Joplin Metro, All about that place, March April 2015 by Joplin Metro Magazine

volume 5

issue 9

march/april 2015

JOPLIN

All About That Place

14 48

ON THE COVER: : All About That Place

38 You’ll never leave hungry

14 Ten things to see indoors

42 Walk on the wild side

20 Ten things to see outdoors

46 Shop ‘til you drop

26 Get your kicks

48 PROFILE: PhotoSpiva Tweens

30 Fun in the sun

54 Mind Your Business: Country Caboose

32 Get out and play

56 TASTE: The Bruncheonette

34 It’s showtime

60 History: Glossary of History and Architecture

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 Brad Belk Michael Coonrod Bobbie Pottorff Amanda Stone

Contributing Photographers Roger Nomer Laurie Sisk Ryan Richardson Kristen Stacy Contributing ARTISTS Brian Huntley Lindsey Gregory Emily Smalley Kristen Stacy Regina Carnahan Cover Photo Lindsey Gregory Cover design Miranda Noland graphic design Publications Press, Inc.

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

The Joplin Globe 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

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

Director of Advertising Brent A. 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

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

It was at this moment where I gained a new appreciation for our little neck of the woods. I realized that we *do* have a lot to offer tourists, whether they hail from Sweden or Staten Island. Which is why this installment of J MAG’s cover package is, of sorts, a big “WELCOME!” postcard from us to you, the welcomed tourist or visitor, who now find yourselves here in Joplin for either a night’s rest, a quick bite to eat, a 24-hourplus stay or an extended visit with friends or relatives. We may be a mere dot on a Rand-McNally map, but when you pass our city limit signs, you’ll immediately see we have plenty — and I mean plenty — to offer you, whether it’s Route 66, historical homes, unique museums, Las Vegas-style casinos right across the border in Oklahoma or more than 200 restaurants. The other major package in this magazine is our preview coverage of PhotoSpiva Tweens. In past years we focused our attention on the younger kids, but this year we showcase the photographers in the 9-13 age range, those who are too old to submit photographs in the PhotoSpiva

Kids contest. And let me tell you, we were absolutely blown away by the talent this year. There are some future professional photographers or photojournalists in this batch, without a doubt. We want to thank those at Joplin’s Sweet Caroline’s Cream and Coffee for allowing us into their shop to shoot our cover illustration, which showcases the young models Grayer Messer and Haven Strickland. Also, we want you to go online and “like” our new and improved J MAG Facebook page. If you have any story ideas, send us a message. You can also reach us at kmcclintock@joplinglobe.com, by mail at J MAG, 117 E. Fourth St., Joplin, Mo., 64801, or call us at 417.627.7279.

Kevin McClintock Editor, J MAG

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But during that trip, we came across one of two groups of French bikers traveling through our area on Route 66. And I briefly spoke to a young French man by the first name of Pierre. He said this part of the country (though he could speak fairly good English, he had trouble saying the word ‘Missouri’), was beautiful, reminding him a bit of the rural French countryside. I remembered asking him if he was looking forward to seeing the Grand Canyon and Hollywood, but here Pierre surprised me by shaking his head no. “We wanted to see these parts of America,” he said, gesturing at the Route 66 Drive-In outside Carthage. “We wanted to see how *real* Americans lived” — his emphasis on that word. See, to him, cities like Joplin and Carthage, Carterville and Galena, represent the America he and the other French nationalists wanted to

see — not the big cities, yellow taxi cabs or Hollywood glitz they often saw in American movies or television shows.

ay back when, during our first year on this J MAG merry-goround, former editor Scott Meeker, J MAG intern Will Blanchard and myself hopped in a car and drove a good 600 miles round-trip following Route 66 from Galena, Kansas to somewhere in St. Louis. I say “somewhere” because we got lost there following poor Route 66 signage inside that city. And after going through a DUI check in Ferguson (yes, that Ferguson), we called it a day and hightailed it back to Joplin.

the scene

Yo u n g Pa i n t e r s Photography by Laurie Sisk

Lexa Hollingsworth, 6, is a study of concentration as she works on her landscape piece. Jordan Murdock teaches the class.

March/April 2015

Alissa Kean, 8, makes some finishing touches to her sunset-on-the-ocean landscape piece during a recent Young Painterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s class at the Spiva Center for the Arts.

Rayna Wiebelhaus, 6, dabs her painted brush into a jar of water during a recent Young Paintersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s class at the Spiva Center for the Arts.

the scene Art on tap

Photography by Laurie Sisk

Brad Fagan, left, and Charles Keeter check out the latest exhibit at the Spiva Center for the Arts during the annual “Art on Tap” event.

March/April 2015

Liz Carney, of the Springfield-based band Bella Donna, entertains guests at the annual “Art on Tap” event.

Volunteers serve a variety of cereal malt beverages at the annual “Art on Tap,” sponsored by the Spiva Center for the Arts.

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10-spot Joplin’s Speech and Debate Team By Bobbie Pottorff

national life. The first student debating society was St. Andrews, formed in 1794, as the Literary Society. Since the 1976, general election, debates between presidential candidates have been a part of U.S. presidential campaigns.

The “art of arguing” really hit steam during the Age of Enlightenment in the 18th century, where debating societies emerged in London and soon became a prominent fixture of

The following are 10 points and quotes about the JHS Speech and Debate team.

March/April 2015

oplin High School is known throughout the Midwest for a number of pluses; one of them is the school’s speech and debate team. Debating has extended roots, tracing back to philosophical debates of Ancient Greece.

Joplin High School seniors Joe Blank and Saniya Ablatt have been instrumental members of the school’s awardwinning Speech and Debate team the last four years. And while the team sports a lively collection of “bling” in the form of tall trophies, being members of this special group has little to do with the personal accolades. “Debating constantly works a person’s mind and helps to teach and diversify people,” says Blank. “Speech and Debate can really provide beneficial communication and analytical skills to those who take it seriously,” Ablatt added. Both Ablatt and Blank say they have learned valuable communication skills from being involved as members of the team. Arguing about and researching difficult subjects and current events constantly keeps a student thinking on the tips of their toes. “I love the feeling of accomplishment I get from competing,” says Ablatt. “When I know I have worked so hard towards an end goal and I can finally bring home a first place trophy, I feel like I’ve truly accomplished something as a competitor.”

Current team members, according to the team’s JHS web site, include the seniors: Saniya Ablatt, Joe Blank, Evan Blue, Ben Croy, Tess Harmon, Alan Hass, Ashley Nicholson, Kate Salmon, Grace White and Veronica Wynhausen. Juniors: Anna Blue, Tyler Burks, Maddie Fichtner, Sarah Lundstrum, Maverick Mai and Austen Still. Sophomores: Daulton Barnhart, Max Broglio, Anna Graves, Noah Graves, Monte Little, Andrew Thullesen and Katelynn Vickers. Novice members include: Christal Albrecht, Dylan Barnhart, Katie Brown, Keaton Campbell, Michael Carney, Tyler Courtney, Zach Hall, Hadley Harper, Tyler Harryman, Max Heckman, Tracy Helms, James Kensington, Payton Ledford, Grace Overman, Mariah Putnam and Emma Willerton.

The school’s Speech and Debate team typically consists of between 40 to 45 students, ranging from seniors to freshmen. This year’s team, consisting of nearly 40 students, is a member of the National Speech and Debate Association’s (NSDA) 200 Club. For the Joplin High School group, that means present and past members have accumulated more than 200 degrees — “each of the six years I have been here,” boasts Bobby Stackhouse, JHS teacher and team coach. “This is an award that only five percent of the schools in the nation achieve. We have also won numerous sweepstakes awards at various tournaments. I have had several kids qualify to the state and national tournaments in my six years. I have had kids place in the top three at the state tournament and I also had a student place ninth in the nation in Congressional Debate in 2013, and she then placed 12th in the nation in Congressional Debate in 2014.”

March/April 2015

Seniors Alan Hass and Tess Harmon take a moment to take a shared selfie during a recent tournament.

Joplin High School state champions since 2004 include: Alan Smith, 2004 (1st Place Dramatic Interpretation); Chris Prater, 2006 (1st Place Lincoln Douglas Debate); Adam Blood, 2006 and 2007 (6th Place Original Oratory and 2nd Place Original Oratory); Adam Blood/Tom Mourning, 2007 (4th Place Public Forum Debate); Jake Miller, 2008 (7th Place Dramatic Interpretation); Adam Blood, 2008 (7th Extemporaneous Speaking); Adam Blood and Tom Mourning, 2008 (4th Place Public Forum Debate); Stewart Pence, 2009 and 2010 (1st Place Lincoln Douglas Debate and 2nd Place Lincoln Douglas Debate); Andrew Noel and Jordan Preston, 2010 (4th Place Public Forum Debate); Stewart Pence and James Hoff, 2011 (2nd Place Public Forum Debate); Ethan Putnam, 2011 (4th Place Lincoln Douglas Debate); Stewart Pence, 2011 (4th Place Extemporaneous Speaking); James Hoff, 2012 (2nd Place Extemporaneous Speaking); Tess Harmon, 2013 (7th Place Original Oratory) and Saniya Ablatt, 2013 (8th Place Prose Reading).

More bling on display by seniors Veronica Wynhausen and Grace White. 11

Joplin High School’s Speech and Debate Head Coach Bobby Stackhouse is surrounded by key members of the school’s award-winning team, including Zane Craigmile, Saniya Ablatt, Grace White, Laela Zaidi and Veronica Wynhausen.

One would think that a lot of students who want to do this for a living would move on to become lawyers, judges or politicians, and some do, says Stackhouse. “But probably not as many as people might think. The kids that I encounter in this activity have a variety of career interests. Some go on to medical school, some go into business and some go into marketing.”

Speech and Debate involves many hours of research, practice and hard work between team members and their coaches. Stackhouse keeps his students motivated as they devote a great amount of time and energy to the team and the team’s activities. Graduating seniors say the hard work — and Stackhouse — are the two main things they’ll miss the most.

Added Ablatt, “I hope to be a part of the Georgetown University Class of 2019. I aspire to obtain a degree in public health and then move on to an MD/JD program in graduate school. I would love to work as a public “I’m going to miss the countless weekends coming home at midnight on a health official for the United Nations and Friday and leaving at six in the morning the next day to spend another 10 to 15 someday run for government office in the hours at a tournament,” says Ablatt. “Long weekends at debate tournaments means U.S. Senate.” I get to spend time with my best friends and incredible coach — all the people I have cherished the most from my high school experience.” “What I will miss most about being on the team is really the team itself,” added Blank. “Debate is four short years and it’s a one-time experience.”

“Students never refuse to argue a specific side,” says Stackhouse. “They understand they must be prepared to argue both sides of the issue when they go to a debate tournament. I tell them all the time, it doesn’t matter if you believe it, you need to make the judge believe it.”

March/April 2015

Stackhouse teaches his students to keep emotions and opinions out of the debate and simply argue a point based on the facts and data at hand. He says the NSDA tries not to get too controversial with the subjects the students debate, but they do try to stay relevant.

Senior Grace White echoes Blank’s sentiment, “I will miss being a part of the team. Despite the fact that we compete against each other, out team is extremely close. We choose to spend the majority of our weekends together at debate tournaments and share lots of support, laughs and love.”

Saniya Ablatt and Laela Zaidi hold up trophies with members of the class of 2014 Speech and Debate team huddled together. 12

A top-10 list of JHS students who have achieved the 1,000-point mark in the National Forensics League. These include: Stewart Pence, 2007-2011 (3,389 points); Drew Cox, 2010-2014 (2,029 points); Ethan Putman, 2007-2011 (2,024 points); Saniya Ablatt, 2011-present (2,005 points); James Huff, 2009-2013 (1,913 points); Kendal Micklethwaite, 2003-2007 (1,878 points); Shekar Dukkipati, 2005-2009 (1,856 points); Laela Zaidi, 2010-2014 (1,826 points); Adam Blood, 2005-2008 (1,818 points) and Andrew Frost, 2005-2009 (1,791 points). The full list can be found at http:// jhsspeechanddebate.weebly.com/ thousand-point-club.html.

March/April 2015

Below: A team picture of the 2014 JHS Speech and Debate team. From left to right, bottom row: sophomore Andrew Dodson, sophomore Katelynn Vickers, senior Veronica Wynhausen, senior Saniya Ablatt and freshmen Emma Willerton. From left to right, middle row: Head Coach Bobby Stackhouse, senior Kate Salmon, senior Tess Harmon, senior Evan Blue, senior Alan Hass, senior Ashley Nicholson, senior Grace White, freshman Payton Ledford, sophomore Tyler Courtney, freshman Christal Albrecht and Assistant Coach Levi Butts. From left to right, top row: sophomore Anna Graves, freshman Max Heckman, senior Ben Croy, senior Joe Blank, junior Anna Blue, sophomore Daulton Barnhart and freshman Mariah Putnam.

It would seem the reason Joplin High’s Speech and Debate teams have been successful year after year would be the common denominator — Coach Stackhouse. But he says it’s really more about the students and their talents. “I always say that the best part of my job is that I get to work with the best and brightest students Joplin High School has to offer. They are good at what they do because they are intelligent young men and women and they work hard to perfect their craft. They have a drive to be successful and that is evident in their performance.”

cover story a l l a bo u t t h at p l ac e Cover Package By KEVIN MCCLINTOCK Photography by ryan richardson, laurie sisk & roger nomer

JOPLIN

Ten Things to See Indoors

ou’re here in Joplin, and you want to find something fun to do, but typical of weather in this area, it’s either too cold to do something outdoors or way too hot for your liking. No problem. Joplin and the surrounding area has plenty of offer inside heated (or air-conditioned) buildings year-round. Here’s a rundown of 10 cool things to do indoors in our area that should keep you and the loved ones entertained.

March/April 2015

The Joplin Museum Complex The Joplin Museum Complex is actually five separate museums found under a single roof. Anyone that knows the Four State region knows that this area was built upon the mining rush that spanned the 19th and 20th centuries. The Everett J. Ritchie TriState Mineral Museum is a tribute to the metals used to build the area and the tools that the men who worked in those mines used. Additionally, fossilized remains, including wooly mammoth and Native American arrowheads, are on display.

Supported by the Cookie Cutter Collectors Club, this museum is a crash course on everything that has to do with cookie cutting. Giant tinsmith’s cutters, European cutters and even a special collection of the club’s annual membership cutters populate the display cases in the museum. Free cookie cutters, which are donated by club members, are available to all visitors of the museum.

If you’re a sports fan, this should be the first stop on your trip. If you were lucky enough to play on one of the city’s state championship teams, then a piece of your history lives on here, inside the Joplin Sports Authority Sports Hall of Fame, which is dedicated to the athletes, broadcasters and sports writers that have helped shape sports history in Southwest Missouri.

And finally, the Dorothea B. Hoover Historical Museum. While not an individual wing of the Joplin Museum Complex, most of what can be considered part of this museum is located in the halls between all the other wings. In that space is some of the most historically important artifacts to the city of Joplin. You’ll be able to gaze upon the miner’s helmet that John F. Kennedy donned on his visit to Joplin during his campaign or gaze upon an authentic 1927 American LeFrance fire engine that was used to fight blazes. For an extra treat, check out the miniature circus room that is a salute to the big-top era’s best traveling circuses.

March/April 2015

Though it may be strange to see a room in a museum dedicated to one company, it is fitting that Joplin has an area honoring the commitment that the Empire District Electric Company has made to the area. Inside are historical documentation of the modernization of the area, including the more than 600 miles of phone lines that Empire helped develop in the early 20th century.

March/April 2015

The Candy House Gourmet Chocolates Like chocolate? The Candy House Gourmet Chocolates has two locations, the Chocolate Factory (510 S. Kentucky) and the Redings Mill Historic site (454 Redings Mill Road). Aside from the sweet stuff, the two locations also offer chocolate truffles, fudges, caramels, peanut brittle, creams and jellies. There are gift gold boxes, baskets and towers, as well as Route 66-themed candy bars and baskets. The historic site location also has Anderson homemade ice cream attached to the building.

Hideout Harley-Davidson Dealership It only makes sense that, with Route 66 snaking through Joplin, that an authentic Hideout Harley-Davidson dealership (5014 Hearnes Blvd.) is ready to sell new and used Harley bikes, along with parts, accessories and insurance. There is a 14,000-squarefoot, state-of-the-art service department, complete with expert technicians and technology.

Laser Force Laser tag is about as close as someone can get to “cops and robbers” when they spend hours inside Laser Force (408 Northpark Lane). Up to 30 participants step into the 6,000-square-foot arena, hunting down others, engulfed in black light, fog, flashing lights and loud music, shooting lazer beams at another player’s lights. Players from age 5 to 85 are welcome. Single games are $7.50. Tilt Studio Northpark Mall has always been home to video game arcades, dating back to the 1970s, but nothing like Tilt Studio (101 N. Range Line Road) has ever been seen in Joplin. Literally, it’s a one-stop family entertainment enter. Aside from the latest interactive video games, there is an 18-hole black light jungle safari mini-golf course, a two-story jungle laser tag arena, an authentic bobsled roller coaster as well as a mini bowling alley. There are also multiple party rooms available for birthday parties. There’s even a full-time snack bar that includes miniand full-sized pizzas.

Coleman Theatre Miami, Oklahoma is home to the historic Coleman Theatre (103 N. Main St.), a majestic building that is rarely seen in this part of the country. Designed by a Kansas City architectural firm, the 1,600-seat theater opened on April 18, 1929. At a cost of $600,000 to construct, the building’s elegant Louis XV interior includes gold leaf trim, silk damask panels, stained glass panels, marble accents, a carved mahogany staircase, Wurlitzer pipe organ, decorative plaster moldings and bronze railings. In 1983, the Coleman Theatre was placed on the National Register of Historical Places. Tours of the building are available every Tuesday through Saturday and is available for touring, plays, concerts, conventions, community functions, weddings, and meetings.

March/April 2015

Precious Moments Chapel Inspired by Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel in Italy, Samuel J. Butcher designed and constructed the Precious Moments Chapel in Carthage. In fact, the chapel has been described by some as America’s “Sistine Chapel.” It took five years to build before it opened in 1989, instantly becoming one of the area’s hottest tourist spots. Highlights include 84 hand-painted murals by Butcher that adorns the walls and ceiling and 30 stained glass windows. It’s also home to the largest Precious Moments gift shop.

March/April 2015

Bluff Dwellers Cave Missouri is home to 6,400 caves, which is why the Show-Me State is also known as “The Cave State.” Most of the state’s caves are small and not open for public exploration. But Bluff Dwellers Cave (954 Highway 59 South), located outside Noel, is one of the better show caves in the area. The cave has been open since 1927 for public tours, with about 50 percent of the cave developed (the rest is purposely preserved). The educational tour lasts 45 minutes, an easy, well-lit walk deep beneath the ground.

Bonnie and Clyde’s Joplin Apartment The infamous duo of Bonnie and Clyde will forever have a historical footnote in Joplin’s history. On April 13, 1933, members of the Burrow gang were hanging out in a Joplin apartment (33471/2 Oak Ridge Drive) for 12 days before a firefight between the outlaws and lawmen erupted; in the aftermath, Joplin detective Harry McGinnis and Newton County constable John Wesley Harryman were shot and killed in the engagement. At least two gangsters, Clyde Barrow and Willam Daniel Jones, were slightly injured. According to local lore, a chink in the concrete lintel above the entrance may be from a police bullet; it is possible, since lawmen fired a total of 14 shots in their engagement with the Burrow gang, who were using sawed-off shotguns. The apartment is a private residence and isn’t open for public viewing or touring, though the building can be viewed and photographed from a Joplin residential street.

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March/April 2015

Casinos While a majority of Missouri’s casinos are located on the Mississippi or Missouri Rivers, due to the legalization of riverboat gambling by Missouri legislators in 1992, one of the largest concentrations of casinos located near Missouri residents reside right here in Southwest Missouri, just across the state line in Oklahoma. Residing in the Sooner State are nearly a dozen Las Vegas-styled casinos offering slots and table games, bingo, “stayand-play” packages, restaurants, hundreds of hotel rooms and suites, off-track betting, live musical events showcasing top-flight rock and country talents, RV parking and an awardwinning golf course. The most visited casinos in the area include Downstream Casino (69300 Nee Road) in Quapaw, Oklahoma (and closest casino to Joplin), Buffalo Run Casino (1000 Buffalo Run) in Miami, Oklahoma, Indigo Sky (70220 E. Highway) in Wyandotte, Oklahoma and Grand Lake Casino (24701 S. 655 Road) in Grove, Oklahoma.

cover story a l l a bo u t t h at p l ac e

JOPLIN

Ten Things to See Outdoors Grand Falls Waterfalls are some of the more beautiful and awe-inspiring occurrences found in nature, but unless you’re visiting Niagara Falls on the Canadian border, the mighty Iguazu in Brazil or Victoria Falls on the great Zambezi of southern Africa, it’s difficult to spot one within driving distance of your house.

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Which is why Joplin’s Grand Falls is a pretty unique stop for a quick picnic or photo selfie. After all, how many times in your life are you going to see a natural waterfall in the flesh?

Located on Shoal Creek, Grand Falls is the largest, continuously flowing natural waterfall found in the ShowMe State, as it plunges more than 25 feet while flowing south. It’s also one of the widest waterfalls found in the central U.S. The wideness can be contributed to the unusually thick chert rock layers. Directions: Off I-44, exit 6; south on Route 86 two blocks; west on Glendale Road 1.5 miles; south on Jackson across the low-water bridge; immediately west on Riverside Drive two miles; Grand Falls is on the right.

Inside the museum is the “Little Giant,” or the world’s smallest working replica of an early-day electric mining shovel. Constructed on a scale of one inch to one foot, it still weighs in at a hefty 700 pounds. A cost for a self-guided tour of the huge machine is $8 for adults and $5 for children between the ages of 6 and 12. Wildcat Glades Conservation and Audubon Center It’s a pretty rare and quite beautiful thing when you get the chance to view an entire living, breathing eco-system in a single location and at a single time. Called the Chert Glades, this habitat is unique to Southwest Missouri. Of the 60 acres found in the world, 27 acres can be found inside this conservation area, which is located at Joplin’s Wildcat Park. Think of Chert, which is flint in bedrock form, as being Missouri’s unique form of desert, since the glades are very dry with thin soils, similar to the larger, more harsh deserts found out west. Rare plants on display include prickly pear cacti, stunted oak trees and wildflowers during the spring. A rare lichen species dotting the various rocks, a variety of migrating birds nesting in the trees as well as an endangered freshwater mussel are just some of the animal species found inside this center’s acreage. Taking visitors throughout the Chert Glades are more than three miles of paved and unpaved trails.

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The cold steel shovel is both a symbol and tribute to the area’s mining past.

George Washington Carver National Monument George Washington Carver will always be remembered for the credit of inventing one of the greatest snack foods of all time — peanut butter. But he was so much more than that. A botanist and inventor, Carver researched and promoted alternative crops for cotton — namely peanuts, soybeans and sweet potatoes. In fact, he came up with 105 food recipes involving peanuts. His early life almost sounds like a Hollywood action movie — he was born into slavery and, when he was a week old, was kidnapped from his Missouri home by night raiders from Arkansas, but was later rescued. In 1941, Time magazine dubbed Carver a “Black Leonardo.” The lands honored in his name, in nearby Diamond just south of Joplin, was the first national monument dedicated to a black American and first to a non-U.S. President. The 210acre park includes Carver’s boyhood home and family cemetery.

Big Brutus, Inc. It rises above the treetops, 16 stories tall, like some type of forgotten, prehistoric animal roaming the flatlands of Kansas. But this 11-millionpound beast is no animal, but rather one of the largest electric shovels found anywhere in the world. For decades, this Bucyrus Erie model gouged from the earth roughly 150 tons of dirt with each scoop of its shovel — enough to fill up three railroad cars. It toiled during the 1960s and was last used in 1974, digging for coal. But with a maximum speed of just .22 mph, it was slow going. And today, permanently based alongside a visitor’s center that also doubles as a museum and gift shop in West Mineral, Kansas, it’s no longer going anywhere.

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Neosho National Fish Hatchery Established in 1888, the Neosho National Fish Hatchery, located in the center of Neosho, is the oldest federal fish hatchery in operation today. In 1890, the hatchery was a productive fish station raising seven species of warm and cold water fish. Through 2015, the hatchery, one of 70 located nationwide, produces more than 130 species of cold, cool and warm water fish, with the focus on paddlefish, lake sturgeon, pallid sturgeon and rainbow trout.

Think of it this way, without hatcheries like this one, many of Americaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fishing lakes, rivers and streams would not be able to sustain its fish population. The hatcheryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s water supply is from four gravity flow underground springs, located up to four miles from the hatchery. The 1,500 gallons per minute of 54- to 64-degree water allows hatchery staff to produce up to 90,000 pounds of fish annually and to rear several species of imperiled fish and other aquatic species.

Battle of Carthage State Historic Park While some of the largest Civil War battles took place in the eastern U.S. states, Missouri saw more than 1,200 distinct battles and fights; only Virginia and Tennessee had more battles on their respective soil. The largest fight in Jasper County was the battle of Carthage. The battle, which took place in mid-1861, was the first major skirmish taking place west of the Mississippi River, preceding the battle of Bull Run by 11 days. The historic site contains a quiet meadow and Carter Spring that was used an an encampment for both Union and Confederate troops during the battle, marking the location of one of the last clashes of the battle. An interpretive kiosk explains the events of that hot summer day in July 1861.

Harry S. Truman Birthplace Missouri’s only native born President, Harry S. Truman, was born in nearby Lamar on May 8, 1884, inside a small, six-room house. It was a white house, like the much larger one he would be living in at the end of World War II, though Truman’s first home had no electricity, running water or bathroom. After living in Lamar for less than three years, the Trumans would move to other Missouri locations, including Harrisonville, Belton, Grandview and Independence. He would live in the Kansas City area until his death in 1972. The birthplace of America’s 33rd President and the property on which it stands were purchased by the United Auto Workers of America in 1957, and given to the people of Missouri. The home has been restored and redecorated to the period of its ownership and occupancy by the Truman family. The exhibits at Har-Ber Village Museum feature a mix of authentic antiques, collectables and reproductions to provide visitors with a sense of times of the mid-1800s to the early 1900s. Har-Ber Village Museum is located at 4404 W. 20th St. in Grove.

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It’s a community cultural center that helps take people back in time, showing them how life was lived 100 years or more in the past. The village is home to a weaver shop, which shows how such things are made, as well as a blacksmith producing forge-fired items for sale. Frequent craft demonstrations is yet another popular way to educate the public about the village’s historical displays. Hands-on exhibits already exist at the Kid’s Cabin, the school, the jail and the Stagecoach Inn.

GRANNY SHAFFER’S

2728 N. RANGE LINE RD., JOPLIN, MO • 417-659-9393 7th & ILLINOIS, JOPLIN, MO • 417-624-3700 www.123eatpie.com

HABANEROS MEXICAN GRILL 100 LINCOLN ST., CARTHAGE, MO 2527 E. 7TH ST., JOPLIN, MO facebook.com/habanerosmexicangrillmo

Har-Ber Village The ultimate goal for Har-Ber Village in Grove, which has been open now for nearly 50 years, is to provide a hands-on approach to history.

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1505 W. 10TH ST. JOPLIN, MO • 417-623-5211 1714 S. RANGE LINE JOPLIN, MO • 417- 624-3460 www.dominos.com

MARIA’S

1901 EAST 32ND STREET, JOPLIN, MO • 417-624-8882 mariasmexicancantina.com

Historical homes A.H. Rogers is one of the more influential men in Joplinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s history, and his home has stood the test of time, surviving for more than a century. The beautiful home is located at 623 W. Fourth Street, one of dozens of historical homes found on south Sergeant and south Moffet comprising historic Murphysburg. The district covers the area between First and Seventh Streets on Sergeant Avenue and First and Fourth Streets on Moffet Avenue. Houses are designed in a variety of styles, from Colonial-Revival, Queen Anne, Romanesque, to Dutch Colonial, Classic Four Square and Prairie Style. In beautiful Carthage, there are seven houses that comprises a similar historic district, all a part of a self-guided driving tour. These private homes, erected between 1870 and 1910, were built in a variety of Victorian styles.

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Phelps House, Carthage

PHOENIX FIRED ART

Route 66 Carousel Park Described as a “nice amusement park that won’t break your pocketbook.” This is a popular local attraction for kids, teens and Route 66 travelers. Attractions here include a go-kart track, two

18-hole miniature golf courses, batting cages and an amusement park that includes a Ferris wheel, a merry-go-round and two juvenile roller coasters, “Go Gator” and “Tiger Terror.” The park is currently open on the weekends.

SAVE NOW On Your Energy Bills

Area Hearing & Speech Clinic

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Install Solar Control Window Film

2311 S. Jackson Joplin, MO 64804

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JOPLIN

Get Your Kicks!

he most magical road in the world, venerable Route 66, runs right through the heart of Joplin and surrounding area, as it has since the mid-1920s. Heck, the city of Joplin has forever been immortalized in the legendary Bobby Troupe song, “(Get Your Kicks) on Route 66,” with the lyrics: “Well it goes from St. Louis, Joplin, Missouri, Oklahoma City looks ooh so pretty.”

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Of the Mother Road’s 2,448-mile length, 32 miles slice across Jasper County. There’s another 13 miles just across the border in Kansas, the shortest amount of roadway of any of any state. The road continues into Oklahoma, which houses more original alignment of the road than any other state.

Partly due to past cave-ins from mines built beneath the highway during the 19th Century, Route 66 tends to zig-zag through town, from Seventh Street to Broadway, St. Louis, Euclid, Utica and Zora, to name only a few. Sadly, some of Joplin’s most iconic Route 66 landmarks are no longer with us today: Dixie Lee’s Dine and Dance, Dana’s Bo Peep, Spring River Inn, Castle Kourt or Keller’s Barbeque. But that certainly doesn’t mean this historic roadway lies barren. The following are some key spots we encourage you to visit during your stay here in Joplin.

Boots Court Motel In Carthage, the county seat, there’s a mustsee building at 107 S. Garrison known for decades as the Boots Court Motel. Opened in 1939, past guests have ranged from Clark Gable and Mickey Mantle, to Gene Autry and, most recently, a feature film crew from China. The Art Deco-Streamline building originally had 13 rooms, each with a radio in the room, a luxury for 1940s-era motorists. The motel, purchased and renovated by Deborah Harvey and Priscilla Bledsaw, now has five of the 13 rooms ready to rent. These rooms include 1940s touches such as real keys, chrome light fixtures, chenille bedspreads, monogrammed towels, built-in dressers and a radio turned to a station playing 1940s hits.

SuperTam 66 “The Road,” which doubles as main street through Carterville, is home to a unique yellow-splashed building called SuperTam 66, which is an ice cream parlor doubling as a Superman museum. Now you can’t get any more American than ice cream and the Man of Steel. Owned by Larry Tamminen, it continues to be a popular magnet for Route 66 travelers. Inside are tables and chairs, a Superman video game and a television playing “anything and everything” Superman. To keep the eyes busy, there are 3,000-odd pieces of Tamminen’s collection hanging on walls or situated on shelves. And the ice cream is delicious, 14 percent butter fat helps give it that rich flavor, and they come in — what else? — colors of red, blue and yellow.

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66 Drive-In Theater On the western part of Carthage sits the 66 Drive-In Theater, a form of movie entertainment which is all but extinct today. This majestic structure opened in 1949. Today, it shows two movies each night, for three nights, from April through midSeptember. Considering adult prices are $7 for two feature-length films, the cost is reasonable for families looking for an inexpensive, but fun, night.

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Union Depot Located in the heart of Joplin is the beautiful Union Depot building. Built in 1911, it was in constant service for 58 years, with the last train, named the “Southern Belle,” pulling out of station in 1969. It is one of the first “Prairie Style” depots built west of the Mississippi River. The structure has been vacant for more than 20 years and is in the possession of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. It is on the National Register of Historic Places and could make a grand home for a business or museum someday, so keep fingers crossed.

Four Women on the Route Four Women on the Route may sound like a popular country-blues band, but it’s actually the name of a converted service station in Galena, Kansas, that has become one of the best-kept secrets on the small stretch of Route 66 that runs through Kansas. Located at 119 N. Main St., this roadside diner and souvenir shop inside the former Little’s Service Station was built in 1934. Out front sits the rusty 1951 International boom truck which inspired the “Tow Mater” character in the Disney “Cars” franchise. Inside, a hamburger, hot dog or funnel cake can be whipped up and eaten in no time flat. Eisler Brothers Old Riverton Store In Riverton, Kansas, sits the Eisler Brothers Old Riverton Store, a Route 66 mainstay as well as a National Historic Register landmark. The store has been in operation since 1925, and now serves as a deli and gift shop for travelers. The store is mentioned in the closing credits for the movie, “Cars.”

The Rainbow Bridge Located between Riverton and Baxter Springs in Kansas is The Rainbow Bridge. This single-span, 130-foot concrete Marsh arch bridge was built in 1923, and today it is the only one of its kind found along the entire length of Route 66. The bridge, says Wayne Cook, a Route 66 enthusiast, “basically represents Route 66 because it is something that is so different than anything else you will see now.”

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Route 66 Vintage Iron Motorcycle Museum The town of Miami is home to a 2,000-squarefoot motorcycle museum and Route 66 gift shop that annually draws in tourists from across the nation and from around the world. To demonstrate that last fact, visitors from Pakistan, Bulgaria, Japan, Croatia, Afghanistan, Egypt, Vietnam, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, Taiwan, Kosovo, Slovak, Ukraine, and the Republic of Georgia entered the front doors of the Route 66 Vintage Iron Motorcycle Museum just in one month’s time back in 2013. Inside, there are 40 vintage motorcycles on display, as well as a collection of motorcycle memorabilia and ever-growing Evel Knievel display that includes the stunt man’s Snake River Canyon Jump Mission Control Super Van. Best of all, the museum is free (though donations are welcome!)

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JOPLIN

Fun in the Sun!

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here are plenty of ways area families can beat the heat or have some fun under the sun.

Aquatic Centers When temperatures tiptoe into the triple digits, thousands each week attend one of Joplin’s three aquatic parks. The Joplin Aquatic Center, located inside Schifferdecker Park and renovated in 2013, is the “ultimate” family attraction, according to the City of Joplin’s web site. It comes complete with a lazy river, a full 50-meter and 25-meter pools, a rock wall and water slides. The Cunningham Family Aquatic Center, renovated in 2012 and located at 25th and Maiden Lane, is home to two large water slides. Ewert Family Aquatic Center, located at 7th and School streets, offers four slides and a splash pad. There are other aquatic centers and large swimming pools in Carthage (the area’s newest public swimming pool), Carl Junction, Neosho (offers a 14,800-square-foot pool), Lamar, Miami, Oklahoma (features the Sooner State’s largest municipal swimming pool) and Pittsburg, Kansas (offers the fun Bicknell Island).

Golf Considered one of America’s favorite outdoor activities, there are a half-dozen public and private golf courses in Joplin and throughout the Four States area. Schifferdecker Golf Course (Par 71) is Joplin’s only public, 18-hole course and located on historic Route 66; it also hosts numerous annual golfing events, including the Joplin Golf Club’s Ozark Amateur. The Rangeline Golf Center (Par 30) is a public, executive nine-hole lighted course. The Briarbrook Golf Course in Carl Junction, built in 1964, is an 18-hole public course. In 2010, the residential community joined together to save and restore the once proud golf course. Another public course, located at Downstream Casino (formerly Loma Linda), is the Eagle Creek Golf Course, an 18-hole course with a Par 71. The golf course at Twin Hills Country Club is Joplin’s only private course, offering 18 holes at a Par 72. Other popular golf courses are located in Carthage (Carthage Golf Course, established in 1937, with a Par 71), Neosho (Neosho Golf Club, the original 9 holes built in 1924) and several more courses in nearby Pittsburg, Kansas.

Miniature Golf The Joplin area is also home to several miniature golf courses, including two, tree-covered areas at the Route 66 Carousel Park; two courses at Range Line Golf Course, and an 18-hole, black light jungle safari-themed course geared toward kids inside Northpark Mall’s Tilt Studio. Disc Golf It’s easy to call disc golf a “cousin” of the more popular sport for which it shares a name. Much like traditional golf, the goal is for the player to throw his or her disc into the bucket in the fewest amount of throws as possible. One of the area’s more attractive disc golf courses can be found inside Joplin’s McClelland Park. Established in 1998, the park has 27 holes, all par 3 except for a single par 4 on hole 10. The newest course, established in 2007, is located inside Joplin’s Morse Park. Other area disc golf courses include Lakeside Park in Carl Junction, Kellogg Lake in Carthage and the 18-hole course inside Pittsburg’s Lincoln Park.

Hiking and Biking The Joplin area is home to several lengthy hiking/biking trails: The Frisco Greenway Trail, a 3.5 mile stretch that runs from North Street to Highway 171 in Webb City, as well as the Ruby Jack Trail, a 16-mile trail that runs from Carthage to the Kansas State line. There’s also a city-sponsored trail through Landreth Park, running along the old MKT rail line to Lone Elm Road.

Paintball When not disc golfing, head on over to Paintball Ridge, at 3483 Coyote Drive, featuring the best strategic games using paintball guns as one team hunts the other beneath the Ozark trees. Venues include the “world’s largest” paintball castle complex, three 1,800-square-foot forts as well as a long bridge spread across 150 acres.

Closer to home, the area has a number of popular floating rivers, creeks and streams, including the 81-mile Shoal Creek, Roaring River in nearby Barry County, and The Elk River and its scenic tributary, Big Sugar Creek. All of these rivers have become a favorite float with canoeists in the western part of the state.

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Missouri may not have as many lakes and waterways as Minnesota, and it may not be known as the “Natural State” like our neighbors to the south, but the Southwest Missouri region is still home to large “watering holes” measuring in the tens of thousands of acres. Eight major lakes near Joplin prove popular for swimming, speedboating, skiing, scuba diving, fishing and sailing. These include Table Rock Lake, one of Missouri’s best bass lakes, Stockton Lake, offering the state’s best walleye fishing, Grand Lake ‘O the Cherokees in Oklahoma and Beaver Lake in Arkansas.

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JOPLIN

Get Out and Play!

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oplin and the surrounding area have seen a number of great athletes either born here, live here, or retire here. Bill Grigsby, the voice of the Kansas City Chiefs, began his radio career broadcasting Joplin Miners baseball games. And one of the players who played for the Miners during the 1950 season was the one and only Mickey Mantle. Alan Cockrell, probably the area’s best baseball player and current coach for the Seattle Mariners, attended old Parkwood High School. Rod Smith and James Thrash, NFL wide receivers for the Denver Broncos and Washington Redskins respectively, both graduated from Joplin’s Missouri Southern State University. And athletes born in Joplin hospitals include, among others, St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Tito Landrum and catcher Darrell Porter, former NFL defensive end Grant Wistrom as well as NASCAR driver Jamie McMurray.

But Joplin isn’t just home to great athletes. They are also home to a number of professional and semi-professional teams covering some of America’s most popular sports, including football and baseball.

Here is a quick rundown: Football may be the preferred sport of choice for Joplin residents, but professionally speaking, the Joplin Blasters rule the roost. The Blasters is an American professional minor league baseball team that will play for the first time here in 2015 inside the renovated Joe Becker Stadium, which will hold 4,200 fans. The stadium has been a baseball institution in Southwest Missouri since 1913. The first of 100 regular season games is scheduled for May 21, 2015, against the Wichita, Kansas Wingnuts. The team is managed by former Chicago Cubs player and minor league managing veteran Carlos Lezcano. All 2015 Blasters games can be heard on ESPN Radio 1560 WMBH. And remember, it’s not the first time professional baseball has been played in Joplin. From 1902 to 1953, Joplin was home to the Miners. In 1933, the team was affiliated with the St. Louis Browns and, in 1934, the Boston Red Sox. For the rest of their existence, they were affiliated with the New York Yankees.

Continuing with America’s favorite pastime, the Joplin Outlaws, an affiliate of the M.I.N.K. League, is Joplin’s collegiate summer baseball club. Formerly playing their games at historical Joe Becker Stadium, this wood bat league team will open the 2015 season in late May playing games inside the new MSSU Baseball Stadium on the east side of campus near Fred G. Hughes Stadium and the MSSU softball complex. All M.I.N.K League athletes are unpaid in order to maintain their NCAA eligibility. Each team is operated in a similar manner to a professional minor league team, providing players an opportunity to play under the same conditions using wooden bats, minor league specification baseballs, experiencing overnight road trips and playing nightly before fans in a stadium. The Joplin Crusaders, Southwest Missouri’s only 11-man Adult-Amateur Minor League Football Team, finished 14-0 in 2014. Playing home games at Fred G. Hughes Stadium on the MSSU campus, the team has one tradition, according to Head Coach Mike Sturgis:

“We win ball games.” The Crusaders play teams from Kansas City, Little Rock, Arkansas and Oklahoma City, and go head-tohead against the Tornadoes, the Zombies, the Guardians and the Marshalls. All of these teams play in the Central Football League. The Joplin Demize is a Joplin-based American semiprofessional soccer club which began play in the fourth-tier National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) in May 2014, with the 2014 NPSL season. The club, based at the Joplin Athletic Complex, plays in the North Division of the South Central Conference in the South Region, playing teams from Dallas, Tulsa and Oklahoma City. The team is mostly composed of local collegiate players.

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JOPLIN

It’s Showtime!

funny, romantic comedy. A beautiful typewriting girl. A musical about a beloved cartoon character. Little old ladies in tennis shoes. Early silent films by Charlie Chaplin. A guitar duo, a piano trip and a brass quartet. A haunting, powerful story concerning Anne Frank. A monthly “Rocky Horror Picture” live show, complete with gags bags.

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The examples above are all live shows that can be viewed here in Joplin or the surrounding area in late March, April and May.

A historical tourist spot itself, the Joplin Little Theatre (3008 W. 1st Street) is celebrating 75 years of presenting quality theater to our little corner of the world and is the oldest continuous operating community theater found west of the Mississippi River. “The Fantasticks,” a romantic musical directed by Jade Nicholas, will be showing in late March while the hilarious melodrama, “Bertha, The Beautiful Typewriter Girl,” runs at the end of May. The latter, which rounds out the theater’s anniversary year, was the very first production presented to area residents during the winter of 1939. The Stained Glass Theater is the second public theater located in Joplin, and as the name implies, it exists as an artistic ministry, supporting the work and spreading the word of God. The plays “Pygmalion” will run from March 19-29 while “Snoopy the Musical” runs from April 23-May 3. Located near the St. John’s Regional Medical Center, the theater was destroyed by the 2011 tornado. A herculean effort to rebuild the theater has been underway for years, with the goal of a establishing a new and permanent home.

Located just a “stone’s throw” from Joplin is a dinner theater located in nearby Carthage on historic Route 66. Stone’s Throw Dinner Theatre (South Stone Lane) is unique to the area in that a live, professional audience is entertained only after a full meal has been served. During a recent performance of Ken Ludwig’s “Moon Over Buffalo,” patrons dined on pork chops with mushroom sauce, wild rice, whiskey-glazed carrots, salad and a slice of strawberry shortcake. The Heartland Opera Theater (723 Byers Ave.) provides Joplin and the surrounding Four State Area with high quality opera and musical/theatrical performances featuring local artists as well as national and international performers at local school theaters, churches and the campuses of Missouri Southern State University, Crowder College and Pittsburg State University. A local favorite is the annual “HOT Scandals,” a cabaret-style show that presents songs and scenes that have been labeled as a bit “naughty” but “fun.”

Along with Pro Musica’s unique, black tie concerts, the Midwest Regional Ballet LLC (507 S. Wall Ave.) also encourages another type of big-city cultural selection to the Four States. The school professionally instructs students in Pointe’, Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Modern Contemporary, Hip Hop, Ballroom and Aerial Ballet dancing. They put on professional ballets each year. The latest? “Dracula,” which will run in mid-April.

Founded by Cynthia Schwab in 1981, ProMusica (211 S. Main) brings the type of live musical entertainment one would usually associate with a much larger city. Its mission is “to foster interest in, appreciation for, and enjoyment of classical music in Joplin and the four-state area.” In other words, they offer “ageless music for all ages.” In its first year, Pro Musica presented a single concert, the St. Louis Brass Quartet, Now in its 33rd year, area residents will be presented with chamber music ensembles of the highest professional quality, a biennial Symphony Orchestra performance, and the annual Joplin PoPs concert — and all open to the public at no charge.

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The Flower Box Theater in Neosho (129 W. Spring St.) was once a historic bowling alley that has since been converted into a music hall and event center. Local singing groups, magician Devin Henderson and Neosho-based singing group “The Fabulous BRDs” have all performed here.

Members of the Pittsburg Community Theater (503 N. Pine, Pittsburg, Kansas) produces three main stage shows annually, based inside the historic Memorial Auditorium. They also put on a two-week drama workshop for children — Jr. Starz. “Yours, Anne,” which runs in late March, tells the haunting life of Anne Franke. “Evita,” which runs in late July, is based on the life of Argentine political leaders Eva Peron. Across the state line in Oklahoma sits one of the most beautiful structures found anywhere: the historic Coleman Theatre (103 N. Main St.). This 1,600-seat theater opened on April 18, 1929, at a cost of $600,000. Even today, on display, are a number of

amenities: Gold leaf trim, silk damask panels, stained glass panels, marble accents, a carved mahogany staircase, Wurlitzer pipe organ, decorative plaster moldings and bronze railings. School plays and rare movies are played there, including four Charlie Chaplinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s movies in late May. Like the Coleman, there are other renovated theaters in our area that are now showcasing movies and even live events. These include the 620-seat The Colonel Fox in Pittsburg, Kan. (33407 N. Broadway), the nearly 600-seat Plaza Theater in Lamar (107 W. 11th St.), which has been showing movies since 1934 and was reopened after a fire in 1998, and the 318-seat Route 66 Theater in Webb City (24 S. Main), which, aside from movies, offers a very popular Rocky Horror Picture Show each month.

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JOPLIN

You’ll Never Leave Hungry!

he restaurant industry is a competitive environment, with 70 percent of restaurants closing in their first three years. The ones that make the cut stand out. And in our Southwest Missouri area alone, there are 230 restaurants catering to people each day.

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With the 2012 closing of Fred and Red’s, which had operated since 1923, Wilder’s Steakhouse has claimed the title of Joplin’s oldest restaurant.

Wilder’s, 1216 S. Main, has been a Joplin fixture since the Prohibition era. During its heyday, Wilder’s occupied six buildings on the block and could serve 750 customers, according to the Joplin Public Library’s records. At its peak, Wilder’s was remodeled multiple times in order to accommodate its customers who quickly learned of its reputation for good times and fine dining. One of these expansions included a Las Vegas-style gambling hall located upstairs that was raided and shut down in 1949. Mike and Marsha Pawlus are well versed when it comes to longevity in the restaurant business. They’ve owned Wilder’s Steakhouse for 18 years. Wilder’s motto since 1929 has been “Famous for Good Things to Eat and Drink.” The Pawluses continue to honor the

motto by offering hand-cut steaks and fresh seafood, along with superior service. Sadly, The Kitchen Pass, affectionately referred to as KP by regulars since 1986, closed earlier this month and will be replaced by the Midtown Pizza Kitchen, the third Joplin business owned by Jason Miller. Casa Montez, 2324 S. Range Line Road, holds the title of the longestrunning Mexican restaurant in Joplin. This year, Casa Montez will celebrate its 50th anniversary. David and Cindy Amayo have owned the restaurant since 1979, but it’s a family business that David has been involved with since the very beginning. They credit their success to an unwavering menu with original recipes. The award-winning cheese dip, fresh guacamole and secret margarita recipe are among the customer favorites.

• Taco Town - 2230 Fairlawn Drive, Carthage • Sub Shop Deli - 328 South Hall Street, Webb City • Mucho Mexico - State Highway 171, Webb City • Thai Spice - 209 North Main Street , Webb City • JJ’s Woodfire Pizza - 1612 S. Madison Ave., Webb City • Maria’s Mexican Grill & Cantina 1010 S. Madison, Webb City • Norma’s Kitchen - 21 S. Main Street, Webb City • The Original Gringo’s - 1401 S. Madison, Webb City • Rita’s Place - 2621-A N. Range Line Rd., Webb City • Roswitha’s Schnitzelbank 12167 Star Hwy. 43 N., Webb City • Benchwarmers Neighborhood Restaurant & Sports Pub 1201 Highway 96, Oronogo • Sharon’s Family Restaurant 404 North 4th Street, Jasper • Gem Dandy’s Pizza - 116 East Grand Avenue, Jasper • The Hungry House Café 1391 Lawrence S. Outer Road, Sarcoxie • Cowboy Bob’s - 600 Holland Avenue, Asbury • Bernie’s Route 66 Bar & Grill 175 Springfield Street, Avilla • Josie’s Ristorante - 400 N. Main St., Scammon, KS • Jim’s Steak House & Lounge 1912 North Broadway Street, Pittsburg, KS • Chicken Mary’s 1133 East 600th Avenue, Pittsburg, KS • Pichler’s Chicken Annie’s 1143 East 600th Avenue, Pittsburg, KS • Cooky’s Cafe - 519 Main Street, Golden City • Red Barn Cafe & Hen House Bakery 107 West Mt. Vernon Blvd., Mt. Vernon • The Bootleggers Restaurant & Brewery 101 S. Madison Avenue, Aurora

• Big R’s BBQ - 1220 East 15th Street • Caldone’s - 218 South Main • Club 609 - 609 South Main Street • Crabby’s Seafood Bar & Grill - 815 West 7th Street • Eagle Drive-In - 4224 South Main Street • El Vaquero - 2412 South Main • Granny Shaffer’s Family Restaurant 2728 North Range Line Road • Hackett Hot Wings - 520 South Main • Instant Karma Gourmet Hotdogs - 527 South Main • Kinnaree Thai Cuisine - 1227 East 32nd Street, Suite 1 • Mary Lee’s Café - 712 West 20th • M&M Bistro - 407 South Main • Mojo Burger Company - 702 South Maiden Lane • Red Onion Café - 203 East 4th Street • Stogey’s Coney Island - 2629 East 7th Street • Tokyo Japanese Steakhouse - 571 North Range Line • Woody’s Smokehouse BBQ - 25124 Demott Drive • Woody’s Wood-fire Pizza - 1831 West 7th Street • Randy’s Drive-In - 1201 East Pennell, Carl Junction • Bailey’s Eats & Sweets - 1200 Briarbrook Dr., Carl Junction • Gambino’s Pizza - 1203 East Pennell, Carl Junction • Whisler’s Drive Up - 300 N. Garrison Ave., Carthage • Boomers BBQ and Catering 1123 West Central Carthage • Carthage Family Restaurant 125 N. Garrison Ave., Carthage • Dos Arcos - 1926 South Garrison, Carthage • Iggy’s Diner - 2400 Grand Avenue, Carthage • Lucky J Steakhouse & Arena 11664 East Fir Road - Carthage • Oriental Villa - 2334 Fairlawn Drive, Carthage • Pancake Hut - 301 S. Garrison Ave., Carthage • Route Zero 3 - 609 West Fir Road, Carthage

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The Following Are Some of the Most Popular Restaurants, Based on Online Ratings.

“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. • 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. • We make preplanning in advance easy and convenient.

It’s Something To Do For Your Family

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The Colonel’s Pancake House, 842 S. Range Line Road, has been operating in the same location since 1960. Kelly and Jonah Weaver purchased the restaurant a year ago, with the goal of keeping one of Joplin’s longest established restaurants running for years to come. Kelly Weaver is a third-generation Joplin restaurant owner, and wants to keep the tradition thriving. They’ve adapted to meet the current demands of customers by going smoke-free and offering healthier menu options.

The area’s most preferred cremation provider

3701 East 7th Street, Joplin, MO 417.781.1711 www.masonwoodard.com

HOMETOWN DIRECTORY HEALTHCARE

Turtleheads Raw Bar, 4218 South Main, opened in 2003. Owner Dan Vanderpool relies on consistency and good service to keep customers coming back. They evaluate the menu every 6 months and make adjustments according to customer feedback. Turtleheads offers a variety of Cajun cuisine, live bands, karaoke and nightly specials.

Family Pharmacy

3202 Indiana Ave • Joplin, Mo 64804 417-623-3800

4402 E. 32nd St. Suite B Joplin, MO 64804 417-781-2900•www.JoplinDental.com

Joplin Family Dental

4402 E. 32nd St., Suite B • Joplin, Mo 64804 417-781-2900

Optical Outlet

2002 E. 20th • Joplin, Mo 64804 417-782-6985

AUTOMOTIVE

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“We’ve found that location doesn’t matter. People follow good food. Our success comes from being nice and always serving great food,” said James Chiu.

FAMILY PHARMACY

32nd & Indiana • Joplin, MO • 417-623-3800

James and Martha Chiu opened Fortune East Asian Restaurant in 1978. They are credited with bringing Chinese food favorite Springfield-style Cashew Chicken to Joplin. Their customers continue to show their appreciation by following the restaurant when it moves; the current location is at 1515 W. 10th Street. Although the restaurant’s location has changed, their business has not.

Barney’s Quick Lube

1020 E 32nd St • Joplin, Mo 64804 417-781-0502 41

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JOPLIN

Walk on the Wild Side!

he City of Joplin has always been tied to music, and it has nothing to do with the great ragtime composer, Scott Joplin — some folks think Joplin was named after this rather famed and influential man. Though the city wasn’t named after Scott, the famed pianist did perform in Joplin decades ago, playing lively ditties in the notorious House of Lords on S. Main St.

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Joplin has been a talent pool of sorts for locally-grown musicians throughout the years, from the 1920s to the new century. A small sample lists includes jazz saxophonist Charles McPherson,

ragtime composer Percy Wenrich and 1960s singer Elva Miller; the bands Livewire, Me Like Bees, Rhatigan Brothers, Diversity Band, Third Party, Totojojo; as well as Christopher Drew, a Joplin High School graduate, who has launched the popular bands Never Shout Never and Eatmewhileimhot. Many musicians have also visited the area, including jazz musician Billy Tipton, who performed during the 1940s inside Joplin’s Cotton Club; Frankie Avalon celebrated his 50th birthday in Joplin, while, during the 1920s and 1930s, famed composers John Philip Sousa and Duke Ellington both performed here.

There’s also lively karaoke at Frank’s Lounge and Rumors Cocktail Lounge.

Guitars Solace Music Venue Turtlehead’s Silverado Dance Club Old Broadway Club Steel Rooster Rock 3405 Legends Sports Bar Lover’s Leap Lounge at Downstream Tropicana Bar & Lounge

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Other Venues that Feature Live Music Regularly Include

The Joplin Memorial Hall headlined many big bands and performers during the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s, including Chicago, Garth Brooks, Weird Al Yankovic, Reba McIntire, Sugar Ray, Robert Plant, Cheap Trick, Snoop Dogg, Faith No More and Rick Springfield, among many others.

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Sadly, Memorial Hall in Joplin has sat largely vacant of major concerts, though the areaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s casinos have upped their entertainment game by adding big spaces for shows. Joplinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

Downstream Casino and Buffalo Run in Miami, Oklahoma, regularly attract some of the biggest names in entertainment, from recent performances by comedian Bill Engvall to country legend Willie Nelson.

Local music is also alive and thrives at several venues in downtown Joplin, which offer a sweet-sounding options for nightlife: JB’s Piano Bar JB’s Piano Bar is a relatively new addition, but it has already become an anchor of Joplin’s downtown scene. Dueling pianos take the spotlight at the large complex, located at 112 S. Main St. The indoor space is large enough to hold a crowd of hundreds and draws a mix of pianists, local bands and touring acts, including singer Carter Hulsey. The bar includes spinoffs such as the dance-club 180 Lounge and the fondue and martini bar Far Side of the Moon. Blackthorn Pizza and Pub Blackthorn Pizza and Pub is synonymous with local entertainment, having hosted bands such as Brutally Frank and Me Like Bees on its stage. Virtually every weekend features a showcase of bands from around the area. The stage, recently expanded, showcases every buzz worthy band in the Four-States.

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The Kitchen Pass The Kitchen Pass, one of Joplin’s longest-running musical venues, closed earlier this month. For more than 25 years the Pass has hosted a variety of entertainment, from musicians to comedians. It has also played host to cultural explorations, from Pro Musical Joplin chamber music concerts to Crowder Jazz Orchestra performances. The indoor Bypass and larger patio deck out back will remain open for private events, new owner Jason Miller said, who is converting the restaurant into the Midtown Pizza Kitchen, which opens next month.

Come visit us at Taste of Home Cooking School Saturday, April 18 Joplin Convention and Trade Center

cover story a l l a bo u t t h at p l ac e

JOPLIN

Shop ‘til You Drop!

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ne of the reasons this region is a shopping hub is due to its daytime population — nearly 240,000 people. That number nearly reaches 500,000 during the weekend days. And the numbers support this — well over $2 million in total retail sales in the Joplin metro area.

The first stop on any Joplin shopper’s list should be at the city’s largest venue in the center of town — Northpark Mall. The mall — opened in 1972 and termed a “super regional mall” — offered 600,000 square feet of shopping space. Today, the facility offers more than 1 million square feet of leasable space, featuring nearly 90 tenants, including a Route 66-themed food court hosting 10 restaurants, as well as a number of anchor stores: JCPenney, Sears, two Macy’s locations, T.J. Maxx, Vintage Stock and JoAnn Fabric and Crafts. Interior stores range from apparel and accessories, toys and game to jewelry, health and beauty and home furnishings. Across E. Third Street sits the $60 million Northpark Crossing Shopping Center and includes big ticket retail stores such as Kohl’s, Dress Barn, Michael’s Chico’s, Plato’s Closet, Kirkland’s, and Bed, Bath & Beyond. Essentially, Northpark Crossing Shopping Center bridges Northpark Mall with the popular Target store, which at one time was separated by a residential neighborhood that no longer exists today. Just across Range Line Road sits North Point Shopping Center,

which features Toys R Us, Babies R Us, Piers I Imports, OfficeMax, PetSmart, among others. The 1900 block of Range Line Road is also home to the Bel-Aire Shopping Center, which was devastated by the 2011 tornado and completely rebuilt. Up and down the length of Range Line Road, there can be found a number of key commercial businesses: Sam’s Club, Office Depot, Lowe’s, Sutherland, Hobby Lobby and Academy Sports & Outdoors. The downtown area has seen a rebirth since the early 2000s. Nicknamed the Sunshine Lamp district — named for the lamp helmets zinc and lead miners wore beneath the ground — city officials have preserved some of the area’s most historical buildings and refurbished the downtown district’s sidewalks and building facades with antique-looking lamp posts, benches and flowers baskets, blending the ancient with the modern. Downtown-based businesses include The Run Around, Spoke & Spandex, Changing Hands Bookstore, the 1914-based Newton’s Jewelers and long-standing business, Pearl Brothers Hardware, and popular comics store Hurley’s Heroes. There are plenty of unique clothing stores found along this stretch of S. Main St., as well, including Upstairs Boutique, Ambiance, Blue Moon Market, the Joplin Flea Market, Magnolia House Gifts & Antiques, My Sisters Closet, Six Eleven and Sophie. As the premiere home and garden destination in the Midwest, Sandstone Gardens offers handmade Euro-stone collections and botanicals throughout nearly 40,000 square feet of floor space. Other Joplin stores offering furniture, appliances and interiors include: Furniture Row Shopping Center, Madison Lane Interiors, Better Living Store, Wayside Furniture, Westco, Mardick Furniture Store and Metro Appliances and More.

profile PhotoSpiva By Kevin McClintock

s n e e Tw O

ver the last several years, J MAG has had the privilege of showing off to the viewing public some of the best photographic talent found in our little corner of the state, by publishing photographs from the participants in the annual PhotoSpiva Kids. We’re doing something a bit different this year. We’re moving up a notch in the age bracket and showcasing the best photography skills from the 2015 class of PhotoSpiva Tweens. These are the kids who aged out of the PhotoSpiva Kids.

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Back in mid-February, budding young photographers between the ages of 9 and 13 ventured to Spiva Arts Center and were taught a photography class by professional photographer Mark Neuenschwander, who owns 9art photography in Joplin.

Two photos from each participant will be selected by The Joplin Globe’s award-winning photographer Roger Nomer and framed for an exhibit that opens at Spiva in April. So, without further ado, here is a selected photograph and quote from each student. Enjoy! And show your support for these budding artists in April.

Kellen Badgley, 11 “I like to take pictures of wildlife. When taking pictures outside it gives me an excuse to be outside and explore nature. Photography also helps me see things through a different point of view.”

Josie Bliss, 13

“I really love photography! It’s amazing how you can take everyday things, snap a photo and have wonderful artwork! You can capture extraordinary events and details and pause time in one photo!”

Olivia Bliss, 14

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“Photography is a great way for me to express myself! I love it so much! It’s really fun to experiment with new techniques and ideas. It’s cool that you can record memories and events and turn them into art.”

Taylor Houdyshell, 7 “I love taking photos. I think it is a neat way to express myself. I especially like taking photos of the outdoors.”

Isabel Dutton, 13

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“My interest in photography started last summer in Florida. What I like about photography is looking at the world through the lens of a camera. This class reinforced what I already knew, but it also taught me new things about photography.”

Bella Loudermilk, 9 “I like photography because I love taking pictures of nature. I love being out in nature and around animals. I like taking pictures of landscapes. The class taught me how to be a better photographer and different ways to take pictures.”

Reagan Madole, 9 “What I love about PhotoSpiva Tweens is that most of the pictures are outside and that you get to see beautiful things. What I like about the class is that I can see other people’s photos. What I like about taking photos is that I can use my action figures and put them outside in God’s nature and it just looks really cool and you can set up scenes!”

Reece Madole, 9

Sarah Mueller is a 9 year-old third grader who loves to swim and dance. She loves to help out with every one and loves people. She takes care of her little sister and does chores. That is her style.

Sarah Mueller, 9

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“I like to take pictures of my action figures because you can make up scenes that can be really cool. I like the class because you get to see all different kinds of photos. I also like to play video games, draw, and play piano.”

Maggie Narrell, 9 “I like creating art in pictures. I really like dogs, especially dachshunds. I have two, Jeffy and Stretchy.”

Ian Suzuki, 9

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“I like photography because it can help me remember stuff. I like this class because I learned more about photography. I like history, like the Civil War, military men, books and making people laugh.”

Jacob Teeter, 10 “I enjoy taking photos of interesting, weird, creepy things. With my creativity I love sketching pictures of mythical creatures. I also enjoy taking pictures of graffiti.”

myb CountRy caboose By Amanda Stone Photography by Roger Nomer

‘A Really Nice

Caboose’ T

here’s a new place to get hitched in town, but it’s far from your standard wedding venue. The Country Caboose Wedding Chapel is an ideal location for those looking for a unique, intimate affair. “I’ve been told I have a really nice caboose,” chuckles owner Jane Ballard. The Country Caboose operated from 1989 until 2009, specializing in kitchen gadgets, cookie cutters and décor, until Ballard knew it was time to change things up.

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“When I opened the gift shop, I said I’d do it for 20 years. Twenty years is long enough to do just about anything. Then I knew I’d be ready to move on to the next thing,” Ballard said. “I didn’t know at the time that it would work out so well.”

Wedd ing Chape l

The May storm was a rough year for Joplin residents, but the Ballards also dealt with serious health problems. Bobby Ballard, a running enthusiast, suffered a heart attack during a run and endured a triple bypass. Jane battled and beat cancer. The couple is fully recovered and back to doing what they love. “We have a lot of irons in the fire. We’re hosts to the Mustang Mother Road Rally, which we expect to bring in 400 Mustangs this year,” she said. “I also dabble in photography, so I have several shows and workshops that I’m attending before we start booking weddings full time.” Trains have been part of the plan, though, ever since the Ballards purchased their caboose in 1989. “After we went to Kansas City and found our caboose, I was train obsessed,” Ballard said. Santa Fe Railway retired the caboose in March of 1989; Ballard had it home by June. They opened the Country Caboose gift shop and their train obsession was off and running. “When I first started collecting, I figured out really quick that I would go broke collecting all the train stuff I wanted. I decided to focus our collection on Santa Fe, because of our caboose.”

After closing the gift shop, The Country Caboose became a railroad museum with Ballard’s train collection on display for the public, free of charge. The museum will continue to operate with the collection in the green-colored Jersey Central Passenger Car, which sits next to the caboose. It has history of its own; it was built in 1927, and ran commuter service back East before it was retired and moved onto the Ballards’ property.

While the caboose will be a wedding chapel, the nearby Jersey Central Passenger Car #1053 serves as a railroad museum, featuring a private collection of railroad memorabilia. 54

Prospe rity pro pe home t o new, rty is unique

The Ballards weren’t sure where their train obsession would take them next until they drove past a tiny wedding chapel in nearby Mt. Vernon. Inspiration struck. Soon after, they emptied the caboose, Bobby got ordained and they started booking weddings.

Area Wedding Chapels A wedding is a celebration of the union of two people in holy matrimony, a moment they will remember for the rest of their days. But to have that union, there needs to be a venue to hold the event. Luckily, Joplin residents looking to tie that proverbial knot have a solid list of uniquely beautiful locations to choose from. Here are some other wedding venues located in the Joplin area:

Cedar Meadows Wedding Chapel 6271 W. Cedar Meadows, Joplin

Civil War Ranch

11838 Civil War Road, Carthage

Grace House Event Center 1302 Main, Galena, Kansas

Historic Phelps House 1146 Grand Ave, Carthage

Keltoi Winery

17705 Country Rd. 260, Oronogo

Lavern’s Wedding Chapel 15 B SE, Miami, Oklahoma

Silver Creek Park Wedding Chapel 3925 S. Range Line Road

Springhouse Gardens 2957 Greenwood Dr., Joplin

White Rose Bed & Breakfast 13001 Journey Road, Carthage

Jane Ballard talks about how she selected the Country Caboose for a wedding chapel. The Country Caboose in Prosperity outside Joplin is being converted into a wedding chapel. “We want this to be an alternative to the courthouse or to the big, expensive, blowout weddings. The caboose will seat about 20 people comfortably, so it will be great for couples looking for an intimate ceremony. Or for the train freaks like me,” laughed Ballard. The Country Caboose Wedding Chapel will be available fulltime after July 1. It can be a one-stop wedding destination, with packages starting at $250, Ballard said. There’s an area for a small reception with a kitchen if couples want more than the usual cake and punch. A seating area will have books and photos of past weddings for guests to peruse and a small gift shop in case guests need to pick up a last-minute offering. “We can take care of the officiant, music, decorations and even the pictures,” she said. “As a couple, all you have to do is get your license, invite the people you want to be here with you and show up. That’s the important part.” M arch / A pril 2 0 1 5

Williams Event Company LLC

104 S. Joplin Ave. Joplin

Jane Ballard sets up chairs inside the converted train caboose.

The venerable Santa Fe Caboose #999456.

taste

The BRuncheonette By michael coonrod Photography by Laurie Sisk

The+

The

Bruncheonette Bruncheonette Breakfast & Lunch

Small brunch-time cafe brings eating option to North Main

ean Flanagan and his wife Chas are offering a different take on comfort food at The Bruncheonette (a neat play on the “luncheonette” word). Situated in the building where a young Sean had his hair cut at 424 North Main, the cozy dining area plays host to locals and visitors with a taste for adventurous flavors. And the restaurant’s reputation is spreading.

Do bagels and orange juice make you long for a sit-down brunch?

Do you need a new way to start your day or a refreshing take on a working lunch?

March/April 2015

Jackie Ames recently wrote the following on Urban Spoon about the Flanagan’s restaurant: “If you are looking for a hidden gem, this is the place. Can hardly wait to go back!”

Are the drive-through breakfasts and coffee not making the culinary cut anymore?

The Bruncheonette, which has been open for a year now, sits near the intersection of C and Main Streets. This breakfast/lunch cafe offers an eating option on North Main.

Kathy Wrensch, Leslie Barkley and Marsha Bates enjoy a sit-down lunch during a recent Friday inside The Bruncheonette.

J MAG recently sat down with Chas to talk about their unique contribution to Joplin’s restaurant scene.

Q: Why did you choose this menu? A: We always knew we’d do a breakfast, just because we wanted to bring something a little new to what breakfast is around here. We originally considered a deli, (but) something didn’t work there, so our plan was to do [eggs] Benedict on the weekends and we just kind of re-worked it and switched it to this and what a great thing! We couldn’t be happier with it.

Q: Why this location, did you think it was underserved? A: No, we always liked this area. It’s a really good location. It’s

close to homes; it’s close to college, it’s close to downtown. It really is close to a lot of things and it has parking, too: it’s downtown and it has parking.

Q: What would you say the most popular menu items are? A: The main one, overall, is the Benny Harper. It’s an eggs

Benedict with bacon, tomato and avocado. That one is number one. The next one would probably be the poutine; which has fries, gravy, cheese and eggs, so it’s pretty awesome. Our favorite, we love the Island Stylee Sandwich; it’s a sushi-grade tuna burger and carrot fries.

Q: Would you consider expanding your hours to a full week? A: I don’t think we could. (Hours are 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Wednesdays-Fridays and 9 a.m. until supplies last on Saturdays and Sundays). We really like to keep things clean and then we have no kitchen space really, as far as refrigeration and stuff, so we have to keep it small and just the prep work we have to do; it would be really hard.

Q: You have some interesting menu items for this area. Do

people in Joplin like poutine? A: Oh yeah, really gravy on anything is good. Think about it that way. Our gravy is pretty unique: it has sausage, bacon and chorizo. It’s very meaty gravy. So it’s not really expected when you get it and yeah, they really like poutine.

Q: Where do you get your culinary inspirations? A: Sean’s a big [cook] book reader. Word of mouth; what you hear, what you see, and then sometimes you’ll just see something at a store, like: “oh, what’s that?” and then figure out what goes with it. You never know ‘til you try. On the menu we have pulled-pork pancakes (laughs).

Diners enjoy lunch on a busy Friday at “brunch” time. Brunch originated in England in the late 1800s and became popular in the United States in the 1930s.

Q: You have a 100 percent rating on Urbanspoon, did you know that?

A: No (laughs). People have been very generous, very nice to us.

Q: It sounds like you’ve brought things here that no one in the area had experienced before and they like them? A: Yes and no. Joplin’s branching out a bit, getting more creative with their menus. I like to think that we all feed off each other a little bit; and people are really daring. We throw some pretty crazy stuff out there every now and then and they jump on board; they go for it. We don’t put anything out that we honestly wouldn’t believe in.

March/April 2015

Everybody comes in and has fun and really if somebody doesn’t like something, we will go out of our way to make sure that they get something they do like. We don’t want anyone leaving hungry. Not everybody’s tastes are the same. Surely there is something on our menu we can find that you’ll like and people appreciate that, I think.

The Island Stylee, one of four lunch dishes available on the menu, consists of sushi grade tuna with a sriracha vinaigrette. The mixture is formed into a patty and served on a bun with arugula. Here, the entrée is pictured with The Bruncheonette’s famed carrot fries.

“Try the carrot fries with the Sriracha vinaigrette,” one gushing reviewer on Urban Spoon said of The Bruncheonette’s menu. “It’s really something special.” The restaurant’s menu is a unique one, ranging from pancakes with Boulevard’s 80 acre beer syrup

Carrot Fries Sliced Carrots Flour Salt & Pepper

for breakfast, nutella/banana Crepes for brunch and a Croque Monsieur, a grilled ham on wheat sandwich with carrot fries, for lunch. And one of restaurant’s favorite sides are carrot fries. Here is the recipe!

• Slice carrots (can be done the night before) • Soak carrots in water for about 30 minutes • Remove carrots from water and dredge in flour, shaking off any e xcess • Deep fry the carrots for about 1 minute. • Sprinkle with salt and pepper, serve immediately.

HI, I’M JOE TAYLOR. Overton, Texas. What keeps me coming back to the Trail? It’s just absolutely sensational. I have people tell me what they’ve spent playing one round at Pebble Beach and a night at the hotel, or going to Pinehurst for a couple rounds. We do the entire week, travel, hotel, green fees, good meals and everything for the price of one day at these places. And it’s absolutely a sensational place to come. TO PLAN YOUR VISIT to Alabama’s Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail, visit rtjresorts.com or call 1.800.949.4444 today. facebook.com/rtjgolf twitter.com/rtjgolf

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

T L

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IONIC CAPITA

he Ionic order is derived from classical Greek architecture. It is distinctively characterized by a capital utilizing two opposing volutes. An outstanding example of the Ionic capital can be found inside the Old Elks Offices. The Benevolent and Protective Order of the Joplin Elks Lodge No. 501 was established in 1899. Three years later members of the Lodge purchased the corner of Fourth and Pearl. On this site Austin Allen designed for the fraternal group a $40,000, two-story with raised basement red brick masterpiece. This 220 West 4th Street address would remain as their headquarters until 1977. Today, the building has been beautifully maintained and is the home of Old Elks Office Blanchard, Robertson, Mitchell and Carter, P. C. In 1985 the building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

with an afternoon and evening preview. At the time the structure was located on the south edge of Joplinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s central business district. The site was most accessible adjacent to the railroad and conveniently situated on Main Street, thus accommodating both modes of travel of rail cars as well as automobiles and trucks. The large wholesale commercial warehouse possessed the ability to receive merchandise from railroad car or truck, temporarily store the goods and then in turn repackage them by making new products, and finally sending them back out their doors via train or truck transferring the goods to retail stores in the region. For five decades it was the home of the Inter-State Grocery Company. This company was formed in 1901 when three local grocery wholesalers merged. Today it remains a beacon for preservation and houses various businesses. The building is testimony that even a massive structure can find new meaning and become vibrant once again. For everyone who had a hand in this long tedious expensive restoration process, we thank you and happy 100 year anniversary!

istory shows us that our buildings can live beyond us. The restoration of the Gryphon building is another proud step in the preservation efforts of Joplinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s downtown urban core. The building is among a select number of buildings constructed in Joplin prior to World War I that incorporated new technological advancements in reinforced concrete technology, while offering a unique architectural style of its own. Six hundred thousand pounds of steel rods were used in reinforcing the concrete. In addition there are sixty-four concrete columns that travel 25 feet below the basement. In 1915, the Inter-State Grocery Company built this $225,000 multi-story commercial building. It made a statement with its rich terra cotta embellishments and unique brick bond pattern faĂ§ade. The design work was completed by Kansas City architect John W. McKecknie, who had a productive career designing more than 75 buildings in Kansas City. More than 5,000 people attended the grand opening of the Inter-State Grocery Company warehouse on February 19, 1915. The event was so big that they had two receptions

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Interstate Grocery Company

ewal n e R n a b r Joplin U ic in took a dramat downtown Jopl of e ap sc e nd th la he entation of ith the implem different look w ilizing grants program. By ut al ew en R an rb ent of Joplin U d States Departm te ni U e th om fr s ce during the 1960 e Land Clearan evelopment, th D an rb U a d k an oo Housing r Joplin undert ent Authority fo core of for Redevelopm lizing the center ta vi re at ed m ai major project plan, referred to ness district. The si bu n ow nt w operty, razing the do lved acquiring pr vo in t, w ec oj Pr ss property for ne as Progre and selling the , es ur ct he ru T . st g 72 $1,528,3 disintegratin the project was of st co l C ta e To d th ity construction. ent of the cost an rc pe 75 id pa t en sh credits. federal governm through non-ca t en rc pe 25 d bute of Joplin contri

in look like what would Jopl , is d ke as n tio es they The common qu in place? Would ctures were still ru st e ould w os th or if again, in 2015 ness store fronts si bu t an br vi st e the co , have becom oved because of m re lly ua ad gr nkfully they have been negligence? Tha r’s ne ow e th or d/ maintenance an in place to save support systems r s or tte be e ar e er er it is the 1960 today th the end, wheth in ut B e . th es r ur fo ct ss plan historic stru ion, the busine at or st re of st ill st co e ar the 2010s, the t by the owner, the commitmen as l el w as g in build ty. saving a proper key elements in

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s i r I e h : r e T w lo F Joplin’s process agreed to start a

ity Council 38 the Joplin C was reported civic groups. It n November, 19 s ou ri va ng lli ssociation, wer by po Joplin Credit A e to select a city flo th of rs be em Junior ting that m , Kiwanis Club, on gi Le at a Council mee an ic er m b, A y Club selected ’s Breakfast Clu merce and Rotar om Credit Women C of r be m ha 18399 which merce, C ouncil Bill No. C Chamber of Com ed uc od tr in sure was ilman Herron the Iris. The mea be ld the Iris. Counc ou w er w ity of Joplin flo the Iris as the stated that the C 17399 designated o. N ce an in rd by the members ssed. O uri. It was passed unanimously pa so is M , in pl Jo o single color of the city of ember, 1938. N ov official flower of N of y da th the grounds cil on the 15 can be found on is Ir e of the city coun th to e ut ier ed. Today, a trib artist Randy Pr Iris was stipulat al Foods. Local ur at N s e’ nn za and Su of Garvin Park ature flowers. gn si created these

Jasper County

he slang term of “Jack” is a quick reference nickname for the mineral sphalerite or zinc. For over 75 years the Joplin region was the major supplier of zinc. There are two theories to how the word Jack became used as a substitute. One is the connection to the word “jaune” the French word for yellow. The zinc ore varies in color from yellow to brown, black and beautiful translucent red. In the Tri-State region the dominate colors were red, that was referred to as “Ruby Jack” or to black, which was called “Black Jack.” The miner’s hand-me-down stories also have merit as reported on numerous occasions. With a plug of tobacco occupying the side of one’s mouth, it was simpler to spit and say “How much for the Jack?” The beautiful thing about folklore is, whether the story is true or not, the reference remains firmly entrenched into the mining vernacular.

Mining the Past - Jack

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ergeant William Jasper was a Revolutionary War hero that was honored for his bravery under fire at Fort Moultrie, on June 28, 1776. Sergeant Jasper, while risking his life under a barrage of fire, saved the American flag. For his heroism he was offered an officer’s commission, which he declined as being inappropriate for a man of his humble origins. However, he did accept a sword from John Rutledge, President of the Carolina provincial government. Ironically, the gift was presented to him on the historic day of July 4, 1776. Jasper’s name comes up in conversation again, this time with Sergeant John Newton. The story goes that both Sergeants were teamed up on a rescue mission two miles north of Savannah. Jasper and Newton surprised British soldiers that were escorting twelve American prisoners. By catching the British off guard, they were able to rescue the Americans. Although the rescuing of the prisoners has never been conclusively documented, they were both immortalized in the Currier & Ives engraving titled “The Rescue.” Jasper’s last act of valor occurred during the ill-fated siege of Savannah on October 9, 1779. Sergeant Jasper accompanied an American column during a pre-dawn attack. He was wounded twice while carrying the American flag. According to the battle accounts, it was the second wound that took his life. He was buried in an unmarked grave near Purrysburg, South Carolina. This area was later named Jasper County, the first of many counties in the United States to use the name of Jasper. In 1821, Missouri was admitted into the union as the 24th state. During the early stages of the development the state was broken into large counties. For a period of time a large portion of Southwest Missouri was attached to Crawford County. As the years progressed, Crawford County was sectioned off and new counties were formed. Barry County was formed from a portion of Crawford County. One thousand five hundred acres were removed from Barry County to form Newton County on December 13, 1833. This huge parcel of land would be divided up again to create additional counties of Jasper, McDonald and Barton. Jasper County was officially recognized on January 29, 1841. Newton County was also named after Sergeant John Newton.

The

Five local historical museums

Galena Mining Museum, Galena, Kansas Occupying a spot in Galena that was once occupied by a railroad depot, the Galena Mining Museum serves as a tribute to the area’s rich mining history and as a historical archive for the city’s strong Route 66 ties.

Crawford County Historical Museum, Pittsburg, Kansas For a small building, the Crawford County Historical Museum sure packs a lot to do. You can catch a picture outdoors with a steam shovel used in the Weir-Pittsburg coalfields or hitch a ride on an authentic fire truck purchased by the city in the 1930s. If war-related items are your interest, then you’ll be able to take in important Civil War-era weaponry too.

Carthage Civil War Museum, Carthage Visitors to this hidden gem of a museum located just off the Carthage square showcases rifles, ammunition and other weapons from the Civil War era, including an original shell jacket from a Missouri State Guard howitzer battery. The unit fought at three of the four major battles in our area: Carthage, Wilson’s Creek in Springfield and Pea Ridge in Arkansas. One of the coolest features the museum hosts is a wall-sized mural of the Battle of Carthage, hosted in front of the museum’s entrance.

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Baxter Springs Heritage Center & Museum, Baxter Springs, Kansas Though it may be named for Baxter Springs, a lot of the area’s history has found a home at this museum, including relics from Quantrill’s Raid and the now-defunct town of nearby Picher, Oklahoma. Be sure to use some of the technology enhancements, such as the iPads, which have been donated by museum supporters to enhance the navigation of the museum’s rather deep archives. Overall, this is a 20,000-square-foot, two-story museum serving 9,000 people each year.

Dobson Museum, Miami, Oklahoma Nestled on Route 66 in Miami, the Dobson Museum is a one-stop historical field trip. Thanks to Miami’s unique location between several Native American nations, many tribal artifacts are currently on display here. Famed Miami artist Charles Wilson, who was a nationally known lithographer and painter, has several unique pieces housed inside the Dobson.

parting shot Morning Mist

March/April 2015

Photography by Ryan Richardson

The morning sun begins bleeding off an early morning fog blanketing the foothills of the Ozark Mountains in Southwest Missouri.