Connection June 2015

FREE

Building Memories to last a lifetime

Rolling in style

Father-son restoration team

Prepare for Fun

Local Scout troop reaches out

DREAM IT WRITE IT Local author talks success

JUNE 2015

A m a g a z i n e d e d i c a t e d t o S o u t h w e s t CONNECTION M i s s o MAGAZINE u r i a n |s69

2 | JUNE 2015

47

June 2015

Boy Scouts building skills

Cassville scouts are amping up their recruiting efforts

13

Hendrix men rocking the restore Father-son team take time to rebuild vintage Chevrolets together

Features

FREE

Building Me ROLLING IN STYLE Fath

er-son restoration te am

PREPARE FOR FUN

mories

to last a life

The Boy Sc are here outs

time

DREAM IT WRITE IT

Local auth talks succesor s

A magazi ne dedica ted to So uthwes

Celebrating

JUNE 2015

t COMNNi s s o u r ECTION MA i a n s

GAZINE | 69

Fathers

34

Jon HorneR

Cassville businessman, civic leader also notable author

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

Email it to connection@monett-times.com

CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 3

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A magazine dedicated to Southwest missourians

PUBLISHER Jacob Brower connection@monett-times.com EDITOR Kyle Troutman editor@cassville-democrat.com Marketing director Lisa Craft community@monett-times.com ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVES Sheila Harris James Craig Marion Chrysler

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CONTRIBUTORS Murray Bishoff Meagan Ruffing Nancy Ridgley Shawn Hayden Darlene Wierman Melonie Roberts Sheila Harris Susan Funkhouser Pam Wormington Brad Stillwell Jared Lankford Julia Kilmer Dori Thomas John Thomas PHOTOGRAPHERS Chuck Nickle Brad Stillwell Jamie Brownlee Amy Sampson DISTRIBUTION Greg Gilliam Kevin Funcannon

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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 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.

CONTENTS 19 Open Letter to Dad

Connection Publisher Jacob Brower recalls the best of times

22 Eating for him

Families take tips from Dad on what’s good at the grocery store

28 Tribute to fathers

Connection staffers write in to say a few about dear old dad

30 Penny Belle’s Baskets

33 Take me out to the ballgame

Happy homemaking expands her creativity to build a business

41 Making a success

Local mother tells of her victory over drug addiction

57 Passion for fashion

Monett High School students put on a show

A father makes time for play

56 happy 50th tillers Local garden group celebrates golden anniversary

In every issue 7

Proud Parent: Cutest Kid Contest

11

Cutest Pet: Contest

27

Health: Shawn Hayden on bike safety

39

Calendar of Events

53

Food: The key to a dad’s heart

60

Bottles and Brews: Cheers

61

Familiar Faces

66

Ad Index

67

Parting Shot

CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 5

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Proud Parent

Cutest Kid Contest Avery Claire Hendrix

is the 21-month-old daughter of Kelly Hendrix of Washburn.

Avery is June’s cutest kid.

Are you a proud parent?

If so, take this opportunity to show off that cute kid of yours. We invite you to share a photo of your child to be featured in Connection’s very own proud parent cutest kid contest.

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

Photos should be sent in the original JPG format at the highest resolution possible. Remember to include your child’s name, parent’s name, age, city and your contact information.

The contest is open to children ages 10 and under. The photos submitted will be used for the sole purpose of this contest.

CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 7

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This photo is named “Juxtaposition” and was taken near the Westminster Abbey and Big Ben in London last summer. It is the winner of the Crowder Quill Cover Award and Crowder Quill Silver Award for black and white photography.

Local photographer wins awards Amy Sampson’s photography will be on exhibit this month at Artivities (YourArtivities. com) on C-Street in Springfield. She also has photos on display at Mocha Jo’s in Monett, and rotates them through every few months.

Amy Sampson, a teacher at Monett High School, won the Crowder Quill’s 2015 Gold Award for color photography with this photo. Titled “Coporaque Smile,” this was taken near Colca Canyon in Peru in the summer of 2013.

Sampson’s work can be viewed at AmySampsonPhotography. wordpress.com, or on Facebook at Ames’ Photography.

CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 9

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cutest pet

JUNE’s WInner

Countess Willo Sage,

a 6-month-old female, owned by Della Stouder of Cassville.

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.

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

Photos should be sent in the original JPG format at the highest resolution possible.

Remember to include your pet’s name, city of residence and your contact information.

CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 11

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Dad’s got a ticket to ride Father-son team take pride in restoring classic Chevys

F

The interior of Johnie Hendrix’s 1960 Chevrolet Biscayne is just as tropically turquoise as the exterior.

or the father-son team of Wayne and Johnie Hendrix, nothing is better than taking a ride in an old car, especially in one of the two the men refurbished themselves.

A proud owner of a 1972 Chevrolet Nova when he was 16 years old, Wayne Hendrix has always had an affinity for American muscle cars, specifically Chevy brand, and the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.

“For me, it goes back to when I was a kid and had my ‘72 Nova,”

Hendrix said. “Then I got married and started a family and didn’t have those kinds of cars. Six years ago, I was looking for another Nova, and that’s when Johnie bought a 1971 Chevelle, about the time the [Cassville Cruisers] Car Club was getting rolling.

“I’ve always liked old cars, and having the car club in town sparked my interest again.”

For Johnie, the love of American muscle came just as hands-on, as one night he took a ride in a friend’s fully restored 1969 Chevelle, and he was sunk from then on.

“I had a couple of Jeeps, but a buddy of mine and one of my dad’s friends from high school took me for a ride in his ‘69 Chevelle, which is the epitome of muscle cars,” he said. “We headed out to the highway, and hearing the jamming of the gears and the sound of the exhaust got me hooked and I needed a muscle car. If you take a ride in one of those cars and your heart doesn’t start pounding, something is wrong.”

Story and photos by Kyle Troutman, editor

CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 13

Johnie Hendrix and his father,

Wayne Hendrix, spent about 200 hours side by side working on Johnie’s 1960 Biscayne.

Johnie said about a month went by and, the next thing he knew, he was building a new motor for his 1971 Chevelle.

“It became almost a sickness at that point,” he said. “I got my first vehicle and sold it, and then I wanted a new one.”

And get a new one Johnie did, a 1960 Chevrolet Biscayne he found on Craigslist for $1,900.

“I suckered my dad into partnering up with me on it, and the next thing we knew, we were tearing it apart,” he said.

“We bought it in July of 2013, started a frame-off restoration in October and had it on the road in May 2014,” Wayne

14 | JUNE 2015

said. “We probably spent a couple hundred hours working on that car together.”

Johnie said he and his father would work on the car at a shop in Monett and his shop in Cassville with some of the other car club members.

“I’d say Johnie was the leader, but I’m pretty good at telling him what to do,” Wayne said.

“Dad likes to supervise,” Johnie said.

“I can come up with an idea and he’s usually on board.”

While most of the details were agreeable among the two, both said the hardest part of restoring the Biscayne was picking the paint color.

“It was pea green when we bought it, and we debated a lot about what to do,” Johnie said. “Dad finally said he picked the white top, which was an easy one, and we collaborated more and ended up coming up with tropical turquoise for the rest.”

The bright shade of blue is as recognizable as the sky from the grass, and the color, Johnie said, is a real head-turner.

“Every time I go cruising in that car, people love the color, they love the car, and my wife and girls feel embarrassed half the time,” he said.

“Those colors just go really good together,” Wayne added.

Johnie Hendrix backs his 1960 Chevrolet Biscayne into his garage. Hendrix and his father said they are true Chevy fans.

Johnie said even his family members have warmed up to the tropical tint, even his daughters.

“When I first bought it, I told my oldest daughter I was taking her to school in it, and she said, ‘I will absolutely not ride in that car,’” he said. “I told her she could ride in that car or ride the bus, and she said, ‘I’ll just have mom take me.’

Now, she doesn’t mind riding in it quite as much.”

Johnie and Wayne’s collaboration on the car panned out well most of the time, but the job also came with its unexpected challenges, such as when a spring tool broke on Johnie while he was installing a spring, sending it flying from the pressure it had stored up.

“At first, it’s really fun. At the end, it’s like remodeling a house,” he said. “You can see the light at the end of the tunnel and you just want to get it

done because you want to drive it so bad.”

Near the end of the project was when Wayne admitted to making a boo-boo of his own.

“I was putting the weather stripping on the door and I’d never put that on a car before,” he said. “It came with this black glue, so I put the stripping up without the glue and it looked like it fit. I called Johnie over and asked him if it was right and he said it was, so I started running the glue and I got the stripping all on.

“I was so proud of myself, and then I shut the door and you could see the stripping all the way across the top, and I said, ‘Uh oh, Johnie, I made a boo-boo.’ We took it all off and had to order another set, and Johnie found some stuff to remove the glue, and we made darn sure we had it right the next time. We learned a lot of thing by going to the school of hard knocks.”

Johnie and Wayne Hendrix have each won awards for their classic Chevrolet vehicles. Their trophies, from left, include, Wayne’s Shakin’ in the Shell award from 2012, Johnie’s State Senator and Most Unique awards from this year’s Dogwood Car Show, and Wayne’s 2013 Dogwood Car Show State Representative award.

The trophies stand tall in Johnie’s shop, where the father-son team work on their cars.

CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 15

“

It’s been good for us to have that time together, and I’d say it brought us closer. We made decisions together, worked as a team and had a good time. I’m sure glad we done it and I have no regrets.”

— Wayne Hendrix

Johnie Hendrix, left, and Wayne Hendrix, Johnie’s father, stand by the Chevrolet vehicles they refurbished, working together on Johnie’s 1960 Biscayne for about 10 months

Courtesy photo When Johnie Hendrix first bought his 1960 Chevrolet Biscayne off Craigslist, it was pea green and had to be brought home on a trailer.

Now, the vehicle sports a tropical turquoise paint job and runs like a dream after a frame-off restoration that took about 10 months.

16 | JUNE 2015

During those hundreds of hours working on the car, Johnie and Wayne said the time spent together was the best part.

“I got to spend time with my dad, and both of us are so busy any more that we miss time with family and our parents, so this was an opportunity to do something together,” he said. “I’d like to do something like that again in the future because it was a lot of fun.”

“The time it gave me with my son was the best part,” Wayne said while sitting in his son’s shop. “I’d come over here and we’d work for a three to four hours, mostly during the winter because we couldn’t really do anything else.

“It’s been good for us to have that time together, and I’d say it brought us closer. We made decisions together, worked as a team and had a good time. I’m sure glad we done it and I have no regrets.”

Wayne said he gives a lot of credit to his son during that time together, both for his willingness to try new things, and for his good choice in brand.

“Johnie is not afraid to try anything, and we are true Chevy fans,” Wayne said with a grin. 

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Dear Dad, I’m willing to bet that the

toughest thing you ever had to do as a father was let go.

I still remember learning how to ride my bicycle many years ago. After school, you would take me outside and teach me how to pedal, how to steer and how to keep my balance. By the time I learned everything I needed to know, you told me you were going to have to let go of the back of the bike so I could learn on my own. But I didn’t want you to let go. The thought of riding my bike without your help scared me. I bet

An open

letter to Dad

it scared you, too.

I talked my way out of it a time or two, but you eventually let go of the bike. You had to. I was a good distance down the road before I even realized you weren’t there.

Knowing that I was able to do it on my own gave me the confidence I needed to learn a skill that brought me hours of exercise and enjoyment.

That doesn’t mean I mastered bicycling right off the bat. I suffered my share of scrapes and bruises. But you taught me the skills I needed, and the rest I had to learn by messing up. When I did, you were there to ask me what happened, dust me off, and tell me what I needed to do to make sure it didn’t happen again.

The years of exercise I received riding my bike up and down the country roads near our house would prove beneficial. I later joined the track team and got involved in long-distance running.

“The thought of riding my bike without your help scared me. I bet it scared you, too.”

I did well from the start, as it was common for me to place in the top five. But wins were few and far between. Truth be told, I was fine with being a second-tier runner. But you told me I had potential for bigger and better things, and that I needed to try harder.

Story by Jacob Brower, publisher

CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 19

“I learned a valuable lesson about the rewards of hard work and selfdiscipline. The confidence I gained and the lessons I learned that season I still carry with me today.”

— Jacob Brower

As teenagers do, I groaned at your observation. But my senior year was my last opportunity, and I figured I’d take your advice. I pushed myself harder in practice. I watched my diet and cut out the junk food. I trained my mind to force my body to speed up when every muscle was telling me to slow down. Sure enough, my times dropped and wins became more frequent. With your help and encouragement, I advanced from a slightly above-average runner to a conference champion.

Much more importantly, I learned a valuable lesson about the rewards of hard work and self-discipline. The confidence I gained and the lessons I learned that season I still carry with me today.

There are many other times that you had to let go, and I’m sure none of them were easy. I’m happy for the times that I was able to make you

proud after I moved away to college.

But there were other times when my newfound freedom got me into bad situations. But you made sure that I learned from my mistakes. You helped turn my errors in judgment into learning opportunities, and for that I am truly grateful.

Most importantly, you taught me by example. You taught me to always do what’s right in any situation, even when doing the right thing is difficult and unpopular.

You taught me to strive to be a better person today than I was yesterday, and a better person tomorrow than I was today.

You worked hard for your family, but didn’t let that stand in the way of being a loving and caring husband and father. You set a high standard that I try hard to live up to every day.

I love you, Dad. Happy Father’s Day. — Jacob

Jacob Brower is the publisher of Connection Magazine, The Monett Times and Cassville Democrat. He is a graduate of McDonald County High School, Crowder College, and Missouri Southern State University.

He lives in Barry County with his wife, Kara.

He can be reached at connection@monett-times.com.

20 | JUNE 2015

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CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 21

one man at a time

22 | JUNE 2015

fotolia.com1

Building healthy families,

June is Men’s Health Month. Women, that means you are on high alert.

What does men’s health have to do with you? Plenty.

Men’s health issues don’t affect only men, they can have a significant impact on everyone around them. And because women live longer than men, we see our fathers, brothers, sons and husbands suffer or die prematurely. Women are in a unique position to help fight the obstacles men face in becoming the healthiest they can be.

fotolia.com2

Our roles Women’s involvement is critical in improving the state of men’s health. Women typically pay better attention to their health than men and can help men adopt healthier habits. Many of the problems facing men’s health can be solved within an individual family with a few simple changes.

You are saying “but so many of my man’s health issues are out of my hands.” It really isn’t. After all, women typically do most of the shopping and cooking for the household.

Here are a few sobering facts to help you decide whether to jump in with solutions or to stand on the sidelines:  More than 30 million men suffer from cardiovascular disease (a blanket term for hypertension or high blood pressure, coronary heart disease, and stroke). One quarter of American men have consistently high blood pressure, which puts a continual strain on the heart and blood vessels and increases the risk of damage to other major organs and increases the risk of a heart attack or stroke. Approximately 450,000 men die of cardiovascular disease each year, more than cancer, lung disease, accidents and diabetes combined.

 According to the American Cancer Society, the approximate lifetime risk of developing cancer is 1-in-2 for men and 1-in-3 for women. Over 700,000 men are diagnosed with cancer each year and nearly 300,000 die of it. Over the course of a lifetime, half of all men will get cancer at least once. Cancer can strike anyone at any age, but the majority of cases happen to people 55 and over. The saddest part is that cancers and death from them are preventable. At least one-third of cancer deaths are caused by smoking, and another one-third may be from poor diet and/or lack of exercise. Some cancers, if caught early, are 100 percent curable.

Story by Dori Thomas

Resources for more information: Men’s Health Network: MensHealthNetwork.org/women  Men should be leading the family in all that is good and healthy, yet they are less likely to visit a professional for a check-up than women are.

Men are more likely to engage in unhealthy behavior, and are less likely to adopt preventative health measures. Men are also more likely to work in dangerous occupations and often put off seeking medical attention even when they really should. As a result men are living shorter lives than women. In 1920, women outlived men by one year, today in the United States it is 4.8 years. According to Men’s Health Network Blueprint for Men’s Health: A Guide to Healthy Lifestyles more than half of the premature deaths among men are preventable.

 Depression is under-diagnosed in men, yet men are four times as likely to commit suicide as women. Depression is the leading cause of disability in the United States, sidelining more people than back problems, heart disease and injuries.

CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 23

Both men and women understand the difficulties men face in taking time off to go the doctor or to rest at home. Women can also relate to the tendency of many men to put their family’s health above their own.

Men are also taught from an early age to cope quietly with pain instead of sharing their issues with other. Being told that “big boys don’t cry” over a skinned knee can often lead to reluctance to seek answers to medical issues for health afflictions decades later, especially if symptoms are related to sexual health or not plainly visible. For some fitting a doctor visit into the household budget is an issue. In this case, look for free health fairs, free or low-cost clinics, and free screenings in your area. Take advantage of the blood pressure machines at local stores. Many minor issues can be treated at home, but left untreated can lead to bigger and more expensive issues.

Women to the rescue Women assisting the men in their lives is critical to a healthy lifestyle.

Because men’s health issues don’t just impact them, they can have an effect on the entire family, and for that reason women must get involved. Health issues can shape everything from sexual and marital relationships to the quality and length of life. By encouraging the men in your life to take even the smallest symptom seriously or to make radical changes to their lifestyles can help them make the most of their lives.

Getting your men to seek professional help is not always easy, but it can be done. A 1996 study showed that men are 2.7 times more likely than women to be influenced to seek health care by a member of the opposite sex, married patients were 2.4 times more likely than unmarried patients to be influenced to seek health care by a member of the opposite sex. The conclusion was that women exert an important influence on the decisions of men to seek medical attention.

24 | JUNE 2015

By encouraging the men in your life to take even the smallest symptom seriously or to make changes to their lifestyle, women can help them make the most of their lives. fotolia.com3

The obstacles

Diet and habits Breaking unhealthy habits such as smoking, excess alcohol consumption, bad diet choices and poor hygiene is certainly a great start to a healthier man. One quarter of the male population still smoke cigarettes, which contain thousands of chemicals, including in some brands over 100 that are known poisons. Tobacco is responsible for over 400,000 deaths per year — more than alcohol, cocaine, heroin, AIDS, murder, suicide and car accidents combined.

In moderate quantities (no more than 2 drinks per day), alcohol may help reduce the risk of heart disease.

Unfortunately, millions of American men (and women) are not able to keep their alcohol consumption “moderate.” The consequences are extremely negative as excessive alcohol consumption kills approximately 75,00085,000 Americans each year, over 70 percent of whom are men. It’s also responsible for about one in four hospital stays and is a factor in 60 percent of acts of violence. Alcohol can also cause stomach ulcers and do long-term damage to the liver, brain and heart.

Many men skip meals, snack during the day, eat a large loaded meal full of fat and calories for dinner and gain a few pounds each year. Pretty soon, he is stepping on the scale and its screams STOP! Keeping trim and maintaining a healthy weight is important to overall good health.

Choosing the right foods and eating a varied diet full of healthy fruits and vegetables is the key to a fit physic. Avoid saturated fats, get plenty of the healthy fats, avoid processed sugar and other foods, use less salt and more herbs, all just simple ways that women and men can live healthier.

Other healthy practices, such as good dental hygiene, may actually reduce the risk of ulcers, pneumonia, digestive problems, heart disease, stroke and diabetes. Being active cuts your risk of developing high blood pressure by 25-50 percent.

And, although more men exercise than women, figures are not impressive — about 50 percent of men do not exercise regularly – according a CDC survey. Even if your man lifts weights to build muscles, that’s not enough. Men need cardiovascular exercise to be in their best health, which means brisk walking, jogging or biking for 30-60 minutes per day 5 days a week, at a pace vigorous enough to increase the heart rate and break a sweat.

Reducing stress is another huge factor in better health and wellness.

Women and men tend to handle stress differently — women typically like to talk it through, while men tend to bottle it up. Studies show that chronic stress, especially the kind that engenders fear or anger, is a risk factor for heart disease. A little bit of stress is sometimes good for you, but when the cause of the stress does not go away it can start eating away at your immune system and increase the risk for developing a number of physical and mental conditions.

Helping with home self-examinations is also a critical step in ensuring your men are at their healthiest. Be sure to mention if you notice a lump or change in moles or freckles. Help your men do self-exams by checking areas that they cannot see. This team work doubles the opportunities to catch issues early, which increases the chances of curing many diseases.

Ultimately, it is up to your men to want to take care of themselves.

Developing healthy habits and making them a priority for yourself will ensure that the next generation of men start with a strong foundation.

Women can influence and quash the obstacles by equipping men with the tools necessary to achieve a healthy lifestyle. It is our chance to build hale and hearty families, one man at a time. 

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CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 25

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Walk. Bike. Run. Safely.

Pedestrian transportation is becoming a growing trend in every community. People are commonly walking or biking to get where they need to go.

Using these forms of transportation are great for physical activity, the environment, and learning more about your community. It is of utmost importance that they are done safely.

It is very common for drivers, cyclists, and walkers/ runners to share the road, especially in areas where sidewalks and bike paths are non-existent. Understanding the rules of the road (for all who are using it) is important for the safety of the whole community.

Below are some tips for sharing the road:  Are you using the right side of the road?

Walkers/runners should always be moving against traffic (as close to the curb as they feel safe, if on the road). Those riding bicycles should be moving with traffic (as to the curb as they feel safe).

 Pass me safely. While passing a pedestrian on the road, it is suggested that at a minimum you pass them with at least 3 feet of space. Be sure to pass pedestrians in areas that are clear of oncoming traffic, and are safe for both the driver and the pedestrian.

 Follow the rules of the road. It doesn’t matter if you are walking, riding, or driving, everyone has to follow the rules of the road. Those riding a bicycle must follow the rules as if they were in a car.

Finally, the most important rule is to be courteous.

When you are behind someone riding a bike, or you have to wait for traffic to clear to pass a runner, realize that the person you are about to pass is important to someone, so take the time to do it safely.

coordinator for the healthy communities program at Cox Monett Hospital. He has an undergraduate degree from Drury University in chemistry and biology, as well as a master’s degree from Missouri State University in health promotion and wellness management. Shawn is an avid cycling enthusiast, racing most weekends across the area. He enjoys spending time with his wife, hiking and camping, and their two fur kids.

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Shawn Hayden is the project

CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 27

New Patient Special Free Dental Exam and X-rays

Things my father taught me With our calendars now turned to June, we look to a month where we set

enough to take a girl on a date. I mean,

aside a day to honor our fathers.

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My dad would reply: “Son, $10 isn’t

and I want the change.”

I learned about banking. He once

great outdoors and worked their fingers

questioned a bank officer by asking

to the bone to put food on the table,

why the bank was paying him 1 per-

clothes on our backs and a roof over

cent on his money, and he was paying

our heads.

them 6 percent on their money. He

My father is also my best friend. My wife reminds me constantly that I am just like him and then rolls her eyes.

From the time I was able to toddle around, I have always wanted to be like

then informed the officer that was a conflict of interest.

He taught me about hunting. Simply put: You kill it, you eat it.

My father is a family man with a big

my father. He is my hero. I have learned

heart. I am the youngest of four chil-

so much from him and his teachings

dren and my dad has told everybody

resonate today with my own family.

that if I had been born first, I would

Take finances, for instance. When I was running a bit short for the week

have had no brothers or sisters.

In all seriousness, as we approach

and had a date, I would have to work up

Father’s Day 2015, let us honor the

the courage to ask my dad for $20. That

men who our mothers married for bet-

proved harder than asking a girl out.

ter or for worse.

Jared Lankford is the sports editor of The Monett Times and Cassville Democrat.

A lifelong southwest Missourian, he is a graduate of Neosho High School and Missouri State University.

My Daddy, my best friend,

My Angel Once upon a time there was a

the times that he would take my

man in my life who I could truly call

hand and skip down the sidewalk

my best friend. He was a tall, person-

with me and when we were sledding

able, influential, kind and giving man

and were dumped off in the ditch

that I always called my “John Wayne.”

together. I treasure the hours that we

He was my Daddy, Winford L.

would play gin rummy. I remember

Atwell, or as most people knew him,

most of the advice that he gave me,

W.L. or Winnie.

and the precious times he would hug

I could write a long story on this man and what he meant to me. He could be tough, strong and could

Winnie (W.L.) Atwell was an

me tight when I was broken-hearted

admirable man, a loving father, a

and wipe my tears.

devoted PeePaw and would have

It was not always a smooth

been a very doting great-PeePaw if

have a temper, but at the same time,

relationship. After all, he was a par-

he had had the time here on earth. In

he could be gentle and shed a tear.

ent and had to put his foot down at

my opinion, he went home to be with

times. I was a trying teenager, but

his Heavenly Father too soon, but

to fish, to hunt (some) and how to

I will always feel that I grew into a

God disagreed. He passed away at

play in the dirt. But I believe at the

better adult because of those times

age 62 in 1989. I miss my best friend

top of the list of things he shared

he was in parent mode, a teaching

to this day.

with me was his love of Jesus Christ,

mode.

I was a tomboy, so he taught me

I could write forever on this man and how he left his mark on many,

his common sense and all of his sto-

Many people who were born and

ries of his life and adventures. These

raised in Monett knew of Winnie At-

but the most important thing to me

are priceless and I am a blessed per-

well, and they usually have stories of

is that I was chosen to be able to

son for having a father who was such

their own to tell involving him. Some

call him daddy — the privileged one

a valuable human being to many.

of those stories should be shared

to call him my best friend and the

with everyone to bring a laugh or

blessed one to now and always have

father to two girls, many called him

tear. Then again, there were probably

him as my angel.

Dad. What a tribute to a life.

stories that should only be shared

Even though he was a biological

Winnie wasn’t always in my life.

I love you, Dad!

with family.

He spent a lot of his time on the road and living in Florida nine months out of the year because of his job. There is an old saying, “It’s not the quantity, but the quality.” This applies here.

I missed him greatly when he was on the road, but remember mostly when he would return. I remember

Lisa Craft is the marketing director for Connection Magazine, The Monett Times, and Cassville Democrat.

She can be reached at community@monett-times.com, or 417-235-3135.

CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 29

A

Penny Belle Baskets

shley Williams of Monett is living her dream working from home as a stayat-home-mom and a business professional.

Blessed by her grandmother’s gift basket business, Ashley now continues a legacy of beautiful custom gift baskets bringing cheer to many receivers.

Ashley worked for the Monett school district as a first-grade teacher.

During that time, she and her husband, Jordan Williams, were blessed with a baby girl they named Lola Belle.

“I taught school for one year after my daughter was born, and then decided I wanted to stay home with her,” Ashley said.

Ashley’s grandmother, Penny Viscardis, owned a gift basket business in Branson called Gift Baskets by Penny.

She was in business 15 years, making baskets for conventions, the Branson Tourism Center and other local businesses.

“When Ashley wanted to stay with the baby, I knew I had the perfect business to let her stay home and still help with the family income,” Penny said.

“I was ready to spend more time traveling, and told Jordan and Ashley if they thought the business could work for them, I would give it to them. I was pleased when they said yes.”

“When grandmother mentioned the business, I thought it’d be neat to carry on my grandmother’s legacy,” says Ashley. “In 2014, the business officially became mine. In August, we moved to a new house in Monett with more room, and I was able to set up the business in our new home.”

Ashley changed the business name to Penny Belle Baskets, Penny after her grandma and Belle after her daughter’s Lola’s middle name.

Memories “inCreating a Basket”

“Since Lola is the whole reason I quit teaching and chose to work from home, the name was fitting,” Ashley said. “They are the reason I am doing this. The business name is a reminder to me.”

Penny did most of her work through Branson Tourism Center, and Ashley continues to do the same.

Branson Tourism Center takes online orders, which Ashley makes and then hand delivers.

“Since my grandmother is from Branson, most of the baskets are delivered to the Branson area. Companies buy baskets for people coming into town, and I leave them in their hotel rooms. It’s a nice gesture and way of thanking people.”

Additionally, Ashley does work for the Sight and Sound Theater. She delivers baskets to the Springfield area

and has created gift baskets for individuals in Monett.

“When I meet with a new client, I take a little sample basket,” Ashley said. “Once I have communicated with the sender of the gift basket, I select the perfect products based on theme and each individual’s likes. After arranging the gift basket, I seal it with shrink wrap, giving it a clean look.

Then I choose the right colors for a handmade bow to accent the basket.”

Penny Belle Baskets start at $30 dollars. Each basket can be customized to meet style, occasion and price point. Ashley offers custom orders and themes. She has done golf and many other themes upon customer request.

Ashley states, she needs three days notice to create a basket.

“I like my baskets to be personalized, and include a note or card,”

continued on page 58 30 | JUNE 2015

Story and photos by Amanda Reese

To place an order by phone, call Ashley at 417-214-1477.

Email her at Ashley@pennybellebaskets.com. To place an online order, go to PennyBelleBaskets.com.

Ashley is also on Facebook/PennyBelleBaskets, Twitter/pennybbaskets, and Instagram/pennybellebaskets.

“Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart�

Psalm 37:4

CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 31

Take me out to the ball game

32 | JUNE 2015

Father and daughter take time to bond on the field

W

ith June now upon us, the summer weather begins to set in. Temperatures warm up, days get longer and the ideals we celebrate as wholesome Americana values come to the forefront.

Some refer to these days using images of ice cream and apple pie, fireworks and one sport, in particular, that employs the moniker of “America’s Pastime.”

For more than 165 years, the game of baseball has been contested on diamonds all around the world.

Legends larger than life have been created, etched in baseball lore and in our minds.

Boys who loved the game as youths grew up to pass their passion on to their children. Fathers coached their sons, teaching them their baseball secrets, passing on a love for the game to those whom they love, thus creating a cycle that has endured for nearly 17 decades.

Phillip Tilley, a Monett resident and local business owner, was one of those boys whose love for baseball came from his father.

“I can’t remember ever playing on a baseball team when my father wasn’t the head coach or the assistant coach,” Tilley said. “I don’t think having my dad coach me ever added any [performance] pressure. It was just something we did together that we both loved and could bond over. Whether you go play catch or go fishing you always looked forward to those things you can do with your dad. Hopefully, I’ve got that with my girls.”

A father of three girls, Tilley

Story and photos by Jared Lankford

coached his two older daughters, not in T-ball, but basketball. Now, he has begun the same coaching tradition with his youngest, Brooke.

“I love the fact that I have been privileged to coach my daughters,” Tilley said. “At the same time, there is anxiety that comes with it because you know your are coaching other parents’ kids too, and you want to do a good job. You are always worried about keeping everybody happy.”

While Tilley soaks in the satisfaction and pride of being his daughter’s coach, Brooke takes a simpler approach, as one would expect, to having her dad call the signals.

“It’s kind of neat having my dad as the coach, but I see him at home, too,” Brooke shyly acknowledged.

“We play at home and he teaches me how to throw and hit. I like hitting the best.”

Tilley credits his father’s example and passion for his drive to coach his daughters.

“I volunteered to be the assistant coach, but in these types of leagues, promotions come quick,” he said. “I know that I have been doing a good job [coaching] when my child is excited about going to their next game. When Brooke gets excited and wants to come back and play more, that tells me I am doing something right.”

When it comes to coaching younger players like his T-ball team, Tilley noted that his job is as much of a motivator as it is an instructor.

Brooke enjoys hitting. Her father Phillip, takes time to show her the proper grip.

“Every game, after every inning, I have kids asking, ’Is it over?’ ‘Do I have to go out again?’’ Tilley said.

“I want to keep it fun and exciting to keep those kids into the sport, and it starts with my daughter’s enjoyment.”

Brooke said she does not get to pick her position on the field or in the batting order, but she does like to hit the ball.

“Hitting is my favorite,” she said. “I like to swing as hard as I can. My dad helps me a lot with my hitting.”

For Phil Tilley, the true reward for coaching is spending time with his family. For Brooke, her loyalties are equally divided between two loves.

“I don’t know which one I like more,” Brooke said. “I like hitting, but I also like going to the concession stand after the game.”

CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 33

The making of a novelist 34 | JUNE 2015

Listening to that small voice inside that yearns to tell a story

M

any people go through life

knowing

what

they’ll do and the career path they’ll choose.

Maybe there’s the farm that’s been around for

generations or a family business on the square. Perhaps college has always been in the plans with a lucrative major selected to ensure a lifetime of financial stability.

For some, a small voice inside still beckons to be heard once this path is chosen with careers made and families raised. A voice that speaks to a yearning for something different, something bold. A voice that cries out for consideration and will not be silenced until it is heard and a new chapter begins.

“I started writing because I fell in love with John Grisham books,” said Jon Horner, president of Security Bank of Southwest Missouri who has published two books in a series and is working on his third. Jon

Jon Horner wears many hats: Bank president, city councilman, school board member and Rotary Club president. Nonetheless, he still finds time to write.

credits his wife, Darla, with providing the impetus for helping him get the courage to begin writing.

Jon is a fifth generation descendent of a Horner fam-

“A lot of his (John Grisham) books are set in ru-

ily that has lived in Barry County since the mid-1800s. Jon

ral Mississippi in towns that appear to be similar to

was raised on the family farm and upon graduation from

Cassville,” Jon said. “I told Darla ‘Wouldn’t it be neat

Cassville High School attended what is now Missouri State

to write like Grisham – especially in a setting like

University where he received a degree in finance. Darla also

he does,’ and she said ‘Do it!’ I told her that I didn’t

attended Missouri State, but that wasn’t where they origi-

know how to write and she said ‘neither did he, he

nally met.

just started doing it.’ So I just started writing.”

While in college she was working at Boatman’s Bank in

It took three years for Jon to write his first novel,

Branson,” Jon said. “One day, one of her customers, who

titled “The Rev of Bouvier.” The story takes place

managed the London Fog Store, asked her to fill in for that

in Barry County, and it centers on a popular min-

Sunday. That was the one and only day that she worked at

ister who made a very human mistake when he was

the London Fog Store in Branson and I happened to come

younger and is now forced to make some very dif-

there that day.”

ficult and courageous choices. The local setting was

Jon believes it is his civic duty to be actively involved in

selected because Jon is familiar with this area, having

the community — a principle that was handed down to him

lived here nearly his entire life.

by his parents Bill and Adella Horner.

Story and photos by Brad Stillwell

CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 35

“Growing up, my parents always showed me the importance of being involved in the community,” Jon said.

“They told me that this community would grow only if people were willing to invest their time and energy.”

Jon has passed this wisdom along to his own children, who have made choices in their lives that enrich the community. Chase is a freshman at Crowder College in Cassville, where he is pursuing a degree in elementary education. Madison is a junior at Cassville High School and she is the reigning Miss Texas County’s Outstanding Teen. She volunteers and organizes fundraisers for the Children’s Miracle Network hospitals as her personal cause.

Being a husband, parent, and bank president — as well as board member and officer for several local organizations — would exhaust most normal people. Jon fulfills each of these responsibilities with a quiet and purposeful presence while still finding time to pursue his interest of writing regularly.

Jon readily admits that learning to write in the beginning was a goal that he had to faithfully pursue. His professional writing successes provided encouragement for making the giant step toward writing fiction.

“I like communicating and trying to put my words across in a manner that would be clear to people and persuasive,” said Jon, who also sees writing fiction as an outlet from the more technical writing he was consistently doing as part of his regular job responsibilities.

Jon strongly believes that having this outlet helps to tap his creative self — a part of his being that was awakened when he played in the high school band under Dr. Russell Robinson. He sees his writing as a logical creative progression of these early experiences.

36 | JUNE 2015

“To me it’s also rewarding, entertaining and it relieves the stress of the day,” Jon said. “It’s like jogging, but there’s not as many aches and pains.”

Jon disciplined himself to write a little bit of “The Rev of Bouvier” every day when he first began the process. The story provides familiarity to those who live here, but also provides a good feel of Ozarks living for those who live outside the area, according to Jon. Jon stresses that all of his characters are fictional and not based on anyone you may know, although many of the pearls of wisdom he writes came directly from those shared by his parents when he was growing up.

“The characters are either developed through my imagination or a collection of my experiences growing up and living in Barry County,” Jon said.

The main character of this first book, Durwood Hardy, has issues that extend beyond what would be considered normal and polite for Barry County society. Jon uses these issues to show how the individual — and a community — might react under very trying circumstances.

“To me, this was going through the exercise of seeing how someone in this position would react if they had been placed in these circumstances,” Jon said, “and then, how would people around him and the community in general react to it. The next step is looking at the unintended consequences of our actions – how that impacts so many lives. It’s similar to throwing a pebble in the water and watching the waves flow out from it.”

Both books have been published by Publish America, a company located in Baltimore, Md. According to Jon, this is one of the few publishers that will accept manuscripts from authors that have never been published and he wasn’t required to pay any upfront publication costs. Jon explained that the downside of using this company included less editing services before publication and fewer marketing services after publication.

Jon titled his second novel “The Deadly News” and the story includes familiar landmarks and locations for anyone who lives in the area. He introduces many new faces, but still weaves in a few of the familiar more grounded characters from his first book.

Jon readily admits that he has learned a great deal about the publishing industry after his first novel was published.

“One of the things I learned was that a small publisher is not going to have the manpower to scrub a book like Simon and Schuster,” Jon stated.

“In addition to the services offered by my publisher, the second time around I benefited from the efforts of Donna Richards the long-time English teacher at Cassville High School who agreed to edit the book. My wife, Darla, did editing as well so that really helped out in cleansing problems and errors from the (second) book” To date, Jon has sold 5,000 copies of both publications from his website jonhorner.net, Amazon.com, and various locations in Cassville. His readership includes not only local residents, but also interested fans from across the country. Jon communicates with many of his readers and readily encourages feedback and suggestions.

“Flight of the Slacker” is the rough working title of his third novel, which is about one-third finished. The setting is the same, and Jon will continue to bring back characters from both books while still introducing his readers to new opportunities and challenging situations.

Jon believes that those who want to write should listen to that small voice within and take those first tentative steps to follow their dreams. He finds fear to be the biggest roadblock and suggests that moving purposely beyond fear can lead to great personal rewards.

“Start writing and don’t let the fear of the unknown hold you back from doing something that you really enjoy,” Jon shared. “For me, getting started was just moving past the fear of the unknown — the fear of being good, of weaving a story together that people will understand. Finally I realized I like this, I’m going to give it a shot, and we’ll see how it works out.” 

“

Start writing and don’t let the fear of the unknown hold you back from doing something that you really enjoy.”

— Jon Horner

CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 37

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Monday 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.

Thursday 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.

Tuesday 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.

Friday 10 a.m. - 9 p.m.

Wednesday 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Saturday 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Sunday - Closed Gift Cards, Mugs, Sweatshirts, and Consignment Items.

38 | JUNE 2015

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sept 9 – 10, 2015

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check out the website for more details about our trips.

June 2015 Dances

June 1 — The Monett Senior Center will host a 7 p.m. dance. There is a $3 cover charge and the band will be Evelyn Locke and the Outriders from Shell Knob.

The Seligman Chamber of Commerce will host a dance at the Seligman Chamber Event Center at 7 p.m. Admission is $4 each and attendees are asked to bring a snack to share. No alcohol or smoking is allowed. For more information, people may call 417-662-3612.

June 13 Three Hits and a Miss June 18 Classic Country June 20 Cheyenne June 27 Three Hits and a Miss

12 The Old Town Pharmacy will buy lunch for any seniors who would like a meal at the Monett Senior Center.

Car Show will be held in Reeds Spring at 22527 Main St. Awards will be given out between 5:30 and 8:30 p.m.

17 A Springfield hearing aid specialist will

dance from 7-10 p.m. Admission is $3.

Finger foods are welcome. The center is located at 104 Locust St. in Pierce City. For more information, people may call 4765800 or 737-4900.

19 The Cassville Area Chamber of Commerce

will host the Annual Rotary Rodeo, June 19-20, at the Bill Hailey Arena in Cassville.

Tickets to the event cost $10 for adults and $5 for children. Advance tickets are $9 and may be purchased at Freedom Bank, First State Bank, Security Bank or from Rotary Club members. For more information, people may call the chamber at 417847-2814. Stan Kelley of Dennis Baker at Freedom Bank 846-1719.

5 First Friday Coffee will be from 8-8:45 a.m. at Barry Electric in Cassville.

The Mt. Vernon Chamber of Commerce is hosting a Night at the Ballpark at the Springfield Cardinals’ baseball game. Tickets are $8 at the chamber office and $11 at the gate. For more information, people may call 417-466-7654.

20 The Mustang Mania Car Show at Jimmy

Mitchell Motors in Aurora will be held. The event is free. At 9 a.m. there is the show and shine, the registration deadline is at noon and awards will be given at 1 p.m.

For more information, people may call the Aurora Chamber of Commerce at 417678-4150.

6 Free Fishing Weekend at Roaring River

State Park will be held June 6-7. No license or trout tag is required. For more information, people may call the park at 417-847-2539.

The Seligman Chamber of Commerce will host a Pig Roast at the chamber building at 6 p.m. The cost is $6 per plate. Drinks are sold separately for $1 each, except for water and coffee, and desserts are $1 each. for more information, people may call Cleta at 417-662-3611.

host its annual ice cream social. Food and ice cream will be served at 6 p.m., and Keltic Knot will perform at 7 p.m. To get to the church, take Highway 37 south 1-1/2 miles from Highway 60, then turn left on to Farm Road 2020 across from Race Brothers. That road leads to the church. For more information, people may call 417-235-3337.

26 Nailcare specialist Gail Groves will

provide services at the Monett Senior Center. The cost is $5 for toenails, $5 for fingernails and $10 for shellac nails.

18 The Pierce City Senior Center will host a

EVENTS

The Cassville Senior Center will draw a raffle winner for the 1967 Plymouth Belvedere being auctioned to benefit the Center. The vehicle is donated by Sue and Carroll Craig. Tickets for the raffle cost $5 each, or five tickets for $20, and may be purchased at the Senior Center, Freedom Bank or Security Bank. Entrants do not need to be present to win.

The Cars and Tractors on a Mission Car Show will be held in the Crane City Park.

Light the Night at Baldwin Park in Aurora will go from 3-10 p.m. The event will feature vendors, games and fireworks at about 9:20 p.m. Entry into the festival is donation-based. For more information, people may call the Aurora Chamber of Commerce at 417-678-4150.

The city of Miller will host a rabies vaccination clinic from 10 a.m. to noon at city hall.

A one-year vaccination is $10, and a threeyear vaccination is $15. The price for each includes a city tag. For more information, people may call city hall at 417-452-3371.

25 The Waldensian Presbyterian Church will

visit the Monett Senior Center to clean and repair hearing aids free of charge.

June 6 — Mt. Vernon is hosting its city-wide garage sale. For more information, people may call the Mt. Vernon Chamber of Commerce at 417-466-7654.

June 6 — The Cassville Senior Center, located at 1111 Fair St., will host its annual Garage Sale from 7 a.m. to noon.

13 The 19th Annual Pop’s Dari Del Spring

Garage Sales

June 4 — The city of Miller will host its city-wide garage sale from June 4-6. People interested in participating should call city hall at 417-4523371 to register and be placed on the map.

calendar

27 The Seligman Chamber of Commerce

will host a Mini Hot Rod Pull at 7 p.m. at Ruby’s Event Park. Tickets are $7 each, and children 10-and-under get in for free.

Activities The Monett YMCA will host roller skating on Fridays, from 7-9 p.m. and 9-11 p.m., and on Saturdays, from 7-10 p.m. The cost is $6 for non-members and $3 for members.

The city of Monett outdoor pool at the Monett YMCA is open from 1-5 p.m. on Sundays through Fridays, and 1-8 p.m. on Saturdays. Admission is $3 for non-YMCA members and free for members.

Summer day camps at the Monett YMCA for grades K-6 run from 7 a.m to 5:45 p.m. For more information, people may call 417-2358213, or visit MonettYMCA.org Swimming lessons at the Monett YMCA are available from June 15-25 and June 29 to July 9. There are parent-child classes for children 6 months to 3 years. Preschool classes are available for children ages 4-6, and regular classes are available for children ages 7 and up.

Camp Wakonda has two sessions in June, from June 14-20 and June 20-27. For more information, people may visit CampWakonda.org. The last session will begin on Aug. 1.

CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 39

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A different kind of graudation A

merican Poet Taylor Mali observed,

Christy Gage Brown was born and raised in

“graduations need not only be obsessed

Purdy, surrounded by a loving family and a host of

with looking ahead; a graduation can be a

friends. As she entered her teenage years, Christy

day on which we turn back and trace our steps to see

and her pals developed a typical interest in the op-

how we ended up where we are.”

posite sex. A good-looking guy caught Christy’s eye,

Like multitudes of others across the nation I

and the two fell in love.

attended a graduation in May. It was not held in

At 16, Christy discovered she was pregnant.

a high school gymnasium, a college football field

She and her boyfriend married and soon welcomed

or a university auditorium, but rather in the Barry

their first son, Brendon. A few years later, the couple

County Judicial Center, with Judge Victor Head

added a second son, Caleb, to their family. Although

presiding.

Christy did not finish high school and graduate at Purdy, she worked hard to earn her GED at Monett.

friend of mine, who successfully completed the Bar-

She appeared to be traveling the road to lasting hap-

ry County Drug Court program. As she accepted

piness, with a handsome husband and two adorable

her hard-earned diploma from Judge Head, a sense

boys at her side, but as we all know, the journey to

of reflection settled over her face as tears welled in

joy often includes its share of detours, wrong turns

her eyes. I have no doubt she was tracing her steps.

and deadly crashes.

Phoenix from

I attended to celebrate the graduation of a dear

Judge Victor Head bestows a congratulatory hug.

He observed of Christy and her fellow graduate, “We couldn’t be prouder of you and your accomplishments.”

Story and photos by Susan Funkhouser

CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 41

Life with a meth mom

“Brendon left. He’d had enough. He recently told me, ‘Mom, I thought you’d forgotten about us.’”

Christy’s daughter, Caitlin, also found stability outside her mother’s world in the home of her dad and step-mom. Only Caleb remained.

“Caleb took the brunt of my drug use. I drug him from place to place to place. No matter what I did wrong, Caleb was there.”

Naturally, the unfathomable anguish at home showed up in Caleb’s behavior and performance at school. Soon, he didn’t want to attend at all.

“Caleb had lots of problems at school during that time. Later he told me, ‘Mom, the reason why I didn’t want to go to school was because I knew what you would do when I left.’”

Piece by piece and high by high, Christy relinquished her dignity to meth.

“You do things you never thought you could do, and your self-respect vanishes.

You feel like you’re so far in that you can never get out. It’s like you’re in this deep, dark well.”

Christy didn’t descend into darkness As the romance and passion of early alone; she pulled her kids down with her. wedded bliss began to fade and the munWhen reflecting on her years as a drugdane reality of married life and parentaddicted parent, Christy confides, “I knew hood descended, Christy found herself that they knew and that it was affecting struggling with disillusionment and dethem horribly, but at that point, I just pression. As the void between her husband didn’t care.

It’s hard to fathom that. I chose and herself grew she filled it with a false drugs over my kids so many times.” and deadly friend – methamphetamine.

Christy’s oldest son refused to be deChristy began building her addiction to stroyed by the life his mom had chosen for meth as her marriage fell apart. their family.

“It makes you numb. You don’t have to feel anything. You don’t have to deal with what’s going on in your world. Meth gives you a euphoric high. Whether you’re in pain, depressed, suffering relationship problems or other issues Meth makes you feel good … as long as you’re high.”

Christy remarried during this drughazed era, and she soon found herself holding the positive results of a pregnancy test. She quit meth cold-turkey and remained clean for the first five years of her daughter, Caitlin’s, life.

When marriage troubles once again arose, a friend introduced Christy to prescription drugs.

“I clung to many excuses and justifications for my new habit. The drugs were legally prescribed by a doctor, and I was in pain … or so my mind told me.”

Suffering from what the medical world terms “Psychosomatic Pain” Christy truly believed she was treating a physical pain.

She took Xanax, Hydrocodone, Valium and a host of muscle relaxers.

“I had a pill to go to sleep, a pill to wake up, a pill to make me happy – I had a pill for every situation.”

Christy attempted a stint in a rehabiliChristy celebrates her recovery with her most avid supporters, her kids. tation program.

From left: Brendon Lucero, Caitlin Brown, Christy and Caleb Lucero.

“It didn’t work; I wasn’t ready. You have to be ready.”

“I love my mom. She is so strong, and I am very proud However, as her second marriage of her. Someday I want to be just like she is now. My crumbled, Christy successfully gave up prescription pills, but she also picked up mom is a great person who never gives up. You can’t where she left off with meth. even imagine how proud I am of her and how grateful “I traded one addiction for the other.”

I am for her changes.”

The path to addiction

42 | JUNE 2015

— Caitlin Brown, Christy’s daughter

“I think a lot of my mom, and all of it is good. I’m super proud of how far she has come. Because I lived with her the longest I think I was around her drug use the most. Seeing her clean is really amazing. Words really can’t explain how much I love her and look up to her.”

– Caleb Lucero, Christy’s younger son

The Rock at rock bottom Christy identifies the fall of 2013 as the time when she hit the proverbial “rock bottom.” It was there she found the unshakeable Rock of Ages and a dear, guardian angel.

Two years into a probationary sentence for drug possession, Christy failed to keep an appointment with her probation officer, and authorities issued a warrant for her arrest. “I ran for two months. That was so miserable. I was always looking over my shoulder.

I couldn’t trust anyone, and I was so worried about what would happen to Caleb. I could be thrown in jail at any point in time, and he would have nowhere to go.”

As it turned out, Caleb found a safe haven in the home of Purdy Middle School teacher Gary West.

“When Caleb moved in with Mr. West he finally had stability. I would have completely lost Caleb if not for Mr. West. I realize that. Gary is a God-send. I can never repay him for what he did for Caleb and me. He is amazing.”

With Caleb safe in the care of an angel in teacher’s garb, Christy was left alone to hide from the police.

“I began to realize that something had to change. I was so unhappy.”

Christy checked herself into rehab on November 3, 2013, “mostly to make it look good for my case over the arrest warrant.” She remained in treatment for 11 days, first in the Clarity program in Branson, and then at Sigma House in Springfield.

“Detox was miserable. In the beginning, I slept a lot. I got extremely emotional. I didn’t know how to deal with my problems. I was addicted, but I wanted someone else to do the work for me.”

Still in a heavily addictive cycle, Christy got angry and left rehab.

When she returned home, the woman with whom she was living had the police waiting.

“I was so upset with her, but now I thank her for making that call. I wouldn’t be who or where I am today if she hadn’t. God knew that I needed to be in jail. He knew that my mind had to be cleared in order to get me back, and jail is where it happened for me.”

Christy bid farewell to her freedom on November 14 and served 35 days in the Barry County Jail.

“It was the longest 35 days of my life, but I needed every single one of them.”

Christy received a Bible at the beginning of her incarceration. With nothing else to do and no one with whom to talk, she began studying God’s Word and praying.

“God changed the desires of my heart. He showed me that I wasn’t a bad person, that I was worthy of His and others’ love and that I needed help with my addiction and finding my way back to Him. Now I know there isn’t anything I can do that God can’t forgive and heal.”

“My mom is a very strong individual. Though we all went through some tough times, we made it out even stronger.

There was not a bit of doubt in my mind that she would someday pull through. I knew it wasn’t a matter of if, but when. She just had to make the right choice and reach out to God. I am very proud that my mom is graduating from drug court, knowing that she is and will remain sober for many years to come. I love you, Mom.”

– Brendon Lucero, Christy’s older son CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 43

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Christy with her parents, Bobby and Cindy Gage.

Cindy noted tearfully at Christy’s graduation, “I can’t describe the joy that’s in my heart right now. Momma loves you.”

The road to recovery Christy was sentenced to complete the Barry County Drug Court program, which requires daily check-in phone calls.

“When you call in they tell you whether or not you have to complete a urinalysis that day. It’s completely random. It offers huge accountability.”

The program also makes mandatory regular attendance at self-help meetings (such as Celebrate Recovery, Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous) and support groups. The four phases of the program continue for a total of 18 months.

Christy found the guidance and support she needed to beat her methamphetamine addiction at Celebrate Recovery, hosted by First Baptist Church of Cassville.

“I attended my first Celebrate Recovery meeting the day I got out of jail. I felt so comfortable. I got no judgment. That’s so important when dealing with an addiction.”

According to its website, CelebrateRecovery.com, Celebrate Recovery is “a biblical and balanced program that helps us overcome our hurts, hang-ups and habits. It is based on the actual words of Jesus rather than psychological theory.”

Celebrate Recovery was founded in the 1990s by Saddleback Church and now has programs in over 20,000 churches worldwide. Based on the familiar 12-step Alcoholics Anonymous program, but with a biblical viewpoint and a broader reach, Celebrate Recovery depends on eight guiding principles and one Higher Power to defeat addictions of all kinds.

Christy notes, “The steps work. I have learned so much about myself.

Through Celebrate Recovery, God made me realize what was important in life, and it was not the drugs I was doing. It was Him, my family and my future. Celebrate Recovery equipped me to live life on life’s terms and deal with things as they come along, one day at a time. I thank God every night for the sober day he has given

me. At the end of the day if I know in my heart I have dealt with everything I encountered then I have done everything I can do.”

With the assistance of her Drug Court counselor, Earl Best, and her sponsor, who Christy describes as, “a wonderful lady, an alcoholic who has been clean for 26 years,” Christy walked determinedly through the 12 steps to recovery.

“To be honest, giving up meth hasn’t been a struggle. I was ready, and I truly believe I have been set free.

Only God can do that.”

Although not as well-known as the first step, “admitting you have a problem,” the eighth and ninth steps to recovery require acknowledging the people hurt by your addiction and making amends where possible. Christy found these steps to be her greatest challenge.

“It’s those people in your life who don’t like what you’re doing, but they’re willing to help you out and go the extra mile for you, yet you take advantage of them and hurt them. Those are the people to whom I really felt I needed to make amends. My grandparents, my parents, my children — with them it is a living amends. Staying clean for the rest of my life, being a good mom and loving God and life.

That’s how I will continue to make amends to them.”

Christy struggled to find courage to attempt amends with a former employer.

“I just did it a few months ago. I got really hung up on it for a while. I was intimidated. She was a wonderful lady who would have done anything for me.

I stole a lot of stuff from her. When I finally found courage to apologize to her, she immediately accepted. Her grace set me free even further.”

Christy with her grandparents, Bob and Carolyn Gage, at her Drug Court Graduation.

“What addiction removes recovery can and does restore.

Drug Court provides the proper amounts of structure, encouragement and accountability to help people move toward recovery. Christy is a great example of what can be achieved.

Congratulations, Christy.”

– Earl Best, Christy’s Drug Court Counselor

CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 45

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The last step Finally, at the end of her arduous journey back from drug addiction, Christy fully embraces Celebrate Recovery’s 12th step: “Having had a spiritual experience as the result of these steps, we try to carry this message to others and practice these principles in all our affairs.” In her day-to-day life, as she practices her newfound life management and coping skills and works to rebuild relationships with her children, Christy revels in utter joy.

“I listen for Caitlin or Caleb to laugh, genuine laughter. It’s those little things that are priceless. I overlooked them so often. I can’t get any of those moments back, but by God’s grace we will build new memories.”

As Christy celebrates her recovery and her graduation from the Barry County Drug Court program, she also rejoices over her suspended sentence.

Her felony drug charge has been expunged from her record.

“I’ve thought a lot about that lately.

If I want to enroll in school, if I want to get a different job, if I want to become a counselor, there is nothing there to hold me back. God has literally wiped clean my slate.”

The week before her graduation, Christy emphatically stated she had no concerns about relapsing.

“I’m ready. I know what I’ve got to lose, and I know if I lose it again I won’t get it back. It’s not worth the risk for me.”

What lies ahead for this woman determined to maintain her clean slate?

“I am going to stay involved with Drug Court and Celebrate Recovery. I will attend Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous meetings on a regular basis. I will also reach out to other addicts.

“In the beginning I had to isolate myself from other drug users. Getting away from past people, places and things is an absolute must. Now, I am stronger and I want to share my experience and my hope. I run into old using buddies from time to time. You don’t know how many times I have seen in their eyes a longing to have what I have.”

Christy’s future plans include cherishing each moment with her precious children, being active in their lives and possibly returning to college. She wants to pursue a career in drug counseling. Along the way, she intends to share her testimony with anyone willing to listen, retracing every painful step of her journey for those just beginning theirs.

“Celebrate Recovery taught me that you can only keep what you have by giving it away. If I can help one person, it will be worth it all.” 

T

Boy Scouts recruit new members, renew program he Boy Scouts of Ameri-

On Saturday, May 9, they launched a recruit-

ca are turning over a new

ment event in Cassville and invited area boys and

leaf and changing the

parents to see and experience a sampling of the

way they do things.

benefits the organization continues to offer boys

The century-old organization,

which

today.

has

“We’re trying to build up the number of kids

been in existence since 1910 and is known

we have in the Boy Scout and the Cub Scout

for teaching boys outdoor skills, safety

troop,” said Roy Edmondson, Scoutmaster of

skills, self-reliance and respect, is funda-

local Troop No. 76. “Right now, there are only

mentally the same, but is tweaking and

seven boys in the Boy Scout troop and about six

transforming some of its methods.

or seven in the Cub Scouts.”

According to Scoutmaster Roy Ed-

Edmondson is in his third year as Scoutmas-

mondson of Troop No. 76 which, located

ter and is working to get the organization back

in Cassville, membership was running

on its feet.

low due to lack of leadership, community

“They haven’t been as involved with the pub-

or parent involvement, and enrollment in

lic, and we’re working on trying to change that,”

other activities such as sports, and they

he said. “Events like the tree planting we did at

didn’t want boys to miss out on all the

the museum last week, or things we have done in

scouts had to offer. So they did something

the past such as the Christmas parade and chili

about it.

cook off, that’s what I’m trying to bring back.”

Story and photos by Julia Kilmer

Cub Scout Will Edmondson and Scout Victor Wolf, left, hold the bottle down while Cub Scout Dustin Sims right, and Scouts Ronny Klein, Charlie Stoller and Conner Annecharico all help prime the pump during the water bottle rocket activity at the Boy Scouts’ recent recruitment event. The device was built by the Boy Scouts. More than 75 children and parents attended the Boy Scouts recruitment event Saturday, May 9, in Cassville, which featured several activities including BB guns, bows and arrows, fishing and water bottle rockets.

Cassville Troop No. 76 looking to boost ranks CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 47

The group is also seeking to recruit parents, as parents have traditionally helped activities, lead meetings and mentor members.

As a member of the Boy Scouts, parents can expect their child to learn outdoor safety and self-sufficiency skills such as fire and knife safety, animal safety, first aid, how to build fires, tie knots, shoot BB guns and bows and arrows and participate in community events. Weekly lessons also emphasize life-long life skills and character traits such as honesty, keeping one’s word, being courteous, patriotic, having good social skills and helping others. They can also expect them to have a lot of fun.

Nathan Cash, district executive for the Nih Ka Ga Hah district, who has been in the scouts since he was 7, attended the event to show his support and help recruit new members.

“I just had so much fun I never quit,” Cash said of his time in the scouts. “I think it’s incredible to provide this opportunity for the kids to try it and for the parents to see first-hand what the kids are going to be doing before they commit.

“Our district covers a five-county area.

We have 1,400 kids and about 400 volunteers.

Scouting is a game with a purpose. What the kids see is just a bunch of fun activities, but as they grow older, they see the way it changes their life and how it affects their decisions. It helps them with decision-making.”

“The Boy Scouts builds character,” Edmondson said. “It teaches boys to have confidence in themselves. There is not a day that goes by that I don’t use something I learned in the Boy Scouts.”

One of the things the organization decided to change was its program and lesson books, implementing lesson plans that parents can easily follow, and to have members of each group do the same activity each week at their respective meetings.

“This is first time they’ve done a major renewal program,” Cash said. “The program we’re rolling out [this month] is a major advancement. It’s going to be an exciting time to be a scout. One of the things is it will be easier for the den leaders to plan out meetings.”

“They’re changing up the program, especially for the parents who have no scouting experience,” Edmondson said. “The new program will be a lot easier.”

Cash said the program will be an advancement program.

“There will be a simple plan of advancement to follow, and scouts will receive immediate recognition for their accomplishments,” he said.

“There will be seven adventures they have to earn to complete the rank for that age group. For each one they complete, they get a belt loop. One of the benefits of that is they get immediate recognition

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Scoutmaster Roy Edmondson and Scout Robert Harris, 11, of Cassville, roast a hot dog for lunch at the Boy Scouts’ recent recruitment event.

Boy Scouts District Membership Chairman John Riediger helps Scout Elliot Burpo, 7, of Washburn, with his shot at the bow and arrow shooting event, while other scouts and parents watch.

and it helps them continue to stay encouraged.”

With today’s busy schedules, what kind of time commitment can parents expect?

Edmondson said some levels require more involvement than others. Parents can help in a variety of ways, including leading den groups or helping with camping trips.

“If they want to help and they have time to help us, we will take all the help we can get,” he said At the Cub Scout level, which are boys ages 6-11, there’s a lot of parent involvement needed — more so with the younger ones. The Boy Scouts are ages 11-18.

Edmondson said scouts meet once a week as a den or separate group, then come together once a month as a pack. The den groups meet at a community location or in a parent volunteer’s home. Den leaders or parent volunteers teach lessons from the scout book so they no longer have to come up with their own. They follow the same book for their group or den.

“Everybody’s on the same page,” Edmondson said. “At each weekly den meeting, the boys learn lessons taught from the book, receive recognition and awards and review events. At the pack meetings once a month, the different groups share what they’ve been doing and put everything together.”

Both Cash and Edmondson said that, if boys don’t get into scouts early, they tend

to get involved in other activities. As they get older, they become involved in other things.

“We like to get them before ‘the fumes,’” Cash quipped. “Which is what we call perfume and gasoline. By the time they’re about 13, they start noticing ‘the fumes,’ which are girls and cars, and lose interest in scouting.”

One parent who was at the recruitment event, Myranda Frederickson, with son and Scout Christian Frederickson, said they enrolled in the scouts about 1-1/2 year ago, then changed their mind and got involved in other activities. But afterward, they saw that their friends were having so much fun, they went back. She said her son had already been spending time with his father and grandfather, hunting and fishing, but not doing the same activities with boys his age.

“We were really looking for social opportunities that would be educational at the same time,” she said.

But she got more than she expected for her son.

“It’s more than shooting guns and camp,” she said. “It’s character-building and they teach integrity.”

“I teach the younger generation selfrespect and, most important, respect for others and respect for nature,” said Cubmaster Christopher Wolf, who has a son in the scouts. “That, and having fun.”

CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 49

Cub Scout Master Christopher Wolf, takes a break with daughter Darla Wolf at the Boy Scouts recruitment event.

The scouts also have other benefits to offer.

“Too many kids are playing video games and not wanting to be outdoors,” he said. “We try to make them healthier, mentally and physically. We’re all about outdoors. We’re always exercising and we’re physically fit.”

As for what the Boys Scouts themselves think, well, boys will be boys.

Scout Bradley Kraft, 8, of Cassville stopped shooting bows and arrows for a minute to say what he liked best about the scouts.

“I like hiking and shooting arrows.”

Scout Noah Driskill, 6, of Cassville, who was at the event with his dad Mike shooting bows and arrows, said, “I want to try the BB guns.”

Scout Anthony Harris, 9, of Cassville, said he likes “all the games, and that it’s so easy to shoot.”

Scout Robert Harris said, “It’s a good place. It’s awesome and it’s fun. I like tying knots and on special occasions we do whittling for hunting.”

Sadie Kraft, 9, sister of Scout Bradley Kraft, said of all the activities, “It’s cool.”

As for the outcome of the recruitment event, Edmondson was pleased, and hopeful the event will bring in even more new recruits.

“This is a very pleasing outcome,” he said. “One thing with the timing is the kids still have a couple weeks of school left, so when they go back to school Monday

50 | JUNE 2015

they’ll say to their friends, ‘Hey, guess what we got to do? We got to shoot BB guns, rockets,’ and tell how cool it was.”

Another benefit is that even after members “age out” of the boys scouts program at 18, there are still opportunities for learning new skills.

Beginning in 1998, a venturing program includes activities for young men, such as river rafting, caving and climbing.

“Whatever high-adventure activities the kids are interested in, the leaders will map out the activity,” Cash said. “All the activities and fundraisers they do during the year will lead up to that event.”

Cash said that some of the boys had even been able to do a scuba diving trip to Florida.

No matter the age, rank, or title, in the scouts, the adventure never really ends.

From practical skills to safety, to character traits, to staying fit and healthy, and just having a good time being boys, the Boy Scouts of America plans to continue their tradition of teaching boys of all generations life-long lessons, right here at home in southwest Missouri.

For more information or to enroll, parents can call Scoutmaster Roy Edmondson at 417-846-3693 or Assistant Scoutmaster Bill Sims at 417-846-5056. Parents can also visit their Facebook page, “Troop No. 76” in Cassville. 

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CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 51

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5 8 8 8 F A R M R O A D 1 0 9 0 · P U R D Y, M O

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41 7. 2 3 6.4 2 1 9

acambarorestaurant.com We cater!

MONETT AREA FARMERS MARKET

Ava Belle’s

ANTIQUES & FLEA MARKET Vintage furniture • Used appliances Antiques • Collectibles Home decor items

If you’d like to be a vendor, or just have questions, please call

417-235-7919

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

Monday – Saturday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

108 S. MADISON DOWNTOWN AURORA

417-678-2210

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

52 | JUNE 2015

Saturdays • 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.

MONETT SOUTH PARK

food

Dad’s favorite things: Father’s Day

New York Strip 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil 1/2 cup Worcestershire sauce 1/4 cup minced garlic 1/4 cup steak seasoning 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar 1/2 teaspoon dried basil 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning 4 (1/2 pound) New York strip steaks 1. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add ziti pasta, and cook until al dente, about 8 minutes; drain.

& beef

Tenderloin with Spicy Gorgonzola-Pine Nut-Herb Butter 1 pound dry ziti pasta 1 onion, chopped 1 pound lean ground beef 2 (26 ounce) jars spaghetti sauce 6 ounces provolone cheese, sliced 1 1/2 cups sour cream 6 ounces mozzarella cheese, shredded 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

2. In a large skillet, brown onion and ground beef over medium heat. Add spaghetti sauce, and simmer 15 minutes.

1. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add ziti pasta, and cook until al dente, about 8 minutes; drain.

3. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Butter a 9x13 inch baking dish. Layer as follows: 1/2 of the ziti, Provolone cheese, sour cream, 1/2 sauce mixture, remaining ziti, mozzarella cheese and remaining sauce mixture. Top with grated Parmesan cheese.

2. In a large skillet, brown onion and ground beef over medium heat.

Add spaghetti sauce, and simmer 15 minutes.

4. Bake for 30 minutes in the preheated oven, or until cheeses are melted.

3. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Butter a 9x13 inch baking dish. Layer as follows: 1/2 of the ziti, Provolone cheese, sour cream, 1/2 sauce mixture, remaining ziti, mozzarella cheese and remaining sauce mixture. Top with grated Parmesan cheese.

4. Bake for 30 minutes in the preheated oven, or until cheeses are melted.

Source: AllRecipes.com

Beerbecue Beef Flank Steak 1 pound dry ziti pasta 1 onion, chopped 1 pound lean ground beef 2 (26 ounce) jars spaghetti sauce 6 ounces provolone cheese, sliced 1 1/2 cups sour cream 6 ounces mozzarella cheese, shredded 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese 1. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add ziti pasta, and cook until al dente, about 8 minutes; drain.

2. In a large skillet, brown onion and ground beef over medium heat.

Add spaghetti sauce, and simmer 15 minutes.

3. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Butter a 9x13 inch baking dish. Layer as follows: 1/2 of the ziti, Provolone cheese, sour cream, 1/2 sauce mixture, remaining ziti, mozzarella cheese and remaining sauce mixture. Top with grated Parmesan cheese.

4. Bake for 30 minutes in the preheated oven, or until cheeses are melted.

CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 53

Blue Cheese Burgers

Korean BBQ Short Ribs

1 pound dry ziti pasta 1 onion, chopped 1 pound lean ground beef 2 (26 ounce) jars spaghetti sauce 6 ounces provolone cheese, sliced 1 1/2 cups sour cream 6 ounces mozzarella cheese, shredded 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

1 pound dry ziti pasta 1 onion, chopped 1 pound lean ground beef 2 (26 ounce) jars spaghetti sauce 6 ounces provolone cheese, sliced 1 1/2 cups sour cream 6 ounces mozzarella cheese, shredded 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

1. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add ziti pasta, and cook until al dente, about 8 minutes; drain.

2. In a large skillet, brown onion and ground beef over medium heat. Add spaghetti sauce, and simmer 15 minutes.

3. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Butter a 9x13 inch baking dish. Layer as follows: 1/2 of the ziti, Provolone cheese, sour cream, 1/2 sauce mixture, remaining ziti, mozzarella cheese and remaining sauce mixture. Top with grated Parmesan cheese.

4. Bake for 30 minutes in the preheated oven, or until cheeses are melted.

1. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add ziti pasta, and cook until al dente, about 8 minutes; drain.

2. In a large skillet, brown onion and ground beef over medium heat.

Add spaghetti sauce, and simmer 15 minutes.

3. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Butter a 9x13 inch baking dish. Layer as follows: 1/2 of the ziti, Provolone cheese, sour cream, 1/2 sauce mixture, remaining ziti, mozzarella cheese and remaining sauce mixture. Top with grated Parmesan cheese.

4. Bake for 30 minutes in the preheated oven, or until cheeses are melted.

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Follow us on Facebook &Twitter!

54 | JUNE 2015

Beef Shish Kabobs 1 pound dry ziti pasta 1 onion, chopped 1 pound lean ground beef 2 (26 ounce) jars spaghetti sauce 6 ounces provolone cheese, sliced 1 1/2 cups sour cream 6 ounces mozzarella cheese, shredded 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese 1. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add ziti pasta, and cook until al dente, about 8 minutes; drain.

2. In a large skillet, brown onion and ground beef over medium heat. Add spaghetti sauce, and simmer 15 minutes.

3. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Butter a 9x13 inch baking dish. Layer as follows: 1/2 of the ziti, Provolone cheese, sour cream, 1/2 sauce mixture, remaining ziti, mozzarella cheese and remaining sauce mixture. Top with grated Parmesan cheese.

4. Bake for 30 minutes in the preheated oven, or until cheeses are melted.

- Grande Tire Since 1971 -

Customer Appreciation You are invited!

Jackie Dalton Seven time Springfield raceway champion will be on site with his car signing autographs along with local driver Brian Green.

GRANDE TIRE, INC.

“Mastercraft Tire Made In America Since 1908”

Quality passenger, truck, light truck and farm tires at the most competitive price in the 4-state area!

June 6th, Saturday (rain reschedule June 13th)

1‐3 Free Food & Drinks Giveaways & Drawings!

All kinds of fun

Goodyear ~ Firestone authorized Dealer also available: Michelin • Goodrich • Toyo Mastercraft • Jetson Check Ou r Mounted/ Balanced FREE Stem s OUT THE DOOR PRICES!

1-800-535-3542 1304 Bond St. Monett, MO 65708

THere’s a sTory beHinD every sMile…

…and everyone wants to have a smile they feel good about, no matter their age, gender, profession, or circumstance.

Understanding that simple fact has allowed us to provide not only exceptional results, but a pleasing experience as well.

AURORA 417-678-2128

CASSVILLE 417-847-2934

PIERCE CITY 417-476-5156

JOPLIN 417-781-9280

new Patients Welcome!

• Digital X-rays • Dentures • Crowns, Bridges, Implants • Routine & Periodontal Cleanings • Sleep Apnea Appliance • Six Month Smiles • ClearCorrect

So whatever the story may be… …We’D like To be a ParT of yours

Dr. Carolyn Hunter DMD 77 Smithson Drive Cassville, MO www.carolynhunterdmd.com

(417) 847-2461 or (800) 639-4959 CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 55

Verona Tillers and Toilers celebrate 50 years

Beauty

to cultivate and share

F

lowers. Delicate, beautiful and fleeting, here today in a gorgeous splash of color and tomorrow only a memory.

Like the flowers they celebrate, the Verona Tillers and Toilers Garden Club has gathered, harvested memories and perpetuated beauty. The club — the last of a long line of garden clubs in Barry and Lawrence counties — recently celebrated 50 years.

For those who rarely encounter such gatherings, one must step back a few years to the days when the club held its annual flower show in what used to be the Verona Lions Club building in downtown Verona.

Walking through the glass doors, a visitor would step into another world, tables set around the large room covered in vases, packed with blooms. There were miniatures, exotics, flowers recognizable and some very strange, flowering trees, hanging baskets, potted house plants, gourds, cacti, arrangements based on the show’s theme, all bursting with color. The show in 1999 had 567 entries. The 2002 show had 561 entries.

It all seemed so effortless, which of course it was anything but. Stalwarts in the club would bring in dozens of samples.

Many of the cut samples came straight out of the garden the day of the show. The arrangements combined rocks and nature pieces, dolls and decorations, surprising juxtapositions that left a viewer with ooos, ahhs and “But of course.” And, just as the whole panoply of earthy delights appeared, it just as magically disappeared at the end of the day, leaving little more than memories.

56 | JUNE 2015

JOIN ON IN The Tillers and Toilers meet at 1:30 p.m. on the third Monday of each month at the First Baptist Church in Verona. All visitors are welcome.

For information, people may call Pam Conner at 417-498-6757.

Pam Conner, the current club president, greeted more than 50 people who came for the 50th anniversary celebration at the First Baptist Church in Verona, where the club now meets. She recounted how Helen Fields, Ruth Roder and Mary Browning began the club and got it accepted by the Federated Garden Clubs of Missouri on Feb. 15, 1965. Originally, about 20 members made up the club.

The civic-minded club maintained a garden and birdhouse in the city park, a bench at the Liberty Tree on Ella Street, the flowers at the Verona Post Office and the nearby site of the first Sunday School to open west of the Mississippi River. Besides the flower shows, people would see club members don their hats and ride in the town’s Christmas parade. The club even paid for the first marquee displayed at Verona High School.

Several past presidents came forward to share their recollections. Molly Wilks recalled the organized garden tours, both daytime and nighttime, trips to the Azalea

Festival in Grove, Okla. Geneva Probstfield, a three-time president, now 87, conjured memories of those trips, also mentioning excursions to the Japanese Garden in Springfield, the nursery in Sarcoxie and the Sparta Garden of Dreams in Billings.

She read letters from past presidents Ruth Adams and Shirley Ward, who now live out of state in Washington and California respectively.

“We’d be lonely if we had not had each other and our flowers,” Geneva said.

Mary Davis, who served as president from 1996 to 1998, summed it up simply: “We had great fun. A lot of members are no longer with us. I hope the club will continue to grow. A community like this needs it.”

Around the edges of the room sat tables covered with photos and newspaper clippings that captured some of the old flower shows. Old yearbooks also sat in the mix, recalling the names, the trips and the programs that delighted members for so many years.

Brittany Thomas, a Verona city councilwoman, brought greetings from the city for the occasion.

“Congratulations,” Brittany said. “We appreciate everything you guys do.”

Pam Conner did not know why the club did not put on its flower show any longer.

The names of many who had “gone on” and the average age of the club members seemed to tell the story without any words.

Still, Pam was optimistic.

“I hope we can grow again,” she said, a sentiment widely shared by those who came.

Story and photos by Murray Bishoff

What:

First year culminates in fashion show

MHS

Who:

Students model, prep makeup, organize event

Result:

Flashy event stretches students’ creativity

Fashion Show

The room went silent, the lights dimmed and one by one, models stepped out from behind a screen of gold tinsel in sparkling gowns and typical day-to-day apparel.

It was the big moment for the Monett High School Introduction to Fashion and Fashion Merchandise class. Students had reached the culmination of their studies by putting on a real fashion show, held at the gym at New Site Baptist Church.

This was the first year for the fashion class, Instructor Susan Childress steeped students in the business, asking them to take on designing their own clothes, creating their own garments and repurposing old garments into new. She also covered how companies market clothing, concluding with all the tricks that go into putting on a fashion show.

Models were assigned and recruited. A committee worked on promotion and recording the event. Others focused on hair and makeup. Another team worked on refreshments while a bigger committee set up and disassembled the show itself.

Story and photos by Murray Bishoff

Putting on a model’s smile, Katie Rutherford displayed a short silver dress with a black waistband for the fashion show crowd, introduced by emcee Haley Henry, left.

CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 57

Striking a model’s pose to bring professional presentation to the Monett High School fashion class’ recent show was Beatriz Sanchez in a black full-length gown with fuchsia.

Penny Belle Baskets continued from page 54

“The students are learning so much through activity,” Childress said. “It’s been trial and error, but the end product is leaving them with experience. The students are having a wonderful time expressing themselves.”

Each of the students received a different

Ashley said. “Also, I want to present baskets in a way that I reflect the gift coming from the person giving the gift.”

Ashley’s offers a variety of preplanned gift baskets, such as her Romance basket which includes: sparkling juice, two glasses, chocolates, lotion, bubble bath, soap, bath salts and a massaging mitt. The romance basket comes on a silver tray. Ashley offers the option to put an inscription on the tray.

Penny Belle Baskets blessed Ashley with the opportunity to work from home. Ashley has also used Penny Belle Baskets as a way to give back to others through generously donating baskets to support Veterans, fundraisers and a Christian Women’s retreat.

“I would love to use Penny Belle Baskets as a way to reach out to our local community,” Ashley said. “Many businesses could benefit from having a ‘go to’ basket lady. I think of major corporations here in town. When they have guests come in, how great would it be to have a gift basket waiting for them? I also think of realtors having gift baskets for new home owners, welcoming them into their new home.”

“One verse that always comes to mind when I stop and think about Penny Belle Baskets and this season of my life as a stay-at-home mom is Psalm 37:4 which says, “Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.” Penny Belle Baskets has allowed me to make fun memories with my family. The business also gave me the opportunity to be creative, contribute to our family finances and be part of the community.”

58 | JUNE 2015

experience from the class.

“There’s a lot more to the fashion business than I thought,” said Haley Henry, who served as master of ceremonies for the fashion show. “I learned how to dress different body types, and that some outfits don’t look right on the wrong person.”

“I was very pleased with our first an-

“This is just a fun class,” said Logan Mc-

nual Monett High School Fashion Show,”

Cully, one of two boys taking the course.

Childress said. “Everyone in attendance had

“You get to experiment with things you don’t

a great time. The students stepped up and

do in other classes. Making hats was pretty

took charge. Their creativity, initiative, and

cool.”

leadership were evident throughout the

“I really enjoyed remaking a piece of clothing into something else,” said Abby Krueger.

stages of planning and production of the entire event.

“I can do that with my other clothes when

“We had a great turnout for our first

I get tired of them. My biggest surprise has

show, and we hope the event continues to

been what we’re able to accomplish, like this

grow in attendance year after year.”

fashion show and how we got it together.”

Four local stores: Peppers and Company,

“There’s a lot more to fashion than I

Brownsberger’s, The Trunk and Norma’s

thought they’d be,” said Addison McColloch.

Inline Fashions, provided clothing for the

“My biggest surprise was how many people

show. Many gowns were from the collection

are interested in it.”

of prom dresses owned by FOCUS, a local

For Shelby Kuhnert, her biggest surprise

women’s organization that provides prom

was the difficulty involved in making an out-

dresses and helps with prom expenses each

fit. Sarah Harris found her fun in making a

year to students in need.

presentation and finding the right clothes

“We are fortunate to have terrific fash-

for it. The fashion show surprised all the stu-

ions available to us right here at home,”

dents with the intensity of activity involved.

Childress said. “We must shop locally if we

The show itself had 20 girls modeling, including some not in the class who had mod-

want to continue to have thriving, retail businesses in our community.

eling experience. Three boys modeled and

“We are extremely grateful to John Henry

several children from the community came in

and New Site Baptist Church for allowing us

to show of styles for children. Without a cat-

to use their gymnasium for our event. It was

walk, the models made an entrance, posed

the perfect venue for our needs. It will be

several times before the seats, and made an

hard to beat all the amenities at New Site,

exit.

but we will likely have the event at our new

The show had a number of behind-thescenes supporters. Aurora High School

Monett High School Performing Arts Center next year.

loaned decorations for the event. Hazel Es-

“Please make plans to attend next year’s

quivel, a student not in the class, volunteered

MHS Fashion Show. You will not be disap-

her makeup artistry.

pointed.”

It’s your world.

Read all about Renew your subscriptio to Connection, southw it your way... most popular magazine

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We appreciate your support of Connection, and we hope you look forward to receiving and reading the magazine each month. If you have any suggestions or feedback you would like to share, please don’t hesitate to contact me at editor@monett-times.com.

Sincerely,

Connection magazine will continue to be offered free to anyone in our distribution area.

Lisa Schlichtman Connection editor

Connection magazine will continue to be offered free to anyone in our distribution area.

Please fill out the attached subscription form. Send the form along with a check payable to The Monett Times, a money order for $40 or your credit card information to P.O. Box 40, Monett, MO 65708. or P.O. Box 486, Cassville, MO 65625

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MAY 2015 ConneCtion Magazine | 53 February 2014

CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 59

C

P.O

Toll

bottles & Brews

Blue Moon Summer Honey Wheat Blue Moon’s seasonal offering was the winner of a Gold Medal at the 2010 Great American Beer Festival. It is crafted with clover honey and orange peel for a refreshing taste that makes the most of sun-soaked days.

Kräftig Light According to Beer Advocate, Kräftig Light is clean and malty

Come see our large selection of

BEER, WINE

with no lingering aftertaste. A well-balanced brew in terms of hops and malt. Flavorful and refreshing.

Leinenkugel’s Summer Shandy A smooth and sweet summer beer.

Light and crisp with a hint of lemon flavor.

Good for summertime imbibing.

& SPIRITS Smirnoff Vodka Smirnoff Vodka now comes in

Visit our locations in

Monett Purdy and Cassville

32 flavors, not counting the classic variety. They include blueberry, cherry, cinnamon and coconut.

Ole Smokey Tennessee Moonshine Looking for something with a kick? Ole Smoky’s Original Moonshine is an un-aged corn whiskey made from corn grown by local farmers in East Tennessee. It comes in original, cherries, White Lightnin,’ charred, and Blue Flame.

60 | JUNE 2015

familiar faces

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The Monett Lions held its annual steak dinner fundraiser on April 18 at the Scott Regional Technology Center.

1. Theresa Botzow, Rachel Weber; 2. Patti Weber, David & Lynette Bailey; 3. Thelma Barnes, Darlene Lampe; 4. Lars Kirkland, Tom Carroll; 5. Venus Young, Mark Young, Barbara Carroll; 6. Bob & Connie Davis; 7. Margaret and Ellie Holle; 8. Linda, Al and Al Dohmen; 9. Gary Koehn, Sherry Hull; 10. Jeremy Kee, Bill Botzow; 11. Linda Cavaneau, Alexis Lombard, Delores Vaughn; 12. Linda & Terry Kee

CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 61

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The seventh annual Pierce City Arts Fair was held on May 16 at the Pierce City South Park.

1. Bill & Carla Wood; 2. Sarah, Ava, Olivia and Ty Elbert; 3. Danielle & Leichelle Cotney; 4. Faith James, Macee Miller; 5. Patty Savard, Peggy Carpenter; 6. Sarah & Pam Volkl; 7. Scott, Kim and Arela Dunlap; 8. Jeremy Cole, Olivia Baker; 9. Kate, Wendy and Nathan Beard; 10. Brock Kramer, Rita Cartmell, Sara Gripka, Jemery Gripka; 11. Juanita Denyer, Alexis Brown, Lacy Jackson; 12. Veronica Carder, Baleigh Eaton

62 | JUNE 2015

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The 16th annual Pierce City Senior citizens Prom, hosted by the Pierce City High School National Honor Society, was held on May 3 in the high school cafeteria.

1. Carol Hirsch, Colton Drollinger; 2. Glenn Clapp, Geneva Brown; 3. Virgil Dixon, Linda Griffin; 4. Shelbie Henson, James Peck; 5. Bill McVey, Maura Sparks; 6. Charlie Cross, Martha Sullivan; 7. Robert & Loretta Graskemper; 8. Bayless Thompson, Crystal Charles, Megan Henson; 9. Betty & Bob Smith; 10. Shelbie Henson, Tisha Haase, Katie Still, Travis Parrigon at rear; 11. Ron Hicks, James Shelbun, Pete Eveland, Bob Smith; 12. Kelsy Conley, Amber Wagner, Sara Palmer

CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 63

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St. Lawrence Catholic School in Monett held a “Night in the Riviera” dinner fundraiser, auction and dance on April 11 in the church Parish Hall.

1. Rachel Ernst, Meghan Ceselski; 2. Jean Aleshire, Mary Schmidt; 3. Josh Wood, LeAnn Verhoff; 4. Tami & Greg Kruse; 5. Reagan and Neal Bluel;

6. Matt & Jessica Kutz; 7. Pam Cheney and Cathy Sheehy; 8. Gary & Sara Schad; 9. Kris & Emily Buchholz; 10. Front: Lauren Bass, John Saunders, Ginna Verhoff, Sydney Barta. Back: Aiden Brown, Brett Gollhofer; 11. Nathan Waller and Taylor Whyte’ 12. Winter & John Washick

64 | JUNE 2015

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The Parish Council of Catholic Women at St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Monett held their annual salad luncheon on April 22 at the church’s Parish Hall.

1. Sarah Hohensee, Diane Inman; 2. Margaret Ash, Ana Espinosa; 3. Missy Wrobleski, Kim Ballay, Julie Abramovitz; 4. Delores & Sam Birkenbach;

5. Shannon Stonebraker with Mason Stonebraker; 6. Karen Calvin with Grayson Stonebraker; 7. Steve & Kim Ramirez; 8. Elizabeth Marshall, Michelle Bohanan, Charity Crouch; 9. Jerrilynne Glavaris, Tracey Lease, Tammy Landoll; 10. Carol Rosencrans, Araceli Ortega, April Freeman, Tanya Burdett; 11. Marilyn Ceselski, Geri Schmitz; 12. Tona Pruente, Claire Brock

CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 65

AD INDEX Acambaro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 Arvest Bank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Ava Belle’s Antiques and Flea Market. . 52 Barry Electric . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

My

Bennett-Wormington Funeral Home. . . 8 Carolyn Hunter, DMD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 Cassville Health Care & Rehab. . . . . . . . 48 Community National Bank. . . . . . . . . . . . 49 Cornerstone Bank. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Country Dodge. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Cox Health . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68 Crane Family Dentistry. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 Diet Center. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Eastside Church of Christ. . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Edgewood Creamery. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 & 52 Edward Jones. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Farm Pro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 First State Bank of Purdy. . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Fohn Funeral Home. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Four Seasons Real Estate. . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Four States Dental Care. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Freedom Bank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

Terry and Kay Campbell of Monett recently took Connection with them on a trip to the gulf shores in Biloxi, Miss. They were celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary.

Grand Tire. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 Guanajuato. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Hill Creek Lodge. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Huston’s Pump Service. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 ILA Bohm’s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 J. Michael Riehn, attorney. . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Ken’s Collision Center. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Lackey Body Works. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Les Jacobs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Making Memories Tours. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 Mocha Jo’s. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 Monett Area Farmers Market. . . . . . . . . 52 Monett Rental & Sales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Old Town Pharmacy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 Peppers and Co.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 Pitiful to Posh. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Plymouth Junction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Pro Lube . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 Race Brothers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 Ramey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 Second Chances. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Security Bank. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Shell Knob Chamber of Commerce. . . . 17 Swartz Tractor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 The Jane Store. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Tomblin Jewelry & Gifts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Waldensian Presbyterian Church. . . . . . 8 Wickman’s Garden Village. . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Willis Insurance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Woody’s Express. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Youngberg Chapel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

66 | JUNE 2015

A trip to the Pella, Iowa, Tulip Festival and the Amana Colonies found these ladies with their Connection magazine. Sara Parker and Vivian Wilson of Jenkins, Linda Guthrie of Bella Vista, Ark., and Ruby Vincent of Jenkins enjoyed the Die Heimat Country Inn Bed and Breakfast in Homestead, Iowa.

“My Connection” photos should be emailed to connection@monett-times.com Photos should be sent in the original JPG format at the highest resolution possible. A short explanation of who is in the photo and where the photo was taken should also be included.

parting shot

My father gave me the greatest gift anyone could give another person. He believed in me.

— Jim Valvano

Photo by Della Stouder, Cassville

CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 67

68 | JUNE 2015