My name is Cindy Sebastian. Lisa
Sumpter and I have been friends for some time now. We really enjoyed hiking the beautiful trail at Onondaga Cave State Park. It was wellmarked and had many spots where you can take some great photos. The cave was an unexpected joy. While it was pretty hot outside, it felt great to cool off in the cave. I especially liked the Lilly Pad Room. Lisa is married to Mike Sumpter and works at First State Financial with my husband, Matt. Both Mike and Matt love the outdoors, too. I am a wife, mom of four boys, and am passionate about helping others become healthier with Juice PlusTM and exercise classes I teach.
This
is the third year that we have participated in the EXTREME HIKE for Cystic Fibrosis and each year it keeps getting bigger and better; however, we are limited to 64 hikers in the National Forest Ozark Trail. We call it Xtreme because it is 30.1 miles in a day; training is Xtreme as well as the $2,500 minimum fundraising goal to find a cure for Cystic Fibrosis. Those that participate have fundraisers during the year as well as donations and sponsors. The event takes place on Saturday, September 12, with all hikers arriving on Friday, September 11, for an inspiring pasta dinner at the Wilderness Lodge in Lesterville. The hike starts at four o’clock A.M. and will take anywhere from 11-15 hours. There are three aid stations along the way for food and water. There is a celebration dinner after the hike and a breakfast awards ceremony on Sunday. Needless to say, this is a very special event and is a weekend of inspiration and hope.
the
hike, itself, is very, very difficult. I can describe it most like childbirth. While you are doing the hike, you think, “Why did I sign up for this?” When it is over, you are so happy and feel so proud that you completed it that you forget the pain. It has been my experience it is best not to stop to rest for very long or you may not be able to get up. I do it for a personal reason. I am a mom on a mission since my oldest son has CF. Matt and I have six people on our team this year—Lisa Sumpter is the only one from the 573. We have two people from St. Louis and my sister, Carol, from Aiken, SC, will be joining us this year. We also host a local “Hike for CF” at Hawn State Park each year as a fundraiser for those that want to try a little less Xtreme hike (six or ten miles). If anyone would like to sponsor one of us or any of this year’s hikers, you can contact us via Facebook—Hike for CF—or you can simply drop off a check to First State Community Bank or First State Financial Services. Each one of us has a link that you can donate online directly if you desire, and 100% of your donation is tax-deductible; the blisters we will have are not! While this is a labor of love for us, we love the fact that we get to do something we love to do (hiking) all in an effort to raise the necessary funds for a cure, not only for our son, but for all of those that live with Cystic Fibrosis every day. We are making progress in the progression of this disease. One of the Xtreme Hikers has CF, is in her 40’s, and is a double lung transplant who is doing 30.1 miles in a day.
Just outside of Sullivan you’ll find a totally unexpected, stunning and amazing place in the 573—Onondaga Cave. Now under the watchful eye of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, the cave and surrounding 1,035 acres have been a State Park since 1982.
we arrived at Onondaga Cave, we met our rather tall 6’6” ranger/tour guide, Michael Miller. He gave us a preview of what we could expect on the tour. We watched a quick video and were on our way. As we entered the air lock we were taken back by the cool, yet thick 100% humidity. Inside it’s a constant 57 degrees with no breeze so you might want to bring a jacket. Oh, and be sure to wear shoes with a little thicker sole than say, loafers. The cool temps can make your feet quite chilly. Don’t worry about getting dirty – just stay on the path; don’t touch the formations (that can be bad); and prepare yourself for sights by which you’ll be awestruck. We toured the depths of the cave and gazed in awe as Michael explained the dolomite formations, showed us flowstone (calcium formations deposited by flowing water), and pointed out the stalagmites and stalactites in their whites, greens, oranges, grays and blacks. We remember the differences between stalagmites and stalactites from this little saying: Stalactites cling “tight” to the roof and stalagmites “might” reach up. This place is massive!
-mostateparks.com
cave is alive with dripping water but not so much that you’ll get more than a few drops on you. It is also a “work in progress” as the water leaves behind microscopic dolomite and calcite residue everso-slowly changing the formations. It’s a humbling feeling when you think about the slower than a glacial growth of the formations and how long it took to form the Queen’s Canopy and the lily pads in the Lily Pad Room. Amazingly to me, they’re still growing and changing. When I was kid my parents brought me and my two siblings to the cave. This time I took a little longer soaking up and taking in the raw beauty of the cave. As a young skull full of mush, the grandeur didn’t register; but as a returning adult, I marvel at the magnificence of it all. This cave is as splendid as the Grand Canyon and while there are tons of pictures on the Internet of both places, nothing can describe the beauty and grandeur you’ll encounter. Those of you who have visited the Canyon can attest to the breathtaking views which cannot be replicated in a photo. If you take a moment to look at pictures online and think you don’t need to go – still go anyway! Onondaga is a “must see” attraction and can be a great family (or couples) day trip get-a-way. Bring $15 for adults and $9 for kids (6-12). The length of the tour is one mile and takes one hour and 15 minutes to complete.
words b. hisserich | pics t. smugala
Lantern led tours through a historic district filled with tales of ghosts and lost souls... some of which still call Ste. Genevieve home. On this particular Saturday night my girlfriend, Tracy, and I traveled to Ste. Genevieve to take the Haunted Home Tour hosted by Ste. Genevieve Ghost Tours. If you’ve been reading this magazine for a while, you know my dog Pete and I have been on plenty of hikes. But on this exotic outing, we had along our newest addition to the family. Cooper, our miniature dachshund, made his public debut. He is a fearless little dog; and at nine pounds and jet black, he melted into the night like the ghosts we were about to experience. Nearly everyone Cooper comes in contact with results in a tail wagging greeting, but he holds his own when threatened. We were certain that this night Cooper would “alert” to something; perhaps it would be in the graveyard.
We began our 90 minute tour appropriately enough, under a full moon. We walked east to the corner of Second Street and Merchant to the home of one of the premier Ste. Gen families, Felix and Odie Pratt Valle. This home was built in 1818 with limestone quarried nearby. The Valles owned slaves who were housed in a small building behind the home as was common in those years. The business located directly across Second Street was a General Store then and had a basement which held slaves being bought and sold. Today, the iron rings where the slaves were shackled remain. The floor contains randomly drilled one inch holes to allow some ventilation for the indentured humans. Ghastly as it seems to us, it was an acceptable and flourishing practice back in the day. This is the perfect setting for unsettled spirits. Our guide, and owner of Ste. Genevieve Ghost Tours, Brian Gray, explained to us that the underlying limestone holds energy and thus, spirits. Therefore, since the entire town of Ste. Gen was built of and upon limestone, spirit activity remains high throughout the whole town. By the way, Ste. Genevieve is home to the oldest brick building west of the Mississippi River and early census records show people inhabited the area prior to 1752. It’s easy to understand why a town which has been around for over 265 years would have some pretty strange happenings from time to time. We continued our tour at a leisurely pace while Brian explained the strange occurrences which took place at the different homes and businesses. (By the way, this tour is totally handicapped- accessible. The walk is more of a stroll with nothing too strenuous.) Along the way, we toured the Guibourd-Valle House built around 1784. It is said to be the oldest haunted house in the United States. There have been numerous manifestations in this home—a harpsicord that plays by itself, footsteps in the servants’ quarters—recorded as late as the 1980’s.
The Southern Hotel built in circa 1790’s has a storied past as you can imagine. This is the oldest operating hotel west of the Mississippi and reported to be the finest hotel between Natchez, Mississippi and St. Louis. One of the more notable guests was none other than William Clark – yes, that Clark, of Lewis and Clark. Visitors often tell stories of apparitions joining them during their stay.
A tour through the old graveyard produced a surprise when a gravedigger showed up to tell us about the ghastly goings on in the graveyard. His appearence was the icing on the cake. The tour ends at the Audubon Restaraunt for drinks at Fenwick’s Bar, also said to be haunted. Cooper never did alert to anything out of the ordinary but enjoyed the tour as much as anyone there. For history buffs and ghost seekers, the unique history of Ste. Genevieve abounds. Brian and his crew are well versed so ask a lot of questions and allow your senses to receive these vibrations of the past! Book a tour at www. stegenevieveghosttours.com
There are programs, workshops, special events and accommodations for school and youth group visits.
Fall
is a great time of year to start an exercise program. The air is cool and the changing of the seasons keep you entertained. Achieving personal fitness should be a top goal for everyone. Four years ago I began my journey to fitness. I didn’t join a fancy gym or cross fit, I did it the old school way– just did it! Many people are overwhelmed when they decide to begin a fitness program because they have no experience trying to increase their fitness level. It is tough to find out what works for you. The tips below may help you build and continue a fitness program that works for you. Fitness is a lifelong pursuit, and you should build your fitness plan slowly and carefully so that it will be sustainable. Choose exercises and activities that you enjoy and that fit into your lifestyle. Be sure to incorporate different forms of exercise into your workout as you age, this way you can gracefully and appropriately transition your workout. For me, bike riding, running and hiking work best. Make sure that you drink a minimum of six glasses of water each day to ensure that your body stays properly hydrated. You should also drink an additional 16 oz. of water for every workout that you perform. You don’t want to risk your body becoming dehydrated. It’s the fastest way to get a headache and feel overly tired after exercise. Some exercises are designed to burn fat. Some build lean muscle. Some are best for those trying to build bulkier muscle. Be aware of what the exercises you are doing focus on and what you’ll get out of it.
Make sure that you keep your workouts under an hour. My doctor friend tells me that after about 60 minutes, your body starts to produce more of the stress hormone called Cortisol, which can cause you to waste away your muscles– you need muscle to burn fat. Make sure that you maximize your workout and do not waste your time with excessive workouts. I’ve found that running is the one of the best ways to get fit. There is a simple formula you can follow regarding the speed and pace of your run. Start out slowly, then in the middle increase speed, then at the end run as fast as you can. Lastly, walk to cool down. Never let weather be an excuse for not getting exercise. Get a rain jacket instead.
After several weeks of sticking to the regimen that you created, pick up the pace. This will increase the desire that you have and also improve your overall results. It is always better to give yourself a challenge, especially if you are trying to elevate your strength. Do not let inexperience or fear keep you from starting a fitness program. Do not become overwhelmed trying to do too much at once. Make fitness part of your life and you will increase your overall health. And remember to visit your doctor before you start any exercise program. This will take the fear out of starting.
Good luck and get out there.
This time of year
everyone is ready to throw in the towel when it comes to mowing that grass. We have a day off work and yes, we spend it mowing and weed-eating. We are lucky in the 573 area to have had such a green year when some of our country is in such a serious drought. Around my house we do try to keep up the mowing. The snakes are an issue in the country, and we want to be able to see them. We also like to have a nice low cut green for a family game of soccer. One hot and sunny day, I had almost mowed the whole yard and had one last section. Why should I just mow it all? I was feeling creative and spunky. I mowed a big spiral into the lawn while grinning. My husband was surprised. My children ran out to play in the homemade maze. I’ve let the spiral grow for over a month now. I am humbled by the amazing plants that are growing and blooming in my spiral. This spiral has given us a chance to see our lawn in true glory. We began to identify the many plants that were growing there. Edible and medicinal plants grow all over these Missouri hills and farm lands. Our ancestors were acquainted with these plants and used them to gain healing and strength. We had dandelion, an edible and medicinal plant with more vitamins and minerals than anything in my actual garden. Perilla began to grace us with its beautiful, fragrant leaves. Perilla originated in China and was considered a sacred plant 2,000 years ago.
Smart weed
popped up with a fast growing, perky, pink flower. Smart weed can be used for seasoning in soups. It is also used as an antiinflammatory and antibiotic. Many animals use smart weed for a food source. The ground ivy started crawling around, wanting to be noticed. Ground ivy has been used as a cough remedy and for nervous headaches. It has also been used in curing abscesses and bruising. And, I can’t forget to mention plantain. Plantain is one of the most amazing first aid herbs, yet it is such a common little weed. When we were on vacation, the children enjoyed the beach. My oldest daughter said, “There is no plantain growing. What do we do?” My children know to pick a plantain leaf, chew it and place it on a bug bite or scrape. Two local folks have cured brown recluse bites by using plantain poultice. Let’s not mow it all down!
What is in your spiral of life? Get creative with your lawn. Learn about your local plants and how you can benefit from them. It’s fun for the whole family. Peterson Field Guide, Eastern and Central Medicinal Plants and Herbs by Steven Foster and James A. Duke is a wonderful identification book. I would love to see photos of your creative lawn art.
Happy mowing!
-l. johnson
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Sometimes you have to put the brakes on your current situation in order to move forward. I recently did this. By opening myself up to new ideas, I opened myself up to new opportunities. I’d been working with the 573 Magazine for about three years as a contributor and doing sales, but my situation at the time made it scary to make a full-time commitment. Now, after six months, I’m happy to report that I am the editor of the Cape Girardeau edition of 573 Magazine. Being the editor of this fine magazine has changed so many things in my life. I’m making new friends and meeting interesting people. I am also a partner in a film production, as if the 573 gig wasn’t good enough. We are preparing to shoot a new feature film, Interview a Monster, a hip, twisted comedy, right here in Cape. The main shooting will take place in late October. Pre-shooting will begin early September with a chase scene through Cape starring Jessi Combs, star of Overhaulin, Myth Busters and All Girl Garage. Jessi also happens to hold the world record for the fastest woman on wheels.
Once I’d made the decision to pursue my dream (I have been in some form of media for decades), it reminded me that I am behind the streering wheel of my life. There are no limitations to what I can do, have, or be, except the limitations I place upon myself by my own thinking. Don’t let negativity hold you back. Don’t be afraid. Go back to school. Take that new job. Pursue a new life. Follow that dream. Take care of your family. Do these things for yourself. Soon you will have new friends and new supports which allow you to have much more in life. So get out there and let life produce your unexpected.