MissouriLife Magazine December 2017/January2018

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D I S C O V E R Y

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D E C E M B E R J A N U A R Y

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Give the Gift of Adventure

TH IS IS THE CR OP TH AT FE D TH E COW TH AT MADE THE MILK

that turned to

c h ee s e

.....

Reindeer YOU herd IT HERE FIRST.

DECEMBER 2017 DEC JANUARY 2018 /// $4.99 $4.99 US

WHAT’S YOUR

TOY STORY

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Help Us Raise a Glass to

OUR OLDEST TAVERNS

SHHHH...

THEY ARE A LITTLE SENSITIVE

CHEERS!

(DISPLAY UNTIL JAN. 31)

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The only U.S. venue for this groundbreaking exhibition. Now open.

#PicassoKC | 45th & Oak, Kansas City, MO | Three blocks east of the Plaza | nelson-atkins.org Anthropomorphic Mask, Ivory Coast, Dan culture, before 1966. Wood, 9 7/8 x 6 1/8 x 3 5/16 inches. Musée du quai Branly-Jacques Chirac, Paris.

Inv. 73.1966.3.10. Image © musée du quai Branly-Jacques Chirac. Photo: Claude Germain. | Pablo Picasso, Spanish (1881-1973). Male Bust (study for “Les Demoiselles d’Avignon”), 1907. Oil on canvas, 22 1/16 x 18 5/16 inches. Musée national Picasso Paris, MP14. © 2017 Estate of Pablo Picasso / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York. Image © RMN-Grand Palais / Art Resource, NY. Photo: René-Gabriel Ojéda.

The exhibition was conceived by musée du quai Branly-Jacques Chirac in partnership with Musée national Picasso-Paris and adapted by The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art and The Montreal Museum of Fine Art/Musée des beaux-arts de Montréal.

Major funding provided by Shirley and Barnett C. Helzberg Jr., Hall Family Foundation, Bank of America, Americo Life, Inc., Paul DeBruce and Linda Woodsmall-DeBruce, Donald J. Hall, Muriel McBrien Kauffman Foundation, Marcelo and Jordan Claure/ Sprint, Morton and Estelle Sosland/Sosland Foundation, Don Hall Initiative, Bloch Fund for Special Exhibitions, G. Kenneth and Ann Baum, Bloch Family Foundation, Bill and Christy Gautreaux, Trudy and John Jacobson, Atterbury Family Foundation, Barton P. and Mary D. Cohen Charitable Trust, Dr. Mary Davidson – Trustee, Dick Belger and Evelyn Craft-Belger, Nancy and Rick Green, The Neil D. Karbank Foundation, The Karbank Family Fund, Kent Sunderland, the Committee of 100, and our Honorary Committee.

Presented by

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the highlights

DECEMBER 2017/JANUARY 2018

TABLE OF CONTENTS

F E AT U R E S

Rudolph’s Pals These special reindeer are in high demand this winter. Jeremiah and Kari Scull take their small herd on the road during the holidays. See where you can catch Dasher, Blitzen, and their friends.

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Toy Museums At these three museums, well-loved toys are never abandoned. Delight in your inner child and say hello to the Howdy Doodys, Barbies, and GI Joes of yesteryear.

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Ye Olde Taverns

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IN EVERY ISSUE 17

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Graffiti Goodness

MISSOURIANA

Kansas City’s favorite graffiti artist Donald Ross, better known as Scribe, has transformed the halls of a children’s hospital into colorful cartoon experiences.

DREAM, EXPLORE, AND DISCOVER. Tails wag for The Dog House restaurant, pick up pickleball

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On the Cover

EVAN HENNINGSEN

Audrie Scull pets one of

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A duo drums up laughter

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Meet a jolly old pug in Pupcakes

Brewery treats for your pet, Austrian authenticity at Grünauer

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her family's reindeer.

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A radio DJ delivers country music

They take pairs from

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Catch the cuisine at Catalpa

their herd to holiday

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events around the state.

See page 41 to find out where you can see them.

Say Cheese!

The Hemme family has been farming for more than 150 years. Now, they’ve gone from pasture to plate as they turn their dairy operation into a creamery that produces artisan cheese, curds, and German-influenced quark.

Boone Olive Oil offers more than 50 flavors of oils and vinegars 2 El Monstero performs another Pink Floyd holiday tradition 4

A book for everyone on your list 5 /

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2017

Long before Airbnb, taverns kept Old Western society afloat. Grab a pint and pull up a chair as we tell you the tale of these eight taverns, pubs, and hotels with histories that go back centuries.

The Gift of Experience What’s better than the perfect gift? The perfect experience. We sent writer Matt Crossman to test out three classes and adventure learning sessions that you could give your loved ones.

Plus: There’s more to unwrap in our list of classes around the state. Whether it’s flower arranging or fly-fishing, find the best experience you can give your friends and family.

2018

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ALL AROUND MISSOURI

Contents

CONTENT BY L O C AT I O N

DECEMBER 2017/JANUARY 2018

THIS ISSUE ON THE WEB

61 55

18 22 30 34 46 54 66

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68 10 10 36 10 18 69 50

69

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17 18 32 34 47 58 67 69

24 28

76

21 67

D E PA R T M E N T S

26 53

34

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68

14 20 42

63 68

Sign up for Missouri Lifelines, our free

at Facebook.com/MissouriLife or on Twitter and Instagram @MissouriLife.

THIS HERD SLEIGHS Can’t get enough of the Scull's reindeer herd? Neither can we—so we put more photos online. Even Scrooges can’t resist these ’deer.

MORE CHEESE, PLEASE With recipes such as Hot Beer Curd Cheese Dip and Classic Poutine, find the perfect take-along to your holiday dinner party.

T OY S GAL O R E

At the Toyman Toy Show in St. Charles, toys aren’t anything to play around with. See this massive marketplace eight times a year.

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My Missouri Life: Living History Two Missourians bring history into the present by preserving sites and reenacting Daniel Boone and his biographer.

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Letters When the computer that saved a soup recipe from a previous issue of that magazine gets hit by lightning, we can help you find it again.

Get your spoons ready.

70

Ron Marr’s Musings on Life If it weren’t for Black Friday, Thanksgiving would be the perfect holiday for Ron Marr.

On the other hand, he isn’t as impressed with New Year's Eve. 72

Lorry Myers: No Place Like Home December is a bittersweet time for Lorry’s family. This is the month they lost their patriarch, Lorry’s father, but this year they get to celebrate her daughter’s marriage.

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Cheesy Recipes for Winter With inspiration from the Hemme Brothers Farmstead Creamery, we taste-test sweet and savory recipes that use squeaky cheese curds and tangy quark.

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All Around Missouri: Events and Festivals Brave the cold for these happenings in your community. With 97 events around the state, you'll get your fill of cider, markets, holiday lights, and Mr. Claus himself.

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The Back Story: Land of the Free Fresh from a biking trip through European countries formerly behind the Iron Curtain with Missouri Life readers, publisher Greg Wood reflects on what it means to live in America, the land of the free and the home of the brave.

DENNIS COELLO, EVAN HENNINGSEN, COURTESY TOYMAN TOY SHOW

e-newsletter, and follow us on Facebook

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Holiday Tr easur es from

Fulton Callaway County, Missouri One-of-a-kind Gifts

Affordable Luxury Green Meadow Barn Company lovingly crafts furniture from the wood of historic barns. Art House features art and fine craft from over 100 artists.

Specialty antiques can be found throughout the county, including Apple Wagon Antique Mall and the 3-story Rock Garden Antique Barn.

Savor Foodies rejoice! Central Missouri Meat and Sausage provides local, high-quality meats and sausages. The gift of wine from Serenity Valley or Canterbury Hill is always in good taste. Be sure to check out our local coffee shops, bakeries, bars and restaurants that specialize in everything from Brooklyn-style pizza to BBQ , Cajun to Cuban, fine seafood to fried chicken.

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Smockingbird's and Olive & Grace have fun apparel and accessories. Re-Made for a Purpose offers upcycled creations. Browse the gift section at Saults Drug, while enjoying a treat from the 1940 soda fountain. The rich smell of leather fills the air at RCW Gifts & Tack. Crane's Country Store features Carhartt and other outdoor gear.

Getting Crafty in Callaway Scrapbookers, crafters and quilters find inspiration at Fab Station, 1Canoe2 Paperie, Soul Sentiments and Rooster Creek Quilting Company. Spinners and knitters admire the fine fiber and yarn from Alpacas d'Auxvasse.

Fashionable Finds

Callaway Getaway Plan your Callaway Getaway! Explore worththe-drive restaurants, hotels and great B&Bs. Gray Ghosts Trail Inn is a comfortable, rural farmhouse in Williamsburg, MO. Loganberry Inn is a lovely Victorian home, just a few blocks from the National Churchill Museum and Fulton's historic Brick District.

Enjoy Christmas in Callaway County and explore new holiday traditions at VisitFulton.com or on Facebook @visitfultonmo. info@visitfulton.com 573-642-7692

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THE SPIRIT OF DISCOVERY

501 High Street, Ste. A, Boonville, MO 65233 660-882-9898 | Info@MissouriLife.com MissouriLife.com PUBLISHER Greg Wood EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Danita Allen Wood

Customer Care & FAQs

Here are answers to many frequently asked questions.

Where is your office? 501 High Street, Boonville, in a back wing of the Hotel Frederick. Come see all our past covers in our hallway.

When will the person I give a gift to get the gift announcement card? Within one to three weeks except for Christmas cards, which mail in early December.

What is your frequency? Eight issues a year: February/March, April, May, June/July, August, September, October/November, and December/January.

Where can I find Missouri Life on a newsstand? Check out the list at MissouriLife.com/newsstand-locator.

When will I get my first issue? From one to six weeks after you order the magazine, depending on where we are in our magazine production and mailing cycle.

How do I change my address?

Visit MissouriLife.com or call us at 1-800-492-2593.

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Your payment arrived while our next notice was wending its way to you. Call 1-800-492-2593 if you have questions.

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What is my account number? The first number on the second line of your label.

How do I order a gift? Visit our website MissouriLife.com, send an order card in this issue, or call 1-800-492-2593.

PROUD MEMBERS

Can I hand-deliver the gift announcement card or mail it myself? Yes! Just note that on the gift order card, in special instructions if you order online, or let us know when you call to order.

Why am I getting a digital issue of the magazine when I paid for print? We send a digital issue out to you for a preview of what the print issue contains. It might have extra features such as audio clips, extra photo galleries, and more.

Can I sign up for automatic renewal?

Yes! Visit MissouriLife.com to select this service.

Can I get renewal notices by email?

Yes! Visit MissouriLife.com to share your email, which we will never sell or share.

How do I submit an event to be published in your calendar? Please send your information to info@MissouriLife .com or call 660-882-9898, ext. 101.

How do I submit a letter to the editor?

Please send your comments to Laura@ MissouriLife.com.

Can I give you story ideas? Yes, send them to Laura@MissouriLife.com.

How do I get a back issue? Call tollfree 1-877-570-9898. They cost $7.50 because of the special mailing, so please have a credit card handy.

Tell us what you think. Share your customer service experience by emailing Danita@MissouriLife.com. We care!

MISSOURI LIFE, Vol. 44, No. 8, December 2017 (USPS#020181; ISSN#1525-0814) Published eight times a year in February, April, May, June, August, September, October, and December by Missouri Life, Inc., for $21.99. Periodicals Postage paid at Boonville, Missouri, and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Missouri Life, PO Box 433330, Palm Coast, FL 32143. © 2017 Missouri Life. All rights reserved. Printed by The Ovid Bell Press Inc. in Fulton, Missouri.

CREATIVE DIRECTOR Andrew Barton ART DIRECTOR Tom Sullivan GRAPHIC DESIGNER Kath Teoli /// CONTRIBUTING WRITERS /// Traci Angel, Danielle Breshears, Amy Burger, Pamela Clifton, Debbie Coleman-Topi, Matt Crossman, Douglas Gladstone, Evan Henningsen, Cynthia Hulé, Julie Brown Patton, Martin W. Schwartz, Susan Atteberry Smith Columnists Ron W. Marr & Lorry Myers /// CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS /// Traci Angel, Dennis Coello, Pamela Clifton, Evan Henningsen, Mark Moore

MARKETING 877-570-9898

ADVERTISING & MARKETING REPRESENTATIVE, KANSAS CITY Mary Leonard, 816-868-7498 ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVE, LAKE OF THE OZARKS Bob Schwartz, 314-650-5767 ADVERTISING & MARKETING COORDINATOR Jolene Metzen, 660-882-9898, ext. 206 CIRCULATION MANAGEMENT Russell Marth, Circulation Specialists, LLC

DIGITAL MEDIA MISSOURILIFE.COM, FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, TWITTER Evan Wood MISSOURI LIFELINES, DIGITAL EDITION Kath Teoli

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All of us here at Missouri Life want to deliver excellent customer service to you.

EDITORIAL & ART MANAGING EDITOR Laura Heck COPY EDITOR Kathy Casteel CALENDAR EDITOR Amy Stapleton EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Meghan Lally

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Thousand Hills State Park Jamesport La Plata

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From the Missouri River in the west to the Mississippi River in the east, you’ll find so much excitement in this new discovery tour across northern Missouri, crafted in partnership with the tour experts at Country Travel Discoveries and Missouri Life magazine. Experience such scenic highlights as Thousand Hills State Park and historic river towns including Weston, St. Joseph, and, of course, Hannibal, the boyhood home of Mark Twain. Visit Jamesport, the largest Amish settlement west of the Mississippi; see stops commemorating native sons Walter Cronkite and Walt Disney; tour the nostalgic Truman Presidential Library, an orchard, and a Clydesdale ranch; and much more.

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MY MISSOURI LIFE

Living the History I first met Daniel Boone and his biogra-

Boone Home Association of that time if

pher John Filson—or Barney Combs and

he could represent them, too. Bob suc-

Robert Pecoraro—back in 2008 while

cessfully persuaded the owner to allow

searching for reenactors of famous

time to carefully take apart the home

Missouri people for a festival we host-

rather than demolish it.

ed. These gracious men are from Arnold I

DANITA ALLEN WOOD EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

found

Bob’s

performance

ters and numbers corresponding to blueof

prints to show orientation for each log

John Filson every bit as fascinating as

they took out. When the guys saw they

Barney’s of Boone. Bob portrays Filson

might not finish in 90 days, Bob asked for

superbly, capturing the flowery lan-

two more weeks. The owner was so im-

guage and elegant manners of the time.

pressed, he told Bob to take a month, but

I was delighted when I learned that

they finished in 104 days.

Governor Eric Greitens had honored

Bob praises Barney: “He really car-

them individually with special procla-

ried the water on this project. I couldn’t

mations celebrating their years of vol-

be there every day—I showed up on

Barney sums up well the real rewards

unteering at The Historic Daniel Boone

weekends and evenings when I could—

of reenacting Boone and Filson. “It’s the

Home at Defiance, as well as preserving

but Barney was there every day.”

children,” he says. “It’s really teaching.

two key buildings that were successfully

Robert Pecoraro

Barney Combs

So began a collaboration between

The teaching opportunity might inspire

the two men that has spanned three

them to read and learn more. We can’t

As the proclamations recognized,

decades. After they had safely stowed

change history, but we can learn from it.”

Bob and Barney’s story started back in

the logs for future reassembly, they

Meet Daniel Boone and his biogra-

1987, when they both belonged to the

switched from Civil War reenacting to re-

pher at the Boone Home December 1, 2,

Jefferson Barracks Historical Civil War

enacting the home’s owner, Zephaniah

8, and 9 at candlelight tours beginning

Association and learned that the historic

Sappington, and one of his younger

at 6 pm. Call 636-798-2005 to reserve

pioneer home known as the Sappington/

brothers, Resin. Zephaniah came to the

tickets. Or meet them at the Best of

Dressel House was slated for demolition.

Louisiana Territory in 1804 and built the

Missouri Life Market Fair April 28 and 29

Bob asked Barney, who was president,

two-story house in two stages.

at Powell Gardens.

moved to the site.

if Bob could attempt to get it preserved

They began reenacting Boone and

If you need proof that one person—

as an official project of the association.

Filson after the log home was rebuilt at

okay, maybe two—can make a differ-

Then he also asked The Historic Daniel

The Historic Daniel Boone Home site.

ence, Bob and Barney are it!

What’s Happening Here: Magazine of the Year

FROM OUR MISSOURI LIFE TEAM The first year of my full-time employment as graphic designer at Missouri Life has been a year of growth for me. Working for this publication has allowed me to truly embrace the “spirit of discovery” in every aspect of my life.

I’ve explored not just my field, but also the “real world” of post-grad life. A large part of that has come from becoming an active member in my community and learning more about the place where I live. As this year draws to a close, I urge you to take time to reflect on what you’ve explored this year and how you’ve grown. Happy New Year!—Kath Teoli

For the third year in a row, Missouri Life brought home the coveted Magazine of the Year award from the annual conference of the International Regional Magazine Association. We also earned a gold award for Up All Night by Greg Bowers about the jazz scene in Kansas City (June 2016) and a Silver for A Stagecoach Comes Home for photography by Dennis Crider (August 2016). One of our favorites, Notley Hawkins, earned a Bronze for Photographer of the Year.

COURTESY ROBERT PECORARO, KATH TEOLI

and Cottleville, respectively.

They attached aluminum tags with let-

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100 ISLE OF CAPRI BLVD. • BOONVILLE, MO 65233 855-716-7083 • WWW.ISLEOFCAPRIBOONVILLE.COM © 2017 ELDORADO RESORTS, INC. Isle of Capri is a registered trademark of ELDORADO RESORTS, INC. Must be 21 or older. Not valid for persons on the Missouri Disassociated Persons List or persons excluded from Eldorado Resorts properties. Bet with your head, not over it. Gambling problem? Call 1-888-BETS-OFF or e-mail freehelp@888betsoff.org.

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DECEMBER 2017/JANUARY 2018

LETTERS from al l over

YOU WRITE THEM. WE PRINT THEM.

LIVIN’ LARGE Thank you for all the nice pictures of the “World’s Largest Pecan” (June/July 2015 issue) that my family built and showcased for so many years in Brunswick at our farm. I thought you might enjoy

the recipe is gone from my computer, as is my hard drive. I have

having a postcard. Since we sold the farm in 2012, we are happy

a new hard drive but I’ve been looking for this recipe and can’t

that many people see the pecan in town!

find it anywhere. My garden is filled with soup-making tomatoes,

Betty Knight, Brunswick

and I am desperate to get that recipe.

I looked on your website, I googled it, I looked through my

REST STOP IN PEACE

sent file to find anyone I’d sent it to. I’m a desperate housewife.

(In response to the October 2017 article on roadside parks—

I’m sorry to bother you with this, but that recipe is that good.

Editor) We drive around the state a lot. A lot of rest areas are

Generations in my family will eat that soup. My children thank

no longer available, either. We are guessing that people stop at

you, my friends thank you, my unborn grandchildren thank you,

fast-food restaurants and convenience stores rather than pack-

and so on, and so on!

ing their own food. Plus, without toilets, it makes sense to stop

Debbie Platke, Chesterfield

at the above. Other states have rather elaborate rest areas so not sure why Missouri seems to be an exception, except for the

Rest assured, Debbie has the recipe now. If your copy of the

ones near Branson.

magazine ever suffers from tears, loss, spills, or lightning, we offer

Georgia Zimmerman, via Facebook

a free digital copy at Issuu.com/MissouriLifeMagazine.—Editor

HOMETOWN HEROINE

LOVE LEROY

The September 2017 issue is excellent. I have just finished read-

Just a quick note to thank you for the great article on Leroy Van

ing several books on the TV series Gunsmoke, and the article

Dyke (August 2016 issue). He is a great person and puts on one

on Jacqueline Scott was a treat.

class act every time you get to see his shows, no matter where

town of Jackson. Every time Ms. Scott made an appearance on

he is—the State Fair, Silver Dollar City, etc.

When we lived in Sedalia, our house was on the street named

a television show, it was a big deal in our town.

in his honor! I work at Walmart, and when he would come in when

Lawrence Nothdurft, Jefferson City

I was in Sedalia, he was always so nice and always smiling.

I remember a couple of years ago, he was performing at

LIGHTNING IN A BOWL

Silver Dollar City. It was hot outside. He and the band, including

I tried your published recipe for Cream of Tomato and Fennel

his son, were so good, dressed to a tee. At the end of the show,

Soup (August 2017 issue), and loved it. I copied it to my com-

he said, “Let me be the first to wish you a Merry Christmas!”

puter, and two weeks ago, my house was hit by lightning, and

Kelly Hand, Rolla

COURTESY BETTY KNIGHT

Her aunt and uncle, John and Lucille Cox, lived in my home-

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MISSOURIANA

“The truth is, the person who receives gets the thing, but the person who gives gets the bigger blessing—your heart expands. If you do that, I promise you, you will never be the same.”

A G U I D E T O W H AT YO U ’ L L F I N D I N T H I S S E C T I O N

—MAYA ANGELOU

AU T H O R , P O E T, A N D ACT IV IST B O R N IN ST. LO U IS

december january

DEATHTOTHESTOCK.COM

2017

2018

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ART p.30 BOOKS p.21, p.34 DINING p.18, p.22, p.26, p.28 FUN p.18 MADE IN MISSOURI p.22 MUSIC p.24, p.32 STAGE p.20

2018

10/27/17 1:39 PM

MISSOURIANA

DINING

A Dog House You’ll Want to Visit DE SOTO

Nestled in an old bakery in downtown De Soto, the mom-and-pop

-

-

—Pamela Clifton 605 South Second Street 636-337-6363 On Facebook: Dog House

Get Your Pickle On It took about a decade for pickleball

game has been embraced by casual

to sweep Missouri. With more than

players and serious competitors.

100 locations developed since 2010,

The small court size and easy-to-

Missouri might just have the fastest-

grasp rules make it appealing for a

growing pickleball community in the

wide variety of people, from kids to

country. The sport has become so

middle-aged folks to centenarians

popular that a Kansas City restaurant

(seriously—there

called Chicken N Pickle opened four

brackets for people older than 100).

indoor and four outdoor courts to

“It’s a social sport,” says St. Louisan

complement the kitchen and bar.

Cindy Butler, the USA Pickleball Association’s

(USAPA)

tournament

Missouri

of one of the families who invented

ambassador. “Pickleball people are

the game in 1965—is a hybrid of

the nicest people.”

tennis, Ping-Pong, and badminton.

To find a court or people to

It’s played both indoors and outdoors

partner with, go to USAPA.org and

on courts that resemble mini tennis

click on “place to play.” There’s also

courts. With only a few supplies

contact information for your area’s

necessary—paddles, a plastic ball, a

ambassador, who can help you get the

court, and a couple of friends—the

ball rolling—or dinking.—Laura Heck

PAMELA CLIFTON, COURTESY CINDY BUTLER

Pickleball—named after the dog

are

FUN

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Chamber of Commerce Annual Christmas Parade Downtown Historic Sedalia - December 2

National Federation Professional Bull Riders December 1 & 2 SFCC Holiday Craft Show December 2

VisitSedaliaMO.com 800-827-5295

Holiday fun begins in

Motorcycle Motorcycle Show Show February February 3, 3, 2018 2018

a l l o R

www.VisitRolla.com

a nt a S h t i 2 st W er a f b k m B re a D e c e a r kt M l t k i n dm b e r 2 s i r h C De ce l o 5rK8 G o S n ce m be De

1 9 / DECEMBER 2 017 /JANUARY 2 018

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MISSOURIANA

S TA G E

Marching to Their Own Beat

was inducted into his alma mater’s

Center seems a strange venue for

Athletic Hall of Fame in 2014.

STORY Douglas Gladstone

an unconventional percussion act.

Their paths merged at the Dixie

Instead of drums, the performers use

Stampede in Branson. Gareth, who

propane tanks, buckets, stepladders,

was a comedian there, became

from whatever is going on in their

hard hats, squeaky toys, guitars,

friends with Matt, who was working

world,” Gareth says.

ukuleles, and tap dance boards. But

as a trick rider. The two paired up

Gareth

the Kansas City Symphony didn’t

and eventually became the principal

legitimate

seem to mind.

street act at Branson Landing.

audience. “When a parent comes

values

the

connection

group’s with

the

“It was the coolest gig we’ve had

After leaving their jobs at the

up to us and says, ‘My kids saw you

yet,” says Gareth Sever, who formed

dinner theater, they debuted their

perform, and it inspired them to

the comedy duo Buckets N Boards

act at the Clay Cooper Theater in

become musicians,’ that makes our

12 years ago with his partner, Matt

Branson. They’ve gone on to perform

day,” he adds.

Levingston.

on stages around the country, and

They are an unlikely duo, but their combined talents make for a dynamic show. Gareth used to wait

Buckets

Starlite

regularly

acts on major cruise lines.

on West Highway 76 in Branson

comedy

the

Boards

appears

Improvisational

at

N

they’ve been the featured headline

Theatre

and

every March during spring break

tables in New York City, hoping for his

audience participation is key to the

and all summer long, June through

break on Broadway. Matt, who was

act’s success, they say. “For two

August. For more details about

a five-time All-American decathlete

hours, we’re trying our best to make

the duo’s upcoming shows, visit

at William Jewel College in Liberty,

people laugh so they can escape

BucketsNBoards.com.

COURTESY BUCKETS N BOARDS

Performing at the elegant Kauffman

A BRANSON PERFORMING DUO KEEPS AUDIENCES LAUGHING W I T H C O M E D Y, M U S I C , A N D AT H L E T I C F E AT S .

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MISSOURIANA

.

ME

B Before long, Brydie discovers that she can put her talents as a baker to use making her newfound human and dog friends happy, thus the creation of Pupcakes bakery. Brydie learns the values of community and family—the ones you choose and the ones you are born with. The story is wrapped up in the cozy bow of the approaching holidays.

If you love strong, Southern women in your novels, Pupcakes is a must read. The author, who’s from the Ozarks, says a lot of the characters are based loosely on people she knows from West Plains, where she lives with her son, husband, and three rescued dogs.

Even Teddy’s charmingly curmudgeon personality is based on reality.

She says the inspiration for Teddy

PUPCAKES Annie England Noblin, 384 pages, fiction, William Morrow, hardcover, $25.99

Joy to the Pugs C E L E B R AT E T H E S E A S O N WITH A CHRISTMAS NOVEL FOR DOG AND PA S T R Y LO V E R S .

COURTESY WILLIAM MORROW

REVIEW Amy Stapleton

she helped a friend adopt. But she

Even the grumpiest Grinch can’t re-

based his scene-stealing person-

sist this charming tale of pugs, cakes,

ality on her own father, with whom

and the holidays. Pupcakes follows

she says Teddy bears more than a

the adventures of an elderly, chubby

passing resemblance.

pug named Teddy Roosevelt and his new caretaker, Brydie.

As with her previous works, Sit! Stay! Speak! and Just Fine with Car-

Annie England Noblin’s third nov-

oline, Annie explores the relationship

el brings together a displaced pastry

between humans and dogs in her writ-

chef, an old house full of secrets, a

ing. As someone actively involved in

cute and single doctor, homemade

animal rights and rescue in the West

dog treats, and, of course, Teddy the

Plains area, she has a deep connec-

pug. The story kicks off in the Mem-

tion with dogs and animals. It comes

phis Germantown suburb as recently

through in her emotive storytelling.

divorced Brydie attempts to get her

“I’ve been through a lot emotion-

life back together. She finds herself

ally in my life, and I feel like my dogs

taking on a house- and pug-sitting

have been there for me,” she says.

job for an elderly resident, Pauline

“Dogs have an incredible ability to

Newman, and, to pay the bills, she

empathize and feel the emotion of a

works the night shift at a big-box

person. Readers learn that dogs can

store bakery.

heal your soul.”

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came from an abandoned, older pug

2017

2018

10/26/17 8:28 PM

MISSOURIANA

Opened in 2013 by Crystal Wiebe,

Brewing Up Goodies

Beer Paws started with the simple idea to create a bottle opener on a dog collar. Four years later, the company now sells treats and gear for mankind’s best friends.

Beer Paws treats don’t have alcohol in them, but they’re baked

LO O K I N G F O R A W A Y T O SHARE HAPPY HOUR WITH YOUR PUP? BOND OVER B E E R - F L A V O R E D T R E AT S A N D B E E R - F R I E N D LY D O G G E A R FROM BEER PAWS. SS IN MI MADE

with spent grains from breweries.

The grains come from more than 50 commercial breweries, including Kansas City original Boulevard Brewing

OURI

Company.

The

treats

contributes 10 percent of its profits

come in flavors such as peanut

to local shelters, rescue agencies,

butter, pumpkin, and beet and mint.

and animal welfare groups.

There’s also a nonalcoholic brew for pups to slurp.

DINING

The Beer Paws team attends events each weekend. Products

“As a crazy dog lady and craft

are sold in St. Louis, Columbia,

beer lover, it’s nice to bring the two

Springfield, and Kansas City stores.

worlds together in a fun, healthy

Visit BeerPaws.com to find stores

way,” Crystal says. Beer Paws

and events.—Danielle Breshears

Authentically Austrian KANSAS CITY

Experience has taught siblings

wishing to reminisce about their

a nonalcoholic option the siblings

Nicholas and Elisabeth Grünauer

time in Europe, whether as vaca-

remember savoring while visiting

that each plate at their Austrian-

tioners or residents.

family as children: an herbal al-

restaurant

Grünauer

The brother and sister fol-

must be infused with authentic-

lowed a path to restaurant own-

Menu items take inspiration

ity and nostalgia. After all, their

ership that was initiated by their

from European dishes. Favorites

grandparents, who opened the

include

Vienna during the 1950s.

Schnitzel.

The American duo collabo-

pine soda.

The

Hungarian

1880s historic

Goulash,

Freight

rates with their Austrian cousin,

House building that houses the

who inherited the grandparents’

restaurant adds an air of European

Vienna venue, to make sure the

elegance that helps to establish Old World charm.—Debbie

true. That collaboration accounts

Coleman-Topi

for European-made fare, includ-

101 West 22nd Street

ing wine and spirits. There’s even

816-283-3234 • GrunauerKC.com

COURTESY BEER PAWS, GRÜNAEUR

German

22 / MISSOURI LIFE

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Explore Warrensburg!

Visit Warrensburg this holiday season and discover the perfect weekend getaway.

COME • SIT • STAY VisitWarrensburg.com 2 3 / DECEMBER 2 017 /JANUARY 2 018

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MISSOURIANA

MISSOURI MUSIC

on the radio

TRADITIONAL COUNTRY HAS A HOME I N C O LU M B I A W I T H W O O D Y A D K I N S .

STORY Evan Wood

show, which aired Sundays from mid-

don’t have a lot of options on the

night to 3 AM, in 2000. He gained a

airwaves these days. Missourians

loyal following of listeners all around

in search of classic sounds like The

the United States and abroad.

Carter Family and newer acts such as

In 2009, Woody began hosting his

Dale Watson, who carry forward the

current show, The Real Deal Country

old way of doing things, can tune their

Show, on Monday afternoons from 3

dials to Woody Adkins’s The Real Deal

to 5 PM. Woody plays classic and tra-

Country Show on 89.5 KOPN-FM.

ditional country artists ranging from

Woody grew up outside Kirksville

Jimmie Rodgers to Waylon Jennings,

on a farm idolizing radio personalities

as well as Ameripolitan, which fo-

such as Marvin McClanahan and Jerry

cuses on current artists recording

Minshall, whom he heard on the local

honky-tonk, western swing, rockabil-

station KIRX. “As a kid, I would set up

ly, and outlaw. A few contemporary

a record player and a cassette player

Missourians routinely make it into

and play radio in the middle of the liv-

Woody’s playlists, such as The Band

ing room floor and dream of being a

Walenia or Leona Williams.

disc jockey someday,” he says.

In March, Woody received the

Woody remembers attending gos-

2016 Academy of Western Artists DJ

pel concerts as a child, and he always

of the Year. Woody has been nomi-

enjoyed songs with tinges of country

nated for Best DJ at the Ameripolitan

the best. “When I got my heart broken

Music Awards every year since they

for the first time, that was kind of the

began in 2014. He’ll attend the awards

deal-sealer that I would always love

in Memphis this coming February and

sad country songs,” he says.

see if he takes home the prize.

For the last 17 years, Woody has

For more into, visit The Real Deal

hosted country music programs on

Country Show Facebook page or

KOPN. He began his Midnight Country

TheRealDealCountryShow.org.

EVAN WOOD

The Real Deal

Fans of traditional country music

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Wine Country Getaways Vintage Charm

IN

Timeless Beauty

MISSOURI’S MOST BEAUTIFUL TOWN Kristkindl Markts

Traditional Holiday Markets First Two Weekends of December

Chocolate Wine Trail

The Perfect Valentine’s Getaway Third Weekend of February

Wurstfest

Showcasing the Best of the Wurst Fourth Weekend of March 2018

800.932.8687 | VisitHermann.com Wineries • B&Bs • historic district • daily amtrak stops

2 5 / DECEMBER 2 017 /JANUARY 2 018

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10/24/17 10:14 AM

MISSOURIANA

DINING

Fine Dining

at the Mouth of the Santa Fe Trail ARROW ROCK Irresistibly quaint meals emerge from the kitchen of Catalpa, a distinctive eatery in the irresistibly quaint village of Arrow Rock in the western reaches of central Missouri.

“Our menu is eclectic and varies by seasons,” says ever possible, and our beef, veal, chicken, and prawns come from Missouri family farms.”

The petite, red-brick building contains eight dining tables and one kitchen-based chef’s table. The restaurant’s tables are full throughout the Arrow Rock course Charles Dickens dinner to pair with the theater’s holiday run of A Christmas Carol December 13–23.

On the menu: lobster bisque; roasted apples; venison beggar’s purse with wild lingonberry sauce; smoked goose breast with maple sweet potatoes and candied Catalpa is open by reservation every Friday and Sundays during theater season). The restaurant is closed in January. at the restaurant. She has been known to conduct prihouses, all while wearing a ball gown and feather boa!

—Julie Brown Patton 510 High Street • 660-837-3324 CatalpaRestaurant.com

COURTESY CATALPA

vate, 10-course, customized dinner parties at people’s

26 / MISSOURI LIFE

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10/26/17 5:27 PM

CELEBRATING ALL SEASONS IN SALEM, MISSOURI

• • • • • • • •

Winter Paddle Clinic Christmas Parade of Lights Cookie Walk Trees & Trains Exhibit Christmas Fest Victorian Musical Christmas First Day Float And so much more!

Join fellow artists and artisans at Missouri's only statewide conference designed to help you fulfill your career goals as an artist.

Save the Date!

ArtSmart 2.0 in Columbia April 13-14, 2018 Stoney Creek Hotel & Conference Center For more information go to www.bestofmissourihands.org

Ignite your Creative Passion with the Best of Missouri Hands!

Photos courtesy of the Salem News Facebook.com/SalemAreaChamber Twitter.com/SalemChamber573

2 7 / DECEMBER 2 017 /JANUARY 2 018

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MISSOURIANA

liquid gold COLUMBIA

Ever since four sons opened a

must be picked while they’re still

gourmet olive oil shop, family din-

green and cold-pressed at no

ners in Missouri just taste better.

warmer than 69 degrees within

The Murad,

Mohammad Munir,

brothers—

Mekram,

four hours of being plucked from

and

the branch. “Nothing else is done

Mustafa—opened Boone Olive Oil

to the olive oil after that,” Munir

Company in April 2014. “Murad

says, save for occasionally infus-

got the idea, and he was so pas-

-

sionate about it,” Munir says. “We

vored oils. The oils are sent to a lab

really liked olive oil, and the more

in Australia for quality checks and

we got into it, the more we real-

chemical analysis.

ized that what we buy from the

The oils and vinegars are

grocery store wasn’t the best qual-

sourced from places around the

ity or taste.”

world, such as California, Spain, Italy,

and

France.

Every

six

50 olive oils, infused oils, gourmet

months, the company alternates

oils, and balsamic vinegars, each

shipments from the Northern and

of which customers can taste-

Southern Hemispheres to main-

test at the Columbia storefront or

tain a steady, fresh supply.

order at BooneOliveOil.com. Local favorites include Tuscan herb,

each of the Mohammad brothers

traditional balsamic that’s been

plays a role—even their parents

aged 18 years, and ultra-premium

get involved. “They love to cook, so

extra-virgin olive oils.

they love it,” Munir says. “They’re

Ultra-premium olive oils must meet strict standards. The olives

proud of the olive oil because it tastes so good.”—Laura Heck

COURTESY BOONE OLIVE OIL COMPANY

DINING

28 / MISSOURI LIFE

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10/27/17 2:34 PM

Pl an Your Geta wa y! anon!

So much to see and do in Leb

2017 Arctic Cat Nitro Arena Cross December 29-30 Cowan Civic Center Antique Tractor Pull January 5-6, 2018 Cowan Civic Center Demo Derby January 13-14, 2018 Cowan Civic Center Go Kart Races January 19-20, 2018 Cowan Civic Center

Lebanon is known by its motto, “Friendly people.

Friendly place.” These events are only part of the fun we have to offer.

the gift for Missouri dog lovers a book for all ages

Best of Missouri Life Market Fair at Powell Gardens April 28-29, 2018

Join us at the beautiful Powell Gardens for a festival featuring Missouri-made products you can buy straight from the artists and producers. Peruse dozens of booths with everything from artisan products to good eats right off the farm. Enjoy lots of food, wine, and craft beer sampling, as well as a splash of Missouri moonshine. Throughout the park, listen to live music and meet famous Missourians—keep an eye out for Mark Twain!

Available at your local Missouri bookstores & online at Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com, and indiebound.org

Tickets are available at PowellGardens.org.

Booths are available at MissouriLife.com/market-festival.

2 9 / DECEMBER 2 017 /JANUARY 2 018 JimtheWonderDog adv DEC issue 2017.indd 1

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MISSOURIANA

T

The Healing Arts MURALIST AND ARTIST SCRIBE LEAVES HIS MARK ON C H I L D R E N ’ S M E R C Y H O S P I TA L A N D K A N S A S C I T Y. STORY Traci Angel

DONALD ROSS

Artist Donald Ross, better known

One crisp morning, Scribe heads

as Scribe, remembers when people

outside Children’s Mercy’s main cam-

used to yell at him when he was paint-

pus in midtown Kansas City to check

ing murals. “I would be working and

on a project. After a coat of bluish

they would yell at me, ‘What are you

background, he intends to spray paint

doing?’” he recalls.

a scene that will become one of his sig-

In those days, Scribe’s artwork was

nature cartoonish images. His animal

not of the legal variety. Police posted

characters are often seen in multiple lo-

flyers asking for information on him

cations throughout the hospital so that

and his graffitist cohorts. He even got

patients will connect to the characters

three years’ probation for graffiti years

and perhaps feel more at home.

ago, when Kansas City attempted to crack down on street art.

Scribe, who is working on several projects at the hospital at once, ar-

Now, the city has embraced such

rives at 4 AM. The hallway where the

urban décor, and Scribe makes his

latest project lives is full of colorful ter-

living creating the graffiti-style art that

razzo tiles, vibrant-hued walls, and TV

used to get him in trouble. As the artist-

screens dropping from the ceiling. It’s

in-residence at Children’s Mercy hospi-

more like a children’s museum rather

tal in midtown Kansas City, he creates

than a place where sick children go for

whimsical, out-of-this-world experienc-

treatment. He’s even overhauled the

es for children and their families. On

Critical Care Transport helicopter and

the city streets, building owners com-

the hospital’s ambulances with playful

mission him to create murals that can

cartoons.

stretch a passerby’s imagination.

His process now is different from

TRACI ANGEL, COURTESY DONALD ROSS

AR

30 / MISSOURI LIFE

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MISSOURIANA

his early murals, when he used to

a following and has inspired muralists

carry ladders and salvaged half-

across Kansas City, many of whom

empty cans of paint to his location.

have artwork on display in Westport

Now there’s a lot of planning involved.

and the Crossroads Arts District. He

First, Scribe outlines the charac-

says that early graffiti community of

ters and theme of the project. Then, he

street artists helped normalize murals

uses a computer to draw it digitally. He

on buildings as an art form. “Now per-

prints the drawings and affixes them to

haps a younger generation can refine

the walls. “You still get the feel of it be-

the craft,” he says.

ing painted but if you need to fix a pan-

For his younger—and young-at-

el, all you have to do is reprint,” he says.

heart—audience at Children’s Mercy,

As a child, he says, he often drew

Scribe’s images brighten perhaps an

animals. He had a brush with formal

otherwise painful or scary day. As vis-

education through the Kansas City

itors enter through the doors, they im-

Art Institute, but he says he didn’t get

mediately come in contact with Scribe’s

along with school officials and ended

artistic touches, even if it is just colorful

up leaving.

wheels of the little ones’ wagons rolling

Since then, Scribe has had a grass-

across the terrazzo to an appointment.

View more of Donald Ross’s work roots career, with his work first gaining raphael-mo-life-1217_raphael-mo-life-1217 10/11/17 10:44 AM Page 1 at ScribesWalk.com. notoriety on the streets. He’s gained

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Relive the 1800s as a civilian, soldier, cowboy, mountain man, and more! Our local seamstresses and tailors use historically accurate patterns and fabrics that transport you back to western Missouri and eastern Kansas in the 19th century. Visit our store to try on outfits and live the history!

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raphaelkc.com 31 /

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2017

2018

10/27/17 2:35 PM

MISSOURIANA

MISSOURI MUSIC

Floyd on December 21, 22, 23, 28, 29, and 30. Each year, the band adds a few new surprises and songs for returning fans, while re-creating Pink Floyd masterpieces from albums such as The Wall, Dark Side of the Moon, and Animals, among others.

“I always like playing the old weird ones that nobody else likes,” jokes guitarist Jimmy Griffin. “But also the whole Dark Side record—having that so ingrained in several generations that come to see the band—that’s always a pretty emotional exchange between the band and the audience.” on vocal duties since El Monstero’s first

performance

at

Mississippi

As temperatures drop and the halls

Nights in 1999. He has watched the

are decked, Missouri music fans look

show and the band evolve each year

forward to the return of one of their

since. “This started on a shoestring

most beloved holiday traditions. It’s

budget, flying by the seat of our

not the man in the big red suit, but

pants, and it’s just evolved over the

rather the epic local Pink Floyd tribute

years to where we are now, which is

super group known as El Monstero.

a really slick show,” he says.

Now in its 19th year, what began

Many fans make El Monstero a

as a side project of practicing

regular part of their annual holiday

covers between album releases for

celebrations. “You see fathers and

local alternative rock band Stir has

grandfathers, people bringing their

grown into an annual series of sold-

sons and daughters and grandkids,”

out shows. The much-celebrated

Mark says. “It’s just this huge family

performances are complete with

affair that it’s evolved into.”

costumes, theatrics, a top-notch light show, and aerial dancers.

Locals are proud to have a production that’s on par with some of

Made up of a core group of some

the top national touring acts, but it’s

of St. Louis’s most well-respected

really all about the music. “It makes

musicians, El Monstero will perform

you think and makes you feel,” Mark

six shows at The Pageant celebrating

says. “St. Louis is definitely a Pink

the music and the spectacle of Pink

Floyd town.”—Amy Burger

COURTESY EL MONSTERO

December is El Monstero Season

Lead singer Mark Quinn has been

S T. L O U I S

32 / MISSOURI LIFE

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where history and holidays meet

CAPE GIRARDEAU

Join us on the banks of the mighty Mississippi for holiday happenings and shopping from antique to boutique to unique.

Preview the possibilities online or call 800-777-0068 today.

Preview V the possibilities online orM call 800-777-0068 IS ITCAPE .CO /E V E N T S today.

3 3 / DECEMBER 2 017 /JANUARY 2 018

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10/27/17 9:28 AM

MISSOURIANA

ME

B

Give a Book or Two H O L I D A Y G I F T L I S T LO O K I N G D U L L? W R A P U P T H E S E B O O K S F O R U N D E R T H E T R E E .

REVIEWS Laura Heck and Meghan Lally

Missouri Wild and Wonderful

Matt Miles, 104 pages, photography, ArtBookPrinting, hardcover, $39.95 For 20 years, Matt Miles has explored the vast land of Missouri.

He kayaked and hiked the countryside to capture breathtaking scenery and stunning wildlife.

Now, the Rogersville nature lover has gathered 140 images into a coffee-table book where readers can admire his work and take a journey through the “natural beauty and wonder” of Missouri without ever leaving the house.

For beer and wine connoisseurs

For history buffs Lost St. Louis

Valerie Battle Kienzle, 128 pages, history, The History Press, paperback, $21.99 Although time has erased many iconic St. Louis landmarks, Valerie Battle Kienzle immortalizes the Gateway City’s buildings and monuments on the pages of Lost St. Louis. Trek through time and Kienzle’s words to a world alive with the scenery of St. Louis long ago—explore the 1904 World’s Fair and discover the Chinese immigrant community that once lived where Busch Stadium now stands.

For Laura Ingalls Wilder devotees

Expedition of Thirst:

Caroline:

Pete Dulin, 280 pages, nonfiction, University of Kansas Press, paperback, $24.95 Relying on his expertise as a food writer, Kansas Citian Pete Dulin helps readers sip their way through western Missouri and eastern Kansas. Expedition of Thirst includes suggestions on 150 breweries, wineries, and distilleries worth a stop and a taste.

Going beyond a simple road map, Pete delves into the charm and history that make each location noteworthy.

Sarah Miller, 384 pages, historical fiction, William Morrow, hardcover, $25.99 Fans of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Little House on the Prairie get a new side of the story. In a novel authorized by the Little House estate, author Sarah Miller gently mixes fact and fiction in this imagining of Ma, the real-life Caroline Ingalls. In order to write the book, Sarah drove the Ingalls family’s entire westward journey, taught herself to crochet, and spent years researching the real family, historical details, and the Little House drafts.

Exploring Breweries, Wineries, and Distilleries across the Heart of Kansas and Missouri

Little House, Revisited

The Oregon Trail:

The Journey Across the Country from Lewis and Clark to the Transcontinental Railroad With 25 Projects (Build it Yourself)

Karen Bush Gibson and Tom Casteel, 128 pages, activity book, Nomad Press, hardcover, $22.95 With Independence as their starting point, Meriwether Lewis and William Clark set out in 1803 to explore the new territory obtained through the Louisiana Purchase.

The Oregon Trail offers children the chance to come along on the trails blazed by Lewis and Clark and the people who followed them. Built-in projects and activities will keep young explorers enthralled as they try their hand at writing a treaty or researching art inspired by the time period.

For sports fanatics The Year of the Pitcher:

Bob Gibson, Denny McLain, and the End of Baseball’s Golden Age

Sridhar Pappu, 400 pages, nonfiction, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, hardcover, $28 New York Times columnist Sridhar Pappu spins a tale of sports, history, and community in this retelling of the 1968 baseball season that ended in a clash between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Detroit Tigers for the World Series. Two record-setting pitchers—one black and one white—face off in one of the ultimate hold-your-breath moments in American sports history.

COURTESY ARTBOOKPRINTING, THE HISTORY PRESS, NOMAD PRESS, UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS PRESS, WILLIAM MORROW, HOUGHTON MIFFLIN HARCOURT

For Missouri wildlife lovers

For families with young adventurers

34 / MISSOURI LIFE

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10/27/17 2:35 PM

An Extraordinary Time to be Queen!

Season 2 - January 14 Queen Victoria adapts to motherhood, the Anglo-Afghan War unfolds abroad, and the Irish potato famine begins to wreak havoc.

Season 1 catch up on Sunday nights - begins Dec. 17

KMOS engage

KMOS

educate

entertain

kmos.org A service of the University of Central Missouri

bigbamride.com 3 5 / DECEMBER 2 017 /JANUARY 2 018

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10/27/17 9:29 AM

Reindeer Games

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you know

Dasher, and Dancer,

Comet, and Cupid and Snowflake and Blitzen Bone-biting brisk winter mornings may make most Missouri animals burrow

STORY Julie Brown Patton PHOTOS Dennis Coello

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When, what to my wondering eyes should appear, Jeremiah Scull and his wife, Kari,

set up photo ops and bring shed ant-

and their two daughters have been

lers for people to feel, but they don’t

raising a small herd of reindeer since

allow folks to touch or pet the rein-

2014 at their farm called Show-Me

deer. The no-touch policy helps the

Reindeer LLC in Robertsville. Each

reindeer stay calm and safe amid

winter, the Sculls trot the reindeer

the bustle of tree lightings and Santa

around the state as living Christmas

appearances.

traditions. Almost every day leading

Sometimes, the people who make

up to Christmas, the Sculls bring pairs

it out to see the reindeer don’t be-

of reindeer to participate in tree light-

lieve what they see. “People just can’t

ing ceremonies, promotional events,

believe reindeer are real, given the

private parties, open houses, holiday

myths and the story about Rudolph,”

festivals, and parades. They rotate the

Jeremiah says. “Seeing an actual rein-

deer so that none of them spends too

deer up-close and in-person is a rare

much time on the road, and they al-

opportunity.”

ways bring two so they can keep each other company.

One encounter with an admirer sticks out for Kari. “One of the most

Even though appearing at so

memorable people was a 95-year-old

many events can get hectic at one

woman, who said she’d never seen a

of the busiest times of the year, Kari

reindeer except in picture books,” she

says her family looks forward to each

recalls. “She was really surprised and

December because they get to share

amazed at them.”

the real spirit of Christmas.

It’s hard to think of Christmas lore

At the events, the Sculls set up a

without visions of sugarplums and

magical Christmas scene. After re-

the prancing and pawing of hooves

searching 19th-century sleighs, the

on the roof. But the importance of

couple began refurbishing antique

reindeer in the Christmas tradition is

sleighs and harnesses with gold sten-

only a couple of hundred years old.

cil and era-correct upholstery. They

Santa’s reindeer-powered sleigh was

ABOVE: The Scull family—Kari, Audrie, Jeremiah, and Addie—have refurbished 19th-century sleighs to exhibit with their herd. LEFT: Four-year-old Audrie holds one of the family’s chickens.

“People just can’t believe reindeer are real, given the myths and the story about Rudolph.”

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udrie, rbished with udrie ns.

But a miniature, sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer

ABOVE: Addie, 8, helps out with the other animals on the farm, including this turkey.

RIGHT: Family members use halters and leads to take the reindeer on walks to clover patches and pastures.

immortalized in the early 1800s with

Jeremiah says. “We had to find the

Clement Clarke Moore’s ’Twas The

proper balance for their diet and learn

The Sculls spend time with the rein-

Night Before Christmas. Rudolph

about how their needs change, but we

deer every day. Their oldest daughter,

didn’t enter the picture until 1939.

have to buy select hay from northern

8-year-old Addie, often leads them on walks to nearby clover patches.

But the mythos of reindeer goes

Missouri because they don’t like the

far beyond Rudolph’s holiday-saving

stems that typically are found in local

“Reindeer really need as much

power of nasal illumination. According

hay,” he says. The family also had to

24/7 monitoring as we can provide,

to Robert Sullivan’s Flight of the

find veterinarians who could take on

to make sure their antlers don’t get

Reindeer, humans have enjoyed the

the animals.

caught on fencing, tree limbs, or each

idea of airborne reindeer for more

To exhibit the reindeer at holiday

other,” Jeremiah says. Reindeer ant-

than 5,000 years, with several ancient

events, the Sculls are certified with the

lers grow in an upward span so they

instances of floating reindeer painted

US Department of Agriculture. Their

can use them to dig up plants buried in

on cave walls. In Norse mythology,

reindeer, the farm, and transportation

the snow. In the wild, the animals also

Thor’s chariot was first pulled by goats

plans are monitored and inspected by

often use them to ward off predators.

that transformed into reindeer. One of

officials, per regulations associated

the labors of Heracles, or Hercules to

with herd health conditions.

When reindeer antlers grow, they are soft and flexible, nourished by a

the Romans, involved capturing the

vascular covering referred to as vel-

Cerynian Hind, which was sacred to

vet, which is a mass of blood and

Artemis. Scholars have since identified

Reindeer round out a livestock popu-

marrow. “Antlers are very tender and

the skin as probably from a reindeer.

lation at the Scull family farm that in-

vulnerable during velvet growth time,

At the Sculls’ Franklin County

cludes pygmy goats, chickens, ducks,

and a broken antler tip is a huge health

farm, the reindeer have yet to take

guineas, and turkeys. The reindeer

threat to them at that point, because

flight. But even with their hooves

spend nights in their own barn and

an opening can attract flies, which can

on the ground, this merry little band

days roaming a field and lounging in

lead to deadly infections,” he says.

helps keep the magic of Christmas

the shade of large oak trees. There’s

With veins near the surface, the

alive in Missouri.

an 8-foot fence surrounding the

antlers feel warm to the touch. Nerves

Maintaining a healthy, domesticat-

reindeers’ pasture, but it’s mostly to

grow at the same rate as the antlers,

ed reindeer herd is similar to caring

keep other deer out, Jeremiah says.

so reindeer are extremely sensitive if

for other livestock, especially horses,

Contrary to their aerial reputation,

their antlers are touched while they

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reindeer don’t do much jumping.

2017

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Now dash away! dash away! dash away all! are in velvet, Kari says. To help the

reindeer born on the farm. He arrived

herd with the velvet-shedding pro-

on April 19, 2016, weighing a mere sev-

cess, the Sculls constructed home-

en pounds. Addie and her 4-year-old

made rubbing devices from huge

sister, Audrie, named him fittingly, as

street sweeper brushes. Sometimes,

he has the whitest winter coat of the

they assist the steers by hand with

herd. Snowflake often hangs around

stripping off the velvet. Kari says they

his dad and receives plenty of atten-

spend extra care monitoring the rein-

tion from his mother, but the Sculls say

deer’s antlers, even applying Avon’s

Snowflake is the practical joker of the

Skin So Soft product on them as a nat-

family; he’s always looking for trou-

ural insect repellent.

ble. Kari says they like to tell him, “You

was unable to move. As Jeremiah

have the beauty of your mother, but

and

the orneriness of your father.”

and prepared to take him to the

Raising Reindeer The Sculls got the idea to raise rein-

Siblings

Comet,

Cupid,

Kari

consulted

veterinarians

and

University of Missouri animal hospital

deer after taking Addie to visit a rein-

Dancer joined the herd in the fall of

in Columbia, he faded faster. Finally,

deer at a local farm supply store.

2016. Comet and Cupid are the best

Jeremiah woke up Addie and told her

The family fondly remembers a

of friends, though they don’t agree

that they were going to take Prancer

pair of calves, Prancer and Sven, they

on the pleasantness of walks. Comet

to the vet and that she might want to

bought three years ago. In the summer

loves his daily jaunts, but Cupid, the

say goodbye. The Sculls gathered

of 2015, Sven contracted ehrlichiosis,

shyest of the bunch, took time to warm

around Prancer in the barn, holding

a tick-borne disease. His unexpected

up to the idea.

him and petting him. As Addie began

passing was hard on the Scull fami-

Dancer, the only other female, is

petting his head, Prancer took his last

ly. Later that year, the Sculls brought

the smallest of the herd but has the

breath. “It was like he waited for her,”

home the parents of the calves, father

most courage. She gives her brothers

Jeremiah says.

Blitzen and mother Dasher, in hopes

a run for their money when they play

Jeremiah says their daughters

of expanding the herd.

and run together, and she is always

seem to have handled the loss better

the first at the feed trough.

than the adults. When Jeremiah talked

Each reindeer has its own personality and shares a special bond with

Dancer’s best friend was Prancer,

to Addie about it, Addie was calm. “It’s

family members. Blitzen is the proud

the Sculls’ “love bug" after losing his

okay,” she told him, “I’ll just have to

king of the herd, Dasher is queen,

brother, Sven. Prancer always greeted

take his buddy Dancer on walks now.”

and a gaggle of energetic younglings

the Sculls at the farm-lot gate, ready to

For Addie and other believers who

make up the rest of the group.

go on a walk or to be at a show. The

meet members of the herd across

Blitzen is the only bull on the farm,

family showered him with hugs and

Missouri, the Sculls deliver an invalu-

and he usually stays behind at events.

kisses, and he and Addie often went

able gift. To the people who see the

He and Dasher often snuggle togeth-

on walks together.

reindeer, the animals represent the joy

er, and he looks out for her most of

In October, Prancer became sud-

all. Their son, Snowflake, is the first

denly ill. Within a matter of hours, he

The Sculls spend time every day with their reindeer and have devoted a barn to the herd. The reindeer are most active during winter mornings, when the Missouri air is chilliest.

of Santa, the warmth of the holidays, and more than a little magic.

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Snowflake

Meet the

Herd

December 1: Jefferson City Downtown Living Windows 6 PM to 9 PM

December 15: Centralia Lighted Tractor Parade 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM

December 2: Belleville Christkindlmarkt 1 PM to 4 PM

December 16: Edmundson Visit with Santa 11 AM to 1 PM

December 2: Winfield Light Up Winfield 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM

December 16: St. Charles Christmas Traditions 3 PM to 5 PM

December 3: Valley Park Santa Claus is Coming to Town 2 PM to 4 PM

December 17: Belleville Christkindlmarkt 10 AM to 1 PM

December 7: St. Charles Lutheran Senior Services Breeze Park 10 AM to NOON

December 17: St. Charles Christmas Traditions 3 PM to 5 PM

December 7: Richmond City of Richmond 4 PM to 8 PM December 8: Belleville Christkindlmarkt 5 PM to 8 PM December 9: Kirkwood Museum of Transportation NOON to 4 PM December 9: Pacific Christmas on the Plaza 6 PM to 8:30 PM December 12: Granite City Illinois, Six Mile Regional Library 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM December 15: St. Clair Farmers & Merchants Bank 1 PM to 3 PM

Comet

Blitzen

December 18: Town & Country Visit with Santa at Whole Foods NOON to 2 PM December 19: Lebanon, Illinois Cedar Ridge Health Center 2 PM to 4 PM December 21: Eureka Farmers & Merchants Bank 1 PM to 3 PM December 22: Belleville Christkindlmarkt 2 PM to 5 PM

Dancer

December 22: High Ridge Farmers & Merchants Bank 9 AM to 11 AM December 24: Alton, Illinois Visit with Santa at Duke Bakery 10 AM to NOON

Cupid Dasher

41 /

ML1217_ReindeerFarm.v2.indd 41

2017

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“Toys are a caricature of reality.”

—play theorist Brian Sutton-Smith

oyland TA K E A P E E K I N T O S O M E O F MISSOURI’S BIGGEST TOY BOXES. STORY Martin W. Schwartz

E

very passing

holiday season brings more elab-

orate toys to be unwrapped and shared with wide-eyed children on Christmas morning. Toys and games surge onto the

shelves and airwaves as children petition Santa and parents alike for the latest must-have gizmos. In 2016, toy sales in the United States rose to $26.5 billion, according to data released by the NPD Group’s Retail Tracking Service. Toy trends—from Furby to fidget spinners—can come and go as fast as a commercial break, but what happens to the toys most beloved by generations of kids?

Often dented and scratched, left musty and forgotten in a basement, some of those once-loved novelties have their own Valhalla where they are honored, revered, and immortalized for their service to childhoods and their place in our collective memory. Three museums in Missouri offer the ultimate trip down memory lane with rows of toys, games, and memorabilia from decades past. “It brings out the kid in you and opens your mind to a simpler time,” says Tom Beck, museum curator of The World’s Largest Toy Museum Complex in Branson.

Take a trip back to your childhood—and your parents’ and grandparents’ childhoods—at these toy museums around the state.

42 / MISSOURI LIFE

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ILLUSTRATION BY ANDREW BARTON

—Jean Shepherd, from the short story, Duel in the Snow, or Red Ryder Nails the Cleveland Street Kid, the basis for the holiday film, A Christmas Story

43 /

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10/27/17 9:40 PM

oyland

M AT C H B O X C A R S

THE MEMORY BARN BUS F LY I N G H E R O B A R B I E H O R S E

world’s largest toy museum BRANSON

The genesis of the World’s Largest

Complex is spread out over 26,000

perusing the museum’s extensive

Toy Museum Complex on Branson’s

square feet with more than one mil-

collection of items from Roy Rogers,

Route 76 would make a good epi-

lion toys on display.

Hopalong Cassidy, the Lone Ranger,

The museum has purchased col-

ing from the retail clothing business

lections from other toy museums that,

and more.

The World’s Largest Toy Museum

20 years ago, Museum Curator Tom

for one reason or another, closed

also features a massive collection of

Beck and his wife, Wendy, left their

their doors to the public. Traveling

toy prizes, such as those that used to

home in Texas and traveled the coun-

across the country also allowed Tom

come packaged in Cracker Jack or

try collecting.

and Wendy to purchase some toys

accompanying a cheeseburger and

“Wendy and I would get in the

that were only available in certain

fries in a McDonald’s Happy Meal.

Land Rover or the pickup, and I’d

regions. Their discoveries give an

Visitors of all ages enjoy the ex-

say, ‘Which way do you want to go

archeologist’s perspective of time

hibits at the toy museum, and Tom

today?’” Tom says. “We’d get out

and location in the development of

says it’s not unusual to host a group

the road atlas and decide if we were

playthings.

that spans four generations. “We also

going north, south, east, or west.

“What’s nice about being the

get a lot of newlyweds and couples

Sometimes we’d be gone for a cou-

curator of the World’s Largest Toy

that come through here together

ple of weeks at a time, ending up in

Museum is that it gives you a differ-

and end up learning a lot about each

Canada, or way out east, or far out

ent perspective on different genera-

other, especially how they grew up,”

west. That 31⁄2 years we spent collect-

tions,” Tom says.

Tom says. “And many times kids will

ing and traveling was probably some

The eclectic collection ranges

start to see Dad or Grandpa in a dif-

from political and war toys to Barbie

ferent way. Sometimes I’ll tell the

The traveling paid off. Today,

sets to superheroes and science-

little ones, ‘Did you know your dad

the World’s Largest Toy Museum

fiction oddities. Western fans will love

was once this tall and used to get

of the best times of our lives.”

COURTESY WORLD'S LARGEST TOY MUSEUM

sode of American Pickers. After retir-

44 / MISSOURI LIFE

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SPOCK BARBIE

HOWDY DOODY

“Prepare to be overwhelmed.”—Tom Beck, museum curator

down on his hands and knees to play

and the National BB Gun Museum

with trucks?’ When you explain to a

(yes, there is a Red Ryder BB gun!).

5-year-old that their dad used to be little, it hits them for the first time.”

COURTESY WORLD'S LARGEST TOY MUSEUM

Tom says he finds many older vis-

Until the New Year, the complex holiday toys from generations past to

at coming face-to-face with the toys

Mountain Christmas celebration.

complement

Branson’s

Ozark

of their childhood, but because of

A one-day admission gets you

the memories that such an encoun-

an armband that is good until clos-

ter evokes. That’s one of the rea-

ing, but Tom suggests repeat visits.

sons you’ll find scriptures scattered

“When people are here a couple of

throughout the exhibits. “We’re a min-

hours, it’s like they’re overwhelmed.

istry disguised as the World’s Largest

When they leave, have some lunch

Toy Complex,” Tom says.

or a cup of coffee and a piece of pie,

passes many museums in one loca-

Open 9 AM to 6 PM through winter; closed Sundays & Christmas $18.92 adults; $14.45 children 7 to 17; free for children 6 and younger; $55.74 family pass (two adults and two children)

they can come back refreshed and renewed,” Tom says.

tion for one admission price. Check

The World’s Largest Toy Museum

out the Harold Bell Wright Museum,

Complex is easy to find. Look for the

where the original handwritten man-

building that looks like a spilled toy

uscript of Shepherd of the Hills is

box. The large teddy bear out front

on display. There’s also a World of

used to be in the FAO Schwarz toy

Checkers Museum, a Stearnsy Bear

store in New York City. And two huge

Museum, the Paul Harvey Museum,

toy soldiers guard the door.

45 /

ML1217_ToyMuseum.v2.indd 45

3609 West 76 Country Boulevard • 417-332-1499 WorldsLargestToyMuseum.com

will display classic Christmas and

itors become emotional, not so much

The Branson attraction encom-

Hours and Info

2017

2018

10/27/17 2:58 PM

C R A N K- P O W E R E D A N I M AT I O N M A C H I N E

was happening at a certain point in history. “Toys are a wonderful snapshot of history,” Cassie says. “If there was a war going on, you might see a lot of war toys. Homemaking and women in the home and cooking were really important, so you’ll see that in dolls and dollhouses.

Whatever we held as values, what we

KANSAS CITY

up in the toys they played with.”

Two women had complementary

The “toy-tisserie,” a rotating dis-

hobbies. Mary Harris-Francis collected

play of popular character toys and

old toys, and Barbara Marshall liked

games of the 20th century, is locat-

fine-scale miniatures.

ed near the entrance of the museum.

“The two ladies were friends, and

This display often sparks a lot of con-

they could go on collecting trips to-

versation, particularly when older vis-

gether because they weren’t compet-

itors bring younger ones.

ing for the same things,” says Cassie

“The museum is best experienced

Pikarsky, senior manager of market-

in a multigenerational group,” Cassie

ing and development for The National

says. “There are fabulous conversa-

Hours and Info

Museum of Toys and Miniatures.

tions that happen between parents Mary

and kids and even grandparents

5235 Oak Street • 816-235-8006 ToyAndMiniatureMuseum.org

opened their first museum in a res-

and grandchildren because the ex-

idential home on the campus of the

perience really does invoke those

Open 10 AM to 4 PM daily; closed Tuesdays & major holidays

University of Missouri in Kansas City.

stories that you might not talk about

The museum currently has 33,000

otherwise.”

$5 ages 5 and older; free for kids 4 and younger; free with ID for museum members, active service members, and UMKC faculty, staff, and students

square feet with more than 72,000

COLEMAN DOLLHOUSE

“It’s a beautiful picture of our society, but through a child’s eyes.”

—Cassie Pikarsky, senior manager of marketing and development

In

1982,

Barbara

and

objects on display.

In addition to the toys, the museum houses the world’s largest collec-

In the first 25 years that Barbara

tion of intricate, fine-scale miniatures.

and Mary were building up the muse-

Many visitors who come to see the

um, more than 30 toy, doll, and min-

toy exhibits end up spending hours

iature museums opened and closed

enthralled by the detail and craftsman-

throughout

ship of the miniatures, Cassie says.

the

country,

explains

Cassie, so Barbara and Mary tracked

You won’t find Ralphie’s Red

down the collections and toys that

Ryder BB Gun at the museum yet.

would have been discarded by the

Cassie says an original model of the

other museums. “They did a lot of

prized present was donated last year

work to make sure that their collection

but is not ready for display. You will

and their institution would be available

see Orphan Annie’s decoder, though.

long into the future,” Cassie says.

And every Christmas, the museum

The toy section of the museum gives visitors an indication of what

decorates its Education Programming space with a functional leg lamp.

COURTESY THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF TOYS AND MINIATURES

the national museum of toys and miniatures

wanted our children to learn, will turn

46 / MISSOURI LIFE

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oyland

field house museum

COURTESY FIELD HOUSE MUSEUM

S T. LO U I S

In one of its many previous lives, the

“Eugene Field had a love of

building at 634 South Broadway was

toys, and while his original collec-

known as the Eugene Field House

tion did not survive, we have been

and St. Louis Toy Museum. Today,

collecting toys over the years,” says

the Field House Museum celebrates

Stephanie Bliss, assistant director

many aspects of its long life, and

of the museum. “We display the toy

though toys are no longer featured

collection throughout the house in

in the title, the museum’s collection

different ways.”

of toys is still prominently displayed

Stephanie says the toy collection

in exhibits throughout the house. A

ranges from the 18th century to the

4,000-square-foot expansion to the

late 20th century, and the best time

original home opened last year, and

to see them is at Christmastime. “For

museum tours continue to introduce

the holidays, we decorate the histor-

visitors to the house’s unique history.

ic house, and we put our toys on dis-

Built in 1845 in a group of simi-

play more than we would during oth-

lar houses called Walsh’s Row, the

er times of the year,” she says. “We

structure was once home to Roswell

put up our historic feather tree in the

Martin Field, who represented Dred

front parlor, and we put all kinds of

Scott pro bono in the landmark US

different toys throughout the first and

Supreme Court case, Scott v Sanford.

second floors.”

Roswell’s son, writer Eugene Field,

One of the oldest items in the

was said to have been born in the

collection is a Snake in the Box from

house, though at the time of the

1780. “You would tell your friends that

house’s dedication as Field’s birth-

you couldn’t get the box open and

place, Eugene’s brother suppos-

ask them to pull on the lid as hard

edly told Mark Twain that Eugene

as they could," Stephanie explains.

had actually been born elsewhere.

“When the lid opens, the snake pops

“Officially and for the purposes of the

out. There’s a tack on the tip of the

future,” Twain purportedly said, “your

mouth that would actually give you a

brother was born here.”

‘snakebite’.”

Hours and Info 634 South Broadway 314-421-4689 FieldHouseMuseum.org Open 10 AM to 4 PM, Wednesday through Saturday; noon to 4 PM Sunday $10 adults; $5 children 7 to 16; free for children 6 and younger

find your own collectibles

What started as a group of toy fans getting together to buy, sell, and swap their collections has grown into one of the largest toy shows in the country.

The Toyman Toy Show takes place seven times a year at the Machinists Hall in Bridgeton, bringing together more than 100 vendors on two floors in 13,000 square feet of sales space. To read more about the Toyman Toy Show, go to MissouriLife.com.

“We’re not just a toy museum.

We are a historic house, and we have so many stories.”

—Stephanie Bliss, assistant director

HOLIDAY TOY DISPLAY 47 /

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10/26/17 6:46 PM

Y E O L D E M I S S O U R I T A V E R N S Imagine riding a horse down a dark, country road through unfamiliar hills. Look back, and see boisterous clouds clapping close behind in the fading light. It begins to rain as you crest the next hill. Down in a cozy nook among the trees stands a large cabin with a wraparound

louder as you near the door and turn the knob to escape the storm.

Early colonial America did not have much

September night in 1776. The founding fa-

infrastructure, especially the farther one

thers found themselves sharing a room “lit-

journeyed from the East Coast. Travelers

tle larger than the bed, without a chimney,

coming through would seek out settler’s

and with only one small window.”

houses and ask to stay for the night. In

As the oldest town in Missouri, Ste.

many cases, the owners of these hous-

Genevieve is home to several of the old-

es started selling lodging and supplies to

est taverns around. Established in the early

travelers, which led to the opening of inns

1700s, the town’s original occupants were

and taverns. Eventually, these inns would

primarily French, and they brought their

accept mail for postal service and became

distinctive building styles and customs with

centers of commerce and government for

them. Elsewhere throughout Missouri, oth-

sparsely populated frontier towns.

er historic taverns also remain as a remind-

Many taverns on the frontier were little more than farm cabins situated on a well-

er of that time long gone.

Taverns have been replaced by ac-

traveled road. The comforts of home did

tual

not always present themselves to lodgers

buildings. Many of the buildings that

at these inns; indeed, overcrowding of-

housed taverns have disappeared over the

ten meant travelers had to share rooms—

centuries, but a few survived by transform-

if not beds—with multiple patrons. John

ing themselves into hotels, bars, museums,

Adams recorded in his autobiography an

and bed-and-breakfasts.

instance when he and Benjamin Franklin were forced to share a bed during a cold

bars,

hotels,

and

government

So put your money in your shoe and saddle your horse. It’s time for a pint.

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COURTESY SHUTTERSTOCK

S T O R Y

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Y E O L D E MISSOURI TAV E R N S

The Southern Hotel

Ste. Genevieve | 146 South Third Street, 573-883-3493, SouthernHotelBB.com The building that would become the Southern Hotel was originally owned

by François Vallé, the French militia commandant in charge of the upper Louisiana territory for the Spanish and later the French. He even reported to Napoleon before the Louisiana Purchase. Vallé’s friend William Clark was known to spend weeks at a time visiting him, and it’s possible he stayed at the house.

After Vallé’s death, his widow sold the house in 1805 to a German man who transformed it into a hotel and saloon. It was converted into 11 apartments and outfitted with plumbing in 1950. The inn stayed under the ownership of various German families until 1986. The building was briefly unoccupied until Mike Hankins, the current owner, moved teamed up with Anna Thomure, a res-

before central heating. Visitors dine

To make sure the restorations

ident of Ste. Genevieve and a direct

and enjoy happy hour in the room

were true to its long-standing history,

descendant of the German families

that once housed the saloon.

he completed research into the build-

who ran the inn. Anna was born in the

Back in 1812, the hotel received

ing’s heritage. He used dendrochro-

Southern Hotel in 1895 and lived to be

the first pool hall permit of the west-

nology, the process of dating a piece

105 years old. She provided stories

ern frontier. The hotel’s game room

of wood by using environmental fac-

and context that helped Mike keep the

features a still-usable pool table that

tors from the annual growth rings, on

building authentic to its heritage.

was made for the St. Louis Southern

the beams of the hotel. Archeologists

The bed-and-breakfast inn is the

studied the hotel’s well, too. That evi-

longest continually running lodging

The building’s history is part of

dence suggested the construction of

house west of the Mississippi River

the draw for modern-day guests.

the building to be as early as 1790.

(excluding renovations) and boasts

There are 10 total rooms available

12 fireplaces, a nod to the days

for reservation.

For help with his research, Mike

Hotel in 1875.

MARK MOORE

in and began restoration projects.

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Anvil Saloon & Restaurant

Ste. Genevieve | 46 South Third Street • 573-883-7323 • On Facebook: The Anvil Saloon Restaurant In Ste. Genevieve, it is appropriate to call the Anvil Saloon & Restaurant a “new” building. Built in 1850 as a hardware store, it was converted into a gentleman’s saloon five years later. Operation of the saloon stayed in the same family for 123 years until it was sold in 1978 to new owners who refurbished the beautiful maple floors and the historic bar.

The wood bar at the Anvil went through an odyssey of its own before it was brought to the saloon. In 1855, a steamboat ran aground on a sandbar near town, and folks onboard threw out the huge bar to lighten the load. The enterprising owners of the saloon dragged the heavy pieces with oxen to the saloon where they reside to this day. A photo of the freshly acquired bar can be seen on the wall of the saloon, complete with spittoons.

Today, the Anvil Saloon operates as a popular bar and restaurant. The saloon serves a wide range of menu choices and is known for the onion rings, fried chicken, and pork tenderloin.

Old Brick House Ste. Genevieve

90 South Third Street • 573-883-2724 TheOldBrickHouse.com

Down the street from the Southern

the street outside. The men ran inside

Hotel stands the oldest brick building

where DeMun, a Frenchman, was shot.

west of the Mississippi. Maybe that had

He died of his wounds and was buried

something to do with the decision to

in the nearby Catholic graveyard.

name it Old Brick House.

The Old Brick now offers a buffet

Local merchant and ferryboat

and country-themed menu. Diners to-

operator John Price built the house

day can still see an iron gate in the

in 1780. Although it’s never been

bar that is thought to have been used

proven, local legend holds that the

to separate the gentlemen’s and the

bricks used in the construction were

ladies’ sides of the bar. Until the end

brought across the Atlantic Ocean

of Prohibition, women did not fre-

from France as ballast, or heavy ma-

quent taverns unattended, lest they

terial stored in the bottom of ships to

appear unscrupulous. Those few bars

steady them.

that did cater to women often had a

The Old Brick has held many pur-

MARK MOORE

poses in its history. Over the years, it

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separate area set aside, complete with its own entrance.

has served Ste. Genevieve as a court-

The restaurant is still in operation

house, a school, a hotel, and a bar,

today and is known for its homestyle

among other roles. In 1816, when the

food, especially the fried chicken. Din-

building was being used as a court-

ers can sip cocktails at the bar, order

house, William McArthur and Auguste

from the menu, or take advantage of

DeMun got into a deadly gunfight on

the buffet.

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Y E O L D E MISSOURI TAV E R N S

Green Tree Tavern

Ste. Genevieve | 244 St. Mary’s Road Some of the oldest buildings in Ste.

each strip waterfront access, which

original French deeds are still housed

Genevieve are known as French Cre-

was a common French arrangement.

in the courthouse.

ole Colonial houses, built by French

Families were allotted one or two

During the 1920s, the Green Tree

settlers under Spanish rule in the late

strips that were typically 192 feet

was a tobacco shop. The tavern’s

1700s. These poteaux en terre (“posts

wide and one mile long.

original sign is in the Ste. Genevieve

in the ground”) style houses, which

The house was first called the

museum, the letters worn and faded

were built with vertical logs rather

Green Tree Tavern in 1807. It served

than horizontal logs, help make the

as the lodge to the first Freemasons

In March, the Missouri Depart-

town’s history even more noteworthy.

west of the Mississippi. Masonic sign-

ment of Natural Resources pur-

Only five poteaux en terre houses still

age is carved into the original posts

chased the privately owned build-

stand in America, and three are found

in the tavern’s basement. Masonic

ing. It reopened in September as

in Ste. Genevieve.

founder Lewis F. Linn became a US

a museum and event space. DNR

The Green Tree Tavern is not po-

senator, and Thomas Riddick, anoth-

officials look forward to expanding

teaux en terre style; instead it is a po-

er founder, became known as the “fa-

the museum in the next few years to

teaux sur sol (“post on foundation”).

ther of Missouri public schools.” Both

recreate a tavern atmosphere, but

The Green Tree’s vertical logs rest in

of their houses still stand in town. The

without the brews.

from centuries of use.

a wooden sill on the stone foundation, making it more stable than logs set in the ground. The Louis Bolduc House just down the street is also a poteaux sur sol. The majority of these kinds of buildings are found in French settlements such as Ste. Genevieve and Prairie du Rocher, Illinois.

The Green Tree Tavern, built in 1790 by Nicolas Janis, once overlooked the fertile farm fields known as Le Grand Champ (“The Large Field”) in the Mississippi River bottoms. This farmland sent tons of flour, corn, and tobacco along the Mississippi to St. Louis and beyond. The rich land was MARK MOORE

divided into narrow strips perpendicular to the Mississippi, allowing

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J. Huston Tavern

Arrow Rock | 305 Main Street • 660-837-3200 • JHustonTavern.com With the aid of family and slaves,

Arrow Rock became a hub of culture

awarded in Missouri to protect it as a

Virginian Joseph Huston felled pri-

and political figures. Renowned artist

building of historic importance.

meval oak and walnut trees for the

George Caleb Bingham had a home

The building is in remarkable con-

timbers to build his family home in

in town. Governor Meredith Miles Mar-

dition; most of the hardwood floors

1834. He noticed the massive migra-

maduke, his son Governor John S.

are original except for the lobby and

tion of travelers through Arrow Rock

Marmaduke, and Governor Claiborne

the old dining room. Many of the orig-

down the Santa Fe Trail. He began

Fox Jackson all lived within five miles

inal doors are still in place and fea-

offering lodging and meals, and soon

of Arrow Rock. These politicians and

ture traditional Christian crosses at

the Old Tavern was born. Today, it’s

celebrities of yore likely attended balls

the top and panels at the bottom that

known at the J. Huston Tavern.

and functions at the tavern. The tavern

represent pages of the Bible. Many

also acted as the Arrow Rock post of-

of these doors still have the original

fice from 1845 to 1848.

brass knobs and locks.

Lodgers had their choice of full

EVAN HENNINGSEN

price for a bed or half price for a pallet on the floor or a spot in the attic. In the

After the Civil War, the tavern be-

The J. Huston Tavern of today is as

1840s, Huston added space for a mer-

gan to deteriorate. But in 1912, the

busy as ever and is operated by Mis-

cantile store and a ballroom. An iconic

Daughters of the American Revolu-

souri State Parks. Guests can no lon-

fish weathervane, a Christian symbol,

tion remodeled it and incorporated a

ger stay there, but the tavern remains

sits atop the cupola that houses a sal-

museum. It became a model for the

one of the oldest continuously serving

vaged steamboat bell, which the inn-

new automobile heritage tourism in-

restaurants in the West, with 180 years

keeper would ring to announce meal-

dustry, and in 1923 the Old Tavern

of food service to its name. There are

time and emergencies.

was designated a state historic site

traditional lunch and dinner menus, but

and received the first public funds

diners can also opt for family-style fare.

With the addition of the fine tavern,

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Y E O L D E MISSOURI TAV E R N S

Kelly’s Westport Inn

Kansas City | 500 Westport Road • 816-561-5800 • KellysWestportInn.com had to greet him on the sidewalk.

Kelly’s Westport Inn has been home

Kelly was known for his generally

to many businesses over the years,

friendly disdain of high society, which

including a trading post owned by

he called “the foam on top of the

Albert Boone, grandson of Daniel

beer.” Renowned American painter

Boone. Situated along the Santa Fe

Thomas Hart Benton—who famously

Trail, the building was an important

said he preferred his art be displayed

stop for many westward travelers.

“in bawdy houses and saloons”

After Prohibition was repealed in

because that’s where real people

1933, the owner converted it to a sa-

were—was a customer at Kelly’s.

loon. It has remained that way ever

The Irish word for welcome,

since. Keep an eye out for the ashes

failte, greets customers of the inn,

of a previous owner in a bottle behind

echoing Kelly’s unpretentious hos-

the bar.

pitality. Kansas City Mayor Richard

In 1947, Irishman Randal Kelly

Berkley declared March 16, 1984,

hired on as a bartender at the West-

as Kelly Day in honor of the saloon-

port Inn. Kelly became an owner of

keeper’s generosity and place in Kan-

the inn and was beloved by his ad-

sas City culture.

opted city as a man in possession

These days, a third generation of

of a warm heart and quick wit. The

Kellys runs the show. They still carry

bar developed a loyal following and

through the tradition of warm wel-

inspired many legends. It’s said that

comes and camaraderie. Bands and

on one St. Patrick’s Day in the ear-

the occasional DJs fill the bar with

ly 1960s, the visiting Lord Mayor of

music on most weekends, playing to

Dublin couldn’t even enter the inn

dancing crowds. The bar is open for

through the boisterous crowd; Kelly

revelry seven days a week.

EVAN HENNINGSEN, COURTESY KELLY’S WESTPORT INN

As the oldest building in Kansas City,

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O’Malley’s Pub & Weston Brewing Company

Weston | 500 Welt Street • 816-640-5235 • WestonIrish.com/omalleys-pub In many ways, Weston was the town

Irish Pub. O’Malley’s calls itself a

precise temperature control during

that almost was. The golden days

pub—not an all-purpose tavern— but

the brewing process. The slaves who

of Weston were between 1837 and

its rich history is worth including.

built the cellars left hatch marks that

1860 when it was the last stop before

German immigrant John Geor-

are still visible in the stones. Usually,

the great wilderness of the western

gian built the lagering cellars that

Georgian paid the slaves a salary for

frontier. Before the fickle Missou-

house the underground pub in 1842.

their work and even used the cellars

ri River shifted its banks in another

Constructed of hand-cut stones, the

as part of the Underground Railroad,

direction, it was the second-largest

vaulted cellars of Weston Brewing

where runaways mingled with his

city in Missouri.

Company were dug 58 to 60 feet

enslaved people until they could get

There is no more unique bar in

into the earth and were among the

away safely.

Missouri—if not the whole of the

first lagering cellars in the nation.

Over the years, the cellars have

Midwest—than

Brewing

Using ice from frozen rivers in the

changed hands and have served many

Company, also known as O’Malley’s

winter, the buried cellars allowed for

uses. At one time, the bottom cellar

Weston

was used to house hogs; another time it was a sort of city dump.

A fire claimed the lives of several people in 1860, and it’s rumored their ghosts haunt the underground.

Staff might tell you that the cellars are haunted, and some employees are reticent to walk the tunnels alone.

The old vaulted ceilings of the bar curve down, adorned with antique pageantry. The high ceiling offers great acoustics. Musicians such as Bob Reeder, an Irish folk singer, often play in the large vault.

The bar today features a selection of Irish whiskey, as well as a wide range of beer brewed on-site, cocktails, and wine. The kitchen offers sandwiches, nachos, burgers, and EVAN HENNINGSEN

bangers. History and beer fans can go on brewery tours, available three times an afternoon on Saturdays.

Tour reservations are encouraged.

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Go beyond the bow THIS HOLIDAY SEASON.

This Yuletide,

we invite you to take a break from the store aisles and give your loved ones the gift of experience. Offer them the chance to learn something new, try something they’ve always wanted to do, or create memories that will last longer than the snow on the ground.

We sent writer Matt Crossman out to test a few of the classes and adventure lessons offered around the state. He climbed trees, made cheese and lotion, and orientated in the wilderness with nothing more than a map, a compass, and a few friends. If you like these ideas, check out the list we’ve compiled on pages 66 to 69 for more unique gift experiences throughout the state.

STORY Matt Crossman PHOTOS Dennis Coello

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Climb

Tall Trees The tree’s name is Willa.

conversation from memory, as even

She is a majestic red oak in Ferguson,

though my notebook and pen were in

and right now I am standing on one of

my pocket, I could not—would not—re-

her branches 30 feet in the air. I am

lease my death grip on Willa to reach

drenched in sweat, with rivulets trick-

down to get them to take notes.

ling from under my helmet. I am wear-

Here’s what I remember: Guy

ing a harness, and ropes connected

says something but I forget what it is

to it tie me to the tree. Those ropes

because I’m listening to my inner

supported me as I climbed up here. I

voice as it asks, What was I thinking

know—or should know—that because

climbing this high?

of them, there is no way I could fall. Yet still, I hold Willa as tightly as I can.

RIGHT: Writer Matt Crossman practices tying knots with the climbing ropes. BELOW: Instructor Guy Mott waits for Matt to ready himself for the next leg of the climb.

When Guy, owner of Adventure Tree in St. Louis—the only

I am on the first of multiple

adventure education com-

pitches—like the landings in a stair-

pany in the country with

well—to which my instructor, Guy Mott,

tree-climbing lessons as its

and I plan to ascend as part of my

core modality—was a boy,

tree-climbing lesson, and if I’m going

he heard the famous quote,

you know and love … or those who like to chal-

to go to the next one, I need to let go

“Youth is wasted on the

lenge themselves in new and interesting ways

of Willa. I simultaneously have zero

young.” Those words have

interest in letting go and 100 percent

shaped his life ever since.

interest in climbing higher.

GIFT IDEA: Tree-climbing or other high-flying adventure lessons PERFECT FOR: The adventuresome thrill-seeker

WHY: Sweat + exertion + new skill = big fun

“I thought, that’s some-

Something has to give.

body looking back from deep into

Guy (his first name rhymes with

their life, saying, when I was young, I

tree) asks how I’m doing. I tell him I’m

could have done more,” Guy says as

nervous, which is an understatement.

he sits at a picnic table in the shade

My fear of heights, which was absent

of Willa’s branches. “I just took that

as I climbed, has barged in, big time.

to heart. I thought, ‘I’m not going to

As I cling to the tree, Guy gently tries

waste my youth. I’m going to go out

to coax me into letting go. He wants

and do things.’”

me to trust the ropes.

When he was 17, Guy hitchhiked

But he doesn’t just tell me to trust

from the East Coast to the West Coast

them and expect me to do so. Instead,

and back; it took two months. He

he encourages me to lean back, which

drove a motorcycle at 140 miles per

will show me that the ropes will sup-

hour. He hiked the 486-mile Colorado

port me. Tentatively, I comply.

Trail, long stretches of the Appalachian

Fine, I think, the ropes work. I still ain’t letting go.

Guy and I talk about what I have to do to go higher. I will recount that

Trail, and all 48 of the 4,000-foot summits in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. He became a skydiving instructor and made 1,300 jumps.

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All of that was for fun. For work,

got to the first branch and stood on it,

he designed software. After 30 years

I froze. I stopped knowing the ropes

he decided that, gratifying though

were working and started wondering

that work may have been, it had kept

if they would.

him inside long enough. Nine years

I climbed by sight.

ago, Guy earned a master of educa-

I needed to stand by faith.

tion in adventure learning and started

I couldn’t do it.

Adventure Tree with the slogan, “Have fun, learn, grow.”

Adventure

I have a sketchy relationship with heights. When I was in first grade, my

Tree

offers

tree-

family drove the length of the Florida

climbing instruction to camps and

Keys. The bridges between each is-

schools so they can start their own

land terrified me. My memory says

courses. Guy also teaches safe climb-

the other side of the two-lane bridge

ing methods to utility workers and

was an endless parade of nose-to-tail

tree-service companies.

semis going 95 miles per hour, driving

Although his tree-climbing cours-

with their tires on the centerline and

es focus on skills—how to climb the

missing us by inches. I was certain

ropes, tie knots, get the ropes up in

our van would get hit by one of those

the tree (by using a 9-foot-tall slingshot

trucks and go flying off the bridge.

that is as awesome as it sounds)—he teaches much more than that.

LEFT: Guy Mott, owner of Adventure Tree, ensures safety is a priority, so he makes sure Matt’s helmet fits exactly right. ABOVE: Matt is used to a lot of outdoor activities, but climbing trees brought him face-to-face with his fear of heights—especially when he had to swing down.

“I’m teaching people to climb, yes,

just bridges; it’s heights in general. I

but also to push and challenge them-

have somehow kept every plane I’ve

selves,” he says. “There’s something

ever flown in aloft by gripping the arm-

that accesses deep inside of people

rest and digging my toes into the floor.

when they climb up in trees. I’ve felt it

I often try to challenge that fear—

myself. I’ve experienced it. I’ve heard

I’ve gone parachuting, parasailing,

people echo it back to me. It’s very

paragliding, bungee jumping, and

subtle, but you can feel it. It enriches

mountain hiking. I apply lessons

your life. You learn something about

learned scaling mountains and jump-

trees and yourself.”

ing out of airplanes and climbing trees

One thing Guy has learned about

to the rest of my life. I own my own

is fear. He sees it swathed across the

writing business, and for most of the

faces of his students. Some people

past four years I have been the sole

show up full of confidence and freak

breadwinner for my wife and two

out halfway to the first pitch. Some

kids. That is scarier than all those oth-

people show up freaked out and

er things combined, in large part be-

somehow find the confidence to take

cause I have no choice. There are no

them to the very top of Willa.

ropes to keep me aloft, no branches

Others, like me, are a mix of the

to hold.

two. I climbed into the rope-harness

I have a choice on Willa. I could

contraption and pulled myself up to

give up, and that thought crosses my

the first pitch without fear. The climb-

mind. I look over at Guy, dangling a

ing motion involves a high step with

few feet to my left. He is smiling. I am

my foot in a loop in the rope then pull-

grinding my molars to dust. The differ-

ing myself up with my arms. I could

ence between my body language and

see the ropes working. But when I

his is the difference between Willa’s

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When I drive over bridges now, I barely glance sideways. But it’s not

2017

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10/27/17 3:22 PM

Guy helps Matt steady himself to reach the next pitch, or resting point. Guy allowed Matt to conquer his fear of heights at his own pace during the climb.

I’m trapped 40 feet up, just dangling there. I was terrified half an hour ago when I was connected to the tree by the rope, lanyard, and my own death grip. Now all I have is the ropes.

trunk and a cooked spaghetti noodle. I

my harness (so I am again connected

stress of the climb, on top of the climb

can’t talk myself into going any higher.

twice), disconnect the lanyard, take a

itself, has wiped me out. My hands

But I can’t go down either.

deep breath, and start climbing again.

shake. I struggle to open the carabin-

Some adventure instructors fully

I high-step, pull, high-step, pull,

ers. My left leg spasms up and down.

understand their adventure and know

high-step, pull, up, up, up some more.

And, yes, I’m still afraid. But that fear

nothing about instructing. Guy has

I stretch my hands and feet as far as

has turned practical.

mastered both. He recognizes my dis-

they’ll go to my left to gain purchase

I start to slide down. I mess up the

tress, understands it, and doesn’t try

on the next pitch. I pull myself over

procedure, which causes the stopper

to talk me out of it. After his instruc-

and sprawl on the branch.

knot that I tied in my rope on the way

tion shows me I can trust the ropes, I

I stand up.

up to create a knot jam. I’m trapped 40

manage to let go of Willa long enough

I freeze again.

feet up, just dangling there.

to wrap a lanyard around her and con-

This time I thaw faster.

nect it to myself, one carabiner on

I do the lanyard dance again so

when I was connected to the tree by

each hip of my harness. This is the

Guy can move my rope. I perform a

the rope, lanyard, and my own death

proper procedure—Guy calls it one,

B.A.C.K. check—the safety routine

grip. Now all I have is the ropes, and

two, one. I am always, always, always,

Guy taught me in which I check the

I feel safe and secure. I finally wrench

tied in at least one way. After I connect

belt, anchor (the rope’s position in the

the knot loose and glide to the ground.

the lanyard but before I disconnect my

tree), connectors, and knots.

climbing rope, I am tied in twice. Even

I was terrified half an hour ago

I’m exhilarated, radiating energy

Ten minutes later, I’m 10 feet high-

with “climber’s high.” I walk over to

er in the tree—my third pitch—a full 55

the picnic table to jot down notes. The

I unclip my climbing rope and

feet up. I let go of Willa without Guy

adrenaline that has been rampaging

hand it to Guy. He moves it higher

suggesting it first. “I couldn’t have

through my bloodstream for the past

in the tree—so I can climb higher if I

done that 10 minutes ago,” I tell him.

hour is still on full go, so much so that I

then, I barely let go.

ever decide I want to—and hands it

I decide to quit here at the third

back to me. I reconnect the rope to

pitch. I am in decent shape, but the

have no small motor skills. I can’t read a thing I wrote.

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Make

Cheese & Lotion

GIFT IDEA: Cheese- or other product-making lessons on farms, artisan cooking lessons PERFECT FOR: Fans of history, self-reliance, and cooking, plus children and people who love animals WHY: Give a man cheese, and he’ll eat for a day.

Teach him how to make cheese, and he’ll make a pizza, and you just might get a slice.

Sandi and Keith Bentz keep 22 head of Texas Longhorn cattle at Heaven on Earth Ranch, where they offer classes such as cheese making.

Take one step

onto the farm

facility so they can pass along what

laughter was nothing compared to her

owned by Sandi and Keith Bentz, and

they have learned. They want to teach

reaction a week later when she found

you don’t have to ask why they named

people about life on a farm and about

out Sandi and Keith had named the

it Heaven on Earth Ranch. The 360-

how simple life was before it got so

calf after her.

degree view reveals rolling hills for

complicated.

miles and miles. There is no sound

I visited their farm, which is about

Longhorn cattle here and another 17 in

except that created by animals (on

an hour northeast of Kansas City, one

Illinois, plus 10 goats, and ducks, hon-

the rare occasions that helicopters or

sun-kissed Saturday to learn how to

eybees, so many chickens they can’t

planes fly overhead, they do more to

make cheese and goat’s milk lotion. I

name them all, rabbits, worms, and a

prove the silence than to detract from

brought my 10-year-old daughter with

Jersey cow for milking named Elsie.

it), and there are no smells except

me, and she helped with the cheese

Elsie provided the gallon of milk

those created by animals.

and made the lotion herself with plans

from which Sandi and I made a pound

Sandi and Keith are practitioners

to give it to her mom/my wife as a

of mozzarella. The cheese was sur-

and advocates of the homestead-

present. She laughed in delight when

prisingly easy to make. There are only

ing lifestyle and have learned by trial

she held a week-old baby rabbit and

five ingredients: milk, citric acid, ren-

and error over the last 11 years how

petted a day-old calf, for which she of-

net, salt, and water. The only “skills”

to become self-sufficient. Now they

fered a half-dozen name suggestions,

needed are the ability to measure,

are turning a building on the Heaven

all of them ice-cream related because

read a thermometer, stir, and knead.

on Earth property into an educational

the calf’s mom is named Sundae. That

61 /

ML1217_GoExperience.v5.indd 61

The Bentzes own 22 head of Texas

2017

We start by pouring the milk and

2018

10/27/17 5:58 PM

LEFT: Sandi and Keith keep goats on their farm, and they teach people how to make lotion from goat’s milk. BELOW: Sandi shows writer Matt Crossman how to make cheese using simple techniques.

citric acid into a giant pot and heating

cold water to cool.

it up. Then we add the rennet. Sandi

My daughter makes the lotion.

stirs the concoction with a spoon,

She loves to help my wife cook at

judging by what she sees with her

home, so she is comfortable measur-

eyes and feels with her hand through

ing the avocado oil, almond oil, phe-

the spoon when it curdles enough to

nonip, wax, stearic acid, water, and

begin the separation process. The

milk. She puts all the ingredients in

temperature is crucial, too; the goal is

the microwave, sets the timer, pulls it

105 degrees for this step.

out when it is done, and then pours it

“See the way it’s curdling?” Sandi

into the blender.

asks as the soon-to be-cheese in the

“It looks like a milkshake or

pot looks a little bit like Greek yogurt.

whipped cream,” she says as she

“It’s getting close.”

peers into the blender. “But I don’t

When it has curdled enough, I

want to eat it.” She gently touches the

pour the mixture over a colander.

button on the blender and jumps when

Sandi saves the leftover liquid, known

it whirs to life faster than she expects.

as whey, to feed to the chickens. We

She had the same reaction, times 10,

supplies, excess produce from the

transfer the “cheese” to a glass bowl

when she petted a Texas Longhorn

garden, goat’s milk lotion, and goat’s

and pop it in the microwave.

outside and he shook his head.

milk soap at a local farmer’s market.

Although Sandi and Keith pur-

Sandi lets my daughter pick the lo-

sue a simpler lifestyle, they are not

tion’s scent and the color of the plastic

anti-technology. They text and send

container. As we rub on the lotion, it

My daughter and my wife are huge

emails and have a website and

feels less greasy than most lotions I’ve

fans of the Little House books; they

Facebook page. And as we make the

encountered, and Sandi says it works

have read all of them out loud multi-

cheese, Sandi jokes, “You wonder:

particularly well on chapped heels.

ple times. As we drove home from

What did they do years ago without

The Bentzes grow or produce about 75 percent of what they eat.

Both Sandi and Keith have jobs

Heaven on Earth—after I finally con-

outside of the farm. She is a bank tell-

vinced my daughter that we did, in

Whatever they did, it took longer,

er and he is a corrections officer. In

fact, have to go home—it occurred to

that’s for sure. In part thanks to the

2006, the couple moved from Illinois

me that our day there was as close to

microwave, making the cheese takes

to this 40-acre plot in Weatherby (60

stepping into one of the Little House

less than an hour. We knead it like

miles northeast of Kansas City) to try to

books as we’ll ever get. I didn’t plan

pizza dough to squeeze more whey

get away from the harried city life. As

it that way, but I gave my daughter

out, put it back in the microwave, and

proof their lives have changed despite

the gift of spending one day like the

start over. When it is just the right tex-

still holding down “city” jobs, Keith

young Laura Ingalls spent all of hers.

ture—harder than dough but not as

adds: “People tell me I drive too slow.”

As for the cheese we made … only

hard as finished cheese—Sandi puts

Heaven on Earth sells honey,

half of it made it home. We devoured

it into a circular pan and places it in

eggs, simple household cleaning

a microwave?”

the rest.

62 / MISSOURI LIFE

ML1217_GoExperience.v5.indd 62

10/27/17 3:23 PM

I look at

the trail ahead of me,

The three of us—Lacy Mikrut, Matt

we’re going, and how to get there. We

then swivel my head toward another

Graham, and I—confer about where

must do this without any computer-

trail that branches to my left. The fork

to go next. From Point 4, we have

ized voices telling us how. This is old-

is a good sign; my trail map shows a

to find Point 3. We each pull out our

school navigation, and it’s a necessary

crisscross of trails near my destina-

compasses, place them on our maps,

skill for any serious hiker. Most places

tion at Busiek State Forest and Wildlife

and measure our “bearings”—the an-

worth hiking don’t have cell service

Area near Ozark.

gle relative to north by which we must

or signals for GPS locators. And, any-

travel to get there.

way, outdoor adventurers know bat-

The map has six points marked on it. I am tasked, along with two of my

It is mid-afternoon on a Saturday,

teries die and GPS devices can easily

and Lacy, Matt, I, and 13 others spent

be dropped, broken, or left behind. In

I am 97 percent certain that we are

all morning in a nearby church class-

case of disaster or electromagnetic

almost at Point 4. I think it’s 20 yards

room learning from renowned guide

pulse, humans need to know how to

ahead of me … but I also might be

Dan Nash. We studied how to read a

navigate without devices.

standing on it. Neither the map nor my

map, work a compass, and calculate

Matt, Lacy, and I find the same re-

ability to read it helps me know for sure.

bearings. Then Dan sent us out into

sults when we spin our compasses for

Regardless, we declare Point 4 found.

the wilderness to try it for ourselves.

a bearing reading. Another good sign.

classmates, with finding all of them.

In the forest on our own, we have to figure out where we are, where

GIFT IDEA: Orientating and survival classes

We head toward Point 3—or at least where we figure Point 3 is located.

As we move, we stick to the trail.

PERFECT FOR: Hikers, campers, fans

Dan warned us—rightfully so—that we

of the outdoors, or doomsayers

were not yet prepared to go off-trail.

WHY: It’s a skill that you don’t want to find

Even as we tromp through paths that

out the hard way that you should have learned.

others have walked before us, we find more than I expect. I learn from my companions that figuring out where you are, where you’re going, and how to get there is about more than following squiggly lines on a page.

Instructor Dan Nash, right, shows students in the orientating class how to plot a course between two points on a map.

63 /

ML1217_GoExperience.v5.indd 63

2017

2018

10/27/17 3:23 PM

Dan Nash moved to the Ozarks when he was 7. He has two younger

slivers of the pie. Why not go look at the whole pie?”

brothers, and together they explored

For as long as she can remember,

their family’s 400-acre farm from sun-

Lacy Mikrut has loved the outdoors.

up until sundown. He learned to hike,

An elementary school music teacher,

navigate, and rock climb, and, as he

she guides summer hikes in Colorado.

grew older, his outdoor hobby turned

She is also a fitness instructor, and she

into a passion.

showed me how to better use my hik-

Eventually, he started guiding hikes, gained sponsorships from out-

ing poles and exercises to keep me in better hiking shape.

doors companies, and traveled the

Lacy seems proficient enough

world in search of incredible sum-

at using a map and compass that, at

mits and unseen views. His company,

first, I thought she was an instructor

Satori Adventures and Expeditions,

in the class. She isn’t, but she does

has led excursions all over the world,

have experience with navigation. Her

including a dozen summits of Mount

father-in-law is an Eagle Scout instruc-

Everest.

tor, and her uncle is a mountain man

Closer to home, Dan also runs HikingTheOzarks.com, the business

and Vietnam War veteran. Both have extensive orienteering knowledge.

through which he offers three cours-

But experience with navigation

es—map and compass, survival, and

is not the same thing as being able

first aid, all of which are required to

to get lost and still find your way

become a guide.

out of the woods. It takes a long time

Even as his outdoors career took

to learn that. Lacy’s participation in

off, Dan has kept his day job. He’s a

the class is more like supervised

homicide investigator for the Missouri

practice. For her, the class has prac-

State Highway Patrol, an incredibly

tical value: she has some skills but

stressful position from which the wil-

needs more.

derness gives him respite.

Lacy has mapped out a new route

While noting it’s important not to

for her guiding business, and the map-

go off-trail without proper training,

and-compass class will help take her

he says he loves going off-trail and

there. So far, the hikes she guides

finding waterfalls, rock formations,

have always been “out and backs.”

and valleys that aren’t on maps be-

That is, she returns to the cabin at the

cause few people, if any, have ever

end of the day instead of camping out

seen them.

overnight.

“We have so many awesome

With enough practice at orientat-

things in the Ozarks to see. But only

ing, she will be able to expand her of-

a small percentage of them are doc-

ferings.“I want to be sure that whoever

umented,” he says. “We have these

I take—whether it’s just my girlfriends

large, vast areas in the Mark Twain

or my family—if something catastroph-

National Forest. Most people only

ic happens, I want to be able to get

see a very, very small piece, little

them out,” she says.

ABOVE: Students started with the basics in the orientation class: how to read a compass. RIGHT: They also learned how to read maps the oldfashioned way: on paper instead of on a screen.

64 / MISSOURI LIFE

ML1217_GoExperience.v5.indd 64

10/27/17 5:59 PM

Hiking

LEFT: Lacy Mikrut and writer Matt Crossman check each other’s bearing calculations. BELOW: After a morning of learning the ins-and-outs of orientating, the classmates broke into small groups and headed into the forest.

helped

Matt

Graham

years ago, my friends and I got lost on

through trauma. When Matt was 15,

the way to the top of Mount Mitchell

he was a passenger in a car accident

in North Carolina, the tallest peak east

that killed one of his friends.

of the Mississippi River. I did not know

Then, five years ago, doctors told

how to work a compass—I didn’t even

Matt and his pregnant wife, Alice, that

own one, for that matter. We re-found

their son would have no lung func-

the trail by dumb luck.

tion and would likely only live for 20 minutes.

“The entire time my wife carried

than I ever expected. I expected

our beautiful boy we treated him as if

to learn how to use a compass at

he was already here,” Matt says. “Took

the class, and I did. Before I took

him hiking, to Kauai, plenty of other

the class, I saw the skill as strictly

places to ensure he was involved in

utilitarian.

everything we did.” Walker lived four

After talking with Dan, Lacy, and

days. His fifth birthday would have

Matt, I see it as an experience similar

been October 18.

to when I taught my kids how to ride

Through these dark times, hiking and being outdoors helped pull Matt

“Most people only see a very, very small piece, little slivers of the pie. Why not go look at the whole pie?”

–DAN NASH, guide and orientating instructor at Hiking the Ozarks

ML1217_GoExperience.v5.indd 65

their bikes. The real benefit of the gift is the joy that results from using it.

through. “Hiking became my one time

From Dan, I learned something en-

in my life when nothing else matters,”

tirely unexpected: the joy of leaving

Matt says.

the trail. I arrived at the class with two

Now, Matt sees a chance to re-

hiking rules I would never, ever violate:

deem his heartbreak by turning his

1. Stay on the trail. 2. Bring enough

love for hiking and the outdoors

coffee. Now, I’m seriously questioning

into healing for other people. He is

No. 1. I never knew how much I was

working to start a foundation to help

missing—or really that I was missing

people suffering from post-traumatic

anything at all—until Dan described to

stress disorder—to take them hiking,

me the joy of finding unknown water-

fishing, and floating. He describes

falls and undocumented valleys.

what hiking has brought to his life

From Lacy, I learned the value

like this: “The solitude, the tranquility,

of not being content to just get by.

the opportunity to realize that life is

Before the class started, she already

what you make it—not what happens

knew the basics of what we would

to you.”

learn. But that’s not good enough for

As part of his work with others, he

65 /

My hiking partners in this class helped me navigate learning more

her. She wants to be an expert.

envisions leading hikes. To do so, he

From Matt, I learned that heal-

has to know where he is, where he’s

ing comes in many forms, and that

going, and where he’s been.

no matter how terribly lost we might

I signed up for this class because

be, there’s a way to move forward.

at least once a year I go on an over-

Maybe, if we cling to hope, we can

night hike, and I want to add orientat-

become found again. Maybe we can

ing to my skill set. On one hike a few

even find our own way out.

2017

2018

10/27/17 6:22 PM

Outside the Box Gifts TRY ONE OF THESE IDEAS FOR YOUR LO V E D O N E S T H I S H O L I D A Y S E A S O N .

FLOWER ARRANGING AT THE BLOOM ACADEMY Kansas City for anyone looking to spruce up their arranging or decorating skills. Each workshop includes instructions, demonstrations, and hands-on practice pieces.

Try your hand at holiday-themed wreaths and bouquets, or learn how to craft the perfect arrangement for your windowsill.

TheBloomAcademy.com

STORY Laura Heck and Meghan Lally

Some people seem to have a talent for giving gifts.

On holidays, birthdays, anniversaries, and other celebrations, they always appear with the perfect gift in hand.

Then there are the rest of us.

If you find yourself in a gift-giving rut, consider presenting your loved ones the gift of experience. Offer them the chance to try a hobby or practice a skill or learn something new.

Whether it’s acting or glass blowing or fly-fishing sessions, there are classes for nearly everything throughout the state. Check out our list of suggestions and tips for making this gift-giving season a memorable one.

COURTESY THE BLOOM ACADEMY

The workshops at The Bloom Academy are perfect

66 / MISSOURI LIFE

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10/26/17 7:21 PM

IMPROVISATIONAL ACTING AT THE IMPROV SHOP St. Louis Offering several types of training and instruction, The Improv Shop lets students of every skill and comfort level take on the spotlight. Study improvisational concepts, gain stage experience, and learn the joy and technique of “Yes/And.” 3960 Chouteau Avenue • 314-652-2200 TheImprovShop.com

MATT’S CLASSES Adventure Tree 1616 Del Norte Avenue St. Louis 508-243-5957

BEER AND WINE MAKING WITH THE HOME BREWERY

AdventureTree.org

Ozark

Heaven on Earth Ranch

Add a dash of spice to your life with

24762 105th Street

these lessons on home brewing and

Weatherby

winemaking. Instructors at The Home

816-632-9031

Brewery perform demonstrations and

Heaven-On-Earth.us

answer personalized questions to folks in these classes. Learn about the

Hiking the Ozarks

equipment, techniques, and methods

Springfield

COURTESY THE IMPROV SHOP, THE HOME BREWERY, CRACKPOT POTTERY & ART STUDIO

for crafting high-quality, homemade

417-844-5834

beer and wine.

HikingTheOzarks.com

1967 West Boat Street • 800-321-2739 HomeBrewery.com

POTTERY AT CRACKPOT POTTERY & ART STUDIO Joplin The studio offers an eight-week course to get your hands molding and your wheels spinning. Select two- or threehour sessions; the cost of the class covers the price of firing and glazing your masterpieces.

3820 East 20th Street • 417-623-1455 Crackpot-Pottery.com

6 7 / DECEMBER 2017/JANUARY 2018

ML1217_ServiceInfoGOE.v2.indd 67

10/27/17 4:05 PM

SURVIVAL AND WILDERNESS SKILLS WITH SIGMA III SURVIVAL SCHOOL Sigma III offers workshops that range from an afternoon or two to weeks at a time. Check out classes in basic survival, wilderness crafting, archery, and even urban survival. The headquarters are in Mansfield, but the classes take place in several areas of the state and around the country.

1233 Highway B • 479-426-7990 SurvivalSchool.us

CLASSES IN YOUR NECK OF THE WOODS

If you’re itching to learn the handlettering that’s sweeping chalkboards and Pinterest boards everywhere, calligrapher Susan Houseman is here to help. She runs a calligraphy business, but she also teaches workshops on how to master the art.

859-663-6801 • 4InkSusanH@gmail.com EverAfterAndMoreCalligraphy.com

If you don’t see a local opportunity here, find classes and workshops near you by checking with: • Your local library or community center • Your parks and recreation department • Cooperative Extension Service • Missouri Department of Conservation • Local Facebook groups • Groupon • Hobby or crafts stores • Specialty shops • Community colleges • Home improvement stores • Nearby farms and nurseries • Kitchen or grocery stores • Coffee shop bulletin boards

GLASS ART AT SPRINGFIELD HOT GLASS Try out several types of glass art in various classes, including furnace glassblowing and glass bead making. Provided tools and tiny class sizes means you’ll have everything you need to start from scratch or try a new technique.

314 South Campbell Avenue • 417-868-8181 SpringfieldHotGlass.com

COURTESY SIGMA III SURVIVAL SCHOOL, FLICKR, SPRINGFIELD HOT GLASS

CALLIGRAPHY AND HAND LETTERING WITH EVER AFTER AND MORE CALLIGRAPHY

68 / MISSOURI LIFE

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10/27/17 4:07 PM

GHOST HUNTING AT THE MISSOURI STATE PENITENTIARY Anyone can be spooked by ghosts, but few can actually hunt for them. Along with the historical and paranormal tours offered at the Missouri State Penitentiary, experts also run a workshop that teaches you how to go about the business of hunting ghosts. Learn some

WRAP IT UP

of the basic principles and equipment used

How do you fit a phenomenal

in paranormal investigations in the three-hour

experience under the tree? Call

courses.

ahead to find out about 2018

115 Lafayette Street • 866-998-6998 MissouriPenTours.com

class schedules and arrange admission for the recipient. Some organizations will offer and honor gift certificates for classes, but there are other ways to gift the experience. Wrap up a book on the subject to study up ahead of

FLY-FISHING WITH MISSOURI TROUT HUNTER

time, or create a handmade cer-

Steelville

tificate pledging the price of ad-

Instructor Walt Fulps knows his trout, and

mission or covering child care,

he’s ready to let you in on his secrets. Walt

transportation, necessary sup-

teaches adults and children fly-fishing ba-

plies, or simply promising to hon-

sics, including several methods of casting.

or the time away.

The Fly Fishing 101 daylong class provides students with gear, lunch, and plenty of oneon-one instruction.

Westover Farms, 546 Highway BB

COURTESY MISSOURI STATE PENITENTIARY, FLICKR, FEED YOUR VITALITY

MissouriTroutHunter.com

HEALTHY, ALLERGEN-FRIENDLY COOKING WITH FEED YOUR VITALITY .

If you’re dealing with food allergies or restrictions, you know how tough it can be to find safe, healthy food to eat. Feed Your Vitality classes provide strategies, recipes, and information on tailoring individual cooking skills and time to needs.

Classes include anti-inflammatory cooking and baking, family cooking, and tummy-friendly beer and wine consumption.

1821 Cherokee Street • 314-910-3324 FeedYourVitality.com

6 9 / DECEMBER 2017/JANUARY 2018

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10/26/17 7:21 PM

MUSINGS ON LIFE

Ain’t Bad

By Ron Marr

the shared feast of Pilgrims and Indi-

Christmas, and the dawn of a new

ans—was heavily embellished. None-

year is nigh upon us. I enjoy the first

theless, I voluntarily suspend disbelief

of these events—I’ve a thing for card-

and go with the flow; a day solely ded-

board turkeys with accordion tails—

icated to giving thanks has its heart in

and consider it the most genuine of our

the right place. I’m thankful for my tiny

holidays. The only stain that mars the

cadre of friends/family, my dogs, my

face of Thanksgiving arrives via the in-

health, the roof over my head, and that

stitutionalized insanity known as Black

I wasn’t born in Yemen, Somalia, or mid-

Friday. That tribute to greed and self-

town Manhattan. Just about anyone can

indulgence is the American version of

find something for which to be thank-

the running of the bulls. Fleet-footed

ful—you needn’t look far—but it’s nice

shoppers who avoid getting gored or

to have a specific date where even the

trampled are awarded discount pric-

simplest of good fortunes is recognized

es on store-brand flat-screens and

and celebrated.

Frankensteinian toasters that cook wienies.

RON MARR GIVER OF THANKS

As for the other two members of our triumvirate, I long ago established

Assuming you can evade the mani-

a personal boycott of December 31

acal opiate of “door-buster bargains,”

hoopla. New Year’s Eve shindigs in-

the fourth Thursday in November pro-

volve too much forced gaiety and faux

vides the perfect setting to look in-

exuberance for my tastes. People often

ward and be grateful for wonders both

behave with a manic air of contrived

small and large. If you allow yourself a

ecstasy, partly because it’s expected

philosophical view of the big picture,

but mostly because they’re snockered.

you’ll quickly appreciate—contrary to

Contrariwise, I hold Chinese New Year,

the rantings of network pundits, social

Jewish New Year (I love the traditions

media mavens, politicians, and activist

of Rosh Hashanah), and even Thai New

malcontents—that life is pretty good.

Year in high regard.

The story of the first Thanksgiving—

For the uninformed—and I swear

ILLUSTRATIONS BY ANDREW BARTON

2 Out 0f 3

The holiday trifecta of Thanksgiving,

70 / MISSOURI LIFE

ML1217_Musings.v5.indd 70

10/27/17 6:28 PM

2017

this is true—the premise of Thai New Year is basically a giant water-balloon fight. Thai folk douse each other with squirt guns, hoses, and sippy cups, and then engage in the ceremonial washing of dust and pigeon mementos from all the Buddha statues. That’s much cooler than watching Albino Cooper count down the dropping of a giant disco ball in Times Square.

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Earth, goodwill toward men,” is something to which we can all aspire (with limited success, granted). Goodwill is actually quite prevalent, and, for the truly unaware, I’m referring to something other than off-street retail stores packed with donated jackets, used blenders, and worn tennis rackets. Most people can be compassionate and empathetic when they get out of their own way and realize that unpretentious kindness is pretty easy and endlessly fulfilling. Spreading goodwill requires nothing more than a gracious word, a gentle smile, and a charitable attitude.

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a time that was simpler, if not gentler.

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I still watch Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer every year, light scented candles, and listen to Christmas car-

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ols. I enjoying giving special gifts and believe dropping a fiver in the Salvation Army bucket makes a difference.

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I also believe in Santa Claus, not

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in the allegorical sense, but as a

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NO PLACE LIKE HOME

December Memories

By Lorry Myers My father found out one April that he

what he wanted for the end of his days

soothing her curls like he did when she

had only months to live. He refused

and what he wanted for the woman he

was little. “You will know when he finds

all treatment, telling his family that he

would leave behind. He spent alone

you … you will know.”

wanted all the good days he could get

time with each family member, telling

A few weeks later, in the month of

because the bad days were coming

us stories he wanted us to remember,

December, my father passed away,

soon enough.

making us laugh so we wouldn’t cry.

leaving our family with a hole in the

My parents were married for 65

There would be plenty of time for that later.

middle of us. I am forever grateful for the hours we shared in the months be-

years and had 6 accomplished chil-

When my youngest daughter came

fore Dad passed, but still … he is gone.

dren and 11 spirited grandchildren. We

home for Thanksgiving, it was her turn.

I miss him every day.

are a close-knit clan that embraces full-

Grandpa motioned for her to come sit

Soon after, Mariah agreed to a blind

blown holidays and all-out family va-

beside him. While her friends and her

date, assuring herself she would cer-

cations, so our children grew up with

cousins were wearing rings and having

tainly be home early. She didn’t really

housefuls of cousins. In the middle of

babies, Mariah had yet to find anyone

want to go, but for some inexplicable

it all was my father, baiting hooks and

whose heart beat with hers.

reason, she did. At the door of the cho-

warming bleachers and teasing his

Grandpa was worried about it.

sen restaurant, a tall man slowly stood

grandchildren with nicknames and silly

“Hey, Pretty,” my father said, with

and gave her a wide smile; his deep

sayings. Now those grandchildren are

a rusty catch in his voice as he called

dimples and dark eyes made Mariah

all grown up, falling in love, and settling

his granddaughter her girlhood nick-

feel like she was standing in the sun.

down. In the last few years, we’ve had

name. With her hand in his, Dad

She knew. Right then, she knew.

our share of weddings and baby show-

confided to Mariah that the day he

He had found her.

ers … my family has much to celebrate.

learned he didn’t have long to live, he

This month of December, my fa-

Dad wanted us to remember that.

started praying that his last unmarried

ther’s prayers will be answered as my

There is much to be said about

granddaughter would find someone

daughter marries the one who lights up

knowing you are going, and my father

to grow old with, someone who would

her world. My family will fill the hall with

made good use of his last months.

“light up her world.”

laughter and tears and sweet memo-

Mom organized their lives through

“Be ready, little Pretty, because

new paperwork and old photographs

someone is looking for you,” Dad

while Dad talked to his children about

whispered, wiping Mariah’s eyes and

ries as we celebrate the marriage of my father’s last granddaughter.

A match made in heaven.

LORRY MYERS DAUGHTER, MOM

ILLUSTRATION BY ANDREW BARTON

Dad was right.

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BEEF

SPONSORED BY

always in

season

PISTACHIO-CRUSTED TENDERLOIN OF BEEF WITH AN ESPRESSOBOURBON SAUCE Courtesy Wayne Vanderwert

Farm Table

EVAN WOOD AND EVAN HENNINGSEN

W

ayne Vanderwert took up cooking for a simple reason.

"I like to eat," he says.

The Missouri rancher has a cattle operation just east of New Franklin where he raises SimAngus cattle, a hybrid of Simmental and Angus or Red Angus. According to the American Simmental Association, the breed was created in the late 20th century in response to demand for a crossbred animal with the superior qualities of both the Simmental and Angus breeds.

Wayne says he has been raising and selling the breed since moving his operation from Madison to the New Franklin area in 2000 to be closer to his home in Columbia.

Wayne's recipe for tenderloin is itself a hybrid of other recipes to which the rancher/chef has been introduced throughout the years. Served with a Bourbon Espresso sauce, Wayne says the dinner makes an elegant substitute for traditional holiday meals of turkey and ham. "We normally pair it with some oven-roasted root vegetables

like parsnips and carrots prepared with cumin, coriander, and olive oil," he says.

The recipe has proven so popular that Wayne and his wife, Anita, offer it as the main course for a dinner for eight that they donate in conjunction with the Missouri Beef Council and Missouri Wines as part of an annual University of Missouri fundraiser. "We have a multicourse dinner and serve Missouri wines paired with each course," he says.

Ingredients > Beef tenderloin USDA Choice Butcher’s string or elastic bands for roasting Salt, pepper and sugar for seasoning

Dijon mustard ½ pound of roasted pistachio nut meats (after hulls removed) Olive oil Butter Bread crumbs

Directions > 1. Trim the 6-8 pound roast (search for tutorial videos online) and refrigerate.

2. Well before your dinner, remove the trimmed roast from the refrigerator. Fold 3 inches of the small end back on itself and secure with a couple of ties. Tie the rest of the cut with 3 or 4 ties or bands. Season it with salt, pepper, and sugar.

3. Let it rest and come to room temperature.

4. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees and roast for 20 minutes.

5. Coarsely chop the pistachio meats, add olive oil, butter, and fine bread crumbs to bring the nuts to a sticky paste consistency.

Add salt and pepper to taste.

6. Remove tenderloin from the oven and discard all of the ties.

7. Brush the top and sides of the tenderloin with Dijon mustard (serves as the glue for the crust). Pack the top and sides with the pistachio mixture.

8. Return to the 400-degree oven for 20-25 minutes and pull it from the oven when a meat thermometer registers 125 degrees in the thick end.

9. Cover it loosely with foil and let it rest for 20 minutes before slicing and serving.

10. Slice and serve with Espresso-Bourbon Sauce.

ESPRESSO-BOURBON SAUCE Ingredients > ½ cup bourbon 2-3 tablespoons of a ½ cup maple syrup brewed shot of ½ cup low-sodium soy espresso or really sauce strong coffee 2 tablespoons lemon 1 tablespoon cold juice butter 1/8 teaspoon pepper Directions > 1. In a small saucepan combine the bourbon, maple syrup, soy sauce, lemon juice and espresso coffee. Bring to a boil.

2. Reduce heat and simmer uncovered, stirring periodically until sauce thickens.

Yields about ½ cup.

3. Just before serving add the cold butter and pepper.

4. Serve warm sauce over tenderloin.

7 3 / D4E C/ EMMIBS ES R O U2 R 0 I1 7L/ IJ F AE NUARY 2 018

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say Cheese!

G O C R O P T O C O W T O C H E E S E W I T H T H E H E M M E FA M I LY.

Flanked by fields and barns at the end of a country lane, David and Janet Hemme’s well-kept, turn-of-the-century home in Saline County is still at the heart of the 180 acres they purchased in 1987, not far from a compost barn sheltering a herd of 150 milking cows.

the gravel road just north of Sweet Springs and one of many long-standing farms in the community.

For more than a year, though, David and his four sons—Jon, 33, Nathan, 31, Michael, 28, and Aaron, 23— have been turning milk into handcrafted artisanal cheese in that outbuilding, which now serves as the headquarters of Hemme Brothers Farmstead Creamery.

STORY Susan Atteberry Smith

COURTESY HEMME BROTHERS FARMSTEAD CREAMERY

Besides a new outbuilding, locals driving past may not notice anything new at the dairy, a familiar landmark on

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LEFT: Work begins long before sunup at the Hemme Brothers Farmstead Creamery. No matter what, 150 dairy cows—mostly Holsteins, with a few Brown Swiss and Jerseys—must be milked at 5 AM and 5 PM. BELOW: The Hemme brothers, from left, Aaron, Jon, Michael, and Nathan help run the creamery.

COURTESY HEMME BROTHERS FARMSTEAD CREAMERY

LEFT: Several Hemme brothers grow crops to feed the cows that produce the milk for cheese products such as aged cheddar. The creamery also produces curds and quark, a German-inspired product that resembles a tangy cream cheese.

RIGHT: The Hemmes still sell milk they collect from their dairy cows, but they hope to transition to using all the milk for cheese production.

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As urban foodies sample the creamery’s aged cheddar, cheese curds, and German quark at specialty shops and area farmers’ markets, the Hemmes are finding early success in an agricultural niche they hope will keep their family farm thriving for future generations.

They’re selling three times as much cheese as they expected to sell when is the very essence of the farm-to-

according to Sarah Alsager, commu-

summer, Hemme Brothers quark—a

table movement. They feed their

nications director for the Missouri

soft-spread cheese with the tang of

dairy cows with crops grown on the

Department of Agriculture (MDA).

yogurt—won a first-place award at the

family’s acreage. Then, they make

Missouri remains among the top

American Cheese Society’s national

cheese out of the milk from the cows.

half of milk-producing states, accord-

competition in Denver.

The Hemme family’s creamery

Their plan is simple, says Nathan,

ing to the MDA, yet US Department

the creamery’s manager. “As the busi-

of Agriculture (USDA) dairy cow in-

ness continues to grow and as the

ventories also show that the number

market tells us to make more cheese,

of milk cows on farms dropped by 60

we make more cheese.”

percent from 1990 to 2014.

As he explains this, he stands over

ABOVE: Marketing their artisanal cheese has taken the Hemmes to regional farmers’ markets and area specialty shops. Bright labels designed by a Kansas City firm call attention to the products.

a gleaming stainless-steel cheese

Boom to Bust

vat in a spotless white room. When

David and Janet had suffered the

the creamery opened, the Hemmes

sting of a sudden market change in

made one batch of cheese every

the early 2000s—and they didn’t

other week. Now, they pump 3,000

care to experience it again. As long-

pounds of fresh milk from a bulk tank

time hog farmers who also grew row

for a new batch of cheese three to

crops, they lost about $300,000

four times a week, Nathan says.

in 18 months when corporate hog

“It’s a start,” he says.

farms began to proliferate. The price

The Hemmes have milked cows

of pork in the oversupplied market

since the mid-1990s, but making

dropped precipitously before they

cheese is a new enterprise—and an

were able to sell their hogs and make

uncommon one that puts them among

the transition to dairy farming.

only 18 cheese plants in the state,

“We had one (kid) in college,

ABOVE: Cheese-making days can begin as early as 3 AM for Nathan, the creamery’s manager.

A federal grant helped fund the building and a lot of the stainless-steel equipment, including this cheese vat.

COURTESY HEMME BROTHERS FARMSTEAD CREAMERY

the creamery opened in 2016. Last

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COURTESY HEMME BROTHERS FARMSTEAD CREAMERY

FROM TOP: Nathan and employee Jeremiah Brandt toss curds by hand, separating them from whey. Cheesemaking is “pretty simple to a certain point, and then it’s a lot of back-breaking work,” Nathan says. He adds vegetable enzyme to the pasteurized milk, which causes it to coagulate.

The Hemmes used to raise hogs, but they transitioned to a dairy after experiencing losses in the early 2000s.

two in high school, two in elemen-

sons—all farmers—and their fami-

along just in time—as Nathan and

tary school,” says 59-year-old David

lies. The Hemmes’ only daughter,

Jon married and became fathers

Hemme. “That will make you right

Elizabeth Gifford, is a social worker

themselves, and as Michael and

there scratch your head a little bit.”

living in nearby Concordia.

Aaron graduated from college and

The children went on to become col-

The Hemme family has lived and

lege graduates—all with College of

farmed in the same township north

In 2014, a USDA Value Added

the Ozarks degrees—except Aaron,

of Sweet Springs since 1848, Nathan

Producer Grant provided the family

who studied animal nutrition at

says. “We’re deeply rooted here, and

with funds to expand the dairy into

Northwest Missouri State University.

it’s what our family has always done,”

a creamery. The creamery is still

When the market changed again

he says. The farm of David’s parents,

secondary to the dairy itself, but the

a few years ago, the Hemmes knew it

Roy and Dolores Hemme, is about a

family hopes to eventually use all of

was time for another gear switch. The

decade shy of becoming a Missouri

the milk produced on the property

family needed “to get more creative

Century Farm.

in cheese making rather than sell-

than just milking cows,” Nathan says.

Nathan took a University of Wisconsin-River

“It seems the general public is wanting to know where their food

ment and agricultural grants that aid

comes from,” Nathan says of the

ly decided income from the dairy

small family farms trying to compete

farm-to-table

alone couldn’t support the Hemme

with corporate producers came

just want to know it’s not coming

after

the

77 /

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Family Plan Fortunately, the farm-to-table move-

course

cheese-

ing milk.

fami-

making

Falls

came back to the farm.

2017

movement.

“They

2018

10/26/17 3:32 PM

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FROM TOP: Janet and David Hemme knew they needed to get more creative than just milking cows. They had five children to put through school, and now those children have families of their own; Nathan’s wife, Ashley, holds their daughter, Jules. Michael checks a hay bale that will feed the cows.

from some large corporation—even though those large corporations are owned by small dairy farmers

ABOVE: The farm-to-table movement is a way of life as well as a business model for the Hemme family.

like us, but a lot of people just don’t know that.”

The Hemmes are proud of their free-range cows that give milk without bovine growth hormone injections and their eco-friendly compost barn. The family members enjoy sharing their process with consumers at places such as the Columbia Farmers Market. Often, customers wonder why the Hemmes’ natural cheddar is the color of cream and not a golden orange like the dyed-forconsistency brands found at the supermarket. “People want that kind of relationship with their food, with their farmer,” Nathan says.

tant Neville McNaughton—a former New Zealand cheese maker known as “Dr. Cheese”—and the marketing expertise of Kansas City firm Sullivan Higdon & Sink, creators of the creamery’s hip orange-and-black logo and labels.

“There’s a lot to learn beyond farming,” Nathan says. Each of the brothers brings his own agricultural

COURTESY HEMME BROTHERS FARMSTEAD CREAMERY

The family has benefited from the advice of St. Louis cheese consul-

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COURTESY HEMME BROTHERS FARMSTEAD CREAMERY

Another workday ends on the 180-acre farm. The family has lived on the property since 1987, but the Hemmes’ roots in the community run deeper— back to 1848. By changing with the times and transitioning to making artisanal cheese, they hope to keep the farm thriving for generations to come.

and business expertise to the farm,

walked out of the house with a pair

yet they also say marketing their

of pliers on my belt,” David says,

Agricultural experts say making

products has posed new challenges.

referring to the simple, all-purpose

specialty products such as artisanal

Nathan could be up to his sanitized

tool of many a farmer. Now, he’s just

cheese can help small family farms

elbows in cheese curds early in the

as likely to rely on his sales skills,

survive in today’s economy.

morning, then ordering labels in the af-

whether setting up booths at fes-

For the Hemmes, though, the

ternoon before he and his wife, Ashley,

tivals or delivering products to re-

true value-added product may be the

gather their three young children from

tailers in Sweet Springs, Hermann,

chance to work and live closely to-

day care and school and head home to

Kansas City, Lee’s Summit, and

gether in the years ahead.

their own farm near Emma.

Columbia (see where to find the

“It’s still kind of hard to wrap your

products at HemmeBrothers.com).

David admits he’d still much rather be hauling corn to market in-

mind around right now,” says Jon, a

Meanwhile, the hard work of farm-

stead of cheese, but when he turns

father of two who grows row crops

ing hasn’t gotten easier. Cows still

around at their Lutheran church on

at his Emma farm and helps brothers

must be milked at 5 AM and 5 PM.

Sunday to see all five of his children,

Michael and Aaron raise and care for

Their classic John Deere tractors

their spouses, and his and Janet’s six

the heifers. “It’s just so new.”

don’t fix themselves. The job of hand-

grandchildren behind him, he knows

tossing cheese curds, Nathan says,

life is good.

But, as their father points out, life is change.

“Every morning for 40 years, I 79 /

ML1217_Flavor.v4.indd 79

begin as early as 3:30 AM.

is the backbreaking part of what he

“It’s a helluva lot of work,” he says,

does on cheese-making days, which

“but it’s amazing how far we’ve come.”

2017

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French Macarons

with Almond Quark Buttercream The French call these light cookies “macarons” and Americans say “macaroons.”

We call them delicious, especially with almond-flavored quark buttercream.

Makes 20 macarons

4 large egg whites (room temperature) 1⁄4 teaspoon cream of tartar 3⁄4 cup granulated sugar 11⁄2 cups almond flour

13⁄4 cups powdered sugar 1 drop pistachio extract 1 drop rose extract 1 drop lemon extract Food coloring (green, pink, yellow)

1. In the bowl of a stand mixer, whip the egg whites to soft peaks. Add the cream of tartar and granulated sugar and whip to firm peaks.

2. Sift together the almond flour and powdered sugar. Add the sifted ingredients to the whipped egg whites and fold in gently.

4. Line three cookie sheets with parchment paper.

5. Place the first colored mixture into a piping bag and pipe circular macarons about 1½ inches in diameter. Repeat on other cookie sheets with the other colors.

6. Let macarons dry for 1 hour before baking to form a crispy top and help them rise evenly when baking.

7. Preheat oven to 300 degrees and bake for 15 minutes.

8. Allow to cool on the cookie sheets, and then place in the refrigerator until ready to sandwich with the buttercream.

Recipes by Cynthia Hulé

Almond Quark Buttercream 3⁄4 cup butter, softened 2 cups powdered sugar

1 drop almond extract 1 cup quark cheese (room temperature)

1. In the bowl of a stand mixer, whip the softened butter until light and fluffy. Slowly add the powdered sugar.

2. Once combined, add the almond extract and slowly whip in the quark at low speed.

3. To make handling easier, refrigerate the buttercream for at least 20 minutes before spreading onto the macarons.

EVAN HENNINGSEN

3. Separate the batter into thirds and place in separate bowls. Into the first bowl, add the pistachio extract and the green food coloring.

In the second bowl, add the rose extract and the pink food coloring, and in the third bowl add the lemon extract and the yellow food coloring.

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Quark Tartine

Visit the completely redesigned MissouriLife.com for more recipes, such as

Quark Potato Salad

Classic Poutine – and –

Hasselback Potatoes – and –

Hot Cheese Curd Beer Dip and many, many MORE!

Poached Pears

Red Wine Poached Pears

Quark Potato Salad Butter-tossed yellow potatoes dressed with a fresh, creamy quark and yogurt dressing, brightened with lemon and fresh herbs

with Whipped Quark

Dark poached pear, poaching liquid reduced into a sauce, served whole, with sweetened and whipped vanilla quark

Serves 6

Serves 4

1 bottle dry red wine (Merlot, Malbec, or Cabernet Sauvignon) 1⁄3 cup sugar 3 whole cloves 1⁄4 inch slice of fresh ginger

4 large firm pears, peeled 1⁄4 cup heavy cream ¼ cup powdered sugar 1⁄2 cup quark cheese 1⁄4 teaspoon vanilla extract

1. In a large saucepan, combine the wine, sugar, and spices. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat and drop in the pears.

Simmer the pears in the liquid for 30 minutes, until a knife easily pierces through the pear. Be sure to flip the pears so that all sides soften evenly.

2. Once poached, remove the pears and reserve the liquid to make the wine syrup.

EVAN HENNINGSEN

3. Reduce poaching liquid by simmering on medium heat until it turns a viscous caramel consistency and yields about 1 cup syrup.

4. In the bowl of a stand mixer, whip the heavy cream to soft peaks.

1⁄4 cup mayonnaise Juice of 1 lemon 1⁄4 cup chopped fresh dill 1⁄4 cup chopped parsley Edible flowers (optional)

1. In a large saucepan, bring 2 quarts of water to a boil. Add the potatoes and simmer for 20 minutes or until the potatoes are easily pierced with a knife.

2. Drain the water and add the butter, salt, and pepper to the pan.

3. Toss the potatoes until the butter melts, and then set aside to cool.

4. In the bowl of a stand mixer, whip the quark until smooth. Add the yogurt, mayonnaise, and lemon juice and mix on low speed. Fold in half of the chopped herbs.

5. Toss the cooled potatoes in the dressing and place into a large serving bowl. Top the potato salad with the remaining fresh herbs.

with Roasted Vegetables Thick slices of sourdough bread spread with spiced quark and topped with roasted carrots, sweet potatoes, and brussels sprouts Serves 6

1⁄2 cup quark cheese 1 teaspoon turmeric 1 teaspoon garam masala 1⁄2 teaspoon onion powder 1⁄2 teaspoon garlic powder 1⁄4 teaspoon salt 1⁄4 teaspoon pepper 12 small brussels sprouts, halved

1 sweet potato, peeled and sliced 3 large carrots, peeled and sliced Olive oil Salt and pepper 6 slices sourdough loaf bread 1 teaspoon chopped green onion

1. In the bowl of a stand mixer, whip the quark on medium speed until smooth. Add the spices and mix until combined. The spiced quark can be made ahead and refrigerated until ready to assemble the tartines.

2. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

3. Place the prepared vegetables in a roasting pan and drizzle with olive oil. Season with salt and pepper, and roast for 30 to 40 minutes until crisp and golden brown. Remove from oven.

4. Slice sourdough bread lengthwise and grill under the oven broiler until golden brown.

Allow to cool.

5. Add the sugar and whip to firm whipped cream consistency.

5. Assemble the tartines by spreading the quark onto the grilled bread and placing the roasted vegetables on top. Garnish with chopped green onion.

6. Slowly whip in the quark and add the vanilla.

7. Serve whipped quark on poached pears right away, or keep chilled until ready to serve.

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10 small yellow gold potatoes 2 teaspoons butter 1⁄2 teaspoon salt 1⁄2 teaspoon black pepper 1⁄2 cup quark cheese 1⁄4 cup yogurt

Quark Tartine

2017

2018

10/27/17 12:56 PM

Life

S pe c i al P ro m o ti o n

Financial

J. Bryan Allee is the Chief Fiduciary Officer at Central Trust Company.

According to a study in 2016, the average US household carries $16,748 in credit card debt, $28,948 in auto loans, and $176,222 in mortgage debt.

Total consumer debt is approximately $12.58 trillion. For those of us doing estate and financial planning, it isn’t difficult to see that dealing with what you owe is as important as what you own.

What happens with a person’s debts when they die? Generally, this depends on the type of debt involved (secured or unsecured) and who borrowed it.

“Secured” debts (loans made where the lender takes a security interest on the property) run with the property and survive the death of its owner(s). So, for example, a house with a mortgage or line of credit secured by the home transfers at the owner’s death to the persons who acquire it by death. In the case of joint owners, like a husband and wife, when one partner dies, the surviving spouse acquires the house and the debt that runs with it.

In the case of property owned in a trust, the beneficiaries of the trust acquire the property subject to the mortgage, and, generally, the trustee of the trust arranges for making payments on the mortgage with other trust assets until the house is sold and the net proceeds distributed to the beneficiaries.

In the case of property that passes by a “beneficiary deed” or “transfer-ondeath deed,” it is the beneficiaries who generally have the responsibility to pay any debt running with that property until it is sold. The beneficiaries can agree among themselves as to exactly how to handle debt and other expenses on the property until it is sold and the debt is paid. Otherwise, creditors can seek legal action against beneficiaries of “transferon-death” property in probate court to try and collect.

“Unsecured” debt is trickier in terms of the death of the borrower. For those

who have joint credit card accounts, for example, in most situations, the surviving borrower will be responsible for any charges made by the deceased borrower.

When an unsecured debt involves only one borrower, the debt becomes part of his or her estate and is technically subject to the rules of the state regarding probate.

And since the debt is part of the estate, it is payable only with estate assets.

However, in probate, there is a very formal procedure that the law demands in order for a claimant (a lender in probate terms) to be entitled to payment of the debt from the estate. The claim must be filed with the probate court within a certain period of time (usually no later than six months after the publication of notice of the opening of the estate), reviewed by the Personal Representative of the estate, and, depending on the type of estate involved, approved by the court before it can be paid. The probate law also ranks certain types of claims as having higher priority of payment than others—for example, funeral expenses and taxes have higher priority than any judgments or “other claims” (i.e., unsecured debts) against the decedent.

Similar rules also apply to trustees of trusts. Trustees can also publish notice of the death of a settlor of a trust, which

“starts the clock” for creditors to present their claims for payment under the “sixmonth rule.” Depending on the terms of the trust document, trustees also usually have wide latitude in the payment of the deceased settlor’s creditors as well as other expenses of administration, taxes, and other claims.

What happens if there are no assets in the probate estate to pay the claims?

Then, in those instances, the lender could be out of luck. Beneficiaries or heirs of an estate do not have a personal obligation to pay the debts of a decedent unless the rules regarding probate are followed.

Some probate assets—such as household furnishings and cars of a certain marginal value—pass to the heirs of the estate and are exempt from claims.

Given all of these protections, creditors often are willing to compromise the amount of their claims in order to avoid the cumbersome process of probate and get some immediate cash to satisfy their claims. A Personal Representative or trustee of a trust should be aware of this and use the law to their best advantage, working with an experienced attorney, to compromise debts and provide additional value to the beneficiaries of an estate or trust.

ADOBE STOCK

By J. Bryan Allee

82 / MISSOURI LIFE

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HOW DO I KNOW MY FINANCIAL ADVISOR IS ALWAYS LOOKING OUT FOR MY BEST INTEREST?

THE FIDUCIARY STANDARD

Central Trust Company adheres to the “Fiduciary Standard”; therefore, we always act in the best interest of our clients regardless of the type of account or relationship. Does your financial advisor do the same or are they merely meeting the “suitability standard?”

You can always rely on Central Trust Company for unbiased advice and customized investment solutions.

Call or visit us online today to learn how our free-from-conflict investment selection process and adherence to the “Fiduciary Standard” will make a positive impact on your financial future.

WEALTH & RETIREMENT PLANNING | INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT | TRUST & ESTATE SERVICES

WWW.CENTRALTRUST.NET ST. LOUIS | KANSAS CITY | SPRINGFIELD | COLUMBIA | JEFFERSON CITY | LAKE OZARK 8 3 / DECEMBER 2 017 /JANUARY 2 018

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10/24/17 10:00 AM

ALL AROUND MISSOURI

december 2017 & january 2018

2017

THESE LISTINGS ARE CHOSEN BY

OUR EDITORS AND ARE NOT PAID FOR

BY SPONSORS.

EV E N T S , F E S T I VAL S

& FUN

Peter Pan

DEC. 3, ARROW ROCK

Join the folk duo Dave Para and Cathy Barton for a performance of traditional Christmas hymns and carols. This is their 41st holiday concert in Arrow Rock. Federated Church.

3:15-6 PM. Goodwill offering collected. 660672-2229, ArrowRock.org

DEC. 1-3 AND 8-10, MEXICO

CENTRAL

You will never want to grow up after enjoying this timeless classic.

Presser Performing Arts Center. 7 PM Fri.-Sat.; 2 PM Sun. $6-$20. 573-5815592, PresserPAC.com

Living Windows DEC. 1, JEFFERSON CITY

A tradition for more than 20 years, this event features storefronts and windows that come alive with dancers, singers, and religious and holiday themes. Enjoy a hayride through the streets, a visit with Santa Claus, carolers, and refreshments. Downtown. 6-9 PM. Free. 573-291-3524, VisitJeffersonCity.com

Tours of the Governor's Mansion DEC. 1-2, JEFFERSON CITY

During this annual special tradition, the governor and his wife meet with all who come to tour the beautifully constructed mansion. Missouri Governor’s Mansion. 6-9 PM Fri.; 10 AM-noon Sat. Free. 573-230-3118, VisitJeffersonCity.com

Christmas in Historic Boonville DEC. 2, BOONVILLE

This holiday celebration features a parade, a market with holiday arts and crafts, decorated home tours, a Night In Bethlehem event, and a theatrical performance. Downtown.

9 AM-8:30 PM. Costs vary. 660-8823967, GoBoonville.com

Christmas California Style DEC. 2, CALIFORNIA

Stop by the local businesses for refreshments, discounts, drawings, and prizes. Then stick around for the lighted parade and a visit from

Santa and Mrs. Claus. Throughout town. 8 AM-7 PM. Free. 573-7963040, CalMo.com

Christmas on the Square DEC. 2, CAMDENTON

Celebrate this family-friendly event that features games, hot chocolate, a school choir, live animals, and a visit from Santa. Courthouse lawn.

10 AM-1:30 PM. Free. 800-769-1004, CamdentonChamber.com

Red Wagon Christmas Parade DEC. 2, CENTRALIA

Come out to see the decorated red wagons on parade, enjoy the gingerbread house display, have breakfast with Santa and his helpers, and take home some treats from the Jingle Bell cookie sale. Downtown.

7:30 AM-noon. Free. 573-682-2272, CentraliaMoChamber.com

COURTESY DAVE PARA

Christmas Concert with Family and Friends

84 / MISSOURI LIFE

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ALL AROUND MISSOURI

USA Climbing Regional Championship DEC. 9, MARYLAND HEIGHTS

Come out to cheer on more than 150 young climbers from the Midwest as they compete. Upper Limits. 9 AM-4 PM. Free for spectators; $34-$60 to compete. 314-991-2516, UpperLimits.com

Great Gatsby Murder Mystery DEC. 2, HALLSVILLE

Join the fun at this murder mystery dinner theater with great costumes from the 1920s era, interactive clues, and a fireworks finale. Victorian Country Inn. 6-8 PM. $49-$59. 573819-2000, VictorianCountryInn.com

A Winter Wonderland DEC. 2-31, JEFFERSON CITY

This drive-through display features choreographed lights synced to holiday music. Binder Park. 5:309 PM Tues.-Wed.; 5:30-10 PM Fri.Sun. $15-$35 per vehicle. 573-6346482, VisitJeffersonCity.com

COURTESY CHRIS LEE

Missouri and the Great Migration

Winter Concert

Christmas Homes Tour

The Lake Area Community Orchestra will take on your favorite holiday music at this performance. Royal Theatre. 7 PM. Free, but donations are encouraged. 573-378-6226 TheRoyalTheatre.com

Follow the map on this self-guided driving tour of six decorated homes in the Chamois, Morrison, and Pershing area. 1-5 PM. $10. 573-301-5134, VisitChamoisMorrisonMo.com

DEC. 10, VERSAILLES

Lighted Tractor Parade DEC. 15, CENTRALIA

The parade features lighted, decorated tractors at this holiday festival, and there will be food trucks on the square. There will be a Christmas Market with arts and craft vendors and visits with Santa and his reindeer. City Square and Downtown.

5-8:30 PM. Free. 573-682-2272, CentraliaMoChamber.com

DEC. 6, JEFFERSON CITY

Old Tyme Christmas

Learn about the Great Migration, which was the movement of nearly six million black Americans who migrated from the South to the northern industrial centers, changing Missouri’s demographic and racial landscape. Missouri State Museum. 7 PM. Free. 573-522-6949, MoStateParks.com

There will be a historic church tour, children’s holiday craft activities, Santa, Mrs. Claus, and his helpers, and vendors with holiday items at this old-fashioned Christmas celebration. Throughout town. 9 AM-4 PM. Free. 573-346-7191, CamdenCounty Museum.com

DEC. 16, LINN CREEK

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Evensong

DEC. 21, MEXICO

This annual holiday tradition features a performance of the Missouri Military Academy's band. Memorial Chapel at Missouri Military Academy. 6:30 PM. Free. 573-581-1776, MissouriMilitaryAcademy.org

Bridal Spectacular

JAN. 7, JEFFERSON CITY

Nearly 80 vendors featured will help you plan any style of wedding. The Linc. Noon-4 PM. $5. 573-338-2266, VisitJeffersonCity.com

Show Us Your Talent

JAN. 27, VERSAILLES

Enjoy the local talent or, better yet, show off your own talent. Royal Theatre. 7 PM. $5-$10. 573-378-6226, TheRoyalTheatre.com

S T. L O U I S

Santa Arrives on Amtrak DEC. 1, WASHINGTON

Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive on the train to take photos with children.

Depot. 5-6 PM. Free. 636-239-1743, DowntownWashMo.org

The Magic Wish DEC. 1-31, ST. LOUIS

This marionette show features Tad, Santa’s head elf who wished toys came to life. The Kramer Marionette Theatre. 10 AM and 1 PM Mon.-Sat. $12-$14. 314-531-3313, KramerMarrionetts.com

Weihnachtsfest

DEC. 2-3 AND 8-9, HERMANN

Celebrate a 19th-century German Christmas with traditional music, decorations, and German Christmas cookies. Deutschheim State Historic Site. 10 AM-4 PM. Free. 573-8862200, MoStateParks.com

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ALL AROUND MISSOURI

Candlelight Reading

Meet Santa’s Reindeer

Missouri and the Great War Exhibit

Enjoy a special reading of ’Twas the Night Before Christmas with a musical accompaniment. First Missouri State Capitol State Historic Site.

6:30-8:30 PM Free. 636-940-3222, MoStateParks.com

Meet live reindeer and hear funny stories about these beautiful animals. First Missouri State Capitol State Historic Site. 3-5 PM. Free.

636-940-3322, MoStateParks.com

This traveling exhibit from the Missouri Humanities Council explores the history of World War I through the perspective of Missouri and Missourians. C.H. Cozean Library on the campus of Mineral Area College. 7:30 AM-7:30 PM Mon.-Thurs.; 7:30 AM-4 PM Fri. Free. 573-5182307, MineralArea.edu

The Spirit of Christmas

DEC. 7-9, STARKENBURG

This unique holiday concert features mezzo-soprano Carrie KirchoferTilly and organist Jonie Loehnig on an 1860 Pfeffer pipe organ. St. Martin's Church. 2:30 PM. $3-$7. 573690-7779, VisitHermann.com

Step Through the Past DEC. 8-9, CHESTERFIELD

Experience the holidays of the past, from the 1860s to the 1960s.

Explore how the holiday season has changed over time and how events in history shaped the celebrations by taking a stroll through the adorned rooms. Refreshments will be served. Faust Historic Village.

6-9 PM Fri.; 5-9 PM Sat. $5-$12. 314615-8328, StLouisCo.com

Say Cheese Wine Trail DEC. 9-10, HERMANN

Follow the trail to seven wineries that explore the marriage of wine and cheese with samples at each stop. Hermann Wine Trail. 10 AM5 PM Sat.; 11 AM-5 PM Sun. $30. Advanced reservations required. 800932-8687, HermannWineTrail.com

Holiday House Tour DEC. 10, WASHINGTON

Take a self-guided tour of local homes and businesses decorated for the Christmas season. Throughout town. 4-7 PM. $10. 636-239-1743, DowntownWashMo.org

Capitol by Candlelight

DEC. 16-17, ST. CHARLES

New Year’s Eve Fireworks

DEC. 31, MARYLAND HEIGHTS

Ring in the new year with a huge fireworks display, and then take a carriage ride around the Plaza.

Westport Plaza. 6-9:30 PM. Free.

314-576-7100, WestportSTL.com

The Marvelous Wonderettes

JAN. 3-28, ST. LOUIS

This irrepressible quartet of young women perform a stacked playlist from the prom in 1958 to the reunion in 1968. The Repertory Theatre. Showtimes vary. $18-$89.50.

314-968-4925, RepStL.org

Identi-TEA

JAN. 12-MAR. 18, ST. LOUIS This teapot exhibit draws from the interpretations and the artists’ expressions of identities. Meet the artists and enjoy refreshments at an artists reception on Jan. 12 from 6-8 PM. Craft Alliance Center. 10 AM-5 PM Tues.-Thurs.; 10 AM-6 PM Fri.-Sat.; 11 AM-5 PM Sun. Free. 314-7251177, CraftAlliance.org

Food and Wine Experience

JAN. 26-28, ST. LOUIS

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis presents this fundraiser that showcases more than 900 wines to taste and a variety of culinary delights to be sampled. The Chase Park Plaza Royal Sonesta Hotel. 7-10 PM Fri.; noon-5 PM Sat.-Sun. $40-$300. 314968-4925, FoodAndWineStL.org

DEC. 15, ST. CHARLES

Period-dressed interpreters tell tales of early St. Charles and Missouri’s road to statehood. There will be refreshments served, and you can tour the historic Capitol by candlelight. First Missouri State Capitol State Historic Site. 6-8 PM. Free.

636-940-3322, MoStateParks.com

DEC. 1-JAN. 4, PARK HILLS

Pianos with a Purpose

SOUTHEAST

Historic Site. 6-8:30 PM. Free.

573-748-5340, MoStateParks.com

Sweater Stockings Family Concert DEC. 2, CAPE GIRARDEAU

This family holiday tradition features a variety of holiday classics.

Bedell Performance Hall. 10:30 AM and 2 PM. Free. 573-651-2265, RiverCampusevents.com

The Nutcracker DEC. 8, CAPE GIRARDEAU

The Ruth Page Civic Ballet’s creation of this holiday classic showcases exquisite dancing, stunning costumes, and magical settings. Bedell Performance Hall. 7:30 PM. $29-$39. 573651-2265, RiverCampusEvents.com

JAN. 27, PACIFIC

Candlelight Tours

This fundraiser features dinner and a performance by the dueling pianos provided by Spanky Entertainment. Eagles Hall. 5 PM. $30. 636271-6639, PacificChamber.com

Enjoy an 1860s Victorian Christmas with a candlelight tour, decorated trees, 1860s-style ornaments, and refreshments. Hunter-Dawson State

DEC. 8-9, NEW MADRID

DEC. 9, POPLAR BLUFF

Kids can bring an old sweater, cut out a stocking pattern, sew it together with yarn, and decorate it at this art class. Margaret Harwell Museum of Art Annex. 10 AM-noon. $10. 573686-8002, MHAM.org

Le Reveillon

DEC. 10, STE. GENEVIEVE

Catch the spirit of the French Christmas at this celebration that highlights the music, food, customs, and decorations of an early French Christmas. You can enjoy tasting the yule log cake and listening to historical dulcimer music. Felix Valle State Historic Site. 1-6 PM. Free. 573-8837102, MoStateParks.com

Bootheel Regional Photography Show

JAN. 9-FEB. 27, SIKESTON

This judged show has a juvenile and adult division and is open to any artists in a 150-mile radius.

COURTESY BRIAN GRUBBS

DEC. 6, 13, AND 20, ST. CHARLES

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Depot Museum. 10 AM-4 PM Tues.

Sat. Donations accepted. 573-4819967, Sikeston.net

Bluegrass Festival

JAN. 25-27, FRUITLAND

Listen to several bluegrass bands at this music festival. Bavarian Halle. 7-10 PM Thurs.; 2-10 PM Fri.; 1-10 PM Sat. $10-$30. 314-368-4418, VisitCape.com

SOUTH CENTRAL

Christmas in the Park DEC. 15-23, ROLLA

Lighted Christmas Parade DEC. 2, DIXON

Ring in the holiday season with a lighted parade featuring lighted floats, music, and Santa and his helpers. Enjoy hot chocolate and cookies after the parade.

Downtown. 6 PM. Free. 573-759-2121, DixonChamberOfCommerce.com

Drive through this winter wonderland of lights and animation.

At the end of the route, you will get a visit from Santa. Lions Club Park. 6-9 PM Mon.-Thurs.; 6-10 PM Fri.-Sat. Donations accepted. 573-578-6769, RollaLions.org

Christkindl Markt and Parade DEC. 2, ROLLA

Trees and Trains DEC. 1-24, SALEM

COURTESY ASHLEY ASHER

This yearly event features Christmas trees decorated by groups and individuals with a display of toy trains that race around the room. Ozark Natural and Cultural Resource Center. 9 AM-5 PM Mon.-Sat. Free. 573729-0029, ONCRC.org

There will be bands, floats, music, and Santa at the parade, then stop by the Christkindl Markt to celebrate Rolla’s sister city, Sondershausen, Germany. Taste German food, listen to music and choirs, shop the vendors, and make crafts with the kids under the outdoor heated tent.

Downtown. 10 AM-5 PM. Free. 573364-3577, VisitRolla.com

KMOS Enjoy the holidays with extended access to the PBS programs you love on the KMOS Passport streaming service.

Visit KMOS.ORG to learn more, or to see if you have an unactivated Passport member benefit.

KMOS engage

educate

kmos.org

entertain

A service of the University of Central Missouri

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Cockrell Mercantile Co.

Aunt Mary’s Cookies

Unicorn Theatre

Something for Everyone on your Christmas List Cockrell Mercantile is a village of five unique shops in a quaint country setting featuring cookware, bakeware, and Fiesta dinnerware. Also fashion accessories, such as Vera Bradley and Baggallini handbags, and a huge assortment of gourmet foods! Something for everyone on your Christmas list. Complimentary gift wrapping and custom gift baskets.

Send Delicious Treats to Your Holiday List Aunt Mary’s Cookies in North Kansas City has been serving delectable cookies and other unique treats since 1999. We feature breakfast and lunch specials and a large variety of tempting desserts.

We also offer catering, customer orders, and we’ll ship our boxed cookies anywhere. Cookie bouquets are available for local delivery.

Stop in soon for sweet treat you won’t forget.

See Them Here First Unicorn Theatre enhances Kansas City’s community by developing and producing high-quality, thoughtprovoking plays new to the region. We illuminate social issues by featuring inclusive stories that include race, religion, and gender identity.

Unicorn creates opportunities for the advancement of emerging and established actors, directors, playwrights, designers, technicians, and administrative staff.

30003 East Old US Highwy 50, Lee’s Summit 816-697-1923 | cockrellmercantile@yahoo.com

309 Armour Rd., North Kansas City 816-472-6279

3828 Main St., Kansas City 816-531-PLAY (7529)

CockrellMercantile.com

AuntMarysCookies.com

UnicornTheatre.org

Walnut Street Inn

Come as Strangers, Leave as Family Welcome to the Walnut Street Inn. We’re a familyrun full-service bed-and-breakfast in the center of the National Historic Neighborhood in Springfield.

We’ve been welcoming guests since 1987 and want to be your hideaway, your urban oasis, when visiting our fair city.

Springfield will win you over with quiet entertainment and fascinating things to do like the new Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium. Give us a call and let us put together a stay that you will want to repeat again and again.

900 East Walnut St., Springfield 417-864-6346

WalnutStreetInn.com

Hardware of the Past

For the Present and the Future Missing a brass drawer pull on your grandmother’s dresser? Need to replace the caned seat in that chair you found at a thrift store?

Hardware of the Past offers reproduction hardware and supplies to restore antique furniture so

your treasured heirlooms and thrift store finds can look as great today as they did back then.

405 North Main St., Saint Charles 636-946-5811 or 800-447-9974

HardwareOfThePast.com

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2017 Holiday Gift Guide Red Rooster Trading Co.

Saleigh Mountain

Atkins Johnson Farm & Museum

A small, family-owned business in Hermann that specializes in quality handcrafted leatherworks and shoe repair.

Now selling Americanmade Filson products and Thorogood boots.

Nothing can beat the pure taste of local Missouri honey!

The historic Atkins-Johnson Farm and Museum raises honeybees on their 22-acre heritage area and honey is collected only twice per year.

At Red Rooster Trading Company, we believe in delivering handbuilt, durable goods that are both functional and beautiful. Shop online for coffee mills, home goods, and unique furniture.

Open Tues.-Sat., 9 am to 5 pm 124 E Fourth St., Hermann 573-486-2992

6607 Northeast Antioch Rd., Gladstone 816-423-4107

AtkinsJohnsonFarm.com

RedRoosterTradingCompany.com

SaleighMountain.com

Double J Ranch

Crow Steals Fire

Skin KC

Let us make your special event more memorable.

Ride on our draft horse-drawn hayride while enjoying the winter scenery in beautiful Clarksville.

Personalized and artisan jewelry handmade in Missouri. Give unique jewelry with a special meaning and a story to tell.

Created by Stephanie Simkins, SKIN™ is a line of natural skin care and body products made with organic ingredients and oils each with a specific healing component in mind.

Clarksville - Pike County, MO.

6247 Brookside Plaza, Kansas City

Book your event today: 314-960-1044

CrowStealsFire.com

Jennings Premium Meats

Perfect Gifts for Anyone on Your List Our award-winning smoked hams and smoked turkeys will make your holiday celebration delicious. Call to order holiday gift boxes, gift cards, and Pop’s Authentic Artisan Meat Snack Sticks.

125 Broadway, New Franklin 660-848-2229 or 800-210-6425

JenningsPremiumMeats.com

SkinKC.com

Ozarklake Copper Garden Art

Bird-tested, bird-approved A unique copper feeder handcrafted in Missouri by Ozarklake will provide enjoyment for many years. Using various styles of repurposed glass, each design is fun as well as functional.

Ozarklake at Lake of the Ozarks 573-286-0491 info@ozarklake.net

Ozarklake.net

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Check Out These Great Holiday Gifts from Missouri Life

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12 oz Beef Summer Sausage 2 oz Beef Log (2) 2 Stuffed Cornish Hens 12 oz Country Ham 4 Cured and Smoked Pork Chops • 1 lb of Cured Bacon • One-year subscription to Missouri Life Magazine *$74.99 plus shipping and handling

Jolly with Jerky • • • • • •

2oz. Beef Logs (2) Old Timer Jerky Beef Muscle Jerky 2oz. Beef Teriyaki Log 2oz. Beef BBQ Log 2oz. Beef Log with Cheese and Pepper • One-year subscription to Missouri Life Magazine *$49.99 plus shipping and handling

Order online at ShopMissouriLife.com or call 877-570-9898 90 / MISSOURI LIFE

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ALL AROUND MISSOURI

National Antique Tractor Pull

Christmas Parade of Lights

JAN. 5-6, LEBANON

DEC. 2, SALEM

Watch as tractors built prior to 1959 compete to pull the most weight. This event is fun for the whole family. Cowan Civic Center Exhibition Hall. Qualifying rounds begin on Friday, and the competition begins at 8 AM Sat. $5. 417-532-4642, MissouriPulling.com

This year’s parade theme is “The Sights and Sound of Christmas” and will feature lighted floats, Santa, and bands. Downtown. 5:30 PM. Free.

573-729-6900, SalemMo.com

Holiday Bazaar DEC. 9, RICHLAND

You can find unique gifts from homemade crafters as well as other vendors at this bazaar. City Hall Gym. 10 AM-3 PM. Free. 573-765-4421, RichlandMo.info

A Year to Give Thanks DEC. 9, WEST PLAINS

Christmas on Main Street DEC. 3, CROCKER

COURTESY CITY OF LEBANON TOURISM

Enjoy hot dogs, chips, hot chocolate, cookies, pictures with Santa, and the Christmas tree in the lit-up park at this small-town family event.

Downtown. 5-7 PM. Free. 573-7365327, PulaskiCountyUSA.com

Christmas on the Square DEC. 7, WAYNESVILLE

This hometown holiday event features pony rides, chili, hot chocolate, a giving tree, a living nativity, historical children’s activities, carolers, and booths for civic and church organizations. Downtown.

6-9 PM. Free. 573-774-6910

Enjoy this themed parade with floats and music. Downtown. 4 PM. Free.

417-256-4433, WPChamber.com

Messiah Concert DEC. 10, CABOOL

There will be a full orchestra performing traditional Christmas music favorites at this concert. High School Auditorium. 3 PM. Free. 417254-3168, TheStarsFoundation.org

Bluegrass at the Barn

JAN. 13, DIXON

Jimmie Allison and the Ozark Rounders perform a bluegrass concert.

The Barn. 7 PM. $15. 573-433-9370, TheBakerBand.com

2017 Holiday Gift Guide Color Splash Art

by Nancy Koehler Let Best of Missouri Hands Juried Artist Nancy Koehler brighten up your world.

nancykoehlercolorsplash@gmail.com

Missouri Life T-shirts

Missouri Life Tote Bags

If Missouri is your home, wear it! Bright t-shirts with hand-lettered designs show off the state in style. Available in men’s and women’s styles and colors. $18-$28 (plus tax +s/h)

Give a tote bag featuring our state animal, the mule, or the Missouri state map with the county names drawn in the county shapes.

Better yet, get one for you and one for a friend. $20 (plus tax +s/h)

877-570-9898

877-570-9898

NancyKoehler.com

ShopMissouriLife.com

ShopMissouriLife.com

Missouri Playing Cards

Missouri Jewelry

Missouri Cookie Cutters

Learn fun Missouri trivia while playing your favorite card game. Each card features a photo and fact about the Show-Me State, right down to the joker. $7 (plus tax +s/h)

Show your Missouri love with lead-free, cadmium-free, and nickel-free jewelry. More styles online. $14 each (plus tax +s/h)

Make your cookies Missouri-themed this holiday season! Go online and see the full collection of Missouri cookie cutters, including your favorite Missouri animals. $1.99-$4.99 (plus tax +s/h)

877-570-9898

877-570-9898

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ShopMissouriLife.com

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ALL AROUND MISSOURI

A guitarist and The New Horizons Ensemble perform. Leach Theatre.

7:30 PM. $30-$35. 573-341-4219, LeachTheatre.mst.edu

SOUTHWEST

Drive-Through Nativity DEC. 1, SPRINGFIELD

Drive through 11 different scenes, enjoy the petting zoo, and warm up with cookies, hot chocolate, and coffee at this holiday event. Glendale Christian Church. 6-8 PM. Free.

417-881-7614, GlendaleChristian.org

Classic Christmas DEC. 1-22, BRANSON

Enjoy the spirit of Christmas with window decoration contests, refreshments, carolers, and holiday specials. Historic Downtown.

Times vary. Free. 417-334-1548, DowntownBranson.org

Miracle of Christmas DEC. 1-30, BRANSON

This epic performance follows the story of Mary and Joseph and includes flying angels, live animals, special effects, and a soaring musical score. Sight and Sound Theatre.

Showtimes vary. $19-$45. 800-3771277, Sight-Sound.com

Parade and Tree Lighting DEC. 2, FAIR GROVE

There will be breakfast with Santa, a Christmas bazaar, a parade, a tree-lighting ceremony, a choir performance, and cookies and hot chocolate at this holiday celebration. Historic District and Wommack Mill. 7 AM-7 PM. Free. 417833-3467, FGHPS.org

Indoor Swap Meet DEC. 2, SPRINGFIELD

COURTESY ST. JOSEPH VISITORS BUREAU

Todd Mosby Concert

JAN. 19, ROLLA

Holiday on the Square DEC. 5, ST. JOSEPH

Usher in the holiday season with an evening of Christmas cheer. Meet Santa and Mrs. Claus, listen to musicians and carolers, and enjoy the lighting of the Mayor’s Christmas Tree. Coleman Hawkins Park and Felix Street Square. 5-8 PM. Free. 816-233-9192, StJoMo.com

You will find a wide selection of antiques, collectibles, home décor kitchen gadgets, holiday items,

Great Holiday Gifts for the Adventurers on Your List there is more to

discover Missouri’s remarkable diversity of landscapes comes alive in this guide that explores all there is to see and do in Missouri’s 92 state parks and historic sites. This book’s highlighted icons, trail listings, and fun facts will guide your adventures for years to come.

Softcover, 100 pgs.

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Through its 500+ photos and detailed essays on parks and historic sites, this book offers an irresistible invitation to discover Missouri’s remarkably diverse natural and cultural heritage. With a focus on the special places Missourians have elected to preserve to represent their history and culture, the book will open the door to a lifetime of exploration and will influence generations to come. Hardcover, 416 pgs.

visit MissouriLife.com/Store or call 877-570-9898, ext. 101, to order 92 / MISSOURILIFE

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ALL AROUND MISSOURI and jewelry at this indoor shopping extravaganza. Relics Antique Mall.

10 AM-5 PM. Free. 417-885-0007, RelicsAntiqueMall.com

listen to the costumed interpreters as they share stories of holidays past.

Nathan Boone Homestead State Historic Site. 2-6 PM. Free. 417-7513266, MoStateParks.com

Adoration Parade

It’s A Wonderful Life

This inspirational parade shows off larger-than-life floats and characters. Historic Downtown and Branson Landing. 5 PM. Free. 417-3341548, DowntownBranson.org

Enjoy this classic holiday film. The Gillioz Theatre. 3 PM. Free. 417-8639491, GilliozTheatre.com

Santa Train

JAN. 13, LEBANON

DEC. 3, BRANSON

DEC. 17, SPRINGFIELD

DEC. 3, HOLLISTER

COURTESY CINDY MOORE

Climb on the train and visit with Santa, watch the dancing elves, take home a goody bag, and enjoy popcorn and cookies. Historic Depot.

1:30-3:30 PM. Free. 417-334-3050, HollisterChamber.net

Winter Flea Market

Ozark Christmas

Come out to this flea market where you can find arts, antiques, collectibles, and a variety of treasures. Silver Rails Event Center. 8 AM-3 PM. Free. 660-651-6129, VisitKirksville.com

See how the Boones and Ozarks residents celebrated old-time Christmas. Stroll the lantern-lit paths, enjoy apple cider and hot chocolate, and

The St. Louis area's oldest and largest bike and outdoor gear expo

bikeandoutdoorexpo.com

DEC. 16, ASH GROVE

Save the Date

Gateway Center • Collinsville, Ill.

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Come see the metal-crushing, car-smashing Heroes of the Mad Dog Derby Tour doing battle. Cowan Civics Center. 6 PM doors open; 7:30 PM show. $20-$12. 417-532-4642, MotorheadEvents.com

NORTHWEST

JAN. 27, LA PLATA

January 14, 2018

Mad Dog Demolition Derby

Christmas Parade DEC. 1, MARYVILLE

This lighted parade makes its way

A TRULY ‘GREEN’ BOOKMARK!

Bookmark features original hand-etched scrimshaw on a recycled antique ivory piano key with genuine leather and handmade paper accents. $22, plus $5 shipping/handling

Check/Money Order/Visa/MasterCard 31 High Trail, Eureka, MO 63025

www.stonehollowstudio.com • 636-938-9570

Statement of Ownership, Management, and Circulation Missouri Life (ISSN 1525-0814) is published 8 times/year by Missouri Life, Inc., 501 High St., Suite A, Boonville, MO 65233-1211.

Publisher: Greg Wood; Editor: Danita Allen Wood; Owners: Missouri Life, Inc. (Greg Wood and Danita Allen Wood).

Extent and Nature of Circulation: Average denotes the number during the preceding year. Actual denotes number of single issues published nearest to filing date, Oct 2017 issue. Total number of copies printed: average 31,159; actual 34,130. Total paid and/or requested circulation: average 23,888; actual 24,724. Free distribution by mail: average 1,510; actual 2,751. Free distribution outside the mail: average 645; actual 504. Total free distribution: average 2,156; actual 3,255. Total distribution: average 26,043; actual 27,979. Copies not distributed: average 5,116; actual 6,151.

Percent paid and/or requested circulation: average 91.70%; actual 88.40%.

2017

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ALL AROUND MISSOURI

Sorry, Wrong Chimney DEC. 1-3, ST. JOSEPH

This hilarious Christmas dinner theater spins the tale of a Santa-inspired burglar, his gun-toting fiancée, and a confused policeman. Robidoux Landing Playhouse. 6:30 PM Fri.-Sat.; 12:30 PM Sun. $17.25-$37.

816-232-1778, RRTStJoe.org

Annie

DEC. 8-10, ST. JOSEPH

This musical features some of the greatest stage songs ever written.

Missouri Theatre. 7:30 PM Fri.-Sat.; 2 PM Sun. $11-$31. 816-232-1778, SaintJosephPerformingArts.org

St. Marks² Stringed Quartet DEC. 10, CHILLICOTHE

This concert by the chamber group has two violinists, a violist, and a cellist. First Christian Church. 3 PM. $5-$10. 660-646-1173, ChillicotheArts.com

A Bluesy Christmas DEC. 16, ST. JOSEPH

Come out for a blues-tinged holiday concert featuring Eric Stark, the Word of Life Church Choir, and the Saint Joseph Symphony. Missouri Theatre. 7-9 PM. $10-$28. 816-2337701, SaintJosephSymphony.org

First Day Hikes

JAN. 1, TRENTON

Start the New Year out right with a guided hike. Pick from three different hikes from 0.5 to 3.2 miles in length. Each hike has its own degree of difficulty and will take you past a diverse habitats. Finish the day with hot cocoa and cookies. Crowder State Park.

10 AM-4 PM. Free. 660-359-6473, MoStateParks.com

Super Science Saturday

JAN. 27, ST. JOSEPH

Educators and students from Missouri Western State University and

area high schools come together to present interactive, fun science experiments for children of all ages.

Remington/Agenstein Hall at MWSU. 10 AM-3 PM. $3. 816-232-8471, StJosephMuseum.org

Hall of Trees

DEC. 1-31, EXCELSIOR SPRINGS

NORTHEAST

The hall is filled with trees beautifully and uniquely decorated for the holidays. The historic hall sparkles with lights and holiday decorations. Hall of Waters. 10 AM-5 PM Mon.Sat. and 10 AM-4 PM Sun. Donations accepted. 816-630-6161, ExSpgsChamber.com

Boeing-Boeing DEC. 1-10, MACON

This hilarious play stars bachelor Bernard, who is engaged to three stewardesses, each of whom don’t know about the others. Things are going well for him until a new, speedier Boeing jet throws off his careful planning. Maples Repertory Theatre. Showtimes vary. $22-$29.

660-385-2924, MaplesRep.com

Old-Fashioned Christmas DEC. 2, KIRKSVILLE

Old-fashioned celebrations include caroling, a choir concert, Santa’s arrival, and a parade. Downtown.

10 AM-7 PM. Free. 660-665-3766, VisitKirksville.com

Victorian Festival of Christmas DEC. 2-24, HANNIBAL

Celebrate the holiday spirit each Saturday with a lighted parade, a homes tour, living windows, decorations, and visits from Santa. Downtown. Call for times. Free. 573-2212477, VisitHannibal.com

Holiday Cabaret DEC. 7, MACON

Enjoy a fun evening of music and comedy as members of the theater's latest production get a chance to perform her favorite show and holiday tune. Maples Repertory Theatre. 7:30 PM. $20. 660-385-2924, MaplesRep.com

KANSAS CITY

hot chocolate and cider at this traditional holiday celebration. Downtown. 5:30-8 PM. Free. 660-6682295, ColeCampMo.com

Craft Show

DEC. 1-2, LEE’S SUMMIT

Find your holiday gifts at this indoor show with more than 100 booths of handmade crafts. The Pavilion at John Knox Village. 11 AM-7 PM Fri.; 10 AM-4 PM Sat. Free. 816-524-4111, CraftPatchShow.com

Kaysinger Christmas DEC. 1-2, WARSAW

This pioneer Christmas celebration features candles, luminaria, wood stoves, fireplaces, caroling, hay rides, and 1800s décor. Take a load off by the cozy fire and have dinner.

Kaysinger Bluff on the grounds of Truman Dam Visitor Center. 3-9 PM. $2-$3 (dinner extra). 660-473-0490, VisitBentonCoMo.com

Christkindlmarket DEC. 1, COLE CAMP

There will be holiday wagon rides, pictures with Santa, the lighting of the Festbaum, a live nativity, carolers, a Christmas tree judging, and

rated with creative holiday-themed vignettes. Christmas trees and greenery adorn many of the rooms.

Vaile Mansion. 10 AM-4 PM Mon.-Sat.; 1-4 PM Sun. $3-$6. 816-229-8293, VaileMansion.org

Victorian Holiday Elegance DEC. 1-30, INDEPENDENCE

Each room of the mansion is deco-

Holiday Homes Tour DEC. 2, EXCELSIOR SPRINGS

Take a self-guided tour of several decorated homes. Throughout the area. Noon-6 PM. $10-$15. 816-6306161, ExSpgsChamber.com

Christmas on the Farm DEC. 2, LAWSON

Visit with costumed interpreters, enjoy wassail, listen to carols, and make kid’s crafts at this traditional holiday celebration. Watkins Woolen Mill State Historic Site. 2-7 PM. Free.

816-580-3387, MoStateParks.com

Hometown Christmas Parade DEC. 2, SEDALIA

Kick off the holidays with a parade.

Downtown. 10 AM. Free. 660-8262222, SedaliaChamber.com

COURTESY KEVIN MORGAN

to Winter Wonderland, where you can see Santa on a fire engine and enjoy holiday treats. Downtown and Franklin Park. 6:30-8 PM. Free. 660582-8643, MaryvilleChamber.com

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England, Scotland & Wales Cycling September 4-14, 2018

Ride with the Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Missouri Life!

Join Us on this Exclusive Overseas Cycling & Hiking Tour Missouri Life invites you to join Publisher Greg Wood & Editor-in-Chief Danita Allen Wood on a festive and immersive travel adventure as we bike through the heart of scenic England, Scotland, and Wales. You’ll visit medieval, imperial, and literary landmarks, as well as experience some of the United Kingdom’s most spectacular countryside biking routes. Photos courtesy VisitBritain

12 Days • 22 Meals Double: $4,977; Single: $5,481 Round-trip air from Kansas City or other cities, bikes and gear, fees, English-speaking guides...Included!

Days 1 & 2: Welcome to England Day 3: Cycle Tour of the Cotswolds Day 4: Coventry to Llandudno Day 5: Cycle Tour Along Coast Day 6: Llandudno to the Lake District Day 7: Lake District Cycling Day 8: Seaside Cycling Tour Day 9: Isle of Bute Day 10: Loch Lemond Island Hiking Day 11: Farewell

MissourLife.com/BikeGreatBritain • 855-744-8747 9 5 / DECEMBER 2 017 /JANUARY 2 018

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Dickens Christmas DEC. 2, WARRENSBURG

There will be a Tiny Tim soup competition at this festival. Downtown.

10 AM-4 PM. Free. 660-429-3988, WarrensburgMainStreet.com

Anderson House Christmas DEC. 2-3, LEXINGTON

Tour the decorated and candlelit house, and enjoy live piano music by Dave Bohling and Pat Berry. Battle of Lexington State Historic Site. 6-8 PM Sat.; noon-4 PM Sun. Free. 660-259-4654, MoStateParks.com

The Nativity

DEC. 2-4, KANSAS CITY

Come see beautiful, seven-foot puppets move through the aisles of the historic cathedral with live music and choral accompaniment. Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral. 10 AM and 7 PM Sat.; 2 and 5 PM Sun.; 3 PM Mon. $11-$16. 816756-3500, MesnerPuppets.org

The Nutcracker

Making Spirits Bright

DEC. 7-24, KANSAS CITY

The Kansas City Ballet performs a reimagined version of this holiday classic.

There will be exquisite costumes and captivating choreography. Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. Showtimes and ticket prices vary. 816-9312232, KCBallet.org

Christmas on the Harbor DEC. 8-9, WARSAW

Shop at the Christmas Marketplace, listen to performances by local choirs, vote for your favorite charity tree, have breakfast with Santa, watch the parade, visit with Santa and his elves, take a hayride, get in on karaoke, and drive through the lights display, all while enjoying sweets and treats. Drake Harbor. 4:30-8 PM Fri.; 9 AM-8 PM Sat. Free (except breakfast).

660-438-2312, VisitBentonCoMo.com

Missouri Town 1855: A Christmas Celebration DEC. 9, LEE’S SUMMIT

You will be transported back to the

holidays from a simpler time with candlelit rooms, hearth fires, period music, and a special appearance from Belsnickel. Missouri Town 1855. 9 AM-4:30 PM. $4-$7. 816-229-8980, MakeYourDayHere.com

DEC. 16, KINGSVILLE

Learn about the botanical aspects of hand-crafted liquors while enjoying signature cocktails, a hot appetizer buffet, and live jazz from a 1920s speakeasy. Powell Gardens. 6-9 PM. $50-$75 (must be 21 years or older).

816-697-2600, PowellGardens.org

Christmas Parade DEC. 9, LINCOLN

Enjoy the parade, visit with Santa, check out the craft show, and eat a chili/soup lunch at this holiday event.

Downtown. 10 AM-4 PM. Free. 660-5472718, LincolnMissouri.com

The Holly, Jolly, Tra-La-La-Olley Tour

DEC. 9, 16, AND 23, EXCELSIOR SPRINGS

Take a magical lighted trolley tour of the Lane of Lights and local homes participating in a Griswold-style decorating contest. You can vote for your favorite home. Meet at the Hall of Waters.

5:45 and 7 PM. $10-$15. 816-630-6161, ExSpgsChamber.com

Chesapeake

DEC. 19-JAN. 7, KANSAS CITY

This play explores politics, art, the connections between dogs and their humans, and the wonder in our lives. Unicorn Theatre. 7:30 PM Tues.-Fri.; 8 PM Sat.; 3 PM Sun. $5-$45. 816-531-7529, UnicornTheatre.com

Forbidden Broadway

JAN. 30-FEB. 4, KANSAS CITY

Come out to an indoor performance of this fall-down-funny musical roast of Broadway. Starlight Theatre. 7:30 PM Tues.-Sat.; 2 PM Sat.-Sun. $32-$62.

816-363-7827, KCStarlight.com

All events go on our web calendar at MissouriLife.com. Submit events well in advance, and include a contact phone number. Visit MissouriLife.com to fill out a form, email info@ MissouriLife.com, or mail to Missouri Life, 501 High Street, Ste. A, Boonville, MO 65233. PLEASE NOTE: Call or visit the event’s website before traveling, as schedules sometimes change.

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1000 Hills, p.71

Lebanon, MO, p.29

Stone Hill Winery, p.25

Best of Missouri Hands, p.27

Lexington, MO, p.33

Stone Hollow Studio, p.93

Best of Missouri Life Market Fair, p.29

Made in Kansas City, p.29

Warrensburg CVB, p.23

Big BAM, p.35

Maryland Heights CVB, p.27

Bike and Outdoor Expo, p.93

Mexico, MO Tourism, p.16

Boonville Tourism, p.4

Missouri Beef Council, p.11

Atkins Johnson Farm and Museum, p.89

Callaway County Tourism, pgs.8-9

Missouri Choice Marketing Co-op, p.16

Aunt Mary’s Cookies, p.88

Cape Girardeau CVB, p.33

Missouri Life Gift Basket, p.90

Cockrell Mercantile Company, p.88

Central Trust Company, pgs.82-83

Missouri Life State Parks Books, p.92

Crow Steals Fire, p.89

Clay County Tourism, p.23

Missouri Life Tours, p.73

Double J Ranch, p.89

Clinton Area Chamber of Commerce, p.13

Missouri Life UK Bike Tour, p.95

Hardware of the Past, p.88

Hermann Wurst Haus, p.100

Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, p.2

Jenning’s Premium Meats, p.89

Hermann, MO, p.25

Railyard Steakhouse, p.25

Missouri Life Products, p.91

Historic Downtown Liberty, Inc., p.71

Raphael Hotel, p.31

Nancy Koehler’s Painting, p.91

Isle of Capri Casino, p.13

Roadrunner Press, p.29

Ozarklake Distinct Décor, p.89

James Country Mercantile, p.31

Rolla Area Chamber of Commerce, p.19

Red Rooster Trading Company, p.89

KCPT, p.97

Salem Area Chamber of Commerce, p.27

Saleigh Mountain, p.89

Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art, p.3

Sedalia CVB, p.19

Skin KC, p.89

Kleinschmidt’s Western Store, p.15

Socket, p.99

Unicorn Theatre, p.88

KMOS, pgs.35 and 87

St. Charles CVB, p.7

Walnut Street Inn, p.88

BEST OF MISSOURI LIFE

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THE BACK STORY

The sign says something like: “Warning. Borderline. Enter only with permission.” Note the edge of a bunker in the background at this reconstruction of the barbed wire border fence.

Land

of the Free

company that works with Missouri

and starve because of their unwilling-

Life on our tours of north Missouri, to

ness to help the Nazis.

help us create a bicycle trip in Europe.

As we listened to our young

Our tour included six days of rid-

guides—Matush and Jan in Slovakia,

ing bicycles about 100 miles. We were

and Roman and Thom in the Czech

crossing borders without anyone’s no-

Republic—I was thankful and hap-

I never dreamed I’d find my way be-

tice in places where, not so long ago,

py that they do not have to endure

hind the old Iron Curtain, especially

we might have been shot for doing so.

what their parents and grandparents

with a group of Missouri Life sub-

It was surreal for me and I think

did. We all were impressed with their

scribers. But that’s what happened

a lot of our fellow bikers. The more

wonderful senses of humor and phil-

this fall when Danita and I, along with

miles we logged along this beautiful

osophical attitude about their history.

a group of 26 others, rode bicycles

route, the more bunkers we saw out

Our guides also shared stories

along the “frontier” between Austria

in the middle of fields. We explored

about how both countries are grow-

and what was formerly known as

an old bunker—now a museum—that

ing and prospering, with unemploy-

Czechoslovakia, now two countries:

Hitler visited during World War II.

ment less than 5 percent.

the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

Czechoslovakia built this bunker, like

It became clear to me as we

The inspiration for the trip came

hundreds of others, to defend against

biked that this very place was where

from Brent Hugh, executive director

Hitler. But the European allies essen-

freedom found its way and rose up

of the Missouri Bicycle Federation. He

tially sold them out in an effort to ap-

through the barbed wire to stand at

and his sister rode along the Danube

pease Hitler. So instead of resisting,

long last and breathe free air.

River, which borders or flows through

they became part of the Nazi regime.

This brief look at the trials and trib-

10 countries, including Austria and

I felt a strange sensation rising up

ulations of these once-occupied coun-

Slovakia. “The countryside and trail

from the pit of my stomach: We were

tries behind the Iron Curtain made me

we rode on reminded me much of

being hosted by countries that were

all the more grateful to live in a land

our own Katy Trail,” Brent told us, “es-

enemies to the United States, and

where we are free to choose our edu-

pecially where it runs alongside the

yet our guides from these countries

cation, our jobs, our homes, our lives—

Missouri River.”

shared stories of individuals, even rel-

and thankful for those who gave their

About a year ago, we asked

atives, who were sent to the horrific

lives so that we could be free. And,

Country Travel Discoveries, the tour

death camps or mining camps to work

thank God, we can still say that we are.

GREG WOOD

GREG WOOD PUBLISHER

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You should never need out your bill.

Or a magnifying glass.* *At least that’s what we think.

That’s why when you get a bill from us for phone and/or Internet service, it’ll be exactly what we told you it would be. Seriously.

k y an ylin r p u t m Co /Cen e l T b & AT Ca You can buy home phone and high-speed Internet.

There is another option.

And it’s a better one.

Your taxes and fees are included in the monthly rate.

You’ll get unlimited Internet with no data caps on all packages.

We respect our users’ privacy and data.

You’ll always talk to someone here in Missouri.

1-800-SOCKET-3

099_ML1217.indd 99

www.socket.net Clark Lane Columbia, MO 65202 9 9 / D E C E M B E R 22703 017 /JANUARY 2 018

10/24/17 9:57 AM

eese e Ch d a m ishm A er Troy

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234 East First Street, Hermann www.hermannwursthaus.com/gifts 573-486-2266

M ea ta nd

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Photo courtesy Paulette Omura

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