February Connection 2020

FREE

FEBRUARY 2020

Happily

EVER AFTER Love Songs

An American Tradition

Forever Friends The Mareths’ Story

New Venue

The Barn at Bear Ridge

Love is...

Kids explain

A MAGAZINE DEDICATED TO SOUTHWEST MISSOURIANS Connection Magazine | 1

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Connection Magazine | 3

Editorial

Go for the Gusto!

W

VALENTINE’S

WEEK: Rose Day Feb. 7

Propose Day Feb. 8

Chocolate Day Feb. 9

Teddy Day Feb. 10

Promise Day Feb. 11

Hug Day Feb. 12

Kiss Day Feb. 13

Valentine’s Day Feb. 14

VALENTINE’S

NOT YOUR THING?

Check out a gaggle of other goofy February holidays Page 17

4 | February 2020

ell... I must be honest with you, it is hard for me to come up with something different each year for a particular month that has a specific theme like February. Of course with February, I always think of Valentine’s Day, and I was thinking about the boxes that I made when I was young, yada, yada, and then I thought I had better check and see what I wrote last year, and sure enough, that is exactly what I wrote about!

So I started thinking about what else to write about. There is always the theme of love, young and old, flowers, of course red roses, healthy heart month, which is always very important, and I encourage everyone to support, but I wanted something different, something that normally you would not write about or think of, so I did what you would never think of, I googled it!

Now, most love the idea of getting a dozen roses on the 14th of February or a box of candy or a special date from their special someone, but I found out that there is actually a Valentine’s Week. Yes, after all of these years that I have spent waiting for this particular day, I could have had an entire week!

Maybe I led a secluded life and everyone knew this, but I was shocked to find this out, so I will now share this so all of you will know that instead of a day you can now ‘go for the gusto’ and have a week of love!

The first day of Valentine’s Week begins on Feb. 7 with Rose Day. This is the best day for expressing your love, care and true feelings for someone with a single rose or a bouquet of her favorite color of roses.

The second day of the special week is Feb. 8 with Propose Day. This doesn’t mean that you have to propose marriage, but it gives you the opportunity to let your special someone know how you really feel about them. Or you can use this day to pop that important question in a special romantic way.

Feb. 9 is designated Chocolate Day, and who can resist that! Gifting a box of chocolates for your special someone on this day has to be the most popular day of the week!

Feb. 10 is Teddy Day and this gives you the opportunity to give a beautiful brown Teddy Bear to that lady in your life, or man, and the stuffed animal will always remind them of the love that you have for that person.

Promise Day is Feb. 11, and girls usually take funny promises from their boyfriend. Boys promise their lifelong love, care and trust.

Feb.12 is Hug Day and is celebrated in all the countries and among all friends. A good hug can say all the story itself that you care for his/her happiness. It is believed that the tighter the hug, the more the love.

Kiss Day is Feb. 13 and it is unlike all other days. You can only kiss your special someone. It is the sign of love.

And of course, last but not least is Feb. 14, Valentine’s Day. This is the final test, the day has to be perfect and the most memorable. Plan a romantic date, take your loved one to a special place, give them something big. It’s all up to you!

Personally, just going through this list, I am totally worn out and probably, given the choice will stick to the one day. But if you choose to accept the mission of the week, make the most of it and kudos to you for doing it. Happy Valentine’s Day/ Week to all of you romantic people out there!

Lisa Craft

General Manager, Connection Magazine Lisa Craft is General Manager of Connection Magazine, The Monett Times and Cassville Democrat.

She can be reached at monettcommunity@gmail.com or connection@monett-times.com

A MAGAZINE DEDICATED TO SOUTHWEST MISSOURIANS

GENERAL MANAGER Lisa Craft monettcommunity@gmail.com EDITOR Kyle Troutman editor@cassville-democrat.com ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVES James Craig Marion Chrysler CONTRIBUTORS Murray Bishoff Meagan Ruffing Lisa Ramirez Darlene Wierman Melonie Roberts Susan Funkhouser Pam Wormington Jared Lankford Jordan Privett Dionne Zebert Jane Severson Verna Fry Christa Stout Cheryl Williams Sierra Gunter Jennifer Conner Annie Lisenby Smith PHOTOGRAPHERS Chuck Nickle Jamie Brownlee Amy Sampson DISTRIBUTION Greg Gilliam Kevin Funcannon TO ADVERTISE 417-847-2610 - Cassville 417-235-3135 - Monett Send email inquiries to connection@monett-times.com Mailing address: P.O. Box 40, Monett, MO 65708

aurora____________________________ Jeramie Grosenbacher, CFP® Financial Advisor 103 E Olive 417-678-0277

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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.

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Connection Magazine | 5

F E B R U A R Y 2020

LOVE

30

39 48 10 | THE BARN AT BEAR RIDGE

Join together in heavenly matrimony at this new rustic venue near Cassville

20 | MY LOVE STORY

Connection reporter, Jordan Privett, writes about her blooming romance and wedding plans

30 | LOVE SONGS

The sweetest words are set to music in full American tradition

6 | February 2020

34

FEATURES

10

20 34 | FOREVER FRIENDS

The Mareths of Monett have loved, cherished and lived through 60 plus years of marital bliss

39 | LOVE IS...

Second graders explain their take on our favorite four-letter word

48 | STONES PRAIRIE SPIRITS

Mark McMillin and Jerry Clay talk whiskey and water, fond memories and lifelong lessons

Connection Magazine | 7

FREE

FEBRUARY 2020

Happily

EVER AFTER Love Songs

An American Tradition

Forever Friends

The Mareths’ Story

New Venue

The Barn at Bear Ridge

Love is...

Kids explain A MAGAZINE DEDICATED TO SOUTHWEST MISSOURIANS Connection Magazine | 1

ON THE COVER, Page 20

“Since I was a little girl I knew I didn’t want a diamond ring when I got married, and I dreamed of a man that would take my love of a sapphire ring seriously. Kyle Troutman did, and his dedication to understanding me makes me appreciate and love him more each day.�

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CONTENTS 17 Ice Cream for Breakfast 29 Cutest Kid

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8 | February 2020

43 Parenting Column: Valentine’s Day crafts for kids 45 Healthy Connection: Sugar, sugar

46 Recipes: For the sweet

52 Community Calendar 53 Familiar Faces 54 Cutest Pet

55 Rescued, My Favorite Breed 57 Connections on the Go 58 Parting Shot

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

Email it to connection@monett-times.com

Facebook.com/MyConnectionMo Twitter.com/MyConnection_Mo

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The Barn at Bear Ridge wedding venue will open its doors in March 2020. The 6,700-square-foot, all wood post and beam building offers a warm country feel to any event.

The Barn at Bear Ridge where wedding dreams come true

P

eople often combine the word love with the month of February, and with Valentine’s Day right around the corner, there will be exclamations of love everywhere.

February is also known as, the month of the Bride, and with every magazine cover plastered with images of beautiful brides in gorgeous gowns, a bride-to-be must still think about things like the venue for her big day.

In this lovely, natural corner of the state, local and non-local brides and grooms-to-be can look forward to a new wedding venue located in Cassville.

The Barn at Bear Ridge is a beautiful, natural and rustic venue that will make you say “Yes” to the second most important question, “Have you choosen a venue?”

Located on the ridge of the property, The Barn overlooks gorgeous hills with an opportunity for sunlight that is simply a work of God. The story of The Barn at Bear Ridge began years before the first nail was set in the first piece of wood, back in 2007, at the wedding of Trisha and Brett Rapien, owners of The Barn at Bear Ridge.

Trisha was born and raised in Missouri until her family moved to Iowa for her father’s job. There, she met Brett and

10 | February 2020

coached volleyball for several years.

Brett was born and raised in Iowa, but decided to move to the Ozarks with Trisha in 2008 just after their marriage.

Moving to the area, the couple had one plan, pit-stop BBQ. “Brett likes to do the pit-stop BBQ, and when we moved here we began to raise a special breed of hog, Ossabaw Island, which is known for its meat,” Trisha said.

“The plan was to be able to process and sell meat farmto-table style.”

In 2013, the couple bought the 32 acres that the venue sits on now.

“It had two big metal buildings on it, we are building a house with one and a horse barn with the other,” she said.

“We were trying to expand the hog operation and needed a way to sell the pork.”

The couple asked themselves if they wanted to build a building or a storefront, just to sell the pork.

“Then our daughter got engaged,” Trisha said. “Brett and I did everything for the wedding, and that inspired us to think, “We could be doing this, and be doing it in our own venue.”’

Their daughter was married in 2017, and the couple decided then to build The Barn at Bear Ridge to showcase not only their pork, but their wedding planning skills as well.

Story by Jordan Privett

The bridal suite at The Barn at Bear Ridge wedding venue is decorated to show the softer and more feminine side of the all wood building.

Connection Magazine | 11

Beautiful chandelier lights will surround guests at any event hosted at The Barn at Bear Ridge, which will open in March 2020. Owners of The Barn at Bear Ridge, Trisha and Brett Rapien, aim to offer multiple backdrops and decorations to accommodate any vision. The venue offers a warm country feel with an elegant style.

12 | February 2020

“We started the design in late 2017, as well as drawing plans,” Trisha said. “A lot of thought went into it. We had a lot of ideas that came from our daughters’ weddings and decided to go with them.

“The entire design of the barn was based around some of the smallest details.”

The Barn at Bear Ridge is a 6,700-squarefoot monitor style barn, with a 12-foot wrap around loft, made of all wood posts and beams.

“Our dreams really came true in April 2019 when we started the groundwork,” Trisha said. “We thought the project would be finished by the end of 2019, but it isn’t a traditional build, and it has some specialty building designs which take longer to complete.

“Now, we are looking at mid-March as our completion date.”

The venue has actually already been booked for a number of events, including the very first one in April 2020.

“We want to be a venue location for many different things,” she explained.

“Weddings, company parties, in fact, the first ever scheduled event is actually a community event, and I would love to see us host a prom here.”

Trisha said community members have already inquired about events like car shows, craft events and bringing in a band for a BBQ event.

“If someone calls with a suggestion or request for an event they want us to host, we will do our best to accommodate,” she said. “We are here to use as a local venue with a one-on-on experience.”

The couple work full-time day jobs at the moment while this project unfolds, but dream to work full-time at The Barn at Bear Ridge eventually.

“Farm-to-table started this whole thing, and both of our daughters’ weddings helped us to realize that we could combine our two skills and have something to offer the community that has the most possible opportunities,” Trisha described. “We were inspired, and we went with it.”

Trisha and Brett Rapien, owners of The Barn at Bear Ridge, say they got their inspiration to build a wedding venue after planning their two daughters’ weddings.

The Barn at Bear Ridge is located in Barry County just off of Highway 76, east of Cassville, Mo. For more information about The Barn at Bear Ridge, people may visit www.barnatbearridge.com or the Facebook page www.facebook.com/The-Barn-at-Bear-Ridge-104836997537705/ For more information about Red Rock Barbecue, people may visit the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/Red-Rock-Barbeque-2157745034307216/ or call 417-229-2451.

Connection Magazine | 13

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The Barn at Bear Ridge sets apart from other venues with its warm and rustic wooden look, and with classy, chic chandeliers and decor.

“You get a country, laid-back feel with the upscale look,” she said. “We want people to be able to come in here and make it their event in their own style.”

Trisha said it can be both simple and rustic, as well as, formal and elaborate.

“The inspiration for that was the difference we saw in our daughters’ weddings,” she said. “They are sisters and like most of the same things, but their weddings showed a difference in their styles.”

The barn was designed to be left as natural as possible to accommodate any need.

“As much as our dreams are coming true with this, we want our clients’ vision and dreams to come true at The Barn of Bear Ridge as well,” Trisha said. “We can accommodate 400 guests at this location, and any event.”

The name The Barn at Bear Ridge was developed out of Trisha’s love for Native American history.

“My oldest daughter drew our bear logo based on that love,” Trisha said. “She said all the beautiful places around here are called the, Barn at “something”, then, a neighbor said there was a mother bear and her cubs living in one of the barns on the property, and as we began building and planning, we decided to move it down to the ridge, so The Barn at Bear Ridge was born.”

Trisha said the pork business is continuing to grow as well.

“It is called Red Rock Barbecue and it has not been left on the back burner,” she said. “It has adapted and grown with this process, and will be able to cater to any event on this property.”

The idea behind combining the two was to offer an in-house availability to the pork in a location for the local and non-local communities. n

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16 | February 2020

Column

BY ANNIE LISENBY SMITH

ICE CREAM for BREAKFAST

F

or many people February provides a special day each year when sweethearts celebrate their love, often in extravagant ways.

Boxes of chocolates, large stuffed animals, and colorful arrangements of roses are passed around with enthusiasm.

But let’s not forget those people who don’t celebrate the holiday of love. For many years, I was one of them. By Ozarks standards, I was an old maid when I got married at the age of 30. So, there were many Februarys where I cursed the celebrations and lamented my own lonely heart.

This year, I propose that we all, happy in love or lonely hearted, celebrate some of the lesser known holidays in February. You could start the month off on a sugar high celebrating NATIONAL EAT ICE CREAM FOR BREAKFAST DAY. I’d never admit this to my children, but I love the idea of this holiday. It falls on the first Saturday of Febru-

ary, which is Feb. 1 this year. The holiday started in the 1960s, and various websites have suggestions for how to substitute your regular morning bowl of oatmeal for thick and creamy ice cream.

More delicious days follow in the early weeks of February. On the third you can celebrate CARROT CAKE DAY. And on February 5, you can reminisce on the fad of the 1970s and celebrate CHOCOLATE FONDUE DAY. Appropriately so, these holidays are swiftly followed

by TOOTHACHE DAY on February 9. This is a day to repent of your sugary ways and is a reminder that you need to annually get a checkup with your dentist. There are additional days to celebrate foods throughout February that include: sticky buns, muffins, almonds, tortilla chips, clam chowder, chili, pizza, and gumdrops.

But not all holidays in February are centered around food. Throughout the month, there are days to

celebrate making yourself and the world around you a better and more kind place. After the chaos of the holidays, you might want to celebrate THANK YOUR MAILMAN DAY on Feb. 4. After you’ve thanked your local mail carrier, you can support their jobs on NATIONAL SEND A CARD TO A FRIEND DAY on Feb. 7.

This is a day where people are encouraged to reconnect with a friend by sending a personal letter or card. To finish out your good deeds for February everyone can celebrate RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS DAY. Suggestions for how to celebrate this holiday on Feb. 17 include a simple smile to a stranger as you are waiting in line at the grocery store, a compliment to a friend, or sharing snacks with co-workers. Truly, the sky is the limit for this holiday. If it’s an act of kindness, you can share it, and hopefully continue celebrating this holiday throughout the year.

Connection Magazine | 17

For the entirety of February, the U.S. recognizes AMERICAN HEART MONTH and BLACK HISTORY MONTH. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in both men and women in the United States.

You’ve already taken care of your teeth, now how about taking care of your ticker? Recognize your part in this holiday by eating healthier, exercising more, and encouraging those around you to do the same.

In 1926, “Negro History Month” was established. Proposed by students and faculty at Kent State in 1969, Black History Month was celebrated for the first time in 1970. President Gerald Ford urged Americans to honor the U.S. Bicentennial in 1976 by also observing Black History Month. The theme for 2020 is “African Americans and the Vote,” in honor of the centennial anniversary of the Nineteenth Amendment granting women’s suffrage and the sesquicentennial (150th anniversary) of the Fifteenth Amendment giving black men the right to vote.

Should you want to learn more about African American culture and history in the United States, you could recognize LIBRARY LOVER’S DAY on Feb. 14. A visit to your local library will provide you with many sources of information. For those of you who still cringe at the thought of the popular lover’s holiday on the 14th, you can refocus your celebrations to honor NATIONAL DONOR DAY, which is a day to honor and recognize all forms of donations from organs to tissue to blood.

18 | February 2020

February is full of celebrations honoring presidents, relationships and many odd holidays. If you still haven’t found a holiday for you, maybe you would consider celebrating working from home on the seventh with WORK NAKED DAY. Or if you are worn out from all the celebrations, you could recognize PUBLIC SLEEPING DAY with a nap on Feb. 28.

Whether you have a sweetheart to share a celebration with this year, or you choose to schedule that overdue dental cleaning, I hope that in 2020 you will enjoy an extra day on Feb. 29. Some people will write a letter to themselves to be read on the next leap day in 2024. Others will set achievement goals for the next four years. My hope is that you take the day to recognize the people in your life that you love. Send that note, do something kind, and of course, share a bowl of ice cream with them.

Some people will write a letter to themselves to be read on the next leap day in 2024.

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My Love Story An unplanned connection

F

ebruary is the time of the year when love is in the air with balloons, flowers and the scent of new perfumes offering pleasure to three of the five senses, touch, sight and smell, while taste is covered by chocolates and special dinners.

Maybe the most important sense — hearing — is left.

Hearing allows a person to relive the biggest milestones of their love story, from the first “I love you,” to the anticipated “Will you marry me?”

The hours spent listening to a partner and falling in love, the sound of the song from their first dance as a married couple and the lists of advice offered by couples far more experienced.

Personally, I fell in love with hearing his laugh, with hearing him read a book to my 4-year-old and with the sound of his “I love you,” which is never habitual and always honest.

Story by Jordan Privett

20

February 2020

Kyle Troutman said to me once, “I will never have your whole heart if I don’t win your daughter’s.”

From the day they met she was comfortable around him and the fit seemed natural. He bought her a charm bracelet from Tomblin’s Jewelry and Gifts in Cassville, with a sapphire charm to match my ring and gave it to her.

Connection Magazine | 21

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The advice other people give to a new couple, or newlyweds, is as different as each individual relationship, but some can be true for most.

“Don’t go to bed angry” is a generationally tested truth, and “When you are angry, give each other space” is useful in any type of relationship.

I have always loved listening to love stories and the cosmic coincidences that often lead to happily ever after, and now, I am in the unique position to tell my love story as a newly engaged writer.

As I look forward to spending my second Valentine’s Day with my love, I look at it through the eyes of a fiancé, and how exactly we got where we are.

Most love stories start with, we met, we fell in love and that is that, ours however, started years before we ever met, in 2015.

At 9:21 p.m. on May 20, 2015, after hours of labor and a few moments of self doubt, I had a baby girl and I started my family.

She was beautiful and quiet — unlike myself — and quite simply the best thing that ever happened to me.

After spending months attending date-like events, Kyle Troutman and I had our first official date as a couple at the Blue Room Comedy Club. He told me to be dressed and ready by 6 p.m., he was going to take me out. I had never seen a comedian live before that, and it was definitely a night I will always remember.

On Sept. 12, 2019, Kyle Troutman got on one knee and asked me to marry him. He chose a location that would be the backdrop for our wedding, the Wilderness Hope Chapel patio at Dogwood Canyon.

A little more than three years later, I was a single mom working long hours as a waitress trying to support my small family on the most inconsistent pay in the world, so I decided to do something about it.

I built a resume, which I sent out to about 50 employers, including one looking to fill the position of a reporter and photographer, which I got a call back on.

One morning, in the middle of August 2018, I woke up ready to be my most professional self and rock my interview for a reporter position. After changing my outfit for the tenth time from black slacks to grey slacks, and hearing my mother’s voice on a loop reminding me to tone down my typically bright style, I put on a pair of teal jeans and a chevron pink and blue top, smiled and walked out the door.

I walk into the office to meet a woman, Lisa Craft, the Cassville Democrat’s General Manager, and a man, Kyle Troutman, the managing editor.

After what seemed like both five hours and 15 seconds at the same time, the interview was over and I was getting a tour of the office.

“Why did you hire me?” I asked Lisa.

She responded, “I just have a feeling about you.”

Kyle however, was a little less pleased with that choice, as I wasn’t trained at all and would have to be taught everything I would come to know from the ground up.

Over the next few months, Kyle and I attended events together. He trained me and told me all the little reasons he began to work in this field and why he loves it.

“You get to learn a little bit about a lot of different things, and you get to meet amazing people that do amazing things,” he would say.

We sat in a field and watched fireworks in October, we bundled up and attended Christmas parades, we dressed up and went to community banquets, and we spent hours reading each others stories while I gleaned all the information I could from him.

We had developed a friendship. We connected over his homemade Alfredo sauce and competitive attitudes over board games, then we realized there was more than friendship between us.

But, we worked together—and there was a sense of taboo along with our situation.

Connection Magazine | 23

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We read the employee handbook, and didn’t find anything that said we couldn’t date, but we continued to keep the relationship secret, until the company Christmas party, when Lisa seemed to have figured us out.

Unbelievably, she was happy. In fact, she was supportive, as long as it didn’t affect our work.

My daughter loved Kyle from the day they met, and seeing the two of them together made me realize that my little family was growing with the addition of this man.

He proposed on September 12, 2019, my birthday, with the sapphire ring I had always dreamed of.

He got on one knee in front of a waterfall, and told me he didn’t want to wait one more minute to be married to me and to start our lives together.

He also presented my daughter with a charm bracelet from Tomblin’s Jewelry and Gifts in Cassville, matching my ring, and we began our adventure of planning a wedding.

The honeymoon phase of a newly engaged couple can be short-lived once the stress of planning the perfect day sets in.

It’s a stress not only for you, but in other people’s interests, as well.

There are a million different small details that have to be thought of, but the date and the venue are typically the biggest.

For us, that was easy. The venue would be in the Wilderness Hope Chapel at Dogwood Canyon in Lampe, which opens up to a beautiful stone patio and the backdrop is the waterfall in front of where Kyle proposed.

The food would then be covered by the venue, and we decided rather than a meal for guests, we would offer Hors d’oeuvres and cake.

The date would be as close to my late stepfather’s birthday as we could get, Oct. 16, 2020.

One year to plan, one year to perfect.

What follows? Photographer, flowers, dress, bridesmaids and groomsmen, food, cake, decor, gifts, guest lists, save-the-dates, invitations, thank-you cards, and all of those different aspects have to come together at the same time on the same day.

I plan for my wedding to be in the evening so we have lots of candlelight to make it intimate, so then, I set my sights out for a photographer who can mirror that style.

In November, I wrote a story about a

“

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local Christmas tree farm to get our readers ready for the holiday.

I interviewed the couple and wrote the story, then I followed up to get some photos to go with my story, they told me, “We just had a professional photographer do a shoot for us, will those work?”

“Well of course,” I responded, “As long as I have her permission to use them.”

So, they sent me a folder with a couple dozen photos. They were warm, and the photographer had a talent for using natural light while keeping an intimate glow in each photo.

So the research began, I scoured through photos of multiple events and photo sessions until I was satisfied that she was consistent in her style, then, I emailed her.

She contacted me and told me she loved our love story and that she was coming into my office the following day to pick up a stack of copies of the magazine she was featured in, so we could talk then.

After a few minutes, she left, and within a few hours, I had a demo contract in my email to review from free dove Photography.

Now, on to bridesmaids and groomsmen.

We decided on three each, mine was simple, my Maid of Honor would be my best friend of more than 10 years, and my two bridesmaids would be my two closest cousins. I printed decals and handcrafted them onto wine glasses and presented them to the bridesmaids at our family Christmas. For the Maid of Honor, I decided to get the glass decal done professionally, mainly because it was way harder than I thought, so I went to Forever Yours Embroidery.

His party ended up being a best man, his best friend since 2006; a groomsman, his old boss and friend who helped launch his career; and a groomswoman, his best friend in Cassville. His asks mirrored mine, with decaled coffee mugs for the groomsman and groomswoman, and a decaled

beer mug for the best man.

So, venue? Check. Photographer?

Check. Date? Check. Food?Check. What is next?

I definitely want to use as many local resources as I can. It is important to shop local, but I also happen to come from a crafty family, so I dished out plans that would keep my family members involved, as well.

Flowers, wow, that is expensive, so I had a thought —“What can I use to make them?”

Paper.

We could use pages from a book of love poems from a thrift store and hand make the roses, we can even stain the edges of them to match the wedding colors, then find a local florist that can offer real flowers to accent them, like eucalyptus, succulents and baby’s breath.

It would be a challenge to put it together, but also fun and more meaningful, plus the cost just got cut in half.

The cake was fairly easy, I knew I wanted something simple and rustic and when I found a photo of the perfect cake, my sister said she could easily pull it off, and a family friend could do it too, for back-up.

As far as gifts to parents, in-laws, groomsmen and bridesmaids, I have a plan for each one, and with eight months still to go I plan to use as many local shops as possible to get them all made.

And, for my daughter, she will get a new charm from Tomblin’s for her bracelet. We decided we would buy her a new charm for every family milestone we experience.

Save-the-dates, invitations and thank you cards can easily be grouped together, especially when there is a local printer that we can utilize. If they can’t print something on site, they can help me find someone who can.

The guest list was a topic of stress for a bit, as the ceremony and reception sites only allow a certain number of guests, so that is where we started.

I think we went through seven different renditions of the guest list before we Connection Magazine | 25

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settled on one. Not everyone would be there like we wished they could, but each person invited was there for a personal reason, and we filled our maximum of 120 people.

Now, let’s talk clothes. After some discussion, we—maybe I—decided on deep burgundy bridesmaids’ dresses, each one a little different to show the bridesmaids’ style, however, each one the same color and floor length.

For the groomsmen we actually had a few things to consider, one being that one of them was the groomswoman, we decided we would let her decide which outfit she wanted, a dress to match the bridesmaid or slacks and a button up to match the other groomsmen.

Second, we definitely wanted a color other than burgundy to break it up, so we chose deep navy blue slacks, a white button-up shirt and an accessory of their choice (hat, tie, suspenders, etc.), in burgundy.

The groom, Kyle, will wear slacks, a button-up shirt and a fitted vest that ranged from white-grey to navy blue to match the colors.

The dress is far from a decided factor at this stage of planning, but I am looking for a simple Bohemian style, with lace and tulle and a bit of a train to follow me down the aisle.

A day dedicated to trying on dresses is in the works at this time.

With all the wedding planning, I have felt at times that it was turning into more of a chore than a celebration. I have decided at least four times now that we would elope and be finished with all the planning and perfecting.

However, I know the man I have fallen in love with, and I know we will both put focus on the marriage after the wedding. In all of our years and experiences before each other, we have learned to both compromise and stand firm, and to let the falling-in-love stage be powerful and long-lasting, while realizing one day, we will still choose each day to be as in love, patient, kind and connected as we are so naturally driven to be right now.

Our family started before we ever met, and by choosing to hear each other’s wants and needs, it will grow and strengthen as we live our love story, which doesn’t end with a wedding day, but continues with a marriage. n

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Connection Magazine | 29

Love songs — An ageless fount of joy and tears

P

oetry in America, especially over the last century, has come down from the wise person enlightening mere mortals to the voice of the common man. Ask someone to quote a rhyming verse from memory, and most people will recite a popular song.

America’s songwriters from the days of Tin Pan Alley reshaped the nation’s poetic voice. Nowhere can that be seen more vividly than the love song, a reflection of its time and its people.

Love songs teach us how to court.

The great poets of American song — Ira Gershwin and Cole Porter — produced a tiny fraction of the volume of verses in the Great American Songbook. But they laid the foundation for fanciful flirting and high sentiments.

Most love songs are more to the point and not very subtle. Some things don’t change.

Love songs tend to come in three forms: Wooing, Coochy-Cooing and Boo-Hooing.

30 | February 2020

Looking back at the 19teens, 1920s and 1930s, the heyday of American song writing and sheet music publication, here’s a spot survey of classic songs of the day and what they had to say about love.

Wooing songs have always been very sentimental.

Take the refrain from the 1929 Gus Kahn-Ted Fiorito song “Hangin’ on the Garden Gate”: “Hangin’ on the garden gate, Sayin’ Good-night, goody goodnight. Didn’t care if it was late, I forgot the time and day. Tho’ when we started, the moon was peeping Before we parted dawn was creeping; I’d let the horse and buggy wait, Sayin’ Goodnight!”

Songs showed girls hard to get, and some so willing. D.D. Ebie and Frank Wright’s 1928 song “I Want a Daddy to Cuddle Me” included the lines: “I’ll cook the meals and wash the dishes. All he must do is feed me kisses, Don’t want clothes, Don’t want speed. He should know what I need. I want a Daddy to cuddle me.”

Coochy-Coo songs reflect being

Story by Murray Bishoff

Americans find their sentimental voice in music “When you’re trying to keep from crying, think of me.

And when we want the kissin’ you’ve been missin’, When your heart feels tho’ it will break, And you find you’ve made a mistake.

When you’re lonesome, just think of me!”

wrapped up in one’s sweetheart. The Gus Kahn-Walter Donaldson 1927 song “He’s The Last Word” captures that in its refrain: “He can’t dance, but for real romance, He’s the last word! Seldom talks, but for moonlight walks, He’s the last word! He may be meek and quiet, When there’s a crowd about, but he’s a red-hot riot when all the folks go out. Can’t recite but for holding tight, He’s the last word!”

On a roll, Kahn and Donaldson did it again with the 1927 “Sing Me A Baby Song,” where the lovers sing, “Don’t say a word, just hold me tight, Cuddle up closer, it’s lonesome tonight, So Sing Me A Baby Song. Won’t you baby me? Honey, can’t you see that’s I’m a grown up baby, that’s all? You ought to know when I’m so blue. I’m just a baby who’s crying for you, So Sing Me A Baby Song.”

Some girls leave an indelible impression, and not necessarily a good one.

Take the 1925 song “I’m Going Out If Lizzie Comes In” (lyrics by Lew Brown and Bud De Sylva, music by Ray Henderson):

“I’m gong out if Lizzie comes in. If Lizzie comes in, she’ll Begin to roll her eyes at me and Oh Gosh!, oh Gee! She’s got this a little of that. She isn’t too thin and not too fat. And she has so much of the skin you love to touch. When Lizzie gets busy She don’t give you a rest She pets you, upsets you and vamps the buttons off your vest. Oh I’ll sing songs and tell a few jokes, Even play Uke but holy smokes, I’m goin’ out if Lizzie comes in.”

The Boo-Hoo songs are typified in the refrain of the 1927 song “Forgive Me” by the team of Jack Yellen and Milton Ager: “Forgive me! Please forgive me! I didn’t mean to make you cry. I love you and I need you; Do anything but don’t say good-bye. I’m sorry, forgive me, my dear, and let’s be sweethearts again.”

Al Eldridge’s song “Think of Me” from 1923 continues the lament in the refrain: “When you’re trying to keep from crying, think of me. And when we want the kissin’ you’ve been missin’, When your heart feels tho’ it will break, And you find you’ve made a mistake. When you’re Connection Magazine | 31

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lonesome, just think of me!”

Then there’s “I’ve Got the ‘Sorry I Ain’t Got It, You Could Have It, If I Had It’ Blues” from the 1919 song of the same title (Sam Lewis and Joe Young lyrics, Ted Snyder music). Or Gus Kahn’s 1931 song “I’m Thru With Love,” with its poignant lyric, “I’ve locked my heart, I’ll keep my feelings there. I have stocked my heart with icy Frigidaire, And I mean to care for no one. ...For I must have you or no one, And so I’m Thru’ with Love.”

The warm glow of romance shows in Boo-Hoo songs like the 1923 hit, “When Lights are Low” (Gus Kahn, Red Koehler, Ted Fiorito words and music): “When lights are low, you steal into my heart And linger like a melody, Tho’ I know ‘twas best that we should part, we meet within the garden of my memory. When lights are low, the dewdrops on the rose Are tears for all the wasted years it seems, I miss you so, when lights are low, And I’m all alone with my dreams.”

Boo-Hoo songs felt better rubbing in the smarting agony of breakup.

That showed so well in Charles McCarron and A. Carey Morgan’s 1918 song “I’m Glad I Can Make You Cry”: “I’m glad that I can make you blue, I’m glad that I can worry you, I’m glad that I can make you grieve, Your jealousy is sweet to me, Sometimes I flirt to make you mad, And when you’re hurt it makes me glad, It proves that you love me when you sigh, I’m glad I can make you cry.”

But Wooing songs could also offer a tease, not always mean spirited.

Take this 1936 song “Cross Patch” (Tot Seymour lyrics, Vee Lawnhurst music): “Cross patch, How can anyone be so cross. Won’t you tumble off your high horse? You know you love to be loved. Cultivate a smile sweet and sunny. You can catch a fly with honey. You’re acting so spoiled... shame shame. Everybody knows your name. Cross patch, Don’t you know it takes two to fight? Won’t you kiss and make up tonight? You know you love to be loved.”

As do we all. And the song goes on. n

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Connection Magazine | 33

Forever friends

Bob and Marlene on their honeymoon

Bob and Marlene Mareth share what has made their marriage work for over six decades 34 | February 2020

W

hat does it take to have an enduring marriage?

Bob and Marlene Mareth, who marked their 61st anniversary this past November, can offer some ideas.

They have seven children, 22 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and four on the way, plus step children and step great-grandchildren. As a couple, they cer-

tainly have the markers of success.

That wasn’t evident from the start. Their first meeting was one of those horribly embarrassing high school camping trips that end up in teenage movies. Later that fall, Bob was pushed by a friend to attend a dance he wanted to avoid, and said he’d go if Marlene was his date. He was sure she’d say no, but she didn’t.

They got acquainted and after high school began corresponding. He went off to Germany to serve in the army in the mid-1950s while she graduated from nurs-

Story by Murray Bishoff

Mareth family portrait in the early 1970s

Marlene Mareth, nursing portrait

ing school in Milwaukee. Three years out of high school, their relationship became serious. Bob and his brother bought a dairy farm by Rockford, Ill., and Bob was driving to visit her in Milwaukee. They married, bought out the brother’s interest in the dairy farm, and became dairy farmers.

“We’re not alike,” Marlene said. “They say opposites attract. Maybe it did for us.”

Marlene offered her suspicion of couples who feel they have “all the answers” and a clear path when they start out. She and Bob found their way as they went.

“We didn’t know what we were getting

into,” Marlene said. “We trusted God. That’s the biggest factor. We both were from families where the family was dedicated. Today, with mixed families, they don’t have that foundation. We had brothers and sisters that were mentors. My sister who’s 16 years older is married to a dairy farmer. It’s nice to have an older sister. We had lots of support. I hope that kids today have someone there for them.”

When the Mareths bought their first farm, they found they didn’t have money to make the first payment. They had hogs to sell, and would have it in a month, but not at the due date. The couple they bought the farm from figured this young couple was in over their heads and laughed. They renegotiated the contract and life went on.

“Start with a dream,” Marlene said.

“Keep reminding yourself what it is, and what you expect for the future. Include kids in the dream. It worked for us.”

That mutual vision helped the Mareths get through some tough moments, like when their farm home caught fire and Bob only saved their son sleeping upstairs by throwing him out the window. But they were all on the same page.

“We wanted to say our vows in a church with a supporting congregation,” Marlene

Bob Mareth, Army photo

From 1995 to 1997 the Mareths served in the Peace Corps in Papau, New Guinea, promoting nutrition and AIDS awareness.

Connection Magazine | 35

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recalled. “I feel if you don’t have three parties involved in a partnership — two committed people and God — you’re likely to fail.”

Then there’s growing together as a couple goes through experiences.

“We’ve always been able to talk,” Marlene said. “Bob is a patient man.”

“That’s a virtue, you know,” Bob commented.

Marlene cited the axiom “Don’t go to bed angry,” a good idea but not always manageable. She described herself as one who “hugs my side of the mattress,” not necessarily letting go, but within a few days, she said they had always been able to work things out.

“Bob and I are pretty careful in not taking each other for granted,” Marlene said.

“We still say ‘dear’ and ‘honey.’ We don’t forget to say please and thank you, or ‘I’m sorry.’”

She noted their priest at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Father Paul Lourd Raj Pudhota, says when there’s a disagreement between a husband and wife, both need to be able to look themselves in the mirror and say, “You may be wrong.” She said that makes a good standard for a marriage.

Bob’s official answer for advice for a successful marriage, with a twinkle in his eye, is, “Just say yes.” In a little more serious vein, he added, “Little things count.”

The Mareths have had their adventures together. Eager to escape Illinois winters by the mid-1980s, they bought a dairy farm northwest of Purdy after the pipes broke one winter in Illinois after two weeks below freezing temperatures and there was water running out the other side of the barn.

“That was the first time I’d heard her cuss,” Bob recalled.

They arrived in southwest Missouri in August, at a time when the Monett golf course grass was as brown as the Mareths’ kitchen table. They were horrified and feared they’d made a terrible mistake. By October, everything greened up again, as it does locally.

They had looked elsewhere, even in the Virginia mountains, where Bob said the mosquitos were the size of birds.

Bob had friends who came to tell him the Mareths would “lose their ass” if they moved to Missouri. For Bob, that was a challenge, and the gauntlet had been thrown.

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Marlene and Bob Mareth Here they settled, raised the rest of the family, till son Tom took over the dairy farm. Bob and Marlene then moved to Monett to retire.

But retirement for these two was hardly rocking chairs. They traveled widely. Marlene tells a story of getting a pink hat for Bob to wear on their travels, so she could spot him in a crowd if she became preoccupied and he wandered off, even if the hat wasn’t the manliest thing she could have chosen for him to wear. Bob, in his unflappable manner, took it all in.

From 1995 to 1997 the Mareths served in the Peace Corps in Papau, New Guinea, promoting nutrition and AIDS awareness. They would live outside their comfort zone, under rustic conditions. By then, their style of working together had long proved itself.

Working together was just another day.

“We were friends,” Marlene said. “I don’t know if people get to be friends before they say, ‘I do.’ If you’re friends, it makes a difference. After we got past that initial meeting, I thought he was a pretty good fellow.”

As the Mareths have celebrated 60+ years together, Marlene points to Dan Seals’ song “One Friend,” which she picked out for their 60th anniversary celebration as describing what they have better than anything else. The song says: “I always thought you were the best; I guess I always will. I always felt that we were blessed, And I feel that way still.

Sometimes we took the hard road, But we always saw it through. If I had only one friend left, I’d want it to be you.” n

Kitty kisses, puppy hugs and most of all, Mom

V

alentine’s Day is all about love and when it comes to love, one can get inspiration from songs, books, movies and Pinterest.

But here at Connection Magazine, we thought we would ask some experts what love means to them. We sampled the second-grade classrooms at Pierce City, where we came up with some amazing, funny, complex and sometimes puzzling results.

St. Mary’s Catholic School has a combined first- and second-grade classroom under the instruction of Sally Heidlage. She gave students a couple of days to ponder the question of defining love before having them put pencil to paper. Here are their responses.

JADE

MICKEY Love is…

“A gift from God,” said Jade. “Love is a good feeling from doing something nice and kind. Love is kindness, caring and respect.

Love is God.” “What makes you feel good,” said Mikey. “It’s what makes you feel happy. God is love. Love is what allows you to hear God’s word.”

“Doing something for someone,” said CeCe. “It’s feeling for someone, and being kind.”

“When you are happy and excited!” said Isaac.

“Feeling, caring, nice and sweet,” said Kelcie.

“A feeling that feels very, very, very good,” said Jay. “My dog, Cody, loved me very much. That’s what love is.”

“Very, very special,” said Sterling. “Love is the best thing in the world.”

“Kindness,” said Brent. “Love is hugging.”

“Being nice to each other,” said Wittley.

“Kind,” said Ember. “A feeling, helping each other and family.”

“Feelings,” said Quinn. “Love is nice.”

“Sweetness,” said Will. “It’s nice, and a good feeling in your heart.”

“Caring,” said Adaline. “It’s making someone happy and being nice. It’s loving people. Love is in your heart. Love is everything.”

“When I feel happy,” said Simon.

Story by Melonie Roberts

EMBER

WHITLEY Connection Magazine | 39

“

[Love is] a warm heart thing. I love love because it is nice to love someone. Love is great, because your mom loves you, your dad loves you, too. If someone smiles at you, that means they love you. If someone is nice to you, that means they love you.”

JAYDON

-EMERY

Second-grade students in the Central Elementary classroom of Jennifer Allison also weighed in.

Love is…

“Magic,” said Jaydon. “It is a feeling. Love makes you happy. It is helping.”

“When you are kind to someone,” said Spencer. “I think love is kind of weird. No, seriously, it is weird.”

“Where someone likes you and they are your boyfriend,” said Kyle. “If they are, you ask if they want to go on a date. Love is kissing.”

“Love is passionate,” said Waylan.

“Love is kind. Love does not dishonor another. It does not envy. It does not boast.”

“Like loving someone else,” said Maci. “No cousins, or sisters or brothers. That’s weird. Just weird. Love is easy to figure out. Just find someone cute. It’s easy, right? Hearts are filled with love. You can find it in your heart forever and ever.”

“Love one another and help each other,” said Avery. “So, hope that you love each other.”

“Hugging, kissing and ‘I love you,’ and other stuff,” said Brelynn. “Love your mom, dad, brother, sister, grand-

40 | February 2020

ma and grandpa.”

“Like a spiral,” said Suzy. “It stays the same. Love is a heart that can’t wait to be free. Love is an umbrella that is open wide. Love is an opera that is always open.”

“All about helping, caring and making another person happy,” said William. “It is also about loving your family. That’s what love is all about.”

“Magic,” said Andy. “It is the most beautiful thing on the planet. It is like magic in the air.”

“Huge hugs and kiss, kiss, kiss,” said Abi. “Smooch, smooch. I do not know more.”

“All about giving to people,” said Connor. “It’s all about gifts to people and giving people love.”

“A warm heart thing,” said Emery.

“I love love because it is nice to love someone. Love is great, because your mom loves you, your dad loves you, too. If someone smiles at you, that means they love you. If someone is nice to you, that means they love you.”

“When you love a person and you hug, blush, kissy, kiss, kiss on the throat,” said Kayleigh. “Cupid throws arrows at a person. That is true love.”

“Pretty,” said Ana.

SPENCER

KYLE

MACI

BENTLEE

CHUESOUA

ADYSON

MIKAH

Second-grade students in the Central Elementary classroom of Shay Garoutte also had some thoughts on love.

Love is…

“Sharing with people,” said Bentlee.

“Being nice to them. Giving them their pencil. My teacher, my friends, my mom and dad. My brother. My dog and my cat. My Papa and grandma. My family is what love is.”

“Love is friendship,” said Chuesoua.

“It is cool and fun. Love is my family, because they gave me a new backpack.

Love is money, because I like to throw it in the air. Love is a brother, because he plays with me.”

“Love is my mom, dad, sister and brother,” said Adyson. “They are all kind, but mostly my sister is rude to me. Love is money. We have enough, but we don’t have much. But I am thankful for what I have. Love is my toys at home, because I love them, they are awesome. Love is all the clothes that I have. I love my family because they treat me good. Love is sitting on the couch and watching movies with my family.”

“Love is food, because it is delicious,” said Mikah. “It makes people satisfied. It also helps you grow and gives you strength.”

“I love money, because it is cool,” said Dakota. “I love my mom, because she is nice. I love my dad, because he is nice to me. I love my cat, because she is nice.”

“Love is pets, because I have a cat and he loves me,” said Violette. “Love is mom, because she knows that I love her and she knows that she loves me.

Love is kind. How? Like when you hug someone. That is being kind or loving.”

“Cars 3,” said Eric. “It’s a good movie. I love it. They make toys. My favorite is McQueen.”

“Family,” said Karsen. “They are nice and loving and giving. Love is pizza, because it is delicious. Love is money, because it provides people food and a house. Pumpkins, because you can do cool projects.”

“Your family,” said Eli. “Because they love you, too. Your dog, because he always plays with you when you get back from school. Love is your dad and mom, because they cook for you and you say, ‘Thank you.’ Love is your teacher, because he or she teaches you stuff like math or science.”

“Pizza,” said Serena. “Because it is so good to eat for lunch or supper.

Ice cream. Candy. Money, because you can use it for buying stuff for yourself or someone you want to give it to. All of my pets are my love, because they kiss me on my lips. Also, love is to be someone’s friend. You can also play with somebody if they need somebody to play with. Love is friendship.”

“Pokemon cards,” said Lotus. “Because you can trade cards with friends and battle with friends. You can help people learn to trade. You can help people learn to battle. You can make deals.”

“Being nice,” said Echo. “Giving people what they want. Play with them.

Do something for them.”

“Friendship and caring about each other,” said Jaxon.”Because it is a kind thing to do. Love is also about caring for your family, because you will always get love back.”

“Love is my family,” said Mason.

“My family is very nice to me. My hamster, because he is nice to me. My brother, because he likes to play on the PS4 with me. My dog, because she likes to lay with me.”

“My family,” said Tucker. “They are nice and because they love me. Money is really cool. And it feels good.”

Connection Magazine | 41

“

Caring, wonderful, special, super. It is special and super because you can share love around the world, because it is special and super and kind and nice.

-CHEYENNE

Second-grade students in the Central Elementary classroom of Grace Parrigon also weighed in on love.

Love is…

“When you care about people,”said Raelyn. “Love is when you help people. When you give people gifts. When you say nice things to people. Love is when you care about other people’s stuff and don’t steal it. Love is when you say ‘please’ and ‘thank you.’”

“My mom and dad,” said Aiden. “I love my PS4. I love my family. I love my baby brother. I love my cousins, my aunt and my Popp. I love school and coloring and writing and reading.”

“Love is your mom,” said Jazzlynne.

“Love is loving your heart. Love is loving God. Love is loving your truth.

Love is loving your dad.”

“Love is giving something to somebody,” said Jaxon. “And love is giving kisses to people. Love is taking care of your pet dog and cat and chickens and your pet lizard. It’s taking care of wildlife and loving animals like tigers and elephants and monkeys and pythons. But do not pet a python.”

“Love is when you spend time with your family,” said Aspyn. “Love is your mom and dad loving you.”

“To care about someone and help

them when they are in need,” said Rese.

“When you make someone happy, they will like you. Love is happiness.”

“Giving,” said Wyatt. “I love my mom, and she is beautiful.”

“What Christ made to get married,” said Gavin. “Love is what the Shepherds and Wise Men had for Baby Jesus.”

“Love is when you like someone,” said Carson.

“Someone that helped you,” said Dominick. “Someone that is kind.”

“Friends,” said Anthony. “Friends are special.”

“Caring, wonderful, special, super,” said Cheyenne. “It is special and super because you can share love around the world, because it is special and super and kind and nice.”

“Love is hearts,” said McKynlee.

“Love is inside the heart. Love is hugs, because when you come somewhere, they hug you and say ‘I love you.’”

“Something you see somewhere,” said Jaxen. “If it is from the heart, love is caring for other people.”

“When you care about people,” said Macey. “Love is when you show you care about your family.”

“Hearts,” said Priscilla. “Love is inside hearts. Love is kissing, because they kiss with other people.” n

RAELYN

AIDEN

JAZZLYNNE

JAXON

JAXON

42 | February 2020

Parenting Column

BY MEGAN RUFFING

Valentine’s Day Crafts for the Kids

F

ebruary has always been such a fun month for me to do crafts with my kids. I’m not sure if it’s because it’s less obvious than say…Christmastime or if it’s because stores are loitered with everything pink and red which just puts me in the mood to get crafty. It also doesn’t hurt that Target’s dollar bins are notorious for drawing me in like a moth to a flame. Some of my kids’ best projects have been born out of a sheer desire to share their love of glitter with a clean-freak mom like me. What can I say? I’m a sucker for seeing my kids smile.

1.

Grab your scissors, glue, tape, and a whole bunch of patience.

It’s about to get crafty up in here. These 5 kid-tested and mom-approved projects will have you on top of your game for the month of February.

STAINED GLASS HEART ORNAMENTS

These are an oldy but a goodie.

You will need a few pieces of red and pink tissue paper, one piece of red or pink construction paper, contact paper, a whole punch, and yarn. Have your child tear up the tissue paper into little pieces that they will lay flat onto the contact paper.

Cut a large heart shape out of the piece of construction paper, leaving only the ring of the heart (the inside should be cut out). Lay the heart shape on the contact paper. Put the torn-up pieces of tissue paper all throughout the heart, filling it up completely. Lay a second piece of contact paper over the top of the heart, making sure you press it flat. Start in the middle and

push out the air bubbles to the sides. Cut the heart out of the contact paper. Punch a hole at the top of the heart and string a piece of yarn through it. Hang the stained-glass ornament on your window and enjoy the sunshine coming through the delicate pieces of tissue paper.

2.

VALENTINE CARD BAGS

These are a simple, yet special treat that my friends in a moms’ group got me hooked on years ago. You’ll need a paper bag (lunch size) for each child, markers, and valentine’s stickers. Have each person write his or her name on the outside of the bag and then decorate with stickers. Once everyone is done, open up the bags and get them ready to collect valentines that

each person has brought. This would be fun craft to do during a playdate or for a preschool event. Can you say, “Homeroom Mom?” 3.

HEART-SHAPED SUGAR COOKIES

Who doesn’t love cookies? Find your favorite recipe and let your kids help you roll out the dough, cut out the shapes, and sprinkle them with pieces of candy before popping them in the oven.

I love trying new recipes with my daughters and then delivering the cookies in fun valentine-themed boxes to unsuspecting friends and neighbors.

4. POM-POM WREATH

This is a cute project that doesn’t take a lot of supplies.

You will need a cardboard Connection Magazine | 43

wreath (craft store), red, white, pink and sparkly pom-poms, a hot glue gun, and a piece of ribbon. Have your child glue the pom-poms onto the cardboard until the entire surface is covered. (Help them with the glue gun depending on their age). Let it dry and then tie a piece of satin ribbon and hang it up! These would be cute hung up on your kids’ bedroom doors.

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44 | February 2020

CONVERSATION HEARTS

This is my favorite craft and something I saw on social media that I do every year with my kids.

Spend an afternoon cutting out hearts from construction paper and writing things on them about each other. For example, one of the hearts I wrote on for my son said, “You inspire me.” I hung that one up on the first day of February. The idea is to hang up a new heart every single day until the last day of the month. By the end of the month, everyone’s doors will be covered with hearts and compliments.

I think some people get scared off when they hear the word “crafts” but I promise it doesn’t always have to be that way. Take some of these ideas I’ve shared with you and start your own Valentine’s Day traditions with your children. Your kids are never too old to hear, “I love you,” even if it is with a conversation heart.

Meagan Ruffing is a parenting journalist who loves writing and crafting. She gets a kick out of reading the compliments her kids write out on their hearts every year and looks forward to making new memories this year with her three children.

Visit her at www.facebook/ writermeaganruffing.

Healthy Connection

BY MALLORY LAWSON

The Scoop on Sugar

A

mericans on average consume 160 grams of sugar per day – this is equivalent to 40 teaspoons per day. Even if you don’t have a sweet tooth you may be consuming more sugar than you realize.

Various foods contain sugar; it may be added to the food in processing or naturally occurring in whole foods such as fruits, vegetables, and dairy.

Although these foods naturally contain sugar, they also contain fiber, essential minerals, antioxidants, and other health-promoting nutrients.

The concentration of sugar is also often much less in these whole foods than in processed foods with added sugar.

Because of these reasons, fruits,

vegetables, and dairy in their whole form should not be eliminated from the diet.

Sugar, when eaten in small amounts and infrequently, does not appear to negatively affect health.

However, when too much sugar is consumed, the body releases high amounts of insulin, the hormone that ‘mops up’ sugar from the blood and stores it in the muscles.

When sugar is consumed in excess, the sugar may also be stored as fat tissue. This weight gain increases the risk for high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, and more.

To figure out how much sugar is in foods you are consuming take the total number of grams per serving on the food label and divide by four

to give the number of teaspoons in a serving. For example, on the food label, an item may have 20 grams of sugar. Divide that number by 4 and this is 5 teaspoons of sugar.

The recommended sugar limit for men is 9 teaspoons, 6 teaspoons for women, 5-8 teaspoons for teens, and 3 teaspoons for children.

Americans know desserts are high in sugar, but it is processed “health foods” can also be sneaky with the amount of sugar added. Take a second look at what you are consuming. It’s interesting when you begin to add up the teaspoons.

Mallory Lawson is completing her dietetic internship through Cox College to become a registered dietitian. She has a Master’s degree in Organizational Leadership. Mallory loves nutrition and the affect it can have on individuals and families.

Connection Magazine | 45

DIRECTIONS Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil; cook linguine in boiling water until nearly tender, 6 to 8 minutes. Drain.

Cedar Planked Salmon

Shrimp Scampi with Pasta

INGREDIENTS

INGREDIENTS

3 (12 inch) untreated cedar planks 1/3 cup vegetable oil 1 1/2 tablespoons rice vinegar 1 teaspoon sesame oil 1/3 cup soy sauce 1/4 cup chopped green onions 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger root 1 teaspoon minced garlic 2 (2 pound) salmon fillets, skin removed

DIRECTIONS Soak the cedar planks for at least 1 hour in warm water. Soak longer if you have time.

In a shallow dish, stir together the vegetable oil, rice vinegar, sesame oil, soy sauce, green onions, ginger, and garlic. Place the salmon fillets in the marinade and turn to coat. Cover and marinate for at least 15 minutes, or up to one hour.

1 (16 ounce) package linguine pasta 2 tablespoons butter 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 2 shallots, finely diced 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 pinch red pepper flakes (optional) 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined 1 pinch kosher salt and freshly ground pepper 1/2 cup dry white wine 1 lemon, juiced 2 tablespoons butter 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh parsley leaves 1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil, or to taste

46 | February 2020

Pour white wine and lemon juice into skillet and bring to a boil while scraping the browned bits of food off of the bottom of the skillet with a wooden spoon. Melt 2 tablespoons butter in skillet, stir 2 tablespoons olive oil into butter mixture, and bring to a simmer. Toss linguine, shrimp, and parsley in the butter mixture until coated; season with salt and black pepper. Drizzle with 1 teaspoon olive oil to serve.

DIRECTIONS Cut the tops off of the strawberries and stand upright on the cut side. Make a cut 3/4 of the way down from the tip of the strawberry towards the bottom.

Preheat an outdoor grill for medium heat. Place the planks on the grate. The boards are ready when they start to smoke and crackle just a little.

Place the salmon fillets onto the planks and discard the marinade.

Cover, and grill for about 20 minutes. Fish is done when you can flake it with a fork. It will continue to cook after you remove it from the grill.

Melt 2 tablespoons butter with 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook and stir shallots, garlic, and red pepper flakes in the hot butter and oil until shallots are translucent, 3 to 4 minutes. Season shrimp with kosher salt and black pepper; add to the skillet and cook until pink, stirring occasionally, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove shrimp from skillet and keep warm.

Beat together the cream cheese, sugar, and liqueur until smooth in a mixer or a food processor. Place into a piping bag with a star tip. Pipe into each strawberry and arrange on a serving platter.

Stuffed Strawberries INGREDIENTS

1 pint fresh strawberries 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened 1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar, or to taste 2 tablespoons orange flavored liqueur, or to taste

DIRECTIONS

Recipes

Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line a standard muffin tin with paper cupcake liners.

Beat the cake mix, water, vegetable oil, and egg whites together on low speed for 30 seconds, then on medium for 2 minutes, until smooth. Fill cupcake liners 1/3 full with white batter; set aside.

Sweetheart Cupcakes INGREDIENTS

1 (18.25 ounce) package white cake mix 1 1/4 cups water 1/3 cup vegetable oil 3 egg whites 8 drops red food coloring 2 drops raspberry candy oil

Stir 4 drops of red food coloring into the remaining bowl of batter to make the batter pink, stir in the raspberry oil. Pour 1/3 of pink batter into a resealable plastic bag and set aside.

Mix more food coloring into the remaining bowl of pink batter until it is an orange/red color and pour the batter into a resealable plastic bag. Cut a corner off the bag, stick the open tip into the center of each cup of white batter and squeeze in about two tablespoons of red batter.

Cut the corner off the bag with the pink batter, stick the open tip into the center of the red batter and squeeze about 1 tablespoon pink batter into each cup.

Bake the layered cupcakes in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 15 to 20 minutes. Cool completely before frosting.

Valentine’s Day French Toast INGREDIENTS

8 eggs 1 tablespoon milk, or to taste 3 dashes ground nutmeg, or to taste 2 dashes ground cinnamon, or to taste 4 slices bread 1 teaspoon butter, or to taste 1 banana, or more to taste, sliced 6 strawberries, or more to taste, sliced 2 tablespoons maple syrup, or to taste, warmed 1/2 teaspoon confectioners’ sugar, or to taste

DIRECTIONS Beat eggs, milk, nutmeg, and cinnamon together with a fork in a bowl until somewhat smooth.

Heat a nonstick skillet over medium heat.

Dip a bread slice into egg mixture to evenly and generously coat each side and put into the hot skillet; cook until golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Repeat with each bread slice.

Cut each slice in half on a diagonal and arrange onto 2 plates.

Stole My Heart Chocolate Cake INGREDIENTS

1 (18.25 ounce) package devil’s food cake mix 2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese 1/2 cup white sugar 1 (21 ounce) can cherry pie filling 2 (1.3 ounce) envelopes whipped topping mix

DIRECTIONS Prepare chocolate cake according to directions, using a 9x13 inch baking pan.

While cake is baking: in a medium-size mixing bowl, mix cream cheese and sugar together until blended. In a separate bowl, mix the powdered whip topping according to directions until light and fluffy. Place the cream cheese mixture and whipped topping in the refrigerator.

When the cake has finished cooking and cooling, spread the cream cheese mixture over the cake. Next, pour the cherry pie filling over the cream cheese mixture. Frost carefully with the whipped topping and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Arrange banana and strawberry slices on the plates around the French toast.

Drizzle maple syrup over the French toast; dust with confectioners’ sugar.

Connection Magazine | 47

Story by Melonie Roberts

Door Gunner makes its mark Stones Prairie Spirits making inroads into local adult beverage market

For more information on Door Gunner or Stones Prairie Spirits, visit

StonesPrairieSpirits.com.

Co-founder and partner in Door Gunner brand liqueur, Jerry Clay is pictured picking corn from his Barry County property to be used in the distilling process.

Jerry Clay, pictured in 1963 upon graduation from OCS officer candidate school at Ft. Benning, Ga.

48 | February 2020

W

hat started as a project in distilling for fun has evolved into a profitable business venture for partners Mark McMillin and Jerry Clay of Stones Prairie Spirits.

“In 2016, my wife and I took a long weekend and toured the Kentucky Bourbon Trail,” said McMillin. “I guess I had been distilling for fun. I learned something about the process and had been doing it since 2010. We were at Three Boys Distillery for a barrel sampling. They wanted $90 for a fifth of whiskey. I told the guy I was a craft distiller and asked what he thought of mine. He wanted two of the three bottles I had with me. He asked how I made ‘the best,’ and I told him that what he had was my travelin’ whiskey — that the ‘best’ was back at home. I said he would have to come and see me for my best.”

But that wasn’t all.

“We went to Wild Turkey, and the last tour had already gone,” he said. “Jimmy Russell, the master distiller for Wild Turkey for 68 years, was out front signing bottles for people. I only had the one bottle of stuff that the other guy didn’t want and Russell and I spent an hour and a half drinking that. We chatted back and forth, swapping stories. He signed my bottle of Door Gunner. ‘Gracious’ doesn’t even begin to describe the experience with him.

Right there, I felt like God was flickin’ me on the ear, sayin’ ‘Boy, I taught you somethin’. Put a name on it.’

Owners of Stones Prairie Spirits, Mark McMillin and Jerry Clay, make periodic deliveries of Door Gunner liqueur to retailers from Joplin to Springfield in the The official Stones Prairie Spirits Beer Patrol and Whiskey Neighborhood Watch vehicle.

Mark McMillin, of Stones Prairie Spirits, stops by Shriners in Aurora, to speak to owner Andy Stagner and to restock his Door Gunner brand of liqueur, made from a pre-Prohibition recipe used by the first President of the United States, George Washington.

“My partner, Jerry, and I tossed names around for awhile, and settled on Door Gunner,” McMillin said. “It’s a nod to the military, our military experience, and it had a nice ring to it.”

Clay served as an armor platoon leader in charge of five M-60 tanks during his military career.

“We were sitting on the front porch sippin’ and Mark said, ‘You know, I believe we could sell this stuff,’” Clay said. “I asked if he thought we could get a license for it.”

That said, it took about nine months to get both

state and federal licensing permits.

“And we’ve been selling ever since,” Clay said.

Clay, who taught McMillin his distilling process, learned from a master distiller at Hiram Walker.

“I was about 35 years old when he taught me how to distill,” Clay said. “I’ve been doing it that way ever since. I taught Mark the process about 10 years ago.”

“They classified us as a liqueur,” McMillin said. “We are using a pre-Prohibition recipe that uses cane sugar. Jerry had a recipe that was used by George Washington. Our first blend, Old George, is a nod to him.

Connection Magazine | 49

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“After his presidency, Washington started a distillery, and in his second year sold 11,000 gallons,” he said. “That was incredible back then. One thing that impressed me was our founding fathers, Washington, Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton, all had multiple careers and so have I. In addition to my military career, I’ve managed an insurance career, farmed a century farm and learned distilling. I figure if the Army can teach anyone to fly a helicopter, given time, effort and the good Lord’s blessing, there isn’t anything you can’t learn.”

After his stint in the military, Clay has worked as a bail bondsman, a real estate broker, serviced as president of the Missouri Bail Bonds Association, and sold Ski-Doos and personal watercraft. He is the first realtor in Monett to have used an exclusive listing clause in the business.

Clay’s granddaughter, Teri Diggs, designed the label used on their products. In addition, the packaging includes a shell casing that has been fired from a six-barrel Gatling gun identical to the one used by McMillin when he was a Night Stalker in the military, from 1988 to 1996.

McMillin credits the fine quality of their spirits to the locally sourced grains and limestone water used to distill their products.

“Both Missouri and Kentucky have good water,” he said. “Limestone and a deep aquifer. We were lucky. We could have been located somewhere with bad water. The rye we use is from a place about a mile from the distillery, and the wheat is from my grandparent’s century-old farm.”

“All the grains are from right there in Barry County,” added Clay.

Stones Prairie Spirits features three varieties of liqueur: Old George, which incorporates corn, barley and rye; Uncle Willy’s, a corn, barley and wheat mix; and Smokey Rye, a 100 percent rye blend in which a operation has been smoked before being placed in the mash.

“We distill in small batches,” McMillin said. “The difference between us and the big guys is they use number three animal grade corn by the train car load, and we use the best grains we can get and we have excellent quality control. If the big guys get a batch that isn’t great, they blend it with others. If something goes awry with one of our batches, it never gets in the bottle. We do everything like grandma does when she’s making strawberry jam — go through and cull out the bad. Each process is subject to the sight, smell and taste test to produce a good product at the end.”

McMillin said he also took time to listen to the “old timers” and asked a lot of questions.

“It’s like watching Julia Child when she’s cooking,” he laughed.

McMillin said using locally sourced grains in his blends is a great way to promote Missouri agriculture.

“It was just 15 years ago that there were only 10 distilleries in the state,” he said. “Now there are between 50 and 60. In fact, Macadoodles has a section devoted to Missouri spirits.”

And the spent mash is a good additive to livestock feed.

McMillin and his partner, Clay, have spent many weekends hosting tastings throughout southwest Missouri, promoting their Door Gunner brand.

“I love trying to guess which variety people will like the best,” he said.

“Surprisingly, it’s the 21 to 30 yearold women that is the fastest growing demographic. We have also learned that just as many men prefer a good cocktail as those who prefer their spirits straight.”

McMillin and Clay are in the process of developing a fourth variety, a blend of American and Bavarian smoked rye.

“It’s a work in process,” McMillin said. “But we are having fun. We try to make every day better than the one before, and treat each as if it may be our last.” n

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Days

ay Sund 4 a Week 91 5 Mon-Sat 1 Connection Magazine | 51

Community Calendar FEB. 1

The Seligman Chamber of Commerce will host a dance at the Seligman Chamber Event Center at 7 p.m. Admission is $5 each, and attendees are asked to bring a snack to share. No alcohol or smoking is allowed. For more information, call 417662-3612.

FEB. 5

Blood pressure check by Ozark Methodist Manor will be at the Cassville Senior Center beginning at 10:30 a.m.

FEB. 6

Benefit Counseling by appointment only at the Cassville Senior Center. Call 847-4510 to schedule. Tax Counseling will also be available by appointment.

Cassville Senior Center will have Bingo with Roaring River Rehab at noon.

Paint Class at the Cassville Senior Center beginning at 9 a.m.

FEB. 7

(Feb. 15, continued) Central Crossing Senior Center in Shell Knob will have a special French Toast Brunch observing Valentines Day from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. A free will donation will be accepted.

FEB. 18

Grace Health Services at the Central Crossing Senior Center in Shell Knob. Call for an appointment 417-858-6952.

CASSVILLE SENIOR CENTER

FEB. 19

Regular events:

The Aurora Quilt Guild meets at 10 a.m. in the Aurora Community Center, 40 W. Church St. For more information call 417498-6789.

FEB. 20

Paint Class at the Cassville Senior Center beginning at 9 a.m.

Cassville Senior Center will have Bingo with Roaring River Rehab at noon.

FEB. 22

First Friday Coffee will be hosted by the Crowder College, Cassville Campus from 8-8:45 a.m. This event is sponsored by the Cassville Chamber of Commerce. For more information call 847-2814.

The Seligman Chamber of Commerce will host a dance at the Seligman Chamber Event Center at 7 p.m. Admission is $5, and attendees bring a snack to share. No alcohol or smoking is allowed. For more information, call 417-662-3612

FEB. 8

FEB. 23

The Seligman Chamber of Commerce will host a dance at the Seligman Chamber Event Center at 7 p.m. Admission is $5 each, and attendees are asked to bring a snack to share. No alcohol or smoking is allowed. For more information, call 417662-3612.

FEB. 10

A Breakfast Bar will be served at the Cassville Senior Center beginning at 8 a.m.

FEB. 12

Ozark Festival Orchestra Young Artists and Soloist Showcase concert held at the Monett High School Performing Arts Center beginning at 3 p.m. $10 Adults, $5 Seniors, Students free. For more information call 417-316-3302.

FEB. 24

Nell’s Nails begins at 9 a.m. Call 417-8586952 for an appointment. Walk-ins are welcome at the Central Crossing Senior Center in Shell Knob.

Grace Foot Care by appointment at Cassville Senior Center. Call 847-4510 for appointment.

A Breakfast Bar will be served at the Cassville Senior Center beginning at 8 a.m.

FEB. 13

Nell’s Nails begins at 9 a.m. Call 847-4510 for an appointment. Walk-ins are welcome at the Cassville Senior Center.

Health and Education with Susan will begin at 11:30 a.m. at the Cassville Senior Center.

FEB. 14

A special Valentine’s Day lunch will be served at the Cassville Senior Center beginning at 11:00 a.m.

FEB. 15

The Seligman Chamber of Commerce will host a dance at the Seligman Chamber Event Center at 7 p.m. Admission is $5 each, and attendees are asked to bring a snack to share. No alcohol or smoking is allowed. For more information, call 417662-3612.

52 | February 2020

FEB. 26

1111 Fair St., Cassville, Mo.

Coffee Bar on Mondays 8-10 a.m.

Dominos every Tuesday and Friday at 11:45 a.m..

Exercise class every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10-11 a.m. Call 417-847-4510.

Bingo every Thursday at noon.

CENTRAL CROSSING SENIOR CENTER Regular events: Wii Bowling every Wednesday, 12:45 to 3 p.m. New bowlers welcome.

Friends’ Bridge every Friday. Call Quita at 417-271-9803 for details.

Cards Galore every Friday with Pitch beginning at 9 a.m.

Domino Poker, every day from 12:45 p.m.

Qigong Exercise every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 10 a.m.

Arthritis Exercise class is held every Wednesday at 12:30 p.m.

Mah Jongg every Monday and Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

FEB. 27

Line Dancing every Tuesday and Thursday from 9 to 10:30 a.m.

FEB. 28

Quilting for Charity every Wednesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The Pierce City Senior Center Dance will hold its regular monthly dance.

Birthday dinner will be served at the Cassville Senior Center beginning at 11 a.m.

FEB. 29

The Seligman Chamber of Commerce will host a dance at the Seligman Chamber Event Center at 7 p.m. Admission is $5, and attendees bring a snack to share. No alcohol or smoking is allowed. For more information, call 417-662-3612.

Balance and Flexibility class is held every Monday from 9:30 to 10 a.m.

Wii Bowling is Wednesday at 12:45 p.m.

Familiar Faces Cassville Christmas Parade

1

Families lined Main Street in Cassville on Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, for the annual Cassville Christmas Parade.

2

3

5

4

6

8

7 1. Jessica Smith, Alec Smith, 5, and Athena Smith, 2.

2. Bobbi Jones, Brink Mason, 6, Jessica Novacek and Alec Mason, 2.

3 Amy Day and Shellby Pike.

4. Bo Prock, Katie Prock and Chloe Prock, 10.

5. Tyler Mitchell and Ian Mitchell, 3.

6. Brittney Rawlings, Shannon Farris and Boone Rawlings, 3.

7. Tristen Jack, 14, Brayden Jack, 8, and Tarra Jack.

9 8. Jamie Sellard and Drake Sellard, 4-months.

9. Michael Baker, Kasey Baker, Easton Baker, 5, Allison Deaver, 10, and Ellie Baker, 7.

Connection Magazine | 53

Cutest Pet

Ellie

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.

Email your pet’s photo to:

connection@monett-times.com 54 | February 2020

Ellie Abraham is the nine-weekold Havanese furbaby of John and Phyllis Abraham of Shell Knob

Rescued, My Favorite Breed

BY CHRISTA STOUT

Out of his shell

I

bet you think I just like cats and dogs—not true, I love all animals, but some are special, some are happy, some are grouchy, and some are just plain funny. I was driving home from town the other day and someone had obviously transported some hay before me and lost a good share of a bale on the road in front of one of my neighbors.

This neighbor has some wonderful horses, and there were two of them, mom and foal, leaning over the fence so far I thought it would break, with a look on their face that was priceless—you could see the “please, let us out!” They so wanted to get to that hay. After all, the grass is greener on the other side, even if it’s brown hay, right? Wish I had had the camera handy to capture that precious moment.

Like humans, animals all have their own personalities, some funny, like the horses, and some of them sad, and then there are some who are scared.

Since I work mostly intake, I get to see all the dogs when they come in with their little quirks. One day, I arrived at the shelter and here was a dog so big, he had to be one of the largest ones in the place, a stray that despite his size was so scared, he didn’t even want to go outside the kennel to potty. I knew he would not attempt to hurt anyone, so I spent

a little time with him trying to make him more comfortable, but eventually had to leave and come back another day.

Well, the following week, I let all the dogs out for a quick potty before cleaning their kennel and feeding them. The last one was Reinhart, the huge Husky/Lab mix. As usual, I would open the transfer gate to the outside and then go outside to let him go out into the play yard.

I opened his gate and here comes Reinhart, still very slow and very much shy, but with his blankie in his mouth. I couldn’t help but burst out laughing because he looked so funny.

Picture an 80-pound dog carrying a blanket around for comfort. I never thought I’d ever see that! So, we go

on to week three, this time it was a smaller blanket, and he decided to bury it outside.

Week four saw him bringing his Kong toy outside. Each week it was something different, something smaller, and each week I would give him a little extra attention. Then came week five, when he finally decided to come out of his shell, he had changed into a happy go lucky dog bobbing out of the kennel, finding all the toys the other dogs left outside, stealing them (he thinks) and away he goes.

Reinhart is an extremely smart dog, who has learned to sit, shake and is working on a few other commands.

He still has a few weeks to go to overcome a minor medical issue, but he is a completely different dog, Connection Magazine | 55

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and all for the better. We have no idea what caused his fearfulness, but we are so happy he seems to have forgotten his past and lives happily in the present—a good example for us humans too.

I am so grateful Faithful Friends does not give up on a pet. We leave no stone unturned to help an animal live a great life and get adopted, from evaluations to individual attention and to professional training, and if he or she doesn’t get adopted, we may have a foster take him or he may stay at the shelter if that makes him content. So many pets are not as fortunate, the number of euthanizations is still very high. An ideal world would be one where that is not necessary. Please spay or neuter your animals.

If you are looking for a furry family member, please check out all the dogs and cats at Faithful Friends in Neosho, Mo. Here are a couple of them looking for their forever home: Hi, they call me LUCILLE. I’m a very independent cat. I like to roam around the room and observe everything. My favorite thing to do is to look out the window at all the action. I’ve never seen so many birds in my whole life! Do you have big windows at your house? If you answered yes, then run down here and break me out of this place!

Hello! I’m NELLIE. I’m known as “Nellie the Sweetheart” by all my friends. I’m just a good all around dog who loves to play, meet new friends and snuggle. Nellie is a one-year-old boxer/ lab mix that truly is a sweet girl—come meet her and you will agree.

She was recently adopted, but it didn’t work out, through no fault of hers.

Connection on the Go

Advertisers’ Index

Making Memories Tours and guest went on an exciting Tour to sunny California, were they attended the 131st Rose Parade. Pictured with the Connection magazine, front row, from left, are: Norma Clinton, Sydney Newman and Angie Varner. Back row: Maryal Hunt, Mary Ann Pendergraft, Rose Newman and Susan and Ron Watson.

Paul and Theresa Heidlage and Jerri and Dale Jasumback recently took the Connection Magazine with them to Kilkenny Castle in Ireland.

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Connection Magazine | 57

Parting Shot

Photo by Pete Rauch

“In the depth of winter, I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer.�

- Albert Camus

58 | February 2020

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