Missouri Life June/July 2015

CHOO! CHOO! A L L T H E S U M M E R F U N T H AT ’ S F I T T O P R I N T : 1 0 4 F E S T I VA L S & E V E N T S

~ U N R AV E L H I S T O R Y AT WAT K I N S M I L L ~

AllAboard!

THE SPIRIT OF DISCOVERY

Ride the Iron Mountain Railway

WINE & BEER GUIDE 7 SECRET SWIMMING HOLES

180+ Missouri Wineries and Breweries

BIG STUFF World’s Largest Underwear & 18 Other Giants

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Contents JUNE 2015

featured >

[30] MISSOURI ARTIST Cape Girardeau sculptor Ben Pierce turns stories from his family history into abstract art pieces.

[50] LAST TRAIN TO JACKSON

[82] SHOW-ME HOMES The Jefferson House in Kansas City brings a touch of foggy England to the historic Westside neighborhood.

This historic train line offers visitors a chance to take a

[105] MUSINGS ON MISSOURI

trip back to a simpler time.

Ron Marr encounters some rude cattle, but he remains totally uncowed.

special features >

[36] BIG ROADSIDE ATTRACTIONS Big things are happening in Missouri, from the world’s largest pecan in Brunswick to a pair of underwear fit for giants in St. Louis to three giant balls of twine.

[46] SCENIC SWIMMING

[32] BIG BAM

the Show-Me State offers a cornucopia of off-the-beaten path swimming holes.

Bicycle across three hundred miles of northern Missouri with Missouri Life from June 21 to 27.

[56] WINE & BEER GUIDE

[68] OVER THE LINE

Missouri has more than 180 wineries and breweries. We have one guide that covers them all, plus seventeen suggestions for bold flavor.

Cross the state line, and discover three wonderful wineries that are within a day’s drive.

[70] KEEPER OF THE CAVE

[87] GOLF GUIDE

Greene County Geologist Matt Forir is a gruff, wry cave expert who cares for the stunning Rivebluff Cave, discovered on the morning of September 11, 2001.

With hundreds of places to play golf across the state, which ones should you put on your bucket list?

[76] PRIDE OF PLACE

[98] FINANCIAL LIFE

Downshift from the busy interstate to the country roads of northern Clay County, and uncover the warp thread of our lives at Watkins Woolen Mill.

What's your retirement plan? Discover helpful tips to keep it on track and retire on time.

[106] FILLING STATIONS

[100] UPTOWN GIRL

Take a road trip across the state, and discover seven homegrown restaurants

Meet Kate Lambert, a farm mom who knows the difficult food choices that mothers face today.

From the scenic rivers of the Ozarks to the placid lakes of northern Missouri,

KILE BREWER

special sections >

that are redefining what it means to eat at a gas station.

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Contents

CONTENT BY LOCATION 38 45 40 76 45, 57 17 43 19, 47 20, 22, 24, 26 36, 40, 41, 17, 24, 109 38 57, 106 57 56 56, 57, 38, 39, 111, 114 41, 43, 20 110 57 57, 110 57 57 114 56 44 24, 39, 20 108 48 17, 46 70, 114 30 47 56 49 42 44,45 109

JUNE 2015

departments > [12] MEMO

[20] MADE IN MISSOURI

Publisher Greg Wood shares his love for

St. Louis nature photographer Matt

craft beer, and Editor-in-Chief Danita

Faupel creates driftwood decor.

Wood reminisces about small towns.

Swisher Inc. makes mowing the lawn more fun. And Missouri Spinners are

[14] LETTERS

captivating, moving pieces of art.

Missouri Life goes down under. This

Springfield. Have fun with dim sum in

small world gets smaller in small

[26] MO MUSIC

St. Louis. And get a taste of the Carib-

towns. Plus, the editors explain the

Kansas City Folk singer Kasey Rausch

bean at the Lake of the Ozarks.

“Over The Line” section.

has deep Missouri roots.

[117] ALL AROUND MISSOURI [17] MO MIX

[22] SHOW-ME BOOKS

Have fun in the sun this summer. Get

Cape Girardeau County gets a new

Discover a photo book that took fourteen

out, and go to the these 104 events.

home for history. Amateur inventors

years and countless driving miles to make.

congregate in Kansas City. An Excelsior

Plus, check out six more summer reads.

[138] MISSOURIANA

Springs home celebrates its centennial.

Impress your friends with these odd

And find out why Missouri’s best and

[114] DINING WORTH THE DRIVE

brightest go to summer school.

Ozarks cooking meets fine dining in

facts about the Show-Me State.

– THIS ISSUE –

On the Web

FIND US ON FIELD TRIP

TRAIN IN VAIN

BONUS RECIPE

Google selected Missouri Life as the only maga-

Take a look at the St. Louis Iron Mountain

Do you love cooking? Didn’t get enough with the

zine publisher in the state to publish on their

Railway with this photo essay that shows how

recipes in the magazine? Try out this train-inspired

Field Trip app. Find out more at fieldtripper.com.

much fun you can have on a two-hour tour.

recipe that will surely satisfy your sweet tooth.

Summer Reading

Nothing beats reading while lounging on a hammock in the sun. Discover all our books at MissouriLife.com/store.

on the cover> RIDING THE RAILS Photographer Kile Brewer captured this photo of the St. Louis Iron Mountain Railway during its regular Saturday afternoon run near Jackson.

KILE BREWER, HARRY KATZ, AND DOLLAR PHOTO CLUB

Sign up for Missouri Lifelines, our free e-newsletter, and follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/MissouriLife or on Twitter @MissouriLife.

[6] MissouriLife

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RELAXATION & RECREATION The Lodge of Four Seasons recreational activities can help you recharge and rejuvenate. We have many exciting amenities available for you to choose from. Every element of your Lodge stay will leave you feeling better than when you arrived.

HOLE NUMBER 11 ON

The Cove S I G N AT U R E C O U R S E

FEEL WELL

SLEEP WELL

Awaken the senses with a Spa Shiki treatment designed to help you feel your best. Treatments energize and invigorate.

A good night’s sleep after a day on the greens or on the water promotes superior slumber and you awake ready to take on the challenges of the day.

EAT WELL

2014 finalist in American Spa, Favorite Spa Treatment Menu and the Lake Lifestyles, Best Spa at the Lake

Delicious menus available in our restaurants, pair items together that are nutrient rich and delicious to make you feel your best.

NEW IN FALL 2015

THE LODGE of FOUR SEASONS G O L F R E S O R T, M A R I N A & S PA

A multi-million dollar remodeling program is now underway.

315 Four Seasons Dr. | Lake Ozark, MO 65049 | At the the Ozarks | 1.800.843.5253 | www.4SeasonsResort.com [7]Lake June of 2015

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www.visitmarshallmo.com

Photo: Missouri Valley College

Photo: Marshall Democrat News

The Saline County Fair begins on July 11 with a Demolition Derby at the Saline County Fairgrounds. It continues from July 15-19, when our county’s youth will be demonstrating their skill and talent in livestock shows and project displays. Make sure you check out the nightly entertainment.

Visit www.visitmarshallmo.com or call 660-631-2862 for more information.

Your trip to Marshall should begin with a visit to the Marshall Welcome Center and Jim the Wonder Dog Museum. You can learn the story of Marshall’s most famous canine citizen in the museum and by strolling through the adjacent garden. While at the Welcome Center, get information about the area, including the Nicholas Beazley Aviation Museum and Indian Foothills Park.

We have lots for you to see and do. For more information visit www.jimthewonderdog.org or call 660-886-8300.

Photo: Marshall Bow Hunters

Join other bow hunters at the 16th Annual Ozark Selfbow Jamboree July 16-18 and share your interest in natural archery. Learn more about your hobby at seminars throughout the event. Experience a 3-D archery range, novelty shoots, flintknapping and bow building.

For more information visit www. marshallbowhunters.org or call 660-886-2714.

Descendants and friends of Pennytown, the largest of Saline County’s historic Black settlements, will gather on August 2 for their annual reunion. The prayer service will be held on the site of Pennytown Freewill Baptist Church on Kittyhawk Road at 11:00 a.m. followed by the reunion and dinner at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Marshall at 12:30 p.m. A $5.00 donation is asked for the meal. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to worship, share stories and enjoy great food and fellowship. For more details, visit www.pennytownchurch.com or call 660-886-8300.

Photo: Jon Lawrence

Photo: Tracy Lawrence

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Plan to stay with us in Marshall: Comfort Inn - Marshall Station 1356 W. College Ave., Marshall 660-886-8080 www.comfortinn.com Photo: Friends of Arrow Rock

Summer is a busy time in the small Village of Arrow Rock, situated along the river bluffs in central Missouri. This town is overflowing with charm, tradition and attractions.

Indulge your taste buds with outstanding dining. Browse through unique shops. Learn history of the area at the Arrow Rock State Historic Site and enjoy professional productions at the Lyceum Theatre. For more information visit www.arrowrock.org or call 660-837-3231.

Super 8 of Marshall 1355 W. College Ave., Marshall 660-886-3359 www.super8.com Marshall Lodge 1333 W. Vest St., Marshall 660-886-2326 www.marshall-lodge.com Kitty’s Corner Guest Houses 228 E. North St., Marshall 660-886-8445 Courthouse Lofts 23 N. Lafayette St., Marshall 660-229-5644 Claudia’s B & B 3000 W. Arrow St., Marshall 660-886-5285

Photo: Boonslick Tourism Council

Experience a road trip along the Boonslick Trail in central Missouri as you see more than 40 quilt blocks that have been designed, painted and displayed on classic barns throughout three counties.

Each quilt block has its own unique story. Come see these delightful creations and the special rural tradition they represent. To learn more visit www.boonslicktourism.org or call 660-248-2011.

The Old Trails Region includes nine picturesque counties on highways winding through the center of Missouri along both sides of the Missouri River. Our breathtaking natural beauty is showcased in conservation areas, state parks and historic sites throughout the Region. Orchards, wineries, shops, restaurants and bed and breakfasts make this area a destination for travelers looking for an authentic Missouri getaway. For more details visit www.oldtrails.net or call 660-259-2230.

Photo: Mike Kellner

Upcoming Events

Be sure to visit the Marshall Welcome Center on the northwest corner of the Square!

Saturdays - Marshall Market on the Square – Downtown – 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. www.visitmarshallmo.com or call 660-886-8300 June 6 - Saline County Barbecue – Courthouse Lawn, Marshall – Afternoon and Evening – www.visitmarshallmo.com or call 660-886-2225 June 7 - 3-D Bow Shoot – Indian Foothills Park, Marshall – 7:00 a.m. www. marshallbowhunters.org or call 660-886-2714

June 7 - Pancake Breakfast and Fly-In – Nicholas Beazley Aviation Museum – 7:00 a.m. www.nicholasbeazley.org or call 660-886-2630 July 4 - Impromptu Parade – Main Street, Arrow Rock – 2:00 p.m. www.arrowrock.org or call 660-837-3231

Photo: Liz Huff

July 4 - Annual Fireworks – Indian Foothills Park, Marshall – Dusk www.marshallmoparks.net or call 660-886-7128

Scan this QR code to visit our website!

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THE SPIR IT OF DISCOV ERY 501 High Street, Ste. A, Boonville, MO 65233 660-882-9898 | Info@MissouriLife.com

Publisher Greg Wood Editor in Chief Danita Allen Wood EDITORIAL & ART Managing Editor Jonas Weir Creative Director Andrew Barton Art Director Sarah Herrera Custom Projects Editor Nichole L. Ballard Associate Art Director Thomas Sullivan Graphic Designer and Staff Photographer Harry Katz Calendar Editor Amy Stapleton Copy Editor Alex Stewart Editorial Assistants Elissa Chudwin, Lakshna Mehta Photography Assistant Jillian Vondy Contributing Writers Tina Casagrand, Susan Katzman, Alva Hazell, T.S. Leonard, Martin W. Schwartz, Carolyn Tomlin Columnists Ron W. Marr, W. Arthur Mehrhoff Contributing Photographers Angela Bond, Kile Brewer, Kelly Ludwig, Jordan McAlister, Annie Rice, Carolyn Tomlin MARKETING •800-492-2593 Advertising Director Marynell Christenson Sales Manager Mike Kellner Advertising & Marketing Consultant Brent Toellner Advertising & Marketing Consultant Mimi Gatschet Sales Account Executive Gretchen Fuhrman Advertising Coordinator Jenny Johnson Circulation Manager Amy Stapleton DIGITAL MEDIA MissouriLife.com, Missouri eLife, Facebook, Twitter Director Jonas Weir Editor Sarah Herrera Missouri Lifelines Harry Katz TO SUBSCRIBE OR GIVE A GIFT AND MORE Use your credit card and visit MissouriLife.com or call 800-492-2593, ext. 101 or mail a check for $19.99 (for 6 issues) to: Missouri Life, 501 High Street, Ste. A, Boonville, MO 65233-1211 Change address Visit MissouriLife.com OTHER INFORMATION Custom Publishing For your special publications, call 800-492-2593, ext. 106 or email Greg.Wood@MissouriLife.com.

Back Issues Order from website, call, or send check for $10.50.

[10] MissouriLife

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Benton County FUN YOUR WAY! UPCOMING EVENTS: June 7 Down N’ Dirty Mountain Bike Race Truman Lake Mountain Bike Park Warsaw June 13 German Singing Festival (Saengerfest) Cole Camp June 21 Triathlon Warsaw July 4 Lincoln Old Fashion 4th of July Lincoln Dam Experience Fireworks Warsaw July 18 Zucchini Races Cole Camp

www.visitbentoncomo.com

SPORTS & RECREATION FOR ALL AGES! HAVE FUN YOUR WAY IN BENTON COUNTY, MO. [11] June 2015

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emo

THE CRAFT BEER STATE

IN A SMALL TOWN

I DOUBT OUR esteemed legislators will ever change our state’s be-

IF YOU DIDN’T SEE IT in the news, Boonville was just named

loved moniker to the Craft Beer State, but it would be a fitting tribute to our industrious barley, malt, and hops artisans; just add water and yeast. I know not everyone likes the taste of beer or even condones drinking the beverage, but one of the craft beer movement’s hallmarks is to encourage those who imbibe to slow down and savor the flavors—and what could be wrong with that?

Traditional brewers like Missouri’s own Anheuser-Busch created a product that was meant to go down fast and often. But most craft beers are full of body and taste, an ingredient left out of many big commercial beers.

While Danita prefers beers with flavor as I do, she likes a sweeter finish. I’m more inclined to order a full-bodied that doesn’t GREG WOOD, PUBLISHER skimp on the hops. However, Missouri’s craft breweries offer the best of both worlds. For example, Danita likes the Columbia microbrewery Logboat Brewing Company’s Shiphead Ginger Wheat—partly because it is lighter and less hoppy than other offerings—and I like their Snapper IPA, which has plenty of bite to it. And that’s part of the fun. You can sit down at any Missouri craft beer establishment and sample a wide variety of ale, each with distinct tastes and subtle flavors.

And, not only can you sample the wares on the premises of most microbreweries, you can also find them on many store shelves in both cans and bottles. To date, there are more than sixty breweries in the state, and you will find all of them listed in our 2015 Wine and Beer Guide (see page 56).

I want to extend the invitation once again, to join us on Big BAM (Bicycle Across Missouri, see page 32). The five day cycling and music festival will feature ten of Missouri’s best craft brewing companies, including Logboat, 4 Hands, Public House, Broadway Brewery, and Mark Twain Brewing Company.

We guarantee, no matter your palate preferences, there will be a beer there for you. And is there any better way to wash down a Big BAM Bratwust, made especially for the event by Hermann Wurst Haust?

one of the top ten best small towns in the country by Smithsonian magazine.

We’re pleased that a town in Missouri made the list, and we’re especially proud because it’s also our magazine’s hometown.

I’ve always been a country girl at heart, so I rarely lived in any city. However, I’ve had the pleasure of knowing three small towns in Missouri: Clinton, where I grew up; Fayette, where my children went to school and where we first had our Missouri Life offices; and Boonville, where we moved in 2007.

And I have loved each one of them.

When I think of Clinton, I’m reminded of the grand courthouse and town square, where I spent my teenage years cruising around in a car with friends back when gas was cheap.

I’m also reminded of Fayette’s lovely courtDANITA ALLEN WOOD, EDITOR house and square, where we had the first Missouri Life offices outside of our home.

Although Boonville doesn’t have the square, it has plenty of other attractions: the historic and lovingly restored Hotel Frederick, built in 1905; the old Missouri-Kansas-Texas railroad bridge, where the railroad once crossed the Missouri River; Thespian Hall, the oldest theater still in use west of the Alleghenies; Warm Springs Ranch, home of the Budweiser Clydesdales; a beautiful stretch of the Katy Trail, which crosses the Missouri River here; a caboose from the MKT days at the old depot, which now houses a visitor center; and many historic homes built by riverboat captains, some of which are now fine bed-and-breakfasts. In fact, Boonville has more than four hundred buildings on the National Register of Historic Places, and you can take a walking tour and see many of them.

And that’s just scratching the surface. There’s a lot more to do and see here. If you visit, we hope you’ll drop by our offices and say hello. We don’t have much to tour because our offices are basically just desks and computers, but you might enjoy seeing all of our past covers framed and hung in our hall way.

There are so many great things to do in Boonville and other small communities like it across the state, but we know the best thing about Missouri’s small towns: It’s the people, of course.

Every small town seems to roll out a welcome to strangers if you just smile and ask a friendly question or two. Try it this summer!

Logboat Shiphead Ginger Wheat

Logboat Snapper IPA

COURTESY OF LOGBOAT AND HOTEL FREDERICK

MISSOURI

Hotel Frederick/Missouri Life Offices

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JUNE

LETTERS from all over You write them. We print them.

MISSOURI LIFE DOWN UNDER My husband, David, and I traveled to New Zealand and Australia in October and November 2014 with a Hawthorn Bank tour group. We took our most recent copy of Missouri Life magazine with us to read on the very long flight there. Here, we are in front of the Sydney Opera House and the Harbor Bridge. What a fantastic journey we had from Missouri to “Down Under.”—Judy Young, Windsor

IT’S A SMALL WORLD AFTER ALL In your “The Soundtrack of My Life” memo (April 2015), you mentioned the Willis Brothers. As a bride of 1974, I moved to Deerfield.

It was a small town ten miles west of Nevada, Missouri, where I grew up and where we live now. My husband knew everyone in the town of maybe over a hundred. While taking a walk, we stopped in to visit with Joe Willis and his

Windsor residents and Missouri Life subscribers David and Judy Young took the October issue of our magazine with them to Sydney, Australia. Here, they are in front of the Sydney Opera House, or what we call the “Kaufman Center of Australia.”

wife. Yes, the very Joe Willis from the Willis Brothers. Later, I worked with his son Joe, a good musician also. Joe now resides in Nevada in a home, which my great-grandparents lived in many years ago. The world gets smaller in small towns.—Linda Chesnut, Nevada, Missouri

(tied with Tennessee), we thought it would be fun to recom-

CROSSING THE LINE I was slightly dismayed when reading the table of contents, and I saw an article called “Over the Line.” I have not read it and will not as I feel Missouri Life should be just what it says. I am not biased against other states or the whole world, as I have traveled extensively. I think we have so many things in Missouri that we need not cross the line. I do enjoy most of your articles and also all the ads. I realize my input means little (or nothing) and this semi-criticism will go straight to File Thirteen, but occasionally, I feel I must write a protest letter against what I feel is wrong.

P.S. You can probably tell I am an old person— no computer, no cell, no TV—but I do read and have indoor plumbing.—Jo Ann Portell, Cadet

Correction: In the story “In Search of the Great North-

Considering we border more states (eight) than any other

mend activities you could do during a day trip if you lived near the state line. Our many borders are what help make Missouri unique. However, from now on, the section known as “Over the Line” will be brought to you by our sponsors from out of state. You should still read it, though!—Editors

west,” we incorrectly identified Wes Remington, whose generous donation made the Remington Nature Center in St. Joseph possible. We regret the error.—Editors

SEND US A LETTER Email: Facebook: Fax: Address:

COURTESY OF DAVID AND JUDY YOUNG

DANCING IN THE AISLES I've read your magazine for years. I've visited many of the hidden treasures of the state that you have shown me. Also, I've enjoyed a few concerts highlighted in your pages, the most memorable being the Ozark Mountain Daredevils in Columbia a few years ago. I've enjoyed the “Devils” in Missouri, Oklahoma, and Washington.

What made this concert so great for me was taking my five-year-old grandson. He had a wonderful time, as did I. He even danced in the aisle with a beautiful college girl. This grandpa had a great experience and lasting memory. I thank you.

Currently, I am a live-in member of the Tipton Correctional Center. I subscribe to your magazine and share the contents with my fellow offenders. Many are amazed by the many unknown sites and treasures of their own great state. Some say that they are planning trips with their families after time is served.

As I can only speak for myself, your magazine is inspiring, and I sense it is for other people like me. Again, thank you.—Dennis Cross, Tipton

[14] MissouriLife

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Celebrate

! r e m m Su

IN THE CAPITAL CITY

Featuring: CONCERTS • PARADES • CARNIVAL RIDES • CONTESTS • RED, WHITE AND BOOM SKYCONCERT • EXTREME SPORTS • FREE EVENTS! Take advantage of special hotel rates when you ride Amtrak!

For details go to www.VisitJeffersonCity.com

BOOK A TOUR AT THE MISSOURI STATE PENITENTIARY!

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Recreation

Camping Swimming

Family Fun

[16] MissouriLife

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Mo MIX Excelsior Springs >

Centennial Celebration IN 2009,

Beverly Bohnert and her

Ten years later, the mansion’s most nota-

husband, Patrick Delugeau, were seeking

ble resident, Aretus McCleary, bought the

change. Their corporate jobs in Norman-

house. The founder of a sanatorium and

dy, France, were too stressful. So, the two

clinic in Excelsior Springs, McCleary and

looked to buy a business that offered a

his home were pillars of the community.

relaxing change of pace. The Inn at Cres-

He hosted Easter egg hunts, tea parties,

cent Lake then entered the picture.

and more for up to two hundred people.

“We just fell in love with this place,”

This year, the inn turns one hundred,

Beverly says. “We drove through the

and Craig and Beverly are celebrating

gates, and it just took our breath away.”

by showing their guests the same kind-

A year later, Patrick died, but Beverly

ness McCleary showed his.

continued to run the inn. She remarried

“There’s hospitality in this property’s

Craig Bohnert in 2012, and they started

DNA,” Craig says, “and we just enjoy the

looking into the inn’s past.

opportunity to extend that.”

Douglas Stinson built the fifteenroom Georgian colonial estate in 1915.

Call 816-630-6745 or visit crescentlake .com to learn more.—Jonas Weir

Kansas City >

Jackson >

Amateur Inventors Convention

More than a Museum THE BUILDING on the cor-

With Jackson’s location near both

ner of High and Main Streets in Jackson

Cape and Perry Counties, she thinks the

INVENTION and creativity

has always been important. Since 1895,

center will attract people to both areas.

meet at the historic Union Station on

a variety of businesses and organiza-

“This is the missing link,” she says.

June 27 and 28 during the fifth annual

tions have inhabited the storefront: a

Starting June 15, the center will

Maker Faire Kansas City, and organiz-

dry goods store, a bridal shop, and now

host an exhibit on tools and hardware

ers are expecting a record turnout.

the new history center for the Cape Gi-

history in Cape Girardeau County.

COURTESY OF CRAIG BOHNERT, MAKER FAIRE, AND CARLA JORDAN

With hands-on, educational ex-

rardeau County Historical Society.

“The whole community is over the

hibits, The Maker Faire celebrates the

“This building is a treasured, cher-

moon that we’re here,” Carla says. “I

maker movement, which grew from

ished thing here,” says Carla Jordan,

already have a full staff of volunteers

the pages of MAKE magazine, a publi-

the historical society’s director.

to keep this place open.”—Jonas Weir

cation devoted to do-it-yourself tech projects. Makers range from scientists to garage tinkerers of all ages and backgrounds.

“We want to highlight invention and creativity in the Midwest,” says Luis Rodriguez of Maker Faire KC, “and this is a fun way to do it.”

It’s fitting, then, that the history center at 102 S. High Street pays tribute to the county’s storied past with rotating exhibits that explore different

The fair will take over all of Union Station, which includes the Kansas City Science

topics and one static exhibit dedicated

Center, the Model Railroad Experience, Arvin Gottlieb Planetarium, the Regnier Ex-

to Shelby and Mildred Brown, whose

treme Screen Theatre, and a number of shops and restaurants. In addition to the maker

donations funded the center.

exhibits, there will be a huge food truck rally on the Union Station grounds.

Aside from the exhibits, the mem-

“The food will be as eclectic as the projects,” Luis says.

bers of the historical society hope to

Tickets range from $11 to $22, with discounts available for military members,

host classes, book signings, and na-

senior citizens, and children. Special rates apply for Union Station members. Fam-

tional traveling exhibits, so the center

ily day passes and weekend passes are available. See the Maker Faire website at

is more than a museum. Carla certain-

makerfairekc.com for more information.—Martin Schwartz

ly has high hopes for the center.

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YOUR TRIP BEGINS HERE

#VisitArkansas

River Lights, Little Rock

Like high-rises and illuminated bridges and rivers and lakes and shop windows and diamonds (yes, real diamonds). But there’s also undiscovered swimming holes and welcoming locals and one of the finest American art museums in the country and lots more. Come see us. ORDER YOUR FREE VACATION PLANNING KIT AT ARKANSAS.COM OR CALL 1-800-NATURAL.

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Mo MIX

Buffalo National River

Columbia >

Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, Bentonville

Summer School THE MISSOURI

Scholars Academy—a

The program helps a variety of academically gifted

three-week academic program—began thirty years

students. More than eighty-five percent of Missouri’s

ago with a simple formula: Gather 330 academically

114 counties are represented at the Missouri Scholars

gifted high schoolers at Missouri’s leading research

Academy every year. Denise has observed how the

university. Teach in-depth classes by day, and host

program instills more confidence in students when

brilliant speakers at night. Be ready for anything.

they return to school.

Wright City Assistant Superintendent Dave Buck

“I don’t know who I’d be if I hadn’t gone to MSA,”

used to teach botany and bioethics at the academy.

says Libby Wilson, who attended the academy in 2011.

He says the resources at the University of Missouri

“It’s unlike regular society or even other camps. The

allowed him to teach hands-on classes every day.

acceptance was uncharacteristic of anything you’d

“There’s no way you can replicate that in most of our high schools,” he says, adding that the academy

COURTESY OF MISSOURI SCHOLARS ACADEMY

prepares scholars for college courses and careers.

experience. It magnifies everybody’s personality.”

In addition to helping the scholars, Smith says there’s a good return on investment because so

Antwaun Smith, for example, is a Rhodes Scholar.

many of those students end up staying in Missouri.

The first in his family to attend college, he says the

Ted Tarkow, co-founder of MSA and dean of the

academy boosted his love for learning and pushed

School of Arts and Sciences at MU, says he also sees

him to enroll at the University of Missouri, where he

young alums come to Missouri for PhD programs or to

pursued degrees in religion and law. He now serves

attend medical and law schools.

the Kansas City area as a personal injury lawyer.

The Missouri Scholars Academy has survived leg-

Some might ask, “Why give extra support to the

islative budget cuts through financial support from

smart kids in the first place?” Dr. Denise Pupillo, coor-

MU, supporting organizations, alumni donations, and

dinator for gifted programming at Parkway schools,

a modest student fee, and it is highly regarded as one

contends that gifted students are an at-risk population.

of the best programs of its kind in the nation.

“A lot of these kids struggle socially,” she says.

“They overthink things, they get stressed about realworld problems, and they need to be in an environment where that is nurtured and accepted.”

Cossatot River State Park

Boyhood home of Johnny Cash, Dyess

“MSA is a statement to bright kids and families that the state values their talent,” Ted says.

ARKANSAS.COM

For more information on the Missouri Scholars Academy, visit moscholars.org.— Tina Casagrand

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Made IN MISSOURI St. Louis >

Lebanon >

Spinnin’ in the Wind IN 2001,

Driftwood Décor

Chris Grace found him-

travelers. After several weeks of phone

SCOURING

self driving along Highway 64, just east

calls and visits with locals, his journey led

and Mississippi Rivers for driftwood,

of Louisburg, when something caught

him to Gary Dolan, who had been build-

Matt Faupel makes everything from

his attention. It was something that

ing Missouri Spinners in a shop in Trenton

coffee tables to picture frames

awoke childhood memories, and yet it

for several years. But he was ready to re-

from salvaged materials.

was grounded in the world of contem-

tire and sell the company.

the Meramec

Matt started this venture four

porary art. It was a piece of kinetic art

Chris approached his longtime friend

years ago. At the time, he was selling

that guarded the highway and welcomed

Tony Nichols with the idea of taking over

nature photography at art shows,

the shop. By March 2013, Chris and Tony

and he began using hollow logs to

set up near Lebanon, and Tony began

frame his photos. However, the

constructing these graceful wind art

home furnishings have now become

pieces, with a few minor design changes.

more popular than the pictures.

Today, Chris and Tony work in a five-

Tracking down his supplies is

thousand-square-foot shop, where they

Matt’s favorite part. He searches for

hand-make each sculpture that turns

lumber with character. His pieces of-

and moves with the slightest breeze.

ten come from unusual places, too.

“Every one we build is given the most scrutinizing care,” Chris says.

Every year, a few area cemeteries let him take wood from the trees they’ve cleared.

“I like the pieces of wood that come from some of the cemeteries because it

With brilliant reflections and movement, these spinners have a certain magnetism to them. Don’t be sur-

gives them a neat story,” he says.

Besides selling his artwork online and at art shows, Matt builds custom pieces; people even give him wood they’ve been saving because of its sentimental value.

prised if you’re drawn to them just

“Recently, a lady contacted me who was holding on to wood from a tree that

as Chris was. Visit windwardstudiollc

was cut down from her childhood home,” he says. “I made it into a couple pieces

.com or call 417-718-6659 for more

for her to preserve her memories.”

information.—Alva Hazell

Visit MissouriNatureArt.com to see Matt’s work, or find him on Etsy.—Elissa Chudwin

Warrensburg >

WHAT LENGTHS will kids go to in order to avoid doing their chores? If you’re Max Swisher, you’ll invent a better lawn mower.

As the story goes, in the 1940s, young Max hated cutting grass, so using the family lawn mower and a whole lot of ingenuity, he installed a gearbox and a rope on a standard push mower. The gearbox provided motion, while the rope—lashed to a tree—tightened around the trunk and constantly moved the mower into fresh grass.

Before long, Max was filling orders for self-propelled mowers that were handmade in his mother’s chicken coop near Warrensburg. By 1945, he formed his own company, now known as Swisher Acquisition Inc. Today, Swisher employs about one hundred people in Warrensburg, where its mowers, log splitters, and other power tools are imagined, engineered, and manufactured.

A recent Swisher innovation replaced the steering mechanisms on zero-turn mowers with joystick-like controls to make mowing feel like playing a game. You can’t help but think Max would approve. Visit swisherinc.com to learn more.—Martin W. Schwartz

COURTESY OF SWISHER ACQUISITIONS AND MATT FAUPEL; ALVA HAZELL

Lawn Care, Simplified

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SHOW-ME

Books

LOST HIGHWAYS

Author Ken Johnson painstakingly documents a lost era of rural Missouri culture.

BY JONAS WEIR

KEN JOHNSON had an unconventional childhood. From 1949 to

“The photographs in this book, for the most part—in fact almost entirely—were hanging on walls in the living rooms and kitchens of small 1951, he lived at Baeckers Place, a rural country dance hall about three miles farm houses or in scrapbooks,” Ken says. south of Morrison. His grandparents owned the place, and his mother was the Some photos were easy to find, but many took weeks, if not months, of manager who booked a variety of bands to come play each weekend. Ken’s negotiating with former musicians to bedroom was separated from the dance obtain. Ken says that it was a proud floor by a single wall, so each Saturday time in the lives of these musicians, night, he was immersed in the sounds and these photos are dear to them. of Missouri’s touring bands.

Harvey Idell, the bassist of the C&O “They would show up every weekBoys, still carried around the photo of end, and I would get to listen to them his band in his wallet. Wade Hicks, of until my mother tucked me into bed,” Wade Hicks and His Playboys, had his Ken says. “It became something I photo hanging in his used-car dealernever forgot. It stayed with me forever, ship in Bland. The fact was many of and I loved the time.” these musicians did not want to give From the 1940s to the early 1960s, up an important piece of their lives to dance halls like Baeckers Place were a total stranger. an important part of rural life. They “I had to be a politician,” Ken says. served as both sources of entertain“I had to use a lot of discussion to win ment and community gathering their photographs. On two occasions, places. Bands from across the state I had to leave money; I left twenty dolwould travel miles on gravel roads to lars security that I would return the perform. And no matter what music photo.” the band played—big band, country, But Ken persevered. It was an imor Western—people would come. portant project to him personally, and “The whole family came,” Ken says. he thought it might matter to the other “It was like a big picnic.” people who were there, from the muIn 2001, Ken started collecting phosicians who played the music to those tographs of the dance hall bands of Rare Images of Band and Orchestras who went out every Saturday night to his childhood to capture the spirit of from the Dance Hall Era in Missouri see their favorite group from the radio. this bygone era and to document his Kenneth Johnson, Reedy Press, 152 pages, nonfiction, hardcover, $35 “Everyone whose photo is in the own experiences for his children and book and is still alive, it appeals to them grandchildren. He started by finding immensely,” he says. “That’s not the main thing, though. I’m finding that it’s photos of his favorite bands, the ones his mother had annual contracts with: their children and even their grandchildren that really appreciate this.”

Shorty Wilks and His Jolly Ranch Hands from Sullivan, Newt Halley and His While Moonlight Serenade appeals to those who were there and the youngRound-up Boys from Union, the Boss Brothers from Chamois. And he ended er generations who are learning a new side to their parents and grandparby creating Moonlight Serenade to City Lights, a gorgeous, 152-page coffeeents, the book is for anyone interested in uncovering an era in Missouri histable book published by Reedy Press in St. Louis. tory that’s faded away like the roads less-traveled—an era when you knew A revealing portrait of rural culture, Moonlight Serenade is the product of where everyone was on Saturday night, without having to text them. To buy a fourteen-year hunt for more than 240 photos that took Ken all across outa copy of the book, contact Ken at 636-537-0508 or kenbetj@hotmail.com. state Missouri, from Fulton to St. Clement to Steelville.

Moonlight Serenade to City Lights:

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SHOW-ME

Books

MORE GOOD READS

BY JONAS WEIR

Art Quilts of the Midwest

Kate In Fact and Fiction

Linzee Kull McCray, 86 pages, nonfiction, softcover, $24.95 This isn’t your grandmother’s quilting book. Art Quilts of the Midwest profiles twenty-one artists throughout the Midwest who are pushing the boundaries of what quilting means. Kansas City quilter Jacquie Gering creates textiles that look more like pop art than family heirlooms.

St. Louisan Pat Owoc’s works are lush, abstract representations of prairie landscapes. And Luanne Rimel, another Missourian, creates quilts that resemble post-modern photography more than anything else. Curated by author Linzee Kull McCray, this book is an essential guide to the new guard of quilting.

Virgil D. Hoftiezer and Vicki P. Beck, 362 pages, softcover, nonfiction, $17.95 Sarah Catherine King is a legendary woman. As a young woman from Blue Springs, she became involved with Confederate guerrillas when the Civil War began and went on to have a love affair with the notorious William Clarke Quantrill. In this book, Virgil D. Hoftiezer, a retired medical school professor, and Vicki P. Beck, a newspaper collector and history enthusiast, have put together eight chapters and 198 pages that tell the story of this woman who was born in 1842, lived with some of the most dangerous men of the Civil War, worked as “Madam Kate” in St. Louis, and died back in Jackson County in 1930. Plus, the two authors have provided more than a hundred pages of detailed documentation, so you can see how they learned the story.

Dear Molly: The Civil War Letters of Captain James Love M.E. Kodner, 496 pages, nonfiction, hardcover, $29.95 From his first letter on June 16, 1861, to his last on February 16, 1865, St. Louisan James Love tells his own tale of devoted service during the Civil War, while longing to be with his beloved Eliza Mary “Molly” Wilson. This intimate story, told through 160 letters, puts a human face on the history of the War Between the States. However, it’s not just for history buffs. Author M.E. Kodner contextualizes the tale with a prologue focused on Love’s background; maps, photos, and period etchings; and an epilogue that continues James and Molly’s story through their marriage, into parenthood, and finally until their deaths in the early twentieth century.

Nature’s Housekeeper Michael Gurnow, 220 pages, essays, softcover, $14.95 Dotted with Henry David Thoreau quotes, references to philosophers, and nods to environmental conservationists, Nature’s Housekeeper weaves together comedy, personal reflection, and practical wilderness tips into a book that is ultimately entertaining and informative. From quests to find nonexistent trees to crash courses in wilderness survival, Michael Gurnow—a former Southwest Missouri State University English professor and trail maintenance coordinator at Trail of Tears State Park—writes each chapter with the wit of David Sedaris and the know-how of a Missouri Department of Natural Resources employee.

The Steamer Admiral and Streckfus Steamers: A Personal View

Faces Like Devils: The Bald Knobber Vigilantes in the Ozarks Matthew J. Hernando, 336 pages, nonfiction, hardcover, $60 In Faces Like Devils, Matthew J. Hernando provides perhaps the most comprehensive history of Missouri’s most infamous vigilante group, the Bald Knobbers. Exploring both fact and fiction, myth and hearsay, this book paints an accurate portrait of the group that Harold Bell Wright made legendary in his 1907 novel The Shepherd of the Hills. It is an essential work for anyone interested in post-Reconstructionera Missouri.

Annie Amantea Blum, 144 pages, nonfiction, hardcover, $29.95 First and foremost, The Steamer Admiral is a memoir. Annie Amantea Blum writes candidly of the summers she worked on an excursion boat in St. Louis. From her experiences, she paints a picture of a bygone era, taking you from the first year the ship was racially integrated, 1962, until the time the ship was converted to diesel in 1973. However, the book is not wholly a personal tale; Annie dives into the ship’s history before her time and provides a host of historical photographs and informative timelines that date back to 1856.

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Presented by

May 23 to August 23 Magic Reimagined In the summer of 2012, Chinese lanterns illuminated the Missouri Botanical Garden. This year the Garden is hosting an ALL-NEW Chinese lantern exhibit to amaze and inspire visitors once more. The 2015 Lantern Festival features unique installations with environmental, historic, and plant-based themes.

4344 Shaw Blvd. • St. Louis, MO 63110 3 1 4 - 5 7 7 - 5 1 0 0 • www.mobot.org/lanternfestival

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MISSOURI

Roots MUSIC

Kasey Rausch explores her family and personal history through folk songs. BY JONAS WEIR

Kasey Rausch, a folk singer and songwriter, is performing at Big BAM (Bicycle Across Missouri) on June 23 in Sheridan. Kasey has deep roots in northern Missouri. She says her mother’s side of the family has been in Platte County since at least 1843.

“Moonshiner’s Dream” is a made-up tale of an Ozarks moonshiner. Kasey was inspired to write the song after visiting Copper Run Distillery in Walnut Shade, where owner Jim Blansit gave her a private tour of the still. However, more than a year after the visit and months after the song was released, “Moonshiner’s Dream” has taken on new meaning after a distant relative reached out to Kasey via Facebook.

On her website and Facebook page, Kasey proudly displays a grainy, old photo of her great-grandfather Arley Delp playing banjo with his sisters Lela and Macie Delp. Recently, a distant relative, whose great-grandfather is also Arley Delp, messaged Kasey to tell her the Delp family story: Arley was a moonshiner, and when things became too heated in his hometown of Thornfield and he feared for his family’s safety, the Delps left the Ozarks.

“’I’ve always felt deeply connected to the Ozarks, and I knew I had family roots there, but I just didn’t have a lot of information on that family or why they left,” Kasey says. “I wrote this story that sounded like it could be my greatgrandfather’s story, and I didn’t even know it.”

Kasey has now formed a Facebook group with relatives to further explore her family’s history in southern Missouri. And with her daughter leaving for college in the fall, Kasey is going to have more time than ever to explore pursuits like this.

However, she wants to spend the bulk of her time writing, recording, and going on the road.

“My daughter goes off to college in the fall, and it opens up my world to do a lot more traveling,” she says. “I’m already back in the studio working on new songs. That’s a really good feeling because it was about seven years since I released the last record and the one before it.”

COURTESY OF PAUL ANDREWS

KASEY RAUSCH has Missouri roots as deep as the Big Muddy itself.

She was born in Missouri, and though her father’s job took her family to east Texas when she was just four, Parkville in Platte County has always been a home to her.

“I would come back to Parkville every summer, from usually the day after school let out to the day before school started,” Kasey says.

“Two days after I graduated high school in 1993, I was back in Parkville.”

Parkville is where this folk singer’s career was born. Although she got her first guitar at age eight and started playing at age twelve, Kasey’s first performance was in the summer of 1990 with her uncle Terry Rausch and her great-uncle Larry Ford—Platte County country pickin’ legends, according to Kasey. She was just fifteen when the group played its last song, “Folsom Prison Blues”

by Johnny Cash, to a lively crowd.

“The Parkville train whistle blew, and the crowd erupted into this ‘woo-hoo,’ ” she says.

“It’s really affected me. This is a really powerful moment we’re all experiencing here.”

Today, that same Americana songwriter with an angelic voice calls Kansas City home.

From there, Kasey writes music and hosts a radio program called River Trade Radio on KKFI 90.1 FM with her best friend, Mikal Shapiro.

Kansas City also served as the home base for her successful Kickstarter campaign, which raised more than $7,500 to fund her latest album, Guitar in Hand.

On the album, Kasey explores the topics she knows and loves. “Sweet Missouri” is an ode to her home state. “The Gospel of Winfield” is a reference to Winfield, Kansas, which is home to the legendary Walnut Valley bluegrass festival. “An East Texas Day” pays tribute to her formative years in the Lone Star State. However, one song has resonated with Kasey more than ever lately.

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Wildwood Springs Lodge POCO

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mention missouri Life and save 10% wildwoodspringslodge.com 573-775-2400 Steelville, mo wildwood1922@misn.com [27] June 2015

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5/7/15 9:15 AM

AWAKEN to Fulton’s rich history with exciting sights and sounds all wrapped up in the warmth of small-town charm in the Brick District with elegant architecture and 67 buildings on the historic register.

IMMERSE yourself in the arts at the new Art House in Fulton's Brick District where there are classes to take and fine art to admire and purchase.

CONNECT to our history at the state-of-the-art renovated National Churchill Museum. This $4 million museum, inside a priceless piece of architecture, offers a look back at living history.

MARVEL at the impressive collection of 84 historic automobiles displayed in Hollywood-style sets for their era at the new Backer Auto World Museum.

SAMPLE some distinctive Missouri wines at Canterbury Hill Winery, or bottle your own at Serenity Valley Winery.

SAVOR scrumptious dining at one of our great restaurants for a down home or uptown experience.

CAPTURE a sense of local history at the Historical Society Museum, or pay your respects at the Missouri Firefighters Memorial.

SMILE at the offbeat collection at Crane’s Museum in Williamsburg, and before you head out, stop by Marlene’s Restaurant. A pulled-pork sandwich and warm slice of pie will leave you grinning.

The National Churchill Museum features interactive displays that engage and educate visitors of all ages.

Fulton Street Fair thrills with a carnival, craft vendors, food and entertainment in the setting of the Fulton Brick District.

REVISIT the 1930s by sharing a shake made with locally made premium ice cream at Sault’s authentic soda fountain.

UNWIND at a Missouri top 10 inn, the historic Loganberry Inn, where Margaret Thatcher and other famous guests have stayed.

Backer Auto World Museum displays an impressive collection of 84 historic automobiles in Hollywood-style sets.

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Wonderful breakfasts and romantic accommodations await you at Loganberry Inn B&B.

Calendar of Events Plein Air Art Exhibit, Art House June 1 to June 20 531 Court Street, Fulton 573-592-7733 www.arthousefultonmo.com Girlfriend Summer Get-A-Way June 1 to August 30 Loganberry Inn B&B, Fulton Two nights stay, 2 breakfasts and spa services $269/person 573-642-9229 www.loganberyinn.com Fulton Street Fair June 19-20 Historic streets of downtown Fulton Brick District Carnival, craft vendors, and great entertainment 573-291-9042 www.fultonstreetfair.com

Enjoy great wine and a great view at Serenity Valley Winery or Canterbury Hill Winery.

Celebrate the joy of painting, pottery, and creativity with weekly events at the Art House in Fulton’s Brick District.

www.visitfulton.com

Come tour our seven historic Civil War sites on the Gray Ghosts Trail!

www.callawaycivilwar.org www.mocivilwar.org

Savor a Brown Cow at Sault’s authentic soda fountain.

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For your next getaway or family vacation, visit Fulton and Callaway County. For more information and calendar of events, visit www.visitfulton.com or call 573-642-3055.

5/1/15 5:03 PM

MISSOURI

Keep It Together, a part of sculptor Ben Pierce’s Lineage series, was inspired by Ben’s great-grandfather, who learned masonry while serving two years in the Chillicothe Prison.

BRICK BY BRICK Sculptor Ben Pierce builds his art from his family history. BY ALEX STEWART sculpture, Keep it Together, represents the origin story of his family’s masonry trade: while serving jail time for bootlegging, his great-grandFountain Streets in Cape Girardeau, a white structure stands tall and anfather picked up the craft in prison. gular, like an origami crane gone wrong. You can’t As the series suggests, Ben has a long history of help but cock your head when you look. It looks handling steel and bricks before his art career. A vetlike it’s going to topple over at any moment. The eran of the Navy and the son of a bricklayer, Ben focal point of the curious eight-foot structure is a doesn’t subscribe to the beatnik artist archetype. neat wall of bricks, fifteen high and four across, fillBen, instead, began his artistic career quietly ing in what seems to be a rectangular picture frame. in high school. Back then, he lacked the confiThe structure, titled Lineage, is not made of dence to speak up and explain his work. Ben says plastic or plaster, as it may appear. It’s meticuhe was the kid that would sit on the bleachers at lously welded steel painted white. And it says a the school dance, perfectly content to watch othlot about its sculptor, Ben Pierce—a thirty-oneers have fun. year-old Cape Girardeau native.

Cape Girardeau native Ben Pierce welds much of his art.

“I realized early on that I was an introvert,” Ben started sculpting in 2010. Two years later, However, with an art degree from Southeast Missouri State, he says. he began the series that included the Lineage sculp- he also creates ceramics, prints, and charcoal sketches.

A learned showman, rather than a natural one, ture. The series, also titled Lineage, was inspired by Ben has had a long journey to become comfortable talking about his art. his family history, which he learned firsthand from his grandfather.

Reared by a stay-at-home mom, a mason, and four older siblings, Ben Four pieces comprise the series, and each contains bricks, which is says he was raised to be respectful and honest. After high school, he an homage to the Pierce family’s three generations of bricklayers. One

COURTESY OF BEN PIERCE

ON THE SOUTH side of Broadway Street, between Middle and

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COURTESY OF BEN PIERCE

“I think there’s a large sense of accomplishment that comes with that. I wouldn’t get that working with a little one-pound canvas and paint. I have to work with my hands.”

Top: Growing Up is a part of Ben Pierce’s Lineage series. Another sculpture from the same series won the people’s choice award at the 2014 Cape Girardeau Outdoor Sculpture Exhibition.

Bottom: Separated Together is Ben Pierce’s second sculpture, created in 2010. The piece is inspired by his experience coming home after serving in the Navy for four years.

assisted his father, Steve, at work for a year as a hod carrier, who brought the bricks to the bricklayers. His father, who knew that Ben wasn’t realizing his potential, told him to move on. So, at nineteen, with no idea of what to do next, Ben joined the Navy. It was an impulsive decision that was inspired not only by his good friend joining, but also by his own lack of direction.

Ben thrived in the rigid environment the Navy offered. His service taught him to be a leader, to get past the introvert tugging at his brain, and to continue practicing the values his family instilled in him. However, at age twentythree, Ben was back in the civilian world. He was unprepared and frustrated.

“I was dealing with that transition on my own,” he says. “The civilian world is chaos. It’s a big transition. I still find myself looking at civilians and the disorganization; it’s kind of frustrating.”

After he took a construction job, Ben quickly established a connection between the welding he did at work and his lost love of art. Soon after, he applied to Southeast Missouri State University and went on to receive a bachelor of fine arts. He graduated magna cum laude in 2012.

Today, Ben is a stoic, more confident artist. Four years of Navy service and another four of art school molded him to be thoughtful and logical; he’s always thinking about his next project.

Although he dabbles in ceramics, prints, and charcoal sketches, Ben has a passion for creating these bulky steel and life-sized sculptures. He likes working with his hands and using sturdy, unforgiving materials. To him, the challenge of molding materials that aren’t easily persuaded is enjoyable. The work reminds him of his dad.

“I think there is an immense satisfaction in commanding materials that are so rigid and so heavy,” he says. “Having that command of the material, when you’re done, you’ve got a piece that’s twelve feet tall and weighs five hundred pounds, and you made that. I think there’s a large sense of accomplishment that comes with that. I wouldn’t get that working with a little one-pound canvas and paint. I have to work with my hands.”

This is not to say that Ben wants everyone who sees his art to only acknowledge the physical strength behind his projects. Each piece contains an intricate message or story that makes the artwork more significant than its immense physical weight. His newer projects explore topics outside of his own life events.

“Now that I’ve learned to talk by talking about my own experiences, I’m trying to use that language that I’ve created to where it’s not necessarily about me,” Ben says. “It’s a little less emotionally involved.”

Hesitant, a piece from Ben’s Balance series, will be on display during the 2015 Sculpture Walk in Oak Park, Illinois, this summer. Ben’s sculptures travel often; visit benpiercesculpture.com to find out where they will be next.

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ROCK PORT

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UNIONVILLE KIRKSVILLE

CANTON

Ride All Week or Pick a Day

JUNE 21-26, 2015

Register online at www.bigbamride.com

Call 800-492-2593 ext.102 for tickets and more information

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includes access to includes access to day all shows and events shows and events

CHOOSE YOUR EXPERIENCE. Ride the entire week or just a day or two.

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5/5/15 10:12 AM

The Music The Marcus King Band • The Big Idea • Kasey Rausch The Great Jason Divad • Brody Buster Band Tyler Gregory • The MeanWElls • David Knopf The STone sugar shakedown • river ghost revue Acoustics anonymous • The deer run drifters mercer & johnson • the crooked river band overton landing • boone county tick pickers • SP3

Tyrannosaurus Chicken

Stone Sugar Shake Down

Acoustic Anonymous

Presented by

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LUXURY COACHES From canton to ROCK Port $95 per person

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Missouri’s

LARGEST Travel across the state to see all of the BIG

THINGS happening here.

From the Mystery Spot in Santa Cruz, California, to Wall Drug in South Dakota, the United States is full of unusual tourist attractions. And Missouri is no exception.

WORLD’S LARGEST CHESS PIECE The Jefferson National Expansion Memorial symbolizes St. Louis’s status as the gateway to the West. Meanwhile, miles across town, the giant king piece outside of the World Chess Hall of Fame symbolizes St. Louis’s status as the chess capital of the United States.

In 2013, the US Senate officially gave St. Louis the title of National Chess Capital because the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis hosts all major US chess competitions and educates children throughout the state. It was also given to the city to raise awareness of the educational benefits of chess and to encourage schools and community centers to engage in chess programs.

Taking only a month and a half to make, the world’s largest chess piece was built by R.G. Ross Construction and is over fourteen feet high, six feet wide, and weighs about 2,280 pounds. The king piece was unveiled to kick off the US and Women’s Chess Championships in 2012.

You can find the giant chess piece and visit the World Chess Hall of Fame at 4652 Maryland Avenue in St. Louis. Visit worldchesshof.org or call 314-367-9243 for more information.—Lakshna Mehta

JILL VONDY

The Show-Me State—where we have to see it to believe it—boasts not one but three giant balls of twine, the world’s largest rocking chair, and a gargantuan goose amongst a host of other roadside stops. So get out your camera, fuel up, and take a road trip across the state to see Missouri’s largest attractions.

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T 14' 7"

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25' THE BIG PUMP When King City businessman Rufus H. Limpp leased the Maryville Big Pump station in 1936, he also leased a giant gas pump built two years earlier by the Wayne Company. Limpp, who is responsible for the King City oil company, creamery, and ice plant, was known for his business-savvy practices, and his legacy is well-known throughout town. Danny Lewis, president of the Tri-County Museum, says Limpp often lowered gas prices so it was affordable for local college students, antagonizing the local competition.

The Big Pump remained in Maryville through several decades until 1994 when then-owner Jerry Jones offered to donate it to the Tri-County Museum. Have a gas in King City, and visit the museum at 600 N. Grand Avenue. —Elissa Chudwin

COMMUNITY BOOKSHELF Imagine Paul Bunyan had a library, and in that library, he had books like The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien, Truman by David McCullough, Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White, and Harper Lee’s classic novel To Kill A Mockingbird. Well, that’s almost what you get when you visit Kansas City’s Community Bookshelf.

Completed in 2004 and made of signboard mylar on the south facade of a 480-car parking garage for the Central Library in Kansas City, the spines of the twenty-two books on this shelf are twenty-eight feet tall and nine feet wide. The project was commissioned to capture the imagination of the public and promote the library.

Visit this oversized bookshelf on Tenth Street between Wyandotte Street and Baltimore Avenue, or go to kclibrary.org/community-bookshelf for more information.—Lakshna Mehta

KELLY LUDWIG AND JILL VONDY

28'

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THE GIANT FORK

160'

In 1997, the advertising agency Noble Communications built Springfield’s giant fork for the company-owned restaurant, The Greenhouse Market.

After a year or so, The Greenhouse Market closed, so Noble Communications moved the fork to its headquarters in Springfield’s Chesterfield Village.

The sturdy, stainless steel fork is thirty-five feet tall, weighs eleven tons, and is submerged six feet into a large concrete block to survive strong winds. “The fork entices many forkies for selfies throughout the year,” says Keith Acuff, CEO of Springfield Noble Communications, “but other large visitors, like the World’s Largest Potato, also pay visits.”

To take your own selfie next to the fork, stop at 2215 W. Chesterfield Boulevard in Springfield. —Elissa Chudwin

GIANT EIGHT BALL The 160-foot tower was built in Tipton in 1968 by the Fischer Pool Table Company, which claimed to be the largest manufacturer of pool tables in the country at the time. The water tower was built for fire protection for the company.

The eight-ball design was to promote Fischer, but it also became a landmark for the city and travelers. The plant closed in 1977, but the tower had become a town landmark. FASCO bought the property in 1981 and painted the eightball tower white with its own logo. FASCO closed in 1988, and the tower was returned to the city. When the tower needed repainting in 1999, the City of Tipton restored the landmark to its original glory and put the eight ball back up.

You can find the giant eight ball at 497 Meadowlark Lane or overlooking Highway 50 in Tipton.—Lakshna Mehta

35'

ANNIE RICE AND JILL VONDY

GIANT CAP GUN

12’

In 2005, Joe Hammers opened the Pistol Social Club—a theater, venue, bar, and nightclub rolled into one—in Kansas City’s West Bottoms neighborhood. To mark the venue’s location at 1219 Union Avenue, Joe commissioned local artist Brock Venti to create a giant pistol sculpture to hang as a sign on the unremarkable industrial warehouse that housed the club.

Although the club closed in 2010, the cap gun pistol still hangs on the building.

“It’s become kind of a building icon, so we just kept it up,” says Patrick Ottesen of Architectural Reclamation, an antique store that rents a space in the building where the Pistol Social Club once was.—Jonas Weir

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MAXIE THE GOOSE

61'

Maxie is thirty-nine years old, weighs 5,500 pounds, and lives in Sumner, a town of about two hundred people.

To be fair, Maxie is a giant fiberglass statue of a Canadian goose that’s nicknamed after the species’ scientific name, Branta canadensis maxima. She stands tall on a six-foot concrete base with a wingspan of sixty-one feet.

Maxie was built to celebrate Sumner being designated the capital of wild geese by Governor Christopher “Kit” Bond in 1974. The town raised sixteen thousand dollars to put her up and four thousand dollars to repaint her, which has happened thrice in her lifetime.

You can find Maxie at the Sumner Community Park near the corner of Elm Street and Park Drive. Each year, Sumner hosts a goose festival to celebrate Maxie. Visit goosefestival.com for more information. —Lakshna Mehta

GIANT VESS BOTTLE For decades, St. Louis was spinning the bottle. In its prime, this enormous Vess Soda Bottle rotated on a steel pole and was illuminated by six hundred feet of neon tubing. Constructed in 1953 for the Vess Bottling Company, the twelve-foot-tall bottle first found its home at the intersection of Hampton Avenue and Gravois Boulevard in South St. Louis before it was eventually removed. After being in storage for years, the lemon-lime soda bottle was relocated to O’Fallon Street in 1989 where it stands today. The bottle still sits on a pole, but it no longer spins.

To see the Vess Bottle, stop by 520 O’Fallon Street, west of Interstate 70. The St. Louis landmark is part of what is now called the Bottle District, which is north of downtown, near the Edward Jones Dome. —Elissa Chudwin

JILL VONDY

12'

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THE NEEDLE

6'

At the corner of W. Eighth Street and Broadway in Kansas City, there is needle that would be impossible not to find in a haystack.

This twenty-two-foot sculpture—designed by artist Dan Stevens—commemorates Kansas City’s historic garment district, which employed nearly four thousand women throughout the 1940s. To learn more about the city’s garment history, and see over three hundred historic garments, visit the Kansas City Garment District Museum across the street from The Needle at 801 Broadway. Go to kcgarmentmuseum .org for more information.—Jonas Weir

WORLD’S LARGEST PENCIL AND PAIR OF UNDERWEAR

KELLY LUDWIG, JILL VONDY, AND VICIOUS BITS

As the home of the world’s largest pencil and pair of underwear, City Museum in St. Louis is larger than life.

The seventy-six-foot-long pencil weighs about 21,500 pounds and had to be cut in half before it fit into the truck that delivered it to City Museum in 2008. The pencil’s creation was spearheaded

by Ashrita Furman, a New Yorker who has set hundreds of Guinness world records, including the official record for holding the most records.

The world’s largest pair of underwear, which is seven feet wide and six feet tall, was stolen from the museum in July 2011. In September of that year, the pair was returned. It had not only been washed and folded, but it also came with another pair of red women’s underwear of the same size.

To see the once-missing underwear and oversized pencil, stop by City Museum at 750 N. Sixteenth Street in St. Louis. Visit citymuseum .org for more information. —Elissa Chudwin

22'

76'

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32'

At first, Jack Dawson’s neighbors were confused as to why he kept a massive steel structure resembling a bird cage in his yard.

In 1971, when he was a twenty-year-old college student, Jack asked the Webb City Park Board and Historical Society if he could build a sculpture for the city’s King Jack Park on Highway 71. They approved, and Jack began building what would become Webb City’s Praying Hands Memorial.

The thirty-two-foot-tall, one hundred-ton steel and white stucco memorial was completed three years later and dedicated on April 28, 1974. Created to serve as a reminder of the importance of prayer, the Praying Hands Memorial symbolizes faith, hope, love, and peace. To see the Praying Hands Memorial, travel down the south side of Highway 171 in Webb City near S. Ball Street. — Elissa Chudwin

COURTESY OF MISSOURI DIVISION OF TOURISM

PRAYING HANDS MEMORIAL

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SHUTTLECOCKS The massive shuttlecocks at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art are among Kansas City’s most recognizable landmarks. These nineteen-foot tall structures made of aluminum and fiberglass-reinforced plastic sit in the Donald J. Hall Sculpture Park and are just one work of art amongst the museum’s collection of more than thirty-five thousand pieces.

After being commissioned by the museum in 1992, Swedish artist Claes Oldenburg designed the four massive shuttlecocks that were completed and installed on the museum’s property in 1994.

You can visit the shuttlecocks and the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, where admission is always free, at 4525 Oak Street. Call 816-751-1278 or go to nelson-atkins.org for more information. —Jonas Weir

19'

WORLD’S LARGEST PECAN In 1982, the World’s Largest Pecan came into existence at twelve thousand pounds, twelve feet long, and seven feet in diameter. Built by nearby farmers George and Elizabeth James’ son, the pecan was modeled after the Starky Harding Giant—a variety of pecan that George James discovered in 1947 while searching for the best pecan to grow in central Missouri. The gigantic pecan spent thirty-one years on the James’ farm, east of Brunswick, before it was moved to town in 2013.

Brunswick, which considers itself the pecan capital of Missouri, celebrates with the Annual Pecan Festival every October. The three-day festival includes pecanthemed contests and a parade.

To take your picture next to the monstrous pecan, visit 113 W. Broadway Street in Brunswick.

—Elissa Chudwin

MIKE KELLNER AND ANNIE RICE

12'

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42'

WORLD’S LARGEST ROLL OF TOILET PAPER

9.73'

WORLD’S LARGEST ROCKER When Fanning 66 Outpost owner Danny Sanazaro wanted to attract business along Route 66, he built the world’s largest rocking chair.

More than forty-two feet high, twenty feet wide, and 27,500 pounds, this tourist attraction has gained the attention that he had hoped.

“When we built the store, I knew we needed some kind of roadside attraction for people to stop and look at,” he says.

Danny was impressed with a fourteen-foot-tall rocking chair he once saw as a child, so he decided to try and build one himself. With the help of John Bland, who designed the chair, Joe Medwick, who welded and built the roadside attraction, and a few others, they were able to assemble the world’s largest rocking chair.

“We figured if we were going to build one, we’d build the biggest one,” Danny says.

While construction took six weeks and two cranes to lift the chair into place, receiving certification from the Guinness World Records took six months. In addition to completing paperwork and having three people confirm the chair’s dimensions, Danny had to prove the chair could actually rock.

“The world’s largest chair is eighty feet tall, but to have it rock is a different story,” he says.

Danny was able to record a video of the chair rocking, but he then welded it in place for safety reasons.

Although the chair holds the record right now, Danny expects there to be competition. He left the decorative piece off the top of rocker, so he can add it later if he needs to make the chair even bigger.

“If someone does beat it by a mere foot or so, we have a surprise,” he says.

To take your picture near the World’s Largest Rocker, travel down Route 66 four miles west of Cuba, Missouri, to 5957 Route ZZ. —Elissa Chudwin

COURTESY OF MISSOURI DIVISION OF TOURISM AND RIPLEY'S BELIEVE IT OR NOT

If the Jolly Green Giant had to use the bathroom, he’d make his way to Branson.

Ripley’s Believe It or Not! at 3326 Route 76 is home to the Guinness World Record-certified largest roll of toilet paper. Manufactured by Charmin in 2011 as a promotional stunt, the giant roll of toilet paper is the equivalent of about 95,000 standard rolls. With a diameter of 9.73 feet, the toilet paper is more than a million square feet all rolled out, which could cover the Great Pyramid of Giza. But this toilet paper roll isn’t the only reason to stop at Ripley’s.

“We have a collection of the odd and unusual that Robert Ripley collected,” says John Dixon, the general manager. “In conjunction with that, we have a lot of odd items from today.”

Visit ripleys.com/branson or call 417-337-5300 for information on Ripley’s Believe It or Not! and the 450 items in its collection. —Jonas Weir

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have a Ball!

Missouri has three giant balls of string, and none actually hold the world record for being the largest.

WESTON’S GIANT BALL OF STRING Finley Stephens of Weston began making this giant ball in the 1950s, and before he died in 1980, it weighed in at three thousand pounds and had a circumference of nineteen feet.

Claiming that his ball of string was the world’s largest—although it wasn’t—Finley displayed the ball of string in a museum that he ran out of his barn in Weston. Today, you can visit the giant ball of string at the Weston Brewing Company at 500 Welt Street. Go to westonirish.com or call 816-640-5235 for more information.— Jonas Weir

42'

19'

BRANSON’S GIANT STRING BALL J.C. Payne of Plainview, Texas, spent four years making this giant string ball that’s more than forty-two feet in circumference.

“I think he had too much time on his hands,” says John Dixon, general manager of Ripley’s Believe It or Not!, where the ball is now housed.

Legend has it that Payne was inspired by similar balls in Darwin, Minnesota, and Cawker City, Kansas, which Guinness World Records considers the largest. Just like the balls that inspired it, its creator claimed that this ball was the largest. See it for yourself at 3326 Route 76. Visit ripleys .com/branson or call 417-337-5300 for information.—Jonas Weir

COURTESY OF RIPLEY'S BELIEVE IT OR NOT; ANNIE RICE AND KELLY LUDWIG

ST. JOSEPH’S GIANT BALL OF TWINE About forty years ago, the Patee House Museum acquired a giant ball of twine from a local entrepreneur who ran a junk store.

“Back then, we didn’t have a hell of a lot of stuff,” says Gary Chilcote at the Patee House Museum.

C.C. Kelder, who often went by the nickname “I Buy Anything,” made the ball himself, and Gary says he had two or three similar balls of twine. However, since the museum acquired the piece, it has also acquired many more significant historical items that focus on the Patee House’s origin as the birthplace of the Pony Express.

“When you have a museum that deals with the Pony Express, Jesse James, and the Civil War,” Gary says, “a ball of string isn’t your highest priority.”

Visit the Patee House at 1202 Penn Street in St. Joseph. Go to ponyexpressjessejames.com or call 816-232-8206 for more information on the museum. —Jonas Weir

16'

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Discover off-the-beaten-path swimming holes across the state.

~ By Jona s Weir ~

less lakes, ponds, streams, creeks, and rivers, there’s no shortage of summertime fun in the Show-Me State. What Missouri lacks in big waves, it makes up for with plenty of swimming holes in every corner of the state, from the serene lakes of northern Missouri to the pristine rivers of the Ozarks. And the best part is that it’s all fresh water: no stinging eyes, no briny taste in your mouth, and no dehydration.

Everyone has their favorite spot: a bend in the creek near Grandma’s house, a lake on the family farm, or a spot with a rope swing you’ve been going to since you were a kid. However, with many fragile ecosystems in our natural springs and lakes, Missourians have to be careful where they wade. Nearly all Department of Conservation areas are off-limits, and there are restrictions on where you can swim within our state and national parks. That doesn’t mean there aren’t still great swimming spots for you to discover: places tucked away in the woods, far from jet skis or overcrowded wading pools.

So get out the bathing suit, bring some towels, and discover the best off-the-beaten-path swimming holes Missouri has to offer.

COURTESY OF MISSOURI DIVISION OF TOURISM

Missouri may not have any oceanfront property, but with count-

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Cuivre River State Park In northeast Missouri, Cuivre River State Park offers the best of both worlds. You can go for a hike through rugged terrain along the Ozarks-like river trail, and then take a dip in the fifty-five-acre Lake Lincoln afterward.

With canoeing, kayaking, fishing, hiking, and camping, there is no shortage of things to do at this the 6,393-acre park. Visit the swimming beach at 678 Route 147 near Troy. Find out more at mostateparks.com or by calling 636-528-7247.

Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park Johnson’s Shut-Ins is no secret, but considering it’s one of the most unmistakable, geologically unique places in the country, this state park belongs on anyone’s list of best swimming holes, whether you’re USA Today or a born-and-raised Missourian.

Since the state park opened in 1955, people have been flocking to the East Fork of the Black River to ride down these natural water slides. However, the shut-ins formed 1.4 billion years ago, so who knows how long this spot has been a place of recreation? Discover the park for yourself at 148 Taum Sauk Trail near Middle Brook. Visit mostateparks.com or call 573-546-2450 for more information.

Sam A. Baker State Park

COURTESY OF MISSOURI DIVISION OF TOURISM

With acres upon acres of trails that wind through the St. Francois Mountains, Sam A. Baker State Park has plenty of serene nature escapes, tucked away in its temperate-mixed broadleaf forests.

The St. Francois River and Big Creek wind through the state park’s woodlands and offer a refuge for aquatic enthusiasts, whether you’re an angler, a swimmer, or a float trip warrior.

At the park, the 1.25-mile Shut-Ins Trail leads you along Big Creek to a gravel bar at the granite base of Mudlick Mountain. Here, you’ll find a pool about the size of a football field. Find the park on Route 143 near Des Arc. Visit mostateparks.com or call 573-8564411 for more information.

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Meramec State Park

Castlewood State Park Just a stone’s throw away from the Gateway City, Castlewood State Park is a fresh-air retreat on the southwestern edge of St. Louis County.

Urban dwellers have made their way to this area since the early twentieth century when the Missouri Pacific Railroad would provide transportation.

Although the Missouri Pacific Railroad no longer runs, people flock to the 1,818-acre state park for the same reasons: hiking, picnicking, fishing, and of course, swimming.

About five miles of the Meramec River run through the park, so there are plenty of places to dip your toes in the water.

However, the 2.75-mile Castlewood Loop offers the best access to sand bars along the river. In fact, a place called Lincoln Beach was a popular swimming hole from 1915 to 1940, and this stretch of river is still a great summer hangout spot.

Visit the park at 1401 Kiefer Creek Road near Ballwin. Go to mostateparks.com or call 636227-4433 for more information.

COURTESY OF MISSOURI DIVISION OF TOURISM AND MISSOURI STATE PARKS

South of Castlewood State Park along the Meramec River, Meramec State Park offers more than six thousand acres of outdoor activities.

The state park surrounds both sides of this slow-moving river, so there are plenty of places for you to find your own private swimming hole. Take a hike down the 0.75mile River Trail to scout out spots, and later, get a scenic view of the river from atop two bluffs along the 1.5-mile Bluff View Trail.

Find the park at 670 Fisher Cave Drive near Sullivan. Visit mostateparks.com or call 573-468-6519 for more information.

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Ozark National Scenic Riverways

offer easy access to swimming areas. Where Blue Spring meets the river is another topnotch spot. However, as with the Jacks Fork, the best way to explore the Current River is by canoe or kayak, so you can find a swimming hole to make your own.

Although this national park offers two of the greatest recreational rivers in the country, Rocky Creek is perhaps the best place to go swimming. Rocky Falls is one of the tallest waterfalls in the state, and the area has its own shut-ins for swimmers to use like water slides. Be careful, though; these rocks are slippery. Find access to Rocky Falls off County Road NN-526 near Winona. For more information on the Ozark National Scenic Riverways, visit nps.gov/ozar /index.htm or call 573-323-4236.

COURTESY OF JOHN W. IWANSKI AND NATIONAL PARK SERVICES

As the first national park to protect a river system, the Ozark National Scenic Riverways is home to some of the most beautiful bodies of water in the country.

Given its pristine beauty and its massive 125-square-mile size, choosing just one place to swim here is nearly impossible. It might be easier just to name the places you can’t swim: swimming is not allowed near all boat landings, in the springs and spring branches, and near Aker’s Ferry. Anywhere else is fair game.

So here are a few ideas: The Jacks Fork River has many places where you can swim. Take a canoe down the river, and find a sand bar where you can pull up your boat and have some fun in the water.

If you don’t want to take the boat, you can find a swimming hole right away near the Alley Spring campground off Route 106 near Eminence. Another place to try, if you can handle a current, is at the confluence of the two rivers.

Find a campground near where the two rivers meet off Route V near Eminence.

The Current River alone offers a myriad of swimming holes. The Powder Mill and Current River Campgrounds near Van Buren

Mark Twain National Forest Mark Twain National Forest is massive.

With more than one hundred thousand acres of public use land, this park is perhaps the crown jewel of Missouri.

With its national forest designation, this natural area is one of the least restrictive places in the state; you can swim almost anywhere. Of course, for conservation’s sake, you want to avoid swimming in the fragile ecosystems in the forest. Instead, take a dip at any one of the fourteen designated swimming areas.

With so many swimming holes to choose from inside the park, the Marble Creek Recreation Area stands out. Here, you can see the vestiges of an old grist mill and go for a swim in this twenty-mile creek that runs through the St. Francois Mountains.

Find the recreation area near Arcadia at the intersection of Route E and Neal Huff Road. For information about Mark Twain National forest, visit fs.usda.gov/mtnf or call 573-364-4621.

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The St. Louis Iron Mountain & Southern Railway in Jackson captures Missouri’s railroad heritage.

riding the

RAILS

KILE BREWER

– BY CAROLYN TOMLIN –

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Some say

the days when railroads were king are only a distant memory. However, for the ten thousand people who annually ride the St. Louis Iron Mountain & Southern Railway, those days are very much a recent memory.

Hailing from Cape Girardeau County in the small town of Jackson, the historic diesel locomotive Number 5898 ambles through a short stretch of southeastern Missouri countryside.

Along the route, neighbors gather and bring their children to wave at the train. And if they’re lucky, the engineer will blow his whistle as a friendly greeting.

This year marks the twenty-ninth season of the railroad’s tourist operations in Jackson. During the past two decades, the locomotive has become a well-known attraction to train enthusiasts, vacationers, and local residents.

Across the country, railroad buffs are discovering vintage trains that offer short rides, and these excursion trains are a growing source of tourism. According to TouristRailways.com, 304 tourist trains still run in North America. But the fact that the Iron Mountain Railway is staffed entirely by volunteers sets this hospitable, old-fashioned locomotive experience apart.

Passengers wave on the St. Louis Iron Mountain & Southern Railway’s regular Saturday afternoon run. With two retired Chicago commuter cars, there are plenty of seats.

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In the town of Iron Mountain in St. Francois County in 1870, the notable German-born, St. Louis-based photographer Robert Benecke captured this image of the train engine for the Iron Mountain Railway, which ran from St. Louis to Texarkana, Arkansas, at the time.

Perhaps the Iron Mountain Baby is responsible for some of the success of the railway.

Legend has it that on August 14, 1902, William Helms, a seventy-two-year-old farmer and Civil War veteran, was walking along the track near Big River. Speeding northbound over the bridge, Engine Number Four came around the bend. Seconds later, he heard a strange noise and investigated to find an infant in a valise.

Helms took the baby home to his wife, and they nursed the badly bruised child back to health. Naming him after his foster father, Bill Helms, and Gould, the owner of the railroad, the Helms family formally adopted the boy when he was six years old. The St. Louis Iron Mountain & Southern Railway paid for his college education at Southwest State Teachers College in Springfield.

He died in 1953 but lives on through the legend of the Iron Mountain Baby. John T. Bar-

Bill Mikoliza, an assistant conductor on the Iron Mountain Railway, helped curate the museum next to the ticket office. A Jackson native, he first saw the train while he was growing up.

ton wrote “The Ballad of the Iron Mountain Baby” in 1902, and in 2007, author Evault Boswell published a novel based on the story.

However, William Gould’s true origins remain a mystery.

If TRAINS Could Talk The year was 1851. Herman Melville wrote Moby Dick. The New York Times started publishing two-cent papers. And the St. Louis Iron Mountain Rail Road was created by a special act of Missouri legislation—ten years before the first shots were heard at Fort Sumter.

The railroad was a vital transport link before the Civil War. Then, the rails played a significant role in military actions in Missouri. Like a tapestry woven of various threads, the Iron Mountain transported troops, delivered supplies, and connected families from both the North and South.

However, during the Civil War, many tracks were destroyed in order to prevent trains from delivering the necessities of war. Both Union and Confederate soldiers often removed the iron rails, heated them to a high temperatures, and bent them into useless objects. So following the pattern of other railroads of its day, economic hardships and extensive damage to the rails during the war caused the railroad to close on January 7, 1867. But all was not lost

KILE BREWER AND MISSOURI HISTORY MUSEUM

A Baby in a VALISE

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for this historic line. The founder of Allenville, Thomas Allen, and two other investors purchased the Iron Mountain that year, and it was eventually merged with the Missouri Pacific Railway in 1917, later coming under the umbrella of Union Pacific.

KILE BREWER AND CAROLYN TOMLIN

The LITTLE Staff that Could Fast forward to the year 1985. To encourage tourism, investors brought the train back to the abandoned Jackson section of the rail line.

Twenty members formed the Friends of Steam Railroading. Today, this nonprofit group has approximately thirty dedicated members of all ages and talents. Their one goal is to keep the St. Louis Iron Mountain Railway alive and well.

In 1986, locomotive Number 5, built in 1946 by the H.K. Porter Company of Pittsburg, was the engine. The 1,100-horsepower engine weighs 115,000 pounds. And despite its age, old Number 5 proved itself capable of moving the area’s only steam-powered rail service, returning passengers to an earlier period in America’s history when railroads offered the best mode of travel. But by 1998, Engine Number 5 was a well-worn piece of machinery.

Locomotive Number 5 needed many repairs, and it became very difficult to continue providing a dependable and safe engine for the tourist train.

That’s when a new locomotive, new at least to those that support the St. Louis Iron Mountain & Southern Railway, came into the picture. Built in 1952, an E8 diesel locomotive— rated at 2,250 horsepower and capable of speeds up to 120 miles per hour—took over.

Even with the new, powerful engine, keeping this train chugging along isn’t easy.

“There are numerous challenges to keeping the railroad running,” says Elane Moonier, a fouryear volunteer coordinator with Iron Mountain.

“Probably, one of the greatest challenges is keeping up with repairs. Safety is our top priority.”

The cross-ties and rails require maintenance. Tree limbs hanging over the track must be removed.

The late Bill Spiecker, a former president of the group, was quoted in the Kansas City Star in 1993: “We have been successful at preserving the equipment and maintaining the

St. Louisan Jim Greathouse is one of three volunteers that is licensed to operate this E8 diesel train engine, which was built in 1952.

The train’s “Chocolate Lover’s Express” features an all-you-can-eat buffet of chocolates, baked goods, and other tasty sweets.

roadway because of the growing number of volunteers.” The train has to meet the Federal Railroad Authority’s standards to keep its license. And with Saturday afternoon trips for nine months of the year, three engineers volunteer and rotate their services.

“Each engineer and conductor is qualified per Federal Railroad Administration requirements,” Elane says. “Several crew members drive from St. Louis to Jackson each weekend.”

Old Train, NEW Tricks About five years ago, Elane brought her grandson Aspen to see the train. The curious fiveyear-old noticed the diesel engine needed a paint job.

“He asked, ‘Can we paint the engine?’ ” she says. “I answered, ‘No, we can’t do that.’

Then, like all small children, he wanted to know ‘why?’ ”

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That’s when the idea was born to raise money for the old engine by selling snacks and train caps.

In two years, volunteers raised the $6,000 needed to paint the engine the bright red you see today. At age ten, Aspen is now the junior conductor on the Iron Mountain Railway.

Keeping the train attractive and comfortable is important to the Friends of Steam Railroading, and they realized the 1950s New York Central passenger car needed remodeling, too. With airconditioning, it’s now the car of choice for many travelers on humid Missouri summer afternoons.

The stationary Art Gallery Car is another new attraction. Thanks to owner Oliver Glocose, the elegantly restored dining car is now filled with paintings of trains, various artwork, and gifts created by volunteers. Each month, a small painting is raffled off, and a larger piece is used in an annual raffle to raise money for the train.

Railroad REENACTMENTS Every year, the Friends of Steam Railroading add new thing to draw in visitors. One new feature is a nineteenth-century Western village. Stopping

on the trip back to Jackson, passengers have time to visit the jail and church and perhaps purchase merchandise from the general store.

“Seeing the smiles and excitement that riding a train brings to people makes it all worthwhile,” says Harriet Drusch, who works with Iron Mountain. “Not everyone has ridden a train. We’ve giving them a new experience.

Each season we add something new. This year, we included a vintage baseball and a Civil War weekend.”

Every excursion offers a surprise. One trip might feature a bluegrass musician whose music takes you back to a time long ago. Another might give you the chance to dress like your favorite Star Wars character from a galaxy far, far away.

And remember the James Brothers? The outlaws, Frank and Jesse, robbed the train back in 1874 when it stopped in Gads Hill. Don’t panic if you look out a train window and see the gang charging through a cornfield with guns blazing.

The James Gang isn’t the only band of thieves in the area, though. Hold on to your valuables because Bonnie and Clyde might be robbing banks nearby and decide to board a getaway train.

The train also offers “Murder Mysteries,” a dinner trip where passengers interact with actors to help solve the staged mayhem. And the Christmas trains in December are more than well-attended.

“The Santa Express is so popular we often run five to seven trips each weekend,” Elane says.

Space fills quickly as parents and grandparents bring youngsters to tell Santa what’s on their wish list.

An Easter egg hunt in the spring, a Halloween train in the fall, and a Dr. Seuss train all attract both the young and the young at heart. And there’s more. Lazy L Safari Park transports small animals for a petting zoo throughout the season.

All train trips begin and end in Jackson, as the train goes to the end of the line, then backs up for the return trip. The regular season trips run on Saturday afternoons from 1 to 3 pm from the first weekend in April to the last day of the year.

However, there are special events every month except January through March. The train is available at a charter rate for events like birthdays, family reunions, and anniversaries. Afternoon and evening trips are scheduled on weekends.

KILE BREWER

Conductors, like Dan Trost, are required to pass all official railway conductor certifications, despite the fact that they operate on their own track for most of the trip and volunteer their efforts.

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St. Louis Iron Mountain & Southern Railway passengers enjoy the Old West village that has been built along the train’s route, one of the new attractions for the tourist railroad.

All Aboard!

SCAVENGER HUNT, June 6 Find clues hidden throughout the train, and win a prize if you solve the mystery.

GOOD OLE SUMMERTIME TRAIN, June 13 With a barbershop quartet, face painting, and balloon animals, this is an all-out family picnic.

Enjoy fresh lemonade, watermelon, and box lunches that can be purchased for $7.

KILE BREWER

REINVIGORATING Cape County In an area where tourism is an important part of the economy, the Iron Mountain Railway acts as a model.

“The St. Louis Iron Mountain & Southern Railway is one of our top attractions,” says Stacy Dohogne Lane, director of public relations for the Cape Girardeau Convention and Visitor Bureau. “The more events and attractions we have in the area, the more people attend.”

And that makes sense. A great group of volunteers offer friendly service. People come; they bring their children and grandchildren.

Since its beginning in 1986, thousands of guests have learned about the history of the railroads by visiting Jackson.

Journeying through the scenic Missouri countryside, you’ll pass fields of freshly cut hay rolled up like over-sized pastries, dairy farms dotted with black and white Holstein cows, and friendly neighbors waving from pickups along the tracks.

It’s the Heartland at its best.

COWBOY TRAIN WITH LAZY L. SAFARI PARK, June 20 Get a feel for the Wild West with a sharp shooter contest and rubber band guns.

FATHER'S DAY TRAIN, June 21 Bring dad out for a nice dinner aboard the train.

DINOSAUR TRAIN, June 27 Dig for dinosaur bones, and learn about these ancient creatures.

CELEBRATE AMERICA AND TRAINS, July 4 Enjoy a musical tribute to the United States and other activities.

NATIVE AMERICAN DAY, July 11 Learn about Native American culture with games, music, crafts, and more.

COUNTY FAIR, July 18 The Iron Mountain Railway hosts its own version of a county fair with games and entertainment.

BONNIE AND CLYDE TRAIN ROBBERY, July 25 Reenactors “rob” the train, and vintage cars will be on display.

The Iron Mountain Railway is located at 252 E. Jackson Boulevard. Tickets range from $9 for children ages three to twelve to $16 for adults. Dinner train prices range from $25.50 to $40, and reservations are required. Call 573-243-1688 or visit slimrr.com for more information.

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WINE

&BEER GUIDE2015 WE DECIDED to make the food pyramid a little bit more fun. With

a cornucopia of wineries and breweries in Missouri, it’s easy to find a beverage for every taste, whether it’s a nutty ale, a fruit-packed wine, or a rich, creamy milk stout. Now, we don’t recommend that you replace your daily caloric intake with alcohol, but we highly suggest you sample these drinks next time you want flavor. Try Serenity Valley’s Black and Gold wine with a burger at your next tailgate.

Get ready for fall with O’Fallon’s Pumpkin Wheatwine. And consider Westphalia’s chocolate wine for your next date.

4 Hands Brewing Co. Chocolate Milk Stout Piney River Brewing Co. Crankbait Cream Ale Public House Brewing Company Rod’s Cream Ale

O’Fallon Brewery Imperial Pumpkin Wheatwine Schlafly Lewis Osterweis & Sons Hard Ginger Beer

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Westphalia Vineyards Naughty But Nice Chocolate Wine

Serenity Valley Winery A Touch of Black ’N’ Gold Urban Chestnut Brewing Company Winged Nut Ale

Sweets Dairy

Protein

Crown Valley Winery Blackberry Wine Pirtle Winery Blueberry Wine St. James Winery Strawberry Wine

Charleville Vineyard & Microbrewery Half-Wit Wheat Beer Bur Oak Brewing Company Trail Bender Wheat Beer Boulevard Brewing Company 80-Acre Hoppy Wheat Beer Morgan Street Brewery Honey Wheat Beer

Vegetables

Rock Bridge Brewing Co. Rye You Lil’ Punk IPA

Fruit

Perennial Artisan Ales Vermilion Barleywine Ale

Grains [57] June 2015

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WINE & BEER GUIDE 2015

CENTRAL

CASA DE LOCO WINERY

LES BOURGEOIS VINEYARDS

442 Riverbird Lane, Camdenton casadelocowinery.com, 573-317-9695

12847 W. Route BB, Rocheport missouriwine.com, 800-690-1830

ADAM PUCHTA WINERY

ENDLESS SUMMER WINERY

LOGBOAT BREWING CO.

1947 Frene Creek Road, Hermann adampuchtawine.com, 573-486-5596

5 Grosse Lane, Hermann endlesssummerwinery.com, 573-252-2000

504 Fay Street, Columbia logboatbrewing.com, 573-397-6786

BROADWAY BREWERY

FLAT BRANCH PUB AND BREWING

MARTIN BROTHERS WINERY

816 E. Broadway, Columbia broadwaybrewery.com, 573-443-5054

115 S. 5th Street, Columbia flatbranch.com, 573-499-0400

1623 Old Iron Road, Hermann martinbrotherswinery.com, 573-486-0236

BUFFALO CREEK WINERY

GIGGLING GRAPES WINERY

OAKGLENN WINERY

28888 Riverview Road, Stover buffalocreekwinery.com, 573-377-4535

546 County Road 621, Linn gigglinggrapeswinery.com, 573-694-6875

1104 Oak Glenn Place, Hermann oakglenn.com, 573-486-5057

BUR OAK COMPANY

GOLDEN ROCK WINERY

PHOENIX WINERY

8250 Trade Center Drive, Columbia buroakbeer.com, 573-814-2178

885 N. Business Route 5, Camdenton goldenrockwinery.com, 573-317-9463

1840 Highway 50, Owensville phoenixwinery.com, 573-437-6278

BUSHWHACKER BEND WINERY

HERMANNHOF WINERY

PRISON BREWS

515 1st Street, Glasgow bushwhackerbend.com, 660-338-2100

330 E. 1st Street, Hermann hermannhof.com. 800-393-0100

305 Ash Street, Jefferson City prisonbrews.com, 573-635-0678

CANTERBURY HILL WINERY

HORSESHOE BEND BREWING CO.

ROCK BRIDGE BREWING CO.

1707 S. Summit Drive, Holts Summit canterburyhill.com, 573-896-9966

96 Bittersweet Road, Lake Ozark hbbrewco.com, 573-552-8548

1330 E. Prathersville Road, Columbia rockbridgebrewery.com, 573-356-8901

SM

Like a really great cocktail, our trip to Little Rock was something to be savored. Taking the trolley to tour Arkansas’s first legal distillery, and sampling its award-winning spirits made from area grains.

Enjoying the River Market district’s vibrant nightlife and the city’s unique craft beers that provide a perfect complement to the local cuisine. These are the memories of a new Southern style, and you can taste it all here in Little Rock.

Rock Town Distillery > To see more, go to DineLR.com

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WINE & BEER GUIDE 2015

CENTRAL

CASA DE LOCO WINERY

LES BOURGEOIS VINEYARDS

442 Riverbird Lane, Camdenton casadelocowinery.com, 573-317-9695

12847 W. Route BB, Rocheport missouriwine.com, 800-690-1830

ADAM PUCHTA WINERY

ENDLESS SUMMER WINERY

LOGBOAT BREWING CO.

1947 Frene Creek Road, Hermann adampuchtawine.com, 573-486-5596

5 Grosse Lane, Hermann endlesssummerwinery.com, 573-252-2000

504 Fay Street, Columbia logboatbrewing.com, 573-397-6786

BROADWAY BREWERY

FLAT BRANCH PUB AND BREWING

MARTIN BROTHERS WINERY

816 E. Broadway, Columbia broadwaybrewery.com, 573-443-5054

115 S. 5th Street, Columbia flatbranch.com, 573-499-0400

1623 Old Iron Road, Hermann martinbrotherswinery.com, 573-486-0236

BUFFALO CREEK WINERY

GIGGLING GRAPES WINERY

OAKGLENN WINERY

28888 Riverview Road, Stover buffalocreekwinery.com, 573-377-4535

546 County Road 621, Linn gigglinggrapeswinery.com, 573-694-6875

1104 Oak Glenn Place, Hermann oakglenn.com, 573-486-5057

BUR OAK COMPANY

GOLDEN ROCK WINERY

PHOENIX WINERY

8250 Trade Center Drive, Columbia buroakbeer.com, 573-814-2178

885 N. Business Route 5, Camdenton goldenrockwinery.com, 573-317-9463

1840 Highway 50, Owensville phoenixwinery.com, 573-437-6278

BUSHWHACKER BEND WINERY

HERMANNHOF WINERY

PRISON BREWS

515 1st Street, Glasgow bushwhackerbend.com, 660-338-2100

330 E. 1st Street, Hermann hermannhof.com. 800-393-0100

305 Ash Street, Jefferson City prisonbrews.com, 573-635-0678

CANTERBURY HILL WINERY

HORSESHOE BEND BREWING CO.

ROCK BRIDGE BREWING CO.

1707 S. Summit Drive, Holts Summit canterburyhill.com, 573-896-9966

96 Bittersweet Road, Lake Ozark hbbrewco.com, 573-552-8548

1330 E. Prathersville Road, Columbia rockbridgebrewery.com, 573-356-8901

cocktail, our trip to Little Rock was something to the trolley to tour Arkansas’s first legal distillery, award-winning spirits made from area grains.

Market district’s vibrant nightlife and the city’s that provide a perfect complement to the local the memories of a new Southern style, and you in Little Rock.

SM

Rock Town Distillery > To see more, go to

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SERENITY VALLEY WINERY

TWISTED VINE VINEYARD

CHARLIE'S STEAK, RIBS & ALE

1888 County Road 342, Fulton serenitywinerymo.com, 573-642-6958

6743 County Road 315, Fulton 573-220-4806

3009 E. Route 76, Branson charliessteakribsandale.net, 888-869-5224

SEVEN SPRINGS WINERY

WENWOOD FARM WINERY

KELTOI VINEYARD & WINERY

846 Winery Hills Estates, Linn Creek sevenspringswinery.com, 573-317-0100

1132 Brick Church Road, Bland wenwoodfarmwinery.com, 573-437-3443

17705 County Road 260, Oronogo keltoivineyard.com, 417-642-6190

SHAWNEE BLUFF VINEYARD

WESTPHALIA VINEYARDS

THE LEAKY ROOF MEADERY

8 Tolwood Road, Lake Ozark shawneebluffvineyards.com, 573-365-1100

106 E. Main Street, Westphalia westphaliavineyards.com, 573-455-2000

1306 S. Azalea Street, Buffalo leakyroofmeadery.com, 417-345-1233

SHAWNEE BLUFF WINERY

WHITE MULE WINERY

LEWSI WINERY

2430 Bagnell Dam Boulevard, Lake Ozark shawneebluffwinery.com, 573-365-9463

2087 Highway 50, Owensville whitemulewinery.com, 573-764-4800

398 Long Bend Road, Galena lewsiwinery.com, 417-538-0066

STONE HILL—HERMANN

LINDWEDEL WINE GARDEN

1110 Stone Hill Highway, Hermann stonehillwinery.com, 855-430-4522

SOUTHWEST

STONE HILL—NEW FLORENCE

7C'S WINERY

MOTHER'S BREWING CO.

485 Booneslick Road, New Florence stonehillwinery.com, 855-430-4522

502 E. 560th Road, Walnut Grove 7cswinery.com, 417-788-2263

215 S. Grant Avenue, Springfield mothersbrewing.com, 417-862-0423

TIN MILL BREWING CO.

BOOTLEGGERS BREWERY

MOUNT PLEASANT IN BRANSON

114 Gutenberg Street, Hermann tinmillbrewing.com, 573-486-2275

101 S. Madison Avenue, Aurora bootbrewery.com, 417-678-2888

3125 Green Mountain Drive, Branson mountpleasant.com, 417-336-9463

3158 Route 265, Branson lindwedelwinery.com, 417-338-0256

SOURCES: BREWERS ASSOCIATION AND MISSOURI WINE AND GRAPE BOARD

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AAA Best of the Midwest Destination

WINE & BEER GUIDE 2015

Getaway ay Vintage charm

The importance of

timeless beauty

friendships cannot be overrated.

Same goes for laughter and

impromptu toasts.

TO MISSOURI WINE COUNTRY

Rhythm & Blues June 20 Cajun Concert July 10-12 Berries & BarBQ Wine Trail July 25-26 Wine & Jazz Festival August 22 Civil War Days September 18-20 Heritage Festival September 18-20 BarBQ & Brats September 25-26 Oktoberfest First four weekends of October

VisitHermann.com • 800-932-8687 WINERIES • B&Bs • HISTORIC DISTRICT • DAILY AMTRAK STOPS

7th Annual

Leisure Living’s Taste of Missouri &

Wine Stroll Saturday Aug 22 Event 3pm to 10pm

True to life. True to us.

Vendors 3 - 8pm

Downtown Moberly

Plan your trip at

SpringfieldMo.org

To Benefit

11 Wineries • 2 Breweries • 1 Distillery • Music • Silent Auction • Gourmet Meal [60] MissouriLife

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WINE & BEER GUIDE 2015

OOVVDA WINERY

WILLIAMS CREEK WINERY

BALTIMORE BEND VINEYARD

5448 N. Berry Lane, Springfield oovvda.com, 417-833-4896

310 S. Hickory Street, Mount Vernon williamscreekwinery.com, 417-466-4076

27150 Highway 24, Waverly baltimorebend.com, 660-493-0258

305 S. Market Avenue, Springfield springfieldbrewingco.com, 417-832-8277

KANSAS CITY

1325 Odd Fellows Road, Liberty belvoirwinery.com, 816-200-1811

STONE HILL—BRANSON

75TH STREET BREWERY

BIG RIP BREWING COMPANY

601 Route 165, Branson stonehillwinery.com, 417-334-1897

520 W. 75th Street, Kansas City kchopps.com, 816-523-4677

216 E. 9th Avenue, North Kansas City bigripbrewing.com, 816-866-0747

SPRINGFIELD BREWING CO.

BELVOIR WINERY

TYLER RIDGE VINEYARD WINERY

ALBONÉE VINEYARDS

BORDER BREWING COMPANY

7325 N. Farm Road 171, Springfield 417-844-1630

2200 S. Crenshaw Road, Independence alboneecountryinn.com, 816-220-2820

406 E. 18th Street, Kansas City borderbrewco.com, 573-406-1300

WHISPERING OAKS WINERY

AMERISPORTS BREW PUB

BOULEVARD BREWING CO.

520 Lucky Road, Seymour whisperingoakswinery.com, 417-935-4103

8201 NW Birmingham Road , Kansas City ameristar.com, 816-414-7435

2501 SW Boulevard, Kansas City boulevard.com, 816-474-7095

WHITE RIVER BREWING CO.

AMIGONI URBAN WINERY

CINDER BLOCK BREWERY

505 W. Commercial Street, Springfield whiteriverbrewingco.com, 417-869-1366

1505 Genessee, Suite 100, Kansas City winery.amigoni.com, 913-890-3289

110 East 18th Avenue, Kansas City cinderblockbrewing.com, 816-298-6555

WHITE ROSE WINERY

ARCADIAN MOON VINEYARDS

DELANEY VINEYARD & WINERY

13001 Journey Road, Carthage whiterosewinery.com, 417-359-9253

19203 Old US 40, Higginsville 660-584-6661

1200 S. Main Street, Nevada 417-667-5651 SOURCES: BREWERS ASSOCIATION AND MISSOURI WINE AND GRAPE BOARD

The Hermann Wine Trail meanders for 20 scenic miles along the Missouri River. Along the way, seven charming family-owned wineries are open for tasting and tours.

Dierberg Star Lane

Adam Puchta Winery

Bias Winery & Microbrewery 573-834-5475 • BiasWinery.com

573-486-1182 • Hermannhof.com

OakGlenn Winery

Röbller Winery

Stone Hill Winery

573-486-5596 • AdamPuchtaWine.com

573-486-5057 • OakGlenn.com

573-237-3986 • RobllerWines.com

ADVANCE TICKETS REQUIRED FOR WINE TRAILS. PUCHASE BY PHONE OR ONLINE:

573-486-2221 • StoneHillWinery.com

SCAN FOR MOBILE SITE

Hermannhof Winery

573-486-5959 • Hermannhof.com

Wine Trail Event s

Berries & BarBQ ....................

July 25-26 Holiday Fare ................ Novemb er 21-22 Say Cheese ....................Decem ber 12-13 Chocolate ...............February 20-21, 2016 Wild Bacon ....................... May 7-8, 2016

800-932-8687 • HermannWineTrail.com

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WINE & BEER GUIDE 2015

EICHENBERG WINERY

KANSAS CITY BIER COMPANY

PIRTLE WINERY

103 N. Olive Street, Cole Camp eichenbergwinery.com, 660-668-3511

310 W. 79th Street, Kansas City kcbier.com, 816-214-8691

502 Spring Street, Weston pirtlewinery.com, 816-640-5728

FAHRMEIER FAMILY VINEYARDS

LABELLA VINEYARDS & WINERY

RED FOX WINERY

9364 Mitchell Trail, Lexington fahrmeierfamilyvineyards.com, 816-888-9490

11644 Flournoy School Road, Wellington labellawinery.com, 816-240-2404

1422 NW 800 Road, Urich redfoxwinery.com, 816-392-0955

FENCE STILE VINEYARDS

LADOGA RIDGE WINERY

ROCK & RUN BREWERY

31010 W. 124th Street, Excelsior Springs fencestile.com, 816-500-6465

100 E. Pope Lane, Smithville ladogaridgewinery.com, 816-866-4077

110 E. Kansas Street, Liberty rockandrunbrewery.com, 816-415-2337

GORDON BIERSCH BREWERY

MARTIN CITY BREWING CO

STONEHAUS FARMS WINERY

100 E. 14th Street, Kansas City gordonbierschrestaurants.com, 816-471-2340

500 E. 135th Street, Kansas City martincitybrewingcompany.com, 816-268-2222

24607 NE Colbern Road, Lee’s Summit stonehausfarms.com, 816-554-8800

GRANITE CITY FOOD & BREWERY

MCCOY'S PUBLIC HOUSE

TERRE BEAU VINEYARDS

8461 NW Prairie View Road, Kansas City gcfb.net, 816-587-3838

4057 Pennsylvania Avenue, Kansas City mccoyspublichouse.com, 816-960-0866

100 S. Lynn Street, Dover terrebeauwinery.com, 660-259-3010

GREEN ROOM BURGERS & BEER

MONTSERRAT VINEYARDS

VINOGRAD WINERY

4010 Pennsylvania Avenue, Kansas City greenroomkc.com, 816-216-7682

104 NE 641 Road, Knob Noster 660-747-0466

501 S. Sterling Avenue, Sugar Creek 816-836-5903

JOWLER CREEK VINEYARD

ODESSA COUNTRY WINERY

WESTON BREWING CO.

16905 Jowler Creek Road, Platte City jowlercreek.com, 816-858-5528

2466 McNeel Road, Odessa odessacountrywinery.com, 816-633-7843

500 Welt Street, Weston westonirish.com, 816-640-5235

SM

Like a really great cocktail, our trip to Little Rock was something to be savored. Taking the trolley to tour Arkansas’s first legal distillery, and sampling its award-winning spirits made from area grains.

Enjoying the River Market district’s vibrant nightlife and the city’s unique craft beers that provide a perfect compliment to the local cuisine. These are the memories of a new Southern style, and you can taste it all here in Little Rock.

Rock Town Distillery > To see more, go to DineLR.com

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WINE & BEER GUIDE 2015

EICHENBERG WINERY

KANSAS CITY BIER COMPANY

PIRTLE WINERY

103 N. Olive Street, Cole Camp eichenbergwinery.com, 660-668-3511

310 W. 79th Street, Kansas City kcbier.com, 816-214-8691

502 Spring Street, Weston pirtlewinery.com, 816-640-5728

FAHRMEIER FAMILY VINEYARDS

LABELLA VINEYARDS & WINERY

RED FOX WINERY

9364 Mitchell Trail, Lexington fahrmeierfamilyvineyards.com, 816-888-9490

11644 Flournoy School Road, Wellington labellawinery.com, 816-240-2404

1422 NW 800 Road, Urich redfoxwinery.com, 816-392-0955

FENCE STILE VINEYARDS

LADOGA RIDGE WINERY

ROCK & RUN BREWERY

31010 W. 124th Street, Excelsior Springs fencestile.com, 816-500-6465

100 E. Pope Lane, Smithville ladogaridgewinery.com, 816-866-4077

110 E. Kansas Street, Liberty rockandrunbrewery.com, 816-415-2337

GORDON BIERSCH BREWERY

MARTIN CITY BREWING CO

STONEHAUS FARMS WINERY

100 E. 14th Street, Kansas City gordonbierschrestaurants.com, 816-471-2340

500 E. 135th Street, Kansas City martincitybrewingcompany.com, 816-268-2222

24607 NE Colbern Road, Lee’s Summit stonehausfarms.com, 816-554-8800

GRANITE CITY FOOD & BREWERY

MCCOY'S PUBLIC HOUSE

TERRE BEAU VINEYARDS

8461 NW Prairie View Road, Kansas City 816-587-3838

4057 Pennsylvania Avenue, Kansas City mccoyspublichouse.com, 816-960-0866

100 S. Lynn Street, Dover terrebeauwinery.com, 660-259-3010

GREEN ROOM BURGERS & BEER

MONTSERRAT VINEYARDS

VINOGRAD WINERY

4010 Pennsylvania Avenue, Kansas City greenroomkc.com, 816-216-7682

104 NE 641 Road, Knob Noster 660-747-0466

501 S. Sterling Avenue, Sugar Creek 816-836-5903

JOWLER CREEK VINEYARD

ODESSA COUNTRY WINERY

WESTON BREWING CO.

16905 Jowler Creek Road, Platte City jowlercreek.com, 816-858-5528

2466 McNeel Road, Odessa odessacountrywinery.com, 816-633-7843

500 Welt Street, Weston westonirish.com, 816-640-5235

was something to first legal distillery, from area grains. and the city’s to the local style, and you SM

Rock Town Distillery > To see more, go to

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WESTON WINE COMPANY

VAN TILL FARMS WINERY

WEST WINERY

519 Main Street, Weston westonwinecompany.com, 816-386-2345

13986 Route C, Rayville vantillfarms.com, 816-776-2720

107 Vine Street, Macon westwinery.com, 660-395-7181

NORTHEAST

9478 SW Route J, Osborn 816-675-2002

WILDLIFE RIDGE WINERY 34751 Miller Road, Smithton wildliferidgewinery.com, 660-343-5493

NORTHWEST

BAT CREEK BREWERY

WINDY WINE COMPANY

4 W. Main Street, Bowling Green batcreekbrewery.com, 573-324-3258

ST. LOUIS

BLACK SILO WINERY

CAVE HOLLOW WEST WINERY

2ND SHIFT BREWING CO.

4030 E. 10th Street, Trenton blacksilowinery.com, 660-357-2208

300 Cave Hollow Road, Hannibal marktwaincave.com, 573-221-1656

101 Cedar Creek Road, New Haven 2ndshiftbrewing.com, 618-791-0728

NINJA MOOSE BREWERY

INDIAN CREEK WINERY

ALPHA BREWING CO.

105 E. Bird Street, Hamilton ninjamoosebrewery.com

805 Stoddard Street, Monroe City indiancreekwine.com, 573-590-0086

1409 Washington Avenue Rear, St. Louis alphabrewingcompany.com, 314-621-2337

RIVERWOOD WINERY

JACOB'S VINEYARD

ANHEUSER-BUSCH INC.

22200 Route 45, Rushville riverwoodwinery.com, 816-579-9797

26078 Eagle Lane, Kirksville 660-627-2424

1 Busch Place, St. Louis anheuser-busch.com, 314-577-2000

TIPPLE HILL WINERY & VINEYARD

MARK TWAIN BREWING COMPANY

AUGUSTA BREWING CO.

10501 SE Highway 36, Easton tipplehillwinery.com, 816-294-7968

422 N. Main Street, Hannibal marktwainbrewery.com, 573-406-1300

5221 Water Street, Augusta augustabrewing.com, 636-482-2337 SOURCES: BREWERS ASSOCIATION AND MISSOURI WINE AND GRAPE BOARD

Missouri wines, Missouri grapes, Missouri made, Missouri life!

Grape Stomp September 26 Cave Hollow West Winery Hannibal, MO • www.marktwaincave.com [63] June 2015

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WINE & BEER GUIDE 2015

CATHEDRAL SQUARE BREWERY

EXIT 6 BREWERY

5601 High Street, Augusta augustawinery.com, 636-228-4301

3914 Lindell Boulevard, St. Louis cathedralsquarebrewery.com, 314-803-3605

5055 Route 112, St. Charles exit6brewery.com, 636-244-4343

BALDUCCI VINEYARDS

AUGUSTA WINERY

CHANDLER HILL VINEYARDS

FERGUSON BREWING CO.

6601 S. Route 94, Augusta balducciswineryandrestaurant.com, 636-482-8466

596 Defiance Road, Defiance chandlerhillvineyards.com, 636-798-2675

418 S. Florissant Road, St. Louis fergusonbrewing.com, 314-521-2220

BARDENHEIER WINE CELLARS

CIVIL LIFE BREWING CO.

GRANITE CITY FOOD & BREWERY

11386 Route A, Richwoods bardenheierwines.com, 573-678-2442

3714 Holt Avenue, St. Louis thecivillifebrewingcompany.com

11411 Olive Boulevard, Creve Coeur gcfb.net, 314-432-3535

BELMONT VINEYARDS

CLAVERACH FARM & VINEYARDS

GRIESEDIECK BROTHERS BREWERY

5870 Old Route 66, Leasburg belmontvineyards.com, 573-885-7156

570 S. Lewis Road, Eureka claverachfarm.com, 636-938-7353

PO Box 31203, St. Louis gb-beer.com, 314-309-3210

BIAS VINEYARDS & WINERY

EARTHBOUND BREWING

GRUHLKE'S MICROBREWERY

3166 Route B, Berger biaswinery.com, 573-834-5475

2710 Cherokee Street, St. Louis earthboundbeer.com, 314-504-3532

3166 Route B, Berger biaswinery.com, 573-834-5475

BLUMENHOF WINERY

EDG-CLIF FARMS AND VINEYARD

HEAVY RIFF BREWING

13699 S. Route 94, Dutzow blumenhof.com, 800-419-2245

10035 Edg-Clif Drive, Potosi edg-clif.com, 573-438-4741

6413 Clayton Avenue, St. Louis heavyriffbrewing.com, 314-971-6179

BOMMARITO ESTATE WINERY

EDGEWILD RESTAURANT & WINERY

HOLY GRAIL WINERY

550 Chesterfield Center Drive, Chesterfield edgewildwinery.com, 636-532-0550

5505 Locust Street, Augusta holygrailwinery.com, 636-221-7604

3718 Grant School Road, New Haven bommaritoestatewinery.com, 573-237-5158

E R E H S Y A D 3 D SPEN

AND

‘ REDEFINE

‘ TRAIL

Awardwinning wines and a very comfy B&B. Book your perfect getaway and let us pa mper you for a few days.

microbreweries along Explore the distinct il. Plan your long Tra Ale ille tev the Fayet yetteville.com efa nc rie pe weekend at ex

573-754-9888 www.theeaglesnest-louisiana.com

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KIRKWOOD STATION BREWING

MOUNT PLEASANT WINERY

RÖBLLER VINEYARD

105 E. Jefferson Avenue, Kirkwood kirkwoodstationbrewing.com, 314-966-2739

5634 High Street, Augusta mountpleasant.com, 636-482-9463

275 Robller Vineyard Road, New Haven robllerwines.com, 573-237-3986

KUENZEL VALLEY WINERY

NOBOLEIS VINEYARDS

ROLLING MEADOWS VINEYARDS

4455 Kohl City Road, New Haven kuenzelvalleywinery.com, 573-237-2034

100 Hemsath Road, Augusta noboleisvineyards.com, 636-482-4500

212 Eden Trail, Warrenton rmvwinery.com, 636-288-1016

LITTLE HILLS WINERY

O'FALLON BREWERY

SCHLAFLY BEER

501 S. Main Street, St. Charles littlehillswinery.com, 636-946-9339

26 W. Industrial Drive, O’Fallon ofallonbrewery.com, 636-281-2337

2100 Locust Street, St. Louis schlafly.com, 314-241-2337

LOST CREEK VINEYARD

PEACEFUL BEND VINEYARD

SCHLAFLY BOTTLEWORKS

21356 Gore Road, Marthasville lostcreekvineyardmo.com, 636-932-4142

1942 Route T, Steelville peacefulbend.com, 573-775-300

1 Schlafly Plaza, St. Louis schlafly.com, 314-241-2337

MODERN BREWERY

PERENNIAL ARTISANAL ALES

SIX ROW BREWING CO.

5231 Manchester Avenue, St. Louis mb314.com

8125 Michigan Avenue, Suite 114, St. Louis perennialbeer.com, 314-631-7300

3690 Forest Park Avenue, St. Louis sixrowbrewco.com, 314-531-5600

MONTELLE WINERY

PERSIMMON RIDGE VINEYARDS

SQUARE ONE BREWERY

201 Montelle Drive, Augusta montelle.com, 888-595-9463

7272 Sheppard Drive, Barnhart persimmonridgewinery.com, 636-948-2082

1727 Park Avenue, St. Louis squareonebrewery.com, 314-231-2537

MORGAN STREET BREWERY

RACK HOUSE WEST WINERY

ST. JORDAN CREEK WINERY

721 N. 2nd Street, St. Louis morganstreetbrewery.com, 314-231-9970

5065 North Route N, Cotterville rackhouse.westwinery.com, 636-244-0574

2829 Highway 50, Beaufort stjordancreek.com, 636-584-8001 SOURCES: BREWERS ASSOCIATION AND MISSOURI WINE AND GRAPE BOARD

CULTIVATION

Summer menu featuring dishes made from products from over 120 local farms.

Downtown Columbia 816 E Broadway, Columbia, MO www.broadwaybrewery.com

Pouring on quality taps near you.

FERMENTATION [65] June 2015

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WINE & BEER GUIDE 2015

SUGAR CREEK WINERY

DURSO HILLS WINERY

WEINGARTEN VINEYARD

125 Boone Country Lane, Defiance sugarcreekwines.com, 636-987-2400

110 N. Harding Street, Marquand dursohillswinery.com, 573-783-8776

12323 Rottler Lane, Ste. Genevieve weingartenvineyard.com, 573-883-2505

TRAILHEAD BREWING CO.

FUSION WINES

921 S. Riverside Drive, St. Charles trailheadbrewing.com, 636-946-2739

769 Route KK, Sedgewickville 573-450-7412

SOUTH CENTRAL

URBAN CHESTNUT BREWING CO.

HEMMAN WINERY

GRAPES OF HELD WINERY

3229 Washington Avenue, St. Louis urbanchestnut.com, 314-222-0143

13022 Route C, Brazeau hemmanwinery.com, 573-824-6040

239 Route M, Fairdealing grapesofheldwinery.com, 573-857-2039

VILLA ANTONIO WINERY

HUNTER VALLEY WINERY

HEINRICHSHAUS VINEYARD

3662 Linhorst Road, Hillsboro villaantoniowinery.com, 636-475-5008

762 Route V, Cape Girardeau huntervalleywinery.biz, 573-332-0879

18500 Route U, St. James heinrichshaus.com, 573-265-5000

WILLIAM K. BUSCH BREWING CO.

INDIAN HILLS WINERY

HORST VINEYARDS

8047 Litzsinger Road, St. Louis enjoykraftig.com, 314-558-1461

9625 County Road 250, Puxico indianhillswinery.com, 573-222-3709

6416 Highway 60, Mountain View 417-934-9463

YELLOW FARMHOUSE WINERY

JOHN A. HUBER BREWING CO.

MERAMEC VINEYARDS

100 Defiance Road, Defiance yellowfarmhousewines.com, 314-409-6139

3463 Route FF, Jackson hubrewbeer.com, 573-579-3308

600 Route B, St. James meramecvineyards.com, 573-265-7847

MINGLEWOOD BREWERY

MISSOURI STATE WINERY

121 Broadway Street, Cape Girardeau 573-803-0524

9740 Red Spring Road, Mountain Grove mtngrv.missouristate.edu, 417-547-7500

APPLE CREEK WINERY

RIVER AUX VASES WINERY

PINEY RIVER BREWING COMPANY

1930 County Road 40, Friedheim applecreekwinery.com, 573-788-2211

17301 Route B, Ste. Genevieve riverauxvases.com, 573-883-5405

15194 Walnut Grove Drive, Bucyrus pineyriverbrewing.com, 417-967-4001

THE BARRENS WINERY

RIVER RIDGE WINERY

PUBLIC HOUSE BREWING CO.

2815 N. Highway 51, Perryville thebarrenswinery.com, 573-547-6968

850 County Road 321, Commerce riverridgewinery.com, 573-264-3712

600 N. Rolla Street, Rolla publichousebrewery.com, 573-426-2337

BUCK MOUNTAIN WINERY

SAINTE GENEVIEVE WINERY

PUBLIC HOUSE BREWING CO.

700 Oelson Road, Doe Run buckmountainwinery.com, 573-760-0458

6231 Route C, Ste. Genevieve saintegenevievewinery.com, 573-883-2800

551 Route B, St. James publichousebrewery.com, 573-261-3333

CAVE VINEYARD

SAND CREEK VINEYARD

ST. JAMES WINERY

21084 Cave Road, Ste. Genevieve cavevineyard.com, 573-543-5284

3578 Sand Creek Road, Farmington sandcreekvineyard.com, 573-756-9999

540 Route B, St. James stjameswinery.com, 800-280-9463

CHARLEVILLE VINEYARDS

STEELE CREST WINERY

THREE SQUIRRELS WINERY

16937 Boyd Road, Ste. Genevieve charlevillevineyard.com, 573-756-4537

2055 Route Y, Jackson steelecrestwinery.com, 573-803-9426

17301 Route B, St. James threesquirrelswinery.com, 573-265-7742

CHAUMETTE VINEYARDS

ST. FRANCOIS VINEYARDS

TRAVER HOME WINERY

24345 Route WW, Ste. Genevieve chaumette.com, 573-747-1000

1669 Pine Ridge Trail, Park Hills stfrancoisvineyard.com, 573-431-4294

1429 County Road 1870, Willow Springs traverhomewinery.com, 417-469-4152

CROWN VALLEY BREWING CO.

THOUSAND OAKS WINERY

VIANDEL VINEYARD

23589 Route WW, Ste. Genevieve crownvalleybrewery.com, 573-756-9463

R.R. 1, Box 63, Marble Hill 1000-oaks-winery.com, 573-866-2522

8385 Highway 60, Mountain View viandel.com, 417-934-0195

CROWN VALLEY WINERY

TWIN OAKS VINEYARD & WINERY

23589 Route WW, Ste. Genevieve crownvalleywinery.com, 573-758-9126

6470 Route F, Farmington twinoaksvineyard.com, 573-756-6500

For more stories on Missouri wine and beer, visit MissouriLife.com.

CROWN VALLEY BY ENGLER PARK

VANCE VINEYARD & WINERY

1401 Air Park Drive, Farmington crownvalleywinery.com, 573-756-7132

1522 Madison 212, Fredericktown vancevineyards.com, 573-783-8800

SOUTHEAST

SOURCES: BREWERS ASSOCIATION AND MISSOURI WINE AND GRAPE BOARD

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DISCOVER the WIND in your HAIR

#DiscoverStCharlesKatyTrail

Contact Us For Your Free Visitors Guide 866-385-0519 HISTORICSTCHARLES.COM [67] June 2015

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S pecial Prom ot i o n

A Taste of Royalty

Humboldt, Tennessee

A GLASS OF WINE in hand, sitting on the patio of a Tuscan villa with grapevines around you, that’s one way to feel like royalty. Crown Winery seamlessly blends science and luxury for your sipping pleasure.

As the only solar-powered winery in Tennessee, Crown Winery is “a unique combination of necessity, science, and renewable energy,” created by a British gas physicist and his wife, a former Miss Tennessee.

the

LINE Double Gold Distillery

Whiskey into Wine

HISTORY AND WINE? Yes, please.

Whiskey Run Creek Vineyard and Winery in Brownville, Nebraska, Brownville, Nebraska chose a barn built in 1904 for its retail store. The structure was relocated from its original home, a farm twelve miles from the winery, in 2001 and situated above Whiskey Run Creek, which runs through the property and is the namesake of the operation. An original brick-walled brewery cave that dates back to 1866, which was the first ever brewery in Brownville, now serves as an intimate gathering spot.

“We run dry to sweet wine and try to fit in something for everybody’s palate, tending toward the sweeter side,” says owner Ron Heskett. Edelweiss, a semi-sweet white wine brewed from grapes of the same name, is one of Whiskey Run Creek’s most popular creations.

The winery is just across the Missouri River, about fifteen minutes outside of Rock Port. —Lakshna Mehta

“THIS IS ABSOLUTELY ENORMOUS WHISKEY. Unquestionably one of the great microdistillery bourbons of all time,” writes Jim Murray, author of the aptly named and internationally respected source for libation lovers, Jim Murray’s Whiskey Bible 2015.

Murray is referring to Rock Town Distillery’s single barrel reserve bourLittle Rock, Arkansas bon whiskey, which Murray scored 96.5 (out of 100) and named the 2015 US Micro Whiskey of the Year.

Rock Town is the first legal distillery in Little Rock, Arkansas, since the prohibition and part of a growing artisan community of micro and craft breweries. In 2013, Rock Town achieved an exceptional gold medal rating by the Beverage Tasting Institute in Chicago, recognition at the World Whiskies Awards in London, and a double gold medal from the San Francisco World Spirits Competition in the small batch bourbon category. —Nichole L. Ballard

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COURTESY WHISKEY RUN CREEK VINEYARD AND WINERY, CROWN WINERY, AND ROCK TOWN DISTILLERY

Over

The wine selection features sixteen wines, with the local choice typically going to Strawberry Strut, a sweet, crisp wine created as a tribute to co-owner Rita Howard and the West Tennessee Strawberry Festival and made from strawberries grown in Gibson County, Tennessee. Another favorite is Muscadine, a delicate, semi-sweet wine with an aromatic profile and mixed fruit flavors described as “foxy with zing.” —Lakshna Mehta

5/5/15 10:15 AM

Over

the

LINE

e

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Remarkable MISSOURIANS

Keeper

of the Cave Discover Matt Forir’s quest to put Missouri geology on the map.

BY TINA CASAGRAND | PHOTOS BY HARRY KATZ

ON A LATE morning inside Springfield’s Riverbluff Cave, three men are shaving clay with hand trowels and plucking fossils from the walls.

Having uncovered parts of a mammoth skull, Matt Forir—keeper of the cave and founder of the Missouri Institute of Natural Science, which has a ninety-year lease on the cave that Greene County owns—is searching for the rest.

“We’re mammoth-hunting,” he says, squinting one eye. “Big game hunting, if you will.”

The construction lights lend him an air of drama, like telling a ghost story with a flashlight.

The mammoth is the latest project in Matt’s lifelong history of exploration. Not only does he dig, he educates and devises ways to help others have the same joy of discovery. Sometimes that means placing a fossil in the hands of a child. Sometimes that means taking locals to the badlands region to dig for dinosaurs. Today, it means crouching through a cave tunnel and leading his volunteers like an army officer through the Riverbluff Cave, one of Missouri’s greatest geological discoveries.

The cave was sealed for fifty-five thousand years until a road crew discovered it on September 11, 2001, after exploding two dynamite charges.

Following the terrorist attacks that morning, the federal government placed a ban on all explosives, which prevented the crew from planting and exploding ten more charges. An hour after its discovery, as the rest of the country was glued to the news, Matt, the geologist for Greene County’s Resource Management office, was exploring the cave with his colleague Lisa McCann.

“This is where we stopped that first day,” Matt says, gesturing toward a short cairn of rocks. “If we had just walked a few steps farther and shined a lamp in this direction, we would have seen this.”

His headlamp beams over a pit and onto a wall. It illuminates claw marks. Deep. High above the heads of the volunteer crew.

“Man,” crew member Joel Alexander says with an Arkansas drawl. “That was a big critter.”

Matt says a short-faced bear, which stood twice as tall as a grizzly and went extinct nearly twelve thousand years ago, left the marks. The crew gazes in a hushed awe. Someone asks how deep the marks go. Matt shrugs and points to a mud pit.

“You can go down there and see.”

On top of founding and running the Missouri Institute of Natural Science, which hosts a museum and arranges biweekly digs like this one, Matt still serves as Greene County’s geologist, teaches cave studies at Drury University, and runs a business that plots sinkholes beneath peoples’ properties. In the past, he’s worked in construction, done crime forensics, participated in too many dinosaur digs to count, and earned the title of, as he’ll say with false haughtiness, “the world’s foremost authority on Missouri cretaceous turtles.”

The turtle is a fitting totem for a man whose personality is purposeful, private, and a little hard-edged. His laugh is hearty, sometimes at the expense of others. He’s prone to cursing and derides panda bears as a “Darwinian dead-end.” He admits to being polarizing, having upset locals by making decisions like closing Riverbluff to cavers

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Greene County Geologist Matt Forir first explored the Riverbluff Cave near Springfield on September 11, 2001, the day it was discovered. Inside the cave, many fossils date back to nearly 1.1 million years ago.

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Remarkable MISSOURIANS Geologist Matt Forir uses an air scribe to remove rock from a sixty-seven-million-year-old triceratops femur. Matt named the triceratops Henry after his three-year-old son.

and refusing to work with volunteers who lack commitment. It’s a strict and stubborn personality he attributes, in part, to his upbringing.

“I grew up near St. Louis in the little town of Jennings,” he says. “My parents were bluecollar workers. Everyone was poor.”

As a boy, when he learned about dinosaur digs in Colorado, he pleaded with his parents to move there. They looked at him like he was crazy. He settled for fossil hunting in Missouri instead. His first two specimens, found in a creek when he was four, are on display in the museum.

“I was certain this was a worm,” he says, pulling a crinoid from the display case. He takes out another plant fossil, which has five segmented fronds. “And this was the fossilized foot of a lizard,” he says. “That’s how I explained it. There was nobody around to correct me.”

Matt withdrew into fossils and books about dinosaurs as his father’s alcoholism progressed.

“You could tell how drunk he was by how he parked the car after work and how long it took him to get out,” says Matt’s mother, Barbara Forir. “If he was really drunk, he would just pull up in front of the house; if he was just a little drunk, he’d pull into the driveway and back in.

But if he slid out of the seat, oh boy. The kids would go downstairs and slip out the backdoor.”

She says that at these times, Matt retreated to neighbors’ houses and was always hard to read.

“For the first time in

my life, I didn’t have

to hide. I’m not Matt Forir, the son of an alcoholic.”

“Maybe that’s why I’m quiet,” he says. “That’s how I protected myself. At school, I could be the class clown, the smart one, the rough, tough biker.”

But that’s all that Matt revealed to his peers: the outside, the act.

After stints in construction and carpentry, Matt ended up on the doorstep of St. Louis Community College at Florissant Valley. There, he met Bruce Stinchcomb—the geology professor who changed his life.

“Geology is funny,” Bruce says. “People that are doers and like the outdoors get bitten by a bug with it. Matt was certainly one of them.”

Bruce took his students to digs and caves in southern Missouri and led trips out West. His labs were always hands-on, and he encouraged his classes to have open discussions.

“Oh man, did I take to it,” Matt says. “I traveled the world.”

He resolved to see as many rocks, fossils, and caves as he could, and Barbara says every flat surface in her home had a fossil on it—treasures from Matt’s latest trips.

“For the first time in my life, I didn’t have to hide,” Matt says. “I’m not Matt Forir, the son of an alcoholic. I could be whoever I wanted.”

Despite years in the American West and an deep affection for the badlands of Wyoming, Matt settled in his home state.

“So many people say the grass is greener, but Missouri has done a lot for me,” he says.

(Continued on Page 74)

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MAKE YOUR GETAWAY

EVEN BETTER THE COMFORTS OF PROPANE CAN’T BE BEAT.

Introducing propane-powered amenities to your home is a smart decision. You can expect lower energy bills and better comfort than electric appliances, all while reducing your carbon footprint.

And when you take advantage of the state incentive available now, you’ll save even more up front on applications like supplemental heating and outdoor lighting.

Talk to your propane provider about a $50 rebate on a variety of amenities, or visit moperc.org/for-homes for more information.

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Remarkable MISSOURIANS

Below: This skull of a forty-million-year-old sabertooth tiger, called a Hoplophoneus, was found during a dig in South Dakota, in which Matt participated. It was completely encased in rock until Matt cleaned it to display at the museum.

Above: Matt Forir is surrounded by sixty-five-million-year-old triceratops bones encased in plaster field jackets. Right: The book Ceratopsia is considered the bible of triceratops anatomy.

In 2005, he founded the Missouri Institute of Natural History on the south side of Springfield. There, displays tell the story of evolution in Missouri, huge Ozark crystals shine in glass cases, and casts of major discoveries from Riverbluff can be touched and photographed.

Many friends and connections helped get the museum started, and local rock hounds volunteered to run the building.

“If this place had existed in St. Louis for me, I would have had a better time as a kid,” Matt says.

That’s why the museum is free. Bruce says he is proud of the work his former student has done: “It is a local museum, and it is part of the culture of community.”

“Sharing Riverbluff is such a treasure,” says Joel, a recent college graduate who joined Matt’s crew after visiting the museum. He has since been on dinosaur digs and worked in a cave that was a hideout during the Civil War. “I help everyone I can; that’s part of the reason I built the museum,” Matt says. “I want this place to breathe in and out.”

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Upcoming Events June 11-13: Miss Missouri Pageant Missouri Military Academy 573-581-2765 www.missmissouri.org June 12: Miss Missouri’s Outstanding Teen Missouri Military Academy 573-581-2765 www.missmissouri.org June 13: Mexico Young Farmers Truck & Tractor Pull Audrain 4-H Fairgrounds 573-581-2765 www.mexicoyoungfarmers.com

PHOTO BY DAVIDPICKERING.BIZ

Mexico is a perfect combination of small-town charm and urban style. Artsy boutiques, jewelry, quilt shops, scrapbooking, antiques, and cultural offerings give Mexico a sophisticated air with a family-friendly attitude. Come visit us today!

Mexico Area Chamber of Commerce We work hard as a Chamber of Commerce to be the pulse of the community, assisting all to provide services that will nurture and encourage our businesses and strengthen our community.

573-581-2765 | www.mexico-chamber.org

June 20: “Sleeping Beauty” Presser Performing Arts Center 573-581-5592 www.presserpac.com June 20 & July 18: Brick City Bad Boys Cruise Nights Hardin Park 573-581-2765 www.mexico-chamber.org July 12: “Mulan” Presser Performing Arts Center 573-581-2100 www.presserpac.com

... come see us.

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We are the oldest, most experienced, and most comprehensive center for orthopaedic medicine in Mid-Missouri.

We began with three physicians in 1965.

Today we have 28 board-certified physicians & surgeons covering a wide variety of specialties.

So, when dad breaks his leg showing you how to use a pogo stick...

Columbia orthopaediC Group

1 South Keene Street Columbia, MO 65201 573-443-2402

[75] June 2015

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Pride OF PLACE

At Watkins Woolen Mill State Historic Site near Lawson, Warp threads on spindles in a creel are readied to be transferred to a reel for further re-spooling and back onto loom beams to be inserted in a loom so weaving can begin.

Loomsand Heirlooms WATKINS WOOLEN MILL State Historic Site is a National Historic Landmark and a National Mechanical Engineering Landmark within an enormously popular 1,500-acre state park in a rapidly developing section of northeast Clay County. The historic Watkins family farmstead and park provide the essential setting for the jewel in the crown, the only nineteenth-century US textile mill with its original machinery still intact. Less than an hour, but more than a century, from the Kansas City region, this apparent time warp gradually reveals the whole cloth of Missouri life.

COURTESY OF MISSOURI STATE PARKS

Watkins Woolen Mill is a window into an 1870s farm and factory. BY W. ARTHUR MEHRHOFF

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“Although the factory might now be silent, the structure and the machines are not mute.”

COURTESY OF MISSOURI DIVISION OF TOURISM

—Louis Potts, The Factory on the Farm

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OF PLACE

MACHINES IN THE GARDEN As you downshift from the interstate to country roads and the park road winding through woodlands, Watkins Mill already begins to accomplish its mission, which is “to preserve and interpret the historic structures and surviving remnants, cultural landscapes, and relevant artifacts associated with the mill, plantation, and the Watkins family, with emphasis on the last half of the nineteenth century.”

Writers since Virgil have contrasted rural peace and simplicity with urban power and sophistication, but the abundant American landscape made resolving that basic human tension finally seem possible, especially here in western Missouri. The mill and its machinery is surrounded by the historic and pastoral Watkins family farmstead.

The large brick and limestone visitor center recalls the mill, and a bountiful tree canopy softens its perception, making it appear a part of the landscape.

Operating the mill threatens its preservation, so the visitor center stresses meanings rather than ancient gears. Facilities Manager Mike Beckett explains that the center’s red brick, green and red trim, and wooden trusses recall those of the mill. In 1999, the Society for the History of Technology bestowed its prestigious Dibner Award for Excellence in Museum Exhibits to the Watkins’ Bethany: The Family, The Farm, The Mills exhibit—one of a series of fascinating displays. Today, its popular, interactive loom exhibit immediately engages visitors. This small working model features four levers to raise and lower warp yarns stretched lengthwise under tension. Mechanized weaving at the mill made more intricate patterns in the fabric the looms produced.

The visitor center is also a reminder of a less visible warp thread of our culture. The endless, repetitive, and very loud sounds the large looms once made subtly recall the dynamic technological energy, unabated in our lives today.

The belt-driven looms on the second floor of Watkins Woolen Mill were marvels of the industrial age. Forest Ingram and Lee Oherholtz bought the mill machinery for $650 at auction in 1958.

THE PROTESTANT ETHIC The National Register nomination for Watkins Woolen Mill State Historic Site noted that Waltus Watkins bought eighty acres in 1838 ‘‘and built a log cabin residence.”

Watkins was a successful Jacksonian entrepreneur and soon expanded his holdings. In their book Watkins Mill: Factory on the Farm, authors Louis W. Potts and Ann M. Sligar concluded that Watkins “always kept his eye on the market.” For example, Watkins would grind his neighbors’ grain in exchange for a percentage of the product. He would then sell the milled grain at his general store for profit.

Like many Missourians, Watkins emigrated from Kentucky in the early 1800s to seek his fortune. A strong believer in education and moral uplift, Watkins took the temperance

OLIVER SCHUCHARD

Pride

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pledge. Following one of the great religious revivals sweeping the unsettled, unsettling frontier, his sister wrote in 1849, “He is regenerated and born again.”

Watkins’s conversion gave new meaning and energy—what sociologist Max Weber called the Protestant ethic—to his civic and commercial enterprises. Weber believed Protestants sought reassurance about their salvation in a rapidly changing world and interpreted their success as a visible sign of God’s favor.

COURTESY OF MISSOURI STATE PARKS

A BENEVOLENT EMPIRE

Costumed volunteers take you through the Watkins family’s 1850 home. On the second floor, the front bedrooms are separated from the rear bedrooms, with no adjoining hall or door. Three different staircases access different rooms.

The temperance, diligence, and vocation fostered by his faith took shape at Bethany Plantation, the site of the Watkins family homestead and mill. By his death in 1884, the home place had grown to 1,300 acres, more or less.

He was continually buying and selling land, so the total acreage constantly varied. His total landholdings of about 3,600 acres spread across several counties.

Bethany had become an agricultural and industrial showcase with brick kilns, gristmill, sawmills, blacksmith shop, dairy, icehouse, barns, and other buildings. Several smaller sections, including two tenant farms, surrounded it. The civic-minded Watkins also helped build Mount Vernon Church and the octagonal Franklin Academy adjacent to the farm. A three-story Greek Revival house on his highest ground afforded Watkins a commanding view of his benevolent empire. Seen from another perspective, the stately house signified Watkins’ elevated status.

Like many farmers, Watkins practiced diversified farming. He raised cattle, mules, horses, swine, sheep, and poultry; grew various grain crops as well as hemp; and planted extensive orchards. His wife, Mary Ann, and he had nine children that survived infancy. She and their four daughters oversaw the dairy, dried fruit, maintained a large family garden, raised bees, and smoked the meat for sale. Bethany was highly self-sufficient but also sold honey by the hundred-weight and fruit by the ton.

Today, that plot of land shows 1870s rural life with period gardens, orchards, heirloom plants, and livestock. Ninety-five percent of the structures are original.

Left: Two bedrooms are outfitted as they would have been in the 1870s. Above: This early, rope-sprung cannonball bed was likely made on the farm. Below: The mill’s office and sales room held yard goods.

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Pride

OF PLACE

A REPUBLIC OF TECHNOLOGY

The Lake Trail at Watkins Mill State Park is an eight-foot-wide, paved trail that circles the hundred-acre Williams Creek Lake and features six wooden bridges.

When the woolen industry reached Missouri in the 1850s, Watkins capitalized on his training with Kentucky textile technology, and he constructed his mill from on-site materials.

The four-story mill, large by Midwestern standards, contained more than fifty machines.

The boiler that helped power the mill was salvaged from a steamboat. Watkins Woolen Mill sold quality yard goods, yarns, and finished blankets and also did custom carding for women who spun on a wheel at home.

After the Civil War, the busy mill annually consumed up to sixty thousand pounds of woolen fleece. Watkins attracted skilled workers, including at least one family from England, by offering housing. Many workers lived with their families in small houses on Smokey Row along the farm entrance.

An 1877 drawing in the Illustrated Atlas of Clay County, Missouri, which Watkins paid to include, showed both his farmstead and woolen mill. Likewise, the many A&M (agri-

EVENTS AT WATKINS MILL

Williams Creek Lake at Watkins Mill State Park offers a boat ramp, fishing opportunities, and a swimming beach. The park also has camping areas, picnic areas, and hiking trails.

LIVING HISTORY FARM PROGRAM May 23 to August 9 Visit the historic site all summer long to see what life was like in the 1870s. On Saturdays and Sundays from 10 AM to 4 PM, costumed interpretive staff will demonstrate various activities from the nineteenth century.

THIRD ANNUAL MOVIE NIGHT IN THE CAMPGROUND July 18 Bring your lawn chairs out to the state park’s campground to see a classic movie on a twelve-by-sixteenfoot movie screen. The event starts at 8 PM, and it’s free.

15TH ANNUAL MUSIC FESTIVAL AND BACK PORCH JAM September 12 From noon until 5 PM, banjos, fiddles, guitars, and mandolins will take over the Watkins’ family home for

FALL ON THE FARM October 10 Again, the 1870s come to life at the state historic site. From noon to 5 PM, you can come out to enjoy sheep shearing, corn shelling, cider pressing, gardening, blacksmithing, wood stove cooking, seed saving, toy making, Victorian children’s games, and rag-doll making.

For more information on Watkins Mill, visit the park at 26600 Park Road North in Lawson, call 816-5803387, or go to mostateparks.com/park/watkins-woolen-mill-state-historic-site.

COURTESY OF MISSOURI DIVISION OF TOURISM

a day of concerts and informal jam sessions on the back porch.

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cultural and mechanical) universities created after the Civil War also recall that particular warp thread of American culture.

However, increased competition from large textile manufacturers and increased availability of ready-made clothing hastened the mill’s demise. Watkins died in 1884, and the mill closed its doors on this unique chapter of Missouri history in 1898. This apple of nineteenth century technology could not satisfy the changing culture’s appetite for more and less expensive goods.

CONNECTIONS

MISSOURI STATE PARKS

Today, the state historic site embodies the American Association for State and Local History’s credo that “history is more than just information. It’s a relationship, a family, a community.”

Watkins’s descendents lived at Bethany until 1945 when they sold the farm. Three friends formed the Watkins Mill Association the day after acquiring the mill’s machinery on kind

of a whim at an auction in 1958. They faced the daunting task of removing the contents of the mill within thirty days because the land and the mill building had been sold separately to another buyer. However, when the winning bidder couldn’t complete the purchase, the second-place bidder, George Stilley, was accommodating and agreed to sell the mill and the home to the association. By this bit of serendipity, the old machines were saved intact in their historic location.

A 1963 county bond issue, supported enthusiastically by the association and hundreds of volunteers, allowed them to acquire parkland to protect the site, and the entire property became part of the state park system in 1964. The Watkins Mill Association now emphasizes physical improvements and encourages regional identity. The staff also reflects this sense of community. Site Interpreter Terri Gardner described her efforts to build esprit de corps among her employees and her own deep passion for stewardship, rooted in a rural childhood.

Mike acknowledged the challenge of relating “dusty old equipment” to our wired world, but the site has risen to the challenge. In 2000, Watkins Mill hosted a major Smithsonian Institution traveling exhibition, and Ang Lee filmed scenes of his 1999 Civil War movie Ride with the Devil at the site. Additionally, the site’s annual events bring in people from all over to engage with history. Terri describes many teachable moments at Bethany, and

A National Historic Landmark, the Watkins Woolen Mill was built in 1860 just before the Civil War and is the best preserved nineteenth-cenury textile factory in the country.

University of Missouri-Kansas City Professor Louis W. Potts taught one of his history courses here. Rather than the backwoods, Watkins Mill State Historic Site occupies the front lines of experiential education.

Here, the past isn’t just interesting; it isn’t even really past, as William Faulkner famously wrote. The historic site reveals hidden cultural threads. Mike and Terri both observed that campers and park visitors often feel anxious without their electronic devices.

The same technologies that help us flee still “bring the noisy world into the midst of our slumberous peace,” as Nathaniel Hawthorne once observed in 1844. That noise often alienates us from understanding our place in the natural world.

However, at this historic site near Lawson, the Missouri Master Gardeners help us understand the natural world better. They have recreated raised beds, vegetable plots, and herb borders that demonstrate the diversity of that self-sufficient time, compared to today’s typical commercial and specialized agriculture.

More importantly, they preserve and exchange heirloom seeds with other living history farms to help cultivate a varied genetic base.

Watkins Woolen Mill State Historic Site and Park, an heirloom in its own right, reveals key warp threads connecting the bits and pieces of Missouri and American life.

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SHOW-ME The kitchen at the Jefferson House in Kansas City’s historic Westside neighborhood is the creative center of the bed-and-breakfast, according to the owners.

MODERN HISTORY The 120-year-old Jefferson House in Kansas City’s Westside neighborhood makes a quaint home-away-from-home in an up-and-coming, urban arts district.

BY T.S. LEONARD | PHOTOS BY ANGELA BOND

KANSAS CITY’S

historic Westside neighborhood sits atop a steep hill, notable for its colorful nineteenth-century Victorian homes that fan out from the aptly named Summit Street. With restaurants that would be at home in Portland and scenic downtown views worthy of San Francisco, you might barely recognize the district as the Midwest—that is, if it weren’t for the community’s character.

“Midwestern people are so friendly,” says Theresa Robinson. “I’ve had people cross the street just to compliment my coat.”

The neighborhood’s friendly character drew Theresa and her husband Peter to their adopted home atop this hill all the way from the Eng-

lish Channel island of Jersey. They now own and operate the Jefferson House, a European-style bed-and-breakfast in the Westside. The towering Victorian home dates back to the 1890s, and though the Robinsons have filled it with a variety of antiques they brought with them from across the pond, the home has a distinctly modern flavor to its art, as well as its hospitality.

The Jefferson House has become one of the best-reviewed bed-and-breakfasts in the city, with guests that love the up-and-coming neighborhood, the comfortable elegance of the home, and maybe most of all, the cooking. Theresa makes all of the food and likes to mix it up when it comes to the morning meal’s flavor.

“We kind of have all of Europe going on in our kitchen,” she says, “and we underestimated how much that would mean to people. I think a huge chunk of our business is coming from people who just want to come here and eat breakfast.”

It makes sense that the Robinsons have a knack for what makes a memorable stay in the Westside. The idea for the Jefferson House occurred while they were visiting the neighborhood. Theresa had come to Kansas City in 2006 to do a residency at the ceramics-centric Red Star Studios. When she and Peter came back to visit for three months, they mentioned offhand to a friend that they thought of re-

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turning to the United States to open a bedand-breakfast. Their friend happened to live next door to a stately Victorian house that was on the market, and she insisted that the Robinsons take a look.

“We wandered through this huge, monster of a house that needed an enormous amount of work,” Theresa says, “but there was something about it where we just looked at each other like, ‘This is it. We can do this.’ ” The Robinsons soon moved their lives across the Atlantic and began the business of renovating and curating a bed-and-breakfast.

It was a major undertaking that could not have been pulled off without the couple’s unwavering enthusiasm for their new neighborhood. They describe it as an English village.

“There’s this community of people sharing stuff and passing things on,” Theresa says.

The importance of a tight-knit community is present throughout the house. The Robinsons opted against offering several dining areas in favor of one family dining table. The dinnerware is primarily comprised of Theresa’s

Above: Breakfast is one of the best parts of staying at the Jefferson House in Kansas City. Decadent dishes, like strawberry and white chocolate scones with fresh berries, are commonplace. Right: Peter and Theresa Robinson moved from the United Kingdom to open this bed-and-breakfast.

pottery. There’s a sizable garden in the adjoining lot and a porch in the front where guests can enjoy a unique panoramic view of Kansas City’s Crossroads Arts District. There’s plenty of room to bump into one another, much to the guests’—and the Robinsons’—delight.

“The house has an arty feel so people start to talk about their art, which makes it interesting,” Peter says. “There’s a great deal of pleasure listening to six people who’ve never met each other before sitting around the table and joking and enjoying a good breakfast.”

The community, the art: this is the Kansas City that the Robinsons fell in love with and are excited to share with their guests. Because of the house’s proximity to the Crossroads, Peter encourages visitors to plan their trip around the First Friday gallery events held every month in the district. The couple endorses

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SHOW-ME

Above: The stately, neoclassical Jefferson House was built in 1896 and has thirteen rooms.

It was built for Charles Murdoch, who was a merchant who sold seeds and spices Right: The Summit Room, one of three suites that can be rented out at the bed-and-breakfast, is furnished with 1835 etchings by British illustrator George Cruickshank, an antique French light fixture, and a queen-size bed that was handmade by a British craftsman.

a wide range of restaurants in the area, including the nearby Westside Local—an acclaimed farm-to-table eatery and watering hole where guests might find Theresa and Peter sharing a drink with the neighbors.

Theresa is unabashed about this scene’s influence on the Jefferson House. Although the couple met and lived in San Francisco before they moved to Peter’s hometown in Jersey more than thirty years ago, they always kind of wanted to move back to the United States, and Kansas City was the tipping point.

“I think it was falling in love with Kansas City and being so surprised by it that did it—being able to be an artist and have a project like this, in a city full of history and architecture,” Theresa says.

Ever since, they have been striving to provide that same sense of home-away-fromhome for their Jefferson House guests. They’ve opened their doors for everyone from New

York artists to local parents seeking sanctuary for a night alone together. Judging from the stories, it seems the guests feel no restraint from making themselves at home.

“We had a pajama party where six lawyers rented all three rooms,” Theresa says, laughing. However, the house has served as the venue for more important events than an attorney slumber party.

“We host bigger things, like the marriage proposals—and we’ve had two weddings here— and people coming to celebrate anniversaries or births,” Theresa says. “You realize you’re a part of someone’s history. This house already had 120 years of history and stories, and now we’re adding this modern layer to that.”

The Robinsons do not take this responsibility lightly. Their attention to detail, their constant upkeep, and a natural gregariousness helps set the Jefferson House tone. It’s historic

but chic. It’s tucked away, but there’s the city at your feet. It’s a place where it’s easy to get some alone time, but it’s also a place to make a new friend. It takes hard work to make relaxation seem this effortless. And although the Robinsons have devoted all of themselves to creating this happy household, they still manage to be pleasantly surprised when taking stock of what’s brought them here.

“We do try to remember that moment, when we’re folding the towels: ‘When did we have this idea?’ ” Theresa says, laughing. “Why at that one moment did we both think, ‘Yeah, let’s do this!’ ” Peter agrees with Theresa: “Every so often when we’re changing the beds, we say to each other what we’ve achieved, and it makes it worthwhile. Not many people get the opportunity to do this.”

For more information, call 816-673-6291 or visit jeffersonhousekc.com.

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Above: Zum Bar soap, which is made in Kansas City, can be found in all of the rooms. Below: The Murdoch Suite features a comfy couch and an antique French armoire.

Left: The private bathroom for the Summit Room, located just outside of the room, features an antique sink and an antique claw-foot tub. Below: The guest foyer is illuminated by a Gothic light fixture that is original to the Jefferson House.

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GOLF GUIDE SUMMER 2015

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G R E AT G O L F I S J U S T T H E B E G I N N I N G. From pristinely manicure d gre ens to untouche d wilderness, there’s simply no limit to the variet y of outdo or activities in our be autif ul state.

H I T T H E PAT H S The Show-Me State offers more than 1,000 miles of significant trails like the Lewis and Clark, Trail of Tears, Santa Fe, Pony Express, and Oregon National Historic Trails to name a few. We’re also the home of the Katy Trail, the longest developed rail-trail in the nation. No wonder we were named “Best Trails State” by American Trails.

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19 T H H O L E S More than 125 wineries strong, Missouri’s wine country provides internationally acclaimed wines while retaining the welcoming spirit you expect from the Midwest. Throw in some of the best views in the country, and you’ve got relaxation’s number.

Let the top down, turn the radio up and take in the sights. Whether you’re cruising historic Route 66 or Highway 36, the road is paved with nostalgia in the Show-Me State.

Start planning your getaway at VisitMO.com

Top of the Rock Golf Course, Branson

G R E AT D R I V E S

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PROMOTION

TO PUT ON YOUR GOLFING BUCKET LIST Going green has a different meaning for linksmen.

Buffalo Ridge Golf Course, Hollister

Buffalo Ridge Golf Course, Hollister Rated time and time again as a top golf course, Buffalo Ridge and Top of the Rock at Big Cedar Lodge in Branson, formerly known as Branson Creek, is easily one of the grandest golfing destinations in Missouri.

Designed by golf course architect Tom Fazio with input from Top of the Rock visionary Johnny Morris, this course features a layout that brings players back to nature and showcases native grasses.

Free-range buffalo from Dogwood Canyon Nature Park can be seen from the green. Golf Digest rates this course 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Golf magazine named Buffalo Ridge Springs the top public golf course in the state.

417-339-5430 â—? topoftherock.com

BY EDWARD C. ROBISON III

SIX PLACES

1

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PROMOTION

SAVOR THE SPA

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AFTER THE GREEN WHEN YOUR DAY ON THE LINKS IS DONE, RELAX AND REJUVENATE WITH A VISIT TO THE SPA.

Payne Stewart Golf Club, Branson

Payne Stewart Golf Club, Branson The Payne Stewart Golf Course pays tribute to the legendary golfer with varying terrain featuring craggy outcroppings, waterfalls, creeks, and wooded areas that challenge the experienced pro and the casual player. The Payne Stewart Museum features his Ryder Cup bags, apparel, shoes, clubs, and more. 417-337-2963 paynestewartgolfclub.com ●

Fred Arbanas Golf Course, Kansas City

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Fred Arbanas Golf Course, Kansas City Those in Jackson County and from elsewhere will love the 18-hole championship course and nine-hole executive course.

Perhaps the crown jewel of the course is hole 12, which offers a majestic view of Longview Lake. In 2009, the championship course underwent a major renovation to meet US Golf Academy requirements by increasing the difficulty of the course, which spurred major renovations to the clubhouse. Peruse the pro shop, and pick up some new gear—there’s no sale tax thanks to county law. 816-761-9445 ●

COURTESY OF BRANSON BY ROB PERRY PHOTOGRAPHY, BY DENNIS WONG, AND COURTESY OF FRED ARBANAS GOLF COURSE

jacksongov.org/golf

Bellerive Country Club, St. Louis Bellerive Country Club in St. Louis ranked as one of the Second Best 100 Golf Courses in the country by Golf Digest. Nicknamed the “Green Monster of Ladue,” this course is a testament to its prestigious history. Established in 1897 in north St. Louis, the club moved west in 1960 and enlisted architect Robert Trent Jones Sr. to choose the new site and design a course. Bellerive was the youngest golf course to host a US Open in 1965.

The course was renovated by the son of the original architect and reopened in 2006. The par-71, 7,547-yard course is only the third club in history to host all four of the men’s major championships and is expected to host the one hundredth PGA Championship in 2018. Only the elite are found on the greens. Bellerive is a private golf course. 314-434-4400 bellerivecc.org Bellerive Country Club, St. Louis ●

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SPA SHIKI offers 15,000 square feet of pure relaxation and pampering. Featured on the Today Show, in SELF magazine, and on spafinder.com, this Asian-themed resort spa is located at the Lodge of Four Seasons. Lodge of Four Seasons also has a golf course. What could be better?

573-365-8108 ● spashiki.com THE SPA AT THE ELMS in Excelsior Springs has been offering spa services since 1888.

It’s safe to say they know how to massage away your troubles. The resort recently renovated the spa, which is now 25,000 square feet. Mineral water soaking tubs, a sauna, a steam room, and a new twist on Roman baths make this spa a destination. The Elms also offers in-room couple’s massages. 816-630-5500 ● elmshotelandspa.com TAN-TAR-A RESORT at Lake of the Ozarks features not one, but two golf courses.

Of course, the resort wouldn’t be complete without spa services. Windjammer Spa and Salon is an intimate spa that caters to couples. 573-348-3535 ● tan-tar-a.com/relax STONEWATER COVE boutique spa might be the answer if the only way you feel you can truly relax is within the serenity of nature. After a day on the course, a tree house spa could be the best place to refresh. The three separate spa rooms have panoramic views of Table Rock Lake. 417-858-2563 ● stonewatercove.com

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PROMOTION

Ledgestone, Branson West Golfers seeking a rockier place to tee off should explore the Ozarks west of Branson at the Ledgestone course. Golf Digest called this course a “masterpiece of mountain golf architecture,” and one round is enough evidence to support that statement. Players navigate the course that winds through rock outcroppings, creeks, ponds, and forest.

This par-71 course designed by Tom Clark has several dramatic elevation drops that will test the skill of linksmen who dare to play here. The 27,000-foot clubhouse is perfect for dinner, meetings, and conferences.

Ledgestone, Branson West

5

Golfweek lists three Branson golf courses in the 2015 top five courses to play in Missouri: Payne Stewart, Buffalo Ridge Springs, and Ledgestone.

417-335-8187 ● ledgestonegolf.com

GOLF PACKAGES Valid now through october 31, 2015 Packages include: • One night in a standard room • Two rounds of golf at Hail Ridge Golf Course • Dinner for two at Farmer’s Pick Buffet® Book your package online at www.isleofcapriboonville.com or call 1-800-THE-ISLE and mention code golF1.

Tee time reservations are required.

Contact Hail Ridge Golf Course at 660-882-2223.

100 Isle of Capri Blvd.

Boonville, MO 65233 www.isleofcapriboonville.com

COnnECt with uS © 2015 Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc. Must be 21. Isle of Capri and Farmer’s Pick buffet are registered trademarks of Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc. Subject to change or cancellation without notice. Bet with your head, not over it.

Gambling problem? Call 1-888-BETS-OFF or e-mail freehelp@888betsoff.org. www.isleofcapriboonville.com

COURTESY OF LEDGESTONE GOLF BY CLEAR ENTERTAINMENT AND MARKETING GROUP

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PROMOTION

Shoal Creek Golf Club, Kansas City The Shoal Creek Golf Club’s championship-length, 6,950-yard course spans varying terrain elevations. GPS systems in the golf carts calculate the distance from the cart to the hole and the contour of the greens.

Before you go out on the fairway, warm up on the 12,000-square-foot grass teeing area at the practice center. PGA professionals are on staff at the pro shop to help with your golf gear selections. 816-407-7242 www.shoalcreekgolf.com ●

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COURTESY OF SHOLE CREEK GOLF CLUB

Shoal Creek Golf Club, Kansas City

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T H E S TAG E I S S E T F O R T H E P E R F O R M A N CE O F A L I FE T I M E. Whether you’re a regular on the links or swinging a club for the first time, a memorable golf experience awaits in the Show-Me State. From resort-style courses to municipal tracks, courses across Missouri are waiting for you to tee it up.

Top of the Rock Golf Course, Branson

Enjoy the round.

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LOOKING FOR THE PERFECT PLACE TO TEE OFF?

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Book your Golf Trail Getaway today by visiting LakeGolfGuide.info

CHECK OUT MISSOURI LIFE ON THE FIELD TRIP APP

Travel with Fellow Missourians!

Spain, Portugal, & Morocco 13 Days • October 12-25, 2015 $4,171 includes air from Kansas City or St. Louis

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Awesome group going!

Take scenic drives through the rugged mountain ranges of Spain and Portugal. Join Greg & Danita Wood, publisher Beautiful forests, mountain streams, and lakes provide magnificent views. Visit & editor in chief of Missouri Life quaint towns and wander cobblestone alleys. See the charming water gardens and fountains. Bask in the sun, and enjoy 4-star hotels, the sandy beaches on Costa Del Sol or shop the trendy plus full buffe t breakfasts da boutiques. Sail across the Straits of Gibraltar to Morocco, ily and 6 three-co urse and visit exciting Tangier. Explore the colorful Grand Socco dinners!

Square and the narrow streets of the Kasbah.

We’ll visit: Madrid Segovia Avila Salamanca Fatima Lisbon Seville Tangier Costa Del Sol Granada Toledo

For more information and a link to the informative webinar visit missourilife.com/travel/travel-with-fellow-missourians/ travelerslane.com • 314-223-1224 • travelerslane@hotmail.com [96] MissouriLife

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Sp e cial Pro mot io n

Three Steps to Retiring on Your Own Terms Are you on track to retire when you want and not when you have to?

Despite the soaring stock market of the past few years, some Americans are nervous about their ability to retire comfortably—or even retire at all. Consider these somewhat sobering statistics: Almost half of American workers report being “not too confident” or “not at all confident” about being able to afford a comfortable retirement, according to the Employee Benefit Research Institute’s 2013 Retirement Confidence Survey. The 28 percent who said they are not at all confident is the highest level recorded in the twenty-three years of this survey.

Life

Financial YOUR FIRST STEP is to get specific about your retirement goals. Have you set a target date for your retirement yet? If so, how many years until you reach this date?

Between 2010 and 2012, the percentage of people ages forty-five to sixty who planned to delay retirement rose 20 percentage points, from 42 percent to 62, according to the Conference Board, a non-profit business membership and research organization.

If you’re in either of these groups—that is, if you’re concerned about not having enough resources to enjoy your retirement years or you’re afraid

ONCE YOU KNOW when you want to retire, you’ll need to

you’ll have to work longer than anticipated—what can you do?

come up with a price tag. You should be able to develop a

After maxing out your employer-sponsored retirement plan, you can

reasonably good estimate of how much money you’ll need

find other tax-advantaged vehicles to invest in. Still, you may come up short

as a retiree. You may find it helpful to work with a financial

of what you’ll need given your desired retirement date.

professional, someone with the tools and experience to plug in all the variables to calculate your retirement expenses.

Consider working a while longer. If you like your career, you might find pushing back your retirement isn’t so bad; you’ll bring home more earned income, and you could be able to delay taking Social Security, which equals bigger monthly checks. You could postpone your withdrawals from your 401(k) and IRA, giving these accounts more time to grow. Keep in mind, once you turn seventy and a half, federal tax law mandates withdrawing required minimum amounts from your 401(k) and your traditional IRA. In any case, do what you can to retire when you want, but be flexible

your 401(k) and IRA. Are you contributing as much as you

enough so that you won’t be shocked or dismayed if you need to slightly

can to these accounts? Are you increasing your contribu-

extend your working years.

tions when your salary rises? Within these vehicles, are you choosing an investment mix that can offer the growth you’ll need to accumulate a sufficient level of retirement savings?

This article was written by Edward Jones for use by Jeff Ponte. Jeff can be reached at 314469-1696 or 855-581-1696, at jeffrey.ponte@edwardjones.com, or edwardjones.com/en_US /fa/index.html&CIRN=525898.

DOLLAR PHOTO CLUB

NEXT, review your retirement savings vehicles, such as

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Life

Financial

MAKING RETIREMENT

THE BEST TIME OF YOUR LIFE.

RETIREMENT. It’s what you’ve worked for your entire life. And, being prepared for this new chapter begins with Central Trust & Investment Company. With access to world-class, nationally recognized investment solutions, and a comprehensive team approach to estate planning and wealth management, we can tailor a long-term plan to fit you and your specific needs.

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COLUMBIA

LAKE OZARK

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UPTOWN GIRL:

KATE LAMBERT

THE MOST IMPORTANT DECISIONS MOTHERS MAKE ARE FOR THEIR FAMILY’S HEALTH AND HAPPINESS.

BY MARTIN W. SCHWARTZ PHOTOS BY HARRY KATZ

findourcommonground.com

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KATE LAMBERT wasn’t raised on a farm, but you wouldn’t know that from talking to her. The “uptown girl” at Brookfield’s Uptown Farms grew up just 50 miles from Chicago in northern Illinois. But it wasn’t the city lights that ultimately beckoned.

“Growing up, I always knew that I loved animals and figured I wanted to be involved in the agriculture industry,” she says. As a child, Kate competed in 4-H and FFA livestock projects, and it fueled her interest in a career with animals. “I knew I had a passion about livestock, but I never dreamed I would end up on a large-scale farm like where I’m at now.”

Kate met her husband Matt, a Brookfield native, while still in her teens, showing sheep at an FFA competition in Laramie, Wyoming. She followed him to Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville where Matt studied agronomy and animal science and Kate earned a degree in agribusiness. After they were married, the two returned to Brookfield where they operate a family farm with 65 cows, 120 sheep, and approximately 2,000 acres of row crops that include corn, soybeans, wheat, and hay.

BECAUSE FAMILY MATTERS “My husband farms full time and the rest of us are involved in our free time,” Kate says, though free time might not be an accurate description. Her morning begins at about 4:30 A.M. “I’m a runner,” she explains. “My husband has got to be out the door no later than 6 A.M. to get the morning chores done, so I’ve got to get my run in before he leaves.”

The nutritional choices you make for your kids is probably one of the things that, right or wrong, mothers feel they’re being judged most on.

—Kate Lambert, Uptown Farms

After running, Kate shuttles their two sons, Mace, 3, and Meyer, 10 months, to day care before going to her full time job as a farm appraiser for FCS Financial. At the end of her office day, Kate returns to the farm with the boys and all help with the evening chores.

“The boys, especially Mace, like to feed the sheep,” she says. After dinner and family time, when the boys have been put to bed, it’s not uncommon for her to get back to work.

Kate says her flexible work schedule allows her to take her shift during lambing and calving seasons, when it’s necessary to get up periodically throughout the night to check on the status of the livestock.

“Thanks to technology, we can just wake up and look at our smart phones to check and make sure we don’t have any babies. If we do, we take that in shifts,” she explains.

Some of the livestock security duties are shared by the Great Pyrenees dogs that are also bred and raised on the farm.

For all the hats she wears, Kate says it’s the role of mother that caused her to take a more active role and volunteer with CommonGround, a group of farm women who are starting conversations between women who grow food and those who buy it.

“Agriculture, as an industry, has done a really poor job of telling our story,” Kate says. “We just kind of tucked our heads down, continued to do our jobs, and just assumed that people would understand that we work hard to provide a safe product and we care about what we’re doing. We thought that was enough.”

As a mother, Kate says she understands the anxiety, pressure, and stress that mothers feel, “not just from yourself, but from other mothers, your mother, your motherin-law, your grandmother—all this pressure and stress to make the right choices for your kids,” she explains. “The nutritional choices you make for your kids is probably one of the things that, right or wrong, mothers feel they’re being judged most on.”

MAKING SMART DECISIONS Kate remembers the dinner table discussion with her husband about GMOs—genetically modified organisms—in agriculture.

“I had read something on Facebook about GMOs and I wasn’t really sure what they were, and I asked him if our sweet corn that we were eating was GMO sweet corn.”

That conversation piqued Kate’s curiosity and led her to more research. What she discovered is that GMO technology is an advanced method of plant reproduction. There are eight crops that have genetically modified varieties on the market: corn (field and sweet), soybeans, cotton, canola, alfalfa, sugar beets, papaya, and squash.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT The US Department of Agriculture reports the vast majority of farms and ranches in the United States are family owned and operated. In fact, 96-98% of the 2.2 million farms in the United States are family farms.

The USDA says that while particular biotech traits may be new to certain crops, the same basic types of traits are often found naturally in plants and allow them to survive and evolve.

Farmers and gardeners have been creating plant hybrids for as long as they’ve been growing plants.

Biotechnology simply serves as a more technologically advanced method.

Nearly all beef cattle in Missouri, whether raised organically or conventionally, spend the majority of their lives in pastures eating grass.

Organic doesn’t always equal pesticide free. According to the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), approximately 50 synthetic pesticides can be used in organic crop production.

Brought to you by Missouri soybean and corn farmers and their checkoffs.

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Ask the questions that are on your mind, and talk to those of us who are growing these products and feeding our products to our own kids.

—Kate Lambert, Uptown Farms Ask your questions and join the conversation at findourcommonground.com

“In a way, I curse the scientist who came up with the terminology and the acronym,” she says. “Genetically modifying an organism just sounds scary. And when you shorten it to GMO, it sounds mysterious.”

SORTING FACT & FICTION The fact is, GMO is far from a “Frankenfood” sci-fi horror story. What it is, she says, is simply an advanced method of plant reproduction. “It’s a more specific way for us to help generate genes and traits that we need in our plants to help us be more productive.”

The fear factor about genetically modified organisms came about through misleading claims and false advertising designed to sell premium priced products that are labeled differently, Kate says. “All it takes is a small seed of doubt, and suddenly you’ve got someone who is willing to pay a premium for a product of the same nutritional value,” she says. “We failed as an industry to explain what we were doing and why. Others took advantage of that and decided to tell our story for us.”

GMO technology allows farmers to use fewer chemicals and fertilizer. The crop is more drought and disease resistant. The result is greater yields on less ground. “We’re essentially growing more food using fewer resources,” Kate says.

The important thing for consumers to remember is all fresh food options are safe,

Every morning, Kate Lambert, mother of two and owner of Uptown Farms in Brookfield, begins her day with a morning run alongside the pastures. Her son, pictured at left, plays on his tractor and helps with the evening chores. Everyone helps around the farm.

Kate emphasizes: “The USDA and FDA regulate very closely any food that is sold through your grocery stores or your farmers’ markets in this country. There will not be any type of dangerous additive or chemicals in any of the fresh foods that you’re buying. If we’re looking at fresh lean meats, fresh produce—vegetables and fruits—all those options are safe.

“As a mom, I don’t want people guilted into spending more because they think one of the options is not safe. That is simply not true,” she says.

Misinformation has also been spread in fears about antibiotic usage. “A lot of times a mom will go into a grocery store and think she needs to pay more money for something that has a label on it that says it is antibiotic-free,” Kate says. “Any gallon of milk you pick up in the grocery store, any beef tenderloin that you buy is going to be antibiotic free. They’re all antibiotic-free when they go to be processed, and they’re going to be antibiotic-free at the time of consumption.”

The difference, according to Kate, is whether the animals were raised with antibiotics. Uptown Farms is a conventional farm which means antibiotics are used to treat animals when necessary. The perception that antibiotics are being dumped into the livestock’s food supply or randomly injected is false, she says.

“There is no farmer out there who is abusing antibiotics,” she says. “They’re just too expensive.”

Farmers and their veterinarians closely monitor the number of days from antibiotic injection to allow the animal to clear the medicine from its system.

“Some antibiotics have a withdrawal period of seven days, some have a withdrawal period of up to thirty days,” Kate says. “When a milk truck goes to pick up thousands of gallons of milk at the dairy farm, they put a test strip in. If there is even one cow that is still showing some antibiotic in her milk, they would have to dump the entire tank of milk. So you can see that farmers are very careful about

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making sure antibiotics don’t get into meat and dairy products.”

While it’s important not to let fear cloud a mother’s judgment when shopping for food, it’s equally as important to learn as much as possible. “What I encourage moms to do is to understand the food label. If you want to purchase organic, go to the USDA website and make sure you understand what the organic label means.”

She also says reaching out to grassroots organizations, like CommonGround, that connects farmers to the public is important and helpful in making the right choices.

CommonGround has a Facebook page where interested consumers can ask specific questions and get a qualified response in a matter of hours.

“Ask the questions that are on your mind, and talk to those of us who are growing these products and feeding our products to our own kids,” she says.

PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER Though she lives and works on a family farm, Kate admits there has been a lot of change in agriculture in the past sixty years.

“Unfortunately, the current generations are so far removed from the farms that they have this romanticized idea of what an operating farm should look like,” she says.

“They think that we should be this Ma and Pa, Farmer-in-the-Dell, Old MacDonald, storybook kind of farm.

“Just like any other industry, farming has evolved with technology. We’ve actually gotten better at what we do. We’ve gotten safer at what we do. And we’ve gotten smarter about how we do it.”

With the birth of her first son, Kate says she immediately understood the choices mothers have to make right from the very beginning: “Are you going to breast feed or bottle feed? What are the first foods that you’re going to introduce to your kids? I totally support food choices.

“Now, understanding our side of the production and seeing the misinformation that’s out there, the thing that I like to tell moms is, whether you want to buy conventionally grown or organic or local or nonGMO, all of those food choices are safe food choices.”

Keep up with Kate on her blog www.uptownsheep.com.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT The judicious use of antibiotics helps prevent and control disease.

This reduces the risk of unhealthy animals entering our food supply, according to the Center for Veterinary Medicine.

GMOs are nutritionally and chemically identical to food grown from non-biotech crops, according to Dr. Peggy Lemaux, the Cooperative Extension Specialist at the University of California-Berkeley. “Foods that have been genetically modified undergo testing for safety, health and nutrient value. The nutritional value of GMO foods is tested and compared against non-GMO foods. Numerous studies have shown no nutritional differences between commercially available GMO and non-GMO foods.”

Sources for humans: Hoffman & Evers, 1986.

Presented as the summed production of estradiol-17B and estriol per 24-hour period. Levels for women vary depending on the monthly menstrual cycle. Sources for food: Collins et al, 1989; Verdeal and Ryan, 1979; Booth et al, 1960.

“Organic food is healthier.”

“Most farms are owned by giant, non-family corporations.”

“Organic” means my food is grown without pesticides.”*

SCIENCE TELLS A DIFFERENT STORY A comprehensive review found no difference in the health benefit of organic and conventional food.**

TRY HARDWORKING FAMILIES 96-98% of the 2.2 million farms in the U.S. are family farms.***

BELIEVE IT OR NOT Organic foods is produced without using most conventional pesticides.**** However, there are more than 50 synthetic pesticides that may be used in organic crop production if other substances fail to prevent or control the target pest.*****

*Percentages based on the 2012 CommonGround Gate-To-Plate Survey **Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition ***U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) ****USDA’s National Organics Standards Board *****Electric Code of Federal Regulations - Section 205.601

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Musings ON MISSOURI

Miss Manners

VERSUS THE SACRED COW

BY RON MARR

ANDREW BARTON

I’VE READ Lonesome Dove at least six times. For the uninitiated— defined as those whose attention span is limited to 140-character tweets— Lonesome Dove is a Pulitzer Prize-winning book. At 864 pages, it has lots of words.

That I’ve read and reread this lengthy tome is inexplicable to those raised in today’s silicon techno-verse. I get that. Books don’t hold the allure they once did. A hefty percentage of those born after Lonesome Dove was published in 1985 are far more interested in the aforementioned Twittering, banal Facebook posts, and videos of dancing cats.

I’m forced to concede that sad reality.

Times change, and my days as a spring chicken have long-since sprung. I’m more like a fall fowl with thinning plumage who knows that winter’s chopping block grows ever more near. It’s a cultural echo that the older perceive the younger as arrogantly naïve. Likewise, the young tend to regard graybeards as annoyingly pertinacious.

The generations are separated by a chronological chasm of vastly different experiences, or lack thereof. They also possess dissimilar social values. Again, this is no great revelation.

Which leads us to cows, courtesy, and author Larry McMurtry’s thirty-year-old literary masterpiece. The character Woodrow Call, Lonesome Dove’s protagonist, uttered one of my favorite quotes: “I hate rude behavior in a man,” said Woodrow, shortly after beating a particularly impolite fellow into something resembling a bowl of tapioca pudding. “I won’t tolerate it.”

I respect that philosophy and share Woodrow’s opinion of uncharitable comportment. It’s evident everywhere, exhibited by egomaniacal freeway psychos, snarling sales clerks, dictatorial bureaucrats, pushy salesmen, potential employers, and even friends, family, clients, and coworkers. Urbanity and basic manners are considered antiquated in the RON MARR present social paradigm.

But really now, is it a Herculean effort to smile and speak with a hint of grace? Does responding to questions or inquiries in a timely manner cause gastric dysfunction? Are people too lazy to kindly acknowledge basic requests? Are they so self-centered and/or frightened they’d rather remain silent than extend affable regrets when unable/unwilling to accept an invitation? Is it de rigueur that texting grammatically butchered sentence fragments is preferable to a thirty-second phone call?

Apparently so, for a near-complete absence of consideration seems the new normal. Forget the Age of Aquarius; we’ve entered the Age of the Cretin.

However, what really bothers me is a nagging feeling that our crass behavior is spilling into the animal kingdom. For instance, just the other day my front yard was invaded by about fifty of the neighbor’s cows. The barbarian bovine horde munched and stomped young trees, left hoof-ditches in the muddy grass, and deposited large piles of steaming ordure into my yard. One depraved cow perversely licked my mailbox like it was an all-day sucker ... and smiled.

Such an affront cannot stand. With extreme prejudice, I took action.

I happen to know that cows hate blues harmonica; they may only hate it when I play blues harmonica, since dogs and people exhibit identical revulsion. Whichever the case, I tore out the door, barefoot, with harp in hand.

I started with a deep-low version of “Amazing Grace.” The cows looked up in fear. I launched into Sonny and Cher’s “The Beat Goes On.” They began trotting away with terror-filled eyes. By the time I hit the theme from Sesame Street, they were fleeing the impending harmonicapocalypse, stampeding down the gravel road. I wailed those trespassing future hamburgers back to their pasture. They’ve not returned.

I hate rude behavior in a cow. I won’t tolerate it.

If only it were so easy with people.

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Flavor

FILLING Up

Discover seven pit stops that change what filling station means.

BY ELISSA CHUDWIN AND LAKSHNA MEHTA

WHEN TAKING a road trip, eating at a gas station usually means the worst: prepackaged sandwiches, hot dogs on the rollers, frozen burritos, hot case pizza, junk food galore.

However, Missouri is changing what it means to eat at a gas station.

From gourmet brunch to Mediterranean fusion, from Kansas City barbecue to a burger that’ll bust your belly, restaurants across the state are giving travelers a new place to fuel up. So take a trip from St. Louis, through Mid-Missouri, down to the Ozarks, and back up to Kansas City to try the pit stops that might make you turn back for seconds.

CoMo Smoke and Fire COLUMBIA

CoMo Smoke and Fire takes you on a tour of America’s best barbecue all in one restaurant.

The family-run smokehouse’s menu is divided into five different sections: Memphis, the Carolinas, Texas, Kansas City, and Mizzou. Each represents a different style, including the CoMo Smoke and Fire’s own house style, found under the Mizzou section.

Although all of the barbecue is cooked with a mix of hickory and cherry wood, how the meat is prepared depends on the style. For Carolinastyle, the sauce is vinegar-based. Kansas City barbecue is known for its burnt ends and sweet tomato-based sauce, and brisket is typically associated with Texas-style barbecue.

Co-owner Patrick Hawkins opened CoMo Smoke and Fire with his brother Matt and sister-in-law Christy in December 2013.

Patrick says that when they barbecued for friends at home, people loved the food and even assumed it was catered. The compliments did not fall on deaf ears because Patrick has always dreamt of owning his own restaurant.

“People kept telling us to open a restaurant, and we finally did,” he says.

From the sauces to the sides, everything at CoMo Smoke and Fire is made from scratch.

Matt gets up at 5:30 am every day to prepare the meat and smokers before leaving for another job. Then, Patrick comes in to finish the meats and fix the sides, and Christy makes all of the desserts.

Aside from the barbecue, the restaurant’s grilled veggies are always in high demand.

The popular side is cooked over a wood-burning grill and seasoned with their house rub and olive oil.

“We actually had to kick the price on them up a little because people were complaining that there wasn’t enough,” he says. “We had to fill the entire bowl, and we would send them out overflowing with veggies.”

CoMo Smoke and Fire also offers other fare, like the grilled cheese, macaroni and cheese, and meat sandwich—a concoction Patrick invented out of boredom. Customers can pick and choose between any of the meats available at the restaurant, even smoked bologna.

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HARRY KATZ

This giant plastic chicken sits in a vintage Chevy El Camino and draws passersby into Cookin’ From Scratch in Doolittle, which shares a building with a Phillips 66 station.

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“I mean, you just can’t go wrong with two pieces of Texas toast; one side has Muenster cheese and the meat, and the other side has mac ’n’ cheese,” Patrick says. “Put them together, and it’s wonderful.”

Although CoMo Smoke and Fire is still new to Columbia, Patrick says the restaurant has gained a lot of local recognition. In fact, this gas station eatery already has regulars, and Patrick knows many customers by name now.

“It’s nice to see the same people come in and enjoy the food as much as we do,” he says.

To explore CoMo Smoke and Fire’s wide range of barbecue options, stop by 4600 Paris Road in Columbia. Visit comosmokeandfire.com or call 573-443-3473 for more information.

Cookin’ From Scratch DOOLITTLE

Even Cookin’ From Scratch’s owner Tony Sherrer won’t attempt the restaurant’s Route 66 King of the Road Burger Challenge.

To be victorious, participants must consume a sixty-six-ounce hamburger with nine slices of cheese, two pounds of vegetables, and a pound and a half of fries in sixty-six minutes or less.

Anyone who’s brave enough to try the challenge but becomes sick or does not finish within the designated time frame is disqualified.

“We’ve had at least one hundred and fifty people try it, but we’ve only had five winners,” Tony says. “It’s a pretty tough challenge.”

Tony devised the competitive-eating challenge with his friend Mark Barnes over dinner one night, but it took three months of planning before they were ready to unveil the contest.

They even built a special area within the restaurant for challengers to attempt the feat.

“We wanted to have some swagger behind it,” he says.

For those who aren’t interested in the competition, Tony says families can choose to order the colossal hamburger and split it.

Besides the challenge, Cookin’ From Scratch prides itself on its comfort food. The home-style diner opened in 1985. In 2000, Tony became the general manager before buying it in 2002. Since then, he’s expanded the menu options beyond traditional comfort food to include dishes like fettuccine Alfredo, but most items are still classic home cookin’. Tony also makes sure to use as many Missouri-made products as possible.

“We still peel six hundred pounds of potatoes every week to make mashed potatoes,” he

says. “We still make gravy from scratch like Grandma did. We still make rolls from scratch like Grandma did. We still make pies from scratch like Grandma did.”

Cookin’ From Scratch’s fried chicken, hamburgers, steak, and catfish are always highly requested. The biggest seller, the fried chicken, is dipped in egg wash, breaded in a recipe that the restaurant’s used for over twenty-five years, and pan-fried for forty-five minutes.

“Being pan-fried, the advantage we’ve always found is that it’s not submerged in grease like it is in a deep fat fryer,” Tony says.

Beyond the usual mashed potatoes and green beans, the diner also has some surprising sides up its sleeve, like the horseradish pickles and pickled beets.

“Sometimes, the new upscale restaurants get too carried away and try to dress things up,” Tony says. “Sometimes, you just got to get back to the old cookbook and see what they made a hundred years ago. You can really find some good ideas.”

Tony wants travelers to feel like they’ve reached a destination spot. He also owns the convenience store Stuckey’s, which sells Amish products and old-fashioned candy and shares the building with Cookin’ From Scratch and the Phillips 66 gas station.

JILL VONDY

On the northern fringe of Columbia, CoMo Smoke and Fire shares a building with a Mobil gas station. The restaurant serves everything from venison sausage to fried green tomatoes.

About five miles south of Kimberling City, The Fillin’ Station in Lampe has some of the best barbecue in the Branson area.

The restaurant even sells its signature sauce by the gallon.

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Filling Station BBQ in downtown Lee’s Summit changed ownership in January 2013, and the restaurant still draws barbecue enthusiasts from all over to try its famous ribs.

To attempt the nearly impossible Route 66 Burger Challenge or just grab a bite, take exit 179 on Interstate 44 to Truman Street in Doolittle.

Give the restaurant a call at 573-762-3111, or visit the website at cookinfromscratch.biz.

The Fillin’ Station

COURTESY OF SHANE TABOR; JILL VONDY

LAMPE

What started as a hobby with only one smoker has turned into a family restaurant that’s been going strong for more than eight years.

Cindy Burkin and her husband, David, started The Fillin’ Station in 2007. Before they started the restaurant, David—a diehard Kansas City barbecue fan—could not find a place nearby that made sweet, smoky meat the way he liked it, so he started cooking it himself.

To house their new culinary venture, the couple chose an old Sinclair service station, where Cindy’s parents, H. Norman and Verna Mae Ackerson, met. As an homage to the building’s gas station past, all the napkins in the restaurant are red cloth, like the rags traditionally used to check the oil in cars, and license plates adorn the walls.

To honor Cindy’s late father, the restaurant is a family-run joint. Cindy’s mother runs the register, and Cindy’s aunt helps out in the

kitchen. When it comes to the barbecue, David takes charge.

The restaurant offers hickory-smoked brisket, turkey, ham, pulled pork, and baby back ribs. And the sweet and smoky barbecue is served à la carte, on sandwiches and salads, and as a part of the delicious barbecue nachos, which feature your choice of brisket or pulled pork, tortilla chips, shredded cheese, sour cream, jalapeños, and “Smokin’ Dave’s” barbecue sauce.

Open Wednesday through Saturday, The Fillin’ Station also offers home-style cooking with daily specials like fried shrimp, fried chicken, burgers, corn dogs, and desserts like apple dumplings and bread pudding, which is one of the most popular. In fact, the restaurant always has at least twelve different dessert options for customers to try.

Find the restaurant at 6741 Route 13 in Lampe. Visit thefillinstation.net or call 417779-2727 for more information.

Filling Station BBQ

LEE’S SUMMIT

Oklahoma Joe’s isn’t the only great barbecue joint in the Kansas City area located in a gas station. If you’re on this side of the state line, Filling Station BBQ in Lee’s Summit is the place to fill up.

Located in a former Texaco gas station that was built in 1935, the Filling Station offers barbecue that runs the gamut of flavor, from sweet and mild to hot and spicy. And almost everything is straight from the smoker, from the catfish to the chicken, burnt ends, and rib tips.

And while every entree satisfies, the restaurant’s traditional sides—baked beans, cole slaw, and potato salad—are nothing to sneeze at.

The Filling Station offers what you’d expect from a traditional barbecue joint, and it’s all done right. Try the sausage or the sloppy joe— made with chopped beef, ham, and turkey. And definitely finish the meal with one of the restaurant’s seasonal cobblers.

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Flavor osity for food and experimentation. He’s able to execute on a really high level.”

For Todd, one of the aspects of Genessee Royale that makes it unique is its atmosphere.

Tracey decorated the cafe, and the decor is from vintage shops and antique malls.

“You still feel like you’re sitting in a gas station,” he says. “There’s rust and metal, but there’s a feminine quality with punches of masculinity.”

To try one of Genessee Royale’s elegant meals, stop at 1531 Genessee Street in Kansas City. They are also open until 8 pm on Fridays for cocktails.

Lutz’s Famous BBQ

In Kansas City’s West Bottoms neighborhood, Genessee Royale opened in a renovated gas station in 2010. In 2013, the restaurant was featured in Bon Appétit magazine.

Although the Filling Station’s food makes it a pit stop worth braking for, the restaurant’s decor makes it a fun place to take the whole family. License plates and gas station memorabilia adorn the walls, and the original gas pumps are outside, a rare feat for an eighty-year-old building.

Visit the restaurant in downtown Lee’s Summit at 333 Southeast Douglas Street. Visit fillingstationbbq.com or call 816-347-0794 for more information.

Genessee Royale Bistro

high-quality ingredients that are often from right here in Missouri.

The fried chicken biscuit with cream gravy is a mainstay at the bistro. The Saturday special— the Butcher’s Grind Burger served with a Bloody Mary—is popular, too. While these are the most ordered, Todd’s current favorite is the juniper and herb roasted beef with horseradish sauce.

“We do staples that you can get almost anywhere,” Todd says, “but we try to give them a fresh spin.”

Todd and Chef Daniel Breedlove collaborate on the menu. Todd says when it comes to cooking, Daniel has no boundaries.

Todd says Daniel makes everything exceptionally well: “He just has this wonderful curi-

KANSAS CITY

Six years ago, Todd Schulte and his wife Tracey Zinn bought a Sinclair gas station in Kansas City’s Stockyards District. After tearing out the gas tanks, the hydraulic lift, and restoring most of the building due to rust, the old fuel stop was transformed into an eclectic, hip restaurant called the Genessee Royale Bistro.

Now, this station-turned-cafe serves breakfast and lunch Tuesday through Sunday with a seasonal menu that changes four to five times throughout the year. No matter what the season, though, the restaurant emphasizes fresh,

For about seven years, Lutz’s Famous BBQ was just a small trailer next to Lowe’s Home Improvement in Jefferson City. Now, the barbecue haven shares space with a Phillips 66 gas station, has a second location in Columbia, and caters everything from weddings to corporate events.

Owner Burl Lutz says he’s always loved cooking barbecue, but being a restaurant owner was not part of his plan. The barbecue enthusiast was a construction worker for many years until 2000 when he decided to give food service a chance.

“It’s something I’ve always done,” he says.

“When I was in Texas, I got to know a bunch of people that competed in competitions, so I went.”

Now a barbecue competition veteran, Burl knows his meat. And for Burl, there’s a difference between cooking quality barbecue and being able to sell it. Good barbecue has to be fresh.

“I’ve got to guess when somebody’s walking in that door,” he says. “In other words, I can’t have a rib done at ten o’clock and expect you to buy it at six that evening and be good.”

At Lutz’s Famous BBQ, Burl makes a hybrid of Kansas City and Texas-style barbecue. The meat is cooked with oak and apple wood pellets, and all of it leaves the kitchen dry with sauce on the side.

“We want you to taste the meat,” he says.

“You can always put sauce on, but you can’t take it off.”

Pulled pork and homemade chips are among Lutz’s Famous BBQ’s specialties. The restaurant sells boxes of its chips, which come in twelve flavors, that feed about thirty people.

COURTESY OF MISSOURI DIVISION OF TOURISM; JILL VONDY

JEFFERSON CITY

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COURTESY OF ELAIA AND OLIO

Located in a refurbished gas station, Olio opened in 2012 to critical acclaim. The restaurant’s octopus salad was named one of the top dishes in St. Louis by the Riverfront Times.

Burl’s favorite meat to barbecue is brisket, and even though it’s the most challenging, Burl adheres to a straightforward cooking philosophy.

“Good barbecue is not cheap, and cheap barbecue is not good,” he says.

Aside from the brisket, the Jefferson City restaurant’s pulled pork and homemade potato chips are always in high demand. Burl says the chips are cut and fried right in front of customers, and he’s constantly brainstorming new ways to make them even better.

“I can walk in with a big white box of potato chips and everybody immediately knows where they came from,” he says. “I don’t know anyone else around who sells so many chips.”

Lutz’s Famous Barbecue makes its side dishes, dressings, and sauces from scratch. The barbecue joint also offers fried chicken and fish for those who want to switch it up.

“We try to do things that set us apart from everybody else,” he says.

To sample Lutz’s Famous BBQ and try their potato chips, visit the restaurants at 3505 Missouri Boulevard in Jefferson City or 200 E. Nifong in Columbia and online at lutzbbq.com.

Olio Wine Bar and Eatery ST. LOUIS

For Ben Poremba, cooking runs in the family. But while Ben’s mother is a chef and culinary educator in Israel, where Ben was born and raised, Ben is bringing his native country’s Mediterranean flavor to the Show-Me State with two sister restaurants: Elaia and Olio.

Elaia is a candle-lit, fine-dining restaurant with an expensive wine list, pairing options, and a menu full of dishes that aren’t the easiest to pronounce with a Missouri dialect.

However, you’ll find more down-to-earth dishes next door at Elaia’s sister restaurant, Olio, which serves beer, cocktails, sandwiches, pizza, salads, and Mediterranean favorites like hummus and baba ghanouj.

The name Olio is a nod to olive oil, the base for many of the dishes of Ben’s native cuisine.

The dishes range from Ben’s own experiments of putting a Mediterranean spin on American classics to simple, time-honored family recipes.

His grandmother’s egg salad is one of the most popular items on the menu. People buy it by the quart, and he’s even sold sixty to seventy-five

pounds of it in a week. He says the key is to use a lot of mayonnaise and caramelized onions.

To Ben, the ingredients are just as important as the recipes. The food at Olio incorporates fresh, organic vegetables sourced from around St. Louis. And Ben tries to always uses fresh herbs, including Italian parsley, chives, and mint. Lately, he’s been experimenting with using more dill, but he says that mint is the flavor that gives his food that Middle Eastern flair—a distinct taste that sets his restaurant apart. While people come to Olio for the flavor, the restaurant’s architecture makes it a travel destination.

Olio is housed in a former gas station that was built in the 1930s. Ben kept the original building for his restaurant because he says that no one builds like that anymore. It also gives the place the out-of-the-ordinary, retro, urban look that Ben wanted for his unassuming eatery. With bright red and white bricks, it’s a hard-to-miss landmark in St. Louis’s Botanical Heights neighborhood.

Find this gas station gem at 1634 Tower Grove Avenue in St. Louis. Call 314-932-1088 or visit oliostl.com for more information.

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SHOW-ME

Flavor —MissouriLife —

OLIO’S FAMOUS EGG SALAD Ingredients >

Courtesy of Olio Restaurant

2 tablespoons canola oil 2 pounds yellow onions, peeled and slivered 7 large eggs 2 tablespoons homemade mayonnaise, plus more to taste

Salt White pepper Chopped fresh chives, for garnish Lemon zest, for garnish

Directions >

HARRY KATZ

1. In a heavy pot, heat oil until shimmery on low heat. Add onions, and cook slowly until soft but not yet beginning to turn color, stirring occasionally, about 45 minutes.

Cover and chill until firm.

2. Cover eggs with cold, salted water in a large uncovered pot. Bring to a rapid boil.

Turn off heat, and cover the pot. Wait 10 minutes, then drain. When cool enough to handle, peel the eggs. Cover and chill.

3. Weigh equal amounts of egg and onion (there will likely be extra onion for another purpose). Put eggs and onions through the small holes of a meat grinder into a bowl.

4. Stir in mayonnaise, just enough to bind the mixture. Season generously with salt and white pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning. Chill until ready to serve.

5. To serve Olio-style, mound about 3 tablespoons egg salad on 3 thick slices of good bread, and garnish with chives and lemon zest.

Makes 2 to 4 servings.

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—MissouriLife —

MOM’S MEATLOAF

Courtesy of The Filling Station in Lampe

Ingredients >

2 eggs 3/4 cup milk 1/2 cup chopped onion 2/3 cup finely crushed saltines 1/2 teaspoon rubbed sage 1 teaspoon salt

Dash of pepper 1 1/2 pounds ground beef 1 cup ketchup 1/2 cup packed brown sugar 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

Directions >

HARRY KATZ

1. In a large bowl, beat eggs. Add milk, onions, saltines, sage, salt, and pepper. Add beef and mix well.

2. Shape into an 8- by 4-inch loaf in a shallow, ungreased baking pan.

3. Mix together the ketchup, brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce, and spread 3/4 cup of the mixture over the meatloaf.

4. Bake at 350°F for 60 to 65 minutes or until no pink remains.

5. Drain and let stand for 10 minutes before slicing. Serve with warmed remaining sauce.

Makes 6 to 8 servings.

Visit MissouriLife.com for more recipes.

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SHOW-ME

Flavor

Dining worth the drive.

Osage Beach

St. Louis

A Lake Paradise

Dim Sum Please

IF YOU’RE looking for a little bit

steaks, and more. For a lighter appe-

of Key West without leaving the Show-

tite, Jack’s sandwich counter serves up

Me State, set your course for Backwater

burgers, buffalo chicken on a bun, and a

Jack’s on the Lake of the Ozarks.

classic Cuban sandwich. You definitely

Billed as Gulf Coast cuisine with a Midwestern flair, Backwater Jack’s is a

won’t want to leave without trying the fried potato salad.

little bit New Orleans, a little bit Carib-

You can dine indoors, but you won’t

bean, and looks as if it popped fully-

want to. Get a table on the deck, and en-

formed from the notes of a Jimmy

joy the live music or just watch the boats

Buffet song.

pull up to the dock. Backwater Jack’s is at

Start out with Jack’s made-from-

at the 17.5 Mile Marker if coming by boat.

scratch seafood nachos, crab Rangoon

It’s a little tricky to find but worth the ad-

HUSBAND AND WIFE Jerry Li and Jenny Lu opened LuLu Sea-

poppers, or oysters on the half shell.

venture.—Martin W. Schwartz

food and Dim Sum in 2002. They placed the restaurant in University City, on a strip

Dinner items include Jamaican lime

backwaterjacks.com

of Olive Boulevard unofficially known as St. Louis’s Chinatown. Since then, LuLu

grilled chicken, jambalaya, grouper,

4341 Beach Drive • 573-348-6639

has risen above its neighborhood competition by featuring fresh seafood, a broad number of authentic dishes from different regions of China, and traditional, cartservice dim sum on the weekends.

Jenny translates dim sum as “a little something to touch the heart.”

The meal consists of a joyful array of bite-size portions and small servings of various Chinese hot and cold, sweet and savory, fried, baked, boiled, and steamed specialties, traditionally served with hot tea.

Although dim sum is available on daily menus, it’s most popular during the weekends when servers wheel trollies laden with delicacies through the restaurant, stopping at tables to showcase their items. Say yes to a dish, and the server puts it on your table and stamps your bill accordingly. You can order off the regular menu, but the fun comes in sampling, savoring, and sharing dishes from the carts.—Susan Katzman luluseafoodrestaurant.com • 8224 Olive Boulevard • 314-997-3108

Ozarks Fusion TOUCH RESTAURANT and Lounge blends owner Mike Jalili’s Mediterranean heritage, contemporary American dining, and real Missouri flavor to create a menu that’s often surprising and always delicious.

The tapas menu, which is served in the lounge from 3 PM to close Monday through Saturday, features everything from organic Mediterranean quinoa to savory jalapeño-and-goat-cheese dates to the restaurant’s distinct spin on meatloaf, which features tomato lobster purée and flash-fried spinach. The lounge is also home to the bar that features inspired cocktails like the organic cucumber margarita.

While the lounge is a great place to meet friends for drinks and small plates to share, the restaurant is the place for an intimate date. With two ways to dine—ordering off the dinner menu or participating in the Sunset Menu three-course dinner—Touch has a host of creative options, each increasingly more intriguing: a Mediterranean wedge salad, calamari fries, a Persian lamb shank, Dr. Pepper short ribs, and Maine lobster that’s dipped in Andy’s Custard, breaded, and deep fried, to name a few.

Whatever you choose among the cornucopia of attention-grabbing choices, the flavor will surely be as bold as the ingredients. —Jonas Weir touch-restaurant.com • 1620 E. Republic Road • 417-823-8383

COURTESY OF TOUCH RESTAURANT; JORDAN MCALISTER AND TODD JORDAN

Springfield

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• • • • •

Hundreds of Germanic/European flavored wurst, wine, bacon, beer and brats Indoor or outside deli seating In-house craft beer and wurst sodas Great German food & Amish made food gifts Download the Wurst Haus mobile app in the Apple store and receive 10% off in-store purchase

Meats produced in house by Mike Sloan, two-time Hall of Fame Wurstmeister Mon to Sat 9-6 p.m. Sun 10-4 p.m.

Free samples

Located in historic downtown Hermann 234 East First Street, Hermann, MO 573-486-2266 | www.hermannwursthaus.com

Mizzou’s own bed and breakfast

Five luxury suites Gourmet breakfast Walk to Columbia’s downtown shops, restaurants Steps away from MU’s campus

Operated by the MU College of Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources Rated No. 1 Bed & Breakfast in Columbia, Mo. – TripAdvisor.com

Make a reservation today!

573-443-4301 gatheringplacebedandbreakfast.com [115] June 2015

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VISIT US Copeland-Shy House Visitor Center Ellington chamber of commerce

JUMP EXPERIENCE

ON IN ELLINGTON

•

•

Clearwater Lake BLACK RIVER CURRENT RIVER

155 W. Walnut (Highway 106) 573-663-7997 Monday-Friday; 1-5pm

Brochures & Area Information Available Visit www.elingtonmo.com for more info

2015 Events 4th of July Firework Celebration, July 4 Reynolds County Fair, September 3-5 MUSIC IN THE PARK, JUNE-AUGUST MOVIES IN THE PARk, JUNE-AUGUST

WWW.ELLINGTONMO.COM

Funding for this advertising provided by the Taum Sauk Fund Inc.

PHOTO BY BETH WATSON

dant natural Summer is the perfect time to enjoy our abun er. off resources and all that Salem has to

Enjoy a rodeo or take a trail ride through the scenic Ozarks.

Enjoy our riverways for floating, camping, fishing, hiking, and so much more.

There’s more to do here. Naturally.

Check out our community calendar at www.salemmo.com for list of events.

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ALL AROUND

Missouri J U N E /J U LY 2 0 1 5

SOUTHEAST MUSIC IN THE PARK June 5, 12, 19 and 26, Sikeston > Enjoy concerts by local bluegrass, country, gospel, and rock groups.

Malone Park Bandstand. 6-9 pm. Free. 573-3803801, downtownsikeston.org

TRAIL TRIVIA June 6, Cape Girardeau > Pick up a question sheet, and hike the trails to answer the questions and to win a prize. Conservation Nature Center. 9 am-4 pm.

Free. 573-290-5218, mdc.mo.gov/regions/southeast /cape-girardeau-conservation-nature-center

CAR SHOW June 6, Oran > This car show features competitions in fifty-two classes. Tilles Memorial Park. 8 am-4 pm.

Free. 573-275-3310, visitsikeston.com

SPRING CONCERT AT THE MILL June 7, Burfordville > Enjoy refreshments and a concert by The Chestnut Mountain Gang. Bollinger Mill State Historic Site. 2-4 pm. Free. 573-243-4591, mostateparks.com/event/62217/spring-concert

MISSOURI MINES ROCK SWAP June 12-14, Park Hills > Rock hobbyists swap rock and mineral specimens. Missouri Mines State Historic Site. 9 am-6 pm Fri.-Sat.; 9 am-4 pm Sun. Free. 573431-6226, mostateparks.com/park/missouri-mines -state-historic-site

FRENCH HERITAGE FESTIVAL

COURTESY OF BILL NAEGER

JUANITA WYMAN ART EXHIBIT

Ste. Genevieve native Juantia Wyman’s pastel style emulates oil painting techniques that create a form filled with light and color. She is an active painter en plein air and works in pastel, watercolor, and oil. This show is at the Depot Museum and Gallery in Sikeston and runs from June 1 through June 30. The gallery is free and open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 am until 4 pm. Call 573-481-9967 or visitsikeston.org for more information.

June 13, Ste. Genevieve > Enjoy music, dance, French cuisine, parades, and architecture tours.

Historic Downtown. Noon-midnight. Free (except special events). 800-373-7007, visitstegen.com

SWEET CORN FESTIVAL June 26-27, East Prairie > This event features music, the Tour de Corn charity bike ride, a corn-eating contest, family activities, and crafts. Downtown. Times and cost vary. 573-649-3057, eastprairiemo.net These listings are chosen by our editors and are not paid for by sponsors.

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4TH OF JULY FIREWORKS July 4, Ellington > Celebrate with a huge fireworks show and family activities. Route 21 and Junction 106. 9 PM. Free. 573-663-7997, ellingtonmo.com

4TH OF JULY FESTIVITIES July 4, Pilot Knob > Enjoy crafts, games, a water slide, a beer and wine garden, live music, and fireworks show. Battle of Pilot Knob State Historic Site.

8 AM-10 PM. Free. 573-366-1446, arcadiavalley.biz

SOUTH CENTRAL VIETNAM MEMORIAL WALL

WHEELS AND DEALS CAR SHOW

The West Plains Car Club is bringing back its annual car show on June 13. Each of the cars in the competition is lovingly restored by members of the club. Entries begin at 8 AM, and trophies are given out in several classes. During the show, there will also be a swap meet. Spectators can see the cars at the Civic Center from 8 AM to 4 PM at no cost. Call 417-256-3796, or visit westplainscarclub.net.

BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL June 4-6, West Plains > Enjoy numerous bluegrass and gospel bands, camping, concessions, and public jam sessions. HOBA Bluegrass Park. 7 PM shows each evening (park open throughout the festival). $5-$25.

888-256-8835, hobabluegrass.wix.com/home

COURTESY OF TAMMY PIKER

June 4-6, Rolla > A traveling half-sized replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, DC, gives people who cannot travel to the nation’s capital the opportunity to share the experience. Lion’s Club. 10 AM-7 PM. Free. 573-364-3577, themovingwall.org

The largest sutlery in the Midwest!

HARDWARE OF THE PAST For the present and the future

Reproduction Antique Hardware and Supplies for Restoring Antique Furniture

Carrying a complete line of Civil War Living History needs for Ladies, Gentlemen, Civilian, Military – featuring patterns, weapons, accessories, research. Our specialty: the Border Wars.

Custom orders at no additional cost!

405 North Main Street Saint Charles, MO 63301 636-724-3771 or 800-562-5855 www.hardwareofthepast.com

Our clothing is American made!

111 N. Main, Liberty, MO • 816-781-9473 www.jamescountry.com • jamescntry@aol.com

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Quality Hand-Crafted Leatherwork and Shoe Repair Saleigh Mountain Co. LLC. 124 East 4th Street Hermann, MO 65041 573-486-2992 • www.saleighmountain.com

JUST RIGHT FOR YOUR COFFEE BREAK! 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

Hand Stamped •Personalized •Wax Seal Jewelry

Made in Missouri • Gift Certificates Available Shop online at www.CrowStealsFire.com & in independently owned boutiques

Walk in the Footsteps of Daniel Boone!

Canoes • Kayaks • Rafts Group Camping Less than an hour from St. Louis

www.oldcovecanoe.com 1316 Old Cove Rd St. Clair, MO 63077 636-629-2220

The Historic Daniel Boone Home & Heritage Center 1868 Hwy F, Defiance, Missouri www.danielboonehome.com (636) 798-2005

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NEWBURG DAY

INDEPENDENCE DAY

THE SANTA FE TRAIL

June 12-13, Newburg > This event features a fish fry, beer garden, street dance, craft show, cloggers, dancers, classic car and motorcycle show, jam session, pony rides, petting zoo, and Missouri State Championship Wrestling competition. Throughout town. 9 am11 pm Fri.; 9 am-8 pm Sat. Free (except special events).

573-529-2887, newburgday.weebly.com

July 4, Doniphan > Celebrate with craft and food vendors, games, a pageant, entertainment, and a fireworks show. Riverfront Park. 11 am-dark. Free.

573-996-2212, ripleycountymissouri.org

June 6, Arrow Rock > The site administrator speaks on the Santa Fe Trail. Arrow Rock State Historic Site.

10-11 am. Free. 660-837-3330, mostateparks.com /park/arrow-rock-state-historic-site

THESE COLORS DON’T RUN 5K

TRADE ENCAMPMENT

July 4, Fort Leonard Wood > Participate or watch a patriotic 5K color run. Davidson Fitness Center. 7 am registration; 8 am start. Free for spectators ($15-$20 fee to run). 573-596-4359, fortleonardwoodmwr.com

June 6-7, Arrow Rock > Trader and pioneer reenactors. Arrow Rock State Historic Site. 10 am Sat.; noon Sun. Free. 660-837-3330, mostateparks.com/park /arrow-rock-state-historic-site

HUMMINGBIRD BANDING

ALICE’S ADVENTURES

July 5, Salem > Learn about the secret world of these little flying machines. Dorman L. Steelman Lodge hummingbird garden at Montauk State Park.

9 am-1 pm. Free. 573-548-2225, mostateparks.com /park/montauk-state-park

June 6-7, Columbia > Missouri Contemporary Ballet shares its original production of the classic story of Alice in Wonderland. Jesse Auditorium. 7:30 pm Sat.; 2 pm Sun. $10-$29. 573-882-3781, concertseries.org

OZARK HERITAGE FESTIVAL June 19-20, West Plains > Celebrate old-time music and the culture of the Ozark Highlands with musicians, artisans, storytellers, crafts, demonstrations, and competitions. Throughout town. 10 am10 pm. Free. 888-256-8835, oldtimemusic.org

ROUTE 66 FREEDOM FEST June 20, Waynesville > This family-friendly street festival features an Elvis singer, more than 150 motorcyclists from the USO ride, a bounce house, and handmade craft vendors. Downtown. 11 am-4 pm.

Free. 573-774-3001, pulaskicountyusa.com

ART IN THE PARK

CENTRAL

HAM RADIO FIELD DAY

TUESDAYS @2

June 27-28, Ava > Come see how emergency communications are set up during a disaster, learn about Ham Radio, and talk on the radio to other states. Lion’s Club. Noon Sat. to 11 am Sun. Free.

417-543-2715 avachamber.org

June 2-30, Jefferson City > This series of interactive programs explores different aspects of Missouri’s culture and history. Missouri State Museum.

2-2:45 pm. Free. 573-751-4127, mostateparks.com /park/missouri-state-museum

June 6-7, Columbia > See more than a hundred visual artists, and enjoy children’s entertainment.

Stephens Lake Park. 10 am-5 pm Sat.; 10 am-4 pm Sun. Free. 573-443-8838, artintheparkcolumbia.org

AVIATION MUSEUM PANCAKES June 7, Marshall > Tour the museum, and eat pancakes by Chris Cakes. Martin Community Center and Nicholas Beazley Aviation Museum. 7 am-1 pm. $9. 660-886-2630, martincommunitycenter.org

The Great Race is coming to Rolla, MO! Experience the spirit of the race and join us for the ROLLA REFUEL FESTIVAL Saturday, June 20

11 am to 3 pm in Downtown Rolla Missouri’s only daytime race stop!

Featuring....

Roflulael

Re

• Local Car Cruise In • Live Music • Games • Food Vendors • Opportunity to visit with race participants • Up close look at Great Race cars • And more!

Hosted by Rolla Area Chamber of Commerce

www.VisitRolla.com

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Call us today.

We’d love to tell you about the latest from

1805 Westfall Dr. Columbia, MO

www.ColumbiaAppliance.com

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HELLO, BABY! EXPO June 13, Columbia > This expo is filled with learning, playing, shopping, and winning great prizes.

Holiday Inn Expo Center. 8 AM-1 PM. $5. 573-8151903, columbiatribune.com/hellobaby

SUMMERFEST June 18-21, Sturgeon > Draft horse pull, tram rides, horse show, hot air balloon rides, 5K glow walk/run, pancake breakfast, parade, petting zoo, concerts, cow patty bingo, pig throwing contest, and community church service with a potluck. Throughout town. 7-9 PM Thurs.; 5-9 PM Fri.; 7 AM-11 PM Sat.; 11 AM-1 PM Sun. Free (except special events). 573687-2122, summerfest.sturgeon-mo.org

June 20 and July 18, Mexico > This car show brings in all different types of cars, trucks, and motorcycles. Hardin Park. 5 PM-dusk. Free. 573-581-2765, mexicomissouri.net

SALUTE TO AMERICA July 3-5, Jefferson City > See the largest fireworks display in Central Missouri, and enjoy carnival rides, live entertainment, a parade, concerts, beer garden, car shows, and much more. Downtown.

4-9:30 PM Fri.; 11 AM-11 PM Sat. Free. 573-761-0704, salutetoamerica.org

TASTE OF OSAGE COUNTY

The Taste of Osage County showcases healthy, locally grown foods and products from the area. The outdoor festival will have wine, gift baskets, fresh produce, baked goods, ice cream, and a variety of other local favorites, plus live music and demonstrations. Held at City Park in Linn, it is free and open from 1 to 6 PM. Call 573-690-7779 or go to visitosagecounty.org for more information.

COURTESY OF SUSAN SUNDERMEYER

BRICK CITY CRUISE NIGHT

Tired of fast-paced hucksters trying to sway your opinion? Put the conversation on “Pause� and take a welcome break for a thoughtful look at things that really matter in your hometown.

Only on KMOS-TV Channel 6.1 Thursdays at 7:00 p.m.

Sundays at 5:30 a.m.

Celebrating 35 Years of Service in Central Missouri

KMOS-TV broadcasts in HD on channel 6.1, and is carried in many communities on channel 6.

You can also see broadcasts of lifestyle/how-to shows on 6.2 and international programs on 6.3.

With more than 25 years of experience in news and documentary film production, Hoffman brings a direct approach to considering issues that really matter.

Dr. Phil Hoffman Host and KMOS-TV General Manager

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SOAK UP THE SUN

H wy. 100 & I-44 G r a y Su mmit, M O 63039 ( 6 3 6 ) 4 5 1 - 3 5 1 2 • w w w. s h a w n a t u r e . o r g

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THE COLOR DASH 5K July 4, Columbia > Get splashed with non-toxic colors during this family-friendly 5K as you help raise money for PedNet Coalition. Stephens Lake Park. 7 am registration; 9 am start. Free for spectators ($35$85 to participate). 573-234-4642, cd5k.com

SOUTHWEST PADDLE STOCKTON!

Throughout town. 9 am-6 pm. $10 for two day pass.

417-891-1515, springfieldwatergardensociety.com

MUSTANG MANIA June 20, Aurora > Discover this all-Ford car and truck show that features Mustangs. Jimmy Michel Motors. 9 am-1 pm. Free to spectators. 417-6784150, auroramochanber.com

July 11, Arrow Rock > Create a handcrafted basket. Arrow Rock State Historic Site. 9 am-1 pm and 1:30-5:30 pm. Free. 660-837-3330, mostateparks .com/park/arrow-rock-state-historic-site

June 4 and July 2, Dadeville > Join other paddle enthusiasts with your kayak or canoe on the 6.65mile Stockton State Park Water Trail. Start at the Park Marina and end at the Hartley Boat Launch.

9 am-noon. Free. 417-276-4259, mostateparks.com /park/stockton-state-park

DEMOLITION DERBY

RUN FOR THEIR LIVES 5K

ICE CREAM SOCIAL

July 11, Marshall > Crash and smash up fun. Saline County Fairgrounds. 7:30 pm. $5 (ages 8 and under are free). 660-631-7517, visitmarshallmo.com

June 6, Lebanon > Participate in a 5K run and onemile walk to benefit suicide prevention. Atchley Park Shelter #2. 8-10 am. $20-$25 to participate.

660-890-8204, donations.compasshealthhome.org

July 18, Fair Grove > Get social with live music, ice cream, desserts, lemonade, bounce houses, and a fireworks display. Wommack Mill grounds. 5:30 pmdusk. Free (except food). 417-833-3467, fghps.org

BISON HIKE

FIBER ‘‘U”

June 6, Mindenmines > Take a two-mile guided hike to see bison and their calves. Prairie State Park at the Nature Center. 10 am-noon. Free. 417-8436711, mostateparks.com/park/prairie-state-park

July 18-19, Lebanon > This fiber arts education event features classes, vendors, and demonstrations. Cowan Civic Center. 8 am-5 pm Sat.; 8 am-3 pm Sun. Free (fee for classes). 417-533-5280, mopaca.org

WATER GARDEN TOUR

CITYWIDE SIDEWALK SALE

June 13-14, Springfield > Tour ponds and gardens, of all sizes and kinds, most at private residences, including the Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden.

July 25, Carthage > Go shopping at this giant sale.

Throughout town. All Day. Free to browse. 417358-2373, carthagechamber.com

BASKET WEAVING CLASSES

OZARK SELF BOW JAMBOREE July 16-18, Marshall > Explore your interest in natural archery, archery competitions, and a bartering fair. Indian Foothills Park. Times vary. Free.

660-2022124, marshallbowhunters.org

OWL PROWL July 25, Camdenton > Learn about the owls who call the park home. Ha Ha Tonka State Park.

8:30-9:30 pm. Free. 573-346-2986, mostateparks .com/park/ha-ha-tonka-state-park

FIREWORKS AT THE FIELD July 4, Springfield > Baseball and fireworks. Hammons Field. 5:10 pm. $7. 417-863-0395, milb.com

Sundays at 8:00 - June 21 Captain Ross Poldark rides again in a swashbuckling new adaptation of the hit 1970s series. Aidan Turner stars as a redcoat who returns to Cornwall after the American Revolution; Eleanor Tomlinson plays the miner's daughter taken in by the captain.

KMOS-TV broadcasts in HD on channel 6.1, and is carried in many communities on channel 6.

You can also see broadcasts of lifestyle/how-to shows on 6.2 and international programs on 6.3.

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KANSAS CITY ARTS SQUARED FESTIVAL June 5-6, Liberty > More than seventy regional artists display and sell their works at this event that features performances, interactive children’s arts, a farmers’ market, and a chalk art competition. Historic Downtown Square. 4-9 PM Fri.; 9 AM-6 PM Sat. Free. 816-809-7984, libertyartssquared.org

BUSHWHACKER DAYS June 10-13, Nevada > Enjoy concerts, a carnival, crafts, a parade, a pet show, and car and tractor shows. Historic Downtown Square. 6:30-10 PM Wed.-Fri.; 9 AM-11 PM Sat. Free (except carnival).

417-667-4139, bwdays.com

COURTESY OF AURORA

BUS TRIP TO ANDERSON HOUSE

LIGHT THE NIGHT AND MOTORCYCLE SHOW

Aurora is geared up for a day of festivities on June 20. Come out to Baldwin Park from 2 to 9:30 PM for a motorcycle show and competition with a people’s choice award, hot dog eating contest, bounce houses, food vendors, live music, and a huge fireworks show. The event is free except for a $15 entry fee for the motorcycle show. Call 417-678-4150 or visit auroramochamber.com for more information.

June 13, Kansas City > Join the Missouri State Parks staff on a bus trip to the Battle of Lexington State Historic Site, tour the Anderson House, see exhibits of artifacts from the Civil War, and enjoy a Victorian tea party. Meet at the Anita B. Gorman Discovery Center. 10 AM-4 PM. Free registration. 816-759-7313, ext. 1162, mdc.mo.gov/regions /kansas-city/discovery-center

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SAENGERFEST June 14, Cole Camp > German singing festival features choral groups and dancing. Jaycee Gardens.

2-9 PM. Free. 660-668-3157, colecampmissouri.com

FIESTA KANSAS CITY June 19-21, Kansas City> Hispanic culture event offers concerts, traditional food, and dancing.

Crown Center Square. 5-11 PM Fri.; noon-11 PM Sat.-Sun. Free ($10-$20 at 4 PM). 816-472-6767, fiestakansascity.com

WINE FESTIVAL June 20, Excelsior Springs > Enjoy wine samples, food vendors, artists, crafters, music, and demonstrations. East Valley Park and Lover’s Lane.

Noon-9 PM. Free ($20-$25 to sample wines). 816630-2811, visitexcelsior.com

June 20 and July 18, Kansas City > See a different outdoor concert each month. Concourse Park.

7-9 PM. Free. 816-483-6964, northeastartskc.org

WATERFEST AND WONDER BUBBLES

Celebrate Excelsior Springs’ water history June 26 through June 28 at the Memorial Airport. Bring the kids out for a huge variety of activities and games. There will be an X-Factor singing competition, arts, crafts, a vintage car show, and fireworks. The event is free and open from 2 to 9 PM on Friday, 9 AM to 9 PM on Saturday, and 11 AM to 4 PM on Sunday. Call 816-630-6161 or visit exspgschamber.com for more information..

MAKER FAIRE June 27-28, Kansas City > Discover what and how people are inventing, making, and creating. Union Station. 10 AM-6 PM Sat.; 10 AM-5 PM Sun. $7-$45.

816-460-2020, makerfairekc.com

COURTESY OF KEVIN MORGAN

SUMMER DUSK

Order a FREE Visitor Guide!

Enjoy All We Have To Offer

PulaskiCountyUSA.com Pulaski County Tourism Bureau St. Robert, MO 877-858-8687 Historic Sites

Outdoor Adventure

Military Museums

Unique Dining [126] MissouriLife

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Explore the Old Trails Region

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june 3 - 13

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[129] June 2015

Follow us on Facebook!

5/1/15 5:25 PM

4TH FEST

TWIN PARKS SUMMER FESTIVAL

July 3-4, Liberty > Celebrate with live music, family activities, and fireworks. Historic Downtown and William Jewell College. 6-10 pm Fri.; 8-10:30 pm Sat. Free. 816-781-5200, liberty4thfest.com

4TH OF JULY CELEBRATION July 4, Lee’s Summit > Live music, sky divers, food and beverage concessions, and fireworks show.

Longview Lake Shelter #13. 6 pm-dusk. Free. 816503-4800, jacksongov.org

PATRIOTIC KIDS BIKE PARADE

NORTHWEST BIG FISH 35 June 5-6, Maryville > The world’s largest fishing tournament offers a $3,500 grand prize. Nodaway Lake. 6 pm Fri. to noon on Sat. Free. 660-582-2151, nodawaybroadcasting.com

NORTHEND FESTIVAL

July 4, Warrensburg > Decorate your wagons, bikes, and join the parade. Downtown. 9:30-11 am.

Free. 660-429-3988, warrensburgmainstreet.com

June 5-7, St. Joseph > See live music, crafts, fireworks, a parade, duck races, and Bikers for Babies.

Krug Park. 5-10 pm Fri.; 10 am-10 pm Sat.; noon-5 pm Sun. Free. 816-390-7288, stjomo.com

TOUR OF NEVADA

SONDHEIM ON SONHEIM

July 11-12, Nevada > Criterium cyclists from surrounding states ride through the streets during fast pace races with ten to twelve cyclists navigating tight corners to pass each other. Throughout town. 4:30 pm start on Sat.; 9 am Sun. Free to spectators. 417-448-5505. nevadamo.org

June 5-7, St. Joseph > Two dozen songs and indepth video interviews delve into composer Stephen Sondheim’s personal life and artistic process.

Robidoux Landing Playhouse. 7:30 pm Fri.-Sat.; 2 pm Sun. $15-$35. 816-232-1778, rrtstjoe.org

SUMMER FUN DAY

JAMAICAN JAM July 17, Lee’s Summit > This concert features reggae bands. In front of City Hall. 7-10:30 pm. Free.

816-969-1541, lsparks.net

Family

shoe

Store

June 6, Trenton > Honor National Trails Days with trail activities. Fishing poles will be available to use.

Crowder State Park. 1-4 pm. Free. 660-359-6473, mostateparks.com/park/crowder-state-park

June 12-13, Brookfield > This fest features a Wine and Brew Review, Back Road Cruizers parade, halfmarathon/5K run, car show, pickers auction, crafts, food, and a concert. North Main St. 4-7 pm Fri.; 6 pm-midnight Sat. Free (except $15 for wine and $10 concert). 816-258-7278, brookfieldchamber.com

COUNTRY CLASSIC MARATHON June 13, Maryville > Take part in 5K, 10K and halfand full marathons. Donaldson Westside Park.

6:30 am start. Free for spectators (fee for runners).

660-582-8643, chambercountryclassic.com

KID’S FISHING DAY June 20, Cameron > Kids ages five to twelve can fish at Lake Allaman. Fishing poles will be provided to the first forty to register. Wallace State Park.

9 am-noon. Free. 816-632-3745, mostateparks.com /park/wallace-state-park

INDEPENDENCE DAY FIREWORKS July 4, Maryville > Witness spectacular fireworks over the lake. Mozingo Lake. Starts at dusk. Free.

660-582-2151, nodawaybroadcasting.com

HELLO, DOLLY! July 4, St. Joseph > Classic musical. Missouri Theatre.

Call for times. $10-$30. 816-232-1778, rrtstjoe.org

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NORTHEAST ART WALK June 5, Kirksville > Stroll down the street, meet artists, view their works, and enjoy a concert.

Downtown. 4-6:30 PM, Free. 660-665-3766, kirksvillechamber.com

RANDOLPH COUNTY RODEO June 5-6, Moberly > See bull riding, bronco busting, and rodeo clowns. Rothwell Park Rodeo Arena.

6 PM gates; 8 PM rodeo. $5-$10. 660-263-6070, randolphcountyfair.net

COURTESY OF ST. JOSEPH VISITORS BUREAU

RAILROAD DAYS June 9-13, Moberly > Celebrate the area’s railroad heritage with a carnival, pet show, baby contest, live entertainment, Sycamore Queen contest, and The Follies. Downtown. Times vary. Free. 660-2636070, moberly.com

COLEMAN HAWKINS FESTIVAL

Celebrate St. Joseph’s native son and jazz pioneer Coleman Hawkins on June 12 and 13. Listen to multiple jazz band performances, enjoy art displays, and participate in activities for all ages. Held at the Coleman Hawkins Park in St. Joseph from 6 to 10 PM, the event is free. Call 816-271-8574 or visit colemanhawkins.org for more information.

“You will

never realize your

full potential until you learn to choose the

hard right

over the

easy wrong.”

5K GLOW RUN June 12, Moberly > Run a 5K in your glow-in-thedark apparel. Downtown. 7 PM registration; 9 PM start. Free for spectators (fee for runners). 660263-3600, moberly.com

Summer Reading Ideas Dear Harry, Love Bess Bess Truman’s Letters to Harry Truman, 1919–1943

By Clifford Truman Daniels $29.99 hdbk 9781935503262 $19.95 pbk 9781935503255 $9.99 eb 9781612480091

Missouri Armories

The Guard’s Home in Architecture and History

By Robert P. Wiegers $34.95 pbk 9781612480633 $27.99 eb 9781612480640

Unguarded Moments

Stories of Working Inside the Missouri State Penitentiary

By Larry E. Neal & Anita Neal Harrison $19.95 pbk 9781612481104 $9.99 eb 9781612481111

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By Giles Fowler $22.95 pbk 9781931112918 $9.99 eb 9781935503200

Truman State University Press

100 E. Normal Ave., Kirksville, MO 63501 tsup.truman.edu • 660-785-7336

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ART ON THE BLOCK June 13, Moberly > Get hands-on with art demonstrations. Moberly Area Community College.

10 AM-2 PM. Free. 660-263-6070, moberly.com

HOWDY NEIGHBOR DAY June 13, Palmyra > Enjoy the Flag Day parade, food, crafts, flea market, farmers’ market, children’s activities; and tour the Old 1858 Jail. Main Street and Courthouse Square. 10 AM-4 PM. Free.

573-769-0777, showmepalmyra.com

FIREWORKS DISPLAY June 27, Macon > Family-friendly activities feature a fireworks display. Long Branch State Park. Noon9 PM. Free. 660-773-5229, mostateparks.com/park /long-branch-state-park

NEW LONDON PARK DAYS

Stop by the Historic Ralls County Courthouse Square in New London on June 5 and 6 for a carnival, a parade, live music, and crafts. Visit the Food, Wine, and Craft Beer Festival, and enter the Cornhole Tournament. The event is open from 11 AM to midnight on Friday and 8 AM to midnight on Saturday and is free. Call 573-268-5824 or visit newlondonparkdays.org

July 2-4, Kirksville > Festival features live music, firecracker 5K, bike ride, a parade, cemetery theater, and a fireworks show. Throughout town. 5:307:30 PM Thurs.; all day Fri.-Sat. Free (except special events). 660-665-3766, visitkirksville.com

4TH OF JULY CELEBRATION July 4, Moberly > Check out this huge fireworks show. Howard Hils Athletic Complex. Dusk. Free.

660-269-8705, moberlymo.org

COURTESY OF NEW LONDON PARK DAYS

RED, WHITE, & BLUE FESTIVAL

JUNE 13, 2015 Holiday Inn Expo Center, Columbia, MO, 8 am - 1 pm Admission: $5/person (under age 10 free)

• The Curious Savage, 6/24-7/15 • • Pump Boys & Dinettes, 7/3-7/31 • • A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, 7/24-8/9 • 102 N. Rubey St., Macon, MO 63552 660-385-2924 • maplesrep.com www.facebook.com/maplesrep

Presented by:

To learn about exhibiting at the Expo, please call 573.815.1903.

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NEW SEASON BEGINS 6/18

WATCH THURSDAYS AT 7:30pm ON KCPT OR ONLINE ANYTIME AT KCPT.ORG/ARTSUPLOAD Music. Theatre. Dance. Painting. Sculpture. Film. Design. Poetry.

Kansas City is America’s Creative Crossroads.

And we have the TV show to prove it.

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ST. LOUIS SUMMER CONCERT SERIES June 2-Aug. 11, Chesterfield > Enjoy a different performance under the stars each Tuesday. Faust Park. 5:30 PM (7-9 PM concert). Free. 636-532-3399, chesterfieldmochamber.com

EXPLORE BOONE’S LICK TRAIL June 6, St. Charles > Step back to the 1820s, and experience travel along twenty miles of the Boone’s Lick Trail by shuttle bus. Visit the dry goods and hardware store, learn about significant sites, tour the original Boone home, and enjoy a frontier meal. First Missouri State Capitol State Historic Site.

9 AM-5 PM. $75. Advanced registration. 636-9403322, mostateparks.com/park/first-missouri-state -capitol-state-historic-site

June 6, Union > Have fun with a 5K walk, Walk ’n’ Wag, and a 10K with a prizes for best-dressed participant and best-dressed pet. City Park. 7:309 AM. $25-$30 to participate; free for spectators.

636-583-8979, unionmochamber.org

OLD VINTAGE CAR CRUISE

HANDS-ON HISTORY SUMMER ADVENTURE CAMP

Children explore a different topic in history each day: Fire in the Hole, The Dirt on Dirt, The Year of Water, It’s all up in the Air, and Old-Fashioned Fun—World’s Fair Style. Held at the First Missouri State Capitol State Historic Site in St. Charles June 8 through 12 from 9 AM to 3 PM, each day costs $25. Call 636-9403322 or visit mostateparks.com/park/first-missouri-state-capitol-state-historic-site to register.

June 7, Hermann > This antique and classic car show features live music. Stone Hill Winery. Noon5 PM. Free. 800-909-9463, stonehillwinery.com

includes falcons, vultures, hawks, and owls who call the park home. Mastodon State Historic Site.

3-4 PM. Free. 636-464-2976, mostateparks.com /park/mastodon-state-historic-site

CAR SHOW

CAVE CORPS DAY CAMP

VINTAGE BLISS MARKET

June 9-11, Leasburg > Children ages nine to eleven join park naturalists to learn about cave formations, ecosystems, and preservation. Onondaga Cave State Park. Fee for educational materials.

9 AM-3 PM. Advanced registration. 573-245-6576, mostateparks.com/park/onondaga-cave-state-park

June 20-21, Maryland Heights > Shop for vintage, antique, and handmade items. Westport Plaza Outdoor Village. 10 AM-6 PM Sat.; 10 AM-3 PM. Free. 314576-7100, westportstl.com

CRAFTERS BOUTIQUE SHOW

RAPTOR AWARENESS PROGRAM June 20, Imperial > Program about birds of prey

SUNSET ON THE RIVERFRONT June 25 and July 23, Washington > Bring your lawn chair for live music. Rennick Riverfront Park. 5-8 PM. Free. 636-239-2715, washmo.org

June 27, Pacific > This car show also has a swap meet, music, and fireworks. Downtown. 9 AM10 PM. Free. 314-662-6718, pacific-partnership.org

June 27-28, St. Louis > Discover handmade items from local crafters and artisans. Affton Community Center. 9 AM-4 PM Sat.; 9 AM-3 PM Sun. Free. 314615-8820, stlouisco.com/parks

RIVERFEST July 2-4, St. Charles > Enjoy fireworks, music, parade, and vendors. Frontier Park. Times vary. Free.

636-946-7776, historicstcharles.com

COURTESY OF MISSOURI STATE PARKS

FOUNDER’S DAY

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Socket, p. 134 St. Charles CVB, p. 67 St. Joseph CVB, p. 126 Ste. Genevieve, MO, p. 135 Stone Hollow Studio, p. 119 Sydenstricker, p. 139 Truman State University Press, p. 131 Union Station, p. 13 Wentworth Military Academy & College, p. 131 Westphalia Vineyards, p. 115 Wildwood Spring Lodge, p. 27

Directory of our Advertisers

Arkansas Parks & Tourism, pgs. 18 & 19 Arrow Rock, p. 128 Art in Connection, p. 120 Benton County Tourism, p. 11 Boonville Tourism, p. 128 Branson Visitor TV, p. 97 Burger’s Smokehouse, p. 123 Callaway County Tourism, pgs. 28-29 Cape Girardeau CVB, p. 10 Central Trust & Investment Company, p. 99 Clay County Tourism, p. 3 Columbia Appliance, p. 121 Columbia Art League, p. 119 Columbia Daily Tribune, p. 132 Columbia Orthopaedic Group, p. 75 Crow Steals Fire, p. 119 Daniel Boone Historic Home and Heritage Center, p. 119 Ellington Chamber of Commerce, p. 116 Eureka Springs A & P Commission, p. 69 Family Shoe Store, p. 130 The Gathering Place Bed & Breakfast, p. 115 Gladstone, p. 130 Greater Chillicothe Visitor’s Region, p. 123 Hardware of the Past, p. 118 Hermann Hill, p. 140 Hermann Wurst Haus, p.115 Historic Hannibal Marketing Council, p. 21 Isle of Capri, p. 4 James Country Mercantile, p. 118 Jefferson City CVB, p. 15

Golf Guide, pgs. 87-96 Greater Chillicothe Visitor’s Region, p. 96 Isle of Capri, p. 92 Lake of the Ozarks Golf Trail, p. 96 Missouri Division of Tourism, pgs. 88-89 & 94-95 Missouri Life Field Trip app, p. 96 Missouri Life subscriptions, p. 96 Pointe Royale Golf Village, p. 93 Wine & Beer Guide, pgs. 56-66 Broadway Brewery, p. 65 Cave Hollow West Winery, p. 63 Eagle’s Nest, p. 64 Edg-Clif Farm and Vineyard, p. 63 Endless Summer Winery, p. 64 Fayetteville AR, p. 64 Hermann Tourism , p. 60 Hermann Vintner’s Association, p. 61 Little Rock, AR CVB, p. 62 Missouri Mtn. Moonshine, p. 58 Rock and Run Brewery, p. 64 Safe Passage, p. 60 Springfield CVB, p. 60 Stone Hill, p. 59 YMCA Trout Lodge, p. 63

Joplin, MO p. 104 KCPT, p. 133 KMOS, pgs. 122 & 124 Lebanon, MO Tourism, p. 23 Lexington, MO Tourism, p. 128 Lindsborg, KS CVB, p. 69 Lodge of Four Seasons, p. 7 Lyceum Theatre, p. 129 Maples Repertory Theatre, p. 132 Marshall Tourism, pgs. 8-9 Maryland Heights CVB, p. 104 Mexico, MO Tourism, p. 75 Missouri Botanical Garden, p. 25 Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Big BAM, pgs. 32-35 p. 127 Big BAM luxury coaches, p. 35 Missouri Pork Association, p. 2 Big BAM, pgs. 32-33 Missouri Propane Gas Association, p. 73 Major Brands Craft Beer, p. 35 Missouri Soybean Association, pgs. 100-103 Missouri Life travel, p. 34 Missouri State Fair, p. 86 TryAthletics, p. 34 Moberly Chamber of Commerce, p. 16 Walt’s Bicycle, Fitness, & Wilderness, p. 35 Old Cove Canoe, p. 119 Old Trails Region, p. 128 Pulaski County, p. 126 The Railyard Steakhouse, p. 115 Rolla Area Chamber of Commerce, p. 120 Rost Landscaping, p. 125 Saleigh Mountain Co., p. 119 Salem Area Chamber of Commerce, p. 116 Shaw Nature Reserve, p. 123 Show Me Ziplines, p. 128 Connect with us online! www.MissouriLife.com Sikeston CVB, p. 123 www.facebook.com/MissouriLife Twitter: @MissouriLife

Connect with us!

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FAIRS FOR EVERYONE

PULASKI COUNTY FAIR

June 17-20, St. Robert > This fair has a carnival, fair queen pageant, 4-H project show, FFA Farmhand Challenge, livestock shows, ATV rodeo, bull riding, monster truck rides, pie contest, concerts, and vendors. City Park. Times vary. Free (except special events). 816-261-6051, pulaskicountyregionalfair.com

MERAMEC COMMUNITY FAIR June 23-27, Sullivan > Enjoy a parade, queen contest, children’s pageant, antique tractor pull, truck and tractor pull, demolition derby, livestock shows, youth horse show, rodeo, concerts, vendors, and a carnival. Downtown. 6-11 PM Tues.; 5-11 PM Wed.; 8 AM-11 PM Thurs.; 7:30 AM-midnight Fri.; 9 AM-midnight Sat. $20-$35 ( Tues. and Wed. free). 573-8602861, merameccommunityfair.com

HOWARD COUNTY FAIR June 23-28, Fayette > See a horse show, 4-H exhibits, livestock judging, ham show, pedal tractor pull, pony pull, mutton bustin’, and prince, princess, and queen contests. Howard County Fairgrounds. 5 PM Tues.; 4:30-8 PM Wed.; 10 AM-8 PM Thurs.; 8:30 AM7 PM Fri.; 8:30 AM-7:30 PM Sat.; 9 AM-2 PM Sun. $5$20. 573-999-3716, hocofair.com

LACLEDE COUNTY FAIR July 6-11, Lebanon > Have fun with livestock shows, an antique tractor pull, a carnival, the Southern Roughstock Cowboy Rodeo, and a fourwheeler rodeo. Laclede County Fairgrounds. 8 AM-7 PM Mon.; 8 AM-8 PM Tues.; 8 AM-9:30 PM Wed.; 8 AM-8 PM Thurs.; 9 AM-7 PM Fri.; 10 AM-7 PM Sat. Costs vary. 417-322-5349, lacledecountyfair.com

CRAWFORD COUNTY FAIR July 8-11, Cuba > Enjoy a parade, concerts, logging rodeo, carnival, tractor pull, bull riding, livestock shows, and beer garden. Hood Park. Times vary. $5$35, 573-885-2531, crawfordcountyfair.info

NEMO FAIR July 12-18, Kirksville > See concerts, Bull Buckout, a carnival, and a tractor pull. NEMO Fairgrounds.

Times and costs vary. 660-665-8800, nemofair.net

COURTESY OF SHER WILDE

HEART OF THE OZARKS FAIR July 13-18, West Plains > Livestock shows and exhibits, bull ride, flower show, carnival, tractor pull, and grandstand entertainment. Heart of the Ozarks Fairgrounds. 8 AM-midnight Mon and Thurs.; noonmidnight Tues.-Wed.; 10 AM-midnight Fri.-Sat. $5$10. 417-255-5099, heartoftheozarksfair.net

SALINE COUNTY FAIR July 16-18, Marshall > Come out for livestock shows, 4-H and FFA projects, junior livestock show, all-you-can-eat country breakfast, and a rodeo.

PLATTE COUNTY FAIR

Held in Tracy at the Platte County Fairgrounds, the Platte County Fair is the oldest continuously running fair west of the Mississippi. The fair runs from July 22 to 25 and costs $10. Admission is free for children ages twelve and under. There is a huge carnival, fiddle and talent show, arts, crafts, horse and mule shows, live music, and motor sport events. Call 816-431-3247 or visit plattecountyfair.com for more information.

Saline County Fairgrounds. 9 AM-9 PM. Free (except special events). 660-815-7752, visitmarshallmo.com

NODAWAY COUNTY FAIR July 16-18, Maryville > Check out a carnival, concerts, dances, livestock shows, and crafts. Downtown. 9 AM-midnight Thurs.: 10 AM-midnight Fri.; 7 AM-midnight Sat. Free. 660-582-4491, nodcofair.org

County Fairgrounds. 5-8 PM Mon.; 4-7 PM Tues.; 8 AM6 PM Wed.-Thurs.; 7:30 AM-6 PM Fri.; 9:30 AM-6 PM Sat. Costs vary. 660-744-6531, atchisoncountyfair.org

ST. CHARLES COUNTY FAIR July 28-Aug. 1, Wentzville > This fair features a carnival, vendors, entertainment, 4-H exhibits, food, and livestock shows. Bishop’s Landing. Times vary. $5-$20. 636-327-6949, stcharlescofair.org

RANDOLPH COUNTY FAIR July 21-25, Moberly > Fair features shooting sports, horse show, livestock shows and auction, pageant, concerts, and Texaco Country Showdown. Rothwell Park. 8 AM-8 PM Tues.; 9 AM-6 PM Wed.; 7 AM-7 PM Thurs.; 6:30 AM-8:30 PM Fri.; 7 AM-8:30 PM Sat. Costs vary. 660-263-6070, randolphcountyfair.net

MARION COUNTY FAIR July 25-August. 1, Palmyra > Go see a parade, 4-H and FFA exhibits, carnival, car show, bull bash, old iron tractor pull, motor cross, Rock ’n’ Roll Revival, demolition derby, and truck and tractor pull. Marion County Fairgrounds and Flower City Park. Times and cost vary. 573-769-0777, showmepalmyra.com

FREE LISTING & MORE EVENTS At MissouriLife.com PLEASE NOTE: TO SUBMIT AN EVENT:

ATCHISON COUNTY FAIR July 27-Aug. 1, Rock Port > Enjoy 4-H, horticulture, and animal exhibits, parade, and tractor pull.

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Missouriana You are getting a little bit smarter, word by word.

The ever-sharp Mark Twain...

—Mark Twain, The Innocents Abroad

At the 1904 Olympics in St. Louis, a team from the Missouri Athletic Club won the bronze medal for the four-by-fifty-yard swimming relay. It was also the only year that event was held at the Olympics.

In January 2014, Jake Dyer started a Change.org petition to remove the SHUTTLECOCKS from the Nelson-Atkins Museum because he blamed the Chiefs and the Royals lack of championships on the “Curse of the Shuttlecocks.”

The petition received only 178 supporters.

Did you know this?

THE MISSOURI RIVER DRAINAGE AREA IS 529,350 SQUARE MILES OR ABOUT ONESIXTH OF THE ENTIRE UNITED STATES.

ANDREW BARTON

“It is hard to make railroading pleasant in any country. It is too tedious.

Stage-coaching is infinitely more delightful.”

In addition to the Guinness World Recordcertified things such as the World’s Largest ROCKING Chair, Missouri is home to the largest science fiction club. With 4,100 members, Starfleet, the International Star Trek Fan Association founded in 1974 and based in Independence, has the largest membership of any sci-fi club, according to Guinness.

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SYDENSTRICKER Your PROPERTY PARTNERS.

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PALMYRA | Hwys 61 & 24 • 573-769-2112 MOSCOW MILLS | 155 John Deere Drive • 636-366-9400 CURRYVILLE | 3691 Hwy 54 • 573-594-6493 TIPTON | 31217 Hwy 5 • 660-433-5596 HERMANN | 1854 Hwy 100 West • 573-486-3204

Visit us at www.sydenstrickers.com

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An extraordinary setting for life’s special moments.

Perched high atop a river bluff, Hermann Hill is an extraordinary setting for all life’s celebrations, from weddings to anniversaries.

Come see for yourself!

Taste & tour at the Hermann Wedding Trail Sunday, September 13, 2015

Vineyard Inn, Spa & River Bluff Cottages | [140] Wedding Chapel | HermannHill.com | 573-486-4455 MissouriLife VOTED THE MIDWEST’S BEST B&B BY AAA MEMBERS 140 ML0615.indd 140

5/5/15 4:04 PM