Connection July 2022

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CONNECTIONMO.COM

JULY 2022

Geneology Adventure

Family Markers jones memorial chapel

County Museum christmas magic

Memories in Making

Ozark

Bounty Moore Family Farm Tudie’s Fruities

A MAGAZINE DEDICATED TO THE OZARKS ConnectionMO.com | Connection Magazine | 1

2 | July 2022

ConnectionMO.com | Connection Magazine | 3

EDITORIAL

Letter by Lisa Craft

Snap, Crackle, Pop and BOOM

I

t is the time of the year when we celebrate our freedom and independence. The Fourth of July or Independence Day commemorates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, which declared the original colonies to be free from British rule.

The Fourth of July is traditionally celebrated with fireworks, barbecues, festivals, and other public events. Due to the patriotic nature of the holiday, it often involves red, white and blue decorations to commemorate the United States Flag as well as tributes to our American troops and government institutions.

Locally, many of us will enjoy festivities at our local parks, which include many entertainment and food vendors and then at dusk we all sit and “oooo and ahhh” at the colorful fireworks that are shot high into the sky.

It is a very fun time for us to celebrate with our family, and create memories during usually one of the hottest times of the year.

This is a country that should be proud to be free. American freedom is when people have the right to make choices, free of bias. Freedom is understood as either having the ability to act or change without constraint or to possess the power and resources to fulfill one’s purpose. It is the condition or right of being able or allowed to do, say, think, etc. whatever you want to.

We have the right to speak our opinion, to vote, to worship, to preach, and to willfully make a decision and then change our minds. We have the right to live wherever we wish. We have the

Lisa Craft is Regional Advertising Director of Connection Magazine, The Monett Times and Cassville Democrat.

right to make good decisions about our future and sadly the right to make the She can be reached at lcraft@cherryroad.com bad ones.

As I have said in previous columns, so many have given their lives for our freedom, that we should never lose sight of that fact and always have respect for this country that women and men have died for. Because of the freedom of choice, the majority of men and women have chosen to protect our country and fight for it and for the ones that enjoy that freedom. We have the choice to live our lives doing what we want, live where we want, to eat by choice and to learn whatever your heart desires.

We can act, speak or think as we want without restraint. It is a very special power that shouldn’t be taken for granted. It’s a very special gift given to us from our family fathers and it gives us the right to act like we want to.

So, this is the time to celebrate our country, enjoy the day of fun and activities, and I personally will hopefully be enjoying watermelon.

As one of the oldy but goody songs by Lee Greenwood says: “And I’m proud to be an American Where at least I know I’m free And I won’t forget the men who died Who gave that right to me And I’d gladly stand up next to you And defend Her still today ‘Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land God Bless the U.S.A.”

Lisa Craft

Regional Advertising Director, Connection Magazine 4 | July 2022

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A MAGAZINE DEDICATED TO THE OZARKS

REGIONAL ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Lisa Craft lcraft@cherryroad.com MULTI-MEDIA SALES EXECUTIVES Vicky Abraham Marion Chrysler ICONTRIBUTORS Meagan Ruffing Darlene Wierman Melonie Roberts Susan Funkhouser Pam Wormington Jordan Troutman Christa Stout Jennifer Conner Annie Lisenby Smith Mike Gervais PHOTOGRAPHERS Chuck Nickle Jamie Brownlee Amy Sampson

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CONNECTIONMO.COM

JULY 2022

Geneology Adventure

Family Markers jones memorial chapel

County Museum christmas magic

Memories in Making

Ozark

Bounty Moore Family Farm Tudie’s Fruities

A MAGAZINE DEDICATED TO THE OZARKS ConnectionMO.com | Connection Magazine | 1

Charlie Moore displays the variety of produce grown on the family farm, Moore Family Farm. Spring and summer crops for sale include strawberries, blackberries, sweet corn, tomatoes, potatoes, onions, zucchini, squash, cucumbers, asparagus, cantaloupe, and watermelon. In fall, they harvest and sell pumpkins and gourds.

See page 10

CONTENTS 15 Healthy Connection: Break Fast 29 Cutest Kid

30 Mental Health Column

31 Parenting Column: Beat the Heat

My Best Friends Closet Consignment & Boutique

34 Recipes: Summer Savory

41 Rescued, My Favorite Breed 43 Cutest Pet

47 Familiar Faces

417-635-2000 Follow us on Facebook and Instagram 6 | July 2022

815 Jerome Ln, Monett, MO 65708

Located behind Taco Bell in Monett

50 Parting Shot

Have an idea for a story you would like to see in Connection Magazine?

Email it to lcraft@cherryroad.com Facebook.com/MyConnectionMo

Alice and Charlie Moore work the farm and help advertise the many crops, including this haul of sweet corn.

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10 | MOORE FAMILY FARM

Berries and produce matters to this farming family from Lawrence County

19 | FEATURE FICTION: “Smolder, Spark, Ignite” by Annie Lisenby Smith

25 | TUDIE’S FRUITIES

Derek and Jennifer Tudor of Pierce City reach out for the health benefits of elderberry

36 | JONES MEMORIAL CHAPEL

Museum and chapel in Lawrence County serves for wedded beginnings and historical reverence

39 | GENEOLOGY DISCOVERY

A trip through the archives aids discovery of new veins in family history

44 | MAGICAL CHRISTMAS

LaDonna McVay captures and curates enchanted Christmas memories on canvas

J U LY 2022 ConnectionMO.com | Connection Magazine | 7

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ConnectionMO.com | Connection Magazine | 9

Josh Moore with the first harvest of onions grown on the family farm.

Moore Family Farm 10 | July 2022

Gretchen Moore and Charlie getting ready to plant potatoes.

Strawberries grown by the Moore family in 2022.

Whether dusk or dawn, there’s always work to be done on a farm.

Story by Annie Lisenby Smith

F

arming is not known as an easy job. But as George Washington said, “Agriculture is the most healthful, most useful, and most noble employment of man.”

Covering many acres of Barry and Lawrence Counties are farms of all sizes and kinds. Outside of Monett is the Moore Berry and Produce Farm run by the Moore family. Josh, Gretchen, 12-year-old Charlie, and 8-year-old Alice Moore have been growing corn on their farm for the past several years. “In 2019, we started selling direct from the farm and created the Facebook page and branched out to grow a variety of other produce,” said Gretchen Moore.

The Moore family grows a variety of crops that stretch from spring to fall. In the spring and summer months, crops for sale include: strawberries, blackberries, sweet corn, tomatoes, potatoes, onions, zucchini, squash, cucumbers, asparagus, cantaloupe, and watermelon.

When fall arrives, they harvest and sell pumpkins and gourds. Alongside their produce, the Moore family also sells local honey from Brian and Monica Crouch.

ConnectionMO.com/MooreFamilyFarm | Connection Magazine | 11

A variety of tomatoes that can be bought from the Moore Berry and Produce Farm. The Moore Berry and Produce Farm began selling to the public in 2019.

The stalks of sweet corn growing tall on the Moore Berry and Produce Farm.

12 | July 2022

Working the farm is a family affair. Alice and Charlie help plant and harvest.

While the family started growing berries years ago, they took a break when their children were younger. “We grew sweet corn as the kids grew older and wanted to be part of the farm,” said Gretchen. “Then three years ago we started selling direct from the farm, and that is when Moore Berry and Produce Farm began.”

Life on a farm wasn’t new to Gretchen Moore. She grew up on a dairy farm west of Freistatt. “During the summers, I helped grow, harvest, and sell sweet corn, tomatoes, and pumpkins, among other things, from our family farm as well as at the farmers’ market,” Moore explained.

“My brother had the truck farm as his FFA project, and this inspired me to have it be my project as well.”

Now, on her own farm outside Monett, Gretchen carries on the farming

tradition with her family. “My husband loves gardening and the outdoors and is a non-stop worker,” Moore said. “He likes to experiment with new varieties to see what grows best. He researches and utilizes the many ways to plant the berries and vegetables. This includes top soil preservation, crop rotation, erosion prevention, cover crops, and plasticulture.”

When getting her children involved in the farm, Gretchen says she enjoys spending time as a family and hopes to inspire them to do the things they love. “The kids love playing in the dirt.”

And as their farm has grown so has their “farm family.” Community members and regular customers have become friends that the family enjoys seeing each time they return to the farm. The Moore family finds joy in the farm, their family, their community, and in spending time

outdoors in the fresh air and sunshine.

As is common with farming, there are challenges. The Missouri weather isn’t kind to crops. Floods, hail, frost, wind, and drought all can take a toll on the crops. And the Moores also have to contend with the wildlife that like to “sample” the products.

But all these challenges are outweighed by the joy of farming as a family.

“Be prepared to work very hard,” Moore said. “The days can be very long and the challenges are endless, but working with family has outweighed the challenges.”

The hours of the Moore Berry and Produce Farm vary by season. They are frequently open on the weekends and during the week in the evenings. To find specifics on times and available crops, check out the Moore Berry and Produce Farm on Facebook. n

ConnectionMO.com/MooreFamilyFarm | Connection Magazine | 13

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HEALTHY CONNECTION

Faith Herron is a dietetic intern at Cox College who has found a way to capitalize on her love for food by pursuing a career that centers around it. She is passionate about preventive health care and using food as medicine. In her free time, Faith enjoys experimenting with new recipes, playing tennis, and reading classic literature.

by Faith Herron

The Most Important Meal of the Day

Y

ou have probably heard breakfast referred to as ‘the most important meal of the day,’ and this can be true for numerous reasons.

Breakfast breaks the overnight fasting period, improves energy levels, and replenishes your body’s nutrient stores, among other things. Unfortunately, many people do not recognize the benefits of breakfast and often skip it entirely. In this article, we will discuss the importance of breakfast and strategies to maximize the benefits of your first meal of the day.

Energy Throughout the night, the body utilizes its energy stores for growth and repair. The body’s main source of energy is glucose, which is broken down from the carbohydrates you eat. Once this energy source is depleted, your body breaks down fatty acids to produce the energy it needs.

Your energy stores are low in the morning because you have gone without food for so long. Eating a balanced and varied breakfast helps replenish our energy stores.

Nutrients Breakfast foods are often rich in key nutrients. For example, cereal is often fortified with vitamins.

Breakfast can also provide a good amount of your day’s total nutrient intake. Eating breakfast can increase satiety, or keep us full for longer, preventing overeating at other meals during the day.

Improved Brain Function Eating breakfast is associated with improved concentration and memory. Skipping breakfast may cause you to struggle to focus because your brain has not received the energy it needs, which can make it more difficult to get through the day.

ConnectionMO.com/HealthyConnection | Connection Magazine | 15

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PARRIGON FOR PROSECUTOR Paid for by Parrigon for Prosecutor Committee, Sherie Thrasher, Treasurer DARLENE PARRIGON REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE FOR PROSECUTING ATTORNEY FOR LAWRENCE COUNTY *Monett High School Class of ‘91 *MSSU (formerly MSSC) Class of ‘03 *University of Arkansas School of Law Class of ‘06 *Parrigon Law Office, LLC in Pierce City since ‘08 *General legal practice of law including juvenile (abuse, neglect as well as delinquencies including misdemeanors and felonies) and municipal *Current Municipal Prosecuting Attorney for Mount Vernon, Pierce City, Village of Freistatt and Stotts City in Lawrence County along with several other cities in Barry and Newton counties *Former Prosecuting Attorney for Miller and Verona in Lawrence County *Currently Special Prosecutor for nuisance violations in Monett *Attorney for the 39th Circuit Juvenile Office for Barry, Lawrence and Stone counties since ‘14 “It is important for your prosecutor to protect the Lawrence County community through the pursuit of truth, justice, and the deterrence of crime. The prosecutor’s role is to vigorously prosecute both violent and habitual offenders and bring them to justice as quickly as possible. It is important for a prosecutor to advocate for and keep every victim informed. I’ve been dedicated to the legal profession for over 26 years, in various roles, with more than 16 years as an attorney and more than a decade of those years as a municipal prosecutor. I have the determination, skills and knowledge to handle cases systematically to ensure efficient justice.

If elected as your Lawrence County Prosecutor, I will fully investigate and prosecute culpable defendants to the fullest extent allowed by law.”

16 | July 2022

VOTE PRIMARY:

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GENERAL ELECTION: NOVEMBER 8

Nutritious Breakfast Ideas You are more likely to eat breakfast if it is easy to prepare and takes little time.

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Top it with fruit or nuts to boost the fiber content.

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• Make a smoothie with plain Greek yogurt, milk, and fresh fruit. Add flaxseed or chia seed to add some healthy fats.

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FEATURE FICTION

Smolder, Spark, Ignite

By Annie Lisenby Smith

J

ennifer smoldered with hatred for Bruce from the moment she met him in 5th grade, which was why it was going to be nearly impossible to thank him now, 15 years later.

“Bruce?” Jennifer cleared her throat attempting to draw his attention away from Mildred, head of the town council. They were all clothed in shades of charcoal and black, holding appetizer plates and looking very out of place in Uncle Mick’s greasy burger joint.

Wearing his standard stoicism, Bruce excused himself from Mildred and her complaints about the new city water testing system, probably the most exciting complaint she could come up with in this town of less than 3,000 people.

“Yeah?” Bruce followed Jennifer to the quarter gumball machines in the corner of the dining room. He ran the cuff of his suit coat over their chipped tops clearing away a thin layer of dust.

“I’m leaving town in a few days and wanted to make sure you got all your things out of Uncle Mick’s office,” she began avoiding the gratitude she’d planned. It stuck in her throat like a lump of dry bread.

“You mean my office,” Bruce interjected.

Jennifer blinked away her annoyance. “Actually, it’s my office now. Uncle Mick left it to me in the will. I’ve found

a promising seller who wants to transition it into an organic coffee shop and market.”

Bruce’s guffaw echoed off the walls covered in brightly colored wallpaper from the early 90s. Heads turned their direction as eyebrows raised across the burger restaurant Uncle Mick had run since 1962. Jennifer composed herself not wanting to give Mildred any gossip to spread around town, because she certainly would.

“Check the will,” Bruce pulled a thick envelope from his suit pocket. The pages crinkled with their crispness as he opened a copy of the will under Jennifer’s nose.

“This is not the place,” Jennifer chided.

“I agree, but since you lured me over here to talk business when I thought you might do something humane like thank me for the years I managed Uncle Mick’s restaurant and the months I cared for him while he was sick, I guess we’re talking business.” Mick snapped the papers, a flash of hurt creasing his cleanly shaven jaw. Seeing him dressed nicely and without his usual scruff made Jennifer do more than one double take during the funeral in the packed Baptist Church.

“I did not.” Jennifer stammered. “I was going to thank you. I was—but then you started doing that thing—” “What thing?” Bruce eyed her, a crease of confusion appearing on his brow.

ConnectionMO.com | Connection Magazine | 19

“That thing!” She didn’t want to raise her voice so high that she sounded like a squirrel during mating season, but the aggravation of all the years that Bruce acted like he was the boss, like she was a joke to him, rose to the surface.

Taking a breath, Jennifer straightened her dress. “That thing where you act all high and mighty, like you are God’s gift to the world because you know how to flip a burger.”

Cocking his head to the side to put the glimmer in his dark blue eyes on full display, Bruce shot, “At least flipping burgers for a living is helping the world. All you’ve done is race off to California to flip your hair for someone’s camera.”

“I hate you and I always have!” Jennifer shot.

As though pierced in the heart, Bruce stepped back, his jaw tense. With a sigh, he replied, “I’ve never hated you, but now I’m strongly considering it.”

With a groan and a flip of her ponytail Jennifer spun on her heels and stomped out the door. She’d forgotten about the cracked steps and tripped, barely catching herself from falling. A growl escaped this time.

Jennifer turned back to look at the cartoon picture of Uncle Mick on the sign above his restaurant. Outlined in neon green he smiled, holding out a burger as he leaned against the giant M in the restaurant’s name, Mick’s. That’s all it said. He didn’t have to add anything about the burgers or the fried chicken he was famous for. Everyone knew it.

It was Mick’s. And everyone in the tiny town tucked into a dusty corner of Missouri knew him and loved him. Jennifer didn’t understand it. She’d hated small-town life when her dad had shipped her to spend summers with her granny.

Working at Uncle Mick’s was the only thing that made life bearable. And now Mick was gone. He’d died in his sleep of heart failure. And she’d missed the call for 10 hours because she’d been working as an extra on a low-budget film in California.

The tear that dropped from her eye surprised Jennifer.

Uncle Mick had been like a second father to her, but she’d run off to chase her dreams five years before and had nearly forgotten him in the hubbub of big city life.

Uncle Mick was something she was not, something she might never be. *** “You’re not going out for the Independence Day Parade?”

Granny asked from her recliner as Jennifer grabbed her bag the next day.

“No, Granny, no time to celebrate,” Jennifer took a sip from her oversized coffee travel mug. “I need to make sure everything is ready for the buyers to come tomorrow. I

20 | July 2022

doubt Bruce did anything, and I’ll have to clean the rest of the day.”

“You give that boy too much grief,” Granny shook her head.

“Well,” Jennifer bristled, “it’s not like he hasn’t given me reason.”

“How?” The single word question hit Jennifer like a flaming arrow. Sharp and stinging.

She searched for the exact words. “It’s just who he is,” Jennifer took another sip, scalding coffee burning her throat.

“He’s always shown off how much better he is than me.

Since that first summer after Mom died and I came here, it was all about Bruce, about how he was always helping at the church and how he was so good at school and sports and everything else.”

“Did he ever say that, or did you just create that story in your head?”

“Granny, I can’t right now. I need to go.”

“No,” Granny stood reaching for her cane. She shuffled to Jennifer. “You need to stop. You’ve been going since you lost your mama in that car accident. You’re running away from the feelings you have when you’re with people that love you. Heavens, you ran away from me to Mick’s and I let you because he had a way with you I never understood. He was so much like your mama. Same spirit.”

“Granny, I need to…”

“You need to listen,” Granny cut Jennifer off pulling her into a hug. “Stop for a minute. Look at what you have around you. Stop running away.”

That morning Jennifer stayed in her grandmother’s arms.

She stopped running.

When she unlocked the service door at Mick’s and flipped on the lights, her mouth dropped. Every square inch of the kitchen was scrubbed clean. The layers of grease from decades of fried chicken and tater tots was scraped away.

Even the dining room was sparkling in bright colors looking as new as it did when Uncle Mick remodeled it in 1997.

In the tiny office behind the walk-in freezer, Jennifer found a note tacked to the board over Uncle Mick’s desk.

We weren’t blood, but he was my uncle too.

And greasy as it was, it was my home. I loved Uncl and I loved this restaurant. And from the moment e Mick, I met you, I didn’t hate you, I loved you too.

I left my keys in the top drawer. Email if you need me.

I’ll be leaving town for a while.

Yours, Bruce

“What do I do with this?” Jennifer cried out to empty restaurant. It stung learning you were wrong about so many things. But Bruce? How could she have missed it?

He was always smirking at her through the passthrough.

A glint in his eyes over the baskets of French fries he passed off to her from the kitchen. She thought it had been mockery, teasing her for being a silly girl who didn’t know how to grow into a woman without a mom. She’d been completely wrong in so many ways.

Biting her lip, Jennifer grabbed Bruce’s keys and raced out the service door so fast she almost forgot to lock it.

She shifted Uncle Mick’s old truck into gear and turned it toward downtown.

A sea of people awaited her at the parade. How would she ever find Bruce here? Was he even here? He could have left the night before.

Summoning the superpower of small town life, Jennifer found Mildred, clipboard in hand, directing parade participants with the tenacity of a drill sergeant.

“Have you seen Bruce?” Jennifer asked.

Mildred turned, eying her up and down. “You looking for another fight?” Mildred glared over the top of her glasses.

“No, I just need to find him. Has he left town yet?”

Eyebrows raising at this tidbit of gossip, Mildred smiled, “Left town yet? No. He’s helping with the FFA food booth.”

“Thanks,” Jennifer yelled over her should as she took off, dodging people up and down the sidewalks. She raced through a sea of red, white, and blue.

But at the FFA food both she was told that Bruce had left. She’d just missed him. Her heart sank realizing what she had lost. Uncle Mick was gone forever. Was Bruce too? And why did that hurt so much? Didn’t she hate him? Or had she just directed her pain at him for years, him always taking her jabs with a grin. She’d suddenly lost more family than she’d realized. *** Jennifer didn’t want to go to the fireworks display, but Granny insisted. And no one argued with Granny. She’d had her hair done, curled tight and gleaming as white as Santa’s beard, so Granny was going out. Slipping on her scandals with chagrin, Jennifer helped Granny into Uncle Mick’s truck.

Being surrounded by reveling families with giggling, watermelon-stained children while struggling through heartache is its own kind of torture. Jennifer grimaced as

the children racing by with spark from sparkles trailing in their wakes.

She set out the camp chairs at the bottom of a grassy hill and helped Granny settle in.

“Need anything?” Jennifer asked.

“How about you go over to that fireworks stand and get us some sparklers like those kids had?” Granny smiled.

“Sparklers? Aren’t you a little too old for that?” Jennifer teased.

“No one is ever too old for sparklers,” Granny laughed.

“They remind me that sometimes things in life need a strong spark to get things going, to make real magic happen.”

“No one is ever too old for sparklers,” Granny laughed.

“I need that in my life. I’ve been just smoldering for years,” Jennifer sighed.

“Go on,” Granny nodded toward the stand. “Go find your spark. I think you’ll find it sooner than you think.”

Jennifer walked straight to the table with the smaller fireworks, the stuff for kids and whimsical old women.

After buying four packages of sparklers, she cozied up next to Granny.

“We forgot something important,” Jennifer said holding up the boxes.

“Need a light?” a familiar voice came from behind them.

Both Jennifer and Granny turned to find Bruce holding out a box of matches.

“Ah, a spark,” Granny said with a smirk that could be seen from space.

“I found these in my pocket,” Bruce walked around Jennifer’s chair. “I always had them because the pilot light went bad on the old grill last year. It always went out, so I kept matches on me. Mick kept saying he’d get it fixed, but he got sick so I just got more matches.”

“I’m so sorry,” Jennifer stood, words tumbling out and sparkler boxes falling to the ground.

ConnectionMO.com | Connection Magazine | 21

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22 | July 2022

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“Nothing to be sorry about. It was just a grill,” Bruce smirked with a shrug, the same smirk he’d been giving her for years. And now Jennifer understood that smirk in a new way.

“No, not that,” she smiled. “I’m sorry I didn’t thank you for all you did for Uncle Mick. And I’m sorry that I was wrong about you all this time.”

“So, you don’t hate me anymore?”

Bruce’s voice deepened.

“No, I’ll probably still hate you a little for a very long time,” Jennifer reached for the box in Bruce’s hand and pulled out a match. “But I won’t let that stop me from realizing that I also love you a little too.”

“Spark,” Granny whispered, reminding Jennifer and Bruce that she was still there.

Above them the first fireworks of the night exploded in vibrant, cascading colors to the sounds of delight across the grassy park lawn. And a whole different kind of sparks erupted when Bruce laced his fingers between Jennifer’s.

The next morning, Jennifer met Bruce at Mick’s where they made plans for the future. To run the restaurant together. And for them, for how to fan the flames that had ignited between them.

Smolder. Spark. Ignite. n

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www.kenscollisioncenter.com ConnectionMO.com | Connection Magazine | 23

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24 | July 2022

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Millie Tudor, 9, offers sister Makenna, 12, a sniff of Tudie’s Fruities Body Butter, while Dreven, 9, checks out the hot honey, spiced with chilies.

Living their mission

I

n the quiet countryside of rural Pierce City, something special is taking place.

Derek and Jennifer Tudor, owners of Tudie’s Fruities Elderberry and Apiary Farms, is getting back to the basics with the traditional methods of healing used by our forefathers (and mothers) when doctors were a rare commodity and medications even more so.

“There is a lot to be said for western medicine,” Jennifer, who worked as a physical therapist for 16 years, said. “But there is also a lot of benefit from natural remedies, as well.”

As an example, Derek, Jennifer and their children, Makenna, Dreven and

Story by Melonie Roberts

Tudie’s Fruities finds health and healing in traditional methods Millie, have all taken an elderberry immune boosting syrup daily for the past seven years.

“We started taking it when the kids were small,” Derek said. “We never get sick, catch a cold or the flu. Not even during Covid.”

Driving through Purdy one afternoon, Derek spotted a field of elderberries and that piqued his attention.

“You can produce elderberries on a small farm, and you don’t need all of the equipment that big farmers have to have,” he said. “I come from a landscaping and welding background, and we looked into the possibility of producing elderberries.”

For more information: www.tudiesfruities.com or Tudie’s Fruities Elderberry & Apiary Farms on Facebook or call 417-235-2407.

ConnectionMO.com/TudiesFruities | Connection Magazine | 25

Tudie’s Fruities, located in rural Pierce City, is a family endeavor. Pictured, from left, are: Makenna (holding Jill, the farm’s mascot and family pet), Jennifer, Millie, Dreven and Derek Tudor. Not only do they grow elderberries, a source of high antioxidants and immune support, they have 21 bee hives from which they harvest and package raw honey. The couple have formed a non-profit, Hives for Lives, where a portion of their sales proceeds support families directly impacted by childhood cancer.

After consulting with the University of Missouri Extension, which has completed 24 years of extensive research on the plant at College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources Southwest Research Center at Mount Vernon, the couple plunged in with a passion.

“Elderberries and raw honey are known for their high antioxidant properties and immune-boosting powers,” Jennifer said. “We hope to be the first U-Pick elderberry farm in Missouri.”

“Elderberries coat a person’s cells with a protective coating, making it harder for a virus to penetrate that cell wall,” Derek said. “To aid in the cross-pollination of their crop, the couple added an apiary, and those busy little bees have more than done their jobs.

And while Missouri is famous for “growing rocks,” it is also the ideal environment for growing elderberries.

“They are very hardy,” Jennifer said.

“They don’t flower until later and can handle frost or heavy rains. They are very

26 | July 2022

versatile plants, and the main plant can live up to 25 years.

Derek managed to invent a “no-till” drill, making the process of planting fields much easier and quicker.

“I can plant a two-acre field in a couple of hours,” he said. “And with no-till, you aren’t out there picking up rocks for days afterward.”

The couple now has two fields in crops, and separate apiaries to aid in pollination.

“We use a compost mix of lettuce, tomato, onion, wood ash and mulch,” Derek said. “It has been tested and has been proven to be superior to other mulching products. It typically takes three years to get a crop, but our one-year plants look like three-year-old plants, and will yield $7,000 to $10,000 an acre in the second year.”

But it isn’t just the berries that are beneficial to one’s health.

While not endorsed by the Food and Drug Administration, elderflowers may

be made into an extract which can be used for many medicinal purposes.

“Elderflowers and elderberries are a rich source of polyphenols and antioxidants,” Jennifer said. “They also have immune boosting vitamins and minerals and can aid in reducing inflammation.

Elderberries helps to regulate the digestive system and helps to balance blood sugars. They are four times healthier than blueberries.

“When you add our farm-fresh honey, it further adds to the health benefits by relieving seasonal allergies with added immune boosting properties and powerful antioxidants,” she said. “Honey has antibacterial, antiviral, anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory properties as well.

Honey is known to help heal wounds and burns and to help balance blood pressure and blood sugars. Everyone knows adding honey to tea will help soothe a sore throat and cough.”

“Honey stays good forever,” Derek said. “Archeologists unearthed a

3,000-year-old jar of honey from and Egyptian tomb and tested it. The honey was still good.”

The flowers can also be used to infuse teas (with honey) or tossed into cake batter to impart a delicate sweet, aromatic quality. Elderflower blooms can be mixed with lemon zest and juice and sugar water for a simple cordial.

“We plan to add recipes to our website so people can sample different ways to enjoy elderberries,” Jennifer said.

“There are a lot of fun and creative things to do with elderberries.”

“We are looking to establish our own immunity-boosting business,” added Derek. “Right now, science is looking into ways that elderberries impact brain science in helping decrease the risk of dementia.”

The business will feature the couple’s own immune-boosting elderberry syrup, teas, raw honey and beeswax products like lip balms, salves, body butter and candles.

“We combine the elderberry with other antioxidant sources, such as aronia berries and raw honey, along with other natural ingredients to enhance fla-

vor and potency of our syrups,” Derek said.

And while elderberries and honey have given much to this family, they are developing ways to give back, in the form of Hives for Lives, a charitable fund where part of the proceeds from their product sales is donated to families impacted by childhood cancer.

Elderflowers are more than just a lacy blossom and can be used in a number of ways. These flowers feature a number of health benefits and elderflower extract is used in medicines to treat colds, viruses and joint pain. Elderflower also adds a delightful essence when added to foods and drinks, and can be used to flavor cakes and teas.

Jennifer Tudor displays a head of ripened elderberries harvested from last year’s crop.

Elderberry syrups may be used to treat the common cold, flu, and H1N1 or swine flu. It is also used by some HIV/AIDS patients to help boost the immune system.

ConnectionMO.com ConnectionMO.com/TudiesFruities | Connection Magazine | 27

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“Hives for Lives is a separate apiary, which is placed near our second elderberry field,” said Jennifer. “We help families with bills, medical expenses, care packages, or wish list items like stuffed animals, toys, or an iPad for the children to play with during their stay at the hospital.”

Another way to support their mission is through direct support donations, where an individual or a business can donate a single medium box with frames or a complete hive set to further expand the apiary.

“We will even decorate and personalize the hive to the cause and someone’s name or work logo can be added to the hive set,” she said. “We will donate funds from those colonies annually.”

Taking a leap of faith to quit their full time jobs and dedicate their lives to better health, helping others and spending time with their children was huge, but the couple are beginning to reap the benefits from that decision.

“I didn’t want to miss out on my kids’ lives,” Derek said. “I just know I wouldn’t have a body left working 50 to 60 hours a week. We are also instilling in our children a work ethic and knowledge they won’t get anywhere else. And we are dedicated to helping others involved in the elderberry industry.”

He said while MU is leading the research in elderberry crops, approximately 25,000 acres are needed in the United States to support the industry.

“To date, there are only about 1,800 acres dedicated to the American elderberry crop,” he said. “We want to help others by mitigating the cost of getting started. We have canes ready to plant in the ground, and a wealth of information to offer those interested in helping grow the industry.

“We are achieving our dreams by living through our own experience,” he said. “After two years, we are starting to make a return on our investment. But we can’t do anything on our own. There is power in numbers.” n

CUTEST KID

Email your child’s photo to:

lcraft@cherryroad.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 younger. The photos submitted will be used for the sole purpose of this contest.

Congrats

Oliver

Oliver Abram Johnson is the 2-year-old son of Juri and Michalea Johnson of Cassville.

ConnectionMO.com | Connection Magazine | 29

MENTAL HEALTH COLUMN

Student mental health awareness

Do You Know?

F

rom the 1ate 1960s through the early 1980s many television stations across the nation promoted a PSA (public service announcement) that asked parents a question. Many news shows began their broadcast with a statement like, “It’s 10 PM. Do you know where your children are?” This PSA was widely used in communities where crime rates were rising, as large cities addressed the concern by setting nighttime curfews for youth.

I’m not going to ask you if you know where your children are, although it is a really good practice to know where your children are spending their time.

I am going to ask if you know something else about your children, something of much greater importance.

Mental health problems are common in students. Many parents report

CC

that their children have symptoms of or have been diagnosed with a mental health condition. Based on the most recent available nationwide data which spans the years 2016-2019, we see that 9.4% of children struggled with anxiety, 4.4% of children experienced depression, and 8.9% exhibited problematic behaviors. Note these stats come from pre-pandemic years; we are now seeing evidence that the mental health of individuals of all ages has worsened since 2020. Mental health problems in children are so common that the median age of onset of several mental health diagnoses falls within the teenage years.

So, you’ve figured out that I am more concerned about how your children are than I am where they might be

By Brad Ridenour

CEO of Clark Community Mental Health Center and a Licensed Professional Counselor at 10 p.m. at night. You’re a reader without children in the home? You are not off the hook as you frequently cross paths with students in neighborhoods, stores and churches. We need to ask and assess regularly how children in our community are coping with life. The mental health of children affects how children think, feel and act. The mental health of students impacts the development of relationships and drives whether or not the individual is more inclined to make healthy or unhealthy decisions. Undetected mental health problems in students not only impact the student and family, but it also can impact an entire community.

“It is 12:43 PM. Do you know HOW your children are?”

The Clark Center

Emotional distress can happen before and after a disaster. Children experience a wide range of emotions following a traumatic event or disaster. There is no Right or Wrong way to feel, but it’s important to have coping skills when these events occur. Activities as simple as taking a walk, stretching, and deep breathing can help relieve stress. You should also limit news consumption, get plenty of rest, and maintain a routine. There are many effective treatment options, and help is only a phone call away. Here 24/7......

Call or text: 1-800-985-5990

Clark Center: 417-235-6610

30 | July 2022

CC

Hot summer plans

PARENTING COLUMN

Meagan Ruffing is a parenting journalist and mental health counselor. She used the help of her kids’ ideas to write this article and had to agree to do everything on this list in return for their time. Wish her luck!

by Meagan Ruffing

How To Beat the Heat This July

T

his part of the country can get hot and toasty around this time of year.

Heat plus bored kids can equate to a stressful time for everyone. I like to think outside the box when it comes to beating the heat in July, which is why I am continually looking for new and unique ways to keep my family comfortable during these hot summer months.

1. Water balloons are a cheap and easy way to cool off while igniting lots of laughs. I like to have a bunch of these on hand because you never know when someone in your house might need a good cheering up. Plus, kids like to have any excuse to throw on their swimsuits.

2. Using a sprinkler like we did when we were kids is still fun but try putting it underneath your trampoline. Your kids will think you are the best parent ever (you are!) Safety tip: Make sure you have a net up around the trampoline. It gets slippery when using the sprinkler.

3. Icee popsicles aren’t just for eating. Sure, they’re great for cooling down on a hot summer day, but they’re also perfect to use if you need a quick cold front. Open the freezer door and grab a few icees to put against your skin. It feels great!

4. Water guns are the epitome of summer fun. Fill a bucket with ice cold water and supply your kids (and yourself) with good

quality water guns. Better yet, do it without your kids knowing and call them outside. When they open the door to see what you want, spray them with the water gun and let the fun begin!

5. Go to the creek. This is one of my son’s favorite things to do. He loves to explore, catch crawfish and collect stuff.

6. I have to include the pool because swimming in the pool on a hot summer day is still one of the most relaxing things to do.

My kids are at an age now, where I can bring a good book and lounge while they have handstand competitions and ring toss challenges. Try a neighborhood pool, a friend’s pool, the YMCA, or a community pool.

ConnectionMO.com/ParentingColumn | Connection Magazine | 31

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7. Splash pads are great for little ones who love watching the water spray out of different areas of the ground. Bring a bag full of pool toys and watch your kids have the time of their lives. I used to do this all the time with friends, and it is one of my most favorite memories from when I was a stay-at-home mom. Pack a lunch, throw in some sunscreen and enjoy the laissez-faire atmosphere that a splash pad provides.

8. Hand-wash your car. Does your car need a good cleaning? I think it does. Get a couple of buckets, add some soap and water and voila, you’re in business! Your kids will have a blast with the hose, and you’ll have a clean ride.

9. A float trip or kayaking would be a really fun way to beat the heat this July. If you don’t have any floats or kayaks, ask a friend if you can borrow theirs or scope out a location where you can rent them.

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Use these ideas to keep things fun and interesting this summer. Ask your kids for their thoughts, too.

Kids have some really cool ideas that us parents don’t always think about.

Enjoy this last month of summer and I’ll see you next month for my article about going back to school. n

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ConnectionMO.com | Connection Magazine | 33

Buffalo Chicken Dip Ingredients 2 (10 ounce) cans chunk chicken, drained 2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened 1 cup Ranch dressing ¾ cup pepper sauce (such as Frank’s Red Hot®) 1 ½ cups shredded Cheddar cheese 1 bunch celery, cleaned and cut into 4 inch pieces 1 (8 ounce) box chicken-flavored crackers

Directions Heat chicken and hot sauce in a skillet over medium heat, until heated through. Stir in cream cheese and ranch dressing. Cook, stirring until well blended and warm. Mix in half of the shredded cheese, and transfer the mixture to a slow cooker. Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the top, cover, and cook on Low setting until hot and bubbly. Serve with celery sticks and crackers.

34 | July 2022

Easy and Quick Halushki Ingredients 1 pound bacon 1 onion, diced 1 (16 ounce) package egg noodles 1 head cabbage, sliced salt and ground black pepper to taste

Directions 1. Snip bacon into small pieces with a scissors and cook in a large skillet over medium heat until crisp, stirring often, about 10 minutes.

Cook and stir onion with bacon until translucent, about 5 more minutes; set bacon and onion aside, leaving drippings in the skillet.

2. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook egg noodles in the boiling water, stirring occasionally until cooked through but firm to the bite, about 5 minutes. Drain.

3. Transfer bacon and onion mixture with drippings into the pot used to cook the noodles and cook and stir cabbage until coated with drippings.

Cover pot and cook until cabbage is tender, 10 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally. Gently stir in noodles and season to taste with salt and black pepper.

Sunday Brunch Casserole Ingredients 1 ½ pounds thick sliced bacon ½ cup chopped sweet onion ½ cup chopped red bell pepper 12 eggs 1 cup milk 1 (16 ounce) package frozen hash brown potatoes, thawed 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese 1 teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon ground black pepper ¼ teaspoon dried dill

Directions 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a 9x13inch baking dish.

Pecan Chicken Salad Ingredients

4. Whisk eggs and milk in a large bowl.

Fold hash browns, Cheddar cheese, salt, pepper, dill, onion mixture, and crumbled bacon into egg mixture; transfer to prepared baking dish.

Ingredients

½ cup mayonnaise ½ cup plain Greek yogurt 2 teaspoons white wine vinegar ½ teaspoon garlic powder ¼ teaspoon dried thyme 1/2 teaspoon Park Hill maple pepper (such as Savory Spice Shop®) 2 cups chopped cooked chicken 2 stalks celery, sliced ⅓ cup chopped toasted pecans 2 tablespoons minced red onion

4 slices whole-grain bread, lightly toasted 1 avocado, sliced 1 cup sliced mushrooms ⅓ cup sliced toasted almonds 1 tomato, sliced 4 slices Swiss cheese

Directions 1. Preheat the oven broiler.

Directions 1. Mix mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, vinegar, garlic powder, thyme, and maple pepper together in a bowl until well combined. Add chicken, celery, pecans, and red onion; stir well to incorporate.

2. Place bacon in a large skillet and cook over medium-high heat, turning 2. Serve immediately or refrigerate occasionally, until evenly browned, for up to 3 days. about 10 minutes. Drain bacon slices on paper towels; reserving 2 tablespoons drippings in the skillet.

Crumble bacon and set aside.

3. Cook and stir onion and bell pepper over medium heat in reserved drippings until tender, about 5 minutes; remove with slotted spoon.

California Melt

2. Lay the toasted bread out on a baking sheet. Top each slice of bread with 1/4 of the avocado, mushrooms, almonds, and tomato slices. Top each with a slice of Swiss cheese.

3. Broil the open-face sandwiches until the cheese melts and begins to bubble, about 2 minutes. Serve the sandwiches warm.

Festive Favorites

5. Bake in preheated oven until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean, 35 to 45 minutes.

ConnectionMO.com | Connection Magazine | 35

Once Upon A Time County Cornerstone Continues to Serve

M

t. Vernon is home to a beautiful, quiet location that’s been a hidden gem for couples looking to tie the knot and take their wedding vows.

Located at 11110 Lawrence 1137 the Jones Memorial Chapel is nearly 60 years old and has served as a local wedding venue for nearly 60 years and the grounds house the Lawrence County Museum and its exhibits each summer from Memorial Day through October.

While the grounds and chapel are a beautiful, historical setting for a number of events, but the history of the venue is a major draw.

“Of all the wedding venues available today, Jones Memorial Chapel would have to be the oldest in our area, being built in 1962,” said Mark Conn. “It has hosted weddings and reunions for nearly

36 | July 2022

60 years. “This means that people today getting married there, might be getting married in the same place as their grandparents and parents.”

The museum opened initially as a 1976 U.S. Bicentennial project but closed in the 1980s due to finances. Lawrence County Historical Society and the community decided to reorganize and reopen it for the county’s Sesquicentennial in 1995.

“We operate entirely with volunteers and donations, and we do not charge for admission,” said Lawrence County Museum Volunteer Kathy Fairchild. “Our primary focus is the history of Lawrence County and the events that have affected Lawrence countians.”

The historic 1850s Adamson Cabin was ultimately moved to an adjoining hillside and restored.

The Jones Memorial Chapel was built in 1962 and converted into the Lawrence County Museum for the nation’s bicentennial celebration in 1976.

Lawrence E. Jones, a Pennsylvania millionaire is the mind behind the beautiful stone chapel.

Jones had roots in this part of the country and lived in the Stotts City area.

As legend has it, he had left his home in the Ozarks with $35 in his pocket to get a college education and made his way through college selling Harvard Classics.

In a history written for the Lawrence County Historical Society in 2013, it was said everything he touched turned to gold.

The history states that Jones worked as a draftsman and designed machinery that produced practically all cartridge clips for the U.S. Army during World War I. On the side, he got involved in real estate, purchasing property in Chicago, Ill., Detroit, Mich., Boston, Mass., and Philadelphia, Penn.

Story by Mike Gervais | Photos contributed

The chapel is a nonsectarian venue open to weddings and other events. The chapel seats 155 to 165 and the reception room can accommodate up to 200.

The Lawrence County Museum houses artifacts and history from the county and is free to the public.

The Great Depression of the 1930s hit Jones like it hit many others in America, but his business sense landed him a job, and he leapt into the land development business and began again making money.

With that money, he pursued his passions of collecting fine art, rare books and fox hunting. When he got a bug telling him to do something special for the

county of his birth, he began developing plans for a community building – a memorial to be built in honor of his wife and mother. Thus, plans for the Jones Memorial Chapel were made.

Jones even set aside some items from his valuable collections to be housed in the chapel.

However, Jones died in January 1961, but before his death, he willed $300,000 to go toward the completion of the site.

The building was constructed in 1962 and dedicated in 1963 before becoming part of the county museum in 1976.

“We are able to operate everything on a shoestring, thanks to volunteers and donations,” Fairchild said. “Rentals for the chapel and meeting room help pay the cost of utilities. The number of rentals is down since this program and especially since the pandemic, but we are starting to have events again.”

Since the reopening, the chapel and museum operates from 1 to 4 p.m.

Sundays from Memorial Day weekend

through October, with extra hours for Apple Butter Makin’ Days each October and other special events.

“We have hosted some ‘Night at the Museum’ tours,” Fairchild said. “We host school tours. We have special activities at the Adamson Cabin during Apple Butter Makin’ Days and have hosted some concerts there. Mt. Vernon Chamber of Commerce and Mt. Vernon Community Betterment held an ice cream social at the cabin for Missouri’s Bicentennial last year.”

The chapel seats 155 to 165 people and costs $250 to rent. There is no alcohol or smoking in the facility.

The reception hall, meeting room and kitchen accommodates 150 to 200 people and includes the use of 18 eightfoot tables and approximately 150 chairs and costs $125 a day. Again, there is no smoking or alcohol permitted in the facility. While Lawrence County Historical Society operates the museum, Jones Memorial itself comes under the

ConnectionMO.com | Connection Magazine | 37

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P.O. Box 405 • 111 S. Market St. • Mt. Vernon 417.466.2800 • fax: 417.466.3066 Toll Free: 1.800.748.7756

direction of the Jones Memorial Chapel Board of Directors, which includes the presiding county commissioner, mayor of Mt. Vernon, president of Lawrence County Historical Society, two other historical society representatives and a member at large. Current members include Fairchild, chairman; Gary Daughtrey (who is LCHS president), vice-chairman/treasurer; Noralee Faulkner, David Botts, Presiding Commissioner Bob Senninger and Mt. Vernon Mayor Jason Haymes.

“We’re focused now on some building maintenance needs at Jones Memorial and raising money for additional chinking repairs to the cabin,” Kathy said. “Lawrence County Historical Society also operates the MRC Museum just west of the square in Mt. Vernon, to honor the heritage of the Missouri State Sanatorium/Missouri State Chest Hospital/Missouri Rehabilitation Center. It, too, is operated entirely by volunteers, most of them MRC retirees.”

The Historical Society also maintains a collection of reference and research materials, microfilm and files at the Mt. Vernon Library. It has the Fred G. Mieswinkel Research Room in the historic courthouse, though it has had very limited hours since the pandemic.

The volunteers have also set up a “mini-museum” of historic materials on the main floor of the Historic Courthouse.

Local history buffs and geneologists are invited to join the “Lawrence County Missouri History and Genealogy Group” on Facebook and visit the Jones Memorial Chapel website at jonesmemorial. jimdofree.com.

Membership to the Lawrence County Historical Society is $15 per year, which provides support for preservation and historical projects and covers the cost of our Bulletin, which is mailed to members three to four times a year. Lawrence County Historical Society, P.O. Box 406, Mt. Vernon, MO 65712.

The historical society has approximately 120 members throughout the country. n

Trips Through Time ‘Family Means A Lot to Me’ -James Schad

G

enealogy.

Family tree.

Lineage. Heritage. Roots.

According to a survey conducted on behalf of Ancestry, only four percent of people can name all eight of their great-grandparents.

Do you know where you come from, who you look like and what amazing people you are related to?

A Purdy man, 26-year-old James Schad, knows precisely what his line of descent is.

James has recently connected his family to the Carver family in Diamond, Mo., the Donner Party, and President Abraham Lincoln.

“As a military child, I was born in Coffeyville, Kansas, on August 22, 1995,” James said. “My family moved to Fort Stewart in Hinesville, Georgia, around 2000, and in late 2005 my family came to Purdy, Missouri, where we are still living today.”

James attended Purdy schools from third to twelfth grade, from which he graduated in 2015.

“Through my adopted father and my biological mother, I have one sister,” he said. “Through my biological father and

Story by Jordan Troutman

James Schad took a photo of a home of Susan Blue Carver, a relative he was able to find through his research in genealogy. stepmother, I have six siblings, three brothers, and three sisters. I am the oldest out of all of them.

“Family means a lot to me. On my mom’s side, I only had one cousin who lived in Oklahoma, but I discovered I have a lot of cousins thanks to genealogy. And in these past few months, we’ve grown super close and are there for each other.”

James first got interested in his family history in 2015 when he went through his family history book.

For research, James uses family history books and the family history apps to find his ancestors and study their lives.

“I use both family search and Ancestry,” James said. “Which I like because there’s a lot of knowledge on both sites, and both are free through my church.

“I discovered I was related to Abraham through my family history book.”

Through James’ research, he found that Abraham Lincoln was his seventh cousin five times removed through his

maternal grandfather’s family side.

James also found that Susan Blue Carver, the wife of Moses Carver, is his seventh cousin once removed.

According to the Monett Missouri Stake Print Media Specialist, family history has been traced for Moses, but very little has been done on Mrs. Carver’s line.

“James, through FamilySearch.org, was able to connect his family line to Susan’s line and even connect her family to the ill-fated Donner Party,” said a press release from Monett Missouri Stake Print Media. “James has even received permission to put flowers on Susan’s grave at the George Washington Carver National Park.

“James takes the words of Elder Gerrit W. Gong seriously, an Apostle in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, ‘Connecting with our ancestors can change our lives in surprising ways. From their trials and accomplishments, we gain faith and strength.

From their love and sacrifices, we learn

ConnectionMO.com | Connection Magazine | 39

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James Schad was able to get a photo of his distant relative’s tombstone — Susan Blue Carver. to forgive and move forward. Our children become resilient. We gain protection and power. Ties with ancestors increase family closeness, gratitude, and miracles.’”

James traced his line to Susan Blue Carver through his family tree on a family search.

“Through that, I discovered one of her [family members] married the daughter of George Donner — leader of the ill-fated Donner party,” James said. “The most interesting thing I discovered was that I had family on board two of the Olympic class ships, the R.M.S Titanic and the R.M.S Brittanic.”

James said he also had family on the Luisatina and the Hindenburg.

“One of the saddest things I discovered in my work and search in family history besides two cousins I knew about, David Lawrence Angell and Mary Lynn Edwards Angell,” James said. “My distant cousins who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.”

Families are filled with love and heartbreak, and James Schad takes a look at hundreds of years worth of history and connections to some genuinely amazing people. n

Helping where needed

RESCUED, MY FAVORITE BREED

by Christa Stout

It Takes a Village or More

T

his is a sad column.

If you have Facebook and get news about dogs and cats, you have probably noticed the screams for help from all of the rescues, shelters and pounds. They are all overflowing, out of food and supplies and sadly getting more requests to take in sick and injured pets, and those that were dumped by thoughtless owners.

I hope you all realize what that means, some pets will need to be euthanized, even by some shelters who are no kill shelters. There simply is no room and not enough staff or funding to take in additional pets. These are pets who would normally be taken in, given veterinary help as well as training, or given senior foster care, are being turned away. Sadly, that means pets will be classified as ‘aggressive’ or ‘too sick to heal’ or ‘unable to adopt’ and this places them on the euthanization list.

In addition, high gasoline prices will reduce the number of transports being done, so pets cannot be sent to rescues any distance away that would normally be able to take cats and dogs. A trip that might have

The pictures are of some pets who need your help!

cost the transporter $20 a few months ago is now costing at least $35, and by the time this is published, possibly even more.

We all realize that these are tough times and having pets can be expensive, but please do not dump pets or let them suffer following an injury. There are many things everyone can do, whether you have one or more pets or not.

First of all, if you have pets, please spay or neuter them. Our area is being overwhelmed by puppies and kittens that should never have been born. There are low cost spay and neuter clinics, and these are advertised on Facebook and on the individual shelter or rescues’ websites. Take a few minutes to review, schedule the appointment and you will have a healthier pet and no more worries about giving away puppies and kittens.

Also, if you have pets, but are temporarily short on dog or cat food, contact the shelters, rescues and pounds and if they have any extra dog or cat food, they will be glad to share because they love animals and want your pets to be in your home, rather than in a shelter.

Tan baby at Triple H Farm Rescue, possibly parvo

Pebbles at Stray Animals Matter, learning to walk without feet

If you have pets, please spay or neuter them.

ConnectionMO.com/RescuedMyFavoriteBreed | Connection Magazine | 41

Rescue One took this baby in, suspect it ingested rat poison

Setting The Standard For Senior Care Debbie Howard – Administrator dhoward@roaringriverrehab.com

If you have an hour or two a week, contact your closest rescue and offer your talents. They will be glad to have you be part of their team to help the unfortunate pets.

Providing Rehab, Healthcare, Happiness and Hope

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If you can spare a couple of dollars, all of the shelters, rescues and pounds appreciate donations.

They do so much, not just taking care of kenneled pets, but educating new owners on pet care, sharing and trying to find pets and sharing lost pet information. So many of these people get paid so little and have a very stressful job. Be nice to them, please!

If you have accommodating pets or no pets, please foster one or more available pets. The shelters will work with your preferences, dog or cat, young or old, needs training or is already trained. You will help make a new life for an abandoned pet, and they will realize humans are not bad people to be around.

When things are tough, we all need to work together and help, not just our human counterparts, but our pets.

Contact your local rescue, shelter or pound and ask how you can help, believe me, they will appreciate it.

My sincere thanks to all of you who are already helping and a big Thank you to those of you who will be doing so. n

42 | July 2022

CUTEST PET

Chloe is the fur baby of Luke Steele from Fairview

Chloe Email your pet’s photo to:

lcraft@cherryroad.com

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 Cutest Pet contest. Photos should be sent in the original JPG format at the highest resolution possible. Remember to include your pet’s name, city of residence and your contact information.

ConnectionMO.com | Connection Magazine | 43

LaDonna McVay pairs her talent with a camera with her digital painting skills to make unique Christmas portraits with local youngsters and Santa Claus each year.

Santa Claus Comes Early

C Purdy resident Jhett Terry checks out a Christmas book with Santa in one of LaDonna McVay’s unique 2021 photos. The local photographer offers unique images with a new set each holiday season at LaDonna McVay Photography in Monett.

44 | July 2022

hristmas is coming early in Monett as local photographer LaDonna McVay begins preparations for her popular Christmas photo sessions a bit early this year.

LaDonna is modifying her fall schedule to adjust to the growing demand for her unique, visually striking portraits with Santa. Her schedule change will ensure she is able to accommodate the continual, growing interest. These, earlier than usual sessions, will also allow her the needed time to produce the finished Heirloom products for her clients to enjoy during the Christmas season.

She originally expressed wanting to begin sessions in July but after listening

Story by Mike Gervais

To schedule an appointment with McVay, visit ladonnamcvayphotography.com or email her at ladonna_mcvay@yahoo.com.

to clientele wishes, she has decided to begin in September.

For the past eight years LaDonna has been inviting Santa into her photography studio on 13th Street for these unique Heirloom sessions with youngsters. She has developed her photography and digital painting skills through training and one-on-one education with award-winning artists around the country.

In discussing how these special sessions came about, McVay said, “When I started these sessions, they were just pictures with Santa and a simple winter background. The kids would just sit on his lap and take a few pictures. It has evolved into elaborate sets filled with toys, tools for Santa’s workshop, trees,

antique furniture and Christmas decorations! Without seeing it in person it’s hard to comprehend that everything is actually here. Many people say that they had no idea the scene was real because it reminds them of a Norman Rockwell painting.”

LaDonna said that an incredible amount of work goes into creating the unique portraits, from shopping for the eye-catching props, creating large sets, to bringing in a number of helpers to organize, assist with the little clients to coordinating with Santa himself — a very busy man. She said she gets special help from an old local friend Scott Wahl, who just happens to wear a similar white beard and is also great with the kids.

Isaac, Natalia and Sonya Siver of Monett pose for a photo with Santa in one of LaDonna McVay’s unique digitally painted holiday photos last year. Santa himself makes an appearance each year thanks to help from his friend Scott Wahl of Monett.

LaDonna explained that during the session Santa normally begins with checking the “Naughty & Nice List” to break the tension. She said “Lots of kids question whether they made it or not. We often capture the questioning look as they search for their name.” From there they go through a number of activities that usually include reading from “The Night Before Christmas,” painting nutcrackers or toys, checking Santa’s bag

ConnectionMO.com | Connection Magazine | 45

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and a little surprise that the Jack in the Box always provides. Of course any visit with Santa’s workshop wouldn’t be complete without enjoying cookies with Santa.

After the sessions, LaDonna said the production stage begins. She enhances the photos and settles in to digitally paint each image by hand. “Many hours are spent on each image to create the magical effects,” she said, making the portraits a personalized piece of art. LaDonna said that her intention is to decorate homes with heirloom art during the holidays, for a lifetime.

LaDonna said her most popular items are wall portraits, but that she also has Christmas cards, ornaments, albums and digital options.

Within LaDonna McVay Photography, LaDonna also operates a full service matting and framing business called The Frame Shop. The early schedule will give her and her staff time to frame their portraits if desired. While her digital paintings have made a mark on the community, McVay said she hopes to add video to the list of products provided. With the advancements in smart phones she has access to technology that can scan the portrait with Santa, and it “comes alive” with video of the session.

As her portfolio has grown and her unique skill has evolved, residents from Monett and surrounding communities have shown more and more interest, resulting in bigger crowds. McVay said she will have approximately 40 sessions available this year. She stated that she has already started her list of clients who want to be informed of dates as they are announced.

She is expecting to fill these slots as in years past. LaDonna explained that most of her clients are from Branson, Springfield, Ozark and Nixa as well as locals from Verona, Purdy, Cassville and Monett, but also each year she has a few clients from Arkansas, Oklahoma and Kansas. She encourages the community members who are eager to schedule a Magical Santa Session to contact her to be put on the list for notifications. n

Cassville Prom 2022

FAMILIAR FACES

1

2

3

4

5

6

Cassville’s Prom was held on May 7 at the Barn at Bear Ridge in rural Cassville.

Photos by Christina Leach Photography

1.Ethan Fuchs and Anna Krueger.

2.Sofia Semerad and Eli Leach.

3.Cutter Hicks and Landry Parnell.

4.Eli Leach and Ethan Fuchs.

5.Caleb Leach and Makaiden Bolles.

6.Audrey Goutney and Eli Pickett.

ConnectionMO.com | Connection Magazine | 47

FAMILIAR FACES

First on Front

2

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1

5

Expand Your Options, Increase Your Business!

3 Local music at First on Front in Monett.

1. Casey Nguyn and Kelton Nguyn, 8, of Monett 2. Katherine Larson, Spencer Greek, Amanda Holloway and Cheryl Webb 3. Reigan Gatewood, Hayden Jones and puppy Diesel of Mt. Vernon 4. Donna Beckett, Janie Painter, Charlotte Schoen and Donna Hammond 5. ReNee Veith, Brittany Hayes, Monica Gerken, Amanda Lee 48 | July 2022

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Advertiser Index 7C Insulation LLC.........................17 A Mother’s Journey......................17 Aire Serv........................................... 8 Aurora Motor and Machine.......46 Barry County Farm Bureau........14 Barry Lawrence Regional Library... ..................................................... 3 Bruner Phramacy..........................23 Cassville Dispensary....................23 Clark Community Mental Health... ...................................................30 Coldwell Banker...........................24 Cox Monett...................................52 CS Bank..........................................24 Darlene Parrigon..........................16 Doug’s Pro Lube...........................28 Dr. Jared Spears, DDS PC..........18 Edward Jones.................................. 5 Factory Direct Mattress................ 2 First State Bank of Purdy...........51 Fohn Funeral Home.....................42 Four Seasons Real Estate...........14 Freedom Bank of Southern Missouri..........................................33 Friendly Tire...................................32 J&J Floor Covering......................46 JR Wolfe.........................................17 Ken’s Collision Center.................23 Louisa Mitchell................................ 6 Lackey Body Works.....................22 Lil Boom Town..............................40 Monett Chamber of Commerce..... ...................................................32 My Best Friends Closet................. 6 Ordinary 2 Oddities.....................14 Ozark Methodist Manor.............28 Peppers and Co. ..........................33 QC Supply, LLC............................... 9 Roaring River Health & Rehab...42 Root Cellar.....................................28 Rusty Gate Flea Market..............38 Security Bank of Southwest Missouri..........................................22 Shadow Bluffs Retreat.................. 9 Shelter Insurance.........................18 Stacey Harmon............................... 8 Table Rock Tavern........................38 The Cabins at Cedar Ridge.........16 Trogdon Marshall.........................38 VisionHealth Eye Center............40 Whitley Pharmacy........................51

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ConnectionMO.com | Connection Magazine | 49

PARTING SHOT

Photo by Christel Vore

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50 | July 2022

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52 | July 2022