Parkland Living 2021

Parkland

Living JUNE 2021 - MAY 2022

Sponsored by

GET A LITTLE MUDDY Read Re ad m more ore or e on on Page Pag age e 25 5

INSIDE: The Parkland knows how to throw a festival, PAGES 40-43 Community leaders share why they love working in the Parkland, PAGES 14-23

YOUR ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO LIVING YOUR BEST LIFE IN SOUTHEAST MISSOURI

Vanessa Trokey 573-330-6261

Cindy Backer 573-760-4243

Nic Woods 573-631-4927

Jim Triplett 573-760-4246

Alma Lorch 573-760-6042

David Werner 314-402-0176

Jeff Layton 573-631-9316

Abby Heberlie 573-760-5441

Wanda Sucharski 573-631-9494

Tom Weddle 573-760-6477

Macy Busenbark 636-234-8670

Nick & Larissa Jennings 573-315-1376

Mike Curtis 573-366-8283

Justin & Casey Patterson 573-701-4184

Ric Hampton 314-808-0485

Thomas Beckerman 573-631-1825

Ben Zimmerman 573-747-9325

Jay Sheets 573-631-8970

Amy Forsythe 314-660-3518

Kim Hutson 573-760-9789

Glen & Mary Hagan 573-701-1690

Tom Stanfield 573-760-6000

Ronda Barks 573-631-1663

Candace Glore 573-366-8739

Guiding you home for 56 years

PRESIDENT’S NOTE

Time to continue building on all the great assets and resources of the Parkland community

W

elcome to Parkland Living Magazine, your essential guide to living your best life in Southeast Missouri. In this magazine, we highlight many of the superlative things about living, working and playing in the Parkland.

We explore the region with a detailed look at the five-county area and the people who are lucky enough to call this beautiful area home.

As a newcomer to the region, I enjoy learning about our rich history in the Parkland. Reading the Q&As from area leaders makes me to want to do more to give back to our community. Chip and Debbie Peterson, Hon. Judge Joe Goff, Joe Gilgour, Annette Schnabel and Jon Cozean offer great insights into how they lead their respective organizations and sharing their favorite aspects of working, living and playing in the Parkland.

Outdoor adventures await around every corner of the Parkland.

Our cover story masterfully illustrates the love of one local family who makes the most of outdoor side-by-side riding. There are so many recreational opportunities on our doorstep, with camping, hiking, biking, hunting, boating, floating and fishing at both state parks and privately-owned resorts and outposts.

Special thanks to Teresa Ressel-Inserra, editor, and her editorial team who compiled the data, lists and stories in this edition.

Thanks also to Michelle Menley, advertising sales manager, and the advertising team for their hard work. It’s truly a group effort and I’m fortunate to work with such talented individuals, especially during the challenges of this past year. If you have ideas for stories in next year’s edition of Parkland Living Magazine, please e-mail us at editorial@dailyjournalonline.com and let us know. We would love to hear your ideas.

As we enter this post-pandemic era, please continue to shop locally and support our local businesses. With their help, we’re able to bring you publications like Parkland Living Magazine.

Be sure to check out the Business Honor Roll, featuring 36 local businesses, and Doing Business in the Parkland, which profiles six local businesses.

Regardless of the season, after you read this edition, I think you’ll find something is always happening in the Parkland. I’m looking forward to seeing you while we’re out exploring this beautiful area we call home.

Parkland

Living President Michael Distelhorst Editorial Staff Teresa Ressel-Inserra Sarah Haas Kevin R. Jenkins Victoria Kemper Alan Kopitsky Mark Marberry Nikki Overfelt-Chifalu Bobby Radford

Creative Staff Rob Barnes Circulation Staff Kevin Saylor

INDEX COMMUNITY 4 Who we are: Parkland by the numbers 8 Resources: Elected officials, hospital and school information ARTS AND CULTURE 38 Bringing arts and culture to the Parkland 40 From Country Days to Jour De Fete 42 Calendar of Events OUTDOORS/ATTRACTIONS 2 It’s no wonder we’re called the ‘Parkland’ 25 Don’t be afraid to get a little muddy BUSINESS 10 Building a better life in the Parkland 36 Parkland’s Leading Employers COMMUNITY LEADER Q&A 14 Chip and Debbie Peterson 16 Honorable Joseph L. Goff, Jr. 18 Dr. Joe Gilgour 20 Annette Schnabel 22 Jon D. Cozean

ON THE COVER:

Parkland

Living JUNE 2021 - MAY 2022

Sponsored by

GET A LITTLE MUDDY Read more re e on Pa Page P g ge e 25

Michael Distelhorst President

Advertising Staff Michelle Menley Debbie Strange Lawana Starkey

INSIDE: The Parkland knows how to throw a festival, PAGES 40-43 Community leaders share why they love working in the Parkland, PAGES 14-23

YOUR ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO LIVING YOUR BEST LIFE IN SOUTHEAST MISSOURI

Sarah, Drew, Dillon, Ethan, and Jason Forney of Terre Du Lac spend many weekends getting muddy on their side-by-sides.

PHOTO BY BRANDON SCHELDT/ HIGHLIGHTPICS

June 2021 | ParklandLiving | 1

ATTRACTIONS:

It’s no wonder we’re called the ‘Parkland’

By Kevin R. Jenkins

O

ne of the best things about living in the Parkland is the infinite number of attractions available within a quick drive from one’s front door.

Along with the breathtaking beauty of its mountains, trees, rivers, trails, lakes and streams, the Parkland is also home to a wide variety of wildlife, providing all of the ingredients necessary for folks who are into hunting, camping, fishing, hiking, biking and off-roading, as well as those who prefer to enjoy the natural splendor of the region by taking a leisurely drive.

This is undoubtedly the reason why the Parkland — much of which is located within or on the outskirts of the expansive 3,068,800-acre Mark Twain National Forest — is also home to a number of state parks that draw visitors from literally around the world.

Conservation areas in the Parkland are plentiful and include Madison County’s Silver Mines Recreation Area, Millstream Gardens Conservation 2 | ParklandLiving | June 2021

Area, Amidon Memorial Conservation Area, Marquand Access, Thompson Ford Access and Roselle Access; the 1,188-acre Bismarck Conservation Area, located southwest of Bismarck; the Buford Mountain Conservation Area in Iron and Washington counties; the Ketcherside Mountain Conservation Area, Riverside Conservation Area, Funk Memorial State Forest and Graves Mountain Conservation Area in Iron County; the Gruner Ford Access, Leadwood Access, Mineral Area College Range, Syenite Access and Knob Lick Towersite in St. Francois County; the Hickory Canyons Natural Area, Pickle

Springs Natural Area, Magnolia Hollow Conservation Area and St. Mary Access in Ste. Genevieve County.

The Parkland is also home to Ste. Genevieve National Historical Park, which became the 422nd unit of the National Park Service in October 2020.

Established by 1750, Ste. Genevieve was the first permanent European settlement in Missouri. The Ste. Genevieve Welcome Center, 66 S. Main St., provides a good starting point where visitors can learn about the park and programs, reserve a free house tour time slot, watch a 10-minute introductory video or obtain other general information.

Missouri Mines State Historic Site is the place to go to learn about our mining history and minerals.

Elephant Rocks State Park is home to giant, billion-year-old granite boulders.

St. Joe State Park has 2,000 acres of off-road riding.

Missouri State Parks found in the Parkland include: Hawn State Park is located 14 miles southwest of Ste. Genevieve. The state park’s nearly 5,000 acres include three state-designated natural areas — Pickle Creek, LaMotte Sandstone Barrens, and Botkins Pine Woods.

The 2,735-acre St. Francois State Park, located five miles north of Bonne Terre, features a campground, trails for hiking and horseback riding, and swimming and fishing on the Big River. The 49-acre Coonville Creek Natural Area, made up of Coonville Creek and its narrow valley, is found within the park.

St. Joe State Park, consisting of 8,243 acres on the south side of Park Hills, includes the Missouri Mines State Historic Site with its former St. Joe Minerals mill buildings and museum of geology and mining. One of the park’s most popular features is a 2,000-acre off-road vehicle riding area located on

Reenactments are common at the Battle of Pilot Knob State Historic Site.

the old mine tailings dumps. The park also offers camping facilities, trails for hiking, bicycling, and horseback riding.

The 2,147-acre Washington State Park is located on Highway 21, around 14 miles northeast of Potosi on the eastern edge of the Ozarks in Washington County. The state park is noted for its Native American rock carvings and for its finely crafted stonework from the 1930s.

Elephant Rocks State Park, located off Highway 21, four miles north of Pilot Knob in Iron County, is the home of giant, billion-year-old granite boulders that stand end-to-end like a train of red circus elephants. A self-guiding trail, with Braille signage, winds among these geologic wonders and takes visitors past what remains of the long-dead mining operation. Picnic sites, a playground and flush restrooms are available.

The Battle of Pilot Knob State Historic Site in the city of Pilot Knob commemorates the Sept. 27, 1864, Civil War engagement between Confederate troops under the command of Major General Sterling Price and Union troops fighting under the command of Brigadier General Thomas Ewing Jr. and Major James Wilson. An on-site visitors center provides further insight into the battle, as well as a selection of historic memorabilia.

When Parkland residents are ready for something different, here’s several other area attractions that shouldn’t be overlooked.

Bonne Terre Mine, a national historic site located in the city of Bonne Terre, is the world’s largest freshwater

dive resort where water conditions remain constant with over 100-foot visibility. Come to the privately-owned attraction for the experience of seeing the mammoth architecture and stick around for the guaranteed year-round diving conditions. For more information call 314-209-7200.

The Space Museum, 116 East School Street in Bonne Terre, has numerous items on display that include everything from spacesuits to space rocks. Founded by Earl Mullins, the museum also offers on- and off-site educational programs. Call 573-6312546 for additional information.

Farmington Water Park, 2 Black Knight Drive in Farmington, is open from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. seven days a week during the summer. It includes a 24-foot corkscrew slide, lazy river, raindrop fountain, vortex whirlpool and kiddy fish slide. Classes and lessons are available to meet the needs of many fitness levels.

River’s Edge Splash Pad is open daily from 9 a.m.-10: 30 a.m. Call 573-7560900 for more information.

River Rapids Water Park, 1301 Progress Parkway in Ste. Genevieve, includes several tubular tall water slides. The lazy river offers a relaxing float around the park. A six-lane lap pool features a zip line, climbing ropes, and a diving board. A children’s play area has 30 different activities to enjoy. Open 11 a.m.-6 p.m. daily. Call 573-880-5515 for more information.

Public swimming pools are also available in the cities of Bonne Terre, Desloge, Park Hills, Fredericktown and Ironton. PL June 2021 | ParklandLiving | 3

Who We Are: Parkland by the Numbers Source: census.gov

Iron County

PEOPLE Population Population estimates, July 1, 2019: 10,125 Population estimates base April 1, 2010: 10,615 Population percent change April 1, 2010 (estimates base) to July 1, 2019: -4.6% Age and Sex Persons under 5 years: 5.3% Persons under 18 years: 20.8% Persons 65 years and older: 21.9% Female persons: 50.1% Race and Hispanic Origin White alone: 95.7% Black or African American alone: 1.5% American Indian and Alaska Native alone: 0.9% Asian alone: 0.1% Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone: 0.0% Two or more races: 1.8% Hispanic or Latino: 1.9% White alone, not Hispanic or Latino: 94.1%

2019: 5,307 Owner-occupied housing unit rate 2015-2019: 70.8% Median value of owner-occupied housing units, 2015-2019: $83,600 Median selected monthly owner costs with a mortgage, 2015-2019: $851 Median selected monthly owner costs without a mortgage, 2015-2019: $325 Median gross rent, 20152019: $597 Building permits, 2020: 0 Families & Living Arrangements Households, 2015-2019: 4,074 Persons per household, 2015-2019: 2.40 Living in same house 1 year ago, percent of persons age 1 year+, 20152019: 83.7% Language other than English spoken at home, percent of persons age 5 years+, 2015-2019: 2.1% Computer and Internet Use Households with a computer, percent, 2015-2019: 76.6% Households with a broadband internet subscription, percent, 2015-2019: 64.1%

EDUCATION

Population Characteristics Veterans 2015-2019: 810 Foreign born persons: 1.1%

High school graduate or higher, percent of persons age 25 years+, 2015-2019: 81.5% Bachelor’s degree or higher, percent of persons age 25 years+, 2015-2019: 10.8%

HOUSING

HEALTH

Housing units, July 1,

With a disability, under age 65 years, percent,

4 | ParklandLiving | June 2021

2015-2019: 18.1% Persons without health insurance, under age 65 years, percent: 12.8%

ECONOMY In civilian labor force, total, percent of population age 16 years+, 2015-2019: 49.3% In civilian labor force, female, percent of population age 16 years+, 2015-2019: 44.7% Total accommodation and food services sales, 2012 ($1,000): 4,741 Total health care and social assistance receipts/ revenue, 2012 ($1,000): 34,774 Total manufactures shipments, 2012 ($1,000): not disclosed Total merchant wholesaler sales, 2012 ($1,000): not disclosed Total retail sales, 2012 ($1,000): 70,838 Total retail sales per capita, 2012: $6,828

($1,000): 65,147 Total employment, percentage change, 20182019: -2.3% Total nonemployer establishments, 2018: 498 All firms, 2012: 881 Men-owned firms, 2012: 504 Women-owned firms, 2012: 195 Minority-owned firms, 2012: less than 25 Nonminority-owned firms, 2012: 826 Veteran-owned firms, 2012: 73 Nonveteran-owned firms, 2012: 707

Persons 65 years and older: 19.6% Female persons: 51.0%

GEOGRAPHY

Population Characteristics Veterans 2015-2019: 1,094 Foreign born persons: 1.2%

Population per square mile, 2010: 19.3 Land area in square miles, 2010: 550.26

Madison County

TRANSPORTATION Mean travel time to work (minutes), workers age 16 years+, 2015-2019: 29.7

INCOME Median household income (in 2019 dollars), 2015-2019: $37,435 Per capita income in past 12 months (in 2019 dollars), 2015-2019: $21,499

BUSINESSES Total employer establishments, 2019: 218 Total employment, 2019: 1,876 Total annual payroll, 2019

PEOPLE Population Population estimates, July 1, 2019: 12,088 Population estimates base April 1, 2010: 12,217 Population percent change April 1, 2010 (estimates base) to July 1, 2019: -1.1% Age and Sex Persons under 5 years: 5.8% Persons under 18 years: 23.0%

Race and Hispanic Origin White alone: 96.4% Black or African American alone: 0.6% American Indian and Alaska Native alone: 0.5% Asian alone: 1.1% Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone: greater than 0, but less than 0.5% Two or more races: 1.4% Hispanic or Latino: 2.3% White alone, not Hispanic or Latino: 94.6%

HOUSING Housing units, July 1, 2019: 5,985 Owner-occupied housing unit rate 2015-2019: 71.8% Median value of owner-occupied housing units, 2015-2019: $106,100 Median selected monthly owner costs with a mortgage, 2015-2019: $951 Median selected monthly owner costs without a mortgage, 2015-2019: $352 Median gross rent, 20152019: $607 Building permits, 2020: 10 Families & Living Arrangements Households, 2015-2019: 5,044 Persons per household, 2015-2019: 2.38 Living in same house 1 year ago, percent of persons age 1 year+, 20152019: 84.3% Language other than

English spoken at home, percent of persons age 5 years+, 2015-2019: 1.8% Computer and Internet Use Households with a computer, percent, 2015-2019: 80.6% Households with a broadband internet subscription, percent, 2015-2019: 68.7%

EDUCATION High school graduate or higher, percent of persons age 25 years+, 2015-2019: 84.4% Bachelor’s degree or higher, percent of persons age 25 years+, 2015-2019: 15.6%

HEALTH With a disability, under age 65 years, percent, 2015-2019: 17.7% Persons without health insurance, under age 65 years, percent: 13.2%

ECONOMY In civilian labor force, total, percent of population age 16 years+, 2015-2019: 53.7% In civilian labor force, female, percent of population age 16 years+, 2015-2019: 48.1% Total accommodation and food services sales, 2012 ($1,000): not disclosed Total health care and social assistance receipts/ revenue, 2012 ($1,000): 38,938 Total manufactures shipments, 2012 ($1,000): not disclosed Total merchant wholesaler sales, 2012 ($1,000): 28,728 Total retail sales, 2012 ($1,000): 138,030 Total retail sales per capita, 2012: $11,089

TRANSPORTATION Mean travel time to work (minutes), workers age 16 years+, 2015-2019: 26.7

INCOME Median household

income (in 2019 dollars), 2015-2019: $43,636 Per capita income in past 12 months (in 2019 dollars), 2015-2019: $24,418

BUSINESSES Total employer establishments, 2019: 259 Total employment, 2019: 3,237 Total annual payroll, 2019 ($1,000): 99,429 Total employment, percentage change, 20182019: 0.4% Total nonemployer establishments, 2018: 711 All firms, 2012: 860 Men-owned firms, 2012: 575 Women-owned firms, 2012: 176 Minority-owned firms, 2012: less than 25 Nonminority-owned firms, 2012: 809 Veteran-owned firms, 2012: 141 Nonveteran-owned firms, 2012: 670

GEOGRAPHY Population per square mile, 2010: 24.7 Land area in square miles, 2010: 494.39

St. Francois County

PEOPLE Population Population estimates, July 1, 2019: 67,215 Population estimates base April 1, 2010: 65,369 Population percent change April 1, 2010 (estimates base) to July 1, 2019: 2.8% Age and Sex Persons under 5 years: 5.4% Persons under 18 years: 21.0% Persons 65 years and

older: 16.6% Female persons: 46.6% Race and Hispanic Origin White alone: 92.9% Black or African American alone: 4.6% American Indian and Alaska Native alone: 0.5% Asian alone: 0.5% Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone: 0.1% Two or more races: 1.4% Hispanic or Latino: 1.7% White alone, not Hispanic or Latino: 91.6% Population Characteristics Veterans 2015-2019: 4,414 Foreign born persons: 1.1%

HOUSING Housing units, July 1, 2019: 30,442 Owner-occupied housing unit rate 2015-2019: 68.5% Median value of owner-occupied housing units, 2015-2019: $121,000 Median selected monthly owner costs with a mortgage, 2015-2019: $993 Median selected monthly owner costs without a mortgage, 2015-2019: $353 Median gross rent, 20152019: $690 Building permits, 2020: 131 Families & Living Arrangements Households, 2015-2019: 24,898 Persons per household, 2015-2019: 2.39 Living in same house 1 year ago, percent of persons age 1 year+, 20152019: 82.5% Language other than English spoken at home, percent of persons age 5 years+, 2015-2019: 1.7% Computer and Internet Use Households with a computer, percent, 2015-2019: 85.4% Households with a broadband internet subscription, percent, 2015-2019: 79.4%

EDUCATION High school graduate

or higher, percent of persons age 25 years+, 2015-2019: 84.8% Bachelor’s degree or higher, percent of persons age 25 years+, 2015-2019: 14.3%

With a disability, under age 65 years, percent, 2015-2019: 18.0% Persons without health insurance, under age 65 years, percent: 11.4%

2018-2019: -3.7% Total nonemployer establishments, 2018: 3,230 All firms, 2012: 4,373 Men-owned firms, 2012: 2,210 Women-owned firms, 2012: 1,386 Minority-owned firms, 2012: less than 82 Nonminority-owned firms, 2012: 4,146 Veteran-owned firms, 2012: 388 Nonveteran-owned firms, 2012: 3,718

ECONOMY

GEOGRAPHY

In civilian labor force, total, percent of population age 16 years+, 2015-2019: 52.7% In civilian labor force, female, percent of population age 16 years+, 2015-2019: 55.5% Total accommodation and food services sales, 2012 ($1,000): 76,258 Total health care and social assistance receipts/ revenue, 2012 ($1,000): 379,439 Total manufactures shipments, 2012 ($1,000): 272,158 Total merchant wholesaler sales, 2012 ($1,000): 285,023 Total retail sales, 2012 ($1,000): 882,776 Total retail sales per capita, 2012: $13,392

Population per square mile, 2010: 144.6 Land area in square miles, 2010: 451.89

HEALTH

TRANSPORTATION Mean travel time to work (minutes), workers age 16 years+, 2015-2019: 25.4

INCOME Median household income (in 2019 dollars), 2015-2019: $46,466 Per capita income in past 12 months (in 2019 dollars), 2015-2019: $22,578

BUSINESSES Total employer establishments, 2019: 1,419 Total employment, 2019: 18,752 Total annual payroll, 2019 ($1,000): 642,689 Total employment, percentage change,

Ste. Genevieve County

PEOPLE Population Population estimates, July 1, 2019: 17,894 Population estimates base April 1, 2010: 18,147 Population percent change April 1, 2010 (estimates base) to July 1, 2019: -1.4% Age and Sex Persons under 5 years: 5.6% Persons under 18 years: 21.9% Persons 65 years and older: 20.1% Female persons: 49.2% Race and Hispanic Origin White alone: 96.7% Black or African American alone: 0.9% American Indian and Alaska Native alone: 0.3% Asian alone: 0.3% Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone: 0.7% Two or more races: 1.2% June 2021 | ParklandLiving | 5

Hispanic or Latino: 1.3% White alone, not Hispanic or Latino: 95.6%

insurance, under age 65 years, percent: 10.7%

Population Characteristics Veterans 2015-2019: 1,353 Foreign born persons: 0.9%

ECONOMY

HOUSING Housing units, July 1, 2019: 8,758 Owner-occupied housing unit rate 2015-2019: 80.1% Median value of owner-occupied housing units, 2015-2019: $166,200 Median selected monthly owner costs with a mortgage, 2015-2019: $1,287 Median selected monthly owner costs without a mortgage, 2015-2019: $439 Median gross rent, 20152019: $729 Building permits, 2020: 11 Families & Living Arrangements Households, 2015-2019: 7,121 Persons per household, 2015-2019: 2.47 Living in same house 1 year ago, percent of persons age 1 year+, 20152019: 86.6% Language other than English spoken at home, percent of persons age 5 years+, 2015-2019: 2.2% Computer and Internet Use Households with a computer, percent, 2015-2019: 84.4% Households with a broadband internet subscription, percent, 2015-2019: 76.6%

EDUCATION High school graduate or higher, percent of persons age 25 years+, 2015-2019: 89.4% Bachelor’s degree or higher, percent of persons age 25 years+, 2015-2019: 19.7%

HEALTH With a disability, under age 65 years, percent, 2015-2019: 11.1% Persons without health

6 | ParklandLiving | June 2021

In civilian labor force, total, percent of population age 16 years+, 2015-2019: 63.5% In civilian labor force, female, percent of population age 16 years+, 2015-2019: 60.6% Total accommodation and food services sales, 2012 ($1,000): non disclosed Total health care and social assistance receipts/revenue, 2012 ($1,000): 59,457 Total manufactures shipments, 2012 ($1,000): 400,371 Total merchant wholesaler sales, 2012 ($1,000): 136,957 Total retail sales, 2012 ($1,000): 103,418 Total retail sales per capita, 2012: $5,830

TRANSPORTATION Mean travel time to work (minutes), workers age 16 years+, 2015-2019: 28.4

INCOME Median household income (in 2019 dollars), 2015-2019: $60,129 Per capita income in past 12 months (in 2019 dollars), 2015-2019: $29,742

BUSINESSES Total employer establishments, 2019: 387 Total employment, 2019: 5,305 Total annual payroll, 2019 ($1,000): 230,082 Total employment, percentage change, 20182019: 2.2% Total nonemployer establishments, 2018: 1,189 All firms, 2012: 1,435 Men-owned firms, 2012: 584 Women-owned firms, 2012: 435 Minority-owned firms, 2012: less than 25 Nonminority-owned firms, 2012: 1,367 Veteran-owned firms, 2012: 31 Nonveteran-owned firms,

2012: 1,229

GEOGRAPHY Population per square mile, 2010: 36.4 Land area in square miles, 2010: 499.15

Washington County

PEOPLE Population Population estimates, July 1, 2019: 24,730 Population estimates base April 1, 2010: 25,201 Population percent change April 1, 2010 (estimates base) to July 1, 2019: -1.9% Age and Sex Persons under 5 years: 5.7% Persons under 18 years: 22.6% Persons 65 years and older: 17.2% Female persons: 48.5% Race and Hispanic Origin White alone: 95.2% Black or African American alone: 2.5% American Indian and Alaska Native alone: 0.5% Asian alone: 0.3% Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone: greater than 0, but less than 0.5% Two or more races: 1.5% Hispanic or Latino: 1.5% White alone, not Hispanic or Latino: 94.0% Population Characteristics Veterans 2015-2019: 1,956 Foreign born persons: 0.3%

HOUSING Housing units, July 1, 2019: 11,079

Owner-occupied housing unit rate 2015-2019: 79.4% Median value of owner-occupied housing units, 2015-2019: $94,400 Median selected monthly owner costs with a mortgage, 2015-2019: $947 Median selected monthly owner costs without a mortgage, 2015-2019: $312 Median gross rent, 20152019: $588 Building permits, 2020: 0 Families & Living Arrangements Households, 2015-2019: 9,231 Persons per household, 2015-2019: 2.57 Living in same house 1 year ago, percent of persons age 1 year+, 20152019: 89.8% Language other than English spoken at home, percent of persons age 5 years+, 2015-2019: 1.0% Computer and Internet Use Households with a computer, percent, 2015-2019: 80.1% Households with a broadband internet subscription, percent, 2015-2019: 66.6%

EDUCATION High school graduate or higher, percent of persons age 25 years+, 2015-2019: 76.9% Bachelor’s degree or higher, percent of persons age 25 years+, 2015-2019: 9.9%

HEALTH With a disability, under age 65 years, percent, 2015-2019: 20.6% Persons without health insurance, under age 65 years, percent: 13.5%

ECONOMY In civilian labor force, total, percent of population age 16 years+, 2015-2019: 48.8% In civilian labor force, female, percent of population age 16 years+, 2015-2019: 48.2% Total accommodation and

food services sales, 2012 ($1,000): not disclosed Total health care and social assistance receipts/ revenue, 2012 ($1,000): 66,265 Total manufactures shipments, 2012 ($1,000): 290,144 Total merchant wholesaler sales, 2012 ($1,000): 15,178 Total retail sales, 2012 ($1,000): 122,281 Total retail sales per capita, 2012: $4,873

TRANSPORTATION Mean travel time to work (minutes), workers age 16 years+, 2015-2019: 32.4

INCOME Median household income (in 2019 dollars), 2015-2019: $41,483 Per capita income in past 12 months (in 2019 dollars), 2015-2019: $20,581

BUSINESSES Total employer establishments, 2019: 350 Total employment, 2019: 3,207 Total annual payroll, 2019 ($1,000): 96,645 Total employment, percentage change, 20182019: -0.2% Total nonemployer establishments, 2018: 1,104 All firms, 2012: 1,126 Men-owned firms, 2012: 638 Women-owned firms, 2012: 336 Minority-owned firms, 2012: less than 25 Nonminority-owned firms, 2012: 1,069 Veteran-owned firms, 2012: 103 Nonveteran-owned firms, 2012: 926

GEOGRAPHY Population per square mile, 2010: 33.2 Land area in square miles, 2010: 759.91

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Resources Our elected officials Iron County Presiding Commissioner Jim Scaggs Western District Associate Commissioner Ronnie Chandler Southern District Associate Commissioner Ben Young Assessor David Huff Circuit Clerk Sammy “Gail” White Collector Crystal Price Coroner Tim Harbison County Clerk Marsha Wombe Prosecuting Attorney Brian Parker Public Administrator Lisa Light Recorder of Deeds Karen Reagan Sheriff Jeffery Burkett Treasurer Carol Hardy Madison County Presiding Commissioner Jason Green First District Associate Commissioner Tom Stephens Second District Associate Commissioner Larry Kemp Assessor Paula Rehkop Francois Circuit Clerk Tenia Hermann Collector Debby Boone Coroner Collin Follis County Clerk Donal Firebaugh Prosecuting Attorney M. Dwight Robbins Public Administrator Carol Lachance Recorder of Deeds Saundra Ivison Sheriff Katy McCutcheon Treasurer Jessica Stevens St. Francois County Presiding Commissioner Harold Gallaher First District Associate Commissioner Kary Buckley Second District Associate Commissioner David Kater Assessor Dan Ward (Assessor Elect Eric Dugal) Auditor Louie Sieberlich Circuit Clerk Vicki Weible Collector Pamela Williams Coroner Jason Coplin County Clerk Kevin Engler Prosecuting Attorney Melissa Gilliam Public Administrator Gary Matheny Recorder of Deeds Jay Graf Sheriff Dan Bullock Treasurer Parks Peterson Ste. Genevieve County Presiding Commissioner Garry Nelson First District Associate Commissioner Karen Stuppy Second District Associate Commissioner Randy Ruzicka Assessor Linda Wagner 8 | ParklandLiving | June 2021

Circuit Clerk Julie Bova Collector Claudia Stuppy Coroner Eric Basler County Clerk Sue Wolk Prosecuting Attorney Wayne Williams Public Administrator Robin Naeger Recorder of Deeds Peggy Yamnitz Sheriff Gary Stolzer Treasurer Sara Hoog Washington County Presiding Commissioner David Sansegraw First District Associate Commissioner Doug Short Second District Associate Commissioner Cody Brinkley Assessor Heather Eckhoff Circuit Clerk Patti Boyer Collector Carla Zettler Coroner Steven Hatfield County Clerk Jeanette Allen Prosecuting Attorney Josh Hedgecorth Public Administrator Judy Gillam Recorder of Deeds Jamie Miner Sheriff Zach Jacobsen Treasurer Phyllis Long

LEGISLATORS State Sen. Elaine Gannon, 3rd Dist.

201 W. Capitol Ave. Rm. 426 Jefferson City, MO 65101 JC: 573-751-4008 State Rep. Dale Wright, 116th Dist.

201 W. Capitol Ave., Rm. 412B Jefferson City, MO 65101 JC: 573-751-3455 Dale.Wright@house.mo.gov State Rep. Mike Henderson 117th Dist.

201 W. Capitol Ave. Rm. 412A Jefferson City, MO 65101 JC: 573-751-2317 Mike.Henderson@house.mo.gov

U.S. Congressman Jason Smith (left) and Missouri State Rep. Rick Francis (right) visit with David and Karen Whitener at Little River Farm People last August during the congressman’s annual farm tour.

State Rep. Cyndi Buchheit-Courtway, 115th Dist.

201 W. Capitol Ave., Rm. 236B Jefferson City, MO 65101 JC: 573-751-7735 Cyndi.BuchheitCourtway@house.mo.gov State Rep. Mike McGirl, 118th Dist.

201 W. Capitol Ave, Rm. 201A Jefferson City, MO 65101 JC: 573-751-2398 Mike.McGirl@house.mo.gov State Rep. Chris Dinkins, 144th Dist.

201 W. Capitol Ave., Rm. 110B Jefferson City, MO 65101 JC: 573-751-2112 Chris.Dinkins@house.mo.gov State Rep. Rick Francis 145th Dist.

201 W. Capitol Ave. Rm. 115I Jefferson City, MO 65101 JC: 573-751-5912 Rick.Francis@house.mo.gov U.S. Rep. Jason Smith 2230 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. Phone: 202-225-4404 rep.jason.smith@mail.house.gov U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt 260 Russell Senate Office Bldg.

Washington, DC 20510 DC: 202-224-5721; Fax: 202-224-8149 http://www.blunt.senate.gov U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley B40A Dirksen Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510 DC: 202-224-6154 http://www.hawley.senate.gov

Hospital information Iron County Medical Center’s (ICMC) has been providing “Compassionate Care, Close to Home” since 2006. A critical access hospital, ICMC has a 24/7 emergency room and rural health clinic that is currently undergoing an emergency expansion project. ICMC offers radiology, a healthcare clinic, outpatient therapy, cardiac rehabilitation, respiratory services, surgery, pharmacy infusions, laboratory services, emergency assistance and Survival Flight. They also have patient visits from Scout, the therapy dog. Iron County Medical Center is located at 301 N. Hwy 21, Pilot Knob, 573-432-5095, icmedcenter.org.

Madison Medical Center (MMC) is located in Fredericktown and provides medical services to Madison, Wayne, St. Francois, Iron, and Bollinger Counties. They have a 24-hour emergency room with air ambulance accessibility. MMC is affiliated with the SSM Health Care-St. Louis network and has a staff of 270 employees. MMC has a variety of outpatient services with specialists available. A rural health clinic handles preventative care. Stockhoff Nursing Home is part of their services provided along with a home health agency. Madison Medical Center is located at 611 W. Main, Fredericktown, 573-783-3341, madisonmedicalcenter.net.

Parkland Health Center (PHC) is located in Farmington and Bonne Terre in St. Francois County. As part of the BJC Healthcare system, PHC has a full line of medical care: cancer center, pregnancy and childbirth, diabetes, emergency services, geriatric psychiatric services, home care, hospice, hospitalist program, Huckstep Heart & Lung Center, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, imaging, infusion center, mammography, nutritional counseling, respiratory care, sleep disorders center, therapy services and wound care center. Parkland Health Center is located at 1101 W. Liberty, Farmington, and 7245 Raider Road, Bonne Terre, 573-756-6451, parklandhealthcenter.org.

Ste. Genevieve County Memorial Hospital (SGCMH) is located in Ste. Genevieve.

SGCMH has a full line of medical services including emergency care and has a walkin clinic at Bloomsdale with physician offices and emergency services. SGCMH also has a walk-in clinic in Pointe Basse Plaza in Ste. Genevieve. Ste. Genevieve County Memorial Hospital is located at 800 Ste. Genevieve Dr., Ste. Genevieve, and 255 Boderman Lane, Bloomsdale, 573-8832751, www.stegenevievehospital.org.

Washington County Memorial Hospital (WCMH) is located in Potosi and provides these services: anesthesia, cardiology, emergency medicine, family medicine, gastroenterology, general surgery, neurology, orthopedics, pathology, psychiatry, pulmonology, radiology, nephrology and urology. WCMH also has a rural healthcare clinic. Washington County Memorial Hospital is located at 300 Health Way, Potosi, 573-438-5451, wcmhosp.org.

Our schools IRON COUNTY Arcadia Valley R-II, 750 W. Park Dr., Ironton, 573546-9700, www.avr2.org Belleview R-III, 27431 MO-32, Belleview, 573697-5702, www.belleviewbraves.org Iron County C-4, 20 Missouri Ave., Viburnum, 573-244-5422, www. ironc4.k12.mo.us South Iron County R-I, 210 School Street, Annapolis, 573-598-4241, www.sipanthers.k12.mo.us Arcadia Valley Career Tech Center, 650 Park Drive, Arcadia, 573-5469700, www.avr2.org MADISON COUNTY Fredericktown R-I, 704 E Hwy 72, Fredericktown, 573-783-2570, fpsk12.org Marquand-Zion R-VI, 205 E Morley St. Marquand, 573-7833388, www.mz.k12.mo.us ST. FRANCOIS COUNTY Bismarck R-V, Bismarck, 165 Campus Drive, 573734-6111, https://bismarckindians.org Central R-III, 200 High Street, Park Hills, 573431-2616, www.centralr3. org Farmington R-VII, 510 S. Franklin, Farmington, 573-701-1300, www.fsdknights.com North St. Francois County R-I, 300 Berry Road, Bonne Terre, 573431-3300, www.ncsd.k12. mo.us West St. Francois County R-IV, 768 State Hwy M, Park Hills, 573562-7521, www.wcr4.org Unitec Career Center, 7163 Raider Road, Bonne Terre, 573-4313300, https://uniteccareercenter.wixsite.com/ unitec-career-center Mineral Area College, 5270 Flat River Road, Park Hills, 573-431-4593, mineralarea.edu St. Joseph Catholic School, 501 Ste. Genevieve Ave. Farmington,

573-756-6312, stjosephfarmington.com St. Paul Lutheran School, 608 E. Columbia, Farmington, 573-756-5147, www.stpaulgiants.com St. Paul Lutheran High School, 4337 Showplace Drive, Farmington, 573756-1099, stpaullutheranhs.com Special Acres State School, 519 8th St., Park Hills, 573-431-3076, https://dese.mo.gov/ special-acres-school STE. GENEVIEVE COUNTY Ste. Genevieve R-II, 375 N. 5th street, Ste. Genevieve, 573-8834500, https://www. sgdragons.org Valle Catholic, 40 N 4th Street, Ste. Genevieve, 573-883-2403, www. valleschools.org St. Agnes Catholic, 30 St. Agnes Drive, Bloomsdale, 573-483-2506, www. stagneselementary.org St. Joseph Catholic, 11824 Zell Road, Ste. Genevieve (Zell), 573883-3481, www.stjosephzell.org Sacred Heart Catholic, 11742 State Route N, St. Mary (Ozora), 573-543-2209 WASHINGTON COUNTY Kingston K-14, 10047 Diamond Road, Cadet, 573-438-4982, kingston. k12.mo.us Potosi R-III, 400 N. Mine Street, Potosi, 573-4385485, potosir3.org Richwoods R-VII, 10788 State Hwy A, Richwoods, 573-678-2257, www.richwoodsr7.org Valley R-VI, 1 Viking Drive, Caledonia, 573779-3446, www.valleyschooldistrict.org St. Joachim, 10120 Crest Road, Cadet, 573-4386181, stjoachimschool.com Citadel State School, 400 S. Mine Street, Potosi, 573-438-2472, https://dese.mo.gov/ citadel-school

June 2021 | ParklandLiving | 9

Building a better life in the Parkland

By Victoria Kemper

I

ron, Madison, St. Francois, Ste. Genevieve and Washington Counties all add different growth opportunities for the Parkland.

Each county works both together and on their own to bring businesses into the area and improve the quality of life for those who call it home.

The success of one only helps lift the others.

Iron County The most recent project in Iron County has been the Shepard Mountain Bike Park which hosted the Big Mountain Enduro, April 30 to May 2.

“Everybody was freaking out about it because we were just getting the park open and then we have to put on this big race,” Arcadia Valley Tourism Committee member and owner of the Fort Davidson Café Chuck Correll said.

“But it all went very well. The riders are just ecstatic about the park.”

Correll said they are still collecting numbers to determine the economic impact the race had to the area but he knows his restaurant, on the outskirts in Pilot Knob, had a really good weekend.

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Missouri Cobalt is another area of interest in Madison County.

The old lead mine was reopened as a cobalt mine in 2018 and has been ramping up ever since. The location is the largest near term primary cobalt reserve in North America.

“We already have new businesses that are opening as a result of the park,” Correll said.

“We have a restaurant that is going to be opening soon in downtown Ironton.

People are snapping at rental properties down here like candy.”

Correll said as far as he knows tickets to the top of the mountain have continued to sell out.

He said they are working on a proposal for a phase two expansion of the park which would include a more efficient solution for getting people to the top of the mountain.

“I think we are going to see people relocating down to the Valley and operating their businesses out of the home, as a result of the park,” Correll said. “This was one of the things that we discovered as we were doing our original business case.

“We looked at a lot of the parks that had been built in the last 10 or 15 years.

They get the riders, that’s all great, they get tourists and all that but what they really said that the key economic impact was people relocating to their area because of lifestyle.”

Correll said, the influx of people

looking for homes increased the property values, and in turn increased the tax base.

“We would love to see growth,” Correll said. “That is the whole emphasis on all of this but we don’t want to lose our quaintness. That will be the balancing act for the next five to 10 years.

Madison County Recently Madison County has been looking toward the future and its youth with the development of the new Sports Complex located out Commercial Drive.

“The new complex has two softball fields and one baseball field and it has already been excavated to add two more fields in the future,” Madison County Commissioner Larry Kemp said. “These are nice fields.

“The facility will be good enough to where our local high school teams can host conference or district tournaments. It’s even good enough for a state tournament.”

Kemp said traveling teams in the

Mineral Area Baseball Association and kids of all ages will now have a place to hold tournaments right here at home.

“I look at it as an investment in the future,” Former Madison County Presiding Commissioner Bob Mooney said. “This is something generations can enjoy. I have always said that community development aids economic development.”

Kemp said the final touches to the field are the lighting, which has been approved to purchase and install, and the bathrooms and concession, which should arrive any day now.

Missouri Cobalt is another area of interest in Madison County. The old lead mine was reopened as a cobalt mine in 2018 and has been ramping up ever since. The location is the largest near term primary cobalt reserve in North America.

Kemp said Missouri Cobalt, while he was not optimistic at first, is really building up and he is happy to see them getting involved in community projects such as the Team Up to Clean Up event and their desire to be part of the Sports Complex in some way. He said the mine will continue to bring in additional jobs and raise the assessed valuation of the county as they continue to grow.

In the future, Kemp said he would love to see a Justice Center built in order to move the courtroom to a more accessible building. He would also like to see some more restaurants and possibly a hotel open up.

Of all the past and future projects Kemp and Mooney said the TIF District is one that really stands out as a benefit to the county.

“The TIF district has really improved the county a lot because it paid for all the infrastructure, streets, sidewalks, water, sewer and all that,” Kemp said.

“That paid for the ball fields, half of them or more, the ambulance building, the Cherokee Pass Fire building, the bypass. They set it up for things to grow out there.”

Mooney said he considers the establishment of the TIF his greatest accomplishment during his time a commissioner.

St. Francois County Through the years St. Francois County has continued to grow.

Farmington IDA President Chip Peterson said when looking at an area’s

Ste. Genevieve offers a trifecta of shipping possibilities due to its proximity to the railroad, ports and interstate.

The solar panel park in Farmington is a great attraction for national companies because it offers stabilized sustainable energy.

long-term stability they look at is as a three-prong stool. The three prongs are jobs, services and housing.

“You have to keep all three of those balanced,” Peterson said. “You want to offer a great school system. You want to have great hospitals. You want to have the retail things that it takes to attract.

“You have to have the housing availability and you have to have a labor force. It’s not just about having people, it’s having trained people to accommodate what you need too.”

When an industry is looking to come to an area, labor force is a big factor in their decision. Peterson said St. Francois County has a great labor force and they are looking to create opportunities for even more specialized training. He also said the solar panel park in Farmington is a great attraction for national companies because it offers stabilized sustainable energy.

“Both IDAs and the county commissioners have been working with (Mineral Area College), as well as several industrial areas, and both reps in the area: Mike Henderson, as well as Dale Wright,” Peterson said. “We are trying to come up with a state-of-the-art secondary education for industrial training, welding, HVAC, CAD, those type, which really are great jobs and often

times get overlooked. By doing that we will have the ability to offer training for those jobs and some industrial certificates. We would have a pool of qualified applicants.”

Peterson said having training available is something the entire area would benefit from and it would boost the appeal for industrial companies to choose the Parkland for their next facility.

“I want to make sure that my kids and my grandkids have got a means of having a decent income job, quality of life and they can stay in this area and not have to move,” Peterson said. “To me that is a great investment in the community on everybody’s behalf. It could really have a positive long-term effect on this community.”

There have also been some new activity around the Bonneville Plaza in Bonne Terre, recently purchased by the Hubbards. Peterson said the plaza has been an eyesore for a lot of years.

“The Hubbards are very community-oriented,” Peterson said. “They’ve invested a lot in the area. They’ve got a lot of energy. I think they will make a go at that and it will make a great addition to the community.”

Park Hills has also invested in the Fairgrounds project off US 67. Located just off the Fairgrounds Drive exit off June 2021 | ParklandLiving | 11

Located just off the Fairgrounds Drive exit of US 67, the new Donnely-LaMear Trailhead provides visitors quicker access to St. Joe State Park’s ORV trail systems. Park Hills city leaders are hoping it will attract development.

of US 67, the new Donnely-LaMear Trailhead provides visitors quicker access to St. Joe State Park’s ORV trail systems. The project was a joint program between Missouri State Parks and the City of Park Hills.

Ste. Genevieve County The most notable addition in Ste. Genevieve County was the River Rapids Waterpark. This is just one of the many improvements along Progress Parkway as the Ste. Genevieve County Community Center also added the new Progress Sports Complex.

“It’s just a really nice community and what community our size has a community center and a water park and then they expanded the community center,” Ste. Genevieve County IDC President Tom Keim said. “There’s so much for kids and families to do there.”

Keim said the sports complex give the community a place to host events, athletics and shows without impacting the other building. He said the community center is just a gem and both it and the water park attract people to the community.

“You have the great opportunity to live in a wonderful friendly community that has all the key things that if you were a business you would want,” Keim said. “From a quality of life, like we mentioned with the community center but if you look at the two schools that are here. We have an outstanding public school, as well as the same with Valle Catholic.”

Keim also said the local hospital is a highlight of the area with the expanded ER, Bloomsdale outreach facility, physician medical building and the new medical surgical building with private rooms.

12 | ParklandLiving | June 2021

“The fact is that you have the quality of life and a safe community,” Keim said.

“There is a great balance.”

Ste. Genevieve also offers a trifecta of shipping possibilities due to its proximity to the railroad, ports and interstate. There is also an airport just down the interstate in Perryville.

Keim said the biggest need for the areas growth is with housing. He said some of the larger employers in the area are seeing their retiring employees deciding to stay in the area. This is causing a shortage in housing for the new employees coming to the area.

“We have people that are wanting to live here and we need to be building homes,” Keim said. “I think that is our biggest initiative right now is to really expand our communities. We are working on a plan right now where we want to develop some land around Progress Parkway that could really build some nice residential.”

Keim said he would love to see the more unique shops in the downtown historic district as well as growth in the newer areas, as well as in Bloomsdale.

He said he would love to see shops come to town that would help keep the retail dollars in the community.

“We’d love to see some retail come to town so people don’t have to leave and spend their dollars somewhere else,” Keim said. “I think if we continue to work on housing, when you have a growing housing community it allows you to grow the type of retail businesses to service that community.”

In November, National Park Service administrators held a ceremony to celebrate the establishment of the Ste. Genevieve National Historical Park.

The historical sites located within Ste. Genevieve’s downtown area have been established as the 422nd unit to the National Park Service (NPS).

Washington County Washington County IDA is remaining optimistic as it climbs out of this pandemic to provide growth opportunities to those residing in the industrial park and seeking opportunities.

“An opportunity Washington County IDA will be rolling out is an in-house grant program for the citizens of Washington County as business owners or entrepreneurs,” Washington County IDA Executive Director Krista Snyder said. “This program will provide a 50% match, up to $5,000 per application. The Southeast

Economic Development Service (SEED$) will administer the program.”

Snyder said an opportunity she would love to see is the expansion of broadband throughout the county.

“As it stands, less than half of the students in the Washington County school districts are able to connect to any type of internet,” Snyder said. “This is a problematic issue, but at least we have the governor pushing broadband for rural Missouri.”

Snyder said companies seeking sites for strategic opportunities will have a tough time finding a better choice with the Washington County Industrial Park being Missouri-certified, located both in an Opportunity Zone and an Enhanced Enterprise Zone, and has plenty of room to grow. She said Washington County is a Certified Work Ready Community, has access to training, and is a good location.

“Washington County’s central location puts companies within eight hours or a day’s truck drive of more than 127 million consumers, allowing distribution and logistics operations excellent reach with remarkably affordable land and labor,” Snyder said. “Distribution activities are supported with training programs, many available at no cost to employers that deliver skills in areas such as product receiving, storage, order processing, inventory control, dispatch and tracking, and trucking.”

Snyder said the region also offers local employers access to a 50-mile labor shed of more than 263,000 hardworking people.

“One of Washington County’s biggest business advantages is what you can do when you’re not working,” Snyder said.

“Our quaint communities are surrounded by nature’s bounty. Nearly a third of the county is within a national forest, and opportunities for hiking, cycling, boating, swimming, camping, hunting, and fishing abound.”

Snyder said anyone will appreciate the friendly way of life you will find throughout the county.

“It’s the safe kind of place where neighbors know and look out for one another, and where kids can be kids,” Snyder said. “You’ll discover plenty of charming shops, including a delightful historic candy store, and dining and drinking options, and when you crave big-city excitement, St. Louis is just an hour away.” PL

At your side throughout the journey

217 W. Columbia St., Farmington, MO 63640 June 2021 | ParklandLiving | 13

“ I WILL ALWAYS BE THANKFUL TO THE PARKLAND AND ENJOY HELPING OUT BY BEING INVOLVED IN THE COMMUNITY.”

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Q&A

T

Chip and Debbie Peterson Business Owners

ell me about yourself: We own Cici’s Pizza, Steak ‘n Shake, and Qdoba.

We also manage several different properties in the Parkland area.

Chip was on the Mineral Area College Board of Trustees 13 years.

He is presently vice chairman of Lindenwood University Board of Trustees and chairs the athletics committee. He is on First State Community Bank Board of Directors, president of the Farmington Industrial Development Authority, and has served on multiple boards.

Debbie, a licensed RN, is chairperson of the Parkland Health Center’s Foundation Board, a member of Parkland Health Center Board of Directors, the MCII Sheltered Workshop, past board member of Mineral Area Regional Medical Center, and vice chair of a governor-appointed Certificate of Need Committee.

We are active at Meadow Heights Church. We have been married for 37 years.

How long have you lived in the Parkland? We both grew up in the Parkland. We moved away for several years and have been back since 1989.

Why is the Parkland a good place to live and work? Chip: It’s an area we both grew up in. We very much value the family values, the community values, work ethic, and quality of people.

We were in Springfield (Chip was working for Pepsi) … we came home one Christmas for the Christmas parade … We were down on Columbia Street. It was snowing, back when it was a totally motorless parade, and again it’s just kind of a Norman Rockwell night and we had two babies with a third on the way.

And we both looked at each other and thought we’ve got to figure out how to get back here to raise our kids

in this community. We and partners Joey and Janice started developing the Maple Valley area.

We then got involved in the restaurant business with Steak ‘n Shake, Cici’s and Qdoba.

We enjoyed being part of the community and giving back by being involved with chamber and various community activities.

And the interesting part is our three children, Katelyn, Harry, Parks, and their spouses also saw the value in starting their families (our precious five grandchildren) in our community.

So how is the restaurant business doing now that COVID numbers are declining and vaccinations are increasing? Chip: It’s mixed. I mean volumes are starting to pick up. We are seeing a lot more people dining out. People are feeling more comfortable and it affected the three restaurants differently.

It was interesting because Qdoba really stayed pretty solid through all that, and we reacted, we put a drive thru window in there.

Steak ‘n Shake, we had a drive thru so we were able to react there and hold on to as much business as we could.

Cici’s and other buffets struggled due in part to national press criticism on buffets and restaurants in general.

Cici’s took a brutal blow during all that. Our major guests in the pizza buffet restaurant are a lot of seniors and families. Both of those segments didn’t go into restaurants for a long time. Volume is starting to pick up but it has been a tough year for the restaurant industry. It’s starting to pick up volume now but it was a difficult year for that industry. We originally tried to open it back up as a cafeteria, and serve people. People that did come in liked to pick their own pizza slices, so we set up gloves and sanitizing stations throughout the restaurants. Our main

objective through all this was the safety of our guest and employees, along with keeping all employees employed.

It will look different, people’s expectations are a little bit different. And we are dictated, not just by the local health departments, but also dictated by our franchisors. Some of our franchisors say you do have to wear a mask if vaccinated, others say give it time.

It was just an interesting period of time, I don’t want to ever live through something like that again. This is because every relationship, every business relationship had to be treated differently. But you have to think about the long-term survival of it, you had to think about what can you do to keep those tenants alive so they can survive.

Why do you feel it is important to be active in the community? Debbie: I love our community and I feel like our community has been so good to Chip, I, our kids and family.

I have always said it takes a village to raise children, and that is what this community has done for us. I will always be thankful to the Parkland and enjoy helping out by being involved in the community.

For 19 years, you’ve been opening up Cici’s for anyone looking for a free Christmas meal. Will this tradition continue? Chip: I hope so. We don’t know what buffets will look like in the future. It has been a big part of our lives and our family’s lives for the last 19 years. We will do whatever we can to keep the tradition going.

What advice would you give to young people just starting a career?

Debbie: I would tell them to follow their heart and to make sure it’s something they enjoy doing. It is important to shadow the field they are interested in before they make that career decision. Many businesses in our area are open to young adults coming into their businesses to shadow them. PL June 2021 | ParklandLiving | 15

Q&A

T

ell me about yourself: I graduated from Farmington H.S. in 2004, and then I attended Southeast Missouri State University. After college, I went to law school at Saint Louis University. Upon graduation from law school, I took the Missouri Bar Exam and was licensed as an attorney in 2011. I was appointed to my current position as an associate circuit judge in St. Francois County by Governor Jay Nixon in April 2015. My wife and I live in Farmington with our two children.

How long have you lived in the Parkland? My parents moved our family to Farmington in 1997 when I was in middle school. I left the area to attend college, law school and for my first job with the Missouri Attorney General’s Office in Jefferson City.

Why is the Parkland a good place to live and work? The Parkland’s opportunities for growth in areas like education, business and tourism attract people from diverse backgrounds outside the area, and once they are here, we welcome them like old friends. As this process continues to play out, it forms a vibrant community with people from all over the country coming together to work, learn and play in one of Missouri’s most beautiful outdoor settings.

How did COVID affect the court system? Historically, courts conducted most of their business in-person. That’s the whole point of a “docket call” – to call the cases before the Court and to give people and their attorneys an opportunity to be heard in the courtroom.

The COVID-19 Pandemic and resulting shutdowns for public health and safety took away the ability to do most in-person business. The Supreme Court of Missouri did an excellent job of providing guidelines to allow courts to hear emergency matters even in the midst of the shutdown, and to allow courts to progress through re-opening phases as community conditions improved.

Our Presiding Judge, Wendy

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Honorable

Joseph L. Goff, Jr. Wexler-Horn, continues to do a phenomenal job of leading and communicating with all of the judges and staff in the 24th Circuit to ensure that we are able to hear as many cases as possible in the safest conditions. There are only seven judges and one treatment court commissioner for the entire 24th Circuit (a population of close to 120,000 people). We don’t have a bullpen of relief judges we can call in to handle extra cases. There is a significant backlog, and I anticipate several more months

“I DO MY BEST TO LISTEN, TO EXPLAIN THE JUDICIAL PROCESS AS MUCH AS I CAN AND TO RESOLVE THE DISPUTES IN A JUST MANNER CONSISTENT WITH THE LAW.”

of long days and weeks to address all of the cases that were postponed during the shutdown, not to mention the new filings that come in every day. On top of the backlog, conducting individual trials has changed, especially jury trials.

We need more help from court staff like bailiffs and circuit clerks as well as cooperation from attorneys and clients to ensure that we can hold trials in a safe but fair setting.

What is your favorite part of the job? I truly love the different people, attorneys and court staff that I get to interact with on a daily basis. Some of the best people I know work in our legal system, and they come to work every day to uphold the rule of law for everyone who lives and works in the 24th Circuit. I know most people who appear in Court with me aren’t having the best

day of their lives, so I do my best to listen to them, to explain the judicial process as much as I can and to resolve the disputes in a just manner consistent with the law. My favorite part of the job is when I can tell that someone who may be unhappy with the result of the case still understood that the process was fair, that their voice was heard, and that the result was consistent with the law.

What is your favorite way to

unwind after a long week on the bench? I love to go for a run or a bike ride through town, on the backroads or in one of our beautiful parks. Being outside and moving around is incredibly invigorating. We are fortunate to have so many places in the Parkland that provide a beautiful, natural landscape for outdoor activities. I also love that I see so many other people in the area out walking, running, biking or hiking when I go out. My wife laughs as I wave

to every person I see when I’m running, but I can’t help being glad to see others out enjoying the outdoors in our area.

You and your dad share the same name and are both attorneys, does that get confusing? It gets very confusing, especially given how careful judges have to be about conflicts and the appearance that we are taking sides in a case. A lot of people think that my dad is the judge because he is older. I’ve even had a lawyer argue

with me over email about which Joe Goff I was – I will freely admit that I don’t know everything, but I do know that I am not my dad. Judges are prohibited from discussing cases with individual parties, but my dad has had a few phone calls and drop-ins at his office where the person insists on talking to the judge in their case. Not only is he not the judge, but if he were, he wouldn’t be able to talk to them about their case outside of court! PL June 2021 | ParklandLiving | 17

18 | ParklandLiving | June 2021

Q&A

T

ell me about yourself ? I’m married to Stephanie, kids are Grant (12) and Genevieve (10). I’ve worked for 16 years in higher education.

How long have you lived in the Parkland? 2 years.

Why is the Parkland a good place to live and work? The Parkland is a fantastic place to live and work, not only is it beautiful in this region, the people are some of the best I have met. They truly care about their community.

Have there been any big changes in education in the past year? Yes, mostly with funding. In Missouri the legislature has very few options to cut from when things are bad, community colleges seem to always be first on the list. In the past year we have seen funding threats, funding cut, funding restored, and the state flooded with federal money for Covid relief that can only be used once – and for very specific things. It’s been a rollercoaster to say the least.

Higher education is constantly changing due to competition, there are so many options for students in the United States, but community colleges still remain the most cost-effective option. Any college accredited by the Higher Learning Commission has the same instructor requirements, the classes are just as high quality at MAC as they are in a major university.

What are some of the highlights and accomplishments of this past year? This year has been rough but there were some good things: • Graduated 230 students at in-person commencement.

• 71 nursing students graduated last spring and immediately went to work in the field helping with the COVID crisis.

• Men’s and Women’s Soccer was added to Mineral Area College at no cost to the institution, the program paid for itself and actually brought in more revenue than expenses.

• Partnership with the Mineral Area Fine Arts Academy to continue theatre

Dr. Joe Gilgour President of Mineral Area College

“FOR NEARLY 100 YEARS MAC HAS SERVED THIS AREA AND OVER 18,000 STUDENTS HAVE GRADUATED.”

and music at MAC. • Received $5,000,000 from the state in this year’s budget to begin construction on our new technical education center.

• Men’s Cross Country won back-to-back national championships • Men’s Basketball went to the national tournament as a #1 seed, finished the regular season undefeated, and had a team GPA of 3.17.

• Several local people recognized at the state level – senior service award winner, governor’s excellence in teaching, faculty innovation award, distinguished legislator – all awarded at the Missouri Community College Association annual convention.

• Awarded the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) for welding and technical expansion.

What are ways businesses can get involved to support education?

This past year we placed support signs in front of business as a way they could show support for MAC, but also how we could support them by sharing on social media. We are always welcoming of business support through sponsorships, hiring our students, and providing input on advisory committees.

What are some of the challenges Mineral Area College faces? MAC has faced many challenges this past year, mostly financial. The pandemic did a number on us and when coupled with steady enrollment decreases over the years, we were hit harder than many other community colleges. We see these challenges as opportunities to rebuild and come back even stronger. MAC still offers over 80 degree/certificate

pathways and our staff is here and ready to help.

What is at the top of your wish list?

If you could make one wish for Mineral Area College and it come true, what would it be? Sometimes I think communities can take the local community college for granted, but I would wish that everyone could see the true gem we have in this area. For nearly 100 years MAC has served this area and over 18,000 students have graduated and many more have transferred on to a four-year institution, received job training, got jobs, and improved their skills.

The impact MAC has on the community is deep and will have a positive effect for generations.

On your first day at MAC, you pretended to be a student. Was that the most fun you’ve had in your current job? What did you learn? I have fun every day at MAC, but that was a really fun day. A colleague of mine who was president of Phoenix College at the time did this on his first day a few years prior so I called him for advice. I attended three classes that morning and the only people who knew it was me were the instructors. One class went on a scavenger hunt and had to find the president’s office, I had to pretend I didn’t know where it was. I even knew there were cookies waiting inside! I learned that most students at MAC love this place.

They liked the affordability and that it was close to home. I also learned that we have some very dynamic instructors who truly care about their students and make the classroom a fun place to learn.

Follow Gilgour on Twitter @MAC_President. PL June 2021 | ParklandLiving | 19

Q&A

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ell me about yourself: I have a bachelor’s and doctorate in physical therapy, a master’s in business administration and am a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives. My career path started in clinical care in physical therapy. I provided physical therapy in multiple settings including hospital, school based, and long-term care/skilled nursing facility prior to moving to leadership.

My leadership experience includes therapy, physician practice management, strategic planning, and hospital operations. I worked with BJC at two Illinois Hospitals in late 1990s and early 2000s. I have been the President at Parkland Health Center since May 2020.

How long have you lived in the Parkland? 1 year Why is the Parkland a good place to live and work? Our community is fortunate to have quality healthcare available.

Many rural communities lack adequate access to basic healthcare. There are many recreational opportunities between the many state parks, camping, hiking, biking, hunting, and fishing.

There are some interesting shopping opportunities as well from antiques to boutique stores. I am looking forward to participating more in some of the community activities that are hosted by the local chambers and non-profit community organizations. There really is a wide variety of resources and activities that can meet many different interests.

It’s been a tough year for health care. What are you most proud of ?

The care and compassion that our staff have continued to give to the community despite working long hours and dealing

20 | ParklandLiving | June 2021

Annette Schnabel DPT, MBA, FACHE, president of Parkland Health Center with many changes based on the evolving pandemic and the stress of caring for very ill patients.

Was it difficult settling into a new job during COVID? The biggest challenge was the inability to interact in the community. I truly enjoy the opportunity to meet community members and understand the needs that exist and

“ I TRULY ENJOY THE OPPORTUNITY TO MEET COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND UNDERSTAND THE NEEDS THAT EXIST.”

how we can work with the many other providers and agencies to care for our community. The other difficult part is I really don’t know what many people truly look like, including our staff!

With people being masked most of the time, I don’t always recognize them in different settings.

What are some of the highlights and accomplishments of this past year? Despite living through a pandemic, we continued to plan for additional services for the community. We closed some elective services in order to focus on the patients that needed intense care. We have been able to re-open all of those services and grow as well. We have several new providers that are now providing care in the community including a new OB/GYN, cardiologist, primary care providers, pediatrician, gastroenterologist, urologist, hospitalist,

oncologists, and pulmonologist.

Is it too early to let our guards down with COVID? YES!!! We truly need more people to become vaccinated. With the virus variants emerging, our best defense is vaccination. The science is proving that the more people that get vaccinated, the safer our community is. People need to understand that COVID caused very serious illness.

Nationally and in the state, overall death

rate went up during the pandemic. Even many people who survived an infection now have long term health issues that will impact them the rest of their lives.

What is your favorite part of the job? Hearing about “Mission Moments.”

Parkland’s mission is to provide excellent, compassionate healthcare to our community. We like to recognize those specific moments where our team members go above and beyond to

demonstrate that mission. We see it on a daily basis, yet so often those moments get lost in the shuffle of the daily work we do. Being able to recognize a staff member for their amazing efforts is truly the best part.

You are new to the community.

What has surprised you the most about this community? The hills! I had to adjust from being a flat land bicycle rider. It is a good thing though,

since I am also enjoying trying out all the restaurants. So, burning calories climbing the hills is needed.

What are some of the Parkland’s best assets? Our people are our best asset. We have so much to offer with advanced technology and services, yet it truly comes down to the interaction with every person, every moment. To be able to make a personal connection means so much. PL June 2021 | ParklandLiving | 21

Q&A

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ell me about yourself: I have degrees from Farmington High School, University of Missouri (bachelor’s in journalism), George Washington University (master’s in government) and American University (Ph.D. in international studies). Following the death of my father, Hugo in 1982, I returned to Farmington to help take care of my mother and operate the family funeral home.

How long have you lived in the Parkland? Except for the time I was in Ecuador (studying at University of Cuenca with a fellowship from Rotary International) and away at college, I have always resided in Farmington.

Why is the Parkland a good place to work and live? I’ve always regarded Farmington and the surrounding area as a great place to live and work. The people in the Parkland enjoy the benefit of rural life while also living not too distant from a large metropolitan area.

I have heard that our area is located next to more adjoining state parks than any other place in Missouri. Our part of the state is blessed with great water resources, farmland and plenty of wildlife for hunting and fishing. One key point of pride for residents of this part of the state has been Mineral Area College. I was a member of adjunct faculty during some of the years when Dixie Kohn served as president there. A true innovator, he was always coming up with new ideas to expand the scope of activities at the school. While I taught there, I often inwardly felt that I was learning more from the school’s faculty and students than they learned from me.

You are a prolific reader and love history. Do you have a favorite book or a current topic you are fascinated

22 | ParklandLiving | June 2021

Jon D. Cozean

President of Farmington Undertaking Co. Inc. with? Here in Farmington, we have seen an impressive expansion of our local library with its large collection of books and periodicals. Currently I am reading “The Accidental President” by A.J. Baime, which details the unlikely rise of a Missouri farm boy (Harry Truman) who became president of our country as World War II was ending. Truman’s lifetime hobby was reading history – the information of which served him well while he was a senator and later president. Incidentally, during the years that I lived in Washington D.C., I kept running into people – including a crusty old Marine Corps sergeant major in my reserve unit who confessed to me: “The greatest mistake of my life was that I didn’t vote for Harry Truman.” To be sure, this famous Missourian lived during an eventful period of American history which saw the beginning of the Cold War with our former wartime ally, Russia.

How did you have to adapt to keep your business going during COVID? Like most of the funeral directors I talked with, we used various forms of air purifiers, required visitors to wear masks, limited crowd sizes and employed policies of “safety first.”

You are a very active person. What do you do to relax? Many funeral directors like me are used to working almost every day or hour of the year. Like other funeral directors, we are on call 24 hours a day. Fortunately, most funeral directors I know do always find some time to relax. In my case, I do manage to relax a little each day – often simply by reading a newspaper. My daily routine begins at 6 a.m. with coffee and the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and the Daily Journal. I also subscribe online to the New York Times. Every evening I watch

Norah O’Donnell on CBS-TV. Before going to sleep at night I like to listen to the commentary on Public Radio which includes some segments from the BBC. If I can’t sleep at night, I curl up with a good book, which is almost always about history and political science. I just finished one about Franklin Roosevelt’s life which emphasized the complex issues surrounding U.S. involvement

“I HAVE ALWAYS REGARDED FARMINGTON AND THE SURROUNDING AREA AS A GREAT PLACE TO LIVE AND WORK.”

during World War II. My grandmother Elva Cozean used to always tell me that reading history is more fascinating than fiction – and she was right!

What do most people not know about Farmington area history? For example, one of the town’s leading citizens was the late Dr. Emmett Hoctor (1896-1986), who was the long-time administrators of State Hospital No.

4 for 41 years during the 1930s-70s.

What most people don’t know is that at that time the hospital helped to support itself by raising its own crops and livestock. The patients (with supervision) grew much of their own food on the hospital’s extensive surrounding farmland. They even operated their own canning factory and their own dairy. Incidentally, those patients were

excellent farmers – as exemplified by the many awards they earned at state and local fairs. And all of their production helped to offset some of the cost of running the hospital itself. While I was in the 4th-8th grade I delivered both the Post-Dispatch and the old Star-Times to the state hospital canteen where I discovered the deep respect for Dr. Hoctor by the patients there. PL June 2021 | ParklandLiving | 23

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24 | ParklandLiving | June 2021

DESLOGE

DON’T BE AFRAID TO GET A LITTLE MUDDY COVER STORY

By Nikki Overfelt-Chifalu

I Riding their side-by-sides is the new favorite family activity for Jason, Sarah, Ethan, Drew and Dillon Forney of Terre Du Lac. PHOTO BY BRANDON SCHELDT

n the Forney family, they have send-it Sundays.

The family member or friend that sends their side-by-side through the biggest mud hole wins a trophy.

Points are given for bravery and willingness to get the dirtiest.

“We always just kind of have fun on the weekends and see who can win the trophy each weekend (and) who gets the dirtiest,” said Sarah Forney, who lives in Terre Du Lac. Her youngest son, who is 16 and the daredevil, currently holds the trophy.

June 2021 | ParklandLiving | 25

Shawn Fleis loves riding his Honda Talon on his property in Pevely, as well as at St. Joe State Park and Lake Hanna.

COURTESY OF LEADBELT POWERSPORTS

“IT’S LIKE A WHOLE COMMUNITY OF PEOPLE THAT YOU END UP MEETING AND GO RIDING WITH AND IT’S JUST A BLAST.” -SHAWN FLEIS

Riding their side-by-sides together is the new favorite family activity for Forney, her husband Jason, and their three boys Drew, Ethan and Dillon, ages 21, 18 and 16.

They used to have a boat, but they can use the side-by-sides more. Within the past year, they have bought two of the UTVs. “So just be able to use that all-year round, where the pontoon boat or the speed boat, you can only use three months out of the year,” she said. “(It’s) a family thing just being able to get out, hang out with friends, ride, enjoy the fresh air (and) sunshine.”

The Forney family bought a 2020 Can-Am Maverick X3 and 2016 Polaris RZR 900 from Midwest Sports in Farmington.

General Manager Josh Harris said it’s probably the biggest growing business right now.

Ethan, Sarah and Jason Forney enjoy one of the area’s most popular off-road riding sites at St. Joe State Park. PHOTOS BY BRANDON SCHELDT

26 | ParklandLiving | June 2021

“(Side-by-sides are) probably the most popular thing you can buy today,” he said. “Everybody wants one.”

Side-by-sides are everywhere in the Parkland. Of course, you can see them out at St. Joe State Park and out on trails and gravel roads.

But it’s not just outside of town.

Harris lives in Bonne Terre and he said some parents ride them to school to pick up the kids or they ride them through downtown to get a burger. If you ride by the Desloge City Park on a Saturday, you’ll find them parked there, too.

“A lot of places like parts of Jefferson County, just about all of St. Francois County, except for Farmington, you can ride them on the roads,” he explained.

“The state statute says you can ride within three miles of your residence.”

He said they are popular everywhere, not just the Parkland, for the fun, outdoor entertainment they provide for the whole family.

“It’s something that everybody can do and enjoy,” he added. “And they’re safe because they’ve got seatbelts and roll cages, so they’re a lot safer than the old ATVs.” Chris Williams, owner of Leadbelt PowerSports in Farmington, said he just can’t keep them in stock.

“We’ve sold orders just as soon as they come in,” he said. “The customers already put the down payment on it, the deposit on it, they’re gone.”

They are popular with people from every walk of life, Williams said, “from farmers to weekend warriors.”

Since they’ve bought theirs, the Forneys have added things like bigger tires, mud flaps, and a light bar.

They’ve taken them to ride trails at Pruitt Mountain in Caledonia, Palmer Lake in Washington County, Brushy Creek Lodge in Black, and Moonlight Racing Off-Road Area in Sullivan.

“In October, we’re hauling it nine hours to Tennessee for a week trip,” Sarah Forney added.

They like the adventures of the trails, but they also take them out on the roads of Terre Du Lac and to participate in poker runs.

Wherever they use them, they like to have fun with groups of family and friends.

“We’ve met tons of new people

having a side-by-side,” she said.

Shawn Fleis and his wife, Dawn, who live in Jefferson County, bought a Honda Talon 1000X from Leadbelt PowerSports in October.

“I’ve always, always wanted one and so did she,” he said. “So we decided to buy one. We were in the right position to get one. So we got one and we have a blast on it.”

Since getting it, he has added a windshield and a sound bar.

They love to bring their side-by-side to St. Francois County to ride at St. Joe State Park and Lake Hanna.

They also own a 12-acre piece of property in Pevely that Fleis has cut trails on to ride.

“But I’d really liked to go to a few of these other states that have really cool trails and ride,” he added. “We plan on making trips to Tennessee, to Arkansas to ride some of their trails, also.”

When talking about what he likes about the UTV, Fleis said he loves how it rides and handles. He likes that it’s not belt driven but has its own sub-transmission.

“I also like that it has paddle shifters and you can put it in manual mode or automatic mode,” he added. “When you’re in automatic mode, you can go ahead and just hit the paddle shifters and take it over anytime you want. I think that’s pretty awesome.”

As for his wife, she doesn’t like to go

as fast as him on it.

“She just likes to trail ride with it and have an adult beverage while we’re riding around on the trails, floating around on trails,” he said. “And she likes to hit some of the mud puddles, also.”

Fleis agrees with Forney that buying a side-by-side brings its own community.

“It’s like a whole community of people that you end up meeting and go riding with and it’s just a blast,” he said. “You meet new people and you go riding with friends and everything. You get a group of people together and hit the trails all day and it doesn’t get much better than that.”

OTHER POPULAR OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES IN THE AREA INCLUDE: Mountain biking The Parkland area now has one of the nation’s premier mountain biking parks right in its own backyard.

Shepherd Mountain Bike Park in Ironton officially opened to the public this spring. It’s open seven days a week except when there is an event.

The park has five gravity trails – two black, two blue, and one green – a climbing trail, and a shuttle trail.

The Wheel House at Highway 21 and Russell Street is the hub where riders can park, check in, purchase/pick

Shepherd Mountain Bike Park just opened outside of Ironton and is already drawing enthusiasts from all over the country. COURTESY OF SHEPHERD MOUNTAIN INN

June 2021 | ParklandLiving | 27

There are six disc golf parks in the area including Engler Park in Farmington.

up shuttle tickets, and catch a shuttle to the trail. There are also restrooms, showers, and a bike wash.

In phase two of the park, they are hoping to add 10-15 miles of cross country trails, a connecting bridge across the lake, one to three additional downhill trails on the lake side, and bike paths connecting the cities in Arcadia Valley.

Disc golf There are currently six disc golf parks in the area: Engler Park in Farmington, Mineral Area College, Columbia Park in Park Hills, Bonne Terre Park, Potosi City Park, and Arcadia Valley Sports Complex.

If you are looking for league play, Mineral Area Disc Golf plays random draw doubles on Thursday nights at 5:30 p.m., alternating courses each week, and handicap singles on Sunday mornings at 10 a.m., usually at Engler Park.

The MAD Golf Ladies League plays at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesdays on alternating courses. For more information, visit the MAD Golf Facebook page.

Kayakers frequent Millstream Gardens Conservation and Silver Mines Recreation Areas as they can start upstream and enjoy the ride all the way through both areas.

Trout fishing Giessing Lake in Farmington’s Engler Park is stocked with trout at the beginning of November every year for the Winter Trout Program, which is a partnership between the city of Farmington and the Missouri Department of Conservation.

In addition to the requirement that anglers between the ages of 16 and 64 have a fishing permit, there are additional regulations that must be followed.

Between Nov. 1 and Jan. 31, the fish are for catch and release only. No trout may be possessed. Approved baits include artificial lures, flies and unscented plastic baits. No natural bait or chum is allowed and there is to be only one pole per person.

Between the dates of Feb. 1 and Oct. 31, the daily limit is four fish and each angler can have a maximum of three poles.

Kayaking The Millstream Gardens Conservation Area in Madison County is the state’s only whitewater kayaking area. When the St. Francis River is high, especially after the spring rains, and it flows through the Tiemann Shut-Ins, it 28 | ParklandLiving | June 2021

creates the perfect rapids for boaters.

According to the Missouri Department of Conservation, Millstream Gardens is a 916-acre tract of land which holds the large igneous rock of Tiemann Shut-ins and is part of the Missouri Natural Area System connecting to the Silver Mines Recreation Area.

In March, it is home to the annual Missouri Whitewater Championships. PL

Chris Stegall of Bonne Terre shows off the trout he caught at Giessing Lake in Engler Park on the first day of trout harvesting in February.

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D O I N G B U S I N E S S I N T H E PA R K L A N D

SPONSORED CONTENT

Coldwell Banker Hulsey #GUIDINGYOUHOME. #LEAVEYOURMARK. #MAKINGITHAPPEN. hese hashtags are simple reminders that Coldwell Banker Hulsey’s full-time, fullservice agents are dedicated to helping their customers find their forever homes. From the first phone call to the closing table, they’re there every step of the way.

The agents’ strong work ethic and dedication are evident because the business has earned the No. 1 top sales ranking in real estate offices in the Mineral Area since the early 1990s.

Cecil M. Hulsey founded Hulsey Real Estate in Farmington in 1965. Since then, Hulsey started the longstanding tradition of creating a team of experienced and trusted real estate advisors.

Their longevity has continued for nearly 60 years.

Hulsey remained owner and broker of the business until he retired at 90. Kim Hutson,

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30 | ParklandLiving | June 2021

who started working at the agency in 2004, purchased the company with husband Brian in December 2015.

As broker and owner of Coldwell Banker Hulsey, Hutson has 27 agents on staff who offer a wealth of knowledge and longevity at the franchise. Tom Stanfield has been a licensed real estate agent since the 1970s. He and Mary Gilliam, both brokers, have been employed at the agency since 1985 helping a few generations.

Coldwell Banker Hulsey’s agents have a professional license to assist with buying and selling of real estate. They locate hard-tofind properties and focus on the Farmington and Southeast Missouri areas including Desloge, Bonne Terre, Leadington, Ironton, Park Hills, Doe Run, Potosi, Terre Du Lac, Ste. Genevieve and Fredericktown.

“The amount of knowledge and experience which our agents and brokers possess is very impressive,” said Hutson, “and they are always eager to help you locate your dream home, land, farm or commercial property.”

Hutson and her staff enjoy working together as a team and have continued Hulsey’s

mentality of “if you like what you do, you never work a day in your life.”

They also have a strong presence in the community and give back to organizations in need through their monthly donations as well as through their yearly Designer Bag Bingo and the Jingle and Mingle events.

“It’s really important to us to give back to the community that has given so much to us over the years,” said Hutson.

Coldwell Banker Hulsey is open anytime by appointment and is located only a block from the St. Francois County Courthouse in beautiful downtown Farmington.

“We’re always ready to work for you!” said Hutson.

Coldwell Banker Hulsey 32 East Liberty Street, Farmington 573-756-5711 coldwellbankerhulsey.com

D O I N G B U S I N E S S I N T H E PA R K L A N D

From left are First State Community Bank CEO/ President Matt Sebastian, Assistant Vice President/ Privacy Officer Kristin Gilbert, Chief Risk Officer Sara Colantuono and Board Chairman Greg Allen. Colantuono started the Impact Initiative Project which Gilbert is now leading.

PHOTO BY BRANDON SCHELDT | SPONSORED CONTENT

First State Community Bank ommunityled banking.

These powerful words are put into action

by First State Community Bank with their Impact Initiative Project.

Sara Colantuono, current chief risk officer, created the bank-wide project in 2016 in which all employees could be part of to help make a difference in their communities.

As an executive officer with the bank, Colantuono saw needs everywhere, from children having difficulty staying focused at school because they were hungry, to people without homes and those who needed food and shelter.

“That’s where this project started, to help fulfill some of those needs,” she said.

“Ultimately, my goal of the project was to inspire and build better lives within our communities.”

Kristin Gilbert, assistant vice president/privacy officer, now leads the Impact Initiative Project. She travels throughout the 57 FSCB branches in Missouri, from Marshall to

C

the Bootheel and everywhere in between, to encourage participation in the project.

Gilbert said the initiative is not a cookie-cutter project because all of the markets have different needs.

“We empower each of our markets to find needs within their communities to make an impact through this project,” she said.

FSCB employees at the individual branches choose which organizations they help throughout the year. This involves meeting organization representatives, learning about their purpose and who they serve, and determining their needs.

Examples of community projects include purchasing items such as diapers, clothing and shoes, food, and appliances; assisting women and children’s shelters; and helping first-time home buyers with budgeting.

“We assist people who have lost their way in life and are trying to get back on their feet or some who have even been incarcerated and trying to rebuild their lives,” said Colantuono.

Gilbert said helping break the cycle of poverty through

FSCB’s financial programs is also important. They help participants learn about wants vs. needs, opening savings accounts, balancing a checkbook and more.

“Sometimes kids aren’t taught because their parents weren’t taught how to save money,” she said. “If we can break that cycle and teach them, that’s our goal and part of our outreach.”

Gilbert continued, “The FSCB team members carry it forward and make an impact because part of who we are is that we thrive on giving back to our communities.”

As the organization grows and its footprint is expanded, Gilbert sees the impact project growing and having an influence on other communities even where there are no FSCB locations.

“The ultimate goal is to help all communities within the state,” she said.

The projects have grown bigger, better and more creative.

Overall, $443,000 in monetary donations have been given through the project. In 2020 alone, $195,000 was donated.

“What our team members

take from these projects is humbling for them,” Gilbert said, “because we make an impact within the organizations but also with our employees.”

This initiative is more than just buying backpacks or providing winter coats. It’s about creating interaction between the community and FSCB and having an overall positive impact on all involved.

“Being part of this project and seeing the final result is the best part of my job,” said Gilbert.

Whether it’s through their Impact Initiative Project or providing free financial courses and videos on their website, FSCB has grown since opening its doors in 1954. But nearly 70 years later with 770 employees at 56 different branches, they remain true to their roots and continue to focus on building strong relationships within their communities.

First State Community Bank Over 50 Branch Locations www.fscb.com

June 2021 | ParklandLiving | 31

D O I N G B U S I N E S S I N T H E PA R K L A N D

PHOTO BY BRANDON SCHELDT | SPONSORED CONTENT

Cozean Memorial Chapel and Crematory ew businesses can boast to have been open for a century and a half. But Cozean Memorial Chapel and Crematory has a rich history stretching back 157 years and is one of the oldest mortuary establishments in the state.

Cozean’s commitment to its community is deeply rooted in Missouri history. The business was originally organized in 1864 by Thomas Lang, one of Farmington’s leaders during the 19th century. Later that same year Lang was given permission to cross Union lines to Fort Davidson in order to return casualties of the battle of Pilot Knob back to the Farmington area for funeral services and burial.

The Lang family’s commitment to excellence in funeral service continued when the business was sold to Henry Rinke, pioneer embalmer who operated Rinke Undertaking Co. in Flat River.

Rinke, Flat River’s first mayor, along with his daughter and son-in-law, Elva and Rolla

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32 | ParklandLiving | June 2021

Cozean, renamed the business Cozean Funeral Home. But ties to the past weren’t severed in 1916; the business’s corporate name, the Farmington Undertaking Company, is still retained to this day.

Significant changes later took place in 1930 when the business was expanded to a larger building on North Washington Street where Elva coordinated many different aspects of the firm’s operations.

Continued growth prompted a move for the business in 1940 to its present location on the corner of West Columbia and “A” streets.

Three years later, Rolla and Elva’s son Charles Hugo took over the business, which he continued to expand for the next 40 years.

It was in 1983 when Jon Cozean, living in Washington, D.C. at the time, moved back to Missouri immediately after his father died so he could help with the family business.

Although it was an adjustment at first from his career in journalism, Jon

grew to thoroughly enjoy his work in the family business.

He believed in helping people and found numerous places in the business where he could make improvements.

He attended many funeral directing seminars to learn and modernize the business, including updating their records using computers, and he took on leadership roles in the Missouri Funeral Directors Association.

In 1993 and 1994, the building was remodeled and enlarged to make it the largest facility in this part of the state.

Additional changes occurred in 2000 to enlarge and expand the main visitation room. A new parking lot has since been added adjacent to the funeral home.

Jon Cozean, owner and operator, is the fourth generation of funeral directors to operate the family business. He and his staff continue the excellent professional service and care for the bereaved. They have earned numerous prestigious national awards for their work.

Jon has been recognized as past

president of the Missouri Funeral Directors Association and a longtime member of Missouri Funeral Trust Board of Directors.

The business is the exclusive invitation-only area member of the two leading national professional organizations, the National Selected Funeral Directors and the International Order of the Golden Rule.

In addition, the firm’s unique professional webcasting capabilities were recently featured in a fourpage article in a national funeral profession magazine.

Nearly 160 years later, Cozean Memorial Chapel and Crematory continues its longstanding tradition of award-winning service and impact on this community.

Cozean Memorial Chapel & Crematory 217 W. Columbia St. Farmington, MO (573) 756-4541 Cozeanfuneralhome.com Monday-Friday 7:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

Saturday 7:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

Sunday Closed Available by phone 24 hours a day

D O I N G B U S I N E S S I N T H E PA R K L A N D

PHOTO BY BRANDON SCHELDT | SPONSORED CONTENT

Midwest Sports Center n the road, off the road or on the water.

Midwest Sports Center is your ultimate outdoor toy store.”

Listeners might have heard Josh Harris’ radio commercial advertising all kinds of “outdoor toys.” The list of playtime possibilities to choose from at Midwest Sports is expansive: motorcycles, ATVs, side-by-side UTVs, scooters, personal watercraft and lawn mowers. Numerous in-stock items come from Missouri dealers including Kawasaki, Polaris, Can-Am, Spyder, Suzuki, Sea-Doo, Kymco and Toro.

Customers can choose from new inventory or pre-owned items and utilize secure financing with competitive interest rates with additional accessories included in the total package if desired.

“We offer quality

“O

products and service at an affordable price in a friendly atmosphere,” said Harris.

“We’re big enough to cover the broad range of any equipment needs you may have, yet small enough to greet you on a firstname basis and take care of your unique needs.”

Customers can easily schedule service appointments online or by phone and order accessories by filling out an online parts request form.

“We really strive to roll out the red carpet to our customers because they’re our top priority,” said Harris. “The majority of our customers are referrals from previous customers, so we feel that speaks highly of our business.”

Harris said that even though Midwest Sports isn’t always perfect, the difference is that they “make it right.”

“If we make a mistake, we own up to it and fix the problem,” he said. “We make our customers the focus of our business and always strive to

put their needs first.”

Midwest Sports customers are people of all ages: families, farmers, teenagers, middle-aged adults and even grandparents who often select six-seat passenger UTVs to drive with their grandchildren.

“People love the outdoors,” said Harris, “from off-roading, riding down to the river, trail rides and spending time together outdoors as a complete family event with side-by-sides.”

The three Midwest Sports Center locations in Farmington, Festus and Poplar Bluff are locally owned and operated with 42 staff members.

Janet Phegley and Harris have been partners since 2008.

The first store, the Midwest Sports location in Farmington, opened in 1996.

As a kid, Harris had fourwheelers and motorcycles. He still loves the outdoors and “outdoor toys.”

“I absolutely love the

products we sell,” he said. “My job is a dream job because I knew it would be the best job I could ever have while working in a giant ‘toy store.’”

But he doesn’t consider his job work.

“It’s not really a job if you love what you do,” he said.

Midwest Sports Center sponsors and participates in many community activities and fundraisers including Shop With a Cop and Fallen Heroes. They work directly with local chambers of commerce and will be part of Desloge’s Labor Day Picnic and upcoming Rally at the Mines in October.

“Call or stop in today and see what we can do for you,” said Harris. “You’ll be glad you did!”

Midwest Sports

124 Walker Drive, Farmington 573-756-7975 Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

June 2021 | ParklandLiving | 33

D O I N G B U S I N E S S I N T H E PA R K L A N D

PHOTO BY PAM CLIFTON | SPONSORED CONTENT

ENT & Allergy of Southeast Missouri

D

r. Steven Wade’s maternal grandfather James W. “J.W.” Henson was a POW for 10 months in Nazi Germany in World War II. He lived a quiet life as a rancher and was an ideal role model for his grandson.

As a young boy, Wade remembers how his grandfather did not attend crowded events and often seemed isolated from conversations. It wasn’t until years later in college when Wade first looked at his grandpa’s audiogram, a graph which shows the softest sounds a person can hear at different pitches or frequencies. That’s when Wade discovered Henson had no usable hearing in his left ear, and his right ear had severe to profound hearing loss.

Henson’s hearing loss had created isolation and an obvious communication barrier.

That moment when Wade 34 | ParklandLiving | June 2021

discovered the extent of his grandfather’s hearing loss is the day he decided to become an audiologist.

That audiological profession began after World War II when soldiers returned home with hearing loss. Henson was an infantryman and had hearing loss as a result of his service in the U.S. Army.

Wade went to college for eight years and logged 2,000 clinic hours to earn his doctoral degree in audiology.

He joined the team at Farmington’s ENT & Allergy of Southeast Missouri, a division of Sound Health Services, in 2017. In addition, he serves as an audiologist in the Army Reserve where he provides audiological care and support to soldiers a few days each month and several weeks per year.

At ENT & Allergy, Wade works with patients with various levels of hearing loss, tinnitus and balance disorders and also fits patients with hearing aids.

In the last few years, he

said hearing loss and tinnitus have been the top two serviceconnected disabilities in the nation. He specializes in both areas.

“I am passionate about preventing noise-induced hearing loss,” he said.

Wade added that the most rewarding aspect of his job is getting to restore communication for people.

He offered advice to those who believe they have hearing loss.

“Listen to your loved ones,” he said. “If someone cares enough to tell you to get your hearing checked, you should listen to them and love them back. Once communication barriers go up, it can be difficult to remove them.”

No referral is needed to make an appointment with Wade. The team including Dr. Justin Roberts, Dr. Samuel Medaris, or Glen Mohan, RN and Family Nurse Practitioner are specialists in medical and surgical treatment of ear, nose and throat, and allergy disorders.

Additional services offered at ENT & Allergy of Southeast Missouri include allergy testing and treatments; ear tubes and eustachian tube dilator; audiology and balance testing; balloon sinuplasty; thyroid and neck surgery; nasal and sinus surgery; tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy; facial plastic surgery; adult and pediatric ENT care; voice and swallowing disorders; sleep disorders; oral lesion excisions; and skin lesion-biopsy and excision.

ENT & Allergy of Southeast Missouri is affiliated with Parkland Health Center, Surgery Center of Farmington, Ste. Genevieve County Memorial Hospital, Iron County Medical Center and Perry County Memorial Hospital.

ENT & Allergy of Southeast Missouri 501 West Pine Street Farmington, MO 573-756-8888 www.soundhealthservices.com Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

D O I N G B U S I N E S S I N T H E PA R K L A N D

PHOTO BY BRANDON SCHELDT | SPONSORED CONTENT

Lix Frozen Custard ow in the world did I get lucky enough to scoop ice cream

H

“

for a living?”

Roberta Gettemeier graduated high school and did not really know what she wanted to do. Her oldest brother had opened a frozen custard store a few years earlier and offered her a job.

“I worked for him for that first summer after high school but decided I needed to find a real job,” she said.

Gettemeier started working at an insurance office, but her brother offered her $4.25 to return to work for him.

“That was big money back then,” she said, “and I just couldn’t turn him down.”

One thing led to another, and eventually she was managing his custard locations. But after 16 years, she wanted to open her

own shop.

Gettemeier found a vacant former Maytag store in Washington, Mo., for rent.

When she was at the location – pen in hand ready to sign paperwork – she and the real estate agent saw men putting up a large sign across the road that read Fritz’s Frozen Custard – Coming Soon.

Disappointed, Gettemeier decided to expand her search for another location which brought her to the Parkland.

She found the old Tom Boy grocery store in Farmington which had been empty for many years. She signed the lease, she and her husband put their house up for sale in O’Fallon, and they began looking for used custard machines. Meanwhile, her husband drove to Farmington every day to begin remodeling as best as their finances allowed.

They opened Lix Frozen Custard in June 2004.

The store was a success

early into their lease.

Gettemeier soon had her sights on a piece of property down the street from the original location.

“I didn’t want to rent forever, and I really wanted a drivethru,” she said.

In 2006, Gettemeier made an offer to the property owner.

“I basically begged him to take my offer,” she said. “And he did, but he said there was no way I would be able to get it zoned for a drive-thru.”

Gettemeier’s lease wasn’t up until 2011, so she had time to convince the city to approve the zoning she needed.

The new Lix building with a drive-thru opened in June 2011.

In 2014, Gettemeier was in Desloge when she saw another property for sale.

Knowing the hurdles of building a store, she was hesitant.

“I wasn’t anxious to double my debt, but I didn’t want to

be on my deathbed wondering what might have been if I’d have gone for it.”

The Desloge location has now been open for six years.

Gettemeier attributes the bulk of her success to her customers for their loyal support, a fantastic staff and amazing manager Heather Bayless.

“I am so thankful for the way things have worked out,” she said. “I have a manager who I consider a friend, I have staff who I can laugh with, and we have wonderful customers who visit us regularly.”

Gettemeier said, “If you’ve never given Lix a try, stop on by, they’ll be happy to see you!”

Lix Frozen Custard 929 N. Washington, Farmington 573-756-5717 1123 N. Desloge Drive, Desloge 573-327-9110 LixCustard@gmail.com Facebook: Lix Frozen Custard June 2021 | ParklandLiving | 35

Our Leading Employers The Missouri Department of Corrections Of the 21 correctional centers operated by the State of Missouri, three facilities are located within the Parkland area and employ hundreds of Parkland residents. Eastern Reception, Diagnostic and Correctional Center, located on Highway K in Bonne Terre, was opened in 2003 and can house 2,684 male offenders.

Farmington Correctional Center is located on Columbia Street in Farmington. Opened in 1986, FCC is a custody level four institution, which maintains a capacity of 2,632 male offenders. Potosi Correctional Center opened in 1989 as a custody level five institution located in Mineral Point. The institution has a capacity of 862 male offenders.

of medical, diagnostic and rehabilitation services, employing hundreds from various professions and trades.

StarTek Startek is a customer service communications center located at 1828 Landrum Dr. in Farmington. The company employs hundreds of people to provide web-based customer service for major corporations like Charter Communications/Spectrum.

Centene Corporation Centene Corporation is the largest Medicaid managed care organization in the United States. The Fortune 50 company is headquartered in St. Louis and employs hundreds of area residents at its location on 1 Centene Dr., inside Farmington’s Industrial Park and near Engler Park.

Southeast Missouri Mental Health Center Located at 1010 W. Columbia St. in Farmington, Southeast Missouri Mental Health Center provides psychiatric evaluation and treatment services, and inpatient mental health services. The facility works with its six administrative agent centers, which administer follow-up services for discharged clients in the local community.

Parkland Health Center Parkland Health Center (PHC) includes two locations in St. Francois County. PHC’s larger facility, sometimes referred to as Parkland South, is located at 1101 W. Liberty St. in Farmington. Just 12 miles north of the Farmington facility is PHC’s Bonne Terre location at 7245 Raider Rd. The two sites offer emergency room services and a wide range

First State Community Bank First State Community Bank opened in Farmington in 1954 and since then, the financial institution has expanded throughout the Parkland. FSCB’s workforce operates 11 branches in the Parkland region, including three locations in Farmington, two in Park Hills, and locations in Desloge, Bonne Terre, Terre Du Lac, Ste. Genevieve, Ironton, Potosi and Fredericktown.

(Locations: 74 Rue Terre Bonne, Bonne Terre; 1135 N. Desloge Dr., Desloge; 365 W. Main St., Park Hills; 1401 St. Joe Dr., Park Hills; 201 E. Columbia St., Farmington; 702 N. Washington St., Farmington; 775 Maple Valley Dr., Farmington; 710 Parkwood Dr., Ste. Genevieve; 231 S. Main St., Ironton; 100 Highway P Suite A, Potosi; 713 W. Main St., Fredericktown,) US Tool Group US Tool Group provides several services to machining customers, including tool grinding and reconditioning, industrial vending and

36 | ParklandLiving | June 2021

specialty tool solutions. The company began operation in 1958 in Desloge before relocating to Farmington’s westside industrial park in 2015. The business employs close to 500 people at the Farmington location, making it a leading employer in the Parkland.

Mississippi Lime Company Located in Ste. Genevieve, Mississippi Lime Company has several opportunities for truck drivers, laborers, engineers, technicians, and managers.

The company is headquartered in St. Louis and is a leading supplier of high-calcium quicklime, hydrated lime, calcium carbonate products, trucking services and technical solutions.

Washington County Memorial Hospital Washington County Memorial Hospital serves the medical needs of thousands of Parkland area patients.

The critical access facility is located in Potosi and is a leading employer, hiring medical professionals, accountants, receptionists, housekeepers, lab technicians and more.

Cap America Cap America, located in Fredericktown, manufactures headwear of many different types and styles. Since operations began in 1985, the company has been a leading employer, filling positions in accounting, administrative and support services, customer service, graphic design, marketing, maintenance, order entry, production, shipping, and warehousing.

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June 2021 | ParklandLiving | 37

Bringing ARTS AND CULTURE to the Parkland

By Sarah Haas

T

he Parkland is located between the metropolitan hubs of St. Louis and Cape Girardeau, but you don’t have to travel that far to take advantage of the many cultural opportunities offered in the way of arts, live music and entertainment.

The question is: Where do you begin to look for these gems? Google, Facebook and Twitter – as well as subscriptions to the Daily Journal — are great ways to stay abreast of what’s

38 | ParklandLiving | June 2021

Mineral Area Council on the Arts and the City of Farmington brought “Pete the Cat,” a children’s musical to the Farmington Centene Center in 2019. It was performed by New York City-based theater group, TheaterWorksUSA. PHOTO CREDIT: THEATERWORKSUSA

happening, of course.

But here’s what you want to look for: Arguably, one of the arbiters of the Parkland culture scene is Mineral Area Council on the Arts (MACOA), a longstanding nonprofit community arts organization. With a mission to “promote and strengthen the cultural environment in all segments of the area served by Mineral Area College,” the arts council offers many free events, but reasonably-priced tickets are discounted even further for members who take advantage of season tickets.

Housed at Mineral Area College in Park Hills, many arts council events take place in the campus theater, although for larger events – such as the internationally-renowned Beatles tribute band Liverpool Legends — crowds pack the Centene Center in Farmington.

The council has even taken “shows on the road,” visiting local schools and booking venues in places like Arcadia

Valleys, Thee Abbey and historic St. Paul Episcopal Church. The council has brought in traditional Thai dancers, plays for children, Celtic bands and offered Cajun festivals.

While MACOA unveils a unique schedule of programming every fall, some recurring events include springtime favorites such as the popular K-12 Art Show and the downtown streetlight banner campaign, which in 2021 spread from light posts on the streets of downtown Farmington to Arcadia Valley, Bismarck and Potosi, too.

The Mineral Area Fine Arts Academy is a newcomer to the local arts and entertainment scene, it started when the music, art and theatre programs were cut in July 2021 by Mineral Area College. Many members of the MAC Fine Arts Department faculty and community supporters quickly banded together to keep some of the department’s most popular traditions alive, such as the Carol Moore Memorial Jazz Festival that’s happened every March for the past 30 years, numerous Kicks Band and Choral Groups’ performances in the spring and fall, and annual Christmas concerts. It’s also a place for musical education of all ages.

Ste. Genevieve offers a lot of arts and culture activities through various events, festivals and Fourth Friday Art Walks.

The Mineral Area Council on the Arts holds a K-12 Student Art Show each year.

Since it was opened in January 1996, the Farmington Civic Center has been a venue for bands on the rise, graduations, tournaments and championships, and annual exhibitions such as the home show, healthy living showcase and the gun show.

The adjoining Centene Center, an upscale conference center and auditorium added on to the Civic Center in 2003, is where audiences of up to 725

can take in such annual shows as the Young PPAT’s Nutcracker and Merry Christmas Show, the Baby Boomer Concert, and the History of County Music Show. Weddings and receptions are often held there, as well as fund-raisers, concerts, recitals, town hall meetings and even church services.

Local Chambers of Commerce (Bonne Terre, Desloge, Park Hills/ Leadington, Farmington, Ste. Genevieve

Performing the 1966 hit “Devil in a Blue Dress” by Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels during a Baby Boomers Reunion Concert, singer Clay Copeland’s wild hippy wig, dark sunglasses and tie-dye shirt take second chair to his energetic cover of Ryder’s signature gruff, wailing singing style and his dynamic stage performances.

and Arcadia Valley), as well as tourism centers for Farmington and Ste. Genevieve all feature a variety of cultural offerings on an annual basis, such as live concert series, art walks, cultural speakers, singers and exhibits in addition to fun merchant-related events such as cookie-walks, scavenger hunts, parades, fairs and festivals.

They’re often sponsored or organized by the chambers, or they’re using their websites to help spread the word.

Bring your friends and enjoy a leisurely stroll among the shops, restaurants, and art galleries of downtown Ste. Genevieve. During 4th Friday Art Walks, Ste. Genevieve art galleries offer visitors the opportunity to view the works of local and regional artists displaying a variety of art forms. Many businesses in the Historic District participate by extending their store hours from 6 to 9 p.m. during the Fourth Friday Art Walk.

Start your tour at the Ste. Genevieve Welcome Center where you can view two important art collections, as well as pick up a map to the galleries. The 4th Friday Art Walk is sponsored by the Gallery Association of Sainte Genevieve. Art Walks are on the fourth Friday of each month from February through November.

The local wineries and breweries … and we have a lot of those … offer scenic views and oftentimes music by local bands during the warm weather months.

Enjoy the arts in the Parkland. PL June 2021 | ParklandLiving | 39

The Little Miss and Master Country Days contest is normally part of the Country Days fun every year in June.

By Sarah Haas

From Country Days to Jour de Fete Cruisin’ for a Cause has become an annual fall fundraiser for the Park Hills Senior Center.

40 | ParklandLiving | June 2021

T

housands of visitors flock to the Parkland throughout the year for its peaceful landscapes slower pace and laid-back vibe.

But don’t let the rural nature of this region fool you into thinking it’s sleepy.

Now that the pandemic has diminished cancelling powers, residents are more than ready to resume throwing their annual civic events, festivals and fairs.

Almost every town has at least one big, annual party – or more— and they’re inviting you to attend.

You can always count on Christmas parades and merchant-organized, fun shopping weekends around the holidays. You can also bet that each spring, Easter egg hunts will bring out the little bunnies and chicks seeking candy and treasures.

But some events require teamwork and hard work that are the hallmark of small towns in rural areas. Here are the highlights of the bigger events taking place annually around the Parkland.

This list of free fairs and festivals isn’t exhaustive, though, and the creative fun-seekers who live here are always dreaming up new, bigger and better events.

Face-painting is just one of the activities at Desloge’s annual four-day Labor Day Picnic.

Ste. Genevieve’s Jour de Fete every August has been described as the premier arts and crafts fair in the Midwest.

with activities mostly contained in the aptly-named Azalea Park. An Azalea Festival Queen reigns over the proceedings of the weekend, with her little prince and princess to keep her company, and thousands flock to the rides, concession stands, games, car show, crafters, vendors, concession stands, truck and tractor pull, kids’ activities and parade.

Park Hills Arcadia Valley Occurring every spring and fall, thousands flock to the Arcadia Valley Mountain Music Festival around the Iron County Courthouse Square in Ironton. Missouri bluegrass, old-time mountain and Americana music is played by a series of bands over the course of two days. There are vendors, crafters, kids’ activities and dancing in the street. There’s even an area set aside for pickers, so bring along your guitar, banjo, harmonica or washboard.

The next festival is Oct. 15-16.

Bonne Terre During the Big River Chautauqua, held annually in July over the course of three days, hundreds flock to Veterans Park behind City Hall to watch and listen to scholars offer fascinating, impersonating interpretations of the world’s most famous people, all under the canopy of a huge tent. Authors, professors and history lovers dress as the person they’ve extensively studied, taking on their persona and offering insightful takes on historic figures. It’s as entertaining as it is intellectually stimulating, with local singing groups and bands performing, as well. Skipped for two years because of the pandemic, it will be back in 2022.

a wallop, when it comes to attendance.

Every October, thousands of people clog this small hamlet, taking advantage of the good times in small spaces, the corn maze, crafts, concessions, music, petting zoo and their charming parade.

For the last couple of years on the first Saturday of October, Cruisin’ for a Cause has brought hundreds of people to the historic downtown area for hot-rodding, cruising Main Street, funny contests, cornhole tournament, vendors, crafters and concessions, bands, and a car show.

Desloge

Potosi

Everyone knows, Desloge owns Labor Day in the Parkland. Bringing in thousands of people from surrounding areas, the town festival salutes the working men and women who make our country strong. A parade, beer garden, rides, bands, games and competitions, dancers, merchants and tons of kids’ activities make it a popular capstone to most of the summer fairs, festivals and events in our area.

The illustrious history of this old lead-mining area is celebrated with Moses Austin Festival which takes place over two days in late June downtown. A parade, games, demonstrations, kids’ area, petting zoo, race, car show and old-time demonstrations of arts and crafts of the past are all part of this unique festival.

Farmington Summer wouldn’t be complete without early-June’s Country Days, which attracts thousands from surrounding towns and counties to its parade, concessions, beer garden, rides, games, myriad bands, talent contest, vendor booths, car shows and other activities geared to fun for the whole family. Be sure to wave to Mr. and Mrs. Country Days, the weekend’s special ambassadors.

Fredericktown Caledonia It might be the smallest town on this list, but Caledonia’s Pumpkin Fest packs

One of the first to kick off the cavalcade of festivals and fairs, the Azalea Festival happens in early May

Ste. Genevieve Recently named a national park, Ste. Genevieve is the last word on the area’s French colonial history. Jour de Fete takes place every August and features several days of concessions, vendors, crafters, a parade, live music, competitions and you’ll want to keep your eyes peeled for figures dressed in colonial costumes. Ste. Genevieve takes its heritage seriously, but they also know how to throw a great party.

As said before, this is not an exhaustive list of all the great fairs, festivals and events each of these towns can offer in a year. Be sure to regularly consult your local media, Chambers of Commerce and local Facebook pages to stay up-todate on additional, unique events. PL June 2021 | ParklandLiving | 41

Arcadia Valley Mountain Music Festivals bring musicians from all over the area.

Events St. Francois County Fair June 24-26 St. Francois County Fairgrounds, Park Hills Park Hills Summer Concert Series: Midnight Special STL June 25 Park Hills Amphitheater, Columbia Park 7 p.m. Free. Bring a lawn chair. No alcohol.

Firecracker Run June 26 Central High School, Park Hills Honey Festival June 26-27 Downtown Ste. Genevieve Demonstrations, tastings, vendors.

Freedom Fest July 2-4 Bismarck Music, parade, vendors fun.

Park Hills Summer Concert Series: Party Pro DJ July 4 Park Hills Sports Complex 6 p.m. Free. Bring a lawn chair. No alcohol.

Fireworks will follow.

Fourth of July Freedom Celebration July 4 Ste. Genevieve Courthouse Square/Pere Marquette Park Noon-10 p.m. Many activities including music and fireworks Fredericktown Optimist Club Fireworks July 4 Rotary Park 6 p.m.

Light Up the Sky July 4 Bonne Terre City Park Free. Fireworks.

Ste. Genevieve County Fair July 8-10 Ste. Genevieve County Fairgrounds

42 | ParklandLiving | June 2021

Park Hills Summer Concert Series: Last Dance (music of Tom Petty) July 30 Park Hills Amphitheater, Columbia Park 7 p.m. Free. Bring a lawn chair. No alcohol.

Park Hills Summer Concert Series: Black Diamond with Shannon Cox Aug. 6 Park Hills Amphitheater, Columbia Park 7 p.m. Free. Bring a lawn chair. No alcohol.

Washington County Fair Aug. 5-7 Washington County Fairgrounds

Jour De Fete Aug. 14-15 Downtown Ste. Genevieve Arts, crafts, exhibits, food and more.

Desloge Labor Day Picnic Sept. 3-6 Desloge City Park Carnival rides, 5K run, food, beer garden, live entertainment Desloge Chamber Labor Day Parade Sept. 6 Desloge Parade Line-up 7-8:15a.m., 9 a.m. Parade Begins Voices of the Past Tour Sept. 11-12 Masonic/Calvary

Caledonia celebrates fall with a familyfriendly pumpkin festival each year.

Farmington’s Blues, Brews & BBQ brings thousands to downtown Farmington in September.

Hefner Furniture Christmas Parade Dec. 2 Leadington and Park Hills Krekeler’s Christmas Parade Dec. 3 Downtown Farmington Activities, parade.

Holiday Christmas Festival/Le Revellion Dec. 4 Downtown Ste. Genevieve Music, parade, pictures with Santa, tree-lighting, food Miracles on Main Street Dec. 4 Fredericktown Jingle Bell Run Dec. 4 Desloge Registration at 8 a.m., race at 9 a.m.

Bicentennial celebration, old-fashioned activities and games.

Bonne Terre Chamber of Commerce Christmas Parade Dec. 6 Downtown Bonne Terre

Déjà vu Spirit Reunion Oct. 23 Memorial Cemetery, Ste. Genevieve 5-8 p.m. Meet the spirits of past Ste. Gen

Kings Ball Feb. 5 Ste. Genevieve VFW Hall

Freakytown Oct. 23 Fredericktown

Moses Austin Heritage Festival is held every June in Potosi.

Cemetery on Henry Street, Farmington Cost TBD. Tour.

Reenactment Farmington Blues, Brews & BBQ Sept. 17-18 Downtown Farmington.

Bring a lawn chair. Music, food, craft beer, kids activities, car show.

Pioneer Days Sept. 25 Marquand Cub-A-Rama Sept. 25 JC/Priest Parks, Fredericktown

Tractor show, parade, vendors.

Madison County Fair Oct. 1-3 Madison County Fairgrounds MABA Bluegrass Festival Oct. 1-2 Leadwood City Park. $5 for adults; free for kids 12 and under. Food, music, kids activities.

Cruisin’ for a cause Oct. 2 Downtown Park Hills Free. Many activities, cruising and car show.

Caledonia Pumpkin Fest Oct. 9 Caledonia Village Park, etc 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Many free activites Night of the Werewolf Oct. 16 Ste. Gen Centre for French Colonial Life and Bolduc House Museum 7-9 p.m.

Family friendly. Storytelling, simulated werewolf hunt, campfire.

Rural Heritage Days Oct. 23 Ste. Gen Felix Valle House State Historic Site

Harvest Night Oct. 29 Downtown Farmington Free. Candy, games, kids activities.

55th Annual Missouri Whitewater Championship March 18-20 Millstream Gardens Conservation Area, Fredericktown

Trunk N Treat Oct. 31 Downtown Park Hills

Azalea Festival First full weekend of May Fredericktown

Pecanapalooza Nov. 6 Downtown Ste. Genevieve Music, crafts, vendors, washers, balloon glow

PRCA Rodeo Memorial Day weekend St. Francois County Fairgrounds

Allee Allumee Nov. 26 The Linden House, 116 S. Main St., Ste. Genevieve 6-8 p.m. Free. Live music, cookies and cocoa, and a visit from Pere Noel.

Shop Small, Business Bingo Nov. 27 Desloge

Farmington Country Days First weekend of June Downtown Farmington MAGMS Rock Swap June 10-12 Missouri Mines State Historic Site Free.

June 2021 | ParklandLiving | 43

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Voted Best of the Parkland in Battery Store and Mobile Device Repair

17 YEARS

FAST & FRIENDLY DRIVE THRU SERVICE

Tobacco, Beer, Liquor & Wine !!

Check Cashing Fax/Copy Service

Family Owned & Operated Serving the Area Since 2004 Your specialist for indoor air quality, heating, ventilation and air conditioning

“Get your Lix Fix!”

FARMINGTON 736 Weber Rd. 747-0330 POTOSI 402 East High St. 436-0881

756-1224

BONNE TERRE 914 Benham 358-4040

koppeisheatingandcooling.com

www.cheapsmokesandloans.com

929 N WASHINGTON,

1123 N DESLOGE DR,

756.5717

327.9110

FARMINGTON

DESLOGE

June 2021 | ParklandLiving | 49

13 YEARS

11 YEARS

• Open before & after work or school • Saturday appointments available • We accept all dental insurance • Full dental services for all ages and needs

501 West Pine Street Farmington, MO 63640

573-756-8888

Dr. Adams • Dr. Messer • Dr. Leong

9 YEARS

Chris G Morrison, Agent

316 W. Columbia Street Farmington, MO 63640

731 W. Main St 573.783.4100 • FTFdental.com

www.chrismorrisonagency.com

www.soundhealthservices.com

8 YEARS

7 YEARS

6 YEARS

Realtor for 15 years!

Centrally Located Just minutes away from Johnson Shut Ins, Mark Twain National Forest, Elephant Rocks and Taum Sauk Mountain.

Bus: 573-756-1900

Float Trips! River Access!

1136B N Desloge Dr.

Meal Plans from the Stray Cat Diner available with your stay!

Desloge, MO 63601 vicky@vickycrocker.com Office: 573.327.8300 Fax: 573.327.8302

573.747.8099

I’ll do the running for you! www.vickycrocker.com

50 | ParklandLiving | June 2021

Hwy 21 & Peola Rd Lesterville, MO

573-637-2050 www.facebook.com/Logcabinsuites

Brian Kohut Owner Phone (573) 747-5135 brian.crsmo@yahoo.com

6 YEARS

5 YEARS Member SIPC

6 YEARS Member SIPC

of the Home !

Knots c Garli

573-756-7999

Allison Douglas-Kennon

Paul Meinsen

306 West Main Street Park Hills, MO 63601 573-431-2220 edwardjones.com/allison douglaskennon

108 West Columbia Farmington, MO 63640 573-756-6711

Financial Advisor

Financial Advisor

edwardjones.com

4 YEARS

edwardjones.com/paul-meinsen edwardjones.com

4 YEARS

Fast, Fresh, & Hot Moved to The Lower Level of the Factory Located off of 2nd Street Farmington

2 YEARS

Member SIPC

502 E. Woodlawn Leadington MO 63601

(573) 327-9948 WHOLESALE SHOP

OPEN TO PUBLIC

Madison Fridley

Financial Advisor 1213 Maple Street P.O. Box 150 Farmington, MO 63640 573-756-9002 edwardjones.com/madison-fridley edwardjones.com

100’s of Premium Juice Brands and Equipment

TEXT TO:

Monday – Thursday 8 am – 8 pm Friday 8 am – 7 pm Saturday 8 am – 4 pm Sunday 1 pm – 5 pm

314-471-5453 6326 Hillsboro Road Bonne Terre “Warning: Products contain nicotine.

Nicotine is an addictive chemical.”

Spa, Tanning and Hair June 2021 | ParklandLiving | 51

Shop Local.

Eat Local.

Support Local.

Read Local.

The Parkland’s Best News Source.

To Subscribe Visit www.dailyjournalonline.com/members/join/ Or Call 573-431-2010

Investing is about more than money.

At Edward Jones, we stop to ask you: “What important to you?” Without a real understanding of your goals, investing holds little meaning.

Call today to discuss what’s really important: your goals.

John L. Brown, AAMS Financial Advisor 1213 Maple Street Farmington, MO 63640 573-756-9002

Madison L. Fridley

Financial Advisor 1213 Maple Street Farmington, MO 63640 573-756-9002 52 | ParklandLiving | June 2021

Paul Meinsen

Financial Advisor 108 West Columbia Farmington, MO 63640 573-756-6711

Allison Douglas-Kennon Financial Advisor 306 West Main Street Park Hills, MO 63601 573-431-2220

edwardjones.com Member SIPC

FINANCING AS LOW AS

0% APR.*

PAYMENTS AS LOW AS $89 MONTH ON SELECT ATVS

Customizing Available!

ROOFS, CABS, DOORS, GUN RACKS *See salesperson for availability. * On select models. **O% APR Financing on select models. All offers and incentives subject to change. Photos for illustration only. Limited time offers, while supplies last! Set-up fee, freight not included. See dealer for details. *PUBLIC ONLY NO DEALERS* All payments and offers with approved credit.

COME SEE US AT ONE OF OUR THREE LOCATIONS 124 Walker Drive HWY 67 South, FARMINGTON

3450 Kanell Blvd Poplar Bluff

2415 US-67 Festus

573-756-7975 573-712-2201 636-330-0042 Hours: Monday - Friday 9 - 6, Saturday 9 - 5, Closed Sunday June 2021 | ParklandLiving | 53

Parkland Living and Giving for over 60 years.

Member FDIC