We may come from different places and that may lead us to different conclusions. But underneath it all, we share a passion for improving our world. So, when we were deep into the planning of this issue, I realized pretty much everyone would agree that there are three simple ways to enjoy the holidays. Be noble with acts of kindness. Slow down and appreciate your loved ones. Share a moment, share good food. Here are a few recommendations for you to visit for a great meal with your family and friends.
Shogun Farmington 729 Sunset Dr., Farmington 573-760-1080 www.shogunfarmington.com Sun - Thurs: 11am - 9 pm Fri - Sat: 11am - 10 pm Featured: Jun/Jul 2014
CASA SOL 204 South A St., Farmington 573-747-1190 www.mycasasol.com Tues - Sat: 11am - 10 pm Sun: 11am - 8 pm PASTA HOUSE 931 Valley Creek Dr. Farmington 573-760-0026 www.pastahouse.com
Mary Jane Burgers and brew 102 N Jackson St., Perryville (573) 547-6279 www.maryjaneburgers.com Mon - Sat: 11 am - 1:30 am Sun: 11 am - 8 pm Featured: May 2014
Imo’s Farmington 26 West Karsch Blvd., Farmington 573-756-9100 www.imospizza.com Sun - Thurs; 10 am -10 pm Fri - Sat: 10 am -11 pm
COFFEE GRILL 5010 Flat River Road Farmington, MO. 63640 Mon - Fri: 7 am - 8 pm Sat: 8 am - 2 pm Sun: 10 am - 2 pm
Garten Haus Restaurant at Weingarten Vineyard 12323 Rottler Lane, Ste. Genevieve 573-883-2505 www.weingartenvineyard.com Reservations are preferred, but not required Hours and Menu vary Please call: 573-883-2505
Ray’s of Kelso 151 S Messmer Street, Kelso 573-264-1115 www.raysofkelso.com Tues - Thurs: 4:30 pm - 9 pm Fri & Sat: 4:30 pm - 10 pm Featured: Feb 2014
The Lakeside Restaurant at Vance Vineyards & Winery 1522 Madison 212, Fredericktown 573-783-8800 www.vancevineyards.com Fri - Sat: 5 pm - 9 pm Sun: 12 - 3 pm
You
know what they say? The cream always rises to the top and it certainly does apply to the fine folks at Crown Valley. When we looked around for help with our annual Shop & Dine Issue, they leaped on the opportunity to make a feast for us and tore it to pieces. (You have to get used to the tiger references. It’s Tiger Ridge after all.) What I am saying is that we found much more than a great meal and it’s my pleasure to share my discovery with you. The food was one of the best Thanksgiving meals I’ve ever had the pleasure of eating, but additionally the thoughtful professionalism displayed by the entire crew at Crown Valley was extraordinary. After spending more than five hours with the team I can report that they all have a positive attitude and their meticulous work ethic shines through in all they do. It was a joy working with them. While we were enjoying the meal that was so generously offered, we became curious about the most beautiful environment in which we were being served. One thing led to another and here we have a Thanksgiving Feast rolled into a great breakfast shared with fine people at a beautiful location.
Chef Ken Viera and his pecan crusted sweet potato casserole topped with whole candied pecans.
The Players for the feast. The Players theValley feast. Ken Viera joinedfor Crown in 2007 as an Executive Pastry Chef. Ken Viera joined Crown ValleyHis inquick 2007 as an Executive He is now the Executive Chef. climb to the topPastry may have Chef. He is now the Executive Chef. His quick climb to the something to do with the fact that Ken’s dad was a chef for top 53 may have something to do with the fact that Ken’s dad was a years and Ken started working in his dad’s kitchen when he was chef for 53 years and Ken started working in his dad’s kitchen only eight years old. Chef Viera serves up breakfast for some 65 when he was only eight yearsValley old. Chef Viera serves up breakfast people who stay at the Crown Country Lodging properties for some 65 people who stay at the Crown Valley Country located near the winery and distillery. Andy and Brittany Gegg are located winery Andy a Lodging dynamicproperties husband and wifenear chefthe team fromand Ste. distillery. Genevieve who and Brittany Gegg are a dynamic husband and wife chef team both attended L’ecole Culinaire school in Ladue and have been from Ste. who bothfor attended L’ecole Culinaire school working at Genevieve Crown Valley Winery nearly three years. in Ladue and have been working at Crown Valley Winery for nearly three years.
THE MEAL. It was a feast meant for a King. All ingredients were fresh. Nothing was overdone, oversalted, overbuttered or overcooked. It was perfectly done! The turkey white meat was moist and succulent. The Bison Meatballs were in a spicy barbecue sauce. The tasty, fine texture has set the bar high for my low-fat meat source. Of course, the main dishes were served along with an awesome stuffing and crisp green beans with almonds, baked beets with a little butter, and a smidge of herbs, which are organic and grown by Crown Valley. The pecan crusted sweet potato casserole was smooth and topped with whole candied pecans that added a little crunch. The farm fresh salad was amazing with green zebra tomato, sunkist tomato, julian bell peppers and an absolutely amazing Tahini dressing. The fresh baked rolls were so light and fluffy I could have made them my dessert—until I was presented with the perfect slice of pumpkin pie, made spicy just the way I like it.
THE RECIPE: Sweet and Spicy Bison Meatballs INGREDIENTS 2 lbs Ground Bison 1 egg 1 medium onion, finely chopped 1 cup bread crumbs, plain 3 tbsp of fresh parsley 1 tsp ground black pepper 1/2 tsp salt 2 tsp ground basil 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce 2 tbsp green relish ¼ cup ketchup 7 ounce canned tomato sauce 2 tbsp finely chopped onion 2 tbsp. brown sugar 1 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce ¼ cup water 1 tbsp. vinegar (use Balsamic if you like a sharper flavor) Good pinch of cracked black pepper
DIRECTIONS For Meatballs Preheat oven to 350ºF. In a large bowl, add ground bison, egg, onion, parsley, bread crumbs, pepper, salt, basil and Worcestershire sauce and mix well with your hands. Form into walnut sized balls and place on an oiled cookie tray. Be careful not to overcrowd and let the meatballs touch. Bake in oven 15 minutes. Makes about 32 meatballs. For Spicy Sauce Mix everything except the meatballs together in a large non-stick pan. Simmer over medium heat for 15 minutes, stirring frequently. Add cooked meatballs and cook gently for another 1015 minutes until meatballs are heated through.
THE BREAKFAST. They serve Hermann Wurst Haus Bacon that is hickory smoked and a little spicy, salty and crispy and a slightly sweet sausage. The pan fried hash browns are cooked to perfection. Crispy on the outside and moist, but not greasy. No breakfast would be complete without eggs. Just imagine an egg casserole that makes the ho-hum sing and dance. Biscuits & gravy smooth and delicious. The cinnamon roll dough was prepared the day before and had plenty of cinnamon and just the right amount of icing— the crème de la crème. If that’s a bit too heavy, then try the fresh cut, scrumptious fruit. Are you wondering how you can get in on the action? Well, lucky for everyone, catering is offered for parties of 50 to 150 people (or more with special accommodation arrangements), and the Bison is sold to the public. Crown Valley has so much more to offer. They add to our quality of life in the 573 in ways that we sometimes take for granted.
We at the 573 Magazine are constantly reminded of all the wonderful features in our area: the inspirational people, the awe-inspiring places, and the mouthwatering selections of foods. We are simply observers of what’s taking place around us. Our stories—most of which are suggested by readers—are candid glimpses of the people who live, work and play in the area. People like yourself. We pride ourselves on being a reflection of the kindhearted silent majority going about daily life in the area—those people who are often overlooked. Anyone can have a voice in the magazine. From the beginning, we at the 573 Magazine have presented things just as we see them, without bias and without an agenda. No politics, no world news, no disasters. Our sponsors do good business. Our recommendations are earned, not bought! We sit on no boards, and we belong to no clubs or other organizations designed to capture or hold business or money—we are accountable to you, our readers. We strive to shine a light on the positive and to remind readers of the people and places that sometimes get taken for granted. This is the true mission of the 573 Magazine. We are thankful for each and every reader, subscriber, and sponsor for giving us this voice. From all of us at the 573 Magazine, we wish you a happy holiday season.
Your lady got you a new Blu-ray player, but you have no Blu-ray discs, just 1,000 perfectly fine DVDs. You... 1. graciously accept the gift and tell her you were thinking about switching over and this could be your motivation. 2. put it in the closet to re-gift next year. 3. ask for the receipt so you can exchange it. You prefer to give... 1. inexpensive, carefully personalized gifts. 2. expensive, impressive gifts. 3. nothing. During your office party, you get caught under the mistletoe with a co-worker who’s had a little too much eggnog. You... 1. take it like a gentleman and hope she doesn’t remember her embarrassing actions. 2. fake a heart attack. 3. tell her you would rather make out with a reindeer with Mad Reindeer Disease than kiss her.
Your girlfriend invites you to spend the weekend with her parents at their cabin in the woods. You... 1. try to find out as much about her parents as possible so you can bring an appropriate gift. 2. look in your closet for any potential re-gifting presents for old people. 3. tell her your old Auntie May has come down with a virus and she has no one to care for her. Once free, you head out with your buddies. What would you do if you were walking along on Christmas Day and a child threw a snowball at you? 1. Laugh with the funny kid and get into a gentle, friendly snowball fight. 2. Ignore him and keep walking. 3. Rub his face in the snow and call the police. What is your favorite holiday movie? 1. It’s a Wonderful Life. 2. Santa Claus Conquers the Martians. 3. Santa Claus and His Sexy Elves.
What is your biggest complaint about Christmas? 1. You wish you could give more. 2. The holidays are too commercialized. 3. Lumps of coal are too hard to come by these days. You wrap presents with... 1. recycled gift wrap. 2. store-bought gift wrap. 3. old newspaper.
8 – 12. You are a total Christmas gentleman. You please even the pickiest of seasonally spirited ladies and you are sure to make everyone around the Yule log feel comfortable about the holidays. Your mother loves you and total strangers crave to give you gifts. Keep up the good work. 13 – 18. Hmmm. Seems you need a little improvement. You may want to seek some professional help from a mall Santa. Until then, try these self-affirmations: I am a great guy at Christmas time. I love giving, more than receiving. I can make my sweetheart happy for the holidays. I love eggnog and fruitcake. I’m going to have the best Christmas tree ever. 19 +. You are a miserable old Scrooge wannabe. Your teeth are surely green and you shouldn’t be trusted around children’s candy. You may want to rethink your holiday Bah Humbugs, unless of course you want to spend all 365 days a year alone on your old flea-bitten sofa.
A guide to help keep those extra pounds off during the holiday season. When we think about the holiday season, our thoughts instantly go to memories of our childhood. Ah, the aroma of Mom’s fresh baked turkey and her savory homemade dressing. We reminisce about her wonderful pumpkin pie, or maybe we think of fudge, caramel apples, candy corn, cookies, homemade breads, eggnog, or many other of the goodie items that we love at the holidays. Eating rich, traditional food for one meal a year doesn’t hurt at all. Yet, when the overindulgence goes on for days or even several weeks, one is bound to pick up a few pounds. We can enjoy the holiday season and still make good eating choices. The trick to eating healthy over the holidays is pretty simple—plan ahead, choose sensibly, eat slowly and don’t stress out about your weight.
Tip #1: Limit your daily treats. Those never-ending office treats that are not just enticing, but also tasty, should be limited to one piece every other day. Tip #2: Park farther away from work. Walking a bit more to get to work really pays off. You might even take a brisk walk with a co-worker at lunch to discuss your holiday plans. This extra activity will speed up your system and help burn off the extra calories from the holiday treats.
Tip #3: Eat smaller portions of food. The key to eating
healthy during Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s is to control those portions. The danger lies not just in what you eat, but in how much you eat. Choose the items you want to try and eat a small portion of each.
Tip #4: Have a light, healthy snack or meal before parties. Take the edge off your hunger before you go to a party. This also allows more time for visiting and enjoying family and friends. If you go to the holiday party hungry, you tend to graze much of the time you are there.
Tip #5: Be a realist. Don’t try to lose weight during the
holiday season. Aim to just maintain your current weight. Preventing weight gain over the holidays is a great present to give yourself.
Tip #6: Eat slowly. Get more enjoyment out of dinner
conversation by taking more time to eat. Eating slowly allows your stomach to signal when you’re full, which will help prevent overeating.
Tip #7: Avoid fast food. Traveling and the hustle and bustle during the holidays leave little time to prepare meals. Plan ahead for holiday travel: make sandwiches, take fruit for snacking, and pack a travel bag of healthy foods. If you do eat out, nutritional information available from many food chains can help you make healthier choices. Look for the menu items lowest in fat, sodium, and sugar. Usually a plain sandwich with lettuce and tomato, a salad (limit dressing) and water to drink would be a great meal choice if you have to eat on the run. Tip #8: Cut cakes and pies into small pieces before putting
them on the buffet table. With all the other fabulous food, the dessert should be the perfect size for just a taste. This allows guests to sample a few of their special choices without overindulging. When making the desserts, use dark chocolate with a high cocoa content. Dark chocolate not only provides a useful dose of minerals, but the richness means you will also be more satisfied with less.
Tip #9: After a meal, go for a walk with your family. See the festive holiday lights and displays in your neighborhood while burning those extra calories.
Tip #10: Choose low-calorie drinks. Pass on the calorie-
laden eggnog and make a lighter choice. Limiting the calories in your drinks can significantly reduce your daily calories and will help you avoid weight gain. Now get out there and get stuffed!
b. hisserich
Of
all the wonderful sights and sounds Missouri has to offer, the sound of horse hooves clip-clopping down a winding, rugged trail harkens back to a simpler time, a time when a clock didn’t matter and the only rush in a person’s week was getting to church on time. If you’ve ever ridden a horse you will remember the rhythmic cadence of its plodding and the soothing way in which your back rocks to the front and back again. At the same time, you feel the horse’s power as its muscles flex while negotiating the changing terrain. I remember vividly how the horse’s hips gently swayed slightly to and fro almost causing me to fall asleep in the saddle, only to be startled when the horse nickered its soft, neighing sound. This is nature at its finest.
And what could be more natural than horseback riding and
camping combined? If you think about it, the horsemen of yore simply spread their bedrolls on the ground and used their saddles as a means in which to prop up their heads. A lot has changed since then as most equestrian camping sites are equipped with all the amenities for man and beast. And, of course, the 573 has the best state parks for equestrians in Missouri!
At St. Joe, the scenic trail which twists and
turns through this historic mining property can be enjoyed without the interference of ATV’s on the same trail. Mountain bikes are sometimes encountered on these trails but the bike riders and horsemen coexist quite well, so no worries if you have a skittish horse. Of the 10 miles of equestrian trail in St. Joe Park’s Pine Ridge Trail, nearly all of it is a “natural surface” of bare earth strewn with rocks, boulders and roots.
...equestrians at Trail of Tears State Park outside Cape Girardeau can ride the Peewah Trail.
Other
equestrian trails in the area are at Sam A. Baker State Park, Johnson’s Shut-ins State Park, and Trail of Tears State Park. At Sam A. Baker State Park, the Mudlick Trail meanders its way through the St. Francois Mountains. Riders at Johnson’s Shut-ins will be able to pass through a 5,000 acre wilderness area and cross several rocky creeks. And equestrians at Trail of Tears State Park outside Cape Girardeau can ride the Peewah Trail. This winding and beautiful trail near the banks of the Mississippi River is a place where you’ll encounter steep hills and deep ravines, all heavily wooded and full of wildlife such as deer, turkey and a thriving population of squirrels. If you choose to ride during the fall, watch for the fresh deer rubs where the bucks spar with small saplings in preparation for the upcoming mating season. The more rubs you see means there’s a large number of male deer. See how many you can spot. We spoke with several horse owners and without exception all were laid back and were some of the friendliest people we ever met. The opportunity to ride for uninterrupted miles is right here, right now. Get out there and ….. giddy up!
My
We have camped and hauled horses all over the country from Georgia to South Dakota to Texas...
name is Shelly Thomure. My husband Tim and I have been married for 26 years. We have four children and have owned and operated our horse farm since 1998. We have been raising registered AQHA quarter horses since 2000, when our first foal hit the ground!! And she is awesome!! Our pride and joy, Sugar!! We strive for beautiful, athletic AQHA quarter horses. I was raised on a quarter horse farm and Tim married into it. All of our children love and ride the horses. We spend a lot of quality time with them. We have camped and hauled horses all over the country from Georgia to South Dakota to Texas—competing and trail riding. We have camped in Custer, South Dakota, where Mount Rushmore is located and ridden up to the heads and rode all over Custer National Park with the Buffalo. We have been to Ivanhoe, Virginia, where we went trail riding with bears and rattlesnakes. We have camped in Illinois at Shawnee Park and rode to Devil’s Kitchen. We have hauled to Las Vegas, Nevada, and let the horses stay at the South Point Casino. We have camped where Crazy Horse roamed at Fort Robinson in Crawford, Nebraska. But I will have to say Eminence, Missouri, is probably my favorite place to camp, ride, shop and float with my friends and family.
My name is Taylor Fischbeck. I am 13 and live in Farmington.
My passion has always been horses. I have two brothers: Chase is 16 and Tristan is 6. My parents are Mark and Leslie Fischbeck. Horseback riding has always been a family thing for us, but it is way more than that to me. I have been showing horses since I was five and riding since I was three. My latest passions with horses are barrel racing, pole-bending and, always, cowboy mounted shooting. Although I love competing with my horses and all of the friends that we make along the way, camping with horses is the best!! This is where I get to enjoy my horses, and my horses seem to enjoy it, too. Splashing through the river is the best. My horses paw and splash themselves, and sometimes just take off swimming. There is no other feeling in the world than when you are on a 900 pound animal and it takes off swimming. It is graceful and awkward all at the same time. It’s so fun! On these campouts, we get to relax, have fun and see God’s beauty on horseback while riding the trails. My mom usually has to take two horses for me because I really want to ride from sun up to sun down! What can be better than campfires, s’mores, playing games and laughing with family and friends and then wake up and do it all over again? For my 13th birthday party, my parents took six of my best friends camping this summer with horses at Lesterville, and it was so much fun! We love to camp at Riversedge in Lesterville and Brushy Creek in Black, Mo. Eminence and Sam A. Baker Park are some of our favorites, too. I don’t care where we camp, as long as we are right on the river and our horses are there. Then we are set to have some fun!
Splashing through the river is the best.
k. lyne
Recently we were invited to lunch with Randy and Connie Hamann, owners of the Weingarten Winery, to check out some new and exciting things happening there. Weingarten Winery is a big, bold, and beautiful classy destination off the beaten path. It offers a beautiful setting overlooking the vineyards and unspoiled landscape of Ste. Genevieve County. With lots of available lighting and large windows throughout, a wide variety of functions are easily accommodated—large and small, rain or shine, indoors and outdoors, from weddings and receptions to wine dinners and corporate functions. This intentionally designed winery is tastefully appointed, creating mood and ambiance for any event. Every inch of the winery serves as a beautiful photographic backdrop. Brides love it here, where photographers are sure to create great images. An on-site chef and large gift shop are icing on the cake.
Spacious, yet warm and inviting, guests enjoy a unique ambiance, which includes an impressive stone fireplace, arched wood ceiling, adjoining patio, and spectacular view of the vineyard and the pristine miles beyond. On the main level is the southern facing Chambourcin Room with private deck overlooking the vineyard and offering a stunning view. It’s the perfect room, with several setup options, for personal and professional gatherings. On the upper level is the Saison Room (German for “season”). This room is named for the tranquility found in watching the passing seasons from the glass-enclosed balcony. Designed for larger events, its deep, rich tones surround guests in a refined atmosphere. Weddings are held in any of these locations, as well as outdoors, in the vineyard, or on the covered patio.
Jeff Chapman was a chef at an upscale restaurant for eight years prior to coming to Weingarten. His skills, mixed with the quality and passion he puts in his dishes have built an extensive assortment of delicious fine foods, served Thursday through Sunday, lunch and dinner. During daytime, one can order off the Old World Deli menu. In the evenings, there are full menus for Wednesday Pub Night, Thursday Pasta Night and exceptionally fine dining Friday through Sunday evenings. Dishes include salmon grilled to perfection served with a smooth, creamy lemon dill sauce, crisp asparagus, and a pasta farfalle tossed in a white wine butter sauce. A filet mignon grilled to order and served with shiitake mushrooms sautéed in a special house garlic herb butter sauce. The perfectly mashed parmesan potatoes and asparagus are hardly needed but add a nice complement to the meal. An example of something cooked in the Weingarten kitchen and served buffet style for a wedding party would be Brisket with mashed potatoes and green beans topped with almonds.
Jeannie Roberts is a high-energy woman who raised four children before she started a successful retail business two decades ago. Botaniques was a first-class gift and floral shop in Farmington. Recently she chose to retire to spend more time with her children and grandchildren. But this dynamic woman discovered a way to enjoy her family and follow her passion. She’s partnered with Randy and Connie in their shop at the winery named INSPIRE. Jeannie has a flair and expertise for shopping the major markets across the nation and displaying the nicely designed items in the Weingarten Winery. By adding new energy to the equation, Weingarten is even more of a go-to destination. Guests enjoy not only great wines and great food, spectacular vistas, a relaxing atmosphere and gracious hospitality, they also find much of interest in Jeannie’s shop. Visit their open house Saturday, November the 8th. Starts at 12 noon.
Anyway, it was once again time for the kingdom’s annual Christmas party. For a solid year, the queen’s dancers trained and practiced for this royal dance off. The event was quite a celebration. Cookies were nibbled, punch was drunk, stockings were emptied, songs were sang and, of course, dances were danced. The dancers pirouetted and jete’d their little hearts out and turned their toes into little nubs, but it wasn’t long before all eyes were focused on one dancer. There’s always one that stands out above the herd, you know. It’s just a fact of life that in checkers, quilting, animal husbandry, mad scientry, and dance there’s always one who shines above all others. There will always be one who will work harder, have more focus, or just want it more. Whatever the reason, Clara was that star. She was the antithesis of grace and beauty—and the best dancer in the joint. From the way she held her hands to the way her chin never dipped below level, everything about Clara was oozing charisma and charm.
traightaway, Princess Magdalene stood and yelled, “STOP! We have a winner.” Clara was summoned to stand before Queen Kimberly. Clara’s face flushed red with excitement and she smiled as the queen presented her with the most beautiful nutcracker ever made. But, sadly, not all in the palace were happy with the queen’s choice. In fact, some were actually green with envy. There’s always a group that figures they deserve more simply based on their station in life.
One dancer grew so jealous that she snatched the nutcracker from Clara, then many others joined in the most despicable game of monkey-in-the-middle the kingdom had ever seen. Even the Sugar Plum Fairies joined in. Clara felt like a child at an evil daycare.
The queen could do nothing but turn her head in disapproval. This sort of thing was not worth her attention—not in public anyway.
Suddenly, without notice and out of nowhere, mice dressed in army uniforms burst into the ballroom. Evil as all-get-out and thick as thieves—sporting cheap jewelry and reeking of old cheese, crust-worthy enough in fact to make even the foulest of evil mouse mothers run away in disgust. The mice were downright nasty. They were led by the king of all rats, the Mouse King. Chaos ensued. Dancers, mice, Clara, the nutcracker—all in a battle royal. The smack down of smack downs. Faces were scratched, fur was pulled, and dancers were choked out. Yup, it was dirty pool alright. Soon the Mouse King got the upper paw and had the Nutcracker Prince cornered with his blade ready to run him through. No one is quite sure what happened next, as the madness was too great and too terrifying to follow, but legend has it that Clara threw her slipper at the big fat rat. She hit him directly in the head so hard that the Nutcracker Prince was able to overcome the stunned dirty rotten Mouse King to claim his prize— which turned out to be his head.
a group of dedicated individuals get together to perform The Nutcracker. Headed up by the director of the Ballet Arts Center in Farmington, this small town dance group delivers a big city cast and big city performance. We met up with Kim Anderson and her daughter, Maggie, to find out more about the Nutcracker. As Maggie’s mum, I am enjoying having my grown daughter work alongside me. How we arrived here seems almost fleeting—just yesterday she was a little girl in beginning ballet under my tutelage. Her first experience as a dancer in the Nutcracker Ballet was as a mouse. Through the years, she earned stronger roles and performed the role of the Sugar Plum Fairy as a young adult. Maggie had the opportunity to travel abroad to train and perform professionally. She then returned home to Missouri to join me in the ballet studio. Her life in the studio, as well as growing up with the Nutcracker Ballet, allows me the opportunity to work alongside the perfect assistant director for this production. Dance for me is literally an indefinable experience. I often have this conversation with my students: “Why are we here? What are we doing?” You can’t articulate it, but the experience of dance is from the inside out; a dancer is meant to dance, driven by spirit and emotion. Generation to generation, culture to culture, dance is an emotional and honest expression of the soul. Those who don’t experience dance directly, through themselves, share in the experience as they sit in the audience breathing in the music and the movements of artists in performance.
In this production, I am pleased and honored to work with a cast of children, dancers-intraining, and adult thespians whose love of the arts inspires them to commit to countless hours of rehearsals and challenges. I am continuously touched and impressed with the emotional fortitude of my dancers who stand before me with good posture, look me directly in the eye, nod their head with intent, and press on when I am challenging them and demanding more and more. This character leads to success, not just in the rehearsal studio, but in every life experience. If their parents were only privy to see what I see of them in the rehearsal studio, they would be moved to tears. As I mature, I find myself more and more humbled by the opportunity afforded me to work with such fine, ever-so-fine, artists. The Nutcracker Ballet is a wonderful opportunity for people who have little experience with classical ballet. The music and characters are very colorful and entertaining. This season’s cast of over 180 is the largest we have experienced since our humble beginning in 1981. This production is supported by countless adults behind the scenes, most notably our wardrobe mistress who costumes this enormous cast of characters; the stage crew who transforms the Farmington Centene Center stage into a magical world; and the Board of Directors of this non-profit organization. The community also helps to facilitate the enormous budget required to produce this show. This is an organization and a production that southeast Missouri can be very proud to own.
...
My name is Tom Gasko. My mother bought
a Rainbow vacuum cleaner on May 2, 1962, eighteen days before I was born. Some say I learned to read from the instruction manual. My aunts both had Electrolux, and there was major discussion around the holiday tables about which cleaner was better—my mother’s “water vacuum” or my aunt’s “dry bag sweeper.”
I
was totally “sucked in” to the things I learned about vacuum cleaners and the features of the items in this incredible collection. The museum takes you through time from the 1910s to present-day. There is a “room” dedicated to each decade, which is furnished with period vacuum cleaners, furniture and rugs. Copies of vacuum cleaner ads on the walls give a peek into the marketing strategies through the years. The ads suggest that women vacuumed their floors in dresses and high-heels and loved their vacuum cleaners more than their husbands! Make sure you take time for the guided tour by the museum curator, Tom Gasko. Tom started collecting vacuums when he was 16. The museum was started with his personal collection and now contains well over 600 vacuum cleaners—all of which are in working order. They come from all over the world and even from a few nationally-known celebrities (hint: a former president and James Earl Jones). Tom’s passion and knowledge about vacuum cleaners are evident during the tour and you will be entertained by his many anecdotes about specific vacuums.
When I was six years old and on my way to first grade (I walked to school), a turquoise General Electric R-1 vacuum cleaner had been placed out for the trash by a neighbor. Instead of going to school, I drug it home (by the hose). My mother promptly put the machine in the garage (it might have bugs she said) and my butt in the car, and I got taken to school. As punishment, I couldn’t take the new-to-me cleaner apart for a week. I still have that machine today in the museum. I had no idea it was an extremely rare model at the time. In the summer between my junior and senior year of high school, I sold vacuums door to door in our neighborhood to raise money to buy a car. No senior boy wants to ride the school bus, after all. After three months, I had $7000. I rode my bike to the Pontiac dealer and bought a brand new 1979 Trans Am— black with the gold firebird on the hood. At 22, I opened up my own vacuum cleaner shop in Festus and sold a number of different brands, including Simplicity and Riccar (American Made vacuum cleaners). Customers would give me “Aunt Tillie’s old sweeper” that they found in the garage or attic. Eventually I had a huge collection of vintage cleaners, ranging from 1888 through modern day. A few years ago, the Tacony Corporation (the manufacturer of Simplicity and Riccar cleaners that I sold in my vacuum shop) was bringing out a new model. I commented on the dealer-only forum, that this was not a new design, and that it had been made three times in the past. Having no idea these obscure machines were ever made, the engineering and marketing staff visited me and discovered that their new idea wasn’t so new. Tacony decided to build the world’s first (and only) Vacuum Cleaner Museum to aid the engineering staff with design and research. Along the way, the general public expressed a huge interest in seeing the historic cleaners, so we displayed them with period furniture, advertisements, and floor coverings—separating the machines into nine decades of production. I became the curator of the Museum, and it currently houses my entire collection of over 690 vacuum cleaners, virtually one of every model ever made.
Some people think our modern Christmas has lost sight of the original intent and meaning of Christmas. It’s been said that Christmas is overly commercialized. No matter what your opinion of Christmas may be, there is one thing for sure—for most, Christmas is a magical time of year. If you are a child without presents under a tree, however, it’s hard to be happy about Christmas or the true meaning of Christmas. Since 1992, a local group has been raising money and giving needy kids a happier Christmas. The program, developed by the St. Francois County Sheriff’s Association, is designed to provide gifts for underprivileged and/or at-risk children and to promote healthy relationships with law enforcement personnel. Names of deserving children, ages three to thirteen, are submitted by schools and area shelters. Shop with a Cop is a Missouri State not-for-profit organization. The money is raised by private individuals and businesses through local fundraisers. The organization accomplishes its mission around the holidays, when Shop with a Cop pairs children up with an officer and gives them money—around $50 to a $100 per child—to buy presents. The kids shop with their assigned partner and eat lunch together before returning to their home with the presents they pick out. This year, Shop with a Cop will help more than 500 kids have a happier holiday. Special thanks to Deputy Brenneke and Deputy Romine of the St. Francois County Sheriff’s Office.
Every year Twin Oaks Winery holds a charity grape stomp to raise money for a good cause. This year they chose a very special charity, one that brings joy to numerous children during the holiday season. One hundred percent of the proceeds from this year’s event were pledged to Shop with a Cop. At this year’s stomp, 17 teams of three rolled up their pants—or skirts—and jumped wholeheartedly into a barrel, eager to squeeze as much juice out of the grapes as possible. Most of the teams dressed up and gave themselves cheeky team names. However, it wasn’t clever names or spectacular costumes that decided who won the stomp; the winners were determined by the amount of juice their team squished out. (I hope their feet were clean!) After five heats and a showdown, Girl’s Day Out was declared the winner. And the fun didn’t stop after the stomp. As part of the event, Twin Oaks hosted a Lucille Ball look-alike contest. The contest winner was determined by the volume of applause their costume generated, measured by a decimeter. After decibels were tallied and a final cheeroff took place, Josie Barton won first prize. “It took me about a week and a half to get everything together,” Josie comments. “I started by researching the many faces and looks of Lucille Ball. YouTube was a good resource for this project.”
All things considered, the grape stomp was a “smashing” success. Shop with Cops will please many children indeed with the plentiful proceeds headed their way. If you have any questions or would like to donate to this very good cause call (573) 431-2777.
ot long ago, we did a model search for a fall sweater story. We posted a simple message on our Facebook page looking for a tall girl, age 14 to 18, to model the fall clothes. Like everything else about the region, there was great enthusiasm. I was surprised how many talented girls submitted their bios and pics. After cutting through hundreds of submissions, the art director settled on a 14-year-old from Sedgewickville, Missouri, population 180. She has never had any modeling experience and didn’t even think of herself as model material. Just an everyday, small town girl with a good attitude. Ladies and gentlemen, meet Tatum Bollinger. You could only imagine what was going through this girl’s head when she walked up to the shoot location to be introduced to a hairdresser, makeup artist, wardrobe stylist, art director, and photographer. Even though you know she must have been shaking in her shoes, Tatum kept clam, listened, and took direction well. Any first professional photo shoot can be extremely intimidating, but our professional crew knew just how to keep things flowing and how to keep Tatum at ease. I love nothing better than shooting non-professional models. Tatum caught on quickly, and the shoot went without a hitch.
My name is Tatum Sky Bollinger. I love the color orange.
Sometimes I wake up early and climb a tree to watch the sunrise. On one occasion, I became so content that I fell asleep in the tree. Sedgewickville, where I live, is a small town near Cape Girardeau. Because of the town’s size, I know most everyone there. My mother was a single parent until she met the love of her life. We have had a full family since 2005 with my mom, Cassi, brother Chase (12), sister Hallie (9), step-dad John, step-brother Josh (16), and step-sister Lindsey (13). We are a happy bunch. I love playing volleyball; my favorite part is serving. My favorite sport is softball. I go to Meadow Heights High, where I’m a freshman. To say that my friends and I are close is an understatement. I plan to go to college at WASU and study performing arts. I might want to become an actress, so when my mom told me she submitted my name for a photo shoot with the 573, I got very excited. I never even thought about being a model before; I’m just a normal girl. I do admit it was all like a dream. I never thought I would ever do anything like this. To be pampered and treated like a star was amazing. I am so thankful that 573 gave me this opportunity.
Our guy model is artist Nick Gollaher from Farmington.
The clothing in the photo shoot came from Skif International. All of their clothes are made in the Skif studio in St. Louis. Every piece is made to order. Most sweaters take three to six weeks to complete. They make the materials, spin the wool, dye the yarn, and knit the sweaters. Skif pieces are carried in over 100 specialty boutiques nationwide. In addition to knitted garments, Skif has a wide selection of items that include a line of readyto-wear pants, shirts, and dresses made from materials like Bemberg rayon, cotton, linen, and silk. Skif also creates accessories like one-of-akind scarves, hats, and seasonal hand/arm/leg warmers. From happy sheep to the talented hands that make the clothes, Skif is a very interesting concept. Even though their wares are sold all over the country, they still encourage local boutiques to sample their products. The other cool thing about Skif is that they also encourage people to stop by their studio to watch them work and see what’s new.
Do you remember the freeing feeling you get while riding your bicycle? The determination not to push your bike up the hill? The pumping, pumping, pumping of the pedals to the hilltop. You make it! Your reward? The thrill of coasting down the hill and feeling the cool air in your face as it ruffles your hair. Your first taste of independence when you rode as a child? As we “mature” we toss our bikes to the side and carry forward the lessons learned about gravity and balance. Personally, I learned by hitting a moving van while riding my bike. You know the old saying, ”it’s like riding a bike, once you learn you never forget.” Virginia Blaine was one of those people who returned to bike riding with a passion. Since retiring she has ridden her bike on “all the continents that aren’t covered in ice” and she was instrumental in getting the historic St. Francois County Jail in Farmington renovated into a bike hostel called the Trans Am Inn or Al’s Place (in honor of Farmington bicycling enthusiast Al Dziewa). When Virginia requested our presence at the Dedication of U.S. Bicycle Route 76, I knew this was an event we couldn’t miss.
Can’t you just hear the chorus from Queens song, Bicycle Race? I want to ride my bicycle I want to ride my bike I want to ride my bicycle I want to ride it where I like...
On a cool, crisp Saturday morning I was delighted to witness a group of enthusiastic bicyclists ride in front of Al’s Place to join the dedication celebration. The TransAmerica Trail--now known as US Bicycle Route 76--is a world-class bicycle and pedestrian transportation system that integrates existing routes like the TransAm and new local and state roads and trails to create a national system of numbered and signed bicycle routes that will eventually connect all of the lower 48 states. Wow! That’s huge! Keep a watch out for cyclists as they tour through the 573. They’ve come to see the beautiful Ozark Mountains, the lush, green forests, the farmland, the wild flowers and grasses, the brilliant colors of fall, Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park. But really, why let them have all the fun? As the cyclists say, “Share the road.” Dare to feel the freedom of riding your bicycle.
What keeps some people together for life while others last only a year or so? With marriage rates on decline, we came across a couple many of you have heard of, but about which you likely know little outside of their professional lives. This couple has been together for more than 50 years and just like an old tree they have deep seated roots that hold their relationship firmly grounded. Meet Cape Girardeau’s mayor Harry Rediger and his wife, Judith. We met up with this happy couple at the 200-year-old champion beech tree growing in the River Campus Park to find out what makes some things last.
Judith. Tell us about your relationship. Harry and I were married on June 8, 1958. We were married in our hometown church at 7 p.m. on Sunday, which was the custom at that time. Our reception was punch and wedding cake in the church’s basement. We drove to Wisconsin and Canada for our honeymoon. (My 15-year-old brother could not understand why we would go there because Harry didn’t fish.) I had a teaching position that paid $2500 a year and Harry had to finish his senior year of college. He worked on Saturdays in his father’s hardware store for a dollar an hour. (We were in love; we didn’t need much money!) Our first apartment was walking distance to the university. Harry walked, so I could have the car to drive the 20 miles to teach each day. Our apartment consisted of three rooms and a bath all on one long hallway. We tried to keep our grocery bill under $20 a week. After Harry graduated in 1959, he joined J.C. Penney as a trainee in Lincoln, Nebraska, and I became a stay-at-home mom. We were able to rent a two-bedroom home for about $100 per month as young parents. Our entertainment was playing cards with friends who were just as poor as we were. We all brought our babies and a lot of our time was spent feeding and diaper changing, but those were good times. We are still friends with most of the couples from those days. We bought our first house in 1962 for $20,000, and it had a basement apartment that gave us rent money to help on our house payments. In August of 1962, our second daughter arrived. We continued to play cards and always had a big 4th of July picnic with all our friends and their children.
Over the years, we were transferred five times and moved our growing family to five different cities in four states. Our commitment and love for each other helped the adjustment to new areas. Harry and I always have been able to talk things out and make decisions together. We have many of the same likes and dislikes. Our one rule is to never go to bed angry. Family has always come first for us. We moved to Cape Girardeau in January 1977, when it was 18 degrees below zero. (We had been told that Cape weather was much like the Dallas weather we were leaving. Not so!) Our years in Cape have been the best years of all. The community accepted us with graciousness and love, and we have tried to give back to the community. Our 56 years of marriage have passed quickly and given us so many wonderful memories. We have learned that it is important that your mate is your best friend and that you share everything—the good and the bad—and that you are always able to communicate!!
Harry. What about Gone Girl? It was a great and unique experience over the last seven months to meet and work with the team at Fox and some of the stars of the film. I particularly enjoyed my day on the set as an extra playing the mayor with Ben Affleck and with other community members. Director David Fincher was very personable, though very demanding and exacting, as we spent the entire day on one scene. That 13-hour day resulted in my movie claim to fame as I actually appeared in the film for some 6-7 seconds!
The production in Cape Girardeau lasted about two months. The company hired 139 Missourians, including more than 30 off-duty law enforcement officials, and used about 1,700 locals as extras. Chuck Martin at the Cape Girardeau Convention and Visitors Bureau, said, “I was and am very proud of the fact that our community was selected as the primary filming location. Hats off to a number of people that worked very hard from that point forward to ensure that Twentieth Century Fox’s experience was nothing but positive during their time here. Missouri Film Office Specialist Andrea SporcicKlund, our mayor Harry Rediger, our chamber CEO John Mehner, Old Town Cape director Marla Mills, city manager Scott Meyer, city department heads and staff from police, fire, public works, parks and rec. and more... all put their best foot forward and the results speak for themselves. And when a movie is filmed in a community there is a dual benefit. On the front end, Gone Girl brought millions of dollars of positive economic impact to Cape Girardeau’s local economy (more than $7 million was generated in Cape Girardeau). On the back end, they are working on ways to further increase excitement and tourism in the town. The Cape Girardeau Convention and Visitors Bureau hopes to offer a print and digital driving tour that will direct guests to the numerous sites of Gone Girl’s fictional community of North Carthage. After all, the sites that created the setting of Gone Girl can only be experienced in Cape Girardeau!” The 573 Magazine wishes to send out a special thank you to the Missouri Film Commission, the Missouri Division of Tourism, Chuck Martin at the Cape Girardeau Convention and Visitors Bureau, and Harry Rediger, the Mayor of Cape Girardeau and all the others... for all their hard work in making this happen.
The 2014 Cape Girardeau Outdoor Sculpture Exhibition was juried and hosted by the Public Art Committee. The committee consisted of two local artists and representatives from the Arts Council of Southeast Missouri, Old Town Cape, the Cape Girardeau Area Chamber of Commerce and the City of Cape Girardeau. By hosting the Outdoor Sculpture Exhibition on Broadway, the Public Art Committee hopes to increase the number of arts-related activities within the region and provide an additional revitalization strategy for Old Town Cape.
Ben Pierce grew up in Cape Girardeau. He has a Bachelor in Fine Arts from Southeast Missouri State. Growing up, he spent a lot of time with his dad, a third generation bricklayer. While his father worked, little Ben played in the sand piles. Today, Ben is still getting dirty and nothing feels more manly than cutting and welding metal and adding brick. Tell us about your sculpture: The sculpture in downtown Cape on Broadway is titled “Lineage” and is welded steel with paint and bricks. I am so happy to be part of Cape Girardeau’s first sculpture exhibition, especially since I was born and raised here. This sculpture was actually part of my senior show for my Bachelor’s degree. I created a series of four sculptures that all had brick as an element in them. I wanted to pay homage to my family’s roots and a large part of who I am today. I wanted the brick to be more than just a construction material—I wanted to showcase the brick and elevate it to “Fine Art.” You look at a small brick house and think “oh, that looks nice”—but to realize that even in a small house there could be over 15,000 bricks and each one was laid by hand, one by one. There is no shortcut or machine to lay bricks. I want to incorporate this diligence in my own work, and in this particular sculpture I wanted them to be the star, as a little nod at my family history.
Tell us about your upcoming show: The arts council recently contacted my brother and me, who also does sculpture, to do a show at the local casino. This opportunity is in no small part due to the success of the sculpture exhibition and the positive reception by the community. Hopefully, it will be the first of many new things happening in Cape as a result of the sculpture show—and not just sculpture, also painting, printmaking, ceramics. Cape is filled with other talented artists.
Chris Wubbena holds a B.F.A. from the University of Northern Iowa and an M.F.A. with an emphasis in Sculpture from San Francisco State University. He is currently a professional sculptor and Professor of Art at Southeast Missouri State University. His work has been exhibited in outdoor and indoor venues throughout the United States. Please tell us about your piece. Victoria is a steel sculpture that represents a critical look into the true definition of victory. With a triumphant rise nearly ten feet tall, the abstracted winged form appears to be both taking flight and falling to the ground, with its weight becoming more than the pedestal below can support. In the end, the eroded form stands monumental and its wings still stretch beautifully, as if they’re finally about to break their frozen geologic definition. How can we be supporters of the arts? Everyone can support the arts simply by allowing themselves to reserve opinions long enough to attempt any kind of understanding. You don’t need to be an artist to be able to read art; you just need to open yourself up to the experience, challenge yourself to witness something new, and venture out of your comfort zone. Go to 573mag.com to watch an interview with Chris.
is an amazing time of year. Changes all around us will bring fall’s chilly winds. Wind is romantic. It can take your breath away. But what is this invisible thing called wind? We can’t see it. We can’t hold it in our hands. But we feel it. We can see it skip across a lake. We see leaves trembling as it passes through a tree. We gaze in amazement as it tangles the long hair of a young woman. But we can never own it for ourselves. It belongs to the world and to everyone. It’s hard to capture in a photograph. No sooner than you think you are about to have it in view for the perfect photo, the moment passes and the wind releases its force. Ah, but if you are a patient person you can capture the wind as it works—that is, if the wind is willing to let you.
name is Makayla McGruder. I’m a small town farm girl, hailing from rural Patton, Missouri. My family has a 55-acre farm where we specialize in poultry and horses. Agriculture and the science behind sustainable measures have always sparked an interest in me, thus leading to my pursuit of an Agribusiness degree with an emphasis in biotechnology. Aside from my passion for agriculture, I am also very interested in art. When I am not outside, I am always doodling or working on a picture that incorporates my farm life in some way. I hope to one day have my own cattle operation and art studio so as to live and promote agriculture. I am an avid outdoorswoman: hunting, fishing, horseback riding, and trekking the woods to sketch the natural world. I raise/hunt my own food, create artwork, shop local, and I support U.S. farmers. Patton is a farming community known mainly for its Patton Junction Livestock Auction and its agricultural background. The Patton Junction is the intersection of Highway 51 and Highway 72. Located at this intersection is the Patton Junction gas station, Bonnie’s Moo Cow Cafe, Mouser Steel Supply, the Variety Shop Convenience Store, and, of course, the Livestock Auction. Auctions are held on every Monday except on holidays. Much of our livelihood depends upon the auction block. All of our business resonates from the selling of cattle. Patton is also known for the famous Edward Capehart O’Kelley, who was born and raised in Patton in 1858. O’Kelley fatally shot and killed Robert Ford, the man who fatally shot Jesse James. A memorial to O’Kelley stands in the Patton United Methodist Church Cemetery on County Road 878. Philanthropy is an interesting shop that allows me to shop local while impacting others far away. Ten percent of sales are sent to charities, some local and some international. This shop is unique since it sells many one-of-a-kind pieces of art, clothing, and accessories not commonly found in other stores. It is a great shop that provides insight to the historic downtown Cape area, and the ladies there are more than happy to help you and answer your questions. The clothing is of exceptional quality with many different styles to fit everyone’s tastes. And remember, every time you make a purchase, you are actually helping others!
to Bridgett Kielhofner, owner of Philanthropy Fashion in downtown Cape, “Philanthropy is a ministry ‘disguised’ as a clothing boutique—a platform for our customers to make a difference.” By carrying a variety of fashion forward clothes and accessories they help local women stay stylish with a one-of-a-kind shopping experience. So what about the ministry part? They pledge at least 10% of their total sales to different charities. Nearly $500,000 has been raised so far. That’s cool.