Cm march web

free

inspiring &educating A special supplement of Connection

Releasing the brakes on a young girl’s dream

Aubree Rogerson is gearing up to dominate the motocross circuit

March 2014

March 2014 Connection Magazine | 1

2 | Connection Magazine

March 2014

INSIDE: MARCH 2014 CONNECTION MAGAZINE

connection living 35 Less TV time = more play time

inspiring and educating

41 GREEN ACRES GIRL Baby in the beans 38 Over the river and through the woods

8 Releasing the brakes on a young girl’s dream 14 A violin instructor laying a foundation 19 The piano teacher without limits 24 More than just a place to exercise 29 Verona’s historic Sunday school 32 A helping hand

43 HEALTHY CONNECTION Are you at risk for NAFLD? 45 BOOK REVIEW The light between oceans

connection food 47 A tasty enterprise 50 BOTTLES AND BREWS Irish inspiration 52 DINE OUT Area restaurant directory 53 FROM THE RECIPE BOX ¡Muy caliente!

community connection 55 ON THE SPOT Pam Foland 56 MY CONNECTION 60 FAMILIAR FACES 65 CONNECTION EVENTS

MARCH 2014

on the cover:

Read how little powerhouse, Aubree Rogerson is making mud fly as an up and coming motocross racer on page 8.

Photo provided by Glory Hog Action Sports Media, Kurt Schellenberger, photographer, of Columbia, Mo. (www.gloryhog.com).

CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 3

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DiStriBUtion greg gilliam kevin Funcannon to aDVertiSe 417-847-2610 - cassville 417-235-3135 - Monett Send e-mail inquiries to thorntonlives@gmail.com Mailing address: P.o. Box 486, cassville, Mo 65625 connection is published monthly and distributed free in cassville, Monett, exeter, Washburn, Pierce city, Mt. Vernon, aurora, Verona, roaring river, eagle rock, Shell knob, Purdy, Wheaton, Freistatt, Marionville, Seligman, golden and other surrounding areas. connection is a publication of the cassville Democrat, the Monett times and rust communications.

March 2014

editor’s note

Come Meet the Friendly Employees

“If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant: if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome.”

– Anne Bradstreet, poet and writer

Nothing makes a person appreciate a warm, sunny day more than enduring this long, cold winter. I don’t know about all of you, but I am happy to put this winter behind us. I am in hopes that this year’s brutal “Polar Vortex” will not be a recurring phenomenon.

Even though we cursed the cold air and high heating bills, do you notice that it is our human nature to press onward with hope, and to look toward the future with optimism? Whether we are dealing with a cold winter, or some other worrisome problem, it is, thankfully, part of our survival mechanism to dream of Spring, and better days.

As editor of Connection, it thrills me to be able to share stories of hope and inspiration. Not only because it is fun, but it is a hope of mine that it can be uplifting and enriching to you – even if you are going through a rough, cold winter.

This month, Meagan Ruffing and Susan Funkhouser have written about two amazing music teachers who inspire, teach and share in different ways; and they both happen to be natives of Arizona! Meagan and Susan are both gifted with an ability to write stories about those among us that we should know about, and I thank them both for sharing that gift. Layne Sleeth, a Cassville native, is pursuing higher education in Fayetteville, Ark., and is one of our newest contributors. In this issue, she gives us a glimpse into the life of artist Doug Hall, who is nationally known for his Native American art. Through Layne’s words and photography, we capture a bit of the beauty this artist surrounds himself in, and interprets through his art.

It is a blessing to live in a community filled with people willing to join together and help inspire and educate. Steve Chapman’s stories about the YMCA growth in our community over the last 10 years, and Scott Tech’s Transition and Resource Expo show that kind of consolidated dedication.

Speaking of dedication, those of you who know Jim Bower, would agree that Jim has been an important part of the distribution of Connection throughout the southern area of our readership. I appreciate the devotion he has shown to getting Connection to our distribution sites, so it can be shared with all our readers. Jim is now retiring from his route, and I know all of those within his route will miss his monthly visits. But, it’s great that Jim will have time to do a little fishing, now. Thank you, Jim. Yes, Spring is here. Warm days are ahead, trees will soon bud and the brown terrain will soon turn to green again. Enjoy the sunshine!

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March 2014

Inspiring & Educating A special supplement of Connection

8

Releasing the brakes on a young girl’s dream

14

A violin instructor laying a foundation

19

The piano teacher without limits

24

More than just a place to exercise

29

Verona Sunday School

32

A helping hand March 2014 Connection Magazine | 7

8 | connection Magazine

March 2014

ON A YOUNG GIRL’S DREAM story by kerry hays photos by kerry hays aNd gLory hog Media

Aubree Rogerson is a precocious just-turned 7-year-old girl, who you will rarely find playing with a Barbie princess doll set complete with tiara and necklace. More likely, Aubree can be found wearing a custom-painted helmet with her gloved hand wrapped around the throttle of a 50cc motorcycle, revving up for the start of a motocross race.

“I had a yamaha when I was little – I rode that around, and I liked it,” said Aubree.

“My dad let me keep riding, because I had fun with it.”

This small motorcycle with training wheels was the logical step up for a child who learned how to ride a bicycle at the age of 2 – especially coming from a family that has ridden motorcycles for several generations.

“I’ve always rode, and she’s taken an interest in what I’ve done,” said Cody Rogerson, Aubree’s father. “We have some other family members that ride as well – grandparents and uncles. In a sense, even though she’s only 7, she’s grown up around it.”

March 2014

In addition to training wheels, this first bike also included a limiter on the throttle to prevent her from tiring out her father, who would run alongside while Aubree learned the skills necessary to ride a motorcycle.

It wouldn’t take long for her to move on to a KTM Junior 50cc with more power, better suspension, no training wheels, and even better, no option for a limiter. It would become her first racing bike.

While most kids in kindergarten were learning colors, numbers, letters and simple words, Aubree mastered these skills and added motorcycle racing on curves and straightaways to her weekly routine. connection Magazine | 9

“I work on my corner technique, speed and straightaways,” Aubree shared. “When starting, I grab the breaks and hold the gas until the gate goes down. When the gate drops, let go of your breaks and hold the gas.”

Training takes place on a variety of local tracks during the week, although the family has made a commitment that schoolwork will always come first. Aubree ran her first race in September 2012, when she was 5 years old, at

10 | Connection Magazine

Sundance MX Park in Arkansas – owned by a friend of her father’s where she spent most of her training time. Aubree soon learned the routine that takes place on race day when she enters a track prepared to compete.

“When we come to a race, she’ll actually race twice in each class that she’s in, and they’ll average the scores out.” Cody explained. “In the first race choosing your gate position is usually a random draw.

They’ll take the entrants from that specific class, and they’ll pick your gate in the order of however they draw. Based on how you finish in that race, that will determine your pick for the next one. For example, if she wins the first race, or moto as we call it, she’ll have first gate pick for the next race if she wants it.”

The racing season begins in February and runs until December. During her first full year of racing, Aubree competed in nearly 30 races. She won her first race of many at Sundance in March of last year.

“She was still in the 4 to 6-year-old class then,” Cody said. “We had been down there, for a day or two before the race, working with her. I’ll never forget it because she won, and got back to the trailer with her motorcycle.

She beat me there, because I had to run there from the middle of track while she gets to ride her bike. She leaned her bike up along the trailer, and she was roaming around trying to find me. When she saw me, she started running and crying, and she had her hands up in the air saying, ‘Dad I did it, I did it.’ She was really excited. That was her first moto, and she actually went on to win the second one that day as well.”

In many of the races she enters, Aubree is usually the only girl that competes – a point that doesn’t sit too well with the boys, particularly when she wins. In time, she’s come to be friends with most of the boys who originally admonished her for competing in a “boys” sport.

“The little boys that she races with are her bodyguards,” Cody shared. “She wanders around the pits since she’s very social, and she’s got this trail of boys that follow along behind her to protect her.”

Aubree had enough success at the 4 to 6-year-old class that she gave up winning more trophies to accept the challenge of racing in the older 7 to 9-year-old class, as well as the open class, which takes ages 4 to 9. Racing in an older class came with a KTM Senior – still at 50cc’s, but with more power, better suspension travel, and the ability to jump.

“I like jumping, but I don’t do it very much, because sometimes I don’t twist the gas enough,” Aubree said. “One time when I was down at Sundance, I ‘Supermaned’ one of their jumps.”

Cody remembered the incident well and continued the story from his perspective.

March 2014

“ “She decided to try it, and she went off of it, but she wasn’t quite prepared for what it was like to do that. Her feet came off and the only thing she was holding onto it with was her hands.” Cody said. “She somehow pulled it off and got back situated on the motorcycle before it landed back on the ground. I was actually running to her anticipating the crash that was going to follow after.”

Aubree come down with two tires that time, but she has crashed on many occasions, and she readily admits that it does hurt. yet, she’ll still get back up on the bike – sometimes finishing the race in dramatic fashion.

“We were at an arena cross race last winter,” Cody shared, “and she decided for whatever reason to pick the biggest, tallest and longest distance jump to try it out that no one else in her class or class above her had tried. She made it most of the way, but the landing had a pretty good impact, and it bounced her off. She cried pretty good, but when I asked her if she wanted to be done and sit the race out and wait for the next race to come up, she said ‘no’, and got back on and took off again.”

March 2014

Cody and his girlfriend, Cynthia Cook, fully support Aubree in her desire to participate as an MX racer. Both adults have offered Aubree the option to participate in other activities, but she always seems to come back to racing as her passion.

“I was afraid that she would follow it because dad likes it,” Cody shared. “We’ve tried t-ball and winter league basketball – she seems to enjoy that. We also tried dance, but that and t-ball were pretty much a no-go, because she was going to have to miss races.”

While most girls in first grade dream of Barbie dolls for Christmas, Aubree asked for, and received, a collection of dirt track action figures complete with transport truck and MX bikes, according to Cynthia. Aubree sleeps in a bedroom full of trophies won and framed posters signed by her professional MX heroes. She has a “good feeling” about the future and has set an ambitious goal, which seems to be off to a good start.

“I want to be the first girl to be a motocross racer and race the boys on TV,” Aubree shared. Perhaps this princess dream will come true. n connection Magazine | 11

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A violin instructor is

laying a foundation

for young musicians in Mt. Vernon Story by Meagan Ruffing Photos by Sherry Tucker

Amelia McEntire, 15 of Monett, has taken lessons from Katrina for a little more than a year.

14 | Connection Magazine

Originally from Mesa, Arizona, Katrina Coquillard moved to Missouri in 2005 when she attended Ozark Christian College in Joplin and double majored in children’s ministry and psychology. She now lives in Mt. Vernon and spends the majority of her days being a mom and teaching violin lessons.

Katrina’s music career originally began when she was in the fourth grade.

“My parents thought that I should play an instrument,” she says. With Katrina’s school offering orchestra and band, she thought there was no better time to begin. “I knew I didn’t want to play an instrument that I had to put my mouth on. The violin is a really beautiful sounding instrument and it’s unique.”

Katrina went down to her local music store and rented a violin.

“There are different sizes,” she says.

“I started on a ¾ size and went up to a full size. By the time I was in sixth grade, I had gotten to the highest level March 2014

Katrina with husband, trevor, and sons Jace and Cooper

of elementary school violin. I got to play at a Diamondbacks game and started taking private lessons in the seventh grade.”

Music is something that Katrina grew up with. Her dad was a drummer and still drums in a local jazz band. Her younger brother, Adam, plays the cello and Katrina rounds out the bunch by playing the violin, the viola and the piano.

When Katrina was in the fifth grade, her father spent an entire summer teaching her how to play the piano because he thought she was out of tune. “He did what he would call ‘ear training,’” says Katrina.

As the years went on, Katrina continued to get better. In fact, Katrina got so good that she started playing solo in front of a panel of judges at ensemble festivals. Opportunities like playing the violin at Disneyland, Carnegie Hall and a mission trip to Peru started to come her way. “When I went to Peru my senior year I got to play in different cities,” she says.

With all of this playing, came a lot of practicing. Katrina says she practiced about 30-45 minutes every day for five days a week.

As a classically trained violinist, Katrina was given the opportunity to play at The living Christmas Tree in Ozark, for the Missouri Southern Symphony Orchestra and in college at Ozark Christian College.

The teaching side of things didn’t take off until the fall of 2011. “I was talking to Tim Snyder [of Tim Snyder Music Lessons], and he was teaching violin lessons,” explains Katrina. “He had heard me play on the worship team a few times and was looking to expand his business. I felt like I could take on more advanced students so he transitioned a lot of his violin students to me.”

Katrina is currently training 12 students

on violin, and she holds 30 minute practice sessions on Mondays and Tuesdays at King’s Way Christian Church in Mt. Vernon. “I either teach in the Java House or the Tiny Tots room,” she says. “We usually teach lessons by semester and get a lot of our business from word of mouth.”

Katrina says a lot of her students start out playing band in high school, so most of the people she works with have some sort of musical background. But, she is open to teaching anyone who has an interest in learning. “There’s a lot of technique that goes into playing the violin,” she says. “I think it does teach you a lot of discipline, and I think it teaches you how to accept constructive criticism. In order to learn something like that, you have to get up in front of people and not be so nervous. It teaches you good work ethic.

In order to excel at something, you really have to put the time into it and be dedicated to it.”

The idea that Katrina gets to share her knowledge with others who also have a passion for music, is something she says has been really enjoyable. “I feel like most of my students are committed to it,” (playing) says Katrina, “and I would encourage them to practice every day that they can, for at least 30 minutes.”

While being a stay at home mom to her two sons, two-year-old Jace and sevenmonth-old Cooper is her first priority, Katrina manages to juggle it all while holding an important role in her community as the pastor’s wife. Katrina’s husband, Trevor, is the teaching pastor at King’s Way Christian Church. “I met Trevor when I was 14,” says Katrina. The two have been married for nearly seven years and continue to invest in each other’s personal interests. Reading, writing and dancing are just a few of the pastimes that Katrina really enjoys.

Katrina also teaches viola, which is similar to the violin, but plays lower octaves and has one different string, as well as piano lessons for beginner students. “I love teaching,” says Katrina. “It’s been great being a stay-at-home mom and teaching.” n

If you are interested in taking violin, viola or beginner piano lessons from Katrina, please call her at 480-229-2287 or via email at katrinaballerina@gmail. com. Katrina is also available to play at weddings, banquets and parties.

March 2014 Connection Magazine | 15

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March 2014

The piano teacher without limits story By Susan Funkhouser

Musician Stevie Wonder once noted, “Music is a world within itself, with a language we all understand.” As we celebrate Music in Our Schools Month, it is my honor to introduce to you a beautiful woman who has made it her life’s mission to make Wonder’s words ring true in the ears and hearts of some very special musicians.

Dixie Breon grew up in Yuma, Victory or victor Arizona, where she began playing Dixie continued to teach students of goal on my syllabus within the first year.” piano at the tender age of 3. “We got a all ages and backgrounds in Yuma and the Dixie taught Victor to play piano using the piano from Sears & Roebuck. I learned surrounding area. One of her students was color system she learned as a small child.

In so doing, she discovered within Victor a to play by color.” She continued her a medical doctor. Through him she met his hidden talent. “He was very rhythmic. When musical instruction throughout her son, Victor, a student born with Cerebral Palsy. “At age 12 he didn’t know his colors or I sang or played a song, he immediately childhood, learning from her brother, his ABCs, but I prepared a piano syllabus for copied the rhythm.” who studied under a concert pianist.

A few years later, Dixie encouraged him and began instruction.”

When she was 16 years old, Dixie’s Not everyone thought Dixie’s mission him to try summer band, but again she mother invited her to take on her first to teach Victor piano was a wise one. “His was met with resistance. His band teacher piano student, a girl with a muscular classroom teacher confronted me about informed her, “There is no way we have time to work with him. He can participate only if my motives in teaching Victor.

He doubted disorder. “She wore braces on her somebody comes with him to help.” his ability to learn, which inspired me even arms and legs. Her doctor told her Not to be deterred in her mission, more to show, through Victor, what music she needed to use her fingers more.”

Dixie enlisted the services of her son, who can accomplish in a person’s life.”

Dixie began teaching the girl and accompanied Victor each day. “He did very As is often the case, time and discovered her passion for giving the dedication would prove the doubter wrong. well. He marched with the JV band during gift of music to people. “I was sold.” his high school years.”

“Victor and I accomplished almost every March 2014 Connection Magazine | 19

Becky meets Bach In 1991, Dixie met a 17-year-old girl with Down Syndrome. Carol Insco approached Dixie with a piano proposition grounded in realistic expectations. “She asked if I would be willing to teach Becky piano. She said, ‘She has a keyboard and just wants to learn to play hymns with chords.’”

Carol Insco recalls the initial conversation with Dixie. “She said, ‘Let’s pray about it.’ I prayed and she prayed. Then she said, ‘Let’s get started!’”

Becky achieved enormous progress in the first few months, finishing the introductory book in record time. Reveling in the accomplishments of her student, Dixie approached Carol with a new proposal. “I told her, ‘I think Becky can learn to play regular music.’ We discussed Becky’s limitations and set new goals for the next six months.”

Dixie asked for and was granted a six-month trial period. At the end of that time Becky played in a recital, and the family bought a piano. Year after year Dixie and Becky continued to work and learn, and their efforts paid off. “Becky performed at a recent Special Olympics talent show in Yuma. She played Bach’s Minuet in G.” Those privileged to attend a Special Olympics event know that the athletes

Becky plays Bach’s Minuet in G at the Special Olympics Talent Show in Yuma, Arizona.

Long-distance pals and pianists, Dixie and Becky.

cheer for one another as they compete.

Becky’s performance in Yuma was no exception. Dixie relates, “When Becky started playing, they all began clapping and cheering, ‘Go Becky!’ When she finished she stood up and raised her arms skyward in victory. Everyone was so excited. I was in

tears! It was such a special moment.”

Carol Insco and her daughter consider Dixie a family member. “I cannot say enough words to express our appreciation for what Dixie does for us. We are like sisters.

I believe Becky’s achievements must be credited entirely to Dixie and the Lord.”

Music comes to Missouri The bond shared between Dixie and the Inscos led to heartbreak when Dixie and her husband, Dennis, moved to Southwest Missouri in 2004. Carol recalls, “I cried and cried. Who else would be willing to teach piano to a special needs student?”

The Breons moved to rural Monett to be closer to their four children, all of whom pursued higher education at universities in Missouri, but she couldn’t forget her star student in Arizona. “I started giving Becky piano lessons over speakerphone.” The unorthodox classroom setting was wildly successful, and soon Dixie began long-distance instruction with Carol’s grandchildren, one of whom has Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Carol notes, “I figured if she can teach Becky, she can surely teach my grandsons!” Dixie continued to teach her three Arizona students via speakerphone until Christmas 2012, when she received a laptop and access to Skype. Dixie laughs, “With Skype, I quickly learned that it only takes a second for my young students to be under or on top of 20 | Connection Magazine

the piano! I laid down a new rule – you must remain seated at the piano for the duration of the lesson!”

Skype also provided a laughable moment for Carol. “Dixie travels to Arizona once or twice a year to teach Becky and my grandchildren in person. On her first visit after starting Skype lessons my grandson called me and yelled, “Grandma! Come over here! The piano teacher has jumped out of the computer! She’s here!”

While continuing piano instruction with her students in Arizona, Dixie also shares her gifts in Missouri. She performs at local nursing homes and at the Hulston Cancer Center in Springfield. She also plays keyboard at Newsite Baptist Church in Monett, where she met Purdy High School Vocal Music Instructor Lauren Lee. “I filled in when the Purdy choir’s accompanist went on maternity leave. After she had her baby, she decided not to come back, so I stayed.”

Dixie travels to Purdy several times each week to play for the choir and work with

Dixie accompanies the Ozark 7 Choir, consisting of high school performers from Purdy, Verona, Exeter, Southwest and Thomas Jefferson.

March 2014

students on contest solos and ensembles.

When introducing Dixie at concerts Mrs. Lee always proclaims, “I could not make it without her!”

In addition to her work with the Purdy choir and her church, Dixie also teaches piano to approximately 15 students in the area. One of her first Missouri students is especially dear to her. “Moving to Missouri was hard.

Living in the country was lonely. It was hard making friends. I had noticed my next-door neighbor was about my age, but that’s about all we seemed to have in common.

Nevertheless, one day I took a plate of cookies down the road and introduced myself.

‘Hi! I’m you’re new next door neighbor!’ She replied, ‘I know.’ I explained that I was looking for a friend and that I felt God had pointed me to her. She flatly responded, ‘Well, come on in.’

Over the next few years we developed a great friendship.” Of course, Dixie also taught her to play the piano. When her new friend was stricken with an aggressive cancer several years later, Dixie cared for her and came to understand the value of their relationship.

“Before she died she told me, ‘I didn’t like you the first time you came to my house. I’d never had a close friend and didn’t think I needed one. You are the best friend I’ve ever had.

Thank you for not giving up.’”

Dixie and her daughter, Donna (far left), with their students. Pictured left to right are Ashley Coppage, Baleigh Eaton, Kaia Johnson, Jordan Archer, Chyanne Archer, Emma Rakoski, Claire Eaton, Cora Graves, Maria Morley, Aaron Morley and Jacob Furry.

A final note

“Music is a world within itself, with a language we all understand.”

Stevie Wonder’s philosophy contains a potentially fatal flaw. One cannot understand a language he has never heard. Dixie Breon dedicates her life to bringing music to those who otherwise would not experience it. You and I should do the same. Can’t play or sing a note?

No worries! Music comes in a multitude of forms. Friendship, acceptance, encouragement, patience, dedication, hope and love – all are glorious symphonies people desperately need to experience.

Like Dixie, seek out the rejected, the forgotten, the limited and the lonely and play for them the song God gave you. Play it until they, and you, understand.

Looking for an instrumental music teacher? Search no further than the Breon family! Dixie teaches private piano lessons in her home, as does her daughter, Donna. Daughters Deanna and Deborah also teach violin in their homes.

For more information visit the D Clef Studios Facebook page (https://www. facebook.com/pages/D-Clef-Studios-Monett-Aurora-and-Verona-MO) or call Dixie at 417-669-7647.

Deanna also serves as the head music therapist at the Drury University Center for Music Therapy and Wellness in Monett. The center serves people with special needs, providing them with free musical experiences with a wide variety of instruments, singing, songwriting, movement to music and more. You can read more about the program at http://www.drury.edu/du/music/Drury-University-Centerfor-Music-Therapy-and-Wellness. For more information please email an inquiry to centerformusictherapy@drury.edu or call 417-873-7877. n March 2014 Connection Magazine | 21

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March 2014

Proud Parent

Are you a proud parent?

If so, take this opportunity to show off that cute kid of yours.

We invite you to share a photo of your child to be featured in Connection’s very own proud parent cutest kid contest.

brothers, 2-year-old Cameron and 8-month-old Landon, are March’s cutest kids. congrats, Justin and evelyn thomely, of Monett, for having such adorable boys!

Email your child’s photo to connection@monett-times.com.

Photos should be sent in the original JPG format at the highest resolution possible. Remember to include your child’s name, parent’s name, age, city and your contact information. The contest is open to children ages 10 and under.

The photos submitted will be used for the sole purpose of this contest.

March 2014

connection Magazine | 23

More than just a place to exercise Story and photos by Steve Chapman

At the YMCA facility in Monett, you can strengthen your muscles with free weights or machines. If you want a cardio workout, there are treadmills, stair climbers or you can jog on an indoor track.

Enjoy competitive sports? Meet a friend and play some racquetball, or maybe shoot some hoops in the gymnasium. Like getting wet? Do some laps in the Olympic-sized pool, or maybe slide down one of the water slides in the aquatic area.

The YMCA has been in Monett for 10 years this month, and it’s a great place to get in shape. However, according to Gordon Brown, the Y’s executive director, it’s also a whole lot more.

24 | Connection Magazine

Efforts to bring the YMCA to Monett began in 2003. According to Gordon, interest in the Y grew after attempts to get recreational center in the city failed. “Here in Monett, there was a group of individuals that wanted to see a recreational center come to the community,” he said. “There had been a vote to try to get a tax bond that didn’t pass, and – after that didn’t pass, there was a group that wanted to see a YMCA happen in the community of Monett.

“A couple of individuals, specifically Nancy Ridgley and Greg Johnson, both with Cox Monett at that time, contacted the YMCA to find out about bringing a new facility to Monett. The YMCA did a

feasibility study to find out what the needs in the community were, what the interest in the YMCA facility was, and what the capabilities of the community were in starting up a YMCA. So, they did that, and then they raised funds to get a founders facility started back in the fall of 2003.

“They raised $350,000 in a matter of about six weeks to support that effort to equip the facility and to get staff started before there was any membership or anything to pay for staff. The City of Monett also helped out in several great ways. They provided the old armory as a facility for the YMCA to start off in, and they also worked with the YMCA. Monett had a need for the recreation March 2014

programs, and so the YMCA took over the city recreation programs, such as flag football and soccer, and the swimming pool.”

As a non-profit entity, the YMCA operates differently than most businesses.

According to Gordon, one of these differences is in how a Y comes into a community. “When the YMCA comes to a community, it doesn’t come because we’re a franchise and we plan out ‘we’re going to go here, we’re going to go there,’” he said.

“We come to community because we’ve been invited – because there is a need.

“The YMCA is a non-profit organization, and it is here for the purpose of serving needs, giving people opportunities that they

might not otherwise have and helping people to have that sense of belonging; to help people to get on a healthier course, but it’s so much more than that, as far as what a Y is able to do in the community.”

The YMCA first opened its doors to the public on March 15, 2004 and, according to Gordon, membership grew to 3,500 members during the nine years it was in the armory.

However, that number doubled after moving to the new location.

Gordon says the new location was made possible due to cooperation between the YMCA and the city. “We had an agreement with the city where the YMCA purchased a house that was adjacent to the city park

and we donated that land to the city, which was then about three acres and then – they established a lease for the property that included that land, as well as some additional land in that quarter of the park,” he said.

Gordon also added that the lease with the city will run for 199 years!

As for the building itself, Gordon stated that it had been paid for almost entirely by individual donations; no tax money went into its construction. “This is a donated facility, paid for by individual contributions of people that chose to give to it,” he said. “The only type of tax-based support would be that there is a city agreement for a long-term lease on the property.

March 2014 Connection Magazine | 25

“And for a small part of fundraising, we received neighborhood assistance program credits that make it beneficial to people to donate. But that was less than 10 percent of our fundraising and that’s not direct money to us, that’s tax credits to those who donate.”

Since moving to the new location, the yMCA has been able to expand its services to the public. “What we can do now that we couldn’t do at the old facility,” said gordon “One of the biggest things is an indoor pool.

We have two indoor pools with the ability to do swim lessons; to have open playtime, the swim team, water exercise classes for older adults, classes for special needs individuals; all kinds of things just with that one part.

“The facility as a whole is six times the size of the old facility. And so just the gym space, the amount of equipment we can serve people with, the number of classes that we can offer at the same time has increased exponentially, and so we’ve been able to add a lot of new programs, whether it’s our Body Pump program…the more arts and humanities classes, or more senior programs.

Some of the newest offerings coming this spring are roller-skating on Friday and Saturday nights, and later this spring an indoor high ropes course.” not only does the size of the new building allow for the yMCA to offer more programs, but also, according to gordon, it allows the y to accommodate more people at a time. He says that many people will see a large number of cars in the parking lot and expect it to be crowded indoors, and will then be surprised to find so much open space when they get inside.

26 | connection Magazine

“One of the things that we have been blessed with this building, is that we have a lot of different areas that we can have all kind of things going on at the same time,” gordon said. “We will simultaneously have a dance class, aerobics class, kids in the kids zone, and water aerobics, swim lessons, people in the cardio area, racquetball, and spin classes, people in the gym doing activities there, the walking track, the game room, all at the same time, and so none of areas are overly busy, even when we do at large crowds coming through the building.”

There is a membership fee for joining the yMCA. “While our membership prices do increase with inflation, they are based on what the average household in this community earns,” gordon says. He added that no one should be put

off from joining just because they don’t feel they can afford it because there is financial assistance available in the form of reduced fees for people who qualify. “last year we gave out over $130,000 in financial assistance for membership and programs,” gordon said, adding that anyone who wishes to receive financial assistance should fill out an application with the Y. “We want the Y to be accessible.”

According to gordon, community is at the heart of the yMCA, and its purpose is to support the community it’s in. “Our place in the community isn’t to replace other groups or to be the expert at everything,” he said. “It’s to work with all of the other groups including churches, including schools, including businesses, and to be able to complement the work that they do.” n

Interested in joining? members of the ymCa have access to free weights, weight machines, cardio equipment, an indoor track, racquetball courts, a free-style rock climbing wall, and an indoor aquatic area that includes two pools and waterslides.

The y also offers swimming lessons for all ages, as well as classes in dance, aerobics, yoga, zumba, body sculpting and martial arts. Spin bike classes are also offered in cooperation with Cox monett.

For parents with small children, the y also offers an after-school program. There is also a play area where children can safely stay while parents work out.

For more information, including membership fees and hours of operation, contact the ymCa at 417-235-8213 or go online at www.monettymca.org.

March 2014

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Dirt roads and railroads Story by Sherry Tucker

Used with permission from the Lawrence County Historical Society: A large congregation that attended the early Sunday School.

verona’s historic sunday school

t

hese beautiful Ozark woods and hills were once spacious and wild.

Pioneers came in and set claim, built homesteads, and started farms. One of the earliest and most important tasks of our ancient settlers was establishing churches and places of taught education. Buildings were erected and “Sunday schools” were started. Sunday schools were cross-denominational, and

organized by community members to provide a place where children, and adults, could work on reading, spelling and cyphering, along with a biblical education. For these hard working settlers, meeting one day a week was better, and they would typically make the meeting last for several hours and have set teachers and times. Education and schools were not standardized until the Education Act of 1870.

March 2014 Connection Magazine | 29

Used with permission from the Lawrence County Historical Society: The founder and coordinator of the Sunday school established near the head of the Spring River near Verona, James M. White.

In the town of Verona, there was a Sunday School built that carries a special distinction. Not only was it the first Sunday School in southwest Missouri, but, established in 1840, it was the first Sunday School started west of the Mississippi and south of the Missouri River. The Lawrence County Chieftain published this historical account on November 10, 1910: An Extract From an Article Prepared by Rev. J.F. Williams for St. Louis Star

Seventy-seven years ago, in the southwest part of Missouri, there was a gathering of men and women and children.

The place of gathering was at the mouth of one of the clearest rivers in the state – the big springs whose waters formed Spring River. The people had come from miles around. They were crude pioneers of the sturdy type who first ventured over the wilds from Tennessee to settle the new country. The leader of the meeting was “Uncle Jimmy” White. The purpose of the meeting was to organize the first Sunday school west of the Mississippi and south of the Missouri rivers.

The place of that meeting was in Verona, which is in Lawrence County.

The article continued further with more information about the Sunday school:

It was in 1843 that the Sunday school was organized and met there-after for all day sessions at the big spring. It was in 1843, also, that the Legislature of the State separated from Newton, Dade and Barton counties a certain strip which they designated as Lawrence. So Missouri paid her tribute to the brave naval officer who died on the blood stained decks of the Chesapeake, uttering those historic words, “Don’t give up the ship.” Two years later, in 1845, Lawrence County was formally organized and the seat of government established at Mt. Vernon.

In 1933, a monument was raised and a ceremony held in honor of this organization: The Monett Times, Thursday, May 18, 1933

Tucked into a picturesque spot in the wooded and bouldered hills along Spring River is the sit of the first Sunday school organized in Missouri, south of the Missouri river. The old log church has long since been torn down, but a permanent memorial is being erected – a monument which will be unveiled Sunday, May 21.

The article also reads:

Although the Sunday school was originated in such sweetly serene surroundings, the sternness of that period

The Lawrence County Historical Society’s devotion to preserving local history Rich history surrounds us here in the Ozarks. The members of the Lawrence County Historical Society work hard to preserve their local history through wellkept archives and artifacts. They also work hard at making those archives search-friendly and accessible.

Kathy Fairchild, museum chairwoman, explained that, with the opening of the Fred G. Mieswinkel Reading Room in the second floor of the Lawrence County Courthouse located in Mt. Vernon, there is further availability of archives. “The county commission has been really wonderful. Having this room here in the courthouse allows us to be open in the winter, and it is handicap accessible, which the museum is not,” said Kathy.

She also explained that there are micro-phished newspapers and readers, probate records, obituary files and other numerous books and records at the research room of the Barry/Lawrence Library, but that the reading room, which is staffed, allows the historical society to share more fragile records, such

30 | Connection Magazine

as scrapbooks, photos, and personal letters and correspondence that couldn’t otherwise be publicly accessed.

The reading room is named after Fred G. Mieswinkel, an original member of the Lawrence County Historical Society, who devoted much of his time to preserving and learning the history of the area.

“Fred was involved with the historical society from its birth in the 60s. He has walked all the cemeteries and carefully documented all the tombstone information.

He was the go-to person for any information about our local history,” said Kathy.

The reading room is open five days a week, unless the courthouse is closed, from 10 a.m to 3:30 p.m. The archives kept at the Barry/Lawrence county library research room are open to the public during regular library hours. The Lawrence County Museum, held within the Jones Memorial Chapel, is open every Sunday afternoon from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. from Memorial Day weekend through October.

March 2014

was not relaxed. Sunday school lasted from 9 o’clock in the morning until 2 o’clock in the afternoon. The rules for condct were stern and offenders were severly punished. None were allowed to withdraw from the Sunday school without making application to the committee and teachers.

Although the Bible was the principal study, the early records show that they also used Ray’s Elementary Spelling book and the old Blue Back Speller.

Another article, published by The Monett Times after the ceremony told of the event: Monday, May 22, 1933.

An estimated crowd of 500 people witnessed the unveiling of the monument dedicated Sunday at Verona on the site of the first Sunday school established west of St. Louis and south of the Missouri River. Cars were so numerous fences had to be taken down to provide adequate parking space.

To several witnesses of the ceremony, the carved replica of that first Sunday school, brought back cherished memories of the times they themselves had attended Sunday school within that little log cabin. W. R. Wilks, Mrs. Silas McQueen and George Hillhouse of Verona were members of that Sunday school and were present Sunday.

Though threatening weather caused an abbreviation of the ceremony, the program of events was most effective and impressive.

In its naturally lovely setting, the monument was unveiled and dedicated by Rev. B. S. M. Edwards, pastor of the Aurora Christian Church. Boy Scouts assisted in this part of the ceremony, drawing side the flag which draped the stone monument. On the part of the Lawrence County the monument was received

by R. M. Hornidy, and on the part of Barry County by Will M. Davis of Monett, president of the Barry County Sunday School council.

The dedicatory services followed

a song service led by Judge Theodore Harris of Peirce City; invocation by Rev. C. A. Stevenson, pastor of the Marionville Methodist Church; readings from pages of the original Sunday school record, Mrs. Barris of Verona; a talk, “Tributes and Recognition of Members of This Sunday School,” Rev. R. W. Crain, Presbyterian church, and a selection by pastor of the Mt. Vernon Presbyterian church, and a selection by the Stark quartet of Monett.

The dedicatorial prayer was delivered by Rev. N. M. Whittington of Verona, pastor of the Baptist Church. Benediction was by Rev. Leigh Barrett, pastor of the Hoberg Church.

The program was arranged by Mrs. J. T. Lemert. A basket dinner was served at noon on the site of the monument. An offering was taken to secure money of the erection of a permanent fence. Sufficient funds have been paid into the treasury to pay for the monument. n

The monument bearing the recognition of the Sunday school still stands near Verona. To find it, turn south on FR 2225 off of Hwy 60, East of Verona. Drive three-tenths of a mile to end of pavement, and then three-tenths of a mile west, on path, to find the monument standing on the hillside to the right.

March 2014 Connection Magazine | 31

For those with developmental disabilities and their families, the Transition and Resource Expo offers

a helping hand Story by Steve Chapman

Suppose you are a new parent.

You have been looking forward to the birth of your child, and then the day comes when he is delivered. Of course you are ecstatic, and eager to bring your bundle of joy home.

Over the next couple of years, however, you notice something is different about your son from other children his age. He is not developing in the same way as the other children do. He doesn’t interact with other children, and the way he behaves is much different. He gets preoccupied with a single toy, often rocks back and forth when sitting, and sometimes engages in self-injuring behavior, such as biting his own hands.

Concerned, you take your son to be examined, and the doctor tells you something that stops you dead in your tracks: your son has autism. How would you react? Would you be scared? Frustrated? Angry? A combination of all of these?

Autism is only one of several developmental disabilities, and according to The Arc (not to be confused with ARC of the Ozarks), an estimated 4.6 million Americans have a developmental disability of some kind.

A developmental disability can be a mental impairment; in addition to autism, there are Aspergers, cognitive disabilities, and learning disabilities. Developmental disabilities can 32 | Connection Magazine

also be physical and include disorders such as visual impairment, auditory impairment, and mobility issues, to name a few.

For many parents who have a child with a developmental disability, it’s the first time they have ever faced such a situation, and they may be unsure of how to best help their child.

Help is available, and the BarryLawrence area actually has numerous resources to help those with developmental disabilities lead rewarding and productive lives within their communities.

Unfortunately, many who have a child with a developmental disability may not be aware of these resources, and so are unable to take advantage of them. A number of local entities are working to change that by hosting the Transition and Resource Expo.

The Transition and Resource Expo has been created by several local organizations including the Barry and Lawrence County Boards for the Developmentally Disabled, ARC of the Ozarks, the Joplin Regional Office, Alternative Opportunities, and the area school districts, to name only a very few.

According to Geneva Blue, the work coordinator for Scott Regional Technical Center, the Expo gives individuals with developmental disabilities, and their families,

a chance to connect with the various resources that are available to them. “The Expo’s purpose is to introduce folks and students, individuals with disabilities at any age to those support systems,” she said.

Geneva also states that parents who have children with developmental disabilities should utilize these support systems as early in their children’s lives as possible. “If you wait until graduation is looming, you have waited too long. So we invite pre-K, early-childhood teachers and parents to this because the better educated you are about what’s out there, the better advocate you can be.”

The Expo will feature exhibitions by several service providers in areas such as employment, community activities, advocacy planning, and assistive technology. There will also be two break-out sessions, one focusing on guardianship and the other on Social Security.

According to Jean Hicks, employment solutions coordinator for ARC of the Ozarks, the subject of guardianship is important for parents to educate themselves on, because their children’s legal status changes at the age of 18. “A lot of times parents don’t realize that whenever children turn 18 – they don’t just automatically, because they have been in March 2014

the home – keep guardianship.”

The guardianship session will be led by Bill Alexander. Though he is a member of the Lawrence County Board of Developmental Disabilities, Bill has a more personal reason for being involved: he is the father of a woman with a developmental disability.

Bill says it is highly important that the families of those with developmental disabilities understand what guardianship means. “A lot of families are fearful of guardianship and what that brings to them, as far as responsibilities for their child that has disabilities,” he says, “but, it’s an important part of this step that these families have to take because without that, once their child reaches legal age, the family then has no oversight for them.”

“That child could leave, and they could call the police department and say ‘hey, you know, we have this person missing,’ but that person is a legal adult – so the family has no way of protecting their family member with disabilities. With guardianship, that protection is in place, because you help that person make sound and right decisions.”

Geneva adds a story about an individual with a developmental disability who was doing well at his job and living with minimal support, but because his parents didn’t have

guardianship, he was taken advantage of by some of his co-workers. “They convinced him that they were destitute and their children weren’t going to get fed, and coerced him out of several paychecks, and nothing could be done.” The situation was finally resolved when the individual agreed to let his parents have guardianship of his finances.

The Social Security break-out session will be led by Debbie Peabody from the Springfield Regional Office. According to Jean, Debbie is someone who can help those with developmental disabilities understand what type of Social Security benefits they’re entitled to. “Debbie just sits down with them and does benefits planning so that way they know what they’re getting into,” Jean said, “’cause a lot of times they get this misconception that ‘if I have Social Security, I can’t work.’ That’s not true, you can work.

So, Debbie just gives them the options of what they can do.”

Jean says that in addition to the experts who will be attending the Expo, there will also be a number of “veteran parents” who can be a good source of information to parents who are new to raising a child with a developmental disability. “New parents might ask me a question and I say ‘I don’t know, but let me go get you a (veteran) parent.’ The veteran parents are often able to provide the new parents with answers, and according to Geneva, can also offer the assurance that “things will get better.”

Though the Expo is guaranteed to be a learning experience, it can also be a very enjoyable one for those who participate as well. Cathy Backs, of the Lawrence County Board for Developmental Disabilities, says the Expo is a, “celebration of all that we have.

We try to kind of add a fun note to it, and have door prizes.”

Jean adds, “It sounds really serious – but it’s a heck of a lot of fun.”

Want to go?

The Transition and Resource Expo will be held on Tuesday, March 25 at the Scott Regional Technical Center, located at 2 David Sippy Drive in Monett, behind the Ramey—Price Cutter Store. The event lasts from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. and will feature some 75 exhibitors, who will offer information about services in a wide variety of areas, including transportation services, college and financial aid, advocacy services, and employment. Door prizes will be offered, and Music Therapy, an ensemble of people with developmental disabilities who play guitar, will perform. For more information, call 417-235-7022. n

March 2014 Connection Magazine | 33

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connection living

less TV time = more on play time

By Meagan Ruffing

west Missouri’s

Recently, my son lost his TV privileges for four days. I thought his punishment for scratching the family’s brand new TV would be harder on me than on him but it ended up being a smooth transition for all of us.

Less TV time or in this case, no TV time, resulted in more intentional play with each other. Mornings that were once filled with sounds from cartoons were now being filled with children’s laughter. The toys, and games, and costumes that were so neatly put up in the kids’ closets were now being used every day, and were helping to create an exciting place for the entire family.

No TV was turning out to be the best thing that could have ever happened to this family. Intentional play was becoming a new staple in everyone’s playtime diets, and new memories were being created as a result.

With intentional play, so many things became apparent; like the authenticity of my children’s personalities. Something I had somehow missed in previous playtimes with them. Over the course of these four days with no TV, I learned a few things about spending quality, one-on-one time with the kids. Here are three tips on how to intentionally play with your children – and actually have fun doing it.

Get on their level

Nothing says, “I am in this moment” – right here, right now, playing with you, and it is all about you – better than getting on their level wherever that might be: The floor to play Legos, the table to roll out play ase fill out the attached subscription dough, their favorite chair to read a book, m. Send the form along with a check or their train table to race trains. Watch yable to Monettwhat Times, money order happens when you go eye to eye on $40 or your credit theircard level.information You will be to amazed at the little O. Box 40, Monett, MOlooking 65708.back at you in wonder. person

Meagan Ruffing is a freelance parenting writer. She has recently given up morning cartoons and replaced them with making new memories each day with her three children.

Connection

P.O. Box 40 • Monett, MO 65708

Lose the cell phone It is so easy to get distracted when there is a cell phone nearby. It takes two seconds to check email or update a Facebook status but it also takes two seconds to miss your son doing something for the first time like reading his first word.

Unless you are waiting for an important phone call that cannot wait, leave the electronics out of sight and focus on intentional play.

be in the moment Moms tend to multitask. It’s just what we do. We plan dinner in our head while we are having a tea party with our daughter. We

fold the laundry while Spiderman dangles from the bookshelf trying to save the world for the tenth time that day. Multitasking is good, useful and often necessary, but there are times when being in the moment – truly being in the moment – can change the way we see our children. The next time your son asks you to play the villain so that he can help his superhero climb up the window, be in the moment and take in all that his imagination has to offer. You will be amazed.

Less TV time does not necessarily mean no TV time. TV is still a great medium for children to learn, but less TV time does mean more playtime and that is a great thing. n

March 2014 Connection Magazine | 35 oll Free: 877.403.6397 • 877.752.9275

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| 37

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ver the river and through the woods

Huckleberry Ridge Conservation Area is a treasure trove of wildlife and artistic talent.

Doug Hall, a McDonald County native, is the painter behind Huckleberry Forest Studio.

Story and Photos by Layne Sleeth

Huckleberry Forest Studio sounds as enchanting and quaint as it is in real life.

Doug Hall is a lifelong oil painter who lives and works in a tiny cabin on top of a hill, peppered with pines, that overlooks a picturesque Ozark valley. His studio is situated in the middle of the Huckleberry State Forest in Pineville, Missouri.

Stepping into his cabin is akin to stepping back in time to a simpler era. Black powder guns are propped here and there, and a trap door, operated with a pulley acts as a passageway to steep wooden stairs that lead to the lower level of the cabin.

Rustic rocking chairs sit invitingly on the main level, and on the porch a menagerie of birds feasting on black sunflower seeds.

Outside the cabin, a red roan horse, named Dobin, and another horse, named Black and White (for her coloring), stand lazily in the afternoon light that filters through the trees. As a true pioneer of the woods, Doug 38 | Connection Magazine

is prepared for just about anything. Doug is reluctant to rely on electricity exclusively, and even his source of hot water runs off of wood stove heating and siphoning through copper pipes.

Doug says he has been painting for as long as he can remember, as far back as 10 years old. “I’ve lived out in these woods since I was 19.” At 19, he left his home in Neosho for the backwoods and lived around a campfire while building his first cabin.

Similar to his lifestyle, Doug’s paintings are very authentic and natural. He learned valuable lessons in painting from mentors

like Bob Tommey, a nationally known painter and sculptor, and Jack Hetrick, another locally renowned artist. Doug recounts that, “I drove to Omaha when I was 17 and painted with Jack for a week.

Then I painted with Bob off and on for several years, every Friday night.”

When he decided to start painting full time, Doug wanted to paint American Indians. “So that’s what I did, and it worked,” he said. Doug has painted many different tribes, but now mainly focuses on the Eastern Shawnee Indians who are based out of a headquarters in Wyandotte, Oklahoma, March 2014

just across the Missouri state line.

Doug’s admiration and fervor for the Eastern Shawnee tribe is apparent as he begins to explain how they were pushed further and further west after the war of 1812, and their famous hero, Chief Tecumseh was killed in 1813. Doug has devoted much time to researching the history of this people, and his careful attention to detail shines through in each painting.

Doug’s rustic cabin is the perfect place to paint his subject matter, as it looks over a valley that sings with birds and lends itself

to the imagination. “I’ll paint four to six hours a day. And then a lot of that time, I’ll sit and drink coffee, study the painting, and see what I need to do. Especially living with it right here, you never get away from it, so I spend a lot of time at it.”

Doug is in contact with people all over the country who live and breathe the old Native American ways of life. Once Doug has an idea, he rallies a few of these people to do a photo shoot, where they dress up in gear and act out a scenario. Once Doug has a few good shots, he will do a drawing based off of the photographs, transfer the drawing

to canvas, and then begin the painting process. Each painting has a unique story behind it, and the characters’ faces are full of expression.

“It sounds goofy, but when I saw my first painting printed, I fell in love with my own work.” Doug’s favorite part of his creative process is initially laying a painting out. “I always call it ‘getting a handle on the painting.’ Once I have all of the value and color, and everything where they need to go, then I’ve got a handle on it. So then I can enhance it more and more and make it happen.”

March 2014 Connection Magazine | 39

Lacrosse actually originated with the Eastern Woodland Native Americans “A Quick Glance”, one of Doug’s personal favorites.

Doug has been widely recognized across the U.S. and has received many awards. Most recently, in September of 2012, Doug’s painting entitled “Red Coat” was the highest priced painting at the Buffalo Bill Art Show in Cody, Wyoming.

The painting featured the famous Shawnee Chief Tecumseh in 1812, and sold for $29,000. To Doug, however, his most treasured moment to date was when the Eastern Shawnee tribe Chief Glenna Wallace held a gala dinner in Doug’s honor at the tribe-owned casino in Wyandotte, Oklahoma. The tribe commemorated Chief Tecumseh, and Doug’s painting, “Red Coat” was displayed 40 | Connection Magazine

throughout the evening. Doug was presented with a specially made blanket from the tribe that bears their insignia.

“It was a huge honor. It’s like getting accepted.” By Shawnee tradition, “being blanketed” is the ultimate accolade.

When he isn’t painting, Doug loves to ride horses and shoot black powder guns. He especially likes to ride cross country and is no stranger to making the 25-mile trip from Pineville to Neosho on horseback. Though, he claims his horse, Black and White, “has no steering and no brakes.” For the past 25 years, Doug and a group of black powder enthusiasts have been shooting every Sunday at three

o’clock. The weekly ritual began when Doug owned an archery and muzzleloader shop called Log Cabin Store. After 14 years of business, seven days a week, a tornado hit and blew the store down to the foundation. While Doug and his cousin were moving rubble that very same Sunday, the group showed up at three o’clock. Disaster clean up ceased long enough to shoot, and the tradition lives on.

Doug is represented by Altermann Galleries in Santa Fe, New Mexico. If you would like to view or purchase some of Doug’s artwork, you can do so online at www.altermann.com or visit Doug’s personal website, www.doughallart.com. n March 2014

connectIon lIvInG

green aCres girL

baby in the beans

By Pam Wormington

it WaS a hot SUMMer DaY anD aS usual, i had it all planned…we were to go camping as soon as the milkman returned home from the route. i was off work that day, i knew i would have everything in order when the time came to leave. groceries bought, camper packed, chores complete; that’s how every well organized, in control farmer’s wife would do it. then i get a call from my husband saying that his dad had lost a calf in the bean field, and due to the heat, he’d really like it if i would go assist him. how could i resist? i owed it to my father-in-law with as many times as he had come to my rescue. Besides, i was already dressed for occasion…hot pink shorts and Boggs that my dad had given me for christmas. i’m pretty sure the hot pink in my shorts matched the floral print in my boots, a little ‘dress for success’ concept i learned in college.

After combing the bean field, sweating, and seeing mirages of calves blowing in the wind, a friendly passerby slowed to ask us if ‘that’ was our calf lying in the ditch. With a quick response, “YeS,” we watched the lady drive away.

We changed our course forgetting to ask where in the ditch she saw the calf. i walked up and down the road to no avail.

Pam Wormington is a city girl by birth, and a farm girl by marriage. She lives in the country, with husband Kirk, and two step-daughters, Nicole and Kimberly. Though she grew up as a Navy “brat,” and moved many times and swore never to marry a farmer or rancher, or live in a small town, God had different plans. Pam loves her life in the country, and admits, “There is never a dull moment in our lives; however, I do wish for them occasionally.”

March 2014

i then had that sick feeling that someone was playing a terrible joke on us. i then got the Jeep and drove up and down the road a few times and watched my father-in-law do the same on the 4-wheeler and my mother-in-law on foot. When all of a sudden my eyes were drawn to the calf lying in the ditch where it originally lost contact with my father- in- law hours ago. i jumped out of the Jeep and thought to myself the motionless calf must be dead. as i reached down to touch it, it leaped to life and began running like a frightened deer down the road. thankfully, alicia zappata was driving from the other direction, and being familiar with the scene, stopped her vehicle and jumped out; I might add wearing flip flops.

We tried to head the calf to the appropriate field. Naturally the calf decided to go in the opposite direction. as it leaped to the fence of the bean field, she grabbed it by the back legs. i ran to assist her, but in rubber boots i lacked everything including speed and grace. My father-in-law noticed the commotion and came to to our rescue. it took all three of us to hog-tie the heavy little calf and lift it onto the 4-wheeler. to keep the little one still and in place, the original farmer sat on it and drove it back to the field where its momma resided. at that point, i returned home to plan B. i wasn’t sure what that was, but i

knew i didn’t have enough time for plan a anymore. i had a good feeling that i had returned one of many favors and so proceeded with my work. as Paul harvey would report…now the rest of the story.

My father-in-law reunited the baby and its momma. not all reunions are happy, i might add. So he brought momma cow into the head squeeze and let the calf suck. after repeating this scenario twice, my brotherin-law asked if this was indeed the right momma cow for this calf. My father-in-law’s response was assuredly so. Being wrong is not a dominant gene in the Wormington men. But hindsight being what it is, he began to ponder the idea before resorting to the calving log book. Sure enough… the bean field baby had been drinking from the wrong supply source. the moral of this story, two wrongs don’t make a right. n connection Magazine | 41

The Ozarks are inviting in every season....

JACK NICKOLS Broker 417-342-1506 jacknickols@yahoo.com LARRY DANIELS Realtor 417-846-7306 idaniels@mo-net.com BILL HILL Realtor 417-847-3241 billhill.realtor@hotmail.com LEA HILL Realtor 417-847-0156 lea.hill@hotmail.com JEAN NICKOLS Broker/Sales Person 417-880-5446 jean.nickols@yahoo.com CINDY CARR

Broker/Sales Person 417-847-7514 ccarr7514@aol.com

A note from retiring Connection distributor, Jim Bower:

Thank you To my distribution route, It has been my privilege to serve you the last few years.

Thank you is not enough for the kindness and support you have shown me. I will miss each and every one of you. As I finished delivering the other day, tears came to my eyes as this would be the last time I would be delivering to you.

RESIDENTIAL | COMMERCIAL FARMS | LAND

87 Main Street • Cassville, Mo.

417-847-0156 fax: 417-847-5009

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COME SEE OUR

LARGE NEW SELECTION of Corky’s shoes, designer purses, hats, belts and more!!!

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Remember, you are the reason Connection is a success. Without the advertisers, there would not be a free and deliverable magazine.

I will look back over my time delivering Connection as one of the highlights of my life.

Jim Bower

42 | Connection Magazine

405 Plaza Drive • Monett 417-678-3644 417-342-4839 March 2014

connectIon lIvInG

HeaLtHy ConneCtion

are you at risk for NAFLD?

By Nancy Ridgley

thirtY-FoUr Percent oF aDULtS in the Unites States have nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (naFLD). naFLD is the accumulation of triglycerides in the liver of patients who do not abuse alcohol. naFLD is associated with the metabolic syndrome (high triglycerides, low hDL cholesterol, abdominal obesity or large waistline, high blood pressure and high fasting blood glucose). You are at risk for naFLD if you are obese and, particularly, have central obesity. So, naturally, the intervention would be lifestyle change, particularly diet and exercise. Sustained weight loss is the most effective treatment, and should be the foundation. No specific medications are approved for treating naFLD. the liver is not meant to store fat; however excess calories with unmatched caloric expenditure can result in fat accumulation in the liver. the type of fat also is very important. Diets high in both total fat and saturated fat are associated

with higher liver triglyceride content. in controlled studies, patients with naFLD also engage in less than one-half the amount of activity performed by their same sex and age counterparts. aerobic activity along with resistance training

should be a part of the intervention. evidence suggests that weight loss improves liver disease related to naFLD, as it also lowers blood pressure and triglycerides, and improves insulin sensitivity and hDL cholesterol levels.

WHAT TO DO? ✓ Lose 10 percent of initial body weight over six months ✓ Maintain weight loss ✓ <35 percent total calories from fat; more monounsaturated fat, less polyunsaturated and saturated fat ✓ 50 percent of total calories from carbohydrates, whole grains ✓ 15 percent of total calories from protein, lean and vegetable proteins ✓ > 150 minutes/week of moderate intensity activity or > 75 minutes/ week of vigorous intensity activity ✓ decrease time spent sedentary

Nancy Ridgley, RD, LD, CDE, is a registered and licensed dietitian, certified diabetes educator, a Mad Doggcertified spinning instructor and director of community wellness at Cox Monett Hospital.

She also holds certifications in adult weight management and childhood and adolescent weight management. The mother of three enjoys spinning, reading, Mizzou football, travel, spending time with her children and extended family and having coffee with friends. For more information about wellness and living a healthy lifestyle, check out Cox Monett Hospital’s wellness blog at www. realwellnessforrealpeople.blogspot.com.

March 2014

naFLD is closely associated with our worldwide epidemics of diabetes and obesity.

Early identification could prevent cardiovascular disease and diabetes. For help with weight loss and increased activity, please call me at 354-1280 or email nancy.ridgley@ coxhealth.com. n connection Magazine | 43

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44 | Connection Magazine

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March 2014

book review

connection living

the light between oceans BY m.l. stedman Reviewed by Anne Angle “Right and wrong can be like bloody snakes: so tangled up that you can’t tell which is which until you’ve shot ‘em both, and then it’s too late.” That is how the sea captain described the mess Tom and Isabel Sherbourne created when they decided to keep a baby found in a boat that has washed ashore on the island of Janus Rock in Southern Australia.

This deeply moving story of wrong choices, and how we justify them, will entangle the reader in a web of deceit so gripping his/her heart will ache with compassion for all involved. Tom has returned from WWI with a hurting soul, and what would today probably be called PTSD. He falls in love with Isabel; innocent, naïve, and as in love with life as Tom is embittered and disillusioned by it.

They begin their married life on an isolated island where Tom is the lighthouse keeper. The boat that brings supplies from the mainland, a hundred miles away, only comes four times a year. The assignment contract is for three years, and the Sherbournes only get one visit to the mainland in that three-year period. No one else lives on the island, so Tom and Isabel are totally dependent on each other. Their love for each other is deep and strong, but is tested to the limit as they struggle with difficult ethical dilemmas. The choices they make are influenced by their own very different life experiences.

the story for the reader.

Stedman’s debut novel is built around The story spans 32 years, and as it the profound need of the human heart to comes to a close, Tom reflects back on it give and to receive love. In this story, that all, thinking how different it all could have need drives the actions and decisions of been. Then, he decides there is no point all the characters. They are basically good in thinking like that. “Once you start down people failing to see the consequences of that road there is no end to it. No one ever their actions. Like the individual strands Anne Angle is a retired has or ever will travel quite the same path of a spider web when touched cause Cassville High School life sciences teacher. An avid on this earth and that’s alright by me.” the whole web to vibrate, the misguided reader, Anne is a member of

“There are still more days to travel in actions of each character cause unforeseen Crowe’s Cronies Book Club repercussions. Very little information about this life. The man who makes the journey based in Cassville. has been shaped by every day and every the actual events in the story have been person along the way.” n revealed in this review in order not to spoil March 2014 Connection Magazine | 45

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46 | Connection Magazine

March 2014

connection food

nection food

a tasty enterprise Linda Huggins turns her baking hobby into a new business venture Story by Steve Chapman Photos by Steve Chapman and Veronica Zucca March 2014 Connection Magazine | 47

connection food

At Poppy’s Bakery and Café in Pierce City, hungry diners gather each day to talk over home-style meals and hot coffee. For those coming in at breakfast time, choices can include a large variety of items, including omelets, skillets and pancakes. At lunchtime, there is an equally large choice of sandwiches, soups, salads and numerous entrees.

Poppy’s was started by owner Linda Huggins in December 2012. Originally housed in one of the surviving historic buildings in Pierce’s City’s downtown, Linda moved the restaurant to a new location two blocks east after the first building was sold by its owners.

Linda officially reopened Poppy’s in its new location on December 4, 2013.

Though the new location doesn’t have the same amount of seating space as the old one, it does have a drive-thru window, which gives customers a new option about how they can get their food. “Surprisingly, it took off right away,” Linda says of the drivethru. “Whenever someone calls in an order, we just tell them ‘If you’d like, you can come through the drive-thru,’ and they do, and now we’re starting to have a lot of regular people coming through the drive-thru.”

Linda also delivers food to customers who live inside Pierce City; she estimates she delivers two or three orders a day.

Prior to opening Poppy’s, Linda spent 20 years in the food service industry, filling a variety of roles, which she says included “management, waiting tables and some cooking.” She saw the opportunity to go into business for herself when another restaurant in Pierce City shut down. “In the old building, there was a bakery that wasn’t being used,” Linda says, “and that was what I was doing in my spare time; baking.

And then the restaurant closed down, so I bought the restaurant – now I’m addicted.”

She chose to call the restaurant Poppy’s because she liked the name. “It’s cheery,” she says.

Poppy’s serves an estimated 100 customers a day. In addition to its regular menu items, there are specials on different days of the week. “We have Taco Tuesday, where you get three tacos for a dollar,” Linda says, “and people really like that. And then on Wednesday, we do soup and sub and customers get to pick what sub they want, 48 | Connection Magazine

and then we usually have two kinds of soup.”

However, according to Charles Cummerford, a cook at Poppy’s, one of the most popular items at lunchtime is a sandwich called “The Monster Burger.” Charles describes the sandwich as “an eight ounce burger on Texas Toast with bacon, onion petals, American cheese and Swiss cheese.”

As a business owner, Linda is always striving to provide her customers with choices, even if it means providing food not found on the menu. “One thing we

do is if a customer comes up and says, ‘Hey…I’d really like to have meatloaf.’ We’ll let that customer know that we’ll try and do meatloaf on Thursday and Friday. We have a lot of customers who will have special requests for spaghetti, meatloaf, or other items, and we try to accommodate for that.”

Linda also bakes pies and cakes to order (“order them a day or two ahead”), and she can even make sugar-free pies if a customer requests it. There is also a craft booth, with handmade items for sale. Ruth

March 2014

connectIon food

Wise, whom Linda calls the store’s “mascot,” makes towels, which Linda describes as “awesome.” Linda’s mother-in-law has also helped out, making a variety of aprons.

“We have an apron for every holiday,” Linda says. Much of it, however, has been made

by Linda’s mother. “She’s done quite a few things for me to sell in my craft booth.” though Linda is the owner of the restaurant, she has a management style that is very different from what one might think of a business owner. She doesn’t just give orders to her staff and watch while they work. according to ruth, Linda does all of the same work the rest of the staff does, including washing dishes, cooking food, and waiting on tables. “What they do, she’ll do,” ruth says, “and she’s just so sweet, so likeable.”

For Linda’s part, she views the people who work for her as more than just employees. “We kind of have…a family; this is all of our family,” she says of her staff. “i have some really good people that work for me; we all try to work together. i couldn’t

military iD or dress will get their beverages free. We support the troops 100 percent.” as a small business owner, Linda faces challenges in keeping her business afloat, but feels the rewards are worth it.

She commutes to work from Mt. Vernon, and sometimes arrives at Poppy’s at 4 a.m., so she jokes that she gets “no sleep” and has “no money.” She becomes serious, however, when she states that she has,

ask for a better crew than what i have right now. if somebody’s got a problem, we just all help each other; when one of us is happy, we all share that to.” as for her immediate family, Linda’s husband is a near 30-year veteran of the U.S. army; currently going to school full time.

She also has three sons. one drives trucks, one is a soldier who is a mechanic working on apache helicopters, and the third is in the navy and is a mechanic on jet planes.

Because of the number of her family members serving in the military, Linda feels strongly about supporting members of the armed Forces. “We’re a very military family,” she says, and anybody that has March 2014

“lots of good friends and lots of really wonderful customers.” it is no exaggeration to say Poppy’s is a very popular restaurant in Pierce city; so much so that several of her customers actually volunteered their time on a Saturday to help her move the restaurant to its new location. “i think that staying here in Pierce city was meant to be,” she says. “i just like the people here.” n

Poppy’s is located on the corner of Commercial and N. Elm streets in Pierce City. The restaurant offers specials on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and is open seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information, call 417-476-5947.

connection Magazine | 49

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IRISH BUCK 1.5 oz. bushmills irish whiskey 3 oz. ginger ale 1 tsp. fresh Lime Juice 1 wedge of Lime Pour Bushmills Whiskey and ginger ale in a tall glass then add lime juice and a wedge of lime to serve. www.bushmills.com

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50 | connection Magazine

March 2014

connectIon food

Try one of these festive cocktails for St. Paddy’s Day

nspiration

Here’s to a long life and a merry one. A quick death and an easy one.

A pretty girl and an honest one. A cold beer – and another one!

Guinness Draught

IRISH CAR BOMB 1/2 shot irish whiskey 1/2 shot irish cream Liqueur 1 pint guinness stout

Combine (proportions of 50/50) Irish cream and Irish whiskey into one shot glass.

Drop the shot into a mug of guinness. Serve immediately.

Baileys Irish Cream

MUDSLIDE 2 oz. baileys irish cream 0.5 oz. vodka 1 cup ice chocolate syrup Blend Baileys, vodka and ice. Before pouring, swirl chocolate syrup around glass.

Garnish as desired. www.baileys.com Baileys Vanilla Cinnamon

IRISH MILK AND HONEY 1 oz. baileys Vanilla cinnamon irish cream Liqueur 0.5 oz. irish whiskey whipped cream honey Mix ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Drizzle honey into shot glass. Strain liquid into shot glass. Add dollop of whipped cream. Drizzle extra honey on top.

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MONETT, PURDY AND CASSVILLE

www.drinksmixer.com Jameson Irish Whiskey

WHISKEY SOUR 1 tsp. granulated sugar 4 dashes fresh squeezed Lemon Juice 1 splash sparkling water 2 oz. James irish whiskey Disolve sugar with lemon juice and sparkling water in mixing glass. Add Jameson Irish Whiskey and fill with ice.

Stir well and strain into cocktail glass.

Garnish with cherry. www.jamesonwhiskey.com

www.baileys.com

March 2014

connection Magazine | 51

Dine TA S T E DINE

E N J OY

FEAST

GRILL

180 w. Third Street Verona 417-498-6487 monday - Thursday • 11 a.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Fridays • 10:30 a.m. - 9 p.m.

Saturdays • 10 a.m. - 9 p.m.

Sundays • 10 a.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Daddy Joe’s Catfish Hole 600 Dairy Street monett 417-635-1112 wednesday - Thursday • 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Friday - Saturday • 11 a.m. - 8 p.m.

Closed Sunday through Tuesday

OUT I N D U LG E

CHEW

M U N C H E AT N O S H

F L AV O R

Guanajuato Restaurante

connectIon food

BROIL E AT

M O U T H W AT E R I N G

CHOW DOWN

YUM

DELICIOUS

CAFE

APPETITE

if you’re searching for authentic Mexican cuisine, guanajuato in Verona is the restaurant for you. the hidden gem of a restaurant offers a large menu with 37 different daily lunch specials offered from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. choices include combinations of enchiladas, tacos and burritos as well as fajitas, quesadillas and egg rancheros. For dinner, guanajuato features a tex-Mex plate, chimichanga de camaron and the Speedy Gonzalez, a large flour tortilla burrito filled with ground beef, rice, beans, yellow and white cheddar cheese and topped with delicious chorizo sauce.

And to finish off any meal, there are mouth-watering sopapillas served with strawberries, honey or ice cream.

Offering U.S. Farm-raised catfish, Daddy Joe’s Catfish Hole is located at 600 Dairy Street, Suite h in Monett. come by and try one of our signature catfish sandwiches, a hand-breaded filet with mayo, dill pickles on a sourdough hoagie, served with our almost famous coleslaw. other menu items include dinner baskets, sandwich baskets and family pack baskets of chicken, fish and or shrimp. Side items vary from pickled tomato relish, onion rings, french fries, fried okra, fried green tomatoes, fried green beans, coleslaw and hush puppies. Daily lunch specials prepared to suit your appetite from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. on Sundays. eat in or carry-out orders are available.

ACAMBARO

BUMPERS BAR AND GRILL

RICHARD’S HAWGWILD BBQ

Mon-Thu 11am-9pm and Fri-Sun 6am-10pm

Tue-Wed 3pm-12am, Thu-Sat 3pm-1am

Call for hours

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Tues-Sun 11am-9pm

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505 Plaza Drive, MONETT 417-354-8408

864 US Hwy 60 MONETT Mon-Thu 11am-8pm, Fri-Sat 11am-9pm Sports bar: Fri-Sat until 1am

108 3rd St., MONETT 417-235-5667

212 Broadway, MONETT 417-393-8879

MOCHA JO’S

BLACKBIRD BAR AND GRILL 404 Broadway, MONETT 1321 S. Elliott Ave., AURORA 417-678-2100 Mon-Thu 11am-9pm, Fri-Sat 11am-10pm, Sun closed

52 52 || connection connectionMagazine Magazine

417-635-1107

Mon, Tue, Thu 8am-8pm, Wed 8am-3pm, Fri 8am-10pm , Sat 9am-3pm

DOWNTOWN AURORA 417-678-4294

202 MISSOURI 37, MONETT 417-235-8200 400 MAIN ST., CASSVILLE 417-847-0782 • 7 days a week 5am-9pm

UTOPIAN BEAN

200 Washington St., PURDY 417-442-3014 Tue-Sat 7:30am-8pm

March March2014 2014

connectIon food

FroM tHe reCiPe boX

ÂĄmuy caliente!

By Darlene Wierman

GUACAMOLE 3 avocados, halved, seeded and peeled 1 lime, juiced 1/2 tsp. kosher salt 1/2 tsp. ground cumin 1/2 tsp. cayenne 1/2 medium onion, diced 1/2 jalapeno pepper, seeded and minced 2 roma tomatoes, seeded and diced 1 tbsp. chopped cilantro 1 clove garlic, minced

in a large bowl place the scooped avocado pulp and lime juice, toss to coat. Drain, and reserve the lime juice, after all of the avocados have been coated. Using a potato masher add the salt, cumin, and cayenne and mash. then, fold in the onions, jalapeno, tomatoes, cilantro, and garlic. add 1 tablespoon of the reserved lime juice. Let sit at room temperature for 1 hour and then serve.

MEXICAN CORNBREAD CASSEROLE 1 pkg. corn bread mix 2 cups cream style corn 1 lb. ground beef 1 med. onion 2 Jalapenos 1 cup grated cheddar cheese Mix corn bread by package direction. add corn. Brown hamburger meat. add onion and peppers; cook until onion is done. Put half of the corn bread mixture in a casserole dish. Pour meat mixture over it and add cheese. top with the rest of the cornbread mixture. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

March 2014

MEXICAN SALSA 2 10-ounce cans rotel 1 28-ounce can whole tomatoes with juice 1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves (or more to taste!)

1/4 cup chopped onion 1 clove garlic, minced 1 whole jalapeno, quartered and sliced thin, with seeds and membrane 1/4 tsp. ground cumin 1/4 tsp. salt 1/4 tsp. sugar 1/2 whole lime, juiced combine the diced tomatoes, whole tomatoes, cilantro, onions, garlic, jalapeno, cumin, salt, sugar and lime juice in a blender or food processor. this is a very large batch. You can use a 12-cup food processor, or you can process the ingredients in batches and then mix everything together in a large mixing bowl. Pulse until you get the salsa to the consistency youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d like, about 10 to 15 pulses. refrigerate for at least an hour before serving. n connection Magazine | 53

community connection

on the spot: Pam Foland

Pam Foland lives in Purdy, where she and husband, Patrick, own and operate, “Utopian Bean” coffee house, in the newly renovated downtown Purdy. Though Pam and Patrick have made their home and raised their children in Purdy, Pam grew up in a large family with 10 siblings in Michigan. When she graduated from high school, she moved to San Diego for a change of scenery, where she lived with two older sisters.

That’s where Pam met and fell in love with Patrick, a native of San Diego, on Ocean Beach just south of Point Loma where Patrick had grown up. The two eventually moved to the Ozarks after visiting Patricks parents, who had decided to transplant themselves here, and fell in love with country living.

Connection: Tell us why you and Patrick decided to open Utopian Bean.

Pam: It just sort of took on a life of its own. We used to take frequent walks, in the evenings with our kids, and as we passed this old empty building, in downtown Purdy, we would imagine how cool it would be if there was something going on in this place. We’d gaze into the dusty storefront windows and imagine various things; an ice cream parlor or old-time candy store, etc.

When coffee houses began to spring up in Springfield, and then other towns, we realized how long it had been since we had seen anything like that (since leaving San Diego). I started imagining how great it would be to have that kind of a business right here in Purdy. It became a frequent thought, every time we’d drive by or walk by – “there’s the perfect location for a little coffee house.”

The building was bought by a local businessman, and major renovations began to happen. The story in the paper was that new offices were being planned for that location, and not much more was said. We were glad someone was rescuing this old building!

Unexpectedly, in the fall of 2010, Patrick’s employer downsized their staff in several departments, and his job was affected. While he was out and about in his new career search, Patrick stopped in to the new office he saw open in the building 54 | Connection Magazine

and asked the office manager what type of business they were conducting here. She told him about Project Genesis. (more about Project Genesis: http://marethenterprises. com/press.php?tag=genesis and http://www. purdygenesis.com/about/)

Patrick came home very excited about what he had just learned.

For seemingly no “reasonable” reason, he plucked my coffee house imaginings out of the air and put them on paper that day, and told me he wanted to pitch the idea to Project Genesis! I was astounded! He began referring to it as “Pamela’s Coffee House,” but I didn’t want my name on it, I didn’t like that. So, I got abstract in my search for a business name. I looked up the origin of the name Pamela. I found out it was first used in a story called “Arcadia,” in the 16th Century. So, I suggested to Patrick that we call it “Arcadian Bean Coffee House.” He said that sounded like a video game parlor. I looked further for words that coincide with the meaning of Arcadia – Utopia came up on the list. It fit just right.

Utopian Bean was born.

We printed out a business plan and put together a large notebook with all the details we could conceive of. In our meeting with Ed Mareth, he told us how people wonder why he started Project Genesis and tell him he is just “too Utopian” in his vision for Purdy – he used that phrase a couple of more times. I held up the notebook we had

put together, the title being “Utopian Bean.”

To me, that seemed like a very defining moment in our meeting. We kept in touch with Ed over the next few weeks, and he agreed to let us lease the space. From that point, as we imagined each step of the process, it came to life. We love all the things you can get at a good coffee house.

Love the smell in the air of fresh ground coffee beans and baked goods, and being amongst smiling faces. So, how exciting is that, to be able to do that right here in our home town! Coffee is not just a drink, it’s an experience!

We opened our doors May 20, 2011.

Connection: Besides owning a coffee house, you have professional experience in what field?

Pam: I worked in various food service industries throughout my 20s: family restaurants, a French restaurant, a private yacht club, and non-Commissioned Officers Club, and then local diners when we moved to southwest Missouri. Each place was an educational experience – learning different menus and new foods I had not experienced before. I loved watching the chefs and cooks, and learning about the ingredients and cooking techniques for the food I was serving.

After having my second child, and living out in the country with very limited food industries in the area, I decided I wanted to try a different line of work. In January 1994, I began working at (then) Aurora Community Hospital. I discovered I really enjoyed all the variants that come with working in the human resources field. I don’t like “routine” work, and although HR has a structure and lots of rules and regulations, it is definitely not “routine” from day-to-day. I was hired at Cox Monett in 1998, and remained there until January of this year.

Connection: What is your favorite part about having a coffee house?

Pam: I have a few “favorite things” about Utopian Bean. When people walk in and stop for a moment to gaze around the room and smile, it surprises me every time I see that, even though I see it every day!

I also love it when we are very busy, and I am in the kitchen and I can hear lots of March 2014

community connection

laughter from the dining room. It makes me feel happy that our guests are enjoying their time here, enjoying the food and having a good time. I have met so many wonderful people here, who I would not otherwise have met, I am so grateful for all of them!

And, at the end of the night, when I turn off the lights and gather my keys to leave, I stop to take in a moment of quiet. I look around the room in the dim light and take in a deep breath, I don’t know why, but I just love that.

Connection: Do you have any future plans for your shop, or expansion of business in Purdy?

Pam: Yes, I do want to enhance the menu and change it up a bit. It will make my staff crazy at first, but after all, I can’t stand “routine” (smile).

I am going to learn how to set up a Utopian Bean web page and by this summer I plan to offer mail order gift baskets, and other special order items. Long range plans are still in the “dreaming” phase, as far as expansion goes. We want to be here for a long time so it’s a constant work in progress.

Connection: Some of your favorite things?

Pam: Book: recently read “Bread Givers” by Anzia Yezierska. A very touching story about a Russian/Jewish immigrant in the early 20th Century in America.

Movies: Out of Africa, Titanic, In America, and Lord of The Rings Trilogy. Favorite Vacations: Lake Superior and Lake Michigan beaches and shoreline, Mackinac Island, and Pensacola Beach, Fla. 4 things on your bucket list: Pam: Hot air balloon ride! Vacation in Ireland. Vacation in Hawaii. Climb the water tower.

3 favorite foods to eat: Pam: Carne Asada Tacos, real Italian lasagna, cookies and cream ice cream cake.

2 fond memories: Pam: Staying with my grandparents for the summer, which was great being the “only child” for a change, for almost the whole summer. They took me fishing, out for long drives along scenic routes of Keweena Peninsula in upper Michigan. I also enjoyed

going with them to local parks for picnic lunches, and walks along the lake shore.

1 surprising talent: Drawing. I have always loved to draw, and attempt to paint. I am always surprised with myself when I produce anything that I actually like.

Connection: What did you want to be when you were a child?

Pam: A nurse. Until I reached my early teen years and discovered that involved handling certain bodily functions that I could not imagine handling. Then I wanted to be an artist.

Connection: What is your favorite season?

Pam: Late Spring/ early Summer. Is that a season? :)

Connection: Tell us about your kids.

Pam: Joshua is 24. He graduated from Purdy High school in 2007, in the Top 10 in his class. He has always been fascinated with gadgets, shapes and designs. He was not interested in sports, even though we signed him up for youth baseball league every year until he told us “no more.” He preferred video gaming and puzzles, and he would make things out of Lego kits that were not “on the box.” He went to Drury University for two years, Hammonds School of Architecture, then transferred to MSU to change his major to Construction Technology. He is a wiz at a program called Inventor, as well as Auto-Cad. He graduated with his bachelor of science degree in May of 2013, and began working full time for an engineering firm in Springfield.

Joshua recently married Ariel Smith, whom he met on campus at MSU in 2010.

Ariel graduated with her master’s degree in English and is currently working on another master’s degree (in Technical Writing), while working as a grad assistant at MSU. Both Josh and Ariel are die-hard video gamers, even their wedding theme was video game based. So they are certainly made for each other! They chose the new Veterans Memorial Park in Purdy as their wedding site, and held the reception at Utopian Bean.

Kaitlan, 20, also lives in Springfield, works part time at a fitness center, and is an MSU student. She graduated from Purdy High School in May 2011 where she attended Purdy High School from K through 12th grade.

She is majoring in Journalism, leaning toward broadcast journalism. Kaity, as she prefers to be called, was a dance student at Mary Beck School of Dance from age five to 14. She joined the cheerleading squad in high school, art club, choir, FCCLA, FBLA, and speech and debate team. Where her brother Josh was more solitary, and happy with only two or three good friends, Kaity developed a strong circle of friends that included more than a dozen “BFFs,” from all backgrounds and personality types. She was on the go all of the time. When her friends were at our house, it was sometimes an adventure. Girls are messy – yes, it’s true! But, I loved it when they would be getting ready for a dance or special occasion, girls in every room putting on makeup and dresses and doing their hair.

March 2014 Connection Magazine | 55

community connection

my connection

“My Connection” photos should be e-mailed to connection@monett-times.com.

Photos should be sent in the original JPG format at the highest resolution possible. A short explanation of who is in the photo and where the photo was taken should also be included.

Pictured above is Vicky McGuire, of Monett, with one of her nurses. Vicky and her husband, Robert, enjoy a little taste of home while waiting for a lung transplant at Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis.

At left, Ashley Cole, DeeAnn Cole and Artie Joe Cole are holding their copy of Connection at Mr. Sanchos resort in Cozumel Mexico.

The Table Rockettes, line dancers out of Shell Knob, danced at Cassville Health and Rehab in Cassville over the Christmas holidays.

Fun times were had by all. Pictured from left are: Mary Dabney, Pam West, Joy Robinson, Vadia Falconbridge, Sandi Whitehead, Lynn Ward, Randa Lasley, Max Ann Foster, Chloe Gibbons and Monnie Kennedy.

56 | Connection Magazine

March 2014

community connection

Above, Purdy R-2 Schools administrators and staff outside Apple Computer headquarters in Cupertino, California. Pictured left to right are: Kay Wright, High School Business Teacher; Molly Strickland, High School Math Teacher; Misty Smith, Middle School Social Studies Teacher; Andrew Godsey, High School Social Studies; Lisa Reid, High School Science; Ronnie Veith, Board of Education Vice President; Mindi Gates, Professional Development and Curriculum Coordinator; Dr. Steven Chancellor, Superintendent; Jennifer Schallert Cornelius, Middle School Math and Randy Henderson, Board of Education President.

At left, Don and Janie Bates, and Linda and Bruce Johnson, all of Monett, pose with Connection at Half Moon Cay in the Bahamas during an Eastern Caribbean Cruise in January. Taken at Half Moon Cay in the Bahamas

March 2014 Connection Magazine | 57

www.cassville-democrat.com

Connection is now

online!

With just a click of your mouse, you can read the newest issue of the area’s most talked about publication.

Log on to www.cassvilledemocrat.com today!

You will also see local news updated daily, popular poll questions, local sports, and so much more!

Not only do our equipment, SINCE 1887

warranties and One of the oldest business inservices the Cassville community. exceed industry standards,

so do we.

With over 60 years of combined experience, our reputation speaks for itself. Our technicians receive the highest level of training to provide you with the quality service you deserve. We use the best computer technology to secure and better serve our customers by providing better information, faster service and more consistant quality.

www.kenscollisioncenter.com

125th ANNIVERSARY

s ’ Willis Insurance, Inc. n e K 100 W. 7th Street, Cassville 417-847-2179 | 417-847-3300 712 W. 10th St. • Cassville, MO 65625 www.willisinsured.com 417-847-1200 • 800-900-1593 Cell: 417-846-5252 • Fax 417-847-1600

NEW Fall Misses Apparel Plus Sizes 1X to 3X

New Shoes & Boots New Blingy Purses

Wrongful Death • Personal Injury • Auto Accidents • Tractor Trailer Accidents • Domestic Relations • Criminal Law • Family Law • Adoptions • Guardianships FR EE A mag azin e ded icat ed to Sou thw est Miss our ians

hS oWm e EET home

pierc e city native histo ric frisco resto res home on stree t in mone tt

The hum as a canvasan body

MONETT MOULAG HAVE MASTERED E ARTISTS THEIR CRAFT

Unexpe treasurected s

GOLDEN PIONEER MUSEUM SHOWCASES A VARIETY OF COLLECTI ONS

APRI L 2011

58 26 || Connection CONNECTIONMagazine MAGAZINE

Fashion & Magnetic Therapy Jewelry

Free consultation

Law office of

J.Michael Riehn

Swan Creek Soy In practice for over 25 years Candles 301 W 8th St, Cassville, MO 65625

405 Plaza Dr. Monett 417-847-1339 417-678-3644 • 417-342-4839 The choice of a Lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely upon advertisements elskowens@yahoo.com March 2014 OCTOBER 2012

communItY connectIon

connection’s cutest pet If you think your furry or feathered friend is the cutest in the area, let us know!

We invite you to share a photo of your pet to be featured in Connection’s very own Connection’s Cutest Pet contest.

March’s Cutest Pet Winner

Dobby is a 9-year-old tabby owned by mary mael, of monett. he was born when the last harry potter book was released, so he was named him after Dobby, the house elf.

Email your pet’s photo to connection@monett-times.com. Photos should be sent in the original JPG format at the highest resolution possible.

Remember to include your pet’s name, city you reside in and your contact information.

March 2014

connection Magazine | 59

community connection

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familiar faces The Pierce City Valentineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s dinner was held at the Pierce City Senior Center on February 15.

10 60 | Connection Magazine

1. Bernard and Rosemary Boes. 2. Betty and Jim George. 3. Bryce and Julie Garner. 4. Carolyn and Danny Boman. 5. Ev and Jim Larkin. 6. Geneva Brown and Glenn Clapp. 7. Pat and Paul Kaiser. 8. Roy and Bonnie Trowbridge.

9. Tony and Margie Washeck. 10. Wayne and Florene Towers.

March 2014

community connection

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The first Waldensian Heritage Day dinner, held at the Waldensian Presbyterian Church in Monett on February 15.

1. Barbara and Jim Sperry. 2. Tom and Betty Pinkley. 3. Linda Gaines, Dolores Thompson and Jerry Gaines. 4. Mary Helen and Raymond McMeley. 5. Lucille Avondet and Julie Barttrum. 6. Cindy & Zachary and Cameron and Mike McMeley. 7.

Laurence and Lucille Stoll. 8. Susan and Randy Rosenbaum. 9. Melana Scruggs and Bert Simmons. 10.

Betty and Ralph Lamberson. 11. Bill and Theresa Botzow and Jeramy Kee. 12. Phyllis and Mike Garrett.

March 2014 Connection Magazine | 61

Did you know?

Standing Strong to Care for Your Loved One

You can view Connection online.

www.cassville-democrat.com www.monett-times.com

Cassville Health Care & Rehab 1300 County Farm Road Cassville, Missouri 65625 Ph: 417-847-3386 Fax: 417-847-5449 bhowell@platinumhc.net

10 8

10 p.m. - till close • $10.00 Cover Charge With Special Guests:

67

Friday March 7

6 3r 5-5 dS 3 -2 treet • Monett • 417

EVERYNIGHT IS

LADIES NIGHT Drink Specials

Fleas & Heartburn

FREE POOL EVERY THURSDAY POOL LEAGUE EVERY TUESDAY NIGHT

$2 Tuesday on all Domestic Beer 9 p.m. - 10 p.m.

½ lb. Bacon Cheeseburger 62 | Connection Magazine

Chicken wings and appetizers available!

NEW

burger ½ lb. Philly Cheese March 2014

community connection

familiar faces Wheaton Valentineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s dinner was held February 14 at the Wheaton Community Center.

1. Becky and Jim Haynes. 2. Vivian and Jim Hight. 3. Jeff and Shelli Wiseman. 4. Lana and Chris Ray. 5. Larry and Kay Balmas. 6. Carl and Maxine Cooper. 7. Donna and Harmon Ford. 8. Derek and Jamie Harmon. 9. Bill Davis and Rebecca Roskob. 10. Markeeta and Roger Harvey. 11. Joyce and Ferman Prewitt. 12. Jerry and Sue Wilkins.

March 2014 Connection Magazine | 63

Mocha Jo’s

Good for breakfast, lunch and supper... or just come in for coffee and dessert

404 BROADWAY • MONETT

635-1107

SINCE 1887

One of the oldest businesses in the Cassville community. y.

Monday 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.

Thursday 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.

Tuesday 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.

Friday 8 a.m. - 10 p.m.

Willis Insurance, Inc.

Wednesday 8 a.m. - 3 p.m. Saturday 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Sunday - Closed

100 W. 7th Street, Cassville

417-847-2179 | 417-847-3300

Gift Cards, Mugs, Sweatshirts, and Consignment Items.

www.willisinsured.com

WE HAVE A FLAVOR

FOR EVERY APPETITE! WEEKLY LUNCH & DINNER SPECIALS

Breakfast Anytime

TWO CONVENIENT LOCATIONS 202 S. HWY 37 MONETT 5:30AM - 10PM

400 S. MAIN ST. CASSVILLE 5:00AM - 9PM

417-235-8200 417-847-0782 64 | connection Magazine

March 2014

communItY connectIon

connectIon events

april

By Melonie Roberts

month of April the Stella Senior citizens center and the aurora Senior citizens center hold weekly dances. the Stella dance is held every Friday, from 7 to 10 p.m. with music by the McDonald Playboys and Frosty garland and the roadhogs on alternate Fridays. the aurora dance is held every Saturday of the month from 7 to 10 p.m. featuring the Funtimers Band.

April 4 First Friday coffee, hosted by the cassville area chamber of commerce, is scheduled from 8 to 8:45 a.m. at Paradise Valley camping club, 12542 Fr 2239, near roaring river State Park.

April 4 & 5 Spring Sidewalk Sale in cassville. Bargains for everyone.

April 5 The Miller Lions Club will host its first Saturday Fish Fry from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Lions club Building, located on Main Street in Miller. a dance will be held at the cassville Senior citizens center at 1111 Fair St. from 7 to 10 p.m. the dance features the roaring river Sounds Band. there is a $4 cover charge.

April 6 the monthly dance at the Monett Senior citizens center will be held from 7 to 10 p.m. there is a $3 cover charge with all proceeds benefitting the center. the ozark Festival orchestra will host its Young artist concert at 3 p.m. at the Monett city hall auditorium. admission is $5.

March 2014

April 11

April 19

table rock shoreline clean-up. For more information, call central crossing Marine at 417-858-6002.

the Seligman chamber of commerce will hold an open mic event at the chamber event center on north highway 37.

Snacks are optional and there is a cover charge of $4. For more information, call the Seligman chamber of commerce at 417-662-3612.

April 11 & 12

the Shell knob chamber of commerce will host its 27th annual home and Business Show from 5 to 8:30 p.m. on Friday, april 11 and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, april 12 at the Shell knob elementary School. there will be a Flowers on the hours drawing throughout the day.

April 12 the Seligman chamber of commerce will hold a dance at the chamber event center on north highway 37. ok country will perform. Snacks are optional and there is a cover charge of $4. For more information, call the Seligman chamber of commerce at 417-662-3612.

Pierce city will host its annual city-wide garage sale all day. the Shell knob Post 2203 V.F.W. will host a garage sale starting at 8 a.m. at the V.F.W. building located at 24846 golden Lane in Shell knob.

April 17 the Seligman chamber of commerce will hold a dance at the chamber event center on north highway 37. Frosty and the roadhogs will perform. Snacks are optional and there is a cover charge of $4. For more information, call the Seligman chamber of commerce at 417-662-3612. the Southern Beekeepers of Missouri will meet at 7 p.m. at the First United Methodist church of Monett. anyone interested in bees is welcome to attend. For more information, call Leon riggs at 417-2355053 or kevin Young at 417-847-5464.

central crossing Senior center will host a fundraising breakfast at the center, located on YY15 in Shell knob. For information, call 858-6952. the â&#x20AC;&#x153;garden Sassâ&#x20AC;? Farmers Market opens the season with spring produce, baked goods and handcrafted items, offered for sale on the square in cassville, 8:30 a.m. till noon.

April 20 easter Sunrise Service at Scenic View, highway 39 in Shell knob. Multidenominational service.

April 26 the Seligman chamber of commerce will hold a dance at the chamber event center on north highway 37. three hits and a Miss will perform. Snacks are optional and there is a cover charge of $4. For more information, call the Seligman chamber of commerce at 417-662-3612.

Berean christian academy will host a free chili super, pie auction and silent auction.

Serving time will be from 5:30 - 6:30p.m., followed by the auctions. the event will be held at the Monett community church, 2101 e. cleveland ave., in Monett For more information call 417-737-0498.

If you have an event you would like featured in our monthly events listing, please email the event information to Melonie Roberts at reporter@monett-times.com.

connection Magazine | 65

is your mom

FIND IT AGAIN

super?

ANTIQUES & FLEA MARKET HOURS: MON. - SAT. 9 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

SUN. 12 - 5 p.m.

410 BROADWAY • MONETT, MO.

417-354-0058 417-489-5056

BOOTHS AVAILABLE! • 7,000 SQ. FT. BUILDING

Ava Belle’s

ANTIQUES & FLEA MARKET

Vintage furniture • Used appliances Antiques • Collectibles • Home decor items

108 S. MADISON

417-678-2210

Now open Sundays 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.

Monday – Saturday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

DOWNTOWN AURORA Size doesn’t matter; big or small, we buy it all.

Renew your faith!

Nominate a Super-Mom Do you have a mom, or know a mom, who always goes the extra mile for her kids? A mom who makes you feel special, nurtures her kids (and all the neighbor kids as well), or makes the best peanut butter and jelly sandwiches?

Nominate that mom to be chosen as Connection’s Super-Mom in celebration of Mother’s Day. Our Super-Mom winner will be pampered and profiled in our May issue! Nominate your mom today!

Send us a letter explaining why your mom is super, along with a photo to: connection@monett-times.com by April 4, 2014.

66 | Connection Magazine

1613 N. 17th Street Monett, Missouri 65708

Sunday Morning Bible Study - 9:30 a.m.

Worship - 10:30 a.m.

Sunday Evening Worship - 6 p.m.

Wednesday Evening Bible Study - 7 p.m.

March 2014

PARTING SHOT

by Jeff terry

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Come with me into the woods where spring is advancing, as it does, no matter what, not being singular or particular, but one of the forever gifts, and certainly visible.â&#x20AC;?

-- MARY OLIVER

March 2014

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68 | Connection Magazine

March 2014