Staff Column: For Dad

By Kyle Troutman

If I am ever listening to the albums “Out of Time” by REM or “Double Live” by Garth Brooks, you can bet one thing — I’m thinking about my father, John Troutman.

My father and I spent a lot of time on the road. In my pre-teen and teenage years I played travel soccer, and in the spring and fall, about two weekends per month were dedicated to tournament weekends all across the south-central U.S.

From home in Little Rock, we’d hit the road for Fayetteville, Ark.; Fort Smith, Ark.; Tulsa, Okla,; Tyler, Texas; Dallas, Texas; Shreveport, La.; Jackson, Miss.; Memphis, Tenn.; or Joplin, Mo.

While many kids might snooze on those 2-hour to 4-hour drives, not me (most of the time anyway). Our time was always spent talking about life or the future or sports or anything to pass the time.

And when we weren’t talking, you could bet good money that one of those two albums was cranked up to where you couldn’t even hear yourself sing.

My father was a huge influencer in my life and one of my heroes. He put a soccer ball at my feet before I could walk, initiating one of the major themes in my life throughout my early 20s.

It was through all those years traveling and playing soccer that my dad and I developed a bond unique to just us. At those tournaments, we’d typically spend about 8 hours at the fields on Saturdays and at least another 4 on Sundays.

He would watch me play, usually two games on Saturdays, and I would watch him referee about four games, always taking advantage of halftime to get some shots in on the goal.

On Sundays, we usually had one game in the morning, and if our team was doing well, a semifinal or championship game later in the day.

Then, we’d head home, wash, rinse and repeat.

Having a father so active in my life, especially since I had two younger siblings that only came on a few trips here and there, had a profound impact on me.

Before the travel became such a big part of our lives, I had seen my father twice handle infants and toddlers.

He was a get-on-the ground-andplay, toss-you-in-the-air, pick-on-youfor-fun kind of dad, and grandpa for that matter. He had a diverse sense of humor, often times involving jump scares. You didn’t go into a room with no lights on without knowing where he was.

He was a master at hide and seek, which we played with all lights off and using flashlights or glow sticks. He loved jumping on our trampoline, especially timing his jumps right to send us about 10-15 feet in the air.

And, he enjoyed all manner of board games and video games, always playing competitively but never just letting one of us win.

He was also a fair disciplinarian. For major mess ups, we had choices of punishment, like swats, excess chores or a time period of grounding. For

My father, John Troutman, and me at my wedding in October 2020.

minor incidents, he was a master of non-verbal cues. He would give us the stern dad look, and if that didn’t work, he had us trained on the sign language for “no,” which looks like snapping your index and middle fingers to your thumb, and boy could that be menacing when he wanted.

When he and my mother divorced, I saw him at some of his lowest lows, but over the next number of years, I saw him at some of his highest highs. Through those weekends traveling to tournaments, and the weeks in between, I was given a sturdy example of what a man and a father should be.

His sense of humor changed, still an expert picker, but now unable to resist a pun. That’s definitely a trait I received from him and one that serves me well in my career.

His ability to give attention to all of his children was effortless, and even when his temper rose, he was quick to let it go and return to his base demeanor. That even-keeled nature is another trait I picked up from him that has served me well with my family.

His pride in me and my siblings is exceedingly evident. He beams when he talks about our accomplishments — my success in journalism, my brother in the Air Force, my oldest sister graduating from Oklahoma City University and working at Disney World, my middle sister graduating from the University of Texas and on her way to becoming the first Dr. Troutman, and my youngest sister finishing out high school and developing into a strong cross country runner.

Even though some of us have had some rough patches with him (boys in their late teens can sometimes be turds and not realize it until about 25 or so), he never faltered in his love and support of us, always planted as a rock of strength throughout our lives.

These days, we both spend far less time playing soccer or refereeing. We traded in those physical demands for doing curls with adult beverages and lifting prime cuts of meat off the grill.

The long car ride conversations have been replaced by long phone calls, and I’m sure he and I equally miss having them in person on the road.

We may be “Half a World Away” or spending time with other “Friends in Low Places,” but that won’t stop us from being “Shiny Happy People” that enjoy the same “Radio Song” here and there.

Hopefully, one day soon, we will get together at “The River” for a “Longneck Bottle” or “Two Pina Colada(d)s” (that’s a pun he would appreciate) and I’ll put on some REM or Garth Brooks and say, “Hey dad, listen — ‘It’s Your Song.’” n

My father, John Troutman, and me when I was named Missouri Young Journalist of the Year in September 2017.

Photo courtesy of Free Dove Photography

Mark Thompson, of Sweet Springs Gardens, said he has 45 varieties of heirloom tomato plants ready to transfer into garden beds. The heirloom plants are not genetically modified like many of the grocery store varieties. Getting Fresh

Farm fresh is best, whether it comes to produce, eggs, or home canned jams, jellies and local honey.

Many farmer’s market shoppers have commented on the abundance of food stuffs offered at local markets, and marveled at the better taste of homegrown over store bought food.

Although farmer’s markets are a seasonal operation, many kick off in late April or early May, and continue through October, offering lighter fruits and vegetables in the spring and summer, and heartier winter vegetables like squash and parsnips during the cooler autumn and winter months. Many local farmers use heirloom seeds in their gardens, which are more nutritious than the genetically modified seeds and plants used in larger, commercial farming operations.

Krysty Nagle, of Shoal Creek Gardens, tends to the bedding plants she had offered in early May at the Monett Area Farmer’s Market, sponsored by Tyson Foods.

Sarah Rysdam, of Monett, has a full line of soaps, lotions, lip balms and other skin care products for sale at the Monett Area Farmer’s Market each Saturday morning, at the Jerry D. Hall Pavilion on Front Street.

While many chain stores offer produce to their customers, it is often harvested from commercial operations that could be located half a continent away, and already be several days old by the time it hits the grocery bin. Shopping at farmer’s markets offers support to local producers working on family farms and offering goods at prices typically not much more expensive than conventionally-grown produce.

Farmer’s markets also offer craft items, homemade lotions, soaps, lip balms and other skin care products, seasonal bedding plants, jams, jellies and locally-produced honey and fresh baked items.

The local farmer’s market is also a good place to socialize and meet other members of the community.

“I have 45 varieties of heirloom tomato plants ready to transfer into garden beds,” said Mark Thompson, of Sweet Springs Gardens. “They are all non-GMO, heirloom varieties.”

Sarah Rysdam, of Monett, has a full line of soaps, lotions, lip balms and other skin care products for sale at the market each Saturday morning.

Janet Rosier, of River Bottom Creations, markets her craft items, which includes floral arrangements and home decor.

“She even has a line of painted rocks offering tribute to doctors and nurses who have worked the front lines during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said her husband, James “Chewy” Vroman, a Cox Monett Hospital employee.

Workers at the Amish baked goods stand can vouch for the freshness of the breads, pies, sweet loaves, and cinnamon rolls that can tempt even the most devout carb-hater.

“These are all made by Liz Bontreager,” said the cashier working the stand. “She made them yesterday.” n To get the freshest, picked at the height of ripeness produce and other market items, visit one of these nearby farmer’s markets:

7 a.m. to noon. Saturday from May to October Jerry D. Hall Memorial Pavilion, Front Street, Monett

7 a.m. to noon, Saturday from April 1 to Oct. 31 West side of the Mt. Vernon Square, next to the courthouse

8 a.m. to noon, Saturday from May to October On the square in Cassville

8 a.m. to noon, Saturdays Jct. of Hwys. 97 and 37 in Pierce City

8 a.m. to noon ,Wednesday, and 7 a.m. to noon, Saturday, from May to October 9 a.m. to noon, Saturday from November to February 2031 S. Elliott in Aurora