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not sure why, but fall is always my favorite time of year. I’m sure all the colors have something to do with it, and the cool fresh air kind of seals the deal. It’s the need for a jacket that makes me feel warm inside and fills my head with hope for the future. Even though the year is not over, for me, the fall brings on a need to reflect…sort of like a milestone of how I’ve done so far this year. (Hey, there’s still time left in this year to make adjustments!, right?) I’ve always thought that the New Year should start in October instead of January since the fall is the time of year I always seem to focus on self-analysis and resolutions. Fall is a time of possibilities and change. Business-wise, many companies are busy creating a budget for the new year while others are getting rid of excess budgets from the current year. Nature-wise, trees change from green to brilliant colors; you can’t help but feel excitement in the air. From fall festivals and parades, to wineries and music, to outdoor sporting events—the fall brings out great entertainment opportunities. Fall hiking in the 573 is the best in the world, hands down. Our Ozark Trails come to life in the fall like no other place on earth. Parks like Elephant Rocks, Trail of Tears, and Pickle Springs are some of the best. To be out in the fresh air surrounded by all the color of the trees, the beautiful unpolluted skies, the crystal clear streams, the colorful rocks... makes me want to be a better person and be more thankful for all I’ve been given in life.
Even though I won’t be sitting on Sigmund Freud’s couch this fall, I will be sitting somewhere, maybe somewhere deep in a forest taking a look at myself and trying to figure out where I’m headed and what I really want. No distractions, no Internet, no deadlines, no obligations... just me, the forest, and my thoughts. It will be my road less traveled. I’ll take the time to remember old friends. I’ll take the time to make a few plans. I’ll take the time to make a few resolutions. I guess the fall is a yearly therapy session for me—a time to wonder and a time to self-analyze; and a time to remember all the opportunities that I sometimes take for granted; and a time to be thankful for family and friends. Our wish from all of us at the 573 Magazine to you is this: get out there and enjoy the wonderful gifts that are right in front of you. I guarantee it will make your day a whole lot brighter.
Hello there! I love your magazine! I love the photography, and the stories.... Normally I would not want to ask to have a story about myself done, but I have been working really hard to become an artist. The art I LOVE to do the most is quilting. Ok, when I first read this letter I was totally intrigued. I’ve seen quilts before and I’ve always been fascinated by the designs. Why, I’ve always wondered, is quilting considered a craft when it truly is an art form? When Anastasia identified herself as a struggling quilt artist, I had to check it out. Man was I in for a great surprise! Meet artist Anastsia Gonzales.
Anastasia’s artwork is influenced by her imagination, her surroundings, the memory of her mother, and the encouragement she receives from her husband and friends. Her patience grows day by day for the tedious work involved in quilt art. It is not just the finished product that attracts Anastasia to the art form; it’s the start-to-finish artistic journey. Anastasia recalls the beauty of nature, people and events in her life through color and texture. She has a great respect for traditional quilting, but her true interest is in creating quilts that use more contemporary techniques and designs. When asked why she does it, Anastasia simply replies, “I have to do it.”
573: Tell us about yourself. I’m a stay at home mom/quilt artist/quilter. I have a beautiful seven year old boy, who is by far my BEST work of art! And I have a wonderful husband, who supports me and my art endeavors........no matter how much I might or might not sell! I love dogs, cats, birds, beads, buttons, fabric, antiques, trees, sunshine, fall and every new day I am given. The simple little things in life are my favorite things. 573: Tell us how you got into quilt art I started quilting at a young age of seven. My Grandma taught me how to hand piece. I spent most of my days before and after school at my grandma’s house digging through her fabric and buttons. My mom was also a quilter, and she taught me to embroider and sew on a machine. I stopped quilting around age eleven, and I didn’t really get serious about quilting until I was 23 years old. I was very inspired by a book called “Glorious Patchwork” by Kaffe Fassett. His colors and style of quilting were so different from the traditional patterns I had been taught. Very bright, very artsy! I got busy and made one quilt after another. After I moved to Cape Girardeau, I joined the local River Heritage Quilt Guild. When I got the nerve up, I finally started showing some of my bright art quilts, and at first I think I might have shocked a few of them, but eventually they really caught on to who I was.
573: Tell us what makes good art What makes good art, is a love for doing it. As long as I love it, I think it’s good in my eyes, and I can always hope in someone else’s also! There are so many styles of art. Sometimes quilting rules are very strict. In some quilters’eyes, there is a right way, and a wrong way but with with my art quilts, I do whatever I want. Art quilting gives me a freedom to feel like I’m breaking the rules....a rebel I guess! I feel very lucky to be able to do this style of art, and sell it. 573: Tell us about any future plans I plan to keep making my art quilts. I love the peace of mind it gives me. It’s good therapy. I sell them on Etsy and to random friends on my Facebook page. I am also on the journey of creating my own patterns which I hope to eventually print, get in stores, and sell. My etsy site is under- anastasiasadventures.
According to the World Wildlife Foundation, ”When the gray wolf was reintroduced to Yellowstone National Park, elk, the primary prey of the gray wolf, became less abundant, thus freeing certain areas from constant grazing. This respite has allowed willows, aspens, and cottonwoods to grow, and has created a new habitat for beaver, moose, and scores of other species. If one species in a food chain becomes extinct, it then creates a knock-off effect on other species. The loss of a main predator can actually cause the extinction of a prey species as greater competition presents a threat to a species.” Ok, truth be told, it makes my head spin too, but it’s true all the same. We are all vitally interconnected with wildlife in ways we humans can’t begin to understand.
The tiger, for example, are at the top of the food chain in all the ecosystems it which they live. As such, it keeps populations of deer, wild pig, antelope and newly introduced animals in check. Without the tiger to control them, these species abound. These new uncontrolled populations then totally ravage food sources and cause vegetation impact on human populations. Now consider this: the Bali tiger, the Javan tiger and the Caspian tiger all became extinct in the 20th century. There is a local business owner who is making a difference to preserve the tiger population and the species as a whole. Joe Scott, owner of Crown Winery and Crown Ridge Tiger Sanctuary is providing a wonderful service to us all, as well as a mighty fine experience for local wildlife lovers. We met up with zoologist Jeri Wright, program director and care giver of the Crown Ridge Tiger Sanctuary (CRTS), to find out what’s up with tigers in Missouri?
We are all vitally interconnected with wildlife in ways we humans can’t begin to understand.
My name is Jeri Wright and I have been working for CRTS for almost five years now, which is what brought me to Missouri. I grew up in North Carolina (in a tiny little town that you would miss if you blinked) learning to appreciate the beauty of nature and simplicity. I went camping with my family all the time and learned as much as I could about animals. I love being outdoors and knew I could never have a job where I was enclosed in four walls all day long. I used to live in Denver, Colorado (where I worked at the Denver Zoo) and I felt like a kid in a candy store with all the hiking opportunities there. It is such an amazingly beautiful place, but I made the decision to move closer to home and accept new challenges. I love hiking (even better if I can take my dogs), biking on country roads, visiting new wineries/craft breweries, traveling, working out, and anything with sweet potatoes involved. I just recently got married to someone I can’t imagine living without and we are learning to blend our lives in a brand new home we just had built. We have four dogs at home that are all rescue animals from shelters. I knew from an early age that I wanted to work with animals. After volunteering at vet clinics and nature parks, I decided I didn’t want to become a veterinarian. I set my sights on working at a zoo, sanctuary, or organization that promoted wildlife conservation. I attended North Carolina State University where I got my Bachelor of Science in Zoology with a minor in English. While in college, I did several internships which strengthened my passion for working with animals. I studied abroad in England where I gained a broader knowledge in the science field and of life in general. After college, I worked at the NC Zoo for five years where I gained experience working with all kinds of animals like giraffes, chimpanzees, lions, and bears. I also did field work with wolves in Yellowstone for a short bit, and worked at the Denver Zoo where I took care of a pride of African lions, painted dogs, and spotted hyenas (plus many other animals). I wanted to try a new challenge and found my next adventure, here in Missouri, as the Program Coordinator of Crown Ridge Tiger Sanctuary.
Crown Ridge Tiger Sanctuary is a USDA approved big cat rescue facility funded through a 501(c)3 Corporation. Our mission is to provide a permanent home for exotic cats that have endured neglect, abuse, or other undesirable homes. We strive to provide these cats with a healthy lifestyle by providing the best vet care, diet and enrichment activities possible. We also educate people on the importance of habitat conservation and wildlife preservation, stressing the endangerment these cats face not only in the wild but also in captivity. Leave your cares at the gate as you explore this peaceful retreat where natural wonders and comfort combine for a one-of-a-kind experience. Crown Ridge is the place you’ve been looking for—a place of inspiration, relaxation and reflection. All of our animals are rescued animals from abusive or neglectful homes here in Missouri. Most of them came from a road side zoo that was closed down by USDA because of all the abuse that was observed there. Izzy came from a carnival where people where using him as a photo cat.
We offer a variety of different tours for visitors to experience. Guests receive a personal tour given by one of our full time staff members. All tours are guided walking tours through the sanctuary. You will be able to see our wonderful animals from a paved walkway which allows the animals to get as close as six feet from you. No binoculars needed! Our animal yards are enclosed on a hillside and offer natural substrates, wooden platforms, pools, trees, and grass. The grounds are beautiful! At the end of each tour, guests are allowed to walk at their own leisure back to the parking area. We do have carts for people to utilize if they are unable to walk on the pathways. We offer general tours, VIP tours, feeding tours, and educational tours. You can even celebrate your birthday here at Crown Ridge Tiger Sanctuary. All guests receive a free sample of Fizzy Izzy Root Beer (named after Izzy our tiger) brewed here locally at Crown Valley Brewery. Crown Ridge was founded in 2004 by Joe Scott, Sr. The 55-acre estate features an elegant restaurant where lodging guests eat breakfast, comfortable bed and breakfast lodges, and of course, the tiger sanctuary. We feel very fortunate that Mr. Scott was able to purchase this area, dedicate it to preserving wildlife, and invite the public to come view these magnificent animals. He has successfully blended his love of animals and a favorable business career to make Crown Ridge Tiger Sanctuary a success.
Innovative Force is under the direction of Michelle Propst-Sanders and Teresa Triplett-Keddy of Triplett & Propst (T&P) Dance and Acrobatic Company. T&P can claim numerous regional and national titles, and many of their performers go on to college dance teams and work professionally for businesses such as the NFL. In addition to competitions, T&P dancers perform throughout the community at fundraisers, variety shows, games and parades. The instructors take great pride in helping build confidence, self-esteem, discipline and a good work ethic in all of their dancers. Innovative Force consists of twenty-four young ladies, from ages 8 to 18, all wearing their signature faux Mohawk. The troupe was formed less than a year ago, but many of the girls have been performing together for quite a while. From St. Louis to Cape and everywhere in between the girls would travel several times a week to learn their routines. They have worked, cried, and celebrated together. And together, they exceeded their own expectations when they made it past the auditions and into the finals of America’s Got Talent in New York City. We at the 573 Magazine, along with hundreds of thousands of viewers, have been supporters of Innovative Force throughout the competition. And now that they are back home, we finally get to take a look at the girls behind the force.
Who are they?
Hallie Teasley Besides all of my dance family, my family consists of my father, Jason, my mother, Crystal, and my two siblings Kai and Karrine. Yes, all the girls on my team are like my sisters, but because I got to go on this amazing journey and experience all of this with my real sister, it makes this whole thing even better. I couldn’t ask for a better family. I am still undecided about my career. I hope one day to travel the world. The funniest and strangest thing to me about New York City was going to Times Square and seeing all the people in weird, crazy costumes. Olivia Miller I live with my mom, Kelly, and brother, Riley in Farmington. We also have a little wiener dog named Harlowe. I started at T&P when I was five, and I’ve been there ever since. T&P is a great place for young kids to learn dance and acro. We’re definitely a close dance family! I’d like to be a nurse when I grow up, just like my mom. I loved hanging out with Taylor Williamson in NY. Hailey Roberts I have two brothers, Greg and Grant. I love my family and I could not be here without them. When I was a little girl, I watched TV shows about people dancing and wanted to be them. It’s like my dream to dance and T&P is where that dream comes true. I love it there and I love the dance teachers. Sometimes they push us hard but it makes us better dancers. My plans are to be very successful in life. I want to be a doctor, make great money, and own a dance studio. My best memory of NY was when I was walking with my mom in Times Square. We saw a subway and it had a sculpture on it. Karrine and I got on it and started dancing. A policeman came over and yelled at us to get down! Maddi Backer. I live at home with my mom, dad and little sister. My little sister, Kenzie, also dances at T&P. My Aunt Teresa owns the studio and I started dancing with her when I was 2 years old. I don’t know what I would do without dance in my life. I love and look up to both Teresa and Michelle. Both are huge role models in my life. I currently student teach for T&P when I am not taking classes. Next year I will start high school, and then I plan to go to college for fashion design. I know whatever I do in the future, dance will always play a big part of it. The best part of NY was every time we hung out with Taylor Williamson. Just carrying on a conversation with him made us laugh. Abbey Winch My family, James, Angie and Kody, are very close! My mom signed me up for tumbling when I was two years old with with Triplett & Propst Productions. T&P is the one place where I get to do for more than 15 hours a week what I love! I want to become a physical therapist and work at a hospital with children. Mackenzie Whitwell My parents are Mike and Alicia. I have one older sister and two older brothers. I have been in dance since I was almost three. This was my first year dancing at T&P studio. I love Teresa and Michelle. They are great teachers and I look up to them. My plans for the future are to keep dancing, finish school, and go to college. I want to be a nurse practitioner like my mom and also a dance teacher.
Halle Hibbits I have a brother, a step-brother and a step-sister. I have gotten so much support from my grandparents and the rest of my family. Everything in my life consists of dance. If I could, I would dance 24/7. I probably spend more waking hours at the studio than at home. I plan on going to college and get a double major, with one of the majors being DANCE. My friend, Chloe, and I have always said we were going to do something big, like heading to California, and then when Michelle & Teresa are ready to retire, we will continue running Triplett & Propst! Peyton Mc Leod It’s me, my mom, Amy, my dad, Bud, my older brotherr, Brock and our dog, Rolen, in my family. I love being a T&P dancer. I plan to continue dancing there forever. I experienced something different in NY. I don’t know about funny, but when we were shopping and trying on clothes, in the dressing room next to us, was a boy trying on dresses. Thats was kind of weird. Chloe Barton My parents are Chris and Jamie. I am the youngest of three children. I have two brothers who are in college. They are very supportive of me and my dancing and I could not be more grateful. I started dancing when I was three years old. I love performing. Triplett and Propst is more like my second home, instead of just the studio where I dance. The girls I dance with are my best friends, and Michelle and Teresa are like my second moms. We are all so close and we spend so much time together. I have ambitions of becoming a dermatologist, but also wouldn’t mind becoming a professional dancer! I have big dreams, and anything is possible. Kaitlin Seabourne I am a senior at North County High school. My parents’ names are Rocky and Jennifer. I also have three brothers, Drew, who is 24 and human, and Oliver and Dexter, the English Bulldogs! I’m planning to attend college and get a degree in Occupational Therapy. While we were in New York, there were plenty of laughs and great times… Alyssa Pfister I have one sister that is a junior and Captain of the Rock Chalk Dance team at University of Kansas. My parents are Joe and Cindy. I have danced with Teresa and Michelle for 10 years. T&P is my second home. I am close with everyone at the studio; it feels like a big family. We laugh together, cry together, learn together, and grow together. My plans for the future include going to college either in St. Louis or at the University of Kansas. My plan is to get a degree in nursing and then specialize in anesthesiology. Maci Danieley I’m 18. I have an older brother named Trey who went from being a typical big brother always picking on me to my best friend. My mom is my backbone. I seriously don’t know what I would do without her and leaving for college will be one of the hardest things I will ever do. My dad always has me laughing. I’ve never seen him as proud of me as he was after I stepped off stage in NYC. I would say the funniest thing in NY was watching all of us react to the big city.
Kaylynn Keller I have a very close family. I live with my parents, brother and sister. I began dancing fourteen years ago. I moved to T&P about four years ago. Everyone is so close and we get along so great there. I am going into the medical field, but hopefully dance will always be a part of me. I’m truly blessed I got to spend all of the amazing time that I did in New York with these girls. We are the biggest pack of weirdos, and we’re always having a blast!! Ella Pratt My parebts are Byron and Brandy of Terre Du Lac. I’m 10 years old. I have one older brother, and a bulldog named Twinkie. I started dance at age three. I love to fly!! My T&P friends and instructors are my second family. Long term, I’d like to be involved with TV or sports in some way. The funniest thing that happened to me was in a deli in New York. We’ve termed it “The Crazy Sandwich Lady.” New Yorkers are serious about their salami! Kayla Sandlin I am currently a college student at SEMO where I am studying criminal justice. My favorite activity at SEMO is cheering for the Redhawks. My parents are Sheldon and Candy. I have two sisters. I started my dance career at the age of three. I danced with T&P until graduating from high school. T&P is a place that teaches not only dance and acrobatics but also teaches one to be dedicated. I will always consider these girls my sisters and that bond will never break. My plans for the future are to continue my criminal justice degree and one day work in the field of investigation. Madsion Keller. I am sisters with Kaylynn Keller, and I have a brother. I live with my mom and dad that love and care for me 100%. I started dance 10 years ago when my mom made me try out for T&P. Every night after practice, I told my mom I got to fly really high. My plans for the future are to help with my mom’s and dad’s business. The best part about New York was taking all those pictures and when people said, “Oh my gosh. They are a part of Innovative Force.” It was just crazy and fun the whole time we were there. Emily Wiles I am 16 years old and I go to Farmington High School. I have a younger brother and my parents are Tim and Melissa. At T&P, we are all a great big family and all of girls are like sisters. We spend much of our time at the studio taking technique, ballet, tumbling, and routine classes for competitions. We attend three to four regional competitions a year, and one national competition that is usually out of state. Every year we are very successful at each of our competitions; we have a lot of fun during the competition season. Once I graduate from high school, I plan to attend a four year college and become a registered nurse, later furthering my studies to become a surgical nurse. Lydia Mell My parents put me in dance when I was three years old. I started competitive dance at T&P when I was five and loved it even more! I had done gymnastics before joining T&P so I still wanted to do that along with dance. It just so happened I could do dance and tumbling all in one at T&P! I love the instructors there and all the girls. We are like one big family. In my future, I plan to continue dancing and to be a cowgirl.
Karrine Lilley My parents are Crystal and Brad and my sister, Hallie Teasley, is also on Innovative Force. I’m very lucky to have had this experience with her. My brother is Kai. He is three years old. When I was three, I told my mom I wanted to dance so she put me in dance class. T&P is not just a dance studio, it also teaches you that hard work and dedication really pay off. I want to be a Rockette, then a pharmacist. Mady Buerck I am 11 years old. I have an older brother and the sweetest little sister who is 8 and a crazy little brother, Owen, who is 4. I began dancing when I was seven at T&P by taking a summer classes and I’ve been a part of the competition team every year since 2010! T&P is basically like my second home. As soon as school’s over, I go to dance most nights until 9:00 at night. I eat dinner there, I do homework there, and most importantly, I get to do what I love which is dance with the best girls in the world. My plans for the future are to grow up and be just like my daddy and become a physical therapist. Mackenzie Legan – aka Kenzie Legan I’m 15 Years old. My sister, dad and mother are very supportive. I was pretty clumsy as a toddler and my parents felt putting me in tumbling would help with my coordination. T&P is my “home away from home.” We work, we play, we eat, we study, we laugh, we cry, we fight, we love! I was amazed and laughed a lot at the people I nightly saw in Times Square. From movie characters to naked cowboys… everyone was willing for a candid photo shoot or for a little cash in his or her pocket… if they had a pocket! Emily Gosling My family is very supportive. T&P studio is very big, and I have made a lot of new friends since I’ve started. Teresa and Michelle are the very best dance teachers ever!! I am very glad that I decided to join their dancers. My plans for the future are to become a professional dancer and to become a teacher for T&P. Alli Wadlow My family are my biggest supporters, especially my mom. She makes so many sacrifices for my brothers and me, but never complains. My two brothers are always in the crowd cheering me on as well. I know that these three people are the three people I can depend on for anything, and I love them so much. I plan to become a criminal defense lawyer. I will have to say that in NY having someone walking down the sidewalk, stepping over to the side, and pulling down their pants to go to the bathroom, kind of strange. Chelsey Barnes I’m the daughter of Craig and Tonya. I have three little brothers. I got into dancing when I was about two years old. T&P is currently one of the top 32 dance studios in the world. It’s crazy how many opportunities we’ve had, like getting asked to perform at Cardinals games and being called for America’s Got Talent. The funniest thing was when little girls or just any random person came up to us asking for an autograph or a picture.
Ok, I’ve been around a few blocks and this ain’t my first rodeo; but I wasn’t prepared for what I found at the dance studio of Triplett & Propst. When I photographed the Innovative Force girls, they all had nothing but great things to say about the owners of the dance studio. I knew I had to meet them and find out what makes them tick. I had no idea that such a dance studio as this existed in the 573. The place is massive: multiple dance studios, one with 4o foot ceilings for the flight training; a kitchen, break room, lounge complete with a fold-out futon; a hall of fame to house all the trophies; a full blown dance wear retail shop and offices. It is beautiful and well-thought-out in every way. There is even a bomb shelter in case of an emergency. Just why is this studio equipped with all these amenities? Many of the dancers arrive after school and stay until well into the evening. They eat there, study there, and socialize there. When they say it’s their home away from home, they mean it! It certainly is a tremendous testament to the character of the owners and teachers. Meet Michelle Propst-Sanders and Teresa TriplettKeddy, the force behind Triplett and Propst Performing Arts Studio: My name is Michelle Propst-Sanders and I am the co-owner of the business. I grew up in Desloge but currently reside in St. Louis with my husband of three years, Scott Sanders. My entire life has been filled with dance. It has been my love and passion since before I can remember. Dance and everything it offers has created some of the most amazing experiences and memories in my lifetime. As a cheerleader for the St. Louis Rams from 2004-2009, I was blessed to dance for our troops not only across the United States but those serving in Afghanistan. Dance has exposed me to unbelievable opportunities and friendships that have forever changed my life. Now as a teacher, words cannot express how proud and excited I am to see the positive impact dance has had on my students. Every day I am reminded how lucky I am to be doing something I love so much with those who hold such a special place in my heart. My name is Teresa Triplett-Keddy and I am also a co-owner of Triplett & Propst Performing Arts. I grew up in Park Hills. In 1997, I opened my first dance studio, Triplett Productions. Sixteen years later, I am a partner with my first student, best friend and sister, Michelle Propst. While running a studio, I graduated Summa Cum Laude from Lindenwood University, in St. Charles in 2003. I currently reside in Farmington with my husband of seven years, Shayne, and my three-year-old daughter, Gwyn. I began my dance journey as a young child thirtythree years ago. Dance is and always will be a huge part of my identity. I’ve worked a lifetime in the field and plan for it to be a part of my life forever. I use dance to not only teach children the art form, but to also teach them discipline, respect, dedication, passion, and drive….all of which are important characteristics in being successful in life. Watching my students grow from children into strong adults is truly the most rewarding part of my job.
573: How the dance studio came about? Triplett & Propst was created because of our love for dance and compassion for children. Dance has the power to change lives and we see it every day. There isn’t a better feeling than watching our students go from shy little girls to mature and driven young ladies. In addition to creativity, dance teaches self-discipline, dedication and leadership. All of these characteristics are crucial to becoming a successful adult! To have a hand in the positive growth of a child is the biggest reward in our business. We can win the highest achievements and countless trophies, but nothing compares to knowing you helped a child develop life-changing skills. We sisters have been side-by-side for nineteen years now but six years ago, made the decision to open Triplett & Propst as partners. We work well together and couldn’t image doing anything else as a career. We are very connected to our students and on a daily basis, they remind us why it was important to follow our dream.
Dance has the power to change lives and we see it every day.
573: Tell us about Innovative Force. Innovative Force was founded a year ago because an America’s Got Talent producer found us on YouTube. We received an e-mail telling us they thought we had what it took to make it on their show. This was not something we had anticipated on doing but felt it was a door opening and an opportunity we could not pass up. After the e-mail, we created Innovative Force and started rehearsals preparing for the audition. Our name stands for “Originality united with strength creates Innovative Force.” We take pride in being original and there is no doubt that our dancers and acrobats have phenomenal strength. We wanted our name to stand for something and represent what we were all about. We are an all-girl team averaging the young age of twelve, doing skills that professionals do in our field. In addition to our tumbling and acrobatic training, team members also study classical ballet, jazz, lyrical and contemporary. Most of them practice 10+ hours per week year-round, but during AGT, they were exceeding forty hours a week. On a regular basis, they compete at dance competitions which was the beginning to our YouTube discovery. A T&P acrobatic routine “Perseverance” won BEST OF 2012 honoree, out of 27,000 acts, so the video was placed on YouTube. This award took us to the KARTV Awards in Las Vegas and shortly after, the AGT producer discovered that same video. Consisting of primarily the same students, we created Innovative Force. We are now able to say that we ended 2013 as one of the best acts in America’s TOP 12 out of 75,000!
America’s Got Talent was easily the hardest and most amazing thing we’ve ever done. Words will never explain how special this experience was. We will forever be grateful for the opportunities given to us by AGT. They gave us the platform to show America our love for dance and acrobatics, all while dancing on one of the most iconic stages in the world, Radio City Music Hall. This journey taught us to dig deeper when things get tough, push harder when you feel like you don’t have anything left to give and through hard work and dedication, dreams can come true. It’s been an amazing ride for our dance family, the memories, experiences and bonds created will be with us forever.
Directions: First wash your sweater on the warm cycle, then dry it on high heat. The wool fibers toggle together so they won’t fall apart when you cut them. Next, turn the sweater inside out and lay it flat on a table. Lay your hand down and trace a mitten shape around it with chalk. Add about a half-inch all the way around your hand to allow for seams. Since the bottoms of most sweaters are already ribbed and finished, it creates a great cuff for the mitten. Now, cut out your traced mitten, leaving about an inch of fabric around it. Secure the front and back layers with several straight pins along the edges. This will ensure the two layers will stay even while you’re stitching. Do a simple running stitch along your tracing. Make sure to leave the bottom of the mitten wide enough so that your hand can easily fit through. Trim about a quarter-inch around the stitching to remove the excess fabric. Be careful not to cut too close to the stitching. Now, flip over the mitten to see your finished product. Finally, repeat all steps on the opposite side of the sweater for the second mitten.
My name is Kendall R. Hart. I was born in Alton, Illinois, and raised in Carlinville where I completed high school and earned a BFA from Blackburn College. Like every child, I loved art. I learned that after I watched TV or a movie, I could bring those characters back to life on paper or canvas. I kept drawing and painting while other kids grew interested in sports. As a child of the 80’s, my eager imagination was fed a steady diet of Thundercats, G. I. Joe, Godzilla, Star Wars, dinosaurs and comics. I sculpted rarely through my teens and 20’s when I found myself in a full-time graphic design position. After more than ten years of drudgery in an office cubicle, I left it to go full time freelance as Grimstone Studios. It was a terrific risk but one must answer their soul. Three years ago, I moved to the Northern Ozarks of Missouri to follow my girlfriend’s career and to begin my freelance adventure. My average day is about a 50-50 split between graphic design projects and sculpting. I started sculpting creatures in my childhood because of an inability to get Godzilla toys in rural Illinois. I had to cannibalize my toy dinosaurs into the characters from Godzilla movies. I cut apart and glued together a Tyrannosaur and a Stegosaurus to make Godzilla himself. This gave me the confidence that I could create anything. I began touring and showing my sculptures at sci-fi/ fantasy conventions. I always enjoyed the problem that I couldn’t make them fast enough as they sold out every show. This lead to occasional freelance jobs sculpting while working a full-time desk job as a designer. Right after I started my freelance career, I was emailing companies I thought might use my art in any manner. It was the shotgun theory of recruiting clients. Halloween Productions in St. Louis quickly responded and we arranged a meeting a week later. I had no proper portfolio of my art as I had a safe desk job for over 10 years when I set out to freelance, so I grabbed an 18” tall sculpture and drove to the meeting. I figured this would have to serve as my unorthodox portfolio—one sculpture of the 2010 Wolfman. I reasoned it showed I could draw, sculpt and paint all in one piece. It worked. I left with a commission to sculpt a 7’ version of my Wolfman. After that project, two more were ordered and I’ve been sculpting lifesize monsters and dinosaurs ever since.
Each sculpture begins with a sketch to capture the idea. This sketch is used as a reference for proportions, the sections the sculpture will be broken into for transport and to plan the inner structure (called the armature) that supports the clays. For my life-size creations, a LOT of time is spent studying the sketch and over-planning the materials and process, not just how to build them in a set budget, but how they will physically leave the studio and be delivered to a client. Life-size sculptures get expensive and heavy very quickly. Both of these are dangerous, one to the wallet, the other to your lower back. For larger pieces, I bulk them out with either a hollow wireframe or carved foam. Over this, I then apply epoxy clays similar to the putties used in plumbing and auto repair. I often have to employ another artist, Evan Lamb, to assist me on these large builds. I returned to my graphic design experience this past year to design novels and ebooks. I really enjoyed helping authors navigate the publishing waters. I loved those projects so much I am illustrating, designing and publishing an anthology of original sword-andsorcery tales called “From Gods We Steal,” including one story I wrote myself. This book will be available in December will feature a host of published authors. I am also currently illustrating my first children’s book, “The Crooked Nose Puppy,” (I’m not all horror and monsters) written by Emily Bellefeuille. It will be available in November on Amazon. I am also currently sculpting a life-size bust of a zombie for a client. My biggest project for the future is amassing my own collection of life-size monsters for a touring show. I have finished the first this summer, a Kobold (German for goblin). Previously, I had to give my sculptures to clients who commissioned them, leaving my studio empty, so I have set out to create my own collection. My next creature is a life-size Japanese Kappa (a water spirit). Eventually, I want to put on shows and display these sculptures along with their myths.
From 55 at Ste. Genevieve, go west on highway 32 to State Road C. Head north on C to Sprott Road where you’ll turn left. This is a gravel road, but easily passable with even the lowest sitting cars. Some three miles down the road you’ll come to a wide spot in the road where you can park. When you first arrive at Hickory Canyon, take just a short walk to the trail head. There, you’ll be greeted with large wooden signs that map out the trail. The hike begins with trails diverging on each side of the road. The southern trail, which takes you into Box Canyon, is short and somewhat steep. Don’t miss this one! At only .7 of a mile, this walk won’t wear you out but instead should rejuvenate your soul.
The cliff sides on this canyon are wrapped with ferns, creeping groundcover, and numerous trees which seem to grow out of the rocks themselves, stretching towards the sun 80 to 90 feet up the rim. At the end of Box Canyon is a waterfall (even in dry weather, as it was the day we visited), is another sight you won’t want to miss. The hike down and back takes just 15 to 20 minutes; the time you sit peeling the stress off your back could take hours. This is an unspoiled, secluded retreat. We hiked back to the parking lot and stopped to read the sign for our next trek. This one mile loop is steep in a couple of places so you’ll want to walk cautiously. If you choose to travel to the right, you’ll descend fairly rapidly to the bottom of the canyon. Along this path you’ll see many paw paw trees and a mix of hardwoods: maples, oaks, and long-leaf pines are all interspersed with dogwoods. This will be a magnificent place to experience fall colors! At the bottom of the canyon on this day, we saw the American Hornbeam in the birch tree’s favorite habitat: rich, woody basins with rocky slopes along streams. We discovered possum paw trees with their bright red berries growing along the banks. (Possum haws are the more common of two native Missouri holly plants, the other being the Nellie Steven’s Holly.) Also here, in the streams in the middle of this forest, we saw creek chubs, fathead minnows and small crayfish. Cool. Now, take a short walk to the base of the cliff and gaze upward. Imagine it like the images we’ve all seen on TV when the camera suddenly zooms out from where the actors are standing and begins exposing the vastness of the area. The scene ends as the camera shot zooms out to the stratosphere. If you picture this while standing at the foot of this cliff, you’ll understand why some people might feel that we are insignificant. The grandeur is greater than we are. The trail back up the hill is gentle and has a few switchbacks where you can pause, take in the natural beauty and catch your breath. As you approach the top, you’ll see a series of wooden platforms built for viewing a huge cliff. Multiple shelves of ferns cling to the cliff-side and drip, drip, drip water the same as they have for thousands of years.
After years of traveling back and forth to work, I know almost every single mailbox along the way. There are so many different styles of roadside mailboxes, and they all have their own personalities. I believe a rural mailbox says something about its owner. Just like the people who own them, some are plain; some are creative; some are old, weather-worn warriors; some reflect the owner’s interests or hobbies; some are thoughtfully decorated with flower beds around their posts; some are skinny, some are fat, some are funny, and some are serious. Over time however, most all roadside mailboxes fall prey to damage – and usually from the dreaded mailbox smasher.
A mailbox smasher is quite crafty, and cowardly, to boot. He chooses the perfect time and location to do his dirty work. When the sun goes down, the rural mailbox has little defense against a motivated vandal. The mailbox can’t run or cry out for help and it can’t fight back. It has to simply stand there and take the bashing. If a mailbox on my route has been the victim of an attack, I will always notice the carnage on my drive the next morning. It makes me sad and I feel sorry for the owner. Some owners try various methods to protect their mailboxes and do their best to repair the damage when it occurs. Some try to fortify their mailboxes, but the postal service has limitations on what can be done. Some just give up and get a post office box instead of dealing with the continual onslaught.
I’m sure mailbox smashers have been around as long as mailboxes have. It would be nice if no one went bashing them, but I guess they’ll just have to take their licks as they come. I guess they’re just like the rest of us – no two are alike, we could all use a little repair and we all just have to deal with things that come our way.
When Pete heard he would be rubbing elbows with such long standing celebrity dogs as Red Rover, Bob had no choice but to attend the event, and Pete loved the idea about FREE hotdogs. Pete is always the attraction at any event. Pete shook many a hand and received many a pet. He did the best he could to keep up with a steady flow at the autograph pawing session. He let out a few barks of joy when the fire truck tooted its horn, and he had the biggest hotdog he’s ever seen. Both kids and adults eagerly gathered around. Bob was there too—he drove. We owe this awesome opportunity to Bright Horizons. Bright Horizons serves the needs of employers and families, offering high-quality child care programs led by nurturing, passionate teachers who help children learn and thrive. They manage more than 800 high-quality childcare and early education centers in the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Ireland, the Netherlands, and India. They have been with Centene in Farmington since 2002. See why Pete was so excited?
The Fall Festival this year was a fun outdoor Transportation Fair event inspired by September being Child Passenger Safety Month. The fair consisted of MANY different types of vehicles stationed in the parking lot. The families and children walked around, viewed, learned about, and even got in some of the vehicles. TJ from the SFCAD did car seat safety checks. Free hotdogs, chips and water were offered. Kona Ice was there selling snow cones. There were door prizes and a much anticipated helicopter. The employees of Superior Children’s Center purchased Arrive Alive T-Shirts for the event. Bright Horizons Assistant Director, Shelley Sieter, said, “I want to thank those for being a part of our fair and taking time to make our event a successful one by giving the children an up-close, hands-on learning experience.” If you would like Bob and Pete to attend your event, send an email to: editor@573mag.com.
Pablo Picasso said, “Each second we live is a new and unique moment of the universe, a moment that will never be again. And what do we teach our children? We teach them that two and two make four, and that Paris is the capital of France. When will we also teach them what they are? We should say to each of them: Do you know what you are? You are a marvel. You are unique. In all the years that have passed, there has never been another child like you. Your legs, your arms, your clever fingers, the way you move. You may become a Shakespeare, a Michelangelo, a Beethoven. You have the capacity for anything. Yes, you are a marvel. And when you grow up, can you then harm another who is, like you, a marvel? You must work, we must all work, to make the world worthy of its children.�
Every parent thinks his or her child is poised to be a great soccer player, a gifted artist, a world-renowned musician, or an outstanding scientist... and there is nothing wrong with that. Actually, encouraging your child’s talent and fostering the belief that he or she can be great at something are ways that, all experts agree, help children to become successful. Look at Picasso’s statement, “Every child is an artist until he grows up.” When a child is first handed paper and paint—before being given any instruction—they will experiment in total freedom to create interesting works of art. It’s when they are told to draw within the lines, copy, or follow instructions that they slowly but surely lose artistic freedom and self-expression. This is what Picasso means by his statement. When we teach kids the mathematics of how we adults believe things should be done, we do so by destroying their creative selfexpression.
We recently met a mother with a talented child. With no art experience herself, she instinctively is advancing, guarding and facilitating her child’s talent. Nothing more and nothing less. Meet 10-year-old Lauren Brown. Lauren is 10 years old and loves art! She enjoys painting, drawing and various mediums. She has been taking private art lessons for several years. We met up with her under the big oak tree on the landing and put her to the test. Make us a painting. Watching Lauren work was like watching a professional artist attack a canvas. She knew just was she wanted and every move was deliberate. Every color custom mixed and every stroke of the brush freely placed with a tremendous amount of confidence. 573: Why do you love art? It’s fun. It’s a chance to express myself. 573: What are your favorite colors? I like pink and lime green. I like mixing colors too. 573: What do you like to paint? Most animals and nature because they are some of my favorite things. I draw lots of pictures of my dog, Luke. 573: Tell us about your art instructor. I have been taking art lessons from Mrs. Brenda Seyer for a couple of years. She teaches me about different techniques for different art subjects. She has taught me about mixing colors, shading, light, sculpture, painting, drawing, charcoal, pastels, etc.
Artists, parents and educators seem to disagree on what ‘labels’ a child an artist. Great artistic talent does not normally reveal itself as early as, say, musical talent does. There are no reliable tests for identifying child artists. Most great artists don’t really take off until their late teens or twenties. Rembrandt’s earliest known painting was done at the age of nineteen; there are no records of any childhood art. Da Vinci took up art at the age of fifteen, but all his great work was done after the age of forty. Matisse and Van Gogh had no idea they had talent as children. They didn’t even start painting until they were in their twenties. Picasso was painting like an adult artist while still in his teens; but then again, his father was an art teacher and those early works look nothing like the Picasso we know. His breakthroughs came in his twenties. So what should you do if your child seems to have artistic talent? Provide positive reinforcement and safeguard their self-expression from those people who stifle creativity with their well-intentioned advice. Be the facilitator of your child’s desire to be creative and your child will become the artist he or she is going to be.
Personally, I try to stay away from mirrors the best I can. I kind of know who and what I am, so I try not to dwell on the point. When I do need to look in the mirror, I always take my glasses off first—I look better that way. What exactly, is the truth about mirrors? The mirror has to be the greatest unsung invention of the human race. The result is the best illusion ever—to reveal two faces where really there is just one. It enables us to self-analyze in real time. Some people love looking at themselves in mirrors, sometimes for hours even. Some people hate looking at themselves in mirrors, even for a moment. Some animals don’t see themselves in a mirror at all while some see their reflection as another animal. Do these animals have no perception of self whatsoever? When I look into a mirror I don’t see my messy hair or my crooked nose. I see my life. I see my failings. I see my achievements. I see my goals. I see my dreams. I see the night’s sleep I just had. Sometimes it can be taxing. Like it or not, when you look into a mirror you see nothing but the truth— the person you really are. OK, so you might be brushing your teeth at the same time.
We at 573 decided to take a look at the humble mirror. Danea Johnson, owner of Concepts Salon is no stranger to mirror images as she works in front of mirrors day in and day out helping clients look and feel better about themselves. Laurie Everette, owner of Annie Lauries, supplied us with all the mirrors and wardrobe. Suzanna Burke, our model, is a woman with a dream to see herself on the silver screen. And Kerry Davis took care of wardobe styling.
I wonder, what was life like before mirrors? Did these people ever have a clear picture of who they were? What if we didn’t have mirrors now? What if we never see ourselves as we really are? Do mirrors make us better people? I think they help us come to terms with reality: who we really are and what we really want. It’s part of being a human animal to self-analyze in front of a mirror. In the end, mirrors have little to do with how you look and more to do with who you are.
Recently, we stepped into the Cateye Glasses Studio (an art school for kids). The place was simply amazing. The kids were so excited to be there making art. At Cateye Glasses Studio, kids learn about drawing and painting on paper, canvas paper, canvas board, stretched canvas, and even a chalkboard wall. Watching Cateye students work with the help of artist/ owner Rosetta Whitten is totally inspiring.
I am a lifelong resident of Southeast Missouri, born in Matthews, MO. My father was a farmer. I have three adult children and two grandchildren. I now live in Cape Girardeau where I have Cateye Glasses Studio. I was an art major when I entered Southeast Missouri State University in the 70’s but quit after a year of college to get married and raise a family. I studied painting privately and later returned to college in the 90’s when my children were all in school. I also ran Center Street Art Studio in Sikeston for a while, a place for kids to take art classes after school. It took a long time, but in 2012 I received a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree. This was the realization of a lifelong dream! Upon reading a quote from a blog, I was inspired to think about starting an art business again. The blogger stated, “Don’t apply for a job, create one!” That reminded me of how important it is to find a “job” that you are passionate about. I had the idea of starting a business that would combine my love for art and my interest in collecting mid-century modern furniture and 60’s kitsch. One year ago, I opened Cateye Glasses Studio in Cape to hold art classes, have art birthday parties and participate in exhibiting artists’ work on First Friday Art Walk. Today, the idea has grown into a safe place for creatives to explore and have fun. Birthday parties, girls’ night out parties, paint parties, corporate team building events, private family workshops, home school classes, scouts, clubs and continuing education workshops at Southeast are some of the offerings at Cateye Glasses Studio. I’m expanding on the current offering of weekday children’s classes and adult workshops to include Saturday morning classes for children. Saturday Art Club will offer art and craft activities along with projects for the children to collaborate on within the community. I simply thrive on bringing people together for any effort to create and learn new processes of art making. It’s a thrill for me to help someone get past their inhibitions—the idea that they can’t draw a stick-figure—and to see them walk away with a positive creative experience. I always learn something in the process, as well.
Art is a creative process that, through observing and doing, opens the mental, physical and emotional abilities we all possess. Every child, every human being is an artist. We communicate by making marks, speaking, singing and demonstrating through our actions. We have always had it in our nature to record information-since the most primitive man! As a parent, I always wanted to offer my children everything within my grasp to further their development. I encouraged them in their individual interests and tried to make the tools available to them for their pursuit of their interests. Upon taking classes through Southeast with its Sculpture and Art Education Professor, Dr. Edwin L. Smith, I learned about teaching art and working with young children. I learned about the universal language of symbols used by children of all cultures and found a new appreciation for providing children an opportunity to create without inhibition and with confidence. Parents, myself included, notice if their child has certain interests and can encourage development of those interests. Talent is a word that is widely used to describe a special ability toward a particular act. Some people seem to achieve remarkable results when drawing or painting effortlessly and we look at the results in amazement, while others become frustrated when they have difficulty making their hand do what their eye is seeing. ALL children should be given the opportunity to express and experiment with creativity. Therefore, art is not just for the “talented” but is actually a critical tool for intellectual development. Too soon, young children begin to compare their efforts to others and worse yet, begin to fear judgment and criticism from adults and their peers. This can stifle and extinguish the desire to continue the pursuit of art making. There are situations where a child is exhibiting extraordinary abilities in any given area. When this occurs, my instinct would guide me to encourage, provide ample opportunity for the child to create and most of all, resist the temptation to be critical of the child’s ideas or finished product. Like the old saying goes, “Just let kids be kids.”
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