Joplin Metro Magazine, Road Trip, April 2014 by Joplin Metro Magazine

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volume 4

issue 12

april 2014

12 22

12 On the Cover: Summer day trips 22 Taste: Famed restaurants in each town 26 History: Glossary of History and Architecture 30 Profile: Shaun Steele 34 Profile: Richard Myers 36 Minding your business: RVs

The J Team EDITOR Kevin McClintock Phone: 417.627.7279 Fax: 417.623.8598 E-Mail: kmcclintock@joplinglobe.com Magazine Writer Ryan Richardson Contributing Writers Michael Coonrod Bobbie Pottorff Ryan Richardson Brad Belk

38 MindING your business: Travel agents and discounts

40 Health: Travel safety 42 Health: Eating healthy on trips 44 Spyglass Stories

6 THE SCENE 10 THE 10-Spot 65 THE J List 66 THE Parting Shot

59 STYLE: Road wear 62 Music to the Ears: Area music festivals

The Joplin Globe Contributing Photographers T. Rob Brown B.W. Shepherd Ryan Richardson Curtis Almeter

President and Publisher Mike Beatty Phone: 417.627.7291 Fax: 417.623.8450 E-Mail: mbeatty@joplinglobe.com

Sales Manager Janette Cooper Phone: 417.627.7236 Fax: 417.623.8550 E-Mail: jcooper@joplinglobe.com

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EDITOR Carol Stark Phone: 417.627.7278 Fax: 417.623.8598 E-Mail: cstark@joplinglobe.com

Circulation Director Jack Kaminsky Phone: 417.627.7341 Fax: 417.623.8450 E-Mail: jkaminsky@joplinglobe.com

Contributing Artists Regina Carnahan Lindsey Gregory Brian Huntley Michael Duntz Allison Ezell

Director of Advertising Brent Powers Phone: 417.627.7233 E-Mail: bpowers@joplinglobe.com

Director of Magazines Julie Damer Phone: 417.627.7323 Fax: 417.623.8450 E-Mail: jdamer@joplinglobe.com

Cover design Brian Huntley

J Mag is a publication of Newspaper Holdings Inc. and is published monthly. All rights reserved. No portion of this publication may be reproduced in whole or in part without written permission from the publisher. The publisher reserves the right to accept or reject any editorial or advertising matter. The publisher assumes no responsibilty for return of unsolicited materials.

from the editor

s a kid growing up, I can’t tell you how many times my parents took my brother and I north to Kansas City’s Worlds of Fun. I remember the excitement I felt the night before leaving; so much so that going to bed early was a nearly impossible proposition for my mom to enforce.

Ironically, the Worlds of Fun amusement

This is also the fourth year in which the Spyglass students show off their investigative skills by highlighting life inside the Joplin High School. This year’s contributing writers include Chris Martucci, Devon Johnson, Emma Thompson, Matt

You can also check out the “Bs” for the Glossary of History and Architecture.

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As always, you can reach us here by e-mail at kmcclintock@joplinglobe.com, by mail at J MAG, 117 E. Fourth St., Joplin, Mo., 64801, by phone at 417.627.7279, or you can find us on Facebook.

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You’ll also read about upcoming golf tournaments, musical festivals, travel safety, eating healthy on the road, as well as two great features on hard-core travelers Shaun Steele and Richard Myers.

McMullen, Logan Whitehead, Sydnie Pederson, Kathleen Hughes, Nene Adams, Jennifer Nguyen and Karly Weber.

Kevin McClintock Editor, J MAG

park is one of the five top destinations listed in our cover story for Kansas City. In this month’s “Road Trip” cover, we take a detailed look at eight destination cities within a three-hour driving distance from Joplin — St. Louis to the east, St. Joseph to the north, Wichita, Kan. and Tulsa, Okla. to the west, and Eureka Springs, Ark. to the south, among others.

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I can remember spreading out a Worlds of Fun map on my blue carpet covering my bedroom floor, felt-tip marker in my fist. There, I would place a carefully-thought out number beside each ride. That number represented the number of times I would enjoy that ride. So, I would ride my beloved “Zambezi Zinger” coaster 10 times; the “Viking Voyage” — a log flume ride — a half-dozen times. My dad and I would ride the “Zulu” at least three times, while the sad “Schussboomer” coaster would only get one ride out of me, because I really didn’t care for the ride. Funny thing was, I never compensated for the hours spent in line, us taking a break to eat or mechanical breakdowns. That sort of thing never entered my 8-year-old mind back in 1979. No wonder my brother came along at one point, looked at what I was doing and called me an “idiot.”

the scene

T h i r d T h u r s day Photography by T. Rob Brown

Alison Keele of Joplin looks on as her son Gage Keele, 3, plays with Lucy, a boxer, during the Third Thursday event, March 20, 2014, on Main Street, downtown Joplin.

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Colton High, 11, of Joplin, gives “mustache yoga” a try as part of a Tree House Yoga portion of the Third Thursday event.

Griffin Hall, 15, of Overland Park, Kan., performs on the Scottish bagpipe.

the scene VisionCon

Photography by T. Rob Brown

Darth Vader, as portrayed by a member of Garrison 66, the Southwest Missouri chapter of the 501st Legion, “Force chokes” a “victim” during VisionCon, a gaming and entertainment convention on March 1 in Branson. The 501st is a group of Star Wars fans who dress up in movie-quality costumes and raise money for charity. Garrison 66 includes several members from Joplin.

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An Imperial stormtrooper, as portrayed by a member of Garrison 66, “arrests” a “victim” during VisionCon.

An Imperial stormtrooper, as portrayed by a member of Garrison 66, the Southwest Missouri chapter of the 501st Legion, questions a “suspect.”

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10-SPOT

GOLF TOURNAMENTS

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BY RYAN RICHARDSON

Ten anticipated local Golf Tournaments for 2014 This month’s 10-Spot takes us to some of the biggest golf tournaments in the Four States region. If you are an avid golfer or if you want to catch some of the best pros in action, we have your destinations set for this year.

Legends of Golf Tournament Buffalo Ridge Golf Course Branson A new addition to the area in the next year, this tournament offers the highest-paid purse and the oldest event of the Champions Tour. This tournament was formerly held in Savannah, Ga., but after a change of sponsorship to Bass Pro Shop, this tournament will start a five-year run in Branson.

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Price Cutter Charity Championship Highland Springs Country Club Springfield

Held in August in the hometown of professional golfer Payne Stewart, this web.com tour stop will mark its 25th year in 2014. In addition to the tournament itself, golfers can purchase packages that will include opportunities to play with professionals and celebrities leading up to the tournament.

Walmart Northwest Arkansas Championship Pinnacle Country Club Rogers, Ark.

This stop of the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) tour will feature a three-round tournament during the week of June 23–29, and will feature 144 of the world’s best female golfers competing for the $300,000 top prize. This heavilyattended event is one of the few Midwest stops for the LPGA tour.

Joplin Globe Men’s City Championship Briarbrook Golf Course and Twin Hills Golf and Country Club Carl Junction and Joplin

This year’s tournament will feature a date change from previous years. This year, the event has been moved back to May 17 at Briarbrook Golf Course and May 18 at Twin Hills Golf and Country Club. It has also been scaled back from 54 holes to 36 holes. Organizers moved the tournament from early May to avoid conflicting with Mother’s Day and to increase the likelihood of warmer weather.

17th annual Missouri Stroke Play Championship Twin Oaks Country Club Springfield

Open to members of the Missouri Golf Association, this tournament will bring the best Missouri golfers together in Springfield from July 20-23. Entries are open to male amateur golfers who are members of the MGA, play at clubs who are members of the Missouri Golf Association and with a certified handicap index of not more than 8.5 on the United States Golf Association Men’s Handicap System.

51st Annual Carthage Junior Golf Championship Carthage Golf Course Carthage

Not to leave out the junior golfers in the area, this long-running tournament has brought the area’s best and brightest young golfers together. This oneday tournament will crown a champion that may be the next Professional Golfers Association (PGA) tour member hailing from this area.

This four-person, seniors-only tournament will return to the St. Louis area on May 21-22. The $360 registration fee includes a practice round on May 20 and cart fees as well as range balls for all three days.

2014 U.S. Senior Open Oak Tree National Edmond, Okla.

Another major senior tournament will be held in the region by the USGA, running from July 7–13. Course officials are expecting 140,000 spectators as the nearly 160 professionals and amateurs vie for one of the biggest honors found anywhere on the senior tour.

Men’s and CWGA Club Championship Crestwood Country Club Pittsburg, Kan.

Two days in mid-August, Aug. 16-17, will find area golfers congregating at one of the best courses found in Southeast Kansas. There, they will be competing for the Crestwood Country Club Championship. This tournament has climbed the ranks of area golf throughout the last few years, attracting some of the stiffest competition for local golfers.

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Missouri Senior Four Ball Championship Algonquin Golf Club St. Louis

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Played at one of the toughest courses found anywhere in the Four States, this annual event has grown in popularity in recent years and has become a popular destination for golfers throughout the region. This tournament will be held June 6–8. Entry forms for the tournament are available at the golf course or at www.briarbrookgolfcourse.com.

Briarbrook Invitational Briarbrook Country Club Carl Junction

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On the Cover

s u m m e r day t r i p s By KEVIN MCCLINTOCK

SUMMER

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Road Trips

Brent and Amy Dodge of Joplin pack up an SUV with summer vacation “stuff” while their son and daughter, Dillon and Allison Dodge, look on.

Kansas City Distance from Joplin 158 Miles

Cool Fact The Kansas City Barbecue Society reports that Missouri’s largest city has more barbecue restaurants per capita than any other city in the nation.

One Can’t Miss It Place To See The steamboat Arabia was a sidewheeler steamboat which hit a snag in the Missouri River and sank on Sept. 5, 1988, near what today is Parkville, Mo. The artifacts recovered from the site are housed in the Arabia Steamboat Museum.

Shopping In operation since 1857, the City Market is the largest farmers’ market in the region with an annual attendance of nearly 600,000 per year and bursting with more than 140 farmer stalls. In addition, City Market merchants offer a wide variety of fresh produce, meats, baked goods, flowers, specialty foods and other items from America, Africa, Europe, the Middle and Far East. The City Market is also home to a unique collection of gift shops, authentic restaurants and the Arabia Steamboat Museum, which houses the largest collection of pre-Civil War artifacts in the world.

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Kansas City Power and Light District Offering a half-million square feet of fun, The Kansas City Power and Light District is the Midwest’s premier entertainment epicenter. With more than 50 unique shops, restaurants, bars and entertainment venues, the district offers something for everyone. In all, there are 23 restaurants, 15 bars and a dozen shops.

Kansas City Zoo Missouri’s largest zoo offers more than 200 acres featuring roughly 1,000 animals. Explore a penguin empire at Helzberg Penguin Plaza. Watch King, Gentoo and Rockhopper penguins torpedo through the water in a 100,000-gallon pool, or watch the polar bears play.

The Kansas City Renaissance Festival, a Kansas City fall tradition celebrating 37 years of “Huzzah” is like walking through the gates of time to another age where guests from around the metro, the Midwest, the country and sometimes the world get a taste of 16th century life. Where else can you feast like royalty, dance like gypsies, quaff ale with colorful villagers, shop among 165 skilled artisans or watch noble knights joust for honor all in the same day?

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The Nelson-Atkins Museum This art museum houses 34,500 pieces in its collection. From ceramic objects found in ancient Chinese tombs to whimsical sculptures of badminton birdies, the Nelson-Atkins collection spans more than 5,000 years of humanity. The museum also has two restaurants and a gift shop.

Worlds of Fun/Oceans of Fun Worlds of Fun is Missouri’s premier amusement park destination in the Midwest, offering 235 acres of excitement and fun, including the newly renovated Oceans of Fun. Last year, both parks could be visited via a single-ticket admission. Worlds of Fun is home to seven roller coasters as well as the ThunderHawk, a gravity-defying freefall on the 200-foot tall Detonator tower as well as a river rapid adventure on Fury of the Nile.

National World War I Museum at Liberty Memorial The National World War I Museum at Liberty Memorial is the only American museum solely dedicated to preserving the objects, history and personal experiences of the “Great War.” The museum takes visitors on a journey through a transformative period and shares deeply personal stories of courage, honor, patriotism and sacrifice.

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Population 464,310

St. Louis Distance from Joplin 286 Miles Population 318,172

Cool Fact St. Louis offers more free, major tourist attractions than any place outside of the nation’s capital. They include the St. Louis Art Museum, St. Louis Zoo, Cahokia Mounds, Museum of Westward Expansion, St. Louis Science Center, Missouri History Museum, Anheuser-Busch Brewery, Grant’s Farm and more.

Five Popular Attractions Missouri Botanical Garden Visitors can explore nearly 80 acres of lush gardens, landscape architecture, greenhouses and conservatories at the oldest Botanical Garden found in the United States. There are fountains, statues, a serene Japanese garden and an interactive Children’s Garden.

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St. Louis Art Museum Come inside and view a collection of art ranging across centuries and cultures from sculpture and oil paintings to charcoal drawings and photography. In addition to innovative exhibitions, the Pulitzer Foundation for the Arts features concerts by the Saint Louis Symphony.

Science Center Find out what it’s like to venture into the wild, journey beneath the sea or fly high up in the air at the four-story Omnimax Theater, a film experience unlike any other. See a thrilling space show at the Planetarium, one of the nation’s leading space education facilities. Younger children will enjoy the Discovery Room filled with interactive exhibits and experiments, and visitors of all ages can explore over 700 hands-on displays, including a life-sized animatronic Tyrannosaurus Rex.

Unique Festival Brewery Tour Take a tour of the historic AnheuserBusch Brewery, where you can visit the Budweiser Clydesdales and sample a variety of premium brands, or check out a variety of breweries with Brewery Tours of St. Louis, which includes Schlafly Bottleworks and Square One Brewery & Distillery. Six Flags St. Louis Inside Missouri’s largest theme park, visitors can loop the loop on Batman the Ride, soar at speeds of up to 62 mph on the Screaming Eagle wooden coaster and get soaked on the whitewater rapids adventure of Thunder River. They can also have some “fun in the sun” at Hurricane Harbor Water Park.

One Can’t Miss It Place To See Head downtown to Washington Avenue or Laclede’s Landing and take your pick of some of the hottest bars and dance clubs in St. Louis (most are smoke free and are open until 3 a.m.). Visitors can also go for dinner, drinks and a show at Westport Plaza’s 42-acre entertainment district.

With the exception of New Orleans, the biggest Mardi Gras festival in the U.S. takes place, surprisingly, in St. Louis. Other popular festivals include the Rib America Festival as well as the International Film Festival and the St. Louis Art Fair.

Shopping The Delmar Loop is a six-block entertainment and shopping district packed with hip bars, eclectic restaurants, live music venues, vintage clothing boutiques and a Hollywood-inspired walk of fame featuring St. Louis celebrities. Duck inside the historic Tivoli Theatre or the popular outdoor Planet Walk exhibit.

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Lake

Ozarks Distance from Joplin 162.5 Miles

Cool Fact This man-made lake has a unique serpentine shape that has earned it the nickname, “The Magic Dragon.”

One Can’t Miss It Place To See The Ha Ha Tonka State Park is located five miles south of Camdenton on the Niangua arm of the Lake of the Ozarks. The area has several caves, sinkholes, bluffs and the stone ruins of a mansion named the “castle.”

Shopping There’s plenty of shopping venues found throughout Lake of the Ozarks, where visitors can shop for clothes, shoes, art, candy and music. These venues include the Osage Beach Premium Outlets (110 stores), The Landing! on the Lake and the Stonecrest Mall (40 stores). 2014

Big Surf Water Park Big Surf offers a variety of fun activities. Experience a three-story drop down a massive half-pipe full of rushing water; race side-by-side on 300-foot-long water slides; relax on the 600-foot-long lazy river; spend time in the wave pool, but be prepared for three-foot-high waves every 10 minutes. There are also “dry land” games such as volleyball and basketball.

Miner Mike’s Indoor Family Fun Center This sprawling, 35,000-square-foot family fun center offers exciting rides, challenging games, simulators and great food. There is a 12,000-square-foot playground, a pool for powerboat or wave runner rides, the popular Galaxian Theater as well as the Konami Mocap boxing game. There is also a two-story tall Ferris Wheel and the Runaway Mine Train roller coaster.

The Osage Beach Fall Festival is an annual and free event filled with families, friends and happy summer guests, always filled with food (barbecue), games (pellet shooting contests and fishing), music (classic southern rock, blues and country) and fun activities (craft vendors, face painting and a petting zoo) for members of the entire family. One of the most popular activities is the BowWow Contest, where four-legged friends vie for top honors.

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Pirate’s Cove Adventure Golf This is one of the premier miniature golf spots found in central Missouri. Visitors can putt their way through mountain caves, traverse over footbridges and try their golfing luck beneath a cascading waterfall.

Golf Courses Lake of the Ozarks is known for it’s golf venues, including The Lodge of Four Seasons (Championship Course), the Osage National Golf Club with its Arnold Palmer layout (7,150 yards from tips) as well as the Shawnee Bend Golf Course, which is considered one of the best 9-hole courses found anywhere in the Midwest.

Bridal Cave/Thunder Mountain Park For more than 63 years, Bridal Cave has been a favorite family attraction. Discovered by the Osage Indians centuries ago, Bridal Cave lies beneath Thunder Mountain. It’s said to have been the site of the legendary Native American wedding ceremony in the early 1800s. Today, Bridal Cave is still reserved by those who wish to have a truly unique and romantic wedding ceremony. In fact, more than 2,150 couples from around the globe have exchanged vows inside the Bridal Chapel. The cave features columns, stalactites, stalagmites and an underground lake.

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Population 4,351

Branson Cool Fact Distance from Joplin 112 Miles Population 10,842

Table Rock, Taneycomo and Bull Shoals are three pristine lakes offering 1,200 miles of shoreline for fishing, boating, parasailing, jet skiing and swimming. While all three lakes offer great fishing, each has its specialty. Table Rock Lake offers world-class bass fishing, Lake Taneycomo, with its cold waters, offers superb trout fishing, and Bull Shoals Lake is a warm water angler’s paradise, especially for tournament bass fishing.

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Silver Dollar City Fashioned after an 1800s Ozarks town, Silver Dollar City is the best of both worlds: a thrilling theme park and an excellent educational opportunity. With 30 roller coasters and water rides (including the award-winning Outlaw Run), along with children’s play areas, culinary and craft classes and more than 40 shows, Silver Dollar City remains Branson’s No. 1 tourist attraction.

Branson Titanic Museum As the world’s largest museum attraction, it’s not difficult to see why so many Branson guests flock to the Titanic every year. They are able to move through 20 rooms that are accurate replicas of the Titanic. Along the way, they can learn about the lives of the survivors and see rare artifacts once belonging to one of the most famous Titanic passengers, Molly Brown. Hollywood Wax Museum A favorite among the annual Branson guests, the Hollywood Wax Museum offers visitors the chance to get a picture with favorite celebrities, including Marilyn Monroe and Johnny Depp. Showboat Branson Belle Visitors enjoy fantastic views of Table Rock Lake and the Ozarks and cruise

Unique Festival in style aboard the luxury paddle steamer Showboat Branson Belle. Along with those fabulous views, visitors eat a delicious meal while enjoying toe-tapping music and entertainment. Zip Lining Whether experienced with zip lines or hearing about them for the first time, there are a number of zip lining opportunities, including the Branson Zip Line and Canopy Tours and the Vigilante Extreme Zipride, among others.

One Can’t Miss It Place To See The Branson Auto Museum has been a favorite for car enthusiasts since its opening in 2009. It now houses more than 100 cars and antique tractors.

The annual Branson Area Festival of Lights is a mile long, drive-through light show offering 175 displays.

Shopping Branson is home to two outlet shopping malls with more than 150 retailers. Visitors can find contemporary clothing, gift items, housewares, designer shoes, luggage and other treasures at reduced prices throughout the year at Tanger Outlets, Branson Meadows or Factory Merchants. The Historic Downtown Branson is also a shopper and diner’s delight, including the historic Dick’s Old-Fashioned 5 & 10. The new Branson Landing offers another 100-plus retail shops and restaurants.

St. Joseph

Pony Express Museum As the name implies, the museum documents the history of the Pony Express, the first fast mail line across the United States. It is located at 914 Penn Street. With exhibits, a seven-part diorama, maps, an archeological dig and artifacts, the museum has entertained and educated visitors from all over the world. Krug Park Located at the northern end of the Parkway St. Joseph, Krug is the city’s largest park, filled with Italian Renaissance structures, extensive landscaping and flowerbeds. The park’s 163 acres houses

an amphitheater, a lagoon, rose gardens, picnic areas, an Italian castle, scenic walking trails and various playgrounds. Also featured is a North American native animal exhibit displaying buffalo, deer and longhorn cattle. Krug Park “lights up” during the holiday season and is renamed “Holiday Park.” Jesse James Home Museum Located behind the Patee House Hotel at 12th and Mitchell, the house is where outlaw Jesse James was living and was gunned down on April 3, 1882, by Robert Ford. The house is associated with the Patee House because the investigation into the outlaw’s shooting death was conducted inside the Patee House Hotel. Inside the house there is a large bullet hole on the north interior wall. Remington Nature Center Overlooking the Missouri River, this center caters to history and nature buffs alike. Peer into a 7,000-gallon freshwater aquarium, explore the history of the St. Joseph area and stand trunk-to-nose with a woolly mammoth replica.

The Cool Crest Garden Golf offers three 18-hole tracks, including well-groomed flower beds, relaxing music, whimsical statues, fountains and waterfalls. Enjoy a root beer float in a frosty mug and try your luck at winning a free pass at the 19th hole.

Unique Festival The “Trails West Festival” is held each year at Civic Center Park, 1100 Frederick Ave. It’s Northwest Missouri’s largest arts festival. It will be held from August 15-17. This year’s theme is “Live, Breathe, Create.”

Shopping St. Joseph is home to several retail areas, many of which are grouped along Belt Highway on the city’s east side, including East Hills Mall and the Shoppes at North Village.

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Glore Psychiatric Museum This is a complex home to three unique museums: the Glore Psychiatric Museum, St. Joseph Museum and the Black Archives Museum. It is located at 3406 Frederick Ave. Glore features a number of contraptions that once inhabited a ward of the St. Joseph State Hospital, including the “Bath of Surprise,” where patients were dipped into water and the “O’Halloran’s Swing,” which spun patients at 100 rpm. There is also a human-sized gerbil wheel where patients could walk off excess energy. One of the most bizarre displays is an arrangement of nearly 1,500 items swallowed by one patient, including 453 nails.

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Population 76,780

St. Joseph was the starting point for the famed Pony Express.

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Distance from Joplin 203 Miles

Eureka Springs Distance from Joplin 93 Miles Population 2,073

Cool Fact Eureka Springs has historically been called “The Little Switzerland” of America as well as “The Stair-step Town” due to its mountainous terrain and the winding, up-and-down paths of its streets and walkways. The streets wind around the town, and no two streets intersect at a 90-degree angle.

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Crescent Hotel The Crescent Hotel & Spa, built in 1886, is the city’s most visited place in this remote resort town. After falling in disrepair during the 1900s, it underwent a six-year renovation beginning in 1997. It is a popular spot for weddings and weddings receptions. The hotel is also alleged to be one of the most haunted hotels found in America, haunted by at least eight spirits in a number of rooms and inside the famed Crystal Ballroom.

Thorncrown Chapel This chapel is designed by E. Fay Jones and was constructed in 1980. The design recalls the Prairie School of architecture popularized by Frank Lloyd Wright, with whom Jones had apprenticed. Constructed mostly of wood and other materials indigenous to northwestern Arkansas, the design minimized material transportation costs. Though it looks like an open-air structure, the chapel is a glassenclosed, air-conditioned space. Eureka Springs & North Arkansas Railway This is a for-profit passenger tourist railway established in 1981. The railway offers excursion tours, a catered luncheon train and a catered dinner train, each lasting a little less than one hour. The rides last from April through October. It

operates along 2.5 miles of restored track right-of-way formerly belonging to the defunct Arkansas & Ozarks Railway Co. Christ of the Ozarks The Christ of the Ozarks statue is a monumental sculpture of Jesus located atop Magnetic Mountain. It was erected in 1966 as a “Sacred Project” by Gerald L. K. Smith and stands 67 feet high. Nearby is a 4,100-seat amphitheater that is the site of the seasonal annual outdoor performances of “The Great Passion Play.” The statue was featured in the 2005 feature “Elizabethtown” and the 1988 “Pass the Ammo.” Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge This 500-acre wildlife refuge located near Eureka Springs was established for abused, abandoned and neglected wild cats. It houses 150-plus animals. It mainly specializes in tigers, but there are also lions, leopards and cougars.

One Can’t Miss It Place To See Eureka Springs is home to a number of annual festivals; one of the most unique ones is based around UFOs and aliens. The 27th annual 2014 Ozark Mountain UFO Conference will take place this month at the Best Western Inn of

the Ozarks. There will be a half-dozen speakers, two films and a number of vendor booths inside the hotel.

Unique Festival Each May, Eureka Springs hosts the May Festival of the Arts, a celebration of the art, music and creativity that are some of the defining features of the Eureka community. The festival begins on the first weekend in May with the Artrageous Parade, a lively, outrageous, and colorful procession of all things artsy. Some additional events during the festival include A Gallery Stroll, which takes place during the May arts festival and continues throughout the season on the second Saturday of each month, and which allows viewers to tour the numerous art galleries in town and meet many of the featured artists.

Shopping Spring Street in downtown Eureka Springs is home to a number of shops, selling clothes, jewelry, fine art, kitchen supplies and home décor, and a number of sit-down restaurants and live music venues.

Tulsa Distance from Joplin 112 Miles

Cool Fact In downtown Tulsa, the streets located west of Main street are named, alphabetically, for cities west of the Mississippi. The streets to the east of Main are named, alphabetically, for cities east of the Mississippi.

One Can’t Miss It Place To See Located at 20 E Archer St., the “Center of the Universe” is a one-of-a-kind spot that defies logic and physics. If you stand in the designated spot and speak in a normal tone of voice, you’ll be able to hear your own voice inside your head. You just have to do it to see for yourself.

Shopping The Woodland Hills Mall, at the intersection of 71st Street and South Memorial Drive, is Tulsa’s largest shopping center with more than 150 stores, ranging from one-of-a-kind boutiques to brandname outlets. Another good shopping center, located in midtown Tulsa, is Utica Square, which features about 60 shops against an old-world outdoor arcade setting with beautiful tree and flower arrangements. The Tulsa Promenade features more than 130 stores.

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Cain’s Ballroom This historic music venue, built in 1924, was known for years as Cain’s Dance Academy, where the owner charged 10 cents for dance lessons. The academy was the site of the Texas Playboys’ first regular radio broadcast, and they continued to play there regularly. It fell into disuse until 1976, when Larry Schaeffer purchased the building, refurbished it, and reopened it with the current name, Cain’s Ballroom. It hosted the Sex Pistols in 1978 and several bands from the Second British Invasion. The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2003.

Tulsa Zoo Learn about animals from all parts of the world at the third largest zoo in the U.S. by exploring various habitats including “Cheek-to-Cheek with Chimpanzees,” “Siamang Island,” “Elephant Encounter” and “African Savanna.” The zoo was voted “America’s Favorite Zoo” in 2005.

The Tulsa State Fair operates during an 11-day span starting at the end of September and ending early in October. It attracted more than 1.2 million visitors in 2013. There are different attractions at the fair, including thrill rides on the Midway, agricultural exhibits located in the Built Ford Tough Livestock Complex, grounds entertainment, educational exhibits and more.

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Gilcrease Museum The world’s largest collection of art from the American West is housed inside this museum, which is also well stocked with Native American artifacts and artwork. Thematic gardens reflect the gardening styles of different time periods.

Philbrook Museum of Art This vast art museum, housed in an Italian-style villa, has numerous exhibits from European, American, Asian, Native American and African artists. The building is surrounded by acres of lush gardens.

Oklahoma Aquarium Located on the west bank of the Arkansas River in the suburb of Jenks, the Oklahoma Aquarium is the state’s only freestanding aquarium, containing more than 200 exhibits, including a shark tank. The world’s largest captive bull shark resides here.

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Population 393,987

Wichita Distance from Joplin 183 Miles Population 385,577

Cool Fact Wichita, the largest city in Kansas, is often called “The Air Capital of the World” because major aircraft production companies — Beechcraft, Cessna, Boeing and Learjet — have or continue to operate factories there today.

Five Popular Attractions Wichita Art Museum This museum is the largest found in the Sunflower State, containing 8,000 priceless works in permanent collections emphasizing American art. It includes American paintings, pottery and sculptures. It was established in 1935. Visits on Saturdays are free of charge.

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The Sedgwick County Zoo Located in the northwest part of Wichita, this zoo is the most popular outdoor tourist attraction found in Kansas. It is home to more than 2,500 animals representing 500 different species. The zoo is next to Sedgwick County Park and Sedgwick County Extension Arboretum. The most popular attraction is the “Downing Gorilla Forest” with its large gorilla exhibit.

Botanica, The Wichita Gardens Opened in the late 1980s, this nearly 18 acres of 24 themed gardens, includes the popular Butterfly Garden as well as the award-winning Sally Stone Sensory Garden. There is also a rose garden with 350 rose plants and a Shakespeareanthemed garden.

Unique Festival Wichita Thunder The Wichita Thunder is a minor league hockey team that plays in the Central Hockey League. From 1992 until early 2010, the Thunder played in the Britt Brown Arena located in the northern Wichita suburb of Park City. Later in 2010, the team began playing its home games at the newly-built Intrust Bank Arena. Kansas Aviation Museum Decked out in the former Wichita Municipal Airport, this unique museum displays a number of aircraft, including a B-47 Stratojet, a B-52 Stratofortress and a Republic F-84F Thunderstreak.

One Can’t Miss It Place To See It’s not a place you can visit, but Wichita was once home to a popular amusement park, Joyland, which closed for good in 2004. It was in continuous operation since 1949. It featured 24 rides, including a wooden coaster and a Philadelphia Toboggan Company coaster, one of only 44 built. Remains of the park can still be seen just off U.S. Route 81 in south Wichita.

The Tallgrass Film Festival has been held in downtown Wichita since 2003. It draws more than 100 independent feature and short films from all over the world for three days each October. Notable people from the entertainment industry have attended in the past.

Shopping Wichita is also home to two major shopping malls: Towne East Square and Towne West Square, on opposite ends of town, and each managed by Simon Property Group. Each mall is home to four anchor stores and has more than 100 tenants apiece.

taste

F a m e d R e s t a u ran t s By Kevin McClintock Photography by ryan richardson

Must-stop restaurants to eat in major area cities

Bon Appétit Part of a vacation’s highlights is eating at restaurants you normally wouldn’t visit back home. Below are dining choices found in the eight cities highlighted in our cover package.

Ermilio’s Italian Home Cooking City: Eureka Springs, Ark. Address: 26 White Street on old Highway 62B Phone number: 479.253.8806 Hours: 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. seven days a week

“Located inside a beautiful historic home, the atmosphere is cozy and inviting... definitely the best Italian food I’ve had in Arkansas, authentic and very flavorful... can’t wait to go back.” — Brittany Biggers

Description: Eureka Springs is home to several great Italian eateries, but Ermilio’s is considered a tourist favorite. It was the Arkansas Times reader’s choice award in 2010 for “best Italian restaurant all around in Arkansas” as well as “best restaurant in Eureka Springs.”

Signature dish: Favorites include the roasted garlic, gorgonzola sauce, the chicken marsala, the grilled chicken breast salad and the $10.95 plate of “Mom’s homemade meatballs.

Imo’s Pizza

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City: St. Louis Address: 1828 Washington Ave. Phone number: 314.241.6000

“I was in town for a Cards/Cubs game and went to Imo’s on Washington Street. The food was good. I had heard about Imo’s in the past from some friends and it definitely didn’t disappoint. It’s on Washington street, which is one of St. Louis’s more “big city feel” streets. Stop in, grab a pizza and beer and enjoy.” — Chris Stephens

Description: It’s the 35th largest pizza chain in the United States, but it’s a pizza chain that St. Louis residents hold dear and call their own, a “St. Louis institution.” The chain is known for its version of St. Louis-style pizza. The first Imo’s Pizza was opened by Ed and Marge Imo in the Shaw neighborhood of St. Louis. There are now more than 90 stores.

Signature dish: St. Louis-style pizza is the opposite of Chicago-style pizza, with a very thin crust made without yeast, the use of a white processed cheese known as Provel, the sauce seasoned with more oregano than other pizza types, with the pies cut into squares instead of the more traditional wedges.

“As you know, K.C. is most famous for BBQ, and there’s always a battle for the favorite. Oklahoma Joe’s, Arthur Bryant’s and Gates Bar B.Q. are usually the first mentioned. OK Joe’s is probably the most popular right now. But there’s a lot of history behind Gates and Bryant’s. A little known secret is the two founders actually learned their craft from the same person. Personally, I don’t have a favorite -- more like I have a favorite order at each place.” — Nick Parker

Arthur Bryant’s BBQ City: Kansas City Address: 1727 Brooklyn Ave. Phone number: 816.231.1123 Hours: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Description: Arthur Bryant’s is one of the reasons why Kansas City is known as the barbecue capital of the world. It is considered by many to be the most famous BBQ restaurant found in the United States. The restaurant gained international fame in 1974 when Playboy magazine writer Calvin Trillin wrote that Arthur Bryant’s was “... possibly the single best restaurant in the world.” Arthur Bryant’s was also one of the first racially-integrated restaurants in Kansas City.

Signature dish: While Arthur Bryant’s is known for the full range of barbecue dishes, its acknowledged specialty is burnt ends, the flavorful end pieces of smoked beef brisket; burnt end sandwiches are served open-faced at the restaurant.

Blue Rose Café City: Tulsa, Okla. Address: 19th and Riverside Phone number: 918.582.4600 Hours: 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Description: The “new” Blue Rose has a unique design that includes windows, roll-up garage doors, indoor/outdoor service and a large patio area constructed on piers overlooking the Arkansas River. The readers of the Urban Tulsa Weekly voted it “Absolute Best Patio” in 2011. The restaurant was named after an Oklahoma band of the same name.

“If I was going to pick one restaurant for a visiting friend, it would be Blue Rose Cafe, not so much for the food but because of the location. Several restaurants submitted bids/plans to be able to build a restaurant at that location and the (Blue Rose) won. It sits beside the riverside trails and has a deck that overlooks the Arkansas River. It’s even a better place to sit and have a beer.” — Gary Neece

Signature dish: One of the most requested items at the new Blue Rose Café is the not surprisingly named “Blue Rose Special,” which is a $9.99 specialty burger with fresh blue cheese chunks sprinkled atop crisp bacon.

Paradise Restaurant & Bar City: Lake of the Ozarks Address: 430 Tropical Trail, Sunrise Beach Phone number: 573.374.4777 Hours: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Description: One of the most popular lakeside restaurants and bars, where just as many drive and dine in boats, tying onto nearby docks, than folks parking out back in vehicles. Every table is arranged to take advantage of the gorgeous view. Also, Paradise was recently visited by Guy Fieri, host of Food Network’s popular “Dines Drive-ins and Dives.”

Signature dish: The “Blackened Bird” is a $9.99 favorite featuring a blackened breast of chicken wrapped in provolone cheese. But beware, it’s spicy hot. Another favorite is the $10.99 “PBJB Burger” — yep, that’s a peanut butter and jelly and bacon burger, surrounded by kettle cooked chips. There’s also french fries and coleslaw or black bean salad.

“The best drinks and best food found on the lake, and the views are also dynamic.” — Chad Pritchard 23

cook with the Equipment the professionals use!

Professional cookware, equipment and supplies for the Chef in your life beginner to the most advanced! Large Cutting Board

First Ward House City: St. Joseph Address: 2101 Saint Joseph Ave. Phone number: 816.273.0039 Hours: 11 a.m. to 1:30 a.m. Description: One of the most popular stops in St. Joseph is the historic First Ward House. Established in 1878, it’s long been described as “the oldest saloon west of the Mississippi.” At one time, the building was the former courthouse for the city.

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Signature dish: The “Jesse James sandwich” is a must-try, smoked turkey, pulled pork and brisket — an outlaw feast for $8.99.

There’s not enough words to express how much I love this place. Live music of all kinds, all kinds of people, from doctors and lawyers, all the way across to the bikers and scruffy folks (like myself). Friendly, welcoming atmosphere with no attitude or pretension, and hands down some of the best food in town. Try the tenderloin with a Drop Kick or Angry Orchard.” — Jim Hines

$1095

www.alliedrefrigerationmo.com open to the public monday - friday 8:00 - 4:30 1316 S. Main • Joplin, MO 417-624-3960

Chester’s Chophouse & Wine Bar City: Wichita, Kan. Address: 1550 N. Webb Road Phone number: 316.201.1300 Hours: 4:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.

“Love this place! Food, service, bar — all top notch. And, amazingly, the best clam chowder I’ve ever had anywhere, including both coasts. My wife, who is retired from the restaurant business, loves Chester’s as well.” — Joe Ramsey

Description: Wichita residents are raving about Chester’s because it has “dramatically improved the seafood situation” in the Sunflower State’s largest city, including fresh “flownin daily” fish and seafood, tender baby clams, seared Diver Sea scallops, maple mustard salmon, sauteed Brook Trout and Florida grouper, shrimp scampi toast and Maine Lobster tail.

Signature dish: Chester’s offers a unique raw bar saturated with fresh, flown-in oysters selected from the mid-Atlantic Ocean, Cape Cod, the Pacific coast and the northern Atlantic. The oysters are served with mignonette and cocktail sauces, lemon and horseradish. “The service was excellent and the food was even better. I had a filet and it was perfectly cooked and seasoned. This place is everything you’d expect from a prime steakhouse.” — Reid Thompson

Level 2 Steakhouse City: Branson Address: 200 East Main Street Phone number: 417.243.3433

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Signature dish: A bison ribeye, 12 ounces, sauteed with shrimp or lump crab meat, doused with Maytag Blue Cream cheese and topped with grilled sweet onions. Sides include a loaded baked potato, egg noodles and cheese sauce and creamed spinach.

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Description: Located inside the Hilton Branson Convention Center Hotel in downtown Branson, the Level 2 Steakhouse is an award-winning restaurant offering 28-day aged corn-fed Midwest beef, fresh seafood flown in from Hawaii, Heritage Missouri pork, locally-grown produce and signature house-made desserts. One of the kitchen highlights is a 1600-degree oven, which quickly sears the outside and produces a more tender steak, due to the speed of cooking. The restaurant also offers complimentary valet parking.

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Hours: 6:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. (breakfast), 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. (lunch) and 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. (dinner)

history

THE JOPLIN MUSEUM COMPLEX E x p l o r i n g t h e p a s t s i n c e 19 31 Written By BRAD BELK Photography by KEVIN MCCLINTOCK

GLOSSARY of History & Architecture Bue nextriemoelny poDpulaer durribng ythe Roaringot Twraceens tieins.1928

ts wer scontinental fo ndurance contes race as ganized two tran or le Py . C dubbed the first es rl ts ha en C ev er e ot th om ng , Pr rs coveri Joplin. In 1928 astic sportswrite e right through m ca s and 1929. Sarc to ce ra le Py th gly, bo gently persuade erby.” Interestin riated $1,000 to op pr the “Bunion D ap had earlier ce er m arthage officials ber of Com C m . ha in C pl Jo in pl in Jo y the ce da nts, this Carthage reside culminate the ra e to m s so er r nn Fo ru d. s ile lure hi ers, but fa April 18, 1928, to lasso the runn ess reported on Pr e ag th hboring made attempts ar C issue. The merce in a neig ve om iti C ns of se r t be os m m became a sed that a Cha ents after ation was expres ange in arrangem ch a t ou ab g “General indign in munity.” to br for another com rt to such steps ed so is re rt ve ld ad ou t sh en ty ci athon races. d the ev ng in local mar been closed an lti d su ha re ns in pl tio Jo tia nego ny and rest in er Lead Compa ce spurred inte ra ch l Pi na le tio ag E na y, 28 dr erbies. Laun The 19 ture” Bunion D ompany, Model ia C in g in “m tis in er g dv in A at Meeker teams particip rmed running Junge Baker y fo

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n’s office Dr. Mark Woodi

at 2228 Maiden

Lane.

Bauhaus Schoo l his school bega n in 1919

when iconic Ger Gropius fused to man architect W gether the Weim alter ar Academy of the Weimar Scho Fi ne A rt ol s of an Arts and Crafts. d meaning buildin At the Bauhaus g and “haus” m (“Bau” eaning house), to unify art, desi students were ta gn and construc ught tion to showcase following functio the concept of n.” Dr. Mark W “form oodin selected geometric lines the Bauhaus styl and rectangular, e of clean of fset thin metal-fr new office locate amed windows d at 2228 Maide for his n Lane. Dr. Woo a casualty of the din’s original of 2011 tornado. H fic e was e took the oppo start as well as to rtunity to make make an archite a fresh ctural statemen building. He lo t with his newly ves the finished -designed product and ha buildings adoptin s re cognized other g many of the sa me features.

ment with Battle a parapet built

he battlement is or decoration. indentations for defense of the use of An outstanding example is St. Philip’s Episcopal battlements in architecture is spectacular Gothic Church at 706 Byers. Th pleted in 1911 at a revival style church was com The church’s historical reported cost of $37,000. ruary 22, 1874, when beginnings date back to Feb gave the first Episcopal Reverend Robert C. Wall ser vice in Joplin.

Beaux-Arts

he best example of this extraordinary borrowed style is the Scottish Rite C athedral. Although it seemed to take an eternity to build this magnificent str worth the wait. Th ucture, it was well e eight years (1915-1 923) it took in mak masterpiece is a tri ing this bute to some incred ible components su the Italian butterfl ch as y oak lounge, a plac e where men smok and read the news ed cigars of the day. There we re other options fo men as well — retir r the ing to the music ro om to listen to cont songs from a gran em porary d player piano or en tering the library to a curiosity that wa uncover s being debated. Th e building manifests history. One can on ly imagine the powe rful men treading beautifully polishe on the d marble floors an d stairway. The M Lodge can be foun as te rs of the d upstairs in the bl ack and white imag encompass the wa es that lls in the North Lo dge Room. For thos savor history, the im e who ages on display giv e a face to the men have helped shape who our community.

Inside the Scottish Ri

te Cathedral is this ma

Spotlight Biography n One Brya William Jennings

ential aspirant, e ronically, one presid ouri than any of th in Southwest Miss t tes ea gr Br yan, spoke more erica’s Br yan was one of Am Bush’s combined. in Carthage and ed ign sions campa ca oc l ra ve se on d manded huge orators an l media, Br yan com ca lo e th to g in rd Joplin. Acco orator, Br yan gave as the silver-tongued s audiences. Known g 27 states during hi mp speeches coverin stu 0 60 an th e or m 1896. r the presidency in unsuccessful run fo

I l orated into the Gothic reviva The two battlements incorp rs. Bye iscopal Church at 706 design of the St. Philip’s Ep

gnificent library.

Both John and Lena Beal will live eternally for their inclusion in the Anthony Benton Gude’s mural that hangs prominently on the first floor wall at Joplin City Hall. John Beal can be found on the drive-in movie screen in company with his incomparable co-star Katharine Hepburn in the 1934 RKO film, “The Little Minister.” Lena Beal is the lovely, white-haired lady wearing a neat, navy, double-breasted overcoat.

l lady w extremely specia me a pioneer ena Beal was an ceiling and beca al ic lit po ed at Beal was male-domin any firsts, Lena m of dy la A s. ouncil, the in local politic e Joplin City C th to d te ec el an to to be cil, the first wom the first woman un co e th to ed be re-elect on to be elected first woman to ne council pers zo st fir e th , or Chamber of be elected may win the Joplin to an om w st fir . mayor and the the Year in 1978 ding Citizen of an st School ut h O ig H ce er in Comm from Jopl d te ua ad gr l ea hn B d for him — he Joplin native Jo en neatly planne be d ha e lif is ia taking the in 1926. H ity of Pennsylvan rs ve ni U e th at harton School was to enroll the esteemed W at k or w s as cl to Joplin. majority of his uate, and return ad gr , ce er m om C mily with of Finance and ould assist his fa w he e, is rt pe ss ex Christman With his busine ness known as si bu n ow nt w sful do d other However, he ha their very succes .). St n ai M 01 ccessful pany (5 l had a long, su Dry Goods Com ea B g. tin ac d were art an and television interests. They e, screen, radio ag st of ar st ile at career as a vers and 1960s. s, 1940s, 1950s 30 19 e al last th ut ho throug were their origin l ea B hn Jo r eal no married Neither Lena B 1941, when she in d ge an ch e st nam ust 13, 1909, in names. Lena’s la as born on Aug w l ea B hn Jo l. liedung. He James A. Bea es Alexander B m Ja of e m na e mes of his two Joplin, with th rambling the na sc by l” ea “B e l and Joe Beal. created the nam mates, John Bal om ro ia an lv sy nn University of Pe

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phy Spotlight Biogra T WO BEAL Sho fractured the

Mining the Past

n the Tri-State Mining District, ore was brought to the surface in buckets. The first ore buckets were modest wooden containers holding a few shovels of ore. As mining production increased, so did the size of the ore bucket. The larger container provided the means for the miner, his equipment and the ore to be transported up and down the mine shaft. The ore bucket was also the elevator container the miner rode everyday traveling to and from work. They were made of heavy cast iron with an extra strong portable handle that could be secured quickly. The Davey mines of the American Zinc, Lead & Smelting Company used ore buckets that were 34 inches in diameter, 34 inches in height with a weight capacity of 1,200 pounds.

Betty Bear

rge Herbert Wal ker Bush visite Joplin in Februa d ry, 1988. He m ade a campaign to a crowd of 2, sp eech 500 at Missour Ellis Young Gym i Southern’s Rob nasium. Ten ye ert ars later, Bush’ First Lady Barba s wife and ra Bush came to Joplin, the keyn for the 1998 Fr ote speaker eeman Quality in Medicine Aw Their son, Geo ar d ceremony. rge W., addresse d 6,000 people Southern’s Legg at Missouri ett and Platt Ath letic Center. The President spok then-sitting e for 45 minutes . His visit was pr term election in ior to the midNovember, 2006 .

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The headstone that marks the resting spot of the much beloved “Betty Bear,” who entertained the masses at Schifferdecker Park.

A picture of First Lady Barbara B ush when she visit McDonald House ed the Ronald in Joplin. The girl sitting in Ronald lap, Madison M McDonald’s ichelle Fitzpatric k, is today a 2014 Joplin High School graduate.

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or a period of time, Schifferdecker Park was home to a quasi-zoo consisting of a mixed bag of animals. Betty Bear was the best known. Today, her headstone remains next to the No. 10 tee box where her den was located. Some golfers touch her headstone for good luck. On one occasion, Betty escaped from her paddock but was found wandering near Seventh and Schifferdecker. As rumor has it, she was lured back by bribing her return with beer. She was known to be a big fan of fizzy hops.

Spotlight Biogra phy THREE BUSH ES ice President G eo

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S h au n S t e e l e

r e l e v a r T t n Constaues to travel the world over BY MICHAEL COONROD

Joplin man contin

Shaun Steele poses in front of a beautiful landscape.

t. Augustine once said, “The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page.”

Using that measure, you’d have to call Shaun Steele well read. He’s visited 42 states, Europe and even spent time in the Middle East. So when did his wanderlust kick in? “We just traveled in the states when I was a kid, and not that often,” says Steele. “It was just one of those things. My brother was stationed in the military in Naples, Italy. He was on a threeyear deployment, and then he was coming back, so I thought I better take the opportunity while I could.” That was just the beginning.

“I got off the plane and took a train across the city and got off and was walking back to the airport,” he says. “I got to see the Blue Mosque, which is a big Muslim temple there, and go through the spice market, have some lunch, just walking through the city in that little time, but there was so much to see.” With so many things to see, how does he decide what places to visit?

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“After I went on my first trip, I definitely got the travel bug, and now there are so many places I want to see, and go back to some and spend a little more time.”

Steele works for the U.S. Postal service in Joplin and has accrued enough time to spend several weeks traveling each year. He helps finance his trips by working as a waiter at Club 609. “That’s pretty much my fun money,” he says. Steele has visited Costa Rica and Jamaica with his girlfriend, Christine. He’s gone to Italy, France and Germany with his daughter. Sometimes, he travels alone. Regardless, he always makes the most of his time. Faced with an eight-hour delay at an airport in Turkey, he disembarked and went adventuring.

Lebanon was one of Shaun’s most surprising and cherished visits.

Travel tips from an expert BY MICHAEL COONROD

Flying out of the country is expensive, so Shaun Steele recommends cutting corners concerning your accommodations.

Shaun Steele makes some friends in a foreign land.

“I’ll use a hostel, which is usually pretty cheap. In South America, I went to Peru and Bolivia, and it was about $13 to stay in a hostel and that included breakfast. So they’re a really cheap way to go.” Or you can skip the sleeping arrangements altogether. “Some nights there was an overnight bus. So I just slept on the bus, then I woke up in a new place. So it really cuts a lot of the expense out versus staying in a hotel.”

“Usually you can find someone to tell you the out-of-the-way places that aren’t as busy. I went to the Vatican in Rome, but I had a local tell me, ‘there are many churches here in Rome, so see as many as you can,’” says Steele. “I got to see a few churches in Rome that were absolutely amazing, almost equal to being in the Vatican: the amazing carved wood, the statues, the painting, the stained glass. It was in a smaller scale than the Vatican, but equally as beautiful.” But Steele doesn’t just see the sights on his journeys. He makes new friends on every trip. “Everybody’s been great wherever I’ve been — very friendly. I’ve met so many people, and still keep in touch with them through the miracle of Facebook,” he says. “It’s great how I connect with people and ask them where they’ve traveled, and they give me where they’ve been, what they liked the most about it, where I should go. It’s just incredible.” So after spending time in Paris for Bastille Day and running with the bulls in Spain (twice!), what’s the most exotic place Steele has visited? “Maybe Lebanon,” he says. Steele stayed with a friend’s family in the northern part of the country. “I had no idea what to expect. I was expecting a desert or something like that, or going to Beirut.” He was surprised to find they live in the mountains during the summer for the cooler weather. Learning the northern part of the country is mostly Christian was another eye-opener.

Steele also recommends packing light. “You may want souvenirs, or if you’re bouncing from place to place, if you have a lot of luggage, it’s always harder to get around. If there are any problems like lost luggage, then you really slow yourself down. I was in Europe for 31 days and a little school backpack got me around just fine. There’s always laundromats; you can just pop in real quick and just take a breather. You’re in and out in about an hour and a half and then you’ve replenished your clothes again.” He recommends getting a credit card with no exchange rate fee and having a little local currency when you arrive. “Just to get me through the airport or wherever so I can go further into town and get a better exchange rate.” Steele likes public transportation for getting around overseas. “Buses are a great way to get around and subways if you’re in a really large city. It can be a little bit tricky to figure it out, but I’ve always found people that are very helpful and a lot of the maps are pretty straight forward.” Basic language skills are a must. “I try to learn the basics where I’m traveling: ‘please, thank you, where’s the airport? Where’s the bus station?’” He also says it’s helpful to know how to count and order at a restaurant.

“One night we had a procession; it was a Catholic holiday for St. Elijah, so we traveled from one church in the mountainside to another and then they had mass, and then a huge feast afterward,” Steele says. “It was a very unique experience.” The Lebanese people made him feel at home. “They fed me way too much and they took me around to all their relatives,” he says. 31

The Blue Mosque in Turkey has been one of the world wonders Shaun Steele has seen.

Shaun surfs.

“I was eating like five times a day — full meals. I was just completely stuffed, and they were just so friendly.”

There’s one near Noel — I thought it was just a little three-mile hike, but we ended up spending about six hours there.”

Having recently been to Eureka Springs, Ark., for Mardi Gras, Steele is quick to point out you don’t have to go very far to have fun.

He’s got the travel bug, but it’s not a bad thing.

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“I’m involved with running groups and try and get out for little trips around as much as I can,” he says. “[I] go out to Wildcat Glades and hike. There are some other trails close by in Arkansas.

“It’s definitely a rush,” says Steele. “When you see one thing, you want to go on to the next and see more, and you’re just filled with awe all the time.”

A map of the United States is meticulously detailed and color-coded showing where Richard Myers and his daughter have traveled.

profile

R ichard M yers WRITTEN AND PHOTOGRAPHED BY RYAN RICHARDSON

The Natural Joplin man has traveled 36,000 miles in six years

hirty-six thousand, five hundred and twenty-four miles traveled by car is the number Richard Myers holds quite dear to his heart. To put that number in perspective,those are enough miles to circle the Earth one-and-a-half times. Or enough miles to yield more than 522 hours inside a vehicle, traveling at normal highway speeds.

Since then, Myers has visited every state in the lower 48, save for North Dakota and many of the New England states. “If you want history, you go east. If you want to see natural beauty, you head west,” Myers says.

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But for the retired educator, those miles are a representation of his travels across the country to see some of the best national parks America has to offer.

Starting six years ago, Myers and his daughter, Janice, began planning road trips together after he decided to see more of the United States. At that point, Myers had already traveled through Missouri’s state park system, Civil War battlefields and covered bridges. Wanderlust had hit him full force.

rk a P e n o t s w Yello

Far Left: Myers has also avidly collected souvenirs from his travels, including magnets, pressed pennies and other assorted trinkets from his travels. Below: Myers is an avid photographer, capturing many of the sights on his travels through the national park system.

Snake R iver Gor ge A map of the continental United States is framed in his front room, complete with color-coded lines showing which trip led him where. In an adjacent room, a bookshelf holds photo albums that are fully annotated with mileage and expenses, pictures of the parks and even a list of the license plates they spotted on their travels. Almost every open inch of wall space in his home is a monument to the places he has seen. As he approaches his mid-70s, Myers sees no point in slowing down. “I wish I would have started sooner,” Myers says. “There can be a lot of climbing involved and even more walking. I can get along pretty good, but I’m not a spring chicken anymore. When I look up and see a 45-degree climb ahead of me, my logic kicks in and tells me I can do without it. Health has slowed us down, but not by much.”

might get a little lost here or there, but if you know where you came from, you know how to get back.” While he has taken in some of the most breathtaking sights found in the U.S., he also wants to see those sights — and sites — preserved for future generations. “The one thing I have come away with is the encroachment of businesses looking for a quick buck by wanting to drill for oil and gas nearby,” Myers says. “It may not be on the property, but it’s right there in plain sight. No one wants to drive up to a national park and see a mile-wide strip mine or a giant oil rig pumping away. These places are naturally beautiful. I don’t want to see that ruined.”

This year will mark another trip for Richard and Janice. He is already looking forward to another long road trip out West. “That’s what I do in the winter. I research and I look over where we have been and what is left,” Myers says. “We don’t know where we are going just yet, but there are always plans to be made. That’s why this is so fun.”

Averaging two trips a year, Myers has a pretty comprehensive checklist of places he has seen. From Crater Lake in Oregon, the Grand Teton in Wyoming and Mount Rainer in Washington, Myers is a welltraveled, well-versed advocate for the national park system.

2311 S. Jackson Joplin, MO 64804

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Area Hearing & Speech Clinic

“You can get lost out there by just listening to a computer if you aren’t paying attention,” Myers says. “I do my research before heading out. I know the routes and I pay attention to the signs. It is a good system that hasn’t steered us wrong yet. You

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While many people rely on a GPS system to give them directions, Myers is an oldfashioned navigator for his daughter, who drives. When she needs to know where to go, he’ll point in the right direction.

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“Utah is my favorite because there are so many parks in such a small area,” Myers says. “It is absolutely loaded with monuments and parks and they are all absolutely beautiful.”

minding your business RV s

by Bobbie Pottorff

House on

Traveling the roads of America in style

Wheels

here is something about traveling the open road on one’s own terms and one’s own timetable that gives a person a sense of freedom. With so many different types of campers, trailers and motor homes out there, and so many different types of travel needs, there is no longer a “typical” RV buyer. “I always say the top two reasons people buy RVs are pets and grandchildren,” says Sheri Wheelen of Wheelen RV Center in Joplin. Wheelen says the RV buying season typically starts when people begin receiving back their tax refunds. That’s when the planning and traveling also begins. If a person decides to buy an RV, they must first decide what type of traveling they want to do — making short stints throughout the year or moving from coast to coast for months on end. Other details to take into consideration also include where you’re going; how long it will take to get there; which direction you will take and where will you stay along the way. “Fifth Wheels are destination RVs and so are tent campers,” says Wheelen. “(But) motor home folks are different. They, like fifth wheel people, are destination travelers, but some will travel and be in a different place, often.”

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Travel trailer people,” he continues, most commonly known as ‘in-betweeners,’ “do just the weekend, some do all season and some do a different place every other day. Truck camper folks are off-road campers and don’t want or need anything fancy to stay in.”

g n i RV Go

The Recreational Vehicle Industry Association, or RVIA, shows RV ownership reached a new high in 2011. The RVIA recently conducted a profile of RV owners. They found the average age was 48 and the average income was roughly $62,000. “I’ve been doing this for almost 20 years,” says Wheelen. “Most customers turn into friends and not a lot of other business is that way.” Jim Ross and his wife, Helen, own a class-A motor home. The rural Lawrence County couple often travels at least twice

a year to distant Seattle, Wash., to visit extended family. The vehicle they own offers a king-sized bed and a sizable bathroom. More importantly, it provides a smooth and stable ride across the endless stretches of road. “We love it,” Jim says. “Helen calls it our ‘home on wheels’ and it’s a great way to put it.” RVs offer all the luxuries of a modern home: high-definition television, efficient cooking appliances, residential appliances and sleep-comfort beds. Some of the most high-end trailers offer jetted tubs, fancy sinks, generators, electric sun shades, Corian counter tops and marble and tile floors. Many people believe it is expensive to travel inside an RV. However, even with rising fuel prices, the RVIA reports RV owners only spend about a third of what others spend on airfare, hotels and rental cars. The initial investment for an RV can be as broad and varied as a sedan or mini-van. Some of it depends on what class the vehicle is. A Class A motor home looks like a bus. A Class B vehicle are van-sized, which can be converted or stretched into a more traditional motor home. A Class C motor home is a camper built onto a chassis. There are also travel trailers, the before-mentioned fifth wheels, and tent/ truck campers. Tent campers start out at around $6,000. A high-end Class A vehicle often has a sticker price of between $375,000 and $400,000. Here in Joplin, a majority of the vehicles sold fall between the $15,000 and $90,000 range.

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Vacation Experts Local Tour Agencies Can Help Spice Up Short Vacations

awn Decker and her three daughters, like many families throughout the Four States, travel locally for a number of reasons. “Our trips to Branson are frequent during the spring and summer months,” says Decker. “We typically go to Silver Dollar City when we go. However, we do occasionally rent a cabin for a night or two.” One of the biggest determinations on where many families end up going on vacation revolves around — what else? Cost. And to help with that, the professionals behind the desks of local vacation tourist agencies can lend a helping hand.

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Jane Brown with Travel Planners of Joplin says her agency offers local travel packages and planning. Unfortunately, most vacationers create their itinerary from online searches without the help of the professionals. In that way, the Internet has really hurt local travel agents when it comes to booking local trips, Brown says. Still, there are things a travel agent can offer a vacation traveler that the Internet can’t.

“Everyone thinks they can find a better deal if they look themselves, but what happens when they hit a snag and need help? I can’t tell you how many times that has happened to all of us travel professionals. We can’t help them at that point because they haven’t gone through us to begin with. I won’t leave you sitting in an airport helpless.” Travel Planners offers packages to Branson, Kansas City, St. Louis and Tulsa, Okla., just to name a few. Four of these destinations are featured in this month’s cover package. Mother Nature is always a big factor when it comes to local travel, but Brown says any time of the year is a good time to book a vacation. “We make it a point to get season passes to Silver Dollar City,” says Decker. “Our kids definitely enjoy going, but always more so when they can each have a friend come along.” Amusement park tickets is one area where local travel agents can’t really help with. Brown

says they are not able to make commission on those types of tickets, but they do earn revenue for booking hotels and rental cars in Branson, Kansas City or St. Louis. Local travel agents also used to do a lot of business by booking bus trips to Memphis, Tenn. for weekend gamblers or sight-seers. However, the local casinos have pretty much put a stop to those types of travel packages. For families like the Deckers, they like to go to Branson because it’s not too far from their front porch. “But it’s far enough to feel like a little trip,” she says. “And it’s always nice to have fun, family time.” According to Brown, Branson is also the No. 1 local destination for customers of Travel Planners. Wichita, Kan., the Sunshine State’s largest city, offers theater productions, orchestra performances and a hockey team. And Eureka Springs, Ark, which lies less than an hour-and-a-half from Joplin, offers attractions such as the “longest and highest” zip line in the Natural State,

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along with a big cat wildlife refuge and the beautiful Thorncrown Chapel. The cost of travel to these close locations varies widely. So much so that Brown couldn’t really put a price on it. She says you can spend as much or as little as you want or need to and there are many factors that can also affect the price. Details that affect the price include number of people traveling together, how long the stay will be, where the destination spot is located at and, of course, the time of year the trip will take place.

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So when it comes to vacations, even those a few hours away, never rule out the local travel agency. As Brown says, they are always helpful in coming up with new and fun ways for families to travel.

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T R AV E L S A F E T Y BY DAVID O’NEILL

SAILING

Simple preparation can help you leave road-trip stress at home.

ost road trip nightmares involve things mostly beyond our control — a sudden illness, hotel-reservation mixups or testy, feuding siblings. But first and foremost, a successful road trip is a safe one, and rudimentary preparations can ensure a great getaway and a safe return. Your car will become your mobile living room, so safeguard it accordingly.

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First, remember that drowsy drivers are a danger to themselves, their passengers and other drivers on the road. Before you even set out, make sure you’ve gotten enough rest so you’re as awake, aware and alert as possible. Beyond that, your trip’s ease is more or less proportionate to how your vehicle performs, so be certain your ride is up to the task. Says Mike Right, vice president of public affairs for AAA,

“Motorists can do a lot to ensure their vehicle is road-worthy without having any mechanical experience.”

passengers have access to these, and use the appropriate type of restraints, such as child seats and booster seats,” says Right.

Here are some things to look into before you settle in behind the wheel:

Check Your Battery = Be certain its connections are intact, and look for signs of corrosion. “If it’s more than three years old, consider getting a new battery,” says Right.

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Safety Restraints = “Make sure all

And Don’t Forget = Your road-trip checklist should also include plenty of bottled water, blankets, flashlights, extra batteries, flares or reflectors, an extra cell phone charger, paper towels, duct tape, jumper cables, and hand tools for minor car repairs.

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Read Fluid Levels = These include window washing solution, oil and power steering fluid. And don’t forget the anti-freeze—yes, even in warmer months, as it helps your engine run at a cooler temperature.

Be Sun Smart = It’s possible to get a sunburn on the drive, so apply sunscreen accordingly.

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Inspect Belts and Hoses = Check these to ensure there is no fraying, cuts or bulges.

Mapping Your Route = The unexpected can be good, but it’s good to have control over where you find it.

• Bandages, including Standard Adhesive, Butterfly, Knuckle, Knee/Elbow Varieties • Scissors • Tweezers • Latex Gloves • Antibacterial Ointment • Hydrogen Peroxide • Cotton-Tip Applicators • Antiseptic Towelettes • Alcohol Prep Pads • Sterile Gauze Pads • Sterile Gauze Roll • Adhesive Tape • Sting Relief Pads or Ointment

✃

Check All Lights = These include brake, tail, and high-mount brake lights, fog lights, flashers, and interior lights.

If you or a family member sustains a minor injury on the road, you may find yourself playing M.D., and that means packing a proper first-aid kit. It should include:

Visibility Check = Examine your wiper blades and rear-view mirrors to make sure you’ll see things clearly.

✃

Tire Pressure = This goes not only for all four tires but the spare as well. “Also, check your tires’ tread depth, and make sure you have a jack and lug wrench in case of a flat,” says Right.

Put First Aid first

health

T r av e l E a t i n g H e a l th y By David O’Neill

Road-Ready Fare Discerning on-the road dining choices

can help you win the food fight

ars can be slippery places during road trips for anyone trying to eat healthy. Extended highway drives take us sailing down a limitless trail of convenience stores, greasy spoons, fast-food joints and the occasional candy peddler. Add wayward, binge-like eating to the sedentary situation that is driving, and not only could you gain weight, you might lack the energy to fully enjoy the trip.

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Beverages are a no-brainer. “Pack plenty of water and reusable bottles, as traveling can be dehydrating,” Houdyshell continues. “If you need flavor, add lemon or lime to it, or choose a caloriefree beverage, but even balance that with water.”

A pre-drive stop at the grocer affords some control over what will be on hand in the car.

Houdyshell cautions against energy drinks like Monster— alluring as they may be to the weary driver. “They’re extremely high in caffeine and other stimulants that could be potentially dangerous. It’s false energy that will leave you tired soon afterwards.”

“Nibble on whole-grain crackers, hard-boiled eggs and healthy protein bars. Some are just glorified candy bars,” she says. Pack a good-sized cooler with ice packs to chill perishable items, and if

A smarter way to re-energize is to park the car and take a walk, she says.

The key to staying on point, Houdyshell says, is “plan, plan, plan. Know what restaurants will be available and what foods are offered. Allow yourself one or two special meals, but choose something you can’t always have.” Besides, she adds, “You can eat fast food or chain restaurants anytime, so experience something local or regional.”

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Says Jessica Houdyshell, a dietician and educator for Barton County Memorial Hospital and the Joplin YMCA, “We have less control over our environment, and a vacation feels like we have freedom to indulge during the entire trip.”

space is limited, use a flexible cooler rather than a hard case. Travelers can even do right during necessary stops at the 7-11. “A lot of convenience stores are trying to cater to healthy lifestyles. Look for fruit, unsalted nuts, pre-sliced veggies, string cheese, yogurt and whole grain cereals, and watch portion sizes.”

We asked Jessica Houdyshell, a dietician and educator for Barton County Memorial Hospital and the Joplin YMCA, for some nutritious on-the-road menu suggestions. Here’s what she cooked up: BREAKFAST: Try oatmeal with walnuts and low-fat milk or scrambled eggs with vegetables in a whole-wheat tortilla topped with salsa. Fresh fruit, of course, is also a smart option. LUNCH: Go for a regular single-patty hamburger, hold the mayonnaise and cheese, and load up on vegetables. Sandwich shops like Subway offer healthier choices and actually do allow one to “eat fresh,” but watch the condiments on sandwiches and wraps. If you’re in doubt, just ask. “Many fast food restaurants listing their nutrition information the menu,” Houdyshell says.

Consider This...

DINNER: Order grilled chicken strips and a side salad with whole grain roll, thin-crust pizza topped with vegetables and light cheese, or grilled fish and a baked sweet potato.

Sometimes, fast-food joints and diners remain the sole option. In this case, Houdyshell says, go for grilled meat items, baked potatoes and side salads. “Beware of condiments like mayonnaise, butter, fatty dressings and sour cream. Choose calorie-free beverages or low-fat milk.” Quash that sweet tooth, Houdyshell suggests, by splitting a dessert or having fruit. On the road and off, particularly large meals can make for cranky travelers of all ages, she says. Finally, reconsider your accommodations. “Staying in a cabin or extended-stay hotel, where there are stoves or ovens, will help you prepare healthier meals,” Houdyshell says.

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• Advance planning also gives you peace of mind and saves your family from the pressure of making emotional decisions at a difficult time. If you have ever had to arrange a funeral under emotional stress, then you understand how helpful preplanning can be.

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“A Well Planned service warms the soul and illuminates the memory.” • Making some simple decisions in advance ensures all of the details of a funeral will be carried out exactly as intended. Family members won’t be left wondering or making guesses as to what was wanted.

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• We make preplanning in advance easy and convenient.

Spyglass Stories By Kylie Davis Photography by B.W. Shepherd

Spyglass Stories The talented members of the Joplin High School Spyglass newspaper looking through the “glass” of their high school.

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he Joplin High School Spyglass has been the publication of record serving students and staff for 97 years. While the past three years have been a challenge for each student, it has been an added challenge for the Spyglass staff to cover four separate campuses.

As the editor of the Spyglass, I speak for the entire staff when I say our publication has not been excluded from the constantly changing dynamic of Joplin High School. Printing twice a semester with a circulation of 1,400 each issue, the Spyglass magazine operates as a communication piece between Joplin High School, the community and local businesses. The publication has made a pledge to the Joplin business community

The Spyglass has a glowing reputation of keeping a finger on the pulse of the R-8 School District, particularly at the high school level. to only accept patronage from local businesses as a way to give back to those who have given so much to us. For this issue, our contributions to J MAG range in scope from a junior state qualifier and school record breaker in swim to a feature on Key Club’s 65th anniversary at Joplin High School to Archery Club becoming the new kid on the block to a sophomore contributing her talent to a local hospital.

A motto that would make any print editor proud: Write, edit, print. As with many student efforts, there have been many ups and downs throughout the transition since the tornado. But thanks to all of our patrons and support from the community, the future of the Spyglass looks as bright as the future of Joplin High School. And we look forward to seeing the new developments that will come when moving into the new building this fall.

By Chris Martucci Photography by David Moss

Splashed! JHS junior swimmer making a splash at state

“It is very rare that you get someone to qualify in more than a couple events in a season,” says Joplin head coach Blair Dance. Stauffer started out the season with the goal of just getting a best time. But breaking two school records is doing more than just getting a best time.

“I didn’t expect it,” says Stauffer in a humble manner. “I just wanted to go out and get a best time and do really well.” Swim Coach Blair Dance put it in broader terms. “Not only was one of her goals to get to state, but she also had her eyes on a couple school records,” says Dance. Dance, who coaches both the boys and

And those goals were accomplished in a big way by winning the 100-yard breaststroke consolation final. Stauffer went into the race seeded 10th and wound up winning the race in 1:07.91, while also beating three other finalists’ times at the same time to finish sixth time-wise. Now that the season is over, Stauffer has her eyes set on possibly winning a state championship next year. But her ultimate goal is to do better than her previous times. “Kate has already set new goals for the next year,” says Dance. “I know she will be able to achieve them.”

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According to Stauffer, she was ecstatic to find out she had broken Barchak’s records, which had stood for the past three years until the state meet.

“She worked very hard each day,” she says. “She had some big goals for the season.”

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She also qualified in the 50- and 100-yard freestyles.

Obviously, winning the consolation final for the 100-yard breaststroke and placing fourth in the 200-individual-medley is more than just “doing well.”

girls teams, was proud of Stauffer’s work ethic during the season.

She also finished 12th overall in the 200 Medley, finishing at 2:12.50, also a school record.

“I wanted to go in with a (better) mindset than last year,” Stauffer says. “Everybody was trying to make it fun.”

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oplin High School junior swimmer Kate Stauffer made quite the splash — pun intended — at the recent state girl’s swim meet by winning the consolation final in the 100-yard breaststroke, while also finishing with the sixth fastest time in that race and breaking Michelle Barchak’s school record at 1:07.94 to finish ninth overall.

Spyglass Stories By Devon Johnson

“You’ve Got A Friend In Me”

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Joplin High School students help special needs students

eer Buddies is a program where students are partnered with kids with special needs and help them with the life skills they will need after graduation. The program was started by Joplin High School Special Education teacher Brooke White, in order to help students with special needs become more involved in the community. White had the idea for many years, but only put it into action during the 2012-2013 school year.

“It makes my heart warm being a part of this program. I feel like I have made a change and it makes me care more about people and giving them my time because time never hurts anybody,” says Iverson. Kaleb Martin, sophomore and a Peer Buddy helper, already had experience with special needs students. “I enjoy helping others out while knowing I am gaining a friend at the same time,” he says. Not only are the Peer Buddy helpers and their teachers enjoying the program, the students benefitting from the program are, as well.

“It’s a fun time to go out and have fun with my friends,” says Harcrow. Harcrow’s favorite memories so far this year have been spending time with his buddies Jake Packard and Skye Paulk, both sophomores, at the homecoming football game, as well as going bowling. “Being in Peer Buddies makes me happy. It makes high school fun because the people are fun and make me laugh,” says Joshua Cornell, sophomore student and Peer Buddy participant. Cornell is in his second year of Peer Buddies. He is looking forward to running and bowling at the Special Olympics. Now in his second year in the program, he is looking forward to meeting new people from other grades and making new friends. “It’s awesome seeing people want to be a part of this organization. It’s great seeing people have the same desire and joy to hang out with our kids. Too many people shy away from it,” says Cowin.

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The teachers have set goals which they

Alize Iverson, sophomore Peer Buddy helper, really enjoys being a part of Peer Buddies. Although Iverson did not participate in Peer Buddies last year, she plans on continuing with the program throughout the rest of her high school years.

Just like Kessler, Kenny Harcrow also enjoys Peer Buddies.

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“The biggest goal for the special needs students is to understand how to communicate outside of school — because for various reasons, they are sheltered for safety reasons,” says Harding.

“We love our kids and they need to be out more. They need more of these opportunities to be successful,” says George Cowin, Special Education teacher.

“I like Peer Buddies because it’s fun to spend time with people I have never met,” says Emily Kessler, a freshman and Peer Buddy participant. Kessler is looking forward to bowling in the Special Olympics.

It is believed that this year will be more productive due to the increase in student sign-ups. Last year, only 40-50 kids signed up, though this year roughly 200 volunteered.

hope to achieve with the program. One goal is to help students with their social interaction skills.

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“Our kids don’t get much interaction with their peers outside of class time and so we wanted to do something so they would get that typical teenage experience,” says White.

Spyglass Stories By Emma Thompson

Key Club Soars High

ANTED: Male high school students interested in community service.

with Laheather Fisher. He heard about JHS’s Key Club and the opportunity to become a sponsor when one of his friends introduced the idea to him.

How the times have changed. Back in the 1970s, according to Tim Oster, a Key Club sponsor at Joplin High School, that’s who Key Club was looking for. Now, as Joplin’s chapter of Key Club is celebrating 65 years, the community outreach service group is open to girls and boys alike and is flourishing more than ever. Despite the changes, nothing has changed with its mission or message.

Key Club is a branch of Kiwanis International, with KEY standing for Kiwanis Educating Youth. With about 17

members involved in Key Club during the 2011-12 year, the club increased to more than 50 students for the 2013-14 school year. The service group is creating more events and gaining more community service hours at the same time, says Drew Cox, senior and vice-president of Key Club. “We’ve had more active students, which has been great,” says Cox. “(The club) definitely means a lot to me, since I have been involved all four years of high school. I’ve put a lot of time into it. And because I spend so much time, I’ve gotten well

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This is the third year of involvement for Oster, who co-sponsors the group

“I thought, this sounds like it would be a way to really provide a positive role model and help students harness some of the energy that they have,” Oster says. “You may not feel like you have that much energy yourself. But collectively, a group of 10 or 12 or 20 or 30 students or more can get a lot of things accomplished and really help people in the community.”

Venerable club reaches 65th Anniversary

JHS’s Key Club as of 1993; Killinger pictured 3rd row from bottom, second from left. The club was gradually opened up to more girls over the years.

JHS Key Club as of 1949. In that time it was purely a male dominated organization.

“While we did a couple of service projects, I found that most of the Key Club the year I was in it was much more interested in how much school they could get out of to do Key Club activities,” says Killinger. “I have seen today the Key Club is way more active in service projects and have a lot more members than the year I was in Key Club.”

On this day, students would go out into the community and help in any way that they can, for example, serving at a nursing home or Salvation Army. Key Club’s main focus will be partnering with UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund) on their Eliminate Project, a project aimed at eliminating maternal and neonatal tetanus around the world. Other activities planned include partnering with the YMCA’s after school program and with Bright Futures, and trick or treating for canned goods.

“It’s like a family to me. Because a lot of the members — we’re pretty close with them. A lot of them are our friends. It just means I’m helping the world in my own small way, whatever way I can,” says Stella Ndauwa, sophomore and treasurer of Key Club. “Not only are you giving yourself to the community, but the community is also giving itself to you. You become a better person and you get built up by the service that you’re doing. And it’s a very rewarding experience,” says Cox. Oster looks forward to expanding the group and reaping the benefits of a growing service club. “If we can expand [the activeness of the group] and allow students to build friendships, along with being able to do service work and just have some fun with students their own age or a year or two years older, or younger, then that’s a very good and worthwhile endeavor,” explains Oster.

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Many projects are already in the works for this school year, including the possibility of a “great day of service” to celebrate its 65th anniversary.

Although Key Club is effective at helping others around the community, students and sponsors alike note that the club is more than just a service group.

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Christopher Killinger, an active member of Kiwanis and secretary of the Kiwanis Club of Joplin, participated in Key Club at JHS during the 1992-93 school year. Killinger thinks Key Club has changed for the better over the years.

The club’s many activities last year included cooking a dinner at the Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Four States, visiting the nursing home, helping at the Boys and Girls Club of Southwest Missouri, participating in park clean-ups, hosting bake sales and partnering with Kiwanis International for the annual pancake feed.

The Key Club members have already helped Kiwanis process and deliver apples in December, and attended the District Leadership Conference the first weekend of March.

“Muhammad Ali once stated, ‘Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth.’ Key Club gives people the opportunity to give back to their community, and make the world a better place. It instills morals and teaches responsibilities, giving students a sense of belonging and understanding that just a simple action can touch the lives of so many,” says Bradfield. “This club is the most important thing I have ever been a part of. I take great pride in it, and I am hoping to help it grow and become a stronger club in the community.”

Killinger doesn’t regret his continued involvement in the Kiwanis organization. “I wanted to be a Kiwanian since I was eight years old. I watched my father be a Kiwanian and it always interested me,” says Killinger.

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over 150 hours of community service throughout all of high school.” Samantha Bradfield, senior and President of the Key Club, feels strongly about the effect of the club on the students involved.

Spyglass Stories By Jennifer Nguyen and Karly Weber

Arch Madness

JHS archery organization soars with successful start

n terms of targeting a goal, striking center is not always an easy task. In fact, a recent addition to the high school’s activities roster has experienced firsthand what the true essence of a simple idea is capable of.

Despite a late start into the season, the JHS archery organization recruited nearly 100 students during its debut last November. The current team consists of an estimated 60 students, in addition to three coaches — Bell, Jeff Brown and Kevin Sawyer. Already, they have competed in a total of three tournaments.

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“I came up with the idea of starting an archery organization probably two years ago,” says Adam Bell, JHS technology specialist. “When Mr. Sawyer came here (JHS), he was interested in doing it too, so we got together. I had already talked to Mr. Brown about helping out, and from there, it just snowballed and took off.”

“Obviously, we want them to learn how to be good competitors, good shooters. But most importantly, we want kids to be able to find themselves, help them develop and grow as young people,” says

Brown, department head of the school’s special services. “We want to create an environment where a student feels safe to be him or herself. The end result is productive members of society.” The process of developing the program began in October with a presentation to the Joplin School Board. Following approval for the organization, a fundraiser was held in December. After returning for the second semester in January, the archery organization obtained a practice facility donated by Joplin’s Satterlee brothers.

“It was amazing,” Bell says. “We weren’t sure going into this what funds, if any, were available from the district. So we knew we had a need of about $12,000 to get through the first season. The community stepped up with sponsorships, and they came out to support a big event we had. We raised almost $11,000 to get started, so the community support has been amazing and continues to be amazing.” The program currently offers three practices per week and requires students to secure passing grades in order to be eligible to compete at a tournament.

“I joined because I wanted to try something different,” says Kendra Sparrow, JHS freshman. “I get to learn new stuff that I haven’t before, and everyone’s really friendly.” By participating in this organization, coaches are able to expand their love of archery, as well as teach kids the passion of the outdoors with the help of a bow and arrow. Sawyer, head of the JHS FFA organization, admits that schedules often are busy, but he has learned to never take anyone or anything for granted. A portion of the kids in archery find comfort through the organization that they wouldn’t be able to find anywhere else. “They’re not necessarily athletic to do another sport, but books are not really their thing,” he says. “They’re kind of in the middle and don’t know where to go. This (archery) usually draws most of them in and gives them an outlet.” Even with the pressure of competing for the first time after just three weeks of practice, the archery organization came home with a victory of qualifying 24 students to the state level, something that certainly made both coaches and all the team members proud.

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“I feel that passion goes along with how energetic you are about something,” says Lee. “If you really are passionate about something, it’s not hard to balance things in everyday life. It makes things more fun. And if you have friends that do it with you, that makes it even more enjoyable. I’ve made friends through archery that I probably would’ve never talked to outside of it.”

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As with any sport or hobby, students from all walks of life join the archery organization to find common ground, mature in character and build new, extraordinary high school experiences together. According to Lee, archery is an activity she plans to pursue during the next few years of her high school career.

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“My first tournament, I was kind of nervous. After you do your practice shots, you get over your nerves,” says Eric Grant, JHS sophomore. “You just start doing better, and the second tournament I went to was the one I qualified for state individually. I had already known what tournaments were like, so I did better.”

Spyglass Stories By Kathleen Hughes

Bilingual Berenice Berenice Urbina-Maturino speaks two languages to help those in need

erenice Urbina-Maturino, a sophomore at Joplin High School, has a gift many people don’t have — she is bilingual, fluent in Spanish and English, and has been for most of her life.

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“It affects my life so much on a day to day basis being able to speak both English and Spanish. I speak Spanish while at home or with family. There are a lot of kids that have parents who speak a different language but often time the child does not himself,” says Urbina-Maturino. “I have always been told it is a good thing. I still know Spanish very fluently and try not to ever forget how to speak or read it. It is very useful when trying to learn another language.”

While many teenagers are out with their friends, whether it is going to a movie or working out, Urbina-Maturino uses her talent as a volunteer at Freeman Hospital in Joplin. “I noticed a lot of people that spoke Spanish needed help when trying to get some sort of medical attention,” she says. “I asked a lady if they needed help and she said yes. The person attending them noticed it and asked if I would be interested in volunteering.”

When working in the medical field, Urbina-Maturino might not understand medical terminology in their best language, let alone translating it to another. She overcomes this barrier — of translating between Spanish and English — and helps with anything she can to the best of her ability. “They can both be challenging at times, Berenice Urbina-Maturino at the Freeman but I feel that translating from English to West Hospital, in Joplin, where she assists Spanish is a lot more difficult in certain people who need help with overcoming a lansituations. The languages are so different guage barrier of Spanish to English and vice versa. Urbina-Maturino helps to translate in and often times there are no words for her free time, usually on Wednesdays, and any certain things in Spanish. Sometimes other time when she is needed.

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Knowing how difficult it is to be at a disadvantage of not being able to comprehend or speak a certain language, Urbina-Maturino believes she will have more sympathy toward future patients.

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By volunteering at the hospital and learning the importance of being patient when helping someone out, UrbinaMaturino believes these skills will help her with her future plans of becoming a neurosurgeon.

“It is sad to see how rudely people get treated sometimes. Or the lack of patience people have because they can’t understand what is being said,” she says. “I feel happy knowing that I have made something in someone else’s day just a bit easier. It is a good feeling. I know how awkward and stressful it can be needing something and not knowing how to ask for help because of a language barrier.”

“That isn’t why I volunteer at the hospital; I just really enjoy knowing that I can help someone. It is a good feeling,” says UrbinaMaturino.

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when the nurse, or whoever is giving me information, says a lot of information too quickly, I worry that I will miss any detail that is being said.”

Spyglass Stories By Matt McMullen, Logan Whitehead and Sydnie Pederson

Traveling Teachers Joplin High School teachers travel between multiple campuses each day to teach

ith the new Joplin High School under construction and ready to open by the 2014-2015 school year, 17 traveling teachers will be excited not to have to live out of the trunks of their cars.

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“It (switching campuses) makes you learn to appreciate the things you had and look forward to the things you will have,” says Christopher Young, a French teacher at JHS. Traveling seems to affect Young’s lesson plans in a sense that his 11-12 campus students seem to discipline themselves more than the 9-10 campus students, even though they have to catch Young right as he comes through the front doors.

“It’s not that I dislike switching campuses, but I would rather be at one place the whole day. It isn’t fair to students,” says Young. Since he doesn’t have a plan time to prepare for his classes, it makes it more difficult to keep those classes on the same schedule. JHS teachers have been traveling back and forth between campuses since the May 22, 2011 tornado. The underclassmen and upperclassmen were split into two campuses. The 9th and 10th graders currently go to the old Memorial High School on 8th Street, known as the 9-10 Center. The 11th and 12th grade currently

Christopher Young shuffles through his papers in the trunk of his car. Most traveling teachers have to share classrooms with other teachers when they alternate campuses. go to the mall campus on North Range Line Road, known as the 11-12 Center. “The hardest thing for switching campuses is if I go over there (11-12 campus) and don’t have the right tools, and I know they are over here (9-10 campus). Then I know I’m holding my kids back because we don’t have the right stuff,” says Kaci Dorton, Technology and Engineering teacher. Teachers travel during their plan period, a time where teachers usually create lesson plans for their classes. For them, it leaves less time to prepare. Not only do they have to worry about getting themselves to multiple campuses, they also have to worry about gathering and traveling with their supplies. “I don’t have time at the end of the day to prepare for the next day. For example, setting up labs has to take place

before school or I have to travel over after school or even on the weekends. Organization and planning are huge with two campuses,” says Laheather Fisher, a biology, chemistry and the pathophysiology teacher. “I want to end the day in the place I will start the next day. It makes it easier to tie up loose ends. I’m always nervous that something will happen on the drive over and I will be late,” says Fisher. “However, it’s nice to get fresh air and some reflection time on the drive over.” Although traveling is a pain for most teachers, Dorton recognized some positives about it. “One of the positives of this (switching campuses) is it makes the day go by really really fast,” he says. “I teach first through fifth hour over here. Then when I’m done here, I only have one more hour to teach.

per month for gas money. But multiple teachers stated they spend more money than usual when they decide to stop and run errands or get food for themselves. Christine Movick, the other French teacher and only German teacher at JHS, believes fresh air can be a good thing, especially when you can’t process much on that day. “If you have an errand to run, you can get that done,” she says. “Sometimes getting out, you can think better when you get some fresh air.” Laheather Fisher packs her classroom supplies into her car to leave the 9-10 Campus. Fisher teaches 9th graders to 12th graders with her three classes. Mandi Gash, the Family and Consumer Sciences teacher, explained that traveling can be very stressful.

Not everything about having multiple campuses is bad. “At least the schedule hasn’t been switched around too much. Mr. Young and I have been sharing a room, and I’ve learned how to clean off my desk,” says Movick.

“You get settled at one campus and then you have to drive to the other campus. Before you know it, kids start walking in so you don’t have time to do anything,” says Gash. “We don’t have an hour to relax, it’s just go go go go go all the time.” The traveling creates both advantages and challenges, she says. “Being able to get outside is nice. But I don’t like hauling my stuff everywhere. You have no time to process anything.” When it comes to money, the teachers are provided with $22.50

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Spyglass Stories By Nene Adams PHotography by Rebecca Cenzato

“Blaine Runs Insane”

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Blaine Jimerson runs a 25K in 1:49.22

laine Jimerson, a cross-country freshman athlete at Joplin High School, describes the Missouri Southern State University’s 25K race in which he set a new record for his age group. While others might have been watching the Super Bowl back in early February, Jimerson was crossing the finish line first in his age group of 19 and under. By

finishing 11th overall, he was breaking a record set the year before, with a 1:49.22 time. Last year, cross-country teammate Logan Debyle, set the record for their age group. “Logan got the same (time) as last year and I just wanted to beat it,” says Jimerson. The freshman was successful, by cutting

the record by seven minutes and 29 seconds. A 25K translates into a distance of just over 15.5 miles, which can be a challenge for any runner. “I’m your typical runner,” he says. According to Jimerson, he passed the time by thinking to himself about how much the race was really difficult and keeping track of how many miles were left to run.

All cross-country courses are different, made up of many types of paths and ground levels. Jimerson says the MSSU course was pretty flat at the beginning and near the middle. But, when it came down to about the last five miles before the finish line, it was nothing but hills, which were extremely tough to handle. Spending nearly two hours running, Jimerson continued to push through every ache or pain, determined to come in first. When it was done, Jimerson found himself with no strength at all. “I could barely stand up at the end of it. I was so tired at the end.” Jimerson says his performance was great, saying his attitude was to give 110 percent. His coach, Dustin Dixon, agrees with that assessment.

Blaine Jimerson, seen here in the Joplin CC uniform, competes in the cross country meet last fall.

“I think it was good for him, with him being so young.” According to Dixon, Jimerson has put in a lot of work and was definitely prepared to finish well.

“I’m so glad it’s over… thank goodness,” says Jimerson.

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In the end, Jimerson finished the race with 130 other competitors.

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“The last couple of miles were hard; he was on pace with a time of 6:40 per mile,” Dixon says. “But the last miles got pretty rough, it was about 8:30; but overall, he did good.”

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The course was “made fast,” says Dixon, but Jimerson prepared for it by running at a fast pace at that distance. He describes Jimerson as a very talented athlete.

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music to the ears A r e a M u s i c F e s t i va l s by Ryan Richardson

The strange-sounding â&#x20AC;&#x153;Bonnarooâ&#x20AC;? is really the granddaddy of all major music festivals. Chances are if you have gone to a music festival in the last decade, part of the setup has been modeled after what Superfly Entertainment has already long perfected. The line-up has transformed from the early 2000s when the festival was primarily jamband and has been focused to a mix of the hottest acts and up-and-comingartists around. While that change may have Manchester, Tenn. June 12-15 Nearly 560 miles from Joplin More than 100 bands, including Elton John, Kanye West, Jack White, Skrillex and Lionel Richie. Ticket prices are $284 (and up); camping and parking are included.

driven out the hardcore concert travelers, nearly 100,000 attendees make the trip to Tennessee each year to sweat it out for four days of pure musical bliss.

Dancefestopia Located in downtown Kansas City at the Richard L. Berkley Riverfront Park, this twoday festival has become a Midwest beacon for the exploding EDM and hip-hop scenes. 2014

Borda Productions has put this festival on for three years straight. While other big

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Midwest festivals have come and gone,

such as the one-off 2011 Kanrocksas, this festival has steadily grown and it looks to become a mainstay. While there are

Kansas City Sept 12-13 Nearly 160 miles from Joplin The line-up is to be announced Ticket prices are $85 and up; the price includes camping and parking passes.

camping options, many attendees opt to leave the 17-acre campground in favor of nearby hotels.

We are going to make a bit of a departure from our normal band rundowns in this section of J MAG by giving you some of the best options in the Midwest for fun music festivals. All of the festivals listed below are within a day’s drive from Joplin, providing some of the best music in the country.

St. Louis Sept. 6-7 Approximately 280 miles from Joplin. The line-up will be announced soon. Tickets prices have not been announced, but two-day passes have been found for under $100.

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While this festival is just a two-day, no-camping-allowed festival, there have been some heavy-hitters in the indie rock scene who have appeared at this festival. Located at downtown St. Louis’ Forest Park, this festival keeps growing bigger each year. Last year’s headliners include Wilco, The National and The Killers. Attendance broke the 10,000 mark in 2012, and based on its popularity, there is little indication the show will slow down. A really nice aspect of this festival is that kids aged 12 and under are allowed free admission to the festival alongside their parents. This is a golden opportunity to take your kids to their first concert experience without spending an arm and a leg.

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Loufest

For 11 years now, Wakarusa has quietly become one of the most respected festivals in the nation. There is still a heavy jamband influence in the artist lineup, but Pipeline Productions has infused that with EDM artists, funk, bluegrass and country. One extremely fun aspect of this festival is the amount of regional acts featured at the festival. Bands and DJs have the chance to compete in competitions around the country for a slot at the festival. Local Joplin acts like The Ben Miller Band and TOTOJOJO have graced the stages of Wakarusa numerous times.

Ozark, Ark. June 5-8 About 126 miles from Joplin The line-up will include String Cheese Incident, Bassnectar, STS9, Umphrey’s McGee, Flaming Lips, plus many more. Ticket prices are $194 and up, plus camping passes. There are also twoand three-day passes available.

Festival goers literally take over a lone Ozark mountain in the remote reaches of The Natural State for a weekend of pure musical bliss.

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List: Water Parks A

musement parks, such as Branson’s Silver Dollar City or Kansas City’s Worlds of Fun, are some of the most popular destination spots found in the Show-Me State. But there are other significant hotspots, based around water, that have nothing to do with the area’s lakes or rivers. Here are five of the largest water amusement parks found within a three-hour drive of Joplin.

Schlitterbahn Kansas City Waterpark 9400 State Ave. Kansas City, Kansas 913.312.3110 Schlitterbahn Kansas City will be home to the world’s tallest and fastest water slide, named “Verrückt.” This “mega-blaster water coaster” is a four-person raft slide with a 17-story plunge. While no exact height has been released yet, park officials claim it will be taller than Niagara Falls and reach a maximum speed of 65 mph. It is set to open May 23, 2014. Other rides at the park — the first Schlitterbahn park built outside of the State of Texas — include the “Bahnzai Pipeline,” the “Black Knight” and the “Blitz Falls.”

3 White Water Branson 3505 W. 76 Blvd. Branson, Mo. 800.532.7529

Splash Country 1945 W. Hwy. 76 Branson, Mo. 888.514.1088

When Oceans of Fun opened in May 31, 1982, it was the largest water park found in the world. It is home to four “intense” thrill rides (or slides), including the “Constrictor,” “Diamond Head,” “Hurricane Falls” and “Shark’s Revenge.” In 2013, the park was no longer a separate entity. Completely renovated last year, it has now been combined with Worlds of Fun.

CoCo Key Water Resort 9103 E. 39th St. Kansas City, Mo. 816.737.0200

CoCo Key stands as Missouri’s largest indoor water park, with 55,000 square feet of attractions, including a “dip-in” theater attached to one of the resort’s wading pools, allowing movies to be played on a large nearby screen. There are also four fast-paced water slides using either rafts or body sliding, while an indoor/outdoor spa includes giant whirlpools for relaxing. CoCo Key is attached to a Holiday Inn that offers deals for overnight guests who wish to visit the water park. Day passes are available as well. The park is open all year.

Splash Country offers 20,000 square feet of space for water rides. It is attached to the larger Grand Country resort. The outdoor slides include the “Hatfield Holler,” where visitors are sprayed by dump buckets and water guns. Indoor attractions emphasize children’s rides, with a wading pool and treehouse. A water basketball court, lazy river ride and whirlpool spas complete the indoor rides. Overnight guests are guaranteed admission to the water park.

Oceans of Fun 4343 Oceans of Fun Dr. Kansas City, Mo. 816.454.4545

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Sister park of the popular Silver Dollar City, White Water Branson, which opened in 1980, features two pools, 16 water slides and two children’s areas. There is also a wave pool and a series of tube slides as well as a mammoth family raft ride.

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Photography by T. Rob Brown

Work is underway on the new, massive $110 million high schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s gymnasium on the same footprint of the old high school, which was one of 10 Joplin school district buildings damaged or destroyed by the 2011 tornado.