. Sugar cookies: yes please. Pretzels Kat got for her hummus? We better at least try it.

As always, the date box comes

with a curated Spoitify playlist to set the mood, so we hit play, melt some chocolate and light the candle under the fondue set to keep it warm, sample a chocolate covered marshmallow and let the misadventure begin.

Our game tonight is a quick-draw name 4 game. We have a deck of cards with various topics ranging from name four of my fears, to list four items in a bloody Mary. The hitch – you have 10 seconds to list all four, and if you fail, you feed your partner a chocolate-covered marshmallow.

Can you name four laws that are easily broken in under 10 seconds? I shot off speeding and jaywalking in a hot second before stumbling, mumbling, muttering and watching the last grains of sand sift through our timer.

Kat got a marshmallow, then a raw deal.

For her first card, she had to name four cocktails I like. Neither one of us are heavy drinkers. Good luck with that.

I’m already wondering how many marshmallows came in our date box.

At this rate they’re not going to last the night. I’m thankful for the gummy bears.

Four movies we own? I’ve got this.

We have an extensive movie collection, and recently watched the entire run of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. “Captain America and the Winter Soldier,” “Thor and the Dark World,” “Avengers: Age of Ultron…” Boy, those movies have long titles and 10 seconds goes by really fast.

Kat’s turn. She catches me flipping the timer as I read the question. We throw out the timer and notice that our little candle is doing a poor job of keeping our chocolate hot.

But now we’re using the cards as conversation starters and it’s a lot more fun.

Can I name four of my fears? I’m a big strong man. Surely three fears are enough.

There’s a lot to talk about when we name four places we should visit. New Orleans, Boston, Italy, Eureka Springs.

Near or far, it’s exciting to think about the world opening up and going on these grand adventures.

It’s also easy to reminisce about four memorable dinners we’ve had when we have more than 10 seconds to think about it.

ConnectionMO.com | Connection Magazine | 31

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What’s that burning smell?

Is that smoke coming off the fondue?

Yep. It burned.

It’s interesting how the fondue set can simultaneously be too cold to keep the chocolate in a liquid state, and so hot that it will burn the congealing glob of chocolate.

Tragedy. I survey the table. I’d sampled a pretzel, my fair share of marshmallows and a gummy bear.

What about the Rice Krispies, the cookies, the graham crackers.

They were fine without the chocolate dip, but I can’t help but feel a little let down. I poke, prod, chip and chisel the burnt chocolate out of the bowl and we get back to the game.

In all, there were 54 cards, with a question on each side. We go through each and every one – laughing that on three different occasions when we were told to name four cartoon characters and on at least three occasions, we were asked to name four foods that can be dipped in chocolate.

Really? Insult to injury. Kat doesn’t have my sweet tooth. She thinks it’s funny.

It’s funny how the adventure in “misadventure” sticks out when you’re with someone you love. The fondue didn’t work. We changed the rules of the game to suit us. Some people might say the date box company missed the mark with this one. But I’m not sure we would have laughed as hard as we did if everything had worked out to plan.

A date night isn’t about everything going to plan. It’s about quality time.

This is a night we’ll remember, and not because everything was perfect, but because it was a misadventure we shared. n

Cutest Kid Emmanuel Fernandez is the 4-month-old son of Esperanza and Sergio Fernandez of Monett.

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ConnectionMO.com | Connection Magazine | 33

Basic Keto Summer Salad INGREDIENTS

2 cups spring mix ¾ cup cherry tomatoes, halved ⅔ cup chopped cucumber ½ cup sliced salami ⅓ cup chopped red onion ⅓ cup blue cheese ⅓ cup red wine vinegar 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

DIRECTIONS

Combine spring mix, tomatoes, cucumber, salami, onion, and blue cheese in a bowl. Whisk vinegar and oil together in a small bowl and pour over salad; toss to coat.

No-Churn Keto Ice Cream INGREDIENTS

1 cup heavy whipping cream 2 tablespoons powdered zero-calorie sweetener (such as Swerve®) 1 tablespoon vodka 1 teaspoon vanilla extract ¼ teaspoon xanthan gum 1 pinch salt

DIRECTIONS

Combine cream, sweetener, vodka, vanilla extract, xanthan gum, and salt in a wide-mouth pint-sized jar. Blend cream mixture with an immersion blender in an up-and-down motion until cream has thickened and soft peaks have formed, 60 to 75 seconds. Cover jar and place in the freezer for 3 to 4 hours, stirring every 30 to 40 minutes.

Keto-Friendly

Gourmet 34 | April 2021

Keto Fried Chicken INGREDIENTS

1 (10 ounce) boneless, skinless chicken breast salt to taste 1 tablespoon blanched almond flour ½ cup blanched almond flour ¼ cup freshly grated Grana Padano cheese ½ teaspoon salt, or as needed ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper ½ teaspoon granulated garlic ½ teaspoon paprika 1 large egg 2 tablespoons milk ¼ cup avocado oil for frying, or as needed 1 lemon, quartered

DIRECTIONS

1. Remove chicken breast from the fridge 20 minutes before preparing the dish. Cut into 4 equal portions. Place each chicken piece in between plastic wrap and pound with a meat tenderizer to 1/4-inch thickness. Lightly salt chicken on both sides and dust with 1 tablespoon almond flour.

2. Combine 1/2 cup almond flour, Grana Padano cheese, 1/2 teaspoon salt, pepper, garlic, and paprika in a shallow bowl. Break egg into a second shallow bowl and whisk in milk. Dip each chicken piece first in egg mixture, shaking off excess, then into the almond mixture, pressing down to insure complete coverage.

Place breaded chicken pieces on a plate.

3. Pour enough avocado oil into a large skillet to cover the bottom by a 1/4-inch. Heat over medium-high heat until it shimmers but is not smoking. Carefully lower each piece of chicken into the hot oil and cook for 2 minutes. Turn and cook on the other side until internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F (74 degrees C), about 2 more minutes. Drain chicken on a paper towel-lined plate and serve with lemon wedges.

Recipes

Keto Tortillas INGREDIENTS

1 cup blanched almond flour 3 tablespoons coconut flour 2 teaspoons xanthan gum 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 pinch salt 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar 1 egg 3 tablespoons water cooking spray

Keto Lasagna

DIRECTIONS

1. Combine almond flour, coconut flour, xanthan gum, baking powder, and salt in the bowl of a food processor; pulse until well combined. Pour apple cider vinegar into the mixture and blend until smooth. Add egg and water, 1 tablespoon at a time, and blend until a sticky dough ball is formed. Place the dough on a surface sprinkled with almond flour and knead until soft, about 2 minutes. Wrap dough in plastic wrap and let it stand for 10 minutes. Divide dough into 8 equal balls; roll out each ball into a 5-inch disc between two sheets of parchment paper.

2. Heat an iron skillet over medium-high heat and grease with cooking spray.

Place dough disc in the hot skillet for just 5 seconds; flip it immediately with a spatula, and cook until lightly golden, about 40 seconds.

Flip and cook for another 40 seconds.

INGREDIENTS

Tan and Sweet Keto Coffee INGREDIENTS

10 fluid ounces freshly brewed coffee ⅓ cup heavy cream 2 tablespoons grass-fed butter, softened 1 tablespoon xylitol ½ tablespoon medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) oil, or to taste 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

DIRECTIONS

Combine hot coffee, cream, butter, xylitol, MCT oil, and vanilla extract in a travel mug.

Secure the lid and shake until combined.

1 pound lean ground beef ½ teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon ground black pepper 1 tablespoon avocado oil ½ cup minced onion 1 teaspoon minced garlic 1 ½ cups marinara sauce ½ cup ricotta cheese, drained ½ cup shredded Parmesan cheese 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese 1 large egg

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).

2. Add ground beef to a skillet and season with salt and pepper. Cook and stir beef over medium-high heat until browned and crumbled, about 10 minutes. Remove to a strainer and set aside. Pour oil into the same skillet and heat over medium heat. Add onion and cook until soft and translucent, 4 to 5 minutes.

Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.

3. Return beef to the skillet. Pour in marinara sauce, mix to combine, and turn off the heat.

4. Mix ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, and egg together in a bowl. Place the meat mixture in an 8x8-inch oven-safe casserole dish. Spread the cheese mixture over the meat and sprinkle with remaining 1 cup mozzarella cheese.

5. Bake until casserole is golden brown and cheese is melted, 20 to 25 minutes.

Let rest 10 minutes before serving ConnectionMO.com | Connection Magazine | 35

Aariyln Conner, 8, pictured, and her mother, Jennifer, joined Amy Sampson in filling up the free little pantry boxes at three locations in Monett during the frigid temperatures in February. (right) Amy Sampson, a Monett High school teacher, fills one of three free little pantries in Monett with single serving cups of fresh fruit for people suffering food insecurity to have during the end of COVID-winter and the decline in the job market due to the lengthy pandemic.

36 | April 2021

‘Ask,

and ye shall receive…’

A single prayer lands a bounty of blessings

I

t was a simple prayer, uttered

by Amy Sampson, when she decided she would fill the three free little food pantries in Monett during February’s below-freezing cold snap.

“I just asked that I would have enough support to keep the boxes filled through February,” she said. “I posted on Facebook, saying, ‘Hey, this is what I am doing, does anyone want to help?’ All of a sudden, people are messaging me, calling and sending money for me to buy groceries. It was amazing, really. I received almost $1,000 from people just from the Facebook post.”

The three little pantries are placed throughout Monett, one at Marshall Hill, one on Cleveland and one at South Park. The idea is for people who have extra, or something they know they are not going to eat, is to place it in the box for someone else to use and to cut down on food waste.

Other groups and organizations jumped onboard, as well.

“Monett Middle School Student Council, Monett Middle School cheerleaders, the Southwest Missouri

Story by Melonie Roberts

Coalition of Charities and the high school student council have all offered to host drives or donated money,” Sampson said. “The amount of support I received was overwhelming.”

The thought came to her on a cold winter morning, when school was canceled for the day.

“When schools and other organizations started shutting down due to the extreme cold, I wondered what people were going to do, who relied on those food supplements,” she said.

“Some of our kids get three meals a day at school, and now school was closed. Some people don’t think that others can be hungry here in the community, but that’s not true at all.

One in four people suffer food insecurity. That means 60 percent of our school’s students are on free or reduced lunches. Add in COVID and the jobless, and that means a lot of people don’t know where their next meal is coming from.”

And the amount of food waste, even locally, is astounding to her.

“We could all be doing better to reduce our food waste and share with others,” Sampson said. “There is so much trauma that goes hand-inhand with food issues, as well. There is food shaming, people restricting their children from eating certain foods because they’re ‘fat,’ or foster kids who were denied food and now gorge because they aren’t sure if they will have an opportunity to eat their next meal. I think there is a lot we can do to alleviate some of those issues, and make sure kids know that they are not going to go hungry.”

When word spread of Sampson’s mission, she was approached by several people offering their assistance.

“Jean Ann Camp offered to let me use her truck to go shopping and we filled it,” she said. “She shopped with me for three hours and we packed

ConnectionMO.com | Connection Magazine | 37

On the square Cassville, MO 417-847-2195

Family Owned Since 1954

White’s Insurance Agency All Lines Of Insurance • Located 2 miles south of Purdy AGENTS: Lea White, Chris Ray and Jessica Tyson

417-442-3858 38 | April 2021

her truck. We also went to a local store and bought hats and gloves and hand warmers at 50 percent off, and stocked those in the pantry as well. It all disappeared within hours. Sometimes, when I would go fill the boxes, people would be there waiting. It’s not just the homeless. There is food insecurity everywhere.”

And the spirit of giving, that community generosity, is a lesson being passed to the younger generations through demonstration and participation.

“My friend Jennifer, has a daughter, Aariyln, who offered to empty her piggy bank to help out,” Sampson said. “Jennifer and Mark told her they’d match whatever she gave. She used her piggy bank money to help others, and now she wants to do this on a regular basis.

People who instill the spirit of giving to their children — it’s contagious. They touch others around them and inspire them to help in whatever way they can, as well. It only takes one person to say, ‘I want to help,’ and others are more than willing to join in.”

And that spirit of giving is strong in the Monett community.

“I love our community,” Sampson said. “We have such diverse ethnicities, political views and religious beliefs, but everyone is very kind and willing to help however they can.”

Sampson said she didn’t know for sure who installed the free little pantries in Monett, but that they serve as a blessing to many.

“They’re here,” she said. “I drop off stuff monthly. It’s simple. I come at night and no one is around and no one needs to know about it.

But I know someone is going to use it, generally within 24 hours. It is the right thing to do.” n

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Restore Our E Earth Actions to take for Earth Day and every day

Story by Melonie Roberts

arth Day, April 22, is an annual observance so people can become aware of the impact they are having on the earth and the global implications of pollution and waste.

This year’s Earth Day theme is Restore Our Earth, and in addition to recycling both large and small items, there are a number of things that individuals and groups can do to reduce their “carbon footprint,” or the total amount of greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide and methane, that are generated by their actions.

Most are familiar with the “three R’s,” reduce, reuse, recycle, but there are three more that can have a significant impact on the global environment, “remove, refuse and rally.”

Area environmentalists can band together to pick up trash in their community neighborhoods and parks. By clearing trash from these areas, neighborhoods immediately become more foot-traffic friendly for

those walking, jogging, or otherwise traveling through the community.

At restaurants, the single act of refusing a straw of a plastic or styrofoam go-cup can reduce a significant amount of plastic waste, with estimates of up to half a million straws in the world every day and 500 billion disposable cups per year. Plastic water bottles can be the worst offenders in the plastic pollution package.

Statistics show the average American buys an average of 167 disposable plastic water bottles, costing a whopping $266 per year. With the average life span hovering at 80 years old, individuals could potentially save $17,290 in the course of their lifetimes by using a reusable stainless steel water bottle.

ConnectionMO.com | Connection Magazine | 41

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42 | April 2021

It’s estimated that 17 million barrels of oil, which could fuel up to 100,000 cars, are needed to supply the demand of water bottle production worldwide, with only 23 percent of those being recycled.

The rest ends up in our oceans, landfills, and communities—polluting the environment and killing thousands of fish, dolphins, whales, turtles and birds every year, with $13 billion a year in losses from damage to marine ecosystems, clean-up costs, and financial losses to fisheries and ocean-based tourism.

It is estimated that 4 trillion plastic bags are used worldwide annually. Only 1 percent of those plastic bags are returned for recycling. Most stores offer sturdy, reusable shopping bags for patrons, or there are websites that offer colorful options to purchase or free instructions at https://www. thesprucecrafts.com for shoppers to make at home. There are also reusable produce bags for shopping convenience.

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION Groups can also lobby their legislatures to ban single-use plastics. Instead of tossing a plastic wrap onto some leftovers, use eco-friendly bee’s wrap, made from organic cotton muslin, beeswax, jojoba oil and tree resin. The combination of ingredients and the infused fabric create a malleable food wrap that can be used again and again, with the exception of meat products. Bee’s wrap can be washed over and over again in cool, soapy water and stored.

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Big Green Egg Located at Hwy 39 & V in Mt. Vernon, Mo. 417-471-1410 For bowls and casseroles, an alternative to plastic wrap is silicone stretch-top lids, and also great for preserving food and prolonging freshness.

Speaking of food items, many scraps from produce purchased at the grocery store can be popped into a plot of soil and grow fresh food. Among those are lettuce, bok choy, cabbage, celery, avocados, green onions, garlic, peppers, tomatoes, potatoes and sweet potatoes.

Dig in!

We have: • Bedding plants • Bulk seeds • Seed potatoes • Onion sets • Lawn fertilizers

MFA CO-OP ASSOCIATION 1104 E. Church St., Aurora, Mo. 417-678-3244 Your gardening headquarters ConnectionMO.com | Connection Magazine | 43

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Even patio gardeners in small apartments can use containers to grow small amounts of fresh produce. Some will even re-grow in water.

Small window pots can supply herbs such as basil, cilantro, lemon balm, mint, oregano, parsley, sage, and thyme for savory cooking and sauces.

For those planning to grow their gardens outdoors, The Farmer’s Almanac recommends saving those eggshells and tossing the plastic seedling trays.

Eggshells are a perfect little cup for seedlings, providing a safe and semi-porous environment that plants love.

Just nestle the eggshell halves in an egg cartons, add a scoop of potting soil to each, drop in your seed or seeds, cover lightly, and let them sprout! Don’t overwater them since there are no drainage holes — just lightly mist with a spray bottle. This is a really great activity to do with kids as well.

Once the sprouts are ready to plant, pop them straight into the ground or pot, eggshell and all.

Just crush the eggshell bottom slightly to get things started, and the eggshell will decompose slowly into the soil, feeding it with minerals. n

Alex the goat is the one-year-old bottle baby of Pat and Susan Bryan of Purdy

Cutest Pet

Alex

If you think your furry or feathered friend is the cutest in the area, let us know! We invite you to share a photo of your pet to be featured in Connection’s Cutest Pet contest. Photos should be sent in the original JPG format at the highest resolution possible. Remember to include your pet’s name, city of residence and your contact information.

Email your pet’s photo to connection@monett-times.com.

ConnectionMO.com | Connection Magazine | 45

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46 | April 2021

Get a Quote

100 Chapel Dr. Suite F, Monett, MO. 65708 Cell 417-489-1134 lance.mettlach@mofb.com

By Christa Stout

Rescued, My Favorite Breed Taking animals in and adopting them out is only a part of what the Joplin Humane Society does, and does extremely well. Their public programs consist of these and more:

Community reaches out to nurture

Spay/Neuter Clinics

Since they have two veterinarians who work a combined 4 days a week performing surgeries on up to 40 pets per day. And these clinics are not restricted to the Joplin area. Anyone can sign up online for their pet to be spayed or neutered for a minimal cost, $35 for cats and $50 for dogs no matter their size.

Joplin Humane Society

I

spent a little time at the Joplin Humane Society the other day. Connie Andrews, the Executive Director was very gracious in showing me around and giving me a little background on the facility, and the part they play in managing the pet population in the Southwest Missouri area.

This was the largest shelter I have visited in Missouri and I was impressed with the staff, their current public activities, the facility with a state of the art surgery suite, their self-watering kennels (yes, having filled and given out hundreds of water bowls in a day to dogs, I was impressed with that) as well as the healthy cats and dogs currently residing there. Of course, I wanted to take all the pets home! The shelter took in and adopted more than

Vaccination Clinics 7,000 pets last year; however, like other shelters, the successful adoption year resulted in Joplin Humane currently having one of the lowest numbers of dogs and cats available for adoption. As I said before, there is a positive to the pandemic, it brought animals and people together and hopefully created a bond so special that it will last a lifetime.

Connie also told me how appreciative she is of the community and the help they provide, not only with donations, but with volunteers that make it possible to have the number of animals they do, with creating an impressive website and also performing the many public services. She told of the worst time in Joplin’s history, during and after the tornado of 2011.

These are held quarterly and provide low cost vaccinations for the pets. Again, online scheduling is provided.

Feral Cats

Joplin Humane rents out traps that will allow trapping and possibly neutering the cats.Traps may also be used to catch stray animals.

Pet Food Pantry

Donations of food not used by the shelter is given out to people who have fallen on hard times but want to do everything possible to keep their pets. The Shelter’s philosophy is that animals that can remain home are much better off than being surrendered to a shelter or worse yet, dumped.

ConnectionMO.com/RescuedMyFavoriteBreed | Connection Magazine | 47

Here are two of the adoptable pets at Joplin Humane:

The Joplin Humane Society took in so many pets in the 48 hours after the tornado, that they had to ask for help. Connie was extremely grateful to the ASPCA and the American Humane Society, both of which arrived in town quickly and helped tremendously with getting animals medical care and arranging fosters or adoptions, some of these adoptions quite a distance away.

And of course all of the animals had to be spayed/neutered.

But a big part of the recovery effort was due to the 250 area fosters who immediately stood up for the animals and took them into their homes. Many of these turned into ‘foster fails’ where the foster parents permanently adopted the animals they cared for.

In addition, the Shelter provides animal education and helps other shelters by taking in animals and providing transfers to areas who need adoptable animals. A wellness clinic is also provided periodically and for children there are “Kiss the Puppies Goodnight” and “Shelter Pals”, where children read to the pets, a program that is highly successful for both children and dogs (see photo).

All children and their parents must attend an orientation. Representatives from the Shelter go to schools and service organizations, showing some of their pets and doing educational presentations. They also maintain a facebook page as well as a website.

LOGAN is a 1-2 year old Boxer mix. He is loose and wiggly. He comes when called and will stay next to his person. He likes to give gentle chin nudges. Logan will lean for attention. He is high energy so this guy will need plenty of playtime and exercise!

REMINDER: Above are some low cost health options for your cat or dog. Spaying/neutering helps slow their desire to roam and even helps prevent some illnesses. Vaccinations should be a must for any dog owner.

KELSEY is a 2-3 year old lap kitty who is calm and affectionate, but also has an independent side. Kelsey would do well in a quiet home.

Anyone interested in more information about Joplin Humane Society, their adoptable pets, volunteering or fostering, please go to:

JoplinHumane.org or Facebook.com/JoplinHumane 48 | April 2021

Familiar Faces

1 Monett Chamber of Commerce Banquet 2021 1. Jack Schultz, Toni Jackson and Jennifer Deleon 2. Lauryn Dickens and Kelley Carr 3. Will Nichols and Heather VanNote 4. Rejeanna Williams and Betty Messer

2

3

4

5

5. Susan and Larry Eden

ConnectionMO.com | Connection Magazine | 49

Parting Shot

By Mica Plummer

Parting Shot

50 | April 2021

Advertiser Index A Beautiful Image....................................8 Aire Serv................................................. 26 Barry Lawrence Regional Library.........3 Bill Vance Marine................................. 30 Brigitta Vance........................................ 28 Bruner Pharmacy.....................................8 Cappy Harris Realtors......................... 30 Carey’s Cassville Florist...................... 20 Coldwell Banker......................................2 Cox Health............................................. 52 Diet Center............................................ 22 Doug’s Pro Lube................................... 26 Edward Jones...........................................5 First State Bank of Purdy......................4 Fohn Funeral Home............................. 29 Four Seasons Real Estate................... 46 Freedom Bank of Southern Missouri.... ........................................................... 28 Hooked Lake Cabin............................. 30 Ken’s Collision Center......................... 29 Kiddie City............................................. 46 Lackey Body Works............................. 32 Lil Boom Town...................................... 32 Missouri Farm Bureau......................... 46 My Best Friend’s Closet.........................4 Oak Hill Court....................................... 22 Ozark Methodist Manor..................... 51 Peppers and Co.................................... 26 Roaring River Health & Rehab..............8 Rusty Gate Flea Market...................... 22 Security Bank of Southwest Missouri.. ........................................................... 51 Shelter Insurance................................. 20 The Coffee Café................................... 20 The Farmer’s Daughter....................... 32 Tisha Trotter.............................................6 Tomblin’s Jewelry................................. 38 Trogdon Marshall................................. 32 VisionHealth Eye Center.................... 29 White’s Insurance................................ 38 Whitley Pharmacy...................................2 SHELL KNOB Big Creek Leather Co.......................... 18 Big Creek Resort.................................. 18 Central Crossing Senior Center......... 10 First Baptist Church............................. 16 Freedom Bank of Southern Missouri.... ........................................................... 18 Remax Lakeside.................................... 19 Shell Knob Chamber of Commerce.. 10 Shell Knob Small Engine..................... 16 Totally Home......................................... 16 LAWN & GARDEN Affordable Propane............................. 42 Ag Service Center of PC..................... 44 Coast to Coast...................................... 44 Crown Power & Equipment............... 42 Hills Feed & More................................ 43 Main Street Feeds................................ 40 MFA Co-Op Association..................... 43 Race Brothers....................................... 40

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ConnectionMO.com | Connection Magazine | 51