t. smugala
Maybe
it’s time to take a different road. One that takes you to places outside the mold you have created for yourself. Maybe it’s time to let a new melody play. One that can cleanse your mind and lift your spirit. One which will free your soul so you can become the person you are dying to be, instead of a person waiting to die. It’s right about now that old familiar song starts playing in your head. I can’t change, I can’t change, I can’t change, I can’t change no, no, no, no, no... You can change your situation in life. There is so much right in front of you. Opportunities are spread out all around us just waiting for us to stop mourning and simply lift ourselves from that sunken sofa and get what we want.
You want a new job? You want to get back to school? You want to lose 50 pounds? You want a new car? You want a vacation? You want to turn your hobby into a business? You can achieve anything in this country, but you have to turn your television off, stop wasting all your time on Facebook and start moving again. And when the negativity ballet in your head starts up with all the reasons why you can’t do it, just smile and do it anyway. Get up. Get out there. You can do it. Keep telling yourself you can do it.
Soon a new tune will begin playing in your head.
I’m sure you’ve noticed that your business Facebook postings reach has plummeted. It’s now running at about one percent or less of fans who ever see your business postings. That means if you have 2,000 Facebook likes on your page, only about 10-20 of those fans will even see your message. Organic reach has long been declining. Why? It’s simple, Facebook is not a charity. This change is very hard for businesses who have spent years collecting Facebook likes and rejecting traditional forms of advertising. Whether you’re a huge brand with millions of likes, a community organization page, a non-profit, or a small local business, this turn off by Facebook could destroy those who rely solely on social media to promote their businesses (unless, of course, they have the money to pay Facebook for ads to boost ratings—not a cheap project). I can see your head spinning now. Why should my company even use Facebook anymore? Do the thousands of fans I have acquired even matter? Your fans do matter, but now you have to have the money to spend on reaching them. After years of using Facebook for free advertising this may seem unfair, but nothing is fair in business. The other side of this coin might be that it is good for more established businesses, because the small guy on a shoestring budget can no longer compete solely on social media relationships. For years, many small businesses have been able to undercut quality or bigger brands via social media by putting all their effort into social media instead of their products. By undercutting and not having to pay for advertising or producing a quality product, they were able to stay in business. Many will not be able to make the adjustment and many will waste countless hours trying to locate the next free advertising opportunity. Am I sure the Facebook wild west is never going to come back? No, but I know one thing for sure: you’ll need to adjust your business focus back to your product or service again. At the 573 Magazine, we post Facebook ads and sponsored stories for our clients with great success. When compared to traditional advertising like television, radio or print, Facebook is more targeted. Like all media, though, you have to consider if your target audience actually saw your ad, if they had time to take it in, and if they acted on the offer.
Facebook says, “If you can’t spend $30 per month on Facebook Ads, you shouldn’t be in business.” That may sound harsh but nothing’s free and Facebook has now changed the script. You have to change yours. Look for Facebook advertising financing coming to your inbox soon (hopefully not).
Through the years I’ve been fortunate
enough to meet and work with many interesting people: politicians, celebrities, business owners, leaders of industry and civic organizations… From big cities to small towns, I’ve learned the most successful among them have similar traits that make them—and most importantly keep them— good, successful leaders. Outside of the obvious leadership traits like being able to hold your ground, being able to take a shot, and knowing when to cut your losses, great leaders stay great leaders by leading instead of taking. It’s a difficult concept to understand—and it’s the only way a leader can stay a leader once he or she reaches success. There are many people who reach higher levels of success only to be corrupted by power and begin taking instead of leading.
A leader surrounds him- or herself with people in a position to question the leader’s actions. A leader spends his or her day trying to correct courses and actions. A leader takes criticism in stride and examines it for truth. A leader doesn’t complain or gossip about other people or competitors—she or he is simply too focused on growth and ways to improve. A leader surrounds him- or herself with people who are experts in their field and helps them become greater experts. A leader would die before anyone under his or her charge unjustly feared for his job. A leader sees an obstacle as an opportunity. A leader is compassionate. A bad leader spends the day covering things up and pointing towards others to blame for shortcomings.
not saying you can’t be a jerk or a bad leader and be successful. Many bad leaders manage to succeed through dirty deals, dirty business, nepotism and the good-old-boys club. But as all corrupt Caesars of the world learn very quickly, the closer you get to Caesar (and his unearned success), the more you have to fear. And like all corrupt Caesars, politicians, business owners… they find out sooner than later that taking instead of leading is a losing proposition in the end. So be a good leader in 2015. It will pay off in the end on many levels, and you’ll sleep better at night.
Driving in to the office this morning, I set the radio on scan as I always do, waiting for the right song to come on. I have a varied taste in music so the scan feature is perfect, jumping to the next station after a few seconds until the perfect song comes on. With dozens and dozens of radio stations on the FM, I am certain to find a song to lift my spirits for the day, right? Actually, what I got instead was a continental barrage of negativity that I didn’t think could be possible. In the time it took me to drive my 15 minutes to work (and only staying on a station for 5 seconds at a time) I learned that as an American, I am apparently the most evil thing on the planet. According to my car radio, as an American, I’m a racist. I’m a gun-toting paranoid survivalist. I want to destroy the environment. I want to bomb babies. I’m greedy. I’m a world bully. I don’t care about discarded animals or the homeless, and I’m just not a nice person. Man, I can’t wait to turn my computer on.
This negative narrative is slowly creeping into every aspect of our lives. It’s in our movies, our songs, our daily conversations, our colleges, our government, our churches... It’s very easy with this continual drumbeat to begin to believe the hype. Before you stop listening to your heart and that little voice stuffed way back in your head, consider this. America might not be perfect…no, we are not perfect, but we are the most compassionate and generous people on the planet. As a collective people, we give more, we forgive more, we help more and we always consider other’s feelings. We are not perfect, but we are near perfect in many ways. Don’t let the media’s negativity, perpetuated by the social media, sucker you into believing you are an evil person. You are not; we are not. The media gains its audience by artfully spreading negativity. It is how they slyly sell ads by counting on your good nature and slyly pulling you in. If you hear, see and think negative things all day, you become negative… and for what? Does being angry and negative do anything for you or your ability to lead a happy life?
Maybe it’s time to take some time off from the haters. Clock out and open your eyes to what’s right in front of you. You live in the greatest country, in the most beautiful state, and in the most wonderful region of the state. We are in a place filled with beautiful parks, good schools, friendly people, blue skies, crystal clear streams, clean air, lush forests, and well maintained parks. And, all of this is free. If there are luckier people in the world, I don’t know who it would be. We truly do have it all right here. We are close to a major city, yet still a million miles from the problems of the big city. So do yourself a favor, and start rejecting the negative narrative. Take a walk with someone special in one of our beautiful parks. Talk about all the great things surrounding you. It may be hard at first to shift your focus from negative to positive, but it is well worth the effort. In the end it’s pretty simple, and it’s your choice. Be happy or be a hater. You will become what you watch, hear and think. Come on people. I can’t be the only one getting sick of all this hate America nonsense.
pics, words and snacks by: thadeus randolf smugala No, not really. Actually, I kinda forgot who did all this. Hang on a minute I’ll ask the publisher. Ok, I’m back with the correct by line. Wait a minute, I have to grab this call. Sorry about that, I’m back. Man, some people can’t take a hint. I mean who has all day to gab on the phone? Certainly not me. I still have half a magazine to layout. Oh, great someone’s trying to facetime me. I’ll be right back. Ok, I’m back. It was my friend Susan. Seems her cat’s come up MIA. If you see a small Caleco email me at info@573mag.com. Anyway, what were we talking about? No time for that now. I got to get back to work.
We
recently posted on Facebook that we needed a cool couple to hike Pink Rock with us. For those of you who seldom leave your backyard to explore our great outdoors, Pink Rock is actually Amidon State Conservation Area, a popular swimming hole at Missouri’s only pink granite shutins. The place is just fantastic, yet we literally spent three hours on a sunny winter’s day and hardly saw a soul. Man, if this place were in Colorado, there would be a long line of people waiting to get in to hike the trails, climb the rocks, and enjoy the view. Come on people; what are you waiting for? Did I mention it’s all FREE? Anyway, we met up with the coolest couple who certainly do take advantage of all the great things this area has to offer. Meet Katelyn Landress and Brandon Crews— a couple who care about our environment, want to see it last, and love to explore it.
According
to the Missouri Department of Conservation, these are Missouri’s only known pink granite shut-ins. This pinkish granite is an igneous rock formation that is 1.5 billion years old. Most of the exposed igneous rocks of the St. Francois Mountains region are rhyolite rather than granite. Igneous rocks are formed from volcanic activity. Granite is a coarse-grained igneous rock formed from magma that cooled underground and was later exposed. By contrast, rhyolite is formed when magma is cooled above ground. Shut-ins occur where a broader stream is “shut in” to a narrow canyon-like valley. Shut-ins typically occur in Missouri where streams flow through softer rocks such as dolomite or sandstone and then encounter a hard igneous rock. There you have it.
My
name is Katelyn and my boyfriend’s name is Brandon. We live in Fredericktown and have lived there our whole lives. My boyfriend and I are so excited to be in the 573 Magazine. We are locals that absolutely love being outdoors. We spend almost all of our free time outdoors. :) We spent every weekend of this summer camping and kayaking, plus taking walks every day after work. We are now getting into rock climbing, and we are patiently waiting for the spring to try it again. Missouri offers SO many beautiful places to hike and enjoy the outdoors, and we will gladly take advantage of it. I would love to see Missouri as a cleaner place; there is SO much littering that takes place and it saddens us a lot. I also wish more people would get outside and enjoy Missouri.
Brandon and I work in the same building at CapAmerica in Fredericktown. At first, he kept smiling at me, and his smile is irresistible! I dropped a note in his car (very unusual for me) telling him how attractive I thought he was. We ended up going on a date a few weeks later. On our first date we went hiking at Pickle Springs, then swimming, and later that night we watched a meteor shower. Neither of us knew there was going to be a meteor shower, so it was a cool surprise! This past summer, we took a vacation to Colorado and went sightseeing and hiking. It was an amazing experience. I am currently attending college to pursue a career in either meteorology, ecology, or conservation.
“Food stimulates all five senses... and is legal.�
Upon entering the grounds of Vance Vineyards & Winery you’re immediately awestruck by the main building. It is an imposing structure that properly informs the guest that they are about to enter a serious facility. Beyond the main, redpainted double doors, lie deep brown, wood floors supporting the tasting room and dining room that is accented by a white grand piano. A magical view of the enormous lake and well-kept vineyard beyond draw the viewer into the visual experience. Vance Vineyards & Winery boasts nearly 20 wines available on their wine list from dry white and red, to sweet, dessert and fruit wines. Previous vintages have been award winners including their Gold Medal “Mollie,” Grand Champion Dry Traminette, Norton, Chambourcin, “Sweetie Pie” and “Sweet Dreams” wines. Housed in the same grand building is The Lakeside Restaurant. It is curated by Sullivan University culinary graduate Chef Trent Wiggins. Trent is a local fixture, owning a popular downtown Fredericktown eatery named Johnny T’s, as well as for his involvement with pit bull rescue, his great love of the outdoors, and his obsession with early Ford Broncos. A single quote wraps up Trent’s simple philosophy, “Food stimulates all five senses... and is legal.”
The Lakeside Restaurant menu offers a full selection of appetizers, salads, entrees, sandwiches and desserts, many of which rotate seasonally and are house made. Features like fried chicken and a pork loin sandwich with cranberry sauce as well as a “Munchkin Menu” for kids round out the delicious fare. The food and wine at Vance Vineyards & Winery pair extremely well. The Fiery Shrimp appetizer exhibits a yin and yang of spicy and sweet that is enhanced by the light-bodied, semi-sweet Blush wine. The stuffed mushrooms taste much lighter than most and are pleasantly accented by additions of sausage and sage. The dish paired nicely with the house recommended dry Chardonnay. A real gem on the menu is the 12 ounce rib eye that stood up nicely to the solid structure of the Norton, Mollie and Chambourcin wines. Vance Vineyards & Winery is a complete hospitality center presenting an indoor banquet/meeting room and a hearth room with piano bar, as well as fully featured outdoor amenities including a breathtaking veranda and covered lakeside event plaza. The facilities are available year-round for hosting weddings, meetings and special events. Vance Vineyards & Winery 1522 Madison 212 Fredericktown, MO 63645 573-783-8800 info@vancevineyards.com
t. smugala
Generally speaking (and most of us know this), all parts of the body have a function, if used in moderation and exercised, become healthy and well developed and age slowly. But, if unused and left idle, they become liable to disease, defective in growth and age quickly. I didn’t make this up. I am quoting Hippocrates from 370 B.C. Yep, you read that right…370 B.C. If you keep your body in motion, you will receive many benefits such as increased muscle mass, decreased risk of osteoporosis, reduced resting heart rate, increased bone density, ligament and tendon strength, and reduced body fat, just to name a few. Ok, so if Hippocrates had it all figured more than two thousand years ago, then why are you still increasing the size of that sag in your sofa? What has been stopping you from moving your body? If I had to guess, I’d say it’s because you believe that exercise has to be complicated. You feel if you don’t go to a gym or a Tai Chi class or lift weights or run like a crazed rabbit — you just won’t reap any benefits. Let me tell you straight up: you’re dead wrong! You don’t need a fancy gym or your stomach clamped to lose weight. You just need to get back up on your two feet and move.
Yes, turning your television and computer off would be highly beneficial. And if you did have a regular routine of cardio and strength training, you would feel a lot better. (It would also be beneficial if you invested in gold, but few of us can afford to do that.) However, when it comes to your health, doing SOMETHING/ANYTHING is better than nothing. Try this: Go to a park and walk the trails. The 573 is loaded with great walking trails. It’s good for your body and will clear your head. Generally speaking, it’s not too hard to get someone—or even an old dog—to go with you if you want company. Walking and talking will burn up the miles. You could even check your Facebook as you walk. If you can’t make it to a park, try taking a walk around your neighborhood after work and before dinner. This will actually increase your metabolism before eating which will cause you to eat less and burn off dinner faster. If indoors, walk up and down your steps. Just a few will do. Caution: These step repetitions will tone your leg muscles and give you tons of stamina. Or, try jogging in place. Jogging is a great exercise for your heart. You can jog in place at home while watching TV or listening to music.
When is the last time you tried jumping jacks? These are always fun, as they bring back memories of being a kid! Well, surprise! They are also great cardio exercises and good for warming up, too. Or, simply throw some music on and dance your heart out. You can find a private place in your home and close the door behind you. No one will be able to see you, so you may as well CUT LOOSE! This year, spend less time on your couch and more time on your floor doing sit ups! Just 10 minutes a day, four times a week will provide you with amazing results. You will have more energy, you’ll eat less because you’ll get full faster, and you will sleep better. You’ll even see a difference in your waistline and legs. Who knows? You may just get addicted to your newly found fitness level and decide to join a gym or learn Tai Chi!
HOW TO WEIGHT LOSS
My name is Kimberly Browne. I am married to a wonderful man, and we recently celebrated our seven year anniversary this fall. We have three children, a five-year-old daughter and twin two-year-old boys. As a parent to young, active children, most of my time revolves around them, so I have to get creative in finding time to get my exercise/relaxation time in. My absolute favorite pastime is running. I find it peaceful and rewarding both mentally and physically. I have always been interested in being healthy. I blame that on my mom who always tried her best to raise us being knowledgeable about our health. I have been in the nursing field for 10 years and have been practicing in Ste. Genevieve as a Nurse Practitioner for a little over two years. I split my time between two clinics; urology and weight loss. Transformations Medical Weight Clinic has been a blessing to our community. Previously, we lacked a structured weight management program with high level medical oversight. Since the clinic opened its doors last January, we have enrolled over 70 patients and lost well over 1500 pounds. Some of our patients have lost more than 100 pounds each. Our clinic philosophy is about becoming a healthy person, which requires us to address all aspects of one’s life including diet, activity, relationships, career, and stress. I tell people that a healthy weight is the side effect of a healthy life, and we all must find our own personal balance.
Our clinic offers medical oversight to those with chronic disease, including partnership with physical therapy, the Ste. Genevieve Community Center, and the hospital’s Adult Fitness Program. We have a variety of structured eating plans including tools, guidelines and weight loss aids to help people reach their goals in a sustainable manner. It is not a one-size-fits-all program. The most enjoyable part has been the snowball effect of seeing people change their life and, in turn, inspire others to change theirs. I foresee our community having a billboard one day advertising something crazy and seemingly out of reach such as 10,000 pounds of weight loss! As a health care provider, my job is to get to the root of why people feel bad. Often, it is because of lifestyle. People are becoming more hesitant to rely on pills and medications. Slowly our society is beginning to recognize that the daily choices we make in our life matter most. Exercise is a big part of that. Research shows that exercise contributes to a happier, healthier, more functional person with reduced risks of cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and sleep apnea. People who exercise regularly are not on as many antidepressants as those who do not exercise. The list of benefits goes on and on.
Christina, Matthew, baby Wade and Sadie the dog.
Exercising with Baby
My name is Christina Kleinsorge-Rariden. I have lived in the area most of my life. I am a Family Nurse Practitioner at Midwest Health Group in Farmington, and soon I’ll be an assistant professor at Saint Louis University School of Nursing. Perhaps the most challenging and rewarding role I have is being a new mom. I have always had an active lifestyle. I grew up on a farm so I have spent most of my time outdoors since I was a child. My sister and I spent our days hiking around the farm, riding bikes, or racing ponies. My grandparents and mother raised a huge garden every summer; my grandmother canned vegetables so we reaped the benefits of the garden all year. We also raised beef cattle. Although it wasn’t a catch phrase back then, we ate “clean” and organic food. Mom still grows a large garden, and shares her harvest with us. My appreciation for healthy living and eating was instilled in me as a child. As a child I started showing Arabian horses, which I continue to do now with my husband. This is another aspect in life that keeps us moving! We rarely stay indoors lounging around. Working in our barn, riding horses, and keeping our small farm tidy keeps us active, outdoors, and busy. I think having a fun family hobby that promotes physical activity is a healthy way to stay fit, active, happy, and healthy. When we are up, outside, moving, playing, or working, we just feel better—mentally and physically. Being a mom adds a whole new dimension to life; not only do I need to stay healthy for myself, but also for my son. At an early age, babies and children are watching our every move. Children imitate what they see; if I remain healthy and active, hopefully my son will grow up and maintain that lifestyle. I will admit, after returning to work from my maternity leave, it has been more of a challenge to find the time to work out. Anyone who has had a baby knows your entire life changes, including your workout schedule! I can say it is a work in progress for me. I can say some out my first outings with my son included going to walk around the park this summer, and we (I’ll speak for him) loved it. I felt I had really accomplished something just making it there and getting the stroller set up with him in it! The first time we went to the park, I was only able to walk a fraction of what I used to run, but that is okay. My endurance is slowly coming back. It was great to get moving again, take in some fresh air, and get out of the house for a bit. I enjoy watching my son sit in the stroller and take in the great outdoors on our walks. I encourage parents to plan family activities that include physical activity—go on a bike ride, walk, or explore a local trail. Kids won’t even think of it as exercise, rather a fun family adventure. Exercise is crucial to good health, both physically and mentally. Of course, we all know exercise can improve our physical health, help us lose weight, tone muscles, and strengthen our heart, but it can also help our mental health as well. When we exercise, our bodies release endorphins. This feel good chemical provides that post workout sense of wellbeing. Sometimes we have to convince ourselves to actually commit to the work out, but after we forge through it, we have a sense of accomplishment and well-being.
Every day I am in the office I talk with patients about the benefits of exercise for their health; it is one of the most important things we discuss. There is no magic pill, weight loss solution, or new trendy diet that is the end all and be all. Fads come and go, and if you have to spend a ton of money on it, it probably isn’t worth it. Eating well and exercise is a lifestyle. Sometimes we have to take baby steps to get there. I never expect someone who hasn’t worked out in years to run a marathon the next month. People are busy, stressed, and sometimes overextended, but I love working with patients to help them start to reroute their lives in a healthier direction. Often we set small goals such as giving up a soda a day and trying to walk to the mailbox each day. Small changes can lead to big results. Old habits are hard to break, but we discuss replacing an old unhealthy habit with a new healthy habit. I remind patients that exercise doesn’t have to be in a gym. (Some people can’t afford a membership.) Exercise can be in the form of walking, hiking, or biking at one of our many local, beautiful parks. If you have a dog, take it out on a walk; he or she will love you for it, and people with pets tend to be more active. Rather than meet friends at a restaurant, meet at a trail for a hike on Saturday morning! During cold snaps, one might need to exercise indoors, but you can get creative: have a dance party with the kids in the living room…whatever it takes to get moving!
PREVENTING THE NEED FOR REHAB
My name is Clyde Doromal and I’ve been a resident of Farmington for 10 years now. I’m originally from the Philippines, where I received a BS in Biology at the Ateneo De Davao University in 1989 and BS in Physical Therapy in 1996. I’ve been practicing Physical Therapy for 18 years, for which I spent 10 years in the Philippines and almost 9 years here in the US. Currently, I’m working at Camelot Nursing and Rehab Center/Huckstep Orthopaedic as one of the Physical Therapy staff.I am married to my beautiful and lovely wife Jen, with 2 kids in college. My son Ken, is pursuing Physical Therapy and my daughter Norie is pursuing Nursing. One of my favorite things is to play basketball 2-3x per week—especaily with my son Ken.
I love working at the Camelot rehab center. Our rehabilitation department is one of the largest in the area. We are totally devoted to getting people back home “stronger and highly functional” and out of the center as quick as possible. There is nothing more rewarding than seeing someone go back home to their family after a successful rehabilitation. The people I work with are very skilled and we all work together very well. We have a diverse therapy staff that have been together for up to 8 years. We have an energetic and upbeat way of delivering high-quality therapy that gets each patient involved until reaching maximum functional potential. Most people don’t know that in addition to live-in rehab, we also have outpatient rehab. I spend most of my day helping people get back on their feet after being ill, fallen or after a surgery that they need to recover from. The campus at Camelot is nice in the sense that the grounds are wooded and quiet. Walking outside on nice days is incredibly helpful to some patients. It’s like time slows down for them and helps them realize that they have lots to live for. My job as a rehab therapist has given me a greater understanding of the importance that exercise plays on our well being and long life. Even if you are young, a good exercise program will help you later on in life that could help in preventing a need for rehab. Exercise is very important to stay fit mentally and physically in order to function at our highest level. As we all know, especially in the medical field, we have to exercise regularly at least 3x per week. Merging with a balanced diet, avoiding cigarette smoking and excessive drinking—this helps our system maintain equilibrium, thereby decreasing health risks, like heart attack, stroke,... and preventing the need for rehab. My advice to everyone, is get exercise as often as you can for a healthy and long life.
Although a for-profit business, BOGO is decidedly and intentionally a business model that can help others—his “buy one, give one” motto is all about helping as many hungry people as he can while still providing a living for himself and his family. It’s businesses like this one and many other local businesses, doing good without seeking attention, that support our communities and make the area a great place to live. Just inside BOGO’s front door is a chalkboard where the shop keeps a running daily tally of the number of sandwiches donated to various local organizations. During one recent week, 438 sandwiches were given away to five different local charities. When we were at BOGO to make photos, Doug said one thing that makes a lot of sense, “No matter what your take on the charity aspect of BOGO is, you have to keep in mind that we make a great tasting sandwich—after all it’s your lunch to eat.” Since BOGO Sandwich Shop opened its doors in November 2012, it has sold and, therefore, given away more than 30,000 sandwiches. Now, that’s a lot of samishes! Keep up the great work Doug. Learn more about BOGO at bogosandwiches.com.
Any city with a population of 100,000 or less could be classified as a small town. People who live in these small towns might not have professional sports teams, public transportation systems or high rise buildings, but at least the folks are nicer than your typical city dwellers. True or not? Take our nice person test to see if you really are small town nice. You’re waiting patiently at a fast food restaurant to place your order when a pregnant woman cuts in front of you. What do you do? 1. You just forget about it and wait HER turn. 2. You politely remind her that there’s a line. Maybe she didn’t realize you were there. 3. You tell her that she is butting in front of you and what a butt it is. Just because she’s pregnant, she has no right to just get special privileges. This is America after all. The weirdo at your work has no one to sit with at lunch. You are already sitting with someone nice. What do you do? 1. You invite him into your group and try to find out if there are things you both have in common. 2. You ignore him, duh! 3. You put your jacket on the open chair and tell him the seat is taken. The nerve of this freak to think he could sit with you and your friends. Anyway, what would everyone think if they saw you talking to the town weirdo? You are with a group of people who think they are “IT.” They are all gossiping and exchanging mean rumors about other people. What do you do? 1. You express your disdain for their mean spirit and envious nature of people who are not around to defend themselves. 2. You keep quiet but listen closely. You may find out something important about someone. 3. You chime right in and dish out your dirt. You have a few competitors that you have been dying to slyly spread a rumor about and this is your big chance. After all, they deserve it and it’s not a sin if it’s true.
There is a puppy in the middle of the road, but you are late to meet your friends. What do you do? 1. Pick it up, get it water and see if you can find its home. 2. Drive past. Hey at least you swerved and didn’t hit it. 3. Pick it up and take it to your buddy who runs an animal rescue scam—he’ll get 300 bucks for this good looking pup. It’s late at night and you hear a bang. You look outside and see a raccoon going through your garbage can. What do you do? 1. You think it’s cute but you wish it didn’t make such a mess. Might as well get a few cute pictures for your Facebook page. 2. Go outside and yell, “Hey!” so it’ll run away. Now you have some complaints for your friends on Facebook tomorrow. 3. Go out there and shoot it. A new person moves to your town and opens a business. What do you do? 1. Visit his shop and welcome him to the area hoping for a new friend. 2. Don’t do anything and simply ignore him. You don’t need anything new in your life right now. 3. You visit his shop, find out as much about him as you can, and then create a nasty whisper campaign to drive him out of town. He’s not from here and certainly does not have a right to do business here. Anyway, your cousin has a similar business down the street— it’s your obligation to paint this guy evil. How many REAL friends do you have? Not people you are friendly with or have lunch with once a month. REAL friends. The kind of friend that would take a bullet for you or give you his last dollar if you needed it. 1. You say 1 to 3. You believe quality is more important than quantity. 2. You have your dog. He’s always there for you and would surely take a bullet for you. Who needs friends anyway? 3. You’re a sucker if you think you need that kind of friend. You have dozen of friends and everyone is happy to see you. Your friends are smarter than taking bullets for others, and you like it that way. You don’t want your friends to get that close. You’re talking to your church buddies and the subject of other religions comes up. You believe, 1. Most people are good and there is a place in heaven for everyone. 2. Most other religion followers are wrong and you will pray for their souls. 3. If they don’t believe the way you do, they have no chance of getting into heaven. If fact, they are all just heathens and God will punish them in a fiery hell for believing in false gods. Do you think you get more flies with honey? 1. Definitely. When you are nice, people want to be around you. When you are mean, people think you suck—it’s pretty cut and dried. 2. I try to be nice to everyone who deserves it. Like a mirror, if someone is nice to me, I am nice back. If they are mean, I’ll be mean back. 3. No. If you want to succeed in this world you have to do whatever it takes to get yours. Some people will call it being mean; I call it looking out for number one. If someone does something you don’t like, what do you do? 1. Forgive them. They are probably having a bad day, so give them the benefit of the doubt and maybe talk to them about it later. 2. Start posting negative things on Facebook, then start texting and emailing all your friends telling them about how that dirty dog did you. You have to get the word out quickly before the other guy starts telling his side. 3. It’s time to poison his dog and let the air out of his tires, of course.
Now, add up your points. If you scored: 10-15 points. OK, you’re not perfect, but who is? You sound like a nice enough person with feelings for others. Keep up the good work. Nice guys do finish first no matter what the negative people want you to believe. 16-24 points. Wow, you better start rethinking the way you act if you want to keep the friends you have or have any chance to get new ones. You’re on a slippery slope that only gets more slippery as you get older. Focus on the good in people and the good things that happen when you are nice to others—good things come to good people. 25-30 points. How could you be so mean? You have no sympathy for others and you don’t care about other people’s lives. You need therapy. Never mind, you’ll probably be so mean to your therapist that he’d wind up needing help more than you... if that’s possible.
Be Nice.
This morning I was asked to choose some of the best images from all of the 573 publications in 2014. “Sure, no problem,” I said. (When the pressure of the deadline is on and tensions are running high, the best answer is always no problem.) Guess what? I have a confession. There really is a BIG problem. After reviewing the past 12 printed publications, it’s narrowed down to 50 images … I haven’t even looked at the digital editions, yet. Yikes. As I review 2014 in this way, I am reminded of the blood, sweat and tears we put into covering our stories. We have laughed with you and we have been pleasantly surprised by you. We’ve learned some hard lessons and made a mistake or two along the way. But our lives have been touched by amazing people, places and things. We get to have way too much fun doing this. We meet awesome people. We go to fantastic places. We taste incredible food... AND we haven’t even scratched the surface. We have super exciting 2015 plans and we can’t wait to get out there and see more. As usual, I’m an optimist at heart… I have talked myself right into seeing that there really is no problem. Having too many wonderful images is way better than not having any, right?
It has been our pleasure to cover the 573!
Exercising can be a boring, lonely
endeavor. Studies have shown that working out with a trainer or partner increases motivation and helps one stick to an exercise program. But finding a reliable training partner who will keep you in the game without making you crazy can be a daunting task. I mean, how do you find someone who’s always ready to go, rain or shine, without complaints? Someone who’s always happy to see you, willing to go as far as you can, and has no opinion on where to go or how hard to hit it. That’s right my friends, just ask Spot. Everybody knows that before you start any exercise program, you should always consult with your doctor first. The same goes for your dog. Before you start your running regimen with your dog, be sure to get him checked out by your vet. Dogs never complain and are perfectly willing to suffer through any kind of hidden illness or injury to be with you. You wouldn’t want to run your dog for five miles if he has lung problems or joint issues. Not good. After your pet sees the vet, be sure to gradually build up his running time and distance just as people do when starting a new program. If your dog is a house dog, chances are he doesn’t get to run miles at a time during a normal day. Go slowly and let his muscles develop. Also, remember to keep you and your buddy hydrated. Make sure you take plenty of water for your dog. He’s going to want to drink when he’s thirsty. Don’t let him drink out of puddles. There could be heavy toxins in the water puddled on roads and streets. Lead, petroleum, insecticides… all could be very dangerous to your dog. Lastly, keep your dog leashed and pick up after him. The next person running behind you really won’t appreciate it if he goes home with the remnants of your dog on his shoes. Be a cool person and a good running partner. We recently met up with a couple of runners who run together and with their dogs. I guess you could call it a pack of sorts. Meet Barbara Mueller and her dog, Greta and Deb Litzelfelner and her dog, Tucker.
Oh, that feels soooooo dog gone gooood.
My name is Barbara Mueller and I run with my dog, Greta
named after Greta Waitz the Norwegian marathon runner and former world record holder. I am a registered nurse that works at a local hospital in Cape Girardeau. I currently work as a Nursing Informaticist and have many years of Adult Critical Care and Hemodialysis and also prior Critical Care Management experience. I started running with my black and tan coonhound Boo and have gone many miles with him. But he is older and prefers the couch! So I began going out on runs with my friend Deb. It was actually while running with Deb along a country road that Greta found us. We knew she was someone’s special pet so we found where she lived and returned her. Her owners were elderly and she is a high energy dog. They were having a hard time keeping her in the yard. A few weeks later, I was on the same route and she came and, this time, followed me home. I contacted the owner again and I offered to buy her. The lady told me all about the dog being very high strung and told me if I wanted her I could just have her. We have been running buddies ever since. We run 25+ miles a week. Not all dogs are bred to run or can run, due to their physical build, mouth, nose, etc. But Greta has hound and something else in her that make her a good runner. She is really quite smart and has become accustomed to our running routine. Running with a dog gives me an extra layer of security, as they can see, hear, smell, and, more importantly, sense danger, obstacles, people, other animals, sooner than humans. For me, this story is about the relationship between the dog and it’s owner. The bond that develops trust and love they have for the owner. Exercise has always been a part of my life. I know that sharing that joy with other two-legged and four-legged friends can change anyone’s life.
My name is Deb Litzelfelner. Tucker and I started
running together about three years ago. Before that I was running alone for about six years. I had always felt a little guilty when I would go out the door and leave my dogs behind. One day I took a look at Tucker’s face and thought, “why not take him with me?” Little did I know that this would be the inspiration to begin a whole new career for me. On one of our runs, I had an epiphany that probably other people would want their dogs to be walked or ran but, for whatever reason, could not do it themselves. Thus was born my business called, Run Your Tail Off. I am now proudly a professional dog walker/ runner and all because of a little dog named Tucker who begged me to take him on my runs. One of the many benefits of running with my dog is that you focus on the dog and less on the pain that is sometimes associated with long, hilly runs. The benefits to my dog are also numerous in that he stays in great shape and also after a run is pretty content to take a long nap as I go to work. One of my favorite sayings is, “a tired dog is a good dog.”
We all know that good nutrition and good health go hand-in-hand, so why are we feeding our pets junk food? Many of the bigger named pet foods are just that…junk food that’s chocked full of needless fillers that do nothing more than break down the immune system and cause allergic reactions, seizures, and even the C word! Take a look at dogs, for example. By their ancestral heritage alone, dogs are considered to be carnivores. And even though humans have helped dogs evolve into omnivores (eating both plants and animals), dog’s bodies still maintain many carnivorous traits. Cats actually thrive on a non-plant diet. So let’s be realistic here. Isn’t it better to eat whole, real foods as opposed to the over-processed nightmares that many foods have become? Carbs are not a pet’s friend, but try telling that to some of the “just worried about profit” food companies. When you buy pet food, be smart and read the labels…for both you and your pet. If you couple good quality and high protein with exercise, you will have a companion who will live a long, happy life. Mother Nature does know best. Here’s a handy little list to help you in choosing a food that’s biologically appropriate for your pet. Look for foods with the following: •higher in quality meat-based protein (named meats, such as chicken, duck, salmon) •higher in natural fats and oils (good ones include coconut, sunflower, and herring oil ,to name a few) •lower in carbohydrates (free of corn, wheat, and soy) •free of animal or vegetable by-products (no beaks or feet!) •free of artificial flavoring, coloring or preservatives (those pretty colors are for us visually, not good for pets internally) •complete in all essential vitamins and minerals. On January 2, 2015, Busch Pet Products is starting a trade-in program called New Year, New Food. Bring in a bag of your current dog food and let the staff help you find a more suitable alternative. Buy your first bag and get 15% off! All of their dog food companies have frequent buyer programs as well. Stacy Busch-Heisserer, owner Busch Pet Products 1720 Kingsway Drive #105 Cape Girardeau|573 335-4076
Once
upon a time there was a woman like no other. Her name is Zsa Zsa. She spends her day people watching. Day after day she sits quietly on the bench, a silent witness to all that happens in her small, river town. Although unable to speak, she has the dexterity and fluidity of a normal human being. But she is far from normal. Zsa Zsa’s skin is flawless, except for a small dimple on her nose. Her expression is somewhat expressionless, and she really hasn’t changed for decades. Yet Zsa Zsa is constantly changing—an enigma. No one really knows her and what is really going on behind those beautiful eyes. Much older than she looks, Zsa Zsa has been a bride many times. She’s been a fairy, a biker, a soldier, a zombie… actually, she’s a different person nearly every day. Some days she’s a redhead; some days she’s a blonde; some days she’s a brunette. She’s quite a stylish girl, that’s for sure. As stylish and interesting as Zsa Zsa is, there stands just one minor catch: Zsa Zsa is a mannequin. Not a mannequin in the way a runway model is a mannequin, but a mannequin mannequin. A made-of-fiber and plaster mannequin. Zsa Zsa’s story begins in the middle part of the 20th Century when Lester Gaba from Hannibal, Missouri, created the first life-like mannequin named Cynthia, Zsa Zsa’s grandmother. Before Gaba came on the scene, mannequins were heavy, relatively unrealistic creations of wax that melted in the summer heat. Upper-class women preferred to see how their clothes looked by having them modeled on young, human woman. Gaba’s mannequins combined style with realism and solved the problem. As a result, Cynthia became the mother of the so-called “Gaba Girls.” Today, in her 40’s but looking a spry 20, Zsa Zsa is still in near-pristine condition with the exception of her missing limbs. Some say she lost them in a tragic sewing accident in the late ‘70’s while fringeing her bellbottom jeans. I guess we’ll never really know everything about Zsa Zsa, and maybe that’s the way it should be. We can use some mystery in all our lives. Taking time to wonder about things is healthy. You can visit with Zsa Zsa on any given day sitting on the bench in front of Annie Laurie’s Antiques on Broadway downtown Cape. Get out there.
...
lucky to have many choices for this experience in Cape Girardeau. Robbie Britt, owner of Dynamite Coffee, shares my philosophy that coffee selecting, roasting and brewing is an art form, one that is dependent on craft and building a skill set. Britt, who is originally from Scott City, has built his coffee business on quality, trust and craft. He realizes that coffee is a “personal thing.” He has built his business slowly over time, starting out in a coffee truck three years ago, to opening a small shop in downtown Cape Girardeau. He worked as a barista in college and then moved to Seattle to learn more about the science and art of coffee, participating in barista competitions, making connections, and obtaining a national barista ranking. When I went to speak to Britt about his story, the small shop was bursting at the seams with customers. This is customary, since they are only open a few mornings a week. People were lined up to try the new features of the season, including me. I chose the Winter White Latte, which was perfect—not too sweet, and just the right flavors. Britt doesn’t believe in masking the coffee behind too much sugar and crème. When you order a large coffee, it does not come in a “Venti” size, but one that is just a little more than a normal cup. The coffee had just the right balance and made me warm and fuzzy inside on this cold, gray day. As I looked around, I felt a sense of community that I so much crave in this town that I am beginning to call my own. The air is unpretentious, yet you know at once that
Dynamite Coffee
isn’t just any coffee shop. Britt is an artist, and his form of expression is via the venerable coffee bean. Most of the time I feel like an outsider in my new town, not being a Missouri native, but on this day I did not. I was greeted with smiles and a warm cup of Joe. They leave you with wanting more, not feeling like you have a bad taste in your mouth. Britt, who has another full time job, has built the business slowly because he is a perfectionist. He and his wife Katie built the business via word of mouth, lots of long hours and by building relationships. I can certainly relate, being a business owner myself. He also offers a few seasonal features, which are a result of his experimenting and tasting. And, boy, are you in for a treat. Britt’s dream is to expand the shop to feature a small selection of pastries, as well as to build relationships with people along the chain (learning from the coffee farmers) with the hopes of one day owning his own coffee farm.
the street, also located in the ever-growing downtown, is a Cape establishment, Cup ‘n Cork. Having recently moved to a larger space, owners Tina and Patrick Abbott are busy bees, offering a full lunch and dinner menu and wine selections, hence the “cork” in their name. And it all began with a severed finger—Patrick’s that is. Several years back, Patrick accidentally cut off his finger while working at a restaurant. He took this as a sign from God that he needed to pay attention. He decided to return to school to learn about computers to obtain what Tina referred to as a “real” job. He had always worked in restaurants, supporting himself while going to school to be an actor the first time around. One day after unhappily trying many different “real jobs,” Tina’s sister asked Patrick why he didn’t go into restaurant management, since those are the types of jobs he had always returned to. Patrick took her advice, and he and Tina, an accountant by trade, decided to open Deli-Q, a restaurant in Sikeston. They found that it was difficult to maintain a restaurant in this somewhat economically depressed town. Having $35 to their name, they decided to close their doors. Then a strange coincidence happened. As Tina tells it, she and Patrick were standing in their living room deciding what they were going to do, when Patrick accidentally dialed Papa John’s Pizza. Having laughed at the thought that they couldn’t afford even a pizza, it occurred to Patrick that he knew the manager at Papa John’s, and that maybe he could get a job with them. Tina subsequently went to work for Papa John’s and Patrick worked at Schnucks—again the food theme. To get the job at Papa John’s, Tina had to go to the DMV in Cape. There, she stepped into Cup n’ Cork, which was opened by Barry and Kim Robinson. Tina had told Kim that she had always wanted to be a barista. Knowing this, Kim invited her and Patrick to come work with them at Cup ‘n Cork. Little did they know, Kim and Barry were grooming them to take over their business as they were interested in seeking another business venture. Tina and Patrick joined them in December that very same year, and then the business was turned over to Tina and Patrick the next March.
Cup ‘n Cork
features espresso by Parengo Coffee, another coffee establishment in Sikeston; Tina and Colby, owner of Parengo, developed an exclusive house blend for Cup ‘n Cork. As I was talking to a very busy Tina, a huge group of SEMO students came in to have some coffee and treats. A noted feature that I especially like are their gluten-free peanut butter cookies. Finally, a coffee shop featuring gluten-free goodies so I can partake!
you are in the mood for a Thai coffee and an amazing bowl of pho (for the doubly
Pho8
amazing price of $6) try , a wonderful new noodle shop in Cape. There they brew chicory coffee from the esteemed Café du Monde in New Orleans. They drip it over sweetened condensed milk, stir it, and then pour it over ice. Yum! I have this special treat when I need an afternoon pick-me-up and some company, as well as some delicious, healthy food. I personally have my coffee with one of their rice bowls, also only $6! With establishments like these, it is easy to find a sense of community in a world that is becoming more and more impersonal. Thank you to these businesses, and keep up the hard work by keeping the rest of us going.
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