Exclusive, original photography and ideas you won’t find anywhere else or on the web. The 573 embodies the area’s unique lifestyle by presenting the best of what the area has to offer. The 573 is always fresh and its content is 100% original. It is all about the people! People like yourself who understand the wonderful gifts we’ve been given here in the 573 and sometimes take for granted. publisher editor marketing design photography copy editors arts editors style editor business consultant distribution
denelle smugala t. smugala denelle smugala, michelle robbs pam deguire, joan curtis, t. smugala t. smugala, casey reeves dr. connie waters, sarah haas, dotty bach casey reeves noelle wagner marc johnson gary jones
Published nine times per year by Image Maker Marketing. All content of this magazine is Copyright©2011, 573 Magazine. All rights reserved. No portion of this magazine may be copied or reprinted without the express written consent of the publisher. Subscribers and Advertisers You are valued and vital to our success. If you have any questions, call us at 573.756.9933. Letters to the Editor We welcome your comments or suggestions. Send letters to 573 Magazine, P.O. Box 684, Farmington, MO 63640 or 573573@earthlink.net. Writing Opportunities We will always consider freelance writers or story ideas. Please email queries to the attention of the editor at 573573@earthlink.net. 573 Magazine is printed by a certified green printer using 100% green paper, inks, and processes. Our Circulation is verified by an independent auditor. It conducts and ensures actual and honest print counts, distribution, circulation and readership studies.
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15 The Night’s A Glow 27 A Feast 36 The Ghost Train 50 Sabreliner 58 King Of Junk 68 DIY Costumes
Once a year, the state of Missouri holds the Annual Governor’s Conference awards banquet. Marketers, community leaders, media executives and others associated with Missouri Tourism gather to pay tribute to organizations that have significantly influenced the success of the Missouri tourism industry. Guess what? The 573 Magazine multimedia platform took home the award for 2011. This is huge for both you and our area. Out of all the big-dog TV and radio stations, all the big-dog news organizations, all the big-dog newspapers, all the big-dog magazines and all the big-dog electronic media sites (web) available in the entire state of Missouri, the little 573 Magazine received the big-dog award! The 573 platform (print magazine, e-zine, web site & events) managed to turn the spotlight on Missouri tourism and the importance it plays in our state’s economy. The Navigator Media Award recognizes organizations that have supported and promoted tourism with stories that both inform and entice. You should be proud. This award is a huge feather in your and our local communities’ caps for several reasons, but the number one reason this is important is JOBS! For the last five years, we have pushed hard to elevate tourism to the area. Tourism is a great source of revenue to the 573, attracting money from St. Louis, Nashville and Chicago. Tourists come to visit our rivers, parks and wineries. They shop at our stores, they eat at our restaurants, visit our festivals and some open new businesses in the area. All of which create new wealth. The 573 Magazine is now on the Missouri tourism radar, which is another very important thing for you. We always keep your best interests in mind, and attracting new jobs to the area is one of the main reasons the 573 Magazine was created. Being recognized by the governor with this award will give us even more influence with the state and Missouri Tourism. With this influence, we will be pushing even harder to ensure our area gets what it needs to build a richer community in the 573. So help us keep the energy going -interact with our site, use the 573 e-zine, showcase your business as a sponsor, support our community events, subscribe to the print version... Lastly, always remember that without your continued support, none of this would have been possible. THANK YOU! t. smugala -the editor
Missouri boasts one of the richest cave systems in the world with over 6,000 caves throughout the state. And for over 10,000 years, those caves have been used by humans. The fresh flowing water of Missouri caves, along with the natural shelter they provided, made perfect campsites for the region’s indigenous population long before any Europeans crossed the Atlantic. Later in history, the caves made great hideouts for Civil War soldiers and outlaws like Jesse James. Man’s tradition of using caves continues today with unique destinations like Cave House, just north of Bonne Terre. The owner of Cave House, Flora Denton, recently published her first book (The “C” Word). It’s a refreshing “tell it like it is” account of her journey. You certinly don’t have to wonder where Flora stands on her hatered of the “C” word or the love and generoisty she holds for her family and freinds. It’s an eye opening read that will give you a greater appreciation for your life. Until supplies last, all guests of the Cave House recieve a copy of the book.
The Cave House, recently renovated by Royce Vessel and Flora Denton, surrounds the mouth of a small cave just west of scenic St. Francois State Park. The beautiful space is made up of three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a spacious living room and kitchen, and the cave room, where a trickling stream flows from the cave and forms a natural goldfish pond. The rustic, yet elegant, cabin blends perfectly into the natural rock formations, inside and out. A series of large decks extend from the cabin all the way across the rock formations, and stretch over the three-acre lake. Such an impressive space has the potential to be the perfect gathering place for your next event. The interior can host up to 50 people, and the exterior more than doubles that capacity. Farmington’s Jen Govero and Cole Smith were two of the first to have the opportunity to enjoy the unique atmosphere of Cave House. Jen is a chef who has worked in a variety of restaurants in St. Louis and Farmington, and Cole is CEO of Aptitude Internet Solutions, a developing rural high-speed internet provider company based out of Farmington. They are the proud parents of Quincy, their nearly two-year-old daughter. When they’re not working hard, the two enjoy spending time with family, relaxing with friends, and going out to eat good food.
Jen and Cole needed a little break from their busy lives, so they headed to the Cave House for a relaxing evening. It started with a glass of wine and a game of cards by the wood-burning fireplace, but the game came to an abrupt stop when Jen caught Cole trying to cheat. The two were then joined for dinner by friends John and Jessica DeBold. While the guys cooked, the girls decided to check out the cave and feed the goldfish. They regrouped at the dining room table for good conversation, more wine, and a relaxing dinner. Afterward, as dusk approached, Jen and Cole went to check out the lake and play around with some sparklers. When night finally came, it was time for the couple to snuggle up on the couch, listen to the crackling fire die down, and just relax. The Cave House was a perfect getaway for Jen, Cole and their friends, but it has the potential to host much larger groups. Whether you just need a night away from the ordinary, or you’re hosting a special event, Cave House just might be the right place for you.
My name is Anthony Marlin Blackwood but I go by LT (Little Tony) so nobody gets me mixed up with my dad Tony. I am 18 years old and love to road bike in the summer and mountain bike in the winter. This area is fantastic for bikers. I love living in this area, it’s more my style. When I lived in St. Louis, it just wasn’t me.. Trans Am Cyclery opened up in Farmington last March. We have two other shops in St. Louis named South Side Cyclery and South County Cyclery. I manage the one in Farmington. We have been family owned and operated for more than 80 years.
The roots of South Side Cyclery were planted about 1932-33 when young Velmo “Chap” Chappuis opened a small shop on Grand and Meramec in South St. Louis. In the years after the Great Depression he struggled to build his small business, and soon opened a satellite shop in Carondelet Park to rent bikes on weekends. Besides retail and repair, he began to offer repainted and updated secondhand bicycles to keep the business going during the tight economy of the war years. Over the years many members of our family worked in the shop. Brothers, wives, daughters, sons, brother-in-law, and finally Tony, my dad.
Bikes sold in the big retail locations are, for the most part, poorly constructed. All of our bikes have a lifetime warranty. We sell mountain bikes, road bikes, bmx bikes, kid bikes and a large selection of bicycle equipment and accessories. When you buy any bike from us you get free adjustments for one year and free assembly. Plus, we offer free layaway year-round and 1-year sameas-cash financing! We have experienced mechanics who know what they’re doing and we treat all our customers right. It’s why we have been in business for 80 years. transamcyclery.com
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dusk on October 1st, tethered hot air balloons illuminated the skies over Jefferson County creating a kaleidoscope of colors. The Jefferson County Balloon Festival at the Festus Airport was put on by a group called Citizens for Airport Economic Expansion (CAEE). It was fantastic! Trying to come up with the right words to say about a balloon glow was pretty tough. For those of you who haven’t been to a glow let me tell you a bit about it. The easiest way to describe a “Balloon Glow” in words is to ask you to think of each hot air balloon as a huge multicolored light bulb. When the balloon pilot fires up the burner the entire balloon glows. The crews start by setting up the hot air balloon in the usual way, using the burner to heat the air inside and fully inflate the hot air balloon in an upright position. That much is standard. but when a balloon is fired at night and the light passed through a multicolored balloon, it’s magic. And it draws people like moths to a flame. Add a little music and a little choreography and you have a full- blown glow!
During a night glow, pilots will usually operate the liquid valve known as the whisper burner or cow burner. It is designed to make a soft sound that doesn’t startle livestock. It also creates a spectacular bright orange flame instead of the main valve which creates the more typical blue flame.
Formed in October 2003, CAEE was organized by pilots and local citizens in an effort to expand the Festus Memorial Airport. The City was considering selling the airport, it was possible that it would close and no longer be available to serve the public. So this private group went to work to save the airport. Today the airport is no longer owned by the city of Festus. It was purchased in 2010 by a private individual and CAEE now operates and maintains the airstrip. CAEE’s goal is to expand the airport to make it a viable transportation link for Jefferson County and to contribute to regional growth. Now in its 3rd year, the 2011 Jefferson County Balloon Festival was a wonderful event and by the looks of it, some 5,000-plus visitors showed up to watch the show. Along with the usual festival elements like kettle corn, snow cones, face painting, bouncing castle, crafters... there was a wonderful airshow, car show, helicopter rides, plane rides, music by GTO and the Spirit of St. Louis Chorus and skydiving provided by Fly Free Skydiving.
How about this for interesting. A little old lady from Hillsboro, 91-year-old Clara Dorbarakis, actually made her very first flight in an airplane at the event. How cool is that. But wait, my friends, there is more... She also made her first flight in a helicopter. How cool is that for a 91year -old? But wait, there is more. Yep, Clara actually made her first skydiving free fall. After a twenty-minute plane ride, taking her to an altitude of 10,500 feet above the ground, Clara and her instructor jumped from a perfectly good plane and fell for an exhilerating 35-40 seconds. The chute was pulled and Clara floated for 7 minutes to a soft landing. Upon landing, I asked Clara if she was scared. She simply answered, “Nope.”
Clara gives 30-year-old Michelle Thebeau, of Farmington, some last-minute advice before her own free fall. That’s Michelle floating below.
It took the efforts of many people to hold this event. Airport Manager - Steve Vogt. CAEE Board members: President - Terry Propst, Vice President Stephen Seek, Treasurer - Ron Sherr, Members, Mike Dutton, Bryan Browne, BJ Eavy, Event Coordinator - Stephanie L Woerndle and many more... Special thanks out to the executive event sponsors; Brown Mackie College, Eagle Bank Mortgage, GWS Contractors, Luer & Associates, Twin City Aviation, Dobbs Tire & Auto, Eagle Bank & Trust, Home Service Oil, Jefferson Regional Medical, P&P ATM, Ulrich Krauskopf and yours truly, the 573 Magazine.
ARCADIA VALLEY MOUNTAIN MUSIC FESTIVAL OCTOBER 21 - 23 Historic Iron County Courthouse in Ironton Come on out for some great live music, see the parade, and then stay for more fun and bluegrass, Americana, country and old time music. Free family event. www.mountainmusicfestival.net FALL ROCKS EDUCATIONAL EVENT OCTOBER 22 Missouri Mines State Historic Site in Park Hills From 5pm to 9pm families can learn about the area’s mineral resources and have fun doing it. There will be several activities, game stations, and refreshments. This is a free event. (573) 431-6226 RURAL HERITAGE DAY OCTOBER 22 Ste. Genevieve Experience history and see how things were done back in the day. Demonstrations and hands-on activities: farming, wood carving, spinning, gardening, cooking, lace making, leather and soap making, and games. This is a free event. (573) 883-5687 MOONLIGHT MADNESS OCTOBER 27 at the Square in Perryville There will be a children’s Halloween parade, pumpkin decorating, pet costume contest, and prizes. (573) 547-6062 HALLOWEEN STORYTELLING OCTOBER 28 Bollinger Mill State Historic Site in Burfordville Bring a blanket or a chair, relax and enjoy. 7pm to 8:30pm (573) 243-4591 WROCKSTOCK OCTOBER 28-31 YMCA Trout Lodge in Potosi Register for this unique Harry Potter Wizard Rock Festival. See and hear several featured bands, visit Craft Alley and Wampum Willow, and don’t miss the third annual Wrockstock Quidditchstravaganza tournament. Wrockstock passes must be purchased to participate. www.wrockstock.com DERBY DAY OCTOBER 29 Meramec Spring Park in St. James Don’t miss this annual fishing event. The stream will be stocked with above average sized trout and there will be refreshments and prizes. Fishing license and trout tag required. (573) 265-7387
CHILI COOK-OFF OCTOBER 29 Downtown Square in Perryville Come out for this tasty competition. Enjoy samplings of chili, hot wings, and live entertainment. (573) 547-6062 CRAFT FAIR OCTOBER 29 & 30 Perry Park Center in Perryville Come on out to this free indoor craft fair from 8am to 4pm and then enjoy a free outdoor movie at dusk. (573) 547-6062 APPLE BUTTER FESTIVAL OCTOBER 29 & 30 Kimmswick Hailed as one of the largest events in the area, apple butter will be made and sold, 100’s of food and craft booths, pumpkin carving, and live entertainment. 10am to 5pm. (636) 464-6464 PUMPKIN PICKIN’ AND CORNMAZES MONTH OF OCTOBER Call or visit website for details Shryocks Callaway Farms in Columbia ~ (573) 592-0191 Beggs Family Farm in Sikeston ~ (573) 471-3879 Sunny Day Farms in Cuba ~ (573) 205-3398 Perryville Pumpkin Farm in Perryville ~ (573) 513-2899 All Seasons Garden Center in Farmington ~ (573) 747-1800 FALL ARTS AND CRAFTS SHOW NOVEMBER 6 Hearnes Center Field House in Columbia From 11am to 4pm come out to one of the largest arts and craft shows in the area showcasing many fine crafters and artisans in quilts, pottery, jewelry, woodwork, photography, sculputre, paper, pewter, and so much more. WINE DIVA WEEKEND NOVEMBER 19 & 20 Route du Vin (Ste. Genevieve‘s Wine Trail) Gather together the ladies for a unique “diva” experience at each of the 6 wineries along the trail. Get your passports in advance at Ste. Genevieve Winery for $20 per person before Nov. 4 and $25 per person after Nov. 4. (800) 398-1298 RIVER VALLEY CRAFT FAIR NOVEMBER 19 & 20 AC Brase Arena in Cape Girardeau Crafters come together to sell tons of handmade items just in time for holiday gift-giving. (573) 339-6340
• Laughter lowers blood pressure. Upon laughing, blood becomes more oxygen-and-nutrient rich and your blood pressure drops. Never lick a steak knife. (laugh now) • Laughter increases the number of attack cells that like to kill cancer cells. Antibodies are also increased (immunoglobulin A), which is especially helpful for respiratory infections. It’s not those jeans that make your butt look fat. (laugh now) • Laughter decreases stress hormones, relaxing muscles and helping antibodies fight infection. If you look like your passport picture, you need a vacation. (laugh now)
• Laughter not only works the abs, but also works on the facial, leg, back, diaphragm and respiratory muscles. Nothing in the world is friendlier than a wet dog. (laugh now) • Laughter releases endorphins which are more potent than morphine and reduce the feeling of pain. Those who think they know everything are very annoying to those of us who do. (laugh now) • Laughter is a great motivator to keep your breath fresh and your teeth maintained. The benefits are obvious. Did you hear about the blonde who gave her cat a bath? She still has not gotten all the hair off her tongue. (laugh now) • You are above ground. Enough said.
• If you laugh, people will naturally want to laugh with you. You’ll have friends. It’s a proven fact: Bills travel through the mail at twice the speed of checks. (laugh now) • When you laugh you make yourself more approachable to others. Laugh at yourself. You’ll take away the opportunity of others to make fun of you. Make it idiot proof and someone will make a better idiot. (laugh now)
If you think nobody cares if you’re alive, try missing a couple of payments. (laugh now)
For the feast location, we chose an unharvested Chambourcin vineyard at Vance. It was a beauiful day and the vines were loaded with tasty purple grapes. Executive Chef Trent Wiggins tells us about the vineyard feast.
573: Tell us about yourself. I was born and raised in Missouri, then went to study Culinary Arts in Louisville and worked in Chattanooga. I began my love for food when I was young, trying to be Granny’s little helper, and it has only grown from there. My formal training started when I attended the local vocational school for food service, then went on to Sullivan University in Louisville for food science. I worked at many different restaurants throughout Louisville, learning many tricks of the trade they don’t teach in classes. A few years and a few states later, I ended up right back where I started. I made the rounds working at area establishments and finally found my dream job at Vance Winery – well, it really found me. The kitchen wasn’t even built yet, and I thought Robin (my boss and owner of Vance Winery) was crazy for wanting to start a new restaurant in Madison County, but it sounded like the perfect challenge and the experience of a lifetime. That “little kitchen that could” is called The Twisting V Grille.
573: Tell us about the vineyard feast. For starters, we had a duck pate with fig and apple filling, served with mixed greens, sun-dried cranberries, feta cheese and a house specialty Norton vinaigrette. A main course of slow-roasted turkey with pan gravy was served with garlic mashed potatoes and seasonal vegetables. Dessert was a pumpkin spice custard with apple cake and cinnamon meringue. I made the menu with seasonal thoughts in mind and paired each course with a Vance wine. I prepared the turkey by placing butter and small amounts of duck fat under the skin for flavor and moisture, seasoned it with mirepoix (celery, onion and carrots) inside and out, and used the duck wings for the roasting flavor.
573: Any tips on how to make the big meal easier to do? Holidays are best spent with family and friends, so the challenge is not spending all your time in the kitchen. I like to start with desserts and side items that can be prepared a day or two ahead of time. On the big day, begin with the turkey as it will be slow-roasted and take more time, then move on to the next most time-consuming items and so on. Keep in mind; it is always nice to have “kitchen time” with the loved ones, so don’t hesitate to have them help out. Plus, that little touch of Granny’s love is always nice to have around.
573: Tell us about the dessert. The custard-based ice cream was infused with cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, brown sugar and ginger for a pumpkin spice flavor. For the cake, I used fresh green apples and walnuts, topped with winter spice meringue, to complement the custard. The result: An autumn favorite.
From all of us at the 573 Magazine, we hope your holiday feast is everything you want it to be.
IT’S A TIME OF HALLOWEEN AND HAUNTED HOUSES. I HAVE SEVERAL SEASONS EXPERIENCE AS A HAUNTED ATTRACTION ACTOR. WORKING AS A GHOUL AT HAUNTED HOUSES HELPED ME GET A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF WHY PEOPLE GET SCARED AND WHY THEY LOVE IT SO. Why do so many people love getting scared? Haunted houses, horror movies, thrill rides; human beings are the only creatures on this planet who have the ability and desire to scare themselves. Why do we do it? Guys, is it so we can get close to that cutie we’re with? Girls, is it so you can get Mr. Studly to wrap his arms protectively around you? From the teen years through the twenties, bravery seems to be a standard rite of passage. This is the same “fight or flight” syndrome which guaranteed our survival in more primitive times. The hormonal reactions our bodies produce when we are faced with fear, ultimately improve our chances of survival. At the moment we get scared, we have increased strength and power and heightened senses and intuition. This is what we call an “adrenaline rush.” It is named after the primary hormone involved -adrenaline. When we survive being scared, we connect with our ancestors who had to overcome nature’s savagery. Basically, a good scare allows us to have our evolutionary cake and eat it, too. We gain a feeling of victory or accomplishment when we face our fear head-on. It is a feeling as old as mankind itself. So, in conclusion, fear is fun … unless you have a medical problem that dictates otherwise. It’s good to get scared from time to time. So from us here at the 573 magazine, BOO! And happy haunting.
Early Saturday morning was expected to be quite wet as fall rain plagued the area for days. And for a Chalk Art Festival it would surely mean disaster. But for artists young and old and hundreds of onlookers, the day couldn’t have been more perfect until it started raining again after the close of the event. On September 24 art enthusiasts from all over gathered in historic downtown Ste. Genevieve for the 573 Chalk Art Festival. Main Street came to life with the bright colors of chalk to pavement. Seasoned artists, student artists, and future student artists (kids) showcased their talents in this unique competition. Spectators enjoyed the music, face painting, and kettle corn while experiencing the live exhibition.
Congratulations to the winners of the 2011 573 Magazine Chalk Art Festival: Derek Gollaher ~ $250 Winner (6x6) Arcadia Valley School students Brittney Peters, Breanne Hanson, and Deedee ~ $75 Winner (4x4) Taylor Bruzaitis ~ $50 Winner (2x2 Kids) Josh Gann ~ MAC Student Prize $100 John DeBold ~ One-night stay at Main Street Inn B & B in Ste. Genevieve Jim Wilson ~ One-night stay at Nostalgic Place B & B in Arcadia Valley Savannah Baker ~ Kids T-Shirt Taylor Bruzaitis ~ Kids T-Shirt Brayden Schenck ~ Kids T-Shirt Wine winners: Pam DeGuire, Rebecca Turner, Diane Wilson & Mike Devaney Thank you to the area businesses and sponsors for their gracious contributions to ensure a successful event: Mineral Area College, Center for the Arts, Main Street Inn Bed & Breakfast, Nostalgic Place Bed & Breakfast, Chaumette Winery, Vance Vineyards, PartyPro DJs, and special thanks to Stephanie Bell, Ste. Genevieve Tourism Director.
SEE ALL THE ARTISTS AND ARTWORK AT: 573mag.com
you’ve ever driven through Jackson, you’ve seen the Iron Mountain Locomotive sitting at the intersection of Highways 25 and 72. You can’t miss seeing the old train, and even if you do, your kids will surely point it out. It’s said that the Iron Mountain Railroad is Missouri’s only rolling railroad museum. And roll it does. This full-sized locomotive carries a few passenger cars and a caboose on two- and three-hour tours. If you have never been on a train ride, this is the way to experience it. Relax in a coach car pulled by “Pennsylvania Diesel #5898” built in 1950. The sights and sounds of the historic Iron Mountain line sweep you away to the glory of the passenger train era, and you get a lot more than just a train ride. How about a two-hour dinner trip while a professional storyteller entertains you with stories of the Civil War or the life of a hobo? Or maybe a murder mystery on the three-hour tour, including a meal and an interactive rail murder mystery set in the ‘40s, fully staffed by volunteer professional actors. Agatha Christie would be proud. Or maybe you’d enjoy a real train robbery by the James Gang. You have to do this sometime.
story & photography t. smugala styling by noelle wagner
While at the St. Louis Iron Mountain Train Museum in Jackson we met up with a special young actor/dancer named Alexis. In the spirit of “show up and invent a story,” Alexis was perfect for this shoot because of her willingness to be anyone we needed her to be (even a ghost). And of course, with Halloween on our mind what better than to create a nice ghost story.
It was a tragic day some 68 years ago, a beautiful young woman was left to pick up the pieces and move on with her life. But she couldn’t. Most young women would simply shut themselves away to the world and vow never to love again - but not this woman. You see, her Romeo was taken by a German soldier. With the simple flick of a trigger finger, and not another thought, her man was lost to the ages. It was on the St. Louis Iron Mountain & Southern line where Ginger first received the news of her man’s battle lost. It was on the same train her man proposed to her some two years earlier, and it was on the same train where they met at the start of the war. Actually, Ginger would live out her entire life, hopes and dreams on this train. The daughter of a new-aged swing singer and a tattooed sailor named Sylvester, Ginger was no stranger to train travel. With her father away in the Merchant Marines and her mother traveling back and forth from one smoky night club to the next, Ginger had no friends or family but for the rail employees and other travelers on the train. They all knew and loved Ginger - from the conductor, to the ticket man, to the engineer... but none were real friends. Ginger never felt sorry for herself; she knew her mother was doing the best she knew how. Her mother lived by the beat of her own drum in the early swing movement and she taught Ginger how to make her own rules and not follow the beaten path. At that time, Swing was as radical as early ‘80s punk rock. Surprisingly, that outcast upbringing opened up many avenues to Ginger who soon developed a desire to act. It was there on the train that she filled her time acting for the passengers. Hamlet, Beauty and the Beast, Gone with the Wind... Ginger would move to Los Angles and beome a silver screen idol - or at least before the Nazis decided they wanted to rule the world. Once the war began, there was no time for such luxuries as moving to L.A. and becoming a star.
While commuting to the Arsenal Street Acme Bomb Factory in St. Louis dressed in boondockers, worn dungarees, a bandana and red lipstick, our willing Rosie the Riveter met and fell in love with her Army man. It was in the gray seats of the passenger compartment, late in January 1943, when Ginger and her man lost themselves. It was 100%, Grade A, Government Issue true love. But like all things in this world, it came to an abrupt end. Her Joe was sent off to fight for freedom. And with a kiss and a promise to make it back home alive, her man left never to return.
So what happened to Ginger, you are wondering? I think you know. And I think you know why her spirit still rides the train to this day, traveling to Union Station, hoping to meet her returning hero.
573: TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT THE REAL YOU. My name is Lexi Markway. I’ve been dancing for 11 years now and love being involved in the theater. I’ve also always wanted to be an actor or model. I never would have ever thought of myself being on the front cover of a magazine. 573: WHAT MAKES A GOOD GHOST STORY? I think anything that has to do with creepy happening somewhere makes a good ghost story. 573: TELL US ABOUT THE SHOOT. I thought the photo shoot was so cool. I loved having to put on different outfits. The one when I was Rosie the Riveter was my favorite. The whole experience was so great.
Michael Raymond Uskiwich filled us in on the train museum and all it takes to put on the show. And yep, we got to blow the whistle. 573: TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF. I am 54. I work for Davis Service
Company during the day. I spend my weekends and evening working on the train. I live in Advance and I enjoy the country life.
573: WHERE DOES THE MONEY COME FROM?
The money comes in from ticket sales, sales of gifts on board the train as well as donations. 100% of the money goes toward running and maintaining the train. None of the volunteers get any of the money.
573: TELL US ABOUT THE TOURS.
Louis Iron Mountain for 7 years now. There is nothing I love more than running a train down the tracks.
All train rides are at 1 pm on Saturdays. We go to Gordenville, Missouri, and stop there for 30 minutes and give people the chance to come in the cab of the locomotive. They get to see what it is like and to blow the horn. On selected weekends we have a mock James Gang robbery we stop at a hideout and they board the train and rob passengers of fake money we give them then return to Jackson, Missouri.
573: WHAT IS IT ABOUT TRAINS THAT YOU LOVE SO MUCH? I love the raw power of
573: WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD FOR THE MUSEUM?
573: HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN AN ENGINEER? I have been an engineer for the St.
the locomotives and the beauty of the trains rolling down the track. The whistle is pretty cool, too.
573: TELL US ABOUT THE MUSEUM. Iron
Mountain is a not-for-profit and is maintained, run and staffed by all volunteers who work hard keeping railroad history alive.
It will be a good future when we get everything fixed that needs to be fixed and get it painted so it looks better and people keep coming to our railroad.
Pennsylvania Diesel #5898
W ithout the suppor t of the many actor s, volunteer s and donor s this train museum would not be r unning. If you would like to get involved with helping to keep train histor y alive or if you can af for d to make a donation or take a ride on the train visit: www.slimr r.com
There is a new OB in Southeast Missouri who is really up on things. An experienced OB named Dr. Robert Harris. And when Dr. Harris says you should expect more when you are expecting -he delivers.
years ago in New York City, Dr. Robert Harris met and married his wife Paulina. Dr. Harris is from New York and Paulina is from Ecuador. They have 3 kids, Robert Junior, age 6, Grant, age 4 and Logan, age 1. They are a tight knit family and do almost everything together. Dr. Harris now heads the Women’s Health and Wellness Center at Mineral Area Regional Medical Center (MARMC) and they recently purchased a house just north of Farmington. Paulina said, “The people here are so friendly and the hospital is very aware that my husband has a family that’s very important to him.” Besides bringing new talent to the area Dr. Harris has embraced all the latest technologies to the benefit of his patients. And what’s the latest thing Dr. Harris is using to help expectant mothers? Using his smart phone, Dr. Harris sees the same information that appears on the monitor in hospital rooms, like contraction patterns and heart rate, no matter where he is. This saves precious time and puts patients at ease, knowing their doc is on the job. This is especially important as Dr. Harris desires to spend as much time as possible with his family. Actually, MARMC is the first hospital in the state to use this mobile OB monitor system. It links the electronic fetal monitor in the labor rooms to the smart phones in the doctor’s hand. Dr. Robert Harris received his Bachelor of Science degree magna cum laude with honors in Chemistry, as well as a Master of Science degree and his medical degree from Saint George’s University School of Medicine, Grenada. Dr. Harris did his Obstetrics/Gynecology residency at Staten Island University Hospital, Staten Island, NY. He has been a practicing MD since 2005.
Harris: “When a patient comes into hospital delivery I am able to pull up all the data on my smart phone instantly so I can decide what we need to do. A couple of times, I had to intervene based on what I saw and it was this first response that actually saved the life of the baby. Having the ability to evaluate all of my patients at all times is a godsend. I am totally sold on this program and I recommend all hospitals begin using this life saving technology as soon as possible. Lastly, this system gives access to consulting physicians who are collaborating in the care of a high-risk pregnancy or complications.� Jeannette Skinner, CEO of MARMC, continues to grow the depth and breadth of clinical services offered by MARMC, through the recruitment of some of the best and brightest physicians and staff. Over the past year, MARMC has achieved and exceeded top marks in national benchmarks in patient satisfaction and quality of care metrics.
Using his smart phone to check in, Dr. Harris sees the same information that appears on the monitor in hospital rooms, like contraction patterns and heart rate, no matter where he is. It’s good for both his family and his patients.
During the current craze for businesses to have a presence everywhere, it seems many small business owners are fixating on “getting found” and are losing sight of what really matters --getting chosen. With a gazillion choices smashing consumers square in their faces -- the internet, TV, radio, outdoor-- at the moment of truth, how do YOU get chosen when the consumer is faced with identical product or service? What can you do, as a small business owner on a fixed budget, to make more sales? Is it more important to be everywhere, or is it more important to be understood? Is it more important to be everywhere, or is it more important to be unique? Is it more important to be everywhere, or is it more important to focus on your brand? That last one is the best one. I say, focus on your brand ….first. But what is a brand? And more importantly, what is a good brand that creates sales? A brand is more than just a catchy name, a pretty logo, or business cards. A brand is the sum of how you are perceived, good or bad, by the consumer. A good brand gives people: something to believe in (trust, quality, service); something to latch onto (an experience, a “cool” factor); something they can rely on (consistency in service, product and presentation).
As a business owner, your understanding of your brand is vital, since having a good brand is the only way to get chosen when people are faced with the many choices slapping them in the face everyday. Most of the time, people make their buying decisions based primarily on brand, not price. In fact, according to the American Marketing Association of America, most people look with suspicion on the product with the cheapest price, so being branded as “cheapest” will likely backfire in the long run.
Truth be told, understanding and developing a good brand is the single most important thing in business for this simple reason: Either way, YOU WILL BE BRANDED. You can control your branding yourself and retain some control, or relinquish control and let the outside world do it for you. Either way, your brand will decide whether you get chosen. Simply being found in a pile of a million other choices may not be the best use of your marketing dollars. T. Smugala -creative director Image Maker Marketing
In a world where the media landscape is so overly saturated it’s worthwhile to ask, how do companies break through? Our agency understands the power of a strong brand. We combine this understanding with excellent creative skills and sound marketing principles to get you found and chosen. Brand attraction is what matters in modern business. In the end, it’s discipline, strategy and creative consistency that will get you found and chosen. Learn more at imagemaker573.com.
a recent dedication for the new Sabreliner hangar at the Perryville Airport, we stumbled upon an interesting guy. Of course there were many interesting people there; House Speaker Steven Tilley, Mayor Debbie Gahan... politicians, media and dignitaries alike. But one guy we met was extremely interesting. His name is Al Farless. Al has worked for the same company for 53 years. You read that right, 53. Al Farless has been with Sabreliner and its predecessor ownership for 53 years. In an age when most people rarely work at the same company for five years, let alone 50, we had to find out what makes this bird fly. But first, we’ll start with Sabreliner and why this company has a lifelong employee like Al.
Sabreliner is an aviation company in Perryville that is recognized worldwide for keeping older aircraft flying and supporting new aircraft production and customization. Their customers include: U.S. Government, Airbus, BAE Systems, Boeing, Bombardier Aerospace, L-3 Communications, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman and Sikorsky Aircraft. Sabreliner manufactures airframe assemblies, parts, components and tooling for use in new fixed-wing and rotarywing aircraft production and in the maintenance, repair and overhaul of existing aircraft. In laymen’s terms, they bring them in, strip them down, upgrade and rebuild them. They work with all of the U.S. military services to help sustain their air fleets. Much of the work is critical to national defense and integral to new aircraft production. They now have 450 employees and more than 425,000 square feet of aviation facilities.
573: Tell us about you and your family.
I am married to Joanne and in May we celebrate 50 wonderful years together. I seem to stay with what I like. She has been extremely tolerant of the hectic schedule that is required to be in this industry and has spent a lot of time home alone during my many years of travel. She is a very special person. We have two children, six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, with more due in February and May. I have worked for Sabreliner for 53 years.
573: Tell us about Sabreliner and your career.
The Sabreliner aircraft was originated in the late ‘50s in a design competition for an Air Force utility trainer and transport aircraft. We won the competition with the aircraft dubbed the UTX and built the T-39 aircraft for the USAF from that design. I started working for the company on September 3, 1958. I worked at the rocket engine division in Canoga Park, California, where I was a stock clerk and forklift operator. I later held positions in electronics, the space divisions and worked manufacturing engineering/planning. At the perfect time, I was transferred to the aircraft division of which Sabreliner was just one of the product lines. In 1977, I was assigned to visit the Perryville facility to initiate a plan to move final assembly of the aircraft from California to Missouri. I was to be in Perryville for six months, but became attached to the job and the great people, so I ended up staying another six years. When the division was sold to the current ownership, I was named the director of advanced programs and given the challenge to grow the company through government business. Throughout the recent years, we won and completed several government contracts for engine overhaul and aircraft maintenance/ modification, I was later named vice president, program development. Now the Sabreliner Corporation is recognized as one of the foremost companies in the commercial and government aircraft industry. When asked “Where do you work?� one is always proud to say Sabreliner.
573: Tell us about your Dad and the top secret Skunkworks.
Prior to WWII, my father was a miner in the Oklahoma lead mines and later in the California gold and silver mines. During the war, he worked in the aircraft industry in California and gained experience in high-rate production of aircraft. After the war, my father worked at various jobs due to cutbacks in production, but later found his way back into the aircraft industry. He built the Lockheed Constellation and the F-80 Shooting Star that later was modified and became the T-33 aircraft. During that time, and due to his exceptional ability to “hand build� parts, he was asked to move into the Lockheed Skunkworks program. The hardest part of that, as I recall, was getting his security clearance, as records were hard to find. Once there, he had the opportunity to work with Kelly Johnson who was the mastermind of the Skunkworks. My father often told me Mr. Johnson would return from lunch with a part drawn on a napkin and ask my dad if he could produce it. Because of security, I never knew what he was working on from day to day. But after programs like the U-2 and SR-71 Blackbird were declassified, he was able to talk about the parts he made. I am sure there were other programs he worked on, but he took those secrets to his grave.
573: Tell us about the new hangar.
The paint hangar dedication was attended by many state and local officials. They have worked hard to help overcome the many obstacles that are encountered when taking on such a monumental task. It is important to know our CEO, Mr. Lamoreux, has the vision and confidence in us to make such a substantial investment in our facilities, to help bring new jobs to the area. Painting aircraft was a choke point for scheduling other work into the facility, and it is very important to expand that capability. The importance to the community is that if we can attract new business by relieving schedule constraints, it will help add other highly technical jobs for new work performed while aircraft are here for paint. The paint facility adds 32,000 square feet to our existing facilities and is the very latest, state-of-the-art in design.
573: Tell us why Sabreliner has so many employees who have been there for many years.
First, we work and live in a small community. Our employees are very talented, as the administrative people are expert in their field and most of the technicians are local people and grew up doing mechanical things. Many of our mechanics have gone on to obtain special licensures in areas such as Airframe and Power Plant (A&P) and there is little place to use that specialty outside this facility. Second, most are attracted to and like to live in the rural area as it is a very good place to raise a family. That is another reason I wanted to stay in the area. Third, this is a stable work place. As a person in business development, there is little worry when you tell the customer the job will be done right, on budget and on schedule; the work ethic here is unparalleled.
Ball an end of straw and push up into the sleeves of the shirt leaving a good portion hanging out of the shirt. Tie the twine around the wrist. Repeat for the other wrist and both ankles.
Zip and button up the pants and stuff with regular straw. Stuff the straw all the way down and leave a little room for his knees to be able to bend. Fill up all the way to the waist. Button up the front of the shirt and stuff with straw, down the sleeves first then the rest of the shirt. Get the straw in this nice and firm but leave enough room to tuck the bottom of the shirt into the pants. Using twine, make the suspenders and tie one end to the front belt loop. Take the twine straight up the front over the shoulder and cross over in the back belt loop. Go through the center and out the other side. Cross back over to the other shoulder and straight down the front. Tie off to the other front belt loop.
Stuff the head with straw good and firm. Take a stick and stick it up the back of the material of the head. Gather the neck with the string and tie. Get curly straw for the hair and spread this out and stuff into the hat. Leave room to put the hat onto the head. Stick the remaining stick down into the neck and your scarecrow is done.
573: Tell us about yourself.
My name is Iris Richardson and I run a family-owned garden center and landscaping company, All Seasons in Farmington. My husband and I have four wonderful kids.
573: Tell us about the kids scare.
In 2003, we started doing a Family Fall Festival and have increased its size and activities each year. We are now entertaining hundreds of kids and school field trips. We are open to the public on the first four Saturdays and Sundays in October. We have a kid-friendly spook house, a straw maze, games, face painting, treasure hunts, pumpkin decorating and a hands-on do-it-yourself scarecrow workshop with all the fixin’s. It’s geared for kids from 1to 12 years of age and it’s a great family outing.
573: Tell us about the pumpkin patch.
We provide an authentic tractor ride to the pumpkin patch where you can pick your perfect pumpkin and get help with the carving.
573: Tell us about the scarecrows.
In the scarecrow workshop, everyone gets a hand-painted scarecrow face and they get to choose the clothes, hat, and everything else needed to make a full-sized scarecrow. It’s a lot of fun and they get to take the scarecrow home to decorate their yard.
I’m sure you have seen the show American Pickers: Two quirky guys driving around the countryside looking for strange and unusual junk, buying it on the cheap and t h e n t u r n i n g i t f o r a p r o f i t . A l t h o u g h I ’ m n o t a p i c k e r, I can relate to anyone who can find a way to make something from nothing. It’s how this magazine was created and people always tell me I can make a silk p u r s e f r o m a s o w ’ s e a r. N o t s u r e a b o u t a l l t h a t , b u t I do consider myself a good finder and a person who uses what’s around him to its fullest. I love anything old; antiques and anything rusted. I’m crazy for old photos and I’m fascinated as to why people sell their family photos in the first place, but that’s another story. The interior of my house kind of looks like the inside of a cool tree house; very eclectic and put together with found things that somehow manage to blend to make perfect sense. Maybe this style is not for everyone, but it works for me and my family. Or at least we’ve convinced ourselves it does. Through the years, I have hit thousands of antique shops looking for nothing and everything at the same time. For me that’s what antiquing, or picking, is all about. Recently, I hit on the mother lode of junk. A true picker would be proud to call this place home. Junk piled from floor to ceiling and more junk rolling in t h e d o o r b e f o re y o u c a n m a k e i t o u t o f t h e re . We m e t up with Jerry Tur ner and his palace of quality junk - the Plunder Palace in Ironton.
Every Saturday morning, Jerry is up with the sun and hitting garage sales. By 10:00 a.m., he, his wife, his granddaughters and his employees are back at the Palace pricing the m o r n i n g ’ s h a u l . To d a y i t ’ s p o rc e l a i n lamps, aluminum coffee pots and a Victrola in great condition. Jerry and his wife of 37 years, Carla, hit garage sales, auctions, and estate sales, but a lot of good junk just seems to show up at his door step. People are there throughout the day selling him things, and sometimes people just dump things outside on the lawn. Pure profit there, I guess. And what a front yard it is. Just on the other side of the tracks on HWY 21 in Ironton, you can see the Palace for a country mile. Stuff is overflowing out of the shop and has filled the yard out to the street. Jerry tells me the city was after him for a long time to clean his place up, but now the city kind of appreciates his quality junk - the Palace has become a tourist attraction. He told me, years ago, the city was threatening to fine him for his ugly yard. When one of Jerry’s friends heard this, he presented Jerry with the “most interesting yard” award. Jerry said that quieted the city people down a bit.
The best deal I ever made was getting a free gas pump which I sold for $3,500.
though, despite his easy going d e m e a n o r, J e r r y k n o w s h i s s t u f f when it comes to antiquity. As you navigate your way through the overgrown aisles inside the Palace (quality junk from floor to ceiling) you can’t imagine how one person could possibly know where anything is located in this mess, but Jerry knows exactly what he has and where it sits. That’s a feat in itself, but the coolest thing about visiting the Palace is Jerry knows the story behind each and every item there. I found a few old photos I wanted, and when I went to cash out, Jerry began to tell me the history of the images. He told me about the old guy in the photo, his name, how he got the photo and how to find the descendents of the man. How cool is that? And, I got a tip the American Pickers show has their eye on the Plunder Palace for an u p c o m i n g s h o w . We ’ l l k e e p y o u posted.
My grandpa has the best junk in the world. - Bella There is way too much junk here. - Libby I think it’s just awesome. - Susan
the early ‘90s, Morley Safer, host of the popular TV show “60 Minutes,” posed this question, “Why is it that the French eat fatty foods like pate or duck confit, smoke cigarettes and still have 40% fewer incidents of cardiovascular disease?” The answer was, they drink red wine every day. The next question is, “What is in red wine that makes it so good for you?” And that answer is reservatrol. So, exactly what does this reservatrol do? It prevents the buildup of plaque in your arteries and actually will reduce some plaque that is already there. Since the early ‘90s a lot of research has been done on reservatrol. In addition to helping your heart it has been found to reduce the incidence of some cancers and in laboratory animals it has actually extended life span. The fountain of youth? Not exactly, but there is still a lot of research going on, so stay tuned. One thing that has happened as a result of the publicity surrounding reservatrol is that more people are drinking red wine than white wine. Fifty-seven percent of the dollars spent on wine in the U.S. are for red wines. Prior to the information about reservatrol, Americans chose white wines over red. We have seen a real realignment of preferences. So………. Cheers, here’s to your health, Hank Johnson Chaumette Vineyards
All costumes were made from recycled scraps and bits of fabric, cardboard, tape, foil, and glue with a little imperfect creativty and love. Special thanks to all of the kids (Alexis, Zuzu, Brian, T.J., Jasper, Mac, Jesse, Alex, Jordan, Sabina, Knox, Macy, Haley, and Elvie) and their helpful parents. And to Katia Barzowski for use of the Beastly mask. Hero: A tunic like the one our hero wears, can very easily be made by cutting a hole in the center of an old towel then add a sash to tie around the waist. You now have the makings for a knight, neanderthal, new world explorer, or viking. The sword is cardboard covered in many layers of duct tape. The shield is made with cardboard, glue, aluminum foil, and spray paint. Props like these last for months after Halloween and make for hours of sword fighting fun. Fairies: Add a set of wings to a special occasion dress and get another wear out of that adorable holiday frock! Lion mask: Creatures come in all shapes and sizes -cardboard, glue, fake fur and paint. Dragonfly princess: This great dress was a thrift store find that I created the princess character around. Wolf: This was made from Simplicity pattern #0573- from the Sewing for Dummies line. It’s a basic furry critter costume that can easily be modified to become any kind of animal. Plant monsters: Scraps of material and a little stuffing can make any kind of monster. Be creative. Tree: To be a deciduous tree, wear anything “bark” colored. You just don’t want to forget the twigs to hold as limbs and, sticks and birds for hair garnish. Mermaid tail: Basically, this is a wrap skirt with a fish fin shape at the base and a ribbon stitched to the top to tie closed. Fabrics that are thick work best, like polyester knits and fleece.
o r ig i n a l A d d a m s F a m i l y w a s a group of fictional characters created by cartoonist C h a r l e s A d d a m s a n d t h e n m a d e into a popular TV show. Addams Family characters i n c l u d e d G o m e z , M o r t i c i a , U n cle Fester, Lurch, Grandmama, Wednesday, Pugs ley a n d m y f a v o r i t e , T h i n g . T h e A ddamses are a ghoulish vision of the ideal American f a m i l y ; a n e c c e n t r i c , w e a l t h y clan who delight in the bizarre and frightening. There i s a f a m i l y i n t h e a r e a w h o h a ve taken up the Addams family values and they love t o s c a r e people. MEET the Talley Family.
Clif f Talley is definitel y our kinda guy. He got an idea, got of f his sofa and took the necessar y risk that all entr epr eneur s have to take to make something ha p pen. In Clif f ’s case; string spiderwebs, cr eate ghastl y monster s and scar e the bejesus out of people.
573: Tell us a little a bout your self and your famil y.
I’m a business/marketing teacher at Fredericktown high school, my wife works for Quest Diagnostic. She is a phlebotomist (draws blood) so I guess she is the vampire in the family. We met in Desert Storm while in the military and have been married 19 years. We have three beautiful children: Remington, 18; Brighton, 16; and Savanna, 13.
573: Tell us a bout Butcher’s Hollow.
The Hollow is a super scary Halloween attraction where people pay to walk through a dark forest to have other people scare them. There is also a story behind the Hollow to make it as real in the minds of the visitors as possible. We have werewolves, zombies and of course, a madman with a chainsaw. It’s all just bloody good, clean fun. My family and I have a great time doing it.
573: Tell us w hy you love Halloween so much.
It’s always cool finding something the whole family enjoys and something you can do together. The idea for the haunt actually came from family discussions centered on doing a job that you love. Money is important but not paramount to a happy life. I was in banking for 13 years. I took a huge pay cut to teach and have never been happier. I want my kids to be happy, not rich, but both would be cool, too. Right now, they’re having a great time working with their friends.
573: Tell us a bout w hat goes into pulling it all of f -masks, actor s,...
“Pulling it all off” turns out to be a huge undertaking. We start in June, cutting trail and building props. We do at least two haunted house trade shows every summer. I try to make this a step above your run-of-themill haunt. We have over 40 people on site during the haunt, with at least 36 actors in costume every night. I like to think of it more as a production….I ask for more than a quick scare from our actors. I have the good fortune of having some of our community actors work the haunt and that goes a long way. All of our masks and costumes are handmade. The actors come in a month early to be fitted and some sit through hours of latexing to make their custom mask. In addition to the fitting, there are the rehearsals and site preparation. I give them the general character traits I’m looking for and they build the routine, we go from there.
573: W hy do you think young people like to be scar ed? WOW, what a great question! Do they like to be scared or do they like the illusion of being scared? By the number of people who start the trail and don’t finish I would say the question is, “Why do they like the illusion of being scared?” I’m sure there are a lot of different reasons. I personally like seeing things you don’t see everyday. I love the creativity involved. I guess I kind of like hearing the screams echo through the woods as well.
573: W hat does the futur e hold for you and your famil y?
I know at least one of the kids would love to take this to the next level. We expect to open a haunt in Cape next year and the 5-year plan includes one in Springfield, as well. But for the time being, we’re just really enjoying the family time and working with the actors. One of the highlights for me is sitting around the fire eating hotdogs and smores with the actors till 1 or 2 in the morning, talking about the scares we had that night.
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Let me start this by saying I have five tats myself. I’m not saying not to get tattoos, I’m saying give it a lot of thought before you start writing all over your body. According to a recent PEW research study, 42% of all Americans between the ages of 18 and 30 have a tattoo, with women comprising nearly 65% of the U.S. tattoo market. And women are 80% more likely than men to get that cute little tattoo removed. The problem is, it’s nearly impossible to get it completely removed. Most women get their ink between 18 and 23, an age when most of us are unsure about our life’s long-range plans. It’s an age when many of us do things we think about later with a bit of regret, that’s for certain. That may be why many women end up wanting their tattoo removed only a few years after getting it. That little skull or cartoon figure that seemed so cute turns out to be embarrassing down the road. Besides, how do you tastefully accessorize a skull if you work at law firm? Finding clothes to match your tattoo ends up being an extra headache as you get older, and for women, it’s compounded if you have a professional career.
Okay - you can’t find anything to wear with the skull, so you decide to remove it. Sounds easy enough, right? But removal isn’t fun.
So what’s the best advice? Well, you can start by not getting one, but that might be impractical given the popularity of tattooing these days. So what do you do if you still want to get a tattoo? Best bet is to choose fairly generic art, for an inconspicuous place. Neck, arms, legs, feet and chest may not be the ideal locations for your masterpiece unless you want to endure hours of painful chemical or laser treatments later in life. Color should also be considered. If you’re worried about clothing options with your ink, you may want to opt for dull colors or straight up black. Finally, consider your station in life. For me, I can have 100 tattoos and no one will care, but if you’re planning to become a doctor, lawyer or other professional, you may want to rethink your ink.
Laser removal works by hitting the ink with pulses of highly concentrated light. The light breaks the ink into micro-fragments to be cleared away by your immune system. But wait! This isn’t all done with just ONE treatment. The more treatments your tattoo requires, the more the laser penetrates to destroy the ink, the more damage it does to your skin, causing painful blisters and scabs that can eventually lead to scarring. As a bonus the treatments are just as painful as getting a tattoo. On top of being physically painful (it feels like being splattered with hot grease), laser removal can be painful to your wallet as well. Depending on your tattoo, you may need anywhere from 1-10 sessions, each costing in the range of $250-$850. A large, professional tattoo in color could cost thousands of dollars to remove, and the effectiveness of the removal is never guaranteed. Other forms of removal exist, but are said to be so painful and scarring you wouldn’t want to even consider them. And do-it-yourself creams...well, they do fade the ink a bit, but like everything else in the world, you get what you pay for. I’d look for swamp land deals first.
According to a leading tattoo removal company, after only 10 to 15 visits, a tattoo may be completely cleared, although some stubborn colors such as white may never be removed. Black, red, dark orange and dark blue tattoos will usually respond relatively quickly to laser treatments. Green, purple, brown, light orange and light blue may require more visits. Just saying.