MISSOURI RURAL
Youth
Tour Alumni | Belle’s Bell | Olde Town South
EDUCATION CAN
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The danger cannot be seen. It can be silently lurking within the water where kids swim. Poor wiring may create hazards that can electrocute swimmers, boaters and people on the dock. Boats and docks should be maintained and inspected often by professionals.
Putting Members First by keeping you safe.
We are stronger than the storm
Linemen are weary, but determined to keep lights on
Electric cooperatives realized early on that they can’t control the weather. However, they can quickly react to the damage Mother Nature has caused and rush into action to repair the damage.
Storm after stor m has pounded the state in the past six months. Electric cooperatives have dealt with floods, wildfires, straight-line winds, tornadoes, snow and ice storms. Some of the storms have been so widespread that on one day, all 40 of Missouri’s electric cooperatives had outages.
In each case, linemen who work for cooperatives out of harm’s way have come to the aid of those facing lengthy repairs through the statewide Mutual Assistance Program. The program greatly reduces outage time by sending fresh “troops” into the fray along with additional equipment.
You would think such a lengthy ordeal of storm repair would have co-op linemen worn out from their long hours on the job. Instead they say they are weary but ready.
“I can’t speak for all the linemen but I think some of us are getting pretty tired,” says Chris Turner, a veteran lineman for Black River Electric Co-op. “But we’re always ready to go. We always want to put fire in the wire.”
His co-op has been the hardest hit during the wild spring weather. Chris has worked a total of 695 hours in nine weeks of storms.
It seems almost every storm enters at New-Mac Electric
Cooperative, Neosho, then finds a path across Missouri to Black River’s service area, sparing no co-op in between.
“Those Black River linemen are a special kind of tough,” says Dusty Prater, a lineman for Ozark Border Electric Cooperative. He, like many others, has recently assisted neighboring co-ops. Dusty also had his hands full at home.
Last year he celebrated his birthday repairing lines damaged by a brutal wind stor m. More recently, he worked for three weeks in woods so dense with broken trees rightof-way crews had to saw a road to the damaged poles.
“It’s kind of a blessing every week that it doesn’t storm now,” he says. “The first one we had hit on March 14, and there for about three weeks, it was just crazy. You just keep plugging on. It comes with the job.”
Black River Electric Manager Paul Montgomery is one person ready for the stor ms to stop. The cooperative has faced three major outage events this year thanks to an ice storm, flood and tornadoes. “Even though our linemen need a break from storms, they do a great job every time,” he says. “The adrenaline gets flowing because turning lights on is exciting. We have received help from so many other cooperatives that now our guys are ready to go help someone else.”
Ozark Border Electric Cooperative lineman Jadon Barnes puts the power back in the wire following tornadoes that damaged the system in March. Lineworkers have worked long hours this spring repairing storm-damaged lines. Photo courtesy Daniel Cook, Ozark Border Electric Cooperative.
Scan to listen to a storm repair podcast.
EDITORIAL STAFF:
Sara Schafer, editor and VP communications sschafer@ruralmissouri.coop
Jim McCarty, editor emeritus jmccarty@ruralmissouri.coop
Paul Newton, managing editor pnewton@ruralmissouri.coop
Ricki Spargo, social media editor rspargo@ruralmissouri.coop
Megan Backes, creative director mbackes@ruralmissouri.coop
Angie Jones-Wheeler, associate editor ajones@ruralmissouri.coop
ADVERTISING:
Mary Davis, production manager mdavis@ruralmissouri.coop
Mindy Roettgen, media production and business coordinator mroettgen@ruralmissouri.coop
CONTACT:
Rural Missouri
2722 E. McCarty St., Jefferson City, MO 65101 573-659-3423 info@ruralmissouri.coop
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Rural Missouri (ISSN 0164-8578) (USPS 473-000) is published monthly by the Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives, 2722 E. McCarty Street, Jefferson City, MO 65101, Caleb Jones, CEO/executive vice president. Individual subscription rate: $12 per year or $25 for three years, taxes and postage included. Group rate for members of participating RECs $1.08, plus taxes and postage, paid from equity accruing to the member. Delivery as specified by subscriber. If not specified, delivery will be by periodical class mail at subscriber’s expense. Periodical Class postage paid at Jefferson City, MO, and additional mailing offices. Copyright 2025, Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives. Call for reprint rights.
RM | PERSPECTIVES
Advocates for you
Top left: Intercounty Electric Director Tom Fleener visits with U.S. Rep. Jason Smith. Above left: Webster Electric Manager Tom Houston, left, and Caleb Jones, center, talk issues with U.S. Rep. Eric Burlison. Right: Around 60 co-op leaders advocated for you in D.C.
by Caleb Jones | cjones@amec.coop
Three days after I graduated from Mizzou with my ag economics degree, I packed everything I owned in a single-cab Toyota Tacoma and pointed it toward Washington, D.C. Along with all my stuff, I carried with me the bold (and maybe naive) belief that I was going to change the world. And so began four years of working for a congressman and then for the president. To say I learned a lot would be an understatement. I discovered when you rip your only pair of suit pants, a stapler can hold things together long enough to get through the day. I learned the first step to fixing any problem is figuring out what’s really causing it. My biggest lesson: No matter who you are, where you live or what you do, government affects your life.
I left D.C. with lifelong friends and a deep understanding of how government works. That experience comes with me every time I return to our nation’s capital — not as a staffer, but as an advocate for Missouri’s electric cooperatives.
In April, 2,000 electric cooperative members from across the country descended on Washington, D.C., for the annual legislative conference. While the landscape always seems to change — new buildings, new members of Congress, new administrations — our message has stayed the same. Providing reliable, affordable power to rural communities isn’t just what we do. It’s who we are.
We talked with our lawmakers about the challenges and opportunities ahead: the need for smart energy policies, funding to modernize the grid and how to protect our power supply. We reminded them electric cooperatives aren’t faceless utilities; we’re rooted in our communities and we answer to the people we serve.
As I reflect on my first trip to D.C., I can’t help but smile. Back then, I wanted to change the world. These days, I want to make sure the lights come on when you flip the switch. I’d argue that is pretty important too.
Caleb Jones is the executive vice president and CEO of Missouri Electric Cooperatives. He is a member of Boone Electric Cooperative.
Tobacco doesn’t always look like a pack of cigarettes. Now nicotine comes in so many new shapes and styles, it can be hard to spot. Especially when it’s wrapped in the bright colors and shiny materials you usually find in the candy aisle. So make sure your kids know: new products and fun packaging don’t make tobacco safe or less addictive.
Q
From rural Missouri to Capitol Hill
Missouri Youth Tour has inspired future leaders for six decades
&A
by Paul Newton | pnewton@ruralmissouri.coop
Missouri’s electric cooperatives have a long history of promoting the state’s youth. The most prominent program is the Missouri Youth Tour, which sends soon-to-be high school seniors to Washington, D.C., for a week of meetings, monuments, memorials and memories. Missouri has sent 4,521 students since 1964. This month, 108 Missouri delegates will arrive in Columbia as strangers and become fast friends on the trip of a lifetime. Youth Tour is a life-changing event for many. This month we caught up with a pair of Youth Tour alums to see how the trip brought them back to Washington, D.C.
Athena Hood of Licking attended Youth Tour in 2018 and was sponsored by Intercounty Electric Cooperative. She was selected as Missouri’s representative on the Youth Leadership Council, which allowed her to continue leadership training following the trip and attend the NRECA Annual Meeting the following year. Athena is currently the deputy press secretary for the U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. She previously worked for U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley.
Ella Bruno of Macon attended Youth Tour in 2022 and was sponsored by Macon Electric Cooperative. She’s a sophomore at Washington University in St. Louis (WashU) majoring in political science and religious studies. She’s president of WashU’s College Republicans and Turning Point USA chapters and cohost of the Beyond the Ballot podcast. Ella spent last summer in D.C. interning for Sen. Hawley, specializing in domestic policy and communications.
Q: Why did you apply for Youth Tour?
Athena: I knew that every year someone from my high school would write a paper and do an interview and go to Washington, D.C. I didn’t understand the whole process at first, but I knew I wanted to go on this trip. The paper I wrote was on how the co-ops can affect your life in more ways than just electricity. I wrote the paper and got the interview. I was fairly decent at talking, but I was scared for the interview because of how much I wanted to go to D.C.
Ella: When I was deciding whether or not to apply for Youth Tour, I thought the trip seemed too good to be true. I applied for Youth Tour because it gave me the chance to represent my local cooperative on a statewide and national level. I had always dreamed about going to Washington, D.C., but this trip allowed me to fuel my vision of eventually working in D.C.
Q: Were you nervous before the trip?
Athena: I was a little nervous. I remember it dawning on me a few days before the trip I was going to a new city with a bunch people I didn’t know. It was scary. But when I got to orientation the first night, I talked with the other delegates at my table and we got along. Then we sat next to each other on the bus to the airport the next day. Then we hung out while touring the monuments and museums around Washington, D.C. Some of them are lifelong friends now.
Ella: I was indeed nervous before the trip for a variety of reasons. But, as soon as I stepped foot into the hotel in Columbia for the first night of Youth Tour, I was immediately welcomed by the amazing staff and chaperones that organize the Missouri Youth Tour. Then meeting the other delegates — who are genuinely good people — helped kick off what would be a week I will never forget.
Q: What was your favorite part(s) of your week in D.C.?
Athena: What I remember the most was the day we spent on Capitol Hill. My representative in Congress was Jason Smith, and we got to meet with him on the Capitol steps. I asked him some tough questions that a 17-year-old girl wanted to know that are kind of ridiculous now, in retrospect. But he answered them. He told us this is such a sacred place and how lucky we were to have this opportunity. That really stuck with me and kind of foreshadowed what I wanted to do with the rest of my life or at least this phase of my life.
Ella: My most favorite part of the week was seeing the monuments at night. The day we flew from St. Louis to Washington, D.C., it was already dark by the time we started touring. Our first stops were the MLK and FDR memorials, which were unforgettable in the evening. Youth Tour had such a busy, yet fulfilling, schedule and the concept of time became a blur as I connected with so many new faces.
Above: Ella Bruno, right, poses with Gentry Perkins at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial in 2022. Top: Athena Hood says talking with U.S. Rep. Jason Smith on the steps of the U.S. Capitol in 2018 was a pivotal point in her life. Opposite page: Athena addresses the 2024 Youth Tour delegates outside the U.S. Capitol.
Q: How was the Youth Tour different than what you expected?
Athena: I expected the week to be nerve-wracking. I had no idea what I was going to do with my life and assumed everyone else would have everything put together, know where they’re going to college and what they’re going to do with their lives. I realized we were just a bunch of 17- and 18-year-old kids who, genuinely, didn’t know what the future would hold. We were going to enjoy this week; the real world was coming and those decisions could wait.
Ella: This might sound cliche, but I never expected Youth Tour to be as fulfilling as it was. The other delegates I met on the weeklong trip quickly became great lifelong friends. The mentors I met from the trip still check on me and help me the best they can to this day whether I’m in Washington, D.C., or at college in St. Louis.
Q: How did Youth Tour change you and your path when you returned to Missouri?
Athena: It gave me perspective. I come from a small town. Both my parents at one point lived in a city on the West Coast, so I wasn’t a stranger to big cities. But, seeing how average people live in a big city like Washington and ride bikes or take the Metro to work seemed cool. It was a formative point in my life where I realized I could be part of something that’s bigger than me. Youth Tour allowed me to venture out of my comfort zone and make new friends while doing it, which was really nice. It let us be kids for a week while also learning.
Ella: Youth Tour was a defining moment in my life. It gave me a clear vision of what I wanted to do and the confidence to pursue it. Returning to Missouri, I felt more driven than ever to be a leader in my community and to stand boldly for my values. It inspired me to take on leadership roles on campus, from serving as president of both College Republicans and Turning Point USA at WashU to launching the Beyond the Ballot podcast. It also reaffirmed the importance of civic engagement and faith in my journey.
Q: What role did Youth Tour play in you returning to D.C. in your current role?
Athena: Everyone says Youth Tour is the trip of a lifetime, and they’re right. It changed my life and gave me lifelong friends. After Youth Tour, I finished my senior year of high school and enrolled at Mizzou. I intended to just get a journalism degree, but because of Youth Tour, I tacked on a political science degree as well. I credit Youth Tour for allowing me to see this world for the first time and fall in love with it. If it wasn’t for Youth Tour, I wouldn’t have found this thing I’m so passionate about.
Ella: Youth Tour planted the seed. It gave me my first hands-on experience in Washington, D.C., and made the idea of working in our nation’s capital feel tangible. It introduced me to mentors and a network that believed in me and encouraged me to take that next step. Without Youth Tour, I wouldn’t have had the courage or clarity to apply for and secure a congressional internship, where I returned to D.C. That initial experience made all the difference.
Top: Ella addresses the 2024 delegates outside the U.S. Capitol. Middle: Ella takes a selfie with fellow 2022 Youth Tour delegates at the World War I Memorial. Above: Athena carries the Missouri flag at the 2019 NRECA Annual Meeting in Orlando.
More than 100,000 students from rural America have traveled to Washington, D.C., since 1958.
108 Missouri students will join 1,500 other students from 45 states on June 15-21 for this year's Youth Tour.
The first year Missouri electric cooperatives sponsored students to attend Youth Tour.
Students visit 16 monuments, 7 museums and make a lifetime of memories.
How a Safe Step Walk-In Tub can change your life
Remember when…
Think about the things you loved to do that are dif cult today — going for a walk or just sitting comfortably while reading a book. And remember the last time you got a great night’s sleep? As we get older, health issues or even everyday aches, pains and stress can prevent us from enjoying life.
So what’s keeping you from having a better quality of life? Check all the conditions that apply to you.
Then read on to learn how a Safe Step Walk-In Tub can help.
Feel better, sleep better, live better
A Safe Step Walk-In Tub lets you indulge in a warm, relaxing bath that can help relieve life’s aches, pains and worries.
A Safe Step Tub can help increase mobility, boost energy and improve sleep.
It’s got everything you should look for in a walk-in tub:
• Heated Seat – Providing soothing warmth from start to nish.
• MicroSoothe® Air Therapy System –helps oxygenate and soften skin while offering therapeutic bene ts.
• Pain-relieving therapy – Hydro massage jets target sore muscles and joints.
• Safety features – Low step-in, grab bars and more can help you bathe safely and maintain your independence.
• Free Toilet
Flowers, Food and Fellowship
Liz Graznak fuels her passion and purpose on Happy Hollow Farm
by Sara Schafer | sschafer@ruralmissouri.coop
Left: Around 10 years ago, Liz added flowers to her crop mix at Happy Hollow Farm. She sells bouquets through her CSA program and at multiple farmers markets.
Above: Liz views her purpose in life as producing beautiful and healthy food to share with others. She aims to grow varieties that you’ll never find in grocery stores, ones with delicious flavor and vibrant colors.
TTucked into the rolling river hills outside Jamestown, Happy Hollow Farm is a tiny farm with a mighty footprint. Beneath the arches of high tunnels, tender leafy greens thrive; in the fields, team members pluck ripe strawberries; and rainbow rows of flowers sway in the breeze. Watching over it all is Liz Graznak, a farmer with big ideas and dirt under her nails.
Liz is always in motion. Every morning, she’s planned her day before most people pour their first cup of coffee. Liz checks her vegetables, fruit and flowers — identifying which are ready to harvest, which need more time and whether pests are becoming a nuisance. She sets the pace for her team of around 10 employees, who tend the field and then sell the crops at farmers markets. Every day brings countless decisions, but for Liz, it’s the reality of running a firstgeneration farm built from the ground up.
Surprisingly, Liz never set out to be a farmer. She grew up in Columbia but fell in love with plants while digging in the dirt in her grandmother’s garden. Liz attended college in Iowa and then earned a master’s degree in plant breeding at Cornell University. While in New York, Liz became a member of a local Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) farm. She helped on the farm in return for shares of produce throughout the season.
That focus on building a community around healthy food took root for Liz. She decided to return to Missouri and start her own CSA farm. “I was young and super naïve and thought, ‘Well I can do that,’” Liz recalls.
To learn the business, Liz started working for Dan Kuebler, who owned The Salad Garden in Ashland. Beyond production basics, she also learned she needed a “real” job to start saving money. She went to work for a garden center but kept her eye on the farming prize.
In 2010, the stars aligned for Liz to buy what is now Happy Hollow Farm. “The farmer approached me and said, ‘Hey Liz, are you still looking to farm? Because I’m selling my farm,’ ” Liz recalls. “When I saw it, I said, ‘Oh my God, yes, I will buy it right now.’ ”
The farmer knew Liz wanted to grow produce in a sustainable way. Two years later, she left her garden center job and became a farmer. “The farm has grown a little bit every year,” she says. “Every penny I’ve made has gone back into building the farm.”
Today, the farm includes 16 acres of produce and flowers. Liz built a packing shed, multiple buildings and a 20-kilowatt solar system, which powers nearly all of the farm’s energy needs. Liz and her team produces hundreds of varieties of plants all year, thanks to several high and low tunnels that extend the growing season. They also have a flock of chickens for farm-fresh eggs.
“We grow in a lot of tunnels and that helps me control the environment for what we’re growing,” Liz says. “But it also means a lot of hand labor versus if everything was just out in a field with the tractor — so pluses and minuses.”
The farm is USDA Certified Organic, meaning they don’t use synthetic pesticides, herbicides or fertilizers. Instead, Liz combines oldfashioned farming wisdom with new techniques such as planting cover crops to naturally fight off weeds and testing soils to determine when to add natural minerals to boost fertility.
Every plant starts from seed. Tiny plants are moved through several greenhouses to grow stronger before being transplanted outdoors. “There’s lots of moving plants around — it’s like playing Tetris,” Liz says.
The incredible volume of produce the team harvests is sold through a CSA program, a year-round booth at the Columbia Farmers Market, a seasonal booth at the Overland Park Farmers Market in Kansas, and through several local grocery stores and restaurants, such as Columbia’s Beet Box, Sycamore and Barred Owl Butcher & Table.
Liz’s CSA program includes around 80 customers subscribing to a weekly box of in-season produce. Customers can choose options that vary by season or quantity. For instance, a full share contains seven to nine vegetables each week. Customers can customize their boxes with flowers, eggs or protein from Liz’s farmer friends.
CSA customers can pick up their produce at the Columbia Farmers
Market, a few other locations or have it delivered to their homes. Some even pick up their shares from the farm.
Around 10 years ago, Liz added flowers to her crop mix. The custom bouquets of local flowers were a hit at the farmers markets. “Flowers are only about 20 percent of our acreage, but the profit on the flowers is much larger than on vegetables,” she says.
The Happy Hollow Farm team includes eight to 12 H-2A visa employees from Mexico, one local full-time employee and several part-time employees. Most live on the farm, so they are also her neighbors.
Some of her team had previous farm experience, but Liz is always teaching them more — and she learns from them. “I have one guy who loves working on machinery, which is awesome,” Liz says. “I mean, hello, it’s a farm? We have stuff break all the time. He may not have known what fennel is, but I can teach him that.”
Liz easily switches between English and Spanish as she walks employees
top: The Happy Hollow Farm team takes pride in every step of the production, harvest and selling process. Left bottom: Every plant is started from organic seed, either outdoors or in organic soil in a greenhouse. The team sows lettuce every week of the year. Above: Liz knew she wanted to make Happy Hollow Farm her home the first time she saw it. “It is a beautiful place to live and raise my kids,” she says.
Left
Right top: Liz, center, says her team is more than just her employees. “They’re 100% part of my family,” she says. “I have gone to visit them in Mexico and met their families.”
Right middle: Last year Liz bought a new piece of equipment for harvesting baby greens. “It’s a step up from scissors, which is how we did it before,” she says. Right bottom: Employees wash and pack produce weekly to sell at farmers markets.
through the fields, explaining what she’s noticing. Before hiring H-2A workers, she didn’t speak a word of Spanish. “I think I talk like a fouryear-old in Spanish,” she says. “But I’m getting better.”
For four hours every Saturday of the year, the Happy Hollow Farm team can be found under orange tents at the Columbia Farmers Market. During the summer, 5,000 to 6,000 customers descend on the market, and Liz is proud to sell them beautiful and healthy food.
“People shop with Liz because they know her and trust her; she grew up in Columbia and she’s part of the community,” says Corrina Smith, executive director of the Columbia Farmers Market. “She’s educating young and beginning farmers all the time. She’s an amazing resource for people here in mid-Missouri to talk to about farming.”
Since Liz keeps adding acres of produce, she became a vendor at the Overland Park Farmers Market in 2024. “I have to drive two and a half hours to get there, but on a peak Saturday they might have 10,000 customers come through,” Liz says.
Even with the endless work, Liz is happy to raise her two daughters, Sylvia and Ellowyn, on the farm. While they may not love pulling weeds or picking radishes, they are learning the value of hard work and big dreams. “I know they will appreciate growing up on a farm when they’re older,” Liz says. “If they want to farm that would be great. If not, that’s fine. But I’m not going anywhere.”
Liz has built more than a farm outside of Jamestown. She’s built a legacy — one seed, one bouquet and one box of vegetables at a time.
To learn more about Happy Hollow Farm, visit happyhollowfarm-mo.com.
Top left: Liz displays her produce like art in her farmers market booth under her bright orange tents. Top right: Regular customers flock to the booth for local bouquets of flowers. Above left: Liz instructs her team as they set up at the Columbia Farmers Market. They have a booth every Saturday the market is open and are also a vendor on the summer Wednesday evening markets. They sometimes run three checkout lines to serve the farm’s loyal customers. Above right: During the late spring and early summer months, Happy Hollow Farm’s booth is filled with spring greens, beets, radishes, garlic, onions, tomatoes, cucumbers, potatoes, zucchini, summer squash and more.
Jamestown
The Coolest Thing Since Sliced Bread
When the temps rise, head to the town that knows how to keep it cool—and we’re not just talking about our legendary invention. Chilli Bay Water Park makes waves with water slides, play zones, and more. It’s paradise in the middle of Missouri, and it’s just the beginning.
From sunny park picnics and mural hunting downtown to hitting the links and catching local eats—summer fun is sliced, stacked, and served here. Bring the whole family and have a ball in Chillicothe, Missouri.
VisitChillicothe.com
Whether it’s drifting down the calm currents of the Big Piney and Gasconade rivers, casting a line and watching the kids’ faces in anticipation of their big catch, or just sitting around the campfire and telling stories, the heart of the Ozarks has been beckoning families for generations. And there’s always something new to do, like the recently opened Route 66 Neon Park. So, come and rest your heads beneath the stars or stay in a cozy lodging property and start making memories that’ll last for a lifetime.
It’s hard to miss Belle’s latest claim to fame. The 6,000-pound cowbell straddles a site located between Highway 28 and the Rock Island Trail, which is under development. In the background you can see the restored feed mill that is home to Mid-State Pipeline Maintenance. The company’s owner, Jim Zumwalt, donated the bell to help support local businesses in the central Missouri town.
Belle’s big BELL BELL
6,000-pound cowbell puts Belle on the map
by Jim McCarty | jmccarty@ruralmissouri.coop
Belle is one of those rural Missouri towns you wouldn’t stumble on unless you were headed there. It sits at the corner of Maries and Osage counties and is reached by a long drive down scenic highways where the view is of beautiful vistas punctuated by tidy farms.
The town of 1,300 residents is nearly equal distance from Linn in the north (18 miles), Owensville to the east (14 miles) and Vienna to the south (17 miles).
There are good reasons to visit Belle, including five dining destinations, three boutiques, a bookstore and two ice cream stands. But that wasn’t enough for Jim Zumwalt, who owns Mid-State Pipeline Maintenance in Belle.
Jim and his wife, Wendy, were sitting around the house
one night brainstorming ways to bring more visitors to Belle. “You know, everybody has something, like Rosebud’s got the antiques and different things,” Jim says. “You just got to be known for something. You’ve got to have something to get something started.”
He recalled meeting another pipeline contractor who put Casey, Illinois, on the map with a dozen “Big Things,” including taking the World’s Largest Rocking Chair away from Cuba, Missouri. Why couldn’t Belle do something similar with the World’s Largest Cowbell?
Jim and his pipeline crew build big things every day. One of their recent projects involved boring a 3-foot tunnel under the Missouri River near St. Charles. They are currently building six sewage treatment plants.
Giant cowbell? No big deal.
“That was just kind of normal stuff,” Jim recalls of the huge bell that is now one of the town’s main attractions. “It was just another day.”
Like every great idea, this one started with a simple sketch. “We just literally drew it on a piece of paper,” Jim says. “I just took a little miniature cowbell and scaled it out and took it to Jeff at Heintz Welding in Bland. We made it 15 foot because we had 5-foot sheets. We didn’t really have a goal. But the record was like 9 foot. If we used 4-foot sheets, it’s 12 foot tall. And I was like, if we’re gonna make it, let’s make it really big. There’s not much more work in 15 foot as there is in 12 foot.”
The result is a towering steel cowbell built in 2024 and topped with a longhorn steer skull. A boxed I beam set in concrete holds the bell. It dangles from a bull ring attached to the skull.
The steer reflects the family’s ranch, which raises longhorns. The skull looks tiny from the ground, but Jim says it measures a full 6 feet from horn to horn. It was cut with a water jet from 1-inch-thick steel.
Of course, the bell had to ring, and Jim had the perfect piece for the clapper: a 380-pound wrecking ball. It does ring, but not with the sharp chime of a cowbell. It’s more of a thud, Jim says, because the inside is heavily braced and the bell is made from heavy-duty 3/16-inch steel.
Standing 15 feet tall, measuring 12 feet across and 8 feet deep at the base, and weighing in at a whopping 6,300 pounds, the bell is a monumental icon for the town. Jim started the process to have it certified as the world’s largest cowbell with Guinness World Records. But after learning it would cost $16,000 plus another $4,000 per year, he dropped the idea.
The current record — a 10-foot, 9-inch bell in Germany — pales in comparison to Belle’s bell. It stands alongside Highway 28 just a stone’s throw from the Mid-State Pipeline office, another small-town wonder. A year ago, the city of Belle asked for bids to remove the town’s feed mill that had fallen into disrepair. Jim just happened to be looking for an unusual building to turn into an office.
Previously he had put money down on part of the brick factory located in Mexico, Missouri. Since much of the material used to make fire brick at the plant came from Belle, it seemed like a logical choice. But the company that demolished the factory went too far and also destroyed the part Jim wanted. When that fell through, he tried to restore an old gas station, but it was too far gone.
Now the mill caught his attention. He did some research
“I want people to make a connection that actually brings something to the table to make this a better place. If we can stop the decline of these small towns and maintain them, we’ve won.”
— Jim Zumwalt, owner
Mid-State Pipeline Maintenance
The bell is huge, but making it was no big deal for Jim Zumwalt, who earns his living building infrastructure for Missouri towns.
and found it would cost the city $30,000 to tear down the mill. He offered to do it for half that price, provided he got to keep it.
Instead of demolishing the landmark structure, he had it moved a few hundred feet from where it sat. Then he painstakingly gutted it, power washed the years of dust and raccoon droppings from the frame and turned it into an office with all of the modern amenities but with the charm of an old mill.
The outside gleams with new sheets of metal siding. Jim spent days searching for the last supplier of the metal, which resembles stone. He had poles and crossarms from a transmission line rebuilt near Belle sawed into lumber that was used on the porch and other places. The floor was salvaged from semitrailer floors.
Water main covers and iron pipe from jobs were worked into the design. A hog feeder was repurposed as a chandelier. Both Jim and Wendy have offices on the second floor. His is furnished in cattle baron fashion, while Wendy’s carries her trademark pink decor.
Study areas reached by a narrow stairway were built for their kids. There’s also an attached event center with a commercial kitchen that is used for safety training for the company’s employees or is rented to locals for weddings and banquets.
As if anyone could possibly miss the restored mill, at Christmas time the couple lights it up with 10,000 lights.
For the final touch, Jim found an authentic Rock Island Railroad caboose, which is now parked behind the feed mill office in anticipation of the Rock Island Trail State Park. (Belle’s portion of the trail is in the works.) The bay window railcar has been used by elementary school teachers to read train books to their students inside the caboose.
The couple’s goal of bringing visitors to town has paid off. One family from Montana made a detour on their trip to see the bell. Superlative chasers from all over the country have added it to their bucket lists. Visitors have included Missouri Lt. Gov. David Wasinger and U.S. Rep. Bob Onder.
But Jim isn’t one to rest on his laurels. He’s also general contractor of Belle’s 29-acre, 36,000-square-foot sports complex that will include two indoor basketball courts, a baseball infield, batting cages, weight room, golf simulator and concession stand. Outside four baseball fields built in a cloverleaf pattern will host tournaments. The OutKast Sports Complex is nearing completion and is expected to open in the fall.
He’s also got ideas for more giant attractions, including a bobber and fishing pole, with the bobber built from a propane tank he just happens to have. “I don’t throw anything away,” Jim says with a smile.
For now, he’s delighted to see visitors stop at 801 Highway 28 W. to see the bell — and then eating at the town’s restaurants and shopping in its local businesses.
“I want people to make a connection that actually brings something to the table to make this a better place,” he says. “If we can stop the decline of these towns and maintain them, we’ve won.”
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e point? You deserve to treat yourself once in a while. You do so much for the people you care about. Now it’s time to focus on you for just a few minutes. at’s where the Men’s Due Volta Watch comes in. is astonishing innovation provides a digital readout that’s powered by a precise quartz engine, combining both analog and digital timekeeping.
Outfitted with a stopwatch, alarm, a.m./p.m. settings, and day, date and month complications, this timepiece stands out from the crowd. With its large face and handsome, masculine design, this watch is perfect for the back nine and the happy hour afterwards. Water-resistant up to 3 ATM, this timepiece won’t wimp out if you have a run-in with a water hazard.
Other hybrid watches can sell for thousands of dollars, but because we’ve built more than 1 million watches, we know how to create real value. at’s why we can offer this timepiece for just $59! If you’re not completely satisfied with this watch, return it for a full refund.
Act quickly! is one-of-a-kind watch has been one of our fastest sellers this year. Of our original run of 2,872, we only have 389 left for this ad! In the last couple of years there’s been a watch shortage, but Stauer has got you covered. If you’re the kind of man who gives everything and expects nothing in return, it’s time to treat yourself.
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Treasure of a TRAIL
See the Ozark Trail through its biggest fan and caretaker
by Sara Schafer | sschafer@ruralmissouri.coop photos by Sara Schafer and Mike Sutherland
You don’t just walk the Ozark Trail — you wander into another world. Moss cushions your steps on rocks as sunlight flickers through the canopy. Blooms of wildflowers burst across the hills while streams sparkle and gurgle in the distance. With more than 430 miles of mostly connected trails, the Ozark Trail immerses visitors in some of the most secluded and wild landscapes in Missouri.
“To me, it is like a fairy forest,” says Kathie Brennan. “It’s my happy place.”
For seven years Kathie was president of the Ozark Trail Association, and she has spent countless hours protecting the rugged and natural beauty of the Ozark Trail. Now as past president, she still advocates for the trail as new sections are built, reviews environmental reports to make sure trail traffic isn’t impacting sensitive species and leads volunteer armies in trail cleanups. “I want this trail to be here for future generations,” Kathie says. “The Ozark Trail is my purpose. Plus, I love hard work and being outdoors.”
The OT, as it is commonly known, traces its beginning to the 1970s when leaders from various agencies met to discuss a longdistance hiking trail. By the 1980s, sections had been built. Today, the OT is a network of more than a dozen sections that are mostly connected, though a few gaps still exist. The sections range in length from 8 to 40 miles, with an uninterrupted section stretching 225 miles from Onondaga Cave State Park to the Eleven Point River.
In 2002, volunteers formed the Ozark Trail Association. This nonprofit organization works with land managers, including private owners and public agencies, to perform maintenance and construction on the trail. In 2005 Kathie joined the group for a one-day construction project. She loved being in the woods and seeing the results of their work. A few years later she joined the association, and in 2018 she was elected president.
Now Kathie leads many of the volunteer groups on the trail. These days include clearing debris and fallen trees on a completed section or building a new span of trail.
Kathie Brennan has spent more hours than she could ever count protecting the rugged and natural beauty of the Ozark Trail. “I want this trail to be here for future generations,” she says. “The Ozark Trail is my purpose.”
“We love going out in the woods and building new trail; it’s like a runner’s high,” she says.
To design a new section of trail, Kathie and other experts draft a route that considers the lay of the land, prioritizes safety and minimizes environmental impacts. Then the work begins. Volunteers are armed with chain saws, loppers, rakes, leaf blowers and shovels.
“This is not taking a bulldozer through the woods,” Kathie says. “We try to do everything on the contour. Nobody wants to walk up the hill and then down the hill. So, we’ll go back into draws. It makes the trail longer, but then it’s easier walking.”
Construction of a trail is hard but maintaining it for years is a bigger challenge. “We can clear a trail and then overnight a tree falls,” Kathie says. “Even with just a year of no maintenance on a section, everything will grow so much.”
During trail maintenance days, Kathie shows volunteers how wide to make the path, which plants to cut back and how to safely remove big pieces of logs. She chats with volunteers, answers questions and cheers on their work. She’s also quick to point out cool rocks, interesting insects and special plants.
Volunteers can be everyone from AmeriCorps groups to families wanting to spend time in nature to neighbors of the trail. Kathie says if people are comfortable walking with a pair of loppers and pruning small limbs, they should volunteer. “I’m 69 and I could be the grandmother of some of our AmeriCorps volunteers,” she says. “So, I don’t let them tell me they are tired.”
The children volunteer groups are some of Kathie’s favorite. She loves watching them explore nature and play in the dirt. “We’re getting kids out on the trails and helping them become stewards of the trails,” she says. “I tell all of our volunteers you’re making a huge difference on a small piece of trail.”
After spending time upkeeping the OT, volunteers have a new appreciation for it and other trails. Volunteers often tell Kathie they never knew how much work it was to have a trail in the woods, and they’ll never take a trail for granted again. “When we’re doing maintenance work, we get thank-yous from hikers and bikers on the trail,” she says. “People always ask if we get paid for our work. Nope, we’re volunteers. We don’t own the trail, we’re caretakers.”
Kathie is literally and metaphorically a trailblazer. She was one of the first women to step into a leadership role with the Ozark Trail Association. She was also the group’s first female to become a certified sawyer, crew leader and trail construction and maintenance instructor. Her unyielding passion for nature quickly spreads to all those who share the trail with her. She is a household name in many of the small towns that surround the OT.
Kathie lives in Cape Girardeau and works out of the Ozark Trail Association’s office in Potosi. She prides herself in being the face, voice and champion for the OT. “People from outside Missouri know more about the Ozark Trail than people who live in the state,” she says. “It is Missouri’s hidden treasure. We’re not Branson, St. Louis or Kansas City; we’re a trail system that
Above: Volunteers of all ages and experience can make a big difference on the Ozark Trail. Volunteers can be everyone from AmeriCorps groups to families wanting to spend time in nature to neighbors of the trail. Below: Devin Barnett has been serving as a crew leader for the Ozark Trail Association for the last year. He tackles the big logs and trees that cover the trail with a chainsaw or axe.
Right: Kathie is most at home on the trail. She leads volunteer groups for trail maintenance nearly every month of the year, only avoiding the hottest weeks of the summer. “We can clear a trail and then overnight a tree falls,” Kathie says. “Even with just a year of no maintenance on a section, everything will grow so much.”
photo above, below and right courtesy Ozark Trail Association
doesn’t go to any towns or cities. We benefit some of the poorest counties in the state, and this trail brings people to amazing out-of-the-way places.”
The association hosts multiple events throughout the year to bring more people to the OT and its surrounding communities, such as a 100-Mile Endurance Run; the Current River Challenge, which combines hiking and floating; the Devil’s Toll Race, a 13-mile run starting at the highest point in Missouri; and the 3 Legged Monster Race, which includes running, mountain biking and paddling.
Whether you’re competing in a race or taking a leisurely walk, Kathie says the Ozark Trail is about making memories. Every trip on the trail has the potential to be a memory you hold forever — otherwise known as a “lifer moment” to Kathie. “A lifer moment is the first time you experience something,” she says. “The trail is made for them.”
You can learn more about the Ozark Trail and donate to the Ozark Trail Association at ozarktrail.com. For advice and backpacking the OT, join the Ozark Trail Section Hikers and Backpackers Facebook group.
Celebrate NATIONAL TRAILS DAY ON THE OT
Mark your calendar for Saturday, June 7. In honor of National Trails Day, you can join your fellow outdoor enthusiasts at Current River State Park to perform some muchneeded maintenance work on the Ozark Trail. Don’t worry, it won’t be all work. You’ll have plenty of time to hike, oat and appreciate the beauty of the Ozarks. Camping is available and a potluck dinner will be held Saturday evening.
Potosi
Scan for more about the event on June 7.
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The Holy Grail Mac & Cheese features white cheddar macaroni and cheese topped with chopped brisket, barbecue sauce, barbecue breadcrumbs and scallions.
Old-school comfort and new-school flavor await in Knob Noster
by Sara Schafer | sschafer@ruralmissouri.coop
Even if you’re not from Knob Noster, you’ll feel right at home at Olde Town South. The menu is full of classics with modern twists, the atmosphere is welcoming, the bar menu is extensive and the staff is full of smiles.
Olde Town South is a relatively new player in the Knob Noster scene, a community of around 3,000 residents that’s also home to Whiteman Air Force Base. Longtime resident and business owner Bill Schroeder knew the town needed a family-friendly dining option. He and his son, Jason, own Eggs “R” Us, an egg production operation in central Missouri. The two and their families decided to buy the former Knob Noster post office and create their restaurant.
In April 2023, Olde Town South opened its doors. The menu features everything from all-day breakfast to hearty sandwiches to USDA choice steaks. “They wanted to make it feel like a big-city restaurant in a small town,” says Darrell Mangan, general manager of the restaurant.
For breakfast you can’t go wrong with the biscuits and gravy or traditional breakfast, which feature hash browns, two eggs, toast and a choice of ham, bacon or sausage.
Feeling more adventurous? Try a dish with Bling Bacon. Pork belly is seasoned and caramelized in the oven. For breakfast, you can find it on the Chicken Skewer Cakes, which include two skewers with fried chicken, Bling Bacon and sweet cream pancakes that are topped with maple glaze and powdered sugar. Or, the Chicken N Biscuit Slinger features crispy hash browns topped with a biscuit and gravy, two eggs, Bling Bacon and fried chicken.
For lunch or dinner, start your meal with the Midwest Cheese Curds. The white cheese curds are hand breaded and fried to crispy perfection. They are served with a housemade pesto ranch sauce for dipping. Your server will likely recommend an additional condiment — caramel sauce. “It sounds weird, but it makes the cheese curds taste like a funnel cake,” Darrell says. “They are really good.”
For entrees, you can choose from filling features, hearty
“We’re trying to bring big things to a small town. When guests walk in, we give them all of our attention — from the time they get here until they leave.”
— Darrell Mangan, general manager, Olde Town South
hamburgers and loaded sandwiches. Darrell recommends the Meat & Greet. Smoked brisket is stacked on three slices of grilled sourdough bread and topped with caramelized onions and both American and sharp cheddar cheese.
The Holy Grail Mac & Cheese is another fan favorite. White cheddar macaroni and cheese is topped with chopped brisket, barbecue sauce, barbecue breadcrumbs and scallions. It’s served with grilled sourdough.
The Meatia Relations is a perfect dish for a special night out. A creamy vegetable puree is topped with crispy potatoes, glazed carrots, caramelized onions and sliced sirloin. The dish is finished with a cabernet beef reduction and served with grilled sourdough. “When we bring it out, a lot of people say, ‘Oh, we weren’t expecting this — it looks amazing,’ ” Darrell says.
The chefs at Olde Town South use an elevated take on burgers, which all feature a half-pound steak burger. The Garbage Burger is topped with cheese sauce, bacon, caramelized onions, jalapenos and a fried egg. The Mac N Cheese Burger includes bacon and macaroni and cheese between the buns. The Spicy Southwest Beef Bacon Burger is a quarter-pound steak burger topped with crispy beef belly bacon, cheddar cheese, caramelized onions, jalapenos, onion rings and chipotle mayo.
If you prefer a lighter dish, Olde Town South offers a variety of salads. The Fiesta Salad combines smoked chicken breast with roasted corn, white cheddar cheese,
pickled onions, tortilla strips and lettuce. It’s topped with a creamy chipotle dressing. The Chef’s Salad features lettuce, white cheddar cheese, tomatoes, onions and croutons. It can be customized with fried or smoked chicken, chopped ham, grilled sirloin or grilled shrimp.
Beyond the standard menu, Olde Town South also offers daily specials. Mondays are for meatloaf; Tuesdays feature chicken or beef quesadillas; and beef stroganoff is the top order for Wednesdays. Don’t miss the fried chicken on Sundays. Whether you’re ordering a special or a menu standard, Darrell says everything is homemade and fresh.
If you’re still hungry after your meal, Olde Town South has several desserts. Darrell’s top pick is the Bourbon Bread Pudding. “It comes with ice cream and is drizzled with a homemade bourbon sauce,” he says. “It comes out in a black skillet and sizzles a little bit. It’s so good.”
The bar menu features everything from well-known beers to mixed drinks to specialty cocktails. Pair your dinner with a caramel apple martini or margarita. They also offer adults-only takes on hot chocolate and iced coffee.
Olde Town South’s large dining room is perfect for family gatherings or celebrations. Darrell, who has worked in the food business for 30 years, says what makes Olde Town South special is their focus on customer service. “We’re trying to bring big things to a small town, he says. “When guests walk in, we give them all of our attention — from the time they get here until they leave.”
Left: Popular dishes at Olde Town South include, clockwise from top left, the Chicken N Biscuit Slinger, which features hash browns topped with a biscuit and gravy, two fried eggs, Bling Bacon and fried chicken; the Meat & Greet, which includes smoked brisket stacked on slices of sourdough bread and topped with onions and cheese; the Meatia Relations, which features vegetable puree topped with root vegetables and sirloin steak; and the Midwest Cheese Curds that are great dipped in housemade pesto ranch sauce or caramel sauce. Above: General Manager Darrell Mangan, center, leads a team including, from left, Kim Rehbock, Haley Pults, Sunny Ingalsbe and Kayla Bowder. Right: Olde Town South occupies Knob Noster’s former post office building.
Olde Town South
Specialties: Breakfast served all day, including biscuits and gravy and Chicken & Pancakes. Appetizers including Midwest Cheese Curds, fried okra and popcorn shrimp. Sandwiches including Meat & Greet and Garbage Burger. Daily specials and regular features such as Meatia Relations, Holy Grail Mac & Cheese and USDA choice steaks.
Price: Appetizers from $9.95 to $14.95, sandwiches and burgers from $12.25 to $17.45 and entrees from $14.75 to $28.75.
Details: Open daily 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Cash and credit cards accepted. Smoking allowed on patio only. Located at 109 E. McPherson St. in Knob Noster. Contact at 660-233-8024 and oldetownsouth.com.
Scan to travel to Knob Noster to visit Olde Town South.
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Knob Noster
Generational Wealth
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Fore the kids
Camdenton man raises money with marathon day on the course
by Paul Newton | pnewton@ruralmissouri.coop
Alot of people look forward to golfing in their retirement. How much golf is too much golf might be a personal preference. Some might hit the links five times per month. Others are lucky enough to chase around a little white ball five times a week. But for one day each summer, a Camdenton man completes those five rounds before lunch.
Scott Wingert will complete his Longest Day of Golf for the third consecutive year on June 9. When the sun rises at 5:48 a.m. in Camdenton, Scott will tee off at Lake Valley Golf Club, raising money for the Lake of the Ozarks Idiots
Club, a nonprofit organization that donates funds and items for local children in need.
Scott became involved with the Idiots Club — whose name is solely meant to grab your attention — through his wife, Dawn. She helps purchase items the club donates to local children, such as art supplies, new shoes and clothing, hygiene products and much more.
“It’s a good club and I believe in what they’re doing. I wanted to figure out something I could do to help these Idiots,” the Southwest Electric Cooperative member says with a smile. “It’s a painless thing for me to do and hopefully we can raise a few thousand dollars every year.”
The premise is simple. Scott solicits up-front donations
Scott Wingert tees off as the sun rises at Lake Valley Golf Club in 2023. Scott completes his Longest Day of Golf to raise funds for kids in need.
photo courtesy Lake of the Ozarks Idiots Club
before his marathon day or gets pledges from people to donate a certain amount of money for every hole of golf he plays. He played 90 holes in 2023 and 109 in 2024.
“I don’t anticipate reaching 109 holes this year, but you never know, it depends on the day,” says Scott. “I’ll be 64 by the time it comes around. I just want to get through it and play as much as I can.”
The logistics of playing that many rounds of golf are simple but important, according to Scott. He plays at nearby Lake Valley Golf Club, a fairly open course with little water. “If there’s no one in front of me, I can buzz around here in 90 minutes or so,” he says.
Scott then picks a Monday — typically the slowest day at a course — close to the summer solstice to maximize his daylight time on the links, especially early in the morning. He’s sure to get good sleep the night before, drink plenty of water and start as soon as the sun allows.
Scott scoots around the course quickly, especially before other golfers show up. In 2024, he began his second round at 7:05 a.m., third at 8:25 a.m. and fourth at 9:45 a.m. He plays the ball into the cup on every hole and records his score. He keeps his golf glove on while on the green and doesn’t spend much time vacillating over his putting lines. He’s not deliberate, but he’s not speed golfing.
“It’s real golf, I just walk up and hit and move on to the next shot,” says Scott, who recorded his third career holein-one in late April. “If I tried sprinting or going any faster than I do, it wouldn’t end well.”
He’s hoping to play a little more efficiently this year with the help of someone driving his golf cart for him.
One thing out of Scott’s hands is the weather. The weather was mild this past year when Scott finished his 109 holes — six full rounds and a bonus hole while driving his cart back to his car. He wasn’t so lucky in 2023, when the temperature forced him into the swimming pool between rounds to get his body temperature down.
He usually wraps up his day of golf mid-afternoon as the course gets busier and temperatures rise. Last year, when he returned to the clubhouse, he found a few hundred dollars donated by members.
The Wingerts moved to Camdenton from Iowa after Scott retired from a career in printing and newspapers. He still runs an internet business, but says his specialities are now golfing, fishing and socializing. “Doing this is a small way I can do my part, and support my wife too,” he says. “She gives a lot, and the Idiots Club is important to her.”
Scott can’t say enough about the good work the Idiots Club does in the Lake of the Ozarks area. The all-volunteer organization has spent more than $1.5 million on more than 63,000 kids since its founding in 2014.
“I’m glad when I’m done, but I’m glad to do it,” Scott says of his day on the links. “We have a lot of wealth in this area, but we have a lot of poverty, abject poverty. Kids are living in cars or getting their laundry done at school or might need more food at home. It’s just a huge need for these kids and I’m happy to help the Idiots Club in this small way.”
For more information on Scott’s Longest Day of Golf and to donate, visit lakeoftheozarksidiotsclub.org.
“It’s a good club and I believe in what they’re doing. I wanted to gure out something I could do to help these Idiots. It’s a painless thing for me to do and hopefully we can raise a few thousand dollars every year.”
— Scott Wingert, Camdenton, on supporting the Lake of the Ozarks Idiots Club
Camdenton
Geothermal gives you the freedom to focus on
WaterFurnace geothermal systems provide reliable operation 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year—rain or shine, day or night, windy or not. They use the stored solar energy in the ground to provide your family luxurious comfort and incredible savings. In fact, it’s the only HVAC system that’ll pay you back—and with a 30% federal tax credit1 available, now’s a great time to switch to the Reliable Renewable. Contact Your local WaterFurance dealer to learn more.
Your Local WaterFurnace Dealers
California Rehagen Htg & A/C (573) 455-2394
Cameron ECS Geothermal (816) 532-8334
Rogers Htg & Clg (816) 675-2244
Chillicothe
Foster Refrigeration (660) 707-0797
Kansas City ECS Geothermal (816) 532-8334
Montgomery City Central Htg & Clg (573) 546-3020
Perryville Schumer Brothers (573) 547-6517
Springfield Krueger Geothermal (417) 883-6395
Troy Peters Htg & A/C (636) 462-5161
Westphalia Rehagen Htg & A/C (573) 455-2394
West Plains Current, Inc. (417) 257-0504
Photo by Shelby G., Grundy County
Before you jump in, consider potential
in your pool. Missouri Electric Cooperatives reminds you to:
• MAKE SURE ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) are installed.
• LOOK for signs of mold or other growth on the inside lenses of lights, which can indicate water leakage.
• LABEL power switches for pool, hot tub and spa equipment, as well as lighting.
• USE battery-operated electronics whenever possible.
• KEEP electrical cords, wires and devices out of reach and at least 5 feet from the water.
• UNPLUG any device that has fallen into the water before touching it.
Learn more at moelectriccoops.com
MO SNAPSHOTS CONTEST
There’s something for everyone at Missouri State Parks. For the 15th consecutive year, we’re honored to welcome Missouri State Parks back as the sponsor of the Missouri Snapshots Photo Contest.
The contest is open to amateur photographers and consists of ve categories. Winners of each category can select one of 10 state park getaway packages valued at approximately $500. Photos must be entered online at ruralmissouri.org/photo-contest. First-, second- and thirdplace photos will be published in February 2026. Secondand third-place winners will receive Missouri State Parks gift cards valued at $100 and $50, respectively.
Photos must be taken at a Missouri state park or historic site during their o cial operating hours. Deadline to enter is Nov. 15, 2025.
CATEGORIES
1. Parks Less Traveled – Missouri’s state parks are popular places. The judges are looking for the beauty you can nd in some of the less-traveled parks or historic sites or even less-traveled portions of any state park.
2. Adventure & Recreation – Whether it’s a night camping under the stars at Echo Blu State Park or an exhilarating ride on the motocross track at Finger Lakes State Park, there’s plenty to choose from at Missouri’s state parks.
3. Park Heroes & Volunteers at Work – The parks and historic sites are managed by individuals dedicated to making your visit memorable. From a history hike at Thousand Hills State Park or a kids’ camp at Crowder State Park, our judges want to see these employees and volunteers in action.
4. Learning Something New – Everyone has their favorite state park traditions, but there is likely more than you can imagine at the parks. From basket weaving at the First State Capitol Historic Site in St. Charles to underground tours at Onondaga Cave State Park, make 2025 your year for a new adventure.
5. On The Trail – With more than 1,000 miles of managed trails, Missouri’s state parks o er a perfect venue for your next hiking, biking, o -road, kayaking or equestrian adventure.
RULES
1. Photos must be taken at one of Missouri’s state parks or historic sites. For a complete list of all the eligible parks, visit www.mostateparks.com.
2. Photographs must depict activities that conform to all Missouri State Parks rules and regulations and be taken during the park or site’s o cial operating hours.
3. The contest is for amateurs only. If you earn any income with your photography, please refrain from entering. Up to ve photos per category can be entered. Do not enter the same photo in more than one category.
4. All photos must be entered online at ruralmissouri.org/photo-contest. Entries must include information in all data elds to be considered. Mailed entries won’t be considered.
5. Photos digitally altered beyond basic editing and toning or photos with watermarks won’t be considered. No part of the image can be created or removed using arti cial intelligence. 6. Photographers may win no more than one rst-place prize. Winning images from previous years are ineligible.
7. Employees of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, Missouri’s electric cooperatives and their immediate families are ineligible to win.
8. By entering the contest, photographers give Rural Missouri and Missouri State Parks permission to publish the images in print and online.
9. The deadline to enter is Nov. 15, 2025.
10. Questions may be sent to pnewton@ruralmissouri.coop.
SCAN TO ENTER
1 bag basmati rice
1 cup frozen corn, thawed
2 Roma tomatoes, seeded and diced
1/2 cup fresh basil, minced
1/2 cup red onion, diced
1/2 cup vinaigrette dressing
2 scallions, chopped
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
12-ounce bag tri-color quinoa
1 1/2 cups shredded cabbage mix
1/2 cup cilantro, roughly chopped
2 tablespoons fresh mint, roughly chopped
1/2 cup English cucumber, thinly sliced
1/2 cup carrots, shredded
1/2 cup red bell peppers, thinly sliced
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 teaspoon fish sauce
1 teaspoon sesame oil
1 teaspoon honey
1 teaspoon white vinegar
1/4 cup peanuts, roughly chopped
Prepare quinoa according to package directions. Cool.
Mix cooled quinoa with cabbage, cilantro, mint, cucumber, carrots and bell peppers.
In small bowl, whisk soy sauce, fish sauce, sesame oil, honey and vinegar.
Add dressing to quinoa and toss to combine. Top with peanuts.
Prepare rice according to package directions. Allow to cool completely.
In medium bowl, combine corn, tomatoes, basil, red onions, vinaigrette and scallions. Fold in rice, salt and pepper.
Serve salad at room temperature or chilled.
(as shown on previous page)
Spiced Pecans:
1 large egg white
3 tablespoons dark brown sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
2 cups pecan halves
Salad:
1/4 cup, plus 2 teaspoons, extra-virgin olive oil, divided
1/4 cup white wine vinegar
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
Pepper, to taste
2 large peaches, halved and pits removed
6 cups mixed baby greens (arugula, spring mix and spinach)
4 ounces soft goat cheese
recipe courtesy Success Rice
recipe courtesy Success Rice
Dressing:
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
Salad:
5 ounces chunk light tuna, drained
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1/3 cup sliced Kalamata olives
1 cup English cucumber, chopped
1/4 cup feta cheese
1 tablespoon parsley, minced
Pita chips or crackers, optional
To make dressing: In large bowl, whisk lemon juice, olive oil and oregano.
To make salad: In dressing bowl, add tuna, tomatoes, olives and cucumber. Gently toss to cover salad with dressing and then top with feta cheese and parsley. Serve with pita chips or crackers, if desired.
recipe courtesy Chicken of the Sea
To make spiced pecans: Preheat oven to 275 degrees. Line rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
In medium bowl, whisk egg white, brown sugar, cinnamon, cayenne pepper and salt until well combined. Fold in pecans and mix until evenly coated in mixture. Spread in single layer on prepared baking sheet.
Bake 45 to 50 minutes, stirring occasionally until pecans are fragrant and golden brown. Allow to cool completely.
To make salad: Heat grill to medium-high heat. In small bowl, whisk 1/4 cup olive oil, white wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, salt and pepper, to taste. Set aside.
Brush cut sides of peach halves with remaining olive oil and grill until grill lines appear and peaches become tender, 3 to 5 minutes. Remove peaches and cut into slices.
Divide greens among four plates. Top with grilled peach slices and goat cheese. Divide 1 cup spiced pecans evenly among salads and reserve remaining cup for snacking. Drizzle each salad with vinaigrette.
Scan to watch a video on how to prepare sweet potato power salad.
4 medium zucchini, sliced into 1/4-inch thick rounds
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
Salt, to taste
Pepper, to taste
1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
5-ounce bag spring mix salad blend
1 cup canned corn, drained
1 cup canned black beans, rinsed and drained
1 cup tomato, diced
1/4 cup scallions, diced 1/4 cup red onions, diced
1 jalapeno, finely diced, optional
1 avocado, diced 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
1 tablespoon sour cream
Heat grill to medium heat.
In large bowl, toss zucchini and olive oil to coat. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
Place zucchini on grill pan; grill 4 to 5 minutes until just tender. Top zucchini with cheese and cook until cheese melts, 1 to 2 minutes.
Remove from grill and place on plate or large platter.
Top cheesy grilled zucchini with salad blend, corn, black beans, tomato, scallions, red onions, jalapeno, if desired, avocado, cilantro and sour cream.
recipe courtesy Fresh Express
recipe courtesy Amerian Pecan Council
VIDEO
ENTER EVENT
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We want to feature your event! Fill out our simple form with the details. Events are published as space allows and must be submitted before the first of the month prior to your event. Scan the QR code or visit RuralMissouri.org/submit-event.
June 1, Catawissa, 3D Target Shoot, Three D Archery, 314-952-9386
June 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, O’Fallon, Farmers & Artisans Market of O’Fallon, 24 O’Fallon Square, 314-541-0195
June 3, Camdenton, Lake Area Community Orchestra Concert, Ha Ha Tonka State Park, 573-782-8203
June 4, Jefferson City, Landing After Hours: Forgotten Trunk in the Attic, Jefferson Landing, 573-751-2854
June 4, 11, 18, 25, Linn Creek, Country Market & Bazaar, Camden County Museum, 573-873-2990
June 4, 7, 11, 14, 18, 21, 25, 28, Columbia, Farmers Market, MU Health Care Pavilion, 573-823-6889
June 5-7, West Plains, Heart of the Ozarks Bluegrass Association Spring Bluegrass Festival, 1138 Bluegrass Lane, 417-252-4373
June 6, Hermann, Hospital Auxiliary Annual Golf Tournament, Loutre Shore Country Club, 573-486-2098
June 6, Marble Hill, Children and Youth Issues Coalition Resource Fair, Optimist Ball Park, 573-238-2817
June 6, Moberly, Raptor Awareness, Rothwell Park, 660-269-8705
June 6, Rolla, Route 66 Summerfest, Downtown Rolla, 573-578-7165
June 6, Kansas City, Jazzoo, Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium, 816-595-1234
June 6-7, Cassville, Garage Sale, Citywide, 417-846-2814
June 6-7, Linn Creek, Garage Sale, 206 E. Locust, 573-873-2990
June 6-7, Glen Allen, Bluegrass Pickin’ Days, Barks Plantation RV Park, 314-422-1766
June 6-7, Salem, Friends of the Library Book Sale, Salem Public Library, 573-729-1952
June 6-7, Cassville, Rotary Club & FFA Booster Club Rodeo, Hailey Arena, 417-671-3131
June 6, 13, 20, 26, Cape Girardeau, Lesson & Dance, Cape Ballroom, 480-857-7286
June 6-July 7, Poplar Bluff, The Diverse Art of David Ottinger, Margaret Harwell Art Museum, 573-686-8002
June 6-8, Mora, Lee Hart Horsemanship Clinic, Von Holten Ranch, 660-668-0880
June 6-8, Hermann, 30th Annual Hermann Garden Tour, City and Surrounding Area, 573-486-3276
June 7, Jefferson City, Brazito Honey Creek Lions Club BBQ, Schulte’s, 573-353-6956
June 7, Columbia, Logboat Anniversary Party, Logboat Brewing Co., 573-665-2628
June 7, Rosebud, Yard Sale, Citywide, 573-202-5470
June 7, Clarksdale, Pop’s Presents: Hootin’ & Hollerin’ Dekalb County Style, Ball Field, 573-996-6133
June 7, Poplar Bluff, Narvel Felts, Rodgers Theatre, 573-326-4131
June 7, Ashland, Englewood Community Crafts, Vendors & Farmers Market, Englewood Club, 573-881-0072
June 7, Lebanon, Route 66 Festival, Boswell Park, 816-838-3367
June 7, Forsyth, Family Fun Day, Shoals Bend Park, 417-527-8877
June 7, Sedalia, 35th Annual Dream Factory Truck & Tractor Pull, Missouri State Fairgrounds, 660-827-1561
June 7, Swiss, Annual Picnic, Swiss Evangelical Reformed Church, 573-291-4809
June 7, Independence, Horseshoe Tourney, McCoy Park, 573-291-4809
June 7-8, Diamond, Peanut Provisions, Washington Carver National Monument, 417-325-4151
June 8, Stover, Ice Cream Social, Trinity Pyrmont Lutheran Church, 660-829-2597
June 8, Sullivan, Annual Church Picnic, Holy Martyrs of Japan Catholic Church, 573-627-3378
June 8, French Village, Summer Dinner, St. Anne Catholic Church, 636-209-8561
June 8, Jefferson City, Bittersweet Garden Club Garden Tours, Citywide, 573-619-6757
June 8-13, Hermann, 3rd Annual Plein Air Festival, Hermann Visitor Center, 573-789-0771
June 9, Jefferson City, Conservation Federation — Share the Harvest Golf Tourney, Oak Hills, 573-634-2322
June 10, Eldon, Lake Area Community Orchestra Concert, First Baptist Church, 573-782-8203
June 10-11, Ellsinore, Nature Fishing, Pinewood Lake, 573-325-1381
June 12, Winona, Nature Art with Sara, Twin Pines Conservation Education Center, 573-325-1381
June 12-14, Lawson, Picnic, Downtown, 816-580-3217
June 13, Linn Creek, Ladies Luncheon The ‘Spices’ of our Lives, Camden County Museum, 573-873-2990
June 13, Owensville, OPRD Movie Series, Buschmann Park, 573-437-8231
June 13, Lebanon, Downtown CruiseIn, Commercial Street, 417-532-4642
June 13-14, Stockton, Lake PRCA Rodeo, Ray Zumwalt Expo Center, 209-678-1393
June 13-14, Colony, Flea Market, 47805 State Highway V, 217-617-8947
June 13, 27, Mexico, Silver Wings Dance, KB Events Center, 660-676-2301
June 14, Ste. Genevieve, French Heritage Festival, Downtown, 573-883-962
June 14, Belle, Swap Meet & Extravaganza, City Park, 573-259-0407
June 14, Princeton, Flag Day Wine Walk, City Square, 660-748-5462
June 14, St. James, Veteran’s Free Fishing, Maramec Springs Park, 314-280-7014
June 14, Diamond, Prairie Walkabout and Plant Identification, Washington Carver National Monument, 417-325-4151
June 14, Piedmont, Car Cruise-In & Live Music, Downtown, 314-537-4431
June 14-15, Diamond, Expressions of the Soul, Washington Carver National Monument, 417-325-4151
June 19, Sedalia, Third Thursday Create: Junk Journals, Liberty Center, 660-827-3228
June 19, Dexter, Blood Drive, DPR Gymnasium, 573-624-8244
June 20, Linn Creek, Audience Participation Mystery Play, 206 E. Locust, 573-873-2990
June 20, Sedalia, Cedar Creek Band, Liberty Center, 660-827-3228
June 20-21, Sikeston, Hot Air Balloon Festival, Sikeston Rodeo Grounds, 573-471-2498
June 20-21, Odessa, Chamber of Commerce Rodeo, Dyer Park, 816-633-4063
June 20-22, Eldon, Osage Rock and Mineral Show, Eldon Community Center, 417-533-2788
June 20-21, Mora, 2nd Annual Country Tough Homesteading Expo, Von Holten Ranch, 660-668-0880
June 21, Licking, Trucks & Mini Rods Pull, R & S Track, 573-368-9464
June 21, Fair Grove, Fish Fry, Fair Grove Senior Center, 417-759-9455
June 21, Dearborn, Music at the Museum, North Platte Historical Museum, 816-305-0057
June 21, Sedalia, Show-Me Crafters Summer Craft Show, Missouri State Fairgrounds, 816-560-4393
June 21, Poplar Bluff, Willie Nelson Tribute Concert, Rodgers Theatre, 573-326-4131
June 21, Lebanon, Route 66 Comic & Toy Convention, Cowan Civic Center, 417-532-0652
June 21, Sparta, Walls Showcase, ICF Walls of the Ozarks, 417-507-1020
June 21, Springfield, Bee Day, Darr Agriculture Center, 816-343-8333
June 21, Poplar Bluff, Juneteenth Celebration, Bacon Park, 573-718-0404
June 21-22, Diamond, Juneteenth Celebration, Washington Carver National Monument, 417-325-4151
June 24, Laurie, Lake Area Community Orchestra Concert, West Lake Christian Church, 573-782-8203
June 26, Winona, Intro to Kayaking, Twin Pines Conservation Education Center, 573-325-1381
June 26-28, Sedalia, Red Power Round Up 2025, Missouri State Fairgrounds, 573-231-6878
June 27-28, Excelsior Springs, Waterfest, Downtown, 816-630-6161
June 27-29, Lebanon, Show Me Gourd Society Art Festival, Cowan Civic Center, 314-540-7201
June 27-29, Adrian, 47th Annual Steam & Gas Engine Show, Historic Frontier Village, 816-694-3221
June 27-29, Sedalia, “Once Upon A Mattress: Youth Edition,” Liberty Center, 660-827-3228
June 27, Steelville, The Inspirations, Meramec Music Theatre, 573-775-5999
June 28, Newburg, Jerry Rosa and The Rosa String Works Band, Lyric Live Theater, 573-308-5054
June 28, Maryville, Rock the Ville 2025, Downtown, 660-582-0344
June 28, Ste. Genevieve, Fly with the Hive Festival, Brix Urban Winery and Market, 573-880-7030
June 28-29, Diamond, Separate and Unequal, George Washington Carver National Monument, 417-325-4151
June 28-29, Kimberling City, 44th Annual Festival of Arts, Kimberling Area Library, 417-272-1150
June 29, Lohman, Lohman Lions Club BBQ & Fireworks, 573-782-3560
Swimming Safety for Kids
Here are a few tips to remember the next time you go swimming so you can stay safe.
• Grab a buddy – Never go swimming alone or without an adult.
• No dangerous games – Donʻt play dangerous games with others while swimming.
• Swim lessons – Make sure you have the proper swim knowledge from adults or swimming lessons.
• No head dives – Always enter the water feet first.
• Supervision – Have at least one adult fully dedicated to supervising you while swimming.
Summer Fun
Fill in the words that match the pictures in the crossword puzzle below. Word list: sandcastle • ball • sun seashell • lemonade • sunglasses • flippers
• Safety zones – Whether at a home pool or in public areas, make sure you understand where the safe zones or shallow areas are at. Stay away from pool drains.
• Life vests – Always wear a life vest especially when boating in large or natural bodies of water such as oceans, rivers and lakes to protect yourself from currents.
• Learn CPR – This is an important skill that may someday come in handy to help someone in the case of an emergency.
• Protect your skin – Protect yourself from the sunʻs harmful rays to prevent sunburn. Apply sunscreen and donʻt forget to reapply throughout the day.
• Safety first – In public swimming areas such as beaches or lakes, stay in the designated swimming zones for visitors and in the presence of a lifeguard.
Buddy Bear and Rudy Raccoon say
“Enjoy a fun and safe summer!”
Thank you for welcoming Rural Missouri into your homes every month!
ADDRESS CHANGES:
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