Rural Missouri March 2017

Gardening | Fish Farm | Wilder’s

MISSOURI RURAL

MARCH 2017 | ruralmissouri.coop

WE WORK FOR YOU. WE WORK FOR YOU. WE WORK FOR YOU.

It’s not something you expect to hear from an electric company. But, we’re not your typical utility. We’re a local not-for-profit electric cooperative.

It’s not something you expect to hear But, so we’re utility.

We’remoney. a local not-for-profit electric cooperative.

Wefrom wantantoelectric help youcompany. save energy younot canyour savetypical your hard earned Wefrom want help you save energy so younot canyour savetypical your hard earned It’s not something you expect to hear antoelectric company.

But, we’re utility.

We’remoney. a local not-for-profit electric cooperative.

Welearn wantmore to help youthe save energy sodifference, you can save hard earned money.

To about cooperative visityour MembersFirst.coop To learn more about the cooperative difference, visit MembersFirst.coop To learn more about the cooperative difference, visit MembersFirst.coop

YOUR YOURSOURCE SOURCEOF OFPOWER. POWER.AND ANDINFORMATION. INFORMATION. YOUR SOURCE OF POWER. AND INFORMATION. ® ® ®

CONTENTS Volume 70

|

MARCH 2017

|

Number 3

10

34

14 IN EVERY ISSUE

10 In for the long haul Quixotic Farming raises their crop on land

4 Cooperation

18 Producing smiles O’Fallon man custom-makes cottages for children with cancer

20 For the love of the game Two former history teachers compile the book of basketball

22 Race for the rocker 4-mile run offers fun and fitness on Route 66

24 Experts offer garden design ideas Get growing with these gardening tips

28 Made in Missouri, enjoyed around the world Bible Grove couple creates high-quality coffee mills

ABOUT OUR COVER

D

eep in the hills of eastern Ozark County under a limestone bluff, water gurgles perpetually from a spring at Hodgson Mill.

Built in the late 19th century near Bryant Creek, the three-story structure bearing the name of millwright Alva Hodgson — who also owned Dawt Mill farther south on the North Fork River — once powered grist and lumber mills, a cotton gin, a clothing store and even provided electricity in the days before rural electrification. In 1965, Howell-Oregon Electric Cooperative brought electricity to the mill in Sycamore.

Mills were not only a thriving business center in the late 1800s and early 1900s, but also the social gathering spot for many communities scattered across the wrinkled topography of the Ozarks. Many can be seen today much as they once were — including Topaz Mill in eastern Douglas County, pictured at right — thanks to the care and efforts of their current owners.

5 Perspectives 14 Eats 30 Recipes 34 Outdoors 36 Notes 38 Events 44 Just4Kids 46 Neighbors 47 Landscapes photos by Zach Smith

The great water wheels may no longer grind grain, but water still rushes through the millraces and gathers in the ponds, while travelers can sit near the banks and admire the stately profile of a mill against trees and sky.

While a stunning view of Missouri’s mills can be seen at almost any time of the year, open hours and tours are often given at the discretion of individual owners.

Although Hodgson Mill is privately owned and no longer open for tours it is easily seen from Highway 181. For more information on the mill, follow Friends of Topaz Mill Inc. on Facebook. For a free tour of Topaz Mill, call the O’Neal family at 417-948-0154.

The book “Historic Ozarks Mills” by Mike McArthy is available for purchase from Rural Missouri at www.ruralmissouri.org/merchandise. Books are $36 including sales tax plus $6 shipping for up to five books.

MARCH 2017 | RURALMISSOURI.COOP

3

RM

| C O O P E R AT I O N

photos by Paul Newton and Zach Smith

Above: Southwest Electric Cooperative’s group met with Lt. Gov. Mike Parson, who is a member of the co-op. Right: Gov. Eric Greitens spoke to the electric cooperatives for the first time as governor during the conference.

A visit from the grassroots Electric co-ops share issues with lawmakers during 11th annual State Legislative Conference

M

results in the Capitol. “If you are not on a first-name basis issouri’s electric cooperatives took anothwith your legislator you need to work a little harder,” said er big step in getting to know the newly the Southwest Electric Cooperative member. “There is not elected state officials as Gov. Eric Greitens one organization that has the credibility you have.” spoke to electric cooperative leaders for the He drew applause when he commented on how proud first time as governor during the 11th annual State he was to see Missouri’s new Attorney General Josh Hawley Legislative Conference. Returning from retirement continue the fight against EPA’s coal regulations. to introduce the governor was longtime White River Kehoe, a Gascosage Electric Cooperative member, talked Valley Electric Cooperative Manager Larry Frazier, a about the strength of electric cooperative unity. “The elected strong supporter of Greitens. officials want to talk to you because of your respect and in The governor remarked on the 80-year history of electegrity,” he said. tric cooperatives in Missouri as he spoke about the comState Rep. Rocky Miller was the featured speaker during mon goal of bringing electricity to the countryside. “Today, a breakfast meeting with the electric cooperative delegation.

2 million Missourians that you serve also face a common He addressed things the legislature will focus on this year to goal,” he said. “They feel like they have been forgotten. jump-start the state’s economy.

During the campaign our rural friends came to me and said Those attending also got a good look at the issues facing we need a champion who will fight for us. That’s what I electric cooperatives from AMEC’s legislative staff, includcame here to do.” ing Brent Stewart, Mary Scruggs and Zach Pollock. The is He praised the electric cooperatives for their work to bring high-speed internet to rural areas, saying the digital AMEC CEO Barry Hart, right, listens as Sen. Mike Kehoe sues include: • Fairness for those paying more due to wind and solar divide is holding back teachers, students and businesses. speaks during a grassroots workshop. Kehoe, a member installations. That is the reason electric cooperatives support “You are on the front lines to change that, and I am commit- of Gascosage Electric, is Senate majority floor leader. a bill that seeks to change Missouri’s net metering law. The ted to working with you,” he said. bill offers flexibility for utilities to set rates that would let Once again, lawmakers rolled out the welcome mat as them recover the cost of the power grid. more than 200 electric cooperative directors and employees descended on the state • The federal lawsuit over Amendment 2, which took away our ability to contribute Capitol. “When you go into your state leader’s offices and they see your faces, it ties to our political action committees while allowing our opponents to continue doing this together our work in the Capitol and your work back home,” said Barry Hart, CEO • Eminent domain and preserving our need to site transmission lines of the Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives. “They know that when we give • Roadblocks to our rural broadband efforts them a position on a bill we are speaking on your behalf.”

• Adding lineworkers to the state’s Move Over Law The group also heard from Lt. Gov. Mike Parson and state Sen. Mike Kehoe during a • The value of cooperative governance grassroots workshop before their Capitol visits. Parson offered some advice on getting

EDITORIAL STAFF: Jim McCarty, editor, jmccarty@ruralmissouri.coop Paul Newton, managing editor, pnewton@ruralmissouri.coop | Heather Berry, associate editor, hberry@ruralmissouri.coop Megan Backes, creative director, mbackes@ruralmissouri.coop | Zach Smith, field editor, zsmith@ruralmissouri.coop Angie Jones-Wheeler, co-op page designer | Dusty Weter, co-op page designer ADVERTISING: Mary Davis, production manager, mdavis@ruralmissouri.coop

“Devoted to the rural way of life” Rural Missouri is published monthly by the Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives, Barry Hart, CEO/executive vice president. Individual subscription rate: $10 per year or $22 for three years, taxes and postage included. Group rate for members of participating RECs $2.22, plus taxes and postage. 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 2017, Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives.

Call for reprint rights.

4

RURAL MISSOURI | MARCH 2017

Postmasters: Send address changes to Rural Missouri, P.O. Box 1645, Jefferson City, MO 65102.

Subscribers: Report change of address to your local cooperative. Do not send change of address to Rural Missouri.

Advertising standards: Advertising published in Rural Missouri is accepted on the premise that the merchandise and services offered are accurately described and sold to customers at the advertised price. Rural Missouri and Missouri’s electric cooperatives do not endorse any products or services advertised herein. Advertising that does not conform to these standards or that is deceptive or misleading is never knowingly accepted by this publication.

Editorial: Rural Missouri, P.O. Box 1645, Jefferson City, MO 65102 573-659-3423 | info@ruralmissouri.coop | www.ruralmissouri.coop Advertising: mdavis@ruralmissouri.coop | 573-659-3400 National Advertising Representative: National Country Market; 611 S. Congress St., Suite 504; Austin, TX 78704 | 573-659-3400

USPS 473-000 ISSN 0164-8578

RM

| PERSPECTIVES

H A RT TO H E A RT

Our friends in Washington

by Barry Hart | bhart@amec.coop

W

ay back in 1941, before the U.S. would enter World War II, a delegation of Missouri electric cooperative leaders headed to Washington, D.C. Their mission was to learn why allocations of wire intended to build power lines for electric cooperatives were instead going to rival utilities.

The group, led by Macon Electric President W.M. Cross, called on Sen. Harry Truman, who led them to Vice President Henry Wallace. Despite this lofty audience, the group found themselves stonewalled by a committee that had a vested interest in ensuring electric co-ops never got off the ground.

Three other states sent similar delegations to the capital that year. Their collective frustration led to the formation of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, the Arlington, Virginia-based organization that represents Co-op Nation.

This month, NRECA celebrates its 75th anniversary. In its long history, our national association has championed the cause of rural people across the country with an integrity, grit and determination that has made it a force to be reckoned with.

Missouri’s electric cooperatives have had a strong role in getting the national association off the ground and on the right track.

Ralph Walker, former manager of Callaway Electric Cooperative, was one of its original incorporators, and its first official board meeting was held in St. Louis. Over the years, Missouri has sent leaders to NRECA and the state often has been the first on board with its campaigns.

The wire issue was one of the first to be taken up

by NRECA when it was organized in 1942.

Later, NRECA would lead the fight for loans to build cooperatively owned power plants. It would successfully battle to ensure the nation’s water re-

sources provided power for nonprofit, member-owned utilities. Then it would work to ensure these resources weren’t sold off to the highest bidder.

Perhaps NRECA’s finest hour came in 1972 when President Nixon killed the REA lending program that provided low-cost capital to keep electric cooperatives operating. Answering the call from NRECA, more than 1,400 rural people descended on Congress, where they discovered they had a lot more friends than the president. In short order, lawmakers restored the program.

NRECA was led at the time by Missourian Bob Partridge, who became known as “The Great Builder” for his work in unifying the electric cooperative program. He fought for those at the ends of the lines, and never backed down despite often overwhelming odds against him.

My predecessor, Frank Stork, cut his teeth in the program under Bob Partridge.

Frank would chair NRECA’s important Legislative Committee for 32 years, the longest of any chairman. His work created a bridge between the grassroots members at the local level and the congressional delegation in Washington.

This ensures that when NRECA’s staff calls on Congress, those elected officials know they speak with the authority of the members back home.

Missouri continued its strong support of our national association by lending Jo Ann Emerson to be its fifth CEO. Among other things, Jo Ann brought about the submission of more than 1 million comments to the Environmental Protection Agency on environmental regulations, launched a campaign to bring veterans into co-op jobs and prioritized helping people in other countries get electricity for the first time.

From creating future leaders through the Youth Tour to training employees and directors to better serve you and prioritizing a safe work environment for co-op employees, our national association has played a vital role for your electric cooperative.

I am pleased to continue working on your behalf with NRECA on a variety of issues as vice chairman of the Legislative Committee and member of the Resolutions Committee. NRECA’s mission, then and now, is to empower Co-op Nation and ensure its success.

Hart is executive vice president of the Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives.

GUEST COLUMN

Speaking up for rural Missouri

by Sharon Gulick | info@ruralmissouri.coop

a strong future for our communities and we have the drive and determination to make it happen. But ave you noticed how much of the reporting we must begin to tell our stories.

The Missouri Rural Development Partners, on rural America focuses on the “decline” Missouri’s federally authorized ruof rural America? While we ral development council, would all agree that some is launching the inaugurural areas are struggling, we also ral Missouri Rural Survey know that many are doing just fine, to hear from rural citizens, but that doesn’t often get reported or business owners and leaders recognized. about the key issues, opportuMuch of the data that is collected nities and challenges facing ruand reported about rural communiral Missouri communities. The ties is quantitative (numbers) and that survey is done in partnership doesn’t tell the full story. What’s misswith University of Missouri Exing is the voice of rural residents. To tension and the Missouri Department better understand the assets and opof Economic Development’s Office of portunities, as well as issues and recRural Development and is supported ommendations, for rural communities, by many statewide organizations, inwe need your help.

Sharon Gulick cluding Missouri’s electric co-ops.

All the experts have something to The anonymous online survey is open until March say but now it’s your turn.

As my colleagues and I work with Missouri’s ru- 30, to anyone over 18 years of age and should take ral communities to identify opportunities and devel- about 15 minutes to complete. Your responses will op strategies, we work with people who are deeply provide a better understanding of the attitudes and committed to their communities and way of life. The opinions of actual rural Missouri residents. Survey truth is, most of us in rural Missouri want to secure results, again completely anonymous, will be pub-

H

lished later in 2017 and also provided to local, state and national leaders so they can gauge the issues facing rural communities.

Let’s face it, some of us are a little jaded when it comes to completing surveys. You may question if this survey has any value for you personally and for your local community.

I believe this one does. We strongly encourage you to complete this survey, because your voice counts. Please contribute your voice to the chorus of Missourians who want to showcase what’s really happening in rural Missouri by highlighting our strengths and recognizing our challenges.

To complete the survey online, please go to: www.tinyurl.com/Rural17.

If you are not able to access the online survey, please email your name and your mailing address to gulicks@missouri.edu or call 573-882-8393 and we’ll send a paper copy to you.

Thanks for listening, and thanks for speaking out — using your voice to speak for rural Missouri.

Gulick is the executive director of Missouri Rural Development Partners MARCH 2017 | RURALMISSOURI.COOP

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In for the long haul

Quixotic Farming raises their fish on land Randy Constant, CEO and found of Quixotic Farming, heads out with a small load of live tilapia from the Chillicothe plant to one of their grocery customers.

by Heather Berry | hberry@ruralmissouri.coop

location. The Missouri grow-out facility is headquartered in the old Wal-Mart building in Chillicothe.

The family-owned business prides itself on being an environmentally n the musical “Man of La Mancha,” the character Don Trenton & conscious company that raises tilapia without the use of growth-stimuQuixote shows us that pursuing what seems to be an Chillicothe lating hormones or antibiotics. The feed the fish eat is nutrient-rich and impossible dream can literally transform the world. free of chemicals and other harmful ingredients.

That’s pretty much what Randy Constant, an organic Claire serves as chief marketing officer for the land-based aquafarmer from Chillicothe, set out to do when he started Quixotic culture business. Randy says she is “extremely passionate” about Farming six years ago.

Quixotic’s mission of raising the fish in a safe way for everyone “After 20 years as an organic farmer, I knew the world wasn’t involved, be it wholesaler or consumer. going to give up on organic or all-natural food sources and that “The rise of ocean pollution and those waters being over fished is the need for protein levels in diets needed to increase,” says Randy.

“My cousin in Hawaii was in the meat and seafood business and told me he a major problem with not only tilapia but many seafood sources,” says Claire. could no longer get the supply of fresh fish he needed, which was shocking to “With regards to tilapia, China now exports less of the fish to provide enough for me since the ocean was right there,” he continues. “It seemed to be news the its own growing middle class, so that’s another reason we’ve got to find another world was trying to ignore: that the food supplies we get from the ocean were sustainable source for the fish or one day, we simply may no longer have it as an option.” rapidly depleting.”

Randy says that, plus the fact his daughter, Claire, was adamant about proRaising the little fry tectimg the environment and “how we were destroying it with the choices we Quixotic Farming takes extreme care to source the best fry, or baby fish made,” caused him to consider options to help people as well as the environment. In 2010, the farmer made some shrewd business decisions and bought stock, to raise. The business has a standing order flown in from the Netherlands an existing fish operation in Colorado. The company currently raises fish in every other week.

“You have to start with quality stock to get quality. We fly in 35,000 fry to facilities in Colorado and Missouri, but only processes fish at their Colorado

I

Below Left: Kendall Whittmore prepares buckets of feed for the tilapia.The feed Quixotic Farming uses is nutrient-rich and free of harmful chemicals. Below right: When you walk through the tilapia nursery, about the only thing you’ll hear are the hum of fans and generators because the fish are pretty docile. But at feeding time, the tanks become a feeding frenzy, with the young tilapia sometimes flying over one another to get to the food.

Left: Some of the staff of Quixotic Farming pose for a photo at the Chillicothe facility. Left to right: Eric Ely, national sales director; Craig Gordon, vice president of risk management; John Sampson, supervisor of the Trenton facility; Steve Whiteside, operations manager for all facilities; Lane Constant, chief operating officer; Claire Constant, chief marketing director; and Randy Constant, founder and chief executive officer. Above: While the landbased tilapia farmers usually only raise darker or pearl tilapia, they also have a few rare reds like this one in the mix.

Chicago where we pick them up. At that point, they’re less than 24 hours old,” says Craig Gordon, vice president of risk management for the company. “They’re driven from Chicago right to our other facility in Trenton, Missouri to what is the equivalent of a baby nursery, where we quarantine them for awhile, then start sorting them out by grade (size). After about three months, they’re moved over to the grow-out facility in Chillicothe.”

The Chillicothe facility currently houses approximately 250,000 tilapia that live in 10,000-gallon tanks. Each of the 40 tanks is equipped with its own special filtration and recirculation system, which allows the fish growers to sustainably reuse the water that fills each tank.

“Don’t think we use this water forever,” says Steve Whiteside, Quixotic Farming’s operations manager for their Colorado and Missouri facilities. “Even with great filtration and recirculation systems you need to change the water out for the fish.”

Tilapia is a white fish that takes on the flavors of its environment. “Because our fish aren’t raised outdoors in polluted or muddy waters, our fish tastes cleaner,” says Steve.

Claire echoes that comment. “The tilapia we raise live happy lives and we believe that is reflected in the taste of our products.”

Steve says over time, any uneaten organic feed and fish excretions do murk up the water enough that it needs to be entirely changed. But he and his team are constantly testing the water throughout the day, making sure it’s a good environment for the tilapia.

“Water quality is very important,” says Steve, who used to raise pigs before joining the business. “If the water gets too dark, we know we need to make some changes in the feed or maybe even cut back on it a little. We don’t use automatic feeders here. We’re all walking around, hand feeding throughout the day, checking to see if the fish are eating, reacting correctly to everything.”

Because the young tilapia are sorted into tanks, if one tank has a problem — say, the fish aren’t eating well — Steve and the team can cordon off that tank from the others, then run a gamut of tests to find out the problem.

“They’re like people. Sometimes they don’t want to eat,” Steve says. “Other

times, they don’t feel well, and because we don’t treat them with antibiotics, we will vary the saline levels for a day and they’ll perk back up.”

After about five months at the Chillicothe facility, it’s time for the fish to head to the Colorado plant where they’ll be hand-filleted, frozen and shipped to wholesalers and stores such as Plated, Terra’s Kitchen and Door To Door Organics, online food services and grocery delivery companies. They’ve also expanded to Kansas City and St. Louis, selling to live markets in the area.

“Another thing that differentiates us from others selling seafood is the fact our fish is traceable from fry to plate,” says Claire. “So if someone wants to know when their fish was born and what it ate, we can tell them.”

Swimming into the future According to the United Nation’s Food and Agriculture Organization, aquaculture is the fastest-growing segment of the animal farming industry.

“Rarely do you get to be part of a brand-new industry,” says Claire of the success Quixotic Farming has seen since swimming into the tilapia business six years ago.

Claire adds that Quixotic Farming can’t produce enough tilapia for the demand. With the recent expansion at the Chillicothe facility, they will have approximately 1 million gallons of water in the facility, which will produce around 1 million fish each year.

“We’re looking to partner with contract growers, because we can’t expand fast enough,” she adds. “Maybe there’s a farmer out there and they’ve got abandoned buildings and have concerns about the environment, too. We’d love to work with them and literally offer them a turnkey business and mentor them on how to grow tilapia for us. Then we’ll contract to buy the fish back from them if they meet our standards. It’s a win-win for everyone.”

For more information, go to www.quixoticfarming.com or follow them on Facebook at Quixotic Farming. To find out about becoming a contracted grower, email Steve Whiteside at info@quixoticfarming.com.

Below left: John Sampson, supervisor of the Trenton facility, and Steve Whiteside, the operations manager for the grow out facility in Chillicothe, check the pH levels of the water in one of the tanks. Water quality is key when growing tilapia. If the fish don’t seem to be doing well, Steve and the team can adjust the saline levels and nurse them back to health without any antibiotics.

Below right: A tilapia takes about nine months to raise. Randy notes there are faster ways to raise the fish by using hormones, but that’s not the way Quixotic Farming does business.

photo courtesy Quixotic Farming

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RM

| EATS

. . . famous for delicious food since 1929

by Heather Berry | hberry@ruralmissouri.coop

T

he city block it’s on is fairly nondescript. A neon blade sign hanging off one brick building quickly carries you back to a time when the street may have seen more action. The building dates back to Prohibition, when gambling and other more, shall we say “less wholesome,” entertainment opportunities were common in Joplin.

“Wilder’s h as been here since 1929, so it’s got quite a history,” says Marsha Pawlus. She and her husband, Mike, owned The Kitchen Pass eatery next to Wilder’s 18 years before purchasing Wilder’s in 1996. They’re the third owners in the 88-year history of the eatery.

Marsha recalls one patron telling her that she “wouldn’t have had shoes on her feet if Vern Wilder hadn’t bought wild game from her dad.”

“Vern would buy wild game during the war and serve it in the restaurant because he couldn’t get beef,” says Marsha. “It was probably illegal to do that, but he also had illegal game playing, ran bootleg liquor sales and had a bordello going on at the same time.”

While the years have rolled on, the speakeasy feel of the place still lingers, mainly due to the owners’ attention to keeping as much historical ambience in the décor as possible.

“We removed two drop ceilings so people can see the original pressed tin ceiling,” says Marsha, also noting the beautiful art deco mahogany bar which runs a good length of the restaurant. “We also keep the neon blade sign in good repair.”

Another iconic neon Wilder’s sign on the rooftop awaits historic restoration.

“That sign is what drew people in from Route 66 to Wilder’s. It lit up the sky,” says Marsha. “It’s a great piece of history.”

While the menu has changed over the years from breakfasts, burgers and buffets, the couple has turned Wilder’s Steakhouse into the perfect destination for business dinners, evenings out with a group of friends or a place to celebrate special occasions.

Wilder’s original motto of being “Famous for good things to eat and drink” still holds true today. The Pawluses carry on that tradition with steaks so tender you can practically cut with a fork, and a wide variety of fresh seafood dishes. “We’re also known for our single malt scotch, small-batch bourbons and great martinis,” Marsha adds.

Those starting dinner with drinks will want to order one of the dozen starters offered on Wilder’s menu. Fresh bruschetta served with focaccia points, breaded crabcakes served with a classic remoulade and crab-filled crimini mushrooms are delicious options. Seafood fans might want to opt for the classic shrimp cocktail, with four jumbo shrimp served with fresh lemon and lime wedges and a cilantro-lime cocktail sauce, sushi tuna which has been blackened and seared rare and served with wasabi, pickled ginger, chili aioli and soy sauce or extra-large sea scallops roasted in a red-pepper cream sauce.

And these, we remind you, are only the appetizers. Wait until you try the rest of what the menu offers.

Meals are served a la carte, so you can order exactly what you’d prefer with your entree. Salad fans have outstanding options, such as the Wilder’s Wedge with its iceberg lettuce, English blue cheese crumbles, housemade blue cheese dressing, smoked bacon and fresh tomatoes sprinkled on top. Another favorite is the Brussels sprout salad made of shaved Brussels sprouts, red onion, toasted almonds, Parmesan cheese and finished with a brown-butter vinaigrette. Another unique salad option is the grilled romaine, which is a chargrilled wedge of romaine lettuce served with a classic Caesar dressing and a blend of cheeses.

Now, the difficult choice — choosing one of the Wilder’s 20 entrees. For those who just aren’t in the mood for steak but still desire a delicious meal, try an offering such as the chicken picatta, pan-fried with butter, capers, white wine and lemon and served on a bed of fresh spinach and housemade pasta. Or maybe the thick, house-smoked pork chop, grilled and served with a dried-fruit compote and red pepper glaze with garlic mashed potatoes would be in order.

Seafood fans can enjoy the menu offerings of North Atlantic Salmon, South American Lobster Tail, Chilean Sea Bass and Alaskan King Crab.

Steak lovers have at least 10 options and they’re all amazing. Wilder’s prides itself on using hormone- and antibiotic-free, vegetarian-fed beef for their steaks.

Twelve-ounce rib-eyes are well-marbled, and beef tenderloin filets are handcut from the center of the tenderloin and served in 6-, 8- and 10-ounce cuts, chargrilled to perfection. Prefer a larger cut? Just ask; they’ve got you covered.

Marsha says her favorite entree is the DuPont, named after her father, with

Wilder’s original blade sign in front of the eatery still lights up in neon each night for those passing through Joplin’s historic district of Joplin.

Mike and Marsha Pawlus, owners of WIlder’s Steakhouse in Joplin.

Wilder’s Steakhouse Specialties: Handcut, 24-ounce Butcher’s T-bone and rib-eye steaks; 12-ounce Kansas City Strip steak; Chilean Sea Bass and Alaskan King Crab.

More content inside our digital edition www.ruralmissouri.coop

Handcut steaks are the specialty at Wilder’s Steakhouse. This well-seasoned 6-ounce filet special comes with a skewer of grilled shrimp, grilled baby asparagus and a Parmesan crisp.

Price: Appetizers from $6 to $16. Salads and sides from $6 to $11. Entrees from $19 to $49.

Joplin Details: Open Monday through Thursday, 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Full bar; non-smoking. Cash and all major credit cards accepted. Reservations recommended for two or more people, especially if it’s a special occasion.

Directions: Located at 1216 S. Main St. in Joplin.

Contact: 417-623-7230 or follow them on Facebook. the sea bass running a close second.

“My father loved smothered steaks. He worked at DuPont Powder Company,” she adds. “So our DuPont is a steak covered in mushrooms and onions with cheese melted over the top. It’s a special nod to Pop and DuPont.”

Side dishes are also a la carte. Offerings include items such as roasted Brussels sprouts, housemade onion rings, smoked Gouda twice-baked potatoes or Wilder’s signature Truffled Five-Cheese Macaroni. Fair warning: there’s enough of the baked macaroni dish to share, but you may regret giving any away.

The guestbook shows visitors have been to Wilder’s from numerous countries and every state in the U.S. Those traveling Route 66 tend to find Wilder’s since it’s not far off the highway.

“We knew when we bought this place that we wanted to be stewards of Wilder’s,” says Marsha. “When you have a sign as beautiful as the one outside, you don’t change the name. We truly feel we’re just caretakers here.”

MARCH 2017 | RURALMISSOURI.COOP

15

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Producing smiles O’Fallon man custom-makes cottages for children with cancer

by Paul Newton | pnewton@ruralmissouri.coop

associated with it.”

Once construction starts on the house it can take Patrick approxialk into Patrick Collins’ living room, and you’d be sure mately three weeks to finish a dollhouse, depending on the workload he’s carrying at the time. the home is crawling with children. There are dollhous“I don’t want to use flimsy or thin wood that breaks or splinters es of all shapes, sizes and colors, including a model fire O’Fallon station and a cottage paying homage to “Minions.” Howeasily,” he explains. “Some of the kids that have leukemia, if they were to cut their hand playing with it and start bleeding, ever, these dollhouses, cottages and fire stations aren’t intended for it would be really bad.” anyone living under this roof. They have a more noble cause.

Patrick thinks it’s important to be able to spin the dollhousFor the past four years, Patrick has operated Cottages for Cancer es around, so most of them are on wheels. His standard house Kids from his O’Fallon home. He has built or restored more than 70 of the miniature buildings, donating them to children with varying forms of includes six rooms but he has done bigger ones. He recalls delivering a 14-room dollhouse to a girl. “She couldn’t stop bouncing,” he says. “Her cancer from around the country or to cancer fundraisers.

“I started it in honor of my nephew Stephen,” he says. “He did so much for mom physically got out of her chair and wasn’t able to hold her down. She was me in life when I was struggling with personal issues. When I found out he so elated.”

While he ships them around the country to those not in the area, he says had cancer, I asked him what I could do for him to thank him. He told me he those local deliveries are his favorite part. wanted me to ‘pay it forward.’ ” Dana and Matthew Manley’s daughter, Sydney, was diagnosed with Wilms When he first started, Patrick was buying dollhouse kits from Hobby Lobby.

Since then, his work has included restorations of old dollhouses as well as a tumor — a type of kidney cancer — in 2015. “Someone told Patrick about her, and he called and explained what he did and offered to build her a dollhouse.” few dozen custom builds.

After an interview, Patrick started working, sending her updates on the Patrick either gets referred to families, or they get referred to him. Once they make contact, Patrick will interview either the child or a parent to get a feel for progress. Once it was assembled, Patrick delivered it to Sydney’s home in Hermann. how the finished project can best suit the child.

“It was a beautiful thing,” Dana says. “It was heartwarming to see the hap“They’re given a dollhouse that is truly theirs,” he says. “Every one I make piness on her face when she got that dollhouse. It brought tears to both me is a one-of-a-kind piece.”

Patrick uses that initial interview to customize the dollhouse and decide its and my husband, Matthew’s, eyes. It still does today. He does this and doesn’t color scheme and theme. He’ll also find out how many family members there expect or want a thing.”

Cottages for Cancer Kids operates on a donation-only basis and parents are to make sure everyone has a spot in the home.

“He treats these kids like they’re part of his family,” says Ruth, Patrick’s aren’t charged for anything. “I ask them not to donate. I just think the parents have gone through so much. They shouldn’t have to pay. The kids are more wife. “He takes a genuine interest in them.”

Adds Patrick: “I make these cottages for kids with this terrible diagnosis. important than the money.”

Donations are made to the program through a GoFundMe account and Someday, I hope that I won’t have to.”

Themes for the structures vary. He’s built a trio of “Frozen” dollhouses. updates are posted to a Facebook page.

Patrick says bringing a sense of normalcy to the families is vital to his dollHowever, he sometimes gets more unusual requests. One little girl told Patrick house mission. she enjoyed the television series “Gil“I do it for the energy in the kids,” ligan’s Island” and the movie “Chitty he says. “I can’t imagine the pain Chitty Bang Bang.” these kids — and their families — go “She got a working garage door through. When they see their houson the third floor of her dollhouse. es, they don’t look sick. They’re enerBecause where else are you going to getic. They look like a normal kid. put a flying car?” Patrick says with a It’s their chance to shine and not be smile. “And I made a grass hut in one sick.” of the rooms with a hammock.”

Other small features include For more information and to donate prayer rooms, personalized dog to Cottages for Cancer Kids visit bowls for family pets, horse stables www.gofundme.com/Dollhouses or and much more. find them on Facebook.

“We’re in the early stages of building one for a little girl who is Above: Patrick Collins of O’Fallon has conblind,” he says. “We’re working on structed more that 70 dollhouses for chila way to incorporate noises into the dren with cancer. Left: Patrick created this rooms. So when she puts her hands bedroom paying homage to “Minions.” on something it would make a noise

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Above: Robert Vestal, left, and George Wilson stand in Central High School’s Jim Ball Gymnasium. Once part of Springfield Senior High School, “The Pit” as it is affectionately known hosted the boys basketball state championships from 1943 to 1945.

Left: The first edition of “From The Beginning...” was published in 2000 after more than six years of research and writing.

Two former history teachers compile the book of basketball

Robert, a Southwest Electric Cooperative member, says a number of incidents make the 1927 tournament held in Columbia memorable. Tragedy struck Kansas City Central when a wagon bearing the team across a flooded

by Zach Smith | zsmith@ruralmissouri.coop river crossing overturned, resulting in two teammates drowning. Marshfield ho scored the game-winning free throw in 1937? Who coached players heard a tornado hit their town with no fatalities. A night watchman Scott County Central to 12 state titles? Which girls team went tried to stop one game due to school policy that the gym be closed at 8 p.m.

Scoring in the championship game, when quarters were 8 minutes, the clock undefeated in 1977-78? George Wilson and Robert Vestal know.

After all, the two men are responsible for compiling 90 years of never stopped and players stood flat-footed to shoot, show the evolution of the sport. Kansas City Northeast would beat Springfield with a final score of 27-17.

Missouri high school basketball history.

Players with prowess abound, such as Cardinal Ritter’s Loren Woods and Totaling 1,176 pages, the two-volume set “From the Beginning…: The History of Missouri State Basketball Championships” is more than a collection of stats Chris Carrawell recording a triple-double and quadruple-double, respectively, to its authors. It’s an encyclopedia of the Missouri State High School Activities during the same game in 1994. Robert and George regard Carrawell’s double figures in blocked shots, assists, rebounds and points a near impossible feat.

Association championship tournaments since being organized in 1927.

It’s high praise from those who know and love the game, particularly George.

The idea for the books, which took eight years to research, dates back to He spent 31 years coaching boys high school and another 16 as head 1993 when George and Robert first met in the SpringfieldGreene County Library. “I don’t know which one of us said women’s coach at College of the Ozarks. Amassing 1,006 wins in a nearly half-century career, he coached the Willard Tigers to third place in 1988. what to who first,” Robert remembers, “but one of us said, “That’s pretty good when you consider I got to 100 losses before I got to ‘There ought to be a book on the state basketball tournament.’ ” 100 wins,” says George, who coached C of O’s Lady Bobcats to four Relying on newspapers and microfilm, it became apparent NAIA tournament runner-up finishes. that the two history teachers couldn’t complete the project At 75, George says Robert may be writing an eventual third without a larger pool of data. In addition to keeping local Springfield volume on his own, but George’s nose for research might rub off clippings and saving stories found online, they made trips to the on grandson Austin. The C of O journalism student accompanied State Historical Society of Missouri in Columbia, staying in the the researchers to Columbia, and was given what Robert calls “a archives from open until close. In the beginning the two broke for real needle in the haystack to look for” by his grandfather. lunch, Robert says, but the luxury didn’t last long.

“I didn’t treat him very fairly,” George laughs, “but he found it “That was another hour where we could find some more stuff,” George in about two hours. I said, ‘That’s good — that’s about one line in our book.’ ” adds. “So we had a good supper on the way home.”

While compiling tournament history was a labor of love for George and The first edition, covering the inaugural year through 1999, took more than six years to research before being published in 2000. With both former Robert, to former players and their families, “the books” are something else educators now retired, revising the first edition and creating the second volume entirely. George recalls visiting with the daughter of a late Everton player, who considers her copy of the first edition “a family treasure.” took less than two years and was published last fall.

“I was happy she thought it was important that Grandpa played in the state Even with so many resources some details still proved elusive, so the researchers cold called faculty at other schools to put together the missing tournament, and grandkids will always know it as long as someone has that pieces. The strategy helped fill in the blanks for Centerville’s 1958 postseason book,” George says. “Maybe they will pass it down to the next generation, and Everton will have a little bit of history that is still alive someplace.” and the first name of Coach Gordon Bates at Clearmont.

Among 7,800 games recorded there are many standouts, such as the six“From the Beginning…” is $42.50 or the set is available for $85. To order, call overtime quarterfinal between St. Francis Borgia and Bowling Green in 1981 or the four-overtime championship between Bradleyville and Howardville in 1968. George Wilson at 417-840-9353 or Robert Vestal at 417-833-9094.

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20

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2/3/17 4:11 PM

Race to the Rocker 4-mile race offers fun and fitness on Route 66

by Jim McCarty | jmccarty@ruralmissouri.coop

O

n March 18, thousands of runners, joggers and walkers will descend on Cuba, Missouri for the ninth-annual “Route 66 Race to the Rocker.” Some will sprint the 4-mile course, hoping to break the record.

Others will walk the entire route, perhaps pushing a child in a stroller.

“It can take some people 20 minutes and others over an hour,” says Tanya McKellips, who with her husband, Mike, serves as race director. “We stay here until the last finisher and cheer them on at the finish line.”

One year Eric Kohnen was that last person in. He suffers from a genetic disease but was determined to complete the race. His wife, Leandra, shared his story with the race organizers: “By mile 1, I could see he was already slowing down and wobbling side to side which is what he does when he starts fatiguing. There were rolling hills which really are hard for him — any incline is more challenging for him. We were dead last with the ambulance slowly trailing us. He kept stopping to stretch and the ambulance would just stop and wait patiently. Getting close to mile 3, it was looking grim. He was questioning if he could finish or not.

I had walked back to the medics a few times to give them the lowdown and let them know he really wanted to finish but if they needed to open the road we understood. They were so kind and said, ‘Nope we are here until the last person crosses the finish line.’ Ryan, the passenger paramedic, got out to assess Eric and make sure he was OK at one point. Eric had been leaning on me for support since mile 2.5. The medic took Eric’s other side and walked a few steps with us.

At this point Eric’s left leg gave out and he fell. He said, ‘I can’t do this any more’ with tears in his eyes. Ryan didn’t miss a beat. He said, ‘Do you want to finish?

Do you think if I stay and support you it will help?’ This was a huge breath of life to Eric. He said yes, he really wanted to finish. He perked up some and this guy, Ryan, walked over a mile with stops every five to 10 steps and kept talking and encouraging while his partner, Dessa, drove the ambulance behind us. When we finished we all cried. Those paramedics didn’t have to save a life, but they sure changed one. Eric would have been crushed if he didn’t finish. He worked harder yesterday than I have ever seen him work. It took his physical being as well as mental power to finish.”

It’s that kind of event, put on by a friendly community and designed to help everyone have a great time. This year marks the ninth year for the run, which begins in downtown Cuba and ends at what was once the world’s largest rocking chair, 4 miles away in Fanning.

Participants have come from across Missouri, but also Ohio, Iowa, Illinois, Maryland, Connecticut, Louisiana and elsewhere.

“They come from all over,” Tanya says.

“We advertise everywhere we can think of, in all of the running publications. The biggest draw is the rocking chair, obviously. A lot of people like to see that at the finish line.”

When the Race to the Rocker started, a little more than 200 people took part. This past year those numbers had swelled to 1,229, making this one of the largest short races in rural Missouri. The event is on a pace to top that number in 2017. Already organizers say

22

RURAL MISSOURI | MARCH 2017

entries are running 100 more than at this time last year.

The race grew out of a fitness group called Jog Inc. that was started by local runners Brad and Rachelle Austin. “They wanted to put together a fun run,” Tanya says. “Three years ago they moved away. We didn’t want to see it go away. Now it takes an entire committee to take care of it.”

The idea was to promote fitness, especially among the area youth.

“Our goal is to get kids active,” Tanya says. “Off their phone, away from the games and outside in the fresh air.”

Toward that goal, for every paid adult entry, a kid can run for free. “We get everyone from kids in a stroller to people in their 70s and 80s,” she says. “We have walkers too. Even I can do it and I am not a runner.”

The $30 entry fee ($25 before March 1) goes to support Cuba local community improvement projects. In 2016, more than $20,000 was raised from the event. Race organizers set aside just enough to kickstart the next year’s race, then donate the rest to worthy causes.

This has included new timing equipment for the Cuba High School Track Team, a canopy for the cross-country team, instruments for the school band, uniforms for the drill team, new water fountains, weightlifting equipment and more. The race also funds three scholarships for high school seniors heading to college.

Local clubs also help with the event. For example, the Oak Hills 4-H Club helps put on the Friday night spaghetti dinner for runners and also staffs one of the water stations. They received one of several $500 grants for their efforts.

Scouts and even the Red Cross pitch in, while area businesses also contribute.

Participants also can enter as teams. There’s an award for the team with the fastest time for five runners, and another for the team with the most runners.

Some runners take the race seriously, vying for a $250 cash prize if they can beat the record time of 19:11. This year there will be a prize for the record-setting female runner too.

Awards are given to the top three finishers, male and female, in nine different age groups, including 10 and under and those over 71.

The point-to-point race starts at Mizell Funeral Home and heads straight down Route 66, which is closed to traffic, to the rocker. It’s nearly flat and there are shuttles waiting to return runners to their vehicles. Most stick around later to see the 12 beautiful murals on Cuba businesses, eat in the many fine dining establishments or just enjoy the day.

“Four miles for someone who has never done a race before is doable,” says Genifer Cape, community relations representative for Crawford Electric Cooperative and one of the race’s volunteers. “So it is a family thing. We are trying to promote health, fitness and family time together. We encourage businesses to take part for their wellness program. It is nice to see people come here who have never run a race before and get to be part of the camaraderie that goes with running events.” photo courtesy Melissa Albright

For more information on the 2017 Route 66 Race to the Rocker, visit www.racetotherocker.com or find it on Facebook.

Above: The Race to the Rocker ends at the Red Rocker, a 41-foot rocking chair that was once the world’s largest rocker. Left: The race has grown larger every year since its start nine years ago, topping out at more than 1,200 partcipants in 2016.

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Experts offer garden design ideas Get growing with these gardening tips

by Dianna Troyer | info@ruralmissouri.coop

A

s unique as fingerprints and snowflakes, garden designs can be as limitless as an individual’s imagination. “Ask yourself what you really want out of your garden, then design and plant with those goals in mind,” says Dave Whitinger, executive director of the National Gardening Association and an avid gardener. “A lot of people just start planting things they are told to plant without thinking about whether they even want that. If you want to grow vegetables but dislike greens, don’t plant greens.”

Dave and his wife, Trish, chief operating officer of the association, prefer to design their gardens with vegetables and flowers in the same beds.

“In our pollinator garden, you might suddenly be surprised by a tomato plant, eggplant or who knows what else,” he says. “We also grow garlic throughout the gardens. We like oregano for fresh use and grow it everywhere. It makes an excellent ground cover, too. We also grow a lot of rosemary and many other herbs.”

The Whitingers and their eight children care for countless plants in a 12-square-foot greenhouse and eight 10-foot-by-10-foot raised beds arranged in a keyhole shape.

“We use the beds for intensive gardening of food for our family,” he says. “We also grow thousands of heirloom vegetables to sell as starts to our local gardeners in the spring.”

Based on the increase in consumers who browse the association’s website, www.garden.org, interest in garden designs is growing, Whitinger says.

“More and more people — especially millennials — are environmentally aware and care about the health of the ecosystem and the quality of their food, so they’re growing gardens,” he says.

Of the 6 million “new” gardeners last year, 5 million were 18- to 34-yearolds, according to Garden Media Group, a national organization that promotes gardening.

Dave and author Pam Penick share a few of their favorite garden design ideas for 2017 that apply to gardens anywhere.

24

RURAL MISSOURI | MARCH 2017

Think small Dave suggests starting small with growing areas and miniature plants.

“Some people get excited about gardening and overdo it by making a project too large,” he says. “Then they get overwhelmed and discouraged when the size of the project makes success impossible. Start small, and as you enjoy success, expand what you’re doing.”

As for herbs, one of his dwarf favorites is Globe basil. “Traditional basil is large and can look a bit out of place in an ornamental garden,” Dave says.

“Globe basil gets about 12 inches tall and forms a perfectly round little globe.

The leaves are tiny and each plant produces hundreds of them. When it blooms, the flower spikes are nicely arranged and highly attractive to bees.”

For indoor gardens or patios, dwarf vegetables include varieties of tomatoes, summer squash, cauliflower, carrots, green beans, lettuce, eggplant, melons, peppers and cucumbers.

Make a place to rest

Whether a swing, glider, rocking chair or hammock, garden design should include a place to rest and revive.

Pam settles in an Adirondack chair in her back garden under the shade of oak trees. “I created a garden with cat-like tendencies, meaning it doesn’t need my attention every day,” she explains. “It’s important to relax in the garden and not just tend to it. I love watching hummingbirds zip around, sipping from Turk’s Cap and Mexican honeysuckle.”

Dave sometimes writes outside. He finds a spot surrounded by greenery with the background music of chirping birds and humming insects. “I love the fragrance of our flowering plants and watching wildlife visiting our gardens,” he says.

Befriend pollinators

Garden design should not only include a haven for people, but for pollinators to help bolster declining populations of bees, bats and butterflies.

“We grow a tremendous number of plants that attract butterflies and other pollinators,” says Dave.

In its 2017 Garden Trends Report, “Grow 365,” Garden Media Group advises putting up a bat house along with birdhouses and feeders.

A bat can eat 6,000 to 8,000 mosquitos nightly while pollinating a garden.

Besides bats and birds, another way to control pests without synthetic chemicals is to plant natural repellents such as basil, chives, lavender, mint, rosemary, sage, lemon balm and thyme.

Garden indoors without soil

Gardeners — especially millennials who embrace technology — are growing herbs and microgreens indoors with hydroponic garden kits.

Self-sustaining systems provide automated lighting and watering systems.

Indoor gardening stores made nearly $1 billion in 2015. The market has increased 8.2 percent in the past five years, according to the Gardening Trends Report.

The Whitingers keep a self-sustaining aquaponics tank in their greenhouse.

“The fish are koi, and the grow bed is almost always full of greens like lettuce, spinach, kale and chard,” Dave says.

Gardening magic

The Whitingers say they never tire of seeing gardening through their children’s eyes. “To them, it seems like magic to plant a seed, no matter what, then watch it germinate and grow into food they can eat or a flower they can pick,” Trish says of their children, who range in age from infancy to 18 years old.

“Tending to our gardens or just looking at them still sparks a lifelong love for all living things,” says Dave.

So long, traditional lawn

Pam implemented the idea of small into her yard. Instead of tending to a vast, thirsty stretch of grass, she has a swatch of Berkeley Sedge in her front yard that she mows once a year.

“It provides a lawn-like look without needing much water or fertilizer,” she says.

Instead of lawn, she designed low-water garden beds, meandering paths and patios. Another alternative for grass lawns are gardens with varieties of short creeping perennials that thrive even when people walk on them.

“Corsican mint is ideal because it grows 1 to 2 inches high per year and spreads 4 to 6 inches wide on average,” says Fran White, who started her Under A Foot Plant Co. in Oregon in 1998. “Certain plants can be the living carpet to your outdoor rooms.”

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Cutout: The Camano Coffee Mill is the signature item at Red Rooster Trading Company. Above left: Justin and Britta make all of Red Rooster’s products in their 3,600-square-foot shop.

Top right: Along with their mill, Justin creates handmade kitchen items like these cutting boards. Bottom right: Rows of handles for the coffee mill dry after being stained at Red Rooster.

Bible Grove couple creates high-quality coffee mills

by Paul Newton | pnewton@ruralmissouri.coop

A

fter departing rural Missouri for the Pacific Northwest, Justin Burrus picked up a more refined palate when it came to his morning coffee.

“I was in Washington state which is known for being a place for coffee lovers,” the Memphis, Missouri, native says. “Both my wife, Britta, and I ended up falling in love with high-quality coffee. It comes down to where it comes from and how fresh it is.”

Justin and Britta have since moved back to rural, northeast Missouri and have turned their collective love of java into their life’s work. For more than half of a decade, the duo have owned and operated Red Rooster Trading Company in Bible Grove, specializing in high-quality, handmade items with their Camano Coffee Mill being their signature product.

“We have a good friend, Nate Long, who gave us the grinder Bible idea,” Justin says. “He started it and was kind of getting away from it and passed it on to us. Since then, we’ve made it our own and improved it where we could. It was developed for the love of coffee and getting the best cup you can.”

Justin and Britta, a construction worker and graphic artist respectively, leaned on their skill sets to jump-start Red Rooster. Justin learned the ropes from Nate and after moving back to Missouri, he remodeled a 3,600-square-foot old machine shed to be the headquarters of the company.

Inside the facility, the Tri-County Electric Cooperative members and a handful of employees make, market and ship all the products sold by Red Rooster. While they do have distributors nationally and internationally — such as kitchen stores, boutiques and coffee shops — most of their business is done online. “Thankfully, we have high-speed internet,” Britta says. “Without that, it would be impossible.”

They make an average of about 250 of their best-selling coffee mills per week. “We can ramp that up when needed,” Justin says.

The handmade mill is nearly 1 foot tall and weighs 4 pounds. You can feel the quality and durability of it when you pick it up. It’s made of multiple types of metal, and your coffee beans are hand ground into a jar below. “It has a fully adjustable mechanism,” Justin says. “You can adjust it to be very fine for something like an espresso or as coarse as you’d like for a French press.”

When the lever is turned, the beans are sent through a conical grinder, which crushes the beans as opposed to chopping them. That was important to Justin when designing the mill. “I equate it to a grape,” he says. “If you slice a grape, you’re going to just get a little bit of juice. But when you crush a grape, all the flavor and juice escape.”

They contract with more than two dozen companies for the components that

28

RURAL MISSOURI | MARCH 2017

go into the mill. “When we started we were getting things imported, but we wanted to have the grinder, and all of its parts, made in the U.S.,” Justin says.

“We visited about 50 foundries to find something that would be a perfect fit for our product. Since then, it’s been solely made in America.”

Justin says having all those components just the way they wanted has led to the product being a must have for coffee connoisseurs.

“There are so many different flavors depending on the soil where it’s grown to the way it’s harvested and processed,” he says. “Anyone who enjoys and appreciates coffee is who we’re making this for.”

Justin continues his wine comparison when talking about the flavors. “It goes back to what you want and appreciate,” he says. “Some people want expensive wines and some drink it out of a box.”

While the Camano Coffee Mill — named for Camano Island in Washington — is their biggest seller, they also stock a variety of othGrove er items including handmade coffee drip stands, spice crushers, heavy-duty cutting boards and furniture.

“Justin uses reclaimed lumber and makes the furniture and other items,” Britta says. “We want our products to not only look good in your house but also to be functional. We use our products every day.”

Most of their customers are from either coast of the United States, so being centrally located helps them with their shipping needs.

“We couldn’t get by with just a brick-and-mortar store,” Justin says of the company’s location on a rural, blacktop road next to his family’s farm. “But, I’m glad we can still live and work here in the Midwest. I love the hospitality and friendliness.”

The pair adds that most people seek them out for their coffee mill — which retails for $95 — and after using it for a period of time will try some of Red Rooster’s other products.

“Our product is basically a once-over product,” Justin says. “You’re not going to buy it multiple times unless it’s a gift.”

Justin adds that there have been ups and downs with the development of the mill, living in a rural setting and getting their name out there. However, they are happy with where their company is today.

“We’re very proud to have it made in America and then we’ve worked hard to keep the cost down compared to some of our competition,” he says. “It can be a challenge to have a small business in a rural setting. But, between hard work and perseverance, you can accomplish a lot.”

For more information on Red Rooster Trading Company, call 509-429-3714 or visit www.redroostertradingcompany.com.

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RM

| RECIPES

Caramel Banana Cream Pie

Thanks a Bunch!

Delicious ways to enjoy the a-peeling banana

by Heather Berry | hberry@ruralmissouri.coop

W

hat’s sweet, seedless and grows in its own perfect packaging? Why the fruit that’s a favorite of nearly all ages — the yellow-jacketed banana.

This delicious fruit is a great choice for the health-conscious eater, offering antioxidents, a good dose of potassium and vitamins A, C and B6.

Most of the time, the bananas we buy in the store are a bit more on the green side. If that’s the case, place them in a brown paper bag with an apple to help speed up the ripening process.

To stop bananas from ripening too quickly, store them in the refrigerator, but don’t be alarmed when the peeling darkens. The banana will be just right in a day or two and will still taste great.

Of course if they get too ripe, don’t toss them. Simply store them in a baggy or container in the freezer to use in smoothies, shakes — or maybe try one of these delicious recipes.

Caramel Banana Cream Pie 1 box vanilla wafers (60 to 65 cookies) 3/4 stick butter, melted 3 large bananas, ripe 1 teaspoon sea salt or coarse salt (do not substitute) 1 cup caramel sauce (like the thick type used over ice cream) Homemade Vanilla Pudding, warm (recipe below) 1 cup heavy cream 1/2 teaspoon almond extract 2 tablespoons powdered sugar 1 Heath bar, chopped into small crumbs for topping

Peel and slice the bananas, adding them to a medium bowl. Stir the sea salt into the caramel sauce and toss the banana slices with the salted caramel. Arrange some of the banana slices evenly over the bottom of the crust.

Spread half of the warm Homemade Vanilla Pudding over the bananas, top with more crushed vanilla wafers (reserving some for garnish) and more caramel-coated bananas. Spread the remaining pudding over the top.

In a large bowl, whip the heavy cream until stiff peaks begin to form. Add the almond extract and sugar and beat until peaks form, but be careful not to overbeat or the cream will become lumpy and butter-like. Spread the whipped cream over the pie. Place in refrigerator to chill completely. Right before serving, garnish with a caramel sauce swirl, the remaining crushed vanilla wafers and the chopped Heath bar.

To prepare the Homemade Vanilla Pudding: In a bowl, whisk together the sugar and flour until all of the lumps are gone. Once it is a fine powder, whisk in the egg yolks and whole eggs and continue whisking until a smooth paste is formed. Slowly whisk in 1 cup milk, and once this is incorporated add the remaining milk.

Transfer the mixture to a saucepan and cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, until it becomes thick, 10 to 15 minutes. Mixture will just begin to bubble and will be thick enough to hold soft peaks when the whisk is lifted.

Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla.

Hawaiian Banana Bread

Homemade Vanilla Pudding: 3/4 cup sugar 1/3 cup flour 4 egg yolks 2 large eggs 2 cups milk, divided 2 teaspoons vanilla

3 cups flour 3/4 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon baking soda 2 cups sugar 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1 cup walnuts, chopped 3 eggs, beaten 1 cup vegetable oil 2 cups mashed very ripe bananas 8 ounces crushed pineapple, drained 2 teaspoons vanilla 1 cup coconut, flaked 1 cup maraschino cherries, drained and chopped

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Put the vanilla wafers in a food processor and pulse until the cookies are finely crushed. Reserve 1/2 cup to layer in and to top the pie. Pour the remaining crumbs into a 9-inch pie plate. Pour the melted butter over the top. Combine the ingredients and press the mixture into the bottom and up the sides of the pie plate. Bake until lightly browned, 10 to 12 minutes.

Remove and cool completely, about 30 minutes.

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease two 9-inch-by-5-inch loaf pans. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, salt, baking soda, sugar and cinnamon. Add the walnuts, eggs, oil, bananas, pineapple, vanilla, coconut and cherries; stir just until blended. Pour batter evenly into the prepared pans. Bake for 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a loaf comes out clean.

Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then remove to a wire rack to cool completely.

30

RURAL MISSOURI | MARCH 2017

More content inside our digital edition www.ruralmissouri.coop

Follow us on Pinterest at www.pinterest.com/ ruralmissouri

Recipes prepared by Chef Rhonda Boram, vice-president of the American Culinary Federation; Springfield/Branson.

Quick Banana Pudding Two 3-1/2 ounce packages instant pudding mix (vanilla or banana flavor) 3 cups cold milk One 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk 8 ounces sour cream 8 ounces cream cheese, softened 4 ounces whipped topping 6 bananas, sliced and coated with lemon juice to keep fruit from browning 1-pound box of vanilla wafers

Banana Bread Pudding

Banana Bread Pudding 4 cups raisin bread, cubed 3 bananas, ripe but still firm 1/2 cup sweetened coconut, flaked 1-3/4 cups whole milk 2 large eggs, lightly beaten 1/2 cup light brown sugar, firmly packed 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg 1 teaspoon vanilla Warm Vanilla Sauce: 1/4 cup light brown sugar, packed 1/2 cup sugar 2 tablespoons corn syrup 3/4 cup heavy cream 6 tablespoons butter, salted 3 teaspoons vanilla Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 1-1/2-quart baking dish. Put 2 cups of raisin bread cubes into the prepared dish. Slice the bananas; arrange banana slices and flaked coconut on the bread cube layer, then top with the remaining raisin bread cubes.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the milk and eggs until well combined.

Whisk in the brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla until well blended.

Pour the milk and egg mixture over the bread cubes. Using a spoon, gently press the bread cubes down into the mixture so they will absorb more of the milk and egg. Let stand for 10 minutes, then bake for 45 to 50 minutes, or until center is nearly set.

To prepare Warm Vanilla Sauce: In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the brown sugar, syrup, 1/2 cup sugar, heavy cream and butter. Bring contents to a boil, stirring frequently, for 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in 3 teaspoons of vanilla. Spoon over bread pudding while hot.

Hawaiian Banana Bread

Combine the pudding mixes, regular milk and condensed milk, sour cream, cream cheese and whipped topping until smooth and thick.

Line a serving bowl with vanilla wafers. Next, spoon the thick pudding mixture onto the vanilla wafers. Next, place a layer of bananas, alternating between bananas, wafers and pudding mixture until all layers are complete.

Keep refrigerated until time to serve.

Banana Pecan Layer Cake 1 cup butter, softened 3 cups sugar 2 cups ripe bananas, mashed 4 eggs, beaten 3-3/4 cups flour 2 teaspoons baking soda 1 cup buttermilk 1 teaspoon vanilla 2 tablespoons orange juice 1 cup pecans, chopped Cream Cheese Icing (below) Cream butter; gradually add sugar, beating at medium speed with an electric mixer. Add bananas; mix until smooth. Stir in eggs. Combine flour and baking soda; add to banana mixture alternately with buttermilk, beginning and ending with flour mixture, stirring to combine after each addition. Stir in vanilla, orange juice and pecans. Pour batter into three greased and floured 9-inchround cake pans — batter will be thick.

Bake at 350 degrees for 35 to 40 minutes; cool in pans 10 minutes and remove cake from pans. Cool completely on wire racks. Ice when cake is completely cool.

Cream Cheese Icing: 4 cups powdered sugar Two 8-ounce packages cream cheese, room temperature 1 stick unsalted butter, room temperature 4 teaspoons vanilla With an electric mixer, beat all ingredients in medium bowl until smooth and creamy. Place one cake layer on a large plate or cake stand. Spread top with 3/4 cup of the frosting. Repeat process with next two layers. Using icing spatula, spread remaining frosting in decorative swirls over sides and top of cake.

Banana Pecan Layer Cake

MARCH 2017 | RURALMISSOURI.COOP

XX

“The spine team treated us

like family.”

Recently, Sally Lagesse went through a scary experience with her mother, Abbie, who was in excruciating pain and unable to walk.

Fortunately, SSM Health spine surgeon Dr. Blake Rodgers successfully removed a seven-inch hematoma from Abbie’s spine. And, as she describes it, “He got me walking again. It was a miracle.”

Sally agrees, “I was so impressed with Dr. Rodgers and his whole staff, Blake Rodgers, MD

I had him operate on me as well. In fact, several of our family members have gone to see him. We’d recommend him to anyone.”

For the rest of Sally and Abbie’s story, visit ssmhealthmidmo.com to watch a short video. To make an appointment, call 573-681-3759.

Morton_RuralMO_3.17_Layout 1 2/3/17 2:25 PM Page 1

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33

RM

| OUTDOORS

A WALK IN THE PARKS

Department of Natural Resources Management Chief Ken McCarty guides hikers on the glades of Ozark Mountain State Park in Branson.Visitors received a peek at three new parks under development.

Missouri State Parks hosts public, seeks input at three new sites

by Jim McCarty | jmccarty@ruralmissouri.coop and Zach Smith | zsmith@ruralmissouri.coop

A

midst the fervor of celebrating the centennial year of Missouri’s state parks, the Show-Me State welcomed three new additions in 2016 and 2017. From a creekside campground in the heart of the Ozarks wilderness to sandstone canyons outside St. Louis to a new bike route connecting Kansas City to the Katy Trail, Missourians have more places and opportunities where they can enjoy the great outdoors.

At the end of 2016 and beginning of 2017, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources announced the purchase of four more parks: Ozark Moun-

DON ROBINSON STATE PARK Don Robinson, a self-made businessman who made a fortune selling stain remover, sought sanctuary when he bought a unique piece of property in Jefferson County to make his home. When he died in 2012, he donated the 818 acres of land to Missouri’s State Park system so that others can find solace here too.

From a central paved path that offers a shady trip into the woods, trails branch off and head downhill into the deep box canyons that are a signature of this new park. They wind past rock bluffs that in rainy weather form breathtaking waterfalls. One footpath takes you across a tiny sandstone slab bridge.

The park includes the upper watershed of LaBarque Creek, which flows into the Meramec River. It is home to approximately 650 species of plants, including several that are of concern to conservationists.

The park opened Jan. 6 and quickly became popular with visitors. On typical weekends, every parking spot is full. So wild is the landscape that several hikers have had to be rescued when they strayed off the trails and couldn’t find their way back.

ROCK ISLAND SPUR Connecting Kansas City’s southeastern metropolitan area to the Katy Trail and beyond, Rock Island Spur opened in December 2016. Following the railbed of the former Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad line, the 47.5-mile trail runs through woods and farmland between Windsor and Pleasant Hill with additional trailheads located at Leeton, Chilhowee and Medford.

At Windsor, the adventurous and well-provisioned cyclist can link up with the Katy Trail and push on another 221 miles northeast to Machens or take a roughly 17-mile ride southwest to Clinton on one of America’s longest rails to trails projects. photo courtesy of Missouri State Parks

34

RURAL MISSOURI | MARCH 2017

tain, Bryant Creek and Eleven Point and Jay Nixon state parks. Although the parks are closed to the public while under development, Missouri State Parks staff hosted a series of introductory hikes at three of the parks during the first weekend of January. The hikes were part of a public comment period to obtain input from the state’s roughly 6 million park owners as to how these additions might best be developed. Nearly 200 people turned out in below-freezing temperatures to explore the currently unbeaten paths of all three parks to form their opinions.

For more information on these parks, visit www.mostateparks.com. Public comment is open through March 31 at www.mostateparks.com/newparks.

ECHO BLUFF STATE PARK Opened this past July, Echo Bluff State Park has a campsite to match just about anyone’s desired level of comfort. Situated on the former site of Camp Zoe in Shannon County, the 476-acre park features a lodge, cabins with wood-burning fireplaces, RV hookups and even walk-in sites for those who prefer to camp in solitude. Be prepared for company: The elusive wild horses of Shannon County are known to frequent the riverbanks of Sinking Creek.

Hikers can access Current River State Park via five miles of trail along the river corridor or opt for the shorter Painter Ridge Trail, which includes elevated ladders, ramps and boardwalks for mountain bike enthusiasts. The park also serves as a jumping off point for visitors to explore other nearby natural wonders, such as the Ozark National Scenic Riverways, Roger Pryor Backcountry and Peck Ranch.

ELEVEN POINT STATE PARK Anglers and paddlers alike will delight in visiting the largest of the new parks. Located east of Alton in Oregon County, Eleven Point State Park totals 4,167 acres and contains six miles of frontage on the nationally protected river corridor.The former Frederick Creek and Pigman ranches, the latter of which played host to The Beatles during a break from their historic 1964 stateside tour, are located in the park.

According to Department of Natural Resources Management Chief Ken McCarty, who led many of the introductory hikes, about 14 different tributary valleys feed into the Eleven Point River creating transitions in topography. On a bushwhacking trip up the ridge at river’s edge, hikers wandered past an old cemetery and through stands of mature oak and pine trees. Ken says most of the park comprises these woodlands, with the remaining 30 percent of it covered in upland pasture.

“Historically, what you would find would be a fairly open landscape — not quite as open as this,” Ken adds. “Sort of a savanna-woodland with little prairie remnants scattered throughout these upland plains, and then as you started dropping off the edge you would move into the river hills.”

OZARK MOUNTAIN STATE PARK Anyone who has read “The Shepherd of the Hills” will get a sense that they are walking in Old Matt’s footsteps at this park, which is located northwest of Branson just across Roark Creek from where the outdoor play is presented in season.

Similar to Bryant Creek, Ozark Mountain is actually two parks, Ken says. One side of the park is an old ranch, which holds cultural significance as a typical livestock farm in the Missouri Ozarks. Left behind are an old barn, a sawmill whose origins date back to the 1800s and a one-room schoolhouse that is all that remains of the Garber community.

Then there is the wild side of the park — the glades. Here, prairie grasses such as little and big bluestem, Indian grass and sideoats grama thrive on thin soil topping thick limestone rock. Visitors in January didn’t experience it, but come summer the landscape will bloom with wildflowers.

BRYANT CREEK STATE PARK Hikers hungry for rugged terrain and unbeatable views won’t be disappointed amid the tall trees, shear bluffs and two miles of river frontage at Bryant Creek State Park.

Comprising 2,917 acres in southern Douglas County, the park is made up of two parcels of land divided by State Highway N. Although a timber company that previously owned the property did some logging here, signs remain of what the area looked like in pre-settlement days.

“If you rolled the clock back about 300 years, you would have seen a very extensive part of Missouri’s shortleaf pine forest expanding out, and there are some strong pieces of that that still exist,” Ken says.

Photographers, also, will capture plenty of memorable images if they are willing to venture along Bryant Creek’s steep slopes.A towering forest of oak and pine blankets this section of Ozarks hills and hollows where frozen waterfalls drip down from sandstone outcroppings carpeted with moss and ferns.

JAY NIXON STATE PARK In early January, another new state park was announced by Missouri State Parks, named after the former Gov. Jeremiah “Jay” Nixon.

Located near Taum Sauk Mountain and Johnson’s Shut-Ins state parks, Jay Nixon State Park is currently closed with no access. Located in a remote section of Reynolds County, the park also contains a rare mountaintop lake. photo courtesy of Missouri State Parks

RM

| N OT E S

Have a Century Farm?

I

f your farm has been in your family since Dec. 31, 1917, you can apply to have it recognized as a Missouri Century Farm.

To qualify, farms must have been in the same family for 100 consecutive years. The line of ownership from the original settler or buyer may be through children, grandchildren, siblings and nephews or nieces, including through marriage or adoption. The farm must be at least 40 acres of the original land acquisition and make a financial contribution to the overall farm income.

Certified applicants will be recognized by the MU Extension center in the county where the farm is located. Applicants are presented with a sign and a certificate. More than 8,000 century farms have been recognized in Missouri.

For applications received by May 1, a $55 fee covers the cost of a certificate, farm sign and booklet for approved applicants. If the application is received between May 1 and May 15, the cost is $65.

Applications must be postmarked by May 15, 2017, to be considered. For more information contact your local MU Extension chapter, call 800-292-0969 or visit extension.missouri.edu/centuryfarm.

Buckle Up/Phone Down

M

oDOT and the Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety are challenging businesses and citizens to buckle up and put their phones away.

Buckle Up/Phone Down is tackling the two most impactful actions to prevent crashes, or survive one.

Those are putting your phone down and your seat belt on. Distracted driving crashes totaled 2,237 in 2015. Of the 684 drivers and passengers whose vehicles were subject to Missouri’s current safety belt law, 62 percent were unrestrained.

The hope is to get private-industry support through internal campaigns and banning cell phone use in vehicles and making safety belts mandatory.

“You’re 23 times more likely to be in a critical incident when the driver is texting,” said Highway Safety Director Bill Whitfield. “And only eight states scored lower than Missouri on voluntary safety belt use. For more information visit www.modot.org/ BuckleUpPhoneDown.

MDC working to remove feral hogs

T

he Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) removed a total of 5,358 feral hogs in 2016, a 47 percent increase from the previous year.

2,941 feral hogs were trapped in Southeast Missouri, which is where the highest density of feral hogs are located. The Ozark region trapped 1,293 while the Southwest region trapped 1,006. St. Louis, Central and Kansas City regions all trapped fewer than 100 feral hogs.

MDC partners with other conservation groups, agriculture organizations and the Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation to provide the state’s feral hog strike team with more trapping equipment for use on both private and public land, and to fund public education efforts on the dangers of feral hogs.

Their populations grow rapidly because feral hogs can breed any time of year and produce two litters of one to seven piglets every 12 to 15 months. Feral hogs are also

M

issouri Holstein Dezi is a moo’ver and a milker. The Lawrence County cow churns out 201 pounds of milk per day. That’s the equivalent of about 24 gallons — 5 gallons more photo courtesy Sarah Damrow

Shake off those winter blues.

VisitCape.com/ComePlay Photo courtesy of Clay Guthrie

DESTINATION

e

ed!

You’v arriv

36

RURALMISSOURI.COOP

VisitCape.com/ComePlay

|

MARCH 2017

photo courtesy of MDC

MO Holstein produces nearly 24 gallon per day

EXPECTATION

800·777·0068

known to carry diseases such as swine brucellosis, pseudorabies, trichinosis and leptospirosis, which are a threat to Missouri agriculture and human health. To report feral hog sightings or damage, go online to mdc.mo.gov/feralhog.

than the average Holstein. Dezi’s efforts earned her nomination as the Missouri Holstein Association Cow of the Year.

Dezi is owned by farmer Karl Wilke. He uses solid dairy management practices to achieve outstanding herd performance. Wilke is “graze-ing the bar” for other dairy producers by growing and feeding quality forage. Dezi is fed herd corn silage and highmoisture cereal rye bales (60 percent moisture) and pastures the herd on cereal rye. There is no alfalfa in the Wilke 165-head herd diet.

Dezi feeds on partial mixed ration (PMR) and is turned out to graze on rye. Part of her superb performance may be attributed to rains in the fall of 2015 that created optimum lush pastures.

Research at Penn State University shows that grazing cows supplemented with a PMR had higher milk fat and protein, better body condition and produced 8 pounds more milk per day than those not fed a PMR.

1:23 pm – Stearman Sky Tours

The moment Hank felt like a kid again.

VisitWichita.com

RM

| EVENTS

Thanks for your interest in Rural Missouri’s Calendar of Events. To help ensure that we publish accurate information about your event, please use our online submission form, which can be found at www.ruralmissouri.org/eventsform.php. In addition to event details, you also can submit event photos for possible publication. Events are published as space allows and must be submitted at least 60 days in advance.

Feb. 27-March 1, Jefferson City, Sheep Shearing Class, George Washington Carver Farm, 3804 Bald Hill Road, 573-681-5312

March 4, Warsaw, Lowrance Electronics Demo, 13979 Highway 7, 660-438-4600, www.anglersportmarine.com/events

March 1-22, Poplar Bluff, Paintings by Adam Watkins, Tinnin Fine Arts Center Gallery, Three Rivers College, 573-840-9174

March 4, Palmyra, Silver Wings Country Music Show, Halls Hall, 660-676-2301

March 1-31, Sikeston, National Quilt Month Exhibition, Sikeston Depot Museum & Gallery, 116 W. Malone Ave., 573-481-9967, www.sikestondepotmuseum.com March 2, Rolla, Gospel sing featuring The Lesters, Rolla Church of the Nazarene, 573-308-0532, www.rollanazarene.com March 2-3, Marble Hill, Baking Class: Cinnamon Rolls, Mayfield Cultural Center, 573-238-8515, www.facebook.com/themayfieldculturalcenter March 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30, Marble Hill, Open Studio Thursdays - Featuring Fibers, Mayfield Cultural Center, 573-238-8515, www.facebook.com/themayfieldculturalcenter March 3, Morrison, Fish Fry, Assumption Church, 155 Morrison Ave., 573-763-5345 March 3-4, Springfield, Ultimate Indoor Endurocross, Ozark Empire Fairgrounds Indoor Arena, 417-863-6353, www.motorheadevents.com March 3-5, Springfield, RV Mega Show, Ozark Empire Fairgrounds E-Plex, 660-723-1115, www.rvmegashows.com March 3, 17 & 24, Russellville, St. Michael’s Parish Knights of Columbus Lenten Fish Fries, St. Michael’s Parish Hall, 573-230-1860 March 3-4, Clinton, Everharts Outdoor Crappie Days Sale and Event, 511 Hillcrest Drive, 660885-4436, March 3, 4, 10 & 11, Marshfield, Marshfield Community Theatre’s Alice in Wonderland, Hillside Church, 769 Hillside Loop, 417-501-5628, www.marshfieldtheatre.org

March 4, Liberty, Down Syndrome Benefit Horseshoe Tournament, Don Harris Arena, 816-682 9386, www.mohpa.us March 4, Morehouse, Songfellows Concert, First Baptist Church Family Life Center, 573-471-1876 March 4, Montgomery City, Montgomery County Old Threshers Toy Show, Montgomery County Fairgrounds, 573-564-2979, www.montgomerycountyoldthreshers.org March 4-5, Ozark, Gun and Knife Show, 2400 N. 18th St., 417-860-3324 March 4-26, Steelville, College Art Student Show, Gallery Zeke, 106 E. Main, 573-743-3478, www.steelvilleartscouncil.org March 9, Marble Hill, Watercolor Painting Class - Barn, Mayfield Cultural Center, 573-238-8515, www.facebook.com/themayfieldculturalcenter March 9, 16 & 23, Marble Hill, Stained Glass Class - Birds, Mayfield Cultural Center, 573-238-8515, www.facebook.com/themayfieldculturalcenter March 9-12 & 23-26, Camdenton, Wurstfest, Der Essen Platz, 8 Bridal Cave Road, 573-346-1122, www.DerEssenPlatz.com March 10, Marble Hill, Psanky - Ukranian dyed eggs, Mayfield Cultural Center, 573-238-8515, www.facebook.com/themayfieldculturalcenter March 10-11, Osage Beach, Liverpool Legends at the Lake, Main Street Music Hall, 573-348-1599, www.funlake.com/liverpoollegends March 10-11, St. Robert, Outdoor Sportsman Show and BBQ Competition, St. Robert Community Center, 573-451-2625, www.saintrobert.com

March 11, Washington, St. Ann’s Comedy Night, Knights of Columbus Hall, 1121 Columbus Lane, 636-239-3222, www.stannchurchcloverbottom.org March 11, Fruitland, Small Animals Swap Meet, Fruitland Auction Barn, 573-768-0570 March 11-12, Sedalia, Show Me Crafters Craft Show, Missouri State Fair Grounds, 660-281-1077 March 11-12, Sunrise Beach, Daylight Savings Open Horseshoe Tournament, The Pits Horseshoe Courts, 573-372-3650, www.mohpa.us March 12, Glen Allen, Spring Meltdown Horseshoe Tournament, Backyard Horseshoe Club, 573-2083201, www.mohpa.us March 12, St. Mary, Smorgasbord & Country Music Dancing, Country Music Associates, 573543-8739 March 12, Moscow Mills, Lions Breakfast, Community Building, Hwy. C, 636-290-1003 March 17, Linn Creek, Audience Participation Mystery Play, Camden County Musuem, Hwy. 54 and V Road, 573-346-7191, www.camdencountymuseum.com March 17, Linn Creek, Historical Society Membership Meeting, Camden County Musuem Hwy 54 and V Road, 573-346-7191, www.camdencountymuseum.com March 17, Vandalia, Country Music Dance, Modern Maturity Building, 660-676-2301 March 17-18, Lake Ozark, Home, Business & Lake Living, Lodge of Four Seasons - Campana Hall, 573-346-2227, www.camdentonchamber.com/expo.asp March 17-18, Higginsville, Lafayette County Antiques, Lawn & Garden Event, Lafayette County C-1 West Gym, 660-584-8818 March 17-18, Columbia, Mid-Missouri Home Show and KMOS Create, Parkade Plaza, 601 Business Loop 70 W, 573-446-2222 or 573-673-1480, www.columbiahba.com

March 3-5, Springfield, Amazing Garage Sale, Relics Antique Mall, 417-885-0007, www.relicsantiquemall.com

March 10 & 31, Chamois, Seafood Buffet, Most Pure Heart of Mary Church, 107 South Main St., 573-763-5421

March 4, Monroe City, Blow Cancer Away, Monroe City High School Gym, 573-544-4028, www.monroecountycancersupporters.com

March 11, Hermann, Advanced Wurst Making Class, Hermann Wurst Haus, 573-486-2266, www.hermannwursthaus.com

March 4, Sullivan, Sip N Sample for Ronald McDonald House, Fraternal Order of Eagles, 573259-0554

March 11, Lake Ozark, St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Bagnell Dam Blvd., 573-280-5477, www.lakestpatsparade.com

March 4, Sunrise Beach, Lake West Business Expo, Lake Christian Academy, 573-374-5500

March 11, Springfield, Ozark Regional Lily Society, Springfield Botanical Center, 417-877-0763

March 18, Washington, Post Office Stomp, City Park Auditorium, 636-239-1743, www.downtownwashmo.org

March 4, Linn Creek, Indoor Garage Sale & Market Place, Camden County Museum Hwy. 54 and V Rd., 573-346-7191, www.camdencountymuseum. com

March 11, Lexington, St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Downtown, 660-259-3082, www.historiclexington.com

March 18, Sikeston, St. Patty’s 5K Run for Special Olympics, Legion Park, 115 E. Front Street, 573275-1743, www.visitsikeston.com

March 11, Osage Beach, Lake Arts Variety Talent Showcase 2017, Cummings Auditorium, School of the Osage, 573-964-6366, www.artsatthelake.com

March 18, Sunrise Beach, St. Patrick’s Short Bus Shuffle, Multiple Venues, 573-374-5500, www.facebook.com/shortbusshuffle

March 11, Steelville, An Evening with The Blackwood Brothers Quartet, Meramec Music Theatre, 573-775-5999, www.meramecmusictheatre.com

March 18, Sunrise Beach, St. Patrick’s Water Parade, Captain Ron’s Bar & Grill, 573-374-5500, www.lakewestchamber.com

March 4, Theodosia, First Saturday of the Month Breakfast, Sampson Masonic Lodge No. 298, 417273-2190 March 4, Camdenton, Michael Card in Concert, R.C. Worthan Auditorium, 573-408-0288

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RURAL MISSOURI | MARCH 2017

March 18, Hermann, Wurst Making 101 Class, Hermann Wurst Haus, 573-486-2266, www.hermannwursthaus.com March 18, Sikeston, St. Patrick’s Day Celebration & Homebrew Contest, Malone Park, 573-3803801, www.visitsikeston.com

March 18, Cuba, Race to the Rocker, Mizell Funeral Home, 573-205-7704, www.racetotherocker.com March 18, Anutt, Ole Time Gospel, Anutt Community Church, 573-202-0649 March 18, Bucyrus, St. Pats Horseshoe Tournament, Good Luck Horseshoe Courts, 417-9672791, www.mohpa.us March 18, Liberty, Cancer Action Benefit Horseshoe Tournament, Don Harris Arena, 816-7410043, www.mohpa.us March 18, Wentzville, Shamrock Fling Horseshoe Tournament, Quail Ridge Horseshoe Tournament, 816-357-3081, www.mohpa.us March 18, Platte City, NW Missouri Insulator & Bottle Show, Platte County Fairgrounds, 816-7190801 March 18, Ashland, Black Powder Trade Show: Pre-1840 Long Hunter-Mountain Man-Blacksmith, Copper Kettle, 500 E. Liberty Lane, 573-875-2867 March 18, West Plains, Lonestar in Concert, West Plains Civic Center, 417-256-2131, www.hope4cf.org March 18, Knob Lick, Hits & Grinns, Nelson’s Music City, 573-756-1888 March 18, Sligo, SligoFest, UMC & Community Building 573-743-6316 or 573-743-6391 March 18, Warsaw, Boater Education Classes, Angler’s Port Marine, 660-438-4600, www.anglersportmarine.com/events March 18, Hermitage, HICOMO Coin Club Show, Pomme de Terre Shrine Club, 417-282-6472

March 18 & 25, Hallsville, Mystery Dinner Theatre, Victorian Country Inn, 573-819-2000, www.victoriancountryinn.com/vipbnb2016_013.htm March 19, St. Patrick, Shrine of St. Patrick 5K Run & Roast Beef Dinner, Shrine of St. Patrick, 660727-3472 March 19, St. Mary, Chicken/Dumpling Dinner, Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 573543-2266 March 24, Marble Hill, Crafts: Mason Jar Fairy Light, Mayfield Cultural Center, 573-238-8515, www.facebook.com/themayfieldculturalcenter March 24-25, Morrison, Rummage Sale/Bake Sale, Assumption Catholic Church, 155 Morrison Ave., 573-763-5345 March 25, Sikeston, Sikeston Regional Women’s Show, Miner Convention Center, 2610 E. Malone, 573-472-2222, www.facebook.com/SikestonWomenShow March 25, Lake Ozark, Bridge and Dam Half Marathon, 5K and 10K, Bagnell Dam Boulevard, 573746-6002, www.bridgeanddamhalfmarathon.com March 25, Branson, Roark Valley Model RR Open House, 3609 W. 76 Country Blvd., 417-335-1200, www.facebook.com/pages/roark-valley-modularRailroad-Club/334380193272916 March 25, Newburg, The Elmores, Abundant Blessings Fellowship Ministry Center, 3rd and Main Streets, 573-308-0532, www.rollanazarene.com March 25, Chesterfield, St. Louis Flatpick Bluegrass Concert, Marriott West Hotel, 314-368-4418, www.stlflatpick.com

March 25, Patton, Lawn Mower Racing, Patton Saddle Club, Highway 51, 573-866-3576 March 25, Sullivan, Celebrate Spring Wild Game Dinner, Harney Mansion, 314-807-3967 March 25-26, Lake Ozark, Alhonna Early Bird Open Buddy Bass Tournament, Alhonna Resort, 573-365-2634, www.thealhonnaresort.com March 26, Glen Allen, Spring Flower Power Horseshoe Tournament, Backyard Horseshoe Club, 573208-3201, www.mohpa.us March 26, St. Mary, Dinner & Country Music Dancing, Country Music Associates, 573-543-8739 March 26, Hermann, Whole Hog Sausage Breakfast, 214 E. Second St., 573-486-2978 March 26, Bland, Wither Missouri/Aldo Leopold’s Challenge, Prairie Star Restoration Farm, 573368-8393, www.holytrinityofconservation.com March 30-April 1, Osage Beach, The Great Lake of the Ozarks Gospel Sing, Main Street Music Hall, 888-285-7464, www.greatlakeoftheozarksgospelsing.com March 30, Marble Hill, Baking Class: Biscuits, Mayfield Cultural Center, 573-238-8515, www.facebook.com/themayfieldculturalcenter March 31, Marble Hill, History & Genealogy Day, Mayfield Cultural Center, 573-238-5145, www.facebook.com/themayfieldculturalcenter March 31-April 1, Ste. Genevieve, St. Vincent de Paul Yard Sale, University of Missouri Extension Building, 255 Market St., 573-535-4376

MARCH 2017 | RURALMISSOURI.COOP

39

RM

| M A R K E T P L AC E

DIMENSION BUILDINGS

Best Buildings at the Best Price For a Complete 30x50 only $3,650 Deluxe Pole Barn Package CALL (618) 997-9568 www.dimensionbldgs.com All Sizes Available Marion, IL

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Call for free quotes 877-315-4021 or fax 918-797-0050 www.diamondlpolebarns.net

CA$H 4 HUNTING RIGHTS Earn up to $10,000 from our hunting on your land.

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Hatching over 40 varieties of rare breed, layer, exotics & banty chicks including LAVENDER ORPINGTONS, black copper morans, ducklings, turkeys & guineas

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660-424-0408 or 660-464-1480

Like us on facebook to follow us for chickday dates & locations hatch Feb thru Oct we also ship baby poultry!

BASE CAMP Our Hunters Will Pay tOP $$$ tO Hunt yOur land LE

ASING

Call for a Free Base Camp Leasing info packet & quote.

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SALERS BULLS

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GREAT on hEifERs, AwEsomE on cows

If you have a job in town, you can’t be worried about pulling calves. You need calves with light birth weights, and lots of vigor, the type that have performed at weaning. Polled, black or red, good disposition, high weanling and yearling weights. Free delivery.

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Bulls are gentle in nature.

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WANTED Antique Harley Davidson & Indian Motorcycles

Complete bikes in any condition Basket cases & incomplete project bikes Parts: 1 piece or complete inventories

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Buyer Of Standing Walnut & Oak Timber Paying Top Dollar For Your Standing Timber Over 40 years of experience. Insured. PTH Certified.

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Buyer Of Standing Walnut & Oak Timber TOP PAID Paying Top Dollar For Your StandingDOLLAR Timber.

PAYING TAXES, Over 40 years of experience, Insured INS, PAYMENTS & SLIPS

ON A BOAT NOT BEING USED? (417)569-0648 (417)849-8983 I NEED 2002 AND NEWER PONTOONS westlogging@hotmail.com AND 16-21' FISHING BOATS CALL JEFF @ 417-771-3256 LAKESIDE BOAT ON STOCKTON LAKE

CALL FOR BID BEFORE YOU TRADE!!!

AKC ENGLISH LABRADOR RETREIVERS

Misty Rivers Kennel is located in the Heartland of Missouri. All of the pups are family raised, socialized and pre-spoiled. They have Grand Champion and Champion in their pedigree. They will be loving pets and companions. All pups will be up to date on their medications and vet checked. We are USDA and Missouri certified and a 5 Star breeder.

Visit Mistyriverskennel.com or call 660-739-4494

POLE BARNS

Specializing in Post Frame Metal Buildings Hay Sheds, Machines, Sheds, Horse Barns, Garages, Residential Homes, Commercial Buildings, Plumbing, and Concrete in Missouri.

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Moving Keepingactive active losing Movingisisthe thebest best medicine. medicine. Keeping andand losing

weight of the theways waysthat thatyou you can fight weightare arejust just two two of can fight Moving is the pain. best medicine.

Keeping active and losing osteoarthritis In fact, fact,for forevery everypound pound lose, osteoarthritis pain. In youyou lose, weight arepounds just twoless of pressure the waysonon that you can that’s less pressure each knee.

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information on managing pain, go to fightarthritispain.org. that’s four pounds less pressure on each knee. For information on managing pain, go to fightarthritispain.org.

CONTACT: mdavis@ruralmissouri.coop / 573-659-3400

New Releas e!

2012 – Trade Routes of the 17th Century

2014 – Hospitality during Lewis & Clark’s Journey

2016 – Code Talkers of WWI & WWII

U.S. Mint image

2013 – The first U.S. - Native American treaty

2017 – Sequoyah creates written Cherokee language

2015 –Honoring Mohawk high-rise Ironworkers

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WorldWide Steel Buildings Larger Sizes Available – Call For Quote!

50 Year Structural/45 Year Sheet Metal Warranties Agricultural • Machine Sheds • Storage • Arenas

WorldWide Steel Buildings, Peculiar, MO Buy from a local manufacturer

800-825-0316 or 816-779-6441 www.WorldWideSteelBuildings.com

GEORGE O. WHITE STATE FOREST NURSERY

Open House April 1, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.

One hour tours by appointment. - Space is limited.

You must call 573-674-3229 to reserve a time.

Tour the nursery and see how we grow, store, and ship almost 3 million tree seedlings every year.

Learn about Missouri’s native plants and trees.

Enjoy fishing at the nursery’s three acre lake. Meet Smokey Bear. Chat with Missouri’s conservation experts. Free hotdogs, chips, and cookies.

The nursery is located just north of Licking, Mo. on Shafer Road. www.mdc.mo.gov/seedlings

42

RURALMISSOURI.COOP

|

MARCH 2017

Come join us on our 11 day ...

May 16 - May 26, 2017

Grand Canyon

Oct. 17 - Oct. 27, 2017 Grand Canyon National Park Mesa Verde National Park Pikes Peak via the Cog Railway Royal Gorge Bridge and Park Garden of the Gods Petrified Forest National Park Monument Valley National Cowboy Museum Other Upcoming Tours in 2017 Northeast Lighthouse Tour & Niagara Falls Southeast Gulf States Tour

Mesa Verde Painted Desert

Only $2350 Per Person... Maximum 20 People Price Includes: Custom Motorcoach - Hotel Breakfasts - Lodging Home Cooked Lunches - Snacks - All Venues Shown

Come join us on our custom-built motorcoach, fully equipped with a kitchen, bathroom, card tables, video systems and a lounge area with couches.

Enjoy delicious hot lunches cooked on board, oftentimes picnic style, as we take in some of the most interesting places in America.

We also pick up from and return you to anywhere in Missouri.

Washington, DC & Historic Gettysburg Northwest National Park Tour

This is not an “ordinary” bus trip!

Colorado & Utah National Park Tour

USA Tours, Inc.

Rolla, MO

w

1-800-492-2601

TWO GENERATIONS OF MUSIC

APRIL 29 • A.J. Croce Performing songs of his father, Jim Croce

Whether it’s listening to traditional roots music, savoring home-style cooking at the Skillet Restaurant, visiting artisans as they create unique masterpieces, or relaxing in the Cabins at Dry Creek, Ozark Folk Center Home of serves up the soul of the Ozarks. Come stay awhile and let us share it with you.

2017 Season opens April 11.

See OzarkFolkCenter.com OzarkFolkCenter.com Park Information: 870-269-3851 Cabins at Dry Creek: 800-264-3655

www.usatoursmo.com

hey, kids! here are some fun facts about our solar system and each of its planets.

NEPTUNE Neptune is the windiest planet in our solar system. Scientists have recorded winds tearing through the Neptune clouds at more than 1,200 miles per hour.

MERCURY Is the smallest planet and the closest to the sun. Mercury is only 3,030 miles in diameter, about the size of the continental United States.

URANUS

Uranus is tipped over on its side with an axial tilt of 98 degrees. The planet is often described as “rolling around the Sun on its side,” which means it spins horizontally.

VENUS

“PLANET NINE”

In 2006, Pluto was reclassified as a “dwarf planet,” reducing the number of real planets in our solar system to eight. However, today astronomers are now hunting for another planet in our solar system — a true ninth planet — after its existence was unveiled last year. This so-called ninth planet is about 10 times the mass of Earth and 5,000 times the mass of Pluto.

SATURN

There are more volcanoes on Venus than any other planet. Astronomers have counted more than 1,600 volcanoes on the surface, but there may be more.

EARTH

Our planet Earth is racing around the sun at high speed! It isn’t just spinning, it is also moving at a speed of 67,000 miles per hour!

Even at that speed, it still takes the Earth one whole year to travel around the sun.

finding new planets is our specialty! start looking, mr. spock!

MARS

Saturn is 74,898 miles wide — nearly 10 times wider than Earth! That means about 750 Earths could fit inside the planet Saturn.

Mars, the red planet, has less gravity than Earth. If you weighed 100 pounds on Earth, you’d weigh only 38 pounds on Mars! That’s 62 percent less than you weigh here.

JUPITER

Jupiter is the largest planet in the solar system. Its mass is 318 times that of Earth.

In fact, Jupiter is 2.5 times more massive than all the other planets in the solar system combined.

an asteroid belt separates our inner planets from the outer ones. sometimes an asteroid falls into our atmosphere and burns up. those meteorites are commonly called falling stars.

Buddy Bear found a photo he likes in this issue — but he likes to see things bigger — so he zoomed in on his favorite part of the photo. Your mission? Mail Buddy Bear a note telling him what page you found the photo on and your age. If your entry is correct, your name goes into a drawing to win a Buddy Bear drawstring backpack. We’ll choose five winners each month. Send your answers to: Buddy Bear’s “Find The

Photo” • P.O. Box 1645 • Jefferson City, MO 65102. Congratulations to last month’s

44

RURAL MISSOURI | MARCH 2017

winners: Kricket Keithley, Caia Gipson, Frankie McMahon, Giada Ryon and Shelby Ragan. The image was on page 19 — it was a black-capped chickadee.

The photo can be viewed in our February digital edition at www. ruralmissouri.coop. This month’s entries must be received by March 10.

And sorry adults — this drawing is for kids only!

GROW MOREL MUSHROOMS

KILL LAKE WEEDS

CREATE A PERENNIAL MOREL GARDEN IN YOUR OWN BACKYARD We provide the spawn and easy to use instructions for preparing an outdoor Morel Habitat. You just sow the seed, maintain the Morel Habitat, and pick & enjoy fresh Morel Mushrooms. $32.95 + $8.40 S/H ORDER (800) 786-9121

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The danger cannot be seen. It can be silently lurking within the water where kids swim. Electricity from boats plugged into shore power can leak into the water if not properly equipped and maintained.

Poor boat and dock wiring may create hazards that can electrocute swimmers, boaters and people on the dock.

They should be maintained and inspected often by professionals. Prepare for a safe summer on the water.

RM

| NEIGHBORS

CHILDREN

of the

CIVIL WAR

Florence Wilson and Bill Pool remember their father who fought for the Union

Florence Wilson holds a proclamation presented to her by the Sons of Union Veterans in honor of her father’s service in the Civil War. He fought with Company D of the 6th West Virginia Infantry.

Left: Pvt. Charles Parker Pool is shown with his family not long before his death in 1931. From left are John, Charles Jr., his wife, Clara, Bill, Florence and Garland, sitting on his dad’s lap. Above: Bill was 7 years old when his dad died, but he still has fond memories of him.

by JimMcCarty | jmccarty@ruralmissouri.coop teer Infantry, fighting for the Union from 1861 to 1864. Charles served two years in ne can forgive the children of Charles guard duty at a fort in Ellenboro, Virginia.

Parker Pool for not talking about his At some point in his service he was injured military service. It’s not that they when a tree fell and hit his leg. The injuweren’t proud of their father’s war ry apparently never properly healed. Some record — they knew no one would believe years later, his leg was amputated and he spent the rest of his life on crutches. them when they said their father fought in the Civil War. After the war, he lived for a time in Minnesota, Iowa and Missouri. He mar“Here’s something I’ll tell you that is the truth,” says Bill, one of five children born to Charles and Clara Pool. “I never was anxious to say my dad fought in ried Evalin Dotson in Adair County, Missouri, in 1867. What happened to her the Civil War because I figured they would say, ‘You are a liar.’ I always had that is a mystery, but a year later he married Mattie Dobbs and moved to Shannon County. The couple had three children before Mattie’s death. feeling, they won’t believe you anyway.”

In 1915, Charles would marry Clara Straw. The two would settle on a farm His sister, Florence Wilson, agrees. She says her children were chastised by in the northwest corner of Arkansas. He was 71, she was 27. Over the years, their teachers for saying Grandpa fought in the Civil War. Until 2016, four of the Pool children survived. John died in October at age five children would come to the marriage, starting with Charles Thomas in 97. Garland, the baby of the family, died Aug. 8 at 88 years old. That leaves just 1916, who died in 1944, and ending with Garland in 1927.

Charles lived an active life, despite his missing leg. “My father was an amazBill, who is 92, and Florence, 94, to carry on the family legacy as two of the few ing man for his age, the way he could hunt and work so hard in his garden, remaining children of Civil War veterans.

The siblings, both members of Southwest Electric Cooperative, live just out- even when he was well into his 80s,” Florence says. “Having only one leg didn’t prevent him from taking part in the activities he loved. He’d sit down and crawl side of Bolivar.

In 2002, Tim Pletkovich, a teacher in Peoria, Illinois, started a class project in his garden and make it look so nice. It was always beautiful.”

She says he would sit on the ground and scoot backwards to hoe weeds. to collect the oral history of these Civil War offspring. “When we started out When he hunted, he would bring game home draped over his crutches. there were 50 to 60 of these people,” he said. “Now there are only three left.”

Florence says she’s been told her father read the Bible to the family every Over four years, Tim’s students sent letters to every person he could find whose father served in the Civil War. They asked for stories about the fathers’ day. That may have been what planted the faith so deeply in the family. Both war experience, family life, foodways, religion and just about anything else the John and Garland joined the ministry, and Bill and Florence remain devout Christians. students thought would be interesting.

The four Pools were among those interviewed. Their stories, The two don’t remember their dad talking much about the Civil War. “I was only 7 years old when he died,” Bill says. “You don’t ask questions, along with those of seven other families, later became the basis of a book written by Tim called “Civil War Fathers: Sons of the but you heard some things when he was talking to other people.”

John shared most of the stories about their father that are in the Civil War in World War II.” The book focuses on the fact that most of these “True Sons and book. He remembered his dad telling one story about capturing a Confederate soldier. Growing weary of guarding him, Charles Daughters” as they were known would serve in World War II, nearly 80 years after their fathers fought. That included John and Bill. offered to give the prisoner a chance to run for it, telling him he would shoot one time and if he missed he was free. The prisonGarland served during the postwar occupation.

Bolivar er passed on the opportunity. “And it’s a good thing he didn’t, Memories of their father are dim after so many years, but Florbecause the way my dad shot, he would have been foolish to ence remembers him as a kindly old man who loved to garden. “I have gone,” John wrote. remember as a child how I couldn’t wait to crawl up in my father’s Charles died in 1931 at 88. Clara, who moved the family back lap,” she says. “He had a long white beard and I just loved to play with his to Missouri during World War II, would live until 1990. “My mother, if she whiskers.”

“All of us kids would climb into his lap, I remember that,” Bill adds. “We would have lived three more months, would have been 102 years old,” Bill says.

She may have been the last in Missouri to receive a Civil War pension. loved to visit with him. The last year or so that I remember him he would mostly For the surviving children, the true legacy of their Civil War father is a love stay in his rocking chair. He had an old hound, a smooth-hair dog. He would come in and lay right down by his chair. When he passed away, he went in of God and country, honor and pride.

“Our parents took a lot of pride in each other,” Bill wrote in his letter to the there, saw he wasn’t there and went out and never came back.”

Pvt. Charles Pool was born in 1843 in what is now West Virginia. When students. “I think my mother was very proud to be married to a Union veteran. the Civil War began, he joined Company D of the 6th West Virginia Volun- I know she loved my father very much.”

O

46

RURAL MISSOURI | MARCH 2017

RM

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