Accountability, Camaraderie, Health and Friendship for Friends

Liesl Barcus and Kara Mello

By Ann Leach

They are partners at work and partners in health. Friends Liesl Barcus and Kara Mello are stepping up the pace in Carl Junction, where they live with their families and work as family and consumer sciences teachers at the high school.

“I love this town and the people in it,” Barcus said. “I’ve lived here my entire life and have worked in this job for six years. Kara and I realized we had a lot in common when we both signed up for not just one, but two, half marathons.” Thus began early morning runs and some accountability for both women as they worked toward a common goal. Barcus is quick to point out that running has not always been her thing. “I remember I signed up for the mile run on track and field day in the third grade, and I was too scared to back out,” she said. “Little did I know Carl Junction would be hit by a tornado and school was cancelled so no mile for me. My nine-year-old self was relieved!”

In college, Barcus decided she wanted to start running for her physical health. She started out easy and worked up to running 3.1 miles a day. “It felt good to run,” she said. “And I felt confident in my workout regimen.”

The 3.1 miles a day became a constant until Barcus announced to her husband Brad in October 2019 that “I am going to run a marathon in six months.” She worked up to running 19 miles in her training but then came Covid in March 2020. “Long story short, I mapped out a 26.2-mile route through Carl Junction and ran my own marathon. I had some help from friends along the way and from my family, who made homemade signs and a finish line at my mailbox to run through. I won first place!”

Once school resumed, Barcus and Mello began their running friendship. “This is our first year working together, but we became fast friends,” Mello said. “Having Liesl as a running partner and friend has been wonderful. There are a lot of days it would be easy to skip it, but when you have a running buddy for accountability, it makes it a lot easier to get it done; and we are always glad to have pushed through.” Barcus agrees. “We have fun and it’s a great way to get our mental health in check and set us up to be our best. She gets me through the hard runs and encourages me along the way. I couldn’t ask for a better running partner,” she said. “As time goes on, you push yourself to hit milestones and watch yourself progress. We can do hard things. All in all, it brings me joy.”

While morning runs are their favorite, the friends have been spotted running all over town morning or afternoon, whenever they can fit it in. “Sometimes I have to push both kids in the stroller to get it done,” Mello said. “But health and wellness are important to me. I want to feel good and have energy. I have been running for about 12 years and it has been a major benefit for my mental health. It always makes me feel better and makes me feel free. Running with Liesl has made it more fun, and I am thankful for her and the time we spend running together.”

Ghetto Tacos www.ghettotacos417.com • ghettotacos417@gmail.com 417.438.4592

Follow us on Facebook @GhettoTacosShop and @GhettoTacos417

What’s better than one taco from Ghetto Tacos? Two Ghetto Tacos! Our Ghetto Taco Shop in Webb City is open to serve you Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., and of course, our Ghetto Tacos food truck is always around the community. We’re serving up all of your favorites, including our famous tacos available at the taco shop and food truck, and burritos and nachos available at the shop only. Keep an eye out for our specials that include quesabirria tacos and other delicious items. Follow along with us on Facebook to see where the Ghetto Tacos food truck will be, and don’t forget to book us for your summer events.

Community Bank & Trust

101 S. Main St. • Carl Junction, MO 417.439.5440 • www.cbthomebank.com

• Mike Brower-30-plus years of experience helping families purchase homes in Missouri, Kansas and Oklahoma.

• Conventional, FHA, VA, RD and First Time Home Buyers Loans Available

• Mike Brower - NMLS# 612469

• CBT - NMLS# 580491

• Founded June 25, 1884

• Employee owned

• Absolutely free business and personal checking

• Auto and personal loans with same-day service available

Urban Art Gallery

Linda Teeter Owner / Photo Artist

511 S. Main St. • Joplin, MO • 417.438.5931

Urban Art Gallery is a unique gallery known for being “where the unusual is the norm and the norm is the unusual.” Owner and Photographer Linda Teeter showcases full-time local artists along with a feature artist every month from around the area. Located in the heart of downtown Joplin, you’ll find locally made art such as photography, paintings, jewelry, ceramics, fiber art, sculpture and more. Urban Art Gallery is part of First and Third Thursdays March through October. The gallery also offers classes and workshops and can be rented out for small events. Make their place yours!

Webb City Bamboo

209 N. Main • Webb City, MO • 417.673.5100

Follow on Facebook: @bamboowebbcity

Whether you’re in the mood for stir fry, crab Rangoon or the everpopular Springfield-style cashew chicken, Webb City Bamboo is where you want to be! They’ve been serving up your favorites since 1985. Owners Liesl and Brad Barcus have a long history with the business. It’s where they initially met in 2011, then worked and eventually purchased the restaurant in 2017. Webb City Bamboo offers specials each day and invites you to enjoy lunch or dinner next time you’re in the area. Locally owned and proud to be a part of the community.

Driftaway Day Spa

134 South Main • Carl Junction, MO • 417.529.0714

Let us pamper you with a luxury service at Driftaway Day Spa. We offer body massage, face treatments, manicures, waxing and lashes. Summer is here and we want to help you feel and look your best. Let your stress melt away with a facial and massage or get your nails ready with a manicure. Whatever your needs, we are here to help! Located in the heart of Carl Junction, Driftaway Day Spa is proud to be a part of the community. Call us to book your appointment at 417.529.0714.

Always Buying Books

5357 North Main Street • Joplin, MO • 417.781.1720 www.AlwaysBuyingBooks.com • Find us on Facebook!

The team at Always Buying Books can’t wait to help you find just what you’re looking for!

Over the course of 22 years in business, Owner Bob Wolfe and Manager Alyse Foley have built one of the largest inventories in the Midwest. With everything from Classics to Westerns, Always Buying Books is sure to have your favorite genre. We are proud to have been featured on NPR and voted one of “Missouri’s Best Bookstores” by multiple publications many times over. Come see us today! Monday-Friday, 9 am-6 pm; Saturday, 9 am-5 pm. Closed Sunday.

Small Town Barbershop

505 Pennell St. • Carl Junction, MO • 417.439.1329

At Small Town Barbershop, convenience is king. This is a men’s and boy’s barbershop where walk-ins are welcome, and you’ll always leave with a cut you’re happy with. You can trust owner and barber Pete Shephard – he was specially trained in men’s cuts. Small Town Barbershop offers a friendly, comfortable experience, and you’ll love relaxing in the vintage barber chairs, circa late-1930s.

Open Monday, 9 am-5 pm; Tuesday-Friday, 8 am-5 pm; and most Saturdays, 9 am-12 pm.

Joel’s Automotive

1106 Briarbrook Dr., • Carl Junction, MO • 417.649.5015

Joel and his team at Joel’s Automotive have proudly been serving their customers and neighbors in Southwest Missouri since 2014. With over 30 years of mechanical experience, Joel works hard to ensure his customers are taken care of for their automotive needs. Joel’s Automotive services all makes and models. His dependable, knowledgeable team is committed to serving the community. Family owned and operated, let Joel’s Automotive be your onestop shop for all your auto repair needs.

Joplin Floor Designs Joplin Floor Designs celebrated its 30th anniversary in business with a ribbon cutting May 11, which involved the Carl Junction and Joplin chambers of commerce. Duane and Holly Hukill, the owners of Joplin Floor Designs, celebrated with many friends and even family who came from out of town to celebrate. Joplin Floor Designs is located at 2309 East 32nd Street in Joplin, Missouri, and their specialty is all sizes of residential, retail and commercial projects for flooring, kitchens, bathrooms and quartz and granite countertops.

Carl

Junction

Community & Education Awards Banquet

The 22nd Annual Carl Junction Community & Education Awards Banquet, sponsored by 360 Auto Service, was held April 13 at The Cornell Complex in downtown Joplin. Over 200 attendees gathered to celebrate the community by honoring local businesses and organizations. The CJACC announced award winners for Business of the Year, Rookie of the Year, Citizen of the Year and more. The Carl Junction School District honored teachers with special recognition and awards of its own.