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Back to school time Get ready for the fall schedule
The bear in the woods
Tracking Missouri’s wildlife
Band makes tracks
Uncertain Henry and the Backseat Drivers
Folk ART FESTIVAL Enrich your local education
A magazine dedicated to Southwest Missourians
AUGUST 2015
2 | AUGUST 2015
7 Prepping for Success
16
Here’s the How-To for getting your children ready to go to school
The Bear Quest Conservationist tracks Ozark black bears to research population
AUGUST 2015
Walk through the past
49
A long-retired lime kiln is resurrected from memory
The image of this white squirrel in Cassville was captured by Della Mae Stouder.
Do you have a photo you would like to see published in Connection Magazine? Email connection@monett-times.com for consideration.
Cover photo by Murray Bishoff CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 3
www.edwardjones.com A magazine dedicated to Southwest Missourians
PUBLISHER Jacob Brower connection@monett-times.com EDITOR Kyle Troutman editor@cassville-democrat.com Marketing director Lisa Craft community@monett-times.com ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVES Sheila Harris James Craig Marion Chrysler
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Like the Present to Keep Your Future on Track Lots of times, changes in life also affect your investments. That’s why there’s never been a better time to schedule your complimentary portfolio review. We’ll talk about the changes in your life and help you decide whether it makes sense to revise your investments because of them.
A portfolio review will help ensure your investments are keeping pace with your goals. Call your local financial advisor today.
Shane A Boyd
Jeramie Grosenbacher, CFP®
802 West Street Cassville, MO 65625 417-847-5238
1418 South Elliott Aurora, MO 65605 417-678-0277 1-866-678-0277
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Financial Advisor
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Financial Advisor
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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 PHOTOGRAPHERS Chuck Nickle Brad Stillwell Jamie Brownlee Amy Sampson DISTRIBUTION Greg Gilliam Kevin Funcannon TO ADVERTISE 417-847-2610 - Cassville 417-235-3135 - Monett Send email inquiries to connection@monett-times.com Mailing address: P.O. Box 40, Monett, MO 65708 Connection is published monthly and distributed free in Cassville, Monett, Exeter, Washburn, Pierce City, Mt. Vernon, Aurora, Verona, Roaring River, Eagle Rock, Shell Knob, Purdy, Wheaton, Freistatt, Marionville, Seligman, Golden and other surrounding areas. Connection is a publication of the Cassville Democrat, The Monett Times and Rust Communications.
28
Contents 13 Gear up
Find what’s fashionable at local hot shopping spots
25 Natural lore
Backyard wildlife entertains and amazes
28 Making a play for it
Local band Uncertain Henry and the Backseat Drivers produces their first album
33 Role call
Shell Knob theatrical troupe SKITS is performing well
40 Ozark Methodist Manor
Prided retirement center celebrates 90-year anniversary
55 Lovin’ the Lake
33
Readers share their favorite summertime photos
59 House Handles
Longtime local family business grows through three generations
62 Missouri folk art
Joining the celebration of our state heritage
In every issue 62
22 38 45 46 58 65 67 73 74
Contest: Cutest Pet Connection Calendar Healthy Connection Recipes: After school snacks Bottles and Brews Contest: Proud Parent Familiar Faces Ad index Parting Shot CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 5
August 22 - 23, 2015 Sat. 9 a.m. - 7 p.m. • Sun. 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
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For more information contact Ann Saunders at (417) 235-2007 or ann.saunders@me.com 6 | AUGUST 2015
Getting back into the swing of things 10 tips for transitioning your kids
from summer freedom to school schedules
M
any families choose to swap out their school
school’s out.
routines for a more laissez-faire type of liv-
Everyone knows summer is great, but getting back into
ing during the summer. Kids sleep in (you
a routine can be tricky. Setting the alarm clock can some-
hope), running around is not part of your vocabulary, and
times be harder for parents than kids, but a fail-proof plan
outdoor play with friends takes up most of the day when
can get the whole family on board.
Try these tips to get your schedule in place:
1.
A week or so before school actually begins, put the kids to sleep a half hour earlier than you usually would during the summer. This tiny change in their sleep schedule can make all the difference come the first day of school. An earlier bedtime will also help with less defiance from the child when the night before school comes.
2.
Transitioning from freedom to schedule can be hard for kids. Get them excited about going back to school by taking them school shopping at the end of July or early August. Most school supply lists can be found on the school’s website, the school’s Facebook page or in your local newspaper. Print these out, plan a day to go shopping, and let your kids pick out things from the list that will get them ready to learn.
3.
Eating dinner together might seem like a thing of the past, but it really does wonders for your child’s self-esteem. A well-balanced meal every night around the dinner table where you can talk, ask questions and prepare your children for the changes in their routines will help everybody know what’s coming up and feel like they are safe, loved and taken care of before their big day begins.
CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 7
fotolia.com1
School will be starting soon. Get your students in gear ahead of schedule.
4. 5. 6. 7. 8 | AUGUST 2015
Try and keep your schedule clear the first week of school. If your child goes back to school on a Wednesday, make sure you keep things simple that Monday and Tuesday. When children feel more relaxed, they will act more relaxed. A lighter load prior to their first back-to-school day will give them the energy they need to succeed.
A bedtime routine is often suggested for newborns and infants, but it can also be just as important for school-aged children. Start a nighttime ritual of dinner, bath, pajamas, book and sleep. Make getting ready for bedtime a relaxing thing for your child.
Keep extracurricular activities to one or two per child. So many parents want to get their kids involved in after-school sports, clubs and so on, and that’s OK, but keep it to a minimum. They’re still just children and they’re still learning their limits. Try signing up for one activity per semester or season and let them flourish with room and time to spare.
Conduct a “mock” school day. This could be fun (and interesting) for everyone. Pretend school starts tomorrow and go through the morning’s events, just as you would if it were really the big day. See where things went wrong (and good) and figure out a game plan for the actual day. For example, if your child was supposed to get up for school at 6 a.m., but their alarm never went off, check to see if it needs new batteries or if it was set up properly. Something as simple and easy as this one situation can set your child up for success or failure on their first day.
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CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 9
8.
Three meals a day with snacks in between help children sustain their energy and focus. Get in the habit of knowing what you’re going to make at the beginning of the week with a family menu. Get your children involved in the process and let them pick out a meal or two; this will get them on board with helping out around mealtime, and they will know what to expect come dinner time.
9.
Reward charts are a fun and easy way to help your children get in the mood for school. Every time they put away their clean clothes, pick up after themselves, or do what they’re told, give them a sticker to put on their reward chart. Once they’ve earned enough stickers to redeem a reward, take them to the Dollar Store and let them pick out an inexpensive toy. This will help with their willingness to obey, as well as their ability to understand cause and effect.
10.
Talk time in the car is something I do with my kids. Whether we’re heading to the grocery store or just walking to the mailbox, I always try and take the opportunity to ask them about their day. Sometimes a simple, “How are you today?” can get your kid in the right mind set to start a conversation with you. Simple talks like this can be really helpful when starting school again. Kids will inevitably be cranky and tired from being at school all day and like mine, they may not feel like talking. That’s OK. A simple, “I love you,” or “I missed you today,” can mean a lot to them and get them ready for the next day.
There are plenty of ways to set your child up for success before school even begins. Make things easier for yourself and your children by thinking ahead. Ready, set, learn!
Meagan Ruffing is a freelance parenting writer with 15 years in the field. She gets most of her inspiration for her articles from her kids — Dylan, Hannah and Elinor — and looks forward to earlier bedtimes this fall.
10 | AUGUST 2015
Geniuses have clear vision. Remember your back-to-school eye exams!
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CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 11
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}
Ladies can get back to class in style with a pair of Justin Boots paired with a Tony Lama belt, (left), or these Tony Lama boots paired with a Justin belt, (right), from Justin Boot Outlet in Monett.
{
Guys can make the grade, in class and in style, with these men’s Tony Lama brand boots and belt (left), or Justin elephant boots and belt, (right). These items and more are available at Justin Boot Outlet in Monett.
What’s cool for school
{
Race Brothers in Monett has rugged, durable clothing fit for French class or working down on the farm. These Wrangler Rock 47 jeans, paired with a Wrangler shirt and Horse Power boots can take the guys from classroom to cattle pen in a jiffy, while the ladies make a splash, attired in an Ariat tank topped with an Adiktd lace top, Cowgirl Tuff jeans and Macie Bean boots and 3D jewelry.
{
Play time is a snap for kids with these rugged clothes from Race Brothers in Monett. Little cowboys can rough and tumble on the playground in these Wrangler shirts and jeans, combined with a sturdy pair of Anderson Bean boots. Girls can play just as hard in their Cruel Girl jeans, Cowgirl Hardware shirts and Roper boots.
CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 13
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Camo is making a comeback, and ladies can score big on tops, hats and accessories for back to school at Peppers and Co., in Monett. Pictured are Style 101 top and hat and Axxiom sandals.
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Adrenaline Apparel in Monett has the goods to promote school spirit all year long with their line of Spirit Wear, featuring school logos on shirts, hats and hoodies.
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Brownsberger’s in Monett has a variety of styles and sizes available in Miss Me brand jeans, which feature stylized designs on the back pockets. Once marketed to the western wear crowd, Miss Me has become more mainstream in recent months and is popular with the back-to-school crowd.
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Keep your gear together with these genuine leather backpacks by Simply Noelle. Available at Starla K’s in Monett, in a variety of colors, these roomy bags have plenty of pockets inside and out for easy-toreach items like cell phones and keys.
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CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 15
Watching [the bear] wake up was captivating. Still loopy from the sedative, she raised her head and looked around. I couldn’t help but think of those alien abduction stories in which a person is taken by strange creatures, sedated, and studied — except, this time, we were the aliens. 16 | AUGUST 2015
A quest for the Missouri black bear “We’re going on a bear hunt, we’re going to catch a big one, it’s a beautiful day, we’re not scared!” I must have read this book, which
traps. My professor said, ‘Beringer, go
The team was excited, this was a new
depicts a family embarking on a quest
take care of that. You’re expendable.’
bear and a sexually-mature female.
to find a bear, 40 times to my 2-year-
So I did.
My first observation was that this
old daughter. So when I dropped her
“I wouldn’t say it was an epiphany,
bear was tiny in relation to my idea
off at her grandma’s and told her I was
but it was an adrenaline rush, and I
of a bear. One of the magical things
going on a bear hunt, a secret lan-
knew there was something special
about bears is that they are legend-
guage passed between us and she nod-
about the black bear. The more time
ary, and legends tend to grow in our
ded her head solemnly and smiled.
I’ve spent with bears, the more I re-
imagination. However, many black
spect them for their intelligence.”
bears — females in particular — are
On a sweltering June day, I followed bear biologist Jeff Beringer and
After a quick needle prick, the bear
much smaller. This bear weighed 130
his team to a metal cage nestled on an
was sedated. We walked back to the
pounds. She reminded me of a large
Ozark ridge in Wright County within
truck and Beringer explained that giv-
black German Shepherd.
a copse of trees. Something dark and
ing the bear some space allowed the
Black bears are generally non-
lumbering moved inside. A turn to the
bear to calm down a bit, and metabo-
confrontational. Even the myth of
left and there it was: the silhouette of
lize the sedative more efficiently.
getting between a mama black bear
a bear.
Once the bear was sedated, the
and her cubs is generally unfounded,
I approached the cage and peeked
crew flew into action like a team of
as the mothers can send their cubs up
inside. A bear peered back, her soft
surgeons. Boxes opened, gear as-
into a tree if they fear for their safety.
brown eyes open wide with curiosity.
sembled, gloves donned, and it was
Males tend to be more aggressive, but
The biologist dropped bits of melted
finally time to remove the bear from
a black bear will rather to avoid you
ice into the cage so the bear could
the cage. A simple cloth gurney, sans
rather than confront you for.
have a drink before sedation.
wheels, was used to remove the bear.
Beringer’s advice to folks who fear
As Beringer readied the sedative, I
As the team gingerly laid the bear on
a bear encounter is to be Bear Aware.
couldn’t help but ponder his name. A
the ground, I was overcome by how
If a bear approaches your home, it
harbinger is defined as something or
gentle they were. The team made sure
needs to have a negative experience
someone that foreshadows the future,
that her body touched the ground
so it won’t return. Make loud noises,
so perhaps a “Beringer,” is someone
slowly, her head was protected and
don’t leave food around, and let them
who foreshadows the future of the
none of her limbs twisted. The crew
know they aren’t welcome. That psy-
bears.
laid bags of ice up against the bear’s
chological barrier not only keeps bears
When I asked what got him in-
body to cool her down, and Beringer
off your front porch, but it keeps them
volved in bear research, Beringer
squirted a serum into the bear’s eyes
wild. And keeping bears wild is the
harkened back to his college days,
for lubrication, explaining that the
single largest issue that most wildlife
trapping timberwolves in northern
sedative keeps the bear from blinking.
regulatory agencies face.
Wisconsin.
He then covered her eyes with a tow-
“Folks need to understand that in
“We heard a bear back in the
el. Beringer then checked the bear’s
bear country, the things that you do
woods and knew we had one in our
gender — it was a female in estrus.
can affect if a bear comes around. I
CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 17
live in central Missouri and clean my fish on the back picnic table, but if I lived in bear country, I’d operate differently so they wouldn’t have a reason to come around.” Beringer asked for help maneuvering the bear onto her side to check for ticks, and I couldn’t help but volunteer. My hands sunk into the coarse fur to the warm skin. As I grasped a front leg, I felt her heartbeat. I smelled her bear-ness, similar to the musk of a dog, but more pungent. I was touching a Missouri black bear. Missouri is home to Ursus americanus, the black bear. Interestingly enough, the color of a black bear can range from cinnamon to brown to red. The black bear is a protected species in Missouri and makes its home in the heavily-wooded Ozarks. Generally elusive, the black bear will wander
A radio collar is placed around bears’ necks to determine and track locations. This information is uploaded to a map that is available to the public at http://mdc7.mdc.mo.gov/applications/blackbears/ and is updated every week or so.
into a yard if it smells some food that strikes its fancy. Young males who are seeking out new territory have, espe-
in Missouri is attributed to better
populations and growth rates in Mis-
cially of late, been found confusedly
management of habitat and Arkansas’
souri.
bounding down the streets of towns.
restocking efforts. However, DNA
Much of the trapping is done on
They have even started ranging out-
evidence suggests that a few Missouri-
public land, but MDC also partners
side of their normally heavily-wooded
original bears may have survived and
with private landowners to set traps.
territory. In fact, this June, a young
are breeding.
Landowners can make their land more
male bear was spotted just outside of
The Missouri Bear Project, in its
hospitable to bears by favoring oak
Monett — the first documented sight-
fifth year, is a seven-year cooperative
species, berry species and leaving snags
ing in Lawrence County.
project between the University of
that fall for denning.
The history of black bears in Mis-
Missouri, Mississippi State University
The second bear we captured was
souri is similar to that of other game
and the Missouri Department of Con-
in Ozark County on private land. This
species’ who were hunted without re-
servation (MDC) with funding by the
bear was also confirmed to be a female
striction. Bear meat and oil was con-
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Department.
and was slightly smaller at 130 pounds.
sidered a precious food source and, as
The current research is used to mea-
I was amazed at the color variation of
a result, hunting pressure nearly ex-
sure survival and reproduction rates
this bear. Unlike black bear No. 1, this
tirpated the black bear from Missouri
for females in Missouri. Transient
bear was practically blonde.
during settlement.
male bears can travel hundreds of
The landowners, along with the
By the 1890s the black bear was
miles from their original location, so
conservationists, take pride and are
considered extinct in Missouri. In
the presence of female bears indicates
deeply respectful of the black bears
recent years, however, their num-
that breeding populations exist.
they trap. This landowner enjoyed
bers have started to climb. The re-
By collecting data on females, the
telling stories about the various bears
cent resurgence of bear populations
MDC will be able to forecast bear
they caught in the trap. He recalled a
18 | AUGUST 2015
By collecting data on females, the MDC will be able to forecast bear populations and growth rates in Missouri. story of baiting a trap in the dark and
ern Oregon County. She — yes, an-
feeling the hair stand up on his neck.
other female — was a beauty. She was
When he checked his game camera, he
203 pounds and a recapture, but was
found that the black bear had entered
missing both ear tags and collar and, as
the trap less than five minutes after he
a result, was unidentifiable. As with the
had set the bait. Apparently, the bear
previous bears, a whole series of data-
was just watching and waiting for him
collection techniques were carried out.
to get out of the way.
An array of measurements were taken,
The philosophy behind baiting is
including length, chest circumference,
evolving. At one point, donuts were
ear size, paw width/length, tail size. An
the go-to bait because their sticky
ear tag was placed in both ears, and
sweetness was irresistible.
she was chipped, similar to a dog. The
“We are moving away from baiting
team removed hair for DNA sampling.
the traps with human food and gener-
June is a particularly great time of the
ally like to bait with corn and nuts, and
year to take these samples, as the bears
other non-human food,” Beringer said,
are shedding their winter coats.
though some local conservationists shy-
Collecting DNA will allow scien-
ly acknowledged leaving a few donuts,
tists to analyze survival, genetic data
now and then, for bears to munch on
and tell a more accurate story about
after they awoke from sedation.
population dynamics. Body mass in-
We drove on in the late afternoon
dex is determined using a contraption
deep into the national forest in north-
that measures electric waves through-
CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 19
out the bear’s body and can determine
and estimating total ticks. Scientists
with a ruddy hue to her coat. Another
muscle/fat ratio, which in turn deter-
hope to eventually identify the tick
recapture, her existing collar was re-
mines overall fitness of the individual
species and analyze the blood within
moved and replaced during the exami-
bear. The first premolar, located im-
the engorged ticks to look for different
nation. Beringer removed her collar
mediately behind the canine tooth
types of bacteria and protozoans.
and scratched her neck affectionately
and generally considered a vestigial
Finally, a radio collar is placed
before replacing it. The cage used to
tooth, is removed. The tooth can ac-
around the bear’s neck to determine
lure this bear seemed particularly state
curately tell scientists the age of the
and track locations. This information
of the art, and Beringer explained
bear through a series of rings, similar
is uploaded to a map that is available
that the Missouri Department of
to the growth rings on a tree, called
to the public at http://mdc7.mdc.
Conservation designed it. Modifi-
cementum annulations. This informa-
mo.gov/applications/blackbears/, and
cations had been done to the trailer
tion can even, in some cases, tell scien-
is updated every week or so.
based on bear activity. For example,
tists which year a female has had a lit-
Oregon County Bear woke up
the tires kept getting destroyed by
ter of cubs. A tick count is performed,
quicker than the other two, probably
the bears and scientists figured out
by sectioning off different areas of the
because Beringer erred on the conser-
it was because the formic acid that
bear’s body, removing engorged ticks
vative side when dosing the bear, giv-
tires exude is the same type of acid
ing her the equivalent of a 130-pound
given off by anthills (one of black
dose. Watching her wake up was cap-
bears’ favorite treats). Metal covers
tivating. Still loopy from the sedative,
now shielded the tires. The contrap-
she raised her head and looked around.
tion was like an indestructible bear
I couldn’t help but think of those alien
tank.
20 | AUGUST 2015
abduction stories in which a person
Bears are omnivores, similar to
is taken by strange creatures, sedated,
humans. Along with ants and other
and studied — except, this time, we
insects, bears consume berries, nuts,
were the aliens. It will make a great
insects, grains, and the occasional
story for the cubs.
fawn or other small mammal if they
We headed northeast to Shannon
can catch it. They are also known
County as the sun was traveling far-
to scavenge and eat carrion, There’s
ther west. Bear No. 4 was also trapped
even a particular mushroom that is
in the National Forest. And this one
found almost exclusively in their
was another large female, 203 pounds,
gut tract during certain times of
the year. Like humans, having a vast food niche makes them resourceful and enables them to find food during the lean times, as well as the prosperous. As the truck bounced back to civilization along the old rutted logging road in the twilight, I asked Beringer about the value bears brought to Missouri. He replied knowingly, as if he had thought about this question for eons. “Scientifically, bears are known for their regenerative capabilities during hibernation,” he said. “For instance, a bear could break its leg, go into hibernation and be completely healed upon awakening. The medical community is interested in
Jeff Beringer (right), MDC bear biologist, completes year five of the Missouri Bear Project, a seven-year research survey of black bear in the Missouri Ozarks. Black bear population seems to be growing through conservation efforts.
these capabilities and the applications that this unique ability might have for human beings. Bears may have some economical value in the future as their populations grow by allowing strategically regulated hunting. Also, the bear is an indicator species of the health of a landscape. Everything in the wilderness
has to be working and intact for
that this vestige of Missouri’s wilder-
bears to exist.”
ness still ambles up and down Ozark
I thought about this “Bear-inger’s”
mountains on a balmy July morn-
comments, and had a thought. Proper
ing, cubs tumbling behind her as she
management of black bears is an in-
munches on ripe blackberries and
vestment in both our heritage and
heads to the creek.
our future. Bears tell us a story of our
And what we value is a powerful
wild Missouri landscape — an integral
thing, because it becomes our legacy
piece of our collective ancestry, one
— a legacy that was already leaving
that we have the opportunity to keep
its mark as I found out the following
intact for future generations.
morning when, during breakfast, my
The value of the black bear is different for all of us. For me, it is the simple intrinsic value of knowing
daughter suddenly made an exclamation. “Mama bear hunt... Me, too!”
Jennifer Conner has a bachelor’s degree in conservation and wildlife management from Missouri State University. She worked as an environmental specialist for the state of Missouri for six years before moving to southwest Missouri with her husband Mark. Jennifer enjoys writing about her many outdoor adventures and taking long walks in the woods with her 2-year-old daughter, Aarilyn, a budding naturalist who really likes bears.
CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 21
Cutest pet
Meet
Abbey, & Marley,
a 2-year-old cocker spaniel, a 3-year-old mini schnauzer, owned by Kelley and Meghan Morris.
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.
22 | AUGUST 2015
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Enjoying nature’s beauty
from the living room couch
I didn’t fully appreciate living in the country until getting away from it.
L
ooking back, I realize now how fortunate I was to have been raised in the rural Ozarks. There were many perks to living in the country. Peace and quiet, miles away from the sound of highway traffic and police sirens, was one. Growing up in rural McDonald County near Anderson, I had dogs and cats who roamed freely, without the constraints of fences. Another perk was the wildlife. It was common to spot critters of many kinds around my parents’ property, including squirrels and a wide variety of birds. Like many things in life, I didn’t fully appreciate living in the country until getting away from it. After moving off to college, the next decadeplus of my life was spent living near the center of larger cities, where wildlife sightings were rare. In December 2013, after a fouryear stint as the editor of a newspaper in central Arkansas, I was given the opportunity to come back to southwest Missouri, just one county east of where I grew up. Admittedly, I didn’t play a role in where, specifically, we would move. My wife and mother-in-law did the advance work while I tied up loose ends in Arkansas, and I was happy to defer to their judgment. The fact that my wife’s pick featured a garage was enough to sell me.
CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 25
There was another perk I didn’t discover until spring. Due to the numerous trees behind our privacy fence, birds congregating in the back yard was a common sight. Our living room window faces the back yard, so it was easy to watch the birds and listen to their songs from the couch. It wasn’t long before we purchased a couple of feeders to accommodate our feathered guests. Their friends soon got word of the free food and they, too, took up residence near our back yard. Prior to the feeders being put up, a family of robins lived near our back yard. Since then, a cardinal couple has moved in, and we had the pleasure of seeing them and their babies over the past year. Other common backyard birds include blue jays and finches. Our yard also attracts many squirrels, including one we call Bandit, because he enjoys stealing the birds’ food, despite there being a squirrel feeder nearby. We have found watching our backyard wildlife therapeutic. At the end of a stressful workday, there is nothing more relaxing than seeing and hearing nature’s beauty up close from the living room. There are many reasons I am happy to be a southwest Missourian. This area’s natural beauty ranks near the top of the list.
Jacob Brower is the publisher of Connection Magazine, The Monett Times and Cassville Democrat. He is a graduate of McDonald County High School, Crowder College, and Missouri Southern State University. He lives in Barry County with his wife, Kara. He can be reached at connection@monett-times.com.
26 | AUGUST 2015
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CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 27
First album release: Local duo takes no backseat on new country-rock CD
M
ark
Uncertain Henry and the Backseat Drivers
Sebastian and James
great relationship, we’ve been best friends
probably spent some time there,” Sebas-
Meeks are no strangers to
for many years, so it’s easy to write songs
tian said. “The song is about the evolution
the music scene. Sebastian
with her in mind.
of a relationship through a place like that.”
has been performing in a variety of cover
As far as how the relationship has
Another song Sebastian counts among
bands for about 30 years, and Meeks has
evolved in these songs, that’s difficult to
his favorites on the album includes “I
been front-porch jamming and perform-
explain.
Don’t Need You.”
ing since childhood.
“I’ll try to use an example or two,” he
“It rocks, and James has a guitar hook
The duo had recently given up the mu-
said. “‘Can’t Get You Off My Mind’ was
in it that I really like,” he continued. “You
sic circuit and the bar scene to focus solely
written about when I traveled for business
can’t help but move and tap your foot
on original music, and released their first
for years. I always looked forward to get-
when you listen to it.”
CD — Uncertain Henry and the Backseat
ting home to her. On ‘I’ll Never Know,’ I
Meeks, whose wife, Connie, serves as
Drivers.
have to imagine what would life have been
his inspiration, also helped pen a tune,
“After playing in bands and doing cover
like without her? So, I don’t know that our
“Girl Like You,” recalling their early days
songs for the past 30 years or so, I decided
relationship has evolved, it’s always been
of running around Monett and Pierce City
I was too old for the club scene. When
good. We write about what we know, so
together.
I’m recording, I still get to play and share
my great relationship with Stacy is easy to
music with friends. Getting home at 2 and
write about.
Sometimes the lyrics and the melody flow out of the artists like a river.
3 a.m. gets later and later with the club
“‘I’ll Never Know’ is my favorite be-
“On ‘I Don’t Need You,’ another musi-
scene. I’m not too old for music, just too
cause it tells a nice, but somewhat sad
cian, Cory West and James and I started
old for the circuit.”
story,” he said. “James and I have said it’s
playing a bass line and I started writing,
“It was a job all those years,” Meeks
the happiest sad song we’ve written. It’s
and we were recording the basic tracks in
added. “Every time I pick up my guitar
about an old man telling a story of a girl he
an hour,” said Sebastian.
now, I enjoy playing. Trying to build a
knew as a young man, was separated from
band is like a revolving door. Rotating
her as he grew older, but always wondered
band members, and then you get four or
what it would have been like to share his
“There are times I can sit down and
five people in a band and it’s like a dysfunc-
life with her. Then the woman passes and
write two or three songs in an afternoon,”
tional family. Now, there’s no money to be
he realizes he’ll never know, even though
Sebastian said. “There are other times I
made. We’re doing this for fun.”
he’s loved her for all those years. It tells a
couldn’t come up with lyrics if the fate of
sad story, but a nice story.
mankind depended on it, and that is a very
The change has allowed Sebastian to
But sometimes, writing songs isn’t that easy.
focus more on spreading his wings and
In another song, “Jenkins Creek,” Se-
frustrating situation. The key is finding the
writing original material rather than sing
bastian takes the listener back to the early
core meaning of a song or tag line. Once I
a cover of someone else’s song.
days of his relationship and spends time
get that, the rest of the song comes a little
“We write about what we know,” he
skipping stones and learning about love on
easier.”
said. “If we know what a good relationship
the banks of Jenkins Creek, a well-known
with someone we love is, then that’s easy to
Barry County swimming hole and recre-
write about. Stacy has been a supporter of
ation spot.
Their style of music can be tentatively described as country-rock. “My biggest music influence was my
my music for a long time, and it’s not easy
“My thought was that everyone around
mom,” Sebastian said. “She was a pianist
being married to a musician. We have a
here knows about Jenkins Creek and has
and played the organ in church, and she
28 | AUGUST 2015
Story and photos by Melonie Roberts
: Uncertain Henry
James Meeks, (left) and Mark Sebastian, (right) are the primary artists in the group Uncertain Henry and the Backseat Drivers. The duo has worked with Cory West on developing lyrics and local artists Shawn Killion, drums and percussions, Cindy Gunter, vocals, Lisa Murphy, vocals, Rick Scherer, guitar, vocals and harmonica, Tim Snyder, cello, and Katrina Hofmann-Coquillard, violin.
CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 29
would bring home albums from CCR, The
equipment and learned as they went along.
“Technology has made it possible
Beatles, Neil Diamond and Tina Turner,
“We had to learn mic placement and
to listen to some great artists. So many
amongst others, and she would listen to
everything,” Meeks said. “We were a cou-
we never hear about because they don’t
them with me and point out major and
ple of knuckleheads in a basement, but it
have the financial backing to hit the air-
minor chords, rhythms and chord pro-
sounds pretty good.
waves. But, because of technology, we
gressions. She taught me how to hear the
“Now I listen to it and know where we
can hear so many great artists and those
could have made it sound better. On one
artists can make a little money from the
“As far as song writing, my biggest in-
track, we had the microphones placed in-
downloads, which make it possible for
fluence would probably be a local artist I
correctly, but it sounded cool and we went
them to go back in to the studio and
played with for a few years, Mark Chap-
with it. We experimented on several of the
make more great music.”
man. I think Mark writes some great songs
tracks, learning as we went. It took about
and I admire his song writing a great deal.
14 months to finish the CD.”
music, not just listen to the song.
The two are collaborating on a second album and plan to start recording
If it wasn’t for Mark I would have never
“I would start with the lyrics and basic
known the joys of song writing and would
melody, and then take it to James,” Sebas-
“We have several new songs written
still be playing nothing but cover songs.
tian said. “He would take a bit of this and
and are fine-tuning them now,” Sebas-
“As far as bands that influence our song
a bit of that and it would change the tex-
tian said. “We plan to start tracking in
writing, many bands from the 70s, 80s and
ture of the song. Once we got started, we
a couple of months and should have the
90s,” he said. “Skynard, James Taylor, The
would figure out where the melody and
new CD ready for sale and uploading
Ozark Mountain Daredevils, Clapton, and
the chorus would go and then call in some
early next summer.”
Jim Croce. There is great music from all
old friends to add background vocals.”
generations. From old traditional country
“We had no preconceived notions of
like Hank Williams, to Mozart to Imagine
how this was going to turn out,” Meeks
Dragons. I really like it all and all of it be-
said.
comes an influence with what I write.”
next year.
Fans can expect a little more rock on the next album. “James has a history of playing traditional country and honky tonk music,”
Songs from Uncertain Henry and the
Sebastian said. “I’ve played more rock
With the variety of musical styles
Backseat Drivers are available on CD-
and roll. That’s one of the things that
come a variety of musical influences on
Baby.com, Amazon.com, AllMusic.com,
makes our projects together interesting
the album.
iTunes.com and GooglePlay.com. The
and a little more middle of the road.
Rick Scherer, a former Tequila, Lime, No Salt band mate, plays harmonica on
technology has certainly helped get their music out for public consumption.
“One thing I can assure you of, is our music will stay true to who we are.
“Holdin’ Each Other Tight,” and adds vo-
“At the same time, there’s so much
We don’t try to write what we think
cals and guitar in other songs on the album.
music out there now,” Sebastian said. “So,
someone will like, we write what we’re
“He lives in Texas but was traveling
even if it’s a little easier to get people to
moved to write.
through while we were in the process of
listen to your music, the competition to
recording the album,” Sebastian said. “We
get the listeners ears is much greater.
got him into the studio and got as much done as possible while he was here. Mark McManus, another former TLNS members helped write ‘Brighter Days.’” “Other performers — Cindy Gunter and Lisa Murphy — are professional musicians and added vocals to the mix,” Sebastian said. “We didn’t have any hard and fast rules about what we wanted them to do, we just got them into the studio and let them go where the music took them. The songs evolved themselves.” Sebastian and Meeks purchased some recording equipment and set it up in a small basement studio nicknamed “The Pit.” There, they experimented with the
30 | AUGUST 2015
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SKITS W
ith 30 minutes to curtain, back-
SKITS got its start in 2013 by Jim
stage at the Central Commu-
Robinson, who had acted in California
nity Church in Shell Knob is a
and wanted to get back into perform-
flurry of activity with hair and makeup
ing after moving to the Cassville area
and costumes all being prepared.
in 2012. Although Robinson has left
Shell Knob in the Spotlight,
the troupe, many of its members look
SKITS for short, was preparing to
back at the group’s humble beginnings
put on the second to last performance
and reflected on how they were con-
of its fourth play as a troupe, and the
vinced to join in the first place.
show will go on this fall.
ting an acting group together here,
Barb Van Dusen, Sherri Lewis, Lori
so he set up booths at the Shell Knob
Reaves and Susan Ramonette, living in
Home Show and Shakin’ in the Shell,”
Shell Knob without the group would
Ramonette said. “I was at the Home
not be the same.
Show and just went to get a cup of cof-
Story and photos by Kyle Troutman, editor
Big stage
to a little town
“Jim decided he wanted to try get-
For four of the SKITS’ members,
With members mostly in their 60s,
Susan Ramonette, center, as Mavis Johns, melodramatically passes out during her performance in “Mind Over Manor.” Also pictured, from left, are: Barb Van Dusen, as Patty Von Schtuk; and Eileen Ploss as Lerlene Charleston.
fee, and here I am.”
CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 33
“Mind Over Manor” characters do their best to get through Rob Holmberg, as attorney Chester Banks, to get to Merri Magula, as Jasmine Winters.
Sherri Lewis, right, as Tawnee Patterson, shows off her yoga moves to Eileen Ploss, middle, as Lerlene Charleston, and Opal Summers, as Karin Stanley.
The first to be wrangled in by Rob-
needed help with something involv-
taken turns with roles, both on stage
inson, Ramonette said the group start-
ing her poker group,” Reaves said. “It’s
and backstage. Director duties often
ed with about six members and has
a good thing she did, too, because I
change hands, as Reaves directed the
since tripled in size, including three
probably would have been intimidated
most recent play, “Mind Over Manor,”
children, and she had a hand in bring-
otherwise.”
and Lewis directed the previous play,
ing some on board.
“I came from Shakin’ in the Shell,
“You Can’t Get There From Here.”
“Susan was very enthusiastic and
which is where I met Jim,” Lewis said.
And, it was easy to see each director
pretty much begged me to do it,” Van
“My girlfriends would say, ‘You should
has his or her own style.
Dusen said. “I had never done it be-
join. This is so your style.’ So, I just
“Lori will say ‘babble babble’ all
fore, but I figured at age 67, I should
came up here and started hanging out
the time when we are not saying words
do something new.”
with the clan.”
clearly,” Ramonette said. “That has
“Sue got me here by saying she
Since all joining, the members have
Rob Holmberg, right, as attorney Chester Banks, speaks with Karin Stanley, as Opal Summers, about how to deal with Summers’ niece who is trying to take her home in the play “Mind Over Manor.”
34 | AUGUST 2015
become a big joke.”
“Mind Over Manor” characters lean forward to take a look at the shoes worn by Sherri Lewis, as Tawneee Patterson, who has a multiple personality disorder that caused her to lock another character in a closet.
SKITS is accepting tax-deductible sponsorships and donations at multiple levels.
Members Cast/Crew ($35):
including a 5 percent discount on six or more tickets
Showtime ($100):
including playbill acknowledgement, a 10 percent discount on six or more tickets and an invitation for two to a cast party
SKITS ($250): Lori Reaves, right, director of the last SKITS play, welcomes the audience and explains the three acts and voting process, as there was a mystery involved in the “Mind Over Manor” play that required audience participation.
On stage, each of the four said per-
volunteer, so we work for treats.”
forming is exciting, especially getting
Getting the laugh was still most im-
to play a character instead of just being
portant to the women, each of which
themselves.
agreed.
“When you go into character, you just feel like you don’t have to have a filter,” Reaves said. “It makes you forget who you are, and as long as you can forget that and get into character, it’s a very liberating thing.” Van Dusen said being on stage and playing a character takes her away.
“The applause and laugh is the best part,” Reaves said. “I live for the laugh,” Van Dusen added. “When someone laughs so hard that they start applauding, that’s the best,” Lewis said. To get those laughs, the ladies said
“You basically lose your life for two
there is a lot of hard work on the front
months because it takes so much focus
end, such as remembering lines and
and energy you can’t deal with any-
getting makeup correct.
thing else,” she said. The group typically sticks to melodramas and comedic plays, as they all like to laugh and like to share that laughter.
“Now, at 67, I don’t know how I can remember 80 lines but can’t remember a simple recipe,” Van Dusen said. “I was a 20-year-old in one play, and
including playbill acknowledgement, a 25 percent discount on six or more tickets, special seating for six people and an invitation for four to a cast party
Sponsors Angel ($500):
including name in the playbill and all marketing materials, verbal recognition during the play, up to six complementary tickets for staff members, a special invitation to the cast party and the business’ literature available at the play
Production Angel ($1,000):
including name in the playbill and all marketing materials, a “cameo” appearance in the play if desired, a backstage tour, verbal recognition during the play, up to 11 complementary tickets for staff members, a special invitation to the cast party and the business’ literature available at the play
that took lots of makeup,” Ramonette
“We find people want to be light-
said. “We’ve even had men playing
hearted, so that’s why we want to do an-
women’s roles. A lot of us wanted to do
other melodrama, because people want
this in high school but weren’t the cut-
to either come laugh with us or laugh
est or the best singer. Now, we get to
at us,” Van Dusen said. “We are also all
play out our childhood dreams.”
Play
a part
CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 35
Cast members of SKITS ready to bow for the audience after a recent performance of “Mind Over Manor.”
Putting on two plays per year,
“The event committee chooses
ous donations throughout the years
SKITS is already gearing up for its
the plays, and we have to read a lot
to help in its success, including things
fall play, and even during the inter-
and make sure the royalties are not
like the staging, donated by Stamina
view for Connection Magazine, the
outrageous, because we are a small,
Products and worth thousands of dol-
four women sitting in a semicircle
non-profit group,” Ramonette said.
lars. Van Dusen’s husband, Bob Van
were shooting out ideas about the
“Even with tickets at $7-$8 per show,
Dusen, also helps with creating props
fall play and what it should be. One
we are lucky to break even.”
and staging, and the local boys’ ranch
thought was to combine a few genres
Ramonette said each play costs
helps assemble and disassemble the
to give the play an extra edge, like a
about $1,800-$2,000 to produce, and
stage. Creative Arts of Shell Knob is
melodrama with an investigative mys-
none would have been possible with-
also involved, as it does any painting
tery twist that involves the audience.
out help. SKITS has received numer-
needed by SKITS, and the Central Community Church offers its space in which the plays are held. Ramonette said the group is hoping to continue growing, which will help them put out better plays and to do some side projects as well, like a children’s acting camp in the summer or 10-minute skits for events like Rotary Club meetings. “New people join all the time, and if we get a couple new people each play we do, that will help us grow,”
The curtain call for SKITS’ fall performance is to be continued...
Reaves said. “It’s also good for us to be small because anyone can come and anyone can join. No experience required.”
For more information about SKITS, people may call 417-499-4551, email shellknobspotlight@yahoo.com or visit ShellKnobSpotlight.com.
36 | AUGUST 2015
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Friday, August 21st and Saturday, August 22nd, 2015 Crane City Park • Hwy. 413, Downtown Crane, Missouri CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 37
Calendar 1 The Monett Farmers Market will be open
18 Central Crossing Senior Center will host the Grace Health Service and Mercy/ CCSC Health Fair 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.
every Saturday in August from 8 a.m. to noon.
3 The Monett Senior Center will host a
dance at 7 p.m. There is a $3 cover charge and the band will be Evelyn Locke and the Outriders from Shell Knob. Snacks are welcome.
4 The city of Monett has scheduled a Transportation Sales Tax Election.
Central Crossing Senior Center, Shell Knob, will have Mike Newton, medication side effects/allergies at 11:30 a.m.
6 Ernte Fest will be held Aug. 6, 7, and 8 in Freistatt, sponsored by the Freistatt Lions Club. Family night is Aug. 6.
Central Crossing Senior Center, Shell Knob, will have hearing aid checks from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
20 The Cassville Senior Center, 1111 Fair St., will be having painting classes from 9 to 11 a.m.
flea market will be held from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Chamber Event Park. For more information, call 417-858-3300.
The Seligman Chamber of Commerce will sponsor a dance beginning at 7 p.m.
Final night of Ernte Fest at Freistatt.
14 The Old Town Pharmacy in Monett will buy lunch for any seniors who would like a meal at the Monett Senior Center.
Located in Shell Knob, the Central Crossing Senior Center has a number of regular events each week. Domino Poker is held every day from 12:30-3 p.m.
The Seligman Chamber of Commerce will sponsor a dance beginning at 7 p.m.
22 The Seligman Chamber of Commerce will
Mah Jongg is held every Monday and Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
24 Central Crossing Senior Center, Shell Knob,
Line Dancing is held every Tuesday and Thursday from 9-10:30 a.m.
sponsor a dance beginning at 7 p.m.
will have Nell’s Nails, 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Quilting for Charity is held each Wednesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
26 Central Crossing Senior Center, Shell Knob, will have WIC.
Pinochle is held each Thursday from 12:30-3 p.m.
27 The Pierce City Senior Center, 104 Locust
St., will host a dance from 7-10 p.m. Admission is $3. Finger foods are welcome. For more information, call 417-476-5800 or 737-4900.
7 Second night of Ernte Fest at Freistatt. 8 The Shell Knob Chamber of Commerce
Central Crossing Senior Center
28 The City of Cassville will be having the
annual Fall Sidewalk Sale on Friday and Saturday, Aug. 28 and 29.
Cards Galore is held each Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Dances
The Seligman Chamber of Commerce will host a dance at the Seligman Chamber Event Center at 7 p.m. on the following dates: Aug. 8, 15, 20 and 22. Admission is $4 each and attendees are asked to bring snacks to share. Teens are welcome, and there is no admission fee for teens. No alcohol or smoking is allowed. For more information, call 417-662-3612.
The Monett Senior Center will host a dance at 7 p.m. on Aug. 3. There is a $3 cover charge and the band will be Evelyn Locke and the Outriders from Shell Knob. Snacks are welcome.
The Pierce City Senior Center, 104 Locust St., will host a dance from 7-10 p.m. on Aug. 27. Admission is $3. Finger foods are welcome. For more information, call 417-476-5800 or 737-4900.
The Cassville Senior Center’s regular monthly Birthday Lunch at noon.
29 The Wheaton Fire Protection District will
have its annual Barbecue in the Wheaton City Park. Serving will be at 11 a.m.
Second day for the Fall Sidewalk Sale in Cassville.
15 A Truck and Tractor Pull will be held at Ruby’s Event Park in Seligman sponsored by the Seligman Chamber of Commerce.
The Pierce City Senior Center, 104 Locust St., will be serving Breakfast from 7 to 10 a.m.
The Seligman Chamber of Commerce will sponsor a dance beginning at 7 p.m.
17 Central Crossing Senior Center, Shell Knob, will have Beyond Balance with Tina Reynolds at 11:30 a.m.
38 | AUGUST 2015
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CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 39
Ozark Methodist Manor
O
zark
honors history, looks to future Manor,
“My grandma lived and died here. I grew
Employees seem to appreciate the
one of Marionville’s larg-
Methodist
up playing tag in the trees and hunting
home-style environment as many have
est employers and longest-
Easter Eggs here. We’re still doing it. It’s
logged more than 10 years.
running entities, recently celebrated 90 years of service in the community. The facility is home to a continuing
wonderful.” Glenn also started a life-long career at Ozark Methodist Manor.
care retirement community, with 58 inde-
“I started in the kitchen in 1983,” she
pendent living cottages, 32 residential care
said. “I got my certified nurses aide cer-
apartments and 78 skilled nursing beds,
tificate here. I went to St. John’s School
nestled on 30 acres in the middle of Mari-
of Nursing in 1989 and got my LPN and
onville.
came back in 2013. This is my hometown,
The June 13 event offered free hot dogs, hamburgers, children’s activities, popcorn, Sno Cones, crafting demonstra-
we’re all a family.” That sentiment carries over to the employees at the manor.
“We have staff that’s been here 45 years,” Glenn said. “The director over the apartments has been here 27 years and our human resources director has been here 12 years. We have very little turnover.” The residents enjoy living at the manor as well. Frankie Neimeyer, who was doing a woodcarving demonstration during the celebration is one of the facility’s longterm residents.
tions and music throughout the afternoon,
“I tell everyone we hire to treat these
“I’m 92 years old and I’ve been here 22
as residents of the facility and community
people like they are my family,” Glenn
years,” Neimeyer said. “This is a nice re-
members came together to share memo-
said. “I don’t always know how they might
tirement home.”
ries and celebrate.
treat their own families, but they know to
“This is my home,” said Tracy Glenn,
treat our residents like they are the most
who has served as the director of nursing
important people in the world, because
at Ozark Methodist Manor for two years.
they are.”
40 | AUGUST 2015
His woodworking companion, Johnny Brisendine, 82, agreed. “I like it here,” he said. “I’ve been here 12 years. It’s a good place.”
Story and photos by Melonie Roberts
Residents at Ozark Methodist Manor got in on the celebration of the facility’s 90th anniversary, with friends, family and community members dropping by to visit and participate in the day’s events. Pictured is resident Lora Teague, who received a visit from her Schnauzer, Buddy, during the afternoon.
Tracy Glenn, executive director, Rachel Lacy, activity assistant, and Tinsley Marshall. Children also had the opportunity to participate in sack races and gobble down all of the hot dogs, hamburgers, Sno Cones, cookies and popcorn they could hold.
These residents of Ozark Methodist Manor were outside enjoying the 90th anniversary celebration and indulging in their favorite pastime, carving. From left, Frankie Neimeyer, 92, has been a resident of the facility for 22 years, while Johnny Brisendine, 82, has been living there for 12 years. “Carving is a hobby,” Brisendine said. “We do about whatever we want to here.”
Celebrating
90 years
of care
Food, fun and friendship were hallmarks of the day at the 90th anniversary celebration at Ozarks Methodist Manor in Marionville. Pictured, from left, are: Tinsley Marshall, Jaxon Marshall and Caidyn Johnson, who shared secrets and Sno Cones in the shade of an oak tree during the afternoon’s festivities.
CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 41
The DeLozier family has been an integral part of the history at Ozarks Methodist Manor. The facility operated under the direction of late Forest DeLozier for 22 years and one wing of the skilled nursing building is named in his honor. Pictured, from left, are members of the DeLozier family attending the facility’s 90th anniversary celebration: Ben, Krissy, Gene, Esther, Don and Chase.
Ozark Methodist Manor wasn’t always a skilled nursing facility. It was once home to Marionville Collegiate Institute, established
Kaitlin Gross and Autumn Kidwell enjoyed cherry Sno Cones at the 90th anniversary celebration at Ozark Methodist Manor in Marionville. The celebration featured free food, drinks, children’s activities, craft demonstrations and music.
after the Civil War. The Lawrence County Teachers Association started the school in 1865, Glenn said. It was then taken over by the Methodist Episcopal Church and named Marionville Collegiate Institute. Later, the college was moved to Carthage and converted to the Manor. The original bell and some of the stones bearing the dorm names are still on the property. It was in 1950 that construction on the independent living cottages began. Some of the collegiate buildings are still being used today.” The facility is undergoing some upgrades and improvements, including converting to an electronic-based medical records system. “We’re looking forward to our centennial celebration,” Glenn said. “We’re proud to be here. It’s a good place.”
42 | AUGUST 2015
Mike Schaefer, a crafter making old-fashioned corn husk brooms, was on hand to demonstrate his craft at the 90th anniversary celebration at Ozark Methodist Manor in Marionville. Schaefer and his wife, Sandy, who met at as crafters at Silver Dollar City, in Branson, have been making the brooms since 2001. Schaefer said the first broom corn was brought to the nation by Benjamin Franklin.
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Health
Tips for “A+” Nutrition this School Year
Check out these websites for more ideas and tips to create healthy meals for you and your family during the upcoming school year: SuperHealthyKids.com CookingLight.com/food/lunch-box-recipes-kids EatRight.org/resources/for-kids
As Labor Day approaches and the temperature begins to drop, it’s time to get geared up for the start of another school year. One important but sometimes overlooked factor to a child’s academic success is what they are putting on their plates at meal times. Studies show that healthy nutrition is essential to a child’s brain development and can improve their cognitive function, and even mood. The USDA’s National School Lunch program ensures that students are offered meals that provide one-third or more of the daily recommended intake for calories and key nutrients. Regardless of whether your child eats lunch at school, here are a few tips to help improve nutrition for your child during the school year:
Make time for breakfast
Plan ahead
Be a good role model
Children need to eat regularly to help fuel their growing bodies and minds. When kids (and adults) skip breakfast, they may not be able to perform at their best and may have a difficult time maintaining a healthy weight. Here are a few easy and healthy breakfast ideas: whole grain cereal with low-fat milk, diced fruit and yogurt, peanut butter on toast, or a breakfast “wrap” (a whole-grain tortilla filled with scrambled eggs, diced veggies and cheese).
The best way to ensure that your child has energy in the classroom and for after-school activities is to pack snacks and meals that will help keep them fueled up throughout the day. To save time and stress, spend an hour prepping meals and snacks for the week. Having healthy foods pre-packaged and ready to “grab and go” in containers or plastic baggies can make it easier to eat healthy on the run. You can even get your child involved with this. For example, they can help wash fruits and veggies, mix together a pasta salad, or make their own trail mix.
Have you ever heard the saying, “monkey see, monkey do?” Many parents know that kids will often copy what they hear or observe others doing. This goes for healthy eating, too. If your child sees you eating a variety of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, they are more likely to follow in your foot steps and do the same. Also, keep in mind that it can take up to seven or more exposures to a new food until a child may accept it.
Lindsay Sparks is a registered dietitian
fotolia.com2
at the Center for Health Improvement at Cox Monett Hospital. She obtained her bachelor of science degree in nutrition and dietetics and completed her dietetic internship with a concentration in rural health from Missouri State University. Lindsay loves to run and recently completed her first full marathon. When she’s not busy running or helping others with their nutritional needs, she enjoys spending time with her husband in the great outdoors of the beautiful Ozarks.
CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 45
Favorite after-school snacks
Playgroup Granola Bars
Banana Muffins
Power Bars
INGREDIENTS:
INGREDIENTS:
INGREDIENTS:
2 cups rolled oats 3/4 cup packed brown sugar 1/2 cup wheat germ 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 cup all-purpose flour 3/4 cup raisins (optional) 3/4 teaspoon salt 1/2 cup honey 1 egg, beaten 1/2 cup vegetable oil 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup all-purpose flour 1 tablespoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 cup mashed ripe banana 1/4 cup white sugar 1/4 cup sour cream 1 egg 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup quick-cooking rolled oats 1/2 cup whole wheat flour 1/2 cup wheat and barley nugget cereal (e.g. Grape-Nuts™) 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 beaten egg 1/4 cup applesauce 1/4 cup honey 3 tablespoons brown sugar 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 1/4 cup unsalted sunflower seeds 1/4 cup chopped walnuts 1 (7 ounce) bag chopped dried mixed fruit
DIRECTIONS: 1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Generously grease a 9x13 inch baking pan. 2. In a large bowl, mix together the oats, brown sugar, wheat germ, cinnamon, flour, raisins and salt. Make a well in the center, and pour in the honey, egg, oil and vanilla. Mix well using your hands. Pat the mixture evenly into the prepared pan. 3. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes in the preheated oven, until the bars begin to turn golden at the edges. Cool for 5 minutes, then cut into bars while still warm. Do not allow the bars to cool completely before cutting, or they will be too hard to cut.
46 | AUGUST 2015
DIRECTIONS: 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease muffin cups or line with paper muffin liners. 2. Mix together flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. In a separate bowl, beat together banana, sugar, egg and vanilla. Stir in the sour cream. Stir banana mixture into flour until just combined. Scoop batter into prepared muffin cups. 3. Bake in preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into center of a muffin comes out clean. Let cool before serving. For best flavor, place in an airtight container or bag overnight.
DIRECTIONS: 1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Line a 9 inch square baking pan with aluminum foil. Spray the foil with cooking spray. 2. In a large bowl, stir together the oats, flour, cereal, and cinnamon. Add the egg, applesauce, honey, brown sugar, and oil. Mix well. Stir in the sunflower seeds, walnuts, and dried fruit. Spread mixture evenly in the prepared pan. 3. Bake 30 minutes, or until firm and lightly browned around the edges. Let cool. Use the foil to lift from the pan. Cut into bars or squares, and store in the refrigerator.
Source: AllRecipes.com
Food
Zucchini Bread
Easy Snack Wraps
Toaster Oven Pizza
INGREDIENTS:
INGREDIENTS:
INGREDIENTS:
3 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon baking powder 3 teaspoons ground cinnamon 3 eggs 1 cup vegetable oil 2 1/4 cups white sugar 3 teaspoons vanilla extract 2 cups grated zucchini 1 cup chopped walnuts
12 (10 inch) flour tortillas 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese 1 head lettuce 1 (6 ounce) package sliced deli-style turkey 2 cups shredded carrots 2 cups minced tomato
1 bagel, sliced in half 1/2 cup tomato sauce 1/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese 1 small onion, sliced into rings 1 green bell pepper, chopped 1 (8 ounce) package sliced pepperoni sausage
DIRECTIONS: 1. Grease and flour two 8 x 4 inch pans. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). 2. Sift flour, salt, baking powder, soda, and cinnamon together in a bowl.
DIRECTIONS: Spread cream cheese evenly over the tortillas. Top the cream cheese with lettuce leaves. Arrange the turkey slices in even layers on top of the lettuce. Sprinkle the carrots and tomato over the turkey slices. Roll the tortillas into wraps. Cut the wraps diagonally into bite-sized pieces. Secure with toothpicks.
DIRECTIONS: 1. Spread bottom bagel half with tomato sauce; add cheese, onion, bell pepper and pepperoni. Place other half of bagel on top. 2. Preheat toaster oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). 3. Place bagel in preheated toaster oven and toast about 10 minutes, or until bagel is golden brown.
3. Beat eggs, oil, vanilla, and sugar together in a large bowl. Add sifted ingredients to the creamed mixture, and beat well. Stir in zucchini and nuts until well combined. Pour batter into prepared pans. 4. Bake for 40 to 60 minutes, or until tester inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool in pan on rack for 20 minutes. Remove bread from pan, and completely cool.
CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 47
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48 | AUGUST 2015
Monuments to a forgotten age Pierce City’s lime kiln still towers across the decades
L
et me take you for a walk. We’re going out sight of civilization and back in time. We start on the south side of the Highway 97
bridge over Clear Creek in Pierce City, just a little short distance from downtown. On the south side of the creek, we walk west, downstream, through the yard next to the highway and into the woods. The initial ground is very flat, evidence of an old road, unpaved and long forgotten. Once past the yard, the dense woods surround us. The woods are thick with chest-high foliage and many gnarled tree limbs fallen to the ground. Civilization slips away under the canopy of trees as the surrounding calls of unseen exotic birds replace the sound of cars in the distance. Even through the densest grass, a foot path surfaces. Follow it. Perhaps a half mile from the starting point — it’s hard to tell when all the landscape looks alike — you see something. Rising out of the ground stands a black shape, a sentinel between the sea of emerald leaves. Out of the jungle sticks part of a wall made of stacked hand cut blocks of stone, nearly a foot high and two or three feet long, heavier than a single man could lift. They stand stacked higher than your head at a corner, tilting, as if it could fall, yet so heavy that it may never fall. The wall recedes to a lower height, spilled here and there. A closer look reveals blocks running for a great distance. Behind it sit more massive blocks twice that size, with huge screws sunk into the stone,
Story and photos by Murray Bishoff
CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 49
on end, bolted to the wall and anchored by nuts nearly three inches wide. One of the outer walls seems to have an extra layer of stone, perhaps a cap, like the ancient Egyptians put a limestone cover over the pyramids that stayed in place until around 800 years ago, when locals stripped them, not remembering or caring why they were there. Somehow it continues to stand, a monument to a time and place forgotten. This site, these industrial ruins, are what’s left of Pierce City’s lime kiln, that massive industrial operation dating back to the city’s beginnings. According to H.A. Buehler’s 1916 book “The Lime and Cement Resources of Missouri,” published by the Missouri Bureau of Geology and Mines, the Pierce City lime operation began in 1882 by George Purdy, a Pierce City resident for whom the town of Purdy
Conveyor
was named, and his colleagues in Purdy, Nearby, buried in the ground,
McDowell and Company. Charles
stands the remnants of an underground
Raupp and Company bought them out
conveyer, the links descending out
the following year. Raupp built Pierce
of sight between twisted metal walls
City’s fabled opera house downtown.
sunk out of sight. A little farther rises
The company became C.A. Raupp and
an even greater wall of stones, out of
Sons from 1889 to 1899, after which
which sprouts plants and even small
Raupp’s son, William, became the ex-
trees topping the barricade that seems
clusive owner.
built into the hillside. Now overhead, you catch a glimpse of something else. Rising out of the higher hill, colored in a tannish tint, rises a tower, a four-sided
Bricks on the ground reflect many
monolith of stone, composed of small
points of origin. The lighter colored
even bricks, their edges sticking out like
tan bricks, the fire bricks that line the
exposed teeth, stretching up in narrow-
ovens, bear the words “St. Louis” and
ing width another 40 feet.
“Laclede.” One larger block bears the
The tower resembles a pyramid
clear imprint “A.P. Green Fire Brick
from some ancient civilization, swal-
Company, Mexico Mo.” and on the
lowed by the jungle, the logic of it erased
bottom is a distinctive oval imprint,
by time. The very top has broken off,
“W.L. Paden, Moulder” near the num-
and large holes have been punched in
ber 12. Pierce City, as part of the rail-
all four sides. A section of bricks, braced
road artery, brought its raw materials
together by steel, lies on the ground be-
from everywhere on the line, and in
side it. On the back, a railroad tie stands
turn shipped out its products. Tower through the trees
50 | AUGUST 2015
Second lime oven, (below) third lime oven
Chimney for third oven
a considerable distance, toppled from an unknown spot. Moss covered, the chimney lies broken but not shattered, another silent sentinel, like a toppled toy soldier, almost waiting for another to re-stack its parts so it can once again reach for the sky. Years of flooding has left a layer of mud over the valley. The concrete floor of the kiln is barely visible. Now it seems the blocks rise simply out of the dirt, and where the ovens stop, so did the entire operation. But no. The The mouth of the furnace under
wall appears a third oven. Added be-
only photo that survives of the kiln
the giant chimney that still stands has
tween 1900 and 1910, according to
from the turn of the century, preserved
been covered by debris. Not far be-
the city’s Sanborn Fire Protection
in ragtime composer Theron Bennett’s
yond the tower lays the remains of a
maps, the third oven is fully exposed,
scrapbook, shows a complex with sev-
second furnace, one caved in or com-
an archway of bricks opening around
eral buildings, extending twice the dis-
pletely disassembled. Its furnace lays
it. Yet this oven may be the most mys-
tance of the ovens. Scaffolding held a
more exposed, the line of fire bricks
terious of all, for it was built into the
track that ran over all three and back
visible as the front of the furnace
ground and remains intact behind
to a very large structure to the west,
drops just out of sight into the earth
the wall and under the earth. No exit
now swallowed in the undergrowth as
and stones encasing the business end
point is visible. Yet above it, lying on
if it never existed.
of the stove, buried in the wall of heavy
the ground is a different kind of chim-
All that is left of the nearby office
stones.
ney, perhaps 40 feet in length, built
building, located 60 feet from the out-
of concrete sections, spread out over
er wall of the kiln complex, is a corner
Continuing down the line of the
CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 51
Office bricks
entire water supply. Now the spring there has silted over or nearly disappeared. The quarry lake, where children once swam, is now this, a strange pool that rises and falls, enclosed by a berm of mining rubble, too remote to be hospitable, too unreliable to be safe, of stacked bricks. Fifteen years ago,
surface block much of the view, but be-
several walls stood. Owners then gave
yond them the clear water shimmers,
The kiln had its limits as a prof-
permission for the harvesting of bricks
rippling the reflection of the green
itable operation. Powered only by
for another use. So did the Romans in
landscape. According to legend, they
wood, the furnaces consumed all the
building St. Peter’s Basilica and other
mined until their digging cut too deep
nearby trees. Only a handful of ancient
surrounding buildings, pulling down
and hit water. The quarry filled and
trees remain. Next to the pile of bricks
ancient structures to reuse the marble
lost its usefulness as a mine.
that once represented the office stands
in newer, meaningful monuments.
a shimmering emerald in the sun.
The hydrology of Pierce City has
an elm tree that may have provided
Leading farther into the woods is a
changed over the decades. The city
shade for General W.A. Raupp, when
path so old and so worn that even to-
park lake used to provide the city’s
he came back to run the business after
day nothing grows on it, like the one in Harold Bell Wright’s “The Shepherd of the Hills,” the trail that nobody knows how old. Follow me. The trail leads deeper into the woods, around the edge of the bluff that extends overhead, where houses sit and residents oblivious to what lies below. Down a short distance, the canopy of trees breaks. Bare tree trucks scrape the open air where sunlight streams in. Come closer. Soon the ground drops away, leading downward and the view opens on a wide lake. A chorus of frogs confirms the body of water, and without the cover of trees overhead, the sound of trunks from the highways intrude on the setting. This was the original quarry, where the lime was mined. According to Buehler’s book, the lake sits a quarter mile long and 25 feet deep. Now, the trunks of dead trees sticking through the wet
52 | AUGUST 2015
Tower at Pierce City lime kiln
service as the adjutant general of the Missouri National Guard. The elm is now perhaps 15 feet around. Railroad tracks never reached into the site, leaving wagons as the only transport for bringing in the wood, and taking out the barrels of fine lime, cooked down from the stone cut from the ground. According to Buehler, analysis of the processed lime showed it had “superior” quality. There was a fourth oven as well, next to the bluff on the west end of town also mined. Together the four ovens produced 120,000 barrels a year. Cooking lasted for four hours, then the ovens were al-
lowed to cool before starting again.
erty, as it always has, alone, holding
Lifelong Pierce City resident Jack
its memories and the echoes of hard
George remembers seeing kiln work-
working men. In a little more than 60
ers trudging home after work ended
years, the ovens have been swallowed
at 5 p.m., covered with white dust.
by the woods, buried in the under-
Asked once if he ever worked at the
brush, disappeared from memory. Yet
kiln, Jack answered, “I never wanted
if you follow the trail that will not
to work that hard.”
disappear, the mighty structures still
The kiln shut down for good in 1954. It still sits on private prop-
beckon, casting a long shadow over time.
CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 53
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LOVIN’ THE LAKE
Do you have photos you would like to see published in Connection Magazine? Email them to connection@monett-times.com for consideration. Alisha Ginn submitted these photos from Fourth of July weekend at Table Rock Lake, Shell Knob.
CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 55
These photos of fun times at Table Rock Lake were submitted by Michelle Heimerman.
56 | AUGUST 2015
Larry and Charlotte Schoen of Monett recently enjoyed time with their children and grandchildren at Eagle Rock.
CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 57
Bottles & Brews Sam Adams Cream Stout
BEER, WINE
& SPIRITS
Visit our locations in
Monett Purdy and Cassville
58 | AUGUST 2015
Living up to its name of Cream Stout, this Sam Adams brew was inspired by the traditional English sweet stouts, is full of deep-roasted flavor and finishes with a smooth and lingering aftertaste that sits well on the palate. Earning a world-class rating from “The Bros” on BeerAdvocate. com, the beer pours dark with a mocha-ish head, and it smells mostly of roasted malt and coffee with a bit of chocolate sprinkled in.
Familia Camarena Tequila Silver
A 100 percent Blue Agave tequila coming from the Los Altos Highlands region of Jalisco, in eastern-central Mexico, Familia Camarena Tequila Silver is one of Mexico’s top-produced tequilas. Growing their agave at an altitude of 7,700 feet above sea level, the highest in the world, the Camarena family has been in business since 1938 and their recipe and process translates to a delicate flavor that goes well with a little salt and a little lime.
George Killian’s Irish Red
An amber lager brewed by Coors, George Killian’s Irish Red hails from a recipe created at Lett’s Brewery in Enniscorthy, Ireland, in 1864, and is named after the grandson of the brewery’s founder. In 1997 and 1998, the beer took silver medals at the Great American Beer Festival, and it took a gold medal in the 1998 Brewer’s Association Beer Cup.
New Belgium 1554
A true favorite of dark lager lovers, New Belgium’s 1554 uses a lager yeast strain and dark chocolaty malts to achieve its dark, smooth taste. The Fort Collins, Colo., company’s researcher lost the original recipe for the brew in a flood in 1997, but he and his brewmaster decided to take to Belgium to retrieve the recipe. After deciphering an antiquated script and working through outdated units of measurement, the pair finally brought back the Belgian beauty.
House Handles
70-year old handle business one of Cassville’s oldest
T
he House family owns and operates one of the oldest industries in the area, the
handle business. As the story goes, founder William House bought handles from three handle manufacturers, loaded them up in his truck and peddled the handles wherever he went. He continued sell-
ing handles until 1976, when he retired. William’s son, Kenny House, 76, said he enjoyed working with his father and recalls the times they spent together. “We peddled in things,” Kenny said. “We’d buy handles then take them out and peddle them. We’d be gone a minimum of two weeks. We’d split up when we were out on the road. I’d have one truck he’d have another. Then we’d meet up somewhere and usually find a place to do something together.” In 1964, Kenny joined his father
Chris House, who owns and operates House Handle Company in Cassville with father Kenny House, shows customer Bill Cologna some old tools. Cologna had driven all the way from Springfield to find a handle for his strawberry hoe. The company makes 300 types of handles for farm, industry and individuals and has been selling handles for more than 70 years.
in the business and began making his own handles. “That’s why I started making them,”
According to Kenny, the farmer
plants, the same ones I’d been buying
he said. “I didn’t like being away from
would not sell him the old, rusted
from, and just progressed from there,”
home, so that’s when I started getting
lathes until he dug them out of the
he said. “It kind of got bigger than I
machinery together to make a factory.
field they had been sitting in, took
ever thought it would be.”
We really didn’t start turning handles
them apart, and made the parts move
Over the next 40 years, the com-
until we came to downtown Cassville
and work again, which took House
pany grew exponentially. Today, it has
in 1963. My wife and daughter went
three entire days.
about 16 employees, and has turned
with me on a few trips, but I don’t think
“I went to his house in Arkan-
she enjoyed it (the travel) a whole lot.
sas and they were out in the briars,”
“A lot of my competition is no lon-
My daughter was a baby. Things were
he said. “I took it all apart and about
ger around,” Kenny said. “We send
a lot different then.”
three days later put a motor on it and
handles all over the U.S. and other
got it going.”
countries. That’s how we got where
To get started, Kenny bought two
out millions of handles.
old lathes from a farmer south of Ea-
Kenny learned how to use the ma-
gle Rock, and House Handle Compa-
chines to make handles, and the com-
That and hard work, he added.
ny was born. But it wasn’t easy getting
pany grew.
Kenny said they’ve done a few spe-
the machines.
Story and photos by Julia Kilmer
“After that, I bought three other
we’re at.”
cialty things, too.
CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 59
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Toll
“We make an enormous amount of things for a company in Florida that makes beach umbrellas,” he said. “We furnish lots of the wood for them.” Kenny said the thing he has enjoyed most is just going out working and working with his son. “Really,” he said. “I’m out there at 5 every morning. I’ve just enjoyed the work, and having my son right there with me. That’s what I like best.” But as far as special jobs or requests, he said his son Chris is the one to ask. “He will do anything for anybody,” Kenny said. There are no retirement plans in the near future, as Kenny said he is going to keep going until he can’t anymore.
Chris House, who owns and operates House Handle Company in Cassville with his father, Kenny House, uses a tool to change out the blades on one of the lathe machines they use to make handles.
“I’ve always done what I wanted to do when I wanted to do it,” he said. “Isn’t that
mers, or general work tools, for instance,
late 1800s and early 1900s and, surpris-
what you do when you retire? So I’m just
are made of iron and rarely wear out, but
ingly, still work. The machines were made
going to keep on going that way.”
the wooden handles eventually do. House
by a manufacturer called Defiance.
Today, three generations have had a hand in running the successful handle business. Kenny’s son, Chris House, joined his father in 1992. After he graduated from high school in
Handle Company can give customers a new handle on things. Whatever the tool — an axe, hammer, rake, pitchfork, or hoe — they’ve probably got one, or can make it.
“If any part breaks, I have to make a new part for it because they’re not made anymore,” he said. But he enjoys working with the machines.
1990, Chris went to college for a couple of
“We make 300 different types of han-
“All of the old machines were made
years, but realized he wanted to be work-
dles,” Chris said. “They can stop in and we
back in the early 1900s,” said Kenny, who
ing with his dad and has been running the
sell them the handle, then they install it or
still has the old lathe he dug out of a field
business with him ever since.
put it on.”
so long ago. “We still have the ones I
“I always knew he’d go to college but
The company specializes in hickory,
come back,” Kenny said. “It doesn’t take a
white oak and ash tool handles for farm
Chris gathered up an old pitchfork,
college education to run a handle factory.”
and industry, and gets their wood from
strawberry hoe, standard garden hoe and
The company has been at its current
several states, such as Tennessee and Ken-
shop hammer out of his truck, none of
tucky.
which have handles.
location off Highway 86 between Exeter and Cassville since 1989. For those who
“We get it from all over,” Chris said.
may remember, it was previously was be-
One customer who stopped in drove in
hind Surplus City in Cassville. Today, the company sells primarily to
from Springfield looking for a handle for a strawberry hoe.
bought but don’t use it anymore.”
“I’ve been saving these in my garage from the winter that I’ve been hauling around with me,” he said. With all their experience making and
wholesalers for farm and industry, but will
“I’ve been all over Springfield look-
providing handles to various industries
also help anyone who needs a handle of
ing for a handle and couldn’t find one, so
and individuals, Kenny and Chris have a
some sort for a tool.
someone sent me here,” said Bill Cologna.
pretty good handle on things.
Like an old, favorite rake or garden tool
“We work with a lot of unique stuff,”
For more information or questions,
that is still in good condition but the han-
Chris said. “If you have a unique tool, you
people may call House Handle Company
dle broke? Instead of throwing it away and
can come here to get a specific fit for it.”
at 417-847-2726 or 1-800-260-6455.
buying a new one, a customer can contin-
Chris said he likes working on the lathe
People may also visit their website to
ue to use it for years by just replacing the
machines, of which they have about seven
peruse all the different types of handles at
handle. Many old farm, gardening, ham-
or eight, some of which date back to the
HouseHandle.com.
CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 61
Barry County steeped in
folk arts Missouri Folk Arts program supports artists with grants For more information on the Missouri Folk Arts program or apprenticeship program, people may visit http://mofolkarts.missouri.edu/
Several local and area musicians collectively gathered for an afternoon jam session to entertain visitors with bluegrass sounds at the first-ever Heritage festival.
62 | AUGUST 2015
Story and photos by Julia Kilmer
Director of the Missouri Folk Arts program Lisa Higgins points to one of many Missouri artists displayed on a kiosk to show visitors the rich history of artisans spanning several decades from Missouri who influenced culture. Higgins helped coordinate the first-ever Heritage Festival. Higgins said that their program has helped sponsor and fund five programs this year at state parks, and they hoped to return next year.
Blacksmith Bob Patrick works to transform a red-hot piece of metal into a unique creation. Patrick was one of several crafters demonstrating their craft at the first-ever Heritage Festival.
F
Bootmaker Joe Patrikus of JP’s Boots enjoys a good laugh with customer Deb Lewis while cutting out a new pair of boots. Lewis and her daughter-in-law, Patrikus has been making hand-made, custom-fit boots since 1978.
olk art and folklore is not just
cil through the National Endowment for the
“What I know now is everyone has folk-
alive and well, but thriving in
Arts and has a staff of two, full-time profes-
lore,” she said. “You don’t have to be rural.
Missouri.
sionals and two graduate students.
Urban people have folklore. Academic people
At the first-ever Heritage
“Over the years, we’ve had 185 artists and
do. They are basically shared traditions that
Festival, held at Roaring River State Park in
400 apprentices in the program,” Higgins
are passed down orally. They are stories we
June, several folk artists were featured and the
said. “So, there’s no way we can showcase ev-
tell around campfires. I became really inter-
history of the genre celebrated. The event
eryone. But, of those five events we were able
ested in how these stories and traditions func-
was made possible by the Missouri Folk Arts
to cover artists from every decade. I think
tion in people’s everyday lives, how they keep
program and the Missouri Arts Council.
we’ve been able to showcase a good variety.”
communities together or separate, and how
“The reason we were at Roaring River
The Folk Arts program was previously
was in celebration of the apprenticeship pro-
known as the Missouri Cultural Heritage
Higgins became an intern with the Folk
gram, something we’ve had in place for 30
Center. It is a program of the Arts Council
Arts program and fell in love with the idea of
years,” said Lisa Higgins, director for the Folk
and is administered by the Museum of Art
working with people rather than books. She
Arts program. “We spent last year working
and Archaeology at the University of Mis-
has been working to promote folklore ever
with Missouri State Parks and historic sites
souri-Columbia. It builds cross-cultural un-
since.
showcasing a few of the artists that have been
derstanding by documenting, conserving and
There are many examples of what falls
involved in the program. We did five events in
presenting the state’s living folk arts and folk
under the broad category of folk arts. A folk
Kansas City, St. Louis, Jefferson City, Roar-
life in collaboration with Missouri’s residents.
artist could be someone who plays the fiddle;
ing River and the Current River. I think we
Higgins has been overseeing the program
makes quilts, boots, lace, metal works or wood
for half of its existence, working with local
carvings; performs Irish, Mexican, Slavic tam-
“We would really love to be able to return
artists and apprenticeship programs to pro-
buritza or Native American dance; crochets,
to Roaring River. If we could send one of the
mote the broad variety of culture and heritage
weaves rugs, tells stories, writes poetry, per-
apprenticeship teams to perform, that would
known as folk arts.
forms sacred acts such as drumming used in
booked about 50 artists.
be really cool. The scenery was beautiful. Once we look at our budget we will decide.” The program is funded by the Arts Coun-
As a student, Higgins was fascinated with folklore and literature, including oral traditions and legend.
they keep each other in line.”
Native American pow-wow ceremonies; or other arts. Dr. Jane Chu, chairwoman for the National
CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 63
Endowment for the Arts, said the arts are one
tive Americans and Irish artists.
and sent to the Missouri State Historical Society for their archive to use as a resource and
of the best avenues for synthesizing different
“Of course, there have been Irish artists
ideas, and for allowing every viewpoint, tradi-
with us for some time, like those that started
tion and innovation to have a place at the table.
the St. Louis Irish Arts program immigrated
“That’s so folks can go and do research,”
“The arts aren’t a matter of either/or, where
here in the 70s,” she said. “There are also Na-
Higgins said. “They have that information
one person wins and the other loses, where if
tive American traditions. Some of those have
stored to preserve the materials for students,
the conditions are one way, then they cannot be
been revitalized.”
professors or everyday people who are inter-
the other way,” she said. “Instead, they’re both/ and.”
The apprenticeship program is a vital part
for posterity.
ested in those traditions.”
of folk arts, wherein a younger apprentice
Higgins said there are nine grantees in folk
Many create forms of folk art every day
takes lessons from a master artist. Higgins said
arts, many related to fiddling or fiddle camps. A
as part of their livelihood, such boot-makers,
the first lessons were given in 1984. Of the 10
future goal includes promoting performances
blacksmiths, or boat-makers, or take their art
teams, two of the master artists survive.
of local folk artists.
form outdoors to local streams and rivers.
“Every year, we make an application avail-
“We’d like to find a venue in Columbia,”
“Folk artists today are modern,” Higgins
able on our website,” Higgins said. “We ask
Higgins said. “Every year, we try to find one
said. “They use power tools and sewing ma-
them to submit an application as a team, [the
location for a team to do a public presenta-
chines. They are innovative. We have a guy in
apprentice and the master artist], which con-
tion, such as a local festival, local library, just
Doniphan who makes wooden boats that look
sists of four parts: one part for each to com-
depends. Hopefully, we’ll be able to book them.
like green metal john boats, that have been used
plete, a lesson plan and a budget. Volunteer
We like to find a way to showcase them [artists]
on the Current River for years.
panelists who have some kind of expertise in
that’s close to home.
“That is their living. [The boats] are long, and low, and specifically built for that area that
the art form will meet, score their applications, and make recommendations.
“There was a youth fiddle troupe that performed, also Sugar Creek Slavic Festival in
has shallow, rocky rivers. Their art is their liv-
“After figuring out what our annual budget
Kansas City, and KDHX Double Helix Com-
ing. Or sometimes they just do it for the love
is going to be, we decide what amounts will be
ma radio station in Kansas City. They have a
of it.”
given. Those selected we get contracts with,
non-profit folk school. They apply for a grant
and they begin their lessons in November and
annually.”
Higgins said the boat-making is a tradition that’s been handed down in their family from generation to generation “There’s a lot of discussion about it being a dying art, but I think things just grow and
meet until June on a weekly basis.” Grants range anywhere from $2,000-3,000, and some larger groups could receive up to $10,000.
For more information on the Missouri Folk Arts program or apprenticeship program, people may visit http://mofolkarts.missouri.edu/. Higgins said to find folk art and folk lore in the community, just look around and ask
change, and I think that fiddling is an example
“It’s based on their scores, how well their
often given, because a lot of people think of it
proposals are written, what they ask for and
as historic art, as things that are fixed in time,”
funding,” Higgins said. “Most of the fund-
“You can start by identifying who does
she said. “I can find any number of fiddle con-
ing goes to the master artist for teaching, and
these things,” she said. “Who makes the best
tests and local jams and festivals where people
there’s some money for supplies. All the grants
turkey call, were would I get a good fiddle, or
are playing traditional music, and even people
are matched 1:1. They come up with the other
who is the best quilter in the area? Start asking
who just play at home every week. I think those
amount. But getting a Folk Arts program grant
questions and finding those people. Often, this
things are thriving.
can be a great tool when they go out to do
is being passed on.
“We really look at living traditions. That’s something that’s still important and vital to
fundraising, because they can say they’ve got our endorsement.
around.
“But, with people being more mobile and not staying in one place, or because we have
many people’s everyday lives. You can look at
“The goal is for the apprentice to improve
more responsibility in terms of work or family,
other communities and see the same. It could
by learning more, doing something more com-
we may not have as much time to learn these
be gospel music. It could be quilting.”
plex, explore repertoire, familiarize themselves
traditions.
Higgins said the program’s populations
with techniques or the aesthetics of the proj-
Higgins said master artists work with young
morph and change, as immigrants move into
ect, but also to understand the cultural impact.
people, but there’s also the heritage that’s asso-
communities and bring traditions with them.
They’re learning technique but also by ear and
ciated with the art form.
“We may not all be expert fiddlers or cro-
observation.”
“What we really want to do is try to encour-
cheters or weavers, but probably know some-
Higgins said it’s not a typical music or arts
age and keep the master artists alive and help
one in our families who do those things,” she
and crafts lesson. The lessons are intensive and
the apprentices to get better, to keep these tra-
said.
can last several hours or an entire weekend.
ditions going and pass them on to the future,”
Sessions are recorded with pictures or videos
she said.
Some examples Higgins gave were Na-
64 | AUGUST 2015
PROUD PARENT
Marlee Dedmon
is the 17-month-old daughter of Matt and Chrissy Dedmon of Springfield. Marlee is August’s cutest kid. Congratulations, Marlee!
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 under. The photos submitted will be used for the sole purpose of this contest.
CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 65
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Front Street 417-835-8111
Familiar faces Monett held its 69th annual Fourth on the main field of South Park on July 4.
of July celebration and fireworks show
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1. John Stout with Boomer Stout on his shoulders; 2. Cindy Perez, Alondra Perez, Olivia Gomez, Esmeralda Perez, Stephanie Gaucin; 3. Stephanie Anderson and niece Kloe Smith; 4. Jessy Painter, Desiree Castro, Andrew Justus; 5. Sharon & Henry Thomas; 6. Front: Jim & Lorrie Johnson. Back: Elin & Luke Blanchard; 7. Karter Preston, Michele Cox, Branden McDonald in stroller; 8. Luetta Burton, Melissa Brown, Sarah Burton, Andrew Brown; 9. Front: Emerson & Parade Wilkinson. Back: Haylee Heidlage with Londyn Cady, Ashley Steele
TiTle loans Pay Day loans Phone: 417-235-4200 • 775 Chapel Dr., Suite F, Monett, MO 65708 CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 67
11
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10. Front: Lacy, Megan & Alexis Norris. Back: Wyatt & Danny Norris; 11. Front: Tiffany & Alisha Franklin. Back: Twila Snodgrass, Patti Nash, Kaiyah McGlumphy, Larry Franklin, Kilyn Franklin; 12. Front: Kevin & Ashley Moncada. Back: Harold, Anally & German Moncada
The Monett Lions Club held its annual chicken
barbecue at South Park in Monett on July 4.
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1. Amanda, Vince & Melissa Gasser; 2. Rosa Schad, Meghan Ceselski; 3. Traven, Angie, Ariana Madison; 4. Lowell & Elizabeth Kelley; 5. Ike, Linh & Judy Hemphill; 6. Scott, Peggy, Kelly & Justin West
PO Box 37 • 816 Broadway Monett, MO 65708 jjfloor@suddenlinkmail.com 68 | AUGUST 2015
“A Little Store With Big Savings” Residential & Commercial Owned & Operated by Jim & Jayne Terry
Bus. (417) 235-0016 Fax (417) 235-6364 Res. (417) 442-7974
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7. Nelma Fly, Sherryl & Rick Osborn; 8. Eldred & Margaret Holle; 9. Paige Lewis, Charles & Hayley LaGarce, Alex Marsh, Libby LaGarce, Jean & Harold Boyd; 10. Front: Garrett & Grace Goff. Back: Michelle & Courtney Goff; 11. Ralph Scott, John Cheary; 12. Elivia & Nene Jackson
The 19th annual New Liberty United Methodist June 13 on the church grounds on Kings Prairie.
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Church ice cream social was held on
1. Frances Tucker, Sonny Drake, Leah Doty, David Tucker; 2. Robert & Louise Moore; 3. Kelsey Remington, Mary Woodruff; 4. Tammy Pinnell, Sue Luney, Chris Burbridge, Destiny Pinnell
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5. MaLinda King and Neva Welters; 6. Debbie Moore, Frank & Karen Washburn; 7. Austin, Justin, Allie Moore; 8. Betty Thomas, Vera McCord, Judy Watson; 9. Kathy & Charles Wallace; 10. Shirley & Jim Bass
Mt. Vernon held its Red, White
and Boom celebration on July 3 at the Spirit of 76 Park.
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1. Josie Johnston, Paige Bradshaw, Lauren Vaughn, Peyton Szydloski; 2. Miles & Melissa Huggins; 3. Collin Chulf, Dyllin Row, Lucas Orr, Justin Maples, Aaron Bishop; 4. Front: Addi Hohenfeldt, Hayden Logan. Back: Kandace Eck, KC Logan, Alexandria Gibson, Savannah Gibson; 5. Front: Tiffany McGlothlin, Tasha Gwin, Jaxson Shepard, Lane Roberts. Back: Danielle Bovee, Brittan Lee; 6. Ken & Emoree Shepard
70 | AUGUST 2015
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CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 71
My
Jacob Selleck, son of Stan and Tina Selleck of Exeter and a member of Victory Baptist Church, Cassville, recently participated in the National Bible Drills, held at First Baptist Church, Kingsland, Ga. Jacob represented the state of Missouri, one of 12 states participating in the event. Jacob is pictured holding a Connection magazine in Kingsland, Ga., and on a beach at Fernandina, Fla. Contributed photos
Jose and Judy Rodriguez took Connection Magazine with them on their trip back to Jose’s hometown of Ciales, Puerto Rico. They spent two weeks enjoying good food, great scenery and reconnecting with family.
Raymond and Mary McMeley traveled to Washington D.C. with Connection Magazine to visit their son and family. Pictured: Christian, Mary, Raymond, Brian, Winston and Benjamin.
Danny and Tammy Sparkman of Monett recently visited Dauphin Island, Ala., with their Connection Magazine. Pictured are Alex Sparkman and Ashton Prine, daughter of Jason and Jennifer Prine. They first went to West Monroe, La., then Dauphin Island, then Panama City, Fla., then back to Dauphin Island in seven days, before heading back to Monett. The trip was from May 30 to June 6.
Rose, Sydney and Lisa Newman of Exeter spent the last week of May on the island of Maui. While there, they toured Pearl Harbor and the north and south shores. They enjoyed a tour to Hana, a luau and a dinner cruise on the Princess of Maui, where they brought along their Connection Magazine.
72 | AUGUST 2015
Murray Bishoff, news editor for The Monett Times, and his wife, Julie, took Connection Magazine with them during a recent trip to Times Square in New York.
AD INDEX Acambaro Mexican. . . . . . . . . . . 11
Four Seasons Realty . . . . . . . . . . 44
Old Town Pharmacy . . . . . . . . . . 71
Ava Belle’s Flea Market. . . . . . . . . 9
Four States Dental Care. . . . . . . 12
Peppers and Co.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Barry Electric Coop. . . . . . . . . . . 31
Freedom Bank of Southern
Pitiful to Posh. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Beer Cave. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Missouri. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Race Brothers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Bennett Wormington
Ginabinabiz. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Ramey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Funeral Home. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Grande Tire. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Repurposed Faire. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Cassville Health & Rehab. . . . . . 32
Guanajuato. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Scott Regional Technology . . . . . 9
Children’s Smile Center. . . . . . . . . 9
Houlihans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Second Chance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
Community National Bank. . . . . 27
Hudson Collision. . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Security Bank of SWMO. . . . . . 66
Cornerstone Bank. . . . . . . . . . . . 48
ILA Bohms. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Shelter Ins. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Country Dodge. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
J&J Floor Covering . . . . . . . . . . . 68
Shiners. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
Cox Medical Centers. . . . . . . . . . 76
The Jane Store. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Smile Designers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Crane Broiler Festival. . . . . . . . . 37
Ken’s Collision Center. . . . . . . . . 31
Sunrise Family Restaurant. . . . . 75
Crane Family Dentistry. . . . . . . . 43
Lackey Body Works. . . . . . . . . . . 24
Superior Spray Foam. . . . . . . . . . 39
Dairy Queen. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Les Jacobs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Swartz Tractor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Diet Center. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Macadoodles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Tomblin’s Jewelry. . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Doug’s Pro Lube . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Michael Riehn, Atty. . . . . . . . . . . 27
Trogdon Agency. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Eastside Church of Christ. . . . . . 15
Missouri Loan Center. . . . . . . . . 67
Vision Health Eye Center. . . . . . 11
Edgewood Creamery. . . . . . . . . . 48
Mocha Jo’s. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Whitley Pharmacy. . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Edward Jones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Monett Main Street. . . . . . . . . . . 23
Wickman Gardens. . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Farm Pro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Monett Rental & Sales . . . . . . . . 23
Willis Insurance Agency. . . . . . . 44
First State Bank. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Morton Buildings. . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Youngberg Chapel. . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Fohn Funeral Home. . . . . . . . . . . 24
Bob Whitescarver, Gary Youngblood, Gary Emerson and Jim Barb stopped by Niagara Falls with their Connection Magazine on a motorcycle trip to Maine.
Dolores Vaughn, Anthony Robertson, Andrew Romine, Donald and Pam Robertson, Lori Romine, Daylie Allen, Lenard and Marilyn Sanders, Tom and Margie Fenske and Linda Caveneau recently traveled to Yellowstone Park and took an issue of Connection Magazine.
Dr. Ken and Ann Hall celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with Connection Magazine during a trip to Durango, Colo. The couple rode the narrow-gauge train from Durango to Silverton.
CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 73
Parting shot
“Education is the most powerful weapon, which you can use to change the world.” — Nelson Mandela 74 | AUGUST 2015
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76 | AUGUST 2015