Ozark
FEBRUARY • MARCH 2017
Hills Hollows C E L E B R A T I N G H E R I T A G E , F A R M A N D H E A LT H Y L I V I N G I N T H E H E A R T O F A M E R I C A
20
Recipe For Romance
38
Citizen Splitlog
46
Remnants of the Old West
Foods to Get You in the Mood
America's First Millionaire Indian
The Longhorn in the Ozarks
FEBRUARY • MARCH 2017
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February • March 2017 | 3
Ozark
Hills Hollows CELEBRATING HERITAGE, FARM AND HEALTHY LIVING IN THE HEART OF AMERICA
Our hope is to provide a window into the lifestyle, passions and beauty of the people and activities that are going on all around the Ozark communities we live in. Our publication is widely available throughout southwest Missouri and northwest Arkansas. Please enjoy this issue -- and if you want to support us, please do so by advertising! NORTHWEST ARKANSAS / SOUTHWEST MISSOURI Rob Lotufo ozarkhillsandhollows@gmail.com 417-652-3083
Our readers are your customers! Ozark
Hills Hollows Celebrating Heritage, Farm and Healthy Living in the Heart of America PUBLISHER Rob Lotufo ozarkhillsandhollows@gmail.com EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Sherry Leverich ozarkhheditor@gmail.com DESIGN AND PRODUCTION Veronica Zucca ozarkhhart@gmail.com
WRITERS AND PHOTOGRAPHIC CONTRIBUTORS Katrina Hine Jerry Dean Kim Mobley Nahshon Bishop Amanda Reese Stan Fine Kayla Branstetter Beckie Block Layne Sleeth Steve Parker PROOF EDITOR Barbara Warren
FACEBOOK Ozark Hills and Hollows Magazine TWITTER @ozarkhillhollow INSTAGRAM ozarkhillsandhollowsmagazine ONLINE www.issuu.com/ozarkhillsandhollows
www.ozarkhillsandhollows.com
Ozark Hills and Hollows is published bi-monthly by Exeter Press. In the pages of Ozark Hills and Hollows magazine, we hope to capture the spirit of country living in our beautiful region. Please feel free to contact any of our staff with comments and questions, and pass along any story subjects or ideas to our editor at ozarkhheditor@gmail.com. 417-652-3083 Exeter Press, P.O. Box 214, Exeter, MO 65647 4 |
OZARK
Hills&Hollows
Inside:
FEBRUARY • MARCH 2017 FEATURES: 12
Big Boys and Their Toys Model Railroading in NWA
27
Snagging Monsters Lurking in the Ancient Lairs
20
32
Wild Game Caller Old Hillbilly Goes Professional
38
Citizen Splitlog America's First Millionaire Indian
Recipe For Romance
46
Foods to Get You in the Mood
60
Remnants of the Old West The Texas Longhorn Survives
Sweet Dreams Come True At Rosewood Farms
PLUS: 30
Gear & Gadgets Boots on the Ground
44
The Race to Innovation Perspective of a Young Farmer
50
Romantic Destinations Dreaming of Date Night
52
Repurposing Revolution Thinking Out Of the Box
54
Kate's Kloset A Little Girls Kindness Project
56
Victorian Bed and Breakfast Road Trip to Harrison, Ark.
64
The Man Behind the A Visit with Wayne Glenn
70
The Hermit of Crazy Hollow You Can't Just a Book...
IN EVERY ISSUE: 10
From the Ground Up Grow Some Greens
16
A Horsewoman's Journey The Stiff-Necked
18
Backroads and Byways Some Presidential Wisdom
26
4 Flies For the Ozark Fisherman
58
Good For You Granola Indulgence
66
Back Home in the Hills The Value of a Quarter
72
From the Hollow Ozark Remedies February • March 2017 | 5
About Our Contributors: Rose Hansen is a writer and photographer living on a cattle farm in southwest Missouri. Her work has appeared in Show Me the Ozarks Magazine, Oregon Public Broadcasting, Twin Cities METRO Mag, and more.
Kayla Branstetter is a born and raised Ozarkian is an avid traveler and local educator who loves spending time with her family, reading literature, and running trails. She lives on a beef and chicken farm with her husband Chris and daughter, Berlin. Many reasons she enjoys living in the Ozarks centers on the culture, the friendly people and the beauty of each season.
Veronica Zucca has been an Ozarks resident for over 10 years, moving from Virginia Beach, Va. She and her husband raise their two children in a quiet hollow in Southwest Missouri. When she’s not working as a freelance graphic designer, she enjoys time with her family and all the beauty the Ozarks has to offer.
Kim McCully-Mobley is a local educator, writer, self-described gypsy and storyteller with a homebased project dubbed The Ozarkian Spirit. The essence of this project is anchored in keeping the stories, legends, lore and history of the Ozarks region alive for the generations to come. She makes her home in Barry County on the Mobley Chicken Ranch with her husband, Al. She is always looking for that next adventure on the backroads and byways.
Savanna Kaiser is an author, freelance writer and gardener from the Missouri Ozarks. A homeschool graduate, she's always enjoyed living in the country and working with her family. When she's not writing, she's working at her family's heirloom seed company – White Harvest Seed – in Hartville. She and her husband, Andrew, enjoy taking road trips, growing their garden, and kayaking down the river by their home. They're also proud new parents of a baby girl, Allison Rose. 6 |
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Steve Parker is a relatively new transplant to NWA. Growing up in the farming country, he received his teaching degree in Nebraska before venturing to Arizona where he continued his education and teaching career. He and his wife Angie love to travel and have been to many countries around the world – but always look forward to coming back to the Ozarks Living in Fayetteville, he has become a rabid Razorback fan, a blues fan and enjoys the great food in the area. He loves to cook, ride his bike on the beautiful trails and... just enjoy life.
Sherry Leverich is a native Ozarkian. Born in northwest Arkansas and raised in southwest Missouri, Sherry grew up on a dairy farm where she developed a love for agriculture and all things outdoors. She writes, farms and gardens on a small homestead with her husband and three sons, and raises produce for a local farmers market with her mom.
Katrina Hine is a relocated flatlander from Kansas, landing in the unique McDonald County region of Southwest Missouri. Her writing career began as a reporter for the local newspaper while pursing her Master's degree. Her continued passion to tell the stories of people, places and their history keeps life interesting. Katrina loves the endearing "realness" of the Ozark's and its people. She is a regular columnist in the McDonald County Historical Society newsletter, and also writes for Ozark Farm & Neighbor Ag newspaper and the Oklahoma Department of Tourism's magazine, Oklahoma Today. Her and her husband, Randall, have three grown children and eight grandchildren.
Barbara Warren is a freelance editor with several years experience. She is currently working on her fifth book to be published this winter. She has had short stories and articles published in magazines such as Mature Living and Home Life, as well as being a devotional writer for Open Windows. Barbara is one of the founders of the Mid-South Writers Group, and has been speaker at writers conferences and other area writers groups. She and her husband live on a farm in the beautiful Ozarks, where they raise beef cattle.
Tom Koob is a city boy who relocated to southwest Missouri to pursue his love of the outdoors and fishing. Tom and his wife Cindy have lived in Shell Knob on Table Rock Lake for 25 years. He enjoys studying and writing about the history of the Ozarks. Some of his work is published in his book Buried By Table Rock Lake.
Lisa Florey recently moved back to the Ozarks after spending five years in the Chicago area. A freelance writer and editor, she spends her spare time horseback riding, polishing her photography skills and learning leatherwork. She's an avid traveler who's explored Iceland solo, ridden a mule into the Grand Canyon and is planning a pack trip in Yellowstone's backcountry.
Amanda Reese has spent most of her life training and teaching with horses. She has also studied journalism and is currently working on two books centered around her love of horses and God. When she is not riding or writing, Amanda enjoys spending time with her husband and two daughters on their farm.
Stan Fine is a resident of McDonald County in Missouri. Born in Long Beach California, he spent his childhood in the west, but went to high school in St. Louis. He then married his high school sweetheart, Robin. There they raised their two sons, David (who passed away with cancer in 2006) and Rob. Stan was a Detective Lieutenant in a St. Louis suburb and attained a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Management, and a Master of Science in Administration. He retired in 2006 and he and Robin moved to Noel. Robin passed away, due to cancer, in 2013 after 46 years of marriage. Stan now plays golf, substitute teaches, and writes, especially in the wee morning hours.
Wes Franklin is a born native of the Missouri Ozarks, where he has lived all of his life. He enjoys reading and writing about local history, especially Ozark folklore and culture, as well as classic literature. He also enjoys shooting blackpowder weapons. He is closest to heaven when roaming the hills and hollows of his beloved Ozarks.
February • March 2017 | 7
Celebrating Heritage, Farm and Healthy Living in the Heart of America
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A NOTE FROM THE PUBLISHER
Winds of Change
T The Wind by Amy Lowell He shouts in the sails of the ships at sea, He steals the down from the honeybee, He makes the forest trees rustle and sing, He twirls my kite till it breaks its string. Laughing, dancing, sunny wind, Whistling, howling, rainy wind, North, South, East and West, Each is the wind I like the best. He calls up the fog and hides the hills, He whirls the wings of the great windmills, The weathercocks love him and turn to discover His whereabouts -- but he's gone, the rover! Laughing, dancing, sunny wind, Whistling, howling, rainy wind, North, South, East and West, Each is the wind I like the best. The pine trees toss him their cones with glee, The flowers bend low in courtesy, Each wave flings up a shower of pearls, The flag in front of the school unfurls. Laughing, dancing, sunny wind, Whistling, howling, rainy wind, North, South, East and West, Each is the wind I like the best.
here is a warm, blustery wind blowing in from the south today. That's not what we expect in late January. Two nights ago, there was a steady north wind, coming in strong and cold. Winds of change certainly are hard to predict. Its been an unusual season here in the Ozarks, with barely a trace of Old Man Winter. We've had plenty of rain, and not but just a dusting of snow. Still, our hay supply on the farm is getting lean, and our animals are ready for the green grass of Spring. Our magazine is nearly two years old now, and it seems like only yesterday that we embarked on this project. A creative art director, a farm girl writer/editor and an engineer/mountain man put their heads together and hatched Ozark Hills & Hollows magazine. We have grown a lot in that time, in pages, in circulation, and in popularity. We just recently got awarded our official trademark from the US patent office. Copies of our magazine are being kept for posterity at the Missouri State Archives in Jefferson City. We have been blessed with support from our advertisers, our subscribers, and our loyal readers. This issue we'll visit a game-call maker, an old record collector, a hermit in the hills, train enthusiasts, a chocolatier. We'll learn about snagging spoonbills and raising longhorns. We'll revisit the history of a millionaire Indian named Splitlog, and stay at a charming bed and breakfast in Arkansas. We've got recipes for romance, and home made granola bars as well. As you've become accustomed to, Kim, Amanda, Larry and Wes will muse on life in our fine territory. This edition of Hills & Hollows has got several youth oriented contributions, and much more. No one knows if this winter will go out like a lion or a lamb, but we can hope for a mild transition. I'm hoping and praying for another blizzard free year, but I wouldn't bet my last dollar on it. They say the only thing that is constant is change, and I believe it is the truth. Thanks, for visiting with us, we'll try to keep bringing you a lively mixture of tales and trips through our beautiful countryside. As always, we look forward to traveling Ozark Hills & Hollows with you, neighbor! Robert Lotufo Publisher, Exeter Press
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groundUP From the
Bring on Spring, I need some Greens! BY SHERRY LEVERICH
February is upon us, and it seems very appropriate that nutrient rich greens are the first thing that we can plant and harvest after our winter hibernation. There is nothing like those first young leaves of lettuce, spinach, arugula, mustard – or other greens – to boost your energy and get that sluggish winter-time metabolism a kick in the rear. Valentine's Day is the traditional calendar date to plant lettuce. Let's make it a goal to at least scratch up a small patch, say a three-foot row, in the garden plot and get a nice lettuce mix sowed. I still have a lot of old late summer and fall weeds, and dead garden plants laying all over my garden areas that needs to be cleaned up. It seems like an arduous chore when I look at it. My husband recently mentioned that I should make a goal of just cleaning one small area at a time. I know that's not a new concept – making small goals to reach a larger one...but sometimes it's good to have someone remind us. So, I'm going to clear away a small area each time I work on my garden cleanup. First, I gotta pull out all the dead debris – burn it (I don't like to compost this, as it sometimes contains bacteria/ fungus and bug eggs, as well as weed and grass seeds, from the previous season). Remove all the ground cover cloth and air it out for a few days before deciding if it is usable for another season, or needs to be disposed of. I also need to take out any stakes/posts that I was using to hold up plants or use for trellising. After all of that is done, I can either till up the ground, or at least use my hoe and dig up and rake out at least the first half-foot or so of soil. The next step is getting seeds for planting. If you haven't gotten a stack of seed catalogs in the mail yet, it's not too late to call some seed companies and request a catalog. Locally, check out White Harvest Seed Company (owned by the family of Savanna Kaiser, a Ozark Hills and Hollows contributor!), or Baker Creek Seeds, the famous heirloom seed 10 |
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company located in Mansfield, Missouri. Other good catalog seed providers are Shumways, Territorial, Pinetree, and Morgan County (another seed and garden supplier located in Missouri). Another great way to purchase seeds is by visiting your local feed or hardware stores. This is a great way to get reasonably priced bulk seeds – and they usually have a great selection of lettuces, spinach's, radishes and other greens. On February 14, Valentine's Day, make a row (or two...or three) in your cleaned up garden plot. Using a stick, make a small ditch to sow your seeds. Depending on what you are planting, try not to sow too heavily, but remember that you can always thin out the plants after they come up. After planting, cover the seeds with
a small amount of soil and pat it down. Spritz with water. My mom's favorite tip for encouraging germination is to cover the newly planted seeds with newspaper. This helps keep them moist when they are trying to germinate. As soon as you see their little heads popping up, remove the newspaper so that they can get much needed sunlight. Keep them lightly watered while they are young, and as they grow, thin out as needed. Before you know it those little seedlings will be big enough to harvest a leaf or two here and there. Enjoy it while you can, most early greens don't last long and bolt, bloom and seed when the cool spring days turn to hot summer nights! Happy gardening – get some dirt under your fingernails and some fresh air and sunshine too!
Mozzarella Chicken Pasta BY FO RE ST E R FARMER’S MA RKET
1 Lb. Forester Farmer’s Market® Boneless Skinless Breasts, cut in to 1" wide strips 3 large garlic cloves, minced NUTRITIONAL 1 small jar (3-4 oz.) sun-dried tomatoes in oil INFORMATION, Salt, to taste PER SERVING: 1 Tbsp. Paprika 434 CALORIES 15 G FAT 1 Cup Half and Half 10 G SATURATED FAT 1 Cup Mozzarella Cheese (shredded) 32 G CARBOHYDRATE 8 oz. Penne Pasta 3 G FIBER 2 Tbsp. Fresh Basil or 1 Tbsp. Basil (dry) 1 G SUGARS 1/2 tsp Crushed Red Pepper Flakes (add more if you like heat) 29 G PROTEIN 1/2 Cup Reserved Cooked Pasta water (or more) In a large pan, on high heat, sauté garlic and sun-dried tomatoes (drained from oil) in 2 tablespoons of oil (reserved from the sun-dried tomatoes jar) for 1 minute until garlic is fragrant. Remove sun-dried tomatoes from the pan, leaving the oil, and add chicken strips, salted and lightly covered in paprika (for color) and cook on high heat for 1 minute on each side. Remove from heat. Cook pasta according to package instructions. Reserve some cooked pasta water. Slice sun-dried tomatoes into smaller bits and add them back to the skillet with chicken. Add half and half and cheese to the skillet, too, and bring to a gentle boil. Immediately reduce to simmer and cook, constantly stirring, until all cheese melts and creamy sauce forms. If the sauce is too thick – don’t worry – you’ll be adding some cooked pasta water soon. Add cooked pasta to the skillet with the creamy sauce, and stir to combine. Add 1 tablespoon of basil, and at least 1/4 teaspoon of red pepper flakes. Stir to combine. Add about 1/2 cup reserved cooked pasta water because the creamy sauce will be too thick (do not add all water at once – you might need less or more of it). This will water down the thickness of the cheese sauce and make it creamier. Immediately, season the pasta with salt and more red pepper flakes, to taste, if needed. Let it simmer for a couple of minutes for flavors to combine. Find more great recipes at www.foresterfarmersmarket.com
Forester Farmer’s Market® is butcher-shop quality chicken – a healthy, wholesome chicken that is rare in today’s marketplace. Our nutritious, hometown quality will take you back to a time when chicken was chicken.
Why Forester? ALL NATURAL
RAISED WITH NO ANTIBIOTICS – EVER NEVER FED ANIMAL BY-PRODUCTS NO ADDED HORMONES OR STEROIDS CAGE-FREE
My goal is to provide your family the same quality chic ken that Ma cooked for Dad. Trea t your family to chicken that’s chic ken. Dr. Ed Fryar, Foun der
foresterfarmersmarket.com February • March 2017 | 11
Big Boys
Toys
AND THEIR
Model Railroading in Northwest Arkansas STORY AND PHOTOS BY STEVE PARKER PHOTOS ALSO CONTRIBUTED BY KEITH JOHNSON
12 |
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While exploring, and with a little digging, I found my first ferroequinologist...a WHAT? A ferroequinologist is a humorous title for someone who studies trains (Ferro=Iron, Equine= horse). This dedicated group of individuals live and breathe trains, both big and small, spending years studying, building, collecting, sharing and enjoying this fascinating hobby. Most model railroaders will tell you the love of trains started when they were a small child with their first Lionel train set. They spent hours building the tracks, adding milk box tunnels, and cardboard bridges, enjoying the trains on the 4-foot by 8-foot circular track. One of the most beneficial aspects of model railroading is the creativity as towns and landscapes come to life. Although there are model building kits, cars, and trains available for purchase, true model railroaders relish in the idea of creating their own railroad landscape, the mountains, tunnels, towns and all of the accessories to make each layout unique. To see a complete layout, is to understand the dedication to the ingenuity of the craft.
Keith Johnson with layout. The train station is complete with flashing signals.
Talking trains The primary model railroad organization in Northwest Arkansas is the Sugar Creek Model Railroad and Historical Society, better known as the Sugar Creek Model Railroad Club, with an active roster of 25-plus railroad enthusiasts. The purpose of the club is to promote model railroading, railroad history and community education. Monthly meetings are held the fourth Thursday of each month at the Bella Vista Public Library and are open to the public. My first encounter with this exciting hobby was a meeting with the club president Keith Johnson. Arriving at
his home, you immediately see a fullsize railroad crossing sign with flashing red lights. Mr. Johnson has a complete building on his property to house his extensive train layout. The building has the look and feel of an old-time depot complete with the depot agent’s desk, chair, lanterns and other artifacts collected throughout the years. However the real treat was seeing and playing with the immense layout of historic trains. The design is amazing with a maze of dual tracks filled with engines and intricate train cars, meandering through towns complete with shops, drive-ins, grain
One Size does NOT fit all Model trains are very specific and have an exact size ratio to actual engines and rail cars. This scale relationship is called a gauge. For example the O gauge is a 48 to 1 scale, meaning everything is 1/48 the size of an actual engine or rail car. Detail on these pieces is very precise with working parts similar to the real locomotive, including whistles, steam, and engine noises. The couplers which connect the cars together are workable and on some trains, even the coupling makes the familiar clanking noise. There are numerous model gauges world-wide, but the most popular are the O gauge and the HO gauge which is 87 to 1 (smaller) and even the N gauge which is 120 to 1 (smaller yet). In addition are larger gauges (for example G gauge), which have outdoor layouts – and even larger gauges that allow children and adults to enjoy a ride on a miniature train. February • March 2017 | 13
elevators, fuel tanks, tunnels, and festive landscapes, all of which Keith has lovingly built over the years. Sitting on a side track, he displays the first Lionel engine he received as a gift for Christmas in 1953, when he was in the first grade. Keith takes pride in building many of the layout features with items found and re-purposed into parts of the landscape, precisely to scale. Plastic pipes have become grain towers, light globes have become fuel tanks and Styrofoam blocks have become mountain landscapes and tunnels. The ceiling has lighting baffles which complement the layout and the walls are painted sky blue complete with wispy clouds. Hidden lighting on the edges of the layout gives the impression of the rising sun on one side and twilight on the other. One instantly becomes a giant looking at a Lilliputian landscape. My second adventure was in search of an HO gauge railroad and led me to the home of railroader, Phil Story. Upon arriving at Mr. Story’s home, I was expecting to see another building, but soon found, his house contained the complete 14 |
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train layout. Over three thousand feet of track – that’s the length of ten football fields! These tracks meander through a labyrinth of rooms and additions to the home. Even the walls are shelves lined with engines, rail cars and equipment.
A retired Navy veteran, Phil started his fascination with trains when he could procure model trains on the naval base. He would ship them home and when on leave began to build his layout. Although Phil is sizing down from the 8000 engines and rail cars he once had, he still has 2000 engines and rail cars roaming on the tracks. The electrical maze needed to conduct this incredible layout was done by hand from a main hub. Most railroaders, including Phil, have moved from electric to digital, easily controlling their trains with a remote. One of the most fascinating parts of the overall layout is the Arkansas/Missouri Railroad from Monett, Missouri, to Fort Smith, Arkansas. The authentic engine and cars travel from town to town. Each stop has its own train related buildings. The total layout has nearly 2000 miniature cars, trucks, and equipment all to scale.
14th Annual Great NWA
Model Train Show In 2002 The Sugar Creek Model Railroad Club began hosting the annual Great NWA Model Train Show. This year’s event will be held on Saturday, February 25, at the Holiday Inn NWA Convention Center in Springdale. The show is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $8 for adults, and children 12 and under are free. Free admission is also offered to anyone in uniform, including military, police and fire, boy and girl scouts, etc. This is definitely a family show not to be missed, a great experience for children. The show will feature 200-plus vendor tables with trains and modeling items in all scales as well as historical memorabilia for sale and of course the steam engines will be puffing smoke, blowing whistles and traveling around the landscaped layout . There will be 8 to 10 operating model layouts in five different scales. Special door prize drawing for children will give away model train starter sets. Sugar Creek Model Railroad and Historical Society puts the show proceeds to good use maintaining six portable model railroad layouts which are displayed at community functions. Donations also support various charitable organizations of the clubs choosing. Perhaps the most gratifying part about my association with these railroaders was their willingness to share
their enthusiasm and years of experience with railroad modeling. Much more than just building a track and watching the train go round and round, railroaders constantly search for new knowledge to share. The sheer joy of creating something unique makes these individuals special in northwest Arkansas. Hope to see you at the show!
Phil Story and the web of wires needed to run his layout
February • March 2017 | 15
A Horsewoman’s Journey BY AMANDA REESE
The Stiff-Necked
A
stiff-necked person, biblically, is a stubborn person. The term stiff-necked is used both in the Old and New Testaments of the Bible. It refers to a person or group of people who are “stubborn,” “intractable,” and “not to be led.” When training and showing horses, a physically stiff-necked horse is undesirable. A stiff-neck may create rigid movement, poor frame and weaker maneuvers by the horse. Recently, I discussed stiff-necked horses with Becky Sorrell, National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) competitor and judge. She agreed that for a horse to perform optimally, it must soften and yield positioning of the head and neck to the rider.
“In both stops and turnarounds, I want my horse to lift in the shoulders and wither,” said Becky. “If a horse is stiff and unyielding in the head and neck, I can’t lift the shoulders and withers like I need to.” “Not only is neck control important in stops and turnarounds, but also in circles,” Becky added. “When loping a circle, the horse needs to be looking to the inside of the circle and focused on the direction it is going. If the horse becomes stiff-necked and looks to the outside of the circle, the horse will start falling apart and possibly drop lead.” “This reminds me of when people quit looking to God,” Becky explained. “When we are stiff-necked and quit looking toward God, we fall apart.”
“
Whoever remains stiff-necked after many rebukes will suddenly be destroyed—without remedy. Proverbs 29:1
PERSONAL APPLICATION
”
Proverbs 29:1 warns, “Whoever remains stiff-necked after many rebukes will suddenly be destroyed – without remedy.” Stubbornness and rebellion toward God do not lead to a life well lived. The opposite is true. An unrepentant stiff-necked person is living life poorly. There are many ways to be stiff-necked toward God, too many to list in this article. The commonality is refusing to yield to God’s will and God’s way. Let’s use forgiveness as an example. Read Matthew 21:18-35. It is the story of a king who demanded payment of a debt in the amount of 10,000 bags of gold. The king’s servant begged for time to pay the debt back. Feeling pity for the man, the king forgave the servant and canceled his debt. The servant was released and not a coin was owed. Immediately the servant went and seized another man by the throat demanding to be paid a hundred silver coins owed to him. A hundred silver coins was nothing compared to the 10,000 bags of gold he had owed the king. But the forgiven servant was unmerciful. The king got wind of what was happening. The man was brought before the king. The king said, “You wicked servant. I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?” Matthew 21:32-33. Then the king had him thrown into prison, tormented and demanded he pay his debt. 16 |
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Each of us carries a great amount of debt toward God. Our sin is more than we can pay for. The great news is, Jesus provided an answer to our sin problem. He paid the price for our sin. Jesus is willing to extend mercy and pardon our debt. When we are forgiven by God, God asks us to remember He has forgiven us and to willingly forgive others. It’s important to hear God in this. Matthew 6:14-15 says, “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” To refuse to forgive others who have wronged you, when God is asking you to, is one example of being stiff-necked. How can we ask God to forgive us, but refuse to forgive another? Don’t let a strong will and stiff-neck keep you from God. The great news is, when it is hard to do the right thing, God is our ever-present help. If you mess up or realize you are stiff-necked toward God, remember Jesus is the remedy. He is merciful. When you find yourself falling apart, ask God to show you why. If you’ve sinned, ask for forgiveness and strength to do the right thing. He will help you get back on track. “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” James 4:6b
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www.gobec.net February • March 2017 | 17
Backroads
Presidential Wisdom
& Byways
BY KIM MCCULLY-MOBLEY
S
ince February is a time we celebrate the birth of two great Presidents (George Washington and Abraham Lincoln), I thought it only fitting to discuss how a young George Washington hand-copied a list of 110 “Rules of Civility.” A lot of us are so used to typing, grabbing an online link or sharing documents via the internet, we have forgotten the art of cursive writing or “hand copying” anything more than a phone number for our contacts list in our cell phone database. Our own George Washington Carver was named after our nation’s first President. Most towns in the Ozarks have connections to Revolutionary War heroes, who served under General Washington. Most middle to large-sized communities across the country have schools, universities, streets and avenues named after Presidents Washington, Lincoln, Harrison, Adams and Roosevelt. I embrace technology at several levels, but I love the feel of good paper and certain kinds of ink pens. I have a stack of Big Chief tablets, complete with the brown paper and the thin blue lines for listmaking, letters and projects. I carry a few leather bound journals for jotting down quotes, important words of wisdom and 18 |
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bits of trivia about people I admire. Richard Brookhiser, a well-known historian and author, used these 16th Century Jesuit Precepts, to delve into his own search for the real George Washington, known as the father of our country and the man who, “could not tell a lie.” The original, hand-copied manuscript of Washington’s painstakingly neat handwriting of these rules is available for viewing through the Library of Congress. Some of the rules deal with conversation, respect and body language. Others, hint at a more personal code for a self-disciplined man. Whatever the case, literacy research today suggests the need for components of leadership, citizenship and old-fashioned manners embedded in the curriculum. One of the reasons behind the need for more manners and “civility” in our society today are the facts that manners often go out in the proverbial window when time is such a crucial factor and people are so paranoid when it comes to their neighbors, strangers and friends. From my point of view, most of the trouble I’ve seen in recent months could have been avoided with a daily dose of conscience, a little less arrogance and a lot
more humility. I try hard to realize that most people try hard to do the best they can with the resources they are given. I also try hard to motivate and encourage folks – without insulting them in the process. Whatever the case, you only have to read through the rules to know how important they were in shaping a feisty young man who would become a Revolutionary War general and hero and later our nation’s first president. Let me share with you a few of my favorites from Brookhiser’s work on Washington: Rule Number 12. Shake not the head, feet, or legs; roll not the eyes; lift not one eyebrow higher than the other, wry not the mouth, and bedew no man’s face with your spittle by approaching too near him when you speak. Rule Number 21. Reproach none for the infirmities of nature, nor delight to put them that have in mind of thereof. Rule Number 41. Undertake not to teach your equal in the art himself professes; it savors of arrogancy.
Rule Number 56. Associate yourself with men of good quality if you esteem your own reputation; for ‘tis better to be alone than in bad company.
Our Team in Action for Justice
Rule Number 89. Speak not evil of the absent, for it is unjust. Rule Number 110. Labor to keep alive in your breast that little spark of celestial fire called conscience. Interested in additional Presidential trivia? When Abraham Lincoln slept in the White House, he NEVER slept in what is known today as the Lincoln Bedroom. That room was actually utilized as his personal office. When George Washington was inaugurated as our first official President, he only had one tooth that was his own inside his mouth. Contrary to popular belief, his dentures were not made of wood, though. There is one full set of his dentures on display at his plantation home in Mt. Vernon. Who was the first President to appear on television? It was Franklin Delano Roosevelt on April 30, 1939, at the official opening of the World’s Fair in New York City. He knew the value of public perception. Who was the first President to make a radio address? It was Warren Harding, who hit the airwaves in June of 1922. He wanted Americans to be able to hear his voice. Who was the first President to actually live in the White House? It was John Adams. He moved in on November 1, 1800, and lived there for four months. For more information about the rules, google, “George Washington” or “Brookhiser’s book.” National Public Radio aired a story about it when the book first came out. The Farmer’s Almanac, which is creeping up on its 200th birthday, has also published tons of information on our nation’s leaders through the years. What are your rules of civility? Do you have a moral code or guide that you follow? Do we still follow the methods behind The Golden Rule or putting ourselves into another man’s shoes? I hope so. We are in trouble if we don’t.
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www.auroramochamber.com February • March 2017 | 19
RECIPE FOR Foods to Get You In the Mood STORY BY SHERRY LEVERTICH ♥ PHOTOS BY ROB LOTUFO
B
ring that romantic, candlelight dinner up a notch! Our menu is not only delicious and easy to prepare – It’s a clever combination of specific ingredients scientifically known to get your blood pumping and stir up those amorous feelings that make your heart flutter and your loved one want to sit just a little closer when you share dessert.
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Arugula Salad with Pomegranate Honey Dressing ARUGULA The minerals and antioxidants found in dark leafy greens like arugula block environmental contaminates that could negatively harm libido POMEGRANATE These ruby jewels are filled with antioxidants which support blood flow. HONEY Contains boron and B vitamins, which helps regulate estrogen and testosterone levels and provides a natural energy boost. NUTS With protein, important amino acids, and healthy fats, nuts are the perfect combination of heart healthy compounds. CARROT Has vitamins that are important in hormone production. AVOCADO With high levels of vitamin E and healthy fats, Avocados help bodies maintain energy and function.
See recipe on page 69
Asparagus with Truffle Oil ASPARAGUS The Vitamin E packed in Asparagus helps the body produce necessary hormones. TRUFFLE OIL The scent is believed to mimic androstenone, which serves as an attractant to the opposite sex. OLIVE OIL Packed with antioxidants, olives and their oil have been used for centuries for health. The Greeks believed they made men more virile and the healthy fats, are critical for a healthy heart, blood flow and hormone production.
See recipe on page 69
February • March 2017 | 21
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Pasta Amore OYSTERS This historically amorous food is high in zinc and has a reputation for being great for love and fertility. GARLIC Contains allicin, which increases blood flow and improved stamina. PEPPER FLAKES Chili peppers stimulate endorphins (the brain’s feel good chemicals), and speed up heart rate.
See recipe on page 68
Broiled Salmon and Mushrooms SALMON Packed with Omega-3 Fatty Acids, Salmon helps your body with hormone creation that makes you feel good. GINGER Stimulates the circulatory system. CORIANDER The spice has warming properties, which is the most likely source of its aphrodisiac characteristics. It also serves as an antiinflammatory and expectorant.
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See recipe on page 68 February • March 2017 | 23
CinnamonLaced Chocolate Lava Cakes CINNAMON Has anti-inflammatory properties, and can help normalize blood sugar. CHOCOLATE Causes a spike in dopamine, which induces feelings of pleasure. Also contains anandamide and phenylethylamine, which boost serotonin levels. CHILI Capsaicin gets the heart pumping and stimulates nerve endings. VANILLA Known to mildly stimulate nerves, and bring a feeling of calmness.
See recipe on page 69
Thai Iced Coffee COFFEE The caffeine in coffee is a stimulant that ups the heart rate and makes the blood flow. NUTMEG Warming properties stimulates feelings of love, while its ability to sweeten breath increases attraction. GINGER Spices things up and increases circulation and body temperature. CARDAMON High in cineole, which can increase blood flow. Has been used for centuries to cure impotency.
See recipe on page 69
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We love the Ozarks and we know you do too!
He's not just a pet, he's part of your family.
What defines Ozark living to you? Is it a Sunday drive through the rolling hills, or a 20-mile bike ride on the rural backroads? It is camping by the river, jet-skiing across the lake, or catching crawdads in the creek? Maybe your favorite thing is just enjoying porch-sitting at sunset with a glass of ice-tea. Send us photos that define our Ozark hills and hollows and we’ll share them with our readers.
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February • March 2017 | 25
Ozarks Hills & Hollows Ad MNP 5529.1 2.31" x 9.75"
4 FLIES for the Ozark Fisherman
BY JESSE WOODROW
I
t's cold and windy right now, and the sun isn't giving us much to be cheerful about. But a trout still has to eat, right? It's true that on the coldest of days, trout do get a little sluggish about chasing down bugs. But if you are fishing a tail-water (like Taneycomo), or a spring fed stream (like Roaring River), the actual water temperature is much more consistent than you might think. Bugs can, however, tell the difference, and in turn, trout notice the change in offerings. When the water turns cooler, the the majority of mayflies and caddisflies cease activity, which leaves the midge as the trout’s go-to meal. Pound-for-pound in the ecosystem, midges make up the main food source. Here are a couple of very dependable Midges, an attractor (egg), and a stealthy dry(gnat). So when the sun pokes its head out, and the wind dies down, get your waders and hit the stream!
ZEBRA MIDGE Without a doubt, one of the best flies for the winter is the zebra midge, simple and sparse by design. It is nothing more than a thread body of varying colors, and I like it best with a tungsten bead. The bead is the secret. Tungsten sinks three times quicker than brass, and that added density is great in low flows allowing you to use less split shot. Carry this fly in olive, black, and red colors and you will be well rewarded. I usually fish it in a black or rust color, in size 20, and tie it on as dropper at the bottom of my nymph rig. For you highand-dry fliers, this is also my favorite nymph to fish behind a floating egg any time of the day.
RAINBOW WARRIOR This one works great fished in smaller sizes (18 or 20) and it can be tied with the extra weight of a tungsten bead or with a standard brass bead depending on the depth you’re wanting to fish it at. Again, it is a simple fly consisting of just some flash material for the body, some rainbow sow scud dubbing and a silver bead. Don’t let the simple nature deter you though. It is a phenomenal fly pattern and it especially works well for winter rainbow trout.
EGGS I have fished various egg patterns when I’m on the water from September through April, pretty much regardless of location. When using a double nymph rig, I like to put the egg on as my first fly, and drop a smaller, more natural imitation, like a midge or baetis, behind it as my second fly. The trick is to use enough weight to get the fly down in the water column, since fish tend to hold close to the bottom this time of year. Love ’em or hate ’em, the egg works! White, pink, orange, chartreuse, sizes 14-16.
GRIFFITH'S GNAT On any list, I always like to include at least one dry fly. This is a sneaky pattern. Even in the winter months the midges will still hatch and bring fish to the surface on the warmer days. When that happens, try fishing a Griffith's Gnat. In this instance, it simulates a group of midges ganged up together, which tends to grab the attention of those fish sipping singles from the surface of the water. The late winter conditions will typically require you to keep your pattern small. Try a #20, or 22 on most chilly days.
Winter fly fishing provides plenty of opportunities for the adventurous angler; you just need to get out your thermals and brave the cold sometimes. Next time you are out, try using some of these patterns and put your best cast forward. A wise man once said of winter fly fishing: slow down (your presentation), size down (your offering) and present down (stream). Stay dry, be patient and don't let the imitation gnats bite!
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ON SITE CREMATORY
Snagging Monsters
Lurking in the Ancient Lairs STORY AND PHOTOS BY TOM KOOB
Each spring, the monsters move up from their deep lake lairs. They move up the rivers seeking shallow, warming water. They do this because they have to. They do this to ensure the survival of their species.
Spoonbill (Polyodon spathula), also called paddlefish, are ancient fish, existing mostly unchanged for 70 million years. They once roamed the river basins of North America, Europe and China. The American paddlefish is now limited to the Mississippi River basin. Loss of habitat and river damming has reduced their available spawning areas to the extent that their population is maintained primarily through stocking programs. The Missouri Department of Conservation initiated a breeding and stocking program for paddlefish in 1970. Each year, brood stock are captured from the large reservoirs. The roe are fertilized and raised to fingerling size at Blind Pony Hatchery. The young spoonbill are re-introduced to Table Rock, Lake of the Ozarks and Truman Lake. This successful
breeding and stocking program has helped re-populate spoonbill in China, Russia and Eastern Europe. Paddlefish can live to thirty years or longer and can grow to be well over 100 pounds and over five feet long. The present Missouri state record spoonbill caught in 2015 weighed 140 lbs. 9 oz. Paddlefish are cartilaginous and have no bones. The snout or rostrum makes up one third of their length and is used to assist in filter feeding. Spoonbill feed primarily on zooplankton, filtering the tiny organisms through their large mouths and gill arches as they move through the water. They have poorly developed eyes, but rely on electroreceptors along their snout and across their head. These receptors can sense the minute electrical fields generated by their prey.
Early each spring, the paddlefish move up from the deep river pools and depths of the big lakes. Warming water temperatures, rising water levels and longer periods of daylight stimulate their migration. The fish move up their traditional tributary routes seeking clean, gravel substrates to lay and fertilize their eggs. The females spread the eggs which adhere to the gravel. Once fertilized by males, the eggs hatch and the young are slowly swept downstream where they will grow and mature in deeper water. Since paddlefish will not take a fishing lure, the method used for harvesting them is snagging. The snagging season on Table Rock Lake, Lake of the Ozarks and Truman Lake is March 15 through April 30. Spoonbills February • March 2017 | 27
move up the upper ends and tributaries of these major impoundments. Snagging is a very specific method requiring specific equipment. It’s hard, heavy work, pitting the angler against the demands of weather, water and fish.
I made an attempt at spoonbill snagging last year on opening day of the season. It was a cool, but bright early spring morning. With my two fellow anglers, we put the deep-V boat in at Cape Fair Marina. We cruised up the James River. Virgin Bluff reared its massive wall ahead. The morning sun was winking over the craggy precipice with most of the bluff still in shadow. The forest was still bare, waiting for the first blooms of spring. Recent rains left the river running high and muddy. Just past Virgin Bluff we rigged up our gear and started trolling. Snagging requires heavy, deep sea-style rods and reels. We were using 6½ foot extra heavy rods with Penn baitcaster reels loaded with 85 lb. test line. A one pound weight was attached at the end of the line with three #8 treble hooks tied at 18-inch intervals up the line. With the big motor idling, I cast out and let the heavy weight sink to the bottom. I let out more line and then flipped the bail and started snagging. Paddlefish snagging involves dragging the heavy tackle through the water by sweeping the rod. The weight is pulled up off the bottom and then allowed to settle again. Sweep, fall, sweep, fall. The intent is to keep the snaggimg tackle in the layer of water where the fish are located. I kept an eye on the depth finder looking for the tell-tale “hooks” indicating the presence 28 |
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of paddlefish. Snagging a fish is a result of being in the right location at the right time and a bit of luck. We fished up to the Cape Fair Bridge, seeing more and more boats on this portion of the lake. Some anglers had spoonbill strapped to the side of their boats. Others were hauling heavily on their rods, pulling one in. We were frequently hung up. Dragging large treble hooks along the bottom of the James River is going to result in snagging something. Usually, it’s a log or rocks. Hanging up requires stopping the boat, wrapping a tool around the line and pulling hard until something gives. Sometimes the line breaks. Sometimes the hook bends and pulls free. Sometimes you pull up a wad of limbs. But it just might be a spoonbill that’s snagged.
around its tail and snout and strapped it to the side of the boat. It turned out to be the only fish of the day. We headed in and took a couple photos of the fish. My experienced friend offered to clean the fish. When cleaned properly, a spoonbill can produce several pounds of fish filets. Female paddlefish contain roe which is a very valuable commodity. There are very strict regulations regarding spoonbill eggs. Roe from these fish cannot be
bought, sold or offered for sale. Poaching paddlefish, particularly for their roe, is a serious offense and threatens the very existence of these special creatures. The paddlefish breeding and stocking program is what helps maintain this fishery and keeps these monsters swimming in our lakes and streams. I can’t say it’s a particularly relaxing way to fish, but it is an interesting way to connect with an unusual creature of nature.
I kept at it; sweeping and trolling and retrieving snags. The day warmed and more boats were congregating on the river above the bridge. We passed Peach Orchard Creek and Flat Creek. The water cleared some and became shallower. We were in close to the west bank in about twenty feet of water. I swept my rod back and felt it stop. I called to stop the boat. I reeled in and felt something very heavy on the line. It wasn’t moving. A log, I figured. I tried reeling in and felt the heavy load rising up. About half way in, I felt some movement. This just might be a fish. I pulled in toward the boat and saw a big paddlefish come to the surface. My line was wrapped around its body and it was not struggling. I heaved the rod, bringing the fish up to the boat. My friend gaffed the fish and we lugged it up into the boat. I’d caught my first spoonbill. The fish measured 48 inches from the eye to the fork of the tail and weighed about 50 pounds. Certainly not a monster, but a decent paddlefish. We tied a rope February • March 2017 | 29
GEAR&GADGETS
BY JESSE WOODROW
Boots on the Ground W
hether you are a farmer, cattleman, outdoorsman or just a traditionalist, there may be no more important part of your wardrobe than your footwear. It's what keeps us planted, gets us from point A to point B, and in many cases protects us from the elements, and other dangers. This article is about footwear for working folks, no sandals, flip flops or running shoes here. I'm sure there are lots of schools of thought on boots, but here is my list:
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BOOT HACKS
BREAK THEM IN.
It might take years to get yours to feel just right, but here are a couple of shortcuts. MUCK BOOTS If you are not worried about the finish, on 100 When you are ankle deep in cow percent leather boots, you can wet them before poop, chicken litter, mud puddles, wearing them (some folks put plastic bags on their or if the creek just rose, get these feet). They should stretch to fit your feet. Make sure out, You can get some pretty they are dry before taking them off, or they can shrink! cheap all rubber ones, or spring I used to wet wade in the creek for an hour or two to for the gold standard “Muck” brand, break mine in. For boots with a nice finish, I like to with neoprene uppers, some are even put a leather safe oil on the tight spots. A little insulated. I got a pair of knock-offs at Lemon Pledge sprayed on them will loosen Tractor Supply for about half price. When it's them up in a jiffy. Remember, the best thing you can do to get your boots feeling right is 5 degrees, and you are chopping ice at the to wear them often. Happy Boot Scootin! pond, or pushing a stuck car out of the snow,
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these babies are a life saver. They hose off, and are virtually maintenance free. I would suggest keeping them away from extreme heat or sun exposure. Down side; they make your feet sweat after a while, and eventually they may dry rot, tear or come unglued.
EVERYDAY KICKERS We've all got our favorite, they are broken in just perfect, battle scarred, and our go-to footwear on most mornings. Mine are just old brown cowhide ropers, They slip on easily, don't chafe, and even feel good without socks. They are probably not nice enough for going to the bank for a loan, but other than that, they can handle most anything. I give them a coat of boot grease every couple of months, just to keep them a little more presentable. Downside; not really waterproof, and not much support for long jaunts in the woods or on pavement.
LACERS Lace to toe, hiking boots. These are the boots to pick for more support, hiking, construction and pavement walking. There's not the wiggle room that your broke-in cowboy boots have. I used to have problems with my feet and back from being on concrete floors all day long. I switched to some Danner lace-to-toes, and my problems went away. Depending on your profession, you might opt for hard-toe, or steel-toed boots. I try to keep some mink oil, or leather conditioner on mine to keep the leather supple and healthy. Look for good soles, and good support insoles. Downside; they take longer to put on, the laces wear out way before the boots, and you have to re-tie them once in a while. They are a pain in airport security!
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GOING TO TOWN BOOTS I keep a pair of “nice” boots for places where I don’t want to look too raggedy. You might want some with a little fancy stitching, or some exotic leather, maybe even some color. These are going to be your “shoe polish” boots, and you'll want to avoid barb wire, poop, mud or briars, lest you cut them, or have to spend a lot of time cleaning them back up. Downside; if you're not careful, these may get downgraded to “Kickers”.
CITY BOOTS For when you are going out to church, a funeral or wedding. Here's where you'll see shiny, colored, fancy stitched, reptile leather, heels, buckles and maybe even spurs. This is where your personality comes out. Some folks are flashy, and some people keep it on the down low. I keep a pair of smooth black Ariat ropers for the more serious times. But you can wear your gold tipped pointy toed Cayman or stingray cowboy boots, whatever floats your toes. Downside; you might get judged by your peers if you get too fashion crazy. You wouldn't want to be labeled a “dude” over your footwear selection.
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BRAD
HARRIS WILD GAME CALLER DEVELOPER PROFESSIONAL HUNTING GUIDE Just an Old Missouri Hillbilly Who Loves the Outdoors STORY BY KATRINA HINE
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B
efore the sun hit the chilly dew on fading grass, a young man’s feet hit the floor of the farmhouse on his folks 50-acre patch along the Flat River Creek in Southeast Missouri. Propelled by brotherly competition and hunting stories spun by his grandpa, Bill Farmer, the young man would gather his gear and head to the woods. It was in the silence of the Mingo Swamp that Brad Harris would develop the uncanny ability to communicate with animals. “God, guns, and guts, all the men in my family grew up that way,” Brad proclaims. Brad was born in Desloge, a town in St. Francois county, better known as the Lead Belt. Brad’s earliest memories are of hunting in Mingo Swamp every chance he got. The swamp is considered one of the last remaining Missouri Bootheel swamps, despite efforts to drain it during the Depression Era. The swamp, teeming with game, enticed Brad to improve his hunting skills to beat his older brothers in scoring a big buck. Being the seventh out of nine children, Brad was determined to prove himself a better hunter and fisherman than his older male siblings. “I always wanted to get the biggest bass or the biggest buck,” Brad chuckles. “I didn’t always do it but I had the drive to constantly improve my skills, no matter what it was.” As a kid, he never missed an episode of the American Sportsman program, but it was limited in actual technique and more of a gentlemen’s program. Hunting at that time wasn’t an industry, and for locals, it was more out of necessity. “Ever since I was a small boy, all I ever wanted to do was hunt, fish and play ball,” Brad recalls. “That kept me out of a lot of trouble because I wanted to get up early the next day to hunt.” He gained wisdom from the older, more experienced hunters in the area. He developed the ability to listen, watch and learn not only what the ‘crusty old miners’ told him but what he saw out in the field, as well. It was his Grandpa Farmer, who told of the old days, that fueled his internal fire even more. He would listen to his grandfather’s pre-depression era stories, of days when deer were scarce and turkeys even scarcer. A hunter may go weeks at a time before they saw a deer, and the first
turkey his Dad ever saw was back in 1968. “He would sometimes hunt for a month or two, just to kill a deer,” Brad said. “Not a big buck but just a deer with hair on it.”
Brad's grandpa, William Farmer, taught him the art of game calling.
He admired his grandfather, taking to heart his game calling experience to become an expert in calling turkeys. Making little cedar boxes that when struck just the right way, mimicked the gobble of a turkey. Or creating squirrel calls by striking a large stove bolt on a long cedar shaving, similar to a strap, creating a sound similar to a squirrel bark. “We’d go out to his house every Sunday evening and I would set and listen to him for hours on end,” Brad reflects. “He would sit there, whittle’n, spit’n tobacca, and telling hunting stories. I was just mesmerized by the man.” His dad was a big quail and deer hunter but his grandpa’s advice shaped young Brad’s path into turkey calling. In the mid-70s, when turkey hunting was becoming popular, Brad began to attend turkey calling competitions. “The turkey calling contests usually consisted of three or four guys that were awful and I just happened to be the best of the awful,” Brad laughs. “I wasn’t good, but I was definitely better than the couple other hillbillies that came out to the contest.” The more he won, the more excited he got but he only competed to get better at hunting. At no time, did he ever think that his passion for hunting would lead him to a career built on the lessons he learned from his grandpa and the old-timers back in St. Francois County. “I didn’t do it to
win those cheap little plastic trophies, but to constantly push myself to get better and better,” Brad admits. The area had little industry, but Brad’s family owned a concrete business and he knew he would always have a job there if he needed it. Some folks drove to St. Louis to work in the Chrysler plant 75 miles away but many worked in the open mines nearby. “I actually worked at Chrysler for two weeks but I couldn’t stand being cooped up,” he said. “That was not in God’s plan for my life. I was not going to do well there because I never saw sunlight. It was dark when I went in and dark when I came out.” He opted to work in an open pit mine with a lot of ‘ole’ salty hillbillys, who over lunch break would sit around and brag about their most recent hunt. Brad would pick their brains and then try out their techniques in the field. It was here that fellow miner, John Manion, taught Brad how to do a deer grunt by pinching his nose. “I killed my first deer in 1972 with a recurve bow and it drove me to get after it even more,” he adds. “Fishing was the same way. I spent hours on the river.”
The competitions started to get the attention of sponsors who donated prizes, like guns and cash. Suddenly he realized there was something to this game calling that would win him something more than a two-dollar trophy. “I’m pretty much just an ole’ hillbilly but before I knew it I’m traveling to Kansas City and St. Louis,” Brad said. “In Kansas City at the Mid America Open out of all the people from around the United States, I won first in owl hooting and second turkey calling.” He still was competing just to get better at hunting, but that event would change the life of this Mingo Swamp hillbilly in a major way. The M. C. of the Kansas City competition was Bill Harper, owner of Lohman Game Calls based out of Neosho, Missouri. He approached Brad after the competition and introduced himself. At the time, Lohman was primarily a duck, goose and crow call manufacturer originating in 1948. Mostly a deer and turkey hunter, Brad wasn’t familiar with the calls but Mr. Harper hoped to change that by offering Brad the opportunity to come on board and promote a new line of turkey calls.
Brad's other passion is teaching youth an appreciation for hunting. Here at youth Outdoor Calling Seminar. February • March 2017 | 33
Now where most of us come from, nobody offers you something for nothing, without some strings attached – and Brad was no different. Using homemade turkey calls made of lead washers and plastic products (which can be found in gas station bathrooms). Brad admitted he could not afford to buy this man’s $10 “washers” to try them out. But, instead, Mr. Harper took him to his truck and opened boxes of different calls and handed them to Brad. Even though Brad’s rendition of a turkey call was made cheap, these calls were poorly made and sounded nothing like a turkey. “I’m a turkey killer, and I know what sounds right in the
woods,” Brad admits. “Some of the calls were just not good, but the crow calls today are still some of the best in the world.” Brad took the calls and used them in different contests and then reported to Mr. Harper that he won this or that contest with their call. Brad being just as honest as the day was long, told it like it was. “I told him that the turkey box call stinks, not realizing that he had built it,” he grins. Mr. Harper began to take his advice back to the plant and draw up plans to improve the calls. Harper was a great marketer, and ahead of the times on several products, including designer camo and how-to tapes on hunting and calling.
In 1976, he brought Brad to Neosho to record a owl hooting instructional cassette. Brad had learned to hoot in the early ‘70s when few knew how. They recorded their first cassette in 1977, Brad was 20 years old. By the time he was 27, they began shooting videos and sold them to all the retailers they could find. Their videos were the first carried by retail giant Walmart. “As he recorded me, I would tell how I call, when I call and why I call,” Brad added. “When I competed doing the owl hoot with just my mouth, people would laugh at me but I didn’t care because I knew it brought turkeys in.” Brad now has at least 60 hunting videos under his belt. By the late 1980s he stopped competing to concentrate on call development. He would later go back to win the NRA World Calling Championship in Kansas City held in 2001. Eventually, Harper offered Brad a full time job at his facility in Neosho and Brad took the opportunity. It was then that he perfected the deer grunt into an actual call. They had a snort deer call in their line-up but it sounded nothing like a deer. Harper began to drag out different duck call parts and together they worked over a few days to develop the first ever deer grunt call. Up until that time there was never a mention of a call like what Brad could do with just his voice.
Brad developed a Deer Grunt call that was manufactured by Lohman Game Calls. Seen here wearing the first ever designer camo
Brad bagged this Arizona elk for Real Tree Television. 2016 34 |
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“We built the first ever deer grunt call right here in Neosho off that mouth call I learned in the mine lunch room,” Brad reminisces. “We introduced it at the SHOT Show in 1984, the biggest show for hunting equipment in the world.” The
first seminar was a rough one, nearly all the bow hunters laughed when he demonstrated the deer grunt, some calling him a liar. Nevertheless, it would go on to be the number one selling deer call that has ever been invented. Brad has built several calls over the years but the deer grunt call surpasses them all in sales. He went on to host his own program on the Outdoor Channel for seven years called Outdoor Traditions and regularly films with Real Tree Outdoor. Television was just another venue for him to teach what he had learned growing up in the hills of Missouri.
Calling game is knowing how to communicate with that species. Whether it is a challenge call to a buck, a doe bleat to hint at breeding, distressed rabbit calls to bring in a predator or an owl hoot to get a turkey to respond, the game call is a tool, not a crutch. Understanding the time of year and knowing the mood game are in, determines how you call. It is also about timing and experimenting with different calls. “You have to take their temperature,” Brad notes. “What is the point you are trying to get across? Is the animal aggressive because they are distracted or passive? It’s like having a conversation.” The trick is to visualize step-by-step what you are going to do and prepare ahead of time. Situational awareness is critical, know your game, research your hunting area; where is the water, what do they feed on, where do they bed down, etc. Even if you just want to create an environment to watch game or attract songbirds, the same principles apply whether you have one acre or 1,000 acres. “You’ve got to have your head in the game to do well. Think positive about what you set out to do,” Brad said emphatically. “Not just in hunting, but in every aspect of your life.” Brad’s biggest champion is his wife of 40 years, Teri, who kept the home fires burning while he traveled the nation and the world speaking about hunting. His greatest joy comes from spending time
Brad and grandson with a spring turkey.
with his children and grandchildren in the Missouri hills hunting game or finding delicacies like morel mushrooms or paw paws. “I don’t tell people that I harvest animals, farmers harvest crops,” Brad states. “I call it what it is, I kill game. And
Brad often can be found giving seminars on game calls and hunting tips.
yes, it can be said that I trick them to come to me.” Some people attack Brad on social media or at trade shows, even making death threats. But he stresses that every bit of the animal is used and nothing is wasted. But some people don’t understand that hunters, and even farmers, want to preserve the land and go to great lengths to provide supplements to keep game healthy, treat for ticks, provide winter cover or eliminate excess predators. “There are times I go out and choose not to shoot an animal,” he states. “Sometimes I just enjoy admiring God’s creation.” Today Brad works for a group of investors whose passion is to provide the best properties possible for recreational hunting, fishing and agriculture. They determine what the property needs, such as; new fencing and enhancing what the property already has, such as food, water and cover. Brad oversees the management of the land with a focus on conservation and preservation of local resources. “I am a purest and I’m dern serious about it,” he admits. “When I talk about hunting, I am honest about what I do. I am still just an ole’ Missouri hillbilly who loves to hunt, fish and just enjoy the great outdoors.” February • March 2017 | 35
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citiZ citi Ze Z eN e N SpLLLitlog Sp itlog
Remembering America’s First Millionaire Indian
F
Matthias Splitlog photo courtesy of McDonald County Historical Society
STORY AND PHOTOS BY ROSE HANSEN
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rom 1887 to 1906, a post office called Splitlog operated in McDonald County. It seemed an apt name for an Ozarks settlement in a region that had given rise to many timber fortunes. At the time, Splitlog was connected to civilization by railroad, and its next nearest stop lay four miles to the north, Dononhue, currently known as Goodman, formerly named Wade, earlier called Erie Station. In the coming decades, this particular stretch of railroad would eventually grow to reach New Orleans. But at the time, it was simply an ambitious bridge linking one edge of the frontier to the rest of the world, and it was forged by a man named Matthias Splitlog. His namesake project was finished in 1889 and cost $3 million to build. Privately funding a railroad was a big endeavor in those days, but this project gained even more notoriety because of who Splitlog was—not just a millionaire, but an Indian one, too, and regarded in most circles as America’s first “Millionaire Indian.” Glimmering accounts of his biography run brief in fringe historical texts. Its hazy account goes something like this: He was born in 1812 in Canada, though other sources also point to Michigan or maybe New York. Some say he was Cayuga, other say Wyandotte. At 15, he married Eliza Barnett, definitely a
Wyandotte, and joined her tribe in Ohio. In Kansas City, he made his first fortune selling land to the railroad industry. He spent the final years of his life in Southwest Missouri and neighboring parts of Oklahoma, eventually rising to become the chief of the Seneca. He built steamboats and railroads and factories. In his golden years, he built Grove’s iconic Cayuga Splitlog Mission Church. He was a chameleon; he was a survivor. He had a serene face and a white conical beard. He spoke several languages but was famously illiterate, though that hardly hampered his penchant for mechanics, engineering, and business. It all makes for a great anecdote on local museum tours. But few concrete details are known of the man himself. Newspaper clippings from the era repeat and alter “facts” that are questionable at best. It’s worth noting that even though he rarely, if ever, gave interviews, his mythic reputation was known nation-wide before falling into relative obscurity after his death in 1897. Until, perhaps, now. A forthcoming biography by Frankie Meyer, a Joplin Globe genealogy columnist and author of several books, attempts to unearth the true events of his life. Meyer spent seven years retracing Splitlog’s footprints, interviewing archivists, researching primary sources, and speaking with Native American leaders to better understand his story.
Splitlog Church still stands 120 years after Mathias Splitlog oversaw it's construction. This labor of love was built as a monument for his wife who was ill with cancer, and unfortunately never got to see it completed.
February • March 2017 | 39
cruel depiction of Indians as stupid and immoral. Everything about his life proved otherwise. At the time, everything west of Missouri was still new territory and had been technically reserved for Indians by the United States government. According to newspapers of the day, Splitlog came to Indian Territory (currently Kansas) after “migrating” or “arriving” from Ohio. But words like “migrate” and “arrive” are polite euphemisms. Jackson’s 1930 Indian Relocation Act deliberately pushed Indians off ancestral home sites, separated tribes, and barred participation in U. S. government. Though Splitlog’s tribe, the Ohio Wyandottes, resisted removal for years, they were finally forced away in 1843, less than a decade after the infamous Trail of Tears. During this migration, roughly 20 percent of the removed population died. Today they’re buried in downtown Kansas City’s downtown Wyandotte National Burying Ground. The 150,000 acres of land the Wyandottes “My original convictions upon this subject have had been assigned by the been confirmed by the course of events for federal government was several years, and experience in every day adding useless, so the tribe bought 30 sections from the to their strength. That those tribes cannot exist nearby and also displaced surrounded by our settlements and in continual Delaware Indians. (That contact with our citizens is certain. They have second site, in the fork of the Missouri and Kansas neither the intelligence, the industry, the moral rivers, is now home to habits, nor the desire of improvement which Kansas City.) There, are essential to any favorable change in their Splitlog built a number of businesses, including a condition. Established in the midst of another sawmill and a steamboat and a superior race, and without appreciating the that transported Union causes of their inferiority or seeking to control supplies during the Civil War. In 1855, the them, they must necessarily yield to the force of Wyandottes signed a treaty circumstance and ere long disappear.” granting them United –Andrew Jackson, States citizenship – notable because most Indians were Fifth Annual Message to Congress, 1833 excluded from that until the 1924 Indian Citizenship Act. After Jackson’s attitude toward Indians the adoption of this treaty, Splitlog began would leave a long stain on history, speculating in real estate. After selling his and the early events of Splitlog’s life share of Indian land, he became known as are marked by this legacy. But he still “The Millionaire Indian.” rose above it. Bursting with both the In the immediate years following, intelligence and the industry that Jackson his movements are difficult to track. declared implausible, Splitlog’s successes Perhaps seeking a slower pace of life away stand in stark contradiction to the era’s “I became interested in Matthias after friend and historian Rose Stauber suggested that a definitive book about his life was needed. She, too, was astounded by the inaccuracies that were published during his lifetime and have since been repeated,” Meyer said in an email. “I suspect that reporters from major newspapers were intimidated by the idea of travelling by train to the Indian Territory and renting a buggy or horse to travel along the maze of dirt roads to find him and interview him. It was easier to repeat the stories of others or to interview white people in the border towns.” One way to better understand the man is to contextualize the political climate of the United States during his lifetime. When Splitlog walked the earth, Indians were still regarded as inconvenient obstacles of westward expansion, consequently justifying their forced removal through legislation like the 1830 Indian Removal Act.
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from an urban setting, Splitlog moved to Oklahoma Indian Territory in 1874. According to at least one source, he was re-enrolled onto tribal rolls. He settled on Seneca land near the Grand and Elk River and founded a boomtown called Cayuga Springs. It housed a school, sawmill, flour mill, general store, and even a 4-story factory that specialized in wagons, buggies, and the occasional coffin. A decade later, he converted to Catholicism. In 1886, he partnered with local priest to build the Cayuga Splitlog Mission Church. The project cost $10,000 – roughly $250,000 in today’s economy – which Splitlog is rumored to have paid with just one year’s interest off his own money. When Eliza later died in 1894, hers was the first funeral held in the unfinished church and she was buried in the adjacent cemetery. While construction ensued, Splitlog had also established a mine in nearby Missouri, creating Splitlog City and a number of successful businesses, including a hotel. Confident of his investment, he decided to build a railroad that would connect Splitlog City to the rest of the world. Splitlog himself drove the silver spike at its inauguration. “I go on,” he reportedly announced in his dedication speech, “I make Cayuga and Splitlog biggest towns in the Ozarks.” But the mining venture, unfortunately, was revealed to be a scam that had purposefully targeted Splitlog and his subsequent investors. Because Splitlog felt responsible for his cash-strapped investors, he spent much of his remaining wealth reimbursing them. It was a fatal decision. He lacked the funds to continue the railroad and sold it for just $50,000, which was yet another devastating financial blow. Publications love to mourn the loss of Splitlog’s fortune, but it doesn’t appear to have deeply pained him. History did not record how he felt after this grievous wrong. He left no stories, no journals, nothing to record his thoughts. What he felt can only be interpreted by what he did next, which was to simply focus his energies elsewhere. In 1890, he was elected Seneca Chief. From a contemporary perspective, this feels like the pinnacle achievement of his life. As history puts
it, “he fought for recognition and justice” for his people, but what that means isn’t exactly clear from basic internet searches or regional history books. According to Meyer’s research, Chief Splitlog began travelling to Washington D.C. to acquire Seneca funds promised by past treaties. These efforts, however, were short-lived. In 1896, he caught pneumonia while travelling and died shortly after his arrival the following year. Today he’s buried next to his wife at the Cayuga cemetery, in the shadow of a monument that long-outlasted his life. It’s disappointing that the historical footnote assigned to Splitlog summarizes him as a millionaire when the true contributions of his life are far more exceptional and interesting than simply amassing a fortune. He broke society’s norms for what an Indian
The emblem showing a passenger train splitting a log was used by the line in advertisements in 1892.
Mathias Splitlog began construction on the Cayuga Splitlog Mission Church in 1886. It’s built with local limestone and boasts a steeple that can be seen from a mile away. Though it was originally a Catholic church, it was sold to Methodists in 1930, and then later abandoned for many years. A local family eventually purchased the property for sentimental reasons, and in 1972, the church was added to the National Register for Historical Places. Today it is open to the public and offers regular Sunday service. In November 2016, it celebrated its 120th anniversary. Cayuga Splitlog Mission Church S. 670 Rd. Grove, Oklahoma 74344 cayugamission.org
could achieve during a time when Indians were seen as people incapable of achieving anything. His story is the true embodiment of the American dream – a rags-to-riches, bootstraps success story – muddied by the injustice dealt to his people by the American government, injustices that he fought against until the day he died. American history is far stranger and more complicated than we often choose to acknowledge, and the legacies of
people like Matthias Splitlog are reduced or erased because it’s more convenient than grappling with complicated truths. Re-examining his life gives us the opportunity to consider whose stories are told, and why, and how. It’s not enough that he’s only considered remarkable because he was rich. Such a notion dismisses the goodness of his humanity, a characteristic that history overlooks time and time again. He, and we, deserve more.
February • March 2017 | 41
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ousehold chores are a good way to get young kids learning the skills needed for keeping house, and how to do tasks that they will need the rest of their lives. If you live in the country, or on a farm, there are many helpful (and fun!) things that they can do outside as well! Bonus is that you get extra time with your kids, and fresh air too! Especially after a day of work and school, it’s a great way to unwind, talk about the day and re-connect with your kids while also getting chores done. Depending on the age of your kids, here are some outdoor chores to get you started.
GOOD GROOMING: Animals love being groomed, and it’s very good for their wellbeing as well. Dogs, horses, goats...even cows love to be brushed or curry-combed. It’s an easy task that helps a youngster connect with the animal in a soothing way, and can build relationships between your young ones and animals that will help the animals learn to trust them and cooperate with them as well. PICK UP STICKS: Well, someones gotta do it! Especially when spring gets here, there’s a lot of yard and pasture clean up, and kids can be a big help! Raking leaves, picking up sticks and other debris that has accumulated are some easy tasks that always needs to be done. A good reward for hard work? A big brush pile can provide a pretty good bonfire good for roasting hotdogs and marshmallows. HOW DOES YOUR GARDEN GROW? Gardens provide an endless “cause and effect” lesson for kids. Plant seeds, see them grow, see them bloom, then see them produce food. Picking up rocks, watering plants, pulling weeds, mulching – these are all big helps and will help build family unity as kids see you all working toward the same goals. Another idea: give them their own garden plot to decide what they want to plant and learn how to tend it themselves. Of course, when it comes time, harvesting fruits and vegetables is one of the funnest “chores” to participate in!
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The Race to Innovation The Future of Agriculture From a Young Farmer’s Perspective BY MEGAN THOMAS
L
iving in the Southwest corner of Missouri certainly has its benefits. Instead of towering buildings overhead, we experience the luscious beauty of farmland, animals, and the trees that form the woods. We know where our roots are grounded and the undeniable twang in our accents will not let us forget our heritage anytime soon. With this background, the majority of us have lived on a farm or been raised near one. Agriculture plays a major role in this community and continues to thrive. Cows, horses, chickens, and fields with crops are plentiful. Within this widespread community, many have experienced the loss of a baby calf or a drought destroying a crop. On a smaller scale, a swarm of Japanese beetles eating away every single leaf off of a peach tree. Farmers know the sinking feeling in their gut when a cow or calf dies. Yet, they continue on, hoping and praying that the next one will live. Giving up is not an option for a farmer and hope holds a tight reign. Growing up on a farm, I occasionally experience the loss of a baby calf first hand. I have watched crops wither due to the viscous droughts in the summer. Loss seems to be a normal aspect in agriculture. On the other hand, I have successfully raised six to eight calves on one nurse cow at once and gained a profit. The agriculture industry encounters ups and downs but you just have to choose your battles. “Should I winter my calves and hope they make it through winter or sell them now?” seems to be a typical
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question from the common farmer. We all have our doubts about our farms and just pray that everything evens out in the end. The agriculture industry includes large scale, corporate farms, small farms, and those in between. While there are larger scale operations in the Ozarks, small scale farms expand over the area. Consequently, I have lived on a small farm all my life and enjoyed every moment despite the hard times. At a young age, I started my own beef cattle operation by purchasing a Charolais cow off of my older brother. From there, the love for cattle and agriculture grew. After a baby calf hit the ground, I would go out to the field with my dad and check the gender of the white as snow, baby calf. On show day, I would wash, comb and brush my heifer until every hair was in the right place before walking her into the show ring while my dad stood nearby to help. To me, agriculture embraces family values and hard work. Without those values, families and the agriculture industry would not be at the level it is today. Either way, everyone has their own reasons to love agriculture despite the hard times and especially through the great times. Overall, the agriculture industry is a gambling game and maybe that is why farmers are obsessed. Farming is a passion and a lifestyle. Considering this, the rest of the world may view this community as cows, plows, and sows. Maybe they are right, but only on a small scale.
Within the past thirty years, agricultural technology has changed dramatically. As time goes on, new changes occur. However, agricultural technology has not changed because of time, but rather, because it needs to. For the past few years the hottest topic revolves around how will we feed the world in 2050. In order to prepare for this dilemma, agricultural technology is racing to improve. Another battle, genetically modified organisms (GMOs), has helped alleviate this problem. While many people avoid GMOs, without them there would be a lot more hungry people in the world than there already is. In order to tackle these battles, innovation needs to take place. For instance, International Harvester now has a driverless tractor. Agricultural technology continues to advance and with that innovation comes efficiency. Within the upcoming years, fields need to be utilized to full potential, fertilizers maximized to produce better quality crops, and scientific improvements need to continue. Innovation plays a key role in agriculture’s future. However, there is another stepping stone in order to reach these standards. Less and less people realize where their food comes from. I believe this flaw in society falls on us. Farmers and agriculturists have failed to put forth the effort to ensure that people realize where their food comes from. The future generations of farmers must take a stand. If people fail to realize where their food comes from then they will defy and protest the agriculture industry. This is where the future generations of farmers come into play. Today, thousands of FFA members are working together to better the world and take on this arduous task. However, I think a generation gap exists. I believe many farmers and agriculturists may view the future generations as incapable to fulfill the tasks. Which may be a reason why agriculturists are frantic to find an answer on how to feed the world in 2050. The technological gap may have something to do with this. There is no doubt that teenagers and the younger generations are exceedingly reliant on their technology. Yet, if technology and innovation is the answer to feeding the world in 2050 then is this such an issue? In order to continue advancing in agricultural technology then we need to continue furthering our knowledge in the technology industry.
Megan a senior at Purdy, Missouri, who will be furthering her education at Harding University this fall.
Many problems face the agriculture industry but the future generations have them completely under control. Thousands of FFA members across the nation realize the problems that are facing the industry and are working to solve them. We are tech-savvy and social media friendly – the word of agriculture will be spread. However, we cannot do this alone. Advocates for agriculture (agvocate) around the world must unify to solve these problems that face the future generations of society. Agriculture is the future and the past. Without agriculture, there would be no food, clothes, houses, and our many necessities. Imagine 2050: food is sparse and everyone is thin as a rail, the world is starving. In order to prevent this, become an agvocate and do your part to save the agriculture industry. Just keep in mind, we may be cows, sows, and plows but we are also the up and coming leaders of the world, and without agriculture there would be nothing.
A little more about Megan: At a young age, I became involved in agriculture. I grew up watching my older brothers show cattle and could not wait to be just like them. They would lead their calves around the yard and I would be right there next to them asking if I could help in any way. At one point, I was so eager to show that I asked my previous ag advisor if I could show my cat at the Purdy livestock show. Needless to say, my cat would never comply so I decided to wait until I could show a baby calf. Once I turned eight, I finally became old enough to show cattle and instantly became hooked. As the years passed, I slowly grew my Charolais herd and I still show a couple of my higher quality calves throughout the summer. Throughout high school, I have plunged myself into FFA and became involved in everything I could. Through FFA and 4-H, I have had the opportunity to judge livestock at the state and national level. I plan to obtain the most prestigious FFA degree the, American FFA Degree, while in college. My love for agriculture all began with a circle around a show ring and a calf by my side. Since then, the love has only grew and created an interest to pursue a career in agriculture. February • March 2017 | 45
Remnants ofthe old west THE TEXAS LONGHORN SURVIVES STORY BY LISA FLOREY PHOTOS BY LISA FLOREY AND AMANDA SPEARS
O
nce nearly extinct, Texas Longhorns are enjoying a renewed popularity, thanks to their hardiness, easy maintenance, lean meat and a nostalgia for the old west. Raised for everything from rodeo stock and show cattle, front pasture ornaments and even riding steers and lean grass-fed beef, Texas longhorns are an American icon that are once again finding their foothold in the cattle industry.
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The sight of a pasture dotted with longhorn cattle in rural Wheaton, Missouri, is one that makes many people slow down to admire the herd. With their instantly recognizable horns, kaleidoscope of earth-tone colors and undeniable presence, these cattle look right at home in the Ozark landscape. But why longhorn cattle? According to owner Donnie Spears, the question should be ‘Why not longhorn cattle?’ “My wife Amanda and I don’t have a lot of time to take care of cattle because I’m a pastor at a church, we run some chicken barns, and she’s a teacher,” Spears said. “The longhorns aren’t much work, they’re easy to take care of and we really like them.” Longhorn cattle have a lengthy history in the United States. The breed’s heritage can be traced back to the first cattle brought to the U.S. by Christopher Columbus, and many modern cattle breeds have longhorn foundation blood. Longhorns have survived massive cattle drives and adapted to all sorts of climates and ranges. It’s estimated there were between 3 and 4 million longhorn cattle in Texas alone in 1865, yet the breed narrowly escaped extinction. Although Texas Longhorns had an edge on many other breeds of cattle due to the longhorn’s disease resistance, longevity and ability to survive – even thrive – in
rough conditions, they became a rare sight in the early 1900s. One reason longhorns fell out of favor was because the demand for tallow (used to produce items like candles, soaps and cooking oil) drove market prices; purebred longhorns are very lean – as much as 80 percent leaner than other cattle. The Texas Longhorn breed was saved from extinction by six ranching families who maintained Texas Longhorn herds, as well as a government-sponsored herd preserved at the Wichita Wildlife Refuge in southwestern Oklahoma. Today, the bloodlines of most purebred Texas Longhorns can be traced back to these seven lines. Spears, a longtime Wheaton resident, is no stranger in the livestock business, but the longhorns have a special place in his heart – and pastures. “About seven or eight years ago, we had a herd of longhorn cattle that we crossed with Charolais. We really enjoyed them – but about two years ago, we went back to just the longhorns,” Spears said. “We really like working with them. They are very gentle cattle.” Spears doesn’t hesitate to recommend longhorns to people who want an easy cattle breed, but offers some advice to newcomers: “Have good fences. They’ll go anywhere goats can go. Some people will say longhorns are tough and can live anywhere, but you need to take care of them like any other livestock.”
The docile nature of longhorns is often overshadowed by their trademark horns, which can reach spans of as much as seven feet on trophy steers. While the long, sharp horns may make these cattle appear intimidating, longhorns are generally easy to work with – and can even be moved on foot.
“A lot of people are scared when they see the horns,” Spears said. “But with most of our longhorn cattle, we can go in the pasture on foot with the feed and move them from one pasture to another. You can even hold on to the horns.” The Spears are excited about their breeding program, which is focused on developing a herd with quality horn size. 48 |
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“We have 21 cows, and bought a registered longhorn bull from Dickinson Cattle Company in Barnesville, Ohio,” Spears said. “We bought him for the size of his horns, and he is doing really well. We want to keep some good heifers with the best horns, and breed those to another bull.” The low-maintenance aspect of longhorn cattle includes longevity, even grazing habits, a tendency toward easy calving and good mothering instincts. Longhorns have the highest unassisted birth rate of any breed of cattle (99.7 percent, for those who have a fondness for stats). “We’ve had beef cattle in the past, and the longhorns take care of themselves a lot better with the calves,” Spears said. “So far, we haven’t lost any calves and have only had to have the vet come once for a calf. They do not require as much maintenance as the mainstream beef cattle.” Although longhorn calves are, by nature, lower in weight than beef cattle at birth, they mature quickly and often weigh the same as their counterparts at weaning time. Horn nubs usually make an appearance by the time calves are a month old. “We’ve sold all of our calves so far to private buyers. Most purchase them as roping calves,” Spears said. “We sell when they weigh about 450 pounds and their horns are the same length as their ears.”
In addition to selling, the Spears also purchase the occasional longhorn steer to butcher and stock their freezer. Longhorn beef, while not traditional in the beef cattle market, is becoming increasingly favored among health-conscious diners looking for lean meat. Compared to beef from other cattle, longhorn meat is lower in fat, cholesterol and calories. When cooked correctly, this beef is tender and flavorful. “My wife and I have eaten longhorn meat for a while. We buy worn-out roping steers, feed them for 60-90 days and then butcher them,” Spears said. “It’s
good meat, and very lean; you can make a hamburger and there’s no grease.” Spears has no qualms about adopting this unusual breed of cattle and enjoys sharing them with people who slow down to look at the herd. “My favorite part of having longhorns is when you drive through the fields & see pretty colored cattle with the horns. It’s nice to watch people driving by and looking at them and seeing a piece of the old west,” Spears said. “There’s something special about it, I believe touches everyone’s heart.” February • March 2017 | 49
Isn't It
Romantic
Day-Excursion Inspirations
E
veryone has their own idea of what is “Romantic.” Surely in the variety of offerings we have here in the Ozarks, there is something for everyone – whether it's a secluded hiking trail, a beautiful landscape, an adventurous date-night or just an intimate restaurant...here are some inspirations for encouraging a little romance in your life.
The Grand Falls Joplin, Missouri
A few more local recommendations: Chateau on the Lake Branson, Missouri
Elfindale Mansion Springfield, Missouri The roar of water falls and this scenic location can't be beat! After enjoying the falls, a visit to nearby Wildcat Glades is a treat...especially when the first spring flowers start to emerge along the walking trails. After that, you need to surprise your sweetheart with a trip to the Candy House located on Kentucky just east of Main Street between 5th and 6th streets – nothing says romance like chocolate! 50 |
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St. Catherine's at Bell Gable Fayetteville, Arkansas Har-Ber Village Grove, Oklahoma
Thorncrown Chapel Eureka Springs, Arkansas
Roaring River State Park Cassville Missouri
This epic structure which has hosted over 6 million visitors since opening in 1980 was designed by renowned architect E. Fay Jones. Thorncrown is open for visitors and available for weddings and other occasions and offers Sunday church services as well. Stay for dinner and add to the romance by visiting Gaskin's Cabin located between ES and Holiday Island, or Rogue's Manor right on Spring Street in downtown ES.
Providing a variety of outdoor adventure, Roaring River might be just the place to re-connect with your honey. The park officially opens on March 1 with the opening of trout season. Lots of energy and activity surround the parks opening day, and the campground and cabins are a bustle with tale-gating fishermen, campfires and lots of fun. With a trout hatchery, a nature center... and many trails of various lengths and physical capabilities, Roaring River really has something for everyone. Who can't resist snuggling up in front of a campfire?
Crystal Bridges Bentonville, Arkansas Downtown Bentonville is a charming date, as well as the historic square and variety of restaurants – but Crystal Bridges stands as an icon of grace in this midst of city busy-ness. Contemplating beautiful art together in a serene, quiet setting can be a treat away from the regular hustle of life. If the weather is agreeable, continue outdoors taking advantage of the art walks that surround the museum. If time permits...downtown Rogers brick streets are a treat, along with another great variety of coffee shops, stores and restaurants. February • March 2017 | 51
FOR THE KIDS Spread a toilet paper roll with peanut butter and press into a container with bird seed. Run a cord through the middle of the role and simply hang in a tree. The birds will love it!
Repurposing Revolution
THINKING OUT OF THE
BOX C
ardboard boxes are handy and reusable in many ways, just as a box. Boxes are always handy to use for storing items, moving items and shipping. The invention of corrugated cardboard has to be one of the most useful items ever. It’s been around since the late 1800s, and hasn’t really changed a whole lot. Even cardboard cereal boxes and paper rolls are handy for so many things. Beside the multitude of children’s crafts that can be created from cardboard, there are some pretty useful repurposing ideas for a worn out or unneeded box. 52 |
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LASAGNA GARDENING One of the main purposes of mulch in the garden is to make a barrier so that moisture can go through, but weeds and grass can not grow underneath. Cardboard works great as a base layer. Being made from paper, it absorbs and lets moisture through, and eventually decomposes, but it is also heavy enough to block light and not easily blow away. A good way to get started is to just lay cardboard pieces right on the ground or grass intended to be mulched for garden or walkway use. Wet well, and cover with leaves, grass-clippings, woodchips or other items to be used in the mulching process. Plants can be planted in rows in between cardboard, or holes can be cut out of cardboard.
NIFTY SEED STARTER If you are starting some early garden plants inside, try a toilet paper roll, cut in half with an open bottom, or fold in the bottom to make a nifty little pot. Just fill with soil and plant.
Antiques, Collectibles, Modern Furniture, Primitives, Glassware and Flea Market
IN A PINCH Cardboard can be great when you have an event! Various sizes of boxes can be used to make sturdy, durable signs. A large box can be covered with a tablecloth and used as an extra table.
Working under a car? A piece of cardboard will cushion you as well as soak up any liquids or grease that may drip.
If we end up getting a march snow, a large piece of cardboard makes a great disposable sled.
The
CORNER ANTIQUES 108 West MO HWY 174, Republic, Mo. 417-365-4084 thecornerantiques@gmail.com facebook: The Corner Antiques
CAMPING CARDBOARD With the help of recycled tuna or cat-food cans, you can make handy little burners that can be made ahead of time, and used to create a pretty powerful camp burner. Cut strips of cardboard the same height as the can. Roll cardboard tightly and fit and fill up the can. Melt discarded wax or paraffin wax and fill cardboard-wound can with wax. When needed, just light cardboard on fire and let fire spread throughout the can. Be safe and make sure lit can is set on something that can withstand the heat.
Country Petal’s Floral & Vintage Shop 212 Main Street, Crane, Missouri 417-229-0925
F
BONUS
Marcy Gripka and Shelley Blankenship Email: countrypetals_2@yahoo.com
For the Dog – find a just-the-rightsize box and reinforce with duct tape, cushion with an old blanket and you got a dog bed. Great for a unexpected dog guest or for a puppy that’s going to outgrow a small bed.
CAT SCRATCH FEVER Get creative! Cut strips of cardboard and roll tightly to make a spiral “log.” Use multi-purpose glue to adhere any ends. Make different heights and widths and combine together for a cat scratch kingdom that your felines will enjoy (and hopefully keep them from scratching up the furniture!). Another easy idea: fill up a shoe box with cut strips of cardboard the length of the box with cut ends up. Tightly pack the box with cut cardboard pieces so that they cannot be pulled out. Reinforce box with duct tape around edges. One more idea: Fill a shoe box with toilet paper rolls tightly so that cat cannot pull them out. Place treats inside the rolls for a cat puzzle that will keep your cat busy for awhile.
Come on down and see us!
2 Sisters
FLEA MARKET
W e have little bit of everything! furniture B home décor lots of Antiques B and so much more!
124 Main Street B Crane, MO 417-598-8860
Rags to Riches Flea Market 16,000 square feet of antiques, collectibles and much more!
113 West Main Street, Anderson MO 64831 (417) 845-7383 M-F 10:00-5:00 Sat 9:00-4:00
www.rags2richesfleamarket.com February • March 2017 | 53
Kate’s Kloset A “Near to the Heart” Kindness Project
K
ate’s Kloset is a stylish and sweet dress and clothing boutique for young girls located inside of The Pink Zebra clothing store just north of Cassville, Missouri. Kate’s Kloset is owned and operated by ten-year-old Katelyn Cook, daughter of Clifton and Amanda Reese, and Jason and Carrie Cook. Katelyn saved money to start the business which has been doing quite well since she opened her shop last year. But, the entrepreneur owning and operating a shop at this young age isn’t the most unique thing about this story...
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Kate, who attends Berean Christian Academy in Monett, is driven with a desire to help other children less fortunate than her. She wants to be able to pull children out of slavery all over the world, and to aid other children, especially girls, who are without families and live in orphanages. Through the years, Kate has heard others talk about the needs of children in dire situations, and has desired to carry what burden she can. “I have a babysitter, Brooke, who has been on missionary trips – she talks about her trips and has shown me pictures. I pray about the kids in Haiti that she has talked about, and foster kids I know about,” said Kate. “I visited an orphanage – some seem happy, but others seem sad. I want them to be able to feel at home,” says Kate. As her little sister, Jaci, was climbing around her and she added, “They love playing with Jaci... and I want us to go see them more often.”
“Kate has a strong faith that even though she is young, God can still use her. She prays and asks God to use her,” shares Kate’s mother, Amanda Reese.
“So, Katelyn ended up saving $1500! We prayed and asked God to show us what she should do,” shared Amanda. When Josy opened her new location of The Pink Zebra clothing store and had space for booths, they saw an opportunity to let Kate expand on her hopes and prayers. Taking the plunge into a new business can be intimidating, but they received affirmation when they made a trip to their local bank to draw out funds for Kate’s first dress purchase for the opening of Kate’s Kloset. “Mason Anderson, at U.S. Bank in Monett, visited with us when we were there getting money for Kate’s first order, he told us that his wife had just gotten back from a mission trip to Equador and she had helped girls that had been trafficked.” This was an answered prayer and Kate gained confidence that there was a need, and that she was doing what God would want her to do. The experience is also teaching Kate about operating a business. “Josy lets Kate come and work with her and her mom...they teach her how to keep a store, keep things organized and neat,” said Amanda. Kate is also learning how to sew and will soon be offering hair bows to match outfits and dresses that she is selling.
30% of profit goes to Christ centered organizations helping to end child slavery
w Kate’s Kloset Inside Pink Zebra Boitique
37 Hwy, Cassville, Mo. GIRLS BONNIE JEAN DRESSES newborn through size 16 HANDMADE PIECES BY KATELYN
Come see us at our new location!
How you can help:
Kate’s mother, Amanda, says that this concern has been on Katelyn’s heart for quite some time. “She prays for orphans, foster kids, kids in slavery and child trafficking every day, she told me that she wants to ‘earn money to help get kids out of slavery’ – she just has such a heart for hurting children.” Amanda said that at an even earlier age, Kate went to a friend that owns a beauty shop – Christine’s House of Style in Purdy – and asked her if she could work for her to help her make money. Of course, Christine let her help, and Kate and her mom opened a bank account for her.
The Missouri Baptist Children’s Home was established in 1882 as a home for orphaned and abandoned children. Adopt, fund or volunteer your time, www.mbch.org. 800-264-6224.
UNIQUE fashions, shoes and accessories for girls, teens and women WE NOW HAVE MISSY, PLUS AND KIDS SIZES
The
PINK ZEBRA BOUTIQUE
Dunamis Foundation serves Equador. These volunteers rescue girls out of labor and sex slavery and help in their recovery. See dunamisfoundation.com for more information.
Fashion
Gifts
Decor
Just off of Hwy. 37 North of Cassville on FR 2150
Cassville, Missouri 417-846-0121 February • March 2017 | 55
“H me Ol
CT VI
ORIAN
b ed
and
brea kfast
Q
ueen Anne Bed and Breakfast, located in the historic district of the Harrison, ST OR ER Arkansas, felt like walking into a time YA TT E N T S D PH machine of the nineteenth and early OTOS BY KAYLA BRAN twentieth centuries. My mother and I walked up the steps and observed the continued the tour and mentioned how picturesque and decorative ornamentation Charles Eastlake, an Englishman from of the front facing gable of the Victorianthe nineteenth century, who wrote the style home. Light pink, lavender, and Hints on Household Taste in Furniture, teal colors accentuated the home’s gray Upholstery and Other Details, inspired and light blue colors. When we entered the construction of the furniture. To better the home, the bed and breakfast’s owner explain, during the nineteenth century, and operator, Warren Smith, greeted us a movement spread through both the and immediately offered his southern United States and England that changed hospitality. Afterwards, we embarked on the perspectives of style and health a historical journey with Warren Smith as regarding home décor and furniture. the tour guide. Characteristics of Eastlake furniture He first introduced us to the parlor included low relief carvings, incised lines, room, a room decorated with Victorian moldings, geometric ornaments, and flat era furniture and décor. I enjoyed the surfaces that were easier to keep clean. interior decorating, and the presentation Prior to this time period people filled of authentic Victorian furniture and their homes with large pieces of carved tables. But, I felt especially attracted to furniture, thick upholstery, and heavy the room’s fire mantel. The beautifully draperies that collected dust and germs carved wood, complete with gargoyles, and kept out healthful air and light. leaves guests feeling welcomed. Warren 56 |
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We left the parlor to visit the courtyard and the home’s carriage house; a home with two bedrooms for the bed and breakfast. The previous owners, the Youngs (the first owners to operate the home as a bed and breakfast), built this addition in the 1990s. Next, we returned inside the house and ascended the wooden staircase to the second floor whose narrow steps add to the home’s authentic historical resonance. The second floor holds three of the home’s bedrooms for guests to enjoy and experience. In fact, the rooms were previously an attic and owners, Mrs. Ragland and her daughter, Walsa Castleberry, both teachers, used the area as storage. Now, the rooms are decorated in era appropriate Victorian beds, furniture, and artwork. After the tour, I discovered the Queen Anne experienced several different homeowners. Beginning in 1893 with Henry W. Frick; however, William Mark Duncan was responsible for the construction of the house. William Duncan, a son of a Pennsylvania Congressman, established himself as a
successful businessman who founded the Bank of Harrison and an electric company. Besides the construction of the Queen Anne, he built the Basin Park Hotel in Eureka Springs. After Frick, the Queen Anne was sold to John and Ella McMurray for $1,000. In September of 1905, the home experienced a new owner, Reverend D. Shuck and the home sold for $600. Reverend Shuck used his new home as his parsonage for the Christian Church of Harrison. He wrote his Sunday sermons upstairs in a room where the sunlight shone on him, providing him with inspiration. Today, Warren Smith and guests refer to this area of the home as the Turret Room. From 1912-1915, William Noah Ivie (a self-taught attorney, appointed by President Herbert Hoover, Republican nominee for U.S. Congress, judge, and Land Commissioner) and his wife, Minnie Vaughn Ivie, and four children – Lawrence, Lillian, Jewel, and Charles resided in the home. In 1919, J. P. and Gertrude Callicott moved in and J. P., the town marshal, was described as a quiet man who sat by the wood stove smoking his pipe. Today, that room is the lobby.
In January of 1943, the home was gifted to Mrs. Ragland and her daughter, Walsa Castleberry, as previously mentioned, they were both teachers and offered piano lessons in the parlor. In 1986, Sheridan and Cynthia Garrison gained ownership of the Victorian home. Sheridan, a shipping tycoon, established Fedex (Fedex continues to be a major employer in Harrison). During the Garrison’s ownership of the home, Cynthia renovated and restored the Queen Anne. In 1991, Don and Kathleen Young purchased the home, added a glass solarium off the back porch, and began operating the home for the first time as a bed and breakfast. In September of 2004, Warren and his wife purchased the home and in April of 2005, they officially opened. Warren, a former environmental scientist from Houston, Texas, desired a career change along with a change in scenery. They packed-up and moved to Harrison, Arkansas, and began a new adventure with the Queen Anne Bed and Breakfast. In fact, because of Warren’s research, the Queen
Anne is now listed in the National Historic Registry since 2005. During their 13 years of ownership, they welcomed visitors from all over the world – China, England, South Africa, Canada, and France. After my experience, I know these travelers visit for the authentic Victorian experience; the best of the old and the new. Warren admits, “We love meeting new people…we try to put our guests first.” And, they do. I believe Dixie Smull, a visitor from Redding, California, described the Queen Anne best, “a home away from home.” February • March 2017 | 57
Good For You BY SHERRY LEVERICH
G
GRANOLA INDULGENCE
ranola gets a bad wrap. Sometimes it's just too high in fat and calories to be healthy...or is it? Maybe it is high in fat...but are the fats good? Maybe it is high in calories, but are the calories full of fiber and natural sugars? Sometimes a good boost of energy is what you need to get you through the afternoon, or the perfect breakfast combination. I say if you combine a good proportion of fats, sugars and proteins it makes a good snack, and it can provide what your body needs to get you from one missed meal to the next. In our busy lives, an indulgent snack isn't the worst thing we can do to help us get through a hectic day.
Peanut Butter and Honey Granola Bars 1 c. creamy peanut butter 1/2 c. honey 2 tsp. vanilla extract 2 c. old-fashioned rolled oats, pulsed in a food processor for about 6 seconds 1 c. crispy rice cereal 1/2 c. sliced almonds (or other nut) 2 tbsp. golden flaxseed meal (optional) 1 tsp. ground cinnamon 3/4 tsp. salt 3/4 c. mini semi-sweet chocolate chips Line a 8-inch or 9-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, set aside. In a medium size glass bowl, combine the peanut butter and honey. Microwave for 1 minute, then stir well. Alternatively, ingredients can be warmed and combined on the stovetop in a pan. Add vanilla whisk vigorously until smooth. In another mixing bowl, combine the oats, rice cereal, almonds, flaxseed meal, cinnamon and salt. Stir to combine. Pour the cooled peanut butter mixture into the dry ingredients. Using a large spatula, fold the ingredients together, then pour in all but 1 tablespoon of the chocolate chips. Mix until combined, then pour into the prepared pan. Press firmly to create an even layer. Cover the pan with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator to chill for 2 hours. Remove from the pan using the edges of the parchment paper and transfer to a cutting board. Using a sharp knife, cut into 12 squares. Store in a ziploc bag at room temperature, or refrigerate.
Specializing in land, ranches and farms Office licensed in Missouri and Oklahoma Member of two Multi-list Systems
417.226.3363
obrienrealty.biz 58 |
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Donnie & Tammy O’Brien, agent/owners 26 Peacock Lane, Jane, MO
Power of Seed Bars
Raisin Nut Bars
Choco-licious Granola Bars
1 1/2 cups rolled oats 1 cup raw almonds, walnuts or pecans, roughly chopped 1 heaping packed cup dates, pitted 2 Tbsp. chia seeds 2 Tbsp. sunflower seeds (roasted or raw) 2 Tbsp. flax seeds (ground or whole) 2 Tbsp. sesame seeds 1/4 cup maple syrup or honey 1/4 cup creamy salted natural peanut butter or almond butter
Toast oats and nuts in a warm oven for 15 minutes or until slightly golden brown (be sure not to burn!). Process dates in Optional a food processor until Additions: small bits remain CHOCOLATE CHIPS (about 1 minute). DRIED FRUIT Place oats, almonds OTHER NUTS and dates in a large BANANA CHIPS mixing bowl. Add seeds and set aside. Warm maple syrup (or honey) and peanut or almond butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Stir and pour over oat mixture and then mix, breaking up the dates to disperse throughout. Use a spoon or your hands to thoroughly mix. Transfer to an 8 x 8 dish or other small pan lined with plastic wrap or parchment paper so they lift out easily. Cover with parchment or plastic wrap and press to pack tightly. This will help them from being crumbly. Chill in the fridge or freezer to harden. Remove bars from dish and cut into 10 even bars. Store in an airtight container for up to a few days.
2 cups rolled oats 1/2 cup bran 1/2 cup sliced almonds 1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut 1/2 cup honey 1/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar 2 Tbsp. coconut oil 1 tsp. vanilla extract 1 tsp. ground cinnamon 1/2 tsp. salt 5 Tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9-inch square baking dish. Spread rolled oats, bran, sliced almonds and shredded coconut onto a baking sheet. Toast oats mixture in preheated oven, stirring every 5 minutes, until lightly toasted, about 15 minutes. Reduce oven heat to 300 degrees F. Combine honey, brown sugar, coconut oil, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, and salt together in a saucepan over medium-low heat; cook and stir until the sugar is completely dissolved, about 3 minutes. Stir cocoa powder into the honey mixture until dissolved. Mix toasted oat mixture and the honey mixture in a large bowl and stir until the dry ingredients are coated; spread into the prepared baking dish and press into an even layer. Bake in preheated oven until golden brown, 18 to 20 minutes. Cool bars in pan for 10 minutes, immediately cut into squares, and remove from pan.
3 cups old-fashioned oats 1 cup shredded coconut 1 cup English walnuts 1 cup whole wheat flour 1 cup raisins 1/2 cup chopped apricots 1/2 cup brown sugar 1/3 cup flax seeds or sunflower seeds 1 tsp. ground cinnamon 3/4 tsp. salt 2 eggs, beaten 3/4 cup canola oil 1/2 cup honey 1 Tbsp. pure vanilla extract
Preheat oven to 300 degrees F. Spread oats, coconut, and almonds onto a baking sheet; toast in preheated oven until lightly browned, about 15 minutes. Mix toasted oats mixture with flour, raisins, apricots, brown sugar, seeds, cinnamon, and salt together in a large bowl; add eggs, canola oil, honey, and vanilla extract and mix into a sticky mixture. Line 9-inch x 13-inch cookie sheet with parchment paper. Spread the mixture into the baking sheet in an even layer, reaching completely to the edges. Bake in preheated oven until golden, about 45 minutes; carefully cut into bars immediately upon removal from oven. Let bars cool completely before removing from sheet, at least 30 minutes.
GREAT CARE IN CASSVILLE
417-236-2440
ARMIN KAMYAB, MD sees patients at CoxHealth Center Cassville for surgery consults and follow-up care.
February • March 2017 | 59
Sweet Dreams C STORY AND PHOTOS BY SAVANNA KAISER
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ver 60 years in the making, one man’s dream of opening up his own chocolate shop finally came to fruition through the efforts of his grandchildren. Their small family business – Grandpa Joe’s Old Fashioned Chocolates – first opened their doors in 2001 with its old fashioned candies and country charm, quickly melting the hearts of everyone from the Missouri Ozarks and beyond. Today, John Boyster, his wife, Melody, and their children continue to uphold his grandpa’s legacy, using four generations of family recipes at Rosewood Farms – their country gift store located just north of Hartville, Mo. They started out with just a few original recipes, including English toffee, orange truffle, and brown sugar pecan, but now they offer over 100 specialty varieties. “We’re always experimenting with different things,” said Melody. “Some of our most popular ones include the dark truffle, the toffee, the sea salt caramels, and Grandpa Joe’s personal favorite, a brown sugar truffle we call Cloud Nine.” Originally from Arizona, the Boyster family first settled in the Ozarks nearly twenty years ago. They were looking for a quiet place to raise their kids and run their farm. It wasn’t long before they turned their Amish-made cobblestone barn into a gift shop to sell their homemade sweets. 60 |
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Rosewood Farms is located at 7345 Highway 5 in Hartville. They’re open Monday – Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m to 4 p.m. For more info, visit www.grandpajoeschocolates. com or call 417-741-6915. February • March 2017 | 61
Rosewood Farms has grown over the years and now offers other food products, clothing, jewelry, country decor and more. It’s become a destination for families, groups and tour buses as well.
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Their chocolates are made in a room directly below their store. It’s a private space for the family only to create their secret recipes. “Most days, our work begins at 3:30 in the morning,” says Melody. They create several different batches every day, long before the sun comes up and their store even opens. “Since I’m a night owl, that’s where the coffee comes in.” The entire family, including some of their kids’ spouses, work at the store. “There’s ten family members who work here. During busy events, a few will take off from their other jobs to help.” They also have 11 grandchildren who are eager to help someday and are often spotted around the store. “Our ten year old grandson is already calling himself a chocolate maker. When his teachers at school didn’t believe him, he took in some chocolate. He was very popular that day.” Melody said with a smile. Walk through the doors at Rosewood Farms and you’ll also find a wide selection of country decor, kitchenware, jewelry, clothing, and even a children’s section. There’s a coffee shop too! Besides creating their own chocolates and brittles, the family also makes their own candles, fragrance oils, bath and body products, food dips, salsas, jams, and soups. Their store has become a destination for folks and it’s not uncommon for a tour bus to be seen parked at the Boyster’s farm from time to time. They’ve even had to expand their parking lot since the beginning. “We’ve had people drive 4 to 5 hours to visit. They’ve either heard of us by word of mouth or read a story about us somewhere.” John and Melody love meeting their customers and seeing familiar faces return. While their work keeps them busy all year ‘round, their busiest season is around Christmastime, Melody says. They’re preparing all year for their annual Christmas Open House – their biggest event – which sees over 7,000 visitors to Rosewood Farms in one week. It takes them the entire week before to decorate the store in lights and Christmas trees and everything that makes the season magical. They also have an annual Spring Open House every May, where they welcome back the warm spring weather with sales on hundreds of flowers. Whether you prefer annuals or perennials, hanging baskets, or planters, they have a wide
The legacy of Grandpa Joe, combined with four generations of family recipes, make Rosewoods Old Fashioned Chocolates unique.
variety of choices and colors. They also offer several vegetable plants right as garden season begins. In 2012, they added another feature to their growing business, opening their farm up as a quaint wedding venue perfect for intimate, outdoor ceremonies. “We just let couples do whatever they want. If they want to dance, they can use the pavilion. They don’t have to worry about bringing flowers. The place is already decorated,” says Melody. “It’s perfect for spring through fall.” Brooke Newsom, from Seymour, has been a customer of theirs for several years. “I don’t know how we first heard about Rosewoods, or just how many years we’ve been going exactly, but over the years we’ve brought many relatives and friends to this gem. While the gifts and merchandise have changed over the years, the folks that own and run it have always been sincere and glad to see us back. Yummy treats, unique household items and fancy coffee -- they even have decaf for people like me -- and a cozy atmosphere we can enjoy with others keep bringing us back!” There really is something for everyone. The Boysters are always planting more flowers on the grounds,
brightening up the landscape more with each passing season. There’s a lovely area beneath the pavilion for customers to stop and talk and sip their coffee. For others, it’s the ideal place to shop for gifts. And then there are those, of course, who are there for the coffee and chocolate. It doesn’t matter what reason draws you there, you will not be able to leave before one of the Boyster family members greets you with a kind word and a chocolate sample.
Their quiet farm has grown into a tourist destination just off the beaten path and the family wouldn’t have it any other way. There are hopes and plans for expansion in their future too. Melody says they’ve got lots more to add. In the meantime, they’ll keep making their famous chocolates just as their Grandpa Joe did back in the ‘40s. “Hands down, making chocolate is our favorite part of the job,” said Melody. And they don’t see that changing any time soon.
Their farm is also an equiped quaint wedding venue perfect for intimate, outdoor ceremonies.
February • March 2017 | 63
The Man Behind the Music STORY AND PHOTOS BY SAVANNA KAISER
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very weekend his voice is heard throughout the Ozarks. For the last 40 years, Wayne Glenn has shared his love for music, history and Missouri with listeners on KTXR FM. He’s hosted two programs a week since he first started in radio in 1977 and is often called, “The Old Record Collector.” But his radio show is not where his story begins.
My wife (of now 47 years), Nira, and myself at a 1990s function. 64 |
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It all started with his love for history. Born and raised in Nixa, MO, Wayne grew up on his family’s farm and shared a hobby for radio and records from an early age. He got his master’s degree in education and became a history teacher in Nixa from 1970 to 1975. “I’ve always loved history,” said Wayne. “When I went to college to study history, people would ask me what I was going to do with history? The only thing you can do is teach it, they would say. And I did teach it, but there are several ways to apply history to our lives. I’ve lived my entire adult life making money with history.”
His passion soon drew him to radio. His first shows were fifteen minutes long, where he actually bought time on the air, paying his way. In 1977, Wayne was offered his first show on KTXR. He did a tribute saluting Bing Crosby. The next year he began his three hour, “Remember When” show. Meanwhile, he was still working in education and even became school principal. “I enjoyed it very much, but it soon got to where I had no time off at all. Responsibilities as a principal, being a parent, and doing a weekend show became too much to juggle,” he says. After 14 years of working in education, he decided it was
time to focus on his radio shows. “It was a very difficult decision for me to make.” Wayne had been collecting old records since before he was married and knew they would play a big role in his job at the station. “At the time I started my show in the ‘70s, there weren’t that many ways to hear old music besides going out and buying a record. So that’s what I did. I’d go to auctions and garage sales and buy strictly 78s, the old breakable records of ‘20s, ‘30s and ‘40s music. The only way to get them was to buy an original,” says Wayne. “I spent every dime I could.” By the mid ‘70s, he began to save up money to buy quality albums instead of 78s. The first four he started collecting were Bob Wills and his Texas Playboys, Jimmy Rogers, Gene Autry, and Bing Crosby. He has several rare records and many different musicians, including Glenn Miller, Bette Goodman, Artie Shaw, Cole Porter, Jim Reeves, and thousands more. The Old Record Collector – as he is often called – first started out with a two hour time slot, but the show has since grown to 7 hours on Saturday and 3-½ hours on Sunday. “The show is so unique and unusual. There’s no rhyme to it. I play everything,” Wayne says. He enjoys keeping his listeners guessing. His shows also include old commercials, nostalgic music trivia, and historical anecdotes. Each show features a different theme, such as, “songs about money” or, “songs with a state name in the title” like Missouri Waltz or California Here I Come. “Now that you can go into Youtube and find old sound bytes, I like to include old news clips, commercials, and excerpts from old radio or tv shows. I’ve always grabbed bits of history to tuck before or after a song I play,” says Wayne. “During one show when the theme was saluting the year of 1975, I played a two minute news clip of the attempted assassination of President Ford from September 1975. Another time, when we were saluting the year of 1960, I played the sound byte of President Kennedy winning the election and his acceptance speech.” Wayne says he’s always tried to play songs approximately 30 years before the present date. As the years go by, he continues to move that date up. “I was born in 1947 and here I am playing the music that I grew up with. When I started, I was playing music from a generation, even two, before me.”
During his shows, he also tries to include at least one special song to surprise his listeners with a tune they don’t know. “The songs aren’t necessarily hits. Sometimes they’re silly. Sometimes it’s someone trying to sing that can’t sing. I do that as a novelty. I may never play it again, but you can know without a doubt that you’re playing something people won’t hear anywhere else,” Wayne says.
“I’m just an Ozarks person who enjoys playing good music and teaching a little history along the way. Who I am is really what the show is. I’ve been very blessed to do something I love.”
At the KTXR building in 1987 with Mary Ellen Nelson (left) and Wayne. Mary Ellen named Wayne’s show “Remember When” in 1978.
Through the years, he’s also done several interviews with prominent people. “I was blessed to be able to interview a lot of my idols,” Wayne says with a smile. He met Gene Autry and also interviewed him on the phone. Among his radio interviews, he talked to Roy Rogers, President Ford, and Perry Como. “Some of the best interviews I did was with the widows of famous people, like Mrs. Nat King Cole or Mrs. Jim Reeves, because they saw things more as they really were. They had a more realistic view while the stars themselves couldn’t always see everything the way their spouses could.” Wayne also does 3 or 4 remote shows a year around Springfield. “I do my regular show, but I carry my microphone around and interview people that are there.” He enjoys meeting his listeners face to face and loves it when they call in to his show and request a song. “I still have several callers that surprise me with a request of someone I haven’t heard of. It happens a lot.” In 2000 Wayne started writing. His first few books were on Nixa. “I’d go and talk to people from my parents’ generation and they would love to talk and bring out boxes of photos from their past and tell
me stories. That’s how it started. I felt like I was getting to relive something I had missed.” In all, he’s written 13 books on local/regional history and is currently working on several more projects. Wayne Glenn surrounds himself with history every day, whether it’s writing his books or hosting his radio show. He even had to build a barn for all of his archives and collections, for he also collects old sheet music, memorabilia, old newspapers, and pictures. His music collection, to date, contains over 15,000 records. What he didn’t purchase personally was given to him as a gift from fans. And he often trades, sells, or donates from his collection. The Old Record Collector has hosted over 2,000 shows in his career so far. “Only two of those shows were taped,” says Wayne. “I’ve not taken a family vacation since 1983.” His dedication to music and our local heritage shines in every show he does. February • March 2017 | 65
BACK HOME
in the
HILLS BY LARRY DABLEMONT
To receive the latest issue of Lightnin' Ridge Outdoor Journal, send five dollars to LROJ, Box 22, Bolivar, MO 65613.
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The Value of a Quarter
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ad and I closed up the pool hall one spring night, noting that we had only accumulated a total of 16 dollars as a result of the entire days business. Dad said in order to keep the pool hall going we should average about 20 dollars a day, including the soda pop profit. I was 13 or 14 then, and with all the pool playing and snooker shooting I had done since he bought the place a couple years before, I was getting pretty good at it. So when I would take over running the place after school, allowing grandpa McNew to conclude his day, I began to start looking for easy marks. If I could get someone to play me a game of snooker and I won, then he had to pay 20 cents for the game. If you could get him to bet a soda pop on it, I would end up making 30 cents for the moneybag in 20 minutes. Dad didn’t allow gambling, but he okayed playing a game for a soda pop if no one got into a fight about it. Of course, if I lost a game, there was that 10-cent soda I had to pay for out of the moneybag and twenty minutes wasted that I could have been using to do homework. And that is the reason that my grades never were very good. As much as I wanted to get that homework done, shooting pool and snooker had to be done. It was a case of survival. Not many kids worried more about making money for the family than their homework. It goes to show what a special attitude I had at that age!! Spring and summer were rough times for the pool hall because every one wanted to be outside. Sometimes even the front bench regulars weren’t there when I came in after school in the spring. If there wasn’t a soul in there,
I couldn’t get anyone to play snooker. If we had a rainy day, that really funneled men into the pool hall, and in the winter when weather was bad we did a good business. There were Saturdays in the winter, or rainy days in the spring, when we might take in around 40 bucks. Those were great times, cause Dad would always be so happy. If we made that much on Saturday, Dad always sang a little louder in church on Sunday. I never cared much for going to church on Sunday morning because it took away time Dad and I got to spend on the river. But when ducks were flying in at the beginning of winter, or the goggle-eye were biting in early April, Dad wasn’t one to waste a Sunday on church-going. He just insisted we made it a strong option rather than a stone-engraved necessity. He strongly believed that if you wanted to catch more fish and bag more ducks, you needed to be in church when there wasn’t anything else you needed to do. Today of course, there are few 14-year-old kids worrying about family finances, but I really stressed over those hard times when Dad was worried about paying the pool hall’s electric bill. I offered my ideas on saving money. One was the elimination of my regular hair-cuts. About every three weeks Dad would come to the pool hall before main street businesses closed and send me across the street to the barber shop, in a day when Mr. Holder, the barber, thought that if there was any hair within 3 inches of your ear, it ought to be whacked off. If I had had the nerve to be rebellious, I would have had a fit about that. I’d go back to the pool hall and the old men would all have some kind of smart-aleck remark about how much lower my ears were growing all of a sudden, or how good I smelled or whether or not my cap would fit any more. So I told Dad that I figured he was spending about 20 dollars a year on my haircuts, and that was one whole good days profits in the pool hall, and an absolute waste of money. He thought I was on to something there, and proposed perhaps having Uncle Roy cut my hair. Uncle Roy had three sons and if he had taken all three of them to a barber shop, the annual outlay on haircuts for him
would have been about 60 dollars. His sons, Butch, Dave and Darb, always looked a little scalped, like me and most boys back then, so none of the three relished a haircut delivered on the back porch by their dad. I wonder to this day if I would have had more success with girls if I had ever had hair long enough to see if it curled or not. Eventually I convinced Mr. Holder, who liked to play golf, that if he would cut my hair free, I would keep him well supplied with almost new golf balls I found scouring the weeds around the golf course, which sat up above the McKinney hole on the river, only a little ways from our home. Other golfer-pool players, like Shorty Evans, found out about that and I began to make some pretty good money finding lost golf balls. I got a quarter for the good ones, and any that had bad scuffs or cuts on them were worth a nickel or a dime. When you combine that with the money I made in the summer guiding fishermen on the Piney River, you can understand how I could sometimes accumulate a pretty good sockful of money in my secret hiding place. It wasn’t that I didn’t trust Dad, but you can see how a man hard-pressed to raise a family in that time might be tempted to borrow a little if he knew where I kept that sock. I never did think it was fair – that float trip arrangement. I paddled the old wooden johnboat all day for three or four dollars and Dad got three dollars for renting the boat! But when you consider the way things were when Dad was a kid, I guess I had a pretty good thing going. One of the old timers at the pool hall said that when he was a kid, his dad gave him a nickel to go without supper, then snuck in and stole it out of his overalls pocket while he was asleep, and wouldn’t let him have any breakfast because he had lost the nickel! He didn’t seem to have any lasting effect from that kind of childhood, as he was fairly rotund and happy. But you could make an argument that he suffered psychologically, since he showed up at every church picnic and ate some or all of everything. He would dang near empty our penny peanut machine every time he came in and would put a handful of
peanuts in his soda pop. You could argue he was trying to hide them from someone going back to his boyhood and those stolen nickels. As I think about it today, I come to the realization that what was wrong with me and Dad and those old timers back in those days was the rarity of quarters. I am absolutely sure that for every quarter there was when I was 14 there are a million today. And there is the answer to our problems as a country… lets just make more quarters, and more twentydollar bills. But it might be good to go back to a time when you could trade used golf balls for a haircut. It worked really well once, in a time when my grandpa traded a pig for a 1949 Chevrolet pickup, then traded a bushel of potatoes and a dozen eggs to have some neighbor fix it so it would run. Maybe that kind of thing wouldn’t work today in the city, but I have a boat motor I would trade for a good bird dog! And I have a lawn mower too that I
would trade for about anything. Do you realize the futility of mowing a lawn when you live out in the country? Mowing a patch of weeds like the ones that make up my lawn might kill a baby rabbit or two, or mash some whippoorwill eggs or ruin a patch of wild flowers about to bloom. And what good will it do you?... the whole thing grows back in a couple of weeks just like it was. I know I had something I was wanting to tell you in this column that was really important but now I can’t remember what it was. If I remember it, I will write about it next time. Meanwhile I will leave those of you who constantly praise my poetry with this verse I wrote a night or so ago… Keep in mind that as a poet I do not write under my regular name. My poetry is oft published under Lawrence Arthur Dableaumonte’ as I have noticed that poets ascribe to poetic names, like Harry David Thoreau or Elizabeth Barnett Browning. I call this poem, “Inevitability”.
I am glad to see the spring come, I hope it lasts awhile. The hatching birds and flowers, always makes me smile. The breeze is warm, the fish will bite, and wildlife will be lively. But then before you turn around, summer will arrively. And there’ll be snakes and ticks and heat that hangs on like the plague. Cause spring’s a fleeting young beauty, and summer’s a mean old hag. February • March 2017 | 67
Continued from page 20
RECIPE FOR Pasta Amore Do you long for the taste of oysters, even though we live in a place where fresh oysters are not available? This recipe uses canned oysters to make a quick, tasty pasta sauce that brings out the best in them with a surprisingly fresh taste and texture. 1/3 lb. spaghetti (or linguini, your choice, I used spaghetti #5) 1/2 tsp. olive oil ¼ tsp. salt 4 Tbsp. olive oil 2 Tbsp. diced country bacon, spec or fatback 3 cloves of garlic, thinly sliced 1 can of boiled oysters, drained (save liquid) (of course you can use fresh ones, if you can get them!) sprig of fresh or frozen parsley, minced 1 Tbsp. capers ¼ tsp. sea salt ¼ tsp. coarse black pepper 2 pinches red pepper flakes ½ tsp. anchovy paste 4 Tbsp. butter 1/4 cup dry white wine (I used Pinot Grigio) 4 Tbsp. shaved Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese Boil 2 quarts of cold water in a large pot with the salt and oil, place spaghetti in after it is boiling. In a skillet on medium low heat, brown the bacon bits in the olive oil for about 3 minutes. Add the garlic, saute for another 2 minutes. Add the drained oysters. Toss for about 5 minutes (Stir your pasta occasionally while you are preparing the sauce). Add the capers, salt, black and red peppers, anchovy paste and butter. Mix well. Add half the oyster juice and the wine. Simmer uncovered for 5 minutes, reducing the liquid by about 50 percent. Drain the pasta, add the other half the oyster juice to it, and toss until it is absorbed. Put half of the pasta in each of 2 bowls. Pour half of the oyster mixture on each and top with the shaved cheese. Garnish with lemon slices or fresh parsley. Serve with a nice cold white wine, like the rest of the Pinot Grigio!
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Broiled Salmon with Mushrooms 2 lbs. salmon fillet, skin on 3 Tbsp. canola oil 1/4 tsp. ground coriander salt and freshly ground black pepper 1 small red bell pepper, diced 1 small onion, diced 2 Tbsp. finely chopped ginger (or 1 tsp. Powdered ginger) 8 oz. Pkg. Baby portabella mushrooms, sliced 1/4 cup honey 3 Tbsp. rice vinegar 1 Tbsp. reduced-sodium soy sauce 1 tsp. Asian chili sauce (like Sriracha) 1 tsp. Cornstarch Position an oven rack about 8-inches away from the broiler element and heat the broiler to high. Oil a large, rimmed baking sheet. Set the salmon skin side down on the baking sheet, sprinkle with 1 tablespoon oil, coriander, 1/2 tsp. salt, and 1/2 tsp. pepper, and let sit at room temperature while you prepare the sauce. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the red pepper, onion, and ginger in the remaining 2 tablespoons oil, stirring occasionally, until the red pepper and onion start to soften and brown, about 3 minutes. Add the mushrooms, raise the heat to medium-high, sprinkle with 1/4 tsp. salt, and cook, stirring, until they soften and start to brown, about 3 minutes. Add the honey, vinegar, soy sauce, chili sauce, and 1/4 cup water, and bring to a simmer. Whisk the cornstarch with 1 tsp. water and stir into the glaze. Return to a simmer and cook until the glaze thickens, about 1 minute. Remove from the heat. Broil the salmon until it starts to brown and becomes almost firm to the touch, about 8 minutes. Spoon the glaze over the salmon and return to the oven and broil for about 1 more minute so the glaze browns and the salmon almost completely cooks through (check by using a paring knife to flake a thicker part of the fillet). Transfer to a large platter, and serve.
Arugula Salad with Honey Pomegranate Dressing Dressing: 1 cup pomegranate seeds 3 green onions cleaned and sliced 1 Tbsp. olive oil 1 Tbsp. honey 1 tsp. apple cider vinegar Place a small pan over medium to low heat and add green onions, olive oil, honey, apple cider vinegar and pomegranate seeds. Stirring occasionally for 1-2 minutes until honey begins to dissolve. Once dissolved, remove from heat and set aside. Salad: ½ lb. fresh arugula 1 cup julienned carrots 1 avocado, sliced into quarter-inch pieces ½ cup toasted almonds cracked pepper coarse salt Wash and spin arugula. In large salad bowl, toss with carrots and avocado. Top with nuts, sprinkle with small amount of pepper and salt. Top with pomegranate dressing and serve immediately.
Thai Iced Coffee Very strong black regular grind coffee, sufficient to brew 4 cups 2 tsp. ground cardamom ½ tsp. ground cinnamon 1 small pinch ground white pepper 4 Tbsp. sugar 4 Tbsp. heavy cream 1 tsp. almond flavoring crushed ice Add the cardamom, cinnamon and pepper to the ground coffee, and brew the coffee; when the coffee is brewed, add the sugar and almond flavoring, mix well and then let the coffee cool to lukewarm. Fill four 12-ounce glasses half-way to the rim with crushed ice and then fill two-thirds full with coffee; into each glass, stir about 1 tablespoon of heavy cream. To achieve a layered effect, hold a spoon on top of the coffee and pour the cream slowly into the spoon so that the cream floats on top of the glass over the coffee. Serve immediately.
Broiled Asparagus with Truffle Oil 1 lb asparagus, washed and trimmed 2 Tbsp. olive oil 1 tsp. seasoned salt (like Cavender’s) salt and pepper 2-3 Tbsp. truffle oil 1/3 of a cup shaved Parmigiano-Reggiano Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Place asparagus on baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil, seasoned salt, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Toss lightly to coat asparagus. Roast for 8-10 minutes. Remove from oven and drizzle with truffle oil. Transfer to a serving platter and top with shaved Parmesan cheese.
Cinnamon-Laced Chocolate Lava Cakes 8 Tbsp. unsalted butter, plus extra for ramekins 1 cup sugar 10 oz. semisweet chocolate 1 tsp. vanilla extract 1 tsp. ground cinnamon 1 pinch chili powder 1/2 tsp. salt 4 large eggs 2 large egg yolks ¼ cup all-purpose flour Powdered sugar for garnish, Vanilla ice cream and chocolate syrup. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Coat 8 (4-ounce) ramekins with butter and dust with granulated sugar (like you would grease and flour a cake pan). Set aside. In a medium sized glass bowl, microwave chocolate 20 seconds at a time, stirring each time until smooth. Add remaining 8 tablespoons of butter to the chocolate, stirring until melted and combined. Fold in the vanilla extract, cinnamon, chili powder and salt. Set aside. In the bowl of a stand mixer, fitted with a whisk, add the eggs, egg yolks, and 1 cup of sugar. Whisk on medium-high until the eggs triple in volume (about three minutes). Gently fold in the chocolate mixture. Sift the flour into the bowl and gently fold to incorporate. Pour the batter into the ramekins, dividing evenly. Arrange the ramekins onto a cookie sheet. Bake until the tops are set but the center wiggles slightly when lightly shaken, about 18 to 20 minutes. Serve immediately, dusted with powdered sugar and beside a scoop of vanilla ice cream topped with mini-chocolate chips and chocolate syrup.
February • March 2017 | 69
The Hermit of Crazy Hollow YO U C A N'T JU DGE A BO O K BY IT 'S COVER STORY BY STAN FINE
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or Larry and his wife Nancy the nightly television broadcast of the ten o’clock news signaled the end of the day’s waking hours and ushered in the time of sleep. The couple relaxed each evening, he in his favorite chair and she on the sofa, as the daily events taking place far from the couple’s Southwest Missouri Ozarks home were reported. The two usually enjoyed a time of unspoken words as the news, weather and sports announcers went about their business, but one hot summer night prompted several moments of conversation. As the news’ anchorman spoke, and he moved from one topic to another, Larry and Nancy’s attention was drawn to a story about a fire in the Mark Twain Forest area of southern Missouri. The reported fire resulted in the destruction of a small isolated cabin and the death of an unidentified man. The origin of the fire was unknown and efforts were underway to ascertain the deceased man’s true identity. Nancy slowly raised herself from the sofa and as she stood she said, “Going to bed are you coming?” Without turning away from the small television screen Larry replied, “Wait a minute, listen to this.” 70 |
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As the newscaster described the cabin and the poor soul who died in the fire, Nancy also found her eyes fixated on the television’s screen as she lowered herself back onto the sofa. The news came to a conclusion when the anchor person asked that anyone with information as to the identity of the deceased please call the television station. The silence was deafening as Larry looked toward Nancy. At that exact moment Nancy also turned her head and looked at Larry. “Do you think that could be Cedrick?” she asked. “I don’t know, but it sure sounds like it could be him,” he replied. After an hour or so of discussion the couple made a decision. Larry called the television station and offered the possibility that the name of the man described on the newscast was Cedrick McKnight, formerly of Noel, Missouri. Larry and Nancy had far too much to talk about therefore the bed and its promise of sleep had to wait. Nancy remembered the one-time neighbor and his unusual lifestyle, while Larry thought about the first and last times he saw Cedrick. He also recalled the undeserved reputation Cedrick received; people said he was crazy and some speculated that he may even be dangerous.
As a youngster Larry enjoyed the unencumbered life that some young boys lived. He heard the whispers spoken about the fellow who owned the parcel of land not far from Blankenship Hollow where his family lived, but Larry was not convinced that Cedrick McKnight was anything more than someone who preferred to live alone. It was true that was Cedrick was a man of very few words; a fact that Larry knew from first-hand knowledge. The family trips to Noel in the old truck often found the solitary neighbor pushing his wooden wheelbarrow along the dusty Noel to Pineville road. At first the truck passed Cedrick without even slowing and the family waved as the dust rolled up behind the truck and onto the man. But there came a day when Larry’s father stopped the truck alongside the man and his wheelbarrow. “Like a ride?” Larry’s father asked. “No,” Cedrick answered with but a single and definitive sounding word. “What’s in the cart?” it appeared Larry’s father required more conversation than just that single word. “Nuts,” the man of few words replied. “Well, okay then, it sure is a hot one, are you sure?” “Yes,” the quiet man again replied. The old truck picked up a little speed as the vehicle rolled away and toward Noel. Larry later learned that Cedrick collected the fallen nuts and traded or sold them at Kilmer’s Grocery. As Larry aged and the number of his years could be expressed in two numbers he grew to know Cedrick better. Although the man rarely spoke in sentences of more than a word or two there came a day when Larry’s travels took him near the solitary man’s cabin. The small one-room cabin built of stones gathered one-by-one from the bed of a nearby creek rested in a small clearing barely large enough for the structure itself. A well not far from the cabin supplied any needed water and there were no barns, sheds or any other buildings. As Larry walked along a path he heard a voice. “Hey, come over here.” It was Cedrick. As Larry’s head turned in the direction of the voice he saw Cedrick standing near the cabin’s front door. Larry had come to know Cedrick, better than anyone else most likely, and thought to himself how odd it was that Cedrick would initiate a conversation. The teenager walked to the cabin and stopped, “Hi Cedrick.” “Would you like to see the inside of the
cabin, I’ll bet you’re a little curious about it, aren’t you,” Cedrick asked. “Sure,” Larry replied. The cabin was neat and although it was sparsely furnished it appeared that everything had a purpose and nothing frivolous was added to the room. The air smelled of smoke; most likely the remnants of wood burned in the stone constructed corner fireplace. Two small windows allowed some light to enter the cabin and Larry thought it to be somewhat curious that the glass in the window panes was so very clean. It was obvious that Cedrick was a very organized and tidy person; something which the young boy had never considered or thought
much about. Even the old .22 rifle that, suspended by only two large nails, hung over the door seemed to be neatly kept in its proper place. Cedrick offered the 18-year-old boy a seat and as if he wanted to clear the air about some, at least perceived misconception he began to speak. “I was a banker in Kansas City and I was doing very well until the day of the stock market crash in 1929. Then everything changed as people’s lives were shattered. Many blamed the bankers for their misfortunes and I decided to leave my profession, and leave my home. ‘I packed two suitcases and boarded a train for I knew not where. After several
hours the train pulled into and stopped in a small town called Noel. I decided that the small town would be my new home and holding the two bags stepped off that train. This piece of ground was for sale so I purchased it, built the cabin, and by design, have lived a solitary life.” Larry recalls how awkward the moment seemed and how he now feels ashamed that his only words were, “Well, I better get going.” The years quietly slipped away and Larry grew into manhood. He and Nancy were married and the two bought several acres of land that adjoined the property owned by Cedrick. The couple raised three children on that patch of earth while Cedrick continued to live alone in the old cabin. Larry and Cedrick did see more of one another and as the two became more comfortable with each other, more words were exchanged. Several years later Cedrick came to Larry’s front door and asked if he wanted to buy the five acres of land he had called home. Larry asked why he was leaving and Cedrick would only say that he was going to visit his family and the time had come for him to leave Noel. Larry agreed to purchase the five acres known as “Crazy Hollow.” He never again saw the elderly and solitary man, Cedrick McKnight. About a year after hearing of the fire and the man’s death, a car pulled into Larry’s driveway. As Larry looked through his living room window he knew he didn’t recognize the man and woman seated in the car and noticed the Texas license plate affixed to the vehicle’s front bumper. As the woman walked toward the house Larry opened the door and said, “Hi.” The woman responded with, “Hello. I realize you don’t know me but are you by chance the one who called the news station about the man that died in the fire a year ago?” “Yes,” Larry said. “Well, I’m a relative of his and that man was Cedrick.” “I’m sorry to hear that,” Larry replied. As the threesome walked to the hollow where the old cabin still stood the three talked about Cedrick, sometimes laughing about his peculiarities. The couple eventually said goodbye and the woman thanked Larry for helping to bring closure to the life of the man who chose to live a life of solitude, Cedrick. Over the years Larry came to understand that an old adage very succinctly described Cedrick and his way of life; “You can’t judge a book by its cover.” February • March 2017 | 71
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Totally unrelated, a thin onion skin is supposed to mean the coming winter will be mild. So when you're peeling that onion to soak up the bad germs in the air, pay attention to the skin.
OLLOW
Ozark Remedies for Winter Ailments BY WES FRANKLIN
Winter is my second favorite season, behind fall.
As I get older, spring edges closer to replacing winter as season number two, but I still enjoy winter. I'm not saying I particularly like driving in deep snow, and I never like ice, I just appreciate the clear “freshness” of winter. The flies and ticks and weeds die off and it's like the world gets a clean slate. Snow can make a beautiful landscape, of course, and there is something very “Ozarks” in seeing a red cardinal on a snow dusted cedar branch, especially if there is also a strong scent of woodsmoke in the air. It's a scene that could just as well be clipped from the 1800s, and for a second you're transported there in mind and soul. However, with winter often comes sickness. The hill folk of the Ozarks knew they had to deal with a lot of common ailments. They developed treatments and passed them down from 72 |
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one generation to the next. These were eventually recorded for posterity by folklorists – such as Vance Randolph, from whom I like to share. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, as I've heard, and that's why Ozarkers liked to tie a big red onion to their bedposts at night to ward off colds. Now, there just might be something to that, as I've also heard in modern times not to save a raw onion after you cut it, because they absorb bacteria. Some people, and I admit I have done it, still leave out a peeled raw onion, sliced in half, to “soak up the germs” during cold season, or particularly when someone in the house is already sick. I don't know if it really helps or not. Maybe.
Another preventative measure is to immediately spit whenever you see a woolly worm or a caterpillar. It is supposed to keep the chills away. You probably already know the winter weather prediction related to the woolly worm. Dirty socks sewn under the collar will also help ward off colds and flues. I kind of like that one, though I've never tried it. Perhaps I should. My wife says no. Carry around a piece of a hog trough in your pocket and, when hopefully no one is looking, rub it over your face and throat every day to keep the mumps at bay. For measles, the treatment isn't quite as “pleasant”-- A tea made of sheep manure and sugar. There is another tea remedy you can try, however, made from the green twigs of the spicebush (Benzoin aestivale). I believe I'd try the spicebush tea first. Speaking of teas, there are quite a few that are supposed to be good for relieving cold and flu symptoms. For a sore throat and/or cough, try sumac berry tea, muillen flower tea, wild geranium tea, horehound tea, or pine needles soaked overnight and boiled down with sorghum. Personally, at our house we use an elderberry throat coat made from elderberry juice, lemon juice, and honey. Elderberries have other general health properties as well. For head colds try a tea made from basswood flowers. Red pepper tea with butter and sugar will clear the head as well, though I'm not sure if the remedy might not be worse than the ailment. A tea made from the bark of the wild plum tree is a good treatment for bronchitis and asthma, as well as teas made from sumac leaves or berries. You can also try milkweed root tea, which some folks used to help treat consumption.
There are at least a couple of different poultices that can be used to treat pneumonia. One is concocted with chicken manure and lard. No? Ok. Another poultice is made from hopvine cones and leaves. Sound better? Rheumatism can especially act up wintertime, and for that a buzzard feather worn in the hair, or otherwise on the person, is one treatment. You can also carry a potato in your pocket. Or a black walnut. Or a buckeye. Good teas for rheumatism include those made from wahoo shrub bark, pokeroot, celery leaf, sulpher and sorghum molasses, yams and polkberry. You can also just eat the polkberries themselves if preserved from the summer.
“God Almighty never put us here without a remedy for every ailment.” Vance Randolph Now, you may be thinking, “aren't polkberries poisonous?” So I have always been told, and so they even may be. I'm not seriously recommending them. However, I once knew a man who ate them by the handful with seemingly no adverse effects. I wouldn't have believed it except I saw him do it myself. Then again, as a youth I also once accidentally killed a bunch of goldfish in a stock tank after I rinsed out a bucket that I had used to smash up polkberries for “warpaint.” I got into a lot of trouble over that one, as I was accused of almost poisoning our horses. All of these Ozark hill remedies are real in the sense that they were once actually believed in. Some may actually be helpful. Others are probably nothing more than a placebo, if that. A few may do more harm than good. I hope you realize I only share them here in fun. As one Ozarker told Vance Randolph: “God Almighty never put us here without a remedy for every ailment. Out in the woods there's plants that will cure all kinds of sickness, and all we got to do is hunt for 'em.”
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TheLast Word
“Like the seeds dreaming beneath the snow your heart dreams of spring.” Khalil Gibran
“O, wind, if winter comes, can spring be far behind?”
Percy Bysshe Shelley 74 |
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“It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold: when it is summer in the light, and winter in the shade.”
Charles Dickens
“To live is so startling it leaves little time for anything else.”
Emily Dickinson
f e uge R t a C g i B r e i m e r P s ’ a c Ameri Guided Tours Hourly Education Station On Site Lodging Campground & RV Sites Groups Welcome 479.253.5841 • TurpentineCreek.org 7 Miles South of Eureka Springs on Hwy 23 239 Turpentine Creek Lane, Eureka Springs, Arkansas
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