August Connection 2020

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AUGUST 2020

Making it

HOME

SUMMER GAMES PleAsant pastimes

COVID-19 EDUCATION AT Home learning

GIVING LOCAL crosslines of monett

GARDEN PICKIN’ always flowers A MAGAZINE DEDICATED TO SOUTHWEST MISSOURIANS

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Connection Magazine | 3

EDITORIAL

Unusual Times for Fun and School

T

his would probably be the month that I would talk about all of the exciting things that I might have done this summer or what the children are looking forward to with the school year approaching quickly, but nothing about this summer has been normal, and we have no prediction about what the school year will bring.

Who would have thought that we would not have the freedom of going wherever we wanted to go for a summer vacation without running the risk of catching a deadly disease and that a pandemic was making decisions for us even down to the point as to whether we could leave the house or not.

As you will see in Annie’s story this month, “The Best Things about Summer: Kid’s Edition” children didn’t really have much to say about this summer. Annie interviewed kids about their summer and what they are looking forward to about school, and I am afraid I just did not sense much enthusiasm. Perhaps they learned to appreciate the smaller things in life, like being around family and enjoying just being outside. There seemed to be a lot of swimming. But no far away trips this year.

School will start soon, or will it? At the time that I am writing this, I have not heard of a plan A, B, or C for our area school districts. I am sure announcements will be made soon, but whether we do have brick and mortar school classes or virtual, nothing will be the same. Another article in this month’s magazine shares one family’s outlook on Home Schooling. I believe we will see a lot more families participating in that form of education.

This is a time where I hope that our younger generation remembers what is taking place and how it is handled, whether it be right or wrong. We were hit with the coronavirus totally unexpectedly and totally unprepared. They need to listen and pay close attention so if it happens again when they are our age maybe they will be more knowledgeable.

I hope and pray that this gives them the opportunity to nurture what they have and whatever they were taking for granted, they know now that most everything they have should be cherished. Even down to toilet paper!!

In some ways perhaps it is not our jobs as parents to totally protect our children from all aspects as to what is going on around us, as they need to know that something like a virus can come in and change our whole world.

Our children now have the opportunity to appreciate some things that they might not have thought of before, like playing with their brother or sister, reading, fishing, riding bikes that were gathering dust because of video games.

Learning might take a new curve this year. Patience and wisdom will probably take a big part from all family members by learning new rolls.

These have probably not been the happiest of times, but I will say that we have to keep open minds for our future generations so they will be able to grow and push through this. We need to be their constant, their push, no matter how hard it is. Because, as we sit in our world battling the medical wars, if we cannot win them, the battle will be theirs.

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

4 | August 2020

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 Mark Kumming PHOTOGRAPHERS Chuck Nickle Jamie Brownlee Amy Sampson

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Connection is a publication of the Cassville Democrat, The Monett Times and Rust Communications.

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Connection Magazine | 5

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10 | GARDENING GREATNESS

Monett gardener Rebecca Thomas finds inspiration for her gardening dreams in fine “pickins”

18 | THE BEST THINGS ABOUT SUMMER:

KIDS EDITION

We asked a few locals what they are enjoying about the present and the future

26 | SUMMER GAMES

Generations reflect on the pastimes that kept them busy as kids from morning to night

34 | COVID-19 EDUCATION

A Berryville family with three school-aged boys makes the jump to homeschool

39 | GIVING LOCAL

Crosslines of Monett continues to contribute to the needs of the region

A U G U S T 2020 Connection Magazine | 7

FREE

Morgan Stanley AUGUST 2020

Making it

HOME

SUMMER GAMES Plesant past times

COVID-19 EDUCATION AT Home learning

GIVING LOCAL crosslines of monett

GARDEN PICKIN’ always flowers A MAGAZINE DEDICATED TO SOUTHWEST MISSOURIANS

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Beauty of this magnitude doesn’t just happen overnight, but through hours of prep work, planting and nurturing the garden residents, as well as finding the right vintage accents to tie together the rustic chic vibe.

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CONTENTS 18 15

23

33 42 44 45 47 49 50

Cutest Pet Healthy Connection: Healthy Family Eating Parenting Column: A Good Normal Cutest Kid Recipes: Kids’ Delights Cutest Pet Rescued, My Favorite Breed Familiar Faces Community Calendar Parting Shot

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

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Connection Magazine | 9

The bed of this vintage vehicle was outfitted with commercial guttering, repurposed to hold potting soil and colorful plants, and is an eye-catching example of how Rebecca and Jerry Thomas turn vintage “pickin’s” into floral displays on their rural Monett property.

Local woman’s garden inspired by antiques 10 | August 2020

Peonies, Impatiens and Mums, Oh My!

R

ebecca Thomas hasn’t met a flower that she doesn’t like. Nor has she ever picked up a battered, rusty relic and not been able to create a stunning floral display that evokes memories of a simpler childhood and fireflies lighting up the night.

Chipped enamel washtubs that might have once sat on a grandma’s lap as she snapped beans on the front porch, or a rusty wagon bed that once held laughing children being pulled around a summer-soaked yard, are all that Rebecca needs to visualize transforming the mundane

Story by Melonie Roberts

into the magical.

These artifacts of simpler times are gaining new life as Rebecca digs, dreams and turns them into unique container gardens, boasting a variety of colorful blooms, and carefully arranged in front of other relics of days gone by.

“I think you can find beauty anywhere,” she said. “You can put a flower in anything and find beauty in it.”

Rebecca and her husband, Jerry, have been married for 34 years, and when they started out, there were just two in-ground garden beds in their small yard.

A small shack, built by the original property owners has been slightly upgraded and decorated as part of the gardenscape at the rural Monett home of Jerry and Rebecca Thomas.

“Everything looks better with a flower in it.”

Violets, pansies, periwinkle and more, these are a few of Rebecca Thomas’ favorite plants used for gardenscaping around her rural Monett property.

Connection Magazine | 11

“From there, it just progressed,” she said. “Both my grandpa and Jerry’s grandpa were pickers before picking’ was cool. I picked up a few things, some iron wheels for the house, and things just grew from there.”

Rebecca and Jerry often spend a day or two wandering to estate sales, antique shops and other locales to

find items to use in their gardenscaping efforts, which has now grown to encompass about three acres of their property.

“We both love junk,” Rebecca said.

“If it’s rusty, I like it.”

Part of her inspiration to transform junk into junque, a wonderful collection of white elephants, trash

and treasures others might find no use for, was her grandmother’s love of flowers.

“I’ve always liked flowers,” she said.

“I still remember my grandmother’s.

My favorite finds are the little ragged ones you find on the clearance rack.

I bring them home and baby them along and I’m usually rewarded with

With a rusty chair, a galvanized wash tub and various pots, Rebecca Thomas turned this corner of her deck into a colorful conversation starter on how she turns the ordinary into the extraordinary using a variety of plants and items others might describe as “junk.” (above left) A variety of bird feeders attracts plenty of activity from local nesters at the home of Jerry and Rebecca Thomas. Sometimes the feathered food-seekers squabble for the best perch, but for the Thomases, that is just a part of the entertainment as the couple whiles away the hours enjoying the summer breeze.

12 | August 2020

a beautiful plant. And if one dies, it’s only 50 cents, you know?”

Jerry gets in on the greenscaping act by crafting a variety of structures to support his wife’s gardening habit.

“He made the gate, the arch, the benches, my tire swing planters,” she said. “He has always supported my crazy ideas. Once, he even bought me

a manure spreader.”

Other artifacts dragged home from other places include corn planters, hay discs, corn choppers, rakes and antique machinery, inherited from both sets of grandparents.

“It’s not just the flowers, it’s yard art,” Rebecca said. “We even took our old chicken coop and turned it into

an outdoor living and dining area, and we use it every day.”

The slick structure, while giving off that rustic vibe, bears no resemblance to its former purpose. The galvanized walls enclose a variety of memorabilia, as well as a table for crafting or dining, and a rack of other treasures waiting to be transformed.

A former chicken coop at the home of Jerry and Rebecca Thomas, of rural Monett, has been transformed into a rustic chic gathering place for family reunions, neighborhood cookouts or for sitting out and enjoying the evening breeze.

Connection Magazine | 13

“We love sitting out here in the evening, enjoying the breeze, talking about our days and watching the birds,” she said. “We get orioles, buntings, doves, and we even have a red-headed woodpecker that visits us fairly frequently. It’s peaceful out here.”

She doesn’t even mind when the occasional squirrel helps itself to the birdseed.

“People don’t have to put in this kind of lot work, but I enjoy seeing people fix up a place,” she said.

“Anybody can put in a garden. They just have to love on it a bit.”

Some of the relics Rebecca is using have personal attachments.

“I have Pappy’s milk can,” she said. “It even has his milk number on it. I have a wagon that belonged to Jerry when he was a kid. And those metal tricycles out there. And cast iron kettles — the kind you used to make apple butter in. It’s cracked, but it will still hold flowers.”

“We have a 100-year-old windmill that needs to be put up,” Jerry added. “I’ll put concrete underneath it, and she’ll put flowers all over underneath there.”

Rebecca is also looking for an antique water tower.

“Those are harder to find,” she said.

While some might look at the scope of gardens the couple cares for and see nothing but an endless cycle of work, Rebecca sees contentment.

It takes a carefully cultured green thumb to encourage the whimsical display of antiques turned into floral displays such as those surrounding the home of Jerry and Rebecca Thomas, of rural Monett.

14 | August 2020

“I spend about an hour a day watering,” she said. “And I can spend a lot of time deadheading off the old blooms so new ones will come on.”

As far as favorite blooms go? Her list is unlimited.

“Sedum, because it attracts butterflies,” she said. “Butterfly bushes, phlox, moss rose, larkspur, orange poppies I got from my Nana, impatiens, hostas, primrose, lavender and lace, and geraniums. If it’s a flower, I like it.”

Rebecca tries to tackle one big project a year.

“I’ll look at an area and decide it needs something,” she said. “I already have next year’s lined up.”

But the effort the couple makes to create their own personal Garden of Eden does not go unnoticed.

“People will often stop and ask if they can take photos,” she said.

“I hope I am inspiring them to go home and do something similar.

Other people might think we just have a yard full of junk. But it’s our junk, and we love it.”

For the Thomases, spending time surrounded by their eclectic assortments of old and new, absorbing the simple pleasures of enjoying a glass of lemonade while watching the birds fuss and flutter, brings back the memories of a day and time when life was not so hectic. For them, this truly is their slice of Eden. n

The secret to her success: “If I like it, I plant it.”

healthy connection

By Emily Redus

Fun, Healthy Eating for the Whole Family

M

ealtime can be full of frustration, tension, and hurt feelings. However, on the flipside, it can be a time of fun, new experiences, and cooperation.

Trying to find healthy meal options that make everyone happy can be a challenge. Hopefully, the ideas below provide some inspiration to make mealtime fun for the whole family.

There are numerous benefits to eating meals as a family. Children are often easily distracted during meals, so having everyone sit around the table focusing on each other and the meal rather than the television or phone screens helps create an environment more conducive to a positive mealtime experience.

child outgrow this is by setting an example of trying new foods and encouraging them to do the same. Kids are smart. If they see that dad is not willing to eat his veggies, they are also not likely to want to eat their veggies.

The same is true if dad tries new foods; the kids are much more likely to follow his example.

place to start. Little tasks such as washing produce, peeling and chopping veggies, combining ingredients and mixing can be a fun way to get your kids comfortable cooking. These activities may take more time, but will teach valuable cooking skills that can provide benefits for a lifetime.

Research shows that children take cues and learn habits from their parents, so setting the precedent by putting away distractions and being willing to try new foods will encourage your kids to do the same. It seems like most kids experience a picky eating stage at some point, and this is normal and not anyone’s fault. One way to help your

Kids love to be involved and feel that they have contributed in some way. Why not harness this desire and get some help in the kitchen? Depending on the age and skill level of the child, there are a variety of ways to get them involved at meal times. Even just teaching them how to set the table before meals and making that their responsibility is a great

Kids are more likely to try new foods if they help make decisions about what those foods are. Have your kids help pick out ideas for one meal per week or month. To the degree they are capable of, let them plan the meal, make the grocery list, help with the shopping, and prepare the food. Giving them ownership, even in small ways, will boost Connection Magazine | 15

their confidence and grow their excitement for new experiences.

Set small goals such as trying one new fruit or vegetable once a week, or find and make a new recipe once a month.

These things do not have to be long and involved, but can help show your kids how much fun healthy eating can be. It can also help break up the monotony that can occur at mealtime, and it opens up the possibility of finding new favorite foods.

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A fun activity, especially with younger kids, is to pick a color for the week and plan meals and activities around it. For example, if you chose green one week, you could plan meals around broccoli, spinach, kiwi, green grapes, zucchini, pesto, and fun meals ideas like “green eggs and ham.” This is a great way to surround healthy foods with excitement and creativity.

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It is perfectly normal if these activities do not immediately spark excitement and lead to new habits overnight. Creating healthy habits as a family takes time, patience, and a lot of persistence. However, it is very much worth it as it can lead to family bonding as well as physical health benefits. Helping your kids learn healthy habits now by getting the whole family involved will make these habits easier to maintain long term. n

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The Best Things About Summer:

Kids Edition

Question One:

What was the best part of summer?

Question Two:

What are you looking forward to when school starts again in August?

18 | August 2020

A

uthor Erma Bombeck said, “Children make your life important.” This year, children have had to wade through waters of uncertainty along with adults. While many things like school and playing with friends changed, much of children’s spirits have stayed the same.

With the help of Kayla Haynes, Monett Summer School K-6 Director, kids answered questions about their favorite part of summer and what they’re looking forward to about school starting again in August. The students were all taking part in Monett’s July summer school session held at Monett Elementary School.

As families face the challenges of caring for children during an unprecedented time, it’s a nice reminder that kids are still being kids and finding ways to have a lot of great times. Another children’s author, Carolyn Haywood, said it well. “Children are not only innocent and curious but also optimistic and joyful and essentially happy. They are, in short, everything adults wish they could be.”

Story by Anne Lisenby Smith

Wyatt Worm

Violet Costley

Levi Salas

1. Cubhouse.

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1. Recess.

2. Bringing my own lunch.

1. Getting to do fireworks and playing outside.

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2. I’m excited.

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1. Playing outside.

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2nd grade

1. Going to the swimming pool.

2. Science because I want to be an astronaut when I grow up.

1st grade

2. To see my friends and go to P.E. with Coach C!

2nd grade

1. Watching fireworks.

2. Nothing.

Connection Magazine | 19

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Question Two:

What are you looking forward to when school starts again in August?

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Alexx Alejo

1. The best thing about summer is that I get to go swimming and spend the night with my aunt and my friend. I just love to play outside.

1. I just want to take a nap and stay at home.

1. I got to see a lot of my friends.

2. Playing video games.

2. Meeting new people.

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Grace Maylee

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1. Coming to school.

2. Learning.

2. I don’t know.

1. Swimming at my grandma’s pool.

3rd grade

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Parenting column

By Meagan Ruffing

A New Kind of ‘Back to School’ for Kids:

Creating a Normal that Feels Good

W

ith the recent pandemic that has hit the world, sending our kids back to school can seem a little unsettling. Do we send them in-person? Do we decide to do digital? Do we do a blended version? So many options but there is no one-size fits all for our children’s education. If you’re anything like me, you have a list of pros and cons for everything and when push comes to shove, you go with your gut. I have decided to let my kids go back to school – because that is what works for us. However, my list of ‘creating a normal that feels good’ can be applied to both virtual and blended options.

1)

If you don’t have a mask yet, you probably need to get one. Most schools are strongly encouraging that kids where them. Even if you choose to keep them at home, you’ll probably go out from time to time and again, most places are either requiring you to wear masks or suggesting you do so. I found some cute monogrammed ones (see link in bio) that my girls and I will get to match. For my son, I’ll keep it simple with a dinosaur pattern. Try and find a print that your kids will like and gets them excited about wearing one. It still feels weird when my kids and I wear ours, but I try to not make a big deal about it. They see others wearing masks too so they know it’s our new normal for right now.

2)

Do your traditional back-to-school shopping to maintain some sort of normalcy.

If you’re still not going to stores, you can always buy things online and have them delivered right to your doorstep. Target and Walmart already have their school supplies out so you’re good to go on the supply lists.

3)

I’ve always suggested getting kids back into a bedtime routine about one to two weeks before school starts. I move their bedtime up by 15 minutes each night to help ease back into their normal time. For example, my kids go to bed at 7:30 p.m. during the school year. During the summer, I’m a little more relaxed with things.

If their bedtime has been 9 p.m. or so, I would bump it up to 8:45 one night, then 8:30 the next night, 8:15, 8 p.m., and so on.

Doing it this way helps in several different ways. First, it helps with the complaining that will most likely come with you telling your kids they have to go to bed early.

Second, it helps prepare them for a routine without going full force. Third, they still get to enjoy the rest of their summer without completely losing all of the ‘perks’ that no school days offer when you get to sleep in. I’ve been doing it this way since my kids were in elementary school and they know no different.

Connection Magazine | 23

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4)

Whether you’re allowing playdates right now or not, you can always do virtual hangouts online. This has been one of my middle daughter’s favorite ‘new’ things during the pandemic.

My phone was off limits before COVID hit, but now she and her friend Facetime when they feel like they need some girl time. It’s been fun to see how they connect in this new way and listening to the sound of their giggling tells me they’re enjoying it, too.

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www.lackeybodyworks.com 24 | August 2020

5)

Continue offering grace through this wild time. While there may be some normalcy in what this pandemic has brought to our lives since March, it’s still a very different time for not only our children, but for our entire families. Just as you would offer your children grace to get through the messy times, think of yourself too, and remind yourself that you’ve just come off the heels of (possibly) homeschooling your kids for the first time alongside working inside or outside the home. There may be some separation anxiety for your little ones who have gotten used to being at home with you. Take it slow and keep activities to a minimum after school.

This school year is sure to be a unique one. The best thing we can do is to roll with it and be as prepared as we can to help our children (and ourselves) get back into the homework routine. At the end of the day, you know your child the best, and only you can make the decision that is the right one for your family. You can do this!

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Connection Magazine | 25

The Games That Made

Summer Having Fun Is What Makes the Season Memorable Story by Murray Bishoff

S

ummer, that carefree idyllic period in a child’s life when the weather offers carefree days for fun and adventure. Summer means totally different experiences today.

Here are just a few summer games from those glorious days by people who grew up in the Monett area.

Carol Ridpath Hirsch, who is now 80, recalled a childhood full of activity in Pierce City.

“We didn’t really play games. We did stuff,” Carol recalled. “My friend Joyce Kleine and I would go down to the park lake and fish with our old cane fishing poles until the swimming pool would open, then we’d spend the day at the pool.”

“Joyce and I were tomboys.

We rode our bikes everywhere.

We’d play hopscotch and jacks and built forts when we were little.”

– Carol Ridpath Hirsch

26 | August 2020

Carol Ridpath Hirsch at age 5

The Ridpath girls with grandma on top of the Strand Theater. From left are Lydia Bakey, Mary Lou Ridpath Carver, Carol Sue Ridpath Hirsch, Charla Ridpath Wilks, Bessie Ridpath Bean.

Many of her activities centered around money-making activities. She recalled Roesch’s Produce, on the corner of Main and Commercial, where the library is located today, purchasing polk greens. Carol and Joyce would take their wagon to go out along the edge of the road, in fields and pastures picking greens.

“We’d make a little money, probably a quarter a wagon load, and Roesch piled the greens to the ceiling.”

Then there were the few weeks in May and early June set aside for strawberry picking. Those were the weeks when everyone, even children, could make money.

“Joyce’s mother, Nellie, would pick us up, and anybody else who wanted to get down to the bandstand by 7 a.m., and take us to where they needed us,” Carol recalled. “Nellie would go into Robinson’s Grocery Store — on the northeast corner of Locust and Commercial. The two Robinson brothers had a hand-cranked slicer for the cheese. Their store had a certain smell to it that smelled like no other place.

Nellie would buy a pound of cheese and a loaf of bread. That’s what we’d eat all day. We didn’t get any water. We’d go out to Oscar Kleine’s fields and he’d tell us what he wanted. I’d get a tray with six boxes in it. I was tall, and I had to scoot to pick. We did that for several summers. We earned enough to buy our school clothes.”

Carole Ferguson in 1947 Connection Magazine | 27

The big time growing up in Pierce City was Saturdays, when everyone would come to town for the band concert and the weekly drawing. Carol recalled she and Joyce would go to Stotts Pharmacy for ice cream and join the crowd around the bandstand for the music. When they were big enough, they were able to sit in the window sills of the old National Bank on the northeast corner of Walnut and Commercial. They longed for the day when they could play, and eventually they both joined the clarinet section. They were paid $3.50 a week from donations made by the local businesses.

After World War II, Owen True, an experienced rodeo performer, cleared the area south of the railroad tracks along Locust Street/Highway 97, and built the current rodeo grounds. True organized rodeos, and to promote them, led a caravan through a circle of towns, from Purdy to Monett, Aurora, Mt. Vernon and Sarcoxie, blaring news of the event from speakers mounted on the car.

“Joyce and I were tomboys,” Carol said. “We rode our bikes everywhere.

We’d play hopscotch and jacks and built forts when we were little. When we got a little older, Joyce’s parents had a Jenny, some kind of donkey. Owen True would start his rodeos with a parade down the street. If we were in that parade, we’d get into the rodeo for free.

So we’d get that Jenny and we’d join the parade. That Jenny brayed and bucked me off and I wouldn’t get back on it. Joyce got back on, and we’d go in the paid gate.”

Carol’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Ridpath, bought the Spic ‘n Span restaurant when Carol was in third grade. Her summers became less carefree then as she had to work in the restaurant. But she made the most of her free time.

28 | August 2020

Setting up for the Jaycees carnival

The Monett ice plant, where Viga Hall could buy a block of ice for his concession stand selling soda pop

“ I didn’t know what bored was. We were happy and free and didn’t have any money.”

– Carol Ridpath Hirsch The Monett swimming pool in the 1940s and 1950s.

“We always had something to do,” Carol said. “I didn’t know what bored was. We were happy and free and didn’t have any money. It was a wonderful time. I always said my kids didn’t have as good a time growing up as I did.”

Carole Garrison grew up in the country around Purdy. She lived “a little bit out of town” in her younger years, where her father had some pigs.

When she reached high school age, the family moved to town.

“We’d play Annie Over, where you’d throw a ball over a roof and the person on the other side tried to catch it,” she said. “My brother, Charles Ferguson, was three years younger than I was. When we moved to town, he played baseball with the other kids.”

Charles, in writing letters for the Purdy Alumni newsletter, recalled that as a boy, their father, Henry Ferguson, would have his son go with him to cemeteries and auctions.

“Boy,” Charles recalled, “when I get grown, I said I’m not going to do none of that stuff. Now what do I do? I go to cemeteries and auctions.”

Charlotte Cloud, who’s 92 now, grew up on a farm north of Carthage, about halfway to Jasper. Her parents,

Aaron and Edna Meugin Frost, had a farm, and Charlotte didn’t have many other children around to play with.

She and her brother, Thomas Jackson Frost, had much of their socializing with other children in the community, which revolved around activities at Mt. Moriah Church, north of Carthage on the prairie.

“You had a church in a community where everybody went to that church,” Charlotte said. “If you were part of a different denomination, you had to go to the next community. Everybody that lived in that community was almost a relative.

“Back then, we would celebrate Children’s Day once a year. All the kids in the community would go. We did games and things, all outside. We’d put on a children’s program. When I was older, before I started going to high school, we’d have League on Sunday night, where the young people would get together and have lessons.”

Distance dictated much of life for Charlotte and her brother. She recalled having to ride her bike to reach her piano teacher.

“We walked to school,” she said.

“We had to cross a creek on a swinging bridge. The big kids would love

for you to be in the middle, and they’d bounce it up and down.”

Summer and winter games for her were around the farm, without a lot of playmates. Charlotte’s younger sister was 15 years younger than she and not a part of the games Charlotte, her brother and a neighbor played in those young years.

In the winter they played snow games like Fox and the Geese, where the kids made a circle and someone was chosen to play the fox. Their summer games included Annie Over, jumping rope and “all kinds of tag, where you could tag whatever you could touch.”

Charlotte recalled her father would comment it sounded like there was a dozen children playing in the yard, because Charlotte would provide voices for imaginary playmates for her games.

“I could have a great time just going into the backyard where the trash was,” she recalled. “When I was a kid, you piled your cans in one place and the others in another pile. We could play house, like in the chicken yard.

We could make mud pies and do all fun things nobody knows how to do now.

“Our play was imagination.

Connection Magazine | 29

“We could take things out of the junk pile and make them into something. We could build a house under the old cedar trees by lining up blocks or firewood. We had an old touring car up on blocks in the apple orchard.

My brother and I could get on it. I had my dolls. We could take that stuff and travel. It was a good time.”

For Viga Hall, Monett High School Class of 1946 and son of produce broker V.B. Hall, summer was a time of adventure and free enterprise.

A city kid, Vig said he was one of many Monettans who spent their days hanging out at the municipal swimming pool. He fondly remembered the Fritz family who managed the city pool. Vig called them his heroes and observed they “took special care of all the little kids.”

“The pool was open till 9 p.m., and they would drain it every Friday night,” he recalled. “On Saturday morning, they’d fill it from the standpipe over at the park through an underground pipe that was probably 12 inches in diameter. On Saturday morning, as many of us who could get up by 7 a.m. would gather and frolic in that gush of ice cold water. It would almost knock you down from the force of it.”

As he hit his teens, Vig found himself growing up in wartime, where there was no gasoline available to travel to out-of-town ball games. The big summer event for kids was the Jaycee carnival, hosted for two weekends by the Monett Junior Chamber of Commerce. Held at the time at Sixth and Bond, the carnival featured a small Ferris wheel and merry-go-round and games.

The Fourth of July, Vig said, was a community undertaking. Downtown merchants would close their store and sell fireworks from stands along the

30 | August 2020

Lorine and Laura Riott picking strawberries at the J.J. Sperandio farm near Monett in 1943 sidewalks. “We drove up and down Broadway throwing fireworks at the fireworks stands,” he said.

Another summer venture was hunting. Vig said there were no hunting licenses in those days. He and Howard McCullough would go hunting for rabbit and quail, with permission of local farmers.

“Every now and then, you could shoot a jack rabbit,” he said. “They were as big as a dog. Rabbits were everywhere. They’d come running out into your car lights.”

While many kids only made money picking strawberries, Vig carried that one step further because his dad marketed fruits and distributed soda pop.

“I had a fruit stand,” Vig said.

“Daddy would give us boxes of oranges and lemons and tall bottles of Hire’s root beer and Nehi orange soda. Coley Ahrend was my partner. Cleveland was a busy street. [The Halls lived at Third and East Cleveland]. I built a countertop there and had a washtub

with a block of ice we bought at the ice plant where we kept the soda. An ice cube would last for two days. Coley would ride up and down streets selling oranges and lemons, three here, four there, and bottles. He’d come with orders and take them back. We’d split it 50-50. We’d make $3 or $4 a month.”

For a couple of summers, Vig recalled the craze for scooters hit. Every kid had roller skates. At that point, Vig and his friends, like Roy Worm and Dickie Beard, would take skates apart and mount them on a two-byfour, with two wheels in the front and two in back. They built some with seats, some without, and handles, though their design didn’t steer, except by leaning to one side.

“Then one day they were gone,” he said. “Now they’re back. You see them all over college towns now, except ours didn’t have motors. It was a fun time.”

Memories make the speakers young again, For them, summer stays ever young, an eternal well of refreshment. n

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cutest kid

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Email your child’s photo to:

connection@monett-times.com Photos should be sent in the original JPG format at the highest resolution possible. Remember to include your child’s name, parent’s name, age, city and your contact information. The contest is open to children ages 10 and younger. The photos submitted will be used for the sole purpose of this contest.

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Education amidst Ryan Reeves, age 11, will be entering the sixth grade.

COVID-19 Homeschooling becomes major decision for 2020/2021

F Alexander Reeves, age 13, will be entering the seventh grade.

Malak Reeves, age 15, will be entering the tenth grade.

34 | August 2020

rom the moment that students were let out of school for a wellness break, parents, teachers and students have been navigating new ways to deal with education.

With summer at its end and conversations on how school will look for the 2020-2021 school year on the rise, many parents are curious as to what options they have.

Each state, county and school district will be making a decision based on what is best for their communities when it comes to education, but parents have a say in their children’s education, as well.

Allisha Reeves, mother of three boys in Berryville, Ark., said the family had been planning to transition into a homeschool setting before COVID-19.

“We are so happy to have made that decision now,” she said. “We have three boys — Malak 15, Alexander 13 and Ryan 10. So, that will be three different

Story by Jordan Privett

grades to plan as well.”

Malak and Alexander are both dyslexic, and Alexander also suffers from dysgraphia.

“Dysgraphia makes his writing absolutely atrocious,” Allisha said. “It is hard to get the signals from his brain to his hands to correctly do what he needs to.”

For Alexander, a way to help him through those challenges is to incorporate computer work into his curriculum.

“They both had great resource teachers in the traditional school setting,” Allisha said. “But, over the years Alexander was falling behind instead of growing. Instead of encouraging him and pushing him, they would make the assignments easier for him.”

The weight of planning three different curriculums can be challenging, but Allisha said there is one thing that helps — their ages.

“They can work more independent-

The Reeves home in Berryville, Ark., is ready to take on the 2020-2021 school year, with their homeschool curriculum. Allisha Reeves, mother, will be the teacher to her three boys, Malak, Alexander and Ryan. ly at their ages,” she said. “However, the other side to that is that my children have the tendency to skip over things they don’t understand.

“Because of that, I am happy that I picked the homeschool curriculum that I did. It allows the parents to see what is being done or what is behind.”

Another benefit that helped Allisha make her choice to homeschool was having the extra space to have an actual classroom.

“It is tailored to what we need,” she said. “Ryan is the type of kid who just has to move around. Our setup allows him to have the option to do so.”

Also, making the classroom actually offered a learning opportunity to be had.

“We made our desks,” Allisha said.

“That included lessons in math and shop skills.”

Allisha uses EasyPeezy for the boys’ homeschool curriculum and Dave Ramsey for life skills learning opportunities.

“It is important to teach kids in a way that they can understand, like with games and real life scenarios,” she said.

“Games help so much more than people think they do.”

Some of the games that Allisha includes in the curriculum helps the boys focus on life skills like strategy.

“Reading too — reading is incredibly important,” she said. “They read 30 minutes a day. For Alexander, we do audio books with the actual book. That helps him to not only see and read the words, but also follow the storyline.”

Allisha met with the resource teachers at the end of the last school year in preparation for homeschooling.

“I knew I needed to make sure that Alexander was on the right levels by focusing on reading,” she said. “Each of my boys have strengths and weaknesses. The strength they all seem to share is math.”

As a parent, people can generally see those strengths and weaknesses in their

children, which may have something to say about how successful homeschooling can be.

“What I love about homeschooling is that they can learn in many different ways,” Allisha said. “We can use different opportunities to strengthen their weaknesses.

“Something we learned when Alexander was diagnosed was that three out of four of the investors on Shark Tank are dyslexic. They had to learn how to think differently and work around problems using their strengths.”

Although there seems to be many benefits to homeschooling, there are many challenges as well, like having a full-time job.

“I have been a nurse for five years,” Allisha said. “And right now, with COVID-19, it is a scary time to be a nurse.”

Allisha is a labor and delivery nurse at Washington Regional Hospital in Fayetteville, Ark.

Connection Magazine | 35

You know Ken’s Collision as The Area’s Finest Collision Repair and Glass Facility, and now Ken’s is proud to offer Professional Auto and Truck Detailing. Our experts bring back that New Car Feeling inside and out, cleaning and polishing your vehicle with the same attention to detail that we give every car and truck we repair.

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“We have three COVID-19 units that are all full,” she said. “They are trying their best to use the nurses in the best ways. They try to keep labor and delivery nurses away from the COVID units, but if they need us, they need us.”

Allisha said at Washington Regional, they have the feeling of a big family.

“We are being protected with equipment, and we are taking every precaution we can,” she said. “I feel like I am on the safest unit because it is a specialty unit, but they are working on training us all for the COVID units.

“The scariest thing about COVID isn’t about me, it is the possibility of bringing it home.”

Allisha said her boys don’t really go anywhere, and if they do they are masked.

“Making our own masks actually gave us another opportunity for a lesson in sewing,” she said. “COVID is not ideal, but it has helped turn us back into a family-focused society.”

For parents thinking about homeschooling due to the COVID-19 risks and regulations, Allisha has some advice.

“Consider the cost of curriculum,” she said. “We looked into some K-12 public school programs which are more affordable, but I wanted more control over their curriculum.”

For some of the programs Allisha looked at, it would have cost $500$600 per child.

“I like what we have found — it fits our needs perfectly,” she said. “I am excited about this. Every parent considering it will have the thought, ‘Am I smart enough do this?’ The answer is in the curriculum. Also, there is so much support and so many resources available online to help you figure it out.

“I am happy that we decided to homeschool, especially since COVID-19 hit. We are prepared for this school year.” n

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Connection Magazine | 37

Do donate items in good, reusable condition that include: clothing for all ages (especially children), furniture items, shoes, books, dishes, pots and pans, home dĂŠcor, jewelry, toys, and anything else that someone might need in their home.

Don’t donate these items that can’t be sold in the store: mattresses, box springs, old televisions, old computer monitors, broken or stained furniture, tires, oxygen tanks or partially used supplies like cans of paint.

38 | August 2020

Reaching out locally Crosslines provides aid to Monett through COVID-19

C

rosslines has been active in Monett since the mid1970s helping meet basic needs for locals. Depending on donations and revenue from the sale of donated items in their thrift store, leaders at Crosslines seek out ways to help those in need.

MaLinda King, Crosslines administrator, said, “We’re here to meet any basic need of people in the community.” She listed the multiple ways the organization assists: food, medicine, household items, clothing, utility bill assistance, rent assistance, eye glasses, gasoline, steel-toed boots needed for work, and medical equipment.

“We keep a supply of medical equipment for people to borrow. We ask that they clean them and bring them back when they are done with them,” said King.

Throughout the year, Crosslines makes extra effort for three events.

Food baskets are arranged for needy families each Thanksgiving and

Story by Jordan Privett

Christmas. Donations of food and money are needed each year to make this happen.

The third special event is our back to school drive. Families in Monett, Pierce City, Verona and Purdy can apply to receive school supplies, vouchers for clothes in the thrift store and backpacks for children. King and her team use the school supply lists provided from each school to get as many supplies as they can for each child. In 2019-20, children received school supply packs that included hygiene kits for teens and new socks for all provided by the First United Methodist Church of Monett.

Outside of these special events, Crosslines regularly provides food and children’s diapers for families in need. Also, special food packs are made available for transient people with items that are ready to eat. Approximately 75 percent of their income comes from the sale of items in the thrift store. It doubly blesses

the community by offering low-cost clothing, books, toys and household items, while being able to use that income to help keep the lights on and the water running for many individuals and families. On average, Crosslines provides $5,000 per month in utility assistance.

The Crosslines team, outside of King, includes a board of twelve members, fourteen employees and generous volunteers. There are teen groups that come in during the summer months to work for six weeks as part of an outreach program. Volunteering at the thrift store can also fulfill mandated community service hours.

Anyone wanting more information about how to donate or volunteer (with current limitations due to COVID-19) can follow their Facebook page for updates and contact information. During the past months, there has been a greater need for food assistance along with additional donations.

Connection Magazine | 39

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A drive-through food basket pickup was designed to provide food to families with little contact.

To request assistance, locals should contact Crosslines. Information such as a utility bill to prove residence and Social Security cards might be needed, depending on the request.

Crosslines is truly a community-focused organization full of heart and generous people. They frequently work with local churches and are recipients of kettle donations during the Salvation Army’s Christmas bell ringing campaign. When employees are sorting donations, they will pull out items of interest for the Monett Historical Society to support their efforts in educating the public about life in Monett.

Recently, assistance was requested for an individual who was being discharged from Cox Monett Hospital.

“He needed help with food, clothing and medicine. My husband delivered the items to him because he couldn’t come in to get the items,” King said.

Seeing all the good that Crosslines does in the community, some might ask how they can support their work. Monetary donations are always appreciated. Locals can follow the Crosslines Facebook page to see when they are asking for special items such as school supplies or food items for Thanksgiving and Christmas baskets. Donations to the thrift store are welcome, with a few exceptions: All items donated should be in good and clean condition. Unusable items have to go into the dumpsters, which adds to Crossline’s garbage bills.

Capturing the mission of Crosslines, King said, “If there’s a need we see that we can help with, we try to fill it.” n

LAW FIRM Pettit & Cowherd Law Firm is proud to announce the hiring of attorney Aaron Hadlow. Mr. Hadlow is a native of Shell Knob. After graduating from Missouri State University, he was an editor for the St. James Leader-Journal and a reporter for the Christian Co Headliner News in Ozark. He graduated from the University of Missouri School of Law in 2018 where he was a Merit Scholar and an editor of the Missouri Law Review. For two years Mr. Hadlow worked for the Missouri Court of Appeals conducting case reviews, legal research and drafting legal opinions. He previously worked for the Missouri Department of Revenue in which he prepared proposals for tax reform.

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Upon hiring Mr. Hadlow, six attorneys are now working in the Pettit & Cowherd Law Firm. The firm has locations in Aurora, Mt. Vernon, and Monett. Aaron’s primary office will be located in Monett at 855 Highway 60 in the Re-Max business plaza. Mr. Hadlow and his wife Rebekah have one daughter. In his free time, he enjoys the outdoors and running.

235-2300 Aurora • Mt. Vernon • Monett FREE

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Connection Magazine | 41

Corn Dog Muffins

Apple Ladybug Treats

Cream Cheese Squares

INGREDIENTS

INGREDIENTS

INGREDIENTS

2 (8.5 ounce) packages cornbread mix 2 tablespoons brown sugar 2 eggs 1 ½ cups milk 1 cup grated Cheddar cheese 9 hot dogs, cut in half

DIRECTIONS 1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Lightly grease muffin tins.

2. Stir together the cornbread mix and the brown sugar in a large bowl. Whisk the eggs and milk in a small bowl until smooth. Fold the eggs and cheese into the dry mixture until moistened. Spoon mixture into muffin tins until 2/3 full. Add 1 hot dog half to each muffin.

3. Bake in a preheated oven 14 to 18 minutes, or until golden brown.

2 red apples ¼ cup raisins 1 tablespoon peanut butter 8 thin pretzel sticks

DIRECTIONS 1. Slice apples in half from top to bottom and scoop out the cores using a knife or melon baller. If you have an apple corer, core them first, then slice. Place each apple half flat side down on a small plate.

2 (8 ounce) cans refrigerated crescent roll dough 2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese 1 cup white sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract ½ cup margarine, melted ¼ cup white sugar 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

DIRECTIONS 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9x13 inch pan.

2. Dab peanut butter on to the back of 2. Press one can of the crescent rolls the ‘lady bug’, then stick raisins onto into the bottom of the prepared pan. the dabs for spots. Use this method In a medium bowl, mix together the to make eyes too. Stick one end of cream cheese, 1 cup of sugar, and vaeach pretzel stick into a raisin, then nilla until smooth and creamy. Spread press the other end into the apples to over the crescent layer. Unroll the secmake antennae. ond can of crescent rolls and lay them on top of the cream cheese layer. Do not press down. Pour the melted margarine over the entire pan. Combine the remaining 1/4 cup of sugar and cinnamon; sprinkle over the top.

3. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes in the preheated oven, or until the top is crisp and golden.

42 | August 2020

Recipes

Easy Granola Bars

Breakfast Cups

Pizza Pinwheels

INGREDIENTS

INGREDIENTS

INGREDIENTS

3 cups quick-cooking oats 1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk 2 tablespoons butter, melted 1 cup flaked coconut 1 cup sliced almonds 1 cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips ½ cup sweetened dried cranberries

DIRECTIONS 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9x13 inch pan.

2. In a large bowl, mix together the oats, sweetened condensed milk, butter, coconut, almonds, chocolate chips and cranberries with your hands until well blended.

Press flat into the prepared pan.

3. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes in the preheated oven, depending on how crunchy you want them. Lightly browned just around the edges will give you moist, chewy bars. Let cool for 5 minutes, cut into squares then let cool completely before serving.

1 cooking spray 1 (8 ounce) can refrigerated crescent roll dough 18 refrigerated biscuits (unbaked) 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese 8 ounces breakfast sausage 24 slices pepperoni 7 large eggs 1 (14 ounce) can pizza sauce ½ cup milk 1 pinch salt and ground black pepper to taste DIRECTIONS 1 cup mild shredded Cheddar cheese 1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 DIRECTIONS degrees C).

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 2. On a large baking sheet, pinch the degrees C). Grease 18 muffin cups 8 crescent roll dough triangles into with cooking spray.

4 rectangles. Layer each rectangle 2. Roll out biscuit dough on a lightly with 6 slices of pepperoni and even floured surface to form 5-inch rounds. amounts of mozzarella cheese. Roll Place each round in the prepared tightly lengthwise and slice each into muffin cups, pressing into the base 4 or more pieces. and sides to form a dough cup.

3. Bake in the preheated oven until gold3. Cook and stir sausage in a skillet over en brown, about 12 minutes. Serve medium-high heat until browned with pizza sauce for dipping. and cooked through, 5 to 10 minutes; drain fat. Spoon sausage into dough cups.

4. Whisk eggs, milk, salt, and pepper together in a bowl until well-beaten.

Pour egg mixture into each dough cup, filling each just below the top of the biscuit dough. Sprinkle Cheddar cheese on top of egg mixture.

5. Bake in the preheated oven until eggs are set and biscuit dough is golden, 15 to 18 minutes.

Connection Magazine | 43

Cutest pet

Two-year-old Rat Terrier belonging to Glenda Schoen of Monett

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 44 | August 2020

Rescued, my favorite breed

By Christa Stout

Outside Excerise Helps Pets Behave Indoors

W

hile living in Denver a few years ago, I brought up the subject of getting a dog and my better half always objected, saying that having a dog in the city was too hard on the dog and besides we already had a cat. Then came the year 2003, which was the hundred-year anniversary of the Harley Davidson motorcycles, and of course, my husband, a real Harley fan, had to own one.

When he became the proud owner of his 2003 Harley, I thought it was my opportunity to push for a dog. Now most people wouldn’t think that a dog was an even trade for a new Harley motorcycle, but it was in my mind, and the hubby, after having spent a small fortune on motorcycle and gear, finally gave in. We started looking at the shelter dogs and I fell in love with a picture of a Samoyed at one of the local shelters. My husband and daughter went to

Photo courtesy of Jenn Thompson Photography

Maizee

, is a 4-year-old Shepherd mix, who came to Faithful Friends as a stray. She was very fearful when she came in, especially of men, and it took quite a while to show her that she could make friends and allow herself to be petted. She is very smart, learns quickly and even plays with the humans now – tug of war is her favorite. It may take a while to earn her trust, but once you have it, she will love you forever, especially if you brush her short coat. She loves to be outside, just hanging out, but will need a fenced in yard. She will need to be the only dog. Maizee would love to have a forever home with someone who is patient and shows her the world and her home doesn’t have to be a scary place.

get him the next day. I named him Sam. He was a beautiful dog who loved to take walks. And my life changed. Every day Sam and I went for two walks of at least a mile each, one early in the morning before work and one after work at night. My days suddenly got longer and for

a night person like me, it was really hard to get up so early, but I was determined to show my husband a dog can be happy anywhere. So, Sam and I became a familiar picture in our neighborhood, we were both happy and to me, anything was worth having my dog.

Connection Magazine | 45

Reminder: To keep your dog and cat comfortable and healthy, don’t forget to give them their monthly heartworm and flea and tick treatments (dogs), and flea and tick treatment (cats). I even found a tick on one of my dogs the other day, despite treatment. As I mentioned before, this is a bad year for infestations.

Sassy

, a cutie who came to Faithful Friends when the pandemic started affecting people’s jobs. Her owner had to move in with her mother and brought her to the shelter, hoping she would find a wonderful new forever home. Sassy is about 4 years old, sweet and curious about the world, loves attention and smooching. She would love to have her own home again; do you have room for this little beauty?

Honestly, I am not just reminiscing, I also want to make a point.

I see so many dogs that are lost or found, roaming the streets and highways, and brought to Faithful Friends or other shelters and pounds, and some of this could be reduced simply by making sure your dog gets enough exercise. Of course, the amount 46 | August 2020

of exercise depends on the kind of dog and the living area.

A dog can be totally happy in an apartment or on a 160-acre ranch, but no matter where, they need exercise to remain happy and healthy, and walks are the easiest and certainly the cheapest way to get exercise. Walking with your dog has so many other

benefits, it allows you to bond with your dog so much more fully, it socializes the dog, and it helps reduce dog obesity. And for those of you who are counting steps on your wearable, this is a perfect way to meet your goal. How much exercise depends on the type and size of the dog, but even the couch potato who loves to do nothing but snuggle needs a walk or two a day. Even dogs that live in the country and have lots of room to roam (on their own property), need both the exercise and the time spent with you to make them happy and to keep them healthy.

One caution, the pavement can become extremely hot in the summertime, so make sure you check before taking your dog outside or take him or her for a walk in a grassy area, such as a park. n

familiar faces

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Freedom & Fireworks Monett Chamber of Commerce hosted the 2020 Freedom and Fireworks show at Monett’s South Park on Saturday, July 4.

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Jerry and Kim Cargile David and Megan Smith Becky Tanner and Ben Tillman Clay and Katrina Williamson Arthur Whitfield and Neila Whitfield McKenna and Luke Wilson Carla and Gary Mulvaney Marilyn Coker and Charles Rickman Newlyweds Kelly and Christopher Wolf and Hiram Bailey Marcus Preston and Tiffany Lackey

Connection Magazine | 47

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Purdy Fourth of July Festival 2020 1.

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Ally, Logan, Aaralynn, Aaronaceigh and Axl Litchfield Sonya and Larry Brown Tammy and Patsy Boyd Zach, Brittany, Claira and Henry Bailey Carol, Justin, Anika and Lilly Williams Lacey Elkins and Brian Whitesides

Seligman Forth of July Event 2020 7. Christy and Wade Hermansen 8. Dakota, Danny and Ronda Roberts 9. Ashley, Nick, Jaxon and Aya Brown.

48 | August 2020

9

Community Calendar

August 2020 AUGUST 1

Seligman Chamber of Commerce Dance at the Seligman Chamber Event Center will be held at 7 p.m. There will be no potluck. People may bring pre-packaged snack foods only. For more information call 417-662-3612.

AUGUST 7

Drive-thru Cookout serving a hot grilled meal to those 60 and over between 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. at the Cassville Senior Center. Frozen meals available for pick-up Monday thru Friday at the same time. This will continue until the Center re-opens.

AUGUST 8

Fireworks Poker Run Fundraiser will be held beginning at 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. This event is sponsored by the Shell Knob Chamber of Commerce.

Seligman Chamber of Commerce Dance at the Seligman Chamber Event Center will be held at 7 p.m. There will be no potluck. People may bring pre-packaged snack foods only. For more information call 417-662-3612.

AUGUST 14

175th Anniversary Celebration of Cassville at the Wildcat Stadium. This event begins at 8 p.m. and will feature fireworks at dusk.

Drive-thru Cookout serving a hot grilled meal to those 60 and over between 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. at the Cassville Senior Center. Frozen meals available for pick-up Monday thru Friday at the same time. This will continue until the center re-opens.

CONNECTION ON THE GO

Mary Ann Pendergraft, of Springfield; Norma Clinton, of Monett; Jared & Cindy Buntin, of Cassville; and Alice Varner, of Washburn, went on the Amish Charm tour June 22-29. Highlights were in Shipshewana, Ind., and Berlin, Ohio.

Seligman Chamber of Commerce Dance at the Seligman Chamber Event Center will be held at 7 p.m. There will be no potluck. People may bring pre-packaged snack foods only. For more information call 417-662-3612.

AUGUST 21

Drive-thru Cookout serving a hot grilled meal to those 60 and over between 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. at the Cassville Senior Center. Frozen meals available for pick-up Monday thru Friday at the same time. This will continue until the Center re-opens.

AUGUST 22

AUGUST 15

Seligman Chamber of Commerce Dance at the Seligman Chamber Event Center will be held at 7 p.m. There will be no potluck. People may bring pre-packaged snack foods only. For more information call 417-662-3612.

Trout Fest will be held at the Cassville Aquatic Park and Soccer Fields from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Cassville Schools will welcome students back after summer break

Trout Fest’s Trout Trot & Minnow Mile. Registration begins at 6 a.m. at the Cassville Aquatic Park parking lot.

AUGUST 28

Drive-thru Cookout serving a hot grilled meal to those 60 and over between 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. at the Cassville Senior Center. Frozen meals available for pick-up Monday thru Friday at the same time. This will continue until the Center re-opens.

AUGUST 29

Wheaton Barbecue will be held. This event is sponsored by the Wheaton Fire Department. For more information call Fire Chief Lindy Lombard at 417652-3535.

Seligman Chamber of Commerce Dance at the Seligman Chamber Event Center will be held at 7 p.m. There will be no potluck. People may bring pre-packaged snack foods only. For more information call 417-662-3612.

AUGUST 25

Connection Magazine | 49

Parting shot

Photo by Cathy Lewis

“Look beneath the surface; let not the several quality of a thing nor its worth escape thee.” ― Marcus Aurelius, Meditations

50 | August 2020

Advertiser Index A-List Properties...............................25 Acambaro Mexican...........................37 Aire Serv................................................ 2 Barry Lawrence Regional Library..... 3 Bill Vance Marine..............................22 Bruner Pharmacy...............................20 Cappy Harris Realtors......................40 Carey’s Cassville Florist...................31 Coast to Coast Home & Auto.........51 Cox Medical Center..........................52 Cubs Café...........................................24 Diet Center.........................................32 Donald Roll.........................................16 Doug’s Pro Lube................................20 Edward Jones....................................... 5 First State Bank of Purdy.................. 2 Fohn Funeral Home..........................17 Four Seasons Real Estate................31 Freedom Bank of Southern Missouri. ........................................................17 Guanajuato Mexican........................20 Johnson Chiropractic......................... 9 Ken’s Collision Center......................36 Kiddie City..........................................37 Lackey Body Works..........................24 Lil Boom Town ..................................36 Mattax Neu Prater Eye Center.......25 Missouri Farm Bureau......................25 My Best Friends Closet...................... 9 Ozark Methodist Manor..................40 Pettit & Cowherd Law Firm............41 Race Brothers...................................... 6 Real Life Church Monett.................24 Roaring River Health & Rehab........32 Rusty Gate Flea Market...................36 Security Bank of Southwest Missouri...............................................51 Shelter Insurance.......................31, 37 The Coffee Café.................................. 9 The Farmers Daughter.....................17 Tisha Trotter......................................... 8 Tomblin Jewelry.................................32 Trogdon Marshall..............................40 VisionHealth Eye Center.................22 White’s Insurance.............................16 Whitley Pharmacy............................... 6

SALES & SERVICE

500 S. Kyler, Monett 417-235-7161

SB

SECURITY BANK OF SOUTHWEST MISSOURI

Your Locally Owned Independent Bank

Let us be your HOMEtown bank!

• Great Service • Committed To Barry County • Decisions Made Locally Wheaton

Cassville

302 Main Street Jct. 37, 76 & 86 417-652-3204 417-847-4794

Exeter

Front Street 417-835-8111

Bill Pay & Internet Banking at

www.sbswmo.com

Connection Magazine | 51