Missouri Life April 2017 by Missouri Life Magazine

B A M !

H o n o r i n g M i s s o u r i ’s W W I H e r o e s

14 Flower Farms BRING HOME THE BEAUT Y

P U S H I N ’

P E D A L S

A N D

P I C K I N ’

P E T A L S

THE SPIRIT OF DISCOVERY

The Great Eclipse 101 Unexpected Dining Delights APR

Ride Big BAM Bicycle Across Missouri Our Top Troupes and Theaters

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April 2017 $4.99 US | $4.99

(Display until April 30)

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www.visitmarshallmo.com

upcoming events Stay with us in Marshall Great American Solar Eclipse upcoming events Marshall is fortunate viewing J JUU LLY Y locations in the nation JN AU NA U AY R Y to be one of the prime JA R

LODGING

Photo courtesy of Marshall Democrat News

Photo courtesy of Chris Nelson

Day in the Parkwill forFarm the Toy Great American Solar Eclipse. Observers here Saline County Fairexperience 2 Show Farm Toy Show Comfort Inn – Marshall Station www.visitmarshallmo.com crookwj@sbcglobal.net crookwj@sbcglobal.net minutes and 39 seconds of total darknesswww.marshallmoparks.com beginning around 1:00 p.m. 1356 West College St. Fair Marshall Bowhunters Annual August we areCounty hosting the Eye on Ozarks Self ER BU R21. U To A R Yoff eclipse events, Saline 660-886-8080 F on EFB A R kick Y www.visitmarshallmo.com Bow Jamboree Marshall Bowhunters Snow Shoot Marshall Snow Shoot www.comfortinns.com the SkyBowhunters Speaker Series. Marshall Bowhunters Annual Ozarks Self www.marshallbowhunters.org www.marshallbowhunters.org www.marshallbowhunters.org Bow Jamboree MATPA Antique Tractor Pull •Marshall April 13 at 7:00Orchestra p.m. at Charles L. Bacon Conference Center, Philharmonic Orchestra Marshall Philharmonic www.marshallbowhunters.org Claudia’s B & B www.cityofslater.com www.marshallphilharmonic.org www.marshallphilharmonic.org Missouri Valley College -- Come hear Fred Espenak, aka 3000 West Arrow St. MATPA Antique Tractor Pull 660-886-5285 A U GGoddard UST Eclipse. NASA’s MR AC RH C Mr. H Espenak is retired from www.cityofslater.com M Mr. A Friends of Pennytown Reunion Women in Conference Ag Conference Women inCenter. Ag Flight He is an expert in eclipse A prediction and U G U S T www.pennytownchurch.com www.womeninag.net www.womeninag.net Courthouse Lofts Solar Eclipse Events astrophotography. www.visitmarshallmo.com Marshall Bowhunters 3-D Shoot 23 North Lafayette Ave. Marshall Philharmonic Orchestra Marshall Philharmonic Orchestra •www.marshallphilharmonic.org May 18 at 7:00 p.m. at Charles L. Bacon Conference www.marshallbowhunters.org www.marshallphilharmonic.org 207-841-9364 Friends of Pennytown Reunion Center, Missouri ValleyAnnual College -- Listen www.pennytownchurch.com toRemote Val Germann, www.courthouselosts.com Control Field of Dreams Fly-In Marshall Cultural Council’s Craft Marshall Cultural Council’s Annual Craft & Meet Bowhunters 3-D Shoot andtwice Art Festival chairman ofSwap the Astronomical and Art Festival of the Mid-States RegionMarshall www.cityofslater.com www.marshallbowhunters.org www.marshallculturalcouncil.org www.marshallculturalcouncil.org Marshall Lodge League. Remote Control Field of R Dreams Fly-In 1333 West Vest St. E P T E M B E AP RPIRL •AJune 1 IatL8:00 p.m. at Common Good&S Natural Living, 3317 Swap Meet 660-886-2326 Santa Fe Trail Days Grand National Bluetick Breeders of Marshall Bowhunters 3-D Shoot www.cityofslater.com S. Odell – Experience an interactive presentation by James Lehr www.marshallculturalcouncil.org www.marshall-lodge.com www.marshallbowhunters.org America/ Bluetick Breeders Coonhunting Miller, aka Starman, a UFOlogist and expert inFall night observing S E P T E M B E R Reunion Slater Festival Steve McQueen Day Santa Fe Trail Days www.bluetickbreedersofamerica www.cityofslater.com and telescope construction. Super 8 Motel of Marshall www.cityofslater.com www.marshallculturalcouncil.org 1355 West College St. Marshall Bowhunters 3-D Shoot Missouri Valley College Stampede Rodeo Murder Mystery Dinner Slater Fall Festival www.marshallbowhunters.org 660-886-3359 www.moval.edu www.marshallmochamber.com For the latest information and to find more eclipse events, www.cityofslater.com www.super8.com Steve McQueen Day MissouriValley State Cornhusking call 660-631-4190 visit www.MarshallMOSolarEclipse.com Marshall Community and Chorus Missouri College Stampede Rodeo www.cityofslater.com www.visitmarshallmo.com www.marshallcommunitychorus.org www.moval.edu Photo courtesy of Marshall Democrat News or on Facebook Instagram, MarshallMOSolarEclipse. Tower Extended Stay Suites Marshall Communityand Chorus Country State Patchwork Quilt Show Missouri Cornhusking Marshall Philharmonic Orchestra www.marshallcommunitychorus.org 420 North Miami Ave. www.countrypatchworkquilters.com National Cornhusking Championships www.marshallphilharmonic.org 660-631-9218 Marshall Philharmonic Orchestra www.cornhusking.com OCTOBER www.marshallphilharmonic.org MA Y- S E P T E M B E R www.towerextendedstaysuites.com Country Patchwork Quilt Show Big BAM Marshall PhilharmonicDay Orchestra in the Park Marshall Market on the Square www.countrypatchworkquilters.com MJoin A Y S E P T E M B E R us on the beautiful www.marshallphilharmonic.org www.marshallmochamber.com Celebrate Parks and Recreation Month by attending Day in Marshall Market on the Square OArrow C TRock OB E R Craft Fest campus of Missouri Valley Heritage M AY www.marshallmochamber.com Park July 21-22. All events will take place at scenic Indian Marshall Philharmonicthe Orchestra www.arrowrock.org College evening of June Jim the the Wonder Dog Day www.marshallphilharmonic.org Foothills Park. There are activities and contests for all ages. M13 A Y www.jimthewonderdog.org N ORock V EHeritage M B ECraft R Fest as Marshall hosts a stop Arrow Jim the Wonder Dog Day Find out more by visiting www.marshallmoparks.com or calling Marshall Philharmonic Orchestra Shrine Parade www.arrowrock.org along the 2017 route of Big www.jimthewonderdog.org Photo courtesy of Country Patchwork Quilt Guild Photo courtesy of Poole Communications www.marshallphilharmonic.org 660-886-7128. www.marshallmochamber.com BAM,Parade Bicycle Across Missouri. Shrine NOVEMBER Spring Fling D E CPhilharmonic EMBER www.marshallmochamber.com Marshall Orchestra • Free admission to Marshall Aquatic Center You can visit with bicyclists Come. Sit. Stay... www.marshallmochamber.com Community Christmas www.marshallphilharmonic.org Come. Sit. Stay... Spring Fling • Teen dance and enjoy live music, a beer www.marshallmochamber.com Bob James Jazz Festival www.marshallmochamber.com D E C E M B E R• Free movie garden, and food vendors as www.bobjamesjazzfest.org Marshall Philharmonic Community Christmas Orchestra JU N E • Fishing www.marshallphilharmonic.org you spend a relaxing early www.marshallmochamber.com J UAcross N E Missouri Bicycle • Barbecue contests MarshallPhilharmonic Community Chorus Saline County BBQ summer evening in Marshall. Marshall Orchestra www.bigbamride.com www.marshallcommunitychorus.org www.visitmarshallmo.com www.marshallphilharmonic.org • Much more For more details, Saline County BBQ visit www. Marshall Community Chorus Christmas Homes Tour Nicholas Beazley Fly-in Drive-in Pancake Day www.visitmarshallmo.com marshallmochamber.com www.marshallcommunitychorus.org www.jimthewonderdog.org www.nicholasbeazley.org Nicholas Fly-in Drive-in Pancake Day or callBeazley 660-886-3324. Christmas Homes Tour www.nicholasbeazley.org Marshall Bowhunters 3-D Shoot www.jimthewonderdog.org www.visitmarshallmo.com www.marshallbowhunters.org Marshall Bowhunters 3-D Shoot www.visitmarshallmo.com www.marshallbowhunters.org [2] MissouriLife

Bicycle Across Missouri

June 13 & 14

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www.visitmarshallmo.com

upcoming events Stay with us in Marshall Great American Solar Eclipse upcoming events Marshall is fortunate viewing J JUU LLY Y locations in the nation JN AU NA U AY R Y to be one of the prime JA R

LODGING

Photo courtesy of Marshall Democrat News

Photo courtesy of Chris Nelson

Bicycle Across Missouri

June 13 & 14

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Contents APRIL 2017

[46] OUR TOP TROUPES AND THEATERS We’re lucky to have the only two professional, selfproducing outdoor theaters in the country, and a host of other professional theaters and actor groups.

in every issue>

[20] SHOW-ME BOOKS Mysteries abound in William Least Heat-Moon’s first fiction book: apparitions, disappearances the often indecipherable matters of the heart, and even the mysteries of the cosmos. The complex and layered story comes out this month.

[24] MUSIC The son of legendary Gregg Allman of the Allman Brothers Band, Devon Allman calls St. Charles home and has just released a new album.

special features >

[26] MISSOURI ARTIST David Plank at Salem has painted birds for his entire career but finds the e’s still work to be done.

[28] ECLIPSE 101 This installment in our series on the coming great eclipse in August tells you where you can get glasses and what time the event begins in diffe ent towns.

[62] MUSINGS

[32] WORLD WAR I OVER HERE

Ron Marr considers the power of nostalgia and how we’re never able to return to what was.

On the centennial of the US entry into the war in April 1917, we share just a few of the of the contributions by the 156,000 Missourians who served.

[64] NO PLACE LIKE HOME

[40] CALLIOPES TOOT SWEET

Lorry Myers shares her kitchen disaster during her family’s Easter Bunny Cake Bake-Off.

Move tout de suite if you want to hear a calliope. There’s likely only one manufacturer remaining in the world, near Kirksville. Learn where to hear a set.

[52] THAT BAD MAN STAGGER LEE Discover the true story behind the still popular folk ballad. You’ll be surprised at some of the 426 diffe ent singers who have recorded the song.

[56] 14 FLOWER FARMS Bring home the beauty from these unique nurseries and growers. An iris farm, daylily farms, a wildfl wer nursery, and more offer hom -grown plants.

special section > [68] BIG BAM Join the epic Bicycle Across Missouri ride for a day or the whole week, and everyone will enjoy the concerts and festivals as we explore towns from Weston to Louisiana.

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Contents

CONTENT BY LOCATION

APRIL 2017

departments >

40 51, 98

58 18 98 49 56 32, 48 94 18 10 51 57

[10] MY MISSOURI LIFE

sonality. Keeping clean naturally. And

Editor in Chief Danita Allen Wood intro-

a selection of cheeses that pleases.

51, 98

duces you to Jeff Obe haus, a master of

[96] RECIPES

all that is green and beautiful.

16, 24, 46, 52, 58, 92

94 16 26

Sometimes you can get separated from

[12] LETTERS

regional Missouri favorites. Make them

Readers point out where you can see

yourself! Also, berry-fresh berry treats.

most of the big eclipse and where they

[98] DINING WORTH THE DRIVE

[103] ALL AROUND MISSOURI

Let’s eat steak in Macon; pizza, gryos,

the state. The weather’s warmer and

[16] MO MIX

or other Greek specialties in Rolla; and

it's time to shed those winter blues!

The perfect pairing of pets and vets.

barbecue and pie in Higginsville.

saw themselves—or their turkeys or trains—in “50 Photos From Our Past.”

Check out the best events from around

[122] THE BACK STORY

Billy Goat gets smoked. And Cosmic Reunion comes to French Village.

[66] HEALTHY LIFE

She was called the “Missouri Giantess.”

The past mild winter here may make

Publisher Greg Wood tells the story

[18] MADE IN MISSOURI

for a worse allergy season. If you suffe ,

of Ella Kate Ewing, a gentle soul who

Carry a leather bag to match your per-

here are some tips.

stood out in more ways than one.

– THIS ISSUE –

On the Web

Sign up for Missouri Lifelines, our free e-newsletter, and follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MissouriLife or on Twitter and Instagram @MissouriLife.

“STACK O’LEE WAS A BAD MAN…”

THINKING OF YOU, MOM!

THE EXCITEMENT IS BUILDING

Listen to some of the earliest recordings of

Want to find som thing new and diffe ent for

You’re starting to hear about it everywhere—

songs that came out of the murder of Billy

Mom this Mother’s Day? Check out all of our

The Great Eclipse of 2017. We’ll keep you

Lyons by “Stagger” Lee Shelton in St. Louis.

unique Show-Me State jewelry and gifts.

apprised of all the developments online!

New State arks Guide

This new 100-page guide lists trail mileages and tells you what you can do in each of Missouri’s 92 state parks or historic sites. Order yours at MissouriLife.com.

on the cover> BLOOMIN’ AWESOME Daylilies bring color and life to a fi ld at Gilbert H. Wild & Son. Turn to page 56 to find mo e Show-Me State fl wer farms where you can find ju t what you’re looking for to help you bring the beauty back to your home.

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SPRING • SUMMER EVENTS CLARKSVILLE

Spring Market and Garden Show

April 22•23

Raintree Arts/St Louis Taiko Drummers

April 29

Missouri ‘Show-Me’ State Chili Cook-Off

June 10

CURRYVILLE

Back Forty Bluegrass Festival

May 25•26•27•28

LOUISIANA

Louisiana Area Historical Museum 25th Anniversary Open House

May 27

Big BAM Bicycle Ride

June 16

Riverfront Fireworks Display

July 4

BOWLING GREEN PIKE COUNTY Pike County Fair

July 25•26•27•28•29

PIKE

COUNTY

TOURISM COMMISSION Pike County, Missouri

pikecountytourism.org • 888-642-3800 [7] April 2017

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Customer Care & FAQs All of us here at Missouri Life want to deliver excellent customer service to you. Here are answers to many frequently asked questions.

THE SPIR IT OF DISCOV ERY Where is your office? We’re located in a back wing of the historic Hotel Frederick in Boonville, right beside the Missouri River, at 501 High Street. Come see all our past covers in our hallway. What’s up with this Florida address? New in 2017, we have grown so much we cannot keep up with the records in our Boonville office. Missouri does not have a firm specializing in magazine records, and we liked the one in Florida the best. (We might have to visit them in the winter, you know!) You should receive the same friendly assistance! Our toll-free phone number is the same: 1-800-492-2593. When will I get my first issue? It can be anywhere from one to six weeks after you order the magazine, depending on where we are in a magazine production and mailing cycle. Weird, we know, when you can order a house full of furniture and have it in two days. How often does the magazine come out? We publish eight times a year, in February, April, May, June, August, September, October, and D ecember. So we’re a blend of monthly and bimonthly. You could call us “just in time!” How do I order a gift? Visit MissouriLife .com, send an order card in this issue, or call 1-800-492-2593. How do I change my address? Visit MissouriLife.com or call us at 1-800-492-2593. Why did I get another bill or renewal notice when I’ve already paid? If you’ve already paid, you can throw away one that arrived later and be assured you will continue to receive the magazine. What happens is that we run the notices, and because of our postal permit, the envelope can take longer to be delivered. Your payment arrived while our next notice was wending its way to you. D on’t worry, we send you several notices before we’re convinced you don’t want to keep reading! Call 1-800-492-2593 if you have questions.

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ISSUE#

EXPIRATION DATE

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How can I learn when a gift I bought expires? If you can’t sneak a peek at the label of the person you gave the gift to, please call customer service at 1-800-492-2593. If I want to hand-deliver the gift announcement card personally or mail it myself along with my own card to the person I’m giving a gift to, can I do that? Yes! Just note that on the gift order card, in special instructions if you order online, or let us know when you call to order at 1-800-492-2593. When will the person I give a gift to get the gift announcement card? Your gift recipient should get the announcement card within one to three weeks. How do I get a back issue? Just call toll-free 1-877-570-9898 and specify which issue you’d like. We’ll be happy to send it right away. They cost $7.50 because of the special mailing, so please have a credit card handy. Where can I find Missouri Life on a newsstand? Please visit MissouriLife .com/newsstand-locator, and please note the two s’s in “newsstand.” Why am I getting a digital issue of the magazine when I paid for print? It’s a diabolical plot. Just kidding! We send a digital issue out to you for a preview of what the print issue contains. It generally has extra features such as audio clips, extra photo galleries, or such. Can I sign up for automatic renewal? Yes! Save your time and also paper for where it counts—the magazine! Visit MissouriLife.com to select this service.

Can I get renewal notices by email? Yes! This saves paper, too! Visit MissouriLife.com to share your email. How do I submit an event to be published in your calendar? Please send your information to info@MissouriLife .com or call 660-882-9898, ext. 101. Who can I give story ideas to? Please send story ideas by email to Managing Editor Martin W. Schwartz at Martin@ MissouriLife.com or to his attention at our address, 501 High St., Ste. A, Boonville, MO 65233. I have a question about one of your stories. Who should I send that to? Please send any questions to Amy Stapleton at Amy@MissouriLife.com. She has the longest reliable institutional memory. How do I submit a letter to the editor? Please send your comments to Martin@ MissouriLife.com and place Letter to the Editor in the subject line. I’m interested in advertising or creating a special publication. Who do I call? Start with Seabrook Omura tollfree at 877-570-9898, ext. 116 or email her: Seabrook@MissouriLife.com. What else you got? Well … a free weekly newsletter, Missouri LifeLines, with events that came in after deadline and other interesting stories. Sign up for it at MissouriLife.com. Tell us what you think. Share your customer service experience, positive or negative, by emailing one of the owners: Danita@MissouriLife.com.

501 High Street, Ste. A, Boonville, MO 65233 660-882-9898 | Info@MissouriLife.com

Publisher Greg Wood Editor in Chief Danita Allen Wood EDITORIAL & ART Managing Editor Martin W. Schwartz Creative Director Sarah Hackman Copy Editor Kathy Casteel Graphic Designer and Staff Photographer Harry Katz Calendar Editor Amy Stapleton Graphic Designer Kath Teoli Editorial Assistant Lori A. Addington Contributing Writers Amy Burger, Danielle Breshears, Susan Katzman, Eddie O’Neill, Ron Soodalter, Emery Styron, Evan Wood Columnists Ron W. Marr & Lorry Myers Contributing Photographers & Illustrators Notley Hawkins, Eddie O’Neill, Vincent Sammy MARKETING • 877-570-9898 Advertising & Marketing Director Scott Eivins, 660-882-9898, ext. 102 Marketing and Advertising Coordinator Seabrook Omura, 660-882-9898, ext. 116 Circulation Management: Russell Marth, Circulation Specialists, LLC DIGITAL MEDIA MissouriLife.com, Missouri eLife, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter Editors Sarah Hackman, Harry Katz & Evan Wood Missouri Lifelines Kath Teoli

FIND US ONLINE OR SOCIAL MEDIA Search for Missouri Life Magazine on Facebook to send us a message, or tweet us @MissouriLife. Share pictures with us on Instagram @MissouriLife. HOW TO REACH US SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION: MissouriLife.com missourilife@emailcustomerservice.com 1-800-492-2593 ALL OTHER INFORMATION: 1-877-570-9898 info@missourilife.com Missouri Life, 501 High St., Ste. A, Boonville, MO 65233

MISSOURI LIFE, Vol. 44, No. 2, April 2017 (USPS#020181; ISSN#1525-0814) Published eight times a year in February, April, May, June, August, September, October, and December by Missouri Life, Inc., for $21.99. Periodicals Postage paid at Boonville, Missouri, and additional mailing offices POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Missouri Life, 501 High Street, Ste. A, Boonville, MO 65233-1211. © 2017 Missouri Life. All rights reserved. Printed by The Ovid Bell Press Inc. in Fulton, Missouri.

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y MISSOURI LIFE WHAT’S HAPPENING HERE A BREATHLESS PACE AND TV NEWS! We’ve not only been hard at work on this issue, we have also produced a new guide in honor of Missouri State Parks 100th anniversary. You can find this new 100-page guide, which includes all 92 parks, at your favorite newsstand, or you can order it at our website. The

DANITA ALLEN WOOD, EDITOR

guide costs $9.99. On top of that, we’ve also been creating our third annual Missouri Motorcycle Guide, this one with thirty-five routes. I’ve been reading it at the same time as this issue, and it’s almost enough to make me want to go out and buy a Harley!

SPRING MEANS VINTAGE HILL

It was with great pleasure that we paused to celebrate when we learned season three of Missouri Life TV will air on all four PBS stations in Missouri this fall. You will be able to watch on KETC (Nine Network), KCPT, KOZK, and KMOS. We thank KMOS for doing

JEFF OBERHAUS, the

and greenhouse operations ever since. He also proprietor of Vintage Hill Farm, a 100-acre raises warmblood sporthorses and Highland cattle, an old breed from Scotland. gardener’s dream of greenhouses and any plant One final reason Jeff is someone you should you would want or need. Vintage Hill is my favorite place come spring, when the urge to meet: He donates plants to Powell Gardens’ get my hands in the dirt overwhelms. Part of fundraiser Blue Moon dinner and auction, which takes place this year on the fun is the drive to the June 11. The auction benefits farm, set on a hilltop amid the children’s educational probeauty of the rolling Missouri grams at the garden. He has a River hills. That’s his gargood heart. den above. I only wish mine Jeff has unknowingly conlooked that good! vinced me this year to try The drive from Boonville something new. You see, takes me seven miles along when I planted a huge flower Route 87, through bottomland JEFF OBERHAUS garden in front of my house and rolling hills alive with the back in 2002, I convinced myself I only had bright green of the new season. Spring flower time for perennials. nod in the breeze in front of farmsteads lining When talking with Jeff the other day, he cathe road. sually mentioned, “You know, perennials take My husband, Greg, and I have known Jeff almost as long as we’ve been publishing this as much work as annuals.” I thought, He’s right. I spend hours and hours and hours in my gardens magazine. We probably met him first when I was planting, plucking plants up to move somewhere buying perennials—and only perennials—for my flower garden. Then later, he let us use his green- else, pruning, snipping, and pulling weeds. I find gardening peaceful, and I enjoy sithouses in the wintertime when we needed a preemptive seasonal “green” or spring background ting on my porch and seeing a riot of blooms. I spend plenty of time communing with my for a photograph. Jeff grew up in Vandalia and earned a horti- flowers, so I might as well plant annuals. Welcome back, zinnias! Here I come, cosmos! culture degree from the University of Missouri. P.S. Find out about several other unique greenHe bought Vintage Hill Farm outside of Franklin in 1991 and has been improving the farm house and gardening venues on page 56.

such a fine job producing the program! Catch past seasons by visiting our website.—Danita

HARRY KATZ

FROM OUR MISSOURI LIFE TEAM It might be April but my mind is already in June getting ready for the third annual Big BAM (Bicycle Across Missouri). The weeks ahead will be filled with ironing out all the small details that make it possible for us to shepherd more than 500 bicyclists 340 miles from the bank of the Missouri River in Weston to the bank of the Mississippi River in Louisiana, Missouri. It really is something to behold, watching our crew move our rolling circus of tents, shower trucks, and music from town to town. For a full week, my tent is my home, and my days last from 6 AM to 2 AM the following day. It might not sound like a vacation, but I am counting down the days to this rolling party. Big BAM truly is a one-of-a-kind experience and these long weeks ahead are worth it for the best week of my year.—Harry Katz

COURTESY VINTAGE HILL FARM, NOTLEY HAWKINS

► MEET

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APRIL

LETTERS from all over You write them. We print them.

IN THE DARK

the clothes. I was wondering if you had any info on

I wanted to follow up on the February 2017 issue of

where the pic came from.

appreciate the acknowledgment. Thanks! Keep up the GREAT work!!—Jean

Missouri Life. On page 26, there is a headline, “Why

A little of our background: My mom remarried a

Can’t I See it in Springfield or Kirksville?” I am hoping

chiropractor in 1966. We moved to Sikeston, and

We didn’t intend to play hide-and-seek with you. The informa-

you will run a correction in a future issue as well as any

then to an old farmhouse on fourteen acres in Mor-

tion about the locomotive on the Ste. Genevieve ferry was at

web-related posts as that is not really the case. The

ley. There was a cotton field in-between us and the

the bottom of page 6.—Editors

total solar eclipse occurring on the 21st of August runs

neighbor. The neighbor’s name was Holt. Lester was

east to west across central Missouri (more or less along

the dad’s name. I can remember going into the field

THAT TURKEY LOOKS FAMILIAR, TOO!

Interstate 70), and Kirksville will witness about 98.5

as if I was going to water it. I would have been six or

It was a great idea to print “50 Photos from Our

percent obscuration of the sun by our moon. Kirksville

seven at the time. I know the pic was not taken by

Past” in the February 2017 Missouri Life. One picture

will be able to witness part of the eclipse and our com-

one of my family, but I’m wondering if it may have

caught my eye. It was the one of the turkeys and

munity will be very engaged in this significant event.

come from the Holts.

the car in Eldon. My deceased husband and a friend

—Heidi Templeton, Kirksville

My parents sold the house and property to a Baptist church. I have wanted to go back there

Griffard, Ste. Genevie e

raised turkeys years ago, and I’m sure this was one of their flock

to see if the house still exists. It is burned into my

I saw my first Missouri Life magazine in a doctor’s

memory. I loved that house and the historic stuff we

offic in Jefferson City, and I liked it very much. The

found in the attic.

doctor said, “Would you like to take that magazine

Any info regarding the pic would be much appre-

home with you and bring it back the next time you

ciated.—Laurie (Nash) Henslee, Catawissa

come?” I said, “No, I took their address and I want to

If you’re ever in Boonville, we’d like you to sign our copy. That

get my own.”

photo, as well as most of the photos in that feature, came from

At the present time, I am sending subscriptions

the Missouri State Archives. According to the information with

to friends in Kansas, Tennessee, and Washington,

the photo, the photographer was Gerald R. Massie and it was

DC. My friends say they all enjoy the magazine very

taken around 1955. The exact location isn’t given.—Editors

much and they are passing them on to their friends.

WAIT … THAT TRAIN LOOKS FAMILIAR!

We never thought to get a model release from the turkey.

I absolutely love your publication and appreciate

Though photogenic, we assumed he had gone the way of all

the insight into the treasures Missouri has to offe .

Thanksgiving leftovers. But seriously, thank you for the kind

Although I am not a subscriber, my sister-in-law is

words. We appreciate your doctor for being generous with his

kind enough to pass her magazine to me after she is

or her copy, but we appreciate you even more for sharing our

finished reading it

magazine with your friends and family.—Editors

Keep up the good work.—Faye Roth Belshe, Eldon

THAT GIRL LOOKS FAMILIAR

I truly enjoyed the Missouri Life February 2017

Life, February 2017), I was gobsmacked! Under the

issue with all of the photos from the past. I was,

heading of Farm & Agriculture, there is a little girl

however, deeply disappointed that nowhere in the

watering a cotton field in southeast Missouri. That

contents could I find an explanation of the cover

looks like me as a child. I even sent a text to my older

photo, which I’m pretty sure was taken on the banks

brother, asking if he had any memories of the pic.

of the Mississippi River in Ste. Genevieve. If that

He agreed it looked like me, but couldn’t remember

truly was the location, our community sure would

SEND US A LETTER & OTHER CORRESPONDENCE

Missouri Life, 501 High Street, Ste. A, Boonville, MO 65233-1252 Info@MissouriLife.com

Missouri Life Magazine

@MissouriLife

Join us in welcoming Lori A. Addington to the

Shout out!

While looking through the latest issue (Missouri

Missouri Life family. Lori is a senior at Central

Methodist University in Fayette and will be assisting the editorial staff during her internship here. Welcome, Lori!

WE PRINT AS MANY AS WE CAN!

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Personalized estate planning. Made simple. Here at TuckerAllen, estate planning is the only thing we do, and our process couldn’t be simpler. It starts with a conversation between you and one of our attorneys. And if you’d like us to prepare your personalized plan, the price you see here is the price you’ll pay – no surprises. So let’s start the conversation. Simply book an appointment online, or give us a call any time. tuckerallen.com / (314) 335-1100

ESTATE PLANNING ATTORNEYS

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it’s FESTIVAL SEASON In Fulton’s BRICK DISTRICT and beyond!

June 16 - 17 experience Summer in the Midwest at the Fulton Street Fair, a t wo-day event held each June in Fulton's Brick District. Attractions include a parade, car show, soon-to-be-famous mule races, brick skidding competition, go-kart derby, tug-o-war contest, kiddie corral and carnival, great food, arts and crafts, live entertainment and more.

On May 25 - 28, the Art House hosts Callaway Plein Air, a four-day outdoor painting event followed by the ‘Wet Paint Receptionʻ and exhibit. Catch artists in action as they find inspiration in the small-town charm of historic buildings, diverse prai- The weekend of August 18 - 21, Fulton and Callaway ries, rolling hills and valleys along the Missouri River. County are planning a series of events leading up to the first total solar eclipse to sweep across the entire nation since 1918. Callaway County offers optimal viewing of this wonder of nature. The weekend will be packed with "Light and Shadow" events, starting with a Friday evening art exhibit and reception; Saturday art class and farmers' market activities; and Sunday celebration at Serenity Valley Winery with live music and a hot air balloon glow. Events culminate Monday, August 21, with an eclipse viewing party at Serenity Valley Winery and other viewing events throughout the county. For more information, go to w w w.v is i t f u lto n . c o m /e c l i p s e. ht m l or call (573) 642-7692 . While you’re here, check out these year-ro und attract ions: National Churchill Museum & Berlin Wall Sculpture Church of St. Mary, Aldermanbu ry Auto World Car Museum Craneʻs Country Store & Craneʻs Museum Callaway County Historical Society Serenity Valley Winery & Canterbury Hill Winery

More de t ails at visitfult on .c om

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LIVE MUSIC LOCAL FOOD KIDS GAMES BEER TASTING

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April 29, 2017 11:00AM - 5:00PM

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MORELSANDMICROBREWS.COM [15] April 2017

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Mo MIX ‘Fly Like An Eagle’ to Astral Valley French Village LEGENDARY Rock and Roll Hall of

Famer Steve Miller headlines the 2017 Cosmic Reunion Music & Art Festival at the Astral Valley Park in French Village. The Steve Miller Band will perform hits including The Joker, Take the Money and Run, Jet Airliner, and Abracadabra. More than twenty other bands are scheduled to take Missouri’s largest outdoor permanent stage for the annual music and art festival that gives visitors access to more than two hundred acres of caves, hills, hiking trails, workshops, crafts, and food. Camping is available for this four-day, family-friendly holiday event just forty-fi e minutes all the information at CosmicReunion.com.—Martin W. Schwartz

Smokin’ Billy Goat St. Louis

TWO ST. LOUIS CHEFS have announced a marriage of sorts between their most

A Helping Paw Joplin

famous offspring. Chef Mike Johnson of Sugarfire Smoke House and Chef Brian

► SOMETIMES THE BEST MEDICINE has four paws and a collar.

“Partnering with our friends at The Billy Goat Chip Company was a no brainer!”

Roth of The Billy Goat Chip Company have married their signature products to create Sugarfire Smo e House Hand Crafted Potato Chips.

Heartland Canines for Veterans is a Joplin-based not-for-profit organization

says Mike. “Hand selected, sliced, and seasoned to perfection with our lip-tingling

that provides service dogs to veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder and

signature rub, these chips are

other disabilities at no cost to the veteran.

sure to satisfy your craving for

“ Most service dog training costs range from $10,000 to $25,000,” explains Amy

both barbecue and crunch.”

Donaldson, executive director. “We are fortunate to have a training facility that will

“It remains a core value of The

only charge $7,200 to train a dog because they believe in our mission. But, we also

Billy Goat Chip Company to team

need eligible veterans to apply for the dogs.”

up with local companies as often

Amy knows first-hand the need for such a program. She is a disabled veteran who suffers from a traumatic brain injury, with symptoms similar to post-traumatic stress disorder. Her service dog, Jaxx, was provided by Heartland.

as possible,” says Brian. The chips are available exclusively at Mike Johnson’s High

“Jaxx is the best medicine I could ever hope for,” Amy says. “I continue to get

Pointe D rive-In, 1033 McCaus-

therapy and take prescriptions, as a dog does not fix all our problems. But used

land Avenue in St. Louis, and at

in conjunction with other therapy, a service dog’s worth cannot be measured by

all six Sugarfire locations: Valley

money. It’s nice to be able to smile again.”

Park, O’Fallon, St. Charles, Wash-

For more information, or to support Heartland Canines for Veter-

ington, and two locations in St.

ans, go to HeartlandCaninesForVeterans.com.—Martin W. Schwartz

Louis.—Martin W. Schwartz

COURTESY HEARTLAND CANINES FOR VETERANS, COSMIC REUNION MUSIC AND ART FESTIVAL, SUGARFIRE SMOKE HOUSE

south of St. Louis, but organizers say tickets are selling fast. Get

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Mexico is a perfect combination of small-town charm and urban style.˜Artsy boutiques, jewelry, quilt shops, scrapbooking, antiques, and cultural offerings give Mexico a sophisticated air with a family-friendly attitude. Come visit us today!

“Emmanuel Has Come” Presser Performing Arts Center 573-581-5592 | www.presserpac.com Prairie Pine Quilt Guild Audrain County 4H Center 573-581-2765 | www.mexico-chamber.org Brick City Bad Boys Car/Cruise Show Downtown Mexico 573-581-2765 | www.mexico-chamber.org Miss Missouri Pageant Missouri Military Academy 573-581-2765 | www.missmissouri.org Miss Missouri Outstanding Teen Missouri Military Academy 573-581-2765 | www.missmooutstandingteen.org Brick City Bad Boys Car/Cruise Show Downtown Mexico 573-581-2765 | www.mexico-chamber.org David Pickering Photog

raphy

Our commitment to history in the restoration of Presser Hall has been a 25 year+ endeavor that has rewarded the communities in mid-Missouri with the best entertainment one could possibly see anywhere. After accomplishing the daunting tasks of restoration, fund raising, and public events, Presser has moved into the next phase of community service by becoming a full performing arts center, offering a full array of arts education. This Easter holiday season, Presser Performing Arts Center will once again present the Easter production

of “Emmanuel Has Come” April 6-9, 2017. Tickets will be available online at www.presserpac.com and at Presser Performing Arts Center box office starting Monday, April 3 through Friday, April 7 from noon to 4:00 p.m. Our mission is to inspire, entertain, and educate people in the arts by providing the finest venue, productions, and programs. We also serve as a resource and gathering place for this and surrounding communities. (573) 581-5592 | www.presserpac.com

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Made IN MISSOURI

► TUCKED AWAY, behind a quiet, unassuming cof-

“Over time we came to love the idea of function-

Their studio is located in the back of Black Box

fee shop in downtown Odessa is a studio where the

al art, which would be created specifically for a per-

Coffee at 110 South Second Street in Odessa—a full-

owners believe that the leather bag you carry should

son, then would go out into the world and develop

service coffee bar that is also run by the couple. The

reflect your individual personality, style, and history.

its own story with use over time,” Ryan explains.

shop is open 6 AM to 11 AM Tuesday through Friday,

Ryan and Tiffa y Watkins of Bailey & Watkins say

Samples of the couple’s custom work can be seen

from 5 PM to 8 PM Thursday, and 7:30 AM

that every unique piece they create is inspired by a

at BaileyandWatkins.com. Call 816-653-0061 for a

to noon Saturday; they’re closed Sun-

memory, family heirloom, or a story.

private consultation.

day and Monday.—Lori A. Addington

Good, Clean Fun Noel

Cheese, Please Sweet Springs

soaps are as close as your

and saying, “cheese.” When the Hemme family gets together, they don’t just say

Internet connection. The

it. They make it.

HIGH-QUALITY, handcrafted

SOME FAMILIES GET TOGETHER and take a group portrait, smiling into the camera

Elk River Soap Company,

The four Hemme brothers—Nathan, John, Michael, and Aaron—along with

based in Noel, creates

their parents, David and Janet, have been creating artisanal cheeses at their Sweet

small batches of all-natural soaps and

Springs dairy farm operation for a little more

other bath products.

than a year.

“We originally decided to make our own soap because we were made aware of

Among the family company’s offerings

all of the chemicals and detergents in store-bought soap,” says owner Laura Lewis.

is Quark, a creamy and somewhat crumbly

“A lot of the ingredients in store-bought soap are very questionable as to the im-

German-style cheese that can be hard to

pact they have on your skin and your overall health and well-being.”

find in a traditional supermarket setting.

The company’s soaps, bath bombs, fizzy bath soaks, and lotion bars are all natu-

“My brothers and I are seven generations re-

ral and are never tested on animals. Scents range from Wisteria & Lilac to Peaches

moved from Germany, so it plays into our Ger-

& Cream. “All of the new scents come from customer and affiliat suggestions,”

man heritage,” Nathan says.

says Laura.

COURTESY BAILEY & WATKINS, ELK RIVER SOAP, AND HAPPY FOOD CO.

Rawhide and Java Odessa

See all the varieties that are available at

All products from Elk River Soap Company can be found online

Hemme Brothers Creamery on

at ElkRiverSoapCompany.com. Call 888-550-7627 to find out more

Facebook or call 660-992-0030.

—Lori A. Addington

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SAINT LOUIS LEGENDS GAME Saturday, August 19 at 1PM See your favorite major leaguers take the ﬁeld once again!

Tickets are only $20! Starring Fernando Tatis, Rick Ankiel, Jason Isringhausen, John Tudor, Skip Schumaker, Jim Edmonds and more! CarSheild Field • www.RiverCityRascals.com • 636-240-2287 [19] April 2017

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SHOW-ME

Books

INNER HIGHWAYS Popular Missouri author’s first novel takes a spiritual journey BY EVAN WOOD

William Least Heat-Moon

Celestial Mechanics: a tale for a mid-winter night William Least-Heat Moon, hardcover, 384 pages, fiction, Th ee Rooms Press, $28

The setting of Celestial Mechanics feels familiar enough to those of us who’ve grown up or grown older around Missouri’s college towns, countryside, and old farmhouses that produce bedeviling noises in the middle of the night. But the events of this novel do not transpire solely on this plane of existence, let alone solely in the Midwest. With the fate of his marriage becoming more and more dubious all the time, Silas cultivates relationships with characters who

augment his understanding of reality, nature, and ultimately the cosmos at large. His sisterin-law Celeste, an aspiring nun, also proves to be a curious and thoughtful student of the stars. The mysteries that abound in Celestial Mechanics—apparitions, disappearances, the often indecipherable proclamations of the heart—are perplexing and numerous, and mystery is one of the defining characteristics of this novel. Thematically, Celestial Mechanics is a complex and layered story. Proponents of the big bang theory say that before the great cosmological event, all of the matter in the universe could have fit atop the point of a sewing needle; Least Heat-Moon’s novel makes a compelling case that it can at least be contained today within a 400-page volume. Although the book is not peddling answers to the great mysteries of life, Least Heat-Moon deftly balances the questions asked and answered in his novel. The writing is lively and rewards the thoughtful, deliberate reader. Approach this book with an open mind, a genuine sense of curiosity, and perhaps a compass, and you will be rewarded. Celestial Mechanics: a tale for a midwinter night is scheduled for release April 11.

COURTESY THREE ROOMS PRESS

SUPERFLUOUS technological devices, small talk, and wristwatches—these are three things Silas Fortunato, protagonist of Celestial Mechanics: a tale for a mid-winter night, has permanently removed from his life. By the third chapter of William Least Heat-Moon’s first fi tional work, we learn that the handheld device Silas places the most confidence in is the compass, owing to its reliance on magnetic polarity rather than battery power or a human operator. Least Heat-Moon’s first book, Blue Highways, established the Columbia-based author as a household name in American writing. That was in 1982, and now, with eleven books in his backlist—two in the last five years—he shows no sign of slowing. The novel begins with a chance meeting between Silas and Dominique. The two become lovers, then husband and wife, but tensions arise when they move to Sachem Hill, a hundred-acre patch of land with an old home on it that Silas has inherited from his aunt. As Silas becomes more deeply enchanted with the home, lovingly restoring it room by room, Dominique’s zealous ambition prevents her from seeing it as anything more than a stop along the way to grander accommodations and a grander lifestyle to go with it. While Silas spends his evenings on top of the house, peering through his telescope or walking around the forest without a flas light—“It’s better to let your vision adjust to the dark than to move in a small circle of artificial light. Blind to what surrounds you.”— Dominique toils for long hours at her office in the nearby town. Their interactions slowly tease out the elements of nature, astronomy, mindful consideration of reality, and spirituality that reside at this book’s core.

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SHOW-ME

Books

MORE GOOD READS BY LORI A. ADDINGTON AND MARTIN W. SCHWARTZ

Crossing the Troll Bridge: A Marketing Guide for Artists and Writers

Ella Ewing: The Missouri Giantess

Robin Blakely and Frank Robert Dixon, 116 pages, nonfiction, C eative Center of America, $29.99 Kansas City author Robin Blakely teamed up with California artist Frank Robert Dixon to create a book to help artists learn how to bridge the gap between themselves and their audience. “The exact same talents and skills that are needed for truly great artistic endeavors are also critical for your success in marketing,” says Robin. “What you need most is imagination, intuition, and creativity. You have that.” Crossing the Troll Bridge is full of humorous illustrations that take the reader on an adventure to successful self-marketing.

What’s With St. Louis? The Quirks, Personality, and Charm of the Gateway City Valerie Battle Kienzle, 144 pages, nonfiction, Reedy Press, $18 Whether you’ve lived there all your life or were recently transplanted to the Gateway City, you have to face the fact: St. Louis can be a little … quirky. For instance, why is a twenty-five-cent piece called a “quater? ” What is the Slinger? And why are the St. Louis Blues so much more than just a hockey team? St. Louis author Valerie Battle Kienzle answers these and other questions in a fast and funny handbook that literally answers the age-old question, “Why did the chicken cross the road?”

The Wild Mammals of Missouri—Third Revised Edition Charles W. Schwartz and Elizabeth R. Schwartz, 396 pages, nonfiction, University of Missouri Press, $49.95 First published in 1959, The Wild Mammals of Missouri can be found in the libraries (and backpacks) of the Show-Me State’s most discerning naturalists. There are seventy-two species represented in the new edition, up from sixty-three in the original. And though the renowned husband-andwife team is no longer with us—Charles died in 1991 and Elizabeth in 2013—their legacy continues to inform a new generation of Missouri naturalists.

Jason Offutt, illustrations by John Hare, 48 pages, children’s nonfiction, ruman State University Press, $27 If you’re fascinated by Publisher Greg Wood’s story about Ella Ewing (see “The Back Story,” page 122), this book will help you talk with youngsters about her amazing legacy. At the heart of Ella’s story is a message about being different. Though she stood more than eight feet tall, it was the size of her heart that made her exceptional. Maryville author and Northwest Missouri State University instructor Jason Offutt delivers a sensitive portrait of Ella Ewing, and the design by Gladstone illustrator John Hare makes it an easy read for kids in third to seventh grade.

A People’s History of the Lake of the Ozarks Dan William Peek and Kent Van Landuyt, 176 pages, nonfiction, The Histo y Press, $21.99 Amply illustrated with historical photos, A People’s History of the Lake of the Ozarks takes the reader back in time to the 1920s, when the hydroelectric dam on the Osage River was just in the planning stages, to the creation of the lake in 1931, all the way to the turn of the twenty-first century and today’s thriving tourist destination. Creating the Lake of the Ozarks was not without controversy and the authors—both lifelong residents of the Missouri Ozarks—have not shied away from the drama and politics of the early years.

America’s Sailors in the Great War: Seas, Skies, and Submarines Lisle A. Rose, 300 pages, historical nonfiction, University of Missouri Press, $36.95 Germany’s surprise attack on the RMS Lusitania, which was torpedoed and sunk on May 7, 1915, forced sailors to engage in a new realm of antisubmarine warfare. America’s Sailors in the Great War, illustrated with black-and-white photos, provides real-world details of the naval and air battles of the “war to end war.”

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3/4/17 5:45 PM

Party like the King of Ragtime in Sedalia, MO May 31 - June 3, 2017 • Jam with internationally acclaimed entertainers. • Guided tour follows footsteps where Scott Joplin made American Music History • New York Carnegie Hall Performance Comes to Sedalia • Victorian Tea with a modern culinary flair and Cake Walk Dance

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[23] April 2017

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MISSOURI

SON’S RISE

Devon Allman digs deep with new solo album, Ride or Die BY AMY BURGER THE SON OF legendary Gregg Allman

like this? ’ This was the first time I said, ‘Screw that. I’ve earned my stripes.’ ” Recorded at Nashville’s Sound Stage Studios and Switchyard Studios, Devon partnered with strong musicians, including Grammy-winning drummer and co-producer Tom Hambridge; guitarist Tyler Stokes, who co-wrote half of the album’s songs; bassist Steve Duerst; legendary saxophonist Ron Holloway; keyboardist Kevin McKendree; and violinist Bobby Yang. “I did grow up on B.B. King and Curtis Mayfield and Jimi Hendrix, but I also grew up on

“I think it’s the most honest record I’ve done, and the most colorful, and I’m glad I turned that corner.” says Devon Allman of his new twelve-song CD, Ride or Die, from Ruf Records.

The Cure and The Clash and R.E.M.,” he says. “I felt like it was time to let those influences see the light of day. So I really extinguished those thoughts and just wrote songs, and I think it’s a much broader spectrum of what I can do.” Devon Allman is starting a world tour this month but will return to Missouri on June 15 at the Soda Fountain in Steelville. Find more information at DevonAllmanBand.com.

COURTESY DEVON ALLMAN

of the Allman Brothers Band, Devon Allman has spent the past few years traveling the world and playing about 250 shows a year in more than thirty countries. When he gets a break, Devon heads home to St. Charles to recharge and catch up with his sixteen-year-old son. “My son is the reason I’m still a St. Louis resident,” Devon says. “I’ll always retain a residence here, though. My mother is here. My sister is here. My wonderful ex-wife is here. It’s always going to be a home to me.” Though Devon’s solo career has taken off in recent years—his recently released third solo album, Ride or Die, debuted at number one on the Billboard and iTunes Blues charts—he got his start playing clubs in St. Louis with his early bands, The Dark Horses and Honeytribe. He continues to have a strong presence in the local music scene, serving on the board of directors for the new National Blues Museum and starting his own Blues Series at the Ameristar Casino in St. Charles. “I cut my teeth playing the Landing six nights a month and playing Main Street in St. Charles just as often,” he says. “I really came up in that scene, and I had bands I looked up to like Pale Divine. There was a ton of great musical activity at that time. Laclede’s Landing was on fi e. You could go listen to music seven nights a week and bounce from one club to another.” He has come quite a way since those days, slowly building his fan base with Honeytribe, his solo work, and supergroup Royal Southern Brotherhood. With the new album, Devon admits he has broadened his scope a bit. “The main difference with Ride or Die is the approach in the songwriting and craftsmanship of what I was going for,” he says. “Every career move I’ve ever made, there’s been this cerebral thing of, ‘Will blues lovers like this? Will bluesrock lovers like this? Will Allman Brothers fans

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stlouisbackyard.org

1.888.667.3236

[25] April 2017

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MISSOURI

THE BIRDMAN OF SALEM ARTIST DAVID PLANK can’t remember a time when he wasn’t drawn to birds. While his boyhood friends were busy kicking soccer balls and hitting baseballs, David was in the woods of Salem with paper and pencil, capturing the details of a perched barn swallow or a purple martin. “That’s just been my thing,” he says. “I’ve always been attracted to birds. They are my calling.” David’s first drawings as a child were in crayon. He later moved on to watercolors purchased in little tins at the dime store. Some seventy years later, David hasn’t left the woods of his family farm. His home and art studio are on the same land where he grew up. “People are so eager to get out and find a better spot in the world, but I think the best things in life are found at home or in your own backyard,” he notes. After graduating from Salem High School in 1953, David did a stint in the army as a photographer. Upon returning home from over-

seas, he worked at the Salem Press for eleven years before he was “discovered.” It was the early 1970s, and David had a few of his pieces on display at Akers Ferry Canoe Rental in Salem. The owners were family friends. “Some folks from the University of Missouri came off the river and asked the owners about my bird drawings,” David recalls. “A few weeks later, my work was on display at the Columbia Public Library, and a local gallery owner there liked my stuff. The gallery was called Jim’s Paint Palette, and Jim went on to handle my artwork for about twenty years.” David has been making a living as a bird artist ever since. “In retrospect, it was a rather daunting move to quit my job and go full time as an artist, as there are no regular paychecks,” he says. “In the end, though, it has worked out.” NO LIST Sketching birds for seven decades, David has become an expert on Missouri birds. He’s quick to point out, however, that he is not a

scientist. In fact, he’s never even had an interest in keeping detailed records on the thousands of birds he’s spotted over the years. “Most birdwatchers keep a list of what they’ve seen and where they’ve seen them. I’m just interested in sketching them,” he says. “I’m trying to express what I feel about what I see. I’m not simply documenting a bird scene. My purpose is to transcend what is out there.” His works have graced the covers of more than fifteen issues of Bird Watchers Digest and other magazines. During his career, David has illustrated two books: Arkansas Birds, Their Distribution and Abundance, and Birds of Missouri: Their Distribution and Abundance. His paintings and drawings have been displayed in art shows and galleries across the United States. Yet even with all of these accomplishments, he humbly shares that his greatest achievement is just being able to put paint on canvas to create something that can inspire for many years.

COURTESY DAVID PLANK, EDDIE O’NEILL

Missouri painter lets his talent take wing. BY EDDIE O’NEILL

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COURTESY DAVID PLANK

Far left: White Throated Sparrow is pictured in a natural setting. Center: David Plank’s favorite birds to paint are Eastern Kingbirds. Above: Wood Duck shows D avid’s experimentation with geometric design backgrounds.

SETTING FIRST David confesses that he’s never had a formal art class. He never went to college and admits that he couldn’t even tell you anything about the color wheel. “I’ve always been on my own, but I think the fact that I knew I had this talent and wanted to be an artist really kept me going,” he says. “It’s intuition. I know what I want and how to get it.” He estimates that he’s drawn 14,000 fiel sketches since his days in grade school. Most of them are on loose sheets of paper, stacked high or tucked away in files in his studio. David doesn’t draw from photographs of birds, but rather with a well-developed, quick hand technique. “With bird sketching, you have to draw quickly,” he says. “Birds don’t stick around and pose for you.” From his plein air drawings—most conducted in five or six seconds—he sketches a much larger, more detailed scene with the bird placed in it. That drawing is then taped above

his easel, ready to be re-created with his palette of watercolors. He says that his painted background isn’t necessarily the setting in which he initially sketched the bird. “I do the background first because you want to place the bird in that environment,” David says. “That’s the way it is in nature. Birds are found in a habitat. A habitat doesn’t go to a bird.” David’s favorite bird to paint is the bird he grew up with—the eastern kingbird. “I can remember they always nested in our yard,” he says. “They are very protective of their nesting territory. They’ll go after anything. They’re fearless.” BEYOND THE LIMB Of his 14,000 sketches, David figu es that around 1,600 are paintings and that he has sold 1,300 of them. He smiles when he says his first painting of a warbler sold for ten dollars in the late 1950s and is displayed on the walls of a local bank. His most expensive piece

sold for $1,600. On average, he produces twenty-five finished works a ye . David’s most adventurous work has been experimenting with putting birds over geometrical backgrounds. He’s done about three dozen of these contemporary works over the last two decades. “I didn’t want any connection between the bird and the background,” he says. “I am concerned with color design as well as the visual contrast between the soft feathers of the birds and the hard edge of the geometric shapes. I enjoy doing these. It’s something that just came to me. There’s no big meaning or symbolism behind it all.” The Salem artist says there is still work to be done. There are no retirement plans on the horizon. In the meantime, David Plank can be found on his family’s farm with paper and pencil in hand and a pair of binoculars around his neck, on the hunt for his next masterpiece. For more information or to purchase David Plank’s paintings, visit DavidPlank.org.

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THE MISSOURI

TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE, 2017

As the countdown to totality draws closer, more Missouri institutions are jumping on the Eclipse Bandwagon. The magic moment happens Monday, August 21 (ask for the day off), at various times across the Show-Me State. Our Eclipse Time Chart plots the moment the eclipse begins and when the totality occurs for selected spots along the eclipse path.

Totality: What does it mean? A solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the earth and the sun. Depending on where those three bodies are in space will determine if it is a total, partial, annular, or hybrid eclipse. We’re going to concentrate on the coming total eclipse. Totality occurs when the moon completely covers the bright disk of the sun. The sky will go dark, the stars will come out, and you’ll be treated to a “ﬁreshow” as the corona— the usually invisible aura of plasma that surrounds the sun—takes center stage in the dark sky. Depending on the weather, the sun should be high in the summer sky and the eclipse will be easily visible.

Prepare for the moment. The James S. McDonnell Planetarium at the St. Louis Science Center is featuring a “Live Sky: Eclipse” program daily at 2:30 PM. The show, which runs a little less than an hour, is excellent preparation for the August total eclipse. Visitors can take a padded mat and lay back on the ﬂoor as a planetarium representative explains the scientiﬁc principles of the eclipse and even gives a dramatic preview of how the eclipse will appear in the Missouri sky, all on the overhead planetarium dome. Best of all, visitors receive a free pair of eclipse glasses to safely view the stellar spectacular with each paid admission. For more information or to order tickets, call 314-289-4400, or visit SLSC.org/planetarium-shows. Another can’t-miss experience at the James S. McDonnell Planetarium is the St. Louis Astronomical Society’s Sidewalk Solar Observing events every third Saturday of the month, now through July. From 10 AM to 4 PM, members of the St. Louis Astronomical Society host free sidewalk seminars to discuss safe ways to observe the sun and the upcoming eclipse.

BY MARTIN W. SCHWARTZ

BE SAFE--GET GLASSES To view all stages of the Total Eclipse of 2017, you're going to need a pair of special mylar glasses. Eclipse glasses are available at the James S. McDonnell Planetarium gift shop in St. Louis or free at the planetarium show. You can also ﬁnd a wide variety of glasses, from disposable cardboard glasses to plastic wraparounds at TheGreatAmericanEclipse.com. Make sure your eyes are protected!

Go to SLASOnline.org and click the Sidewalk Solar Observing listing on the calendar.

The Year of the Eclipse The University of Missouri’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute will offer a Brown Bag Seminar for those older than ﬁfty who are interested in more information on the August eclipse. Topics include the social and psychological impact of eclipses in history, and the reﬂection of this in art, music, storytelling,

ADOBE STOCK AND VICTOR CHAPA

Prepping for the Really Big Show

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TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE IOWA PATH ACROSS MISSOURI Kirksville

Maryville

All of Missouri will experience the eclipse on August 21, though the areas of total darkness occur the closer you go toward the center of the dark gray path.

Chillicothe

St. Joseph Lathrop

Excelsior Springs Lexington Liberty Kansas City Independence Warrensburg

Moberly

Marshall Arrow Rock Mexico Rocheport Columbia St. Peters Fulton Boonville Kirkwood O’Fallon Hermann Chesterfield St. Louis Sedalia Jefferson City California Union Arnold Sullivan

Festus Ste. Genevieve

Rolla

Farmington

Cape Girardeau

Scott City

Springfield

CAROLE PATTERSON

James S. McDonnell Planetarium

dance, and religion. Angela Speck, director of astronomy at the University of Missouri, will lead the discussion from 11:15 AM to 12:45 PM on Friday, June 9, at the Moss Building, 1905 Hillcrest Drive in Columbia. Find out more at Extension.Missouri.edu/learnforlife. What is your school or community doing to prepare for the Show-Me State Eclipse? Send your information to Martin@MissouriLife.com and we’ll put it on our website or include it in a future edition.

Angela Speck, director of astronomy at the University of Missouri.

Stay Tuned for More Missouri Total Solar Eclipse Next Issue: State park programs June/July: City and town celebrations August: The wrap-up and the Big Show

ECLIPSE TIME CHART From west to east, these cities will experience the maximum effect of the total solar eclipse at the listed times in the afternoon.

CITY

START

PEAK

Maryville*

11:40AM

1:07PM

St. Joseph

11:40AM

1:07PM

Kansas City Lathrop

11:41AM

1:08PM

11:41AM

1:09PM

Liberty

11:41AM

1:09PM

Independence

11:41AM

1:09PM

Excelsior Springs

11:41AM

1:09PM

Lexington

11:42AM

1:10PM

Warrensburg KENTUCKY KENTUCKY

11:43AM

1:10PM

Chillicothe

11:43AM

1:10PM

Sedalia

11:43AM

1:11PM

Marshall

11:43AM

1:12PM

Arrow Rock

11:44AM

1:12PM

Boonville

11:44AM

1:12PM

Rocheport

11:45AM

1:13PM

California

11:45AM

1:13PM

Moberly

11:45AM

1:13PM

Columbia

11:45AM

1:13PM

Jefferson City

11:46AM

1:14PM

Fulton

11:46AM

1:14PM

Mexico

11:46AM

1:14PM

Rolla*

11:47AM

1:15PM

Hermann

11:47AM

1:15PM

Sullivan

11:48AM

1:16PM

Union

11:48AM

1:16PM

O’Fallon*

11:48AM

1:17PM

St. Peters*

11:49AM

1:17PM

Chesterfield

11:49AM

1:17PM

Kirkwood

11:49AM

1:18PM

Farmington

11:49AM

1:18PM

Festus

11:49AM

1:18PM

Arnold

11:49AM

1:18PM

St. Louis*

11:50AM

1:18PM

Ste. Genevieve

11:50AM

1:19PM

Cape Girardeau

11:52AM

1:21PM

Scott City

11:52AM

1:21PM

* City not directly in total eclipse path

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JEFFERSON CITY

THE MISSOURI

TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE, 2017

CAPITAL EOLIPSE 8.21.17

RIVER FESTIVAL

August 19 - 21 - Education - Music - Eclipse Village

Explore Missouri After D ark—in the middle of the day! Make plans to visit one of these towns in the path of the 2017 Missouri Total Solar Eclipse on August 21 for a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience! 2 mins 29 secs of totality on the banks of the Missouri River

W W W. C A P I TA L E C L I P S E . O R G

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Cottonwoods R V Park Minutes from State & Local Parks, Festivals, Sporting Events, and Local Cuisine

Experience totality in Ste. Geneviève!

OPEN ALL YEAR

View the eclipse on the center line, one hour south of St. Louis along the Mississippi River.

20/30/50 AMP Service 97 Sites • 63 Pull-Thru LP Gas On Site

Visit our website for a listing of lodgings and events

Restrooms • Showers Gift Shop • Banquet Room Laundry • Store • Pool

800.373.7007 | www.VisitSteGen.com

FREE Wi-Fi 5170 N Oakland Gravel Rd Columbia, MO 65202

573.474.2747

www.cottonwoodsrvpark.com Stay with us and see the 2017 Total Eclipse!

Stay, Wine, and Dine in Cuba. From Resorts to RV hook-up campgrounds, Cuba, MO has all your lodging needs covered. Visit www.visitcubamo.com for more information. cubavisitors@gmail.com (573) 885-2531

Reserve your spot today for the event of a lifetime. [31] April 2017

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OVER HERE 100 years ago in April, Missourians and other Americans left ome to fight in the First World War. BY MARTIN W. SCHWARTZ

“The war that will end war.”

THE CLIO

That’s what they called the Great War in its early days, before anyone knew there would be an even bigger, even bloodier sequel barely a quarter century later. It is a quote that was credited to Woodrow Wilson, who was president of the United States for the entire duration of World War I, but the phrase actually came from the title of a 1914 book of essays from H. G. Wells. By the end of April 1917, after the United States entered the war, more than 3,700 volunteers from Missouri had answered the call. By the war’s end, more than 48,000 Missourians had enlisted; another 108,000 were drafted by the Selected Service Act, which Congress passed on May 18, 1917. A total of 116,515 American service members died in the war to end war, according to the US Department of Veterans Affairs. Of these, 11,172 were Missourians. The following stories commemorate contributions of Missourians to the Great War, providing but a small glimpse into the sacrifices they made. [32] MissouriLife

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Nine thousand artificial poppie have been placed under the Paul Sunderland Glass Bridge at the National World War I Museum and Memorial. Each poppy represents one thousand deaths to honor the nine million soldiers and civilians who perished as a result of the war.

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THE FIRST AND LAST Ironically, the first American officer and the last American soldier to die in World War I both had Missouri ties. Lieutenant William T. Fitzsimons was born in Burlington, Kansas, in 1889 and graduated from the Kansas University School of Medicine in 1912. He spent a year in residence at St. Mary’s Hospital in Kansas City. From September 1914 until late in 1915, William treated the casualties of the early stages of the war in England and Belgium. He had accepted surgical and teaching positions back home when the United States declared war on Germany. The young doctor returned to Europe, serving with a medical group in France. On September 7, 1917, less than two weeks into his service, Dr. Fitzsimons died in a German air attack on his field hospital

He was the United States’ first ecorded casualty of World War I. The final casualty of the war is more difficult to ascertain. A cease-fi e was ordered on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month of 1918. But brutal fighting went on right up to the last minute. Lieutenant William H. Clark received a dispatch that a machine gun outpost attempting to recapture the French village of Bouxieres needed ammunition. Lieutenant Clark needed a volunteer. Wayne Miner, a twenty-four-year-old soldier from Kansas City stepped up to the task. Wayne was a member of the Army’s 92nd Division, which consisted mostly of black American draftees. The son of former slaves, Wayne Miner was killed in action approximately three hours before the official end of World War I and is believed to be the last American casualty.

COURTESY IOWA STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY

Above: The first American office killed in World War I was Lieutenant William T. Fitzsimons. Right: Wayne Miner was possibly the last person killed in the conflict. Private Miner was killed in action approximately three hours before the cease-fire on N vember 11, 1918.

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COURTESY NATIONAL WORLD WAR I MUSEUM AND MEMORIAL

THE CAISSONS GO ROLLING ALONG Missouri provided the primary source of transportation for ammunition and equipment in World War I. Melvin Bradley, in his book, The Missouri Mule: His Origins and Times, Volume 1 (University of Missouri Extension, 1993), wrote that Germany had only four million horses and mules in 1914. England and France together were able to accumulate about six million. But the United States had twenty-five million animals to offer to the war effort. More than 14,000 horses and mules with an estimated value of $2.5 million were sent from Springfield to Europe in 1916. More than 500,000 Missouri mules were put into war service. Above: Members of the Signal Corps put a gas mask on a mule at Camp de Galbert, near Amphersbach, Alsace, Germany on August 31, 1918. Left: Soldiers load a mule-drawn wagon with supplies. The use of mule-drawn caissons would make the 1908 Caisson Song a popular marching tune in World War I. In 1956, the lyric was officially changed to, “The A y goes rolling along."

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Above left: This photo of John Lewis Barkley in uniform was taken at the Congressional Medal of Honor ceremony. Above: Barkley, here in a photo possibly from the 1920s, wrote a memoir of his experience, which was published in 1930.

remained in the tank and after the barrage ceased broke up a second enemy counterattack, thereby enabling our forces to gain and hold Hill 25.” Barkley described the action in a letter on display in the National World War I Museum: “I fi ed my last round of ammunition from the machine gun but kept my automatic pistol for hand to hand fighting [and] plunged out of the tank with a sudden dash. I had three bullet marks on my clothes and a burnt legging string.”

Barkley survived the attack and became the state’s most decorated soldier of the conflict. In addition to the Medal of Honor, he received the British Distinguished Service Cross; the French Medallile Militaire; the French Croix de Guerre; the Belgian War Cross; the Italian War cross; and the Medal de Brauere of Montenegro. His memoir, No Hard Feelings, was originally published in 1930. It was republished in 2014 by the University Press of Kansas as Scarlet Fields: The Combat Memoir of a World War I Medal of Honor Hero.

BOTH PAGES: COURTESY NATIONAL WORLD WAR I MUSEUM AND MEMORIAL

COURAGE UNDER FIRE Kansas City native John Lewis Barkley was one of five Missouri soldiers who received the Congressional Medal of Honor—the nation’s highest military award—for his heroic actions in World War I. The official citation from the US War Department reads as follows: “The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Private First Class John Lewis Barkley (ASN: 2214317), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism on 7 October 1918, while serving with Company K, 4th Infantry, 3d Division, in action at Cunel, France. Private First Class Barkley, who was stationed in an observation post half a kilometer from the German line, on his own initiative repaired a captured enemy machine gun and mounted it in a disabled French tank near his post. Shortly afterward, when the enemy launched a counterattack against our forces, Private First Class Barkley got into the tank, waited under the hostile barrage until the enemy line was abreast of him and then opened fi e, completely breaking up the counterattack and killing and wounding a large number of the enemy. Five minutes later an enemy 77-millimeter gun opened fi e on the tank pointblank. One shell struck the drive wheel of the tank, but this soldier nevertheless

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ANGEL OF MERCY Excerpted from a letter written by Private Jack Horner to E. L. Hendricks, president of Normal School No. 2 in Warrensburg (now the University of Central Missouri): “During the last drive, an Angel came out of Heaven as it were and took care of the wounded. She was a Salvation Army woman coming out unto the very battlefields to administer to the Heroes of the Front. Never tiring, never fearing the dangers, never thinking of comforts, only for others, and almost never sleeping, she worked. To each man she did the little things which only a mother would think of doing. She was a mother to all. For each man there was a cheery story and a sweet smile. I know that she gave more than one man a better, more firm grip on life. Not with any medical aid but with that indefinite something which accomplishes more than any surgeon. One boy was heard to remark after the ‘Angel of Mercy’ had turned her back, ‘Gee! But her voice sounds like music.’ Music, indeed, is the sound of a real American woman’s voice. Then to hear it when you are wounded, well there has never been a composer that has reproduced anything similar to that wonderful composition of God—a woman’s voice.” A female Salvation Army volunteer provides comfort to an injured prisoner. Before the end of the war, nearly fi e hundred “Sallies” would be called into overseas service.

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Top: The sinking of the RMS Lusitania would serve as a catalyst for the United States’ entry into World War I. Above: This is the only known photo of Theodore “Ted” Naish. Right: Belle Naish meets with members of the Boy Scout Council Camping Committee at Camp Naish in the 1930s. The totem pole behind them was completed in 1932.

COURTESY THE BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA

LOVE LOST AT SEA In the early days of the conflict, Americans tried to avoid war in Europe—President Woodrow Wilson successfully campaigned for re-election in 1916 with the slogan, “He kept us out of war”—but a single event would so anger the country that the United States’ involvement would become inevitable. On May 7, 1915, a German U-boat torpedoed the passenger ship RMS Lusitania with no warning, breaching international rules of warfare. Of the 1,962 passengers and crew on board, 128 were Americans. Kansas Citians Theodore “Ted” Naish and his wife, Belle, were taking a belated honeymoon cruise on the Lusitania. When tragedy struck, Ted and Belle remained on the deck of the ship, assisting other passengers in the use of lifejackets as the ship sank beneath them. The rising waters swept the couple apart. Belle would survive. Ted’s body was never recovered. Belle donated land in Edwardsville, Kansas, to the Boy Scouts. Camp Theodore Naish Boy Scout Reservation is still operated by the Heart of America Council, Boy Scouts of America as a recreational destination for Scouts in eastern Kansas and western Missouri.

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MISSOURI’S WWI GENERAL John Joseph “Black Jack” Pershing was commander of the American Expeditionary Force on the Western Front, insisting against opposition from the French and English that American troops would operate under American command. He was born on September 13, 1860, in Laclede. Pershing’s home in Laclede has been preserved and visitors are invited to tour the nine-room Gothic-style house at Gen. John J. Pershing Boyhood Home State Historic Site. For more information, go to MoStateParks.com and choose Gen. John J. Pershing Boyhood Home State Historic Site.

COURTESY NATIONAL WORLD WAR I MUSEUM AND MEMORIAL, MARTIN W. SCHWARTZ

Top: General John Pershing (left in photo) pins a medal on an unidentified offic . Below: The World War I Museum and Memorial is the nation’s only major memorial and museum dedicated to the Great War.

STEP BACK IN TIME The National World War I Museum and Memorial is located in downtown Kansas City, overlooking Union Station and the KC skyline. Visitors can view exhibits of artifacts from the Great War, including the recently opened “Posters as Munitions, 1917” exhibition that displays how individual countries used artwork and slogans to convey messages about World War I. The museum is open from 10 AM to 5 PM Tuesday through Sunday, and daily from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Call 816-888-8100 or go to TheWorldWar.org for more information.

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Swe

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Americans still gather when they hear a calliope’s “oom-pah-pah” melodies—whether played manually with the keyboard, by paper rolls similar to a player piano, or through digital computer files. The steam- and air-powered organs remain fixtures on Mississippi riverboats and carnivals, carousels, amusement parks, and circuses.

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“To draw passenger travel the owner … had a steam calliope … a new musical instrument at the time, placed on board the vessel. On her first trip up the river with the calliope numbers of residents for two or three miles on either shore … came down to the water to ascertain where the floating music box came from … It was employed as an advertisement … and it proved a drawing card by its novelty, for the daily passenger list was almost double what it was before its installation.”

weet

—History of American Steam Navigation by John Harrison Morrison (1903)

Norman Baker and Dan Dohman could hardly be more different. Norman, who patented the Tangley Calliaphone in 1914, was a purple-wearing, attention-craving showman, radio crank, and phony cancer doctor. Dan, who builds Tangley calliopes today, is a quiet, religious man who methodically crafts “better, stronger” replicas of Norman’s ingenious, mechanical music contraptions in the shop behind his rural northeast Missouri home. “It’s safe to say we’re the only company in the world that builds calliopes,” says Dan, the denim-clad owner of Miner Company LLC, a one-man operation set amid the rolling, green prairies east of Kirksville. His neatly ordered shop is fragrant with machine oil and sawdust. Brass whistles, in graduated lengths and diameters, gleam on a worktable. Dan hefts one of them and screws it into a fitting on the top of a fi e-engine-red cabinet. Below that shiny metal panel is a five-octave keyboard connected to a manifold of pipes that distributes compressed air to the proper whistle when a key is pressed. The market for calliopes these days is “narrow,” Dan says. “I’m amazed how few people even know what a calliope is.”

Kirksville calliope cr aft sman keeps the happy music fl owing. BY EMERY STYRO N • PHOTOS BY HARRY KATZ

Not Ear Candy

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Even those who know the name are unsure about the pronunciation—kah-LIE-o-pee or KAL-i-ope. You hear it both ways. Vachel Linday didn’t help matters when he published this ditty in Reedy’s Mirror in 1877: Proud folk stare after me, Call me Calliope; Tooting joy, tooting hope, I am the calliope. Norman Baker sidestepped the issue by calling his device a “Calliaphone,” but its lineage traces to the firs

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Top right: Dan wears ear protection to test a new creation because the sound is designed to be heard a mile away. Right: The front panel has been removed to reveal the intricate workings linking the fi e-octave keyboard to the tuned whistles. Far right: Dan prepares the brass tubing that will be installed as one of the calliope’s whistles.

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steam calliope, patented by New Yorker Joshua Stoddard in 1855. Stoddard named his creation for the “beautifully voiced” muse of Greek mythology. Its sound wasn’t exactly ear candy per this period description in Mechanical Music Press: “It played awful music. It was too loud for comfort and, despite the fact that its manipulator was as much a plumber as musician, one never found a calliope with all whistles in tune at one time. The back end of a calliope wagon contained the upright boiler and an attendant kept it stoked with coal or wood so there was plenty of pressure whenever the player decided to render Over the Waves or Go Tell Aunt Rhody. The raucous hoots and toots of the calliope served like the pipes of Pan.” The steam calliope’s scalding vapors, massive size, and limited musical scale found redemption nonetheless in its peerless ability to send an unmissable message that the show was in town.

The Mentalist Musician Norman Baker, who had grown up watching calliopesummoned crowds greet Mississippi steamboats in Muscatine, Iowa, saw potential in a portable version. A traveling mentalist who owned part-interest in a metal shop, he developed an air-powered calliope and planned to mount it on a car to promote his show. Whether he actually invented it is subject to dispute. He may have been piggybacking on the work of Joseph Ori, whose air-powered calliope came out in 1905. Norman’s device—named for Madame Tangley, a mind reader in his act—was easy to transport and play, had a wider musical range than steam models and could be heard for a quarter mile. Using paper rolls like a player piano, it could also operate automatically. The Tangley was a hit in that era of boomers and hucksters. An opportunistic entrepreneur, Norman turned to manufacturing and was soon earning $250,000 per year making calliopes and other products while running a correspondence art school and mail-order business. But after a career hawking phony cancer cures and running a radio station that blasted national tirades against Jews, Catholics, and the American Medical Association, Norman was imprisoned for mail fraud and died of cancer in 1958. The Tangley and its competitors seemingly reached the end of the line around mid-century as well. Kansas Citybased National Calliope sold its final new unit in 1950 to the Hadacol Show, one of the country’s last traveling medicine spectacles, according to the entertainment trade journal Billboard. Hadacol caravan promoter Dudley Leblanc, aka Cousin Dud, employed celebrities such as Bob Hope, Carmen Miranda, and Jack Dempsey to peddle case after case of his 12 percent alcohol, cure-all elixir. Despite the seedy associations, calliopes were and are

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Dan tests the punched paper rolls that allow his creations to be automated—essentially playing pre-recorded music through the calliope’s unique brass whistles. In his one-man shop, Dan is designer, engineer, repairman, and performer, quality-testing each machine before sending it home with his happy customer.

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intricate, finely crafted instruments, valued by collectors, musicians and entertainment venues. Thanks to Dan Dohman, there is someone to repair them and build new ones.

Return of the Tangley The Tangley business had been “dead and done sixty or seventy years,” when Dan’s former employer, Dave Miner, picked up the brand name and began building replicas in Fort Madison, Iowa. Dan worked for years as Dave’s righthand man and bought the business after his death in 2008. Serial numbers indicate about 1,300 Tangley calliopes have been built. The Miner Company accounts for more than 325 of those. Dan estimates there are about 2,000 calliopes in the world, counting those from other manufacturers. One Tangley that many Missourians have likely heard sits aboard Hannibal’s Mark Twain excursion boat. Miner custom-built that calliope a quarter century ago. Dan, who had helped produce the original, modified the calliope to play electronic files a few years ago and won the admiration of the boat’s owner, Captain Steve Terry. “He’s awesome,” Steve says. “After Mr. Miner passed away, we were concerned about who we were going to get to work on it. It was a blessing for us to get it upgraded and keep it running.” Dan offers repair service and turns out about one new, improved Tangley per month. He works alone, except for occasional help from family members. He also crafts popcorn wagons, another bit of Americana. Modern Tangleys—like their older counterparts— get their unique sound from sets of tuned brass whistles that expel air from 360-degree windways. The tubes of a pipe organ, in contrast, have a one-directional notch on each pipe face. Except for some precision metal-cutting at a welding shop and pre-made keyboards, Dan creates Tangleys from scratch. He fabricates housings with a sheet metal brake, applies powder-coat paints, builds wooden cabinets, machines the fittings and cuts, and polishes and “voices” brass whistles. He equips Tangleys to play themselves, either with paper rolls or electronic components that accept MIDI (musical instrument digital interface) files Dan will customize a calliope for his customers—all red or black, all brass, taller or shorter—but he has no personal preference. “My favorite is the one I just sold,” he says. That could be the one thing he and Norman Baker have in common. In a world of change, calliope music has a timeless appeal with an undiminished ability to draw a crowd. “It tends to put people on the street in a good mood,” says the Mark Twain’s Captain Terry. “It definitely draws people to the riverfront when we play it.”

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The St. Louis Municipal Opera Theatre—better known as The Muny—has been called America’s oldest and largest outdoor theater.

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C U R TA I N CALL Missouri’s professional theaters boast a rich history and a proud tradition. //////////////////////////////

BY AMY BURGER

COURTESY THE MUNY

he Great White Way may not run through Missouri, but the Show-Me State has its own rich history and legacy of theater—from national Broadway tours to small community productions to cuttingedge modern companies. On any given night across the state, there are numerous opportunities to experience the thrill of live theater, up close and personal. Missourians have been attending and producing theater for more than a hundred years, and the state boasts some uniquely beautiful historic venues. The Muny in St. Louis’s Forest Park, for example, is America’s oldest and largest outdoor musical theater, entering its ninety-ninth season in 2017. The inspiration for a permanent outdoor theater in Forest Park came during the 1904 World’s Fair, further realized in 1916 with a series of outdoor performances of William Shakespeare’s As You Like It, in the first official production staged on the future Muny site. Constructed in 1917, the Municipal Theatre hosted six performances of the opera Aida, produced for the thirteenth annual Convention of Advertising Clubs of the World. In 1919, the theater received its official name, The Municipal Opera Association of St. Louis, or The Muny for short. Today, The Muny presents a full season of musicals each summer, with a capacity of 11,000 for each show. As is tradition, approximately 1,500 seats in the last

nine rows of the theater remain free on a first come, first-se ved basis. “In the beginning, the foundation was to have a place in the community to come together—a place in the park where people could gather in the evening and have some entertainment in the bowl of Forest Park where it was a bit cooler and there was a breeze,” says Kwofe Coleman, The Muny’s marketing and communications director. “It’s continued to be that. The concept of it being a civic municipal theater was that it was for the people of St. Louis—representing what they wanted to see.” The Muny presents performances fully produced in the city, down to every set piece. Most people who have grown up in St. Louis have experienced the theater at some point in their lives. “We’re ninety-nine years old, so now there are grandparents and great-grandparents and some families that represent six generations of coming to The Muny,” Kwofe says. Across the state, another outdoor musical theater, the Starlight Theatre, has entertained Kansas City audiences since 1950 in beautiful Swope Park. There had been discussions of an outdoor stage in the park for decades by the mid-1940s, but plans for celebrating the city’s centennial added urgency to its completion. A historical review, Thrills of a Century, holds the claim to the very first performance

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Starlight Theatre is the second-largest theater in the country, as shown in this wide-angle photo of the 7.958-seat venue located in Kansas City’s Swope Park.

Streets, was the first theater in St. Louis and the first real theater west of the Mississippi. It hosted everything from Shakespearean classics to American dramas to opera before the federal government tore it down in 1951 to make room for a post office Kansas City’s Standard Theatre (now known as the Folly Theater) opened in 1900, featuring both vaudeville and burlesque acts such as the Marx Brothers, Al Jolson, Gypsy Rose Lee, and Fanny Brice. As Kansas City’s oldest historic theater, The Folly is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and now hosts a variety of music and theater events throughout the year. The Fabulous Fox Theater in St. Louis, originally built as a movie palace in 1927, was lovingly restored in the 1970s by Fox Associates and reopened in 1982 to become a world-class theater destination, hosting its annual Broadway Series of national touring productions. Columbia’s Missouri Theatre—built in 1928 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places—is the only remaining central Missouri pre-Depression-era movie palace and vaudeville stage. Much of its original detailing survives today. . These famous venues—plus well-known college and repertory companies—offer many ways for Missouri’s theater lovers to sate their stage cravings. But that’s not all! Smaller, lesser-known theater groups are filling the gap in the Show-Me State and pushing boundaries with unique and intimate experiences.

S TA R S T R U C K Explore the 2017 lineups and entertainment options at Missouri’s best-known professional theater venues. The Muny 1 Theatre Drive, St. Louis • 314-361-1900 Muny.org The Fabulous Fox Theatre 527 North Grand Boulevard, St. Louis 314-534-1678 • FabulousFox.com Starlight Theatre 4600 Starlight Road, Kansas City 816-363-7827 • KCStarlight.com Folly Theater 300 West Twelfth Street, Kansas City 816-474-4444 • FollyTheater.org Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre 114 High Street, Arrow Rock • 660-837-3311 LyceumTheatre.org Missouri Theatre 203 South Ninth Street, Columbia 573-882-3781 • ConcertSeries.missouri.edu Stages St. Louis 1023 Chesterfield Parkway East, Chesterfield 314-821-5959

COURTESY STARLIGHT THEATRE

in the not-quite-completed Starlight on June 4, 1950, in celebration of Kansas City’s one hundredth birthday. A year later, the newly finished Starlight opened its first Broadway season. When it opened, there were about forty professional, self-producing outdoor theaters in the country. Today, only Missouri’s Starlight and The Muny remain. Between the two outdoor theaters, in the small central Missouri village of Arrow Rock, lies another historic gem. The Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre has entertained audiences for more than fifty-five years with a wide range of productions. The theater hosts performers, designers, directors, and technicians who live on-site for six months of the year, bringing Broadway-caliber productions to visitors from across the state. The Lyceum began humbly in the vacant Arrow Rock Baptist Church with a first-season budget of only $3,500. It expanded in 1969, increasing the size of the stage and seating to accommodate two hundred guests, and then again in 1993, doubling its capacity with a new addition housing a much larger stage, expanded dressing rooms, and new costume and scene shops. The original converted church structure became a spacious lobby. Today, more than thirty thousand theater patrons attend productions at The Lyceum each season. Missouri traces its passion for theater to well before these beloved venues, however, hearkening back to the days of vaudeville and beyond. The long-gone St. Louis Theatre, built in 1837 at the corner of Third and Olive

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Kansas City KANSAS CITY ACTORS THEATRE

COURTESY ARROW ROCK LYCEUM THEATRE, KANSAS CITY ACTORS THEATRE, SPRINGFIELD CONTEMPORARY THEATRE

The Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre has been entertaining audiences in central Missouri for more than fifty ears.

Springfield SPRINGFIELD CONTEMPORARY THEATRE Presenting year-round productions of plays and musicals, Springfield Contemporary Theatre is entering its twentysecond season using mostly local actors complemented by guest professionals. “We target specifically contemporary theater or theater that can be re-examined with a contemporary view; so not everything we do was written in the last twenty-five years, but most of it is,” says Managing Artistic Director Rick Dines. The small theater has eighty-seven seats on three sides of the stage with no seat more than sixteen feet from the stage. Most shows focus on modern social themes, with around ten shows produced each season. This will be the third season in which

one of the productions is a solo play festival featuring three plays written for only one actor in rotation. 302 East Pershing Street • 417-831-8001 SpringfieldContempora yTheatre.org

Formed by a veteran collective of artists, Kansas City Actors Theatre re-imagines modern classics in its home at the H&R Block City Stage at Union Station. Entering its thirteenth season, Kansas City Actors is led by an artistic committee made up of both on-the-boards and behind-the-scenes members with a long history in Kansas City area theater. “It’s really about supporting local artists, because that is the spirit of how the company first formed,” says Matt Sameck, director of marketing and development. To that end, this season Kansas City Actors Theatre will partner with the University of Missouri-Kansas City Theatre Department, using some student performers in combination with Equity actors to do a production of King Lear at the Spencer Theater. “We focus on classic and contemporary classic theater, producing authors and stories that typically don’t get a lot of attention, yet are still well known or prolific,” Matt says. “We recently did My Old Lady, a show by Israel Horovitz, who has been writing for about seventy years, but most people have never heard of him.” 30 West Pershing Road • 816-361-5228 KCActors.org

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St. Joseph ROBIDOUX RESIDENT THEATRE In northwest Missouri, St. Joseph’s Robidoux Resident Theatre (RRT) focuses on professional quality theater productions with the spirit of volunteerism. Run by just two fulltime staff members, RRT runs two seasons each year out of two venues—the Missouri Theatre and the Landing Playhouse dinner theater. RRT also hosts murder mystery theater and a children’s theater academy program. “This is a community theater, so all of our actors and technicians are volunteers who

come together at night to put together these shows; and we put on some wonderful, highquality productions,” says Program Director Lindsay Prawitz. “I always say we do theater well, but we do community better.” Each season runs from October through August of the following year and all Robidoux Resident Theatre auditions are open to the public, so each cast is different. “They keep coming back because it’s something they love to do,” Lindsay says. “It’s neat to see people from all walks of life come together to do theater.” 717 Edmond Street & 103 West Francis Street 816-232-1778 • RRTStJoe.org

COURTESY ST. JOSEPH ROBIDOUX RESIDENT THEATRE, NEW LINE THEATRE

Cape Girardeau ACTING OUT! Cape Girardeau-based Acting Out! involves members of all ages and backgrounds to create enjoyable entertainment for the community. Former Artistic Director Kasey Cox founded the company in 2013 to fill a void for those interested in participating in theater outside of the university setting. “She wanted an outlet in the community for a theater experience, whether attending, acting, or being on the crew, and there wasn’t really that type of opportunity at the time for nonstudents,” says Executive Director Amanda Rhodes. Though Acting Out! is a nonprofit community theater group, the production quality is professional, and when budget allows, the company does pay its cast and director. Open auditions take place for each show, so new cast members join each season. Acting Out! produces between two and four shows per season at various local venues; the group has performed everything from musicals—its first was Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat—to Shakespeare in the Park. “We try to choose shows we think the community will enjoy and that we’re interested in doing as well,” Amanda says. “We’re always looking to add and involve more people, so there’s never a reason to not come be involved.” 16 A North Spanish Street ActingOutSEMO.com

St. Louis NEW LINE THEATRE Priding itself as “The bad boy of musical theater,” New Line, led by Artistic Director Scott Miller, produces a full season of edgy and socially relevant musicals each year at its home inside the Marcelle Theatre in the Grand Center Arts District of St. Louis. Some shows are world premieres and some are classics with a twist. “The number one thing is that a show has to have some kind of political and/or social content,” Scott says. “In some cases, that will be a very subtle thing, and in some cases, it will be really overt; but if it’s not about some issue in that area, it’s not a New Line show.” In October, the company opens its new season with Lizzie, a four-woman rock opera about Lizzie Borden. In 2018, New Line takes on Yeast Nation written by the creators of Urinetown. 3310 Samuel Shepard Drive • 314-773-6526 • NewLineTheatre.com [50] MissouriLife

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2 0 1 7 P L AY B I L L S New Line Theatre, St. Louis The Sweet Smell of Success, June 1–24 Out on Broadway: The Third Coming, August 3–19

COURTESY OZARKS ACTORS THEATRE, MAPLES REPERTORY THEATRE

Rolla OZARK ACTORS THEATRE One of only three professional summer stock theaters in outstate Missouri, Ozark Actors Theatre in Rolla first began entertaining area audiences in 1988 with a production of Godspell in the converted historic First Baptist Church, now known as the Cedar Street Playhouse. The company officially purchased the building in 1993, making it a permanent home and adding 200-capacity theater seating. This summer, Ozark Actors Theatre celebrates its thirtieth season of producing professional theater. “We use Equity professional actors from around the country as well as locals,” says Managing Director Stephenie Moser. “It’s a great range of everyone working together.” The thirtieth season kicks off June 22 with the fun, family-friendly Footloose. 701 North Cedar Street • 573-364-9523 • OzarkActorsTheatre.org

Macon MAPLES REPERTORY THEATRE Located in historic downtown Macon, Maples Repertory Theatre is an Actors’ Equity union theater, becoming a temporary home to professional actors, directors, designers, and technicians from across the country from June to December each year. Maples Rep also has an educational component, offering shows and day camps for kids in the area. 102 North Rubey Street • 660-385-2924 MaplesRep.com

Columbia TALKING HORSE THEATRE If you’re looking for an intimate and unique evening at the theater in central Missouri, look no further than Talking Horse Theatre in the North Village Arts District of downtown Columbia. The black-box theater company, headed by Ed Hanson, founder and artistic director (Talking Horse … Mr. Ed, get it?), provides an annual season of six shows, balanced between musicals, comedies, and dramas. With only seventy seats in the house, audiences get to experience outstanding performances by talented local actors up close and personal. “My favorite productions as an actor are smaller works, driven by intense characters and rich dialogue,” Ed says. 210 Saint James Street • 573-268-1381 TalkingHorseProductions.org

Stages St. Louis Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, June 2-July 2 9 to 5 The Musical, July 21-August 20 South Pacific, September 8-October 8 Kansas City Actors Theatre The Realistic Joneses, May 24–June 11 Talking Horse Productions, Columbia Violet, April 21–23, 27–30, and May 4–7 Stage Kiss, June 9–11, 15–18 The Lyons, August 11–13, 17–20 The Gin Game, October 13–15, 19–22 The Antique Carol, December 1–3, 7–10 Maples Repertory Theatre, Macon Million Dollar Quartet, June 14–July 9 Leading Ladies, June 23–July 22 Anything Goes, July 14–August 6 Quilters, September 29–October 15 Shout!, October 25–November 5 Boeing–Boeing, November 29–December 10 Robidoux Resident Theatre, St. Joseph Steel Magnolias, April 28–May 14 Springfield Contemporary Theatr The Robber Bridegroom, April 21–May 7 Acting Out! Cape Girardeau Visit ActingOutSEMO.com for an updated schedule and contact information. Ozark Actors Theatre, Rolla Footloose, June 22–July 2 On Golden Pond, July 13–23 Follies, July 29 I Do! I Do!, August 3–13

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LEARN THE REAL STORY BEHIND ONE OF THE MOST BELOVED AMERICAN FOLK SONGS OF ALL TIME.

VINCENT SAMMY

THAT BAD MAN STAGGER LEE

BY RON SOODALTER

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mythical Americans. And looking at the history of the man objectively, there is no reason to anticipate that it would. Somewhere in his youth, Lee Shelton had acquired the nickname “Stack” Lee, presumably after a steamboat—the Stack Lee which was then plying the Mississippi River. Physically, he was unprepossessing. At five-foot-seven, he was a relatively small man with a crossed left eye. According to the prison record, he had a face and torso that boasted several scars. He owned one of the tenderloin’s more notorious nightspots, the Modern Horseshoe Club, and presumably used his job as carriage driver to direct white visitors emerging from Canal Street’s Southern Railroad Station to his nightclub, the local bordellos, or directly to girls whose activities he personally oversaw. Lee belonged to a group of pimps known as macks. They were conspicuous for their strutting style and their flashy clothes. According to Cecil Brown, on the night Lee killed Billy Lyons, he wore a black dress coat, high-collar embroidered yellow shirt, elaborately patterned red velvet vest, and gray striped slacks. Dove-gray spats covered the tops of his St. Louis flats low-heeled shoes, with long, pointed, upswept toes, on each of which was a small mirror, designed to catch the light. He wore gold rings on his fingersand carried a

SARAH HACKMAN

ON CHRISTMAS EVE, 1895, a shooting occurred in a North St. Louis saloon that was destined to find a prominent—and permanent—place in American oral tradition. The participants were two black men, a levee hand named William “Billy” Lyons and a part-time carriage driver and full-time pimp named Lee Shelton. In the course of an argument, Billy snatched Lee’s Stetson hat from his head, whereupon Lee first struck and then shot him. Billy died of his wound shortly thereafter, and Lee was sentenced to a twenty-five-year prison term. These are the bare bones of the case, upon which have been piled countless folk tales, legends, and outright lies, ultimately giving rise to what has become one of the most popular American murder ballads as well as one of the most widely adapted song in our national history. “Stagger Lee,” alternately known as “Stagolee” or “Stackalee,” has been reinvented innumerable times as a work chant, field holler, blues, rag, jazz, rock, and folk song. It surfaced as the theme of a major work, Staggerlee Wonders by noted poet James Baldwin, and is the subject of the book Stagolee Shot Billy by Cecil Brown. It is virtually impossible to predict what people or events will be caught up in the myth-making machine and what will simply fall by the way. Lee Shelton himself, armed with a pistol and buoyed by drink on that Christmas night more than 120 years ago, certainly had no inkling that his rash act of violence would elevate him to the pantheon of

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In fact, if the local newspapers are to be credited, the altercation was political in nature. Apparently, Billy was a Republican. The discussion grew increasingly heated, and fueled by a significant intake of spirits, Lee dented Billy’s derby, whereupon Billy grabbed the Stetson from Lee’s head. Lee threatened to shoot Billy unless he returned the hat forthwith: I got a brand new razor, Got a big old .41. If you stay, I’m gonna cut you down, Gonna shoot you if you run. Billy refused. Taking a knife from his pocket, he proclaimed, “I’m going to make you kill me!” Lee hit him on the head with his pistol, which was actually a .44-caliber Smith & Wesson. When that failed to produce the desired results, Lee fi ed a round into Billy’s abdomen. As Billy staggered along the bar, clutching the rail, Lee walked up and, retrieving his Stetson, said, “I told you to give me my hat!” He then turned and walked calmly home. Billy Lyons succumbed the next morning, one of five murder victims in St. Louis that Christmas Day. Lee was arrested, tried, and—after two trials—sentenced to twentyfive years in the Missouri State Penitentia y. However, practically all the various iterations of the song have Stagger Lee executed for his crime: Judge stood in the courtroom, Said, Mr. Stagger Lee, I’m gonna hang your body high, Gonna set your spirit free. In reality, Lee Shelton was paroled in 1909 but found himself in trouble again just two years later. This time, there would be no parole; Stack Lee died of tuberculosis in the prison infirma y in early 1912. The disease had taken a terrible toll, and the unromantic truth is that by the time he died, the pimp, gambler, and murderer weighed only 102 pounds. The folk versions are much more dramatic. In a number of variations, even death itself is not the end for Stagger Lee. On attempting to enter heaven, he is rebuffed at the gates by St. Peter: Stagger Lee went to Heaven, And he met St. Peter there; Says turn around, go down the other way, we don’t Allow no gamblers here!

Stagger Lee says to Billy, I can’t let you go with that. You done won my money, You can’t have my Stetson hat!

HARRY KATZ

gold-headed cane. Crowning it all was an expensive highroller, white Stetson, its hatband adorned with an embroidered image of his favorite girl, Lillie. There was no lack of carnal opportunity in Lee Shelton’s part of town. It was a notorious red-light district, known as Deep Morgan. A bastion of blues and ragtime music, Deep Morgan was also a neighborhood in which gambling flourished and prostitution was rife. There, the infamous brothel, colloquially known as the Bucket of Blood, could operate without fear of civic interference. It was to Lower Morgan Street that the urban white people from the city’s more upscale sections would “go slumming,” then to their respectable homes before daylight caught them out. With the growing flood of immigration of poor Southern blacks in the decades following the Civil War, the black sections of town quickly began to overflo . Slums were the natural result, and by the 1890s, 85 percent of the city’s black population occupied only 2 percent of its space. Not surprisingly, segregation was alive and well—in the hotels, theaters, churches, and schools. Within a few years, the city would pass a referendum banning black people from living on blocks that were minimally 75 percent white. For such men as Stack Lee Shelton, however, business was booming. In addition to his holdings in Deep Morgan, Lee occupied an impressive brick house at 911 North Twelfth Street, situated in a more upscale neighborhood. This did not impede him from building “cribs” in back of his house, where some of his girls conducted business under his watchful eye. Concurrent to following the demands of his profession, Lee was also the president of a social body known as the Four Hundred Club. In addition to being a “sporting” circle, it strongly supported the city’s Democratic Party. The Four Hundred Club presented itself in the strictest of moral tones and professed to advance “the moral and physical culture of young colored men” and to eschew all acts of violence. Following Lee’s shooting of Billy Lyons, a St. Louis newspaper printed a letter to the editor from members of the Four Hundred Club, stating that “Mr. Lee was our captain. We deeply regret the situation into which our unfortunate … brother has fallen.” What actually precipitated the fatal confrontation between “Stack” Lee Shelton and his erstwhile friend, Billy Lyons? According to the lines in the song, it was over a game of chance:

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The only remaining option for the deceased killer is hell, and again Stagger Lee asserts himself, this time for control over the Devil’s domain:

SARAH HACKMAN

Stagger Lee told the Devil, He says, “Git up on your shelf! My name is Stagger Lee, I’m gonna Run this place myself!” Even in death, the larger-than-life figu e of Stagger Lee triumphs. It is unfathomable why the obscure murder of a levee hand in a red-light bar would attain such far-reaching notoriety, while songs about equally sordid killings—fact-based murder ballads such as “Ella Speed” and “Duncan and Brady”—are doomed to relative obscurity. Nonetheless, “Stagger Lee” spread with extraordinary speed, beginning shortly after the actual killing. It was soon being sung in various forms by workers on the levee, convicts on chain gangs throughout the South, saloon and street singers, and even school children. Soon, the musical, mythical itera-

tion of “Stack Lee” supplanted the man himself, as black America cultivated and nurtured a heroic outlaw to admire. In the past several decades, artists of all genres and background have taken to the song. A dedicated online site—The Definitive List of Stagger Lee Songs—names 426 distinct singers who have put the song on wax or vinyl. They include such exalted artists as Ma Rainey, Cab Calloway, Jimmy Dorsey, Duke Ellington, James Brown, Fats Domino, Peggy Lee, Bob Dylan, Woody Guthrie, Carl Sandburg, Mississippi John Hurt, Doc Watson, Pete Seeger, Ike and Tina Turner, Nick Cave, Amy Winehouse, Taj Mahal, Wilson Pickett, Elton John, Leon Russell, the Grateful Dead, Huey Lewis, Beck, the Black Keys, and the Clash. However, the definitive version of the song came out in 1959 when rhythm-and-blues singer Lloyd Price topped the charts with his snappy, horn-drenched version. As a man, the lowlife pimp and murderer Lee Shelton has all but sunk into obscurity. However, as raised up by more than a century of popular culture, the righteous killer Stagger Lee has become an icon to generations, who see in the folk character a defiance of authority, pride of self, and strength in the face of adversity.

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NEW ENGLAND ASTER

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In Bloom Henry David Thoreau encouraged us to “live in each season as it passes.” Every gardener knows and does that. BY EVAN WOOD

THE GIFTS OF A SIMPLE GARDEN can keep giving all season. The bounty of vegetables and herbs yields tasty nutrition as well as a healthy zest for life. The beauty of flo ers and caring for plants soothe the soul. Even potted plants or window boxes quite literally provide the air we breathe. Even more, our gardens provide shelter for the monarch butterflies, pollen for the bees, and nutrients for the soil in the cycle of life. Nurseries are the starting point for expert gardeners and newbies alike. They provide the seeds, bulbs, implements, and other essentials, and nursery staffers offer a perennial source of gardening wisdom. History buffs, take note: Two Missouri nurseries have been in continuous operation since the nineteenth century, and one of them holds the title of oldest continuously operated nursery in the world. We’ve dug up fascinating stories on a few Show Me State nurseries and planted some other gems here, too. Happy gardening! REEDS

COURTESY MISSOURI WILDFLOWER NURSERY

Gilbert H. Wild and Son

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The story of Gilbert H. Wild begins, like many Missouri stories, with German immigrants. George Jones, who owns the company today, says the eponymous Gilbert’s father was on a wagon train bound for the Southwest when his wagon broke down in Missouri. The Missouri landscape reminded him of home, so he decided to settle in Jasper County. Gilbert H. Wild and Son has been in business for 132 years now, and operated in the same family until George Jones bought it in 1991. George has a degree in horticulture and a long history of working with plants. As a

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2944 State Highway 37 • 417-548-3514 GilbertHWild.com

GOWER

Comanche Acres

Not too many cattle farmers decide to switch to growing and breeding irises, but thirty-seven years ago that’s what Jim Hedgecock did. The owner of Comanche Acres says he didn’t think

he had enough land for a cattle operation, and in lieu of scaling up, he thought he’d try growing irises. Although it may seem like a dramatic career change, the idea didn’t just come out of the blue. “My mother and grandmother and several family members grew irises here at the farm,” Jim says. He decided to try growing a crop, and the rest is history. “I knew from the start that if it worked, I’d start a commercial farm,” he says. Today, Comanche Acres is the largest commercial iris farm east of the Rocky Mountains, and Jim says that’s been the case for years. Although at one time he was growing irises on fifteen acres, he’s recently scaled back to a slightly more modest ten-acre operation. Comanche Acres has developed a reputation for introducing new colors every year. Jim is a hybridizer, meaning he breeds different species of irises in order to combine their pigments and create colorful new varieties. He is also a judge emeritus in the American Iris Society, which is the highest rank a member can achieve. He judges contests and gives seminars all over the country. In May, the irises are in bloom at Comanche Acres and visitors may walk the fields there.

If you’re interested in buying, you’ll get a clipboard when you arrive; walk around and write down the varieties you like. Place an order, and they’ll be shipped to you when ready. Comanche Acres ships to all fifty states, plus Canada and Europe. 12421 Southeast State Route 116 • 855414-4747 • ComancheAcresIris.com

ARMSTRONG

Lilywood Farms

Alex and Mary Fife got into the business of selling daylilies through Missouri artist Brian Mahieu. The artist kept his own garden near Boonville, but didn’t have the acreage to support all of the daylily varieties he was creating. Mary says she and her husband were already friends of Brian’s, and “he knew Alex grew things well,” so he asked them to become his partners. Using the gardens that the Fifes operated near Armstrong, the three formed a partnership in 2000. At the time, the Fifes were already running an agricultural operation on their farm, which has been in their family since 1871. Today it’s just Alex and Mary running the business, and Mary says that since 2010 they’ve been doing business exclusively

COURTESY LILYWOOD FARMS

merchandiser for Michigan Bulb Company, he traveled to Sarcoxie to find out whether the owners of Gilbert H. Wild would sell flowers to his company. “They said, ‘No, we’re selling the company,’ ” George recalls. He took the news back to his boss, who said he wasn’t interested in acquiring a growing operation. This left George at a fork in the road. “I needed $110,000 to buy the company, and that year my bonus was $130,000,” George says, “It was a godsend.” Gilbert Wild started raising peonies and today, George raises peonies, daylilies, irises, and hostas on his 250-acre farm, which includes the same tract Gilbert was working back in 1885. The company sells plants online or through mail order. There is no storefront, but visitors are welcome to walk the fields when flowers a e in bloom.

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online, forgoing a brick-and-mortar store. “We still carry some Mahieu cultivars,” she says. Brian Mahieu moved out of Missouri in 2016 to the state of Washington. About three acres of the farm are devoted to daylilies, from registered-name species to newly hybridized seedlings. Asked about her favorite varieties, Mary tells people, “I like the one I’m looking at, at the moment. I really just love flowers.” You can order from Lilywood Farms through the website or a mail-in form. 100 County Road 263 • 660-273-2531 LilywoodFarms.com

COURTESY COMANCHE ACRES, GILBERT H. WILD AND SON

JEFFERSON CITY

Missouri Wildflowers Nursery

In 1984, Mervin Wallace had become disillusioned with the nine-to-five grind, so he decided to leave it and create Missouri Wildflowers Nursery. With a background in botany and biology, Mervin says he was interested in cultivating native species. “I started the nursery with the idea that I was going to sell plants from within the state,” he says. Part of Mervin’s business model has been winning over hearts and minds. In the ear-

Top left: Lilies bloom in a field at Lilywood Farms. Top right: Colorful irises adorn the landscape at Comanche Acres. Above: An inviting field of fl wers in bloom beckons to all Show-Me State gardeners at Gilbert H. Wild and Son.

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9814 Pleasant Hill Road • 573-496-3492 MOWildFlowers.net

LOUISIANA

Stark Bro’ s

Of all the gardening suppliers in the state, Stark Bro’s stands out for its long, illustrious history. Founded in 1816 by James Hart Stark, an immigrant from Bourbon County, Kentucky, Stark Bro’s was owned and operated by his descendants until as recently as 1994.

In those 178 years, the Stark family came up with the idea to hold an International Fruit Fair, which allowed fruit growers to send in their creations to compete for top honors. The winner the first year was, according to the Stark Bro’s website, “a strange-looking elongated apple with five bumps on the blossom end.” As soon as they identified the grower, Jesse Hiatt, the Starks wasted no time in securing rights to the variety, known today as the Delicious apple. In 1914, another submission of Delicious apples came in, but this time the fruit was yellow, submitted by A.H. Mullins. Today the majority of the world’s apples come from the Red and Golden Delicious varieties. In 2013, Stark Bro’s merged with Miller Nurseries, a New York-based company. At age 201, Stark Bro’s is the oldest continuously operated nursery in the world. You can purchase a wide variety of fruit, nut, and landscape trees from the Louisiana, Missouri, garden center or from the company’s website. 11523 Highway NN • 800-325-4180 • StarkBros.com

ST. LOUIS

Bowood Farms

John McPheeters began Bowood farms as a wholesale perennial nursery in 1989. The farm in “Bowood Farms” is in Clarksville, and Lizzy Rickard, daughter of John McPheeters, says her great-grandparents founded it as a traditional agricultural operation. They’re also the source of the “Bowood” part of the name, which Lizzy and her family speculatively attribute to the rows of Osage Orange trees that were once on the farm—the Osage Indians utilized wood from the trees in the Mississippi River valley to make bows and arrows. Lizzy says she and her brother began working for the farm in the early 2000s, and decided

Above left: Stark Bro’s has been a growing legacy since 1816. Above: Echinacea paradox, or yellow conefl wers, grow at Missouri Wildfl wers Nursery. Right: Bowood Farms’ large variety of fl wers and plants are on display at their store.

to switch the business from a wholesale supplier to a storefront in St. Louis, distributing all their products through one brick-and-mortar location. Today, the Bowood Farms nursery is in a beautifully rehabilitated building in St. Louis’s Central West End neighborhood. The building was an auto-repair shop, then a plastics and cabinet manufacturing plant before its purchase in 2005 by Bowood Farms. At the St. Louis location, visitors will find not only a nursery but also a curated gift shop, with wares Lizzy describes as “gardeninspired” and including a full line of pottery. Cafe Osage serves foods sourced in part from the Clarksville farm. Although Bowood began as a perennial-focused nursery, the company now carries a variety of annuals, and Lizzy adds, “We’ve always been known for herbs.” You can browse their wares and get a bite to eat in St. Louis seven days a week. 4605 Olive Street • 314-454-6868 • BowoodFarms.com

COURTESY STARK BRO'S

ly days, many people he knew considered native wildflowers as mere weeds. Attention to environmental conservation in recent years, though, has been a boon to business. In an effort to help struggling monarch butterfly populations, Mervin says many people have been interested in buying milkweed for their gardens. “It makes a big difference,” he says. “If you plant milkweeds in your garden, you’ll probably see caterpillars by the end of summer.” Declining bee populations also make people want to pitch in. Overall, Mervin says, business has grown for the last three years. “People plant not just because they’re wanting a pretty plant,” he says. “It’s related to wildlife quite often.” Missouri Wildflowers Nursery also emphasizes native species by selecting a “Native Plant of the Year.” This year’s plant is leatherwood, which is classified as a shrub, but Mervin says it resembles a tree. Leatherwood grows in the Ozarks region in the shade, often in streams but sometimes on blufftops as well. Of all the offerings available at Missouri Wildflowers, Mervin says only about one-half of 1 percent are genetically non-native. You can visit the nursery south of Jefferson City, or place an order and find resources for growing on the website.

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Get Growing! The Show-Me State is full of well-stocked nurseries, all set to help home gardeners. Check out some of these here, and get ready to get your hands dirty. Baker Creek Baker Creek specializes in heirloom, non-GMO seeds. 2278 Baker Creek Road, Mansfield 417-924-8917 • RareSeeds.com Farrand Farms Family-owned for four generations, Farrand Farms offers e erything from pumpkins to roses. 5941 Noland Road, Kansas City • 816-353-2312 FarrandFarms.com Homestead Farms This Owensville-based mail-order nursery has been family owned and operated since 1987. Walk-up customers are welcome in the growing season. 3701 Highway EE, Owensville • 888-314-3148 HomesteadFarms.com Missouri Botanical Garden This oasis in the heart of the metro area is the oldest continuously operated botanical garden in the country. 4344 Shaw Boulevard, St. Louis • 314-577-5100 MissouriBotanicalGarden.org Soil Service Garden Center & Nursery Soil Service Garden Center proclaims itself “Kansas City’s one-stop lawn and garden shop.” 7130 Troost Avenue, Kansas City • 816-333-3232 SoilService.com Springwater Greenhouse & Landscaping Springwater Greenhouse and Landscaping offers six greenhouses full of plants and garden supplies. 1340 North US 65, Marshall • 660-886-3700 COURTESY MISSOURI WILDFLOWERS NURSERY, BOWOOD FARMS

GoSpringWater.com Stanley’s Garden Center You’ll find numerous arieties of tomato and pepper seeds, among others, here. 1045 North Jefferson Street, St. James • 573-265-3166 Vintage Hill Farm See page 10 for details of this popular mid-Missouri garden center that offers 1,700 arieties of annuals, perennials, roses, shrubs, and vegetables. 5643 Highway 87, Franklin • 660-848-2373 VintageHill.com

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Musings ON MISSOURI

CHASING THE GHOSTS OF APRIL IT SEEMS I ALWAYS HEAR the wild geese in April. Twenty-five years ago this month, I bade farewell to the sandy beaches of Naples, Florida. I’d arrived eight years prior, just before rampant development ripped away the last vestiges of the town’s “old-Florida” charm. My two previous employers in the Midwest had gone bankrupt, and a lucrative job offer on the southern Gulf seemed a dandy escape. That gig lasted about a week. I received a quick education in corporate backstabbing and having zero tolerance for nonsense, promptly resigned. There were good times and bad in the following years—fine friends and a plethora of extraordinarily weird adventures. Still, by 1992, I was more than ready to go. I’ve never returned to Naples. I doubt I ever will. I departed Pony, a Montana ghost town high in the Tobacco Root Mountain range, thirteen years ago this month. The locale was awesome in the truest sense, surrounded by granite sentinels, primeval forests, and all manner of creatures great, small, and eccentric. My view was the bowl of Hollowtop Mountain, eleven thousand feet high and thick year-round with spectral fingers of blowing sno .

When the mercury hit forty below—as it did every winter—a cow moose leaned against my house and soaked up heat. I knew this moose fairly well—she‘d had twin calves in my backyard—and we enjoyed countless conversations. In late spring, I would sit on my porch and expound on all matter of things. The moose was good company; I keep a picture of her in my office I’ve never returned to Pony. I doubt I ever will. I left Falcon, an Ozarkian paradise, six years ago this month. It was my most beloved home, a ramshackle, wood-fi ed, 1940s cabin in the Mark Twain Forest. The Gasconade River was my playground, and I lived outdoors far more than in. Neither copperheads, cottonmouths, twisters, floods, nor ice storms ever dulled the glee I found in my nine acres of beauty and seclusion. I awoke with a smile every day, and suspect I’d have stayed forever had I not been pulled away by a family health crisis. I’ve never returned to Falcon. I doubt I ever will. Of all the well-worn maxims, I think “you can’t go home again,” is the most guileless and unadorned. Memories of places, people, and emotions remain static only in our minds, and

what we recall is not necessarily what actually was. It’s human nature to add splashes of color to dark corners, to round off sharp edges with the file of pleasant nostalgia On several occasions, I made the mistake of revisiting youthful haunts, and each sojourn resulted in a sense of melancholy. The tone, tempo, and tenor were inevitably altered. Everything was different from the faded picture in my mind’s eye, a shadow of a shadow of a shadow. I was different, too, and forced to face the reality that while history may repeat itself, time marches on. I’ve come to believe that the past is a meal best enjoyed in moderation. Bygone days can serve as a teacher and a comfort only so long as you don’t try and recapture them in their original form. Trust me, the very attempt will tarnish their sentimental luster. It’s good to warm cold fingers over the fi es of yore, but only if you continue to move forward. I hope that someday the wild geese again call my name. I’m pretty sure I’ve at least one more April RON MARR within me.

HARRY KATZ

BY RON MARR

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NO PLACE LIKE

Home

THE BUNNY CAKE BAKE-OFF BY LORRY MYERS

competitive people who believe that life is a contest. Our family reunions resemble the Olympics when we divide into sides, go over the rules, and then— may the best team win. Every time my loud, proud family gets together, we have to play together. Since we are scattered all over the United States, a misguided cousin from Texas who missed our playful rivalry came up with a long-distance competition we can do from the comfort of our homes, no matter where that may be. This time of year, while other families are shopping for Sunday’s best or coloring boiled eggs, my crazy relatives are deep in battle—or rather batter—of the Great Bunny Cake Bake-Off. This is not just a bake-a-cake-and-send-ina-picture cooking contest. This baking contest has explicit rules you must follow or risk the humiliation of disqualification Believe me, I know. It starts with one cake mix baked in two round pans. Everything inside and outside of the cake must be edible. Each bunny should have a name, and don’t even think about repeating a bunny from prior years. That, too, will get you disqualified Been there, done that. Each cake submission must be posted to the official bake-off page before the designated date and time. Every family member then votes for a winning cake they will never taste; the bunnies are judged solely on their looks. Think of it as a bunny beauty pageant. Unfortunately for me, I stink at basically anything kitchen related so this baking competition is torture for me. Something always goes wrong when I am in the kitchen, and the harder I try the worse it gets.

Still, I want to win! So, every year without fail, I am up to my elbows in frosting because I want that bakeoff traveling trophy, a spray painted junk-store find we call “The Golden Bunn .” This year, I prepared in advance by finding a photo online of a bunny cake that matched my “unique” baking abilities. The cake I chose was a pleasant-faced bunny crouched in a patch of green coconut. Basic instructions detailed how to cut the round cakes to shape a bunny body, head, and ears. How hard could it be? Well … The warm cake encountered some difficult coming out of the pans, so I had to reinforce the shapes with rods of spaghetti and plaster of frosting. The icing process broke off chunks of cake that stuck in the frosting, turning the bunny into a creature I didn’t recognize. In an effort to fix it, I globbed on more icing and, before I knew it, I’d blown through three boxes of powdered sugar and had white hair to prove it. By then, the bunny head was too heavy to stay on the body. With the deadline looming, I did the only thing I could do. I trimmed up the broken cake and leaned the fat head against the body, turning it into a tail. Now

my sweet bunny that was once crouching in a meadow had his head buried in a bunny hole and all you could see was his disfigu ed tail. I fashioned back feet out of marshmallows and then slathered everything with whipped cream, hiding the old bunny underneath. Since the cake was supposed to resemble a bunny going down a hole, I attempted to dye coconut to sprinkle around the bunny to give the illusion that his head and most of his body were inside a green, grassy borough. That didn’t go so well either. Frozen peas would have to do. By then, I was seeing my masterpiece with different eyes and realized my “Down the Bunny Hole” cake was missing something. I dug out a handful of plump raisins from my pantry and scattered them in a trail coming from that bunny tail—an artistic touch that secretly revealed the baker’s innermost feelings about The Great Bunny Cake Bake-Off. This year, Casanova Bunny earned the golden trophy with Spiderman Bunny and Minion Bunny coming in close behind. Each cake submitted was a testament to my crazy family’s creativity, our competitive nature, and our desire to stay connected no matter how far apart we are. It appears my “Down the Bunny Hole” cake will go down in Bunny Cake Bake-Off history, destined to be the loser we laugh about next year. Ironically, the only parts worth eating on that bunny cake were the raisins. Imagine that. Lorry Myers writes from her home in central Missouri. Write her at LorrysStorys@gmail.com.

LORRY MYERS

KATH TEOLI

I BELONG TO A FAMILY OF

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Celebrate Spring in the Garden Join us for a fantastic selection of plants grown here on the farm just for you. Plant a little paradise in your world today! Over 1,500 varieties • Annuals & Tropicals • Perennials • Vegetables Antique & Shrub Roses • Hanging Baskets • Pottery

Open 9AM-5PM Daily

FREE brochure online!

EXCEPTIONAL PLANTS FOR HOME AND GARDEN Located six miles NW of Boonville Bridge on Hwy 87 5643 Hwy 87, Franklin | www.VintageHill.com

CHECK OUT THIS GREAT

READ FROM MISSOURI LIFE

Makes a great gift!

Artisan knives hand-crafted by the Richardson family Originally created for close friends and family, Ken Richardson’s knives are hand-crafted with care. Our designs have been perfected with over 40 years of experience, resulting in quality products that can be passed from generation to generation. Much like the family knife business. Each blade is made of 1085 Blue Tempered steel, hand-shaped and sharpened by the Richardson men. The scabbards are crafted by the Richardson women. The handles are made from shed Missouri deer antlers and are graced by hand drawn designs, ranging from mountain scenery to wildlife.

Missouri State Parks and Historic Sites This 400+ page book is illustrated with over 500 full-color, large-format photographs. Through its detailed essays on each of Missouri’s 88 parks or sites, it o‘ ers an irresistible invitation to discover Missouri’s remarkably diverse natural and cultural heritage. These narratives go much deeper than the oÿ cial brochures, telling the story of each park in a way that will enhance the understanding and appreciation of its distinctive features. With a focus on the special places Missourians have elected to preserve to represent their history and culture, the book will open the door to a lifetime of exploration and will inﬂuence generations to come. Hardcover, 416 pgs.

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FIND IT ONLINE AT: MISSOURILIFE.COM/STORE OR CALL 877-570-9898 EXT. 101 TO ORDER

KenRichardsonKnives.com

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Healthy LIFE Treating Allergies from the Inside Out BARBARA E. AUSTIN, a naturopathic doctor at Natural Choices Health Center in Springfield, says she never suffered from allergies until she moved to southwest Missouri forty-fi e years ago. “I thought, ‘What is wrong with me? I’ve got this cold that lasts for weeks,’ ” she says. Barbara promotes an attack on allergens that starts from the inside. “One of the simplest things to do is get a neti pot, which you can find at a drugstore or online,” she says. A neti pot is a nasal irrigation device used to clean the sinuses and nasal passages. “Make a solution of warm water with a teaspoon or less of sea salt in it,” Barbara suggests. Following the instructions on the neti pot, the allergy

Ah-CHOO!

sufferer runs the saline solution through the nose and sinus cavity. Barbara says the process is not painful, though

Combating Missouri’s seasonal allergies is nothing to sneeze at

some people find it a little uncomfortable. “A lot of peo-

► THIS PAST MILD WINTER may have seemed like a

Residents of urban areas can be affected by farm

are wonderful,” she says.

blessing at the time, but allergy specialists are warning

work in the fields. Planting in the spring and cultivating

Another solution is to limit foods that cause allergies,

seasonal allergy sufferers to prepare for the orst.

ple just don’t like the feeling but afterward, the results

in the fall both stir up allergens, from pollen to mold.

Barbara says. The top eight foods included in required

“It’s going to be bad,” says nurse practitioner Marcy D.

In cities, urban development can create respiratory

food allergy labeling account for an estimated 90 percent

Markes of Columbia Allergy Asthma Specialists, who says

discomfort from allergies to asthma. Treatment has be-

of allergic reactions, according to the US Food and Drug

her offic began seeing patients with tree and mold aller-

come easier in recent years with many over-the-counter

Administration. Those foods are eggs; fish such as bass,

gies back in February.

medicines that were once only available by prescription.

cod, and flounder; milk; peanuts; tree nuts such as al-

But Marcy says there are simple, common-sense

monds, cashews, and walnuts; crustacean shellfish such

of the time, an early spring means we have to be con-

measures that provide relief to allergy sufferers

as crab, lobster, and shrimp; soy; and wheat.

cerned about what’s going on south of us,” Marcy says.

AIR CONDITIONING AND FURNACE FILTERS: Change

“When you keep eating allergy triggers, your body

“Spring winds blow from the south, so we could actually

or clean them often. “The technology is advancing all the

thinks it’s under attack all of the time,” Barbara says. Then

still have snow on the ground but have very high tree pol-

time and they’re trapping more allergens,” she says, “but

it produces histamines that can create allergic reactions.

len count because of the trees blossoming in the south.”

frequent cleaning and changing makes a big difference.

Allergies, it seems, are a lot like real estate. It’s all

SHEETS AND PILLOW CASES: “Changing the dust-

about location.

Other solutions Barbara recommends: •

mite barriers such as mattress and pillow encasements

ally can limit the body’s ability to fight things off

is a huge thing people can do if they’re allergic to dust mites,” Marcy says. “The biggest exposure we have to THE PARTICULAR PROBLEM WITH PETS

Probiotics protect and help.” •

dust mites is in bedding.”

► According to the Mayo Clinic, there are more

WINDOWS: “Keep them up in the car and down at

than three million cases of animal allergies report-

home,” she says. “Anything you can do to keep pollen

ed every year. Symptoms range from sneezing and

away from you is always a good idea.”

watery eyes, to itching to throat irritation. “Cats are

PETS: “Keep them out of the bedroom,” Marcy ad-

considerably more problematic than dogs,” says

vises. Invest in a portable air filter to help remove hair and

D r. James D enninghoff, an ear, nose, and throat

pet dander from the air.

Take a high-quality probiotic. “Antibiotics actu-

Avoid antihistamines. “Antihistamines send allergens deeper into the body and make one sicker. What you want to do is get the histamines out of your body by rinsing the sinuses.”

•

Eat a spoonful of raw honey every day. “Always get it locally and always get it raw. The bees actually create a natural protection against irritants.”

•

D rink apple cider vinegar. “D ilute a teaspoon

specialist with Missouri Sinus Allergy in Columbia.

Seasonal allergies are mostly a quality of life

of raw apple cider vinegar in a cup of water and

Allergic reactions are caused by the saliva from a

issue, Marcy notes. When combined with asthma or

drink it up to three times a day. Americans are

cat’s constant grooming, he says. Other reactions

more serious respiratory problems, it can become life

very acidic from eating too much animal protein,

can be caused by the animal’s dander—dead skin

threatening. “Over-the-counter medicines are a good

starch, and grain. The apple cider vinegar will al-

cells shed by any animal with fur or feathers.

starting point,” she says. “If you find your allergies still can’t be controlled, it’s time to see a specialist.”

kalinize the body.” •

Eat more fruit. “Eat an apple a day.”

ADOBE STOCK

A big culprit of early spring allergies is the wind. “Most

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EXPECTATION

Events Shades of Buble

Apr. 8

Seussical The Musical

Apr. 6-22

The Russian National Ballet Presents Sleeping Beauty Route 66 Summerfest

May 2 June 2 & 3

For more information on these and other events visit

www.VisitRolla.com

Rolla Area Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Center

Rolla Area Chamber of Commerce • 1311 Kingshighway Rolla, MO 65401 • 573-364-3577 or 888-809-3817

Immerse yourself in yesteryear. VisitCape.com/BackInTime

DESTINATION

’ve

Yoaurrived!

800·777·0068

VisitCape.com/BackInTime

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It may be the ride of your year. It may be the ride of your life. It’s Big BAM 2017, June 10-16. We’ll start with a pre-ride party in historic Weston on the bank of the Missouri River, near where Lewis and Clark camped on their westward journey. Then the riding begins in earnest June 11, as we head east toward our final destination—Louisiana, Missouri, a historic town on the bank of the Mississippi River.

CHARITON PLATTE

kearney

WESTON lexington

LAFAYETTE

JACKSON

June 13, we ride across the rolling countryside and end at Missouri Valley College in Marshall. June 14, we’ll cross back over the Missouri River at Glasgow, and then spend the night at Rothwell Park in Moberly. June 15, we’ll get to ride through a covered bridge and visit Mark Twain’s birthplace at Mark Twain Lake, where we’ll camp next to the Clarence Cannon Dam. Our final day’s ride will take us into Louisiana, Missouri and, a grand finale party alongside the Mississippi River!

moberly

RAY

CLAY

From Weston, we’ll head into Jesse James country and stay overnight at the Jesse James Park and Amphitheater in Kearney. June 12, we’ll ride through Watkins Mill State Park and—after crossing the Missouri River—spend the night in Lexington, camping near the Anderson House at the Battle of Lexington State Historic Site.

RANDOLPH

CARROLL

Marshall HOWARD SALINE BOONE

JUNE 10-16

That’s six days of riding across pristine Show-Me State countryside. We’ll stay on hard-surfaced roads with minimal traffic. And we’ll party to live music and town festivals every night. In the following pages, you’ll learn a little more about the seven towns that will serve as your daily goals. We’ve tried to hit the highlights for you, but feel free to explore them further, both before and during your trip. Need tickets? No problem. Schedules, route information, tickets, and merchandise are all available online at BigBAMRide.com.

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• • MONROE

ANDOLPH

RALLS

Louisiana mark twain lake

Join us for the whole ride or just a day or two! The public is invited to our free concerts every evening. Help us celebrate our progress!

Your 2017 Big BAM ticket includes: • • • • • • •

PIKE

•

AUDRAIN

• •

BOONE

• •

Gear Transport. Free admission to all seven nights of concerts and events. Camping area. Free Big BAM SWAG Bag. SAG support along the route. Portapotties at all stops. Unlimited hot, private shower in an air-conditioned trailer at all overnight stops. Private dressing area, soap and shampoo dispensers. Fresh towel daily. Phone-charging trailer with locking compartments. Free coffee each morning Social zone with shade canopies and chairs.

0-16, 2017 Download the official Bi BAM app at the Apple Store or Google Play for instant updates and exclusive offers

BIGBAMRIDE.COM [69] April 2017

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SATURDAY JUNE 10

WESTON

CHARITON RANDOLPH

CARROLL

PLATTE CLAY

kearney

WESTON lexington

LAFAYETTE

JACKSON

MONROE

RALLS

Louisiana

moberly

RAY

mark twain lake

Marshall

PIKE

AUDRAIN

HOWARD SALINE BOONE

Weston is a small, charming community nestled among the high bluffs of the Missouri River. Founded in 1837, Weston grew to prominence in the 1850s and then settled into a quiet existence. Now home to a historic district listed on the National Register of Historic Places and recognized as a Preserve America community by the National Park Service, Weston is a great place to visit. Weston was the second-largest Missouri river port community in the mid-1800s, second only to St. Louis. In 1850, more than three hundred steamboats a year docked at the Port of Weston. The population soared to 5,000, surpassing both Kansas City and St. Joseph. But after major floods, fires, and the Civil War, the bustling town declined to about 1,000. Today, considering all that goes on here, visitors may be surprised to learn that twentyfirst-century Weston still has fewer than 2,000 residents.

FUN

FACT

Best Day Trip fourteen years running–Ingram’s Magazine

Best Overnight Destination–VisitKC.com Best Day Trip–The Pitch Favorite Day Trip–VisitKC.com Best Day Trip and Beautiful Town—Rural Missouri Magazine” Best Small Town in Missouri–AAA Midwest Traveler Magazine [70] MissouriLife

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STAY

St. George Hotel 816-640-9902

Murphy House B&B 816-640-5577

Hatchery House B&B 816-640-5700

Inn at Weston Landing 816-640-5788

Weston B&B 816-656-3326

EAT Avalon Cafe 816-640-2835

Vineyard Restaurant 816-640-5588

Tin Kitchen 816-640-0100

Upstairs Tea Room 816-640-2825

Weston Cafe 816-640-2224

O’Malley’s Pub 816-640-5235

EVENTS Second Saturday

GUEST TIPS

A haven for talented artisans, craftsmen, musicians, and writers, Weston has oneof-a-kind shops you simply won’t find in ordinary shopping areas. There are clothing boutiques for creative dressing; a jeweler featuring estate pieces and custom work; handcrafted, custom and antique reproduction furniture; a candlemaker pouring daily; art galleries; massage therapist; and so much more. Enjoy a wide variety of restaurants, wineries, a brewery, and tour our distillery.

June 10th, 10 AM-6 PM. Stroll the street, listen to the music, shop the shops, grab a bite to eat and drink, and enjoy Weston! Food and libation tastings throughout the day!

BIGBAMRIDE.COM

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PROUD SPONSOR OF THE

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WESTON

Come and experience Weston. You’ll love the variety of shops, restaurants, a brewery and pub, wineries, entertainment and attractions and the many places to stay in this pre-Civil War town.

Holladay Distillery

Adam’s Mayfair

The Holladay Distillery is the oldest distillery west of the Mississippi River still located on its original site. Tour the distillery for an up-close look at both the remarkable story of the distillery’s 161-year history and the modern production of Real Missouri Bourbon. 1 McCormick Lane 816-640-3056 HolladayDistillery.com

A must see boutique in Weston for fashion, jewelry, home accents, pet accessories and gifts.

401 Main Street 816-640-0110 AdamsMayfair.com

Buffalo Ranch

Back Roads Art

Buffalo anch is a rustic home furnishings store with 2 locations nestled in the heart of downtown Weston. We offer a ariety of home decor, antiques, art, taxidermy mounts, Navajo and artisan made jewelry, and much more! Hours of operation: Tuesday-Saturday 10-5 Sunday 12-5 Closed on Monday

A folk art gallery featuring metal art, chainsaw carving, and Native American art.

416 Main Street 816-386-0140 BackRoadsArtGallery.com

417 Main St. and 720 Thomas Street 816-386-4111

Weston Brewing Company

Green Dirt Farm Creamery

O’Malley’s Pub is located in the original cellars of the Weston Brewing Company built in 1842. We are home to some of the best Irish beer, food, music, and fun in the world! 500 Welt Street 816-640-5235 WestonIrish.com

Come in for a food adventure! Cheese and charcuterie, house made ice cream, sandwiches, beer, wine, and other local delectables.

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Main Street Galleria and Tea Room

Murphy House

Weston Bend Candle Company

Old fashioned soda fountain, ice cream, restaurant, candy, fudge, gifts, and Ghost Tales Dinner Theater/Ghost Walk.

Enjoy this unique home, its rooms filled with antiques, a large veranda, and whimsical gardens.

Always handmade. We promise to bring you scents to enhance your style of living.

501 Main Street 816-640-2825 WestonMainStreetGalleria.com

926 Spring Street 816-640-5577 TheMurphyHouseBB.org

424 Main Street 816-386-4085 facebook.com/WestonBendCandleCompany

1837 Emporium

Pirtle Winery

Miss Doyle’s Soapery

Antiques and collectibles, home décor, furniture, fine oodworking, fine art, handcrafted items, jewelry, baby items, and apparel.

Relax on our new deck and enjoy the wine garden and tasting room. Family-owned since 1978.

All natural bath, body, and home products locally made without chemicals.

502 Spring Street 816-640-5728 PirtleWinery.com

521 Main Street 816-324-0101 MissDoylesSoapery.com

411 Main Street 816-640-2100

More to See and Do Weston • Visit once and you’ll return

2017 Events

Local Wineries, Brewery, and Spirits • Irish Pub and Live Music Museums, Galleries, and Artisans • Walking and Driving Tours Holladay Distillery Tour • Historic Homes Tours • Tea Room and Dinner Theatre • Hiking, Biking and Camping • Bed & Breakfasts and Historic Hotel • Educational Farms • Orchards and Fresh Produce • Wedding and Event Venues Seasonal Events... and so much more!

April 21 - 22: Lion’s Club Antique Show May 13: Wings Over Weston State Park May 13: Second Annual Weston Wine Festival May 20: Volks To Weston Club Show June 2-3: City Wide Garage Sale June 10: Polish Pottery Festival July 4: 4th of July Parade & Ice Cream Social August 6: Holy Trinity Ice Cream Social August 21: Total Eclipse Watch Party August 27: Salem Christian Church Ice Cream Social September 2-3: Weston Sizzlers Barbecue Contest September 30: Weston Tobacco Festival October 7-8: Applefest October 13-15: Weston Irishfest October 20, 21, 27, 28: Main Street Galleria Ghost Tales of Weston Dinner Theater/Ghost Walk November 11: Holiday Open House December 1-3: Candlelight Homes Tour

2017 Calendar • • • •

Shops open late on the second Saturday of the month. Burley House Market - on the second weekend April-Nov. Weston Historical Museum open Tuesday-Sunday. Weston Moonshiners Car Club - Vintage Cars on Main Street on the fourth Saturday March-Oct. • Family fun every Sunday at Clines Opry at 5:00pm. • Lewis and Clark Exhibit open week days in the train depot next to City Hall.

WestonMo.com • 816-640-2909

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SUNDAY JUNE 11

KEARNEY

CHARITON RANDOLPH

CARROLL

PLATTE CLAY

kearney

WESTON lexington

LAFAYETTE

JACKSON

MONROE

RALLS

Louisiana

moberly

RAY

mark twain lake

Marshall

PIKE

AUDRAIN

HOWARD SALINE BOONE

If you have driven along Interstate 35 in the last few years, you probably noticed big changes happening in the once-small town of Kearney. While it is one of the fastest-growing cities in the Kansas City metropolitan area, Kearney works alongside Missouri Main Street to make sure the small-town roots and values remain the heart of the city. Perhaps the most famous son the town can lay claim to is the infamous Jesse James, who was born in Kearney in 1847. Though originally interred in St. Joseph, where he was killed by Robert Ford in 1882, James’ body was moved to Mount Olivet Cemetery in Kearney. Don’t think of Kearney as a home for outlaws. The town is better known in Missouri for its welcoming attitude, giving spirit, and dedication to family and community. Enjoy your stay in Kearney, and come back this autumn for the family-friendly Fun Farm and Pumpkin Patch. Look for Kearney, Missouri, on Facebook.

FUN

FACT

Kearney is one of the fastest-growing cities in Missouri.

Population: 9,261 Median age: 33.3 The Kearney Amphitheater located in the Jesse James Park hosts concerts throughout the summer and fall. Visit KearneyAmphitheater.com for tickets and schedules.

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STAY

Super 8 Kearney 816-628-6800

Econo Lodge 816-628-5111

Comfort Inn Kearney 816-628-2288

Quality Inn 816-628-5000

EAT

Stables Grill 816-903-3000

D’Creamery 816-537-1276

Gino’s Italian Cuisine 816-903-4466

Hunan Garden 816-628-6938

Luciano’s Pizza and Subs 816-903-7827

DRINK

Rock & Run Brewery and Tap Room

816-415-2337

Cellar & Loft 816-635-2555

Fat Boyz Grill & Bar 816-903-2699

EVENTS Kearney Big BAM Festival

GUEST TIPS

The James Farm is located at 21216 James Farm Road, four miles northeast of Interstate 35 at the Kearney exit. Bikers will ride right past on Tuesday morning on their way out of town. Tours are available every day from 9 AM to 4 PM, beginning May 1 (noon to 4 PM on Sunday through April 30). See more at JesseJames.org. The Mount Olivet Cemetery where Jesse James is buried is located near the intersection of West Sixth and South Jefferson Streets, just south of Jesse James Park.

June 11 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Music, food, interactive games, arts & crafts, and more festivities all day.

BIGBAMRIDE.COM

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MONDAY JUNE 12

LEXINGTON

CHARITON RANDOLPH

CARROLL

PLATTE CLAY

lexington

LAFAYETTE

JACKSON

RALLS

Louisiana

moberly

RAY

kearney

WESTON

MONROE

mark twain lake

Marshall

PIKE

AUDRAIN

HOWARD SALINE BOONE

Overlooking the Missouri River, Lexington is legendary for its history, vintage homes, festivals, and shopping opportunities. Main Street boasts a distinctive collection of antique shops, specialty stores, and restaurants. Lexington is home to the oldest operational courthouse west of the Mississippi River and it still has a Civil War cannonball stuck in its column. The city boasts more than 150 homes and public buildings built before the Civil War, including The Linwood Lawn Mansion. The beautiful countryside surrounding the city is home to wineries, orchards, and growing crops on Missouri Century farms. Lexington is home to Wentworth Military Academy, founded in 1880 and one of the oldest and most respected military schools in the nation. The Hall of Honor located on campus recognizes graduates that are recipients of the Congressional Medal of Honor, and other distinguished alumni including: Congressman Ike Skelton, naturalist Marlin Perkins, former Ambassador Charles Price, and director/producer Robert Altman.

FUN

FACT

Two of the three founders of the Pony Express lived in Lexington.

The three-day Civil War battle referred to as “the Battle of the Hemp Bales” took place in Lexington. The local coal mining industry in and around Lexington attracted many immigrants to the area, which created a diverse ethnic heritage. [78] MissouriLife

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STAY

The Rivertown Inn 660-259-9001

Inn on Main 660-259-3600

Midway Motel 660-259-3093

Trailside Inn 660-259-2061

EAT Papa Jack’s Pizza 660-259-9095

Las Carretas 660-259-3669

Maid-Rite 660-259-4444

Chip and Charlie’s Deli 660-259-6100

Big Muddy Ice Cream Company 660-259-2905

DRINK Old Town Bar & Grill 660-259-2551

The Spotted Pig 660-259-7768

Riley’s Irish Pub & Grill 660-259-4770

EVENTS

GUEST TIPS

Bikers will be camping in Goose Pond, a community area that was constructed in 1912 and is still in use. Harry Truman, whose mother attended the Baptist College for Women in Lexington, dedicated the town’s Madonna of the Trails statue in 1928. It is one of twelve such statues across the nation honoring pioneer women. These were established and are maintained by the Daughters of the American Revolution.

Downtown merchants will be open late for riders, and tours of the Battle of Lexington State Historic Site will be available on the hour.

BIGBAMRIDE.COM

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Relax and enjoy our small towns and beautiful scenery.

Distributing Co.

Proud Supporter

June 10-16, 201 7

SAINT LOUIS LEGENDS GAME Saturday, August 19 at 1PM See your favorite major leaguers take the ﬁeld once again!

Tickets are only $20! Starring Fernando Tatis, Rick Ankiel, Jason Isringhausen, John Tudor, Skip Schumaker, Jim Edmonds and more! CarSheild Field • www.RiverCityRascals.com • 636-240-2287

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Visit Lexington Known for its battlefield and antebellum homes, Lexington is famous for Hospitality of Historic Proportions! • Enjoy antique, vintage and boutique shops in the historic downtown. • Have something to eat or grab coffee and a book. • Enjoy nearby wineries and orchards. 1110 Main Street, Lexington 660-259-4711 www.VisitLexingtonMo.com

Missouri Valley College

River Reader Bookstore

Missouri Valley College offers ver 30 academic programs, study abroad opportunities, and extracurricular activities. Above all, Valley is committed to student success.

Book lover’s wonderland & espresso bar in a historic 1886 building. Hot & cold drinks, toys, gifts plus café!

500 E. College Street, Marshall, 660-831-4000 www.MoVal.edu

1010 Main Street, Lexington 660-259-4996 www.River-Reader.com

THANK YOU TO OUR

SPONSORS Weston • Lexington • Kearney • Marshall Moberly • Mark Twain Lake • Louisiana

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TUESDAY JUNE 13

MARSHALL

CHARITON RANDOLPH

CARROLL

PLATTE CLAY

kearney

WESTON lexington

LAFAYETTE

JACKSON

MONROE

RALLS

Louisiana

moberly

RAY

mark twain lake

Marshall

PIKE

AUDRAIN

HOWARD SALINE BOONE

Marshall was originally deeded 65 acres by Jeremiah O’Dell on April 13, 1839. The county seat for Saline County, Marshall has a very active and positive music background. The town is proud to be the home of acclaimed jazz musician Bob James, as well as the Foothills Fest music festival, the Marshall Municipal Band, and—most notably—the Marshall Philharmonic, which begins its 54th year of performing several free public concerts at Bueker Middle School. Marshall has been the home of Missouri Valley College, a four-year liberal arts college, since 1889. The college currently offers more than forty academic programs, a study-abroad program, extracurricular activities, and thirteen sports. Marshall is conveniently located just fifteen minutes north of Interstate 70 on US 65.

FUN

FACT

A memorial park at the northwest corner of the Marshall Square is dedicated to Jim the Wonder Dog, who was said to be able to locate a car by make, color, and license plate number on command. Jim is buried at Marshall’s Ridge Park Cemetery and is probably the only animal ever buried in a people cemetery.

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STAY

Comfort Inn-Marshall Marshall Station 660-886-8080

Claudia’s B&B 660-886-5285

Kosy Grove B&B 816-863-8646

Courthouse Lofts 207-841-9364

EAT & DRINK Bud’s Cafe 660-886-4993

Patty’s Hav-A-Snak 660-831-5355

Plowboys Barbeque 660-886-7569

The Brick BBQ 660-831-5357

Mazzio’s Pizza 660-886-7999

Mexico Lindo 660-886-7600

DISCOVER

GUEST TIPS

Make sure you come back to Marshall on August 21 for the historic Total Solar Eclipse. Marshall is sitting in the center of the seventy-mile-wide line of totality and will experience two minutes and thirty-nine seconds of complete darkness as the moon passes in front of the sun and casts its shadow on the town. Keep up with all the plans for a citywide celebration at MarshallMOChamber.com.

While in Marshall visit several homes and buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places. You will see many of these on your ride through Marshall. Maps will be available when riders arrive.

BIGBAMRIDE.COM

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WEDNESDAY JUNE 14

MOBERLY

CHARITON RANDOLPH

CARROLL

PLATTE CLAY

lexington

LAFAYETTE

JACKSON

RALLS

Louisiana

moberly

RAY

kearney

WESTON

MONROE

mark twain lake

Marshall

PIKE

AUDRAIN

HOWARD SALINE BOONE

Moberly is centrally located just thirty miles and 40 minutes north of Columbia at the crossroads of US Highways 63 and 24. Moberly is home to Central Christian College of the Bible and Moberly Area Community College, both with nationally ranked sports teams. If you love nostalgia—or maybe you’ve never enjoyed watching a movie under the stars—the Moberly DriveIn is one of the last drive-in movie theaters in the country that is still in operation. Go to BBTheatres.com/ moberly-drive/ to see what’s playing. Another jewel in Moberly’s crown is the beautiful 547-acre Rothwell Park that boasts full camping and RV hookups, rodeo arena, walking trails, mini railroad, fishing and recreational lakes as well as a state-of-the-art aquatic center and pool. Within this area, there is also a sporting complex for baseball, softball, soccer and football plus two disc golf courses. Moberly is also home to several large manufacturing and distribution centers that include Everlast Sporting Goods, Wal-Mart Distribution Center, Mid Am Building Supply and Orscheln Farm and Home. Several leasing companies and call centers also call Moberly home due to availability of fiber optic networks and infrastructure. Moberly is a great place to live, work, do business and play!

FUN

FACT

Moberly was born from the railroad in the late 1800s and grew so fast that it was dubbed “The Magic City” because it seemed that buildings popped out of the ground like magic. Moberly/Randolph County is also the birthplace and home of WWII five-star General Omar Bradley. Visitors may experience a simpler lifestyle at the Amish community just south of town. Take home leather, furniture, and delicious baked goods. [84] MissouriLife

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STAY

Comfort Inn 660-269-9700

Moberly Inn and Suites 660-263-6540

Super 8 660-263-8862

EAT & DRINK Lula’s Tavern 660-263-9610

Shady Tuesdays 660-372-1888

Lucky’s Last Resort 660-263-1233

Fiesta Bar & Grill 660-269-7188

Belle Italia Ristorante 660-263-0944

Harley’s Pub & Pool 660-372-2100

EVENTS Railroad Days Heritage Festival June 14-17 Historic Downtown Moberly Food vendors, beer garden, and nightly events with entertainment and carnival rides. Free admission.

Randolph County Rodeo June 2 & 3rd Rothwell Park

GUEST TIPS

The riders will be staying in beautiful Rothwell Park, which consists of 575 acres including lakes, a walking trail, an aquatic center, and a mini train that covers several miles within the park. Moberly has a historic downtown where the Randolph County Historical and Railroad Museum is located along with retail and antiques shops. Moberly also has larger national retail stores located along the “Magic Mile” and beyond.

4th of July Fireworks Extravaganza July 4th Rothwell Park

BIGBAMRIDE.COM

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THURSDAY JUNE 15

CHARITON

CLAY

kearney

lexington

LAFAYETTE

JACKSON

MONROE

RALLS

Louisiana

moberly

RAY

WESTON

MARK TWAIN LAKE

RANDOLPH

CARROLL

PLATTE

mark twain lake

Marshall

PIKE

AUDRAIN

HOWARD SALINE BOONE

Nestled between the tall bluffs of the Salt River valley in northeast Missouri, are the beautiful waters and breathtaking lands of Mark Twain Lake. Mark Twain Lake offers a nearly endless source of outdoor recreation opportunities. Thousands of people visit the lake each year to enjoy camping, fishing, hunting, boating, water skiing, trail riding, and hiking. The lake has two marinas, several boat ramps, and public beaches. At normal pool, the lake encompasses 18,600 acres, providing a variety of fishing opportunities. Mark Twain Lake has 45,000 acres of land and water available for hunting. The Mark Twain Lake and Clarence Cannon Dam project is managed by the US Army Corps of Engineers. The 55,000-acre project opened in 1984. Mark Twain Lake is located 25 minutes southwest of Hannibal, the boyhood home of Mark Twain.

FUN

FACT

Dedicated in 1984, the Clarence Cannon Dam contains a hydroelectric power plant capable of producing up to 58,000 kilowatts of power or enough power to supply a town of 20,000 people. The Clarence Cannon Dam contains 450,000 cubic yards of concrete and 3,000,000 cubic yards of earth embankment. The M. W. Boudreaux Memorial Visitor Center located near the dam has numerous views of the lake, picnicking sites, and a walking trail. [86] MissouriLife

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STAY

Timber Ridge Resort (573) 565-3135

Country Inn Resort (573) 267-3800

Cannon Dam Cabins (573) 565-3432

South Fork Resort (573) 206-3839

The Junction Inn (573) 565-2665

EAT

The Hootenanny Cafe 573-565-3014

The Junction 573-565-3620

Rustic Oak Cabin Steakhouse 573-565-2040

Jonesy’s Cafe 660-327-5707

Jacs Restaurant 660-327-5227

DRINK Rick’s Place

573-565-3016

Hitching Post 573-735-1059

Dry Dock Restaurant & Bar 573-565-3584

Miller’s Bar & Grill

GUEST TIPS

The lake area has many businesses, including a water park, winery, campgrounds, restaurants, hotels, resorts, antique shops, specialty shops, hardware stores, Realtors, grocery stores, and much more. The lake area is bordered by three charming towns: Monroe City, Paris, and Perry, offering many services and specialty shops for those looking to explore them.

660-327-4305

BIGBAMRIDE.COM

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FRIDAY JUNE 16

CHARITON

CLAY

kearney

lexington

LAFAYETTE

JACKSON

MONROE

RALLS

Louisiana

moberly

RAY

WESTON

LOUISIANA

RANDOLPH

CARROLL

PLATTE

mark twain lake

Marshall

PIKE

AUDRAIN

HOWARD SALINE BOONE

Welcome to one of the most historic towns on the Big BAM ride! Founded nearly 200 years ago, Louisiana was a key shipping point and one of the first crossings over the Mississippi River. You’ll find many fine Victorian and antebellum homes in the Georgia Street Historic District. In fact, Louisiana has “the most intact Victorian streetscape in the state of Missouri!” Nestled among the Golden Hills on the banks of the Mississippi, Louisiana is home to the oldest “swing bridge” over the river. This bridge provides a crossing for trains and swings open to allow barges to pass on the river below. Louisiana will be celebrating its bicentennial in 2018. It is one of the oldest communities in northeast Missouri and is home to many Mesker buildings. The largest event in town is the annual Colorfest, which takes place every third weekend in October, when thousands of people congregate on Georgia Street.

FUN

FACT

John B. Henderson, one of the authors of the Thirteenth Amendment abolishing slavery, is a native of Louisiana. No trip to Louisiana is complete without a stop at Stark Bro’s. The 200-year-old company offers trees, plants, and garden accessories at its retail location on Georgia Street.

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STAY

River’s Edge Motel 573-754-4522

Eagle’s Nest B&B 573-754-9888

West End Cabins 573-754-5888

EAT KC’s Place Restaurant 573-754-4100

Mom and Pop’s Donuts & Diner 573-560-4042

Fat Boys Diner 573-754-4455

Izola’s Place 573-754-4426

Dos Primos Mexican Restaurant 573-754-6377

DRINK

Club Mississippi

573-754-0848

Twin City Bowl 573-754-4280

EVENTS Outdoors Fest

GUEST TIPS

The Henry Lay Sculpture Park, funded by The Lay Family Foundation and St. Louis University, is located on approximately 20 acres surrounded by a 300-acre natural refuge with lakes, streams, and wooded hills. A well-maintained path takes visitors on a 40-minute walk through a maple grove, the McElwee Cemetery, and, past a number of important sculptures. Many of the artists responsible for the pieces are nationally and internationally known, including Wendy Klemperer, Devin Laurence Field, Bing Cheng, Ron Fondaw, and Brian Rust.

June 16-17 Louisiana Riverfront An all-out outdoors event featuring local and regional vendors selling, golf, cycling, hunting, and fishing gear.

BIGBAMRIDE.COM

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APRIL 29TH 10AM - 6PM HOLIDAY INN EXPO

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Bike Adventure through the heart of Europe September 25 - October 6, 2017

Ride with us!

Join Greg and Danita Wood, publisher and editor in chief of Missouri Life, on the adventure of a lifetime in 2017! Bicycle from Vienna to Prague along the Danube River. We'll meander through medieval Europe and quaint villages on easy rides along dedicated paved bike paths between 12 and 29 miles per day on this fun, romantic, super-inclusive trip through Europe’s most stunning cities and landscapes!

12 Days • 22 Meals • Double: $3,977; Single: $4,462 Round-trip air from Kansas City or other cities, bikes and gear, fees, English-speaking guides...Included! Days 1 & 2: Wilkommen in Wien Day 3: Schönbrunn Palace & Bratislava Day 4: Iron Curtain Bike Tour (20 km) Day 5: Birds of Danube Biking (45 km) Day 6: Devin Castle & Danube River Cruise (40 km) Day 7: Mikulov & Lednice (37 km) Day 8: Ottenthal, Galgenberg & Novy Prerov (32 km) Day 9: Dolní Dunajovice, Dobré Pole & Brezí (37 km) Day 10 & 11: Prague Day 12: Home

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SHOW-ME

Flavor

CULINARY SURPRISES Who doesn’t enjoy discovering a great new dining experience? IT HAS HAPPENED TO ALL OF US: On the road, exploring new places, boldly going where we’ve never gone before, and we see something new. Something different. Something that makes our stomachs want to find out mo e. Here are a few of those culinary surprises we’ve found in our travels. Of course, there are many more we haven’t stumbled upon yet. If you’ve come across any pleasant surprises on the highways, byways, and backroads—or maybe in your neighborhood—we’d like to know about them. The only thing we enjoy more than traveling is eating.

the thirteen tables fill quickly, especially on weekends. Reservations are recommended.—Susan Katzman 1621 Tower Grove Avenue • 314- 899-9000 • NixtaSTL.com

St. Louis

NIXTA

Above: LaBinnah Bistro’s CHICAGO features oven-roasted, boneless chicken breast with an apricot-ginger glaze. Right: Nixta’s unique menu and fl vor combinations defy being classifie into a singular type. Bottom right: Lots of fun things are flying verhead at the Hangar Kafe.

Hannibal

LABINNAH BISTRO In a two-story, brick 1870 Victorian home, a mixture of Mediterranean, European, and American cuisine is waiting to be discovered. One might not expect to find a wide selection of Mediterranean dishes in the birthplace of Mark Twain. But Twain said taste was made and not born. And the bill of fare at LaBinnah Bistro continues to make believers of all who visit. One local favorite is the Gemini, a baked boneless chicken breast stuffed with spinach, cheeses, Portabella mushrooms, tomatoes, garlic, and top-secret exotic seasonings. The menu offers treats from across the globe (Shrimps Istanbul) to Washington state (The Seattle), and wine pairings for each dish. You can even get a Missouri-grown ranch steak. Vegetarian dishes are also available.

COURTESY LABINNAH BISTRO

It’s surprising to find such sophisticated food flowing from a tiny restaurant tucked into Botanical Heights, an old, urban St. Louis neighborhood. The location is not glitzy. The restaurant is not splashy. Yet Nixta, opened last November by restaurateur Ben Poremba, shines like a searchlight beacon because Ben hired Tello Carreon as executive chef. Although billed as a Mexican restaurant, Nixta escapes pigeonholing. Sure, the dining room’s turquoise, coral, and neon blue decor reinforces a Mexican theme. And menu items wear Mexican names. But Tello cooks a distinctive personal cuisine that breaks through ethnic boundaries. A Mexican native/St. Louis transplant, Tello infuses Nixta’s dishes with Mexican, upscale American, French, and Mediterranean flavors and cooking techniques. His fajitas contain sturgeon, parsnips, and cashew-black lime salsa. His tostadas embrace tuna, sugar snaps, and lime-white shoyu glaze. He dresses ceviche with rose water espuma. The most traditional Mexican dish on the menu stems from Tello’s grandmother’s recipe for mole negro, a deeply complex sauce usually coating chicken, but at Nixta, gracing succulent beef cheeks. Nixta’s menu features the seasonally fresh, so items may change, but Tello is a chef for all seasons and always delivers a multicultural mix of dazzling creativity. To supplement Tello’s food, Nixta’s bar offers a spirited variety of beverages including south-of-the-border beers, tequilas, mezcal, jugos and house-designed cócteles. Nixta serves dinner from 5 PM to 10 PM Tuesday through Saturday and

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COURTESY NIXTA, HANGAR KAFE

Opened in 2008, the twenty-eight-seat bistro is the ideal place for an intimate dinner of international fare. LaBinnah is open for dinner Wednesday through Sunday. Although it doesn’t take reservations, the bistro recently opened the Green Room, where customers can have a glass of wine while waiting to be seated. And just where did the bistro’s name come from? Spell it backward. —Lori A. Addington 207 North Fifth Street • 573-221-8207 • LaBinnahBistro.com

Miller

HANGAR KAFE Here’s an interesting dining destination that has people coming from all four compass points, as well as dropping from the sky. Land at Kingsley Airfield in Lawrence County, and you’re just a few

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steps away from the best homemade onion rings in southwest Missouri. Kiman and Darlene Kingsley reimagined an airplane hangar to house their “Kafe” in 2013, just a few feet away from the airstrip. If your flying machine is in the shop, there’s also a parking lot for more conventional travel. Watch your head when walking in or you might bump into the model airplanes and hot air balloons hanging from the ceiling. While enjoying one of their delicious pork tenderloin sandwiches, you can watch planes as they land and take off. You may even see a skydiver or two drop from the sky. You won’t find any shortage of fuel in the Hangar Kafe. Try the western omelet for breakfast. It’s filled with peppers, onions, ham, and cheese. For lunch, the Baggage Burger is another filling choice: a hamburger with ham served on a bed of lettuce and tomato on Texas toast. And you can never go wrong with hand-dipped chicken-fried steak with white gravy. No passenger will leave the Hangar hungry. The Hangar Kafe is open 7 AM to 4 PM Sunday through Wednesday, and 7 AM to 9 PM Thursday through Saturday. —Lori A. Addington

pork, brisket, and ribs is what sets the restaurant apart, and the numerous barbecue competition awards Scott has earned show he has learned his craft well. Alongside a selection of mouth-watering smoked meats, Porky’s offers three different savory sauces—mild, sweet, and spicy—as well as a blazin’ hot option. Sample all and pick a favorite. And no barbecue meal is complete without sides. Try Porky’s beans, coleslaw, or potato and pasta salads. Open 11 AM to 8 PM Friday and Saturday and 11 AM to 3 PM Sunday.—Lori A. Addington 9512 S. Buckner-Tarsney Road, Grain Valley • 816-566-0203 • PorkysBlazinBBQ.com

3103 Lawrence 1070 • 417-452-2277

St. James Marketplace Cafe is so popular with locals and travelers on Interstate 44 that it expanded its restaurant earlier this year and has another expansion planned for this summer.

St. James

Porky’s Blazin’ Bar-B-Q suddenly appears as you’re driving down Buckner-Tarsney Road south of Grain Valley. Stop in weekends for award-winning ribs, pork, and brisket.

Grain Valley

PORKY’S BLAZIN BAR-B-Q Taking Buckner-Tarsney Road from Interstate 70 (the Grain Valley exit) south to US 50 might seem like a good way to get away from it all. And it is—until you come across the bright red barn seemingly out in the middle of nowhere that suggests a culinary discovery is in the making. Porky’s Blazin Bar-B-Q has gained a solid reputation as one of the Kansas City area’s best barbecue joints. In March 2016, Scott Roberts took over Porky’s to follow in his father Dennis’s footsteps of owning his own restaurant. Dennis was the proprietor of Mozarks Barbecue in Clinton. Scott learned the secrets of pit barbecue at the master’s side. Every Friday, Scott opens the doors at Porky’s Blazin Bar-B-Q for the weekend. “I feel like I need to be there, to talk to the customers,” he explains. Every cut of meat is slow smoked to perfection. “We don’t use gas or charcoal, only wood,” Scott says. Porky’s technique of wood-smoked

When you walk into the St. James Marketplace Cafe, you never know exactly what you might find baking in the oven or bubbling on the stovetop. What began as a farmers’ market produce stand has grown to be St. James’s most popular cafe and catering business. “I had been very successful at two local farmers’ markets with breads, pies, cakes, cookies, and jellies, with customers lamenting the end of the summer season. I decided it was time to step out on faith,” says Deb Kleinheider, who with her mother, Helen Branson, opened the restaurant in December 2013. “We had driven by one location for several days,” Helen says. “When we walked in and saw the pass-through between a large kitchen and living room, it clicked.” On any given day, one of forty different soups will be simmering in the kitchen. One fan favorite—the loaded baked potato soup—is available every day. Besides the large variety of soups, St. James Marketplace Cafe offers freshly baked bread, and Deb and Helen whip up their own salad dressings and sandwich spreads. “Every day, the large convection oven is filled with our own breads, both savory and sweet, ranging from focaccia to dill to Asiago cheese,” Deb says. The cafe is open from 9:30 AM to 2:30 PM Monday through Friday.—Lori A. Addington 211 North Seymour Street • 573-263-2557 • Facebook: St. James Marketplace Cafe

ASHLEY WILLS AND COURTESY PORKY'S BLAZINBAR-B-Q

ST. JAMES MARKETPLACE CAFE

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ASHLEY WILLS

Loaded baked potato soup is just one popular menu item at St. James Marketplace Cafe. Enjoy it with fresh-baked bread.

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SHOW-ME

Flavor

ST. LOUIS TOASTED RAVIOLI Courtesy of Laura Fuentes

Ingredients >

1½ cups panko (Japanese-style breadcrumbs) ¾ cup plain breadcrumbs 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning

Missouri Favorites

Directions >

Courtesy of Cindy Rippe

1 cup milk 2 tablespoons water 2 eggs, well beaten Salt 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces 2 tablespoons cornstarch 1 cup chicken broth 2 tablespoons soy sauce

Directions > 1.

2 tablespoons oyster sauce (find in the Asian food section of your grocery store) 1 teaspoon sugar Pepper to taste 1 cup flou Peanut oil for frying 1 cup cashew nuts 1 cup chopped green onions Soy sauce Rice

Mix milk, water, eggs, and salt together and marinate chicken for at least 20 minutes. 2. In a saucepan, dissolve cornstarch in a small amount of broth; add remaining broth

to saucepan gradually to make a paste. 3. Whisk together soy sauce, oyster sauce, sugar, and pepper. Add chicken broth if necessary to give sauce the consistency of gravy. 4. Whisk over medium-high heat until sauce boils and begins to thicken. Set aside. 5. Roll marinated chicken pieces in the flou . Heat oil in a heavy pan. 6. Drop chicken pieces into oil one piece at a time to prevent sticking together. Fry until crisp and golden. Drain on paper towels. 7. Arrange chicken on a serving platter. Reheat sauce, adding chicken broth if needed to thin it down, and pour over chicken. Sprinkle with cashews and chopped green onions and serve with white, brown, or fried rice. Serves 4. Go to KWTB.com/blogs/miss-cindyssensations to see more of Cindy's recipes.

3. 4.

Preheat oven to 425 degrees and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. In a shallow bowl, mix panko, breadcrumbs, Italian seasoning, salt, and Parmesan cheese. In a large bowl, beat eggs. Set aside. In a medium saucepan, bring water to a boil and cook ravioli for 3 minutes. Drain and allow them to cool for 5 to 10 minutes. Begin breading process by adding 4 ravioli at a time to the beaten eggs, flip to coat. Transfer to Parmesan/breadcrumb mixture; toss to coat well. Place on lined baking sheet. Repeat breading process with remaining ravioli. Spray lightly with olive oil or baking spray and bake for 15 minutes. Makes 24 ravioli. Serves 4. More recipes at LauraFuentes.com.

NOTE: To make these gluten-free, start with gluten-free ravioli. For the breading, you can either use gluten-free panko and breadcrumbs, or coarsely ground corn flakes. Pulse the corn flakes in a food processor until they are the consistency of traditional panko crumbs.

HARRY KATZ

SPRINGFIELD-STYLE CASHEW CHICKEN Ingredients >

¼ teaspoon salt 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese 3 eggs, beaten 24 cheese ravioli, frozen

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Springtime Strawberrie

STRAWBERRY CREAM PUFFS Courtesy of Pat Moore, California, Missouri

Ingredients > For the Puffs 1 cup water ½ cup margarine 1 cup flou

¼ teaspoon salt 4 eggs

For the Filling 1 quart fresh straw- 12-ounce tub berries, diced whipped topping 3 tablespoons sugar ¼ cup powdered 3 ounces cream sugar cheese, softened

Directions >

1. Bring water to a boil. 2. Add margarine and stir until melted. 3. Add flour and salt all at once and stir with a wooden spoon quickly until it forms a smooth ball that doesn’t separate; remove from heat. 4. Cool slightly and add eggs one at a time, beating vigorously until smooth after each addition. 5. Line baking sheet with parchment paper or grease well. Drop batter onto the baking sheet by the spoonful to make about 8 to12 equal-sized balls. 6. Bake at 450 degrees for 15 minutes, then reduce heat to 325 degrees and bake another 25 minutes or until golden brown. Cool completely. 7. While puffs cool, mix diced str wberries with sugar and mash together. Let sit 30 minutes. 8. Stir in softened cream cheese and mix well. Fold in whipped topping. 9. Scoop filling into cream puffs; replac top as lid. 10. Dust with powdered sugar.

STRAWBERRY TEA Courtesy of Copper Canyon Coffee Roasters, Battlef

Ingredients >

SALTY DOG

Courtesy DogMaster Distillery, Columb Ingredients >

1¼ ounces DogMaster Distillery Vodka 3 ounces grapefruit juice

3 ounces grapefruit soda Squeeze of lime Dash of grenadine

Directions > 1.

Salt the rim of a traditional highball glass and fill with ice 2. Add vodka, grapefruit juice, and grapefruit soda. 3. Squeeze lime juice into the drink and stir with a long spoon. 4. Drizzle the top with grenadine and serve. See more at DogMasterDistillery.com

½ ounce loose tea 12 cups water

1½ heaping cups fresh strawberries, sliced

Directions > 1.

2. 3.

4. 5.

Place tea inside an infuser or in some cheesecloth and secure. Add water to a large pot and bring to a boil. Once the water is boiling. turn down to a simmer and add the tea. After one minute, remove from heat and let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes (to taste—longer means stronger). Remove tea. When cool, add the strawberries. Place in a large pitcher and add ice. Sip slowly and relax. See more at CopperCanyonCoffee.com.

Variations: To spruce it up, add some basil or mint leaves. Want it sweet? Add a little bit of agave syrup to taste. To really kick it up a notch, add a little bit of homemade strawberry preserves.

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SHOW-ME

Flavor

Dining worth the drive.

Barbecue & Pie … Oh My! Higginsville

ORIGINALLY A SMALL, ROAD SID E LIQUOR STORE, the Red Shanty BBQ & Roadside Cafe now offers so much more. Inside, you’ll find some of the best barbecue in Lafayette County as well as a big variety of imported

Noble Parentage Macon

beers and wines and a unique novelty shop.

► TAKE TWO DEVASTATING FIRES, two headstrong owners, and cuisine that northern Missourians just can’t stop talking

sandwich—the Frog Pollard—that is named after a

about, mix them all together, and what do you get? You get a newly remodeled, highly popular, magnificently fl vored

local patron. You’ll find fresh, smoked meats, ribs, sand-

AJ’s Eat and Drink—The Steak House.

wiches, and made-from-scratch sides, and desserts. The

Located on Missouri Route 13 in Higginsville, the small restaurant is full of local history and even has a

Sawdust Pie is highly recommended.

Pear Tree signature salad served with the locally manufactured Pear Tree House Dressing and croutons. Add to that

The Red Shanty BBQ & Roadside Cafe is open

batter-dipped imported lobster tail, Black Angus steaks cooked to perfection, and Missouri-famous golden onion rings

11 AM to 9 PM Wednesday and Thursday, and 11 AM

and you’re guaranteed to walk away with a smile in your tummy.

to 10

AJ’s Eat and Drink—The Steak House is open from 11 AM to 9 PM Tuesday through Thursday and from

Friday and Saturday.

—Lori A. Addington

11 AM to 9:30 PM Friday and Saturday. Call for reservations.—Danielle Breshears

2201 Highway 13 • 660-584-2204

1407 North Missouri Street • 660-385-1500 • AJsEatandDrink.com

RedShantyCafe.com

Students Know Pizza Rolla

FOR MORE THAN 50 YEARS, Alex’s Pizza Palace has been serving Rolla locals as well as Missouri S&T students. Founded in 1964 by Alex Kallas and his wife, Froso, Alex’s Pizza Palace is known for handmade pizza dough and fresh sauces. Nearly twenty years after it first opened, Ellie and Lazos Makridis bought the business and kept the tradition alive as they expanded the restaurant. Now with seating for more than three hundred, Alex’s Pizza Palace churns out fresh pizza dough every morning and offers catering and delivery. If you’re really hungry, check out the toasted ravioli or cheese balls appetizers. For the main course, choose from gyros, calzones, gourmet pizzas, and Greek specialties such as spanakopita.—Lori A. Addington 122 West Eighth Street • 573-364-2669 • AlexsPizza.com

COURTESY OF AJ'S EAT AND DRINK, ALEX'S PIZZA, AND RED SHANTY BBQ & ROADSIDE CAFE

An offspring of Bevier’s The Pear Tree (which burned in 2012), AJ’s continues that restaurant’s traditions with the

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love

Shower Mom with MO’

bags Missouri Pride tote x, s/h starting at $20 + ta elry Missouri Pride jew x, s/h starting at $12 + ta

Mother’s Day is May 14, 2017 VISIT MISSOURILIFE.COM/STORE OR CALL 877-570-9898 EXT. 101 TO ORDER [99] April 2017

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THIS IS A FAMILY TRADITION IN THE MAKING. TRAVELIOWA.COM

PLAN YOUR TRIP AT T RAVEL IOWA.COM [100] MissouriLife

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CLEAR LAKE / MASON CITY

CRESTON & UNION COUNTY

Experience stunning and rare Frank Lloyd Wright architecture, magnificent art and sprawling gardens. After a relaxing day on the lake, explore The Music Man Square and the Surf Ballroom & Museum – sites that bring music and history together like nowhere else.

Have fun and enjoy Three Mile and Twelve Mile lakes, Green Valley State Park, our trails and shooting range, along with festivities like our 4th of July Celebration and annual Hot Air Balloon Days (3rd weekend in September). Creston and Union County: Your Southwest Iowa destination for outdoor fun.

travelnorthiowa.com | 800.285.5338

unioncountyiowatourism.com | 641.782.7022

DES MOINES

FAIRFIELD

Get ready for brunch and boutique shopping. Art galleries and patio drinks. Enjoy downtown Farmers’ Market by day and Winefest by night. Experience the weekend getaway you’ve been waiting for. Catch summer in Greater Des Moines.

Fairfield is Iowa’s most creative and eclectic small city. Situated in Southeast Iowa, this colorful, artsy community moves to its own beat and was recently named by Smithsonian magazine as “one of America’s best small towns.”

catchdesmoines.com | 800.451.2625

travelfairfield.com | 641.472.2828

FORT DODGE

GRINNELL

Find miles of adventures by riding 65 miles at Gypsum City Off-Highway Vehicle Park, kayaking 70 miles on two water trails, snowmobiling 150 miles on trails or enjoying 45 miles of equestrian trails all near Fort Dodge.

Grinnell, known as the “Jewel of the Prairie,” boasts some of Iowa’s hottest independent restaurants, a host of unique retailers and a legendary downtown. Add in world-class athletic and recreational facilities, plus a thriving arts community, and it’s easy to see why Grinnell has been named one of the “Top Ten Coolest Small Towns in America!”

fortdodgecvb.com | 888.573.4282

getintogrinnell.com | 641.236.6555

LOESS HILLS

OKOBOJI

Explore the Loess Hills like never before. Whether you come to drive our National Scenic Byway, explore and hike in the hills or visit the charming communities, you will find something that you can all enjoy.

Find your escape in Okoboji with abundant water recreation activities like boating, fishing and parasailing, our vast trails system, Arnolds Park Amusement Park, golf courses, museums, shopping, unique dining and more! It’s no wonder we’re called Iowa’s #1 Vacation Destination!

visitloesshills.org | 888.623.4232

vacationokoboji.com | 800.270.2574

PELLA

POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY WATTA WAY

Enjoy a trip to Europe without leaving the Midwest! You’re “welkom” to visit Pella, where you will be surrounded with all things Dutch: twirling windmill blades, delightful pastries, the sound of wooden “klompen” and thousands of blooming tulips.

Watta Way to get away! Experience hiking trails in the Loess Hills, culinary delights, fine artisans and wine. Thrill to a zip line, water adventure, and photo-worthy sunsets. Explore the treasures of Pottawattamie County.

wattawayiowa.com | 844.271.6909

visitpella.com | 888.746.3882

TASSEL RIDGE WINERY

DECORAH / WINNESHIEK COUNTY

Discover Iowa wine! Visit Tassel Ridge Winery, surrounded by vineyards and picturesque farmland, one hour southeast of Des Moines. Tour the winery. Taste award-winning wines ranging from dry to sweet. Shop for wine-related items, local cheese and more. Check our website for wine and food pairing events. Open year-round.

The bluff country of Northeast Iowa is remarkable in many ways. Heralded for undeniable scenic beauty, Winneshiek County and Decorah offer a plethora of things to do, see and experience. Whatever the season; whatever the reason your stay is sure to be unforgettable.

visitdecorah.com | 800.463.4692

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New guide from Missouri Life! MISSOURI STATE PARKS SPECIAL 100TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION

Missouri’s remarkable diversity of resources comes alive in this guide that explores all there is to see and do in Missouri’s 92 state parks and state historic sites. This book’s highlighted icons, trail listings, and fun facts will guide your adventures for years to come. Softcover, 100 pgs.

FIND IT AT YOUR FAVORITE NEWSTAND OR AT MISSOURILIFE.COM/STORE OR CALL 877-570-9898 EXT. 101

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ALL AROUND

Missouri APRIL 2017

CHALK AND CHOCOLATE

Watch chalk artists create pictures while you stroll downtown Chillicothe and sample chocolate treats. The cost is $10 and the event is open from 10 am to 3 pm. Call 660-646-4071 or visit DowntownChilli.com for more information.

NORTHWEST

COURTESY MAIN STREET CHILLICOTHE

APRIL FOOL’S DAY HIKE April 1, Trenton > Join park staff for a seven-mile guided hike on the South Loop of Thompson River Trail. Participants should wear comfortable hiking shoes and bring water and snacks. Crowder State Park at Shelter 3. 10 am. Free. 660-359-6473, MoStateParks.com/park/crowder-state-park

ST. LOUIS BRASS ENSEMBLE April 2, Chillicothe > This ensemble adds zaniness to its talents and presents diverse material

combined with an imaginative presentation. Gary D ickinson Performing Arts Center. 3 pm. $5-$15. 660-646-1173, ChillicotheArts.com

quiem of Mozart by the St. Joseph Symphony. Missouri Theatre. 7:30-10 pm. $5-$43. 816-233-7701, SaintJosephSymphony.org

STEEL MAGNOLIAS

TRAP-SHOOTING CONTEST AND CHILI COOK-OFF

April 28-May 14, St. Joseph > The ladies at Truvy’s beauty salon will have you laughing and crying as they reveal their strengths and weaknesses. Robidoux Landing Playhouse. 6:30 pm dinner; 7:30 pm show Fri.-Sat.; 12:30 pm dinner; 2 pm show Sun. $17.25-$36. 816-232-1778, RRTStJoe.org

MASTERY OF MOZART AND BEETHOVEN

April 22, Richmond > Gather your team to compete in a trap-shooting contest where cash prizes are awarded. There will also be a chili cooking contest where community leaders make their favorite chili. Your donations will decide the winner. Bird Fever Hunting Preserve. All day. Donations accepted (call for trap-shooting costs). 816-520-7828, RCWomensResourceCenter.np.web.com

April 29, St. Joseph > Enjoy a classical performance of the Eighth Symphony of Beethoven and the Re-

These listings are chosen by our editors and are not paid for by sponsors.

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FLASHLIGHT EASTER EGG HUNT April 13, Moberly > Bring a flashlight and a bag to find the more than 8,000 eggs the Easter Bunny has hidden. This hunt is for ages 10 and younger. Howard Hils Athletic Complex. Hunt begins at dark. 660-269-8705, ext. 2040, MoberlyChamber.com

SAINT LOUIS BRASS April 3, Kirksville > This quintet performs the entire spectrum for brass from the works of today’s composers to Baroque and Renaissance music transcribed for modern instruments, as well as some jazz arrangements. Ophelia Parrish Performance Hall at Truman State University. 7:30 pm. $10. 660-785-4447, Lyceum.Truman.edu

BOOK RELEASE PARTY

GIRLFRIEND GETAWAY

Historic Downtown Hannibal is host to a great weekend just for the girls April 28 to 30. You can enjoy a Pub Crawl, do some dancing, and check out great art. Activities for gal pals are from 8 amto 1 amFriday and Saturday and from 8 am to 5 pm on Sunday. For more information, call 573-221-1101 or visit GreatGirlfriend Getaway.com.

April 6, Paris > The book release party features The World War I Soldiers of Monroe County by Ken McGee. This book is full of historical photos and stories of the more than 600 people from Monroe County who went to fight. There will be books for sale and the author will be on hand to autograph them and answer questions. Courthouse. 2-4:30 pm.Free ($25 for the book). 660-327-1831, ParisMoChamber.com

KANSAS CITY BUSINESS EXPO April 1, Belton > This job fair has all types of businesses offering jobs and B2B networking. High School. 9 am-noon. Free. 816-331-2420, BeltonMoChamber.org

PARK DAY April 1, Lexington > Join volunteers to help preserve Civil War battlefields and historic sites. Battle of Lexington State Historic Site. 9 am-noon. Free. 660-259-4654, MoStateParks.com/park/ battle-lexington-state-historic-site

FILMFEST

GALLERY WALK April 8, Hannibal> Wander from gallery to gallery and meet special guest artists, view their works, and enjoy refreshments. Downtown. 5-8 pm. Free. 573-221-2477, VisitHannibal.com

April 5-9, Kansas City > Come and see local, national, and international award-winning films. Cinemark Palace at the Country Club Plaza. Times and ticket prices vary. 816-691-3842, KCFilmfest.org

COURTESY TONY JONES PHOTOGRAPHY

NORTHEAST

PRESENTS

ART PARK

JUNE

IN THE

2017

STEPHENS LAKE PARK

10am - 5pm Sat + 10am - 4pm Sun

ArtInTheParkColumbia.org

(573) 443-8838

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State parks, cute little shops, microbreweries, underground art galleries and award-winning dining, all within walking distance. Or at least a short bike ride away. Columbia offers everything you need for a quick getaway. And you don’t have to take out a small loan to get here. visitcolumbiamo.com

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UP THE DOWN STAIRCASE April 7-9, Lee’s Summit > This funny and poignant play tells the story of a young English teacher in an inner-city high school. Lee’s Summit North High School Theatre. 7 pm Fri.-Sat.; 2 pm Sun. $5. 816986-3031, LSNTheatre.net

AFTERNOON TEA April 8, Lexington > Join the staff of the Anderson House for tea served by ladies in period dress and enjoy music. Battle of Lexington State Historic Site. 2-4 pm. Free. 660-259-4654, MoStateParks.com/ park/battle-lexington-state-historic-site

OLD DRUM DOG FEST

TROLLEY WINE TOURS

Your adventure begins at 10 am at Willow Spring Mercantile in Excelsior Springs with a brunch paired with Missouri-made wines. Then hop aboard the trolley to Fence Stile Vineyards & Winery, followed by Van Till Family Farm Winery, then to Four Horses & a Dog Vineyard & Winery. Each stop includes the full tasting experience and ends at 5 pm. The cost is $99. Call 816-630-6161 or visit ESTrolley.com for more information.

FOUNTAIN DAY April 11, Kansas City > Celebrate the opening of more than 200 of the city’s fountains and the 125th anniversary of Parks and Rec. Held at the concourse fountain at Benton Boulevard and St. John Avenue. 4-7 pm. Free. 816-513-7500, KCParks.org

COURTESY KEVIN MORGAN

April 8, Warrensburg > The festival celebrates the memory of a local canine legend, Old D rum, and includes many dog-themed activities, an Old Drum trial re-enactment, a car show, vendors, children’s activities, D oggy Olympics, and center stage performances. Historic Square. 9 am-4 pm. Free. 660262-4611, OldDrumFestival.com

Centrally located just 30 miles North of Columbia at the junction of Highways 63 & 24

VISIT US ONLINE AT MOBERLY.COM.

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SPRING BREAK AND EASTER RATE SPECIALS

Rates include lodging, meals & many activities. Kids 5 & under stay FREE!

Themed Events YMCA TROUT LODGE SPECIAL SAVINGS From March 10 to April 16 Discounted guest rooms, loft rooms and private cabins

90 minutes south of St. Louis

888-FUN-YMCA www.troutlodge.org

Click the yellow banner on our website for all the awesome specials. Also have 40+ activities Also find out about our summer camp for kids 6-17 at YMCA Camp Lakewood www.camplakewood.org

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FLIGHTS OF FANCY

SPRING INTO ACTION!

April 15, Lee’s Summit > This kite festival features dazzling mega kites, power kites, stunt kites, and the world’s largest windsock, which is three stories high and 200 feet long. Metropolitan Community College-Longview campus. 10 am-5 pm. Free. 816604-2598, KiteFest.MccKc.edu

April 22, Weston > Celebrate Earth D ay and 100 years in Missouri State Parks with a scavenger hunt, a recycle relay, and refreshments. Plant a seed to take home and watch grow. Weston Bend State Park. 10 am-noon. Free. 816-640-5443, MoStateParks.com/park/weston-bend-state-park

A PERFECT CIRCLE

DOGGIES AND DOGWOODS DAY

April 19, Kansas City > The alternative band, A Perfect Circle, puts on a great show at this concert. Starlight Theatre. 7:30 pm. $35-$85. 816-363-7827, KCStarlight.com

April 29-30, Kingsville > Visitors are invited to bring their dogs and walk among the ornamental trees. Powell Gardens. 9 am-4 pm. $5-$12. 816-6972600, PowellGardens.org

SPRING CRAFT SHOW April 1, Linn Creek > Stop by this show and check out the many crafters who display and sell a variety of items. There will be lunch available for a donation. Camden County Museum. 9 am-4 pm. Free. 573-346-7191, CamdenCountyMuseum.org

HEROINES ON THE HOMEFRONT

I’M GONNA PRAY FOR YOU SO HARD

CENTRAL

April 19-May 14, Kansas City > This probing and darkly funny play sheds new light on the fight to overcome a parent’s legacy. Unicorn Theatre. 7:30 pm Tues.-Thurs.; 8 pm Fri.-Sat.; 3 pm Sun. $35-$40. 816-531-7529, UnicornTheatre.org

A TIME TO KILL Mar. 31-April 2 and 6-9, Jefferson City > A gripping adaptation of John Grisham’s novel about race, crime, and family in small-town America. Shikles Auditorium. Show times vary. $23 for dessert theater and $38 for dinner theater. 573-681-9612, CapitalCityProductions.org

NATIVE PLANT SALE April 22, Sedalia > The Missouri Prairie Foundation hosts this sale of native plants, trees, and shrubs. There will be experts on hand to answer gardening questions. Trail’s End parking lot at the Missouri State Fairgrounds. 10 am-2 pm. Free. 888-8436739, GrowNative.org MOLife_April_June_17_StCharlesMO.pdf

contributing editor at TIME magazine, and a special conversation with Gen. David H. Petraeus, USA, Retired, followed by a reception and tours of the Museum. National Churchill Museum. 11:45 am-5 pm. Free. 573-592-5602, NationalChurchillMuseum.org

CHURCHILL WEEKEND April 1, Fulton > There will be a lecture by Jon Meacham, 2009 Pulitzer Prize winner and 1

2/9/17

April 5, Jefferson City > At this Museum After Hours event, historian and author Petra D eWitt will explore the role of the Woman’s Committee in tackling critical issues of women, children, and food supplies as Missouri mobilized for World War I. Missouri State Museum. 7 pm. Free. 573-522-6949, MoStateParks.com/park/missouri-state-museum

ART AROUND TOWN April 7, Jefferson City > Pick up your map and take a stroll around town to see artwork displayed at different locations and enjoy a reception at the Adult Fine Art Exhibit at Capital Arts. Throughout town. 4:30-8:30 pm. Free. 573-635-8355, VisitJeffersonCity.com

7:27 PM

CMY

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57 Years of Professional Theatre in the heart of Missouri

JUNE 7 - 18

AUGUST 5 - 13

SEPTEMBER 2 - 10

JUNE 28 - JULY 8

2017 season

SEPTEMBER 16 - 24

JULY 19 - 30

AUGUST 19 - 26

DECEMBER 13 - 23

660-837-3311 • www.lyceumtheatre.org 2017 SEASON SPONSORS [109] April 2017

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BIG MUDDY FOLK FESTIVAL April 7-8, Boonville > Enjoy nightly performances including some legendary Ozark folk rockers, a Grammy winner, and local favorites Cathy Barton and Dave Para and others. The festival features barbecue and Saturday workshops, demonstrations, and singalongs. Thespian Hall, Turner Hall, and other venues. 7 pmFriday and Saturday and 9 amto 3 pmSunday $25 per evening; $45 for the weekend. 888-588-1477, FriendsOfHistoricBoonville.org

SPRING CRAFT SHOW April 8, Vienna > See more than fifty mid-Missouri vendors selling handcrafted products. Knights of Columbus Hall. 9 am-2 pm. Free. 573-690-3195

April 13-22, Jefferson City > Follow fi e unique individuals from kindergarten to the retirement center in this comedic tale about life. Stained Glass Theatre. 7:30 pmThurs.-Fri.; 2 pmSat. $9. 573-6345313, SgtMidMo.org

THE MUSIC OF MILES DAVIS

To celebrate International Jazz Day April 30, The Blue Note in Columbia will host these eight performers playing Miles Davis original compositions. It is a show that will bring the house down. The doors open at 6 pmwith the show starting at 7 pm. Ticket prices range from $10 to $17. Call 573-449-3009 or visit WeAlwaysSwing.org for more information.

The

YAPPY HOUR April 15, Columbia > Bring your dog out for a romp while you enjoy food trucks, live music, and craft beer. There will be a goody bag for each dog. Twin Lakes Recreation Area. 3-6 pm. $5-$15. 573-874-7460, CoMo.gov

COURTESY SF JAZZ COLLECTIVE

MERRY-GO-ROUND

PROMOTION

Bent Tree Gallery

NOW OPEN IN OUR NEW LOCATION

Artisans

Rustic Furniture and Accents, Leather Bags, Baskets & Fiber Art

Saleigh Mountain

10-5 Mon-Sat & by appointment

27619 E 340th St. Bethany, MO • 660-851-1154 • www.thebenttree.com

A magical, acoustic evening with Ozark Mountain Daredevils founders

Larry Lee and Randle Chowning with David Wilson

A small, family-owned business in Hermann that specializes in quality handcrafted leather-works and shoe repair. Now selling American-made Filson products and Thorogood boots. Open Tues.-Sat. 9 ˜° to 5 ˛° 124 E Fourth St. Hermann, MO 65041 573-486-2992

www.SaleighMountain.com

Crow Steals Fire Personalized and artisan jewelry handmade in Missouri. Give unique jewelry with special meaning and a story to tell.

www.CrowStealsFire.com

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Save your barn!

This Year, Give Mom a Gift That Lasts Longer Than Cut Flowers.

Give Missouri Life Magazine. It’s perennial. Missouri Life Magazine is the Mother’s Day present that lasts all year long. Missouri Life will deliver recipes, day trips, fascinating features, and our shared Missouri heritage to your loved one’s door.

AFTER

BARN RESTORATION Professional Quality Renovation Expert

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Visit www.MissouriLife.com or call 800-492-2593 to order.

Call 660-815-2686

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JAYCEES EASTER EGG HUNT

SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

April 15, Jefferson City > Children ages 2 to 7 years of age can hunt for eggs at this 30th annual Easter Egg Hunt. Memorial Park. 11 am. Free. 573-6346482, VisitJeffersonCity.com

April 25, Jefferson City > Spend the evening with the Jefferson City Symphony Orchestra at this performance under the direction of Patrick D avid Clark. Mitchell Auditorium at the Richardson Fine Arts Center. 7 to 10 pm. $5-$15. 573-681-9371, VisitJeffersonCity.com

MELODRAMA AND SPAGHETTI April 21-22, Linn Creek > Enjoy a buffet spaghetti meal followed by the melodrama, On the Bridge at Midnight. Camden County Museum. 5:30 pm dinner; 7 pm show. $15. Reservations recommended. 573-346-7191, CamdenCountyMuseum.org

COLLEGE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE OPEN HOUSE April 22, Columbia > Take a tour of the animal hospitals and facilities, watch the Purina Incredible Dogs, visit the petting zoo, and look over the veterinary medicine displays. University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine. 9 am-3 pm. Free. 573882-3554, CvmMissouri.edu/news/openhouse2017

EARTH DAY April 23, Columbia > Celebrate Mother Earth at this street fair that features, live music, vendors, a variety of food trucks, educational displays, recycling information, and children’s activities, crafts, and games. Peace Park. Noon-7 pm. Free. 573-8750539, ColumbiaEarthDay.org

McQueen, who lived in Slater as a child. Downtown. 9 am-3 pm. Free (fee to register a car). 660-5292271, CityOfSlater.com

ST. LOUIS

THE SPECIAL CONSENSUS

WEAVE AN EGG BASKET

April 28, Jefferson City > Grammy-nominated bluegrass band’s repertoire features traditional standards, originals, and songs from other musical genres performed in the bluegrass format. They are joined by special guest, The Bluegrass Martins. Avenue HQ. Doors open at 6 pm; 7 pm show. $20$25. 573-635-9199, VisitJeffersonCity.com

April 1, St. Charles > This class covers the art of weaving an egg basket with all the materials supplied. And you take home your creation. First Missouri State Capitol State Historic Site. 10 am-3 pm. $35. 636-940-3322, MoStateParks.com/park/first missouri-state-capitol-state-historic-site

MORELS AND MICROBREWS April 29, Fulton > Celebrate the morel season with fried morels, a fresh morel auction, a kids mushroom hunt, live music, and microbrew samples. Historic Brick District. Noon-5 pm. Free (brew tasting with purchase of $20 commemorative glass). 573-642-7692. MorelsAndMicrobrews.com

STEVE MCQUEEN DAY April 29, Slater > There will be a car show with vintage, street rods, imports, and Corvettes, with trophies awarded at this event celebrating Steve

LUPULIN CARNIVAL April 1, St. Louis > This is a beer sampling event with carnival acts going on around you. There will be live music, food trucks, games, Ferris wheel rides, and a super slide. Union Station. Noon-4 pm. $50. 314-436-1559, LupulinCarnival.com

MAH JONGG TOURNAMENT April 1, St. Louis > This tournament is for the Mah Jongg player who wants to compete in a relaxed environment. There will be cash prizes, and lunch is included. Affton Community Center. 10 am-3 pm. $40. 314-313-6092, StLouisCo.com/parks

Pla n Y ou r Get a wa y! non! So mu ch to see an d do in Le ba

National Antique Tractor Pull April 7–8 Cowan Civic Center

Lebanon is known by its motto, “Friendly people. Friendly place.” These events are only part of the fun we have to offer.

Chicago Harp Quartet Concert April 2 Cowan Civic Center Kids Free Fishing Day May 6, Bennett Spring State Park

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MISSOURI RIVER FESTIVAL

FESTIVAL OF LAUGHS

April 8, Washington > Join Missouri River Relief for a local river cleanup followed by live music, handson children’s activities, art, and food vendors. Rennick Riverfront Park. 9 am-5 pm. Free. 573-4430292, VisitWashMo.com

April 21, St. Louis > You will laugh the night away with comedians Mike Epps, Rickey Smiley, Bruce Bruce, and Felipe Esparza. Chaifetz Arena. 8 pm. $52-$62. 314-977-5000, TheChaifetzArena.com

AN EGG-CELLENT EASTER WEEKEND

The YMCA Trout Lodge in Potosi is a great place to spend Easter. There will be egg coloring, a petting zoo, pictures with the Easter Bunny, and an egg hunt. Check in on April 14 at 3:30 pm and check out April 16 at 11:30 am. Rates include lodging, meals and all the activities. Call for 888-386-9622 or visit Trout Lodge.org for more information.

April 9, St. Louis > Celebrate Easter with breakfast, an egg hunt, and children’s activities. Companion West STL Cafe and Bakery. 9:30 am-1 pm. $14.95$18.95. 314-352-4770, CompanionBaking.com

April 22, Hermann > Find a treasure at one of the thirty antique dealers that will feature baskets, pewter, pottery, collectibles, and primitive portraits at this show. Hermannhof Festhalle and the Celebration Hall. 10 am-4 pm. $7. 573-676-3014, Hermann AntiqueShow.com

PLEIN AIR ART FESTIVAL

A RENDEZVOUS WITH THE PAST

April 20-30, Augusta > Come out and watch artists paint outdoor scenes of the area, participate in workshops, and see the final artworks at the last day sale. Throughout the area. Painters are out during daylight hours. Free (fee for workshops). 636228-4005. AugustaPleinAir.com

April 22-23, Chesterfield > Camp out on the site of an original Spanish land grant, explore the life of an early pioneer in the Louisiana Territory, take a tour of Thornhill. Dinner and breakfast will be provided but you will need to bring your own camping gear. Thornhill at Faust Park. 6 pm-9 am. $30. Advanced reservations required. 314-615-8328, Reserve. STLouisCo.com/recdynamicsweb

CHILL AND BE CHILL April 21, St. Louis > At this adult workshop you can bring your own wine to drink and learn slab construction methods to create a unique artwork that keeps your wine chilled. Laumeier Sculpture Park. 6:30-9:30 pm. Ages 21 and up. $45. 314-615-5278, Laumeier.org

ART OF TASTING April 26, Clayton > Drop by the park to taste wine, sample food, and listen to live music. Clayton on the Park Rooftop Terrace. 5:30-7:30 pm. $25-$40. 314726-3070, ClaytonCommerce.com

COURTESY YMCA STAFF

ANTIQUE SHOW

EGG-CELLENT BREAKFAST AND EGG HUNT

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Celebrating Our 20th Anniversary

Weston...visit once and you’ll return.

Upcoming Events Second Saturday Shops Open Late April 21 & 22 Lions Club Antique & Collectibles Show May 13 Wings Over Weston Audubon Festival, 2nd Annual Weston Wine Festival May 20 Volksweston Car Show

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BBQ AND BLUESFEST

HAVIN’ A CRAPPIE DAY 5K

April 21-23, Washington > This festival features live musicical performances, a food court, vintage market vendors, an art walk, BBQ competition with samples to try, and a bike show. Main Street. 4-10 pmFri.; 10 am-8 pmSat.; 11 am-4 pmSun. Free ($9 to sample BBQ). 636-239-1743, D owntown WashMo.org

April 1, Dadeville > Join in this race to raise funds for the trails, win a medal, and enjoy the great views. Stockton Lake Park. 7-11 am. $18.50-$33.50. 417-664-3355, StocktonStateParkMarina.com

TWILIGHT TREK AND TASTE April 29, De Soto > Bring your lantern or flashligh for a guided one-half mile hike on the 1000 Step Trail followed by samples of hors d’oeuvres from the park concessionaire, and wine tastings from local wineries. Washington State Park. 6-10 pm. $5 nonrefundable fee when you make your required reservation. This event is for ages 21 and older. 636586-5768, mostateparks.com/park/washingtonstate-park

SOUTHWEST ARSENIC AND OLD LACE Mar. 29-April 2, Joplin > A drama critic learns his family is comprised of lunatics and homicidal maniacs in this dark comedy. Joplin Little Theatre. 7:30 pmWed.-Sat.; 2:30 pmSun. $13. 417-623-3638, JoplinLittleTheatre.org

BISON HIKE April 1, Mindenmines > Come to the park to learn about bison and view them in their natural habitat on this two-mile guided hike. Prairie State Park. 10 am-noon. 417-843-6711, MoStateParks.com/ park/prairie-state-park

CHICAGO HARP QUARTET April 2, Lebanon > Founded in 2012, this musical quartet ranks top in the harp world. Cowan Civic Center. 4-6 pm. $25. 417-532-2990, LebanonMissouri.org

CHICAGO April 2, Springfield > This iconic band is joined by special guest JD and The Straight Shot. Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts. 7 pm. $56$125. 417-836-7678, HammonsHall.com

FAIRY GARDENS April 3, Springfield > Share an evening learning how to create a fairy garden. Springfield Botanical Gardens at Nathanael Greene/Close Memorial

Park. 6-7 pm. $5. 417-891-1515, MGGreene.org

ART WALK April 7, Springfield > Stroll the downtown and see original art, listen to live music, watch art demonstrations, enjoy tastings, and take in the performances. Historic D owntown. 6-10 pm. Free. 417832-0754, Ffaw.org

ANTIQUE TRACTOR PULL April 7-8, Lebanon > Come out for this national tractor pull with qualifying and championship pulls. Cowan Civic Center. 8 am until the runs are done. $10. 417-839-1748, LebanonMissouri.org

QUEEN CITY CAJUN COOKOFF AND CARNIVÀLE April 8, Springfield > Kick up your evening a notch with carnival-inspired live entertainment with a concert by The Mixtapes, a Cajun cookoff, and samples of Cajun dishes all to benefit the Boys and Girls Club of Springfield. Farmers Park. 6-11 pm. $12$15. 417-319-6005, QueenCitySertoma.org

ROUTE 66 CRUISE-A-PALOOZA April 8, Webb City > Get ready for spring at this festival that features a 5K Route 66 run, carnival rides, food vendors, a handmade market, petting zoo, a car and motorcycle show, dog show, and a

the great war American Experience April 10 - 12, 8 p.m. The rich and complex story of World War I, told through the voices of nurses, journalists, aviators, ‘doughboys” and many forgotten Americans. It is a story of little-known heroism and sacrifice at home and abroad, detailing how President Wilson’s efforts to remain neutral dissolved and led to America’s role as a global power.

Propaganda poster by James Montgomery Flagg, “Wake up America!” (1917) President Woodrow Wilson Participants in a women’s peace parade down Fifth Avenue, New York City (August 1914) Credit: Library of Congress

Consult your local provider for channel information

kmos.org A service of the University of Central Missouri

KMOS Harlem Hellfighters - 369th [African American] Infantry Credit: National Archives

engage educate entertain

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concert. D owntown. 8 am-10 pm. Free. 417-6731154, WebbCityChamber.com

THE GREAT EASTER EGG HUNT April 15, Hollister > Children can enjoy inflatables face painting, and other activities. The Easter Bunny arrives by firetruck and you can hunt for lots of candy-filled eggs. High School football field. Noon2 pm. Free. 417-334-3050, HollisterChamber.net

EGG-STRAVAGANZA April 15, Lebanon > Bring your family out to fin hidden eggs. Mills Center. 8 am registration; 11 am hunt. Free. 417-991-2911, LifePointLebanon.com

SURF AND SOUL TOUR

COURTESY IMAGEMAKERS

April 21, Springfield > The Beach Boys and the Temptations come together to perform a concert that blends the harmonies of surf rock with soul and funk. Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts. 7:30 pm. $56-$125. 417-836-7678, HammonsHall.com

ROCK ’N RIBS BBQ FESTIVAL April 22, Lebanon > Taste barbecue from samples made by 75 teams as they compete at this sanctioned event and listen to live music. Ozark Empire Fair Grounds. 5-10 pmFri. (ages 21 and older only); 10 am-11 pm$10. 347-424-2566, RockNRibs.com

HAT-TITUDE

Take a step back into another time by donning a hat from a different era. Be creative by assuming the character and attitude of your hat. This annual event helps celebrate the Ozarks heritage and is a chance to share its history. Held at the Keeter Center in Hollister on April 28, this event is free and runs from 6 to 9 pm. Call 417-334-3262 or visit HollisterChamber.net for more information.

Courtesy of ITV Studios and Masterpiece

Inspirational women work to protect their English village during WWII.

Home Fires on Masterpiece The Final Season Sundays at 8 p.m. kmos.org

Consult your local provider for channel information

KMOS

engage educate entertain

A service of the University of Central Missouri

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EARTH DAY STREET FAIR April 22, Lebanon > Celebrate Earth Day with food vendors, crafts, and games. Commercial Street. Noon-3 pm. 417-288-1436, LebanonMissouri.com

HOMETOWN HEROES April 27, Lebanon > The Hometown Heroes breakfast benefits Community Cares and dozens of local nonprofits who work to support people in need. Cowan Civic Center. 6-8 am. $10. 417-532-8868, LebanonAreaFoundation.com

TAIL TROT April 1, Rolla > Take a fun 5K/10K run/walk with your dog to benefit the Animal Shelter Capitol Campaign. Veterans Memorial Park. 8 am. $25-$35. 573-426-4043, Split-SecondTiming.com

SEUSSICAL THE MUSICAL

KICKAPOO TRACE MUZZLELOADERS RENDEZVOUS

Immerse yourself in living history at this pre-1840s fur trade and mountainman encampment. Held at the Kickapoo Trace Club on April 29 in Dixon, this event is free. The rendezvous is open from 10 am until 2 pm. Call 573-855-0984 or visit PulaskiCountyUSA.com for more information.

April 6-22, Rolla > This fantastical musical extravaganza brings to life favorite Dr. Seuss characters including Horton the Elephant, Gertrude Mcfuzz, Lazy, Mayzie, and The Cat in the Hat. Cedar Street Playhouse. Call for show times. $4-$15. 800-8061915, FineLinenTheatre.com

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EASTER EGG HUNT April 8, Mountain View > There will be a visit from the Easter Bunny, prizes for finding the golden egg, and 3,000 hidden eggs to find at this annual event. Lawn of Mercy St. Francis Hospital. 1-3 pm. Free. 417-934-7000, MountainViewMo.com

SHADES OF BUBLE April 8, Rolla > A three-man tribute to Michael Buble brings the swinging standards and pop hits of Buble to the stage in this high-energy concert. Leach Theatre. 7:30 pm. $30-$35. 573-341-4219, LeachTheatre.Mst.edu

SPORTSMAN GUN SHOW April 14-15, D ixon > This show will have buying, selling, and trading options. The Barn. Noon6 pm Fri.; 7:30 am-5 pm Sat. $5. 573-433-9370, TheBakerBand.com

BIRD HIKE April 22, Salem > Take this guided hike to learn about the birds that live in the park. Montauk State Park. 8 am-noon. Free. 573-548-2585, MontaukStatePark.com

SING ALONG WITH THE MUPPET MOVIE April 29, Rolla > In this singalong the hosts and

crew lead the audience as they renew their Rainbow Connection. There will be interactive surprises like bubbles, kites, and characters right out of the screen and into the audience. Leach Theatre. 4 pm. $15. 573-341-4219, LeachTheatre.Mst.edu

SOUTHEAST

RALLY AT THE MINES April 7-8, New Madrid > This two-day event will have many different family-friendly features for the all-terrain vehicle and utility terrain vehicle enthusiasts. St. Joe State Park. 8 am-5 pm. Call for costs. 573-756-7975, MoStateParks.com/park/stjoe-state-park

THE PRICE IS RIGHT LIVE

HIGH SCHOOL ART SHOW April 4-28, Sikeston > Area high school students display their projects using various techniques learned during the school year. Sikeston D epot Museum. 10 am-4 pmTues.-Sat. (A reception will be held April 14. 5-7:30 pm). Donations accepted. 573481-9967, SikestonDepotMuseum.com

April 12, Cape Girardeau > Watch contestants play classic games from television’s longest running and most popular game show, The Price Is Right. Win cash, appliances, and vacations at this traveling version of the show. Show Me Center. 7:3010 pm. $32-$52. 573-651-2297, ShowMeCenter.biz

TASTE OF THE TITANIC

April 6-9. Cape Girardeau > This performance is an original contemporary jazz dance work. Bedell Performance Hall. 7:30 pm Thurs.-Sat.; 2 pm Sun. $18.50. 573-651-2265, RiverCampus.org

April 15, Cape Girardeau > Follow the wine trail and enjoy foods and wine pairings like those that were served on the RMS Titanic on April 15, 1912. Stop at four wineries on the Mississippi River Hills Wine Trail. Noon-6 pm. $15-$25. 573-788-2211, MississippiRiverHillsWineTrail.com

CITYWIDE YARD SALE

KELLY MILLER CIRCUS

April 7-8, New Madrid > You will find the perfect treasure at one of the many yard sales held this weekend. Throughout town. Times vary. Free. 573748-5300, New-Madrid.Mo.us

April 15, New Madrid > Bring the family out for an old-fashioned one-ring, big top circus. Parking lot behind the Dollar General. 2 and 5 pm.$6-$12. 573748-5300, KellyMillerCircus.com

SPRING INTO DANCE

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EASTER EGG HUNT April 16, New Madrid > Children ages 3 to 10 are invited to hunt for more than 1,500 candy-fille eggs. Hunter-D awson State Historic Site. 11 am. Free. 573-748-5340, More information at MoState parks.com/parkhunter-dawson-state-historic-site

HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE April 18-22, Sikeston > This art display by local students marks the anniversary of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising during World War II. Sikeston Depot Museum. 10 am-4 pm. Donations accepted. 573-481-9967, SikestonDepotMuseum.com

DOGWOOD AZALEA FESTIVAL

CIRQUE MECHANICS

Inspired by the modern circus, this group has found an eclectic balance combining mechanical aspects with acrobatics. The performance is at the Bedall Performance Hall at the River Campus in Cape Girardeau on April 28. Ticket prices range from $24 to $30 and the show starts at 7:30 pm. Call 563-651-2265, or visit RiverCampus.org/cirque-mechanics for more information.

ROMEO AND JULIET AND CARMEN April 21, Cape Girardeau > This performance includes two ballets performed by the Russian National Ballet Theatre. Bedell Performance Hall. 7:30 pm. $33-$39. 573-651-2265, RiverCampus.org

COURTESY OPUS 3 ARTISTS

April 20-23, Charleston > This festival has a candlelight tour along the D ogwood-Azalea Trail, an arts and crafts bazaar, a pioneer days encampment, a parade, and a private homes tour. Througout town. 10 am-5 pm Thurs.; 10 am-10 pm; Fri.; 9 am-10 pmSat.; 10 am-6 pmSun. Free (except some special events). 573-683-6509, CharlestonMo.org

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WILD EDIBLES HIKE

A MIDSUMMER’S NIGHT DREAM

April 22, Patterson > Join a park naturalist for a stroll along the Shut-ins Trail while learning about edible plants, how to identify them, their medicinal purposes, and the historical folklore. Sam A. Baker State Park. 10-11 am. Free. 573-856-4514, MoState Parks.com/park/sam-baker-state-park

April 26-30, Cape Girardeau > Enjoy Shakespeare’s most popular comedy about four young lovers interacting with fairies. Rust Flexible Theatre at the River Campus. Wed.-Sat. 7:30 pm; Sun. 2 pm. $18.50. 573-651-2265, RiverCampus.org

CHRIS STAPLETON CONCERT

JOUR DE LA TERRE April 22, Ste. Genevieve > Celebrate the cultures of the world on Earth Day with a stop at any one of six wineries on the trail. Each of the wineries offer seasonal cuisine from a featured country paired with their wine. Route du Vin Wine Trail. 11 am-5 pm. $25. 800-373-7007, RDVWineTrail.com

ECOLE DU SOLDAT April 22-23, Ste. Genevieve > Re-enactors will present demonstrations and talk about French Colonial and militia life. There will be lectures on the history and life activities of the French Colonial period and a public heritage auction on Saturday. Jour de Fete Grounds and Welcome Center. 9 am-5 pmSaturday; 9 am-noon Sunday. Free. 800-373-7007. VisitSteGen.com.

SUBMIT AN EVENT & MORE LISTINGS

April 28, Cape Girardeau > This Kentucky native was the frontman for the Grammy-nominated bluegrass band, The Steel Drivers, and now tours solo. Show Me Center. 5:30 pm. $63.50. 573-6512297, ShowMeCenter.biz

FRIDAY ART WALK April 28, Ste. Genevieve > Bring your friends and see works of local and regional artists at this Ladies Night Out-themed art walk. Refreshments are served at various locations. Historic D owntown. 6-9 pm. Free. 573-883-7097, VisitSteGen.com

FEATHERED FRIENDS April 29, Cape Girardeau > Come see live hawks and owls, learn how to identify birds, enjoy bird activities, and take home a craft. Conservation

Nature Center. 1-4 pm. Free. 573-290-5218, Nature .MDC.Mo.gov

SPRING FEST April 29, Dexter > Celebrate the Spring with a Kid Zone, a dog pageant, bed races, a block party, kids crafts, and food, wine, and beer vendors. Downtown. 10:30 am-6:30 pm. Free (except some special events). 573-624-7458, DexterChamber.com

MERCHANTS SHOWCASE April 29, Poplar Bluff > Stop by the 38th annual showcase to see what the local businesses have to offe , enjoy food, and enter to win fi e $100 cash giveaways. Bess Activity Center at Three Rivers College. 10 am-2 pm. $1. 573-785-7761, PoplarBluff Chamber.org

CRAWFISH BOIL AND MUSIC FESTIVAL April 29, Sikeston > Enjoy an evening of live music and feast on 1,800 pounds of fresh Louisiana crawfish straight from the Gulf. Camping is available Jaycee Rodeo grounds. 2 pm-midnight. $10. 888309-6591, VisitSikeston.com

All events go on our web calendar at MissouriLife.com. Submit events well in advance and include a contact phone number. Visit MissouriLife.com to fill out a form, email info@MissouriLife.com, or send to Missouri Life, 501 High Street, Ste. A, Boonville, MO 65233. ■ PLEASE NOTE: Call or visit event website before traveling as event plans sometimes change.

Directory of our Advertisers 1000 Hills, p. 107 Art in the Park, p. 104 Bent Tree, p. 110 Boonville Tourism, p. 111 Callaway County Tourism, pgs. 14-15 Cape Girardeau CVB, p.67 Central Trust Company, p. 11 Columbia, MO CVB, p. 105 Clay County, p. 9 Columbia Appliance, p. 120 Country Travel, p. 123 Crow Steals Fire, p. 110 Department of Natural Resources, p. 4 Hermann Wurst Haus, p. 124 Iowa Tourism, pgs. 100-101 James Country Mercantile, p. 114 KCPT, p. 113 Ken Richardson’s Knives, p. 65 KMOS, pgs. 116-117 Lebanon, MO CVB, p. 112 The Live Spot, p. 110 Louisiana, MO VCB, p. 7 Lyceum Theater, p. 109 Marshall Saline Development Corp., pgs. 2-3

Maryland Heights CVB, p. 25 Mexico, MO Tourism, p. 17 Missouri Choice Marketing Co-op, p. 23 Missouri Life Books, p. 120 Missouri Life Gift Subscriptions, p. 111 Missouri Life Mother’s Day Gifts, p. 99 Missouri Life Travel, p. 91 Missouri State Parks 100th Anniversary Guide, p. 102 Missouri State Parks and Historic Sites Book, p. 65 Moberly Area Chamber of Commerce, p. 106 National World War I Museum and Memorial, p. 105 Platte County, p. 114 PV Building, p. 111 Raphael Hotel, p. 119 Railyard Steakhouse, p. 119 River City Rascals, p. 19 Rolla Area Chamber of Commerce, p. 67 Saleigh Mountain, p. 110 Sedalia CVB, p. 23

Shoemaker’s RV, p. 118 Sikeston CVB, p. 67 Socket, p. 115 St. Charles CVB, p. 108 Stone Hill Winery, p. 25 Sydenstricker, p. 63 Tucker Allan Estate Planning, p. 13 Unbound Book Festival, p. 21 Vintage Hill Farms, p. 65 Washington, MO Area Chamber of Commerce, p. 107 YMCA Trout Lodge, p. 107 Big BAM Town Guide 1837 Emporium, p. 75 Adam’s Mayfair, p. 74 Back Roads Art, p. 74 Big BAM Sponsors, p. 81 Buffalo Ranch, p. 74 ConAgra, p. 80 Golden Eagle Distributing, p. 80 Goose Island Beer Company, p. 72 Green Dirt Farm Creamery, p. 74 Lexington Tourism, 81 Main Street Galleria and

Tea Room, p. 75 McCormick Distilling/Holladay Distillery, pgs. 73-74 Miss Doyle’s Soapery, p. 75 Missouri Valley College, p. 81 Murphy House, p. 75 Pirtle Winery, p. 75 River City Rascals, p. 80 River Readers Bookstore, p. 81 Weston Brewing Company, p. 74 Weston Bend Candle Company, p. 75 Weston Chamber of Commerce, p. 75 Zimmer Radio Group, p. 90 The Eclipse Cottonwoods RV Park, p.31 Cuba, MO Tourism, p. 31 Jefferson City CVB, p.30 Missouri Western State University, p. 30 Ste. Genevieve, p. 31 St. Joseph CVB, p. 30 Connect with us online! MissouriLife.com facebook.com/MissouriLife

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T he Back Story BY GREG WOOD, PUBLISHER

IN 1885, Ella Kate Ewing, a sensitive thirteen-year-old girl, stood six person she truly was. She told her father, “If people were going to gawk, make them pay.” In 1893, she exhibited at the Chicago World’s Fair, an feet tall, alone on a stage in rural Scotland County, Missouri: event attended by twenty-seven million people. “My classmates chose me to recite the Declaration of Independence. I In 1897, she joined Barnum & Bailey Circus on a nationwide tour. In practiced for weeks … I heard voices from the crowd. ‘Would you look at an interview with the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Ella Kate conceded, “It was that girl?’ cried one man. ‘She’s as tall as a barn!’ terribly embarrassing to me at first “ ‘Her hands are as big as skillets,’ but I have almost gotten used to it.” laughed a woman. Ella Kate used her earnings to help “ ‘I’ll tell you what that girl is,’ yelled her parents pay off a loan on their a boy. ‘She’s a freak!’ property in Scotland County. Then she “I ran off the stage in tears.” took on the daunting task of building Those words were written in Ella a house nearby to her specifications Kate’s voice by another Kate who also including tall ceilings, eight-footclaims Missouri as her home. They eight-inch doorways, and customare from noted children’s author Kate built furniture. Klise in her 2010 book, Stand Straight, After she completed her house and Ella Kate, illustrated by her sister M. took some time to enjoy it, she went Sarah Klise. back on the road, joining Ringling It’s no wonder that a writer like Kate Bros. World’s Greatest Shows. After would be drawn to the story of Ella that attraction ran its course, Ella Kate Kate, the “Missouri Giantess.” Born exhibited herself at county fairs and in LaGrange in 1872, Ella stood eightother small venues. She died in 1913 at feet-four inches when fully grown and the age of forty from tuberculosis, probwore size 24 shoes. But it wasn’t what ably contracted during her travels. Ella Kate was that captured Kate Klise’s Ella Kate’s story is one of pain, but attention. It was, rather, who she was. also one of acceptance—accepting the “The more I read about her, the person she was with no qualms and a more I saw that she was the hero of lot of courage—and ultimately one of her own life,” Kate told me in a reembracing life. Kate Klise’s book illuscent interview from her farm deep in trates this in a poignant way: the Missouri Ozarks near Mountain “More than one rude spectator Home. “Ella Kate was devastated that stuck my leg with a pin to see if I stood day she took the stage, totally devason stilts. When this happened, I altated. There is no question she wanted Ella Kate Ewing, pictured here with her father, Benjamin, and mother, Anna. ways whispered to myself what Mama to hide herself from the world. But and Papa always told me when I was growing up, ‘Stand straight, Ella there was something within her that made her rise up—no pun intended.” Kate.’ The more I said it, the better I felt. And the more I saw of the world, Eventually, as Ella Kate assumed her inevitable stature, word got out the more I wanted to see. Because as big as I was, the world was so much about the giant woman from Missouri whom many called “a freak.” When bigger. And I intended to see it all.” she was eighteen, a man from a Chicago “dime museum” (aka, a sidePerhaps it was this acceptance and inner strength that drew Kate Klise show) offered her $1,000 to go on public display for a month. Kate Klise to Ella Kate’s story, and motivated her and her sister to create their book. says that Benjamin Ewing’s response, as told by Ella Kate, was, “Nobody’s “Ella Kate had a Mona Lisa smile,” Kate says, “like she knew something paying money to gawk at our girl!” that no one else knew.” That may have been the moment that moved something deep inside We can all be sure that she did, indeed. Rest in peace, Ella Kate. Ella Kate, moved her out of the malaise and the hurt she felt into the

COURTESY SOCIETY OF DISTINGUISHED GHOSTS

A Tale of Two Kates

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