Don’t be afraid to get a little muddy

Shawn Fleis loves riding his Honda Talon on his property in Pevely, as well as at St. Joe State Park and Lake Hanna.

COURTESY OF LEADBELT POWERSPORTS

“IT’S LIKE A WHOLE COMMUNITY OF PEOPLE THAT YOU END UP MEETING AND GO RIDING WITH AND

IT’S JUST A BLAST.” -SHAWN FLEIS

Riding their side-by-sides together is the new favorite family activity for Forney, her husband Jason, and their three boys Drew, Ethan and Dillon, ages 21, 18 and 16.

They used to have a boat, but they can use the side-by-sides more. Within the past year, they have bought two of the UTVs.

“So just be able to use that all-year round, where the pontoon boat or the speed boat, you can only use three months out of the year,” she said. “(It’s) a family thing just being able to get out, hang out with friends, ride, enjoy the fresh air (and) sunshine.”

The Forney family bought a 2020 Can-Am Maverick X3 and 2016 Polaris RZR 900 from Midwest Sports in Farmington.

General Manager Josh Harris said it’s probably the biggest growing business right now.

Ethan, Sarah and Jason Forney enjoy one of the area’s most popular off-road riding sites at St. Joe

State Park. PHOTOS BY BRANDON SCHELDT

“(Side-by-sides are) probably the most popular thing you can buy today,” he said. “Everybody wants one.”

Side-by-sides are everywhere in the Parkland. Of course, you can see them out at St. Joe State Park and out on trails and gravel roads.

But it’s not just outside of town.

Harris lives in Bonne Terre and he said some parents ride them to school to pick up the kids or they ride them through downtown to get a burger. If you ride by the Desloge City Park on a Saturday, you’ll find them parked there, too.

“A lot of places like parts of Jefferson County, just about all of St. Francois County, except for Farmington, you can ride them on the roads,” he explained. “The state statute says you can ride within three miles of your residence.”

He said they are popular everywhere, not just the Parkland, for the fun, outdoor entertainment they provide for the whole family.

“It’s something that everybody can do and enjoy,” he added. “And they’re safe because they’ve got seatbelts and roll cages, so they’re a lot safer than the old ATVs.”

Chris Williams, owner of Leadbelt PowerSports in Farmington, said he just can’t keep them in stock.

“We’ve sold orders just as soon as they come in,” he said. “The customers already put the down payment on it, the deposit on it, they’re gone.”

They are popular with people from every walk of life, Williams said, “from farmers to weekend warriors.”

Since they’ve bought theirs, the Forneys have added things like bigger tires, mud flaps, and a light bar.

They’ve taken them to ride trails at Pruitt Mountain in Caledonia, Palmer Lake in Washington County, Brushy Creek Lodge in Black, and Moonlight Racing Off-Road Area in Sullivan.

“In October, we’re hauling it nine hours to Tennessee for a week trip,” Sarah Forney added.

They like the adventures of the trails, but they also take them out on the roads of Terre Du Lac and to participate in poker runs.

Wherever they use them, they like to have fun with groups of family and friends.

“We’ve met tons of new people having a side-by-side,” she said.

Shawn Fleis and his wife, Dawn, who live in Jefferson County, bought a Honda Talon 1000X from Leadbelt PowerSports in October.

“I’ve always, always wanted one and so did she,” he said. “So we decided to buy one. We were in the right position to get one. So we got one and we have a blast on it.”

Since getting it, he has added a windshield and a sound bar.

They love to bring their side-by-side to St. Francois County to ride at St. Joe State Park and Lake Hanna.

They also own a 12-acre piece of property in Pevely that Fleis has cut trails on to ride.

“But I’d really liked to go to a few of these other states that have really cool trails and ride,” he added. “We plan on making trips to Tennessee, to Arkansas to ride some of their trails, also.”

When talking about what he likes about the UTV, Fleis said he loves how it rides and handles. He likes that it’s not belt driven but has its own sub-transmission.

“I also like that it has paddle shifters and you can put it in manual mode or automatic mode,” he added. “When you’re in automatic mode, you can go ahead and just hit the paddle shifters and take it over anytime you want. I think that’s pretty awesome.”

As for his wife, she doesn’t like to go as fast as him on it.

“She just likes to trail ride with it and have an adult beverage while we’re riding around on the trails, floating around on trails,” he said. “And she likes to hit some of the mud puddles, also.”

Fleis agrees with Forney that buying a side-by-side brings its own community.

“It’s like a whole community of people that you end up meeting and go riding with and it’s just a blast,” he said. “You meet new people and you go riding with friends and everything. You get a group of people together and hit the trails all day and it doesn’t get much better than that.”

OTHER POPULAR OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES IN THE AREA INCLUDE: Mountain biking

The Parkland area now has one of the nation’s premier mountain biking parks right in its own backyard.

Shepherd Mountain Bike Park in Ironton officially opened to the public this spring. It’s open seven days a week except when there is an event.

The park has five gravity trails – two black, two blue, and one green – a climbing trail, and a shuttle trail.

The Wheel House at Highway 21 and Russell Street is the hub where riders can park, check in, purchase/pick

Shepherd Mountain Bike Park just opened outside of Ironton and is already drawing enthusiasts

from all over the country. COURTESY OF SHEPHERD MOUNTAIN INN

up shuttle tickets, and catch a shuttle to the trail. There are also restrooms, showers, and a bike wash.

In phase two of the park, they are hoping to add 10-15 miles of cross country trails, a connecting bridge across the lake, one to three additional downhill trails on the lake side, and bike paths connecting the cities in Arcadia Valley.

Disc golf

There are currently six disc golf parks in the area: Engler Park in Farmington, Mineral Area College, Columbia Park in Park Hills, Bonne Terre Park, Potosi City Park, and Arcadia Valley Sports Complex.

If you are looking for league play, Mineral Area Disc Golf plays random draw doubles on Thursday nights at 5:30 p.m., alternating courses each week, and handicap singles on Sunday mornings at 10 a.m., usually at Engler Park.

The MAD Golf Ladies League plays at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesdays on alternating courses. For more information, visit the MAD Golf Facebook page.

Trout fishing

Giessing Lake in Farmington’s Engler Park is stocked with trout at the beginning of November every year for the Winter Trout Program, which is a partnership between the city of Farmington and the Missouri Department of Conservation.

In addition to the requirement that anglers between the ages of 16 and 64 have a fishing permit, there are additional regulations that must be followed.

Between Nov. 1 and Jan. 31, the fish are for catch and release only. No trout may be possessed. Approved baits include artificial lures, flies and unscented plastic baits. No natural bait or chum is allowed and there is to be only one pole per person.

Between the dates of Feb. 1 and Oct. 31, the daily limit is four fish and each angler can have a maximum of three poles.

Kayaking

The Millstream Gardens Conservation Area in Madison County is the state’s only whitewater kayaking area. When the St. Francis River is high, especially after the spring rains, and it flows through the Tiemann Shut-Ins, it creates the perfect rapids for boaters.

According to the Missouri Department of Conservation, Millstream Gardens is a 916-acre tract of land which holds the large igneous rock of Tiemann Shut-ins and is part of the Missouri Natural Area System connecting to the Silver Mines Recreation Area.

In March, it is home to the annual Missouri Whitewater Championships. PL

There are six disc golf parks in the area including Engler Park in Farmington.

Kayakers frequent Millstream Gardens Conservation and Silver Mines Recreation Areas as they can start upstream and enjoy the ride all the way through both areas.

Chris Stegall of Bonne Terre shows off the trout he caught at Giessing Lake in Engler Park on the first day of trout harvesting in February.

SPONSORED CONTENT Coldwell Banker Hulsey

#GUIDINGYOUHOME. #LEAVEYOURMARK. #MAKINGITHAPPEN.

These hashtags are simple reminders that Coldwell Banker Hulsey’s full-time, fullservice agents are dedicated to helping their customers find their forever homes. From the first phone call to the closing table, they’re there every step of the way.

The agents’ strong work ethic and dedication are evident because the business has earned the No. 1 top sales ranking in real estate offices in the Mineral Area since the early 1990s.

Cecil M. Hulsey founded Hulsey Real Estate in Farmington in 1965. Since then, Hulsey started the longstanding tradition of creating a team of experienced and trusted real estate advisors.

Their longevity has continued for nearly 60 years.

Hulsey remained owner and broker of the business until he retired at 90. Kim Hutson, who started working at the agency in 2004, purchased the company with husband Brian in December 2015.

As broker and owner of Coldwell Banker Hulsey, Hutson has 27 agents on staff who offer a wealth of knowledge and longevity at the franchise. Tom Stanfield has been a licensed real estate agent since the 1970s. He and Mary Gilliam, both brokers, have been employed at the agency since 1985 helping a few generations.

Coldwell Banker Hulsey’s agents have a professional license to assist with buying and selling of real estate. They locate hard-tofind properties and focus on the Farmington and Southeast Missouri areas including Desloge, Bonne Terre, Leadington, Ironton, Park Hills, Doe Run, Potosi, Terre Du Lac, Ste. Genevieve and Fredericktown.

“The amount of knowledge and experience which our agents and brokers possess is very impressive,” said Hutson, “and they are always eager to help you locate your dream home, land, farm or commercial property.”

Hutson and her staff enjoy working together as a team and have continued Hulsey’s mentality of “if you like what you do, you never work a day in your life.” They also have a strong presence in the community and give back to organizations in need through their monthly donations as well as through their yearly

Designer Bag Bingo and the Jingle and Mingle events. “It’s really important to us to give back to the community that has given so much to us over the years,” said Hutson. Coldwell Banker

Hulsey is open anytime by appointment and is located only a block from the St. Francois County Courthouse in beautiful downtown Farmington.

“We’re always ready to work for you!” said Hutson.

Coldwell Banker Hulsey

32 East Liberty Street, Farmington 573-756-5711 coldwellbankerhulsey.com

DOING BUSINESS IN THE PARKLAND

From left are First State Community Bank CEO/ President Matt Sebastian, Assistant Vice President/ Privacy Officer Kristin Gilbert, Chief Risk Officer Sara Colantuono and Board Chairman Greg Allen. Colantuono started the Impact Initiative Project which Gilbert is now leading.

PHOTO BY BRANDON SCHELDT | SPONSORED CONTENT First State Community Bank

Communityled banking. These powerful words are put into action by First State Community Bank with their Impact Initiative Project.

Sara Colantuono, current chief risk officer, created the bank-wide project in 2016 in which all employees could be part of to help make a difference in their communities.

As an executive officer with the bank, Colantuono saw needs everywhere, from children having difficulty staying focused at school because they were hungry, to people without homes and those who needed food and shelter.

“That’s where this project started, to help fulfill some of those needs,” she said. “Ultimately, my goal of the project was to inspire and build better lives within our communities.”

Kristin Gilbert, assistant vice president/privacy officer, now leads the Impact Initiative Project. She travels throughout the 57 FSCB branches in Missouri, from Marshall to the Bootheel and everywhere in between, to encourage participation in the project.

Gilbert said the initiative is not a cookie-cutter project because all of the markets have different needs.

“We empower each of our markets to find needs within their communities to make an impact through this project,” she said.

FSCB employees at the individual branches choose which organizations they help throughout the year. This involves meeting organization representatives, learning about their purpose and who they serve, and determining their needs.

Examples of community projects include purchasing items such as diapers, clothing and shoes, food, and appliances; assisting women and children’s shelters; and helping first-time home buyers with budgeting.

“We assist people who have lost their way in life and are trying to get back on their feet or some who have even been incarcerated and trying to rebuild their lives,” said Colantuono.

Gilbert said helping break the cycle of poverty through FSCB’s financial programs is also important. They help participants learn about wants vs. needs, opening savings accounts, balancing a checkbook and more.

“Sometimes kids aren’t taught because their parents weren’t taught how to save money,” she said. “If we can break that cycle and teach them, that’s our goal and part of our outreach.”

Gilbert continued, “The FSCB team members carry it forward and make an impact because part of who we are is that we thrive on giving back to our communities.”

As the organization grows and its footprint is expanded, Gilbert sees the impact project growing and having an influence on other communities even where there are no FSCB locations.

“The ultimate goal is to help all communities within the state,” she said.

The projects have grown bigger, better and more creative.

Overall, $443,000 in monetary donations have been given through the project. In 2020 alone, $195,000 was donated.

“What our team members take from these projects is humbling for them,” Gilbert said, “because we make an impact within the organizations but also with our employees.”

This initiative is more than just buying backpacks or providing winter coats. It’s about creating interaction between the community and FSCB and having an overall positive impact on all involved.

“Being part of this project and seeing the final result is the best part of my job,” said Gilbert.

Whether it’s through their Impact Initiative Project or providing free financial courses and videos on their website, FSCB has grown since opening its doors in 1954. But nearly 70 years later with 770 employees at 56 different branches, they remain true to their roots and continue to focus on building strong relationships within their communities.

First State Community Bank

Over 50 Branch Locations www.fscb.com

DOING BUSINESS IN THE PARKLAND

PHOTO BY BRANDON SCHELDT | SPONSORED CONTENT Cozean Memorial Chapel and Crematory

Few businesses can boast to have been open for a century and a half. But Cozean Memorial Chapel and Crematory has a rich history stretching back 157 years and is one of the oldest mortuary establishments in the state.

Cozean’s commitment to its community is deeply rooted in Missouri history. The business was originally organized in 1864 by Thomas Lang, one of Farmington’s leaders during the 19th century. Later that same year Lang was given permission to cross Union lines to Fort Davidson in order to return casualties of the battle of Pilot Knob back to the Farmington area for funeral services and burial.

The Lang family’s commitment to excellence in funeral service continued when the business was sold to Henry Rinke, pioneer embalmer who operated Rinke Undertaking Co. in Flat River.

Rinke, Flat River’s first mayor, along with his daughter and son-in-law, Elva and Rolla Cozean, renamed the business Cozean Funeral Home. But ties to the past weren’t severed in 1916; the business’s corporate name, the Farmington Undertaking Company, is still retained to this day.

Significant changes later took place in 1930 when the business was expanded to a larger building on North Washington Street where Elva coordinated many different aspects of the firm’s operations.

Continued growth prompted a move for the business in 1940 to its present location on the corner of West Columbia and “A” streets.

Three years later, Rolla and Elva’s son Charles Hugo took over the business, which he continued to expand for the next 40 years.

It was in 1983 when Jon Cozean, living in Washington, D.C. at the time, moved back to Missouri immediately after his father died so he could help with the family business.

Although it was an adjustment at first from his career in journalism, Jon grew to thoroughly enjoy his work in the family business. He believed in helping people and found numerous places in the business where he could make improvements. He attended many funeral directing seminars to learn and modernize the business, including updating their records using computers, and he took on leadership roles in the Missouri Funeral Directors Association.

In 1993 and 1994, the building was remodeled and enlarged to make it the largest facility in this part of the state. Additional changes occurred in 2000 to enlarge and expand the main visitation room. A new parking lot has since been added adjacent to the funeral home.

Jon Cozean, owner and operator, is the fourth generation of funeral directors to operate the family business. He and his staff continue the excellent professional service and care for the bereaved. They have earned numerous prestigious national awards for their work. Jon has been recognized as past president of the Missouri Funeral Directors Association and a longtime member of Missouri Funeral Trust Board of Directors.

The business is the exclusive invitation-only area member of the two leading national professional organizations, the National Selected Funeral Directors and the International Order of the Golden Rule.

In addition, the firm’s unique professional webcasting capabilities were recently featured in a fourpage article in a national funeral profession magazine.

Nearly 160 years later, Cozean Memorial Chapel and Crematory continues its longstanding tradition of award-winning service and impact on this community.

Cozean Memorial Chapel & Crematory

217 W. Columbia St. Farmington, MO (573) 756-4541 Cozeanfuneralhome.com Monday-Friday 7:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Saturday 7:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Sunday Closed Available by phone 24 hours a day

DOING BUSINESS IN THE PARKLAND

PHOTO BY BRANDON SCHELDT | SPONSORED CONTENT Midwest Sports Center

“On the road, off the road or on the water. Midwest Sports Center is your ultimate outdoor toy store.”

Listeners might have heard Josh Harris’ radio commercial advertising all kinds of “outdoor toys.” The list of playtime possibilities to choose from at Midwest Sports is expansive: motorcycles, ATVs, side-by-side UTVs, scooters, personal watercraft and lawn mowers. Numerous in-stock items come from Missouri dealers including Kawasaki, Polaris, Can-Am, Spyder, Suzuki, Sea-Doo, Kymco and Toro.

Customers can choose from new inventory or pre-owned items and utilize secure financing with competitive interest rates with additional accessories included in the total package if desired.

“We offer quality products and service at an affordable price in a friendly atmosphere,” said Harris. “We’re big enough to cover the broad range of any equipment needs you may have, yet small enough to greet you on a firstname basis and take care of your unique needs.”

Customers can easily schedule service appointments online or by phone and order accessories by filling out an online parts request form.

“We really strive to roll out the red carpet to our customers because they’re our top priority,” said Harris. “The majority of our customers are referrals from previous customers, so we feel that speaks highly of our business.”

Harris said that even though Midwest Sports isn’t always perfect, the difference is that they “make it right.”

“If we make a mistake, we own up to it and fix the problem,” he said. “We make our customers the focus of our business and always strive to put their needs first.”

Midwest Sports customers are people of all ages: families, farmers, teenagers, middle-aged adults and even grandparents who often select six-seat passenger UTVs to drive with their grandchildren.

“People love the outdoors,” said Harris, “from off-roading, riding down to the river, trail rides and spending time together outdoors as a complete family event with side-by-sides.”

The three Midwest Sports Center locations in Farmington, Festus and Poplar Bluff are locally owned and operated with 42 staff members.

Janet Phegley and Harris have been partners since 2008. The first store, the Midwest Sports location in Farmington, opened in 1996.

As a kid, Harris had fourwheelers and motorcycles. He still loves the outdoors and “outdoor toys.”

“I absolutely love the products we sell,” he said. “My job is a dream job because I knew it would be the best job I could ever have while working in a giant ‘toy store.’”

But he doesn’t consider his job work.

“It’s not really a job if you love what you do,” he said.

Midwest Sports Center sponsors and participates in many community activities and fundraisers including Shop With a Cop and Fallen Heroes. They work directly with local chambers of commerce and will be part of Desloge’s Labor Day Picnic and upcoming Rally at the Mines in October.

“Call or stop in today and see what we can do for you,” said Harris. “You’ll be glad you did!”

Midwest Sports

124 Walker Drive, Farmington 573-756-7975 Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

DOING BUSINESS IN THE PARKLAND

PHOTO BY PAM CLIFTON | SPONSORED CONTENT ENT & Allergy of Southeast Missouri

Dr. Steven Wade’s maternal grandfather James W. “J.W.” Henson was a POW for 10 months in Nazi Germany in World War II. He lived a quiet life as a rancher and was an ideal role model for his grandson.

As a young boy, Wade remembers how his grandfather did not attend crowded events and often seemed isolated from conversations. It wasn’t until years later in college when Wade first looked at his grandpa’s audiogram, a graph which shows the softest sounds a person can hear at different pitches or frequencies. That’s when Wade discovered Henson had no usable hearing in his left ear, and his right ear had severe to profound hearing loss.

Henson’s hearing loss had created isolation and an obvious communication barrier.

That moment when Wade discovered the extent of his grandfather’s hearing loss is the day he decided to become an audiologist.

That audiological profession began after World War II when soldiers returned home with hearing loss. Henson was an infantryman and had hearing loss as a result of his service in the U.S. Army.

Wade went to college for eight years and logged 2,000 clinic hours to earn his doctoral degree in audiology. He joined the team at Farmington’s ENT & Allergy of Southeast Missouri, a division of Sound Health Services, in 2017. In addition, he serves as an audiologist in the Army Reserve where he provides audiological care and support to soldiers a few days each month and several weeks per year.

At ENT & Allergy, Wade works with patients with various levels of hearing loss, tinnitus and balance disorders and also fits patients with hearing aids.

In the last few years, he said hearing loss and tinnitus have been the top two serviceconnected disabilities in the nation. He specializes in both areas.

“I am passionate about preventing noise-induced hearing loss,” he said.

Wade added that the most rewarding aspect of his job is getting to restore communication for people.

He offered advice to those who believe they have hearing loss.

“Listen to your loved ones,” he said. “If someone cares enough to tell you to get your hearing checked, you should listen to them and love them back. Once communication barriers go up, it can be difficult to remove them.”

No referral is needed to make an appointment with Wade. The team including Dr. Justin Roberts, Dr. Samuel Medaris, or Glen Mohan, RN and Family Nurse Practitioner are specialists in medical and surgical treatment of ear, nose and throat, and allergy disorders.

Additional services offered at ENT & Allergy of Southeast Missouri include allergy testing and treatments; ear tubes and eustachian tube dilator; audiology and balance testing; balloon sinuplasty; thyroid and neck surgery; nasal and sinus surgery; tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy; facial plastic surgery; adult and pediatric ENT care; voice and swallowing disorders; sleep disorders; oral lesion excisions; and skin lesion-biopsy and excision.

ENT & Allergy of Southeast Missouri is affiliated with Parkland Health Center, Surgery Center of Farmington, Ste. Genevieve County Memorial Hospital, Iron County Medical Center and Perry County Memorial Hospital.

ENT & Allergy of Southeast Missouri

501 West Pine Street Farmington, MO 573-756-8888 www.soundhealthservices.com Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

DOING BUSINESS IN THE PARKLAND

PHOTO BY BRANDON SCHELDT | SPONSORED CONTENT Lix Frozen Custard

“How in the world did I get lucky enough to scoop ice cream for a living?”

Roberta Gettemeier graduated high school and did not really know what she wanted to do. Her oldest brother had opened a frozen custard store a few years earlier and offered her a job.

“I worked for him for that first summer after high school but decided I needed to find a real job,” she said.

Gettemeier started working at an insurance office, but her brother offered her $4.25 to return to work for him.

“That was big money back then,” she said, “and I just couldn’t turn him down.”

One thing led to another, and eventually she was managing his custard locations. But after 16 years, she wanted to open her own shop.

Gettemeier found a vacant former Maytag store in Washington, Mo., for rent. When she was at the location – pen in hand ready to sign paperwork – she and the real estate agent saw men putting up a large sign across the road that read Fritz’s Frozen Custard – Coming Soon.

Disappointed, Gettemeier decided to expand her search for another location which brought her to the Parkland. She found the old Tom Boy grocery store in Farmington which had been empty for many years. She signed the lease, she and her husband put their house up for sale in O’Fallon, and they began looking for used custard machines. Meanwhile, her husband drove to Farmington every day to begin remodeling as best as their finances allowed.

They opened Lix Frozen Custard in June 2004.

The store was a success early into their lease. Gettemeier soon had her sights on a piece of property down the street from the original location.

“I didn’t want to rent forever, and I really wanted a drivethru,” she said.

In 2006, Gettemeier made an offer to the property owner.

“I basically begged him to take my offer,” she said. “And he did, but he said there was no way I would be able to get it zoned for a drive-thru.”

Gettemeier’s lease wasn’t up until 2011, so she had time to convince the city to approve the zoning she needed. The new Lix building with a drive-thru opened in June 2011.

In 2014, Gettemeier was in Desloge when she saw another property for sale.

Knowing the hurdles of building a store, she was hesitant.

“I wasn’t anxious to double my debt, but I didn’t want to be on my deathbed wondering what might have been if I’d have gone for it.”

The Desloge location has now been open for six years.

Gettemeier attributes the bulk of her success to her customers for their loyal support, a fantastic staff and amazing manager Heather Bayless.

“I am so thankful for the way things have worked out,” she said. “I have a manager who I consider a friend, I have staff who I can laugh with, and we have wonderful customers who visit us regularly.”

Gettemeier said, “If you’ve never given Lix a try, stop on by, they’ll be happy to see you!”

Lix Frozen Custard

929 N. Washington, Farmington 573-756-5717 1123 N. Desloge Drive, Desloge 573-327-9110 LixCustard@gmail.com Facebook: Lix Frozen Custard